Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Darkness of the Heart ❯ A Hunting We Will Go ( Chapter 3 )

Darkness of the Heart

 

When Tamahome opened his eyes, the light had faded from the sky. A cool mist had settled in the trees and over the grass. Faded gray-blue light hushed the sky and the sounds of the town had grown quiet.

 

He pushed himself up and looked around. An immediate sharp pain cut through his skull and he gritted his teeth against the sudden throbbing in his head. Putting his fingers to the back of his head, he gingerly touched the aching spot. The hair around his neck was stiff and matted together.

 

He studied his fingers closely and saw dark flakes of red on the tips. His eyes widened and he stood up abruptly, which he soon learned was a bad idea. The throbbing in his head screamed at him and he was forced to steady himself on a tree until it calmed.

 

"Tasuki?" He called out to the quiet woods. Nothing but the sound of early morning birds answered him. He rubbed his head and tried to piece together what happened. Maybe he blacked out and hit his head? Maybe Tasuki had gone to get help. "Tasuki?" He called out again and began to search for his friend.

 

Tasuki waved a hand at the voice calling for him, trying to wave it away so that he could sleep a bit longer. Unfortunately his perch was not as wide as a usual bed and waving his hand around upset his precarious balance. He rolled off of the branch, catching it with one hand at the last second.

 

"SHIT!" He scrambled back onto the branch, his muscles felt much better after his twelve hour nap and he could move more freely. His bottom still twinged when he moved the wrong way but nothing he couldn't live with.

 

He looked down from the branch, noting that Tamahome wasn't where he left him. Walking along the branch, he tried to get a good idea of where Tamahome was without falling into another of Sou's traps.

 

"Tama?" he called, looking out into the dusky light in hopes of finding his friend before Tamahome found him.

 

Tamahome hadn't gotten far when he heard a shouted curse and the sound of twigs snapping and falling to the ground. He stopped and turned back, shaking his head and grumbling. Tasuki had apparently climbed a tree in his panic to get him some help for his injury.

 

He stood at a tree with his arms crossed and watched Tasuki squinting into the low fog. "Oy, Tasuki." He called out, a note of annoyance in his voice.

 

Tasuki looked down, spotting Tamahome standing near a tree. "There you are." he muttered to himself, breathing a sigh of relief. "Oy, where are you going?" he called down, frowning. He really hoped that the aggravated tone wasn't because Sou had woken up.

 

"I was looking for you." Tamahome chided. "I thought you might have gone to get help." He pushed off the tree and walked towards him.

 

Tasuki looked worriedly at Tamahome but climbed down the tree, "Get help for what?" he really hoped that this was Tama and not Sou, if it were Sou then he'd be in big trouble. You just don't hit that man and get away with it. Hell, he couldn't even carry that man and get away without bruises! "Dunno what I was supposed to go get help for. Nothin's wrong, na?" he planted his feet on the ground, putting his back to the tree and keeping a wary eye on Tamahome.

 

Tamahome rolled his eyes. Good thing he cared so much for him. He put his hand to the back of his head and picked off fresh blood flakes, walking faster to close the distance between them. "This!" He presented Tasuki with the evidence of his wound. "Did I fall? I thought you might have gone to get help. What were you doing in a tree?"

 

Tasuki looked at the flecks of blood then back at Tamahome's face, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw clear blue-gray instead of green. "You fell asleep an' I just... well, uh..."

 

He couldn't come up with a good lie, so he gave a really bad excuse. "Uh, I like sleepin' in trees. You might have hurt yerself when ya fell over?" his breathing hitched and he stepped away from the tree, putting more room between them.

 

He moved to their packs, pulling out the ripped shirt he'd used to clean himself up with earlier and pouring water on it, oblivious to the blood stains that decorated it. "Here, let me see your head, Tamahome-san."

