Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Wow where do I start? I do not own the rights to any of the characters in this story. The characters are taken from a group of fantastic manga/amines which include Kyo Kara Maoh, Gravitation, and Descendants of Darkness, Naruto, Tsubasa and Yugioh. Thanks.
Recap: "Mokena let the reluctant guest into the witch's chambers. Her eyes pierced his soul, yet they were gentle and beckoned him to relax. Yuko lifted her hand and with the longest fingers he'd ever seen she directed him to a lounge chair that was a small version of the long love seat she was lying on. The robes drapes in folds over slender curves and her black hair cut at odd angles hit the floor.
"Come in my dear, I've been expecting you."
Chapter 12: The Wish
Joey still in shock from the almost rape, just could not get a grip on life's direction. He had great friends but in matters of the heart his life was a complete mess. Yuko looked into his stress filled face and her heart bled. Often the victims were just like sand in the wind, people passing in the night, but this boy was special, she cared.
"Sake!!!" she screamed, Yuko was very tired it had been a long night of love sick morons. Down in the lower rooms of her castle she played host to a very unusual couple, Azure Kite and Malik to be exact. The two had been battling the strangest of emotions and one of them identified it as love. The other as a strange beep, that caused his circuits to go off line. Sometimes when the other was around his stitches would come undone, much to his shame.
"That's feelings for me you backwater A.I.!" screamed Malik.
"No, I think you're just doing it on purpose. I don't like you. You're insane!" screamed Azure Kite.
Domeki was in charge of this case because insane, lovesick, confused boys were his specialty. After all he worked with Watanuki every day. "Hey, you two get a life," he spoke at the silly boys in a loud monotone. 'This is going to be a long night . . .' He thought. With little hesitation he snatched Azure Kite's hand then Malik's. With a short sigh he linked their hands together.
Silence ensued in the lower room.
Yuko took the Sake and her thoughts returned to the present guest, Joey.
"Come here, little one. It's been a long night for you and the road you've traveled has been longer." With a wave of her hand she motioned him again to sit down. Tears filled Joey's eyelids and the water in them was deep enough to drown your sorrows. Aside from his broken heart his body hurt as well. The image of the drunks still floated around in his mind and he squeezed his eyes tightly to wash the horror away.
"You'll need to do more than that, little one." Yuko purred her voice musical and husky.
'Can she read my mind?' thought Joey. 'Well, I better be careful . . . shit I don't care anymore.' He lowered his head and forced the tears back inside his heart.
"Watanuki, bring our guest some sweets and Sake! Mokena bring a fresh robe and washing bowl . . . scent it with rose petals and chamomile leaves . . . . . Where are those little imps, Moro and Maru hiding?" called Yuko. The house burst into life at Yuko's commands, even the inanimate objects came to life, bouncing colors and figures off the walls and table tops.
"Coming, coming . . . ." they called, what appeared to be two little girls danced in with clean clothes, washing materials, and entertainment. Moro sang while Maru washed his hands and feet. They changed positions and Moro dressed him while Maru finished the song. In five minutes Joey was settled in and feeling better.
"Mmm. . . . I just love sake from the south, it is so refreshing. Wouldn't you agree little one." Yuko lit a long black kiseru encrusted with diamonds, and drain the last of her cup before calling Watanuki for another bottle. Yuko was in the mind for a sake bomb tonight, sake and beer mixed together, yes!
Joey just looked inside the cup filled with sake, almost waiting for someone to read his fortune from the leaves painted on the inside of the china; he picked at the sweet cakes. His mind was miles away. "Ahh . . . yes," the smile was forced on Joey's face. He had never been so filled with woe.
"Honestly, you've not even touched a drop. . . Now we can't waste such good sake. . ." The red-eyed witch reached for his cup and drained it at once. "Mmm . . . more sake."
"Maybe I should go. I'm not so sure I should be here." Joey felt miserable. Images of Seto and his bride with no face danced in his line of vision. He couldn't breathe.
"Oh, my little one, I haven't been a good host." Yuko magically commanded his attention. It was not that she wanted to grant his wish, because most of her clients did not realize what they desired. Matters of the heart were the worst. Only Yuko knew if he would be making a mistake, but it was not here desire to interfere. That was the true power of her wishes.
"I can help you put an end to your pain if that is your truest desire. It appears you have many demons in your past, present, and future, that also require your attention or not," she whispered.
"My future, I don't understand? What are you?" Joey cried out. "I just want a little happiness. I'm not afraid of who I am. Why am I made to suffer just being myself? I love a man, so why is my life damned?!"
"Does it matter . . . .? Your only concern is what I can do to help you. Am I right?" her eyes sparkled. "Now let us talk."
