Forever SK (07)
Previous: chap06
* * SEVEN * *
[ Earth ]
Back inside La Vie, Tohru had steered the two of them to a quiet table at the corner. He did most of the talking, doing his utmost to persuade Jun's cousin, while Kazunari gave him divided attention. It was only a few moments later that the Prince began looking around the room and out the window without any pretense to be listening at all. The musician did his best not to explode in anger at the country boy's rudeness. He wanted the latter on his side after all.
"We'll meet again in here," Tohru suggested. He slid his business card across the table to the smaller man who did not even look down at what he presented. Again, he suppressed his anger. "Use this number to reach me and to stay in touch."
For one moment, Jun's wimpy cousin gave Tohru a confused look and the musician had to convince himself that it was in his best interest not to wipe that stupid expression off his face. Then Kazunari looked out the window again, his brows furrowed, and Tohru came to a conclusion. He realized maybe this country bumpkin wasn't so stupid after all. Had the boy been keeping alert this entire time? "Are you afraid Matsumoto will catch us?" he asked.
Kazunari did not even address Tohru and ignored his question completely. More to himself he muttered, "That damn Mutant is here somewhere."
Mutant? Tohru thought. Did this boy just call Matsumoto a mutant? But through his doubt, he briefly shuddered. The country bumpkin's tone had been full of hate.
The musician stood from his chair. If the Idol was close, he had to leave. "I'll see you again the day after tomorrow."
The other did not give him confirmation, still as inattentive as ever, and he departed dissatisfied with how their meeting had concluded.
[ Core, the Courts of Core ]
No one stopped his advancement inside the grounds. Kenji went straight for the heart of the Inner Courts, to the Inner Palace.
Once inside, he stopped in the dead center of the empty Great Hall. The Palace was eerily quiet. Again, he wondered if anybody lived here at all. Where was the great king that the old man talked about? Where was Kenji's opponent? It was just too easy. Too damn easy to take control of this place. The people were peaceful, even stupid. The king was no where to be found.
For a second, Kenji wondered again why he wanted to rule this place. Why he even considered bringing up old, forgotten, childhood dreams. Then the hard eyes of his coworkers on Earth returned to him and his lips curled in dislike at the cruel reality that he hated. He wanted so much more for himself. He deserved so much more. And in this world that was just too easy, it was something he could achieve at last. After what he'd done, why bother going back?
Kenji started down the Great Hall to the corridor that, at the very end, led to the Chamber of Mirrors.
SATOSHI:
It was that day that I found them.
"Guardian! Please!" that woman that should have been known to me as mother begged.
I saw that she clutched an infant to her chest.
I was not her son. To her, I was only the Heart of this Land. Her child was the lifeless, limp boy in her arms.
And he was my twin and our only light. And I couldn't leave him be.
Kazunari, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and the days after that
you said you'd be here for me. We made a promise for forever.
You can't leave me.
I don't want to be alone anymore.
[ Earth, A_ hotel ]
The first thing that Jun noticed when he returned and stood in the doorway was Kazunari's absence from the bed. The second was that the television was on and someone lay sprawled on the ground before it: Kazunari. Alarmed, Jun instantly rushed to his side.
The Prince started in shock at the same time that Jun pulled him up by his shoulders to get a close look at him and make certain he was okay. The end result was that both of their faces were mere centimeters apart, both staring with surprised expressions at each other.
Kazunari felt heat climb up his face, remembering their kiss from late last night and Jun's gentleness that morning, and he tried to grasp what the heck was going on and what the other man was doing.
The Idol's heart thumped at their close proximity. Kazunari's confused but adorable expression etched into his mind and almost desperately he wanted to keep it all for himself. The very notion scared Jun and he released his hold on the Prince, dropping him onto the ground.
Even though the drop had been small, Kazunari still cried out. "Ouch!"
Immediately, Jun dove forward and pulled him up by the shoulders again, apologetic and the fact that he'd inflicted pain on the smaller man terrifying him.
As soon as the Idol took hold of him again Kazunari turned his head and clamped his teeth down on Jun's wrist.
"OUCH!" Jun shoved Kazunari from him again.
The Prince fell back, wincing as his side slammed against the floor, but he sat up right away this time. He glared at Jun who glared back at him. "You didn't have to show how much you hate me!"
"You bit me!" Jun retorted, appalled. He looked down at his hand and the tiny set of teeth marks on his wrist.
"You pushed me away!" Kazunari said back at him.
Jun felt himself blush. "Of course I would push you away!"
Kazunari scowled at him. "So that was your intention? For no reason at all you come and grab me and throw me down on the ground."
"I didn't mean to," Jun answered, flustered, his mind quickly searching in vain for a viable excuse for his actions. He stood, wishing with all his might that he could run away from yet another argument that he didn't want. Not again. Not so soon. "I was afraid."
"Afraid of what!?" Kazunari demanded, glowering up at the Idol towering above him on his feet.
Afraid that you were hurt, Jun thought, but he couldn't say it, not when Kazunari glared up at him with such hatred that it troubled him. He didn't want to argue. Not again when he'd just returned and still had the previous night to ponder over. Not when he had a million things to think about, the most troublesome at the moment being the intense ache within that he couldn't quite handle.
For the first time Jun decisively ran away from a confrontation, even if it meant his loss. He turned his back to Kazunari and went to the closet. Forcing himself to do something, anything, he pulled off his shirt to change into a t-shirt and contemplated what he could do to fix his mistake.
Kazunari saw the smooth skin of the Idol's broad bare back and averted his eyes. He could feel his face heat up again and his heart pound against his chest. Angry at his reaction and the fact that all he and Jun could ever do was argue, he faced the television. His attention was caught by what he saw; the reason why he'd been waiting in front of the set all afternoon.
Pixelated pictures of dead bodies flashed across the screen. The male caster announced yet another mass homicide and the warning of a serial killer on the loose.
Jun immediately turned to catch the news.
Partially blocking the Idol's view, Kazunari leaned in closer to the screen. "This is it," he whispered.
The Idol felt the contents of his stomach churn as he watched both the smaller man and the images on the screen. Kazunari was fighting against that? It dawned on him; that thing, that Mutant, killed and murdered innocent people so viciously, had even hurt Kazunari to the point of near death. And it might happen again. The monster was still out there and Kazunari had vowed to catch it. The very idea frightened him to a degree that he hadn't thought possible. He had initially accepted it so easily, so nonchalantly, but now that it mattered to him he realized he had never considered the implications before.
Kazunari's attention now completely captured by the news, he ignored being watched from behind by Jun. He stretched out an arm and flexed it, summoning his energy. Sparks of lightening crackled and sizzled from his hands and up along his arm to his shoulder. He was still recuperating, but enough of his energy had returned. Satoshi's getting stronger, he thought, excitement at the knowledge curling in his chest. The laws of this world could not completely block his powers, but limited it to an extent that Kazunari already in his recovering state was considerably weakened. But if I can reach Satoshi, I can break Earth's Laws. I'll have enough power to fight one damn Mutant.
At the back, Jun saw the blatant display of magic and for the first time in a while he was reminded of Kazunari's ability. The previous fear that had curled in his chest turned to anger. That fury was directed at himself and he turned and headed into the bathroom.
What was he doing? What was he feeling? How foolish could he be? Jun hovered over the bathroom sink and turned on the faucets. He threw water on his face. Kazunari did not need his concern, probably didn't even want it. He was a creature of the other world. He wasn't human in the same way that Jun was. How did Jun manage to forget such an important thing?
"Matsumoto!" he heard the Prince call from the main room. "Do you have a schedule?"
Jun took a deep breath, still hovering above the sink as drops of water dripped from his chin and the tip of his nose. Were they finally going to have a decent conversation for once? He should be glad of it. He needed a reminder that he was normal; human. He grabbed a towel and wiping his face, he peered into the main room. Kazunari had twisted his upper body around to catch Jun appear from beyond the bathroom.
Jun took another deep breath as Kazunari's eyes fell on him, willing his racing heart from such a natural, everyday action to steady. He'd just finished reprimanding himself a moment ago and yet his feelings were out of his control again. "I do. What about it?" he asked, a little more forceful than intended.
The Prince frowned at his curt tone of voice, but set it aside and continued, "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Why?" Jun asked, wondering what this man could possibly be up to.
Kazunari snapped. "Can't you answer with a straightforward response for once?"
Jun scowled. "I'd do it if you do it."
"This isn't about me!" Visibly seething with his teeth clenched, the Prince turned his back on Jun again. "Fine, you jerk! Do whatever you want! Tomorrow I'm going out and you don't need to know anything."
Jun's stubbornness dissolved instantly. He stepped towards Kazunari with concern. "You can barely walk."
"I can walk," Kazunari replied and crossed his arms.
"Are we going to argue again?" Jun asked, a plea noticeable in his voice and question. Why, when he wanted it so much, couldn't they hold a single civil conversation without snarling at each other?
