My steps seemed a deal more hurried as I found myself walking, no, more like jogging through the marketplace that afternoon.
The scent of sweet blood still hung about me, bringing to mind once more the sight of that crimson red on pure white.
He had let his own blood…I couldn't understand it.
Why, my Garfakcy, why?
Is there something locked up inside of you? Will you tell me?
Please?
I stopped for a moment, an unfamiliar sound meeting my ears. The sound of leaves beneath my feet.
I probably hadn't been paying attention, otherwise I would have realized I had left town and wandered into the forest.
"Kharl-sama…?" a voice softly asked.
I looked up to see Garfakcy sitting underneath a tree, his eyes wide in a sort of weak disbelief. His cheeks were pale, and at first I was confused. Confused, that is, until I saw the kitchen knife he was clutching, the trickles of blood running down his hands.
"I-I didn't think you'd still be here…" he stammered, his voice weak. "I thought you would have left…"
I ignored his words for the time being and sat down beside him, taking his hands in mine. The blood dripped onto the fabric of my clothing, staining it a crimson red.
"What was all this for?" I asked intently, worry wrought about my face. He pulled his hand from me and looked away.
"Because I'm a bastard, that's why," he replied resolutely. "A lying bastard." Taking the knife up once more, he sliced another deep gash into his forearm, his eyes narrowing with the sudden pain.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said. I'm a lying bastard…" He looked up at me, his shoulders shaking with suppressed tears. "Nothing but a lying bastard that hides behind this damn mask…!"
Before I could react, before I could stop him, he drew the blade violently across his cheek.
"Garfakcy!" Unsure of what else to do, I desperately snatched the knife away from him. He raised his palm slowly to his face, as if to stop the bleeding, then crumbled into my open lap.
"Kharl-sama, I'm so sorry…so sorry…"
"Sorry for what?" I asked gently. "You've done nothing wrong…"
Somewhere inside me told me I was lying. A little voice some people called their conscious. I ignored it.
"I'm so sorry I never came back…I would have really, I would have…"
I set the knife down as suddenly my lap was dampened with cried tears.
"I missed you…I missed you so much. I tried to come back, but they kept me here…they bound me here, Kharl-sama…."
An impromptu anger, hot as lightning flashed through my mind. They kept him here? Bound him here?
"Who's they?" I whispered softly to him. His first few words were muffled and incoherent, but soon he looked up at me, wiping the tears and the blood away.
"All of them…the humans. I got hurt and they found me…they called me traitor. A damned demon lover. They blamed me for all that had happened, all the lives they had lost to the youkai. They wouldn't let me go. They bound me here…"
Weakly he held out his wrists, and around them, two silver chains.
Wide-eyed, I stared. I couldn't believe I hadn't felt it before. Those two thin coils pulsed with so much magic…I couldn't believe I hadn't sensed it.
"I tried to leave so many times…I couldn't, Kharl-sama, I couldn't. I couldn't survive outside of this town. Every time I collapsed, and every time they brought me back…"
I didn't realize when it first had happened, but I soon found myself holding him close, protectively, softly stroking his hair as if trying to soothe him.
"They forgot my name…they gave me a new one. It took me over. I tried to fight it, but it took me over…"
By this time his shoulders shook violently with sobs. I held him tight, stroking him, whispering words of reassurance to him.
"It's okay…it's okay…" I told him. "I'll take you away from here, I swear I will…"
Damn them. Damn them all…how could they do such a thing to him. My Garfakcy, how could they hurt him like this? How DARE they hurt him like this…
So many emotions blurred my vision. I don't know why, maybe in defiance, maybe because suddenly I lost my self-control, maybe because I just needed something I had missed for so long. I don't know, but right there, right then, I pulled him to me and kissed him.
*
It startled me when first he drew me nearer to him and pressed his lips to mine, but it didn't take long before I began to wish he would never let go. It was, after all, what I had wished for most all this time.
In return I wrapped my arms around him, a silent plea to hold me here forever, to trap me in his embrace. And just like that, I felt something die inside me, felt the claws that had grasped me, torn away at my flesh for so long slowly loose and fall away.
