[Fushigi Yuugi] Osozaki Blooms (8/?)
Dec. 3rd, 2008 01:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eirenicalYes, you read that right. ^_^ 6 years after posting the last chapter of my epic Nuriko fanfic, I have finally completed Chapter 8. O_O;;; Hopefully this is a sign of more creative endeavors to come in the New Year. Maybe this means I'll actually start finishing things that I've started. ^_^ Hey, I've even been working on my sister's afghan! ^_^
December 3, 2008: *boggles* It's been 6 years since I posted the last chapter of this fic. *whimper* I don't know what came over me tonight, but for some reason I just wanted to sit down and do this. Maybe it's because Katie e-mailed me a couple of months ago to tell me that she found a few pieces of OB fanart that she hadn't sent me. Maybe it's because my life has been in such massive upheaval and I've been wistfully thinking back and wishing for simpler times. Who knows? Whatever the reason, I just hope that the inspiration continues long enough to let me get this thing done. O_o;;;
*compares chapters* Yeesh. This is only half as long as the others. O_o;;; OK, we'll call this the "getting back in the swing of things" chapter. IIRC, we're heading into the "rip Tamahome's heart out" part of the plot, then going on another journey. Those chapters should end up longer again. ^_^
Warning: This fic is shash/yaoi/shounen ai. That means that there are boys kissing other boys. If that bothers you, don't read. *blinks* Then again, if you've gotten this far, I suppose you don't need the warning... *sheepish grin* Anyway, consider yourself warned.
*eyes the end of the chapter* Why does it feel like that fizzled? Oh... maybe because it's 1:15 AM and I lost my ability to edit appropriately. :-P Well, I'm going to post as is and if I look at this tomorrow morning and choke, I'll try to fix it then. ^_^ Enjoy!
Osozaki Blooms -- Chapter 8
by Renee-chan
Dawn. Normally one of Nuriko's favorite times. Not so today. Unlike the normal warmth and welcome carried by the sun's rays, this morning the sun seemed cold and distant, hiding its light behind dark storm clouds and a sheet of silvery rain. Nuriko shivered and clutched his tunic a little tighter around his shoulders. Dark omens. His life seemed full of them lately. Losing Tamahome had been the beginning of an ever-widening spiral of bad luck for the seishi that had culminated in last night's near-catastrophe. Even now he wasn't ready to think about what might have happened had he been even one minute slower... Giving himself a good, solid shake, Nuriko tried to turn his mind away from that particular emotional trip-wire. He'd spent eight years in that mental black hole already. He didn't want to feed it any more of his life than he already had.
Nuriko wrapped his arms around himself in a loose hug and willed himself to start walking. He didn't care where, he just needed to move, to somehow kick this immense melancholy that had settled over him. Unwilling to deal with any members of the Court who might be awake, Nuriko turned himself away from the Inner Palace and towards the Outer Grounds. Though not fully aware of having had a destination in mind, the feminine seishi was unsurprised to find himself in front of the stables. For, while there was very little he could do to help Miaka, a visit from him would mean the world to Galaxy and his little Hana. As he stepped into the stable, Nuriko called out, "Kechiko-san? Are you here?"
A lightly graying head of black hair poked up from behind a stall door several down from where he was standing, "Nuriko-sama! Shouldn't you be resting?"
Nuriko walked over to join the older man, "If one more person decides that I need to rest or tries to wrap yet another blanket around me, I think I'm going to scream. I'm a Suzaku shichi-seishi, Kechiko-san. One cold dunking isn't going to kill me." His voice dropped to a subdued whisper, "And besides... I'd rather not be at Court right now." Mentally he added, Not with Miaka so depressed. Not with me unable to do anything for her but hover. Not with Hotohori-sama fawning over her like an adolescent with his first crush. Not with Tasuki so badly injured. Not with Tamahome... gone...
Picking up on the seishi's melancholy mood, if not his exact thoughts, the stablemaster reached out and gripped his shoulder, "Well, I certainly don't mind you being here, so long as you follow the rules."
That last finally prompted a smile out the purple-haired seishi, "I know, Kechiko-san. 'If I'm going to hang around and be underfoot, then I may as well be useful.' I remember." Grinning impishly and warmed by Kechiko's hearty laughter, Nuriko headed down the aisle to see to his two equine friends.
Hana let out a welcoming whinny when she saw him approaching. Galaxy snorted and turned his head away. Nuriko gave the stallion a gentle smile and a soft caress, "There, there, Galaxy. Don't be jealous. You know I love you both."
Galaxy eventually responded to Nuriko's soft hands and voice, lifting his muzzle to butt at the seishi's chest. Nuriko smiled, "Perhaps I should start teaching you some of those fancier moves, hmm?"