"That's your problem," the Prince sulked.
"No," Jun replied adamantly and he took another step towards the other man who still refused to face him. Jun felt helpless. When before he felt uneasy with Kazunari's eyes on him, now he just wanted the smaller man to turn around and see him. Once again, the flow between them deteriorated so fast. He wished it didn't have to always turn out that way. "It's not just me. It's our problem."
Still seated Kazunari swiveled around, to Jun's relief. The Prince looked at the Idol with confusion. "Since when did it become about us?" he snapped.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew his mistake. That unvoiced something that existed between them, making them at once angry and confused, was so pronounced even Kazunari couldn't deny it. Whether that was hate or something else too, he honestly was afraid to know.
Jun's eyes remained fixed on the Prince's face. He stopped a few meters away from the latter and crouched down so that they were decently leveled. Jun's hands felt clammy. Despite the small distance between them, they were still close enough that the proximity had his heart racing again. Slowly, brokenly, Jun asked, "Can you... Do you remember what happened yesterday night?"
The memory instantly returned to the both of them and unwillingly, Kazunari flushed. He opened his mouth to speak and said nothing. The inability to find words was unlike him and even that stifled him. He remembered leaning in close to Jun who had fallen asleep. He remembered what he had thought afterwards. Kazunari grasped desperately at straws to find that dependable, defiant trait of his that in that very moment he seemed to have lost.
What went wrong between us? Jun thought as he took in the confusion that had returned to the smaller man's face and the fear that strayed to his eyes. But from the very beginning, they had started off on the wrong foot. Jun wanted to know how he could fix that. He asked the question that had been on his mind, the very same one he'd thought of so many times, and had asked at least once. This time the both of them were sober and awake to hear it.
"Kazunari," Jun started, "why do you hate me?"
[ Core ]
Sho began to doubt his decision in running away from Masaki and every second spent in the presence of the two Mages he accompanied increased his longing for the Caretaker even more. He wanted to see Masaki again and because of that weakness he clung to his determination to leave. He used excuses and anything he could get a hold of to drive himself towards the direction of the Palace and, to his knowledge, away from Masaki. The Caretaker would hate him. They were too different. He was from Earth and Masaki was from Core. He tried not to think about anything else.
The Mages and he traveled unhindered through the dark plains. Before long, they headed into the even darker forest where even the trees were rotting. Sho thought he had gotten used to this Land, but his fear doubled. The forest was dead silent. No animals, or insects, or single thing lived in the dead forest. He had been told often enough about Satoshi, but once again Sho was amazed and terrified of the power belonging to the being who spoke in his head, who had the power to revive and destroy the Land.
All of a sudden, the Mage of Creation paused and Air and Breath stopped beside her. Sho glanced at them in surprise, wondering what they noticed. He feared that it was something life threatening. A small, unvoiced part of him wished Masaki was with him.
Air and Breath closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "We're close. I can sense the others."
Who? Sho wanted to ask. He was too afraid of the white mage to ask the question, but felt relieved to know that their break had not been due to something dangerous as he had feared.
The Mage of Creation's eyes hardened as she looked off into the distance at the direction of the Palace. "So the intruder's really here. He dared to enter the Guardian's domain."
In a sudden movement, the Mage of Air and Breath turned sharply to his comrade. He glared straight at her and his voice came out harsh and grating as he accused, "The Caretaker's here, too."
Sho started and looked up wildly as if Masaki was right in front of them and could see them. His heart pounded, the beats ringing in his ears. He wanted to see Masaki so much, even if that meant getting caught, but Masaki was not there. Only the three them stood in that space surrounded by dead ferns and trees. For no reason at all, he felt disappointment despite his own determination.
"Steel and the Holder should have directed him to the Blue Lake," Creation mused, unaffected by Air and Breath's intense stare. "Maybe they did not meet him."
Masaki was near. The knowledge flooded Sho and with it the implication that he would be trapped. Masaki was near and they were close to the Palace, where Nakamura Kenji was. Soon, they would cross paths. Everyone, the Caretaker included, would learn about Sho's connection to the very man that they hated. That thought chilled him. His determination to catch Nakamura out of guilt wavered and was replaced by his bigger fear, of being hated by Masaki and losing the memory of the Caretaker's precious smile.
Sho clenched his hands into fists and made a hard decision. He gathered his courage and spoke. "I'm staying here. Please go on without me."
Both Mages now directed their gazes at him.
"We're not going to do that," Air and Breath barked. "Since we found you after the Caretaker lost you, you're under our care."
In a more gentle voice, Creation added, "At the very least, we have to return you to Masaki."
The very idea frightened Sho. He courageously shook his head, rejecting the two Mages' propositions. Finding Nakamura Kenji was not as important to him now as avoiding Masaki; Masaki whose small, silly moments of happiness could affect him and whose hatred he could not bear to confront. He made another abrupt decision.
Taking a deep breath and avoiding the intense glare of Air and Breath, Sho said, "I'm going to the Blue Lake." Where Masaki wouldn't be.
Creation saw the new determination in the lines of his body and turned to look at her comrade in surprise, wondering what he thought of it. Air and Breath continued to stare at Sho, but his face was now unreadable and cold.
"I'm going to the Blue Lake," Sho repeated, his voice stronger the second time. In his mind, he reached for someone, something he didn't know. He called out, Satoshi, please help me. I don't know what to do. I can't meet Masaki. Not like this. Even if it meant he had to abandon his search for Nakamura Kenji, even if it meant going against the longing in his chest, to him keeping his memories with Masaki precious was everything to him at that moment. He was only good at running away.
(( I can feel your heart, )) the Guardian's whisper ghosted across his mind.
Sho froze and the two Mages seemed to have paused for some reason as well.
(( Come to the Blue Lake. I will aid you. ))
The Mage of Creation and Air and Breath threw glances at each other. Sho felt Satoshi ebb away from his mind and when he noticed, both mages had turned from the direction of the Palace towards another point.
"We're going to the Blue Lake," Air and Breath hissed, angry at someone or something.
In one swift motion, the Mage of Creation transformed a nearby rock into a four legged creature with two fiery heads and a dozen tails. She jumped on it's back. "Get on," she ushered Sho to join behind her. "We're going to speed up."
Sho was used to their domineering attitudes, and although he was surprised by their sudden change, he did not need to be told twice.
[ Earth, Matsumoto Jun's Room ]
They were at eye level, both settled on the floor, with murmurs from the television droning on. Jun's question hovered in the air between them.
Kazunari averted his gaze from the Idol's. He inhaled sharply, his breath short. How would he answer that question? He wanted to know the Idol's answer to that very same question, too. At the same time that he did not want the truth, he yearned for it. So much, that Kazunari's innate stubbornness began to wither. He muttered, "If I tell you honestly, will you give me a straightforward answer, too?"
Not expecting that question, and even Kazunari's sincere contemplation, Jun sat back on his heels. But he did not need long to decide. He wanted the latter's response, even now more than ever that they weren't screaming frustrations at each other. He nodded slowly. "I want the truth."
Kazunari swallowed. He could feel his head pound with each heavy pulse. He knew, more than ever, that he did not hate Jun. He couldn't hate him. What he felt towards the man sitting opposite him was not similar to what he felt for Satoshi or Masaki, but it was close. It was also different. And it stole his breath away the same way Satoshi stole his breath whenever Kazunari missed him. He had to answer Jun, but he did not know how to say it. What could he possibly tell the other man that did not make him seem crazy?
Dammit! Kazunari curled around himself and covered his hands with his face. He missed the look of concern that crossed Jun's expression as he withdrew. The Prince breathed into his palms and from within himself, he found one answer he was certain of and that could live with.
Quietly, his voice barely a murmur, he said, "I don't hate you. You're important to me." For some reason, unbeknownst to him, this Earthling human called Matsumoto Jun had managed to become important.
The instant relief that the Prince's answer gave Jun spread throughout his entire body. He felt himself relax and realized how tense he had been while he waited for his answer. He wanted to hear Kazunari say it again, that he was important, but knew it was impossible. The Prince's knees were drawn up to his chest and his hands still covered his face, as if he couldn't quite speak directly to the Idol. Jun recognized the feeling that engulfed him as he watched the frail looking man; he wanted to protect this creature, no, this being of a different world. He couldn't avoid it any longer.
The Idol knew his answer to his own question, had known all along. "Me, too. I can't hate you," he said.
Kazunari looked at Jun through his fingers. The Idol's gaze on him was intent, but solemn and honest. The fear within him gradually faded. He wasn't alone in his feelings. He wasn't stupid for voicing it. He could accept it. He would. Kazunari held himself back from expressing too much happiness, struggling to contain the bubble that had welled up in his chest. He realized Jun's answer had mattered that much to him.
"That's obvious," Kazunari said with forced arrogance. His hands fell from his face as he regained control of his expression.
