A.N.: Get comfortable, people, this is going to take long... ¬¬
But at least now, the truth is up!
Oh, and a little bit of YAOI warning here, but it's not heavy or anything... it's just... there... ¬¬'
Kai/Loki/Kouichi --'''''
Syaoran: Get going already! The sooner, the better!
Eep! Hai!
THE LI GUARDIANS
PART 02 of Chapter 9 – THE TRUTH
When they were finally able to see again, both girls gasped... and for two good reasons: one, they were right before a magnificent view of a very colorful and heavily blooming Chinese garden, with a few typical stones and a small river that flowed through it; cutting it in two unequal parts; in the middle of which there was also a typical bridge of wood and big stones.
The second reason for their amazement was on the wooden bridge: a tall, yet well-defined figure, apparently male, stood there watching the view, as if waiting, seemingly lost in thoughts. His long lavender Chinese robes matched the color of his long hair, emphasizing his beautiful green eyes, the only ting that prevented the word "monochrome" of total application to him, if excluded his pale skin and gold pendant hanging from his neck. Surely he'd been taught martial arts, and apparently his magic was also strong. He seemed perfect; he seemed like a God; he looked, although not identical... like Syaoran.
The girls could only gape at such a breath-taking sight.
After a few moments, a voice was heard and another young man, with short straight chocolate hair contrasting with his dark amber eyes and green robes flowing behind him, was seen running in the direction of the God-like creature, who seemed to come back to reality as he heard his name being called by the one approaching him.
"Kurotsuki!" The green-robed guy came closer, as the lavender-robed one turned to face him, a greeting smile displayed on his features. [1]
"What is it, Shin'Ya?" Kurotsuki asked. [2]
"Kurotsuki, why did you injure more Li family members? Weren't yesterday's enough? You harmed eleven... five more today!" The chocolate-haired one asked as he came to a stop right beside the awaiting magician.
Kurotsuki couldn't help but smile at the young man now in front of him. "I'm sorry, Shin'Ya, I really am. I know it only puts more burden on your shoulders as the future heir f the family... of the Li family."
At that point, the image seemed to stop, giving time for Suuki to think. Then it hit her, and she snapped her head to Sakura's direction. "I knew I'd heard that name somewhere! Li Shin'Ya was the name of the leader of the Li family who imprisoned Kurotsuki! He died mysteriously right after that, no one knows why! But... why is he being so friendly to Kurotsuki? They were said to have been mortal enemies all their lives!" She commented, trying to figure it out.
Kurotsuki's voice was heard then, although the illusion before them was still motionless: it was the "new" kurotsuki who was speaking. "That's not correct. Like I thought," he smiled as the two girls turned to look at him and continued, "they really did twist the story of what happened then. I don't know how they passed it on to you, but I can assure you it's mostly lies. For starters, Shin'Ya and I knew each other since the farthest day I can remember; we grew up together. He was the heir to the Li family... and I... was the one who would be advising him, since I was considered the strongest and the wisest, but he wasn't too far behind me. Yes, Li Shin'Ya and Li Kurotsuki would surely make a great partnership in the story of the Li family."
"WHAT?! You were a member of the Li family?! It's impossible!!" Suuki shouted. Sakura remained quiet as the information sank in.
Frowning, Kurotsuki answered. "Guess you're right when you say 'were'. I was expelled of my own family, I see. Typical." He sighed. "Well, I suspected they'd do something like that. I always knew the Li family was manipulative, and I mean that; Shin'Ya fell in their trap like a rabbit would for carrot! He believed every word the elders said! But I'll get to that part later... for now, let's continue watching this, shall we?"
As soon as he said that, the illusion began to move again. Turning back to it, the girls watched as young Shin'Ya replied to his companion.
"I guess you just can't help it that the others won't stop picking on you for some reason, huh? At times like these, I wish I could ask my dead father, the former leader, what he would do. Right now, there's no leader as head of the family, so all responsibilities befall the heir, in other words, me. However, there are still 3 more years to go before I'm 19 and able to take my post. Worse than that, people keep picking on my best friend and he can't help but to defend himself, thus creating more problems for me! How am I ever going to get this family to behave?! It's impossible!" The young heir complained, leaning his head on Kurotsuki's left shoulder, who used his right hand to cup Shin'Ya's face, making them face each other. The two friends remained like that for indefinite time, one losing himself in the other.
Shin'Ya was the first to speak again. "You know, I love those deep green pools of yours. I get lost everytime I look at them and, somehow, they always seem to relax me."
They kept looking at each other, but the gaze traveled from the eyes to a spot a bit below. In a few seconds, Shin'Ya was muttering the words that would mean the world to many people.
