Hello!

This story doesn't have any lemon strictly speaking. But it is what happens the day after the incident at the hot springs. So there are some references to what happened in "Mistaken Identities" in this story. That's why I am only posting it in this section.

If you haven't read Mistaken Identities I suggest you do so before reading this. This story would make more sense after you read the first story. :)

I don't own any of these characters. And I am only using them for fun. I have no intention of breaking any copyrights.

A Dusty Road

Under a bright blue sky, five weary travelers wound their way down a seemingly endless road. It was so hot that the road ahead shimmered in a mirage of water. One of the travelers was a thin willowy man by the name of Carrot. Carrot swallowed tasting the dust from the road as he watched the illusion evaporate into nothingness. His head hurt from thinking to hard. Thinking was all he seemed to do all day. "Ever since yesterday when my brother mistook me for his lover and…" Blushing he dropped the thought.

Rubbing the sweat off his forehead, Carrot smoothed down his spiky black hair. He could just barely hear the quiet rumble of the sisters, Chocolate and Tria talking behind him. Cautiously he peeked out of the corner of his eye at them. To the casual observer they were just to ordinary sisters chatting. "But few people know what they are hiding under those cloaks." Carrot looked away quickly hoping his glance wouldn't be noticed.

"Just the thought of that whip," Carrot felt a shiver of ice pass through him. In front of him one of his fellow travelers, A tall graceful man with long ebony hair tripped on some loose rocks that were sitting in the road. "Brother!" Carrot called reaching out a hand instinctively even though he knew it would be useless. Marron was falling forward and he was behind his brother.

A strong arm reached out to catch Marron nearly at the last moment. Burly Gateau lifted Marron up with one arm. He set the magic user down gently on less dangerous ground. Carrot watched his brother's normally serene face light up as if it glowed somehow from within. With a small bow of thanks, Marron smiled. "Thank you, Gateau."

The big man shook the thanks off with a shrug. "No need to thank me, you would have done the same for me."

"Indeed, my friend." Marron unconsciously put extra emphases on the final word.

Carrot sighed," What is wrong with me? Why do I have such a problem with the thought of Marron liking men?" Shaking the hair out of his eyes, Carrot thought back to what had happened the day before. "Could it be that I am angry at Marron because of what happened back at the hot spring?" Looking down at the road he contemplated that question.

"No, Marron is no more to blame for that incident than I am. He was as appalled as I was when he realized just who he had been giving a blowjob to. So I am back to square one. Why do I feel so uncomfortable with the idea that Marron love's Gateau? Love, maybe that's it. All my life I have been told that a man being with another man is wrong and perverted. But Marron truly seems to love Gateau. How can love be wrong?

All the holy men said that love was god's providence. If so then it made no sense to condemn those loved someone of the same gender. "Maybe, Carrot reasoned," it was man not god who decided that it was wrong for two men to love each other because it was something they weren't used to. They were afraid."

Slowly as they walked the dust covered road Carrot came to a realization," I know what it is! I know why I have been feeling so upset since last night. Could it be that I am jealous? "

Carrot's eyes widened as he recognized the truth in his thoughts. Somehow he kept one foot moving after the other. "For as long as I can remember I was the only one Marron held deep in his heart. Now he is doing what I have wanted him to do. What I have asked him to do many times. He is letting someone in. Someone who can make him whole and happy in a way I never could. And I don't like it." Suddenly he felt ashamed of himself. "How could I begrudge him this? Sure I would be happier if he had fallen for a girl, but He takes so few pleasure for himself. Always Marron thinks of others first."

Looking up at the back of his brother's head he watched the dancer like motion of the magic user's walk. "He is so much like mother." A smile lifted the corner of his lips as he remembered. "Am I afraid because deep inside I fear that he might not love me quite as much any more?" Carrot snorted to himself. "I had no idea I was such a sap."

Carrot looked down at the road listening to the soft tapping of the group as they traveled. It was a soothing sound and he found himself yawning in response. A shadow fell into his path and he looked up to see his brother standing next to him. Marron leaned in close speaking in a barely audible tone so only his brother would hear. "Carrot, Is something wrong? I could feel you watching me almost this whole trip."

"I have been thinking." Carrot sighed as his brother winced. "Yes, my thoughts have been about yesterday. And I have to ask you something."

The golden eyes betrayed no sense of nervousness as Marron nodded. Carrot was struck again with how inhumanly calm his brother could be. "God, I wish he would look just a little bit nervous. " He thought to himself.

Lowering his voice as Marron had done he looked deeply into his brother's bright eyes. "Do you love me any less because you have found a yourself a partner?"

Marron's eyes grew large with surprise. "I..Of course I don't love you any less. How could I? You are my brother. You will always be close to my heart. Do you love me any less because you now have proof that I love Gateau? " The magic user's voice was quiet and calm.

Carrot shook his head at that idea. "No, Like I said before I want you to be happy. And though I am still not all that comfortable with the idea of two men being together, I can't see the wrong in you finding someone to love who will love you."

He was rewarded with the most incredible smile he had ever seen. For a moment time seemed to stop as the brothers' eyes locked in complete understanding. When the moment faded, as all such moments must do Marron drifted forward once again to walk next to his beloved. But there was an extra bounce to his step now. As they walked the magic user began to hum a bright little tune.

Gateau watched Marron for a moment. "What's up? You seem very happy all of a sudden."

The magic user smiled as he looked back over his shoulder at Carrot for a moment. "He knows. What is more, he understands."

The big man stopped in his tracks for a second. When he started walking again he was staring at Carrot with a peculiar look in his eyes. "I am surprised. I didn't think he'd be big enough to accept it."

Carrot made a face at Gateau," Well he is my only brother. I may not always understand him. But I do love him."

When Gateau turned back to face the road, Carrot stuck his tongue out at blond. "I can't really understand what he sees in the big idiot. " Carrot looked the muscular back over for a minute and shook his head. "I would say looks, but Marron has never been that shallow. I just don't see what else he would drawn to."

With a lighter heart Carrot shifted his bag on his shoulder. Perhaps the future was looking up. He had come to an understanding with his brother. And very soon they would be in the town where their next assignment awaited. Which meant, GIRLS! "Oh Yeah! Girls!" Like an arrow loosed from a long bow Carrot flew past a startled Marron and Gateau.

"We must be close to the village." Gateau observed absently as he looked after the dust trail Carrot was leaving.

"MMM you're probably right. You know, he is almost as good as a dowsing rod for women." Marron replied backing out of the way as Chocolate and Tria ran after Carrot. Taking up Gateau's hand Marron leaned his head against the muscular arm. "Some things never change."

Gateau unwound his fingers so he could wrap his arm around Marron's back. Kissing the dark head softly he smiled," True, But then some things do change. And I for one am very glad that they do." His smile broadened as he felt Marron melt into his partial embrace.

The lovers slowly followed their friends towards the Village enjoying the respite from the normal craziness of their teammates.

The end /\_~