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Disclaimer: Sue me. Please? I’ve been trying to get rid of these college textbooks for months… Notes: There will be detailed Author’s Notes at the end of the story. Feedback: Hai! ^_^ Flame me if you want – see if I care. Warnings: Eventual shounen ai, het, “alternate” pairing. *…* emphasis /…/ thought - Part Two - Roses Rain /What the hell was he talking about?/ Yusuke wondered, walking hurriedly back toward the temple. The sun was setting, he realized, noticing the darkness settling in. It would be best if he returned to the temple and had Ruka or someone else show him to his rooms. The negotiations were to begin tomorrow, and he wanted to be rested up so that he could properly participate. He’d never been very diplomatic, and lack of sleep would only make things worse. He clenched his fists together, and realized he was still holding the ring the strange demon had given him. /What the hell was he talking about?/ he wondered again, returning to his original train of thought. /How the hell could a piece of jewelry be my "purpose" for being here? That’s absurd./ He sniffed with the last thought, and quickened his pace. But he kept the ring securely in his fist. By the time he reached the temple’s courtyard and began making his way up the path to the doors, he’d convinced himself that the red-haired demon had been a victim of some sort of mental illness. Or perhaps the demon had mistook him for somebody else, or maybe the entire speech had been nothing more than a ridiculous joke to make Yusuke think he was special, or something of the sort. He knew several humans who would go out of their way to make up something stupid like that, so who said demons couldn’t do it, too? The wind started blowing, and Yusuke shivered despite the jacket he was wearing. The days in Tenrai were warm enough to be comfortable, but it appeared that the nights weren’t nearly so kind. He started forward again, but stopped short when something floated right by his head. He turned to follow it, and blinked when he saw it was a…rose petal? /Where did that come from?/ It came from the sky, apparently. Before he knew it, it was raining petals; red petals, pink petals, yellow petals, white petals, all soaring along the winds to the ground only to be picked up by a new gust and carried along another current. “But they’ve got to come from *somewhere*,” Yusuke muttered to himself, looking upwards. And as soon as he spoke the words, he saw it: high above even the turrets of the temple, rose petals swirling around and away from it, was the round Garden. Had it been on the ground, it would have been flanking the temple, but as it was, it towered high in the sky, suspended in place by a single, thick column. Around the column ran a long flight of stairs that led visitors up and down. But even with the column in place, it still seemed as though the Garden was floating. It was incredible. But that wasn’t what surprised Yusuke. When he let his eyes wander back down to their normal level, he saw *it*. The section of the courtyard that was devoted to the area around the Garden was fenced in by a high, stone wall. And the gates to the enclosed section of the temple’s property were silver…and near the center the silver was wired into a rose design – similar to… Yusuke gasped and brought the ring into his field of vision. He compared the sparkling insignia on the band to the design on the gates… No…they weren’t similar. They were identical. “This is your purpose for being here. The Rose Signet.” He hesitated, not certain if he should seek permission first, or just give in to the urge to head up to the Garden. Would the Council be offended if he simply intruded…? He squeezed the ring in his fist once more as he thought about it. Curiosity won, and he jogged to the gates. He touched them, intending to shove them open since there were no visible latches. To his surprise, they just floated apart and open, offering passage into the other section of the courtyard. He hadn’t even pushed them very hard. Seeing no reason not to, Yusuke strode forward, making his way to the stairway. It was only when he took the fist step that he realized how many he actually had to climb. /Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me…/ He broke into a run, speeding up the long, twisting flight of stairs as fast he as could, cursing the architects who had decided to make a garden this high without installing an elevator along with it. /Somehow, it’s not as impressive when you have to be a track runner just to be able to reach it in less than a day…/ It took a few minutes, but eventually he reached the top of the garden. There was an archway acting as a doorway from the stairs to the roses. Yusuke took a few moments to catch his breath, and then he stepped into the large flower bed. It was huge, and while there were several bushes of yellow, pink, and white roses, the majority of the flowers were red. The entire garden floor was red with the flowers. Yusuke walked through the flower bed, gradually making his way to one of the edges. To his surprise, the Garden wasn’t fenced in; if one wasn’t careful, they could fall to their death. He ventured closer to the edge and looked over the side. His eyes widened. He was so high up…
“What in the Abyss are you doing here?”
Yusuke froze. He knew that
voice… But it couldn’t be…could it? Slowly,
he turned his body around…and gaped. The
person standing several paces from him…he knew, but he didn’t know… The
face, he knew; pale, without looking sickly, fair and smooth.
