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LOVE TESTAMENT – CHAPTER 21

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Fuji had been quiet, and Tezuka was getting worried. He knew how scared Fuji had gotten from the mishap that happened. Fuji's life had always been carefree and joyful, something that only befitted for some like him. He never had to worry about getting cheated on or worst, kidnapped and got frightened. Just thinking about it made Tezuka's guilt grow deeper. If it wasn't for him, none of this would happen to Fuji, his power, his life, his happiness...Tezuka was the worst thief there is. He took everything away from someone he didn't deserve.

"...Tezuka."

Tezuka shifted slightly under Fuji, the sage was sitting in his embrace face to chest, when he heard the soft voice coming from below. He tightened his hold and brought Fuji impossibly closer to his heart. Moving his head down, he planted a kiss on Fuji's head. "Hmm?"

Fuji stayed silent, but his grips on Tezuka's shirt tightened. "Promise to never leave me or let me go."

Tezuka bit his lips in guilt, thoroughly knowing that Fuji was shaken up with frights of the real world's treachery. He rubbed his cheek on Fuji's head and spoke in a firm tone. "I promise. I'll never leave your side or let you go again. Never."

Fuji smiled, but it wasn't to his eyes. He needed the reassurance from Tezuka, even though he knew it in his heart that Tezuka would protect him no matter what, even if he didn't say it. But Tezuka was all he had now. His life lie in Tezuka's hands. So he needed to trust Tezuka. "I'm scared that if I close my eyes, you'd go away and I'll be alone again."

It felt like a knife to his heart to hear that from Fuji. Tezuka moved apart and lifted Fuji's face up to meet his. His eyes softened at the sight of the fear and insecurity in Fuji's eyes. "I am going no where. I'll always hold you in my arms, even in your sleep, I'll watch over you, so please don't be afraid."

Tears began to form in Fuji's eyes. "I've tried, Tezuka. Everytime I closed my eyes, it became a nightmare. I couldn't sleep." Tezuka wiped away the fallen tears. "I'm really tired, but I can't..."

Tezuka let out a melancholy sigh as he held Fuj's head to his chest once again. I'm sorry, Fuji. It is my fault. I'd do anything to take your fear away...That's my promise to you.

Then Tezuka did something he never thought he would in his life. He sang.

Come, stop your crying, it'd be alright

Just take my hand, hold it tight

I will protect you from all around you

I will be here, don't you cry

For one so small, you seem so strong

My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm

This bond between us can't be broken

I will be here, don't you cry

I trust you'll always be here for me Tezuka. I know you'll never make me cry. Fuji's tears had stopped as he listened to the warm voice above him. Each word meant everything to him, because he could sense honesty and love from it.

'Cause you'll be in my heart

Yes, you'll be in my heart

From this day on, now and forever more

You'll be in my heart

No matter what they say

You'll be here in my heart always, always...

Fuji fell asleep sometime admist the song.

Tezuka gazed down at the peaceful sight of Fuji breathing softly with eyes closed without tension. He took them both back to Kyuchi's house. Fuji had initially refused to stay on the bed to rest, and Tezuka couldn't figure out why. He didn't ask, not wanting to upset Fuji further, so both went to sit in the garden under a tree.

Thankfully the night air was warm, else they would have to move in door lest they get sick in the morning. He was about to close his eyes when he heard footsteps nearby. It was Kouhei and Kyuchi.

They smiled in understanding when they spotted Fuji serenely against Tezuka's chest. Soundlessly, they sat down by the couple. Kyuchi expanded the blanket is his hands and draped it over Fuji.

"A servant said she saw you both in the garden and suggested I bring you both a blanket." Kyuchi whispered in a soft voice as he looked at the sleeping figure before looking up at Tezuka.

Tezuka nodded with a smile. "Thank you, not just for this."

Kyuchi returned with a smile. "You're welcome, although it was a team effort." He glanced at Kouhei. "You should thank yourself, too, for not giving up any second."

Kyuchi was giving Tezuka the credit that he didn't deserve, and that made him shake his head. His eyebrows creased in solemnity. "I'm the one that let this happen." He let out a long defeated sight. His fingers gently rubbed Fuji's arm. "It was my fault that he became like this. How can I think about feeling satisfactory when he is hurting and haunted?"

The generals exchanged sad glances, knowing that they couldn't console Tezuka. Nevertheless, they tried.

"Everything may be amiss right now, but whatever happened may not be so bad."

Tezuka looked at Kouhei with confusion.