He was gone, he was gone, he was really gone this time.
And with his death, all those forbidden thoughts I had locked up inside of me were freed once more.
"I love you…" The words rolled off of my lips so easily now as we reluctantly pulled apart. And he smiled that carefree smiled of his and looked at me, his violet eyes sparkling in the failing light.
"I love you, too, Garfakcy."
Those words…they had killed him. They had killed him.
My hands shaking, I held him tight, happiness brimming over inside of me, spilling onto the floor like puddles of my crimson blood.
"Kharl-sama…"
The blood truly was beautiful in the coming dusk, glistening like rubies. So beautiful…so beautiful…
*
He had fallen asleep, and there I was, cradling him gently, my fingers slowly running over the soft silk of his face, saddened that it had been so marred by his own knife. But it was okay. The scars, the cuts, I could heal. But as I cast a stray glance at those chains around his wrists, and suddenly I was uncertain.
Uncertain that I could remove them.
They held so much magic within them. They were not of human make, of that I was certain.
Leaning my full weight on the tree behind me, I let out a sigh. I never thought I would see my Garfakcy bound by chains such as these. I slowly examined them – thin silver, delicately braided, kept on with a small metal clasp apiece. Quite unassuming to be sure.
Unassuming, but that didn't make them any less sinister.
Gingerly I took his hand in mine and closed my eyes, focused myself. They would come off. They would, I told myself resolutely. Just like that they would fall away.
Maybe I had blinded myself with confidence, for soon I felt something pushing me away. The image of poisonous green eyes flashed in my mind. Scared the hell out of me to be sure. "Stay back, he's still mine…"
"No, he's my Garfakcy, mine, do you hear me?!" I replied, fighting back with all my power. "GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
It was to no avail. This magic, it was far from human make. It was far beyond my powers, and I couldn't fight it.
I swore to myself and clenched my eyes shut, angry and frustrated. I would free him, no matter what. Even if these chains still bounds his wrists, I would free him.
"Kharl-sama?"
I opened my eyes as I felt something stir in my arms. Garfakcy blinked up at me sleepily, and I forced a smile despite the anger that still bubbled within me.
"Is anything wrong?"
I looked back at him for a moment, not daring to speak. His emerald green eyes glittered in the fading daylight, and I gave a heavy sigh.
"They won't come off, Garfakcy…" I whispered, grabbing him and holding him tightly.
*
They won't come off…it didn't take long for those words to register in my head. They wouldn't come off. I was trapped here. Trapped in this hell, destined to live, to die. And die without Kharl-sama.
With his arms around me, making me so warm, I almost refused to believe. Such a contradiction. It was like some fairy tale gone wrong. This wasn't supposed to happen. It couldn't end like this.
"Kharl-sama…" I breathed, the words catching in my throat. "I-I…"
"Come, Garfakcy…" he graciously interrupted, slowly releasing me and standing up. His face was wrought with painful decision as he offered me his hand. "I'll take you home…"
Shakily reaching up, he pulled me to my feet, then turned and wordlessly led me down the path and back into town.
It was so quiet, neither of us dared speak, hardly even dared to breath. Like a child he squeezed my hand tightly, making sure that I was still there. Still trapped in my own disbelief, I answered by holding on tighter, trying to tell him, tell myself that somehow everything would come together.
And they lived happily ever after. That how everything had to end. Like in the fairy tales, in those childish bedtime stories everything had to end that way. It all had to end like that. Happily ever after.
But then he stopped, let go of my hand and looked at me. I stole a quick glance to where we stood – in front of that damned inn.
"Sleep well…" he whispered, bending over and laying a soft kiss on my cheek. Hesitantly I nodded as we both stepped inside.
It was all quiet. Everyone had retreated to their rooms. I saw the door open a crack, the soft light of a candle coming from Mila's room, but utterly ignored it all. Lying down on my bed I closed my eyes, listening to Kharl-sama's footsteps outside in the hallway, the gentle closing of his door.
Slowly I felt myself sink into darkness, into some tormented half sleep.
I could still feel all the conscious thoughts pass through my head, though my body was limp and unmoving.