"I'm really glad that you are the one who will always be by my side, Kurotsuki. From the bottom of my heart... thank you."
No sooner did those words escape his lips, and these pursued the ones that belonged to the ones the lavender-haired man. The pressure of each other's lips on their own was such a wonderful touch, that neither wanted the moment to break; but, unfortunately, they had to eventually, and as they did, both were left panting. Regaining air, their eyes met once more, dark amber and moss green, and they smiled to each other.
The image stopped once again at that instant. Sakura and Suuki found that both of themselves had their mouths dropped open, speechless.
"I take it you are surprised with this turn of events too. Shin'Ya and I spent so much time together, we fell in love... and, according to others, that was wrong for various reasons: 01) we were both men; 02) Shin'Ya was the irreplaceable heir, therefore he had to wed a woman so as to make a successor, as was tradition; and 03) they said we didn't match anyway. Personally, I think they were only trying to find more excuses to backup the first one. Anyhow, we became lovers, eventually, and only later did the elders find out; by then, Shin'Ya was already the leader, so they couldn't just oppose to it directly. They had other plans." Kurotsuki sighed, trying to gather courage to watch the next part.
The scenery changed and what came to view was a large corridor, with only a peacock blue carpet, that ended at the base of two wooden steps leading to a small platform, on which there was a very well decorated chair also made of wood. The chair had sophisticated carved designs and expensive cushions... and on it... was Shin'Ya.
He sat there, proud and tall, with a smiling face, looking at the young lavender-haired man standing beside him, equally proud.
A few minutes passed before the great wooden outlined doors, with interlaced straw at its center, were abruptly opened with haste and in walked a young boy; with jet black hair and light brown eyes, dressed as a messenger; who shouted respectfully at them. "Advisor! There is a terrible disagreement between the elders and your noble is requested with urgency at the west wing!" [3]
Shin'Ya looked at the now kneeling raven-haired before them, whose head was down in respect, at Kurotsuki and back to the top of the boy's head. "What is this disagreement about? Why wasn't I warned of it?" He asked, hisvoice soaring through the room.
The brown-eyed boy, still with his head low, answered with an even lower voice. "I do not know, sir. I am just a house messenger. All I do is carry the messages; it is not within my position to question the superiors." Li Rin, the black-haired boy, answered.
The Li family leader sighed... and then saw Kurotsuki descend the two steps. Passing the kneeling messenger, he turned back to the sittting leader and offered a smile. "Do not worry, I will be back soon and then you will know what is going on." The advisor said.
And as he walked out of the room, the image before them froze once more, and the girls knew that the Kurotsuki they had met would soon start explaining again, so, without asking any more questions, they turned back to face him and sure enough, he was already beginning to speak again.
"Well, that was the last time I ever saw Shin'Ya on good terms. Turns out that Li Rin, that messenger which you just saw, was delivering more than one message. I found out later, much too late, I might add, that he told Shin'Ya I had been doing things I shouldn't, like killing people who said anything against him or me. Of course, I hadn't done anything of the sort, and my dear lover didn't believe a word Rin said; but that was all part of the plan."
At this point, the magician had his eyes closed in distress, probably trying to tell them his story without having to face the horrible mental images they were surely bringing back to his memory. "When I went to help sort out the 'disagreement', I got trapped inside the council room, but no one was there. It was then that I noticed something was drawn on the floor right beneath where I was standing, but, again, it was too late. The drawing lit up and I realized it wasn't any drawing, it was a magical crest the elders drew... and the spell it conducted was our downfall."
Opening his eyes again, the girls noticed the chocolate irises were moisted, but no tears came out. It was obvious to the both of them that Kurotsuki wasn't showing them an image because that scene surely hurt him a lot, to know that he was tricked by his own family... and even worse to witness it once more.
"I heard whispers and quickly knew that it was the elders' chanting. Unfortunately, my body was paralyzed and my mind was then taken from my control."
"What do you mean, your mind was 'taken from your control'?" Suuki asked, astonished as everything sank in.
"It's like being possessed, except a bit stronger; because of that I had no more control over my actions and half of my thoughts, but I was perfectly able to feel if I had, meaning when my body touched or was touched, I felt it. That was when I, or better, my body, started doing things shouldn't have: mainly killing innocents and destroying everything. When Shin'Ya saw all the chaos it was causing, he never realized it wasn't me."
Turning back to the frozen image, the reincarnated magician waved a hand and as the picture began to change, the girls heard his whispered words of anguish.
"Here, see the last of my days come by the hands of the one I loved most."
