Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Love Lies Waiting ❯ Love Lies Waiting ( Chapter 1 )

Author's notes and warning: This story started with Tasuki's song (Setsunakute mo…Zutto) the translated version anyway since I don't understand diddlysquat of Japanese. I can't ignore his love for her but since I'm adamant about Chichiri being with Tasuki…I just have to rationalize it, ne?

`Run To Me' is a song by the Bee Gees…if you're too young to know who they are, you're probably too young to read most of my stuff. It seems fitting for this story because Tasuki needs his Chiri when he feels bad, no daaaa… The title of this fic was a toss up between `Run To Me' and `Love Lies Waiting'. Heh, heh, heh, guess which won?

It's set after the OAV, Miaka and Tama (I refuse to call him Taka, so there!) went back to her world and the other seishis were reincarnated.

No lemon, but there is lots and lots of lime… I wasn't sure if THAT was appropriate or not but I couldn't resist…

Standard disclaimer goes here… MINE, I tell you! MINE! Muahaahaahaaa… Just kidding.

Love Lies Waiting

By Moonraven

"Run to me whenever you're lonely.
Run to me if you need a shoulder
Now and then, you need someone older,
so darling, you run to me."

~~Late evening, Mt. Reikaku ~~

"Oi! Oi, ya idiots! That's Genrou's friend! Get the fuck off of him before you're fried to a crisp!"

At the sound of the approaching bandit leader's voice, Chichiri turned to see Kouji running towards him, waving at his men madly.

Chichiri's genki mask smiled amidst the drawn weapons and he waved cheerily at Tasuki's friend. He, after all, was in no danger. As soon as he had materialized and saw startled faces around him, Chichiri had erected a barrier and remained calmly inside while the bandits raised the alarm. He knew that either Tasuki or Kouji would find him eventually…of course he could always teleport somewhere else, but that would hardly be fun, no da. These boys were going nuts trying to get inside his shield and cussing wildly.

"Kouji-kun, no da!" He called. "I'm fine, na no da."

"Are ya fucking deaf?" Kouji smacked one of the bandits who was jabbing at Chichiri's barrier on the head. "Didn't ya hear me?"

"Oi, I heard ya, but…but look at him. Are ya sure, he's the boss' friend?" The bandit looked at the smiling, blue haired monk skeptically. "And what the hell is this red thing?" He poked at the barrier again.

"Morons!" Kouji growled and turned an apologetic smile at Chichiri. "Sorry `bout this, Chichiri. Good men are so hard to find these days." He narrowed his eyes pointedly at the surrounding men and they grumbled in protest.

Chichiri let down the barrier and walked up to the blue haired bandit. "It's alright, Kouji-kun. I was in no danger, no da."

The dark haired bandit clasped Chichiri's arm warmly and pulled the monk into a friendly embrace. "I'm so glad you're here, Chichiri." He whispered to Chichiri briefly before pulling away. "Genrou will be so fucking thrilled ta see ya! C'mon."

Kouji led the way up the path to the looming stronghold. Men lined the narrow path and Chichiri saw a few familiar faces as they waved their greetings. He waved back; glad to see that some of the men he knew hadn't all been replaced or killed. Their line of work was dangerous and losing a few friends in a day's work was common. Not unlike what he and the other seishi went through.

As they walked along the silent corridor towards Tasuki's room, Chichiri stopped and called to Kouji quietly. "What happened, Kouji-kun? Something is not right with Tasuki, no da."

Kouji sighed and shrugged helplessly. "Hell, if I know, Chichiri. He's just not himself lately. When we first came back, we were raiding and partying and fooling around but now he's just in his room most of the time or he'd disappear into the hills by himself for days. We don't know what's with him. He'd called out your name a few times in his sleep so I thought maybe it's about the dead seishi and stuff. That's why I'm so happy you're here. Maybe you could talk to him."

That was also why Chichiri came. He had picked up a disturbance in Tasuki's chi a week or so ago but had brushed it off, hoping the young bandit leader could deal with it alone. Ever since they parted nearly a year ago, Chichiri could feel Tasuki's sadness at losing their friends. Losing Miaka was especially hard on the redhead and Chichiri had prayed to Suzaku, hoping that the younger man's heartache would heal quickly.

