Hotohori went for a walk for the palace with his ministers. They were getting right the "vacations" of the Emperor. Hotohori wanted to travel for the mountains, to camp, to feel free, to ride a horse, to fish and to fry his own fish. He was tired of being caged as a bird in the Palace.
After decreeing his departure, he went to his Chambers to do plans and more plans. He removed the clothes, entered in the bathtub, delayed in the bathing, left, and placed a fluffy robe.
He sat down in his bed and when he was to begin to pray he heard a noise in the gardens, a small cry, a shy groan.
Concerned, Hotohori went until the window.
The small girl walked between the flowers and the darkness, close to the lake. Her hair were arrested in a braid and her make-up was perfect, her lips shone as if the girl had gloss on it.
Hotohori saw himself kissing those lips... they should be delicious... he missed Houki, Miaka and even the maids. But even being that whole time faithful to Houki, he saw himself kissing those sweet and brilliant lips. He saw himself hugging that fragile body, that seemed to ask for protection. He saw himself being caressed by the sweet hands that wanted him so much, felt himself being hugged, tight, tight, SQUASHED...
Hotohori shook the head strongly. That was Nuriko, not a pretty girl!
"Don’t you be ridiculous, Sahitei " - he thought. "This is lack, tomorrow you catch any other girl..."
But that shine of Nuriko’s lips and that solitary tears didn't leave Hotohori to sleep well in that night.
In the third night, Hotohori’s heart was filled with sadness and he went to the Gardens to see Nuriko. Nuriko was pretty, seeming a delicate china doll, sat down there and just looking at the lake. Hotohori approached silent as a cat, extended his left hand on Nuriko’s shoulder and... he pulled back in the last moment. He decided then simply to sit down beside Nuriko.
" Good night, Nuriko " - Hotohori murmured with his sensual voice and a glance that could freeze the hardest of the hearts. Nuriko jumped, saw Hotohori and blushed.
" Good night, Hotohori-Sama..."
Hotohori thought a little before approaching Nuriko:
" What is happening to you, Nuriko?"
" What??" Nuriko was stunned.
" Well, I have been seeing you walking for the gardens the whole night and..."
" Forgive me, Hotohori-Sama, forgive me" - Nuriko eagerly held Hotohori’s hand and pressed, nervous.
" I didn't want to disturb your rest, I’m sorry..."
For some reason Hotohori felt his hand in ember when Nuriko held it. A fire traveled his spine burning, his lips were dry and the voice disappeared. Hotohori tried to move away the pleasant sensation with the fixed idea that Nuriko was man, but his body reacted to the appeals of the heart. Everything that Hotohori got for reaction was wide his almond shaped eyes. Nuriko noticed and he loosened the Emperor's hand. Hotohori blushed, Nuriko flushed, and both looked at the ground. Hotohori felt deeply sorry that Nuriko had left his hand, but he needed to keep the composure.
" N... Nuriko... What’s the matter with you!?"
Nuriko thought that Hotohori was referring his daring to have touched his hands on that way and he turned pale, he was disturbed, and as he didn't know what else he could do or say, he got up suddenly. Immediately Hotohori also rose, but the movement was so abrupt that knocked down Nuriko in the deepest part of the lake.
" Nuriko!!"
Hotohori opened the robe and threw himself nude in the water, looking for Nuriko. Nuriko had already emerged; looking around, he saw Hotohori’s robe and dove again, behind the Emperor. And under the water, Hotohori found Nuriko and held him tight in his arms, lifting Nuriko's head outside.
Nuriko smiled happy, but he closed the eyes to fake that he had drowned, just to see how Hotohori would react. Hotohori went out of the water holding Nuriko’s delicate body laid and surround, just like a God walking for the margin of the artificial lake, with a wet princess in his arms.
Hotohori laid Nuriko in his robe. He trembled of cold and looked around. His room was the only lit. Hotohori undressed Nuriko quickly of the wet clothes and wound him in his robe. Hotohori didn't see, but Nuriko blushed while Hotohori undressed him...
The Emperor wound the fragile body of Nuriko in his robe and pressed against his own chest, Nuriko’s skin in contact with his own skin made his heart to discharge and those sensations returned. Hotohori was wound with Nuriko in the robe and pressed with some more force.
