Chidsengan: I'M ALIVE! *jumps in joy and dances around happily* I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to update lately! My computer was being evil! But, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Joyous Kwanza to everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your holidays, spending time with your families, and are enjoying your Winter Break... *sighs* Unfortunately, I don't get to have a Winter Break because I'm homeschooled and homeschoolers don't receive that privledge. *smiles* Welp, never mind that! As long as you're all happy, then so am I!
(The sounds of crickets fill the air)
Chidsengan: Ummm... in case anyone's wondering why Ryuga and the others aren't here helping me with the intro today, it's because I sent them on a very important mission to dispose of a very mean guy who hurt my precious BFF's, DragonFang2011's, feelings...
~Elshewhere~
(The afformentioned meanie is chained to a wall as every single blader from the series prepares to launch their beys at him, smirking maliciously)
~Back Where Chidsengan Is~
Chidsengan: But, I'm sure they're all being civil about serving him his justice. That's why I sent the others instead of myself. I would have destroyed the guy! *kicks box of anime weapons, such as kunai knives, shurikens, and znpakutos behind her* Eh-heh-heh. Welp, anyway, I'm back! Which could be not-so-great since I'm not exactly the best author in the world, but... *smiles* Anyway, thank you as always to my favorite extended family!:
The Thunderstruck Tiger
Fangtooth
FutureCharacterDesigner4Pixa r
dreamlily
DragonFang2011
Allycat
Darknessrules
RoxasOtaku
Bes9200
The-Silver-Butterfly1500
SkylarkOfTheMoon
MoonBlazer
Tiger
Starlit Skyline
Powerless Flames
Marai
KikiForbid
theforgotten
azure blue espeon
A.B.D.Y.Z.
GalaxyPegasus14
ilovedogs12
Andromida105
SpyWolf8 (formerly YuTendo9)
JuniperGentle
SayoCross (Guest)
BlackholeRaven1311
DragonSiren
PinkiePie30
Guest
And a special welcome to zineb1996! Welcome to the family! *claps hands and jumps in joy* And this chappie is dedicated to The Thunderstruck Tiger and Fangtooth! *thinks for a moment* Hmmm... wow... I really don't know what to say about you both! I'm at a loss for words! The Thunderstruck Tiger, I just think you're so cool and always brightening my day with your constant enthusiasm and short yet sweet reviews! I love you (like a sister) and will never forget the first time I even heard your username (I remember thinking that it was really cool!)! And Fangtooth, you're so amazing! Every time you review, something makes me smile and, for some reason, I feel like I would if you were my cousin! You wait to hear from them and when you do, it's sweeter than ever! Thank you both so very much! *glances around* Huh... it's not the same without Ryuga here to insut me. *shrugs* Oh, well!
(Whips out a poster)
Chidsengan: And, thank you all who submitted their oneshots for the Christmas Offer! I truly loved each and every one of them, and, also, thanks to my good friend, dreamlily (who I really hope can forgive me since I was a total idiot with my explanations and such TT_TT), I realized the errors of my ways and just want to clarify it that you can all feel free to post you oneshots under your own author names, too, and I'll post them under my fanfic, too! Although all your oneshots will definitely overshadow my terrible writing skills! The last day to submit the writings, via PM or under the review column, is January 6th, 2013! And these following themes have yet to be claimed:
· Decorations
· Santa Clause
· Candy Canes
· Sledding
Anyone who wants them can feel free to write to their hearts content! Also, the oneshots can be oneshorts, too, anywhere from 100-however many words you want it to have long! Just enjoy! All in all, I started this because I wanted it to bring a smile to everyone's faces!
Ryuga: Yeah, we get it, 'Dunce-sengan'. Now zip it!
Chidsengan: RYUGA! YOU'RE BACK! *hugs hime tightly*
Ryuga: Ugh... let me go, idiot! *rolls eyes when Chidsengan doesn't* I really can't stand her sometimes. No. Make that all times. Anyway, this chapter translates to 'To Live Within a Barter'... *glares at Chidsengan* Really ? You still haven't gotten any better with these chapter titles ?
Chidsengan: Ryuga, you're so snuggly!
Ryuga: Let me go! Unless you want me to pulvarize you like I did that sap you sent us to avenge for DragonFang2011 did!
Chidsengan: 0.0 ... you... pulvarized him ?
Ryuga: Ummm...
~Elsewhere~
(The afformentioned 'sap' is unconscious in the now-in-splinters-from-fighting cabin everyone had been in earlier)
~Back Where Chidsengan and Ryuga Are~
Ryuga: ... no...?
(note: Parts of the prophecy are bolded and italicized)
The group followed Ryutaro cautiously into the field he was leading them to in the backyard of the motel, wondering just what Ryutaro wanted them for and at the same time worrying if they were going to be caught by any Thanátos soldiers in Anaro̱tiémai...
