YnM Fanfiction
"Siren"

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Disclaimer: YnM belongs to Youko Matsushita-sensei.

05062001
Gift Story for 12345 Counter Hitter, Leah. Thank you!

Author's note: This is gift story for 12345 counter hit. Thank you, Leah! Request: The next part in the shikigami series. Please read the previous parts in the shikigami series if you haven't yet.

Siren

Mount Kurama was mostly covered by dense wood, which gradually thinned higher up its slope. Here and there, temples protruded through the forest canopy, and winged Tengu warriors went about their duties.

"You are traveling beyond Mt. Kurama?" Kojirou's head tilted slightly; his expression, curious. "For what purpose?"

"Ah..." Tsuzuki shifted on the balls of his feet. "I just want to see more of Gensoukai..." He almost winced at the silly excuse he made.

"You're on vacation?" Kotarou asked. He looked a little suspicious, and Tsuzuki gulped nervously, when Kotarou commented to Kojirou, "We've become a tourist spot or something?"

Kojirou answered, "Well, I heard that JuuOuChou's doing very well these days." (Author's note: Timeline of this story is during the 1960's, during Japan's bubble economy.)

"I suppose..." Then Kotarou gave Tsuzuki an appraising look. Tsuzuki blinked uncertainly and looked at himself. He was still wearing the robes Kijin gave to him. They were not in the best state, having been worn day and night and had been more than slightly singed by Suzaku's flames.

"You didn't come prepared," said Kojirou, and Tsuzuki looked at him indignantly. Of course, he had came prepared. Byakko and Kijin had made certain, providing him with camping equipment and supplies. Unfortunately, he lost his backpack in the woods. He even had a message sealed with Byakko's insignia. Tsuzuki was suppose to give it to Suzaku. Fortunately, he had kept it in his robes.

His hand slipped up to his chest and felt the thin parchment underneath his clothes. Perhaps it would be wise to show it to them. His hand clenched. No. He would find the Phoenix on his own.

He jumped, surprised when Kotarou slapped his shoulder. "Don't look so worried, Asato-san," the Tengu grinned reassuringly. "Of course, we'll help you out."

"Indeed," added Kojirou with a gentle smile, "You are our guest, and we must repay you for the kindness you showed to Wakaba-chan, misguided though it was."

"Yah!" Kotarou agreed cheerfully. "Not to mention we can't have you going back to Meifu with a bad impression of our world. We have reputation to maintain."

"Ko-ta-rouuuuu!" Both Tengu turned to the childish shout, and Tsuzuki could see a flock of Tengu children running towards them.

Kotarou waved to them. "What do you brats want?" He called out cheerfully.

The children shouted in unison. "Soujoubou-sama wants to see you, and you smell, Kotarou!"

Kojirou turned back to Tsuzuki while his twin ran after them. "Please excuse my brother, Asato-san," he said pleasantly. There was a clear tinge of fond amusement in his tone. "He does take a bath daily."

Tsuzuki shook his head, laughing softly, but he sobered quickly. "I'm very sorry for the trouble-"

Kojirou quickly interrupted him. "You are no trouble at all," he said firmly then he added softly, as if telling a secret. "I sense that you're being here is of great importance."

Tsuzuki felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise at Kojirou's words. Suddenly, he felt compelled to tell the Tengu everything. He opened his mouth to tell Kojirou when they both heard a yell and turned to see Kotarou half-flying half-running towards them.

"YAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Both of them jumped back as Kotarou whooshed by, and both winced when Kotarou crashed into the trees.

"Kotarou-dear..." Tsuzuki turned to see an elegantly dressed lady floating towards them. He squeezed his eyes shut, blinked then looked at her again. She was riding sidesaddle on what appeared to be a biwa.

As she reached them, Kojirou bowed politely and offered his hand to the woman to help her up. She took it graciously. Then, with a mischievous smile, she planted a kiss on Kojirou's cheek and stood very close to him.

Kojirou was unfazed. "Kouchin-dono," he murmured respectfully; his wings twitching slightly when she touched them.

"Kojirou," she said warmly, "Why can't Kotarou be more like you?"

"What do you mean, Kouchin-dono?"

She pouted. "He always runs away from me."

Kojirou looked uncharacteristically uncomfortable. "... My brother is shy around females..." He sounded like he had said that too many times before.

Kouchin sighed with disappointment and flounced away. "What a pity..." Then she seemed to have come to a decision. "I'll have to give up on him," she said, turning back to Kojirou with a charming smile. "I prefer my lovers to have more spunk."

Kojirou nodded. "I will inform my brother. I'm sure he will understand completely."

Kouchin shrugged prettily and bestowed another smile on Kojirou. She was about to say something else when she finally noticed Tsuzuki.

"... Kojirou, how unmannerly of you. Please do introduce me to your very handsome friend."

"Forgive me, Kouchin-dono. This is Asato-san. He is a shinigami."

"A shinigami? How dreadful. I hear they pay you at terribly low rates."

Tsuzuki flushed slightly when she came very close to him. She looked at his face very carefully, then walked around him, scanning him from head to feet. Even Kojirou was unsettled by her blunt regard.

