by
KatiKat
"What
are you doing up this late?"
The gentle, chiding voice startled Takamichi. Sometimes, he tended to forget
that Tomomasa-dono wasn't just an incorrigible, shameless flirt, but first and
foremost a warrior who was quick and quite on his feet.
He wrapped his white tanzen more tightly over his yukata to ward off the night
chill and looked up at the brightly shining moon. "I couldn't sleep,"
he admitted softly.
The General stepped closer and leaned against the frame of the sliding door.
Then he crossed his arms over his chest, propped his chin against his
everpresent fan and gazed at his guest searchingly. "Something is
bothering you. I can tell."
Takamichi lowered his eyes to where his hands were gripping the railing
tightly, his knuckles white, then he smiled gently. How could he even think
about hiding something from the General? The other man could read him like a
scroll.
"It's my fault..." he admitted almost inaudibly after a moment, his
voice sad.
"What is your fault?" the General proded quietly.
The green-haired young man breathed out deeply, shakily. He wasn't sure how
long he had been standing there, but everything, his whole body seemed to ache
terribly. An unforgettable reminder of his failure.
"That we lost the ward." His voice broke at the end. Such a incorrigible
failure.
The General straightened and brought the closed fan down on the palm of his
left hand with a loud smack. "Nonsense!" he dismissed, aggravated.
"Shirin almost killed you to get her hands on it! What more could you have
done?"
Takamichi lowered his head. "It wouldn't have happened to you..." The
tone of his voice was miserable.
Tomomasa chuckled sarcastically. "Why? Because I'm the great General
Tachibana?"
"Yes!" The green-haired young man whirled around to face Tomomasa.
But that one move proved to be too much. Suddenly, he felt light-headed and his
knees buckled dangerously. One of his hands flew up to his forehead, the other
reached out blindly to grip the railing... and missed.
But then there were strong, gentle hands on his shoulders, steadying him,
holding him upright. On instinct, Takamichi leaned into the safe stronghold of
Tomomasa's arms, laying his forehead down on the blue-haired man's shoulder to
ride out the unexpected - and unappreciated - wave of dizziness that seemed to
have a tight hold on him. He sighed with relief when the floor ceased to move
under his bare feet.
"Look at what you are doing to yourself," the General chided him with
a voice full of warmth, amused resignation and concern.
Takamichi raised his head and looked Tomomasa in the eyes. "I tried so
hard. I did everything that was in my power..."
The General smiled and pushed the glasses that slid down Takamichi's nose up
again. "I know. Nobody can expect more from you. All you can do is give
your best." His hand moved from the glasses to one of the pale cheeks and
he caressed it with his thumb. "I'm just glad she didn't kill you after
she got what she wanted."
The two men stood there for a long time, just looking each other in the eyes as
the General kept caressing Takamichi's face. Then an owl flew by, crying out
and startling them. They chuckled, truly amused.
"You should return to bed," Tomomasa said quietly, laying one arm
around the younger man's shoulders. He led Takamichi over the tatamis to where
the futon was waiting for him. Taking Takamichi by the hand, the General helped
him lower himself down on his bed. He frowned when the green-haired man
couldn't suppress a painful groan as he slowly lay down. "Rest now. Sleep
will help you heal."
When the General crouched down and made sure that he was tucked in properly,
Takamichi smiled in the darkness. Since they met, Tomomasa-dono seemed to have
a soft spot for him. "Thank you."
The older man laid his hand on Takamichi's head. "Good night." He
caressed the soft green hair once, then got up and left the room, sliding the
door close to ward off the chilly night breeze.
Moments later, Takamichi was asleep.
The
End