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Disclaimer: Sue me. Please? I’ve been trying to get rid if these college textbooks for months… Notes: At the end. Feedback: I wuv C&C. Flame me if you want – see if I care. Warnings: shounen ai, het, “alternate” pairing. *…* emphasis /…/ thought - Part Seven - Rose and Release … … … How alike we four are… We all love, but are forbidden to love the one we choose… It seems there are consequences for all matters of the heart… …though some are more dire than others… … … … The ride home had been long and difficult, but at least there had been no danger. Enbui 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. Enbui 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. Enbui 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 Enbui 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.” Enbui 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, Enbui was ready to hang it on his wall and leave it there. “What’s wrong?” Tavram inquired. “I’m just thinking,” Enbui 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 Enbui’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, Enbui 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. Enbui’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. Enbui 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. “Xenia,” he called. The figure froze. She remained very still for a few moments before slowly turning around, still on her knees. Her blue eyes widened, and she took a deep, shuddering breath. “En…bui…?” Enbui nodded, lifting his arms in a weak “here I am” gesture. He couldn’t take his eyes off of Xenia. It had only been half a year, but it felt like eons since they’d seen each other… “It’s me,” he declared. Xenia scrambled to her feet and jumped down the dais, sprinting down the carpet and leaping into his arms. Enbui caught her, stumbling backwards from the force of the tackle. He tightened his arms around the smaller body and lowered Xenia to the ground. They hugged for only a few seconds, as Xenia soon struggled free. She took Enbui’s face in her hands and stroked his cheeks. “You’re back,” she murmured, almost sounding shocked. Her hands took hold of the helmet and Enbui didn’t protest when Xenia removed it and tossed it aside. He remained still as Xenia traced every contour of his face with soft fingers, letting her explore. He smiled apologetically when Xenia ran fingers through his dirty, oily hair, realizing that he was filthy, and no doubt staining the pure white cloth Xenia was wearing. “I’m sorry. I suppose I should have bathed before coming to see you, but… I couldn’t wait.” Xenia paused, glancing down at the muddy boots, the torn breeches, the blood-stained diamond vest…and then she embraced Enbui again, pressing her cheek against Enbui’s chest. “Bastard,” she spat. Enbui gently took hold of Xenia’s shoulders. “Xenia…?” “Six months, Enbui… 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…” “Xenia, I--” “Shut up. Just shut up and hold me.” So Enbui squeezed her tight, resting his face in the crook of Xenia’s neck. And he realized that he was home; he was back, safe and sound. He choked out a relieved whimper and tilted Xenia’s head up. Their lips had nearly touched when they paused, and Enbui 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,” Xenia breathed. “Don’t call out to the gods, or they shall turn their attentions to you.” She drew away and took Enbui’s hand. “Come,” she urged, and then they took off together deeper into the temple. Xenia led them to her quarters in the building, pulling him inside and shutting the door. Enbui nearly lost his footing as he was released, and gained his balance as he heard Xenia lock the door behind them. He turned back to stare at the smaller demon, who stood with her back to the door, arms behind her. “When…” Xenia stopped to swallow, “…When must you go back?” “Sundown,” Enbui 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,” Enbui assured her, striding closer and lifting a hand to brush flakes of dried blood from Xenia’s cheek. “We have more than enough time.” He fussed with the white shirt and cloak, working around Xenia’s hands as the other unbuttoned his shirt. Since Enbui 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, Enbui lowered his arms so Xenia could finish opening his shirt. When the fabric was tugged apart, however, Xenia froze. It only took a second for Enbui to register what she’d seen, and followed Xenia’s gaze to the numerous scars on his chest and stomach. “Are they ugly?” he asked quietly. “No…but…” Xenia 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…” Xenia ignored the other marks and went immediately to the puncture near the center of his chest. Enbui closed his eyes in the face of Xenia’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 Xenia’s features had paled. “But it’s healed. Don’t worry… There’s no danger.” Xenia traced the stab wound with shaky fingers. “Another inch… Another inch…and…” And then Xenia 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. “Xenia,” Enbui mumbled around the kiss, “are you sure you want to? I haven’t bathed in three days…” “So I smell,” Xenia commented. “But I don’t care…I don’t care. You don’t smell *that* bad…and it’s your *clothes* that are dirty…” “If you say so--” “Hurry…” Xenia pleaded, helping Enbui shrug out of his shirt and discard Blood Soaked. “We only have until sundown…” Enbui moaned and swept Xenia up into his arms. He carried the smaller demon swiftly to the bed and settled her 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?” Xenia 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.” Xenia 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?” Enbui swallowed. “I’ve been away… I didn’t know if…you’d changed your mind…” Xenia smiled again, a real smile, and touched Enbui’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,” Enbui agreed. “I missed you so badly it hurt…” “There’s no one else here, Enbui. 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 Xenia’s forehead, murmured a soft vow of love, and then bent to accomplish the third item on his list. … … … Forbidden love… It is, at best, a complicated situation… When you love another soul with every ounce of your being… …how do you refrain from letting the world know… …what your lover means to you…? Keeping silent all those years… …one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done… But I loved her enough to keep my devotion a secret… …because I knew what would become of her if I didn’t… But I had no idea… …how powerless I really was… When she needed me… I… … … … “Parry. “Thrust. “Weave. “Stab!” Enbui smiled as he completed the last of his round of exercises. He was a little out of breath, seeing as how it was early morning. But then, Xenia hadn’t been easy on him, either. He shifted his gaze to his younger lover. “Was that to your liking, fire of my heart?” Xenia smiled back from her post by one of the trees. Her arms were folded and she was leaning against the trunk. “I’m lucky,” she sighed. “You’re the greatest swordsman in the nation, and you’re mine.” “So does that mean I performed well?” “Very well,” Xenia assured him. “Your skills have improved, even after all this time…” “There’s always time to improve, love. I only hope there is no longer any need for us to