[Fic] Le Soleil et la lune
Part 2
Present Day
Sitting on the couch with his legs crossed, Kazuya’s elbows dig into the pillow on his lap. The book he's reading now lay forgotten next to him as he watches Jin play his favourite video game, seating cross-legged on the floor with chips and cans of soda scattered around him. Kazuya rolls his eyes before picking his book, where three yōkai live in the human world and hope to become human beings in return for their good deeds, up again in an attempt to pretend reading as he keeps his eyes on Jin.
Kazuya has never thought that he would be sharing a room with Jin. Since the minute he stepped inside the room, Jin has scowled at him and Kazuya, not one to back down, pays Jin back with a cold stare which had Koyama-senpai, the dorm president, and Kato, the secretary, laughing before leaving the two of them inside the room. Kazuya had hopes of living his temporary life in the human world in peace. When he crossed the bridge from Kamiumi to Kuniumi, Kazuya has always made sure to isolate himself from humans in hopes of keeping his real identity a secret. Besides, he's already growing tired of rejecting women and men alike when they confess their feelings for him. It isn't like he could blame his mother for being eternally beautiful. He has been staying in the human world since he turned fifteen in human years and had difficulty locating the Demon King. It took him another human year to find the King. He knows about Jin because his mother had taken the liberty to make him (forced him?) remember about his past lives, imbibing in his mind what Jin did to have his soul back. He had forgotten but his mother feeds him information about his past since he came back to life. Unfortunately, the priestesses have informed them that their heika has forgotten and maybe, refuses to remember his life as the heika.
It isn't easy but as Kazuya went on his journey, he has met different types of people and has grown accustomed to their way of living. He almost feels a similarity between him and the Bemu character on his book. Like a typical teenager, he attends school every day and stays at the dorm. He has learned how to cut and dye his hair and how to wear human clothes in a trendy way. He's learned how to use basic technologies and how to cook. The human world isn't really different from Kamiumi after all.
"What are you thinking?" Jin asks, not even sparing the other a glance. He could feel Kazuya's eyes on him even if the other pretends to be busy with his book.
He has heard about Kamenashi Kazuya. The week before Kamenashi actually came, there have already been rumours going around about him being a smart guy and really beautiful. Trust Yamashita to be always the first to know (which isn't entirely true because Kamenashi's staying at the dorm and that should make Koyama the first official student to know about him).
Jin hears Kazuya tsk and when he glances, he sees him actually reading his book while comfortably seated on the couch, slouching a little so that his head could rest against the couch's armrest.
"I'm thinking of just how much of a child you are." Kazuya deadpans. "You're already too old for video games after all."
"Hah! I don't know from whatever place you're from but you should know that video games will forever be part of a man's life." Jin retorts then ignores Kazuya for his game.
"Seriously, at this stage, you are not really suited for the role of being Demon King. I wonder if I found the wrong person." Kazuya says and also begins to ignore the other.
"What's with all that demon talk again? I told you I've no plans on being king of a place I don't know," Jin says, not trying to disguise his horror with such idea.
He still remembers how his first day with Kazuya went. It was a disaster. Kazuya came to their school, became his roommate and the minute they met Kazuya went on and on about this place called Kamiumi and that he, Akanishi Jin, is the lost Demon King. Kazuya continued on how Kamiumi would soon be a hopeless place if he doesn't return. Lower class demons are having the time of their lives messing up people's lives and that there have been plans of crossing the bridge from Kamiumi to Kuniumi to be able to live in peace. Jin thinks it's a good plot if it's a video game. He'd control his hero and save humanity in a blink of an eye but Kazuya's a tough lad. He seems determined on making him take part in such story. Jin did everything he could to keep Kazuya away but apparently, Kazuya has some kind of ability to always find him. Kazuya also appears at times when he’s in trouble or just when he wants company that doesn’t require Yamashita’s presence or any of his troops. Besides, Kazuya’s smart. He benefits from that, too.
"I told you already that we didn't have any choice. Personally, you won't even be an option if I were to decide who the next Demon King should be." Kazuya retorts, shifting on the couch to find a more comfortable position. "Be glad you're not being randomly sucked up to another world."
"Yeah, yeah whatever," Jin says, already used to being the one on the losing end. Besides, he and Kazuya have been living together for almost two years now and they always spend their days like this that Jin almost feels it’s vital in his life. It feels normal.
An hour passes and Jin shifts on where he is seated only to see Kazuya asleep on the couch, a little bit of sunlight is peeking through the blinds and dances on the highest point of Kazuya's left cheek. It makes Jin smile and he gets up from the floor after he's saved his game. He walks toward him and brushes Kazuya's dark hair back slightly, carefully, before placing a soft kiss on Kazuya's forehead then goes to leave the room.
Alone, Kazuya finds himself smiling to no one. He could still feel the soft brush of metal against his chin. It’s his pluck. He’s aware of the fact that Jin uses his pluck as a pendant.
