This was one of the first stories I ever wrote. Though I have used names from Angel Sanctuary, it has nothing to do with the anime. It was written long ago, when I was not so good at writing - or creating names.
Title: Unknown
Characters: Zar'roc, Sakuya, Setsuna, Keti, Unnamed.
Rating: MA for inappropriate content.
Genre: Original anime
A male somewhere in his prime years strode through the forest of Araluen. His steps were swift and confident, though carefully placed. Following the soft thud of his boots came the sweeping sound of his cloak running over the leaves underfoot. With no apparent reason, his footsteps ceased and he lifted his eyes to the full moon as though it would hold some sort of revelation for him. The wan light illuminated his features to the degree that, had anyone been watching, they would have been able to provide an accurate and detailed description of the man. Although he was in his prime, the man's face held such a young look to it that one might mistake him for a mere adolescent.
His cheekbones were prominent beneath his pale skin, which contrasted to his dark eyes. His lips were thin and curved to a smirk, which betrayed any sign of innocence that may have resided there. His eyes were especially hard tonight, with a razor-sharp edge to them. His hair fell over his eyes, making one wonder how he saw through the thin veil. His hair, to speak of it, was coloured a dark brown, with honey-blonde streaks running through it. Most of it, however, was covered by the cowl of his cloak, which often cast his features into deep shadow, giving others a deceiving impression of him. His clothes clung to his thin body, accentuating the subtle curves.
Beneath the dark and strong exterior, however, several scars littered the mans chest and back. No-one had seen those scars for a long time, though, and as he had told himself countless times, not anytime soon, either. The man lowered his head as though the moon truly had brought him some revelation to ponder for awhile. His footsteps soon resumed their swift, confident pace as though never interrupted.
The man's path brought him to what appeared to be no more than a run down old shack. He did not announce his presence. It would have been unnecessary, as within seconds, the door swung inwards to reveal an extremely pale young man, who happened to be growing paler by the second. The young man uttered several indecipherable words, attempting to speak but failing dismally as the older male's eyes stared into his.
'Zar'roc...' The man finally managed to whimper.
'Roku.' The other answered calmly, his hand so obviously resting on the hilt of the katana at his side. 'You owe me.'
'Please, Zar'roc. Just a little more time.' The man pleaded. He knew he had no chance, though, as Zar'roc slid the katana from its sheath.
'Time's up.' Zar'roc spoke coldly, before he swung the katana down.
Roku's whimpers and pleas were cut short as the katana cut through, slicing the man in two. Zar'roc knelt beside the body and, after fumbling through the pockets, pulled out an amulet. With a slight nod, Zar’roc stood and held the object up to the moonlight. In all honesty, it was beautiful. A rose made of ruby and set in gold sat in the middle, the stem split in two, twined around itself, then ended about an inch down from the rose. On each side of the rose, gold wings stretched out. The whole amulet hung on a thin chain that barely looked strong enough to hold the amulet. It held, however, as Zar’roc shoved it roughly into his pocket.
Zar'roc wiped the blood off the katana onto Roku's coat, cleaning it before he returned it to the sheath at his side. Zar'roc turned on his heel and strode back through the forest the way he had come through, the moonlight still shining on Roku’s terrified, lifeless eyes.
Zar'roc tread a different path through the forest this time. It was a narrow, winding path that looked more like a game trail than anything. His footsteps carried him to a small, dirty looking tavern. Actually, it looked like a very badly built and long ago deserted house. Most of the bricks that built it were blackened with age, and the windows were no better. It had a slight lean to one side, as though the supports had given out and no one had bothered to fix it. The only thing that made it actually look even remotely like a tavern was a small wooden sign that hung above the door. Etched into the wood were the words 'Shattered Dreams and Broken Memories.’
Zar'roc walked to the right side of the door and ran a single, razor-sharp nail down the crack in the door frame. The door swung inwards then, to allow him entry. From the first thud of his boots on the hard wood floor, the entire tavern fell silent. Every face turned toward him, most of them with a look of loathing upon them. Zar'roc looked at every one of them with scorn. He resumed his path toward the bar and slowly the tavern resumed a low bubble of conversation.
Zar'roc lay the unsheathed katana on the bar, his eyes glaring into those of the bar keep's, issuing his usual unspoken threat. The bar keep simply nodded and turned, preparing his usual order. Zar'roc shrugged his shoulders to relieve some tension, though it didn't work. Soon enough, four shots of whisky and a bottle of Bacardi sat in front of him. A curt nod was the closest to a thankyou that the bar keep ever got, and it was what Zar'roc gave now.
Zar'roc downed two of the shots immediately, without hesitation. From there, he slowly drank the bottle of Bacardi as he became immersed in his thoughts. Ten years ago, it had all been better. He had been named Xtasis then, and he was a simple man, relatively happy. He had someone to love, and life was good. But in a tragic twist of events, both of them died, and while his love passed to the afterlife, he had become the first of what was only known as the 'others'. Neither living nor dead, such creatures were usually devoid of happy emotions. Xtasis had wandered for awhile then, feeling only loss and despair, losing track of time. Eventually, Xtasis met a man who submitted to training him to be a ruthless killer. For two years Xtasis trained, pushing himself to his limits, until the old man sent him out into the world alone, telling him that he was ready. Xtasis quickly earned the reputation of a cold, heartless killer. At the same time, he also acquired the name Zar'roc, which meant 'misery' in the ancient language. The name stuck, and he had now carried it for seven years.
People feared him when he came to their door - for when that happened, they knew that they had lost all chance of surviving. Zar'roc, being neither dead nor living, did not feel pain like mortals. He was stronger, faster, and smarter than all of them. Yes, he could be killed, but with his abilities, it was nigh impossible to get close enough to deal the fatal blow. Apart from death by a direct attack, Zar'roc was immortal.
Zar'roc's eyes refocused, bringing him back to reality. But, much to his annoyance, he found an apparently new bar keep staring at him. A low growl rose from the back of his throat, staring at the young man as he downed the remaining shots of whisky. Zar'roc stood, the bar stool sliding out behind him. The bar keep almost shrunk under his gaze, but he stood firm until Zar'roc turned and made his way toward the door. Zar’roc had one foot out the door when he heard a voice that was unmistakeably the bar keep's.
'Xtasis.'
It was barely a whisper, but the entire tavern fell silent, awaiting Zar'roc's reaction and wondering if they would see one of his many rumoured murders. With no more effort than tossing a ball, Zar’roc flicked his knife into a throwing position and sent it whistling through the air behind him, toward the bar keep. A collective gasp ran through the room as the bar keep dodged it, but he was not quick enough. He bit back a cry of pain as the blade struck his right shoulder with enough force that it threw him back against the wall. Zar'roc turned his head slightly and smirked as he saw the grimace of pain on the younger male's face as he clutched at the knife in his right shoulder. The bar keep's only verbal sign of pain was a low growl that he was unable to suppress.
'My name is Zar’roc,' The older male spoke coldly. 'Never that vile name you just called me.'
'Misery...' The bar keep gasped as he struggled to remove the knife unsuccessfully. 'Does not befit you well...'
Zar'roc raised a single eyebrow, which was the equivalent to a cry of shock from any other. Usually people hated and avoided him. Why was this bar keep different? Zar'roc uttered a few choice words from the ancient language and the blade ripped out of the bar keeps flesh, whistling back through the air to land on Zar’roc’s hand. The bar keep uttered a cry of pain and dropped to his knees and one hand, the other hand covering the badly bleeding wound.
'Your name.' Zar'roc growled in a low voice, looking at the bar keep from the corner of his eye.
The younger male bit down on his lip, a clear enough sign that he would not relinquish his name so easily. Zar'roc gave an exaggerated sigh and flicked the knife back into the throwing position.
'Sakuya!'
It was the other barkeep that yelled out, from the other side of the room.
'Sakuya Kira.'
A man roughly the same age as the bar keep kept his eyes on Zar’roc as he made his way over to the younger male. The man took the barkeep's arm and helped him to stand, despite the glare he received. Obviously, Sakuya was not happy that his friend had given his name so easily, and without his permission.
'Sakuya Kira.' Zar'roc smirked as he spoke the name, insufferably pleased with himself. 'I will be seeing you again.' It was obviously a threat.
With an air of contempt, Zar’roc flicked the knife back into its sheath and turned again, striding out into the waiting darkness. The tavern and the bar keep were left with feelings of confusion, fear, and anger.
x-x-x-x
Sakuya Kira finished his shift later that same evening. As he was packing his things and changing out of his work clothes, he thought of Zar’roc’s words. He knew that it was a threat, somehow though, he was not afraid. He wasn't sure why though.
Sakuya pulled on his usual outfit - Tight black pants topped with an even tighter black singlet. He winced slightly as the material ran over the wound that Zar’roc had dealt him. Close to grumbling in annoyance, Sakuya abandoned the shirt. Onto his forearms he pulled one black sweat band with a symbol embroidered on it in white. Two spiked wristbands followed, one for each arm. He attached several chains of varying lengths to his pants before adding a black belt. Onto the belt he also attached a small dagger and a pistol. Just in case, he had told himself many times.
Finished with his clothes, Sakuya pulled his cap off and shook his hair free. Long, silky black locks fell just past his waist. His hair was fine, making it look almost like he was wearing a black veil. His ears on top of his head twitched and perked up then. Not everyone knew, but Sakuya was a wolf demon. Of a sort, anyway. His ears were small and black, the insides of them lined with silver. They were cute, to say the least. Sakuya smiled faintly. It always felt much better when he let his hair down.
Lastly, Sakuya held a spiked collar with a ring on the front in his hands, looking at it with something that could come close to fear. With a sigh of resignation, he buckled the collar on. He moved to the mirror to check his appearance before he would leave. He shrugged slightly, thinking to himself 'good enough'. Sakuya picked up the shoulder bag that contained his work clothes, then glanced out the door, into the waiting darkness. He had no doubt that he would meet Zar’roc tonight. The question was, would Zar’roc find him, or the other way around? Did it matter?
Thinking of the older male made him sub consciously lift his hand to his right shoulder, where the wound had been successfully bandaged to stop the bleeding. Sakuya dropped his hand and shook his head as though to clear it. Naturally, this didn't work, but he decided to pretend it did, shouldering his bag before walking out of the bar into the waiting darkness, raising a hand in farewell. Several of the occupants looked out after him worriedly. None of them thought he should walk home alone after Zar’roc’s words, but he had stubbornly insisted that he would be fine. In truth, Sakuya was actually looking forward to meeting Zar'roc, in an odd way. Most of the occupants simply shrugged their shoulders and let him go.
Sakuya stopped about 20 metres away from the tavern. Here, he had a choice. He could turn right, taking his usual and probably safer path home. Or he could turn left, walk through the forest, and probably find Zar'roc. The decision did not take long.
Sakuya turned left and walked along the darkened path through the forest. He applied pressure to the wound, causing it to bleed first slowly, then more steadily as he walked through the forest. It was not long until the scent of his blood was all throughout the forest, if one had a sensitive enough nose to pick it up. For more than half an hour he walked and searched, the scent of his own blood growing stronger as his fear increased. Finally he realized that he was hopelessly lost in this forest. Further fear set in as he lowered his head, trying to find a way out of this situation that he had gotten himself into. He decided that the time for secretive behavior was over, and at that same moment, he raised his head.
'XTASIS!' He screamed into the night air, loud enough to echo throughout the forest.
Sakuya gasped in a breath and shook slightly, his blood dripping and leaving a trail as he moved to a nearby tree and leant against it. He was already growing weak from the blood loss. Although he was not human, he still needed blood to survive. At the moment, most of that life blood was on his pants, chest, and a little in his hair. He leant against the tree with his right hand, his left covering the wound. The bandage was soaked through.
Sakuya began to cough, sharp, hacking coughs that left him virtually helpless and brought up more blood. In that moment, Sakuya realized just how close he was to death.
'Maybe this wasn't a good idea...' Sakuya whispered. 'XTASIS!' He screamed again, but it was weaker than the first. There was also a note of panic in his voice.
Sakuya began to cough again, but less than a minute after his second call, he felt the sharp bite of a blade against his neck. He realized how weak he was when he hadn't even sensed Zar'roc's approach. Even now, his senses were dim and he only just recognized Zar'roc's scent. Weak as he was, Sakuya still managed a faint smile that Zar'roc never saw.
'Now Sakuya, screaming for me like that and then almost dying on me? What kind of thanks is that for my presence, hm?' Zar'roc whispered, his lips right next to Sakuya's ear.
'I'm not... Nnh.... Dying....' Sakuya muttered defiantly. It took all his strength to remain standing and not slip and let the blade slit his throat.
'Mmhm. I daresay you are.' Zar'roc's voice came in the faintest of whispers as he glanced over Sakuya, noting the amount of blood with a bit of surprise, though he didn't show it. 'Tell me one thing before you either perish or join me in this... existence. Why did you seek me out when you knew it would come to this?'
'You ask for...' Sakuya began then stopped as he fell into a hacking coughing fit. After a moment he recovered and continued after spitting out more blood. 'The one thing... I cannot tell you. For if I did, you would surely despise me.'
'Are you truly foolish enough to believe that I think any different of you? Really, Sakuya, I assumed you were smarter than that.' Zar'roc growled in a low voice, pressing the blade harder against Sakuya's neck.
Droplets of blood formed on his skin then ran down his neck as the blade bit in slightly. Sakuya winced in pain, then opened his mouth to speak, but stopped as Zar'roc went rigid behind him. Without any warning, the blade dropped to the forest floor and Zar'roc looped one finger through the ring of Sakuya's collar. As he harshly spun the younger male around to face him, Sakuya saw that Zar'roc's face was livid with rage.
'What the hell is this, Sakuya?!'
Zar'roc was yelling and pulling on his collar, that much Sakuya knew. But he heard Zar'roc's voice as barely a whisper, and had trouble understanding what the older male was yelling at him. He understood the main point of what he said, however, and finally found words to answer.
'My... collar....' Sakuya managed to mutter, swaying dangerously every time that Zar'roc pulled even slightly on his collar. Which he didn't seem to want to stop doing. Sakuya wished he would stop, the movement was making his head hurt and his vision blur.
'Nobody owns you like this Sakuya!'
Zar'roc yelled even louder and more angry than before, but all Sakuya could manage was a confused smile. He cared....
'Do you hear me, Sakuya Kira?! Nobody! Who was this for?!'
Sakuya took at least a minute to process what Zar'roc had asked him. Then Sakuya shocked Zar'roc with a faint smile and his next words.
'Wiol ono, Xtasis....' Sakuya whispered as he closed his eyes, swaying slightly more than before. 'Wiol ono....'
Zar'roc jumped forward as Sakuya fell backwards, catching the boy before he could hit the tree and sweeping him into his arms in a single, smooth movement. Looking into Sakuya's unconscious face, Zar'roc swore to himself that he had caught Sakuya out of reflex, not out of concern for the boy. And yet, he couldn't bring himself to leave the boy there. Before he knew what he was doing, Zar'roc had lifted his hand to Sakuya’s face and brushed two blood-soaked locks away from his eyes. He realized what he had done and pulled his hand away. His eyes hardened as he shifted Sakuya better in his arms, one arm behind his knees and the other looped under his arms. Sakuya's head tilted slightly back, his lips slightly parted.
'He will die by my hand,' Zar'roc muttered, the anger remaining in his voice though slightly abated. 'Not by his own stupidity.'
Telling himself this though not sure if he believed that it was the true reason, Zar'roc held Sakuya closer to him and headed back for the tavern.
Roughly twenty minutes later, Zar'roc arrived at that the tavern. As he had no hands free to activate the lock, he kicked the door with such force that it broke and flew off the hinges, landing face down some two meters from the frame.
'What have you done?!' The enraged scream came from the same male who had earlier called Sakuya's name.
It seemed this one was a bar keep, as he rushed out from behind the bar, his fist clenched at his side and worry etched into every line of his face. The male made a move to take Sakuya, but Zar'roc growled and pulled Sakuya's unconscious form closer to his body, allowing no-one, not even this apparent friend, to touch him. This bar keep glared at him.
'I am-'
'Shut your mouth,' Zar'roc cut in. 'And find me a room.' He demanded it, his voice filled with venom.
The young man hesitated, but with a quick glance at Sakuya's unconscious face, he relented, though not without an angry glare at Zar'roc.
'Fine. Meet me on the second floor.' The young man muttered before striding back behind the bar and into another room.
Zar'roc walked straight to the stairs and made his way up two at a time until he got up to the landing. Within a few moments the male had opened a door further up the hall. He pushed past the young man roughly, who was about to protest angrily. But as he saw the gentleness with which Zar'roc lay Sakuya on the bed, he was shocked into silence. Zar'roc stared into Sakuya's face as he lowered the younger male onto the bed. As he had done before, Zar'roc brushed the bloodied locks away from Sakuya's face. For a bare moment, his palm rested against Sakuya's cheek.
The other male watched silently until Zar'roc growled and turned towards him.
'Leave.' Zar'roc spoke in a threatening voice, glaring at the young man.
'You expect me to leave you alone with him when-'
'Leave!' Zar'roc bellowed the word, his eyes lit with rage.
'You've got five minutes.' The young man growled, then turned and made to storm out of the room.
'Run a bath.' Zar'roc growled.
