A/N: Well, this is the point in the story I've being eager to get to. Thank you, everyone, that's stuck with story. I've needed this distraction my life. As my husband has teased me through this whole story, "Everyone loves crazy King Ashura because crazy King Ashura is crazy!" Just wait until the next chapter.
Part Forty-Eight:
When they reappeared in the Suwa family courtyard, both Fai and Kurogane shook off the after effects of the spell. Kentaro jogged up and bowed. "The compound is secure. I'm pleased to see the young lord and his mage are back."
Kurogane stopped leaning against his father and took a large breath. He felt his forehead.
Lord Ashura let Fai stand on his own and said, "I apologize for the cut, Kurogane. I haven't used a sword in a while."
"It's fine," Kurogane groused, barely remembering anything about the fight. He did, however, feel some malice towards him from the ice king.
"Why don't you two go see Lady Suwa and then go get patched up. I'll have a light dinner put in your room," Lord Suwa said. "You both should turn in early," Lord Suwa said. Kurogane put his hand on Fai's shoulder and gently pushed him towards the main house. He had a feeling his father wanted to have a conversation with the ice king.
"Join me in my sitting room for dinner?" Lord Suwa asked. Ashura nodded and followed him to the sitting room. He ordered a light soup, rice balls, and grilled tuna. When it was brought with green tea, Lord Suwa felt he could broach the subject he needed to for his son's happiness.
"What will it take convince you to leave your son here, in Nihongo?"
"I simply can't abandon my child in a different realm. Besides, I need Fai to help me find Yuui. You see, this is a very dangerous man he's with, and Fai's twin is ill equipped to protect himself. Yes, the fault lies with me. I haven't exposed Yuui to the outside world like I should have."
Lord Suwa looked down at his meal and said, "Fai told Kurogane why you're overly protective of Yuui and why the situation between our two sons would bother you."
"Fai never talks about it. He keeps silent for fear Yuui will find out what he forgot. He must really trust your family a great deal."
"Kurogane also told me your original intent was to part the twins so that they could learn some maturity and learn to not be so dependent on each other. Fai has grown, and he wants to have a new life with my son. I thought this was part of your goal."
"Yes, that was before all this trouble I've had with Yuui and, not to mention, my aunt. I will need Fai for a while; I don't know how long. Plus, I want to finish training him. There is so much more he needs to learn. You see, as far as mages go, I've never see one as powerful as my sons. It could have dire consequences leaving Fai or Yuui partially trained."
Lord Suwa thought this over and nodded. "I can understand that."
"Fai almost destroyed a village a few years ago. I had to punish him with what we call a phoenix binding. It's a magical tattoo that tamps down his power."
Lord Suwa groaned and shook his head. "Yeah, that caused me one giant headache. And if Fai lives here, he'll have to defend himself if it gets commonly known he has a tattoo."
"Fai has always had a talent for causing giant headaches. Listen, Hondo, I ask that you respect my dominion over my son, as I would respect yours."
Lord Suwa felt backed into a corner, even though he wondered why Ashura would use the word 'dominion' rather than 'relationship.' Something about the word choice caused Lord Suwa to worry over Fai. Still, he'd lose face if he kept trying to interfere with Ashura and Fai's relationship. Lord Suwa bowed his head briefly.
"I will respect your relationship with Fai and won't interfere. However, would you please consider taking Kurogane with you. He can help catch the man that stole away your other son."
"Oh... that man won't be captured. He'll be dead. For luring my Yuui into a den of bandits, he'll pay for it with extreme agony."
"I understand."
The rest of the conversation bogged down and ended. King Ashura turned in early, not committing if he'd take Kurogane or not. Lord Suwa was feeling very uneasy over the situation with Fai and his father.
"This wasn't how I pictured our last night together," Fai said, as Kurogane continued to wrap Fai's ribs. Fai was stripped to the waist, with his hadajuban around his hips. Then Fai whined, "Your father was so so mean. Did Lord Kuro-papa-sama have to smack me so hard? The big brute."
Kurogane smirked. "It was payback from when you bit him. He holds one heck of a grudge. And besides..." He smacked the mage's bare shoulder when he was finished. "...don't talk like that. About this being our last night together. I've told you, I will convince your father to take me with you tomorrow morning."
"I don't know how. I can convince Ashura to spoil me rotten and give me anything I want, but there seems to be something on his mind. If it wasn't for Yuui, things would be different."
"I know. That's why I need to convince your father to take me tomorrow."