☀☾✯✟
“What the hell?” Yamashita scowls upon seeing Jin in his room, hiding his nakedness as much as he could. “I should report you for always barging in into my room.” He’s just finished showering and didn’t expect to see anyone when he comes out of the bathroom. Stupid Jin.
Jin plops down on the couch and turns on the television in Yamashita’s room, putting his legs up on the coffee table in front of him. “I’ve got nothing else to do. I’m bored,” he says, changing channels without really watching the show.
“You’re done bickering with your roommate?” Yamashita says, pulling on his underwear and shorts with his back to the other man. “Thought it was your favourite past time? Kamenashi seems to be having a good time with you, too.”
“Ass,” Jin remarks and his eyes wander off around the room. His eyes fall on the foot of the bed. He gets up and picks up the pink skull printed boxers. “Tegoshi was here, wasn’t he?”
“You care because?”
“Nothing,” Jin says. “You seem to be serious with him.”
“Maybe, who knows?” Yamashita answers, towelling off his hair dry as he speaks. “The deal with you and Kamenashi still on?”
“Yeah,” Jin says. “It's been six months since he has agreed to do whatever I want him to if he wants me to take on that role of being the Demon King of this whatsoever world.”
“Akanishi Jin the Demon King.” Yamashita laughs. “It’s got a nice ring to it, Jin. But I do think queen suits you better, what with your terms and conditions. Not to mention the sex you get with Kazuya around.”
“Fuck you.” Jin scowls and throws the boxers to Yamashita, hitting his best friend’s back.
“Next time, Jin,” Yamashita teases, smirking even. “I’ll call you when I’m done with Yuya. Now get out, Yuya will be back soon.”
“Seriously Pi, fuck you and your little princess.” Jin rolls his eyes and heads for the door when Yamashita only laughs at him. Stupid Yamapi.
“Go back to your room, your majesty. Your king must be waiting.”
Jin slams Yamashita’s door when he hears his best friend laughing really hard and swears to punish Yamapi if ever he’s got some kind of cool super power. He should ask Kazuya about that. But first he’s off to Masuda’s room to borrow some video games to play.
☀☾✯✟
Faint moonlight, voices of children hush in the night, calling to each other, sharing stories rather than running around playing hide and seek. He could hear their faint voices that they could play without the threat of demons approaching them in the dark. He continues to sit in the shadows in an attempt to block the sadness of the children. It’s always like this in this dark place.
“They would get used to it.” Eagerly Jin follows the sound of the voice, he looks up and his eyes fall upon a man sitting on a sturdy tree branch with his legs crossed, back resting against the trunk. His clothes are unusual for a man. The scoop-collar style of his loose white shirt exposes his neck down to half of his shoulders and his pale long hair that is loosely tied at the bottom sways with the wind. He’s wearing jeans and Jin could imagine how tempting they’d look wrapped around his waist. He shakes his head to erase the thoughts. “These children…” Jin hears him say. “…they grew up with the feeling of fear.”
Jin approaches the tree slowly, wondering why it feels like this man beckons him to come closer. “Have they ever experienced running around and playing without a care in the world?” he asks, remembering his own childhood in that little village far from the city, where he tended fields and played with boys his age every day.
“They can’t,” the man replies in a quiet voice. “Lower class demons lurk everywhere and they feed on these children since they cannot fight.”
“Are they always in this grave danger?” Jin asks, looking back to where the group of boys and girls are. He could hear them laughing. In a sudden, Jin hears a strange noise not far from where he is, he could feel it straying away from them but it’s definitely going somewhere. “Did you hear that?” he asks the man, terrified.
“Hmm,” the man says, his fingers starting to uncoil the strings wrapped around the strands of his hair.
Jin hears continuous rustle in the bushes and heavy footsteps and he stands rooted in his place when he sees four huge wolf-like creatures come out of the bushes, using the darkness of the night to their advantage as they run fast toward the unsuspecting children.
As he was just about to scream loudly for them to run, he feels a tight pull in the wind and he sees the creatures’ dead in the ground in a blink of an eye.
“They’re lower class demons.”
When Jin looks up, he sees the man lifting his right hand, as if commanding the wind to him, but what he sees are strings, silver in the dark, pooling into the man’s palm.
“What…”
“This?” the man says, calm and composed as if he didn’t just kill beasts a while ago. “I use this to find our Demon King, play him music and protect the children of Kamiumi while he’s away.”
“Then you must be a failure in doing your job!” Jin seethes, angry at the thought of the children being unsafe. “You sit there, playing your harp like a girl instead of searching for your King and all the while putting these children’s lives in danger!”
“I found him already,” the man replies calmly, voice cold as the night wind. “He just refuses to be our king.”
Jin feels himself shudder when the man’s eyes meet his.
☀☾✯✟
“What’s wrong?” Kazuya asks, rubbing his eyes off of sleep. He has been sleeping soundly when he feels the other side of the bed shift. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Jin says. “It was just a dream. Go back to sleep, Kazuya.”
