[fanfiction/multi-chapters]: Myth - Chapter 9
Title: Myth - Chapter 9
Beta-reader: astrangerenters
Rating: PG-13 to NC-17 (for violence, blood and explicit sex scene in future chapters)
Pairing: Sakumoto (main), Masatoshi
Genre: AU, action, humor
Summary: Jun's POV. Some dreams from the past will explain a lot of things.
DISCLAMER: I own nothing. And the plot comes from Rick Riordan, a damn good writer!
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Chapter 9
When I turned 16, something strange happened.
Kazunari, Satoshi and Masaki wished me happy birthday when I just opened my eyes. The minute after, they talked about my mother who I've never known and that I was a demigod. At first I didn't even understand them and preferred to go back to sleep, thinking it was just a dream.
But it was real.
During the whole day, everyone around me acted suspiciously. Not that it was different from before, because I had always attracted people more or less. But that day it was more powerful. The guys in our class were all around me, smiling shyly and offering me their lunch. The girls giggled every time I met their eyes. Even Masaki and Satoshi acted a bit oddly.
But Sho...
Nothing was different with him. He smiled at me when we looked at each other, laughed at my jokes and tripped on some words from time to time while we spoke.
During lunch break, Masaki, Kazu and Satoshi once again spoke about my mother and once again I didn't believe them. At that time it was totally impossible to even think that the five of us could be sons of Greek gods! Though in the night I had strange dreams where Satoshi explained everything to me: why our parents left us and what would happen in the future. The next morning I found a cape at the end of my bed and even if I didn't want to believe it, I was forced to admit that I was different from the other humans when I noticed that the cape made me invisible. Maybe I was special, but I still thought it was impossible that my mother was a Greek God. Though having the goddess of love as your mother was an interesting thing. I sat on my bed and started to think deeply. It was totally crazy for me, but I thought I could give it a try. I stood up in one jump and took off the cape before exiting my room. I crossed the corridors with determined steps and finally stopped in front of Satoshi and Sho’s room. Without even thinking twice, I knocked at the door; I knew Sho was in his room at this hour and alone (I knew Sho’s schedule better than he did).
A strange sensation shook my stomach when Sho opened the door. His hair was a bit messy and he was wearing his glasses; judging by the way the glasses were slightly askew meant he must have fallen asleep while studying. I didn't know why I hadn't jumped on him already.
“Seems like someone fell asleep while reading a book,” I tried to say casually.
Sho stepped back and made room for me. “Yeah. We have a test in an hour, and I think you should study like me.” I liked how his voice was low and a bit raspy when he had just woken.
At least Sho gave me the perfect pretext. “That’s exactly why I’m here. I need your help. There are some things I don’t understand.” I smiled seductively as I sat on his bed.
Sho’s brows furrowed, and he took off his glasses. “Jun.” He trailed off and rested his shoulder against the opened door.
“Last time we had a test on this subject you had the top score. Don’t lie to me, and tell me why you’re here.”
“Okay I lied. Kazunari drives me crazy with his video games. I need a quiet place, that’s all.”
He seemed to believe me, closing the door before he sat on his bed next to me and resumed his reading. Really I didn't understand why Sho even bothered to read those lessons; he knew everything already. He was the smartest in our little group and always taught us things we didn't really need to know to live. The thing was that Sho loved learning new stuff; and I loved watching him when he did it. But I wasn't there to stare at him silently. If I was really a demigod and the son of Aphrodite, then I thought I could do something interesting. Something I'd dreamt of doing for a long time.
As Sho read his notes quietly, I tried to concentrate on any power I had in me. Since my ‘mother’ was the Goddess of Love, I thought I could make people fall for me, right? I stared at Sho for a while, my brain focused on only one thing: making Sho mine. I even tried to send him subliminal messages, but geometry seemed more powerful than me.
I was on the edge of giving up when Sho put his notes on his lap and faced me.
“Jun,” he whispered while staring at me, “is there something on my face?”
I knew it wouldn’t work. “No Sho, don’t worry.” I'd been stupid to even think that I could be a demigod. What was I thinking?
That was when Satoshi entered the room. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Sho and me on the bed.
“You’re still awake?!” he exclaimed before walking towards the bed and bending over Sho before blowing a soft golden dust at his face.
Sho’s eyes closed slowly and soon he was resting his head against my chest, snoring. I jumped from the bed suddenly, and Sho fell flat on his bed.
“Holy shit! Wh-what was that?” I asked Satoshi as I pointed at Sho's sleeping form.
