Part Sixty-Nine:
Kurogane repeatedly pounded his fist on the twins' bedroom and shouted, "Fai, you get your scrawny ass out here! Now! I mean it!"
"Or else what? Ku-ro-ga-NE! Are you going to break in here and drag me out by my hair?" Fai taunted through the door.
"Stop making a fool of me, you spoiled snot! Get out here! Now!"
"If you want to rage and howl like a lunatic at my bedroom door, then that's your business. I'm taking a nice, long hot bath and going to bed, Kuro-crazy," Fai said. Kurogane could hear the mage rustle around in the bedroom. Now Kurogane's temper was on full tilt. Who did Fai think he was to ignore him? Kurogane wouldn't stand for this treatment.
He rammed his shoulder against the door. It budged a little. He rammed it a second time, the latch gave way and the door slammed open with a loud crash. Fai came running out of the bathroom wearing a startle expression and a white robe.
Fai started scowling. "I've never hexed you, but if you don't leave in the next moment you might find out what one feels like."
"Shut it with hollow threats, snotty mage," Kurogane said, fairly confident Fai wouldn't go through with that. "Sit down and listen rather than run your mouth." Fai was still scowling, but he sat on the edge of one of the beds. Kurogane said, "I'm sorry if I was frosty..."
"I think you're looking for the words 'rude' and 'cranky'."
"Would you let me apologize and stop being so rude yourself?" Kurogane snarled. Fai clamped his mouth shut. "I'm sorry I brushed you off after that dinner. I didn't realize what was bothering me until I had a long talk with your father. I saw how much you were enjoying things at that dinner celebration. I also saw how many friends you have here. I'm asking you to give that all up and one of my concerns is that you'll get homesick some time later and want to move back to Celes."
Fai's scowl melted and he now looked sad. "That makes sense." Then started to smile a real smile with just a hint of mischief behind it. "I think I can reassure you that I'll stay with you in Nihongo. So, why don't you ask me about the dream I had when I was locked away?"
"Well what was it?"
"We're going to raise boys, twins," Fai said with glee.
Kurogane frowned at the information. "I thought you were dead set on adopting girls."
"That's the thing, I don't know how, but I think they're ours. Somehow, we're going to make children together."
Kurogane now wondered if Fai had lost his mind. "What kind of prank are you playing on me, mage?"
"No prank. I saw twins that looked just like you, but they could hex," Fai said. "How do you explain that."
"Quit joking around, Fai, that's not possible," Kurogane said, "I mean, maybe you changed your mind and we get a concubine from Celes."
"But they'll have my eyes. Explain that, Kuro-daddy," Fai said in a gloating tone.
"Can magic do that sort of thing? Produce children between us?" Kurogane asked.
"Now, Kurgs, don't you think I would have offered to make natural children for us if I could?" Fai asked. His face then took on a thoughtful expression. "I'm not sure how it happens, but I know what I saw was a possible future." Next, Fai's expression grew sly. He tugged a chair over to the door and propped it shut. Then he turned to Kurogane and asked, "So you want to try to make babies, Kuro-rin?"
"Dumb mage. You can't get pregnant," Kurogane snarled and crossed his arms.
"No, but it sure is fun trying," Fai said, flinging off his robe and crawling on the bed beside Kurogane. The ninja grabbed Fai and pushed him down on the mattress. They started to kiss as Kurogane fumbled to get undressed. Fai stopped him with hands on Kurogane's shoulders. "We better move to my bed. I don't think Yuui would be please if he knew we did it on his bed."
"You were the one that started it here," Kurogane groused, moving to the other bed. "And anyway, what if your brother comes back?"
"He's talking to the Baron of Mold for a while. I'll melt the lock if it'll make you feel better." Fai pointed at the lock and runes shot out. The lock was now melted and Fai crawled on top of Kurogane, forcing him to lay on the mattress.
"You're such a spoiled brat," Kurogane griped.
"You summoned me, Majesty?" Boris asked, walking into King Ashura's study. Yuui launched himself into Boris' arms. He caught his breath in surprise and gently hugged him back.
"What's all this about?" Boris asked firmly, taking Yuui by the shoulders and pushing him back slightly.
