Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Gems of Blue ❯ Sodalite ( Chapter 6 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Chapter 6: Sodalite
Nakago had a large chain of excuses that looped upon each other to explain for his absence. He knew he would have long enough to get what he needed done before anyone realized he was absent without permission. He dressed in worn armor and peasant clothing. His cloak was ample in size, but shabby. The likelihood of being recognized was slim. He had to make it to Lapis, before she decides to do something to his child. As he rode on, he realized he loved her and hated her both at the same time. He was a man without weaknesses until she willingly came to him. He should have killed her, but something would not let him strike her down.
The child complicated things further. Yet, Nakago knew if anything happened to him, Lapis would teach the child to avenge him. The child was insurance his plans would still come to fruition.
Genrou and Kouji sat at a small table in the Azure inn. It was the largest inn and had the most private tables. It was the only reasonable place Lazuli would go for a private meeting.
Lazuli told no one about the messenger that visited him in the common house in the village two weeks before. But, Genrou knew something was wrong with Lazuli because of his moodiness.
Kouji watched a tall man leaning against a pole near one of the back tables. The tall man had his arms crossed and kept his hood up.
"Do you think that is the guy that's got Lazuli so uptight, Kouji?"
"Yeah. He just stands there, all confident, like he's waiting for someone."
Lazuli walked into the inn with Lapis a step behind him. As Lapis passed the man leaning against the pole. The man grabbed her arm and brought her hand to his lips. He released her hand and opened his arms.
Lapis gasped and turned to see Nakago's face under the hood. "You're here." she whispered as she embraced him tightly.
Nakago removed his hood. Lazuli was only an inch or two shorter, but it was clear that they were related.
"Man, look Genrou. That guy must be another relative of Lazuli. Probably got a price on his head. That would explain the secrecy huh?"
"I hate him. I don't know why, but that guy really bothers me. He pisses me off. Lets get out of here before I get us in trouble, huh?"
"Yeah, I suppose. It looks like Lazuli has this well in hand."
Lazuli led Nakago to one of the back tables. He was not thrilled about seeing his older brother. But, for Lapis' sake, he would at least meet with him this one time.
"So, brother , what did you want to speak about?"
"As you know, I am tied down by the emperor of Kutou. I sent Lapis here to save her life. If I hadn't, she would have been murdered as soon as the child was born. I can not allow that to happen. And, I can not allow anything to happen to that child."
"Nakago, why should you care if something happens to this child? Its father is our most hated enemy?"
"No, that is why I am here. That is not his child, it is mine. Do you remember about two months ago when the emperor insisted to couple in absolute darkness?"
"Yes, I thought it was strange, but it was a relief not to have to use my shell. That dog's ugly face disgusts me."
"That night, the emperor was not in the palace. I was the one in his bedchamber."
"You overpowered my ki, and impregnated me."
"Yes, although, I was unaware at the time it was you I coupled with. I was concentrating on my spells. I only made the connection right after you left."
"I will take the utmost care for our child then. It is a relief that I know it does not belong to the enemy."
Lazuli looked at his half brother and his sister. Their faces were cold and calculating. The epitome of the Wandering Tribes. Yet, there was something in their eyes. They did feel for each other. Lazuli knew it. "So, is it true, brother, Lapis is your first of wives?"
"Yes, of course. Does it bother you? It should not. Incest is not an issue among our kind. It is a matter of survival. You should know that."
"I know it, but I do not accept it. In order to survive, we must change. We will die out like this. Here, take father's signet. It is yours by right. "Lazuli said as he took off his ring and held it out to Nakago.
"Keep it for me. It would look suspicious if I wear it."
"No, you take it. I do not feel I have the right."
"You are my younger brother. That alone gives you the right. You will need to take care of Lapis and my child. Her pregnancy must still remain a secret to the Kutou court. I must return, but she never can. Do you understand, Lazuli? I will never see my wife again. I will never see my child. You wear that ring as her protector."
"I see."
