Suboshi walked abruptly into his room. The darkness disabled him form seeing for a while, but his savage gray eyes got accustomed to it quickly. He walked over to the only window and opened it. Suboshi leaned over and braced himself. The winds violently ruffled his hair and annoying brown strands of his hair swayed wildly in front of his eyes.
He aggressively combed them back behind his ears as he tentatively viewed the laborers on the terrain and the vast bareness of the fields. But his attention was mainly focused on a young girl trailing sadly behind her mother. She was run-down, ill dressed but she had a certain calm and serenity to her features. She was roughly about seven, a small, beautiful little creature with a solemn face that spoke of abuse and mistreatment. And her mother, an old, warm, loving woman with wrinkles that showed humility and experience.
An injured smile spread on Suboshi's lips as he continued observing her. How she reminded him of his childhood. Like she, he had also gone through abuse. He recalled those horrid years when he decided to prostituate himself ever since he was caught in a nasty situation. His brother was terrebly ill and both of them needed a place to stay and eat for the night. Having very little money to pay the inn keeper, he let him sleep with him to pay the debt. Suboshi could still remember to musty smell and the brutality of the inn keeper. He remembered the horrid grip the man had on him as he forced himself on him, and how he took pleasure everytime he would cry out in pain as his frail little body jerked upwards from his thrusts. So many have taken advantage of him as a young, helpless child…
He eventually put an end to that as he grew older and only gave in to their lustful desires only when he desperately needed the money. He groaned. Things were so much easier growing up in the careful arms of his mother; the only place where he truly felt secure from harm. Not even his Aniki could give him the love and refuge she had given him those short ten, yet happy years of his life.
But one thing he did recognize was that aniki had never walked away from him. On the contrary, he was the one who had drifted away. Suboshi usually got some qualms for lying to himself and his brother just for the sake of his aniki's protection. His loss of virginity in exchange for food or money was one of the greater examples. He kept quiet about too many things that had occurred in his life. Shikata ga nai. It could not be helped. He endured them.
Suboshi pictured himself in the protective arms of his mother or his moma as he called her. He was moma's beloved; the favorite of the two. He tried to recall memories of his father, but his mind went blank. It felt like he had grown up withought one. His eyes stung a little and they became clouded with tears but he blinked them away before any of them could roll freely down his smooth cheeks. He would refuse to cry. He was not going to waste his tears on the past and all his foolish mistakes. He shut the window. And even if I did want to, I am too tired to cry anyway. Suboshi mumbled. It had been a long day for him. He clumsily took his shirt off and laid it neatly by a table. He climbed into bed and lay back a while, staring at the elaborate design of the ceiling and once in a while glancing at the entrance in hopes that his brother would walk in. Suboshi made severe efforts not to close his eyes but he just simply fell asleep before he could even cover himself.
+++
Amiboshi walked in. The cold waters slowly engulfed his body, crawling up his smooth skin as he moved in deeper towards them. He enclosed himself by wrapping his arms close on him. He was cold. He stiffened a little; then slowly relaxed, letting his tense muscles loosen. Amiboshi loved the water. He caressed the cool liquid, running his fingers over it softly; making the water sway gracefully, creating ripples. He watched them get larger, dispersing their little waves all over. Amazing what his touch had done... He waited until the waters turned serene once more. He stared at his reflection for a while, trying to read his own expression. He looked at himself, staring at his face, trying to capture the message his pained facial gesture showed. He suddenly distorted the lovely reflection as he roughly striked the water with his hand. He hated himself for everything. It was him who forced his brother out of their humdrum lifestyle into a soldier's life. He had always had the illusion that once they found the maiden of Seiryuu, things would change for them. There lives would become much easier, with no more wars, no more fighting and no more suffering. He acctually believed with all his heart the maiden could acctually put an end to all their problems. But he was so wrong. If only he knew how much pain and trouble coming to live in Kutou to serve Lady Yui would cost them, he would have kept on living just the way they were. Then again, they never had a life...
Amiboshi thought back of what just had happened when he barely touched the water. It was just so true...anything he had ever done had always stirred his own and the life of others in some way...He breathed deeply.
He dove under the water. For once, Amiboshi felt free. A sudden calmness swept over him, lulling him into a state of nothingness. Under the water, he felt safe. He felt so far away from hate and feelings. He liked the numb feeling of being under the water. Everything was slowed down now. No feelings...no worries. Just his idea of a perfect world. But he knew there was no such place. He rose to the surface once more, combing away the many hairs that stuck to his forehead while ruffling his wet hair. Then he felt it...
He felt the presence of someone...watching him. He swallowed hard and turned around quickly. It was Tomo...
