WARNING!
This story contains the following: Shonen-Ai, Yaoi - Lime and Lemon, Violence, Language, Male/Female sex.
*....* denotes italics
/..../ denotes thoughts
DAY SIX Aya squinted his eyes against the bright morning sun. "Hmf," he said. "I didn't know we had been down there so long." "Time flies when you're having fun," Yoji quipped dryly. "It felt like only minutes passing, not hours," Omi commented. She shook her head, yawning. "Well, I don't care what time it is. I just want to go to bed." The three of them trudged off, with Aya lagging behind. Yoji turned and saw the mage. "Aya," he called. "Let's go!" Aya frowned, staring at the mansion. Something was in there, beckoning him. There was something he needed to get inside the building, but he couldn't figure out what. Yoji hefted Seth so that the boy lay over his shoulder. He reached out and put his hand on Aya's arm, startling the mage. "We can come back later, okay?" he said quietly. Aya turned and their eyes met. Dark jade and amethyst. With a reluctant nod, Aya followed. They made their way quickly through the early morning crowds and back to the inn in record time. Ken pushed open the heavy door, followed by the others, all haggard and weary. They only wanted to forget the past night and all of it's past memories in blessed sleep. The sight that greeted them only reminded them of the previous day. Broken tables and chairs still littered the floor of the tavern. Cordelia and several other girls worked diligently, trying to right the place again. "I'm sorry!" Cordelia called over her shoulder. "We're closed." She turned, hands on hips. Her green eyes widened as she saw them. "Ran!" she cried, running to him and throwing her arms around his neck and smothering his face with kisses. "You're all right!" She pulled back, looking over the rest of them. "But you look like you've been through hell." Yoji nodded. "We have been." He staggered slightly. Although Omi's powers had helped close his wounds and restore some of his strength, he still felt terribly tired. Seth's weight had become a burden in his arms. "We just want to sleep." Cordelia nodded briskly. She took Seth's limp body from Yoji's tired arms. "Here, let me take him. I've got a lot of empty rooms upstairs. You guys can have them all, spread out how you want." She smiled back down at them as she walked up the stairs. "I know how crowded it must have been with four people in one room." They all took rooms and collapsed on the beds. Yoji and Seth shared a room, Ken and Omi another, and Aya took their old room. He flung himself down in the chair, intending to sit and think for a moment before drifting off to sleep. Before he could do anything, Cordelia barged in. "Oh good," she said. She stepped across the room, pulling the drapes closed against the sun, darkening the room. "I didn't know if I was going to catch you undressing or not." Aya smiled tiredly, laughing softly. "I think I'm too tired to even do that. I was just about to throw myself in bed and sleep for a thousand days." "Is she... dead?" Aya nodded. He stood and began pulling off his cloak. Cordelia took it from him, folding it and putting it on the chair. "The other's are all right? No one's seriously hurt?" Aya shook his head. "No one's hurt. Omi can take care of that anyway. She's a cleric." "A cleric? A real one?" The mage nodded. He pulled off his outer robe. He still wore pants and a light tunic. Cordelia took the robe from him, putting it with his cloak. "As real as they come. Ken was killed during one of our battles. Omi gave him back his life." "Without losing her own?" Aya sat down on the bed, rubbing at his eyes. "Yeah." "But that... that's unheard of!" Aya shrugged. "It's been done. I heard that it had been done before, in the north, but that's the only rumored story." Cordelia took his hands in hers and pulled him to his feet. She began turning down the bed, pulling the covers out. She smiled broadly. "Just think of how much she can help the people. She's like a sign from the gods! They've been looking for someone to follow..." "No," Aya said sternly. The girl looked up in surprise. He shook his head. "No," he repeated. "I have this feeling that we're leaving soon. Besides, Omi's not cut out for a religious leadership." Cordelia sighed, stepping back from the bed. "I figured. I just thought... that maybe you could stay longer." Aya pulled her to him, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "I wish I could stay longer too. But there are people in my world who need me." "Like Aya," she