Stalking the Wolf

Stalking the Wolf

By: Yahnkehy

A/N: Okay, ladies and gents, I’m starting this chapter at the beginning of a little writing exercise known as MayFicWriMo (it’s the same basic idea behind NaNoWriMo, but with fanfic instead of original stories) and it will not be posted until June. Hope and pray that everything flows well for me or else things might take a LONG time to get moving in the right direction. Note that the POV will change from just Tasuki’s point of view as it has been since the beginning of this story and move into a more full 3rd person perspective. Also, you might note that the number of years has changed. Please see the end notes to get the full picture as to why.

Warnings: Language (naturally), skewing into canon,

Rating: PG / T

Chapter 8: Because of You

With a sigh, Tasuki stood from the stone seat on the fountain rim and straightened his shoulders. He had to do this right. Running away wasn’t going to cut it with this problem, and he owed it to Taka to be honest.

“You’re leaving, aren’t you.” Taka’s voice sounded from right behind Tasuki. There was a note of resignation in his voice, which was cleverly covered up with a slight smile.

Tasuki’s shoulders sagged a little bit and he turned, offering a sad smile of his own. “I don’t wanna go, but maybe it’s the right thing to do. I’m not used to watchin’ what I say anymore an’ you… well, you get upset when I mention… things. Why don’t we just call it a bad idea an’ leave it at that?”

Taka bowed his head, nodding, "I thought we went through this already." He looked up, hurt shining in his eyes. "So you're giving up? Just that simple?" Taka shook his head, a bitter laugh sounding in his throat. "I'm an idiot. Thought we actually could work through everything. Thought we had something worth trying for more than a day." He scoffed. "Guess not, huh?"

Tasuki winced and shook his head. "No, Taka, you ain't an idiot. I just... don't wanna make ya even more uncomfortable around me, ya know? If- I just... damnit. I dunno what else to do! Ya flinch when I mention anythin' related to my past an' it makes me feel like it's all just a bad idea." Tasuki cupped his forehead, sighing loudly. "I dunno what else to do in this kinda situation, so it's better if we just... don't."

Taka flopped his head to the side, the sarcastic expression still on his face. "I can't believe you're breaking up with me because I don't fully believe your story. Not even don't believe; I just think it's a little incredible and wrapping your head around a soul mate who's lived thousands of years for you is... never mind. If you want to break up over it, okay, but god, don't try and do it because you decided it was best for me." Taka shifted, crossing his arms and holding Tasuki's gaze with a challenging stare.

Tasuki frowned, a fang peeking out over his lower lip in irritation. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" he growled, hands on his hips. "Ya say it like I'm tryin' to be your goddamned father or somethin'! It ain't that ya don't believe me, that I c'n handle, but you're afraid of me! What the hell kinda fucked up relationship would that be, huh? How would ya feel if I flinched when ya talked? Like a fuckin' monster, ne?!" He'd given up on being civil and was back to his old combative manner, leaned into Taka's personal space and growling angrily.

Taka responded with growing coldness, eyeing Tasuki with an angry sneer. "I never said I thought you were a monster, but I have no proof of what you're saying, and because of that, I have no proof if you’re crazy or not! Sorry that I can't be friggin' perfect within the first day or two, but I think I have the right to be a little wary of a guy that I picked up who tells me this story with nothing to back it up." He paused and settled into a calmer mood as he finally got his point across. "Things would have changed when I got to know you better. I'd know if you were trustworthy enough to sleep next to, or maybe I'd even begin to believe the whole thing… but…"

Tasuki grit his teeth, pulling back on his anger. It was a very hard task, but he would do it. "Fine. You want proof? You wanna see if you c'n trust me? C'mere," he said, grabbing Taka's wrist and pulling him close. "I'll show ya." He turned and pulled Taka's arm over his shoulder, awkwardly hefting his boyfriend up onto his back. "Hold on t'me. I ain't done this in awhile, so I forget how fast I am."

