Love Knows No Boundaries 1X1 (Arawn)

[Arawn_Bheur]

Aiko jerked his head out of Shiro's grasp, a sharp stab of fear slipping through him. Being so close to the man had him on edge, and the unwanted touches weren't helping. "Go screw yourself," he snarled low, squirming a little against the ropes that held him. His thoughts raced as he tried to figure a way out of this, but nothing was coming to mind...He should have just stayed back where Gin had left him...Gin...He sighed inwardly, but he kept the turmoil of emotions from showing.

[tuti]

An evil laughter escaped Shiro's throat and stepped away. "Aren't you a feisty one? Too bad I'll have to kill you." He said with sadness in his voice, anyone would believe the sadness he was expressing; if they weren't aware of his ability to deceive people. Just then the voice of Gin could be heard from outside, he was calling for Aiko as he made his way into the small house. "Ah it seems my dear cousin has come to your rescue, the poor fool is so easy to read." He said grabbing his sharp spear out.

 

"Aiko!" Gin desperately called for Aiko as he entered the poorly lighten house and his eyes widened when he saw Shiro in the middle of the room. He saw Aiko tied up in the far corner of the house. "Stop right there dear cousin." Shiro said amused as he pointed his long spear at Gin's direction.

 

A furious frown covered Gin's tern face as he faced his cousin. "Shiro, what's the meaning of this?" He quickly glanced at Aiko to make sure he was okay. "Well, this was the only way to get your attention. I know it's obvious, but I'll tell you anyways...just to show how kind I am." He paused and grinned widely at Gin.

 

"You are no longer fit as our leader, your heart is too pure! Instead of exterminating this filthy clan." He said pointing at Aiko. "You embraced their leader as your lover. You disgust me as my leader and family. I can't have you step down willing so I'll kill you now and then your little bitch will quickly follow." He finished his speech with a triumphant smile.

 

Gin glared at Shiro and unsheathed his sword. "You are my family but this betrayal will not go unpunished." He said standing in a fighting position. "Aiko, wait for a little bit more, this wont take long."

[Arawn_Bheur]

Aiko's eyes widened as he watched Gin and Shiro, knowing that a fight would break out soon. He didn't want it to happen, but he didn't know how he could stop it. His mind was drawing a blank on what to do. One of the two was going to die. His bet was on Shiro, but there was still the worry that Gin was going to be the one hurt.

 

The elation at hearing Gin's voice was quietly fading as the cousins readied themselves. He didn't know how any of this would go, and he couldn't do anything to help Gin.

[tuti]

As soon as those words left Gin's lips he marched forward clashing his sword against Shiro's spear with great force. Gin pushed forward as Shiro held his ground but Gin was far more powerful and Shiro had to jump and stepped away. Still with a fierce glare Gin rushed towards his cousin, ready to attack him again giving the other no time nor chance to rest. Gin wilded his sword fast and hard and Shiro could only block his attacks. He gritted his teeth in frustration knowing that Gin was having the upper hand and he was going to lose. He had to something quick!

 

"I don't know why you care so much for this guy." He began as he focused his eyes on Gin's to cast his spell on him. "Reno told me how much he didn't care who fucked him as long as it felt good. He even begged me to do him! He's a whore who doesn't deserve your love cousin! I'm doing this for you!" He said holding his spear against Gin's sharp sword. Gin's eyes widened and only for a split second, he lost his concentration; but one split of a second was all Shiro needed to push Gin's sword away and pierce in Gin's side with his spear. The wound was deep and Gin lost the grip he had on his sword as he fell on his knees, coughing blood.

 

"Fool!" Shiro yelled feeling like a champion now that he defeated Gin and turned face to Aiko. "Don't worry you will soon join him." He said pulling his spear from Gin's skin and walked towards Aiko.

[Arawn_Bheur]

"Gin!" Aiko gasped loudly as his lover fell and his eyes widened. He looked up at Shiro as the man approached him, fear racing through him before he stilled himself inside. He normally tried this only when he touched someone, and h rarely used it because it was exhausting and everyone had a right to do this...

