Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Prologue

The cellar was quiet, lit only with the dying flame of torches. Their light flickered over the damp stone walls, casting long shadows on the wooden floor. The only sound was a drunken soldier slumped over the table snoring through his half-pinched nose. His abandoned cup had long ago rolled across the room. The cheap wine soaked into the panels, only adding to the alcoholic stench.

Not that Ashura could smell the dank air. Nothing like that would touch the God. It was only natural for human filth to avoid the high being. No disease nor dirt came near their skin. Even the robes dragging on the ground remain pure and clean, burning away the scum as they passed over. 

Ashura always had thought it was incredible what such pitiful creatures were capable of. The same species that built towering walls and lavish castles, that conquered the seas and mountains, also had hearts as black at night and cold as ice. Their own fear had caused much unnecessary despair. 

Take Asagi Manor itself. Just under beautiful halls and plush rugs there was the worst dungeon to end up in. Only those sentenced to death by dismemberment were held here. The wretched souls that came through these doors, begging for release that would not come, were high in number. 

Of course, that was what Ashura thrived on. The broken and bloodied whelps that made their way into the Nether, screams cut off by their shedding of physical form. Their sentence was never ending.

Ashura glared at the soldier blacked out in his chair. He was a warrior, was he not? He was in charge of keeping the dungeon door locked tight so no one could help those underground. The key to the heavy door hung loose from his neck, not even tucked under his chest plate. It was a wonder no ward had escaped Asagi Manor to this day. 

Shougo was known for running a tight guard. If the Lord were to know of this lapse…

Ashura grinned.

Perhaps they would put the soldier out of his misery? No, that was not their job, but his life would end very soon. Ashura bent low to study the pink face and heard war cries and screams. An image of blood and braids flickered across their eyes.

Yes, tonight his life thread would snap, though he would not end up in Ashura’s domain. Pity the only guilt he bore was failure at his profession. The man was otherwise upstanding and pious. He was saved from Ashura's wrath, but not from the tribe steadily approaching.

Ashura stood, leaving the man to his dreams. It was time to move on. 

The torches roared back to life as they walked down the twisting steps. Everything that could be scorched, lit behind Ashura. Although the flames tamed a certain distance behind, their mark would stay etched into the walls. The Red Sun burned all to the ground, though it had been years since they last had a Hand. That would change this night.

Ashura found the cell they needed in the deepest part of the dungeon. The thick wooden door was barred and chained in place. In the center was a large paper ward meant to prevent magic on the inside. 

They laughed lowly. The humans were trying very hard to keep this tortured boy repressed. For years, Ashura watched the situation, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Now, their warriors were at the city’s doorstep and the hatred radiating from the boy was ripe. In a few moments, the sun would burn crimson and the attack would begin. 

By then, this child would be free to roam.

Ashura lit the ward and melted the chains from the door. Although the door itself would take up to four humans to wrench open, their fire consumed it within seconds. This seemed an oversight, but it was assumed no God would go near the unholy twin.

The boy did not so much as twitch in response to the fire. He had been burned before. In fact, Ashura knew every pain the boy had been through for the 21 winters he had been alive. The child and his twin were locked away at the first sign of the Royal Curse.

While his twin merely showed signs of lunar healing, this boy was a Bridge. The day his mother died; her soul went through him to the Ether. It was a natural instinct for Bridges to guide souls right away before any evil festered. He had saved his mother's soul and nothing more.

To the untrained eye, the ability looked like he had absorbed it. The manipulation of the dead was something only a mage of the Sun Court could manage. This boy became the feared Warrior of Prophecy before his seventh winter. 

The boy hung with arms spread wide in an icebox of a cell. His feet hadn’t touched the ground in over a decade. Scars ran rivers over his paper skin, telling tales of whips and steel. He had not even been given the dignity of a loin cloth. It would have been a fire risk if he had had Solar Affinity like they believed.

Humans were foolish indeed.

The chill abated as Ashura entered, “Fai D. Fluorite.”

No response.

“I’ve come to make a deal, child.”

His eyes moved to look at Ashura through the blonde mess curtaining his face.

“Do you know who comes for you?”

He looked back to the ground, “Mage.”

Ashura hummed, “That would be something, but no. Search your royal education and try again.”

Fai took a dry breath, “A God?”

“Good boy.”

“Punish me and leave.”

Ashura stepped closer, “What makes you think I would harm you? Perhaps I want to free you.”

They felt the anger boil up as he glared, “Do not trick me. It will not work.”

“Such disrespect,” Ashura grinned, “Save that for the Moon Court.”

Fai glared harder at the floor, “A Sun God now? You’re too late.”

“I am never late,” they frowned, “You are treading on dangerous ground.” Ashura leaned down to look Fai in the eyes, “It is not my job to watch over Lunar Mages.”

Fai narrowed his eyes but did not say anything further.

“Your family is terrified that you will destroy them all,” they continued, “They saw your ability and thought you cursed, but Solar Magic does not come from thin air. Your family line is Lunar, and so are you.”

Fai clenched his fists and flexed his arms as much as he could, “They were wrong?”

“Somewhat, but I could make them right.”

Ashura watched the thoughts go through his head. How much did he want his family dead? What would he pay just to be free? Would it cost too much?

“What would you do?”

“Nothing, really. It’s what you would do,” they mused and stood tall once more, “I am Ashura.”

“God of the Nether.”

“Smart,” Ashura smiled, “You know what I want, then?”

“The guilty.”

“Like your family.”

Something lit up in Fai’s eyes, “You’ll help me kill them?”

“More than just them,” they cooed, “I will lend you power to defeat anyone in your way.”

Fai closed his eyes, “Do it.”

“Hm? You don’t want to know the price?”

“You said you wouldn’t do anything to me,” he challenged.

“I also said Sun Magic does not come from nothing,” Ashura said, “I can lend you my power for a small sacrifice. Then you can free your brother and take your revenge.”

“Do it!”

Ashura laughed, “Then I will take your voice, and you will be my Hand.”

Fai nodded in agreement.

Ashura released the chains, “I’m glad you agreed. Send me the guilty, but do not send the innocent. I have no time to sort through souls.”

Fai fell limp to the floor and hissed as the stone split his knees, "You-"

Ashura did not like to waste time and quickly grabbed his throat. Fai yelped as smoke and the smell of burnt skin and hair rose. When the God released him, a choker wove around his neck, under the nest of a beard, marking him for Ashura. 

Fai coughed and felt around his neck. No words escaped. Only the last few tears from being burned fell from his eyes. He struggled to stand and stumbled against the wall.

“Get your bearings and wreak havoc,” Ashura grabbed Fai’s arm and kissed his forehead. A crimson cloth wrapped around his body and formed a loose robe, “Make me happy, Fai. You would hate me angry.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

Yui knew something horrible was about to happen when the God strolled passed his cell. It was not a question of when or where, only of what. As his cuffs dissolved, Yui had a sick feeling that it involved his brother.

Yui pulled himself up and clung to the bars. The God did not look back even once. For a moment, he thought that the God may have freed everyone. He craned his neck to find his current companion, a thief scheduled for execution, still chained and asleep.

What had his brother done? Or what was being done to his brother? Would this be divine punishment or release? If the God was going to kill Fai, they could have been kind and killed Yui as well.

Yui tested the cell door, but it was still locked tight. Why did the God break his chains only to leave him trapped? It felt more like an oversight than a master plan. 

Was he meant to be freed or not?

“Dammit!” he cursed, words learned from years of criminal friendships, “What didja want me to do?!”

Yui closed his eyes and rested his head against the bars. There was not much he could do still caged. Maybe if he had any sort of magic training, he could bend the bars or break the lock. 

He sighed. All he could ever do was heal. The soldiers brought wounded or sick men to him weekly. It was his only chance to practice, and to bathe. He was kept clean shaven and near bald so as not to offend the high-ranking men he treated. 

Still, he was fed and caged like a show bear.

Come.

Yui heard a metal snap. He opened his eyes and gave the door a slight push. It loudly creaked open. The rust on the hinges chipped and whined with the unusual movement.

“Since when did a God listen to me?”

“What the Hell is all that noise?”

Yui slipped out of the cell and finally got a good look at his cellmate, “I’m out!”

“How the fuck?”

“Fucking magic!” Yui grinned and knelt down, “Gimme yer stump an' I’ll re-arm ya.”

“Gimme a wire with it an' I’m out, too,” he held out his handless arm.

Yui touched the arm and wove his magic into a flesh and blood hand, “Deal. Get the Hell outta here before the God comes back.”

“God?!”

"Stuff it!” Yui threw a forgotten wire at him, “Just get out.”

He sniffed, “No royal ev’r ordered me to do shit.”

Yui started towards Fai’s cell, “No royal here. Don’t blame me if ya get yer ass smited, ya old crook.”

“Hey! Where ya goin’?”

Yui did not bother answering him. There was no time to explain the voice in his head calling for him to run. Fai needed him now if they were to escape. He prayed for the first time in years that Fai would be alive and well.

He was only alive.

“F-Fai?”

Fai was in a wretched state. It was hard to believe Yui and he shared the same face. His blonde hair, once neatly trimmed and brushed, was a tangled mane nearly touching the floor. Its mats twisted with his beard, making it hard to tell which was which. Scars crisscrossed the skin that was visible, some old as the room itself, others so new they were barely clotted.

Yui knelt in front of him and hugged his skeletal frame. A waft of burnt skin hit his nose and he had to fight not to gag. His brother didn’t make a sound or move. His muscles were all but gone. What had their father sentenced him to?

Yui looked up and saw the chains hanging from two wheels on the stone ceiling. He followed them down to cranks on the wall. He did not have to see the cuffs to know they were there before the God had dissolved them. The picture was more than clear.

They even thought of his eventual growth.

“I’ve gotcha, Brother.”

Yui closed his eyes and focused hard on sending magic into Fai. Healing someone so badly wounded would sap him of energy, but there was no one he would rather give it to. He knit Fai’s scars back together and grew his muscle fiber by fiber. Yui wished that he could groom Fai, but it was not a necessity to run.

Fai slowly filled out, muscle growing on the bone. He reached to hold Yui and kissed him.

Enough.

Yui caught his breath and their positions reversed. He was already exhausted from his work, but Fai was looking far better than he had. Even if they were stumbling away together, they were still going away.

“Who” Yui breathed, “was that?”

The voice chuckled in his head, Me.

“Fuck,” Yui whispered, eyeing Fai, “That God…”

Ashura, Fai supplied and stood, Let’s go.

Yui took Fai’s hand and let himself be hoisted up. He faltered on his feet and leaned on the wall, “Where can we go?”

Fai did not respond. Instead, he ran out of the room, dragging Yui behind him. 

“Hold on!” Yui stumbled behind his brother. 

There was nothing he could do to stop the chaotic sprint. Even as they climbed the steps to the cellar, Fai did not slow down. He was in a clear rush, but Yui had no idea what to make of it. Did the God take his voice or did the guards? Was Fai bound to a mission now?

Yui knew enough about Ashura to know this was not a good sign. The God was known for only showing up to inflict tragedy on prosperous lands. Fai was likely a vessel for a new trail of suffering. His sweet, laughing brother from 15 years ago had nearly faded from Yui’s memory regardless, but the Fai pulling him through door after door was more of a stranger than he had ever imagined.

Yui kicked a forgotten stein and hissed, “Fai! What’s goin' on?!”

Freedom.

“Ya got a way with words,” Yui groaned and held on tighter to Fai’s hand.

He was getting his balance back as Fai busted open the cellar doors. They ran through the manor like they belonged in it. It was a relative’s and should have been bustling with servants and guards. Yui knew they patrolled the dungeon once every half hour. With them now running, a knight or two should have shown themselves as well. 

Yet, it was empty.

Yui caught sight of the outside world the first window they passed. It had been so long since he saw the sun, but he knew his memory would not lie to him this much. He skidded to a stop and pressed himself against the paned glass.

“What the fuck?!”

The city was soaked in red. Between the blood splattered walls and soaked streets, everything had shifted in hue. The sun itself was damp with the color. The same color dyed Fai’s robe.

Yui vaguely remembered entering this city 15 years prior. At the time, he was not entirely aware of his fate. He knew Fai had done something really bad and they were being sent away as punishment. The city walls loomed over their carriage as it rolled unevenly past the gate.

He remembered the whispering gossip most. The people were undoubtedly talking about the Unhappy Twins well before they were even called that. Still, all Yui could hear were curses and biting tones. Quickly, he had crouched beneath the barred windows and snuggled against his distraught brother. It was the last time he had seen the outside world.

It was a terrifying time for a child, no doubt, but the city was beautiful. The roads were fully cobbled, and the people were happy. It was what Yui always expected his father’s kingdom to look like. Celes was always a jewel of a country.

This was not the city of his memory.

Yui turned slowly to Fai, “What's happenin' out there?”

Black smoke poured from Fai’s mouth. It pooled in a cloud on the ground and swam its way over to Yui.

He wanted to run. Seeing it spill around Fai’s feet raised every hair on his body. This was more than unnatural. Yui had no recollection of magic like this in the books he had read as a child. Was this Ashura’s magic?

He gulped and remembered that he did not know much about anything other than masturbating and swearing. It could be that this was Fai’s magic all along and their parents were right about his curse. Yui could not remember much of what Fai did the day their mother died.

His brother tilted his head to the side innocently.

“Fai…”

The smoke wrapped around him, feeling more like a blanket than he expected. He was unsure if it would coddle or smother him. The cloud crawled up his legs like a serpent circling its victim. Yui did not dare move. It reached his neck and invaded his ears.

Ashura’s invaders are here.

Yui released a breath he only just realized he was holding. It was a clear voice now, speaking fully and easily. 

They will help us take our place. I don’t care about their war, but I will have Father’s head.

Yui furrowed his brow, “An' Shougo’s? The Queen? Uncle, Aunt, the youngsters we didn't meet?”

Fai took Yui’s hands in excitement, We will take them all to the Nether.

Yui forced himself not to step back. He did not know what he was expecting from his brother. They did not know each other anymore and Fai almost felt beyond his reach. Revenge for their lost time was a given, but all of their family?

Are you not joining me?

Yui snapped his eyes up. Could Fai read his thoughts? 

I hear you.

Yui clenched his fists trying to think what he wanted to do, “They were right 'boutcha, eventually.”

Fai looked out the window, Does that make you sad?

“I…” Yui squeezed Fai’s hands, “I dunno, but I won’t leave ya!”

Fai furrowed his brow, But, you’re scared of me.

Yui nodded, “I've no idea whatcha are, or whatchou’ll do to the world.” He motioned outside, “This's… terrifyin'.”

Fai pulled away, looking at the ground angrily, You don’t want them to pay? Look at what they did to us!

“I do want 'em to pay! I want 'em to kiss my ass an' beg!” Yui yelled back, “I won’t leave ya, no matter whatcha do. If the butchers out there are yer next move, I’m goin' too.”

Fai’s face eased. He stepped close to Yui and pulled him in for a bear of a hug. The strength of it squeezed the air out of his lungs. He was sure Fai had not been that strong only minutes ago. 

Fai let go, probably reading Yui’s mind again. He took Yui’s hand again, Let’s leave.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

Kurogane was not a King. He had no knights, nor lords and ladies. There were no refined palates and silk gowns, no balls and lutes. The fair skinned royalty of Celes would never see him as an equal.

Kurogane was a Chief. He was a warrior who belonged in battle, soaking the dirt with his enemy's blood. He would never hide in a high place while his brethren fought his war. Only cowards led from a comfortable throne.

Sparks flew as his sword clashed with another. They quivered, locked in place for only a moment. Kurogane smirked and let the sword slide down his own. He knew Ginryuu would not chip with such a move. It was the stronger of the two. The sparks singed his hand, but the hilt caught the broadsword before it could slide through his fingers. With it out of the way, he gave a solid punch to the soldier's face.

The wielder was talented, he could tell, but talent was not enough. He was barely trained and likely a farmer forced into the ranks. His boiled leather armor was more than enough of a clue. This was a rich country, rich enough to have full plated armor and bred stallions, but the soldiers fighting now were merely fodder for the knights that could afford better.

Kurogane felt a pang of pity as he ran the teen through his heart. It was as much mercy as he was capable of. He was young, but still an enemy keeping him from his stolen sister. 

He stepped heavily on the dying boy and pulled his sword out in one swift motion. The boy coughed out his last breath, but Kurogane paid no mind. This was war. The untrained would always die first.

Kurogane did wonder if his soul would go to Ashura. Was he an innocent child? He was certainly young, but Kurogane had been cruel at 14 when he screamed out his first battle cry. 

His first battle was against another tribe under the Red Sun. His father was on a streak of merging most if not all the wandering tribes. He needed them to get Tomoyo back from a far greater military force. His father left the quest in his elder sister's, Kendappa's, hands, who nearly three years ago left it to Kurogane.

A leather clad woman skidded to a stop beside him, "The elite have pulled back."

Souma was one of the many warriors they picked up from other tribes. She was fast as wind and good at blending into shadows. Her status as one of his advisors was hard fought since they were both young. Her status as his sister-in-law was unrelated.

"The dungeons?"

"Under the manor," she cleaned a knife on her bracer, "Asagi is at its doors with the knights."

Kurogane grinned, "Someone important is down there."

They were attacking this city after hearing a rumor Asagi Manor had a very special dungeon for very special criminals. It was a decent bet that if Tomoyo was being held in prison, she would be there. Even so, he could hardly imagine the Valeria line imprisoning a child, even a foreign one.

So who exactly was down there?

"How many are there?"

"Asagi, and five knights."

"All of them," Kurogane thought aloud as he slashed at an incoming soldier, "Fuuma, Kamui, Caldina, and Ferio."

Souma nodded, "I'll tell them."

Kurogane started to push towards the manor. He only needed who he called for, but any other of his people noticing his advance could easily join or hold off the low ranks. Some fell in behind him to protect his back as he thought. They were all trained well, unlike their enemies. 

When would they learn that numbers weren't enough? All their might and money went into the few generals. He had heard the closer to the capitol they got, the better army they had, but Asagi was known to have a strong defense. 

This was a farce.

Kamui was the first to join Kurogane. That was no surprise since he was a mage. If he needed to blow a hole through a crowd, he only needed to hold out his hand.

"Is she down there?" Kamui knocked a few soldiers back.

"Maybe. Whoever's down there they want to stay down there either way."

He knelt and felt the ground, "We don't have to go through them to get in the tunnel system."

"No," Kurogane agreed, "But I don't want the 'lord' to survive."

"Of course not," Kamui said with a particular edge in his voice.

Mages generally preferred stealth or range. The Monou Tribe had relied on keeping enemies away from their mages in battle. Kurogane had to wait to merge them until he had the numbers to get by the tough defensive line.

Under the Suwa Tribe, they all learned a weapon or hand to hand so they could be in the middle of any battle. Even if they did stay away, they would be ready to defend themselves.

Kurogane walked past the soldiers Kamui had downed, "Complaints?"

Kamui glared, "None."

He sidestepped a sword and prepared to attack. The soldier fell to the ground and started stabbing the cobble like Kamui had fallen with him.

They both turned their attention forward.

Caldina snapped the soldier’s neck from behind and ran over to Kurogane, "Not even slightly impressed?"

Kurogane shrugged, "You tried it on me before."

Caldina was from the last tribe they merged with, Cizeta Tribe. They were only after Monou Tribe because they were all slippery bastards. They did not even battle for the merge in the end. Caldina asked for a one on one with Kurogane. Her illusions were powerful, but only visual. Once he had his eyes closed her steps were all he needed to find and pin her.

Kamui agreed, "Anyone slightly attuned to magic could see through it."

"Wanna test me, brat?"

"Daily, hag," he hissed back.

Caldina looked like she was about to lunge for him.

Kurogane whistled and yanked them both to a stop. A body crashed just in front of them, sword slamming on a slightly better armored soldier. He might have been trained better or was a merchant's son. Either way, chainmail hardly works when your opponent comes crashing out of the sky with a sword nearly the length of your body.

"Ah, these boots feel great!"

Fuuma was a past Chief of the Monou Tribe. While many of the Chief's refused to bow down to new authority, he had surrendered on urging from Kamui. They made a great pair in battle, and Fuuma always had items Kamui enchanted in his spare time.

"Those aren't toys," Kamui rolled his eyes, "They don't last forever."

"You could have killed us!" Caldina crossed her arms.

"Where's Ferio?" Kurogane cut in before they could squabble anymore.

Fuuma hefted the sword over his shoulder, "Ahead. You know he likes to finish quick."

"Kamui, can you?"

"Can I what? Clear a path and still stand?"

"And fight," Kurogane clarified.

Kamui flexed his hands, "I won't be able to do much after, but yeah."

The others took positions out of Kamui's way. Kurogane gave a long and loud whistle. The warriors who heard locked their eyes on Kamui and booked it out of the way. No one wanted to be caught in his attack.

Kamui threw back his cloak and rolled his wrists. His power began energizing the air. Raising his arms, he shot the power forward. Soldiers were knocked either way like a parting sea. One unfortunate leather clad man was ripped in half from the force of standing in its middle. 

Kamui fell to his knees and sucked in a breath. 

Kurogane once thought magic was an infinite power. He incessantly asked his father to train mages for battle. It was not until he fought the Monou that he knew the truth.

While it was infinite, the amount of power that could be stored or used at any given time was limited by the skill of the mage. A novice may use it up too quickly and pass out in the middle of the battlefield. Kamui was no novice. The Monou trained mages from birth to monitor and use their magic properly. As such, Kamui knew his limits near perfectly.

Fuuma gripped Kamui's shoulder as he passed, "Perfect."

Kamui swatted his hand off and stood again, "Let's go before Ferio kills himself."

They ran as a group through the cleared path. The deeper in the city they got, the quieter it became. The soldiers were at least doing a decent job containing the battle. Maybe that was Asagi's secret technique.

Kurogane came to a halt a few feet from the manor steps. Like Souma had reported, the knights and Shougo's Asagi himself were waiting with weapons drawn. Ferio looked like he had already been pushed back. There was little else to do but ready their own. 

“About damn time,” the swordsman ground out.

"Kamui, pick a partner and-"

The doors blew open with incredible force. A couple knights stumbled forward by the wind alone. Kurogane was surprised the hinges held steady as splinters broke off.

Two men stood in the open doorway, both clearly worse for wear. One was nearly hairless and in a tattered prison tunic. The other had hair down to the floor mixed in with a ragged beard. His robe peeked out behind it and was a deep crimson. Not something a prisoner would be given. 

Were they what Asagi was hiding? Clearly the robed one was powerful, maybe more than Kamui with the way he threw out his magic. Either that or he was new to his power.

Asagi immediately turned his back to them. That spoke volumes to Kurogane. Those two were enemies of Celes, and dangerous ones. Even the knights tightened the grip on their swords in hesitation.

The robed man lifted his head. The glare from his showing eye was tangible. It changed from blue to a glowing yellow the moment he laid eyes on Asagi. Black smoke slipped out of his mouth making the Celes knights take a step back. 

Kurogane put the pieces together. Crimson robe, slitted yellow eyes, immense power, and escaping during the Red Sun. He would stake his life on the choker being hidden behind the beard.

This was Ashura's Hand.

Asagi raised his blade even as the smoke snaked around him.

Kurogane thought the hand could probably handle one man, but he threw his sword at the man's back anyway. It hit Asagi square in the back but did not go deep enough to kill him.

"Protect the Hand!" Kurogane shouted.

The knights were in motion towards the two men even though he had just attacked their Lord. They wanted the Hand dead come Hell or high water. Kurogane could not let that happen, even if he had to die for it.

His team moved faster than the metal clad knights could. 

Ferio smashed his sword against one’s side, denting the chest plate. The knight dropped his sword and skidded down the stairs. Ferio was already on to the next foe before he hit the last step.

His skill came with speed, something that was not obvious with the size of his curved sword. The metal itself was from the mountains his tribe called home. It was lighter than anything Kurogane knew, but just as tough as Ginryuu. If Ferio needed, he could go one handed and still shred through enemies.

Ferio’s only weakness was his want for peace. If he could avoid a battle, he would stay behind.

Kamui, no longer able to throw his magic out, ran right next to Fuuma. Using an opening, he touched the helm of one knight and shattered it. Just after his hand pulled away, Fuuma sliced through his head.

The three left stumbled backwards. Kurogane glanced back to see Caldina focused forward, sweating with effort. He would have to remember to thank her later. 

The hilt of his sword was the only thing sticking out of the smoke. He yanked it free and stabbed through the gap at the closest knight’s arm pit. He shouted and fell down the stairs. Kurogane was sure his blade hit his heart. The fresh blood on the blade told him how deep it went.

The other two were handled quickly while Kurogane watched the large cloud of black smoke. He didn’t want to try entering it. There was something deep in his gut telling him he would not make it out alive. Even the other man with the Hand had fell backwards from it.

Kurogane knew the Hand was still alive. The smoke would be gone otherwise. That meant one of two things: either the Hand was taking his time, or he did not know how to kill Asagi.

The smoke scattered to the wind. The Hand had taken his time choking the lord. Asagi’s body fell on its side, eyes red and bulging from their sockets. His mouth was frothing, well, had been frothing before the last of his air was expelled. His face was set in fear and surprise. 

With how fast the Hand had appeared and taken what might have been his first kill, Kurogane would have done the same.

The Hand looked at him first, ignoring the rest of his chosen team. Smoke dribbled from his mouth in a thin stream and reached for Kurogane’s ears.

He did not bother running or showing fear. Ashura would not let anyone else kill him before they did.

Who are you?

“Kurogane, Chief of the tribes under the Red Sun. You?”

Fai.

Kurogane glued his eyes to where the choker marking him would be.

Fai’s eye narrowed at the doubt but made an opening through his hair to show it.

Ferio let out a long breath and looked away. He probably hated the idea of serving under Ashura’s Hand. It meant more war and more bloodshed, everything he wanted to avoid.

Kurogane, however, smirked and sheathed his blade, “Welcome to the tribe. Who’s he?”

Fai took a step in front of the stranger, My brother.

“He’s welcome, too.”

And safe? Fai looked at the others in suspicion. 

“On my life, no one will kill him.”

It was quite the stupid promise to make. Ashura took those things very seriously, and anyone could go rogue, or an accident could happen. Kurogane said it, and meant it, but the risk was high. He hoped Fai was aware of that and would join them.

Fai stared him down with his visible eye, I’ll kill you myself if he’s harmed.

Kurogane snorted, “You won’t need to.”

He turned to his warriors, “This is Ashura’s Hand, Fai, and his brother…”

Yui.

