Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Boiling Point ❯ One-Shot

Boiling Point

A brilliantly pale figure darted swiftly through the trees, starkly illuminated by the garish moon filtering through the branches overhead. Catching their toe on an unearthed root, the silhouette cried out, tumbling forward onto the cool, moist dirt. The ambiguous person dragged themself up and continued on their path. Whether running from something literal or figurative was uncertain, but they were surely running for a reason.

Even when they reached the water's edge, they did not stop, only waded knee deep in the tepid liquid before collapsing to their knees. Frantically, they began tearing at their already sullied clothes, ripping of a long shred and scrubbing at their face with it. After satisfying their task to some extent, a choked sob smashed the fragile silence, echoing into the night.

Nearby, another indistinguishable figure traipsed calmly through the wood, suddenly noticing the painful breach of calm. //Who could that be? //They wondered. //And way out here…at a time like this? //Bound by curiosity, they decided to investigate the cause of such terribly heart wrenching cries.

Silently, they came upon the figure then, catching at first only a mass of loosely fallen hair, dripping from its recent submersion in the pond. What was still gathered on their head was in a disheveled pile, strands clinging to a quietly heaving back. To be blunt, they looked like a wreck. Coming closer, the stealthy figure whispered out a name. "Nuriko?"

Swiftly, the sobbing teen spun around, meeting the other's gaze with shock and embarrassment. He turned back around to the water, too afraid his voice would falter if he tried to speak. //Maybe if I just ignore him, he'll leave me alone, //he thought. //I just can't deal with him right now - not after what I've done. //

However, his train of logic didn't work. Coming a bit closer to the embankment, the other young man furrowed his shapely brows and questioned, "What is the matter, Nuriko? You shouldn't be out here like this. Why are you crying?"

Dropping his head, the violet-haired teen barely choked, "Please leave me. I…don't want to talk about it." His reluctance startled his visitor, who was unused to seeing such an abrasive side to the delicate boy.

"I only mean to help you, Nuriko," the worried bishonen remarked. "Are you sure you would rather not share your problems? I am willing to be your confidante or a shoulder to cry on if you'd like." He sat down next to the water, determined to find out what was so upsetting his friend.

Seeing that he showed no signs of leaving, the drenched teen began speaking. "I…I wanted to be irresistible…so that he'd…." He trailed off, reaching up to wipe tears from his cheeks with equally wet hands. "I just wanted him to want me again." Suddenly, he threw his arms up and bawled, "Look what I've done now! I've made myself into a whore! That's it…I'm just a disgusting whore."

He looked up, scanning the other's dimly lit eyes for a trace of something. Disgust-? Pity-? Anger-? He wasn't sure. Truthfully, he looked more pathetic in the face. Smears of kohl and berry ran down his cheeks and lips from the previous scrubbing. His crying only made the situation worse.

"Iie…you are far from it," the mysterious young man stated. "Please…come out of the water and I will help you." He held out his arms, and hesitantly, the amethyst-haired teen went to him, hoping to make things right again. Taking the dripping cloth remnant, the boy gently wiped at the smears on the weeping seishi's cheeks. "If you don't mind my asking so," he remarked, "did you do all this to get him to…be intimate with you?"

Shaking his head, Nuriko answered, "Iie…I just wanted him to look at me the way he used to. I wanted him…to want me…*not* to get him in bed."

Grinning faintly, the other teen furthered, "Then you are not a whore. I would never think you were." He had nearly finished removing the feminine boy's makeup by then. "You know, you should really not scrub so hard on such a delicate face. See-? There." Stopping, he gazed over the expanse of slightly reddened skin, only barely distinguishable in the moonlight. "You shouldn't hide such true beauty behind that artificial mess. Just be your natural self and he will love you in no time."

The now smiling seishi nearly leapt into his friend's welcoming arms, uttering, "Arigato…Arigato gozaimasu. You have been so helpful and compassionate." He was holding on tightly, unwilling to let go of the comforting embrace. Turning his head toward the other young man's neck, he shyly murmured, "Ne…Hotohori-sama…"

"Nani?" was the reply he got, already almost fearing what would come next.

"…Kiss me," he finished, gazing directly into the emperor's shadowed, golden eyes. It came out sounding like more of a question than a request.

Trying to remain gentle about the situation, the ashen-haired bishonen lightly pushed at his friend's shoulders, urging him to sit up. Calmly, he responded, "Iie, Nuriko, you don't want to do this. I won't be a replacement for him. Besides, I do not make a habit of kissing other men."

Immediately, the slighter boy began crying again, and Hotohori held him close, softly stroking his back and the wet hair clinging to it. "But what if he never remembers?" he sobbed. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Shh…do not worry so much; you'll cry yourself sick," the topaz-eyed seishi consoled. "Just give him a bit of time and I'm sure he will remember everything. If not…then he will learn to love you all over again. Why shouldn't he love you for all the reasons he did before? Don't try to rush things. He'll come around; have a little faith. Look at who he is, after all!"

Nodding against the taller man's shoulder, the amethyst-haired teen murmured, "You're right. It'll be…okay." He simply rested contentedly for an extended period of time, soothed by the tender caresses on his back.

When he did not speak for a while, the emperor began to worry. "Nuriko? Nuriko?" he whispered, gently shaking the feminine boy. He made some incoherent noise, but remained in place. A faint grin spread across Hotohori's lips. "Aa, so he has cried himself to sleep." As smoothly as possible, he lifted his fellow seishi and began carrying him back to the palace, noting how fragile and light the boy felt in his arms. Ignoring the questioning looks from his guards, the ashen-haired bishonen proceeded to place his slumbering friend safely on his own bed.

Looking back once at the peaceful young man told him not to leave. He frowned, muttering, "It would not do to have him catch cold. I can't just leave him in those wet clothes. Please forgive me, Nuriko, but this is not what it seems." With the utmost of care, he began to untie the sash at the wavy-haired teen's waist. With it undone, he then removed the belt. The layers of dresses and underskirts were the most difficult to take off without waking him, as some had to go over his head. Hotohori was terribly glad that his fellow seishi was more or less a heavy sleeper.

The golden-eyed seishi's breath caught in his throat for an instant as he first bared Nuriko's chest. Although he knew very well that the androgynous teen was indeed male, sometimes he still had doubts. The sight before him, however, cemented his masculinity. His chest was most definitely flat, but with hints and etchings of taut muscles. Tiny, pale pink nipples added the only color to the expanse of soft, creamy porcelain skin. His narrow ribcage trailed down to a slightly tapered waist, the result of his years spent portraying a woman.

Shaking his head, Hotohori broke free of his sudden entrancement. "I should not be staring at him like that," he chided. "Not only is he a fellow seishi, he is a fellow *man*. I am not attracted to him." Upon convincing himself of this, he began to remove the sleeping man's drenched underskirts. Soon, there was but one left. If he didn't divest him of it, Nuriko would be cold and wet. On the other hand, if he *did* remove it, Nuriko would be naked. As it was, the thin material was near transparent in its soaked state, perfectly defining and molding to every dip, ripple, and crevice.