"Hey, HEY!" Taka protested as he was pulled and tugged around. He wiggled uncomfortably out of control, his feet not on the ground. "Terry! Put me down, you crazy son of a-" Before he could finish his sentence, Tasuki took off.

Tasuki weaved between traffic, heading straight for his apartment. They were little more than a blur to the cars and pedestrians, just a black and red streak.

Years of endurance training were the only thing that allowed Tasuki to make it to his apartment without dropping from exhaustion. His arms ached and his back was feeling as if he had been working all day, but he raced up the stairs in his apartment building and down the hall to his door.

There was almost a fine white mist that surrounded them when Tasuki stopped, but it was most likely dust that had been kicked up when he'd slid his boots sideways to stop abruptly. "How's that? Is that enough fuckin' proof?" he asked as he kicked the door open and sauntered inside.

Taka was speechless, blinking and shaking. His hands were griping Tasuki's shirt to the point of his knuckles going white. He nodded, looking around the apartment uncertainly.

Tasuki sighed and moved to the couch, easing down with Taka still gripping his back. "I warned ya, Taka," he said quietly, trying to peel Taka's fingers out of his shirt so that he could turn. "I wasn't gonna go that fast, but... damnit, I-" he broke off with a softly muttered curse.

With Taka's fingers finally letting go of his shirt, Tasuki turned and cupped his face, trying to soothe the fear there. "I was tryin' to get your trust or at least prove that I wasn't a fuckin' nut case, an' I went an' scared ya more because I was pissed off," he said ruefully, rubbing Taka's cheek with his thumb. "Sorry that I lost my temper an' gave ya the whirlwind ride."

Taka blinked and looked around, his eyes settling on Tasuki's face. "Terry?" he questioned as if he hadn't already been there. He glanced around the apartment again, his brow knit down into a frown. "What just happened?"

Tasuki grinned a little sheepishly. "Well, ya remember I said that Mi-chan was a miko? Well, I'm one a her seishi. My gift from Suzaku was speed." He leaned back and rolled up his sleeve, focusing on the mark to make it twinkle and glow so that Taka could see it.

Taka's eyes grew wide and he stared at the mark, glancing up to Tasuki and back again in astonishment.

Tasuki grinned, "Yeah, guess I forgot to tell ya that part. Heh," he answered weakly. "You gonna be okay?" he asked, leaning down so that he could see Taka's face again.

Taka shook his head as if to clear away something. He blinked up at Tasuki and nodded. "I'll be ok… but... wow." He reached out with tentative fingers and hovered over the glowing mark.

Tasuki chuckled softly. "It ain't gonna burn ya. You c'n touch it, just be kinda gentle, my skin's sensitive there." He lifted his arm and allowed Taka's fingers to brush the glowing mark.

Taka's hand flinched back for a moment, but his fingers steadied and he ran them over the mark. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Wing," he said a little amused.

Tasuki grinned, a slight tingle walking down his arm with each pass of Taka's fingers. "Yeah, yoku," he said, and twitched his arm away. "Arright, enough teasin' me. Are we okay or... uh," he cleared his throat and tried again, rolling his sleeve back down. "Are ya still scared a me?"

"Still?" Taka looked up in surprise. "I think I'm more scared now than I was before. You have super powers!" Taka righted himself but didn't take his eyes away from the spot on Tasuki's arm. "But, I guess I wanted proof, so... ok. I believe you." His eyes left the covered mark and looked Tasuki in the face.

Tasuki sighed and shook his head, a rueful grin on his face. "I kinda figured that, heh. So! I guess I should let ya get goin' then, na?" He stood and shoved his hands into his pockets, backing up a few paces to give Taka enough room to go without feeling crowded.

Taka took a breath and glanced at the door. "Yeah… I guess..." But he didn't move. He just stood there nodding and looking as if he had something else to say.