Kechiko groaned, "Just what I need! Two of them who can let themselves out of their stalls whenever they please!"
Nuriko laughed, "Well perhaps I don't have to teach him that trick." He didn't add that he hadn't even taught Hana -- she'd figured it out on her own. For all he knew, the little mare had already let Galaxy in on the secret. Something about the gleam in both pairs of dark eyes made him suspect that that just might be the case.
After handing out a few last caresses and a few lumps of sugar, Nuriko left Hana and Galaxy, rolled up his sleeves and started helping Kechiko with the morning chores. At least here he knew exactly where he stood. Hana, Galaxy and Kechiko would never reject him and they always appreciated his presence. They liked him for being exactly who he was and none of them cared about the particulars. He didn't have to pretend for them, he didn't have to worry about what he should be... he could just be what he was, whatever that happened to be. And their liking him didn't shift to dislike or disgust at a moment's notice. That was more than he could say for a lot of people.
Last night, for just one brief moment, Hotohori-sama had caught and held his gaze. It was the first time since his presentation at court that the Emperor had looked so deeply into his eyes and Nuriko had not been able to hold himself aloof. He had laid bare his soul in that moment, hoping beyond hope that he might finally get the Emperor to see him. To see him as he was, not as everyone thought him to be. To see that someone in his world did love him the way he hoped Suzaku no Miko might. To see how desperately lonely he was in his own unrequited love. And for just one moment... their souls had touched. Nuriko was sure of it. And the thought had frightened him more than he thought possible. For just as sure as he was that Hotohori-sama had finally understood that his protestations of love were no sham... he was equally sure that the younger man could -- and more importantly would -- use that knowledge to hurt him somehow. So, when just a few seconds later showed the Emperor's eyes filled with disbelief and some small measure of disgust, Nuriko had tried to be looking elsewhere, filling the painful silence with inane chatter. He couldn't bear it any other way. And then Hotohori-sama had fled the room, unable to bear being in his presence any longer. The happy little gathering hadn't lasted much longer than that, Nuriko being unable to keep up the pretense of being light-hearted and joyful.
He sighed, I really shouldn't let Hotohori-sama bother me like this. There are so many more important things happening. I should focus on them, not on pining after someone that will likely never return my feelings. That thought brought a slight hitch to his breath. He ignored it as best he could. He wasn't even sure when he'd started to realize that his future might not lie with the Emperor, but the idea had grown in his thoughts like a weed. He'd given Hotohori-sama two years of his life already. How many more could he afford to throw away?
These thoughts swam around in his head like a school of agitated koi, disturbing the tranquility that being in the stables normally brought him. When that agitation started to transfer to the horses around him, Nuriko knew it was time to go. Taking his leave of Kechiko with a barely explained apology, Nuriko left.
And nearly the exact moment that he stepped outside, Nuriko knew something was terribly, horribly wrong. The pull came from the Inner Palace. It was the Emperor. His chi had flared to astronomical proportions. It didn't make sense. What could have made him so-- Nuriko's mind froze in fear as the obvious answer came to him. The only possible explanation... Tamahome. He broke into a run, praying with every fiber of his being that Hotohori-sama wasn't about to do something irrevocably stupid.
A month ago -- hell, two days ago -- if anyone had asked Tasuki if he could ever fear Hotohori, he would have laughed in the questioner's face. The Emperor just had an aura of pretty-boy genteelness that made it nearly impossible to fear him. His ever-present, overwhelming vanity made it even worse. His suave, debonair good looks won him only adulation. His youth made people underestimate him. His position and his quick mind made people... Respect him...? Maybe. Admire him... sure. But fear? Not in a million years. And Tasuki would have agreed. Then.
Now? They were blind fools not to see what was right in front of them. And he had been a fool for buying into it. Hotohori was one of the shichi-seishi. Every single one of them, from Chichiri down to little Chiriko, possessed an awesome, terror-worthy strength. He'd just never seen any of his fellow seishi display theirs... until now. It was somehow appropriate that Hotohori should be the first.
Facing off against Tamahome and blazing with the force of the chi he was carrying into the conflict, Hotohori was terrifying. Tasuki's knees were definitely expressing a desire to knock together -- even though he doubted the Emperor even knew there was anyone else in the courtyard. He never wanted that ferocious energy turned on him. Ever.
Movement out of the corner of his eye proved to be Nuriko running up to join the group. He turned to face the older seishi, "Any idea how we can break this up?"
The pain in Nuriko's eyes was immense. The purple-haired seishi shook his head, "We can't, Tasuki. Hotohori-sama has sunk so deeply into his anger, he won’t be able to stop until his enemy is defeated. He won't even hear our voices." He stopped, as if that thought had reminded him of something. his eyes searched the courtyard before coming back to rest on the fire seishi, "Where's Miaka?"
