Author’s notes and warnings:  Woo hoo!  Last chapter!  I’m sure you’re just as happy as I am to finally close this story.  The poor boys needed a happy ending, ne?  I’ve made them suffered through so much.  This chapter is really…strange, a lot of explanations about soul binding and breaking (only my interpretation folks…if you have another thought, I would love to hear it!)…er…and a love scene in a tomb…kinky…you have been warned…proceed at your own risk!  LOL

Bows to all my reviewers: Kawaii, Lady Pyrrha, Jessica, Sakata Ri Houjun, Shinigami, Sirrah, Keimei, Fujimiya Maru, Shadow Priestess, Xellas M., Uftaki, Shavica, Wolf maiden, Anime angel, Mikka, Chisama, ngo da, Bunny, Jackie, Sailorstarsun, Wrappedinplastiq.  ARIGATOU, NO DA!

I promised a sappy ending, you’re getting a sappy ending…with lemony freshness!  But first, the angst!

I was listening to N’sync’s ‘This I Promised You’ while I was plotting out the chapter.  It sounded perfect to me.  I can just imagine Tasuki singing that (or just plain saying it) to Chichiri as he tried to convince Chichiri not to die…<sad sigh>  As a matter of fact, it could have applied to the previous chapter as well as he watched Chichiri suffer his nightmares…   I’ve included the lyrics to the song…hence the chapter title: “I Promise You”.

A heart felt ‘Thank You’ to all of you who are so supportive of the story!  Arigatou no da!  Would you believe that I already have an outline for another story?  LOL!  Besides ‘Unfinished Business’, that is.  It’ll be a cross over: Gravitation and FY!  Yuki and Ryuuichi are soooo hot! (but not as hot as Chichiri-sama!)

Disclaimers:  I do not own N’Sync, the song or the FY boys…

By Moonraven

When the visions around you,
Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surround you,
Are secrets and lies
I'll be your strength,
I'll give you hope,
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call,
Was standing here all along..

And I will take
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you

I've loved you forever,
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never...
Will you hurt anymore
I give you my word
I give you my heart
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow,
Forever has now begun...

Just close your eyes
Each loving day
I know this feeling won't go away
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you..
This I promise you..

Over and over I fall
When I hear you call
Without you in my life baby
I just wouldn't be living at all...

And I will take
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you baby
This I promise you…

Tasuki opened his eyes to a dimly lit room.  He was faintly aware of sounds to his right and turned his head in that direction.  He groaned and stopped as his head throbbed angrily in protest at the movement.  Tasuki tried to remember where he was and what had led him here to begin with.  Was it sake again?  Chichiri would have a fit.

Chichiri…

Tasuki nearly jumped off the bed when he felt cool wet cloth applied to his forehead.  “What the…?”  He turned to the person whose hand was still holding the cool cloth to his aching head and gasped in shock.

“Chiri…”  Tasuki choked as he stared at the man who had deserted him and shattered his world.

Chichiri stood solemnly by the bedside, silent and eye down cast.  Tasuki shook his muddled head and tried to organize his thoughts and memories.  Tasuki was torn between the agony of his past life and the shock of his current one, and all he could do was stared disbelievingly at the guilt-ridden man standing by the bed.

After what seemed like an eternity to Chichiri, he dared to look up at the former bandit.  Tasuki had his mouth hung opened, confusion, fear and pain alternately flickered across his face.

“Chichiri…”  Tasuki whispered and stopped.  His former lover’s name was the only thing that he could utter it seemed.  Pain from past memories constricted his chest and Tasuki found breathing to be quite difficult let alone talk.  He knew how sorry Chichiri was.  His current memories told Tasuki of Chichiri’s pain and suffering but Tasuki was confused and in pain himself, he couldn’t say the words he knew Chichiri wanted to hear.

So HE, Zach, was Tasuki.  As Zach, he should be euphoric.  He had wanted to be Tasuki for his roommate, to ease the older man’s pain and now he was.  But his memories as Tasuki fought that feeling hard…it told him not to trust the other man, not to trust love.  It was all a lie…it would give him pain…Chichiri had not loved him at all.  Chichiri had used him and threw him away…

“Why?”  Tasuki managed to say hoarsely, eyes never leaving the former monk’s face.  Chichiri had told some things to Zach but Tasuki needed the monk to tell HIM.  “Why did you leave me?  What did I do wrong?”  Tears finally made their way down Tasuki’s face as he searched his former lover’s face.

Chichiri choked back a sob.  “NO!”  He said desperately.  “It was never you, Tasuki.  Never.  You did nothing wrong.”  He came to kneel down next to Tasuki.  “I was the one.  I thought I was unworthy of you.  You soul was so bright, so pure and untainted.  I was going to ruin all that.  I…you were so happy with your friends…Tasuki…You should have seen the way you were with them.  They could make you laugh and you did…all the time.  You were their hero…you had all the respect and comfort of the great bandit leader.  What could I offer you but winding roads, rustic villages and beds made of straws.  I thought that the lonely life of wandering the countryside with me would eventually extinguish that beautiful light in your soul.”  Chichiri cried softly into his hands.  “I’m so very sorry, Tasuki.  All I wanted was for you to be happy.”  Chichiri ended in a whisper.

