Fallen leaves fluttered lightly in the gentle wind, coating the world in a curtain of red. Yui watched silently, her son leapt through the tall thickets of grass, trying to tackle their dog playfully. Chikai... how much the brown-peppered haired child had come to mean to her in all his eight years of life. His name as much of an embodiment as those wide, mischievous blue eyes that reminded Yui of someone once thought to be long forgotten.
She smiled lightly to herself, keeping an even closer eye on her son as the boy ran parallel to the nearby street--one he enjoyed playing around far too much. I guess they were right, Yui thought with a sigh, when they say the best relationships always start off on the wrong foot.
~~~ Half an hour after the meeting she began to feel anxious. What if she lost? What if the summoning was successful, even if one of the Seishi wasn’t theirs? What if something happened to Amiboshi, if they found out the truth?
Yui tried to clear the nervous thoughts from her head by taking a walk to the gardens, her favorite place to think. However, she found the place occupied by a young boy playing fetch with a...well, rather large, hairy, canine-like creature. Said creature, as it carried to rope ball back to the boy, caught Yui’s scent and growled lowly. She flattened herself against a pillar of a pagoda to try to hide her; large dogs had always frightened her.
The boy--Suboshi if she recalled correctly--turned to her in surprise. Once he recognized her, he stood tall and bowed.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Miko-sama. I didn’t expect you to be here."
Yui cleared her throat and attempted to hide her fright by smoothing the invisible wrinkles in her uniform jacket. "Ohayo, Suboshi. Who’s your friend?"
He looked to the canine, ball still hanging in its drooling jaws. "Are? Eto, that’s Seiryuu Shichi Seishi no Ashitare. He’s, uh, in wolf-form right now."
Her turquoise eyes narrowed minutely. So many so quickly? Yui had already known about Nakago and Soi and had heard rumors that a popular Kabuki actor was a Seishi as well. Then, in forty-five minutes, she was suddenly introduced to Suboshi, his missing brother Amiboshi and Ashitare. "How many other Seishi have been found?"
"Just six of us. The rumor about the actor was true. His Seishi name is Tomo. Soi is off looking into another rumor for the last one."
"Miboshi, ne?"
"Hai, Miko-sama."
A nervous silence fell between them as they stood facing the other. Suboshi, realizing that he was looking his Miko in the eyes, diverted his gaze to the suddenly interesting blades of grass at his feet, flushing lightly. Yui felt her awkwardness lift slightly at the knowledge that she wasn’t the only one uncomfortable at the stillness. Ashitare, annoyed at the lack of attention he was getting, reached out with his huge jaws and clamped down on one of the dangling ends of the ryuseisui. The swift and powerful tug that followed took the young seishi by surprise and he fell in a heap on the ground to be happily pounced by a hyper shape-shifter. Yui giggled at the two, happy for the diversion. She knelt down by Suboshi’s side as Ashitare decided to roll around in the flowers.
"About earlier, I’m really sorry about how I treated you. That was rude of me."
He just shook his head. "That’s okay, you were in a bad mood. I know what happened."
"What happened?"
"Oh yeah, about Tamahome. I may not know exactly how you feel, it’s probably worse than when Aniki went to Konan-koku. At least he did it voluntarily."
"Hai." She replied mutely. Yui stole a quick glance as his gaze peered deeply into the clear sky. She jumped when those bright eyes suddenly turned onto her.
"Do you want to be alone, Miko-sama?"
"What?"
Another light flush colored his cheeks sweetly. "Well, I always come here when I want to think and sometimes I see you sitting under this tree."
"What?" This time she nearly all but shrieked. If it were possible in his present form, Ashitare would have smacked his forehead.
"I mean!" His face grew even red in attempts to correct his words. "What I meant was that you seemed so deep in thought and I didn’t want to disturb you so I’d always leave you alone!" He ducked his head. "I didn’t mean any disrespect."
She smiled at the top of his head, mentally scolding herself for jumping to conclusions. Besides, he so adorable when he blushed. "It’s okay. At least you’re honest."
"I promised Aniki that I wouldn’t lie and I never have!" He stated proudly.
"How is your brother, anyway?"
"He’s well, thank you."
The fear began to creep upon her again. "Aren’t you worried? I mean don’t you worry that he might be found out?"
Suboshi puffed out his chest, practically bursting with pride and passion. "Of course not! Aniki is always careful and nothing ever goes wrong unless he’s worried and he doesn’t have anything to worry about! He promised me that he’d come back and I swore that I’d protect you for the both of us until he returns."
