The reunion of the Suzaku Seven and their Miko, now complete was no great party, but they felt it was a satisfying way to be reunited.
After Chichiri and Tasuki had returned to their friends, their joyous celebration at being reunited had been interrupted by a loud pounding knock on the main castle doors. Chichiri had answered them, his friends close behind them, to find a small delegation from the city standing timidly before the imposing doors.
The small group had looked astonished at Chichiri's new appearance. He smiled kindly at them, effectively terrifying them. Bowing low, he apologized for his past wrong doings and then asked them what he could help them with.
The seeming spokesman took a step forward, awkwardly returned the bow, which was not customary in this world and then said that they had been sent by the council to see if the rumor's of a blue winged savior was true. That he expected to find the reports exaggerated was obvious to the others. When Chichiri gently inquired about the state of the city, the report was there was minor damage.
Miaka's soft voice sounded behind him. "Houjun, we should go and check on the damage."
Chichiri glanced down and back at his miko and then gave a silent nod. "You six follow the others, Genrou and I will check the damage from the sky, we will meet in the courtyard in the center of town." When the Suzaku Seishi and Miko nodded, Chichiri grabbed Tasuki's hand, winked at Miaka and then lifted off with his lover into the sky. He could still feel the astonished gaze of the townspeople on his form.
"I have a long way to go to earn their trust, no da."
Tasuki looked over at Chichiri, catching the sadness in his voice. "Yeah, but you'll make it, don't worry. The rest of us already love you, soon the others will too."
Chichiri gave a nod and pulled Tasuki closer to his body, eyes watching the city below him.
And so the Suzaku Seishi and Miko spent their first days reunited by cleaning up and doing minor repair on the city.
One Year Later!
Chichiri leaned comfortably against the balcony railing in the early twilight of night. The continued hum of the city's citizenry reached his ears and he smiled slightly. Gazing up, he caught the familiar flicker of the barrier erected around the city to keep the air clean and the people safe. Erecting the barrier had been taxing and difficult and Tasuki had voiced his fear that Chichiri would soon become drained by maintaining it's constant protection. However, Chichiri had discovered that once up, the barrier took very little energy to maintain and it was no strain at all.
Lowering his gaze, he reflected on the city itself and the changes one year had brought. No longer gloomy and quiet, the city was bright and alive, just like the castle itself. It had been a hard year, spent overcoming many well earned prejudices against him, but the city folk were starting to realize that the change to their protector was real. He still had his favored, there was no denying that, but the others in the city realized that he protected them all as if they were his favored. However, there was one that he favored above all the others, it was obvious to everyone.
Arms circled around him, followed by flame like wings as Tasuki pulled him close. "What's up?"
Chichiri sighed, leaning his head back against his lover. "Nothing, just enjoying the city from up here. Why aren't you down there?"
Tasuki shrugged and then smiled impishly, his fangs peeking out. "I've been down there all day, I thought maybe I should be home and taking care of something I've been neglecting?"
Chichiri frowned in confusion. "What have you been neglecting, no da?"
With the redhead's lips fast descending on his own, Chichiri heard Tasuki's softly spoken word. "You!" As he melted into Tasuki's embrace and kiss, Chichiri knew that even if he was never able to fully win over the people of the city, that he would at least be fully wanted and needed right here, in Tasuki's arms. His beloved lover and their friends would always believe in him and who he was, even when he didn't. And that was all he needed.
(Stupid cheesy ending/sigh I hope you guys liked!)