 

"Stop," he said, eyes locked onto Shiro's. "P-Please, we can talk this through." He tinged his words with his own spell, praying that Shiro didn't know how to block, praying that that he was strong enough to do cast it. "Just calm down..."

[tuti]

Shiro only laughed at Aiko's failed attempts to persuade him. "Calm down? Oh boy but I am calm." Unfortunately Aiko's spell couldn't work on Shiro. Shiro's own ability required for him to be calm otherwise people wouldn't believe his lies. "Now let's not delay this any further, I'm bored." He said and smiled as he raised his spear ready to pierce Aiko. As he began to move the spear his eyes suddenly popped dangerously wide and he looked down at the blade of a sword, which had pierced chest where his heart was. "Gin..." He whispered before falling down, motionless, dead.

 

Gin panted as he held his side and pulled his sword from Shiro's lifeless body. He had so little energy left, but when he saw Shiro raise his spear against Aiko; he shot himself up and attacked Shiro.

 

He let the sword slip from his hand as he fell to his knees. He didn't want something like this to happen like this. He'd killed Shiro...his family. A feeling of depression and self hatred washed over him. This was his fault. He didn't deserve to live.... he was now being attacked by his own emotions; emotions he could no longer control.

[Arawn_Bheur]

(Test post to see if this gets the other one to show.)

 

(Edit: It didn't work. T.T You might have to repost.)

 

(Edit, Edit: It worked! Muahahahahha!)

[Arawn_Bheur]

Aiko had flinched away from the spear and his eyes widened as Shiro's body fell to the floor before his gaze locked onto Gin. He squirmed against the ropes, trying desperately to break them, seeing the look on Gin's face, seeing the blood fall from the wound.

 

"Gin..." he whispered softly, still fighting the ropes, feeling them loosen slowly from his movements. He ignored the feeling of them cutting into his skin. He just wanted to get to Gin. His heart felt heavy from seeing the pain Gin was in. Once he managed to get one hand out, he took the sword to deftly cut the ropes. It was awkward, but he got it done. As soon as he was out, he moved quickly to Gin's side.

 

He hesitated just slightly before he ran his hands gently through Gin's hair and shoulders before pulling the man into a hug. One of his hands went down to press against the wound to help stem the blood flow.

[tuti]

Gin was feeling so overwhelmed by what he had done that he couldn't speak nor see Aiko in the eyes. Even though what Shiro did was wrong, he was still his family and he wasn't really planning on killing him. Punish him yes, but he never thought of killing him. The guilt he was feeling was too overpowering and he couldn't prevent the tears roll from his eyes as Aiko pulled him into a hug. On top of that, he was feeling a little bit light headed from the amount of blood he was losing.

[Arawn_Bheur]

Aiko didn't know what to say to comfort Gin, but he needed to get Gin out of there. "Come on," he whispered, gently helping Gin to his feet. He held onto the man to support him, hand still pressed tightly to Gin's side. "We have to get you take care of."

 

Once outside, his eyes scanned the surroundings for Gin's horse. Once he spotted the beast he led Gin over and forced the man up onto the saddle before quickly climbing up to keep the man from sliding off from weakness. He forced the horse to go towards the West Clan, the closest place. His thoughts raced as the horse ran, praying to the beings above that Gin would last until he could be taken care of. He didn't want to think of what would happen if Gin didn't make it.

[tuti]

Mirai stood near the mansion's gates and stared at nowhere in particularly. She was worried about Gin; she saw him leave in a hurry for no reason and Rendo stubbornly denied to say anything about it to her. "Hijikata-sama?" She whispered as the form of his horse could be seen coming her way. Her heart began to race thinking it was Gin but gasped as she saw that Aiko was the one riding Gin's horse; and almost fainted at the bloody sight of her fiancée. They rushed inside and took Gin's bleeding form into his room and called for the family doctor.

