Hello, everyone. Welcome to this new story of mine. Hopefully you all can enjoy it. ^^;;
Warnings: AU, OCC-ness, and maybe...m-preg? I'm not sure if I'll add that yet. I'll be sure to let you know in the future.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Junjou Romantica! That right belongs to the wonderful Shungiku Nakamura!
In the shadows of the forest, Misaki saw the hunters approach him. With his back rooted against the tree, he watched in horror as the creatures stalked even closer to him, their eyes the color of miniature suns. Beneath their glowing orbs, appeared sadistic grins that split their faces with an endless row of pointed teeth. With the knowledge of being cornered, hopelessness began to overtake its course. It was over. There was nowhere left to run. He would die here—as a mere snack to those wretched creatures. It depressed him to know that all that running, all that fighting...it all meant nothing now.
"Human," one of them growled, its voice deeper than the fathomless sea, more primitive than the wildest of beasts. It fixed its hungry eyes amongst the teen, grinning madly as a shiver coursed through the boy. "We've finally found you."
Chapter One: The Darkest Night
It was late evening.
Misaki trudged along the soft, damp moss of the forest path. He was surrounded by lush, enormous trees, so thick and tangled that he could barely see the sky through the towering leaves. Here and there, splotches of pink could be seen throughout the muddled branches, trailing endlessly like the scattered pieces of a forgotten puzzle. The lingering whisper of the forest was a soft lullaby, breaching calmness into every pore of the teen's being.
It was so welcoming, so calm, so utterly alive with vivid warmness. And yet, within a second, everything had changed. His smooth light steps, turned into rough ridged stomps on the tough, rock-wood path. He could no longer hear the blissful sound of the forest lullaby, instead, it was replaced by the snapping sound of twigs being crushed behind him. For a second, he was convinced someone was following him since the crushing footsteps were getting louder behind him. Abruptly, he jerked his head to the side to get a quick glimpse of the stranger...
...only to realize that it was his older brother.
"Misaki!" Takahiro panted, grabbing his brother's arm. "How many times have I told you not to go wandering around in the forest—you could get lost!"
The boy let out a sigh of relief. He should have known his brother would have followed him, but as always, he thought the situation would turn out different for him.
How he hated being proved wrong all the time.
He never thought his wanderings within the forest were dangerous—he was only trying to get some time for himself. After all, they resided amongst a peaceful village, there was absolutely nothing to fear. Never had their village been attacked by malicious beings, even though it was located right at the edge of the forest. If there was anything to be afraid of, Misaki would've discovered that a long time ago. Yet unfortunately, his brother never saw it that way. He always assumed the teen would venture off into the biggest trouble, leaving him exposed to all the lurking dangers.
It was one of the reasons why Misaki could never escape—for his brother was too protective. Didn't the elder realize he was just going to the forest to clear his mind? To escape the troublesome duties his village expected of him just for a few minutes?
No, of course, not. Misaki thought sadly, continuing his pace throughout the forest. There's no need for him to think that.
"Misaki—hey! Didn't you hear what I just told you?!"
Another sigh escaped Misaki's lips. He was clearly used to his brother's behavior. "You keep saying that, Nii-chan, but nothing has happened to me yet." He said without looking back. "Honestly, you worry too much."
"Well, excuse me for wanting to ensure your safety!" Takahiro exclaimed, clearly annoyed with the response he received. "Don't you know how dangerous the forest can be when you venture off the wrong path?! Really, do you listen to anything I tell you?!"
Misaki rolled his eyes. Here we go.
He knew it was wrong of him to ignore his brother's ramblings, but really, what choice did he have? The elder just never took him seriously. Of course, that didn't mean he didn't appreciate it. He knew his brother meant well; he only wanted to protect him from the lurking dangers that surrounded their destructive world. After all, demon attacks were common amongst feudal Japan, especially in simple villages where the teen resided.
