A Bathouse Retreat

Tasuki and Chichiri looked up at the small wooden building with no small amount of trepidation. Miaka had bundled them out of the door of the palace early this morning, babbling something incoherent about "Valentine's day", a concept which neither had been able to get the Miko to explain.

Even more baffling was why she had *insisted* that they spend the day here, at a bathhouse, of all places.

She had silenced all objections with an emphatic shake of her head. 'You both need a break from the war,' she'd said. 'Trust me,' she'd said. And the confused Seishi had had no choice but to be swept up in the whirlwind caused by a well-meaning and genki young girl.

Tasuki shook his head, squared his shoulders, and marched up to the front door, followed silently by the blue-haired monk. The bandit wrenched open the door and walked in, pausing only long enough to take off his shoes, before accosting the hostess. The attractive middle-aged woman bowed deeply to Tasuki before he could even say a word.

"Tasuki-sama, Chichiri-sama, the emperor himself warned us of your arrival." She seemed in to be awe of them, and incredibly eager to please. "We have your room ready for you, but if you would prefer something else first? May I suggest a dip in the hotspring, followed by a massage? Or perhaps you would like something to eat first?"

Caught flatfooted by the tempting suggestions, Tasuki glanced back at the monk, questioning. Chichiri blushed deeply and waved his hand vaguely, attempting to convey what he was incapable of saying, due to the constriction in his throat. Tasuki seemed to understand and he shrugged, turning back to the hostess.

"Uh, the first one sounds good."

"The hotspring and a massage?"

"Yeah," Tasuki blushed as well, but the hostess didn't seem to notice as she beamed.

"Only the best for the protectors of the Suzaku no Miko and most favoured of the emperor. Please, follow me."

She turned away and put up a sedentary pace, allowing the visitors to take in the beauty of the traditional place. Tatami mats lined the floors and windows looked out on lovely gardens and the famous hotsprings. This was a place devoted to luxury, and no expense had been spared.

"I guess if that Jo-chan had to send us anywhere, I'm glad it's here," said Tasuki as he leaned over to whisper to Chichiri. "I wonder if they have sake."

Chichiri nodded numbly, still not sure what to do. Miaka had specifically ordered them to stick together during this 'holiday' and the monk intended to do just that. But he'd never been in a place remotely like this and had no idea what to expect. :Relax, Miaka-chan wouldn't send you somewhere you wouldn't enjoy, and it does seem nice here no da,: he scolded himself.

He was sure a hot bath and massage was exactly what he needed to calm down.

By the time Tasuki had settled himself into the warm, fragrant waters of the natural outdoor hotspring and had a drink firmly in hand, he had realized his mistake.

He had never seen Chichiri without his kesa and concealing clothing before, and the sight was even more breathtaking than he'd imagined in his wildest dreams. And he'd had some wild dreams concerning the monk. Chichiri's body was perfectly formed, slender, but with an underlayer of muscle from many years on the road. The red-haired bandit had to fight to keep the sight from eliciting an embarrassing reaction.

:Kuso, why did Miaka send us here anyway?: he thought irritatedly. :And what was with that comment about Hotohori warning them we'd be here? Are they all in on this or what? What the fuck's going on here?:

Staring at the monk wasn't solving any of his questions, however. Chichiri had opted to skip the drink, and was leaning back against the rock wall, seemingly utterly relaxed. Suddenly Tasuki noticed that the monk was still wearing his mask, a fact which irritated him intensely for some reason.

"Ne, Chichiri," Tasuki said, then stopped as the monk looked up at him.

"Nani, Tasuki-kun no da?"

Tasuki found himself stumbling nervously over his next words. "W-why doncha take off your mask now? We're supposed t' relax 'n all that..." he foundered, not even sure himself why he was asking.

Chichiri started. "Demo, my scar no da," he said softly, as though Tasuki must have forgotten about it.

Tasuki snorted, his feet back under him again. "I don't care about the scar, Chichiri. Just be yourself for once."

Chichiri regarded him for a moment, his expression hidden behind the smiling mask. Tasuki squirmed under the gaze, trying to summon a rakish grin and failing. Finally, the monk reached up and drew the mask off, revealing his face.