"Just think about it, didn't you and Fuji-san become closer more so now than ever, and you both realized how important you are to each other. It might have not been the best experience Fuji-san had gone through, but it gave him an understanding what the real world is all about. There's a saying that goes the greatest lesson to be learned is that the most difficult way is, in the long run, the easiest."

Tezuka was quiet for a while as he kept his gaze on the ground. He knew he shouldn't blame himself so gravely, but he couldn't help it. When it came to Fuji, his logic was way out the window before he even got to think about it. Fuji relied on him like an infant relying on his mother for survival.

"If you want to repay him, be strong for him. Don't let him see that you're letting guilt taking over you. Don't you think that he'll think that it's his fault that you became like this?"

Kyuchi nudged Kouhei discreetly and mouthed to him. "Don't be too hard on him."

"It's alright, Kyuchi. He's right." Tezuka looked up. This time, there was confidence in his eyes. "Thank you."

Kouhei grinned, slapping his knees. "Don't sweat it! That's what friends are for."

Thwack! "Shh!" Kyuchi whacked Kouhei's arm, who gave a glare, and tilted his head towards the slightly stirring Fuji.

Tezuka only smiled and snuggled Fuji closer. They were truly his good friends.

Morning came, and Fuji found himself arising from an unfamiliar bed. His first instinct was to panic, then he became frozen when his leg hit a solid body. His eyes widened in fear as he turned and looked at whoever it was that was on the bed with him. He was finally able to breathe when he saw who it was. Tezuka.

Tezuka had slept and stayed with him the whole night like promised. Happiness swelled in his chest as he leaned down to lay his head on Tezuka's chest.

The slightest movement woke Tezuka up. He couldn't be any happier to see a familiar mop of hair and warmth on his chest. "How did you sleep?"

Fuji lifted his head up and turned to look at Tezuka, revealing a gentle smile. "I didn't think I'd be able to sleep again."

Tezuka smiled, moving his hand up to caress Fuji's face, outlining the countours of Fuji's face. "Told you I'd always be by your side."

Fuji nodded and lie back down, still keeping his gaze on Tezuka. "I know you would."

There was a comfortable moment of silence before Fuji moved to sit up. His face was full of emotion that Tezuka could read him like a book. Tezuka waited for him to speak. Eventually, he did after he built up the courage. "What'll happen from here?" He was afraid to ask this question because he wasn't sure if Tezuka would agree to live the simple life like he had wanted. Tezuka grew up in wealth and power, surely a bland life would be the last thing that Tezuka would ever surrender to.

Tezuka probbed himself up by his elbow and side to level face to face with Fuji. A hand reached out to pull Fuji's in. Tezuka hesistated for a second before leaning in to kiss his love. Sweet and short, but enough to convey his feeling. He held Fuji's gaze. "It doesn't matter where we go, because we'll always be together, and that's all I need." He then pulled Fuji in for a hug. "You're all I need."

Kyuchi and Kouhei came just in time to see Tezuka and Fuji leaving their room with a clothed pack on Tezuka's back.

"You both are leaving already?" Kyuchi asked with lines creasing his forehead. He had hoped that they would stay longer.

Tezuka looked at Fuji before nodding at Kyuchi and Kouhei. "We're thinking of building our life together in a small settlement that we passed by before coming here."

"Then at least stay for lunch before you go, if you're not in a hurry." Kyuchi looked at Fuji because he knew for sure that Tezuka would comply to whatever decision Fuji made.

"If it is not an inconvience."

Kyuchi immediately protested and welcomed their stay for lunch again. "I'd like to get to know you better. Afterall, you're an amazing person for Tezuka to fall heads over heels." He said with a smirk throwing at Tezuka, receiving a glare in return.

Fuji blushed as he smiled. "I'm not that amazing like you think I am."

"I have to disagree to that." Kouhei said with a shake of his head. "Even though I don't know much about you, I know what kind of person Tezuka takes interest in. And believe me, I originally thought that his ideal lover doesn't exist in this world. But then you came along."

Fuji smiled at them, but his heart wasn't, and Tezuka didn't fail to catch it. Tezuka wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me, maybe it would have been better if we had not met at all.

They had their lunch at the gazebo towards the backside garden where a small river was built.

"How did you both meet?"

Both Fuji and Tezuka were taken off guard.

Kouhei's eyes were lit up.

Tezuka glanced at Fuji, who was glancing back at him and nudging him to talk. Tezuka sighed and began to retell their encouterance.

"Wow..." Kouhei switched his gaze onto Fuji. "You're like a prince from your Kingdom."

