Yami Vera: --;; Here it comes...
Vera: YOU WANT ME TO CONTINUE?! I LOVE YOU PEOPLE!! ^_______________________________^
Yami Vera: Oi. --DDDD Aibou are you going to get on with the story?
Vera: *nods* HAI! And I'll have review comments at the end ^_o.
IMPORTANT: MUAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA! I figured out who's under the Emperor! Turns out the Prime Minister is under the Emperor but the Emperor is really only there for tradition. In MY story the Emperor will have POWER!! ^^; What? It's my AU!
DISCLAIMER: (See Prologue)
Vera: And the important business is out of the way! ONWARD WITH THE FICCY!!
Yami Vera: Ra help me...
MYTHOLOGICAL LOVE STORY
Chapter 1: AQUA & CRIMSON LIGHTS
He ran as fast as he could, the only sounds reaching his sensitive ears being the steady beat of his feet drumming against the forest floor and his own breathing. He had almost been seen by that... human. There was something about him that was different from the boy he had met a while ago, Yuugi he believed. While the first boy was innocent and sweet, this other man was obviously neither of those. He could feel it. Literally.
After a few more minutes of the steady rhythm he had maintained whilst running, he slowed to a stop before a small circle of Sakura Trees. The glowing boy leaned himself against one of the trees, struggling to regain his breath. Harsh laughter suddenly filled the air around him, causing a light shudder to run down the blonde's spine. He glanced up and spotted a familiar figure.
"What are you laughing at me about this time?" the ethereal being snapped. A glare passed over his features as he watched the one above him continue to chuckle darkly.
"You are an idiot Katsuya, you know that? Of course, such a thing was clear to me the day I met you. If I'm correct in thinking, and I know I am, you get more ignorant with each passing day." an insult was the other's only reward to his question as usual. Heaving a sigh, Katsuya moved away from the occupied tree and easily pulled himself onto the branches of one beside it.
"And what, pray tell, have I done to deserve such a lovely array of words from you this evening Bakura?"[1] the addressed male simply flashed him a smirk before muttering a few words under his breath. Reaching out, the white-haired boy brushed a slender finger against one of the Sakura's many blossoms. The set of petals immediately caught fire and burned to a small pile of dust. This action only caused the blonde to shiver. He hated fire.
"Fine, don't tell me why you've decided to be an ass this evening." Katsuya muttered, retracting his wings into his back. It was much easier to sleep without the possibility of snagging the things on something. He sighed and leaned back against the smooth bark of the Sakura, fiddling slightly with the material about his legs. They were the equivalent to human pants the only difference being that the material wrapped about the lower body and tied at the waist. It was the only thing he wore, leaving his feet and upper body bare. Bakura was attired the same except for the fact that the fire-loving creature bore blood red material and Katsuya bore navy.
The sadistic creature that sat a few feet away would only be mistaken for himself if seen from a great distance. Even so, Japan's people often counted the two as the same person. Such a thing was actually rather absurd. Bakura's skin glowed a dark, crimson color in contrast with Katsuya's soft aqua shine. Aside from that, the vicious man next to him had a head of spiky, silver white hair as opposed to his own messy, golden locks.
"I don't know why you bother to help those humans Katsuya no baka." the reddish-glowing creature started again. "You know that they'll only lock you up and goggle at you. And when that day comes I'm going to laugh my ass off."
Katsuya growled at him, eyes narrowing to slits. "Not everybody is out to get us! Yuugi is friendly even if you're monstrous to him!" the blonde spat. However, his strong words were drowned by yet another harsh cackle.
"Imbecile. You're going to get yourself killed and don't think I'm going to help you. The only reason I allow your presence is because if we were found I could sacrifice you to get myself away." Bakura told him like he had a million times before. But the cold reality of those words never bothered Katsuya. Even if he would never come out and say it, the honey-eyed being was grateful for the other's company.
A dark past lurked behind his warm grown eyes, threatening to overthrow the boy if given a chance. It was hard to live in a world run by humans and even harder if your kind is highly foreign to the area you resided in. As far as the two were aware they were the only one's of their species to inhabit the country known as Japan.
To keep himself from focusing on anything that might invade the small bit of peace he had found within himself, Katsuya turned to the lake. He loved the water, adored it even. It was a part of him that he cherished beyond all other aspects of his being. And maybe it was for that reason that he hated the red-orange flames of fire. He had admitted to himself a long time ago that he feared the heated blaze and past experiences had done nothing to help him evade such a thing.
Bakura was the opposite.
The near-demonic creature was always a large fan of such an inferno. He welcomed the boiling hands of the blaze Katsuya tried so hard to avoid. In turn he was, to put it lightly, not the biggest fan of the liquid that now reflected the shinning midnight moon. He did not fear it. Bakura did not fear anything, especially a little water, but he made it quite clear that he was not fond of it.
The two otherworldly begins had taken to specializing in areas involving their favorite elements. While Bakura could burn, singe and scorch anything with a touch of his hand, Katsuya could manipulate oceans, lakes and rivers to do his bidding. But the latter of the two had never used his gift against another creature unless trapped in a life-threatening situation. Perhaps that's why so many horrific things had happened to the navy clad individual. He was too forgiving, too trusting and kind. And he was reminded of what those characteristics could do to him everyday.