It wasn't until Chichiri caught a sense of loss so profound it had woken him from sleep that the monk decided to come visit his friend.

"My name, no da?" Chichiri frowned then his cheeks turned a cute shade of pink. "How was it that you were there when he sleeps, no da?" He asked Kouji, wide-eyed.

"Er…you know…" Kouji looked at the seemingly innocent monk expectantly.

"Know what, no da?"

"That…that…er…you didn't know." Kouji's shoulders slumped and he smacked himself on the forehead. "Genrou's going to fucking kill me!"

"Kouji-kun. Are you and Tasuki…well…uh…intimate, no da?" Chichiri asked as delicately as possible.

"Yeah, but I thought you knew since you've been traveling with him for a while." Kouji looked like he was going to be sick.

"Anou, Kouji-kun…we didn't…we weren't…no, no, no." Chichiri shook his head vehemently. "Not that I'm judging, no da. Love is a wonderful thing, be it between the opposite sex or the same sex, it's just that we were just good friends, no da."

As he said this Chichiri had to admit that it wasn't entirely true. He loved Tasuki and he knew that the younger man felt something for him; the monk just wasn't sure how deep it went. Every time Chichiri felt he had a chance with the redhead, something came up. First it was the bandit's fascination with Nuriko, then that took a drastic and almost tragic turn when his affections were transferred to Miaka, which didn't surprise Chichiri in the least. The fact that 4 out of 7 seishis said they were in love with her got Chichiri thinking. How was destiny to ensure that 7 strangers who may or may not know each other work together and risk everything including their lives to protect another stranger? Love was the answer. It seemed that all the seishi, in one form or another, loved their Miko dearly. It was this bond that kept them fiercely loyal to her and it was their love that kept her alive.

So Chichiri waited and hoped that someday the redhead would finally sort out his feelings and then come look for the monk. He had hoped that the day would be soon because Chichiri's needs were becoming stronger than his will. He wasn't sure that he could keep his love for the young and exuberant bandit to himself much longer.

"Love? Who said anything about love?" Kouji shook his head and grimaced. "We're just fuck-buddies!" He laughed and slapped Chichiri playfully on the back.

Chichiri felt his face flame in his embarrassment. That's a strange term, no daaaaa…. Now Chichiri couldn't get the mental image of a hot and heavy Tasuki naked and pounding away into the equally naked Kouji out of his mind. Daaaa!

"I think he never told all of ya's because he's afraid you'll get all wierded out or somethin'. But I see, you're okay with it, ne, Chichiri?"

"Sure, no da. I guessed some time ago, Kouji-kun. He kept telling us how he hated girls, no da. No feelings of weirdness here, na no da." He smiled his masked smile at Kouji. Nope, not weirdness but Chichiri was feeling something else entirely. "Now let's look for Tasuki, no da."

They continued to walk along the corridor until they'd reached a large wooden door. Kouji knocked and did his usual one man greeting chorus but no answer came from within. Kouji looked to Chichiri and sighed.

"He's there, no da." Chichiri said quietly as he detected Tasuki's chi just beyond the door. He walked up to the door with a sad sigh and knocked on it firmly with his staff. "Tasuki-kun. It's me, Chichiri, no da."

Within seconds the door swung opened and a pale looking Tasuki stood before them panting slightly.

"Chiri…" He whispered. "Chiri…"

"Tasuki-kun." Chichiri smiled and took the young man into his arms. "I've missed you, no da." The gentle monk heard the door close behind him as Kouji left the two friends alone.

"Suzaku, I've missed you too, Chiri." Tasuki mumbled into Chichiri's neck as he held the monk tight. When he did let Chichiri go, the monk could see the slight blush on the bandit's cheeks before Tasuki turned towards the windows hastily.

"Come and sit down, Chiri." He told his friend and walked towards the table and chairs by the window. "It's getting late, you must be tired, walking all day." He held out a chair for Chichiri and once the monk had settled, he sat down next to his friend.

"Um…well, I didn't really walk, no da." Chichiri confessed smiling sheepishly. He hated to admit that since he'd always lectured Tasuki about the virtues of walking.

