Ashes Fade Away

*Chapter 17

By Sakata Ri Houjun

 

 

Warning: Slight lime

 

~***~

 

Kouji leaned up against the trunk of a tree, his arms crossed over his chest, as he watched the revelers.  They were celebrating, not out of victory, which would be premature.  No, those gathered together tonight were enjoying life.  Tomorrow, so many would die, falling into unmarked graves soaked in blood, mourned forever by loved ones.  So for one last night, they would live.

 

The dark-haired brigand smiled sadly to himself.  They would win, they had to.  But when that victory came, what would happen to him?  He had survived everything that life had thrown at him, feeling as if he had some unknown destiny to fulfill.  In the end, he was born simply to fight, to struggle against oppression and help those around him.

 

There wasn’t a question in his mind what Genrou would do once it was over.  Ever since Chichiri had rescued his best friend, the two had grown even closer.  He still remembered the night the younger man had returned, asking him to find another place to stay since he wanted to be with the cerulean-haired sorcerer.   Which was just as well in his mind since Genrou deserved to find such a man as Chichiri. 

 

And the sorcerer had really opened up since that night as well.  The older man no longer hid behind the shadow of his hood.  In fact, he stopped wearing the robe altogether.  And Chichiri’s smile was genuine and full of love whenever he looked at Genrou.  They deserved their happiness.

 

The sun was beginning to set in the distance, marking the end of that day.  With the coming dawn would bring so much but at the same time, tomorrow would also rip away a lot.  To the young brigand, these final moments of the dying sunlight brought a sort of stillness to his heart, allowing the uproarious laughter and spirited music from the bonfires in the distance to fade away into nothingness.

 

He wondered briefly then if anyone would mourn his loss should he fall, but he quickly shook that thought away.  “When did I get to be so fuckin’ sentimental?” he questioned himself as he rubbed at his eyes.

 

Kouji looked back up at the festivities, realizing he should be among his friends.  Even if it was just for one more night, he was still their leader and needed to present a smile.  As he neared the crowd, Miaka come out of nowhere, pulling the hapless man into a lively dance.  He felt her contagious laughter seep into his system, washing away the last of his uncertainty.  And Kouji felt himself smiling genuinely as he realized that tomorrow was unimportant as long as he lived for now.

 

*~~~*

 

Tamahome clapped along with the other spectators as the music ended.  Among the throng of dancers stood Miaka, dressed in a pink dress.  But with her movements, she managed to make the coarse fabric seem flowing and smooth as the finest silk.  She curtsied to Kouji before returning to the former knight’s side.

 

The auburn-haired princess turned a flushed and smiling face to Tamahome.  “Why don’t you and I dance the next one?”

 

Tamahome looked away, his face coloring.  “How about I just sit this one out?”

 

Miaka pouted.  “You’ve been sitting every one of them out.”

 

The knight shrugged.  “I’m afraid that dancing wasn’t one of the skills taught to Knights of Isan, Miaka.”

 

“Well, that’s okay.  I need a bit of a break myself, Tamahome.  How about just accompanying me on a walk instead?”

 

“That would be my pleasure, my Lady,” he replied while rising to his feet.  He offered his hand cordially to the princess, which she accepted, and stood up gracefully as well.

 

They meandered silently away from the crowd, Miaka leaning her head against the tall knight’s shoulder, her arm laced through his.  After a while, they were too far away to even hear the music and laughter anymore.  It was then that Tamahome stopped and turned to face Miaka.

 

“Miaka?” he asked.

 

She met his gray eyes without fear as she leaned up and kissed him gently.  “Yes?”

 

“When this is over, what will you do?”  He took her hand in his own, squeezing gently.

 

“I suppose I will have to make myself a home here in Isan.”

 

“You won’t return to Sakeru then?”

 

She laughed, a rich peal of delight that sent shivers down the dark-haired man’s spine.  “How can I?  Could you just imagine my mother’s face if I returned home after aiding the commoners against the very man she had arranged for me to marry?”

 

Tamahome felt the corners of his mouth pull into a smile and then he laughed as well.  “I guess I can understand what you mean.”

 

“But what about you, Tamahome?  What will you do once this is over?” she returned.

 

The young knight thought seriously for a moment.  “I have a feeling that His Highness will want to disband the Knights once he ascends the throne.  Even though I am no longer a Knight of Isan, I’m certain that His Highness will want me to help rebuild the structure of the military.”

 

“And I’m certain that with your morals, you’d be confident to teach any new knights of Isan true chivalry.  But,” she added as she smirked.  “Don’t you want to return to your days of being a sword for hire?”

 

Tamahome gave the woman before him a pained look.  “That lifestyle kept me on the road with no way to contact my family.  I’d hate to leave you for prolonged periods, alone at home with the children, worrying about me.”

 

Miaka’s face then reflected one of shock before he chuckled and bent down to claim her rosy lips.  She tentively returned the kiss, threading one slim hand through his deep cobalt locks as he roped one arm around her waist, pulling her against his body.