The hair, he knew; black and blue like a midnight sky, with a white star
shining in its center. The eyes he
knew; garnet fire, strong and wise. But
the black silk breeches…the dark green tunic with the sparkling red rose
embroidered over his shoulder and across his chest…the golden wristlets
enclosed on his wrists…the light green sash around his waist… These things,
Yusuke did not know. He stared, not
being able to take his eyes off the creature before him.
“Come away from the edge,” Hiei advised.
“You might fall.”
Yusuke found his voice. “H…Hiei,”
he breathed in both relief and awe. He
took a step forward. “Hiei…”
“What are you doing here?” Hiei asked, tilting his head.
Yusuke shrugged. “I saw
the petals flying… I wondered where from.”
He gestured to the roses. “I
didn’t expect to find such an incredible garden.
These are beautiful.”
“They’re mine,” Hiei replied.
Yusuke looked up at him in surprise, and Hiei suddenly looked like he
wished he hadn’t said a word. “Yours? This is your garden?”
“Yes,” the demon muttered.
“Why?” Yusuke wondered. He’d
never have figured Hiei as the type to want a garden, let alone maintain one.
At first it looked like Hiei wouldn’t answer, but then he spoke, very
softly. “This place was…a
gift,” he answered. “I…I like
staying here.” A wind picked up,
and a multitude of petals blew about them.
“Yusuke,” Hiei uttered, his voice stronger now, “what are you doing
here? Why are you here?”
Yusuke frowned. Now, that
was something he wasn’t quite sure of himself.
On the one hand, he was positive that he had been requested to negotiate
a sort of treaty between this nation and his own.
On the other hand… “I…”
He clenched his fingers, and suddenly remembered the ring.
He held it up and stared at it. On
the other hand…that strange, redheaded demon had said… “This is your
purpose for being here. The Rose
Signet.” Yusuke
continued to stare at the piece of jewelry, losing himself in the sparkling seal…
Suddenly, pale fingers closed on his wrist and pulled. Yusuke
started and blinked in surprise. “H-hey!”
he snapped, pulling his hand back, and realized that Hiei was trying to take the
ring from him. “Hiei, stop
that!” he added as they struggled. “That Rose Signet is mine!” he cried, and with a powerful
tug, he spun Hiei around and held him still.
It was only after he had Hiei securely gripped in his arms, his back
against Yusuke’s chest, that he realized how easy it had been.
/I overpowered him. Just
like that. Like he was a kid./
It was as though Hiei had no strength…
At the mention of the ring, Hiei froze, his hands on Yusuke’s forearms. “How do you know that name?” he asked shakily.
He looked over his shoulder, and Yusuke blinked when their cheeks
touched. “Yusuke…how do you
know that name?”
Yusuke opened his mouth, but no words would come yet.
There was something amiss here…
“What are you doing to the Honor Bound?”
Yusuke turned his head at the sound of the deep voice.
He blinked as he noticed a tall, straw-haired demon standing several feet
away from them. His grip on Hiei
loosened as the words sank in. “Honor…Bound?”
Hiei broke away and moved to the side, leaving Yusuke and the newcomer
able stare at one another. But
Yusuke wasn’t interested in the newcomer just yet.
He turned back to Hiei. “Honor
Bound?” he asked again.
“You shouldn’t be here,” the yellow-haired demon went on.
“Only certain people may enter this place.” He beckoned to Hiei, and to Yusuke’s amazement, his friend
walked to the other demon and stood next to him.
Then the blonde demon even snaked an arm around Hiei’s waist and tugged
him closer – and Hiei *let* him.
“Hiei,” Yusuke began, “what--?”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” the demon said, aiming his gaze at the ring in
Yusuke’s hand. “You’re a
Duelist, too.”
Yusuke narrowed his eyes. “Duelist…?”
“Forgive me,” the demon apologized again, his hand wandering up from
Hiei’s waist to stroke his neck. “I
didn’t recognize your face, but it seems you do have a right to be here, after
all.” He chuckled, giving Hiei a
sidelong glance. “Perhaps it’s
good that I had to come and fetch you. I
didn’t think anyone would be interested in Dueling now.”
He bent his head and nuzzled Hiei’s hair.
“Very well,” he added, one hand moving to the sword at his hip.
Then Yusuke saw it. There
was a white, glittering ring on the demon’s finger.
A Rose Signet. Just like the
one he’d been given.
