This is a "Fushigi Yuugi" fanfic, in theory. Well, it uses the "FY" characters, and they're IN character (mostly), but the addition of a certain little plot device sent things spinning to all merry heck!

Okay, warnings! This fic contains spoilers - most fanfics do. ^_^ It also contains a lot of swearing, due to a certain character featured. And since it's nothing but a blatant yaoi fic to begin with, it most definitely contains that, as well as several lemon scenes. So if any of that stuff offends you, you'd better go no further!

Still with us? Good! ^_^ Then there's a few things you need to know! In this fanfic, all the Suzaku seishi went to find Miaka instead of heading on to Sailo Country while only Tamahome returned. And Soi did not come to save Nakago's butt after Tamahome blasted him. So this fic begins with Nakago and Tamahome on horses, while the others tend to Miaka.

Is that clear? Probably not. *sheepish grin* Well, read on, and maybe you can figure out for yourself what's what. And enjoy! It was certainly a lot of fun to write - I hope it's as much fun to read!! ^_^

ja!

The night wind whipped cold in Nakago's face as his horse galloped madly over the rough terrain. Every thud of the beast's hooves, every leap over a gully or a fallen log, and the corresponding impact of landing, jolted fiery agony through the burned, bloody mess Tamahome's chi blast had made of his shoulder.

Nakago gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath. Where had the brat gotten such power? Through his anger? But cool calculation could beat out anger any day. Anger clouded the mind and allowed one to make mistakes. That's why he was trying to damp the fury filling him, that that little... that BASTARD had dared to wound him!

*It wasn't anger,* whispered a little voice in Nakago's head; the voice he tried to ignore, the one that occasionally spoke up and said things he didn't want to pay any attention to. It sounded like the voice of the boy he had once been. Or sometimes, it was his mother's voice. *It wasn't his anger, or his hatred for you. It was his love for his Miko, for the girl Miaka.*

"Shut up!" Nakago growled aloud. He didn't want to consider why the thought of Tamahome's love for Miaka hurt him so badly inside.

He wished he could stop and bind his arm, could try to do something about the excruciating pain blazing through the wounded flesh, but Tamahome was right on his heels. And his horse was slowly gaining since it had less weight to carry than Nakago's.

Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but right now Nakago was weakened considerably from that chi blast, the blood loss beginning to affect him as well. And the furious pain ripping through his shoulder, his left arm and the whole side of his chest were also very distracting. He wasn't in any shape to face a righteously wrathful warrior-seishi, and they both knew it.

So he fled through the night, trying desperately to lose his relentless pursuer.

He was beginning to get a little dizzy, though he tried to quell this weakness of his body, and he barely heard the pounding of hooves beside him as Tamahome's horse finally drew abreast of his. It was almost with a weary sense of resignation that he felt the brat's body slam into his, throwing them both heavily to the hard ground. He should have known the boy would do something idiotic like this; that was his last thought, as his wounded shoulder struck the ground and the screaming upswell of agony wrapped him in its blazing arms and dragged him down into the darkness of unconsciousness.

*********************************************************

Nakago awoke to feel something heavy on his chest, and he instantly knew something was NOT right. Opening his eyes slowly, he realized that Tamahome was sitting on his chest with one foot against his wounded shoulder and the other beside his head. He was barechested, having thrown off his dirty shirt during the pursuit, and was caked in dust and sweat. The Suzaku seishi scowled at him, then pushed the edge of his shoe into Nakago's shoulder. The blonde's eyes widened and he thought that he might pass out, but he willed himself to stay awake.

Tamahome scowled furiously and he tried to think of something to say, but his mind was so clouded with anger that he could only mumble, "Damn you!" and slam his fist into the soft soil beside Nakago's head.

"How could you... how could you do that to Miaka? You cold, ruthless bastard... how could you!!" he screamed.

Nakago simply looked up at him. What could he do? Tell him the truth? No, he would not give Tamahome the satisfaction of winning.

With the best smirk he could muster, he said, "Get used to it, whelp."

Tamahome instantly slammed his feet into Nakago's shoulder and head, and Nakago began to rethink his course of action. Obviously, Tamahome had the advantage at this point in time. But he was young and easily manipulated too... Nakago thought of how he could work this to his advantage.

Redirecting his chi to contact the other Seiryuu seishi, he managed to reach Miboshi, whom the Suzakus had not encountered yet. *Yes, this should work... he won't be expecting this,* thought Nakago.

*Nakago-sama... what is it you want me to do?* asked Miboshi telepathically.

*Cast some sort of curse on him... you don't have to kill him, just make it hard for him to concentrate on fighting.*

Nakago could almost feel Miboshi smiling as he said, *It shall be done!*

Tamahome was still glaring down at Nakago when Miboshi cautiously teleported in behind him, prayer wheel first, then a shadowy outline, and finally his face and body. He spun the prayer wheel around, then began chanting, concentrating his powers around Tamahome's body...

... and at the last second, Tamahome threw himself out of the way and Miboshi's spell hit Nakago instead...

"What the hell was that?!" yelled Tamahome, looking furiously over his shoulder at the seventh seishi.

Miboshi just stared wide-eyed at his target, then looked at Nakago and wisely decided to retreat. Tamahome instantly pounced on Nakago again.

"Okay, jerk, you think you're so smart... how do you like feeling the sting of a Seiryuu spell? That's what it was, right? Your last seishi, your trump card!"

Nakago simply lay there, stunned, and didn't say anything, though his eyes were slowly moving over Tamahome's body.

"So what was in that spell anyways...?" Tamahome asked, looking Nakago over. He hadn't sustained any additional injuries, and only seemed a little dazed.

"I don't..." Nakago began to say, but then he heard Miboshi's voice. *My apologies, Nakago-sama. I did not think the boy sensed me.*

*What did you do to me?* Nakago asked, even though he was afraid that he was figuring that out right about now...

Looking up at Tamahome, he couldn't help but notice how nicely taut his muscles were, even under all the dirt. In fact, the dirt and the sweat only served to enhance the contours of each and every muscle. Even his eyes had an amazing depth to them, each violet-gray facet reflecting the moonlight.

*... Nakago-sama? Nakago-sama, can you hear me?...*

*Uh, yes, Miboshi... What did you say?*

*It was a lust spell! Didn't you hear me? As your chi drops, you will get more and more lustful... every single guy that crosses your path, you're going to want to have sexual relations with him!*

*... Every guy?* Nakago reached his hand up and rested it gently against Tamahome's hip. The young man swatted it away and said, "What... what're you doing!?"

*Every guy... and, I don't know how to reverse this!*

*... oh...* "Tamahome, I have a request..."

"I doubt if I'll grant it asshole, but go ahead."

"Sleep with me?"

Nakago could almost have laughed at the shocked expression on Tamahome's handsome young face. But this was no laughing matter. His life was on the line.

*I'm going to have to _kill_ Miboshi,* he thought absently to himself, even as he waited for his enemy's answer. Tamahome seemed frozen, though Nakago could see his mind working furiously, and he thought he could probably have followed every thought... if he wasn't getting distracted by the way the boy's muscular chest rose and fell with his heavy breathing. *Oh, yes. Slowly and painfully. Whether he's a Seiryuu seishi or not!*

"Fuck you!" Tamahome finally blurted out, evidently having picked up some of that red-haired bandit's language and manners.

"Exactly," Nakago said. He almost smirked, but this was deadly serious.

Tamahome blinked, then scowled. "Look, you bastard, I'm not playing your sick mind-games! After what you did to Miaka, you deserve to have the same thing done to you-- GET YOUR HAND OFF!" Tamahome planted a boot on Nakago's raw shoulder again, effectively distracting the Kutou shogun from the spell for an agonizing moment or two. When the pain had receded enough that the world wasn't filled with red-tinged blackness, Tamahome's voice came back as well. "--ut the very idea makes me feel like vomiting! You're insane, you know that? Why else would you be-- STOP THAT!"

Tamahome grabbed Nakago's wrists and wrenched them violently, pinning them to the ground on either side of the blonde's head. Nakago stared up at him. Tamahome was so close he could feel the boy's breath blowing hot on his face. The clear violet-grey eyes widened, startled into awareness of their position. Tamahome was still sitting on Nakago's chest, his knees to either side, and now he was leaning above the larger man, their faces uncomfortably close. Yet, he didn't dare to let go.

Nakago would have laughed at the expression on Tamahome's face, but he was burning up. All rational thought had deserted him, and he was desperate. "Tamahome, please!"

Tamahome jerked back as though struck. He was single-minded, but not stupid or oblivious. He'd heard the naked fear in Nakago's voice, and more than that, his arch-enemy had said "please"; was begging for something from him! This wasn't any game, he could finally see that.

"What-- what are you--" Suddenly his eyes narrowed. "That spell! That's what this is about, isn't it! That spell you had that little runt try to cast on ME!" He sneered. "You're just sick!"

"I didn't know what..." Nakago frowned, trying to get the words to come out of his mouth. His thoughts, usually so carefully patterned, so controlled, were being shattered and he could barely speak. "I didn't.... It was Miboshi's idea. I just told him to incapacitate you."

Tamahome got a strange expression on his face. "Is there something going on there I should know about?"

Nakago stared in shock at the dry, amused tone. How DARE that brat--?!

With a wild snarl of desire, he somehow managed to rip his arms free of Tamahome's iron grip, and roll both he and the youth over. Taken by surprise, Tamahome tumbled to the ground, the heavier man above him. Nakago planted his mouth over Tamahome's in a desperate kiss, flames seeming to flare around both their violently entwined bodies, as his graceful hands roamed over the contours of Tamahome's chest.

Then Tamahome struck his wounded shoulder, hard. The Suzaku Seishi scrambled to his feet, panting, as Nakago curled in a little ball, clutching at his shoulder, his silken gold hair falling to hide his face. Tamahome dragged a trembling hand across his lips, and spat.

"You bastard! That's disgusting!"

Nakago couldn't answer. He was in too much pain and was beginning to feel his chi, his life force slipping away from him.

"What happens if you, er... don't?" Tamahome asked after a long moment of watching Nakago twitch and tremble before him. His voice was curious, and almost gentle.

"I die," Nakago grated, still not raising his head.

"Good. It's exactly what you deserve!"

Tamahome stared as Nakago started laughing. It wasn't the mocking laughter he was used to. This was a bitter, painful sound, bordering on sobs. He knelt and grabbed a handful of Nakago's hair, yanking it so that he could look Nakago in the face. He was shocked beyond words to see a few tears trickling down the pale cheeks.

"That's where you're wrong," Nakago managed to jerk out, just staring back into Tamahome's wide eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't... didn't touch your Miko."

Tamahome released his hold of Nakago's hair just as the tall man slumped into half-consciousness. Nakago fell forward, into Tamahome's lap, tumbling them both to the ground once more.

Tamahome was shocked, yet relieved. *Miaka's all right... he didn't do anything to her... thank Suzaku... But what do I do now?* This was a serious matter; Nakago's life was in Tamahome's hands now. He was his enemy, true; the shogun of Kutou, a Seiryuu seishi. Nakago had made life hell for Tamahome. Why should he save him? And yet, if he didn't... *I'd be just as bad as he was, I suppose...*

Then a blush ran up to color his face. *I'd be losing my virginity to... him? Oh geez... But Miaka would probably be mad if she found out I let someone die like this - even Nakago...* He pushed Nakago with just enough force to roll him off his lap, then began to carefully undress the blonde, even though the entire time he kept thinking, *Tamahome, you aren't actually going to do this, are you?*

The sound of footsteps crunching through the foliage behind him snapped him out of his reverie.

"Tamahome!" came one voice, and then another. Tasuki, Chichiri, Mitsukake, Chiriko, even Miaka's voice...

"Over here!" he called out, just as he realized what an embarrassing predicament he was in. Tasuki came running up, followed closely by the others.

"Oi! Tamahome-kun, we..." Tasuki began, but he stopped in midsentence when he realized what Tamahome was doing. Tamahome was hunkered over the Kutou shogun, his hands at the waistband of Nakago's pants. Both he and Nakago were now shirtless, their clothing tossed in random piles on the ground.

Miaka looked like she was going to cry. "Why... why are you..." she began, but before Tamahome could get a word out, she ran off sobbing.

Tamahome instantly got to his feet to give chase, but Tasuki grabbed him and said, "Chichiri, Mitsukake, Chiriko... you guys find Miaka and calm her down. I am going to have a little talk with our hentai boy here." As soon as the other seishi left, Tasuki suddenly pushed Tamahome back on his butt.

"Okay, what the HELL are you doing, baka! It doesn't suit you, getting revenge on this ass like that!" Tasuki yelled. Nakago began to stir at the sound of his voice.

Tamahome tried to explain himself to Tasuki, but the bandit just snorted at the possibility. "This jerk is just trying to take advantage of you, Tamahome! Don't you see it?!"

"... no, I'm not..." Nakago managed to say, his eyes clouded over in fever. He was staring intently at Tasuki now, his eyes raking over the fiery haired bandit. Tasuki glared at him, then said to Tamahome, "I'm gonna take care of this little matter, so go on... you need to let Miaka know that this fucking jerk never laid a hand on her. She's really upset..."

Tamahome gave a backward glance at Nakago. "Yeah, I know..." he sighed, then he slowly got up and walked away.

Tasuki waited a few moments, then turned to Nakago and said, "Okay you sorry piece of shit, what kinda game is this?" Seeing as Nakago was injured, the bandit got down on one knee and used his halisen to lift Nakago's chin so he could look him in the eye.

Nakago took a few moments to catch his breath. His breathing had become labored, and he was finding it extremely difficult to concentrate with Tasuki so close to him. He couldn't help but lean closer and say almost seductively, "Tamahome... he told you... the truth."

"Yeah, right!" said Tasuki with a laugh, but his good humor didn't last long as Nakago pulled himself up onto his hands and knees and said, "I want you to... please, you have to! Have sex with me." His face flushed in embarrassment, but he was running out of time, and it was getting so difficult to concentrate...

Tasuki laughed wildly. "Well, maybe you've heard rumors that I 'don't like women,' but you're way outta line! And what makes you think I would do this to save you anyhow, eh? You're a bastard, you hurt Miaka even if you DIDN'T rape her, you've made our lives hell... yeah, give me a good reason why I should help you?!"

Nakago stared blankly at Tasuki, sudden panic running cold through him, tamping the heat of the spell for a few lucid moments. He was in deep trouble now; far, far worse than before.

Tamahome... well, he could appeal to the boy's over-developed sense of honor. In fact, the brat must have been convinced, considering Nakago was only half dressed at the moment and he had a vague memory of feeling the boy's chi close to his own, and hesitant hands on his body.

