recountal | falling;;

falling;;

Three months later.
??? Catacombs, whatever the fuck this country is called.

It is so dark that Chizuru feels almost like the darkness is real, tangible, sentient and capable of exerting its pressure and it's a struggle for her to keep walking. She can't see a thing. The only indication she has that she isn't completely and utterly alone is the sound of Saitou's footsteps, the rustling of his clothing, and the soft sound of his breathing, and though she's sorely tempted to reach out and take his hand or hold onto the back of his jacket she can't bring herself to do it because that's too childish. They're here for a very specific reason and they don't have time to waste with her being frightened.

It's been three months since that fateful day at their headquarters, when they had lost nearly everything. It's been a few weeks since Souji's coughing had worsened, and four days since he had collapsed; they'd managed to find him shelter and a good doctor to watch over him, but it's clear that something is horribly, terribly wrong. Frantic research, hour after hour hunched over old medical texts had told them that what Souji suffered from was incurable.

But the doctor, also a student of old legends and myths, had said that there were tales of similar ailments being cured in the ancient past, but the knowledge of how to do so was... gone. Locked away. Buried forever with those who had known it.

...and so they had to try. The catacombs of this civilization lie deep underground and Chizuru doesn't know what they'll find here, but it's the best (the only) lead they've got and Souji's body isn't healing itself the way it should be, as a knight...

The knowledge that he is depend on them to figure this out spurs her onward even in the face of her anxiety. It seems so petty, to be afraid of the dark when Souji has so much more to fear.

Somewhere far ahead of them, there is the flickering of candlelighht. Chizuru sucks in a sharp breath and can't keep herself from reaching out to take Saitou's arm, her clutching his sleeve like he's all that's keeping her from breaking down. She wishes she were stronger, but it's hard. It's been hard ever since that day three months ago, and she is sure the cracks are starting to show.

Assuming he doesn't stop walking when she grabs onto him for comfort, they draw closer to that flickering candlelight and emerge in an underground chamber with a high, vaulted ceiling - the architecture seems so advanced that if not for the fact that it was all buried underground she never would have believed this was a place people lived in the past. At their feet is some kind of track - the tunnel leading in here from the surface had, at one point, merged with a tunnel belowground that some sort of vehicle must have traveled on in ancient times.

There are two winged statues at the center of the chamber, and the only light in the room comes from the flickering candles at their bases, flames burning bright despite the fact that there doesn't seem to be any living soul around to tend to them. The lights cast long shadows on the statues, which face each other and hold a sword and a scythe made of marble, the blades coated with what looks, to Chizuru's eyes, to be dried blood. She hopes she's seeing things.

Then there is a rustle of... something. Chizuru can't pinpoint where it comes from, but a flame flickers into existence at their immediate right and it's as though it set off chain reaction, braziers set into the walls lighting themselves of their own accord. As her eyes adjust to the light, she bites her lip and takes a look at their surroundings.

There are two levels, though there are no stairs; the balcony above them is, for the moment, out of their reach, as are all the openings above them leading out onto it. Across from them is another dark tunnel that the track at their feet runs into; she can't see very far into it. There are other passageways set into three of the four walls - one at the wall their backs are to, two at the wall on their right-hand side, and one at the wall they are facing. None of them are barred by doors, but peering more than a few feet into them from this location is impossible.

She surveys the room with unease, her gaze lingering on the statues and noting that there seem to be inscriptions of some kind at their bases, before she looks to Saitou as though he can tell them what they ought to do. It's so quiet they could hear a pin drop - which is unnerving, considering the way their surroundings had lit up of their own accord. She has the awful feeling that they're getting in over their heads.

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The Chizuru he shakes off takes a step back, staring at him with wide eyes before bowing her head in acceptance; the other Chizuru, on the other hand, lunges forward and grabs for his arm to stop his sword.

"No..! We came in here together. We both came here to--..." She's got tears in her eyes and she shakes her head vehemently. "I'm not letting you face that alone..!"

That's enough for him. Saitou lets her stop him but even as he's doing so he's turning to grab his sword from his right side with his left hand and he takes it to keep one fluid motion for him and slash out with the blade in a horizontal arc to strike at the woman who isn't hanging onto his arm, anymore. The girl that halted him is strategically protected just by the way he pivots his body Ending with her behind him.

It had been obvious, after all. Perhaps he's become too paranoid from Belin and is overestimating his remaining enemies and they capabilities to deceive. Enough of this, then. Choice made.

