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.

Warnings: Shounen ai, het, "alternate pairing."

*...* emphasis

/.../ thought

- Part Four -

Vows and Honor

      The ride home had been long and difficult, but at least there had been no danger.  Yusuke removed his helmet and wiped his brow, giving a brief smile and a tiny wave to the crowd that had come to greet the returning heroes.  Or rather, those who remained of the brave men and women who had gone to fight for their city.  Yusuke glanced around him, noting not for the first time how their numbers had dwindled.  They had left with two legions of warriors, and they were returning with less than half of one.  So many lives lost...just to determine a successor.  But now it was over; a treaty had been written up and the fighting had stopped.  The East and the West were no longer at war, and the country would be united under one power.

      Yusuke kneed his nitemare forward, and the steed started a steady walk through the crowd.  The people moved aside to let him and some of his companions by.

      "Look at them," Tavram remarked quietly, leaning over so Yusuke could hear him over the crowd's excited cheers and chatter.  "See how they smile?  Coming home and knowing that these children will grow up safe...makes it all worth it."

      Yusuke made an ambiguous noise, only half-listening to his friend.  He had something else on his mind, now that he was home.  Home and safe, he added, one hand moving to touch the blade at his hip.  Blood Soaked had certainly earned its name during the last battle.  And frankly, Yusuke was ready to hang it on his wall and leave it there.

      "What's wrong?" Tavram inquired.

      "I'm just thinking," Yusuke assured him.

      "About your lover?" the other man teased.

      "We're not lovers," he sighed for the umpteenth time.  "We're practically family."

      The other soldier chuckled.  "I know, I know.  Go, then.  I'll cover for you."  He nudged Yusuke's ribs.  "But make sure you're back in time for the feast.  It would do no good to honor the army's greatest warrior if he isn't there."

      "I'll be there," he promised.  Then, giving his friend a look of gratitude, Yusuke urged his mount to begin walking in another direction.

      The usual crowded streets of the city were bare that afternoon, as most of the town's population was probably at the gates greeting the warriors.  Yusuke's steed kept its pace until he bade the beast to stop in front of the temple grounds.  He dismounted and patted the animal's flank.

      "Stay," he commanded, knowing the nitemare would obey.  It was a wonderful animal, but he hadn't yet named it.  He hadn't expected it to survive the war, and thus hadn't wanted to get attached to it.  "Remind me to name you after the feast," he told it, grinning as the steed tossed its head.

      Yusuke pushed open one of the massive doors to the temple and glanced inside.  As always, the temple was dark, lit only by the numerous candelabras strewn about the main hall, and faintly by the light shining through the stained glass windows.  He closed the door behind him as quietly as he could, and then crept up the carpeted path to the altar.  To his relief, the one he had come for was there, kneeling - probably praying - at the altar.

      He swallowed, his mouth suddenly feeling parched.  "Hiei," he called.

      The figure froze.  He remained very still for a few moments before slowly turning around, still on his knees.  His red eyes widened, and he took a deep, shuddering breath.  "Yu...suke?"

      Yusuke nodded, lifting his arms in a weak "here I am" gesture.  He couldn't take his eyes off of Hiei.  It had only been half a year, but it felt like eons since they'd seen each other... "It's me," he declared.

      Hiei scrambled to his feet and jumped down the dais, sprinting down the carpet and leaping into his arms.  Yusuke caught him, stumbling backwards from the force of the tackle.  He tightened his arms around the smaller body and lowered Hiei to the ground.  They hugged for only a few seconds, as Hiei soon struggled free.  He took Yusuke's face in his hands and stroked his cheeks.

      "You're back," he murmured, almost sounding shocked.  His hands took hold of the helmet and Yusuke didn't protest when Hiei removed it and tossed it aside.  He remained still as Hiei traced every contour of his face with soft fingers, letting him explore.  He smiled apologetically when Hiei ran fingers through his dirty, oily hair, realizing that he was filthy, and no doubt staining the pure white cloth Hiei was wearing.

      "I'm sorry.  I suppose I should have bathed before coming to see you, but... I couldn't wait."

      Hiei paused, glancing down at the muddy boots, the torn breeches, the blood-stained diamond vest...and then he embraced Yusuke again, pressing his cheek against Yusuke's chest.  "Bastard," he spat.

      Yusuke gently took hold of Hiei's shoulders.  "Hiei...?"

      "Six months, Yusuke... You made me wait and worry for six months..."

      "I--"

      "I prayed everyday.  I asked the gods to return you to me everyday... I was afraid you'd..."

      "Hiei, I--"

      "Shut up.  Just shut up and hold me."

      So Yusuke squeezed him tight, resting his face in the crook of Hiei's neck.  And he realized that he was home; he was back, safe and sound.  He choked out a relieved whimper and tilted Hiei's head up.  Their lips had nearly touched when they paused, and Yusuke remembered where they were.  They went no further, just feeling each other's breath on their lips.

      "There's no one here," he whispered.  "There's no one to see... Oh, Triton, I want to..."

      "Hush," Hiei breathed.  "Don't call out to the gods, or they shall turn their attentions to you."  He drew away and took Yusuke's hand.  "Come," he urged, and then they took off together deeper into the temple.

      Hiei led them to his quarters in the building, pulling him inside and shutting the door.  Yusuke nearly lost his footing as he was released, and gained his balance as he heard Hiei lock the door behind them.  He turned back to stare at the smaller demon, who stood with his back to the door, arms behind him.

      "When..." Hiei stopped to swallow, "...When must you go back?"

      "Sundown," Yusuke replied, his hands already undoing the fastenings of his mail.  He let the blood-caked light armor fall to the floor.  "I have to attend the feast at sundown, as the guest of honor."

      "Then we...?"

      "We have time," Yusuke assured him, striding closer and lifting a hand to brush flakes of dried blood from Hiei's cheek.  "We have more than enough time."

      He fussed with the white shirt and cloak, working around Hiei's hands as the other unbuttoned his shirt.  Since Yusuke was expected at a feast later on, he couldn't risk having his clothes ruined.  When the white cloth was flung haphazardly about the room, Yusuke lowered his arms so Hiei could finish opening his shirt.  When the fabric was tugged apart, however, Hiei froze.  It only took a second for Yusuke to register what he'd seen, and followed Hiei's gaze to the numerous scars on his chest and stomach.