Kazuya shifts, coming closer to Jin. He spreads Jin’s legs, settling himself between them and leans his back against Jin’s chest. “What is it?”
“I don’t really know,” Jin answers, burying his face in Kazuya’s hair and inhaling the younger’s scent. He likes the way how Kazuya smells. He likes how Kazuya seems so attuned to him. He likes how his relationship with Kazuya is so unpredictable, one minute they are fighting and the next they are trapped in their own little world where they act as if they’re long-time lovers.
“Was it bad?” Kazuya asks, keeping hold of Jin’s hands.
“I guess.”
Kazuya faces Jin then, kisses the other on the lips. “Then let’s make you forget about it.” He whispers to Jin’s ear, changing his position and pushing Jin down the bed gently. It has been Jin’s habit to sleep without his shirt on and that’s good because it makes the task easier for Kazuya. Gently, he showers kisses on Jin’s face down to his neck, licking on the sides of his neck, tracing that little curve with his tongue. Jin doesn’t resist him.
His fingers trace the line from Jin’s chest down to his stomach, playing and teasing around the waistband of Jin’s underwear. Slowly, Kazuya kisses down Jin’s body. Jin moans as his tongue licks on a nipple, right hand slipping inside the cotton fabric of Jin’s underwear. After being together for so many years, Kazuya knows Jin’s body as if it was his own. He curls his fingers around Jin’s shaft, feeling how it’s starting to respond to his touches and Jin’s little moans send sparks inside his body, waking up his desire for this man. Kazuya makes sure he moves slowly. He could feel Jin spreading his legs wider to give him more space. He dips his tongue into Jin’s navel and he hears him, the muscles on Jin’s belly quivers, tighten as he moves his tongue around Jin’s belly button. Then, Kazuya places his hands on Jin’s hips, nipping down towards the black band, gripping it with his teeth. He pulls the garment down with Jin raising his hips to assist him with his task and Kazuya could smell Jin’s arousal as he moves lower and lower down Jin’s body. With his right hand, he strokes Jin, slow but firm and in the faint light of the lamp, Kazuya could see Jin’s face distort in pleasure. Jin is breathtakingly beautiful, Kazuya thinks as he takes him inside his mouth, loving how more of Jin’s muscles tighten as he takes him deeper.
Unable to resist, Jin places his hands on top of Kazuya’s head, grabbing fistfuls of brunette hair into his hands as he moves his hips in gentle thrusting motions, easing himself in and out of Kazuya’s mouth, again and again. Kazuya’s mouth around him feels heavenly. It feels familiar. The reason why he demands sex with Kazuya is that strong sense of familiarity he feels whenever Kazuya’s around. He feels as if he needs him, as if Kazuya is a part of him and he couldn’t just get enough of the other. With just enough force, he yanks on Kazuya’s hair and he feels him gag as his cock hits the back of Kazuya’s throat. Their eyes meet. Jin sees Kazuya’s beautiful face and there’s that voice inside him telling him that Kazuya’s all his, that he was born for him and Jin feels the sudden desire to conquer Kazuya, to brand him, to possess him. In his nineteen years of life, Jin has never felt this kind of selfishness before.
Shifting his eyes to Kazuya’s face again, Jin’s eyes darken further with desire. He could feel Kazuya’s tongue doing wonders on his cock, circling around his shaft. He tightens his hold onto Kazuya and Jin comes undone, shuddering with the force of his orgasm as he releases inside Kazuya’s warm mouth. He pulls the younger to him, kissing Kazuya hard on the lips and tasting himself as he slips his tongue inside Kazuya’s mouth.
☀☾✯✟
Jin, Kazuya thinks as he towels off his body, seems to be having weird dreams frequently. He wakes up to find Jin talking in his sleep sometimes. They're all about Kamiumi. Maybe Jin's starting to remember.
"What are you smiling about?"
Kazuya's smile fades as he turns to look at the man who just went in. "I didn't know I invited you here," he says lightly, his eyes raking at Jin's nakedness. He's familiar but at this moment, something tells him that something about Jin has changed. The feeling sits there in the pits of his stomach.
Jin chuckles, leaning on the door frame. "Are you having fun here?" he asks, looking intently at Kazuya. His eyes are dark. A constant smirk is upon his face.
"Why do you ask?" Kazuya is wary.
"I have the feeling that you miss the heika you love."
Kazuya's eyes go sharp, throwing the other a look. "What are you talking about?" His voice is tense.
Slowly, Jin advances to where Kazuya stands. The younger male stands still in his place, trying to keep his personal space. However, Jin doesn't seem to mind. Instead, he takes Kazuya in his arms when he reaches him, his lips fall close on the skin of Kazuya's ears. Kazuya's breathe hitches. Looking straight to Jin's eyes, he gazes down at him, intently, and sees the familiar way Jin looks at him.
Kazuya stiffens when he feels Jin's hands on him, touching and caressing the planes of his back, tracing the curve of his waist and groping the swell of his ass. "Why are you doing this?" he asks.