With a soft breeze tickling their hair and the moon gleaming down upon them, it appeared that Anaro̱tiémai was the most peaceful place in the world...
But they knew that Anaro̱tiémai was far from the most peaceful place in the world... and that they couldn't trust anyone they met in it...
Come to think of it... why were they trusting Ryutaro ?
Each of them (even Ryuga) sharing a unified glance as if they had read one another's minds, they turned their attention to Ryuga skeptically... wondering if Ryutaro was leading them into some sort of trap... or not...
Ryutaro, feeling everyone's eyes poring into his back, glanced over his shoulder at them and smiled gently.
"Please... do not doubt me..."he said knowingly, prompting everyone to flinch at the fact that he had voiced their thoughts aloud."I do not like The Thanátos Army anymore than you do. I am no spy. I believe that they must be stopped. But, in order to do that, those that are different but share the same wishes must join together. Everything is won by the combined efforts of many individuals, not one alone..."
"Oh, we know!"Gingka chuckled nervously."We were just worried that... well..."
"That I was a spy. Yes, I know you did. I can sense your thoughts..."Ryutaro said with a small, understanding nod."And I do not blame you for thinking that. I, too, would ponder the same thoughts if I were you... and if I had gone what you all have gone through at The Thanátos Army's murderous hands..."
Masamune quirked his eyebrows in surprise.
"We never told you what we-"
"He can sense our thoughts..."Madoka muttered, exasperated, as she rolled her eyes at Masamune's obliviousness."He knows what we went through..."
"Oh..."Masamune stated dully, then brightened."Cool!"
"Freaky..."Wales disagreed with a slight shudder.
"Cool... freaky... it does not matter..."Ryutaro shrugged, turning away from them once more."In war, we must all band together to win. The good, the formerly evil, the leaders, the civilians, the soldiers, the pariahs, the heroes, the victims, the families, the orphans..."
Klaus folded his arms over his chest and looked at Ryutaro curiously.
"An interesting fellow, isn't he ?"he queried the others, referring to their blue-haired acquaintance.
"He certainly is unique..."Sophie agreed.
"He's getting on my nerves..."Ryuga said flatly.
Ryutaro seemed to be completely unfazed by what they had said in any way, shape, or form as he led them to the entrance of the forest behind the motel...
Then, suddenly, he stopped.
"What is it ?"Kyoya asked, every single one of his streetwise senses perking up in suspicion of the abrupt halt."Why did we stop ?"
Ryutaro 'shushed' him, placing a finger to his mouth, then gestured for them each to sit down on the grass with him.
"Come... come... and I will tell you what you need to know..."he said as the others sat down cautiously (minus Ryuga, who was just glowering at their new, blue-haired acquaintance).
Once they were sitting on the grass, Ryutaro glanced between them, then grew serious.
"What I am about to tell you... is nothing you should laugh at..."he said."It is something of great importance... for, you see, I feel, in every fiber of me, that you all will be the ones who are needed..."
"The ones who are... needed...?"Benkei queried obliviously.
Ryutaro nodded, then, in a flourish, he whipped out his fan from his kimono robes and opened it with a swift 'thwack', holding it in front of his face and closing his eyes once he had.
"To know what makes you needed, you must first understand why I sense you are..."he began.
No one said a word, each of them equay speechless as Ryutaro continued.
"Long ago... there was a prophecy..."he explained."A prophecy that predicted such things as this... war... poverty... misery... each of these... a differed curse... each of them... a different disheartenment..."
"Prophecy schmophecy..."Ryuga grumbled."What does that have to do with any of us ?"
Ryutaro turned a brief glare to Ryuga, then closed his eyes once more and inhaled deeply.
"It has everything to do... with all of you..."Ryutaro said, his voice surprisingly calm."For, you see, this prophecy speaks of a group that would come and save the world from a dark place..."-as everyone continued to gawk at him, Ryutaro sighed-"Perhaps... if I tell you of the prophecy, you will understand..."
Waving his fan over the are, the air became suddenly chilled and a fog surrounded them all, causing them each to shiver in equal parts fear and wonder... even Ryuga, Kyoya, and Klaus.
The fog twisted into a pattern that resembled soldiers fighting one another... and people crying... screaming... all with the eerie sounds of their cries echoing around them...
"Through course of war and course of death,
For truth one begs for their last breath..."Ryutaro recited the first part of the prophecy as everyone around him stared at the foggy figures.
How was it doing that ?
"The lies and burdens great it be,
One pleads for death to set them free..."Ryutaro continued.
The fog formed into burly-looking men stomping upon other soldiers... Thanátos soldeirs, perhaps, finishing Zoun soldiers ?
"Darkness creeps above the lands,
An army, their defiled plans
And though the good fight valiantly
Their strength and wills thus cease to be..."
