Part Forty-Five:

How Boris ended up in bed beside Yuui made him want to choke the snot out of the mollycoddled healer. His back was to the little thumb-sucker; he gritted his teeth once again. When they were hunting King Ashura, they camped out in a one-room cottage so they hadn't had a chance to sleep in separate rooms. And, of course, everything was above board and platonic then.

Yuui had started having violent nightmares a few hours ago and sobbed hysterically since he was in a room alone. Boris had to drag himself off the sofa and go comfort Yuui in the annex's bedroom, and Boris wasn't exactly the comforting type.

After he talked Yuui into some calmness, Yuui begged him to stay by his side. He loathed to do so, because he was still horny. This was the first time his libido had started to twitch in three years, and he was trapped in a situation where satisfaction wasn't exactly easy or exactly ethical to obtain. He started to wonder if he was truly the most cursed person in all of Celes.

And now Boris could kick himself for complicating things by kissing the little waif. He admitted he wanted Yuui, badly. Yuui was the type he would love to dominate in bed, because Yuui probably would be the type that could be made pliant. He had to reign in his mind from all the dirty, little fantasies that kept creeping into his head.

After all, he didn't need more of a reason to get a killing hex aimed at him by every constable in all of Celes. Claiming Yuui's purity would certainly not ingratiate him to them or King Ashura. He flinched at the image of his betrayers being horse whipped. He certainly didn't want to end up like them. Touching Yuui would certainly lead to that.

"Boris? Do you even like me as a person?"

"No. I don't like you in the least. It's the same way you don't like me. Let's leave it at that."

"But I..."

"Shut you mouth already, Loftiness. I'm tired," Boris snapped. One more combative word from Yuui and his resistance would crumble. All he wanted was release from the three years of pent up lust that had finally broke through his heavy depression. He felt Yuui snuggle up against his back.

"I don't like you at all," Yuui whispered. "But I need you by my side."

"You can't have me in your life. Stop thinking that. Remove that idea from your head. After we get your father back, I'm leaving and not telling you where I'm headed. That's for your own good."

"Please agree to stay with me as long as I need you."

"And how long do you think that'll be?" Boris asked, wanting to flinch from Yuui's warmth against his back before he pounced on the soft, little healer and screwed him into bliss.

"Until I say otherwise. And that could be for a very long time."

"And when I go insane?" Boris asked, hoping that point would dampen things.

"Then I'll stay by you. I'll find a way to heal you, in spite of your wish for destruction. I'll make it so that..."

Boris turned over, grabbed Yuui, and pressed a deep kiss on him. Yuui was very submissive to the kiss, and then he reciprocated with enthusiasm. There was no more avoiding this. Boris straddled Yuui's hips and pinned his wrists onto the pillows. "Stop now, or else you'll lose your innocence to me."

He shiver. "My innocence is yours to take."

Boris took a deep breath and nuzzled Yuui's neck. Yuui tilted his head so Boris could have more access. Boris finally stopped resisting himself and said, "I'll take what you're offering, but understand... this is very dangerous for you, with your empathy and all."

"I don't understand what I'm feeling. I don't understand what I feel towards you at all, and it hurts me so bad..." Yuui was trembling and getting panicky with shortness of breath.

"Relax, because what I want is simple. At least, I'll let you off the hook with something simple," Boris said, "You've, of course, stroked yourself off before?"

"Yes," Yuui admitted, turning a delightful shade of pink.

"I'll do that to you, if you do that to me. Deal?"

They shared a fiery kiss, first, then Boris held Yuui close as his hand slipped down Yuui's stomach. Yuui was shaky, so Boris paused. "You sure?"

Yuui nodded as his own hand moved towards Boris' groin. Yuui insisted, "I know this should stop, but I don't want it to."

Boris started fondling Yuui, and the healer gasped and bucked closer to his hand. Yuui emulated him, and Boris started to get closer to the release he craved. He buried his face on Yuui's soft neck and said, "The animosity between us maintains a safe distance."

Yuui panted a few times and admitted, "I want to like you. I want you to like me, too."