whispered. "Like Aya," he repeated. He turned, and slid into the bed. Already, his eyes were falling shut. The softness felt so good, and the pillow beneath his head had to be the best thing he had ever felt. He was faintly aware of Cordelia pulling the covers over him before he fell into a dreamless sleep. ~~~~ PART THIRTY-SIX "Aya! Wait up!" The mage turned. The setting sun burned into his eyes, and he could only see the silhouette of the person who ran to meet him. He waited until a breathless Yoji stopped beside him. The thief smiled up at Aya, gasping for breath, his hands on his knees. "I *knew* you were going back," he said, standing up and smoothing his vest. Aya shrugged, a little uncomfortable. "Where's Seth?" he asked. Yoji smiled, winking. "Back in the inn, in a deep, contented sleep." "So he finally woke up?" Yoji nodded. "Woke up, yeah. But I bet I pounded him back into unconsciousness." He laughed, poking Aya with his elbow. "You know what I mean?" Aya's eyes narrowed and he looked unamused. Instead of pursuing the matter, he turned and began walking again. Yoji followed at a jaunty pace. "Ahh," he sighed. "It's so nice to know the world is at peace again." Aya snorted. "It was never in turmoil." Yoji shrugged. "That's beside the point. So, why are we going back to Aithne's mansion?" Aya frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "I felt something... calling me when we left this morning. Something that I have to find out about." Yoji shrugged. "Whatever." He smiled over at Aya. "It's just nice to get out for a walk." They walked in silence for several moments. The house came into view and they started walking across the lawns. "So how did you guys know where I was?" Yoji suddenly asked. "Seth," Aya replied. "He overheard Aithne talking about you, so he came to us for help." Yoji grinned proudly. "I heard he fought like a little demon against the soldiers." Aya shrugged. "Only because I put a spell on him." "How'd you know about that spell that helped us defeat Aithne?" The mage tapped his forehead. "The guy in here told me. He couldn't help me before, but apparently he could at that moment." /Picky picky. There are rules, you know./ Aya smiled slightly, looking over at Yoji. "Of course, your attack was spitting on her..." Yoji's face turned red in anger and embarrassment. "Shut up! It was all I could do! Besides," he muttered, "Spitting on someone is an insult, and that's an attack." Aya grinned over at his uncomfortable friend. "I'm glad you did what you did. So are the others, no matter how much they make fun of you. You helped us kill Aithne." Yoji rubbed the back of his neck, laughing nervously. "Well, you know how it is." He pushed open the heavy, gilded front door. They stepped inside. It was deathly quiet. The servants and soldiers had all evacuated the night before, leaving the place empty. Their footsteps echoed in the silence. Most of the loose wealth had been taken by the others, leaving almost nothing left. Chairs and tables were overturned as if everyone had been in a great hurry. "Where are we going?" Yoji asked, his voice loud in the stillness. "The library," Aya answered without thinking. They picked their way through the mess until they reached two closed doors. Grabbing one, Aya pulled it open, exposing the library within. It was a large room, larger than Yoji remembered. From tiled floor to grooved ceiling, bookshelves lined the walls, each stacked full of heavy tomes. Across from the door was the fireplace, several of the embedded jewels gone from Yoji's hard work the night before. Aya walked slowly into the center of the room, looking around in awe. Three floors of bookshelves, all connected by a spiral staircase. He didn't know where to start. But he knew there was a book in here that he had to recover. Yoji sauntered over to inspect the fireplace. He looked at the jewel that turned the nearest bookshelf. He reached out to touch it, but his hand stopped. /Should I...? The chalice might still be down there. But it could be trouble. That's what got me caught in the first place.../ Shrugging, he reached out and pried at the jewel. The gem turned, and the bookcase next to the fireplace swung open. Aya looked over at him in surprise. "Yoji! What are you...?" "Playing," Yoji replied with a smile. Taking a torch, he lit it from the dying fire in the hearth. With a small wave to Aya, he made his way down the cool tunnel once again. He made his way down slowly. His eyes straining to pierce the darkness in front of him. He listened hard, but there were no