 

Tamahome gave him a cautious glare and then turned around for him. There was no way he could have hurt himself that badly from only falling over from a seated position, but he let it go. Even though his head was throbbing he felt better than he had in a few days. "Well, what ever I did to myself it must have helped me sleep. I feel ten times better." he explained to Tasuki as he was cleaned up. "But, trees? You're strange." He added.

 

Tasuki winced, "Yeah, well, look at Ma. That'll tell ya why I'm weird." He patted gently at the wound on the back of Tamahome's head, cringing at the thought that'd he'd done this to him. "I'm... I'm sorry, Tamahome-san." he said softly, setting the torn shirt on a log to dry. "I'm sorry."

 

Tamahome grinned, his old strength coming back to him. "Sorry for what? Being weird? You can't help that." He picked up his pack from the forest floor and waved him on. "Thanks for the `urgent' medical care." He joked. "Let's get going, Miaka may need our help."

 

Tasuki swallowed back the guilt and nodded, "Yeah, gotta go save my... my Mi-chan." he got to his feet and picked up his pack, leaving the bloodied shirt behind as he walked off towards the other edge of the woods.

 

He was quiet this time, afraid that he would bring Sou out again if he babbled and annoyed him. He kept an eye on Tamahome, trying to make sure that the other man was always within his sight.

 

Tamahome walked on in silence for a while, a nice change from the babbling that Tasuki was doing before, but it felt wrong. The silence felt thick and heavy. He turned to Tasuki and tried to break the silence with a bit of conversation. "So why the polite speech all of a sudden?" He asked. "Not that I'm complaining that the terrible nick name is gone, just wondering, why?"

 

Tasuki frowned; not understanding what he was talking about. "Huh?" he articulated, his expression conveying his confusion. "Polite speech? I dunno what ya mean." He raised an eyebrow, trying to decide if he'd knocked something loose in Tamahome's head when he'd hit him with that rock. "Nickname... oh! Have I been callin' ya 'san'? Shit, I'm sorry, I usually only do that when I'm nerv-" he shut his mouth with a snap, bowing his head to hide his face.

 

"It's just something I do every now and then. But, if it really bothers you when I call you Tama, I'll stop. Don't want to make- err... uh don't want you to be upset with me, Tamahome-san." His chest tingled with dread, afraid of what Tamahome would say and desperately hoping that he didn't ask why he was acting so strange.

 

Tamahome laughed. "It's all right Tasuki, you can call me anything you want. Tell you what; add `sama' after and I'll call it all even." He shot a playful grin Tasuki's way.

 

Tasuki laughed with him, still nervous. It was kind of strange to even pretend to call Tamahome 'sama' after teasing Sou that way before. "Sure, ya wanna be Tamahome-sama, that's fine with me." he grabbed a few reeds from the ground and made a sort of circlet with them, placing it on Tamahome's head.

 

"There," he stopped walking and bowed mockingly. "Oh great Tamahome-sama! Grant us yer wise-ass remarks an' make us see it's better t'be simple bandits than royal jackasses!" he grinned up at Tamahome, winking playfully.

 

Tamahome adjusted his 'crown' and looked down his nose at Tasuki. "I will let you get away with that one comment and none more, my loyal subject. Now, fetch me some tea and rub my feet." He joked along with him.

 

Tasuki tossed down his bag and grinned, "Tea? But Yer Highness, all's we gots is sake! An' I ain't rubbin' yer feet, they stink." he stuck his tongue out, winking again. He bent over and opened his bag, producing a bottle of sake. "Don't worry, all's I gots is this one. Nowhere near enough t'get nobody drunk, but enough t'be cheerful." he tugged out the cork and took a swallow directly from the bottle then offered it to Tamahome. "Wanna try some a this chrysanthemum wine Mi-chan had me buy her? It's good stuff, Tamahome-sama." he stuck his tongue out again.

 

Tamahome tilted his head in thought. "I like the way that rolls off your tongue. Tamahome-sama." He said to himself, tasting the words. He snapped back to attention and shook his head. "We've got to get going and I feel fine already."

