There will be magic, chapter 74, RukaxYomi, KaixRuki, AoixReita, UruhaxAsagi, Ni-yaxSakitoxHitsugi
Title: There will be magic
Author: yukigafuru
Chapters: 74/?
Pairings: RukaxYomi, KaixRuki, AoixReita, UruhaxAsagi, Ni~yaxSakitoxHitsugi for now
Bands: Gazette, Naitomea, D... (and a surprise)
Rating: PG-15-PG-17 overall
Warnings: will be angst, yaoi, threesome, a bit of gore here and there, light mpreg
Genre: AU, Angst, Romance
Disclaimer: I am not connected to the real persons. This is just a figment of my imagination and I don't make any money nor profit in any way out of this (well, except gathering your love that is).
Summary: The age of magic and mystery is coming towards its end. But what if someone that has the gift to see the future can join forces with others who have the power to stop it? What will be born then? What will be found?
Chapter 74
The moment Aoi woke up, he felt shattering loss deep in his bones, like a searing current of anguish that cut straight through his heart and flesh. It passed through bone and tissue, muscles and cells, it flew along with his blood, got into his lungs with each breath, wrapped itself tight around him like a famished snake from whose embrace he had no chance of getting out. Reita was not there and Aoi knew the reason why. He had allowed for his soul mate and child to be ripped away from him - at the very moment, fallen in the hands of the most ruthless and vengeful person on the face of the Earth. Aoi ran his palms through his hair and gripped tight the thin dark strands, pulling strong enough to rip. The momentary pain did not do much towards alleviating the horror that lay on his heart.
Finally, he opened his eyes and took notice of his surroundings. He was in a lavishly but elegantly decorated suite and judging by the crystal dome through which the depths of the ocean could be seen, he knew he was currently lodged in Uruha's castle. He had been deposited on a comfortable white linen-covered bed with blue silk curtains draping from the canopy, masking corners of the room. Aoi got up and in the same second, an attendant entered the room.
“You are awake then, my lord. I will send for King Uruha immediately. In the meanwhile, is there anything I could bring you?”
Aoi simply shook his head and watched with clouded eyes the attendant retire. He reached for the carafe and glass of water on the nightstand next to the bed and after pouring some liquid in the glass, took a few gulps of fresh water. He futilely refused to think about Reita, a prisoner, undoubtedly being tortured while he was there, lying on a comfortable bed in an airy room, drinking water. His mind did not listen to Aoi's entreat and only supplied him with more images that turned his stomach upside down. At last, Uruha followed by Asagi and the others entered the room.
“Aoi, you're awake. That is a relief.” Uruha said and Aoi was grateful for not being asked how he was. He noticed Ruki coming to sit on his bed while the others took positions around it.
“What happened?” What he really meant was where was Reita and what they were doing to get him back.
“By the time me and Asagi got there, the ship was on fire, all of you were drugged and” - he paused knowing that there was no easy way to say the words but wishing there were or that he didn't have to say them - “and Reita wasn't there. Neither was Yune. Ruki later filled us in. You're the last to awake. It's been a couple of hours since.”
“Ruki, what do you know about what happened?” Aoi couldn't speak his lover's name for he would breakdown and he needed to do that privately, away from the company of others, even if they were his friends.
“I've been practicing some new magical abilities lately.” Kai happened to be seated right in front of Aoi so the mishepishu did not miss the tightening of the roc's jaw and the worried eyes. So Kai hadn't known and wasn't happy about it. He'd wonder about that later... much later. “I can manipulate others' thoughts and emotions as well as read them like an open book, even if they are not in my immediate presence. That day, I stumbled upon Yune's thoughts in time to read his mind and delay him from his task for a little while. I would have done more if not for the drug. Eventually, I was unable to keep him from taking him away. I'm sorry.”