"Good, now, I have a room upstairs. I wish to spend some time with my first of wives alone before I leave. If you will excuse us."
"I hate him." Lazuli said under breath as Lapis and Nakago went upstairs.
Lazuli got up and left the inn. He wanted to go kill something, anything.
"Hey Lazuli, who was that guy you met in there?" Genrou said as he saw Lazuli leave.
"My stinking older half brother. He is disgusting beyond belief."
"Well I can understand that if he is related to you. So what is his deal? And, where is Lapis?"
"She is upstairs with him. They are having a conjugal visit. Like I said, he is thoroughly disgusting."
"You mean your brother and your sister are.. That's sick! What a lousy pervert!"
Kouji's eyes narrowed and he clenched his teeth. He wanted to go rough that guy up. But, he knew from the way Lapis hugged him earlier, it would not be a good idea.
"It gets worse, Genrou. It turns out that her baby is also his. That is why he came."
Genrou's jaw dropped to the ground. "You mean 'he' got her knocked up! Man, things get more messed up by the minute. Why didn't Lapis just say no or something? Wait! You mean you are going to let your brother rape your sister and just stand by and watch? You are one sick bastard. Come on, lets just go up there and kick his ass."
"He never raped her. She coupled with him of own free will. She married him of her own free will. She went upstairs with him of her own free will. There is nothing we can do."
Kouji stayed silent, but his fists were so tight with rage, that his knuckles were white. He wanted to say something, but was afraid it would not come out right.
"She married that sick bastard! Aw man, and I thought my family was messed up. Marrying your own brother, that is just sick and wrong."
"I agree. At least this is the last time I have to look at him. He is a whipped dog, and his master keeps him on a tight leash. He will not bother us, or Lapis ever again after this. If he does, I will kill him." Lazuli said as he rubbed a spot on his chest near his heart.
"You can count on me and Kouji to help you with that. That guy radiates waves of evil energy. "
"Lets go hunting. I want to kill something."
"I am with you all the way. Coming Kouji?"
"Oh yeah."
Nakago was summoned into the throne room as soon as he returned to Kutou.
"Nakago! Where in the hell have you been!" The emperor bellowed.
"I am sorry, Sire, I was taking care of a personal matter."
"Where is that Hin whore that I gave you?"
"I am afraid, sire, she has escaped. That is the personal matter I was out on. It involved chasing her down. My soldiers were ineffective in finding her. I went to find her trail on my own. It went cold near the cliffs past the western Konan border. She must have had help. I will interrogate the scouts that were patrolling that area immediately. She will be back in your bed soon enough."
"I do not want her for my bed!" The emperor shouted as he threw an large aquamarine gem at Nakago's feet."
"What is this, Sire?"
The emperor tossed the empress crown at Nakago's feet as an answer. "She has stolen the sapphire from the crown! My new concubine wanted to try on the crown and that aquamarine fell out! Pick it up and look at! The eye was pried out of the setting and replaced with that worthless jewel!"
Nakago picked up the crown and carefully looked at the pry marks.
"I want you to track her down and kill her! Then return the eye to me!"
"Sire? The eye?"
"The sapphire that was in that crown! The Eye of Seriyu! That greedy little whore stole it while I slept!"
"Sire, who will keep command of the troops while I am gone? "
The emperor took a couple of deep breaths and calmed himself. "You are right. With all of the trouble the provinces are giving me, you are better served here. I will put a bounty on her head so high that no bounty hunter on the earth will be able to resist. Of course, the hunter gets nothing if the eye is not returned."
"That is a wise decision, sire. May I take may leave?"
"Yes, go."
As Nakago left the throne room, his face kept its hard coldness. A single, very small tear fell down his face. He did not bother to wipe it away.
The tear was not for Lapis or his child. It was because the emperor was trying to take away one more thing that Nakago felt belonged to him alone.
Lapis seemed to soften some as the weeks passed. The swell of her stomach became more pronounced, but it did not keep her from her exercises.
From time to time, the members of the Mountain Bandits would try to get her to act like a servant. Sometimes they would try to get her to bed, but she would beat them senseless.
