Note:
These are not my original characters. This story does not follow the
traditional FY storyline and contains sexual innuendo and violence. Feedback is
always appreciated! E-mail me at [email protected].
Hope you enjoy this conclusion to my four-part miniseries.
Lost Memories
Part 4
By: A.J. Matthews
Nakago
lay the unconscious Chichiri down on his bed. He wouldn’t touch the boy for a
while. Chichiri had been hurt already, and Nakago hoped that he hadn’t hurt him
when he knocked him out. He removed the mask and caressed Chichiri’s soft, pale
face.
“You
belong to me now, Chichiri. I am the only one you will ever love.”
Nakago
looked up as Soi entered his room and froze when she saw Chichiri.
“You
found him, then?” she asked quietly.
“Hai.
And he will stay with me forever.” Nakago made sure she understood that
statement. “He is not to be harmed in any way, shape, or form.” He removed the
silk cords he’d placed in his room for just such an occasion. “We must bind
him, or he will try to escape when he wakes up.” Nakago thrust a rope at Soi,
and began tying Chichiri’s limp right wrist to the right post.
Soi
quietly began tying Chichiri’s left wrist to the left post. She moved on to his
feet when Nakago did the same. His feet were bound together, with a rope looped
around the baseboard.
Nakago
turned to Soi. “Let him rest.” Soi nodded and followed Nakago out of the room.
After
they had left, Chichiri continued to lie on the bed unconscious. He never moved
an inch.
“Damn it all, we have to go after Chichiri
right now.” Tasuki glared at all of the others. “Who knows what Nakago is doing
to him right now!” He paced around the room.
“We
don’t even know where to look,” Hotohori said. It had been a little over five
hours since Chichiri had been kidnapped, and they had not managed to find a
single clue as to where Nakago might take him. “Not even my parents knew where
Nakago might be.”
“This
is all my fault. Chichiri had told me somebody was after him; had been, for all
of his life. I should’ve been prepared.” Tasuki punched the wall hard.
“We’ve
looked everywhere.” Chiriko looked dejected as well as devastated.
“Hai.”
Mitsukake sounded defeated. Yui sat in a chair next to him. She hadn’t said a
word.
Tamahome
looked at Tasuki. “I’m sorry, shin'yuu.”
Nuriko
glared at all of them, except for Tasuki. “Are you all giving up!” he demanded.
They
shrugged. Without any clues, it seemed hopeless.
They
were all surprised when the doorbell rang.
Tasuki
stumbled over to the door and opened it.
Suboshi
and Amiboshi stood there, with Tomo standing next to them. Their eyes were
clouded over.
Part
of him tensed, yet Tasuki stood aside and let them enter.
“We
just wanted to tell you two- no, three things,” Amiboshi said.
The
three of them looked at the group they faced.
“First,
we didn’t know who we truly were. And even if it’s true, all the past life stuff,
I mean, we don’t care. We’re happy here, and don’t want to fight against you
any more,” Suboshi said.
“Second…”
said Tomo, brushing his long hair out of his eyes, “…we think Nakago is crazy.
We didn’t even really know him then and we don’t know him now. All he’s ever
done is used and manipulated us. We don’t want that anymore, either. Besides,
that was then.”
“Third,”
Amiboshi said earnestly. “We think we know where Nakago took your kareshi,
Genroe.”
Tasuki
flushed slightly when they called Chichiri his boyfriend. But he supposed it
was true. “Where?”
The
three exchanged looks. Amiboshi nodded.
“He
has a house by the famous Kyoto river,” Tomo said. “He took us there when he
told us everything. Soi, Muboshi, and Ashiteru are on his side.”
“Oh…”
Chiriko gasped.
“Thank
you,” said Hotohori. “You’ve risked your lives to tell us this. But you should
leave so Nakago doesn’t find out it was you who betrayed him.”
They
nodded. “We have to go now…” The three of them walked out of the open door.
Tasuki
looked at the others as the former Seiryuu Seven left.
Yue
cleared her throat. “Those were the ones always most loyal to me,” she said
softly, having remembered some of her past.
Miaka
and Tamahome were looking at each other, having remembered kissing.
Tasuki
growled, and stomped over to the door. He drew his tessen. “Lekka Shien!” A
bolt of fire shot at the others.
“Watch
it with that thing!” Mitsukake shouted. He’d almost gotten scorched.
“Are
you coming or not?” Tasuki demanded. “I, for one, will not abandon the one I
love to that bastard.”
