Part Eighteen:

"Stop fidgeting around," Kurogane snarled as Fai scrambled across his lap to the other side of the enclosed carriage. The blond mage hung out the window and waved at some of the farmers they were passing.

"Hello there! Nice to meet you!"

Kurogane yanked Fai back into the carriage by the collar, feeling heat come to his face. Thankfully, this was a carriage where the driver was outside, so he hadn't witnessed Fai's antics during the trip. "Must you make a scene wherever we go? Especially since we're in Suwa?"

"Oh yes, especially then, Kuro-gi," Fai said. "I want to make an impression. I will have to say, a lot of people have come out to watch us go by."

"Word gets around quick in farm villages. They probably heard you were coming and wanted to see if your hair and eyes were really as odd as everyone says."

"Odd?"

"Have you seen blonds since you've been here? Your eye color, that shade of blue, is also unseen here."

"Eye color?" Fai murmured and flopped on the seat next to Kurogane. The ninja noticed a definite shift in Fai's demeanor. He was now very still and quiet.

"Yeah, it was the first thing I noticed about you," Kurogane said.

Fai forced one of those vile, fake smiles on his face. "I hope my eyes don't really catch that much attention."

Kurogane didn't make any comment, but he certainly could tell Fai was holding something back. He figured Fai would tell him in his own time. Besides, his thoughts kept drifting towards his parents.

He hoped his mother's health hadn't declined any since he'd been gone. The last letter he'd received had assured him she rested regularly and maintained a good appetite. He also worried about his father pushing himself to keep demons at bay. All that could change, somewhat, thanks to Fai. He looked at the floorboard of the carriage where a small trunk of fluorite rested.

He looked outside the carriage and felt any last vestige of homesickness evaporate. The trees had lost their leaves and the chill of autumn was heavy. The land was becoming more and more familiar.

"Winter is going to come early," Kurogane observed.

Fai's fake smile softened some. "Do you get snow?"

Kurogane could tell there was some homesickness behind that question. He drew the curtains over the windows and took Fai's hand. "Yes, some. Not like what you're used to. You won't even have to break out that coat of yours."

Now Fai's smile grew devious. "I don't recall you upturning your nose at one the minute you left Luval for the first time."

"Yeah, well, the weather in Celes is insane."

"Insane, hun? Let me guess, you think we're crazy for living there."

Before Kurogane could give him a tart remark, the carriage came to a halt. Kurogane gave Fai's hand a firm squeeze and let it go when Fai looked suddenly excited. "You aren't nervous?"

"Who, me? You know I love meeting people. And I'm especially looking forward to meeting Kuro-rin's parents."

"Stop with the nicknames," Kurogane snarled, only to get a bright smile from the mage. He was starting to get a sense of dread. He was still trying to plot out how to feed Fai nothing but soup for the next six months and keep him from sake.

The carriage door opened and Kurogane got out. He felt joy at seeing his family home again, along with many of the retainers and servants for the Suwa family. All looked pleased to see the young lord again. At the end of the long line of people stood his parents.

He squared his shoulders and strode forward. His father was wearing his habitual, lopsided grin. His mother, on the other hand, looked as if she were about to cry in happiness. When he got to his parents he gave them a formal bow of respect and waited for his father to address him, as was custom.

"You've finished serving Princess Tomoyo, and Souma sends back a favorable report. I'm pleased with how you've conducted yourself," his father said.

"Thank you, Father, I..."

"But..." Lord Suwa interrupted. "...I'm going to have a word with you about your cousin Ran."

Kurogane kept a scowl off his face and vowed to settle the score with the hot-head. "Yes sir." He turned to his mother. "You shouldn't be out here in this cold."

"I would never miss your homecoming," she said before embracing him. He hugged her back, glad to see her face-to-face once again.

"So this is your guest?" Kurogane let go of Lady Suwa at his father's question.

Lord Suwa's eyebrow was quirked and he wore a bemused expression. His mother clamped a hand over her mouth and stifled a small giggle. Several servants' eyes went wide in dismay. He turned around in trepidation, looked at Fai, and it dawned on him why everyone was gawking.

He had started taking for granted Fai's wardrobe over the past few months. It was a pointless battle. Fai's clothes were a little more masculine now, but some of his clothing certainly had feminine details. One detail was wearing long sleeves, not as long as a furisode, but it certainly gave his clothing a feminine cut. Kurogane smacked his forehead for not thinking about checking Fai's pale blue outfit closer.

"Hello, Lord and Lady Suwa. It's my pleasure to meet you," Fai said, dragging the small chest of fluorite out of the carriage. He marched up to them with a huge smile.

"Father, Mother, this is Fai Fluorite, the mage of Celes. Fai, these are my parents, Lord and Lady Suwa." Kurogane watched carefully as his parents returned Fai's smile.

"Welcome to Suwa, mage of Celes," Lord Suwa said. "You're an honored guest of ours."

"Please, just call me Fai. I'm so grateful you let me come along with Kurgs."

"It's Kurogane! I warned you to knock it off, bratty mage!"

"Kurogane, don't yell at our guest like that. It's unseemly," Lady Suwa chided, looking surprised.