“Hey!” he called. “Do
you know what this means?” He
raised his own ring.
The demon laughed and inhaled the scent of Hiei’s hair, looking as
though he enjoyed it. “You’re a
Duelist and you don’t even know that?”
He sounded strangely disappointed. “A
pity. I was looking forward to
winning another victory – and earning another reward,” he added
mischievously, burying his face in Hiei’s hair again.
Yusuke glared. That bastard
was practically molesting his friend, and Hiei was standing there *permitting*
it. Were they…were they lovers?
He shook that thought away immediately.
If they were lovers, wouldn’t they be acting…differently?
But if they *weren’t* lovers…why was Hiei…?
He watched those fingers caress the fire demon’s lips; watched the
demon’s mouth play gently down Hiei’s neck…
He saw the red-haired demon again. “This
is your purpose for being here. The
Rose Signet.
He had so many questions…but as he watched the other demon grope his
friend… His hands moved almost of their own accord, and soon he felt the
silver ring, now warmed from his hand, sliding onto his right ring finger.
He kept his eyes locked on the demon, who smiled and finally took his
mouth away from Hiei’s skin. Yusuke
glanced briefly at Hiei, and saw his friend’s red eyes widen.
The ring settled on his hand…
…and in the distance, he heard the resounding slam of a gate, and
suddenly he felt trapped.
The straw-haired demon released his friend and smiled.
“Hiei…prepare us.”
Yusuke raised an eyebrow, and raised it even higher when Hiei bent to
gather two red roses, obeying without question.
Yusuke watched as his friend turned and pinned one rose on the blonde
demon, and cringed when the larger demon seized Hiei’s wrist and kissed his
hand.
Then Hiei started walking toward him, a strange expression on his face.
Yusuke stared at him as he slowly reached forward and started pinning the
rose onto his jacket.
“Why are you doing this, Yusuke?” he whispered, feigning difficulty
in getting the rose to stay on.
“Hiei,” Yusuke whispered back, “*what* are you doing?
Why are you here? What is
all this about? And why is this
garden only for ‘certain people’?”
“Where is your sword?” Hiei asked suddenly.
Yusuke blinked. “Sword?
What sword? I’ve never had
a sword before, Hiei. You know
that. And you didn’t answer any
of my questions.”
Hiei’s eyes widened, and suddenly he looked fearful, concerned.
His hand closed on Yusuke’s wrist.
“You really don’t know,” he breathed.
“You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.
Yusuke…take it off. Take
off the ring, withdraw your challenge, and get out of here – before it’s too
late…”
“Hiei, what--?”
“What a shame,” the other demon laughed.
“If you don’t even have a sword, this won’t be much of a Duel.”
Yusuke glared, feeling insulted, and wanting to win, even though he
didn’t know why he was fighting. He
eyed the pile of straw and bamboo several feet ahead.
“If you want me to have a sword… How would this do?”
He stalked forward, brushing past the fire demon.
“Yusuke,” Hiei uttered, “wait…”
He ignored his friend and stomped on the bamboo.
It flew into his hand, and he lifted it as some stray straw floated to
the ground. “There.
Is this to your liking?”
The demon smirked. “Very
well,” he chuckled.
Yusuke raised his bamboo staff, and suddenly Hiei was between them,
standing in front of the other demon with his arms spread out protectively.
“Chiran-sama,” he began earnestly, “please wait.
Yusuke is not--”
The demon called Chiran’s arm lashed out, and Yusuke gaped as Hiei was
struck sharply across the face, the force of the impact hurling him to the
ground. Yusuke couldn’t believe
it. What was wrong with Hiei?
Why had he just *let* the demon slap him – and with such force?
He blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“Don’t hit your lover, you bastard!”
“Lover…?” Chiran mused. “What
a fool… You know nothing. He is
not my lover.”
Yusuke blinked. “But then
why were you…” He trailed off, shaking his head.
“Why were you molesting him?”
Chiran chuckled. “My, you
are amusing… You come into the Garden wearing a Rose Signet, challenging me to
the Duel, and you don’t even know what you’re fighting for.
Don’t you know what it means to be Honor Bound or the One Engaged?”
That term again… Honor Bound… Yusuke tightened his grip on his staff.
“What does it mean to be Honor Bound?”
“I’m the One Engaged,” Chiran boasted proudly, unsheathing his
sword. “I am the current champion
of the Duel. And Hiei is Honor
Bound, bound to whomever the champion happens to be.”
