Shwdlight: Hey, I'm back with chapter 2! Even though there isn't that many reviews but oh well. On with the story!
Disclaimer: Again, I do not own Kyou Kara Maou, so there!
Dreams of Amber
Chapter 2: Meeting and Dilemma
"The train to Akihabara is leaving in 5 minutes. Please ensure..."
Yuri almost hopped around in his excitement as he craned his neck over the sea of heads, searching for any signs of his elusive cousin. Murata watched on with concealed amusement in his eyes.
"Gee, Shibuya, jumpy much?"
Yuri deliberately ignored him in favour of continuing his search while trying not to get trampled by the rush hour crowd. His left foot stung at the memory of being stepped on by a woman with a pair of 6-inch killer heels. Twice. 'That really hurts! Women could kill with those shoes on!' Yuri visibly winced as his mind supplied him with many...unpleasant scenarios.
So deep in thought, he almost didn't notice as Murata joined him in his search. "So, what does your cousin look like? You didn't mention."
Yuri put a hand to his chin, trying to remember what little information his mother could give him, which isn't much, "Well, the last time Mum saw him was at my uncle's funeral. She said that he has black hair, the nicest eyes she has ever seen, and that he looks utterly adorable." He sighed, "That's all I could get out of her before she started squealing about how cute we both are."
Murata chuckled, "Glad to see she hasn't changed."
"Yeah, I know." Yuri said as he recalled his mother's sad features with regret in her eyes and shaking it away as soon as it came. "Though that isn't really going to make finding my cousin any easier. All she said was that I would know when I see him."
"Wow, your cousin is getting more mysterious by the minute." Murata commented.
Yuri nodded absent-mindedly as questions he had suppressed since yesterday started to resurfaced, giving him a headache as thousands of them flitted through his mind faster than he could grasp them. 'I wonder what my cousin looks like; Mum said she didn't have any pictures of my uncle's family and those that she does have is only that of them in their childhood days.' A handsome boy of twelve with dark, chocolate-brown hair tied into a short ponytail and earthy-brown eyes with green tints in them that showed nothing but warmth and kindness (and a hint of mischief, he mused) appeared in Yuri's mind. 'It's too bad I can't get to know him. He seems like a nice uncle to have. This brings back to my cousin. What is he like? Is he going to be unfriendly? How am I supposed to act around someone I have not seen in 12 years let alone talk?!' Only two words ran through Yuri's mind then.
Oh shit.
"Calm down, Shibuya." Murata said with slight humour as he watched Yuri's face going paler by the second. "There's no point in panicking now. Let's just hope that everything will turn out alright, okay?" Murata laid his hand on Yuri's shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
Yuri sighed for what seemed the umpteenth time and nodded, tossing a small grateful smile towards Murata.
"Thanks, I needed that. I don't know what I'll do without you."
"You'll probably worry yourself to death and if Gunter and Wolfram gets wind of it, I'll never hear the end of it. I'm saving my eardrums and my sanity." Murata said with a grin.
Yuri's eyebrow twitched but decided not to pummel his best friend. Instead he looked back at the diminishing crowd. It was then he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Excuse me, Yuri Shibuya?"
Startled, both turned to find a boy standing behind them, staring at them with calculating intensity. His shoulder-length black hair shone emerald under the light of the mid-morning sun like a halo, his bangs framing his pale face delicately. His face was sharp and angular, giving off a feminine look. Eyes of beautiful golden amber that showed innocence with a hard edge around it was what caught their attention the most, with its cat-like quality and the emotions flickering through it openly at a very fast pace before closing off completely. Dressed in a sleeveless white shirt with a design of a black dragon wrapped around his torso that hugged his lean, slim figure perfectly, a pair of black leather pants with intricate silver patterns sewn at the sides and a pair of silver and red sneakers, he is definitely one to stand out in a crowd. Already there were stares thrown their way, a gaggle of school girls giggling and blushing at the sight of the cute, effeminate-looking boy.
A cough from said boy brought Yuri out of his stupor. He immediately held out his hand, his face flushed in embarrassment at being caught staring, at his own cousin, too! "Y-Yeah, t-that would be m-me. U-Umm.....Haru right?" Yuri asked, berating himself mentally for stuttering like that.
Haru looked at the outstretch hand, a brief flash of uncertainty- too brief for Yuri to be sure- passing through his large, ember eyes before he grasped his hand and give it a quick but firm shake. After that, he let go and gave Yuri a curious and wary stare, awaiting his next move.
A little flustered and confused at his cousin's behaviour, Yuri tried to make small talk to break the tense atmosphere.
"So, twelve years huh...."
"Yes."
"You know, you can just call me Yuri. No need for formalities since we're family now."
"Alright."
"Everybody else is busy at the moment but you would get to see them by dinner time. Especially Shori! He's my big brother."
"Ah."
