Yami No Matsuei Fan Fiction ❯ Complicated ❯ Part 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Okay, here's part four! Happy reading!

COMPLICATED 4

Tatsumi stared at the steam drifting above them, his arms resting on the sides of the enormous warm pool. The smell of bamboo and sandalwood mixed perfectly, bringing a very sweet scent to the surroundings. It was a private place that only Muraki knew, so that they could have a moment of peace and not to be disturbed by anyone. Muraki sat opposite him, his arms folded lightly across his chest, his head thrown to one side as he watched the orange light of the sunset play tricks on the surface of the water. His platinum hair was plastered to his face, just like Tatsumi's, both their glasses gone. They had been silent the whole time, only their breathing could be heard. The sun was slowly disappearing, and the orange glow upon them both made them look tanned and highlighted their beautiful features.

"You're right." Tatsumi said suddenly, breaking the silence as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "They do have good hot springs." Muraki nodded, chuckling a bit.

"Yes, they do." He smiled up at the sky.

There was no need for words. An hour flew by and the sun was completely gone from the horizon. The soft jingling of bells was heard along with soft flute music and cheering laughter. Both stood up from the warm pool, discretely turning their backs to each other as they dried themselves and wrapped the white towels around their waist. They headed in the changing room, made of bamboo, with bamboo chairs and a table, a small window on one side that allowed cool air to enter. They changed in to the clothes that they got, and when they faced each other both nodded in appreciation.

Tatsumi looked very different, the light silver gray suit bringing out his eyes contrasting with black dress shirt, along with the blue tie, the whole look accompanied by black loafers. The white coat fell a few inches below his knees, especially tailored to perfection for his slim built. Muraki looked handsome in the dark outfit. He wore a nice blue suit, a silver gray dress shirt and a blue tie, along with a wonderful night sky blue coat that made his pale skin look surreal - he looked very gentlemanly. Then again, he always did.

"It suits you very much." Muraki said, gesturing to the suit Tatsumi was wearing. The white coat really did look very nice on him.

"And you look very good yourself." Tatsumi said, nodding as well.

"Shall we go then?" Muraki asked, and Tatsumi nodded.

Tatsumi would have used his shadows to teleport them immediately to the festival site or maybe even his shinigami levitating abilities. But the walk down the green fields in the edge of town, with little lanterns lighting their path was so good that he actually enjoyed it. They were talking of politics and its history, and Tatsumi was amazed at everything Muraki related to him and his knowledge of history. Then came in the idea of business in the current world and how it was affecting the lives of people. Tatsumi was explaining everything so well that Muraki was merely listening, absorbing like a sponge. Both gained new knowledge of each other as they walked on and on until they reached the festival site.

It was littered with children and teenagers. There were sweet couples walking hand in hand, pointing at the game galleries, some parents struggling to gain control of their children. A lot of kids ran about, holding candy sticks or bags of junk food, some carrying prizes that they won while some merely chased the other who had something that belonged to them. It was actually an amusing sight, where white lanterns hanged above their heads; musicians bustled down the path making soft music with their flutes.

Muraki and Tatsumi view various displays of plays with the help of puppets or picture illustrations. There was even a show, which used shadows behind a silk screen. They watched a dance performance called `Dance of death'. The main element of the play was the music and whenever the strings of violins began to screech it signified panic or danger, thus the acting on the stage moved along hand in hand with the music. They had tried different brewing of sake, and had some old-fashioned hand made tea. They took in some of the home baked rice biscuits, sweets and other finger foods that were small and not too heavy. All in all it was turning out to be a fantastic evening.

"They always celebrate spring here in such a high spirited manner." Muraki said, making Tatsumi nod in agreement as they walked down the rows of stalls one more time, just amused at how everyone looked happy and was enjoying themselves. A small, lost boy collided on to Muraki, his face red from crying and a fist covering one eye, tears cascading down his cheeks. Muraki kneeled before the boy, and placed both hands on the shoulder. "Are you lost?" The boy nodded, sniffing. Tatsumi watched as Muraki took out a handkerchief and wiped the tears away. "We will find your parents, okay? Don't cry." He said, lifting the boy and sitting him on his shoulder. Because he was tall, the boy enjoyed being above everyone else. Immediately the tears were gone and instead there was a big smile. Tatsumi brought some cotton candy, in which he held happily, munching on the sugary sweet. The boy began to talk about his favorite colors and soccer. Muraki had brought him a plushy of a soccer ball, which the boy immediately hugged and thanked Muraki for. Muraki looked patient and so caring that one would mistake the boy as his own son.

"Akira!" A lady called out from behind, followed by another man. Muraki and Tatsumi turned to find the two flustered parents sigh with relief at the sight of the boy.

"Mama! Papa!" The boy said, reaching out for them. Muraki set him down from his shoulders, watching as the boy rushed to the arms of his mother. "Look!" He showed them the plushy and candy. "Uncle Muraki and Uncle Tatsumi got it for me!"

"Thank you very much." The father said, bowing in gratefulness, the mother doing the same. "We thought we lost him."

Tatsumi flicked a glance at Muraki who merely shook his head. "No, he's a big boy." He ruffled the child's dark hair. "Right Akira?" The boy beamed up at him. "Take care."

The family walked away, saying a final thank you and disappearing in to the crowd. "You are good with children."

Muraki shrugged. "Innocent little things." He said, turning to look at Tatsumi a small smile on his face. "I would like to have some of my own." Tatsumi was a bit surprised but nodded in understanding. "The night is still young, Tatsumi. A walk around the old capital is something I would recommend at this time of the evening. It is spring after all."