As they looked, new images appeared: first, a village; then destruction brought by fire, floods and thunderstorms; at the middle of everything, was a lavender-haired body they already knew.
The reincarnated Kurotsuki's whispers were barely audible through all the noise. "I know it's me causing all that chaos, but I didn't want to. I was really screaming and crying inside, but the elders' combined powers surpassed my own, even if I was the strongest."
Soon enough, Shin'Ya appeared before them, the elders and some unknown younger magicians behind him. The family leader had a clearly shocked expression, but he soon recovered and tried talking to 'his lover'.
"Kurotsuki! What are you doing?! Have you gone mad?!" He screamed.
The noise died down considerably as the young Kurotsuki stopped everything to look at the other man, a look of utter happiness on his handsome face. "Of course not. I've merely found a hobby that I really, really enjoy, my dear Shin'Ya." The voice of the young advisor echoed.
"Stop this at once, Kurotsuki! Let's talk this out! I know you'd never do this, something must've happened, so tell me! Stop now, or I'll have to take action!"
"Then do! I have no intention on giving up something that pleasures me so much!" Was "Kurotsuki's" answer, as he turned back to continue his destruction.
The next scene passed by as if in slow motion: Shin'Ya closed his eyes and called upon an incantation, the only one he knew would be able to stop the powerful Kurotsuki; the others behing him immediately closed their eyes and started whispering too... whispering the same words in unison with the family leader.
Seconds later, a magic symbol; simple, but powerful none the less; appeared before them, its cubical shape increasing its size as the words were spoken and the crescent moons on its sides glowing with might.
"Kurotsuki" turned to face them again and, realizing their intentions, raised a magical shield around himself, but in the end, it was useless: after much struggle, the magical cube eventually broke his barrier and had him surrounded and trapped. The moons on all six sides started to rotate, and they saw the "box" decrease its size along with the man inside.
When the "magic box" had the size of a dice, the chanting stopped, the "box" stoppped shrinking and most of the elders fainted right after, for they had recently cast two very powerful magic spells, although the family leader only knew about the casting of the second one.
Shin'Ya collapsed on his knees, tears freely falling from his eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Kurotsuki... I'm so sorry, my beloved lover, my guardian..."
As these words were whispered by the young chocolate-haired leader, Kurotsuki waved a hand and the images disappeared. He stood there calmly, now standing before the two speechless girls, waiting.
"G-Guardian? You mean you are..."
"Yes, I am, or better, I was, like you, a Li Guardian; except somehow, I grew much more powerful than my master. However, as I powerful as I became, I couldn't hold against all the elders, much less when they had helpers... and one of these helpers was Shin'Ya, the person I wouldn't go against for various reasons [4]. Besides, even if I could, my body wouldn't obey my mind anyway..."
Remaining quiet for a few seconds, as if thinking how to say the next words, Kurotsuki sighed and proceeded. "I don't really blame Shin'Ya, he did what was right for someone with his responsibilities: protect the people, because, at that time, the 'people' consisited of the whole village you saw burn. I'm sure it hurt him too, after all, he did kill himself half a year later with a dagger at his heart. The Li family must have changed the story, but that's how it went. I know he killed himself like that because, when he did it, he was inside the room the cube in which I was sealed in remained... and that's where his body was found. I don't know if he discovered the truth, but he killed himself right before me, and I'm sure that happened because Shin'Ya wanted me to see him go too. He was fooled, as was I, but his spell ended up trapping my soul in this world and I became filled by hate because of it. When my life energy withered away, my body disappeared, but my magic energy still remained trapped and as did my conscience, for some reason which I don't understand. The Li family must have realized that and thus locked away that room in which I was trapped."
At that point, the reincarnated Li Guardian looked at the other one, a kind smile on his face. "I guess I should be thankful that you and your partner released me. Thanks, but..." He stopped in mid-sentence, looking up at the dark sky, a sorrowful expression in his new amber eyes quickly mutating to a longing one on his features.
"All I want... is to be reunited with him."
END of CHAPTER NINE – THE TRUTH
[1] In case someone noticed and is confused, Kurotsuki's eyes were originally green, but some of his physical characteristics changed when his energy merged with Syaoran's to create a new body, his eye color included. In this case, it changed from moss green to chocolate amber.
[2] Shin'Ya is supposed to mean "death night" or "night of death" (shin, or shi, is death; ya is night).
[3] Oh yeah, just so you can picture it better: North wing is where the Li family leader and the advisor stay, the elders are at the west wing, the south wing is the residential area and the east wing is where the gardens and a few other special rooms are located. It was divided like this to give more trouble to invaders or assassins, separating the important roots of the family so that one or more could escape and continue with the family's traditions and stuff.
