[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

FY is still not mine, this is still a yaoi, etc.

Facepaint

by Sunandshadow

Chapter 7 - Attention, Wishes, and Families

I was proud of myself - not only had I gotten to spend half an hour running my hands through Tomo's gorgeous silvery hair, I had led the way through the twisting maze of corridors to the seishi's dining room all by myself! If you absolutely must get up early, that's the way to do it.

The other four celestial warriors and our miko were already distributed around the table when Tomo and I wandered in, so we just took the last two chairs. Soi, complete with dark smudges under her eyes from not sleeping well, looked at Tomo expectantly for a long moment. When he merely dished up a plate of breakfast, she broke the silence to ask pointedly, "What, no sarcastic comment this morning?"

Tomo smirked. "Oh yes, that thunder. I had forgotten about it actually, but I'm sure I could come up with something sufficiently scathing if you feel you need the attention." Ouch. It took all of my willpower not to grin. 'He speaks poniards, and every word stabs,' as the Bard said. Odd how I can feel sympathy for Soi and at the same time enjoy Tomo's insulting her. I've never been able to decide whether I'm virtuously good at seeing all sides of an issue, or hypocritically a bastard beneath my kind exterior. Maybe both.

Soi sniffed haughtily. "I'm sure I can get by perfectly well without any attention from you, butterfly boy." Ah, not so true as she thinks. I commented to myself. People are addictive. Once you taste being loved by them you need their attention as badly as you need air.

To lighten the atmosphere, I retorted playfully, "Hey, don't insult my butterfly!"

"Your butterfly?" asked Nakago.

I blinked. "Of course. I told you I was an artist - who did you think painted this butterfly and yesterday's dragon?"

Nakago pondered this for a moment. "Dare I ask why?"

I toyed with the idea of replying, 'No, you don't dare ask why.' but I didn't want Nakago thinking I was quite that juvenile. But what should I answer? The problem was that both Nakago and Tomo were listening and I couldn't think of an answer I wanted both of them to hear. If I only cared about Tomo's reaction I could say something like, 'The canvas inspired me.'; if I only wanted to impress Nakago I might pronounce archly, 'To test how much I had won Tomo's trust, and also because it amused me.'; but both? Trying to make a sentence that will manipulate two different people in two different ways gives me a headache.

So I shrugged, and simply said, "I'm an artist - I paint things."

Nakago snorted disbelievingly. "If you're going to answer in tautologies, you might be better off keeping your mouth shut.

Yui, also not eager to have a squabble at the breakfast table, changed the subject by asking, "So, what would everyone like to wish for when we summon Seiryuu?"

"Wish?" I inquired.

"Part of my being the Seiryuu no Miko is the duty to collect the seven celestial warriors and with their help perform a ritual to summon Seiryuu to this world. In gratitude for being summoned he has promised to give each of us a wish. Now that we have all the seishi we have to decide what we want to wish for so we'll all be ready to say what we want at the ceremony. You can wish for whatever you want, but I'm going to wish to return to the real world."

"Gah, why would you want to go back and face all that" I shuddered melodramatically, "homework?"

"What's so bad about homework? I know some people can't stand school because they're just too dumb to understand, but you made it into university, so you can't be that bad of a student."

I drew myself up indignantly. "I was an honor student, thank you very much! I have an IQ of 150 and I test at the 98th percentile for intelligence - that means only one person in 100 is smarter than I am!" I folded my arms across my chest and slumped huffily. "I don't hate homework because it's hard, I hate it because it's a pointless waste of time when I'm ready to start my life's work. I should be creating my art to shape the future of my culture, but no, I have to obey the whims of five professors who keep assigning me to write more damn papers that I don't learn anything from because I've written a hundred already, they just assign them because it's the easy, accepted thing to do, and the professors don't even communicate with each other, so none of them knows or cares that between them I've been assigned three ten-page papers to write and two novels to read over the course of a single week…!"

I realized I was ranting and no one but Yui had a clue what I was talking about, so I cut myself off, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "Sorry." I said shortly. "It's just that I'm twenty-one, I've been in school since I was three, it keeps getting harder every year, and I'm burned out. School is the one thing for which I have exhausted all my patience. I have no desire to go back to that rat race." Just thinking about being so soul-weary made me feel tired, and I folded my arms on the table and lay my head down on them.

I made 'comfort me!' eyes at Tomo. He looked at me in surprise for a moment, then tentatively put a hand on my back and started rubbing. I sighed, letting the tension drain out of my muscles, and leaned into his caress. Significant looks were probably being exchanged around the table, and Nakago's expression was undoubtedly quite interesting, but I didn't feel like turning to look. Tomo was smiling; that was enough.

"Ahem... What are you going to wish for, Nakago?" asked Amiboshi.

"I don't feel it necessary to explain myself to you."