Despite the terrors that could be bestowed upon him due to his persona, he instead limited his contact with others. But that boy, Yuugi, had followed him and when the shorter had hurt himself Katsuya felt that he had to help him. If he hadn't the blonde would have never forgiven himself, another part of his character. Though he could forgive most people for almost anything, he was terribly hard on himself. He had to be or else he would end up in a cage in the middle of somebody's sitting room. That would not happen to him. Not again.
Shaking his head violently the reminiscing figure decided he had best sleep before his mind forced him to relive the dark past he had forced away for so long. He stole a glance at the figure to his right and sighed. Bakura had already dimmed and fallen asleep. It was at this time that the male looked a good deal less threatening. His face, though still set in a scowl, was more relaxed then would ever been seen in his conscious state. The ebony wings that usually protruded from the white-haired boy's back had been retracted, allowing him to rest comfortably against the tree.
Katsuya closed his eyes for a moment and forced back the glow that usually emitted from his skin, leaving him to seem like a relatively normal resident of Japan. Tan skin and pointed ears with a mop of gold atop his head was still nothing close to common for this region however. Letting his honey orbs fall across the surrounding tree tops, memories of a tall brunette filled his thoughts. He had been watching the man for the past week or so, trying to decipher his identity. He had been talking with Yuugi on a near regular bases now, making the boy promise not to mention Bakura and himself after finding out he had told his lover about them.
And yet, he was nowhere near deciding who the handso- Wait a minute! What was I thinking just there?! Handsome? Kami-sama help me, I don't even know his name... Katsuya sighed and leaned back against the tree, forcing all thoughts of the blue-eyed man out of his mind. There would be plenty of time to ponder that tomorrow, right now he needed to sleep. The last thing that penetrated the blonde's mind before sweet blackness overtook him was a singular thought. That man's been looking for... me.......
~*~*~
Seto cursed himself once again as he slipped between the silken sheets of his bed. He had been within eight feet or so of that creature and let it slip through his grasp. There was no mistaking the Katsuya being Yuugi had spoken of that night, the glimpse of blonde and catch of a soft glow. It had been him.
All these nights he had snuck out of the palace to search for that one figure he had only to catch a peek of it. Normally he would have caught, trapped, and sold any mythological creature he set his mind on by now. This was starting to piss him off. Tomorrow he would talk with Yami about this, ask the Emperor if he had any ideas for finding his prey. Or maybe he'd even force himself to speak with the other royal's lover, Yuugi.
There was something that boy had been hiding from them for a while now. It was obvious to the skilled eye that there was a secret buried behind those clear amethyst depths. Now he wasn't saying Yami was unskilled at finding such a thing, it was just that he often over looked any possible flaws with the little one. He was obsessed and the entire country knew it.
Once he thought about it, Seto realized that he had been noticing the secretive hints in Yuugi ever since the day after he told his crimson-eyed companion of his amazing find, Katsuya. At that moment it all clicked in the Prime Minister's mind. Yuugi knew more about this being then he let on. A smirk passed over the brunette's features as he settled back into the pile of pillows behind him. Tomorrow. Katsuya was as good as his.
(Vera: I almost ended there but then I remembered that I promised longer chapters and this isn't even 2,000 words so... ! I was just inspired!! Yami Vera: The write aibou! >)
~*~*~
A yelp of pain echoed through the upper halls of the large house stationed at the corner of Itsumo Street [2]. The house itself was owned by a wealthy family that had always been highly respected in the community. But no one knew what went on inside the home after the moon had risen and guests no longer milled about the entrance hall. The Habachiwa family always seemed so nice, the perfect image of what a family should be. Or so it seemed.
Kunaki Haibachiwa raised his hand once again, bringing it down forcefully on his son's cheek. The blow was stronger than the first and caused the pale-haired boy to stumble. Tears gathered at his eyes at the stinging sensation though he tried to keep them back. If his father saw him cry things would only be worse.
"What the hell were you thinking?! Wait, you obviously weren't! I told you a thousand damned times to be careful with your mother's china and this is what happens?! You drop the most expensive piece in the middle of the goddamned kitchen, shattering the thing like a toy! Boy you'll wish you were never born when I'm done with you!" the man screamed, staring coldly down at his offspring.
Ryou Haibachiwa in turn, attempted to make himself invisible, clutching his slowly bruising cheek with one hand. He shrunk back as the black-eyed man advanced on him, all the while muttering apologies. He had been moving his mother's dishes to their new cabinet when he ran into a frantic maid. The impact had jerked the plate he'd been holding out of his grasp and onto the ground where it broke upon impact. Needless to say he was horrified at what had happened. Not because he had broken an expensive piece of china, but because of what his father would do to him when he found out.
"Shying away isn't going to help you this time you little bitch!" Kunaki growled out, grabbing the boy's hair and yanking him harshly to his feet. As soon as the teen was standing he delivered a swift punch to his stomach, causing Ryou to double over in pain as a gasp escaped his lips. He would have fallen to the floor had his father not still had his hand tangled in the soft locks of his hair.