[4] If you want to remember: 01) Kurotsuki loved Shin'Ya a LOT; 02) Shin'Ya was his master, Kurotsuki was his Li Guardian; 03) Shin'Ya was the Li family leader and Kurotsuki was to respect him as such, even if they were lovers (that would happen even if Kurotsuki was a woman not related to him and became Shin'Ya's wife); 04) even if he was stronger than Shin'Ya, the latter was not TOO far behind, so it would be very difficult to beat him, even less with others backing up the family leader and to top it all, the mental barriers I have already stated.
A.N.: Wow, that took a lot of effort to type, so I would appreciate some feedback.
Kai: Meaning... review. ¬¬
Kouichi: Please? '
Loki: Ne, Kai, why are you so grumpy?
Kai: She started another Beyblade fic, and guess who is the main character?
Syaoran -sly grin-: Meaning, guess who's the tortured one?
Kouichi: Let me guess...
Loki: You?
Kai -sighs-: And Tala...
Kouichi: It's about time too, she's had that on her list since October or something... ¬¬
Syaoran -smirks-: Ne, Kouichi, she also started that promised Digimon Frontier fic...
Kouichi OO
Loki -reading Syaoran-Lover's fanficiton plans list-: 2 Digimon Frontier fics; 3 Beyblade fics to go, 2 finished; 3 Card Captor fics to go, 3 finished; Gundam Wing; Prince of Tennis; anime crossover and the list goes on... OO
Uh, Loki, sweetie, please give that back or at least stop reading it aloud?
Loki -quiet-
--' OK, well, anyway, one more big chapter, a medium one, the (lemon- included --') epilogue and we're done with this fic.
Next chapter: The Redemption or The Salvation (can you believe it's been 4 months and a bit more since I finished this fic and I STILL haven't decided the title of this chapter yet?! --'''''); the title must give something away...
Doubts, mistakes, comments, compliments or flames? I'd appreciate a review!
And please avoid flames if possible, this place is burning by itself already! --''
Syaoran-Lover signing out.
But at least now, the truth is up!
Oh, and a little bit of YAOI warning here, but it's not heavy or anything... it's just... there... ¬¬'
Kai/Loki/Kouichi --'''''
Syaoran: Get going already! The sooner, the better!
Eep! Hai!
THE LI GUARDIANS
PART 02 of Chapter 9 – THE TRUTH
When they were finally able to see again, both girls gasped... and for two good reasons: one, they were right before a magnificent view of a very colorful and heavily blooming Chinese garden, with a few typical stones and a small river that flowed through it; cutting it in two unequal parts; in the middle of which there was also a typical bridge of wood and big stones.
The second reason for their amazement was on the wooden bridge: a tall, yet well-defined figure, apparently male, stood there watching the view, as if waiting, seemingly lost in thoughts. His long lavender Chinese robes matched the color of his long hair, emphasizing his beautiful green eyes, the only ting that prevented the word "monochrome" of total application to him, if excluded his pale skin and gold pendant hanging from his neck. Surely he'd been taught martial arts, and apparently his magic was also strong. He seemed perfect; he seemed like a God; he looked, although not identical... like Syaoran.
The girls could only gape at such a breath-taking sight.
After a few moments, a voice was heard and another young man, with short straight chocolate hair contrasting with his dark amber eyes and green robes flowing behind him, was seen running in the direction of the God-like creature, who seemed to come back to reality as he heard his name being called by the one approaching him.
"Kurotsuki!" The green-robed guy came closer, as the lavender-robed one turned to face him, a greeting smile displayed on his features. [1]
"What is it, Shin'Ya?" Kurotsuki asked. [2]
"Kurotsuki, why did you injure more Li family members? Weren't yesterday's enough? You harmed eleven... five more today!" The chocolate-haired one asked as he came to a stop right beside the awaiting magician.
Kurotsuki couldn't help but smile at the young man now in front of him. "I'm sorry, Shin'Ya, I really am. I know it only puts more burden on your shoulders as the future heir f the family... of the Li family."
At that point, the image seemed to stop, giving time for Suuki to think. Then it hit her, and she snapped her head to Sakura's direction. "I knew I'd heard that name somewhere! Li Shin'Ya was the name of the leader of the Li family who imprisoned Kurotsuki! He died mysteriously right after that, no one knows why! But... why is he being so friendly to Kurotsuki? They were said to have been mortal enemies all their lives!" She commented, trying to figure it out.
