I'm experiencing update delays because aside from writing this story, the ideas are hard to put together. I feel like writing my first full-length novel as I think extensively per chapter and I add perspectives. I updated my timetable (scene guide) and I realized that this story will be long—more than 24 chapters!Don't know if I still have readers until then. Haha. There will be limited but cute Nakago perspective here. Now, let's get to know our warriors better.

Princess-of-doctors: Yes, a chapter with only the two of them. Tenkou is the majin, but in this story, he's one of the people under Nakago's army… or he could be more.

Khryztinne: Well, I really can't explain much because I'll ruin the "twist" in the story. Let's just say that Nakago is different from Hotohori—he keeps things to himself and he's been through tougher experiences. I'd like to assume that love was something he felt but never acknowledged. Oh, and thanks for the cheering team!

ThePinkMartini: Yeah, Seiryuu's so lovable. :D Here's an easy guide for you: Ayuru = Nakago, Kotoku = Amiboshi, Shunkaku = Suboshi, Chuuin = Tomo, Kaen = Soi. And for the mean time, Shinji = Ashitare.

Disclaimer: FY is not mine.

Under the Full Moon

By Slavedriver2008

THE BOY'S HEART was beating fast and his knees were trembling. He was the best rookie in class and he carried the blade well than the others. But standing behind the pillar in the Imperial palace, he knew he was throwing away the distinction with his cowardice. A sweat rolled down the side of his handsome face and the fifteen-year-old looked at his newly-bought boots, focusing all the trembling in his body in one spot.

"Nakago…?" a familiar deep voice called, his boots creating sounds in the marble floors. It was his foster father, the General. Koyuu looked behind the pillar where the younger boy was hiding and laughed lightly. "Why are you hiding?"

"I can't go inside…" he whispered, frowning. The man looked down and shook his head.

"The Emperor has allotted seats for us in the Royal table. He said he wanted to reward you for being first in your class. Your classmates would be envious. Do you want to miss this chance?" The younger boy's cheek brightened and he looked down, shaking his head slowly. "Come on now, Spring is always a good time to listen to the bard."

"But father—" he called back, a little too loud. He bowed down again, covering the right side of his face. "There is something on my face and it is disgusting." The man sat down and looked at the boy intently.

"What is it? Are you sick?" He cupped the boy's chin and turned his other face. The sight made him laugh, making the boy flush further. Koyuu cleared his throat and straightened his armor. "Pimples are normal for growing boys. That is why you should wash your face before you sleep, especially after a good sweat." Koyuu pulled the boy's arm but the boy resisted. "Nakago—"

"But Father, I am ugly and scary," he stated in a forlorn voice that rivaled the bard, as if predicting the end of the world.

Nakago smirked at his reflection. Cold river water rolled down his smooth cheeks after he washed his face. No marks of that hideous thing were on his face and he was somehow glad to have grown out of it. Now, every woman would look with awe and sometimes, envy. He had used it to gain favors and beds and food for a night. He would sometimes give kisses but his body, he never gave away. Deep blue eyes flickered across the big area and his gaze landed on a squirming figure at the far end of the room.

The girl made a sound when their eyes met and he smirked. Her hands were still tied together and the robe on her back was dirtied from the journey. They managed to reach Eisei in a day but they have exhausted the horses. The Min family took in the higher officials while the soldiers made tent around the city's borders. Eisei was the Western capital of Kutou, a prosperous city that overlooked the West Mountain Ridge. Beyond the mountain was San'un province and the Holy Mountain of the Creator of the world lied further, hidden beyond the border.

Nakago turned to the girl and she pushed herself further to the wall, eyes staring wide. Her pale bruised face glimmered and even with the short hair, he could single out her beauty. Her face bore innocence, though her eyes showed hate. He briefly remembered the boy he was but ended up shaking the thoughts away. He will never return to those years. He will never be the same boy who thinks of pimples and dogs and sunrises. He will never be saved. He made his choice the moment he left the Imperial Palace. His soul will be damned in hell.

But he will bring this world along. And her. He will bring her along as well. By then, he would have more guts, more power, more value to his name. He turned to the bed and pulled the ties of his robe. He let it flow from his well-chiseled body, earning a gasp from her. She probably looked away but would it matter? She had seen him naked, not once. He took his time walking toward the bed, feeling the soft cool sheets on his skin. He sat down at the side and turned to her crouched form. She had buried her face in her knees and her naiveté made him laugh lightly.