Jun couldn't help it; although it had given him a lot of trouble, he knew he valued the Prince's cheekiness, and now that Kazunari was looking him in the eyes again he smiled.
Jun's smile was both sweet and joyous and a dazzled Kazunari squared his jaw and childishly snubbed him. Jun's grin grew even wider because of that.
[ La Vie Cafe ]
Darkness descended both outside and inside the cafe. It was closed for the night and the lights at the front were off, but the lights in the back kitchen were still on.
Five bodies lay strewn over the floor and counters. Blood soaked the tiles. By the stove, a chef's glazed eyes stared unseeing up at the fluorescent lights. He choked on the blood that filled his lungs and spilled down the side of his lips. The Mutant that was crouched over his body, digging into his warm flesh, looked into his face and giggled.
A new smell drifted over to it and all of a sudden it paused. It sniffed the air and moved over to the door leading to the front where the customers were served during the day. It smelled the faint residue of power. The Mutant smiled. The prey that had escaped had been here. It's most delicious prey was found.
[ Core, the Courts of Core ]
Masaki was uncharacteristically silent during the rest of his journey. Accompanied by the disapproving Mage of Steel and Holder of Heat and Wrath, he kept his anxieties and doubts to himself. What if Sho eluded him again? What if Satoshi needed him? What if... so many things. He worried without stopping. Among all of them, his biggest resolve was to find Sho.
At last they reached the Palace where the intruder they chased led them, where Sho's whereabouts led Masaki. At the gates, they stopped.
"He must be inside," the Mage of Steel said.
The Holder of Heat and Wrath looked straight at Masaki and his unspoken thoughts reached the Caretaker through the coolness in his eyes. Masaki shifted uncomfortably and looked about him. It was true that the intruder was inside. He had been Masaki's first failed mission. But more importantly, where was Sho? Why could Masaki feel the presence of the other Mages gathering around the Palace, closing in, but why could he not feel Sho? What if...?
What if Sho's not here? Masaki thought and deep in his gut he knew that doubt was true. He breathed and realized that he'd been holding his breath. He slumped forward and stopped his fall with a hand on the wall in front of him.
"Caretaker, we're moving forward. Do what you want," the Mage of Steel said.
The Mages did not wait for his response. They scaled the walls and jumped to the other side.
Masaki looked up at them as they disappeared over the walls. He gathered himself and took a deep breath. He could be wrong. He had to go in.
As they had done, Masaki scaled the walls and went over. But he did not follow his two comrades. He strayed from their path heading toward the inner Courts, and went to the place where he had first taken Sho, where Sho had woken up and Masaki had promised to heal him.
Masaki reached his Green Gardens and stopped dead in his tracks. The horror of what he saw stole his breath away. His Garden was dead, as lifeless as the Land around them, dead from his absence and without the usual aid of Satoshi. Instantly, the Caretaker knew that his instincts had been right; Sho was not here or nowhere near. The person he wanted to see the most had eluded him once again. There the Caretaker stood, surrounded by nothing, having lost everything.
The emptiness around him was overwhelming and he knew his journey had been in vain. Guilt weighed him down and his knees buckled. Masaki fell onto the rotten grass. He had failed both Sho and his beloved Guardian. He had failed his own precious Garden. He had defied orders and neglected his duties. He had failed this Land.
Masaki curled into a ball on his side and wept. He loved so much. He did not want to lose anything. His tears were for Sho, Satoshi, and the dying Land. Everything around him in his Garden was dead, everything but him. The sadness of it all crushed him.
In his hopelessness, uselessness, he felt utterly alone.
[ Earth, Matsumoto Jun's Room ]
To avoid an argument he did not want, and to keep the temporary peace between them, to treasure the honest thoughts and feelings that had passed between them just a little longer, Jun allowed Kazunari to sleep on the bed for the night. He slept on the couch, uncomfortably, but contented knowing that the tension around him and Kazunari had been unwound, at least for that night.
Tomorrow was a different story, but one which Jun hoped to influence just as much. He no longer wanted to step back into days filled with frustrations and anger. He wanted more time to learn about Kazunari, to know everything he possibly could about him.
*
Before morning, Jun was woken from his deep sleep on the couch by a loud crash. He jerked upright and his eyes flew to the bed. It was empty, again. A soft breeze wafted into the room and his eyes moved to the window. The curtains around it fluttered, the wind coming in through a large gaping hole in the glass, as if someone had jumped through. Almost instantly, Jun knew Kazunari had done it.
Heart racing in fear and concern, he rushed to the crack and looked out. In the parking lot three stories below, he saw a dark figure run. Under a streetlight in the near distance, Kazunari's features were illuminated and Jun gasped. What was the other man doing?
The Prince did not notice Jun at the window. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face the hotel. Fists clenched, he braced himself and screamed, "I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE YOU FUCKING MUTANT! COME OUT!"
Mutant? Jun thought, at once afraid and confused as his upper body leaned out from the cracked glass and he watched Kazunari.
A thunderous roar rumbled from behind him and the wall behind Jun splintered. A force exploded through the thin barrier and leaped at the window. Instinctively, Jun raised his arms to protect his head and ducked to the ground below the sill. The monster jumped at the window the Idol had just been standing in front of, destroying the entire frame and leaving a gaping hole in the hotel's walls. It roared into the darkness and chased after the Prince.
Trembling, Jun took a few breaths on the floor to steady himself, wincing at his small cuts, before he pulled himself up and looked out again. The parking lot was empty of life. Kazunari and the monster was gone.
The Idol clutched his chest, felt his heart race as it never had before. Just for an instant, he had seen that thing Kazunari called a Mutant. He recognized the humanoid creature from the first night Sho had gone missing; the thing that had crashed into his car. That thing, that monster, was a living nightmare.
Jun feared for Kazunari's safety. Could Kazunari escape? Would he survive another attack? Belatedly, he remembered that the Prince had just recovered from wounds the monster, the Mutant, had inflicted on him.
I can't do anything! I'm so useless! he screamed inside his head, feeling anguish and concern for Kazunari crush him. I can't leave him out there! Alone.
In that moment, Jun decided. He could do nothing, but he would try. He couldn't leave Kazunari out there with such a monster and not know.
Jun grabbed his car keys on the bedside table and turned to leave. Patrons of the hotel from the neighboring rooms and along the hall were already crowding outside the hole in his wall. They looked through to see him. Jun only hesitated a second when he saw their curious faces.
He clenched his teeth and walked through the gaping hole. He pushed passed the people and ran out of the hotel, to his car, determined to find and follow Kazunari.
[ the streets of Tokyo ]
Kazunari clutched his aching side and struggled to breathe as he limped down a dark alley. He cursed the bloodied cuts that he'd received from jumping out the window down three stories. Dammit, dammit, dammit! It'll smell me! Fear and anxiety, feelings that he'd never considered while battling the Mutants in Core with the other Mages at his side, coursed through him and frayed his nerves. It clouded his judgement.
This was not how he had wanted to confront the Mutant. He was as unprepared as the first time, but he was hurt, and like that time too the Earth's Laws confined him. He still couldn't hold his electricity for long, not even for a few minutes at a time. It would be impossible to inject enough force and power into it. He hadn't even figured out how to contact Satoshi.
This time too, he did not want anyone else involved, especially not Jun. Jun had been in the room with him when Kazunari woke and smelled the Mutant. He'd been so terrified at the time, afraid that it would find him while he was still with Jun. He wanted to protect Jun. He had to get somewhere safe before that monster found him.
Kazunari paused in the alley, still clutching his side, and as his head hung wearily he drew in a deep, ragged breath. He needed his best friend, Masaki, the most right at this moment. He wanted his brother beside him, not only for his ability. He wanted to draw on the Bond between them for strength; to know that he wasn't alone in this fight, like he truly was.
But he was alone, wounded, and on the run. He had to conserve energy to use whatever he could of his power. He faced extremes.
What am I going to do? he thought, desperate and terrified.
Kazunari heard an inhuman giggle behind him. He swung around right in time to catch the Mutant as it threw itself at him and flung him down to the ground. His breath was knocked out of him. Agony tore through his chest as the monster's claws dug into his shoulder and tried to rip his left arm off.
I'm going to die.
Kazunari shrieked as excruciating pain burst through his chest and along his arm. Instinctively, he summoned every ounce of energy and power that he had. He used everything. White lightning exploded from his body.
[ Core, the Blue Lake ]
Air and Breath whirled ahead of them like the wind and the creature carrying both the Mage of Creation and Sho fought to catch up. But because the Mages used all of their energy to travel, they reached their destination quicker than Sho would have thought possible.
They broke clear of the forest and onto the dark plains once more. The Palace at their backs could no longer be seen above the forest. Up ahead, their destination loomed before them. Sho clung on to Creation's shoulders as her creature followed Air and Breath, exerting a final burst of energy and speed.
At last, they reached the Blue Lake.
The Mage of Creation gasped as they finally came to an abrupt stop after their hard night of travel.
