A/N: Thanks to my wonderful hubby, WingedPanther73. He helped me with Lady Suwa's internal thinking. Also, thanks to all of you that have been reading. I'm having a great time writing this story.

Part Twenty-Three

Lady Suwa smiled as she tried the unconventional miso soup. "This is quite delicious, mage."

He gave her a bright smile and nodded. "Well, I'm not a huge fan of sardines, so I thought I'd give it my own personal twist. When I get back to Celes, I'll have to try out all the dishes I've learned on Yuui and Ashura. They both love fish, so they'll enjoy Nihongo food, I'm certain."

"You may have an unusually hobby for a young man, but you are an extraordinarily good cook. Thank you for the lunch. By the way, when did Kurogane say he'd be back with my husband?"

"He told me they're settling a dispute between a rice farmer and a merchant. It sound like it shouldn't be too involved. The farmer is named Yuto."

"Not to sound indelicate, but this isn't the first time Lord Suwa has had to go settle a dispute with Farmer Yuto. He'll probably let Kurogane settle things. It's time he learns how to adjudicate these matters."

"I'm sure Kurga-lu will be fabulous!" Fai said.

Lady Suwa giggled. "You never did tell me why you started calling Kurogane everything but his proper name. You know, in our culture that is unseemly. I'm amazed he allows you to do it."

Fai chuckled. "It's all because he was rather insulting to me when we first met. He underestimated my skills. I saw the nick-name 'Mr. Black' got under his skin, and I kept it up because then he started calling me names back. I just love getting a rise out people. If he would have blown me off, I would have stopped a long time ago."

"He can be a little surly when he's focused."

Fai nodded. "Kurgs is a giant grouchy-puss, sometimes, but I think that's part of his incredible charm."

Lady Suwa laughed. "I did promise to read to you from that book."

"Oh yes! The one about sound magic. I'm eager to learn something new. I want to make Ashura proud of me when I get back."

"I'm sure the ice king is absolutely proud to have a son like you."

Fai's expression grew dark. "After what I did to Yuui..."

"Mistakes happen when you're young. Parents understand that and forgive. You have to forgive yourself."

He started to smile again. "Thanks, Lady Suwa."

"Shall we go?"

They rose from the dining room table. She lead him down the hallways towards her sitting room. A few feet from the door, Fai suddenly stiffened up, eyes growing wide and then sliding shut.

"Mage! What's wrong?" The young man then slumped to the floor in a faint. Lady Suwa called, "Megumi!" She knelt by Fai and tried shaking him by his shoulders. Her maid appeared in seconds.

"What's wrong with the mage, Lady Suwa?"

"I don't know, but go get Kentaro. He's in the armory." Minutes later, the one-eye advisor showed up with her maid. "Kentaro, please help me get the mage to his room, and then I'd like you to go get Kurogane."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, picking up Fai carefully. After Fai was placed on his futon, Kentaro hurried to fetch Kurogane.

Lady Suwa felt Fai's forehead and then she peeled back his eye lid. There was nothing out of the ordinary. She checked his pulse and found it was very slow. Something caught her attention. There seemed to be a faint greenish aura around him; it was some sort of residual magic she wasn't familiar with, but she could tell it was the same type Fai used.

Lady Suwa clasped her hands and started a healing chant. The residual magic dissipated slowly. She didn't stop until Kurogane rushed into the room.

"Mother?" Kurogane knelt beside her, but his eyes were locked onto Fai.

"It's okay. He'll be fine soon. Some how, a magic spell hit him. It felt like magic from his own world."

"But that's impossible. He's the only hex caster in all of Nihongo."

"I don't know how it's possible," she said as the last of the magic cleared itself and his aura took on a nice, pink color once again.

"Yuui," Fai murmured, eyes still closed.

"He's not here, Fai," Kurogane said. She didn't miss the concern on her son's face or his tense shoulders.