sounds except his breathing and his footsteps. "Yoji?" Aya called, his voice echoing down the corridor. "I'll be out in a minute, Aya!" Yoji called back. "Don't worry about me!" Aya bit his lip, nervous. He knew that no one was in the house, and that Yoji could take care of himself. But he was still worried. Pushing the thoughts from his mind, he turned to face the many bookshelves. "Somewhere," he whispered to himself. "There should be a spell book in here somewhere." /You're facing the wrong direction./ Aya turned, facing the fireplace and looking up. Three stories of bookshelves. He sighed. "Somewhere on this side then?" /Somewhere./ The voice sounded amused. "I was curious," Aya said, as he started looking for the book. When his hand passed over a black spine, he pulled the book out to check its face for runes. "Why do we have voices in our heads telling us what to do? Or have we finally lost our minds?" /I was surprised that you never asked before./ "Well, we have been a little busy," he replied dryly. He moved a shelf down. No black spell book yet. /Call us the Kritiker of this world./ "Kritiker?" Aya laughed shortly. "I take it you're the Persia then, huh? And the other voices are the Manx, Birman, and Botan, right?" /Very good, you're catching on./ "So why are you talking to us then? Did you send us here?" /Well... in a way, yes. There are some things I can't explain to you. But you were sent here for a mission. A mission which you completed./ "Kill Aithne? What, was she a future threat to this world, and so we took her out while she was still gaining power?" The voice seemed impressed. /You're smarter than I give you credit for./ "Thanks," Aya snorted. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a familiar looking spine. He pulled it out and starting laughing. /What?/ "Of all the things to find...!" He looked at the cover. A buff young man stood shirtless, one arm flung to the heavens while the other was wrapped around the thin waist of a young, attractive girl who barely had any clothes on (we're supposed to assume that the war painted in the background somehow deprived her of decent garments). Aya put the book back. "A cheap romance from Tokyo. Was that planned?" /I'm sorry, but we've never read romances./ Aya chuckled to himself as he moved to the next shelf. "So," he continued. "Why are you guys voices? Don't you have bodies?" /We have forms, but you wouldn't be able to comprehend them. This is the safest way to contact you without you getting hurt./ Aya shrugged. "Whatever you say. So will we be able to go home soon?" A voice was dredged up from Aya's memory. /"Only one has it. One of fire. And you won't get it without a fight."/ Aya leaned against the bookcase, running a hand through his hair. "I must be an idiot. That's what the old man from the magic store said." He began to laugh softly. "We fought Aithne, and she used fire, to the extent that her ashes turned to fire. And so she must have the spell that we need! That was what called me." /Congratulations,/ the dry voice said. /And now, farewell. Say hello to Persia for me./ The feeling of emptiness resounded in Aya's mind. For a moment, he almost missed the presence of the voice. Softly, he said, "Bye." Yoji reached the end of the tunnel. He waved his torch around the small room, but no one was there. He walked around the shaped room, lighting the torches that would no longer magically light up. As he lit the torch that was across from the entrance, his foot kicked the remains of the water clock. He looked down at it, and smiled. The clock had broken when Lady Aithne had magically thrown him against the wall. Now, it lay in pieces. He heard the faint bell ring when his foot kicked it. When all seven torches had been lit, he turned to face the center. He looked around expectantly for the beautiful chalice. But it was gone. He hurried closer to the stand in the middle of the room. There was nothing but dust there now. The top of the table had been scorched black by a fire, and the gray ashes were all that now rested upon the pedestal. He sighed. He knew, somewhere deep within himself, that the chalice would not be here. His soft breath stirred the ashes, and they danced before his face. He turned, disappointed, to make his way out of the room. He reached the doorway and ducked under it. A faint chiming noise made him stop. He pivoted once more, and his eyes were drawn to the fluttering dust motes. They sparkled in the torchlight. They jumped and turned, and in all appearances seemed to be performing a ritual