 

Tasuki's grin drifted off of his lips and he corked the bottle, dropping it in the bag once more. "Yeah. Okay." he hefted his bag over his shoulder again and took up his silent walk at Tamahome's side. "Don't get used to me callin' ya that. I was just teasin'. I'll stick with callin' ya Tamahome-san, it's... well, uh, it's who ya are." A dusting of color fell across his nose and cheeks; he had absolutely no talent with words.

 

Tamahome walked next to him quietly and sighed. He needed to break this silence. It was unnerving coming from Tasuki. "I know you were just teasing. I wouldn't like it if you really wanted to call me that. I'm just a guy, nothing special. " He looked out into the brightening woods. "I even kind of liked that nickname. You don't have to go on with the honorific. It makes things feel weird."

 

Tasuki nodded, keeping his eyes on the road ahead of them. "Whatever ya want, Tamahome-s... err, Tama." the silence was getting to him, but he had no idea what to say and babbling was not the best way to make sure Sou didn't come out to visit.

 

"Uh, what... um, what do ya like to do for fun?" He picked something out of the air, anything to break the uncomfortable silence. "Like, do ya ride horses or... just, what kinds a things do ya like?" he forced cheerfulness into his voice, he'd rather fake cheerfulness than let the silence get to him anymore.

 

Tamahome gave him a strange look. "Ride horses for fun? I guess that is fun, but no I don't. Do you?" He didn't quite get why the sudden interest in his life.

 

Tasuki shrugged, "Nah, horses hate me. Last one I rode was with Mi-chan when we was comin' from Kutou. Horse actually didn't give me no trouble, but I think it was cause the damned thing didn't want Mi-chan t'hate it." He was at a loss now. How to keep him talking but not pry? "Uh, well, ya wanna know anythin' about me? We got a long trip, might as well know what we're in for, na?"

 

"How do you mean that?" He asked suspiciously. Tamahome looked straight at Tasuki. The way he had phrased that sounded like metaphors for a relationship. After all, why else would he need to know about him to go find Miaka?

 

Tasuki gave Tama a confused look. "Just... I dunno, is there anythin' you're curious about? I mean, like if I walk off in my sleep or snore really loudly. Anythin'. Why? What did ya think I meant?" He stopped and set his bag down, looking at Tamahome with a raised brow.

 

"Nothing." He tried to shrug his previous misconception off.

 

Tasuki quirked a brow, "No," he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'll make a deal with ya; you tell me what ya thought I meant, an' I'll tell ya somethin' nobody else knows."

 

Tamahome mimicked Tasuki's posture and raised his own eyebrow. He stared him down for a moment, considering the offer. "Fine." He said at last. "The way you said it sounded like you were talking, maybe about, well.... Us. You know, making metaphors." Color flushed his cheeks, "It was the only logical conclusion, what else would I need to know about you to go save Miaka?" He added defensively.

 

"I see, so it'll bug ya if'n I tell you that thing that nobody knows. Okay, no skin off my ass." He lifted his bag and resumed his walk, a small smirk on his face. He waited for the outraged yell that was sure to come.

 

"TASUKI!" Tamahome barked out to him. "What the hell, I told you what I thought." He couldn't believe Tasuki withholding information from him was getting to him so much.

 

Tasuki turned and laughed, setting his bag down once more. "Ya really wanna know that bad, huh? Okay, but don't punch me when ya hear it." He wandered over to Tamahome's side and leaned close, whispering in his ear. "You make this soft mewling noise in the back of your throat when you cum." he leaned back and smirked. "How's that fer nobody knowin'?"

 

Tamahome didn't know whether to be annoyed, frustrated, or embarrassed. "I... I do not!" He retorted lamely.

 

Tasuki smirked and raised his brows, “Oh, really? Then what was that `aahhnn!' noise you made?” he tried to mimic the sound and it came out more like a stifled groan. “Just yawnin' in the back of your throat?” His smirk turned sneaky and he swung around and leapt on Tamahome's back suddenly, “Until ya admit I'm right, you get to carry me.”