Bound here…until I died. Fading, wasting away, dying, like the rest of them. Here. Alone. Without Kharl-sama…
Trapped in this hellhole with these damned humans…until I died.
No, no, I couldn't let that happen.
"NO!"
I bolted up, sweat streaming down my face. I looked around, shrouded by darkness, save the sparse light that shone from a thin sliver of a moon. Walking to the window I gazed down at the street. Empty, cold, still. Empty, that is, save the silhouette of Kharl-sama, staring up at my window, eyes wrought with mourning, a small bag thrown over his shoulder.
"No you don't…" I muttered to myself, turning from the window, throwing a coat on as I pushed the door open and hastily trotted down the hallway.
The stair creaked as it always did as I stepped down from it. My hand was on the door, ready to throw it open and run to Kharl-sama. That was when I heard another creak and the sound of Mila's voice behind me.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" she asked. Her voice was flat but wavering, as if she was trying to restrain all the emotions inside.
"Yeah," I replied, slowly turning the knob.
"I thought so…" she muttered, looking away from me. "What do you want to say to Ari, Kaitin?"
I took in a short breath and hesitated for a moment. "Tell him Kaitin's dead. Tell him he's gone. Forever."
Then, hastily, I pulled the ring off of my finger and threw it to her feet. She stared at me for a moment, then bent down and scooped it up. Blue eyes sparkling with tears, she opened her mouth to speak. But I didn't care as I pushed the door open and walked outside. Making sure it was shut behind me, I broke into a run down the street towards him.
"Why the hell are you trying to leave without me, Kharl-sama?" I asked stopping beside him.
"Garfakcy?" He stopped in his tracks, startled, a priceless expression of sweet surprise on his face. I nodded. "Garfakcy, you can't come, you'll…"
"Die?" I asked bluntly.
"Yeah…you'll die," he replied slowly. "And…I couldn't live with myself if I let you die…"
"Shut-up." I clapped my hand gently over his mouth and leaned nearer to him. "I'm only human, remember? I'm doomed anyways…"
Drawing my hand away, I paused for a moment, taking in the sight of his still adamant yet confused expression, then I kissed him.
I felt one arm slowly encircle my waist as he pressed something into my free hand. Breaking away, I looked to down to see a small bag of ashes in my open palm.
I looked up at him, opening my mouth to say something to him, but stopped. I knew exactly what he was saying. Fingers trembling as I clumsily undid the knot, I was met with the long forgotten scent of ashes. The blackened powder slipped through my fingers easily as once again I felt that feeling of magic surrounding my body. I clenched my eyes shut, savoring the fleeting moment as Kharl-sama draped his arms over my shoulders and whispered,
"Welcome back, my Garfakcy…"
*
"Kharl-sama!"
The sound of the door being mercilessly flung open rang in my ears. I closed my eyes tighter and pulled the blankets over my head, silently begging for that one last hour or so of sleep.
"Kharl-sama, wake up, it's past noon already!"
The blankets were easily yanked away, and I rolled over to see Garfakcy staring irately down at me. Softly I smiled…just like before. Everything would be just like before…my wish had finally come true.
"Good morning, Garfakcy," I grinned, sitting up and slowly getting out of bed. "Did you sleep well?" Quickly seizing the moment, I leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his lips. Or maybe…not quite just like before. It was okay.
"Ah…yes," he replied, turning, assuming I hadn't seen that sudden flush of rose wash over his cheeks.
"That's good to know."
He nodded slowly, then walked briskly back to the door.
"I'm going to go make something for us to eat," he muttered between raking gasps for breath. I watched, worried as his hand, delicate and trembling, pushed the door open.
"Garfakcy…" I whispered as I listened to his footsteps echo off of the stone walls. "Please…"
Hurriedly I dressed, then, sweeping away all the loose papers and layers off dust from a bookcase, began throwing books aside, searching. For what, I wasn't sure, but I knew I would know it when I found it.
How long I searched, I wasn't sure.
Books rained down onto the floor, falling open, their covers slamming the floor, the sound of their pages flying open ringing in my ears.