      "Are they ugly?" he asked quietly.

      "No...but..." Hiei traced a long line under his ribcage.

      "I got that one seven weeks into the war," he explained softly.  "Another soldier found the weak links in my chain mail and..." Hiei ignored the other marks and went immediately to the puncture near the center of his chest.  Yusuke closed his eyes in the face of Hiei's frightened stare, and covered his lover's hand with his own.  "My armor may have saved me that time," he said.  "It grazed my left lung.  If Tavram hadn't brought me to the healer in time..." He stopped, noticing the way Hiei's features had paled.  "But it's healed.  Don't worry... There's no danger."

      Hiei traced the stab wound with shaky fingers.  "Another inch... Another inch...and..."

      And then Hiei was kissing him, first scattered pecks along his face and neck, then, finally, their mouths were allowed to meet.  They kissed for the first time in half a year; a deep kiss that conveyed everything they'd felt during the last six months.  Fear, loneliness, longing, hope, love...all at once, all in one kiss.

      "Hiei," Yusuke mumbled around the kiss, "are you sure you want to?  I haven't bathed in three days..."

      "So I smell," Hiei commented.  "But I don't care...I don't care.  You don't smell *that* bad...and it's your *clothes* that are filthy..."

      "If you say so--"

      "Hurry..." Hiei pleaded, helping Yusuke shrug out of his shirt and discard Blood Soaked.  "We only have until sundown..."

      Yusuke moaned and swept Hiei up into his arms.  He carried the smaller demon swiftly to the bed and settled him onto the mattress.  "I had a list of things I was going to do when I returned home," he admitted, climbing atop his shorter lover.

      "Did you?" Hiei mused.  "And these things would be...?"

      "First: getting away from the crowd of people we knew would be at the gates."

      "It seems as though you've done that."

      "Second: finding you and making sure you were all right."

      Hiei gave him a wry smile.  "I'm rarely far from the temple.  You know that."

      "Third: ...making love to you - if you're willing."

      "And why, my hero, would I not be willing?"

      Yusuke swallowed.  "I've been away... I didn't know if...you'd changed your mind..."

      Hiei smiled again, a real smile, and touched Yusuke's cheeks.  "I missed you... I wish I could have gone with you... But you're back, and you're alive.  And it's been so long since we've..."

      "Too long," Yusuke agreed.  "I missed you so badly it hurt..."

      "There's no one else here, Yusuke.  We can be as loud as we like."

      And opportunities like that were far too rare for him to allow them to slip through his fingers.  He brushed his lips over Hiei's forehead, murmured a soft vow of love, and then bent to accomplish the third item on his list.

~*~

      Yusuke awoke to the sound of the morning bell feeling refreshed, a little anxious, and...strangely sated.  The dream was still fresh in his mind.  /Dreams aren't usually so easy to remember...are they?/  He felt himself shiver as he recalled the details.  At least, the night before last, Keiko had showed up and stopped the entire thing before it had progressed to something more.  Last night...there had been no Keiko.  He and Hiei had...

      And then, he remembered that today would be his first Duel as the One Engaged; it would be his first chance to defend his...claim...on Hiei.  If he lost, Hiei would become the property of his challenger - a challenger whose identity was still unknown.  At the dinner he'd been invited to the night before, he hadn't been told who he'd be Dueling with today.  He wasn't exactly looking forward to it.  Each of the men and women he'd met with over dinner had seemed like confident blademasters - certainly better than he was.  Sure, he'd beaten Chiran, a Duelist who'd stood undefeated for over a year, but Yusuke wasn't going to allow one victory let him think that he was invincible.  He was no swordsman, and he was positive that every Duelist knew that.

      He rolled over to wake Hiei, and blinked when his eyes registered the shivering form of his friend.  The fire demon was curled into a ball, his back to Yusuke.  It was then that Yusuke realized he'd taken the blankets off of Hiei when he'd rolled over last night.  And Hiei hadn't told him, or taken some of the blankets back.  /Idiot./  While it was not cold any longer, it had been the night before, and if Hiei had spent the entire night without anything but the mattress and his clothes to warm him, it was no wonder he was still shaking.

      Yusuke sighed and rubbed Hiei's bare arm.  The skin was cold.  "Why didn't you say anything?" he asked, not caring that Hiei couldn't answer.  And he wouldn't ask when Hiei woke up, either.  His friend would probably give him some stupid excuse like, "But, Yusuke-sama, it's your bed and you can do what you want with it" or, "But, Yusuke-sama, you own me and if you want me to die of hypothermia, then it's your right."

      He laid down again, this time curling around Hiei's form and draping the covers over them both.  He only had to be at the Garden at midmorning; he had more than enough time to spend a few minutes warming his friend up.  /I'd hit you for being this stupid, if that wasn't what you're probably expecting.../

      A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door.  /Probably breakfast./  "Come in," he called, not bothering to move from his position.

      The door opened and admitted the attendant who had served them breakfast the morning before.  "I have brought your morning meal, my Lord Yusuke."  She gave him an awkward half-curtsy, balancing the tray on one hand.  "May I?"

      "Yes, thank you," he replied, noticing the way her gaze had lingered on them a moment longer than necessary, but not paying it any mind.  Apparently, the One Engaged was almost *expected* to sleep with the Honor Bound.  So she could think what she wanted, and spread it around to whomever she liked.  Yusuke didn't have to impress anyone but the members of the Council.

      As the serving girl went about setting their places - he noticed that she had set Hiei's without asking - Hiei stirred in his arms and sighed contentedly.  Yusuke lowered his voice so that she couldn't hear them.  "Are you awake?"

      "Yes," Hiei replied, immediately following Yusuke's lead and speaking at the same volume.

      "Don't ever do that again."

      "...Do what, Yusuke-sama?"

      "Spend the night freezing because I accidentally hogged the blankets."

      "...Accidentally?"

      Yusuke closed his eyes briefly.  So Hiei hadn't known the action had been unintentional.  He'd probably figured it to be some sort of punishment.  /I did sort of yell at him before we went to sleep.../

      "Lord Yusuke?"  He looked up at the attendant as she held the door open.  "I will return shortly to remove the dishes and tidy your room.  Please enjoy your meal."  She bowed on her way out, and shut the door.