“Yui. I’m taking them to camp. Gather the others and finish the battle. Should be easy now.”

Fai grabbed Yui’s hand and stepped over the corpse he easily made to follow Kurogane. Yui, on the other hand, shied away from the blue body. A gentle tug from Fai made him purposefully go around it.

Yui spoke in a foreign language to Fai. It was hushed and worried. The only indication Fai was responding was the smoke snaking into Yui’s ears, something he clearly was not comfortable with.

“He’s skittish.”

Kurogane felt Fai’s glare on his back, but he had not expected any less.

I’m not here to chat.

Yui shook Fai’s arm urgently and spoke more.

Fai looked annoyed and shook his head. 

Yui urged him more and finally left his brother’s side to walk next to Kurogane.

The chief raised his brow and stopped walking, “What?”

Fai looked away angrily.

Yui sighed at his brother and reached out to touch Kurogane.

He grabbed his hand before Yui could touch his wounded arm. Kurogane had no idea why the man wanted to touch his cut, but assumed it was something stupid by the way Fai reacted.

Yui stuck out his tongue. Before Kurogane could respond in any way, a soft warmth spread through him. The nicks and bruises of the battle melted away, cuts sealing themselves like a tightly sewn hem.

That was a stupid thing to do.

Kurogane let go of his hand, “Thanks.”

Fai, the Hand, and Yui, the healer. They were as opposite as their hairstyles, and their suspicion. 

If you say anything-

“I doubt I’ll even get the chance.”

Fai snapped his head to Yui. They went back and forth as they continued to walk around at the edges of the fighting. The brothers were annoyingly unaware of the fact they were still on a battlefield as they argued. Kurogane had to force himself not to yell.

Kurogane only knew that he had to get them both out safely regardless of their own self-preservation. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

Why did … heal…?

Yui groaned. Fai had been nagging him nonstop in broken sentences. He claimed they owed the chief nothing and he should have kept his ability secret. At least he finally asked about it.

“He saw us an' helped us. I paid 'im back.”

I work … God. … didn’t have … choice.

“He stuck a sword in Shougo’s back-”

… had to-

“So I healed ‘im,” Yui finished, “Like fer like.”

He … use against …

“Use against me? You’d kill ‘im for it, right?”

Yui gave a pointed stare. He could not get the aftermath of Fai’s rage out of his head. He had gathered that their relative tortured Fai, maybe for all 15 years. His death was justified, but the blue, frothing body would not leave his mind. It was terrifying.

Fai looked like he had more to say. He huffed, No one else.

“That’s my choice.”

Yui!

“Look,” Yui snapped, “My friends are thieves an’ killers. I know exactly what happens when ya trust an asshole. I’m not stupid an' ya can’t tell me what to do.”

Fai probably would have shouted if he could. His frustration was evident in his body language. He had tried to pull his hair back the moment they were alone, but it was impossibly knotted.

Yui got off the bed and rummaged through some baskets.

What are … doing.

“I’m gettin’ a knife.”

Why?

“I’m cuttin’ yer damn hair so I can see yer face.”

Doesn’t matter.

“Yeah, it does,” Yui turned back to him, “Hair’s heavy, an' it can’t be comfy. I’m gettin’ it off. I ain’t a barber but I’ll do my damndest.”

Barbs?! Fai grabbed his hair and moved back.

“Not… no,” Yui fisted the top of the basket. Fai knew of barbs, but not barbers. Suddenly, Shougo’s body did not make him feel so nauseous.

“Barbers cut hair for money with scissors, not barbs.”

Scissors … hair.

“But we don’t have any. We might have a knife.”

Fai jumped up on the bed the second the tent flap moved. It scared Yui half to death, but he supposed it was better than not being prepared.

“Oh? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Yui slowly turned towards the familiar language. It was accented, but more than understandable. He had not expected anyone to speak Celesian.

The woman was tall with flowing black hair. Unlike the pelt and leather fashion of the warriors, she was draped in brightly colored wool. Even with the danger of Fai eyeing her, she grinned.

“Uh… S’okay,” Yui took Fai’s hand to pull him back down to sit, “Whatcha want?”

“Kurogane told me you both would be needing my assistance,” she pulled out a pair of scissors from her pocket, “I have clothes for you, as well.”

Not her.

Yui frowned, “Let 'er cut yer hair.”

No.

“She’ll do a better job than me.”

No!

Yui stood up, “I’ll change first. He’ll come ‘round.”

Fai grabbed his arm and pulled him back, No. 

“What did I just say? Ya can’t tell me what to do. My shirt’s gross, and I want fresh,” Yui turned to the woman, “There a river close by?”

“Yes, it’s just outside the camp. I can take you there.”

Fai wrapped himself around Yui’s arm, Please.

“Come with us. We can get that hair off.”

Don’t trust.

“Ya work fer Ashura. They don’t have a choice, remember?”

The woman hummed, “It’s alright if he stays here. I don’t want to force him to go anywhere he doesn’t want to.”

Yui eyed her, finding himself respecting her clever mind, “Yer right. I’m leavin’ with…”

“Kendappa, though the tribe calls me Amaterasu.”

“Kendappa. I’m goin’ to the river. Ya comin’ with or not”

Fai crossed his arms and huffed, I’m staying here.

Yui sighed, “Fine.”

He followed Kendappa out. Before they made it a yard from the tent, the flaps opened, and Fai caught up to them.

“Gladja could join us.”

Yui laughed at Fai’s silence. He was not sure if his brother wanted to protect him, or if the thought of being clean urged him. Yui was glad either way. He wanted Fai to feel a little more human and this would definitely help.

The river was fairly close, as their guide had said. With her leading them, the tribe had stayed back as well. So, the trip was made all the quicker.

Yui wadded in until the water covered his hips before peeling off his tunic. With new clothes behind him, he let the fabric float downstream. He hoped he would never see it again.

Fai, on the other hand, had no reservations about revealing himself to the lady. He struggled to figure out the belt, but once it was off, the robe slipped down his body. At least his hair was covering his private bits.

He sat in the grass and looked at her. There was silence between them, and Fai was looking very frustrated by it.

He snapped his eyes to Yui, Cut it.

Could he not talk with her?

"He says ‘cut it.’"

Kendappa grinned and took her basket with her. She sat behind him and got to work.

Yui winced at the sharp sound of her shearing through his hair. Even as she cut through strands, they stayed tightly wound together. 

Fai scowled, She's pulling!

"D'ya see how much hair ya have? A sword'll have trouble gettin’ through that shit," Yui knelt to dip his head under the water.

No pulling!

Yui popped out of the water and rubbed his hands over the uneven peach fuzz on his head. The water was washing away all of the dirt on his body and it felt so much better than the jailer's cloth wipe downs.

"He says yer pullin’ too much."

Kendappa hummed, still wearing an ominous grin, "I'm almost through it."

This isn't worth it.

"Trust me, it is," Yui sighed.

Kendappa snipped through the last of the mass. It crunched the grass behind Fai, and she chuckled at his scurrying. He was quick to get away from her.

"Do you feel better?"

Fai felt his much shorter beard and hair. His bangs were still out of control, but the majority of his mats were limp on the ground.

Yes.

Yui laughed hard, "He said 'yes' with as much venom as a viper!"

"Good!" she set out a jar of oil, "I need to put this on your hair."

Fai shook his head violently.

She sighed mockingly, "I'll have to shave you bald then."

Fai glared hard, W hat is it?

Yui was curious too, but he knew a better question to ask, "What's in it?"

"Oil and eggs. It will help loosen up your hair, so I don't have to shave it all."

Fai looked to Yui. He probably did not know if those were safe or not. 

Yui nodded his approval, "There anythin’ else 'e'll need?"

Kendappa pulled out another jar, "Water, scented oil, and lye. It will wash out the conditioner."

Lye stood out in his mind. It was a poison if ingested, but he vaguely remembered a whore house owner talking about different soaps. He had been taken in when the King was cracking down on prostitution. Yui assumed that law had not lasted long, as the man was freed before the moon cycle finished.

Yui nodded again, "'Kay, but... Fai, let ‘er shave yer beard."

Fai eyed the scissors in the basket, No.

"She don't use scissors fer that."

Kendappa rummaged through the basket, "I would use a razor."

Fai's eyes flew wide, No!

"I can do it fer ya," he said, "That way ya don't gotta wash the beard."

Yui did not want to take the chance of Fai swallowing the soap and getting sick. He also did not want to mention what lye was. If he was ever going to trust these people, he had to have no bad experiences from them.

Yui was banking on them being trustworthy.

Fai scratched at his face, Do I have to?

"D'ya want ’er rubbin’ shit on yer face?"

Fai hung his head, Do it all.

"Huh? Sure," Yui said, "Mind if I do the rest?"

"Of course, I'm surprised you know how to shave," she packed up the basket and handed it off to Fai.

"Guards got tired of 'tidyin' me up,'" he shrugged, "Ya can see I fucking suck at it."

"Well, there is a cream in there to help you. Go slow so you don't cut him. I’ll leave you to it and be back in a bit."

Yui knew he could heal him either way, but less pain was always better. He held out a jar of cream to make sure it was right. After a silent confirmation and Kendappa taking her leave, he popped the top off and started rubbing it into the scraggly beard.

"Now ya gotta hold still for me."

Yui tested the sharpness on his thumb. He could tell it was better maintained than the one he had always used. If he was careful, Fai would not be nicked. He was almost jealous of Fai getting such a luxury but stomped it down with the fact that this was Fai’s first luxury.

Yui started with Fai’s right cheek. He pulled the skin taut and made quick, short strokes down it. Like his hair, the beard stayed matted together. He hardly had to wipe the blade. 

His shaving was not the cleanest, but now he could see Fai’s face properly.

“Okay, let’s get yer hair cleaned. Get in the river.”

Fai looked at his reflection in the water while Yui massaged the conditioner as deep as he could.

“Like whatcha see?”

Fai poked the water, making ripples distort the image, We still look the same.

“Well, sure. We never stopped bein’ twins.”

Did you hate me?

Yui felt there was no need to lie, “Yeah, fer a while. But it wasn’t yer fault.”

I am the reason you were taken.

“Nah, that was dad’s choice. Hell, maybe it was fate. Can’t really fight that.”

Fai frowned, When did … come to that?

Yui tried to think when it was. His life was all a blur only timed by the friends he had at any given time. He remembered the man that taught him to let go.

“I dunno how to give ya a time. A friend a’ mine put my head on straight and taught me… a lot.”

Like?

“Like how to have a good fuckin’ night,” he sighed.

The memories soaked into his mind and comforted him. Nights talking and masturbating together, only the wall separating them. A deep voice moaning behind him. 

Good thing he was in cold water.

“It’s startin’ to loosen up.”

You won’t have to shave it?

“I don’t think so? We should prolly let it sit for a bit. Soak away the dirt fer now.”

Fai found a shallow spot to sit and wait. He splashed his hands in the water and looked over his scars. Yui had done a decent job getting him ready to run. There was nothing open or hurting, but the scars still ran deep. 

“Do ya want ‘em gone?”

He looked at one scar that ran up his arm, … don’t know.

“I can get rid of ‘em. Anytime.”

That’s … waste.

“S’not to me,” Yui insisted, “Ya don’t want me healin’ anyone else anyway.”

I don’t want … hurt …

“You don’t wanna be hurt?”

Fai frowned, Hurt you.

Yui made his way over to his brother and took his hands, “If there’s anythin’ I learned in prison, it’s that no one hurts a healer. They coulda killed me, tortured me, beat me, but they needed my magic more.”

Your … saved you? Fai bunched his eyebrows together.

“As much as it damned you,” Yui admitted.

He finally slicked Fai’s bangs back. His hand froze at the sight of his left side. It was scarred far more heavily than the right. Worst of all, the telling scars on his eye lid made Yui felt sick. No doubt the socket was empty. They had to have had healers keep him living through the shock of it.

Yui? Fai took his shaking hand.

Yui blinked himself back into the moment, “Fai… Do ya want yer eye back?”

Fai felt his lid, Do I need it?

He swallowed, "You'll... see better."

Fai nodded and closed his good eye, Do it.

Yui ran his thumb over the scarred lid. It took him a second longer to remind himself how to heal it. He watched his soft light smooth over Fai's skin. The socket bulged out to match his right, and Yui took the worst of his facial scars away.

Fai blinked open both eyes but squinted against the light of the sun, I can't ... at all.

Yui tried to find a small laugh, "They'll adjust. Give it a minute."

Fai found his reflection in the water again. He let his head fall to the side and fingered through his hair.

He scowled, Gross.

Yui did chuckle at that, "Yeah, yeah. Lemme put a comb through it first."

Fai inhaled sharply at the first knot, That hurts!

"No shit. I told ya she'd be bett'r at this."

Fai snarled and snatched the comb away, Shave it!

"After all this work yer gonna make me shave it?"

I didn't ... cut!

Yui reached for the comb but Fai slipped away from him, "Come on! It'll only hurt the first time!"

Fai stuck out his tongue and took off to the other side of the river. He stumbled over a rock and slipped under the water. 

Yui was quick to haul him out and grab the comb, "Ya can't drown yerself to get outta this!"

He turned back to the shore and dragged Fai behind him. At some point, Kendappa had returned but her laughter did not deter him. Yui made Fai sit in a shallow spot and got back to work.

"Now sit still!"

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

Fai frowned from his spot on Kurogane's steed. They had been waiting for far too long and he was growing restless. It might not have been so bad if he had had company in the tent for the past two weeks, but Yui was insistent on learning Japanese. 

Fai thought it was meaningless to learn from these people. Kurogane had done nothing but try to drag him out of his tent for training. It had seemed ridiculous. What training would he need with the powers of a God?

Now Fai wished he had at least taken him up on the riding offer. If he could ride a horse by himself, he would already be in the town. Rondart would get away at this rate.

He glared over his shoulder.

"Don't give me that. We need to wait for Ashura's blessing."

Fai huffed and scanned the town again. There was little movement so early in the fields. A few men were readying their horses for a day of work, but the rest of the households were asleep. He had expected more to be working as the sun rose, but it was a relief to see any.

It meant they had not been spotted yet.

Fai tightened his fists on his robe. This was taking too long. He would die of old age before they ever reached the capitol. It already took the tribe several months to reach the outer city he was imprisoned in. That pace was infuriating.

Finally, he felt it. A small fissure opening in his mind. It flooded him with a familiar power. The same feeling from their escape welled in him.

Fai's eyes flickered to the sun rising in the East. Crimson filled the orb from bottom to top. From his vantage, he could easily see the edge of the red hue. Fai had assumed the sun ran red for everyone, but it was only a pocket that was dyed. It was only where they were fighting.

"Get ready," Kurogane muttered and pushed him forward on the saddle.

Fai scowled over his shoulder in time to see the warrior beat his chest. A solid thump sounded out. It was by no means loud, but it did give away the wood that was encased by leather. The armor did not seem all that protective.

The next beat was louder as the surrounding warriors joined in rhythm. Each strike sounded louder and faster until there was a cacophony of vicious knocks.

A deafening roar made Fai cover his ears. He had never heard a man be so loud. The knocking was replaced by cries from the whole army. It was like their lungs were infinite. 

Mid scream, Kurogane spurred his horse forward, beginning the charge. Fai almost fell off because he had no warning. The only thing keeping him steady was Kurogane's free arm.

Once Kurogane had finally quieted, Fai sent a thin tendril to his ear, What in the world was that?

"War cry, and it doesn't get much quieter from here."

Ashura should have left me deaf instead.

Kurogane laughed harshly as they passed the outer farms, "Get used to it."

Fai shifted to crouch on the horse using his abilities for balance, Don't give me orders.

He ignored Kurogane's protests and jumped to the first thatched roof he could. Fai had no interest in fighting for their lost princess. He only needed one man.

Smoke soaked through the roof and into the house. A family was huddled next to the fire crying. The mother shushed her child and bit her lip to stay silent as smoke enveloped them.

The parents were pious. Any guilt they may have harbored was striked clean with their morning prayers to Sakura. It was little wonder their crops were so prosperous with the God of Nature on their side.

He moved on, jumping house to house for information. The tribe's army was already wreaking havoc in the streets. Most of them abandoned their horses for foot combat against Rondart's battalion. It was a good cover for Fai.

His attention was caught by a man fleeing down a muddy road too small to fight in. Fai's smoke cocooned him in an instant.

He was just a farmer trying to run home. There was nothing he could tell about the master of the house.

Fai tried to pull away, but his body ignored him. The man was running from his mistress’s home. Sakura's people prayed with the sunrise each day, but this man had been too busy sneaking out a window as his mistress's fiancé questioned her nudity. 

She was equally guilty. Two souls for Ashura to steal away before they could repent. 

No. Fai did not need to bother with commoners having a tryst. He only cared about Kyle Rondart, and those that protected him. 

Fai forced himself away only to be yanked back to the man.

Take them.

Fai grit his teeth. Why now of all times did Ashura have an order for him? He was busy enough as it is and had now time to deal with this.

TAKE HIM.

The voice rang louder than the war cry had. It reverberated in his head, bouncing off the walls in his skull endlessly. 

Fai grabbed his head and let out a silent cry. He lost his footing and slid into the alley with the man. Writhing in the mud, he saw the man trying to find his way out of the smoke.

The sound left his head as soon as he made his decision. Fai stood and blew the mud off his body with Ashura's magic. It was not his and he was just reminded of that fact. 

He took strong strides up to the man and took him by the throat. Smoke flew in every place it could, drying the man until he was mummified with the horrified look still on his face. The dirty soul went through Fai to his God.

There was still another he needed to take before Ashura would be pleased again. The smoke cleared and he was in a room with the woman and her fiancé.

To his credit, the fiancé stepped in front of her in protection. It would not help, but he was brave.

Fai raised his hand and the cloud moved around the fiancé to the guilty woman. For her betrayal and lies, he snapped her neck with a twist of his hand. 

Just like that, two souls were sacrificed to the Nether and Fai was free to move on. 

With another puff, he was on a roof closer to the manor. No one had told him where the master would be escaping. There could be any kind of tunnel or hidden route. He had no time to search aimlessly through the manor.

Fai jumped down to the fighting. He landed in front of Kurogane and brought his opponent to his knees. The wind of Kurogane's blade passed by his ear.

Where is your master?

The soldier was a terrified child compared to the others he saw. It did not matter to him. This child had the information he needed.

Fai dug into his mind and pulled the route out of his memory. Then, he shoved the unconscious soldier to the side.

Kurogane stabbed through the slits between the chest plate and shoulder guard of another heading for Fai.

"Are you insane?! I almost killed you!"

Fai smirked and surrounded himself in smoke, Imagine the punishment for that, Kurogane.

He puffed into a long tunnel. It was underground, but, true to Valeria's extravagance, was floored, paneled, and lit with wall sconces. Fai looked both ways. The lamps were lit just before Rondart arrived in the area. He had to figure out which way the envoy was heading. 

The smoke flew both ways, finding no doors, stairs, or people for a long way. Were they already out? Where was the entrance? How far along in the tunnel was he?

Fai bit his lip, spreading it out further. There had to be some clue somewhere. They could not have moved so quickly unless they anticipated the attack.

Finally, he hit a door to his right. It led into the manor. Rondart would be heading the other away, but this was as far as that soldier had ever been. From here on it would be a mystery. Worse still, the path ahead had a fork.

It was then that Fai realized he could only go places he knew of. He called the smoke back with a scowl and sent himself to the first fork. It was lit either way, making Fai grit his teeth harder.

How had Rondart moved so quickly in so little time? He had no magic or status that would warrant a house mage. The cave system was more elaborate than he deserved. Perhaps the rumors of his hidden status were true after all.

Fai spread the smoke again, jumping to new areas and pulling away from dead ends. It was tiring him out quickly. He wiped his brow and continued forward.

Then, he saw something. A cart was moving fast on a track ahead of him. Fai thought he could have followed them easily if he had seen the track earlier, but he had Ashura’s magic behind him. It did not matter how clever this system was if he was faster.

Fai popped as far in front of the carriage as he could see and cut the lines holding the horses in. He wrapped the smoke around it and splintered the thing to pieces as the horses continued past him. 

The occupants flew the opposite way with the force of the magic. There were three soldiers on the ground along with Rondart. One looked fancier than the rest. Was he the knight in charge of the soldiers? Why was the coward fleeing?

Fai stepped around the debris and tried to reach his target. The night was quick to his feet and tackled him to the ground. The smoke blew him off, but another soldier swung a sword before he could get up.

He rolled out of the way and pushed himself to his feet. The third soldier was up along with Rondart in the back. The only good news was that Fai was blocking the exit.

Rondart snarled, “He’s the cursed boy. You have to capture him!”

The knight said something under his breath before charging forward. Fai let the smoke enter his ears and almost killed the man. He was not expecting the angry voice of his God to return.

No!

The shock of it made Fai crumble in pain. The knight missed him, but Fai had to pull the smoke away. 

Why was Ashura protecting him? That knight was protecting a rat! Surely, he was guilty of something.

Fai opened his eyes and barely dodged another swing. He tested the smoke on the other two. It filled their lungs and choked them. One was extorting the village for extra money. The other skimmed taxes off the top. They split whatever came in. Greed was their downfall.

The knight must have been a part of it in some way. He would have to know what his underlings were doing, especially since all three were assigned to Rondart. So why was he protected?

Fai narrowed his eyes.

The knight had said something just before attacking. Fai entered his head again and picked at his memories, still dodging the best he could. He heard a faint voice.

“Yasha forgive my sins.”

Fai flew several feet away.

How did he know to do that? Fai had only just learned that lesson and this was the first attack he was a part of. Word could not have spread so fast. Was it just common knowledge what Ashura asked from their Hands?

Fai stumbled away from the knight and fell over the track. He skittered away from an attack and found his back to the wall. The knight raised his sword without mercy.

How was this happening? A knight beating Godly magic? Was this possible? Was it even normal? The man never showed any fear. He was confident he could kill Fai the whole way through.

The sword came down and Fai could not take his eyes away from the metal. He needed help. The Hand of a God needed help. What in the world?

Out of the smoke came a blade. It was thinner than the knight’s but stopped it mid swing, nonetheless. 

Next came a hand, then an arm, then the man. Kurogane smirked at the knight, “Now this is an enemy that can fight me.”

The knight stepped back and took a strong stance. It was something he hadn’t done with Fai. He had not been going all out. Not even near it.

Fai snapped a nail clawing into the wood floor. He was better than this. He had to be. He was the Hand of Ashura, not some weak human to be beat to the ground. Not anymore.

The fury boiled in his lungs. Smoke pillowed out of his mouth, but he knew somewhere deep down that it did not matter how much anger drove him. This knight was someone Ashura’s magic could not kill.

Kyle was a different story. The smoke encompassed him easily. Fai saw images of cruelty; beatings and hangings of the innocent, high taxes during barren harvests, lies woven to keep his title from someone more fitting. He was a rat to be trapped by his neck.

The knight was quick to lunge for Fai, but Kurogane stopped his blade and pushed him back. Fai had no reason to fear the knight and did not bother to give him a glance. Kurogane had to protect him or be punished by Ashura. Based on how Ashura punished Fai earlier, he assumed death was the better choice.

Fai stood up and walked over to Kyle. He obscured himself in the smoke so the knight could no longer attack him freely. In the center of the heavy cloud was a very frightened counsilman. It was comical to see him wide eyed and shaking on the floor. Fai kicked him flat on his back and knelt with one knee on his chest.

Oh, it would be so easy to just kill him now. Did they truly need information from him? He was just a low-end counsilman, not anyone who would have pertinent information. Fai’s body ached to end his life here. Maybe he would have if he had not wanted to take things painfully slow.

“P-please! I’ll give you anything!”

Anything? Fai laughed, I want the fifteen years I spent wasting in the cold back.

He looked around the blackness, trying to come up with some deal. Fai heard them all pass over his brain with lightning speed. This cockroach really wanted to survive this encounter, even through betrayal.

“Money!” he yelled out, “I can support your war! You’ll never need for supplies!”

Money made on the backs of the oppressed doesn’t interest me, but I’m not going to kill you yet.

Kyle deflated in relief. He was really relaxing as if his actions had bought him any time at all.

Don’t think yourself lucky. You won’t die until you beg me to end you.

The smoke rushed into Kyle any way it could manage. His face was taut and red with the effort of trying to scream. Fai took his sight first, then his voice. Next was his hearing. Kyle’s world turned into one of complete solitude. He could only feel the ground beneath him and the cold air blanketing him. 

Fai wanted to play more with what he could do. As long as they were impious louts, they could be his marionettes. Unseeing and unfeeling little toys, if only temporarily.

Fai pulled the smoke back after Kyle had passed out from fear. He had almost thought the wretch’s heart would stop from how hard it was beating. Maybe that’s how he’ll die, his heart bursting with his cowardice.

Fai grinned. That would fit nicely.

“Fai!” 

He turned around as Kurogane landed next to him. Fai could smell the blood coming off both of them. Kurogane’s cheek was split but blood was dripping down the knight’s right vambrace, arm limp to the side. His sword was in the opposite hand.

“Let’s go!”

Fai blew a strand out of his eyes, Can’t finish him off?

Kurogane glared, “He won’t be a warrior for long. We only have so much time before the Red Sun ends and we’re stuck here.”

Fai enveloped them both along with his captive. Above ground, the tribe’s warriors were raiding the manor for trophies. Anything with gold, silver, and iron were taken. Fai heard grumbling over the lack of copper.

“These fuckers don’t have a cache? The vault didn’t even have copper or silver coins.”

Kurogane wiped his cheek, “Anyone check the dungeon?”

A warrior wiping blood from his blade whistled to get his attention, “They’re released. No sign of her.”

“Shit.”

Fai turned away. He needed to get Kyle to the tribe. Their pillaging had nothing to do with him. 

Kurogane grabbed his arm, “Don’t go out of the glow. You can’t use Ashura’s power there, remember?”

Fai shirked him off, How long will this take?

“Long enough for you to get your head out of your ass.”

You-!

“Shut up,” he waved his hand to disperse the smoke around his ear, “You go rogue like that again and I’m not coming to help. There’s a reason we plan our battles out.”

Fai glared but didn’t bother trying to talk more. Kurogane was bluffing and they both knew it. It was not Fai who called out to him in the tunnel. Ashura sent him. He had no choice in the matter.

Fai walked outside the manor for fresh air, dragging Kyle with him. It would be useless for one of the tribe to kill him after all the effort of catching him alive. 

Two large fires were burning on either side of the courtyard. Stripped bodies were being thrown in. The smell of burnt flesh was horrid and Fai covered his nose. So much for fresh air. The tribe’s need to clean up after themselves was ruining his mood in more ways than one.