Of course... Their miko's voice was the only one Hotohori might hear... and her absence was suspicious, indeed. Chichiri fielded the long-haired seishi's question, "We aren't sure. No one's seen her yet this morning."
Nuriko frowned, “We should go look for her. She’s the only one who has a chance of stopping this madness.”
Chichiri put a hand on the younger seishi’s shoulder, “I’ve an idea where she is. I’ve already sent Tama-chan to bring her to us.”
Tasuki spluttered, “You sent the cat? What the blazes good is that supposed to do?”
The mage let out a bitter chuckle, “And who would you ask to leave this spectacle instead? At least Tama-chan won’t mind missing it.”
As if to verify the gravitational pull they all felt to the courtyard, Nuriko took a step closer to the combatants, fists clenched in impotent fury. His voice dropped into a throaty growl, “Can’t they see how ridiculous this is? Can’t they see how pointless? Hotohori-sama, can’t you see he’s been drugged??”
The bandit’s head jerked up at that last, “Drugged? How do you mean?”
Mitsukake stepped up behind them, “I concur.” At Tasuki’s puzzled frown, he continued, “Kodoku. I’d stake my life on it.”
Chichiri nodded in agreement, “But there is one significant problem with that being the case...”
Tasuki turned back to Nuriko as the purple-haired seishi let out a small whimper, “There is no known antidote, no known cure... but death.”
As if those words were the trigger for the drama unfolding before them to begin to draw to its close, Tamahome let out a primal yell and leaped into the air, sword held high. Anyone who’d ever wielded a sword could have told him that that was a mistake. Even Tasuki, who’d never lifted one in his life, could see how wide open that posture left him. And the Emperor, who’d been waiting for just such a mistake... his eyes were filled with a fierce, battle-lusted glee as he drove his sword upwards into Tamahome’s unprotected abdomen. And from off to their left, in counterpoint to Hotohori’s bellow of triumph, finally -- far too late to do any good -- came Miaka’s scream of denial.
There wasn’t a seishi in the courtyard whose heart didn’t spasm in shared pain at their miko’s anguished cry. Even Hotohori jerked backwards, dropping his sword in benumbed disbelief, horrified at what he’d done. Nuriko’s hands rose to clamp over his mouth as the waves of pain rising off Miaka threatened to bring on a flood of tears. It wasn’t fair. It just wasn’t fair. Hadn’t she been through enough?
She dropped down next to her hero, pulling his limp form up into her lap, tears rolling down her cheeks to mingle with the rain. Her heartfelt pleas for him to stay, to live, were like knives into the hearts of those watching, but the one they were intended for... Nuriko felt another growl rumbling up from his throat. Tamahome was reaching for his dropped weapon and mumbling about killing her, about completing his mission.
And as for Miaka... the little fool just put the sword in his damned hand and told him to kill her. That she didn’t care if she lost her life as long as Tamahome regained his. Nuriko stepped forward, ready to yank his imouto away from her erstwhile lover and finish him off himself, when -- of all people -- the Emperor held him back.
Whipping his head around to stare at Hotohori, Nuriko hissed out, “Are you mad??”
The young Emperor shook his head and nodded at the pair on the ground, “No... watch.”
Forced to do exactly that, Nuriko turned his head back to Miaka... and then he felt it. Just at the edge of his perception, and for once focused on someone other than him, his imouto’s empathy was being brought to bear. He’d never felt Miaka use it before. She probably didn’t even know she was doing it. But it just might work... The force of his imouto’s emotions was sliding around the drugs, slipping into the cracks of Nakago’s control and widening the gaps further, allowing Miaka’s love and devotion to reach her beloved. Nuriko found himself holding a breath he’d been unaware of even catching as Miaka pressed her lips to those of her love and the “ogre” symbol blazed forth, once again, upon his brow. This time, the tears really did fall and Nuriko did nothing to stop them.
Later that night, Nuriko found himself at the center of another gathering, this one less forcibly cheerful and more truly happy. Tasuki and Chiriko were in high spirits, as usual. Mitsukake was enjoying his status as “man of the hour” and Chichiri was hamming it up with his usual style. But there was one... one who was not in as celebratory a mood.
Nuriko left the other seishi debating the whys and wherefores of Tamahome’s return and the reclaiming of Suzaku’s Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho and drifted over to the porch railing. He leaned himself lightly against it, not even looking at the railing’s other occupant as he spoke, “Copper for your thoughts?”
The Emperor let out a heavy sigh and shook his head, “I doubt they are worth even that much, Nuriko.”
Nuriko turned to rest his hip on the railing and his eyes on the younger man, “On the contrary, Hotohori-sama, they are worth at least that... to me, anyway.”
