Judais POV
It's been a few days since I arrived here, Johan has shown me around. I've met all the merchants and children in this small town he calls home. Everyone that has seen me has recognized me as Judai. When they try to point it out I smile and correct them saying my name is Jaden none of them believe me but Johan is the only one I care about hiding it from.
He still hasn't found out my secret
Either that or he knows it and is pretending not to… part of me says he's just blunt as hell but I know I should be careful. I know he's not as stupid as he lets on, so how doesn't he understand? I've heard from a few people that he doesn't hate the king, that gives me another great reason to hide behind the name Jaden. Every time I ask why the villager I ask looks at me sadly and says
'His dear older brother was sent to the court of Haou a while back… we keep telling him that his brother is dead but he won't believe us. He always says "Haou-sama would never hurt my brother! If he was dead I would know"' then they go back to whatever they were doing while I wait for Johan to come back. Another thing I've noticed is the lack of children here. I've only seen two the entire time, and their the two that had originally found me. Kyoko and Haku. This place was full of teenagers like Johan, asuka, and I, but there were only about 20 adults in the whole place! Apparently Haou had called a mass army change by having one member of each family that was over 25 join. Unlike most armies it didn't matter if the person was male or female Haou just wanted a stronger army. I couldn't help but feel pity to these humans for all the horrible things that Haou had done. I had been mulling this over about a million times in my head as I walked through town. I always seemed to walk back to that spot Johan had shown me… it was truly beautiful… I climbed up in the tree till I was high in it and nearly invisible due to the leaves. I closed my eyes and drifted into a shallow sleep.
"Come on asuka! I have a letter to show you!" the musical sound of Johans voice woke me up. Ok so I was sorta kinda easdropping on their conversation… so what! I was here first so I don't think it counts
"Ok! Ok!" Asukas voice followed up. I heard the bodies of my friends collapse onto the soft grass of the hill. Johan began eagerly
"Dear little bro," my eyes widened. His brother was alive "I have great news! The king is sending me to your village to help in the search for the missing servant Judai yuki." my happiness evaporated into panic as Johan continued "apparently Haou's clone has gotten free again and still hasn't been found. I will arrive tomorrow to search the village, Haou won't mind if I hang there a while before I leave. If you find this clone please restrain him from running away until I get there.
See ya soon, Jehu"
Jehu.
Saying this was bad would be an understatement
I was 100% screwed
Jehu was haou's personal guard and the one who normally gave me my punishments for running away. What I didn't understand was how those two could possibly be related. I mean… they look like they could be twins but Johan was nice and sweet and funny and selfless –cough- ill just stop there. And Jehu was vicious sadistic malicious and perverted… I could run away from here… but… I don't want to leave… I don't know whether asuka will be on my side for being in major trouble or Johans side, because this is his chance to see and impress his brother… I was so worried that they'd turn on me… they were the only friends I'd ever had… I still had a day right? I could still decide to escape before Jehu got here… Asukas laughing pulled me from my thoughts.
"To bad they won't find this 'Judai' kid" I felt a smile creep over my lips at Asukas words. She wasn't planning on abandoning me… my shoulders relaxed against the wood of the tree
"Maybe we could ask Jaden!" I heard him get to his feet "after all he is from the kingdom! Maybe on his way here he saw the clone!" asuka smiled
"Sure! You go look for him. I have to get some herbs then I'll catch up!" Johan nodded and ran off. I felt like crying. So much for being treated like a human… if Jehu finds me here tomorrow Johan will know I'm not even real. Not to mention I'll be dragged back to the castle for a new punishment… one again Asuka was the one to pull me from my thoughts
"Judai, you can come down now." She said solemnly. I swung down from my branch and landed gracefully on my feet.
"You seem to know absolutely everything about me. How did you figure out I was in that tree?"
"Women's intuition. That's not important now. What is important is getting you to a hiding spot for tomorrow. If jehu finds you its all downhill from there" I looked up at her sadly
"I know Jehu… he's horrible… how is he even related to Johan?" she smiled a bit
"Believe it or not around here he was just like Johan, Always smiling and helping people… but the king called him to the castle and that must be where he became the Jehu you know…"
"So I'm hiding till he leaves? Asuka you know that he could be here for a few weeks!" asuka bit her lip trying to decide what to do.
"I guess all I can do is bring you food. Just hide in the forest ok? I promise ill do all I can to make sure you're free by the time Jehu leaves" I nodded a bit hoping that this wouldn't be the end to my happiness
~authors notes~
Chara: I'm so late!
Haruka: yeah you said the new chapter would be up like last week.
Chara: I know…
Haruka: oh! And important announcement! Chara has reopened the poll on her page! Please vote! There are new choices!
Johan: why am I playing the stupid one?
Chara: now now Johan you're playing the blissfully unaware one.
Haruka: oh! And by the way! I know well get questions about Jehu. So if you're curious read the first chapter over again.
Chara: I will not answer questions that have the word Jehu in them!
Judai: it's time for charas malice corner! *cough* I mean review corner!
Seme Judai: I have sent you a private message replying to your review
Luving randomness: Johan may finally see the truth in the next chapter *various oooooos sound from behind her* DUN DUN DUN. And I might pair asuka up with manjoume later in the story!
Dgm-mega fan: thanks ^^
Chrisandersenyuki: I love that paring to! But sadly… no one writes it and I have no ideas for it T.T
Heartofhate1014: I don't think they'll be dating any time soon….
Haruka: yeah Johans blunt as hell and Judai may be found out in the next chapter
Chara: 'May' is the keyword!
4evadaydreamer: your reviews are always so fun to read!
Haruka: um… look at the title of the story
Chara: and I'm sorry to say it could affect their relationship like… a lot.
Avatarjasmin: thanks!