      They remained in bed for another moment or two before Yusuke decided it was time to begin the day.  He untangled himself and made his way to the table, Hiei following close behind.  They ate in silence, and rather quickly, as they had things to do.

      "What a schedule I have for today," Yusuke commented as he finished his tea.  "Up early, breakfast, a Duel, and then a council meeting."  

      "Ah," Hiei replied, "the Duel."  He glanced at the clock on the wall and pushed away from the table.

      "Going somewhere?" Yusuke inquired.

      "Not really, Yusuke-sama, but..." He stopped at the closet and slid one of the doors open.  "If you are still interested in fighting the Duel today, we should get you ready."

      /"We?"/  He watched as Hiei pulled out some...expensive-looking clothing.  "Why do I have to wear those?  I Dueled in my regular clothes last time, and it was okay."

      "But now you're the One Engaged, Yusuke-sama.  You should look better than the other Duelists.  Not that you don't, already..." he added shyly.

      Yusuke blinked.  "Huh?"

      "Nothing..." Hiei tossed a pair of black breeches onto the bed and reached back in to pull out a black belt with a golden buckle, a long-sleeved black shirt and a matching coat with...golden tassels on the shoulders?

      Yusuke folded his arms.  "I am not wearing that."

      Hiei gave him an innocent smile.  "But it's beautiful.  You'll look good in it."

      "You sound like Keiko," he grumbled under his breath.  "Why can't I just wear my regular clothes?"

      Hiei was already fishing through the other end of the closet.  "Because you're the One Engaged, Yusuke-sama.  It is expected that you dress appropriately when you are heading to a formal Duel."

      "Are you just saying that because you want me to wear it?"

      "...Yes and no," Hiei confessed, tossing out breeches and a tunic in a smaller size - probably for himself.

      Yusuke rolled his eyes.  "Fine," he mumbled, standing and walking to the bed.  He unbuttoned his nightshirt and tossed it aside.  He pulled off his bottoms and seized the black undergarments Hiei had selected.  But before he pulled off his underwear to change them, he noticed Hiei was still looking at him.  "...You're not going to keep watching, are you?"

      Hiei blinked.  "Would you prefer I didn't?"

      "If you don't mind."

      The fire demon chuckled and turned his back.  "Humans have too much shame, Yusuke-sama."

      "And demons don't have enough," he replied as he pulled on the fresh underwear, and then paused with a sudden sense of déjà vu.  "I'm covered now."  He looked up and realized that Hiei was already half-changed.  When he saw the tunic Hiei had selected, he frowned.  "Do we *have* to match?"

      "Not really, but it looks more professional."  Hiei pulled on his tunic and started tying the sash that went with it.  Yusuke pulled on the black shirt before his pants so he wouldn't have as much trouble tucking the shirt in, and stared at Hiei's outfit.  The style was just like Yusuke's: the pants and tunic were black, and the edges were lined with a golden fringe.  The sash was gold, and the tunic had golden Chinese dragons embroidered over Hiei's shoulders.  ...He was beautiful, Yusuke had to admit.  Or rather, the *outfit* was beautiful.  Hiei wasn't beautiful.  No...of course not...

      "Damn buttons," he hissed, fiddling with the fastenings of his coat.  They were the kind that buttoned from the other side, and he'd never been good at them.

      "Let me," Hiei offered, coming forward and taking over.  His fingers worked through the fastenings as though they were normal buttons.

      "You're used to these kind of clothes, I take it?"

      Hiei nodded.  "I've helped many Duelists dress."  He finished with the buttons and then straightened Yusuke's coat.  When he stepped back and gave him an appraising look, Yusuke glanced at the full-length mirror.  They *did* look good, he realized.  Like a matching pair.

      "Wow," he breathed.  "I didn't think I'd look *this* good..."

      "I told you so, didn't I, Yusuke-sama?"

      "Since when did you get so vain?" Yusuke asked with a hint of amusement.  He didn't think of Hiei as the kind of person to worry about fashion.

      His friend shrugged and didn't answer.  "It is nearly midmorning, Yusuke-sama."

      Yusuke glanced at the clock and nodded.  "Then let's go, shall we?"

      They took a moment to pull on their boots and then left the room.

~*~

      The walk up the stairs hadn't seemed to take so long with company, Yusuke mused as they reached the archway to the Garden.  Hiei had strongly advised him to walk, not run, in order to save his energy.  And while the urge to simply race up the endless flight of stairs had been strong, he had to admit that the slow, even steps had done wonders for calming his nerves.  He'd never really been nervous before a fight before.  Usually, he as always rather...anxious.  However, never before had he been forced to fight a particular way.  For this fight, there would be no martial arts, no reiki, and no shapeshifting.  He would duel with his opponent, blade to blade.

      When they reached the top of the stairs, Yusuke made a point to search the sky.  /They said you could see the castle from here.../ Hiei must have noticed what he was doing, because the next moment, the fire demon took Yusuke's shoulders and turned him forty-five degrees to the left.  And then Yusuke saw it.  ...Well, not exactly.  The fluffy, white clouds made it difficult to see, but it was there, and it was big.

      "I don't believe it," he pronounced, his eyes still glued to the floating - *floating* - castle in the sky.

      "If it helps," Hiei replied, "neither did I."

      "You know...by all architectural limits...that should be impossible."

      Hiei led him to the center of the rose garden, and there they waited until another form appeared at the top of the stairs.  At the moment, he was too far away for Yusuke to identify.  When the challenger walked under the arch and into the Garden, Yusuke heard the midmorning bell begin to toll.  And when the other Duelist came closer, Yusuke was able to distinguish his features... The demon was rather tall, and had aqua hair, pulled back in a waist-length braid that was draped over his shoulder.  His outfit was similar to the one Yusuke was wearing, though in white and gold.  It took a few moments, but soon Yusuke was able to recall the demon's name.

      "Kirander," he muttered.  "It's Kirander."  Hiei made a small sound of agreement as the Duelist stopped a few feet or so away from them.

      "The day's greeting to you, Yusuke," Kirander began.  "A beautiful morning for a Duel, is it not?"

