'The Other Side of Eden' Part Seven: Atobe's Decision
Genre: Fantasy, romance, adventure, semi-crossover, AU (Alternate Universe)
Warnings: Lots of OOC (out of character)-ness because I suck, shonen-ai, more obscure 'Ragnarok Online' refrences...
Notes: Ahaha...the last part...finally... Actually, this has been finished for a long time, but I HATE formatting SOU MUCH that I never felt like getting around to posting it.. But I had to eventually. So...thanks for waiting, and enjoy!
How much time had passed before Tezuka returned to camp? Minutes? Hours? Atobe couldn't be sure, but he didn't sleep a wink while the swordsman was gone. Yet he still didn't move when he heard someone enter their tent. He feigned sleep as the other stared at him, then laid down with his back to him.
It was a mistake. He knew that. For as much as he had wanted it to happen, it shouldn't have.
Inwardly, Atobe sighed.
It happened so fast, he didn't have a chance to see it coming.
Tezuka kissed him. Pushed him back against a tree, gripped his shoulders strong enough to bruise, and pressed their lips together.
And he returned it.
His emerged wings wrapped around Tezuka's back, pulling him closer. They stood cocooned in white feathers, and time seemed to stand still. Truly, Atobe wished that moment could last forever.
But it couldn't, and abruptly he broke all contact and pushed the other away.
"I...can't."
Tezuka said nothing as he turned and walked away.
They didn't speak as they rode along. Nobody did, really. It seemed everyone sensed the tenseness that had formed between the swordsman and the Angel, and it left a silence among the group.
It was actually rather impressive that a team of so many could be so quiet.
But after several hours, Fuji finally spoke up, saying "the trees are getting less dense. We should be out of the forest soon." And he was right. A few more hours of travel brought them to an opening of their path, and beyond that was a vast plain. Lush green grass on an open land as far as the eye could see. A few gentle hills, spotted with an occasional tree.
It was perfect.
"We did it!" Taichi voiced the cheer and relief everyone was feeling. "We're home!"
Of course, it wasn't that simple. Tezuka made sure the land was scouted out thoroughly, making sure it was free of harmful monsters or anything else that could make it unfit for their people. But it all checked out; the creatures of the land seemed to prefer the cover and security of the forest, so the plains were relatively free, aside from the occasional poring or lunatic, but they were harmless. So this would be their new home.
When the swordsman was assured the area was secure, the team gathered in a circle and listened as Fuji instructed them on what they would do next.
"I'm glad we made it this far," the scholar started. "But the journey is only half done. Tomorrow Ibu-san will teleport himself and Kamio-san, as well as Yuuta and myself back to Seigaku. We'll tell everyone there the news, and help them prepare to move. In a few days we will begin the process of teleporting them back here."
Everyone looked to Shinji, who nodded in response. He had a difficult job, one that would drain a large percent of his magic reserves, ahead of him.
"The rest of you will stay here," Fuji continued. "Tilling and preparing the land, finding food, perhaps start building some housing. Inui-san has agreed to work on a system of running water. The worst is over, but we've still got a lot of work ahead of us."
Despite knowing that, they were all still in a good mood, feeling safer than they had in a long time. They finally had a place to assure the future of their people...
If Fuji had anything more to say, he never got a chance to say it. They were intruded upon by a blinding light, so bright they had to cover their eyes. When the light faded, they looked to see someone new. It seemed to be an Angel, the large white wings a giveaway, with longish hair so black it shone blue. A thin pair of round spectacles adorned his face, as well as a snide, sensual look.
As unusual as the sight was, they'd been traveling with an Angel all this time, so the travellers probably didn't have anything to be afraid of. However, their hands reflexively hovered over their weapons.
"Friend of yours?" Tezuka asked without taking his eyes off the stranger.
"Something like that," Atobe answered.
"I'm hurt," the newcomer drawled out with a voice that was teeming with sensuality. "After everything we've been through together."
Atobe just snorted in response. Then he introduced "this is Oshitari Yuushi...God of knowledge and literature."
"God?"
"But the wings..."