Hotohori flushed and looked away, “You should stop saying things like that. It’s... it’s...”
The court princess-turned-seishi frowned, “Unnatural? Unseemly? Uncomfortable?”
Hotohori’s flush deepened with each successive description and he shrugged helplessly, not willing, for once, to hurt Nuriko’s feelings further. Unfortunately for him, the feminine seishi wasn’t done, “It’s how I feel, Hotohori-sama. I’m sorry it makes you uneasy, but I’m not going to apologize for feeling that way anymore.”
The Emperor had turned back to stare at Nuriko once more, and finally choked out, “But... but you’re...”
Nuriko sighed as he finished the sentence, “A man. Yes, yes. I know. Believe me, I can’t help but know. And if you think the situation confuses you, just imagine how much it confounds me.” He turned back to face the garden, voice low and intense, “Hotohori-sama... I don’t think you realize how much I hated you when I first came here. Not because you had so much, and I had so little. Not because you ignored me in favor of others. Not even because you took my Hana away... No, it was none of those things. I hated you because I’d given up my freedom to become an ornament on your arm -- no, not even that... a potential ornament -- and I didn’t even realize what I was giving up until it was too late to take it back.”
Hotohori made as though to interrupt, but Nuriko shook his head, “Don’t. Just... let me get this out.” He paused to gather his thoughts before continuing, “My hatred for you was the only thing I had for so long, my every waking thought was focused on you. So is it any surprise that I started to notice things? And it is any surprise that with every little tidbit I unearthed about you... I started to regret my hatred? I watched you for so long from the shadows... I suppose you could say that I became a little obsessed. Certainly that isn’t healthy. But now... now that we’ve traveled together, fought together, laughed and cried together... Hotohori-sama, I know you. I care about you... more than I did before, maybe more than I should.” He turned chocolate-brown eyes on the younger man, “That’s why I know you’re hurting. That’s why I came out here -- not to push my own agenda, but because I’m your friend... and I think you need one right now. So, all joking aside, Hotohori-sama... a copper for your thoughts?”
Hotohori stared into the purple-haired seishi’s eyes for a long moment, sifting through the emotions that he saw there, before breaking his gaze and looking away. His voice was barely a whisper as it emerged, “I... I made a terrible mistake today.” Nuriko nodded encouragement, but didn’t interrupt. “I almost killed a fellow seishi -- no. I almost killed a friend for jealousy. Were it not for Mitsukake, Tamahome would be dead now and Miaka... Miaka would be destroyed.”
Nuriko rested a gentle hand on the Emperor’s shoulder, “You aren’t perfect, Hotohori-sama. No one is. We do make mistakes. It’s what makes us human. The important thing is not to not make the mistake... it’s to learn from it once we do.”
Hotohori turned back to face Nuriko, surprise etched into his features, “I... I never thought of it that way.”
The feminine seishi smiled a melancholy smile, “That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t feel bad for what you almost did today... just don’t hold onto it so tight that it chokes you.” His expression turned wistful, “And I know you love Miaka... but she doesn’t love you, Hotohori-sama. Maybe it’s time you thought about letting go.”
The younger man’s expression pulled into a stern frown, “Maybe you should follow your own advice in that respect.” And that was when he noticed that Nuriko’s eyes were focused on a point behind him, that wistful smile no longer focused on the Emperor. Hotohori turned to follow that gaze and stared in stunned amazement at the former bandit, who had broken away from the crowd and hobbled over to the doorway to better observe Nuriko’s actions... the one who was the recipient of Nuriko’s dreamy gaze.
Nuriko answered him with a smile, “I’m trying, Hotohori-sama. Believe me... I’m trying.” And with that and a little wink, Nuriko looped his arm around Tasuki’s waist and walked off with him into the night.
Questions, comments, apricots?
Nuriko: *disgusted look* I'm just not even gonna.
R-chan: But... but... I was nice to you in this chapter!
Nuriko: *tired look* I'm finding it hard to care... really. I just... I just want it over. It's been 10 years, Renee-chan, 10 years. *whimper* I thought for sure you'd given up by now!
R-chan: But... but... *wobble eyes* I thought you'd be happy!
Tasuki: *thwaps Nuriko* Don't you remember what we discussed last time this came up?
Nuriko: *raises eyes to look at Tasuki, hope flickers* Sex?
Tasuki: *fanged grin* Lots of sex.
Nuriko: *small smile* Well... if you really think it'll happen...
Tasuki: *leers* Nuriko... I know it'll happen. Would I lie?
R-chan: *splutters* Don't you think I should be involved in this discussion???
Tasuki: *smirk* No. Because you know I'm right. It's the least you owe him after dragging him through the nine hells facedown for the last 10 1/2 years.