The fog transformed into a city... it's building all rubble and completely void of any life whatsoever...
"The death of hope, dashing of dreams
A royal's cries, a child's screams
The terror and the fears not fought
They wish for freedom, all for naught.
The orphans and the widows weep,
The nobles cry themselves to sleep
Those both loved and unloved akin
Know this war they cannot win.
The Faith that justice will not fail,
Longing that good will prevail
Cast away, no hope at all,
If one stands, they'll surely fall..."
Just then, the fog circled above them and formed from crumbled buildings and barren wastelands into the shape of people...
FIFTEEN people, to be exact...
"Yet in the midst of ash and dust,
In the dirt, beneath the rust
Flowers bloom as none before
Flowers wishing for life the more.
Fifteen of them, these flowers bloom,
Bright within despair and gloom
And though they may be trampled on,
They will not break, they won't be gone.
The flowers there within the war,
As waves that lap upon the shore Proves there's more then what we see
Our fight for lives, equality...
Though they stand, though not in vain,
The suffering, the woe, the pain
They're not exempt from those despairs
They feel it more, common as air..."
The fog contorted into the shapes of three of the people... four boys and a girl...
"Of the fifteen flowers there,
Five of them are somewhat spared
For though they feel the pain and hurt,
They shant be crushed into the dirt..."
The fog formed into another combination of people... six boys this time.
"Six more flowers, not critical with harm
Shall hold the injured in their arms
The hearts shall break, their shoulders keel
But in the end, their wounds will heal..."
The fog formed again into a boy and into a girl on their knees, clutching their chests.
"Two more flowers, opposites be,
Shall fall down upon their knees
Cry with pain into the night,
But through the darkness shines some light..."
The fog formed into the shape of another boy.
"They fourteenth flower, from a seed,
Is not a flower, but a weed
And from the vine, thorns shall be grown
It's true heart, though, remains unknown..."
The fog transformed once again ominously, this time into a boy, a sword stabbed through his heart as fourteen others came running towards him.
"The last flower, though not as prized as the rest,
Trampled into the dirt in resounding test
Though the strength of a lion's resolve is his will...
Ultimately, this flower's fight will be killed..."
Everyone, minus Ryuga, gulped slightly at the dreariness as Ryutaro finished.
"But, in the end, the good will emerge
The evil will vanquish, the villainy purged.
Royals will laugh and children will dance
The soldier of justice will hold forth his lance.
And what will be remembered, passed from kin to kin
Is 'Adýnama Tha Kerdísei: Weak Shall Win'..."
Everyone was quiet for a moment after Ryutaro had finished... reflecting on what he had said as the fog around them faded and the chill in the air decreased considerably.
"Adýnama Tha Kerdísei: Weak Shall Win..."Wales mused."Hmmm... I like it. It's kind of catchy. It would make a good name for a book..."
"Don't be ridiculous... it would never catch on..."Ryuga sniffed smugly."Personally, I'd prefer something that sounds cooler. Like... I don't know... Gaelleon's War, maybe ?"
Meanwhile, everyone else was more serious.
"So... that's the prophecy..."Teru said quietly.
"Yeah... flowers, death, the weak winning..."Zeo said."Not very specific though, is it ?"
"A bunch of phooey, if you ask me..."Ryuga said gruffly, folding his arms over his chest.
Madoka scratched her head in thought.
"I don't get it..."she sighed."Why do you think this has anything to do with us, Ryutaro ? I mean, sure, I get it... we're fifteen people on a journey together and all... but-"
"That is not it..."Ryutaro said calmly.
"What ? Then... why...?"
Ryutaro pressed his hand against Madoka's heart.
"What I feel, I feel because of what I sense from your heart..."-he pressed his other hand against his own-"And what I sense in mine. There is something greater about you all then you realize. You each have great power within you..."
"I... still don't see what we have to do with any of this 'prophecy stuff'..."Madoka said uncertainly.
Ryutaro sighed, closed his eyes once again, then flapped his fan.
"You... do not understand..."he said, shaking his head sadly."There are some things that cannot be explained... things that you must trust rather than attempt to justify... In life, many things do not always appear to be... well... as if they can be reality rather than false... but it is then that you must trust what it is that you are hearing... rather than trying to deny it..."
"Yeeeeeeaaaahhh... that's a nice sentiment and all..."Zeo said pessimistically (per usual)."But you really expect us to trust some guy we just met in a rinky-dink tavern and hang on his every word like he's some sort of royal or something...?"-he scoffed-"Thanks but no thanks, buster, but while that may work on your paying customers, we're not that gullible... The first consultation better be free, because there's no way that I'm paying for having to listen to that bunch of bologna you just rambled about. Prophecies... flowers... weak shall win... pfft. Yeah, right..."