"I'll go get some water," Lady Suwa said. She quickly got some water from the kitchen and hurried back. She paused at the room's doorway and almost dropped the ceramic cup. Kurogane was holding Fai's hand and gently brushing back the mage's silky hair. What took her off guard was the worry and tenderness in Kurogane's eyes. He was so focused on Fai that he didn't notice her.

She closed her eyes, remembering how thoroughly Kurogane had been trained to serve his country and his family. She couldn't believe he would betray all that. It had to be a moment of weakness and overwhelming concern that enabled her to see something that looked so improper. It was good, however, to know he had the capacity to be tender towards his future wife. She backed down the hallway a few steps, and made a slight coughing noise.

This time when she came to the doorway, Kurogane's hands were to himself. She tried to puzzle out what she'd seen. He looked up at her. "Mother? Are you okay? Your face has lost it's color."

"I'm fine, Kurogane," she said, kneeling down beside Fai's head. "Has he said anything?"

"No, he just keeps calling for his twin. Could it be that Yuui got hit with a spell and Fai got some feedback?"

"I wouldn't think that's possible, but I can't think of another thing."

"Yuui!" Fai shouted, his eyes flying open. He sat up, panicked. "Something happened to him!"

"Do you know what it was?" Kurogane asked.

"No, I have no clue. He could be hurt. I've got to find out," Fai said, clutching the front of Kurogane's red hanten.

"Calm down. I'll send word to Princess Tomoyo and see if your father sent any word. If something serious happened, I'm sure he'd send for you." Kurogane then gripped Fai's shoulders and gingerly made the mage lay back down. "In the meanwhile, rest."

Fai's eyes drifted closed again, and he eventually fell into a fitful rest. Lady Suwa whispered, "Let's let him sleep."

"I want to stay with him a little longer," Kurogane said, taking Lady Suwa by surprise.

"Please come with me. We need to get word to the princess right away," she insisted. Kurogane looked as if he were going to protest, but he rose and followed her to her sitting room.

She got some parchment and ink. Kurogane sat at the table with her. She paused before starting the letter. "Are you okay, Son?"

His brow furrowed. "Yes, Mother, why do you ask?"

"You seem quite upset."

"I'm concerned for the mage. He's a good friend," Kurogane said.

Lady Suwa thought that over. Kurogane didn't confer the title of friend easily; he had very high standards and values. He took his role of being a friend seriously, he expected the same.

"I'm sure he'll be fine once he hears news about his brother."

"Yeah," Kurogane said, looking distinctly distracted. Lady Suwa wondered if she should discuss Kurogane's behavior and intense concern towards Fai with her husband tonight. She started the letter and decided against worrying Hondo over something intangible.


Ashura appeared in the north tower of Luval, Yuui in his arms, Boris at his feet. "If my child doesn't have enough common sense to protect himself, then I will have to do it for him. And you, Boris, I promised Gustave I'd take care of you. I saved you from execution and this is how you repay me? Trying to get my son killed?

"I tucked you away in Valeria because you've done some horrific things. Your father was a good governor, but you've let Valeria rot around your ears. It's as decayed as your brain will be, fitting. I know why you reanimated, it was really my fault for not watching after you carefully. You were so new to the army, so eager to make your mark on the world.

"If only those damn Valerians wouldn't have rebelled that summer. If only you hadn't been separated from your unit, surrounded by nothing but corpses. There were hundreds of Valerians closing in on you, hellbent on dragging you through street and torturing you. They would have sent your head to me, but you made a choice between living and dying.

"You terrified the Valerians so badly, I would have been foolish to not make you their governor since you weren't fit for the army any longer. And I've not had a rebellion from them since.

"You wanted to live so badly, now you're not that same young man. There was something worth redeeming in you, and Yuui must see that something still does exist underneath the surface. Well, you can live a while longer and keep Yuui company, as well."