“How the FUCK was I suppose ta be happy when you left?”  Tasuki said, incredulous.  “How could you fucking think something like that?  Did I look like my fucking ‘light’ was going out when we were traveling together?  For three FUCKING years?  Hell yes I was happy!  But did you ever think that I was happy because I had you with me?  Did I not tell you that I didn’t EVER want to live without you?  Were you even fucking listening?”  Tasuki’s voice went up a few octaves.  “How could you decide something like that for me?  Did you think to ask me what I fucking wanted?”  At the end of the tirade, Tasuki was near shouting, his pain replaced by anger.  How could Chichiri have thought him incapable of making this kind of decision?

“I was wrong, Tasuki and I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness” Chichiri said weakly.  He took a deep breath and continued in resignation, at least he got to see and talk to Tasuki again.  “I’ve searched for you through…well…many years just to tell you that I have NEVER stopped loving you.  Never.  I wanted you to know that I did come back…” Chichiri paused, feeling slightly light-headed.  He took a couple of shallow breaths and fought to control his fluctuating chi.  “I was too late…and…” Chichiri couldn’t finish.  His waning life force along with his realization that Tasuki would not forgive him had robbed him of both breath and speech.

“And you’re sorry?”  Tasuki supplied harshly, angry at the turn of events.  Chichiri had come back to him, if only he had waited.  So many years wasted, so much pain and sorrow, why didn’t he wait for Chichiri?  Tasuki’s mind was still reeling from the shock of recovering his memories; he failed utterly to recognize the fatal signs in front of him.  Chichiri was dying…his soul was gradually fading…

“Yes.”  The former monk whispered breathlessly as he looked up sadly at Tasuki.  “Love again, Tasuki.  Find someone worthy of you…I…love you, Tasuki.  I would have for always…if only I could…always…” 

Chichiri let out a desolate wail and disappeared.  Tasuki’s chest ached at the heart-wrenching sound echoing throughout the room.  Chichiri was gone before he could say a word, before he could stop him.  Tasuki sprang off the bed calling Chichiri’s name but only silence and the dreadful sense of impending doom greeted him.  He ran about, frantically searching the apartment but Chichiri was nowhere to be found.  With his ability to teleport, Chichiri could be anywhere.

“FUCK!” Tasuki shouted in anguish.

~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~

“AGH!”  Taiitsukun screamed.  “So close!  What are we going to do now?”  Her usually composed ugly face was close to panic.

“Genrou would have forgiven him,” said the deep voice behind her.  The owner of the voice stood by the window calmly looking out at the surrounding mystical mountains.  He still couldn’t believe that Chichiri actually preferred the ordinary surroundings of Mt. Reikaku to this place.  Sighing loudly, he continued, “But the monk is still too hard on himself.  He still couldn’t believe that anyone could really want him, especially Genrou.” 

“Well you’re going to help fix this.”  Taiitsukun turned a stern face on him.  “You certainly had a hand in messing it up.”  The tall man turned from the window and returned the old hag’s gaze.  His long black hair falling across his handsome face and he pushed it back carelessly.

“Well isn’t that what I’ve been waiting for all these years? ‘No rest and no rebirth until the two souls are one again’?”  He gave her a tired smile.  “Not that I’ve not enjoyed staying with you and those…adorable Nyan Nyans, but I really would love to get the hell out of here.”

“Since I’m not suppose to interfere, I’m going to leave this up to you.  If you mess it up again, I’m locking you in the outhouse with the Nyan Nyans for the next thousand years!”  The old controller threatened.

“Oh joy.”  Lee rolled his eyes and disappeared.

~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~

“Fuck, Chichiri!  You ran out on me again!”  Tasuki cried into the night sky, his hands gripping the rails of the balcony tightly.

“It is a bad habit of his, ne?”  A smooth voice said behind him and Tasuki whirled to find Lee standing in the doorway leading to the living room.

“Lee!”  Tasuki gasped in disbelieve.  Something was not quite right with the other man.  Tasuki could see right through him.  “What…How…?”  His numb mind could not supply him with words.

Lee laughed without much humor.  “What am I doing here?”  He asked.  “I’m here to fix your damn love life.  How did I get here?  Let’s see…that’s a little harder to explain.  Let’s just say I’m a ghost and I can pretty much go anywhere…uh…for now.”  He didn’t feel like telling Tasuki that he had been stuck in Mt. Taikyoku with the old hag for the last thousand years.

“Get out of here, Lee.”  Tasuki snarled.  “I need your help like I need a hole in the head.”  The translucent figure of his old lover smiled.

“So…you know where Chichiri is, then?  And you can get there in time?”  Lee’s eyebrow quirked in obvious amusement.

“In time for what?”  Even as he asked the question, Tasuki had a sinking feeling he knew.  Recollection of the things Chichiri had said to him crashed into his shell-shocked brain.