Tasuki chuckled and the tired lines around his eyes disappeared. He looked so happy and carefree once again that Chichiri almost forgot what had brought him there in the first place.

"I knew you were a fake." Tasuki teased. "All that time you just wanted to see me suffer."

Chichiri laid his staff against the wall and peeled off his kesa. He sighed dramatically as he bowed his head low. "You've found me out, no da. Gomen, Tasuki-kun." The monk peered up and winked playfully at the bandit. Tasuki shook his head at his friend and rolled his eyes.

"Ah, it's good to be with you again, Chiri." Tasuki gave Chichiri a genuine smile. "Did you eat? Can I get you something?" The redhead asked as he shouted out the windows for more sake.
"No, Tasuki, I'm okay, no da. I just wanted to see how you're doing, na no da." Chichiri said lightly.

"You know me, Chiri, I'm always good."

"Good is NOT what people normally describe you, no da." Chichiri continued in a light tone.

"Then you're talking to the wrong people, Chiri. I'm told that I'm quite…good." Tasuki gave Chichiri a smoldering look that made Chichiri blush deep red. The hentai mental image of a sweaty Tasuki popped into the monk's mind and Chichiri nearly whimpered out loud.

"Daaa…" Was all that Chichiri could manage and he nearly shouted out his thanks to Suzaku when they heard sharp knocks on the door.

Tasuki laughed at his friend's expression as he went to the door to get the tray of drinks and raised his brow in surprise when he saw that the tray contained tea instead of sake.

"Kouji's order." The small thin man who brought up the tray said hastily before Tasuki could voice his displeasure and bolted down the hallway, leaving Tasuki to glare after him.

The redhead sighed and went back to his friend at the table. "Kouji seems to think I need ta keep ya company, Chiri."

"He's worried about you, no da." Chichiri said quietly as he steered the conversation back to Tasuki's well being. "As am I."

Tasuki sighed again and sank deeper into his chair. "Ya can always read me like a book, Chiri. Even when you're half way across Konan." He looked out the windows and closed his eyes. "I can't forget them, Chiri, all of them…Suzaku knows I tried. I can't forget…her."

Chichiri swallowed the lump in his chest and tucked his own pain away. This was for Tasuki. It didn't matter that seeing Tasuki again only brought out the longing in his heart as he yearned for the love he suspected would be denied him forever. It didn't matter at all because only Tasuki's happiness mattered.

"I don't want you to forget them, Tasuki. You should always remember them, no da."

"But how do I get rid of this pain if I kept thinking about them? How can I be happy…for them if I…can't forget her?" He turned tortured eyes towards Chichiri. "I don't even like girls, I just don't understand it."

Chichiri thought back to his own pain when Kouran had died. He couldn't forget her either so he fully understood what Tasuki was going through. The only difference was time. It had been more than 8 years for Chichiri while it was merely 8 months for Tasuki.

"The pain will go away, Tasuki, but it does take time. A good friend can be a big help, no da." He said softly as he reached across the table and clasped Tasuki's hand. "I will always be here for you, Tasuki."

Tasuki gave him a small smile and squeezed his hand gently. "You're too good for me, Chiri." He looked out the windows briefly before turning back to his friend. "Let's get out of here."

Chichiri blinked. "Now, no da?"

Tasuki gave him a mischievous grin, baring his adorable fangs. "Yeah. I want to be out on the road again. With you."

"Oh…um…sure, no da…but shouldn't we say good bye to Kouji first?" He watched, baffled, as Tasuki went around the room collecting his belongings.

"We'll say good bye on the way out." Tasuki continued to shove things in his pack then he looked up at the confused Chichiri and smiled. "You know, Chiri, I feel better already."

Chichiri couldn't help but smile back. After all, this was the reason for his visit, to make Tasuki feel better, so how could he refuse?

"Wakatta, no da. Let's go!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ma, Chiri, can't we stop yet?" Tasuki whined and dragged his feet behind his friend.

Chichiri rolled his eye and smiled. Well, he wanted Tasuki to be his old self again, didn't they say be careful what you wish for? These past few days had been like walking down memory lane for Chichiri and he loved every minute it. Well, ALMOST every minute.