"But what if you don't?" Fai asked, worry in his eyes. Kurogane took him in his arms and started to trail kisses along the black, phoenix tattoo on Fai's back. "Oh... Kuro-wan... that feels good."
"You know, I feel torn up about hitting you."
"No, it was a spell that made you do it, and I don't hold you accountable at all."
"But the way you cringed after, it hurt me to see you cower from me. I never want to see you flinch from my hand ever again," Kurogane said.
Fai turned and took one of Kurogane's wrists in his hands. "And I never will. I trust you implicitly."
"That means the world to me. For you to give me your trust is worth as much to me as your love. I know how sparingly you grant it."
Fai waved at his bruised jaw and said, "This is Fei-Wang's fault, not yours."
"But if I was a stronger man, I would have never struck you," Kurogane said with heavy remorse.
"And if I was a better mage, I could have freed us from those spells. It could go on and on. Let's just leave it at what it was." Fai placed his cheek in the palm of Kurogane's hand he was holding by the wrist. "Let's enjoy each other for the next few hours. It could be our last.
"Also, keep in mind, you can't just think of Ashura as my father. I also need you to remember he's also my king, and I am his subject. What's going on between us just isn't setting well with him as both father and king. Even if I was over thirty years old, I'm still under his will, because I'm a citizen of Celes. If he orders me, I must obey."
"And since when have you been the obedient sort? As son or subject?" Kurogane dryly teased, and then he grew serious. "Does your gratitude and loyalty to him run that deep?"
Fai gave him a smile. "There is also Yuui in the mix. I've got to obey Ashura for his sake." Kurogane frowned and crossed his arms. "Aww... come on, Kuro-grumpy. I'll tell you what. You order me around, and I'll be an obedient, little bed partner. All you have to do is say what you want, and your mage will do it to you."
"What kind of game is this?"
"Well, you haven't swatted my backside in while. I figured you may want to give me something to remember you by," Fai said, draping himself over Kurogane's lap, belly down. Fai's bare feet gently kicked in the air. Kurogane could now get a good view of the harsh, black phoenix binding on that soft, creamy skin.
"If I'm doling out punishments, it'll be a punishment, not reward for a bratty, pampered snot."
"Oh... bratty, pampered snot is new," Fai said, wriggling around on Kurogane's lap. "I kind of like it."
"Would you stop already?"
"Not until I get what I want."
"Which is?"
"The best, mind-blowing sex we've ever had, so you have your work cut out for you. After all, I've always been so happy with Kuro-pon's performance."
"You're very vexing. I'm tempted to lock you out of our room and make you sleep in the hallway."
"And I would only wail to your mother and tell her how her son was a big, mean bully, and not doing his duty by refusing to satisfy me in bed."
Kurogane would be truly mortified if he thought Fai would really do that, but he knew teasing when he saw it. The ninja called the bluff, "Fine. Go to Mother. She'd only send you back. She likes me more than you."
"Not fair! Lady Kuro-mama-sama likes me more. She thinks you're too cranky!"
"Cranky! I'll show you," Kurogane said, swatting the mage's backside firmly. Fai moaned in pleasure and stopped wriggling around. "Now I've got your attention," Kurogane gloated, knowing exactly how to tame the bratty mage after months of sharing a bed.
"Yes, Kuro-rin, I'll be a good boy, unless you decide to stop punishing me," Fai taunted.
Kurogane swatted his backside two more times, with firm, but not harmful, smacks. Kurogane could feel Fai starting to get aroused. Fai started rubbing himself against Kurogane's right thigh. He decided to come up with a little punishment for Fai. He held Fai's hips still and chuckled when the mage started to whimper.
"Hold still," Kurogane ordered.
"But I don't want to."
"You have to. You said you'd be obedient."
"And you know what a liar I am," Fai said, struggling to get satisfaction. Kurogane reach over and got a jar of ointment he kept on the low table by his bed. He slipped his now slick fingers up Fai's hadajuban and the mage grew still.
"So punishment it is," Kurogane said, gently slipping a finger inside of Fai. At first, Fai tensed and then relaxed across Kurogane's lap.
"And I've been so very bad. I think I deserve more punishment," Fai said.
"Patience, I don't want to rush this," Kurogane said. "I'll make this memorable for you."
"Trust me, I'll never forget this," Fai said, as Kurogane proceeded to loosen Fai up. Kurogane finally knew Fai was prepared for him, so he laid the mage on the futon and gave him a long, lingering kiss. The ninja pulled away Fai's hadajuban and shrugged off his own, red yakata.