Yet despite that distressing knowledge, the boy had always chosen to blissfully ignore it. In the seventeen years of his existence, nothing had infiltrated their village. Everyone lived in utter harmony with one another. Really, just what was his brother afraid of?
"I can't believe you!" Takahiro exclaimed, "What were you thinking, wandering off into danger like that? Haven't I taught you any better? Just imagine what could have—"
Noticing the blank stare in Misaki's expression, Takahiro tried to fight back his irritation. He didn't understand how his own little brother could be so careless.
"Are you even listening to me?!" he asked, his tone reflecting his disbelief.
"Huh?" Misaki blinked, breaking out of his restless thoughts. "Did you say something?"
Takahiro scowled, and turned away from his brother in a huff. Misaki sighed. It was ridiculous how dramatic his brother could be at times. It just wasn't fair. Seeing how he wouldn't get a response anytime soon, he followed his brother's lead and striddled amongst the stillness. Despite his brother's silent treatment, he knew he wouldn't stay that way for long. His brother had a kind soul; he couldn't stay mad at anyone. It was one of the many factors Misaki loved about him.
Night began to ascend as they marched throughout the ever changing forest. Here and there, splashes of color could be seen throughout the branches, coloring the forest in an array of different shades. Takahiro kept his pace upfront, neither hurrying nor slowing down as the seconds lingered. The teen followed wordlessly, trailing forward until his foot made contact with the root of tree, causing his feet to give out from under him. Without a doubt, he would have came crashing down if it wasn't for the arm that caught him at the last second.
"Careful," his brother warned, pulling the teen up slowly. "We wouldn't want you to hurt yourself there."
Misaki shifted his gaze to his brother, eyeing the man amusingly. "Are you talking to me, Nii-chan?"
"Of course," the elder said simply, his eyes widening in feigned innocence. "Why wouldn't talk to you?"
"I don't know," Misaki drawled, mischief firing within his glowing emeralds. "Perhaps you're feeling a bit guilty?"
Takahiro snorted. "I wouldn't go that far, Misaki."
Misaki giggled, "Of course, you wouldn't."
They continued their stride amongst the forest, each step more unwavering than the last. It seemed as though they were roaming the forest for hours, or at least it felt that way to Misaki. Next time, he'd try not to let his thoughts consume him. He never meant to wander off this far!
A warm breeze danced throughout the forest, carrying with it a shocking assortment of smells—smells that shouldn't be placed altogether in the first place. Crushed leaves and ember, wooden ashes and fresh earth, burning flesh, lavender, and the faint, cloying scent of decay. The teen was alarmed, but pursued his journey throughout the woodland. They were almost to the village, and in a matter of minutes, those troubling scents wouldn't matter to him anymore.
Clouds of insects swarmed overhead, and if the teen listened hard enough, he could almost imagine them singing. It was beautiful. The delightful hum that streamed from the invisible symphony of their wings, pulling him into a world of—
Takahiro stopped in the middle of the trail, so abruptly that the boy nearly ran into him. He held up a hand, silencing the teen before he could ask what was going on.
Misaki heard it then, drifting over the breeze, a chorus of chilling screams that echoed within the distance. His heart revved up, and he inched closer to his brother.
"D...did you hear that?"
"Yeah," his brother murmured, looking off within the distance. He grimaced. "Stay here."
Alarm had traveled through the boy. "W-what?"
"You heard me," Takahiro stated, his voice strained. "I can't have you wandering with unknown dangers out there. I need you to stay here."
"But what about you?" Misaki breathed, grabbing his brother's arm. "What if—"
"I'll be fine," the elder said quickly, shrugging off the teen's hand. "Don't worry about me."
"But Nii-chan—"
"I said I'll be fine!" Takahiro snapped, turning to glare at his brother. "Just listen to me for once, Misaki!"
That remark silenced the teen almost instantly. Swarms of emotion had attacked him, the first one being guilt. How could he be so stupid? Couldn't he see his brother was trying to protect him? And here he was whining about it like some damn child. Really, what the hell was wrong with him?!