"I'm going to sleep," he called slowly in a deep voice. She breathed out uneasily; every sound was music to his ears.

"I don't care!" she screamed back and he chuckled.

He was never good in inviting women to bed, especially since they jump and offer their bodies without his consent. He shook his head at the idea he had been nurturing; when he left the Palace he promised to be a different person, not the boy who gazes out into the window, waiting. He sighed and let it pass, eager to relieve the aching on his lower back. The ride had been rough and there were countless times when she squeaked or made sounds as they moved. But she would never admit hurting or getting scared.

He moved under the blanket, looking out into the starless Spring night. He silently wished the nightmares would not come, the way it skipped for the last two nights. But a part of him wanted to see them again, her mother and Tarlia. He wanted to see their deaths, to strengthen the pain and the hate and the agony in his heart. Heart? He doesn't have a heart—he had long given it up. It was merely a tool to pump blood in his body, to nurture the seeds of revenge, to lengthen his life as he finished the plan. Once he finds the blue flower, it shall be done. And the heavens will feel his wrath.

"Seiryuu," he called in a language that only his tribe understands. "When you have acquired a physical form, I will kill you and take your place in the heavens."

Silence answered him. Nakago knew the god, if he does existed, heard him. But he was not afraid, no longer afraid of him. In his heart he knew the god could never touch him. It was his fault that he shunned him away, wasn't it? He used to pray to him, every night. But his prayers were never answered. He was still stuck in a deep rut with nothing but thoughts of revenge.

Nakago closed his eyes. He can almost hear the gentle beats of her heart, a few meters away. Far but still near. The sound cradled him to sleep and he dreamed of a distant memory, a happy one, something that he never wanted to remember. It reminded him of a time, not so long ago, when he still had a heart and he followed it.

"I DON'T THINK she is the priestess," Shunkaku told his brother and the latter let out a sigh. Shunkaku had been pacing repeatedly in their chambers. They had been given good food and accommodation, only after they had shown their marks to the ministers of the Palace.

When the Kutou army forcedly took them into the capital Shinryu, they dragged them and almost always tortured them. The blond shogun was holding to an orb that kept their powers at bay and they were only free to use it when they parted ways. By then, they have seen the priestess once but she didn't even acknowledge them. They also met another warrior but he was badly beaten, he remained in his carriage all throughout the journey to the capital. Shunkaku wondered what he looked like.

"Why do you say so?" Kotoku asked, looking out into the starless Eastern sky. He held the bamboo flute close to his heart, sadness filling him.

"I just know," the younger twin insisted. He had been urging him to escape from the palace and return to Tenryo. Yui will come back, he would always say. You wanted to see her again. Kotoku's face fell. He had hoped she was the priestess and he would willingly protect her with his life but fate had other plans and it was something he could not counter.

"When the priestess comes, all bonds will break," he stated again. Shunkaku cursed and sat down on the floor, eyeing him intently. "As warriors, we are to serve her and no one else."

"But she's a spoiled brat—she doesn't even come here to talk to us. What kind of priestess makes her warriors suffer?" Shunkaku said a little too loudly. "She only looked at us, in that belittling measuring violet eyes, and that's it! I'm not giving my life to a selfish girl."

"We've waited for so long Shunkaku," Kotoku said. "Let us wait some more. She might change or better yet, we must have read her wrong."

"I hate being stuck in this room and being called out only to show our marks."

The younger twin lied down on the floor and placed his hands at the back of his head, staring at the intricately-made ceiling. He had never slept in a beautiful room before and the thought of sleeping under the same house as the princess brought thousands of unexplainable—and troubling—emotions within him. He used to always dream of meeting the princess, ever since her carriage passed by Tenryo. She peeked out the window then and he saw her. But his princess, he realized, was no longer the princess.

"We don't eat much in Tenryo but we are free, unlike this," Shunkaku noted. Kotoku heaved another sigh.