"Yes, listen to your mother, Kuro-pu," Fai chanted in a sing-song tone. Kurogane clenched his fists to keep from punching Fai in the nose. Fai, however, set the chest at Lord Suwa's feet and opened it. "Please accept this gift from Celes, Lord Suwa. It's fluorite, the stone that drives off demons in your realm. I'd be honored if you allowed me to cast wards around Suwa using fluorite."

"So this is the stuff everyone's been talking about? It seems to really work at keeping them back towards the sea," Lord Suwa said, picking up a crystal. "I accept the gift with much gratitude. And since it's your father's dictate that you work when you're here, it'll be your first task to cast wards around Suwa's boarders."

Kurogane looked at it, baffled. "I've never seen it that shade of blue before."

"It's comes in all sorts of colors, but blue is very special, Kuro-pu. It has healing properties and can restore health. I selected this from the stores that King Ashura sent. And this is for you, Lady Suwa. I made it before we left. I'm no healer like my brother, but I can at least provide this." Fai reached in the trunk and drew out a pendant made of blue fluorite on a gold chain. "This can give you some vitality if you wear it over time."

"Oh, it's beautiful. I'd be honored to wear it," she said. Fai held the pendant towards Lord Suwa, who then put it around his wife's neck.

Kurogane was very pleased at his parents warmth and welcome towards Fai; he was equally pleased at Fai's charm, generosity, and thoughtfulness. Lord Suwa turned to Kentaro in the line of retainers and said, "Take the fluorite and put it in safe keeping."

"Yes, sir," the one-eyed man said with a bow.

"Now time to celebrate. We have a special dinner planned in honor of your birthday. It's also to celebrate all of your accomplishments on your journey to becoming a man we can hold in high regard. We know that Suwa will be well cared for in the future," Lord Suwa said, absolutely brimming with pride and confidence. It made Kurogane's chest swell in pride to see how his father hold him in such high esteem.

"Oh, I love parties!" Fai exclaimed with clasped hands, bouncing from foot-to-foot. "I hope you'll invite me to join you."

"Of course! Like I said, you're an honored guest, which means you celebrate with our family," Lord Suwa said, giving Fai a friendly slap on the shoulder.

To which, Fai shouted, "Hyuu! Hyuu! Kuro-pon! Let's have some fun!"

"Damn it, mage! I'm not a reindeer!" Kurogane snarled.

"What's a reindeer?" Lady Suwa asked.

Kurogane sighed and shook his head. "It's a long story, Mother. I'll tell it to you while we eat."


"What do you mean? An escalation?" Ashura asked, feeling increasingly hostile.

Mayor Dayken gave a huge sigh before rubbing his bald scalp. "Every night we've had these bandits, and they won't stop. There are more of them, now, then my constables can handle."

Ashura's emotions suddenly turned dark, grisly, and craving. These bandits needed to be eliminated; it would be the perfect way to satisfy his compulsions.

"I will personally come to Vercasta and stop these bandits," Ashura said. "I want you to stay here and wait for Yuui to get back. It should only be a day or two more. Keep him here. He is not to leave Luval under any circumstances. He is not to come near me from this day forward. If he does, arrest him for treason against the crown. He may write me about his trip's success; that is all he's allowed."

Dayken hesitated, shock coming to his face, but the man gave a bow. "I'll make sure Master Yuui won't leave the castle."

Ashura felt his stomach rebel at the nightmarish compulsion to strangle Yuui, lately. It had become stronger and stronger, ringing in his consciousness to a level that was difficult to ignore. He was truly terrified he'd murder his own son when he came back from Valeria. Therefor, it was time to leave and do his job: maintaining peace and order in Celes. He could do this, and hopefully Yuui would find a cure.

Ashura, as he prepared to leave with his combat equipment, worried about Yuui. He stilled his breath and counted six more months until Fai was back. Six more months before Yuui was properly protected. He counted on Fai being strong enough to restrain him, if the time came.


Yuui's hand trembled as he turned the page. His research came down to one person in the linage: Chii, his own mother. No one else was a close match to the original chieftain's direct line. Everyone else had been executed. Yuui tried to remember his mother's face, but it wasn't coming to his memory.

Fai had told him that he was the one that found their mother after she killed herself, but he still had no memory of it. Fai had also told him he didn't speak for two weeks after he found her, but he didn't remember that either.

"That means we're Ashura's only hope," Yuui murmured, feeling a sense of relief. He'd gladly sacrifice his blood to reverse Ashura's curse.

"So what's this about the king?"

Yuui swirled around, clutching the royal history book to his chest. He was dismayed to see Governor Boris had, once again, snuck up on him. "It's impolite to not announce yourself."

"I'm not a polite person. It's the most useless virtue," Boris quipped. Yuui felt offended at the rebuke. Boris had an apathetic expression as he sat on a stack of forbidden books. "So I take it you've found whatever you're seeking? You'll be leaving soon?"

"Yes. I'm going to leave within the hour. I will want all these books in this tower to come with me to Celes. There's a lot of knowledge here. I will also recommend the king come visit."

Boris snickered. "So you think I'm a lousy governor?"