The woman - no, demon - lets out a guttural snarl as Saitou's blade rips into the skin that looks so much like Chizuru's, but then it slumps over onto the altar. It's blood pools under her, some of it sliding down over the edge; it seems to fill in the etchings depicting a sacrifice, and when the entire thing is red like blood, there is a click and the padlock falls open and away. Slowly, agonizingly slowly, the doors creak open.

The scraping sound has halted. The entranceway is blocked by the towering, imposing figure of a winged marble statue, holding a blood-stained scythe, but it keeps its gaze on the body on the altar and doesn't even look at Saitou and Chizuru.

Chizuru is trembling, half wanting to cling to Saitou for protection and half frightened to because what if the action is too much like the demon's, and it makes him suspicious, and he cuts her down? She looks over her shoulder and yelps when she sees the statue in the doorway, scuttling forward a few steps toward the now-open doors.

She wants her clothes and her weapon. But she has no idea where they are... the only way they can go is forward, and so she glances at Saitou uncertainly before heading into the next room.

If the rest of the catacombs were dark and oppressive, this room is light and airy. It is large - much larger than Chizuru ever expected - and the walls seem to be made of marble, not simple stone. At the far end is another altar, but this is larger and more comfortable; not a stone slab, but rather a raised platform which is coated with swaths of silk and a pair of pillows, conceivably to kneel on. This platform is in front of a statue holding a sword, which looks down on the silks benevolently. At either side is a fountain, somehow trickling with the clearest, purest water Chizuru has ever seen.

Once they both take a few steps into the room, the doors slowly close behind them, and this time Chizuru can't help but draw herself close to Saitou, frightened more of being apart than of making him think she's an impostor. "Um..."

Saitou supposes the doors closing behind them is only to be expected by now. He is just thankful that they managed to go on forward, even if the way this room is set up is even more terrifying than the last in some sense.

It's only when Chizuru is frightened enough to get closer to him once again that he pulls his attention from the statue and down to the woman. He'd put his sword away before following after her from the last room but he makes no move to touch her even though he does close the distance between them to make them even closer. "I didn't intend to frighten you back there. But, why was it you didn't insist she was the imposter?" It's a concern to be noted, he feels, just in case something was done to her and it's still affecting her. He makes sure, at least, to dutifully stare only at her face and not have them stray.

She lowers her gaze for a moment, before seeming to remember that no, they're in a hostile environment and she needs to stay alert - she pulls her gaze back up and surveys the room as she answers him.

"I... I tried to, but whenever I did... I couldn't get the words out." And that frightens Chizuru, too, because while she's seemingly able to talk freely now - not being able to say exactly what she wanted was concerning. If they could stop her from saying things, why not make her say things...?

Slowly, her gaze moves from their surroundings to his face.

"I see," he whispers mostly to himself before wishing he had his uniform's overcoat with him to be able to offer to her for something cover herself. Saitou actually feels somewhat unnerved by the fact he can't offer any kind of comfort to her when she seems to need it most. Even reaching out to take her hand seems like crossing a line now rather than a way to give some reassurance to Chizuru.

Instead, he just turns away from her and makes his way across the room to this new alter and statue, looking to see if this one holds any hints as to what they should do next. Whatever it is he doesn't think it's about to get any safer.

When he turns away from her, she sighs, but it's small and almost imperceptible - she's trying hard to put on a brave face. It's not easy to do as they approach the new statue, though.

In spite of the way this statue's expression is benevolent... Chizuru can't help but feel a little uneasy. Maybe it's because that other statue had just been stalking them. Maybe it's because being on any kind of an altar, even one more comfortable like this, is unnerving after having woken up naked on a different altar.

There is an inscription - this one not at the base but on a marble slab set into the ground to be visible from the altar.

life is the domain of the Goddess
death is the domain of the Reaper

kneel, traveler, and speak your desires

if you seek to interfere with these domains
then prepare to give something in return

the Goddess rewards those who willingly give

each life is measured by the passage of time
to lengthen the old, bring forth the new

Saitou reads it silently, and he does consider being hesitant and consider all options but at the same time they've come this far that he isn't sure there's going to be much he won't give if it means saving Souji. He lets a small sigh escape him before proceeding to kneel as instructed. He doesn't speak out loud initially, taking it first to think it although if nothing happens by thinking it he will eventually turn those thoughts into actual vocal words.

Someone very important to me is dying before his time through no far of his own. I want to save him.