King Ashura laid Yuui down beside Boris. He lofted his magical staff and traced several runes. The runes snaked out around Yuui and Boris, encasing them in glass. Ashura removed his outer clothing and then levitated the glass prison. It drifted over to a pool of water. He pointed his staff at the pool and it plunged into the warm water.

Ashura dove after it once it hit the bottom of the pool. He laid his hands on the smooth glass and used his magic to fuse it to the bottom. Once that was done, he swam to the surface. He pulled himself up and sat on the side of the pool. He surveyed his handiwork and was pleased. If he flew into a maniacal rage he wouldn't remember how to break this spell and wouldn't be able to harm Yuui.

Ashura stood and draped one of his fur-lined capes around his shoulders. "Now, time to see who else aided and abetted my wayward son."


"... and you just wait until King Ashura gets back, you scheming woman! Getting them to elope is beyond the pale!"

"Well, there is nothing anyone can do about it now! Not even Ashura can get the marriage annulled. So, what's done is done."

Zellen marched into the dinning hall. He wasn't pleased to see Drysi on the verge of tears as the two elderly people were red-faced and hostile. Zellen slammed Yuui's blood compass on the dining hall table. Dayken, Duchess Naidra, and Drysi all flinched and stared at him.

"Yuui, darling, you look angry," the duchess said in cloying sweetness.

"You drugged me," Zellen snarled.

"I knew you wouldn't do something so insensible without a reason," Dayken said before turning to Drysi. "How could you do this to Master Yuui, who's been nothing but good to you the whole time you've been here!"

Drysi shook her head in denial. Zellen could tell she was stunned at the news and horrified at the accusation. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I had nothing to do with it. I swear, Yuui. Please believe me."

Zellen could tell she was sincere. "I believe you, Drysi. My bet would be on the duchess when she put cream in my tea this afternoon."

"But, Yuui, you can't seriously think I would do something like that," Duchess Naidra said, not even bothering with sounding sincere. "Anyway, I thought you loved Drysi."

"I do love her! But you've gone too far, and you don't even understand what you've done," Zellen said.

"But I think I understand." Everyone in the room froze and turned to the doorway. King Ashura was standing there with wet hair and fresh clothes. Zellen's mouth went dry. There was no Yuui or Boris with him. He walked over to the bickering group, wearing a bright smile. He turned to Zellen and picked up the blood compass. "So, Zellen, why don't drop your glamor and introduce yourself properly to your bride."

Zellen knew he was cornered. He dropped the glamor and there were horrified gasps from Dayken, Duchess Naidra, and Drysi. Dayken sputtered, "I didn't know, Majesty, that Master Yuui was missing."

"Don't worry. I found him in Vercasta. He was so distressed that I sent him to visit Fai for a while."

Zellen asked, "What about the governor?"

"Boris? He's a well known coward that left my son to the mercy of bandits. He'll be punished when he's found."

"Then you aren't..." Duchess Naidra murmured at Zellen, shock now melting away to fury.

"No. My name is Zellen Vagin."

"Tell me you signed Yuui's name to the marriage certificate." The duchess' hands slowly clenched.

Zellen looked at Drysi, her eyes wide, all the color drained from her face. He shook his head. "I signed my own name," he admitted. Zellen knelt down in front of Drysi. "I had a very good reason for taking Yuui's place. I never meant to harm you, things just got out of hand. I'm sincere about my feelings for you. Please don't doubt that."

"Ashura! You must annul this marriage contract!" the duchess commanded her nephew.

He only shrugged. "You said it yourself, not even I can annul a marriage. They're considered sacred. Besides, I believe Zellen was drugged and you pushed the situation when I told you that Fai and Yuui were forbidden from marrying your granddaughters. It will serve as a reminder to you not to meddle in my affairs, having Zellen in your family." Ashura then turned to Zellen. "And it would serve you right for helping Yuui defy me, to be married to a woman who will never trust you and will probably grow to despise you over the years."