          …I’m so tired…

          …I can’t do this anymore…

          …So alone…so long…

          …I don’t have much time left, Tasuki.  Please forgive me…

“NO! Chichiri...” Tasuki breathed in horrible realization.  “No!”

“Yes.”  Lee said as he glided calmly towards Tasuki.

“Why?”   Tasuki asked uncomprehendingly.

“Why what?”  Lee asked in return.  “Didn’t YOU do something similar…oh…about a thousand years or so ago?  Didn’t YOU give up living when he left you?  What makes you think Chichiri is any different than you?”

Tasuki stared at Lee in silent, his mind refusing to register what the specter was telling him.  He shook his head mutely, unwilling to believe that Chichiri cared enough to die because of him.

“You shut us all out these past thousand years, Genrou, as Chichiri searched for you.  He went through…” Lee squinted, trying to recall how many lives the monk actually lived, then shook his head as he gave up.  “I don’t remember how many lives he went through but believe you me, he looked for you tirelessly.  That proved to be his undoing.  You see Genrou, by some ridiculous cosmic rules of eternal love and soul binding, should one soul of the pair denounce the other, in this case you rejected Chichiri---”

“He fucking left me!  I rejected nothing!”  Tasuki shouted, more in fear than in anger.  What was happening to Chichiri?

“Yeah well, he still loves you.  His soul had never rejected you.  He remained true to you even after a millennia of lonely fruitless search.”  He frowned pointedly at Tasuki, unhappy to be interrupted.  “As I was saying, when your soul REJECTED him, Chichiri had a choice.  He could have severed his ties to you and find another soul to mate with, he could have stayed unmated after the bond dissolved or…he could try to get you back.  Guess what he chose?”

“He came after me.”  Tasuki whispered.  ‘I’ve waited so long, Tasuki.  So long.’

“Yeah, he came after you.  Bad choice because you had sealed away your love for him.  You also sealed yourself from the rest of us including the other seishies.  No one could find you, including Chichiri.  Taiitsukun could not interfere and she spend the past thousand years or so watching her favorite student destroy his soul.”  Lee ended heavily on the last three words, hoping Tasuki would realize the severity of the situation.

“Destroy his soul?”  Tasuki asked fearfully.  He did not like the way that sounded at all.  It was so…final.  “How is he destroying his soul?”

Lee sighed.  “Remembered the choices I mentioned?  By staying true to a mate that had cut him off, Chichiri’s soul was deprived of sustenance, so to speak.  No energy flow, no yin, no yang, no balance.  Your little monk was living on sheer will power alone for the last thousand years.  Taiitsukun tried, unsuccessfully, to convince him to let you go, at least sever the link and free his soul but your little monk refused.”  Lee felt sorry for dumping all this on the shocked bandit but he had no choice.  Tasuki must understand.  “Did you know that in this life, Chichiri was so far gone that he had to ‘borrow’ all kinds of life forces?  Everyday he drew from his surrounding, his life force could no longer maintain itself.  Suzaku knew that this is Chichiri’s last chance, even if he wasn’t supposed to interfere, he send Chichiri a sign so that he could find you, so you could forgive him.”

Tasuki groaned in dismay.  Instead of forgiving Chichiri, he had turned him away…in effect, Tasuki had help to destroy what little life Chichiri had left.  He wailed in anguish as he sank to his knees.  What had he done?

“Look Genrou, I know you hurt, man.  I was there when your body literally shut down when you thought Chichiri wasn’t coming back.  You were in so much pain it hurt to be around you and eventually you stopped feeling, you stopped everything including your body.”  Lee sighed not knowing what else to say.  “If you want him back, Genrou, you have to forgive him and open your heart to him again.  If you don’t, he will cease to exist.  No more incarnations, no more anything.  It will be like putting out a fire.  Chichiri will be no more.”  Lee didn’t think he could have been more clear.

“NO!  I forgive him.  Anything!  I don’t want to lose him again.”  Tasuki cried in desperation.  His heart raced unbearably fast and his breaths were short and shallow.  The knots in his chest and stomach grew painfully; Tasuki had never been so scared in his whole life.

“Tell HIM that, not me.”  Lee said.  “I’m glad you understand because we don’t have much time.  His life force is already too low to detect.  We can’t even find him anymore.”

“What the fuck are you saying?”  Tasuki tried to grab Lee by the collar but his hand passed right through him.

Lee sighed in exasperation.  “I’m a ghost, ya idiot!  Ya can’t grab me!”  Then seeing the panic in Tasuki face, his tone softened.  “Don’t worry.  I know where he is.  Your little monk always goes to one place to die.  Every life without fail…he goes to your tomb, Gen-chan.”

