Disclaimer & Warnings:

See previous chapters.

Author's Notes:

Sweet merciful Digigods. The last time I updated this was January 2005. People have been asking me for updates, too. Erm... I am sorry for leaving it for so long. Please accept this next chapter with a minimum of sporking me. I also, unfortunately, can't promise when 14 will be up... I'm finishing up a Master's program, getting a new (and full-time) job, and will be moving at the end of June. I really have no clue what my life will be like in three months. I do promise, however, that it will not be a year and a half before the next update.

Captive Complications
by Ice'is Blue

13. The Night and Morning After

When Taichi entered the camp's clearing, Koushiro and Daisuke were sitting close to each other on a log by the fire. A little... too close. The knight's face was flushed and Taichi suspected it wasn't from the heat of burning wood... or perhaps that was the problem entirely. The prince didn't have a view of Koushiro's crotch, nor did he want one... but he wasn't above teasing the knight, unfounded or not.

Daisuke's attention had snapped to Taichi the moment the royal pair had entered the clearing. He could see that the prince was noticing Koushiro's bothered state, but Daisuke was drawn to noticing the new patterns in the prince's aura and what those new patterns meant.

"You're not a virgin anymore!"

Taichi, who had been about to tease Koushiro, choked and took a step back.

Yamato held up his hands and backed away from everybody. "Hey, hey, hey, no one told me about needing a virgin for this ritual thing."

Koushiro stared at Taichi in horror. How had this happened? It was impossible. Taichi hated his captor. But Daisuke wouldn't lie about something like this, would he? The knight prayed the nymph had made a mistake.

Taichi's brain was mush. The collar of his loaned shirt was suddenly much tighter and he sputtered, "But I didn't... We just... I... We only... I... He... I... I... I..."

Yamato took two long strides and pressed himself into very close proximity with the almost-hyperventillating Prince. With Taichi forced into riding Yamato's thigh, the King claimed Taichi's mouth, putting it to a much better use. He pulled back, licked a little at the brunet's bottom lip, then said, "I had a nice time. How about you?"

Because Daisuke was a sex nymph -- or a fertility nymph as those more high-browed (and stuffy) preferred to call them -- he could literally see the lust radiating off of the pair. Then the whirlwind of lust surrounding the Prince tornadoed into nothing and Taichi shoved Yamato away with a confused, upset look.

"You're doing it again. Remember what we talked about?"

Yamato sobered as much as he could in his aroused state. "I'm being serious, though. I was asking you if you had enjoyed yourself. I'm being considerate, thinking of your feelings. The nymph upset you with his question, so I was --"

"I am not upset!" Taichi snarled.

The nymph bit his tongue to keep from smiling as Taichi was sidetracked easily. He felt some remorse for starting this interlude, but since the pair stayed focused on each other and weren't disturbingly upset, he allowed himself to relax and watch the sparks fly with amusement.

Yamato took up the Prince's hand and placed a kiss upon it, watching Taichi the whole while. "Friends?" the blond asked.

Taichi made him wait. Most of this time he spent calculating just how embarrassed he should be by the nymph's revelation. A small portion of him worried if their hasty actions had truly caused harm to the ritual's plans. Yet, as the Prince watched nerves overtake the King's expression, he swiftly decided upon forgiveness.

"I liked it," he said, his voice coming out barely as a whisper. "Friends. Maybe more?" Yamato's answering smile was confident and warm. Taichi shook his head to recover from the sudden blush. They hadn't gone all the way. Clearly, though, they'd gone far enough for the nymph to have noticed a difference in him somehow. Sitting next to Daisuke, Koushiro was still looking at him, horrified. "It was by my choice," he told the knight.

Daisuke took this as his cue. He stood. "Then all is well. Your... actions... have not disturbed any of the requirements. Unless... either of you feels he is too tired to participate tomorrow?" He smirked at their affronted dignity. "No? Then I suggest the three of us have our dinner and then all of us get some sleep. We will have to wake early in the morning so that I may instruct you in your roles."

