'The Other Side of Eden' Part four: Tezuka's Memory
Genre: Fantasy, romance, adventure, semi-crossover, AU (Alternate Universe)
Warnings: Maybe OOC (out of character)-ness, cliché, and cheesy-ness,shonen-ai (boy love), more 'Ragnarok Online' refrences..
Notes: I suck. That's all there is too it.
"Atobe, come with me."
-
Atobe was not normally one to take commands lightly. Especially not when it was from a human. But somehow, if it was from Tezuka he was willing to give in. This time had to come eventually anyway.
So they went inside their tent and had a seat, not facing one another, but side-by-side. Openness came more readily when they didn't have to look each other in the face. And when Tezuka requested that Atobe told him everything, the Angel complied. He told everything he could, anyway; he was still unable to answer why the swordsman's touch reverted him back to his actual form.
And it was with a smile when Atobe answered that he had, actually, learned many interesting things about humans.
When Tezuka was satisfied with the information he'd been given, and agreed to allow the other to continue with them on their journey, he then found the tables turned.
"It's only fair now that you tell me about yourself, ahn?" Atobe grinned. "What trials and tribulations made you who you are? What made Tezuka Kunimitsu so great?"
The swordsman regarded him for a moment, then looked away and said "I have no past. At least, not that I can remember."
"Eeh?"
"Two and a half years ago I woke up in Seigaku with no memory of who I was or where I was from. I don't even know if 'Tezuka Kunimitsu' is my real name, except that it was engraved on this sword, which was found next to me." As he spoke, Tezuka lifted his weapon and un-sheathed it, staring at the sharp blade. His fingers traced over the engravings on the hilt; the only clue he had to his unknown past.
"I was found and taken in by a man named Yamato," he continued. "He was...the pillar of Seigaku; respected by everyone for the devotion he showed in protecting the city."
He paused then, and in that moment Atobe realized this was the most the swordsman had spoken in the months they'd been traveling together. The disclosure was meaningful, that somewhere down the road he'd earned Tezuka's trust. "What happened to him?" he prompted the other to continue.
"He died," Tezuka answered simply. His voice held no emotion, but there was something in his eyes. Something distant in the steely depths. "He was sharing his food with me, even though he barely had enough for himself. He insisted it was his duty, but I could tell he was getting weaker as days went by. He lost his edge, and was killed by a maya while trying to protect the city."
"Oh..." Of course, an Angel could kill a maya with little problem, but for possibly the first time ever Atobe didn't feel the desire to boast. "So you took over his place," he deduced. "Protecting the city; becoming the pillar of Seigaku."
Tezuka nodded, and another moment of silence fell over them.
Until...
"Is that why you're always so grumpy?"
"... I am not grumpy."
"Sure, sure."
And a tossed boot collided with Atobe's head.
It was quiet as the traveled, everyone for the most part lost in their own thoughts. Atobe turned what he'd learned about the group's leader over in his head, wondering at the sorrow of it.
It must have been hard not knowing where you were from or even who you were. To have no memories of a family or friends or lovers. These things that were important to humans, everyone had them except Tezuka.
He looked around at his companions, realizing how true that was. Fuji sat behind his brother on their shared horse, resting his head on Yuuta's back and napping while the other held the reins. Taichi was playing with Momo, giggling as he let the chibi try to steer his horse. Kaidou rode nearby, looking gruff as usual, but keeping an eye on the boy and his chibi. Kamio drove his and Shinji's horse with the mage sitting in front of him, singing softly as they rode along.
Humans helped each other and relied on each other, and their relationships were important to them. They needed each other, even if some of them refused to admit it.
But Tezuka didn't have anyone so close. No memories of family, and having closed himself off to friends, he was alone. And the only person he ever had died on him. It was no wonder the man was as petulant as he was.
Atobe let his forehead fall upon Tezuka's shoulder and felt him stiffen for a moment, then relax again.
"Tired?"
"No," Atobe answered. "Just thinking."
"What about?"
"Maa...nothing much." And he let his eyes close.
Tezuka didn't press the issue, and they again fell silent.
Some time later Atobe woke up and blinked his eyes, having no recollection of ever falling asleep. They were still making their way through the cave, and he wondered how long he'd been out for.
"I thought you weren't tired."
"I wasn't," Atobe said, then yawned. "Your stimulating conversation skills just have that effect on me."