"I wish you are alright," he whispered, leaning on the wall. A hand pinched his ear and pulled him inside the room. Kotoku made a sound and almost fell to the ground. "Shunkaku—"

"I could have believed you when you said we should trust this priestess, Aniki," he teased, pulling the older twin's ear. "But you looking at the stars and wishing she's safe is not a wish for the priestess!" Kotoku's cheeks flushed and he whisked his brother away. He finally lost balance and fell on the carpeted floor.

"Shunkaku—I am older than you!" He struggled to move away from Shunkaku but he stilled when Kotoku saw him sitting on the ground and looking at the full moon.

"I think she will come," Shunkaku finally stated in a serious voice.

"Who?" Kotoku asked. Shunkaku turned to him with mischievous eyes.

"WHO? Even if you're older than me, I sometimes feel I need to use my ryuseisui on you, Aniki." The older twin flushed and sat up beside Shunkaku. He sighed and looked up at the skies. After a few minutes of watching, a shooting star mysteriously appeared and they both gasped.

The twins looked at each other with eyes wide. Surprised, they both immediately closed their eyes and made a wish. When they opened their eyes, the two looked at each other and smiled. All the frustration they felt since they arrived disappeared. No matter what happened to them with the new priestess, Kotoku knew the two of them will remain together, regardless of the numerous shooting stars that passed their window. For the stars no longer signal them of an impending separation. The star had a new meaning.

"She will come," they both said at the same time and they ended up laughing.

The good thing with having a twin, Kotoku realized, was the fact that they don't have to voice out certain important things—they both simply understood. Their happiness was short-lived when a knock came from the door. The twins turned at the same time and wondered who would be visiting them at that time. The knocks came again.

"Who's there?" Shunkaku called.

"It is I, Murasaki Minako, the priestess of Seiryuu and the First Princess of Kutou."

CHUUIN CLUTCHED THE clam shell in anger. He was about to throw it at the door when the priestess walked out of his room but it was too precious to be wasted on the likes of her. Filthy noble blood. Chuuin cursed for the hundredth time as he recalled the conversation they had. His wounds have not healed completely and seeing the girl brought back the pain in his body.

"When the shogun arrived, you are to swear loyalty to my brother," she said, not as a request but as a command. "You are to fight beside him and only him."

"I do not understand, a warrior only swears loyalty to the priestess," was his curt reply. His stomach knotted at even giving this girl his loyalty. "When the priestess arrives, all bonds will break."

"My bonds to my family remain very much intact, Seiryuu shinchiseishi Tomo. You are to follow my orders. We will prepare the ceremony and do the process by the fortnight," she stated, her dark eyes reflecting the moon.

"I am against being castrated, your majesty," he quipped and the girl's eyes widened.

When a family—when a ruling family—requires a commoner's loyalty, it meant becoming a eunuch. His body was too beautiful to be mutilated. No, he will never allow it. Besides, how will he make her his wife if he's lacking in that department?

Minako's hands clenched and it did not escape his observant eyes. If she weren't the priestess, he would have wrapped her around his illusions and pull out that wretched life out of her. She was too young to speak sense, too young to know the games men play for power. And he will never swear his loyalty to the new Emperor. Heck, he was even having a hard time swearing loyalty to this impertinent girl.

"That is very unfortunate Tomo-sama," she said, gritting her teeth. "I have already released a decree that all male warriors will be eunuch and will swear loyalty to my brother," she stated and Tomo could not hide the clenching of his jaw. "You see, you don't have much choice."

"And the consequence for not abiding by your orders, Minako-sama?" he asked dryly. He already knew what she would impose. Nobles were too easy to read.

"Treason. The only punishment is death," she said slowly, spelling it out for him as if he was illiterate and could not understand. "Besides, Tomo-sama. You don't need your manhood to serve me. You can still paint your face in that horrible mask and we will be entertained."

Chuuin cursed. His mask was not horrible—what cultural literacy does that girl have? He bet it was lower than the soles of his slippers. He sat on the bed, still fuming. But what pushed his anger to boundless heights was not her request to castrate him—them—but what she planned to do after they swore their loyalties.

"Since you are my warrior, I will tell you what your use will be," she said in that annoying high-pitched girly voice. Oh, he was glad she doesn't sound like her. "When Nakago arrives, you will all plot to kill the Suzaku seishis and the priestess," she said. Chuuin looked up with distaste. A warrior was not created to kill another warrior, at least that was what he was led to believe.