Tasuki felt shivers ran down his spine at Lee’s words.  Chichiri always goes to HIS tomb to die…every life.  Tasuki recalled the loneliness and resignation that permeated from Chichiri.  The man had endured millennia of pain and solitude for a chance to be with HIM again.  Chichiri had risked his entire existence just to ask for HIS forgiveness.  Tasuki felt the magnitude of what the monk did and choked back a cry.  How could someone LOVE him that much?  “Chichiri…”

“Yeah…I don’t know anyone else who could have done what he did, Gen-chan.  Your little monk is something else.  Noble and romantic as hell but real stupid.”  Lee said quietly as if he regretted having anything to do with the past no matter how small.  He fed the fuel that allowed Chichiri’s self-doubt and insecurities to blaze into the inferno that caused the older man to leave.  He must do his part to help them get back together again.

“Take me to him now.”  Tasuki got to his feet and walked purposefully toward his ghostly friend.

“Hai, hai.”  Lee said with a mock solute.  “I hope you have your little speech made up and a short one at that.  Your little monk probably won’t last too long.”

Everything around them shimmered and Tasuki felt his stomach churned unpleasantly.  Teleporting with Chichiri was never this bad.  Tasuki realized he said it out loud when he heard Lee snorted and the fiery haired bandit found himself bouncing unceremoniously on his butt as they landed.

Tasuki looked around the lush green mountainside not recognizing anything.  The only things besides the trees were large piles of rocks strewed to their right and a towering cliff a hundred feet or so in front of them.

“Where the hell are we?”  Tasuki demanded of Lee as he got up.  The damn ghost had gotten them lost!

“Your tomb, Gen-chan.”  Lee said mildly.

“The fuck it is!”  Tasuki yelled.  “Kouji and the guys would never stuck me in the middle of nowhere like this.”  He swept his arms around indicating the deserted rock piles.

“Genrou.  You died a thousand years ago.  You think everything would be as you remembered it?” Lee said rather patiently.  Then he pointed to the piles of rocks that Tasuki had looked at so disdainfully before.  “That, my friend, was the stronghold at Mt. Reikaku.”  Then he pointed to the small fissure in the large rock wall next to them.  “This is the entrance to your tomb.”

Tasuki looked at the opening in wonder.  “The cave.”  He whispered.  “I loved this cave.  I can’t believe they buried me in the fucking cave.”  He murmured as he moved toward the opening.

“We didn’t want to.”  Lee admitted.  “Chichiri insisted.  I remembered he had a big argument with Kouji about that.  Kouji didn’t think that Chichiri had any right to say anything about the burial, seeing that he was the cause of death and all but Chichiri never backed down.  He kept saying that it was where YOU wanted to be buried.  It was a long and violent bout, on Kouji’s part anyway, but we finally conceded and buried you here.”  Lee gave him a rueful smile.  “I think it had a lot to do with all those chi balls Chichiri threatened to level Kouji’s choice of tomb with.”

Lee followed Tasuki to the fissure.  “We should hurry.  The fact that we can see the opening to the tomb is very bad.  It means that Chichiri’s shield is collapsing.”

“Shit!”  Tasuki stared in awe as he came in.  “Chichiri’s house keeping?”

The thousand-year-old tomb was very well kept compared to the surrounding mountainside.  The interior was cool and dry.  Small blue glowing chi balls floated merrily along the tunnel, illuminating the long corridor.  At the end of the path, Tasuki could just make out soft white light coming out of some sort of doorway.

“Yeah.”  Lee replied.  “He spends way too much time here.”  Lee turned to the younger man and smiled.  “Here I’ll leave you for a while.  Further down on your right is the main burial chamber.  There are a few more caskets than your own, don’t be alarmed, they’re Chichiri’s.  Hurry, Go!”  He urged the bandit on.

“Uh…thanks man.  I mean it.”  Tasuki gave Lee a final nod and ran down the tunnel towards the main chamber, calling out his soul mate’s name.

~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~

Tasuki’s tomb was always cool and serene no matter what time of year, no matter which life.  It was so unlike the exuberant bandit.  Chichiri sighed as he traced the outline of Tasuki’s casket lovingly.  If his soul could not be with Tasuki, at least his body would.

“Tasuki…be happy na no da…”  He felt all choked up but knew he had no more tears to cry.  He had nothing left to give.  Nothing left to hold on to.  In a few more moments his torment would cease…no more pain…no more loneliness…

A faint sound caught Chichiri’s attention and he frowned.  It sounded like someone was calling his name.  Chichiri shook his head weakly and continued preparing his final casket.   Eight others were placed around the room circling the bandit’s own casket which were placed in the center.  This last one he placed next to Tasuki’s.  Surely Tasuki would not grudge him the privilege?

“Chichiri!”

There it was again and this time it was clearly Tasuki’s voice.  Chichiri straightened and turned towards the chamber door as Tasuki ran through it, nearly crashing into the casket closest to the door.

“Tasuki…”  Chichiri blinked in confusion.  He glanced at the casket containing the bandit as if he had expected to find it opened and the body of his lover gone.  It was intact.  Chichiri turned back to the panting young man and frowned.  In his current mental and physical state, Chichiri could not fathom what was going on.  He could only stare at the advancing red head uncomprehendingly.

The figure of Tasuki continued to approach Chichiri with one arm reaching out to the older man.  “Please don’t leave me, Chiri.”  It pleaded. 