"And," he really hated being interrupted. "His pet Angel, Mukahi Gakuto."
The white wings lifted from Oshitari's back, revealing that they in fact belonged to a skinny red-headed Angel, and not the God upon whom he'd hitched a ride. "Who are you calling a pet?" he snapped out as he landed by his partner's side.
"Am I wrong?" Atobe raised an eyebrow.
"Gakuto." Oshitari gave a warning tone and put a hand on the small Angel's shoulder. Even though Atobe was a much higher rank than Gakuto, the little red-head was feisty, and wouldn't think twice about throwing things if he deemed it necessary.
But instead he just stuck out his tongue and latched onto the other's arm. "Only to Yuushi," he purred.
"I suppose you're here with a message from Sakaki?"
"Right you are." Oshitari smiled in his clever way, and took a few steps closer to Atobe. "It seems you've completed your task."
Atobe nodded. He knew he had done what he was supposed to. Learned what he'd set out to learn. He had no doubt of that.
"You can come back to Heaven now."
Home. He could finally go home; back to where he belonged, among the clouds and Gods and Angels and palaces of gold. No more wandering and getting attacked by random monsters every day. No more sleeping on the ground in a dirty tent without a servant in sight. He could go back to the life he was born to live.
But as he looked around at the faces of those who had been his team for the past year...it didn't seem as exciting all of a sudden. These...humans, they had become something to him. Because where in Heaven could you find someone who could live by a song? Capture a Demon's heart? Put nature before them self? Sacrifice their soul for the one they love? Or become the pillar of a society, without even knowing who they were?
Atobe had never known anyone like these people, and there was still so much he could learn from them.
"On the other hand," Oshitari's voice cut into his thoughts. "You could always stay here if you want. Among the humans."
"Stay.." Atobe put his fingers to his lips in thought.
That he was seriously considering it irked the intelligent God. Give up Heaven? For this? What was there to think about? "Keep in mind, if you choose to stay now, you can never come back. There is no second chance."
The Angel scowled. He did not care for his turn of events. He needed more time. With them. Unsurity was such a bother.
"I'll give you until tomorrow to decide," Oshitari leered. "Choose carefully." And then he put an arm around Gakuto, and they disappeared.
The earlier-felt cheer was momentarily forgotten as a somber mood fell over the group. They had grown attached to Atobe. He'd been with them through this journey, helped them and fought with them through a difficult time. They'd made memories and shared experiences; he was a part of them.
Tezuka cleared his throat, taking his position as leader. "Everyone rest up for the remainder of the day. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow."
"Do you think he'll go?"
/That's a prediction I can't make./
"I'll miss him if he leaves." Taichi sniffled. "I... I want him to stay!"
"It's none of my business if he goes or if he stays. Won't make a difference. Then again, it might affect someone else so it would make a difference. But I don't have a way of knowing. He'd be crazy to give up Heaven though. I think. Actually I've never been there so I don't know really, but I hear it's nice. According to legend anyway. But how would the prophets know unless they've been there and come back? Maybe someone else wrote about it. I don't know if-"
"Shinji."
"... What?"
"Shut up."
"Do you want him to stay, Aniki?"
"It's...not really my place. It depends on what he's willing to give up."
"Aniki."
"Well...it'd be nice if he'd stay. For Tezuka's sake."
"...I hope he stays."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know.."
A pause.
"Atobe, about yesterday-"
"Don't. Just...don't." Atobe walked a few steps away from Tezuka, and ran a hand through his silvery hair. Without turning, he then said "I know you must understand our positions. I am an Angel, you are a human. Nothing can happen between us."
"Unless you stay."
Tezuka didn't see the pained scowl, or the way he bit his lip. But he did see a fierce glare when the Angel turned back to him. "And what reason do I have to stay?"
They regarded each other a moment. Eyes locked. An unknown force pulling them toward each other. And then, for the second time in less than twenty-four hours, Atobe found himself in Tezuka's arms. With Tezuka's lips on his. The swordsman ran a hand up his back and caressed a feathered wing, and the Angel couldn't hold back a small moan.