He would have loved to vent his anger and frustration on Ruki but he knew his friend had done all he could and he should have been the one to detect the drug and save his mate. He also knew intellectually that the guilt was not helpful and if thinking things through objectively, the one at fault was not him but Yune and the Necra. Still, the never-ending string of `what ifs` attached itself to all thoughts. “What if Ruki had managed to kill the bastard?”; “What if he had listened to Ni~ya and thrown Yune overboard?” ; “What if he had sensed the drug and stopped Reita from eating the food?” “What if they hadn't gotten on the bloody boat in the first place?” …
“What did you see? What are their plans?” What he really wanted to know was what was happening to Reita, but again, he couldn't bring himself to speak his name.
“He didn't know exactly. Except that the orders had been to bring Reita and the baby unharmed. Yune had been put on that ship for the precise reason of befriending Saki and Hitsu, making him less suspicious once we would appear. The Necra had originally intended to turn Saki against us, make him kill Aoi and Reita but seeing that Hitsugi had canceled that influence, he concentrated on maintaining his spy amongst us. Now, he wants the baby...” Ruki looked compassionately at Aoi, who was digging his nails in his arms, so hard he drew blood. No one dared comment though and Ruki stayed silent.
“Why?” He asked and his voice was choked and his eyes brimmed with tears that he forced away.
Ruki shook his head for he did not know that answer. “What I can tell you is that we can't get to him and I know that's what you would have asked me next. Not even Yune, his spy, knows where the Necra's layer is. When he needed to get in contact with his master, a special spell brought Yune to the Necra. Even if we somehow manage to find this place, by the time we get there...”
“No!” Aoi roared and his voice was rumbling like thunder, a fluid quality to it that instead of making it appealing only underscored the depth of anger and suffering he was going through. It was the voice of a mishepishu crying after his mate and it was a warning to all those around him. “I will save him or die trying.” Saying his resolution served as a boost in confidence and Aoi made to rise from the bed and start his search immediately, only to be stopped by the dragon's arm on his shoulder.
“All of us will be right by your side in doing so. But we can't charge blindly and we can't let this distract us from...”
“Distract us?” Aoi roared and in one fluid movement, grabbed the dragon by the lapels of his jacket and had thrown him across the room. “How dare you!”
“He didn't mean it like that.” Ruki tried to placate Aoi but it was almost impossible without tinkering with his friend's emotions and he did not want to do that.
“I know a way inside that place.” Ni~ya spoke up and everyone's attention veered towards him, while Ni~ya himself was gesturing toward the dragon. “I think he was also trying to tell you this, but in less inspired words.” Seeing the impatience on Aoi's countenance, Ni~ya added. “There is one thing the Necra fears and it is precisely why he has intervened so often, trying to veer us away from our goal. All of us, we form part of a magical web, with the center being the prophet and the king. Up until now, we have threaded all the other parts and but for this crucial element, the web is but complete. Once we find him, we will have the most powerful weapon ever created and finding and invading the Necra's lair will be an easy feat.”
“How do you know of this?” Ruka asked and his voice was sharp, always distrusting even those he viewed as allies and friends.
“Bits and pieces gathered from what you have told me and facts gleaned from my own experiences.”
“But if he has tried to kill us till now, this means that even one of us dead would...” Ruka deduced.
“Yes. In a web, once an eye unravels, the whole net breaks apart.” The dragon confirmed. He had already finished picking himself off and dusting the invisible motes of dust clinging to his form.
“And he has Reita.” Aoi whispered.
“For some reason, he wants the babe. I know it's no comfort...” Ruki said. “But it buys us time. We have a few months do find him and kill the bastard once and for all.” Kai was shocked at Ruki's words yet nevertheless, he continued in his mate's place. “Of course we're going to need Reita and you for that.” He wanted to give Aoi something to cling to in the absence of his lover. He had also realized that Aoi needed revenge and hate as much as he needed love and hope and was not opposed to the idea.
“Then what are we waiting for?” Aoi finally sat and surveyed the ones in the room, noting their supportive gazes. It was a slight comfort to feel surrounded by friends yet it was also painful at a deeper level for fear and pain were solitary emotions and anger lashed out at everyone, even those he cared for - because they should have been able to save Reita.