But Tasuki.... The fiery bandit was too practical, too sensible to be so easily manipulated. If he asked for a good reason, he expected one. And Nakago just didn't have a good reason. From his own point of view, it would be a useless venture, saving the life of an enemy.

Now Nakago was really frightened. More so than he'd been since he'd been a young boy and the Emperor of Kutou had-- But he quashed that memory quickly. He was in dire straits. There was nothing he could say to convince Tasuki, and he wouldn't last long enough to go find any of his own seishi, even if he *could* have escaped from the Suzaku seishi. He'd never been this close to utter defeat, to real death before. He'd always been strong enough to fight anything, glib enough to talk his way out of any difficulty. Well, since he'd gotten old enough to escape the Emperor's bedchambers that was....

"No..." he moaned, falling forward, burying his face in his arms and beginning to sob. He should have been mortified at showing such weakness before an enemy, before *anyone*, and a part of him was, but he was too lost in the rising fear, his agonizing memories, the pain still beating through his wounded shoulder, the thwarted fire of the spell, the continuing drain on his chi.... He just couldn't keep control, couldn't regain the cool, calm facade he showed to the world, to hide the frail child inside, who'd been forced to grow up quickly, and so had never grown up.

Tasuki stared down at the weeping man in complete and utter disbelief. This was Nakago? Surely the hated enemy of the Suzaku seishi had been replaced by a doppleganger. No way would that cold fucker be groveling in the dirt, shaken by sobs, his shoulder still streaming blood, bruises that were noticeable even in the pale moonlight already beginning to spread through the pale flesh of his muscular back.

"Ch!" Tasuki shook his head, tapping his chin lightly with his halisen as he considered. He didn't usually pause to think, but when he did, he could be more shrewd than anyone who knew him could have expected.

Obviously Nakago wasn't going to give him a good reason. Didn't look as though the bastard was even able to talk at the moment. So that meant his life was in Tasuki's hands.

*It's his fault Nuriko's dead. He's the one who had Tamahome beat the shit out of me, who had Suboshi slaughter Tamahome's family. He may not have raped Miaka -- unless he's lying about that too -- but he still whacked her around. The poor kid's got bruises on her face, and she's messed up emotionally too.*

Tasuki sighed. However... he could also remember trying to do much the same thing to Miaka, before he knew who she was. True, he hadn't even managed to kiss her before she hit him. He wasn't even sure himself how far he would have gone had she not gained his respect by fighting back, but there were still too many similarities between the two situations for his comfort.

Tasuki wondered, though, why Nakago HADN'T raped Miaka. He'd had the opportunity. It certainly would have made it more sure than just letting her *think* he had....

He scratched his head through his thick hair, his face twisting. Well, shit! Now he was consumed with curiosity, with the need to KNOW! But if he wanted to ask the bastard why, that meant....

"Fuck! I can't believe I'm even considering this!" Tasuki snarled, even as he bent and grabbed the half-conscious Seiryuu seishi. Well, if he was really gonna do it -- or at least put the creep out of his misery -- best to do it where none of the others could run across him.

With a grunt, he heaved the tall man over his shoulders and staggered to his feet. "Shit, you're heavy!" There was no answer, and Nakago just hung limply, no longer weeping, but not really aware anymore of anything that was going on. Tasuki could feel the heat radiating from him, as though he was burning up from an internal fire.

"Ch, guess you were tellin' the truth, you asshole."

He strode over to the horse Nakago had been riding, which was munching contentedly on a bush nearby. With a grunt, he tossed his burden over the front of the saddle, wincing at the dull thud, and also at the fact that Nakago didn't even stir at the impact.

With a heavy sigh, Tasuki jumped into the saddle and kicked the horse into motion, heading in the opposite direction that Miaka and the others had run to. He'd never hear the fucking end of *this* one, that was for sure!

*********************************************************

Mitsukake had come wandering back to the clearing that Tamahome had left Nakago in, intending to heal the blonde of his injuries. Despite the fact that he was their enemy, Mitsukake knew that as a doctor, he should help him. But there was no one there in the clearing. No Tasuki, no Nakago, and even the horse was gone. But Mitsukake was relieved to see no sign of struggle either. *Tasuki must have taken him somewhere, but... where?*

*********************************************************

After a bit of hard riding, Tasuki finally found a small cave of sorts formed from rock slabs that were jutting from the ground. He hopped out of the saddle and dragged Nakago off with much effort, wincing again as the tall man landed solidly on the ground like a sack of rice. Tasuki pulled him into the cave and quickly built a fire with some of the scarce wood around the area and a "Lekka Shien!" of his fan. He sat Nakago in an upright position and studied the wound in his shoulder carefully. Tamahome had really blasted him, burning skin and flesh and tearing open some blood vessels. Making up his mind, Tasuki tossed off his coat and removed his shirt, tearing the white material into long strips which he used to wrap around Nakago's shoulder. He tied the ends of the material around Nakago's chest and arms to stabilize it, then as an afterthought tied Nakago's wrists together as well. *Can't be too careful around this ass...* he thought.

"Well, might as well get down to business," he said to himself. Although he had some "experience" with Koji, it was always a mutual thing, and they never tried to do anything with the other person unconscious! Muttering to himself about how stupid this entire situation was, Tasuki managed to get the rest of Nakago's clothes off and rolled him over so that he was lying on his stomach.

He took a deep breath. *Okay, I am only doing this because I'm not a big ass like this fuck-up and I see no point in letting him die. Even though I know he'd probably be laughing his ass off if I was in this same situation. And besides... why was he crying? Was it because he was afraid of dying, or was there something else?*

Tasuki went ahead and spit on his hands, then wiped them off on his pants, which he removed right afterwards. He placed two of his fingers in his mouth, moistening them, then pulled Nakago's legs apart a little so that he could penetrate him with one of the fingers. The shogun made no sound as Tasuki gently pressed his finger into the opening. After a little probing and a few thrusts, Tasuki added his second finger and worked them around inside Nakago to relax and stretch out his tight muscles. When he was done, he knelt on the ground between Nakago's legs, spat on his hands again, and then worked them over the shaft of his penis to lubricate it a little. He knew how painful it could be if this wasn't done right. Then he placed his hands on Nakago's buttocks, one hand on each cheek, and spread them a little so that he could align himself properly. With his right hand, he guided his stiffening penis into place and slid forward slowly, feeling an euphoric rush as his cock was enveloped by Nakago's tight, hot opening. He continued to push in until the head was all the way in and surrounded by hot flesh.

*Okay, here goes nothing...* He got about halfway in, then did his best to redirect his angle of entry so that he wouldn't tear anything. Once he was fully in, he did a few slow preliminary thrusts to get acclimated to his position and Nakago's, then began to drive himself in and out. *My god, he's so tight and warm! It feels so good... I... I wish Koji was here...*

Nakago began to stir as his chi stabilized with every thrust Tasuki made. He wasn't sure what was going on at first; he only felt a sense of dread suddenly, a sickening feeling that he hadn't felt since he was a child. The feeling that someone was...

Nakago suddenly cried out and threw his body forward, dislodging himself from Tasuki's stiff shaft. He rolled over quickly and looked up at the bandit, but what he saw instead was the emperor of Kutou, leering at him evily, grinning as he said, "What a pretty little thing you are. Let me welcome you to Kutou... remember, you belong to me now. You're only alive because I spared you. You won't forget my kindness, will you?"

Little Nakago just stared back, not comprehending what the emperor meant. He was so scared and so lonely... he missed his mother, but somehow, he understood that he would never see her again and somehow, it was because of him... And he felt cold too, since the emperor had refused to give him a change of clothing after he had bathed.

The emperor grabbed his wrists and pulled him close, so that Nakago was lying with his back against the emperor's chest. He was unsure what this man wanted from him, so he just lay there quietly, but after several minutes, the old man had started to rub his buttocks. Nakago tried not to squirm, but when the emperor put his hands between Nakago's legs, he couldn't help but squeal in alarm and try to pull away.

"What are you doing?" the gruff voice asked, "You don't seem to understand me." With that, the emperor threw the covers off and pulled little Nakago on his hands and knees. There was no warning, no preparation, for what was to follow. The emperor simply forced himself into the frightened boy, and no amount of begging or crying could get him to slow down. Nakago had shut his eyes tightly, trying to stop the tears flowing down his cheeks, and agonized over the pain as the emperor literally impaled the child on his cock. He was relentless in his ecstasy, not bothering to slow down or stop even as Nakago's own blood flowed down his legs - to the madman, it served only as lubrication, not as a warning to the amount of damage he was causing. Why wouldn't he stop; couldn't he see the hurt in Nakago's tear-filled blue eyes?

Nakago screamed, and hands clutched at his shoulders. But when he opened his eyes again, he saw only Tasuki looking down at him in confusion.

"What the fuck was that?!" Tasuki queried indelicately. Not that this was a moment requiring delicacy, seeing as both men were naked as the day they were born, and considering what they had just been doing... but Tasuki wasn't tactful at the best of times anyway.

Maybe he better start trying, though. Nakago just stared silently up at him, his luminous blue eyes damp and filled with unseeing fear. Tasuki looked back curiously. *Damn, he's pretty good looking. Too bad he's such an asshole.*

"What's your problem?" he demanded again, as it seemed obvious Nakago wasn't going to answer his first query.

Nakago still didn't say anything, just dropped his face into his hands -- not seeming to notice that his wrists were tightly bound -- and seemed to be fighting tears. Tasuki grimaced and moved to sit a little more closely. Well, at least the ass was trying *not* to cry now. It was bad enough seeing a grown man weeping, but when it was the coldest, most arrogant bastard he knew, that threw his whole world off kilter. That was really the one thing that had convinced him to set out upon this insane venture.

"Hey," he said, as softly as he could, reaching to carefully rub Nakago's unwounded shoulder. "It can't be that bad, neh? You wanna talk about it?"

Nakago drew a few shuddering breaths, then raised his head and glared at the white cloth wrapped about his wrists. "You tied me up!" he said accusingly.

Tasuki grinned sharply, showing his fangs. "You bet yer ass! I may be trying to help you, but I don't trust you an inch!"

Nakago shivered and Tasuki frowned. "So what's the problem?" he asked again. "I thought this was what you said you needed, ne?"

Nakago blinked, trying to get his racing heartbeat under control. Adrenaline was still pumping through his body, battling with the effects of Miboshi's spell, and clouding his mind further. "I... I...."

"Yeah?"

Nakago shivered convulsively. "That wasn't what I... wanted. Not like that...."

Tasuki snorted, folding his arms on his knees and rolling his eyes heavenward. "Well, I hope you weren't expectin' to pound *my* ass!"

Nakago frowned and shook his head, trying to think. Now that the stark terror was receding, the memories slowly fading into the past, where they belonged, where he thought he had buried them, he was becoming aware of how close he and Tasuki actually were. Their bare thighs were nearly touching, and he could smell the musky, burnt cinnamon scent of the bandit. The heat and the fragrance swirled around his head like another spell, fogging his senses and quickening his breath. "I...."

Tasuki glanced at him, then grimaced. "So, you ready to try again?"

Nakago leaned closer, lifting his arms to rest his bound wrists against the back of Tasuki's neck, feeling the bandit's fiery hair prickle against the inside of his forearms. He rested his forehead against Tasuki's, trying vainly to control his treacherous body. No, he *wasn't* ready, but the spell Miboshi had crafted too well wouldn't allow him any leeway.

Tasuki didn't try to pull away, as Nakago more than half expected, but instead reached up a hand and brushed his fingertips against one flushed cheek. "Why are you crying?" he asked softly; so softly Nakago almost didn't hear him. Nakago hadn't been aware his eyes had been leaking tears again. He must look a pitiful sight. Bruised, wounded, weakened so badly that he was reduced to begging an enemy for aid.... And the worst thing was, he was so confused by the lust spell, that none of that even mattered to him.

"I... don't want to--" he choked, the tears flowing more swiftly.

"Well, neither do I," Tasuki sighed, wrapping his arms around Nakago's waist. Something inside of him was urging him to offer comfort to the mess that used to be Nakago, and he always listened to his heart, even when it wasn't wise. "But it's either that or let you die."

"Maybe I should have died *then*," Nakago whispered, moving to brush his lips softly over Tasuki's. Tasuki fought the urge to push Nakago away, for he thought maybe they were getting to the heart of the problem, and he didn't want to blow this chance to find out what was making the Seiryuu seishi act so erratically and out of character.

"Why 'then'?" he prompted quietly.

"It wouldn't have hurt so much," Nakago answered feverishly, not even aware of his words as he moved down to nuzzle Tasuki's throat.

"What wouldn't hurt?" Tasuki breathed, stroking the firm muscles of Nakago's back. Actually, it felt pretty good to have the beautiful blonde so close, touching him with teasing gentleness. He could maybe get into this....

"The memories.... The past...."

Tasuki frowned in contemplation as Nakago continued his worship of the powerful young body within his bound arms. The past? Shit, if Nakago reacted so badly due to memories, how bad must those memories be? Tasuki chewed on his lower lip thoughtfully, then grabbed Nakago and lifted him so that he could gaze into the shogun's eyes; blazing orange to glazed blue.

"What happened, Nakago? What happened in the past?"

Nakago blinked at Tasuki, confused. Why did his enemy want to know? Why did he look so concerned? The haze filling his mind wouldn't let him think, so he reacted with the simpleness of a child obeying an adult. He answered Tasuki's question.

"I didn't want it, but when he put his hands on me, I couldn't stop him. He didn't even warn me, he just pushed it in and he wouldn't stop... but it hurt so much..." he blurted out, and began crying anew.

Tasuki's eyes widened and his grip on Nakago's body tightened. He had begun to suspect something like this, but to hear it from Nakago's own mouth... "Who did this?! Who is 'he?'" he asked forcefully, anger clouding over his features. *No wonder he didn't rape Miaka... he couldn't bring himself to do it!*

"... emperor..." Nakago answered, but he was too emotionally drained to say anything more. After a moment's thought, Tasuki pulled up his arms and placed them around the blonde's body and stroked his hair soothingly, marveling at the softness and the unusual coloring.

"It's okay... he can't hurt you anymore..." he whispered against the golden hair as Nakago's arms floated down to rest at his waist. "I'm not going to hurt you. We'll take this at your pace." Nakago seemed content to curl up against him for the moment, planting feathery kisses in the crook of his neck and down his chest and Tasuki simply relaxed and let him do it.

*Poor bastard...* thought Tasuki. He knew a very little bit of information about the Hin: they had been wiped out by Kutou's armies. Had Nakago's entire family been wiped out, and he alone spared to feed the emperor's sick desires?