“I told you that my dad is Morpheus. Sho hadn’t slept last night because of the test. I just want him to rest a bit,” says Satoshi simply as he puts Sho in a comfortable position. I stared at Satoshi, dumbfounded. I couldn't deny it: my friend was really a demigod. I'd seen the golden dust; I saw Sho fall asleep the next second after. Man, this was real.
Then, why didn't it work when it was me?
“What are you doing here anyway?”
“Ah. Err… I wanted to try my powers?” I tried, hoping Satoshi would not be curious. I really didn't want to explain myself.
“Oh? You’ve already discovered your power? What is it?” He smiled at me as he crossed the room and reached his desk, grabbing some of his stuff.
“Well, I don’t know yet.” I thought it would be something related to love, but I was just wrong. Or maybe fake feelings didn't work? Though I wished I could use that kind of power; I wished I could make people fall in love with me. I wished for it so hard.
I was torn from my thoughts when I felt Satoshi’s warm hand on my cheek and realized that my friend was standing in front of me, a few inches separating us and his eyes fixed on mine.
“Wh-what?”
“I don’t know,” he replied, caressing my cheek with his thumb. He then cupped my face and brought his face closer to mine. “I have this urgent need to touch you, to kiss you, right now. I think I love you,” he whispered against my lips before pressing his mouth against mine.
Everything was blank around me, and I had a strange feeling that made my body tremble, as if I was on a train at full speed. Then a single image appeared before my eyes: my friend, Masaki.
“Jun? Jun!” I blinked when I heard Satoshi calling me. “I’m sorry, Jun. I don’t know what happened to me.” When my brain worked again, I was in the room with Satoshi, apologizing shyly. What happened?
I finally understood. I patted Satoshi’s shoulder absent-mindedly before I walked towards the door. “Don’t worry, Satoshi. I think you helped me to discover my power.” Then I left the room and rested my back again the closed door as my brain registered the whole thing.
I really was a demigod, and Aphrodite actually was my mother. I could make people fall in love with me, and I could see their loved one when I kissed them. Oh my god, Satoshi was in love with Masaki! Did he feel the same towards Satoshi? I wondered if I should help them? Or maybe it was better for them to get together by themselves? And why didn't it work on Sho? So many questions and there was no one to answer me.
I tried to make Sho fall in love with me countless times, but it never worked. He must have been really powerful because even though it worked on Satoshi and Masaki (I didn't want to try it on Kazunari!), it didn't work on him. It was true that I used my power to sleep with them. I knew it was wrong, but I felt so frustrated back then when Sho didn’t even look at me. I don’t didn't understand why it doesn’t didn't work with him.
Then, on one particular day everything became clear. Satoshi, Kazunari, Masaki and I entered our classroom as usual, but I was pulled aside by Ryoko, a classmate.
“Again!” Kazu rolled his eyes before closing the classroom door, leaving me and Ryoko alone in the corridor.
She pushed me against the wall and literally threw herself at my neck. “Jun! Oh, Jun! I can’t keep it quiet anymore! I’ve loved you for so long now,” she whispered breathlessly as she trailed kisses across my face. I might have been used to this kind of behavior from my classmates, but I still thought it was disgusting. Sometimes my powers were more powerful than my will, and people like Ryoko who really wanted to find love fell under my spell.
I cupped her face and forced her to calm down. She looked right into my eyes, and I changed our position, forcing her to rest her back against the wall.
“Let me see…” I brought my face closer and gave her a chaste kiss at first. Ryoko had a very strong will because most of the time I was the one who made the first move. As soon as she deepened the kiss, the same sensation surrounded me and I saw what I was looking for.
As we broke the kiss, I noticed Sho in the corridor, a hand on the doorknob and staring at us. When he noticed I was staring at him, he gave me a thumbs up but ducked his head and entered the classroom quickly.
“Oh. Wow. Jun kissed me. Jun kissed me!” I heard Ryoko’s voice and focus (focused) on her again. Her cheeks were red from embarrassment, but she seemed happy at the same time. I smiled and forced her to look at me.
“I think it’s about time that you confess to that guy in the library near your house.”
“H-how did you?”
“Don’t try to understand. Just go.” I pushed her and when she took the first step towards the exit, I knew that she would not be under my power anymore.
When I entered the class, I was overwhelmed by strong feelings that I knew very well: anger and jealousy. However this time it didn't come from me but someone in the class. As I took my place behind Sho, the feeling was stronger, could it be…?
Usually Sho spoke to me whenever he could during class. That was not the case that day; he even avoided looking at me. From time to time he smiled at me when I caught his gaze, but that was only because he noticed my worry and couldn't ignore me anymore. And there was still that unbearable feeling; it got stronger as time passed by. I felt nauseous; I got angry over tiny details and a huge pain stabbed my heart.
