Fic excerpt

[dragonrises]

Short excerpt from the epic Orochi fic I'm writing. And will continue to write forever.

While all of this was going on in their part of the world, far to the west the reunited forces of the Shu Resistance had finally reached the familiar fields and forests of Chengdu, and a fine summery day shone down on them as they paraded triumphantly through the gates of Luo Castle. All along the way leading up to the chief city they were hailed by Shu peasants happily going about their lives as if they weren't really living in a demon-created dimension, and once the army reached the castle in the capital, all their people had come to see them and welcome them back. Seeing Lord Zhao Yun among them raised spirits even more, and he managed to smile for them no matter how tired he was. It felt like it had been a long time since they had last rested at the Takeda camp, and even though his heart burned to continue searching for someone who could bring them word of Lord Liu Bei, he knew as he rode into the castle that he couldn't have kept going another day. He needed a short rest, no one had to nag him this time.

Once within the castle compound, they were greeted mostly by soldiers and other officers rather than civilians. They had the Hojo along, and needed to find quarters for them and what few men they managed to save, plus the newest acquisition for their army and the single prisoner they had taken. It appeared that not only had the leaders of the Nanman joined them in Chengdu, but all of the missing officers who had been routed from Odani had retreated safely there as well. Soldiers came to take their horses and help with their gear, allowing Zhao Yun a moment to dismount and just look around. The castle was in much better shape than when he last left it, so many long weeks ago, it looked every bit as whole and busy as it would if their lord really was home where he belonged. Yueying had things in hand, all right, and their army was getting along fine without him, while he roamed the land on his mission. He wasn't exactly sure how to feel about that. Xingcai came up to them, to greet her brother first and then her lord. "You've been away so long, you must have a lot of stories to tell!" she enthused. "And information! Have you heard anything about Lord Liu Bei?"

Zhao Yun did his best not to look crestfallen. "Ah...no, not really..."

"The time for debriefing and business can wait," Yueying said diplomatically as she came alongside them. "Let us give Lord Zhao Yun a chance to rest, and get out of armor. We'll have a great feast tonight, so everyone can catch up on the stories of our exploits."

"Sounds like a good time to me," Magoichi interjected, likewise horning in on the group. "I'm always up for a party! Ladies..."

They both gave him a wary look. "Er, yes, well," Yun said as brightly as he could, "I think Lady Yueying has the best idea. I would like to get settled in and out of armor before I handle any tasks around the castle. If I may?"

"I will join you," Yukimura decided, coming up behind him and putting a hand on his shoulder to steer him away before anyone else could pounce on him.

He remembered exactly where Zhao Yun's quarters were, though it had been some time since their last drop-in at Chengdu, and got him there without anyone else bothering them except for a single attendant who welcomed both lords back to the capital by having their rooms already set up for them. By now, it was generally assumed that Sanada would want to be next door to the general to whom he had pledged his service, and he did leave his Crimson Fang there to rest, but went straight back to Zhao Yun's side to stand guard while he took off his armor and quickly washed up before putting clean, fresh clothing on. They had not done anything together besides toss one another flirty glances across crowded tables since that night below the mountain pass, but for now Yukimura contented himself with merely watching from across the room as his lord and friend washed away the trail dust from face and hands and soothed his weary muscles, nothing too complex. A real bath could wait until later, he knew everyone was waiting for him. Yet, as he pulled out a fresh tunic and pants, unfolding black silk damasked with gold dragons, he could feel Yukimura’s eyes on him and tried to suppress a knowing smile. "You don't want to wash up and change, too?" he wondered of his comrade.

"I will in a moment," Yukimura said with the same smile. "I wanted to make sure no one barged in on you, first."

"Ah, is that what it is." Yun assembled himself an outfit of different colors, putting aside the green and white for today and opting for black and gray with a little purple. He wasn't fooled at all by his friend's diligence. "You know, until now I kept myself busy while home in order to stop myself from constantly thinking and worrying about my mission. But today, I find myself wishing that I didn't have to stay busy. I would much rather stay in here..."

He cut himself off before finishing, but the sentiment was more than implied by the way he glanced over his shoulder at Yukimura. The young samurai flushed as crimson as his headband. "Ah...I see, Lord Zilong. If that's what you want, I doubt anyone would deny you..."

Yun breathed a soft laugh to himself as he laced up the toggles on his tunic. "No, you and I both know there isn't time for such a thing. I'm already dreading having to explain several times over that I can't stay, that we must keep moving, that we have plans that have not changed even after the battle at Shizugatake."

He moved to the mirror to inspect himself and then stood for a moment, debating whether to put a headband on and how to pull his hair back. He heard a small noise near the door, and glanced again to find Yukimura watching him intently, biting his lower lip. It was such an eager and shameless expression, Zilong found himself grinning. "What is it?"

"I...no, nothing, never mind," Yukimura said, embarrassed.

"Come now..."

Given that they had just obliquely touched the idea of sequestering themselves together in this room, Yukimura plucked up his courage and tried not to look away as he admitted his thoughts. "I would...like to help you with your hair, if you would let me."