"Minako-sama?" he asked, wanting her to expound more.

"The court has decided that the best way to strengthen our forces against a possible occupation of Hokkan is to conquer Konan," she stated glumly. "We are correcting the mistakes of the former Emperor—Kutou is the nation of the god of war, it is time we live up to his name," she said, her eyes glittering at the mention of war. "The best road to that domination is to kill the warriors and the priestess. Besides, I heard the Emperor is one of the warriors. We'll be hitting two birds with one stone if we kill them."

"Why don't we… summon Seiryuu instead?" he asked. Between the idea of him fighting in a selfish war and waiting for the god to move his holy hand, he would honestly choose the latter. Sairou's government was never this unstable. He knew because he grew up in Sairou. The priestess's face become somber and she sighed.

"We cannot find the last warrior," she stated and Chuuin raised an eyebrow. He knew when a woman was pretending to act gloomy. He was an actor for Seiryuu's sake. Does this girl think he was easy to fool? "The legend also spoke of a temple where Seiryuu will be summoned, but the inscriptions never mentioned the location. With the missing pieces, it is right to assume that Seiryuu could not be summoned in this generation."

"I see," was Chuuin's only respond. The worst part of becoming a warrior, he realized, was when they were gathered but could not be completed. Another worst, he added, was the fact that they will be used for war because of a pathetic priestess who never strained a muscle in looking for them.

"So you see, Tomo-sama, we are in the middle of war. We need your powers," she said.

"Do you want me to show you my powers?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. There were numerous things he wanted to know and the only way was to force it out from her. She laughed mirthlessly.

"I already know your powers, Tomo-sama." She smirked and shook her head. "The Murasaki clan is not stupid." She turned around and headed for the door, not even saying a proper goodbye. If her cultural literacy was low, her manners already hit rock bottom.

Chuuin heaved a sigh and placed the shell back under his robe. He has heard stories of warriors who were not gathered, who spent their lives waiting for the priestess and died. Once they do, another warrior will be born and they will wait for her, waste their time waiting. It was always the same routine; that was how the Hundred Tales of Seiryuu was born, each act was about a warrior's adventure in different lifetimes. But as a master of his craft, he had never heard the story of a missing warrior.

"Someone is hiding the truth…" he concluded. A sigh left him and a name fleeted in his thoughts. He turned to the window, where the full moon was waxing. "She's coming here…" Chuuin wondered why he knew but he had never been sure in his life.

YUI TOOK ANOTHER light step toward his sleeping form, a paring knife clutched between her tied hands. She does not have the time to untie herself—she can't lose the opportunity of slashing his throat. He was too occupied with washing his face that he never noticed how she hid it from the table. He was not as smart as she thought and the fact was a little disappointing. Too bad she had to kill him. But there were no options available. She doesn't want to return to Shinryu under the new Emperor's mercy. For taking her innocence, she will take away his life, it was an easy bargain.

In two more steps she was standing over his form, the blanket covering the lower half of his naked body, to her relief. Slowly, holding her breath, she leaned on the side of the bed and moved her hands over his throat. The blade shimmered in the light of the moon and her heart beat wildly on her throat. She had never killed anyone before. Damn, why does she have to do such a thing? She let out a scared breath and moved the blade closer to his throat. There was no choice, she reminded herself. She hoped Seiryuu would forgive her for what she was about to do. She was about to slash his throat when a strong hand stopped hers.

Blue eyes opened slowly and a smirk graced his handsome face. Her heart pumped doubly fast. The hand tightened on her wrist, forcing her to drop the blade. She made a sound from the pain, slowly letting go of the knife. It fell on the sheets and he easily threw it away. The blade sank on the wooden wall. Yui's eyes widened when he immediately pulled her down to the bed.

"What are you doing—"

"Punishing you," he stated, staring deep into her scared blue eyes. "You know what I do when I'm angry, yet you do it anyway. Tell me…" he whispered close to her face. She could feel the warmth of his breath and her skin prickled as he slowly trailed cold hands over her legs, parting the robe and exposing her naked thighs. "…Do you want me?" Her cheeks brightened, eyes wide. Oh no, she does not—Does she? A light laugh left him as he recognized the confusion on her face.