Takahiro noticed the sadness his brother was sporting and immediately sighed. The teen could be so sensitive at times. To put the youngling at ease, he reached forward and hugged the boy tightly, relishing the warmth his brother carried. "There's no need to look so miserable," the elder teased, pulling back from their embrace. "You know I'll come back for you. I just need to know where that sound came from...and I can't risk your safety for that. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."
The boy nodded in understanding, garnering approval from the elder. Slowly, the man broken from the embrace and met his brother's gaze, his eyes hard and unyielding.
"Stay here, Misaki," he ordered, "I mean it this time—I don't want you following after me."
Misaki nodded yet again. "I will," he whispered, his voice faintly stronger.
His brother seemed to relax a little.
"I'll come back," he assured, hugging the teen once more. "I promise."
And with that, he released his brother before disappearing into the trees.
Misaki was unable to move. He could do nothing more but stare into the green that engulfed his brother, fighting the growing fear that continued to overwhelm him. He didn't want to be alone here—not with that lurking danger his brother was pursuing. He wanted to run, to escape, to be right by his brother's side...yet he knew that way of thinking was foolish. Takahiro would never place him in unnecessary danger. That just wasn't him. He would protect the boy, even to the extent of his own life.
Guilt pierced the teen. He hated how powerless he truly was. It was utterly pathetic. There was no reason for him sitting here safe and sound, while his brother could be in danger somewhere. Just what kind of brother was he? Desperately—to rid himself of these horrid thoughts—he gazed into the night sky, admiring the moon that glimmered over the tree tops. It was amazing how such a thing could calm him despite the growing dangers at hand. He wanted to marvel at it even more, but the sound of a howl echoed somewhere within the distance.
Misaki stopped, every muscle in his body coiling tight, as the echo of that cry faded into the forest. What...was that? Surely he wasn't hearing things, was he? No, he didn't think that was the case. Perhaps it was one of the wildlife that resided within the forest. It wasn't as though there were the only ones within their village. With the forest right next to them, he had occasionally witnessed a few animals straying around within their village. Yet it wasn't as though they preserved any threat. Like everything else in the village, the animals were peaceful. Of course, there were times when quarrels were conceived, but very rarely had they gotten into it with the wildlife.
Yet somewhere in the back of the teen's mind, he knew he wasn't dealing with the regular forest folk. All of which aroused fear. Just what the hell was that thing?
The howl came again, closer this time, more excited. Alarmed, the teen dared a backward glance, yet could see nothing but the sweltering green of the forest. Despite comforted by that knowledge, he knew it wouldn't be wise to linger upon that thought. He knew something was out here. And whatever it was, it was getting closer.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, something darted into the trees, scaring the living daylights out of him.
"Nii-chan?" Misaki whispered, taking a cautious step forward. The wind howled and blew a vicious chill around his body, caressing his skin with its spirited fingers. "Are you there?"
Nothing but silence greeted him, echoing across the landscape, hanging heavily within the air. The stillness was almost a living thing, crouched in the center of the forest, watching him with cold eyes. His heart began to triple in irregular, loud beats. Something was very wrong.
"Nii-chan?" He called out again, venturing deeper into the forest. "Is that you?"
He knew there was a chance his actions were bordering on foolish, yet at the moment, that thought completely evaded him. His brother could be out here! If he could get to him now, they could go home and forget this mess actually existed. Yet somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that was wishful thinking. His brother wouldn't toy with his emotions—not if it interfered with his safety.
Moonlight shined upon the landscape, painting everything in an array of silver and black. Except for the buzzing of insects, the night was very still. Then, he caught a faint flicker of movement in the brush. Yet when he turned, there was nothing. He could feel the fear echoing throughout his veins, mocking him with its merciless force. Yet before he could act upon it, he heard that dreadful roar once more. His skin prickled evidently, showcasing the terror that couldn't be described in words. The howling was very close now, growing more and more frenzied.