Kurogane came up behind him and hoisted Kyle’s body over his shoulders, “The horses will be here soon. I’ll go back with you before the rest.”

Fai huffed, Feeling obedient?

Kurogane nearly growled, “I need to get you out of here before you try to kill yourself again.”

I won’t die until I have my father’s head!

“Tch, you can’t even ride a fucking horse. Ever think you might want to learn a thing or two?”

Fai grit his teeth. There were several times he was hurt in the battle, all from Ashura melting his brain. Riding a horse would not change those mistakes. Still, something in his gut knew Kurogane was right. He needed to be able to fight without the magic, and to be independent from this irritating chief.

The horses pulled up in front of them. Loading of the stolen goods started right after. Fai did not even have time to hoist himself on Kurogane’s before the first of the horses was full of silver plates. He idly wondered how they would ever get all of the spoils from the manor along with the armor they had stripped, loaded. There were not enough horses.

Kurogane draped Kyle over the loaded horse and jumped on behind Fai, “We’re going back. Get the wounded fixed up and head to the camp.”

He threw a looped rope over both horses before starting at a trot. Once both horses were moving in tandem, he sped them up to a gallop. 

Fai held on tightly to its mane. He wished he could teleport anywhere he pleased. Forgoing a horse of any kind would at least make him feel less nauseous. Fai decided his next kill would be whoever deemed carriages unfit for a charge. Perhaps at this speed, even that would be terrible.

They approached the edge of the crimson circle with frightening speed. Fai knew his powers would soon be taken until the next battle. What he did not know was Ashura’s magic was the only thing keeping him energized.

As soon as they crossed the line, Fai felt a shudder run through his body. Fatigue overtook him and he slipped to the side. He knew Kurogane had caught him, and the horse slowed down a degree.

“Oi! Stay upright!”

Fai leaned heavily against Kurogane out of necessity. He was not even sure why he had grown so tired. The magic he was using was not his own. Nothing should have drained him like this.

“Are you good?”

Fai did not think he would have been able to respond even if he had his voice.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

The Red Sun blessed the camp, likely for the Hand’s benefit. They had no desire to battle one day after another, so there were only two reasons the red hue would be shining now: ambush or Fai. Kurogane had a suspicion that Fai was going to interrogate Rondart the first chance he got.

Kurogane wanted to give Fai more time, but he had to get to the man before he did something else stupid. ‘Man’ seemed to not be the right words to describe the Hand. Fai was more like a stubborn adolescent ready to ignore any savvy advice they might receive.

This mission Ashura gave Kurogane was going to be a chore. He had to find a way to convince Fai to train. If the Hand did not learn to fight for himself, he would die far too soon.

Then, Kurogane would be punished until rebirth.

“You’re an idiot.”

Kurogane did not bother speaking in his mind. Yui could not understand him either way and the tent was a private enough setting for the scolding he felt was needed. With the expression on his face, he was sure the tribe knew to leave him alone for this.

Excuse me?

“An idiot,” he enunciated, “You. A fool. A moron. Need any more?”

Fai sniffed, You can’t call me that.

Kurogane gave him a flat look, “You are not my God. You are the Hand of Ashura. That means I’m obligated to help you. That does not mean I have to like you.”

I’m going to interrogate the councilman.

“The fuck you are,” Kurogane blocked him, “You almost got yourself killed by jumping off on your own! What were you thinking? You can’t even throw a punch!”

I captured the guy. What else matters?

“If you die then your revenge saga is over before you get to any royals. And you leave your brother alone. You need to train.”

Fai glared hard, You would have let Kyle run!

“Bullshit! You need to hone your abilities, or you will be dead, got it?!”

Fuck off and let me do what I need!

Kurogane grabbed his shoulders to stop Fai from running out, “Why are you ignoring the problem?!”

Yui pushed Kurogane away. 

He had forgotten the twin was even there. Tunnel vision was something his father would remind him to fight constantly. Even though he had tamed it in battle, apparently Kurogane still needed to work on it.

“Move.”

Yui shook his head, “No… Hurt Fai. No hurt Fai.”

Kurogane scowled. Like he would hurt the Hand of his god. That would be suicide. Still, he could not tell Yui what had happened in the town. Yui barely knew any of his language. 

Fai hugged Yui from behind and kissed his cheek. Using his brother’s protection, they both left the tent.

“These idiots know nothing. How am I supposed to help them, again?”

The candle next to the bed flared up.

Kurogane took a deep breath, “I’m not saying I won’t. I’m just saying Fai’s not making it easy.”

The candle snuffed itself out, leaving a clear message. Fail and I’ll kill you.

“I never fail.”

- - -

A cloud of black followed them out of the tent. Without much thought, Yui followed Fai, still steaming over the chief's threat.

“The fuck was that 'bout?” Yui asked, “I thought they couldn’t hurtcha?”

He would never.

“Seemed like a damn close call to me!” 

He was mad at nothing, Fai waved him off, It was nothing.

“Nothin’, gotcha,” Yui sighed, “Where’re we goin’ now?”

Fai side eyed him, You don’t have to come.

Yui pulled him to a stop, “Fai?”

I need to get answers from Kyle.

“Torture? Yer gonna torture ‘im?”

That’s why-

“I can leave, got it.”

Fai smoothed his robe, Are you leaving?

Yui had to take a moment to think about that. There was more than one reason he stayed away from the battle. The sights and sounds of war were not his forte. He had seen many wounded people in his life but had only seen a dead body as they fled. That had messed him up enough.

Still, this was one of the people involved with Fai’s torture. They had gouged out his eye and carved into his skin. Yui was intimately aware of the pain he had gone through. Seeing Kyle get some back might not be so bad.

He started walking again, “It’s fine. Like fer like.”

Fai jogged for a moment to catch up, You always say that.

“Yeah, it’s a… it’s a phrase, a sayin’!”

For who?

“Fer crime guilds. All of ‘em.”

All?

“All I’ve met fer sure. Means ya give whatcha get. Kyle’s gonna get what’s due an’ that’s fine,” Yui had a passing thought about healers and torture.

Healers… they work well.

“Fer torture, yeah? Guess Dad got creative.”

 You thought, Fai paused, Did you want to?

Yui had to take a deep breath. Did he want to stab Kyle? Yes. Did he want Fai to make him piss himself? Also yes. Did he want to inflict pain until Kyle spilled his deepest secrets?

“I can try.”

Like for like?

“Yeah, I can give ‘im like fer like.”

If you want to stop, just say so.

When they entered the tent, a man was already inside with a table full of weird devices. Yui took in the state of Kyle with a shudder. The man had already been beaten. His face was bruised, and one eye would not open. 

Fai gave the table a wide berth and sat at one side of the tent, staring Kyle down, Are you ready?

No, Yui was an idiot to think he could do this. Why did he agree to do this job? Revenge sounded like a good idea, he had a lot of anger for his family, and it was constantly growing the more he learned.

But torture? 

Even with the tools in front of him and ‘like for like’ echoing as his mantra, the task was daunting. The tent would do little to deaden Kyle’s screams. Whatever information he had to tell would be heard by everyone, even though they would not understand the words.

It begged the question, who translated previously? Kendappa? Perhaps.

Yui took a deep breath. The tools were mostly foreign to him. Knives were obvious. Clamps were less so, but he could think of a few uses. His hand hovered over a wooden skewer. There were ten in total, but Yui had no idea what they were for.

Fingernails, you stick them under his fingernails.

Yui froze. He almost asked himself why Fai knew that, but it was obvious how an imprisoned man knew.

He moved his hand over to a set of blocks. They were screwed together and looked like they could be tightened.

Fingers again, twist the thumb screws to slowly crush them.

Yui glared at the device and looked at one more, a bulb shaped metal tool. The seam around it suggested it could open.

It forces the mouth open and spikes anything soft. Might break his jaw.

Suddenly, his hands grew steady. Something deep inside him came to the surface. 

They had done this all to Fai. They had done this and more to Fai. They probably healed him just to keep going. Yui suddenly felt he could learn to use these. Like for like. Torture for torture. 

He grabbed a clean knife, "Ya wanna know somethin’ interestin’, Kyle?"

Kyle glared silently from his place on the ground.

Yui cupped his cheek, "I don't need any of that to get ya talkin’."

"You won't make me. You'll fail like your brother did!"

He cocked his brow, "Fail? I see ya right here."

Kyle spat but missed Yui's face, "That brat would have died to my knight. He's no demonic killer, just a coward with magic!"

Yui would have to discuss that part later. For now, he had a job to do.

"Well, Kyle, don't talk again unless ya wanna answer me."

Yui stabbed him through the heart. He had to jerk the knife deeper twice before it was in to the hilt. 

The man that had been guarding him shouted something, probably about not killing him, but Yui stayed focused on healing Kyle. Even with the knife deep in his chest, Yui could keep him alive for a half hour or so. Kyle did not need to know his limit.

"Ya feel it, don't ya? Yer dyin’, but I won't letcha," Yui twisted the knife.

Kyle gasped but his mind was not catching up with his body. He was in shock. Yui had seen it a few times with other wounded prisoners. Kyle would not be able to talk like this.

Yui yanked the knife out and sealed his wound, “Got anythin’ to say?”

Kyle coughed, still staring wide eyed. 

“Well?”

He shook his head. Yui assumed it was out of disbelief rather than refusing to answer. Still, would a few more minutes hurt?

Yui drove the blade in again, “I can do this all day, asshole. Can you?”

Kyle yelped and pressed himself against the center pole he was tied to, "Stop!"

Yui pulled it free again, "Better be good."

"T-tomoyo! She's in Hanshin!"

Yui had no idea who Tomoyo was. Maybe she was the girl Kendappa had mentioned in their lessons? He turned to Fai and chinned to the guard, "Can ya tell 'im that?"

Fai rolled his eyes, but the smoke slithered over to the guard anyway.

Yui turned back to Kyle, "Now tell me somethin' I wanna hear."

"Wha..."

Yui took a quick breath and stabbed down at his prisoner's privates, "Ya know who I am, don'tcha? What d'ya think I wanna hear? My family. Where're they hidin'?"

A whistle sounded from behind Yui. At least someone was getting entertainment out of this. The hand holding the knife trembled with the knowledge that Yui had passed the point of no return. Just or not, there was blood on his hands.

"Castle! Castle!"

Yui jerked the knife free, "Castle?"

"The King's in the capital!"

"And?"

Kyle shook and bowed his head, "E-Enka. His army's marching to Jade!"

Yui had no idea where any cities were. They would have to tell Kurogane or snag a map from somewhere. 

"I got a lotta family, Kyle."

"I don't know!"

"Sucks to be you."

Kyle tried uselessly to move away, "Please!"

Yui had a solid 20 minutes left before he passed out. If Kyle did know more, he had time to drag it out of him.

"Ya sure? There's a lotta spots I can stab ya."

"The letters are in my desk! They have all I know!"

Great, Yui could not read. He would bet that Fai was rusty, too. They had once been taught but 15 years in prison makes you forget a lot. He hoped someone in the tribe could read Celesian.

"Anythin' else I should know?"

"I don't know anything else!"

Yui stood up and tossed the knife on the table, "Fai, yer turn."

He had no intention of watching Fai murder Kyle. It was more than enough to watch that once. Yui left the tent in a hurry, not sure where he wanted to go.

Soon enough, he was past the outer ring of tents. Yui stumbled to the ground and heaved. He was just a little proud that nothing came up with each of the convulsions that wracked his body. Eventually, they stopped and his breathing was able to even out.

A crunch of grass sounded behind him. 

Yui assumed Fai would be checking in, but he found the guard from earlier standing a few feet away. Yui stayed seated in the grass and stared at the man.

He said something in Japanese that Yui did not catch. Lucky him, Kendappa had taught him a very useful word.

"Slowly."

"You," he pointed and Yui, "Okay?"

Yui felt a small bit of panic set in. Did he know the word for 'yes?' Of course he did. Kendappa had only been asking yes or no questions to help him understand, but what was it again?

"Y... Yes."

The man gave a lopsided grin that said he did not believe that. He crouched down and held out his hand, "Fuuma."

"Name?" Yui asked.

Fuuma nodded, "You?"

"Yui," he took the hand and shook it, "Uh... Why... Fuck, I don't speak yer language."

Fuuma shrugged and stood back up. He chinned behind him, towards the line of tents.

"Okay?" Yui stood up slowly and followed behind his new friend, "Where?"

Fuuma rattled off a sentence Yui could not understand. Noticing that, Fuuma sighed heavily. In a thick accent, he said "Defectors."

"Defectors? Celesian defectors?"

"Nn," Fuuma hummed.

Yui searched his memory for that sound. He had asked Kendappa for casual words. They simply fit him better than stuffy formal speech. Fuuma was confirming what Yui had said.

"Y'all have Celes defectors an' no one told me?! I coulda been makin' friends!"

Fuuma glanced over his shoulder with an amused smirk, "Feisty."

Yui let his jaw fall open, "How the fuck d'ya know 'feisty?'"

Fuuma laughed loudly and motioned Yui forward. He pointed out a fire ring. There were several men and women laughing and drinking around it. Specifically, Fuuma was pointing at a thinner man lounging on one of the open benches.

"Feisty man."

"Ya call 'im feisty, eh? Gotcha."

Fuuma pushed Yui forward towards the group. 

One called out to Fuuma. By the accent alone Yui knew he was Celesian, or used to be. He had tons of questions to ask this group, but the drink being passed around was something he had always wanted to taste. He assumed it was ale, anyway, by some flushed faces. His friends talked non-stop about drunken parties.

Fuuma called back as they approached. 

Yui heard his name and could only assume he was being introduced, "Uh, hi?"

"Welcome to the circle, friend! Grab a bowl and relax with us."

Yui moved to take a seat next to a proper looking woman.

The man pulled on Yui's arm, "Not there!"

Yui eyed him, "There ain't much free space."

"No one but me sits with my hunny," he said like it was the most obvious fact in the world.

His 'hunny' elbowed his side and smiled lightly at Yui, "Please, have a seat and take some stew."

Yui sat down before anyone else could try and stop him. He was quick to ladle himself some stew and nodded at the barrel, "That ale?"

"Sake," Fuuma said and passed him a small cup. He told the rest of the circle something and grinned back at Yui.

The 'feisty man' finally sat up and sighed. They spoke back and forth until some agreement was made, all the while no one thought to bring Yui up to speed.

"What's happenin'?"

"Fuuma and Kamui were just saying you've never drunk before and talking about whether sake was a good idea," the man explained, "They bicker a lot."

The woman shook her head, "You didn't introduce yourself."

"Ah!" he looked mortified, "Sorry, Yui! I'm Sorata, from Hanshin, and the most beautiful woman in the world is Arashi, my wonderful wife!"

"Good to meetcha both. What's sake an' why's it a bad idea?"

"It's rice wine," Arashi supplied, "It hits harder than most alcohol. You should eat some of the bread first.”

Yui shrugged, “I don’t like bread.”

Arashi eyed him like she was seeing under his skin, “It’s not like the bread you’ve had. Try it.”

She waved to Fuuma and said a few words. After getting a fresh roll, Arashi gave it to Yui with a smile, “See? Warm and soft.”

Yui tore a chunk off with his teeth. The crust was thick and chewy, but the fluffy inside melted in his mouth. He couldn’t stop the groan from bubbling up.

Sorata cocked his brow, “What kind of bread have you been eating?”

“Stale,” Arashi said confidently.

Most of the ring laughed as Yui scarfed the rest down. He was handed another just as quick.

“Dip it in the stew,” Sorata suggested.

It was a good suggestion. Yui had all but forgotten about the sake until his bowl was empty. He sighed happily, “That was fan-fuckin’-tastic! Why the Hell’ve we been gettin’ nothin’ but roast meat an’ raw veg?”

“We? You should bring your friend!” Sorata grinned, “There’s always room here.”

Yui blinked a few times. He assumed Fuuma had told the circle who he was. Even if he did not, a group of Celesians would know his royal eyes. Arashi had already clocked it without a doubt.

He knocked his sake back and sputtered at the taste. Yui had heard alcohol gave you confidence, and he needed plenty for this topic, “He’s my brother an’ ‘e’s not sociable right now.”

Yui got his glass refilled faster than he thought possible. It occurred to him that no one had an empty glass for long.

“Not sociable? We can loosen him up!” Sorata reached across Arashi to give Yui a playful shove.

“Well, I’m tryin’ with ‘im but… We’ll see,” Yui took a smaller drink, but still downed half the strong beverage. Was he supposed to sip with such a small glass?

Sorata frowned and looked to Arashi. She simply shook her head and said nothing.

“I don’t care, y’know,” Yui shrugged, “Thought y’all would’ve known already, butcha haven’t seen ‘im yet.”

As if it were fate, the sky turned blue again, causing everything to regain its normal hue. Still, everyone in the circle just looked confused.

“Known what?” Sorata prompted.

Yui finished his second drink but covered it with his hand before more could be poured in, “My brother’s the Hand.”

Sorata blinked, looking like he had stumbled on a landmine, “Oh! Must have been strange for him to be chosen when he lived under the Moon Court.”

Yui snorted, “Nah, we don’t give a shit ‘bout Moon Gods, an’ I don’t care ‘bout any of ‘em. ‘Sides, we’ve been in a dungeon most our lives.”

Sorata nodded, “Let’s drink to your freedom!”

Yui grinned and raised his glass that had, somehow, been refilled again.

The haze of the alcohol set in quickly, making his smile wider and laughter louder. The defectors were a round bunch, mostly farmers and lower class excluding Arashi. It felt so good to have friends to laugh with again. Yui had thought he would not miss a thing about prison, but community was lacking with just Fai and him. Maybe he should try to convince Fai to sit with them next time.

Yui was also hyper aware of Fuuma's and Kamui's stares throughout the night. Even with them in ear shot, Yui could ask about them and they'd be none the wiser.

"What's their deal?"

Arashi did not look away from the fire roaring higher since the sun set, "They're lovers, most of the time. Their fights can get very nasty."

Yui nodded, "That's why Fuuma called 'im feisty?"

Sorata laughed, "Yeah! About all he knows how to say is 'I like feisty men!'"

Fuuma heard the sentence and grinned widely, "Feisty men!"

Wait, what? 

Yui knew his drink was getting to him, but had he heard that right? Fuuma had called him feisty, and they were both staring him down. Was this an invitation? What if he accepted?

Losing your virginity to a threesome had to be some kind of honor.

Sorata sighed, "They don't hold a candle to me and my hunny!"

Yui did not know why Sorata thought that their verbal yelling was worse than the solid number of punches and jabs Arashi had released on him, but to each their own. It was clear either way that Arashi loved him dearly.

“You’re out of drink! Let’s get you another,” Sorata started to wave the communal pitcher over.

Yui shook his head, already woozy, “I can’t.”

A heavy hand landed on his shoulder. Yui swayed with the weight of it. He turned and looked up to see who was touching him.

“Fuuuuma,” Yui breathed.

Fuuma raised a brow, “Okay?”

“Maybe?”

Kamui walked past Fuuma and pointed towards the river. He spoke quickly, most likely an order for Yui to get walking. Even with Fuuma pulling him up, his world was spinning. Everything got worse the more he moved.

“Fuck,” Yui took his time finishing the word. 

He had no idea they had moved to the river until his face was over the water. He wretched the alcohol and stew out of his stomach. The nausea passed quickly, but his vision did not improve.

“So this’s drunk?”

A bowl of water was shoved near his face. A slow glance showed Kamui offering the beverage. Yui poured the bowl over his face, some thankfully flowed in his mouth. The cool, fresh water felt wondrous.

After a few more bowlfuls, he laid back in the grass, “You two… ya wanna get down with me, yeah?”

They looked at each other and back to him.

“Ah,” Yui groaned and pointed at Kamui, “Feisty,” he pointed at himself, “Feisty.”

Fuuma laughed and nodded, “Feisty men.”

Yui moved his finger between all three of them, “Bed?”

Fuuma cocked his head to the side. At least that movement was universal.

Yui sat himself up, “Fuckin’, sex, threesome, geddit?”

Fuuma let out a low whistle and spoke to Kamui. If Yui were sober, perhaps he would have been embarrassed. As it was, he just wanted an answer from them. They had been eyeing him up around the fire, right?

Kamui shrugged and Fuuma smiled wider. They helped Yui up and started off to their tent.

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

Fai did not sleep well. He told himself Yui was fine amongst the tribe. Enough people knew not to touch him by now. His brother was having fun, surely. He stabbed a man’s cock, then went to party. That sounded like the brother he knew.

That was a lie even he could not believe.

The sun was rising when Fai decided he could not take another second of waiting. He shot out of the bed and pulled the tent flaps. He nearly ran into Yui, but stopped just short.

His brother looked tired but not in a bad state. Maybe he really had been having fun.

Where were you?

Yui pushed him back in the tent, “Out. We needa talk.”

Fai crossed his arms, Out where?

Yui sighed heavily, “First with Celesian defectors, got drunk with them, puked in a river, and then got spit roasted. Had a good day.”

Fai did not follow any of the words Yui said. He furrowed his brow, What?

“Not important!” Yui pulled off his outer robe and threw it on the bed, “I gotta talk to ya.”

Fai pulled Yui closer, What are … bruises?!

Yui grabbed Fai’s face, “I’m not hurt. I’m worried ‘boutcha, so lemme talk.”

Fai rolled his eyes, No one can-

“Nope! Lemme talk. What was Kurogane yellin’ atcha about?”

Nothing important.

“Yer lyin’.”

Am not!

“Are too! Kyle told me, remember?”

Fai did not want to have this conversation. It was frustrating enough to have been beaten so quickly. He did not need Yui to be on his back, too.

It’s nothing.

"You dyin' to a knight ain't nothin'! Why did 'e pester you so much before?"

To train.

Yui sighed, "An' ya said 'no?' Go train with 'im!"

Fai scoffed, I have ... God's magic.

"Good fer you," Yui mock clapped, "How much good did it do ya when ya almost died?"

It wasn't close!

"Only 'cause Kurogane was there, right?"

It's his job.

"Yer relyin' on 'im. That good with ya?"

Fai seethed. His brother was pissing him off to the point his lungs burned with an unspoken shout. He did not need the Chief's help. All he needed was some time to get used to his powers. Some training.

Fai scrunched his face in frustration, I don't need him.

"Yer gonna practice on yer own?"

Fai nodded, I will.

Yui stared him down hard, "Then let's get goin'."

Now?!

"Yeah. I got a language to learn and you got some fightin' to do. We'll pick up Kendappa and get out to a field somewhere."

Fai rolled his eyes, You don't need to.

"Don't need to what? Watch over ya or learn to talk to our neighbors?"

Either!

"You don't needa go flyin' off to find me after a coupla hours either. I'm a grown ass man," Yui said, "But we worry 'bout each other. An’ when I hear you almost died, God or no God I'm gonna make damn sure it don't happen again."

Fai knew he cared about Yui deeply, but the fact Yui had felt the same was new. Just a few weeks ago his brother had skittered away from him in terror. Even if he said he worried, it was not easy to believe.

You don't ... learn the language.

"Fai," Yui took his hands, "I know you don't trust a soul, but I need people an' you need a translator."

I can talk.

"Not outside the Red Sun, right?"

Fai slumped in defeat, No.

"Then I'm learnin'. An' you should learn to write."

I'll try.

"Thank ya."

You make ... of demands.

"I know," Yui grinned, "Let's find a field."

Fai grabbed his tunic to stop him from turning.

"Eh? Cold feet?"

Fai felt the embarrassment creeping up his face, but it could not be helped. He was prideful and suspicious, but not stupid. Practicing on his own would do little good.

Kendappa and Kurogane.

Yui looked like he had misheard, "Kurogane? Really?"

Fai scowled, Nevermind!

"No!" Yui took Fai's hands and half dragged him out, "We're gettin' 'im too!"

Fai could not help but think this was a terrible idea. Even as the Chief stood in front of him, ready to teach him privately, the Hand could not shake his hesitation. This man would be able to hurt him, or betray him in battle. What if Ashura did not call him next time? What if this training was worthless after all? 

Yui was the optimist between them. It seemed he wanted to trust every last person in the tribe. He wanted names and conversations and whatever a spit roast was. He had no fear.

Fai, on the other hand...

"First, you need to keep your hair braided."

Odd, Fai did not think a hairstyle was required to be a savvy warrior. He knew Kurogane had a braid, and Kendappa too. Come to think of it, every warrior and powerful person in the camp had a braid. 

Kurogane pulled out a leather strand, "Turn around."

Fai narrowed his eyes and reached for the strand.

Kurogane pulled it back, "You know how to braid?"

 No, but it was better he had a sloppy knot than a sword in his back. Not that Kurogane had his sword. He had no weapon, not even a wooden one. He did not even have his armor on. He could still strangle Fai, and that was enough.

Yui!

Fai stood with his eyes locked on Kurogane while Yui jogged up behind him.

Heal me.

You looked him over, "Yer not..."

Fai took a shaking breath and reached his hand back.

Yui took it and soon the warmth of his power flowed through Fai.

Only then did Fai turn around. He held both of Yui's hands tightly. He heard Kurogane step forward and felt the urge to bolt off. He still had time to before the bite of metal or throat crushing weight came on him. There was still time-

Kurogane's fingers combed his hair back and out of his face. Fai could barely breathe, even with Yui right there. He could snap Fai's neck so fast.

"Braids are our symbol. If you can't go to battle, you don't get a braid. Doesn't make anyone more or less special, but it's our uniform. It's the one thing all tribes under the Red Sun have in common."

All of them? There were more than just the Suwa Tribe? Fai wondered if they were friendly or at war. 

Kurogane stepped back and Fai quickly turned to face him again. His hair felt tight on his head, but he could take it down later. If he needed a braid to learn to fight, he could handle it.

"Should I move back, now?" Yui mumbled.

Yes, Fai tried to stay steady after losing his brother's warmth, Thank you.

Yui started to walk away, "Anytime."

Kurogane waited patiently for Yui to get a decent distance away, "Now, can you summon any of Ashura's power right now?"

Fai scowled. Of course not. The Sun was not red, and it did not need to be for any reason. He was well versed enough to know the rules of this exchange.

"I'll take that as a no. Hands should be able to get a portion of the power anytime. You're not strong enough to do that yet."

What? He could use Ashura's magic whenever? Fai tried to remember the feeling, but nothing came to him. Perhaps he was just a weak man. How ridiculous.

"First off, every time we train we have to stretch and run, too. I'll show you how to stretch properly, then I'll see how far and long you can run."