Tasuki opened his mouth to ask Taka a question but the door burst open and Miaka bounced inside. “Tasuki! Tasuki! I actually got into Yotsubaidai! Yui did too! We passed!”

A brilliant red glow filled the room and when it faded, Tasuki, Taka and Miaka were nowhere in sight.

00

Taka's head hurt. His body was stiff and uncomfortable. He didn't remember drinking last night, but maybe that was the problem. Suddenly the whole thing made sense; a bad alcohol induced dream. No one was super powered, no glowing marks. He shifted, trying to easy the ache in his back and he discovered he wasn't alone. He had brought someone home?

"Huh?" he blinked against the bright sunlight that stung his eyes. He had slept outside? He was slowly aware of the sound of birds as he reached his hand up to shield his eyes from the glare. There was a shift under his head and he patted a sleepy hand over his pillow. Warm soft skin met his fingers. Two people?

“Anou, Tamahome-kun?” Chichiri cocked his head to the side, eyeing the sprawl of bodies curiously. “Tamahome-kun, why are you, Miaka, and Tasuki lying together that way no da?” He scratched his head, his mask showing confusion. “How did you find Tasuki anyway no da, and why is Miaka here?”

Taka looked up, arching his neck back to get a view of the man speaking to him. The sun was behind him, casting his body in silhouette, a strange thing stuck out of the man's forehead. Taka's eyebrows knit. "Who…" are you? Is Tamahome? The man knew Miaka at least. "Where am I?" he said, pulling a hand to his head. The ache was subsiding and his eyes were adjusting to the sun.

Terry was sprawled across his waist, red hair mussed and fanned out over Taka's lap. Miaka was his pillow, apparently. His breath caught in his throat. "Ahh, this isn't what it looks like," he said, flailing his hands in front of him. Great, this guy was probably her brother or cousin or some equally angry male relation.

Chichiri's masked brows twisted in confusion. Something about Tamahome's energy was off... and, now that he thought about it, he was dressed similarly to the same style as Miaka, and Tasuki was too. "Could you explain how you got here, dressed like that no da?"

Chichiri moved around and poked Tasuki with the end of his staff. "I thought he was gone to some other part of the..." he paused, even more confused now, because he still felt Tasuki's ki at a great distance.

Tasuki pushed himself up onto one hand and rubbed his face. “Oh, mornin’ Chiri,” he said, leaning down and pushing Miaka’s shoulder. “Oy, Mi-chan, time to-“ He stopped and slowly turned his head to look at Chichiri. His face paled and he reached a shaking hand out towards the monk. “Chiri is that –is that really you?”

Miaka grumbled and rolled over, tucking into Tasuki’s thigh.

Chichiri smiled happily, kneeling down and putting his hand in Tasuki’s. “Hai, it’s me na no- DA!” Chichiri yelped as Tasuki tugged him into a tight hug, squeezing him to the point that the monk feared that his spine would break. “Tasuki-kun, calm down no da! It’s only been three years na no da!”

Tasuki shook his head, tightening one arm around Chichiri and reaching back at the same time to grab Taka’s hand. “No, it’s been much longer, ya crazy ol’ monk!”

Taka was utterly confused. The strange talking man with even odder hair and Terry… or Tasuki, were having some kind of reunion that Terry felt he needed to also be part of. It felt… strange to say the least. "Um... could... someone tell me what in God's name is going on?" Taka asked with a scratch to the back of his neck with his free hand.

Tasuki's grin was nothing short of ecstatic. He released Chichiri from his grip, patted his cheek and then turned to Taka, grabbing his hands. "We're back! Chichiri's even here! Gods, I never knew I missed home so damn much!" He almost bounced he was so happy.

"Oh, uh, yeah. Um, we're back. Well, that book, ya know, from my coffee table? Well, it's a path to the past. It's..." he paused to calculate in his head. "Somewhere around 219 BC? I think that's right. Anyway, this is my home!"