" Nuriko..."
Nuriko didn't react and he prayed for Hotohori don't notice how much he was excited. Hotohori thought the drowning was serious and he rose with Nuriko in the arms, running for his room. There arriving, Hotohori lowered the covers and laid in the bed beside Nuriko, then he covered both. He supported his hand in Nuriko’s chest and tried a massage, but he didn't have a clue in how to do that.
" Oh, God " - murmured Hotohori.
Nuriko then faked that he was coughing, a dry cough, and he turned of backs for Hotohori to hide his excitement. But the Emperor's nude body was inserted in his own body and Nuriko felt Hotohori's strong arms pressing stronger, hugging him.
" Nuriko... forgive me... I didn't want to do that with you..."
Nuriko almost came. He made force for not to sigh or to groan.
" For the love of God, speak to me Nuriko!"
Hotohori pressed the hug, almost melting Nuriko’s body on his own body.
Nuriko, being of humbler origin ( his family wasn’t Imperial, ), knew more about these things than Hotohori; and then, with a soft whispered voice, he asked:
" Hotohori-Sama... I... I can’t... breathe..."
" Oh, God... "
" Please... I am with lack of air..."
" Oh God... Nuriko... what shall I do ?"
Nuriko laid of belly upward and whispered:
" Please... touch your lips on mine... And blow the air inside of me."
Hotohori blinked, but seeing Nuriko purple, he thought was the best to do.
Hotohori fastened the glance in Nuriko’s lips. Nuriko guided Hotohori’s left hand to his nose and asked him to press.
" Like this... now blow it..."
Hotohori touched smoothly his lips on Nuriko’s and at this time he felt he was going in the clouds and returning ten times per second. Hotohori missed air himself and his heart seemed to want to leave his body for the mouth. He heard the beats of his own heart... and then, trying to concentrate, Hotohori blew. But he blew smoothly...
" Stronger, Hotohori-Sama... Cough, cough... until my chest explode..."
Hotohori thought it was a little violent, but if he was wanting... Hotohori filled the chest of air and blew strong. The delicate chest of Nuriko inflated so much that Nuriko thought that he would fly. Nuriko loosened the rapt air, and later he found voice to ask:
" Again, Hotohori-Sama, please..."
Hotohori did again. And again. And after blown the fourth time, Nuriko no longer had as asking more. " The air that he breathes now inhabits in me " - thought Nuriko.
" Sleep, Nuriko " - the Emperor whispered with a voice that he had never heard before - sexy, soft - Tomorrow we talk. Just rest, Nuriko..."
" Hotohori-Sama... I..."
" Shhhh... Don't speak, just sleep. I’ll be right here by your side the whole night, ok? I will take care of you... Be calm... thus, be easy..."
Hotohori laid of belly upward and supported the Nuriko’s head smoothly in his chest. Nuriko felt Hotohori’s strong arms pressing him in a pleasant hug, and then he slept a pretty rest. Nuriko woke up a thousand times during the night to see how Hotohori was perfect until sleeping... Nuriko loved him even more since then.
" He died, Hotohori-Sama..."
" Nuriko... no, not Nuriko..."
The ministers lowered the head. Hotohori was completely lost.
" NO!! NOT NURIKO!!!"
Hotohori totally lost his self control and he ran for the Palace halls, crying and screaming loud.
" NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"
Hotohori opened his scared eyes, somewhat breathless. Nuriko, in his sweet rest, pressed Hotohori a little, and the Emperor lowered the eyes and saw Nuriko nude in his arms, the free hair flooding some sheets. Hotohori smiled, he pressed Nuriko tighter in his arms, a shy tear ran from the corner of his eyes.
" I thank to all the Gods for the magic that brought you back for us, Nuriko... I won't loose you from my sight again. Never you will die again, unless we die together. You, Chiriko, Mitsukake, Tamahome, Tesuki and I will die together and we will be buried together, than we will make an big messy party in the Heaven... With our wives, and parents... and other dear friends. I love so much all of you... You are the family I have ."