Was that a challenge? Did he have to run a certain amount to prove himself? He would do that and more! If Fai had to learn for Kurogane, he would blow the bastard away with how much he could do.

Fai followed the mundane stretching, only minorly irritated by his own lack of flexibility. Kurogane could bend himself neatly in half and nearly play jump rope with his arms. Fai could not. He could barely reach his ankles whether standing up or sitting down. He felt pathetic.

He would have to impress Kurogane with running. 

"Run laps from here to the tree line. Don't overdo it."

Fai mocked his instructions in his head, and readied himself to take off. He would not quit until Kurogane saw how powerful he was.

He kept telling himself to push harder. Even as his lungs were aching, Fai kept running as fast as he could, back and forth. Still, only five laps in Kurogane pulled him to a stop.

"I told you not to overdo it," he growled, "What is with you and being suicidal."

Fai glared up. He could not respond without the Red Sun. All he wanted to do was say he was not suicidal, but knew Kurogane would drop him for his weakness. 

Fai fell on his bottom to catch his breath.

Kurogane continued, "It doesn't matter if you're the fastest or strongest if you have no idea what your limits are. The most successful warrior fights with what they have and pulls away when they need to. Got it?"

Fai waved him off, lungs still sore from the effort of his short-lived run. That made two failures, and the day was still young.

Kurogane hauled Fai to his feet, "Throw a punch."

Fai was quick to take him up on that. He reeled back and punched Kurogane's gut as hard as he could. The tan abs felt like a brick wall. All his effort had barely gotten a grunt out of the Chief.

Was this man human?

"Decent strength," he sighed, "but a stance like that will get you tripped. Try again."

Fai twisted his body to punch with his other hand. Kurogane turned with the momentum and grabbed the hand. Fai was not sure exactly how it happened, but he was flipped on the ground with a strong arm pinning his chest.

"You'll get tripped like that. We'll start with basic forms," Kurogane pulled him to standing once again.

Fai shirked off his hand and put a bigger distance between them. He did not need to be close to learn from Kurogane, and the further he was, the safer he was.

If Kurogane minded, he said nothing about it. Instead he moved on, "Move your feet apart, they should be as wide as your shoulders. Keep your hands in fists and out front. Shoulders relaxed."

Fai did as he was told but even he could tell this was not a fighting stance. If it really was, it was impractical for a real battle. Just what was Kurogane showing him?

"Good, what's your better side?"

Fai cocked his head to show his confusion.

"The side that- no, you can't write... Wave to me."

Fai scowled at his insult but waved.

"Your right side is dominant," Kurogane explained, "So step your right leg back, keep it as wide as your shoulders."

Fai could not tell him what was right or left. He assumed it was the arm he had raised and stepped that leg back. He almost lost his balance.

"Not that far back. You should feel secure."

Fai scooched his right foot up until he was steady. Was it good enough?

Kurogane stepped forward slowly, "We're not getting through this without being close."

Fai almost threw another punch. If the man wanted so desperately to be close, Fai could persuade him otherwise.

Kurogane took his shoulder and pushed him to the side. 

Fai dug his foot in and was able to stay on his feet with ease. He supposed that was an improvement. It was one thing learned that might help him, but it still felt stupid. He had not seen a single person use stances like these in battle. 

"There," Kurogane put Fai's hand in front of his face, "When you punch, put the force of your body behind it. Move your right hand back to your waist, then step and punch at the same time."

Kurogane demonstrated, letting out a brief shout as his fist snapped upright.

Fai did the same, sans shout, but it did not feel any more powerful than his earlier try. 

Kurogane moved to his side, "Take a breath in, release it at the end of your punch."

Fai let a puff of air out at the end. He wondered just when he would be able to do any damage to anyone with this simple stance.

"Keep doing it until I tell you to stop."

Fai started his punch walk hybrid, every so often told to slow down by his teacher. His stance was critiqued frequently, and Fai wondered if he had done it right even once. Surely Kurogane would have stopped him if he did. As it was, he had done nothing but punch and walk for what seemed like an eternity.

Apparently, Yui also had had enough.

He shouted from where he was studying, "Kuro-chan! When are you done training?"

The words were drawn out as he thought each one through, but it hardly mattered what he said. Fai was already frozen, trying to register what the Chief had been called.

Kurogane turned around slowly, also in utter shock over the snafu, "What did you call me?!"

Kendappa pulled on Yui's sleeve and spoke softly to him. Then she yelled for Kurogane to hear, "He doesn't like any formality. I taught him nicknames but... I did not tell him when not to use them."

Fai thought the venom in Kurogane's stare would kill a boar. Yet Fai did not feel on edge. His stance slacked as voiceless laughter threatened to choke him.

Kurogane whipped his head around and ground his teeth, "Tell him to drop the honorifics then! Why the Hell did you start with nicknames?!"

She smiled mischievously, "Most people he talks to would be fond of a nickname."

"Never again!" Kurogane growled back, "Tell him never again!"

Fai was doubled over in his fit. Yui had brilliantly stumbled on a landmine. Fai knew it was inappropriate, but he had no idea Kurogane would react so scandalized. His insides ached like they had after his run.

Kurogane sighed and started towards Yui and Kendappa, "We're done for today. I'm getting you on a horse tomorrow."

Fai saluted Kurogane's back and wiped the tears from his eyes. What an amazing way to end the exhausting training. Now he knew the perfect way to piss the Chief off.

Yui knelt in front of Fai’s red face, “Was it really that bad?”

Fai nodded, You basically called … baby.

Yui groaned, “Great. Love that.”

It’s okay. He’s mean.

“Can’t be that mean. He agreed to train ya.”

Fai rolled his eyes, He has no choice.

“Ya say that, but I don’t think it’s true.”

Why?

Yui laid down next to Fai, “He seems willin’ to teach ya. He was tryin’ even before ya asked. Feels like if he had to Ashura woulda made ya do it too.”

Fai thought he made a good point there. Ashura could command him, sort of. He remembered the pain they put in his head when he tried to do something against the ‘rules.’ If Kurogane had to train Fai, then Fai would have had to train sooner.

“My brother is a harsh man,” Kendappa said, standing over the brothers, “But he is very good at caring for our people. That includes making sure they can defend themselves.”

“That include you?” Yui asked, half joking.

Kendappa’s grin widened a fraction, “I’m going back to camp. Be back before the sun sets or I’ll send someone to find you.”

Fai rolled his eyes for the umpteenth time that day.

“We don’t need a babysitter!” Yui yelled as she left.

Chapter Text

Chapter 7

Hanshin did not matter to Fai. If Kurogane had asked him to fight a few weeks back, Fai would have refused outright. Having been with him daily for combat training had softened him, if only a little. More than that, Fai felt the progress Kurogane's seemingly stupid drills were giving him.

After a particularly nasty fight, Fai talking through Yui, Kurogane had explained what he was doing.

The drills taught his body how to move. Repetition was key to instinct. Even just three weeks into the drills, Fai was sparring with Kurogane and feeling more sure of himself every day.

The man, for all his infuriating ways, was helping Fai. As Yui said daily, 'like fer like.' Fai had to help in return. 

The thought of Kurogane's sister being indoctrinated to hate her own culture helped, too. What he had pried from Kyle's dying mind made his skin crawl. They thought having Suwa blood in their line of succession would give them a claim over the tribe, and a clear trade route with the east.

They just needed her to come of age. Time was running out.

Fai thought of his brother, punished for having Fai's blood. There was little difference. He would fight this battle.

"Sorata said the west side should be clear. It's all farmland, so that's where we'll set up camp. This won't be a quick assault," Kurogane crosses his arms, "Once word got out Rondart was captured, they shut down all access. I don't want to starve them out, that'll take too long. We have to find a way in."

Fai looked at his hand. A way in would be easy for him, but how many others could he take? He and Kurogane were easy enough. Where was his limit? Could he go straight to Tomoyo and get out scot free?

He was barely able to talk with Kurogane.

Fai sighed.

"Can't the Hand just poof us in?" Caldina asked.

Kurogane turned to Fai, "Maybe some of us."

Fai nodded, Some.

"We'd need to test how many, and we need a Red Sun for that," Kurogane continued, "Right now, our best bet is a siege while we send spies to find any cracks in their defense we can. The moment we find one, we attack."

Souma was the first to address the problem, "We are not made for sieges. Our battles have always been quick and decisive."

"The deeper we go, the harder it'll get," Ferio mumbled, "We knew that."

"Sorata, know anything that could help us?" Kurogane asked.

Sorata was not a fighter. He worked around camp on various tasks, like many of the defectors did. Arashi and Sorata were still their best information source, even if it had been a couple years since they stepped foot in the city.

"There were ways in and out that we liked to use as kids, but they were small. Too small for adults to wiggle through," he said.

Arashi closed her eyes, "Not too small for explosives."

Fai tilted his head. Explosives? Was that code for child warriors? He had not seen any in the month and some change he'd lived here. Kurogane did not seem the type.

"That would take a lot of time to make. They would have to be extremely volatile."

Another word lost to Fai. 

Arashi nodded, "I know some recipes."

Sorata pulled her close, "Too dangerous."

"It's quite simple, though," she insisted, "And more dangerous for anyone else to do."

Fai tugged on Kurogane's bare arm. His confusion was clear on his face, something he had a lot of practice doing by now.

"Explosives blow things up. A big enough blast could take the inner and outer walls down for us," he explained, "We need a powerful explosive to do that."

Fai looked over at Arashi.

Like she could understand him perfectly, she answered his question, "I used to be a mage of sorts. I was a minor priestess and alchemy was taught to me. No one else here knows how, though. It's a noble secret."

Fai blinked a few times. He had no idea what alchemy was either, but it felt like he was a step closer to getting a hold of the situation.

"It's still too dangerous," Sorata insisted, "That's why we left!"

Arashi smiled and spoke to him in Celesian, "We left to marry. Everything else was a happy side effect."

"I know I can't stop you, but please don't do this."

"I won't stand by and let their Princess be a prisoner if I can help it."

Sorata squeezed his eyes shut, then looked at her with fiery eyes, "I'll be right by your side, no matter what!"

Arashi gave a small laugh and switched back to Japanese, "I don't know how much we'll need. It'll depend on the crack we want to use."

"They won't just let us skulk around the walls," Ferio said.

Kurogane nodded, "So we distract them. During the day we keep them in and supplies out. At night we revel."

"Burn the fires high and everything around us will be darker," Caldina hummed, "Should be easy to plan from there."

Revel...  

Fai found himself out of the loop once more, and this time Kurogane had not heard him. 

"We hunt now, and feast when we arrive. Give them a show of confidence and bring up morale at the same time," Kurogane rolled up the map, "We're about three days out, yeah?"

"Roughly," Sorata confirmed, "Slower going if you guys hunt."

Kurogane cracked a grin, "Have you ever seen hunting slow us down?"

Fai did not care if they  hunted or about this ‘revel’ he would use as a distraction. All he wanted was to move so they could get to his brother faster. Still, it came with very little surprise that Kurogane wanted him to come hunting.

It had nothing to do with the hunt. Kurogane wanted him to keep up on a horse by himself. Always up for a challenge, Fai hoisted himself up on the mare. That was something he had done without help only a handful of times, but that did not matter.

The mare brayed and clopped in place. Fai was still learning how to read the horse's mood. He was not sure if that was a good or bad sign. He leaned forward on the saddle and rubbed the side of her neck. He knew the others might shush their stead or hum, but he could do neither. 

Fai sighed and sat straight on the saddle again. Unlike Celesian horses, the Suwa tribe had no reigns. New riders held on to the pelts or the mane to steady themselves. Veterans hardly needed to hold on at all. Fai wondered how strong their thighs must be to hold on so tightly.

“Are you going to name her?”

Fai glanced at Kurogane and shook his head.

Unclaimed horses had no names. It was only when they picked a rider did they get a name. Otherwise they were basically wild, allowed to run off and return as they pleased. He had no idea how or why that worked, but for the tribe it had always been perfect.

“You have to think of one sooner or later. She’ll get mad if you don’t.”

Fai tucked a stray strand of hair over his ear, Doubt it.

Kurogane smirked, “You’ll see.”

He clicked his tongue and started off away from the caravan. Kurogane had named his horse at a young age, like most of the riders in the tribe. His Souhi, a silky black mare, skated across the land like she was on ice, hence the name. She rode across most terrain like there was nothing under her.

Fai had asked since the name seemed out of character for a Chief following Ashura.

Fai’s white speckled mare was a wild one. She had been the only one to accept him but riding her was difficult. Even Kurogane admitted that much. He did not know what to name her for that quality. He knew little else about her, and horses in general. Even if he felt bad about it, Fai had no name to give.

Fai pat her shoulder twice and shifted forward. She was a stubborn girl but started moving at her own pace. He felt the tension in her walk. She wanted to run wild again. He knew it was only a matter of time before she burst out, so Fai dug his fingers into the pelt and tightened his legs.

As if that’s all she was waiting for, she bolted off to meet up with the others on the hunt. Fai was visibly jostled as they slowly passed the other horses.

“Stand!” Kurognae yelled out to him.

Stand? He wanted Fai to stand on this thing without magic to support him? Wait, Kurogane had told him about this before. Shift forward on the stirrups so his bottom would not get pounded by the saddle.

He gulped down his rising fear and popped up like he had practiced on a very much still Souhi. With his legs taking the brunt of the force, he felt more stable. He was still white knuckling the pelts, but it was much nicer. Fai could now focus on the feel of the wind and the beating of hooves. 

It was freeing.

Now, he had to learn to slow her down. They already took the lead, but he had no idea where to go. At least he wasn’t falling off yet. 

“Relax! You’re stressing her out!”

Fai nearly missed the command over the rushing wind. He could not relax like this. The horse was going so fast it might kill him to fall off. The damn thing was stressing him out, not the other way around. 

Kurogane somehow caught up to him, “Relax your legs, she knows you're scared and is scared because of that!”

Fai looked over to him incredulously, but the fierce look in Kurogane’s eye told him there was no joke. The horse was scared because the rider was. He tried his best to slow his breaths, but the thought of being trampled froze him. 

Kurogane pulled up closer, “Give me your hand!”

Fai whipped his head back around. Still no jokes. Kurogane wanted him to be one handed on a galloping horse. The man was crazy, but Fai could not slow down without trusting him.

Fai snapped his hand out and gripped Kurogane’s as hard as he could.

“You’re steady, now loosen your legs. I’ll hold you up.”

Fai closed his eyes and forced his legs away from the mare’s side. His body was still too tense, but now he was not squeezing against her sides. Fai could feel her slowing slightly. 

“You’re steady, relax a bit.”

Fai took a deep breath and slackened his hold on the pelts.

“The harder you squeeze, the faster she’ll go. You can’t be afraid.”

Fai let go of Kurogane’s hand and opened his eyes. They were still going fast, but it felt more manageable. 

“Follow me, there are forests for us to hunt in,” Kurogane peeled off to the left.

Fai shifted to the left, pushing his right leg against the horse’s shoulder. She turned to the left and only stopped when Fai pulled his leg away. It was a simple system. One that should have been easy to use, if his fear had not taken over.

He thought back through the lessons he had while riding Souhi. The knees were mainly used to tell the horse what to do. Both knees shifted forward would stop her from running. Or was that to go faster?

He could only test it out. He slid forward and pressed both knees into her shoulders. The horse started to slow down, making Fai sigh in relief. He remembered more now that he was not panicking. Squeezing his calves together made her move a bit faster. 

Fai was getting the hang of it as he followed behind Kurogane. They met up with the others just as the trees began to thicken. He brought his mare to a stop. Fai debated getting off. He could do it with some difficulty, but he did not want to show any more clumsiness.

Kurogane hopped off Souhi and bee lined to Fai. He held out his hand, “Come on.”

Did he accept even more help? This was supposed to be a test for him. Kurogane had alluded to that when he said he wanted to see how Fai would do alone. He might fail if he took the hand.

Then again, that hand was sturdy and warm.

Fai accepted the help and was on the ground in a smooth motion. His legs were a bit shaky, but he locked his knees so it did not show.

Kurogane sighed, "We're going deeper in. There are deer here, and boar in the fields beyond. Let the horses drink and get your bearings while we're getting some deer."

Fai lowered his head. Kurogane had seen through him again. He must think little of Fai regardless of his status. It was just as infuriating as it was frustrating.

Kurogane grabbed his arm and pulled him close, "Stop with the self-pity. You're not going to be perfect overnight, and no one expects you to."

Kurogane spun and rounded up the hunting party right after. They set off quickly, leaving Fai alone with a small herd of horses. 

Fai struggled to get some of the horses to the river, but his mare... Helped. The horse nudged the others where Fai wanted them to go. Were all horses this intelligent? 

Kurogane said they were smarter than he thought. This mare was acting like an assistant to Fai. No, that was not right. Fai did not ask for this help or order it. She was acting as a friend.

Fai pet her nose when the horses were all by the river, Good girl.

She brayed and nuzzled his hand.

Can you hear me?

She continued to nuzzle closer, threatening to knock Fai over. He laughed and stepped back to stay upright.

Were you scared earlier? When you ran? I didn't mean to scare you.

She snorted and shook her head.

You forgive me? Thank you. I'm no good with horses yet, Fai kept petting the side of her face, I'm no good with people either. Kurogane says no one expects me to be good at things, but I'm the Hand of Ashura. By default they expect me to always win. Before now I... I really thought I could.

The horse whinnied and almost pushed him into the water.

Oh, you're just thirsty, huh?

He tried to step aside but the horse hopped forward and sent him tumbling into the shallow river. She jumped and jeered at him. Fai could have sworn she was grinning.

He smiled back at her, Not thirsty at all, then. Just playful.

He pushed himself up and waved her down to drink, I think I know your name, Ms. Horse. Tomomi, my first real friend.

"What are you doing in the river?"

Fai looked around Tomomi and found Kurogane staring back at him. The others were loading the haul onto the cards they parked just outside the tree line. Kurogane himself had some blood on his chest.

Fai sighed and pointed to his mare, still slurping up water.

"Her fault? What, she pushed you?" he rolled his eyes.

Fai frowned and nodded.

"Really? Damn," Kurogane grinned, "Maybe you should name her."

Fai shrugged and leaned on Tomomi to step out of the river. He did not need to report the name, did he? 

That was a stupid secret to keep.

Tomomi.

"After she pushed you in a river?"

Fai traced a smile on his face. It made him feel better. He would talk to her more during their ride. He wondered what the boar hunt was like, and how his new friend would help him through it.

He wondered how Kurogane would help him. The warmth of his hand was still settled on Fai's. Maybe Tomomi was not his first friend. Maybe Fai was too stubborn and pitiful that he had not noticed.

Thank you.

Kurogane blinked, "That to the horse?"

Fai glared, Yes!

Kurogane laughed, "You're welcome anyway." He passed Fai to rinse off in the river, "We're going to the boars next, keep close to us this time. Stay out of the way of our arrows."

I expected ... duel.

"Cutting them in half ruins the hide. We need it whole to make armor and clothes."

A hole?

Kurogane shrugged and pulled out an arrow, "That's easy to fix. Our arrow heads are small enough not to make a big difference."

Can ... get armor?

"You actually want it now?" he smirked.

Fai crossed his arms and looked away.

Kurogane sighed, "I'm not trying to be mean. Of course you can have some armor."

Nice, Kuro-chan.

Kurogane choke of the air, "No!"

Kuro-kun?

"What? No! Don't call me that!"

Fai tapped his chin like he was thinking, Kuro-puu?

"Ku-ro-ga-ne," he grit.

Ku-ro-pi-ppi!

Kurogane narrowed his eyes but Fai did not find it threatening as he may have before. This was... Joking. Having fun. Yui had been right about socializing a bit. Teasing Kurogane was a lot of fun.

"Idiot."

Fai laughed silently, That all?

"Get on your horse," Kurogane stalked past him, "We're heading out."

Fai knew he would have thought Kurogane was pissed at him by his actions. He looked more like a pouting child now. It was almost cute. As cute as a Warrior Chieftain could be with blood remnants on his skin.

Fai decided to keep that to himself.

- - -

Hunting on the move seemed exhausting. The hunting party would ride out daily and catch up by the time the sun set. Then, at sunrise they were out again. The haul for three days was massive, but Fai had explained they planned to feast in front of the walls.

Yui assumed Fai either missed the point or did not tell him the whole plan. Feasting at your enemy’s door felt like a bad idea, but maybe Yui was the one who was mistaken. Maybe that’s just what the tribe did before battle.

Then again, they had not done that for the last battle.

Either way, the caravan made great time traveling to Hanshin. The line of carts did not stop throughout the night, only the drivers and riders switched out. Everyone helped out. Everyone but Yui, that is.

He spent his time practicing Japanese and staring at the sky. He felt useless, because he was, but at least he could chat with the driver on duty for his cart. Making friends appeared to be his greatest talent. Moreover the drivers seemed to enjoy the company.

Kamui was his current driver, and they had plenty to talk about.

“We gotta be close, right?”

Kamui shrugged, “Probably. Sorata estimated we would be there today.”

Yui hung over the side of the cart and let the wind rustle his growing hair, “Then we drink an’ party?”

“You will, I have work to do.”

“Is Fuuma ‘work?’”

Kamui glanced over, “Not until the sunrise.”

Yui grinned, “Fuckin’ in the light of day. Kinky.”

“Not as bad as you are.”

“You met me an’ offered a threesome. How am I worse?”

Kamui furrowed his brow, “Offered? You mean when you were so drunk you almost stumbled into the fire?”

Yui suddenly felt a wave of discomfort, “Y’all were eyein’ me all night.”

He turned to fully face Yui with a bored look, “You were so drunk you almost really were roasted. We had to watch you.”

“Yer sayin’ I asked ya out of the blue fer a deflowerin’ orgy?”

“Well, if we knew you were a virgin, we would’ve been nicer,” Kamui shrugged.

Yui’s eyes widened to plates. That was the most embarrassing thing he had ever done. Sure, they accepted, but what if they had not? He would have made even more of a fool of himself in front of his new friends. Would they have even been friends?

“Do me a favor an’ blow me up.”

Kamui smiled, “I’d rather just blow you.”

The embarrassment melted away to make room for his excitement, “Fer real?”

“You’re hopeless.”

“Hopelessly horny,” he corrected, “An’ bored.”

Kamui took a deep breath, “So you’ve mentioned.”

“There’s nothin’ fer me to do.”

“Maybe take riding lessons with your brother?”

“I was busy learnin’ yer language.”

“Of course,” Kamui sighed.

Yui glance back at the road and bolted up, “Ya see that!”

“The walls of Hanshin,” Kamui switched to a mumble, “Thank you Ashura for little blessings.”

“Oh fuck off! I’m not that bad!”

“Not really, I guess, but you’re going to want to lay low.”

“Eh?”

Kamui motioned to an incoming hill, “Ambush.”

“Ambush?”

“Yes.”

“Hanshin soldiers?”

“Correct.”

“Ambush?!”

Kamui threw the reigns on a hook, “Someone will be with you shortly. Lay down.”

“Where-”

Kamui jumped off before Yui could even ask. The cart was still moving driverless, and he had no idea what to do. He was told to lay down, but the cart was moving. The horses were trotting towards an ambush and Kamui had jumped off to battle.

While the cart was MOVING.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!” Yui cursed and got down on the cart’s floor. There was nothing else he could do. He was already scared, and the damn battle had yet to start. How did Kamui even know one was coming? The power to pressurize air was not clairvoyance. 

Then Yui heard the crystal clear Celesian command. Charge.

He peaked up just enough to see a short line of horses galloping over the top of the hill. Shortly after, the footmen followed in long rows. It was a small army, he guessed, and the tribe was quick to react. They had been ready for this attack and no one thought to mention it to Yui.

"Bastards," he groaned and got low once more. 

His life depended on the two horses pulling the cart staying straight. Kamui said someone would be coming, but it already felt like he was left for too long. Yui was not going to die here. If the horses chose to make a stupid turn, he would just have to jump to the task of controlling them. He had seen various people at the reins for three days now, surely some of it had sunk in.

The cart shook as a shadow latched on to its side. Yui jumped and watched it slide across the wool covering and sit in the driver's seat. He had yet to meet the man, but the sword in his back told Yui that they might be heading into the fray.

"This ain't an empty one!" he yelled.

The man glanced over his shoulder with a lighthearted grin, "None of 'em are."

"I ain't cut out for battle."

He laughed, "Glad to hear it, we're trying to get away from all that."

Yui narrowed his eyes, "Kurogane would hate a man for runnin'."

"He'd hate any warrior for that," the man corrected, "I'm Ferio, the exception."

Now that name was familiar. He was skilled but tried his damndest to stay out of skirmishes. Ferio was known to be a 'peace lover' by the defectors. Well, by everyone Yui had met thus far, actually. At least he could take comfort this was a tribesman and not a Celesian in disguise.

"We're going to the medic tent."

Yui searched his new vocabulary and came up with a blank, "The what tent?"

Ferio pointed to a tent already being erected to the side of the battle breaking out. It had a red sun embroidered with a bright blue cross in the center. A medical tent. What an apt place to bring a healer, if only he knew Yui was a healer. 

Carts were stopping a ways behind it, showing they were civilians. Yui imagined this did not always keep them safe, but this army focused on the tribesmen fighting them head on. Yui hoped it stayed like that as they pulled up behind the tent themselves.

The sky grew red as Ashura’s blessing covered the land. Yui assumed Fai was close, which meant the hunting party would be returning to help.

Ferio pulled the horses to a stop and jumped down, "Stay in the cart!"

Yui popped his head up and watched the man run for more driverless horses. Several other men and women were hopping around to get them all stopped. It was like a practiced dance, mesmerizing to watch.

These people were amazing.

Until a hail of arrows broadsided the moving carts.

Yui was horrified as we watched them fall in slow motion. The drivers, the horses, the children inside; all of them would be injured or killed. That was the idea, he knew, but these were not warriors or soldiers. They were just farmers and seamstresses and chefs and artists and, for Gods' sakes, children. 

War was brutal, and Yui had firsthand experience of the mercy Celes had for enemy children. They would not care about the bodies they made. 

Ferio spun and ripped his sword from the strap holding it to his back. He spun, unleashing a wave of magic out towards the arrows. Some were shredded, others thrown in awkward directions. Barely any hit an actual target. Those that did were not fatal, at least from where Yui was. 

The dance continued, injured tribesmen being taken to the tent and Ferio fending off another barrage. The peace loving, sword toting, Ferio was fighting. Even Yui could see he was good. Very good. He was doing everything he could, even against his peaceful philosophy. 

And Yui was cowering in a cart in the safest place he could be. 

