Akatsuki - Chapter Twenty-Two
Title: Akatsuki
Genre: AU/Fantasy
Rating : PG-13
Disclaimer: I made the poster from images I got from flickr, heavily influenced by an original, final fantasy/kingdom hearts/legend of Mana but the plot and characterization are my own hard work. The Idols are Johhnys but because they've engraved an irreplaceable position in my heart so I based my characters on them and yeah used their names...the end.
Summary: Two nations on the brink of war. A young King on a mission. Two brothers on a quest to preserve their ties. The bonds of friendship are pitted against the greed for power but the hidden strength lying dormant within the confines of a fragile heart has the ability to throw all asunder.
Chapter Twenty-Two - To Save A Life
“Hmm, I see,” sighed the young elven king, looking thoroughly out of place with multiple small umbrellas in his hair and a serious frown on his face.
Yuto sipped on the multi-coloured drink in his hand, enjoying the wonderful tastes exploding on his toungue. Keito nodded nervously at the’ malicious looking attendant’ of the king, who to the contrary to his previous assumption seemed more approachable with the goofy smile plastered on his pale face.
“Well, I believe in an age such as ours, kings should busy themselves in growing their own kingdoms instead of engaging in conquest,” Yuri finally concluded, folding his arms over his chest. His attendant nodded seriously, eyes still upon the doorway to the gardens. Yuri gave him a sideway glance before rolling his eyes.
“Kei-chan, I know you’re not really paying attention so just go out and play with Kouta-kun and his friends,”
Kei gave him a gracious bow before skipping off happily. Keito blinked as he and Aoi watched him leave in awe.
“So, what do you think I should do?” Yuto asked.
“I’m glad you chose to seek my council, I believe the ruler of Valian has nothing more but power on his mind, and the only goal of his conquest is to use up other nations resources for his own ambitions, that I cannot allow,”
Yuto nodded as Yuri snuggled deeper in his cushions.
“But Yuttie, no matter how you look at it…there will be war,” he added, quieter this time. Yuto frowned.
“What if we both try to talk him out of it?”
Yuri shook his head.
“After what you told me that happened to Kouta-kun, I can hardly imagine he’s willing to listen or compromise on his existing plans,”
“So, now what?”
Yuri sat up and hugged his knees.
“We go meet that healer you have heard about, to try and cure Kou-chan…when that’s over, we’ll mull over the problem together, a solution will come up…don’t worry,”
Yuto smiled at the sincerity in his friend’s voice. It was this much compassion that had produced such a prosperous nation.
“Yuri!”
The small company looked at the doorway where Kei stood completely out of breath and shock written all over his face.
“What is it Kei-chan?” Yuri asked as they all got to their feet.
“Kouta…he’s unconscious.”
~*~
Yuma watched the two people on the couches by the fireplace with intense curiosity from behind the counter. They weren’t really talking so after a few more minutes of waiting for a conversation to start he left the Inn to tend to his own business.
After what seemed like an hour of just sitting and staring into the fire, Zach cleared his throat and successfully gained Daiki’s attention as if the boy had been waiting for him to make the first move.
“So, never thought I’d see you here of all places,” Zach said leaning back into his armchair. Daiki sighed, rubbing his aching temples.
“I never thought I’d be returning here either, but here I am,”
“I remember the last and only time we met was at Hasshi wasn’t it?”
Daiki gave him a look.
“You’re making it sound like it was a chance meeting! You sent me a letter and asked me to come,”
Zach nodded.
“Yes, but you never reply to my mails Daiki, I’m hurt,”
“I feed your stupid pigeon so be thankful,”
“Hey I am! Mana is very fond of you,”
“Why are we having such a useless conversation?”
“Because Ryosuke is a very sensitive topic for both of us and I thought going straight to the point might be difficult,”
Daiki felt a lump in his throat and he was temporarily silenced at the mention of that name. Zach sighed.
“I figured as much,”
Daiki looked away.
“I handed him to the King so he probably hates me now,”
Zach scowled.
“You should have consulted me before making such a move! I know you have his best interests at heart but I’m his blood-brother!”
Daiki gave Zach a surprisingly dangerous look which was successful enough to make even the ex-soldier wary. The flames danced eerily for a brief moment as if caught in a breeze despite the windows being shut.
“You know it perfectly Zach that...so am I.”
~*~
Yuri could tell that Yuto was on the verge of falling apart with his precious guardian in a coma. Their carriage was rolling down a smooth road, further and further away from the city. The healer Yuto had asked about was an immigrant who ran an apothecary in the suburbs by the eastern forest.
It was an irony, since the man and his family had come from Valian a decade ago.
~*~
A/N: Things that I'm about to reveal next are big turning points of this story and I'm sorry for the delay, it's a very busy semester. I'll post up the next chapter over the weekend though. Thank you for your patience and interest in my story! I really appreciate it!