Sho peered over her shoulder and gaped as well. The Lake was not crystal clear as he thought it would be. It was a shimmering, glassy blue that was so beautiful, it reminded Sho of the perfect clear blue skies of Earth. Although the smooth surface was untouched, the edges of the Lake poured over the basin and rippled out. The Blue Lake pulsated with power.
The creature beneath Sho disintegrated into dust and he dropped onto the ground hard. He yelled out and rolled onto his side to rub his behind.
The Mage of Creation and Mage of Air and Breath did not care or notice him. He was forgotten. As if enchanted, the mages moved toward the Blue Lake. Sho forgot his pain and watched in wonder as both dropped onto their knees at the very edge until their knees touched the ripples of water. It was an uncanny sight; two beings so powerful suddenly silent and indifferent to everything else around them. They moved as if numbed. Together, they peered over the side of the Blue Lake and at their reflection.
No one spoke and no one moved for the space of a few heart beats. Sho unconsciously held his breath. Then the Mage of Air and Breath bowed his head and the Mage of Creation wept. Their reactions were at once abrupt and mystifying.
Afraid and curious, Sho warily moved to the water's edge as well. He found, to his surprise, that his legs could not support him and like the two Mages before him he fell to his knees too. Sho froze for a moment, fear overwhelming even curiosity, until he felt something, someone, pull him over to the edge of the Lake. Like the Mages, his knees touched the ripples of water and he peered out to see his own reflection on the surface of the Blue Lake.
Sho did not see himself. The waters distorted and an image formed. He saw dead trees, flowers, and grass. The Palace towered above it all in the background. He saw a man curled up within the ruins. Sho's breath hitched as he recognized Masaki. Sobs rang in his ear, so heart wrenching that it also overwhelmed Sho. Those heart breaking sobs belonged to Masaki, he knew, and it echoed in his mind until he thought he'd go mad. Sho's lungs seemed to constrict and for a moment, he couldn't breathe. Why was the Caretaker crying? It burned into Sho, hurting him.
The Idol gasped and clutched at his chest. He squeezed shut his eyes, but the image did not escape him. Unbeknownst to him, tears trickled down his face as well. Masaki's tears and pain caused him anguish.
Satoshi, why are you showing me this? he mentally cried.
(( This is my Heart, )) the Guardian whispered. (( And this is your heart as well. ))
"Masaki..." The name unconsciously left Sho's lips and just for that moment he fought to breathe through the hopelessness and pain that the Caretaker felt. Why must Masaki feel this way? What had Sho done? Where did the Caretaker's perfect smile go? No one that Sho knew was like Masaki; no one managed to love so beautifully like him. Sho longed for him, wanted to wrap his arms around him and soothe his worries away, so much that their current distance pained him; a distance that he had initiated himself.
Why am I here, far away from him? Sho thought. When the Caretaker had been there for him, now that it mattered that he return the same kind of warmth, he wasn't able to. Too late, he realized at that moment that it didn't matter what Masaki thought of him or Nakamura, or what differences existed between them. The Caretaker was alone, crying, and Sho wanted to be with him no matter what. Sho had been selfish and that selfishness had been repaid him with the Caretaker's lonely tears.
(( You left him. You don't understand, Sho. Loneliness is frightening. ))
Sho clenched shut his eyes and touched his forehead to the ground. I'm sorry. I know. I won't run away again. Satoshi, please let me go to Masaki.
Gradually, the magic from the Lake ebbed away. The Guardian left Sho and the Mages behind as he escaped the Blue Lake. Crouched over the surface of the water, after the intense emotions that had overwhelmed them, Sho and the two Mages felt suddenly bereft in the sudden silence around them and their minds.
[ Earth, the streets of Tokyo ]
In his car, Jun saw a flash of lightning in the distance. Briefly, the entire area around it was encased in bright light. He instantly stepped on his gas pedal and drove towards the direction of the lightning.
Jun reached the alley moments later. Smoke filled the air and blinded him. Two other bystanders stood outside the alley, curious but afraid to venture in. Jun ignored them and ran right into the opening. He coughed as the smoke filled his lungs and nostril, but he ignored it and pushed through the smoke.
Deep inside the alley, he made out a charred circle ten meters wide in the ground. Parts of the buildings in the alley where the edges of the circle touched were crumbling. At the dead center of it, two bodies laid still. One of them was black and charred, unrecognizable lump. Smoke billowed out from the remains. The other body was covered in blood.
Jun dropped onto his knees beside Kazunari. The deathly paleness of the Prince's face and the warm blood that pooled around him scared Jun. He saw torn flesh and bone along Kazunari's chest and arm and he struggled to hold down his bile. He reached a hand towards the motionless body with a trembling hand, but was afraid to touch the smaller man and hurt him even more. Jun couldn't speak, couldn't breathe, couldn't understand what was happening.
Miraculously, Kazunari's eyes fluttered. His chest heaved as he drew a painful, ragged breath. He was alive.
Jun quickly leaned down and caressed his face. "Kazunari, can you hear me?" he whispered, so soft that his ears almost couldn't catch it. He was afraid to raise his voice.
Kazunari's eyes fluttered again. His lips moved. "Matsu...mo...to.."
"It's Jun," the Idol murmured, trying to keep his voice from quaking. "Kazunari, don't sleep. Help will come. Stay with me. Don't fall asleep."
"Jun, I'm cold," Kazunari breathed out between his lips and almost instantly his teeth began to clatter as he shook from the cold spreading within his body. "Don't leave me."
"I won't leave," Jun whispered. His gut and heart twisted into a knot. Undeterred tears fell from his eyes and dripped down the point of his nose, dropped and slid along the Prince's pale skin along his jaw. "Kazunari, don't sleep. Stay with me."
"Jun, I'm cold," the smaller man repeated.
Jun laid in the ground within the charred circle and pool of blood beside the Prince. He draped his arm around the smaller body, as if he could keep away some of that coldness. He pressed soft kisses along Kazunari's temple, his cheekbone, and the tip of his nose. Then he caressed Kazunari's cheek, his fingers ghosting across the pale skin.
"Kazunari, don't sleep," he begged quietly. "Don't sleep. Stay awake. Stay with me. Please."
The smaller man heaved a deep, painful breath that grated against Jun's ears.
Kazunari wearily reached within himself, searched for the bond with his brother that had always been there. He did not have the strength to hold on to it, but he felt the pressure of Jun's arm over his body and for that he was grateful. He wasn't alone. Jun was there with him. Nothing else mattered. That was enough. He remained silent as his life trickled away with each passing second.
They waited for help to arrive.
[ Core, the Palace ]
Nakamura Kenji came to the end of the corridor that led away from the Great Hall. He stopped in front of the only chamber that this particular corridor led him to. This place was as empty as he had thought it to be. He feared nothing.
Clueless as to what lay beyond, Kenji stepped into the Chamber of Mirrors.
He was suddenly surrounded by mirrors. It closed him in from all directions. He turned around and could no longer find the door out of this place. He was trapped with nowhere to go. There was no escape. Kenji was forced to look at his reflection, into his own eyes, and what he saw turned his blood ice cold. He screamed.
Kenji's knees buckled and he fell on all fours. Even the ground beneath him was a mirror. He saw himself, a monster, and broke into breathless sobs.
It wasn't right. He didn't deserve this. He had only wanted to live a dream, a dream long forgotten and lost that through foolish hope he had tried to revive. He wasn't a monster. He was a hero.
It's my own wish, Kenji thought as he cried shameless tears.
Cold arms wrapped around him and Kenji melted into the embrace. He looked up and through his tears he saw a young man with blond hair and eyes the color of blue water. Even if he'd never seen this young man before, had never known him, Kenji felt that deep within his heart he had been waiting for this person all along.
"King," he called as he wept. The cold arms held him gently and he cried harder. This was the beloved Guardian, his enemy, and Kenji realized he was the only being that understood.
"You won't be alone anymore," Satoshi murmured, softly pressing his cheek against Kenji's forehead. "You'll become a part of me, a part of this Land, and your dreams will be lived through me. That is what I can promise you."
"Thank you," Kenji sobbed against him. At long last, someone willingly gave to him. He snuggled deeper into the young man's embrace and felt his body become weightless.
"Let me take your nightmares away," the Guardian promised.
Coldness seeped into Kenji. He saw only darkness, and still he whispered, "Thank you." He would be no longer alone.
The laughter of the children who made fun of him washed away. The disgusted looks that his coworkers threw at him disappeared into oblivion. The screams and the accusing eyes of the dead villagers and children became nothing. And at the end, the young Sho's innocent smile that had captured his heart and given him hope faded into nothing.
Kenji sank into Satoshi's liquid skin. He drowned in the shape of blue water and was engulfed until Satoshi held no one, until his arms that had held the assistant were wrapped around no one but himself.
The Guardian sat alone in the Chamber of Mirrors.