Chichiri gasped and took a step back from the illusion of Tasuki.  Will his torment never ceased?  Must his mind play this scene over and over again to torture him forever?

“No, not forever.”  Chichiri mumbled out loud as he turned away from the apparition.  “This is the last time.  There will be nothing else from now on.  No more pain…no more loneliness…no more hope…no more Tasuki…”  His voice trailed away sadly.

“No, Chiri.”  Came the voice of Tasuki.  Chichiri felt a warm hand grip his wrist, refusing to let him move away.  Chichiri looked down with some interest at the strong tan hand and marveled at the heat radiating from it.  Was his imagination this good to provide such detail?

“Stop it, Chiri!”  Tasuki’s voice nearly growled.  Chichiri was pulled abruptly around to face the image of his former lover.  “I’m real, not part of your imagination.  I love you.  I forgive you, please come back to me.” 

Chichiri found himself enveloped in strong arms, face pressing into the bandit’s neck.  He could feel Tasuki’s heartbeat where his hand sprayed over the hard lean chest as the bandit whispered soothing words to him.

“Tasuki.”  Chichiri sighed into Tasuki’s neck, happy to be close to the bandit again.  “It couldn’t be you, no da.  You’re in L.A.”  The surge of emotion at the sight of his lover left Chichiri feeling weak and he would have collapsed had Tasuki not held him firmly.

“It’s me Chiri.  Lee brought me here.”  Tasuki whispered into his soul mate’s ears.

Chichiri froze for an instant then he pushed slowly away from Tasuki, not looking at the bandit.  “Now I KNOW I’m hallucinating, na no da…”

Tasuki pulled the older man back into his arms gently.  He took a firm grip of Chichiri’s chin and forced the other man to look him in the eyes.

“I AM REAL.  I LOVE YOU.  I have always loved you.”  Tasuki covered Chichiri’s startled lips with his own, doing his best to kiss the doubts away. 

Chichiri felt warmth rushing from the bandit into him, as the bandit’s life force entwined with his.  Chichiri found renewed strength from his soul mate and his entire being sang with joy.   He wound his arms around Tasuki’s neck and pressed closer to his lover, as he opened his mouth to deepen the kiss.  Chichiri drank hungrily from the bandit, elated to be given this chance.  Tasuki!  Surely this must be real…it felt so real.

Tasuki moaned as Chichiri plundered his mouth.  He surrendered completely to the older man, wanting only to reassure Chichiri that they belong together.   Tasuki broke the kiss reluctantly but remained just inches from his lover’s face, wanting to be close to him forever.  “I love you, Chiri.”  He whispered, kissing the tip of the former monk’s nose.  “You left before I could tell you that.”  He bent over to kiss the delectable lips again.  “Please don’t leave me again, Chiri.  I can’t live without you.”  He hugged Chichiri tightly to his chest.

“Tasuki…” Chichiri vaguely thought that he was beginning to sound like Miaka or Tamahome.  “Gomen nasai, Tasuki.”  He mumbled into the younger man’s chest.  “I’ll never willingly leave you, Tasuki-chan.  Never again.”  The former monk sighed as he snuggled closer into the other man’s embrace.  “But it doesn’t look like I have much choice, na no da…”

“NO!”  Tasuki tensed and squeezed him tighter.  “Don’t say that!  We’re together at last, Chiri!  You’ve hung on for a thousand years; please don’t give up now.  Please!  Everything will be fine, I promise.  Just stay with me, please!”  Tasuki buried his face in the crook of Chichiri’s neck, inhaling the monk’s unique scent.  “Tell me what to do…I don’t want to lose you.”

“Ahem.”  A deep voice sounded from behind them.  “Maybe I can help.”

The entwined lovers turned towards the voice expectantly.  Lee stood by the doorway, smiling at them apologetically.

“How?”  Tasuki asked.  Lee had been helpful so far and he was eager for any information that may help him save Chichiri.  The older man was so weak now he was leaning heavily on Tasuki.

“Now that your soul is opened to Chichiri again, you can rejuvenate him with your energy.  His chi is already stronger now than it was when we first got here.  It would take some time and a lot of your life force but it’s the only way.”  Lee replied.  There was another way that was faster but he wasn’t sure how Tasuki or Chichiri would take it.

“What?”  Tasuki prompted, noticing the contemplative look on the ghost.

“Well…er…there is a faster way…”  Lee trailed off with a grin.

Tasuki frowned.  He wasn’t sure he could trust Lee’s grin.  “I don’t have to kill an un-baptized baby and make Chiri drink the blood or anything like that, right?”  Although at this point he wasn’t sure he wouldn’t try it.

“Baka!”  Lee snickered and shook his head.  “Sexual energy is the most potent…” Lee left the rest of the sentence hanging and shrugged.

“You’re fucking sick, Lee!” Tasuki exploded.  “Chiri is semi-unconscious, and you want me to fuck him?  That’s just a little short of rape!”  He cradled the monk protectively in his arms.

“Oi!  I’ve seen the two of you go at it earlier; it won’t be rape.  Besides the fact that sexual energy is very potent, love is even more so.  If you make love to him you will not lose him.  Chose, Genrou.”