Tezuka only snorted in response, then slowed the horse when he saw Fuji and Yuuta had stopped. The team each came up alongside them with questioning looks.
"What is it, Fuji?"
"There's something up ahead."
Instantly they went on alert. Muscles tensed, breath held, eyes searching.
"I don't see anything.." Shinji murmured.
"I do.." Taichi answered, and narrowed is eyes a bit, staring intently into the darkness up ahead. But then his eyes began to widen, larger and larger, and a look of complete fear came over him. "It's... a phreeoni!"
In seconds they had dismounted from their horses and drawn their weapons. Atobe and Fuji, the only two who were unarmed, let the horses to a far wall and tied them there, then stayed well out of the way.
The creature arrived, massive and reeking, and the team surrounded it. Phreeoni were disgusting monsters that killed and ate anything it came across.
"Attack at will!" Tezuka called out, and they rushed to battle.
Yuuta and Taichi sent arrow after arrow into the creature, while Shinji tried slowing its pace with ice spells. Tezuka slashed at it when he could, trying to dodge its blows and pierce its thick skin. Kamio used his speed, jabbing the monster then moving before it even registered any pain, appearing in a different place and thrusting his dagger into it again. Kaidou sent forth Momo, who was strong despite his size and very agile. The chibi worked as a distraction to throw the enemy off when it tried to attack. At the same time the beastmaster called on bats and rats to help, directing them to bite and scratch with all their tiny might.
They had it outnumbered and surrounded, but it was so strong. Its skin was thick and hard to penetrate, and it was fast despite its size. It could take a thousand arrows into its side, but a single hit from it could send a person flying.
When it realized there were two people not fighting, a while new problem arose. It targeted Atobe and Fuji, and almost hit them too, except that Tezuka dashed in just in time to parry the blow.
An arrow shower from Taichi put nine more arrows into the monster's side, and it turned to swipe at the archer.
And suddenly, the answer became clear to Fuji. He reached over and shoved Atobe, sending the Angel crashing into, and then on top of Tezuka, who was still standing in front of them.
When his wings appeared and his full Angelic powers returned, Atobe understood what the scholar did. "Tezuka, get on my back."
Tezuka too understood the plan, and quickly moved behind the other. He wrapped his arms around the Angel's chest, and held on tight.
Flapping his great wings, Atobe easily lifted himself and the extra person into the air. They flew about the cavern, gaining altitude and speed. And as each of the other members of their team caught sight of the pair flying above, they stopped to stare in awe.
"I trust you know what you're doing?" Tezuka called into Atobe's ear as he clung to him.
"Of course," the Seraph snorted in response. "Prepare to be awed by my prowess." And then he began his attack.
Rising as high as the cavern would allow, the Angel then made a dive towards the phreeoni. He gained speed in the attack, then thrust a hand forward, aiming at his opponent. A barrage of feathers burst forth, blinding the creature and causing it to roar in anger.
"Hametsu e no Rondo!" Atobe's hands began to glow as he collected energy into them, then released it back on the blinded monster. Combined with the speed he'd reached on the descent, the blow was like a super nova, and a scream of pain rose through the cave as the phreeoni was obliterated.
When smoke and feathers cleared, the Angel stood, panting, among the carnage. Tezuka's arms were still around him with his face in his neck. Then he slowly lifted his head and let his arms fall. They were quiet; they were still..
"You did it!" Taichi's cheer broke the silence as he bounded over to the pair, grinning excitedly. "You killed it! That was awesome! We're saved!"
Atobe smiled and ruffled the archer's hair, then looked around at the others. Kamio and Shinji were leaning on each other for support, while Fuji was attending to his brother's wounds. Even Kaidou was assisting Momo, tying a small bandage to the chibi's leg (though he was trying to be very discreet about it).
And then he turned and looked at Tezuka. The swordsman nodded at him, and he smiled in response.
It wasn't too much longer than another day's worth of travel when they finally came upon the light signifying the cave's end. And when they reached the exit, they were confronted with a rich forest. Thick with trees and vines and the sounds of wildlife; Atobe knew they were now beyond the realm of his circle of Heaven. This place was controlled by a different school of Gods and Angels, and was almost the opposite of the previous land.
Which was a problem in and of itself.
They listened to Fuji to learn whether or not this place could be their journey's end, and he informed them that it would not be. The forest was too dense; there was no room for people without requiring a great deal of work that they could not afford. Their best chance was to move on, and pray that there were plains beyond the woods.
