It’s been a long while since I’ve worked on this. I hope you like it!

WARNING: not much for this chapter, but male/male later

DEDICATION: To the people who have stuck with this story and continue to read it, even when I don’t update

xxx (Yuma and Wyome)

Yuma was sparring on the practice field with some of the young warriors who were being trained. Because of the treaties his father signed, they weren’t expected to go into battle anytime soon, but the troops were kept in shape, and Yuma practiced with them. He enjoyed sparring and was considered to be one of the better fighters in the village.

“Well done sir,” complimented a warrior that Yuma had jut beaten.

“No, not well done.” Wyome was standing a few feet away, lazily watching the sparring sessions.

“And why exactly was it not well done?” Yuma inquired.

“You left your back open to your enemy. If you were fighting my people, you both would be dead. Your form is lacking,” Wyome casually criticized.

“Then would you show me how it’s done?” Yuma suggested.

“Is that wise do you think?” Wyome raised an eyebrow. “Am I allowed to spar with you?”

Yuma gestured to a nearby warrior. “Fetch me a reverse blade sword.”

The man did as he was told and soon Wyome was standing with a sword in his hand in front of Yuma. Both bowed with respect and the fight began.

Chowilawu was walking to the market, Dyami at his side and Ayasha harnessed to his chest, when the sparring sessions started. They saw the crowd of people gathered and went closer to see what was happening.

Chowilawu gaped with shock when he spotted his kinsman fighting Yuma.

Dyami tugged at his arm. “What’s wrong Wila?”

“That is my friend and kinsman fighting with your chief’s son,” Chowilawu replied, his eyes not leaving the scene. He was worried for both. He knew what Wyome was capable of. He was a powerful warrior and a dangerous foe. Chowilawu didn’t know what would happen if Wyome was to win this duel.

A hand on his shoulder caused Chowilawu to jump. He turned to see Kuruk standing beside him.

“Your friend fights well,” Kuruk observed.

“What would happen if Wyome was to win this duel?” Chowilawu asked, his nervous concern obvious.

“I do not know.” Kuruk wanted to comfort the shaman, but didn’t know how to. Instead he focused on his children, giving Dyami a pat on the head and letting Ayasha squeeze his finger.

“This is exciting,” Dyami told Kuruk. “I hope Wila’s friend wins.”

“You hope your chief’s son loses?” Chowilawu asked with a bit of amusement.

“Well, I didn’t mean that. I just think your friend should win,” Dyami stated.

Kuruk chuckled, a deep, rich, pleasing sound. Chowilawu found his eyes drawn to his keeper. Oh, but he was a handsome man, especially when he was smiling. Kuruk caught him staring. Chowilawu glanced away, back to the scene in front of him. He didn’t know how his concentration could have been so easily taken away from the match.

xxx

Yuma barely parried Wyome’s next attack. Wyome was just as brilliant warrior as he appeared to be, possibly better. Yuma knew that Wyome could have easily won ten minutes into the match, but he was drawing it out. At first Yuma didn’t understand why, but then he realized that Wyome was teaching him, as well as gauging his skill with the blade.

Finally, Wyome brought him to defeat, easily and quickly.

“That was decent, but you have been very ill-taught.”

Wyome’s comment caused gasps in the crowd, the observers shocked by the stranger’s audacity.

Yuma didn’t show any offense and just replied, “Then you will correct it.”

Wyome’s mouth seemed to soften, threatening to form into a smile. “If I’m allowed I may be persuaded.”

“Good then. Come now. I’m in need of a bath,” Yuma instructed.

Wyome followed, but didn’t seem too pleased.

xxx

After the match was finished, Kuruk and Chowilawu needed to go their separate ways, Kuruk to the training field and Chowilawu to the market.

Dyami happily babbled about the excitement of the duel to Chowilawu, as they shopped for the food and supplies that they needed. Kuruk had given Chowilawu a small sum and a list of things to buy. He was happy to run the errands, to be out in the sunshine and to see the lively marketplace.

He was also glad to bring the children. He had felt badly relying on Jacy to watch the children. But they were so well behaved, Ayasha had fallen asleep against his chest and Dyami was such a pleasure to be around, Chowilawu enjoyed the outing.

The people weren’t cruel to him while he shopped. They were wary though, watching him. A few people whispered as he passed by. But it wasn’t so very awkward.

When they returned to the cabin, Chowilawu put Ayasha down for a nap while he made dinner and talked with Dyami.

“Papa’s going to Ona’s tonight,” Dyami’s nose wrinkled at the statement. “I don’t want him to.”

“I know you don’t,” Chowilawu chopped some vegetables. “But I don’t think you should worry so much.”

“Wila, if papa marries Ona will you run away with me?”