He gripped the back of the cart and hefted himself over the edge. Fai would rather Yui keep his secret, so he had even though he told Fai he would do with it what he wanted. This was the time he wanted to use it. 

Yui dashed to the medical tent. The moment he was inside, a woman shoved him back out.

"Get to the carts!"

Yui dug his shoes in, "Lemme help!"

She immediately moved to wrap an arrow wound, "You'll be in the way. We have a system that works, now go!"

"I'm a... Shit!" Yui did not know the word. Would she understand the Celesian term? Doubtful.

A makeshift stretcher carrying an injured woman moved past him. He recognized her immediately as Kendappa's wife. The cut in her side was severe, she would not survive on her own.

Yui lunged for her and held her arm in a death grip. The woman in the tent ran to pry him off but stopped as soon as she saw a glow circling the wound. 

Yui put more into it than he normally would, and the cut was sealed in a matter of seconds. It was tiring. It may have been a stupid move. Still it got his point across and saved Souma's life and her wife's happiness. 

Souma turned to him, astonished, "Yui..?"

The woman turned him around and shoved him into the tent this time, "Why didn't you say you were a healer?!"

"I didn't know the damn word!" Yui hissed and found himself in front of a man with an arrow stuck just above his clavicle. 

Yui touched his bare shoulder. He had to begin healing before the arrow was removed or he could die outright. Hands firmly on his shoulder and arrow, he poured his magic into the man and yanked the arrow free. Blood spurted and he screamed, but it healed quickly. 

Yui was dizzy, but not finished yet, "Leave the dying to me."

The woman finished tying a tourniquet, "Karen."

"Yui," he responded and rushed to a new warrior. It was another sword wound almost separating his arm at the elbow. He was pale with blood loss, the tourniquet tied too late. One of the medics, maybe Karen herself, had tied it and left him for someone with a greater chance of living.

He touched the injured arm, "Not today, Ashura. He has a battle to win."

Yui quickly found out that the drain he had always felt before was nowhere near his limit. It was barely sleepy compared to how exhausted he could get before he had to quit. By the end of the battle, the tribe had sent the small army back into the city and had lost no one.

It was just a small skirmish. Karen said they expected very few casualties. Maybe ten for an expected ambush, even with the hunting party gone. So few lives were estimated to be in danger. Only three he had healed would have died.

That was three lives that continued. All three of them, along with everyone else he could heal fully, ran back to the battle as fast as they could. They were not afraid of death, but...

"Zero casualties..." Yui breathed from his place in the grass. He had collapsed as soon as the last of the wounded were treated. It was all of fifteen minutes since he started, but he was ready to pass out for at least a week.

Still, he was grinning ear to ear.

"Zero..." he sighed.

"Yes, zero. Don't make it one."

Yui flopped his head to the side. Karen was smiling at him, kneeling casually in the grass.

"I'm good."

She raised a brow, "That last guy still had a small cut."

Yui looked back up at the tent ceiling, "I can't move, but I still feel great."

“You should never drain yourself like this,” Karen warned, “It leaves you defenseless.”

“It leaves yer warriors alive.”

She sighed, but whatever response she had was stopped by a flustered Kendappa bursting into the tent.

“Yui!” she ran to him and pulled him up to sit, “May Ashura bless you here and in the next life. Oh, may they bless you in all your lives!”

Yui slumped against her, still unable to move more than a little neck flop, “What?”

“Don’t ask that!”

Souma was right behind her. She put a hand on Yui’s shoulder, “Why did you hide your gift?”

Yui tried to keep his eyes open, “Dunno.”

“He’s drained,” Karen stood up, “I assume I can leave him to you?”

Kendappa turned to Souma and kissed her cheek, “It’s the least we can do.”

Souma agreed, “Rest, Yui. We’ll get you to a bed.”

Yui felt himself be lifted from the ground. Kendappa was carrying him bridal style all by herself. He reminded himself to stay on her good side, something that may be extremely easy now. 

He fell asleep before they even left the tent.

Chapter Text

Chapter 8

Revelry was something the Suwa Tribe was very good at. The feast that started right after their arrival was still in full swing several days later. Fai had missed the last feast while he was secluding himself. Even earlier that day he had tried to hermit back in his tent. Between Yui and Kurogane, they convinced him to stay out. 

Now, his eyes sparkled with the firelight.

“Like it?”

Fai nodded slowly, in awe of the dancing bodies and sloshing ales.

“You can join them.”

Fai pried his eyes away, Can’t.

“Can’t?” Kurogane quirked his brow, “Can’t dance or afraid to try.”

Fai bristled and shot a glare at him. He grabbed Kurogane’s wrist and started to drag him toward the bonfire.

“Oi! Wait! What are you doing?!”

Dance.

“I don’t dance!”

Fai turned and flapped his arms like a chicken. He raised his brow in challenge.

Kurogane growled, “Fine.”

Fai stuck out his tongue and pulled him into the circle. Several of the dancers looked incredulously at them but knew well enough to mind their own business. They made space for the pair and tried to get them moving.

Kurogane struggled with the movements, stiff from years of staying away. Still, his body vaguely remembered the steps. Round the fire they swayed and raised their arms to their God. Shouts rang with the drumbeat.

Fai was confused at first, but Kurogane held his hand to direct his arm. Soon, his eyes were closed as he danced. It was like Fai had always known it within minutes.

Kurogane wondered if it was Ashura’s influence or just Fai’s talent. Either way he was a beautiful sight. He even caught Kendappa staring from her place next to Souma, a soft smile resting comfortably on her lips.

What the Hell was she thinking with a face like that?

Kurogane got into the sway of things and grinned. This was worship and celebration. Even if he had refrained from it in the past, the energy of his people was contagious.

The drums grew wild as the circle broke out of rhythm. Kurogane and Fai stayed right next to each other, spinning, and holding the other’s hands until the music ceased.

A large cheer erupted from the dancers and crowd. Among the loudest were Kurogane, letting out a war cry to cure the deaf.

Fai was smiling ear to ear, not able to cheer along with the group. Kurogane faintly heard him cheering in his head. There was not much Fai could project without the help of Ashura, but Kurogane was sure he heard the elation.

Before another dance could start up, he made his way over to his chair. Kurogane danced once and he got Fai in the fray. That was all he really wanted to do, and only because Fai had looked so interested.

He did not expect Fai to follow him back and plop down next to him.

“You’re not dancing anymore?”

Fai shook his head and continued to watch the festivities. His face scrunched in confusion.

Kurogane followed his gaze and saw Yui with one of the medics. They were deep in their own world, touching and kissing without inhibitions. It was something Kurogane had seen many times already. He guessed it was new to Fai.

Fai tried to stand up when Yui was pushed down on the bench.

Kurogane took his arm, “Don’t interrupt them”

Fai whipped his head around looking like he was going to attack.

“Calm down, he’s not hurt or anything. Let them enjoy themselves.”

Enjoy?

“Yeah. What else would they be doing?”

Fai looked back at the pair and slowly sat back down. He gripped the arms of the chair and stared intently at them as things began to heat up. Before long, Yui was yanked to his feet and they disappeared into a tent.

He turned his head to the side.

“Never heard of sex before? Your brother sleeps around so much I figured you had to know.”

Fai looked at him weirdly.

“Not an insult, just a fact.”

Fai took Kurogane’s hand and drew one of the few phrases he knew.

“You really don’t get it? Come here.”

Kurogane took his chin and gave him a quick kiss. It was harmless enough, he thought, and might help him understand what was pleasurable about being with others.

Fai looked at him with furrowed brows.

Kurogane could not help but find it cute. His best warrior, unafraid to rip through the enemy and torture generals until they literally piss themselves, had no idea what a kiss was. He had snapped the head off an archer in one shot a few days ago, and now he was childlike in his innocence.

“Like it?”

Fai blinked in thought before pursing his lips and leaning up for another kiss.

Kurogane granted him one, letting the chaste kiss continue until Fai pulled away. He blinked rapidly and huffed, still confused.

“Is that a ‘no?’”

Fai tapped his lips and tried to go in for another.

Kurogane rolled his eyes and scooped Fai out of his chair. The blonde was surprised but let himself be pulled into Kurogane’s lap.

“Let me show you something better.”

Fai nodded slowly.

“Open your mouth.”

Fai opened it wide and waited.

“Good,” Kurogane nudged his chin to close his mouth a bit and locked his own over it. 

He felt Fai suck in a breath. Kurogane used the excuse to explore around Fai’s mouth with his tongue. He ran it against Fai’s and coaxed it to move. Timidly, Fai licked the top of Kurogane’s mouth.

He ran his tongue past Fai’s and ended it. Kurogane could have taken more, but this was a learning experience for Fai. Scaring him out of intimacy was the last thing he wanted, even if Fai tasted good.

Fai let out a slow breath, cheeks dusted in the firelight, Again.

Kurogane smirked, “I guess you like it.”

Fai leaned in and stuck his tongue against Kurogane’s lips. 

He tried to laugh, but Fai was back in his mouth. It was awkward and fumbling. Fai wiggled his tongue, maybe to make the kiss feel better. Kurogane could only guess.

Fai pulled back in shock when Kurogane nipped at his lower lip.

Eat?

“No,” Kurogane guided him closer, “Little bites can feel good.”

Fai timidly pecked Kurogane, taking his time and letting the leader take control again. 

Kurogane held Fai’s head and deepened the kiss. They mashed their lips together and toyed with the new feeling. He had no idea how long it was before Fai bit down on his lip and raked his teeth pulling away.

Kurogane groaned and went for Fai’s neck. 

He jolted in surprise but melted as Kurogane nipped and sucked at it. Fai instinctually moved his hips and shuddered.

He snapped his eyes open and looked between them.

”What?”

Fai blushed horribly. He pushed himself off Kurogane’s lap and hurried to his tent.

Kurogane wiped some spit off his lip, “Was that his first time being hard?”

- - -

Yui stumbled into the tent in the dead of night. Dead was a loose term since the fires kept burning all day and night, apparently. People were still drinking and chatting when he snuck away from Karen's tent. She had taught him a number of interesting techniques, chief among those was how to not get a girl pregnant.

That would come in handy in the future.

The late hour and pitch black tent made him surprised to find Fai sitting curled tight on the bed. That was not a person who had a good time at a party. Oh dear.

"Fai?"

I did something bad.

Yui weighed the chances of him doing something wrong versus just thinking it was wrong. Either was likely. 

“What didja do?”

Fai teared up, Kuro… He was being nice and I ruined it! He hates me now!

Yui heaved a sigh and flopped on the bed next to his brother, “Did ‘e say that?” 

He has to. I’m terrible!

“What didja do?!”

Fai looked up and stretched his legs out, It… it grew.

“It grew? What the fuck are ya talkin’ about?”

It grew! He showed me how to kiss and it grew!

Yui had to fight his urge to walk out and scream at the sky. What had he been trained to think during puberty? Yui remembered being an insatiable glutton in between guard rounds.

No, Yui did not want that answered.

“He don’t hate ya for that. That’s normal.”

Normal and horrible!

“No, not horrible. Just normal. Probably happened to ‘im too.”

There’s no way. 

“There’s a way,” Yui promised, “I just came back from gettin’ it up myself.”

Fai perked up, What?

“I fucked someone. It’s normal.”

Fucked…

“Yeah, feels good. Ya liked kissin’, yeah?”

Fai nodded.

“So go to ‘im and let ‘im teach ya more!” Yui pointed to the tent flaps.

I can’t! What if he-

Yui rolled over to face him, “Fai. Trust me. He would love ya to come over if ‘e was kissin’ ya.”

Fai closed his eyes and gulped before bolting out of the tent.

“All in a day's work,” Yui mumbled, “Gods that women wore me out.”

- - -

Fai whipped the tent flaps shut behind him. His legs were shaking, and he wanted to never look at Kurogane again. Even though Yui would never purposefully send him into danger, he could be very wrong.

“Fai?”

He turned around, red in the face, Hi.

“What’s wrong?”

Fai flexed his toes into the rug. This was a very bad idea. Everything he did with Kurogane was a very bad idea, but he had yet to betray what little trust Fai had in him. 

Do you …?

“Do I what?”

Fai shuffled to the bed and knelt on it, Your thing.

“Yeah?”

Bigger?

“An erection? Is that what you’re asking about?”

It’s okay?

Kurogane scratched the back of his neck, “What? Getting one? Everyone does… well everyone one that has a dick.”

Fai took a long breath, Help.

“With what?”

What … do?

Kurogane furrowed his brow, "Are you asking me to sleep with you?"

Sleep?

"Sex?"

Fai sat back, Man.

"No," Kurogane sighed, "Do you want to kiss more? And do more than that?"

That helps?

"It's one way, yeah."

Hurts?

Fai did not like the hesitation in Kurogane's eyes. Fai watched his eyes dart around the room as if the right words would be written on the tent walls. What was Kurogane trying not to say?

"It doesn't have to. A lot of people like a bit of pain because it makes them feel more pleasure."

Fai questioned that logic. Pain was not pleasurable. It was just pain, sometimes searing hot, sometimes bitingly cold. There were in betweens, but it was never a good feeling. Perhaps the world had gone insane.

"That look tells me you don't get it."

Fai gulped, Show?

Kurogane paused again before answering slowly, "If you want me to stop, tap me three times, okay?"

Fai scrunched his face, Why?

"So I'll stop," Kurogane reiterated.

Fai groaned internally. Speaking in single words was incredibly difficult and he could not write very much. Not that it would help in the dead of night. Kurogane would not be able to see ink on paper.

He concentrated as hard as he could, Why ... I ... Want...

"Why would you want to stop?"

Fai nodded quickly.

Kurogane shrugged, "Personal reasons. If you suddenly don't want to do it anymore."

Compl...ted

"Complicated?" Kurogane confirmed, "It can be, especially since it's your first time, but that’s why you should tell me if you don’t want anything.”

Fai crawled his way closer and sat in Kurogane's lap like he had done earlier, Feel good?

"Yeah," Kurogane sighed and hugged Fai's waist, "You're not going to run this time?"

Fai thought for a moment, then shook his head. If Kurogane was going to help him and not hit him for his 'erection,' then he could be brave. Kurogane even gave him a way to stop it all if he was hurting. The chief had hardly ever given him reason to distrust him, and Fai was coming to understand that these people were so very different from what he had known before.

Kurogane was honest and caring. He was protecting Fai from more than just a sword, just like Yui was. They both wanted nothing more than for him to feel happy and safe in this new home. For all his hesitancy and resistance, Fai was beginning to understand that.

Kurogane kissed him more aggressively than he had before. It made Fai tense in surprise, but only for a moment. This much he knew how to do, if clumsily. Fai opened his mouth and slid his tongue across Kurogane's. It was like they were sparring, only without fists. There was a battle for control and it made his stomach heat up. 

Aggressive could be a good thing, he thought. If aggression felt this nice, maybe Kurogane was right about pain and pleasure. Maybe he could stop looking for lies from the Chief, but that train of thought could wait.

Kurogane broke off first and moved to kiss his neck, "I'm gonna touch you."

You alre-

Fai squeezed his eyes shut and his thighs together. They would have trapped Kurogane's hand if not for their position around his hips. 

Kurogane had touched there. The dirty thing that was among the worst of his sins against Yasha and the crown. He had touched... Was touching it and stroking it, and it felt good.

"Feel good?"

Fai nodded and buried his head in the crook of Kurogane's neck. The slow strokes sent shudders through him. It was intense, more intense than he ever thought it would be. Suddenly it was obvious why Kurogane would give him a way out of this. He just was not sure if he wanted it to stop.

 Kurogane chuckled, "Wanna do more?"

There was more? Gods above, if this got any better he might lose what was left of his mind. 

Do it.

"I'm going to str- take off your clothes."

That was hardly a big deal. He had been naked most of his life. Fai could go the rest of his life without any clothes and not know the difference. He wondered what anyone found private about their bodies. They all looked the same, more or less.

Fai pointed at Kurogane, You?

He cracked a grin and undid Fai's belt, "I don't sleep with anything on."

Fai glanced down at the blanket covering his legs. It was creased by Fai's body and hid anything that Kurogane may or may not be wearing. He could only see a weird bulge just under the fold closest to his torso. 

Was that... his erection? Kurogane had one too. Yui got them. Everyone with a 'dick' got them. And those without... Who would not have one? 

This really was normal. His guards had lied, surprise surprise, and Fai had believed them. He believed the people who cut him open and did not believe the ones who took him away from that. He really was an idiot.

Kurogane slid the robe off of Fai's shoulders, "Are you okay?"

Fai looked Kurogane in the eyes and scooted close again, I want to be fucked.

"Where'd you learn to ask that?"

Fai did not think it mattered. He was not sure what 'being fucked' even meant, but Yui had said it was good. Well, he said fucking someone else was good, but Fai had no idea how to do that. The other side would be nice, too, right?

Yui.

Kurogane huffed, "I should've guessed that one."

No good?

"No, I'd be happy to fuck you, but you don't want it to hurt. You should top tonight."

Fai mulled over the foreign concepts. Topping was a potion to be in during fucking? It was the person fucking the other. 

I don't ... what ... do.

Kurogane kissed Fai's bare chest, "Okay, are you sure?"

Fai sighed and locked Kurogane's head close, Yes. ... trust you.

Kurogane paused. It was long enough that Fai was starting to worry he had done something wrong. He was about to pull away when Kurogane ran a calloused hand up his back.

"That's a dangerous thing to say when we're like this."

Like this?

Kurogane laid Fai flat on his back and rested his hand on either side of his head, "It makes me want to lose control."

Of?

Kurogane smirked, "You'll have to find out."

He pulled away and yanked a basket up off the floor. It only took a moment of digging for him to find a slim glass bottle, corked tightly and only about halfway full.

It reminded Fai of the soap and conditioner Kendappa always urged him to use. Those came in jars, though. He had no real idea what the bottle had in it. Still, he did not bother asking. He knew Kurogane would either show him or explain. Maybe both.

Kurogane bit the cork and yanked it out. After spitting it out to the side, he poured a viscous liquid over his hand, "Do you want me to warn you what I'm about to do?"

Fai bit his lip. Something about not knowing excited him. The other part was terrified of the thought. Then, he realized there was a good chance that he would not understand even if Kurogane explained.

He nodded and gripped the blanket below him.

"I'm going to touch you again," Kurogane started leaning in close, spreading Fai's legs wide, "With oil this time."

Oil? The thing used to cook? Sex was strange. Fai was imagining himself oiled from head to toe, glistening like the freshly prepped boar they had roasted earlier. 

He opened his eyes.

Roast... That was familiar, but he had trouble placing the word. Well, besides roasting of meat. He could have sworn...

Ah, Yui. He had mentioned getting 'spitroasted.' Was that sex?

"Fai? What are you thinking?"

Spit roast. 

Kurogane's face contorted like he was stifling himself. He managed to keep his laughter in and finally said, "Where the Hell- No, you got that from Yui, right?"

Fai nodded slowly, Sex?

"Yeah, but not like this. We'd need another person."

Sex could be with more than two people. Fai noted that. He would have to ask Yui about it later. He seemed to love it, maybe Fai would too.

Fai was brought to the present when the slick hand rubbed against his standing member. It was cold and made him jump. That only caused the hand to put more pressure on the sensitive area. If Fai could whimper, he would have.

Kurogane started stroking it again, "Good?"

Fai knotted his hands in the blanket. It was very good. He could not find his mind long enough to voice it, it was so good. 'Good' was starting to feel like too simple a word for this feeling.

The oil warmed with his rising body heat. Kurogane's hand slid easily up and down his shaft, hitching Fai's breath everytime his fingers rolled over his head. 

His body craved more, even though he thought it may just kill him to get it. The feeling was already overwhelming in such a delicious way, but he wanted to be closer, to hold his friend and be held. He wanted Kurogane's heat.

His fist tangled deeper in the blanket to stop himself.

Kurogane dipped his head down and gave Fai a peck, "You can touch me. It's okay."

Fai wrapped his arms around Kurogane's neck and forced him back on his lips. The kiss was needy and incredible. Fai could hardly breath between nips and sucks. 

Kurogane groaned into a particularly hard bite from Fai. His teeth dragged over Kurogane's lower lip and only released it when he ran out of lip to scrape. 

Kurogane bit roughly on Fai's neck. In a different moment, he would have killed the man for an attack. Now, it felt... Not good, but exciting. The warm suckling and licking helped sooth whatever miniscule pain his teeth had caused.

Something was building fast. The feeling was familiar, and not. It was, like everything that was happening to him, intense. The uncontrollable urge to curl in on myself took over. If Kurogane had not been on top of him, he would have gone fetal.

Fai tried to push Kurogane away as the feeling mounted. He had suddenly placed it and wanted to run before he peed. Soiling the bed was not his idea of a good time, but Kurogane would not let him up.

“Let it happen,” Kurogane moaned against his neck.

Let himself pee? He had no choice with Kurogane bearing down on him. He dug his nails into the chief’s shoulders. His legs squeezed together against Kurogane’s waist and his mouth shot open in a wordless scream.

And then, he did not pee. Whatever this new feeling was, it was not peeing. It shook Fai to his core. Something hot splashed on his stomach as Kurogane slowed his movements. More kept coming, like he was a cow being milked.

Eventually he ran dry and Kurogane pulled away. He licked a white liquid off his palm and grinned, “Like it?”

Fai panted and stared at the man. ‘Like’ was about as accurate as ‘good’ turned out to be. Wholly inadequate for what he just went through. ‘Like’ was what he felt for a word fire and a well roasted boar bottom.

He loved this. He could no longer live without it. How had he ever lived without it? This ignorance was not bliss, but now he knew better.

Kurogane chuckled and shifted to licked up everything that came out of him. His warm tongue relaxed Fai’s overstimulated body. It was like he was a professional… sexer. 

Fai would ask later what the word really was. In the meantime, Kurogane was still very much hard. He had not been touched down there the whole time. After what he had done for Fai, he deserved a returned favor.

‘Like for like’ as Yui said.

Fai must have stared at it for some time. Kurogane tilted his head back up so their eyes met, “We can do even more.”

He must have looked silly with his eye and mouth so large. That was not the end? There was something better to do together? Would it make them both feel that amazing release? 

Fai nodded vigorously and pulled Kurogane down for another round of kissing. It was his best way to say he wanted more. He actually wanted it all. Anything Kurogane could teach him about this new feeling, Fai would accept.

“Eager, aren’t you,” he teased, “I’m going to touch your ass.”

His ass? Oh. Fai felt a prodding finger and suddenly the sentence made perfect sense. Kurogane was rubbing an oiled finger around his hole. It was weird. Nothing about this was immediately nice like before, but after Kurogane had been so right about erections, Fai could hardly protest his expertise.

“This is where you get fucked, but first I’m going to oil it. It’ll make things easier for you.”

More complications. Perfect. Fai wanted more of an explanation, but the finger slid into him before he could ask. His bum twitched around to foreign object. Was this even clean? 

“Is this alright?”

Fai was not sure, but he had already asked to be fucked, had he not? This was to help him get fucked. So he relaxed his legs around Kurogane and nodded.

“Hmph,” Kurogane smiled, “This is the most you’ve ever listened to me.”

That was a tease, right? Not meant to hurt him, or make him mad. Just to have a little fun, and Fai was good to respond in kind.

He kissed Kurogane’s cheek, You’re being nice today.

“Am I now?” he laughed, “I think you’re just horny.”

Fai was going to ask what that meant, but the finger started moving. It was definitely a feeling. A weird feeling. It was an intrusive pressure, but not entirely unpleasant. It was intimate and somehow exciting. It did not take long for a small fire to relight in his stomach.

Why?

“Why are you horny?” he asked.

Why inside?

Kurogane slipped another finger in, making Fai jolt towards him, “Because me fucking you means I’m going to stick my dick in here.”

That? It was going inside of him? No wonder Kurogane was starting with fingers. They were already pressuring him, and they did not have the girth an erection did. He would need to get used to things up his bum before something bigger was put up there.

Good for you?

“Yeah, it’s better than what I did to you before,” he admitted, “But if you don’t like it, stop me.”

Fai nodded, I will.

Kurogane’s fingers prodded different areas. He was clearly searching for something, but Fai was not feeling anything different from it. He just kept his arms around his neck and kissed him on and off. That was what he really liked.

Then, his body spasmed. Kurogane had hit something very sensitive. He let his mouth hang open as he continued to rub past the area. It was a nice feeling that only heightened when he closed his eyes. 

“You’re loosening up.”

He was. Taking Kurogane’s fingers was getting easier, and the pleasure was building again. Fai was looking forward to finishing again. Maybe it would be even better the second time. 

Hurry!

Kurogane kissed his neck, "Think you're ready?"

I want more!

"If it's too much-"

I'll tap! Give me more!

"You're a greedy man," he pulled his fingers free and wiped them on the blanket, "Almost as bad as I am."

Fuck me.

Kurogane grinned and touched the tip to Fai's entrance. It was burning hot. Kurogane was feeling the fire too, and that made Fai want him even more. 

He pushed in slowly, spreading him wide. It did hurt. It hurt a lot. It was a slow burn traveling through his ass and he had to bite down on Kurogane's shoulder. Fai tasted blood, but it did little to distract from the pain. He almost tapped out. 

"It's in. All the way."

Fai released his shoulder. He was so full. It was hot and stinging, but he had done it. He could take Kurogane's thing inside him, but now what?

"Gods you feel amazing," he groaned, "Can I move?"

Moving was next, but why was he asking? The hurdle was getting inside, was it not?

Fai nodded, only to grip Kurogane hard and shake his head right after. It hurt more when he moved. Maybe he should tap out, but then Kurogane would not get to have fun. Did people really do this with each other? Was it always a favor or did people enjoy this.

"It's alright, take your time," Kurogane cooed in his ear.

He took hold of Fai's cock again and stroked it slowly. It still felt very good, even though his ass was burning. His mind started to focus on Kurogane's hand sliding agonizingly slowly over him.

Kurogane started to move again, in time with his strokes. It was not as bad as the first time he tried. Fai's body was still tight around him, but the pleasant waves from his member helped relax him. This he could get used to.

"Better?"

Fai nodded lazily, eyes shut so he could just feel Kurogane's heat. This was indeed better than fire licking his anus. The friction of the gentle thrusts were starting to feel good, but it was frustratingly not building to more.

He furrowed his brow, More.

"Are you sure this time?"

Fai opened his eyes to glare. Whether that was a tease or not it was annoying.

"Just making sure," he smiled, "I don't want to hurt you."

Fai believed that. Kurogane had been nothing but good to him this night. He had even warned it would hurt. That was more than he got from most people he had met. These moments were priceless to Fai.