"But, you must understand!"Ryutaro said hurriedly."This is no con! I meant every word that I said! Wether you want to believe it or not, the weak SHALL win... no matter how hopeless things may seem!"
"Do you honestly believe that ?"Zeo snapped at te blue-haired boy."Do you honestly believe that the weak shall win ? Have you looked around you lately, buddy ? We're in a war! And, sure, while your prophecies and pretty words may look nice on paper and sound nice when you say them, in the end, it's. Pointless. Because for those of us who aren't stuck in our little fantasy worlds like you are, we're busy living in reality... and reality just happens to be a pain-in-the-neck at the moment! Wales may be right... 'Weak Shall Win' may be a nice title for a book, but nothing more. Because as adorable as that may sound to people like you who are trapped in your own, little unrealistic zones, this is reality... where every day's a constant struggle for survival... where every moment can be your last if you're not careful. And when it comes to survival, the weak don't win. Only the powerful survive. And nothing you say will alter that fact..."
Ryutaro looked at Zeo thoughtfully, then at the fan in his hands.
"You are quite the pessimist... aren't you...?"he asked.
Zeo only glared harder at the blue-haired boy.
"I don't believe in fairy-tales..."he said simply.
"Because you don't want to...?"Ryutaro prodded.
"Because I KNOW not to..."Zeo clarified for Ryutaro coolly."Fairy-tales are just fables used to give little kids hope and those older than those ages headaches..."
"You can't really mean that..."
"I do mean it..."Zeo responded coldly."There was a time that I believed in that stuff, too, but I gave up on it after..."
Zeo's voice trailed off as he glanced at the ground quietly, his turquoise eyes dark and sorrowful.
Ryutaro's gaze narrowed as he looked at Zeo, then, he sighed.
"After you lost Toby... am I correct...?"he queried.
Zeo's shoulders jerked back as if someone had just stabbed a knife between them and he turned to Ryutaro in shock.
"Wh-what...?"he stammered."How did... how do you know... about Toby...?"
"I know a lot of things..."Ryutaro said quietly."I know that you promised yourself that you'd stop caring about others after he died... I know that the compass he gave you is never out of your grasp... I know that you left your hometown because of your friend's death... and that you still blame yourself to this day for his death..."
Everyone fell quiet in surprise... especially Zeo.
"... how...?"he managed to squeak out.
Ryutaro fanned himself with the fan he held and shrugged slightly; the cool air blowing his hair away from his face so they could see his expression more clearly... one of complete confidence but yet, at the same time, one of... sympathy...
"I know. I can't really explain it, I just do..."Ryutaro said, shrugging slightly."I know that about you, just like how I know that Julian never wanted to be king of Peproméno... and why Yu secretly cries himself to sleep sometimes... I know of how Benkei longs to be a legend and the reason why Masamune ran away from home when he was young... I could tell you the reason why Tsubasa has a darker side and what Wales cares about more tha his hair..."
"HEY! LEAVE MY HAIR OUT OF THIS!"
"If you asked, I could explain Klaus' soft spot to you... Kenta's fears... and Sophie's regrets..."Ryutaro went on, completely ignoring Wales interruption."Or why Teru really doesn't dance anymore... why Gingka chooses not to search for his father anymore... or why Madoka is so deeply in love with-"
"Okie dokie... that's quite enough..."Madoka chuckled nervously, pushing Ryutaro over into the grass before he could finish his sentence.
For a moment, everyone just stared at Madoka with quirked eyebrows, but brushed it off fairly quickly.
Sometimes, that girl was just plain... interesting... yeah... that was the word...
Ryutaro sighed and pushed himself back into a sitting position.
"What I am trying to tell you is that I know a lot of stuff... and while I myself cannot explain it, I know that you're all special..."
"US ? Special ?"Zeo scoffed."Pal... you need to get over yourself! We're nowhere near special!"
"Yeah... we're too busy trying to stay alive to be special, buddy..."Kyoya agreed."We don't have time to be worrying about prophecies and all that junk..."
Ryuga sniffed smugly.
"And, besides... do you HONESTLY expect us to believe that bunch of bologna ?"he spat, clearly annoyed (then again... when WASN'T he...?)."You need to get your brain looked at, weirdo..."
"But-"
"Admit it, you're just a guy trying to make a few bucks with the first consultation apparently being free..."Zeo said coldly."We get it. Everyone's trying to survive in this world any way they can. But making up ridiculous fantasies about prophecies and us and... well... anything and everything unbelievable won't work on us. We've seen and heard too much to believe any of it..."
Ryutaro frowned sympathetically at Zeo, then turned the glance to everyone else.
"I see... So... you refuse to believe what I speak is the truth, do you ? You refuse to because war has put cynicism in your hearts..."he said quietly.
Tsubasa went to say something, but Zeo cut him off before he could say anything... his turquoise eyes narrowing so that they were no more than little slits.