dance. They left gold and silver trails in the air, marking their path for a moment before they faded. "What... is going on?" Yoji breathed, walking back to the stand. Some mysterious magic was taking place, and he didn't know what to make of it. The ashes leapt at Yoji, making him step back in surprise. Although they did not leave the safety of the table, they kept bounding at the thief, as if seeking something. /They want something of you./ "But what?" /I don't know. Maybe you should spit again./ Yoji frowned darkly at the reminder of that. It was embarrassing enough that he had been caught by Lady Aithne and chained up, and even more humiliating to have to fight with his spit. Giving in, he leaned over the table and spit onto it. The dust pounced upon the saliva like hungry animals on food. As he watched, he saw the small workers start to spread the spit out. The ashes blended in, working themselves into the bubbly fluid. Soon, the mixture was larger than Yoji had imagined it could become. It moved slowly, like a living blob of gel. It slowly began to take form, shaping itself into a vaguely rectangular shape. /Set it on fire with your torch./ "Why?" /Just do it. It needs fire to solidify./ Hoping he wasn't going to ruin the magic, Yoji did as he was told and put the flaming end of the torch to the gelatinous mixture. The whole thing crackled and burned, sending up flames that were several feet tall, forcing Yoji to stumble backwards. From his safe vantage point, he watched. Slowly, the flames died, leaving something black and solid on the stand. He crept forward and reached out to touch it. When the binding didn't burn him, he picked it up in both hands. He flipped through it. "A book?" Yoji asked. He sighed. "Never any good treasure." He tucked it under his arm. "Aya'll know what it is." Leaving the seven torches burning, Yoji left the small room and walked back to the library. He stood in the doorway for a moment, watching Aya as he searched through a bookcase. "Aya," Yoji said, startling the mage. He tossed the redhead the book and then threw himself into a chair. "It just kinda... appeared." Aya caught the book and ran his hand over the cover. There were mysterious, strange runes pressed into the binding. Quickly, he pulled out the piece of parchment and compared the symbols. "This is it!" he exclaimed. "What is it?" the thief asked curiously. "The spell book! It has the spell that will allow us to get home!" Instead of the joyous reaction he expected from Yoji, the thief only nodded. His face became serious, his eyes darkening. He stood and began pacing the room. "Yoji?" Aya questioned. "What's wrong? We'll be able to go home now!" Yoji snorted. "Home to what? Back to Persia and Weiss? Back to being an assassin and fooling all those girls by day?" He shook his head and then collapsed into a window seat. "I'm sorry, Aya, but I'm not looking forward to that." "We can't leave you here!" "Why not?" Yoji gestured out the window at the town below. "I have Seth. And in that, I have everything I need." They sat in silence for a moment. Aya stared at Yoji, his amethyst eyes searching for an answer on the older man's face. Yoji would not acknowledge his stare, and kept his eyes to the window. "I can't... take Seth with me, can I?" Yoji suddenly whispered, dropping his head. His auburn waves fell to cover his face, masking the emotions from the mage. Aya crossed the distance and knelt on the cushions next to Yoji. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "But I can't... I can't..." Yoji looked up, his eyes dark and desperate, tears collecting and ready to fall. "I can't leave him..." Aya watched him, his gaze softening. He reached out, putting a hand on Yoji's shoulder. "It's better that he stays here. He wouldn't fit into our world, and you wouldn't want to bring him into the world of an assassin." Yoji nodded, wiping at his eyes. "He's gotten too close as it is." Aya stretched out his arms and put them around his friend. He pulled Yoji to him in a tight embrace. To his surprise, Yoji's arms came up to enfold him as well. They sat, holding each other in silence. Aya pulled back and touched Yoji's downcast cheek gently. He wondered what was going on behind those dark jade eyes. Without thinking, he leaned forward slightly so that their breath mixed. "We're... here for you," he whispered and then closed the gap before Yoji could protest. The kiss was more than Aya had ever expected. Their lips molded perfectly and caressed the other's. Instead of pulling away like Aya expected, Yoji