So I've been thinking a lot about this fiction and how I've totally forgotten to update it! And whew—2012! It's 2018 now, exactly 10 years since I joined the fandom to write more Yui stories in the FY universe. I have a confession about this chapter: It's been in my FY older since 2012, I wrote this chapter and a basic structure of chapter 29 immediately after publishing chapter 27… I couldn't end the Yui-Nakago moment with them fighting, that's why I wrote their scenes immediately.
The reason I didn't post the it is because it contained initial drabbles of dialogues, basic scene descriptions and some note to self (like put some Tomo plot here, etc). The only ones I added over the weekend are the Soi and Kutou palace scenes. Yui-Nak moments were written as early as 2012. Hahaha.
Adcloud: I really tried hard to nail this chapter in one week since I last published the previous chappie. But it ended up getting published 6 years after. If you've read this… thanks for hanging around. LOLs.
ThePinkMartini: Thanks! I'm also excited to write more moments with the twins. It'll be fun!
Asongavnuy: You're the first to point out that I'm missing on Tomo, which I intentionally did, btw. Don't worry, everything will be clear in due time.
Guest: Oh yes, I'll try to give each warrior a special moment with Yui once they're all reunited. But I made Tomo "perfect" for Yui in the past chapters because once Nakago opens up, Tomo will be eclipsed.
Nile1283: In the first part, I showed Nakago's feelings but his actions were different in Yui's perspective. There's no excuse for the "jerk-ish" proposal—that's just my Nakago's way of staying in character.
Obsessed Dreamer: That is correct. If Nakago agreed to immediately serve Yui, it would be really weird. And weirder if he starts to get all giggly romantic. But this chapter is another story. Enjoy reading!
Akiko Bloom: I read sometime over the 8 years that Yuu Watase-sensei will be revamping her Seiryuu Kaiden because there is really so much potential in their story. But she plans to do that after the Byakko-Kaiden. Goodluck getting our upgraded Seiryuu story because she barely started Byakko-Kaiden! _
Forsake Eternity: Thank you for liking this story! I'm trying my best to craft the best story for their characterizations! Thank you again!
Lupinara: I am glad you liked it. Hopefully, I can get more writing done soon.
Book14reader: Yes, he's clueless. There will be a catch in that part of the story. ;) I'm not even sure if story will end in 37 chapters but I'm working on it! So many characters to write about!
Guest: Here's the next chappie!
Jhoan: Thanks for always being supportive—and even creating an account in ffdotnet. Yes, I will be updating this one and Are You Seiryuu? as well as Watashi No Yakuza Kareshi.
Yui-fan: Here's an update. For now. Hope to continue some more in the future.
Guest: I know Yui Hongou-Gi, we follow each other in deviantart. Hahaha. But I'm no longer updated in that site… So… ;P
ElfiieSu: Thanks for leaving reviews and sorry for the late updates. I'm still returning to the FY world so expect updates to be a bit slow.
Mina Xu: Thank you! Yes, that's the intention this year (on my 10th anniversary with ffdotnet)—to finish my pending fictions, and hopefully begin writing fanfictions again.
Disclaimer: FY is not mine. Gosh, it's fun to be writing about FY again.
Calm Before the Storm
By Slavedriver2008
THE SUN WAS high when Yui and Nakago reached the foot of the mountain. They seldom talked and exchanged banters; there was absolute silence most of the time. He decided on the path and she followed. The descent was an ordeal of sorts—try as they might to hide it, one doesn't want to offend the other. Yui, on the other hand, took advantage of the silent journey to pacify her anger.
It was already late afternoon when they reached their destination. By then, they were greeted not by Souun as the priestess had expected, but by a familiar lake that glitters under the bright rays of the sun. Yui's eyes widened and he turned to the man with inquisitive eyes.
"The Lake of Seiran," she whispered. "Why are we here? We should be in Souun," she stated.
Nakago kept his silence as she followed him. He took familiar steps toward an open field where Yui saw a throng of decaying broken down houses. It smelled olden, looked brittle, and seemed to require little force before they completely fall from the poles. They passed the battered abandoned village until they reach another clearing. At the end of the clearing was a lone house that was just as abandoned as the others. Half of the house was burned and only a single room was spared.
"Where are we?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
"My tribe lived her, before your father's army attacked us," he reiterated. "And this was my house."
"But it's far from the village," she said and immediately regretted it.