"I made a mistake. I'm so sorry I lied to you, Drysi," Zellen said, his chest was tight with guilt, "but I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, if you'll have me."

"Drysi, you're a victim in all this. Pick who you'll stay with. If you go with Zellen, your marriage will stand. If you go back south with Naidra, the marriage still stands. The choice is yours." Zellen could tell the king was furious with him even though he was talking in a serene tone.

Her bewilderment drifted away as she looked back and forth between her husband and her grandmother. "Then I choose my husband. At least he's remorseful for what he's done."

"Drysi, I did nothing of the sort!" the duchess insisted. "He's a known liar that's tampered with this blood compass to impugn me."

"You were going to stand by and let the mayor accuse me of drugging Yuui, and you're still denying it even though the blood compass says so."

"Good then. I'll call your Aunt, Zellen, to come and escort you and Drysi back to Kella. I'm sure she won't be thrilled with you," Ashura said. "As for you, Duchess, out of my sight. Never darken Luval Castle."

"But Ashura..."

"For the rest of your life!" he yelled, slamming his hand on the long dining table. "And if I catch you around either of my sons, you'll rue the day."

Duchess Naidra turned and fled the dining hall. "Dayken, come with me and we'll summon Mayor Tanya."

They left, and Zellen started shaking horribly. He desperately wanted to say something to make this situation better. Instead, all he could do was watch Drysi cry. "It was all a lie, wasn't it?"

"No, I really do love you. And every time we've been by ourselves, that's the real me."

She dried her eyes with a handkerchief and took a deep breath. "To me, you're a complete stranger."

"I'm begging you, please give me a chance. I'll court you all over again, if that's what you want."

"Zellen!"

He flinched and got to his feet. Aunt Tanya was standing in the doorway with Ashura. She marched over and slapped him, soundly. His face stung and he was glowing red, mostly from embarrassment.

"Aunt Tanya, I can explain."

"Tricking a young girl into marring you? At sixteen? You've played pranks and pulled off wild stunts before, but this is beyond the pale. I've warned you again and again you'd get in over your head with this foolishness!"

"To be fair, Tanya, he was drugged," Ashura said.

"Explain yourself before being drugged!" she demanded.

"I was covering for Yuui. He wanted to go help King Ashura with the bandits."

"Yuui is no combat mage! He couldn't hex his way out of a bag," Tanya said. "You should have made him stay put!"

"I know, I'm sorry."

"And why did you start courting the girl?"

"Because she's sweet and kind. She's absolutely wonderful and I really wanted to be with her so badly. I didn't think the duchess would give me a potion. I just... was thinking... "

"You were thinking with the wrong part of your body," Tanya snapped. Zellen was sure his face was purple now.

"Tanya, why don't you take Drysi and help her get her things together. That way, you can get to know each other," Ashura suggested.

Tanya turned to the forlorn girl and softened. "I'm so sorry you got caught up in my nephew's tasteless and asinine antics. I'll do what I can to make you comfortable in our home."

"Thank you, ma'am," Drysi said. Tanya put a comforting arm around her shoulder and shot Zellen a withering look.

"You can call me Tanya, dear," she said, taking the girl out of the dining room.

Zellen's stomach was like a hollow pit. He felt Ashura's heavy hand on his shoulder. "So what did Yuui really tell you?"

The king looked totally placid. "That you were ill and he needed to help you. That's why I agreed to stand in. Yu administered the healing potion?"

Ashura gave him a smile and nodded. "Yes. That's why I sent him to visit Fai. It was gratitude after a harsh struggle."

"I wish I could have seen him off and apologized to him."

"You know what a generous nature he has. I'm sure all will be forgiven."

"Zel, come on," Tanya snapped from the doorway as she lofted her staff. Drysi was behind her, head lowered so he couldn't read her expression.

"One more thing," Ashura whispered, "take several months and concentrate on winning her over."

"I promise I will."

To be continued.