Noticing a robe slung over the back of one of the garnet-eyed boy's chairs, the emperor decided to clothe his friend in that before taking off his remaining garment. Perhaps that way, his actions would seem more wholesome. He began tying the belt at the robe's middle, hearing a soft whimper from the slighter seishi. Ignoring it, he slowly slid off the underskirt, garnering a faint moan this time. The sleep-laded bishonen cooed, "Mmm, that feels nice…don't stop…Tasuki…."

As if he had realized what he just said, his eyelids snapped open, burgundy orbs registering shock, anger, and fright. Protectively, he curled his legs up and shied away from the taller man. "Wh-what do you think you're doing, Hotohori-sama?" he questioned in appalled disbelief. "You think that just because I said I was a whore you could take advantage of me? I can't believe you'd do that. I thought I could trust you."

It was apparent he was already on the verge of crying. "Iya! Iya! It was nothing like that!" the ashen-haired teen explained. "I would never do that to you. It's just…your clothes were wet, a-and I didn't want you to catch cold. I'm sorry." He truly began to regret what he had thought to be a considerate plan.

"Just get out," the violet-haired boy commanded, his voice deep with sincerity, yet bordering on tears. "Leave me alone."

Frowning, the young emperor turned to the door and remarked, "I truly am sorry for this. Please forgive me." With that, he left the room, letting Nuriko collapse to his bed in a tight, tearful ball. He felt positively awful for the awkward situation he had caused.

That night, he found that sleep would not come easy to him. He simply chalked it up to concern for his friend. In the whole of Konan, there were none quite so close to him as his feminine friend. However, if Nuriko considered him the same way, he was not sure. Without a doubt, the boy was obviously the closest to Tasuki - quite possibly in more ways than he cared to think. But since his accident, the bandit seemed to want nothing to do with him.

Inhaling deeply, the fretful emperor sighed, turning once more onto his back, using his forearm to guard his eyes from the harsh moonlight. Oh, sleep truly was a cruel mistress. Perhaps he had made some grave error in his life and the gods had turned against him. Regardless of the cause, empty minutes passed into empty hours filled with brief dozing, but no lingering slumber. It would be a long night.

***

Although he had fallen asleep soon after the emperor's departure, the garnet-eyed bishonen felt considerably unrested. Being of the nature he was though, he would not allow lethargy to plague him. So, he bounded about, seeming as sprightly as ever.

Quietly, he sat down to breakfast, a bit wary of the tangerine-haired bandit that, until recently, had been his lover. Luckily, he mentioned nothing about the events of the previous night. Glancing around the ornate dining hall, he distinctly noticed an absent seishi.

"Anou…where's Hotohori-sama? Is he all right?" he asked the room in general. The other occupants glanced up, seemingly unaware that their ruler was missing.

The young priestess was the first to speak up. "I don't know," she explained. "I haven't seen him today. He's usually up by now."

//I hope this isn't because of what I said to him last night, // Nuriko worried inwardly. "Aa…I see. I'll go check on him after I eat," he offered, wondering exactly how many people had even bothered to listen.

"Ne, Tasuki, do you remember anything more yet? It's been over a week since…your accident," Chichiri queried. It was important that the fanged teen remember at least *something* about the past.

With an annoyed growl, he replied, "Oi! I already told ya, Chichiri - no, I don't. You guys look familiar, but it's like I don't know ya. I see ya sometimes and it's like déjà vu, but that's it." He glanced over at the violet-haired boy with disgust. "All I know is that this Nuriko guy here is some sorta hentai."

The feminine bishonen stared at the bandit in offended shock, then focused is gaze on his lap as tears began to sting his eyes. No, he wouldn't give Tasuki the satisfaction of seeing him cry.

"Tasuki!" the miko protested. "You know that's not true. He's a wonderful guy - even if he may not look like one. You should be ashamed of yourself."

Even though the teary-eyed man was pleased that the girl would defend him, he knew it was in his best interest to leave. "Daijoubu, Miaka," he reassured, "he's probably right. I'm going to check on Hotohori-sama now. Excuse me." With that, he left, pausing for a moment outside the door to gather his composure. He'd already made the ashen-haired teen see him cry more times than he cared to.

Reaching the door to the emperor's chambers, he stilled his nerves and knocked lightly, calling, "Hotohori-sama?" No answer. He knocked again, a bit harder. "Hotohori-sama…are you all right?" Still nothing. Sliding the door open a crack, he peeked in, finding the young man still in bed, twisted in unkempt sheets and apparently suffering from a fitful dream. Concerned, Nuriko walked over to his bedside and gently shook him awake, wanting to release his friend from his nightmare.

Wearily, he fluttered open his topaz eyes, trying to focus on the hazy, violet blur before him. "Nuriko? Why are you here? What time is it?"

Veiling his expression, the slighter bishonen took in the sight before him. The supine boy didn't look very well. His cheeks were a rosy hue and a faint mist of perspiration covered him, causing sections of his lengthy bangs to cling to his forehead and cheeks. In addition to that, he had bluish hollows under his eyes, obviously from lack of sleep.

"Anou…it's morning," he replied nonchalantly. "Are you all right? You seem a bit ill." Nuriko reached out and placed a wrist to his friend's forehead. A bit worried, he remarked, "Hotohori-sama, you have a fever. I'll go inform the court that you won't be in today." He walked over to the door.

Shaking his head, the ill young man countered, "No…you can't do that. I have duties to tend to." However, he showed no signs of moving.

Waving a finger at him, the sprightly teen grinned and added, "Surely the emperor is allowed at least *one* sick day. You need your rest. Don't worry; I'll be back soon." Refusing to hear any further arguments, he left.

Within minutes, the burgundy-eyed seishi returned, complete with a basin, a pitcher of water, and a facecloth. Upon setting the items on his nightstand, he noticed Hotohori appeared to be asleep. //Good; he needs some rest, // he mused. //Now, let's see what I can do to bring down his fever. //Taking the pitcher, he poured some of the cool liquid into the basin, dipping the cloth in and wringing it out. Gently, he placed it on his friend's forehead. At the unexpected contact of warm to cool, the ashen-haired bishonen wrinkled his nose, yet pressed against the damp material.

Nuriko grinned faintly at the unconscious reaction. "Hotohori-sama kawaii," he whispered, knowing very well the emperor couldn't hear him. He rewet the cloth and placed it on the topaz-eyed boy's forehead, repeating the process until his cheeks were no longer pink and his temperature had come down. Not wanting to disturb the slumbering man, the violet-haired bishonen slipped out of the room, making a silent vow to check on him later. "Sweet dreams," he commented.

On a day like today, there wasn't much to do. He spent a good portion of the day avoiding all the other seishi. Finally, late afternoon rolled around and he could find an excuse to see his ashen-haired friend again. However, on the way there, he encountered a fanged bandit. He seemed to be waiting for the feminine teen.