The young man nodded curtly and left, closing the door behind him.
Zar'roc returned to Sakuya's side and shook his head slightly.
'Foolish boy... You are lucky I am prepared to do this for you.' As he spoke. Zar'roc removed his coat and his shirt, baring the white, scarred flesh beneath. He dropped the clothing on the floor beside the bed and sighed. 'You had better hope I remember how to do this Sakuya Kira...' Zar'roc muttered.
He placed one hand over the wound on Sakuya's chest and one hand over his own right shoulder, then muttered a few short words from the ancient language. At the same time that Sakuya's wound began to close, the same wound opened and spread on Zar'roc's shoulder. The older male gasped in pain as the wound continued opening until it was the same as Sakuya's had been. Where Sakuya's skin was now flawless, Zar'roc now bore his wound and two of the surrounding scars. Though it caused immense pain, Zar'roc only growled and pressed his hand over the wound to stop the blood flow.
'I've not done this for anyone...' Zar'roc growled again, not realizing the other male had returned and was standing at the door. 'For nearly ten years... I tell you now how lucky you are.' As he spoke, Zar'roc had run a bloodied thumb over Sakuya's bottom lip. He smiled for the first time in years as he saw Sakuya lick the blood off his lip.
'That's better...' Zar'roc whispered gently, wiping some more blood from the wound to drip onto Sakuya's lips. Sakuya again licked the blood off his bottom lip.
'I've never seen you being kind before.' The young man said quietly from the door frame.
'Shut up. Did you find yourself competent enough to run that bath?' Zar'roc's voice had regained that cold edge to it.
'Quite.' Came the curt reply.
Zar'roc stripped Sakuya down to his under shorts and lifted him once more into his arms. Sakuya was starting to regain consciousness, as Zar'roc heard him groan softly.
'I can-'
'I'll do it.' Zar'roc growled then walked out the door.
Luckily, he never turned around to see the smile that rested on the young man's lips.
Sakuya stirred a little more as Zar'roc gently lowered him into the bath, the warm water enveloping his body. Zar'roc kept his arm behind Sakuya's head to keep it out of the water while he took the soap offered by the young man and began to wash the blood off the younger male's chest. The young man leant against the door frame watching over the two. Sakuya slowly opened his eyes as Zar'roc began to wash his hair.
'Xtasis...?' He whispered in disbelief.
Sakuya looked into Zar'roc's face, confused. The young man at the door prepared to intervene, knowing what happened last time, but was shocked by Zar'roc's reply.
'Mmhm. Can you sit?' Sakuya nodded and sat up with Zar'roc's support. 'Good'
Zar'roc ran soapy hands through Sakuya's hair, the bath water turning red as the blood washed out. Sakuya closed his eyes as the soapy, bloody water ran over his face. Zar'roc smiled again as he wiped the water away from the younger male's eyes and mouth. As Sakuya opened his eyes and saw the smile, it only confused him more. He opened his mouth to say something, but Zar'roc shook his head, the smile fading away. Sakuya stayed silent then, and Zar'roc resumed washing his hair until it was clean.
'Can you stand?' Zar'roc's voice was gentle, and he thought he knew what the answer would be.
'I don't think so...' Sakuya said softly with a trace of shame.
Zar'roc simply nodded and lifted Sakuya from the water and into his arms again. The young male came forward with a towel, which he wrapped around Sakuya, who smiled faintly though he didn't recognize his friend properly.
As they walked along the hallway, Sakuya looked up at Zar'roc and for the first time noticed the wound on his shoulder. Sakuya's eyes widened as he looked at his own shoulder and saw that it was flawless.
'Xtasis... Did you....?'
'Yes.' Zar'roc replied simply. His eyes widened as Sakuya's arms wrapped around his shoulders and tightened in a hug. 'Sakuya...' Zar'roc muttered, caught off guard.
Sakuya released his hold as Zar'roc as he gently sat him on the bed. Zar'roc then turned to the other male, who had followed. He didn't even have to ask for a brush - the young man had already thought of it, and now turned to go find it. Zar'roc looked back at Sakuya to find him shivering.
'Cold?' Zar’roc asked even as he picked up his cloak off the floor and put it over Sakuya's shoulders.
Sakuya nodded, then smiled faintly. 'Xtasis... Why...?'
But he had no time to finish his sentence, for the young man returned with the brush at that moment. Zar'roc took the brush and began to gently work out the knots in Sakuya's hair. Sakuya glanced at the other male and finally realized who it was.
'Setsuna! What....?'
'I was here when Zar'roc brought you back.' Setsuna replied to the unvoiced question.
'Shut up.' Zar'roc cut in, staring at Setsuna. 'I only brought him back because I would rather him not die of his own stupidity.'
Sakuya opened his mouth to protest at this insult, but the look Setsuna gave him made him hesitate.
'Of course. Why else would it have been?' Setsuna stated.
'Shut up.' Zar'roc growled, picking up the sarcasm in Setsuna's voice.
Setsuna refrained himself from giggling while Sakuya smiled faintly, too tired to bother laughing at a joke he had no clue about.
Zar'roc dropped the brush and took two bands from the bedside, tying Sakuya's hair up so that it would not tangle while he slept.
'Come on, you need some rest now. Give me a hand Setsuna.'
Zar'roc gave Setsuna no choice in the matter as he lifted Sakuya into his arms gently. Setsuna came around the other side of the bed, pulling back the blanket and sheets then stepping back as Zar’roc lay Sakuya beneath the covers.
'Xtasis... Thank you.' Sakuya whispered.
Zar'roc merely grunted as he pulled the covers over Sakuya and tucked them in at the sides. 'You snore and I'll rip your throat out. And you're having a shower in the morning.'
Sakuya smiled at this, then shock set in as his mind registered what Zar'roc had said. 'You're staying...?' His tone was curious and surprised.
Zar'roc paused a moment, his eyes averted from Sakuya's. 'I might come back. Now shut up and go to sleep.'
Zar'roc lingered a moment to look at Sakuya, then strode to the door and switched the light off.
'Sleep well, Sakuya.' Setsuna whispered as he followed Zar'roc out the door.
Sakuya smiled to himself, slowly drifting into a peaceful sleep, the last thought on his mind being of Zar'roc.
'I've never-' Setsuna began as he shut the door, but faltered as Zar'roc rounded on him, flicking the katana up from its sheath in a threatening manner.
'You can shut your mouth right now Setsuna. Breathe a word of this to anyone and your head will be on a platter before you can remember my name.' Zar'roc's voice was back to the deathly cold tone he always used.
Setsuna put his hands up in a surrendering gesture. Zar'roc growled and turned on his heel, heading back down toward the bar. Luckily he didn't see the grin that Setsuna wore. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Zar'roc once again rounded on Setsuna.
'Get me-'
'Something to get you drunk, I know.' Setsuna finished for him as he headed to the bar.
Zar'roc growled and made for the bar, taking a seat at the counter. Setsuna disappeared into the back room but quickly returned with a small bottle of alcohol. Zar'roc eyed it with humor and disbelief.
'Trust me.' Setsuna stated as he put the bottle down in front of Zar'roc. 'And it's on the house.' As he watched Zar'roc, Setsuna took less than a shot worth from his own bottle, exactly the same.
'Hmph.' Zar'roc looked at Setsuna with mistrust before downing the bottle in a few gulps.
Setsuna was true to his word, however, as within minutes Zar'roc felt pleasantly light-headed and wobbly. Setsuna had finished his bottle after awhile, then he and Zar'roc spent some time drunkenly sparring; although Zar'roc was actually trying to hurt Setsuna. When Zar'roc had finally acquired more wounds in a single night than he had over a number of years, he stumbled up to the room in which Sakuya slept. Climbing under the sheets carefully so that Sakuya wouldn't wake, Zar'roc shifted close to Sakuya and fell unconscious almost immediately. Beside him and under one of his arms, though Sakuya still slept peacefully, he smiled.
- - - - - - + - - - - - -
Zar'roc woke after only a few hours sleep and groaned. He rolled to his right and sat on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. Even if he was immortal, he was hardly immune to hangovers.
'I'm never drinking again...' He muttered the same as he always did during a hangover.
Sakuya stirred slightly on the other side of the bed, and Zar'roc paused. For some reason, he didn't want Sakuya to know he had been drinking. So, like any typical male, he slipped out of bed and into the bathroom, just as a wave of nausea hit him. He closed the door to try to hide the sounds of coughing and retching as he leant over the sink. Thankfully, it passed quickly and he washed his face and mouth out with icy water from the faucet. He looked into the mirror and sighed. As if his eyes weren't a dead giveaway that he had been drinking, the cuts over his chest and back made it obvious that something had happened last night, and he hadn't been clear enough of mind to handle it. Zar'roc took a swig from a flask at his hip and seemed to recover slightly.
'That's a bit better...' He muttered quietly.
He ran a hand through his hair as he walked out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom.
'You okay?'
Zar'roc started as Sakuya spoke, then looked over to see him sitting up and staring at the older male. Zar'roc bobbed his head in a half-assed nod, sitting down on the bed again. Sakuya didn't speak for a minute, then Zar'roc felt him lay down.
'Consequences of drinking too much.'
Zar'roc's eyes widened in shock and he lifted his head slightly, then he just groaned and dropped his head back into his hands.
'Shut up..'
'You say that too much.' Sakuya rolled to face him.
'I know.' Zar'roc turned just in time to see the grin that Sakuya failed to hide in time. Zar’roc groaned in a mock agitated sort of way, picking up his pillow and throwing it at Sakuya's head, who was kind enough not to belt him back with it. Zar'roc was a little grateful for that as he fell back on the bed, arms spread out as though he was unconscious, even though he was awake. Sakuya laughed quietly and, unable to resist temptation any longer, brought the pillow down on Zar'roc's head. Zar'roc just groaned, not even making a move to take the pillow off.
x-x-x-x
Hours later, Setsuna walked into the room, expecting the two to be awake. He grinned as he saw Sakuya and Zar'roc fast asleep. Sakuya had cuddled against Zar'roc and had his head on the older male's chest, while Zar'roc had still not bothered to remove the pillow. Unfortunately for the two, Setsuna was a terrible practical joker. He decided to set the fire alarm off, which of course, set the sprinklers on. He fled the room before they woke up. It took a moment for them to register why they were getting wet, but as soon as they realised-
'SETSUNA!!!' The walls shook with their combined scream.
Setsuna giggled and headed downstairs, turning the alarm off on the way.
x-x-x-x
Back in the room, Zar'roc glared at no-one in particular, his soaked hair increasing the look of a drowned, very angry, cat.
'I am going to kill him.' Zar'roc muttered before going to the bathroom for dry towels.
'He's just having fun. Besides, now we don't need showers.' Sakuya tried his hardest to keep his face straight under Zar’roc’s glare.
'Oh yes you do!' Sakuya couldn't help laughing as Zar'roc scooped him into his arms and set him in the shower, turning the taps on.
'You need one too.' Sakuya pouted playfully as he let his hair down.
'I had one. Sort of.' Zar'roc grinned and pushed Sakuya under the running water. 'Get clean, I'm going to find you some clothes.' Sakuya nodded and Zar'roc left the room.
Zar'roc returned in less than ten minutes and yelled for Sakuya to hurry up. Sakuya complied, finishing a quick rinse of his hair before stepping out of the shower. He blushed faintly to see Zar'roc standing there with a towel ready, especially since this time, he hadn't worn his shorts. Zar'roc wrapped the towel around Sakuya almost immediately. Sakuya smiled up at Zar'roc, who tweaked his ears gently.
'You're a foolish boy, Sakuya.' Zar'roc spoke gently, almost fondly, as he had been doing since the night before.This time was a bit different, though.
'I know. I can't help it.'
'Tell me why.' Zar'roc's gaze was piercing, as though he could see Sakuya's soul through his eyes.
'I told you... I can't.'
'Sakuya.'
Sakuya shook his head and made to leave, but Zar'roc put his arm up to block the younger male's exit.
'Xtasis... Please....' Sakuya looked at the older male, sadness in his eyes.
'I need to know Sakuya. I need to know why you would bring yourself knowingly so close to death simply to find me, which usually would have resulted in your death anyway.'
'But it didn't.'
'You didn't know that. Talk to me, Sakuya.'
'If I tell you a bit, will you stop asking?' Sakuya looked at Zar'roc, his eyes pleading.
Zar'roc searched his eyes, then finally answered. 'For a time.'
'I needed you.'
'For what?' Zar'roc was more than a little confused. Was he not the one who had hurt Sakuya in the first place?
'For me. Can I get dressed yet?' Sakuya raised his eyebrows as he spoke. He really wanted out of this awkward situation.
Zar'roc stared as though searching Sakuya again. Then he raised his arm, letting Sakuya leave. He sighed with relief as he sat on the bed, drying his hair off with the towel, though it had had plenty of time to drip-dry.
'I brought some clothes up for you. They should fit.' Zar'roc indicated a small pile on the bed, then grunted as Sakuya thanked him. 'Setsuna offered them.' He stated as Sakuya pulled the clothes on. He didn't mention that Setsuna had only offered them when he realised Zar'roc was about to rip the clothes off some kid.
Zar'roc pulled on his coat, then stood and stared at Sakuya. He seemed to reach a decision, yet still waited until Sakuya was dressed before gesturing the younger male over.
'Come here and turn around.'
As Sakuya did so, Zar'roc removed from his pocket the pendant that he had retrieved from Roku only a few days ago. He placed it gently around Sakuya's neck, lifting his hair to clasp it at the back.
'Lose it, or break it, and I'll kill you.' Zar'roc muttered.
Sakuya lifted the pendant to look at it then smiled softly, admiring the beauty of it. 'Thank you...'
Zar'roc only grunted in reply. 'Hurry up. We both have work to do.'
Sakuya wondered what work Zar'roc was going to be doing, but he didn't bother asking, because partially he knew that Zar'roc wouldn't tell him, but partially he also didn't want to know. With Zar'roc's line of work, he was sure that his job would not be something good.
'Ready?' Zar'roc glanced at Sakuya as he shouldered his bag, as per usual. Sakuya nodded slightly. 'Right then.'
Zar'roc headed for the door and Sakuya followed him out. They walked to the bar together, but as Sakuya walked behind the bar, he felt Zar'roc grab his hand and stop him. He turned to look at the older male, slightly shocked.
'I'll be back to pick you up tonight. Don't try another stunt like last night, hm?'
Sakuya nodded slightly, even more surprised that Zar'roc would be returning.
'And don't you dare leave without me, or I'll give you a wound and not take it back. Understand?' Zar'roc muttered.
Sakuya nodded again and, returning the gesture, Zar'roc left.
'What was that all about?' Setsuna asked as Sakuya immediately began to prepare a girls order of two bloody Marys’ and a long island iced tea.
'Nothing really. I think he just assumes that I'll do the same thing as last night.'
Sakuya looked sideways at Setsuna as he felt the other males hand on his shoulder.
'I think it's a bit more than that, Sakuya.' Setsuna said lightly.
'What--?' Sakuya began, but Setsuna just grinned and turned to serve more customers.
'I always knew you had a way of warming the coldest hearts, Sakuya.' Setsuna said while proceeding to fill every mug of ale on the house.
Sakuya just shook his head, not understanding a word of it.
That night, Sakuya worked later than usual, and still Zar'roc did not show. Sakuya glanced at the door every few seconds but did not catch a glimpse of the older male. And with every minute that passed, he just got more and more down.
'You could just leave, you know.' Sakuya looked around for the source of the voice, finding that it came from the girl whom he had first served.
'Excuse me, miss?' Sakuya blinked.
'I said, you could just go.' The girl took a long draught from her bottle of alcohol, which surprised Sakuya, since she looked much too young for alcohol. She looked barely fourteen.
'Aren't you a bit young to be drinking?'
'Didn't bother you earlier, and don't change the subject. Why are you staying? It's not like he owns you.'
'I don't know what you're on about.' Sakuya muttered as he wiped the bench down.
'I saw what went down earlier, so don't try playing coy.'
Sakuya stopped, putting the cloth down harder than intended as he stared at the girl. 'And who are you, to speak to me in such a manner?'
'Oh, did I not introduce myself? Name's Keti.'
'And that's supposed to mean what, exactly? I don't know you, so I am hardly inclined to share my personal life with you, much less anything about Xtasis.'
'You call him Xtasis? He lets you?' The girl was taken aback.
'Well no, he rather hates it, but I still do it.' Sakuya couldn't help a slight smile there.
'Why? Is his name not misery, as he is well known for spreading?'
This caused Sakuya's eyes to ice over, devoid of their usual friendly touch.
'I prefer to call people by the name that befits them, and misery certainly does not.'
With this, Sakuya threw the cloth across the bar and into the sink, then left the girl wide-eyed and stormed out the back door. Before the door had even shut, Sakuya's anger caused him to turn and lash out and punch a hole straight through the middle of the door. He yelled out from anger and frustration. He couldn't feel the pain from his hand, which had shattered, and was bleeding badly. The blood now slowly dripped on the ground outside.
Sakuya leant against the wall outside to steady himself and to stop himself from going into a blind rage. Soon enough, Setsuna followed him out. He looked from the hole in the door to Sakuya's hand, then to his face. Setsuna sighed and dug his hands in his pockets.
'Got to you, did she?'