---

 

"How come you helped my grandson? What do you intend to get from this?" Gin's grandmother asked Aiko as they waited outside Gin's room. The doctor was trying his best to heal Gin's wound but first he had to clean it.

[Arawn_Bheur]

"I don't want anything from this," Aiko answered softly, watching Gin's grandmother. His thoughts weren't entirely on the conversation at hand and were focused on Gin instead, but he knew it was better to not say everything that was going on. "I was in the vicinity when he was...attacked. He needed help so I helped him."

 

How he wished to just lay everything on the line, to let this woman know what was going on. It tore at him inside, but he didn't want to cause trouble for Gin.

[tuti]

After a few hours the doctor finally stepped outside the room sliding shut the shoji door behind him. He looked up at Aiko and Mirai confused. "Where's Miko-san?" He asked for Gin's grandmother and it was Mirai the one to answer him. "She went into her room to rest." The doctor nodded understanding and paused before informing them about Gin's state. "I cleaned and sealed Gin's wound, he is awake but..." He trailed off not wanting to finish his sentence instead he bowed and told them that he'll come tomorrow to check on Gin. "Ah I'll walk you outside sensei." Mirai said leaving Aiko alone as she walked the doctor outside.

 

---

Inside his room Gin lied wide awake, the images of his dead cousin replaying in his head torturing him.

[Arawn_Bheur]

Aiko waited for Mirai and the doctor to leave before he slipped quietly into the room. His heart fell as he saw Gin's face and he sat down on a chair beside the bed. He gently slipped his hand over Gin's, squeezing softly. He didn't speak because he didn't think it would do any good. He just held Gin's hand, trying to comfort as much as he could. He felt horrible for Gin and he hated that this had happened to Gin.

[tuti]

Gin closed his eyes and squeezed Aiko's hand. "How will I face my grandmother or Hideo after this? Shiro was right I'm not fit as a leader..." He said losing determination and completely forgetting about the plans he had for the future. The guilt he was feeling was consuming him.

[Arawn_Bheur]

Aiko shifted a little bit closer to Gin. "Gin, you are a great leader," he whispered softly, brushing back a strand of Gin's hair. His touches were laced with his power, just enough to calm Gin and let him relax after this. "The people I have seen here have all looked at you with admiration and love. I have rarely seen such loyalty from people."

 

His words were true, but he kept the spell going. He leaned forward and softly kissed Gin on the forehead. "Your people love you and they don't want anyone else to lead them," he said quietly, squeezing Gin's hand softly. "You are brave and loving. You know when to act and when not to act. You help people even if it requires something that doesn't sit right...Everything you are makes you a great leader."

 

He kept weaving the spell with his words and his touches, willing Gin to relax and to let things sit until he could look at everything in a better light.

[tuti]

Gin closed his eyes once more and sighed as a feeling of relaxation and peace embraced him. It was as if the dark clouds in his mind where slowly but surely dissipating. It was that feeling again, the feeling of peace he always sought but could only find whenever he was with Aiko. The more he heard Aiko's words, the more he believed him and soon all the feelings of depression and self hater where gone...yet a small part of him that could never be changed, felt guilty for taking Shiro's life.

 

Gin's squeezed Aiko's hand back as a small smile appeared on his face; light finally returning to his dark eyes. "You are right." He softly said and shifted in a sitting position wincing a little form the pain. "And for that reason I have to go to the north...Souji and Hideo need me there." He said looking around for his sword.

[Arawn_Bheur]

Aiko blinked slightly. "But you're hurt," he said, frowning a little. "I don't think the doctor is going to be remotely happy that you're getting up so soon."

 

He watched Gin carefully, worried. He also knew that Gin wouldn't be entirely happy with what he would find up north...He had left a message with Ryuu before he had left to give the proposal with Gin. The message had been to send a peace ambassador to the north to form an alliance against the West. The North was in a politically weak message and he knew that sending them an offering of peace would help ensure that the East gained some lands while the North could keep their capital and the lands directly outside it.