Fuji gave an embarassed smile. "I'm no where near a prince."

"A princess then."

That made Fuji's face redder and Kyuchi laughed. Tezuka only smiled. Inside, he was swimming in happiness at how true that was. Fuji was indeed a princess, his princess.

"A very powerful one at that. I wish I could see your magnificence in battle. Tezuka is exceptional, but with Tezuka praising you so much, I don't know what to think besides you being amazing."

"Kouhei, your excessive comliments are making Fuji-san embarassed."

True to his words, Fuji heated up. Hearing Tezuka chuckling, Fuji slightly nudged Tezuka.

"Don't laugh at me." He murmured.

Tezuka caught Fuji's hand and brought it up his lips to kiss it. "I'm just happy."

Kouhei wolf-whistled at the couple as Fuji snuggled deeper into Tezuka's body to hide his embarassment.

The teasing and humor died down as they enjoyed lunch. It was only when they were almost done that Kyuchi brought up the topic that brought up a bad memory to Fuji.

"Do you still remember what happened that day?" Even Tezuka hadn't gone that far to ask the question.

Fuji's face was stiff and Tezuka wrapped an arm around Fuji's shoulder. "You can choose not to answer if you don't want."

Fuji thinned his lips before giving Tezuka's hand a squeeze, an action that gave Fuji courage. He shook his head. "It is alright. If I don't get this out, I'm afraid it'll haunt me forever."

Tezuka nodded in understanding.

Fuji looked at Kyuchi and told the story.

When it got to the part where Fuji woke up and saw Kai, Tezuka's eyes widened in shock.

Both generals looked at each other with frowns marring their faces, confused at Tezuka's reaction. "Who's Kai?"

"A son of a merchant in Hyoseirokkai. Fuji met him at the market when he came to Hyoseirokkai for the first time, and it wasn't pleasant. That bastard tried to get Fuji into bed with him."

Fuji's frame was small as he shivered at that thought.

"That's absurd! Knowing that Fuji-san is King Koutei's guest, yet he still dare to mess around!" Kouhei exclaimed in anger. He turned to Kyuchi. "You need to send your men out to arrest this bastard. We can't have someone like him roaming the streets doing whatever he wants to innocent people."

Kyuchi nodded. "I'll have that done as soon as possible." He turned back to Fuji. "But then, what happened after that? He didn't touch you, did he?"

Fuji shook his head with a sad smile. Tezuka tightened his hold. "He didn't go that far. At that time, someone else came in and took me away. They put up a fight, but that unknown man was too strong for them. He told me that he'll bring me somewhere better. I thought it was better to follow that man than being with Kai, so I followed him, and he brought me to Okaa-san."

The three warriors were in deep thought as Fuji continued.

"Do you remember what that man looks like?"

Fuji peered up at Tezuka and shook his head. "Not so much. He seems to be in his late 30's, dark hair, and he had a scar on his cheek."

That was a vague image, but that was all he could remember.

"A scar? Like an X?" Tezuka inquired. His expression showed that he knew something. It was a battle scar that symbolized Hyoseirokkai's specialized assassin.

Fuji nodded in surprise. "Do you know him?"

"I might, but I don't want to assume. Was he carrying a sword?" The sword of an assassin would carry an emblem to symbolize their job in the palace. However, the only people who knew of their existence were few and restricted to important standings in the Kingdom.

Fuji shook his head and profered an apologetic look. "I cannot recall."

Tezuka smiled encouragingly as he caressed Fuji's arm. "It's okay." Fuji nodded with a small smile.

Right after lunch, Kyuchi and Kouhei offered to send Tezuka and Fuji until they reach the outskirt. It had been a long while since they had seen Tezuka and they wanted to make their meeting to last as long as possible, knowing that they wouldn't be able to see each other again in the near future.

Their traveling clothes and dried food and water were secured on their horse. Kyuchi wanted to give Fuji his own horse, but Tezuka declined, saying it was more convenient with them riding one horse together. Fuji didn't oppose because Tezuka knew best.

"Are you sure you don't have any important agenda to attend to?" Tezuka asked again, wanting to make sure that they're not taking up important time just to walk him and Fuji to the outskirt.

And again, Kyuchi affirmed him. "Besides, I doubt you know the way out on your first try."

Tezuka scoffed, taking the reign on one hand before reaching to his other side for Fuji's hand.

It didn't go unnoticed by both generals, but both didn't say anything, seeing how Fuji was smiling so happy about the small action. They didn't want to ruin that look on Fuji's face.

"I have a mouth and two eyes. It wouldn't be hard to ask around."