Yusuke’s eyes widened and he glanced at Hiei, who was still kneeling in
the roses, crouched over, looking as though he were ashamed.
“But then you…”
“As the current champion of the Duel, he’s my property.”
“Property?!”
“Enough talk.” Chiran
charged him. “If your rose petals
are scattered, you lose!”
Yusuke raised his staff to parry the blow, and sidestepped quickly to
avoid another. It was steel against
wood, and Yusuke wasn’t about to take any chances.
On top of that, Chiran was at the very least an accomplished swordsman,
and Yusuke had never been adept with formal weaponry.
They danced around each other amidst the brilliant red roses, parrying,
thrusting, feinting… Yusuke dodged more often than he dealt any blows, fearful
that his wooden staff would not be able to stand the punishment.
He was also mindful to keep Chiran away from Hiei, who was still kneeling
motionless in the flowers. While he
doubted that Chiran would actually go out of his way to hurt the fire demon, he
had already proved once that he would not hesitate to use force to get him out
of the way.
However, he was not allowed to be cautious for long.
Chiran suddenly turned aggressive, striking again and again, and all
Yusuke could do was block them with his wooden staff.
He could see chips of the bamboo coming off with each strike.
If he lost his weapon, would he be disqualified?
“What started this?” he demanded as they continued to move around the
garden. “What started this
‘Honor Bound’ nonsense?”
Chiran laughed at him. “How
in the Abyss did someone as ignorant as you get a Rose Signet?
What in the Inferno was the Council thinking when they made you a
Duelist?”
The Council? Yusuke gaped. The Council was involved in this? “What the hell is a Duelist?” he spat.
Chiran shook his head in wonderment as they continued to hop around the
rose garden. “I don’t believe
this. Did you injure your skull on
your way here? Is that why you’re
spouting such nonsense?”
Yusuke glared and parried another blow.
“I was given a Signet,” he shot back.
“No one told me what it was for. I
don’t suppose you’d be willing to enlighten me, would you?” he added
sarcastically.
Chiran didn’t comment on his tone.
“You challenged me to a duel without knowing what you’re fighting
for… You’re an odd one.”
“*What* am I fighting for?” he roared.
“Him, of course.” Chiran
nodded to the left.
/Hiei?/ He was fighting for
Hiei’s freedom…? Of course.
That was what Chiran had said, wasn’t it? Until someone beat him, Hiei was his. Yusuke risked a quick glance in the indicated direction.
The demon was not far from them, still sitting amidst the flowers, but he
was no longer hunched over. Instead,
he was watching them duel, his garnet eyes following their every move.
But when he saw Yusuke turn his head, he looked shocked.
“Never look away from an enemy!” he cried.
Yusuke gasped and returned his attention immediately to his current
fight. Chiran’s blade sliced to
his left, and Yusuke bent the staff to block it.
He succeeded, but as he’d feared, the staff didn’t survive.
It snapped in two, leaving him with barely a third of it left.
“Damn it,” he hissed, moving the stump of a weapon he had left to try
and block a strike aimed at the rose on his breast.
Chiran turned his blade at the last second, and the flat of his sword
struck Yusuke’s knuckles. Yusuke
cried out in pain, and the rest of the bamboo staff was knocked away from his
hands.
“Stay out of this, Hiei,” Chiran commanded without glancing at the
fire demon. “I believe you lost your right to Duel a long time ago.”
He wrinkled his nose at Yusuke. “And
you’re not even much of a Duelist, on top of that,” he commented in disgust.
“This wasn’t much fun at all. Have
I perhaps scared away all the real Duelists?” he taunted.
“Fuck you,” Yusuke spat.
Chiran shrugged. “Well,
unless you believe you can duel with your bare hands against steel, I’d say
this Duel is over.”
Yusuke sidestepped slowly, trying to anticipate the demon’s next
move…and from the corner of his eye, he thought he saw Hiei stand.
But he didn’t have time to ponder that, as Chiran was then leaping into
the air and diving for him – probably executing some fancy finishing move to
make himself look good. Yusuke
tensed, waiting for the right moment to dodge, watching the shiny blade aiming
for his rose--
--and suddenly a body slammed into his and shoved him aside, taking him
off-balance, and off his feet as well. He
had a brief second to glimpse his savior as they tumbled.
“Hiei?!” Chiran shouted, sounding half-angry and half-surprised.
Yusuke grunted as he landed on his back with Hiei’s weight atop him. He stared up at his friend.
