Emerge

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'Something cannot emerge from nothing'. - Frank Hubert

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Where was he taken to? He could not see his path. He could not feel either hunger or fear. His eyes were shut. He could not understand who blind folded him, or how long had he been flying. Because all his senses were telling him that he has left the earth long ago.

Supposedly you could measure your time, what importance it has whether there has passed 5 hours or just 3 minutes. It is irrelevant.

From the day he was crowned king he had never wished for anything other than the good of his people. And now, he could feel himself becoming selfish again, like he had never been in his youth. It was enough for just a smile to appear on stern features and a soft voice to whisper his name, and he knew he would break any rule. It was rather confusing. Not that he was that careful or wise. Tezuka proved to be more logical and prudent, a combination between intelligence and judgment, and sometimes in discrepancy with his own demeanor. Wasn't that what drives people to journey towards each other? His lack of patience and awareness of his highness made him sometimes insufferable and proud.

Just like that once, he had refused to receive his wanderer, because he indulged himself a sword fight with his lieutenant. He remembers even now the punishment inflicted by the older man. The next time Tezuka came to their usual meeting; he didn't bring anything with him and didn't talk to him like he usually would have. He had just stared at him disapprovingly, as if their roles had been reversed. Tezuka was not afraid to show him that he did not care if Ryoma was the king, that he treated him as an equal. He should have thrown Tezuka in the darkest dungeons, had he not enjoyed the challenge.

Far were the days when he would look down on his traveler. Further the ones when they shared a mere curiosity for each other. He would not admit, but for some months now his thoughts had been filled with dark-brown eyes and hardly visible smiles.

He was just powerless against a future he didn't know. Everything was less certain. What was Tezuka for him? Were they destined to always seek for each other? To long desperately for just one more encounter? He had never dreamt of wanting to see someone alive and safe, this much. Even when he closed his eyes he could evoke entire conversations he had had with Tezuka, silent gatherings without any of them uttering a single sound, skin so soft on his embrace. He would never get tired of Tezuka's presence or smell, even there gagged and lashed; it was a memory he would not surrender that easily to those who took him prisoner.

When you find yourself free from any measurement of time, what is that you wish for?

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Glasses had fallen at an odd angle. Eyes open unfocussed. What had happened? When? Why? How?

Tezuka was lying on the ground, thinking…His body ached all over, he could hardly feel his left hand. None the less if it was still in his power to stand up, he will. He pushed back every pain, every uncertainty and all misgivings, thus everything that was human inside him and knelt on the ground, levering himself on two feet.

Only then did he open his eyes, set his glasses in place and looked. What he saw made him twin his mouth into a thin line. All the remaining citizens were still lying numb on the ground, between cracks and rifts of the earth, as lifeless as though right there they were compelled to sleep.

He should make sure they were still alive. However, in that moment another memory sliced through his mind like a flash. What had happened? He asked himself over again. His short-term memory must have been erased due to the impact.

He wouldn't turn around. Not because he was afraid or for some misguided superstition, after all he knew very well what lay there. He just couldn't make himself abandon these people. Though they were complete strangers to him, he could not forget Ryoma's statement 'Che, so they are unhappy'. He had been unable to prove him wrong, for what human being does nor encounter on his journey hardness or misfortune? He should have left him at least one hope, yet, he uttered the truth alone, since Ryoma had put his trust in him.

He realized that there were few who were seriously hurt. Many had dislocated their shoulder, others suffered from shock, or burns. Numerous had cut themselves with stones. He treated them with stoicism, gentle and quietly. Being always on the move had taught him many things, from tending wounds to cooking. It was due to their king that he knew the language.

His mouth twitched a little upwards. He caught himself smiling, which was rather unusual. It took more than a thought to crumble his expressionless face. He believed he knew himself quite well, so why was he becoming lighter and anxious whenever his thoughts would swirl to Ryoma?

It was just the tightness in his chest, like it could catch his breath in his throat. When he was in Ryoma's presence he seemed to be a thief trapped in the treasure's chamber, never able to break free again. Then when he was away from him it was as if he was flying free above the clouds, utterly alone and cold. He wanted to be selfish, to erase all the lines between them. He needed to be Ryoma's equal, friend, if nothing more.

Ryoma had taught him more than a language He shared with him his silence, which was entirely a language of the soul. He had taught him how to smile, unwittingly giving him a purpose in life.

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The light was heading north, as if some invisible hand was alluring it without purpose, just to abandon it eventually. All the same, it travelled through storms or clear sky, swaying like a snake in its pursue to catch a pray. It had been created before all, and now was subdued by a race inferior to it. Kings. Knights. Elves. Warriors. All had tamed it; all had travelled due to its power, crossing universes.

The last four survivors of the Racket's Race were discussing the fate of their prisoner, Echizen Ryoma. If the legend was to be fulfilled then they should head to Shindler to where Tezuka was still waiting. Still, one of them was totally opposing the idea. He possessed royalty manners, thus the others had to completely agree.