Saitou doesn't wait for Chizuru because he doesn't feel she has to make any requests or actions after what happened to her although he certainly will not stop her if she decides to kneel beside him, after all, either.

Saitou may not feel that she needs to, but Chizuru kneels beside him anyway, clasping her hands together as she slides her eyes shut. They're in this together, after all - and they both have the same wish.

There is a man that I want to save. He's dying because of a traitor - it's not his time to go!

At first, there is silence. And perhaps that's the first indication that something is happening; before, there had been subtle sounds. Their own breathing, the rustle of silk and cushions under them. None of that is there now.

The statue of the Goddess doesn't move, but after a moment, the silence is broken by a voice. It isn't spoken aloud, but rather, it's just there, in their heads. It is not a voice that is easily distinguished; it's like every voice they've ever heard, all rolled into one. Familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

You, who ask for more time for a dear friend...
And then there is another sound. That same, horrible scraping sound of the Reaper's scythe against stone. Chizuru looks over her shoulder and has to stifle a scream - because there it is. Right there, right behind them...

His life hangs in the balance. I am not cruel... Make an offering to me, and I will grant you what you seek.
The statue of the Reaper slowly, carefully, raises its scythe.

You know that my domain is life, not death. Make me an offering of life, or else perish at the hands of the Reaper.

They don't really have a choice, now do they?

If they fail they not only end Souji's life but their own as well. While he might be willing to accept that if he were alone, he can't have that happen with Chizuru.

Hijikata... they'd sacrifice him, too.

Saitou has turned to look as well and his eyes narrow defensively, but he resists making any reactive move and instead tries to focus on the only thing that may work.

I'll make an offering to you.

Anything I have that I can give... I'll give it. Just please, save him!

Neither statue makes a move. The Goddess stays where she is, and the Reaper's scythe remains in its place. And then, there is a sound all around them, a soft breath that is like a light sigh.

You are both in agreement... very well. A reminder:

Life is a gift given when two become one. If you would seek a reward for that gift, give it in the sight of the Goddess.

I would ask you to give this gift now.

Saitou is silent, simply staring at the statue of the reaper as he listens to the words being spoken in their minds before he finally turns back to look at Chizuru.

"Yukimura..."

The only change to his normal tone is the added plea seeking her opinion and of course her approval. Since it seems they have to give it together and singularly... It seems ridiculous to be having to offer something they aren't even sure is correct (there seems to be a very specific 'gift' desired.

Chizuru swallows hard, but she's turning to look at Saitou even before he speaks - and when he says her name, she nods slightly, her expression a little flustered but mostly determined.

"...we're going to save him. Whatever it takes... I'm willing to do it."

Souji is depending on them, after all. He watched them go knowing his life was in their hands, and he allowed it - that weighs on her more heavily than anything. She absolutely can't betray that kind of trust (even if it was reluctant on his part), and she certainly can't let her own discomfort or insecurities be the reason his life comes to an even earlier end.

Saitou gives a small nod at her conviction; if she is willing to then it's all that really needs to be known because he did come here with his decision set in stone for himself.

But, it still leaves the question of what exactly this 'goddess' is expecting exactly. "What, then, are we presenting exactly?" Because, as logical as it is if he were to think about it... he's not thinking anywhere down that path at the moment (because despite what he saw on the other altar and the demon's answer... well... it just doesn't come to mind ).

"...I don't know."

That right there is the problem; this Goddess has given them a hint of some kind (a riddle; Chizuru has never been any good at riddles, she overthinks them to the point of going around in circles and confusing herself, and with Souji's life hanging in the balance that's something she can't afford to do here) but she is still so lost, and the Reaper is looming there behind them.

Her brow furrows and bites her lip. "Saving him would be our... reward. So we need to give a gift of life of some kind, to be rewarded for it..." She's thinking so hard. "But, it's not as if one of us can... be sacrificed the way that demon was be--"

Such a gift would be a gift to the Reaper, not to me.
...damn. Iterrupted by a statue. Chizuru has reached a new low.

"Giving life as a gift by ending it... is death. The Reaper's domain. So, then..." There is a slowly dawning comprehension on Chizuru's face. "The opposite of death is birth... but."

But, she's not pregnant, and she won't be any time soon. Even if she were to fall pregnant immediately, that would still take nine months - nine months she isn't sure Souji even has. So it's not an option. "...that would take too long..."

It's all right, Chizuru, it could be worse... or no, it's pretty low when one is interrupted by an inanimate object.