Tasuki couldn't help a small sigh of satisfaction at seeing that. Scar or no scar, Chichiri looked better without the mask on. For all that it magically transferred his expression and the movements of his face so that people could see them, they always seemed flatter, less vivid then real expressions. At Chichiri's questioning look, Tasuki grinned broadly.

"Now, that's better. That's what my buddy really looks like. You should take it off more often, Chichiri."

The monk shrugged slightly, a bunching of his shoulder muscles that rippled through his slender frame. "I don't like to frighten people no da."

"Aw, you shouldn't worry so much," Tasuki cajoled him, back on firmer ground now that he was able to lose himself in teasing the other Seishi.

He leaned back, satisfied, and sipped at his drink. He took another look at the monk, whose head was leaning back against the rock again, his eye closed, and vowed not to get drunk tonight. With that image in his mind, who knew what he would do!

Chichiri closed his eyes and leaned his head against the rock wall behind him. It was the only way to fight off the blush that seeing Tasuki's perfect body, flushed by the heat, was causing to rise. He had become aware of startling feelings for the bandit only a little while before and he realized with misery that he must have been more obvious about it than he thought. There was no other way to explain Miaka and the others' well-intentioned plot to throw them together.

However, given how Tasuki teased Nuriko about being gay, Chichiri was quite certain of the reaction any attention from him would get. Even if Chichiri was a person people were likely to find attractive, which he knew he wasn't. He resolved to hide his emotions even if it killed him. Miaka and Hotohori and the others may have thought they had his best interests at heart, but they were obviously not taking Tasuki's feelings into account. All Chichiri was courting here was embarrassment.

His dark thoughts were broken into by the sound of Tasuki stretching noisily.

"Let's go get that massage, eh, Chichiri?"

Chichiri opened his eyes and this time wasn't able to hold back a blush. "M-massage, Tasuki-kun?"

"Yeah, you know, where pretty girls put their hands all over you and stuff." Tasuki leered at him, his fangs flashing. "Just the cure for what ails ya, eh, Chichiri?"

Chichiri was speechless. Unable to think or object, he allowed Tasuki to pull him out of the spring, though he had enough presence of mind to wrap a towel around himself, and head for the massage rooms.

Once there, he and Tasuki were separated, as the rooms were only large enough for one. Thank goodness for small blessings. Chichiri stood just inside the door, staring transfixed at the long table and the basket of vials on a smaller table beside it. A young woman in a kimono came out of a door at the opposite end of the room and smiled at him in a friendly fashion.

"Welcome, Chichiri-sama. Please, disrobe and lie down on the table." Her voice was sweet and gentle. It set the shy monk quaking.

"D-Disrobe no da?" he asked.

She regarded him sympathetically, but without surprise. "Have you never had a massage before, Chichiri-sama?"

"No, I haven't no da,"

"Then I will help you to become more comfortable," she said with a smile. She turned away, her hands disappearing to the front of her kimono. In panic, Chichiri took three steps further into the room, raising his hands.

"No, please, you don't have to do that no da!" he cried out. Then he stopped. She had simply turned around to give him privacy, not to take her clothes off as he had thought for one terrible moment. He could see a ghost of a smile playing around her lips on the side he was closest to and he blushed again. "Gomen no da, I thought..."

"That's quite all right, Chichiri-sama," she said with only a hint of amusement.

Still blushing, he unwrapped the towel from around himself. Not knowing what to do with it, he brought it with him as he laid down on his stomach on the table. He draped it over his exposed buttocks and tried to relax.

"Are you ready now, Chichiri-sama?" came her sweet voice.

"Uh, hai no da," he said, closing his eyes.

He heard the fabric of her kimono shift as she turned and approached the table. She clucked her tongue and the towel disappeared, eliciting a surprised gasp from the monk. The girl seemed to ignore him.

"I'll begin by rubbing in some of the fragrant oils. What scent would you prefer, Chichiri-sama?"

"Whatever you think is best no da," he said miserably.

"As you wish, Chichiri-sama." The incessant 'sama's were beginning to wear on the humble Seishi. To distract himself from the burst of lavender scent that filled the room, and from the feeling of slender, feminine fingers kneading his shoulders, he said,

"You don't need to call me 'sama' no da. Please just call me 'san' or nothing at all na no da."

She worked on a particularly tight muscle, unwinding it deftly and causing the monk to sigh in relief. "It would be improper to call a guest anything but 'sama', and particularly a guest who is a Suzaku Shichiseishi, Chichiri-sama," she said.