      "Quite," Yusuke agreed, muscles tensing already.  What kind of style did Kirander use?  Would he be able to do this?

      "Yusuke-sama," Hiei uttered.  "Shall we begin?"

      Yusuke gave a slow nod, and Hiei left his side, bending to pick two roses from the ground.  When he straightened, he pinned one on Yusuke's left breast, and then walked to Kirander and did the same for him.

      "If your rose petals are scattered," his friend reminded them as he returned to Yusuke's side, "you lose."

      Kirander smiled.  "I must say, it's been awhile since I've heard those words.  It has been a long time since anyone has tried to Duel for the Honor Bound."

      "Was Chiran that good?" Yusuke inquired.

      "Not so much 'good' as he is analytical," the Duelist answered, unsheathing his sword.  "He is a very skilled swordsman, but he is used to Dueling with the rest of us.  He knows how we all move, and has an uncanny ability to remember all of our techniques."  He chuckled.  "Of course, all of us can remember another's style and such, but Chiran is quite good at recalling multiple techniques - better than the rest of us.  He always knows what to expect, which is why not many were challenging him anymore.  We were all working to develop new styles that he wouldn't be familiar with, so we could have a chance.  I think you, Yusuke, are quite lucky to have defeated a Duelist of Chiran's caliber on your first attempt, but don't be too proud of yourself.  Chiran also didn't know anything about you, so you were able to take him by surprise."  He wrinkled his nose.  "And then there's the little detail of you drawing Blood Soaked without even being the One Engaged.  *That* played a large part in Chiran's confusion..."

      "I don't think of myself as a champion Duelist," Yusuke assured him.  /If anything, I'm wondering if I'll be able to pull this off.../ "Now, are we going to Duel, or what?"

      Kirander chuckled.  "We're going to Duel," he bit out.  "So draw your sword."

      Yusuke narrowed his eyes and beckoned to Hiei.  His friend came closer, so that he was nearly pressed against Yusuke's side.  He curled an arm around Hiei's waist, drawing the demon to stand in front of him.  "Blood Soaked appears only if there is compatibility between the One Engaged and the Honor Bound... In order to call it forth, I have to be able to kiss you and touch you."  With that thought in mind, he bent and touched his lips to Hiei's.  Hiei let him in, kissing back deeply, and rubbing his hands over Yusuke's chest, carefully avoiding the rose.

      It took mere seconds for the warmth to begin spreading between them.  As the blue light began to manifest, Hiei gently drew away, going limp in Yusuke's arms.  Yusuke held him as Blood Soaked's hilt appeared, and then he reached with one hand to pull the sword from his friend's body.

      When the sword was drawn, Yusuke helped Hiei straighten.  The fire demon gave him a brief smile, a whispered "Fight well," and then he left to stand well out of the way.

      Kirander's lips quirked as he held out his sword.  "It's been a long time since I've seen anyone draw that blade.  This looks to be a good fight."

      "I'll try not to disappoint you," Yusuke replied, extending his own sword to touch Kirander's blade.  And then their Duel began.

      Kirander lunged forward to thrust, and Yusuke turned and sidestepped to avoid the strike.  His opponent spun and slashed at him, but Yusuke managed to bring Blood Soaked up to parry it, along with the next few blows Kirander dealt.  After the fifth or sixth strike, Yusuke was able to deliver several of his own.  He used what little he knew of swordplay to slash overhand, underhand, to the side, and diagonally.  Kirander parried his blows with minimal effort, and grinned at him as they danced through the roses.

      "Chiran was right.  You're not much of a Duelist," he laughed, blocking another of Yusuke's swipes.  "Lucky, but not much of a Duelist."

      "I can't say that being a Duelist was my life-long dream," Yusuke retorted, backpedaling and leaning away to avoid the attempt to slice his rose off.

      "I suppose not, since you're an outlander," Kirander lamented, bringing his sword back in preparation for another strike.

      Yusuke leapt back toward the Duelist, and Kirander leaned a little to the right so that Yusuke's blade sailed over his shoulder.  /Shit!/ Yusuke cried mentally as he stumbled forward.  Kirander turned to let him stagger by, and then shoved him so that he lost his balance and fell.  He grunted a little in pain when his hands were scraped by the thorns.  When he heard the sound of boots rustling through flowers, he rolled to his feet in time to parry the next blow.

      "So," he commented, "you've been aspiring to be the One Engaged all your life?"

      "Of course," Kirander explained.  "Everyone wants to Duel to win the right to wish for everlasting peace and order.  The status of a Duelist is considered equal to that of the highest lord in Tenrai."

      Yusuke snorted and delivered another blow, which Kirander dodged altogether.  "And you don't think, even a little, that the god who's going to grant this 'Miracle' may not be pleased that the people wishing for peace and security treat the other party involved in the Duel like a slave?"

      "Perhaps," Kirander replied with a hint of amusement, "but it is tradition.  If the powers behind the Hall of Engagement were truly displeased with that method, why would they not have told us, rather than letting us do it for centuries?"

      Yusuke dodged another thrust, and suddenly noticed how Kirander's braid would swing with every move he made.  "And after all this time of not being permitted to enter this Hall of Engagement, you still all believe that you'll get your Miracle?"

      "Of course," Kirander insisted.  "It is a gift the gods have left for us, and when the time is right, it will be given to us."

      Yusuke wasn't about to argue the rationality of that statement.  He'd seen far too much during his life to doubt in the existence of the supernatural.  However, if these people had gone for centuries without being successful, why did they still think...?  "And do you think you'll see the Miracle happen during your lifetime?"

      "Perhaps, perhaps not."  Kirander shrugged.  "If I would be allowed to see it...that would be the greatest gift I could ever receive.  But if I don't, then I suppose it was meant to come after my time, that's all.  But it *will* come."

      Yusuke shrugged one shoulder.  "Believe what you wish."

      "Don't mind if I do," the Duelist remarked, lunging forward again.

      Yusuke sidestepped as he had last time, but instead of waiting for the demon to turn around, Yusuke reached out and seized the long braid.  He wrapped it around his fist and tugged, yanking the surprised Duelist closer and knocking him onto his bottom.  Before the demon could raise himself, Yusuke settled the edge of his blade against his throat.

      "This Duel is over," Yusuke pronounced.

