Eternal Return

A/N. Thanks for all the reviews so far! Don't get confused with the use of Ken/Cain in this chapter. They are one and the same person, only from different timelines! In addition to this chapter, I will post a little parody of the prologue. It's not really funny, but maybe you like it nevertheless.

Enjoy and review!!!

**Where is the spring and the summer

That once was yours and mine?

Where did it go?

I just don't know

But still my love for you will live forever**

(ABBA-Hasta Mañana)

Chapter 2 - Fideliter et Constanter in Aeternum

Ken floated in a veil of mist not being able to make out any of his surroundings. He could hear crying, the sound belonging to a male voice that was hauntingly familiar, yet foreign. It seemed to stir emotions and memories in his head that wanted to break free, but somehow couldn't. It was almost as if the veil of mist, though clearly visible through his eyes was part of his mind and hindered him to remember.

Ken knew it had to be something important. The crying sounds tugged at his heart and all he wanted to do was comforting the person the voice belonged to, but whenever he tried to move, his limbs failed him and all he could do was whispering words of comfort he wasn't sure the stranger was able to hear.

After a while the sobs ceased leaving nothing but silence. Seconds stretched into long minutes and the brunette's only companion was his own quiet breathing.

The silence was interrupted when the invisible stranger started speaking to an unknown person in a low, pleasant voice. The boy was able to hear a faint trace of despair in that beautiful voice.

/No! Don't interfere!/, the stranger begged. He paused for a second and Ken could practically see him holding back the other person.

/Don't interfere./, he repeated more quietly. He sighed./Just observe them and take care he'll be alright!/

/As you wish, my Lord!/, came the resigned answer.

Sounds of leaving footsteps were audible, then Ken was pushed into the void of silence again. All that remained was the veil that surrounded him. He tried to touch it, but his fingers glided through it.

Still, he got the strange feeling as if it grew thicker, darker. He felt he was going to suffocate and his vision began to blur. A dull ache spread in his chest. His legs turned to jelly and alone the knowledge he would die if he passed out now, prevented him from closing his eyes and letting himself embrace the welcomed darkness.

When he thought he would black out from lack of oxygen the veil lifted so suddenly he cried out and fell to his knees. Bright lights pierced his eyes and made them water, so he clenched them shut. Ken groaned and gasped for breath. It was painful, yet at the same time one of the most wonderful feelings he had ever experienced.

His mind swam in a haze, but he tried to ignore it and stood up slowly, carefully not to upset his exhausted body too much. After a while he finally managed to open his eyes again. He blinked confused. He had been standing at the mountain's base the whole time, just a few metres in front of the cave's entrance.

Ken blinked again and shook his head. He shouldn't been able to see the entrance from his line of vision. He looked closer. Where was the hedgerow that had been guarding the entrance mere hours before? He also noticed that the barren, cold landscape had changed dramatically. There was no muddy ground anymore. It was covered by grass and wild flowers, the meadow almost more beautiful than his father's carefully arranged gardens. Moss grew on the rocks and everywhere was life be it birds flying in the air or a small rabbit looking out from a hole near the cave. The vision before him made the brunette smile. It was so unlike the place he arrived at with Youji, yet he knew it was the same.

A low chuckle to his left jerked him out of his thoughts. He spun around to see who it was. There, only five metres away from his present position sat a young man on one of the moss covered rocks. He wore dark pants and a black cape over a deep red tunic, the colour reminding Ken of fresh blood. The boy shuddered at the thought. A broad, heavy looking sword as well as a single red rose lay besides him. Strangely sword and rose seemed to belong to each other, the weapon not destroying the flower's unearthly beauty.

Ken's gaze wandered to the stranger's face. He was able to make out flaming red hair that fell gracefully between plum coloured eyes. The boy frowned when his eyes started blurring whenever he tried to get a better view on the stranger's facial structures. He knit his brows in frustration and concentrated harder on his face, but it was to no avail. He knew the other was almost inhumanly handsome, but if someone would have asked to describe him, he wouldn't have been able to explain.

The red-headed man looked at him and smiled.

/You came, beloved!/, he stated lovingly.

Ken blushed a deep red at that and began to stutter.

"What...I mean...do I know you...?", he didn't know what to say.

The stranger moved his hand in the direction of his sword. Ken backed away fearfully, but he soon realised he needn't have, because all the other man did was taking the rose into his pale hands. He stood up gracefully and walked towards him. The brunette blushed even more and retreated farther back.