Chichiri sighed. It wasn't worth arguing about.

To his amazement, the next thought Chichiri had was one of irritation as he was shaken gently awake by the woman. "Chichiri-sama, I'm finished, wake up," she said gently. He opened his good eye and regarded her in surprise.

"Anou, suman na no da. You're very good no da," he said honestly, the nap and release of tension allowing him to speak coherently for the first time since he and Tasuki had arrived. She smiled modestly and bowed out without another word.

He got up, prepared to locate the towel and use it to cover himself, but determined to get his clothes back somehow. He didn't find his clothes, but instead a soft bathrobe laid out for him. :Well, it's better than nothing no da. Much better.: He dressed gratefully reflecting that maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Chichiri exited the room to discover a refreshed - and bathrobe-clad - Tasuki waiting for him, a bundle of excitement and energy. "Ne, Chichiri, didja fall asleep or something? They're gonna feed us now." Chichiri's stomach actually growled audibly at the announcement and Tasuki laughed, slapping him on the shoulder. "Let's go, you've got wolves after ya!" he said.

Tasuki left the massage and the accompanying pretty girl in high spirits. Though he had no interest in girls generally, no man fails to take pleasure in an attractive woman who was willing to put their hands all over him. Particularly given the openly admiring glance she had cast his way before covering it up with professionalism.

Chichiri took a few minutes longer, but the wait did nothing to dampen his boisterousness. To his satisfaction, the monk seemed to have had a good time as well, as a small smile lingered around his mouth and his good eye seemed to sparkle. Tasuki had been worried that all this would be too much for the shy monk, but it seemed to have paid off. Chichiri was in better spirits than Tasuki had ever seen him.

The food was excellent and served with sake - enough to get both of them loosened up, but not enough to allow Tasuki to break his vow, though he tried. The two Seishi talked inconsequentially throughout the meal, with Chichiri telling Tasuki what his training with Taitsukun had been like, and Tasuki telling embarrassing but funny stories about his many sisters and what they had done to him as a child.

As the dessert was served, Tasuki was overcome with emotion for the monk who seemed to be finally relaxing in his presence. Chichiri dug into the dish with gusto while Tasuki took a moment just to look at him.

"Ne, Chichiri," Tasuki said. The monk look up, and his eyes widened at the look on the bandit's face. Tasuki blushed and looked away quickly, missing the fact that Chichiri had done the same.

"What, Tasuki no da?"

"I'm really glad we came, aren't you?" The bandit nerved himself and looked back Chichiri. The Seishi was looking at him with a small smile on his face.

"Aa, I am no da. This has been a good day no da."

"Aa, no kidding."

They continued chatting until the hostess returned and asked them if they wanted to be shown their rooms. The meal had taken a long time, and it was already dark outside. Despite their good spirits, they had travelled most of the day just to get there and both were exhausted. They agreed.

The hostess took them up to the second floor of the building, to what she termed their 'most expensive and luxurious suite'. Apparently, the emperor had included instructions that they be given this particular room specifically. Tasuki was overcome with curiosity and excitement. In his mind he pictured beautiful views of the gardens and mountains, huge beds as big or bigger than in the palace, a private bath, a table set with choice fruits and fingerfoods. He was practically slavering with anticipation and he could see excitement in his friend's eye as well.

When they reached the room, she opened the door and ushered them inside, admonishing them to call if they needed anything as there would be a girl nearby at all hours. Then she closed the door.

Tasuki looked around, it was everything he had hoped for. A sliding door clearly led out to a verandah that overlooked the gardens. A door to the left was standing open, allowing a bit of steam to escape from the already-warmed bath. A table in the centre of the room held a plate of fingerfoods and a bowl of fresh fruit. Candles were arranged artfully all around, bathing the room in a pleasant yellow glow. It was just as he'd imagined, except for one thing.

"T-Tasuki-kun, there's only one bed," Chichiri said. Tasuki looked at the deeply blushing monk and nodded.

"Yeah, I noticed." The bed was clearly big enough for both of them, but it was still only one bed. "There must be some sort of mistake, just a second."

Tasuki opened the door and escaped, leaving Chichiri staring after him helplessly. The Seishi had barely gone four steps before he rounded a corner and nearly ran down the hostess. She turned calmly and regarded him with a subservient smile.