Tasuki looked uncertainly down at this love.  Chichiri’s breathing was shallow but steady, not erratic like it was when he had first arrived.  That was a good sign.  The bad sign was that the monk seemed to have passed out. 

“Shouldn’t he be conscious at least?  I mean he won’t even know what’s happening…” Tasuki trailed off as he buried his face in Chichiri’s soft hair. 

“That’s YOUR decision, Gen-chan.  I can take you back to your place and teach you how to increase Chichiri’s life force.  Like I said it would take time and a lot of your own chi.”

Tasuki nodded silently and he scooped up his lover.   “Let’s go home.”

The trip back was less unpleasant for Tasuki.  He was too worried about Chichiri to notice anything.  Once they were in Tasuki’s room, the bandit immediately put the Chichiri in his bed and slipped in next to his lover, holding him close.  He wanted to be the first thing Chichiri saw when the older man woke up.

“Genrou.”  Lee called softly.

“Yeah?”  Tasuki had forgotten the ghost.  He got up, careful not to disturbed his lover.  “Oh, sorry man.  Thanks for everything.  If it hadn’t been for you----”

“If it hadn’t been for me, none of this would have happened.”  Lee said quietly.  “If I had left you two alone and not add to Chichiri’s fears, he wouldn’t have left you.  I’m sorry Genrou.”

Tasuki looked at his old lover thoughtfully.  He took a few deep breaths and shook his head.  He had to let go of the past.  He had almost lost Chichiri because he could not forget.  This was the time to forgive.

“Even if I wanna beat the shit out of you, I can’t, so let’s just forget it, okay?”  Tasuki said slowly.  “It wasn’t entirely your fault.  I should have seen it coming…I knew how little Chiri think of himself; I should have been more reassuring.  And most of all I should never have given up.  He came back, man.  He came back!”  Tasuki buried his face in his hands.  “I have no one to blame but myself.  I put him through a thousand hell, I don’t know how he could still love me.” 

“Thanks, Genrou.”  Lee said softly as he began to fade.  “I don’t have to tell you to take good care of him.  I know you will.  Good bye.”  And he was gone.

“Bye, Lee.”  Tasuki said to the empty room.  He turned to his slumbering lover and smiled.  Chichiri’s coloring had come back and the monk was breathing much deeper now.  He allowed more of his energy to flow into the sleeping man, just like he was instructed.  When Chichiri woke up, they could discuss the ‘faster way’ to recovery.

Tasuki snuggled into the blankets and pulled the older man into his arms.  Life was good.  He sighed happily and fell asleep.

~~*~~

Owari… just kidding…heh heh

~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~**~~

“Chiri…why did you leave me?”  Tasuki cried into the shirt that his lover left behind, his body curled on the bed in a fetus position as he wrapped himself around the material.  “I thought…you…why?”  His whole body shook as he sobbed heart brokenly.  He had not left his rooms in weeks, eating nothing and talking to no one.  His reason for living had left him…nothing else matter…nothing but being with Chichiri.

“Tasuki-chan.”  Strong arms wrapped themselves around his thinning body as firm lean body pressed against him from behind, cradling him, protecting him.  “I’m here, no da.  I’ve come back na no da.”

Tasuki gasped, as he turned weakly into the embrace of his lover.  Sad mahogany eye silently asked forgiveness as Chichiri caressed his lover’s face.  “Can you ever forgive me for leaving, no da?”

“Chiri…”  Tasuki whispered and he nodded.  “Just don’t leave me…”  He clung to the monk’s shirt tightly.  “Please, don’t leave me again.”

Chichiri leaned over and kissed his lover gently.  “Never, na no da.  I will never leave you again, Tasuki-chan.”  The monk pulled the bandit tightly into his arms and rocked him gently.

“I love you, Chiri.”  Tasuki murmured sleepily.

“I love you too, Tasuki.”  Chichiri whispered soothingly into his lover’s ears.  Tasuki snuggled deeper into Chichiri’s embrace and sighed.  Life was good.  His Chichiri was back.

*** *** ***

“Chiri…” Tasuki murmured sleepily as he snuggled into the warmth.  He felt safe.  He felt complete, as if after years of searching for his lost treasure, he had finally found it.  He sighed and opened his eyes.

And was greeted by a dark mahogany pool gazing at him with adoration and longing.  Yes, Chichiri had returned.  Everything would be all right now.

“You came back.”  He said simply. 

“Your love brought me back, Tasuki.  I can feel your life flowing through me.  Thank you.”  Chichiri leaned over and kissed the tip of Tasuki nose affectionately.

“I dreamt that you came back…and it wasn’t too late.”  Tasuki captured Chichiri’s lips with his own and nibbled at the monk’s lower lip.  “You promised never to leave me again.”  He whispered after releasing the older man’s lips.

“Never again, Tasuki.”  Chichiri promised.

“I missed you.  So much.”  Tasuki kissed Chichiri again.  He could never have enough of the older man.  And it had been so long.