Kyuchi only laughed. "And you can also find the tallest house and use the height to find your direction. But the point is that we want to spend time with Fuji-san." He teased, and saw a small scowl on Tezuka's face. Possessive one, wasn't he?

Fuji smiled. "I don't mind." He tugged at Tezuka's hand, giving Tezuka a signal that he should stop trying to get rid of his friends.

Tezuka only squeezed Fuji's hand as the proceeded to the main street at the town square.

As they got closer to the city square, the crowd increased in number.

"That's strange, the princess' birthday celebration is in two days. Why are the people getting excited now?" Kouhei asked, face crunched up in puzzlement.

Kyuchi shrugged, not sure what was going on. "Let's ask."

Kouhei nodded before reaching out to stop a passerby. A moment later, Kouhei turned back to them. "He said a princess from Hyoseirokkai is here for our princess' birthday celebration. How come no one sent us a message from the palace?"

"I'm not sure, but this visit might be abrupt. Besides a princess from another coming to celebrate with us is not much of a big deal." Kyuchi explained. "I wonder which of the 3 princesses." He threw a glance in Tezuka's direction.

Tezuka's face was stiff, which went noticed by Fuji. "What's wrong?"

Tezuka looked down. "It's nothing." He assured, though he had a slight idea who it was. "Is there another route that takes us out without having to leave through the main street?" He asked Kyuchi.

Kyuchi frowned. "The opposite was from my residence will take you to the forest, and the road ahead of us takes us out to the main street." He didn't know why Tezuka was feeling uneasy. "Is something wrong?"

With a stoic face, Tezuka shook his head. "It's nothing. Let's go."

Fuji nodded and they continued to walk. Fuji held onto Tezuka's hand tighter as the crowd grew, almost seeking to separate them if they didn't hold on tight enough.

The citizens parted to the sides of the street as they got excited for the entrance of the Princess from Hyoseirokkai. Some had never seen a royal from another Kingdom before, so their curiosity jived up their moods.

The couple and two generals moved slowly through the crowd to get to the through side street that'd lead them out of the city.

Suddenly, loud noises from horns and native musical instruments rang out, signaling the entrance of royalty. People waved and shouted greetings to the fancy carriage surrounded by 40 or 50 guards and maids.

As the carriage passed by, the noise died down a bit. Tezuka's eyes narrowed as they followed the princess sitting inside the carriage, waving to the people. What is she doing here?

"She's beautiful." Kouhei commented off-handedly.

"Tezuka?" Fuji tugged on his hand. Tezuka was squeezing a bit too tight. The pressure was released as his eyes landed on Fuji. "That was Princess Minori."

Tezuka nodded wordlessly, battling to decide if he should later tell Fuji what happened between him and the princess, but thinking about the chance that they'll meet face to face in the future, he decided that what Fuji didn't know wouldn't hurt him. "We should continue to be on our way."

By then, the crowd was dissipating after the trail that the Princess passed through.

"Since you haven't met all three princesses of Hyoseirokkai, I'll let you know that all three of them are equally beautiful." Kyuchi told Kouhei.

"I won't mind being a cadidate for the marriage alliance to Hyoseirokkai." Kouhei said, though his voice showed that he was joking around. After all, to be a candidate, a man had to hold a high and prestigious ranking in the Kingdom.

"If you're like Tezuka, then it's no big deal for you to say that." Kyuchi teased, throwing Tezuka a glance, who smile in return.

"It'll take you decades to be like me." Tezuka said.

They were laughing with one another when Fuji suddenly stopped admist walking and hid behind Tezuka, who peered back in confusion. "What's wrong."

Fuji's eyes trembled in fear as he looked up into Tezuka's eyes. The generals came closer to the couple.

"It's him." Fuji whispered. His voice was trembling and it made Tezuka uneasy.

Tezuka's forehead creased as he looked around in search for someone suspicious looking. Fuji tugged his arms back to get his attention.

"He's carrying a sword. By the alley."

When Tezuka looked back, the man that Fuji was talking about moved from his post in the opposite direction. He looked back at Fuji. "Who's he?"

"The one that saved me from Kai."

Tezuka's eyes glazed over in deep thought. What is the palace assassin doing in Sarabia? The sword definitely had the emblem. He wasn't mistaking.

"You know something, Tezuka." Kyuchi pointed out.

"He's from Hyoseirokkai, but what is he doing in Sarabia at this time of the day?" It didn't make sense. Their assassin only comes out at night and they were rarely seen on the street. "Do you remember what he said to you when you were captured?"