"I think you have some strange ideas and you're the youngest governor I've ever met," Yuui answered only to get a bemused expression from Boris.

"No one wants to serve here. It's a miserable assignment that fell to my father, and it then fell to me when he died. The king wants this place maintained and I've done that much."

"You need to do more," Yuui said, surprising himself at his assertiveness. He was also surprised at Boris' apathy. He saw brilliance in the man, but no enthusiasm with his lot in life. "Maybe you aren't the right one for this job. Maybe King Ashura needs to find you another job."

"I certainly don't want this responsibility, but the problem is that I don't know what I want."

"Then you need to be back in Celes if you feel you're not doing any good here."

"There is no reason for me to be anywhere different than here," Boris said. Melancholy hit Yuui's empathy hard; it struck him that this man was suffering from a deep depression. He felt pity for him.

"Please resign. You aren't fit to serve as governor."

Boris, rather than getting angry, only smirked and shook his head. He stood and turned to leave. "Right now, Valeria is in too much disarray. If I knew someone reliable would follow me, then I'd step down. So... send King Ashura. Maybe he'll know someone fit to hold my post."

Boris left the tower. Yuui's empathy was still dealing with the heaviness of depression. It was always the hardest thing to shake off. Not just Boris', but his own over his inability to remember his mother.


Kurogane was pleased with how well dinner went. Yes, Fai's table manners were atrocious, but he absolutely charmed his parents with stories about Celes and his his travels around Nihongo. His parents seem amused rather than offended over Fai's graceless eating.

As dinner wrapped up, Kurogane said to his father, "I'd like to take Fai to the borders tomorrow and start setting up the fluorite wards."

"Right away? That's very industrious of you. We'll leave at first light so we can beat winter," Lord Suwa said, leaning on his left arm with the elaborate dragon tattoo.

"And I was looking forward to spending some time with you," Lady Suwa said. "You just got home."

"Yes, but the sooner they go up, the better off you are, Mother."

Kentaro came in holding a bow. "Young Master, I found your grandfather's bow among the mage's possessions when I went to put his things in the guest room. I'll place it in your room."

"I gave it to the mage to use while he's here. He needed a weapon," Kurogane said.

"Then I'll put it back with the mage's things." Kentaro left with the bow.

Kurogane didn't like the surprised glances exchanged between his parents or their sudden silence. The bow was very sentimental and valuable. Fai seemed to pick up on it, too.

"I can return it, if it's a problem," Fai said.

"No, it's okay for you to use it," Lord Suwa answered, warming back up.

Fai smiled and said, "I've been taking good care of it. It was very generous of Kuro-ki to loan it to me."

"I hope it serves you well while you're here," Lord Suwa said.

"Let me show Fai to his room since we'll have a long day tomorrow," Kurogane said. After bidding his parents good night, he lead Fai down the hallway.

When they got to the privacy of the guest room Fai asked, "I suppose you aren't planning on telling your parents about us?"

"It's not something I was planning."

Fai's expression grew dour. "I understand. I don't want to put you in a bad situation with your parents."

"Would you tell King Ashura?" Kurogane asked.

"No, but I have another reason. He knows about my preference for both men and women, but I'm considered underage in the wizarding world. He wouldn't be pleased about us for that reason."

Kurogane felt the blood drain from his face as Fai got coy. "What do you mean? Women and some men get married around sixteen here."

"Well, thirty is more appropriate in Celes. I guess I didn't mention it because I wanted you, and I didn't want this chance to pass me by."

"You mean Ashura wouldn't approve because of your age?" Kurogane said, not able to keep irritation out of his voice.

"He'd be absolutely furious if he knew, but that's because he's my father and overly protective. Please understand that I really felt ready to be with you."

"You lied to me. You should have been upfront about that at the start. Instead you made me believe that it was acceptable in your culture. Now you've set me up for antagonism with your father."

"I don't want you in that situation, but I just couldn't let you go. I want you so badly," Fai pleaded, putting his arms around Kurogane's neck. Fai had changed a fair deal since being in Nihongo; there was no doubt in his mind that Fai was an adult capable of his own decisions. Kurogane placed his hands on Fai's hips and drew him close when his irritation drained in favor of desire.

"I want you too. Right now," Kurogane said softly before placing a kiss on Fai's soft cheek.

"Take me," Fai said, breathy.

Kurogane pulled Fai close. It wasn't long before they both lay on the ground, enjoying mutual caresses and kisses. Clothing was shed and hands roved over skin. Touches lead to more heated intimacy, melting them both after blissful tension. They lay tangled and enjoying mutual warmth.

"I won't be able to stay overnight," Kurogane said.

"I'll take what I can," Fai murmured drowsy.

"I'll hold you until you fall asleep," Kurogane said, stroking silky, blond hair absently.


Kentaro crept away from the guest room door with the quiver he'd forgotten to return earlier. His face was flush with what he had accidentally overheard, and by all means, he should go to Lord Suwa right away. It was his obligation.

He mulled over in his head how to handle this delicate situation. Kurogane was always very serious and duty bound. He just needed a reminder of what his obligations were, discreetly.

To be continued.