be called to arms.” He ran his finger along the edge of Blood Soaked’s blade. “This has seen its share of bloodshed.” “Tavram chose its name well,” Xenia commented. Enbui swallowed, holding up the blade to catch the morning sun’s rays. “He suggested it after the first battle… I didn’t know how fitting the name would become…” How many had died by that blade? The aim of many of the battles had been to take prisoners, not to kill. However, there had been many instances where either Enbui or his opponent would walk away alive…and Enbui was not ready to make the Final Journey, yet. Xenia stared at the sword for a moment before she made the offer. “I could unmake it, if you like. It has served its…purpose…” Enbui thought about it. “No,” he decided. “No, I shall keep it. There may come a time when it must be used to defend. But *only* to defend,” he added. “Never to murder.” “The time may not come for awhile yet,” Xenia replied. “The Law has been passed. There is to be no violence, magic is no longer permitted to make weaponry…” “There are no cutpurses about any longer, either,” Enbui noted. “No.” Xenia smiled. “We make sure of that.” “Just what *do* you do to them?” Enbui inquired with an evil grin. “I’ve seen one being brought in… Whatever you all did, he looked like he’d been kissed by the beasts of the Inferno when he came out…” Xenia hid another smile behind her hand. “That’s for us to know, Enbui…” “You won’t tell me?” “No, my blademaster. I’m afraid not.” Enbui grinned and brandished Blood Soaked. “Would it be possible for me to make you tell?” “I doubt it.” “May I try?” “If you like.” Enbui gave his lover a feral grin and lunged for her. Xenia chuckled and moved away, and Enbui chased her around the tiny clearing. Neither of them had very far to go, so their “chase” consisted mainly of laughter and running around in circles. It ended when Enbui managed to seize the white fabric of Xenia’s cloak and pull her backwards against his chest. He put one arm around her waist and with the other brought Blood Soaked up near her neck. For an enemy, the position would have meant danger, if not imminent death. As it was, they both knew that Enbui would never raise a weapon against Xenia. “Caught you,” Enbui whispered. Xenia sighed and dropped her head back against Enbui’s shoulder. “So you did. How helpless I am… No match for you…” “So will you tell me?” “No.” Enbui feigned a hurt expression. “Your will is too strong. It seems I cannot bend it.” His lover chuckled, closing a hand on the wrist that held the sword. “Enbui…are you sure you don’t want me to unmake it?” Enbui kissed Xenia’s temple. “I’d rather you unmake *me*…” he whispered. The shorter demon tipped her head up to smile at him. “Is that so…? I think I could oblige…” Enbui brushed his lips against Xenia’s cheek, smiling when the other demon turned her head away, silently asking for him to pay attention to her neck. Enbui granted the request, trailing soft kisses down the column of skin, ending each one with a touch of his tongue. Xenia reached up to lock her arms around Enbui’s neck, a soft sigh escaping her lips as Enbui wormed his free hand into the folds of Xenia’s cloak. Had they not been accustomed to being cautious, he might not have heard the leaves crunch under boots in the distance. /Damn,/ he hissed mentally. Quickly, Enbui relaxed his hold into something far less intimate, and Xenia gripped Blood Soaked with both of her hands. Enbui closed his hands over Xenia’s, and they positioned themselves in a basic stance. “And this,” he began, “is a good position to begin in--” “*There* you are, Enbui.” He looked up and smiled. “The day’s greeting to you, Tavram. You’re up early.” “You’re up *earlier*,” his friend retorted with a grin. “What are you doing here at this time of morning? And you, Chosen,” he added, bowing his head to Xenia. Xenia’s back was against Enbui, but he could hear the pleasant smile in the younger demon’s words. “Sir Enbui was kind enough to teach me a little of the sword.” “Is that so?” Tavram mused with a grin. He winked at Enbui. “Spreading your wisdom, Sir Enbui?” He bowed his head in mock shame. “Well, I’d like to be sure that my technique shall be passed on when I’m gone.” “Well, when your lesson is finished, I am planning a fishing trip. Would you like to come?” “Fishing?” Enbui echoed. “Since when, my friend, do you fish?” “I don’t,” his companion chuckled. “But now that the war is over, I’ll be damned if I don’t start. And I’d like to leave by midmorning,” he added. “So, would you like to join me?” “I’d be delighted,” he replied. “I don’t have anything planned for today. Just give me an hour to finish here, and I’ll meet you at your house.” “Sounds fine to me. I have a few things to take care of before we leave, anyway.” Tavram gave them a little wave as he turned and started back the way he come. “A good day to you, Chosen. Enbui, I’ll see you later.” “Good day to you, Sir Tavram,” Xenia called, already leaning further into Enbui’s hold. They waited until the other soldier was long gone, and then Xenia turned in the embrace to give him a small smile. Enbui returned it. “Sword lessons, hm?” “What would you have said?” “Oh, it wasn’t a criticism, love… Quite the contrary. Though I’ll admit, secluded as this place is, we should have known better.” Xenia shrugged one shoulder. “True…but sometimes, my hero, you make me forget myself entirely.” “I can’t say I regret having that ability…” Enbui took a quick glance to make sure no one was around, and then bent to brush his lips over Xenia’s. “We’ve an hour.” “Should we continue with my…lesson?” “Well… Your stance seems all right…so now we’ll move on to the actual…sword-handling.” “I’m ready when you are.” … … … So careful, we were… …but could never be careful enough… We were so in love that… …there were times when we wanted to… …to make a public proclamation of our union… If I’d only known… I would have kept my hands off of her… Everything happens for a reason… …but the gods have yet to tell me the reason it did… … … … “Enbui! Enbui!” He heard Tavram’s voice well before the fist started beating against his door. Enbui sprang from his chair, abandoning dinner, and leapt to admit his friend. Tavram was sopping wet; the rains hadn’t stopped since the early evening, and it seemed as though they wouldn’t until morning. “What’s going on?” he demanded. “Why the panic?” Tavram rubbed his nose and took a deep breath before he began. “The Guard has been summoned, Enbui. They…they thought I should be the one to tell you…” His heart skipped a beat, but he waited – however impatiently – for Tavram to go on. “The High Priest did…whatever it is he does…and…Xenia…” Xenia? “What about her?” “Enbui…I know she’s practically family to you, but…” Tavram winced as he made the announcement. “The temple has discovered that Xenia is not a virgin.” This time, Enbui’s heart stopped. “What?” he breathed. “Apparently
she’s been having an affair with some unknown townsman.”
His friend looked immensely reluctant to be delivering the news, but he
didn’t stumble through his speech. “They’re
after her. The Guard has been