leaned into the kiss, bringing his hands to the mage's neck to hold him there. They finally broke apart, more for air than want. Slowly, Yoji's eyes fluttered open. They were dark and confused. "Aya," he breathed. "Why...?" Aya pulled away violently, blushing horribly. "I- I'm sorry!" he said, his voice loud. "I just... I mean, I..." Yoji chuckled softly. "I don't mind. You don't have to explain." Aya turned to look at the older man in surprise. Yoji smiled slightly, but it was tinged with sadness. The mage's violet eyes traveled over the thief, his eyes trying to memorize every part of the face he had come to love. "Say, Aya," Yoji said suddenly, turning to look out at the setting sun through the window. "Hmm?" "Do you... love anyone?" "Yes." Yoji turned and looked at the redhead in surprise, who had given that answer without hesitation. "Really?" He smiled slightly. "We always thought you were just a cold bastard." His smile turned into a teasing grin. "So, who is it?" Aya smiled. "It's not what you think. My sister..." The older man's green eyes widened in shock. "Sister? You have family?" "Yeah." Aya lowered his head, looking at his hands. "She was... hurt by Takatori..." Yoji reached out and put his hand on Aya's shoulder. "I'm so sorry. Is that why you go after him?" Aya nodded. "It won't bring Aya out of her coma though..." "Wait a minute. Aya? But that's your name, isn't it?" "Ran." "What?" Aya looked up, his eyes looking mournfully into Yoji's. "My name is Ran." Yoji exhaled loudly, his eyes wide. Slowly, he shook his head. "You're so complicated." Aya smiled, reaching out to poke Yoji in the shoulder. "But you still like me, huh?" Yoji looked at the mage doubtfully. "Depends. Are you going to become that cold bastard again when we get back to Tokyo?" Aya's purple eyes darkened in shade. "No," he said softly. "I tried to shut Ran away before. But I can't do that anymore. I don't want to go back to being Aya again." Yoji reached out and put his arms around Aya's shoulders. "Stay Ran then." He grinned, tugging on one of Aya's flaming ear tails. "You're cute when you tease, you know. Maybe the girls in the flower shop will like you more." Aya pushed him away, standing and smoothing his robes. "That's not what I need." Yoji slid off of the window seat. "Oh come on. You need a date once in a while. It'll help you shed Aya. Trust me," he said with a wink. Aya shook his head. "Oh be quiet." He waved the book at Yoji. "Let's get back so we can look this over." They exited the mansion and walked in silence for a while. The sun had set, and torches lit their path through town. Aya walked in front of Yoji, his strides purposeful and determined. Yoji lagged behind, his eyes dark. Suddenly, he took a few steps forward and threw his arms around Aya. Aya, attacked from behind, stood stiff in the embrace. "Aya," Yoji whispered brokenly. The mage felt tears on the back of his neck. He reached up and patted the thief's hand. "Hush Yoji. It'll be all right." "I'm so weak," Yoji muttered, more to himself. "I hate myself." He pulled away and started rubbing fiercely at his eyes. Aya reached out, putting a hand on the taller man's shoulder. "Yoji," he said. The tone in his voice made the older man look at him. "It's nothing to be ashamed of." Although his green eyes were downcast, Aya could see the anguish there. He understood the pain that ran through Yoji, the torment that ate at his heart and soul at having to leave the one he loved more than his life. In such a short time, someone had become so dear to him. And leaving him was torture. Aya felt the same way every time he had to leave his sister, still in that coma, still without life. On an impulse, Yoji leaned forward and kissed Aya on the corner of his mouth. The mage's violet eyes went wide, and he staggered a step away. "Yo... Yoji," he breathed, his hand going to cover his mouth. Yoji smiled bitterly, but the spitefulness was only directed at himself. "Why didn't I fall in love with a fellow assassin, huh?" Aya flushed bright red, and even in the near darkness Yoji could see it. One with tears streaking his face, the other terribly embarrassed. In silence, they turned to keep walking. "Say," Yoji said after a while. "Hmm?" Aya asked nervously. "Can I call you Ran?" Aya fell back a pace to walk side by side with Yoji. Tentatively, he reached out and took the thief's hand in his own. "Yes," he whispered. Yoji smiled over at him. "I'm glad." They walked, quiet, for a few more moments. "You know," he said suddenly. "Ran has a beautiful smile."