"Oh, this is my best friend, Ken Murata. Murata, meet Haru."
"Hey, how's it going?"
Haru only nodded his head in acknowledgement towards Murata then looked away. Put off at Haru's lack of social skills, Yuri searched the nearby area for something. "Hey, where's your luggage, Haru-kun?"
Haru shrugged a small knapsack that Yuri failed to notice onto his shoulder, "Right here."
"That's it?" Yuri couldn't help but stare incredulously at the small knapsack. It doesn't seem to be able to hold much of anything, let alone some clothes.
Haru raised an eyebrow in response.
Yuri sighed in defeat, "Oh, alright then. Let's go."
Walking behind Haru some distance away towards the entrance, Murata let out a long, low whistle.
"Whew, this person's like an ice block. He makes even the most anti-social in my school seemed friendly."
"I'm sure he has a reason," Yuri reasoned even though deep down he agree with Murata. He stared at Haru's retreating back and added softly, "Probably something about his past...."
Murata eyed him critically from the corner of his eye, his expression unreadable.
"Past or not, we must not let our guard down. This cousin of yours has a strange aura around him."
Yuri looked back and forth between Haru and Murata, speechless and was about to open his mouth before Murata held up his hand in a sign to let him continue. Yuri closed his mouth and nodded, his expression that of worried concern.
"I cannot identify it, something or someone is preventing me from doing so. I might need Ulrike's help with this. But in the meantime, be careful. We do not know whether it will pose any danger to you or anyone yet." Murata said carefully while watching closely at Haru as he hailed a nearby cab.
Yuri opened his mouth once more before closing it, heaving out a weary sigh. He knows that Murata means well but he didn't want to tip-toe around Haru constantly. Deep down, he wanted to know him, to know the mysterious and complex person that is Haru himself. Something about Haru just draws him in, despite his cold demeanour, and he suddenly had this urge to protect him. 'What is it? Why do I feel like this all of a sudden? To care...to protect someone I barely know....Is it because he is my cousin? Related by blood?' Yuri thought his mind and emotions in turmoil. 'Who are you really, Haru?'
Yuri and Murata waited at the entrance, watching as Haru talked to the cab driver. Finally, Yuri said, "Alright, I'll try to be on the alert but," He gave Murata a determined look, "I will not treat him any differently because of it, and neither do you. He is my cousin and I will do everything in my power to protect him if needed."
'Spoken like a true Maou.' Murata mused. He then smiled and said, "It's your call, heika."
Yuri grimaced. "Don't call me that!" he hissed. Murata laughed.
Haru glanced up then, "Coming?"
"Yeah, be right there!"
THWACK!
"Great job, Shibuya!"
"Thanks!"
Ebony black hair glistened with sweat as it dripped down Yuri's neck. It has been a week since his cousin's arrival and well....let's just says it was really awkward. His mum and dad welcomed him warmly enough, as if he was already part of the family. His mum squealed and hugged him so tightly he almost turned blue. His dad had to pry his mum off before he suffocated to death. Shori watched the whole scene from the doorway, looking amused yet wary and suspicious at the same time. 'Looks like those feelings were reciprocated as well.' Yuri thought dryly as he remembered how his cousin was tensed and stiff when he was introduced to Shori, his eyes betraying his caution, suspicion and curiosity. Dinner on the other hand, was a silent affair. Well, as silent as can be with Mum around. But he noticed how Haru barely said a word, only talking in one or two sentences when asked. They learned quickly not to ask about his past, as even the slightest mention of it will make his back go rigid and he would stare stonily ahead, his lips set in a thin, hard line.
Yuri swings his bat distractedly, thinking about how his cousin fared this whole week. 'He's certainly quiet. He's polite when Mum, Dad or Shori spoke to him, saying only one or two short sentences, three if we're lucky. His expression, his whole personality seems so cold, as if he had never experience a shred of warmth in his life, pushing others away and yet...'
----Flashback----
"Haru! It's dinner time!"
No answer.
'Mou, where could he be?' Yuri thought as he walked around his housing area. He saw movement up ahead and as he got closer he recognize that stooped form as Haru. He was about to call out when he took in the scene.
Haru was feeding a small kitten with a small bowl of milk, an empty bottle beside him. The small kitten lapped up every last drop, licked itself clean before rubbing its soft white fur against Haru's leg. Haru's lips stretched into a soft smile, his eyes showing warmth and....a little loneliness. He scooped the kitten into his arms, scratching its head as it purred.
Yuri watched Haru's smile for a moment longer, before leaving quietly towards home.
----End Flashback----
'What was that I saw back then? That smile....for a moment I saw my uncle in him. A side of him I've never seen, that means he's been hiding himself behind a mask, not showing his true self. But why? Is he afraid? Of what? His past? If so, who is he truly? And-,'
"SHIBUYA! WATCH OUT!!"