“I’m
with you,” sang Nuriko. He stood up and walked over to Tasuki.
The
others stared at Tasuki openly for how he referred to Chichiri.
There
was a gleam in his eye that challenged any of them to say just one word about
it…
They
cleared their throats and stood up to follow Tasuki, as he and Nuriko ran out
of the apartment building, heading directly towards the Kyoto River. It was
nearing dawn.
Chichiri
could hear something going on around him.
“Inject
him before he wakes up fully, baka!” Soi exclaimed.
He
felt a needle prick his skin. Chichiri started to feel strange almost
immediately.
Nakago
entered the room and gestured for the others to leave. He sat down beside the
bed.
Chichiri
tried to turn his head, but discovered that he could barely move. “What have
you done to me, no da?” Even his voice sounded woozy. The whole room seemed to
be spinning around him.
So
he didn’t notice when Nakago took off his own outer and inner shirts.
“Lekka
Shien!” Tasuki burned down the wall to make a doorway. All of the others
followed him.
Soi
materialized in front of them and cracked her whip. “Have to get past me first,
boys…”
Hotohori
was stunned when a sword appeared in front of him. He grasped the sword. “Find
Chichiri, Tasuki. I want Nuriko, Tamahome, and Miaka to go with him to make
sure he isn’t stopped. Yui, Chiriko, and Mitsukake, assist me, please.”
Hotohori was stunned to find himself taking command, but decided to let it go
for now.
Soi
laughed at that. “You’d better make it quick, kid. Nakago’s with him right
now.”
Tasuki
growled and tore up the stairs, with the others right behind him.
Ashiteru
and Muboshi appeared.
Nakago
used his sword to cut away Chichiri’s shirt. The sword cut Chichiri, and he
looked around hazily.
“Tasuki?”
Chichiri whispered, hallucinating. “What’s happening, no da?”
“Nothing,”
said Nakago flatly. He started cutting at the rest of Chichiri’s clothes.
Panic
filled Chichiri at the moment, even with the influence of the drug.
“Tasuki!!!!”
he cried.
Tasuki
heard Chichiri scream his name and fall silent. “Lekka Shien!” He flamed both
of Ashitaru and Muboshi, and then ran past, slamming directly into the bedroom
door, which flew open.
Nuriko
and Muboshi starting fighting, while Tamahome and Miaka took on Ashitaru.
Nakago
knelt on top of Chichiri, tying the gag tightly. His hands began to slide down
Chichiri’s youthful body, which the drug had immobilized.
Chichiri
was crying, and called with his entire being: TASUKI!
A
brilliant red light surrounded him, and Nakago was forced to cover his eyes
from it.
“What
is that light!” he demanded
Tasuki
burst into the room. The same light glowed around him, and grew even brighter
as he saw what Nakago was doing to Chichiri and felt a burning rage come over
him.
“Hands
off my kareshi!!!” yelled Tasuki.
Nakago
only had time to look up before…
“LEKKA
SHIEN!!!” The flames that burst forth from Tasuki’s tessen sent Nakago flying
directly through the walls and into the lake.
Nakago
was badly burned. Luckily for him, he’d still had his pants on. Soi, Ashitaru,
and Muboshi ran out of the house as well. You have defeated me for today,
Chichiri, but I’ll be back for you again. I made a mistake in underestimating
your friends. I will come up with a new strategy. Then, you will be mine,
Nakago vowed, as they disappeared.
Tasuki
ran over to Chichiri. He used his tessen to break Chichiri free of the ropes,
and tore off the gag. Then he embraced him hard.
Tears
still ran down Chichiri’s face as Tasuki grabbed him in a hug. He leaned
against Tasuki, sobbing. His head rested on Tasuki’s chest.
Tasuki
stroked Chichiri’s hair and held him tight.
“Chichiri…
I was so afraid that…”
“Tasuki,
thank you.” Chichiri’s tears soaked Tasuki’s shirt.
Tasuki
saw that Chichiri’s clothes were ruined. He quickly tore off his shirt and
placed Chichiri in it. He looked Chichiri directly in the eyes.
“Chichiri,
did he…” Tasuki looked angry.
Chichiri
shook his head, his voice quavering. “If you hadn’t come when you did…” He
clung to Tasuki, shaken and sobbing. “He would have…”
“Never,”
Tasuki vowed. “I will always protect you.” He wrapped his arms around Chichiri
who seemed to be in having trouble focusing. His movements were sluggish.