Feeling a bit nervous and rather vulnerable, the smaller boy questioned a weak, "Tasuki…why are you here? If it's about last night…gomen. I didn't mean to be so…indecent." He looked up, garnet orbs full with two parts fear to one part shame.

"Che, Nuriko, forget it," the younger seishi replied. "Come here," he added with a smirk, taking his lover's hand and leading him away. When they reached Tasuki's room, his captive was thoroughly perplexed.

Furrowing his arched brows, Nuriko inquired, "W-why…?" Before he could continue, the fiery-haired teen silenced him with a kiss. The instant their lips met, the shorter bishonen felt so many emotions coursing through him - fear, confusion, curiosity, anxiety, elation, and the obvious pleasureful sensation. //Does he remember? // For a moment, he didn't care; he just wanted to be lost in the strong, warm arms of his beloved.

The amber-eyed man kissed him with an intensity he was unused to, but attributed it to his amnesia. Then, he began trailing his lips down the amethyst-haired boy's neck, alternately nipping and sucking at the sensitive flesh. Suddenly, his hands were tugging at Nuriko's sash, desperately trying to work the knot loose.

Pleasure-hazed burgundy eyes shot open at the feel of hands on the sash. //Iya…iya, he can't! This isn't Tasuki, // he thought fearfully. Gently, he pushed at the taller teen's shoulders to get him to stop. "Tasuki," he asked hopefully, "do you remember about us? About how in love we were? How we came to be together? Do you even know the name you used to call me?" His eyes began to burn with the familiar sting of saline as he recalled the time the fanged bishonen first told him he loved him.

The bandit's eyes roamed over the elder seishi's face as he casually responded, "Iie. I don't remember any of it. All I know is that we used to be lovers an' I want that back." With that, he kissed his friend again, lips fusing together with bruising force.

Truly afraid now, the feminine boy turned his head away from the plundering mouth. "Tasuki…onegai…yamete!" he pleaded, tears streaming down his cheeks. "You can't call someone a lover if you don't love them."

Shrugging, the amber-eyed teen remarked, "Fine. If we can't be lovers, then I'll just use you for sex. Either way, I still get what I want, ne?" With a lecherous glint in his eye, he ran a hand down the length of Nuriko's torso. The boy shivered at the touch.

"Iya, Tasuki," the longhaired man explained. "I don't sleep with just anyone. Yes, you and I had our share of lovemaking, and it was wonderful at the time. But…you've changed. When you can look me in the eyes with the same love and compassion you used to, *then* I'll reconsider."

He moved to leave the room, but a strong had grabbed his wrist, preventing him from doing so. Before he could react, he found himself spread on his back on the bed. Looming over him, Tasuki coldly uttered, "Iya, Nuriko. Deep down, you don't want me to stop." He gave a rather wicked smirk.

The elder boy could've easily thrown the bandit across the room by using his powers, but he truly didn't want to hurt him. Struggling against his former lover's grip, the smaller seishi helplessly shouted, "Iya, Tasuki! Yamete! Onegai! Yamete!" Suddenly, something in his captor's eyes changed, as if a flicker of memory passed through him, but he quickly dismissed it.

Emotions returning to anger, he yelled, "Urusai!" following through with a sharp slap to Nuriko's right cheek. Glaring at him, he brought his face within inches of his attackee, growling, "How can you say that after last night?"

***

Hotohori awoke just as the violet-haired bishonen came bounding into the room. He quickly shut the door behind him before calmly walking over to his friend's bedside. //Maybe he won't find me in here, // he thought. Pulling up a chair, he sat near the emperor's bed, questioning, "Are you feeling any better after getting some rest? You look to be in much better health, heika-sama." He began to grin, but winced at the pain it caused him.

"Indeed, I feel much better now," the young man beamed, his golden eyes glimmering as a smile played on his lips. "I think my fever is gone." The garnet-eyed boy was about to check for himself, but one look at his wrists told him otherwise. The sensitive flesh was red from Tasuki's harsh grip, and the marks were beginning to turn purple.

Forming as much of a smile as possible - which was barely a grin - the feminine seishi remarked, "Aa, yokatta! You should probably rest some more just to make sure it doesn't come back." He was having trouble meeting his friend's gaze, afraid that his eyes would give him away.

Noticing the braided teen's unusually reserved behavior, Hotohori frowned and asked, "Nuriko…are you all right? You seem a bit upset."

//It will only make the matter worse if I tell him. // Shaking his head, the violet-haired boy responded, "Anou…no, I'm fine." He offered nothing further.

Growing more concerned, he requested, "Look at me, Nuriko." Burgundy eyes glanced at him, then quickly darted away. "Turn your face all the way toward me," he added.

When the slighter bishonen did not comply, the ashen-haired man gently grabbed his friend's chin in an attempt to turn his head toward his own. This only resulted in a howling, "Itai!" from Nuriko, who abruptly backed away, covering his cheek.

"Gomen! Gomen nasai!" the emperor apologized, regretting his move. "Onegai…let me see it." Almost reluctantly, the injured seishi acquiesced, turning his head to the side. A dark, mottled bruise was forming over most of the cheek, and it appeared slightly swollen. //This is awful! Who would do such a thing? And to Nuriko? // "Who did this to you?" he hazarded, wondering if the garnet-eyed boy would be willing to share.

Hotohori dipped the facecloth into the basin of water his fellow warrior had previously used, dabbing the soaked linen onto the bruise, in hopes of lessening the swelling. The wavy-haired man grimaced, but remained still.

//There's no use in lying, // Nuriko mused. //He'll find out sooner or later. But why does this have to be so hard? // A few tears found their way down his cheeks at the realization. "It was…it was Tasuki," he choked. "He grabbed me and…and I told him to stop, but he hit me. So…I kicked him really hard, maybe broke some ribs…and I ran in here, thinking he might not find me."

Concerned for his friend's well being, not to mention safety, the topaz-eyed man inquired, "Nuriko, if you don't mind my asking…what happened between you two last night - before I found you at the pond? I will keep it a secret if you'd like." //Perhaps I am asking too much by this. //

Suddenly, the bruised seishi's tears began falling at a faster pace. //Can I tell him? // he debated mentally. //Yes…I have to. Someone must know, and I'd rather it be him. //Between sobs, he managed, "I wanted him…to want me again, so…I went to him all dressed up. I thought that…if I was irresistible…he'd remember me and love me again." He paused, breathing raggedly.

"What did he do?" furthered the emperor. He was now in a position of holding the distressed bishonen in a comforting embrace, running soothing strokes down his amethyst mane.

Picking up once again, Nuriko shakily answered, "He…he started yelling at me…and calling me a whore. A-and then he told me…he said he'd use me like I wanted to be used." He buried his face against the ashen-haired man's neck, his back and shoulders wracked by sobs.

Almost fearing the response, Hotohori let curiosity get the better of him. "And then what?" he wondered aloud.

Maintaining contact with his neck, the braided boy choked, "He raped me."