The redhead silently approached him never taking his eyes from him. A soft smile graced his lips, yet when he arrived him he didn't stop, but walked straight *through* him?

"What...?"

Ken's mind tried to register how it was possible. His eyes darted around frantically not knowing what just happened until it finally dawned on him that none of this was real, that he just experienced another one of his strange dreams. He wondered why he hadn't realised sooner.

He turned around to follow the redhead's path and saw another person who had arrived at the place and who was obviously the man's destination.

The man, no...rather boy was shorter than the stranger by a few inches. He wore similar clothing, but held in deep blue and black colours. Other than the taller male he didn't seem to wear any weapons at all. His chocolate brown eyes were open, friendly and trusting, his elegant face framed by chestnut hair. Some bangs stubbornly clung into his eyes and made him blink at every five seconds, almost like him.

Ken frowned and paled. Upon closer inspection...it *was* him!!! Same hair, same face, even the same adoring gaze he always had when he looked at Youji, only that the boy's gaze was directed at the red-headed stranger.

While he observed the two, the warrior reached the smaller boy and embraced him tightly, softly stroking his hair.

/ I missed you, itoshii! Where have you been?/

He tightened his hold on the boy almost desperately. After a few seconds he loosened his hold a bit and drew back slightly to get a better look on his lover. The brunette smiled, but Ken could see that it didn't reach his eyes. Something was wrong and the redhead seemed to notice, too. His face grew worried.

/Cain?/

So that's his name, Ken thought absentmindedly. The scene unfolding before him got his whole attention.

/What's wrong, beloved?/, he continued and caressed his cheek tenderly.

/It's nothing, really!/, the brunette said and tried to smile more convincingly, but the other male didn't fall for it. He stared at him pointedly, silently asking him what was wrong.

Cain's smile ceased and he tried to avoid his gaze. He stopped when he noticed the hurt in his lover's eyes.

/Gomen.../, he whispered and lowered his head.

/Don't apologise!/, the other murmured soothingly and kissed the younger boy softly. His tongue ran along his lower lip seeking for entrance which the boy accepted boldly. Tangling his hands in the boy's silky hair once again, he explored the sweet cavern that was his mouth.

Cain sighed, his eyes fluttering closed. He leaned into the kiss almost desperately. He wrapped his arms around the redhead's neck clinging tightly to him seeking refuge in the other's warmth. Two tears escaped from under the boy's eyelids and a shudder ran through his slender body, another evidence that something was indeed very wrong.

The stranger broke the kiss and pulled away worriedly. His face grew even more concerned when he noticed the tears on his lover's face. He wiped them away with one hand, then kissed each eye softly as if to ask them to stop weeping. Cain smiled sadly.

/Ran.../, he trailed off unsure what to say to his anxious lover.

"Ran...orchid...", Ken whispered softly after finally getting to know the stranger's name.

´ Beautiful`, he thought.

Ran circled an arm about the younger male's waist and gently slid to the ground with him, so the brunette ended up in the redhead's lap. He pulled him back against his chest and planted a soft kiss on the boy's cheek. Cain relaxed.

/Tell me.../, Ran asked quietly, soothingly.

Cain peered up at him through messy brown locks and sniffed.

/Otou-sama suspects something. I had to sneak out. /

Ran stiffened. The younger boy shifted uncomfortably in his lap.

/ He asked why I like to come here...without protection./, he muttered.

/He called your people demons though he's never seen any of you!/

/I know./, the other male answered. /You already told me once...on our first meeting. You remember?/

Cain nodded unhappily.

/You are no demon, but Otou-sama wouldn't believe me if I told him so. He wants me to stay away from here. He.../, the boy stopped as tears sprang into his eyes and trailed down his cheek.

/He asked Count Brad to take me to the castle in Gashwick´s Hollow. I don't want to go with him, Ran!!!/, he sobbed. He slightly turned within his lover's grasp and hid his face in the crook of the redhead's neck. Hot tears splashed down and soaked his tunic, but he didn't care.

Ran tightened his hold on the trembling brunette. His own eyes misted at the thought of loosing the gentle, caring boy, the only person he would ever truly love. Gashwick´s Hollow was more than a fortnight's trip away from the caves. The Duke surely knew about that. That's why he chose it out of all places, he thought bitterly.

Beside Cain had told him that the Count held a silent obsession over him. Duke Persia searching for a ´safe` place for his son must have provided a perfect chance for him to get closer to the boy.