"Yuui saw a vision of a possible future. He's still not understanding it was just a possible future of many; it's the most likely future, though. It involved you and it upset him a great deal. You see, I gave him part of my dream-seer gift. Fai has the other half." Ashura was leaving the study when he said, "Please work it out with Yuui how I expect." The king left them alone.
"Oh," Boris said, and then gave a soft, compassionate smile at Yuui sorrowful, watery eyes. Yet again, Boris was taken aback how Yuui could reach his jaded heart. "Don't worry so much about the future. What comes, comes. I'm not worried about it any longer, now that I have a purpose. There will be things I can help, other things I can't. I can only do my best to achieve my goal before I loose my mind. I'll do my best to live out my future with an integrity I've never had before I met you."
"But I saw..."
Boris press Yuui's lips with a finger and shook his head. "No, I don't want to know. I know what I want to do with the rest of my life, and I know the challenges facing me. That's enough for me. Besides, what difference will it make if you tell me? Whatever the situation is, do you think if you told me, I'd change my mind, even if I knew?"
Yuui, after several long, silent minutes, shook his head, tears now flowing, and he barely said above a whisper, "No, I don't think you'll change your mind even if you did know."
Boris lifted Yuui's chin so their eyes met. "Just tell me if I was happy."
Yuui was thoughtful, no doubt trying to analyze his vision. He started to smile and said, "Yes, you'll be very happy."
"Then I'm satisfied. " Boris said. "And I want you to be satisfied."
"I won't be satisfied. I'm going to work my hardest to change part of that future, because I know what I want in life. I know it's important I don't interfere with one of your future goals, but I wish to alter part of the outcome," Yuui said, glumly. "I want to live with you for a very, very long time. I want us to be old together."
"Everyone dies. It's natural. You'll loose people in your life and you'll gain them. The challenge for you is to not wall off your heart. I did it with apathy. You... well, you could fall into cynicism to shield yourself; don't do that. Keep your heart tender. You may suffer from a soft heart, but it'll allow you to be an amazing healer and king. You will hurt, but that hurt will keep you compassionate and able to love the people you serve as king."
Yuui took some deep breaths and calmed himself, but he still trembled in Boris' arms. "Thank you. Can you stay for a little while? At least for my coronation?"
"Yes, I'll stay for that. I put Ran in charge of patrolling the pubs for trouble. It seems they're as scared of him as me." Boris snickered at the nickname of 'the one-eyed devil' the ninja had gotten. Ran didn't drink, socialize with with the local whores- of either gender, and didn't crave money.
That made him impervious, unlike the regulars in Celes' army they were used to dealing with. Not only that, Ran had a foreign moral code no Valerian could understand. It caused them great trepidation any time Ran went walking down the streets with his katana at his side and full reign to hand out justice. "He'll hold them down for a few days, to say the least," Boris assured Yuui.
"I knew that would happen," Yuui said, and then took a deep, cleansing breath. "When you go back, tell Ran I'm looking forward to seeing him again. The next time I see you both, you'll bring me something extremely precious, something that will change all of us and bring the three of us great joy."
Boris raised an eyebrow, incredulous at Yuui's sudden one-eighty change in his feelings towards Ran. At first, there was a slight flare of jealousy, but there was something in Yuui's eyes that told him to have faith in Yuui's devotion to what they had together. There was nothing more than a desire for peace between Boris and Ran, and Yuui desiring a future friendship with the ninja. "I'll tell him, but you're sure you're not afraid of him any more?"
"Not in the slightest. He's going to be an extremely loyal retainer to you for a very long time. Have implicit faith in him."
"In other words, don't treat him like my borrowed pack mule?" Boris joked, but had a feeling Yuui was going to be right and he'd have the ninja at his elbow for the rest of his life.
Yuui smiled and shook his head. "It won't matter how you treat him. The out come will be the same. That's the one thing I know for certain."
"Then I'll treat him as I see fit," Boris said, secretly deciding to give Ran a little more authority when he got back. Valeria was very hard to govern, and he did need someone loyal, now that he was cracking down and not governing with apathy any longer. He started re-elevating his views of Ran. He'd use Ran as his bitch, but a well treated bitch nonetheless.