"Cynicism isn't our problem..."he said icily."It's life..."
Ryutaro glanced at Zeo, his eyes sad and expression one of complete sympathy.
"You yourselves may not believe it, but you cannot deny the future which has been set for you..."he explained."You will save this world... you'll save both your friends and your enemies. There will be many trials that will test your strength and willpower both physically and mentally... and you'll have to travel to numerous, distant lands... You'll fight opponents he would never think you would... and you'll have to rely on one another in order to win... but in the end... you will prevail..."
"That's ludicrous..."Zeo still spat bitterly.
Ryutaro only kept his gaze firm on the turquoise-eyed teenager.
"If you had one more chance to save Toby... would you...?"he asked.
Zeo flinched uncomfortably for a moment, then grit his teeth hard.
"What...?"he growled accusingly.
Ryutaro sighed.
"I understand all of yours and your friends' pained expressions... I know your sad eyes as though I'm looking in a mirror... at my own reflection... It's as if you're dying in your own emotions... isn't it ?"
Zeo grit his teeth and turned away angrily.
"I... don't know what you're talking about..."he muttered.
Ryutaro sighed, his eyes fixed on Zeo.
"You do know what I am talking about..."he said."You know that your pain from losing your best friend... is the one of the most terrible pains a person can live through. Losing Toby was as if you lost not only your friend, however, but your family, too... Am I not right...?"
Zeo glared at the blue-haired boy over his shoulder.
"Leave me alone..."he spat furiously.
"I cannot... nor will I..."Ryutaro responded coolly."For, you see, it is that I believe you are strong... much, much stronger than I am... and you are also smarter than I am, as well. You are suffering now because he couldn't save the person that was so dear... so very much like a brother to you. He was the only family you ever had... except for that old woman that used to tell you tales of bravery..."
"Shut up..."Zeo growled.
"You lost them both..."Ryutaro said."Just as so many others have lost those that they hold dear to them. You feel as if you failed them... as if you let them down. But..."-Ryutaro lowered his head-"Both trials and obstacles only make you that much stronger, one of legend... and that is why... what happened... is alright..."
That was it.
"ALRIGHT ?!"Zeo shouted, making everyone jump in a mixture of fear and shock at seeing normally low-key Zeo freak out all of a sudden.
His hands, clenched into fists, trembled violently and his eyes flashed in fury; he dug his fingernails so hard into the palms of hands that they even bled slighty and his breaths were hitched.
"WHAT ABOUT IT IS 'ALRIGHT' ?!"he snarled at Ryutaro."TOBY... AND THAT OLD WOMAN... THEY BOTH DIED BECAUSE OF ME! THERE'S NOTHING 'ALRIGHT' ABOUT THAT!"
"Sometimes, it is as hard to see the merits of something so tragic as it is to see a tree amongst a forest..."Ryutaro began calmly, seeming almost oblivious to Zeo's outburst."Just as it is with trees in a forest, sometimes you must step back and observe in order to see the whole picture..."
"MY BEST FRIEND DIED IN MY ARMS!"Zeo yelled."THIS ISN'T JUST SOME IDIOTIC ANALOGY ABOUT TREES AND FOREST, BUDDY! THIS REALLY HAPPENED! AND IT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF ME! WHAT MERIT IS THERE TO THAT ?!"
Ryutaro glanced down and sighed.
"I understand that... this is not easy for you..."he said, his voice so quiet it was almost a whisper."And... I understand your pain and what you're going through... what you've gone through because of the death of those that were the only people to have ever cared for you... but-"
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND A SINGLE THING, PAL!"Zeo exploded, grabbing Ryutaro by his collar and shaking him angrily."How could you possibly understand what I've suffered ?!"
Ryutaro looked away from the furious, turquoise-eyed boy for a moment.
"I understand what you are going through... because I was the one who predicted that Toby would die..."he answered.
Zeo took a step back in astonishment, then wobbled on his feet slightly.
"You-?"he stammered."You predicted it ? You predicted Toby's death ?!"
Ryutaro nodded solemnly.
"I predicted his, just as I predicted the old woman's,"he said quietly.
Zeo flushed in rage.
"Then-! WHY DIDN'T YOU DO ANYTHING TO STOP IT ?!"he screamed, his words quivering from the emotion they were delivered with."IF YOU CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE, WHY DIDN'T YOU DO SOMETHING TO STOP IT ?!"
"Was there really something that I could have done ? ?"Ryutaro queried."No. Just because I can predict the future does not mean that I can prevent the occurrences that will happen in my predictions,"
"But, you-!"
"There was nothing that neither you nor I could have done to prevent it,"Ryutaro continued, once again cutting Zeo's sentence short."My predictions are always right, and that, one of legend, is how I know your pain. I had predicted that your two friends would die, yet I could do nothing to stop it. That is where an additional pain comes in, as well. And that is the pain of one who knows the future. The pain of one who can see the future,"-a short pause-"Is that they cannot stop the occurrences that they have seen in it."
