Phoenix Fire

‘So, this is how I’m going to die.’ Tasuki thought grimly as he slowly sank to the bottom of the lake far from his gang’s cave. As if falling in wasn’t enough, he was going to drown… no… die alone, not even his buddies there to even attempt to help. ‘Oh well. I should just take in a breath of water. It’s going black…’ He thought as the water filled his lungs.

‘Arms around me…?” Tasuki thought it might be an angle winging him to heaven until he realized a mouth was on his, pushing air into his lungs.

“Come on you…” a voice said, “Breathe, damn it!” Hands pushed against his chest and the mouth was on his again. Then he felt as though he was going to throw up. Tasuki rolled to his side and coughed up the water. Still coughing he heard the voice again.

“I’m glad your alright. I saw you fall in I assumed you would resurface, when you didn’t, I dove in to get you.” Tasuki looked and the voices owner. He looked youngish. Probably about Miaka’s age the second time she’d come back. He sat hunched over too like he was hiding something or hurt.

“Oh!” The kid exclaimed, “My name in Kaki.” He smiled. ‘What a pretty smile,’ Tasuki started. Pretty? He thought this young boy was pretty? Well yeah, sort of.

“Kid,” He coughed again and cleared his throat, “You should come back to the caves with me and my gang. You could get dry and have something to eat. It’s the least I could do since you did save my life.” Tasuki smiled at him.

Kaki nodded his thanks, “I have a horse. We could ride back.” The boy stood and walked to a light brown horse tied, with a quick looking knot, Tasuki noted, to a near by tree. “Do you want to ride in front or behind me?” he crossed his arms and lazed against the tree.

Tasuki tilted his head down and chuckled. He looked up still smirking, “I’ll ride behind you. It will be easier to keep an eye on you that way.” Kaki shrugged and hopped on to the horse and held his hand out for the older man. Tasuki gripped it and, with a steadying hand on the horses back hopped up and situated himself behind the boy.

“My mother and siblings were all killed in the war five years ago. Since then I’ve just been drifting around, helping were I can in exchange for food and a place to sleep.” Kaki said.

“My parents died when I was really young. The old leader of my gang took my in and raised me like I was his son.”

Kaki looked back at him and smiled, “That was nice of him.”

“Yeah, I always thought so. Hey, are you any good at pick- pocketing?” Tasuki asked with a sudden idea.

“Depends on how much money you got.” Kaki said slyly. Tasuki reached into his pocket to pull out his coin bag and came up with nothing. A laugh from in front of him caught his attention. Kaki was swinging the little bag around his index finger. “Here. I was going to give it back anyway.” He dropped into the older man’s hand.

“you’re good. You might be a nice addition to the gang. I’ll have to talk with the guys first.”

“why don’t you give me some food and a place to sleep for the night and we can talk it over in the morning.” Kaki said. ‘Smart kid,’ Tasuki thought to himself. The rest of the ride was silent, both enjoying the view and wanting to change into warmer clothes.

After reaching Mt. Reikaku, Tasuki and Kaki dismounted the horse and Kaki tied her to a near by tree. Tasuki clapped him on the back, “Let’s get in side and get something to eat. I think we have clothes that will fit you.”

“Who’s the kid?” Koji piped up after draining the bottle of sake.

“My name is Kaki.”

“Yeah and he saved my life so I figured giving him some dry clothes a meal and a bed for the night wouldn’t kill us.” He turned to the boy, “there should be an empty room at the end of the hall up the stairs to the left. Shii, go find him some clothes.”

“Thank you.” Kaki bowed slightly and exited to room.

“Ya’ know, Genrou, there is something odd about that boy.” Koji said after Kaki was out of ear shot.

“What do you mean?” Tasuki asked.

“I don’t know. His voice is soft and he’s kinda pretty.”

“You met the emperor. He was pretty too.”

“Well yeah I guess. So how did this kid save you?”

Tasuki blushed from embarrassment, “I fell into the river and he pulled my out and resuscitated me.”

“Oh ‘the kiss of life’,” One of the other bandits spoke up, “Gee Genrou, how was it?” the man made kissy faces at him. Tasuki grabbed his fire fan and hit the man over the head with it. The rest of the group could be heard even up to the room that Kaki was sitting in waiting for the change of clothes. A light knock on the door alerted Kaki to Shii’s presence.

“Here,” he said in a gruff tone, “These should fit you.”

“Thank you.” Kaki said again. Shii nodded and left. Meanwhile food was brought to Tasuki for him and Kaki. He looked at it for a moment before decided the he’d just take it to the boy. He traveled slowly up the stairs and down the hall with the tray and knocked twice before opening the door. He almost dropped the tray in shock at what he saw.

“You… you’re a girl?!”

A/N-Let me know what you think of this chapter. If it\'s crap, let me know (nicely please) if it\'s good and you want my to continue, let my know that too. ^_^ Talia