summoned to…” “…To kill her.” Enbui felt numb. Tavram nodded. “I’m sorry, Enbui… I know how you feel about her--” /No, you don’t, my friend… No, you don’t…./ “--but the penalty for such an act is death. Celibacy is expected among the Chosen. Xenia knew that when she became one.” /I know… Oh, Triton, I know…/ Tavram swallowed. “Enbui…you have to go, too. One of the other soldiers actually suggested that *you* were Xenia’s lover… I argued on your behalf, you know. I know she’s like family to you, but--” “I’m coming,” Enbui interrupted, moving away from the door to make a quick run around his house. He took a moment to put on a cloak and grab Blood Soaked, and then joined his friend out in the rain. “Any idea where she went?” “No clue at all. She…” Tavram swallowed again. “When they confronted her, she…she attacked them and fled.” /Oh, gods…/ “We’ll split up, then. We should all be able to cover more ground.” “Done.” Tavram gave him a two-fingered salute and moved to start down an alley. “And, Enbui,” he called over his shoulder, “be careful.” And then he was gone. Enbui wasted no time. He wrapped his cloak tighter around himself and took off into the night, trying to remember all of the places where Xenia might be. /Please, gods, let me be the one to find her first… Where would she…? Maybe…/ “The alley behind the inn in the Outer City,” Enbui muttered to himself. It was really the farthest one could get from the temple, and besides…it had been where he and Xenia had first laid eyes on each other, all those years ago… /This is all my fault… Because she and I…/ He grunted in frustration and quickened his pace, tearing through the streets as quickly as he could. It seemed as though the townspeople had decided to remain indoors for the night. /Just as well./ But when he reached his destination, he found that he hadn’t been the only soldier with an idea of Xenia’s whereabouts. One of the others – perhaps Rangor, by the looks of things – was already there…and so was Xenia. And… Enbui gasped. “Xenia, don’t!” But Xenia did. As the soldier – it *was* Rangor – turned in the act of drawing his sword at the sound of Enbui’s voice, Xenia raised her right hand. Enbui shook his head wildly as the ball of light began to form, and then Xenia swung her hand downward. Enbui turned away and covered his eyes, knowing what was coming. He’d seen Xenia call lightning before. He didn’t have to see to know what it would look like. The golden, jagged streak of magical electricity would move quicker than the eye could see, seeking out its target to travel through to the ground… When the heat faded, Enbui turned back to view the damage. Rangor’s body was very still now, tendrils of smoke rising from both his skin and his clothes… /Oh, gods…/ He hoped that the spell, despite its unusual color, would be dismissed as an element of the storm. He looked farther past Rangor’s smoking corpse. Xenia was leaning against the wall of the alley, staring at her hands. Enbui ran to her. “Xenia!” Xenia didn’t answer at first. Enbui stood in front of her, very close to her, and for a moment wondered if perhaps Xenia would attack him, too. “…Xenia?” “Enbui…I’ve… Before tonight, I’ve never…I’ve never used magic as a weapon before…” Enbui looked down, and noticed that Xenia’s right hand was shaking. He grasped it with his left and squeezed it tight. “He’s dead.” “I know…” Xenia nodded. “But he was going to kill me, and I didn’t want…” He stopped to swallow. “…I didn’t want to die without seeing you again.” Enbui tightened his grip on Xenia’s hand. “How did this happen? How?” “I tried to avoid it…” Xenia lowered her head. “You know how, every year, the High Priest selects two Chosen to see which is worthy enough to study under him…to learn how to Speak with the gods?” Enbui gaped. “He picked you?” “He did… I tried to refuse, but there was no one else with the potential.” Xenia enclosed Enbui’s hand in both of hers and held it close to her heart. “I hoped he wouldn’t be able to tell…but… When the High Priest Scanned me to feel my abilities…he just…knew. I committed one of the ultimate sins, Enbui…” “And it’s all my fault,” Enbui choked out. He rested his forehead on Xenia’s shoulder. “It’s because of me that this is happening…” “No. Enbui…I brought this upon myself. I was the one who seduced you, remember?” Xenia turned her head to kiss Enbui’s ear, and then whisper in it. “I knew the consequences…but I knew I loved you enough to chance it.” Enbui wrapped his free arm around his shorter lover. “Is it so wrong, what we have together? Would Triton truly be so enraged because one of his Chosen found love?” “It is not Triton to whom we must answer,” Xenia replied quietly. “Though I suspect I will be given a chance to do so after I pass through Reikai. …Enbui, tonight alone I have been accused – and rightly so – of having intimate relations despite my status, I have fled from justice, attacked several priests and guards, and I have just killed one of the Honor Guard. Just the first is reason enough for them to kill me.” “No--” “They don’t know that you’re my lover, do they?” “…No.” “Good.” Enbui drew away and seized Xenia’s arm, still gripping Blood Soaked in his right hand. “This…this isn’t fair.” It sounded childish, perhaps, but it was the only sentence that would come. “Life’s just…not fair!” Xenia gave him a sad smile. “I found that out when it granted me the potential to be a Chosen, and then gave me you.” “Xenia--” “There! There they are!” /No…/ They turned their heads toward the voice, and Enbui’s heart sank when he saw the crowd gathering at the mouth of the alley. As he’d feared, Xenia’s lightning spell had probably announced their location. “Enbui!” one of his comrades called. “Well done!” “Stay back!” he shouted immediately. “It’s safer over there!” One of the others took a step forward. “But--” “I said, stay *back*!” “Are you sure--?” Tavram moved to bar their way. “He said to stay back!” /Thank you, my friend…/ “Enbui.” He turned his head back to Xenia. “…Please don’t say it.” “Do it, Enbui.” Xenia bit her lip. “Don’t drag yourself to Hell with me… Please…” “No.” “You’re still safe. They don’t know we’re involved… Please keep it that way, for your own sake.” “I won’t--” “Enbui, if you love me…don’t die for me.” “I…” He glanced back at the rest of the Honor Guard. Tavram appeared to be having a hard time keeping them still. “I…” He glanced back at Xenia. “But, I…” He felt his right arm moving, and realized that Xenia had moved his sword to position the tip over her heart. Enbui shook his head. “…And if you love me…please make it quick.” “What the hell is he waiting for?” he heard one of the soldiers wonder, and several others echoed him with similar remarks. He ignored them all. He felt the tears well up in his eyes, and noticed that Xenia’s eyes were watery, as well. His grip on his hilt tightened further yet as he prepared to do something he swore he’d never do. He took a deep breath, Xenia mouthed, “I love you” and closed her eyes… …And then Enbui drove Blood Soaked into his lover’s heart. They fell together; Enbui dropped to his knees and pulled Xenia into his arms even as the shorter demon coughed and sputtered blood during her last dying breaths. Enbui ignored the sounds, just as he ignored the abundance of red blood that spilled from the wound as he removed his sword. He tossed the weapon aside and wrapped his arms around his lover’s corpse, burying his face in Xenia’s wet hair. He burst into tears as he heard the footsteps coming closer, and soon the other members of the Honor Guard surrounded him. No one spoke directly to him, but the murmurs and whispers began immediately. “…Must have been hard for him…” “…I don’t think I could have done that…” “…Why didn’t Xenia attack him…?” “…She was like a sister to him, you know…” /No… We weren’t siblings… We were more… We were so much more…/ … … … If there’d only been a way… …to atone for my sins… To atone for the corruption… To atone for the seduction… To atone for the murder… …of a beautiful, innocent maiden… …This is your purpose for being here. The Rose Signet… ~*~ When consciousness returned, Yusuke became aware of three things. The first being that he wasn’t hurt, the second being that he was lying in a crumpled heap on the floor. The third thing he became aware of was the body in his arms. /Hiei?