“I would have demanded a few more hours of rest, in order to let the drug vanish from your system.” Uruha started and noted the look of revolt on Aoi's face. “But I've decided against that. There'll be nothing else to do on the ship anyway. Once you have all had showers and food, we leave immediately.” Just like that, Uruha turned around and made a regal exist, Asagi trailing behind him. One by one, the others left Aoi and Ruki alone.
Aoi looked curiously at Ruki, not understanding why he had stayed behind. He didn't need to ask his question though when Ruki plainly stated his reasons.
“I can make the pain better, if you want me to.”
Aoi was grateful for the offer, but he couldn't, wouldn't do that. His feelings were genuine and even though painful, they were his, linking him to his lover. Reita was surely scared, and probably hurt in ways Aoi did not want to imagine, but at least in this respect, Reita was not truly alone. They were united by their love as well as by their suffering.
“The medallion...” Aoi realized with a shock, not having thought about it sooner.
“What?” Ruki wondered at the change in topic.
“It links me to him. I can follow that and get to him. As long as he is alive and has it on, it will lead me there. I have to go...” He scrambled around the room, looking for his things. “You can find the prophet, and then Ruki, you could tell me. You said you could reach people, right? Don't you see, I don't need to come with you.”
“Aoi, no.” Ruki ordered and his tone left no room for disobedience. “Don't make me make you stay put.” He warned and Aoi was shocked and betrayed.
“Why do you do this to me? Don't you understand I can't be without Reita?” Big tears, trails of pain flew down his cheeks and Aoi couldn't keep in his sobs anymore and even though hating himself for it, allowed Ruki's arms to come around him.
“I do. I can feel everything you are feeling right now. But if Reita has the medallion, the Necra knows it and might be laying out a trap. And what if you walk right into it? Perhaps that is why he didn't kill Reita immediately. He expects you to come after him and then, he can just kill you. Once you are out of the way... he has nothing left to fear.”
“But Rei...”
“I care for him too and if I could, I'd go after him. But none of us can do that right now. We have to stick together. Please, just a few weeks. If we don't find the prophet in a month, we'll all charge in. And just think this way: while carrying the baby, the Necra will not risk severe damage to the carrier.”
It sounded callous and it was. Putting everything into balance, as if weighing potatoes in the market place when they were actually talking about Reita and Aoi's lives. Surely it should have been more complicated than weighing the pros and cons? And yet, it all came down to that. When making a decision, they were bound by the rules of the game.
Ruki stayed with Aoi until the man had collapsed and gave in to sleep and then retreated from the room. He did not tinker with the mishepishu's emotions but he did make sure Aoi would have a dreamless sleep.
Kai awaited just outside and together, they silently walked to their assigned room. The moment they were inside Kai rounded in on Ruki and grabbed him forcefully, pinning him against the door. Ruki had never seen him this angry with him.
“Kai, please, let go.” He pleaded and after a few seconds of staring into each other's eyes, Kai finally lowered his hands, although he did not move, keeping them in the same position, chest to chest, Ruki trapped between the door and Kai's body.
“You endangered your life without even telling me. What's going on, Ruki? I hardly know you anymore. I had to find out you could manipulate people along with everyone else. Did you also do it to keep me from suspecting anything?” Kai realized he had said too much the moment he saw hurt shine in those beloved iris pools.
“No, Kai. I just hid it from you.”
“Do I know you that little?” Kai kept on.
“You were asleep most of the time and I don't need to do anything but meditate... It's not your fault. I knew you would be... concerned... so I...”
“Concerned?” His tone rose. “Try fucking worried shitless.” It wasn't like him to shout or swear but for once, Kai did not care how he looked like or what he would have normally done. “And because you thought I wouldn't agree, you lied to me. What else have you been keeping from me, Ruki?” The roc made to grab Ruki again but noticed his lover flinch and stopped in time. He veered around, walked briskly to the opposite side of the room, grabbed the glass of water and hurled it against the wall in a misplaced attempt towards calming himself. Ruki did not give him enough time for that for he came behind him and wrapped his arms around Kai, gripping tight even when the other struggled to let go. Eventually, Kai gave in.