R-chan: *blush* I'll think about it.
Nuriko: *vbg* Genrou... have I ever mentioned that I like the way you think?
Tasuki: *purrs* Have I ever mentioned that I love it when you call me that?
Nuriko: *smirk*
R-chan: *flees the LJ*
December 3, 2008: *boggles* It's been 6 years since I posted the last chapter of this fic. *whimper* I don't know what came over me tonight, but for some reason I just wanted to sit down and do this. Maybe it's because Katie e-mailed me a couple of months ago to tell me that she found a few pieces of OB fanart that she hadn't sent me. Maybe it's because my life has been in such massive upheaval and I've been wistfully thinking back and wishing for simpler times. Who knows? Whatever the reason, I just hope that the inspiration continues long enough to let me get this thing done. O_o;;;
*compares chapters* Yeesh. This is only half as long as the others. O_o;;; OK, we'll call this the "getting back in the swing of things" chapter. IIRC, we're heading into the "rip Tamahome's heart out" part of the plot, then going on another journey. Those chapters should end up longer again. ^_^
Warning: This fic is shash/yaoi/shounen ai. That means that there are boys kissing other boys. If that bothers you, don't read. *blinks* Then again, if you've gotten this far, I suppose you don't need the warning... *sheepish grin* Anyway, consider yourself warned.
*eyes the end of the chapter* Why does it feel like that fizzled? Oh... maybe because it's 1:15 AM and I lost my ability to edit appropriately. :-P Well, I'm going to post as is and if I look at this tomorrow morning and choke, I'll try to fix it then. ^_^ Enjoy!
by Renee-chan
Dawn. Normally one of Nuriko's favorite times. Not so today. Unlike the normal warmth and welcome carried by the sun's rays, this morning the sun seemed cold and distant, hiding its light behind dark storm clouds and a sheet of silvery rain. Nuriko shivered and clutched his tunic a little tighter around his shoulders. Dark omens. His life seemed full of them lately. Losing Tamahome had been the beginning of an ever-widening spiral of bad luck for the seishi that had culminated in last night's near-catastrophe. Even now he wasn't ready to think about what might have happened had he been even one minute slower... Giving himself a good, solid shake, Nuriko tried to turn his mind away from that particular emotional trip-wire. He'd spent eight years in that mental black hole already. He didn't want to feed it any more of his life than he already had.
Nuriko wrapped his arms around himself in a loose hug and willed himself to start walking. He didn't care where, he just needed to move, to somehow kick this immense melancholy that had settled over him. Unwilling to deal with any members of the Court who might be awake, Nuriko turned himself away from the Inner Palace and towards the Outer Grounds. Though not fully aware of having had a destination in mind, the feminine seishi was unsurprised to find himself in front of the stables. For, while there was very little he could do to help Miaka, a visit from him would mean the world to Galaxy and his little Hana. As he stepped into the stable, Nuriko called out, "Kechiko-san? Are you here?"
A lightly graying head of black hair poked up from behind a stall door several down from where he was standing, "Nuriko-sama! Shouldn't you be resting?"
Nuriko walked over to join the older man, "If one more person decides that I need to rest or tries to wrap yet another blanket around me, I think I'm going to scream. I'm a Suzaku shichi-seishi, Kechiko-san. One cold dunking isn't going to kill me." His voice dropped to a subdued whisper, "And besides... I'd rather not be at Court right now." Mentally he added, Not with Miaka so depressed. Not with me unable to do anything for her but hover. Not with Hotohori-sama fawning over her like an adolescent with his first crush. Not with Tasuki so badly injured. Not with Tamahome... gone...
Picking up on the seishi's melancholy mood, if not his exact thoughts, the stablemaster reached out and gripped his shoulder, "Well, I certainly don't mind you being here, so long as you follow the rules."
That last finally prompted a smile out the purple-haired seishi, "I know, Kechiko-san. 'If I'm going to hang around and be underfoot, then I may as well be useful.' I remember." Grinning impishly and warmed by Kechiko's hearty laughter, Nuriko headed down the aisle to see to his two equine friends.
Hana let out a welcoming whinny when she saw him approaching. Galaxy snorted and turned his head away. Nuriko gave the stallion a gentle smile and a soft caress, "There, there, Galaxy. Don't be jealous. You know I love you both."
Galaxy eventually responded to Nuriko's soft hands and voice, lifting his muzzle to butt at the seishi's chest. Nuriko smiled, "Perhaps I should start teaching you some of those fancier moves, hmm?"
Kechiko groaned, "Just what I need! Two of them who can let themselves out of their stalls whenever they please!"
Nuriko laughed, "Well perhaps I don't have to teach him that trick." He didn't add that he hadn't even taught Hana -- she'd figured it out on her own. For all he knew, the little mare had already let Galaxy in on the secret. Something about the gleam in both pairs of dark eyes made him suspect that that just might be the case.