"You worthless. Ungrateful. Brat!" with every insult a kicked was shot forth into his sides. Pain surged like wildfire through the youth's being and he cried out against the blows.
"G-gomen nasai Otou-san! Gomen na-nasai!!" for a moment, the assault stopped. His hair was released and the boy collapsed into a heap on the carpet of his bedroom floor.
"You're sorry? Sorry?! You think I want to hear you apologize you idiot of a child!? I ought to break you'r-"
"Kunaki dear! Could you help me out of this dress, I can't seem to reach the zipper!" the beautiful voice of Yuki Haibachiwa cut through her husband's string of threats. The one addressed paused momentarily.
"On my way darling!" he called back. It was amazing, in a terrifyingly abnormal way, how quickly Kunaki changed moods. After answering his wife he turned back on the trembling heap that was Ryou. "I'll finish this later boy. You keep your sorry ass in this room until I get you!" with a final glare the red-haired man stormed out of the room and down the hall.
As soon as he knew his father was gone, Ryou sobbed. Tears flowed like rivers down his cheeks as he clutched his abused stomach area. He wasn't sure what hurt the most, the beatings, the verbal abuse, or the fact that his mother did nothing to stop it. For the first time in all his life, Ryou hated his parents. He had always been able to forgive them, no matter how badly he was hurt. But for some reason, he just couldn't take it anymore.
Staggering to his feet, the teary-eyed boy pulled a black sack from his closet and threw a few things into it. The first aid-kit he'd hidden under his bed, a small sack of yen he had been saving up for emergencies, a few changes of clothes, and a large golden ring he had been given many years ago. Hefting the still rather light bag over his shoulder, Ryou slipped out of his room and down the stairs.
He reached the front doors and was pulling on his shoes when he heard footsteps approach from behind. Spinning around quickly, fearing one of his parents had left their 'activities' and come down the steps, he was greeted by the same blonde maid he had run into earlier. He breathed a sigh of relief. Mai was the only friend he had and he knew she would let him go.
The woman immediately recognized the seen as a runaway about to happen and she smiled sadly at her young Master, stepping forward to wrap him in a motherly hug. "Be careful out there Ryou." she whispered.
"I will... promise." he whispered back, giving in to the hug for a moment before pulling back and opening the front door. He turned and smiled once more at the woman. "Goodbye for now Mai..." and with that he left into the night.
"Goodbye for now Ryou...."
1: Muaha! Bet you weren't expecting that!!
2: ^^; I couldn't think of anything else! BTW- Itsumo means Always in Japanese.
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Vera: *staring at the last section* 00 Did I write that....?
Yami Vera: *blinks* I guess so...
Vera: POOR RYOU! Look what I've done! I've written the poor boy out to have TWO evile parents! HOW COULD I?!
Yami Vera: Erm... aibou, you did that for a reason remember?
Vera: *stops yelling and blinks for a moment* ......... OH YEAH! ^____^ Well I hope ya'll like it! Wheee! I got this out fast! ^_o Sundial should be updated soon so keep any eye out for that those of you who read it. R&R Onegai? I neeeeed reviews!
Yami Vera: Speaking of reviews, I will be replying to your reviews today.
-YAMI VERA'S REVIEW REPLIES-
Jade.j: This is what's next.
Ozark the Moonhead: *bows* Aibou and I are very glad you like it Ozark. Keep up the good work on your own fics.
1st xing@fanfiction.net: We are glad you enjoyed are story thus far.
Krazy Kazuko: Thank you very much for mentioning the mistake. I will have aibou go back and fix it as soon as possible.
Kaneda-Shotaro and Yami Tetsuo: Thank you, and we plan on continuing.
Ru-chan: We're glad you liked the prologue and we apologize for not having Malik/Ishtar in this fic. We just don't know enough about them but hope you continue to read.
Kitsune Hashiba: Vera: ARIGATO!! -^__^- So close to being 14! | Yami Vera: Hey! I'm replying to reviews! *cough* Anyway, glad you like it and hope you continue to review.
Yami Megami: I'm sure aibou and I will continue and we are honored that you liked the fic enough to review. I hope this chapter lives up to expectations.
Yami Vera: I would like to point out that there were two other reviews here but for some reason their names have been changed to xing@fanfiction.net on our review bored but we thank you for reviewing anyway.
Renee the Rabid Squirrel: Aibou and I thank you for reading and are glad that the chapter pleased you. And thank you as well for the information, it did help aibou figure out the answer to her own question. --;
pure insanity: Thank you for the kind revie- | Vera: ARIGATO to you too! HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY! *giggles and strikes victory pose* Let's play!! ^___________^
Yami Vera: --; Thanks once again to all who reviewed.
Vera: *grins* HAI, thankies mucho!! Next chapter we learn more about Katsuya and Bakura, not to mention the possible encounter with Seto!! Well I'll just post now! ^_______________________________^ Ja ne!
Yami Vera: *rolls eyes* Ja ne.
PS: I WILL BE UPDATING SUNDIAL ASAP!