“What’s wrong, Chichiri?”
“They
injected me with something, no da.” Chichiri started to shake.
Tasuki
scooped Chichiri up in his arms, holding him close. “Mitsukake can take care of
that. What do you say? Shall we go home, my kare?” Tasuki smiled at him softly.
And
then, Chichiri knew the difference between Tasuki and Nakago. Nakago was harsh,
unyielding, and demanding. Tasuki was gentle and asked first.
“Hai.”
Chichiri clung to Tasuki as he was carried down the stairs, and to their
friends.
“Are
you all right, Chichiri?” Hotohori asked gently. Chichiri was the
second-youngest person there, which made him seem all the more vulnerable. He
was also wearing Tasuki’s shirt, which went down to his knees.
“Hai,
Hotohori.” Chichiri had wiped most of the tears out of his eyes. “Tasuki saved
me just in time.”
Hotohori
looked closer and saw traces of tears on Chichiri’s face. He was trying to put
on a brave face, but he was obviously shaken and distraught. Hotohori looked
over at Tasuki, his beautiful eyes asking a silent question.
Tasuki
shook his head. He cradled Chichiri to him. “Mitsukake, can you get rid of the
drug they gave him?”
“I
can try, Tasuki.” Mitsukake walked over and placed a hand on Chichiri, who
ducked his head away for a few moments.
The
others shared looks of surprise. They looked at Chichiri, who pressed his face
into Tasuki’s chest. Tears began to trickle out of Chichiri’s eyes. The
droplets rolled down Tasuki’s chest.
“It’s
ok, Chichiri,” Tasuki whispered in Chichiri’s ears. “It’s just Mitsukake.”
Mitsukake
realized right then and there what Nakago had tried to do. He also looked at
Tasuki, his eyes asking the same question Hotohori’s had. From the looks the
others were exchanging- shock, horror, and anger, it was obvious that they
knew. They all looked at Tasuki, their looks asking…
Tasuki
shook his head again. The grim set of his jaw told all of them just how close
it had come. If he hadn’t gotten there when he did… Tasuki shook his
head and smiled down at Chichiri. It was Chichiri who needed him now.
Chichiri
lay sleeping in Tasuki’s bed. All of the others watched him sleep and heard the
little cries of pain that he made. Their lips tightened in anger.
Tasuki
lay on the bed with Chichiri, whispering comforts in his ears. His arms were
around Chichiri, because Chichiri had not been able to fall asleep alone. He’d
pleaded for Tasuki not to leave him alone.
Tasuki
looked over at the others.
“That
bastard will come back,” he said quietly. “Next time, I will be prepared.”
The
others stood around the room in various places. Because he was the shortest,
Chiriko was next to the bed. He gazed at Chichiri solemnly.
Miaka
looked at Chichiri with tears in her eyes. Yui embraced her close. They looked
at each other, and then watched Chichiri fretting in his sleep. Miaka felt as
if her heart would break.
“I
will not allow Nakago to have Chichiri,” said Hotohori softly. “If I must, I
will put guards around this apartment.” He watched the young boy sleep.
“And
neither will I.” Nuriko’s voice surprised them. He licked his lips and looked
up at them. Tears were in his eyes, which was strange. Nuriko never cried.
“Geez…
Nuriko,” said Chiriko. He was amazed to see Nuriko so upset.
“Don’t
you get it?” Nuriko said softly. “Remember how we was when we first met him?
Shy but happy. Look at him now. He’s too terrified to let even one of us near
him.” He turned a compassionate gaze on Chichiri, who still had a look of fear
in his face as he slept. When they had tried to talk to him, Chichiri had
hidden his face. His mask had not been found, which Tasuki personally felt was
for the best.
If
a hand was offered, Chichiri automatically shied away from it. The only person
who could touch him right now was Tasuki.
“He’s
right,” Tamahome said. “I say, if or when Nakago shows up again, we kick his
ass.”
The
others nodded in agreement.
Tasuki
let out a tiny giggle. He pressed his finger to his lip and gestured towards
Tasuki and Chichiri.
The
others gathered around, and when they did, everyone smiled in spite of
themselves.
Tasuki
had fallen asleep as well. Chichiri was cuddled close to his side, his head
resting on Tasuki’s bare chest. Both
now had little smiles on their faces.
The
others looked in each others eyes and nodded. They would do whatever it took to
keep these two alive.