"The General is not a Hin," he answered. "Which made my mother an outcase… I'm also an outcast." He smirked. "Don't you pity yourself? You're marrying the outcast of outcasts. You're even making him Emperor," he reiterated.
"Will you treat me like this all the time, Ayuru?"
"Don't call me Ayuru!" he bellowed as he faced her. "The boy who bore that name had long died with this village." He opened the door of the room and entered. Inside, he opened an old decaying cabinet and pulled out an old wooden box. He then dropped it near her feet, evidently angry.
"Fine," she retaliated. She doesn't want to fight anymore. There were more important things to think about rather than crafting ways to incite his anger. "But why are we here? You have not answered my question yet."
"We're getting married here," he replied. Nakago opened a box. Inside was a satin dress of a light blue hue. Despite the years, it was still beautiful. The box seemed to have protected it well. "Go wash yourself in the lake and wear this. Put some flowers in your hair and spare yourself some dignity."
"Excuse me?" She blinked at him. Nakago, however, chose to evade her eyes.
"We shall get married once the crescent moon rises tonight."
"I don't want to marry you this way," she finally said. Growing up, she often dreamed of getting married. It was inevitable because she was a woman. While men think of conquering battles and expanding the empire, she was brought up by women who spend the days getting pretty and choosing perfumes and fantasizing about marriage. And this, whatever Nakago had planned, was not the dream marriage she had in mind. Not in an abandoned secret village and not while wearing an old decaying dress.
"Don't worry, it'll be over before it begins," he said before moving out of the room.
Alone, Yui touched the fabric of the dress and pulled it over her face. No, he will never see her cry, not again. She swallowed the whimpers and embraced the dress. This will be over soon, she thought. Maybe one day she'll wake up to realize that everything had been a bad dream.
THE CALL OF FISHERMEN surround Soi as she traversed the docks of Souun. Her amber eyes looked around, sharply gazing at people's faces, lingering enough to make out their features yet quick enough to avoid suspicion. She took guarded steps and navigated to the Western edge, eyeing the boats and the men alighting from them. Nowhere, that twin was nowhere to be found. She cursed under the breath and treaded the same path, eyes snaking the same route one last time.
"Freshly caught fish, lady? I'll give you a discount!" a fisherman called. She barely met his gaze. Soi was about to give up and turn away when she saw a familiar patch of deep verdant hair. The boy was looking at his arms and when he moved to one side, Soi was graced with a strikingly familiar profile. Immediately, she moved toward him.
She was a few steps away from the familiar face when another man approached the boy. Soi stopped and turned her body away, pulling the brown cape to cover the side of her face. The man talked to the boy and Soi saw the familiar designs of a Kutou soldier beneath his cape. She cursed again, before moving toward a hidden alleyway. She closed her eyes and breathed in as a familiar flow of power moved through her body. Her navel twitched as if it was on fire.
Above, the scorching skies slowly darkened. Almost everyone in the docks looked up. Some rushed to leave while the others hurriedly pulled out the crates filled with fish. A lithe thunder appeared and the boy looked up. Soi saw him touch his shoulder, eyes scanning the docks. Soi stepped further back into the shadows of the alleyway, still intently looking at the boy. Instinctively, he turned to her and their eyes met.
Come, she mouthed before completely disappearing in the shadows.
Even with her back to him, she knew he was following. She took a sharp turn as another thunder erupted from the skies. She reached the end of the alleyway, where a gated staircase lay before her. When the footsteps stopped, she turned. Her eyes widened, for the man who followed her was not the boy. Like him, the man was surprised to see her face.
"Kaen…?" Soi took out her whip and immediately hit him. Eichuu evaded it quickly and unsheathed his sword. "What do you want from the warrior?"
"Nothing for you to meddle with." She unleashed another set of cracking whips. Eichuu grabbed the whip and pulled her. Kaen lost balance and dropped to the ground. She made a face and Eichuu immediately came to hold her hands.
"Where is his brother?"
"He'll die if you don't let me go," she snared back.
"I don't understand why we're fighting—you're a warrior, we should be on the same side!" he told her as she struggled from his grasp.
"I'd rather die than be on your side." At her words, the assistant commander's voice softened.
"You still despise me," he whispered. She stilled. Silence fell between them. Soi looked away. Oh no, she was not having this conversation again. "Does he treat you well?"
"It's not for you to know." She tried to kick him but he evaded it. "Let me go or I shall kill you," she warned. "I'm a warrior, remember? You are much familiar with my powers." Their eyes met and Soi felt a pang hit her heart. He had those same tender brown eyes that made her feel safe. Once upon a time.