The Maoh laughs, throaty and seductive. "Kiss me and I'll let you have him for a while." He says, dark eyes gazing upon his prey.
"Do you really think I would fall for that, young Maoh?" Kazuya asks, keeping his voice cold.
"Your desires are his desires as much as your life is his," the Maoh says and Kazuya bites his lower lip to suppress a moan when the Maoh sinks his teeth into the flesh of his neck, sucking on it. "Do you really think he has forgotten about you? He lives inside me. I am him, Kazuya."
"I know." Kazuya says. “But Maohs are not meant to love. You exist to protect your world and love would destroy whatever equality you are to give to your people. Heika is different.”
Jin chuckles darkly. Being close to Kazuya, inhaling his scent, makes him want to devour him. In a second, Jin locks his lips on Kazuya's. Kazuya doesn't respond at first, refuses to, but when he feels that familiar way how Jin kisses him, he gives in, wrapping his arms around the Maoh's neck.
"Jin," Kazuya breathes, pressing his forehead against Jin's, brushing his nose against Jin’s. His eyes remain closed. "I miss you."
"I miss you, too, Kazuya." Jin, his Jin, replies. His voice is soft and there's that distinct feel of sadness lacing his voice.
Kazuya's eyes move from Jin's face down to his neck then to his nakedness. "Make love to me," he says, unable to ignore the empty void he feels inside him. He's been longing to hold Jin in his arms again. It has been so long.
"I love you," Jin whispers against Kazuya's lips and he kisses Kazuya again, this time without holding back. "I want to kiss you from here," He whispers, running his fingers on Kazuya's lips, to his clavicles, then to his chest, down to his navel, “to here.” Jin mutters as his fingers draw patterns on his hipbone. Kazuya inhales sharply when Jin kneels in front of him, tongue licking the protruding bones on his hip, tracing the curve and giving it gentle kisses. His hands hold him in place, which Kazuya is grateful for. Jin kisses his belly, his tongue dipping into his navel while his hands caress him everywhere. He feels dizzy and cold. He doesn't even realize when did Jin lay him down on the tile flooring of the bathroom.
Kazuya feels Jin hovering above him, his lips feather-like on his face. Kazuya sighs. This is Jin, his heika. Then, Kazuya feels Jin's hand trailing from his thigh, over his hip, squeezing and kneading. He groans, tilting his hip involuntarily and finds that delicious friction as their erections grind.
Kazuya closes his eyes as Jin does it again, this time pushing his own erection against Kazuya's cock. Kazuya pushes back. The moans reverberating around them are needy and lustful. Jin sees Kazuya tilt his head to the side, sees the silent invitation Kazuya gives and he bends down to lick the curve of Kazuya's neck, making marks on the white skin. He feels Kazuya bury his hands in his hair, holding him closer to him, trailing his fingers down to his back, to his behind before it traces the path upwards again. The soft feel of Kazuya's palms on his heated skin has never felt more arousing.
"I want you," Kazuya whispers.
"I'll always want you," Jin replies. "Always. Never forget that." He kisses Kazuya again, from his forehead, down to his eyes, nose, and his lips graze the skin on Kazuya's cheeks before he claims Kazuya's lips in a wet, passionate kiss.
Kazuya drowns in the overwhelming feelings, ignoring the fact that the Maoh, the demon inside Jin, is the reason why he has Jin at this moment. He wraps his arms around Jin as he feels him spread his legs apart and enters him, slow and gentle, as if Jin takes pleasure in every inch of him.
"Faster," Kazuya murmurs, wanting, no, needing more of Jin as every second passes.
Jin obeys. He pushes Kazuya's legs upwards, and the feeling of Kazuya tightening around him, makes Jin lose all the control he has as he pounds into his lover, hard thrust after hard thrust and Kazuya's voice ring in his ears as Jin takes him higher and higher into the heights of ecstasy.
Jin calls out his lover's name, thrusting deeper and faster into Kazuya's body. The way Kazuya tightens around him is overwhelming and Jin finds his sweet release inside him, Kazuya's name a hymn to his lips as he comes.
“Don’t go.” Kazuya says softly, exhausted. His eyes plead Jin.
Jin smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Sleep, Kazuya.” He replies, knowing that when Kazuya wakes, they would be estranged again.
☀☾✯✟
Inside the dream, Jin could hear Kazuya's laughter as the wind brushes past them. He sees Kazuya's hair being carried by the wind; his slender body seems light as Jiyuu carries him on his back without any difficulty. Kazuya and his horse. They are both more beautiful than the sunset.
"Hurry up, Jin!" Kazuya yells, seeing Jin way behind him. Jin has finished studying and Kazuya felt like riding Jiyuu so when Jin finished his task, he had Jin go with him. They have changed into their riding habits and Jin looks gorgeous in black and gold, riding on his raven Friesian horse. He watches Jin pulls the reign on Seigi and gracefully, horse and rider become one as Seigi runs and gallops in the field with Jin on his back. When Jin reaches him, Kazuya commands Jiyuu and together, they go further away from the setting sun, finding a place where they could rest. They stop near a spring where the horses could refresh themselves, grazing a few feet away from them.
