Disclaimer: Well, I can not come up with some cute thing here so – I don't own FY or any of its characters.  (I do rent them occasionally.)  This story is done purely for entertainment purposes and to get my most recent favorite couple together.

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Prolog

Closing One Door; Opening Another

Tasuki, leaning against the wall at the head of their bed, pressed his cheek into the silver-blue hair of the head leaning against his chest.  Fingers, with joints thickened with age, stroked an escaped strand of hair lovingly.

The silver-blue haired man wheezed as he breathed slowly in sleep.  An earthquake of coughing ravaged Chichiri, and Tasuki wrapped his arms tighter around him in support.  The trimmers lasted several minutes before releasing their hold.  Chichiri's breathing was labored and raspy afterwards.  He sagged once more against Tasuki.  Opening his good eye, he turned to look at his lover.

"Death nears," Chichiri stated weakly.

Tasuki hugged him tighter and placed a light kiss on Chichiri's lips.

"I know," he admitted tears pooling along his lower eyelids.  "I know…"

"It has been a good thirty plus years, no da," Chichiri said raising a hand to Tasuki's spotted and wrinkled cheek.  "More than I ever hoped for."

Tasuki placed his hand over Chichiri's.  His eyes testified to the deep love he felt.  There was so much he could say or protest, but they had thoroughly discussed all issues over the past few years.  It was best to just enjoy the last moments they had together in this life.

More coughs shook Chichiri momentarily.  Tasuki internally cried out to see the love of his life in so much pain.  He tried to take comfort in the fact that soon Chichiri would be free of it.

A light wrapping at the door announced Gen-li's presence.  A hansom redheaded woman entered carrying a tray.

"Lunch," she said placing the tray beside the bed.  "How are you feeling, Chichiri?"

He gave her a light smile. 

"As expected," he answered.

The woman's brow wrinkled at the reply.  Her eyes hardened examining him.  A signal and look from Tasuki told her to back off.  She obeyed her uncle's unspoken command.

"Enjoy your lunch.  If you need anything, I'll be in the other room," she said before exiting.

Chichiri managed to sit up on the edge of the bed, and Tasuki moved out from behind him.  Trembling hands tried to pick up the soup bowl.

"Let me," Tasuki offered picking up the bowl.

Chichiri nodded admitting his current weakness.

Tasuki held the spoon to Chichiri's lips.

"I always did like putten things in y'r mouth," Tasuki grinned seductively at his love.

The familiar playful gesture brought a momentary twinkle to the monk's eye and a genuine smile to his lips.

Several spoonfuls later, "No more," Chichiri said.  "I'm tired."

"Alright, love," Tasuki said trying to hide his concern and helped Chichiri back into bed.

Tasuki crawled in beside him.  Chichiri snuggled up against him and drifted to sleep.

His niece came to retrieve the tray later on.

 "Genrou, I'll watch him.  Go for a walk or something," his niece said.

"No," he adamantly said.  "He will be leaving soon, and I want to be here when he does." 

He caressed Chichiri's hand that rested on his own chest.

She did not force the issue and took the tray away.

~~@~~

Tasuki woke from his light sleep when a set of familiar lips touched his cheek.  He smiled warmly at their owner.

"I love you, always," Chichiri whispered with his gnarled voice.  "Always…"

"As I you," Tasuki responded.

They shared a kiss before Chichiri leaned his head against Tasuki's chest.  He coughed a few times lightly.

"Remember, I will wait for you, so don't rush to me," Chichiri managed to get out between coughs.

Tasuki gently and affectionately rubbed Chichiri's back in hopes to comfort the ailing monk.

"I 'member," Tasuki said voice tightening with sorrow.

"Hold me for a while more," Chichiri asked snuggling up to Tasuki.

"Anything you ask, love," Tasuki agreed pulling Chichiri closer to him.  "Anything you ask."

Chichiri drifted off to sleep again.  Tasuki rested his lips on the top of the silver-blue head.  Every sense he owned was focused on engraining his lover's presence, texture, smell, look and being into his soul.  Even with a lifetime of memories together, Tasuki wanted one more - one more moment to tide him over until they were together again.

He knew the moment his partner's spirit slipped from his body.  Moisture immediately filled his eyes.

"Goodbye, love," he whispered into the once vibrant blue hair and tightened his hold on the lifeless body before grief overcame him.

~~@~~

Gen-li looked up from her gardening at the soul shattering cry from the house.  The children playing nearby stopped as well and looked to her.  She told them to continue playing and suggested they go swim in the nearby river.  The oldest, one of her cousin's daughters, took the hint and herded the others away.  She looked to the house with a sorrowful heart.  Tears freely glided over her cheeks.  She knew, without entering, her uncle's lover, half of her second set of parents, had died.

~~@~~

Gen-li clung to her husband's arm.  Her eyes dry yet red and puffy as she focused on the new grave before her.

"He held out longer than I expected," she gently said.

Her husband murmured agreement.

"I didn't think he would survive that first year after Chichiri died," she continued tearing up once more.

There was another sound of agreement.

"He did survive it, but he was never the same," her spouse added.

"Hai.  He may have lived five more years, but his reason for living left with Chichiri," she sighed.  "At least they are together once more."

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Is anyone else crying?  sniffle  Cas' I sure am … even after reading it a few times.  Waaah… how could I be so mean to them?  glomps Tasuki and Chichiri  I'm soooo sorry.  They don't look like they believe me.  I know I killed them off, but I just had to preface my reincarnation fic showing how much they love each other and addressing their deaths.   Now I just need to figure out a plot for the rest of the fic.  I want it to be a good one, but will probably fall into the standard reincarnation they find everyone story line.  sigh   But, it should not be so emotionally dramatic as the prolog, so please stick with the story.  The first chapter should be ready soon – if ya are interested. 

~~~ Babbling Brook