But Hotohori wondered, amid his limited gratitude, why Houki had not returned... Could Nuriko really be Houki?
Hotohori decided not to think about that. Nuriko was now with him. And that was everything that really mattered.
Nuriko woke up in the Emperor's bed. Immediately he blushed when remembering of his daring in the previous night and he was savoring that enormous bed a bit moist for more time. His hair had dried almost completely. Nuriko buried the face in Hotohori’s pillow , smelling the perfume of his hair, of his skin.
A girl entered with a tray.
" Good morning, Miss. Emperor Hotohori-Sama sends you his greetings."
Nuriko almost fainted. "I will drown everyday..."
" The Emperor sends you this delicious breakfast and he asked me to tell you that you should not absent of this room until you fell well. The Emperor will come to see you as soon as possible."
The girl arranged the tray on Nuriko, that was seated and covered. Nuriko was surprised.
" Thank you! "
The girl left, but before crossing the door, she turned and said:
" The Emperor said that you had an accident, Miss. Would you like to call anybody ?"
" No, thank you. It was just an accident, I am not sick ."
The girl left and Nuriko ate the breakfast.
Hotohori arrived suddenly, with an enormous bouquet of white roses in his hands. Nuriko wide his eyes, and then smiled. Hotohori was as always pretty, smiling, illuminating the room even more than the sun. However, there was a deep concern in his eyes.
" Nuriko..." - Hotohori gave him the enormous bouquet of roses and he sat down in the edge of the bed. Nuriko held the flowers, smelled, and smiled. Hotohori held Nuriko’s hand timidly.
" Nuriko... are you better? Still... Do you still have... your lacks of air ?"
" I am well, Hotohori-Sama... Thank you ."
" It was my obligation, Nuriko, for what I did to you. Please, if you can, forgive me."
Nuriko stared the eyes and blinked.
" Excuse-me -"
Hotohori lowered the eyes before Nuriko.
"Forgive me."
Hotohori, asking for forgiveness?! That’s a rare thing! Well, it was rare for Nuriko... Nuriko smiled such a clean and so brilliant smile that Hotohori felt alleviated.
" Hotohori-Sama... Everything is ok now ."
" Then... then you forgive me ?"
" Yes, I do." Nuriko lowered the eyes sadly. "I’m the one who should ask for forgiveness for having disturbed your rest in the last nights and to have caused this whole confusion."
Hotohori pressed more Nuriko’s hand and looked at him quite concerned.
" Yes, now I remember... yesterday at night I only wanted to ask why you were crying hiding in the gardens... if it is not indiscreet, of couse. I would like to make something to help you, so I won’t hear you cry again on that way ."
Nuriko looked at Hotohori deep in his eyes, a deeply melancholic glance.
" I can tell you, Hotohori-Sama... even so, I count with your discretion ."
Immediately, Hotohori released all his ministers and the maids out of the room and stayed alone with Nuriko. He loosened his hands, and Nuriko hugged tightly the flowers and he slid inside the Emperor's quilts, seeming still more fragile.
Their eyes met again, but Nuriko lowered his and flushed.
" What is it?"
" As the Emperor knows, I have a feminine soul... unhappily my body doesn't correspond to this reality. But, for my family... and for my old friends of my hometown, I... I have a feminine body."
" Then, all your friends and relatives still take you for woman. I see."
" Yes, and my parents, my uncles, well, they... they obtained me a... a fiancée ."
Hotohori stared his eyes and became static.
" Nuriko, will you get married!?"
" Well, Hotohori-Sama, my parents are old and... and they want grandsons ."
" Grandsons!? How they can hope you have children!? And taking you for woman...!"
" Yes, my Emperor, and this is just part of the problems ."
" But don't your parents know that you are not...?"
" In any place it is written that I told them... My parents think I am Kourin, and that Nuriko is the Emperor's service.
" And why don't you tell them ?"
" Well, which is the father that would welcome a son... a gay son? It is so difficult here, among the other Seishis...! My father would hate me!"
" Nuriko, here just Tamahome and I know about you to be... or not to be... Ah, well, I don't think you are gay. I think you were born in the wrong body, That’s all ."