Taichi nodded and sat down while the others converged on the stew pot. Something was off. "Wait a minute. What the heck have you two been doing if not eating?" On the pulse point of Koushiro's wrist, a tell-tale mark sprawled. Through the deeply plunging V of the nymph's garment, bite-marks liberally decorated the smooth expanse of chest. The Prince rounded on his friend. "You hypocrite!"

Koushiro flushed and tried to deny it, although he knew bloody well what Taichi was talking about. "What? I didn't say anything. I can't be a hypocrite if I didn't say anything!"

Yamato joined in the fun, able to tease this time, since he wasn't dealing with his temperamental would-be lover. "Oh, I'm sure you didn't say much of anything resembling words while you and the nymph were rolling about half-naked," he agreed wickedly.

Stress and anxiety, two things that Daisuke didn't pick up normally, came in rolling waves from Koushiro. If he ever wanted to enjoy the quiet man again, he had to do something. But what? The royals were primed to continue their vein for a good, long time. Equally, he couldn't say anything that would set the new lovers at each other's throats again. Logic, reasoning, might work, but it had its own price. He could think of no other way.

"Enough," the nymph said, breaking in before Taichi could comment further. "As we approach the ritual date, the ambient... energies... encourage emotions already present. All of you got caught up in the spirit of the moment, I think."

The nymph's words quickly brought silence. Yamato watched Taichi turn thoughtful as the knight managed to look both betrayed and guilty. Yamato himself, however, was confident in his pairing. Their bonds were formed long before this evening. They might have finally consummated their love this night, but it had burned beneath the surface of their relationship for far longer. He would let Taichi come to that conclusion on his own, though. His lover so did enjoy asserting his independence.

The King took a bite of his now-cooling stew and he figured it was a good opportunity to win points with the chef. "Wonderful food, Taichi. Thank you."

Daisuke perked up at the change of subject and tried his own bowl, eyes widening as he tasted the contents. "There are herbs in here that do not grow at this elevation. Where...?"

Koushiro ducked his head, still confused about his feelings for the nymph. He tried the stew, then recognized that Taichi had used Koushiro's mother's favorite herb. "The herbs were mine, I think." He'd been asleep while the stew had been prepared. "Our elevation isn't that different from here, but... It's said that my mother has a way with plants."

Taichi grinned and waggled his eyebrows at the nymph. "He's just being modest. Lady Pineapple's got the best gardens in the kingdom. Why else would they have such a ridiculous na--" His mouth slammed shut as his brain caught up with what he'd been saying.

Daisuke couldn't hide his amusement this time. Koushiro, although not angry with the Prince's words, was undoubtedly embarrassed.

"It's my father's favorite fruit," he murmured. "Tangy and sweet," he said, looking up at the nymph, as the nymph thought of other things that could be described the same. "I could bring you some sometime..."

'Bring' ... not 'send for.' Daisuke's heart panged. That was right. The knight would be leaving after the ritual was complete. Yamato and Taichi were unaware of the cause for the sudden tension, so they remained quiet.

"You don't have to. I've actually tried it before," the nymph found himself saying. "There's a special tree in the Glen that produces all the fruit in the world." It wasn't a warm answer, he knew. Quite discouraging, in fact.

As was to be expected, Koushiro's cautious enthusiasm retreated.

Daisuke felt awful for causing someone he genuinely liked to feel insecurity. This, though, was the way of things. Koushiro would be leaving and seeing him for only a few more times in the human's all-too-short mortal lifespan. It was a fact he would just have to learn to accept and Daisuke would make sure to savor what they did have from now on. He gave Koushiro a dazzling smile to make up for his earlier remark.

"It's only for special occasions, though... so if you wouldn't mind making the trip and bringing me another taste, I'd genuinely enjoy your company."

Koushiro's worry eased and he smiled tentatively once more. "Um... okay," he said.

