Final Distance
A Yaoi Story
Written by Chevi
Chapter One
There lived a handsome young man in a dark castle. In this castle he lived all alone in the depths of darkness. No one ever ventured near the castle, in fear of their lives from the mysterious castle dweller. This young man resided in this prison since anyone can remember, some saying he was a ghost or immortal. No one trusted the boy that lived in this castle, saying that he preyed on young women, was an evil presence planning a devilish scheme, or he was there to haunt those that would pass in the woods and do unspeakable things to these travellers. But no one knew him personally, or dared to...until...
* * *
Not far away from the forest in which this dark castle dwelled was a boy's private school, Ujigami Boy's Private School.
"Shimashiro, you're dead!!!" yelled an older boy to a young black haired youth, whose name was Kinya Shimashiro.
"Leave me alone Tatsuma! I didn't do any---"
Before Kinya could finish his sentence, Tatsuma slapped him.
"You stay away from Ikeda! He wouldn't want anything to do with a little whimpy low-life like you!" scolded Tatsuma at the quivering little Kinya.
"Stop it!"
Two more boys came up behind the boy Tatsuma.
"Maybe he wants to get swallowed up by the monster that lives at that black castle that's swallowed by roses..." one of the boys commented.
"You mean Higure Castle? Yeah. let's banish him there!" says the other.
As they creeped closer on Kinya, a shadow wrapped around him, and the three boys backed away.
"Get lost!!!" said the strong figure that appeared to protect Kinya.
"Ikeda-sama! It's not what you---"
Ikeda stomped up in front of Tatsuma and slapped him much harder than even Tatsuma slapped Kinya. Tatsuma lowered his head, gave one last glare at Kinya, and walked off.
"Are you allright, Koinu-chan?"
Ikeda picked Kinya up and wiped off the blood from his mouth.
"I'm sorry Koinu-chan...are you okay?" Ikeda smiled gently kissing him on the forehead.
"I'm allright..."
Ikeda Igarashi is a Senior in the school, the class president, and the star of the kendo club at Ujigama. It's the reason he is so popular with alot of the boys at the school. However there was only one with which Ikeda was truly close to, and that was Kinya. Kinya is a Sophomore at the school, and was saved by Ikeda many times. Ikeda calls him Koinu-chan because he's like a little puppy for which Ikeda has to care for. Ikeda loves Kinya alot, but Ikeda can't be with him forever.
"You need to run away, or even fight back those guys...but I guess you're just a little 'puppy pacifist' huh?" Ikeda laughed as he ruffled Kinya's hair and carried Kinya to a shady tree nearby.
"I'm not strong like you..." Kinya scoffed at himself.
"Don't say that, you are! I'm sure of it, How will you take care of yourself in my absence..."
Kinya looked up at Ikeda shocked.
"You're leaving?! Why?! WHEN?!" Kinya shot out.
Ikeda lowered his head and held Kinya's hand.
"My parents called, they want me to return home. I'm sorry Kinya. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning..."
"So soon?! Don't!!!"
"We already talked about this. Sooner or later I was going to have to leave. I have to Kinya...I really am sorry...that's what I came to tell you. My parents are taking me away from the one thing I truly love. I can't just leave you here, but I really have no choice."
Tears came from Kinya's eyes. Ikeda wiped them with his thumbs and kissed Kinya on the head again.
"Don't look at me that way. I'll see you later on tonight okay? I want to spend my last minutes with only you." Ikeda kissed Kinya passionately on the lips, and then began to walk off.
"Tonight, remember."
Kinya nodded in agreement, seeing Ikeda walk back into the school as the bell rang.
* * *
That night, Kinya couldn't sleep. Ikeda kept passing thru his mind, clouding it with kind images of his beautiful, kind smile. Kinya had begun to cry, He had thought that now he'd be done for, never able to take care of himself, and that the bullying would continue, eventhough the object the boys were fighting over would be gone. Kinya wanted to run away from it all. He thought that maybe, running would solve all his problems. Before he could act, a knock came upon his door. Kinya hurried to the door. hoping Ikeda had finally arrived, and as he opened it, a boy covered him with a large sack. Kinya felt a hand go over his mouth, and began to smell something very strange within the sack. He became drowsy and feel asleep.
"Stupid kid, he'll be done for..." said a very familiar voice. The sack was carried far into the depths of the forest, and then left by a large tree in a big opening.