"Just a little more, no da, Tasuki-kun. There is a village up ahead, unless you want to sleep outdoors again, no da." He said over his shoulders. "You're 20 years old, Tasuki. Stop acting like a baby, no da."

"Compared to YOU, Chiri, most people I know ARE babies." The bandit grumbled.

"NANI?" Chichiri turned and peered at Tasuki. "I'm only 27, no da!"

"ONLY, he says." Tasuki continued to grumble as he shuffled up to Chichiri. He stopped and hung his head in front of his friend. "I'm tired."

Chichiri couldn't help but smile and ruffle Tasuki's hair playfully. "I know, baby. We'll be there soon."

Tasuki looked up and blinked at Chichiri. "Did you just call be `baby'?"

Chichiri blushed as he realized what that must have sounded like. "Anou…I meant baby as in tiny little baby, no daaaa…" He swallowed as more heat rushed to his face. Tasuki didn't seem to mind at all, in fact, he looked quite pleased.

"There ain't NOTHING little about me, Chiri." Tasuki said softly, his eyes glinting scandalously.

Aiya! Chichiri's eye widened and he turned several shades of red, in succession. THAT was definitely NOT what he meant, no da.

The poor monk blinked several times but couldn't find a reply so he turned and started up the path again. Tasuki chuckled and came after his friend, humming happily. A playful smile was on the bandit's face the entire time it took them to get to the village.

Being a traveling monk had its advantages. People in Konan loved their God. Every village that they had stayed in, they had never paid for food or room. Chichiri hated that of course and always offered some services or other to pay for their stay. Tasuki usually accommodated by spending a lot of money on sake. He told Chichiri that it was his way of helping the innkeeper with the inn keeping.

Currently they were in Kaipao, a small village just south of Mt. Reikaku. Tasuki sighed in contentment as he tossed his pack on the floor and hopped on his bed. Chichiri shook his head as Tasuki's pack rolled across to where he was, by his own bed, and he kicked it playfully back to the bandit. He opened his mouth to tease Tasuki again about being a baby but thought better of it. He wouldn't be able to banter with Tasuki if the conversation took the same turn it did earlier. Chichiri's face heated up again as he recalled the glint in Tasuki's eyes as the bandit teased him on the road. Chichiri scolded himself for being so sensitive. After all, Tasuki was behaving this way during their previous trips as well. Just because HE was having difficulties with his will powers didn't mean Tasuki felt any differently about their friendship.

"Let's get some food, Chiri." Tasuki suddenly spoke from the bed and Chichiri jumped, dropping his staff in his fright.

"What's wrong with you, Chiri? You're as jumpy as a virgin on his wedding night." Tasuki asked from the bed and Chichiri turned to find the bandit propped up on one elbow and regarding him curiously.

"NANI!?!" Chichiri picked up his staff and tried to look indignant. "A virgin, no da? I'm not a virgin, no da." AGH! Chichiri smacked himself on the forehead. What possessed him to say THAT?

"No kiddin'?" Tasuki leaned forward, eyes dancing with amusement. "You sure about that?" Tasuki cocked his head and looked at Chichiri skeptically.

"Just because I'm a monk, no da." Chichiri complained. "Not all Suzaku's monks take the vow of chastity, no da." He grumbled and wondered why it was so hard for Tasuki to believe that he had some experience. He, after all, was much older than the bandit. He had a lot more life experience. So logically, Tasuki shouldn't think that at all.

"You know, I didn't say you were, I just said you acted like one. What's with you anyway? You've been acting weird today."

"Not weird, no da." Chichiri mumbled and cringed at another lie he'd just told. Okay, so he was acting stranger than normal but that was all Tasuki's fault. Tasuki had insinuated things and had given him looks that burned the older man to the point where he couldn't think straight. Well maybe it was Kouji's fault too, if the blue-haired bandit didn't put such enticing images of Tasuki in his mind, Chichiri wouldn't have such a hard time now.

"No, huh?" Tasuki gave him a crooked grin and shrugged. "If you say so."