Daisuke winked and blew him a kiss. The knight blushed while the King and Prince looked on and laughed.

They all went to bed soon after. It had been a very long day.

888

The next morning dawned drizzly and grey.

Taichi, much to his own chagrin, had slept in Yamato's arms for warmth. To the King's credit (and mild frustration), however, the latter had behaved like a perfect gentleman. Neither of them had wanted to sleep in Yamato's pavilion that night, so instead of pushing aside silks and satins, the Prince shrugged out of Yamato's embrace and rose from the bower of soft grasses and ferns. Koushiro still slumbered by the fire where he had slept alone. The knight had been quiet since Taichi had brought up his mother's talents, and the Prince suspected that something deeper was going on. The nymph, who had also acted subdued after dinner, was absent.

Nature called and Taichi walked a short way downwind. Business done, he wandered by the stream bank and found the nymph. The creature was curled up on a wide, flat rock with his back against an enormous tree. His violet eyes gazed out across the swiftly moving water.

Daisuke nodded in recognition and motioned for the Prince to join him. They had things to discuss -- things best unheard by the King. The nymph wanted the dirt on what had happened after administering the pink dust.

888

"He called you 'Master'?"

"Yeah," the Prince continued, brushing the question aside. "And that wasn't even the worst of it," he fumed. "He completely missed my point... didn't even see how his actions had affected me."

Daisuke let him continue, only half-listening. The other half of his attention was required to keep his mirth in check. It was a battle he was destined to lose.

"Why are you laughing at me?" Taichi demanded. He hadn't said anything particularly funny, and as embarrassing as the situation was, he didn't think the nymph was the sort to laugh at other people's misfortunes.

Daisuke took that as his cue to cease holding it back and he laughed long and loud and hard. "Not at you," he tried to assure the seething Prince. "It's..." He coughed and tried to assume a serious expression, but the attempt was ruined by the grin that split his face. "If Yamato called you 'Master' that was a decision he made entirely on his own. None of my spells are ever that specific."

Realization bloomed on Taichi's face, bringing a shocked grin that was just as wide as Daisuke's.

The nymph had a wicked thought then. What if the King liked being dominated? Was that the reason he continually antagonized Taichi? Did he want the Prince to take charge and put him in his place?

"What?" Taichi asked him. "You've gone quiet again."

Daisuke gauged the Prince through slitted eyes. "I'll tell you when you're older."

Taichi merely snorted. "Enough. You said you needed to inform me of my part in the ceremony."

Immediately the nymph became solemn. He stretched his hand back to stroke the tree trunk supporting him, drawing comfort from the life force offered to him.

"The ritual must take place in a sacred space, known as Lover's Glen. Once you and Yamato pass through the arch, turn back and speak together: 'We call for the Veil to descend upon us, to guard us during this sacred time.' The forest will seal the opening and none may enter until you exit. After you speak these words, you are free to talk to each other. Along the edge of the glen will be a path of dirt. Take the left-hand fork and stop when you come to a tree contained by a stone barrier. Each of you should pick a single piece of fruit and feed it to the other. Save the stone beneath your tongue so you won't swallow it if you are startled. Then, you each should take a handful of dirt from the tree's roots and wipe it across the other's cheeks and brow.

"Take hands and walk along the path to the sacred flame. Pass your hands over the flame, palms down; then with joined hands, lift the flame into the dragon's mouth. You'll know when it's right to set it down. You'll need to remove your clothes at this point. There will be a carved space at your feet for you to store them in. After you have disrobed, continue together toward the spring.

"At the spring, use wetted hands to smooth water on the other's belly and down the legs, all the way to the tops of the feet. Then, give each other a drink of water from the spring using your cupped hand. After, link an arm about the other's waist, return to the archway and continue up to the center of the glen.