Saitou glances away considering the riddle and the scenarios that have so far befallen them, considering and theorizing and adding the need information from Chizuru just hazarding guess in her musings. And while she is correct on her thinking, Saitou's expression shifts just slightly to look down at nothing in particular.

Finally, he speaks up but doesn't raise his attention, otherwise. "...You are seeking the act of compilation itself."

The act of... it takes Chizuru a moment to get what he means, and when she does, she squeaks and her cheeks flush a brilliant shade of red. "Eh...?!"

All around them, there is a low and pleased-sounding chuckle; it's very much the laugh of one who is thrilled that their riddle has been solved. And then, a moment later, there is the voice in their heads again:

Yes... you are correct. Is this a gift that you would willingly give?
Chizuru glances at Saitou out of the corner of her eye. She'd said it herself - whatever it takes... Souji is depending on her not to let him down. (Though she isn't sure if Souji wants her copulating with his partner.) She can't get cold feet and back out now - his life is worth so much more than her own chastity, and yet...

If Saitou doesn't want to do such a thing with her... she can hardly force him. But.... she has to offer. She has to at least offer, because Souji is depending on them.

"I..." Her voice sounds weird to her - it's like she's hearing it, but it's detached. Maybe that's just because of how strange this situation is. "To save him... I would give it."

"I will."

Saitou almost flinches at the sound of his own voice but they've come too far to back away now, especially with Chizuru consenting. However, he is unhappy, a strange pull in his chest that makes him wonder if he is submitting to a more vile act than simply sleep with the young woman next to him. It's taboo to touch a female comrade for such things, but to do it to Chizuru of all people and just after she experienced what she did in the last room. He is mentally preparing himself for this, his head lowered in shy acceptance of the situation even as the entire thing is already starting to unfold in his head and he feels just a little bit more awful that he can already so easily play this out in his head and, then...

Souji will have to deal with it should he find out. ( Hijikata, on the other hand. . . )

You are both willing, and so, you must begin... When you have completed your offering, I will grant you what you seek.
Chizuru isn't sure how to begin. She has a general idea of what this offering will entail - there was a time, before she joined the Order, when she had believed that she would grow up to become a wife and a mother one day. And her father had been a doctor - of course she knows the basics.

In theory, anyway; she's never put the theory into practice. Not before joining the Order, and certainly not after joining the Order. Joining had closed that door for her forever... or until she left it. But she wasn't ever planning on leaving, so it might as well have been forever.

She takes a breath and fidgets for a moment or two before leaning over to lightly rest her hand over Saitou's, before glancing up at his face. He doesn't look happy about this (she can't blame him for that one bit) and that makes her hesitate before she finally speaks up. "...when we finish, we won't ever have to talk about this again. I'll put it out of my mind if that's what you want."

It's to save Souji. It's just something they have to do. Saitou doesn't look as though he wants to dwell on it - and so she'll try and get the awkward question of where they'll stand with each other out of the way before they begin, so they don't have to go over it afterward.

Saitou glances to her hand and then to her as she tries to reassure him and there once again are several answers possible to give but nothing seems to be the perfect fit. Instead, his other hand reaches out over hers before he shifts enough to face her and pull her carefully towards him. It's different than he'd expected, for the first time seeing this in a whole new way and her being stripped bare is just...

. . .

...Cupping her face once she is close enough he drags her forward the rest of the way to lean down and press his lips to gets in a kiss.

The only pause is just before sealing it, a quiet whisper of "Don't worry about it" because he still isn't quite sure he knows what this is going to feel like or what else will happen during it they aren't aware of.

The only thing for certain is that if he's going to have sex with her, then he's going to make it as painless as possible in the process.

Her cheeks warm as his hand comes over hers, and then darken as he pulls her closer. Chizuru keeps her eyes on Saitou's face as he deliberates, and then, when he pulls her the rest of the way forward and leans in -

Well, her heart skips a beat at the whisper and then the feel of his lips on hers. Saitou is incredibly gentle and Chizuru is grateful for it, because even though she's willing to go through with it, the thought of doing so is daunting. He will probably be able to note that her lips are cold (a side effect of spending so much time terrified in these dank, dark catacombs), but that will most likely be changing soon, as she very gently moves her lips against his in what she hopes is the proper way of returning his kiss.

(Is propriety really something she should be worried about? They're about to break Order regulations and sleep together in order to save their friend's life. There isn't much that's proper about that.)

