Welcome to 'Angel Moon Rain'. This project will be the FINAL project I post here, on Fanfiction. This is originally being written for another site. I'm merely posting it out of here to test a theory of mine.
This is being written in the spirit of Kakumei, a Yuki/Shu adventure I composed once upon a time. As Kakumei received tremendous attention (and its insufferably difficult for anyone to be noticed in this place), I decided: you know, what the hey? I'll try this one out here, and see what happens.
Thank you. I don't own any of the characters, as you already know. Press on, kiddies.
Before the 12th of October, I was living in a dream.
Nothing could have been better. I was living in a kaleidescope, surrounded by all colors of the rainbow. Everything I touched sent off showers of gold, but not because of fame. I was so full of happiness, the world sang along with me. And I walked the steps of life, living in something I wanted to last forever. Living in a dream I had waited for, all of my life.
Before the 12th of October, I believed in fairy tales. I saw myself as a princess, madly in love with the world's best prince. I believed nothing could tear down my golden castle, for it had been built on a foundation of love. Love had formed its base, creating its walls and safe havens. I believed myself to be untouchable, walking through the halls of my castle and onto the stage.
Once the 12th of October hit, all of my dreams-which were false to begin with-fell apart.
I was foolish to believe in eternity, because it had never started. It never even existed for me. My heart died inside of my chest, tainted by everything I had dismissed: sadness, frustration, confusion. I've been cold ever since, seeing the anchor of my dreams in another's arms. Having my dreams fall apart, right there in the living room.
He was cold, but I did not care. To me, he was akin to glistening snowflakes, radiant with effervescent beauty. Now I see him for what he really is: a cold-hearted ogre. I walked in on him, hoping to end my life's storm, but that's how lightning struck. Lightning struck my heart, soul and voice.
It left me breathless as I watched, seeing him in another's arms.
He was distant, but I did not care. I merely made him out to be shy. Sweet. Cute. Frightened of the world around him, but always willing to explore in his own way. But now I know the truth. He wants to lock himself away. Away from me, and from the rest of the world. He doesn't want me. He doesn't love me.
He has a fuck buddy. Of all things, a fuck buddy.
I haven't seen him since. I don't want to see him.
I'm screaming his name, but I don't want to see him. He can rot in Hell, for all I care.
I am no longer Princess Shuichi. I'm actually Princess-on-Hold Shuichi. I consider myself to be in limbo until that bastard's erased from my memories, which probably won't be for a thousand years, but oh well. I won't mind the wait, and I'm sure my dream prince won't mind it either.
For right now, all dreams are on hold. I'm just busy trying to reconstruct reality.
"Caffe Caramel Frappuccino on the rocks! Extra whipped cream!"
Drinks were flying off the counter, all made in true Starbucks fashion. Merry customers swept their drinks into open arms, happy to hold such lovingly made concoctions. And on that particular morning, the world was rather bright. The sun was high, the winds were cool, and life's fragrances captivated all.
Two magicians were apart of the Starbucks experience, sitting across from one another. Despite their life's turbulent roller coasters, both men were able to smile. They were close, incredibly close, and able to jump over hurdles with the brightest of smiles. One half of the duo had his own frappuccino, savoring its chocolate topping. "This shouldn't come as a surprise," he said, eyes beaming with affectionate mischief. "but he's bouncing all over the place. Can't wait for our little shindig."
Claude K Winchester had just spoken about a certain singer, sharing his thoughts with Ark. Taking a sip of piping hot coffee, the brunette gave an exuberant smile. "Don't blame him. Out of every Bad Luck shindig, this one looks to be the best and the brightest. The costume party alone should rock the world."
"I feel like we've been planning a wedding," the blonde said, tapping his fingers on the table. "This is more than just a costume party. We've got an entire parade on our hands! An all-nighter!"
"You're right about the parade bit. We're getting a better turn-out than Disneyland. Every last one of their parades can't hold a candle to ours."
The Winchester's eyes became a pensive scholar's eyes. Whenever he spoke of his band mates, especially Shuichi, his words were laced in a parent's adoration. For that particular conversation, sorrow accompanied love in its poisonous glory. "Yeah, well, I'm glad he's still looking forward to it," he said, peering at nothing in particular. "After that stint at Yuki's house, I didn't think the show would go on. Didn't think he'd want to get out of bed for another three months."
"And miss Christmas? The happiest time of the year? Come on, K. That's Shu-chan's favorite holiday!"