Nakago raised his head just enough to look at Tasuki with quivering blue eyes, and Tasuki nodded. He understood the look of raw desire in those eyes, and went ahead and leaned back into a half sitting position, letting Nakago sit atop him and take control of the situation himself. Nakago steadied himself as best as he could on his bound arms, straddling Tasuki's body with legs that refused to stop shaking. With a deep breath, he moved himself into position and began lowering himself down onto Tasuki's penis, gasping in pain as the head penetrated into his orifice. Tasuki quickly reached up to steady him with one hand, and with the other, quickly put it in his mouth for some moisture and then rubbed it as close to the head of his penis as possible. "Just go slowly," he reminded Nakago.

The blonde nodded, even though the fever was burning him up. As slow as he could, he lowered himself onto Tasuki, centimeters at a time, the bandit lending additional support. He got it in about halfway, then seemed to get "stuck."

Tasuki quickly assessed the situation, then told Nakago, "Move your hips back a little; your angle of entry isn't the greatest and you might hurt yourself this way." He pushed Nakago back a bit, then gave a half smile as he slid in the rest of the way. Nakago just sat there for a moment, then began to rock his hips back and forth, getting a little friction going. Once again, Tasuki expertly guided him with his hands. As Nakago finally got a rhythm going, albeit a slow one, Tasuki reached his hands up to flick at Nakago's hardening nipples. The blonde groaned in pleasure, throwing his head back in ecstasy before leaning forward and resting his entire body on Tasuki's.

"Can I try something?" Tasuki asked Nakago. He could only nod in response. The redhead gave a toothy grin, then seized Nakago's buttocks and began lifting and lowering his hips rapidly. "Oh yeah, that's more like it," said Tasuki eagerly, but Nakago began grimacing after a moment.

"It.. it burns..." he hissed, and Tasuki promptly slowed down and asked, "Do you want me to continue? Is it that bad?"

"No, I'll be okay... I'm just..."

"Get off for a sec and I'll lubricate it a little more," Tasuki said, but when Nakago lifted himself off of him, he reached his still tied hands up to his own mouth and moistened them, then reached for Tasuki's hard shaft and thoroughly rubbed it over. He gave Tasuki an almost grateful smile as the bandit chuckled and said, "Heh, you're learning fast!"

"You're a good teacher," Nakago simply said before lowering himself back down. He looked at Tasuki hungrily and said, "Please continue. Do what you were doing to me before." Tasuki nodded in acknowledgment, then pulled Nakago's torso forward, kissing him hard once on the lips before he took his hips and began pounding into him once more. Both men gasped, oblivious to their surroundings, aware only of the slapping of flesh against flesh and the occasional moans. Nakago lifted himself up onto his elbows so that he could play with Tasuki's burgundy nipples as the bandit tightened his grip on him even more. Pain, pleasure, happiness and tears... they all mingled together for Nakago as Tasuki suddenly jerked his body up and hissed, "I'm going to... I'm going to come!" seconds before his entire body spasmed and he shot hot spurts of semen into Nakago's tight passage. Nakago moaned as he felt Tasuki's entire shaft jerking within him, spilling the sticky fluid deep within him. Tasuki's body continued shaking until he finally finished ejaculating, at which point he carefully lifted Nakago off of his penis. Quickly he checked himself for blood, but seeing none, he smiled in relief and allowed the blonde to lay back down on his chest.

"Thank you..." Nakago mumbled against Tasuki's chest, but the redhead merely chuckled and said, "S' Okay. Just get some rest. And if you try to kill me when you wake up..."

"If I tried to kill you...?" Nakago mulled over the thought, his mind beginning to clear up now. "No, I can't kill you... we have to do this again sometime," he said in all seriousness, and he reached up for one last goodnight kiss, pleased beyond words when Tasuki responded in kind.

*********************************************************

Tomo couldn't believe what he was seeing. Although he was too far away to see them very clearly, it looked like Nakago was kissing the redheaded Suzaku seishi, Tasuki. Miboshi had rushed back and told him about the curse, figuring that maybe he'd be able to help out and save Nakago from the Suzakus, but made him swear to secrecy, because if Soi ever found out...

*********************************************************

"But Chichiri-san, you can track them down, right? By their chi, like you did with Miaka on the boat!"

Chichiri was glad he was wearing his mask as he blinked at Chiriko. "I could..." he responded slowly, "but would I want to, no da."

Tamahome turned a brilliant shade of red and looked away uncomfortably.

"Why wouldn't you want to?" asked Chiriko innocently.

"We have to make sure Tasuki is all right!" Miaka added anxiously. She was feeling much better now that she knew the truth, that Nakago hadn't really raped her. She was bit confused, still, over what Tamahome had been doing to Nakago, and why he and Chichiri didn't seem too concerned that both the Seiryuu seishi and Tasuki were missing, but as long as Tamahome's arms were warm around her, she felt safe and happy.

Chichiri thought quickly. Tamahome had informed him of the problem, what had happened while he was alone with Nakago, and he could only come to one conclusion as to what Tasuki and Nakago were doing just now. Miaka and Chiriko were completely clueless. Mitsukake was confused, but knew enough to trust Chichiri's judgment.

"Da!" Chichiri came to a decision. "Tamahome-kun, you take Miaka and the others and continue on to Sailo. I will go after Tasuki no da."

"Are you sure?" asked Mitsukake in concern, as Tamahome tried vainly to quell his continued blushing. "Remember, Nakago is more powerful than any of us."

"I have a feeling he's a little... distracted at the moment no da."

Tamahome suffered a violent choking fit. As Miaka pounded his back and Chiriko offered unhelpful advice, Mitsukake gave the blue- haired monk a narrow look. "You know something you're not telling the rest of us."

"Hai no da." Chichiri nodded, then grabbed his horse's reins and mounted. "Ask Tamahome-kun no da," a spark of mischief compelled him to say. Then he sobered. "I'll catch up with you once I've sorted things out no da."

"Matte! What things?" Mitsukake called after him urgently, but the horse was already galloping away into the night. Mitsukake sighed and turned to Tamahome. Seeing the look of near-panic the boy was giving him, he decided to wait to ask any questions until Miaka and Chiriko could not hear.

"All right. Shall we go then?"

Tamahome gave him a grateful look, and nodded. "Hai!"

*********************************************************

Tomo was furious! He was also extremely jealous, which added to his fury. He'd debated the best course of action, and had finally sneaked in as carefully and quietly as he could to the makeshift campsite -- if you could even call it that -- to get a better look at the situation before he acted.

The fire was almost dead, but the dim red glow, as well as the pale light of the moon, were enough to show him far more than he wanted to see.

His shogun, his secret lust, *his* Nakago-sama was curled up with that rude, obnoxious Suzaku seishi, soundly sleeping. Tasuki's arms were wrapped around Nakago-sama, both completely relaxed in each others' presence, like the lovers they had obviously just been, instead of the deadliest of enemies. Tomo's pale hazel eyes narrowed as his sight seemed to close to a tight focus on the way Tasuki's fingers were twined in Nakago-sama's silken hair. Miboshi had explained the spell's effects to him, but he hadn't expected.... Well, first off, he hadn't expected any of the enemy seishi to actually *do* anything to help Nakago-sama! But one of them obviously had. Tomo wasn't too surprised, however, on second thought. Nakago-sama could talk the stars down out of the sky if he so wished.

But did they have to look so... contented? They didn't look as though they'd just performed the act to save Nakago-sama's life. They both -- both! -- looked as though they had *meant* it.

Tomo gritted his teeth in an attempt to keep himself from rushing over there and ripping his Nakago-sama away from Tasuki. Soi was one thing, but this was entirely different!

He leaned back against a rock, where he couldn't see the entwined couple, and tried to clear his mind. He needed a plan. He had to rescue Nakago-sama. But how to do so without putting the Seiryuu seishi at risk? He was wrapped tightly in the enemy's arms, so any violent act against Tasuki might induce the Suzaku seishi to harm him, putting him the way of Tomo's attack, or using him as a hostage.

Tomo stifled a sigh, remembering at the last moment that he had to be as silent as possible. His illusions should be useful, but he couldn't think how at the moment. What illusion could he show the brash bandit-turned-seishi that would make him turn loose of Nakago- sama?

With a growl, Tomo decided to just get it over with. If he was killed in the line of duty, at least he would be freeing Nakago-sama. He would do anything for the charismatic blonde. And that bastard Suzaku seishi HAD to die, for daring to touch his Nakago-sama!

*********************************************************

Nakago wakened immediately, though he didn't stir or stiffen, but continued to feign sleep. One of his was near. One of Seiryuu's seishi. A moment's probing of the chi revealed it to be Tomo.

*Rescue!* he though immediately. Then he flinched inwardly. *What...?*

He could feel Tasuki's arms warm and protective about him, the youth's breath blowing softly against his temple. He felt... safe. He felt....

*No! He's my enemy! If he dies, that is how it must be!*

Nakago knew he was lying to himself even as he thought those words. Then he had no more time to think, as Tomo acted.

A blazing blue barrier sprang into existence about the two men; Tomo's feathers struck the shield and shattered, instead of piercing Tasuki's chest, as had been intended.

"What the FUCK?!" Tasuki blurted out, jolted awake.

Nakago broke the cloth binding his wrists easily and jumped to his feet, taking a defensive stance before the confused redhead. "You will not touch him, Tomo."

The painted seishi just stared, his mouth gaping in disbelief. "N- Nakago-sama," he finally managed to stammer.

"No." Nakago folded his arms, trying to ignore the fact that keeping the shield erect was sapping what little strength he and Tasuki had managed to build up. He kept his eyes very carefully to one side of Tomo, not looking directly at the confused young man. The blaze of the blue barrier helped him in this. "I said you shall not touch him."

Tomo glared, both at Nakago, and at Tasuki, who was swiftly pulling on his pants and fumbling for his halisen. "But you--" he began, then he whipped around, staring over his shoulder. "K'so!" He turned back a moment. "Don't worry, Nakago-sama! I'll rescue you yet! Be patient a bit longer!" Then he quickly made his escape as Chichiri's horse pounded up.

"Ugh." Nakago had used what little power he had left, and as the threat had vanished, so did his will. He collapsed the shield, then fell into Tasuki's waiting arms.

"Shit! That was a fucking stupid thing to do!"

He smiled gently up at the glaring seishi. "Yes, I know."

"Why'd you do it then... oh shit, never mind," said Tasuki as Chichiri came running up to them.

"You okay no da?" he asked Tasuki, looking over his shoulder briefly to make sure that Tomo was gone for good.

"Uh, yeah... look, Chichiri..."

"There's nothing you need to explain to me Tasuki, I can see what you've been doing no da. But we were all worried about you, and I had to come and make sure that you were all right no da." Chichiri paused as Tasuki blushed and fumbled for words, then simply said, "We'll be waiting for you in Sailo - just please join up with us when you can, okay?"

"Sure... and Chichiri?"

The blue haired mage shook his head. "No thanks are necessary. Just take care of yourself, Tasuki," he said before he stood up and walked over to his horse. With one last look at Tasuki holding Nakago in his arms, he hopped up on his horse and rode off.

"Your friend is quite observant," Nakago remarked weakly as Chichiri's horse disappeared in the distance.

"And your friend is a rude freak boy," Tasuki said, thinking about how efficient and deadly Tomo's attack would have been if Nakago had not sensed it first.

"Yes, I know." Then after a moment's pause, Nakago added, "He's attracted to me... I think he felt, betrayed..."

Tasuki gulped reflexively. He wondered what Koji would say if he had seen what Tomo saw? True, they had always agreed that their relationship was open-ended and that it did not matter if they each had a hundred lovers, but still... he had never been with any other man, and as far as he knew, Koji had never slept with anyone else either.

"Is there someone you feel attracted too, Tasuki?" Nakago asked, breaking Tasuki out of his reverie. Hm, he quite liked the way his name rolled off Nakago's tongue.

"Well, uh, yeah, I guess... he's a buddy of mine..." Tasuki shrugged a bit, then looked over Nakago lying in his arms and said lightheartedly, "Well, you ready to go another round?"

"Now that you mention it..." Nakago reached up and kissed Tasuki delicately, then put his lips against Tasuki's ear. Between nibbles, he said, "I hope I haven't disappointed you..."

Tasuki smiled as he began nuzzling Nakago's palm. "... no, not at all..." he murmured as he gently pushed Nakago down onto the ground. "Perhaps this time, I can be on top?"

*********************************************************

Hell has no fury like a woman scorned... and certainly, Soi was more than just a little miffed. Her hands practically crackled with electricity as she stood over both Tomo and Miboshi, screaming things like, "How could you miss with a spell Miboshi, and to top it off, a spell you can't even reverse?! And Tomo, how could you come back without Nakago-sama? Why was I not informed of this earlier?"

Tomo smirked. "I don't remember anyone placing you in charge, Soi," he began, but the female seishi slapped him and said, "Shut up! If Nakago-sama is even harmed by the Suzakus, I WILL kill you, Tomo."

Tomo narrowed his eyes. "I told you we will get him back! That's it - Miboshi, keep working on a reversal spell; Soi and I will get Nakago- sama back. Is that good enough, Soi?" Tomo asked, but the redheaded Seiryuu seishi brushed past him and looked out into the wilderness before them.

*Nakago-sama, please be all right...*

*********************************************************

Fortunately, Chichiri saw the two Seiryuu seishi set out on their quest. Fortunately, they did NOT see him. Fortunately, he correctly guessed where they were headed. Unfortunately, he had no idea what to do about it, as both together were more than enough to overwhelm him if he stood against them alone.

"Daaaaaa!"

*********************************************************

Nakago rested his face in Tasuki's hair. It was far softer than he would have thought looking at it, and smelled wonderfully of some sort of rich spice, sweet but not cloying. He just breathed softly, losing himself momentarily in the warmth and the safe haven he'd discovered.

Tasuki had found a blanket in the saddle bag of the horse that he'd ridden, so they were wrapped in that, since the fire was dead. The younger man lay on his side, his back pressed against Nakago's chest. Nakago had his arms wrapped tightly about Tasuki's chest and waist, even though this strained his wounded shoulder a little. He'd have to get that looked at as soon as possible, he thought sleepily, but it just didn't seem urgent at the moment.

He'd never experienced anything like this. Right at this moment, it felt as though there was nothing in the world but him and Tasuki, their bodies pressed close, their shared body heat, their soft breathing. He'd never felt this safe with any lover, not even Soi, as powerful a warrior and as devoted a follower as she was.

It was extremely frightening, in a way, but somehow being with Tasuki made everything seem all right. Even the fear caused by the feeling itself. Nakago brushed his lips lightly against the soft skin of Tasuki's neck, resolving not to think for the moment, just embrace the experience. He'd thought he'd cut himself off from all emotions, but somehow... somehow this brat of a bandit, with his open honesty -- this man who never hid what he felt -- was breaking through the carefully erected walls of a lifetime. Nakago had never thought he'd tell *anyone* what had happened when he had been taken to the imperial palace; least of all an enemy! True, his mind had been muddled by Miboshi's spell, but....