He could have succumbed to the pointless feelings attacking him, but at that moment, there was no need to think. There was no time to process anything. He just listened to the instincts that were surrounding him, echoing that one word over and over again.
Run.
And he did just that.
The trees flashed by in a blur, dark and indistinct, presenting the teen with an eerie image. The prolonging thump of his footsteps echoed throughout his ears, flashing terror in every wake. He didn't know if he were running in circles or straight into the creature's jaws. He only hoped his sense of direction would lead him away from that unnamed horror.
The thing didn't howl again, but he could feel whatever it was, getting closer. He knew the thing could see him, fleeing before it, and how delicious he must have looked. The back of his neck was practically a screaming invitation. He stifled his panic and kept running.
The trees fell away as he wove through the woodlands, revealing the familiar landscape of his village. Excited, the teen pushed forward, and ran towards the welcoming image with all his might. He was finally home! He couldn't prevent the sudden happiness that assailed him. Unfortunately, that happiness was short-lived as he reached the setting before him, causing him to completely stop in his tracks.
"No," Misaki whispered, his face frozen in a look of stunned astonishment. His mind was reeling, unable to comprehend the horrid sight before him.
The entire village was burned in a sea of fire, casting unearthly images to encircle the ruined landscape. He could hear the cries of his villagers as they scrambled amongst the town, desperately trying to escape the Hell that was set upon it. Misaki watched as the ravenous fire rippled its way onto the setting, devouring every inch of the peaceful village he's come to known.
Fright consumed every part of his being, rendering him immobile with helplessness. Just what could have happened here? It didn't seem like this was brought on by Mother Nature herself. Who could have done something like this?
A scream shattered the night, jerking the teen back to his senses. What was that?
The scream came again, followed by a thunderous roar that rattled the burning landscape around him. In the distance, one of the huts crumbled, toppling over as the intensity of the roar consumed it. Over the terrified screams of the villagers, Misaki witnessed the houses collapsing as something large and dangerous tore its way through. Upon viewing the sight before him, he couldn't help but cover his mouth to stifle a scream.
Blood streaked the colorless hide of the monster—not the humorous kind his brother would tell him about when they were younger, but the real kind of monster that would tear one's stomach open and devour their entrails. It was hunched forward like a gorilla, cradling a bloody human in its jaws. The grayish color that surrounded its skin could hardly conceal the massive muscle that lurked beneath the surface. The framework of its hideous face resembled that of a long extinct carnivorous beast.
A Grifyth—a powerful, shape-shifting demon who needed blood to survive. Misaki could hear the hammering of his heartbeat, the painful sound it solicited. What was a demon doing in his village? Granted, he knew they existed—they practically terrorized regions in Japan—but he never thought they would infiltrate the heart of his home.
For a heartbeat, the grifyth paused, staring into the crowd of terrified villagers, its eyes blinking in confusion. The dead human, now a chewed and mangled mess, dropped from its mouth, and someone in the crowd screamed.
The grifyth roared, its voice echoing the burning land. The crowd scattered as the monster gathered on its hindquarters, and leaped into the fray. It came down beside a screaming human and lashed out with its deadly claws, catching the person in the stomach and disemboweling them instantly. As the person staggered and fell, holding their intestines, the grifyth pounced on another mortal, holding them to the ground. The person squirmed and fought back, frantically trying to escape, but was no match for the beast's strength. The grifyth clamped its jaws amongst the person's neck, and twisted it sickeningly. Fresh blood exploded in fine spray, filling the air with a putrid scent. The person shuddered and went limp.
With blood dripping from its snout, the creature had risen from its meal, and looked into the throng of screaming villagers who were running for their lives. It casted its slitted eyes amongst the crowd, growling softly, until it locked gazes with a mortal in the distance. Misaki recognized this new victim, and gasped in horror.