'Mm.' Sakuya growled in such a like way to Zar'roc that Setsuna actually took a step back. 'Damnit!' Sakuya rounded on Setsuna, his eyes oddly filled with rage. 'I want to know what the hell is going on! All your crap earlier about melting hearts, and her saying about him owning me, what the hell is going on?!'
'That's what we want to know, Sakuya. What's going on?'
'Nothing.' Sakuya muttered.
'You mean you feel nothing for him?' Setsuna raised a single eyebrow.
'I mean he feels nothing for me!!' Sakuya retorted angrily.
'I wouldn't be so sure about that.' Setsuna looked at him and saw the disbelief on his face, then sighed. 'Sakuya, let me show you something that you will probably still be too stubborn to understand.' As he spoke, Setsuna pulled out a packet of cigarettes.
Sakuya looked at him oddly as he lit two smokes.
'What, a cigarette? What's that-' He stopped as Setsuna shoved one into his mouth.
'Shut up and smoke, Sakuya.'
Setsuna looked at his watch then back at Sakuya who had shrugged and taken a drag. As he took the smoke into his lungs he looked oddly at Setsuna.
'And this is supposed to do what?'
'Short term, calm you down and shut you up at the same time.' Setsuna replied after he had taken a long drag of his own cigarette.
Sakuya shrugged, taking the point and smoking in silence for the next few minutes. Then Sakuya heard him counting down from ten as though waiting for something. This confused him, but he decided to wait in silence until whatever Setsuna was expecting happened. But Setsuna had only reached 'Two' when Sakuya felt a mind-numbing blow to the back of his head which made him drop his cigarette and stumble forward, his head spinning.
'Early.' He heard Setsuna say quietly.
'What the hell do you think you're doing, Sakuya?!' He heard a familiar voice yell, though he was face down in the dirt. 'First a collar, now smoking?!'
'Leave me alone...' Sakuya muttered, bringing himself onto his forearms.
'What the hell is wrong with you?!'
Zar'roc kept yelling, but Sakuya had had enough. He lifted himself off the ground then rounded on the other male, his eyes alight more than ever before.
'What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you, Xtasis?! You couldn't even manage to turn up on time. No! You're three hours late, three hours in which I had to deal with shit from everyone here! You say there's something wrong with me, Xtasis? Look in the fucking mirror!' Sakuya turned and punched the solid brick wall as he yelled the last words.
All the pain, the fear, the anger, all the emotion that Sakuya had held in for years went into the punch, resulting in a hole in the brick wall and his hand shattering even more so. He rounded back on Zar'roc angrily.
'What are you, stupid, or just blind? You can't see anything! You never have, you never will! The only thing you understand is your bloody desire for revenge!!'
Zar'roc growled threateningly at that - before Setsuna could intervene, his hand was around Sakuya's throat, holding him up against the wall, his feet leaving the ground. Zar'roc's grip would have killed a normal human, but Sakuya was much stronger than that.
'Go on then. You've wanted to since that night.' Sakuya muttered through clenched teeth, staring straight at Zar'roc.
'If you had been anyone else, you would be dead right now for speaking to me like that. However;' He paused as a ripple ran through the air and earth at the precise moment that a tear dropped from Sakuya's cheek and hit the ground. 'I will be lenient in order to allow your foolish mind to process all that has and is happening. For I think it is you who has much to learn and understand, Sakuya Kira.'
Zar'roc let Sakuya drop to the ground. Sakuya growled and pulled his knife as Zar'roc turned to leave. He threw the blade toward Zar'roc, a spur of the moment decision on his part. The weapon barely touched Zar'roc, only singed his skin as jets of blue flame enveloped the blade. It thudded point first into a tree some few centimetres left of Zar'roc. He paused, almost making Sakuya think that he would turn back. But he simply shook his head and continued his path. Sakuya watched him as far as possible in disbelief, then lowered his head.
'Is this what you wanted to show me, Setsuna?' Sakuya looked up at Setsuna. 'Pain, love, or anger?'
'No.' Setsuna replied. 'It wasn't supposed to be like that. But what I was trying to show you was clear from the first moment that he showed here.'
'And what is that?'
Setsuna looked at Sakuya then sighed, flicking his cigarette away then opening the door to go back inside. Before the door closed behind him, Setsuna spoke in a quiet voice. 'He cares, Sakuya.'
Sakuya remained where Zar'roc had dropped him for several hours, finding it hard to believe Setsuna's words. Finally, he got up and began the lonely walk home. This time, he stuck to the path. He knew Zar'roc would not come, nor would he find the older man. After what had happened, he wondered if ever he would see Xtasis Finniarel again. Sakuya found himself spending the night awake, sitting on the couch in his family room, lost in his thoughts.
- - - - - - + - - - - - -
Sakuya was absent from work the next day. And the day following that. On the third day, Setsuna began to worry, but even though he pounded on the door and screamed for Sakuya, he received no answer. Setsuna returned to work and the usual routine, worried that Sakuya was far from alright. Sakuya, in fact, did not leave the house. For four days, he did not sleep, he did not drink, and he did not eat. He knew he was weak but he had no use for energy anyway. Most of the time he was staring blankly into space, deeply immersed in his thoughts. Other times he was trying his best not to cry so that he wouldn't destroy anything. Those times he often hurt himself, mostly to be able to handle the pain without letting tears fall. Sometimes he just plain hurt, inside and out. Those were the silent times. On the fifth day, Sakuya couldn't handle it any longer. All the tears he had held back for years, all the pain, the fear, every emotion he'd ever felt, including his love, came out in his tears. Sakuya no longer cared whether he lived or died. He would bring down the house with his tears. His distress was too great for him to care.
The moment that the first tear hit the hardwood floor on which he kneeled, the walls shook and came close to buckling. There was something extremely odd about Sakuya - ever since he was a child, if he cried, whole buildings could be destroyed, if it was bad enough. When he was a child it was nowhere near as bad. But as he got older it became more powerful, so that he could not let a single tear fall for fear of destroying something. But now he didn't care. Let the house fall on him. The entire place shook with his sobs. A large crack broke on the ceiling at the same moment that Sakuya's voice broke, screaming for Xtasis. His tears flowed even more rapidly, one of the walls collapsing near Sakuya. As long as he didn't survive he didn't care. He couldn't survive, without Zar'roc. It was this thought that brought three rooms crashing down, leaving nothing but dust and rubble. The house swayed now, with hardly any walls to support it. Then the roof began to cave in and Sakuya, aware of this, smiled through his tears. This would be the end of him.
But a moment later, warm, strong arms wrapped around him. The next second Zar'roc had jumped with Sakuya, throwing them both through a window and out of the house, which collapsed behind them. They landed with Sakuya on his knees and Zar'roc crouching, holding the younger male's head against his chest to protect him. Zar'roc looked back at the house then at Sakuya, not understanding.
'Sakuya...' Zar'roc whispered worriedly.
Sakuya did not speak. He fell against Zar'roc, one hand clenching onto his shirt. Sakuya burst into fresh tears, his face pressed against Zar'roc's chest.
'Shh... I'm here....' Zar'roc pulled Sakuya close against him, shielding the younger boy as the house burst into flames and exploded.
Zar'roc's arms wrapped around Sakuya's shoulders tighter, holding him comfortingly as the boy cried. Sakuya cried for a long time on his chest, leaving him gasping for breath and exhausted when the tears finally slowed. His shoulders raised and dropped in shallow breaths and his entire body trembled uncontrollably. He barely noticed when Zar'roc put his coat over Sakuya's shoulders.
'I'm sorry...' He finally gasped. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry...'
He just kept repeating the words until Zar'roc gently cupped his chin, his thumb just below Sakuya's lips. Zar'roc looked him in the eyes, a serious yet kind look on his face.
'Do not apologise Sakuya. You are already forgiven.'
His voice was hushed as his eyes searched Sakuya's. It took awhile for either of them to realise that it was raining, but they didn't care. Sakuya had his face hidden in the crook of Zar'roc's neck, while Zar'roc's arms wrapped around Sakuya's mid-section, when Zar'roc spoke quietly.
'I'm taking you back to the bar. You'll catch a chill out here.'
Sakuya nodded in response, though he made no move to get up. Zar'roc knew that though, and he stood, wrapping Sakuya's feet around his waist in a front-side carry. Sakuya kept his head on Zar'roc's shoulder that way. So, carrying Sakuya, Zar'roc started back toward the tavern. He took one glance back, noting that somehow, in the time that Sakuya had cried, the forest had been partially destroyed. Perhaps the fire had swept through when the house exploded.
Setsuna was waiting just outside the door when they arrived. He had waited in the rain for over an hour, worried sick about Sakuya. Zar'roc told him to speak quietly, as Sakuya had fallen into a deep, exhausted sleep on the way. Setsuna nodded and only whispered to Zar'roc on the way to the room.
'Where did you find him?'
'His home.'
'Shouldn't he have stayed there then?' Setsuna looked at Zar'roc, confused. 'Surely it would have been more comfortable for him?'
'There is no house left. I got him out a bare second before the roof fell.'
'Oh.'
Setsuna knew of Sakuya's problem, yet this still shocked him. He'd had no idea that it could be that bad to destroy an entire house. Though he knew Sakuya had held everything in for years, so he guessed that it had all come out. Setsuna held the door to the bedroom open then followed Zar'roc in and locked the door. Zar'roc gently lay Sakuya on the bed then sat by him, sighing softly.
'Sakuya...' Zar'roc murmured, brushing his hair back. 'Little fool...'
Sakuya stirred slightly, rolling onto his side and curling into a tight ball.
'Xtasis...' Came the whispered breath from the sleeping boy.
Zar'roc's eyes softened, his hand resting on Sakuya's shoulder. Soon, he pulled the covers up over Sakuya to keep him warm. Then he sat in a chair by the bed, gently taking Sakuya's hand in his own. Setsuna smiled as he saw the action. All he received back was a worried look from Zar'roc.
'Do you want me to bring you anything? Before I go...'
Zar'roc shook his head slightly and Setsuna nodded, understanding. He turned and went to the door.
'I'll check on you in the morning. But I'll not be far.'
Setsuna locked the door as he left, throwing the room into darkness.
'Xtasis....' Sakuya whispered into the darkened room.
Zar'roc moved to lay with him, holding the younger boy against his chest, close.
'Sakuya, silly little fool.... I'm here.' Zar'roc whispered in the dark.
Sakuya's only response was to snuggle closer, holding tight to Zar'roc's shirt.
- - - - - - + - - - - - -
Setsuna opened the door in the morning to find both of them asleep. Sakuya was wrapped in Zar'roc's arms, cuddled close to him. Setsuna lit several candles to light the room, then left again.
Sakuya woke first. He didn't realise what he was lying against until he looked up and saw Zar'roc's face. He smiled a little, realising that once again, Zar'roc had stayed with him. That must mean that he was forgiven, didn't it? Sakuya ran the backs of his fingers over Zar'roc's cheek. Zar'roc's eyes fluttered open. Blue-gray eyes stared into Sakuya's amethyst eyes.
'Xtasis, I-'
'Sakuya...' The whispered voice cut over his own. Zar'roc's hand lifted to cup Sakuya's chin gently. Sakuya gulped, a warm tingle creeping up from the pit of his stomach.
'Mm?'
'Are you okay?' Zar'roc's thumb was stroking over Sakuya's bottom lip.
No. Sakuya knew that he was not okay. He was not okay because Zar'roc's thumb over his lip was bringing shivers over his body, making him tremble from head to toe. Still, he nodded in response anyway.
'Good.'
'Xtasis, about the other day... I didn't mean....'
'Sakuya?' Xtasis cut him off again, eyes searching his.
'Mm?'
'Do you ever shut up?'
Sakuya's breathing hitched as soft, velvety lips pressed down on his own. Sakuya was powerless before Zar'roc, bared open and helpless in front of the older male. The taste and scent of all things sweet, was how Sakuya remembered Zar'roc's first kiss upon his lips. Lips so soft to make even silk jealous, so perfectly curved as a cupids bow. The kiss ended far too soon as Zar'roc pulled back slightly, searching Sakuya's amethyst eyes once again.
'Xtasis....' Sakuya sighed his name, wrapping his arms tight around Zar'roc's shoulders.
He couldn't believe this was happening, but at that moment he felt such happiness as he had not known for many a year. Zar'roc held Sakuya close, which made him happy. Sakuya felt like he could just stay with Zar'roc in this moment for all eternity. However, Sakuya's ears pricked up as he heard the door open, and he looked up to see Setsuna in the doorway.
'I see you two are awake. Want to come down and show everybody that you're okay? Keti is really quite worried.' Setsuna couldn't contain a grin as Zar'roc pulled Sakuya closer.
'He'll be down when I feel he is strong enough.' Xtasis growled quietly.
'As you wish, your great highn-ass, Zar'roc. 'Setsuna made a mock curtsy to him.
'Xtasis.' Zar'roc spoke in a whisper, though Setsuna’s head shot up in un-feigned shock at the word and the name. 'It's Xtasis. ' He glanced at Sakuya with soft eyes. ' Once again, and forever more. Now leave, won't you?'
Even as Xtasis spoke, he drew the smaller frame of Sakuya close against him. Without even waiting for Setsuna to leave, Xtasis once more pressed his lips to Sakuya's softer, paler lips. Sakuya felt tremors wrack his body, both savouring and returning the kiss passionately. Setsuna grinned and pulled the door shut, locking it before returning downstairs.
Much as Setsuna talked to Keti and tried to build up talk and song in the little tavern, working under Sakuya & Xtasis' room meant he was not at all excluded from the all-too-familiar sound of love-making, much as he might wish. Sakuya was so expressed that Setsuna wouldn't be surprised if the two did not receive at least one knowing look later in the day. Keti grinned at Setsuna, sharing a look that told him she could hear too.
Setsuna felt himself flush slightly for no apparent reason he shook his head to clear it, making two 'seven layers of hell' mostly to get his mind off everything. When finished, he slid one to Keti and downed the other himself.
'So which way do you swing?'
The bluntness and suddenness of the question caught Setsuna off guard, and he near choked.
'What?'
'Which way do you swing? Males or females?'
'Both...' Setsuna relied warily.
'I see.' Keti only responded this much and that was the end of it, though Setsuna sensed that there was more she wished to say.
After some time, Keti got up and, with a glance back at Setsuna, left through the back door. Curiosity nipped and nibbled at him and eventually, Setsuna gave in to temptation and followed her, leaving the bar work to a colleague. Setsuna grinned as he saw the hole in the door that Sakuya had made still there. His grin faded slightly however, as he remembered the events that led up to and followed it. He shook those thoughts out of his head as he sought for Keti. He did not have to look far. Less than three steps from the door, Keti pulled Setsuna to her. She leant back against a tree where the shadows would hide them well. Keti didn't kiss Setsuna, She didn't try to make love to him. But she did hug him. A warm, friendly embrace, comforting the both of them. Keti's cheek pressed against Setsuna's chest, just below the crook of his neck, such was the difference of their height. Setsuna simply held Keti, if a little confused as to why she came to him for comfort. After a time, Keti spoke softly.
'What do you think, then?'
'Hm? Of what?' Setsuna glanced at the top of her head. Her hair was gold, not blonde, he realised. And curling at the tips.
'Them.' Keti pointed a thumb toward the window of Sakuya and Xtasis' room. 'I mean... What do you feel?'
Setsuna paused, thinking. Her words were a deeper question than most would realise. What did he really feel?
'Jealousy. Loneliness. A hunger for... what they have. Even just a fraction of it, I mean...' Setsuna paused, then stumbled on. 'I miss what they have... It hurts, but I'm happy for them.'
Keti remained silent for some time. They both just stood there, in one another’s embrace. It was comforting.
'I know the feeling... ' Keti finally whispered, then burrowed her head against Setsuna's chest.
'Oh, I know that feeling all too well.'
Setsuna wondered to himself how she would know the feeling of heart break so well when she seemed so young and frail. It dawned on him that perhaps she was not fully human, and therefore could be much older than she looked. His mind settled easily to that conclusion, and his arms drew her closer, warmer, tighter.
'Why do you stay here, in this dreary place? You could go to more lively taverns in the main towns, and meet a partner there. Why stay?' His last words repeated the first as he glanced at her, meeting her eyes briefly.
'Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. Forces beyond my power and knowledge merge at this point. I cannot ignore it.'
Setsuna was startled by Keti's words. For a young person, she spoke wise. And he well knew the forces she spoke of. They were but one of the reasons he had come to this place to work, months ago. He pointed out to himself that she may be as old, if not older, than him.
'Setsuna?'
'Mm?' Setsuna looked down at Keti's face. Sharp, clear blue eyes looked almost pleadingly at him. Beautiful eyes, he realised with a jolt. Soft, pink, thin lips that curved to a tiny smile. A tiny sad smile, one that he hadn't expected to see on her face. Not now, not ever. Setsuna had a strange urge to make her sadness into happiness. But there was nothing he could do, was there?
'Would you... If I asked you, would you stay here tonight? With me.... Instead of to return home?'
'Do you truly wish me to?' Setsuna was caught off guard once again by Keti's question.
'I do.' She answered simply.
Setsuna looked into Keti's eyes, considering. Then he nodded slightly. 'Then yes, I shall.'
Keti smiled and nodded, pressing her cheek back against his chest.