"So, did you get it?" Boris asked.
"Get what?"
Boris almost laughed at the Yuui's absentmindedness. "Did my little thumb sucker get his D title?"
"Oh! Yes! I did! Actually, you tracing with me helped me get a decent grade on the hexes," Yuui said. "I healed a pregnant woman from a blood curse. Her baby now has a chance to live a normal life. It'll be a little girl."
"How wonderful."
Yuui's face then took on a pink hue and he lowered his eyes demurely. After several long, silent minutes Yuui asked, "But while you're here, would it please you to stay with me at nights?"
"Anytime I get a chance to come to Celes, teaching you new things in the bedroom will be one of my goals. I promise you that," Boris said, with a wicked smirk. "I have an idea, lets go somewhere where we can get away from everything for an hour or two."
"I think Fai is in the middle of a fight with Kurogane, so let me take you to a guest room."
King Ashura convened court three days after the twins received their D title. The celebratory preparations in the main hall were almost finished for Yuui to be crowned prince. Fai was standing next to Ashura's throne bouncing on the balls of his feet. King Ashura was waiting for Yuui to emerge from a side room to show off the outfit that Fai had picked out for his coronation, but the shy twin was refusing to come out.
"You have to order Yuui to wear the clothes I picked out," Fai said in glee. Kurogane smacked his face and shook his head, while Boris rolled his eyes and groaned.
"That bad?" King Ashura asked Fai's fashion critics.
"It's pink, blue, purple, red, orange, green with gold tassels and a collar of some sort that sticks out a foot from his neck," Kurogane described the outfit with palatable distaste.
"It's called starched lace, Kuro-wa, and I'm bringing a trunk load back to Nihongo with me."
Kurogane glared at the blond mage and said, "Fai, you single-handedly neutered your own twin with cloth. If you want walk around like that, fine, but the look of horror on his face didn't even stop you a bit."
"He looks absolutely ridiculous in that get-up," Boris affirmed. "Kurogane didn't even mention that ten foot long train. He looks like a deranged peacock in that outfit."
Ashura laughed and shook his head. "I'll let Yuui pick out his own clothes, so don't worry."
"But Yuui will pick out something drab!" Fai exclaimed, pouting. Suddenly, there was a flurry of orange runes and Mayor Dayken appeared with Lord and Lady Suwa and a few Celian soldiers. "Ah! Lady Suwa will agree with me!"
He ran over and grabbed her hand before she could say a word. He tugged her into the side room where Yuui was hiding, in what Ashura had been told, was mortification. Moments later they heard Lady Suwa scream.
Ashura's eyes widened. "That settles it. Burn the whole, hideous thing, Boris."
"With pleasure!" Boris said, grabbing his staff and stalking off towards the side room. Lady Suwa emerged with a shocked expression.
"Son! Did you see that poor, unfortunate brother of your mage? Fai said he deliberately dressed him like that?"
"Yeah, yeah... like a demented peacock. Fai has no taste or shame dressing his twin like that," Kurogane said, crossing his arms. Minutes later, purple and pink hexes flew out the door along with several biting names. Yuui scrambled out of the room, bare footed, but now wearing a simple, black robe. He ran towards the doors of the main hall, red faced, making his escape towards his bedroom.
Yuui shouted over his shoulder before ducking down the dark hallway, "You better win, Boris, or I won't forgive you!"
A loud pop followed by Fai's scream put a serene smile on Ashura's face. "Now that that's settled, welcome to Celes, Lord and Lady Suwa."
"We're honored to be invited to such an important event," Lord Suwa said, quirking an eyebrow towards the doorway.
"I see you dressed warmly. Very good. We have enchanted cloaks if your need them," Ashura said. He then bellowed, "Fai!"
Fai came out of the room with arms crossed, looking extremely vexed. Boris followed wearing a gloating expression, twirling singed lace around his finger. "You see, Duchess, age does account for something."
"Father, punish Boris the evil doer for destroying Yuui's outfit," Fai wailed, draping himself over Ashura's shoulder.
"No, now go show Lord and Lady Suwa around Luval. Also, there are some gifts in their guest room. Go play host to our guests."