He didn't push away this time, and when they parted it was only far enough to gaze into each other's eyes.
"I want to hear you say it." Atobe's voice was still so smooth. "Tell me the words, why I should stay," he demanded.
"I can't," Tezuka responded after a second of silence. "I don't know how." And then he backed away. "I-"
"Forget it," the other interrupted. "Just..." He waved a hand dismissively. "Excuse me now, I have a decision to think about."
This time, Atobe was the one to walk into the night.
He did not want to return to the tent. Tezuka was there, and he didn't want to talk. And, even worse, he wasn't all that sure he could hold back from the temptation of the swordsman's hot embrace.
Atobe looked around, considering his options. He really didn't want to share with the lovers, Kamio and Shinji. Didn't want to intrude on the Fuji brothers either...for much the same reason. And the other tent already had three...beings (five if one counted the chibis..), that would be far too cramped for his tastes.
His eyes turned skyward, longing for the ability to just pull up a cloud and rest wherever he wished. But no, he was on the Earth. So he laid out on a soft patch of clover, hands folded behind his head, and watched the stars twinkle at him.
As they should.
He had no memory of falling asleep, but his eyelids slowly opened with awakening, and he quickly realized he had been brought into his tent and covered with a blanket, though Tezuka was nowhere to be found. Then he remembered everything that had occurred the previous day. The finding of the plains, Oshitari and Gakuto's arrival, the choice he was given...and the kiss.
The second had been even better than the first, and he briefly wondered, if given the chance, would the third and forth and fifth be even better and better?
He was still undecided!
With a growl, Atobe banged his head against the ground a few times, frustrated and impatient with himself.
Restless, he crawled out of the tent, only to find everyone sitting in a group instead of working as he'd assumed they would be. And everyone meant everyone; his teammates whom he'd been traveling with, as well as the pair from Heaven who'd been sent to fetch him. Just sitting there, as if they'd been in the group the whole time! Oshitari was having a discussion with Fuji, which was probably far beyond anyone else's comprehension, and Gakuto and Kamio were having some kind of argument about which hair color was the better red.
Atobe frowned, very not pleased with the sight. "What are you doing here?"
"Well good morning to you too, Sunshine," the God smirked at him.
"You said you'd give me a day. It's hardly been so long."
"I said I'd give you until today. I never specified what time." If the intense narrow-eyed glare Atobe gave him had any effect, he showed no sign of it. "Besides," he continued, "Gakuto was getting bored."
That would figure. The lithe Angel was a bundle of energy that had to move constantly. He couldn't stand not doing anything for any length of time. But Atobe felt he had the right to glare at him, even knowing this. And Gakuto simply flashed a 'V' sign and grinned in return.
Within the next blink, Oshitari was standing in front of Atobe. Close enough to make Tezuka frown even deeper than usual. "It is time, Buchou. What is your decision?"
The fallen Angel smoothly turned and took several steps away from the group. He crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. The time was now; he had to make his choice. "I have to be honest and say...I really have grown intrigued with this world. With its people. Everyone has so much strength inside of them. I could gain so much by staying here."
There was a collective leaping of hearts.
"However..."
And a matching drop.
"I would lose that which is most important to me... Myself." He turned again, but it was Tezuka he faced, and Tezuka's eyes he looked into. "There could never have really been any other choice. I can only be who I am meant to be."
The swordsman only nodded in response, keeping his face carefully blank.
"Take me home, Oshitari."
"As you wish."
With those words, Gakuto took flight, closing the short distance between himself and Oshitari. He landed next to the God and wrapped his arms around him, pressing his body close against him. "Na, Yuushi Let me do it."
"You are the devious one, aren't you?" Oshitari chuckled. "Go, then."
The Angel gave a snarky laugh as he vanished, then reappeared behind Tezuka. "Borrowing this," he grinned as he pulled the swordsman's weapon from its sheath at his side. He disappeared again, and before anyone knew what was happening, the blade came jutting from Atobe's stomach.
"Atobe!"
His turquoise eyes were wide, and his mouth gapped open in shock. Slowly, he looked down, hands moving to wrap around the sword that stabbed through him.