Kurogane's first long thrust ground against the sweet spot inside him. Fai shuddered and kissed Kurogane's shoulder, right next to where he had bitten. He vaguely remembered the feeling of Kurogane suckling and nipping at his neck and did the same. If it felt good for him, it would feel good for Kurogane.

He hummed lowly, "Trying to mark me?"

Mark? What did that mean? Fai pulled away but found he could not ask. His mind was gone again, lost to Kurogane's movements. They were getting faster and stronger each time. 

Kurogane leaned down and made Fai wrap his legs around his waist. His whole body swayed with each thrust, making him gasp and cling tighter to Kurogane. The thing in his ass was sending waves of toe curling bliss throughout his body. He could not focus on anything else than the fire raging between them.

This was amazing! So much more than just touching. They were melting together, voiceless sighs mixing with gravely groans. There were just the two of them in the whole world. Nothing else existed beyond the heat of their skin.

Fai could do this for the rest of eternity, if only his body would let him. He could already feel the same release from before coming, but he did not want to stop yet. Fai wanted to go longer and longer.

He pulled Kurogane off his erection and went back to kissing. Fai pushed his way into Kurogane's mouth. He felt frustrated as the release ebbed, but he still wanted to be fucked longer.

Kurogane moaned in his mouth. He ground deeper and harder into Fai, driving him absolutely crazy. The chief was pounding into his special spot. He must have been doing it on purpose. Kurogane wanted him to feel good, but had no way of knowing he was so close.

Kurogane forced him over, the liquid hitting them both. He kissed Fai harder and buried himself deep as Far spasmed around him. Something hot poured into him, and he could only assume it was Kurogane's own white stuff.

They rode the close feeling, lazily kissing and coming back to reality. Fai did not want to stop yet. Could they get hard again and keep going? Gods he hoped so.

  Kurogane broke the kiss but kept their foreheads together, "That was great."

Fai nodded, finally loosening his legs from around Kurogane.

"You look sad," Kurogane laughed, "Too soon?"

He had been found out, but he was hardly trying to hide it. 

Kurogane pulled himself out and rolled them over so Fai could cuddle to his chest. He quickly took that invitation and rubbed his face in Kurogane's chest. It was so warm and comfortable. He could fall asleep so easily like this. 

"Did you enjoy getting fucked?"

Fai grinned, Did you ... fucking me?

"Yeah, I did. You felt soft."

Fai rolled fully on top of Kurogane and fingered the mark he had made, Can I fuck you?

Kurogane just laughed, "Give me a minute."

Chapter Text

Chapter 9

Fai was used to Tomomi now. He had spent days, sore ones, on the horse galloping back and forth. He rode her to a river, fed and bonded, and rode her back daily. It was fun, and Fai was happy he could do it alone. Tomomi seemed to enjoy their time together as well.

Their stay outside of Hanshin had been over a week now, and they showed no signs of either attacking or surrendering anytime soon. Sorata had not been kidding when he said this was fortified. Fai could get in with maybe two or three people at a time, even though he was already able to do small things outside the Red Sun. They needed to blow up a section to get in en masse. 

They had yet to find a good enough crack. Sorata had marked a couple he knew of, but some of them had been filled over according to the scouts. Others were too small to be of much use. They had to be able to fit the kegs of explosives Arashi was making. To blow a hole through the wall, they would need about 20 of them. She was making the last one as he trotted back to the camp.

Kurogane had taken the time to fully explain the plan after they had woken up together the first night. Fai had yet to actually sleep in his own tent since that night. Yui seemed to like having a space to himself, and Fai enjoyed sleeping with, fucking, having sex with, and whatever other random words decribed what he and Kurogane did. Yui had told him more, but Fai could not remember them all. Apparently, both languages had a multitude of ways to describe sex.

For all the words there were, he wondered why his guards had been so insistent about it being worthy of beatings. They must have had sex before, right? As old as they were, it seemed only natural. Maybe it was a rule that only applied to Fai? That made more sense.

Fai hopped off Tomomi and unfastened the saddle. She trotted around him happily before running off to the herd grazing to the back of the camp. She was a fun horse to have, always ready to run and play. Taking her into battle would be strange.

"Oi! Fai!"

He turned and smiled at the man calling him over. Fai ran the short distance to his side, What?

"War meeting," Kurogane sighed, "And I need a favor."

You've never asked a favor of me before, Kuro-pon. 

"Yeah, well, it's important."

It must be, Fai agreed.  Otherwise he would not ask. 

They went straight to the meeting tent where the others were already talking about the finished explosives. Arashi had completed her job without an incident, and Sorata looked relieved for it to be over.

"Souma, any word on the cracks?"

She nodded, "I went out personally last night and we managed to dig a sealed one out. It was only good enough to keep the farm children from going through."

"It's going to fit all of them, barely," Kamui added, "We just need to be able to light it from far enough away."

Kurogane thought for a moment, "Would a lit arrow be enough?"

Arashi spoke up, "If we leave one keg open, but you would have to get the arrow to touch the powder or else we'd have to hope the wood of the keg catches."

"Ferio?"

He sighed heavily, "You know I don't like when she involves herself."

"Even though she does it all the time?" Fuuma smirked.

Ferio glared, "I'll ask Fuu."

"Good, then," Kurogane glanced at Fai, "We have one objective in this battle. We don't have to take the city. I don't really want to waste time with it either. There isn't much to loot through anyway. We just need to figure out where Tomoyo is and get her out safely."

Oh, he wanted Fai to get to her. That was very important, and Fai almost thought he was joking. Then again, they had been trusting each other often lately. Plus, Fai could pull the information and teleport himself straight to her, then back to the camp.

Fai let out his breath, I'll do it.

Kurogane did not speak it out loud, but he thought he heard a faint 'thank you.' How strange to be able to read a mind outside of the Red Sun. He had been thinking it was his power increasing, but it was only Yui and Kurogane that could hear him so clearly. There was a trick there he did not understand.

"Good, Fai'll get to her and bring her to safety. When you return, use this," he handed a small wooden device to Fai.

Fai took it and looked it over. It was hollow and crudely made for what he knew the tribe was capable of. 

What is it?

"A whistle. I had to make it quick, so it's shoddy, but it'll make a loud noise when you blow on it. That's going to tell us to fall back."

Fai felt something well up in him. A handmade device to give him a voice of sorts, that was really... Sweet. Even if it was specifically for a battle. He curled his fingers gently around it and looked back up at the group, more determined than before.

"Ferio, I'm leaving a group behind in your command. If they try to follow us out, attack. Otherwise get the camp packed while we fight. We're moving north to Jade after this."

North to where Enka was, the first of his family he would kill. It would be his first step to killing them all. Excitement welled within him at the thought, but he had to focus on the battle to come. 

The ambush gave him little chance to show his improvements. He had arrived just before the survivors retreated into the city. They took one look at the severed head in his hand and ran.

Fai bet they realized he was the Hand and pissed themselves, pieces of shit. He wanted to practice in real combat, but he hardly had the chance. He might not get much of a chance that nice either, since he agreed to find the sister.

Dammit. He screwed himself over.

It was too late to do anything about that now. The plan was set and in motion, deviating would put the tribe and Tomoyo in danger. Not to mention the danger it would put himself and his brother in. It was not worth a moment to test his mettle.

The day went by in a tense flurry. The tribe was careful not to let on that anything was different. If the city caught on, they would prepare. It might not lead to their victory, but it would make things harder. There was no need for that.

Inside the tents, people were packing as fast as they could. Outside, they chatted and mingled as usual. Fai had spent the day helping Yui pack up. He had to rest so he was in top form for healing. The only break Fai took was to do his daily ride. Not doing it would be suspicious, or that's what he told himself.

As soon as the sun was setting, the archer, Fui, was in her place. She was practicing with a sack of hay. At any moment, she could light an arrow and begin the battle. She was waiting for one thing.

Fai was the only one who could bring that one thing.

He prayed, like he had during the ambush. Fai spoke to Ashura and asked for their blessing to free Tomoyo. They would need it more than normal. If Ashura refused, Fai could not pry the information he needed to reach the girl.

This day, Ashura gave their blessing. The setting sun bled a crimson spotlight over the city. Already, there was movement in the city. The guards on the wall fumbled with their bows, and that was the time Fui needed.

She lined up her shot, then raised the top of the arrow high in the sky. With all the confidence in the world, she loosed the arrow. It soared in a perfect arch, landing directly in the open keg. 

Fai knelt to the ground with the blast. It surprised him how loud the explosion was. He had some idea of what was going to happen, but this was outside his expectations. No wonder Sorata wanted to keep Arashi out of this. One of those kegs would have taken out a good potion of the camp. 20 of them blew a 15 foot hole in the wall. 

As soon as the warriors got their barings, they ran into the city. Fai was close behind as he pushed off a piece of rubble, sending him flying over the other warriors. He landed and let his smoke skate through the tight streets they broke into. More than anything, Fai needed to find someone important enough to know where Tomoyo was. A knight, or perhaps a manor maid? They would all still be in the city, no one had been able to escape and Kamui confirmed there were no tunnels big enough for humans. Only for gophers or rabbits.

Fai ran to an alley to get away from any battle that might break out. Being caught up in it would only slow him down. His smoke had already found a couple potential helpers, but only one was outside the main street. She was huddled with her family at home, pushed as far into the corner as they could be to try and escape the blinding smoke. 

Fai went to them first. The eldest daughter was a maid for the manor, but most likely a low rank one. She was lucky to have that job with her Father only recently moving from the farms to the town. He now worked hard labor, but they were safer in the city walls, safer and had more food on their plates.

Fai dispersed the smoke enough for the woman to see him. She gasped and tried to scream, but his smoke blocked it from escaping. She was frightened, but there was no need to be. Not today. Ashura did not want her, and Fai did not want to harm her either way.

He reached out and cupped her cheeks with both hands. The smoke wrapped around her head and entered through her ears and nose. Blinding her accidentally would destroy her livelihood and ruin her family. He was as gentle as he could be, plucking what he needed to continue searching. 

There was a whole wing she was not allowed to enter. It was an easy guess that Tomoyo would be there, but it hardly narrowed down her room. He would have to search manually and that would take far too long. 

Fai would go to her superior then.

Thank you, he told her and pulled back to the alleyway. There were few maids allowed in the wing, and only one had the key to the door. He could use any of them, but the top maid would have more information in general.

She lived in the manor's first floor, the woman he had just been with knew the room well. Fai was on the move again, blipping across main roads to stay in the shadows. Once he was close enough, he willed himself to the right room. 

It was a longer jump than he had been able to do previously. That was a good sign in itself, and made him excited. If only he had the time to flex his new abilities. Fai made a mental note to try more magic outside of the Red Sun.

He turned to face the full bed. There was little in the way of luxury in the room, but she had a nice tea set on her plain vanity and a silver candle holder on the bedside table. Small perks for the highest ranked maid, Fai guessed. She was even more lucky than those under her, but her luck was running thin.

Fai crouched and lulled his head to the side. She scurried closer to the wall under the bed. It would not help any, he could reach her with his hands, not to mention his magic.

He grinned, Where is Tomoyo?

She shook her head, "I don't know!"

Liar, Fai grabbed the edge of her skirt and pulled her out, I already know the wing she's in, and I'm not asking again.

He covered her the same as the other maid and took what he needed. Tomoyo had a bedroom that was plainly styled and covered in half made dresses. They allowed her to practice her craft so long as she did her duty. Peculiar, the dresses were covered in a design Fai recognized through Ashura's knowledge. 

It was the sign of the Nature Goddess, Sakura. She was technically of the Sun Court, even though she moonlighted (pun intended) as a Moon Court representative as well. Her and her lunar counterpart worked in tandem to keep the earth fertile and prosperous. It seemed Tomoyo had her own way of rebelling through worshipping the only Sun Goddess she was allowed.

Good for her. 

Fai put the maid to sleep and left her on the floor. He could not have her alerting anyone, but she was more or less innocent by Ashura's definition. There was nothing more to be done with her, so he moved once more to where Tomoyo was supposed to be.

If she was there, she was very good at hiding. Even with Ashura's magic he could not sense her. Perhaps she was moved in advance to another room? The maid had known nothing of it, and she seemed to be in charge of Tomoyo. So, as best he could tell, she was in the room and hiding even from his magic.

She must have been scared of the blast from only a few minutes earlier. He had been startled, too. Fai wished now more than ever that he could call out to put her at ease. It was the only way he would be able to talk to her while she was hiding.

He sat crossed legged in the center of the room. Fai had to think of some way to ease her. Looking smaller worked with animals, but humans would need more. He had no food and no voice to lure her out. He could always seek out Kurogane or Kendappa, but that would take extra time he did not want to waste. Fai let out a breath and scratched his head.

Maybe music? He could tap to the beat of the revel's dances. He had learned a few and maybe Tomoyo would remember them. She would at least know he was with the tribe at that point.

He tapped quietly at first, making sure he had the right cadence. It was not nearly the same as all the instruments and shouting, but it was at least familiar. Or, he hoped it would be to a girl several years detached from her culture. Maybe this was a stupid idea.

Still, he continued, louder now that he was more confident. This was a celebration of faith, as Kurogane had explained. It was one of the few songs several tribes used to praise the Red Sun. Before Fai, they would even use it to ask for Ashura's blessings in battle. It would have been something Tomoyo heard, even if she did not remember.

He got to the chorus before the pile of dresses to his right shifted. Fai could have grabbed for her at that point, but he would rather her come willingly. She should know she had no reason to fear him. The rhythm continued even as she peaked out of the clothes at him.

Slowly, she pulled dresses out of her way and revealed herself, dressed in clothes she likely made herself. The dress was more... flashy than he had seen her in the other's memories. 

Fai smiled at her and finished the song. Sudden movements might scare her, even though she showed herself.

"Who are you?"

Fai pointed to his choker.

"Who's Hand?"

He tilted his head, trying to find a way to answer that. There was no other way than his smoke, so he breathed it out.

As he thought, Tomoyo squeaked and tried to move away. It was too late for that, though. He got in through one ear so he could speak.

Ashura's.

She stiffened, "You... You can't talk?"

He shook his head, It's my price, Tomoyo-chan.

Tomoyo knelt in front of him, "You're with Ashura. The people fighting outside are with you?"

He nodded, Your brother and sister are there, hoping you'll come home.

She sucked in a breath, "I don't... I don't really know them anymore."

Are you afraid?

"Yes."

Why?

She looked at her lap, "I don't know them, and they don't know me. I belong here now."

Fai glanced at the clothes she had made. They were colorful and in the Celesian style, but her rebellion was embroidered into every piece. She was not in any moon cult, she was Sakura's protectee.

You don't belong here. You never did. You belong in a world of laughter and dancing. Somewhere you can wear those dresses.

Tomoyo blushed, "I wear them."

He chinned to the door, Out there?

She sighed, "Do you really think I could live with them again?"

I don't know, Fai answered honestly, but I think you aren't 'living' here.

"That's a bold statement."

It's not true?

"I'm alive and they've taught me everything I know!"

Fai tapped out the chorus again. And she faltered, Not everything.

She covered his hand, "Where will I go when they don't want me anymore?"

They've traveled for years to find you, not knowing anything that you would become. They will always want you.

Fai only wished his family had felt the same. Only Yui held any love for him, but that was enough to live off of. It was enough happiness to push through the anger most days. Tomoyo would have so much more than him.

Tomoyo swallowed, "How do we get out of here?"

Fai held out his hand, Close your eyes.

Tomoyo took his hand and gasped as he pulled her close. She closed her eyes and held on tight.

Fai blanketed them in black smoke and pictured an empty piece of grass. It was empty before the tents were packed, and should still be. They had named it his return space earlier in the day. Just as he had assumed, no one had put anything near it. They landed safely in the grass.

Fai pat her hair, We're out.

She blinked and looked around, "How did you-"

Fai put a finger over her mouth and then covered his ears.

It took a moment for her to do the same. Right after, he put the whistle to his mouth and blew as hard as he could. It was shrill and cut through the air. By the time he was out of air, the carts had already started moving out. More shouts came from the city to pull back.

It was a success.

Fai pulled Tomoyo to her feet and ran with her to a still cart. He helped her up and into the arms of her sister. With a quick nod to Souma, they were off with the rest of the tribe. 

- - -

The whistle almost took him off guard. It was quicker than he imagined, but maybe he should have given Fai more credit. The mage had been practicing every day since the first training they had. It was obvious that he would far surpass where he was.

Kurogane pushed a soldier off him and whistled three short tones. His warriors had already heard Fai's, but it was good for him to confirm the order. For the first time in this war, they were pulling out. It felt weird to leave before a surrender, but they had everything they needed, so long as Fai actually found her. Kurogane was certain if he could not, Fai would be fighting with them to the last man.

So it was time to fall back and move north. 

Kurogane's initial plans were to get Tomoyo and go home. Once he saw Fai, he knew Ashura was expecting more. He was quick to pivot, even as Fai tried to get them all killed. You do not turn your back when your patron god gives you a task. 

That task was obviously to take the kingdom. No matter the reason, they would succeed. 

Falling back was not his warrior's strong suit. They tried to pull away but some got into continued skirmishes. This was not their fault. They were trained to push forward no matter what. While Kurogane could easily call a stall, this was new territory. The move back to the wall they broke through was slow, but they made it. 

Their horses were ready for them, and Ferio's group was fending off the followers. Most of their archers were left behind for him to command, and they picked off a few soldiers before they rode off, already mounted on their horses.

Fai found Kurogane quickly on Tomomi.

"Is she with Kendappa?"

Fai nodded, They left a few minutes ago. 

"Good," he said. It was all he could think to say. His sister was finally home. His father died for this, and now it was not in vain.

Be careful with her.

"Eh?"

Fai kept his eyes forward, She's scared.

"Of?" Kurogane practically barked.

I... It's hard to explain.

He groaned, but did not bother asking more. It was probably something Fai did not understand.

No, that's not it.

Kurogane glanced at him, "Sorry."

Fai shook his head, It's okay. I don't know a lot.

"Doesn't make it right..." Kurogane sighed as the Red Sun fell over the horizon.

Fai grinned and leaned forward on Tomomi, making her dash forward.

They were free, running in the twilight, and Kurogane found it a beautiful sight. Fai's hair had grown, something he noticed when they had fun at night. It sprawled over his bed and stuck to Fai's sweaty body every night. Now, the braid that started in top of his head flapped in the wind, threatening to fall out once again. That hair would never yield to anyone, and it matched Fai's spirit.

Kurogane had to pry his eyes away and remind himself that Fai was not someone he could ever claim. He was an adult, but also a child feeling his first taste of autonomy. Kurogane had to let him live his life freely. The chief's own wants did not matter.

 For now, all he could do was focus on catching up with his sister.

That was not all that hard, considering the tribe had stopped only an hour away from Hanshin. It was too dark to continue at any decent speed. It made sense for Kendappa to call a halt to the caravan.

The tents were being erected when the group of warriors caught up. Some fires were dotted throughout the camp, and there was just enough light to properly put up the large tents.

Kurogane hopped off Souhi before she had stopped her gait. He wanted to see Tomoyo as fast as he could. He needed to see her safe and sound with their eldest sister. He needed to ease whatever fears she had. It was all he needed at the moment.

He found Kendappa’s tent already put together and lit with a few candles. Kurogane threw the flaps open and froze as soon as he laid eyes on her. She shared Kendappa’s looks, shared their mother’s. Her long, glossy black hair had been well taken care of, and she was well dressed in a foreign style. She had, at least, been taken care of.

A hand from behind pushed him fully into the tent. He saw a glimpse of Fai and Yui tying the tent shut behind him. Those two were smart, but also might be the death of him. Why had Yui even shown up? He had his own tent to contend with.

“Kurogane,” Kendappa brought his attention back to his siblings.

Tomoyo covered her mouth, “You’re... my brother?”

Kurogane could hardly believe she still spoke Japanese. Half her life had been spent in Celes where no one would have spoken it. How did she manage to keep the language?

“Tomoyo,” he threw his sword to the side and knelt in front of her, “Welcome home.”

She looked uncertain, but held her hand out for him.

Kurogane could not help his reaction. He took her so tight in his arms, barely fending off tears. He had wanted to hold her for years now, waiting none too patiently to do so. 

It took a moment, but she hugged him in kind and let loose a sob, “Kurogane!”

“You’re home,” he promised, “I’m not letting you go.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 10

Fai knew Kurogane was distracted by his sister. He could not blame him, Fai had grown attached to the cute girl quickly, and she was not his sister. She was kind and grew chatty with the tribe quickly. They wanted to know her and wanted to see her talents.

It was wonderful for her, but Fai was getting bored.

He had to spend many nights with Yui and was just about at his limit.

“Yer fidgetin’ like crazy.”

I’m horny.

Yui turned to him slowly, “Did I teach ya that one?”

Fai shrugged. He could not remember who had said it first, but the feeling was getting all too familiar in the last month of travel. Kurogane stayed with his sisters and Fai did not want to do it himself. He would have to ask Yui how to, and Yui was already not too keen on listening to his exploits.

"Kurogane leavin' ya lonely?"

Fai pouted more, Jerk.

Yui laughed at him, "Ya know 'e just got 'is sister back, yeah?"

I know. Doesn't mean he can just ignore me.

"Is 'e ignorin' ya?"

No, he was not. Fai spent plenty of time with the siblings. Yui knew this, as he spent time with them as well, when he was not with his growing number of friends. 

Ignoring my bottom.

Yui rolled his eyes, "So go get 'im then."

He's with Tomoyo, Fai curled up more, That would be mean.

"Like 'e's never been mean to ya before?"

Now you're being mean to me.

"What d'ya want me to do? Get 'im for ya?"

Fai shot his head up and grinned.

"No! I ain't a pigeon!"

Then what do I do?

"Jerk off!"

What?

Yui froze then sighed, "Gods I did NOT think that through."

What is it? How do I do it?

"When Kurogane touched ya, did he..." Yui made a strange motion with his hand.

It took Fai a minute to understand, but he nodded, He stroked me.

"That's jerkin' it. You can do it to yerself."

Fai frowned, What about my ass?

Yui's thoughts derailed as his face froze again. This time he did not give any more information.

“I don't wanna talk to my brother 'bout this,” Yui sighed, “I’ll leave ya to it then.”

Fai scowled, I don’t know how!

As Fai had assumed, Yui would be no help.

“Go to Kurogane’s then!”

Fai loved his brother. He swore he did. He loved him so much, but in moments like this he wanted to kill Yui. What was so hard about explaining it? At least he could have given him a hint.

Fai sprawled out over the bed. He weighed his options. Going to Kurogane’s tent would solve his problem, but take Kurogane away from his long-lost sister. Staying here would only make his problem grow, but his friend would get more time with Tomoyo. 

Fai sat himself up. Kurogane had all the time in the world to catch up and Fai had a serious, time sensitive, problem. Kurogane could not stay away from him forever.

- - -

Kurogane loved his sisters. He loved them both an incredible amount and had enjoyed a month of learning about Tomoyo. Her seamstress skills were amazing, and she had already gotten started on a new robe for him. 

Kendappa had insisted she get hers first, as she was the oldest. Damn witch.

Still, there was one part of his life he was missing. That part of his life was bee-lining it to him looking displeased.

Now what?

Fai grabbed his arm and did not stop walking. Kurogane let himself get dragged to his tent, watching Fai tie it tight behind them.

“What’s wrong?” he sat on the bed.

Fai turned around and knelt in front of Kurogane’s legs. He spread them and hastily worked on unraveling the top of his pants.

Ah, that was the problem. They were both feeling it. Kurogane could not help but feel happy about that.

“Horny?”

Fai scooched closer to get a good look at Kurogane’s penis, You can’t imagine how horny I am.

Kurogane groaned as his warm lips touched his shaft, “I think I can.”

That did not make Fai look any happier, Then you should have come to me.

That was true. He could have ended it at any moment, but he had duties beyond making sure his sister felt at home. They were still another month out from Jade. Without the snow, it would have been sooner, but that was the trouble of moving north.

“Yeah, should’ve.”

He did not want to think anymore about the month. Fai was licking up his cock like a hungry dog. He was getting very good at blow jobs. His first was sloppy in some not so nice ways, but now his sloppiness was a major turn on. Fai was not afraid to drool and gobble him up.

Fai did just that in a hurry, wrapping his lips around Kurogane's glands. He dipped down and bobbed slowly, one cheek stuffed full of dick. He was a lewd little chipmunk.

It did not last long, though. Fai popped off as soon as Kurogane was at full mast. 

Oil.

Kurogane obliged, pulling the nearly empty bottle from under his covers. It had stayed there since their first romp, and Kurogane had no reason to move it even during their dry spell. Convenient, considering he wanted Fai nowhere else but between his legs. 

Fai, ever the trickster, had no plans of staying there. As soon as the bottle was in his hands, he pushed Kurogane back and crawled on top of him.

"What are you thinking?" Kurogane smirked.

He popped off the cork, That Tomomi is a better stead, but you'll do.

An insult was never as hot as this one. Where did he learn to talk dirty like that? Even Yui would not have idly mentioned something like that. Most likely, Fai had made the connection himself. 

How interesting.

"I don't think you can handle me," Kurogane grinned.

You wish that were true, Kuro-min.

Fai poured the last of the oil over Kurogane's twitching member. He tossed the bottle to the rug and slid himself up to Kurogane's stomach.

You're going to wish you had fucked me sooner.

Kurogane hissed as Fai easily slid on him. The man was confident in his ability, but stopped moving as soon as he had him sheathed. His head hung, Fai breathed hard and gripped Kurogane's chest for stability.

Kurogane almost asked if he was okay, but Fai covered his mouth the moment the thought crossed his mind. He did not answer, but did take Kurogane's hands and place them on his ass.

Whether it was an instruction or not, Kurogane groped him. He loved the firm buttocks Fai had gained from training. They connected to strong legs that could crush a man's skull, but still needed help to ride him properly. It was an intoxicating feeling to know Fai lost all strength only with him. 

He gave Fai the help he needed and they were off to the races. Fai rolled his hips as Kurogane helped lift them. Gravity brought him right back down, making Kurogane grind roughly into his prostate. Each thrust made Fai tighten around the shaft invading him. It felt like they would both cum fast.

Kurogane ground his teeth to fight against flipping them over. It was a struggle to dampen his need to fuck Fai into the blanket, but having the war bunny on top of him was just too good a sight to pass up on. He would have bruises from Fai's fingers pressing in, but those were as good as battle scars. He'd wear them just as proudly.