Fuji turned pensive. His eyes lit up when a memory came to him. "He was sent by a princess to find Kai, who was supposedly in hiding and also something about I'm the sage that the princess wants to kill...Which princess was he talking about Tezuka?"

It made sense. Tezuka confirmed in his mind. Princess Minori was in Sarabia, along with Hyoseirokkai's assassin. They were plotting something dark. And it involved Fuji.

The generals exchanged glances. "If the man knew about Fuji being the Sage, then..."

Tezuka nodded firmly, comfirming the Kyuchi's thought.

"It can't certainly be Princess Ayame." Fuji came into defend for her. They hung out together in town on the day of the festival, and she didn't seem like the person who harbored such hatred for him that she would want him dead. "She's very kind."

"...I think I may know who it is." Tezuka suddenly said. His eyes fixed on nothing, and they were filled with a strange yet frightening determination. It scared Fuji, because it looked omminous.

"Tezuka, we'll be here if you need help with anything. Just let us know." Kyuchi said. Kouhei nodded in support.

They quickly left the city

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The curtains shielding the window fluttered slightly.

Princess Minori looked up from the table where her teacup sat and diverted her gaze towards the window. They lingered for a second before glancing towards her left. "What's the good news?"

A figure stepped out from the shadow. A sword with Hyoseirokkai's assassin emblem was held on his left side. His head bowed. "He escaped."

In a flash, the teacup and its content was sent flying to the floor, shattering into tiny pieces.

He had sent a message to inform Minori about Fuji being held in a whore house, and the Princess was on her way to Sarabia the next day. She had to witness the downfall of the Sage, but unfortunately, things didn't turn out the way she wanted.

"Are you telling me that you failed?" Her voice was grim as she looked at the broken teacup.

The assassin bent down and kneeled on one knee. "My mistake."

She stood up and slowly rounded the assassin. "Not only did you not kill him, you failed to break him and let him escaped. How is that possible coming from the palace's assassin?"

"It was unexpected."

"Oh? This better be good..." Threats laced her voice as she sat back down at the table.

He looked up to meet her piercing eyes. "Lord Tezuka showed up before it began along with Sarabia's two generals."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Tezuka? In Sarabia?" Her eyes moved rapidly, trying to make sense of Tezuka's odd appearance in her plan. What was Tezuka doing in Sarabia? She gasped. The Sage. "Don't tell me the reason Tezuka left is because of him." She hissed at the mention of Fuji. "That slut."

She averted her eyes back to the assassin. "You better not fail this one, or else..." It was determined. The sage must die in order for her to have Tezuka, alive.

The assassin bowed again as he waited for the next assignment. He wouldn't fail the next.

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"I think we should go back to your father's house."

Kai looked nonchalantly at the two sitting in front of him. They were at a small open-roof restaurant at the outskirt of Sarabia. It was a rest stop for travelers to stop by on their way out or back to the Kigdom.

"The Princess is already here. Do you think she might have heard about you being here and came to see for herself?"

"If that's true, then we have to leave before the assassin comes find us again."

Kai watched quietly at his two friends coming up with theories and plans. What they said wasn't as simple as they thought. He put down the teacup. "I don't think she's here for us, gentlemem."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember what the assassin said that day to the Sage?" Kai leered. His eyes glowered everytime Fuji was mentioned.

"So you think that she came here for the Sage?"

Kai smirked. "I don't think. I know it. She's here to see him broken and damaged." His hands fisted. He had originally plan to take the Sage's virginity, and he was glad to witness the rescue of Fuji Syusuke that night because that meant the assassin had failed, and it was in no doubt that the princess didn't let it slide.

"Unfortunately for her. She had to find out that Tezuka and the Sage really eloped together. Whatever she's planning now, we are not her primary target. Knowing her, she is set to kill Fuji Syusuke before she even thinks of us." Kai grinned ferally. He was safe now, but he must come up with a plan quick to save Fuji, but at the same time, kill Tezuka.

TBC

AN: Don't know about you guys, but I had to read this story again to know where I'm at. It's been too long, and it's entirely my fault for being busy and on and off with the plot bunnies. My apology. Strange thing is that, when I was reading the whole fic again, I was interested, like if it wasn't my own work. So yeah, I'm proud of LT, and I still think it's the best one out of all my fics. So I have a question for you:

If you were to pick one favorite story of mine, which would it be?

Unknown Review Reply:

Elysis: Don't sweat it. Life keeps us busy and it can't be helped. I'm just glad that you are still following up on this story. It's been a while, but I try to keep updating.