'Thankyou...' She whispered quietly after a time.
Setsuna simply nodded and smiled faintly.
'Come on. You're cold.' Setsuna spoke as he felt Keti shivering in his arms. 'Let's get you inside. We both need a bit of warmth and sleep, I think.'
Keti nodded and allowed Setsuna to lead her inside. He kept his arm around her as he led her upstairs to one of the rooms that had been recently vacated. Setsuna closed and locked the door behind them, then led Keti to the bed. He lightly covered her then turned to a chair nearby. He paused as Keti reached out and took his hand.
'Don't be silly.' Keti spoke softly as he looked at her. She moved over on the bed, making enough room for him. 'There's plenty of room for two.' She spoke gently as she pulled Setsuna to her. Setsuna hesitated for a moment then shrugged, moving to lay down beside Keti. She smiled, then turned so that her back was to Setsuna's chest. She pulled his arms around her waist and cuddled back into him. They both smiled, falling asleep together. Setsuna's last thought was of how fast the day had gone, having Keti around.
A few doors down, Sakuya and Xtasis cuddled close, Sakuya resting his head on Xtasis' chest. Xtasis smiled, stroking his hand through Sakuya's long hair while they, too, fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
- - - - - - + - - - - - -
Sakuya sat bolt upright, sweating and shaking uncontrollably in a dark room. He couldn't remember where he was, but he knew that Xtasis had been there. He knew that the bed was cold and he began to panic. Had Xtasis left? Had Sakuya destroyed the friendship they were building? Had he-
'Sakuya?' A soft whisper at the edge of his hearing and a cool, reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Sakuya calmed slightly, but he had already worked himself in a panic. Cold sweat dripped down the sides of his face.
'Mm?'
'Are you okay?' The bed moved slightly as Xtasis sat up. 'Sakuya... You've built up a cold sweat, and you're shaking... what happened?'
'Oh... Just a bad dream....' Sakuya answered quietly.
Xtasis tugged gently on Sakuya's shoulder, turning the younger boy into his arms. Sakuya lay his head on Xtasis' shoulder, mostly for comfort. It was also to feel that he was still there. That was the moment that Sakuya realised that Xtasis' skin was cold, which was why the bed was cold. The older male had no body heat.
'I'll always be here....' Xtasis whispered with a soft kiss at the base of Sakuya's neck.
Sakuya continued to shake, but a little less than he had been before. He cuddled a little closer to the strong, usually silent Xtasis. He found comfort, strength, and close to love in that embrace. He didn't know if it was love. He hoped it was love. He wanted love.
'Sakuya?'
'Mm?'
'What happened?'
Sakuya thought about that for a bit. He didn't remember the entire dream, but he did remember the main idea of it.
'You left...' He said quietly.
Actually, in his dream, Xtasis had died. But he didn't really want to say that. So saying that Xtasis had left seemed to sum it up pretty well.
'You'll never have to worry about that...' Xtasis was saying as he held Sakuya closer. 'I'll be here for you. I promise.'
'Until death?' Sakuya whispered softly.
Xtasis' eyes narrowed, but it was with the fire of his words. 'Beyond death, darling.'
'Mm...' Sakuya couldn't help smiling as he shuffled as close to Xtasis as he could.
'I mean it Sakuya. I will follow you wherever you go.'
'Xtasis....?' Sakuya began in a whisper, then paused.
'Mhmm....?'
Sakuya bit his bottom lip, then continued. 'Why..?'
Xtasis considered this awhile. Truthfully, he didn't know why. Sakuya had somehow softened him enough to feel for another again.
'I don't know.' Xtasis answered slowly, his thoughts in the distance. 'You did something to me. Maybe it was the way you sought me out and almost died. Maybe;' Xtasis stroked the black locks away from his lovers' eyes as usual. 'It was how helpless you looked as I carried you back to the tavern... Both times.'
'Maybe just my good looks.' Sakuya grinned, trying to put a lighter edge on the topic. Xtasis grunted.
'No need to fear, darling. I would have looked elsewhere if that's all I wanted.'
Xtasis grinned as Sakuya hit him with a pillow.
'Now, don't be starting this pillow thing again. I'm much more capable of retaliating today.'
Sakuya glared playfully at Xtasis then smiled and cuddled the older male again. Xtasis stroked the long black locks again, smiling lightly. His fingers ran easily through Sakuya’s hair. To Xtasis’ surprise, Sakuya began to purr, his ears flattening against his head.
‘Sakuya?’ Xtasis whispered softly.
‘Mm?’ Sakuya couldn’t stop purring.
‘Do you remember what you said to me that night, right before you passed out?’
That stopped his purring. ‘Not really…’ Sakuya lied.
This was one subject with Xtasis that Sakuya tried to stay well away from.
‘Wiol ono. That is what you said. For you, is what it meant.’
‘Mm. Yes. What of it?’
‘Well, I wondered what you meant by it. Why did you wear a collar for me? And why did you call me Xtasis when we first met? I was under the impression that few knew that name, and those who did…’
‘Were killed, I know…’ Sakuya finished his sentence for him, then sighed and rested his head against Xtasis’ chest. ‘I had thought we could put this conversation off for awhile longer. But I suppose you should know. I was there, ten years ago. At your death.’ Sakuya paused as he felt Xtasis jump slightly, and he knew that the older male’s eyes had widened in shock. ‘And your rebirth. I watched as you turned from a cowardly child to a merciless killer. I saw a fraction of the deaths you caused, and a lot of the pain you caused. But through it all, I saw your pain. I saw how you hoped that with each kill, your pain would ease, and I saw how you became angry as each time, you were disappointed. I felt for you, Xtasis. Felt your pain as though it were my own. I made the decision then, six years ago almost to date, to make myself yours. I made the collar myself, to give me a better awareness of you. And I vowed that were there ever a need to… Help you, I would be there. I vowed my last breath to you.’
Xtasis thought about it, and slowly he began to remember a black and silver wolf, flitting in and out of his vision for over ten years. Black as Sakuya’s hair… As silver as his little pointed ears.
‘Sakuya… You never left my side… You were that wolf, weren’t you?’ Xtasis pulled Sakuya closer as he nodded. ‘I knew that wolf was protecting me… But when he… You… Disappeared… I thought you had died protecting me as you always had. If you had lived, why did you abandon me so?’
‘I did fall, as you had guessed… I was injured badly and needed the time to recover… Setsuna refused to let me out, and spent most of his free time with me. I took time off work and was considering leaving, so that when I recovered, I would always be there for you. Not just at the last minute, but before you got hurt. Then Setsuna told me that you had begun attending the tavern on a regular basis. So I asked him to keep the job open… And I returned to work before I had fully healed. Setsuna was reluctant to allow me, as he didn’t believe you were not as hard-hearted as you seemed. Nobody did. Except for me. I always believed in you, Xtasis. That is why I wore the collar. Reminding myself, and everybody else, that I am yours. That my life is yours.’
Xtasis had trouble taking it all in. From what he understood, everything Sakuya had felt and done over the past ten years had all been for him. Through all the murders, all the pain, all the times he had stood there drenched in his own blood and screamed until he was hoarse and deaf with tears falling down his face, Sakuya had been there for him, loving him and protecting him the whole time he had thought he was alone.
‘Sakuya…’ Xtasis’ voice shook and dropped off. Sakuya was shocked to feel the older male’s body tremble and shake with silent sobs. ‘You were always there… Though… Good and bad… when nobody stayed… You did… And I never knew. Even when I met you I didn’t know you. And I… I hurt you who had protected me for so long. Nearly killed you. Sakuya… I’m so sorry.’
‘Shh… No need to say sorry. You didn’t know. And in any case, I provoked you into those actions. I knew what would happen. I should, after ten years, don’t you think?’
‘Why, then?’ Xtasis looked into Sakuya’s eyes. ‘Why would you risk death simply to know me?’
‘Because…’ Sakuya faltered, then at a look from Xtasis, he continued. ‘For ten years, I have cried for you, hurt for you, bled for you, and fought for you. And it was all because for those ten years, I have loved you deeply.’
Silence filled the gap between the two. It stretched for several moments, until Sakuya was sure he could bear it no longer. Then to his surprise, Xtasis drew the smaller boy into a strong embrace and kissed him gently. Sakuya sighed out a pent up breath and returned the kiss tenderly. The two pressed together, finding comfort in one another’s arms.
- - - - - - + - - - - - -
Later that night, Sakuya, Xtasis, Keti and Setsuna were all awake for a change. They were also all in a good mood, which was a shock to those who did not know the occurrences of the past few days. Setsuna made sure that the four of them all had free drinks, and plenty of them. Once they were pleasantly light-headed, Sakuya and Setsuna decide to put on a little performance on a make shift stage for Keti and Xtasis, who found it quite amusing. Especially as the boys kept falling over each other.
‘C’mere, you…’ Xtasis growled playfully, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he pulled Sakuya off the stage.
Sakuya squealed as he fell off, landing in Xtasis’ lap. The older male chuckled as Sakuya bounced in his lap, wrapping strong arms around the younger male’s waist. Suddenly, Sakuya began giggling, looking over Xtasis’ shoulder at something. Xtasis turned to see what he was laughing at, then chuckled softly himself. Setsuna and Keti had curled up together on the couch and were both fast asleep. They looked cute, cuddled together and almost falling off the couch. Xtasis gently pushed a lock of Sakuya’s hair away from his eyes, then brushed his lips over the younger males. Sakuya shivered slightly.
‘Come with me…’ Xtasis whispered in Sakuya’s ear, then stood, leading Sakuya outside.
They walked for a short time in companionable silence, but it didn’t take long for Sakuya to start pushing Xtasis with questions, wanting to know where they were heading. The older male only grinned, saying each time ‘You’ll see…’.
Suddenly, they stopped. Xtasis wrapped his arms around Sakuya’s waist who, thinking it was a hug, wrapped his own arms around Xtasis’ shoulders.
‘Hold on…’ Xtasis whispered in his ear.
Sakuya gasped and clung tight to Xtasis suddenly as the older male jumped up into the trees, holding Sakuya close to him.
They came to rest on a branch right near the top of the trees, still holding onto each other. Sakuya had his face buried in Xtasis’ shirt.
‘Sakuya… Look up.’ Xtasis whispered gently, rubbing his back.
It didn’t take much for Sakuya to trust Xtasis and look up. As soon as he did, he gasped in a sharp breath. He was looking out onto a beautiful landscape of dips and rises, mountains and valleys, beautiful rivers and waterfalls and fields. Although it was dark, Sakuya managed to see it by the moonlight.
‘Xtasis… It’s beautiful…’ Sakuya whispered, unable to believe the older male had brought him to such beauty.
The drinks from the tavern had mostly worn off, so Sakuya was able to stand without support. Still, he held Xtasis’ hand as he walked as far out on the branch as he felt safe, just to see more of the beautiful scenery.
‘Xtasis…’ Sakuya began, but he broke off as Xtasis cried out and pulled Sakuya roughly to him.
A weapon of the sort that Sakuya had never seen before flew past, right where he had been but a moment before. Sakuya gasped in shock and clung to Xtasis as he leapt from branch to branch then to the ground. A man stood but a few feet away from the two. The weapon he held now was the same one that Sakuya had seen. It appeared to be made of bone, with a chain attached to the handle. The top of the weapon was curved and sharp. The man wore a hood, which he pulled back. Sakuya and Xtasis both gasped in shock. Though he wore a metal mask covering his mouth and nose, this attacker was no more than a mere child. Still, the accuracy with which his weapon was thrown made it clear that it would not be wise to under estimate this boy.
‘Zar’roc Finniarel.’ Even his voice sounded immature. ‘I have come for the amulet.’
‘You won’t get it…’ Xtasis growled threateningly and moved in front of Sakuya, protecting him. The child chuckled in an oddly similar way to Xtasis.
‘I assume from your behaviour that he is the one that holds possession of it. I’ll just have to take it from him then, won’t I?’
‘Don’t you dare!’ Xtasis yelled the last word as the boy threw the weapon toward them.
He pulled his sword out of its sheath in the nick of time, deflecting the attack. The boy leapt into the air and pulled the chain, catching the weapon by the handle just seconds before swinging it toward Xtasis at close range. Xtasis growled and pushed Sakuya back before deflecting it again. Sakuya landed hard on his back, the wind taken out of him. Xtasis took the risk and looked back, sighing with relief as he saw that Sakuya was alright. He growled in pain, however, as the distraction cost him a deep gash on his chest. He yelled and attacked, his sword flashing in a number of complex moves. The boy held up his right hand and, without warning, a blast of indescribable energy hit Xtasis in the chest, throwing him back against a tree with considerable force. He paused, coughing up a small amount of blood on his hands and knees. Looking up, he saw that the boy had dropped the weapon and was holding his hands in front of him, one over the other with both palms facing Xtasis. With a small amount of shock he realised that the boy was building up another attack. He got to his feet slowly. He refused to die on his knees, and he knew he could never avoid this blast.
‘Xtasis!!’ Sakuya screamed as loud as his lungs would allow as the boy released the energy. His voice broke in the middle of the scream.
It was like he watched in slow motion, unable to do anything. One second, the force of energy was coming towards him. Then he saw Sakuya in the corner of his eye, one hand held out to Xtasis as though to pull the older male to him. Then the next moment, Sakuya had run into the path of the blast. The boy made a small noise of shock and Xtasis saw the pain that flitted across the younger males face as the blast hit the centre of his back.
‘Sakuya!!’ Xtasis screamed with such pain as nobody had heard before. But the entire forest heard his scream.
Sakuya stumbled and fell forward into the older males’ arms. Xtasis caught him then sunk to his knees in tears, holding Sakuya close.
‘Sakuya… Sakuya, you little fool… Why?’
Sakuya looked up at Xtasis, shaking all over and feeling as though every breath, every moment longer caused him more pain. Then tears began to fall, and with the tears, so did the trees around them.
‘I promised… I would protect you…’ Sakuya whispered the words, his voice trembling. ‘I would… Die rather than… See you hurt. Wiol ono… Xtasis…’
‘Sakuya…’ Xtasis whispered in a broken voice, his tears dropping onto Sakuya’s chest as he wiped the bloodied locks away from the younger males eyes, which were slowly dulling and turning gray.
‘Sakuya! Xtasis!’ It was the sound of Setsuna’s voice.
Xtasis didn’t even look up. He knew that in his grief, he had transported them to the only place that they both truly felt home… The tavern.
‘Xtasis… I have to tell you before I… I love you, Xtasis… I love you…’
Xtasis gasped at Sakuya’s words, as did Setsuna. He had not said it in those direct words, nor in public, before. It took a moment for Xtasis to register what he had said. A moment too long.
‘I love you too Sakuya… Sakuya… Sakuya, no!’
Sakuya’s eyes were lifeless. Xtasis screamed as he held Sakuya tight to him, burying his head in the younger males shoulder and rocking back and forth in tears. His voice was muffled but most of the tavern could still hear his words.
‘Wake up… Wake up, damnit…! You can’t leave me like this… Sakuya!’
Setsuna fell to his knees beside the two, his eyes wide with shock. Tears ran down his cheeks slowly.
‘He’s not.. He can’t be… He couldn’t…’ Setsuna whispered in disbelief.
Keti gently put her arms around Setsuna’s and Xtasis’ shoulders, trying to comfort the two of them though she also had tears running down her cheeks.
‘He… took my death…’ Xtasis whispered with grief.
Suddenly, something within Xtasis changed. He stood with Sakuya in his arms. All could see the tears on his cheeks mingled with Sakuya’s blood. Sakuya’s head tilted back, his mouth open and all trace of the lively youth Sakuya had been gone from his eyes. Xtasis carried him outside, his head bent over his lovers’ body. He walked towards the lake that he knew had always been Sakuya’s favourite, only Setsuna following him closely behind. Xtasis waded into the icy water, just far enough that he could sit and hold Sakuya in the bitter cold water. He kept his left arm underneath Sakuya’s shoulders, supporting the boy still.
Xtasis gently placed Sakuya’s own dagger in the boy’s lifeless hand, then wrapped his own hand around Sakuya’s. The tears were gone, replaced only by a deep desire to be with Sakuya, to tell the boy that he returned his love. With that thought on his mind, he pressed the dagger that they both held against his own wrist. This Setsuna did not see.
‘I love you, Sakuya, my silly little fool. I go where you go.’
‘Xtasis, no!’ Setsuna cried out and jumped forward as he heard Xtasis’ words and realised what was about to happen.
It was far too late. The point of the blade sliced deep through the vein in Xtasis’ wrist and a dark coloured blood poured forth from the wound. At first the blood was black, but as Xtasis whispered a few words a change came over him, and the blood turned red. Crimson red, as a human’s blood. Setsuna realised far too late that Xtasis had just turned himself into a mortal, to be with his love in death. Setsuna was screaming at Xtasis, but the older male could hardly hear him.
‘Sakuya… Sakuya… I love you…’ Xtasis whispered softly as his eyes dulled.
Those were the last words heard from Xtasis Finniarel before he surrendered to the darkness and left this world. Setsuna was still trying to support his two friends as he felt Xtasis’ body go limp. Setsuna let his head drop back and screamed as never before, filled with anger, grief, and a deep desire for revenge. Kneeling in the freezing water as he attempted to support the lifeless bodies of his two friends, one could swear by the look on Setsuna’s face, perhaps he could possibly be the next Zar’roc Finniarel…
Characters: Zar'roc, Sakuya, Setsuna, Keti, Unnamed.