Boris stroked Yuui a few more times and then let go, only to get whimpers. "Nope. I want to see you like yourself as much as you like me. Put your hand on yourself and finish. I like to watch people."

"But wait... you..."

"No. You're always pressing at me to value myself. Lead by example, Loftiness." Boris pressed a kiss onto Yuui's forehead and then flashed him a smug grin.

It was so hard to watch Yuui pleasure himself without just grabbing him and screwing the blond silly. It wasn't long before Yuui collapsed in spent passion. Boris lay by Yuui, whose breathing was evening out. Boris was going to finish himself off, but Yuui touched him first.

"I'll take care of you, too," Yuui said.

"But that's not exactly fair. I don't want you to think I'm a cad by making you work so much."

"But this is what I want to do." Yuui instantly lay across Boris' chest with a determined look that brokered no argument. He had a feeling there wouldn't be reasoning with Yuui. Boris relaxed and let Yuui fondle him.

Boris orgasmed from Yuui's touch a few minutes later, and he clutched the healer to him. It was something that brightened his darkness for a few moments. Then it became painful, the idea of bonding with Yuui. It wasn't possible, but it's what he desired. Boris said with a soft smile, "Thank you for that. I really needed it."

"You made it easier than I thought it would be," Yuui said, resting his face against Boris' chest.

"Well, there are a lot of twisted things I'd love to do to you. And there are a lot of kinky things I'd like making you do to yourself."

"I'd like that, Boris... but I still don't think I like you," Yuui said softly as he nestled into Boris' arms against his taut chest.

Boris took a deep breath and ignored his inclination to push Yuui far away. He pressed a kiss on the top of Yuui's head as he wrapped his arms firmly around the healer's shoulders.

"I don't think I like you very much, either," Boris whispered in Yuui's ear. High Winter howled outside and they clung close to each other for warmth under several thick blankets.


Lady Suwa fell backwards on the mat of her prayer room when she saw the vision. Megumi screamed for her mistresses, but Lady Suwa ordered her to go get Kurogane. The young girl did as she was ordered. Kurogane came in as the dawn light was rising, right before breakfast. He carefully scooped up his mother in his arms.

"Should I get Father? Are you ill like you once were?"

He saw her touch the fluorite pendant around her neck that had rebuilt her strength. It shimmered with a blue light. If anything, Kurogane would be forever grateful to his mage for that gift Fai gave his mother.

She then caressed his face and shook her head. "I had a vision of the ice king. He killed many men and took their blood for more power. It's stained his aura. Then there was this man with Fai that confronted the ice king with purple magic. Fai... no it wasn't Fai. It couldn't be Fai, but it looked just like him. It must have been his twin. They were caught by the ice king and imprisoned. That man with the purple magic... his aura is also getting black stains! He'll not be a sane person one day. He could be very, very dangerous, too."

"So the ice king isn't what he says, and Fai's twin is in trouble," Kurogane said. It felt as if a stone was in his stomach at the idea of telling Fai this news. "I must confront him."

"My son, please be careful around the ice king. He's taken other people's blood into himself. It's a vile thing to do," she said as he cradled her closer to his chest and gently rocked her. She fell unconscious.

"Hitomi!" Lord Suwa shouted as he sank to his knees in front of Kurogane. He knew better than to move his wife from his son's protective arms after a divination. If she was moved a great deal, it'd make her sick over the next two weeks.

"Mother had a vision and it drained her. She saw that the ice king has ruthlessly killed people. She also said that Fai's twin was imprisoned by the ice king. There was also something about a corrupt man that cast purple magic that fought the ice king."

"I'm not surprised about the ice king. Let's get your mother comfortable and then we'll talk to Fai."

"Fai won't believe us," Kurogane said, as Lord Suwa brought out pillows and blankets for his wife.

"Then you're in love with a fool," Lord Suwa said, as they made his wife comfortable.

"Fai is no fool, but he's overly grateful to the ice king. It'll make him blind."

"I hope he trusts us. His life could be in real danger."


Fai giggled at Lord Suwa and Kurogane; he dismissively waved at them. "You two are being so silly."

"My mother had a vision about your twin and an evil person that attacked the ice king! Please listen to what we've told you," Kurogane pleaded with his stubborn lover.

