A/N: I'm alive

A/N: I'm alive! And yes, I still know this fic exists! Amazing, isn't it? Well, read on! Only one more chapter after this one!

Death. I thought that I would fear it, but I suppose I was wrong. I'm writing as they come, I hear their footsteps outside of the cells, and I can tell that it is me that they have come for. I do not know why, yet I know. I am to be burned at the stake, so they have finally told me. Two men come into view, and I rush to finish writing this. I hope that one day someone will find this journal, someone who'll respect it, and remember me, the young boy accused as a witch, though never was. Or maybe I am. I'm beginning to think that maybe they are right. The townspeople are intelligent, and I suppose they are right. Maybe I deserve death. Finally they arrive. Now I must say my last words. Goodbye, good world. Remember to look before you leap, and think before you accuse. And now, farewell good earth. Maybe one day I will live again to find this myself. But for now, this is goodbye.

Rowen Hashiba

"Ugh! I knew there was a downside to being a noble. I'm already tired, and we are only about half way to his home." Cye wrapped his arms around the tired man.

"Let us rest then love. To me, there is no reason why we should work so hard as to make you weak. We can rest for now, and get started once more later today." Sage nodded as he slipped out of Cye's arms and onto the ground. Cye laughed, and knelt next to the golden blonde.

"Sage, are you Ok?" Sage groaned.

"Tired. And it hurts to run… And that, my good friend, is all your fault." Cye smiled innocently, giving his best "Who me?" Look. Sage simply glared at the boy, rubbing his rear in emphasis. Cye simply grinned, pulling Sage onto his lap.

"Love, you wouldn't have any food on you, would you? I'm mighty hungry." Cye stated as Sage shrugged.

"Sorry." Cye nodded.

"Oh well. I'll just have to go straight to dessert." Cye gently nibbled on Sage's earlobe, as the blonde gasped. Cye smiled softly.

"My innocent little lord."

"I am not little."

"Indeed you aren't." Cye stated with a wry grin, as Sage flushed.

"And I am not innocent!"

"The blush on your face begs to differ." Cye stated as Sage hung his head.

"So I am a bit naïve. But that does not make me any more or less innocent."

"Oh yes it does. It makes it quite different." Sage sighed, laying his head on Cye's shoulder.

"Did I ever tell you that I love you?" Sage asked softly as Cye nodded.

"And I never get tired of hearing it. Now, you look tired. Why don't you rest, and I'll wake you in a bit." Sage nodded.

"That sounds wonderful Cye." Sage murmured as he closed his eyes, head still resting on the other boy. Cye smiled as Sage faded into the land of dreamers, reaching around and pulling the blonde as tight to his chest as he could. They'd make it through this. They just had to. For some reason, he knew that he could never live without the man snuggled in his arms.

"I love you too much to lose you Sage. I truly do. Never will we part. Never." And with those words, Cye allowed himself to doze off as well.

~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~

"Lord Sage, what are you doing here?" Kento asked the moment he opened the door to his cabin. Sage sighed, as he stepped into the home, dragging Cye with him.

"My father is after us. He's sent his men to come kill Cye, because I fell in love and someone ratted us out!" Kento gasped as he shut the door behind them.

"Sage, please tell me all that has happened." Kento asked as Sage nodded.

"Well, I began to work with the gypsies, without telling my father because I knew he would disapprove. Well, all I was doing was working with the animals, nothing too severe. Well, the place I worked at was with Cye and his sister lady Kayura. Well, Cye and I ended up getting closer then expected, and eventually did something of the more… physical kind." Kento's eyes widened.

"But sir, you're betrothed AND you must be a virgin!" Sage sighed.

"I know Kento, but I couldn't help it. I just… fell in love and nothing could change my set ways." Kento nodded.

"It's hard when you're in love." Sage nodded as a warm body pressed against him and kind arms snaked around his waist. Turning his head back, he let his lips meet Cye's, who grinned in response.

"Love ya too hon." Sage smiled softly. Through all of this, Cye's love was what was carrying him.

"Kento, I know that this is risky, but is there any way that we can stay here for just a bit. Not even a whole day. I just, we need somewhere to stay so we can get rested up." Kento nodded.