"I say so, no da." Chichiri said stubbornly and walked towards the door. "Well? Are you coming, no da?" He turned and asked impatiently.

"Excuse me?" Tasuki asked then burst out laughing as Chichiri's face changed color again. "Oh, I'm coming alright. After you, Chiri."

Chichiri nearly ran out the door. Tasuki was having WAY too much fun teasing him and while Chichiri wanted the bandit to be happy, he didn't think that his hormones could take much more of this. If Tasuki kept this up, the bandit's last statement would involve much more than getting dinner.

They found a table in the corner and Tasuki waved at the innkeeper. Chichiri looked around and blinked in shock when he saw a young girl with dark brown hair coming towards them with a tray. She looked exactly like Miaka.

"HI!" The girl put down the tray and poured tea for Tasuki and Chichiri. "You just came in, huh? I'm Aika. Just call when you're ready to order, okay?"

Tasuki, who had never paid much attention to women, had his nose in the menu the whole time and didn't bother to look up as he told her what he wanted.

"Man, you must be hungry or are they for the both of you?" She turned smiling brown eyes to the gaping Chichiri.

"Anou…" Chichiri shook his head mentally and smiled back. "Aika-chan, no da. Nice to meet you, na no da." He kicked Tasuki under the table and motioned for him to look up. "Right, Tasuki-kun?"

"Damn it, Chiri, what the fuck was that…" Words died in his throat as Tasuki stared up into the twinkling brown eyes of the smiling Aika.

Chichiri's heart clenched painfully as he watched Tasuki and Aika gaze at each other. He gritted his teeth and willed away the rising wave of nausea as he shakily picked up his teacup. Suzaku was telling him something. Tasuki was not his and never would be. When would he take the hints and abandon his hopes for the redhead? Surely Tasuki was meant for this girl who looked so much like his beloved Miaka. Tasuki would be happy now, isn't that what mattered?

Chichiri smiled through his mask and cleared his throat. Aika glanced at him guiltily and blushed. "I'm sorry, did you want something as well?"

`Nothing you could give me, no da.' Chichiri said silently but out loud he ordered a bowl of soup. He watched Tasuki as he watched Aika walk away with a sinking heart. Not mine, no da…not mine…

"Chiri." Tasuki called his name softly and Chichiri looked up from his cup, his smiling mask hid his turmoil perfectly. "What do you think that means, Chiri?" The bandit asked him solemnly. "Why did we find her?"

Chichiri swallowed the aching lump in his throat and smiled at his young friend. "I don't know, Tasuki. Maybe Suzaku wanted you to be happy, no da."

"And I will be happy…with her?" Tasuki asked uncertainly, his eyes held a shadow that Chichiri could not decipher. The bandit's chi was filled with confusion and longing as he looked from Aika to Chichiri that the monk could not puzzle out which emotion belonged to whom.

`No, damn it, with me! I will make you happy!' Chichiri wanted to shout but he remained calm and shrugged. "Only you can tell, Tasuki-kun. You were so in love with Miaka, no da. Maybe…maybe you can be with Aika, as well."

"I don't like girls." Tasuki said stubbornly.

"Yet you loved Miaka, no da." Chichiri pointed this out to him. "I've never known you to analyze things so much, Tasuki-kun. Didn't you always tell me to act on my feelings? Well now it's your turn, no da." Chichiri got up and gave the younger man a long, steady gaze. "Find out what you really want, Tasuki. Find out what would make you happy, no da. And no matter what you decide, I will always be here for you, Tasuki."

Chichiri left Tasuki staring after him and went up to their room. He couldn't hold back his emotions anymore and the near suffocating waves of despair washed over him as he sank onto his bed. He took several deep, cleansing breaths and lit his incense. He needed to meditate to get rid of this overwhelming sense of sadness permeating from his very soul. Chichiri settled back on his bed and closed his eyes. With trained senses and deep-rooted discipline of his mind, the monk lost himself in the warm and soothing embrace of his sanctuary.

"Only his happiness matters, no da."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was late when Chichiri went to the bathhouse in the back of the inn. Chichiri sank into the deliciously warm water and sighed as he felt the day's weariness seep out of his bones. They had stayed in Kaipao these past three days and Chichiri had busied himself with helping the locals with their spiritual needs. It had kept him away from seeing Tasuki's preoccupation with Aika though the pain of that thought was as agonizing as the actual scene.