The fire demon had an odd look on his face – mysterious, intent,
somewhat lustful… “H-Hiei--”
“You don’t have a sword,” he murmured, each word bringing his face
closer to Yusuke’s.
Yusuke blinked and tried to back away further against the ground.
“Hiei, w-wait--”
“It’s not a real Duel if you don’t have a sword,” Hiei continued,
and then their lips met.
Yusuke inhaled and his hands closed on Hiei’s shoulders, intent on
pushing his friend away. But he
didn’t; he couldn’t. Hiei’s
lips were soft and pliant…like Keiko’s… Before he’d realized what had
happened, he felt his tongue entwining with his friend’s, felt Hiei’s hand
stroking his cheek…and then there was a warmth spreading through his body,
pulsating from his chest – no. No,
the warmth was coming from *Hiei’s* body. And
the kiss…the kiss felt strange…chaste, despite the tongue contact… And…
Hiei gently pulled away, scooting off his body, and Yusuke opened his
eyes, feeling them widen in shock. The
warmth was indeed coming from Hiei – from the blue light emanating from his
chest and around the rest of his body. A
wind had picked up, and some rose petals were blowing around them, making the
scene look like something out of a movie. Yusuke
watched as his friend kneeled and bent backwards, as though offering his heart
for someone to rip out. The light
was still glowing, and the winds were still blowing…but nothing could have
prepared Yusuke for what happened next.
The light manifested and centered over Hiei’s heart, and then in one
sharp movement, a sword-hilt seemed to protrude from his chest.
“A…a sword,” Yusuke breathed, staring at the hidden weapon.
Where was the rest of it? He
stared at it, wondered why – how – it existed, but not for long.
He found himself moving forward, drawn to the glowing hilt, to his
friend’s submissive body that was presently performing an act that, to all
physical limits, should be impossible.
He bent over Hiei’s form, curling a hand around his friend’s back to
steady him, and with the other he gripped the hilt and began to gently draw the
sword from the smaller body. He
glanced at the fair-skinned face below him, features relaxed in what looked like
sleep, aware of how close his own face was, and closed his eyes as he continued to
pull.
When the sword was freed, Yusuke gave into the urge to hold the blade
high. He opened his eyes and
searched for his opponent. Chiran
was exactly where he’d been standing, seemingly shocked beyond words.
“H…how?” the straw-haired demon stuttered.
“How could *you* have…?”
“Thank you, Hiei,” Yusuke mouthed to his friend, and lowered the
demon to the ground. He stood and
tightened his grip on the sword. He’d
never been a swordsman, but this blade… Already it felt like an extension of
his arm. He assumed what he knew
was a basic stance for swordsmen, one foot in front, knee bent, and blade with
both hands in front of his body. “Care
to try your luck now?” he asked.
Chiran snorted. “I
haven’t been beaten yet, and I don’t intend to lose to a petty Duelist like
you!”
He raised his blade and dashed forward.
Yusuke parried the blow, sidestepping as he did so and slicing his sword
downward as he pulled away. The
blade grazed down the fabric of Chiran’s sleeve, the breast of his
jacket…and shaved off his rose. The
red petals scattered and fluttered in different directions.
He heard Chiran’s surprised shout as he moved behind the demon and
raised his blade. He swung the
sword again, and smashed the flat of the blade against the back of the demon’s
head. Chiran dropped his sword and
crumpled to the ground in a heap.
Yusuke lowered his sword and stared at Chiran’s fallen form.
He supposed it hadn’t *really* been necessary to knock him out…but,
well, he didn’t like the demon at all. He
stared at the sword in his hands. It
was a good blade, and it handled well. Just holding it made him feel like a blademaster.
With a start, he remembered Hiei, and how he had drawn the incredible
weapon from the demon’s body…
“Hiei,” he breathed. “Hiei!”
He turned to make sure his friend was all right, and sighed in relief
when he saw Hiei picking himself up from the ground.
Yusuke rushed forward. He
had so many questions… What was the duel about?
Why was Hiei Honor Bound? What
was he *doing* here?
He didn’t get a chance to ask any of them.
As soon as he reached Hiei, the demon gave him an uncertain smile.
“You’ve won the Duel,” he uttered, reaching forward and taking
Yusuke’s free hand in his own.
“I did,” Yusuke replied slowly, staring at his hand entwined in the
smaller ones. “So…I beat Chiran,
right? So…you’re free now.”
Hiei suddenly had a strange expression on his face.