Rating: MA for inappropriate content.
Genre: Original anime
A male somewhere in his prime years strode through the forest of Araluen. His steps were swift and confident, though carefully placed. Following the soft thud of his boots came the sweeping sound of his cloak running over the leaves underfoot. With no apparent reason, his footsteps ceased and he lifted his eyes to the full moon as though it would hold some sort of revelation for him. The wan light illuminated his features to the degree that, had anyone been watching, they would have been able to provide an accurate and detailed description of the man. Although he was in his prime, the man's face held such a young look to it that one might mistake him for a mere adolescent.
His cheekbones were prominent beneath his pale skin, which contrasted to his dark eyes. His lips were thin and curved to a smirk, which betrayed any sign of innocence that may have resided there. His eyes were especially hard tonight, with a razor-sharp edge to them. His hair fell over his eyes, making one wonder how he saw through the thin veil. His hair, to speak of it, was coloured a dark brown, with honey-blonde streaks running through it. Most of it, however, was covered by the cowl of his cloak, which often cast his features into deep shadow, giving others a deceiving impression of him. His clothes clung to his thin body, accentuating the subtle curves.
Beneath the dark and strong exterior, however, several scars littered the mans chest and back. No-one had seen those scars for a long time, though, and as he had told himself countless times, not anytime soon, either. The man lowered his head as though the moon truly had brought him some revelation to ponder for awhile. His footsteps soon resumed their swift, confident pace as though never interrupted.
The man's path brought him to what appeared to be no more than a run down old shack. He did not announce his presence. It would have been unnecessary, as within seconds, the door swung inwards to reveal an extremely pale young man, who happened to be growing paler by the second. The young man uttered several indecipherable words, attempting to speak but failing dismally as the older male's eyes stared into his.
'Zar'roc...' The man finally managed to whimper.
'Roku.' The other answered calmly, his hand so obviously resting on the hilt of the katana at his side. 'You owe me.'
'Please, Zar'roc. Just a little more time.' The man pleaded. He knew he had no chance, though, as Zar'roc slid the katana from its sheath.
'Time's up.' Zar'roc spoke coldly, before he swung the katana down.
Roku's whimpers and pleas were cut short as the katana cut through, slicing the man in two. Zar'roc knelt beside the body and, after fumbling through the pockets, pulled out an amulet. With a slight nod, Zar’roc stood and held the object up to the moonlight. In all honesty, it was beautiful. A rose made of ruby and set in gold sat in the middle, the stem split in two, twined around itself, then ended about an inch down from the rose. On each side of the rose, gold wings stretched out. The whole amulet hung on a thin chain that barely looked strong enough to hold the amulet. It held, however, as Zar’roc shoved it roughly into his pocket.
Zar'roc wiped the blood off the katana onto Roku's coat, cleaning it before he returned it to the sheath at his side. Zar'roc turned on his heel and strode back through the forest the way he had come through, the moonlight still shining on Roku’s terrified, lifeless eyes.
Zar'roc tread a different path through the forest this time. It was a narrow, winding path that looked more like a game trail than anything. His footsteps carried him to a small, dirty looking tavern. Actually, it looked like a very badly built and long ago deserted house. Most of the bricks that built it were blackened with age, and the windows were no better. It had a slight lean to one side, as though the supports had given out and no one had bothered to fix it. The only thing that made it actually look even remotely like a tavern was a small wooden sign that hung above the door. Etched into the wood were the words 'Shattered Dreams and Broken Memories.’
Zar'roc walked to the right side of the door and ran a single, razor-sharp nail down the crack in the door frame. The door swung inwards then, to allow him entry. From the first thud of his boots on the hard wood floor, the entire tavern fell silent. Every face turned toward him, most of them with a look of loathing upon them. Zar'roc looked at every one of them with scorn. He resumed his path toward the bar and slowly the tavern resumed a low bubble of conversation.
Zar'roc lay the unsheathed katana on the bar, his eyes glaring into those of the bar keep's, issuing his usual unspoken threat. The bar keep simply nodded and turned, preparing his usual order. Zar'roc shrugged his shoulders to relieve some tension, though it didn't work. Soon enough, four shots of whisky and a bottle of Bacardi sat in front of him. A curt nod was the closest to a thankyou that the bar keep ever got, and it was what Zar'roc gave now.
Zar'roc downed two of the shots immediately, without hesitation. From there, he slowly drank the bottle of Bacardi as he became immersed in his thoughts. Ten years ago, it had all been better. He had been named Xtasis then, and he was a simple man, relatively happy. He had someone to love, and life was good. But in a tragic twist of events, both of them died, and while his love passed to the afterlife, he had become the first of what was only known as the 'others'. Neither living nor dead, such creatures were usually devoid of happy emotions. Xtasis had wandered for awhile then, feeling only loss and despair, losing track of time. Eventually, Xtasis met a man who submitted to training him to be a ruthless killer. For two years Xtasis trained, pushing himself to his limits, until the old man sent him out into the world alone, telling him that he was ready. Xtasis quickly earned the reputation of a cold, heartless killer. At the same time, he also acquired the name Zar'roc, which meant 'misery' in the ancient language. The name stuck, and he had now carried it for seven years.
People feared him when he came to their door - for when that happened, they knew that they had lost all chance of surviving. Zar'roc, being neither dead nor living, did not feel pain like mortals. He was stronger, faster, and smarter than all of them. Yes, he could be killed, but with his abilities, it was nigh impossible to get close enough to deal the fatal blow. Apart from death by a direct attack, Zar'roc was immortal.
Zar'roc's eyes refocused, bringing him back to reality. But, much to his annoyance, he found an apparently new bar keep staring at him. A low growl rose from the back of his throat, staring at the young man as he downed the remaining shots of whisky. Zar'roc stood, the bar stool sliding out behind him. The bar keep almost shrunk under his gaze, but he stood firm until Zar'roc turned and made his way toward the door. Zar’roc had one foot out the door when he heard a voice that was unmistakeably the bar keep's.
'Xtasis.'
It was barely a whisper, but the entire tavern fell silent, awaiting Zar'roc's reaction and wondering if they would see one of his many rumoured murders. With no more effort than tossing a ball, Zar’roc flicked his knife into a throwing position and sent it whistling through the air behind him, toward the bar keep. A collective gasp ran through the room as the bar keep dodged it, but he was not quick enough. He bit back a cry of pain as the blade struck his right shoulder with enough force that it threw him back against the wall. Zar'roc turned his head slightly and smirked as he saw the grimace of pain on the younger male's face as he clutched at the knife in his right shoulder. The bar keep's only verbal sign of pain was a low growl that he was unable to suppress.
'My name is Zar’roc,' The older male spoke coldly. 'Never that vile name you just called me.'
'Misery...' The bar keep gasped as he struggled to remove the knife unsuccessfully. 'Does not befit you well...'
Zar'roc raised a single eyebrow, which was the equivalent to a cry of shock from any other. Usually people hated and avoided him. Why was this bar keep different? Zar'roc uttered a few choice words from the ancient language and the blade ripped out of the bar keeps flesh, whistling back through the air to land on Zar’roc’s hand. The bar keep uttered a cry of pain and dropped to his knees and one hand, the other hand covering the badly bleeding wound.
'Your name.' Zar'roc growled in a low voice, looking at the bar keep from the corner of his eye.
The younger male bit down on his lip, a clear enough sign that he would not relinquish his name so easily. Zar'roc gave an exaggerated sigh and flicked the knife back into the throwing position.
'Sakuya!'
It was the other barkeep that yelled out, from the other side of the room.
'Sakuya Kira.'
A man roughly the same age as the bar keep kept his eyes on Zar’roc as he made his way over to the younger male. The man took the barkeep's arm and helped him to stand, despite the glare he received. Obviously, Sakuya was not happy that his friend had given his name so easily, and without his permission.
'Sakuya Kira.' Zar'roc smirked as he spoke the name, insufferably pleased with himself. 'I will be seeing you again.' It was obviously a threat.
With an air of contempt, Zar’roc flicked the knife back into its sheath and turned again, striding out into the waiting darkness. The tavern and the bar keep were left with feelings of confusion, fear, and anger.
x-x-x-x
Sakuya Kira finished his shift later that same evening. As he was packing his things and changing out of his work clothes, he thought of Zar’roc’s words. He knew that it was a threat, somehow though, he was not afraid. He wasn't sure why though.
Sakuya pulled on his usual outfit - Tight black pants topped with an even tighter black singlet. He winced slightly as the material ran over the wound that Zar’roc had dealt him. Close to grumbling in annoyance, Sakuya abandoned the shirt. Onto his forearms he pulled one black sweat band with a symbol embroidered on it in white. Two spiked wristbands followed, one for each arm. He attached several chains of varying lengths to his pants before adding a black belt. Onto the belt he also attached a small dagger and a pistol. Just in case, he had told himself many times.
Finished with his clothes, Sakuya pulled his cap off and shook his hair free. Long, silky black locks fell just past his waist. His hair was fine, making it look almost like he was wearing a black veil. His ears on top of his head twitched and perked up then. Not everyone knew, but Sakuya was a wolf demon. Of a sort, anyway. His ears were small and black, the insides of them lined with silver. They were cute, to say the least. Sakuya smiled faintly. It always felt much better when he let his hair down.
Lastly, Sakuya held a spiked collar with a ring on the front in his hands, looking at it with something that could come close to fear. With a sigh of resignation, he buckled the collar on. He moved to the mirror to check his appearance before he would leave. He shrugged slightly, thinking to himself 'good enough'. Sakuya picked up the shoulder bag that contained his work clothes, then glanced out the door, into the waiting darkness. He had no doubt that he would meet Zar’roc tonight. The question was, would Zar’roc find him, or the other way around? Did it matter?
Thinking of the older male made him sub consciously lift his hand to his right shoulder, where the wound had been successfully bandaged to stop the bleeding. Sakuya dropped his hand and shook his head as though to clear it. Naturally, this didn't work, but he decided to pretend it did, shouldering his bag before walking out of the bar into the waiting darkness, raising a hand in farewell. Several of the occupants looked out after him worriedly. None of them thought he should walk home alone after Zar’roc’s words, but he had stubbornly insisted that he would be fine. In truth, Sakuya was actually looking forward to meeting Zar'roc, in an odd way. Most of the occupants simply shrugged their shoulders and let him go.
Sakuya stopped about 20 metres away from the tavern. Here, he had a choice. He could turn right, taking his usual and probably safer path home. Or he could turn left, walk through the forest, and probably find Zar'roc. The decision did not take long.
Sakuya turned left and walked along the darkened path through the forest. He applied pressure to the wound, causing it to bleed first slowly, then more steadily as he walked through the forest. It was not long until the scent of his blood was all throughout the forest, if one had a sensitive enough nose to pick it up. For more than half an hour he walked and searched, the scent of his own blood growing stronger as his fear increased. Finally he realized that he was hopelessly lost in this forest. Further fear set in as he lowered his head, trying to find a way out of this situation that he had gotten himself into. He decided that the time for secretive behavior was over, and at that same moment, he raised his head.
'XTASIS!' He screamed into the night air, loud enough to echo throughout the forest.
Sakuya gasped in a breath and shook slightly, his blood dripping and leaving a trail as he moved to a nearby tree and leant against it. He was already growing weak from the blood loss. Although he was not human, he still needed blood to survive. At the moment, most of that life blood was on his pants, chest, and a little in his hair. He leant against the tree with his right hand, his left covering the wound. The bandage was soaked through.
Sakuya began to cough, sharp, hacking coughs that left him virtually helpless and brought up more blood. In that moment, Sakuya realized just how close he was to death.
'Maybe this wasn't a good idea...' Sakuya whispered. 'XTASIS!' He screamed again, but it was weaker than the first. There was also a note of panic in his voice.
Sakuya began to cough again, but less than a minute after his second call, he felt the sharp bite of a blade against his neck. He realized how weak he was when he hadn't even sensed Zar'roc's approach. Even now, his senses were dim and he only just recognized Zar'roc's scent. Weak as he was, Sakuya still managed a faint smile that Zar'roc never saw.
'Now Sakuya, screaming for me like that and then almost dying on me? What kind of thanks is that for my presence, hm?' Zar'roc whispered, his lips right next to Sakuya's ear.
'I'm not... Nnh.... Dying....' Sakuya muttered defiantly. It took all his strength to remain standing and not slip and let the blade slit his throat.
'Mmhm. I daresay you are.' Zar'roc's voice came in the faintest of whispers as he glanced over Sakuya, noting the amount of blood with a bit of surprise, though he didn't show it. 'Tell me one thing before you either perish or join me in this... existence. Why did you seek me out when you knew it would come to this?'
'You ask for...' Sakuya began then stopped as he fell into a hacking coughing fit. After a moment he recovered and continued after spitting out more blood. 'The one thing... I cannot tell you. For if I did, you would surely despise me.'
'Are you truly foolish enough to believe that I think any different of you? Really, Sakuya, I assumed you were smarter than that.' Zar'roc growled in a low voice, pressing the blade harder against Sakuya's neck.
Droplets of blood formed on his skin then ran down his neck as the blade bit in slightly. Sakuya winced in pain, then opened his mouth to speak, but stopped as Zar'roc went rigid behind him. Without any warning, the blade dropped to the forest floor and Zar'roc looped one finger through the ring of Sakuya's collar. As he harshly spun the younger male around to face him, Sakuya saw that Zar'roc's face was livid with rage.
'What the hell is this, Sakuya?!'
Zar'roc was yelling and pulling on his collar, that much Sakuya knew. But he heard Zar'roc's voice as barely a whisper, and had trouble understanding what the older male was yelling at him. He understood the main point of what he said, however, and finally found words to answer.
'My... collar....' Sakuya managed to mutter, swaying dangerously every time that Zar'roc pulled even slightly on his collar. Which he didn't seem to want to stop doing. Sakuya wished he would stop, the movement was making his head hurt and his vision blur.
'Nobody owns you like this Sakuya!'
Zar'roc yelled even louder and more angry than before, but all Sakuya could manage was a confused smile. He cared....
'Do you hear me, Sakuya Kira?! Nobody! Who was this for?!'
Sakuya took at least a minute to process what Zar'roc had asked him. Then Sakuya shocked Zar'roc with a faint smile and his next words.
'Wiol ono, Xtasis....' Sakuya whispered as he closed his eyes, swaying slightly more than before. 'Wiol ono....'
Zar'roc jumped forward as Sakuya fell backwards, catching the boy before he could hit the tree and sweeping him into his arms in a single, smooth movement. Looking into Sakuya's unconscious face, Zar'roc swore to himself that he had caught Sakuya out of reflex, not out of concern for the boy. And yet, he couldn't bring himself to leave the boy there. Before he knew what he was doing, Zar'roc had lifted his hand to Sakuya’s face and brushed two blood-soaked locks away from his eyes. He realized what he had done and pulled his hand away. His eyes hardened as he shifted Sakuya better in his arms, one arm behind his knees and the other looped under his arms. Sakuya's head tilted slightly back, his lips slightly parted.
'He will die by my hand,' Zar'roc muttered, the anger remaining in his voice though slightly abated. 'Not by his own stupidity.'
Telling himself this though not sure if he believed that it was the true reason, Zar'roc held Sakuya closer to him and headed back for the tavern.
Roughly twenty minutes later, Zar'roc arrived at that the tavern. As he had no hands free to activate the lock, he kicked the door with such force that it broke and flew off the hinges, landing face down some two meters from the frame.
'What have you done?!' The enraged scream came from the same male who had earlier called Sakuya's name.
It seemed this one was a bar keep, as he rushed out from behind the bar, his fist clenched at his side and worry etched into every line of his face. The male made a move to take Sakuya, but Zar'roc growled and pulled Sakuya's unconscious form closer to his body, allowing no-one, not even this apparent friend, to touch him. This bar keep glared at him.
'I am-'
'Shut your mouth,' Zar'roc cut in. 'And find me a room.' He demanded it, his voice filled with venom.
The young man hesitated, but with a quick glance at Sakuya's unconscious face, he relented, though not without an angry glare at Zar'roc.
'Fine. Meet me on the second floor.' The young man muttered before striding back behind the bar and into another room.
Zar'roc walked straight to the stairs and made his way up two at a time until he got up to the landing. Within a few moments the male had opened a door further up the hall. He pushed past the young man roughly, who was about to protest angrily. But as he saw the gentleness with which Zar'roc lay Sakuya on the bed, he was shocked into silence. Zar'roc stared into Sakuya's face as he lowered the younger male onto the bed. As he had done before, Zar'roc brushed the bloodied locks away from Sakuya's face. For a bare moment, his palm rested against Sakuya's cheek.
The other male watched silently until Zar'roc growled and turned towards him.
'Leave.' Zar'roc spoke in a threatening voice, glaring at the young man.
'You expect me to leave you alone with him when-'
'Leave!' Zar'roc bellowed the word, his eyes lit with rage.
'You've got five minutes.' The young man growled, then turned and made to storm out of the room.
'Run a bath.' Zar'roc growled.
The young man nodded curtly and left, closing the door behind him.
Zar'roc returned to Sakuya's side and shook his head slightly.
