LOVE TESTAMENT CHAPTER 15

The sun was getting higher in the sky.

His eyes felt very dry, even though there were still silent tears streaming from them. The blood on his knuckles had dried up.

Maybe now he should face the reality, but what should he do? Tezuka didn't show up.

He couldn't return to the Kingdom of Peace, because by now Queen Yuki must have already known that he was missing and the reason why.

As if on cue, he sensed about 10 people coming his way. They circled him and he could see their faces devoid of emotion. One of them was Shiraishi. Not a second later, a powerful force from behind alerted him.

He slowly turned his body around and blinked his tired eyes. "…Queen Yuki…" He whispered.

Instead of finding an enraged Queen, he saw her sad eyes. She didn't say anything, but her eyes meander on his body to see if he was hurt anywhere.

When her eyes stopped at his bloody hands, her eyes widened. "Syusuke…"

Once again, he cried, and immediately Queen Yuki was beside him hugging him tenderly as a mother would.

Shiraishi stood on the side line watching his love interest crying his broken heart. He felt sad for Fuji, but his anger for Tezuka was more intense. Queen Yuki had told them everything.

"He didn't come…He promised he would." Fuji gripped onto Queen Yuki's sapphire -colored robe sleeves and sobbed.

She hugged his head to her chest, feeling pity for this child. Truthfully, she was somewhat angry after reading the note Fuji left. But seeing him like this made her sad instead of angry. She patted his back gently. "Come back with me. We will forget what has happened today."

Fuji didn't answer. Inside his heart, there was a little hope that Tezuka would come.

"Come." Queen Yuki pulled away and told him to stand up.

He fumbled a bit due to his numbing legs from sitting in the same position for almost 3 hours, but Queen Yuki was there to keep him from falling over.

She pulled him slightly, but he refused to budge. "Syusuke, let's go back."

"…"

"What's wrong? Are you hurt anywhere?" She asked him with caring eyes.

He shook his head lightly, biting his lower lips in anxiety. "I…he…he will come."

Queen Yuki frowned. "He didn't come when he promised. Why do you think he will come now?"

Fuji looked up into her frustrated eyes. "I…don't know." He shook his head in denial. Maybe because I want him to come.

A word was about to pass her lips when she felt an intruding presence.

The warriors around them stiffened and readied themselves in their offense.

The intruder was traveling at a lighting speed toward them, like a meteor falling from the sky.

Instinctively, Queen Yuki moved in front of Fuji protectively. She could tell the intruder was beyond a master rank.

When his eyes detected the swift figure from above the tree, Shiraishi quickly jumped up and attacked the intruder, blocking him from entering the circle that Queen Yuki and Fuji was in.

From below, everyone watched carefully as the 2 fought on air. Their movements were like the wind.

Suddenly, the intruder lashed out a fire attack that sent Shiraishi dodging to the ground. When the light from the fire subsided, the intruder came to a stop from his rapid movement and stood firmly on a branch of a tree.

Fuji's eyes widened in recognition. "Tezuka!" He shouted and moved forward, but he was stopped by Queen Yuki's hand on his arm. The warriors zoomed closer to their queen, circling them.

"What are you doing here? What do you want?" Shiraishi demanded menacingly.

Tezuka looked at Fuji's current condition, feeling guiltier than ever. He jumped down and landed on the ground without a sound. He ignored the threat from Shiraishi and kept his eyes on Fuji. "Fuji. I'm sorry." He said apologetically.

Fuji's eyes misted.

"It's entirely my fault, and I'm really sorry. Please give me another chance." Tezuka begged.

Fuji bit his lips. He was very confused. A part of him was very happy to see Tezuka. But there was another part of him that doubted Tezuka.

"You are not welcomed on our land." Shiraishi hissed. "Leave!"

Once again, Tezuka ignored Shiraishi. "Fuji, can we talk please?"

"Bastard." Shiraishi lunged toward Tezuka with his sword.

Tezuka dodged calmly and their swords clanked against each other as they dueled.

"Enough!" Queen Yuki demanded, making Shiraishi stepped back.

Tezuka lowered his sword and regarded the Queen with a bow.

"Why are you here right now, Tezuka-kun?" Queen Yuki asked with a straight and serious face.

