FLASHES OF LIGHT

Flashes of light. There was nothing but sporadic flashes of light. It was hurting his eyes and he wanted to remain sleeping – dwelling inside the comfort of his unconsciousness – but his body wanted would not obey. Katze opened his eyes and tried to focus. He took a silhouette into sight near the bed and watched it until the blurry features sharpened and the characteristics of Naoki took shape before him.

"Naoki," Katze exhaled weary and weak. The Pet next to him immediately rushed to the bed and grabbed his hand.

"Katze, I'm here."

"Where am I?" the Furniture asked and began moving his limbs in order to revive his body. The young Pet helped Katze to sit up and sat down next to him.

"You are at Master Siin's personal medical facility…on Nïk. We were all flown here. It's been ten days now since we arrived…"

"I've been here ten days?"

Naoki nodded.

"Where is Riki and the others?"

Katze reached for a glass of water near his bed and was assisted by Naoki to take a few sips. A few drops went down the wrong way, but as annoying as the forceful coughing was, it did bring about alertness in his body that sharpened his senses.

"I don't know," Naoki answered. "The last thing I know is that Master Mink and Riki went inside the Hive to kill Jupiter."

"And Master Raoul?" Katze had blatantly asked; not meaning any harm but the pain he released within Naoki was all of a sudden flowing down the cheeks of the Pet. "What's wrong Naoki?"

"I don't know anything about my Master," the young man spoke softly. "He had the droids drag me on board and he…he stayed behind. He never left Xianti."

The two men sat motionless and speechless on the edge of the bed. None of them spoke for a long time, for there was nothing to be said.

"Oh, so you have finally decided to wake up?"

The young men simultaneously met the firm gaze of Ezkiel Siin in the doorway to Katze's room and though Naoki was quick in greeting the Master as befitted a slave, Katze had problems in showing reverence due to his current state.

"Don't bother, Katze," the leader uttered and stepped into the room. "I understand that you have problems moving about. Soon the medics will be here and help your muscles to regain strength. In a few hours you'll be running through the desert."

"I am most appreciative of your kindness, leader Siin," Katze said. "I am grateful for all the help I received from you and…"

"Oh please, young man," the leader cut in and stopped at the foot end of the bed. "If I am to measure my efforts in comparison to the deeds of leader Am and Master Mink, and all of you who helped them in this…crazy…yet, grand battle against our old way of life…then my efforts are but a drop in the vast seas. I owe them much more. I owe the people of Amoi much more."

There was a moment of silence, but then the coordinating leader continued.

"These past weeks have been nothing but chaos. The Elite leaders have had emergency meetings that stretched on for days. It has been extremely...exhaustive" Ezkiel Siin sighed and closed his eyes as he caught his breath. "A lot of things were said and discussed...and now...a final decision has been made."

The leader reached inside his yellow robe, which was slimmed at his waist to bring out his broad shoulders and narrow hips. His long hair was simply brushed backwards and his blue fringe contrasted against he pale face as he spoke. He took out an envelope, which carried the blue seal of Ezkiel Siin and was of the same fine quality as most official documents.

"Here," he held the document in his hand and encouraged Katze to take care of it. He had noticed the important role Katze had played in Raoul's plan and thus knew that he was a trustworthy person to hand delicate documents to.

"Thank you, sir," Katze nodded and took the envelope.

"Don't thank me," Ezkiel added. "Thank Jupiter."

"Jupiter?" Katze asked baffled with widened eyes, but the elder leader clamed him with a smile.

"You will learn everything in due time. Now get ready. You are going to Cythzera, which will serve as a home for you until things are settled."

"Cythzera," Katze repeated and Naoki joined in by asking the nature of the business they were to embark on, on the neighboring planet Cythzera.

"Well, Pet Naoki," Ezkiel Siin turned in the doorway with a radiant look. "Your Master awaits your return home."

"My…my Master?" the boy stuttered unable to move or think straight. He was confused, happy and high on wild emotions of anticipation and blooming nervousness.

"Yes," leader Ezkiel nodded. "You still belong to leader Am…am I right?"