Chichiri waved a hand in Tasuki's face, stalling his bouncy attitude a little bit. "Tasuki-kun, back? What do you mean no da? Are-" he broke off and pulled the mask from his face, staring wide eyed at Tasuki. “You came here from Miaka-chan's time?! Daa! Tasuki-kun! Why haven't you died yet no da?!"

Taka was overwhelmed. 219 BC, Tasuki's story, time travel, dying. He could do nothing but wibble in confusion. It was piecing together, but that seemed to make things worse. He was actually IN the past. Not dreaming.

His eyes darted to the trees, the dry sand, and the birds. Not Japan. This was something... "Terry...I… I wanna go home," Taka said, taking both of Tasuki's hands in his. "Please? I believe you, ok?" He touched Tasuki's cheek and nervously fiddled with the bright red hair. "The running was alright, but this is...I don't belong here."

Tasuki looked back and forth between Taka and Chichiri, seeking answers from one and giving sympathy to the other. "Taka, I can't control the book. I got no way a gettin' us back. The fact that Mi-chan's here has gotta mean that there's trouble brewin' an' they're gonna need us." Tasuki tried for a grin, but it fell short. "Sorry, Taka. I guess I was so happy to be home, that I didn't think that you was probably scared outta your mind."

Chichiri cleared his throat and turned his attention to Miaka, giving the other two at least a little privacy. "I'll take her to the river and wake her up no da. You two obviously need to talk." With that, he hefted Miaka into his arms and strode away.

Taka stepped toward Miaka. "Is it… ok to let him take her?" he asked, looking worried at Tasuki as he reached a hand out to the girl over Chichiri's back.

Tasuki nodded. "Yeah, he's arright with her. He's her seishi, too. That's Chichiri." He flopped back in the grass, scrubbing his hands over his face. "Shit. I was gonna let ya go home but Mi-chan bounced in an' the fuckin' book sucked us in." Tasuki sighed and then growled. "I'll get ya home, Taka. I'll see if'n Chiri can get with Taiitsukun an' send ya home."

Taka nodded, but looked down to the ground. "Just me?" he asked, suddenly feeling a terrible weight on his chest.

Them being here meant that Terry- Tasuki's story was true, which meant that his initial attraction to him and their spark, that feeling of closeness, was more than just hormones. It meant the end of Tasuki's curse and the finding of a soul mate. It felt like too much to handle alone and on top of that, Tasuki was going to leave him?

Tasuki sat up and stared at Taka levelly. "I've got a duty to Miaka. I've been branded as her protector, so if she's here to stop some serious evil shit from happenin' then I've gotta be here to protect her. I'll be protectin' you too. By sendin' ya home where ya belong." He stopped and got to his feet, brushing grass and flower petals from his pants leg.

"Besides, I dunno if I can even go back with ya. This is my time period. I was born here, so I dunno if I'll get to go back," he finished, shrugging as if it were nothing, but his grin was sad. "It'll be arright, though, ya know?"

Taka reached out and wrapped Tasuki in an embrace. "T-...Tasuki...I'm sorry," he said, squeezing tighter. "I'm sorry I doubted you and sorry for… making you go through this."

So many life times and so many rejections; it must have been terrible. He suddenly felt the need to apologize for all his past reincarnations. Taka closed his eyes, cuddling into Tasuki's neck. All he wanted to do was hold him right now. "Maybe, we can help out here and then go back together."

Tasuki closed his eyes, a pained expression on his face, and hugged Taka tightly, breathing him in. "You ain't got nothin' to be sorry about, Taka. I'm pretty sure that if someone spouted off the same things to me that I did to ya, that I'd react the same way." He petted Taka's back, rubbing in soothing circles. "Yeah, we'll go back together," he murmured into Taka's ear. "Are ya sure ya wanna stay with me? I mean, stay an' help... with me?"