"For one, King Ashura would never harm Yuui. He's been a loyal and caring father to us for many years. For two, Yuui would never be with a stranger without me or Ashura. We just don't let him." Fai's fists clenched and there was a crackling of pink magic. He looked into Kurogane's eyes. Those eyes were firm and the most serious he'd ever seen them. "I'm sure there is a perfectly logical explanation." Fai just shivered and then chuckled, blowing off what he was told. "We'll go ask him, and you'll see."

They followed Fai down the hallway. The mage hummed a jaunty Celen tune and he skipped into the dinning room where King Ashura was sipping on some tea. "Good morning, Father. How are you feeling?"

"Well. Come sit by me." Fai bounced over to his father and fell into a big hug from the ruler. When he was let go, Fai coyly gazed at Ashura as Kurogane and Lord Suwa joined them at the table and got their tea. "No Lady Suwa?" Ashura asked politely.

"She's ailing," Lord Suwa said.

"Would you like me to take a look at her? I know several good healing spells," the king offered.

"Actually, she was in the middle of divination, and it's very taxing on her," Lord Suwa said. "I'm afraid she saw something that is a concern."

"What would that be?" Ashura asked, with an encouraging smile.

Kurogane said, "Mother saw you fighting with another mage that casts with purple spells. Fai's twin was in the other man's company and you imprisoned them."

"Tell Kuro-tan how he's being just silly. I told them there was a perfectly good reason," Fai begged, leaning on King Ashura's shoulder as he wrapped himself around Ashura's right arm. He rubbed his face against Ashura's shoulder in a feline-like pleading.

"Oh, Fai, I was waiting to break the news when we got back to Celes. I know how you worry." Ashura took Fai by the shoulders, both were now frowning at each other. "There is a reason Yuui hasn't been casting. He's hiding from me."

"Why would he do something like that?"

"I got ill last spring and Yuui actually went to Valeria to find a spell to heal me against my wishes. There he met the governor of Valeria," King Ashura said.

"Valeria? The governor? You never talk about that person. Who is he?"

"His name is Boris Nimtsov. He used to be a D titled combat mage, however he was stripped of his title and drummed out of the army."

"Wow, he must have been a very, very bad boy. But you still made him the governor of Valeria?"

"Yes, three years ago he was in Valeria as a part of my army. He was cornered by several rioting town folk. To escape them, he reanimated next to a charnel house. A little over two hundred were resurrected, so it was a disaster."

Fai suddenly felt the color drain from his face as his stomach turned. Lord Suwa said, "Mage, you look as if you're going to vomit. Why is that?"

"It's a very revolting taboo. It means the man brought the dead back to life and set them loose on the living," Fai explained. "Father, why didn't you execute him then?"

"Because he was betrayed and cornered by the mob. He wouldn't have done so, otherwise, so I had mercy. Besides, the Valerians are utterly terrified of Boris. I would have been a fool not put him in charge of them. Anyway, when Yuui came back to Celes, Boris followed.

"I was out dealing with bandits, or I would have sent him packing back to Valeria. Anyway, Yuui followed me out to the west forest and the man continued to pursue Yuui. When I realized Yuui was allowing the man to be in his company, I grew furious. Boris and I fought. Yuui was resistant to coming back home with me when I defeated Boris. It would seem the reanimator has captured his attention in ways that displease me a great deal."

"But Yuui would know better than that," Fai said. "To allow a reanimator anywhere near him is so dangerous."

"Why is that?" Kurogane asked.

"Because reanimators always go insane, and Yuui's empathy will adopt insanity, too, if he's allow to stay around the man for any length of time," Fai explained.

"It gets worse. The reanimator has escaped and ran off with your brother. Yuui and he have been on the run for a little while. Yuui's been careful to not cast, or I'd find him. That's why it's imperative you come back and help me rescue your brother and dispatch the filthy reanimator. You're very vital to my plans."

"Why would he run off with a reanimator in the first place?" Fai shook his head, the whole thing made no sense. Yuui would never trust a stranger.