"Joey is afraid, but why…….?" Mokona bounced around and settled in Joey lap again. The twins stood on both sides of Yuko ready to give her sake and sweets. "Just talk to Yuko she's really nice," continued the little Mokona; his energy endless. In Joey's mental darkness, the little ball of fur gave him courage.
Joey took a deep breath and started to speak. The first words cause suffering, but the whip that lashed at his throat force the feelings to turn to rage. "I'm in love with a man who's in denial, well I believe that. We've kissed and I know it's silly but the world spins when I'm with him. I left Domino after being shot at a gay pride convention to forget him. To bury his touch, his kiss, his smile, his anger and his fear of being with me, yet it has only caused more frustration to grow in my heart and it hurts. I would have stayed in secret if only he'd asked." Every memory of Seto washed through Joey's mind and whether it was a fight or kiss, he hated the feelings.
"So sad," Mokona chirped. The twins smiled only because they were always smiling.
"And now that you are here, the feelings have not gone away, but have only gotten stronger," Yuko smiled.
"Yes, yes. . . . I'm a dancer and it gives me great joy, but Seto destroys my good feeling. I'm good, but at night all I can see is his face, even when I am with another. Endrance has given me a good life. . . . I should be happy."
"So now that you have told me what you think I should know, tell me why you are really here," sarcastically she hissed in the young dancer's ear.
Joey moved his head around and took in his surroundings. It was a beautiful room filled with magic. Pictures of dragons, knights, and samurai with swords dotted the walls. They seem to call to him encouraging him to continue, so he did.
"Seto is getting married. He's marrying a woman, it's in the news. I can't handle this." The truth was out.
Joey almost gagged on the words. "Yuko there are good men that I like. I could be happy with one, but Seto won't let me be. He's a river that flows through my thoughts, my body, and my soul. Can you help me!!?" Joey left his seat and walked over to Yuko. It was so easy to throw his body at her feet. She smelled of flowers, sake, and the handmade tobacco from her diamond encrusted kiseru.
"My little one, I can't give you the answers. You know what you desire, just say it!! But remember once the deal is made the outcome is guided by fate. Nothing more . . . nothing less. . ." Yuko cupped his face in her cold, cold hands, her finger tips yellowed from the kiseru.
"I want to forget him as he has forgotten me!! I wish I'd never known the bastard!!!" Joey's emotions took a dive and the pool of tears created a river at Yuko feet.
"My . . . such a powerful wish would require a very special price. You would have to give me a prize of equal importance, little one. Are you so ready to sacrifice so much?" Yuko's eyes narrowed and she looked deeply into the windows of his soul. The skies were dark and cloudy. Droplets of rain rested on the window sills, mostly likely hours of crying on the blond's behalf.
'Maybe I should close this window and open up a new view. Would the sun shine?' Yuko mused. "Even I don't know the answer to that."
"Moro. . . Maru . . . . Take Joey into my lounge and I will be there shortly. We will give him a little while to remember that which he is about to lose." Bitter and without emotion Yuko waved Joey out of her sphere. "I have a guest whom I haven't seen in ages; he's calling."
"Yuko-chan, where are you. It's me Fai." Dressed in all white Yuko's dearest friend floated in and hugged the witch tightly before the light cleared. "I've brought you the most amazing sake from Kuri-burger's home. He's a bit upset with me. Can I hide here for a little while?" Fai used his most persuasive voice and sulky face.
"Honestly, I'm not going to play games with you and your lover. . . . But on the other hand . . . give me that sake!!!Yuko eyes widen in satisfaction. She would do almost anything for aged sake.
"Thank you Yuko-chan," Fai's eyes twinkled and he snuggled against the witch while she struggled with the bottle cap. "Kuri-purr thinks I shouldn't publish the new song I made called Kuri-purr poo. He's so mad and we haven't made love in two days. I won't give in. But I miss him, my Kuri-coo."
"Go into my lounge and later if the sake is good, I'll find you a new world." The bottle was already tickling her greedy wet lips.
Fai's footsteps were so light that Joey didn't hear him come inside the lounge, but he did feel a gently tap on his shoulder. "Who do we have here? My name is Fai. You must be Joey, Endrance's new dancer." Fai captivated Joey with his easy smile and gentle nature.
"You know who I am?" Joey smiled back. He fell in love with Fai on sight.
"You're famous and very beautiful to watch. Plus I saw your lover he's very handsome, like my Kuri-poo." Fai eyes glowed with mischief and far away dreams. Thinking of his lover his eyes clouded over.
"What, my lover?" Joey moved closer to the lovely man.
"Why, yes Jo-chan. I was on a quest for Sakura's feather and he was so upset over your injury. His love was very great and warmed my heart. It was then I realized how much I wanted my Kuri-poo. But now he is so mad at me." Fai realized for the first time Joey had tears in his hazel eyes and it sadden him to see them.