"...oh." Zhao Yun's eyes lit up with interest. There was a brush on the stand next to the mirror, so he picked it up and offered it like the hilt of a blade. "Please."

Yukimura let out a breath in a rush, and then dropped his head so his gaze hit the floor. "I'm still dirty from riding, you shouldn't let me touch..."

"Yukimura." Yun was practically laughing. "Come on. I would deny you nothing, especially when you ask so sweetly."

Still blushing awkwardly, Yukimura crossed to him, tugging off his gloves so he could take the brush in his open hand. He found it hard to meet Yun's eyes at the moment, but then his comrade was seating himself near the mirror, and he had his chance. Even after just coming from many long days in the field, battle after battle, ride after ride, he found Zhao Yun's long hair soft and silky as he ran it through his fingers. Bit by bit he slowly combed it out, making it a reverent exercise in worshipping his friend's beauty, until it fell in a smooth ebony sheet down his back. He worked in silence, and by the time he was done, he felt a lot better about it and even stole a quick look in the mirror to make the briefest eye contact. Zilong smiled back, and held a hand up over his shoulder to offer a cord to tie it. Nodding, Yukimura gathered up all that hair and drew it up high the way samurai tended to wear their topknots, and took the cord to wrap around it so it sat in a high queue. Considering Zilong usually wore it low on the nape of his neck, it was a new look for him, and he decided he liked it. By now, Yukimura felt himself brave enough to lay his hands on his comrade's shoulders, and even raise one to stroke through the soft, fluffy fringe that hung down around his face. "Does that work?"

"Yes, I think so." Yun raised a hand to touch the one resting on his shoulder, reassuring him, and then moved to find a headband. Considering he was at home, and seen by the entirety of the Shu Resistance as their lord, he figured he could be a little ostentatious for just one night. For the feast, really. He had a thin circlet of gold filigree that matched the black-and-gold tunic, and slipped it on his head. Yukimura assisted by rearranging his hair so it fell over the circlet, making him look rather regal and evoking a bit of a blush out of Zhao Yun in turn. "I look ridiculous," he murmured. "I am no king or emperor..."

"You look fine," Yukimura said adoringly, his voice soft. "You're allowed to dress up once in a while, Zilong. When else are you going to have the chance to put aside dirty camps and all the blood and sweat and let yourself look like a general should?"

Breathing a defeated sigh, Yun swiveled in his seat to look at his companion directly. "The same goes for you, young Lord Sanada. I'm sure the attendants have provided you with clothing fitting your status as well."

"Me?" Yukimura could hardly believe it. Nobuyuki was the lord, even here at Chengdu.

"Come." Zhao Yun got up and took his hand, dragging him toward the door. "Let's go see."

Yukimura could hardly do more than splutter in protest as he was forcibly pulled to his room next door, though there wasn't anyone out in the corridor to see it either way. Yun wagged a finger at him to tell him to get out of armor and disrobe while he went to the wardrobe and flung it open to have a look at the offerings. True, the clothing was styled as he was accustomed to, not after the customs and fashions of Wa, but there were fine brocade tunics and coats awaiting use, ranging in color from the soft ivory and cloud-gray of Yukimura's regular kimono to Shu greens, rich reds, and even black and purple. He heard the clatter of the lacquered leather armor being put aside while he perused the options, and finally came out with gray Han-styled trousers and a red tunic embroidered with gold and purple at the shoulders, clusters of plum blossoms which had golden branches running onto the sleeves. He laid it out for Yukimura and stood aside grinning, since he got to watch his comrade go through the same washing and considered himself treated to an equally nice view through the process. His happiness disarmed Yukimura completely, the young samurai could only smile shyly as he finished patting his skin dry and moved to get dressed. The tunic made him gasp, and he gladly pulled the soft silk on. The red matched his Sanada crest perfectly, and he stood admiring it as Zilong did up the ties and buttons for him. "I can hardly turn down something so nice," he said bashfully. "Your people are too kind to offer this for me."

"It looks good on you," Yun murmured, all smiles. "As befits a lord of the Sanada clan, hmm?"

"Don't you start." Yukimura found a sash and belt to complete the look, and then grinned at his friend. "And here I thought it was going to take some work to help you find your smile again. All you needed was to dress me up, apparently."

Yun laughed for real, this time. "Apparently, indeed. You do my heart good, Yukimura."

They stood gazing at one another for a long moment, inspecting and approving of their respective new outfits for the feast, and then stepped closer. It seemed only natural to bend their heads and bestow one another with a soft kiss. Only one, though, and then they stood brushing hands down chests and arms for a longer moment. "Do we have to go down right now?" Yukimura wondered.

"I suppose we might have...a few minutes to ourselves," Yun answered. "Why?"

Leaning back in, Yukimura brushed his lips across the other's once more. "Just in case things get busy later, and we don't have time for this."

By the soft moan in his throat and the way he chased after that kiss with another of his own, Zhao Yun was in complete agreement with this idea.