Part 3:

            Issai artfully prepared Sasha's bath, sprinkling the warm, clear water with crushed lavender buds and pouring a lavender scented oil in elaborate whirls from a dusky purple vial. Gracefully tucking a stray lock of his dark bangs behind an ear, he knelt to the edge of the sunken tub and dipped a finger into the water. With a satisfied sigh, he stood.

            He peeked around one of the vibrantly colored screens and caught Sasha pacing, his hands fidgeting with his sleeves. A nervous habit perhaps?

            " Your bath is ready," Issai said, stepping past the screens.

            Sasha nearly jumped and spun to face the calmly smiling prince.

            Issai chuckled softly to himself. The soldier was like a shy, skittish rabbit. He made being the one in control both so easy... and so frustrating. And with his starched posture, prim uniform, and warrior's helm, the blushed cheeks and meek manner were all the more adorable for their contrast. Mysterious and innocent, and so intriguing.

            " Thank you," Sasha said as he quickly collected himself. " You didn't need to. I... "

            " Preparing a proper bath is an art. I couldn't have a soldier mucking it up, now, could I?" His full lips slid into a playful, larger smile. " Now get going before it gets cold and my artist's sensibilities are offended," he added, a laugh at the edge of the mock seriousness in his voice.

            " I'm sorry. Thank you." Sasha bowed his helmeted head and hurried past Issai and the screens to the awaiting bath.

            By the gods! He wanted to fling aside that horrid helm, release those sinfully soft waves from their metal prison, and uncover the eyes that remained hidden from him. Discover the thoughts and feelings they were sure to reveal given the ease the rest of Sasha's body revealed his feelings. But the body wasn't enough, he wanted to glimpse Sasha's soul and eyes were the clearest window.

            Nervously peering over his shoulder at the open space between the screens that led to the other room, Sasha raised shaky hands to the collar of his jacket. Just a bath to clean off the grime of the road, and a good night's sleep; Not that he expected to sleep well, the prince's mere presence was a constant tormenting reminder of what he could not have, not willingly, not without duress; He would leave in the morning, riding back home as swiftly as his horse would take him, with the confirmation that even shallow, temporary happiness was always, and would always be, beyond his reach. A forbidden thing for a hideous freak like him, and a foolish thing to hope for. He'd return to his duties, lose himself in training and battle where only skill mattered.

            The watchful angle of his helm never wavering, trembling fingers rigidly began loosing the gold buttons. He shrugged the jacket off his strong shoulders and set it neatly on a shelf, next to the stack of towels. Bending down, maintaining his vigil, he proceeded to slip off his boots, beating them against each other to knock off some of the dust, then set them aside.

            Next, darting fingers unthreaded the laces of his forest green, soft cotton shirt, revealing pale skin slowly as the cloth slipped inch by inch from his toned chest then shoulders. Shirt, matching cravat, gloves, breeches, soon joined the jacket tidily on the shelf, each removed with the same wariness and shame.

            Finally, with an apprehensive sigh, he lifted the dusty helm from his head and began to place it on the pile of folded clothes when Issai suddenly appeared at the entryway. The helm clattered to the tiled floor with a metallic ring. Sasha cringed. A paralyzing ache, a searing cold, clawed between his shoulders, and tight pain twisted his stomach as the look of horror he had dreaded with all his soul filled the prince's lovely face.

            Issai froze. Stunned. His mouth hung open slightly as he unconsciously gasped. " By the gods! You`re... "

            The soft light of the fading sun enveloped Sasha's porcelain skin, caressing a body of toned muscle and smooth grace. Bright, white-gold hair crowned his head, blending into the satin-black that fell lightly against his shoulders. He was an angel, statuesque and pale and glowing.

            In a splash, Sasha vanished, a sparkling rain of lavender scent saturating the air and falling like drops of crystal. Issai blinked. He let the stack of clothes in his arms drop to the floor, forgotten, and with careful steps on the white, water slicked tiles, approached. Several tiny purple buds drifted along the squared rivulets on the floor, returning lazily to swirl in the angry wake rippling the surface of the warm, scented water.

            Issai knelt at the bath's edge, studying the pale submerged form curled tightly in a far corner, a curious smile and concerned quirk of a dark brow perfectly displaying his confusion.

            " Sasha."

            The only response was air bubbling to the surface, agitating strands of black-bleeded platinum hair swaying like fine seaweed.

             He pushed his glasses against the bridge of his nose and nervously bit his lip as he leaned forward, a hand gripping the tiled rim of the tub. Sasha didn't appear to be moving, though bubbles continued fluttering to the surface.

            " What are you doing?" At first he thought the soldier was playing a game, perhaps testing how long he could forego air. But with a skip of a breath, a tug in his chest, and a widening of dusky green eyes, Issai realized. Pain and shame had flashed on the younger man's face the moment the prince had walked into the room.

            Issai launched himself into the thigh-deep water, concern rising in his eyes. Before he could move towards Sasha, the black gilded platinum head lurched to the surface with a gasp. He slumped against the cold tiled edge of the bath, his head buried in his arms, huddled like he was using all his strength to become as small and invisible as possible. His back to the prince, his shoulders rose and fell heavily, the water lapping against his upper back as he coughed and gulped air back into his lungs.

            "Sasha," Issai said quietly, concern lacing his gentle voice as he waded towards the younger man. " What.... "

            " D... don't... Please...don't," he groaned, with a resigned sadness, between breaths.

            The hem of his light blue tunic floated about him as Issai surged forward within arms reach of Sasha and stopped, gauging the other man. " What is troubling you?"

            " Nothing." The voice was so quiet and breathless Issai barely heard it.