" Thank you, Hotohori-Sama..."
" Well, and now, what will you do ?"
Nuriko’s eyes filled with tears.
" The only way to flee of this commitment would already be to be committed with someone else... and it was exactly what I told them ."
" Then it is everything ok..."
" No, my Emperor, it’s not. They want me to get married still this week, there in the village, and I may take my fiancée there... for the celebrations."
" Why didn't you simply say you didn't want to get married ?"
Nuriko smiled a sad smile.
" Why you didn't say to your parents that you didn't want to be a Emperor? Why didn't you say that, among all your brothers, that they had to choose another ?"
Hotohori went the hand by the hair and sighed.
" I understand ."
Nuriko smiled sad again and he tried to get up of the bed, but Hotohori's hands held his hands again.
" What did you say to your parents about your " fiancée ", Nuriko ?"
" That he was a poor farmer, worker and very honest, that lived the east of here ."
Hotohori left Nuriko's hands, thinking lotsof things. Nuriko lifted. Nuriko was wound in the sheet and reached his dress and dressed it. Hotohori, to show respect, continued of backs for Nuriko.
" Thank you for the flowers..."
" They match with the color of your eyes..."
Nuriko smiled at Hotohori, but the Emperor was of backs to maintain Nuriko’s privacy. That act made Nuriko’s smile shine a little more. Nuriko went to the door.
" If you don't care, Hotohori-Sama, I would like to go for my room."
"You can go, Nuriko, have a good day..."
" Thank you for hearing me."
Nuriko left the Hotohori’s room between the heaven and the hell.
On that night Nuriko didn't appear, nor the following night. In the third night, Hotohori noticed that he had waited for Nuriko every night and felt as a silly boy. But, in his heart, those brilliant eyes and that delicate face didn't stop of... Oh, damn! Why Nuriko had to born in the wrong body? Why Nuriko had to be one of Seishis?
Thinking better, now that Miko was Miko anymore, perhaps they could... but not, Nuriko could even be a normal person, but he would never be a woman. Although Nuriko seemed a woman so much as Miaka, or maybe more... Miaka never have been so delicate as Nuriko, Nuriko’s skin was so soft, that such a tempting mouth, and that soft voice...
Hotohori remembered the delicate body of Nuriko in contact with his own, the smell of the skin...
Suddenly Hotohori saw himself walking furtively for the runner, in direction to the other hall, where were located the rooms of all the Seishis. Hotohori needed to see Nuriko with urgency...
Hotohori knocked on the door and heard Nuriko complain in a low voice.
" My God, who is it at three o'clock of the morning...!"
Nuriko opened the door and he ran into Hotohori, that was walking back to return for his own room.
" Hotohori-Sama!!"
Hotohori turned and was surprised when seeing Nuriko. Even without the soft make-up and with the free hair, Nuriko continued adorable. Hotohori held the own arms for not pressing Nuriko among them.
" Good night, Nuriko..."
Nuriko opened more the door and went sideways.
"Would you like to come in?"
Hotohori entered, Nuriko closed the door and leaned on it. He looked at Hotohori, wonderful in his fluffy robe, the free hair obscuring his almond-shaped eyes. And Nuriko lowered the eyes, blushing.
" I’m sorry for not be more... presentable..."
Hotohori couldn’t control and he gave one of his rare laughers.
" Well, I wasn't really expecting to see you dressed for a ball room Party at the three of the dawn!"
Nuriko stiller blushed. Hotohori went until him and it raised Nuriko's chin smoothly, making Nuriko look at him.
" Nuriko, when is it that you get married ?"
" I should travel tomorrow and to get married in two days ."
" Did you already think of what you will do ?"
" I have two options... or I escape from the church dishonoring my parents; or..."
" Or..."
Nuriko hardened the glance.
" Or I marry the fiancée that they have for me and in what should be the "love night" I show him with "what" he got married..."
" He will kill you..."
" With certainty..."
Hotohori thought a little and said:
" I got an idea, Nuriko. Travel tomorrow morning, and when you arrive to your parents' house, say that your fiancée will arrive for the middle of the afternoon ."
Nuriko filled with hopes.
" What will you do ?"