Man, why does he always have to be in such a snit? I tipped my head at Nakago and considered. "I bet I know what you want."

Nakago looked at me with disbelief and mild offense. "You presume to be able to predict my thoughts?"

"Well, let me guess, then tell me if I'm wrong."

"Guess then." There was cold steel in his voice, but I ignored it.

"You want to be Emperor." All heads swiveled to watch Nakago's reaction. His eyes widened slightly and his jaw clenched, but other than that he remained perfectly still.

"And?" he ground out. Eyes all around the table widened when they realized he had as much as said I was right.

"Um… you want to start a dynasty. A hin dynasty. This will entail searching the four kingdoms to see if you can find any survivors or halfbreeds, and while you're at it you might want to gather the intelligent, strong, and fair youth from around the country to add to the pool. Try to get the nobility in the hands of the people who can actually wield it properly, have a little fun with eugenics..."

"Anything else?!?" he grated dangerously.

"Uh… you want to write a book? On war and politics? Like Sun Yat Sen's The Art of War or Machievelli's The Prince. The book's circulation would have to be restricted to the generals and nobility of kutou for the country's protection, of course…"

"Enough!" I managed not to flinch. Just barely. "How the fuck do you know that?!"

I shrugged one shoulder. "It's what I would want, if I were you." Everyone facefaulted. "Luckily I'm not you, I don't want the same things you do, but I remember what it was like to think that way. Now... I don't think being in charge is worth the effort, although it might be nice to have a school to run my own way, show all those pompous fools how easy it is to do it properly. A dynasty? It might be nice to have some children to love and teach, but I'd rather leave an intellectual inheritance. A hundred years from now I want people to remember me for my stories, not because I have lots of grandchildren. And a book, I think I already mentioned that. I know almost nothing about war - what I know about are people. People's minds, people's hearts - I want to write a book that will shape that. Maybe a comedy, maybe a love story, maybe both, since romance is often comical... but something great. There are my dreams for you - and I don't need a divine wish to achieve any of them."

Nakago was still glaring at me, though it had shifted from pure fury more toward contempt as I described how my dreams differed from his. "And what more worthy thing, oh wise one, would you do with your divine wish?"

I sighed. "I don't think your wishes are unworthy, it's just not what I would wish for. Maybe you and I are twins, in some mysterious way undoubtedly having to do with a certain dragon god, but I'm not you, we're probably as different as amiboshi and suboshi are. You want what you want and I'll want what I want - hell I'll even help you, if you want an adviser. I could tell you about King Louis the Fourteenth, the Sun King, he did much what you want to do. Or I could tell you about Socrates' two plans for the ideal city, the one he created when he was an idealistic young man and the one he created when he was jaded and middle age, just before he was jailed and executed for causing public disorder..."

Now his look had moderated to offended dignity, mixed with something I couldn't read. "But your wish?" he persisted.

I looked chagrined and turned my hands up helplessly. "I dunno, I didn't even know I got one until today - give me a week to think about it. I mean there are all sorts of crazy things I could ask for - I always fancied having wings, for example - but it would take me a while to decide on a good one. If I could... I suppose the best possible thing would be if I could fix one of the great injustices of the world. Like make everyone beautiful or healthy or... maybe eliminate gender?" I perked up at this wacky idea.

"Wouldn't that throw everyone for a loop? Poof, and suddenly there's no more male, no more female, no more gay, no more straight... just people and love, my two favorite things. Turn everyone into hermaphrodites - gods, can you imagine the chaos that would cause?"

"You..." pronounced Nakago, actually looking faintly shocked, "are evil. If you really intended to wish for that I would personally prevent you from being able to summon Seiryuu."

I looked exaggeratedly innocent. "Me? Evil? Nonono, I'm cute, friendly, and kind to animals. Mothers trust me to babysit their children. I couldn't possibly be evil."

"Mareu..." asked Tomo, his voice slightly strained, "You wouldn't really wish for that, would you?"

"Well... not if it would make you all unhappy...?" I looked around the table with innocent concern plastered on my face.

"It. Would. Make. Us. Un. Happy!" chorused my fellow seishi.

"Well all right then." I pouted. "I suppose I'll have to think of something else." They nodded fervently.

"Something else." stated Nakago in a voice of unquestionable command.

"Yes Nakago." I agreed demurely, and everyone looked relieved and started to relax.

I couldn't take it any more - a snicker escaped me, and then I was giggling helplessly. "Gods you guys are so much fun to play with... The looks on your faces...!" I grinned at them all.

"You're insane." pronounced Nakago icily.

"So... you were joking?" asked Soi tentatively.