"Lazuli, Lapis is becoming a problem." Tessen said as he pulled Lazuli aside.
"I hate to loose a good man like you, but as long as you are in charge of your sister, I can not have you stay much longer. I like Lapis. She is a very capable bandit. Her skills with those bolas she uses are superb. She is tough girl, but among nothing else but other men? You understand, she is a distraction we do not need. I will need you to get your things together and leave as soon as you possibly can. You are both welcome to come back and visit any time, but I can not have you staying here permanently."
"I understand. I have been anticipating this for some time."
"Good. You should also be prepared for a fight. I have had word that Lapis stole a very rare gem from the Kutou emperor. He has put out an enormous bounty on her head. I am not sure you are safe here. Even some of my men may be tempted to collect the bounty. You need to speak to her about this."
"I will. As long as we have supplies, weapons and horses, we will have a good chance. We were part of a violent, nomadic tribe."
"I will send Genrou and Kouji with you to make sure you get out of the mountains."
"I doubt those two would let me leave without their escort. Thank you."
"You two take care of yourselves."
Genrou and Kouji were sad to see Lazuli and Lapis go away.
"Man, who am I going to talk with that I can relate to now? Huh? I mean you Lazuli are the only one that knows how it feels to have a strange birthmark."
"Yours is stranger than mine, Genrou. Yours looks like a character, mind just looks like a twisted blob."
"Lapis, here take this necklace. It's sodalite. My mother used to say it was good luck. She gave it to me when I left home. I want you to have it."
"It's beautiful. Thank you Kouji."
"Ha! Ha! Kouji's fallen for Lapis! Give her a kiss why don't you."
"Cut it out, Genrou! I was just trying to be nice. I mean she's gonna need luck with the price on her head and carrying a kid."
"Admit it Kouji. You have had the hots for her since she got here."
"I ain't admitting nothing. I like you, like a sister, Lapis. That is all."
"Take care of yourselves. If you run into trouble, send me a message."
"You got it, Genrou."
Nakago had a large chain of excuses that looped upon each other to explain for his absence. He knew he would have long enough to get what he needed done before anyone realized he was absent without permission. He dressed in worn armor and peasant clothing. His cloak was ample in size, but shabby. The likelihood of being recognized was slim. He had to make it to Lapis, before she decides to do something to his child. As he rode on, he realized he loved her and hated her both at the same time. He was a man without weaknesses until she willingly came to him. He should have killed her, but something would not let him strike her down.
The child complicated things further. Yet, Nakago knew if anything happened to him, Lapis would teach the child to avenge him. The child was insurance his plans would still come to fruition.
Genrou and Kouji sat at a small table in the Azure inn. It was the largest inn and had the most private tables. It was the only reasonable place Lazuli would go for a private meeting.
Lazuli told no one about the messenger that visited him in the common house in the village two weeks before. But, Genrou knew something was wrong with Lazuli because of his moodiness.
Kouji watched a tall man leaning against a pole near one of the back tables. The tall man had his arms crossed and kept his hood up.
"Do you think that is the guy that's got Lazuli so uptight, Kouji?"
"Yeah. He just stands there, all confident, like he's waiting for someone."
Lazuli walked into the inn with Lapis a step behind him. As Lapis passed the man leaning against the pole. The man grabbed her arm and brought her hand to his lips. He released her hand and opened his arms.
Lapis gasped and turned to see Nakago's face under the hood. "You're here." she whispered as she embraced him tightly.
Nakago removed his hood. Lazuli was only an inch or two shorter, but it was clear that they were related.
"Man, look Genrou. That guy must be another relative of Lazuli. Probably got a price on his head. That would explain the secrecy huh?"
"I hate him. I don't know why, but that guy really bothers me. He pisses me off. Lets get out of here before I get us in trouble, huh?"
"Yeah, I suppose. It looks like Lazuli has this well in hand."