At the expected response, his golden eyes glimmered with fury. "That is awful, Nuriko. I wish there were something I could do. Just name it and it will be done." //I may not be in love with Nuriko, but I know when he is hurt. You, Tasuki, are the problem, and I'll be damned if I let *anyone* hurt him - even a fellow seishi. Be on your guard, traitor! //

After the traumatized boy had cried himself to sleep, the emperor carefully removed himself from his hold. Slipping into his casual robes, he left the room, intent on finding the reason behind the young bandit's sudden maliciousness. Rather than talk to the amnesic teen directly, he went to the next person who would likely have the answers - Chichiri.

He found the monk in his room, quietly meditating on the bed. Rather than disturb his peaceful friend, the ashen-haired bishonen took a seat in a chair on the far side of the chamber. As he patiently waited, he watched lazy coils of smoke drift in musk-scented ribbons from the incense below. It was a heady fragrance, but pleasant.

A good five minutes elapsed before the blue-haired man finally opened his eye. Focusing on his visitor, he was not at all surprised to find the younger seishi there. "Hotohori-sama," he began, his voice several notes lower than its usual soprano, "What brings you here?"

"I was hoping you could provide me with some answers," the longhaired teen replied, neither voice nor visage betraying his emotions. Chichiri simply gazed at him, giving a slight nod and urging him to continue. "What happened to Tasuki to make him lose his memories?"

The mage closed his eye and sighed before reopening it and beginning, "We went out one night to a tavern. He wanted to go drinking and asked me to come with him, insisting that it was no fun to drink alone and I could take the place of Kouji. I asked him why he didn't invite Nuriko instead, and he told me he wasn't sure he could trust a drunken Nuriko to be altogether wholesome. So, I went with him, no da.

I never drank anything, but he finished off a bottle and a half of sake easily. He was pretty drunk and I told him we should head back. Well, on the way out, he was talking and waving his arms and ended up hitting a guy in the head. The man and his three friends jumped up and demanded he apologize.

Tasuki, of course, wouldn't. That's when they decided to take the matter outside. I kept begging him to say he was sorry, but he said it wasn't what a bandit would do. He got up and grabbed his tessen, preparing to fight them. But before he said the incantation, he staggered a little and looked back at me. It was like all of a sudden, he didn't know what he was doing or who he was.

The other men took that opportunity to hit him over the head with an empty bottle. Since he was already so intoxicated, the blow knocked him out. Luckily, I managed to transport him back here before they could do anything else. When he regained consciousness, he didn't remember anything." He glanced down, still upset by the turn of events.

Hotohori pondered the monk's story for a bit. "I see," he commented. "Arigato, Chichiri. Do you think he'll get his memory back? He is…not himself lately. I do not want to see him behave inappropriately again."

Raising a questioning eyebrow, the blue-haired mage queried, "Again? What do you mean? I am not sure he'll regain his memories. We'll just have to wait and see."

//Damn! I shouldn't have said that. // "Aa…that is not a matter I am at liberty to discuss. Gomen," the emperor remarked, standing up. The monk nodded his understanding. "Sayonara, Chichiri." With that, he left. //But that still does not explain his inexcusable behavior. What is it that could possibly have caused his complete lapse of memory? Could it have been poison? //

After the ashen-haired boy had left, Chichiri took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. //There is no way they could ever figure it out, // he thought with a smirk. //No way at all, unless…. //

***

Trudging slowly and holding a hand to his pained torso, Tasuki made his way through the palace halls. "Damn that fuckin' Nuriko," he hissed between gritted teeth. "Next time I see him that bastard's gonna pay!" He flung open the door, letting a familiar scent infiltrate his senses. He stood, leaning heavily against the doorframe, in too much pain to do otherwise.

"Tasuki, are you okay?" the concerned monk questioned. "What happened to you? You look hurt." He helped the young bandit over to the bed with a worried expression on his maskless face.

Wincing at the pain caused by lying down, he muttered, "K'so. That hentai…Nuriko kicked me. Can ya fix me up? I gotta go get some revenge."

Frowning at the fanged teen's harsh words, the elder seishi chided, "Yo shouldn't call Nuriko a hentai, no da. He's a good friend. I'm sure he wouldn't just kick you for no reason. Did you do something to hurt him, na no da?" It was strange seeing his friend act so hostile.

"Ch', all I did was grab him," the amber-eyed young man retorted. "You'd think that after havin' sex once, he'd wanna do it again." He growled as the mage felt for broken ribs.

Keeping the frown, Chichiri added a hint of sadness to his expression. "You seem to have two broken ribs. Stay still while I get some bandages." He went into the adjoining washroom, emerging a few minutes later. "Tasuki," he wondered aloud, "when you…were intimate…with Nuriko, he did consent to it, ne?"

Adopting a haughty air, the fiery-haired boy quipped, "Oi! He was askin' for it, comin' into my room all made up an' shit. No, he didn't come right out and say it, but he couldn't have expected anything less."

Silently, the blue-haired monk wrapped the bandages around Tasuki's midsection. "Anou…" he began quietly, "you shouldn't have forced him like that, Tasuki. It's a wonder he lets you get anywhere near him now." //This must be what Hotohori-sama was talking about. //

"Nuriko is a wonderfully kind person. He's no hentai. You should try to earn his trust back. But, if yo won't, then stay away from him. Onegai?"

The ill-tempered bandit sat up, a string of curses following him. "Yeah, Chichiri. Gomen nasai. Arigato - for fixin' me up." He looked truly remorseful for a bit, before discomfort clouded his features as he hobbled out of the room.

Curious, he went to check on the violet-haired splendor, intending to apologize. However, upon reaching the bedchamber, he found it to be empty. "K'so, that's right," he whispered. "He's probably afraid to come back here after what I did. Gomen, Nuri-chan."

Not knowing where else to look for the feminine bishonen, he decided to leave him a note. Stepping inside, he noticed the precarious tidiness of the room. Paper was just where he had expected it to be, in the drawer of his vanity. Writing quickly, he jotted:

Nuri-chan,

About what happened earlier this afternoon, I'm sorry. I also wanna apologize for last night. I was horribly outta line and I kick myself for it (though you did a pretty good job yourself). I promise I'll never do that to you again. Please don't hate me.

-- "Tasuki-chan"

Leaving it on the pillow, he left the room.

***

Upon returning to his bedchamber, Hotohori found the still-slumbering Nuriko there. He worried his lip, unsure of what to do. He did not want to wake the peacefully sleeping seishi, but the time for dinner was drawing near. In addition, he was uncertain as to whether or not his friend would want to be anywhere near Tasuki.

After carefully pondering his options, the emperor decided he would feign his previous illness and have the servants bring their meal to his room. Naturally, he would request two meals, as the feminine boy would be keeping him company.

Within a matter of minutes, the servants arrived bearing food, finding an `ill' ashen-haired man in bed next to a napping, braided teen. Wishing his Highness a quick recovery, they left, albeit not without giving the two strange glances.

//Good. Now, the food will be here when he wakes up. // Easing out of the bed, the topaz-eyed bishonen crossed the room to his table, leisurely eating his portion of the food. Every so often, he would shift his gaze to the dozing seishi, searching for any signs of his rousing. Seeing none, he walked back over to the bed, climbing under the covers in an attempt to trick his guest into thinking he had never left.