'Foolish boy... You are lucky I am prepared to do this for you.' As he spoke. Zar'roc removed his coat and his shirt, baring the white, scarred flesh beneath. He dropped the clothing on the floor beside the bed and sighed. 'You had better hope I remember how to do this Sakuya Kira...' Zar'roc muttered.
He placed one hand over the wound on Sakuya's chest and one hand over his own right shoulder, then muttered a few short words from the ancient language. At the same time that Sakuya's wound began to close, the same wound opened and spread on Zar'roc's shoulder. The older male gasped in pain as the wound continued opening until it was the same as Sakuya's had been. Where Sakuya's skin was now flawless, Zar'roc now bore his wound and two of the surrounding scars. Though it caused immense pain, Zar'roc only growled and pressed his hand over the wound to stop the blood flow.
'I've not done this for anyone...' Zar'roc growled again, not realizing the other male had returned and was standing at the door. 'For nearly ten years... I tell you now how lucky you are.' As he spoke, Zar'roc had run a bloodied thumb over Sakuya's bottom lip. He smiled for the first time in years as he saw Sakuya lick the blood off his lip.
'That's better...' Zar'roc whispered gently, wiping some more blood from the wound to drip onto Sakuya's lips. Sakuya again licked the blood off his bottom lip.
'I've never seen you being kind before.' The young man said quietly from the door frame.
'Shut up. Did you find yourself competent enough to run that bath?' Zar'roc's voice had regained that cold edge to it.
'Quite.' Came the curt reply.
Zar'roc stripped Sakuya down to his under shorts and lifted him once more into his arms. Sakuya was starting to regain consciousness, as Zar'roc heard him groan softly.
'I can-'
'I'll do it.' Zar'roc growled then walked out the door.
Luckily, he never turned around to see the smile that rested on the young man's lips.
Sakuya stirred a little more as Zar'roc gently lowered him into the bath, the warm water enveloping his body. Zar'roc kept his arm behind Sakuya's head to keep it out of the water while he took the soap offered by the young man and began to wash the blood off the younger male's chest. The young man leant against the door frame watching over the two. Sakuya slowly opened his eyes as Zar'roc began to wash his hair.
'Xtasis...?' He whispered in disbelief.
Sakuya looked into Zar'roc's face, confused. The young man at the door prepared to intervene, knowing what happened last time, but was shocked by Zar'roc's reply.
'Mmhm. Can you sit?' Sakuya nodded and sat up with Zar'roc's support. 'Good'
Zar'roc ran soapy hands through Sakuya's hair, the bath water turning red as the blood washed out. Sakuya closed his eyes as the soapy, bloody water ran over his face. Zar'roc smiled again as he wiped the water away from the younger male's eyes and mouth. As Sakuya opened his eyes and saw the smile, it only confused him more. He opened his mouth to say something, but Zar'roc shook his head, the smile fading away. Sakuya stayed silent then, and Zar'roc resumed washing his hair until it was clean.
'Can you stand?' Zar'roc's voice was gentle, and he thought he knew what the answer would be.
'I don't think so...' Sakuya said softly with a trace of shame.
Zar'roc simply nodded and lifted Sakuya from the water and into his arms again. The young male came forward with a towel, which he wrapped around Sakuya, who smiled faintly though he didn't recognize his friend properly.
As they walked along the hallway, Sakuya looked up at Zar'roc and for the first time noticed the wound on his shoulder. Sakuya's eyes widened as he looked at his own shoulder and saw that it was flawless.
'Xtasis... Did you....?'
'Yes.' Zar'roc replied simply. His eyes widened as Sakuya's arms wrapped around his shoulders and tightened in a hug. 'Sakuya...' Zar'roc muttered, caught off guard.
Sakuya released his hold as Zar'roc as he gently sat him on the bed. Zar'roc then turned to the other male, who had followed. He didn't even have to ask for a brush - the young man had already thought of it, and now turned to go find it. Zar'roc looked back at Sakuya to find him shivering.
'Cold?' Zar’roc asked even as he picked up his cloak off the floor and put it over Sakuya's shoulders.
Sakuya nodded, then smiled faintly. 'Xtasis... Why...?'
But he had no time to finish his sentence, for the young man returned with the brush at that moment. Zar'roc took the brush and began to gently work out the knots in Sakuya's hair. Sakuya glanced at the other male and finally realized who it was.
'Setsuna! What....?'
'I was here when Zar'roc brought you back.' Setsuna replied to the unvoiced question.
'Shut up.' Zar'roc cut in, staring at Setsuna. 'I only brought him back because I would rather him not die of his own stupidity.'
Sakuya opened his mouth to protest at this insult, but the look Setsuna gave him made him hesitate.
'Of course. Why else would it have been?' Setsuna stated.
'Shut up.' Zar'roc growled, picking up the sarcasm in Setsuna's voice.
Setsuna refrained himself from giggling while Sakuya smiled faintly, too tired to bother laughing at a joke he had no clue about.
Zar'roc dropped the brush and took two bands from the bedside, tying Sakuya's hair up so that it would not tangle while he slept.
'Come on, you need some rest now. Give me a hand Setsuna.'
Zar'roc gave Setsuna no choice in the matter as he lifted Sakuya into his arms gently. Setsuna came around the other side of the bed, pulling back the blanket and sheets then stepping back as Zar’roc lay Sakuya beneath the covers.
'Xtasis... Thank you.' Sakuya whispered.
Zar'roc merely grunted as he pulled the covers over Sakuya and tucked them in at the sides. 'You snore and I'll rip your throat out. And you're having a shower in the morning.'
Sakuya smiled at this, then shock set in as his mind registered what Zar'roc had said. 'You're staying...?' His tone was curious and surprised.
Zar'roc paused a moment, his eyes averted from Sakuya's. 'I might come back. Now shut up and go to sleep.'
Zar'roc lingered a moment to look at Sakuya, then strode to the door and switched the light off.
'Sleep well, Sakuya.' Setsuna whispered as he followed Zar'roc out the door.
Sakuya smiled to himself, slowly drifting into a peaceful sleep, the last thought on his mind being of Zar'roc.
'I've never-' Setsuna began as he shut the door, but faltered as Zar'roc rounded on him, flicking the katana up from its sheath in a threatening manner.
'You can shut your mouth right now Setsuna. Breathe a word of this to anyone and your head will be on a platter before you can remember my name.' Zar'roc's voice was back to the deathly cold tone he always used.
Setsuna put his hands up in a surrendering gesture. Zar'roc growled and turned on his heel, heading back down toward the bar. Luckily he didn't see the grin that Setsuna wore. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Zar'roc once again rounded on Setsuna.
'Get me-'
'Something to get you drunk, I know.' Setsuna finished for him as he headed to the bar.
Zar'roc growled and made for the bar, taking a seat at the counter. Setsuna disappeared into the back room but quickly returned with a small bottle of alcohol. Zar'roc eyed it with humor and disbelief.
'Trust me.' Setsuna stated as he put the bottle down in front of Zar'roc. 'And it's on the house.' As he watched Zar'roc, Setsuna took less than a shot worth from his own bottle, exactly the same.
'Hmph.' Zar'roc looked at Setsuna with mistrust before downing the bottle in a few gulps.
Setsuna was true to his word, however, as within minutes Zar'roc felt pleasantly light-headed and wobbly. Setsuna had finished his bottle after awhile, then he and Zar'roc spent some time drunkenly sparring; although Zar'roc was actually trying to hurt Setsuna. When Zar'roc had finally acquired more wounds in a single night than he had over a number of years, he stumbled up to the room in which Sakuya slept. Climbing under the sheets carefully so that Sakuya wouldn't wake, Zar'roc shifted close to Sakuya and fell unconscious almost immediately. Beside him and under one of his arms, though Sakuya still slept peacefully, he smiled.
- - - - - - + - - - - - -
Zar'roc woke after only a few hours sleep and groaned. He rolled to his right and sat on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. Even if he was immortal, he was hardly immune to hangovers.
'I'm never drinking again...' He muttered the same as he always did during a hangover.
Sakuya stirred slightly on the other side of the bed, and Zar'roc paused. For some reason, he didn't want Sakuya to know he had been drinking. So, like any typical male, he slipped out of bed and into the bathroom, just as a wave of nausea hit him. He closed the door to try to hide the sounds of coughing and retching as he leant over the sink. Thankfully, it passed quickly and he washed his face and mouth out with icy water from the faucet. He looked into the mirror and sighed. As if his eyes weren't a dead giveaway that he had been drinking, the cuts over his chest and back made it obvious that something had happened last night, and he hadn't been clear enough of mind to handle it. Zar'roc took a swig from a flask at his hip and seemed to recover slightly.
'That's a bit better...' He muttered quietly.
He ran a hand through his hair as he walked out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom.
'You okay?'
Zar'roc started as Sakuya spoke, then looked over to see him sitting up and staring at the older male. Zar'roc bobbed his head in a half-assed nod, sitting down on the bed again. Sakuya didn't speak for a minute, then Zar'roc felt him lay down.
'Consequences of drinking too much.'
Zar'roc's eyes widened in shock and he lifted his head slightly, then he just groaned and dropped his head back into his hands.
'Shut up..'
'You say that too much.' Sakuya rolled to face him.
'I know.' Zar'roc turned just in time to see the grin that Sakuya failed to hide in time. Zar’roc groaned in a mock agitated sort of way, picking up his pillow and throwing it at Sakuya's head, who was kind enough not to belt him back with it. Zar'roc was a little grateful for that as he fell back on the bed, arms spread out as though he was unconscious, even though he was awake. Sakuya laughed quietly and, unable to resist temptation any longer, brought the pillow down on Zar'roc's head. Zar'roc just groaned, not even making a move to take the pillow off.
x-x-x-x
Hours later, Setsuna walked into the room, expecting the two to be awake. He grinned as he saw Sakuya and Zar'roc fast asleep. Sakuya had cuddled against Zar'roc and had his head on the older male's chest, while Zar'roc had still not bothered to remove the pillow. Unfortunately for the two, Setsuna was a terrible practical joker. He decided to set the fire alarm off, which of course, set the sprinklers on. He fled the room before they woke up. It took a moment for them to register why they were getting wet, but as soon as they realised-
'SETSUNA!!!' The walls shook with their combined scream.
Setsuna giggled and headed downstairs, turning the alarm off on the way.
x-x-x-x
Back in the room, Zar'roc glared at no-one in particular, his soaked hair increasing the look of a drowned, very angry, cat.
'I am going to kill him.' Zar'roc muttered before going to the bathroom for dry towels.
'He's just having fun. Besides, now we don't need showers.' Sakuya tried his hardest to keep his face straight under Zar’roc’s glare.
'Oh yes you do!' Sakuya couldn't help laughing as Zar'roc scooped him into his arms and set him in the shower, turning the taps on.
'You need one too.' Sakuya pouted playfully as he let his hair down.
'I had one. Sort of.' Zar'roc grinned and pushed Sakuya under the running water. 'Get clean, I'm going to find you some clothes.' Sakuya nodded and Zar'roc left the room.
Zar'roc returned in less than ten minutes and yelled for Sakuya to hurry up. Sakuya complied, finishing a quick rinse of his hair before stepping out of the shower. He blushed faintly to see Zar'roc standing there with a towel ready, especially since this time, he hadn't worn his shorts. Zar'roc wrapped the towel around Sakuya almost immediately. Sakuya smiled up at Zar'roc, who tweaked his ears gently.
'You're a foolish boy, Sakuya.' Zar'roc spoke gently, almost fondly, as he had been doing since the night before.This time was a bit different, though.
'I know. I can't help it.'
'Tell me why.' Zar'roc's gaze was piercing, as though he could see Sakuya's soul through his eyes.
'I told you... I can't.'
'Sakuya.'
Sakuya shook his head and made to leave, but Zar'roc put his arm up to block the younger male's exit.
'Xtasis... Please....' Sakuya looked at the older male, sadness in his eyes.
'I need to know Sakuya. I need to know why you would bring yourself knowingly so close to death simply to find me, which usually would have resulted in your death anyway.'
'But it didn't.'
'You didn't know that. Talk to me, Sakuya.'
'If I tell you a bit, will you stop asking?' Sakuya looked at Zar'roc, his eyes pleading.
Zar'roc searched his eyes, then finally answered. 'For a time.'
'I needed you.'
'For what?' Zar'roc was more than a little confused. Was he not the one who had hurt Sakuya in the first place?
'For me. Can I get dressed yet?' Sakuya raised his eyebrows as he spoke. He really wanted out of this awkward situation.
Zar'roc stared as though searching Sakuya again. Then he raised his arm, letting Sakuya leave. He sighed with relief as he sat on the bed, drying his hair off with the towel, though it had had plenty of time to drip-dry.
'I brought some clothes up for you. They should fit.' Zar'roc indicated a small pile on the bed, then grunted as Sakuya thanked him. 'Setsuna offered them.' He stated as Sakuya pulled the clothes on. He didn't mention that Setsuna had only offered them when he realised Zar'roc was about to rip the clothes off some kid.
Zar'roc pulled on his coat, then stood and stared at Sakuya. He seemed to reach a decision, yet still waited until Sakuya was dressed before gesturing the younger male over.
'Come here and turn around.'
As Sakuya did so, Zar'roc removed from his pocket the pendant that he had retrieved from Roku only a few days ago. He placed it gently around Sakuya's neck, lifting his hair to clasp it at the back.
'Lose it, or break it, and I'll kill you.' Zar'roc muttered.
Sakuya lifted the pendant to look at it then smiled softly, admiring the beauty of it. 'Thank you...'
Zar'roc only grunted in reply. 'Hurry up. We both have work to do.'
Sakuya wondered what work Zar'roc was going to be doing, but he didn't bother asking, because partially he knew that Zar'roc wouldn't tell him, but partially he also didn't want to know. With Zar'roc's line of work, he was sure that his job would not be something good.
'Ready?' Zar'roc glanced at Sakuya as he shouldered his bag, as per usual. Sakuya nodded slightly. 'Right then.'
Zar'roc headed for the door and Sakuya followed him out. They walked to the bar together, but as Sakuya walked behind the bar, he felt Zar'roc grab his hand and stop him. He turned to look at the older male, slightly shocked.
'I'll be back to pick you up tonight. Don't try another stunt like last night, hm?'
Sakuya nodded slightly, even more surprised that Zar'roc would be returning.
'And don't you dare leave without me, or I'll give you a wound and not take it back. Understand?' Zar'roc muttered.
Sakuya nodded again and, returning the gesture, Zar'roc left.
'What was that all about?' Setsuna asked as Sakuya immediately began to prepare a girls order of two bloody Marys’ and a long island iced tea.
'Nothing really. I think he just assumes that I'll do the same thing as last night.'
Sakuya looked sideways at Setsuna as he felt the other males hand on his shoulder.
'I think it's a bit more than that, Sakuya.' Setsuna said lightly.
'What--?' Sakuya began, but Setsuna just grinned and turned to serve more customers.
'I always knew you had a way of warming the coldest hearts, Sakuya.' Setsuna said while proceeding to fill every mug of ale on the house.
Sakuya just shook his head, not understanding a word of it.
That night, Sakuya worked later than usual, and still Zar'roc did not show. Sakuya glanced at the door every few seconds but did not catch a glimpse of the older male. And with every minute that passed, he just got more and more down.
'You could just leave, you know.' Sakuya looked around for the source of the voice, finding that it came from the girl whom he had first served.
'Excuse me, miss?' Sakuya blinked.
'I said, you could just go.' The girl took a long draught from her bottle of alcohol, which surprised Sakuya, since she looked much too young for alcohol. She looked barely fourteen.
'Aren't you a bit young to be drinking?'
'Didn't bother you earlier, and don't change the subject. Why are you staying? It's not like he owns you.'
'I don't know what you're on about.' Sakuya muttered as he wiped the bench down.
'I saw what went down earlier, so don't try playing coy.'
Sakuya stopped, putting the cloth down harder than intended as he stared at the girl. 'And who are you, to speak to me in such a manner?'
'Oh, did I not introduce myself? Name's Keti.'
'And that's supposed to mean what, exactly? I don't know you, so I am hardly inclined to share my personal life with you, much less anything about Xtasis.'
'You call him Xtasis? He lets you?' The girl was taken aback.
'Well no, he rather hates it, but I still do it.' Sakuya couldn't help a slight smile there.
'Why? Is his name not misery, as he is well known for spreading?'
This caused Sakuya's eyes to ice over, devoid of their usual friendly touch.
'I prefer to call people by the name that befits them, and misery certainly does not.'
With this, Sakuya threw the cloth across the bar and into the sink, then left the girl wide-eyed and stormed out the back door. Before the door had even shut, Sakuya's anger caused him to turn and lash out and punch a hole straight through the middle of the door. He yelled out from anger and frustration. He couldn't feel the pain from his hand, which had shattered, and was bleeding badly. The blood now slowly dripped on the ground outside.
Sakuya leant against the wall outside to steady himself and to stop himself from going into a blind rage. Soon enough, Setsuna followed him out. He looked from the hole in the door to Sakuya's hand, then to his face. Setsuna sighed and dug his hands in his pockets.
'Got to you, did she?'