 

The troops sent with the ambassador should already be mobilizing, or so he hoped. The closer war camp under Reno's rule was to keep a presence near the West, to let them know that they were serious in the undertaking of the North. At the thought of Reno, he fought back a frown. He was going to have to deal with that man.

[tuti]

Gin chuckled thinking about how the sensei will react but he had to carry on with his duties and responsibilities as the clan leader and right his men needed him on the battle field. He stood up and fixed his kimono before addressing Aiko. "This little wound will not kill me. Right now I must hurry to the north." It was weird that he was talking to his enemy about his plans...but Aiko didn't feel like an enemy to him. "By the way, you shouldn't be too hard on Reno; he was under Shiro's spell." He said as if reading Aiko's thoughts and placed his sword tightly by his side.

 

He then frowned as a sudden thought crossed his mind and faced Aiko. "Why where your men still here? Didn't you order them to go to the north?" He asked.

[Arawn_Bheur]

Aiko watched Gin carefully, still not fully trusting that the man should be walking around. He stood, though, rearranging his clothes and making a mental note that he'd change as soon as he reached the main camp up north. He inhaled softly, debating how much to tell Gin. In this war they were enemies, but outside of it they weren't and it led to a rift in his feelings of what to say.

 

"We are up north," he said after a minute of thinking. It was true and he didn't have to say that he had proposed a truce with the Northern Clan. He lightly chewed his tongue. "I'd rethink the proposal I gave you," he added after a minute. It was a helpful hint at what was going on without revealing it so he couldn't be accused of treachery by his own people later on.

[tuti]

Gin smirked and briefly rang the tip of his fingers over Aiko's cheek. "I don't think you can come up with something that will make me change my mind." He said smiling tenderly at Aiko, he didn't want to upset him but he couldn't accept any proposal to divide the north. And of course, he could not let the East have the north for themselves either. "Be careful." He added and pulled away resisting the urged he had to bent down and capture Aiko's lips in a passionate kiss. But he didn't; he'll kiss him after all of this was over and their world is finally at peace.

 

Putting on a strong face to hide the pain he was feeling from his still fresh wound, Gin mounted his horse and finally left for the north.

[Arawn_Bheur]

Aiko watched Gin go, sighing softly from frustration and torn emotions. Gin was going to reach the north before him because he was going to have to head back to the war camp nearby in order to secure a horse and provisions for the trip north. He didn't like what was about to happen and he wanted it to all be over.

_______

 

Atsuo paced around the large tent that was set up on the outskirts of the northern city. His hands were clasped behind his back. He was frustrated because it had been over a day since Aiko was last seen. This was not a good time for the leader to disappear.

 

The door of the tent opened and Ryuu stepped in, looking pleased. "Atsuo, we have word that he just reached the war camp. He will be on his way here once he has changed and gathered supplies," he said with a smile. "He is in decent health albeit tired. It seems he had encountered some trouble. He says that the West is on its on way and that we are to ready the troops to engage in battle."

 

Atsuo let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Ryuu," he said, nodding slightly. "Well, let's do as he has said and get ready."

_______

[tuti]

The following night Gin finally made it to the outskirts of the northern city. It wasn’t hard to find his troops since Souji he had received a letter regarding their location two days ago. As his horse trotted into the camp he couldn’t help a sinking feeling from enveloping him. He soon dismounted his horse giving it to one of the soldiers for him to be fed. Gripping his side as if to calm the piercing pain he walked into the main tent where Souji and Hideo where supposed to be. “Hijikata-sama!” A young soldier bowed to him as Gin passed him by and stepped into the tent.

 

“Gin!” Souji greeted his friend with a happy smile that soon fell. “I’m glad you are finally here.” Gin nodded and sat down and asked to be updated with their current situation. “Is not going well. At first we did manage to corner the north’s troops but the tables have turned around.” He said sitting down unaware of the things that happened in his village after his departure.