"The upper crest of the inner circle will be a mound of earth. Decide between you who will open the hole and who will plant the seeds. The one who decides to dig should pass his fruit stone to the other through a kiss, then he needs to make a hole deep and wide enough in the apex of the mound. The other should place the stones into the hole and together you should cover over the hole, saying: 'As our seed fills the earth, let the land receive new birth.'

"After that it's simple. Go to the grass at the very center. Place a kiss upon the other's chest, just a hand's width below your bowed chin. Then, whoever dug will receive the one who planted. Let nature take its course. Afterward, just make sure that both his seed and yours touches the ground. And then, this isn't required, but you may place some of each atop where you planted.

"Ew," Taichi commented. "How's it supposed to get all the way up there?"

The nymph smiled. "Like I said. That part's optional." He watched Taichi squirm on the rock. "Everything okay?"

Truthfully, the Prince was feeling overwhelmed. He didn't have anything to object to because it all hadn't sunk in yet. "It seems simple enough. I'd feel better going over it again."

"Then we'll go over it again," Daisuke said.

888

Once Daisuke was satisfied that Taichi could complete the ritual without error, he expected them to return to the campsite.

The Prince had other ideas.

"What's bothering you and Koushiro?"

The nymph sighed and shifted uncomfortably. As much as he was involved in other people's romantic business, he preferred to keep them out of his own. But Prince Taichi and Sir Koushiro were friends, and Daisuke doubted the brunet would let him evade the question.

"Your knight and I enjoyed each other's company..." Taichi gave the nymph a look at this phrasing "...but we are from two different worlds. Once the ritual has been performed, you all will return to your homes while I remain in this forest."

"He's going to miss you," Taichi said, the realization hitting him.

Daisuke gave a sad smile. "I would say that I hope so, but that would just be cruel. He has his duties, as I have mine."

"You'd miss him," Taichi exclaimed in wonder. He thought rapidly. "The prosperity of this land would be endangered if you did not take care of it," he mused aloud. "That in itself is a service to the Crown. And services expertly rendered deserve their own reward," he proclaimed, smiling as the nymph looked at him with surprise. "If Koushiro wants to stay, I'll figure out a way. There are some perks to being a Prince, you know."

Daisuke pondered the Prince's offer. His life span was much longer than a mortal's. It had been a long time since he had claimed a serious lover and there was no proof that Koushiro wanted that from him. It might just be better to look upon these days with fondness, than trying to cobble a relationship out of nothing that was doomed to sorrow anyway. "Perhaps not. He will feel more comfortable with his own kind."

"His own kind? Sure, he'd be more comfortable, but books don't talk back and I don't want to know if they can provide physical comfort in ways that I've never thought of."

Daisuke couldn't help laughing at the notion. Then his melancholy returned. "This was just supposed to be a dalliance between him and I"

"You're playing with him?" Taichi asked darkly.

"No! He... intrigues me. He has so many questions. And he has very talented hands." He brushed the vivid memories away. Now wasn't the time to remember.

"Then I'll ask you again: What's the problem?"

Saying it out loud would make it more true. Taichi wasn't giving him a choice, though. "His bones will be dust long before I show signs of aging."

Taichi felt instantly guilty for pushing. "Oh," he said with sympathy. "I see. I understand why you would want to stick to your own kind."

"It's not that. Relationships between fae and human lovers aren't uncommon, but they only last a short while. The humans get all sorts of destructive emotions as they begin to age and we don't. Only short-term affairs end happily."

Taichi rested his hand on the fae's shoulder. "Then for both your sakes, let him make that choice."

888

Both Taichi and the nymph were gone when Yamato awoke. There was a chill in the air so he set about coaxing the spent fire back into a blaze, feeding the glowing coals dry grass and small twigs, and wishing more than once for the firedrake to reappear. Although his movements and curses had been quiet, the knight stirred and eventually sat up.

"Good morning," Yamato offered politely.

Koushiro, who was still annoyed with the King for his behavior the previous night, gave him an irritated glare. "Morning."

Well. Someone certainly wasn't a morning person, Yamato thought.