"He's a naive child that wants to save people. What more of a reason do you think Yuui got into his head? The point is, you must come back and help me with Yuui before it's too late. You can find Yuui, because you're his twin and won't need to sense his casting to find him. But you must be in Celes."

Fai looked over to Kurogane, his eyes where heavy with worry. Kurogane crossed his arms and then said, "Then, Ice King, I ask that you allow me to accompany Fai back to Celes, so that I can assist you in your quest to find Yuui and kill off this reanimator."

"Shouldn't you ask your father?" Ashura asked.

"Kurogane is his own man, now. If he desires to escort his mage to Celes, then I will respect that."

Kurogane bowed and said, "I thank you, Father."

"I'll consider it," King Ashura said. "But I want to leave tomorrow morning. Make sure your things are ready."


King Ashura watched his son and Kurogane leave the dining room. They were in a heated discussion. Fai had swallowed his lies and would come back with him to Celes. Wouldn't poor Fai have a nasty shock seeing Yuui and the reanimator already handled? Ashura hoped the shock would push Fai into attacking him.

The problem with his plan was Kurogane getting in the way. He had hoped the ninja's father would intervene and not allow him to leave Nihongo. No such luck. So tomorrow, he'd have to step in and forcibly part them.

He smiled to himself as he and Lord Suwa had tea and a tense conversation about their sons' futures.


Zellen opened the door to the annex. He was happy to see Boris and Yuui hadn't killed each other. Both looked peaceful and as if they had just finished getting cleaned up for the morning. "I brought you both some breakfast and some news. Sorry, it's only porridge."

"Beats army hot mash any day. The worst part of being a solider was the food," Boris said and joined Yuui on the hearth. Zellen noticed his friend was quiet, even more so than normal. He also seemed very withdrawn and kind of glum. He wondered what kind of mean thing Boris had said to Yuui to cause this.

Boris took his food and started scarfing it down without protest. Yuui set his aside and stared at his hands clenched in his lap. Boris asked, "So what's the news?"

"Yes, the king left right before I found you. They expected him back last night, but he didn't show up. Mayor Dayken will give him a few more days before sending anyone to check on him. He figures the king is just enjoying some time with Fai and Yuui in Nihongo."

"Me?" Yuui asked, barely above a whisper.

"He lied and said he sent you to Nihongo to spend some time with Fai. It was to throw me off from inquiring. Dayken's keeping Nihongo's coordinates a secret under the king's orders."

"Well, doesn't this just get better and better," Boris said. "Well, who knows if the king is attacking Fai right now. We can't risk it. I'll go to this Nihongo and hunt him down."

"Not without me," Yuui said, timidly. Zellen could swear Yuui was now scared to death of the ex-governor. He had ran his mouth just fine last night, which wasn't like Yuui in the least. This bashfulness was more normal Yuui behavior. Zellen wanted to get Yuui alone and ask him what was going on.

Boris set aside his empty bowl and shook his head. "Your father is too much to handle. He's absorbed all sorts of blood. He'll be hard enough to stop, as is. I don't need to worry after you, too. Stay here with your friend, and I'll bring him back."

Yuui bit his bottom lip. Zellen was expecting Yuui to use his new found backbone and disagree with the man. Yuui seemed on the verge of saying something. When he didn't, Zellen spoke up, "You'll need him with you so you can find your way to Fai. You'll have to take him with you."

"Please, for the love of goddess, whatever you do, don't start an argument with him right now, Zel," Yuui begged. Zellen felt perturbed, but nodded. Yuui then turned to Boris. "That is true. Please take me with you. I'll stay out of your way. I promise."

Boris mulled it over and finally nodded. "I'll be the one casting. The king probably thinks we're still in the tower. I want to sneak up on him, so still refrain from using magic. Now, I've got to figure out the coordinates, somehow."

"I can sense where Fai is even when he isn't casting, if I concentrate enough. It could take me a while to sense him, but I don't trust King Ashura right now. I want to get to Fai and Ashura as soon as possible."

"But then getting that from your head into mine is tricky," Boris said.

"My wife can handle that," Zellen said. "She'll just use scrying."

"Sounds like a plan," Boris said.

To be continued.