* *
Next: chap08
* * SEVEN * *
[ Earth ]
Back inside La Vie, Tohru had steered the two of them to a quiet table at the corner. He did most of the talking, doing his utmost to persuade Jun's cousin, while Kazunari gave him divided attention. It was only a few moments later that the Prince began looking around the room and out the window without any pretense to be listening at all. The musician did his best not to explode in anger at the country boy's rudeness. He wanted the latter on his side after all.
"We'll meet again in here," Tohru suggested. He slid his business card across the table to the smaller man who did not even look down at what he presented. Again, he suppressed his anger. "Use this number to reach me and to stay in touch."
For one moment, Jun's wimpy cousin gave Tohru a confused look and the musician had to convince himself that it was in his best interest not to wipe that stupid expression off his face. Then Kazunari looked out the window again, his brows furrowed, and Tohru came to a conclusion. He realized maybe this country bumpkin wasn't so stupid after all. Had the boy been keeping alert this entire time? "Are you afraid Matsumoto will catch us?" he asked.
Kazunari did not even address Tohru and ignored his question completely. More to himself he muttered, "That damn Mutant is here somewhere."
Mutant? Tohru thought. Did this boy just call Matsumoto a mutant? But through his doubt, he briefly shuddered. The country bumpkin's tone had been full of hate.
The musician stood from his chair. If the Idol was close, he had to leave. "I'll see you again the day after tomorrow."
The other did not give him confirmation, still as inattentive as ever, and he departed dissatisfied with how their meeting had concluded.
[ Core, the Courts of Core ]
No one stopped his advancement inside the grounds. Kenji went straight for the heart of the Inner Courts, to the Inner Palace.
Once inside, he stopped in the dead center of the empty Great Hall. The Palace was eerily quiet. Again, he wondered if anybody lived here at all. Where was the great king that the old man talked about? Where was Kenji's opponent? It was just too easy. Too damn easy to take control of this place. The people were peaceful, even stupid. The king was no where to be found.
For a second, Kenji wondered again why he wanted to rule this place. Why he even considered bringing up old, forgotten, childhood dreams. Then the hard eyes of his coworkers on Earth returned to him and his lips curled in dislike at the cruel reality that he hated. He wanted so much more for himself. He deserved so much more. And in this world that was just too easy, it was something he could achieve at last. After what he'd done, why bother going back?
Kenji started down the Great Hall to the corridor that, at the very end, led to the Chamber of Mirrors.
SATOSHI:
It was that day that I found them.
"Guardian! Please!" that woman that should have been known to me as mother begged.
I saw that she clutched an infant to her chest.
I was not her son. To her, I was only the Heart of this Land. Her child was the lifeless, limp boy in her arms.
And he was my twin and our only light. And I couldn't leave him be.
Kazunari, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and the days after that
you said you'd be here for me. We made a promise for forever.
You can't leave me.
I don't want to be alone anymore.
[ Earth, A_ hotel ]
The first thing that Jun noticed when he returned and stood in the doorway was Kazunari's absence from the bed. The second was that the television was on and someone lay sprawled on the ground before it: Kazunari. Alarmed, Jun instantly rushed to his side.
The Prince started in shock at the same time that Jun pulled him up by his shoulders to get a close look at him and make certain he was okay. The end result was that both of their faces were mere centimeters apart, both staring with surprised expressions at each other.
Kazunari felt heat climb up his face, remembering their kiss from late last night and Jun's gentleness that morning, and he tried to grasp what the heck was going on and what the other man was doing.
The Idol's heart thumped at their close proximity. Kazunari's confused but adorable expression etched into his mind and almost desperately he wanted to keep it all for himself. The very notion scared Jun and he released his hold on the Prince, dropping him onto the ground.
Even though the drop had been small, Kazunari still cried out. "Ouch!"
Immediately, Jun dove forward and pulled him up by the shoulders again, apologetic and the fact that he'd inflicted pain on the smaller man terrifying him.
As soon as the Idol took hold of him again Kazunari turned his head and clamped his teeth down on Jun's wrist.
"OUCH!" Jun shoved Kazunari from him again.
The Prince fell back, wincing as his side slammed against the floor, but he sat up right away this time. He glared at Jun who glared back at him. "You didn't have to show how much you hate me!"
"You bit me!" Jun retorted, appalled. He looked down at his hand and the tiny set of teeth marks on his wrist.
"You pushed me away!" Kazunari said back at him.
Jun felt himself blush. "Of course I would push you away!"
Kazunari scowled at him. "So that was your intention? For no reason at all you come and grab me and throw me down on the ground."
"I didn't mean to," Jun answered, flustered, his mind quickly searching in vain for a viable excuse for his actions. He stood, wishing with all his might that he could run away from yet another argument that he didn't want. Not again. Not so soon. "I was afraid."
"Afraid of what!?" Kazunari demanded, glowering up at the Idol towering above him on his feet.
Afraid that you were hurt, Jun thought, but he couldn't say it, not when Kazunari glared up at him with such hatred that it troubled him. He didn't want to argue. Not again when he'd just returned and still had the previous night to ponder over. Not when he had a million things to think about, the most troublesome at the moment being the intense ache within that he couldn't quite handle.
For the first time Jun decisively ran away from a confrontation, even if it meant his loss. He turned his back to Kazunari and went to the closet. Forcing himself to do something, anything, he pulled off his shirt to change into a t-shirt and contemplated what he could do to fix his mistake.
Kazunari saw the smooth skin of the Idol's broad bare back and averted his eyes. He could feel his face heat up again and his heart pound against his chest. Angry at his reaction and the fact that all he and Jun could ever do was argue, he faced the television. His attention was caught by what he saw; the reason why he'd been waiting in front of the set all afternoon.
Pixelated pictures of dead bodies flashed across the screen. The male caster announced yet another mass homicide and the warning of a serial killer on the loose.
Jun immediately turned to catch the news.
Partially blocking the Idol's view, Kazunari leaned in closer to the screen. "This is it," he whispered.
The Idol felt the contents of his stomach churn as he watched both the smaller man and the images on the screen. Kazunari was fighting against that? It dawned on him; that thing, that Mutant, killed and murdered innocent people so viciously, had even hurt Kazunari to the point of near death. And it might happen again. The monster was still out there and Kazunari had vowed to catch it. The very idea frightened him to a degree that he hadn't thought possible. He had initially accepted it so easily, so nonchalantly, but now that it mattered to him he realized he had never considered the implications before.
Kazunari's attention now completely captured by the news, he ignored being watched from behind by Jun. He stretched out an arm and flexed it, summoning his energy. Sparks of lightening crackled and sizzled from his hands and up along his arm to his shoulder. He was still recuperating, but enough of his energy had returned. Satoshi's getting stronger, he thought, excitement at the knowledge curling in his chest. The laws of this world could not completely block his powers, but limited it to an extent that Kazunari already in his recovering state was considerably weakened. But if I can reach Satoshi, I can break Earth's Laws. I'll have enough power to fight one damn Mutant.
At the back, Jun saw the blatant display of magic and for the first time in a while he was reminded of Kazunari's ability. The previous fear that had curled in his chest turned to anger. That fury was directed at himself and he turned and headed into the bathroom.
What was he doing? What was he feeling? How foolish could he be? Jun hovered over the bathroom sink and turned on the faucets. He threw water on his face. Kazunari did not need his concern, probably didn't even want it. He was a creature of the other world. He wasn't human in the same way that Jun was. How did Jun manage to forget such an important thing?
"Matsumoto!" he heard the Prince call from the main room. "Do you have a schedule?"
Jun took a deep breath, still hovering above the sink as drops of water dripped from his chin and the tip of his nose. Were they finally going to have a decent conversation for once? He should be glad of it. He needed a reminder that he was normal; human. He grabbed a towel and wiping his face, he peered into the main room. Kazunari had twisted his upper body around to catch Jun appear from beyond the bathroom.
Jun took another deep breath as Kazunari's eyes fell on him, willing his racing heart from such a natural, everyday action to steady. He'd just finished reprimanding himself a moment ago and yet his feelings were out of his control again. "I do. What about it?" he asked, a little more forceful than intended.
The Prince frowned at his curt tone of voice, but set it aside and continued, "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Why?" Jun asked, wondering what this man could possibly be up to.
Kazunari snapped. "Can't you answer with a straightforward response for once?"
Jun scowled. "I'd do it if you do it."
"This isn't about me!" Visibly seething with his teeth clenched, the Prince turned his back on Jun again. "Fine, you jerk! Do whatever you want! Tomorrow I'm going out and you don't need to know anything."
Jun's stubbornness dissolved instantly. He stepped towards Kazunari with concern. "You can barely walk."
"I can walk," Kazunari replied and crossed his arms.
"Are we going to argue again?" Jun asked, a plea noticeable in his voice and question. Why, when he wanted it so much, couldn't they hold a single civil conversation without snarling at each other?