“Me too, no da.”  Chichiri said softly.  He sighed contently as Tasuki rained kisses on his face and neck.

“I’m so fucking sorry, Chiri.  You’ve been through so much.  All the pain and loneliness, they’re all my fault.”  Tasuki mumbled into the older man’s neck as he licked and nibbled the soft delicate skin.  “But no more, Chiri, no more.  I promise you.”

“Tasuki.  It’s MY fault, no da.  Please don’t be sorry.”  Chichiri’s heart ached at the memories.  “I---”

Tasuki pressed a finger to Chichiri’s lips, stopping the older man.  “No more, Chiri.  I don’t want to hold on to the past anymore.  From this moment on, it’s only now and forever.”  He pulled Chichiri closer to him.  The two hard bodies pressed together as one.  The two souls entwined and danced in rapture as the lovers kissed.

“Ne, Chiri…”  Tasuki managed to whisper between kisses.

“Hmm…”  Chichiri moved along his lover’s strong jaw line, nibbling and lapping.

“Er…how…ahh…are you feeling?” Was Chichiri strong enough?

“Really good, Tasuki-chan.”  Chichiri moved his lips down the bandit’s neck towards the tan bare chest.  “I’m working on feeling much better, na no da.”

Tasuki chuckled.  It looked like Chichiri will be just fine.  The quicker road to recovery would be traveled after all.  It was silly of him not to remember that Chichiri was a master at energy work.  Chichiri would know exactly what to do…

“Ahhh…Chiri…SHIT!”  Tasuki arched of the bed into the roaming hand and mouth.  His lover had reduced him to a puddle of quivering flesh in minutes.  After all this time, Chichiri still knew exactly what to do to the younger man.

But Tasuki wanted to pleasure Chichiri.  He wanted to hear his lover moaned his name as the older man thrashed in ecstasy.  He wanted the love of his life to feel loved and cherished; forget the pain and solitude.  In other words, he wanted to fuck Chichiri into oblivion.

Tasuki pulled Chichiri up and kissed him deeply.  Their tongue danced and caressed each other fervently.  Their hands held the other’s body firmly as they rubbed and ground their needs together.  It had been too long.  Tasuki had so wanted to take their first reunion slow but the rhythm of their heated bodies ignored his mind’s command.  Chichiri threw his head back and he moaned loudly as the intense sensation build in his groin. 

“Tasuki…”  He moaned his lover’s name.

The younger man rolled on top of his lover and thrust his hips feverishly onto the trembling older man.  He was so close…so clo…se

“Chichiri!”  Tasuki shouted as he climaxed.  Chichiri stiffened underneath him then shuddered as the he also reached his orgasm.

Tasuki panted hard as he rest his forehead on Chichiri’s.   “Gods, Chiri…I’m sorry.”  He whispered, still breathless.  “I wanted our first time together to be special, not like this.”

“It was special, Tasuki.”  Chichiri caresses his young lover’s face.  “Being with you is always special.  I love you.”

Tears stung the back of Tasuki eyes.  Why?  How?  After all that his lover went through, Chichiri still loved him.

Noticing the younger man’s expression, Chichiri frowned.  “Tasuki?”

Tasuki gave Chichiri a small smile and shook his head.  “It’s nothing, Chiri.  I just can’t believe you could still love me after all thos---”

This time it was Chichiri who silenced Tasuki with his finger.  “Now and forever, Tasuki.  No more living in the past.”

“Hai, forever, koi.”  Tasuki said before he took Chichiri’s finger into his mouth and sucked on it.  

Chichiri felt heat stirring in his loins again as he watched the fiery hair bandit deep throat his finger.  His other hand busily work to pull on the bandit’s sleeping shorts.  Tasuki smirked around the finger and help his koi pull down his messy shorts then proceed to work on his lover’s clothes.

When they were both gloriously naked, Tasuki laid Chichiri supine on the bed as he proceeded to worship every inch of the strong lithe body.  The older man gasped and hissed as Tasuki nipped, suckled and lapped at the harden nipples.  He arched himself into his lover’s mouth, trying to get closer to Tasuki.

But Tasuki was already moving lower, toward the incredible ache between Chichiri’s thighs. 

“AHH!” Chichiri bucked his hips involuntarily as Tasuki’s moist mouth teased the area just above his pubic hair.  The former monk’s arousal brushing tantalizingly against his lover’s neck and cheek.

Holding his lover's slender hips firmly to the bed, Tasuki lowered his head down and placed a tender kiss on the tip of Chichiri’s wet arousal.  A drop of pearly liquid formed at the slit and Tasuki stuck out his tongue and eagerly lapped it up. He played with the small slit for a moment before engulfing Chichiri's rigid flesh in his mouth.

"Tasuki!" Chichiri cried out, bucking wildly against the restraint of his lover’s grip. Tasuki’s mouth was like a vacuum, sucking hard and fast.  Chichiri thrashed his head from side to side as Tasuki's tongue began tracing the ridges of his aching shaft then sucked hard on the tip.  The younger man greedily lapped the liquid that formed at the tip, savoring the taste that he loved.  The taste that is uniquely Chichiri. 