Taka pulled away enough so he could see Tasuki's face and he smiled through his frightened tears. "Yes," he said, touching his forehead to Tasuki's.

Tasuki smiled, cupping his hands around Taka's face. "Thanks, I-"

“Aww! Aren’t they cute, Chichiri?!” Miaka cooed, peeking over the bushes at the hugging couple.

Chichiri nodded, “Hai na no da! Should we leave them alone for a little longer no da? I bet they’re going to kiss soon!” he crowed though silently he wondered what was going on. Wasn’t Tamahome supposed to be with Miaka?

Taka jumped at the sudden voices, ducking his head into Tasuki's shoulder again to hide the blush that instantly colored his face. "Miaka-san," Taka chirped as he finally gained his composure a bit. "Glad to see you're... well. Um...Chichiri?" Taka turned to face the strange monk. "Nice to meet you," he said, holding out his hand, but staring at the bangs that shot up from the man's forehead.

Tasuki flinched and his head snapped around, glaring at the idiots that had interrupted his moment with Taka. He had almost felt like they had been getting somewhere that wouldn't end in tears for a change. "Humph, I see the two of ya still got bad timin'."

Miaka waved happily at Taka and bounced over to hug Tasuki. "You'd think we didn't love you if we didn't tease you."

Chichiri looked at Taka's hand before recalling that Miaka had done something similar when they had first met –well, when things had calmed down. He grasped Taka's hand and smiled wide. "Nice to meet you again, Taka-san no da. Miaka tells me that you're dating Tasuki." He glanced at his furiously blushing friend and grinned wider. "How could you have such bad taste no da?"

"Arright, that's it! Monk or not, yer ass is toast! First ya break into a guy gettin' sweet with his boyfriend an' then ya insult me. Yup, monk-boy, yer gettin' flamed!" Tasuki growled and tugged the tessen out from under his shirt and leveled it at Chichiri.

The monk let out a loud "Da!" then changed into his chibi form and hid behind Miaka.

Taka tilted a warm smile to Chichiri. He was about to protest the little joke, but Tasuki butted in. Taka shook his head, but he was smiling. He watched them play out the act as if they had done it countless times before, which was probably the case. He felt a bit like an outsider, but Chichiri's presence was welcoming, so the feeling was quickly wearing off. "Ok, ok." Taka stepped in as if he was part of their routine. "Enough threats, T-Tasuki." He had to get used to calling him that. It was his real name after all. "I don't know about any one else, but I feel like I haven't eaten in days."

Miaka instantly perked up, leaping at Taka's arm and hugging him tightly. "Oh! You speak my language!" She turned her head to stare at Chichiri, a wide smile on her lips. "Where's the nearest inn?! I'm STARVING! I skipped second lunch today!"

Tasuki sweatdropped and then peeled Miaka off of Taka's arm. "Uh, Taka, food in any form is a big no-no around Mi-chan. If ya ain't careful, she'll try an' eat you."

Taka nodded to Tasuki and pat Miaka on the head. "We'll get something soon," he assured her.

Chichiri waved his kasa at the trio, shaking his head at Tasuki's subtle show of possession over Taka. "We'll go by transport spell no da! There's an inn in the next town-"

"What?!" Tasuki burst out, frowning harshly at Chichiri. "You never offer to go by spell! No fair! Just cause I bring a cute guy home, don't mean that you c'n go tryin' to be all 'super-cool monk'!"

It was Taka's turn to sweat drop. "Transport spell?" he interrupted the two.

Chichiri waved them over. "Hai! I do magic no da. We'll hop into my hat and pop out where we want to go no da."

Tasuki snorted. "Yeah, most likely in a tree or on top of a damn house or somethin'."

Taka smiled politely, but his nerves were shot. Magic? Of course; why not? He figured it'd be better to not question anything further until he got a night of rest. After that, they could magic, fly, time travel all they wanted. Maybe it would make more sense. Taka walked over to the monk who was displaying a straw hat. "Ok… so… just hop?”