He descended on his mage, no words exchanged. They move together and achieve satisfaction, Fai first, then Kurogane. They collapsed on the futon in a tangle of limbs, both sweat laden.
"Thanks for the going away gift, Kuro-wa."
"I told you, I'll follow you to Celes. I'll work hard and convince your father."
Fai didn't say anything. He just snuggled closer, and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, the Suwa family hosted breakfast for Ashura and Fai. The breakfast was polite, but quiet. After they were finished, King Ashura turned to Lord Suwa and asked for him to have servants take Fai's things to the courtyard.
That's when Kurogane asked, "King Ashura, have you thought about my petition to escort Fai back to Celes so I can be of service finding his twin?"
"Yes, I have." King Ashura stood, a placid smile on his face. He yanked Fai up by the elbow. Fai's expression turned to shock. "You will not be coming with us. I have thought it over. Not only have you molested my child, but you are too much of a distraction. Come on, Fai. Time to leave."
"No, Father! Please, please let Kurogane come with us," Fai begged, trying to tug himself out of Ashura's vice-like grip. Ashura's hand clenched tighter, making Fai wince.
"You know, I've have been very indulgent with you in the past, and I told you I was going to correct that."
"Please, King Ashura, I ask that you take me with you. I have nothing but good intentions towards your son. Let me fulfill my promise to him and to you. Let me stay by his side and protect him."
"I can't allow it," Ashura said, dragging Fai out the door.
"Fai," Lady Suwa called out and ran after them. Kurogane and Lord Suwa chased after them, too.
King Ashura stopped by Fai's trunks and tossed the white, fluffy coat at Fai. "Bundle up, my son. It's High Winter, after all." Fai's bottom lip quivered and he didn't comply. "I said for you to put on your coat. Now, Fai, before I get vexed."
He slowly pulled it on and took up his staff and rested his forehead on it, looking as if he were fighting back tears. Kurogane said, "Wait, ice king. At least allow me to give him something."
"Please hurry. I wish to leave quickly to spare Fai a protracted and unpleasant goodbye," Ashura said. Kurogane ran to his room; he grabbed up his grandfather's bow and quiver he'd loaned Fai. He hurried back with it and handed it to Fai.
"But, Kuro-tan, this was your grandfather's. You told me to return it when I left."
"It's yours now. My grandfather was a lot like me. I think you would have grated on his last nerve, but you would have won him over in the end."
Fai lunged at Kurogane and hugged him fiercely. Kurogane pressed a hasty, desperate, deep kiss on his mage, heedless of who was watching. Ashura wrenched Fai from his arms and then lofted his staff. "You've now said your farewells."
"Fai, remember what my son and I have told you," Lord Suwa reminded Fai.
"I will," Fai said, choking back his pain. He reached out for Kurogane's hand. He held it tightly as Ashura started tracing green runes with the casting tip of his staff.
"You're still mine. Not until the last damn second am I letting you go," Kurogane said, fiercely clutching Fai's hand in both of his.
"Don't let me go, Kurogane," Fai shouted as the magical wind picked around them. Ashura then closed the rune circle. He yanked Fai's hand away from Kurogane's as the rune circle came to life and and started closing in on them. "Kurogane!" Fai shouted. Ashura grabbed him around the waist; Fai thrashed violently.
"Fai!" Kurogane about charged into the casting circle, but his father kept him firmly restrained. The circle closed in and a loud rush of wind hit them when Ashura, Fai, and his things disappeared. "Fai!"
Lord Suwa gripped his son's shoulders and gave him a firm look. "He's gone, son."
Lord Suwa's heart sank at seeing the pain in Kurogane's eyes. Lady Suwa came up and rubbed Kurogane's arm. "Have faith in your mage. He'll make his way back to you, if he can."
Lord Suwa said, "Let's just pray he protects himself."
"I'll never forgive myself if harm comes to him," Kurogane whispered.
"Come, let's have some tea," Lord Suwa said.
Kurogane sank to the ground and shook his head, trying hard to swallow. "Please let me be alone for a few moments."
Lord Suwa didn't move, at first, until his wife tugged him to the main compound. Kurogane slumped forward. "Please, Fai, come back to me. I'll wait for you."
Once again, Zellen couldn't help but wonder why Yuui seemed a little off this morning. He was so quiet, didn't eat breakfast, and wouldn't meet his eyes. He pulled him aside when Boris was getting cleaned up and dressed in the hamam. They were still waiting on Drysi to sneak to the annex so she could scry.
"Spill it. What's got you so uptight? We're close to getting Fai back and then you can medicate the king."
"I know. I'm just a little distracted."