"That's your problem," the Prince sulked.
"No," Jun replied adamantly and he took another step towards the other man who still refused to face him. Jun felt helpless. When before he felt uneasy with Kazunari's eyes on him, now he just wanted the smaller man to turn around and see him. Once again, the flow between them deteriorated so fast. He wished it didn't have to always turn out that way. "It's not just me. It's our problem."
Still seated Kazunari swiveled around, to Jun's relief. The Prince looked at the Idol with confusion. "Since when did it become about us?" he snapped.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew his mistake. That unvoiced something that existed between them, making them at once angry and confused, was so pronounced even Kazunari couldn't deny it. Whether that was hate or something else too, he honestly was afraid to know.
Jun's eyes remained fixed on the Prince's face. He stopped a few meters away from the latter and crouched down so that they were decently leveled. Jun's hands felt clammy. Despite the small distance between them, they were still close enough that the proximity had his heart racing again. Slowly, brokenly, Jun asked, "Can you... Do you remember what happened yesterday night?"
The memory instantly returned to the both of them and unwillingly, Kazunari flushed. He opened his mouth to speak and said nothing. The inability to find words was unlike him and even that stifled him. He remembered leaning in close to Jun who had fallen asleep. He remembered what he had thought afterwards. Kazunari grasped desperately at straws to find that dependable, defiant trait of his that in that very moment he seemed to have lost.
What went wrong between us? Jun thought as he took in the confusion that had returned to the smaller man's face and the fear that strayed to his eyes. But from the very beginning, they had started off on the wrong foot. Jun wanted to know how he could fix that. He asked the question that had been on his mind, the very same one he'd thought of so many times, and had asked at least once. This time the both of them were sober and awake to hear it.
"Kazunari," Jun started, "why do you hate me?"
[ Core ]
Sho began to doubt his decision in running away from Masaki and every second spent in the presence of the two Mages he accompanied increased his longing for the Caretaker even more. He wanted to see Masaki again and because of that weakness he clung to his determination to leave. He used excuses and anything he could get a hold of to drive himself towards the direction of the Palace and, to his knowledge, away from Masaki. The Caretaker would hate him. They were too different. He was from Earth and Masaki was from Core. He tried not to think about anything else.
The Mages and he traveled unhindered through the dark plains. Before long, they headed into the even darker forest where even the trees were rotting. Sho thought he had gotten used to this Land, but his fear doubled. The forest was dead silent. No animals, or insects, or single thing lived in the dead forest. He had been told often enough about Satoshi, but once again Sho was amazed and terrified of the power belonging to the being who spoke in his head, who had the power to revive and destroy the Land.
All of a sudden, the Mage of Creation paused and Air and Breath stopped beside her. Sho glanced at them in surprise, wondering what they noticed. He feared that it was something life threatening. A small, unvoiced part of him wished Masaki was with him.
Air and Breath closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "We're close. I can sense the others."
Who? Sho wanted to ask. He was too afraid of the white mage to ask the question, but felt relieved to know that their break had not been due to something dangerous as he had feared.
The Mage of Creation's eyes hardened as she looked off into the distance at the direction of the Palace. "So the intruder's really here. He dared to enter the Guardian's domain."
In a sudden movement, the Mage of Air and Breath turned sharply to his comrade. He glared straight at her and his voice came out harsh and grating as he accused, "The Caretaker's here, too."
Sho started and looked up wildly as if Masaki was right in front of them and could see them. His heart pounded, the beats ringing in his ears. He wanted to see Masaki so much, even if that meant getting caught, but Masaki was not there. Only the three them stood in that space surrounded by dead ferns and trees. For no reason at all, he felt disappointment despite his own determination.
"Steel and the Holder should have directed him to the Blue Lake," Creation mused, unaffected by Air and Breath's intense stare. "Maybe they did not meet him."
Masaki was near. The knowledge flooded Sho and with it the implication that he would be trapped. Masaki was near and they were close to the Palace, where Nakamura Kenji was. Soon, they would cross paths. Everyone, the Caretaker included, would learn about Sho's connection to the very man that they hated. That thought chilled him. His determination to catch Nakamura out of guilt wavered and was replaced by his bigger fear, of being hated by Masaki and losing the memory of the Caretaker's precious smile.
Sho clenched his hands into fists and made a hard decision. He gathered his courage and spoke. "I'm staying here. Please go on without me."
Both Mages now directed their gazes at him.
"We're not going to do that," Air and Breath barked. "Since we found you after the Caretaker lost you, you're under our care."
In a more gentle voice, Creation added, "At the very least, we have to return you to Masaki."
The very idea frightened Sho. He courageously shook his head, rejecting the two Mages' propositions. Finding Nakamura Kenji was not as important to him now as avoiding Masaki; Masaki whose small, silly moments of happiness could affect him and whose hatred he could not bear to confront. He made another abrupt decision.
Taking a deep breath and avoiding the intense glare of Air and Breath, Sho said, "I'm going to the Blue Lake." Where Masaki wouldn't be.
Creation saw the new determination in the lines of his body and turned to look at her comrade in surprise, wondering what he thought of it. Air and Breath continued to stare at Sho, but his face was now unreadable and cold.
"I'm going to the Blue Lake," Sho repeated, his voice stronger the second time. In his mind, he reached for someone, something he didn't know. He called out, Satoshi, please help me. I don't know what to do. I can't meet Masaki. Not like this. Even if it meant he had to abandon his search for Nakamura Kenji, even if it meant going against the longing in his chest, to him keeping his memories with Masaki precious was everything to him at that moment. He was only good at running away.
(( I can feel your heart, )) the Guardian's whisper ghosted across his mind.
Sho froze and the two Mages seemed to have paused for some reason as well.
(( Come to the Blue Lake. I will aid you. ))
The Mage of Creation and Air and Breath threw glances at each other. Sho felt Satoshi ebb away from his mind and when he noticed, both mages had turned from the direction of the Palace towards another point.
"We're going to the Blue Lake," Air and Breath hissed, angry at someone or something.
In one swift motion, the Mage of Creation transformed a nearby rock into a four legged creature with two fiery heads and a dozen tails. She jumped on it's back. "Get on," she ushered Sho to join behind her. "We're going to speed up."
Sho was used to their domineering attitudes, and although he was surprised by their sudden change, he did not need to be told twice.
[ Earth, Matsumoto Jun's Room ]
They were at eye level, both settled on the floor, with murmurs from the television droning on. Jun's question hovered in the air between them.
Kazunari averted his gaze from the Idol's. He inhaled sharply, his breath short. How would he answer that question? He wanted to know the Idol's answer to that very same question, too. At the same time that he did not want the truth, he yearned for it. So much, that Kazunari's innate stubbornness began to wither. He muttered, "If I tell you honestly, will you give me a straightforward answer, too?"
Not expecting that question, and even Kazunari's sincere contemplation, Jun sat back on his heels. But he did not need long to decide. He wanted the latter's response, even now more than ever that they weren't screaming frustrations at each other. He nodded slowly. "I want the truth."
Kazunari swallowed. He could feel his head pound with each heavy pulse. He knew, more than ever, that he did not hate Jun. He couldn't hate him. What he felt towards the man sitting opposite him was not similar to what he felt for Satoshi or Masaki, but it was close. It was also different. And it stole his breath away the same way Satoshi stole his breath whenever Kazunari missed him. He had to answer Jun, but he did not know how to say it. What could he possibly tell the other man that did not make him seem crazy?
Dammit! Kazunari curled around himself and covered his hands with his face. He missed the look of concern that crossed Jun's expression as he withdrew. The Prince breathed into his palms and from within himself, he found one answer he was certain of and that could live with.
Quietly, his voice barely a murmur, he said, "I don't hate you. You're important to me." For some reason, unbeknownst to him, this Earthling human called Matsumoto Jun had managed to become important.
The instant relief that the Prince's answer gave Jun spread throughout his entire body. He felt himself relax and realized how tense he had been while he waited for his answer. He wanted to hear Kazunari say it again, that he was important, but knew it was impossible. The Prince's knees were drawn up to his chest and his hands still covered his face, as if he couldn't quite speak directly to the Idol. Jun recognized the feeling that engulfed him as he watched the frail looking man; he wanted to protect this creature, no, this being of a different world. He couldn't avoid it any longer.
The Idol knew his answer to his own question, had known all along. "Me, too. I can't hate you," he said.
Kazunari looked at Jun through his fingers. The Idol's gaze on him was intent, but solemn and honest. The fear within him gradually faded. He wasn't alone in his feelings. He wasn't stupid for voicing it. He could accept it. He would. Kazunari held himself back from expressing too much happiness, struggling to contain the bubble that had welled up in his chest. He realized Jun's answer had mattered that much to him.
"That's obvious," Kazunari said with forced arrogance. His hands fell from his face as he regained control of his expression.