But somehow he didn't mind Tasuki knowing.

"Nakago, I've been thinking," Tasuki said softly, startling Nakago out of his thoughts.

"Really? What brought that on?"

Nakago grunted as Tasuki elbowed him sharply, then chuckled a little, tracing his tongue along the bandit's neck. "What about?" he murmured in Tasuki's ear.

Tasuki sighed. "Far as I can see, I guess the best thing would be to take you back to your people, then I go on to join mine."

Nakago drew in a sharp breath, feeling his stomach clench as his whole body went cold. Tasuki was right -- this was the best course. But--

Tasuki pulled away and rolled over, levering himself up to rest on one elbow, staring down at Nakago. His face, usually so open, was unreadable. Some sort of strong emotion burned in his flame-colored eyes, but try as he might, Nakago couldn't place a name to it. "Unless you've decided to kill me after all."

Nakago blinked. That was a thought that hadn't even crossed his mind. True, it's what he should do, but somehow....

"Just... go our separate ways and go back to being as we were?" he queried, trying to make his voice even and emotionless. But some of the bitterness and hurt he was feeling crept into the tones.

Tasuki abruptly stood and pulled on his breeches, standing and looking up at the lowering moon. "Look, this is war. There's no place for...."

"For what?" asked Nakago softly, recognizing something of his own tangled emotions in the choked tones of Tasuki's voice. Maybe... maybe....

"Dammit, you ass! Don't make this harder than it is!" Tasuki snarled, turning blazing eyes on Nakago, his fists clenching. "We're enemies, dammit! If I don't flame you or you don't kill me, that's more than anyone else could ever expect! I'm still not sure why I didn't just let you die!"

Nakago sat up and looked mildly at Tasuki, his pale hair tumbling in his lovely face. "You're full of shit," he said affectionately.

Tasuki's eyes widened and he just opened and closed his mouth for a moment. "I-- You--" he sputtered. "Then just what in the HELL do you suggest we do?!"

Nakago lowered his eyes, not having an answer for that one. Tasuki was right. So why was something in him resisting the very idea?

"We have to...." Tasuki took a deep breath. "It's just better, you know? I mean, it's not as though--"

"DA!"

Whatever else he might have been going to say was rudely cut off as Chichiri landed on his head, throwing both Suzaku seishis violently to the ground before Nakago.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR?!?!" Tasuki roared, tossing Chichiri off of him.

Chichiri stood and brushed himself off. Then he removed his mask and spoke seriously to Tasuki. "Seiryuu seishis Tomo and Soi are on their way here! You must come with me now and join the others no da!"

Tasuki blinked. "Oh." He blinked again. "Oh. Okay. See Nakago, things worked out. I'll just leave you here, and you can-- Ah, SHIT!"

Nakago was staring raptly at Chichiri, with an expression Tasuki recognized.

"You know, I'm going to kill Miboshi," the shogun remarked conversationally. "I really am. Just as soon as he figures out a way to get this damned spell off of me."

Chichiri sweatdropped. "I forgot no da!"

Tasuki just started laughing. "I can't believe this shit!"

"Regardless no da!" Chichiri swept his cloak off and placed it on the ground, then stepped into it. "Come on, Tasuki-kun!"

Tasuki made sure he had his halisen, then joined Chichiri. Then he turned bright eyes to Nakago, who was staring at him with an unreadable expression.

"Well, you coming, you fucker?" he asked, his voice strangely mild, as he held out his hand toward Nakago.

Nakago could only stare at the proffered hand. He was stunned to say the least; when was the last time someone had really cared for his well-being? But Tasuki's words earlier stuck in his mind.

"We're enemies," he said slowly, almost automatically. But he didn't really mean it, and he certainly didn't believe it himself.

"It's up to you," said Tasuki after a moment's thought. He didn't really want to fight anymore, didn't want to have to kill Nakago, or be killed... but this was a decision that the shogun had to make for himself. But he wasn't going to have the luxury of thinking it over for too long, because Tasuki could already see Soi and Tomo approaching rapidly on two swift horses. He automatically began to reach for Nakago, to pull him in with him... but he knew he couldn't do it. "You have to decide - I can't do it for you."

Precious seconds ticked away. Nakago held his breath, not moving... for him, an eternity had passed. But Soi and Tomo were almost upon them now...

"You have to decide NOW no da!" Chichiri cried, already pulling on Tasuki, ready to forcibly pull in the other Suzaku seishi if he had to. Nakago squeezed his eyes shut, then reached out and took Tasuki's hand just as Soi and Tomo reached them...

"No... NO!" Soi screamed as Chichiri, Tasuki and Nakago disappeared into the ground. At the last moment, she leaped off her horse and onto the cloak, barely making it into Chichiri's teleportation spell.

*********************************************************

The three men and Soi reappeared in heap on the floor of a building. Soi got up first, then suddenly jumped back and held herself in a fighting stance as Tasuki and Chichiri got onto their feet as well.

"Nakago-sama... are you all right?" she asked, but she never took her eyes off the two Suzakus.

"Soi? I... huh?"

A number of men suddenly came down the corridor behind Chichiri and Tasuki, and then parted as a young man with tanned skin and dark blue-grey hair came through. "What the hell is going... ? Genrou? What are you doing here?"

"Heyyy... Koji!!" Tasuki ran up and greeted his friend, but his happiness was short-lived as he suddenly heard Nakago's voice calmly say, "My, there certainly are a lot of men around here."

Tasuki sucked in his breath sharply and turned to glare at Chichiri.

"Sorry, it was the first place I thought of no da! I wasn't thinking about..."

"Shit! Shit shit shit... Nakago, stop looking at Koji like that! Why couldn't you take us somewhere more feminine, Chichiri?!"

Koji, for his part, just stared back at Nakago and said, "What's with you?"

Soi shook her head sadly and relaxed her stance a tiny bit. "Na... Nakago-sama? No, please..." She knew all about the spell, but to see it working right before her eyes...

Nakago found that he couldn't even tear his eyes off of Koji long enough to acknowledge Soi. "Sorry," he mumbled, then added, "So what about Miboshi?"

"Miboshi? He... he was supposed to try to find a reversal spell... but Nakago-sama..." She could only stand there as Nakago leaned close to Koji and shut his eyes, as if intoxicated by the dusky bandit.

Tasuki couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her. He knew that she had jumped in out of concern and love for Nakago; it was so obvious in her sad, downturned eyes. "Um, look, Chichiri... maybe you should go back to Sailo and let the others know what happened. I think I can take care of things here, okay? And um, maybe you should take her with you?"

Chichiri thought about it, then turned to Soi and said, "I'm going to meet up with the rest of the Suzaku seishi, and maybe we can find a way to help Nakago no da. Would you please accompany me?" He went ahead and placed his cloak back on the ground.

"You're a Suzaku..." she began to say, but then she shook her head. "I'm not leaving him," she said softly, but as soon as Nakago heard her, he said, "No, Soi... it's better if you go with him." Suzaku, Seiryuu... it didn't matter - Nakago just didn't want Soi to see him like this. Part of him felt... part of him felt sorry for her, and another part...

"But, Nakago-sama!" she blurted out in protest.

The shogun shook his head. He knew that Tasuki was trying to make it easier on her, and if she were to stay around the thieves' hideout while Miboshi's spell was still in effect... "I'll be okay. But... thank you... Soi; thank you... for being concerned."

"I understand. I'll be back as soon as I can," she swore to him, giving only a short bow before joining Chichiri.

Tasuki watched as Soi and Chichiri vanished into the cloak, then began to pull Nakago out of the hallway and into a side room, intending on shutting the door behind him, but Koji forced his way through and said, "Now, Genrou... there's something funny going on here, and I want to know what it is. Are the two of you...?"

"No," said Tasuki emphatically, even as Nakago said, "Yes."

Koji chuckled a little. "Which is it?"

"Nakago has... well, he got cursed sorta. One of his people fucked up and cast this spell on him and so now..."

"So now I want to be... shall we say, 'fucked up.'"

Koji just stared at Nakago. "What DID you just say?"

"Koji, that's your name, correct? Well, I trust Tasuki's taste in lovers, and I believe that the bed over there is available," said Nakago, throwing all tact and inhibition out the window.

"What...?" sputtered Koji, and he turned to Tasuki for help.

"The fucking spell on him drains his chi unless he has sex, and he is now only attracted to males. Every male, in fact. He was just lusting after Chichiri a moment ago."

Koji stared at Nakago open-mouthed for a second, then looked at Tasuki incredulously. "So you're saying is..."

"... I'd like to sleep with you."

"Oh." *Hmm, this might not be too bad, considering Gen-chan is here and all... and this man is VERY attractive... this might be... interesting.* "But how did you know that Genrou and I were..."

"Lovers? It's obvious, with the way the two of you keeping looking at each other. And Tasuki had made a brief reference to a 'buddy of his,' so I figured it was you that he was referring to."

"And that lady... Soi. She's your lover, then."

Nakago thought about it a minute. Yes, she was... but he knew that Koji was implying that there was more between them than just that. *You know you care,* said that voice again. *You love her, but you never could admit it.*

*No, I...*

*Why won't you admit it? You will gain nothing if you continue to deny it - you close yourself to her, refuse to be comforted by her presence... what do you think this will accomplish? Nothing. You will lose it all, and all because of your selfishness.*

*All because of... me?* he thought, even as he began to say, "She... yes, she is my lover. And more."

Koji nodded. The answer seemed to satisfy his curiosity. "Glad to hear it, cause the way she was looking at you - if you were such a bastard that you'd say that you didn't care, well then, I wouldn't want to waste anymore of my time here. And she was such a pretty lady too. But seeing how things are..." Koji began to shrug off his jacket.

"Actually, maybe we should hit the bath first. Nakago and I were screwing around in the dirt yesterday, and we're pretty dusty still."

"A bath?" said Nakago, slightly alarmed. He could feel his chi levels fluctuating once again, and with both Tasuki and Koji so close... he could smell their musk, Tasuki's spice mingling with Koji's fresh earthen tones. It was driving him crazy, even though he was doing his best to keep the spell's effects under control.

"Yeah, a bath doesn't sound bad, Gen-chan! And it's nice and warm and wet too... a good place to get aquainted, right?"

*********************************************************

Actually, this wasn't so bad... for sheer torture, Nakago thought as he tried to relax. The water was almost unbearably hot, and would normally have loosened all his tense muscles by this time. However, things were definitely NOT normal at the moment.

*I'm really going to kill Miboshi. Really.*

Nakago watched raptly as Tasuki laughed at something Koji said, then ducked under to rinse his hair. Rising back up from the steaming water, Tasuki swept his wet hair back off his face, still laughing, his fangs gleaming, the suds and water streaming over the hard, smooth muscles of his arms and chest. Nakago had a strong urge to pounce the delicious young man NOW, but Koji was, in a manner of speaking, holding him captive.

Koji's fingers were in Nakago's own hair, working a rich lather through the silken strands. The dark bandit was still wearing his breeches at the moment, though nothing else, kneeling behind the shogun. Nakago didn't know which was worse; the feel of Koji's strong hands on his scalp, or the warm, rich scent of the man that swirled down and around him, filling his senses.

Koji shoved firmly, but carefully, impelling Nakago to rinse the soap out of his now clean hair. Nakago's breath caught in a sharp hiss as hot water seeped through the make-shift bandage on his shoulder, reawakening the painful heat of the burned flesh. Lust was momentarily forgotten as he growled a curse, trying to fight the involuntary tears of pain filling his eyes.

"Oi, Gen-chan, what'd you do?" asked Koji in real concern, unwrapping the bandage with surprisingly gentle fingers.

"Ne? Oh, shit! I forgot about that! Wasn't me!"

Tasuki scooted closer -- much to Nakago's mingled delight and discomfort -- and examined the wound Koji was bringing to light. Koji scowled. "Hell! This is nasty! Who did this?"

"Tamahome," Tasuki replied absently, trying to think how far away the nearest doctor was. Now that "Juan" was with the Suzaku seishi as Mitsukake.... "You remember, that ass Miaka wished up into defeating that bloated bastard, Eikan."

"Hgh. Never did figure that one out." Koji shrugged it off and rose. "I'll go get some salve, for what it's worth."

"Hai." Tasuki grimaced as he looked more closely. At least the wound didn't seem any worse than the last time he'd seen it. Not any better either, but--

"Hey!" He grabbed Nakago's hands from where they had been... exploring... under the water, and pinned them to the side of the tub. "Not now." He grinned, showing his fangs. "You're obviously feeling better."

"It depends on what you mean by 'better'," Nakago replied carefully, leaning closer to press his lips against the damp, heated flesh of Tasuki's neck. The bandit was clean now, but still smelled the same as he had the night before, and the memories, along with Tasuki's closeness, were driving Nakago insane. His shoulder still hurt, but right now he didn't really care.

Tasuki merely sighed and attempted to keep Nakago from worsening the damage to his shoulder as they waited for Koji's return.

"All right, here's-- Hey! You two startin' without me?"

Tasuki rolled his eyes. "He is. Just hurry and get this ass patched up before he hurts himself!"

Koji laughed at his friend, then grabbed Nakago's good shoulder, pulling him back against the tub's side. Then his smile faded. "Damn. I guess there isn't any easy way to do this."

Tasuki grimaced as Koji began smoothing some salve into the edges of Nakago's wound. He tried to be as gentle as he could, but it still made Nakago's entire body shudder in response. Tasuki scooted closer yet, wrapping his arms around the blonde's waist to offer support. Nakago was so far gone in the pain of his shoulder that the spell only kicked up a mild response in him. Mostly he was biting his lip sharply to keep from crying out in agony.

"Sorry 'bout this," Koji said ruefully as he carefully worked his ministrations inward. "But at least this stuff'll numb the wound. Just give it a second."

Nakago barely registered the words through the haze of pain filling his mind and body, but Koji was right, and after a moment or two, the pain faded to manageable levels.

Koji tied on a fresh bandage with swift, skillful hands, and grinned at his handiwork. "There! That oughta hold."

"Domo arigatou," Nakago said simply, trying to remember a time -- less than a day ago -- when he would have sooner died than offer heartfelt thanks to a scruffy-looking bandit. *But a very attractive scruffy-looking bandit,* whispered the spell. Ah, that would be it then.

"Well, are you going to come in here," he queried, returning Tasuki's embrace even as he turned his head to smile seductively at Koji, "Or am I going to have to come out and get you?"

"Heh, I'll come in. Just give me a moment," said Koji, stripping off the breeches quickly. "Ah, this is good... nice and warm too." He wiggled around a little, for the bath really wasn't built to hold three people at once, and water was splashing out onto the surrounding tile now. He carefully stuck his foot between Nakago's legs, making the blonde jump, and tickled at Tasuki's balls with his toes.