/ He opened his eyes and sighed in relief when Hiei appeared to be unhurt. The fire demon awakened at the same moment, and tightened his grip on Yusuke’s shirt. “Yusuke,” he sighed, “thank you gods…” Yusuke swallowed and started to sit up. Hiei copied him, and then they discovered that they were still a little dizzy. They struggled to their knees and remained there for several minutes, leaning against each other for support. When the dizziness faded, they staggered to their feet, still tangled in each other’s arms. “Are you all right?” they asked at the same time. “Yeah,” Yusuke replied, just as Hiei said, “As well as can be expected.” Yusuke managed a grin. “I guess that means we’re okay, then.” He glanced around at their surroundings. Not much could be seen. There were candles burning along the walls, but they were but small, flickering flames. “Did we…make it?” Hiei asked. “Are we--” “--Inside the Hall of Engagement,” a disembodied voice finished. “Yes.” The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but Yusuke couldn’t put his finger on it. He and Hiei turned in circles, searching for its source, but found nothing. “Who…is that?” Yusuke muttered. “I am the one who must welcome you to the Hall of Engagement, the place where Miracles are granted to those who have met the requirements.” Yusuke frowned and tightened his grip around Hiei. “So this is really it? The Hall of Engagement?” He swallowed. “We made it? Hiei is the one?” “Would you be here if he wasn’t?” Yusuke opened his mouth, but paused. The voice had a point. He opened his mouth again, but said nothing when he felt Hiei start to tremble. Concerned, he shifted his gaze to the demon in his arms and rubbed his back. “Hiei, are you all right?” A moment later he realized that Hiei was laughing – laughter that had a touch of hysteria added to it. “Hiei?” Yusuke called, shaking him. “Hiei, what’s wrong?” “Wrong?” Hiei echoed between cackles. “Nothing’s wrong, Yusuke… I… I just… I…” He laughed harder and sagged against Yusuke’s body. “Oh… Of all the fucking…” Yusuke lowered them both back to the ground. He cradled Hiei close, rocking him like he was a baby, whispering soothing nothings in his ear over and over again. It didn’t take long for Hiei to quiet down, but he remained in Yusuke’s arms, resting his face in Yusuke’s chest. “And now, you see one of the requirements.” Yusuke looked up and raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” “Love,” the voice said simply. Yusuke gaped. “Wai--” “Deny it if you wish, but it is Truth. You wouldn’t have been allowed here otherwise. Do you deny?” “I deny nothing,” Hiei muttered into Yusuke’s coat. “I deny nothing…” Yusuke swallowed, feeling terrible. He turned his head and kissed Hiei’s cheek again and again. “Hiei,” he muttered between smooches, “I swear…if I didn’t have Keiko… I…” Hiei buried his face in Yusuke’s neck and hugged him. “I deny nothing,” he said again. “I *do* love you. I do, and I’m sorry. I know that you and Keiko… But I can’t change how I feel…” “Why can’t I have both of you?” Yusuke whispered, rubbing his face in Hiei’s hair. “Is it wrong to love two people equally?” “It is not wrong,” the voice replied, “but it can come with…complications.” Yusuke stood, drawing Hiei with him. “So who are you?” “I am the master of the Hall of Engagement. And I must say, congratulations on being the first pair to admitted to the Hall.” “But we’re both outsiders,” Yusuke pointed out. “So you are – but that has little to do with it.” “And you,” Hiei uttered. “Is it you who makes the Miracles?” “That depends on whether or not you pass the trial.” “How do you make a Miracle?” Yusuke asked. “That, you cannot know. If a mortal knew how to make miracles…there would be no miracles.” Yusuke brushed a hand through the hair at Hiei’s nape as he asked the next question. “…Are you a god?” The voice chuckled. “No, Yusuke. No, I am far from a god. The gods…turned their backs on Tenrai long ago.” “But they’re so pious,” Hiei spoke up. “Maru and the other High Priests are taught to Speak with the gods…and the whole nation follows the will of Triton’s teachings…” “Pacifism?” the voice mused. “Hiei, pacifism did not come directly of Triton’s commands. The Law forbidding violence except in the defense of one’s own life was passed a week after the War of Succession, after the fall of the monarchy and the rise of the theocracy.” Yusuke bit his lip. “Why did the gods ‘turn their backs’ on Tenrai?” The speaker was silent for a few moments. “The people did…many things that displeased the Heavens.” “Like wha--?” “But that is not your purpose for being here. You are here to take the trial.” Of course. That was the whole purpose of the Duel, wasn’t it? To earn the right to enter the Hall and accept the challenge to win the Miracle. And…that’s what they had done; they were inside the Hall, and… Yusuke nodded. “So…?” “So what is your purpose for being here?” “You just said it… We’re here to take the trial.” “That’s what you’re *here* for, but what is your *purpose* for being here?” “It’s the sa--” /No, wait…/ “This is your purpose for being here.” Yusuke held up his right hand, fingering the ring with his thumbnail. “The Rose Signet.” “Done.” And then the chamber they were in lit up…but not with candles. The candles that had been burning flickered out, and in their place, soft pink Rose Signet symbols along the walls illuminated. The chamber suddenly looked like a church with stained glass windows, and Yusuke could see more of it. The Hall of Engagement looked very much like a hall, it was silver, and was now glowing faintly pink. “We will begin the trial. Look behind you.” Yusuke and Hiei turned as one. They were, Yusuke saw, nearly upon the stairs of a dais. There was an altar atop it, with…with two… “Take the swords,” the voice ordered, “and the trial will begin.” It was then that Yusuke realized he no longer had Blood Soaked with him. A quick glance at the blades offered proved that the sword was not among them. He dismissed it as something to be dealt with after, and glanced at Hiei. The fire demon raised an eyebrow. “…I’m ready if you are.” “Let’s go, then.” They climbed the stairs together. Yusuke stared at the weapons the anonymous voice was offering them. Each was a fine blade, long and thin, but no doubt sharp. Both hilts were black, but one was encrusted with rubies and the other sapphires. Next to each was a pure white rose. Yusuke picked the ruby sword. Hiei reached for his more slowly, hesitantly, as though he was expecting it to bite him. But he picked it up, and then the voice spoke again. “Now pin the roses to your clothing.” /Why?