      Kirander sat very still.  "You..." He swallowed.  "You would not... Would you...?  We...we do not kill in a Duel..."

      "I'm an outlander," Yusuke answered.  "Maybe I have a slightly different definition of a 'duel'."  He smiled to himself when he saw his opponent's body stiffen.  He tightened his grip on the demon's hair, tugging his head up to bare his throat.  When he saw the terror and the pleading in Kirander's eyes, he smirked, raised Blood Soaked, and then cut off the demon's rose.

      He released Kirander's braid, and the Duelist collapsed to the ground, sighing in relief.  Yusuke stood and looked for Hiei.  The fire demon was already at his side, a small smile on his face.

      "Either you're a very lucky person, Yusuke-sama...or you have a natural gift for this."

      Yusuke smiled back and handed Blood Soaked back to Hiei.  When the demon took the weapon, Yusuke glanced down at Kirander.  "Was it a good fight?"

      The Duelist narrowed his eyes and sat up.  "It was... You're better than Chiran gave you credit for..."

      "Well, if that's over and done with," Yusuke turned on his heel, "I have a council meeting to attend."

      "I had been told," Kirander stated, "that you had no intention of being the One Engaged.  Why did you fight to win?"

      /Because as soon as these negotiations are done, I'm taking Hiei out of here./  "Because he's my friend," he replied without turning around.  "And as long as I'm here, none of you are going to touch him."

      He walked on without a backward glance, and Hiei started following him.  Without looking over his shoulder, Yusuke reached back, grabbed Hiei's arm, and tugged him forward until they walking side by side.

      "Yusuke-sama...you've beaten one...but there will be others who will challenge you..." Hiei sounded apologetic.  "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into..."

      "Don't worry," Yusuke reassured him.  "We won't be here much longer.  Once I have a treaty set up with them, we'll be able to get out of here."

      "Yusuke-sama," Hiei began earnestly, "that is what I keep trying to tell you.  You--"

      Yusuke held up a hand to silence him, catching glimpse of another familiar face at the entrance of the Garden.  "Ruka," he greeted the man.

      The councilman bowed his head.  "The day's greeting to you, Yusuke."  He smiled, but it didn't touch his eyes.  "I see you have...won your Duel."

      "I have.  And I am ready to attend the meeting, if you are."

      "We are, indeed," Ruka assured him.  "We are starting a little earlier than expected, so I came to fetch you as soon as possible."  Ruka glanced pointedly at Hiei.  "Will the Honor Bound be attending the meeting, as well?"

      Yusuke shook his head.  "No."  He gave Hiei a sidelong glance and asked, "Will you wait for me in our room?  I'll try not to be too long."

      When Hiei nodded, Ruka smiled.  "Very well.  If you'll follow me, Lord Yusuke, you will dine with the Council and the High Priest, and then our negotiations will resume."

      Yusuke nodded once, shortly, and followed Ruka down the stairs.  It was only when they were halfway down that he noticed Hiei wasn't with them anymore.

      "You haven't told him everything."

      Hiei jumped.  He hadn't realized Kirander had come so close.  He glanced up at the Duelist before staring down the stairs again, and shrugged.  "No."

      "Why not?"  The man sounded genuinely curious.

      Hiei didn't see any real reason not to reply.  Kirander was not one of the harsher Duelists, and was often quite kind.  "He's always occupied with something else..."

      "Or is it that you don't want him to know?" the other demon prodded.

      "I want him to know," Hiei answered.  "He has...prior obligations.  Of course I want him to know."

      Kirander touched his shoulder.  "So why haven't you told him?"

      /...Because I want him to stay.../ "I..." /...But I don't want him to lose Keiko.../

      "Would he lose his next Duel purposely if he knew?"

      /...Yes.../ "I don't know."

      Kirander sighed softly.  "Either way... Hiei, the Council will not allow an outlander to remain the One Engaged.  No matter what you want, he will leave - either when you tell him, or when a Duelist defeats him."

      "I know it," Hiei replied.  It hurt to admit it, but he knew it.

      "And he said you were friends," the Duelist went on.  "As his friend...would you lie to him about something like this?"

      The guilt came instantly.  True, Kirander was probably just doing his part to help drive Yusuke away, but he was right.  Hiei and Yusuke were friends, and no matter what was going to happen to him, no matter how much hope he had that Yusuke would stay with him until his time was up...he would not force Yusuke into something like this.  He would tell Yusuke as soon as the man returned from the meeting.

      He ignored Kirander and returned to the Garden.

      Yes.  He would tell Yusuke.  And then...he would be alone again.

~*~

      "Just say it," Yusuke invited, leaning back and folding his arms. 

      Maru exchanged a quick glance with the council member on his left.  "I beg your pardon?"

      "You haven't been paying any attention to our conversation.  And I think I know why... So just say it.  Please."

      Maru hesitated for a moment.  But *only* for a moment.  "You won your Duel."

      /Bingo./  "I did."

      "May I ask why, Lord Yusuke?" the High Priest inquired.  "You told us yesterday that you had no intention of remaining the One Engaged."

      "That was before I found out what went on behind the One Engaged's bedroom doors."  There was no way he was going to let someone else do that to Hiei.

      "So you intend on remaining the One Engaged...?"

      "Until I leave, yes."  Better for him not to reveal that Hiei would be leaving *with* him when the negotiations were over.

      Maru raised an eyebrow.  "You...intend you leave soon?"

      "Yes.  I told you, I have other obligations.  I have no intention of remaining in this Dueling business."

      "I see..." Maru still looked bewildered, but his eyes gleamed.  "Very well."

      "But I *do* have some questions about the Duel... I am...quite interested in your tradition."

      "What would you like to know?"

      "For one, what are the wristlets for?"

      Maru chuckled.  "Well, I wish we could say that our Honor Bound were *willing* to take on the task, but they seldom are.  It is no small task to be Honor Bound - but one with the potential only reveals himself once every few years.  So...we have to take...precautions...to ensure that we can try to be admitted to the Hall of Engagement."

      "But if the Honor Bound is so important to you," Yusuke pointed out, "why do you let the Duelists do whatever they want?"  Surely they knew how Hiei was sometimes treated - if all of the Duelists knew.