Jun couldn't help it; although it had given him a lot of trouble, he knew he valued the Prince's cheekiness, and now that Kazunari was looking him in the eyes again he smiled.
Jun's smile was both sweet and joyous and a dazzled Kazunari squared his jaw and childishly snubbed him. Jun's grin grew even wider because of that.
[ La Vie Cafe ]
Darkness descended both outside and inside the cafe. It was closed for the night and the lights at the front were off, but the lights in the back kitchen were still on.
Five bodies lay strewn over the floor and counters. Blood soaked the tiles. By the stove, a chef's glazed eyes stared unseeing up at the fluorescent lights. He choked on the blood that filled his lungs and spilled down the side of his lips. The Mutant that was crouched over his body, digging into his warm flesh, looked into his face and giggled.
A new smell drifted over to it and all of a sudden it paused. It sniffed the air and moved over to the door leading to the front where the customers were served during the day. It smelled the faint residue of power. The Mutant smiled. The prey that had escaped had been here. It's most delicious prey was found.
[ Core, the Courts of Core ]
Masaki was uncharacteristically silent during the rest of his journey. Accompanied by the disapproving Mage of Steel and Holder of Heat and Wrath, he kept his anxieties and doubts to himself. What if Sho eluded him again? What if Satoshi needed him? What if... so many things. He worried without stopping. Among all of them, his biggest resolve was to find Sho.
At last they reached the Palace where the intruder they chased led them, where Sho's whereabouts led Masaki. At the gates, they stopped.
"He must be inside," the Mage of Steel said.
The Holder of Heat and Wrath looked straight at Masaki and his unspoken thoughts reached the Caretaker through the coolness in his eyes. Masaki shifted uncomfortably and looked about him. It was true that the intruder was inside. He had been Masaki's first failed mission. But more importantly, where was Sho? Why could Masaki feel the presence of the other Mages gathering around the Palace, closing in, but why could he not feel Sho? What if...?
What if Sho's not here? Masaki thought and deep in his gut he knew that doubt was true. He breathed and realized that he'd been holding his breath. He slumped forward and stopped his fall with a hand on the wall in front of him.
"Caretaker, we're moving forward. Do what you want," the Mage of Steel said.
The Mages did not wait for his response. They scaled the walls and jumped to the other side.
Masaki looked up at them as they disappeared over the walls. He gathered himself and took a deep breath. He could be wrong. He had to go in.
As they had done, Masaki scaled the walls and went over. But he did not follow his two comrades. He strayed from their path heading toward the inner Courts, and went to the place where he had first taken Sho, where Sho had woken up and Masaki had promised to heal him.
Masaki reached his Green Gardens and stopped dead in his tracks. The horror of what he saw stole his breath away. His Garden was dead, as lifeless as the Land around them, dead from his absence and without the usual aid of Satoshi. Instantly, the Caretaker knew that his instincts had been right; Sho was not here or nowhere near. The person he wanted to see the most had eluded him once again. There the Caretaker stood, surrounded by nothing, having lost everything.
The emptiness around him was overwhelming and he knew his journey had been in vain. Guilt weighed him down and his knees buckled. Masaki fell onto the rotten grass. He had failed both Sho and his beloved Guardian. He had failed his own precious Garden. He had defied orders and neglected his duties. He had failed this Land.
Masaki curled into a ball on his side and wept. He loved so much. He did not want to lose anything. His tears were for Sho, Satoshi, and the dying Land. Everything around him in his Garden was dead, everything but him. The sadness of it all crushed him.
In his hopelessness, uselessness, he felt utterly alone.
[ Earth, Matsumoto Jun's Room ]
To avoid an argument he did not want, and to keep the temporary peace between them, to treasure the honest thoughts and feelings that had passed between them just a little longer, Jun allowed Kazunari to sleep on the bed for the night. He slept on the couch, uncomfortably, but contented knowing that the tension around him and Kazunari had been unwound, at least for that night.
Tomorrow was a different story, but one which Jun hoped to influence just as much. He no longer wanted to step back into days filled with frustrations and anger. He wanted more time to learn about Kazunari, to know everything he possibly could about him.
*
Before morning, Jun was woken from his deep sleep on the couch by a loud crash. He jerked upright and his eyes flew to the bed. It was empty, again. A soft breeze wafted into the room and his eyes moved to the window. The curtains around it fluttered, the wind coming in through a large gaping hole in the glass, as if someone had jumped through. Almost instantly, Jun knew Kazunari had done it.
Heart racing in fear and concern, he rushed to the crack and looked out. In the parking lot three stories below, he saw a dark figure run. Under a streetlight in the near distance, Kazunari's features were illuminated and Jun gasped. What was the other man doing?
The Prince did not notice Jun at the window. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face the hotel. Fists clenched, he braced himself and screamed, "I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE YOU FUCKING MUTANT! COME OUT!"
Mutant? Jun thought, at once afraid and confused as his upper body leaned out from the cracked glass and he watched Kazunari.
A thunderous roar rumbled from behind him and the wall behind Jun splintered. A force exploded through the thin barrier and leaped at the window. Instinctively, Jun raised his arms to protect his head and ducked to the ground below the sill. The monster jumped at the window the Idol had just been standing in front of, destroying the entire frame and leaving a gaping hole in the hotel's walls. It roared into the darkness and chased after the Prince.
Trembling, Jun took a few breaths on the floor to steady himself, wincing at his small cuts, before he pulled himself up and looked out again. The parking lot was empty of life. Kazunari and the monster was gone.
The Idol clutched his chest, felt his heart race as it never had before. Just for an instant, he had seen that thing Kazunari called a Mutant. He recognized the humanoid creature from the first night Sho had gone missing; the thing that had crashed into his car. That thing, that monster, was a living nightmare.
Jun feared for Kazunari's safety. Could Kazunari escape? Would he survive another attack? Belatedly, he remembered that the Prince had just recovered from wounds the monster, the Mutant, had inflicted on him.
I can't do anything! I'm so useless! he screamed inside his head, feeling anguish and concern for Kazunari crush him. I can't leave him out there! Alone.
In that moment, Jun decided. He could do nothing, but he would try. He couldn't leave Kazunari out there with such a monster and not know.
Jun grabbed his car keys on the bedside table and turned to leave. Patrons of the hotel from the neighboring rooms and along the hall were already crowding outside the hole in his wall. They looked through to see him. Jun only hesitated a second when he saw their curious faces.
He clenched his teeth and walked through the gaping hole. He pushed passed the people and ran out of the hotel, to his car, determined to find and follow Kazunari.
[ the streets of Tokyo ]
Kazunari clutched his aching side and struggled to breathe as he limped down a dark alley. He cursed the bloodied cuts that he'd received from jumping out the window down three stories. Dammit, dammit, dammit! It'll smell me! Fear and anxiety, feelings that he'd never considered while battling the Mutants in Core with the other Mages at his side, coursed through him and frayed his nerves. It clouded his judgement.
This was not how he had wanted to confront the Mutant. He was as unprepared as the first time, but he was hurt, and like that time too the Earth's Laws confined him. He still couldn't hold his electricity for long, not even for a few minutes at a time. It would be impossible to inject enough force and power into it. He hadn't even figured out how to contact Satoshi.
This time too, he did not want anyone else involved, especially not Jun. Jun had been in the room with him when Kazunari woke and smelled the Mutant. He'd been so terrified at the time, afraid that it would find him while he was still with Jun. He wanted to protect Jun. He had to get somewhere safe before that monster found him.
Kazunari paused in the alley, still clutching his side, and as his head hung wearily he drew in a deep, ragged breath. He needed his best friend, Masaki, the most right at this moment. He wanted his brother beside him, not only for his ability. He wanted to draw on the Bond between them for strength; to know that he wasn't alone in this fight, like he truly was.
But he was alone, wounded, and on the run. He had to conserve energy to use whatever he could of his power. He faced extremes.
What am I going to do? he thought, desperate and terrified.
Kazunari heard an inhuman giggle behind him. He swung around right in time to catch the Mutant as it threw itself at him and flung him down to the ground. His breath was knocked out of him. Agony tore through his chest as the monster's claws dug into his shoulder and tried to rip his left arm off.
I'm going to die.
Kazunari shrieked as excruciating pain burst through his chest and along his arm. Instinctively, he summoned every ounce of energy and power that he had. He used everything. White lightning exploded from his body.
[ Core, the Blue Lake ]
Air and Breath whirled ahead of them like the wind and the creature carrying both the Mage of Creation and Sho fought to catch up. But because the Mages used all of their energy to travel, they reached their destination quicker than Sho would have thought possible.
They broke clear of the forest and onto the dark plains once more. The Palace at their backs could no longer be seen above the forest. Up ahead, their destination loomed before them. Sho clung on to Creation's shoulders as her creature followed Air and Breath, exerting a final burst of energy and speed.
At last, they reached the Blue Lake.
The Mage of Creation gasped as they finally came to an abrupt stop after their hard night of travel.
