My Only Correct Decision
[Chapter 3:Loyalty]
Why?
"Why did you say sorry to me?" Tsuzuki asked after releasing Hisoka from his tight embrace, "Why?"
Hisoka did know how to reply to this question and remained silent. This silence immediately made the two men stare up at the dark sky devoid of stars. Somehow, this night was the turning point for the two of them.
Tsuzuki just leaned against the trunk of the tree. He wondered what Hisoka was up to. How he wished that he had empathy like Hisoka. He wanted to know the sentiments of the young general right now.
Why? Why do I have this feeling of sadness after encountering you, Hisoka?
"Painful…it was painful…" Hisoka softly murmured as he faced Tsuzuki. With his graceful hands, he cupped the rebel's smooth cheek and gave a pained smile. "I am afraid too. I do not wish that you experience the fear I have."
Tsuzuki looked more confused, his features became rigid under the light of the moon. Hisoka carefully at Tsuzuki's amethyst eyes and then at their surroundings and noted its stillness. Everything was peaceful, greatly contrasting from Tsuzuki's expression. Again, he repeated what he said previously to Tsuzuki, this time it had a subtle softness, "I am afraid too. I do not wish that you experience the fear I have."
Because I want to know you, Tsuzuki. I want to be with only you…
"What do you fear of, Hisoka?" The taller man asked, "Why do you not want me to feel it?"
Hisoka's hand left Tsuzuki's cheek and went to his chest, directly above the heart. Without any signals, a sudden rush of emotion flowed inside Tsuzuki. It surged like a powerful tidal wave inside his chest and his mind filled with flashes of images.
Innocent people beheaded, children raped, women battered…it was too much for him…
More blood, fire, screaming and a blurry vision of a woman pleading for Hisoka to leave…
"No!"
Suddenly everything went blank, still and quiet inside Tsuzuki. It was too much to bear, so horrid for both Hisoka and Tsuzuki.
"Do you understand?" Hisoka asked. "I am scared that you might become like me. Someone pointless."
"I..I..How did you do that?" Tsuzuki looked at Hisoka in awe. Hisoka looked away and sadly replied to him, "My gift can also be used to make others feel what I feel."
He continued it with a plead more of like a desperate cry, "Please, Tsuzuki, do not waste yourself! Do not attempt to create a faction!"
"But I cannot. If I have to face you, I will. I would take any risk just to get out of this miserable life we lead under that…that…king."
"I see…I thought I would convince you…" Hisoka said, his emerald eyes filled with tears of anguish that he fought to keep.
Again, silence fell upon both of them and not a single word did they say, both minds full of questions.
Hisoka stood and began leaving Tsuzuki behind. For one last time, Tsuzuki gave a stand for what he believed in, "I would do everything to be free again. This kingdom may look like a paradise but this land is filled with pain. If we meet again, even as enemies—at least you know what I believe in and my wish will never change."
Hisoka had to look back at Tsuzuki and give his bitter smile, "Until we meet again, Tsuzuki. I wish that we had met under different circumstances."
-
Tatsumi adjusted his glasses and remarked to Tsuzuki as he returned, "You look so somber tonight."
"It's nothing." The dark haired man said while pulling a chair and sat on it at the dining hall.
Tatsumi knew that Tsuzuki was into deep thought because the usually happy-looking Tsuzuki was silent. He did not take notice of the food and the sweets placed on the table. Tatsumi presumed that Tsuzuki was still hurt from the reprimanding he made earlier. However, he had to be strict to Tsuzuki at times; the worst can be expected when he would not do that.
Tatsumi's pride was to be put down because of the irreparable, downcast expression on Tsuzuki. He settled with a small "sorry".
Moments later, he asked his assistant, careful not to sound that he was still annoyed at him, "Where have you been Tsuzuki? I was worried about you."
"It doesn't matter anyway. Just a night stroll…" It seems that the question suddenly lifted Tsuzuki's mood. He gave a grin at Tatsumi and brightly said (to Tatsumi's disbelief), "I'm fine and you are correct about what you said earlier. Nee…are these sweets for me?"
Tatsumi gave a slight nod and before he could even say an approval, Tsuzuki have finished all the sweets on the table. Anyway, he did not fail to notice Tsuzuki not eating the food on the table, "Ano Asato-kun, finish your dinner."
"Butbutbutbutbut Tat-su-mi!!!!!"
"Finish it. We are to make the final plans for the attack. Now eat those." Tatsumi returned to his stern voice, leaving Tsuzuki to whine silently on his seat while spooning the food in his mouth.
-
Muraki glanced steadily at the clock, intensely watching its pendulum sway from side to side. His pretty general failed to come late at night. He remembered ordering a certain General Kurosaki to come to his room at the palace at exactly 10 o' clock in the evening.
He was severely annoyed at this display of tardiness. He decided to look for the young general by himself. Just as he expected, Hisoka was just approaching the corridor he was in right now.
"I suppose you have a valid excuse for being late, General Kurosaki." Muraki asked, flashing his sinister smile to his subordinate.
"I believe I do not have any, sire. My apologies for not coming early." Hisoka said with gritted teeth.
"You should be." Muraki said, approaching Hisoka slowly, the edges of his fine coat following him. Finally, when he reached Hisoka's side, he playfully ran a cold finger across Hisoka's pale cheek. "I wanted to ask you if you have leads about the identities of the rebels' leaders."
"Not yet sir." Hisoka replied, flinching away from the king's touch.
"Do not lie to me. I believe that you talking to one of them earlier." Muraki had to smile at his little remark. It immediately made Hisoka tense and he knew the true answer. He angrily looked at Hisoka. The other backed, knowing what would happen next.