"Let go—" A mouth landed on hers and she gasped when he licked her lower lip, sucking it in his mouth, and releasing it. A wondrous sensation crept through her spine and she resisted the urge to close her eyes and respond to him. "No—"

He forcedly entered her mouth and she let out a moan as he lapped their tongues together, gentle but eager and intoxicating. She gave in, she was weak compared to him and he was… He moved in strokes that left her breathless and she unwillingly arched to his hand as he cupped her breast.

Heaviness pooled at the pit of her stomach and she moved her legs together. Something foreign was happening to her body and she doesn't know why she was reacting as such. A heavy moan left her when a cold finger circled the pebble on her breast, rolling it between calloused fingers and driving her to unknown pleasures. Sweat rolled from her forehead as heat filled her body. She squirmed on the bed and he pushed her down, their skins touching, his hardness rubbing on her thighs. Nakago's mouth moved to her jaw and he suckled on her lobe, an act that made her release a bundle of breath she never thought she was holding.

This feeling… what is this…? His hands parted her knees and she moved away when he brushed through the heat between her legs.

"Wait—Stop!"

"Stop?" he asked as a whisper, voice heavy and warm. He licked the curve of her ear and a tingling sensation emanated from the spots where their skins touched. She was burning and if he continued, nothing will left of her. "You're overflowing, Yui-sama… Should I drink you?" he asked, letting out a light heavy laugh.

She knew what he meant and it brought warmth to her face. Not awaiting her response, Nakago moved his lips slowly down her frail and heated body. Very lightly that she arched to him, desperate to be touched by his mouth.

"No… No—Ayuru—No…" She let out another moan when his lips stopped in his navel, his tongue leaving a familiar reddish mark on her skin, marking her as his. She tried to push his head away but he had already moved lower, parting her legs further for his inspection. "Stop—it's humiliating!"

Nakago laughed lightly, still watching her, eyes moving from her flushed face to the prize between her legs. He slowly moved his head closer and Yui covered her hot face in shame. She could feel his breath, feel the soft movements of his mouth and tongue as it trailed her leg, lower, closer, to the heavy aching bundle of nerves. He was a kiss away and Yui's head arched back on the pillow, anticipating his mouth on the most sensitive part of her body.

Hard long knocks came from the door and she looked at the door. Nakago turned toward it as well and anger immediately brewed over his handsome face. The knocks continued, desperate.

"Nakago-sama, are you awake? Nakago-sama?"

The knocks pounded, annoyingly loud. Nakago stood up from the bed and placed on a robe, hastily, fuming, in heavy footsteps. Yui squirmed to one side of the bed, clutching her once parted legs. She was still catching her breath, pacifying the pleasant tremble he caused with his mouth. Her skin prickled as cold wind passed through the window, making her miss the warmth of his body. He pushed the door open and the hinges creaked, as if it was about to break.

"WHAT?" he bellowed and the soldier squirmed, immediately bowing down on the floor.

"It's Soi-sama—she has arrived with the boy," the soldier stuttered. Yui's ears perked up and she watched the shogun intently. His shoulders calmed down and the sudden change surprised her.

"Take me to her," he stated casually, not even looking back. The door closed, leaving the princess befuddled and surprised, another foreign feeling engulfing her still pounding heart.

CHARACTER INFOCUS

Kotoku Bu – Otherwise known as the warrior Amiboshi. He used the flute to save Yui-hime from the panther. A mature and lonely boy of fifteen, he promised to serve the priestess without leaving his brother. His power comes from his mouth. His mark is a white lily wrapped around a silver flute.

Shunkaku Bu – The twin brother of Kotoku and known as the warrior Suboshi. After he was left by his brother, he became part of a guerilla group that protects the town of Tenryo from abusive commanders. Aggressive and a little childish, he loathed the priestess because she came too late. His mark is a white horse.

A/N: Minako's character is the alter-ego of Yui. It's right to say that she was the Yui in FY. The Yui-hime here is the Yui she would have become if she did not let revenge get the best of her. I realized too that as the other warriors worry about her, Yui was having the time of her life with Nakago! Haha! How crazy is that? Do tell me what you think!