Kurogane opened his eyes to the robe slipping off Fai's shoulder. It would not fall all the way with the belt still fastened, but Kurogane thought he may love it more that way. 

Fai's dark, hooded eyes loomed over him. He was needy and beautiful, riding as fast as he could. He looked so close to the edge, so ready to burst and dirty the robe he had not even thought to take off. It was too fine to let that happen.

Kurogane was quick to move the front panel out of the way and go back to squeezing his ass. The only things Fai could wear were Ashura's gifts, and a few other accessories. It had to be known at a glance who he belonged to. The crimson robe that matched Ashura's in design was all he had. There was no need to leave him with naked laundry duty.

Fai came soon after, snapping his hips down and hanging his jaw wide open. The fun stuck to Kurogane's leather shirt, but that could be wiped down easily. 

He did not let Fai sit in bliss for long. Kurogane flipped them over and lifted one of Fai's legs high for better access. He thrust at his own pace, leaving Fai a moaning mess under him. Each voiceless breath goaded Kurogane on. He could clearly imagine just how sweet they would sound in Fai's voice. He hoped one day Fai would be able to project them even when so disheveled.

Kurogane came inside Fai soon after flipping them. He kissed Fai and rode his orgasm until the end. It was just as amazing as the first time he was inside Fai. Just as amazing as it always had been. 

Kurogane broke the kiss to catch his breath. He grinned as Fai nuzzled his cheek.

"What? Wanna go again?"

Kurogane heard laughter in his head.

Yes!

- - -

Fai had no idea how long they had spent sequestered in bed. He only knew the sun had already set by the time he pressed himself to Kurogane's side. He stayed silently like that for some time, thinking how wonderful it was to share this warmth between them.

He sighed happily and joked, If Yasha and Ashura did this, I don't think they'd be fighting.

"This? As in sex?"

Fai nodded, hair getting mussed between his cheek and Kurogane's pectoral.

"They do, probably constantly."

Fai stopped his circling finger, They do?

"Yeah, they're married."

He had to think about that one. Marriage was the binding of two lives until death, at least that was how he understood it. For Ashura and Yasha to be married, they would have to have made quite the path to each other. That did not make sense for two people at war.

I don’t understand.

"I'm surprised you didn't know," Kurogane said, "Don't they give you information when you need it?"

Fai frowned and thought back to when he saw Sakura's symbol. He pouted, I guess I don't need it.

Kurogane ruffled Fai’s hair, “The Gods don’t care all that much about our wars. They have their own agendas that we get caught up in.”

But Yasha is opposing to Ashura.

“Yeah, but they’re in love.”

Fai looked up with confusion on his face, Love?

“Yes,” Kurogane said, “Not the family kind.”

Oh, Fai said, understanding that he would never want to fuck his brother, What other kind is there?

“It’s… They don’t want to be without each other. Even when they need to be separate, they don’t stop thinking about each other, or wishing them safety.”

That did not make it much clearer, but Fai did not have to ask more.

Kurogane took a deep breath, “They work together, even if it doesn’t always seem like it. Both want the guilty in the Nether, and the innocent in the Ether. Even though we’re at war with the Yasha cult, Yasha and Ashura themselves are both gaining regardless of who wins.”

So they don’t care about us?

“They do,” he said without hesitation, “Ashura blesses us because they want us to live prosperous lives. When we die, we become their punishers. Warriors in the after life to maintain the Nether. The more we fight in life, the better we’ll be after.”

Even those who aren’t warriors?

“That depends. We’ll all eventually be reborn. Those unable to serve in the Nether are reborn faster. Or, perhaps they’re sent to the Ether, like most innocent souls.”

Fai snuggled closer, Even though the Ether is lunar?

Kurogane hummed, “It’s not lunar. The Nether isn’t solar, either. Like the gods who run them, they work in tandem to keep the world moving forward.”

They need each other.

“Yeah.”

Ashura and Yasha need each other, and work towards a common goal in the only ways they can, all the while fucking.

Kurogane laughed, “Yeah, that too!”

And the feeling that they can’t be without each other is love?

“It’s their love,” Kurogane specified, “Love can be different for different people.”

Love is… complicated. Like sex.

“More than that,” he snorted.

Fai thought he understood, at least a little. Things clicked for him in strange ways. His love was the floaty feeling in his chest. It was the laughter he could not voice. It was his frustration over the last month, and how warm he felt next to Kurogane.

He loved Kurogane.

Fai grinned at the realization. He loved Kurogane, and Kurogane loved him. He had said it so many times in so many ways earlier. They were... Not married, but in love.

I get it now.

Chapter Text

Chapter 11

The snowfall was not natural. Fai felt an itch as it fell on them. They were making slow progress as it piled up, and he could not help but feel something was wrong.

I don't like this.

Kurogane eyed him, “We can’t move any faster.”

He shook his head, That’s fine. Enka is amassing an army, he won’t leave so soon.

“What has you on edge, then?”

Fai scanned as far as he could see, I don’t know. Something is just wrong.

Kurogane followed Fai’s lead and focused on the storm in front of them, “What are you feeling?”

Goosebumps... but I’m not cold. I can’t get cold.

“Ever felt it before?”

Fai shook his head, But it’s getting worse. I don’t think the snow is natural.

“Magic,” Kurogane growled, “Only a very powerful mage could summon this. I don’t think Celes has one.”

Fai had no idea how powerful someone would have to be, but he was certain this was magic. With how deep they were getting in the kingdom, it would have to be someone from Celes. 

We should-

His thoughts were cut off by a shout from the cart behind them. It was the one their family was in. He slowed Tomomi down at the same time Kurogane did. They were both next to the covered cart in seconds.

"What's wrong?!"

Yui peeked out the blanket sheltering the front opening, "Tomoyo just fell over, she's shakin'!"

Fai and Kurogane both slipped in the cart. Tomoyo was laying with her eyes wide and milky, tiny shudders running through her body. If the word had not been whispered to his mind, Fai would have thought she was dying.

Seer?

Kurogane whipped around to him and growled, "What did you say?"

He blinked, not realizing he had projected it, Seer. 

Kurogane glared at the wooden floor, "No."

Fai was suddenly filled with knowledge on the subject, but none of it explained Kurogane's reaction. Seers were valuable. They could see the future to a degree and were the difference between victory and defeat when involved. Taking one from Celes, even if the tribe never used her, was a huge advantage.

Kuro-rin? Fai touched his shoulder gently.

Kurogane glared at Fai, but soon softened, "If she's a seer, we need to keep it just among us. No one else knows."

Kendappa frowned, "That's not possible! Lunar magic can't just show up in a bloodline!"

"Quiet!" Kurogane growled, "She got it from our mother."

"She was from a fallen tribe!"

"Which one?" he bit back, "Convenient he never had to say."

Yui gripped Tomoyo's loose dress, "Okay, I don't have a god tellin' me everythin'! Someone wanna let me in?"

Fai looked to Kurogane for permission. This was clearly something he wanted kept quiet, for whatever reason.

He sighed heavily, "Our mother was a runaway. Don't know from where or why, but she could see the future. Father never told us seers are rare. It shouldn’t have been passed to the very next generation like this."

"She's havin' a stroke to see the future?"

They all glared at him for his word choice, but no one had the chance to reprimand him.

Tomoyo's eyes cleared and she shot upright, "Stop the march!"

Kurogane forced her back down, "Calm down, you're back to the present."

She shook her head, "Stop the march! He's coming!"

"Who?"

"Yasha's hand!"

Fai flared at the mention. That was who he had felt, the itching under his skin. It was them who were sending the storm to weaken them. There was no sun to bless them through the snow, but Fai felt the smoke well in his lungs. It burned to be unleashed.

He swiveled on his heels and almost leapt out of the cart before Kurogane grabbed his arm.

"Oi! We can't just run into them!"

They are dead!

"Not if you're so pissed you can't see straight!" Kurogane yelled, "We have to stop the carts first!"

Fai clenched his teeth. Kurogane was right, but every cell in his body wanted to find that fucker and murder him. Who had Yasha chosen? Was it in retaliation? Why did he pick someone to fight Ashura's Hand?

They were in love, right?

Kurogane did not release Fai even as they mounted their horses. It seemed he knew Fai was more likely to run off than listen at this point. He knew Fai too much in this scenario. Any other time Fai would feel elated to be understood.

Kurogane put his thumb and forefinger in his mouth, letting loose a shrill whistle. Even though the storm made it hard to hear, it was echoed by warriors to reach the back. Like a machine, all the carts were halted and Kurogane's advisors were rushing to the front.

"Whats going on?" Fuuma was the first to the front, sending snow flying into the air behind him.

"Yasha's got himself a hand!" Kurogane shouted back, "Prepare for battle!"

Fuuma nodded once and set off towards the back once more. 

"Can you fight without Ashura's blessing?"

Fai opened his mouth and a plume of smoke escaped. He snapped it shut again before he lost control of it.

Let me go.

"No, I'm not about to let you kill yourself."

He's too close.

"He?"

It was only then Fai realized he had that information. The Hand of Yasha was a 'he.' The image in his head was getting clearer with each moment. The bastard was moving towards them while they waited.

We have to stop his advance!

"He won't have a problem with the snow like we will. None of them might. This could be Yasha's blessing for all we know!"

It's not.

The moon was not out. Somewhere outside this storm, the sun was trying to reach them. Yasha did not bless this fight. They were coming regardless.

Kurogane glanced at him, then nodded. He turned to the front cart, "Souma! You're in charge! Get them assembled and meet us ahead!"

She ripped the blanket away, "Are you insane?!"

He did not answer her.

As soon as he let Fai go, they were both off towards the eye of the storm.

Fai could tell where they needed to go. It was easy to sense Yasha's Hand now that he knew what it was. In the back of his mind he knew that the man would know he was coming, too, but that did not matter. First in his mind was stopping them from hurting the tribe, second was this man’s death.

Kurogane was right beside him, trusting Fai’s direction to get them to the right place. He had no choice, as the storm was getting worse the closer they got. Surely, he had little to no vision at this point. They would have to find a way to stop the storm before the other’s arrived.

Fai turned Tomomi to the side and jumped off of her into the snow. He could see the shadows of a small army. It was only around 30 men, but they must have been extremely well trained. He knew only the best would be led by Yasha’s Hand.

Even more so considering who the Hand was.

Fai opened his mouth and let the smoke explode out of him. His anger was building with every second, but the other man just kept grinning at him.

You.

Kurogane drew his sword and stood next to Fai, "Let me guess, family?"

Yuto.

He smiled with his hands behind his back, "It's wonderful to see you again."

Fuck you.

Yuto chuckled, "Prison has not done you well. Perhaps I should teach you more manners?"

Fai would have roared if he could. He pushed off the ground and pulled a knife from the back of his belt. He landed in front of Yuto and swiped at his leg. 

Yuto leapt back a few feet, "Hm, a bit predictable."

Fai tried to invade his brother with the smoke, but it bellowed around his feet. It would not go any closer. Could he assume Yasha's magic would have no effect on him? A dangerous assumption to make, but he had to make it.

"You used to be far more talkative. Did Ashura take your voice?"

"Fai!" Kurogane rushed to his side and sliced an arrow out of the air.

Going to let someone else kill me?

"I don't much care who kills you," Yuto admitted, "You're not worth my time."

Fai was going to kill him. If it was the last thing he did, Yuto would be dead. Nothing was going to stop Fai from getting his revenge.

His lungs were on fire and would not ease no matter how much smoke he breathed out. His hatred was burning him, but it was the only power he had without the blessing.

"Do you honestly believe just two of you can take us on? You're just as foolish as always."

I am nothing like the whelp you beat!

Yuto was fast. He sped across the snow and punched Fai in the face. Once he was done, Yuto kicked him away.

Fai flew into the snow and rolled to a stop. He looked up to see Kurogane going in for an attack. It missed, but Kurogane could keep up with Yuto more than Fai could.

Fai knew deep down it would be like this, but it royally pissed him off. He wanted to be stronger. Strong enough to wipe that grin off Yuto's smug face. As he was now, he could only support his lover.

Fai moved his attention to the soldiers trying to surround them. He ported himself behind one and ripped off his helmet. With a flick of his wrist, the man's throat was cut.

One down.

Fai spread his smoke and found a few had not prayed. They murdered, pillaged, and celebrated themselves like nothing was wrong, but a prayer to Yasha took that away. It was disgusting to think they could be forgiven so simply. 

Then again, maybe not. 

Fai's head was exploding with pain over his want to kill them all. He could see clearly that most had sent a prayer above, but perhaps Yasha did not extend his protection to them anymore. Not all of them, at least.

He tried to kill the five he could, but he could not. Fai could only assume it was Yuto's power. Fine. He would have to find a way to stop the storm so their warriors could join in easier. The only question was how?

Of Yasha's Hand had power over ice and snow, Fai must have some way to make fire. He had never done it before, but he also had never thought about it. Ashura had freed him by turning everything binding him to ash. Fai had to tap into that power to fight back. 

Was that why his insides were burning away? Fai had blinded several soldiers near him from how much smoke he was putting out. The world would be covered in black at this rate, but now fire came out of him. None of the pain he felt was freeing itself. It was like he was on a knife's edge, just waiting to fall.

All he could do was keep the majority of the soldiers occupied in the meantime. He drew them away from Kurogane's fight, but could not go too far back. Every step he drew them away was a step they moved closer to the tribe. He needed a plan!

Before he could think of more, he was downed by a pain in his gut. It was a fierce shockwave of pain, as if he had been stabbed. He had been stabbed plenty in his life, but not today. The soldiers were not close enough. 

He checked anyway. Nothing had pierced him. So why was he in so much pain?

Fuck! Shit!

Fai had to pause to realize that was not his thoughts. That was Kurogane's voice shouting in his head. This was his pain. He was stabbed.

He was stabbed!

Fai ported next to Kurogane's kneeling form. He had no idea how he had done that not knowing where the chief was, but it did not matter. The snow under him had drops of deep red and he was clutching his stomach. 

Fai felt the wound with shaky hands. It was ice cold and hard to the touch. It was completely frozen over.

Kurogane cursed again and gripped himself tighter. 

Fai could see the shards of ice spreading up from the wound. It was a devastating magic that stopped his bleeding and ensured a slow death. He was freezing from the inside out and Fai could not produce a single flame to warm him.

YUI!

Yuto grinned and wiped blood off his sword, "Too bad. A normal blade wouldn't have killed him, but that's what pride gets you."

Something clicked inside Fai. He thought he had known anger. He thought he could feel nothing worse than the hatred he had for his family after they tortured him, but this was a new level.

Fai carved out his happiness despite his family. He had beaten them for that one reason. Now, the moment he came in contact with them again, they dared to deprive him again. They dared to kill the love of his life. Those bastards had the gaul to try and ruin him again.

Never again.

The smoke that surrounded him flew out in all directions. It consumed the soldiers running back to their leader and forced them to standstill. The sword that had cursed Kurogane flew into Fai's hands and cracked.

It was not enough. The damn thing did not break, but it would. 

Yuto was jumping away from the smoke. The sword had been his protection, not his abilities. It was enchanted, probably by Yuto himself, but it would be useless to him now. When it shattered, the ice killing Kurogane would relent. 

The fire in Fai's lungs was finally set free.

- - -

Yui fell over from the screaming in his head. He heard his name and intelligible moans from Fai. Something was terribly wrong and Yui needed to get to him. 

He righted himself and ran from the half built medic tent. Yup knew he was leaving his position, but this was more important than anything else. His brother was in agony. 

It was hard to run with the wind and snow in his face. Yup tripped multiple times before he was out of sight from the tent. The snow was sneaking into places he'd rather it stayed out of, but he had no time to think on that.

In a second, the storm froze. Yui could see individual flakes suspended in the air. He touched one and it melted on his finger. It was more terrifying than the storm had been, mostly because he could see the outline of someone knelt in the snow. It was a blog to him, but it had to be someone.

Yui started his run again, easier going now. He did not make it far before he saw a massive expansion of Fai's magic. It was a dome that reached the clouds and flew outward towards him. Just before he was consumed, some jumped and covered him in a cloak. He was squished to someone's chest, hopefully protected from whatever Fai was about to do.

Yui did not see the blaze so much as feel it. The cloak did wonders to keep him safe, but the smell of burnt hair still wafted towards him. It was either his own or his savior's. Considering Yui's status as cultless, he could assume it was his.

It turned out Fuuma had protected him. He let Yui go the moment the flames burned up. The storm and snow were completely gone and they could clearly see Fai over Kurogane's body. They were both gasping for breath.

Yui took comfort that they were both alive, but he knew that would not be the case for long. Fai was still crying out. Kurogane was the one dying.

Yui ran to them as fast as he could, sliding to a stop on the other side of Kurogane. He pressed his hand to the wound and started to heal. He could feel how bad the wound was, and how hard it was to heal. Even with all his might, it was sealing slowly. 

"Who did this?"

Fai tried to move his head but it stayed bowed, Yuto.

"What?!"

Yui looked around, keeping his hand firmly on Kurogane. There was no one around, only charred armor, "Is 'e dead?"

No.

Fai fell over, eyes barely open.

"Fai," You combed the hair out of his eyes, "He'll be okay. Go to sleep."

No.

"Sh, brother," You ran his fingers through Fai loosened braid, "Rest."

"We make camp here!" Kendappa shouted, "The Hand is down!"

Yui jumped as a hand grabbed his arm.

"That hurts," Kurogane groaned.

Yui rolled his eyes, "Ya don't want me to let go, d'ya?

"Don't want you pressing on it."

"Grow some balls," Yui said, "This ain't the worst ya had."

"Shut up, are we making camp?"

"Yeah," Yui confirmed, "Want yer tent up first?"

Kurogane coughed and tensed, "Doesn't matter. Get Fai to rest first."

"Still means we're gettin' yer tent first."

"My tent? Get yours up first. I can stay here. He'd be more comfortable there."

"Would 'e?" Yui questioned, "Ya sure?"

"Yes, just let him sleep. I have no fucking clue what he did, but killed around 30 men instantly."

Yui looked at the armor being thrown aside, "Not our big brother, though."

Kurogane shook his head, "But it destroyed his sword. That thing was enchanted to freeze me."

"That's why this thing's so damn tough? Fuck, man. This'll take a couple days."

"Great," Kurogane growled, "Just what I fucking needed."

Yui found rolling his eyes to be a base expression when it came to his brothers, "Fuck off, yer a baby."

"Just... Just make sure the camp is safe."

"I'm sure yer sisters got that covered. Rest before I knock ya out."

Yui did not have to give the order twice.

Chapter Text

Chapter 12

Fai did not want his eyes to open, but they did. He felt so drained, like not only Ashura's magic had been spent but also his own. Perhaps that was the case. As powerful as he was becoming, he had no idea how it all worked.

He curled tightly in the covers and looked at the tent wall. The heavy beige material stared back at him.

Beige? This was not his tent.

Fai groaned and threw the blankets off. He grew dizzy as he sat up, but something deep inside him ignored it. He had to figure out where exactly Kurogane had put him.

A quick glance let him know he was in Yui's tent. In Yui's bed, too. This was not where he should be. Fai belonged in the crimson tent with the lavish furs stolen from his birth nation. He belonged cuddled up to his love. 

Why in all the Kingdoms was he sent here?

Fai stood up and quickly dressed. He still could not get his hair braided right and left it down. His brother was the only one who cared. Or, at least, he was the only one who both mattered and cared.

Fai kept his mind with himself. If he reached out, Kurogane would get a warning of his anger. That would be no fun, he might run. This was the first time Fai thought he might flee anything. Before this, he would have never thought Kurogane a coward, but somehow Fai had ended up in his brother’s bed.

If Kurogane had no good answer for why, Fai would send him to Ashura in gold wrapping.

Kurogane had the gall to grin at him, "You're awake."

Fai glared and grabbed his arm. Without explanation, he dragged the Chief away from the camp.

"Fai? Are you okay?"

Fai felt a puff of black smoke escape through his scowl. This was dangerous, he knew, but the thrumming in his head pushed away his doubts. He did not stop pulling Kurogane until they were out of earshot from the camp.

“You’re spry for a drained magician,” Kurogane matched his sour expression.

Fight.

Kurogane narrowed his eyes, “You want to spar right now? You were down for days.”

Another puff of smoke filled his lungs. He bit it back. The last thing he wanted was Ashura’s magic to change the outcome of this battle. Godly help would defeat the purpose.

Fai sneered and attacked anyway. He knocked Kurogane’s left leg out from under him and shoved his shoulder to the ground. As fast as he could move, he pinned his chest under his knee.

Fight me.

Kurogane sucked in his lost breath, “Why?”

Fai punched the ground next to Kurogane’s head, I am not an invalid. I won’t hold back if you don’t defend.

Kurogane grabbed his arm and twisted it. Fai had no choice but to turn his body with the force. Kurogane’s boot planted itself firmly on his back, sending him face first towards the dirt.

Fai rolled with it, so his face did not imprint the Earth. He turned to find Kurogane already on his feet. They shared an intense glare without moving an inch. Fai would not let Kurogane out of this fight.

“Tch,” Kurogane ran at him, aiming his fist low.

Fai spun to the right and grabbed the fist. Using Kurogane’s momentum, he tried to flip him back to the ground.

Kurogane dug his feet in the ground and hooked his arm around Fai’s throat. His other arm locked Fai’s upper arms still.

“Are you pissed you lost a fight?” Kurogane ground out.

Fai’s lungs burned with the smoke he refused to release. Unbidden, his strength flared. He bit Kurogane’s forearm until he tasted blood.

Kurogane yelped and pulled away.

Fai spun with his fist and connected with Kurogane’s cheek. He fell on his side and caught himself with his arms. Stretching his jaw, he spat blood at the ground. Kurogane glared over his shoulder.

I am a powerful fighter and I can take you down if I want.

Kurogane beat his fist on the ground and jumped back up, "I never thought different!"

Fai lunged for his midsection, knocking Kurogane back on the ground. He straddled him, putting his hands on Kurogane's shoulder. Fai was unaware he was crying until a drop landed on Kurogane's cheek.

Then why did I wake up in my brother's bed?

It's his bed too, isn’t it?

The thought flickered through Kurogane's mind before he could answer. Fai would have shrieked if he could. Kurogane had never considered them lovers. They did not share a tent. They did not share anything.

Fai pushed himself up and ran away from the man.

"Oi!"

Fai ignored the calls, surrounding himself in black smoke. When it cleared, he was alone on a frozen mountain. His breath clouded in the wind, but the cold would never sting him. 

Fai clenched his teeth, knowing exactly what he needed to do.

- - -

Yui was usually busy in one way or another. 'Busy' was a complicated term. He was busy when he was making medicine. He was busy when he was healing the wounded. He was busy when he was sleeping, no matter who he was sleeping with.

While he admitted the last was 'slightly less busy' than any other reason, it was still not a great time for Kurogane to come in seething.

Yui sighed and hugged the woman he was sharing a bed with. Luckily, they had finished their romp. Unluckily, he was not anywhere close to done with his nap.

"Your brother has gone insane!"

Yui whimpered as the woman pulled away from him. She stumbled into a robe and left her tent in a hurry. 

"Ya scared Gigei away."

"I don’t care."

"I know," Yui sat up, "Where’s ‘e at?"

“Fuck if I know. He made me fight him and then ran off crying.”

Yui took a good look at Kurogane, “Yer face’s a lil’ fucked there, brother.”

Kurogane glared back.

“What happened,” Yui sighed and sprawled back on the bed.

“He woke up, dragged me out to spar, cried on my face, and ran away.”

“And what did ‘e say?” Yui goaded like he was asking a toddler.

“Shit about him being strong and waking up in his bed!”

“Ya put ‘im in my… Oh fer the love of- Didja say ya put ‘im in ‘is bed?”

Kurogane looked bewildered, “Is that what’s got his head twisted?”

“Brother,” Yui groaned, “I love ya but ‘dense as a mountain’ never had a better example.”

Kurogane crossed his arms, “You better explain before I drag your bare ass through the camp.”

Yui rolled his eyes, “Fai grew up in a cell bein' tortured. He didn’t remember what a kiss was 'til ya showed 'im. He doesn’t know ‘love’ outside whatcha taught 'im.”

“He doesn’t love me, Yui. We have fun sometimes and sometimes he goes home. Never told me otherwise.”

“Dense as a mountain,” Yui mumbled, “Why would ‘e say anythin'? You sure didn’t.”

“Course not. He has freedom. I won’t tie him to me.”

“Ya don’t hafta do that, he hitched ‘imself to ya a long time ago. Gods damned bowline ‘round yer balls. And now you’ve gone and dumped ‘im just for faintin’.”

"He has never once said 'I love you' to me. And I never said it to him either."

Yui sighed. He thought that would have an obvious answer to anyone who slightly knew Fai. It was even more hilarious considering how often they talked to each other. Kurogane was bad at remembering Fai could read minds as Far was. Although with Fai it was understandabke as he could not determine what was meant to be project and what was not.

"He read yer mind."

Kurogane opened his mouth but snapped it shut. 

Yui grinned as he watched the gears turn in Kurogane’s head. Hopefully, he would come to the correct conclusion. Otherwise, Yui would have to explain yet another way. 

His brothers were both children. Murderous, little children.

“Putting him in your bed made him think I was done with him?”

“And ‘e wanted to remind ya why ya picked ‘im.”

“By beating my ass.”

“Because ‘e knows ya respect strength.”

Kurogane sat at the edge of the bed, “And I thought it was his bed right before he bolted.”

“Didn’t even say it?” Yui mused, messing with Gigei’s beads, “He’s all up in yer head.”

“He’s in everyone’s head, can’t fucking control it.”

“Outside the Red Sun ‘e can only chit chat with people he’s bonded with,” Yui flicked a bead at Kurogane, “Dumbass.”

“Dumb-!” Kurogane bit back his anger, “Where is he now?!”

“Do I look like a wolf? Sniff out ‘is trail yerself.”

“He used his magic, Yui.”

“He could be anywhere in the world an’ ya think I know where ‘e ran off to?”

Kurogane stood up and forced Yui to stand, “You knew what was going through his head. What would he do next?”

Yui snatched his arm back and started tying his clothes on, “He knows yer culture only. Whatcha do to flirt?”

They left the tent and made their way to Kurogane’s. 

“We give gifts.”

“Of?”

“Biggest beast we can take. Enough to feed the family if not the tribe.”

Yui grabbed his arm to stop him, “Biggest beast ya can take? I thought that’s a proposal?”

“Not any different here. They get shot down a lot,” Kurogane tried to keep moving.

“Kurogane!” Yui stopped him again and moved to his front, “Fai’s on a Gods damned world tour findin’ the biggest beast there is to propose to ya! What in all the Nether to Ether are ya gonna do?!”