"This place gives me the creeps Tatsuma..." shook a scared classmate.
"Shut up! Maybe the vampire in the castle will come get the little baby...we all know that Ikeda would have wanted to see Kinya before leaving, but it looks like Kinya won't be there. HAHAHAHA~!" Tatsuma and his duo left the forest, as Kinya lay there in the sack, alone and cold...still asleep from the affect of the smell.
* * *
Light had fallen on Kinya's face thru the sack which held him. Kinya startled up and removed the bag, realizing that the sun had just risen. Kinya surveyed his surroundings and in fact, had no clue where he was. He dusted himself off and saw no exit or even the school anywhere.
"What happened? Where am I?" He asked, in panic that he was in another place entirely away from Ujigama. Kinya teared up.
"What's...going to happen to me...Ikeda." As Kinya pouted, he began to hear soft piano music from nearby. "A piano...maybe there is someone who lives near that can help me!" Kinya was excited, but also swept away as the beautiful piano music he heard captivated his heart. Finding his way through the forest was no problem with the music as his guide, and finally a large tower came into view. He stopped.
"Higure Castle...no way! I'm near the castle with the monster!!!" Kinya almost wanted to run away, but then a thought came to mind. "Wait a sec...monsters don't play pianos, do they?" He pondered the thought for a while, not sure if he should turn back or continue. "You are a silly young man...he he he..." said a sultry voice from high above the trees. Kinya jumped.
"Wha? Who...who's there???" He looked around him. He saw no one and sighed.
"Right behind you, cutie!" As Kinya turned around, a woman with dark purple lipstick, crimson eyes, and long dark hair was smiling at him. Kinya backed away and screamed.
"Geezus, don't be frightened...I'm not going to hurt you..."
"Are you the monster? The vampire? The gh--ghost!!!" Kinya said, cowering. The woman laughed.
"Ahahaha, good grief, heaven's no, I'm not any of the things you said I am. I'm almost normal just like you..." She pointed a finger in the air, and winked at Kinya. "I'm Sei...and you are cute boy?"
"Uhm...why should I tell you my name? You're probably just going to suck my blood, or eat me, or worse!!! I don't trust you."
"And you shouldn't, we only just met. Allright, if you need no help getting out of the forest, then I shall just leave, If you change your mind, go to the castle ahead." Before Kinya could tell her to wait, she vanished into thin air. Kinya was determined to get out of the forest, so he ran towards Higure Castle, only Ikeda on his mind.
* * *
Inside the castle, a white haired figure played the piano in a dark corner, with only one candle lit. Suddenly, curtain were opened, and as the light came in, the music dimmed.
"You're back so soon Sei...did you enjoy your walk?" said the figure, walking into the light to greet Sei.
"Certainly Yami-sama...and I have wonderful news. Or bad, depending on how you look at it. A visitor is headed this way, and there are no pitch forks, no fire, no jerks out there...just a boy. It seems to be one of the students from the boys' school."
"Turn him away Sei. I want nothing do with any of the inhabitants outside of this forest. Did he call you a monster? A vampire?!" yelled Yami as he turned his back to her, disgusted.
"He did Yami, but...this boy is different from the others. He seems to mean no harm, and he's lost...he--"
"Do you think I care Sei?! Get him away from my castle!" As soon as Yami had demanded such a request, him and Sei heard knocking on the castle door, and a voice pleading from outside,
"I'm sorry Ma'am!!! PLEASE!!! I want to get out of the forest!!!"
Kinya knocked one last knock before finishing his plea, and stepped back. Yami and Sei approached the door.
"Sei, tell this boy to go away." Sei nodded, however not in agreement, and pulled the door open. Kinya stood there crying.
"I...want to...go home..." As the tears flowed from his pale cheeks, Yami's heart suddenly broke in two. For some strange reason, even without knowing this boy, Yami felt such sadness and heartbreak for making even one tear come from his hurt-filled eyes. Sei noticed this and backed away from the door.
"Come in child...we'll help you. Don't be frightened..." said Sei, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"And please don't cry..." added Yami, feeling such guilt about the whole situation.
Kinya slowly crept into the castle, and although it was dark from the outside, it was very inviting on the inside. It was like a museum.
"I uhm...I'm very sorry Ma'am...for calling you such names...forgive me please." said Kinya sincerely.