At the question, Chowilawu stopped cooking and knelt down to Dyami’s level. “Sweetheart, it won’t come to that. I don’t believe that your father has any interest in marrying that woman.” He gave Dyami a hug of reassurance.

“I know. But she’s tricky,” Dyami insisted.

Chowilawu gave Dyami another hug. “I don’t think your father can be so easily tricked into anything. Come now, let’s talk about the duel today.”

The change of subject had Dyami happily chattering again in no time.

xxx

Yuma led the way to the bathing chambers.

“I still refuse to bathe with you,” Wyome stubbornly stated.

“Oh, please get off your high horse for once and get in the bath. It won’t kill you. You might even enjoy it.”

Wyome snorted. “I highly doubt that.”

“I’ve been told that I scrub backs rather well.”

“I’d rather not know what you do to other men’s backsides.”

Yuma sighed, “Look, do it just this once. If you don’t like it you can get out and never have to do it ever again.”

“Never?” Wyome raised an eyebrow.

“Never,” Yuma confirmed. “I am a man of my word.”

“Agreed then.”

Wyome agreeably shucked his clothing, as did Yuma. Wyome barely gave Yuma’s exposed body a glance. He had seen it before and it didn’t matter much to him.

Yuma, on the other hand, drank in the sight of the other man. He knew that such a talented warrior would have a body that was equally impressive. Luckily, Wyome didn’t notice Yuma’s appraisal and approval of his form.

They entered the bath, the steamy heat enveloping them in a warm embrace.

Wyome roughly scrubbed his body, finding it surprisingly un-awkward for Yuma to be across the tub doing the same. It wasn’t awkward until Yuma came up behind him and began scrubbing his back without a word and without being asked to.

Wyome’s first reaction was to go away as fast as he could, but before the action could register, his senses realized how good it felt. Wyome found himself staying in place, even leaning into Yuma’s ministrations. He couldn’t believe that he was allowing this to happen, but it felt too wonderful to stop.

He couldn’t stop.

xxx

Kuruk arrived at Ona’s at the agreed time, but he felt a sense of apprehension. He didn’t really want to be there, but felt obligated to his deceased wife’s family. He did love them, but it hurt to be around them when he was alone.

Ona greeted him enthusiastically, saying how glad she was that he could come. He wished that he could be as glad to be there, but he wasn’t.

The family was as normal as they could be under the circumstances. They embraced him in greeting before they sat at the table.

Ona was bustling about, eagerly displaying the meal that she had prepared just for him. It made Kuruk feel uncomfortable.

All through the meal Ona kept throwing huge hints about how it must be so difficult for him to raise two young children on his own.

When Kuruk mentioned Chowilawu, a look of extreme distaste passed over Ona’s features.

“That barbarian! Mother, father, would you have someone like that raise your grandchildren, my poor niece and nephew? I should be there raising them. I would be a positive role model and influence in their lives.”

Kuruk slammed his mug on the table. “That’s enough.” His voice was low and soft, almost betraying the bite to his words. He rose from the table and walked out the door.

His mother-in-law caught up with him and stopped him outside the front door.

“I apologize for my daughters rash behavior and words.”

“It’s alright.” After a pause, “I hope you realize that I have no intention of marrying anyone anytime soon. I’m fine. The children are fine. Chowilawu is wonderful with them.”

“I understand,” she looked sympathetic. “I still apologize for my daughter’s forwardness. I hope you will allow us to visit?”

“Of course.” Kuruk embraced her. “I must be going.”

She nodded. After saying farewells she watched him leave, a smile of approval on her face.

xxx

Yuma smiled in triumph as he finished Wyome’s back without a complaint from the other man.

“Done,” he said cheerfully. “I don’t suppose I could persuade you to attend to mine?” He felt Wyome’s back stiffen and chuckled. “I didn’t think so. Well, the first time’s free, the next requires some reciprocation.”

Wyome didn’t respond. He just stepped out of the tub and toweled off.

Yuma lay back, his elbows on the edge of the tub, lazily observing the other man.

“So, what did you think of your first?”

Wyome paused in his ministrations, but didn’t dignify the question with a reply. Instead he just put on his clothes and walked out of the bathing chambers.

Yuma felt a smile creep on his face. He had won this match.

xxx

Chowilawu was surprised to see Kuruk back so early. They were still eating dinner when he came in. Dyami excitedly bolted up and hugged his father’s legs.

“You’re early,” Chowilawu commented, a hint of a question in his voice.

“Yes. Is there enough food for one more person?” Kuruk asked.

“Of course,” Chowilawu answered with a small smile.

And as they sat down, Kuruk came to a realization.

He felt complete, this was his family.

xxx (TBC)

well, that’s this chapter. Hope you liked!

Izzy