Ashes Fade Away

*(14/?)

By Sakata Ri Houjun

*******************

There was a mix of surprise and worry when the party

that had just departed to confront King Akunin

returned.  It was apparent without any words having

been said that something had gone horribly wrong

because their number had decreased significantly.  But

did this mean that they no longer had a chance to

reclaim their freedom?

The sheer intensity of apprehension even reached the

sorcerer who had isolated himself within his own

thoughts.  He had left to seek the answers to his

questions when he felt their return and concern

overrode his better judgment as he rushed to the

scene.

Chichiri had first noticed that Hotohori and Miaka

were both unharmed.  His second observation revealed

the princess's violet-haired companion had not been as

lucky although the wound was minor.  Nuriko was being

taken to Mitsukake by Tamahome and Kouji, along with

the other injured.

But Tasuki was not with them, that was the third

thing.  His brow furrowed as panic swept through his

frame while he continued to scan the crowd fro the

familiar fiery hair.

Uncontrollable worry gripped his heart as he used his

magic to approach Kouji quickly.  If anyone knew of

the young brigand's whereabouts, he would.

The scarred rogue took a step back, almost losing his

hold on Nuriko, at the sudden appearance of the

sorcerer.  He relinquished his share of the

violet-haired burden to Tamahome and faced the silent

Chichiri, whose hidden eye seemed to bore into him

impatiently.

Kouji sighed, unsure of what to tell him.  He knew

little himself, but perhaps the object of Genrou's

affection deserved to know.

"We were ambushed," Kouji explained flatly.  "Genrou

stayed behind to allow our escape."

Chichiri's heart began to palpitate as he imagined

what the outcome must have been.  Tasuki's words came

flashing back.

'I don't wanna die with regrets...'

The mage waited for Kouji to continue, to say the

words that would make his fears reality.  But the

brigand remained as silent as the sorcerer.

Kouji understood that the mage wanted to know more,

but to tell the truth, he knew nothing of his friend's

fate.  Last he saw was Genrou charging into the fray,

fighting with the ferocious tenacity he had always

known the redhead to have, and admired.  But what

could he tell Chichiri?

"Where is he?"

The blue-haired rogue snapped his head up at that

voice and found himself meeting the burning gaze of

the sorcerer.  Kouji widened his eyes in shock, not at

his appearance but that he had spoken to him. 

Chichiri had lost patience while waiting for the

younger man to finish.  He had removed his hood as

Tasuki's words continued to haunt him.

Kouji felt himself being urged by that single

mahogany eye.  He then saw what Genrou must have seen

that time when he had tackled the mage, the true beauty

of this scarred man.  True, his visage was handsome

even with the scar.  But underneath all that, held in

the depths of Chichiri's remaining eye, he saw the

truth and was deeply moved.

"He stayed behind.  I don't know if he's dead.  I

can't tell ya anything, I'm sorry."  Kouji turned away

as he felt tears springing to his eyes.  He was

certain that this wasn't what Chichiri wanted to hear,

but it was all he could offer.  Hell, it even scared

him to think about Genrou's fate.

Chichiri let out his breath slowly and nodded to

himself as a slight glimmer of hope began to replace

the fear.  Tasuki said he would fight and if he stayed

behind, then there might be a chance...

Kouji more felt rather than head Chichiri's departure.

 He looked up to see no one and felt a small smile of

relief forming.  He understood now how Genrou could've

fallen in love with the mage.  And now it seemed that

if he were still alive, he'd get his answer sooner

than he thought.

He just hoped that everything worked out that way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Outside Mitsukake's office, two members of royalty and

a knight all waited.  Miaka was worried about Nuriko,

they all were.  But while she furrowed her brow in

fear, Tamahome and Hotohori both wore the most

peculiar expressions of confusion and disbelief.

Both men glanced at Miaka and then at each other, a

half-formed question running through their minds.

However it was Miaka who finally broke the tension. 

"I hope Nuriko will be alright.  I know it's a minor

wound, but..."

Her voice died away the moment she looked up at her

two companions.  Hotohori raised his eyebrows while

Tamahome quickly turned away.  Miaka shook her head at

their behavior.

When the shout had been given about their ambush, the

four companions met with Kouji and began to make their

hasty retreat.  Suddenly some soldiers had surrounded

them.  They easily defended themselves with their

skills and had even begun to advance.  Then one

soldier had broken through the tight circle of

protection surrounding the prince.

Before the attacker could hit his intended target,

Nuriko had appeared out of nowhere.  The sword slashed

across the maid's front.  While the soldier was taken

care of, Hotohori had dismounted and ran to his

companion's aid.

The bleeding wasn't severe, but he was still worried

enough to make certain.  He ignored the heated blush

as he open the ripped fabric despite Nuriko's weak

protests.  That was when...

"Your Highness," Hotohori ventured as he found the

query too pressing.  "Is Nuriko..."

Miaka looked perplexed at the prince stumbled over his

words and then let out a small laugh.  "I knew.  How

could I not?  Nuriko's been my companion for over ten

years."

"Didn't it seem strange to you?" Tamahome added, not

certain of how he should be reacting.

Miaka seemed more than a little confused at how the

two men were taking the news.  "It's perfectly normal

for children of nobility to serve in the court as

companions and protectors, as Nuriko has done, in

Sakaeru.  To me, Nuriko has always been the big sister

I never had.  Why would it seem strange?"

"Because they never had a clue in the first place that

anything was amiss."  Kouji walked up to the trio and

shrugged.

Miaka glanced from Hotohori to Tamahome, even more

confused.  "You didn't know?"

Kouji raised his hand.  "I did."

Hotohori looked over at the rogue.  "How?"

Kouji unconsciously began to scratch his throat as he

cleared it.  "Well, I noticed something when we first

had our little run in with you guys."

An uncomfortable silence settled on the group. 

Finally Miaka made a move towards the doorway of the

building.  She paused and faced the group again with a

small smile.

"I guess someone needs to check on Nuriko.  I want to

make certain that she's okay."  She frowned as the

others shifted suddenly at her words.

She spun and began walking, but Hotohori finally

sighed.  "I should be the one to check, considering

that Nuriko did save my life.  I at least need to

offer my gratitude."

The prince brushed past Miaka and entered the

building.  Kouji sauntered over to Tamahome with a

smug smile and gave him a light nudge.

"Knew ya'd figure it out eventually."

"Huh?" the knight spoke intelligently.

Kouji began to laugh as he shook his head.  "For being

the best knight in Isan, you sure are slow."

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Next Chapter: Take my hand.