            " You're trembling. I don't think it is because of nothing."

            " It's nothing I haven't come to expect." The tinge of bitterness, sadness, defeat, in Sasha's once noble, shy voice brought a tightness to Issai's eyes.

            Issai gently rested a hand on Sasha's shivering shoulder. " Please, look at me. Tell me what's wrong."

            Sasha choked back a whimper. " I can't! I can't bear anymore... No more. Please!"

            " What? No more what, Sasha?"

            " I... I didn't want... "

            Issai leaned closer, his warm breath wafting across the damp skin of the younger man's slender neck. He began stroking his fingers through the soft white-gold hair thick with water, slick and brilliant as liquid silver. " Yes?" he urged almost tenderly.

            Sasha shuddered and sank to his knees. The water splashed against his throat, his head still buried in a nest of his arms. " Nevermind," he sighed. "I'm... I'm just so tired..."

            The prince slid his skilled hands to Sasha's shoulders, who immediately tensed at the touch. " Shhh... just relax, " Issai soothed, as his fingers rubbed the younger man's smooth skin in a gentle massage.

            A pale blur. The taller man whirled around, rising to his full height and batted Issai's hands away from him. "Stop! "

            For the first time, Issai got a clear look at Sasha's face and was struck speechless. Crystal blue eyes, faintly lavender like the sunsetting sky, flared, two majestic jewels in an equally majestic face of blushed alabaster. He lost himself in those eyes, seeking in them all that was the shy, angelic soldier, oblivious to all else around him. Dear gods! He was beyond beautiful. Even in anger.

            Fine platinum brows wrinkled as deep sorrow filled those captivating eyes, the anger that raged in them battling to keep hold. "I don't know which I detest more, the revulsion or the pity."

            " Revulsion? Pity?... " Issai didn`t know which troubled him the most, the deadness of that soft voice or the complete surrender to a glaring lie. `... Your delicate royal flesh will be ravaged by one so detestable to your dainty sensibilities you will wish to gouge out your own eyes. Your skin will crawl at his touch, and your stomach will turn as he takes you, and uses you, again and again.... but if I discover that you have shown him any of that repulsion or disgust, that you have shown him anything other than complete pleasure and acceptance of his touch... '

            Him? Shion meant Sasha? How? Why? Never could he imagine such words applying to the stunning soldier. It couldn't be him,... but he did have the key... which had to come from the king himself, and Sasha certainly acted as though he thought it true.

            " Oh gods. Sasha. What has been done to you?!"

            " Done?... " Issai found the bitter chuckle choking from Sasha's throat eerie and foreign, something out of place in the shy soldier and it disturbed him. " I was born this way."

            " Sasha., that`s... "

            " Horrible?... I may look like some ghastly monster, some walking dead thing, but I'm not. I'm just a pathetic freak." Sasha slumped against the edge of the bath onto the cold, wet tiles, his shadow-silver hair spilling over a hand bracing his bowed head and falling across his face.

            "... that's not what I meant," Issai said and gingerly touched his hand to the blonde's arm. He gave it a gentle squeeze, like he was trying to transfer understanding through the contact of their skin.

            " ... Can't you just leave me alone?" Sasha sounded young and lost, like a little boy. But he let the prince's hand remain where it was, though it seemed more out of detachment than acceptance.

            Issai moved closer. He took a calming breath to ease his rising anger towards whomever would be so twisted to break the gentle young man's spirit with something so ridiculously untrue. " Who are the bastards that told you these outrageous lies? Shion?"

            Silence. A faint wetness, warm, splashed Issai's hand as Sasha buried himself deeper into the cover of his hands and the fall of his hair. Issai felt his eyes tighten and sting with the beginnings of his own tears.

            " I have seen my reflection," he finally replied quietly. " I know the truth."

            " Apparently not...You're beautiful, Sasha! By the gods, you`re beautiful! How can you even begin to think otherwise!?"

            " Don't mock me! Isn`t your pity cruelty enough?" Another warm splash on his hand before Sasha turned away to the former security of the corner.

            Issai brushed aside Sasha's damp hair and cupped his cheek, urging his gaze to meet his. His sea-green eyes were serious and intent. " I would not mock you, my angel Sasha. I'm only speaking the truth. "

            Sasha`s water-blue eyes narrowed. " I saw the look on your face when you saw me!"

            " And what did you see?" The prince's voice was calm, the seriousness in his eyes melting into a soft smile. "...Other than me awestruck by the sight of easily the most beautiful man I have ever seen."

            Sasha just stared. In disbelief or shock, it was difficult to tell, but it was definitely some state of confusion. Issai wanted to reach out and take the trembling angel in his arms. He wanted to hold him and chase all the despicable lies away. He wanted to show him the truth and... But he sensed that none of those things would be welcomed at this moment. And, would do little to foster Sasha's trust, especially in himself.

            Caressing Sasha's elegant face with trailing fingertips, Issai pulled back, smiling. " I'll leave you to yourself, as you previously requested, for now. " He lifted himself gracefully from the bath onto the tiles, water dripping from his clothes and midnight hair. " But no more testing your breathing skills." Issai wagged his finger at the younger man, playfully scolding, and Sasha only blinked his silver lashes, giving the prince a pale blue stare. " I'll set the clean clothes I was bringing to you earlier on the shelf. Take as long as you like and if you need anything, just call me. I'll have supper brought for us in the meantime. " He stood, walked to and gathered the pile of fresh clothes on the floor. Then placing them on the shelf, grabbed the dusty uniform and helm, and promptly exited the room. He stopped at the partition, turning and said, " I promise you, I will leave you in peace. I will in no way disturb you." And he left the confused blonde alone.