"He still has his dreams. I thought he had lost all of them. Something just doesn't seem right, though."
A smile lit up Ark's face, and the entire cafe. "As always, you and I are on the same page."
"You think something's off about all of this too?"
"Sure the Hell do, kitten," the brunette replied, sitting back in his chair. "I mean, listen. Yuki's keeping a low profile, can't get anything out of Tohma or Mizuki...Shuichi randomly decided to walk in and found him with an alcoholic...nothing adds up. Two plus two comes out to be six, not four."
At that point, K had the face of a brokenhearted father. A father reluctant to face the reality. "So what? You think Yuki planned it all out?" he asked, sadness accompanied by the quest for answers. "And perhaps he bribed or paid off his informants, just to keep them silent?"
"We aren't dealing with the Mafia, K. Yuki doesn't need to bribe anyone, let alone Sir Seguchi or his publisher. All he has to do is ask for a favor."
With a sigh, K swept his eyes over the cafe's other customers. "I've suddenly lost my appetite," he moaned, running a hand over his face. "Just when I thought I could buy my way out of reality, equations are laid out on the table. And none of them make any sense."
"Math isn't really your thing, sweetheart. Not like its mine, either."
Neither of them spoke for what seemed like an eon, trapped in a void while others were submerged in the fragrance of coffee, pastries and pies. Their eyes sought answers, peace, completion, but none of those precious commodities were found. "I think he's in danger," the Winchester said, leaning forward-and shattering the strained silence. Ark leaned forward as well, wanting to hear everything the other had to say.
"What do you mean, 'think'? You're not one to make guesses."
"I don't know, Ark. I don't know if I'm trying to run from the truth, or if I'm taking shots in the dark. I don't know. I'm just getting this crappy, sinking feeling. Something might be wrong, and we're just sitting here, waiting for the worst to happen."
"You've been planning the Halloween concert, sitting with that tidbit on your mind?"
"I've been ignoring it for Shu-chan's sake, but I can't anymore. Not with everything out on the table."
"Should we-"
The remainder of Ark's sentence froze, lodged in his throat. The worried blonde had to answer his ringing cellphone, wondering if the call had come on cue. Seconds were no different from centuries-
"K here. Talk to me."
Chatter and coffee fragrances fell into oblivion. K's lover could only focus on K's voice, wondering where the call would lead them. Judging by the look on the blonde's face, the caller was anything but cheerful. "Time to boogie," the Winchester said, giving off a woeful smile. He rose from his seat, shoving paper piles and his netbook into a black knapsack.
"What's going on?"
"You'll find out, soon enough," Bad Luck's manager said, making his way towards the nearest exist. Awaiting the future with bated breath, Ark followed suit-hoping his beloved had just received a simple call to arms.
It was a call to arms, all right.
In the blink of an eye, a brunette found himself facing the horrid truth. With a hand clasped over his heart, he felt as if his life-giving organ had been ripped out of his chest.
How could he feel otherwise, looking at a website that promoted human trafficking?
It wasn't just any traffic, though. It was certified traffic, perfectly legal and one-hundred percent professional. Somehow, in one way or another, the Pearl Scythe Organization managed to sift through red tape. Its prime leader gave birth to his organization, accompanied by some of the most prominent businessmen known to date. And that same organization was at the head of things, stealing the wind of out several hearts-including Ark's.
In the blink of an eye, he and his lover ended up at Hiroshi Nakano's house-the house Shuichi Shindou had lived in for several days on end. Right on arrival, Shuichi's dearest friend provided both magicians with a strong clue to Eiri Yuki's whereabouts: the homepage to the Pearl Scythe Foundation. Sure, the blonde author was no longer a blonde, and cryptic tattoos were engraved on both arms, but it was him. Without a doubt.
And without a name.
"We're sure that isn't Tatsuha?" K asked, already aware of the answer. Searching for any way to escape reality, even if it happened to be through another nightmare. If the captive male wasn't Yuki, Shuichi would be fine, and everything would be okay. He and Ark would rescue Tatsuha, there would be a joyous family reunion, and that would be that.
Sadly, things weren't going to be that simple.
"We've got the dark hair, the eyes-"
"Tatsuha called a few minutes ago," the Nakano cut in fiercely, hand against his forehead. "He's on his way here. We've got Suguru, Mika and Tohma coming in too."
K shut his eyes. "So much for that 'get out of jail free' card. And here's my next question. How in the Hell did this happen? When did this happen?"