Chichiri smiled wide and set the hat on the ground. "Here, I'll have Miaka show you no da. Don't worry, I've gotten better at landings no da –no matter what Tasuki might have you believe."

Miaka skipped over to Chichiri, plugged her nose as if she were going diving, and hopped into the hat, vanishing in an instant.

Chichiri smiled and motioned for Taka to join her. "See? Easy no da!"

"I still say it's a buncha crap. Transport spells make me twitch!" Tasuki barked and crossed his arms over his chest.

Taka was stunned. She just disappeared. Disappeared! He cast a worried look up to Chichiri. Only the smile answered him and it made him feel even less secure. His eyes flicked up to the rooster tail of bangs and back down to the hat. He might as well face it. He was about to be sucked into a vortex of doom by a crazy fashion victim and a two-thousand-year-old undead guy. Wonderful. Taka stood up, closed his eyes and extended his leg out over the hat. With a little jump, he slipped down into the blackness.

Tasuki followed shortly after, grumbling and unhappy, but not wanting to let Taka get too far out of his sight. Times were dangerous and he couldn't lose Taka like he had lost Rasui.

Chichiri followed and several moments later, the hat dumped the entire group out in front of a small inn, which looked as if it hadn't had a customer in several months.

Tasuki got to his feet, immediately moving to help Taka up. "Ya okay?" he asked, leaning a hand down to help Miaka, but not taking his eyes off of Taka.

Taka rubbed his head. "Yeah. Ok." He was admittedly NOT ok, but it had nothing to do with landing on his head. The transport spell had worked. Taka didn't know what he was expecting, but whatever it was couldn't have prepared him. The darkness only lasted a second, but it was scarier than waking up in a different world in a different time. Taka brushed off his knees and stood up, looking questionable at the inn. "Is it open?"

Chichiri nodded, though his smile was a little bleak. “Hai, but things haven’t been going well no da. Something has been killing the livestock and the land. Not many people have money to stay at an inn anymore no da.”

Tasuki’s eyes narrowed and he frowned irritably. “Yeah, I kinda remember that. It only lasted for a little while an’ then things went back to normal. Heh, I guess that means that whatever we’re gonna do here is gonna work, ne?”

Miaka ignored the talk and went right up the steps and into the building. Food had been mentioned and her stomach wasn’t going to let her rest until she got some.

Taka stood staring at Chichiri, Tasuki and everything around him. It looked like just an elaborate stage set and it was tough to get his mind to comprehend the reality of it. He watched Miaka bravely step up to the inn and disappear inside. “Um…” he pointed at the door. “Let’s just go in and… what do you do? Rent a room? Does it really work that way?”

Tasuki snickered and shook his head. "What else would ya do at an inn? Where do ya think the big hotels in our era got the idea to have a restaurant and rooms?" He bounced up the steps and pushed the door open. "Well, ya gonna stand there or are ya gonna come in?" he asked.

Chichiri chuckled softly at Tasuki. While he is still the goofy kid from before, he's a little more matured no da. Before, he might have poked fun at Tamahome or teased him because he didn't know. "Tasuki-kun, please tell me that you still have mon from this era or else we might have to see about sharing rooms no da."

Taka frowned and walked past Tasuki with his arms crossed, but stepped up into the inn and looked for Miaka.

Miaka was seated at a table inside, a chopstick in each hand and a hungry look on her face. "Taka-kun!" she called happily, waving a chopstick at him. "Come over here and sit down!"

Tasuki grinned sheepishly and shook his head. "Sorry, Chiri, all I have is yen. I ain't used mon in a couple thousand years, ya know?"

Chichiri sighed and shook his head. "Then you should hurry and get in there before Miaka spends all of our money in food, no da."

Tasuki nodded and hurried inside, Chichiri close on his heels. "Mi-chan, please tell me ya didn't order yet?"