"Can I help you, Tasuki-sama? Is something the matter?"

"You're fucking right there's something the matter! There's only one bed in our room!" he shouted.

The woman winced visibly at his language and tone, but her smile didn't waver. "That is correct, sir."

"Well what the hell?"

"Is there something the matter with that, Tasuki-sama? It is our most luxurious suite for couples. I'm sorry it's not to your liking..."

Tasuki sputtered, red-faced. "B-B-But, listen to me woman! Chichiri and I are *not* a couple, you get me?" :However much *I* might wish that weren't true...:

"But the emperor specifically stated that he wished you two to take that room, Tasuki-sama."

Suddenly the significance of this trip hit the bandit. He swore vehemently and clenched his fists. "Why, those meddling bastards!" he growled. "Don't they realize what they've done?!" :If this goes bad, I could lose any chance I might have had with Chichiri. Why couldn't they just leave us alone?: he thought. :What the hell am I going to do now?: The hostess seemed shocked at his outburst, but she waited patiently for him to calm down, which he forced himself to do. His next words were said in a measured tone. "Listen, I'm really sorry, but you gotta get one of us another room."

"I'm sorry, Tasuki-sama, but the emperor said-"

"Fuck the emperor!" Tasuki yelled, losing his volatile patience again. "*I'm* Tasuki-sama, and *I'm* the client here."

This time the hostess received his verbal lashing without batting an eye. She said severely. "The emperor said you would only be needing that room, so we have already given the rest of them away. I'm sorry, Tasuki-sama, but we are fully booked."

That statement finally took the wind out of Tasuki's sails. He sagged and looked at her balefully. "If you knew what a fix you've put me in, woman..." he said threateningly, but without much energy. He shook his head. "All right, we'll manage somehow. Sorry to trouble you."

"It's no trouble, Tasuki-sama. I'm sorry we couldn't better serve you to your satisfaction." He waved her off and turned away, heading back to the room. As such, he didn't see the secretive smile she gave his retreating back before she turned away as well, heading to serve her other customers.

As Chichiri waited for Tasuki to return from wherever he'd gone, he distracted himself by picking at the food on the table. The meal had been a large one, so he wasn't at all hungry, but sitting at the table gave him an excuse to put his back to the bed.

:What am I going to do?: he thought in despair. He didn't know if Tasuki had ever shared a bed with anyone, but Chichiri never had. In childhood he'd avoided the fate shared by many others who'd been part of large families. Even if the person in question had not been *Tasuki* he would have been incredibly embarrassed. As it was, he was firmly convinced that he would have some sort of dream and reveal his terrible secret if he were forced to sleep in the same bed as the bandit.

He heard the sounds of shouting coming down the hall, but he couldn't make out the words. Finally, the sounds lessened and a moment later a subdued Tasuki reentered the room. He didn't meet Chichiri's eyes as he spoke.

"Gomen, Chichiri. They're all booked up, they can't put us anywhere else."

Chichiri's heart clenched in terror. He tried to put on a bright face, however. "Well, Tasuki-kun, that's all right no da. I'll just sleep on the floor if it makes you uncomfortable no da."

Tasuki waved a hand. "Naw, it doesn't make me uncomfortable, Chichiri," he grasped for words. "I... just didn't... I mean, you're a monk and all, and I didn't want to make *you* uncomfortable. I can't let you sleep on the floor."

"Well, I can't let you sleep on the floor no da!" Chichiri exclaimed.

If anything, Tasuki seemed more nervous than angry, which confused Chichiri to no end. "Well, the bed's plenty big. I'm sure we'd both fit, and it would be a shame to sleep on the floor and ruin that great massage," the bandit said slowly.

Chichiri swallowed. He had a point. "Uh, hai no da. That's true no da." He paused, wishing desperately that Tasuki hadn't convinced him to take off his mask. "I guess it would be all right if we slept in the bed then no da."

"Okay," Tasuki flashed a smile, which was suddenly interrupted by a yawn. "I guess I'm tired, too. I'll just go to bed now. Ya can stay up and do whatever ya want, Chichiri."

"N-no, I'll go to bed now, too no da. I'm tired as well na no da."