Suddenly, the violet-haired boy whimpered in his sleep, creasing his highly arched brows and drawing his slender legs to his chest. His lips quivered as he breathed, "Yamete, Tasuki…iya…onegai…yamete."

Hotohori frowned at his friend's pleas. //He must have suffered so much. // "Gomen nasai, Nuriko. You have been through so much, and yet…still you manage to smile. You even took care of me. So, in return, I will take care of you." He gently stroked the pale teen's cheek, but he turned away from the touch.

"Iya, Tasuki…yamete. Don't touch me anymore," the amethyst-haired man commanded, pushing away the hand that graced his cheek. He sounded rather awake now, and his voice had lost its usual lilt, instead taking on a colder tone.

Looking rather perplexed, but understanding, the emperor soothed, "No, Nuriko, I am not Tasuki. I am Hotohori. It's all right now. You were having a nightmare. I had your dinner brought here in case you did not want to face Tasuki."

"Oh…arigato, Hotohori-sama. Gomen, I didn't mean to disrespect you like that. It's just…I'm so afraid of Tasuki now. I don't know what he'll do to me. I…I don't think I want to go back to my room." He turned over and looked up with pleading, garnet eyes.

With a reassuring grin, the taller young man replied, "I understand. But you will have to go back eventually. One cannot live their life in a single room. However, do not fear, I will accompany you back there, if you'd like. For now though, you should eat."

He lifted the tray and carried it over to the bed, watching as Nuriko tasted of the food. "I appreciate that, Hotohori-sama. Thank you…for the food, for taking care of me…for everything," he commented between bites. After he finished, he glanced at the emperor as if to ask, `what's next?'

Looking very sincere, the ashen-haired boy nervously queried, "Nuriko…how do you feel…about last night? Do you feel…" he searched his mind for the proper words, "unclean or degraded by what he did to you?" The boy nodded shyly. "Did you think that if you kissed me…if you made love to me - a friend - if it was slow and gentle, that the dirty feeling would go away?"

"Hotohori-sama, I appreciate your concern, and I know you don't want Tasuki to hurt me, but I've already apologized for last night," the violet-haired bishonen retorted. "But if you simply *must* know, then yes, that's what I thought. I just didn't…I just wanted you not to treat me like a whore. You're always so caring and gentle, and I knew you'd be careful with me. But I don't expect you to know what it's like to feel so defiled, to have someone holding you down and smiling as they have their way with you…."

"…Ignoring your screams of protest as they so cruelly and painfully take what is only yours to give and leave you so afraid and alone," Hotohori completed. "Yes…I *do* know, Nuriko. I know all too well the pain of being raped." His face reflected sadness and the surfacing of bitter memories.

Bewildered and shocked by his revelation, the slighter seishi could barely manage, "But…but…you're the emperor. Who could possibly…?"

Feeling the need to explain himself, the golden-eyed teen began, "My father, the emperor, died when I was only fourteen. I inherited the throne from him, but functioned mostly as my mother's puppet. When she passed away, I was still very young and inexperienced as a ruler. There was one man, a councilor of mine, who offered to help `show me the ropes', if you will. It was not long before I found out his sordid little plan. To him, I was just the object he needed to fulfill his appalling sexual desires. Luckily, I had a wonderful friend in the Prime Minister and we had him beheaded for his crimes."

There were very nearly tears in the burgundy eyes of his listener. "Oh, Hotohori-sama, I'm so sorry. Forgive me, I didn't know. That must've been awful. At least in my case, it was by someone I knew and loved. So…what did you do to get over it?" he questioned, most curious.

The young emperor thought for a moment. //This advice could be very crucial. If I tell him something wrong, who knows what he might do? // Finally, he decided to reply, "I put it all out of my mind and focused on the more important things in my life. I did not have someone to confide in as you do. I was lonely, but I always told myself that it was not my fault and in my own mind, I was still pure and untouched. However, it was still quite some time before I would allow so much as a hug from anyone. As of now, I have yet to be intimate with another person - male or female."

"Oh," the feminine boy quipped, "Arigato. That helps. It's good to hear from someone who has suffered the same problem. I will get through this, and I will have the old Tasuki back. Will you walk me to my room now?" He looked a bit worried, as if his ashen-haired friend would say no.

Nodding firmly, the taller man stood and answered, "Of course. I will stay for a while if you'd like, but I really must return so that I may get some rest. I do not wish to be ill again tomorrow." Together, they left, walking the relatively short distance to Nuriko's chambers.

Upon glancing around, wandering garnet eyes spied the note on the pillow. Curiosity piqued, he picked it up and read it. Tears of mingled joy and disbelief sprang to his eyes. "Hotohori-sama," he choked, grinning despite the liquid gracing his cheeks, "it's okay. It's all right for you to leave. This note…he says he won't hurt me anymore. I think he remembers a little bit; he called me by the nickname he gave me. He didn't know it earlier. Arigato, Hotohori-sama, for all your help. Oyasumi."

Grinning faintly at the good fortune of his fellow seishi, the emperor remarked, "I'm glad. You know, Nuriko, if you ever have any other problems, do not be afraid to come see me. Oyasumi." Turning, he left the room and returned to his.

Slowly, he went through his nightly ritual and settled into bed. Turning to his side, he could faintly detect the scent of Nuriko on his pillow. Inhaling deeply, Hotohori thought, //He smells exotic, like lotuses. // He turned away from the fragrance, despite his sense's insistence to get him to return to the pleasing aroma. Coming to a conclusion, he decided he was happy that things between his two fellow seishi would work out. So what was this nagging feeling deep in his stomach that told him to protect the amethyst-haired teen? Too weary to concentrate, he let his eyelids drift shut as sleep overcame him.

***

The next morning, he felt considerably better than he had the last. The morning air felt crisp and fresh in his lungs, and the day looked like it would be not half bad. Breakfast went over smoothly, the other seishi seeming to be enjoying the pleasant weather as well. Nuriko was happily chatting with Tasuki, who seemed a bit wary but was at least talking back.

After the meal, the two went off to the gardens for a walk, and Hotohori was forced to attend morning court. He found it strange that whenever he missed a session, he was no better off where he was, as he was certainly ill. If he were lucky, he might be able to evade afternoon court in order to fully appreciate such a superb day.

Unfortunately, first he would have to survive through eleven o'clock. As usual, the hours, minutes, even seconds dragged on as one advisor after another rambled on about menial points. The patient emperor could feel the agonizing beginnings of a headache. He shut his eyes and rubbed his temples in slow circles, only half listening to these so-called `important matters'.

"Heika-sama, are you all right? Your Highness looks to be a bit ill," one of the men spoke up. "Should we continue this at a later time?"