When the bell rang to signal lunch break, Sho stood up abruptly and I just had the time to grab his arm before he left the class. Although when my fingertips curled around his arm, I felt a painful electric shock, and everything around me became black.
While I was unconscious I had another dream. I saw Sho and myself, a bit older, and we were wearing strange outfits as we kissed passionately. It would have been a wonderful dream if only the next second I wasn't seeing myself on a beach, running like a mad man and screaming Sho’s name desperately.
‘Forbidden’ a voice echoed around me. I looked around me, frantic and put my head between my hands. I fell to my knees and screamed my mother’s name.
‘Pain’ The image of Sho’s face contorted by the pain as he cried.
‘It will result in one thing. Death.’ After that last sentence everything became black again, and I could only feel despair.
When I opened my eyes, I understood that I was in the nurse’s office. My friends were at my side. Sho had my hand in his, and his face was full of worry. When my eyes fell on Sho, I quickly took my hand away and refused to look at him. I still had that horrible image in my mind; I couldn't see Sho in such pain. I didn't want to see it ever again.
The nurse ordered me to rest during the afternoon and so I stayed alone in my room while the others were in class. To be honest I didn't want to spend my time resting and preferred to do some research about my origins. The Internet is a wonderful tool; you can find anything on it. And so, at the end of the day I learned everything that I needed to know. Satoshi told me that Sho was Athena’s son but still didn't know about it. I discovered that our mothers hated each other because of a stupid argument (what's so great about a golden apple when you’re a Goddess?) As I read all the stuff I could find on them, I simply deduced a lot of things. My power must have been ineffective on Sho because of our origins, which explained why it didn't work no matter how hard I tried to make him fall for me. The most important thing was connected to my nightmare. I wasn't surprised that my love for Sho was wicked because of our mothers’ grudge. I also discovered how much of a bitch my mom could be. She was the goddess of love but she was also well-known for the curses she gave to Phedre, Pasiphaë, Cupid and Psyche. So many names and so many stories I didn't even want to read. Though with Cupid and Psyche’s story I understood that Aphrodite didn't care if she cursed her son as well. Did that mean my love for Sho was impossible? It was just a dream, right? A dream couldn't harm anybody. But it felt so real, I could still hear Sho’s scream in my head.
As nights went by, I always had the same nightmare. Me and Sho being in love, then me running on the beach and seeing Sho’s hurt face. Every time it ended up the same way: death. When Satoshi came to me in the middle of the night, telling me that he had also seen my nightmare and that it was definitely a premonition, I decided to keep my feelings to myself. I wouldn't try to be with Sho anymore. It hurt but less than losing him forever. From then on, I decided I would protect Sho.
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I wake up abruptly, breathless and sweating. My heart beats like a crazy horse in my chest as I remember the last image of my nightmare. It’s always the same nightmare. The one that's haunted me ever since I discovered my powers. I let out a long sigh and take in some air to calm myself. Every night I have the same dream, and every night I pray from the bottom of my heart that it won’t become real.
Everything is calm in the room; so calm that I can hear Kazunari’s steady breath. I lean back against the wall and try to focus on something other than the dream I just had. Why this dream? Why him? I don’t say anything about my love for him. I’ve bottled up my feelings for years now, so why do I still have this nightmare? I know I did something stupid when I almost confessed to Sho the night Astarope attacked us, but the next morning I denied it and avoided Sho. I thought I fell sick and nearly died because of my actions, but in the end I’m wrong. Since we arrived in this world, I haven't been able to suppress that dreadful feeling in my stomach. The clothes, the place, everything is just like in my nightmare. Even so I've tried my best to remain as far as I can from Sho but we still ended up in this world. Maybe it would have been better if the guys didn’t save me; that way Sho wouldn't be in danger anymore.
I stay awake for a while because I’m scared of that nightmare but as the sun rises, I feel my eyes close themselves; the tiredness is stronger than my will, and I fall into a dreamless sleep once again.
When I wake up, Kazunari isn’t in the room anymore. Judging by how high the sun is in the sky I’ve slept a long time. As I join my friends in the main room, I feel something is wrong. All of them are sitting around the table, quiet, and they all turn their gazes towards me when they hear me coming.
“What’s wrong?” I ask as I sit next to Masaki.
“Jun…” Satoshi’s voice is low, and his eyes show sadness and worry.
That’s when I notice Sho’s broadsword on the table, but its owner isn’t here. “Where’s Sho?”