After handing out a few last caresses and a few lumps of sugar, Nuriko left Hana and Galaxy, rolled up his sleeves and started helping Kechiko with the morning chores. At least here he knew exactly where he stood. Hana, Galaxy and Kechiko would never reject him and they always appreciated his presence. They liked him for being exactly who he was and none of them cared about the particulars. He didn't have to pretend for them, he didn't have to worry about what he should be... he could just be what he was, whatever that happened to be. And their liking him didn't shift to dislike or disgust at a moment's notice. That was more than he could say for a lot of people.
Last night, for just one brief moment, Hotohori-sama had caught and held his gaze. It was the first time since his presentation at court that the Emperor had looked so deeply into his eyes and Nuriko had not been able to hold himself aloof. He had laid bare his soul in that moment, hoping beyond hope that he might finally get the Emperor to see him. To see him as he was, not as everyone thought him to be. To see that someone in his world did love him the way he hoped Suzaku no Miko might. To see how desperately lonely he was in his own unrequited love. And for just one moment... their souls had touched. Nuriko was sure of it. And the thought had frightened him more than he thought possible. For just as sure as he was that Hotohori-sama had finally understood that his protestations of love were no sham... he was equally sure that the younger man could -- and more importantly would -- use that knowledge to hurt him somehow. So, when just a few seconds later showed the Emperor's eyes filled with disbelief and some small measure of disgust, Nuriko had tried to be looking elsewhere, filling the painful silence with inane chatter. He couldn't bear it any other way. And then Hotohori-sama had fled the room, unable to bear being in his presence any longer. The happy little gathering hadn't lasted much longer than that, Nuriko being unable to keep up the pretense of being light-hearted and joyful.
He sighed, I really shouldn't let Hotohori-sama bother me like this. There are so many more important things happening. I should focus on them, not on pining after someone that will likely never return my feelings. That thought brought a slight hitch to his breath. He ignored it as best he could. He wasn't even sure when he'd started to realize that his future might not lie with the Emperor, but the idea had grown in his thoughts like a weed. He'd given Hotohori-sama two years of his life already. How many more could he afford to throw away?
These thoughts swam around in his head like a school of agitated koi, disturbing the tranquility that being in the stables normally brought him. When that agitation started to transfer to the horses around him, Nuriko knew it was time to go. Taking his leave of Kechiko with a barely explained apology, Nuriko left.
And nearly the exact moment that he stepped outside, Nuriko knew something was terribly, horribly wrong. The pull came from the Inner Palace. It was the Emperor. His chi had flared to astronomical proportions. It didn't make sense. What could have made him so-- Nuriko's mind froze in fear as the obvious answer came to him. The only possible explanation... Tamahome. He broke into a run, praying with every fiber of his being that Hotohori-sama wasn't about to do something irrevocably stupid.
A month ago -- hell, two days ago -- if anyone had asked Tasuki if he could ever fear Hotohori, he would have laughed in the questioner's face. The Emperor just had an aura of pretty-boy genteelness that made it nearly impossible to fear him. His ever-present, overwhelming vanity made it even worse. His suave, debonair good looks won him only adulation. His youth made people underestimate him. His position and his quick mind made people... Respect him...? Maybe. Admire him... sure. But fear? Not in a million years. And Tasuki would have agreed. Then.
Now? They were blind fools not to see what was right in front of them. And he had been a fool for buying into it. Hotohori was one of the shichi-seishi. Every single one of them, from Chichiri down to little Chiriko, possessed an awesome, terror-worthy strength. He'd just never seen any of his fellow seishi display theirs... until now. It was somehow appropriate that Hotohori should be the first.
Facing off against Tamahome and blazing with the force of the chi he was carrying into the conflict, Hotohori was terrifying. Tasuki's knees were definitely expressing a desire to knock together -- even though he doubted the Emperor even knew there was anyone else in the courtyard. He never wanted that ferocious energy turned on him. Ever.
Movement out of the corner of his eye proved to be Nuriko running up to join the group. He turned to face the older seishi, "Any idea how we can break this up?"
The pain in Nuriko's eyes was immense. The purple-haired seishi shook his head, "We can't, Tasuki. Hotohori-sama has sunk so deeply into his anger, he won’t be able to stop until his enemy is defeated. He won't even hear our voices." He stopped, as if that thought had reminded him of something. his eyes searched the courtyard before coming back to rest on the fire seishi, "Where's Miaka?"
Of course... Their miko's voice was the only one Hotohori might hear... and her absence was suspicious, indeed. Chichiri fielded the long-haired seishi's question, "We aren't sure. No one's seen her yet this morning."