Opening his topaz eyes, he remarked, "Anou…Yes, if you please. I seem to be getting a headache. Gomen. We will continue this tomorrow. Excuse me." At that, he brushed past his advisors and down the breezeway. //It was a miracle I got away from them, // he thought, //but why did I have to come down with a headache? This is most unfortunate. Perhaps some fresh air will help me. //

The ashen-haired teen walked off toward the gazebo in the eastern pavilion. He stopped once along the way to remove his shoes. //How is anyone expected to walk in these infernal things? // Reaching the area he was bound for, he sat on the wide railing which formed a makeshift bench. The gazebo itself was an island, surrounded by tranquil ponds and accessible only by a quaint, little wooden bridge.

Reaching up, he pulled the pin out of his headpiece, removing both and letting his richly colored tresses unravel down his back, settling about his waist. What he desperately wanted to do was throw the uncomfortable thing in the pond. However, he knew he would just need it again tomorrow.

Leaning back against a pillar, the golden-eyed bishonen closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, controlling his lungs to form long, drawn out breaths. Through the dull pain in his head, he relished in the feeling of the warm sun caressing his body, encasing it in an ethereal glow. It was not often that he could enjoy such simple pleasures.

He opened his eyes after a time and gazed at the water. Almost immediately, he came to focus on a group of lotuses that had recently bloomed. A faint grin touched his lips, and he was reminded of his feminine friend. //They are so much like Nuriko, // he mused, //light and delicate, with a soft color, and always on the move. //

Just then, he noticed something dark shift into view. As he peered closer to discern it, he was met with a wavy mop of hair that suddenly shot up, coughing and gasping for breath. This caught Hotohori by complete surprise. "Nuriko, what on earth are you doing in there?" he queried, completely baffled.

Clearing the soaked, violet strands out of his eyes, he looked very shocked to see the emperor before him. "A-anou…Hotohori-sama, gomen nasai," he replied nervously. "You startled me. I thought court wasn't over until noon."

"It's not," he offered. "I had a headache, so I excused myself for today. I simply came out here for some fresh air. I did not expect to find you lurking in the eastern ponds." He helped the young man out of the water, watching as he wrung out his hair, picking out pieces of plant debris.

Without looking up, the drenched boy remarked, "It was never my intention to be in the water at all. I…merely fell in…at a too strong push from Tasuki. He meant no harm by it, honestly. It was just playful, but I was standing too close to the water's edge."

A bit skeptical, the taller seishi made a low noise in his throat and furthered, "Are you sure? If he has tried to harm you in any way, I'll…."

"Onegai, Hotohori-sama, don't hurt him. I don't thin he realizes what he's doing. It's probably a side effect of the amnesia. I know he would never hurt me on purpose, but he's not himself," the garnet-eyed teen interrupted, concerned that his friend would kill his lover. He glanced down and his face softened in anguish, lower lip trembling ever so slightly. "He doesn't remember a thing about us, but he's learning. Sometimes, little things come to him, like the nickname he gave to me, but it's very rare." He wrapped his arms around himself as he continued. "But then…he gets really aggressive…and that's when he frightens me. I don't know what's wrong with him; I just want him back to normal."

The ashen-haired bishonen took his hand, leading him to the railing heated by sunlight. He sat, shivering faintly in the auroral blanket. Frowning internally at this, the emperor began to unclasp his belt, tugging his outer robe up.

"H-Hotohori-sama, what are you doing?" exclaimed the shocked and puzzled Nuriko.

Pulling down the crimson silk so he could see the shorter boy, Hotohori responded, "You were shivering, so I was simply going to offer you some warmth." He grinned playfully. "Do not worry; I have more than enough clothes on under here. Emperors never dress lightly." With that, he pulled the robe over his head and handed it to the wet young man.

Reaching his hand out, the amethyst-haired seishi accepted the dry garment and slipped it over his head, quipping, "Arigato…although I don't believe it's quite my size, nor color, at least it's dry." He smiled warmly and the emperor found it to be contagious.

Just then, another character came into play. "Aa, Hotohori-sama, there you are," greeted a chipper voice, "and Nuriko, too. Anou, I spoke with your advisors and they told me you had a headache, no da. Are you feeling better now?"

"Hai, Chichiri, much better," the golden-eyed bishonen answered. "I believe I just needed some fresh air. It was merely coincidence that I came across Nuriko here."

The monk nodded and commented, "Aa, is that so? Nuriko, I thought you were here with Tasuki. I saw the two of you leave together, no da." //Perhaps it's all right after all. //

Appearing a bit nervous, the feminine boy retorted, "Anou…I came out here with Tasuki, but I don't know where he is now. Gomen." He looked up cautiously.

"I see," the blue-haired mage replied. "Arigato. I'm glad you're feeling better, Hotohori-sama, no da. Ja." He walked off cheerfully, thinking, //I haven't failed yet. But I won't even begin to wonder why Nuriko was wet and wearing Heika-sama's robe. // Dismissing the thought, he continued his quest.

***

Things seemed to continue in this fashion for nearly three weeks. Every day, the emperor would find Nuriko after yet another aggressive brush with the fanged bandit. Luckily, none so far were so bad as that first night. If they had been, he would not have been able to control his actions.

Over the course of the three weeks, he got to know the burgundy-eyed man as a close friend, but more as an idol of sorts. He admired the strength of both body and heart encased in such a slender form. After losing his dearest friend and lover to amnesia, Nuriko was relentless in gaining back the Tasuki he once knew. He bravely put up with the fiery teen's abuse, desperately holding on to the slim chance that his memories would return. //Could this be because of my words to him that first night? // he wondered.

However, things could not always be so bright. One morning, nearly a month and a half after the accident, the violet-haired seishi wearily lifted his eyelids, batting away the lingering darkness. He stretched leisurely, loosening the muscles all the way to his toes. It was then that he noticed something was amiss.

His hand brushed up against something solid and warm. Turning to inspect it, he came face to face with desirous, amber eyes. Immediately, the elder bishonen tensed, fearing what would happen.

"Ohayo, Nuri-chan," he purred with a smirk. "I came to see you, but you were asleep, so I figured I'd wait until you woke up. You don't mind, ne?"

Scrutinizing his former lover carefully, Nuriko cautiously questioned, "What do you want, Tasuki?" He rolled over and swung his legs off the side of the bed, preparing to get up. The bandit, however, would have none of this.

Pulling him back to the mattress, the fiery-haired teen angrily inquired, "Where do you think you're going? I got ya right where I want ya, on yer back an' in bed. An' if ya know what's good for you, ya won't kick me this time. Ya gave me two broken ribs fer Suzaku's sake! So, just lay back an' enjoy this."

He began roughly tearing at the supine man's robe, but his victim managed to clasp his wrists. "Tasuki, don't do this," he pleaded, desperate and teary-eyed. "I'm not a whore. You can't just come in here and expect me to submit to your every sexual desire. I…I *do* love you, but until your memories return, I know you won't truly love me. Now get off me." He spoke the last line with a sincere command.

Shaking his head, the taller seishi ignored the demand of his captive and proceeded to grip his jaw firmly and growl, "Do you really think yer heartfelt words are gonna make me stop? Better think again. You *will* give in - I'll make sure of it. But just for good measure, I think I'll tie ya up this time. Then, there's nothin' to get in my way."