/ Yusuke wondered. He and Hiei exchanged glances, but complied. It felt a little strange for him to be pinning his own rose; up until now, Hiei had been doing it for him. “Now return to the center of the room,” the voice commanded when they were finished. “Stand several feet away from one another.” “But why?” Yusuke asked as they returned to their initial position. “What does this have to do with the trial?” “This is the trial,” the voice said. “You are here for Miracles, are you not?” “I suppose…” “What greater gift is there than one’s freedom?” Yusuke noticed Hiei shift uncomfortably, and raised an eyebrow at his friend. “What do you mean?” “Do you not think that the Honor Bound – the people who have suffered during their time bearing the title – are the ones who deserve the Miracles?” Yusuke and Hiei exchanged confused glances. “What are you getting at?” “This will be the final Duel,” the speaker pronounced. “The One Engaged shall Duel with the Honor Bound. If the Honor Bound wins, he will be granted his Miracles and his freedom, and the One Engaged shall return to Tenrai, and take his place as Honor Bound.” /*What*?/ “But that means that this is some never-ending circle!” Yusuke cried. “I thought that the Duel was supposed to end once the Miracles were given!” “You will Duel, or you will both forfeit. Choose wisely; freedom hangs in the balance.” Yusuke bit his lip again. “But…we’ve been a team… We got here *together*…” “Why do we have to fight?” Hiei asked quietly. “I don’t want to fight you, Yusuke.” “You will Duel, or you will both forfeit. Choose wisely; freedom hangs in the balance.” Yusuke swallowed. “I…” /I don’t want to fight Hiei…but I don’t want to be Honor Bound… Can I even *be* Honor Bound?/ Hiei scuffed his foot against the tiles and held his sword up. “I don’t want to fight you…but I don’t want to be Honor Bound.” His blade shook a little, and he tightened his grip on its hilt. “…I want my freedom.” Yusuke swallowed again and raised his own blade. He didn’t want to fight, but he didn’t want to be Honor Bound, either. He touched his blade to Hiei’s, signifying that he was ready when his friend was. Hiei had apparently *been* ready. As soon as the metals touched, the fire demon used his sword and knocked Yusuke’s to the side. Yusuke followed and exhaled sharply when Hiei shoved his back, causing him to stumble. Trying to recall every lesson Hiei had given him over the last few weeks, Yusuke turned and planted his feet in a solid stance, bringing his sword up to parry Hiei’s next blow, and the next, and the next, and the… “Wristlets giving you trouble?” he asked, only a mild undertone of sarcasm in his voice. Hiei replied as he danced around Yusuke to attack him from the other side. “No. They’re like regular pieces of jewelry now, Yusuke.” Yusuke turned with him to defend himself. “You mean you--” “--Could just flit around and knock your sword away…? Yes. But I won’t do that.” /You might not *need* to,/ Yusuke thought, side-stepping to try and get at Hiei’s rose. It seemed as though swordplay was like riding a bicycle; once you learned how to do it, you never forgot. They danced around the large chamber, the only sounds being the small noises they made, and the clanging of their swords as they collided. And while Yusuke managed to deal at least *some* blows, the majority of the battle consisted of him defending himself against Hiei’s advances. There was an old saying he’d heard once… /Once the student knows more than the teacher, it’s time for the teacher to retire./ However, it was evident that Yusuke’s teacher wasn’t anywhere near retirement. Yusuke tried to remember each and every tip Hiei had given him about parrying and dodging, about when to attack and when to defend…but it was much harder to fight the person who had taught him all those things – especially since Hiei still knew much more than he did. He did manage to bring his blade up, forming the shield across his body – the movement Hiei had constantly drilled him on – in time to stop Hiei’s lunge for his rose. He used his sword to push Hiei’s away, and then tried delivering a strike of his own. Hiei side-stepped and Yusuke struggled to regain his footing as he stumbled by. He cursed when Hiei pushed his back hard with both hands, sending him tumbling to the floor. He rolled in time to bring his sword up and block another strike, and he noted that Hiei may have been taking the Duel *too* seriously; he’d been about to attack Yusuke from *behind*. Yusuke tried to hold Hiei’s blade back, but since Hiei was standing and Yusuke sitting, Yusuke was at a disadvantage. One of his hands was on the floor, bracing him, and the other holding his sword and keeping Hiei’s at bay. So…he moved his leg and kicked Hiei’s shin. Hiei yelped and backpedaled. Yusuke took the opportunity to get to his feet, but he had only a moment of freedom before Hiei was on him again. Yusuke managed to parry the flurry of strikes and slashes Hiei dealt, but the kick to the stomach caught him completely off-guard. He doubled over, and then grunted as Hiei shoved him. He was flung to the floor again, the back of his head cracking painfully against the wall he hit. Yusuke flinched as the tip of Hiei’s blade was suddenly in his face, an inch or so from his left eye. He tried drawing farther back into the wall, but was afraid to even blink. Hiei’s face was devoid of any expression, and Yusuke kept his eyes on it as the fire demon lowered his sword so that the tip was level with the rose on Yusuke’s coat. /I’m sorry, Keiko…/ he thought as he squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the rose to come off, and expecting to wake up with a pair of golden bands around his wrists. Moments went by, and nothing happened. Cautiously, Yusuke opened one eye and then the other. Hiei was still standing there, only now he was no longer holding Yusuke at sword-point. His weapon was lowered, and he looked…tortured. Yusuke swallowed. “Hiei?” Why hadn’t he sliced Yusuke’s rose off? He’d certainly had the opportunity… “I won’t do it,” Hiei said softly. He stepped away from Yusuke. “How could I do such a thing to you – after all you’ve done for me?” Yusuke pushed himself up. “Hiei--” “If I were to win this Duel…I’d be free, but you’d be Honor Bound.” Hiei closed his eyes. “The Council would take your things and burn your clothes… The Duelists would touch you… They’d touch you and kiss you and hit you and…” He trailed off, and when he opened his eyes again, he looked like he wanted to cry. “I hated being Honor Bound. I hated being helpless. I hated being touched when I didn’t want to be… Why should I wish that upon anyone else? How--” He stopped to swallow, “how could I wish that upon you…?” Yusuke shook his head slowly. “But…you…” He trailed off, his eyes widening to their limits when he saw what happened next. Hiei reached up and tore off his own rose. Yusuke bounded to his feet as the white petals fluttered to the floor. “What did you do that for?!” he cried, dropping his sword and lurching forward to grab Hiei’s shoulders. “Why?” /But did you want him to beat you?