Glancing quickly to the cover of one, I smiled gratefully. This was it.
Slowly stepping down, I cast a sidelong glance to the piles of books lying on the floor, dust swirling around them like some strange smoke. Garfakcy would have a fit if he saw any of this.
Tucking my precious find, a book on magic charms, under my arm I slowly opened the door. Only to hear a fit of violent coughing from the kitchen.
"Garfakcy!"
*
My hands slapped the cold stone of the floor, a worthless attempt to keep myself from falling. My chest ached so, my head hurt, my vision swam. I hated this feeling of weakness – this feeling I couldn't chase away as violent coughs wracked my body.
Curled up on the ground, I clenched my eyes shut. It had been like this before…all those times I had tried to escape before, they all ended just like this.
A day had already passed. Was I truly dying?
I shook my head desperately. Fortune-telling? I still didn't believe in any of it. It was all a guessing game, all lies and deception…
And yet no matter how many times I told myself this, I couldn't help but feel that fear, that shadow of a doubt inside of me. It hurt so much…I don't want to die…
"Garfakcy!"
I had heard his hurried footsteps in the hall…Kharl-sama. I tried my best to smile as I felt his arms lift me from where I lay and gently sit me up.
"Garfakcy, please…" he whispered, hugging me tightly. "Don't overwork yourself. You need to rest…"
"R-rest?" I stammered as he drew away, a hint of a smile on his face. He nodded slowly, then scooped me up and whisked me down the hall. Towards his bedroom.
I frowned for a moment. This weakness…I hated it so much. And yet it only grew as Kharl-sama cradled me gently in his arms. I shook my head and sighed. But how could I hate this wonderful feeling, so warm and comforting, his sweet smile driving away my fears?
He reached out for the door, and with a bit of fumbling, managed to push it open. Softly he lay me down on his bed, then turned swiftly and closed the door behind us.
"Garfakcy, I've wanted to give this to you for a while now…" he muttered, reaching into his pocket and drawing out a small velvet box. Sitting up, I watched as he lifted a silver necklace from where it lay within.
Wordlessly he undid the clasp and placed it around my neck. I opened my mouth, tried to say something, but was quickly interrupted as I felt him push me back down onto the bed.
"Kharl-sama, wh-what…?" I stammered, staring up into his violet eyes.
"Shh…it's okay, Garfakcy," he whispered reassuringly before leaning down, firmly pressing his lips to mine. Startled at his suddenness, I felt my muscles tense, my fingers grasping desperately at the back of his shirt. But my shock didn't last long as I surrendered to that sweet warmth, that feeling of him on top of me.
Pulling back, but only slightly, he stopped for a moment and unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside, the made quick work of mine as well.
"You're going to have to pick those up later," I reminded him.
"I know. It's okay," he replied, his hand sliding from view, fingers idly playing with the clasp on my belt, easily undoing it.
Playfully, I felt myself nipping at him, casting a quick glance to the floor, wondering how my pants had gotten there.
Curious, I looked back at Kharl-sama, who only smiled mischievously.
*
I couldn't help but smile as I saw him laying there, naked, save for that little silver chain around his neck. So beautiful. So very beautiful…
Absentmindedly, I let my hands wander, savoring the feel of his soft skin on my fingertips, the sound of his gasps as I stroked his thighs.
In return I felt him arch his back, biting down into my shoulder as I pushed him down again. And again. And again.
"K-kharl-sama!" he gasped, emerald green eyes watering with suppressed tears, his hands trembling violently.
"It's okay…it's okay…" I whispered softly into his ear, running my hand down his chest, wet with sweat, trying to be as gentle as I could.
"O-okay, then…" he whimpered softly, coughing. I smiled and wrapped my arms around him, my heart pounding inside my chest, threatening to burst from all this love I had for him.
Every moment, every small plea he uttered to me is etched in my memory. Forever. Treasured so dearly, held so close to my heart. Never to forget. Because by sunrise, he was dead.