“Yusuke…I…”
“So, you’re free,” Yusuke repeated, feeling himself smile.
“Now you can get out of here,” he added, feeling suddenly immensely
pleased with himself.
Hiei’s features wavered, and he looked apologetic.
“Yusuke…I don’t think you understand…”
“Understand what?”
“…You…won the Duel… I am Honor Bound…”
Why was there a bad feeling manifesting in the pit of his stomach?
“…And?”
“And now…I am yours.”
The sword fell from his suddenly limp fingers. ~*~
When Yusuke made his way back to the manor, Ruka was waiting for him
outside the doors. The demon eyed
Yusuke curiously, and then stared pointedly beside him.
Yusuke glanced at the demon flanking him and then back at Ruka.
“Something wrong?” he asked with a bit of edge to his voice.
Ruka started and shook his head. “Of
course not, Lord Yusuke. There is
nothing wrong at all… Did you enjoy your explorations of the city?”
Yusuke gave a curt nod. "I
did. I got to see some…interesting sights…” /Like swords
coming out of people’s bodies…/
Ruka bowed and motioned to the doors.
“If you would care to be escorted to your chambers…?”
Yusuke nodded again. “Yes. I would.”
Ruka led him through the halls of the grand temple – it really was more
of a palace, so he couldn’t see why they insisted on calling it a temple.
Finally, they stopped in front of a double wooden door.
Ruka opened it and bowed.
“If you desire anything else, please don’t hesitate to let me
know.”
When the councilman left, Yusuke walked into the room, taking a few
seconds to admire the accommodations he’s been given.
When he turned to say goodbye to Hiei, he noticed that the demon had
joined him inside. He frowned.
“Hiei, why are you following me?”
Hiei blinked, looking a mite surprised, and then patiently explained,
“Yusuke-sama, you didn’t tell me to *stop* following you.”
He groaned under his breath. When
he’d left the rose garden, he’d said, “Let’s go,” but he hadn’t
expected Hiei to follow him to the ends of the world… “Well, stop following
me. Go to your own room.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t have my own room, Yusuke-sama.”
Yusuke rubbed his eyes. *Why*
didn’t Hiei have his own… /Oh…/ He swallowed, remembering how Chiran had
touched his friend… Surely Hiei didn’t expect… “Well, go *somewhere*.”
Hiei nodded once and turned to leave.
Yusuke frowned again, suddenly remembering Chiran’s mouth and
hands…and then his own hand shot out and seized the demon’s arm.
“Wait.”
Hiei looked over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, Yusuke-sama?”
Yusuke tugged his friend’s arm and drew him back inside.
“Stay here, then. Who
knows what’ll happen to you if you have nowhere to go…?”
“No one will do anything to me,” Hiei assured him, but he followed
the pull and re-entered the room. “They’re
not allowed. I’m Honor Bound and
you won me. Until someone beats
you, I’m yours.”
“Until someone beats me…” Yusuke looked around the room and
narrowed his eyes. “Would they
strike here, you think?”
“No.” Hiei reached for
the door, but his hand paused an inch before the knob and he tilted his head.
“May I?”
Yusuke rolled his eyes and nodded. Hiei
shut the door and faced Yusuke with a steady expression.
Yusuke realized he was still holding Hiei’s arm, and released it.
“Explain,” he requested.
“These people are not violent by nature,” Hiei began.
“They are primarily pacifists. This
is why they have a nation so isolated from any others. You don’t have to worry about anyone attacking you here.”
Yusuke frowned. “But I
fought a duel…”
“No. You fought *the*
Duel.”
Yusuke noticed the emphasis. “The
‘Duel’?”
“The Duel for the Honor Bound. Only
certain people can participate: those who possess the Rose Signet rings. Only they have swords – which is why I asked you where your
sword was before you fought. The
winner of the Duel becomes the master of the Honor Bound. In order for the Honor Bound to be freed from a current
master, another must formally challenge the One Engaged to the Duel and win.
It’s a very traditional process.”
Yusuke took a deep breath. “That’s
why the aim of the Duel is to scatter rose petals and not kill someone.”
“Precisely.”
Yusuke ran his hands through his hair and walked to his bed.
He flopped down on the soft mattress and draped an arm over his eyes.
“I don’t believe this…” He’d been in the country for less than
a day, and already he was battling for the right to have a slave – a slave
that was actually one of his closest friends that he hadn’t seen in… He
removed his arm. “Hiei…how long have
you been ‘Honor Bound’?”