Chichiri wondered what would happen when it was time for them to leave. That would be soon now since they didn't normally stay in one town for more than a couple of days. Would Tasuki stay? And if he were to leave with Chichiri, would he regret it?

Tasuki…

Chichiri closed his eyes as he allowed images of Tasuki to fill his mind. Images of Tasuki laughing and teasing him, of Tasuki angry and shouting obscenities, images of Tasuki being difficult on the road…and images of Tasuki making love to him…

Chichiri swallowed as blood flowed southwards to further stimulate his senses and supplying his needy mind with more enthralling images of Tasuki doing things that had him moaning out loud.

"Chiri!" Tasuki's urgent voiced preceded him into the bathhouse and gave the naked monk time to duck deeper into the tub. Chichiri, face still flushed from his fantasy, hastily covered himself under the water with the round wooden wash bucket and swallowed as Tasuki barged into the room.

"Tasuki-kun! I'm bathing, no da!" He managed to sound indignant even though his body reveled at the sight of the flushed bandit.

"I know that, Chiri, but how could you bathe at a fucking time like this?" Tasuki paced back and forth in front of the circular tub and tugged on his beads with obvious anxiety.

"At a time like what?" Chichiri asked in exasperation, sensing that another molehill was about to be made into a mountain.

Tasuki stopped and turned towards Chichiri and pursed his lips as he contemplated something. Then he began removing his clothes to the dismay of the distressed monk.

"Nani, Tasuki, what are you doing, no da?" Chichiri squeaked, eye wide as he tried to make himself as small as possible.

"I'm gonna join you, Chiri. I need a bath too, so might as well." He peeled off his shirt and proceeded to work on his pants.

Chichiri gulped and looked down at the bucket covering his still semi-erected member. Daaaa…this is NOT helping, no da.

When he looked up at Tasuki, the bandit was completely naked and washing himself in the corner. Chichiri whimpered in resignation and sank into the tub until only his head was showing.

Tasuki turned to the monk and frowned. "What the hell is wrong with you, Chiri? It ain't like you have something I don't have."

`A hard on, no daaaa…' Chichiri thought as he stared at Tasuki's sleek, nude form. The bandit was a picture of perfection.

"I want to talk to ya, Chiri, it's important." Tasuki was saying and Chichiri looked up at his friend as the redhead stepped into the tub. Tasuki sat down across from Chichiri and gave him an imploring look.

Chichiri sighed. "What is so urgent, Tasuki-kun?"

"Aika." Tasuki said, his eyes boring into Chichiri's.

Chichiri nodded calmly eventhough his heart was hammering violently in his chest. "You…like her, no da." He said.

"Yeah, well…sure, I do but that's the thing. When I kissed her, I didn't feel a thing." Tasuki sounded really frustrated but Chichiri only heard that the bandit had kissed Aika.

"You…kissed her." He said softly, his eye downcast to hide the pain he knew would be evident. Without his mask, he could hide nothing from Tasuki.

"Hello!" Tasuki sloshed water at his friend. "You said to go for it and so I did. What better way to find out, Chiri? Ne, Chiri, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, Tasuki. So what did you find out, no da?" He avoided Tasuki's eye and focused on the bandit's chiseled chest instead.

"NOTHING! I said that already." Tasuki said irritably. "Hell I'd rather be screwing her brother! What's wrong with THAT picture?" He growled and rested his head on the edge of the tub.

"You WHAT?" Chichiri brought up the wooden wash bucket and smacked Tasuki on the head, his erection completely gone.

"Itai!" Tasuki quickly snatched the bucket from Chichiri and scowled at his friend. "Damn it, Chiri, you KNEW I was gay. I hinted enough times!"

"That wasn't the point, Tasuki, no da!" Chichiri scowled back. "Of course I knew, but I didn't leave you alone so you could screw the brother, no da!"

