Genre: Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Tooya x Aki, Yuuhi x Aya
Disclaimer: Ayashi no Ceres belongs to Watase Yuu. Don't own so don't sue.
Warnings: This fic contains spoilers as the foundation of my fic is based loosely on the anime/manga. Nevertheless, the content will become dissimilar in future chapters to come.
Important notes, please read before proceeding to fic:
This fic is yaoi, or to be more precise, it is a Tooya x Aki fic. The first of its kind I believe, to be posted here in ff.net.
Yes, I am fully aware that this pairing isn't conventional since most of the fics posted here generally revolves around the Tooya x Aya x Yuuhi triangle, and yes, I do realize that my fic could potentially incite the wrath of anti-yaoi readers. Subsequently, I would like to repeat once more that this is a yaoi fic, and unless you are /absolutely/ sure that you have no qualms reading about boy x boy love, I strongly suggest that you leave immediately. Ayashi no Ceres is undeniably a beautiful story, and by choosing to write yaoi over non-yaoi, I am by no means wanting to destroy any attributes that drew you to the anime/manga in the first place.
Please be kind in your reviews. This is my first AnC fic so any comments and criticisms will be highly valued and appreciated. I do accept flames, but /only/ if it is about the content of the fic. Please do not lash out anti-yaoi slogans in your reviews as they serve no purpose except to reflect the reviewer's narrow-mindedness.
You have my sincere thanks.
* * *
Chapter One ~ Awakening Passion
"You fools! How the hell did you let him get away?" cursed Grandfather Mikage as his cheeks flushed angrily in response. Standing inches away from the old man, Kagami watched with deep amusement as the two bodyguards hired to watch over Aki hastily muttered their apologies while bowing low with much fervour. Finally Grandfather Mikage fumed aloud, "Well, what are you waiting for? Go and bring him back, he couldn't have gotten far with all his injuries."
Again that gutless kowtow in response. Kagami took this as a sign of dismissal as he too exited from the room. Striding down the hall, Kagami was suddenly made aware of the presence of another male figure and Kagami chuckled softly to himself. Silent as usual. As the two men fell quickly into step, Kagami's gaze tilted upwards before ordering his subordinate to locate Aki and protect him.
"What about Aya?" came the quiet inquiry.
Kagami's answer was brisk, "You can leave her for the moment. Bear in mind that at all times, Aki's welfare is, and should always be, your first and only priority."
The redhead merely nodded wordlessly. As the silence stretched on, Kagami threw the man a look of annoyance as he whispered dangerously, "You wouldn't be thinking of betraying me, now would you, Tooya?"
Tooya's breath hitched as he continued staring unblinkingly ahead. With his eyes never once leaving the younger man, Kagami finally sniggered aloud before adding confidently, "No, I don't think you would. Not if you still want your memory back."
Then waving his hand as a sign of dismissal, Kagami turned his back to Tooya as he made to return inside. A sudden thought struck the Mikage and his thin lips twitched evilly upwards as he whirled around abruptly. With his eyes on the retreating back, Kagami taunted as a malicious sneer lined his facial features, "Oh, and by the way, Tooya, correct me if I'm wrong, but I have this strange feeling that this arrangement is actually more suited to your liking, right?"
Tooya's footsteps never once faltered as he exited the Mikage's mansion with Kagami's ruthless laughter still ringing in his ears.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
A pair of piercing gold-coloured eyes stared dispassionately at the sight before him before its owner spat out in disgust. Four healthy young men against an injured schoolboy. Tooya shifted his weight and the movement attracted the attention of the bullies. Ignoring the threat hissed out by the leader of the gang, Tooya's troubled eyes searched for Aki and the man almost smirked at the sight. Although clearly in pain, Aki continued to maintain a look of utmost defiance as he stared back at his attackers. Had the situation been less dire, Tooya might have sniggered aloud; teenagers these days, always wanting to act so proud and aloof even when the odds were stacked against them.
Seizing the opportunity to attack first, a huge fist was swung in Tooya's direction but the Mikage's bodyguard deftly sidestepped the attack. Tooya then brought down his attacker with swift kick and rendered another almost unconscious with a clean punch on the jaw. Several more blows were exchanged before the four bullies whimpered for mercy as they beat a hasty retreat.
Dropping to his knees, Tooya exhaled resignedly as he asked Aki if he was alright. The former then made to help the boy to his feet but Aki stubbornly refused the offer as he pushed himself upright by clawing against the wall. Amethyst-coloured eyes then stared suspiciously ahead as Aki questioned with a slight frown, "Who are you?"
"Tooya. Your uncle sent me to look for you. Come on, I'll drive you back."
Aki shook his head vehemently as he voiced out his opposition, "No, I'm not going with you. How can I possibly return to the man who tried to kill my sister?"
"Don't argue with me. Besides, you are not fit enough to move around on your own," came the irritated response.
Aki then added firmly, "I'm going to find my sister and nobody, not even you, is going to stop me."
Crossing his arms across his chest in annoyance, Tooya offered the boy a stinging reminder, "Is that right? And just how do you intend to find her? I bet you don't even know where to begin."
Aki's face fell as he closed his eyes before leaning his head against the wall in despair. The boy's helplessness touched a chord in Tooya and he chewed on his lower lip uneasily, an apology for the harsh rebuke playing on the tip of his tongue.
"Aya needs me. She acts like she's strong enough to take on the world but I know better. It doesn't matter how difficult the task, and even if I have to crawl to the ends of the earth to find her, I will."
The quiet determination in Aki's voice impressed the older man and Tooya was about to blurt out Aya's current status when Kagami's words suddenly shot to mind.
"You could do no wrong in keeping the twins apart. But if they do meet, well..."
Tooya's head pounded painfully; to tell or not to tell? Aki had been placed under his protection and bringing him to see Aya might only be courting death.
"Bear in mind that at all times, Aki's welfare is, and should always be, your first and only priority."
Shit. Not only did Kagami steal his memory, his boss had somehow or another seized control of his sub-consciousness as well. Tooya's fists clenched tightly as he resolved to deny the boy's request. But as Tooya turned to catch Aki's attention, the anguish reflected in the boy's violent orbs pierced through Tooya's heart and he found himself responding without the slightest of hesitations, "I know where Aya is."
Aki couldn't disguise his joy as he gripped onto Tooya's jacket sleeve before pleading fervently, "Please, take me to her now."
Tooya nodded soundlessly his acquisition as he loosened Aki's grip on his jacket before slinging the boy's arm around his shoulder. Tooya's other hand however, held onto the boy's waist in a bid to steady Aki's movements as they made their way towards Tooya's car. The numerous bandages still wrapped around Aki were a grim reminder of the risk Tooya was taking by letting the twins reunited. In the event that Aya unwittingly lets loose Ceres, Aki might find himself fatally injured this time around.
Tooya's lips parted but he quickly clamped them shut as he checked himself. The unmasked excitement of Aki's face stopped the bodyguard from voicing out his concerns in fear that it would only upset the boy further. All the same, Tooya found himself wishing with fervor that Aki's happiness would not be short-lived.
t.b.c.