Hiro's eyes were darkened, holding great storms of fury and frustration. As he scanned the Scythe website, he spoke in a voice that held great distress. "According to Yuki's profile, he sold himself into the organization," the Nakano explained, taking his own report none too well. "Some creeps at a bar bought him off. And that's how he fell off the face of the Earth."
"Well, since somebody probably called our friends, we'll just hightail it down there," K's brunette supplied, referring to the police force and bar. Those words should've galvanized the Nakano into action, but they only served to fuel his heart's death. "Therein lies a dilemma," the younger brunette spoke, holding up a finger to emphasize his message.
"The Scythes are protected by the law's almighty powers!"
His only two comrades presented a question simultaneously. "Say what?"
"That's right, ladies and gentlemen! I did my homework, and according to my research, the Pearl Scythe Organization cannot be touched by any branch of the government! They're a legal business, able to perform all operations without hindrance!"
"Should've known this wasn't going to be easy," the Winchester sighed, folding his arms. "I'm not wasting any time in asking for locations, either. The site's probably in codes, isn't it?"
"Codes, riddles, puzzles, you got it. If we spoke Scythe, we'd know what 'Lotus' stands for."
"I'm still stuck on the invincibility part of this," Ark declared, pacing the living room. "What in the Hell is going on? What bastard bought out the entire police force?"
"Don't forget the rest of the government," the Nakano put in, speaking as if he merely added an item to the family grocery list. He rose out of his desktop chair with a weak smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "We've got the entire regime to deal with."
In K's eyes, the world was crumbling-skies, canyons, everything. All at once. "Fascinating," he groaned, forming a look halfway between a scowl and smile. "Nothing made sense at the beginning, and now we've got a disaster on our hands. Apparently, our beloved Yuki felt cheerful enough to throw himself into the lion's den."
"I think I would've preferred suicide," Ark growled, his eyes holding tremendous anguish. "No one knows if he's coming out of this. What now?"
The Winchester made an attempt to smile, rubbing his hands together. "I'm off to see the Princess. Where is he?"
Hiro was just as thrilled as his manager, giving off the same kind of smile. "On my balcony. And yes, he knows. He knows exactly what we know."
"Fabulous. While I hope to see the Princess in one piece, you merry men of mine can contact the proper authorities. I don't know if you should alert them of a celebration, or of a nightmare. Do what you wish, but Hiro? I really wish you hadn't let Shuichi onto your balcony. Let's keep our wits about us, children."
Without another word, K performed a bow and vanished up Hiro's stairs. After a moment of silence, a smiling Hiro turned to Ark and asked:
"So! Still wearing your Superman get-up to the concert?"
"What concert?" Ark asked, with an equally goofy smile. Both men burst into chuckles-
Suppressing the urge to do something completely different.
The Princess was also suppressing the urge to break down-and jump off his best friend's balcony.
One of his loyal knights found him in silent reflection. Winds coursed through long blonde tresses and pink locks, trying to comfort two rattled souls. Bad Luck's Princess had buried his face in his hands, but removed them once a familiar face approached. And with a heavy heart, the precious singer turned to meet his manager. Neither of them spoke for a short moment, allowing the winds to speak for them.
Sometimes, emotions didn't require words.
K's eyes were soft pearls, wrapped in silken compassion. "How did it happen?" he asked, voice softer than a feather. Shuichi presented him with a smile, but an unmistakably weak one. One riddled with-
Well, tears.
"I don't know, to tell you the truth. Can't remember too much of this morning, 'cause it's all a blur. It just happened."
The Winchester smiled, wrapping an arm about the other's shoulders. Both sets of eyes were laden with a violent storm, but a father wanted to comfort his child.
"I see. And what are you thinking?"
Shuichi's voice was quiet, and seemingly calm, but filled with enough sorrow to break a nation's heart. "This is all my fault," he replied, peering straight into the other's eyes.
"All of it. If I had just...just waited. If I had done something differently, none of this would have happened. And here's what kills me. He gave himself away!"
K tried to stop the tears, but couldn't. As his heart shattered into a million pieces, listening to his singer's sorrow, Shuichi cast his arms around him. "He threw himself away," he wept, pouring all of his pain into every teardrop. "He's gone and I don't know what to do!"
Bad Luck's manager didn't know how to counter-attack the situation, but he knew what he had to do at that moment. As Bad Luck's Princess wept, head buried in the Winchester's chest, K caressed the sobbing singer's back.
As he did so, blueprints were formed deep within his mind.