"Hey, baka! Quit that!" Tasuki protested, splashing the water at Koji.

"No way..." Koji scooted closer, raising his knee between Tasuki's and Nakago's bodies until the shogun was forced to scoot back. Right into Koji's arms.

"You have really unusual hair," Koji murmured, lifting his hand and entangling his fingers around Nakago's blonde locks. "Ne, Tasuki... you should bring some more of your friends by."

Tasuki gave Koji a toothy grin. "Actually, I should be killing that bastard about now, or he should be killing me."

"Oh?"

"He's the shogun of Kutou, Koji-chan," said Tasuki, with an extra emphasis on "chan." He wanted... no, NEEDED to see how Koji was going to react to this before they continued.

"No way! Really?" Koji stopped playing with Nakago's hair for a moment, but then shrugged lightly and said, "Well, he's here now, so we might as well have a good time, ne?" He chuckled, then resumed his treatment of Nakago's hair. "I have no reason to be concerned, do I; because you're here and so relaxed, Genrou, I know that I have nothing to worry about." With his free hand, he explored the contours of Nakago's broad back and reached around till his hand rested just below Nakago's chest. Then deftly, he flipped his hand around and reached up to pinch Nakago's nipple between his index and middle finger.

As Nakago groaned in pleasure, Tasuki grinned and said, "No way! I'm much better at this than you, Koji. Isn't that right, Nakago?" he asked moments before he lowered his head and began licking at Nakago's other nipple with the tip of his tongue.

Nakago couldn't help but reach up and pull Tasuki's head even closer to his chest, all the while murmuring, "Ahh!!... I want you both so badly, right now..."

"Heheh... right now? Here?"

"Wherever... I... ah!" Koji had removed his hand from Nakago's hair and put it between the blonde's legs instead, gently stroking and fondling Nakago's wet sack, teasing the base of his shaft a little.

"This tub's too fucking small," Tasuki complained after pulling himself out of Nakago's hold. He hoisted one leg up onto the edge of the tub. "I can't even reach you, Koji."

Koji laughed. "It wasn't built for three and you know it! Well, there's always the bed... Whaddya say, Nakago?"

Nakago considered his position. Since the tub was so small, he could see how it was going to hamper their activities. "Bed sounds good," he said, then he quickly rose and without another word, pulled Tasuki up with him, hoisted him over his good shoulder, and carried him off to the nearby bedroom. Tasuki cursed like crazy, make all sorts of threats against the shogun, but Nakago quickly silenced him by laying on the bed and kissing him fully on the lips.

"Hey, now you're both making my bed wet," Koji protested between laughs.

"Shuddup and fuck me already," said Nakago, tearing himself away from Tasuki's mouth only long enough to say that. But Tasuki evaded his lips when he dove down for another kiss to silently mouth to Koji, "Be gentle with him."

The blue haired bandit nodded and stroked his cock a little as if to placate it, since it was already bobbing up and down in excitement. He took Nakago's hips in his hands and leaned close, so that his penis was now pressing between Nakago's thighs, and collapsed against the blonde's back so that he could continue to pleasure Nakago's nipples while rubbing his own against Nakago's broad back. At the same time, Nakago moved one hand down to Tasuki's chest and began working on his nipples, while Tasuki reached up and encircled Nakago's manhood with his nimble fingers.

"Feels good, doesn't it," Koji said softly, aroused by Nakago's intermittent moans. Nakago couldn't bring himself to answer. It was so incredible - even with Soi, it had never been like this. His head was swimming with thoughts of the two bandits, both so similar and yet so different. Nakago moved his head down a little to tease Tasuki's hard nipples with his lips and tongue, then continued to move down till his chin rested on Tasuki's thigh. By this point, Nakago's feet had come off the edge of the bed, but Koji held his position and refused to be pushed off, flicking harder at Nakago's nipples, much to their mutual delight.

"Now what shall I do with this?" Nakago asked, grinning like a maniac while holding Tasuki's cock hostage in his hand. Tasuki groaned and finally hissed out, "Suck on it already, you ass!"

"Hai," he said, moving his head so that he was directly over Tasuki's waiting penis before he parted his lips and took the redhead's hard manhood into his mouth. He worked his tongue around it, tasting every inch, feeling the texture of the supple skin beneath his tongue. At the same time, Koji moved his hands back until they rested on the smooth skin of Nakago's butt, then he gently but firmly parted Nakago's buttocks with his thumbs, placing the swollen head of his cock at the entrance in anticipation. After looking Nakago over to make sure he was ready for him, Koji licked his thumb, pressed it part way into Nakago, then went ahead and replaced it with his penis instead. He sighed in pleasure at feeling the wonderful warmth sliding up his shaft, covering it slowly inch by inch. Once he was in about halfway, he began rocking his hips back and forth a little, gently penetrating deeper and deeper with every thrust while Nakago busied himself on Tasuki. They managed to build up a rhythm of sorts, moving back and forth in time with one another.

"Oh god... Gen-chan, we gotta do this more often," Koji breathed as he began to push a little harder. Tasuki only grunted, lifting his head off the bed a little to give his friend/lover a thumbs up. "Uh... Nakago, I don't want to finish in your mouth... but I'm getting close. Maybe... maybe we can switch positions?"

Nakago stopped and looked up at him, his blue eyes glazed over in passion. "Uh, sure... whatever you want... Tasuki..."

Koji smiled. "Then let's see how good you are." He motioned for Tasuki to get off the bed, then lay face down where the redhead had been lying, propping himself up a little on his knees. "Go ahead, Nakago... I've been waiting for this. You're one incredible guy, earning Tasuki's affections like that."

"All right." He positioned himself atop Koji as Tasuki grabbed him from behind simultaneously. "You don't mind, do you?" asked Tasuki, stroking his saliva slicked cock hungrily.

"No, please... I want you."

"Very well." Tasuki went ahead and took where Koji left off, pushing into Nakago with renewed lust. This Seiryuu seishi... it just felt so right, having both Nakago and Koji here with him. He pushed Nakago down on top of Koji, effectively pinning down both men. With every push, Tasuki drove Nakago deeper and deeper into Koji. All three of them were grunting in pleasure as each and every thrust drove them closer and closer to the edge. Tasuki was first, gasping as he came in Nakago, filling his hole with his thick, hot come. As he came and began to wind down, Nakago came as well, his cock spurting forth loads of his own semen. His body shuddered as the pleasure washed over him and as his chi levels increased once again.

"Hey... hey now! You guys can't quit on me yet - I wanna come too!" Koji protested.

Tasuki laughed. "Then I guess you get me, Koji, cause it's my turn too." He got up, allowing Nakago to roll out of the way, then turned Koji over and straddled his friend's hips. Lowering himself carefully, he began to carefully work on Koji. Nakago smiled, watching them for a while as Tasuki pleasured Koji, but he was a bit tired too.

By the time Koji finished, Nakago was fast asleep.

*********************************************************

Soi was... not quite so relaxed. After nearly killing Tamahome on first sight, she was just as glad when Chichiri dragged her and the large doctor into a private room. She didn't mind the blue-haired monk, and Mitsukake seemed all right, but she could have cheerfully throttled Tamahome with her bare hands. It was HIS fault Nakago was in this predicament! Nor had her eyes missed the dirtied, slightly blood-stained bandage on Nakago's shoulder. She was certain she knew who had dared to wound her beloved shogun. And, besides all that, she was on edge and then some, surrounded by the enemy, and trying desperately NOT to imagine what was going on right now, back at the bandit's hideout.

All things taken into consideration, she thought she was behaving fairly well.

"What's...?" Mitsukake was very confused, glancing back and forth between Chichiri and Soi, trying to figure out what his ally and his enemy were doing together, and what they could possibly want from him.

"We have a problem no da," Chichiri said earnestly, as he seated Soi graciously at the table, then jumped up to sit cross-legged at one end.

"Is Tasuki--"

"He's all right no da!" Chichiri hastened. Then he muttered to himself, "In a manner of speaking no da...."

Soi, overhearing this, flushed a little. Mitsukake just looked more confused.

"Then what...?"

"Let me explain no da," Chichiri said. And he did.

Soi couldn't raise her gaze from her tightly clenched hands, but she knew the doctor was blushing without having to look. She could hear it in his voice. She couldn't blame him.

"I... see...." He cleared his throat. "And what exactly do you want me to do about it, Chichiri-kun?"

"Well, you're a doctor no da."

Mitsukake frowned. "A doctor, yes. I don't deal in magic. That's your area."

"Daaaaa...."

"Well, somebody better do something!" Soi burst out, standing and slamming her fists into the tabletop. She knew they were enemies and she had no right to makes demands, but she couldn't bear much more of this. "I don't trust that little rat Miboshi any further than I could throw him! In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if he did this on purpose! Mitsukake-san, please! You're the only hope Nakago-sama has!"

Mitsukake blinked, startled past words to hear a Seiryuu seishi speaking to him so familiarly, and pleading for his aid besides. "I... er...."

"Do you think you can do it no da?"

Mitsukake took a moment to think.

Soi flopped back into her chair with a heavy sigh, completely worn out and disheartened. She fought tears, knowing she shouldn't show weakness before the enemy, but unable to help herself.

"Here no da," Chichiri said softly, handing her a cup of cool water.

"Arigatou," she murmured, sipping at it, then looking at Mitsukake with wide, hopeful eyes.

The large doctor was unaccountably flushed, and seemed to have problems meeting the gaze of either of the other two in the room. "I... er... *ahem!*.... I think I MIGHT be able to...."

"Really?" Soi asked eagerly, sitting forward. Mitsukake turned an even brighter shade of red and stared fixedly at the ceiling.

"Hai. However, I'll need... need...."

"Need what? Whatever it is, I'll get it for you!"

Soi didn't know it was possible for a human face to redden that much.

"I'll need a... er... sample of Nakago's... er...."

"Nani?"

Mitsukake seemed in serious danger of strangling himself. Soi and Chichiri exchanged a perplexed glance.

"A sample of his what no da?" asked Chichiri. "His hair? His flesh?"

Soi began to get an inkling. And since she was never one to let sex embarrass her.... "His semen?"

"DA!" Chichiri fell backwards off the table, while Mitsukake seemed to be wishing he could shrink under it. "H-hai."

Soi grinned evily, finally feeling on safe ground, and relieved that she could once more feel superior to the Suzaku seishi. "Well, that shouldn't be a problem! I can--"

"Don't forget the spell no da."

Chichiri's softly spoken words wiped away all of her newly gained cheer. "Shit!"

"I'll take care of it no da," Chichiri said, standing, his mask hardening with resolve. Though Soi could have sworn the cheeks were slightly flushed, even if it was just a mask.

"Take me with you!" she said frantically, jumping up from her chair.

"I do not think that would be wise no da."

She scowled in frustration. "But you can't just leave me here!"

Chichiri sighed. "I will not be gone long no da. Mitsukake, see that Lady Soi is kept comfortable no da."

"And far away from Tamahome, ne?" Mitsukake added, finally beginning to recover from his acute embarrassment.

"That would probably be a good idea no da."

Soi tried to hide her fear and despair, the sick feeling filling her stomach. "Why are you... why are you helping me? Helping Nakago- sama?"

Chichiri paused. "Well, for one thing, I doubt we'll get Tasuki-kun back until the spell is lifted no da," he said earnestly. "But we probably would have helped anyway. We're stupid that way no da."

Soi suddenly smiled, as beautiful as the sun coming out from behind a cloud. "Some of you are. But it's a good stupid to be." She stepped forward and kissed Chichiri's cheek quickly, before he could escape. "Thank you so much. Even... even if you fail... thank you for trying, for caring."

"Daaa...." Chichiri's mask turned a brilliant shade of red.

*********************************************************

Chichiri had teleported back to the bandit's hideout, but now paced back and forth in front of the door to Koji's room, unsure of what he should do. Well, he knew what he HAD to do, but he didn't know how to go about it. Finally, he steeled his nerves and pushed open the door, turning his head away at the last second in embarrassment. Koji's bed was directly in front of him, piled high with blankets. Chichiri tiptoed over, then slowly, very slowly, peeled back the sheets until he finally caught sight of ruffled hair in shades of brilliant gold, red, and dusky blue. All three men were snuggled down in bed, Koji and Tasuki on either side of Nakago. The redhead had his arms wrapped around Nakago, his chest against his back, while Koji held Nakago tightly against his chest, the blonde's head pressed against Koji's bare chest. He really didn't want to wake them, but he thought of Miaka and Tamahome, Chiriko, Mitsukake, Hotohori... all the Suzakus waiting back in Sailo.

"Um... Tasuki. Tasuki. Wake up no da."

The young man stirred, then rolled over, waking Nakago and Koji in turn. Koji and Nakago both looked up at the flustered Chichiri, then Koji's face split in a wicked smile and he said, "Oh, here to join us?"

"Daaa! No, I just... I just... I um, needed a spmmremren...."

Koji blinked. "What did you say?"

"I need a sppprememm...."

Nakago narrowed his eyes. "Spit it out."

"I need a sperm sample from you no da!" he said, then promptly clamped both hands over his mouth.

Tasuki began laughing. "Are you saying you want to join us, Chichiri?"

"No, no, that's not what I mean no daaaa!" Chichiri squeaked.

All three men were laughing now. "Well then, if you won't do it, then it'll either have to be me or Tasuki," said Koji, his eyes crinkled in humor.

"Oh! Me me me!" said Tasuki eagerly, rolling back over to pull Nakago a bit closer to him.

"No way!" yelled Koji, batting at Tasuki. He grabbed at Nakago, but Tasuki pushed him away.

"Daaaa... I can't believe you two are fighting over him! But Mitsukake may have a cure for you, Nakago, and we need a..."

"... sperm sample?" asked both bandits, before they both burst into laughter.

"..." Chichiri just turned around and walked out of the room, throwing a backwards glance before saying, "Well, I'll be waiting outside..."

"Hey, don't fight!" Nakago yelled. "I don't see why both of you can't help me out here..." was the last thing Chichiri heard before he shut the door.

*********************************************************

It was a good thing Mitsukake was a patient man by nature, or else Soi's constant pacing would have driven him nuts. As it was, he was on the verge of saying something when Chichiri reappeared, but through the door this time.

"Here no da!" he said, thrusting a small container into Mitsukake's hands. "And you'd better make the best use of it you can no da! I am NOT doing that again!"

Soi's eyes narrowed as Mitsukake crossed the room to the small quasi-laboratory he'd set up while the monk had been gone. "You didn't...."

"NO!" Chichiri caught himself and cleared his throat. "Of course not no da. However, I've discovered our friend Tasuki-kun has a strange sense of humor no da. And it's evidently rubbing off on Nakago-sama no da."