/I won't let them take you away, beloved! Don't worry!/, he soothed. /You belong to me, always and forever./

He whispered comforting words in his ears, silently vowing that no one would harm him without facing his wrath and that of his people.

Ken who still observed the young couple felt sorry for the boy who was so much like him and this redheaded man who had been able to catch the boy's heart and keep it. Though he wanted to believe what Ran had said, he got that weird feeling almost like a premonition that things wouldn't turn out happy for them. He continued watching them.

After a while Cain's sobs ceased and he lay still within his lovers arms. Ran looked down at him and smiled sadly, his plum eyes clearly mirroring the love he held for him. He slowly brought Cain's hand to his lips kissing each of his long, slender fingers softly.

The brunette gazed at him startled. A faint blush crept on his cheeks.

/Ran.../, he whimpered softly his lover's tender action already getting to him.

Ran smiled and took Cain's second hand as well. He laced his fingers through the boy's and at the same time placed something in his hand. The boy looked at what his lover had given him. What he saw brought a gorgeous smile to his lips, the first this evening that truly reached the brunette's face.

/It's beautiful, koi./, he whispered and stared at the red rose in his hand.

/Not as beautiful as you, beloved. Nothing can compare to you!/, Ran answered lovingly.

Cain blushed again. Even after countless times of his lover telling him, he was beautiful, he still held the childlike wonder of a person who never heard it before or never would have expected it directed at him.

/Aishiteru, Ran./, he breathed and kissed the taller male again. The kiss was short and sweet, a declaration of his love towards the man.

When he broke the kiss, he stared at him questioningly. Ran lifted an eyebrow.

/Nan dayo?/, he asked.

/Do you believe in love through the times, koi?/, he inquired.

/Doushite?...Why do you ask, beloved?/

Cain swallowed and lowered his head, obviously uncomfortable.

/I just wondered if we weren't able to be together in this life,..../, he trailed off.

/Why wouldn't we be able to be together? Cain?/, Ran asked several alarm clocks going off in his head.

/It's just this weird feeling I have lately. Like something bad is about to happen. That's why I wanted to know.... if something happened to me, you'd believe we could meet again in the next life?/

Ran went pale upon his lover's words. Fear gripped his heart and threatened to suffocate him.

/Don't say that! I won't loose you! I won't! Do you hear me?!/, he cried out.

/Gomen...it was a stupid question./, Cain apologised weakly.

/No, it wasn't! Listen, beloved.../, he tilted the boy's chin up and stared deep into his velvet brown eyes to emphasise his next words, /...time may pass, but my love for you will never cease. If necessary I will wait an eternity if there is a chance for us to be together in another life. Never doubt that, beloved!/, he said and meant every single word of it. He would always wait for him.

/You'll wait for me?/, the brunette asked shyly.

/Yes!/, he assured him.

/I will return for you then./, Cain whispered.

/ But, I won't loose you./, he vowed silently to himself. Still, a dreadful feeling kept lingering in his heart.

Ken was jerked out of his observation by the snap of a twig behind him. The two lovers didn't notice, but Ken turned around and strained to see what had caused the sound. At first he failed to see anything suspicious and he lowered his guard, but a slight movement behind one of the hedgerows a bit further down the mountain caught him alert once again. He looked closer and recognised a dark hooded man silently observing the two lovers. Even from the distance he could make out the hateful glance he shot at the redhead before he finally turned around and quietly left.

Ken wasn't sure, but he could swear he saw the man's mouth forming the word `demon` right before he had turned his back to him. Suddenly he knew that Cain hadn't asked Ran without a very good reason if he saw a chance to happiness in another life.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Youji woke to the feeling of being observed. He opened his jade eyes and sat up slowly, hoping not to disturb the peacefully sleeping boy next to him. He looked around but didn't notice anything suspicious.

The sun shone directly into his face and a gentle breeze played with his blonde locks and caressed his nude form. His hand travelled towards his clothes in search for a weapon. Fingers closed around a small silver dagger. It wouldn't serve against an opponent wielding a sword or carrying a gun, but at least he wasn't defenceless.

Youji stood up gracefully, not caring if anyone saw him naked. If someone was near he would have already seen him anyway. He checked his surroundings a second time this time more closely, more aware. Still, he found nothing.

Either there really was nobody around or the observer had decided to leave them alone. After he was sure that there was no threat to him and...more importantly...to the equally naked boy still sleeping on the ground, he returned to his clothes and put on his pants. His cloak way spread out on the ground, his slender love laying on it.