Lazuli led Nakago to one of the back tables. He was not thrilled about seeing his older brother. But, for Lapis' sake, he would at least meet with him this one time.
"So, brother , what did you want to speak about?"
"As you know, I am tied down by the emperor of Kutou. I sent Lapis here to save her life. If I hadn't, she would have been murdered as soon as the child was born. I can not allow that to happen. And, I can not allow anything to happen to that child."
"Nakago, why should you care if something happens to this child? Its father is our most hated enemy?"
"No, that is why I am here. That is not his child, it is mine. Do you remember about two months ago when the emperor insisted to couple in absolute darkness?"
"Yes, I thought it was strange, but it was a relief not to have to use my shell. That dog's ugly face disgusts me."
"That night, the emperor was not in the palace. I was the one in his bedchamber."
"You overpowered my ki, and impregnated me."
"Yes, although, I was unaware at the time it was you I coupled with. I was concentrating on my spells. I only made the connection right after you left."
"I will take the utmost care for our child then. It is a relief that I know it does not belong to the enemy."
Lazuli looked at his half brother and his sister. Their faces were cold and calculating. The epitome of the Wandering Tribes. Yet, there was something in their eyes. They did feel for each other. Lazuli knew it. "So, is it true, brother, Lapis is your first of wives?"
"Yes, of course. Does it bother you? It should not. Incest is not an issue among our kind. It is a matter of survival. You should know that."
"I know it, but I do not accept it. In order to survive, we must change. We will die out like this. Here, take father's signet. It is yours by right. "Lazuli said as he took off his ring and held it out to Nakago.
"Keep it for me. It would look suspicious if I wear it."
"No, you take it. I do not feel I have the right."
"You are my younger brother. That alone gives you the right. You will need to take care of Lapis and my child. Her pregnancy must still remain a secret to the Kutou court. I must return, but she never can. Do you understand, Lazuli? I will never see my wife again. I will never see my child. You wear that ring as her protector."
"I see."
"Good, now, I have a room upstairs. I wish to spend some time with my first of wives alone before I leave. If you will excuse us."
"I hate him." Lazuli said under breath as Lapis and Nakago went upstairs.
Lazuli got up and left the inn. He wanted to go kill something, anything.
"Hey Lazuli, who was that guy you met in there?" Genrou said as he saw Lazuli leave.
"My stinking older half brother. He is disgusting beyond belief."
"Well I can understand that if he is related to you. So what is his deal? And, where is Lapis?"
"She is upstairs with him. They are having a conjugal visit. Like I said, he is thoroughly disgusting."
"You mean your brother and your sister are.. That's sick! What a lousy pervert!"
Kouji's eyes narrowed and he clenched his teeth. He wanted to go rough that guy up. But, he knew from the way Lapis hugged him earlier, it would not be a good idea.
"It gets worse, Genrou. It turns out that her baby is also his. That is why he came."
Genrou's jaw dropped to the ground. "You mean 'he' got her knocked up! Man, things get more messed up by the minute. Why didn't Lapis just say no or something? Wait! You mean you are going to let your brother rape your sister and just stand by and watch? You are one sick bastard. Come on, lets just go up there and kick his ass."
"He never raped her. She coupled with him of own free will. She married him of her own free will. She went upstairs with him of her own free will. There is nothing we can do."
Kouji stayed silent, but his fists were so tight with rage, that his knuckles were white. He wanted to say something, but was afraid it would not come out right.
"She married that sick bastard! Aw man, and I thought my family was messed up. Marrying your own brother, that is just sick and wrong."
"I agree. At least this is the last time I have to look at him. He is a whipped dog, and his master keeps him on a tight leash. He will not bother us, or Lapis ever again after this. If he does, I will kill him." Lazuli said as he rubbed a spot on his chest near his heart.
"You can count on me and Kouji to help you with that. That guy radiates waves of evil energy. "
"Lets go hunting. I want to kill something."
"I am with you all the way. Coming Kouji?"
"Oh yeah."
Nakago was summoned into the throne room as soon as he returned to Kutou.