The cold feeling melted away under his words. "You always keep your promises?" Yui asked with light humor.
"Only to those that I trust."
"Gomen nasai, Miko-sama." A monotone voice interrupted from the walkway jutting out from the side of the palace. "However, Nakago-sama requested that all present Seishi are to report to him." The man-Tomo-nodded to Suboshi and Ashitare. "If you two would follow me."
The latter padded over to the illusionist, his form rippling into his stout, muscular self. Suboshi glanced quickly at Tomo and Ashitare before he stood and bowed to Yui. "Please excuse me, Miko-sama."
"Of course." She nodded and he turned away. "Oh, Suboshi, wait." A pair of bright blue eyes peered at her from over his shoulder. "Thank you."
He opened his mouth to make for a question but quickly shut it again. Suboshi smiled. "Anything for Miko-sama."
~~~Yui pushed away from the window and began to tidy up the coffee table and then moved the cleaning towards the study room. Upon one of the shelves was a chain holding a gold band not worn in two years settled next to a photo of a husband not seen for three. It was of Tetsuya, the man everyone had thought would be by her side forever; but the constant arguments had ended in a rather rough fall out and an even rougher court case for their son. Though she was the one that pushed for the divorce, it still pained Yui greatly to let her longtime love go, but there was something that held her heart, something she couldn’t explain. So she spent much of her time between picking up and dropping off her son at primary school, working at a local university and pining after the pain in her heart, a longing.
~~~ "Suboshi." Yui said in mild surprise.
He started hesitantly. "About yesterday. I was rude--I’m sorry and-"
"It’s alright." She cut in with a soft smile. "I’m just glad you look a little happier today."
Suboshi flushed deeply at her concern. He wasn’t used to anyone looking out for him except for his brother, let alone a female. It wasn’t so bad when Soi had come to cheer him up--she had returned the morning after Amiboshi’s death with Miboshi--but she was a Seishi. If one of them were unable to focus on protecting their Miko the others would have to get him back on track or things would spiral out of hand. Besides the fact that neither she, nor Tomo nor Ashitare made for good grief consolers. But Yui-sama, she went out of her way to make him feel better, without even talking so much, just a gentle touch and a few words. Everyone knew that she didn’t want to be Seiryuu no Miko for the wishes so the Seishi shouldn’t really matter to her yet she still came to his room and let him cry until he fell in a dreamless sleep. It was that kind of selfless, out-of-the-way concern that caused him embarrassment. He stuttered slightly over the message he was supposed to deliver. "Ano, Nakago wants us to meet him in the shrine of Seiryuu."
She nodded and dismissed her maids.
The two walked in the silent halls when halfway to the shrine Suboshi suddenly stopped. Curious, Yui turned and looked at him. "What’s wrong, Suboshi?"
"I, I just want to apologize once again. I’ve, uh, never had anyone but Aniki worrying about me so I’m not really used to it. And, uh... thank you... for listening to me. I’m indebted to you. No one ever really cared before."
"I understand. It’s hard to lose someone you’re close to. Even if they’re not really gone." She said cryptically, thinking back on her own past. "It’s nice to have someone to turn to--I don’t have any friends around here so I know what it’s like to be alone."
"Me neither." Suboshi agreed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I had a few people to talk to, but that’s only because they thought that I was tough."
"But you always go back to Amiboshi whenever he called, right?"
"Of course! I could never put anyone above the welfare of Koutoku!"
"Koutoku?"
"Uh, that’s Aniki’s real name."
"Really? And what’s yours?"
"Shunkaku. Or Shun."
Yui smiled and continued to walk. "That has a nice ring to it."
"T-Thank you. You’re name is very pretty." He then added quickly. "I think, anyway."
She stopped again. "Suboshi?"
"Uh, hai?"
"Since neither of us have friends anymore, would you like to be mine?"
He smiled brightly, the first real one she’d seen in days. "Hai!" And for the first time in countless weeks, Yui felt herself shine.
~~~ She checked the wall clock that hung above the entertainment set in the family room. 1800 hours, about time to get Chikai back in and prepare for dinner. There was a scratching at the door and she opened it wide. But only the taupe colored, shaggy haired small dog sat panting and whining loudly on the doorstep. She looked at it for one uncomprehending minute before she realized that her son wasn’t there.
"Chikai?" Yui called hesitantly. "Chikai?"
Yui dashed into the yard and cupped her hands by the mouth. "Chikai!?" Nothing. Just autumn leaves dancing down to earth and zooming cars several yards away. She watched the cars speed by recklessly and trembled finely, tears beginning to cloud her eyes.