"Anytime good lord. If you need to stay with me, then go ahead. I don't mind, and if anyone comes, I'll lie. Or transform." Sage nodded. Kento had been in an accident with a wolf before, one that had been played with by a mage, leaving it insane and magic induced. It has bitten Kento, and with its saliva, transferred the ability to Kento to turn into a wolf himself.

"Thank you Kento. Is there any way that I can repay you?" Kento laughed.

"Of course not! I don't need your money or goods. Your friendship is enough." Sage smiled. Gods he loved having the best friends you could ask for. He hoped nothing had happened to Ryo…

"He's fine. I guarantee it." Cye stated as Sage smiled. He had learned to never doubt the gypsy. He must have been empathetic or something…

"You two can stay in the back room. But no getting amorous, got it? I don't need to hear it, and these aren't exactly sound-proof walls." Cye laughed softly.

"I don't think Sage could take going at it again anyways."

"Well, you could not be the dominant one." Sage stated as Cye laughed.

"Yeah right love." Sage grumbled to himself as he walked over to the room he and Cye would be sharing. Smiling and nodding his head in another thanks to Kento, he disappeared from view along with Cye. Kento smiled and shook his head. What had his friend gotten himself into now?

~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~

"What do you mean that Sage has run away?" Mia asked as Ryo sighed.

"He fell in love with a gypsy, and Dais found them and told. Sage refuses to let them hurt Cye, so they both ran away. And not the lord is hunting down his own son. He was planning on killing Cye and punishing Sage." Mia gave Ryo an odd look, one eyebrow raised.

"Isn't Cye Kayura's brother?" Ryo laughed and nodded.

"You care?" Mia shrugged.

"Not really. Am I supposed to? He was a nice friend, but neither of us loved each other. It was all-political anyways. I'm happy that he actually found someone he loved. But this thing about Dais… Why would he do such a thing?" She demanded as Ryo sighed.

"It seems that Sage wasn't the only non-straight lord." Mia groaned.

"You mean…?"

"Yes. He liked Sage as well. As far as I know, he told Sage's father, Sage's father would kill Cye, Sage wasn't a virgin so that broke of the marriage with you, and then he could come in and get it on with Sage. Though I really doubt it would have worked that way." Mia nodded, her eyes filled with hatred.

"So, he said he loved Sage, yet he's going to ruin Sage's only true happiness?" Ryo nodded.

"Something like that."

"That bastard!" She cried out, now fully enraged.

"Where is he?" She demanded as Ryo cringed.

"He's at his home, waiting for them to come home with the body of Cye and the upset Sage." Mia glowered as she reached for the gem colored katana that had run in her family line for hundreds of years.

"Ryo, stay here. I'll be back." She growled in anger, as he gracefully exited the room.

~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~

"You Bastard! You think that just for your own happiness, you can ruin Sage's one chance at true love? Even me, his betrothed, realize that his happiness is more important then any political marriage! And you say you love him, yet if you did, you'd wish for his happiness, not yours." She circled him, katana readied in her hand.

"How did someone as filthy as yourself become a high-ranking lord?" She asked as she stopped to jab the tip of the sword against his chest, stopping before she pierced the skin.

"Answer me!" She cried out as Dais gasped in fear.

"Through the bed of the princess." Mia gasped in disgust.

"You sicken me you perverted asshole…" She hissed, resembling a feline far to well.

"And now you must die for your deceit." And with a thrust of her sword, the white-haired lord was impaled, gasping in pain.

"Do only nice thing for everything that you have done comes back to you 10-fold." Mia stated as she wiped the blood off her sword on the sheets of his bed.

"No one will know it was me, for you shall be dead in but a few minutes. Any last words before you die."

"Bitch."

"That was not the correct answer." She stated as she kicked his wound, and then walked out of the room, wiping her shoe on the oriental carpet.

"Sage, your happiness has been avenged. Now, please, for me and all of us here that serve you more then your father, live on. Don't die, please." She stated as she left the home of the soon to be deceased lord.

~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~

"Kento, thank you for all you have done." Sage bowed lowly, and yelped as Cye's hand made contact with his rear.

"Pervert…" He muttered as Cye laughed.

"Sure I'm a pervert, but you love me anyways." Sage laughed and nodded.

"That I do. I love you more then anyone could ever imagine." Cye smiled, planting a soft kiss on the blonde's lips. Pulling away, Sage again turned to Lento.

"Again, thank you."

"Any time. Now, if you live through this, come back and visit me!" Kento stated as Sage nodded.