“I'm sorry, love. But I swear I haven't hid anything else from you. This meditation is helping me come to an understanding of myself and that takes time. It's also hard to explain which is another reason I have kept all this bottled up. It's about my powers and who I am...”
“It's `me`, isn't it?”
Ruki didn't understand the question but the hurt in Kai's tone cut straight through him.
“Not once have you mentioned `us`.” And just like that, Kai broke free and left the room, leaving a confused Ruki behind.
Kai only made it outside the room, and collapsed in the corridor, crouching down on the lukewarm floor, grabbing his head in his hands, squeezing his eyelids tight and biting his lip, trying to calm the wild beatings of his heart. Ruki could feel him from inside their room, feel the swirl of emotions in his lover's chest and for a brief moment he wondered whether he should interfere with them, get Kai back in the room. He wanted to do that but the simple thought of it brought Ruki's thought processes to a start and he staggered to the bed, collapsing on it and unknowingly mirroring the position his lover was in. He then proceeded to truly think about what Kai had said.
It led him to a mind-blowing discovery. He had been so focused on his own magic, on himself, on the creature he was turning into that not once had he taken into consideration their bond. Seeing it now, clearly, as if it were a red thread connecting their souls, Ruki discovered their relationship was indeed suffering. Their bond's beautiful blood-red color had faded into a murky nuance Ruki did not want to analyze. And it was all his fault. Kai had done nothing wrong but Ruki had kept him away, kept his heart and thoughts secret and in doing so, he had weakened it, without even realizing it. He tracked the thread from Kai to himself and then back again, reliving all their memories, analyzing both their essences and the third time he reached his own end of the rope, he clearly saw what creature he had turned into. He only managed to cry for Kai before transforming. His lover must have understood that something was happening for even angry, he stormed in the room and found Ruki, like he had never seen him before.
Author: yukigafuru
Chapters: 74/?
Pairings: RukaxYomi, KaixRuki, AoixReita, UruhaxAsagi, Ni~yaxSakitoxHitsugi for now
Bands: Gazette, Naitomea, D... (and a surprise)
Rating: PG-15-PG-17 overall
Warnings: will be angst, yaoi, threesome, a bit of gore here and there, light mpreg
Genre: AU, Angst, Romance
Disclaimer: I am not connected to the real persons. This is just a figment of my imagination and I don't make any money nor profit in any way out of this (well, except gathering your love that is).
Summary: The age of magic and mystery is coming towards its end. But what if someone that has the gift to see the future can join forces with others who have the power to stop it? What will be born then? What will be found?
Chapter 74
The moment Aoi woke up, he felt shattering loss deep in his bones, like a searing current of anguish that cut straight through his heart and flesh. It passed through bone and tissue, muscles and cells, it flew along with his blood, got into his lungs with each breath, wrapped itself tight around him like a famished snake from whose embrace he had no chance of getting out. Reita was not there and Aoi knew the reason why. He had allowed for his soul mate and child to be ripped away from him - at the very moment, fallen in the hands of the most ruthless and vengeful person on the face of the Earth. Aoi ran his palms through his hair and gripped tight the thin dark strands, pulling strong enough to rip. The momentary pain did not do much towards alleviating the horror that lay on his heart.
Finally, he opened his eyes and took notice of his surroundings. He was in a lavishly but elegantly decorated suite and judging by the crystal dome through which the depths of the ocean could be seen, he knew he was currently lodged in Uruha's castle. He had been deposited on a comfortable white linen-covered bed with blue silk curtains draping from the canopy, masking corners of the room. Aoi got up and in the same second, an attendant entered the room.
“You are awake then, my lord. I will send for King Uruha immediately. In the meanwhile, is there anything I could bring you?”