God, please no... If you took him away from me, too... She couldn’t even finish the thought and placed a hand over her eyes, trying to prevent the tears from falling.
"Kasan!"
"Chikai?" Yui turned as the slender child ran towards his mother. She wrapped her son tightly in her embrace, glad that her fear, for once, was wrong. "Oh God! Chikai, don’t ever do that! Don’t you ever run off again! Where were you?" She practically sobbed into his shoulder.
He pulled back and smiled his mother’s smile. "I’m sorry, Kasan. I’m okay, I wasn’t near the street, I promise." His eyes brightened suddenly as if he had just remembered something important. "Guess who I found, Kasan!"
"Who?" She asked, looking up in the direction Chikai had come from and gasped in surprise at the sleek black, gold and silver motorcycle parked against one of the thin trees that lined the front walk.
The owner wore a dusty brown leather jacket over a pair of well-washed dark jeans. Black gloved hands lifted the ebony helmet from his head, sending locks of hazel blonde hair into a lean, young face. An energetic and confident grin met her startled gaze.
"Ohayo, Hongo-san."
~~~ Pain. That was all there was and all he knew. Physical pain, emotional pain, psychological pain, spiritual pain, any thinkable pain there was, he felt. Suboshi stood outside of Yui’s room while not really standing-more like pacing back and forth for over five minutes. He needed to tell her, he wanted to tell her, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t face anymore pain, the hate and disappointment and sorrow and fury that her beautiful eyes would show him. He just couldn’t go through with it; he could already feel the disapproval of his brother as he turned his back on his younger twin from the dark sky.
"I have to. I have to. I have to." He kept repeating to himself in a useless mantra. He sank to the floor, forehead resting against the wall. "I can’t. Oh God, Seiryuu… I can’t do it." Tears began to fill his eyes and words began to jam against the obstruction in his throat. "Why? Why did I do that? Idiot… I can’t believe I… I… BAKA!" He shouted, ramming a fist into the wall, biting a soft lip till it bled but the pain failed to register in his mind.
He was hardly even aware that he was taken out of the hallway and placed in a well-cushioned chair until someone started to gently slap his cheek, the one that wasn’t swollen from the rocket punch he had received from Tamahome earlier that day.
"Suboshi? God, what happened to you? Are you okay? Answer me, please, Suboshi?"
Red rimmed eyes slowly lifted up to meet hers. "Yui…ano, Miko-sama?"
Her chin trembled slightly. "Oh, Suboshi. What happened to you? How did you get like this?"
The boy’s chest constricted as he tried to bite back oncoming sobs that racked his body. "Miko-sama, I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry. Nothing I say or do can ever make you… or Aniki… or anyone forgive me… but I’m sorry. I wish… I wish…" He trailed off, as the threat of crying became too great.
Yui’s eyes searched his down turned head frantically. She could tell that he had been to the healer, it seemed some of the cutes and bruises had been tended to, but his wounds went far deeper than mere superficial, from that he would be able to survive. But those that rendered such a lively, active young man to such a… pathetic looking, lost little boy-twice in less than a week-would permanently scar him for the rest of his life.
"Who did you fight? Why?" A harsh thought crossed her mind. "You… did you try to kill yourself? Suboshi!"
"I’m sorry!" He blurted out and dissolved into sobs. "I didn’t mean to! I was just so weak… I couldn’t take it anymore. I wanted…I wanted everything to end. Please…" his next words came in a whisper that Yui could barely hear but her heart seemed to stop beating for near an eternity. "Just let me die…"
A sharp slap rang in the room but Suboshi’s head rolled listlessly to the side. "Don’t say that! Don’t you ever say that!" Yui’s own tears began to flow down her pale cheeks. "You can’t die, you made a promise! You promised your brother that you would protect me for him as well! You can’t do that if your dead! Do you hear me?"
Slowly his eyes raised up to hers, hatred towards himself evident in them. "Miko-sama… I’m not worthy of protecting you anymore."
"Well I say you are, and as your Miko you must do as I say!" Her hands tightened on his shoulders and Suboshi winced slightly as nails dug into his scrapped back. Her face softened at him. "Please, Suboshi. If you value me as your friend, you can’t give up on me already. Don’t leave me alone again, I wouldn’t be able to bare it."
As if he hadn’t heard her speak, Suboshi lifted a calloused hand to Yui’s face, wiping tears from her eyes. "Yui-sama, don’t cry. Please, I don’t want to make you cry."