'Mm.' Sakuya growled in such a like way to Zar'roc that Setsuna actually took a step back. 'Damnit!' Sakuya rounded on Setsuna, his eyes oddly filled with rage. 'I want to know what the hell is going on! All your crap earlier about melting hearts, and her saying about him owning me, what the hell is going on?!'
'That's what we want to know, Sakuya. What's going on?'
'Nothing.' Sakuya muttered.
'You mean you feel nothing for him?' Setsuna raised a single eyebrow.
'I mean he feels nothing for me!!' Sakuya retorted angrily.
'I wouldn't be so sure about that.' Setsuna looked at him and saw the disbelief on his face, then sighed. 'Sakuya, let me show you something that you will probably still be too stubborn to understand.' As he spoke, Setsuna pulled out a packet of cigarettes.
Sakuya looked at him oddly as he lit two smokes.
'What, a cigarette? What's that-' He stopped as Setsuna shoved one into his mouth.
'Shut up and smoke, Sakuya.'
Setsuna looked at his watch then back at Sakuya who had shrugged and taken a drag. As he took the smoke into his lungs he looked oddly at Setsuna.
'And this is supposed to do what?'
'Short term, calm you down and shut you up at the same time.' Setsuna replied after he had taken a long drag of his own cigarette.
Sakuya shrugged, taking the point and smoking in silence for the next few minutes. Then Sakuya heard him counting down from ten as though waiting for something. This confused him, but he decided to wait in silence until whatever Setsuna was expecting happened. But Setsuna had only reached 'Two' when Sakuya felt a mind-numbing blow to the back of his head which made him drop his cigarette and stumble forward, his head spinning.
'Early.' He heard Setsuna say quietly.
'What the hell do you think you're doing, Sakuya?!' He heard a familiar voice yell, though he was face down in the dirt. 'First a collar, now smoking?!'
'Leave me alone...' Sakuya muttered, bringing himself onto his forearms.
'What the hell is wrong with you?!'
Zar'roc kept yelling, but Sakuya had had enough. He lifted himself off the ground then rounded on the other male, his eyes alight more than ever before.
'What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you, Xtasis?! You couldn't even manage to turn up on time. No! You're three hours late, three hours in which I had to deal with shit from everyone here! You say there's something wrong with me, Xtasis? Look in the fucking mirror!' Sakuya turned and punched the solid brick wall as he yelled the last words.
All the pain, the fear, the anger, all the emotion that Sakuya had held in for years went into the punch, resulting in a hole in the brick wall and his hand shattering even more so. He rounded back on Zar'roc angrily.
'What are you, stupid, or just blind? You can't see anything! You never have, you never will! The only thing you understand is your bloody desire for revenge!!'
Zar'roc growled threateningly at that - before Setsuna could intervene, his hand was around Sakuya's throat, holding him up against the wall, his feet leaving the ground. Zar'roc's grip would have killed a normal human, but Sakuya was much stronger than that.
'Go on then. You've wanted to since that night.' Sakuya muttered through clenched teeth, staring straight at Zar'roc.
'If you had been anyone else, you would be dead right now for speaking to me like that. However;' He paused as a ripple ran through the air and earth at the precise moment that a tear dropped from Sakuya's cheek and hit the ground. 'I will be lenient in order to allow your foolish mind to process all that has and is happening. For I think it is you who has much to learn and understand, Sakuya Kira.'
Zar'roc let Sakuya drop to the ground. Sakuya growled and pulled his knife as Zar'roc turned to leave. He threw the blade toward Zar'roc, a spur of the moment decision on his part. The weapon barely touched Zar'roc, only singed his skin as jets of blue flame enveloped the blade. It thudded point first into a tree some few centimetres left of Zar'roc. He paused, almost making Sakuya think that he would turn back. But he simply shook his head and continued his path. Sakuya watched him as far as possible in disbelief, then lowered his head.
'Is this what you wanted to show me, Setsuna?' Sakuya looked up at Setsuna. 'Pain, love, or anger?'
'No.' Setsuna replied. 'It wasn't supposed to be like that. But what I was trying to show you was clear from the first moment that he showed here.'
'And what is that?'
Setsuna looked at Sakuya then sighed, flicking his cigarette away then opening the door to go back inside. Before the door closed behind him, Setsuna spoke in a quiet voice. 'He cares, Sakuya.'
Sakuya remained where Zar'roc had dropped him for several hours, finding it hard to believe Setsuna's words. Finally, he got up and began the lonely walk home. This time, he stuck to the path. He knew Zar'roc would not come, nor would he find the older man. After what had happened, he wondered if ever he would see Xtasis Finniarel again. Sakuya found himself spending the night awake, sitting on the couch in his family room, lost in his thoughts.
- - - - - - + - - - - - -
Sakuya was absent from work the next day. And the day following that. On the third day, Setsuna began to worry, but even though he pounded on the door and screamed for Sakuya, he received no answer. Setsuna returned to work and the usual routine, worried that Sakuya was far from alright. Sakuya, in fact, did not leave the house. For four days, he did not sleep, he did not drink, and he did not eat. He knew he was weak but he had no use for energy anyway. Most of the time he was staring blankly into space, deeply immersed in his thoughts. Other times he was trying his best not to cry so that he wouldn't destroy anything. Those times he often hurt himself, mostly to be able to handle the pain without letting tears fall. Sometimes he just plain hurt, inside and out. Those were the silent times. On the fifth day, Sakuya couldn't handle it any longer. All the tears he had held back for years, all the pain, the fear, every emotion he'd ever felt, including his love, came out in his tears. Sakuya no longer cared whether he lived or died. He would bring down the house with his tears. His distress was too great for him to care.
The moment that the first tear hit the hardwood floor on which he kneeled, the walls shook and came close to buckling. There was something extremely odd about Sakuya - ever since he was a child, if he cried, whole buildings could be destroyed, if it was bad enough. When he was a child it was nowhere near as bad. But as he got older it became more powerful, so that he could not let a single tear fall for fear of destroying something. But now he didn't care. Let the house fall on him. The entire place shook with his sobs. A large crack broke on the ceiling at the same moment that Sakuya's voice broke, screaming for Xtasis. His tears flowed even more rapidly, one of the walls collapsing near Sakuya. As long as he didn't survive he didn't care. He couldn't survive, without Zar'roc. It was this thought that brought three rooms crashing down, leaving nothing but dust and rubble. The house swayed now, with hardly any walls to support it. Then the roof began to cave in and Sakuya, aware of this, smiled through his tears. This would be the end of him.
But a moment later, warm, strong arms wrapped around him. The next second Zar'roc had jumped with Sakuya, throwing them both through a window and out of the house, which collapsed behind them. They landed with Sakuya on his knees and Zar'roc crouching, holding the younger male's head against his chest to protect him. Zar'roc looked back at the house then at Sakuya, not understanding.
'Sakuya...' Zar'roc whispered worriedly.
Sakuya did not speak. He fell against Zar'roc, one hand clenching onto his shirt. Sakuya burst into fresh tears, his face pressed against Zar'roc's chest.
'Shh... I'm here....' Zar'roc pulled Sakuya close against him, shielding the younger boy as the house burst into flames and exploded.
Zar'roc's arms wrapped around Sakuya's shoulders tighter, holding him comfortingly as the boy cried. Sakuya cried for a long time on his chest, leaving him gasping for breath and exhausted when the tears finally slowed. His shoulders raised and dropped in shallow breaths and his entire body trembled uncontrollably. He barely noticed when Zar'roc put his coat over Sakuya's shoulders.
'I'm sorry...' He finally gasped. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry...'
He just kept repeating the words until Zar'roc gently cupped his chin, his thumb just below Sakuya's lips. Zar'roc looked him in the eyes, a serious yet kind look on his face.
'Do not apologise Sakuya. You are already forgiven.'
His voice was hushed as his eyes searched Sakuya's. It took awhile for either of them to realise that it was raining, but they didn't care. Sakuya had his face hidden in the crook of Zar'roc's neck, while Zar'roc's arms wrapped around Sakuya's mid-section, when Zar'roc spoke quietly.
'I'm taking you back to the bar. You'll catch a chill out here.'
Sakuya nodded in response, though he made no move to get up. Zar'roc knew that though, and he stood, wrapping Sakuya's feet around his waist in a front-side carry. Sakuya kept his head on Zar'roc's shoulder that way. So, carrying Sakuya, Zar'roc started back toward the tavern. He took one glance back, noting that somehow, in the time that Sakuya had cried, the forest had been partially destroyed. Perhaps the fire had swept through when the house exploded.
Setsuna was waiting just outside the door when they arrived. He had waited in the rain for over an hour, worried sick about Sakuya. Zar'roc told him to speak quietly, as Sakuya had fallen into a deep, exhausted sleep on the way. Setsuna nodded and only whispered to Zar'roc on the way to the room.
'Where did you find him?'
'His home.'
'Shouldn't he have stayed there then?' Setsuna looked at Zar'roc, confused. 'Surely it would have been more comfortable for him?'
'There is no house left. I got him out a bare second before the roof fell.'
'Oh.'
Setsuna knew of Sakuya's problem, yet this still shocked him. He'd had no idea that it could be that bad to destroy an entire house. Though he knew Sakuya had held everything in for years, so he guessed that it had all come out. Setsuna held the door to the bedroom open then followed Zar'roc in and locked the door. Zar'roc gently lay Sakuya on the bed then sat by him, sighing softly.
'Sakuya...' Zar'roc murmured, brushing his hair back. 'Little fool...'
Sakuya stirred slightly, rolling onto his side and curling into a tight ball.
'Xtasis...' Came the whispered breath from the sleeping boy.
Zar'roc's eyes softened, his hand resting on Sakuya's shoulder. Soon, he pulled the covers up over Sakuya to keep him warm. Then he sat in a chair by the bed, gently taking Sakuya's hand in his own. Setsuna smiled as he saw the action. All he received back was a worried look from Zar'roc.
'Do you want me to bring you anything? Before I go...'
Zar'roc shook his head slightly and Setsuna nodded, understanding. He turned and went to the door.
'I'll check on you in the morning. But I'll not be far.'
Setsuna locked the door as he left, throwing the room into darkness.
'Xtasis....' Sakuya whispered into the darkened room.
Zar'roc moved to lay with him, holding the younger boy against his chest, close.
'Sakuya, silly little fool.... I'm here.' Zar'roc whispered in the dark.
Sakuya's only response was to snuggle closer, holding tight to Zar'roc's shirt.
- - - - - - + - - - - - -
Setsuna opened the door in the morning to find both of them asleep. Sakuya was wrapped in Zar'roc's arms, cuddled close to him. Setsuna lit several candles to light the room, then left again.
Sakuya woke first. He didn't realise what he was lying against until he looked up and saw Zar'roc's face. He smiled a little, realising that once again, Zar'roc had stayed with him. That must mean that he was forgiven, didn't it? Sakuya ran the backs of his fingers over Zar'roc's cheek. Zar'roc's eyes fluttered open. Blue-gray eyes stared into Sakuya's amethyst eyes.
'Xtasis, I-'
'Sakuya...' The whispered voice cut over his own. Zar'roc's hand lifted to cup Sakuya's chin gently. Sakuya gulped, a warm tingle creeping up from the pit of his stomach.
'Mm?'
'Are you okay?' Zar'roc's thumb was stroking over Sakuya's bottom lip.
No. Sakuya knew that he was not okay. He was not okay because Zar'roc's thumb over his lip was bringing shivers over his body, making him tremble from head to toe. Still, he nodded in response anyway.
'Good.'
'Xtasis, about the other day... I didn't mean....'
'Sakuya?' Xtasis cut him off again, eyes searching his.
'Mm?'
'Do you ever shut up?'
Sakuya's breathing hitched as soft, velvety lips pressed down on his own. Sakuya was powerless before Zar'roc, bared open and helpless in front of the older male. The taste and scent of all things sweet, was how Sakuya remembered Zar'roc's first kiss upon his lips. Lips so soft to make even silk jealous, so perfectly curved as a cupids bow. The kiss ended far too soon as Zar'roc pulled back slightly, searching Sakuya's amethyst eyes once again.
'Xtasis....' Sakuya sighed his name, wrapping his arms tight around Zar'roc's shoulders.
He couldn't believe this was happening, but at that moment he felt such happiness as he had not known for many a year. Zar'roc held Sakuya close, which made him happy. Sakuya felt like he could just stay with Zar'roc in this moment for all eternity. However, Sakuya's ears pricked up as he heard the door open, and he looked up to see Setsuna in the doorway.
'I see you two are awake. Want to come down and show everybody that you're okay? Keti is really quite worried.' Setsuna couldn't contain a grin as Zar'roc pulled Sakuya closer.
'He'll be down when I feel he is strong enough.' Xtasis growled quietly.
'As you wish, your great highn-ass, Zar'roc. 'Setsuna made a mock curtsy to him.
'Xtasis.' Zar'roc spoke in a whisper, though Setsuna’s head shot up in un-feigned shock at the word and the name. 'It's Xtasis. ' He glanced at Sakuya with soft eyes. ' Once again, and forever more. Now leave, won't you?'
Even as Xtasis spoke, he drew the smaller frame of Sakuya close against him. Without even waiting for Setsuna to leave, Xtasis once more pressed his lips to Sakuya's softer, paler lips. Sakuya felt tremors wrack his body, both savouring and returning the kiss passionately. Setsuna grinned and pulled the door shut, locking it before returning downstairs.
Much as Setsuna talked to Keti and tried to build up talk and song in the little tavern, working under Sakuya & Xtasis' room meant he was not at all excluded from the all-too-familiar sound of love-making, much as he might wish. Sakuya was so expressed that Setsuna wouldn't be surprised if the two did not receive at least one knowing look later in the day. Keti grinned at Setsuna, sharing a look that told him she could hear too.
Setsuna felt himself flush slightly for no apparent reason he shook his head to clear it, making two 'seven layers of hell' mostly to get his mind off everything. When finished, he slid one to Keti and downed the other himself.
'So which way do you swing?'
The bluntness and suddenness of the question caught Setsuna off guard, and he near choked.
'What?'
'Which way do you swing? Males or females?'
'Both...' Setsuna relied warily.
'I see.' Keti only responded this much and that was the end of it, though Setsuna sensed that there was more she wished to say.
After some time, Keti got up and, with a glance back at Setsuna, left through the back door. Curiosity nipped and nibbled at him and eventually, Setsuna gave in to temptation and followed her, leaving the bar work to a colleague. Setsuna grinned as he saw the hole in the door that Sakuya had made still there. His grin faded slightly however, as he remembered the events that led up to and followed it. He shook those thoughts out of his head as he sought for Keti. He did not have to look far. Less than three steps from the door, Keti pulled Setsuna to her. She leant back against a tree where the shadows would hide them well. Keti didn't kiss Setsuna, She didn't try to make love to him. But she did hug him. A warm, friendly embrace, comforting the both of them. Keti's cheek pressed against Setsuna's chest, just below the crook of his neck, such was the difference of their height. Setsuna simply held Keti, if a little confused as to why she came to him for comfort. After a time, Keti spoke softly.
'What do you think, then?'
'Hm? Of what?' Setsuna glanced at the top of her head. Her hair was gold, not blonde, he realised. And curling at the tips.
'Them.' Keti pointed a thumb toward the window of Sakuya and Xtasis' room. 'I mean... What do you feel?'
Setsuna paused, thinking. Her words were a deeper question than most would realise. What did he really feel?
'Jealousy. Loneliness. A hunger for... what they have. Even just a fraction of it, I mean...' Setsuna paused, then stumbled on. 'I miss what they have... It hurts, but I'm happy for them.'
Keti remained silent for some time. They both just stood there, in one another’s embrace. It was comforting.
'I know the feeling... ' Keti finally whispered, then burrowed her head against Setsuna's chest.
'Oh, I know that feeling all too well.'
Setsuna wondered to himself how she would know the feeling of heart break so well when she seemed so young and frail. It dawned on him that perhaps she was not fully human, and therefore could be much older than she looked. His mind settled easily to that conclusion, and his arms drew her closer, warmer, tighter.
'Why do you stay here, in this dreary place? You could go to more lively taverns in the main towns, and meet a partner there. Why stay?' His last words repeated the first as he glanced at her, meeting her eyes briefly.
'Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. Forces beyond my power and knowledge merge at this point. I cannot ignore it.'
Setsuna was startled by Keti's words. For a young person, she spoke wise. And he well knew the forces she spoke of. They were but one of the reasons he had come to this place to work, months ago. He pointed out to himself that she may be as old, if not older, than him.
'Setsuna?'
'Mm?' Setsuna looked down at Keti's face. Sharp, clear blue eyes looked almost pleadingly at him. Beautiful eyes, he realised with a jolt. Soft, pink, thin lips that curved to a tiny smile. A tiny sad smile, one that he hadn't expected to see on her face. Not now, not ever. Setsuna had a strange urge to make her sadness into happiness. But there was nothing he could do, was there?
'Would you... If I asked you, would you stay here tonight? With me.... Instead of to return home?'
'Do you truly wish me to?' Setsuna was caught off guard once again by Keti's question.
'I do.' She answered simply.
Setsuna looked into Keti's eyes, considering. Then he nodded slightly. 'Then yes, I shall.'
Keti smiled and nodded, pressing her cheek back against his chest.
'Thankyou...' She whispered quietly after a time.
Setsuna simply nodded and smiled faintly.