Suddenly, Jin grabs Kazuya and pushes him up against the tree, claiming him hungrily, his body pressing against Kazuya's. Kazuya's fingers are in his hair, twisting hard, and pulling Jin closer to him. Jin grinds his body to Kazuya's, keeping him close and not letting go.
"You look amazing," Jin says breathless, heady and reeling with his need for Kazuya.
"So do you, heika," Kazuya says, reaching out to kiss Jin again, his tongue tasting every crevices of Jin's mouth.
"Kazuya," Jin whispers his name, eyes smouldering as he gazes at Kazuya's face. He kisses him again, hand falling on Kazuya's waistband, unbuttoning and pulling the zipper down in one go. He slips his hand in and swallows Kazuya's gasp in his mouth when he curls his fingers around Kazuya's cock.
Kazuya breathes in deeply, burying his face on the side of Jin's neck as surrenders his body to Jin, letting Jin and the tree support his weight as Jin pleasures him with his tongue and mouth on his neck and his hand teasing his cock. The thought of being intimate outside the palace walls arouses Kazuya even more.
Jin drops down on his knees, kissing Kazuya's thighs lightly, drawing patterns on Kazuya's skin with every swipe of his tongue. Kazuya inhales sharply when he feels Jin's tongue on his cock, warm, soft and hot. He shudders in Jin's arms.
Jin takes Kazuya in his mouth, tasting him, feeling him. He takes it out to lap at the tip of Kazuya's cock and he enjoys the feel of Kazuya's body shaking because of him. He looks up and sees Kazuya's eyes shut, his face flushed. He could almost hear Kazuya's heartbeat, fast and loud inside his chest. Slowly, he moves his hand on Kazuya's length, firm and gentle. He hears Kazuya's breathing going fast and unsteady. He loves the moans spilling from Kazuya's lips. He kisses Kazuya's inner thigh, moving his hand faster, his tongue darting out to lick Kazuya, taste him. Kazuya grabs fistful of his hair and Jin watches Kazuya come, trembling in his hold as he continues to coax Kazuya's cock to release.
Jin thinks Kazuya looks so beautiful naked and shattered in the sunset.
☀☾✯✟
Kazuya wanders toward the field where Jin always spends time to play soccer with his friends. Where he's going is always a mystery, but he is rarely led somewhere that gets him into trouble. Kazuya just follows his instincts, and they usually guide him well. Somewhere, someone's having a celebration as Kazuya watches fireworks dance in strange formations above him, their patterns and numbers jolly to just be there. A few minutes later, he finds himself wishing he's brought a jacket when a strong wind blows. Despite that, he still settles himself on the manicured grass, removing the strings keeping his hair tied at the back of his head. He has missed Kamiumi a lot and the way he used to be. He has missed riding on Jiyuu, his prized Lippizan horse. Jiyuu’s known to run fast, galloping gracefully on the field. He stands always next to Seigi, his light hair in complete contrast with Seigi’s. Kazuya sighs as he feels the silence of the sunless world surround him and he feels longing. It's been a long time since he last went home, since he last stepped on the earth of his own world. Feeling a bit melancholic, Kazuya plays with his strings, his hair grows long and changes back to its natural colour.
Walking around at night has always helped Jin relax. He likes the feel of the cool wind against his skin. It soothes him. Jin walks wherever his feet bring him and only stops when he hears a soft music playing in the night.
From behind a tree, Jin watches in the raw of midnight. He simply stays there until the player finishes his piece, staring and almost holding his breath at the sentiments brought along by the beautiful melody of strings. Jin, very carefully, walks closer, squinting his eyes to see clearer in the dark. He sees long, pale hair being softly blown by the cool gust of wind, and lithe figure wrapped in nothing but plain clothes while the moonlight bathes him in an almost silvery glow. Jin welcomes the familiar feeling, as if he's seen this before. In the depths of his mind, something tells him he's used to seeing this.
Then, with a gasp, Jin feels himself being lifted from the ground and finds himself hanging by a tree with strings on his limbs. They pull against the softness of his skin.
"Oi!" He shouts at the person whose back is facing him. "Put me down!"
Kazuya shifts from where he is seated, a smile already plastered on his lips. "You look stupid hanging there, heika." He laughs lightly.
Jin frowns, struggling to free himself but only feels the pull of strings. "Kazuya?" he calls out, finding the voice familiar to his ears.
Kazuya releases Jin from his strings and Jin lands on his butt. He hears a loud groan from the man. Kazuya chuckles from amusement.
"Who are you?" Jin demands, looking at the beautiful man in front of him. "You sound like Kazuya." He says, eyeing the one in front of him. If Jin is allowed to do so, he would question the man's hair and how he is able to manipulate strings like that.