 

Tamahome almost collapsed under the sudden weight on his back, but he stood his ground and steadied himself. As he hung there with a bandit on his back, he again found himself caught between too many emotions to clearly choose one. Settling on denial he trudged forward. "You know, when people offer up secrets as barter, it's usually a secret that the other person DOSEN'T know." He grumbled.

 

Tasuki grinned and patted Tamahome's chest. "You didn't know that, that's why I said it." He leaned his chin on Tamahome's shoulder, sighing in relief. "Mmm, yer comfortable.”

 

Tamahome was past denial and on to, "Fine!" He straightened up and flung Tasuki off. Anger. "I guess you would be the only one I could ask, so ok, fine. But I still want to know something about you."

 

Tasuki curled into himself fearfully, cringing back and putting his arms over his head. "Don't!" His heart thudded in his chest; fear made his ears buzz and anything Tamahome said was lost on him. "Please, don't." he whispered.

 

Tamahome had been meaning to turn around and tease Tasuki right back, but he was curled up and shivering. "Hey." Tamahome knelt beside him and put a gentle hand to his trembling shoulder. "I'm not going to hurt you, Tasuki. Are you... ok?"

 

Tasuki cried out and scooted away, eyes looking wildly around for an escape. "No, not now! We were just playing! Go away! " He skittered back on his hands and feet, putting more space between them. He glanced up at Tamahome's face, expecting to see cold green eyes only to find confused blue-gray. "T-Tamahome-san? W-what? I-I..." his breath wheezed in and out, relief mixing with fear and confusion, hitching his breathing.

 

Tamahome looked down at him concerned and confused. His hand still hung in midair where Tasuki's shoulder had been before he jumped back a thousand feet. He shook his head, not knowing the right words to say, afraid he would set Tasuki running away if he said the wrong thing. "Tasuki," He began carefully, "Do you want me to leave you alone right now?"

 

Tasuki shook his head, fighting to get his breathing under control enough to allow him to speak. "No! No, don't... don't leave. He'll come back if you go away." he clamped a hand over his mouth, his eyes wide. He hadn't meant to say anything about Sou, it had just slipped out before his brain had caught up with his mouth. "I'm sorry, just... just give me a minute to calm... calm down."

 

Tamahome's brow knitted in deep worry and confusion, but he nodded slowly and waited for Tasuki to come back to him. Something had been off about him the past two days and he scolded himself for not picking up on it earlier. If he had, maybe Tasuki wouldn't be hurting right now.

 

Tasuki gulped down a few breaths, keeping his head down so that Tamahome couldn't see how white his face had gone. He got shakily to his knees and up to his feet. "I'm okay now. We can keep going." He crept towards his bag, keeping one eye on Tamahome. How could he have forgotten about Sou? He must be as stupid as Kouji always claimed; he should have known better than to have angered Tamahome. Anger brought Sou closer to the surface.

 

Tamahome wasn't deterred by Tasuki's assurance. "Are you sure?" he questioned. "You look like you just got away from an axe murderer." He watched Tasuki carefully, noticed the quick glances back his way. It was like Tasuki was afraid of him, but that made no sense. He had never done anything to hurt him. Well, unless you count that lake incident, but that was a while ago, and he apologized. He rubbed at his temples. "Tasuki, if there's something bothering you, you'd let me know right?" Damn these headaches.

 

Tasuki forced a smile. "Yeah! Just, uh, had a bad memory. Nothin' to worry about." he grinned wider, showing his fangs. He closed his eyes, "You know I'd let ya know if there was anything wrong with me." He walked a little faster, keeping just ahead of Tamahome and making conversation harder to keep up.

 

"Tasuki, wait." Tamahome strode faster to catch up to him. "Could you just talk to me for a little while?" He was catching up, but Tasuki seemed to be quickening his pace. "Tasuki, slow down and walk next to me, this is the only time we'll get to do this."