There was complete silence for a moment and only the sound of Zeo's rigorous breathing to prevent tears could be heard.
Until Kyoya broke the quiet.
"Ryutaro,"he started."I-"
"You stare at me, legendary one ?"Ryutaro cut Kyoya short."Do you not believe me ?"-his eyes fixed on Kyoya-"Or do you have something you wish to ask me of ?"
Kyoya narrowed his eyes slightly.
"That prophecy,"he began."It talks about flowers and stuff like that. But it's... not really about flowers, is it ? It's about people, am I right ?"
Ryutaro nodded.
"You are perceptive, legendary one,"he replied."The prophecy was meant as representation. The flowers mentioned in the prophecy represent you and your friends, I am sure of it."
Kyoya shifted slightly, his blue eyes fixed on Ryutaro.
"And it also says in that prophecy that some flowers will be crushed and others 'hearts' are unknown,"he continued."I take it that that's not exactly what it sounds like either, is it ?"
Ryutaro shook his head slowly.
"No, it is not,"he answered.
"So then, what does it mean ?"Madoka quivered, her hands trembling.
Ryutaro turned his back to them all; his fan slowed and he heaved a heavy sigh.
"The flowers... represent you and your friends, that is true,"he began."But, the things that happen to those flowers-to you-are what everything really all amounts to."
"Like what ?"Gingka queried.
Ryutaro lifted his head towards the sky and fixed his gaze on the Cradle Moon overhead.
"Five of them are somewhat spared
For though they feel the pain and hurt,
They shant be crushed into the dirt,"Ryutaro quoted the prophecy again."That means that five of you will see the pain and the suffering of others, but you won't die. Somehow you will all evade death, but the things you see will be terrifying all the same."
Ryutaro silenced for another moment before quoting the next part of the prophecy.
"Six more flowers, not critical with harm
Shall hold the injured in their arms
The hearts shall break, their shoulders keel
But in the end, their wounds will heal,"-a small sigh-"This means that six of you will be there for those that are suffering; close to them and there to comfort them. There are plenty of tears for you along this path, but you all will survive, as well,"
"And what about the opposites ?"Julian queried."That part about opposites... what does it mean ?"
"Two more flowers, opposites be,
Shall fall down upon their knees
Cry with pain into the night,
But through the darkness shines some light,"Ryutaro quoted, then, shook his head uncertainly."I do not know yet. The fates of the two have not yet been determined. But... I do know the fates of the last two..."-he breathed in deeply before quoting the prophecy again-""The fourteenth flower, from a seed,
Is not a flower, but a weed
And from the vine, thorns shall be grown
It's true heart, though, remains unknown..."
The last flower, though not as prized as the rest, Trampled into the dirt in resounding test
Though the strength of a lion's resolve is his will...
Ultimately, this flower's fight will be killed... it means-"Ryutaro's voice trailed off an he shook his head hard."I-I am sorry. You do not wish to know."
"We don't wish to know ?!"Ryuga snapped at him."Are you kidding me, buster ? We just had to listen through your whole, over-dramatic psychic-fest and had to deal with your cheap, smoke parlor tricks just to hear that 'we don't want to know' ?! Well, tough luck, pal, but yours going to tell us the 'fates' of those last two losers, wether you like it or not!"
"You do not understand!"Ryutaro said, his voice shaking with emotion."This last part, it's-!"
"No way!"Ryuga refused."You dragged us all the way out here to have us listen to your useless jib-jab, and now you're going to tell us what happens!"-he grabbed the psychic by the collar and stared him down; golden eyes flashing with fury-"Now tell us! Who the heck are those last two people and what happens to them ?!"
Ryutaro shuddered, gulped uncertainly, and glanced away; unable to keep Ryuga's intimidating gaze.
"The last two people,"he sighed heavily."Are you... and Kyoya..."
Ryuga loosened his grip just slightly and his eyebrows quirked curiously.
"Me and him ?"he asked, unbelievingly."What do you mean ?"
Ryutaro looked down, his breathing shaky as he explained.
"What it means... is that you are the first flower, Ryuga,"he started."Your heart is still unknown. You yourself don't even know what you want. That has always been your problem."
"Problem ?!"Ryuga screamed, his grip once again tightening on the psychic's shirt threateningly."Who are you kidding ?! I know exactly what I want! And not only that, I go after it!"
"But you don't,"Ryutaro said quietly."You know in your heart that, while you say you do, you really don't. Deep down, that scared and confused little boy that used to run from The Thanátos soldiers' whips is still within you. You know but won't admit that the only reason you do things is because of your fear and confusion that never faded,"
Ryuga opened his mouth to say something, then shut it quickly and settled for growling angrily; unsure of what to say to Ryutaro.