Aoi simply shook his head and watched with clouded eyes the attendant retire. He reached for the carafe and glass of water on the nightstand next to the bed and after pouring some liquid in the glass, took a few gulps of fresh water. He futilely refused to think about Reita, a prisoner, undoubtedly being tortured while he was there, lying on a comfortable bed in an airy room, drinking water. His mind did not listen to Aoi's entreat and only supplied him with more images that turned his stomach upside down. At last, Uruha followed by Asagi and the others entered the room.
“Aoi, you're awake. That is a relief.” Uruha said and Aoi was grateful for not being asked how he was. He noticed Ruki coming to sit on his bed while the others took positions around it.
“What happened?” What he really meant was where was Reita and what they were doing to get him back.
“By the time me and Asagi got there, the ship was on fire, all of you were drugged and” - he paused knowing that there was no easy way to say the words but wishing there were or that he didn't have to say them - “and Reita wasn't there. Neither was Yune. Ruki later filled us in. You're the last to awake. It's been a couple of hours since.”
“Ruki, what do you know about what happened?” Aoi couldn't speak his lover's name for he would breakdown and he needed to do that privately, away from the company of others, even if they were his friends.
“I've been practicing some new magical abilities lately.” Kai happened to be seated right in front of Aoi so the mishepishu did not miss the tightening of the roc's jaw and the worried eyes. So Kai hadn't known and wasn't happy about it. He'd wonder about that later... much later. “I can manipulate others' thoughts and emotions as well as read them like an open book, even if they are not in my immediate presence. That day, I stumbled upon Yune's thoughts in time to read his mind and delay him from his task for a little while. I would have done more if not for the drug. Eventually, I was unable to keep him from taking him away. I'm sorry.”
He would have loved to vent his anger and frustration on Ruki but he knew his friend had done all he could and he should have been the one to detect the drug and save his mate. He also knew intellectually that the guilt was not helpful and if thinking things through objectively, the one at fault was not him but Yune and the Necra. Still, the never-ending string of `what ifs` attached itself to all thoughts. “What if Ruki had managed to kill the bastard?”; “What if he had listened to Ni~ya and thrown Yune overboard?” ; “What if he had sensed the drug and stopped Reita from eating the food?” “What if they hadn't gotten on the bloody boat in the first place?” …
“What did you see? What are their plans?” What he really wanted to know was what was happening to Reita, but again, he couldn't bring himself to speak his name.
“He didn't know exactly. Except that the orders had been to bring Reita and the baby unharmed. Yune had been put on that ship for the precise reason of befriending Saki and Hitsu, making him less suspicious once we would appear. The Necra had originally intended to turn Saki against us, make him kill Aoi and Reita but seeing that Hitsugi had canceled that influence, he concentrated on maintaining his spy amongst us. Now, he wants the baby...” Ruki looked compassionately at Aoi, who was digging his nails in his arms, so hard he drew blood. No one dared comment though and Ruki stayed silent.
“Why?” He asked and his voice was choked and his eyes brimmed with tears that he forced away.
Ruki shook his head for he did not know that answer. “What I can tell you is that we can't get to him and I know that's what you would have asked me next. Not even Yune, his spy, knows where the Necra's layer is. When he needed to get in contact with his master, a special spell brought Yune to the Necra. Even if we somehow manage to find this place, by the time we get there...”
“No!” Aoi roared and his voice was rumbling like thunder, a fluid quality to it that instead of making it appealing only underscored the depth of anger and suffering he was going through. It was the voice of a mishepishu crying after his mate and it was a warning to all those around him. “I will save him or die trying.” Saying his resolution served as a boost in confidence and Aoi made to rise from the bed and start his search immediately, only to be stopped by the dragon's arm on his shoulder.
“All of us will be right by your side in doing so. But we can't charge blindly and we can't let this distract us from...”
“Distract us?” Aoi roared and in one fluid movement, grabbed the dragon by the lapels of his jacket and had thrown him across the room. “How dare you!”