*Author's Note* OHMIGAWD! *holding a tissue over her bloody nose* Erm, anyways, HUZZAH, I finally finished it! 23 pages, 10,638 words, 47,069 characters later, it's done! ^^ Kokoro is happy! But don't think it ends there, I'm working on a one-shot sequel, just to sum everything up…yep, sequel coming soon. Don't worry, it won't take as long as this last update to finish. ^^;
The scent of sweet blood still hung about me, bringing to mind once more the sight of that crimson red on pure white.
He had let his own blood…I couldn't understand it.
Why, my Garfakcy, why?
Is there something locked up inside of you? Will you tell me?
Please?
I stopped for a moment, an unfamiliar sound meeting my ears. The sound of leaves beneath my feet.
I probably hadn't been paying attention, otherwise I would have realized I had left town and wandered into the forest.
"Kharl-sama…?" a voice softly asked.
I looked up to see Garfakcy sitting underneath a tree, his eyes wide in a sort of weak disbelief. His cheeks were pale, and at first I was confused. Confused, that is, until I saw the kitchen knife he was clutching, the trickles of blood running down his hands.
"I-I didn't think you'd still be here…" he stammered, his voice weak. "I thought you would have left…"
I ignored his words for the time being and sat down beside him, taking his hands in mine. The blood dripped onto the fabric of my clothing, staining it a crimson red.
"What was all this for?" I asked intently, worry wrought about my face. He pulled his hand from me and looked away.
"Because I'm a bastard, that's why," he replied resolutely. "A lying bastard." Taking the knife up once more, he sliced another deep gash into his forearm, his eyes narrowing with the sudden pain.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said. I'm a lying bastard…" He looked up at me, his shoulders shaking with suppressed tears. "Nothing but a lying bastard that hides behind this damn mask…!"
Before I could react, before I could stop him, he drew the blade violently across his cheek.
"Garfakcy!" Unsure of what else to do, I desperately snatched the knife away from him. He raised his palm slowly to his face, as if to stop the bleeding, then crumbled into my open lap.
"Kharl-sama, I'm so sorry…so sorry…"
"Sorry for what?" I asked gently. "You've done nothing wrong…"
Somewhere inside me told me I was lying. A little voice some people called their conscious. I ignored it.
"I'm so sorry I never came back…I would have really, I would have…"
I set the knife down as suddenly my lap was dampened with cried tears.
"I missed you…I missed you so much. I tried to come back, but they kept me here…they bound me here, Kharl-sama…."
An impromptu anger, hot as lightning flashed through my mind. They kept him here? Bound him here?
"Who's they?" I whispered softly to him. His first few words were muffled and incoherent, but soon he looked up at me, wiping the tears and the blood away.
"All of them…the humans. I got hurt and they found me…they called me traitor. A damned demon lover. They blamed me for all that had happened, all the lives they had lost to the youkai. They wouldn't let me go. They bound me here…"
Weakly he held out his wrists, and around them, two silver chains.
Wide-eyed, I stared. I couldn't believe I hadn't felt it before. Those two thin coils pulsed with so much magic…I couldn't believe I hadn't sensed it.
"I tried to leave so many times…I couldn't, Kharl-sama, I couldn't. I couldn't survive outside of this town. Every time I collapsed, and every time they brought me back…"
I didn't realize when it first had happened, but I soon found myself holding him close, protectively, softly stroking his hair as if trying to soothe him.
"They forgot my name…they gave me a new one. It took me over. I tried to fight it, but it took me over…"
By this time his shoulders shook violently with sobs. I held him tight, stroking him, whispering words of reassurance to him.
"It's okay…it's okay…" I told him. "I'll take you away from here, I swear I will…"
Damn them. Damn them all…how could they do such a thing to him. My Garfakcy, how could they hurt him like this? How DARE they hurt him like this…
So many emotions blurred my vision. I don't know why, maybe in defiance, maybe because suddenly I lost my self-control, maybe because I just needed something I had missed for so long. I don't know, but right there, right then, I pulled him to me and kissed him.
It startled me when first he drew me nearer to him and pressed his lips to mine, but it didn't take long before I began to wish he would never let go. It was, after all, what I had wished for most all this time.
In return I wrapped my arms around him, a silent plea to hold me here forever, to trap me in his embrace. And just like that, I felt something die inside me, felt the claws that had grasped me, torn away at my flesh for so long slowly loose and fall away.