      "Because, my Lord Yusuke," Maru's tone was lecturing, "many people's temperaments reflect how they've been treated.  Men who think fondly of people who look down on them are rare creatures.

      "We know that Miracles await us in the Hall, but we don't know for certain if it is the One Engaged who decides if we should be granted them or not.  If we treat the Duelists as lords, they may be more inclined to cater to our needs."

      "But what about the Honor Bound's needs?" Yusuke countered.

      "What about them?"

      "What about what *he* wants?  Doesn't anyone care about his feelings?"

      "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, Lord Yusuke."  Maru gave him a considering look.  "You are the leader of a third of Makai; you should know that."

      Yusuke shook his head.  "But you don't even know if the Miracle is real, and you're enslaving people, anyway."

      "Being Honor Bound is not slavery, and we *know* the Miracle exists."

      "How?"

      "It has been passed down from generation unto generation.  The gods' gift has been waiting for us to claim it, and when the time is right, we shall be allowed to take it."

      "And have you spoken to these gods?" Yusuke inquired.

      "Of course not.  The gods rarely converse with lowly mortals such as ourselves."

      "Then how do you know?"

      "Do you have to see to believe, Lord Yusuke?"

      Maru had a point, there.  But, still...why would any gracious god condone the kind of treatment the Duelists dealt the Honor Bound...?  "Are your gods truly so cruel?" he breathed.

      "The gods want what is best for us," Maru explained.  "We will have our Miracle, by whatever means necessary.  Tenrai will take its place as the most culturally superior country of the Demon World."  He narrowed his eyes, suddenly looking threatening.  "And if you think we're going to share that, you're sorely mistaken."

      Under the pinning stare, Yusuke couldn't help but feel vulnerable.

~*~

      Yusuke stalked back to his room as quickly as he could.  He wanted to run, just to have an outlet for all his frustration, but knew that tearing through the halls would look unprofessional.  He'd dealt with a lot of impossible people over the years, but those councilmen were just...!  They made him want to pull his hair out.

      He barged into his room and slammed the door.  From the corner of his eye, he saw Hiei, who was sitting on the bed, jump to his feet in surprise.  Yusuke ignored him for the moment, striding to the closet and yanking it open.  He reached in and pulled out his bag, gathering the few belongings he had brought with him and shoving them inside.

      He sensed Hiei come a little closer.  "...Yusuke-sama?" he asked in a tiny voice.  "What are you doing, if I may ask...?"

      "This place is even more fucked up than I thought," he snapped, sounding harsher than he'd intended to.

      "...The meeting did not go well...?"

      "Hell, no.  These people are stubborn, mule-headed assholes!  All they care about is the supposed 'Miracle' that is going to make everything all right, and they don't want to share that with anyone.  I can respect a belief, but that is just too much!"  He zipped up his bag and shouldered it.  "I've had about all I can take of this place!  It's full of aristocratic bastards who claim to be pacifists, yet fight each other with swords for the right to have someone to fuck.  It's also run by a religious radical who honestly thinks that magical miracles will come if they keep playing this Dueling game forever!  It's all bullshit, and I've had it!  I'm leaving this place, and I'm leaving *now*!"

      Hiei's eyes widened.  "Leaving...?  But you--"

      Yusuke reached forward and grabbed Hiei's arm.  "And you're coming with me."

      "No!" Hiei cried, resisting the pull as Yusuke started to head for the door.  "I can't!  It's forbidden!"

      Yusuke looked over his shoulder and glared at his friend.  "The hell it is.  This place is fucked up, and it's pointless trying to negotiate with them.  To hell with the peace treaty."  He tightened his grip on Hiei's arm.  "We're leaving.  Right now."

      "I cannot!" Hiei insisted, trying to tug his arm back.  "Yusuke-sama, please understand.  I can't leave this place!  They won't let me!"

      Yusuke pulled harder, and Hiei ended up being dragged a few steps forward before he managed to anchor himself again.  "I'm not leaving you here, Hiei.  I'm leaving and I'm taking you with me."

      "But you can't leave either!"

      Yusuke froze.  /*What*?/  "What do you mean?" he demanded, turning around to pin Hiei on the spot with his eyes.

      "Yusuke-sama," the fire demon uttered nervously, "the One Engaged can't leave Tenrai."  When he finished the sentence, he shrank away and lowered his head, as though expecting to be struck.

      Yusuke felt the anger rising.  Anger and confusion and frustration and bewilderment and... "Says *who*?" he hissed.

      "It is...part of the tradition..." Hiei tried to inch further away, but Yusuke's arm would only let him go so far.  "The One Engaged and the Honor Bound must remain in Tenrai... If you try to leave...you will be hunted down...and they'll kill you for attempting to corrupt their chance to have their Miracle... And me...if I try to leave...the wristlets won't let me..."

      "Bullshit," Yusuke spat.  "That's bullshit!"

      "It's the truth," Hiei insisted.  "I've tried to get away... I tried... And I've heard of the One Engaged trying to escape...because he was a little...touched... They...brought back his body..."

      "They can't possibly know where I am at all times!"

      "There are spies everywhere, Yusuke-sama... When it comes to the Dueling tradition, the people of Tenrai are rigid... If you are not seen for a few hours, the councilmen can find out where you are in no time..." He bit his lip.  "It's not so bad for me - the wristlets prevent me from escaping - but for the One Engaged...since he is not bound by any magical wards...they keep an eye on him when he ventures out into the city... Yusuke-sama, if you try to escape, they will hunt you down.  They will.  The only way the One Engaged can leave Tenrai is to step down..."

      /No.../ It couldn't be.  He couldn't be hearing this... With one powerful tug, he pulled Hiei close to him and grabbed his shirtfront.  "Why the hell didn't you tell me about this?!"

      Hiei flinched.  "I tried, Yusuke-sama... I tried...but you kept changing the subject... I couldn't... I..."

      So he was stuck here.  He was stuck here unless he took his chances against the entire nation's warriors, or left Hiei to fend for himself... /Keiko.../ He heard Hiei give a tiny whine, and realized that he'd been tightening his grip on Hiei's arm even more.  He'd forgotten that Hiei didn't have the tolerance he once did.  But at the moment, he didn't really care.  He...he needed time to think...