Soi sighed unhappily, wilting into a chair. She really didn't want to hear about it. She buried her face in her hands, once more fighting tears. Then she started as she felt a warm, gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Shall I show you to a room where you can sleep no da?" Chichiri asked kindly. He knew how hard this must be on the young woman. "I don't think you've slept much recently, and Mitsukake will be a while at this no da. I'll wake you if there's any progress no da."

Soi just nodded silently and rose. Sleep sounded good right now. She hadn't gotten any rest the past night, and all the emotions warring through her were placing an additional strain on her weary body and mind.

Chichiri led her to the door. When he opened it, Miaka, Tamahome, and Chiriko all tumbled inside in a tangle on the floor.

To Soi's credit, she just allowed Chichiri to aid her in stepping over the pile and moving down the hallway to another room. She still had a score to settle with Tamahome, but it could wait until she was more rested and didn't still need the help of the brat's friends and allies.

*Soon, Nakago-sama, soon...* she whispered to herself. But it was more of a prayer than a promise.

*********************************************************

Nakago couldn't sleep. He wasn't about to move; it felt too good to be wrapped tightly in both Tasuki's and Koji's arms, and the bed was warm and soft. But he still couldn't reclaim the slumber Chichiri had awakened him from.

He wondered whether the Suzaku doctor could really find a cure to this spell. Was it possible? And what would happen if the spell was lifted?

It wasn't as though he could just go back to his original plans. The Suzaku seishi were helping him, in more ways than one. And even if he was able to ignore the debts he would owe Mitsukake and Chichiri.... to think of turning against Tasuki, of becoming enemies with the foul- mouthed, big-hearted bandit turned seishi again, tore at him so that he physically flinched away from the very idea. It felt as though he was cutting out his heart to even consider the idea.

This placed him in a nasty predicament. It was solely due to him that the Suzaku seishi and the Seiryuu seishi were in conflict. If he had no reason to fight, neither did his people.

And what would happen if Mitsukake *did* break the spell? He knew Soi loved him, and he could finally, thanks to Tasuki and Koji, admit to himself that he loved her in return. But.... but there were also his strengthening feelings for both the men holding him at the moment. If the spell was lifted, could he really just say, "It's been fun," and turn his back on both Tasuki and Koji?

No. He knew he couldn't do that.

So, would he have to choose between Soi and the two bandits? He couldn't do that, couldn't make that decision!

But then... maybe he wouldn't have to. After all, though they treated him with affectionate friendship, with careful gentleness, what was there to say Tasuki and Koji felt the same way about him that he felt about them? They were both essentially kind-hearted men; they would probably have done this for anyone else in his situation.

Why did that thought hurt worse than any other?

"Mmnn... wh's wr'ng?" murmured Koji, more than half asleep still, nuzzling the top of Nakago's head.

Nakago blinked back the tears pricking his eyes. "Nothing."

Koji sighed and fell back asleep, barely aware that he'd even spoken.

Nakago swallowed thickly. When was the last time he had cried? Before the spell and Tasuki's intervention, that was? He really couldn't remember.

*Ah, Tasuki, what you do to me,* he thought, half affectionately, and half in fearful resentment. He didn't WANT to start feeling again. Feeling hurt. He was suffering now. Now he could remember why he had cut himself off from all emotions. But he couldn't remember how to get back to that point. He'd lost the ability, thanks to Tasuki.

"Damn," he muttered, nestling back closer to Tasuki, who tightened his arms in his sleep. He should resent it more than he did. But Tasuki had wormed his way into Nakago's heart, and there he was going to stay. It couldn't be any other way.

With a heavy, pain-filled sigh, Nakago turned his tired mind to recapturing the blessed oblivion of sleep. He could really use it right now.

*********************************************************

"Gee, you're kidding, aren't you, Chichiri?" asked Miaka after hearing the monk's tale, but when she saw how red Tamahome's face was, she realized that this was no joke.

"So that's why I am asking you all to go along with it... It wouldn't be right if we just ignored what was happening."

The rest of the seishi nodded, and Miaka smiled. "Of course we'll help, Chichiri... is there anything we can do for Mitsukake or Soi or...?"

"No, it's okay, I think they are managing... I know! Why don't you three go on and try to find the Byakko Shinhazo no da? There's no reason for you to hang behind and wait for us... It's best that we continue to look forward no da."

Miaka, Tamahome, and Chiriko looked at one other. "Are you sure?" asked Chiriko.

"Yeah... go on ahead tomorrow morning. Good luck all of you, and be careful no da!"

*********************************************************

Nakago woke up to find himself in Tasuki's powerful arms, the fiery young bandit holding the blonde tightly against his chest. But Koji was already gone, his side of the bed rumpled but empty.

"Where'd he go?" Nakago mumbled sleepily, but there was no reaction from Tasuki. So he simply lay there, wondering what this day would bring. He found himself thinking about Tasuki, Koji, Soi, Miboshi, Tamahome, Tomo... everyone who had been through his life. His mind wasn't at ease anymore than it was the previous night. Somehow, it didn't really surprise him when Chichiri suddenly popped into the room with a loud, "Daaaa! He did it!" He was carrying a small pot of some sort of medicine which he held up triumphantly. Tasuki woke up, a little groggy but alert enough to give Nakago a huge grin and a hearty, "Congrats! Now you can go back to your loving Soi."

"Back to Soi?" Nakago shut his eyes in thought, but he knew what he had to do. He just hoped that...

He felt Tasuki's hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Nakago... it's okay. That's the way things have to happen. You're a Seiryuu, we're Suzaku. But I don't regret a single thing here, and neither should you. I'll never forget this, Nakago... not a single moment. Don't worry, silly, Koji and I will be fine, and... I think you still have a chance to make things right with Soi. So, good luck."

"Fuck that, just stay here," said Koji, wandering back in from wherever he had disappeared to. But he was smiling and winking slyly at everyone in the room.

"Tasuki, Koji, Chichiri... I... I don't know what to say..."

"Just say that you'll drink this medicine no da, and please remember what Tasuki just told you."

"H... hai." Nakago took the small pot, reeling a little with the strong smell of the medication, but he went ahead and gulped it down anyway. "Fuck, what's in this anyhow?"

Chichiri immediately turned red as a lobster. "Uhhhhmmmm....."

Nakago chuckled. "Never mind. Maybe I shouldn't have asked." Then he looked back up at Chichiri and stared at him for several minutes.

"Daaaa, what are you doing?"

"It's working." He blinked, then stared at Chichiri for several more minutes. With a slight shake of his head, he turned his attention to Koji and Tasuki. Although he felt a lot of admiration, and a little bit of something else for the two bandits... it was gone, that desperate thirst...

Tasuki released Nakago, then looked at him quizzically. "You really feeling okay? You don't wanna...?" He leaned in and kissed the shogun on the cheek, near the mouth, but Nakago didn't turn his head all the way to return the kiss.

Nakago suddenly smiled, then leaned closer to Tasuki's ear so that only he could hear. "Actually, I wouldn't mind... but no, I don't NEED to anymore."

"Ohhhh... hehehehe." Tasuki gave him a toothy grin in return, then said, "Well, let's get you ready to go. I think Mitsukake should take a look at your wound still, and I believe Soi is with him?"

*********************************************************

Tomo sat on his cot in his tent, brushing out his long grey-brown hair and trying not to brood too much on recent events. He'd just bathed, so he had none of his fancy face-paint on, and as he was planning to at least TRY to sleep, he had his hair loose and was wearing only a light tunic and a pair of soft breeches.

Once Nakago and Soi had disappeared into that Suzaku monk's portal, there had really been nothing for Tomo to do but curse up a storm, then grab Soi's horse and return to the Seiryuu camp. He had no way of knowing where the four opposing seishi had ended up, and no way of getting there, even if he knew. He'd appraised Miboshi of the situation, but the little creep had said he was too busy working on the counter-spell to search Nakago or Soi out. Tomo had ranted and fumed until Miboshi threatened to take away his voice entirely. Then Tomo had given up, though only reluctantly.

"Little shit," he muttered to himself, tugging almost violently at a tangle in his damp hair. "This is all his fault in the first place! Doesn't he know how to aim?"

"Shall I begin practicing now?" inquired a light, childish voice. Tomo spun and glared at the diminutive seishi.

"Get out of my tent!" he yelled, furious at his privacy being invaded. He didn't like anyone seeing him without his paint, and he was pissed at Miboshi anyway.

The seishi only smiled calmly. "You know, you're almost attractive like this, Tomo-chan. Why don't you lose the make-up and head-dress permanently?"

"Why don't you fuck off?" inquired Tomo, stung. He glared balefully at Miboshi. "What, have you been sampling your own spell?"

Miboshi snickered. "It would take a lot more than a spell to make me find you desirable, Tomo."

Tomo snarled, hurling his hairbrush at Miboshi, who merely dodged quickly out of the way, then went back to smirking. "I have the counterspell," he commented softly, cutting off anything further Tomo might have said or done.

"You little-- WHAT?!"

Miboshi's smirk widened. "I have the counterspell. Here." He tossed something small at Tomo, who caught it deftly.

"A bottle?"

"It's what's in the bottle. I had to dilute the essence of the spell into a liquid form, but it should work perfectly well. Just give that to Nakago."

"Why don't you just go zap him?" Tomo asked, watching his dim lamp-light refracting through the clear liquid in the vial.

Miboshi giggled. He actually giggled. Tomo shuddered at the sound. "Do you think I'd go near him? He's currently surrounded by Suzaku seishi. I'm not stupid."

"And I am?"

"Yes."

Tomo ground his teeth together, but he had to admit that, in this case, Miboshi was right. He'd do anything for Nakago-sama. "All right. So where is he and how do I get there?"

Miboshi smirked. "I'll send you there." Then he paused and cocked his bald head at Tomo. "I'm a bit surprised at you, Tomo-chan. Why didn't you attempt to get Nakago-sama to yourself? With the spell in effect.... After all, you had a chance...."

Tomo scowled, feeling a spark of thwarted desire rush through his body at the mental images Miboshi was deliberately calling to mind. "Because, unlike you, you little shit, I'm loyal to Nakago-sama!" he hissed.

"Ah." Miboshi didn't seem perturbed. "Well, then you'll want to get him that counterspell as quickly as possible."

Tomo jumped off his cot. "Right! Just let me get dressed and--"

"You're not naked - you're dressed," said Miboshi abruptly. He raised his prayer wheel and started chanting.

"MATTE!" Tomo squawked in alarm as a blue glow surrounded his slim body. He *felt* naked without his face-paint, his fancy clothing, his head-dress. "You can't send me like thi--"

The rest of what he had to say faded to a squeak as Miboshi finished transporting him to where Nakago currently was. Miboshi smirked. He grinned. He laughed aloud.

"Ah, Tomo-chan, you fool!"

Although Miboshi hadn't meant to cast the spell on Nakago in the first place, ever since it had happened he had been trying to think of a way to turn the situation to his advantage. And he now had what he considered to be a brilliant, fool-proof plan.

He had never even begun working on a reversal spell. Instead, what Tomo was carrying in his all-too gullible hands, was a neat little spell that would wipe Nakago's mind of most of his memories, and all of his will. He would become Miboshi's slave, and then Miboshi would be the one to call upon the power and might of Seiryuu!

Tomo's tent rang with high, childlike laughter, a sound so evil no child could ever have uttered it. Miboshi was on a roll!

*********************************************************

Tomo's first thought was, *Run like hell, you fool!* He had been teleported straight into Koji's room while Nakago, Koji, and Tasuki were getting dressed. The Suzaku monk was there too, but had his back turned to the three laughing men. Of course, the second Tomo appeared, all the laughter stopped and everyone turned and stared at Seiryuu seishi instead.

"Tomo?!?" said Nakago, obviously shocked to see the Seiryuu seishi materialize out of nowhere.

"That in no fucking way is Tomo!" said Tasuki, brusque as usual. "Tomo's a painted freak boy, and that guy's got no makeup on." He stepped in front of Nakago, much to the blonde's shock, and began fumbling for his halisen.

"Gee, Gen-chan, you know all the good-looking people," said Koji with a pout.

"I'd rather not know this one. Chichiri!"

"Don't worry no da... however he got here, he won't be leaving!" the monk answered back before he began another spell.

Tomo gritted his teeth. Two Suzakus and a bandit, all standing between him and Nakago-sama. He had to administer the antidote; it was more than just duty! But he didn't have his shin with him, nor his feathers...

*Ch, I don't have a choice...* thought Tomo as he charged the redheaded Suzaku seishi who stood before Nakago. Tasuki didn't have time to use his fan, so instead he squared himself and caught Tomo as he tackled him, wrestling him to the ground. But Tomo managed to slip out of his hold and struggled towards Nakago. Koji jumped in, tackling Tomo hard enough to make him drop the vial of "antidote" that he held. "N... no! The antidote!"

"Antidote?" came a feminine voice. Soi and Mitsukake stepped through a portal that Chichiri had called up, and the female seishi instantly picked up the vial and looked at it curiously. "And what sort of trickery is this, Tomo? We both know you would never give Nakago-sama an antidote for such an affliction, right?"

"No, it is! It's the antidote that Miboshi made! I swear it - you know I am loyal to Nakago-sama," he protested, but Soi didn't look very convinced. Instead, she turned to Mitsukake and said, "Do you know what this is?"

The doctor held up the vial a little and studied it, removing the cork stopper to sniff at it a little. "I'm not sure," he said after a moment, "but it's no cure... it seems... familiar..."

Soi took the vial from Mitsukake's hand, then walked over to Nakago and slipped her arm around his arm, breathing a sigh of relief when he didn't push her away. "He doesn't need it, Tomo. You were a fool to come."

Tomo blinked, then jumped to his feet and grabbed the vial before anyone could stop him.

"No, don't!" yelled Mitsukake, but it was too late. Tomo had already downed the fluid and threw the empty vial on the ground, shouting, "There, see? It's harmless! I would never... I... urk..." Tomo lurched forward and suddenly fell at Nakago's feet.

"Kodoku... that was almost like kodoku. Same effect," said Mitsukake, kneeling down to check on Tomo. Although the Seiryuu was breathing normally, he was unconscious.

"Now why would that fucker do that?"

"He didn't know what it was, Tasuki. But Miboshi did and he knew that Tomo was stupid enough to try to get me to take it. Too bad for Miboshi, I didn't need the cure."

"He'll probably lose most of his memory," said Mitsukake. "Now what?"

Koji suddenly gave a lopsided grin. "Well, the boy's kinda cute actually; ne, Genrou?" He regarded Tomo carefully.

"Uh oh... Kooojjjjiiiiii...."

*********************************************************

"Well, it appears we have several things to discuss."