He was gone, he was gone, he was really gone this time.
And with his death, all those forbidden thoughts I had locked up inside of me were freed once more.
"I love you…" The words rolled off of my lips so easily now as we reluctantly pulled apart. And he smiled that carefree smiled of his and looked at me, his violet eyes sparkling in the failing light.
"I love you, too, Garfakcy."
Those words…they had killed him. They had killed him.
My hands shaking, I held him tight, happiness brimming over inside of me, spilling onto the floor like puddles of my crimson blood.
"Kharl-sama…"
The blood truly was beautiful in the coming dusk, glistening like rubies. So beautiful…so beautiful…
Uncertain that I could remove them.
They held so much magic within them. They were not of human make, of that I was certain.
Leaning my full weight on the tree behind me, I let out a sigh. I never thought I would see my Garfakcy bound by chains such as these. I slowly examined them – thin silver, delicately braided, kept on with a small metal clasp apiece. Quite unassuming to be sure.
Unassuming, but that didn't make them any less sinister.
Gingerly I took his hand in mine and closed my eyes, focused myself. They would come off. They would, I told myself resolutely. Just like that they would fall away.
Maybe I had blinded myself with confidence, for soon I felt something pushing me away. The image of poisonous green eyes flashed in my mind. Scared the hell out of me to be sure. "Stay back, he's still mine…"
"No, he's my Garfakcy, mine, do you hear me?!" I replied, fighting back with all my power. "GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
It was to no avail. This magic, it was far from human make. It was far beyond my powers, and I couldn't fight it.
I swore to myself and clenched my eyes shut, angry and frustrated. I would free him, no matter what. Even if these chains still bounds his wrists, I would free him.
"Kharl-sama?"
I opened my eyes as I felt something stir in my arms. Garfakcy blinked up at me sleepily, and I forced a smile despite the anger that still bubbled within me.
"Is anything wrong?"
I looked back at him for a moment, not daring to speak. His emerald green eyes glittered in the fading daylight, and I gave a heavy sigh.
"They won't come off, Garfakcy…" I whispered, grabbing him and holding him tightly.
They won't come off…it didn't take long for those words to register in my head. They wouldn't come off. I was trapped here. Trapped in this hell, destined to live, to die. And die without Kharl-sama.
With his arms around me, making me so warm, I almost refused to believe. Such a contradiction. It was like some fairy tale gone wrong. This wasn't supposed to happen. It couldn't end like this.
"Kharl-sama…" I breathed, the words catching in my throat. "I-I…"
"Come, Garfakcy…" he graciously interrupted, slowly releasing me and standing up. His face was wrought with painful decision as he offered me his hand. "I'll take you home…"
Shakily reaching up, he pulled me to my feet, then turned and wordlessly led me down the path and back into town.
It was so quiet, neither of us dared speak, hardly even dared to breath. Like a child he squeezed my hand tightly, making sure that I was still there. Still trapped in my own disbelief, I answered by holding on tighter, trying to tell him, tell myself that somehow everything would come together.
And they lived happily ever after. That how everything had to end. Like in the fairy tales, in those childish bedtime stories everything had to end that way. It all had to end like that. Happily ever after.
But then he stopped, let go of my hand and looked at me. I stole a quick glance to where we stood – in front of that damned inn.
"Sleep well…" he whispered, bending over and laying a soft kiss on my cheek. Hesitantly I nodded as we both stepped inside.
It was all quiet. Everyone had retreated to their rooms. I saw the door open a crack, the soft light of a candle coming from Mila's room, but utterly ignored it all. Lying down on my bed I closed my eyes, listening to Kharl-sama's footsteps outside in the hallway, the gentle closing of his door.
Slowly I felt myself sink into darkness, into some tormented half sleep.
I could still feel all the conscious thoughts pass through my head, though my body was limp and unmoving.
Bound here…until I died. Fading, wasting away, dying, like the rest of them. Here. Alone. Without Kharl-sama…
Trapped in this hellhole with these damned humans…until I died.