Youji´s eyes softened at the sight of the brunette boy. He closed the short distance to him and sat down his eyes never leaving his face. Though Ken stubbornly refused to believe that he was beautiful when someone told him, he couldn't describe him other than that. Silky hair fell over long eyelashes closed in peaceful slumber. An adorable pout played upon the boy's lips making him look childlike innocent, yet desirable sexy at the same time.

His gaze travelled farther down to his delicate neck and bare chest. The boy's pelvis and the upper part of his long legs were covered by his own cape, which he had draped over him before he had fallen asleep. His light tanned skin was bathed in sunlight adding to his unique beauty.

Ken didn't seem or didn't want to acknowledge it, but to Youji the gentle, adorable, yet brash and sometimes clumsy boy was the most perfect creature that had ever graced the planet. Whenever he was near people seemed to open up and started smiling or laughing. He brought out the best in many.

Still, there were people who wanted to hurt the kind boy, hurt him for who he was, what he represented as Lord Hidaka´s only child. Youji had sworn to kill all of them. Ken was his and he had vowed to protect him even at the costs of his own life. What had started as a mere job to the request of the boy's father, had become so much more.

He had never told him, but the moment he had laid eyes on him, he knew his life had changed. Ken had been around 12 years old back then, a brash, innocent child that loved to explore the castle grounds and anything that promised fun and an adventure, even if they ended with broken legs, bruised jaws or nearly drowned little Kenken. The child's open mind and thirst for knowledge intrigued him and at that time he felt drawn to him like a moth to the flame.

That was six years ago. Almost two and a half years later after the incident at the river, he finally admitted to himself and to the boy that what he felt wasn't just simple affection, but something more, something deeper that his heart recognised as love. To his immense joy, the boy reciprocated his feelings just as much though he usually was too timid and shy to openly show them.

What had happened only a few hours earlier was an exception. Ken initiating a kiss was very rare. He was by far too insecure, lacking the confidence the older man possessed.

A shiver from the boy beside him jerked Youji out of his train of thoughts. He pulled the cape up and carefully tugged the boy completely in, not wanting to wake him up, yet. Dark circles under the boy's eyes clearly showed that he hadn't slept much the past few days, to busy planning his next adventure than to sleep. He was incorrigible when it came to that.

Youji frowned. Perhaps he shouldn't have agreed to explore the caves, but instead have dragged him home. He sighed softly caressing Ken's cheek.

He knew that he had already hurt the boy with his thoughtless words about having better things to do than this, implying his continuous flirts with the female population of the castle. Though he never said anything about it, Youji could see the hurt clearly in those expressive eyes of his. Ken was too selfless at times, easy forgiving Youji´s faults. It made him feel guilty.

But even if he accepted his flirts, he knew that the brunette would never forgive him if he changed his mind to go back now that they were right before the entrance of the caves.

Ken stirred besides him and opened his eyelashes slowly to reveal sleep-fogged chocolate eyes. He clenched them shut due to the blinding sunlight and a small groan escaped his silky lips.

Youji´s face lit into a tender smile.

"Hey, sleepyhead. Nice to see you finally awake!". He chuckled warmly.

The brunette blinked his eyes open once again. He tilted his head to the side and met the blonde's gaze. His mouth opened into a wordless question, then what happened earlier rushed back and a healthy blush crept into his cheeks.

Youji grinned.

"I had a strange dream.", Ken said suddenly.

"What did you dream about, Kenken?", he asked fearing the answer. He hadn't forgot the redhead from the boy's dreams.

"I dreamt about someone crying.", the brunette frowned. "He sounded familiar, but I don't know where I've heard that voice before. Then there was this void and I thought I would suffocate. I..."

He blinked confused.

"What's wrong?", Youji asked worried.

"I can't remember!", he whispered. "Everything was clear just a moment ago and now...nothing. I don't know anymore."

The boy sounded distressed.

"It's ok.", Youji tried to soothe him. "It probably wasn't important. That's why you forgot so fast about it."

Ken nodded, but the blonde could see doubt in those velvet eyes. He sighed and drew the boy into a comforting embrace, inhaling the soft fragrance of the boy's smooth skin. He nuzzled his cheek. The brunette sighed almost inaudible.

"Hmm, I can get addicted to that sound. Beautiful!", Youji whispered in an attempt to lighten his mood.

Ken's reaction was a soft smile and another one of those adorable blushes. Youji groaned. The boy just didn't know how sexy he looked when embarrassed. It took all of his resolve not to crush the smaller boy to him for another few hours of passion.