"Asato-san is on vacation, Kouchin-dono."

"Oh." Playful orbs met Tsuzuki's directly. "How do you find Gensoukai so far?" She questioned.

"... It has many surprises," Tsuzuki replied honestly.

"Do you like surprises?" She asked.

"... I like pleasant surprises."

"Wonderful!" Tsuzuki blinked when she suddenly grabbed his arm and dragged him away. "Come, I have a pleasant surprise for you."

She guided Tsuzuki to her biwa and pushed him down to sit on it. Then, she sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. Tsuzuki was quite stunned.

"... Kouchin-dono, where are you taking him?" An alarmed Kojirou asked.

Kouchin cuddled against Tsuzuki's chest before saying, "He's going to escort me." At this point, Tsuzuki was paralyzed.

"... But, Kouchin-dono..." Kojirou walked towards them then stopped when Kouchin winked at him and reached down to strum one of the biwa's strings. "Home," she said commandingly, and Kojirou could only watch as they rose up then flew away.

...

"Is she gone?" Kojirou turned to see Kotarou walking towards him with a wary expression.

"Yes and with our guest... Coward."

Kotarou turned indignant. "You try dealing with her!" He said crossly, his hands on his hips. "The last time I escorted her, she wanted me to go naked!" He grimaced and muttered, "My tail feathers look nice, she said."

Kojirou's eyes widened slightly. "... Kouchin-dono has seen you naked?"

Kotarou looked like he had just said something he wasn't supposed to have said.
***
**
*

Tsuzuki had to admit this was the nicest place he'd ever been in in Gensoukai. He was in a large domed area, relaxing in the biggest bath he'd ever had the opportunity to be in. The floor was marble; its shiny surface showing a reflection the translucent ceiling above. Shiny gold lined the frame of its dome.

Besides the huge sunken bath which dominated the room, there was a silver ball hanging down from the center of the dome. Its surface was faceted and acted as multiple prisms which scattered rainbow lights all around, Motes of lights danced about as the ball slowly rotated on its own.

Tsuzuki was leaning back against the side of the bath and staring at the silver ball with a faint smile on his face. His expression was dreamy; eyes, half-lidded. He looked like he was about to fall asleep at any moment.

"Asato..." He jerked up wide awake at Kouchin's voice and almost stood up. Realizing just in time, he quickly lowered himself further into the water.

"That's all right." He turned, face red and eyes wide to Kouchin, who coquettishly covered her smile with her fan. "You don't have anything I haven't seen before..." she murmured. She was standing right next to the bath, and Tsuzuki was aghast that he hadn't even heard her coming.

"May I join you...?"

Tsuzuki was very embarrassed, and his head swiveled from left to right, looking for a towel. There wasn't any. Even his clothes were gone. He immediately turned away when Kouchin disrobed.

"Kouchin-dono! Please! We just met!" He yelped. His ears were burning, and he jumped when he heard her stepped into the bath. Suddenly, the water seemed boiling hot.

He tensed when she giggled and almost fainted when her arms encircled around him. "I just adore gentlemen..." she whispered sultrily as her hands explored the contours of his chest. "Ooooh. You have a very nice behind."

"Kouchin-dono!" Tsuzuki pushed away her hands and dived. He emerged at the other side of the bath and stopped, his hands on the rim. He still couldn't get out.

"How funny you are." Tsuzuki glanced back, looked away, blinked then turned around. Kouchin was looking at him with an amused expression, and she was quite covered up.

"Asato-san." She waved a finger at him. "Did you actually think I would go into a bath naked with a man I just met?" She then tapped the finger against her chin, looking ceilingward thoughtfully. "Second meeting, maybe..."

Tsuzuki struggled between embarrassment, relief and disappointment. The first emotion won out, and he felt rightly chastised. "Gomen nasai, Kouchin-dono," he said, awkward and sincere.

Her expression softened. "Oh! You are indeed such a nice man!" Her eyes turned amused. "I must say this is the second time a male has rejected me," she admitted without scorn, then, she smiled and murmured, "At least, you can't fly away."

... Huh? Tsuzuki stared at her, suddenly nervous again. He was puzzled, wary and quite surprised when she began to sing.

Listen to the sea song sang by waves
Sang to the sea's twin high above
Listen to the sky song played by winds
Played to the sky's twin far below
Both songs tell a story
Of wind betrothed to fire
Of water tempered by earth
Of divides between them
Wind bore many sons
All of whom died still young
Fire lost to water
That which earth had gave
So songs now sing of wind and water
While old earth guards fire

When the song ended, Tsuzuki frowned, for he felt that Kouchin was trying to tell him something through the song. He opened his mouth to ask her about it, then paused, finding that he couldn't speak, and he couldn't move.

His eyes widened in panic as Kouchin waded towards him. She looked very pleased.

(To be continued)

Author's note: --;; I don't know why I see Kouchin as such a flighty character. Originally, this part was titled "Phoenix." But I decided to separate Suzaku's part from this part.

There is a next part whether there is a request for it or not. This is my main YnM fanfiction project.

Flames, comments, suggestions, corrections? My email address is y_no_m@yahoo.com