"Of course Kento. Well, I guess this is goodbye." Walking over, Sage pulled the man into a warm embrace.

"Good luck, my friend." Sage smiled.

"Thanks. Farewell." Kento nodded as he and Sage separated.

"Come on love." Sage stated, taking Cye's hand as he led the gypsy out of the small cabin.

~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~

Night had fallen by the time Sage and Cye reached their destination, yet another home amidst the tangles of the forest.

"Sage, do you know everyone in the forest?" Cye asked as Sage laughed.

"Just about. When I was younger, I used to sneak out all the time and come here. I met all the people that live here, and tha animals as well. It was a nice change of pace from the environment I was raised in." Cye nodded as Sage led him to the home entrance.

"Sekhmet?" Sage called out as he knocked lightly on the wooden door. He waited nervously for his friend to reply to his calls, as he glanced around to make sure that no one was watching him. Slowly the door opened, as the green haired man poked his head out and sighed in relief.

"It's just you Sage." The blonde nodded as the door slid open all the way.

"I thought it might have been the priests again. They seem to think that I'm evil and must be destroyed. They think I'm a beast, just because of my eyes." Sage nodded as he was escorted into the cozy home, where he noted that tea was being made. He smiled as Sekhmet gestured for him to make himself at home on the couch, and went to retrieve the finished tea. Smiling, he turned to Cye.

"I don't believe that we've ever met sir. I'm Sekhmet, and you would be?"

"I'm Cye Mouri, a gypsy." Sekhmet nodded, as he reached out his hand to shake Cye's.

"It's nice to meet you." Cye grinned.

"Same goes to you!" He stated happily as Sage smiled.

"So, what id your relations with Sage?" Sekhmet asked as he handed Sage a cup of tea.

"Oh, sorry, I'll go make you some as well." Cye shook his head rapidly.

"Nah, I think the stuff tastes horrible. Anyway, I'm Sage's honey bunch!" He snickered as Sage blushed, suddenly finding his drink very interesting. Sekhmet smiled softly.

"You actually found someone friend! I'm so proud of you." Sage smiled as nodded, as Cye let his head fall onto Sage's lap. Sage smiled, and took one hand to pet Cye's hair, the other to drink his tea. Cye purred as slender fingers ran through his hair, gently massaging his scalp with timid touches.

"Only problem is not only have I found Cye, my father has found out." Sekhmet winced softly.

"I presume that he didn't take it well?"

"Simply put, Cye is to be killed, and I am to be brought back and punished, then become normal and marry a woman." Sekhmet shook his head.

"Why can't people just except you?" Sage shrugged.

"I've been wondering the same thing old friend." Cye looked up at Sage, who's face held a sad expression.

"Love, if you could, would you go back on being with me? Go back and just marry Miss Mia?" Sage shook his head rapidly.

"No! I couldn't be happy with her. You make me happy, she does not. She's simply a friend. Well, not even that. She's more of an acquaintance." Cye smiled and nodded, as Sage leaned down to plant a gentle kiss on his lips. Cye sighed in content as Sage smiled.

"Anyways, Sekhmet, I don't want to be a burden, but is there any way that Cye and I can stay here for a night?" Sekhmet smiled brightly.

"Of course you can!" Sage smiled as he bowed his head towards the reptilian man.

"Thank you Sekhmet. If there's anything that I can do to repay you…" Sekhmet laughed and shook his head.

"You've saved me before, it's only fair that I give you housing." Sage blushed.

"They were locking you up like an animal! I had to do something about it…" His voice trailed off.

"And that is why I owe you this tiny favor. Now, why don't you and Cye get some rest? You both look excruciatingly tired." Sage nodded as Cye climbed off his lap, and fumbled, trying to bow to Sekhmet. The green haired man laughed at the boys attempt to bow in thanks.

"Cye, why don't you go to sleep?" He stated as Cye blushed in embarrassment, and then ran into the room that he presumed he and Sage would be sleeping in. Sage smiled at his hyper lover, and turned to Sekhmet.

"Again, thank you." He stated as he walked into the kitchen and cleaned the teacup, and then hung it back up before heading to the backroom to get some much needed rest. Upon his arrival, Cye was already snug in the bed, having stripped out of his clothes and curled himself under the blanket, pure bliss scattered across his face.