Lord Hidaka didn't know where they headed to. It would be better to start exploring the caves and try to get back as fast as possible. Youji´s heart hated the thought of letting Ken go right now, but his mind reminded him that other things were more important...at least now.

He reluctantly released his lover from the embrace and stared into his eyes. An evil thought crossed his mind and he bit his lip to prevent grinning. Ken looked adorably puzzled when he noticed the comical expression on his face.

"Nan dayo?", he asked.

Youji smiled and tried his best to look as innocent as a lamb.

"It's already past midday. I thought we should start our little field trip or else your father might get worried."

Ken paled when he realised that he hadn't thought about Lord Hidaka getting worried. The last time this happened, he almost drove the castle insane with his howls and ranting. His mind processed the other part of information Youji had provided him.

/Start our little field trip.../, he thought, /...that means.../

His face lit up in joy and he jumped up forgetting that beneath the cape that was still draped about him, he wore nothing. It fluttered to the ground soundlessly.

"Come on, Yotan!", he cried cheerfully, "I can't wait to see the inside of the caves."

Youji stood up languidly, eyes twinkling in mischief. He smirked at the over-happy brunette.

"Kenken, I think, first you should take a good look at yourself before you want to storm in there.", his smirk grew wider as he continued, "Not that I would mind...you going in there like...", he pointed at the confused boy, "like that!"

Ken looked down himself and realised what the other had meant. He blushed furiously from head to toe.

"Youji! Hidoi!!!!", he cried out, "Why didn't you tell me I am *naked*!!!"

The lanky man didn't try to suppress his laughter anymore. He broke into fits of giggles and in between them managed to say:

"I thought, you'd realise sooner."

He calmed down a bit.

"Besides...I had hoped that you react like that. You look so kawaii when embarrassed! And it was worth it!"

"I'm not kawaii!", Ken muttered.

Youji sighed.

"Yes, you are. You're the only person who doesn't notice."

The brunette preferred not to answer to that knowing that they already had this particular discussion countless times. He went to his pile of clothes and started dressing himself, blush still burning on his cheeks.

Youji smiled when his lover didn't retort on his comment. It was a start. Perhaps one day, he would believe him when he told him that he was beautiful and kawaii. He looked to the cave's entrance and his mind turned back serious. Exploring the passages wasn't as harmless as he wished to believe. Countless things could happen while down there. He hoped that the brunette was prepared or else He'd bring him home right now.

"Ken?", he turned his face back to the boy who had finished dressing and was in the process of unpacking a small bundle he had missed earlier.

"What's that?", he asked though he had a good idea what the bundle contended.

"Two ropes, a penknife, several torches, chalk to mark our way back, bandages in case of injury, some water and supplies in case we get lost and most importantly...", he looked up and grinned, "...parchment and ink to map the system."

/At least he's really prepared./, Youji groaned inwardly though he was still worried about the whole thing. /I wish I could share his excitement. Guess I´ll be happy when he's safe home without a scratch./

"Good.", he said loudly. "I wouldn't have let you in if you weren't."

Ken grinned.

"I'm always prepared."

"That didn't prevent you from falling into the river."

The boy stuck out his tongue. "That wasn't my fault...at least not completely.", he added quickly.

Youji shook his head and grabbed his arm.

"Just let us get it over with, so I don't have to face your father's wrath. Stick close to me and if anything is unusual, tell me!"

"Yes, master.", Ken mock saluted.

"You never call me master when we sleep together.", Youji sulked.

"That's because I'm too busy doing other things than talk.", the boy smirked.

The blonde man stared at him shocked.

"Getting confident?", he asked surprised.

Ken's grin widened.

"Your influence, I guess."

"..."

The boy giggled merrily. "That's the first time I rendered you speechless in years."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Omi groaned unhappily, still observing the enamoured couple at the cave's entrance. It hurt to see the blonde warrior flirt with the gentle brunette. Hurt to see him embracing the boy, kissing him and making love to him.

It hurt even more to know that the person he knew - Cain - was no longer, but instead he saw a young man who held no memories of his past life, no memories of the love he and his Lord shared so deeply.

Ken - yes, that was *this* boy's name. No longer was he Cain, only child of Duke Persia, but Ken, only son of Lord Hidaka. So different yet still a resemblance to his past self.