 

"Damn." He winced and stopped, clutching his right hand over his eye. There was a sharp pain in his head now. A kind of steady twanging on his nerve's string. He blinked away the pain.

 

Tasuki sighed and stopped, waiting for Tamahome to catch up to him. "Okay. Fine. What do you want to talk about, Tamahome-san?" he kept his back to Tamahome, a finger of dread walking up his spine. "I'm sorry for acting weird, I guess I just need more sleep or something." he gulped, and looked over his shoulder at Tamahome. "You okay?"

 

Tamahome felt dizzy for a moment, like he wasn't quite standing on the ground. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." He squeezed his eyes one more time and patted his body down, just to make sure it was all still there. The dizzy spell had faded and the throbbing vanished. He looked up. "Sorry, Tasuki. I'm fine, just thought these headaches would go away once I got some decent sleep." Feeling as if the pain had never happened, he trotted up to where Tasuki waited. "So, let's start again; I usually do tai chi in the morning, for exercise and fun. And I like swimming and festivals. What about you?"

 

Tasuki blinked for a minute, not understanding at first. Then a slow smile slid over his lips, "Tai chi, heh? That's like fightin' and shit, right? No wonder yer so strong. Umm, lesse, I like readin' before bed and drinking sake. Swimmin' is for fish. I ain't a fish. Water c'n keep its ass away from me. Hmm." he put a hand to his chin, thinking hard about something else he liked to do.

 

"Baths. I love takin' a bath. There's somethin' about sitting in the water with nothin' but me and the steam that just makes me happy." He grinned and started walking along side Tamahome. "Tai chi?" he repeated again, "Can ya show me some time?"

 

Tamahome smiled. This was more like it. "Sure, when we get back."

 

The woods had been slowly filling with animal noises as they woke up and now it was a pleasant daytime blend. The gray blue light of morning had given way to bright yellow green as it filtered through the leaves. "I like it because it stills my mind. I used to count my money before bed, but I just can't do it any more." A dull throb threatened then receded. "I might be able to do it again one day. Let's see, what else?" He quickly got off that train of thought and tilted his head to the side thinking about his hobbies. It's not something people think of all that often.

 

"Counting money was a hobby?" he laughed and patted Tamahome's back. "That's not somethin' I could really picture ya doin'." He was getting more comfortable; the ease with which Tamahome was talking and the utter lack of Sou was pushing the fear to the back of his mind.

 

"Arright, it's too hard to keep listin' things we do for fun all the way t'Kutou so how about we find some breakfast an' see if we can see who's got the weirdest sleepin' habbit; and my tree sleepin' don't count!" he laughed again, pushing against Tamahome's shoulder playfully.

 

"How could that not count?" he replied, laughing. "It's a habit you have when you sleep." Tamahome followed Tasuki to wherever 'breakfast' was.

 

Tasuki growled playfully, "Not all the time! Just when... well arright, so I sleepwalk and get up there. No laughin'!" he laughed and looked out over towards the village that should be coming up soon.

 

"There's this little town I stopped at back with Mi-chan before we met ya, and the inn they had was really big. Best sake and breakfast a bandit could want. Let's just hope they don't remember me, they might kick my ass out. Kouji an' Mits kinda left things in a mess."

 

"That doctor is a strange, strange man." Tamahome mused to himself. "But, lead the way." Tamahome gestured forward and let Tasuki take him where this `best breakfast' waited for them. "I've been told I talk. You know, in my sleep. But I think that's only when I'm having terrible dreams."

 

Tasuki stopped and looked over his shoulder at Tama, "Bad dreams? Like what kinda dreams and do I gotta stuff socks in my ears or kinda soft whimperin'?" He put aside his need for food to focus on finding out more about these bad dreams. He didn't like the thought of bad dreams tormenting Tama for some reason.