Without wasting another moment, the teen sprinted towards the burning village, paying little attention to anything but the uneven stones beneath his feet. He realized his actions were bordering on foolish, but he didn't give an ounce of fuckery. He knew he needed to save this person—he would never forgive himself if he didn't.
As he drifted closer to the village, he was blinded by the towering fire that continued to reign. The wind scrambled across the landscape, flinging his hair into his eyes while blinding him further. It was no wonder he couldn't see the throng of people until he deliberately crashed into them.
There was no pathway, no opening between the wall of bodies before him. Deliberately, he pushed against the screaming crowd, fighting the hands that shoved him back. He heard exclamations of irritation and pain as he battled his way through, but none of it mattered to him. The only thought consuming his mind was rescuing that person from that grisly fate.
His lungs burned from the smoke that filled the air, his breath coming out in ragged gasps. The crowd jostled around him, rendering him off course, but he determinedly kept his pace. Frantically, he gazed around the landscape, but all he saw were a blur of faces, and an endless aura of flame. Even though he pushed his body forward, and shoved viciously against the crowd, he knew he wouldn't make it. He wasn't even halfway across. It was already too late. Despair began to swallow him, rendering him immobile against the rising tide of fear.
But then, there was a break through the crowd—a bubble of space that lurked in the distance. He frantically pushed towards it, not even caring how dangerous the situation was turning out for him. A deep, booming roar scattered across the landscape, causing the ground to throb beneath his feet. People screamed, towering away like a multi-headed beast. And that's where the teen started to scream.
"Nii-chan!" He screamed, knowing it was meaningless. The crowd was too loud, and his voice was crumbling with exhaustion. But he couldn't cease the screams that continued to leave him.
The roar came again, planting fierceness in every wake, but that didn't matter to him. He merely dashed across the mural, hearing the crackling of the fire around him, but nothing was more deafening than frantic pounding of his heartbeat. Timorously, he flickered his gaze towards the distance, and gasped in horror.
He could see his brother in the distance, and from the surroundings that separated them, it was obvious his brother didn't see him. Yet that wasn't the detail that scared him. The creature, with a snarl, grazed along the path, ranging closer to its prey.
"Nii-chan, move!" Misaki screamed, but his voice was lost within the gallop of fire.
Takahiro stood, motionless as a statue, as the monstrous creature towered even closer to him. His eyes were closed, and his arms were relaxed at his sides. He seemed to be mumbling something, but it wasn't as though the teen could hear him. Instead of showcasing fear, the elder's expression was very serene, as though he were thinking of peaceful things. Very calmly, he took an intake of breath, as though he were already accepting his fate.
Tears trailed down Misaki's cheeks as he witnessed the scene before him. He could feel the horror infiltrating his heart, the helplessness pounding into his brain, and the dreaded grief that surged through every breath. His brother was going to die...and the teen knew he'd be too late.
"Nii-chan!" He sobbed, running with everything he had. "Please—move!"
Takahiro failed to hear his grieving cries, as though he were encased within his own world. Slowly, he released another intake of breath before bowing his head slightly, surrendering to his destiny.
Misaki slammed into his brother so hard that the force of the impact hurled the both of them into the distance. Takahiro gasped, quickly rising from the fall to marvel at the force that extended his life by a few seconds. When he recognized the being sitting next to him, his eyes widened with quiet surprise.
"Misaki?" He challenged, his voice full of wonder. "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't let you die!" Misaki exclaimed, throwing himself into his brother's arms. "I don't wanna lose you that way!"
Takahiro's eyes softened, easily touched by those innocent words. With a sigh, he wrapped his arms around his little brother, and hugged him fiercely. "I'd say I'm angry at you for breaking your promise, but I think we'd both know I'd be lying." He mused, chuckling lightly. "But if I had to be honest, I am rather grateful," he said in a whisper. "At least I got to see you one last time."