"Where's Taichi?" the knight asked.

"Not sure. Maybe he's off watering the bushes," Yamato said. The grasses beside him had been warm to the touch, suggesting that the Prince had left his side only a short while ago. "If anyone wonders, I'm going to freshen up," he announced and headed for the stream, hoping to meet Taichi there.

Yamato hoped to surprise Taichi, so he crept along the trail with quiet skill. The first thing he noticed over the sound of the water was the nymph's voice saying something about rubbing water on someone's belly. He crept closer, made himself a comfortable seat, listened some more, and concluded that the nymph was discussing the ritual with Taichi. There was an interesting bit of instruction over the passing of seed, followed by a sobering talk of the relationship between the nymph and the knight. He listened for a while, then became trapped in his own thoughts.

They would be leaving soon. As soon as the ritual was complete. Presumably, that meant that Taichi would return to his kingdom and Yamato to his own. Yamato's responsibilities prevented him from following after Taichi for any decent length of time. He was a King, and any romance conducted could not interfere with his rule. The Prince would have to come to him if they wanted this to continue. Would Taichi do it?

He closed his eyes and let himself remember last night's grand finale. Taichi had been perfect. Yamato didn't want to give him up so soon.

A tap on his shoulder made him twist around sharply. The movement set the log he'd been balanced on begin to roll. Taichi's arm was there to steady him.

The Prince fixed the frazzled King with a playfully suspicious stare as Daisuke looked on from behind. "And just what do you think you're doing spying on me out here?"

"I wasn't!" He thought about it. "Could I get a reduced charge of eavesdropping?"

Taichi raised an eyebrow. "That depends. Just how much did you hear?" He wasn't angry at all, but he was curious if Yamato had been there from the beginning... if he had heard Taichi's feelings about the night before.

"I arrived when the nymph was walking you through the end of the ceremony."

"The first or the third time?" Daisuke queried.

"There were multiple times?" Yamato asked.

"Third," Taichi told the nymph, blushing, but relieved his secrets were safe.

"No need to feel badly," Daisuke said. "You learned very well." He addressed Yamato. "Would Your Highness like me to instruct you on the parts you missed?"

"Uh, if that means memorizing what you say word-for-word like Taichi had to, no thanks." He glanced at the Prince. "If you're okay with that, Taichi? I trust you to let me know what I need to do."

Taichi, who had been at first annoyed by Yamato's uninvolved attitude, melted at this admission of trust. Even if the words were a clever ploy to get out of the nymph's training... the King got points for sweetness. He helped the blond to his feet. "It's all right with me."

The nymph looked at the pair. It would be better for them both to know their roles. The ceremony itself had been known to cause... distraction... in its participants. If that was the argument, though, Taichi was the more level-headed of the two. "It should be fine," he said.

"Good," Yamato said in relief. "So... when do we do this? Now?"

Taichi blanched at the thought. Surely he wouldn't have to do that before breakfast? What was the King thinking? Although... the nymph had said that they had to get up early today... maybe they had to fast, or do meditation, or some other such unpleasant purification process.

"No, not now," Daisuke said. "Eager, aren't you?"

Yamato resented that comment. For once his thoughts concerning Taichi had been completely pure.

"The ritual should be begun at sundown," the nymph continued. "So you have until then to amuse yourselves."

"Then why did you have us get up early?" Taichi demanded, equally relieved and miffed though he'd woken of his own accord.

Daisuke smiled impishly. "Getting up earlier means more quality time together before the ritual."

Amused, Yamato pulled Taichi into a loose hug. "Considering our track record, are you sure that's wise? I do have a tendency to make an ass out of myself."

Taichi leaned back and tilted his head up for a kiss. "We'll be fine. You're behaving quite well today, so far. Keep it up, and I'll have to reward you later."

Yamato's pulse raced. "So, my good friend, how should we spend our day?"

Taichi's eyes sparkled. "You'll just have to wait and see, won't you?"

888

-

TBC...