But still, he pushed her away, just like everyone else.
"I see your loyalty remains with him," he said and Soi noticed how his jaw clenched. "Tell him this then, General Koyuu is dead and the priestess cannot be found. Prince Hakei is missing and a new Emperor has taken over Shinryu."
"Nakago-sama doesn't care about politics," she said, evading his stares. After so many years, she realized the pang was still there.
"Doesn't he? Well then, tell your Nakago-sama to make a choice and to keep you out of harms way." He slowly let go of her hands to Soi's surprise. "We are rallying behind Yui-sama and we shall conquer the capital in her name. He should rally for her as well."
He turned away. Soi slowly stood up. "I don't care about the princess or the priestess, they're all the same," she said. "Give me the boy."
"What will you do with him?" She didn't answer. Knowing he will not get any information, he conceded. "Very well, I'll tell him to come to you."
Ecichuu moved away to arrange his cape, hiding the Kutou uniform. Soi bent down to pick her whip and entangled it on her waist. The vice-commander watched her in those familiar brown eyes Kaen knew so well.
Those eyes. How can she forget those eyes? He gave her the same look from years ago, when they first met, after every lovemaking, before he left the brothel with promises to return and take her away. He fulfilled his promise, didn't he? He bought her, brought her to the Palace, and then abandoned her. Those same eyes, she realized, were the same eyes that looked down on her as he pushed him away. Go to your beloved, he said, I will never be used by you again. I will never fall for your wicked charms.
But when he was gone, as she moved through the streets to eventually be found by Nakago, she realized that he never triggered wild stirrings in her heart like the General. But he was home. Eichuu made him feel safe and wanted and desired and… loved. And he showed so by giving her those warm brown eyes that always seemed to break when she looked into them.
"Kaen…" he continued. "If ever we don't see each other again… I want you to know that I regretted throwing you out. And I… I wish for your happiness."
He moved away and left her alone. Again. The skies finally gave into the weight and harsh rain fell over the city. The warrior Soi moved the cape from her face and relished the feel of the rain on her skin. It's been so long, she realized, since she the rain betrayed her.
IN KUTOU TRADITION, nobles who marry were kept in their houses and pampered seven days before the wedding. Before that, they spend a month learning how to be a wife—from studying the traditions of their future families to pleasing their husbands in bed. Before the wedding and after the pampering, they enter Seiryuu's shrine, where they stay for three days praying to the god and bathing in holy waters. On the day of the wedding, their husbands will fetch them from the shrine, where they come out wearing the most beautiful robes. Here, they are married by the High Priest. After the marriage, the couple parades across the city before heading for the Imperial Palace to greet the Emperor. The Emperor gives them gifts, treasures, and wishes for filial bliss.
When the princess of Hokkan married her father, a neutral castle was built for her between the borders of Kutou and Hokkan. From the Hokkan capital, she departed dressed in the most luxurious robes as a Northern princess. Once she reached the neutral castle, she was stripped of her garments in front of the council and dressed with the best robes from Kutou. The tradition was supposed to strip her of her origins. She then went on a great parade from the castle to Shinryu. Where her father, and the noblest men in the Empire, stood at the top steps of the palace grounds. They met in-between and were married in front of the people, in a ceremony that signaled the beginning of peace.
For the Hin tribe, no such grandeur happens. Nakago explained, albeit very briefly, that she was to take a bath before the sun sets and moon rises, in a hidden side of the Lake of Seiran. Afterward, she was to head home and get dressed. If his tribe members were alive, she would be showered with flowers as she walked toward the lake, where he waits. But since he's the only remaining member of his tribe, she had to walk alone and meet him in the lake. The walk wasn't much of a problem for Nakago, Yui realized. His house was only a few meters away from the shining purplish waters.
She placed the crown of flowers on her hair and arranged the dress. The smell wasn't as rancid as she thought. They must have been kept well despite the worn-down house. The dress snuggled her perfectly, though the breast area was evidently more voluptuous. The lack made the dress sag to reveal a portion of her small breasts. Yui altered what she can but failed. She was sure her future husband wouldn't mind. Nakago said the ceremony will be over before it begins.