 

Tamahome thought for a moment, really trying to remember what the dreams were about. "Sometimes about my family, or Ji. I don't remember them, mostly, I just sometimes wake myself up talking or crying. The strange thing is when I wake up laughing." He stifled a chill down his spine. "I don't think you'll have any trouble sleeping, though," he quickly changed the subject. "If you can sleep through how loud you snore."

 

Tasuki gulped, not liking that answer. "L-laughing? Tell me ya don't do that often, that would really be weird. Like wakin' up beside one of my sisters. They laugh constantly. That little 'hehehe' kinda giggle-laugh. It's freakin' weird. Ya wake me up laughin' like that an' I'm gonna wonder if yer bein' tickled or yer brain got ate by girls."

 

He held it in as long as he could, but it wanted out. Badly. He laughed, pointing at Tamahome. "Tama-chan laughs like a girl in his sleep! Hahaha!"

 

Tamahome glared playfully at Tasuki. "I don't laugh like a girl, you moron." He pounced on him, pulling his head into a headlock and mussing his hair. "And it's Tamahome-SAMA." He laughed.

 

Tasuki laughed louder, wrapping his arms around Tama's hips and trying to tug his head out of the headlock. "Haha! You wish! Tama-sama? Hahaha! It even rhymes! Tama-sama! Tama-sama! Tama-sama laughs like a girl!" he sang merrily. He moved one leg behind Tamahome's and shoved him backward over it, toppling them both to the ground. Laughing, Tasuki dug his fingers into Tamahome's sides. "Say it! Tama-sama laughs like a girl! C'mon! Say it!" he dug in with both hands, his fingers skittering up Tamahome's sides.

 

"NO- no, I ... NEVER!" He could hardly protest through the uncontrolled laughter. But it was futile. If there was one thing Tamahome was weak against, it was tickling. Tears gathered in the corners of his eyes and he had to fight to breathe. "Stop Tasuki, stop. Fine I..." His plea was cut short by a stabbing pain in his head. He arched his back and grabbed for his head.

 

Cold green eyes flashed up at Tasuki. "Stop!" Sou barked once before Tamahome squeezed his eyes shut in another bite of pain. When Tamahome opened his eyes the warm gray had returned.

 

Tasuki lay on top of Tamahome staring down at him with wide eyes. He dropped his hands to the side, simply looking as Tamahome fought Sou back. "Tamahome-san? Are you okay?" Worry caused his brows to scrunch together and he lay his head against Tamahome's chest, just listening to the thump of his heart. He trembled.

 

Tamahome placed a hand on Tasuki's hair and pet him. "I'm ok. These headaches just come at the worst times." He leaned up on one elbow and looked down at Tasuki. "Why are you so worried about me? Everyone gets headaches every now and then."

 

Tasuki wrapped his arms around Tamahome's waist, burying his face against his chest. "I don't like you to hurt." he said softly, tightening his arms around Tama a little more. He sighed, raising his head to look up into Tamahome's eyes. "I'm sorry. Heh, I guess I should get off of ya, na?"

 

Tama gave a half smile. "You don't really, if you don't want to." He lay back down and nestled his lips close to Tasuki's hair. He was caught up in a torrent of thoughts. There was something close by; something dark, like the dreams and it gave him chills. "It's darker." He said at last. "The laughing. Scares me more than the rest of the dream."

 

Tasuki scooted up a bit, laying his head on Tamahome's shoulder and putting one arm over his belly. "What keeps it away? Is there anything that keeps the dark away?" he raised his head to look at Tamahome directly, his eyes flickering over Tamahome's face. He leaned his head down and gently brushed his lips against Tamahome's, "Can I help ya keep the darkness away?"

 

Tamahome smiled despite his thoughts. "That would be nice Tasuki, but... You're not mine." He felt a weight in his heart clamp down again. "We have until we get Miaka back, then you'll leave... too." He sighed and licked his lips. "Nothing keeps it away." he scoffed. "Well, Yuiren does, but I only see her in my dreams. And when I'm there I feel like there's something I'm not doing. Something I'm not being. But she's there with me." He blinked and realized he was rambling. "Wow sorry, what was I just saying?"