He watched the couple as Lord Ran had requested of him. He nearly got discovered by doing so, the lanky blonde, named Youji, being very perceptive of his surroundings. The past hour showed him that this man was as protective of the boy as Ran had been when he was with the boy. But, this time there was also a possessiveness that his Lord lacked of. Youji made sure that the boy was his, the man being confident, strong and obsessive.

Ken, on the other hand was very similar to the Cain he knew, gentle, kind and caring. He was self-conscious and selfless, the last virtue resulting in his death, because he wanted to protect the one he loved. But, there were also new qualities Cain didn't possess in his past life.

Cain hadn't been as adventurous and curious as Ken. Determined he had been, yes, but not to the point of stubbornness his incarnation showed.

Cain and Ken, they were like two sides of the same coin, belonging together, yet showing off other features.

Movement from the two interrupted Omi´s reflections. Youji and Ken proceeded to enter the cave system. It was time to follow them making sure nothing happened to his Lord's young lover.

/Don't interfere./, he remembered Ran saying. /Just observe them and take care he'll be alright!/

He had promised not to interfere, but it was hard not to. Ran wasn't the only person who longed to see Cain, now Ken, again. The boy's virtue was to capture everyone's heart and everybody from their world wanted to see the boy at Lord Ran´s side, wanted to be near him.

"I will protect you, Cain!", he silently vowed to himself.

He left his position behind one of the larger rocks and followed the two men in a certain distance, so he couldn't be detected so easily.

Ken had lit one of the torches and held it high above their head. Omi could see even from the distance the look of pure rapture on the boy's face. He took in every single rock, stone and pebbel on the ground. Every now and then the boy made markings with the chalk on the walls of the passages. Ken had guessed right earlier.

The caves *were* a giant subterranean system of gangways and passages some of them leading to dead ends, some into nothingness, some deep down into the Earth, truly a labyrinth. If he didn't mark the way they would never come out alive.

Even now, Omi was very nervous that the boy might walk straight into one of the hidden traps or fall into a hole, the ground giving in very easily in some of the corridors.

What both men didn't know either that the duct they were passing at the moment lead towards the hidden portal into their realm. Omi didn't have a clue what to do if they found it and managed to use it. He silently cursed himself not to have asked Ran about that possibility.

Youji and the young Lord reached a small grotto after about one hour of walking. Omi noticed that Ken had decided to take a straight way, only turning right or left two times when there was no other choice left. Even then, he continuously marked the walls whenever they passed crossroads.

They came to a halt before the exit of the grotto inhaling sharply when they took in their surroundings. The light of their torch refracted in thousands of white shimmering crystals being embedded in the solid rock of the walls and on the ceiling above them.

The brunette cried out in joy, face breaking into a beautiful smile that let Omi´s heart swell. Cain had reacted the same way when Ran took him on their first journey to their realm. He wondered what Ken would say if he knew that the grotto was just above the chamber that held the gate between their two worlds. A hidden passage just a bit to their left would lead them downward, but Omi knew it would be better if they didn't find out that much.

A frightened cry erupted from the brunette's mouth. Omi jerked his gaze back to the couple and almost cried out himself when he realised what happened.

The ground beneath the boy collapsed suddenly, leaving him suspended in the air for a second before the weight of his own body dragged him down. He tried to touch the edge of the abyss with one hand, but missed it by millimetres.

Youji who had been standing only a few metres next to him, jumped forwards in attempt to catch his hand, but their fingers only touched shortly and the boy disappeared into the darkness with a look of utter horror written on his face.

Omi looked at the place where Ken had been mere seconds before. His mind tried telling him that this was impossible, but the shocked blonde warrior on the ground left no doubt that what he had seen was true.

In all the times...in all the times that people had crossed the grotto, nothing had ever happened. Why, oh why did the ground have to collapse when *he* was passing by? After Ran had blamed himself so much over the boy's death and waited for him to be reborn. Why did it have to happen to him of all people?

Omi tried to stay calm. He had to do something. Though it surely must have been a ten metres fall for the boy, if not more, there was a chance that he was alive and he had to help him. Seeing his chance, for Youji still was in shock, he leaped forwards and raced quickly towards the hidden passageway careful not to make any sounds. Even if he knew that the other man cared for the brunette, he didn't want him to find out their secret.

When he would come out of his stupor, he surely would use the rope and try to get down to his lover.

Omi only hoped that he was gone by then. Though he hated the thought, Ken's accident provided the perfect chance to separate him from Youji and bring him to his Lord, even if it was against Ran´s explicit wishes and his own heart.

He reached the passageway without Youji noticing it and disappeared.

~ End chapter 2 ~