"Sorry about that, Buchou," Gakuto said, more softly than he'd ever spoken to the other before. "To return to Heaven, this human body has to die so you can be reborn. Just as you died before, to be born on Earth."
Atobe choked on the blood collecting in his throat. A gurgling was the only noise he could make to voice his lack of comprehension.
But somehow Gakuto understood. "When you fell to the Earth, you died then. Sakaki made sure of that. And now you must die again. But the only thing that will definitely kill you is a Holy Sword."
Now Tezuka's eyes widened slightly. It...almost made sense. But for the very few questions that answered, a hundred more arose. Though at the moment he couldn't seem to think about himself at all.
As his strength left him, Atobe fell back, and the other Angel caught him and eased him gently to the ground. "It will all be worth it," Gakuto whispered, brushing a strand of hair from the other's eyes. "You'll have your wings back. You'll fly again."
"Gakuto." Oshitari took a step forward, and the red-head nodded.
Laying Atobe on his side and standing up, Gakuto walked over to his partner. "We'll be seeing you."
"Ja na" the God drawled.
And then they were gone.
It was then that the group finally moved, rushing to Atobe, who lay there bleeding. His clothes were saturated with the crimson liquid that seeped from where the sword pierced his body. Tezuka gently lifted him, cradling his head as he gazed at the dying Angel. "Atobe..."
A half-smile came to Atobe's face, but it was so much weaker than usual. "Gakuto is in serious trouble when I get back..."
"You can survive this. Fight it. Stay here.." He wasn't pleading. Tezuka Kunimitsu did not plead. But...he admitted that he did want the Angel to stay. He hadn't felt so alive and real until the egotistical Seraph came along and showed him how beautiful life could be. "Stay with me."
"There's something...I wanted to hear from you...naa?" His voice and breath were becoming more weak.
Even at a time like this. "You really are so selfish, aren't you?"
"I won't be the first to say it."
"Atobe.."
A silent moment passed, with the only sound being feint crying from Taichi, and Atobe's gasping breaths from blood-filled lungs. But the breaths slowed, becoming sparse, and eventually stopped altogether. Eyes closed, his body slumped. Tezuka buried his face into Atobe's still-warm neck..
And then the Angel faded out of existence.
Years passed and Seigaku prospered. The new land was wonderfully adequate, and allowed the people to re-build and re-live and they were happy. The brothers Fuji were able to live together in peaceful obscurity; too respected as founders of the new land to ever be questioned on why neither ever took wives. Kamio and Shinji too were able to be happy in their life with each other. Inui stayed with Kaidou, though it was never known what kind of relationship the beastmaster had with the water sprite, along with the chibis, Momoshiro and Ryoma, who spent a great deal of time pulling pranks on the people of the town when they weren't competing at everything else with each other.
Taichi was the only one whom nobody knew what happened to. Several months after the town was settled, the young archer disappeared. Some people searched and searched the nearby woods, but he was never found, and only those who were on the great journey ever had any idea as to what may have happened to him. And they would never tell.
The leader of the group, the pillar of Seigaku, Tezuka Kunimitsu lived the rest of his days alone. He continued his protection of the people, but never grew close with anyone other than those he's spent a year traveling with. His heart already belonged to someone else.
He died a few years later.
It has seemed strange. The swordsman was not sick, nor had he been hurt in any way. He was found quietly passed away in his home one day, as if he'd simply decided it was a good time to go.
As though there was someplace else he needed to be.
Fuji smiled as he watched his friend's coffin being lowered into the ground. And when everyone else in Seigaku went home to grieve, the genius scholar stayed behind, watching as one shovelful after another filled in the grave with soil. Until Yuuta approached from behind and wrapped his arms around him.
"Are you alright, Aniki?"
"Of course," was the reply, as he turned in the embrace to face his brother. "I'm very happy."
Yuuta returned the smile. He knew too; it didn't take a genius. And they both turned their eyes to the sky, feeling like they could almost see all the way into Heaven.
"Tezuka is where he belongs now."
In the white clouds, two winged figures flew through the air together.
The End