Miaka shook her head and pointed at the maid who was on her way over. "Not yet, so hurry up!"

Taka took a seat next to Miaka, awkwardly sitting at the table with nothing in front of him to busy his hands. All three of them seemed so comfortable with each other that it felt a little like he was the third, well, fourth wheel. He stared down at his empty table.

Tasuki took a seat at Taka's side, putting his boyfriend between himself and Miaka, with Chichiri to his left. "We're goin' easy, Mi-chan, so ya can't order everything on the menu, ya hear?"

Miaka pouted and rested her elbows on the table, slumping. "At least tell me that we'll get some food while we travel tomorrow? Like, roasted rabbit or maybe a couple of really juicy... uhm... what were those bird things?"

"Pheasant, no da," Chichiri replied and motioned the maid over to his side. "Please four bowls of your stew and some tea, no da?"

Tasuki scrunched his nose at the mention of tea, but kept his mouth shut. Chichiri was paying for the meal so he wouldn't argue. "So, ya said we'd hafta double up for rooms tonight, ne? Want me to stay with Taka or Mi-chan?" he asked. He wasn't quite comfortable with the idea of Taka and Miaka sharing a room together. Especially since they used to be lovers in another life.

Taka raised his head at the mention of room arrangements. "I... I'll be staying with you, right Tasuki?" One thing he didn't want was to be boarded up in a strange place without Tasuki next to him, not to mention the uncomfortable past between him and Miaka. Even if he had no sexual feelings towards women, it still wouldn't sit with him right, not when his boyfriend would be in the next room.

Tasuki looked over at Chichiri and then back to Taka before he nodded. "Yeah, Taka, Chiri won't mind stayin' with Mi-chan, right?"

Chichiri looked at the couple and then nodded. "I have no problem with it no da. Miaka-sama and I will be all right sharing a room."

Miaka shrugged, not caring either way. "Fine by me as long as I get some food into my stomach."

A hint of a smile graced Taka's lips. "I'm actually hungry, too." He could feel himself relaxing. Maybe their time here wouldn't be so bad.

Tasuki settled a hand on Taka's shoulder briefly and then stood when the maid carried over a heavy tray with their order. Four loaves of thick crusty bread and a hearty stew as well as four cups and a tankard of water were set down, with Tasuki's help, and Chichiri paid the woman for their meal.

Tasuki took his seat and settled his bowl in front of him, though he didn't bother to start eating yet.

Miaka was already half finished with her own bowl and was sopping up the broth with the bread. "Fiff iff goof," she said around a mouthful of food and then gestured at Tasuki's bowl when she noticed he wasn't eating. "Not hungry?"

Tasuki blinked at her and shook his head. "Nah, just thinkin'. Why, ya want mine, too?"

Chichiri frowned and put a hand on Tasuki's shoulder. "I don't think that she should eat yours too, no da. You should eat. You'll need your strength tomorrow."

Taka tilted his head at Chichiri. "Tomorrow? What's going on tomorrow?" Taka saw Miaka eyeing his bowl out of the corner of his eye and he inched closer to Tasuki, cupping his arm around his food protectively. How a girl could have such an appetite was unbelievable.

Chichiri smiled at Taka's protective gesture and shook his head. "We're going to be walking toward Mt. Taikyoku tomorrow no da. It's a little over three leagues away, so we might be traveling a long time no da. We might not find another inn for awhile, so it's best to rest and eat up when we can."

Tasuki blinked and looked at Chichiri. "Three leagues? Where the hell are we?"

Chichiri scratched his cheek with one finger, a sheepish grin on his masked face. "On the southern most point of Konan, no da. Taikyoku is near the center of the four kingdoms, so it might take awhile. But, we can stop at the palace and see Emperor Boushin and rest there, but that will still take us at least four days of walking no da."

