--Chapter 03: “Let it Come”--

Kozï sat on a pinnacle overlooking the present encampment.  He watched as the dots that were people flitted from tent to each other to fire to tent and then back through the cycle again.  Looking up, he could just barely see the mountains on the horizon, separating the north and south fronts.  The mist that encircled everything from Kozi to the snowy peaks was ethereal, making the earth glitter in the morning sun.

"It's odd that...it's almost noon and yet there's still fog.  And on top of that, we're in the middle of a barren, parched wasteland.  There shouldn't be enough moisture for there to be any fog.  And don't get me started on how it doesn't rise above sixteen degrees here..."

A quiet laugh answered him from behind.  Talking to yourself a bit early today, ne Kozi?  The other made a little "tsk-tsk" sound, an amazing feat, when using telepathy.

Kozi smiled.  They already think me mad, Mana.  Whether I talk to the voices at 10:00 or 22:00 makes no difference.

The feminine man came to stand beside his friend but did not sit.  When he 'spoke' next, it was quiet, almost hesitant in nature.  ...You're not crazy Kozi.  Think nothing of what I said...

Trust me Mana...I won't.

The other glowered down at the seated man.  Mana's head filled with bubbling laughter from Kozi who demonstrated his mirth at his comrade's reaction in a small smile and a complete lack of spoken communication.  Mana sighed and the two companions sat - or stood - in both verbal and mental silence.  After a time, Kozi spoke aloud.

"Why don't we talk anymore Mana?"

"We do talk."

"No, no, no...I don't mean here," he emphasized by touching two fingers to his forehead.  "Why don't we talk like this anymore?"

"We are talking like this."

"Mana...you're running circles again..."

The latter sighed, "I suppose it's because, when speaking out loud, one illustrates a weakness."

"How so?"

Mana sat at this point, crossing his ankles underneath and beside him, he smoothed his skirt out around him before he continued.  "Anyone could overhear, find a cord through intonation and key words, and strike it without mercy until they're satisfied."

"Know what I think?"

"I know I'm paranoid, Kozi."

"Well, yes, that, but know what else I think?"  Mana shook his head.  The dark curls made swish-swish noises against his delicate shoulders.  Kozi took the other's face in his hands.  His fingers, calloused from playing guitar, stroked the pale skin with a shy adoration.  His thumbs brushed over painted lips.  Mana blinked.  "I think you have vindication in what you say...you've been hurt so much..."  Kozi pressed his lips against Mana's in a tender kiss.  They remained like that, suspended in time and space, until they pulled apart, albeit reluctantly.  Kozi whispered against the skin of the other's temple, "Don't get hurt again..."

*****

Takeo sat in front of the fire.  Hisashi had just been lifted by a number of people and taken to Inoran's tent.  The poor guy had been in so much pain...Mana had been right - you really couldn't do anything but be there when they snapped out of it.  The thought of awakenings struck a chord.

Touching his left arm, he thought of the very long night he had had.  He looked down at the appendage to make sure it was indeed still attached to his shoulder and not lying on the ground, as he saw in his dreams.  A shiver ran up his spine, at the image the memory brought back.  So I'm an officer, huh? he thought with a smile.  He looked around the encampment.  Aiji was still asleep in the tent, Kohta and Jun were talking in hushed tones, and Kirito was sitting opposite Takeo, staring into the green flames.  Looking up, the vocalist noticed his friend's eyes upon him and offered up a tired smile.  Takeo returned one in kind.  We all look like Hell...

"Takeo!"  The named looked up as Tetsu and Takuro came towards him.

"Hai?  Is something wrong?" he asked as he stood, dusting himself off.

"Iie, nothing's wrong," Tetsu replied.  "Gackt just wants us all to meet him - we have to talk."

"'We' as in all of us?" Kirito asked, looking up at the older men.

"Not yet..." answered Takuro.

"Good, my head hurts too much to pay attention."

The other smiled sadly, "It should get better within an hour."

"And if not," added Tetsu with a smile, "Inoran's got some good shit you can take."

Kirito smiled and nodded before looking back into the flames.

Turning to the others, Takuro inquired, "Well gentlemen?  Shall we go?"

The duo nodded and, with the addition of Pierrot's father figure, headed off towards Gackt's tent.  There, many other artists gathered, talking to each other in low tones.  The three approaching wove their way into the crowd. 