“He didn't mean it like that.” Ruki tried to placate Aoi but it was almost impossible without tinkering with his friend's emotions and he did not want to do that.
“I know a way inside that place.” Ni~ya spoke up and everyone's attention veered towards him, while Ni~ya himself was gesturing toward the dragon. “I think he was also trying to tell you this, but in less inspired words.” Seeing the impatience on Aoi's countenance, Ni~ya added. “There is one thing the Necra fears and it is precisely why he has intervened so often, trying to veer us away from our goal. All of us, we form part of a magical web, with the center being the prophet and the king. Up until now, we have threaded all the other parts and but for this crucial element, the web is but complete. Once we find him, we will have the most powerful weapon ever created and finding and invading the Necra's lair will be an easy feat.”
“How do you know of this?” Ruka asked and his voice was sharp, always distrusting even those he viewed as allies and friends.
“Bits and pieces gathered from what you have told me and facts gleaned from my own experiences.”
“But if he has tried to kill us till now, this means that even one of us dead would...” Ruka deduced.
“Yes. In a web, once an eye unravels, the whole net breaks apart.” The dragon confirmed. He had already finished picking himself off and dusting the invisible motes of dust clinging to his form.
“And he has Reita.” Aoi whispered.
“For some reason, he wants the babe. I know it's no comfort...” Ruki said. “But it buys us time. We have a few months do find him and kill the bastard once and for all.” Kai was shocked at Ruki's words yet nevertheless, he continued in his mate's place. “Of course we're going to need Reita and you for that.” He wanted to give Aoi something to cling to in the absence of his lover. He had also realized that Aoi needed revenge and hate as much as he needed love and hope and was not opposed to the idea.
“Then what are we waiting for?” Aoi finally sat and surveyed the ones in the room, noting their supportive gazes. It was a slight comfort to feel surrounded by friends yet it was also painful at a deeper level for fear and pain were solitary emotions and anger lashed out at everyone, even those he cared for - because they should have been able to save Reita.
“I would have demanded a few more hours of rest, in order to let the drug vanish from your system.” Uruha started and noted the look of revolt on Aoi's face. “But I've decided against that. There'll be nothing else to do on the ship anyway. Once you have all had showers and food, we leave immediately.” Just like that, Uruha turned around and made a regal exist, Asagi trailing behind him. One by one, the others left Aoi and Ruki alone.
Aoi looked curiously at Ruki, not understanding why he had stayed behind. He didn't need to ask his question though when Ruki plainly stated his reasons.
“I can make the pain better, if you want me to.”
Aoi was grateful for the offer, but he couldn't, wouldn't do that. His feelings were genuine and even though painful, they were his, linking him to his lover. Reita was surely scared, and probably hurt in ways Aoi did not want to imagine, but at least in this respect, Reita was not truly alone. They were united by their love as well as by their suffering.
“The medallion...” Aoi realized with a shock, not having thought about it sooner.
“What?” Ruki wondered at the change in topic.
“It links me to him. I can follow that and get to him. As long as he is alive and has it on, it will lead me there. I have to go...” He scrambled around the room, looking for his things. “You can find the prophet, and then Ruki, you could tell me. You said you could reach people, right? Don't you see, I don't need to come with you.”
“Aoi, no.” Ruki ordered and his tone left no room for disobedience. “Don't make me make you stay put.” He warned and Aoi was shocked and betrayed.
“Why do you do this to me? Don't you understand I can't be without Reita?” Big tears, trails of pain flew down his cheeks and Aoi couldn't keep in his sobs anymore and even though hating himself for it, allowed Ruki's arms to come around him.
“I do. I can feel everything you are feeling right now. But if Reita has the medallion, the Necra knows it and might be laying out a trap. And what if you walk right into it? Perhaps that is why he didn't kill Reita immediately. He expects you to come after him and then, he can just kill you. Once you are out of the way... he has nothing left to fear.”
“But Rei...”