 

“It seems the East clan made a pact with the north, Gin, they’ve joined forces.” Souji said with a grim expression as he watched Gin’s frown deepened. Why did Aiko not tell him about this? Thus, since he rejected his proposal, now he made a pact with the north? He wanted a piece of land so badly? He couldn’t help feel hurt and betrayed; never did he expect Aiko to be the greedy one. Souji noticed Gin’s rage building up and decided not to wait any further and to enlighten him about what he thought was the best idea now.

 

“I think we should pull back.” He said dead serious ignoring the stupefy look Gin was giving him. “We are outnumbered here Gin, no matter how strong Hideo is, we can’t fight back a whole army of two clans together. Continuing with this war is stupid and will only lead us to a certain dead.” Gin said nothing as he let what his childhood friend told him to sink in. He was right, he couldn’t let his men die for nothing...but they will not going die for nothing.

 

“Souji.” Gin said standing up, his face as serious as his tone. “Wars are not won unless one fights them. We will fight, they are more but we are stronger.” He paused. “We can’t lose and I will not allow us to give up so easily.” He finally said and Souji sighed seeing Gin’s determination and even though he couldn’t agree with him, he was going to fight beside him till very the end.

[Arawn_Bheur]

Aiko twisted a piece of rope between his hands as he paced outside the tent. He would have paced inside, but he needed the air and he needed to think. Gin wasn't backing down despite now knowing that he had created a pact with the North. He had been hoping that the double forces would encourage Gin to back down or rethink the proposal, but he was wrong. War seemed to be inevitable now. Why was this land important enough for Gin to think it a good idea to attack two forces at once?

 

Aiko flung the rope away with a growl of frustration. He looked up when he heard his name called and he raised a hand in greeting as he saw Atsuo. "Are we ready?" he asked, watching Atsuo carefully.

 

The tactics leader nodded. "Everything is ready to go. We just need your orders."

 

"Good. Get us situated around the city and make sure all civilians are within its boundaries. I don't want any casualties on their part," Aiko answered before heading back into the tent to get ready. He was going to be on the front lines with his troops. He wasn't one of those leaders who sat in the back.

_______

 

The sun blazed down on the battle field, heating the air and causing the troops on both sides to be uncomfortable in their gear, but no complaints arose.

 

Aiko was talking softly with Atsuo and Kimiko towards the front, making sure everyone knew what they were to do. Ryuu was off with his Kotodama, making sure that the magic users were situated in appropriate places and making sure that their real skills weren't visible. Despite his talking with Atsuo and Kimiko, Aiko's insides squirmed with worry and hatred at what was about to happen.

[tuti]

Gin held his horse still as they reached the borders of the North's main city. This is it, no backing down now. He briefly glanced at Hideo who was not on a horse since he was better suited to fight on the ground. He'd decided not to tell him about Shiro's death; at least not until the was over. He knew that if he did it would definitely influence his performance on the battlefield, and honestly to God, Hideo was their strongest asset. He needed to stay focused. Gin then turned to his side too look at his best friend, glad that he was there with him despite Gin's suicidal decision. "How does it look?" He asked loud enough only for him to hear.

 

Souji concentrate his powers to feel the enemies presence and location. "They have the city completely surrounded, the citizens are, luckily, out of the way." He said pausing concentrating a little bit more. "There are two outside there formation, which is strange." Souji said frowning at that, what kind of tactic was that? Gin nodded, it was no surprise that Aiko would make his troop surround the city. It goes without saying that they would try to retain Gin's army from entering the city and take control over of the Northern palace.

 

He then unsheathed his sword raising it up into the sky. "Men, fight for your honor. Fight for the future!" He yelled and the crowd of men shouted, their excitement fired up by their leader. Gin looked at Hideo and nodded at him, signaling that it was time. "Onwards!" He yelled making his horse to march forward as he lead the mounted calvary into battle. Hideo was in charge of leading the ashigaru. They knew what they had to do...they had to break their formation at any cost.