{Voice; UN: bakusaiga}

[prince_of_the_moon]

I wish to fight.

{Because, damn it all, he knows battle. Relationships? Apparently he is a failure in that arena.}

Do not reply if you are weak.

Comments

[dragonrising]

I will wait for you. When you are ready.

[prince_of_the_moon]

{He lets Runyu see the forest clearing that he has more or less called his own.}

[dragonrising]

[Seeing the brief video, he goes there to wait for Sesshomaru. He doesn't know if the demon will want to see him but he can still at least try.]

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Seeing Runyu makes his heart lurch and he -

Is this panic? He has never experienced it before. Not even when Rin was trapped in the Underworld.

Leaping down from the tree he had been resting in, he feels another surprise gnawing away at his insides.

Guilt.}

Runyu.

[dragonrising]

Sesshomaru.

[He walks over to the demon and reaches out to touch his face.]

Did you have your fill of combat?

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Something inside of him shudders and then...

Submits. That's it, isn't it? He has submitted to Runyu. His face is burned, his arm is cut and his body is bruised, but over-all...}

Yes. Many came to assist.

[dragonrising]

Do you want to keep the injuries?

[Because he wants to heal them but he knows Sesshomaru might need this.]

[prince_of_the_moon]

{He frowns and captures Runyu's hands, holding them against his chest.}

They will heal soon. You...came.

{That is already more than enough.}

[dragonrising]

Yes. I was worried about you.

[He should have waited for Sesshomaru but his instincts told him not to.]

[prince_of_the_moon]

It was my mistake. {Admitting as much is difficult.} I do not understand humans.

The closest I've come...

My pup is a human. She is only a child.

[dragonrising]

And she will grow and you will learn more through her. But not all humans are the same. You must keep that in mind. Every person is unique. It doesn't matter if they are human, Immortal, or demon.

[prince_of_the_moon]

Then speak your mind. Do you wish to continue seeing me? {Runyu is unique too and Sesshomaru respects his decision.}

[dragonrising]

[What an odd question.] Yes. You are mine. Why would I want to stop seeing you?

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Is it odd? No odder than how warm those words make him feel.}

I will cause you no further conflicts. I was ignorant.

{This is him apologizing.}

[dragonrising]

You are still young and learning. Have more patience with those like him. They have been through much and crossing boundaries they have laid out for you will hurt them rather than bring you closer.

[He gently touches his face.]

Sit. I will heal you.

[prince_of_the_moon]

{He is about as experienced as his physical age might lead someone to believe when it comes to romance. His life has been fighting and proving himself - though he accepts now that part of his drive to do so was because of grief. His father left the world too soon.}

What humans did to him is unforgivable.

{Sesshomaru steps forward and nuzzles their cheeks together.}

Will it tire you?

[dragonrising]

Yes. It is.

[There's a flash of anger in his eyes before he closes them to cool it. There's nothing he can do about Ouyang's past. He can only love him as he is now and embrace him. A deep breath and he opens his eyes again.]

No. It should be fine.

[Maybe. He did heal Ouyang a great deal earlier. But Runyu would rather lie and heal Sesshomaru than tell the truth and keep him from healing him.]

[prince_of_the_moon]

Runyu... {The desire for vengeance is one he knows well. His eyes glow a little brighter, feral in their hunger to see those responsible lying dead at his feet.} You are not alone. Neither is the General.

{Fears of the past can be quieted or demolished with a little help. Sesshomaru tries to read Runyu's expression - it would be easier to deny the other man if he found pity.

But Runyu doesn't pity him. He just wants to help.}

I will carry you home.

[dragonrising]

You don't have to carry me, Sesshomaru. I'll be fine.

[He waves for him to sit down now.]

Sit. Let me work.

[prince_of_the_moon]

I care for you.

{He sits down nonetheless, his grace rather...stiff.}

[dragonrising]

I care for you too.

[Sitting across from him, he starts to gently heal the injuries with his energy, closing his eyes so he can concentrate on that.]

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Runyu's magic must work well with his own. Sesshomaru feels the coolness easing away his pain, but he is cautious about being greedy.}

That's enough. Thank you.

[dragonrising]

[He offers a little more just to be absolutely sure before lowering his energy. He feels drained but he looks steady at least.]

There. You're welcome, Sesshomaru.

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Runyu will be pulled into Sesshomaru's arms whether he is steady or not.}

Rest. {He closes his eyes.} I cannot return to who I used to be. I must follow the path you and I have forged.

[dragonrising]

[He gasps softly in surprise to find himself suddenly cradled in those arms. But he gives in, too tired to resist in actuality.]

Finding a new light is never easy. You will manage though. I know that I did.