Tezuka looked up. "I've come to fulfill my promise to Fuji."

"You're late." She stated.

"Yes, and I'm very sorry. I will do anything to have Fuji forgive me and give me a second chance." Tezuka pleaded.

"Trust is built on the first chance, Tezuka-kun. You fail gaining the initial trust, there is no second chance." She said harshly.

"I understand…but-"

"What do you understand? Do you know the consequences of a Sage breaking the convention that was set up by the elders?"

Rules? Tezuka didn't think about that. "…"

"If you understand, then you wouldn't think about taking him away from here."

Tezuka regarded her more confused than ever.

Fuji looked to the ground feeling somewhat afraid that Tezuka would back out after hearing what Queen Yuki would say.

"Abiding to our ancestor's scripture, we cannot let Fuji go without disabling him."

Tezuka's forehead creased as he looked at Fuji. "You didn't tell me."

Fuji looked up with guilty eyes. "Tezuka…"

Instead of negative emotions, Tezuka smiled. "That's alright. I will protect you. I will take care of you."

Fuji cried in happiness.

"We can start all over." Tezuka held out his arm for Fuji to take.

Shiraishi looked at Tezuka shockingly and unbelievably. He turned his head to look at Fuji. "Fuji."

"Syusuke." Queen Yuki squeezed Fuji's shoulder gently. "Is this what you want? You have everything here, your safety, your happiness, and your family."

Fuji moved his hand over the hand on his shoulder weakly.

When Fuji didn't answer, Queen Yuki smiled in defeat. "Maybe this is what you call love." She retrieved her hand and made a motion for her warriors to disperse from the circle.

The atmosphere tensed.

"Let's have your last fight."

Fuji looked at her with his watery big doe eyes, speechless.

She glided back a few steps and summoned her ice staff in her hand. "I wonder how strong you have become."

Her words brought a feeling of regret to Fuji. He would very much miss his power later on. He couldn't remember when the last time he didn't his power was. Without a word of challenge, he summoned his own staff. "Forgive me." He whispered.

Queen Yuki gave him a bitter smile before attacking him. Icicles appeared and flew toward Fuji increasingly fast.

He created an ice shield using his left hand while generating a magna storm with his staff. When the icicles stopped, he dispelled the shield and launched the attack at Queen Yuki.

For a split second, there was fire in her eyes. She glided into the air as her staff changed from the ice element to a fiery weapon. She waved her new staff around her and created a bubble around her before the magna storm hit her. Amazingly, the attack Fuji generated was absorbed into Queen Yuki's bubble and it got bigger, turning into a phoenix when the magna storm was fully absorbed.

Fuji's eyes widened when the red phoenix turned yellow and cracks of lighting blazed before thunderbolts were thrown at him.

At this point, Tezuka created a shield around himself and moved to a further distance from the ongoing battle. The warriors were doing the same thing as Tezuka.

Inside Fuji's heart, he felt very happy that Queen Yuki didn't react too negatively to his decisions. He owed her for respecting his decision. He wanted to repay her kindness to him all these years. But right now, the only thing that he could give her was his best. He would go all out before he became disabled.

He dissolved his staff and summoned a scorching red bow. He jumped into the air and a fire disk circle below his feet transported him in the air while he shot molting fire arrows at the yellow phoenix that glazed the sky.

The thunder bird evaded the arrows easily. It swept down and hit Fuji full on with a bright explosion.

Fuji was knocked back into a tree and rolled onto the ground. He could see Tezuka standing uneasily from the corners of his eyes, but he assured Tezuka that he was fine with a smile.

Tezuka had no choice but respected Fuji's choice. He trusted Queen Yuki wouldn't physically disable Fuji.

When the light dimmed down, Fuji stood up from the ground. Queen Yuki stood calmly in front of him.

She blinked and an unknown massive source of wind came out of nowhere and circled her like a tornado, lifting her off the ground.

Fuji gulped. This was it.

He closed his eyes and connected his fingers into a sphere in front of his face. Airstreams collected into the sphere, swirling around viciously. Fuji opened his eyes and dropped his hands to his side. The sphere expanded and engulfed him. The airstreams became a fierce dragon and wrapped itself around Fuji's body as he was being lifted off the ground by the wind.