“Listen Jun.” Now it’s Kazunari’s turn to give me an apologetic look.
“Where’s Sho?” I ask again and I notice in the corner of my eyes Ariadne fidgeting with her fingers. For Gods’ sake! My question isn’t hard, is it? I just want to know where my friend is.
“I- he went to the cliff last night, near the beach. I asked him to be prudent but…”
When I hear the word ‘beach’ my heart stops beating and my mind freezes. It can’t be possible, right? There’s no way it could happen. I’ve done everything to prevent that. Masaki pushes the broadsword on the table in my direction and refuses to look at me. I stand up abruptly and rush towards the exit.
“JUN!” I hear my friends calling me, but my legs refuse to stop running.
As the land flies in front of my eyes, I understand that I’m living my nightmare, but I’m more worried and desperate than in my dreams. I feel like my heart is about to explode in tiny pieces, and my eyes are burning because of the tears I try to hold back.
When I reach the cliff’s bottom, there’s no one on the beach. I’m all alone, surrounded by the waves and the warm sand.
“Sho!” I scream and watch all around me, hoping he will show up.
“Why? I did my best! I’ve done everything to prevent it! Why? TELL ME WHY!” I yell and I can’t hold my tears anymore as I fall on my knees. Just in front of me in the sand, something shiny reflects the sun’s rays. I take it and see that it’s Sho’s brooch, the one which holds his tunic; it’s easy to point out because of Athena’s symbol on it. I close my fingers around it and hold it tight.
“Aphrodite!” I call my mother’s name, just like in my dream.
“No Jun. You can’t!” I hear Kazunari’s warning. I know we can’t ask for help to our parents but still I need to know why. I call her name again and again, each time stronger.
Finally, she appears in front of us and hugs me tight right away.
“Why do you do this to me?” I cry against her shoulder, and she only tightens her hold.
“I didn’t do anything, my son.” Aphrodite strokes my hair in a motherly way.
“Yes you did. You cursed my love for him because he’s Athena’s son.”
She stops her caresses and forces me to look at her. “Listen Jun. It’s true that Athena and I hate each other, but I will never, you hear me, never curse my son’s love. That boy even defied the Fates to save you. I have no rights, even as the goddess of love, to destroy such a true love.”
Hearing that doesn’t make me feel better. All the things I have done for nothing. If my mother isn’t behind this mess then who is it? Athena? She doesn’t have the power, and she would rather kill me than her son.
“This is fate, Jun. We can’t do anything against fate,” Aphrodite says while caressing my cheek and giving me a sad smile.
“Tell me where he is. I need him, mom,” I beg and stare at her.
But she shakes her head and breaks the hug. She caresses my cheek once again and gives me a sad smile. “I can’t help you, I’m really sorry.”
This is unfair! Why do we have to suffer so much because of our parents, and they can’t even help us? None of us asked to be a demigod!
“But,” she trails off and points at Ariadne. “She knows where he is.” Then she disappears behind a golden dust cloud. I waste no time and quickly plant myself in front of Ariadne. She knows where Sho is and tells nobody?
“Where is he?” I ask angrily, my eyes never leaving her.
“Jun…it’s better to forget him,” she murmurs.
I don’t have the time to reply when Kazunari comes between the two of us and holds Ariadne’s shoulder strongly. He fixes his eyes on her and says calmly: “I’m really sorry for you because you don’t seem to know what friendship means. You’re always saying ‘forget it’ with no emotions but there’s no way we will let our friend down. Now if you know anything, please tell us.”
She swats Kazunari's hands away and shows us her back.
“I told you it’s better if you forget him. I don’t think he’s still alive anyway.”
Those words make my blood run cold; she turns around and gives me a sad look. ”Believe me. It’s better for him to be dead.”
“Where is Sho?” I ask once again in a slow voice. I definitely can’t believe he’s dead.
Ariadne sighs and closes her eyes a second before she points at an arrow in the sand. “The Amazons.”
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Note : First of all I want to thank all of you who commented on the previous chapter ! I hade a lot of comments until now but at that time!!! I was enjoying (finally!) my copy of Arashi scene concert and when I checked my inbox before going to sleep holy sh*t!! 8D You’re wonderful. So thank you very much. This story is really dear to me because it mixes the two things I love the most so I’m very happy that you like it too ^_^
About this chapter now, well we don’t really know what happened to Sho, right? But at last you understand why Jun denied his feelings.
Once again I want to say a big thank you to astrangerenters because she really does a wonderful work! I don’t know if she thinks like me, but I have the feeling that I make less errors with each chapter (except this one though ^^”)
See you next time!