"Huh?"
THUD!
"OW!!"
Murata sighed, "Hold still."
Yuri and Murata were sitting on a bench in the park, Yuri sporting a small bruise on his forehead while Murata checked the extent of the injury.
"Okay, it isn't serious thankfully, considering you were hit with a baseball," Murata peered at him closely , "What were you thinking about out there?"
"Nothing." Yuri replied, a little too quickly.
Murata's cocked an eyebrow, showing his disbelief and was about to ask further when another voice cut in.
"Yuri-san? Murata-san?"
Both of them glanced up to see Haru looking at them curiously. He was wearing a green and orange striped, collared T-shirt, along with faded blue jeans and white trainers. Yuri saw how his eyes had trailed over to the visible bump on his forehead, before looking back at him questioningly (Yuri swore he saw a flash of concern there.) with his large, (beautiful, Yuri added mentally.) golden-amber eyes.
"Just Yuri would do, Haru. Out for a walk?" Yuri asked. Haru nodded, narrowing his feline eyes at the bump as if saying, 'Explain.'
Yuri chuckled sheepishly, feeling embarrassed, "It's nothing, really. I just...err...got hit by a stray fast ball."
Haru looked at him blankly, then let out a small, lilting bell-like laugh, causing the other two to go into shock. 'Whoa, did he just laughed?' both thought together.
Yuri watched, amazed as his cousin continued laughing at his expense and then smiled. 'Is he coming out from his shell? He should laugh more often though, he has a nice laugh. And an adorable smile. Gods, I'm starting to sound like Mum!' Yuri shooked his head fervently to shake off that train of thought. Fortunately, his actions went unnoticed.
Haru's laughter finally subsided into light snickers, amusement evident in his eyes, " Hit by a baseball? Yuri-san, you've gotten careless."
Yuri crossed his arms defensively, pouting. "It's Yuri. And I was just distracted for a minute." he muttered.
Haru raised an eyebrow at that. "Careless." he repeated. Yuri just pouted. Murata chuckled.
"Anyway, I'm getting some ice-cream. Do you both want some?" Yuri asked as he stood up, walking backwards to look at them.
"Sure, Shibuya. But I don't think you should-," Murata started
"Yuri-san! Behind you!"
"Huh?"
The back of his knees hit the edge of the fountain that he had walked to unknowingly, falling into it with a loud splash.
As he felt the familiar pull, he thought, 'Here we go again.' He thought he heard something and felt a faint tug at his sleeve but he ignored it as he was once again transported into the demon world.
Yuri broke through the water's surface, taking a large gulp of air into his lungs. 'Isn't there a better way to travel other than water?' Disgruntled at his state, he looked around, recognizing his surroundings. 'Looks like I landed in Shinou's temple.' He heard a splash nearby and knew that Murata had tag along as well. "Looks like autumn is here." Murata commented, squeezing the excess water out of his hair.
"N-no k-k-kidding. I-it's fre-freezing!" Yuri shivered, his teeth chattering in the cold. His wet condition isn't helping matters at all.
"Don't worry. They should be here right about....."
"Heika!"
"Your Majesty! Oh thank goodness you're back."
"Yuri, you wimp! What took you so long? You better not have cheated on me, you flirt!"
"Now." Murata grinned as the voices grew louder.
Yuri sighed. He seem to be doing that a lot lately. "Nothing like home, huh?" He looked up as a shadow loomed over him, smiling at the figure. "Hey, Conrad. I'm back."
Conrad returned the smile, wrapping a blanket around Yuri as Gunter fussed in the background. "Welcome back, heika."
Yuri frowned. "How many times must I tell you, you're my godfather. You gave me my name so call me by it." he mock chided.
Conrad gave his signature, calm smile. "I'm sorry, Yuri."
Yuri smiled again, looking at the people that he has come to cared for. 'Looks like everyone is here. Even Gwendal.' he noted with surprise.
"Your Majesty, you should get inside! You might catch a cold!" Gunter wailed as he wrapped Yuri with more blankets.
"Hey! Get your paws of my fiancé!" Wolfram fumed.
"Y-Yuri-san?"
Everyone froze at the unfamiliar voice (well, familiar in Yuri's and Murata's case) and quickly took up protective stances in front of their king, hands on their sword hilts while searching for the source of that voice. It came from the temple fountain Yuri just stepped out of. Yuri and Murata exchanged looks of shock and probably a little horror on Yuri's part, before turning around slowly to the owner of said voice.
'Please, oh please tell me that is not who I think it is...' Yuri prayed.
Yuri's prayer went unanswered though, as there standing in the middle of the fountain looking for all the world like a lost, drenched kitten who is shivering from the cold is none other than his cousin, Haru Shibuya, confused as he took in the foreign surroundings and back at Yuri again.
Oh shit.
Well, that's all. Please read and review!