What to say to him when he was right.
"You're a waste of my time,"he snarled, pushing Ryutaro to the ground and turning his back to him.
Ryutaro's face clouded in pity as he looked at Ryuga before Benkei broke the strained silence.
"Ummm, Mr. Ryutaro, sir ?"he started.
Ryutaro glanced at Benkei, who was poking his two pointer fingers together shyly.
"Ummm, you said the other person was Kyoya,"he started."Ummm, not that I'm worried or anything, but, that part about that last flower mentioned something about being... killed. That doesn't actually-you know-it doesn't mean that-does it ?"
Ryutaro diverted his eyes away from them for a moment and most everyone gasped in realization.
"No,"Yu started, his voice cracking with emotion."No. Kyoya won't-"
"I'm afraid that be will, young one,"Ryutaro said quietly."Just as Ryuga's betrayal will come to haunt him and justice will be served, Kyoya will meet his end. Be it on the battlefield or from some other means I do not know, but I do know that, from my predictions, that he will."
Yu immediately wrapped his arms around Kyoya tightly and Gingka shivered.
"Th-that's impossible!"he shouted."Kyoya can't die!"
"B-b-b-bull! Gingko's right! We won't let him!"Benkei added, clenching his fists tightly.
"I know how much you may wish to believe that you can prevent this, but my predictions are never wrong,"Ryutaro said solemnly.
"Then alter your predictions!"Klaus interjected.
Ryutaro closed his eyes.
"If I could, I would,"he said."I am being honest. But there is nothing I can do,"
"Predictions aren't facts,"Kyoya said stubbornly."There's no such thing as luck and fate and destiny and all that junk. It all eventually comes down to what we do or what we don't do. You can't base that on some silly prediction,"
"No, you can't,"Ryutaro agreed."But you can base it on probability. My foresights are never wrong. I have predicted far more than I wish I did, and I bear the guilt for a great many things that I've predicted since then. Wars, violence, death. I've predicted them all. And every time I have, they've come true. If these predictions say that you will die, Kyoya, then I'm afraid that there's nothing that I nor you nor anyone else can do about it."
Kyoya growled under his breath as everyone else fidgeted uncomfortably; still trying their best to come to terms with the prophecy, news, and Ryutaro himself.
"Let me ask you something,"Ryuga finally spoke, breaking the eerie quiet of the night.
Everyone's eyes were instantly in the golden-eyed teenager, including Ryutaro's.
"You say that you've predicted all these things and that they've always come true, right ?"Ryuga queried as Ryutaro responded with an uncertain nod."Well, have you ever actually tried to stop them from happening ?"
"It would make no difference,"Ryutaro answered."If I tried to or not, it would ultimately be in vain either way. One cannot argue with the forces that be,"
"So you're saying that you've never actually tried to do anything about your predictions or to try and stop them from coming to fruition and you're just deeming them unstoppable ?"Ryuga scowled at the blue-haired teenager over his shoulder.
"I told you, it would not matter!"Ryutaro countered, trembling in emotion.
He took a deep breath to steady himself before continuing.
"Ones of legend,"he said."In the short future, you all will face many challenges and be caused pain by a great deal. But, in the end, you will all be able to save what is most precious to us all. And then, if you need my help, I will be more than willing to help. Until that day, though, we must not fight against the rules of our fates. We all have a different part to play. And the way we play it will be what we are remembered as."
"Wrong,"Ryuga interjected.
His shoulders were tense and his breathing was shallow and rapid; every fiber of him screaming utter and complete defiance of what Ryutaro was saying.
"You're wrong,"he said in a low snarl."You don't know what's to come. You've been hiding behind your predictions and the foolish idea of inescapable fates yet you've never tried to prevent or help anyone who your perditions were about. If you ask me, guys pretty selfish. You're using your psychic abilities as an excuse to be a coward, is all, and I don't take warnings, favors, help, predictions, or otherwise from cowards!"
With those words, Ryuga began to stalk off an Kenta chased after him.
"Ryuga! Wait!"he called."Where are you going ?!"
"To bed,"the older boy snapped back."This lunatic's wasted enough of my time. If I stay around him another minute, his nonsense might actually start to make sense and I'll be hanging off his every word like the rest of you saps."
"It's not just words!"Ryutaro scolded Ryuga."It is real! You and your friends are part of a prophecy! Your fates are set!"
"No, they're not!"Ryuga said."Look, I don't care wether or not we're part of some loser prophecy or something like that. Our fates, and this is the only time you'll hear me agree with Kyoya, are not set! Our futures depend on what we do and what we don't do! Not what some idiot tells us is going to happen!"