"I didn't fucking screw him, Chiri. I said that I'd rather BE screwing him. SHE does nothing for me at all, no heat, no drool, no nothin'." Tasuki frowned in confusion. "I thought I wanted Miaka too but I couldn't even remember what happened that night. I couldn't remember wanting her. When I think of her, I don't think of…you know…doing her. If I loved her, why don't I desire her?" He straightened and looked at Chichiri again. "What do I really feel?"

"You were under Hikou's spell, no da and he perverted your love for Miaka to suit his purpose." Chichiri said quietly. "Maybe what you really feel for Miaka is a different kind of love, Tasuki. Maybe it's the pure and innocent love a seishi has for his Miko that has nothing to do with sex." Chichiri looked deeply into Tasuki's desperate gaze. "Don't confuse what you did with what you feel, Tasuki."

Tasuki stared at Chichiri silently, his expression enigmatic to the monk. Chichiri thought he saw desire flicker in those fierce amber eyes but mentally shook his head and dismissed it as his imagination.

"I was dying inside, Chiri, before you came to see me." The redhead finally spoke. "I thought it was because of them. You know, the others. I missed them all so much. And…and I thought that I was feeling so damn bad because Tama took her away…but then I missed that asshole too!" He smirked and Chichiri's heart skipped a beat. "I really don't know what the hell I was feeling, ya know, so I kept wandering off into the mountains to be alone but I was miserable alone too." He moved closer to Chichiri, his eyes never leaving the breathless monk. "When I heard your voice…I…I didn't feel that way anymore."

Chichiri found breathing to be near impossible with Tasuki so close. His heart pounded in anticipation as he listened to Tasuki. What was Tasuki trying to say? Did the bandit finally come to terms with his feelings? Chichiri couldn't breathe; he had been waiting so long…

"This past week or so on the road with you, I kept thinking. I thought even harder these past three days." Chichiri held his breath as he watched Tasuki swallow hard before continuing. "I think you're right, Chiri. I don't love her like I thought I did. I love…I love…someone else." Tasuki seemed to have lost his nerve and backed away slightly, his face flushed.

"Someone else?" Chichiri prompted, hoping Tasuki would continue. Surely…surely…

Tasuki nodded and seemed to have found new courage in Chichiri's interest. He moved back towards the monk and stopped only a few inches away. "These past few days had told me something, Chiri. They told me that even though I really missed the other guys and Miaka, I…" Tasuki swallowed and reached up to caressed Chichiri's cheek. "I missed you more." Tasuki looked at him uncertainly.

Chichiri leaned into the palm that caressed his face. "You're sure about that, Tasuki? Really sure?" He asked, his heart pounding furiously in his chest. FINALLY!

Tasuki nodded and moved between Chichiri's legs. Chichiri gasped as he felt the younger man's hot, hard flesh pressed against his.

"I am now." Tasuki said softly as he gazed steadily into Chichiri's eye. "I used to wonder why I was so happy when I was with you. Why I didn't miss them half as much. I realize now that it was always you but I was so stupid I didn't see it. I was so stupid I didn't see that you felt the same way too." Tasuki cupped Chichiri's face with both his hands. "You do feel the same way?" He asked, suddenly unsure.

Chichiri reached up and held Tasuki's wrists gently. "What do you feel, Tasuki?" He had to be sure. There were so many obstacles in his way; he wasn't prepared for a happy ending.

Tasuki leaned in and caressed Chichiri's lips tenderly with his. "I love you, Chichiri." He said simply when he pulled away.

Chichiri brought his arms around Tasuki's waist and pulled the bandit against him. Their slick skin rubbed against each other, eliciting soft moans from both of them.

"I love you too, Tasuki, with all my heart and soul, no da." He whispered into Tasuki's ear as he slid his hand down the bandit's back towards the smooth firm globes of Tasuki's ass.

Tasuki thrust forward, his hard arousal rubbed deliciously against Chichiri's and he covered the monk's parted lips in a heated kiss. Chichiri moaned into Tasuki's mouth as the younger man's hot tongue slipped in to caress his own. Tears fell silently from Chichiri's eye as emotions longed pent up were allowed free reign and he returned Tasuki's kiss with unleashed passion.

Tasuki pulled away suddenly and Chichiri whimpered at the loss. The older man reached between them and grabbed Tasuki's thick length and they both gasped.