/ a tiny voice asked. /No…but I didn’t want him to be Honor Bound, anymore, either…/ Gods…that sounded odd, even to himself. “I’m sorry, Yusuke,” Hiei whispered. “I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn’t have attacked you at all.” “What have you done?” Yusuke whispered back. “Now you…you’ll be Honor Bound forever…” “Better me than you… Keiko is waiting for you, remember?” /Yes, but…/ “…But I wanted you there, too.” Hiei gave him a sad smile. “Sometimes life isn’t fair.” /No… Life *isn’t* fair… It’s not fair at all… After all we’ve…/ What had he said before…? “Either we both go…or we both stay.” So he bent and kissed Hiei, almost roughly, catching the demon by surprise. But Hiei responded nonetheless, his eyelids fluttering shut. At that moment, Yusuke moved one of his hands, and ripped his own rose from his coat. Hiei heard the sound, and he broke away, shoving Yusuke back so he could see that the blossom no longer decorated Yusuke’s clothing. “Yusuke…what…?” “I told you, either we leave together, or stay together.” He made his voice as firm as he could. “What kind of man would I be,” he went on, “if I left you behind…?” He cupped Hiei’s cheek, smiling as the demon leaned into his palm. “Yusuke, you--” They jumped as bells started tolling. /There are no bells here…/ “You are right,” the voice declared. “There is no honor in leaving a loved one behind to suffer at the hands of others… Well done, both of you. You have passed the trial.” “We did?” Yusuke glanced at Hiei. The demon shrugged, looking bewildered. “Then will you show yourself?” “I’m right here.” /Huh?/ “Where?” “Right here.” Yusuke and Hiei turned back to the dais. Yusuke gaped, and from the corner of his eye, he saw Hiei do the same. “You,” he breathed, the memory of his first day in Tenrai surfacing. “It’s you…” Perched atop the altar, with one leg crossed over the other, was the demon he’d met the day he’d arrived in the nation. The long, red hair…the ice-green eyes… It was definitely him. “You!” Hiei cried, taking a step forward. “You’re from…from the night Yusuke was attacked.” Yusuke shifted his gaze from Hiei to the other demon. “*You* helped me…?” “And you’ve returned the favor,” the redheaded demon said. “…I have?” “You have. Tenfold.” The demon stood and descended the small flight of stairs. When he was on the floor with them, the height difference between them was most prominent. The redheaded demon was easily six feet tall, if not six-and-a-half. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Yusuke.” He nodded his head in Hiei’s direction. “Hiei, we’ve never met until the night before last, but I have been keeping an eye on you for a very long time…” “Who are you?” Yusuke asked. “I am Enbui.” The name sounded very familiar… “And I would like to thank you…for giving me a chance to atone.” “Atone?” Hiei echoed. “What is the purpose of the Duel?” Enbui asked as he moved past them, going to stand in the center of the chamber. Yusuke gave the answer he’d been given, “To fight for the chance to be admitted to the Hall of Engagement.” “And the purpose for entering the Hall of Engagement?” “…To be able to bring a Miracle to Tenrai.” Enbui chuckled. “So…that’s what a clever play on words earns, is it…?” Yusuke wrapped an arm around Hiei’s waist without thinking. “What do you mean?” “Let me tell you a story…” “A story?” Enbui nodded. “A sad story. Tragic, it is… “Long ago – oh, it must have been a good twenty or thirty thousand years ago by now – Tenrai wasn’t Tenrai. Rather, it was, but not the Tenrai you know. It once had a monarchy, an Honor Guard, a clergy…but most importantly, the monarchy. That is, until a scandal ended in the then king’s murder. “The King had twins, you see, and had not decided which of them would take his place. And so, the killing brought about a civil war for succession. The War of Succession lasted nearly six months, with the killing of both princes. The Temple and the noblemen decided to abolish the monarchy and instead make the Temple of Triton the center of power in Tenrai. The Law – that is, the law that prohibits violence – was passed soon after that, and so, the Tenrai you know came to form. “But while the clergy was not always in power, the Temple has always played an integral role in Tenrai’s political world, and the people have always been pious. But back in those days, in addition to the High Priest, there were the Chosen. “The Chosen were called so because of their magical Talent. Not only did they possess the ability to – unlike most pure onhi of the times – use their youki beyond creating a simple flame or drop of water, but they had affinity for many different kinds of magic. The gods had also taken a particular liking to them, for nearly all of them possessed at least a little Speaking skill. But for the most part, in a land where sorcerers were rare, it was only natural that the Chosen were seen as servants of Triton.” When Enbui paused to catch his breath, Yusuke tilted his head. “And…what does that have to do with the Duel…?” Enbui gathered some of his red locks and fingered them. “Like many religions across both the Demon and Human Worlds…those who practice and dedicate their lives to serving the gods are expected to be pure in mind and body; they are expected to love no one but Triton and the other gods.” “You mean they must remain celibate,” Hiei said. “Precisely.” Enbui winced. Yusuke exchanged another curious glance with Hiei. “So…?” “Chosen were to be celibate. They were not to engage in pleasures of the flesh, nor were they permitted to love anyone beyond the affection one would feel for a family member… “…It was…several years before the war. I was a member of the Honor Guard. Among other things, my duty was to patrol the city and deal with any disturbances. One day, during one of my rounds, I noticed a young woman struggling with a bundle of fruit and vegetables. I offered to help her, and then noticed that she wore the white robes of a Chosen, with the Rose Signet declaring her as a member of the Temple. But above all, I noticed how articulate and intelligent she was; I noticed how beautiful and elegant she was. And when I walked her back to the Temple, she gave me her name: Xenia. “I saw her many times after that, and had to admit that my attraction for the woman was growing with each passing day. What I didn’t know…was that she also had feelings for me. “One day, while I was on leave and taking the opportunity to do some hunting, I came upon a small lake, and decided to quench my thirst. When I came to the edge of the water, I noticed that…Xenia was swimming in it.” Enbui coughed. “I was about to excuse myself, but… Well, suffice to say that Xenia seduced me, and we made love on the smooth rocks just out of the water.” Yusuke blinked. /Why does…?