Houjun had an inclination to push Genrou away, but it was very fleeting and before he could act on the impulse, he found himself wrapped in Tasuki's embrace. All thought left him as he felt Genrou's tongue touch his lips, demanding entrance. The moment their tongues met, Houjun knew that fighting his attraction to Genrou was a waste. This was where he belonged, in this man's arms.
Eventually, lips parted as both gasped for breathe. Houjun found himself wrapped in his protected's embrace, held to the warmth that was Tasuki's body. He was surprised to find his own arms wrapped around Genrou's neck and his body pressed intimately close to the redhead's. Genrou rested his forehead against Houjun's and sighed softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lose control like that."
Houjun smiled very softly. "You were trying to get me to remember these memories of one you call Chichiri."
Tasuki nodded and smiled, catching no anger in his protector's words. "Hai, that I was."
Houjun unwound himself from Tasuki's embrace. "What makes you think I am this Chichiri?"
Tasuki blinked. "You look like him for one." He was met with Houjun's customary cold glare and looked searchingly into the mahoghanny eyes. "But it's more then that. You protect us. Chichiri was a celestial warrior of Suzaku. There are 7 Celestial Warriors of Suzaku and the Suzaku no Miko, Miaka. You watch us because we are your celestial brothers and your Miko. Then there are your powers."
Houjun grunted. "I am the legendary protector of this city, those powers are part of that prophesy."
He looked at Tasuki, who was shaking his head. "No, you can fly and have visions, those are the only powers mentioned in the prophesy. The other powers are Chichiri's. Never in any of the prophesy's has it said that our protector would have other powers then flying and visions." He stepped closer to Houjun. "We don't understand the darkness of your soul, but you really are our brother warrior. We need you to awaken, Chichiri. We all worry for what you have become in this life. You are evil and cruel to others. Chichiri was one of the kindest, most gentle man I ever knew."
Houjun's glare had become cold and cruel at these words. His tone was snide as he spoke. "It sounds like you are in love with this Chichiri you believe me to be."
Genrou's expression fell. "Chichiri is my soul mate." He looked down and his eyes fell upon the 7 white feathers. "The purest one is my own, is it not?"
He looked up into the surprised gaze of Houjun. "Chiriko figured it out. Somewhere past the darkness of your soul is Chichiri. What can we do to make this right, Houjun?"
The two stared at each other for a long moment before Houjun spun and glared out at the city. "Return to the others and don't leave that room again."
He felt Genrou's saddened gaze upon his back and finally the other man turned to move back towards where he had come from. He was just about to leave the balcony when Houjun's voice stopped him. "When you were Tasuki, did you carry a metal fan?"
Genrou did not turn, so Houjun did not see his expression at these words. "Well, it started off metal, but our god, Suzaku, blessed it and turned it diamond." With these words, he continued on towards the others, despair flowing off his form.
Once he knew for certain he was alone, the coldness fell from Houjun like a cloak and doubt surfaced. Doubt that he was really who he was meant to be. He wanted to trust Genrou's words, wanted this with more then he could imagine. What was the secret to finding this happiness that the others had found. Despair in his voice, Houjun muttered "Suzaku, help me."
Red light flashed from beneath his feet and engulfed him completely before he could make a sound of shock. He covered his eyes from the almost blinding light and when it faded behind his hands, he dropped them to stare in shock at his new surroundings.
A majestic mountain, covered in strange bubbles and tones of pink and purple met his eyes. Behind him came a gravelly voice, causing him to spin in shock, only to cringe back from the horrible face that greated him. "Oh, it's horrible."
The small woman smacked him over the head. "Not you too, Chichiri."
He turned his coldest glare on her. "I am not this Chichiri you speak of." She sighed tiredly and folded her hands before her. "I understand your disbelief, but you need to stop denying what you are. The others have remembered and now it is your turn. You are Chichiri, although your soul was corrupted due to a curse upon your current body."
He frowned. "A curse?"
The woman nodded. "Yes, a curse. I will now remove it from you." With that she raised one hand towards him, causing him to frown and take a step back as she started to chant. He felt strange magic wash over him, and the red light reappeared around his form. His heart was lightened and he stumbled back. When he opened his eyes, he stopped and stared at the woman. "Taiitsukun!" She gave a nod and a pleased smile. "You remembered who I am."
