Desire and Sacrifice

INTRODUCTION: Since I played Suikoden III, I have been toying with the idea of a Chris x Yun fanfiction. The brief relationship between these two characters sparked my interest, since Yun seemed to play such an important role in Chris's decisions and life after her death. This first chapter sets some groundwork for dynamics between Chris and other characters; there's the promise of sex later, so keep reading (and send feedback!).

RATING: NC-17 (for explicit descriptions of sex, hints of non-consensual activity, some underage sexual activity, etc.)
PAIRING: [ Suikoden III ] Chris x Yun (Primarily), Chris x Others
SUMMARY: After the Second Fire Bringer War, the death of Yun plagues Chris Lightfellow with guilt and sorrow. She travels to Alma Kinan village to confront the reality and tragedy of the young girl's death. However, when a being resembling Yun appears in the forest, will the years of training and discipline save Chris from the temptation that lurks in her heart?

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" . Desire and Sacrifice . "

Chapter I :: The Women of Alma Kinan

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Light filtered gently through the canopy of the Kuput Forest, lending a soft glow to the interior landscape. Carpets of moss coated the trunks of aged trees, a mix of decaying leaf-litter and wet earth flavored the air with primitive, natural smells. Spring announced its presence with modest wildflowers peeking between fallen trunks.

Even as she squinted at the distance, attempting to distinguish any memorable landmarks, Chris Lightfellow appreciated the peace of the forest. While Brass Castle afforded comforts like hot baths and hearty meals, it lacked the clean, relaxed atmosphere of many Grassland areas. Hugo had been the true hero of the Second Fire Bringer War, wielding the True Fire Rune and leading their armies against Luc. However, their success in the conflict--and her participation as one of the leaders of the Zexen forces--meant that she was forced to endure even more admiration that prior to the war.

The praise she received from the Zexen people irritated her for numerous reasons. Primarily, mentions of the war reminded her of the deaths of innocents. Although she had repaired relations with Hugo over the murder of Lulu, she could not forget the death of one girl, so willing to sacrifice her young life for "fate": Yun. The heart of the Silver Maiden ached for this one death, a child beginning to embrace womanhood, her young body even showing traces of maturity. At night, the vision of that innocent face, the tender curve of the lips, caused Chris to toss and moan in agony.

Amidst the conferences and settlements to be handled after the war, Chris decided to escape. Her days were filled with the headaches of political work, her nights victim to the guilt over Yun's death. Without a word to anyone, even her servant Louis, she dressed in her casual travel attire and left Brass Castle. She was now seeking the village of the Alma Kinan, the site where Yun sacrificed herself for the protection of their world, praying for reconciliation after she confronted the reality of the girl's death. Who could tell? Maybe a little vacation and solitude would be sufficient to mend Chris Lightfellow's aching heart.

Unfortunately, Alma Kinan was protected by a magical barrier that prevented outsiders from discovering it, unless the women of the village permitted passage. Chris bit her lip as she reworked the images in her mind again, attempting to retrace her steps, hoping that she had not lost herself in that dense, fathomless forest.

A whistling wind shot past her face, and less than a second later, she heard the sound of an arrow hitting wood near her head. With battle-trained reflexes, she dodged behind a trunk, and indeed, spied the shaft of an arrow planted firmly into the tree. She gripped the hilt of her sword, pulling it loose of its sheath as she heard approaching footsteps.

"Chris Lightfellow...is that you?"

The voice was confused, but held the commanding edge characteristic of its speaker. Peeking from behind the tree, Chris released her hold on the blade. She stood to embrace Yuiri, a young woman whose nature was truly kind despite her harsh attitude. Despite her young age, she had assumed leadership of the Alma Kinan, and befriended many outsiders during the Second Fire Bringer War, including Chris.

"It's been a long time, friend," Yuiri greeted with a smile.

"Indeed. I've been kept busy with the usual Zexen problems." Chris couldn't help smiling in return. "Even after working with the Grasslands, I'm amazed at how difficult politics are between our two countries."

Yuiri shook her head. "Leave the arguing to those greedy politicians for now." Her brow furrowed in concern as she added, "You look tired, Chris. Come, enjoy our Alma Kinan hospitality and tell us of what's going on beyond these forests."

Relieved that she would be led to Alma Kinan, Chris nodded and followed her guide.

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"You want to see our ritual site?" Yuiri asked. She set down her ceramic cup, steam rising from the hot tea.

Although her features were as cool as usual, her assistant Yumi reacted much more fretfully. "Yuiri, the rules... We can't allow outsiders into sacred areas of Kuput."

Chris stared grimly down into her own cup; even before setting out on her journey, she realized that she would probably be forbidden to see the actual ritual site where Yun died. After a friendly meal with several women of the tribe, the three women had retired to a more private area of the chief's home. Candles traded with other Grasslanders provided light for the cozy sitting room. Chris had been uncertain how to bring up the topic of visiting the ritual site, so she had asked rather bluntly.

"Even Alma Kinan women are forbidden from entering the sacred grounds without valid reason. No one has been there since Yun--"

"Be quiet, Yumi," Yuiri interrupted coldly. She closed her eyes in concentration, then opened them a moment later. "There is a way... If Chris Lightfellow agrees to become a woman of the Alma Kinan, we can allow it."

Chris looked up as she heard the words, excitement growing within her. "Then, it's possible?"

"The ritual has not been performed in a very long time," Yumi interjected. She frowned at her partner, hoping that Yuiri would not encourage a practice that Alma Kinan had abandoned long ago. "And we will need to gather the council and discuss--"

"Chris Lightfellow has done great service to our clan, hasn't she?" Yuiri answered sharply. "If she wishes to become a woman of Alma Kinan, then it is our obligation to help her. Our custom is to return kindness, is it not?"

Yumi nodded mutely, though the tension in her body remained. Since the events of the Second Fire Bringer War, she and Yuiri had developed a more intimate relationship. The events of the war had been extremely emotional for both of them, and as women of Alma Kinan, they drew together for strength, comfort...finally, love. Yumi's defiance to her leader was not motivated by loyalty to the ways of their tribe; truthfully, she was uneasy of Chris's influence on Yuiri's feelings. Yuiri rarely exhibited her softer feelings to others, and Yumi felt privileged to be the one to receive Yuiri's soft touches, the one to listen to Yuiri's whispers in her ear at night.

In the eyes of Yumi, Chris Lightfellow, a dignified woman of great status, skill, and beauty threatened her delicate love with Yuiri: Yuiri showed her feelings freely to this outsider...this other woman. If Chris became a woman of the Alma Kinan, she would become even more problematic. The Alma Kinan discouraged their women from sharing relationships with outsiders; women who wished to birth children were permitted only one night with a man, then the father would be forever dismissed from the woman's life. The situation was not much different for female lovers who were outsiders. Once Chris became an actual member of their tribe, no one could forbid her from engaging in a relationship with Yuiri on the basis of being an outsider. Yuiri was already the leader of their tribe; she only required small obstacles to be removed before she could force the elders to accept her wishes. Was Yuiri agreeing to make Chris an Alma Kinan woman so that she could claim the Silver Maiden as a lover?

"Please," Chris said, "I will do whatever is necessary to visit the ritual site."

"Very well. Yumi will help in the ritual as well," Yuiri turned to look at her lover as she added the last part. The tone of her voice made Yumi feel like she had received a blow to the face; was Yuiri punishing her?

Yumi could only nod mutely as she rose from her seat and went to gather the items that would be necessary to make Chris Lightfellow a woman of the Alma Kinan.

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

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Keep reading! Next chapter will be up soon, hopefully... As always, critiques and comments are always welcome.