A small smile alighted her lips. "I like that."
He blinked at her in confusion. "Like what?"
"The way it sounds when you say that."
"What, ‘Yui’?"
She nodded, sniffling quietly as tears continued to drip, drip, drip off her chin, sometimes pooling on the floor, occasionally splashing against his hand or knee. "Please, don’t leave me. I already had some close do that to me. I know it’s selfish but I don’t want to lose anyone else close to me. I’ve already had one friend betray my trust. Please, don’t make me go through that again, I wouldn’t be able to take it."
Tentatively Suboshi wrapped long, trembling fingers around Yui’s arm. "Do you… do you really value me that much?"
She almost laughed at the tone in his voice. "You’re not some worthless child anymore, Suboshi. Way can’t you see that there are people that care about you here? Your dying would just hurt others and I know that your too kind hearted to do anything to hurt anyone."
At that Suboshi jerked his hand away and tensed, his eyes narrowed and looked away. "I never wanted to hurt anyone. I just wanted to live in peace with Aniki. And now he’s gone and I’ve failed him. And you. If you knew the monster I’ve become you would never want to see me again." Wide glistening eyes suddenly turned back to Yui. "I want to tell you, I know I have to…but I can’t! I don’t want you to hate me. You’re the only thing I have left in this world. I can’t lose you, not like I lost Aniki!"
Yui wrapped her arms around Suboshi’s shoulder, letting his check press against her collarbone. "It’s alright. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. Not until you feel you can, alright?" She pushed him back slightly to look him in the eyes. "Promise me. Promise me that you won’t ever leave me, that’ll you’ll always be my friend and always protect me. Promise me that you’ll always be there whenever I need you. That you won’t ever try to kill yourself, you won’t ever hurt me by hurting yourself. Do you promise? Suboshi?"
And two words sealed her heart and let loose her spirit and filled her body with warmth and light. "I promise."
~~~ "Chikai," Yui said quietly, "I want you to go inside and wash up for dinner."
"But Kasan--"
She looked at him sharply. "Go."
"Hai, hai."
After the small child retreated into the house Yui turned back to the man striding across her front lawn.
"So, what do you call yourself now?" She asked passively, trying to keep up a disinterested façade.
"Tsugunau Saishu"
Final atonement. How fitting. "So what are you doing back here?"
The man, Saishu, raked his bangs from his face. "I’ve come to see the champ, of course."
That’s right. Yui thought to herself. Chikai talked about him before, his baseball coach. Yui never had much time off from the university, but that was so she would be able to provide for her son what he needed to get by. She would try to be there for him whenever she could but conflicting schedules kept getting in the way. All she knew about Chikai outside of school life was that he was a star baseball player from when Miaka was kind enough to take her son to practice and watch after him.
"Is that it?" She asked, feeling slightly hurt. Her jaded eyes reflected the pain in her heart from all those years of waiting. "What about your promise? You lied to me!"
"Calm down." He said, startled at her out burst. Blushing, he looked down. "I… I wanted to see you again, too. Even though so much time had past between us, I still love you, Yui." A slow grin crept across his face. "Or should I say Miko-sama?"
Yui smiled despite herself. "Fine, go ahead. That is if you still want me to call you Suboshi."
Saishu winced and held his hands up in mercy. "Alright, alright. Match point, you win." He watched her with gentle eyes. "I see you’ve been doing well for yourself. Still as beautiful as you’ve ever been."
She scowled and hastily shook her long, blonde hair from the messy bun she put it in while she cleaned. "Oh shut up, you." Her delicate hands reached out and gently brushed across the fine velvet of Saishu’s sharp jaw line. "You’ve really grown up. You’ve become more handsome than I ever thought."
"Yui…" his voice came deep and breathy. "You don’t know how long I’ve waited to see you again."
She rested lightly in his strong arms. "Promise me you won’t ever leave again."
"I promise." He whispered in her fragrant hair. "I swore to you and upon the twenty-eight stars that I will never, ever leave your side again… for as long as you’ll have me."
~~~ Under the many stars of Hokkan-koku, two pairs of eyes watched the sky glitter. "Ne, Yui-sama."
"Hai?"
"We’re friends, right?"
"Hai."
"Do you… do you promise?"
"Promise what?"
"All that I promised you? Will you promise it to me, too?"
"Of course. I promise to you, with all my heart. Until the last star burns out and the mountains fall to the sea and beyond, I will always be your friend."
"And as long as you hold that promise, I swear that I will find you, no matter what happens to us, no matter where you are."
"Hai."
Owari!