Tezuka gulped. He had no idea Fuji was this powerful! He was lucky enough to witness a once in a century battle.

Fuji's dragon silver wings attacked the raging tornado head on, repeatedly blasting aerobeams at it, but all were deflected.

The tornado turned into a windstorm and swept through the battle ground.

Fuji felt all the power he had acquired diminishing as the windstorm passed through him. He felt weaker as every second went by. He couldn't control his body anymore, and he knew it would be very painful when he touched the ground.

Fortunately, Tezuka saw it coming and dived into the windstorm to catch Fuji's pliant body.

When the windstorm subsided, Queen Yuki and the warriors were nowhere to be seen.

Tezuka looked down at the unconscious body of his lover in his arms. He smiled as he looked at Fuji's peaceful face. "I will protect you." He stood up with Fuji in his arms and he walked away from the Kingdom of Peace.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Tezuka adjourned at a small settlement in the middle of, practically, a forest. They were only halfway to Sarabia Kingdom, and it was already reaching evening.

The settlement was simple. The houses were made of adobe and straw. For each house, there were wooden fencing around the house with domestic and farm animals wandering about.

The people were looking at him with stranger eyes.

Tezuka carried Fuji in bridal style with his horse trailing behind into the gate of the settlement.

Immediately, the settlers crowded around them and an elderly man with a man stood forward.

Tezuka bowed in respect.

"Welcome, young man, to our humble home. What brings you here?" The elder asked in his ancient voice. The white beard on his face was long and smooth. "Is your wife alright?"

Tezuka's eyes dilated a split second in shock. "Y-yes." He unconsciously gripped Fuji tighter. "Actually, we are on our way to Sarabia, but my…wife is not feeling well. Is it alright to ask you for a place to stay tonight?"

"Ah." The elder nodded in understanding and the waved his hands, signaling the crowd to move away. "Of course, you are welcome to stay." He turned and looked to his left. "Chi." He called someone forth.

There was movement in the crowd and a second later, a young girl came out. "Yes, Elder?"

"I hope it is not a problem for them to stay with you tonight."

"Oh, absolutely not, Elder." Chi shook her head.

"Good. Good." The elder nodded in satisfaction. "Then I leave them in your care, Chi."

"I will do my best." Chi bowed to the elder.

The elder then looked at Tezuka. "How is your wife? Is she ill?"

Tezuka was shocked, again. He knew he shouldn't be, but the word 'wife' sounded very shocking to him. "N-no, but thank you for asking. She..she is just tired."

"Ah." The elder sighed. "That's good."

After that, Chi led them to her house, which was in a corner of the settlement. Her house was nice, compared to the very simple ones there. Her front yard had a lawn and a flower garden. On the side was where she penned up the chicks and chicken.

There was only one bed inside her house, and Tezuka placed Fuji on it gently. He took off Fuji's shoes and put them on the floor.

Chi came back into the room with a small wooden basin half-filled with warm water and a washcloth hanging on the side. She set it down onto a chair nearby the bed. "You can use this to wash her face."

Tezuka thanked her and she left. He took the washcloth and dipped it in the water, wringing it before cleaning Fuji's face, hands, and arms. He cleaned Fuji's knuckles gently. The injured tissue was still bright red.

After he finished, he pulled the cover over Fuji's body.

He stood up to take the basin out. Chi was nowhere to be found inside the house, so he walked to the backyard, where the kitchen and bathhouse located.

The dumped the water on the vegetable garden and hung the washcloth on the clothing line after rinsing it under the faucet in the kitchen.

He looked around for a bit. The countryside…He sighed. "It's really peaceful here." Fuji, our life will begin here.

Tezuka and Fuji were invited to the Elder's house for dinner, but Fuji hadn't wake up yet. Tezuka was about refuse because he wanted to stay by Fuji's side, but Chi insisted that he should go and leave Fuji in her care. So, Tezuka went alone.

"Tezuka-kun, isn't it?" The Elder asked while sipping his tea.

"Yes."

"Why are you heading to Sarabia? Hyoseirokkai is only a few hours from here."

Tezuka lingered on the thought for a while. "Yes, but we want to start our lives together somewhere far from our home land."

The Elder's eye brows went up. "It sounds like you too are eloping."