He frowned...All this time he had been watching him, that lusty gay bastard! Amiboshi immediately ran out of the pool and got hold of the nearest towel to cover himself. He pretended not to notice Tomo when he walked past by him. But Tomo certainly did and got hold of the youth's arm. He slumped the young man's fragile body hard against the wall and pressed his own onto his. Amiboshi could only stare at Tomo with gray frightened eyes and moan as Tomo touched certain parts of his body. Finally he was able to open his mouth and whisper:
"Tomo, let me go..." Tomo only smiled and his graceful fingers crawled their way up Amiboshi's chest and came to a stop on his shoulders. He gripped the boy's warm flesh. Amiboshi grimaced, and tried to shove Tomo away from him. But Tomo paralyzed him completely with an unexpected kiss. It wasn't infatuatious, really. Just a simple one. Tomo's kiss still tingled cold on Amiboshi's lips. He tried to leave, but Tomo held him down, back pressed against the wall.
"I was sent here just to remind you that Nakago will not accept failure. You are to leave tomorrow afternoon. You should arrive in Konan Koku roughly around night time. It really isn't much far. I just want to wish you luck on your mission. I know, this definitely won't be an easy task being that you are a stubborn boy..."
Tomo gave Amiboshi a final kiss, and released him. Amiboshi looked at Tomo with pure disgust.
"Lusty bastard! He thought. Who does he think I am, his lover or something?"
Tomo had had his eye on Amiboshi the moment he had come to live in the palace. That was the most and the last that Tomo would ever get from him. Amiboshi thought to himself. He adjusted the towel wrapped sloppily around his waist and left the room. He wandered silently, pensively letting Tomo's words sink in his semi perturbed mind. A pang of fear suddenly struck him. He would have to leave his brother...How would he manage without him? Would he ever forgive him for breaking a most sacred promise...He thought back when he had made the solemn promise to his brother that no matter what happened, he would never leave him. Most of their promises were sealed with a kiss, especially if it was serious, and if it was one that would never be broken. This promise was special to him being it was the first one he had ever made to him, and it was the first time he had ever made love to his brother with his mouth. Their first kiss was something memorable, one of the most beautiful things that had ever occurred between them...It would tear up his brother's infinite trust in him if he left him. Some how, he would have to muster up his courage to tell him...without hurting him.
+++
Yui was outraged, completely out of control with herself...Her gray-blue eyes had a strong concentration of hurt, anger, jealousy and hate. The fury inside her had been unleashed and she cried uncontrollably. Nakago had promised her that Tamahome would be hers and he had left her...for Miaka.
Nakago was deeply annoyed with Yui's unacceptable behaviour, but his features kept his true feelings concealed. Instead of smacking her like he wanted to, he offered her his hand and sat down beside her, comforting her, gently stroking her head and hushing her with a few soothing words. He was not very good at this, but she needed to gain her senses again. It was utterly useless to try to talk with an angry priestess, especially one with a horrible temperament as his own...When he felt that Yui's breath had returned to her normal pace, and her angry tears were reduced to just a few sobs, he spoke to her,
"Don't fret anymore, my beloved one. The Suzako seishi may have escaped our first trap, but this one, they won't..."
Yui was slightly startled. She lifted her head from Nakago's lap and looked at him fully in the eyes. She eventually had to look away. She could never stare at those painful blue eyes of his...never.
"What is it then, that you have planned?"
Nakago let out a deep sigh and stroked Yui's face once more.
"You will see soon, my beloved...you will see soon..."
+++
Amiboshi sulked in the corridors. He was tired, but his guilt would not let his mind relax. He quietly opened the door to his room and shut it firmly. "Some rest might help." He thought. He smiled sadly as he watched his brother sleeping peacefully at the edge of their bed about to fall. For once, he felt happy for his brother, seeing him without any worries or concerns. He seemed much calmer here...Amiboshi approached him and ran his hands over his brother's hair. He brushed away a couple of stands that stuck on his forehead and accommodated them neatly behind his ears. Suboshi looked beautiful. Amiboshi never looked at his brother from this perspective. He actually felt sorry he wasn't involved in his brother's life. He seemed like he had gone through more than he did. He felt his brothers' cheeks with the back of his hand. They were cold. He picked him up awkwardly and tucked him in. Suboshi picked up the movements and his eyes fluttered open and smiled warmly seeing it was only his brother. He extended his arms upwards to him and pulled him close to him.
"Aniki...you're here..." Suboshi smiled.
He smiled back. Yes ottoto, I'm here...
Amiboshi gently pressed his lips against his brother's and slowly entered him. Suboshi giggled and pulled his brother closer. He liked the feeling of having a nice source of warmth around him. It made him feel safe. Suboshi deepened the kiss. Amiboshi was surprised...their kisses were not usually this passionate, but he gave in. He stroked his brother's face gently and pulled away for a while.
"I love you, Shunkaku..." He whispered.
Suboshi pulled himself upwards and pecked his brother's soft cheek and whispered into his ear, "I love you too."
Both twins giggled and wrestled in bed for a while, but Amiboshi gave up quickly. Suboshi sat on top of his brother's chest triumphantly until Amiboshi pushed him down.