Sho peered over her shoulder and gaped as well. The Lake was not crystal clear as he thought it would be. It was a shimmering, glassy blue that was so beautiful, it reminded Sho of the perfect clear blue skies of Earth. Although the smooth surface was untouched, the edges of the Lake poured over the basin and rippled out. The Blue Lake pulsated with power.
The creature beneath Sho disintegrated into dust and he dropped onto the ground hard. He yelled out and rolled onto his side to rub his behind.
The Mage of Creation and Mage of Air and Breath did not care or notice him. He was forgotten. As if enchanted, the mages moved toward the Blue Lake. Sho forgot his pain and watched in wonder as both dropped onto their knees at the very edge until their knees touched the ripples of water. It was an uncanny sight; two beings so powerful suddenly silent and indifferent to everything else around them. They moved as if numbed. Together, they peered over the side of the Blue Lake and at their reflection.
No one spoke and no one moved for the space of a few heart beats. Sho unconsciously held his breath. Then the Mage of Air and Breath bowed his head and the Mage of Creation wept. Their reactions were at once abrupt and mystifying.
Afraid and curious, Sho warily moved to the water's edge as well. He found, to his surprise, that his legs could not support him and like the two Mages before him he fell to his knees too. Sho froze for a moment, fear overwhelming even curiosity, until he felt something, someone, pull him over to the edge of the Lake. Like the Mages, his knees touched the ripples of water and he peered out to see his own reflection on the surface of the Blue Lake.
Sho did not see himself. The waters distorted and an image formed. He saw dead trees, flowers, and grass. The Palace towered above it all in the background. He saw a man curled up within the ruins. Sho's breath hitched as he recognized Masaki. Sobs rang in his ear, so heart wrenching that it also overwhelmed Sho. Those heart breaking sobs belonged to Masaki, he knew, and it echoed in his mind until he thought he'd go mad. Sho's lungs seemed to constrict and for a moment, he couldn't breathe. Why was the Caretaker crying? It burned into Sho, hurting him.
The Idol gasped and clutched at his chest. He squeezed shut his eyes, but the image did not escape him. Unbeknownst to him, tears trickled down his face as well. Masaki's tears and pain caused him anguish.
Satoshi, why are you showing me this? he mentally cried.
(( This is my Heart, )) the Guardian whispered. (( And this is your heart as well. ))
"Masaki..." The name unconsciously left Sho's lips and just for that moment he fought to breathe through the hopelessness and pain that the Caretaker felt. Why must Masaki feel this way? What had Sho done? Where did the Caretaker's perfect smile go? No one that Sho knew was like Masaki; no one managed to love so beautifully like him. Sho longed for him, wanted to wrap his arms around him and soothe his worries away, so much that their current distance pained him; a distance that he had initiated himself.
Why am I here, far away from him? Sho thought. When the Caretaker had been there for him, now that it mattered that he return the same kind of warmth, he wasn't able to. Too late, he realized at that moment that it didn't matter what Masaki thought of him or Nakamura, or what differences existed between them. The Caretaker was alone, crying, and Sho wanted to be with him no matter what. Sho had been selfish and that selfishness had been repaid him with the Caretaker's lonely tears.
(( You left him. You don't understand, Sho. Loneliness is frightening. ))
Sho clenched shut his eyes and touched his forehead to the ground. I'm sorry. I know. I won't run away again. Satoshi, please let me go to Masaki.
Gradually, the magic from the Lake ebbed away. The Guardian left Sho and the Mages behind as he escaped the Blue Lake. Crouched over the surface of the water, after the intense emotions that had overwhelmed them, Sho and the two Mages felt suddenly bereft in the sudden silence around them and their minds.
[ Earth, the streets of Tokyo ]
In his car, Jun saw a flash of lightning in the distance. Briefly, the entire area around it was encased in bright light. He instantly stepped on his gas pedal and drove towards the direction of the lightning.
Jun reached the alley moments later. Smoke filled the air and blinded him. Two other bystanders stood outside the alley, curious but afraid to venture in. Jun ignored them and ran right into the opening. He coughed as the smoke filled his lungs and nostril, but he ignored it and pushed through the smoke.
Deep inside the alley, he made out a charred circle ten meters wide in the ground. Parts of the buildings in the alley where the edges of the circle touched were crumbling. At the dead center of it, two bodies laid still. One of them was black and charred, unrecognizable lump. Smoke billowed out from the remains. The other body was covered in blood.
Jun dropped onto his knees beside Kazunari. The deathly paleness of the Prince's face and the warm blood that pooled around him scared Jun. He saw torn flesh and bone along Kazunari's chest and arm and he struggled to hold down his bile. He reached a hand towards the motionless body with a trembling hand, but was afraid to touch the smaller man and hurt him even more. Jun couldn't speak, couldn't breathe, couldn't understand what was happening.
Miraculously, Kazunari's eyes fluttered. His chest heaved as he drew a painful, ragged breath. He was alive.
Jun quickly leaned down and caressed his face. "Kazunari, can you hear me?" he whispered, so soft that his ears almost couldn't catch it. He was afraid to raise his voice.
Kazunari's eyes fluttered again. His lips moved. "Matsu...mo...to.."
"It's Jun," the Idol murmured, trying to keep his voice from quaking. "Kazunari, don't sleep. Help will come. Stay with me. Don't fall asleep."
"Jun, I'm cold," Kazunari breathed out between his lips and almost instantly his teeth began to clatter as he shook from the cold spreading within his body. "Don't leave me."
"I won't leave," Jun whispered. His gut and heart twisted into a knot. Undeterred tears fell from his eyes and dripped down the point of his nose, dropped and slid along the Prince's pale skin along his jaw. "Kazunari, don't sleep. Stay with me."
"Jun, I'm cold," the smaller man repeated.
Jun laid in the ground within the charred circle and pool of blood beside the Prince. He draped his arm around the smaller body, as if he could keep away some of that coldness. He pressed soft kisses along Kazunari's temple, his cheekbone, and the tip of his nose. Then he caressed Kazunari's cheek, his fingers ghosting across the pale skin.
"Kazunari, don't sleep," he begged quietly. "Don't sleep. Stay awake. Stay with me. Please."
The smaller man heaved a deep, painful breath that grated against Jun's ears.
Kazunari wearily reached within himself, searched for the bond with his brother that had always been there. He did not have the strength to hold on to it, but he felt the pressure of Jun's arm over his body and for that he was grateful. He wasn't alone. Jun was there with him. Nothing else mattered. That was enough. He remained silent as his life trickled away with each passing second.
They waited for help to arrive.
[ Core, the Palace ]
Nakamura Kenji came to the end of the corridor that led away from the Great Hall. He stopped in front of the only chamber that this particular corridor led him to. This place was as empty as he had thought it to be. He feared nothing.
Clueless as to what lay beyond, Kenji stepped into the Chamber of Mirrors.
He was suddenly surrounded by mirrors. It closed him in from all directions. He turned around and could no longer find the door out of this place. He was trapped with nowhere to go. There was no escape. Kenji was forced to look at his reflection, into his own eyes, and what he saw turned his blood ice cold. He screamed.
Kenji's knees buckled and he fell on all fours. Even the ground beneath him was a mirror. He saw himself, a monster, and broke into breathless sobs.
It wasn't right. He didn't deserve this. He had only wanted to live a dream, a dream long forgotten and lost that through foolish hope he had tried to revive. He wasn't a monster. He was a hero.
It's my own wish, Kenji thought as he cried shameless tears.
Cold arms wrapped around him and Kenji melted into the embrace. He looked up and through his tears he saw a young man with blond hair and eyes the color of blue water. Even if he'd never seen this young man before, had never known him, Kenji felt that deep within his heart he had been waiting for this person all along.
"King," he called as he wept. The cold arms held him gently and he cried harder. This was the beloved Guardian, his enemy, and Kenji realized he was the only being that understood.
"You won't be alone anymore," Satoshi murmured, softly pressing his cheek against Kenji's forehead. "You'll become a part of me, a part of this Land, and your dreams will be lived through me. That is what I can promise you."
"Thank you," Kenji sobbed against him. At long last, someone willingly gave to him. He snuggled deeper into the young man's embrace and felt his body become weightless.
"Let me take your nightmares away," the Guardian promised.
Coldness seeped into Kenji. He saw only darkness, and still he whispered, "Thank you." He would be no longer alone.
The laughter of the children who made fun of him washed away. The disgusted looks that his coworkers threw at him disappeared into oblivion. The screams and the accusing eyes of the dead villagers and children became nothing. And at the end, the young Sho's innocent smile that had captured his heart and given him hope faded into nothing.
Kenji sank into Satoshi's liquid skin. He drowned in the shape of blue water and was engulfed until Satoshi held no one, until his arms that had held the assistant were wrapped around no one but himself.
The Guardian sat alone in the Chamber of Mirrors.
* *
Next: chap08