Second Chances
-a work of FY fan fiction

Part 2
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Hotohori sank down onto the bed, mind in a daze of shock and denial.
It couldn't be true!  Nuriko couldn't possibly be--He screwed his eyes 
shut, shaking his head almost violently.  It couldn't end like this!
He hadn't even told the other seishi how he felt.  He'd been so close,
so very close to finally admitting it.  It just _couldn't_ end like 
this!



With a sick and heavy heart, the emperor of Konan buried his face in 
his arms and sobbed.

* * * * *

Nuriko sat within one of the numerous alcoves scattered throughout the
Southern Palace, dully watching the clouds swirl by outside the window.
A fierce thunderstorm was brewing, the kind that made tree branches
dance and the sky light up with white-blue fire.  He'd always loved
nights such as this, when the wind whipped through his hair and 
reddened his cheeks, and the rain fell in heavy torrents washing away
all the world's suffering, or so it seemed.  This time though, he 
couldn't seem to dredge up enough enthusiasm to enjoy the sight.  All
he could remember was the last time a storm like this had raged, and 
how he had watched _him_ sit by an open window, his unbound hair 
glowing with subtle fire as lightning blazed across the cloud-strewn
sky.



A tear dripped down his cheek, then another and another, until he
finally closed his eyes and wept, for chances lost and a love that 
would never, ever be.

* * * * *



Suzaku stood behind the slim figure, watching in silence as an endless 
stream of tears fell down Nuriko's cheeks.  He quickly swiped a hand
across his own eyes, the sadness and pain etched on the seishi's 
features weighing heavily in his heart.  That someone as noble and
beautiful as Nuriko could be made to feel this way--!



He stepped forward and gathered the smaller figure close, gently wiping 
the tears from the amethyst orbs lifting to meet his gaze.  Those eyes
had been made for laughter, not the crushing despair that had dulled 
their former brilliance.  Tightening his grip, he vowed that those eyes 
_would_ shine with happiness once more.  



He stared down at Nuriko, telling him without words that everything
would be all right.



His lips quirked in the tiniest of smiles.  After days of relentless
badgering on his part, he'd finally gotten the others to agree to his
request.  Byakko had been the easiest to convince, his own bitter 
experience with his miko and seishi making him more sympathetic than he
might otherwise have been.  Genbu had been indifferent, quickly 
agreeing to get him out of his hair.  And Seiryuu..._he_ had been 
difficult to say the least.  He'd seen no reason to help the sworn 
enemies of his own seishi, and had voiced that opinion quite loudly.  
Suzaku had the sneaking suspicion that his brother was _still_ sore 
about that incident with the Greek goddess 700 years ago, but declined 
from saying that aloud.  Instead, he'd wheedled, and cajoled, and made 
a total nuisance of himself, until Seiryuu'd finally agreed just to get 
some peace and quiet.  The smile on his face turned into a satisfied 
smirk. 

The stage was set--now all that remained was to tell his beloved child.

* * * * *

"Nuriko."

The purple-haired seishi reluctantly lifted his head from where he'd 
been resting it on Suzaku-sama's shoulder, loathe to leave the peace
he'd discovered within his Father's embrace.

"Hai, Suzaku-sama?"

Suzaku raised an elegant hand, gently tipping the slender boy's head
back.  "Would you like another chance?" he asked, staring at him 
gravely.

"Another...chance?" 

Suzaku nodded.  "Another chance...to be with _him_ again."  

The words echoed and reechoed in the tiny chamber, ringing in the ears
of the stunned seishi.  His breath caught.  Be with...Hotohori-sama?  
See _him_ again?

"H-honto?", he asked, eyes brightening with burgeoning hope.  "Can I
really?"

Suzaku smiled, fondly tweaking his nose.  "Aa.  Shikashi..." he 
hesitated, looking troubled.

The light in his eyes started to flicker.  "Shikashi...?"

Suzaku sighed.  "It is a difficult process," he said, choosing his
words carefully.  "There will be pain, and....you won't be able to see
him...not for years yet.  And there are other restrictions..."

"But I _will_ have a chance?" he asked, clutching the silk of Suzaku's
robes convulsively.  



"Hai."

A brilliant smile broke over his face, like dawn breaking after a long 
cold night.  "Then I want to, Suzaku-sama.  To see him again..." His
eyes gleamed.  "I would do _anything_."

* * * * *

Suzaku gave the seishi a proud, sad smile.  It would be lonely here, 
without Nuriko, but he could wait.  He had all of eternity, after all.
He gave the braided young man one final hug before stepping back.

"Iku zo, Nuriko."

    Source: geocities.com/goldster121