The unusual group had still not moved from Koji's private quarters. Instead, Tomo had been laid carefully on the rumpled bed, set aside until he awakened. He would have to be dealt with, but there were more important matters at hand. The rest of them sat in a loose circle on the floor. Mitsukake had briefly suggested Miaka, Tamahome, and Chiriko be collected as well, but the looks on Nakago's and Soi's faces had dissuaded him, even before Chichiri had calmly pointed out all the reasons the younger three ought not to be included.

Koji was lounging loosely against Tasuki's back. He wasn't really involved, except where it concerned Gen-chan, but he certainly wasn't about to leave. Soi curled against Nakago's side, thrilled beyond belief that he was not pushing her away, but instead had his arm wrapped tightly about her waist. She noticed the smug, but slightly saddened smile Tasuki sent their way, and decided that she didn't hate the bandit-seishi any longer, and that, while she may be a little jealous of what he had gotten from Nakago in the past night and day, she probably owed him a great deal more than she could ever repay. For it was no doubt due to his influence that Nakago was.... Well, she wasn't sure yet, but he was already being more open with her in public than he'd ever allowed himself to be before, and his glowing blue eyes promised more once they had some time to themselves. She sent a wide, grateful smile toward Tasuki, then almost giggled as he blinked in surprise.

Mitsukake sat, fingering the vial Tomo had thrown down -- which had, miraculously, not broken -- and frowning. Chichiri just curled up against the side of the bed, his mask as cheerful as ever, though his tense body was radiating concern.

"Nakago-sama, what are your intentions now no da?" he asked seriously.

All eyes turned to the blonde shogun. He thought about it. Things had been happening too swiftly lately, and he needed a moment to consider it all, now that the spell was off of him. He still wanted power. He still wanted to summon Seiryuu, to get vengeance on the Emperor of Kutou, and to take his throne. But.... But he couldn't... *couldn't* pit himself against Tasuki! Nor against Chichiri, nor Mitsukake. He gazed back at Tasuki, whose face held a strange mixture of trust and wariness. He couldn't let Tasuki down, and yet....

Would it all be for nothing? All his careful planning? All the death and pain he'd caused? Could he just tell Yui-sama, "Sorry, I changed my mind"?

He sighed heavily. "I don't know... what to do." He rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "I can't just give up, but... I also can't...."

"What exactly do you want?" asked Tasuki harshly.

Nakago looked up, met the blazing orange eyes. "I want...."

Tasuki waited, his expression urging honesty.

"I want to end my pain."

"Ne?" Everyone but Tasuki blinked at him in surprise. Even Nakago was startled. Had he said those words? Had they come out of his mouth?

Tasuki just nodded and leaned back against Koji. "That's what I thought. So now we just gotta figure a way to do that without you having to take out all of us and Miaka."

Nakago just stared, slack-jawed. That was pretty much everyone's reaction, except Koji, who was snoring slightly. Tasuki elbowed him sharply, and he jerked awake.

"Eh, what'd I miss?" he asked, rubbing his eyes and blinking around the room.

"I'm not sure," Nakago managed to answer.

"So, what'll it be?" Tasuki asked, eyeing Nakago narrowly.

"I...." Nakago blinked. "I'm willing to... discuss things. Maybe our sides can reach an agreement."

"What about Yui-san no da?"

Nakago smirked. "Give me a few seconds alone with her, and she'll be begging for Suzaku no Miko's forgiveness."

There was silence a moment as everyone pursued their own thoughts. Though they had come to an agreement of sorts, there was still a lot that was unresolved.

"We seem to have another problem," Mitsukake rumbled.

"Nani?"

The large doctor sighed and lifted the vial. "This was more than simply a memory-wiping spell. Evidently it also included something to bind the will of the one who drank it to the will of the one who cast it."

"Miboshi," Soi said sharply.

"Hai."

Nakago scowled. Not that he cared particularly about Tomo, but Miboshi had meant that spell for him. "Death's too good. I'm going to make that little bastard suffer."

"Hmph." Koji frowned in thought. "So whoever this Miboshi ass is... he could order that poor sap on the bed to attack Nakago?"

Nakago blinked. He hadn't thought of that. "Hai.... But it wouldn't do much good. You saw how ineffectual Tomo was without his weapons of choice. And now, with no memories...."

"Mitsukake, can you do something for him?" asked Tasuki, feeling a little sorry for the Seiryuu seishi. Sure, he was a jerk, but he didn't deserve all this! Well, maybe he did, but he had a chance to start over now. Who knew; maybe he could turn out to be a decent person this time around....

"I say we just kill him," Soi said. "It's easier and quicker."

Koji and Tasuki glared at her. "No one's killing anyone in my room!" Koji snapped. "And you aren't taking him out of here 'til I say so, either!"

Soi stared in shock.

Mitsukake was thinking. "I really don't know. Chichiri, what about you?"

"Hmmm no da..." Chichiri stood and leaned over the still figure on the bed. "I'm not sure...."

"Well, so far Miboshi probably doesn't know his spell was misapplied," Nakago said seriously, his mind working quickly. "Perhaps I ought to go take care of the problem right now. I don't wish to leave such a powerful creature working behind my back at any rate." He rose. "Chichiri-kun," he said politely. "Could I request a favor? Could you send me to a place close to the Seiryuu camp?"

Soi and Mitsukake blinked in shock at hearing the shogun speaking so respectfully to a Suzaku seishi. Chichiri cocked his head.

"Can you handle him yourself no da? Or would you like me to help no da?"

"You would...?"

"Hai!" Chichiri nodded briskly. "After all, you're still wounded no da."

"Ah!" Mitsukake started to his feet. "I completely forgot about that! Nakago-san, will you allow me to heal your wound?"

Soi was in complete shock. Everyone was being so damned... nice! Polite! Thoughtful! It was almost sickening! And yet, somehow it made her feel warm inside. These people were the enemy... but they were good people, and it made her a little ashamed of all the bad things she'd done, or tried to do to them.

Suddenly everyone froze, as Tomo stirred. Koji promptly sat on his stomach, much to Tasuki's amusement. Koji glared at his snickering friend. "Well, I don't want him hurting himself or anyone here!"

"Yeah, sure, Koji-chan. Whatever you say."

Koji stuck out his tongue rather childishly, then everyone's attention was riveted to Tomo as he blearily opened his eyes.

Of course, the first thing Tomo noticed was a rather attractive young man sitting on top of him. And, there were other figures in the background, but they didn't really get his attention. Nothing else but this young man...

"Who are you?" he asked, then realized at the same moment, *Who am I?*

Koji couldn't resist. "I'm your boyfriend."

"KOJI!" The blue haired bandit turned and gave Tasuki a wink.

"My... boyfriend? I don't recall... uh, I don't..."

"You hit your head this morning... don't tell me you lost your memory?!" Koji gasped, but Tasuki pulled his buddy off Tomo and said, "What the hell are you doing, baka?!"

Koji grinned and put his arm around Tasuki's shoulder. "This is your other boyfriend."

"What?! Fuck that! !#$##%%& $%^%^* !@%&$%!" Tasuki cussed, but Koji only laughed and sat back down on the bed.

Tomo's head was pounding... and he had so many blank spots in his memory. He could see a blonde man and a woman come up to the bed now, and he thought he recognized them... but it was so vague. He didn't remember having a lover, though he found him to be very attractive - was the man joking with him? He couldn't tell. "Sorry, what's your name? It's Koji, right?" he asked the bandit.

"Yep. And you're Tomo, in case you didn't remember."

"Tomo..."

"A.k.a. painted freak boy," said Tasuki, delighted.

"Huh?" Everyone was standing around the bed now, looking at him. Feeling a little self-conscious, he rolled over so that his head was against Koji's hip and looked up at him to see the bandit's reaction. Much to everyone's surprise, Koji reached down to stroke Tomo's hair with surprising tenderness and allowed the Seiryuu to wiggle up into his lap, where he fell asleep again.

"Umm... I'm not going to ask no da."

"This'll take him out of your hair, and besides, Gen-chan is leaving again, and so is Nakago, and I don't want to be lonely."

Tasuki gasped, a bit hurt, and instantly blushed - he didn't want all this getting back to Tamahome and the others! But he knew that Chichiri and Mitsukake were mature enough to not talk about it.

"It doesn't matter, Tasuki. You're one of us, and you're a good friend," said Mitsukake in a low voice.

"Heh, I know..."

"I'll take good care of him," Koji added, though he didn't think anyone cared if he took care of Tomo or not. He motioned for Tasuki to sit down, and the few of them exchanged a few words while everyone else planned ahead.

But Chichiri's voice broke into their conversation after a few moments. "So how are we going to do this no da? Tasuki, Mitsukake...?"

Tasuki stood up, and Chichiri noticed that his hand was resting on Koji's, gripping gently for a moment before letting go. The two bandits exchanged a long look before Tasuki said evenly, "I'll come with ya to take care of that fucking putz, Miboshi." He gave a nod to Nakago, and the blonde returned the gesture. Yes, it was only appropriate that he help out.

Mitsukake considered his options, then said, "Someone has to check on Miaka and the others and make sure they're all right, I suppose. Chichiri?" The monk nodded and began to open a portal. "Oh, and, Koji... I recommend that you think about using some restraints on Tomo, in case Miboshi..." he managed to say before the portal swallowed him.

"No problem!" said Koji cheerfully, pulling out some leather strapped contraption from under his bed. Everyone sweattled.

"Well then, let's go no da!" said Chichiri, opening a second portal for Nakago, Soi, Tasuki, and himself. "Be ready, this will take us right outside the Seiryuu camp."

"Just a moment. Koji, may I borrow some of your, um, restraints?" Soi asked. Koji blinked, but handed them to her nevertheless. She immediately began to tie up Tasuki and Chichiri in slip knots, explaining, "Nakago has lost his memory. You are my prisoners. We'll just walk into camp. If there are any problems, you can both break out of those knots in a second." Tasuki tested it and found out that though the knots looked secure, they were in fact very easy to break out of.

"Good idea no da. OK, let's go!" The four seishi stepped into the portal and disappeared.

Koji watched them go, a little sad and a bit proud too, and then turned back to the sleeping Tomo and said, "You know, Gen-chan always has the cutest friends."

*********************************************************

Nakago carefully trained his expression into a blank, mindless mask as they strode into the Seiryuu camp. Well, he and Chichiri strode. Soi was struggling with a kicking, screaming Tasuki. The bandit-turned- seishi was putting on a convincing act, cussing up a storm and squirming like an eel, and Soi was about ready to club him over the head, if Nakago could read her expression right. He caught her eye and gave the tiniest shake of his head, just to remind her of their ruse. She scowled, but restrained herself to simply handling Tasuki as roughly as she dared without risking prematurely breaking his bonds.

Chichiri merely walked calmly, his arm in Nakago's grasp, his staff in Nakago's free hand. The shogun was a little surprised and rather pleased -- though he'd sooner die than admit it -- that the Suzaku monk trusted him with something so valuable to him.

He wiped all sign of his thoughts off his face as he felt Miboshi's chi a moment before the little seishi appeared before them, hairless brows raised.

"What is all the commotion?" he inquired of Soi.

Tasuki took one look and fell to the ground, howling with laughter. Chichiri, however, tensed up. Nakago could feel it in the arm he was lightly grasping. The monk wasn't fooled by the small body; he could sense the power and evil of the twisted being before them.

"What does it look like?" Soi snapped, kicking at Tasuki, then dragging the convulsing seishi to his feet. He took another look at Miboshi and went off on another fit of hysterics, falling against Soi. She snarled and tossed him back to the ground. "Asshole! Watch what you're doing!"

"Where's Tomo?" asked Miboshi curiously, ignoring Tasuki, except for a twitch of one slanted red eye. He was looking hungrily at Nakago, who carefully stared over Miboshi's right shoulder.

"Dead."

"What?" That caught Miboshi's attention, and he blinked at Soi.

"Dead." She shrugged. Essential Tomo *was* dead -- at least the Tomo who had been a Seiryuu seishi. "This bastard took him out before I could stop him." She kicked at Tasuki again.

Miboshi blinked, nonplussed. "Oh." Then he recovered. "Still, I see he was able to deliver the counterspell."

Soi bit back the urge to leap at the little monster and tear his eyes out. Instead, she covered by helping a slowly recovering Tasuki to his feet, keeping a firm grip on his arm, squeezing to remind him of how serious the situation really was. Tasuki bit his lip, struggling to contain himself. "Hai."

Tasuki pretended to stumble a little, falling against Soi's shoulder. "Don't play too dumb," he whispered urgently in her ear. She pushed him away in mock anger, but admitted he was right. Miboshi was too intelligent to think she wouldn't notice.

"I think there was something wrong with the spell, though," she said, her voice conveying worry. "He hasn't said a word since he woke up. Miboshi, what did you do?"

"Why don't you tell her no da?" Chichiri inquired, his voice deep, and rough with no little anger.

Miboshi narrowed his eyes at the Suzaku seishi and considered ordering Nakago to do something nasty and permanently damaging to him.... But not yet. Not while Soi might still raise a fuss. Miboshi could wait until things were fully in his favor.

"There's nothing wrong," he soothed smoothly. Then a little steel crept into his voice. "Are you questioning my skill, Soi?"

"No!" Soi didn't have to feign the slight gulp of fear that tightened her throat. She trusted Nakago to know what he was doing, and Chichiri was powerful as well, but Miboshi could be damned scary. "I just... I was just worried about Nakago-sama."

"After all, you fucked up that other spell," Tasuki commented, glaring at the Seiryuu seishi angrily. "What's to say you didn't do it again?"

Miboshi smiled sweetly at Tasuki, an expression which raised the hair on the back of the bandit's neck, and made him bare his fangs in an instinctual response. "I did not 'fuck up' that spell. It is true, I missed Tamahome and struck the wrong person, but the spell acted exactly as it was meant to. As has this one."

Soi heard Tasuki growl deep in his chest and tightened her grip on his arm. Not yet! Not until Nakago-sama gave the word!

"How true."

Miboshi spun to stare in shock at Nakago. Tasuki crowed with glee and broke his bonds easily, while the shogun tugged Chichiri's free and handed him his staff. Then all three younger seishi dropped into defensive stances around Nakago, who stood tall, glaring at Miboshi.

*********************************************************

Koji really wasn't surprised as Tomo's eyes suddenly widened and the Seiryuu started struggling hard beside him. "Boy, good thing I slapped those things on him," he said, reaching under the blanket to double check the buckled leather straps which kept Tomo hogtied and effectively immobile. Tomo only struggled for a few minutes before he let out a strangled gasp and fell still again. Concerned, Koji checked on him, but other than his heavy breathing, he seemed all right.