Nuriko frowned, “We should go look for her. She’s the only one who has a chance of stopping this madness.”
Chichiri put a hand on the younger seishi’s shoulder, “I’ve an idea where she is. I’ve already sent Tama-chan to bring her to us.”
Tasuki spluttered, “You sent the cat? What the blazes good is that supposed to do?”
The mage let out a bitter chuckle, “And who would you ask to leave this spectacle instead? At least Tama-chan won’t mind missing it.”
As if to verify the gravitational pull they all felt to the courtyard, Nuriko took a step closer to the combatants, fists clenched in impotent fury. His voice dropped into a throaty growl, “Can’t they see how ridiculous this is? Can’t they see how pointless? Hotohori-sama, can’t you see he’s been drugged??”
The bandit’s head jerked up at that last, “Drugged? How do you mean?”
Mitsukake stepped up behind them, “I concur.” At Tasuki’s puzzled frown, he continued, “Kodoku. I’d stake my life on it.”
Chichiri nodded in agreement, “But there is one significant problem with that being the case...”
Tasuki turned back to Nuriko as the purple-haired seishi let out a small whimper, “There is no known antidote, no known cure... but death.”
As if those words were the trigger for the drama unfolding before them to begin to draw to its close, Tamahome let out a primal yell and leaped into the air, sword held high. Anyone who’d ever wielded a sword could have told him that that was a mistake. Even Tasuki, who’d never lifted one in his life, could see how wide open that posture left him. And the Emperor, who’d been waiting for just such a mistake... his eyes were filled with a fierce, battle-lusted glee as he drove his sword upwards into Tamahome’s unprotected abdomen. And from off to their left, in counterpoint to Hotohori’s bellow of triumph, finally -- far too late to do any good -- came Miaka’s scream of denial.
There wasn’t a seishi in the courtyard whose heart didn’t spasm in shared pain at their miko’s anguished cry. Even Hotohori jerked backwards, dropping his sword in benumbed disbelief, horrified at what he’d done. Nuriko’s hands rose to clamp over his mouth as the waves of pain rising off Miaka threatened to bring on a flood of tears. It wasn’t fair. It just wasn’t fair. Hadn’t she been through enough?
She dropped down next to her hero, pulling his limp form up into her lap, tears rolling down her cheeks to mingle with the rain. Her heartfelt pleas for him to stay, to live, were like knives into the hearts of those watching, but the one they were intended for... Nuriko felt another growl rumbling up from his throat. Tamahome was reaching for his dropped weapon and mumbling about killing her, about completing his mission.
And as for Miaka... the little fool just put the sword in his damned hand and told him to kill her. That she didn’t care if she lost her life as long as Tamahome regained his. Nuriko stepped forward, ready to yank his imouto away from her erstwhile lover and finish him off himself, when -- of all people -- the Emperor held him back.
Whipping his head around to stare at Hotohori, Nuriko hissed out, “Are you mad??”
The young Emperor shook his head and nodded at the pair on the ground, “No... watch.”
Forced to do exactly that, Nuriko turned his head back to Miaka... and then he felt it. Just at the edge of his perception, and for once focused on someone other than him, his imouto’s empathy was being brought to bear. He’d never felt Miaka use it before. She probably didn’t even know she was doing it. But it just might work... The force of his imouto’s emotions was sliding around the drugs, slipping into the cracks of Nakago’s control and widening the gaps further, allowing Miaka’s love and devotion to reach her beloved. Nuriko found himself holding a breath he’d been unaware of even catching as Miaka pressed her lips to those of her love and the “ogre” symbol blazed forth, once again, upon his brow. This time, the tears really did fall and Nuriko did nothing to stop them.
Later that night, Nuriko found himself at the center of another gathering, this one less forcibly cheerful and more truly happy. Tasuki and Chiriko were in high spirits, as usual. Mitsukake was enjoying his status as “man of the hour” and Chichiri was hamming it up with his usual style. But there was one... one who was not in as celebratory a mood.
Nuriko left the other seishi debating the whys and wherefores of Tamahome’s return and the reclaiming of Suzaku’s Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho and drifted over to the porch railing. He leaned himself lightly against it, not even looking at the railing’s other occupant as he spoke, “Copper for your thoughts?”
The Emperor let out a heavy sigh and shook his head, “I doubt they are worth even that much, Nuriko.”
Nuriko turned to rest his hip on the railing and his eyes on the younger man, “On the contrary, Hotohori-sama, they are worth at least that... to me, anyway.”
Hotohori flushed and looked away, “You should stop saying things like that. It’s... it’s...”
The court princess-turned-seishi frowned, “Unnatural? Unseemly? Uncomfortable?”