"Actually, there is something we need to discus with Kurogane, Fai, and you," Lord Suwa said. Ashura didn't miss the subtle frown on Lady Suwa's face.
"Well, I'm going to tell Yuui he can wear tasteful, boys' clothes tomorrow," Boris said, leaving.
Mayor Dayken and the guards dismissed themselves as well. "What is it, Hondo?" Ashura asked.
The older ninja lofted a twig of a cherry tree and said, "I made a deal with the Witch of the Far East."
Kurogane gasped; he looked absolutely shocked. "What did you bargain away, Father?"
"My eyesight."
"I don't understand," Fai said. "Who's this witch and why does, Kuro-ki look like he swallowed something rancid?"
"What would drive you to bargain away your eyesight, Father?" Kurogane snapped. Never in all of his time had Fai seen Kurogane get like this with his father.
"She'll take my eyesight and make it possible for Fai to bear twins," Lord Suwa answered his son's ire calmly. "But there was more to the deal, since is was a large wish."
"What would that be?" Kurogane asked, trying to not sound so irate, but failing.
"Who is this Witch of the Far East and why are you sounding so pissed off?" Fai asked once again. He'd normally be startled by the news that it was possible for him to bear children, but now his dream about the twins made sense. There must be a way. Lord Suwa looked very sure this woman could produce results.
Kurogane turned to Fai and said, "She's a meddling witch that hands out wishes for a price. You have to give up something of equal value. I can't believe she traveled out of her Japan to make a deal with you, Father."
"Well she did, but I can't finish accepting the deal until you understand everything and agree, too. Fai and you will travel to another realm where this can be made possible. Since Fai saved my eyesight, I had to pay with that, because he'll be in excruciating pain until the children are born. When I eventually pass away, Kurogane, you'll become Lord Suwa, and you'll have to defend it from invasion. It'll be hard times of war and you and Fai will have to defend your children's right to inherit constantly. You and Fai will have a happy life with the children, though, in spite of the hateful rumors Fai made them with evil magic. Eventually, one of your children will rule in peace."
Kurogane scowled. "How could you consider such a thing? We're settled on adopting a child. You won't have to give that greedy woman anything. We'll have to fight other lords anyway."
"Kurogane, I wasn't pleased when I heard about your father's bargain, but he sincerely wants you and Fai to be happy and accept this gift. This is something he wants to give you both, and it is important to our religion," Lady Suwa said very somberly.
"You can never adopt if the deal is made, but our bloodline would then carry Celes magic," Lord Suwa said. "With everything said, this has to be a decision between you and Fai. I've just made it possible."
"Well, that explains my vision," Fai said with a cheery smile. He actually felt excited at the idea he had thought before was impossible. He remembered those twins and the rush of pride and affection he felt for them. The joy at seeing his own eyes staring back at him was something he was craving more and more.
"Fai, this needs careful thought. He said you'd be in pain," Ashura pointed out. "Surely this couldn't be safe. Your body isn't designed to carry a child. I know of no magic to make it possible."
"Yes, but the pain would only be for a little while. Lady Suwa would be with me. And maybe Yuui could come and stay with me, too?" Fai said.
"No matter what, Kurogane, you'll have war after I'm gone. I talked to the other lords and they are bound and determined to wage war on you if you continue on with Fai. I put down a huge threat, but that won't stop them all."
"What threat?" Kurogane asked.
"From now on, Fai, you will take up the fluorite wards of any invading province. No questions or negotiations. Understand?" Lord Suwa asked Fai firmly.
He couldn't help but picture those twin children in danger and the pit of his stomach grew heavy with acid, anger, and bitterness. He nodded, resolute. "I promise to do that. Anyone that attacks Suwa is threatening my family."
"That's why I asked to involve you, Ashura, in this discussion, besides your son's wellbeing," Lord Suwa said, turning to the Celian monarch. "If there is ever a time Suwa would need support against multiple invaders, I'd like to have peace of mind you'd assist my son."
Ashura gave him a placid, gentle smile and nodded. "My army would be at your disposal. And we're not known for our mercy. If they attack Fai, or his future family, I'll take it as a personal attack. It'll look like child's play compared to what I did to Valeria."