      He shoved Hiei to the floor near the door.  "Get out."

      Hiei swallowed, looking like he wanted to disappear.  "W...when would you...like me to return, Yusuke-sama...?"

      "Just shut up and get out!" Yusuke shouted, taking a step forward.  "Leave!  Now!"

      Hiei didn't need to be told a third time.  He stood and was out the door as quickly as possible.  When the door shut, Yusuke sank to his knees and buried his face in his hands.  He was stranded in Tenrai.  He had to stay unless he thought he could take on every Duelist in the nation at once...or unless he...he gave up his status as the One Engaged and left Hiei behind...

~*~

      It was chilly.  Hiei realized that night had fallen - he must have been sitting in the Garden longer than he'd thought.  Perhaps he should have asked Yusuke if he could have taken his cloak.  But Yusuke had been upset, and had told him to leave immediately.  Hiei supposed it had been only been a matter of time before Yusuke would begin invoking his authority as the One Engaged.  Eventually, every Duelist who had ever won him had come to realize that they could treat him however they wished.  Hiei was only grateful that Yusuke hadn't decided to strike him in the two days he had been Hiei's owner, despite the fact that Hiei had effectively annoyed the man several times.

      He was aware that his submissive attitude infuriated Yusuke, but Hiei simply couldn't change overnight.  He had been helpless and pathetic for so long...he'd forgotten what it was like to defend himself.  Since the wristlets made him weaker than a human adolescent, it was all too easy for Duelists to use force to make him behave.  Nearly every single Duelist who'd had him had...

      He hated Tenrai, and he hated his status.  Just because he conformed and accepted it didn't mean he liked it.  When he'd lost to Hiro and discovered his future, he'd been...completely confounded.  He hadn't had the faintest notion of what had been happening.  When they had proclaimed him as Tenrai's new Honor Bound, they had stripped him of everything that made him...himself.  They had taken the strength and speed he'd trained to attain, and they had closed his Jagan and subdued his Dragon.  His clothes had been removed and burned, his katana had been melted, and his Tear Gem had been sold.  And then, when he thought there had been nothing else of his for them to take, he had learned of the Duel, and how he would become the property of the champion, to be treated as they pleased, so long as he was left alive.

      The High Priest and Council, of course, insisted that he be proud of his status.  "You should feel honored," they had said.  "You're the first outlander to be Honor Bound, so perhaps you are finally the one."  Oh, yes.  He felt quite honored.  Who wouldn't appreciate having their valuables destroyed before their eyes, or being treated according to how good a mood someone else was in, or losing their freedom?  Why, of course he reveled in being slapped around by someone else and not having the strength to fight back.

      But the worst part wasn't the beatings.  He could deal with being struck.  No...the worst part was the sex - not just the act itself, but because he never knew what they wanted him to do.  Some liked him passive; they preferred it when he would simply lie there and let them have their way with him.  Others wanted him to take a more active role.

      The first time Touma had ordered him to bed, Hiei had blatantly refused.  It had been bad enough that he was prisoner in a foreign land - he hadn't been about to degrade himself further.  But Touma had insisted, to the point of dragging him.  Hiei had fought back, completely forgetting that the wristlets made him all but a weak human.  He had no Dragon, no Jagan, no sword, no speed, no strength... All he could have done was scream - and he wouldn't give Touma the satisfaction.

      Besides...no one would have come to help him, anyway...

      But Touma had not only been intent on bedding him, he had insisted that Hiei move with him - had insisted that bedmates who simply laid back were no fun at all.  It had been a hard lesson to learn, but soon Hiei conformed.

      But when Touma lost the Duel and Hiei was passed on, he learned that most Duelists were intent on bedding the Honor Bound, simply because they could.  And while Touma had been insistent, he had not been cruel.  Rough, certainly, but not cruel.  But the others...Hiei simply didn't know what to do with them.  Anther, the One Engaged who had come after Touma, had taken him to bed the night of his victory.  At first, Hiei had tried to move with the other demon, but Anther had struck him sharply and commanded him to be still.  And when Kirander, the One Engaged after Anther, had bedded him, Hiei had figured it would be best if he remained still.  But Kirander had struck him and commanded him to participate.  And when Hiei tried asking each Duelist which they preferred before they actually began anything, some struck him for assuming that they would be doing anything in the first place - and then bedded him, anyway.

      He looked over the side of the floating Garden, and not for the first time, contemplated jumping over the side.  He had tried, once, but it had been useless.  The wristlets forbade him to cause himself any serious harm.  When he'd tried to jump, his limbs had become heavy, like weights, and he couldn't move.

      It was not just leaping from high places.  The wristlets forbade him to take his own life, or hurt himself in such a way that he would die without help.  One time, he had hidden his knife from dinner in his tunic and had later tried to slit his own throat.  But as soon as he'd held the knife with the intent of hurting himself, he'd become horribly, physically ill.  The pain and nausea had been unbearable, and he'd spent nearly two hours whimpering on the floor.  The pain had faded, eventually, but the nausea had remained.  Archer, the then One Engaged, had found him at that point.  But instead of beating him, Archer had carried him to bed to rest and had given him something soothing for his stomach.

      "Under normal circumstances, I'd consider punishing you for this...but I think you've been punished enough."

      It was then that Hiei had begun to realize that he had no way of escaping Tenrai.  Ever.

      And then...he'd stopped fighting.

      The Duelists still fought to win him, but he didn't particularly care anymore.  He didn't care who won, didn't care whether they beat him or treated him kindly, and didn't care whether they had sex with him or not.  Eventually, he came to realize that with the wristlets on, he was no longer a person - he was a possession.  He had nothing of his own.  His clothes were gifts from the Council - he hadn't bought them.  He had no room - he stayed with whomever the One Engaged happened to be, unless the champion sent him elsewhere.

      But as the same time as being a piece of property, he was a *valuable* piece of property.  One that might one day bring Tenrai their Miracle.  So, he was not a slave.  Not his own person, but far from a slave.  He was allowed to wander about freely, provided he got permission first.  He was safe from any assaults in the city - it was forbidden for lesser demons to touch the Honor Bound.  And they let him have the Garden, the most peaceful and beautiful part of Tenrai.

      "Come away from the edge.  You might fall."