"This is so nice. We've been walking all day, and the to come and have an amazingly comfortable bed…" His voice trailed off into a sleepy yawn. Sage smiled as he slowly began to take off his clothes, himself being much more modest them Cye, who chose just to toss all his clothes off and then climb nude into bed. He sat at the edge, slowly removing his clothes, down to his undergarments.

"Oh come on love, it's nothing I haven't seen before." Cye muttered as Sage realized that Cye had been watching him. His face flushed as Cye laughed.

"Either you take them off yourself, or I take them off for you." Blushing pure crimson, he pulled off his last layer of clothes, and leapt under the bed to hide himself from view. Cye laughed at the blonde, as he pulled Sage's body to his own.

"Did I ever mention that I love you?" Cye muttered as Sage smiled faintly.

"Many times." Sage replied softly, as he kissed Cye once more.

"And how many times have I told you?"

"Numerous." Cye stated as Sage nodded, rubbing his head against Cye's bare chest.

"Mmm… warm." Sage moaned as Cye laughed, pulling the blonde as close as he could.

"Come on, let's get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us." Cye nodded as the two dozed off into a serene sleep.

~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~

"Again, Sekhmet, I can never repay you for your hospitality." Sekhmet laughed at the blonde.

"Ever the polite one. Nevermind repaying me. I was simply repaying you. Now, worry about your own lives, not a way to repay me for letting you stay in my house for one day." Sage blushed.

"I suppose you're right. Well, thank you Sekhmet! I hope I'll see you again one day." Sekhmet nodded, then turned to Cye.

"Well, I guess I'll see you around Mr. Mouri." Cye laughed.

"Don't call me Mr. I'm younger then you!" Sekhmet laughed and smiled at the boy.

"Alright Cye. Well, I'll see you around too I suppose!" Cye smiled brightly!

"You bet you will!" Sage smiled as he took Cye's hand in his own, and then headed to the door.

"Thank you again, friend." Sekhmet smiled.

"Anytime… Blondie." Sage smiled as he walked out of the home, the hyper gypsy in tow.

"We have yet another long day before us, and I don't know anyone else in the forest."

"Darn, no more beds. Ah well, at least I still have a pillow." Swiftly, he lifted Sage up in his arms, smiling at the surprised look he earned from the blonde.

"C…Cye!" He cried out in shock as the gypsy smiled.

"Bet you didn't think I was strong enough to do that!" Sage shook his head in shock as Cye leaned down to steal a kiss from his love. Sage's eyes fell shut as he returned the kiss, feeling Cye's tongue slid gently over his lips, before pushing past them, and into the hot cavern of his mouth.

"Aww… how cute. Not. I see I've finally found you." Cye and Sage parted, both jerking their heads to face the speaker.

"Father…." Sage hissed as Cye set him gently on the ground.

"So, I see I've finally found you. The other men, they'll be here any minute. Any minute to take away your precious lover. Or whatever's left of him." Sage growled slightly, and Cye would have laughed at his gentle lover, had he not been in such a horrible predicament at the moment.

"Father, I won't let you hurt him." Sage warned, pushing Cye behind him. Cye ignored Sage's gesture, as he stepped out from behind the blonde.

"You want me, not him, right? How about I let you kill me, but you spare any harm to your son?" The man laughed, as he drew his saber and pointed it to the gypsy.

"Father, no!" Sage cried out as the metal sliced into soft flesh, piercing through the heart.

"Sage!" Cye cried out as he realized that Sage had taken the blow for him. Tears streamed down his face in torrents, as Sage's father looked on in horror.

"Why son? Why?" Sage laughed bitterly, as he coughed up blood.

"Love father, Love." He stated as his eyes fell shut. Cye cursed as he turned to Sage's father.

"Give me the sword."

"No! It's you who killed my son!" Cye laughed harshly.

"No, I gave him love, you gave only pain! Now give me the damn blade you bastard!" With anger, the auburn haired boy wretched the saber from the man's grasp, and impaled himself with it.

"I'd rather be with him then without him… you heartless bastard. Couldn't even let him have one bit of happiness. Jerk…." And with those last words, everything faded into darkness….

To be continued…

A/N: Only one more chapter to go! And yes, I am not dead! See, all alive and stuff! I know, it's been what, 3, 4 months? I'm and evil person, now aren't I? Well, at least I finally updated! Well, bye!