Confusion flickered upon Misaki's face as his brother spoke. Yet before the teen could question that vague reply, the elder had yanked him from the ground, and pushed him so that his back was tight against blackened wood. Takahiro stood in front of him, ready to face that hellish creature. Quickly, he grabbed a sword that was lurking amongst the ground, and faced forward, ready to protect the brother that was counting on him.
Misaki peeked from the elder's stance to witness a figure sprouting from the sweltering fire. What should have been the mangling form of a horrendous beast, stood a human female with features too delicate to be real. If in a different situation, Misaki was sure to have been fooled by her glorious appearance. Yet when witnessing the blood that trickled down her face, he knew that it was the demon in disguise. Grifyths—and most demons—could change their appearance at will. It was one of the reasons they were considered the most feared hunters in all of Japan.
The teen shivered as the woman stepped closer to them. Even in human form, there was something savage with the way her body moved, like lingering movements of a hungry lioness. She flickered her gaze amongst the two brothers, licking her lips lightly. Takahiro widened his stance and gripped the sword tightly. The woman chuckled, the illustrious tone making the teen's skin crawl, and she bared her teeth in a savage grin.
"You think you're going to hurt me with that little thing?" Her mellifluous voice echoed throughout the landscape, causing the fire around them to simmer dangerously. "Foolish mortal, I am the Creature of the Night. You cannot kill me."
"I'm well aware of that fact." Takahiro's voice shook slightly, which terrified the teen even more. That his brother, his fearless, unshakable brother, was afraid of this thing filled him with alarm. "But I cannot allow you to harm my brother." He brandished his sword. "You'll have to go through me first."
The female smiled dangerously. "As you wish...mortal."
And then she lunged with a snarl, her teeth glistening with fresh blood. Yet before the teen could witness the attack, however, he felt his brother slamming onto his shoulder, pushing him away. Misaki collapsed onto the ground, and felt a piercing pain digging into him as he landed upon his shoulder. With a gasp, he quickly risen from the fall and directed his gaze towards the murderous scene.
It seemed the two of them were locked in battle, intent on killing one another. Takahiro was surprisingly dexterous, moving his blade with an onslaught of movement. For a moment, he seemed to be overwhelming the beast, but they both knew the creature was far from being beaten. Swiftly, the female lunged again with a roar. The brother drew his sword to defend, yet it was a second too late. Her jaws clamped upon his brother's arm, and then she hurled him into a burning mass of village huts. Misaki screamed.
"Did you think you could accomplish something?" She mocked, stalking over to the man, who had already climbed from the burning rumble. "That you actually stood a chance at me? Foolish boy, I am immortal. You will not win this."
"Misaki, run," Takahiro ordered, his eyes never leaving the beast. His own blood dripped from his sword arm to stain the ground below. "It isn't safe for you here. Run—now!"
"No!" Misaki shouted, coughing frantically from the intensity of the fire. "I'm not leaving without you!"
"Misaki, please," his brother begged, his voice overcome with grief. "Don't make this harder for me then it already is."
"But Nii-chan—"
"Go!"
Agony seeped through Misaki's veins, but he obeyed his brother nonetheless. After parting one last glance, he swallowed a sob before turning away from the scene, leaving everything behind him. It was terrible, running across the burning landscape. He was surprised he was able to process things so clearly. The fire engulfed everything around him, spreading its touch as though it were one giant furnace.
He felt the fires enclosing amongst his skin, but he determinedly kept his pace. He wouldn't worry about any of that, now. He just needed to get somewhere safe. His brother would want that for him.
"Nii-chan..." he whispered, feeling the stupid tears pooling down his cheeks.
Perilous fires greeted the teen, but up ahead, he witnessed the flashing colors of the forest. Frantically, he commenced his escape. To where that might be, he didn't know. All he knew was that he had to get out of here. There was nothing left for him here—nothing but death and heartbreak. He could feel the poisonous fumes that circled the air, crippling him blindly before he launched into the forest with full speed.