/ “What do you mean, it’s not what she thinks? What was it to *you*?” “And that,” Enbui went on, “was only the beginning of our affair. Xenia and I fell in love, despite her status, and kept our relationship a secret. It lasted…six and a half years.” “Throughout the war, too?” Hiei asked. When Enbui nodded, Yusuke blinked again, memories of countless dreams he’d had over the weeks returning to him at full force. “Six months, Yusuke. You made me wait and worry for six months…” “I’m lucky. You’re the greatest swordsman in the nation, and you’re mine.” “Was that to your liking, fire of my heart?” “And why, my hero, would I not be willing?” “I’d rather you unmake *me*…” “Mermaids like to play.” “If you love me…don’t die for me… And if you love me…please make it quick.” “She…” Yusuke looked up into Enbui’s eyes. “…Xenia is dead…isn’t she?” The redheaded demon did nothing but nod. Nonetheless, Yusuke could sense the pain behind the gesture. “She is. She died…not long after the war. She died…the very evening the Temple found out she was sexually active. She died…because of me, in more ways than one.” Enbui strode toward them, stopping in front of Hiei. The fire demon watched warily as the taller demon reached out, stopping just shy of touching his chest. “May I?” At Hiei’s slight nod, Enbui flattened his palm, his fingers beginning to shake as the telltale aura of Blood Soaked began to manifest. Hiei inhaled shakily and wavered a little as the sword was drawn from him. “There is a reason,” Enbui murmured as the hilt appeared, “why Blood Soaked is drawn from the Honor Bound’s heart.” His hand closed around the hilt and he began to slide the sword out of Hiei’s body. “I’ve done this…once before… However, when I did it, I drew the blade from my lover’s corpse.” When Blood Soaked was drawn, Yusuke hooked his arms around Hiei to steady him. Hiei accepted the embrace and returned it. “I’m fine, Yusuke,” he whispered. Yusuke nodded, but he still didn’t let go. Enbui hefted Blood Soaked. The blade was brilliantly white, despite the darkness of the room. “This was my blade, once. It was fabricated for me by Xenia herself, for me to go to war. And on that night…I thrust it through her heart.” “You killed her,” Yusuke muttered. “I did. I loved her with every ounce of my being…and I killed her. I…make no excuse. There is no excuse for what I did. I tried to follow her into Hell, even though she had insisted I didn’t, but I also wished for a chance to atone for what I’d done. I called out to any of the gods for a chance to…Triton heard me, and He came. “Part of the Duel is my punishment, you see. A punishment I asked for, though I did not know the exact terms of the contract. The gods rarely converse with mortals, but while Speaking with Triton, I learned that not all gods favor rigid religious practices and sacrifices – Triton certainly did not. And both His anger toward the people of Tenrai and my desire to make right the wrong I had done was what began as the Duel. “Over the centuries, the Duel has been given a very different meaning. In the beginning, it was a simple ritual to give Tenrai the Miracle it deserves. I watched as the later High Priests preached about how Triton had left Miracles in a sealed palace for the people to earn, but according to the Law of the Heavens, I could not directly interfere and set them right. Besides,” he added dryly, “if I were to dictate exactly what had to be done, then what would be the point of the trial? “Triton’s punishment for Tenrai was for the tragedy that befell Xenia to take place time and time again; an endless cycle of innocent deaths. Every six and a half years, if the trial was not passed, the ‘Honor Bound’ would die and a new soul would take his place.” “But why?” Yusuke asked. “Why punish the innocent for a crime the Temple committed?” “Life isn’t fair,” Enbui replied. “The many must pay for the sins of the few. Triton is a kind god, but He does not condone such things, and will give harsh punishments to those who do them. “The ‘One Engaged’ is…me, you could say. For I *was* Engaged – engaged to both my duties as an Honor Guard and the finest swordsman in Tenrai, and engaged to Xenia, because I could not live without her. Xenia…is ‘Honor Bound’. She was bound to her duties and status of Chosen, forced to conform even when she didn’t want to, and disobedience brought her pain. The Rose Signet was once the symbol of the Chosen, but that has been long-forgotten. Now it is used as the nation’s symbol.” “So then what is the purpose of the Duel?” Yusuke asked. “To let Xenia and I rest together, in peace. If I were able to break Triton’s cycle, I would be granted death, and would be allowed to be with Xenia in the Afterlife.” “But the Miracles?” Hiei sounded puzzled. “I don’t understand… Was the whole thing nothing but a lie?” “No. It was simply a play on words that was misunderstood and elaborated on over time. Time will do that.” Enbui ran his fingers along Blood Soaked. “The purpose of the One Engaged was the Rose Signet. The Rose Signet being, of course, representative of the Chosen, a faction that no longer exists, and thus, the cycle.” “Everything happens for a reason.” “This is your purpose for being here. The Rose Signet.” “And bringing the Miracle to Tenrai means ending the cycle Triton has set in place.” “That’s the Miracle?” Yusuke sputtered. He’d expected something a little more…fairy-tale-ish? Enbui looked bemused. “Do you not think that an end to the deaths of innocent people is a Miracle?” He had a point, of course, but… “I guess I was expecting something different,” Yusuke admitted. “So then we were just pawns?” Hiei asked. “Pieces in a game? You used us to fix your problem?” “I did,” Enbui admitted. “I did, and I apologize. But…everything happens for a reason. Look at yourselves now. Look at what you’ve shared… Would you want to take that back?” Hiei hesitated for a moment before he answered. “No...but…” “When Hiei appeared in Tenrai, I knew there was something promising about him. And when Yusuke showed up…it clicked, and I had to act. While I could not directly interfere, I could point you in the right direction – and act when the need arose. The rest, the integral parts, you two managed on your own. The only way to break the cycle was for the One Engaged and the Honor Bound to be placed in life-threatening danger – the way Xenia and I were. Instead of abandoning the Honor Bound to save his own skin – as I did – you, Yusuke, stayed and chose to take the same fate. That, my friend, made all the difference. That, and Hiei’s return of the loyalty when he refused to have you suffer in his place. Triton’s spell will dissipate, and all will be changed. I will be granted my death, and Xenia waits for me in the Heavens. I thank you again.” Yusuke had no words, at first. Hiei did, though. “The gods are odd creatures,” he muttered. “They are,” Enbui replied, amusement glinting his eyes. “I doubt we will ever understand them, their sense of humor, or how they deal with problems. I suppose the only way we could would be to become gods, ourselves. And not many want the responsibility that comes with such a status.” Yusuke rubbed his nose through Hiei’s hair once before returning his gaze to Enbui. “So…we solved your problem. We broke the circle of suffering you’ve been in for thousands of years… This may sound selfish, but…what do we get out of this?” “What do you want?” Yusuke paused, thinking fleetingly of the attack on his person, of the unsolicited advances on Hiei, of the suffering his friend had endured since arriving in the nation… “I want the Council and the Duelists dead.” “No, Yusuke,” Hiei murmured, leaning further into Yusuke’s embrace. “That’s not how things are done. You know that as well as I.” That was true, but he decided to say it, anyway, “They’re selfish, stubborn, horny pricks.” “But you’re not, Yusuke. You’re not.” “He’s right,” Enbui added, giving Yusuke a small