" I will ask Tamahome to fake he is your fiancée ."
Nuriko held Hotohori's hands among his and smiled.
" Would you do it ?"
" Yes, it's what I'll do. Write a letter for your parents saying that Nuriko is in Emperor's service and he cannot go to the Wedding. And leave the rest with me."
Nuriko smiled, and a tear ran his pale face.
" Thank you, Hotohori-Sama... I can never thank enough..."
Hotohori, for not taking Nuriko in his arms, opened the door and he left, saying:
" Good night, Nuriko. I see you when you come back of the trip ."
And he left almost flying, silent as the wind, in direction to his chambers.
The small villa was in party. A lot of people and a lot of food, music, dances. Nuriko - now called Kourin - seemed a princess. He was pretty, the braided hair in different ways, the whole family around him.
Everybody was in the streets awaiting for Nuriko’s fiancéee, that should come by horse. The night was coming fast and the rival, the boy that Nuriko’s family had chosen for him, was laughing disdainful.
" He is going away, Kourin... And you will have to deal with me, ah, ah!! You will be mine at any cost!"
Nuriko just laughed.
" He loves me, he would never make that ."
" You are just an idiotic woman, Kourin. You’re only good for the bed and, if your pretty "fiancée" already ate you, why would he marry you ?"
Nuriko held his arms for avoiding slap the man.
" Which is the man's name after all ?"
" Ask him, when he arrives ."
" A poor farmer won't travel at night, and the night doesn't delay to arrive..."
Suddenly, a noise of people speaking at the same time got Nuriko's attention.
" Wow, how is pretty!!"
" My God !"
" May be him?"
" He is the most beautiful man that was already born...!"
Nuriko's mother seized him for the wrists and pulled him a step foward:
" Is he ?"
The people left out of the way. A pretty boy, with simple pants and a delicate silk blouse, pulling a black horse for the reins, approached. Nuriko took the hand to the lips, repressing a surprising "Oh!!". That hair dancing with the wind, that sweet smile, that almond-shaped eyes...
" Houki... Am I late?"
Nuriko extended the hand timidly.
" Give him a hug, Houki " - Nuriko’s mother said.
Nuriko didn't know what to do, but Hotohori knew. He stretched his left arm and brought Nuriko closer and raised him until bring him to the reach of his face, and... He kissed Nuriko with a really warm kiss in the mouth. A " Oooohh!!!" was heard by all the three hundred guests of the party.
Hotohori extended the hand for Nuriko’s mother.
" Hello, lady. My name is Shaitei ."
" You are pretty!!"
" Thank you" - Hotohori said. " I hope to do justice to Houki's beauty."
And only then Nuriko noticed another horse behind Hotohori’s. It was Chichiri, dressing a long mantle, and with the hair pulled back and arrested in a type of hat.
" And who is..."
" Oh, lady... All my family, all my brothers, married with priest Chichiri, then, I preferred bring him and then keep our family traditions united, ours and Kourin's... I hope you don't care..."
" No, of course not! Be welcome , priest... Get off the horses, the boys will take care of them for you. Please, be comfortable ! Feel yourselves at home!"
Hotohori left the horse for a boy that was just waiting. Then, Hotohori held Nuriko in his arms, whispering:
" Oh, God... Nuriko... You are as pretty as I had never seen before."
Nuriko answered:
" You are so pretty in these simple clothes..."
Hotohori placed Nuriko in the ground and Chichiri approached.
" For who is faking, you are too realistic..."
" Thank you for coming, Chichiri ."
" I would also make anything for a friend, Nuriko. Especially for a girl so sweet as you..."
" You are very nice !"
During the rest of the day and of the night, Hotohori met closely the cheerful and not very formal style of the simple life, he ate much more than he was accustomed, he heard cheerful music and even it danced a little. Chichiri ate a lot and he also laughed a lot. Hotohori was walled for all the present women in the party and for many of the men too, of all the ages and marital status. He invented a thousand histories about cows, horses and crop, everything that he had gotten to read and to decorate at his library in that morning. He had not sent Tamahome, because Tamahome was more nervous and... he didn't have his seductive charm for, with a simple look, make the people around forget completely of the questions that he wouldn’t be able to answer.