As he sprinted throughout the woodlands, his mind was bombarded with questions. Where would he go? Who would help him? He could barely see a few feet ahead of him! Who knew what was awaiting for him in these treacherous surroundings? He could hardly hold—
In the distance, a roar echoed over the trees.
Misaki's footwork shifted to a stop.
No... he thought, horror washing over him. This can't be happening!
It was the Grifyth. He recognized the intensity of that cry, for it could be heard for miles around. Yet that wasn't what caused the fear within him to flourish. The creature—it was calling its pack. And in return came the calls of its brethren...as though they were responding to the summons their Master demanded.
Terrified, the teen started to run. His bare feet slapping against the ground, slipping on the rocks and mud. Trees flashed by in a blur, branches and leaves scratching him, while his heart doubled over in dread. He could hear the sounds of the beasts ringing throughout the night, becoming more frenzied and primal with each move.
His toe hit something sharp, and it should've hurt, but his mind couldn't register the pain. He could only focus on planting one foot in front of the other, placing as much distance as he possibly could. He paid no mind to a sense of direction. Escaping was the only thing that mattered to him.
The wind was screaming, but he could still hear the dreadful sounds of his pursuers, echoing closer with each step. His breath rasped, his lungs burned, but he forced his body to keep going, knowing that if he'd stop for whatever reason, he would die.
Behind him, trees snapped, snarls echoed, and the frantic panting of the hungry beasts grew louder amongst his ears. Helplessness began to take its course, pulsing through him like a second heartbeat. He could feel those creatures getting closer, and the fear fueled through his body like poison. He couldn't fight this, he couldn't hide. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up.
And then a huge black creature burst from the trees on his right, snapping at him with its jaws. Before the teen could react, however, he felt a power striking against his side—and all of a sudden, he felt himself flying backwards, and then hearing the sickening crunch as his head crashed into the trees. The tree buckled, pieces of it shattering amongst the ground below him.
Misaki moaned, his breath coming out in shallow, deep rasps. He couldn't think. He couldn't process anything at all. The only concept distracting his mind was the burning pain that licked through his scalp like scorching fire. He could feel the blood pounding into his ears, his mind plundering into the onset of no return. It was as though he were encased in a world of pain, his movements intensifying with each step, jarring and brutal.
He fought the waves of sleeplessness that threatened to overwhelm him. No...there'd be none of that, now. He needed to get out of here. He needed to find a way to escape this wretched fate.
Why? Some part of him asked. It wasn't like he could move; the right side of his body was throughly broken. The thought of him trying to move was completely laughable.
Then, through the rustling of the trees, Misaki heard a noticeable sound in the distance. Curious, he opened his eyes before flickering his gaze towards the sight ahead of him.
And found himself meeting the gaze of six ravenous beasts.
The sight should have terrified him, should have rendered him into a whimpering puddle of goo. Yet for some reason, those thoughts didn't come to him. All he could think about was the lingering warmth of his brother. The happiness they would feel when resting in peace amongst the afterlife. It was obvious that Takahiro was dead—the teen didn't even deny that anymore. Yet the pain of that realization didn't hurt him as much as it should. After all, he would be joining him very soon, so what did it matter?
"There you are, human," one of them hissed, baring its teeth into a savage grin. "It's such a relief we've finally found you."
He could hear his brain screaming at him to run, but he ignored the warnings all the same. He could only stare at the creatures in detached fascination, watching the way their muscles rippled as they trailed even closer. He could feel the hotness of their breath washing over him, stinking of blood and rotten meat.
With a shriek, the demons pounced, and Misaki closed his eyes, hoping it'd be quick.
Hopefully that interested everyone. ^^
Yes, yes. I know stories like this have been written before, but I wanted to write my own version of it. I'm in love with these type of fics, and I've always dreamed of conceiving it into words.
Thank you all for reading. Hope to hear from you real soon. ^_~)/