      Yusuke's voice, Hiei realized.  Yusuke had followed him... "I won't fall," he replied softly, to himself.  "I'm not allowed to."  But he did as Yusuke asked, backing away from the edge and turning to face the One Engaged.

      Yes, he hadn't particularly cared what the Duelists did to him, and he'd given up all hope of ever escaping Tenrai...until Yusuke had appeared.  The chances of Yusuke making a trip to Tenrai and becoming a Duelist - much less the One Engaged - were just unbelievable.  Hiei didn't want to keep Yusuke from Keiko, but...when Yusuke had scattered Chiran's rose petals...Hiei had been convinced that there was at least one god still watching over him.  "Yusuke-sama...?"

      Yusuke scuffed his foot against the grass.  "Hiei, look...I..." Hiei remained silent, patiently waiting the man out.  "...I was just shocked, that's all.  I didn't mean to yell at you or...shove you."

      "I've had worse, Yusuke-sama," he offered quietly.  /Much, much worse.../ "You had every right to act the way you did."

      "Don't make excuses for me."

      "If--"

      "And don't say, 'If that's what you want'."

      Hiei tried hard not to smile.  Yusuke was so unlike any other Duelist.  But then...Yusuke was so unlike anyone he'd ever met... "Yusuke-sama...if I may ask...what are you going to do now?"

      "What do you mean?"

      Hiei swallowed.  "Now that you know... As long as we are bound, you're stuck here.  You can't go home unless you leave me behind."

      "I know."  Yusuke's voice was full of regret.  It tore at Hiei's heart.

      So he just said it.  "Go back home, Yusuke."  When the man widened his eyes in shock, Hiei went on.  "Go home to Keiko... I'll..." He averted his eyes.  "I'll be fine on my own."  He didn't have much longer, anyway, and it wasn't like Yusuke would be able to find a way to save him in time.

      "No."

      Hiei snapped his head back to stare at the man.  "Yusuke, you have to return to Keiko.  She'll be worried about you and--"

      "No.  I won't leave unless you can come, too.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I am *not* leaving you behind.  There is a way out of this - we just haven't found it yet.  And I'll stay as the One Engaged until we do - no matter how long it takes."

      /"No matter how long it takes"?  Oh, Yusuke... You have no idea.../ "Yusuke-sama, please don't do this for me... Please...go back to Keiko.  She needs you more than I."

      "No.  I'm not leaving without you.  The subject is closed."

      Hiei opened his mouth, but then shut it without saying a word.  Part of him was happy, and another part sad.  Yusuke wanted to stay with him, but on the other hand, Yusuke just didn't know how futile his efforts would be...

      "Aren't you cold?"

      The sudden change of topics caught him off-guard.  He frowned.  Questions like that always confused him.  He was never certain how to answer.  Should he be honest - and trouble the One Engaged - or lie and thus be disobedient?  Finally, he decided to tell the simple truth.  "Yes."

      Yusuke held out his hand.  "Then will you come back inside with me?"

      For a moment, Hiei almost said, "If that's what you want."  But he stopped himself in time, and settled for, "All right."

      Yusuke motioned for him to start walking, and Hiei fell into step beside him, as Yusuke preferred him to walk.  As they made their way through the Garden, Yusuke took off his coat and tried to drape it over Hiei's shoulders.

      Hiei inched a little further away.  "No, Yusuke-sama - you need that.  You'll catch a chill if you take it off."

      Yusuke shook his head.  "You need it more.  You're going to catch a cold."

      "Forgive me for correcting you, Yusuke-sama, but...you don't catch the common cold from the cold..."

      "I know that - but it *can* weaken your immune system, and thus makes you more susceptible to illness."

      /...He's right.../ Still, Hiei shook his head.  "No, Yusuke-sama.  I can't accept it - not if you don't get one."

      Yusuke paused for a moment, and then decided, "Fine.  We'll both wear it."

      It took Hiei a moment to register what had been said.  By the time he did, Yusuke had draped the coat over both of their shoulders.  The coat wasn't overly large, and so they suddenly found themselves pressed closely together.  "We can't walk like this, Yusuke-sama..." Hiei protested faintly.  They'd likely trip over each other's feet...

      "Sure we can," Yusuke insisted.  "Let's make it a challenge, hm?  Let's see if we can make it back to the temple like this."

      Hiei couldn't really say he was fond of that idea... "We'll probably end up falling all the way down the stairs, Yusuke-sama..."

      "Not if we go slowly and carefully.  Here," he put an arm around Hiei's waist and held him close, "this'll help steady us.  Put your arm around me, too."

      Hiei did as he was asked, and with their free hands they held each of their sides of the coat so that it remained on their shoulders.  The first few steps were awkward, and they uttered "I'm sorry" more than once when they stepped on each other's feet.  By the time they reached the foot of the stairs, they had more or less learned to walk as one.

      "Now the real challenge," Yusuke declared, staring at the long, winding staircase before them.

      "What's the reward if we do make it?" Hiei wondered.

      "Well...since you think we can't make it, I guess we'll make it a kind of bet."  Yusuke smiled at him.  "If we don't make it, I'll take you out to the market tomorrow and buy you a gift."

      /A gift?/  "What kind of gift?" he couldn't help but ask.

      "Anything you want."

      /The only thing I want is my freedom.../ he thought, but all he said was, "You're far too kind to me, Yusuke-sama... And if you win this 'bet'?"

      "If we make it...I'll tell you what I want."

      Hiei swallowed.  Surely Yusuke didn't mean... /Why wouldn't he?/ he thought wryly.  /They all do, eventually... Because they can.  Even if they have lovers already...it is their right, and they are entitled to it.../ Yusuke was extremely loyal to Keiko, though... /But it wouldn't be bad,/ Hiei realized.  /If Yusuke is just as gentle in bed as he is...now.../

      It took twice as long to go down as it had to come up, but they reached the bottom of the long staircase without incident.  They'd made it.  Yusuke had won their...bet.  Hiei cast the One Engaged a sidelong glance and raised an eyebrow.

      "...We did it...Yusuke-sama."

      "Yep," the raven-haired man acknowledged.  "So we did... Now, then...here's what I want."  He punctuated the statement by giving Hiei's waist a tight squeeze.

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