Tasuki tugged sharply at Nuriko's forearm, pulling him up and nearly dragging the resisting figure across the room in search of some sort of rope-like material. The violet-haired boy began to struggle, hitting at the unyielding arm. The last thing he expected was the intense pain that exploded throughout the right side of his face.

"Itai!" the wounded man nearly screamed, collapsing to the floor at the force of the attack and clutching at his face. Free of the bandit's grip, he scrambled up to flee.

However, once again, he was grabbed. "Didn't I warn ya about that?" he scowled. "Now, you'll pay."

Gathering what little courage he had at the moment, Nuriko fumbled with the objects within reach on his vanity, settling on an ornate pin used to hold his hair in the elaborate harem style. His resolve steeled, he drew his mouth into a taut line and held the sharp object at his beloved's throat.

In a voice heavy with truth, hurt, and an uncharacteristic angered bitterness, the violet-haired boy spat, "You will *not* have me like this. I devoted my *whole* life to you. Even with your amnesia, even after you raped me, I tried with all my heart to make you love me again. I put up with your abuse for two months - *two months*. But I won't stand for it any longer. Now let me go, or else I reserve every right to slit your throat."

To emphasize his point, he pressed the tip of the pin to Tasuki's neck hard enough so that a single bead of blood broke through the skin. The fanged boy's eyes grew wide, both with fear and realization of the pain he had caused his love.

At that moment, the burgundy-eyed bishonen wrenched away from the protective grip and rushed out of the room, salinic droplets wetting his cheeks.

The fiery-haired boy was tempted to go after him, but decided he'd most likely be better off alone. He stood for an instant, awestruck by his malicious actions. "What have I done?" he asked himself. "I don't want him to hate me…do I? I…I don't know. Maybe if I go get plastered, I can forget all about this." His mind made up, he left the room.

***

Without so much as a second thought, the injured seishi found himself in the emperor's room, collapsing on the bed next to a startled and weary Hotohori. He wept freely into the sheets until the taller man pulled him up into his arms.

He tried his best to console the sobbing youth, holding him gently and stroking his violet mane. "Are you all right, Nuriko?" he questioned softly. //You're crying. You haven't cried since that first day. And I'll make sure you never cry again. // Something about his friend's tears roused an emotion deep within him. //Odd, // he thought, //when did that happen? //

"Again," the amethyst-haired teen choked, "he tried to do it again. I-I stopped him, though. But I was so scared."

The topaz-eyed bishonen lifted the face buried against his shoulder, noticing the painfully red swelling over the right cheekbone, just below the eye. "He hit you again?" he inquired, silently cursing the ill-tempered boy, vowing to inflict bodily harm the next time they met. Nuriko nodded, "Here, let me help you."

Rising from the bed, the ashen-haired man disappeared into the washroom. Moments later, he returned with a jar and a wet cloth. Tenderly, he placed the cool material against the swollen flesh, hearing the feminine bishonen's faint whimper. "Arigato, Hotohori-sama. You really shouldn't bother with someone like me. But…but…I appreciate all of your help."

Taking the cloth away from his cheek, the emperor grinned faintly, replying, "Nonsense. I will *always* help you when you need it." He opened the jar, dabbing a finger into the cool cream. "More than you know," he barely whispered. "This cream should help numb the pain. It is generally used for muscle aches, but I see no reason why it should not help you," he lectured.

"A-arigato," the injured boy remarked, wincing slightly. "You really are too kind." After a length of time, curiosity caught up with him and he queried, "Anou…what did you mean by `more than you know'?"

The room was silent for an extended time as the golden-eyed teen fumbled for a response. With utter certainty, he gazed directly into deep garnet pools, answering, "It means that some time, somewhere along the way…I fell in love with you. Maybe it was because you always came to me after Tasuki's abusive behavior, and I realized you were showing me the side of you that is rarely seen. I know you are still in love with him, and I do not wish to change that. I merely wanted you to know. And…if you ever decide you want *me*…I will still be here." He smiled faintly and brushed the stray hair away from Nuriko's eyes.

Biting his lower lip, the feminine bishonen thought carefully. After much internal debate, he responded, "You're right, Hotohori-sama, I *do* love Tasuki. But I love the *old* Tasuki, not the amnesic, violent creature he's become. Don't get me wrong, I *do* love him, but not as deeply as I did. I don't think things could ever return to that." His eyes found his fellow seishi's, displaying no lack of verity as he continued, "And you…I cannot tell you for certain whether what I feel for you is lover, but I *will* find the answer. Admittedly, I *am* very attracted to you, and by more than just your looks. You're a wonderful, kind-hearted person. I just don't know if I'm the kind of person you deserve. That's all…."

With an inward sigh, Hotohori admitted, "You *are* deserving of me, Nuriko. Even though I am the emperor, I am still just a simple human being. But I suspected that was what you would say. Just know that none of what has happened to you recently has changed my opinion of you. In fact, I feel we are even closer because of it. Never let anyone make you feel lower than you really are, which - in my opinion - is no less than me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe your awakening me deems it time for me to dress myself."

"Aa, gomen," the violet-haired bishonen agreed. He rose from the bed and walked gracefully to the door. Pausing just before he departed, he remarked, "Arigato, Hotohori-sama…for taking care of my face again. And…I'll have an answer for you soon. I promise." With as much of a grin as he could manage with his bruised face, he left.

Out in the safety of the hallway, he began to come to terms with the emperor's revelation. //He loves me, // Nuriko mused, wondrous. //I…I know I feel strongly for him, but I can't love both him *and* Tasuki. Speaking of Tasuki, I wonder if he's still in my room. I better go see. // On that thought, he made his way down the breezeway to his bedchamber.

Meanwhile, Hotohori dressed himself in his casual attire, every intention on having a reckoning with a certain fanged boy. As he fastened the belt of his sheath to his waist, he silently warned, //you may have harmed Nuriko before, Tasuki, but I will make sure you *never* hurt him again. Your reckless ways have lost his heart, and now he will be with me. //

A determined frown curving his lips, the ashen-haired man stalked off on his pursuit of the one who defiled his beloved. After a lengthy search of the grounds - all the while cleverly avoiding the feminine seishi - he finally came upon his target.

Upon gazing out into the area of the courtyard, he caught sight of the familiar obsidian overcoat and unruly, tangerine locks. At first, he grinned knowingly at the image of his rival, but soon noted that something was a bit off about the wiry bandit. Cautiously, and with a mystified expression, he approached the teen.

***

Warily, the garnet-eyed youth opened the door to his chambers and peered inside. Much to his relief, his abusive lover was nowhere to be found. "Tasuki?" he hazarded, inspecting more closely in case his assailant was hiding. However, this turned up nothing. //I wonder where he went. Maybe he returned to his own room. // Quickly, he dressed himself and left to find out.

The amber-eyed boy's room was not far from his own, but in a different section of the palace. As he rounded the corner that would take him to his love's bedchamber, nothing could've prepared him for what he found.