"Why can you not just accept it ?"Ryutaro returned."Fates are inescapable things, just as destiny! They are mysteries that we are not mean to try to defy! What's the use of living life in a constant barter, trying to defy your destiny when, eventually, you're just going to lose the gamble ?!"
Ryuga was quiet for a moment.
Then...
"I hate mysteries,"he remarked.
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he began to walk away again-before he suddenly stopped.
"And another thing,"he started.
Glaring at Ryutaro threateningly, the chill in the air seemed nothing compared to the iciness of his next words.
"I would rather live within a barter, then be a slave to someone else's fates,"he said coolly (and dramatically, if that makes any sense).
Then, turning on his heel, he left the others alone in the silence of the night.
Ryuga: What a long and pointless chapter... *glares at Chidsengan* AGAIN...
Chidsengan: TT_TT I'm so infinity sorry. *gestures to the virtual buffet* Please accept this virtual buffet of assorted ice cream and champagne as a token of my apology.
Ryuga: Now you're talking! *picks up champagne glass* Happy new year, everyone! May this be your best one yet! *drinks some of the 'champagne' and instantly spits it out* WHAT THE HECK ?! THIS IS CAMPAGNE!
Chidsengan: ^_^ It's sparkling juice! I hope you like it! I don't serve liquor here! ^_^
Ryuga: You're an evil little-!
Kyoya's: Hey look, Ryuga! Mango ice cream! DragonFang2011's favorite!
Ryuga: *glares at Chidsengan* What's it really ? Tofu ?
Chidsengan: Nope! It's really mango ice cream! I serve ice cream here for sure! ^_^
Ryuga: YIPEE! *dives in to eat it*
Chidsengan: Anyway, I also express Ryuga's words!
Kyoya: 0.0 ? YIPEE ?
Chidsengan: No! Happy new year to everyone! May it be a wonderful year to you all! And also, thank you for giving this fanfic over 250 reviews! You're all the best! You're so sweet and I don't deserve it! TTuTT I read every one and it makes me smile! Thank you all for everything! Thank you all so much! GOD Bless You All (as aforementioned, I'm Catholic)! *cries hysterically in joy* I'm so sorry I didn't write sooner! Bad computer! Bad! *hugs the computer* But I still like you because you're letting my type now! Good electronic device! Good!
Kyoya: -_- ... Yeah, umm... great. But I still have one question that I'm still trying to figure this out...
Chidsengan: What, Kyoya ?
Kyoya: You keep mentioning Nile in this fanfic, but who's really the main character in this fanfic, anyway ? Is it me ? Ryuga ? Nile ?
Chidsengan: Well... umm... there are a lot of mains... that's why I couldn't decide which character to say it was based on... so...
Ryuga: She's too stupid to figure things out on her own, Kyoya...
Kyoya: That's... pretty mean...
Ryuga: It's not fair. I mean, why should Nile even be in this fanfic ? I'm the one who's supposed to be the center of attention... not him!
Kyoya: Jealous, Ryuga ?
Ryuga: I am not jealous. I just want justice to be served! And everyone knows I'm the best character in this fanfic!
Chidsengan: Ummm... Ryuga...
Kyoya: Are not! I am... and Nile, too! Heck, even Gingka's cooler than you are!
Ryuga: He is not!
Kyoya: So is Tsubasa...
Ryuga: Is not!
Kyoya: Is, too!
Ryuga: *turns to Chidsengan* Alright, let's just ask the old dunce herself... 'Idiot-sengan'... tell this dummy that I'm the best character in the entire fanfic...
Chidsengan: Ummm...
Kyoya: Oh, so now she exists and her opinion matters ?!
Ryuga: Even a doofus' like her's do if it can give me an edge over you, KY-KY!
Kyoya: DON'T CALL ME KY-KY!
Ryuga: Well, Chidsengan... who's the best character in the fanfic...? Me... right...?
Chidsengan: I... like... all of you...
Ryuga: ALL OF US ?!
Chidsengan: Yep! Nile and Kyoya and Tsubasa and Gingka and Toby and Yu and Masamune and everyone else... and you, Ryuga!
Ryuga: 0.0 ... this... is not... happening...
Chidsengan: But you know my favorites of all ?
Ryuga: ... -_- ... I know I'm going to regret this... who...?
Chidsengan: The fanfic family! *claps hands happily*
Ryuga: -_- ...
Kyoya: -_- ...
Ryuga: You mean the people who review this pathetic gunk ?
Chidsengan: Mhmmm! I love them all like a family! They're all so special, and I just want to say 'thank you' to them all before-YOUCH!
(Ryuga hits her over the head with a frying pan)
Ryuga: Looks like your 'thank you's'll just have to wait until the next chapter of idiotic, terribly-written torture...
Kyoya: Ryuga... that... was pretty heartless...
Ryuga: *shoves virtual mango ice cream in his mouth* Shut it and eat, orphan...
Kyoya: Grrrr...