He glanced around him. "This is Mount Taikyoku, no da." He met her smiling visage with one of his own. "What curse was placed upon me?" She frowned "A very simple one. It covered your soul and being in a thin layer of darkness, causing the evil thoughts. The only thing it couldn't stop from getting out was your love and devotion to the others."
Chichiri's eyes widened. "The others. The city is going to be destroyed." She nodded "YOu have time to save them if you leave now."
He nodded and turned. Doing so, he was surprised to see the pale blue of his wings. "My wings."
Taiitsukun nodded, shooing him. "Yes, your wings true color, now go. I will be here if you have anymore questions for me. But for now, skat." He nodded and in an instant was gone, once again standing on his balcony. The sun was rising now and without wasting time, he lept from the balcony, and flew towards the city, as the tremors started.
Grasping his prayer beads, which had appeared upon his return, he began to murmor the spell to protect the city. He breathed a sigh of relief as the spell not only encompassed the city, but also Ri Castle and those waiting for him inside.
Ten minutes later a weary Houjun returned to his balcony and slumped against the railing. As he had used his powers to protect the city, his memories had returned more fully and not only was he physically exhausted now, but he was also mentally exhausted. There was really only a few more things to take care of before he could rest.
He turned towards the door leading into the castle and muttered a final spell, turning his wings black once again. Lengthening his stride, he strode towards the door of the study and opened them dramatically.
The others jumped at his entrance and rose. "Houjun?"
He glanced towards Miaka, his eyes searching her form and then the others to make sure they were safe. Finally he looked at Tasuki. "Genrou."
The redhead timidly moved towards Houjun, who coldly directed him out of the room. He turned back to the others, catching the underlaying anger on their faces at his seeming treatment of their wing warrior. He smiled very softly, so that Genrou would not be able to overhear, even with no chance of such, seeing he was down the hall now. "Don't worry, I'm just gonna play with him, no da. We'll talk when he and I return, na no da." He winked to the group, giving a victory sign before turning to move down the hall. The others stared at his retreating back and he could feel the happiness radiating off their aura's as they reacted to his words, actions and tone of voice.
He strode down the hall and coldly directed Tasuki to follow him. The redhead did so willingly, if not timidly and they ended up at Houjun's personal chambers. He turned and locked the doors after they enterred.
He turned and glared at his old lover, trying to keep the happiness and nervousness from showing. "Now, I was thinking. I need to punish you for your words to me on the balcony."
Tasuki blinked and took a step back as Houjun walked up to him. Grasping the redhead's wrists, the monk of Suzaku pulled him forward and pressed his lips to Tasuki's. Chichiri felt Tasuki relax into the kiss and did the same. Arms wrapped around each other and Chichiri released his magic over his wings, returning them to the light blue they now were.
When both came up for air, Chichiri watched his love closely and saw the exact instant that Tasuki noticed the wings. "Houjun. Your wings."
Chichiri smiled. "What about my wings, Tasuki, no da?"
The former bandit turned astonished eyes to his love and suddenly yelped for joy. "You are Chichiri."
Chichiri chuckled and hugged his cheering friend. "That I am, no da. Taiitsukun summoned me to her and cured me."
Tasuki pulled back. "Cured you? Of what?"
"A curse, no da. It caused a thin layer of blackness to cover my soul. I'm all better now though."
Chichiri gathered the now crying Tasuki in his arms. "Shhhh, don't cry, no da. I'm here for you now. I'm so sorry for before." The redhead clung to him, mumbling unintelligently. Chichiri continued to rub Tasuki's back soothingly, murmoring softly to him over and over as the former bandit regained control of himself. "I'm sorry, Chichiri. I've just missed you so much."
Soft lips pressed to Tasuki's neck and Chichiri asked the question he was dreading hearing the answer too. "Can you forgive me for what I was? Have I caused you to abandon all hope and love for me with my past actions?"
Tasuki pulled back sharply and caught the tear slipping from Chichiri's eye. "Oh, Chichiri. Of course I forgive you. And I have never stopped loving you. The moment I saw you again in this life, I loved you." At Chichiri's hopeful look, Tasuki chuckled and lowered his lips to the blue haired man's. "Let me show you."