"It's allright young one, and please call me Sei. Why are you out in the forest all alone?"
"I don't know...the last thing I remember was...I opened the door of my dorm room, and something black came over me..."
"That's all?" Sei asked, pulling out a chair for Kinya to seat himself on. Yami watched Kinya intently...
"Yeah...I'm really sorry to bother you, but I have to get back soon. What time is it?"
"Six forty five...why?"
Kinya lowered his head. "He's probably gone by now..."
"Who?" asked Yami, interested.
Kinya shook is head. "It's not important...he's gone now. I won't be able to face up to anyone alone now. I'm such a coward."
Sei and Yami looked at eachother, then back at Kinya. Kinya sniffled, and wiped his eyes, trying not to cry.
"I'm such a crybaby, and a good for nothing. Maybe it's better I do get eaten by a monster, or bitten by a vampire...at least then I wouldn't be bullied by Tatsuma and the others.
"I'm sorry to hear that you are constantly bullied by your peers," said Yami as he stood up from his chair, "but to cry about it is no excuse. You shouldn't waste such tears on them, that only means the bullying is working and having an effect on you. And it pains me to see you cry. You and I are alike and the same. Bullied by those who do not understand you..." Sei started up to stop Yami from speaking, but Yami halted her with his hand, and she sat back down, unsure he should tell Kinya about his painful past.
"Why do they bully you so...young one?"
"Well...I...I'm friends with someone...more than friends with another at our school named Ikeda...the star of Ujigama. Loved by males and females alike, good at everything, and never frowning. He loved me out of everyone, and that caused jealousy from many, including another friend of Ikeda's, Tatsuma. They bully me constantly because I'm so close to him. Now he's gone..."
Yami slowly walked around the table they were seated at, and moved toward Kinya.
"They must be the ones who brought you here." said Sei, worry in her eyes.
Kinya held his head low, not wanting to look at anything but his hands, trembling. Yami placed both hands on Kinya's shoulders from behind.
"You'll be safe here. No one ventures to my castle without a fight. I trust no one but Sei."
Kinya looked behind him. Yami's touch was very cold, but his eyes were warm and comforting.
"What about me?" he asked curiously.
"You seem pure and honest. I will trust you for now. Please do not tremble or cry anymore. It pains me to see you this way." Yami touched Kinya's face, removing the hair covering it. Kinya shivered from the cold touch, but it soothed him.
"Sei, could you prepare something to eat?"
"Certainly, Yami-sama." Sei walked off into the dark hallway. Yami pulled Kinya's chair out, and held out his hand to Kinya.
"Would you like to stay for a while? I would not mind." Kinya looked at Yami's hand, then to Yami's face. He nodded, placing his hand in Yami's.
"I shall show you around a little then. Oh, what is your name?"
"Kinya." Yami smiled.
"Kinya-kun, I am Yami, if you don't already know. Please, don't be afraid of anything here. It is not intended to harm you in anyway." Yami led Kinya to the dark hallway. He snapped his fingers and the curtains opened. Kinya was frightened.
"As I said, nothing will harm you. Only kind spirits inhabit Higure. They will do nothing to you except greet you with a kind smile."
Kinya tried to smile back, but he was still sad and hurt. Yami squeezed Kinya's hand slightly.
"Sei is the one you met before. She is like a sister to me, and has been with me by my side for some time. She saved my life once. I owe a great deal to her. Soon she should have something for us to eat."
Kinya never really talked back, just nodded and stayed close to Yami. Many extraordinary things were inside the castle. Tapestries, beautiful woven rugs, and many antiques. Kinya was amazed, yet Yami and Sei puzzled him. They looked human, but it seemed they had been living in the castle for ages. Finally they found themselves in a library.
"This is one of my favorite places. I like to read. Just down from here is my other favorite place. Come, I'll show you."
Yami lifted one of the books from the shelf, and the sound of something unlocking echoed through the library. Yami walked over to a covered door, and showed Kinya a secret area.
"This way." He opened the door, letting Kinya in first. Once Kinya had stepped inside, he saw the piano he must've heard from before. A fireplace and beautiful furnishings adorned the room. A large window with long red curtains was to the right of him, and to his left, a dinner table, with food set on it, Sei smiling toward them.
"Lunch is ready. I hope you're hungry."
End of Chapter One