Chichiri stood and both Seishi approached the bed carefully, as though it might suddenly attack them. They stood on either side of it, both pretending not to look at the other.

"I-I'll blow out the candles," Tasuki said in a strangled voice. He leapt to the job, nearly upsetting the first in his haste. Only when he had reduced the room to near-pitch-blackness did he go near the bed again.

Chichiri listened to Tasuki's bare feet padding back to the bed. The bandit barked his shin on one of the chairs and swore loudly, which brought a smile to the monk's face and somehow made him feel more at ease. He untied the belt of the robe and let it slip from his shoulders, shivering in the cool night air. He heard Tasuki getting into bed and did the same, lifting his corner of the covers and sliding under them.

For a moment, their bare buttocks touched, and both jerked apart with twin cries.

"Gomen!" they both said, teetering on the edges of the bed.

Tasuki seemed to find this funny and he guffawed as he slid back onto the bed. The release of tension allowed the blood to drain back out of Chichiri's face and he smiled as he gingerly did the same.

"We're both Shichiseishi, ne, Tasuki-kun no da? We don't have to be so shy no da."

There was a sober pause, rather than the chuckling agreement Chichiri expected. The monk looked in Tasuki's direction in concern, even though he couldn't see the bandit in the darkness.

Tasuki lay for a moment in silence, barely hearing the monk's words as his conscience prodded him sharply. :I gotta tell him. He'll never forgive me if I do something I don't mean to do: he thought in agony.

"Chichiri, my conscience is gonna bother me if I ain't honest with ya." Tasuki said softly.

"What is it, Tasuki-kun no da?" Chichiri asked, obviously wondering what the bandit could possibly need to tell him.

"I gotta tell ya..." he took a breath. "I really like ya, Chichiri, as more than a friend and stuff. I'm really attracted to ya. So if that bothers ya, just let me know an' I'll sleep on the floor after all." Tasuki said all of this in a hesitant, defeated tone, certain that the axe was about to fall. "I just can't risk doing something like grabbin' ya in your sleep, so I had t' tell ya. I'm sorry, Chichiri, I never meant to tell ya."

Chichiri said nothing for a long moment. Tasuki's heart constricted as he endured the silence from his friend until he finally sighed heavily.

"Yeah, I figured that's how you'd feel. Gomen, Chichiri. I didn't mean to ruin your vacation for ya." He shifted, intending to get out of bed and spend a lonely, cold night on the floor.

Suddenly, Chichiri's hand shot out and grabbed Tasuki's. The bandit turned.

"What, Chichiri?" he asked in confusion as the blue-haired monk sat up.

The monk grasped him firmly by both shoulders and gave him a firm, but inexperienced kiss on the lips. His heart soaring, he responded instantly, his strong arms reaching to encircle the other Seishi and crush their bare chests together. He plundered the monk's lips, then pulled away, still in shock.

"Chichiri..." he said softly, the name a question.

"T-Tasuki, I, uh," words failed the monk again and he buried his face against the bandit's chest. Finally he continued quietly. "I love you, Tasuki."

Tasuki reeled, then tightened his grip, burying his face in Chichiri's short, fragrant hair. The monk smelled of lavender. "I-I love you, too, Chichiri."

They held each other in silence for a few minutes, then Tasuki gently guided the monk to lie down beside him, with their arms still around each other. Chichiri balked for a moment.

"Anou, Tasuki-kun, I'm not ready-"

Tasuki shushed him, stroking the monk's hair and down his back. "I know that, baka. I'm just fucking tired and I couldn't keep sitting up with you leaning on me like that."

"Oh," Chichiri said faintly.

"Don't worry, I'll wait as long as you want. Forever if I have to."

"I-I don't think you'll have to wait forever no da." Tasuki could feel the heat of his blush against his shoulder, where Chichiri had pillowed his head. He chuckled softly.

"Right now I'm just glad my conscience made me tell ya."

"Me too no da."

They lay in silence for a long time and Tasuki felt sleep beginning to overtake him when Chichiri spoke again. "Ne, Tasuki-kun."

"Aa?"

"I guess this is what Miaka-chan meant by Valentine's Day no da."

"Aa." Tasuki paused. "Ai shiteru, Chichiri," he said, liking how it felt on his lips.

"Ai shiteru, Tasuki."

Tasuki liked the sound of that even better.

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