No, no, I couldn't let that happen.
"NO!"
I bolted up, sweat streaming down my face. I looked around, shrouded by darkness, save the sparse light that shone from a thin sliver of a moon. Walking to the window I gazed down at the street. Empty, cold, still. Empty, that is, save the silhouette of Kharl-sama, staring up at my window, eyes wrought with mourning, a small bag thrown over his shoulder.
"No you don't…" I muttered to myself, turning from the window, throwing a coat on as I pushed the door open and hastily trotted down the hallway.
The stair creaked as it always did as I stepped down from it. My hand was on the door, ready to throw it open and run to Kharl-sama. That was when I heard another creak and the sound of Mila's voice behind me.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" she asked. Her voice was flat but wavering, as if she was trying to restrain all the emotions inside.
"Yeah," I replied, slowly turning the knob.
"I thought so…" she muttered, looking away from me. "What do you want to say to Ari, Kaitin?"
I took in a short breath and hesitated for a moment. "Tell him Kaitin's dead. Tell him he's gone. Forever."
Then, hastily, I pulled the ring off of my finger and threw it to her feet. She stared at me for a moment, then bent down and scooped it up. Blue eyes sparkling with tears, she opened her mouth to speak. But I didn't care as I pushed the door open and walked outside. Making sure it was shut behind me, I broke into a run down the street towards him.
"Why the hell are you trying to leave without me, Kharl-sama?" I asked stopping beside him.
"Garfakcy?" He stopped in his tracks, startled, a priceless expression of sweet surprise on his face. I nodded. "Garfakcy, you can't come, you'll…"
"Die?" I asked bluntly.
"Yeah…you'll die," he replied slowly. "And…I couldn't live with myself if I let you die…"
"Shut-up." I clapped my hand gently over his mouth and leaned nearer to him. "I'm only human, remember? I'm doomed anyways…"
Drawing my hand away, I paused for a moment, taking in the sight of his still adamant yet confused expression, then I kissed him.
I felt one arm slowly encircle my waist as he pressed something into my free hand. Breaking away, I looked to down to see a small bag of ashes in my open palm.
I looked up at him, opening my mouth to say something to him, but stopped. I knew exactly what he was saying. Fingers trembling as I clumsily undid the knot, I was met with the long forgotten scent of ashes. The blackened powder slipped through my fingers easily as once again I felt that feeling of magic surrounding my body. I clenched my eyes shut, savoring the fleeting moment as Kharl-sama draped his arms over my shoulders and whispered,
"Welcome back, my Garfakcy…"
"Kharl-sama!"
The sound of the door being mercilessly flung open rang in my ears. I closed my eyes tighter and pulled the blankets over my head, silently begging for that one last hour or so of sleep.
"Kharl-sama, wake up, it's past noon already!"
The blankets were easily yanked away, and I rolled over to see Garfakcy staring irately down at me. Softly I smiled…just like before. Everything would be just like before…my wish had finally come true.
"Good morning, Garfakcy," I grinned, sitting up and slowly getting out of bed. "Did you sleep well?" Quickly seizing the moment, I leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his lips. Or maybe…not quite just like before. It was okay.
"Ah…yes," he replied, turning, assuming I hadn't seen that sudden flush of rose wash over his cheeks.
"That's good to know."
He nodded slowly, then walked briskly back to the door.
"I'm going to go make something for us to eat," he muttered between raking gasps for breath. I watched, worried as his hand, delicate and trembling, pushed the door open.
"Garfakcy…" I whispered as I listened to his footsteps echo off of the stone walls. "Please…"
Hurriedly I dressed, then, sweeping away all the loose papers and layers off dust from a bookcase, began throwing books aside, searching. For what, I wasn't sure, but I knew I would know it when I found it.
How long I searched, I wasn't sure.
Books rained down onto the floor, falling open, their covers slamming the floor, the sound of their pages flying open ringing in my ears.
Glancing quickly to the cover of one, I smiled gratefully. This was it.
Slowly stepping down, I cast a sidelong glance to the piles of books lying on the floor, dust swirling around them like some strange smoke. Garfakcy would have a fit if he saw any of this.