Yui forced a smile as she looked in the mirror. She wanted this marriage. They both did. They will get something out of it. No, it wasn't love. It was beyond that. They will get power and loyalty. Yui briefly remembered Tomo and his proposal. She shook her head. Even if she does fall in love with the performer, she would not marry him—she could not. He will be heartbroken once she sees him again with another man for her husband. She wondered how he'd been and if he's safe. Thinking of him before her wedding, Yui felt a terrible sadness fill her heart. She cannot wait to see the illusionist and cry in his arms. Surely, when they meet again with Nakago in tow, he'd be able to crack those peculiar jokes and well… make her genuinely happy again.
She touched the silver ring. Should she give it to him tonight? But the ring has powers that even she could not explain. It had been in the Hongou family since time immemorial. It was believed to belong to Seiryuu and encased some of his powers. They say if a man who was not worthy to be Emperor wears it, the ring will kill him, suck away his life for good. But if the ring accepts, that man will be protected by the god. Only the Emperors from the Hongou house had worn the ring. They lived as long as it was with them… and then died after they gave it away.
No, Yui realized. She cannot give him the ring. What if he dies? What if she loses a warrior? She was already giving up a lot for the shogun's loyalty. As much as she desired his death, it cannot happen. Not now, not soon. Not when they still need to summon Seiryuu.
With one last look in the mirror, Yui stood up and walked out of the door to her waiting husband.
THE MOON WAS beaming with tendrils of silver as Yui traversed the path toward the lake. Thousands of stars lit the firmament and it lightened Yui's anxiety. She walked toward the river, in slow steps that mirrored her loneliness. She was getting married, and it was not out of love. Well, her parents were strangers when they met. Royalties marry for lineage and power. She was a princess. Love has always been out of the options. She raised her head as she neared the lake that seemed to have become silver under the moon.
As she approached the lake, it started to shine, as if the stars descended on the waters to create dancing lights. She could not hide her awe as her eyes moved through the clear waters. She followed the lights until she met deep blue cerulean eyes. Nakago's eyes sparkled beneath the full moon and his gaze brought a familiar throbbing in her heart. He was beautiful. His eyes were beautiful. Like the deep waters. If he didn't speak with such edginess, he'd be the most desirable man in the world, she thought. Alas, he was a cad. And a deplorable Hin who gives shame to his tribe. And she was to become his wife.
Yui swallowed hard as she reached the banks of the lake while Nakago stood on the other end. He had taken off his armor and was wearing a white robe that clung to broad muscled shoulders. He eyed her from head and to foot and a blush spread on her face. Slowly, he alighted the floating bamboo raft and started to row using a long pole. Yui watched him, her heart hammering as he crossed the lake.
Yui remembered what the bard told her… That it was customary for Hin men to cross the waters to fetch their betrothed. For the Hins, the Lake of Seiran was blessed. And here, on a floating bamboo boat, couples are married, under the heavens. Nakago reached her spot and raised a hand for her. She hesitantly took it as she glided her feet toward the raft. Slowly, he assisted her on the boat. She accidentally missed a step but he immediately wrapped an arm around her waist, steadying her. When she looked up, his face was inches away and his breath was hot on her skin.
"Be careful," he whispered. "You'll ruin the mood if you fall into the waters. Its not good to be wet so early," he quipped and she flustered. She slowly moved away from him but his hand held her arm. He pushed the pole and they moved back to the center of the lake. He then forced the pole into the soft mud below and the raft stopped. Around her, the waters twinkled. Yui was bedazzled; it was like getting married with the stars under her feet.
Nakago moved closer to her. "Give me your hand," he said. Yui raised her hands and he took both of them into his. The blonde swordsman pulled a sole blue flower from his robe, planted a kiss on the tender petals, and placed it on her palm.
"Nakago…?"
"You are my moon," he said, cutting her. He raised deep set eyes and looked intently into hers. "And our children will be the stars. But only you will have my light, my longing, my love. My undying attention shall be yours, and so does my heart. " Yui's face went scarlet as he continued. He held their hands together before continuing in a soft voice. "I promise to protect you, to value you, to lie beside you even in death," he swooned. The lake seemed to shine brighter for Yui can see every part of his face. "No one will separate us, not even the heavens or the wrathful forces of hell. We shall be one, forever."
Slowly, Nakago leaned down to kiss her hands. Yui's skin prickled. When he met her eyes again, he raised an eyebrow. "It's your turn to profess your love for me and liken me to the sun. And say the same last words I told you," he told her. Yui was taken aback.
"You should have told me earlier… I could have prepared—" He raised an eyebrow and she snapped her mouth shut.