The flap to Gackt's tent lifted and silence settled over the throng.  Stepping outside, Gackt winced as the sunlight stung his eyes.  He moved aside as Mana and Kozï exited after him.  As he stepped forward, towards the center of the circle, the men parted as the Red Sea before him.  Once satisfied with his position among his fellows, Gackt stated without hesitation, "Training starts today."

*****

Die sat musing in front of a blazing, golden fire.  He picked at the food in front of him.  Not unlike Oden [1] from home, it was gray, paste-like, and looked utterly tasteless.  Considering he had no idea how it was made, nor what it was made with, he had not yet mustered the courage to ingest any of it.

Toshiya sat across from him, nursing his injured hands.  His hands, which had been pale, calloused from playing, but still beautiful just yesterday were now twisted, swollen, blistered, bleeding...abuse brought on by the day's dueling, training...  The bows' strings and the unfamiliar blades - not the ones traditionally used in combat....the gods must have favored medieval, European weaponry over the classic katanas and throwing stars - had torn his skin, hindering his movement, his abilities to perform.

At the sight of his comrade's wounds, Die thought of his own.  His entire body ached.  The muscles, tendons...Hell, the bones themselves cried out in protest against the torture to which they had been subject.  Mutating from a bear to a mouse to a lion to a wolf to a deer to a hawk in rapid succession was not the best of things to do.  His heart was still beating much too fast...

"Not hungry Die-kun?"  Kyo plopped down next to his friend.  He held in his hands his own bowl of whatever-it-was.  Taking a spoonful, he shoved it in his mouth, eating greedily.

"How can you eat that stuff?"

"It tastes good!" Kyo exclaimed around a mouthful of food.  Swallowing quickly, he continued.  "Why do you ask?"

"I can't bring myself to touch it.  Anou...what's it taste like, anyway?"

"Anything you want."  The group turned to see Shinya approaching.  He seated himself gracefully next to Totchi who had just finished bandaging his inflamed hands.  The petit drummer's eyes latched onto Die's, their gazes locking for longer than usual, before the younger man turned his eyes away with a coy smile.  Die was still in disbelief.

"You must be joking."

Shinya shook his head.  The bassist beside him supported his claim.  "I heard the mages bewitched the utensils and bowls.  Cool shit, that.  It tastes like anything you want, and the bowl isn't empty till you want it to be."

Hearing this, Kyo grinned evilly, chopsticks still in mouth, down at his own bowl.

"I still don't believe you."

"Kyo, what's you're taste like?"

"Eto...Maki. [2]"  Kyo once more lifted some and offered it to Die.  "Want some?"

Swallowing his uncertainty, Die opened wide.

*****

Gackt lay in the makeshift bed within the canvas tent.  The moon and stars glowed a celestial blue-white, beckoning him through the flimsy material, but he dared not move.  Masa lay curled in his arms, his breathing shallow and even.  He slept peacefully, exhausted by the day's activities.  In the dim light, Gackt could see his lover's eyes flick rapidly behind the soft lids.  Dark eyelashes caressed pale cheeks.

The conscious man ducked his head and brushed full lips against the other's forehead.  Masa murmured incoherently beside him, his breath hot against the other's neck.

Sighing, Gackt wrapped his arms around the other tighter.  He ran his fingers through the dark hair flowing along his chest, matted from the grueling exercises.  As his hands wandered, the fingers stroked the smooth curves of the younger's back.  Masa sighed, pressing himself closer.  Under calloused fingertips, Gackt felt sinuous muscles ripple under soft skin. 

The man's dark eyes fluttered closed.  His breathing evened.  And as sleep slowly took him, he thought he heard to flutter of wings...

[1] “Oden” – “Oden is a pot full of radishes, tofu and chikuwa, all boiled until they take on a pale, mushy texture. Mostly tasteless, but not completely.” (Chris’s Guide to Japanese Food.  http://www.v3space.com/a/a27/63/miscramb/food.html)

[2] “Maki” – “Little rolls of cucumber, crab or fish wrapped in rice and seaweed.”  (Chris’s Guide to Japanese Food.  http://www.v3space.com/a/a27/63/miscramb/food.html)  Just so you know, I searched for a good 2 1/2 hours looking for Kyo’s favorite food (all I got was scorpions, pall point pens, sausage, and muffins), so I took a stab at something he might like.  *shrugs*  If I’m completely off or if you know of some food he DOES like, tell me.