"Nakago! Where in the hell have you been!" The emperor bellowed.
"I am sorry, Sire, I was taking care of a personal matter."
"Where is that Hin whore that I gave you?"
"I am afraid, sire, she has escaped. That is the personal matter I was out on. It involved chasing her down. My soldiers were ineffective in finding her. I went to find her trail on my own. It went cold near the cliffs past the western Konan border. She must have had help. I will interrogate the scouts that were patrolling that area immediately. She will be back in your bed soon enough."
"I do not want her for my bed!" The emperor shouted as he threw an large aquamarine gem at Nakago's feet."
"What is this, Sire?"
The emperor tossed the empress crown at Nakago's feet as an answer. "She has stolen the sapphire from the crown! My new concubine wanted to try on the crown and that aquamarine fell out! Pick it up and look at! The eye was pried out of the setting and replaced with that worthless jewel!"
Nakago picked up the crown and carefully looked at the pry marks.
"I want you to track her down and kill her! Then return the eye to me!"
"Sire? The eye?"
"The sapphire that was in that crown! The Eye of Seriyu! That greedy little whore stole it while I slept!"
"Sire, who will keep command of the troops while I am gone? "
The emperor took a couple of deep breaths and calmed himself. "You are right. With all of the trouble the provinces are giving me, you are better served here. I will put a bounty on her head so high that no bounty hunter on the earth will be able to resist. Of course, the hunter gets nothing if the eye is not returned."
"That is a wise decision, sire. May I take may leave?"
"Yes, go."
As Nakago left the throne room, his face kept its hard coldness. A single, very small tear fell down his face. He did not bother to wipe it away.
The tear was not for Lapis or his child. It was because the emperor was trying to take away one more thing that Nakago felt belonged to him alone.
Lapis seemed to soften some as the weeks passed. The swell of her stomach became more pronounced, but it did not keep her from her exercises.
From time to time, the members of the Mountain Bandits would try to get her to act like a servant. Sometimes they would try to get her to bed, but she would beat them senseless.
"Lazuli, Lapis is becoming a problem." Tessen said as he pulled Lazuli aside.
"I hate to loose a good man like you, but as long as you are in charge of your sister, I can not have you stay much longer. I like Lapis. She is a very capable bandit. Her skills with those bolas she uses are superb. She is tough girl, but among nothing else but other men? You understand, she is a distraction we do not need. I will need you to get your things together and leave as soon as you possibly can. You are both welcome to come back and visit any time, but I can not have you staying here permanently."
"I understand. I have been anticipating this for some time."
"Good. You should also be prepared for a fight. I have had word that Lapis stole a very rare gem from the Kutou emperor. He has put out an enormous bounty on her head. I am not sure you are safe here. Even some of my men may be tempted to collect the bounty. You need to speak to her about this."
"I will. As long as we have supplies, weapons and horses, we will have a good chance. We were part of a violent, nomadic tribe."
"I will send Genrou and Kouji with you to make sure you get out of the mountains."
"I doubt those two would let me leave without their escort. Thank you."
"You two take care of yourselves."
Genrou and Kouji were sad to see Lazuli and Lapis go away.
"Man, who am I going to talk with that I can relate to now? Huh? I mean you Lazuli are the only one that knows how it feels to have a strange birthmark."
"Yours is stranger than mine, Genrou. Yours looks like a character, mind just looks like a twisted blob."
"Lapis, here take this necklace. It's sodalite. My mother used to say it was good luck. She gave it to me when I left home. I want you to have it."
"It's beautiful. Thank you Kouji."
"Ha! Ha! Kouji's fallen for Lapis! Give her a kiss why don't you."
"Cut it out, Genrou! I was just trying to be nice. I mean she's gonna need luck with the price on her head and carrying a kid."
"Admit it Kouji. You have had the hots for her since she got here."
"I ain't admitting nothing. I like you, like a sister, Lapis. That is all."
"Take care of yourselves. If you run into trouble, send me a message."
"You got it, Genrou."