 

It was then that the pair heard the throat of a young child being cleared behind them.  Embarrassed, they pulled away and found themselves facing Chiriko, who was watching them with a smile on his cherub-looking face.

 

“They’re beginning to notice your absence at the celebration.  And if you want to avoid scandal, you’d better return.”

 

*~~~*

 

Nuriko smiled to himself as he tugged unobtrusively as he could on the edge of his shirt.  It had been a while since he’d worn clothing fitting for his gender and it felt strange.  But then again, ever since the truth was laid bare, he felt better about himself.  There was no more need to hide or keep secrets of any kind.  And what was more, all those whom he had come to consider as his friends hadn’t rejected him in any way.

 

But he still wondered what Hotohori had meant that day inside Mitsukake’s clinic, especially when he had kissed his hand.  The memory of that still brought a blush to the young man’s cheeks whenever he thought about it.  Unfortunately, with the coming battle and all the planning, he hadn’t seen any of the beautiful brunette since then.

 

And even though he was still welcomed among the commoners and their revelry, he stayed apart, feeling unsure of what to do now that night had fallen.  So many people remained to celebrate, but others were retiring for the night, sneaking away in couples.  Nuriko smiled to himself when he noticed that the redheaded rouge he knew as Genrou was leading Chichiri away as well.

 

Then he felt a tap on his shoulder.  Nuriko spun to find himself meeting the amber eyes of Hotohori.  Demurely, he lowered his head, feeling a searing heat rush across his face and through his abdomen.  “Your Highness…”

 

“Nuriko,” the prince returned, tilting the smaller man’s face up to meet his rosy eyes.  “You’re supposed to be celebrating.  Aren’t you enjoying yourself?”

 

The violet-haired man fought off the urge to giggle insanely, realizing that he no longer needed to pretend to be a woman and therefore didn’t have to react like one.  He pulled away, determined not to give in.  “Yes, Your Highness.  I’m just a little tired is all.”

 

But Hotohori would not be deterred in the least.  He reached over and took a hold of the smaller man’s hand, bringing his attention back to him.  He met the confusion in those sparkling eyes with a smile as he began to tug Nuriko away from the ongoing party.

 

“Walk with me, keep me company, Nuriko.” He explained as he led the dark-haired youth away.

 

Nuriko simply bowed his head, an ironic smile crossing his lips.  “You must want something, Your Highness.”

 

Hotohori halted in his footsteps and looked over his shoulder at the smaller man.  “You’re right.  There is something.”  He released the Nuriko’s hand and waited for him to look up.  But he did not.

 

Finally the young prince sighed.  “I want everyone to be happy tonight, Nuriko.  It’s the last night that so many will experience.  But you’re not happy, are you?”

 

Nuriko refused to answer the question, instead just hanging his head.

 

Hotohori continued.  “I can’t explain why I care so much.  I guess that’s something I received from my mother.  But your apparent misery is really striking me hard and I want…I want to do whatever it takes to make it go away.”

 

Nuriko clasped his hands together, trying to stop them from shaking.  He could feel his heart pounding fiercely as he comprehended what Hotohori was telling him.  But he couldn’t bring himself to respond; instead he merely focused on breathing in and out.

 

Hotohori sighed again.  “I’m certain you must miss your homeland.  If you want, I will arrange safe passage for you.  Then perhaps you could be happy-”

 

“Highness…” Nuriko whispered, interrupting the brunette’s words.  “Don’t send me away.”

 

“Why?”

 

Nuriko gulped and continued.  “Because I love you and I want to stay with you, if you’ll have me.”  He turned away, feeling ashamed for blurting out his feelings.  “But you don’t, do you?”

 

Hotohori froze in place for a moment before letting his heart override his motions.  He pulled the smaller man against him, wrapping strong arms about the slender waist and loving the way Nuriko fit against him. 

 

He buried his face in the fragrant violet hair and whispered, “I vowed to myself that I would find a way to return your feelings one day.  I already said that your happiness means so much to me.”

 

Nuriko attempted to pull away but Hotohori refused to let go.  “Your Highness,” he protested.  “You know I’m a man.  It can’t work, it won’t.”

 

“Will it?” Hotohori murmured as he brushed lips against the softness of the smaller man’s cheek.  “Twice you saved my life and I pushed you away both times.  But this time I won’t because I realize that I need you by my side as well, Nuriko.”

 

The violet-haired youth turned to face the man who was embracing him so tenderly, seeing the compassion and truth in those amber orbs he had grown to adore.  “Really?” he whispered.

 

Hotohori nodded once before closing the distance between them, kissing his beloved to seal his promise.

 

~***~

 

Chichiri felt a small smile tug at his lips as he watched Prince Hotohori confess his heart to the effeminate Nuriko.  Behind him, he could feel Tasuki’s eyes peering at him through the shadows of the room.