'Come on. You're cold.' Setsuna spoke as he felt Keti shivering in his arms. 'Let's get you inside. We both need a bit of warmth and sleep, I think.'
Keti nodded and allowed Setsuna to lead her inside. He kept his arm around her as he led her upstairs to one of the rooms that had been recently vacated. Setsuna closed and locked the door behind them, then led Keti to the bed. He lightly covered her then turned to a chair nearby. He paused as Keti reached out and took his hand.
'Don't be silly.' Keti spoke softly as he looked at her. She moved over on the bed, making enough room for him. 'There's plenty of room for two.' She spoke gently as she pulled Setsuna to her. Setsuna hesitated for a moment then shrugged, moving to lay down beside Keti. She smiled, then turned so that her back was to Setsuna's chest. She pulled his arms around her waist and cuddled back into him. They both smiled, falling asleep together. Setsuna's last thought was of how fast the day had gone, having Keti around.
A few doors down, Sakuya and Xtasis cuddled close, Sakuya resting his head on Xtasis' chest. Xtasis smiled, stroking his hand through Sakuya's long hair while they, too, fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
- - - - - - + - - - - - -
Sakuya sat bolt upright, sweating and shaking uncontrollably in a dark room. He couldn't remember where he was, but he knew that Xtasis had been there. He knew that the bed was cold and he began to panic. Had Xtasis left? Had Sakuya destroyed the friendship they were building? Had he-
'Sakuya?' A soft whisper at the edge of his hearing and a cool, reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Sakuya calmed slightly, but he had already worked himself in a panic. Cold sweat dripped down the sides of his face.
'Mm?'
'Are you okay?' The bed moved slightly as Xtasis sat up. 'Sakuya... You've built up a cold sweat, and you're shaking... what happened?'
'Oh... Just a bad dream....' Sakuya answered quietly.
Xtasis tugged gently on Sakuya's shoulder, turning the younger boy into his arms. Sakuya lay his head on Xtasis' shoulder, mostly for comfort. It was also to feel that he was still there. That was the moment that Sakuya realised that Xtasis' skin was cold, which was why the bed was cold. The older male had no body heat.
'I'll always be here....' Xtasis whispered with a soft kiss at the base of Sakuya's neck.
Sakuya continued to shake, but a little less than he had been before. He cuddled a little closer to the strong, usually silent Xtasis. He found comfort, strength, and close to love in that embrace. He didn't know if it was love. He hoped it was love. He wanted love.
'Sakuya?'
'Mm?'
'What happened?'
Sakuya thought about that for a bit. He didn't remember the entire dream, but he did remember the main idea of it.
'You left...' He said quietly.
Actually, in his dream, Xtasis had died. But he didn't really want to say that. So saying that Xtasis had left seemed to sum it up pretty well.
'You'll never have to worry about that...' Xtasis was saying as he held Sakuya closer. 'I'll be here for you. I promise.'
'Until death?' Sakuya whispered softly.
Xtasis' eyes narrowed, but it was with the fire of his words. 'Beyond death, darling.'
'Mm...' Sakuya couldn't help smiling as he shuffled as close to Xtasis as he could.
'I mean it Sakuya. I will follow you wherever you go.'
'Xtasis....?' Sakuya began in a whisper, then paused.
'Mhmm....?'
Sakuya bit his bottom lip, then continued. 'Why..?'
Xtasis considered this awhile. Truthfully, he didn't know why. Sakuya had somehow softened him enough to feel for another again.
'I don't know.' Xtasis answered slowly, his thoughts in the distance. 'You did something to me. Maybe it was the way you sought me out and almost died. Maybe;' Xtasis stroked the black locks away from his lovers' eyes as usual. 'It was how helpless you looked as I carried you back to the tavern... Both times.'
'Maybe just my good looks.' Sakuya grinned, trying to put a lighter edge on the topic. Xtasis grunted.
'No need to fear, darling. I would have looked elsewhere if that's all I wanted.'
Xtasis grinned as Sakuya hit him with a pillow.
'Now, don't be starting this pillow thing again. I'm much more capable of retaliating today.'
Sakuya glared playfully at Xtasis then smiled and cuddled the older male again. Xtasis stroked the long black locks again, smiling lightly. His fingers ran easily through Sakuya’s hair. To Xtasis’ surprise, Sakuya began to purr, his ears flattening against his head.
‘Sakuya?’ Xtasis whispered softly.
‘Mm?’ Sakuya couldn’t stop purring.
‘Do you remember what you said to me that night, right before you passed out?’
That stopped his purring. ‘Not really…’ Sakuya lied.
This was one subject with Xtasis that Sakuya tried to stay well away from.
‘Wiol ono. That is what you said. For you, is what it meant.’
‘Mm. Yes. What of it?’
‘Well, I wondered what you meant by it. Why did you wear a collar for me? And why did you call me Xtasis when we first met? I was under the impression that few knew that name, and those who did…’
‘Were killed, I know…’ Sakuya finished his sentence for him, then sighed and rested his head against Xtasis’ chest. ‘I had thought we could put this conversation off for awhile longer. But I suppose you should know. I was there, ten years ago. At your death.’ Sakuya paused as he felt Xtasis jump slightly, and he knew that the older male’s eyes had widened in shock. ‘And your rebirth. I watched as you turned from a cowardly child to a merciless killer. I saw a fraction of the deaths you caused, and a lot of the pain you caused. But through it all, I saw your pain. I saw how you hoped that with each kill, your pain would ease, and I saw how you became angry as each time, you were disappointed. I felt for you, Xtasis. Felt your pain as though it were my own. I made the decision then, six years ago almost to date, to make myself yours. I made the collar myself, to give me a better awareness of you. And I vowed that were there ever a need to… Help you, I would be there. I vowed my last breath to you.’
Xtasis thought about it, and slowly he began to remember a black and silver wolf, flitting in and out of his vision for over ten years. Black as Sakuya’s hair… As silver as his little pointed ears.
‘Sakuya… You never left my side… You were that wolf, weren’t you?’ Xtasis pulled Sakuya closer as he nodded. ‘I knew that wolf was protecting me… But when he… You… Disappeared… I thought you had died protecting me as you always had. If you had lived, why did you abandon me so?’
‘I did fall, as you had guessed… I was injured badly and needed the time to recover… Setsuna refused to let me out, and spent most of his free time with me. I took time off work and was considering leaving, so that when I recovered, I would always be there for you. Not just at the last minute, but before you got hurt. Then Setsuna told me that you had begun attending the tavern on a regular basis. So I asked him to keep the job open… And I returned to work before I had fully healed. Setsuna was reluctant to allow me, as he didn’t believe you were not as hard-hearted as you seemed. Nobody did. Except for me. I always believed in you, Xtasis. That is why I wore the collar. Reminding myself, and everybody else, that I am yours. That my life is yours.’
Xtasis had trouble taking it all in. From what he understood, everything Sakuya had felt and done over the past ten years had all been for him. Through all the murders, all the pain, all the times he had stood there drenched in his own blood and screamed until he was hoarse and deaf with tears falling down his face, Sakuya had been there for him, loving him and protecting him the whole time he had thought he was alone.
‘Sakuya…’ Xtasis’ voice shook and dropped off. Sakuya was shocked to feel the older male’s body tremble and shake with silent sobs. ‘You were always there… Though… Good and bad… when nobody stayed… You did… And I never knew. Even when I met you I didn’t know you. And I… I hurt you who had protected me for so long. Nearly killed you. Sakuya… I’m so sorry.’
‘Shh… No need to say sorry. You didn’t know. And in any case, I provoked you into those actions. I knew what would happen. I should, after ten years, don’t you think?’
‘Why, then?’ Xtasis looked into Sakuya’s eyes. ‘Why would you risk death simply to know me?’
‘Because…’ Sakuya faltered, then at a look from Xtasis, he continued. ‘For ten years, I have cried for you, hurt for you, bled for you, and fought for you. And it was all because for those ten years, I have loved you deeply.’
Silence filled the gap between the two. It stretched for several moments, until Sakuya was sure he could bear it no longer. Then to his surprise, Xtasis drew the smaller boy into a strong embrace and kissed him gently. Sakuya sighed out a pent up breath and returned the kiss tenderly. The two pressed together, finding comfort in one another’s arms.
- - - - - - + - - - - - -
Later that night, Sakuya, Xtasis, Keti and Setsuna were all awake for a change. They were also all in a good mood, which was a shock to those who did not know the occurrences of the past few days. Setsuna made sure that the four of them all had free drinks, and plenty of them. Once they were pleasantly light-headed, Sakuya and Setsuna decide to put on a little performance on a make shift stage for Keti and Xtasis, who found it quite amusing. Especially as the boys kept falling over each other.
‘C’mere, you…’ Xtasis growled playfully, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he pulled Sakuya off the stage.
Sakuya squealed as he fell off, landing in Xtasis’ lap. The older male chuckled as Sakuya bounced in his lap, wrapping strong arms around the younger male’s waist. Suddenly, Sakuya began giggling, looking over Xtasis’ shoulder at something. Xtasis turned to see what he was laughing at, then chuckled softly himself. Setsuna and Keti had curled up together on the couch and were both fast asleep. They looked cute, cuddled together and almost falling off the couch. Xtasis gently pushed a lock of Sakuya’s hair away from his eyes, then brushed his lips over the younger males. Sakuya shivered slightly.
‘Come with me…’ Xtasis whispered in Sakuya’s ear, then stood, leading Sakuya outside.
They walked for a short time in companionable silence, but it didn’t take long for Sakuya to start pushing Xtasis with questions, wanting to know where they were heading. The older male only grinned, saying each time ‘You’ll see…’.
Suddenly, they stopped. Xtasis wrapped his arms around Sakuya’s waist who, thinking it was a hug, wrapped his own arms around Xtasis’ shoulders.
‘Hold on…’ Xtasis whispered in his ear.
Sakuya gasped and clung tight to Xtasis suddenly as the older male jumped up into the trees, holding Sakuya close to him.
They came to rest on a branch right near the top of the trees, still holding onto each other. Sakuya had his face buried in Xtasis’ shirt.
‘Sakuya… Look up.’ Xtasis whispered gently, rubbing his back.
It didn’t take much for Sakuya to trust Xtasis and look up. As soon as he did, he gasped in a sharp breath. He was looking out onto a beautiful landscape of dips and rises, mountains and valleys, beautiful rivers and waterfalls and fields. Although it was dark, Sakuya managed to see it by the moonlight.
‘Xtasis… It’s beautiful…’ Sakuya whispered, unable to believe the older male had brought him to such beauty.
The drinks from the tavern had mostly worn off, so Sakuya was able to stand without support. Still, he held Xtasis’ hand as he walked as far out on the branch as he felt safe, just to see more of the beautiful scenery.
‘Xtasis…’ Sakuya began, but he broke off as Xtasis cried out and pulled Sakuya roughly to him.
A weapon of the sort that Sakuya had never seen before flew past, right where he had been but a moment before. Sakuya gasped in shock and clung to Xtasis as he leapt from branch to branch then to the ground. A man stood but a few feet away from the two. The weapon he held now was the same one that Sakuya had seen. It appeared to be made of bone, with a chain attached to the handle. The top of the weapon was curved and sharp. The man wore a hood, which he pulled back. Sakuya and Xtasis both gasped in shock. Though he wore a metal mask covering his mouth and nose, this attacker was no more than a mere child. Still, the accuracy with which his weapon was thrown made it clear that it would not be wise to under estimate this boy.
‘Zar’roc Finniarel.’ Even his voice sounded immature. ‘I have come for the amulet.’
‘You won’t get it…’ Xtasis growled threateningly and moved in front of Sakuya, protecting him. The child chuckled in an oddly similar way to Xtasis.
‘I assume from your behaviour that he is the one that holds possession of it. I’ll just have to take it from him then, won’t I?’
‘Don’t you dare!’ Xtasis yelled the last word as the boy threw the weapon toward them.
He pulled his sword out of its sheath in the nick of time, deflecting the attack. The boy leapt into the air and pulled the chain, catching the weapon by the handle just seconds before swinging it toward Xtasis at close range. Xtasis growled and pushed Sakuya back before deflecting it again. Sakuya landed hard on his back, the wind taken out of him. Xtasis took the risk and looked back, sighing with relief as he saw that Sakuya was alright. He growled in pain, however, as the distraction cost him a deep gash on his chest. He yelled and attacked, his sword flashing in a number of complex moves. The boy held up his right hand and, without warning, a blast of indescribable energy hit Xtasis in the chest, throwing him back against a tree with considerable force. He paused, coughing up a small amount of blood on his hands and knees. Looking up, he saw that the boy had dropped the weapon and was holding his hands in front of him, one over the other with both palms facing Xtasis. With a small amount of shock he realised that the boy was building up another attack. He got to his feet slowly. He refused to die on his knees, and he knew he could never avoid this blast.
‘Xtasis!!’ Sakuya screamed as loud as his lungs would allow as the boy released the energy. His voice broke in the middle of the scream.
It was like he watched in slow motion, unable to do anything. One second, the force of energy was coming towards him. Then he saw Sakuya in the corner of his eye, one hand held out to Xtasis as though to pull the older male to him. Then the next moment, Sakuya had run into the path of the blast. The boy made a small noise of shock and Xtasis saw the pain that flitted across the younger males face as the blast hit the centre of his back.
‘Sakuya!!’ Xtasis screamed with such pain as nobody had heard before. But the entire forest heard his scream.
Sakuya stumbled and fell forward into the older males’ arms. Xtasis caught him then sunk to his knees in tears, holding Sakuya close.
‘Sakuya… Sakuya, you little fool… Why?’
Sakuya looked up at Xtasis, shaking all over and feeling as though every breath, every moment longer caused him more pain. Then tears began to fall, and with the tears, so did the trees around them.
‘I promised… I would protect you…’ Sakuya whispered the words, his voice trembling. ‘I would… Die rather than… See you hurt. Wiol ono… Xtasis…’
‘Sakuya…’ Xtasis whispered in a broken voice, his tears dropping onto Sakuya’s chest as he wiped the bloodied locks away from the younger males eyes, which were slowly dulling and turning gray.
‘Sakuya! Xtasis!’ It was the sound of Setsuna’s voice.
Xtasis didn’t even look up. He knew that in his grief, he had transported them to the only place that they both truly felt home… The tavern.
‘Xtasis… I have to tell you before I… I love you, Xtasis… I love you…’
Xtasis gasped at Sakuya’s words, as did Setsuna. He had not said it in those direct words, nor in public, before. It took a moment for Xtasis to register what he had said. A moment too long.
‘I love you too Sakuya… Sakuya… Sakuya, no!’
Sakuya’s eyes were lifeless. Xtasis screamed as he held Sakuya tight to him, burying his head in the younger males shoulder and rocking back and forth in tears. His voice was muffled but most of the tavern could still hear his words.
‘Wake up… Wake up, damnit…! You can’t leave me like this… Sakuya!’
Setsuna fell to his knees beside the two, his eyes wide with shock. Tears ran down his cheeks slowly.
‘He’s not.. He can’t be… He couldn’t…’ Setsuna whispered in disbelief.
Keti gently put her arms around Setsuna’s and Xtasis’ shoulders, trying to comfort the two of them though she also had tears running down her cheeks.
‘He… took my death…’ Xtasis whispered with grief.
Suddenly, something within Xtasis changed. He stood with Sakuya in his arms. All could see the tears on his cheeks mingled with Sakuya’s blood. Sakuya’s head tilted back, his mouth open and all trace of the lively youth Sakuya had been gone from his eyes. Xtasis carried him outside, his head bent over his lovers’ body. He walked towards the lake that he knew had always been Sakuya’s favourite, only Setsuna following him closely behind. Xtasis waded into the icy water, just far enough that he could sit and hold Sakuya in the bitter cold water. He kept his left arm underneath Sakuya’s shoulders, supporting the boy still.
Xtasis gently placed Sakuya’s own dagger in the boy’s lifeless hand, then wrapped his own hand around Sakuya’s. The tears were gone, replaced only by a deep desire to be with Sakuya, to tell the boy that he returned his love. With that thought on his mind, he pressed the dagger that they both held against his own wrist. This Setsuna did not see.
‘I love you, Sakuya, my silly little fool. I go where you go.’
‘Xtasis, no!’ Setsuna cried out and jumped forward as he heard Xtasis’ words and realised what was about to happen.
It was far too late. The point of the blade sliced deep through the vein in Xtasis’ wrist and a dark coloured blood poured forth from the wound. At first the blood was black, but as Xtasis whispered a few words a change came over him, and the blood turned red. Crimson red, as a human’s blood. Setsuna realised far too late that Xtasis had just turned himself into a mortal, to be with his love in death. Setsuna was screaming at Xtasis, but the older male could hardly hear him.
‘Sakuya… Sakuya… I love you…’ Xtasis whispered softly as his eyes dulled.
Those were the last words heard from Xtasis Finniarel before he surrendered to the darkness and left this world. Setsuna was still trying to support his two friends as he felt Xtasis’ body go limp. Setsuna let his head drop back and screamed as never before, filled with anger, grief, and a deep desire for revenge. Kneeling in the freezing water as he attempted to support the lifeless bodies of his two friends, one could swear by the look on Setsuna’s face, perhaps he could possibly be the next Zar’roc Finniarel…