"I had a feeling you and Fai would both agree, and I told the lords as much. Most of them seemed to back down, but there are some that are rather greedy men in our group. Suwa's medicinal herbs and rice crops are sought after. They're planning on using Fai as an excuse to wage war on Kurogane and Suwa." Lord Suwa then turned to Kurogane. "You may as well choose to have blood children if your mage consents to it."
Kurogane still didn't look convinced. The younger ninja looked over at Fai. Fai nodded and gave him a bright smile. "I'm willing. I know it means a great deal to your culture and religion, and I know it means a great deal to your parents that I respect and love."
"Mage... are you sure? The Witch of the Far East makes deals that lead to equal parts joy and sorrow," Lady Suwa asked, laying her hand on Fai's shoulder, her eyes glistening with concern.
Fai gently, slowly embraced her. He felt so choked on raw emotions, not all of which he understood. He finally said, "I think on this deal she'll be cheated and we'll be the happy ones." He then looked over to Lord Suwa. "Are you sure you'll live blind for this? That's a huge price."
"One I'll pay without reservations. I'll be able to see my grandsons after they're born and then the witch will take the price. My one regret is not seeing Hitomi's lovely face when I wake every morning for the rest of my life, but I've come to a peace about that. But I have to say, it's the touch and the smell of her hair I love so much. Losing sight only will make me appreciate the things in my life more, because I'll see them in new and wonderful ways."
Fai was shocked to hear such a romantic declaration from Lord Suwa. He knew Kurogane's parent's deeply loved one another and this decision probably had put a toll on them. Lady Suwa walked over to Lord Suwa and took his hand, she was now wearing a brave smile that was laden by tears.
Lord Suwa then took a deep breath and turned to Fai. "I don't want you to feel disrespected, since you were adopted, or as if I'm insulting you again by making this wish. I do respect your status as an adopted child and admire what Ashura has done for you and your brother."
Fai couldn't help but give Lord Suwa a real smile. "You certainly weren't insulting me with your wish. The fact is that you could have wished anything, including Kurogane have a child with a woman. But you picked me to have your grandchildren, and I'm greatly honored. You chose me, and I'm humbled by your acceptance."
"I realized I want Kurogane to be happy. You make him happy. Now, for whatever reason, he fell for a brat." Lord Suwa said teasingly.
"You love me! I knew it!" Fai said and glomped his arms around Lord Suwa's chest.
"Off me, leechy mage!" Lord Suwa declared, trying to pry Fai's arms off of him.
"Well, Fai, if you're comfortable with this, and it causes you no permanent harm, then I'll support it if this is what you want," Ashura said, getting off his throne and plucking Fai off Lord Suwa by the scruff of the neck.
Fai then hugged Ashura fiercely. "I'm afraid, but not afraid enough to waver. I know it's not normal and such. I'll do it for them, those two I dreamed about. I want to raise them. So... will you accept my children if they're born a strange way?"
"Do you need to ask?" Ashura asked, rubbing Fai's shoulders in affirmation. "If it is possible, where you don't risk your life, and it is your wish to bear Kurogane's children, then I support it."
"So, Kuro-Kuro? How about?" Fai asked, with baited breath and high hopes.
"Yes, we'll do it," Kurogane finally acquiesced, running his hand through his hair. "So what do we do?"
"Fai, break this in two and you'll know what to do and when to do it," Lord Suwa said, handing him the branch.
Fai took the cherry tree branch and snapped it into two. It vaporized into pink smoke and drifted into Fai's head. He then felt drawn into another place, a strange place. There was a woman resting on a sofa. She was dressed in an elaborate, red kimono. She looked the very picture of sensuality and placid as she puffed on her thin pipe. She looked over at him and gave him a smile with hooded, crimson eyes.
"Welcome, Fai D Fluorite, to my shop. You agreed to make Lord Suwa's wish a reality."
"Yes. He made a rather bizarre wish. Is it true? You have a way magic can grant that?"
She gave his a question a cunning smile. "There is something called technology that'll make it possible. I'll give you what you need to know."
Somehow, he was a little leery of that.
To be continued.