"Ore-sama does not think that obeying the scripts will bring the salvation of our planet!"

"Why is that, Atobe? It's their destiny to be reunited after all."Yukimura smiled serenely, while trying to convince their leader.

"I already told you, Yukimura, they shouldn't be together, it's against our laws!" Atobe proved his point.

"Sanada, help me! He won't listen to me!" Yukimura pleaded mockingly.

Sanada, who was only listening with a poker face in place, turned to him and shook his head disapprovingly.

"At least you Fuji, you should understand this better than any of us." Yukimura grinned and winked at Fuji.

"Saa, if we don't allow them to be together, they will find another time. In another life they probably are already." Fuji smiled with his eyes closed.

Sanada thought that where Yukimura failed, Fuji would succeed. He could be very scary sometimes.

"Are you saying Ore-sama doesn't have a say in this matter?" Atobe said with wide eyes. It was a first for him to just stay and wait for things to happen without his consent.

"Remember Atobe, even you have your limits." Sanada deadpanned.

"And even though we will not allow this now, there will be a future when we may not have a choice." Yukimura smiled sadly looking at Sanada from the corners of his eyes.

"All right! All right! Ore-sama will permit them to reunite!" Atobe reluctantly said.

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Ryoma was already asleep when this argument took place, so he was deprived of the good news. So when he was released he had to rub twice his eyes to convince himself he wasn't still dreaming. The first thing he saw was a big fancy throne with a man all dressed in white clothes, whom resembled a monkey due to its mole.

"I see you have finally woken up, brat!" Atobe addressed to the peasant that was on his knees at his feet.

"Eeeh, who are you calling a brat, Monkey King!" Ryoma was obviously being his bratty self again.

"Show some respect! He is our last ruler the Great Atobe." said Sanada, while lifting Ryoma from the ground with one hand.

Ryoma scowled. Wasn't used to being ordered around and since he was a king himself, he should receive the same respect.

"Listen, Monkey King you're mada mada dane!" Ryoma smirked defiantly.

"Calm down Echizen-kun, we have no time to discuss your authority. Though, isn't he cute,, Sanada" Yukimura said smiling at Sanada.

"Maa, I'd say he has already befriended Atobe. Anyway, don't you want to see Tezuka one more time?" Fuji opened his eyes and looked a little too serious.

When Ryoma heard Tezuka's name, he turned his head from the annoying king, to another teen with brown hair and sapphire eyes.

"What do you know about Tezuka?" Ryoma asked with authority.

"I'll tell you only if you were to listen to our king and the story he has to tell to you afterwards" Fuji said closing his eyes again.

"Fair enough." Ryoma said hardly containing his happiness.

"Tezuka is in Shindler, waiting for you to come. We will let you to the harbor." Yukimura took Fuji's words out of his mouth.

"But why should I trust you? Ryoma asked.

"Because brat, we also need you two for our survival" Atobe revealed.

Ryoma was speechless at that. He was really curious to know what that was all about. But first thing, first. He really wanted to see Tezuka right now.

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The wounded people were all thankful that Tezuka had passed though their city at that time, otherwise, they would have been lost, they thought. It never occurred to them that it was because Tezuka had been there that everything had happened.

It wan't chance that led Tezuka to that city. He was bound to reunite with Ryoma.

What does it mean to really see? If with two eyes you fail to notice the obvious, then why look?

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The light landed on the harbor. Ryoma scurried out of it with the four on his tail. He could not understand why his heart pounded so loud, or how could he be so happy to see his traveler. Yet, it was something he had felt some other times too. When Tezuka had looked straight at him with his brown eyes. Or was it when he first realized that Tezuka meant much more to him?

Tezuka was turned around, his brown hair disheveled, in total disarray, blowing in the wind. His clothes were dirty and he was bleeding from his left arm. And was still waiting…For him…All this time….

How can you not cry when you see your loved one?

It was the most logical thing to do; he let his tears well down his face, while smiling like never before. They were tears of joy. And he knew Tezuka would understand. He stepped forward and embraced the tall man.

Tezuka froze. He had been too lost in thoughts to notice the commotion from the harbor. He turned slightly to see who was behind him. When he saw Ryoma, he couldn't believe his eyes. Was it possible, had Ryoma finally left the palace after so much time? How had he arrived there? There were so many questions running in his mind for miles.

Ryoma stared at him, but eventually let go. Wasn't he happy to see me? Apparently not. He sighed, he wanted desperately to see Tezuka, but he was the only one.

Tezuka observed Ryoma looking away from him now. Had he done something wrong?

Only then he observed the four companions of Ryoma. They approached them and introduced themselves. Fuji who witnessed their situation, took Tezuka aside and told him how happy Ryoma had been to finally meet him again, and that he did not see how much he cared about him? Yukimura giggled, knowing what Fuji was about.

Tezuka looked at him in disbelief. How can Ryoma care about him?