Chichiri moaned as felt himself coming closer to the edge and desperately tucked at the younger man.

“No, Tasuki, not yet.”  He breathed.  “I want you inside me, Tasuki…please.”

Tasuki looked up from his much loved task and nearly lost control.  Chichiri was panting erotically as he moaned his pleasures.  The younger man swallowed hard and will himself to calm down.  He would go slow this time and savored the exquisite feel of Chichiri.

Tasuki moved up his lover’s body and kissed the parted mouth ardently.  His tongue delved deep into the sweet recesses of Chichiri mouth.  Gods, Chiri tasted so good!

“Hmm...” Chichiri murmured as he thrust up into the rock hard arousal above him.  “Now Tasuki…take me…now.”

Tasuki reached into his nightstand drawer and pulled out the lube.  He had wanted to use it on Chichiri so many times before but had to settle for someone else instead.  Now Chichiri was begging the bandit to take him…life WAS good.

Chichiri moaned loudly as he thrust his hip onto the questing fingers.  It had been so long.  He had dreamed of this moment until he had given up all hope.  He nearly sobbed as Tasuki continued to brush that sweet spot inside his body.  “Tasuki…Fuck me NOW!”  He demanded.

Tasuki need no other urging, he slipped out his fingers and slowly slip his aching arousal in.  Chichiri moaned louder as the thick shaft moved slowly into his tight body.

“Fuck, Chiri.”  Tasuki groaned.  “You’re so…tight.”  He gasped and bit his lips to keep himself from losing control.  He slid in, inch by inch, not wanting to hurt his writhing lover.  He knew that this is the first time for Chichiri in this body and he would take his time even if it kills him.

Chichiri spread his leg wider, trying to get Tasuki deeper into his passage.  Finally, the fiery bandit was fully inside, and he paused.  It wasn't easy to wait; all he wanted to do was pound himself deeper and deeper inside the tight body of his beautiful lover.   The sensation of Chichiri’s muscles gripping his erection was exquisitely sweet.

Chichiri thrust up, not wanting the younger man to stop.  Tasuki gasped at the pressure and held Chichiri’s hip in a tight grip.  He took a few calming breaths before pulling out slowly until only the tip is buried.  Then he pushed back in, slowly.

“Ahh!…Tasuki…faster!”  Chichiri strained against the iron grip of his lover.  “Harder…please!”

Tasuki’s resolved to go slow melted like snowflakes on a hot stove.  He pulled out again and slammed back in so hard that they moved several inches on the bed.  Faster and faster, Tasuki built up his rhythm, and they were both gasping and moaning incoherently. 

Just when Chichiri thought that he couldn’t take any more, Tasuki’s strong hands worked itself between their bodies and grasped his weeping erection.  The touch all but drove the former monk over the edge as his world turned white.   Tasuki’s stroked vigorously as he pounded tirelessly into his lover.  Finally it was too much for Chichiri, with a hoarse cry he came violently into Tasuki’s waiting hand.  His body quivered and throbbed as he rode out the waves of pleasure rippling through his body.

At the sight and sound of Chichiri’s release, Tasuki’s world exploded in a burst of brilliant lights.  He thrust hard one last time into his lover’s exquisite body and pumped the monk full of his seeds.

Gasping for his breath, Tasuki rolled slightly to the side before collapsing on his lover.  “Fuck!”  He uttered in totally bliss.  “I missed that so fucking much.”

Chichiri smiled and traced his finger along Tasuki’s shoulder.  “You get laid every weekend, no da.”  He couldn’t help teasing Tasuki.

Tasuki looked up slightly to see if the older man was upset with his escapades.  Then grinned as he saw that his lover was teasing.

“Hmm, let’s see if we can get me laid every night, ne, Chiri.”  He gave Chichiri a lascivious leer and growled playfully at the older man.

Chichiri laughed as he hugged the bandit to him.  “Hai, and if I know you, you’ll want a marathon, na no da.”

Tasuki kissed the older man gently.  “Only with you, koi, now that I’ve found you again.  Only with you.”  He gazed solemnly at Chichiri.

“I’ll love you forever, Tasuki.  I promise you.”

“Me too, Chichiri.  Zutto…koi…zutto.” 

Owari ~ for real this time…

~~~***~~~~***~~~~***~~~~

Whew!  Arigatou minna!  I hope you like this chapter.  It was a long one, ne?  I really do love this story and am very happy to share it with you.   I don’t know why but I felt it important that Chichiri returned to Tasuki and was forgiven in that time period…that’s why I added the dream sequence.

Thank you to all the reviewers; you have been my muse and my inspiration.  When I don’t feel like writing, all I have to do was read a few reviews and that got me tying again.  Thank you so very much for your support and kind words.  I hope to write more stories that will be to your liking!

What do you think of the Gravitation crossover?  Hmmm…. It’s gonna be a darker Chichiri though…interested?  Let me know?

Humbly yours,

Moonraven…

[ Back ] [ Up ]