Kurogane shrugged with wide eyes, “Meet him at our tent!”

Yui flipped him off, “At least s’not ‘yer tent’ anymore.”

Fai had to be found before they could attack anywhere. It was well understood that he had Ashura’s true blessing, regardless of the tribe’s prayers. He was the one who could ask for the Red Sun and actually get it. 

If he did not come home within the next few days, they would be forced to stay their advance. It was not the end of the world, but it did delay the end of the Valeria line.

“Yer a fuckin’ mess,” Yui called as they ran to the center tent.

“I get it! Damn you’re relentless.”

They were catching their breath when the black cloud exploded in front of the tent. Fai stepped out bloodied but otherwise unharmed. The smoke cleared to show what he had hunted for Kurogane.

“A fuckin’ snow goliath,” Yui whistled.

He vaguely remembered the tales they were read as children of these beasts. They were only in the northmost mountains and were the fiercest creatures in Celes. Only the bravest knight's hunted them, and only for extremely important events, like a coronation. You had never tasted one before, but he knew they were considered to be one of the fattiest meats a person could find.

The carcass nearly filled the center area. Bystanders rushed out of the way as it appeared from the smoke. Already roaring fires were quickly snuffed with the mass of the beast. How they were going to skin and store the meat was beyond him.

“Dire snow goliath,” Kurogane mumbled back.

As if the distinction mattered. It was a difference of a few feet, and in terms of this kind of giant, that was nothing. Fai probably had no idea it was dire. He just took the first one he saw.

Ashura as my witness, I took this creature down alone. You will be mine and no one else’s!

Yui glanced around at the gawking faces. Most were near tears with excitement. The beast would let them feast all week. More than that, their leader and the Hand of Ashura were about to get married. They all waited in silence to see what would happen.

Kurogane slowly turned his head to Yui, then back to Fai, “Yeah, I accept.”

Fai nodded once and walked right up to him, Don’t think that. I’m still mad at you.

Kurogane grinned, “Think what? That you’re fucking hot?”

Fai blushed and curled his toes, You damn well better service me-

“Leave me outta it!” Yui shouted.

Chapter Text

Chapter 13

“Are you still mad?”

Fai huffed, rolled tightly in blankets, You betrayed me.

Kurogane had no idea there was any relationship to betray. He doubted Fai would care what he did not know. All he could do now was make up for it, as frustrating as that was.

“I wasn’t trying to kick you out.”

Then why did you?

Kurogane weighed his words, “I put you where I thought you’d be most comfortable.”

He rolled over and scowled, You’re joking.

“It's not like you told me you wanted to live in my bed.”

I just lived in it for more than a month for no reason, then?

Before Kurogane could counter, something akin to fire stoked in Fai’s eyes. He was out of the blankets and on top of Kurogane in seconds.

Did you have sex with someone else?!

“No!”

Fai crossed his arms, still straddling Kurogane, Then I don’t understand.

Kurogane sucked in a breath, remembering what Yui had told him. Fai did not have any concept of relationships outside what he’s been told in the camp. Loveless sex was something he would not understand. It was not the truth in this case, either. Barring that, there was no good answer.

He swallowed his pride, “I’m sorry.”

Fai blinked while Kurogane’s head remained silent. He turned his head to the side. Then, he met Kurogane’s eyes and leaned down.

Do you love me?

Normally, Kurogane would roll his eyes and comment on how late the question was. They were getting married in a few hours. He bit back the remark. Fai had already assumed them in love and had been proven wrong that morning. Even if Kurogane had not wanted to send that message, he did. It shook Fai’s confidence.

I love you, Kurogane left his thoughts bare. The answer was clear by all the little moments that passed through his mind at Fai’s urging.

Fai softened, I believe you.

"Then say it back."

Fai blinked, I've told you hundreds of times.

"No, you haven't. I can't read your mind," Kurogane reminded.

That took Fai off guard. Yui had been right again. Fai forgot others could not just take a peek at thoughts. More than that it seemed he had a hard time remembering what thoughts he projected out.

I love you, he finally said, I love you so much I almost ripped your heart out for betraying me.

Kurogane cupped his cheeks and pulled him down for a kiss. It was light and near ghostly as Fai passed over his skin.

And you still have to make it up to me.

“What do I have to do?” Kurogane grinned.

Don’t look so happy. I’m really mad.

“Yeah? You’re smiling.”

Smirking. This is a punishment.

“What are you planning?” Kurogane asked wearily. He had a clear, terrifying image of a cut braid being thrown in the fire.

I won’t give you public shame, Fai kissed his cheek, Privately, however…

“Why’re you being so cryptic?”

It’s funnier this way. Do you agree to take your punishment?

This was a tricky situation. Fai could ask a lot and past this point he would have to agree or fail. Kurogane never failed. Even if Fai said he could back out, he would never.

Fai’s grin widened, Is that a ‘yes?’

“I agree.”

Cut your hair.

“Fai-!”

Fai put a finger on his lips, I’m joking. I would never go back on my word.

Kurogane glared half-heartedly, “Not funny. What do you really want?”

I want to top.

It would not have been the first time for that, “And?”

Fai unwrapped the leather strand holding his hair up. The braid on top of his head unraveled as it pulled away. His hair fell around Kurogane’s face, curtaining his vision.

And… you can’t finish until I say so.

“And that’s,” he pointed to the strand, “To… stop me?”

Yui told me about this a long time ago.

“Remind me to kill him later.”

Fai laughed, Even if you have fun?

He might. Letting Fai… no, giving Fai complete control sounded like the hottest thing he could do. A horny Fai commanding him was a dream, literally. Still, there was something daunting about not being able to cum instead of just trying not to.

“How long?”

That’s up to me.

Not even an estimation. Yeah, Kurogane was going to have to work hard to pay his debt. With nothing else to say, he waited for Fai to begin.

No protesting?

“I already agreed,” Kurogane said evenly.

You’re going to be obedient?

“Didn’t agree to that.”

Fai cracked a grin, I like that.

He slowly undid the leather strap holding Kurogane’s stiffened shirt together. Fai pulled it out from under his and tossed it aside. Next, he loosened the straps of his pants. Opening the fly, he freed Kurogane’s soft dick and sack.

”You’re tying them both?”

Fai covered his mouth, Shush before I make you.

You can’t shut me up, Kurogane challenged in his head.

Fai looped the strand a few times around both, tying it snug with a bow, I can ignore your mind.

Kurogane was already uncomfortable even though Fai had left some room. He knew once he was hard the leather would bite in and stop him. Did Yui actually enjoy this?

More importantly, when did Fai get to practice?

This is staying on until you make me forget what you did.

Kurogane was born to challenge everything. This was no different. It was a punishment, and Fai would fuck him, but he could fight back.

“Doesn’t matter if I stay soft.”

Fai watched him with a pitying smile, Oh, Kuro-silly. I don’t even have to touch you to turn you on.

He pulled away and undid the ornate belt holding his clothes up. His robe fell light on the bed before getting kicked to the floor. Like always, Fai was nude underneath.

The sight was enticing, but Kurogane could control himself. A naked man was a normal sight in camp, even if it was a naked Fai. He was not sure he could keep his cool with a masturbating Fai, but his spouse-to-be had other plans.

Fai sat at the other end of the bed and spread his legs, Remember what you thought earlier?

Kurogane gulped. He thought of Fai as a moaning mess below him. Kurogane used his mouth to suck the life out of him as thanks for the beast. He would not stop until Fai melted or passed out.

Mhm, that.

“I don’t need to do that.”

Fai gave a pointed look at Kurogane’s member twitching to life, No, but I’m here.

That was a good point. 

Kurogane’s mouth was dry as he moved across the bed. He did not want to lose, but this felt more like a win either way. How long could Fai actually keep him tied? Kurogane could mess him up before their wedding even happened.

Kurogane paused. It was a passing thought, but a dangerous one. Fai could keep him tied through the party and the night. 

He looked up just before Fai’s member touched his lips. The look in Fai’s eyes confirmed his plan. Kurogane had to please him before it started.

Don’t give up too soon.

Kurogane growled and groped Fai’s ass to stop him from moving away. He popped the tip in his mouth and stuck his tongue out to keep his teeth out of the way. 

It did not take long for Kurogane to start bobbing his head greedily. His mouth drooled over the salty taste of Fai’s shaft. A soft groan made its way out as he took the full length.

Good boy~

He was a good boy. Kurogane never minded when Fai said so. He was the best Fai would ever have and deserved his bone. Without a single gag, he touched Fai’s sack with his tongue.

Kurogane’s legs tensed as the leather bit into the base of his erection. It was a more pleasant sting than he imagined. Suddenly he could see why Yui would willingly do this to himself. 

Fai raked his nails on his scalp.

He shuddered and slurped at Fai’s wet cock, raising up just enough to take a breath before diving back down. The head rubbed the back of his throat and he hollowed his cheeks. His sucking made a loud, sloppy sound.

So hungry today. Weren’t you going to resist?

Kurogane popped off his erection and looked up through his lashes, “I like doing this.”

I know, my Kuro-sweet. You love pleasuring me.

Kurogane smirked, “I love the way your face contorts when you cum.”

Then make me.

Kurogane nearly pushed him down before he remembered what Fai had asked for. He wanted to top today. He wanted control and honestly, Kurogane knew he owed it to him.

Kurogane wrapped his arms around Fai’s neck. He pulled until he was on his back, Fai draped over his chest.

Giving in so soon?

“I swore.”

True, but I think you want to be dominated.

Kurogane could deny it, but Fai could read his mind. It was an unfair advantage. He already knew what Kurogane wanted.

Fai grinned wider, That’s what I thought.

He bit into Kurogane’s collar and laved at the stinging flesh. Fai was well aware that Kurogane wanted it rough, wanted it to hurt. His erection strained harder against the leather binding it as Fai left a trail of bite marks up to his ear. 

Fai purposefully blew into it, Good?

“Yeah,” he groaned.

Fai sucked a harsh mark behind Kurogane’s ear. All the chief could do in response is claw at Fai’s back. Well, he would if he had long enough fingernails. His pads certainly dug in enough to leave telling bruises, though not quite as telling as the ones Fai was biting into his shoulder.

Kurogane hissed and tensed his thighs. Fucking or being fucked, he did not care, he just wanted it now.

Are you sure? It’s going to be a long night, you know, Fai’s giggling echoed in his head. 

Sure, he could wait. He could be teased within an inch of his life and still would not be set free. He might as well get a move on with his torture.

Fai hummed and nipped at Kurogane’s chin, Remember I asked first.

He pulled away and fingered one of the darker marks on Kurogane’s flushed skin. Looking satisfied with his art, Fai set himself between the chief’s legs.

”No oil?” Kurogane breathed out.

That’s what your mouth was for, ne?

Oh did he shiver. 

Mind reading was, most definitely, an unfair advantage. Fai did not have to guess how lubricated Kurogane wanted to be. He would know every want Kurogane had all night and give it to him.

Every single one except cumming.

"Are you going to keep me waiting all night?"

No, he smiled, I won't.

Fai pushed into him slowly, burying himself in Kurogane's tight ass. He sighed and closed his eyes, Wonderful.

Gods damned right it was wonderful. Kurogane groaned at the intense friction. The spit was just enough to allow Fai to move without hurting either of them, but the skin dragged against his insides in a way that made his toes curl.

You look like you would've cum from that, Fai teased and laid flush on Kurogane. He had one of his legs bent over his shoulder, while Kurogane's other leg rested on the bed. Thank the gods He was flexible.

Kurogane growled, "Course not."

Fai humped lazily, Sure, of course not.

He hissed and tried to wrap his arms around Fai. They were quickly held down at his sides. Fai would not let him do as he wanted, and it was frustratingly attractive. The man was strong enough to hold Kurogane down even without Ashura's power. He was stronger than Kurogane ever thought he would be and it was amazing.

Hmm? Not satisfied with this? You are a glutton for punishment.

Fai snapped his hips and thrusted hard inside of Kurogane. Using his arms for balance, he railed the chief as hard as he could, the slapping of skin obvious to anyone close to the tent.

Kurogane moaned and flexed his arms. He could not get free and was forced to take what Fai gave. Not that he wanted to get free or would have stopped Fai if he did. His body had no choice but to tense and pull away. It was a stupid reactiom to the pleasure he was feeling.

I won't let you go, Fai cooed, You won't get away.

"Fuck yes," he moaned. He was more like a beast in heat than a human at this point. His cock strained for a release that was not coming. He wanted it badly and they had only just begun

Fai's laughter echoing in his head did not help matters. Kurogane wanted more, but more would not help him. It would only drive him crazier.

Greedy man. This is your punishment and you're loving it.

Fai’s movements became frantic until pulled out entirely. A few simple jerks and he came on Kurogane’s stomach. He was grinning like a madman and kissed all over Kurogane’s heaving chest. 

Kurogane’s ass was left empty and wanting. It was twitching wildly, begging to be filled, but he was getting used to disappointments. Fai was truly a sadist when it suited him.

I wonder if you’d go insane if I left you tied all night?

“I would,” he breathed, “Please.”

You’re lucky, Fai fingered the loop of his knot, I want you focused on me for our wedding, not your cock.

Fai pulled the knot loose and unwrapped the weeping thing. He did not cum right away, but he was dangerously close. It would not take much of anything to leave him spent and happy.

What do you want?

“Your hands, Fai.”

Fai moved away enough to cup Kurogane’s balls, Yeah? My hands?

Kurogane took a sharp inhale. 

Fai gently kneaded his sack and stroked his cock. Before long, Kurogane came violently, hips jerking up unbidden. It was mind boggling and he was sure he was in the Ether for a long moment after he stopped coming. 

“Fuck,” he hissed, “Holy fuck, Fai. Gods above, what did you do to me?”

Fai cuddled up beside him, Ruined you.

Yes, Kurogane was ruined. He had a whole wedding ceremony and party to go through, but all he wanted was to stay put. His legs felt useless, and he wondered just how he would make his own wedding.

That good?

Kurogane turned his head and kissed Fai’s forehead. He did not have to voice an answer to give one. Wrapping himself tightly around Fai, he kept kissing around Fai’s face.

The giggles in his head were the sweetest sounds he had heard.

- - -

“Ya look good, brother.”

Fai was still getting ready, but Yui had sought him out anyway. The tribe was still trying to salt or cook parts of the snow goliath. The hide had been cut and stretched over every drying rack they had, and more was waiting to get on a rack. 

“Of course he does! I made his cape myself,” Tomoyo smiled.

Being the Hand of Ashura, he could not wear the traditional marital robes, but a cape and headdress were fine. As soon as Tomoyo was told what happened, she took it upon herself to whip something up for him and sequestered herself in her tent until it was finished. As soon as she was done with his, she called for Kurogane’s robes, passed down from their father. She got to work tailoring it to match Fai’s.

The girl was faster than Yui had ever expected.

Fai spun, letting the red cape flare out, I love it!

“Kurogane’ll love that on ya. Guaranteed.”

“Wait until you see him! He’s never looked more handsome,” Tomoyo laughed, “You’ll fall in love all over again!”

I fall for him everyday!

“Coulda fooled me earlier,” Yui huffed, “Thought ya’d kill ‘im.”

I would have.

“Ya can’t say ya would’ve killed ‘im on yer weddin’ day.”

“What?” Tomoyo looked between them, “What happened?”

Fai pouted and looked away.

“Fai woke up in my bed and thought yer brother left him. It was a helluva mornin’”

Tomoyo sighed, “I haven’t known him for long, but he seems to miss some things.”

Kuro-stupid.

“Still with the nicknames?” Yui cocked his brow.

“Nicknames?”

Yui filled her in, “A while back I couldn’t speak Japanese so I called ‘im like a toddler. Fai hasn’t stopped doin’ it since.”

It’s cute!

“Yeah, it’s cute, but ‘e’s a Warrior Chief. Callin’ ‘im ‘chan’ ain’t accurate.”

Fai just grinned.

Tomoyo laughed and stood up, “Well, I like it, but we should go to the bonfire before we keep them waiting too long.”

Yui grabbed Fai’s hand, “Lemme escort the bride.”

Fai beamed at him, Please do!

There were several large rings around the bonfire. Kendappa was standing closest to the fire in fancier robes than normal. Yui guessed she was going to marry them, but he still had no clue what the ceremony was.

Everyone was anxiously waiting for it to begin. Yui was unsure if they wanted the ceremony or afterparty more. Either way the excitement electrified the air. Cheers erupted as soon as the crowd saw them approaching.

Fai let go of Yui’s hand, Make sure you get a good view!

With that, he was off to Kurogane’s tent. It was easily seen in the light of the fire. The chief’s tent was always set up in the center ring, along with the strategy tent and some advisors. Of course, his sisters’ tents were there, too. 

As Fai waited outside the tent, he wondered if they would have a procession from the further tents. Perhaps one of the center ring tents were used regardless. Perhaps he should ask at some point.

Kurogane stepped out of the tent in full regalia. He shared Fai’s headdress and cape, but also wore crimson robes that near perfectly matched his eyes.. Yui was certain this was the most clothes Kurogane had ever had on, ignoring the recent snow storm. He was all too comfortable leaving his upper half bare. Maybe if Fai had not fallen for him, Yui would feel differently, but seeing his soon-to-be-brother mostly nude on a daily basis was not his favorite thing. 

They took each other’s arm and made their way through the circles to Kendappa. Yui did not want to cause a scene to get closer. Luckily for him, the rings opened to let him and Tomoyo through to the front.

Kurogane and Fai stood before Kendappa. 

She grinned at them both, “Ready?”

Fai nodded enthusiastically, answering for both of them.

Kendappa looked over the tribe and held out her hands, “Welcome to the celebration! Today we witness the union of two bloodlines, Kurogane of Suwa and Fai, sent from Ashura themself. Their bond has been forged through battle and hardened through triumph. On this day, as the sun sets, I ask Ashura if this shall be their last day unbond to each other. What say you?!”

Yui thought it was strange to ask their god for permission. What if Ashura said no? Would they call off the wedding and try again later? 

Yui leaned back, “Oi, Kamui, does Ashura ever say no?”

He sighed, “Yeah, if they think they’re not worthy of each other.”

“An’ then what?”

“There’s still a ceremony, but they can’t mix blood. It’s mortifying.”

Yui blinked. At least they could still try.

“Ever see it happen?”

Fuuma leaned in and whispered, “Happened to him when he married my sister. Now he won’t even try it with me.”

Yui fell back in line, not wanting to poke the bear anymore. He had questions to ask later, mostly about this sister he had no idea Fuuma had. For now he watched the fire, wondering if Ashura would allow them to move forward.

They grew. In one gust they rose well over the tops of the tents. Sparks flew out, but they did not seem to be angry sparks. Yui hoped that was a ‘yes’ as they died sone to their original height.

Kendappa smiled even brighter, “This is the last day you shall be two. As the sun sets, so do your lives separate from each other.”

Fai leaned against Kurogane’s arm.

Yui felt tears well in his eyes. He had not expected to feel overwhelmed, but the look on Fai’s face hit him hard. His brother was finding a place for himself. After all the fuss he put up trying to be alone, it was gratifying to see. 

Tomoyo nudged him and held up a handkerchief. Yui snatched it before anyone noticed. At least he hoped no one had. He had a ‘devil may care’ reputation to keep up. Karen would be relentless otherwise.

He dabbed his eyes and tried to hide the damp cloth up his sleeves.

Kendappa waved her wife over. She took the gold cup and a bottle of sake from Souma. After pouring the drink, Souma took the bottle away.

“Show your trust of each other.”

Kurogane and Fai turned to face each other. Kurogane reached into the folds of his robes and pulled out a knife. As soon as Fai held out his hand, he made a small cut on his finger. A drop of Fai’s blood fell into the sake. Fai repeated the action so their blood mixed with the sake.

Kendappa held the glass out to them. Fai drank first, leaving roughly half the liquid in the cup. Kurogane drank the rest and gave the cup back to Kendappa.

“With this, your bloodlines are bonded. May you find victory in life, and glory in death!”

Fai jumped into Kurogane’s arms and kissed the life out of him. Cheers erupted from the crowd and music started. 

Yui was pulled along in a dance around the newlyweds. The rings moved in opposite directions and kicked up their legs in various directions. He tried to keep up. His only solace was that Tomoyo was also struggling to match the tribe’s speed. 

Once the rings broke apart, the real party began. That was where Yui slipped right back into his element. Drinking and living it up were his talents, after all.

Chapter Text

Chapter 14

Fai tapped the table in the center of the tent. Their planning was at a standstill, no one quite sure how best to handle Jade. It would be easy to take the army if they had a normal leader. 

Enka would make things very difficult. 

"We have mages," Fuuma spoke up again.

"We're not going back to a 'protect the mage' tactic. You wouldn't be here if it worked," Kurogane growled.

"It does work! But nothing works all the time."

Ferio sighed, "A full frontal attack won't work regardless of who we rely on."

"We don't know enough about the city to sneak anything," Souma stared at the map, "We need more information."

Tell them we won't get much more.

"Why?" Kurogane asked.

Fai motioned to the rest of the crew.

"He says we won't get more information."

Thank you, Fai smiled, Enka uses warding magic. No doubt he'll have them set everywhere he can think of.

Kurogane turned to Kamui, "What's warding magic?"

"It's magic that comes from drawing. The symbols temporarily hold your power until it's set off," Kamui glanced at Two, "Your brother's field of study?"

Fai gave a firm nod, He's the best in Celes. 

"The best in Celes may as well be best in the world," Kurogane groaned, "We need to fight within the city. They'll have the advantage in a wide field."

"And if they have wards in the city?" Fuuma asked.

"Won't matter because we can't get into the city," Ferio reminded.

We have to do something.

"Hey, guys?" 

They turned to face the tent entrance. Yui was standing with the tent flaps pushed aside in either hand.

"This is-"

"Private, I know brother," You close the entrance behind him, "I was tryin' not to come over but I can hear the meetin' no matter where I go."

Fai blushed and tried to hide his face. Fyi did not have to out him like that. Even if they already knew he had troubles projecting his thoughts, knowing he had leaked strategy information was the worst. 

Fai felt a heavy hand on his head. He looked out the corner of his eyes and saw Kurogane ruffling his hair up. Kurogane was always so insistent that Fai keep his hair tightly braided, but he was also the reason it came loose most of the time.

"And?" Kurogane prompted.

"And," Yui elongated to pronounce fully, hitting the 'd' harshly, "Jade's where we lived before prison."

Fai whipped his head around, What?

"Yeah."

No, what do you mean? We lived in the country. We played in the forest in summer.

"Yeah, outside of Jade."

Souma frowned, "I can only hear half of this conversation, but can tell this is irrelevant."

It's not!

"S'not!"

Fai and Yui both turned and told her, even if she could only hear one of them fully. They looked at each other briefly before Fai motioned for him to continue.

Yui stepped up to the map, "There're tunnels. Celes fuckin' loves tunnels."

He circled an area with his finger, "S'a big area, but the villa was there. Somewhere. Even if they filled in the damn things, should be easy to dig 'em back out."

Kurogane eyed what You had pointed out, "That's the entire west tree line."

"Yeah," Yui confirmed, "Was six last time I saw it. What d'ya want from me? A time portal?"

"I'm saying," he growled, "This is going to take forever. Even if we find it there's a chance people are living there. If they get word out, Jade will know where we are and attack."

"Use yer ninja?"

Fai covered his mouth so Yui could not see his laughter. Even with all of the ninja on this, it was still miles of land. You was right that it was their only lead, but it was hilarious how nonchalant he was about the search.

Fuuma shrugged, "Any better ideas? We were at a stalemate before this."

The rest were silent as they thought it over.

"Break it up," Ferio suggested, "Make several groups and assign them to an area until we find it."

Souma agreed, "We could be looking for anything from an upkept house to shambles, but it's our best bet to ignore the wards."

"Fine," Kurogane relented, "We will all lead a group in the area and search. Pick out five people each and leave the rest to guard the camp."

Yui turned to leave, "Glad to help."

Kurogane and Fai both grabbed a forearm before he could leave.

"You, too."

"Heh?"

Fai smiled, You and I have the best odds of finding it.

"Oh joy. My first mission," Yui deadpanned. 

Did you have plans?

"Yeah, yer diggin' into my free time."

Kurogane rolled his eyes, "You have nothing but freetime. Pack a bedroll and get ready."

Yui flipped them off and back out of the tent, "Never helpin' ya again!"

"How old is he again?" Kurogane huffed.

You know he calls us children all the time, right?

Kurogane turned to face Fai slowly, "Really?"

Not out loud, Fai shrugged.

He shook his head and turned back to his warriors, "Go get your teams and meet me here. I'm going to split up the map."

They shuffled out, leaving Fai and Kurogane alone.

"Seriously? We're children?"

Fai grinned and gave him a peck, Are you pouting, Kuro-baby?

"Of course not!"

Uh huh, okay. I'll make sure he comes and apologizes for hurting your feelings.

"Is this the rest of my life?"

You could've said 'no.'

"No I couldn't."

Fai tapped his chin and thought for a moment, You're right, you had no choice. Oh well! I'm going to find my brother a group.

"Don't take too long."

Gathering small groups was not what would take too long. Finding the villa was feeling more impossible each day. Fai wondered if nature had completely overtaken his old home. If they had not needed it to reach Enka, he would have been happy to know it was gone.

That was the home his mother died in, where he had sent her onward to the Ether. That was not such a bad memory considering what happened after, but it was what had kicked off his and Yui’s unjust punishment. Maybe if he had just stayed away from his mother, they both would be sipping wine and discussing the barbaric tribe trying to make war with them.

Fai thought that might be more of a punishment than what he received.

“Fai! We got a raven!”

Caldina rushed over to him, the bird perched on her shoulder, “Blue was your brother, right?”

Fai saw the blue ribbon still tied to the bird's legs. It was his brother, but Yui had been sending him more than search updates. There was always a quip or doodle. It was a waste of both of their times, but it made Fai smile.

He took the note and unrolled it. There was no drawing or complaint. Just a sentence that made his heart race.

‘Found it’

Fai was giddy until he realized Yui had not included a map of where he had found it. 

I’m going to kill him.

“Well? That look tells me it’s him saying how much he hates sleeping on the ground.”

Fai turned the note around.

“Isn’t that good news...” she trailed off as it dawned on her, “Oh.”

Fai rummaged in his bag for charcoal and paper. He scribbled his orders quickly.

‘The bird will fly straight back to him. We’ll follow it.’

Chapter Text

Chapter 15

“This place’s a shit hole,” Yui commented.