There, in the midst of the courtyard, were Hotohori and Tasuki. Eyes impossibly wide, he hurried over to the two, collapsing next to the fanged bishonen who was lying in a bloody heap on the ground. "Hotohori-sama, what have you done to him?" he practically shouted. "I told you *not* to hurt him!" Turning to the injured seishi, he stroked his face, demanding, "Come on, Tasuki, wake up. Open your eyes and tell me what happened. Don't worry; we'll make you better. Come on…wake up. Tasuki!" Silent tears fell onto the battered teen's cheeks.

"I swear on my life, Nuriko, that I did not lay so much as a finger on him," the emperor explained. "In truth, I *did* come out here to teach him a lesson, but when I found him, he was like this. I do not know what happened to him."

Attracted by Nuriko's raucous cries, Chichiri appeared in the courtyard. Seeing his two fellow seishi bent over something on the ground, he soon realized what all the commotion was about. "Tasuki!" he blurted, running to the supine young man.

"Hotohori-sama, Nuriko, what happened to him?"

Shaking his head, the topaz-eyed teen responded. "It is a mystery to us. When I saw him, he was walking very slowly and limping a bit, holding a hand to his side. Then, he simply collapsed. By the time I reached him, he was already unconscious."

Suddenly, the bandit stirred, opening his eyes a bit. Looking rather perplexed, he questioned, "What're you guys doin' here? What? Was I talkin' in my sleep or somethin'?"

With a small grin, the violet-haired boy shook his head and choked, "Iie…you passed out. What happened to you? You're hurt."

The fanged seishi tried vainly to sit up, but rethought it with a curse. "Ch'. I was lookin' fer a place to get drunk, cuz I was upset over punchin' ya earlier," he explained. "I was goin' to this bar when I met a couple of guys outside the door. They asked me if I *wanted* to get beat up for comin' back there. I was kinda confused, cuz they seemed like they knew me. Well, then they decided they were gonna beat the shit outta me anyway. Some people stopped `em before they could kill me, an' I came back here."

"This is all my fault," Chichiri confessed. "If it weren't for me, none of this would have happened."

Three pairs of bewildered eyes stared back in response. "What do you mean, Chichiri?" Hotohori wondered aloud. "Did you have something to do with this?"

The blue-haired monk looked down and slowly nodded. "Hai," he admitted. "Nuriko, your bruises, and…and the fact that Tasuki raped you…his abusive behavior…it's my fault. And Tasuki, your injuries now…and your amnesia…it's my fault, too. I just…I didn't want to see you two together anymore. It…it broke my heart, because…I had fallen in love with Tasuki and I wanted him for myself."

"Chichiri…" the young bandit gasped, "yer…in love with me?"

Still perplexed, Nuriko queried, "I don't get it. What does this have to do with what's wrong with Tasuki?"

"Plenty," the mage furthered. "You see, that night when we went to the bar, I decided to put my plan into action. He was pretty drunk anyway and not really paying attention, so when he wasn't looking, I slipped some kodoku into his drink." Cautiously, he glanced up to meet the gaze of the others. Immediately, they understood.

"It was just coincidence that it began to take effect when you were about to fight," he added. "When he regained consciousness, he didn't remember anything, so I told him he didn't love Nuriko and that he should listen to me. Things *would've* been fine, but contrary to what I told him, instead of not loving you, he *hated* you and became very violent. I think though, that the combined effects of the kodoku and the alcohol caused the kodoku to work improperly. And that's why sometimes he would be kind or remember small things. Gomen. I never meant for it to turn out like this. I just wanted Tasuki to love me. Onegai…forgive me."

The burgundy-eyed bishonen stole a glance at the emperor, who seemed to be thinking. //I wonder what it is that he's thinking about. Perhaps he feels he can relate to Chichiri on the subject of loving someone who's already involved. //

Standing up, the regal youth proclaimed, "I do not believe this matter involves me. Therefore, I shall make myself scarce. I hope you are able to resolve this situation." Bidding farewell, he walked off toward the palace, a deep sadness hanging over him. //I know you love Tasuki, Nuriko…but will you give him up? //

Taking note of his friend's departure, the feminine teen turned to his lover and asked, "Tasuki, do you love Chichiri?" The monk in question looked on, hopeful.

Turning his gaze to his fellow blue-haired seishi, he replied, "I don't know if it's *love*, but I do *like* the guy. Maybe there's more to it."

"Would you be willing to try?" Nuriko pressed. "Since you can't remember much about me, maybe you can start from scratch with him."

Nodding, the fiery-haired bishonen answered, "Yeah. I'd like to try. Besides, I'm afraid that I'd hurt ya again, an' I don't want that. Gomen, Nuriko." With a little bit of help, the fanged boy was soon sitting, one arm slung over Chichiri's shoulder.

"Arigato, Nuriko," the eldest seishi remarked, "for understanding, and for forgiving me, no da. I promise I won't mistreat Tasuki…and I won't let him mistreat you." Turning to his new love, he added, "Come on, we've got to get you to Mitsukake, no da."

Before they left, however, Tasuki quietly asked, "Are you gonna be okay, Nuriko? I mean…you loved me. Won't you be sad?"

The amethyst-haired man smiled at the new couple in front of him. "Don't worry about me, Tasuki. I'll be just fine." At length, he added, "I've got someone waiting for me." With that, he took off after the emperor. "Hotohori-sama!" he called out. "Hotohori-sama, matte!" When he had gotten his attention, he inquired, "Why did you leave?"

A bit flustered, the taller teen quipped, "Well…because that has nothing to do with me. I didn't want to interfere."

With a joyful smile, Nuriko countered, "Iie. From now on, whatever involves me has *everything* to do with you." Hotohori furrowed his brows. "I've found my answer, Hotohori-sama, and…I love you."

"Nuriko, you - " an ecstatic golden-eyed bishonen began.

Holding two fingers to his beloved's lips, the slighter boy chided, "Shh…let me explain. Tasuki won't remember me, and there's always the chance he'll hurt me again. Neither of us want that. And I know he'll be happy with Chichiri. He loves Tasuki, and I only want what's best for him. All I know is that *you* won't hurt me, and you're what's best for me."

Smiling broadly now, the ashen-haired man commented, "I am glad you are so sure of yourself." He wrapped his arms around his love's waist, holding him in a tight embrace. "I love you, Nuriko," he whispered.

Pushing back a little, the violet-haired seishi tilted his head so that his lips hovered mere inches from Hotohori's.

Catching on to this, the emperor allowed his eyes to drift shut as he ever so slowly moved his face toward Nuriko's, breathing, "I've never kissed…another man…before."

Moving close enough so their lips just barely touched, the burgundy-eyed teen barely exhaled, "I'll…teach you." At that, he eliminated the space between them, filling it with the soft, enticing friction of mouth against mouth.

Across the courtyard, Tasuki and Chichiri looked on with a smile, their fingers cautiously lacing together. "I guess Nuriko wasn't lying," Chichiri remarked. "He really *did* have someone waiting for him. I'm glad they finally found happiness."

**The End**