 

Tasuki nodded and lay his head back against Tamahome's shoulder. "I'm still confused about who I wanna be with. I like Mi-chan, she's a nice girl, but she's gonna have to go home and there isn't a way we can be sure I can go with her. But, I've liked you since you tried to bury me. I thought you were an angel, ya know? I couldn't help but feel lucky that I got the most beautiful angel to take me off to the afterlife." he blushed and hid his face in Tamahome's shoulder. "Gods, I sound like a fuckin' girl."

 

Tamahome smiled. "You do, but thank you." He patted Tasuki on the back and lifted them both upright again. "Hey, Miaka's a good girl. She's cute, cheerful, fun to be with, and she really loves you. If there is a way to go back with her, you should try." He tried his best to not show the heaviness he was holding onto in his heart. "We were on our way to get some breakfast. You promised the best, I expect nothing less from this place."

 

Tasuki nodded again, shifting his eyes away from Tamahome's. "Yeah, breakfast." He got to his feet and offered Tamahome a hand up. "Best breakfast in Konan, comin' right up!" He grinned wide; hiding the confusion in his heart as he grabbed his bag then lifted Tamahome bridal style and took off at high speed. The last few miles of the trip falling away under his feet.

 

Tamahome protested at first, but he put his front down for a short while and rested his head against Tasuki's shoulder and enjoyed the lift.

 

Tasuki pressed a kiss to Tamahome's hair and turned all of his focus to the run, watching as the town grew in size with every second that passed. He slowed down, wanting to give Tamahome some dignity and allow him to walk into town rather than embarrass him by carrying him. He stopped a mile from town and set Tamahome on his feet. "There, now, let's get that little belly of yours filled up!" he grabbed Tamahome's hand and pulled him towards the inn situated on the edge of town.

 

Tamahome glanced wide-eyed down at his hand when it was grabbed. A blush stained his cheeks. It was crazy. He felt comfortable, safe, warm, and happy. All the emotions he hadn't felt since that day came flooding back into him. He stopped Tasuki before they got to their destination. Shifting his weight back, he pulled Tasuki towards him. Tamahome's hand slipped behind Tasuki's head and he pressed their lips together in a deep kiss. His mind was screaming `I love you!' and all he could do was hope Tasuki heard it, because he wouldn't let it leave his lips.

 

Tasuki gasped as he was spun into a kiss, at first suspecting that Sou had escaped but the gentleness and sweetness of the kiss told him differently. Tamahome was kissing him. He wrapped his arms around Tama, nudging open the lips pressed so tenderly to his own and spearing his tongue in to mate with Tama's. His heart lurched crazily, thumping hard enough that he thought it was trying to escape his chest and join with Tamahome's forever.

 

Tamahome smiled into the kiss. The way Tasuki pushed back was incredible. He let Tasuki into his mouth, running his own tongue over Tasuki's lips and sliding the tip of his tongue against the flat of Tasuki's. He felt Tasuki's heart beating fervently behind his chest, pressed up close to his. He could feel his own racing to catch up.

 

There was a flash. The moment was cut short by a violent stab of pain across his vision. He released Tasuki and dropped down to his knees, clutched his head with both hands. It felt like it was going to explode if he didn't hold tight enough. From somewhere deep inside him he could hear a scream. A seething, hate filled scream and it wanted out. Two words came bubbling up to his brain, "Tasuki, RUN!" He didn't know why he said it, but it was the last thing he could remember before he blacked out.

 

Tasuki gasped as he gazed down at Tamahome, his breathing labored and his mind in a whirl. He didn't understand what was happening at first, but when Tamahome screamed he felt ice fill his veins. "Sou! Leave him alone!" He gripped Tamahome's shoulders, kneeling down to his level. "Please, don't let him out! Tama, fight back! You can do it! I know you can!" Three more words wanted to escape but he held them back. He couldn't say it yet. He couldn't say it, because he didn't want to use it as a weapon against Sou, he wanted it to mean something more.