"It's getting late now Shun chan. We should have gone to sleep long ago."
Suboshi didn't bother to argue with his brother. He silently obeyed him and accommodated himself next to his brother. He embraced him tightly and leaned his head on his shoulder. Amiboshi ran his callused hand over his brother's hair.
He began to sing softly:
"And so the sun slowly sets and the morning glories close up...
life leaves the sweet earth, replaced with silence.
Will the sun ever kiss the earth again mother dear?
Yes it will, my beloved. Yes it will..."
Amiboshi trailed off...
He glanced at his brother. He was fast asleep.
He thought of the lullaby...The sun had set on them long ago and they had been waiting for the sun to rise once again. But the night was too long and eternal. The sun never showed up. If there was a happy moment in their lives, it never lasted for long. Why did it have to be that way for them? They haven't done anything to deserve a life full of misery and hate. There were times he wished he was dead but he had to keep fighting on. He lived for his brother. He closed his eyes, but his troubled mind would not rest. Tomorrow would be the fateful day he would have to leave. How would his brother take it? He wondered...how would he take it? He rolled over and pulled his brother's body close to his. He wanted to have him close to him, something told him it would be his last night and last time having his brother this close. His fingers brushed against his brother's moist lips. He was so beautiful when he slept. His face hadn't changed one bit. It was the same innocent face he had ever since he was young. Life had been hard on them. The night rode on without an end. He longed for the moment that at least one of the sun's rays would make in into their troubled lives. He leaned close and pressed his mouth on his brother's he savored the moisture on his lips and slowly made his way inside his mouth. He loved him so much. He felt Suboshi's warm breath against his skin. He slowly pulled away, hoping his brother wouldn't notice and laid back. He slowly closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, but his perturbed mind with racing thoughts didn't...
+++
Miaka embraced Tamahome. He was back! He was finally back! Never before had she experienced any more joy than this moment. Tamahome chuckled heartily as he stoked the young girls' brown locks. He put both his hands on her face and squeezed tightly. His rough, callused thumb brushed against her pale lips and kissed her chastely. Nuriko was glad both had found each other again but pretended not to notice and he fiddled with his mussed up braid. He tossed it back and gave Tamahome a playful smack on his shoulder. Tamahome rubbed it gently and rolled his eyes. He had missed everyone and everything, even Nuriko's punches...
Hotohori embraced Tamahome tightly and rubbed his back.
"Welcome back, good friend. We all missed you..."
A nice pleasant atmosphere filled the air in Konakn Koku. The night air was cool and soothing; perfectly compatible with the welcoming atmosphere...
Every one was joyous. A lost friend had come back to them.
Everyone's laughter and contentment filled the room, and the joy spread to everyone, even to the servants and poor kitchen boys. It spread to all but a grouchy someone...the injured Tasuki. He was all alone still grunting and moaning from the scars and burns on his body. This was no fucking time to celebrate, he thought to himself. He was lonely and wanted company. He wanted someone by his side to understand his pain and anger. What was all that commotion about, he thought. He got up, limping his way to the door. His wounds were so much better compared to the other day. He stuck his head to the door and found all of his comrades celebrating the return of the goddamn bastard who had beaten him up the other day...Was that bastard more important than he?! His temper exploded.
"What are you all fucking doing?"
Nuriko smiled wryly and helped took Tasuki's bandaged arm and slung it gently over his neck. He wrapped his other hand around his waist and helped him up. "Are you alright Tasu chan?"
"Do I look like I'm alright? Do I?! I demand to know what the fuck is going on here!"
Nuriko made a face.
"Listen guys, sorry to leave the fun but my baby need his nap...Good night everyone!"
"Who are you calling your baby?! I'm not your goddamn baby! Ugh! Put me down! Put me down! Put me OWW!"
"Oh, shut up you big baby! You are going to sleep!"
Tamahome and Miaka watched the two of them leave. Hotohori just could not help from giggling. It had been so long since his lips cracked a smile.
"I guess Nuriko is right, Miaka...Why don't we also go to sleep?" He spoke calmly. We have much to do tomorrow. Don't forget we have one more
seishi to find..."
"Chiriko..." Miaka whispered the name as she wondered how would the seishi look like or be. Would he be as special as all of them? What would he be like? So many questions filled her little mind she got exited. Something inside told her he Chiriko would be a very special seishi.
"Very special indeed..." She blurted her thoughts out loud.
"What did you say?" Tamahome asked quizzically.
"Oh nothing...I was just...thinking. Come on, let's go to sleep!" She grabbed Tamahome's arm and dragged him along with her.
As she lay back wondering about the seishi, she drifted off into a quiet, peaceful sleep. It had been a very long, yet happy day for her, and all of the joy and excitement she hadn't had for weeks was too much for her to handle.
"Chiriko..." She whispered once again as an innocent smile spread slowly across her face. Oh but so little did she know that "Chiriko" would cost her so much, and make her shed tears...tears of blood.