 

“You know,” he started as he continued to watch the pair.  “When I first met His Highness, he was only a child.  My first impression was that he would grow up to be just like his father, another tyrant to oppress the innocent.”

 

Tasuki rose from his hammock and walked over to where his love stood before the balcony.  He wrapped his arms around him, embracing the mage from behind.  “But he proved you wrong, didn’t he?”

 

Chichiri nodded once.  “Yes, he did.  Now I see him as a man of pure heart and inner strength who will be certain to lead everyone to a better future.  And now he has found love as well.”  He placed his hand over that of Tasuki’s, intertwining their fingers together.

 

“Just like us, huh?” Tasuki intoned as he kissed the older man’s ear lovingly.

 

Again Chichiri nodded.  “He’ll fight more valiantly because of it too.  He has something precious to protect.”  He turned around in his lover’s embrace, wrapping his own arms around Tasuki.  “Just like I have something precious I want to protect.”

 

The brigand smirked before leaning forward to kiss his lover.  Their lips parted on breathless whispers of passion and their tongues began battling.  It was a comfort to the older man now, to feel the redhead’s mouth against his own, his body held so close, and hearing a heart that beat just for him.

 

Ever since that night he had rescued Tasuki and confessed his own heart, it felt as though the future seemed brighter.  Not just for him, but for everybody.  And ever since that night, Tasuki had never left his side.  All those around him simply accepted their relationship without a second glance.  Chichiri was content to sleep within his beloved’s embrace, feeling protected from the memories and pain of his past.

 

But there was something more lurking in the darkness of his heart…

 

“Tasuki…” he murmured as he drew away.  “There’s something I should tell you.”

 

“What?” the rogue breathlessly returned.

 

Chichiri closed his eyes.  “Tomorrow we will face the Knights of Isan.  And I…I will face my tormentors.”

 

“Not alone,” the bandit protested, gently tightening his hold.

 

The mage smiled.  “You’ve been by my side, but the battle will tear us apart.  This I know.  I will then meet those who hurt me as a child and I’m afraid that I will end up losing myself to the fear again.”

 

Tasuki cradled his lover against his body as Chichiri started to sink to the floor.  The sorcerer clung to him like a child; his frame shaking while Tasuki stroked his hair lovingly.  “You won’t be alone, Chiri,” he murmured before kissing that cerulean hair.

 

“Tasuki,” the mage whispered as he lifted his head.  Within his remaining eye, the rogue noticed something fierce and full of need glinting.  “I want you to take away this fear.”

 

Tasuki blinked twice before he recovered from his shock.  “What?”

 

Chichiri smiled before claiming the rogue’s lips again, conveying there was no mistake in what he heard.  When their mouth’s parted, the sorcerer remained a breath away.  “Give me your love so that I may face them without fear tomorrow.”

 

The redhead returned that kiss while his hand moved to unclasp the mage’s shirt.  As he slowly revealed the beautiful and slender body of his love, watching the flickering candlelight play tag with the shadows along the contours.  His breath caught in his throat and he leaned forward to run his lips along the smooth skin.

 

Chichiri began tugging at his shirt and Tasuki pulled away to untie the laces, parting the fabric.  The mage didn’t wait but immediately began to indulge on the younger man’s taste, leaving no exposed skin untouched.  The brigand groaned low in his throat as he arched into that soft mouth.

 

“No regrets?” he questioned once Chichiri drew away, locking gazes with him.

 

“None,” Chichiri returned as he leaned back against the hard grain of the floor, pulling his lover on top of him.

 

*~~~*

 

Kouji watched the dying embers in the remains of the once impressive bonfire.  He should be sleeping, probably with some willing maid or at least in a bed of some sort.  However, his heart remained troubled, even after the music faded from his memory and the laughter echoed away from his heart.

 

The silence and darkness of the night prevailed despite the protests from the last of the revelers, but he would continue.  The dark-haired brigand waited patiently for the sun to break through, as though if he fell asleep, it would not rise.  But it was rather stupid.  The sun always rose, just like it always set.

 

But he was still uneasy.  They would win, he knew they would.  But the stench of death still clung to the evening breeze, reminders of the chaos that plunged them all into this mess to begin with and an omen of what was to come.

 

“What will come?” he wondered aloud.

 

“Whatever Suzaku has in store for us I guess,” he answered back.

 

“What do you think will happen?”

 

“New lives will begin with the price of lives lost.”

 

“Just one more day, huh?”

 

“Yep.  Remind me again why I’m fighting.”

 

“So that His Highness can give children the future you never had, so that Miaka will marry whomever she loves, so that Genrou can be happy.”

 

“But what about me?”

 

“What about you?”

 

“What’s my stake in all this?”

 

“…”

 

“I thought as much.”

 

“Just one more day…”

 

“Yep, one more dawn…”

 

~***~

 

Next Chapter:  Where the fighting is hardest…