She does appreciate the consideration he is showing her, though. It would be easy - easier, even - for him to just see this as a task to be completed and to approach it clinically, but he's making this less frightening for her by being gentle and kind. Her hands come up to grip his clothing as she returns the kiss and she hopes that she can find some way of showing him how grateful he is for how careful he's being.

He can't say he is surprised by the chill but it's just one more reason to do it this way. There's a lot of noise in his head, a lot of conflicting thoughts suddenly when he feels her return the kiss. This is so wrong to have her do this with him even if she was willing but there's too much at stake to do anything else. Because he understands if they refuse it isn't them simply walking away in failure.

And, yet, even still, all those reasons seem just to simply be benefits in addition to the main reason ( ...is this the result of following orders to never engage in such acts? That the second he is given this situation his hormones skyrocket? ).

One hand moves from her face to slip his arm around Chizuru's lower back in order to encourage her to lift herself and let him pull her into his and flush against him, keeping her from sitting just yet by lowering his hand further still.

The kiss itself he deepens and pursues a little further after a moment, opening his mouth to press his tongue to make her part her own and give him access inside to the heat of her mouth and the touch of her tongue.

So long as he doesn't think about it, Saitou insists, he can get through this without much hesitance and embarrassment on his part.

She shivers at the touch of his hand, first on her back and then lower, and when he pulls her into his lap she leans into him both for warmth and support. It's strange (and, if she's being honest, thrilling) to feel the touch of his hand against her bare skin, but part of her wonders if she could become used to it.

(A much larger part of her scolds herself for such a thought; this is a one-time thing. Surely Saitou wouldn't want to do it again, and even if he did, there are regulations...)

Her lips part when she feels the touch of his tongue against them and she lets him in, her own tongue coming to meet his and get a taste of him even as she lets him explore her mouth as he pleases. She doesn't want to make this more difficult for him - but it's an almost overwhelming feeling, being this close to him in so many different ways, and she can help but make a soft noise into the kiss:

"Mm..."

It's not one of discomfort, certainly. It sounds more like pleasure, and the way she releases her hold on his clothing to wrap her arms around him instead and pull herself closer (he can probably feel the way her heart is racing, now) only serves to reaffirm that.

It's a sweet sound to his ears and he wants to hear more like it from her. When she wraps her arms around him he uses it as a cue to loosen his hold to explore her soft curves, taking to move the length of her torso, the hand that had gone lowest curving around at her thigh before trespassing closer, fingers sliding along her rear before creeping towards between her legs, although he doesn't touch her anywhere there just yet. But he wants her to feel where his fingers are wandering, normally it would be to reaffirm she wants to do this, but now it's mostly to see if her body will react and become anxious in the anticipation.

Breaking the kiss finally to breathe he can't help but press his lips to the side of her mouth gently and then move to the edge of her jaw before going further slide his tongue down the length of her neck before kissing some of the flesh briefly. While he doesn't want to hurt her he can't convince himself them going slow and casual is the right way to do this—if he did, he feels he just might have been able to explore her body for hours in worship, to cover and leave every inch of her touched one way or another.

...This is difficult, with the way his mind is wandering from the reason for doing this and he curses himself mentally even as he starts to suck gently on the skin at her throat just above that heightened pulse.

The longer this goes on, the more aware Chizuru becomes of a steadily building heat. She had been shivering in the cool air before, but everywhere Saitou touches feels heated - and that heat lingers and builds as he maps out her curves and runs his fingers over her body. She shivers involuntarily when his hand creeps closer to the space between her legs, and her hips shift the slightest bit in anticipation of what his touch will feel like when he finally takes that step.

When the kiss is broken she gasps for breath; she hadn't realized how much she needed to breathe until Saitou had made it possible for her to do so again, and then she gasps again as his lips move along to the edge of her jaw and then his tongue runs over the skin of her neck.

"Ah..!" It's a soft cry, but another cry of pleasure, and she squeezes her eyes and her mouth shut, not wanting to make too much noise. This is - it's their duty. She's enjoying it (more than she ever thought she would, if she's being honest, and they've only just begun), but this isn't something they're doing for the sheer enjoyment of it, and she's worried that being too vocal will bother him. "S.. Saitou, mm..."

...and yet, she can't help herself. Her eyes flutter back open but they're half-lidded when she turns her attention to him again, her heart racing, a wet heat between her legs that will make how she's feeling all too obvious when he finally does touch her.

falling;;

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so it took less time to do my makeup for work than i thought it would

Yay small surprise victories c:

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