The demon replied quietly, “Six years, four months, and three weeks.”
Yusuke gaped. “What?”
That long? No wonder Hiei
was acting so strangely… He’d been conditioned to be…submissive…for
nearly seven years. “But Mukuro?”
“She probably thinks I’m dead. Or
run off.”
“How…? Why don’t you
escape?”
“I cannot.”
“Use your youki.”
“I cannot.”
“Why the hell not?”
“I cannot, Yusuke-sama. I’m
Honor Bound.”
“But what the hell does that *mean*?” he demanded, beginning to lose
his temper.
He regretted his action when Hiei visibly shrank back and lowered his
head. “I’m sorry.”
Yusuke couldn’t believe his eyes *or* his ears.
The Hiei he’d known years ago would *never* have apologized for
something so trivial – nor would he have let people molest him, or speak
harshly to him without talking back. Then he noticed something he hadn't
before: there was no Dragon on Hiei's arm, and his Jagan was...shut.
“Hiei,
don’t… I mean…you know me--”
“I knew you,” Hiei replied. “Times
change, people change.” He closed
his eyes. “Circumstances
change.” Then he winced. “I’m sorry – I forgot myself.
I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Yusuke groaned. “Don’t
be sorry.”
“Forgive me, then.”
“Hiei,” he growled warningly, “stop apologizing.”
“I’m s--”
Yusuke sat up abruptly, glaring at the demon.
Hiei swallowed and averted his eyes.
When he spoke again, his voice was apologetic, still.
“I’ve…not seen you – any of you – for many years… I haven’t
been free since…”
Yusuke nodded. “Tell me
what it means to be Honor Bound?”
“I’m an oddity, apparently,” Hiei replied.
“Before me, all Honor Bound were native to this nation.
When I arrived, Hiro challenged me to the Duel.
“At the time, I didn’t know why he’d chosen to pick a fight with
me. I figured that was part of the
reason why Mukuro sent me here. I
accepted…and I lost. If I’d
only known what losing entailed…” He gestured to the golden wristlets on his
arms. “When I woke up, I had
these, and then the High Priest explained the Duel to me. “As I said, the Duel is the battle for the Honor Bound. The winner of the Duel becomes the One Engaged – in other words, the one bound to the one bound. Since you won the Duel, you are the One Engaged.”
Yusuke blinked. “And since
you’re Honor Bound…that means I’m bound to you?”
Bound in what way?
Hiei nodded, looking apologetic. “Are…are
you and…Keiko…?”
“We are.” Why?
What would this mean for him and Keiko?
The demon turned his head away. “I’m
sorry.”
“Hiei, *stop* apologizing.”
“If that’s what you want, Yusuke-sama.”
“Please tell me what being ‘Engaged’ means?”
Hiei placed a hand over his heart. “The
One Engaged is called so because he is bound to both the Honor Bound and the
duties of being the champion of the Duel. Whenever
challenged, the One Engaged must either accept or forfeit.
The One Engaged is also the only person who can draw Blood Soaked.”
“What’s that?”
“The sword,” Hiei replied. “The
sword you drew from me. Only the
Honor Bound can call forth Blood Soaked, and only the One Engaged can wield
it.”
“But how come Chiran didn’t draw it from you?”
Hiei shook his head. “Chiran
rarely draws Blood Soaked. It
rarely lets him. The compatibility
between the One Engaged and the Honor Bound determines the frequency of Blood
Soaked’s appearance.”
“I drew it before I won,” Yusuke said.
Hiei nodded. There was a
fond look in his eyes. “I think
we’ll suit each other well.”
Yusuke chewed his lower lip. What
did Hiei mean, they would “suit each other well?”
He tried to think more about it, but his head was fuzzy with a need for
rest. He hadn’t slept very well
during the bumpy trip to Tenrai, and then he’d explored some of the city and
fought a Duel… “Hiei… I’m tired. For
now, can we sleep?”
Hiei nodded. “If that’s
what you want.”
“Hiei…what do *you* want?” When
the demon didn’t answer right away, Yusuke raised one eyebrow.
“Well?”
Hiei nodded toward the carpet. “I’ll
take the floor.”
Yusuke rolled his eyes. “Don’t
be ridiculous. Come share the bed
with me.”
Hiei hesitated for a fraction of a second before making his way to the
side of the bed. When he arrived,
Yusuke kicked his boots off and removed his shirt.
He rolled off the bed to tug the covers down.