Tezuka chuckled nervously. Not exactly true.

"I do hope none of you are royalty, because that would be a big problem." The Elder joked.

"Ah. No. It is nothing like that."

They talked some more with the Elder mostly asked questions about Tezuka's background.

Tezuka left the Elder's house when most people were getting ready to sleep.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Meanwhile at Chi's house…

Fuji stirred and slowly woke up from his long nap. His body felt thrice as heavy, as if life was sucked away from him. Nevertheless, he managed to sit up albeit groggily.

He looked around the house and got off the bed. Where am I? All he remembered was falling unconscious after the windstorm hit him.

He walked around the room in curiosity. It looked like a nice place, so he deduced that he wasn't in a kidnapper's lair.

Anyhow, he left the room and wandered in the living where there was a table, 2 chairs, and a few furniture resided. It was a small house, but dwell-able.

He stepped out the doorway into the backyard when he saw light. He approached the small shack that looked like a kitchen and saw a young girl cooking.

He stood rooted on the spot and watched her.

Chi was pan frying potato pancakes. Habitually, she looked out of the kitchen and suddenly saw Fuji. "Oh!" She exclaimed in surprise. Fuji really gave her a fright there.

Fuji regarded her with confused eyes as he stayed still.

"Hello." Chi came out of the kitchen when she calmed down and approached Fuji. "My name is Chi."

Fuji smiled. "Chi. It's a beautiful name."

Chi smiled wider. "Thank you. What's your name?" She didn't have the chance to ask Tezuka for Fuji's name earlier.

"Fuji Syusuke."

Chi nodded. " Well then, Fuji-san, would you like to help me with dinner? I'm almost done."

Fuji nodded.

They both finished cooking and then set up the table in the house with the dishes Chi made.

Both were eating when Tezuka returned. "Fuji!"

Fuji looked up to see Tezuka passing through and smiled brightly.

"How are you feeling?" Tezuka immediately fussed over Fuji.

"I'm fine. Chi said you went to the Elder's house for dinner."

Tezuka nodded. "I'm glad." He patted Fuji's head before turning to Chi. "Chi-san, may I use your bathhouse?"

Chi nodded. "Of course, do you have spare clothing?"

"Yes." Tezuka held up a bundle of clothes that the Elder gave him before he left the place.

"Okay. Hot water is in the kettle on the stove. You can use that to mix with the well water in the barrel in the bathhouse."

Tezuka thanked her and left, but not before giving Fuji a peck on his temple.

Chi giggled. "Your husband is very caring."

Husband? Fuji's eyes bulged out and he choked.

Chi handed him the glass of water on the table. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, thank you."

Chi seemed oblivious to Fuji's confusion and went on. "It's weird though, if you're husband and wife, why does your husband call you by your family name?"

"Eh?"

"Ah! I get it! Tezuka-san must want to keep that fresh relationship you both had when you just met, right?" Chi said with much enthusiasm.

Fuji chuckled nervously and nodded.

After dinner, Fuji wanted to help Chi with the dishes, but she insisted that Fuji should take a shower instead.

"Fuji-chan!" Chi called from the other side of the bathhouse door.

"Yes?" Fuji replied as he poured warm water over his head.

"I got your new clothes. I'm going to put them here."

"Okay!"

Fuji finished rinsing and dried himself with the dry towel before opening the door quickly to grab his clothes.

He unraveled the bundle that Chi left him and his eyebrow quirked upward. "How does one wear this?" He turned the clothes in his hands around, surveying them from top to bottom, and inside out.

After 5 minutes, he managed to put the clothes on his body and he looked at himself in the mirror.

He gasped in surprise. "Oh! I look like a woman." He said softly. He pouted and twirled around. "I guess I'm your wife now, huh Tezuka?"

He smiled at the thought.

"Oh well. I make a pretty wife." His smiled brightened and he left the bathhouse.

Fuji walked into the house to see Chi setting up a hammock in a corner of the living room.

When Chi saw Fuji, she immediately dropped the blanket in her hands and approached Fuji. "Oh wow! You look so beautiful." She commented genuinely.

Fuji blushed and stuttered a Thank you.

Just then, Tezuka came out of the room and his eyes fixed on Fuji when he looked up. "You look…nice." He complimented.