"Distracted? Is Boris picking on you?" Zellen scowled. Then he grew really furious at seeing Yuui's skin turn red. No doubt Boris was being a big bully and calling him that ridiculous and cruel honorific. After all, Yuui was someone totally embarrassed at even being addressed as 'Master Yuui', let alone anything else.
"Not really."
"But it has something to do with Boris?" Yuui looked around and nodded once he'd made sure they were still alone. Zellen then asked, "Is it his mind? Is it starting to go?" Yuui shook his head. "I'm not a telepath, you have to tell me what rotten thing he's done."
Yuui leaned close and whispered in a stammer, "The last two nights... we've spent... you know... together."
Zellen felt utterly gob-smacked when it dawned on him what Yuui implied. He could believe Fai would do something this foolish, but not Yuui. Zellen gripped Yuui's shoulders and shook his friend hard enough to rattle teeth. "Are you out of your ever-loving mind!"
"I know it's probably a bad idea."
"Let me start listing the reasons. One, he's a bit older than you. Two, he's a wanted criminal. Three, he's a disgraced mage. Four, your father will skin you alive. And that's after he has Boris castrated, horse whipped, and boiled in oil like he promised Fai's potential suitors. Well, he'll probably get worse, because it's you and not Fai. And Five, and the really big one, he's a filthy reanimator!"
Boris cleared his throat as he entered the room. "Said 'filthy reanimator' is within earshot." Zellen blushed horribly and let Yuui's shoulders go. Boris didn't acknowledged them further, just walked over to the sofa and slumped over, elbows on knees.
Before Zellen could castigate the ex-governor for bedding his best friend with a weak constitution, Drysi slipped in with a vial of the potion to suppress her psychometry. "Sergei is looking for you. He's almost ready to leave for Agryz. Did you find it, Yuui?"
Yuui just nodded, and sat on the sofa beside Boris. Drysi gulped the potion and yanked off her gloves. After it took effect, she touched Yuui's forehead. Moments later, she touched Boris'.
She backed away after the task was done. Boris stood. "Since the king still hasn't shown, it's time we go."
"Wait a minute! You think I'm going to trust you with Yuui? Now that I know what you are? And what you did with him?" Zellen snapped.
Boris' jaw clenched. "It's not like you have a choice."
"Please, Zellen, he is trustworthy. He'll take care of me," Yuui insisted. Zellen was torn. It was always up to him to look after Yuui when Fai or Ashura weren't around. Yuui's family put a great deal of trust in him to protect Yuui, and he took the responsibility seriously.
"Zellen, please let Yuui go with Boris. He has no ill intent towards Yuui, I could tell that when scrying. He also actually has a fighting chance at catching King Ashura," Drysi said.
Zellen crossed his arms and nodded. "Fine. I'll be in Agryz for the next two weeks. Send word the minute you get back and King Ashura is secure."
"I promise," Yuui said. He and Boris got their staves and coats. Boris went outside the minute his things were together. Zellen was surprised to see tears spring to Yuui's eyes. That's when Zellen asked, with heavy trepidation, "You're in love with him, aren't you?"
Yuui only nodded and swiped away his tears. "It hurts so much, but I can't resist him. He is good for me, in spite of his flaw... the necromancy. He has so much he gives me, and he protects me, and all the things I'm not good at, he is. But also, I give him something to hope for. I need him right now. Please understand, Zel. Disapprove all you want, but I feel drawn to him, and it won't change."
Zellen felt as if he had just gotten a blow to his chest. Yuui had no idea what he was getting into. And then that's when he felt his wife take his hand, skin meeting skin. He gripped her hand back and chided himself. "I'm certainly the last one who should dictate who you fall in love with, but please be as careful as you can. Be aware of the dangers you'll face."
"I am," Yuui said solemnly. Yuui put on on his coat. "Thanks, you two. I'll send word as soon as possible."
With that, he left for the front of the annex where Boris waited. The wind howled and the snow drifts were high. Boris said, "No casting until we find him. Understood?"
Yuui nodded and pulled his hood over his head. Boris lofted his casting tip and traced several, spidery purple runes in the frigid, dark air. Yuui clutched his staff tight. As Boris' magic closed around them, Yuui felt King Ashura cast. It was a giant spell.
Darkness encircled them, and suddenly, they had a few inch drop onto green grass. High heat assaulted Yuui as he looked around the dawn light to get his barrings. Then he saw one of the two people from Nihongo he knew: Kurogane. He was kneeling in what appeared to be a courtyard, looking extremely sorrowful.
To be continued.