“I’m exhausted,” he remarked to Hiei, climbing back into the bed.
He patted the other side. “Coming?”
Hiei bit his lower lip. “Are
you sure…you want me to?”
Yusuke rolled his eyes again. “It’s
just a bed. I won’t let you sleep
on the floor.” He softened his
gaze when he realized what Hiei must have thought.
“We’re just going to sleep, Hiei.
That’s all.”
His friend shook his head. “I’m
not…afraid of that. It would be
your right.” He bent to remove
his boots. “I just don’t want
you to feel as though… Yusuke-sama, you own me, remember?
If you want me to--”
“I want you to come to bed and go to sleep,” Yusuke interjected,
keeping his voice gentle, but firm. He
would hear no more of this Honor Bound nonsense tonight.
Anything else could wait until morning.
“Please,” he added.
Hiei nodded and climbed slowly into the bed, still fully clothed. He settled down on the opposite side, as far away as possible
from Yusuke. Yusuke sighed quietly
and drew the covers over both of them. “Goodnight.”
“Sleep well, Yusuke-sama.”
Yusuke yawned. “Don’t
call me that,” he mumbled. He
hated being suffixed way…especially by his friends.
“…If that’s what you want…” ~*~ The attendant had just helped him dress into a robe and turned his bed down when there was a knock at his doors. Maru raised an eyebrow, wondering who in the Abyss would be at his chambers at his hour. But before he could give the order for the attendant to open it, the visitor barged in anyway. Maru turned around, a reprimand already on his lips, and blinked when he saw Ruka.
“Your Holiness,” Ruka began, pausing long enough to bow, “forgive
my interruption, but there is--”
“--Something that you think I need you hear, hm?” Maru finished,
folding his arms. “There had
better be, for you to barge into my chambers without my permission.”
He nodded to his attendant. “Out.”
The servant bowed and left without a backward glance, shutting the door
behind him. When they were alone,
Maru raised his eyebrow again, silently ordering Ruka to speak.
“You will never guess what I saw as I was ushering the Lord Yusuke to
his rooms, your Holiness.” Ruka
had composed himself, but he still looked concerned.
“The Honor Bound was with him.”
Maru frowned and glanced outside at the crescent moon.
“What is Hiei doing out and about at this hour?
I thought Chiran liked him inside and in Chiran’s room at sundown…”
He shrugged. “Perhaps
Chiran agreed to let Hiei spend time with the visitor – for a price.” That was a highly unlikely possibility; Chiran had been bound
to Hiei for so long that the Duelist was beginning to think that Hiei had to ask
permission to *breathe*. But, it
was not entirely impossible, either. If
Hiei had made a request at a good moment…
“Your Holiness, the Honor Bound followed Lord Yusuke into his bedroom. I waited close by for nearly an hour, and Hiei didn’t come
out.”
Maru frowned again. “And
Chiran did not come to fetch him?” *That*
was odd. Chiran and Hiei were never
apart for more than an hour or so. The
Duelist was unbelievably possessive.
“Chiran was nowhere in sight,” Ruka replied.
“I even went to his room myself to ask him if he had given Hiei
permission…but he isn’t there, either.”
Ruka started dry-washing his hands.
“Your Holiness, Lord Yusuke was wearing a Rose Signet.”
Maru’s eyes widened for a moment before he got a hold on himself.
“What? How did he get
one?”
“I don’t know, but it’s real.
Your Holiness…until Chiran returns, we can’t be certain…but… What
if Yusuke has become the One Engaged?”
Maru tightened the grip on his arms.
“I pray it isn’t so… The fact that the Honor Bound is an outsider
is odd, but possible. But the One
Engaged…he must be a native to Tenrai. If
Yusuke has indeed beaten Chiran…”
“Chiran was doing extremely well, too,” Ruka added.
“He hadn’t been beaten in over a year.
I thought for sure that he would be the one…”
“Go, Ruka,” Maru commanded softly.
“Go to your room for now. Tomorrow,
when we speak with Yusuke, we will ask him.
And as soon as Chiran returns, he is to come to me.”
Ruka bowed deeply. “As you
wish, your Holiness.”
When the councilman was gone, Maru backed up until the back of his knees
hit the bed. He sat down on the
mattress and rubbed his temples. He
was sure they’d been so close… No Duelist had been the One Engaged for as
long as Chiran had. The demon had
gone for one year and four months without being defeated.
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While Mina Lightstar and/or any featured authors do not
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