Naoki was in high spirits and completely out of control with eagerness and childish, entrancing joy. The young Pet was sitting in the departure hall, and Katze watched him from across the candy store as he paid for a few scoops of ice ream while awaiting the next flight to Cythzera. Naoki constantly changed positions; his arms and legs were moving about, shifting, twisting, trembling and shaking as if some strange disease plagued him. Suddenly, a familiar voice hit Katze from behind; he almost choked on his ice cream and froze in his motions.

"Are you going to ship that one to Iason as well?"

Katze turned and met the dark amethyst colored gaze of Guy. He swallowed hard. Of course, Guy must have heard about the incidents on Amoi; everyone had. Consequently, he must know the fact that Riki had been alive. Before he even had the chance to answer the first question, Guy had thrown against him another.

"Is it true that he is alive?" Guy asked with stiff resolution and rectified his leather jacket over his left shoulder where he lacked an arm; the arm Iason had once torn from his body. He was lucky to have survived the insane hatred of Iason as the two men had fought a battle over Riki. It wasn't until the war on Amoi, that Guy had understood that his most hated enemy had survived along with his beloved pairing partner from the past.

"What do you want, Guy?" Katze asked and tasted another flavor of cream. "You know that Riki had the chance to go with you, but he chose to return to the fire. I have tried to explained it to you…though you have been reluctant to accept it."

"Oh, you're wrong Katze," Guy shook his head. "I have come to terms with my past. I also know what you once told me…that despite all the hatred, Iason had been the one to carry me far enough for me to survive."

"So then why are you here, my friend?"

Katze returned a compassionate look and Guy responded the same way.

"Tell Riki that I don't ever want him to return again. Tell him I am not angry anymore."

Guy let out a muffled giggle and his face shone with sincere calmness. To his appearance he hadn't changed one bit from the time when he fought for Riki. His long dark hair was fastened in his neck in a ponytail as always and still finding dark colored clothes to be suitable of his taste.

"I know that little brat. Although he's been a rebel all his life, he has a weak spot when it comes to letting go. I've learned from him that only the one that hurts you can make you feel better, but in his case he is completely dependent on Iason. I am, in some strange way, satisfied with knowing that he will always have a good home. Even if I dislike his lover, he is being loved. The funny thing is…I don't miss him anymore."

From the corner of his eye Katze noticed a vibrant young man standing at a distance, watching Guy with lustful, longing eyes. He allowed himself to pose a daring question on a matter that didn't really concern him as an outsider.

"Is that him?" Katze nodded towards the direction of the blue haired youngster as he swallowed the last bite of ice cream. Guy confirmed laughing; indeed, it was his new partner. One that healed his wounds and helped him to forget and move on.

"I am happy for you, Guy," Katze set forth sincerely and the mongrel accepted it with a nod. He went silent for a brief moment, then continued with a serious complexion.

"Tell also Iason…I'm sorry I can't give him respect enough to address him 'Lord'…but tell him, that he and Raoul Am have definitely given the mongrels a chance to a brighter future and I can acknowledge them for that."

The electronic voice announced the last call for boarding to Cythzera and Katze could see Naoki waving frantically for him to pass the gate.

"Look, Guy…take this," Katze said digging into his pockets. As he withdrew his hands he exposed a set of key-cards and credits and handed them over to the mongrel. "I have to go, but take over my business."

"No, Katze," Guy protested, but the redhead was persistent.

"Please, take it. It's good money. There will be some change to the business, but it will still pay off. You have enough experience now. Do it for me."

Guy nodded and agreed to take care of Katze's business until he returned, but deep inside he knew that Katze would not return to this old way of life.

"I got to go now," the redhead said and the two men joined in a friendly embrace and wishful thinking before parting. Guy watched as Katze passed the gate along with his restless friend. His young lover approached him and nestled into his arms as he questioned the emotional state in Guy, for he had noticed the imbalance within.

"Oh, no…no," Guy opposed holding his lover close. "No, I'm fine…really…now, I'm feeling perfectly fine."