“I care for him too and if I could, I'd go after him. But none of us can do that right now. We have to stick together. Please, just a few weeks. If we don't find the prophet in a month, we'll all charge in. And just think this way: while carrying the baby, the Necra will not risk severe damage to the carrier.”
It sounded callous and it was. Putting everything into balance, as if weighing potatoes in the market place when they were actually talking about Reita and Aoi's lives. Surely it should have been more complicated than weighing the pros and cons? And yet, it all came down to that. When making a decision, they were bound by the rules of the game.
Ruki stayed with Aoi until the man had collapsed and gave in to sleep and then retreated from the room. He did not tinker with the mishepishu's emotions but he did make sure Aoi would have a dreamless sleep.
Kai awaited just outside and together, they silently walked to their assigned room. The moment they were inside Kai rounded in on Ruki and grabbed him forcefully, pinning him against the door. Ruki had never seen him this angry with him.
“Kai, please, let go.” He pleaded and after a few seconds of staring into each other's eyes, Kai finally lowered his hands, although he did not move, keeping them in the same position, chest to chest, Ruki trapped between the door and Kai's body.
“You endangered your life without even telling me. What's going on, Ruki? I hardly know you anymore. I had to find out you could manipulate people along with everyone else. Did you also do it to keep me from suspecting anything?” Kai realized he had said too much the moment he saw hurt shine in those beloved iris pools.
“No, Kai. I just hid it from you.”
“Do I know you that little?” Kai kept on.
“You were asleep most of the time and I don't need to do anything but meditate... It's not your fault. I knew you would be... concerned... so I...”
“Concerned?” His tone rose. “Try fucking worried shitless.” It wasn't like him to shout or swear but for once, Kai did not care how he looked like or what he would have normally done. “And because you thought I wouldn't agree, you lied to me. What else have you been keeping from me, Ruki?” The roc made to grab Ruki again but noticed his lover flinch and stopped in time. He veered around, walked briskly to the opposite side of the room, grabbed the glass of water and hurled it against the wall in a misplaced attempt towards calming himself. Ruki did not give him enough time for that for he came behind him and wrapped his arms around Kai, gripping tight even when the other struggled to let go. Eventually, Kai gave in.
“I'm sorry, love. But I swear I haven't hid anything else from you. This meditation is helping me come to an understanding of myself and that takes time. It's also hard to explain which is another reason I have kept all this bottled up. It's about my powers and who I am...”
“It's `me`, isn't it?”
Ruki didn't understand the question but the hurt in Kai's tone cut straight through him.
“Not once have you mentioned `us`.” And just like that, Kai broke free and left the room, leaving a confused Ruki behind.
Kai only made it outside the room, and collapsed in the corridor, crouching down on the lukewarm floor, grabbing his head in his hands, squeezing his eyelids tight and biting his lip, trying to calm the wild beatings of his heart. Ruki could feel him from inside their room, feel the swirl of emotions in his lover's chest and for a brief moment he wondered whether he should interfere with them, get Kai back in the room. He wanted to do that but the simple thought of it brought Ruki's thought processes to a start and he staggered to the bed, collapsing on it and unknowingly mirroring the position his lover was in. He then proceeded to truly think about what Kai had said.
It led him to a mind-blowing discovery. He had been so focused on his own magic, on himself, on the creature he was turning into that not once had he taken into consideration their bond. Seeing it now, clearly, as if it were a red thread connecting their souls, Ruki discovered their relationship was indeed suffering. Their bond's beautiful blood-red color had faded into a murky nuance Ruki did not want to analyze. And it was all his fault. Kai had done nothing wrong but Ruki had kept him away, kept his heart and thoughts secret and in doing so, he had weakened it, without even realizing it. He tracked the thread from Kai to himself and then back again, reliving all their memories, analyzing both their essences and the third time he reached his own end of the rope, he clearly saw what creature he had turned into. He only managed to cry for Kai before transforming. His lover must have understood that something was happening for even angry, he stormed in the room and found Ruki, like he had never seen him before.