Tucking my precious find, a book on magic charms, under my arm I slowly opened the door. Only to hear a fit of violent coughing from the kitchen.
"Garfakcy!"
My hands slapped the cold stone of the floor, a worthless attempt to keep myself from falling. My chest ached so, my head hurt, my vision swam. I hated this feeling of weakness – this feeling I couldn't chase away as violent coughs wracked my body.
Curled up on the ground, I clenched my eyes shut. It had been like this before…all those times I had tried to escape before, they all ended just like this.
A day had already passed. Was I truly dying?
I shook my head desperately. Fortune-telling? I still didn't believe in any of it. It was all a guessing game, all lies and deception…
And yet no matter how many times I told myself this, I couldn't help but feel that fear, that shadow of a doubt inside of me. It hurt so much…I don't want to die…
"Garfakcy!"
I had heard his hurried footsteps in the hall…Kharl-sama. I tried my best to smile as I felt his arms lift me from where I lay and gently sit me up.
"Garfakcy, please…" he whispered, hugging me tightly. "Don't overwork yourself. You need to rest…"
"R-rest?" I stammered as he drew away, a hint of a smile on his face. He nodded slowly, then scooped me up and whisked me down the hall. Towards his bedroom.
I frowned for a moment. This weakness…I hated it so much. And yet it only grew as Kharl-sama cradled me gently in his arms. I shook my head and sighed. But how could I hate this wonderful feeling, so warm and comforting, his sweet smile driving away my fears?
He reached out for the door, and with a bit of fumbling, managed to push it open. Softly he lay me down on his bed, then turned swiftly and closed the door behind us.
"Garfakcy, I've wanted to give this to you for a while now…" he muttered, reaching into his pocket and drawing out a small velvet box. Sitting up, I watched as he lifted a silver necklace from where it lay within.
Wordlessly he undid the clasp and placed it around my neck. I opened my mouth, tried to say something, but was quickly interrupted as I felt him push me back down onto the bed.
"Kharl-sama, wh-what…?" I stammered, staring up into his violet eyes.
"Shh…it's okay, Garfakcy," he whispered reassuringly before leaning down, firmly pressing his lips to mine. Startled at his suddenness, I felt my muscles tense, my fingers grasping desperately at the back of his shirt. But my shock didn't last long as I surrendered to that sweet warmth, that feeling of him on top of me.
Pulling back, but only slightly, he stopped for a moment and unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside, the made quick work of mine as well.
"You're going to have to pick those up later," I reminded him.
"I know. It's okay," he replied, his hand sliding from view, fingers idly playing with the clasp on my belt, easily undoing it.
Playfully, I felt myself nipping at him, casting a quick glance to the floor, wondering how my pants had gotten there.
Curious, I looked back at Kharl-sama, who only smiled mischievously.
I couldn't help but smile as I saw him laying there, naked, save for that little silver chain around his neck. So beautiful. So very beautiful…
Absentmindedly, I let my hands wander, savoring the feel of his soft skin on my fingertips, the sound of his gasps as I stroked his thighs.
In return I felt him arch his back, biting down into my shoulder as I pushed him down again. And again. And again.
"K-kharl-sama!" he gasped, emerald green eyes watering with suppressed tears, his hands trembling violently.
"It's okay…it's okay…" I whispered softly into his ear, running my hand down his chest, wet with sweat, trying to be as gentle as I could.
"O-okay, then…" he whimpered softly, coughing. I smiled and wrapped my arms around him, my heart pounding inside my chest, threatening to burst from all this love I had for him.
Every moment, every small plea he uttered to me is etched in my memory. Forever. Treasured so dearly, held so close to my heart. Never to forget. Because by sunrise, he was dead.
*Author's Note* OHMIGAWD! *holding a tissue over her bloody nose* Erm, anyways, HUZZAH, I finally finished it! 23 pages, 10,638 words, 47,069 characters later, it's done! ^^ Kokoro is happy! But don't think it ends there, I'm working on a one-shot sequel, just to sum everything up…yep, sequel coming soon. Don't worry, it won't take as long as this last update to finish. ^^;