"Oh no," I said casually, lounging on the table once more. "I was serious, but I'd give a whacked-out idea like that a hell of a lot more thought before I tried to implement it. Probably make it part of the wish that no one was upset by the change or something. Wouldn't want people committing suicide or trying to lynch me or anything unpleasant like that. Have to make sure that anyone who started out male got their hips widened so they wouldn't die in childbirth... there'd be all sorts of thorny technical difficulties, and I wouldn't get a second wish to fix any unexpected problems caused by the first one." I waved a hand dismissively. "An interesting thought exercise, but much too risky to try to implement without a good reason."

Tomo regarded me disbelievingly. "Mareu... you really are evil, aren't you?" I smiled - the way he said 'evil' almost made it sound like a complement.

"Mm. And you like it." I replied insouciantly. Tomo blushed and did not answer.

I smiled blissfully. "That's okay then. I don't care if I'm evil, as long as I'm loved." Tomo blushed more.

Nakago looked disgusted at my sappiness. "Must you do that at the breakfast table?"

"What, be unbearably sappy? Flirt with my new boyfriend? Yes and yes, sorry, but I absolutely must or I do believe I shall perish from the lack." I draped my hand over my forehead melodramatically, like a Victorian lady about to swoon because her corset was too tight.

Nakago visibly took a moment to process the word 'boyfriend', then buried his face in his hands in surrender, muttering, "I don't want to know..." I mentally patted myself on the back for taking him down a notch. Sure he'd be back to his iron-clad self tomorrow, but he would be a bit more wary when I opened my mouth.

I leaned back in my chair and folded my arms behind my head, tossing Tomo a satisfied smile. "I like it here. You guys make a good family. Maybe I'll stay."

"...'Family'?" wondered Suboshi, the others also looking at me in mild confusion.

No doubt they were wondering what new insanity I was going to spout. I thought I had better spare them any further distress this morning, so I phrased my answer as gently as I could. "Sure. 'Lover'," I pointed at Tomo, "'Twin'," I pointed at Nakago, who scowled to be thus labeled, "'Sister', or perhaps 'Sister-in-law'," I pointed at Soi, "and 'Little Brothers'." I indicated Amiboshi and Suboshi. "Instant family." I turned to Yui apologetically. "I would call you little sister, but if you're going back... you must have a family of your own to return to, right?"

She nodded, clearly trying not to sniffle, "My mom and dad..."

I nodded understandingly - she was probably very close to her parents if she was the only child. Me, I had a sister 4 years younger and a brother 13 years younger, so I was always 'the one who could take care of herself'. 'The cat who walks alone', if you will. And then I got tired of being alone, and decided I wanted my own family - and, picky artist that I am, it had to be a family of choice, not convenience, whose members actually liked each other... "So. You will go back to your parents, and I will stay here and make a family for the rest of us, and I suppose we will all have to live happily ever after. Right?"

Yui smiled mistily, and nodded - she didn't believe that right now, but she would try to convince herself of it, and that was half the battle.

Nakago, on the other hand... "And you intend to accomplish this fairy-tale ending exactly how? Now that seems like not even a celestial wish could accomplish it." Suboshi scowled - he had been happy and excited to think of having another older brother and being part of a real family again.

"Not at all - a fairy-tale ending is whatever you think it is. To build a family is fairly simple - I need the respect and cooperation of the members," Nakago snorted and I eyed him exasperatedly - of course he was going to be stubborn about it, "and a little political and economic power, and a great deal of caring, energy, and enthusiasm. The latter three I have, and your cooperation can wait," ha, there was my own little barb, "so next on my list is a small amount of power. You seem to have plenty - care to delegate some to me, or do I have to earn it the hard way?"

Suddenly Nakago smirked with utmost evilness, and I wondered what subtle mistake I had just made. "You want power Mareu? You want a chance to earn my respect? You want to protect your 'little brothers'? Very well then. I was planning to send Amiboshi to go spy on the Suzaku seishi, but you can go instead. If you are as lovable as you seem to think then you should have no problem getting them all to give you their loyalty, and, more to the point, the Emperor's signature on a document pledging he will support a coup to take out the Kutou Emperor and install me in his place."

I bit my knuckle and pondered. This was indeed the opportunity I had been asking for. And if the Suzaku seishi didn't kill me on first sight I would probably be able to charm my way into their good graces…

"It's impossible. He'll get killed and then we won't be able to summon Seiryuu." objected Soi, probably more on Tomo's behalf than her own. Tomo looked stricken, which hurt me to see, but he wasn't objecting...

"No," I answered distractedly, "no it's not impossible. But could I do it in any reasonable amount of time? Maybe, if…" I shook my head in frustration. "Too many ifs. What do we know about the Suzaku seishi and miko?"

Nakago looked at me and smiled the smile of a devil who has just bought a soul. "Come with me, I'll give you the full briefing on them."

_________________________

AN: In case you missed it, Mareu's comment about not being able to sing refers to the way everyone makes fun of Nakago' singing on the Seiryuu Counterattack CD.

Please review! ^_^ mailto:sunandshadow@excite.com