Chi clapped her hands while smiling. "Absolutely gorgeous! Tezuka-san, you are very lucky to have such a beautiful wife."

Yes, indeed! Tezuka thought.

"Well, I got the room ready for the both of you. Tell me if you need extra blankets or pillows, okay?"

"The room is for us?" Fuji asked. "Then where will you sleep?"

"Oh don't worry about me. I will sleep here." Chi pointed to the hammock.

"Oh no. We can't take your bed." Fuji argued while Tezuka approached him. Fuji looked at Tezuka. "We are already thankful to you for letting us into your home."

"That's right, Chi-san."

"But you're the guests."

Fuji shook his head and took Chi's dainty hands into his own. "No buts. We will sleep on the hammock together, and you will sleep on your bed."

The look in Fuji's eyes backed Chi down from arguing. "Okay, but you should tell me if you both feel uncomfortable."

Fuji nodded and patted her head. "Thank you."

Fuji helped Chi rearranged the sleeping arrangement.

"Good night, Fuji-chan, Tezuka-san." Chi said.

"Good night, Chi." Fuji replied from his seat in the hammock and she left the room.

"I hope this hammock is strong." Fuji murmured as he tested out the strength of the hammock.

Tezuka chuckled and sat down on the floor at Fuji's feet. "I can sleep on the floor." He lifted Fuji's bare feet and placed them on his laps.

"No no." Fuji shook his head. "We can both sleep on here. It won't rip."

"If that's what you want."

Fuji smiled cheekily. "I love you." He suddenly lunged forward and hugged Tezuka.

"I love you too." Tezuka tightened the hug.

"Don't leave me like that again. I was very scared you wouldn't show up at all."

The room became solemn.

"I'm sorry."

Fuji pushed off from Tezuka's shoulders. "What happened?" He asked with a frown. "Your people didn't hold you back, did they?" He thought Tezuka had to go through the same thing he did.

Tezuka shook his head and caressed Fuji's face. "No. Princess Minori suddenly showed up…and she threatened to end her life if I walk away."

"Is she alright?" Fuji asked with concern.

-.-.-.-Flashback begins-.-.-.-

Minori hugged him like the world would end. He somehow felt guilt seeing the princess like this, but there was really nothing he could do. He would sacrifice his life to be with Fuji.

Tezuka subtly raised his right arm and knocked Minori unconscious. She became pliant in his arms and he picked her up.

He was half way carrying Minori into his room when Oishi appeared.

"What's going on?" Oishi asked with a frown, looking at Minori confusingly. "I thought you left."

Tezuka looked at Minori. "She came." He proceeded into his room to put Minori on his bed. "I don't know what to do, Oishi."

"…"

"She said she will kill herself if I leave her."

Oishi looked at Tezuka sympathetically. He sighed and put an encouraging hand on Teuzka's shoulder. "Leave her to me. Fuji is waiting for you and you cannot let him wait any longer. This might be your only chance, Tezuka."

"But-"

"I will make sure to escort her back to her brother safely, don't worry."

Tezuka swallowed and thanked Oishi heartfully. "Thank you, Oishi. I owe you a lot." He stood up from the bed.

Oishi bobbed his head up and down. "Live your fullest with Fuji. I give you both my blessing."

Tezuka squeezed Oishi's shoulder and left without looking back.

-.-.-.-Flashback ends-.-.-.-

He thanked the power from above for giving him a friend like Oishi and a lover like Fuji. Tezuka smiled. You're too nice, Fuji. He leaned in to kiss Fuji's cheek. "Yes. You are really wonderful, do you know that?"

Fuji blushed and playfully pounded Tezuka's chest.

Tezuka caught the hands pounding on his chest and brought the knuckles to his lips. "Our life begins from this point on. I will take care of you and give you happiness, so please, trust me."

Fuji bit his lips as he smiled. He nodded. "I give you everything."

AN: Sorry for the late update! Hope the readers like this chapter!! If not, sorry again. Je suis désolée! R&R! :D

Review Replies:

ayame shuurei: Yeah. She's an evil one. Hope this chapter is to your liking.

bishie82: no no, not angsty. LOL. Really sorry for the late update. Shoot me.