smile. “Think for a moment… What do you really want?” What did he really want…? He wanted… Or did he…? He hugged his friend tighter. “Hiei…what do *you* want?” “Me?” Hiei asked, nuzzling the area over Yusuke’s heart. “I…I…” He sighed softly. “Honestly, Yusuke…? I just want to go home. I want to leave Tenrai and never come back.” “Me, too,” Yusuke agreed, and gazed imploringly at Enbui. The redheaded demon’s smile widened, and he nodded. “So be it. Thank you, both of you, for helping me atone. I wish the best for each of you.” Yusuke smiled back, and closed his eyes against the bright white light that followed Enbui’s wave. ~*~ “Lord Yusuke… “…Lord Yusuke…?” When a hand touched his shoulder, Yusuke shrugged it off at first, until the comfortable weight leaning against his chest moved away. “Wake up, Yusuke,” Hiei said, tapping him on the arm. Yusuke opened his eyes and found himself staring at his legs. He was leaning against a rock. He raised his head first to see Hiei smiling at him…and blinked. Hiei copied the gesture, blinking all three eyes. “Something wrong?” he whispered, sounding somewhere between amused and delighted. “You look surprised…” He raised a hand to brush a few stray strands of hair from his eyes, and Yusuke felt his own eyes widen when he saw that there was no longer a band encircling Hiei’s wrist. One more, “My Lord Yusuke?” prompted him to raise his head higher. Destin was staring down at him, the expression on his face half-amused and half-concerned. “I’m sorry, my Lord Yusuke. Were you waiting long?” Waiting long…? Yusuke sat up straight and looked around. He was at the Toranin-Tenrai border. /But…how?/ “No,” he said quietly. “No…we weren’t waiting long. We were just tired, I guess.” “We came as soon as we received your message and the contract,” Destin explained. “You certainly took longer than we’d anticipated, but…” The councilman gave Yusuke a pleased smile. “You did it, my Lord Yusuke. I knew you would do well.” /I did what?/ “Contract? What message?” Destin’s smile slipped, and he looked confused for a moment. “…My Lord, you sent us a message telling us to come meet you at the border today nearly a week ago. With it, you sent us one of the copies of the treaty you made with Tenrai’s High Priest.” Yusuke opened his mouth, but Hiei rode over him, asking the question on his mind, probably to save Yusuke from having to explain why he didn’t know, “What did the treaty say?” Destin glanced at Yusuke, and he nodded permission. “Anything can be discussed in front of Hiei.” “Very well, my Lord.” He squared his shoulders proudly. “The Lord Yusuke and High Priest Maru came to an agreement nearly a week ago. Tenrai has agreed to continue trading with both Alaric and Toranin, while joining with neither nation. A copy of the treaty has also been sent to the Lady Mukuro, to see if she will agree to the terms.” “I’m sure she will,” Hiei assured them. “She is no fool.” /But how…?/ Yusuke bit his lip as he thought about it. /I didn’t… I mean…there was never a treaty… Did…Enbui…?/ “My Lord Yusuke?” He started out of his reverie. “Yes?” “Whenever you are ready to depart…we can take you to one of the natural portals that leads to your city, close to your home.” /Keiko… It’s been so long…/ “Yes…” He nodded once, hesitantly, and then again, more firmly. “Yes… Home.” /But…/ “Destin.” “My Lord?” “…When we…reach the area where the portal is located…I need to speak to Hiei. Alone.” “As you wish.” Yusuke made it a point not to meet Hiei’s eyes. ~*~ “Enbui did it, you know.” Yusuke nodded as he leaned against a tree. He eyed Hiei as the demon bent to shove a small boulder aside, revealing the hidden portal beneath it. Hiei’s right arm was wrapped in a makeshift ward until a proper one could be obtained, but it would suffice. “I’m sure he did,” Yusuke replied. He glanced around the clearing to make sure they were alone, even knowing that the action wasn’t necessary. When Yusuke wanted privacy, he got privacy. “The question is…how? How did he make Maru…? And the timing…?” “Enbui and Triton appeared to have some sort of bond,” Hiei offered. “Perhaps that played a role…?” “Maybe. But I’ll never understand why…” Or did he? Or was he still angry at being used…? Or had he ever been angry about it at all…? He really didn’t know. “Like Enbui said…we’ll never understand the gods – not until we become gods ourselves.” Hiei paused before going on. “Yusuke…what do you want to tell me? You wanted to speak with me. Alone.” “I did…” But where to start…? “I…I wanted to ask…what do we do now?” “Do?” “Yeah…” He made vague gestures. “You and me…but Keiko and I…and… What are we going to do?” “Ah.” Hiei stood and studied his wrists, probably out of habit than anything else. “It should be obvious, shouldn’t it…? You go back to Keiko.” “What?” Yusuke blinked, pushing away from the tree and taking a step forward. “Go back to Keiko, like you promised. You still love her, don’t you?” “Of course I do – as much as I do you. But…but that’s it? Just like that?” He snapped his fingers for effect. “You just throw me away, just like that?” “Throw you away…?” Hiei echoed, giving Yusuke an unreadable look. “You think I’m throwing you away? That’s not how I see it…” And in one quick movement, Hiei was before him, wrapping his arms around Yusuke’s middle and resting his cheek on his chest. “The way I see it is… You have prior obligations…and if Keiko is as important to you as you say I am…you should honor them.” Yusuke returned the hug, resting his face in the crook of Hiei’s neck. “…But I love you, too…” he admitted. “I love you,” Hiei replied. “I love you…very much…” He tightened his hold. “…I love you enough that I can let you go, if I have to…” “And you said you wouldn’t be gone long, right?” /Keiko…I’m coming home…/ “And you…will you be all right by yourself?” “I won’t be alone,” Hiei assured him. “I’m going back to Alaric, to swallow my pride and apologize to Mukuro. But if I know Mukuro,” he added, “an argument that happened nearly seven years ago will mean little to her now. Besides…she was my friend, and even if she doesn’t want me back in her fortress, I want to at least let her know that I didn’t mean what I said…” “…And will you be all right getting there?” “I think so. It will be odd, at first, to know that I can defend myself again…but I remember how to fight. I’m not Honor Bound any longer.” Yusuke kissed Hiei’s ear before murmuring, “But will you still be my Honor Bound?” “Always,” Hiei replied, pulling back from the embrace a little. “Now go. You’re late for a very important Duel.” “I’m going,” Yusuke assured him, but not before leaning in for one last kiss. It was not a farewell kiss, but rather one full of promise. Just before it ended, Yusuke slipped one of his treasures onto Hiei’s hand, and drew away before the demon could make any comment. “I’ll see you soon, won’t I?” Hiei was still staring at Yusuke’s gift, and his voice wavered a little as he answered. “Not soon enough.” Yusuke smiled and gave his friend – his lover – a little wave before turning away. If he stayed any longer, he might never leave. He didn’t look back as he leapt into the portal, but he wiped away the tears that were beginning to leak from his eyes. But they weren’t tears of sadness. At least…not all of them.
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