"Where…does… your loyalty… fall?" Muraki asked, his tenor voice full of superiority and seething anger.
"Only to you your highness," Hisoka replied firmly and continued, "Is there a need for me to prove it to you?"
"Maybe yes, maybe not. I'll be the one to do it for you." Muraki's strong hands pushed Hisoka against the palace walls. The light of the candles flickered ever so gently as Muraki closed onto Hisoka.
In a moment, Hisoka felt extreme pain all over his small frame. It sent him falling against the king's shoulder. The pain coursed through him like rancid poison that it made him scream like end of the world. Apparently, the king had used one of his pain-causing curses on Hisoka.
"YAMETE KUDASAI!!!!" Hisoka cried his eyes were watery from pain. Oh, how Muraki loved that look on Hisoka's face!
Not yet thoroughly satisfied with Hisoka's wails of pain, he chanted the mantra again to produce more pain on the young general. He did not stop until Hisoka's mouth produced wounds and was profusely bleeding red.
Finally satisfied, Muraki pulled Hisoka's face closer to his until their noses touched, "Did you love it, Kurosaki-kun?" Muraki ended his question by lightly kissing the latter's bloody lips, "I bet that you did. Hope it would serve as a little reminder."
"I will be reminded…just…just don't do that…to…to…" Hisoka softly pleaded to the mirthless king. "Please…"
'I will not as long as you comply with my wishes. Mark my word, boy."
~
"HISOKA!!!!!!" Watari cried as he saw Hisoka very pale, nearly falling to his knees. He was positive that there was something very wrong with Hisoka. Upon seeing the bleeding mouth that of his friend, he immediately pushed his friend on a chair, summoned from his robes a fresh handkerchief and fetched his bottle of whatever that can relieve the horrible bleeding.
The other seemed not to care about his state. He mind was still in frays after it received so much shock. He did not even mind controlling the blood oozing from the fresh cut on his mouth. This gained curiosity from the soldiers who passed and saluted him on his way to the chambers. This reaction was the same for Watari; in fact, it was more exaggerated. It appeared as if Watari would be more frantic frantic about seeing him bleeding with a listless look than would Hisoka mind.
On the contrary, the blond man seemed guiltily elated that Hisoka would be taking one of his anti-mouth sore preparations. Save the joy later because it was time that he begin to worry about his friend.
"What happened?Anything that attacked or something?!?" Watari asked, looming in and out of Hisoka's view to gather some things in the room that would be of use to his friend. Nevertheless, this hastiness done by Watari seemed unnoticed by Hisoka.
"Ne, daijobu Hisoka-kun?" Watari finally stopped and casted a worried look on Hisoka. The must be something wrong and as his friend, he hoped he could hekp as much he possibly can. Again, nothing came from Hisoka.
With this, Watari sighed kneeled in front of Hisoka's chair, "Is there anything that I can do? I'm very worried about you."
A pair of green eyes averted to avoid direct contact with the blue orbs belonging to Watari. Faintly, he shook his head and remained silent. Watari passed a hand through the luxurious texture of Hisoka's light brown hair, "If you do not want to tell me right now, it is fine with me. However, do not hesitate to as for help if you need it.'
All Hisoka was able to whisper is a faint and sad, "Thanks…"
That night, his body shook violently in sleep. He kept on dreaming horrible deaths almost all of which he could not recognize as who they were. Only a few of them he recognized, that was him dying in the hands of Muraki. Each time this occurred, he always ended up in a corridor at the dark fortress, seeing a glowing human lying on a bed on the other end. After glancing at this serene person, Muraki will appear from the shadows and wound him a hundred times with a sword. Then he would awake and find himself screming at the top of his lungs.
Unceremoniuosly, he rose from his bed and went outside his room. He walked and walked, turning carefully at each corner until his feet brought him to a set of steep staircases. One of these stairs lead to a corridor forbidden except for him.
Hisoka's power started to become haywire when he reached the end of the stairs and grabbed for the gleaming handles of the double doors. Immediately, he mustered his strength to open the doors and a full impact of harsh sentiments replaced his thoughts. He felt a drowning sensation of hopelessness. It was too exhausting to feel all those emotions that he could not destinguis his from the source of sadness…
So pitiful, I offer only restSolace in peacful death…
Ponder on such pain!,
'Tis only the world has to offer
A splendid hall greeted him, adorned by clear chandeliers, lush curtains…however, everything seemed bleak—it reflected much pain. The only thing that remained glowing and warm was a beautiful lady lying on top of the luxurious bed. She was pale, but her beautiful curves, supple and smiling pink lips, and her youthful appearance remained. On her body she wore black silk and her bed coverings complemented an icy blue.
Hisoka was daunted by her appearance and but did not hesitate to reach and cup her soft cheek. Involuntarily, a lone tear slid down his pale face.
How come I remembered only today?
All feelings suddenly became blank…Hisoka felt nothing and slowly, his body quivered to the coldness. Numbness took his whole body and silently, very silently his body fell to the ground.
The last thing he could remember was a pair of strong arms catching him and his world became black.
How he wished it was Tsuzuki or Watari.
[To be continued…]
A/N: Waaaa~I!!! I'm very glad that many did review this fanfic! I bow down to everyone who did. ::bows then glomps each one:: eek….
Anyway, I hope I am not boring anyone with my crazy ideas…oh how mirthles was Muraki there? I think it's only a little…ok, it's time to introduce an OC! Yep, an original character… this is alternative nverse anyway… Her name (yuppie, a she;D) is Shindou Kurosaki…pretty obvious whos relation isn't it? Whatever her role would be would be revealed in the next chapters. So there you go and enjoy!
~jaa mata!