So they rode on, and after several hours they found themselves facing the very welcome sight of a crystal clean river.
There was very little gazing at its promise of relief; within seconds Kamio, Yuuta, and Taichi had dismounted, stripped down to their skivvies while running, and dove in. After years of living through a drought, the cool water was more blissful than they imagined even Heaven to be.
"I guess we're stopping here," Tezuka said in an annoyed tone, obviously displeased with the decision being made under him.
"Aniki!" Yuuta called out to his brother from the river's edge. "Come on in! The water's great!"
Fuji and Tezuka looked at each other, and the scholar smiled and shrugged. "It can't be helped." Then he too disrobed and joined them in the water.
Shinji had also approached the river, but didn't get in. He argued with Kamio, who was trying to coax him to join the fun, and rambled about how he didn't want to swim. But his stream of words came to an abrupt stop when the thief splashed him, soaking his hair and clothes. Silently the mage removed his garments, then dove in and proceeded to try and drown his partner.
Even Momo joined in, splashing around with the others. But when he looked expectantly at Kaidou, the beastmaster just hissed and walked away. Momo and Taichi glanced at each other, then the chibi got out and followed his master into the forest.
Atobe couldn't help but grin at the antics of his companions, and he turned that grin to Tezuka. "Are you going too?"
"No," was the steely reply. "I'm going to scout out the area." Then he turned and began walking away.
The grin faded, turning into a frown, and Atobe decided he was not going to let the other man be like that. Not this time. So he rushed forward and took hold of Tezuka from behind. "Let's fly."
"What?"
But it was too late. With a flap of feathered wings, they took to the sky.
"What are you doing? Put me down!"
"You need to learn how to have a little fun," Atobe said as they rose above the treetops. "Now don't struggle, or I might drop you." He chuckled.
Tezuka ceased trying to resist, but continued to fume silently. And yet...he couldn't deny that the view from above was beautiful. And the wind rushing through his hair was exhilarating. And as they soared through the air, he couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging; like he was meant to be so high up in the sky.
He relaxed, putting his faith in the Angel's arms around his waist and chest. Together they soared over the trees, through the clouds, and along the river, where Tezuka reached out to skim his fingers along the still surface.
They were free, if just for a short time, and left their worries behind. Flying so fast and so high that troubles couldn't keep up. And when it began to darken, they stopped upon a mountain ledge and watched the sunset.
"Atobe.." Tezuka spoke after a quiet moment. "Thank you. I think I needed that."
"Yes, you did," Atobe said knowingly. Then he turned his head to look the other in the eyes. "I know how hard it is to lead and be responsible for other people, but you have to lighten up some of the time, or you're going to crack." Then something in his turquoise eyes changed, and his tone softened. "Besides, you have no memories, right? So I thought I'd help you make some. You'll never forget the experience of my great flying abilities, ahn?" He gave a wink.
The swordsman made a non-committal sound and turned back to the disappearing sun. But after a moment he realized he had the urge to reach out and touch the other. To see those white wings and feel the power only Atobe had. He wanted to be closer to the Angel's energy.
Instead he stood up, lightly brushing off his clothes. "We should get going."
"Aah."
They touched down to the campsite where five of their members had a fire going and were cooking some kind of meat over it. Taichi was talking animatedly about how he was going on the quest to learn arrow creating when this was all over with, as Atobe sat down to join them, while Tezuka set to putting up their tent.
Some time had passed before Kaidou returned, and at the offering of food he gave a grunted "no, thank you" and went into his tent. It served as a kind of indicator to the rest, that it was probably time to get some sleep.
Taichi paused before entering his tent, and looked around. "Hey, guys..." Eyes turned toward him questioningly. "Did anyone else notice Momo-chan didn't come back with Kaidou-san?"
Atobe turned onto his back and blinked at the tent's ceiling...again. He hated when he couldn't sleep because it made him think. Or maybe his thinking was the cause of his inability to fall asleep. Either way, trying to figure out feelings he shouldn't have was not how he'd planned on spending the hours in the dark.
"Are you awake, Tezuka?" When he got no response he figured the other had the good fortune to be able to rest. He heaved a sigh and turned again onto his side, facing away from his tent-mate.
And spoke softly..
"Angels are not supposed to want to kiss humans."
A moment later, grey eyes closed in sorrow.
to be continued...
p.s.
I really...really HATE this dumb auto-formatting thing! HATE! >stabs