Tasuki groaned and sat back in his chair, his head hanging back and staring up at the ceiling moodily. "Shit," he growled. "At least tell me ya have packs with ya or that ya ain't against usin' that damn transport spell or are we stuck walkin' the whole way there?"

Chichiri shook his head. "I've got our packs in my kasa, but I'm still terrible at landings no da. One person would be fine, but when I take passengers I always land us in the wrong place no da."

Taka's jaw was hanging as he listened. Walking for several leagues? How long was a league? He didn't know, but it sure sounded like a lot of walking, and this place was pretty warm even though it was night. He made a face. Four days? He hoped all the training paid off or he was going to die before they got to this palace.

He stooped over and sipped at the stew, quickly eating his portion as he dipped the bread in the bowl. The stew was actually extremely good. Everything tasted fresher than Taka had ever experienced and his little distance problem seemed to melt away in the delightful steam. The tea was the same way. The only thing that left him wanting was the water. It didn't look quite so clear and he hesitated to drink it, sniffing at his cup with a frown.

As soon as Tasuki's attention turned to Chichiri, Miaka snatched his bowl of stew and traded it for her empty one and then hurried to gulp it down before he could notice.

"At least we c'n get horses once we get to Eiyou," Tasuki said and slouched over his bowl. He blinked down at the licked clean bowl and sighed. Instead of getting stew, he was left with a loaf of bread. Not quite as much as he was used to, but he had lived on less before.

"Hai," Chichiri agreed as he finished his bowl of stew and stood. "I'll go and get us a couple of rooms no da. And Tasuki, next time keep a closer eye on your food."

Miaka looked up from licking the empty bowl with an embarrassed blush. "Gomen ne, Tasuki," she said quietly and then went back to licking the bowl clean.

Taka looked down at his bowl. It wasn't much, but at least it wasn't licked clean. He slid it over to Tasuki with a smile. "You can finish what's in there," he offered. "I think I should be going to bed early if we have an f-ton of walking to do tomorrow." He got up and followed Chichiri to the desk.

Tasuki grinned and patted Taka's arm. "Thanks," he said and then turned to eat what little was left.

Miaka watched Taka and Chichiri walk off, a bemused expression on her face. "Do you think that Tamahome was that way, too?" she asked, turning her attention to Tasuki.

Tasuki choked on the mouthful of bread and stew, his eyes watering as he fought not to drown. "What?" he croaked, rubbing a hand over his eyes. "He was in love with ya, baka! How the hell would he a been gay? You got somethin' under that skirt that wasn't there when I was changin' yer nappies?"

Miaka stuck her tongue out at him and propped her elbows on the table. "No, I was just thinking that if his incarnation was supposed to be your one, then... maybe he and I weren't supposed to be together?"

Tasuki stared at her as if she were insane and stood. "Yer off yer fuckin' cart. C'mon, let's go find Taka an' Chiri." He was no longer in the mood to eat and simply left the nearly finished food on the table. He dragged Miaka away when she made a move to pounce his leftovers.

Chichiri stood at the desk, arguing prices down from twice the normal rate. "I'm only paying you two silver for these rooms a piece no da. That's all they are worth. If you want paying customers, then you'll accept the price I'm offering no da."

TBC…
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End Notes: Well, this is part of a larger update, which will be taking place later on next week. I’m starting Tasuki’s backstory; from when he left China, his trip to Germany, Egypt, France, the Americas, Brazil, and several other countries. Also, there is a major shift in time as I’ve discovered that “Ancient China” usually refers to 219BC. So, I’m sure you’ve noticed that Taka said something about “thousands of years” and Tasuki agreed on the number later in the chapter.

The Backstory will be entitled “The Longest Road” and will be an insert slash prologue to this story. I do apologize for starting the story in the middle and then going back and adding the preceding events to the story, but as I said before: I was unaware of what “Ancient China” consisted of year wise and now that I do I will fix that glaring error.

Thank you all for reading.