"Don't go sneaking in on me next time, heika." Kazuya says before walking away. Jin watches the silhouette fade from his sight. He watches every step, every shift of the man's body and Jin is sure that his assumption is right. He could never be wrong when it comes to Kazuya.
☀☾✯✟
Jin dreams of blue skies and palaces, of maids in petticoats and fields of green, of beautiful horses and soldiers. He dreams of children and their parents calling him heika. Jin dreams of himself commanding the soldiers, the four lords and receiving blessings of the high priestesses. He dreams of having power; uncontrollable and evil to serve justice over his land. He has dreamt of these things before, back when he was only seventeen and he thought that they were just passing fancies of him. He wouldn't deny that he wanted to be king once when he was younger. However, these dreams...they come and go more frequently, he realizes, ever since Kazuya came around.
Heika.
Why would they call him heika?
☀☾✯✟
Kazuya wakes up with the feeling that he's being watched.
"What is it?" he asks, voice rough from being roused from his sleep. The culprit is none other than Jin, of course. The older man is lying on his side, his face close to him. Jin's eyes seem to want to ask questions Kazuya doesn't know if he could answer. Or if he should.
"What?" Kazuya tries again, frowning a little when Jin doesn't speak.
Jin eyes Kazuya a bit more intently. "Tell me, am I heika?"
"H-huh?" Kazuya wonders if he hears right.
"Heika," Jin repeats. "Why am I heika?"
"How did you know?" Kazuya asks, seating on the bed with his legs crossed. "Do you remember now?" His eyes are like big beads on his face.
Jin shifts, seating cross-legged on the bed as well. "So it is true. They're not just dreams."
Kazuya frowns. "What are you talking about?"
"I have dreams about being king and people address me as heika." Jin informs Kazuya. "In your sleep, you also called out heika. Who are you really, Kazuya? Why didn't you tell me the truth?" He keeps his eyes on Kazuya's face and watches how different emotions cross the younger man's face.
Taken aback, Kazuya takes a breather and says, "Jin, I told you many times that you are the ruler of Kamiumi. Our heika. Kamiumi is a dimension where we should exist and only few humans could go there. They rarely get a chance to cross the bridge from here to Kamiumi. You are Maoh, a part of Shinou."
"Maoh?" Jin frowns.
"Maohs are the goddess's Amaterasu's descendant and are the only ones who could inherit the throne. They claim that being a descendant of the sun goddess to control an evil power forms some sort of balance in both good and evil."
Jin nods, the information sinking into his head slowly. He then asks, "Who is Shinou?"
"Shinou, the ancient king, is your father," Kazuya answers. "It is believed that Amaterasu's spirit lives on inside him as he is the first ruler who has brought peace in Kamiumi. When he died, Lady Alcina, the highest priestess in Kamiumi, sealed his spirit and thru her, Shinou could communicate with us."
"And you, what are you, Kazuya?" Jin enquires, facing Kazuya.
"I am your Suppressor, heika," Kazuya says, shifting a little to focus his eyes on the windows, only to see clear blue skies. "My mother is the great queen Ashia who is now the kingdom's stargazer. She has command over Kusumabura, a place north of your kingdom. I am her only son, reborn four times and I owe you this life, heika. I may have the power to subdue you, control your powers, but you are most powerful of us all."
"Why are you here then? Why am I here?"
"Because I died and you were reborn here," Kazuya tells Jin. "You have asked Shinou a great favour and you were given that wish. The payment is that you lost your memories. I came to bring you back."
"What did I ask him to do?"
"To let me live again," Kazuya answers. "However, you have broken all taboos by asking Shinou that. No one is supposed to cheat death, heika."
"What are we then, Kazuya?" Jin continues to pry answers from the younger male. "If you are only a Suppressor, I am quite sure I wouldn't give up being heika just to save you."
"We were...lovers, heika." Kazuya's voice is clipped. He swallows, his chest tightening with the sudden discomfort it might bring Jin brought on by the topic.
Jin kind of expects that. For some reason, that fact sits well with him. "And how did you die?" he asks calmly.
"Heika, I have no recollections of my death." Kazuya lies in hopes of avoiding hurting Jin by not telling the truth. The truth has always hurt them in one way or another.
"Liar." Jin accuses with less heat than he intended. "I had a dream and in that dream, I killed you with my own hands." He says, remembering how he wanted to wake up from that dream in an instant. After a while, he did wake up from the nightmare and he could still feel himself trembling, wiping his eyes dry as he watches Kazuya sleep soundly beside him.
"Heika..."
"Is that what really happened, Kazuya?" Jin asks firmly, grimly. "Look at me, Kamenashi Kazuya."
Kazuya does. Looking straight into Jin's eyes, he answers, "Yes, heika. It has always been our fate."
☀☾✯✟
Kazuya has been standing by the window for a long while now, watching the outside world where heavy rain drops pelt against the glass of their window, accompanied by loud sounds of thunder and sharp lightning. The humans must have been wondering why the weather has changed drastically from sunny morning to a sudden thunderstorm.