"He's all right, good." He gave a small sigh, then pulled the blanket back up to Tomo's chin, smoothing his grey-brown hair down against the pillow. He did feel a little sorry for the Seiryuu seishi... it was obvious to Koji at least that Tomo had feelings for his shogun, but evidently it was only a one-way love at best. He felt a lopsided smile float across his face. *Well, someone's gotta take care of you now... might as well be me.*

Earlier on, Tasuki had told him as much, in their brief conversation in Koji's bedroom before they had seperated. "You might as well take care of him," Tasuki had said from his uneasy perch on the bed, "since no one else will."

Koji hadn't said anything for a moment, then had asked, "Are you going to come back after all this is settled?"

Tasuki had given him a slight smile. "Of course... I don't know how long I'll be though... don't mess around too much, okay?"

"What... are you implying?" Koji had asked, his heart suddenly pounding painfully. "I haven't been unfaithful to you, Tasuki... and I was just following your lead with Nakago."

A frown had touched Tasuki's lips. "I didn't mean it that way, baka. I just..." He turned away for a moment, then said softly, "I'm sorry. I just wasn't sure..."

"My reputation precedes me, but you can't believe everything you hear, Gen-chan. And I won't do anything with Tomo either, if that's what you want."

Tasuki had blinked, then said, "So you really weren't kidding with him, huh?"

"We're the same, Genrou; Tomo and I... ever since you left. I'm not like Chichiri-san; I can't keep up a fake smile forever."

Tasuki had reached down and took Koji's hand, squeezing it hard. "I'll come back, Koji... I'll come back, but you don't have to wait for me. You take care of yourself, alright?"

"Yeah." But he had been reluctant to let go until Tasuki had finally looked him in the eye with all seriousness and made an unspoken promise to return.

*********************************************************

"Im... impossible!" Miboshi gasped. He tried to teleport off, but Chichiri and Nakago had already concentrated their chi to trap the diminutive seishi where he was. Nakago couldn't help but smirk as Tasuki nearly pushed past him in his eagerness to get to Miboshi, but Chichiri held the bandit back.

"This isn't our fight, Tasuki..."

"Well then, why'd we come!?"

Chichiri thought about it a moment. "It's a Seiryuu fight no da, but even I know that Miboshi has to be stopped."

Tasuki spat on the ground. "That's exactly why I came - I came to kick some demon-boy ass." He fixed Miboshi with a withering look, but Miboshi's attention was fully on Nakago. The kokoro on his forehead suddenly flared up as Nakago gathered all his chi and surrounded the immobilized Miboshi with it. He slowly began to compress the energy field while Soi let loose a charge of lightning which swirled through Nakago's chi attack. Miboshi screamed as the lightning burned through his body even as the chi shield began to collapse inward, crushing him. Chichiri had to turn away at the last moments, but Tasuki almost savored the moment as Nakago got his revenge. After what Nakago had told him about the evil little seishi, Tasuki figured he deserved whatever happened to him. As his body burned away, Nakago sighed and cautiously put his arm on Soi's.

"That takes care of Miboshi, but there's still a lot more I have to do," said Nakago, scanning the camp quickly. He gave a short sigh - the last couple of days had been nothing but a blur... it hardly seemed that he had been fighting against the Suzakus only a very short time ago. He was sure now; he couldn't fight them anymore, and despite his desire to go on to summon Seiryuu and get his revenge on the emperor, he knew that he would have to find new ways to accomplish his goals. *Is this friendship? Love?* He gave a side glance at Soi, who smiled back at him, her face glowing.

Tasuki suddenly came up and touched him on the shoulder, giving Nakago a slightly sad smile but at the same time, throwing him a wink. "Don't worry bout me; I'll manage. You do what you have to do. Turn all of Kutou upside-down if you fucking have to... I believe... I believe this will all work out. Somehow..."

"We have to get back to the others no da," said Chichiri, but the urgency in his voice was gone. They no longer had to rush to get the second Shinhazo; Miaka, Tamahome, all of Konan... they were out of immediate danger.

"Yes... take care of yourselves. We'll meet again," said Nakago, but he was more relaxed and confident than he had ever been. He gave a half smirk. "After all, I still have your Miko's best friend. I'll see what I can do to help her, before I send her back to Suzaku no Miko."

Chichiri nodded, then began to open a portal to Sailo so that he and Tasuki could join up with the rest of the Suzakus. At the last moment, Soi ran up and said, "Thank you both," before giving both Tasuki and Chichiri a quick peck on the cheek.

"Ahhh! Chichiri, you're blushing!" Tasuki laughed as the two disappeared into the monk's cloak.

"No, I.... daaaaa!"

Nakago and Soi watched as the two disappeared, then Nakago pulled Soi a little bit closer and rested his chin atop her head. Funny, but being close to Tasuki made him appreciate being with Soi more than he ever had before. There had been so much emotion and intensity packed into the last couple days, that he had sort of been forced to confront the truth behind his own mask, and he had discovered things there that had surprised him. What he had had, however briefly, with Tasuki - as well as Koji - had been real. Tainted by Miboshi's spell, true, but real and not something to leave him unaffected. He wasn't in *love* with either man, but they were special to him in a strange way. Maybe it was what others called friendship. He'd never had any friends, even back when his mother had still been living. But now he thought he understood how Miaka, Suzaku no Miko, could go through all that she had, risk all that she had, for Yui's sake. Personally, he didn't feel Yui was worthy of the sacrifices Miaka had made, but if he and Tasuki were in a similar situation.... He had a feeling he'd have done many of the same things. He'd always understood the concept of friendship, had used it to turn Yui's love to hatred, to make Miaka and the Suzaku seishi dance to his tune, but now he knew what it *truly* was, how it felt, not just what it did. And it was a sweet revelation at the same time it was a painful one.

As for Soi... what he felt for her was like friendship, only it was much more. He could admit that now. He'd always respected her as much as he respected anyone - which wasn't much - but now he could see WHY he respected her. She was strong. She was willing to let him do whatever he needed to while still backing him up. She had remained true to him, even when he treated her harshly or with scorn. She had always been there for him while never being clingy or smothering. She hadn't ever forced him to reject her by telling him straight out that she loved him, but she spoke that fact with every touch, every glance from her bright eyes. She was beautiful, proud, strong, and independent... just as he was. They were the perfect compliment, one to another, and he was finally able to admit to that fact.

He just held her for a moment, still a little unsure of himself but enjoying every bit of it. For her part, Soi just let herself be held; she felt warm and safe and unbelievably happy, but there was one tiny thing on her mind...

"Ne, Nakago-sama?"

"Hmm?"

"What do you think happened to Tomo?"

*********************************************************

FIN! (but don't stop reading, there's an epilogue!)

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Author's notes:

Hey-hi! ^_^
Aiyah - this thing turned out a little different (and quite a bit longer) than either of us expected! Not that I'm complaining, mind.... At any rate, it's been a wild ride, and I hope you enjoyed! I still can't believe some of the stuff we pulled. I mean, come on - making Tomo into a sympathetic character? *giggles* But it all worked out for the best! (Except Nuriko-sama, my favorite character of all time, is still dead - Waaaaah!!! *sniffles* Oh well, I'll take care of that in another fic. ^_^)

*hugs!*
Tia Noto Yoko

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Hi, whew, can't believe that we managed to get through that! I think Tia Noto Yoko and I were purposely trying to mess each other up, cause this story went far beyond the original plot line we had going. But I think co-writing is what enabled us to actually finish this story, since we were both pushing each other to write, write, write! Anyhow, for anyone who cares, Tia Noto Yoko pretty much wrote the "emotional stuff," since I suck at it, and I did the sex. Originally, we were both panicking, cause neither one of us were brave enough to write the yaoi parts, but I think it all worked out rather well, ne? Comments and criticisms welcome, and if you liked this story, come and drop by my site ok, cause I love getting visitors!

Bishonen no MikoŠ

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.... and whatever happened to Tomo, you ask? Ah yes, gentle reader, let's go back to the Mt. Leikaku bandit's hideout and check back on Koji and the hapless Tomo, who was rather tied up with things when we last saw him...

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Tomo shrugged on his heavy dark green jacket, buttoning it up halfway and leaving the rest open. He sat back down on the bed to yank on his boots, but as he began to lace up the left one, he heard a knock on the door and Koji's voice floated in, calling, "Good morning Tomo-chan! Who is it? It's Koji of course; who else would it be?! Are you decent? May I come in? Certainly Koji-chan, come on in! Oh, thank you very much!" and with that, the blue haired bandit threw open the door, followed closely by a redhead with fierce eyes and a powerful chi.

"Actually, I was getting dressed," said Tomo, but it was obvious that Koji's sudden entrance was no big deal. He looked at the other man, then said, "You look very familiar..."

"Yeah? Well, I should, freak boy," said the redhead teasingly, waiting for Tomo to get mad and attack him, but the young man just smiled at him.

"Ah, you're Tasuki, Koji-chan's other lover!"

Tasuki's brows twitched. "Koji... chan? Wait a sec, Koji's OTHER lover?!?!" Tasuki threw a look at Koji, but the other bandit was already sitting on the bed beside Tomo, running his hand through the former Seiryuu's long hair. It was all an act of course; Tasuki and Koji had already talked about everything outside, but Tasuki still couldn't get over the fact that Tomo was now a Mt. Leikaku bandit!

"You didn't think I was going to wait here alone while you ran around with all your Suzaku friends, right?" Koji asked sweetly.

"Hey, we Suzakus managed to save all our asses from Nakago and the Kutou army."

"Shit." Koji began laughing. "You said you guys saved our asses from Nakago, but from what I remember..."

Tasuki turned a very bright shade of red. "You know what I meant!" he screeched, causing both Koji and Tomo to laugh. But Tasuki felt pretty relieved, actually... he had been worried about Koji ever since their last night together, and he was happy to see his friend/lover alive and laughing. Sure, he was a little jealous that Koji had taken Tomo as a lover, but it was understandable, and Tasuki was sure that with a bit of coaxing, he might be able to worm his way back into Koji's bed by nightfall, and if Tomo was there, well...

Koji smiled at Tasuki and patted the spot on the bed next to him. "Sit down and tell us about what happened, baka. Don't just stand there and drool at Tomo," he said coyly. Tasuki smirked, but sat down anyhow and said, "Well, you guys probably know about what happened already. News travels fast."

With an exaggerated sigh, Koji said, "We know that Kutou and Konan called a truce after Nakago took control of the capitol of Kutou, but I want details! That Tamahome guy ever marry your Suzaku no Miko? And what about Nakago and his lady, Soi? How's everyone else doing?"

Tasuki wrinkled his nose. "What does that all matter? Everyone's fine... why dontcha ask me how I am, how's my fuckin libido, am I absolutely horny after spending so much time with a bunch of attractive guys who don't want to keep me company at night?"

"Oh dear... sex first, questions later?"

"No regrets," said Tasuki, suddenly serious. "And Tomo... I wouldn't mind at all if you'd like to join in," he added, looking at Tomo in approval. The former Seiryuu was very attractive now that he had given up his makeup and garish outfit in favor of that simple green jacket which bared the top of his chest, grey trousers, and jade earrings which were obviously a gift from Koji. His brown-grey hair was still tied up in a single ponytail, falling lush and loose over his shoulder.

"But I just got dressed," Tomo protested, but he gave Tasuki a quick wink at the same time. Tasuki grinned and crawled over Koji (despite his friend's mock protest) and leaned in for a kiss, tasting the sweetness of Tomo's lips which oddly enough, reminded him of Nakago. Tomo gasped a little, Tasuki's kiss leaving him a bit breathless, then reached up and began tugging off Tasuki's coat while Koji, miffed at being passed over, began spanking Tasuki playfully.

"You should've brought Nakago over, just to appease me," said Koji loudly as he pulled down Tasuki's pants almost violently.

Tasuki pulled away from Tomo long enough to breathe, "I'm here, whaddya need him for?"

"What a bad boy. You'll have to be punished."

"So fuckin beat me, whip me, spank me, screw me. Whatever." Tasuki moved his head down now and began to nibble on Tomo's exposed skin.

"Number four sounds good to me..." said Koji as he began to chew on Tasuki's exposed ass.

"Sixty-nine sounds even better," Tomo gasped, grasping Tasuki's head gently as the redhead pulled the green jacket open to lick at Tomo's nipples with cat-like grace. But Tasuki's mouth was suddenly wrenched away as Koji grabbed his friend and literally flipped him over so that he lay on his back across both Tomo's and Koji's laps. Tomo wasn't disappointed for long, since Tasuki quickly undid his trousers and began to suck on his semi-erect cock, running his tongue over the sensitive head several times before thrusting his head foward to engulf Tomo's entire shaft with his warm, moist mouth. Tomo threw his head back and put a long finger into his mouth to silence himself, his other hand clutching at the sheets. At the same time, Koji had reached down and grasped Tasuki's penis, and now stroked it rhythmically, his thumb tapping at the throbbing head and his other hand cupping the redhead's delicate balls. Seeing the reaction Tomo had to Tasuki's efforts, Koji leaned against the ex-Seiryuu till he turned his head, and then he kissed him deeply, slipping his tongue between his lips and teeth to duel with Tomo's tongue. All three men were fully fired up now, the only sound the occasional moan and the slap of tongues against damp flesh, all snide comments and petty jealousies forgotten.

Of course, good foreplay should've led to good sex, and no doubt Koji, Tasuki and Tomo would have made a nice three-way if Chichiri had not popped into the room unexpectedly with a loud "DAAAA!"

The Suzaku monk turned a deep shade of red as three male bodies suddenly began scrambling around on the bed and the sheets went flying. "AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! I'm sorry I'm sorry no da!!" he squeaked out loudly, and disappeared just as quickly as he had come in.

"What... what the hell was that about?" panted a ruffled Tomo, sticking his head out from under the blanket.

"I hate how he does that, damn it!" Tasuki yelled, punching Koji in the head as he began snickering from beneath the covers. "Your friends are funny but cute," said Koji in a muffled voice as he fended off Tasuki's attack, then he latched onto both Tasuki's and Tomo's cocks and began pumping his hands up and down on both of them.

"Uh... Koji..." moaned Tasuki, finding his resistance slipping away quickly.

"What, you didn't think a little thing like that would stop me, did you? Now shut up and enjoy it!"

Tasuki couldn't go against a order like that, especially since he could feel that certain euphoria rush from Koji's hand and into his body. "Ah, you're such a jerk Koji..."

"I know it... same goes fer you. But no one else is as good in bed as you..."

Tomo pouted a little. "What about me?"

"What about you freak boy?" said Tasuki with a huge grin.

"Heh, you wanna bet?"

"Yeah, I'm game." Both men turned to look at Koji, who was rapidly shrinking away under the blanket. "Uhhh....."

Tomo and Tasuki smiled at one another, then in near-unison said sweetly, "It's our turn now, Koji-chan...!"

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