Hotohori’s flush deepened with each successive description and he shrugged helplessly, not willing, for once, to hurt Nuriko’s feelings further. Unfortunately for him, the feminine seishi wasn’t done, “It’s how I feel, Hotohori-sama. I’m sorry it makes you uneasy, but I’m not going to apologize for feeling that way anymore.”
The Emperor had turned back to stare at Nuriko once more, and finally choked out, “But... but you’re...”
Nuriko sighed as he finished the sentence, “A man. Yes, yes. I know. Believe me, I can’t help but know. And if you think the situation confuses you, just imagine how much it confounds me.” He turned back to face the garden, voice low and intense, “Hotohori-sama... I don’t think you realize how much I hated you when I first came here. Not because you had so much, and I had so little. Not because you ignored me in favor of others. Not even because you took my Hana away... No, it was none of those things. I hated you because I’d given up my freedom to become an ornament on your arm -- no, not even that... a potential ornament -- and I didn’t even realize what I was giving up until it was too late to take it back.”
Hotohori made as though to interrupt, but Nuriko shook his head, “Don’t. Just... let me get this out.” He paused to gather his thoughts before continuing, “My hatred for you was the only thing I had for so long, my every waking thought was focused on you. So is it any surprise that I started to notice things? And it is any surprise that with every little tidbit I unearthed about you... I started to regret my hatred? I watched you for so long from the shadows... I suppose you could say that I became a little obsessed. Certainly that isn’t healthy. But now... now that we’ve traveled together, fought together, laughed and cried together... Hotohori-sama, I know you. I care about you... more than I did before, maybe more than I should.” He turned chocolate-brown eyes on the younger man, “That’s why I know you’re hurting. That’s why I came out here -- not to push my own agenda, but because I’m your friend... and I think you need one right now. So, all joking aside, Hotohori-sama... a copper for your thoughts?”
Hotohori stared into the purple-haired seishi’s eyes for a long moment, sifting through the emotions that he saw there, before breaking his gaze and looking away. His voice was barely a whisper as it emerged, “I... I made a terrible mistake today.” Nuriko nodded encouragement, but didn’t interrupt. “I almost killed a fellow seishi -- no. I almost killed a friend for jealousy. Were it not for Mitsukake, Tamahome would be dead now and Miaka... Miaka would be destroyed.”
Nuriko rested a gentle hand on the Emperor’s shoulder, “You aren’t perfect, Hotohori-sama. No one is. We do make mistakes. It’s what makes us human. The important thing is not to not make the mistake... it’s to learn from it once we do.”
Hotohori turned back to face Nuriko, surprise etched into his features, “I... I never thought of it that way.”
The feminine seishi smiled a melancholy smile, “That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t feel bad for what you almost did today... just don’t hold onto it so tight that it chokes you.” His expression turned wistful, “And I know you love Miaka... but she doesn’t love you, Hotohori-sama. Maybe it’s time you thought about letting go.”
The younger man’s expression pulled into a stern frown, “Maybe you should follow your own advice in that respect.” And that was when he noticed that Nuriko’s eyes were focused on a point behind him, that wistful smile no longer focused on the Emperor. Hotohori turned to follow that gaze and stared in stunned amazement at the former bandit, who had broken away from the crowd and hobbled over to the doorway to better observe Nuriko’s actions... the one who was the recipient of Nuriko’s dreamy gaze.
Nuriko answered him with a smile, “I’m trying, Hotohori-sama. Believe me... I’m trying.” And with that and a little wink, Nuriko looped his arm around Tasuki’s waist and walked off with him into the night.
Questions, comments, apricots?
Nuriko: *disgusted look* I'm just not even gonna.
R-chan: But... but... I was nice to you in this chapter!
Nuriko: *tired look* I'm finding it hard to care... really. I just... I just want it over. It's been 10 years, Renee-chan, 10 years. *whimper* I thought for sure you'd given up by now!
R-chan: But... but... *wobble eyes* I thought you'd be happy!
Tasuki: *thwaps Nuriko* Don't you remember what we discussed last time this came up?
Nuriko: *raises eyes to look at Tasuki, hope flickers* Sex?
Tasuki: *fanged grin* Lots of sex.
Nuriko: *small smile* Well... if you really think it'll happen...
Tasuki: *leers* Nuriko... I know it'll happen. Would I lie?
R-chan: *splutters* Don't you think I should be involved in this discussion???
Tasuki: *smirk* No. Because you know I'm right. It's the least you owe him after dragging him through the nine hells facedown for the last 10 1/2 years.
R-chan: *blush* I'll think about it.
Nuriko: *vbg* Genrou... have I ever mentioned that I like the way you think?
Tasuki: *purrs* Have I ever mentioned that I love it when you call me that?
Nuriko: *smirk*
R-chan: *flees the LJ*