His memories must have been fully awakened; Kazuya thinks as another lightning break the gray skies. He knows the reason now why Jin refuses to remember, why he forgot about being heika. Jin, caring and loving as he naturally is, didn't want to relive that moment where he has to kill his lover in his own hands to save himself and his people.
There's a loud crashing sound and when Kazuya takes a look, he sees a fallen tree on the ground with its leaves and branches on fire. On the other side, Kazuya sees another tree split perfectly into two. Kazuya could see the field divided. He could feel the tremors created by the earthquake. He could almost see Jin in his head - hair longer than the usual, eyes ablaze and fiery, blackest than black if possible. He could see him commanding the elements as he tries to release his emotions. It has always been devastating to see Jin losing control.
He wants to make him stop but Kazuya decides it's better to allow Jin to release his anger. It has always been like this whenever Jin remembers their fate. Between the two of them, it has always been Jin who hated their destiny the most. In a way, Kazuya is assured that Jin wouldn't hurt anyone even if he is blinded by anger. He wouldn't hurt anyone except himself.
☀☾✯✟
"Maoh," Alcina bows her head in respect. In her head, she sees him. He is angry. His eyes show how much he is suffering inside and Alcina wants to weep for him. No matter how much she wants to change the course of their fate, Alcina knows she couldn't decide on it on her own. Shinou would have to grant them their blessing should Shinou propose a way out of their harsh fate. It is only Shinou who could grant them freedom as it was the great queen Ashia who has caused Shinou the greatest failure he has ever had.
☀☾✯✟
Why do we have to suffer like this?
It is the only way, young Maoh.
How can I stop this? Is there any way I can change this?
Young Maoh, it has been the reason why he was born. You have defied death once, why would you want to defy destiny?
Because I love him! His life is my life and his death is my death. Kazuya does not deserve to die every cycle of our lives! We don't! There is no justice if this goes on!
Fate is not cruel, young Maoh. You only have to find reason in whatever it is that happens. One life for your and your people’s redemption. If you must know, Kazuya is not meant to be born, young Maoh. The heavens just favour the great queen too much.
What is the reason why Kazuya should not exist?
Before she became queen, Lady Ashia is only a daughter of one of the nobles in the south. Her beauty and wisdom have caused thousandths of men to want her to be their wife. I did, too. However, she has refused to be my wife because she loved Kazuya's father dearly since they were children. In return, she angered the goddess Amaterasu and because of that, she has been cursed to not bear a child. The moon goddess, Kaguya, wept for her and offered her protection. In the moon goddess' bosom, Ashia was given a chance. She bore the King of Kusumabura a beautiful son. Despite all that, the moon goddess does not have much power against Amaterasu. The only way Ashia could have Kazuya is if she agrees to become stargazer and have her son's life be sacrificed for the greater good of Kamiumi.
But father, is it not fair to punish Kazuya for a sin he didn't commit? For a sin nobody committed?
Ashia is considered a betrayer of the great Amaterasu. The sins of Kazuya’s mother are his sins just like how you, as my son, inherited the throne the great Amaterasu has given us.
If I give up being heika and live with him, would it be enough sacrifice?
I do not ask for your death, young Maoh. There is one thing though. It is the only way I know but you cannot change what he is meant to do. If you succeed, then death shall no longer be asked of him. However, it is a responsibility you should bear for as long as you shall live.
What is it? If it is my soul then take it. Just please, father, as your son, I ask of you to let him live.
Young Maoh, his heart has the answer to what you want. He has been waiting for it for so many years. You have always been afraid of it because you fear that it may cause the warring of the countries. Should you consent to this, your fate of killing him should change. It is the only way.
☀☾✯✟
Kazuya comes back to Kamiumi after he's finished his task. Jin is heika now and his job is finally done. Whatever should happen now would be of Jin's own decisions. However, Kazuya couldn't ignore the fact that Jin might choose to just stay in the human world. Back there, he's only an average young adult who could play video games and soccer all day with his friends. He could sleep an entire day without worrying if his people have enough food to eat or if there are plans of starting a war between countries. In Kuniumi, Jin doesn't have a complicated role. In Kuniumi, Jin wouldn't have to kill his lover. Jin would find peace.
Kazuya thinks Jin would choose the easy way out. If Jin does, then being reborn would be meaningless. He didn't expect Kamiumi to fall. There's drought in the west and natural disasters have been disrupting the east, soon war between countries from both north and south would start. The four lords have exhausted all their resources to maintain peace and feed their people. Ashia has helped the continents to survive, however, without the King, every effort is bound to fail in time.
"Kazuya, why is there such a sad look in your beautiful face? I have never been that ugly when I was your age." Ashia's voice is filled with mock disgust but the frown on her forehead is deep.
"Hahaue, I think I have failed," Kazuya admits woefully. He didn't want this to happen in Kamiumi. Looking at his mother, he could see how exhausted she already is. She must have been using all of her maryoku.