"Why are you here to see the witch? Yuko is my friend, but she is a very dangerous woman. " Fai rubbed away a tear with his thumb and gentled the boy to a love seat nearby. He held his hands while Joey gathered courage to speak.
"I don't have a lover. The witch is going to erase my memory of Seto Kaiba and I will be able to live my life." Joey's hands trembled underneath Fai's warmth.
"Joey are you sure? When I met Kuri- poo he hated me, but I loved his grumblings, his arrogant eyebrows, and his moodiness. When Kuri-poo makes love to me he's so masterful with his sword I die a thousand deaths and I'm reborn in his glory. He'd never been with a man, so I'm a constant contradiction to everything he is and knows."
"But he hasn't denied your existent Fai!! He accepted your love!" Joey pulled his hands away, his resolved set.
"Time, he's a little afraid, time Jo-chan." Fai purred.
"Time my ass . . . . Did Kurogane let you leave his side for six months and marry another?"
"Well, he's is a bit scary when I'm not around, but I guess not. He worries I'll get into trouble." Fai quickly quieted his voice; his words only hurt his new friend more.
"It's over Fai, I've given him everything. Yuko, Yuko!! I'm ready." Joey wanted to believe the beautiful man whose hair glowed like honey wheat. But he couldn't.
Yuko aided by Watanuki walked into the lounge. She was a little tipsy, but still witchy. "Well Fai are you still hiding and Joey what is your wishhhhhhhhhhhhhh……?" She burped and plopped down on a lounge chair.
"Please I want to erase Seto from my mind and heart. That is my wish." Joey eyes held hope for the first time in months.
"You must understand my little one, you will lose all memories of this man in your past, your heart, and your very soul will be wiped clean of his existence. It will be as if he was never born. Others around will wonder why you seem to ignore him but even those encounters will correct themselves in minutes. In exchange I will also take the soul of your little sister. She will be your torment, because you will remember her but she will not know who you are. Serenity will become the little sister Yugi never had. Only you will live with the knowledge she was once your family.
"But, you can't do that, she's my baby sister." Joey cried. Would he really give up his sister for his own happiness?
"Make your choice, Joey, Seto or Serenity!!!?" Yuko smirked and downed the rest of the rare sake.
"Joey . . . you can't go back," cried Fai.
"Take me Yuko," cried Joey.
"It's done," smirked Yuko.
Joey's thoughts drifted to the night club and he remembered a kiss in the dark after dancing in a club. The kiss was warm and later a fight, it excited his senses. The face and touch of the kiss disappeared and he realize it was the final image of Seto he would ever see or feel.
He remembered two beautiful dogs and the owner of the animals who had the most amazing blue jewels for eyes that pierced his soul with a glare. He remembered soft chestnut hair on his cheek and couldn't see the face as it faded to black.
"No come back . . . . What have I done?" He screamed and slowly fell to the floor.
Fai cried over Jo-chan's lost memories and Kuri-chan walked in after searching countless lands and sensing his mate's distress.
Watanuki ran to the door because someone was trying to break it down. Endrance, Haseo, and Naruto all stood in the lounge afraid of what may have happened. All they could see was Joey on the floor in the arms of Fai; tears rolled down the gentle man's face.
"What have you done to my friend," Endrance raised his blades in battle mode; Haseo behind him ready to strike.
"Please, he's ok. Take him home Endrance. Joey had the witch erase his memories of Seto Kaiba. It is sad, but a desire of his own free will." Fai whispered the words and brushed Joey's bangs from his brow.
Kurogane lifted Fai into his arms and held him close,"Are you through here. Our maybe I should take you right here and now."
"Kuri-babychan, you are so forceful," Fai blushed a sweet pink and planted a chase kiss on Kuri-burgers cheek.
"Don't call me that, you shameless hussy," barked Kurogane.
Fai smiled and glanced one last time at Joey in Endrance's arms. The boy stirred and Endrance gave him over to Haseo who effortlessly carried him into a waiting car outside. It was time to go home and start his life without the memory of Seto Kaiba to hurt him anymore. Joey's nightmare would end or begin with the morning light.
Oooooooo
Special thanks to my midnight beta queen who gives that gives twinkle to this story, Genius Vampire, the best!!! Rock on!!!
R/r hopes you like it.
This chapter belongs to you for making my story a fav on your list and alert. Thanks for those that have reviewed. menatsuSetsunaAmaneAmimeFreak2468EnviousAcidKaitkxxLaceKyokoParadoxMachineSakura(akalsamanomikoanimeyaoiwritrjourneymakerdragon7dragonlady222ash2009serankbrighteststarinthenightsky
Once again these characters are taken from the hit anime Tsubasa, from Clamp thanks so much.