Nuriko felt he was living a fairy tale. To marry – even being a fake - with Hotohori was a dream that almost turned reality. Surrounded for who didn't rotate around Hotohori, Nuriko answered a thousand questions about the wedding.
The cousin that supposedly would be the fiancée was not liking and, when he thought Hotohori had already drunk enough, he arrived closer for a provocation.
" Hello, Shaitei, my name is Udo ."
" Hello, Udo ."
" If it wasn’t for you, Kourin would marry me ."
" I’m sorry, Udo..."
" Shaitei is not the Emperor's name? "
" Well... is it? I don't think is crime to place the Emperor's name in our children..."
Udo looked Hotohori in the eyes and he said:
" I want Kourin ."
Hotohori returned the glance in the same intensity:
" Kourin wants ME."
" How much do you want to get out of here now ?"
Hotohori thanked to the skies for not having ordered Tamahome or Tesuki, or the man would be in serious trouble.
" Udo... Kourin is not for sale. I am not for sale... too ."
Udo shut up for more some time.
" Did you already sleep with her ?"
Hotohori blushed, then he turned pale and got up, speaking for everybody listen:
" How do you dare!! I would never dishonor a family girl! I have my traditions, gentleman!!"
Nuriko came to Hotohori's side and held his hand:
" What was it, Shaitei ?"
" Who is this boy, Kourin? He insinuated that I dishonored you ."
Nuriko also turned pale.
" Udo!! How do you dare!! Did he offer money to you leave me too? Did he already threaten you of Death, Shaitei ?"
Then Hotohori understood why Nuriko didn't want to get married with that man...
" Money is not everything, Mister!"
" Say it for Shaitei, Kourin... tell the truth for him!"
" What truth, Udo ?"
" That is a very big coincidence to have been princess in the Emperor's Palace and never have been eaten by him !" Udo was turned for Hotohori. - " My friend... you were deceived. It is marrying with an used woman!"
Hotohori almost jumped in the man's neck, but the pressure of Nuriko’s strong hand in his arm made him reminded who they were.
" The... The Emperor... He doesn't spent his time... eating princesses thereabout, Mister!"
" How do you know the Emperor don't...? Only if..."
" Only if what ?"
" Only if the Emperor is gay and he likes to give the ass, of eating men... and he already ate or have being ate for YOU, Shaitei!!"
Hotohori was scandalized, Nuriko screamed with Udo:
" The Emperor is a honest man! He would never... Oh, this is dirty!"
Hotohori was pale and was so scandalized that he couldn't say a word. So, it was what the people thought about him?!
Chichiri saw that Hotohori was almost bursting of rage (and it won't be good if he burst) and he said:
" I know the Emperor. I am also his confessor. I can guarantee for him. The Emperor is just a child. Why you don't lie to rest a little, Mister?"
Udo was furious.
" Outside, Shaitei. Or everything, or anything. Who keep alive, will marry Kourin ."
" Very well, then " - Hotohori agreed.
" I would not marry you for anything on this world! I prefer to die !" screamed Nuriko.
" If I win this battle, I marry with you, I chain you at home until you give me a son and then I kill you myself. " - and, for Hotohori: - " We are going now, hairy ."
Udo seized Hotohori for the hair and tried to pull him outside. Hotohori pulled back his hair and pushed hard Udo outside, proceeded by Nuriko, Chichiri and the other 296 people that said:
" Udo, don't do that !"
" Hey, leave it alone !"
" Let it go, man!"
In the street, Udo seized a knife. Hotohori was unarmed (why a supposed farmer would need a sword?! ) and Nuriko began to cry.
" Stop, Udo, stop, look, everything is just a big fake, I..."
Hotohori closed Nuriko’s mouth with a finger over his lips and whispered for him:
" Don't you trust me ?"
" Please, a death today would be so bad for my family...!"
" Trust me ."
Nuriko stood back. In the instant that Udo approached, Hotohori began to expand his breeze until being wrapped up in a red light. Chichiri caught a pot and hit it in Udo's head. Udo lost his senses. And nobody died and nobody knew about who they really were.