"Don't ruin our wedding," he hissed. She heaved a sigh and stared at the beautiful flower he placed on her palms, his calloused hands surrounding hers. "Look at me," he demanded and she raised her eyes to stare at him. "Look at me when you make your vows."
Yui hesitantly looked up, breathing in and out. Despite the warmth on her face, she conjured words for her him. "You are my sun. You… you light my days…" she tried and he rolled his eyes. Yui saw his jaw clenched. Making him angry was making her happy. He looked away, pissed. "When you come, you bring me heat, you burn my skin with desire." He turned to her and stared deeply into her eyes. Her hands felt tight within his hold. "And when you leave, I shall yearn for you. I promise to love you, to serve you, to lie beside you even in death. No one will separate us, not heaven or hell or the wickedness of men and gods. We shall be one… forever." She bowed to kiss his hands like he did with hers.
When she lifted her head, she lost herself in his cerulean eyes. A lifetime seemed to have passed before Nakago cleared his throat. He slowly moved his hands away. "Place the flower on the waters and let the ripples carry our promise to the gods," he whispered. Yui followed. Nakago bent beside her to wrap an arm around her waist. Reeling from the contact, she took a hurried step and ended up falling into the waters. "Yui—"
A thundering splash filled the quiet evening air. Yui's body felt heavy, she was getting sucked into the bottom of the lake. Above her, she could make out the silver rays of the moon playing with the surface. It was peaceful, she thought. Until Nakago jumped to the waters and swam toward her. Without another word, he grabbed her waist pushed upward. A few strokes and they bobbed their heads above the waters. The blonde warrior carried her to the surface and assisted as she climbed the banks of the river. Yui struggled with the dress as Nakago followed suit. That was it. She had ruined their beautiful simple wedding.
"I'm sorry, I—" Nakago silenced her with a kiss. This time, Yui closed her eyes. His tongue darted inside her mouth and she heaved a sigh when their tongues met, igniting a thousand sensations in her body. Slowly, Nakago moved away, leaving her parted lips wanting more.
"I now own your lips, everything in you belongs to me," he said. Yui's eyes shot open.
"What do you mean you own me?! You cannot—" He moved his face closer again, lips meeting hers. But unlike earlier, he was kissing her softly, tenderly, like the way he kissed the petals of the flower. Small kisses that brought back large swatches of warmth in her freezing drenched body.
"I love you," he whispered in between kisses.
"And I… I love you…" He cupped her nape and met her gaze. Yui felt embarrassed. "I mean…" He devoured her lips again, this time with force. Yui uttered a slow moan as he traced her jawline with his mouth. "Na… Nakago…"
He pushed her to the ground and Yui welcomed his weight as his body covered hers. She yielded to him with familiarity, as if they have constantly melded their bodies together, in a familiar rhythm that scared and excited the young priestess. Nakago moved on her neck, his hands slowly roaming the underside of her breast until a thumb circled the hardened pebble on her chest.
"Ayuru…" She whimpered as he continued his ministrations. She felt the dress expose her shoulders for his hungry mouth. Yui forced herself to open heavy-lidded eyes. "We cannot… I am…"
"Shhh…" He moved his face to meet hers, their foreheads touching. "Do you trust me?" She nodded as he fingered her lips. "Then tonight you are my wife," he told her before capturing her mouth for another kiss.
As they engulf her senses, he moved his palms across her waist and slowly pulled the ribbon that tied her dress. Yui held her breath as he slowly exposed her skin. He stopped kissing her to gaze at her form under the moon. Yui opened her eyes and their eyes met. The world stopped again. Every movement he made was slow yet specific. He cupped her cheek and slowly fingered the sides of her mouth.
"Beautiful," he said, eyes dancing with the light of the lake. Slowly, like the tedious turning of the moon, he leaned down to kiss her again. She closed her eyes and savored his mouth, losing her bearings in the movements of his warm mouth and the heavy callous hands that eventually moved between her thighs.
A/N: Whew—finally done! I was planning to end it differently but got carried away. Hahaha. The sun and moon was inspired from Miss Saigon. You might think its from GOT but its really not. I swear I have no idea what GOT is when I wrote this. If I could cite an inspiration for this material aside from FY, it would be LOTR and The Wheel of Time (Riordan). Anyway, the sun-moon comparison is not exclusive to GOT so I kept them for this fiction. Asian literature has always incorporated those anyway—just please don't assume I copied it because that would annoy me a bit since GOT is a hit and miss for me. Hahaha. Do tell me what you think about this chappie!