"Very well then." Tatsumi said, nodding in agreement.

*

They had stopped to take a break in an open café, ordering warm English tea and some pastries to accompany it. It had been a very pleasant evening indeed and they had walked nearly for about four to five kilometers and Tatsumi was finally feeling fatigue kicking in to his system. He had not slept at all and the tired look was very visible in his face. After tea and the pastries, Muraki had the courtesy to head for home. Just as they were about to take a taxi, an explosion of colors and loud banging noises caught their attention.

They turned to look up at the sky towards the sound and colors and saw the wonderful display of fire works, a million luminous colors dancing in the dark sky. They both watched for a good ten minutes as the colors changed from pink to green and blue to yellow then finally white. Shapes of unknown patterns littered the sky, and it indeed was a tantalizing sight, for both for a moment looked lost in their own minds, as they watched the fire works.

"It is beautiful." Tatsumi said, as the fire works slowly came to an end.

"Indeed." Muraki said agreeing.

A taxi stopped in front of them and both got in, Muraki telling the driver the address. This time they were silent, just watching the blur of people, buildings and lights zoom past them as they neared Muraki's estate. Tatsumi yawned, not intending too, but he could not help it. He covered his mouth with a fist, blushing a bit from embarrassment. They got out of the taxi and entered the dark house.

"Come." Tatsumi led him upstairs and pushed the door of a room open. It was the same room Tatsumi had slept in when he passed out during his drunken stupor in front of Muraki. Muraki handed him a white yukata. "I will be just downstairs if there is anything you need." He said, taking Tatsumi's white coat off. Tatsumi yawned again. "Did you sleep last night, Tatsumi?"

"No." He said, taking his glasses off and folding it, holding it in his hands. "I got no sleep for the past twenty four hours."

"It is unhealthy. You know that." Muraki said, his doctor-mechanism immediately kicking in, as he folded the coat over the blue velvet chair in the corner of the wide bedroom.

"I can't help it." Tatsumi said, now pulling his dress shirt off along with his pants, pulling the white yukata on. "It was a good evening."

"Yes, I agree." Muraki said, nodding. "I, myself, had a good time."

"I too." Tatsumi said, placing his glasses on the side table.

"Good night, Tatsumi." Muraki said, heading for the door and before Tatsumi could even reply, lightly closing the door behind him.

Tatsumi laid on the bed, pulling the silk comforter over himself and threw an arm over the pillow. He inhaled a huge gulp of air, the smell of pine assaulting him. He blinked and slowly closed his eyes, a small smile forming on his lips. He slept a dreamless sleep and for once, no thoughts of regret, guilt or hatred plagued his mind. For once in the last two months, he slept a peaceful sleep.

*

The next morning, he found his suits cleaned and waiting for him on the chair, along with a towel. He got up and made the bed, feeling refreshed and full of energy. He stretched his limbs doing a little bit of warming up exercise to shake the sleep off. He then took a refreshing shower and changed in to his usual brown suit. He padded down the stairs, the bright morning sunshine shining upon the white and blue décor of the house. He found Muraki sitting in the dining table, eating breakfast of omelets, bacon and coffee.

"Good morning, Muraki." Tatsumi said, greeting him by the doorway.

"Good morning, Tatsumi." He said, smiling, looking up from a folder, which held his day's schedule. "Did you have a good sleep?"

"Yes thank you." He said, joining Muraki at the table. "A question of curiosity Muraki." He suddenly said, a thought occurring in his mind. Muraki set his cup of coffee down turning to look at Tatsumi. "Where did you sleep last night?"

Muraki shook his head, chuckling. "No need to worry of such things Tatsumi." He said, holding a basket with freshly baked croissant towards Tatsumi who took one. "You are my guest, and shall be treated as one." Tatsumi seem a bit disturbed. "Do not worry so much of such things Tatsumi. We have wonderful day ahead of us. Why start it with worry?"

Tatsumi could say nothing but agreed with what he said. Why worry anyway?

After the good breakfast, Tatsumi went to Muraki's library and scanned through his books of foreign literature, while Muraki tended to his patients in the living room. He was awed by the number of good selections Muraki had, and was currently absorbed by poems by Edgar Allen Poe. He spent the whole day until lunchtime reading numerous poems. They had lunch together in a nice French restaurant, Tatsumi commenting on his good collection of books and his good choices.

"Why thank you!" Muraki said to Tatsumi's compliments. "Please feel free to enjoy it. I am glad that I have something of your interest. I hope that I do not bore you."

"Oh not at all!" Tatsumi said, suddenly stopping in his actions at what he said. Muraki was looking at him with a soft expression on his face. Tatsumi flushed a bit at the gaze of the handsome man. "Not at all Muraki."

"I'm glad!" He said, and they both continued their meal.

When they returned home, Tatsumi locked himself up in the library, now reading Greek Philosophy while Muraki attended to his afternoon patients. None of them saw each other till seven in the evening. By then, Muraki was done with his day's work and went to the library, to find Tatsumi sitting on the velvet chair near the fireplace, reading the third volume of his set of books on Greek Philosophy.

"A group of Italian violinists are performing tonight." He said, making Tatsumi look up from the book, closing it. "Would you like to join me?"

"I would be most pleased." Tatsumi replied.

They both got dressed and headed for the concert hall, taking a good high seat and watched the fine display of music.

TBC

Okay, there! Nice chapter isn't it? I like this the most! My favorite chapter so far.