"You're right, Tasuki." Chichiri said softly as he pumped Tasuki's arousal. "There's nothing little about you, no da."

Tasuki laughed and thrust into Chichiri's hand while his own hand caressed the monk's shaft. "Gods, Chiri, I want you so badly. But we can't do it here." He looked behind him to the door, half expecting it to open with the stunned faces of the workers.

"Do…it?" Chichiri let go of Tasuki's erection abruptly. He suddenly felt nervous; he had never done IT although he told Tasuki that he wasn't a virgin. What if he screwed up really badly? What if…he broke something?

Tasuki turned back to the monk and nuzzled Chichiri's neck, chuckling. He took a hold of Chichiri's hand and brought it back to his throbbing length. "You didn't think I believed you when you said you're not a virgin, did ya?" Tasuki continued stroking Chichiri's slick member as he nibbled the older man's neck.

"Tasuki…" Chichiri couldn't voice his thoughts; Tasuki was diligently working on bringing the monk to completion. Each stroke of the bandit's hand brought more pleasure to Chichiri and he thrashed, moaning loudly, under Tasuki's attention. "Oh Suzaku…oh…" Chichiri arched into the dedicated hand and whimpered. "Tasuki…"

"Just let go, Chiri. Come for me." Tasuki whispered and squeezed the engorged tip. His other hand moved lower to caress the monk's tightening sacs and Chichiri lost all control. He threw back his head and cried out his ecstasy as he exploded into the bath water.

Tasuki continued pumping gently as spurts of Chichiri's release pulsed out of the panting man. Chichiri moaned Tasuki's name and collapsed forward into the bandit's arms, his breathing slowly returning to normal as he rested against the hard plane of Tasuki's chest.

"I love it when you moan my name like that." Tasuki whispered and Chichiri felt his face flaming. Aiya!

"I'm sorry it took me so long, Chiri. I'm sorry we've wasted so many years." He muttered as he held Chichiri close.

"Don't be sorry, Tasuki." Chichiri looked up into the much-loved face. "I would have waited forever, no da."

Tasuki took a sharp breath and crushed Chichiri's mouth with his. Chichiri could feel Tasuki's need pressed urgently against his hip. He ground himself against Tasuki, encouraging the younger man to continue. Tasuki groaned and rubbed himself against Chichiri and the monk felt his flesh slowly hardening once again.

"Tasuki..." He held Tasuki's hips still and pulled the bandit harder between his spread legs. Their arousals pressed tightly together and Tasuki thrust his hips against Chichiri urgently. Chichiri gasped at the pace Tasuki was setting as he felt another orgasm approaching. "Oh…Tasuki…"

Tasuki reached behind Chichiri and trailed his hand down the cleft of Chichiri's ass to caress the small opening. Chichiri jerked abruptly and groaned as hot seeds erupted from him.

As Chichiri groaned into the bandit's neck, Tasuki grunted his lover's name and shot his release out to join Chichiri's. Tasuki's arms tightened around the older man as he continued small thrusting motions with his hips. The bandit nibbled his neck and Chichiri couldn't help the small giggles that escaped his lips.

"As amazing as that was, Chiri, I can't wait to get you properly in bed and fuck the daylights out of you!" He emphasized the last part with a hard thrust.

Chichiri laughed and pushed the bandit off him. "First we have to clean this tub, Tasuki. Could you imagine what people will say, no da?"

Tasuki pulled Chichiri back in his arms and kissed the willing lips tenderly. His tongue lingering in the sweet recesses of Chichiri's mouth as he pressed the lean body closer to him. When he pulled away, it was to rain tiny kisses on Chichiri's face.

"I don't give a fuck what they say, Chiri. I love you."

Chichiri reached up and caressed Tasuki face as he struggled to hold back the tears that burned the back of his eye. "I've waited a long time to hear that, Tasuki. Thank you." He kissed Tasuki's smiling lips and added, "I love you, too. Now let's get out of here before we shrivel up, no da."

Hand in hand, they left the bathhouse and headed back to their room, their bodies tingling with anticipation. All good things DID come to those who wait…

Owari~