 

There were hands gripping his shoulders when he woke up and an ugly laughed echoed off the low buildings. "Should have listened to him Tasuki-chan." Violent eyes flashed green as the sadistic smirk colored his lips. Sou glared up at Tasuki and his hand shot up and clenched Tasuki's hand in his, pulling back far enough to make Tasuki wince. "Isn't that sweet." he said with a sneer. "You think he'll fight for you? You think he cares THAT much about you to leave the agony of his family's death behind?" Sou got up slowly from his knees and bent back Tasuki's wrist a bit more.

 

Tasuki grimaced, "No, I don't think he can do it for me. I think he can do it because you need to be banished forever!" he glared at Sou, furious that he'd interrupted that sweet kiss. "Why do you keep forcing yourself out?! He doesn't need you! You hurt him! You hurt me! Go away!" He tugged at his wrist, trying to free himself from Sou's punishing grip.

 

Sou grabbed the other hand and pulled Tasuki in closer. "If I go away, he'll be the one acting like this. No more sweet Tamahome, no more playing around, no more kisses." He grinned. "You think you made him so happy, Tasuki. So happy. But you forget one thing, Tasuki-chan. I'm the one who makes him happy, I'M the only one who can make him happy again. I'm the only one for him. I'm his." He let go of one of Tasuki's hands and pushed back his collar. "And you. You, Tasuki-chan, are mine." A devilish gleam shone in Sou's eyes.

 

Tasuki shook his head, not wanting to hear that. "You're wrong! He's not like you! I don't belong to you and neither does he." tears welled in his eyes as he spoke, hating that he couldn't bring Tamahome back. "Why do you wanna hurt me? Huh? Is it fun to break someone who allows you to fuck them? Is it fun to make me bleed? You're a monster Sou; Tamahome would never be like you. He's better than you, which is why I love him!" His eyes went wide, his jaw slack. Dear gods, had he just given the demon more ammunition against him?

 

All the mirth drained out of Sou's eyes, replaced by a sheer madness. "You LOVE him?" The word was spoken with animosity and disgust. "Love him." He repeated his words as he erupted in laughter. "Now that's cute. Too bad the feeling's not mutual." His laugh abruptly stopped and his features hardened again. Sou let go of Tasuki's hand. "Let's play a game." He suggested, an eerily playful look lighting his eyes.

 

Tasuki's heart clenched and he gulped, "Yeah, I know he doesn't love me, but that's okay." He jerked his hand to his chest, rubbing his sore wrist as he looked warily at Sou's face. "What kinda game? I ain't into all that pain crap that you do, so it better not be that."

 

"Hide and seek." He grinned. "Simple." The grin widened. "I win, I get you to comply. You win, I promise, no more hurting that poor little ass of yours." He held back a snicker. "You trust me don't you?"

 

Tasuki smirked; this should be a piece of cake. "Deal. Who hides?" He rubbed his hands together, recalling how fun the last game of Hide and Seek he'd played had been. He was actually looking forward to this a little bit. "I wouldn't trust ya if ya signed over yer life t'me. But I'll kick your ass if ya lie to me this time."

 

Sou smirked. "You hide." He said, ignoring the jabs. Tasuki really thought he would be able to win this. "You're found, I win. You stay hidden, I'll give up."

 

Tasuki nodded, winking at Sou. "See ya!" he dashed off towards the town, a laugh springing from his lips. He ran around the inn he'd promised breakfast at and made his way to the small barn. He climbed to the loft and burrowed under a stack of hay, praying he wouldn't be found.

 

Sou just smirked and crossed his arms as he slowly set out to find Tasuki. "One, Two, Three..." He counted with every step. "...Ten. Ready or not, Tasuki-chan."

 

 

TBC…