Ashia still finds herself smiling warmly at her son. "Ah, do not worry yourself too much, my baby," she says, her tone comforting and soothing just like any other mother. Tired as she is, seeing Kazuya safe and sound is enough for her to feel rested.
"But mother, can't you see? The people are suffering! You are suffering!" Kazuya sobs. He's never one to cry easily but seeing his mother sacrificing so much makes him want to give up his life for peace in an instant. He has never had the gift his mother possesses. She is a mazoku, blessed by the moon goddess, and her magical abilities are of the highest class. The only thing he could do for Kamiumi is to heal the wounded and revive their world with his death.
"Go back to your room and rest, Kazuya. I will take care of this," she says, knowing full well what her son is thinking, knowing that soon, every chaos would come to a stop. "Do not do anything foolish, Kazuya. I can still hold on."
"But hahaue-"
"Sleep, my Kazuya," she says and Kazuya's eyelids feel heavy as gold dusts touch his eyes. It is one of the reasons why he hates his mother sometimes. Her knowledge of magic is so immense that Kazuya feels she is the goddess Kaguya herself.
"Haha…ue..."
"I will see you in three days, my love." She kisses his forehead and her red-painted lips are the last thing he sees before he drifts off into sleep.
☀☾✯✟
Kazuya's eyes meet dark polished wood upon waking. He doesn't move, afraid that if he did move, he would see fire and water destroying villages, lands separated and piles of lifeless bodies would greet him. He takes in his surroundings, listening for even the littlest sound that may give him a hint of what's happening outside. How could Ashia let him sleep in such a critical time like this? He should be out there, helping the sick and the wounded. He should be at Shinou's temple and making a deal with him. He should be out there and not lying on his comfortable bed, well-rested and feeling refreshed.
The birds chirp. They sound happy, too.
How is that possible?
Kazuya closes his eyes again, trying to recall perfectly what has occurred from the time Jin has awakened. He remembers Jin destroying whatever it is that is in his path. He remembers leaving school, crossing the bridge, and heading back to Kamiumi. He remembers talking to his mother. He remembers falling asleep.
"How long do you plan to stay in bed?"
Hearing the voice, Kazuya jolts from his lying position and seats up, feeling dizzy with the sudden movement. He finds himself sitting on his legs and his eyes grow wide when he sees him. On the foot of his bed, Jin stands there like a king, dressed in crisp, fine clothing. His brunette hair catches the sunlight, dark eyes gentle and there's a soft smile on his lips that tells Kazuya he's been up to something.
"Why are you here? What took you so long?" Kazuya asks hastily. "Kamiumi needs you! We need you!"
"Kamiumi is still in one piece and all of my people are safe," Jin says calmly. "I made a deal with Shinou."
"A deal?" Kazuya repeats. "What deal?" he asks, terrified that Jin might have traded his very soul for something.
"It shall remain a secret for now," Jin answers. "He gave back what is rightfully mine, too." He shows Kazuya the mark on his left wrist. "I am back, Kazuya. I'm finally home."
Without further thinking, Kazuya gets up from his bed and runs to Jin, kissing him on the lips when he reaches the other man.
"Welcome home." Kazuya says, happy and excited. He refuses to let his tears fall. "Heika?" he calls out to Jin when the other seems to have spaced out. "Heika?"
Then, in a sudden, Jin slaps him hard on his left cheek. Kazuya is astounded. He feels the pain spreading on his cheek, his ear ringing with the impact of Jin's palm against the soft flesh of his cheek. He swallows.
"J-Jin?" What Jin did have always been considered a taboo subject between them since they are both afraid of a lifetime’s worth of commitment. "Y-you...D-did you just..."
As if on cue, the door to his bedroom opens with much force and Ashia comes inside the room, excited and clapping her hands with the four lords in tow. They give Jin a pat on the back. Junno's eyes twinkle, Yuichi's are teary, Koki is grinning and Ueda has a gentle smile on his face.
"Congratulations!" Ashia squeals, looking stunning as if Kazuya has only dreamt of her looking drained and beat. She hugs Kazuya and Jin tightly, almost squeezing the life out of them. "Reika," she calls out to her assistant, "inform the palace and send letters out to all countries in Kamiumi. Tell the people that the marriage between heika and my son is inevitable."
"Hahaue!" Kazuya squirms, trying to remove himself from his mother but Ashia tightens her arms around him and Jin and showers them with kisses, motherly and affectionate. The four lords’ laughter fills the room.
"Jin!" Kazuya turns to the man, eyebrows drawn close together as he frowns. "Did you just propose to me!?" Right now, he feels annoyed than amused.
Jin could only shrug, as much as he's allowed to do so in Ashia's arms.
☀☾✯✟
Fin.
~
P.S. In Shin Makoku, slapping the left cheek of someone is their way of proposing marriage to that person. Maryoku is Japanese for magic/magical abilities.