Kurotsuki's voice was heard then, although the illusion before them was still motionless: it was the "new" kurotsuki who was speaking. "That's not correct. Like I thought," he smiled as the two girls turned to look at him and continued, "they really did twist the story of what happened then. I don't know how they passed it on to you, but I can assure you it's mostly lies. For starters, Shin'Ya and I knew each other since the farthest day I can remember; we grew up together. He was the heir to the Li family... and I... was the one who would be advising him, since I was considered the strongest and the wisest, but he wasn't too far behind me. Yes, Li Shin'Ya and Li Kurotsuki would surely make a great partnership in the story of the Li family."
"WHAT?! You were a member of the Li family?! It's impossible!!" Suuki shouted. Sakura remained quiet as the information sank in.
Frowning, Kurotsuki answered. "Guess you're right when you say 'were'. I was expelled of my own family, I see. Typical." He sighed. "Well, I suspected they'd do something like that. I always knew the Li family was manipulative, and I mean that; Shin'Ya fell in their trap like a rabbit would for carrot! He believed every word the elders said! But I'll get to that part later... for now, let's continue watching this, shall we?"
As soon as he said that, the illusion began to move again. Turning back to it, the girls watched as young Shin'Ya replied to his companion.
"I guess you just can't help it that the others won't stop picking on you for some reason, huh? At times like these, I wish I could ask my dead father, the former leader, what he would do. Right now, there's no leader as head of the family, so all responsibilities befall the heir, in other words, me. However, there are still 3 more years to go before I'm 19 and able to take my post. Worse than that, people keep picking on my best friend and he can't help but to defend himself, thus creating more problems for me! How am I ever going to get this family to behave?! It's impossible!" The young heir complained, leaning his head on Kurotsuki's left shoulder, who used his right hand to cup Shin'Ya's face, making them face each other. The two friends remained like that for indefinite time, one losing himself in the other.
Shin'Ya was the first to speak again. "You know, I love those deep green pools of yours. I get lost everytime I look at them and, somehow, they always seem to relax me."
They kept looking at each other, but the gaze traveled from the eyes to a spot a bit below. In a few seconds, Shin'Ya was muttering the words that would mean the world to many people.
"I'm really glad that you are the one who will always be by my side, Kurotsuki. From the bottom of my heart... thank you."
No sooner did those words escape his lips, and these pursued the ones that belonged to the ones the lavender-haired man. The pressure of each other's lips on their own was such a wonderful touch, that neither wanted the moment to break; but, unfortunately, they had to eventually, and as they did, both were left panting. Regaining air, their eyes met once more, dark amber and moss green, and they smiled to each other.
The image stopped once again at that instant. Sakura and Suuki found that both of themselves had their mouths dropped open, speechless.
"I take it you are surprised with this turn of events too. Shin'Ya and I spent so much time together, we fell in love... and, according to others, that was wrong for various reasons: 01) we were both men; 02) Shin'Ya was the irreplaceable heir, therefore he had to wed a woman so as to make a successor, as was tradition; and 03) they said we didn't match anyway. Personally, I think they were only trying to find more excuses to backup the first one. Anyhow, we became lovers, eventually, and only later did the elders find out; by then, Shin'Ya was already the leader, so they couldn't just oppose to it directly. They had other plans." Kurotsuki sighed, trying to gather courage to watch the next part.
The scenery changed and what came to view was a large corridor, with only a peacock blue carpet, that ended at the base of two wooden steps leading to a small platform, on which there was a very well decorated chair also made of wood. The chair had sophisticated carved designs and expensive cushions... and on it... was Shin'Ya.
He sat there, proud and tall, with a smiling face, looking at the young lavender-haired man standing beside him, equally proud.
A few minutes passed before the great wooden outlined doors, with interlaced straw at its center, were abruptly opened with haste and in walked a young boy; with jet black hair and light brown eyes, dressed as a messenger; who shouted respectfully at them. "Advisor! There is a terrible disagreement between the elders and your noble is requested with urgency at the west wing!" [3]
Shin'Ya looked at the now kneeling raven-haired before them, whose head was down in respect, at Kurotsuki and back to the top of the boy's head. "What is this disagreement about? Why wasn't I warned of it?" He asked, hisvoice soaring through the room.
The brown-eyed boy, still with his head low, answered with an even lower voice. "I do not know, sir. I am just a house messenger. All I do is carry the messages; it is not within my position to question the superiors." Li Rin, the black-haired boy, answered.
The Li family leader sighed... and then saw Kurotsuki descend the two steps. Passing the kneeling messenger, he turned back to the sittting leader and offered a smile. "Do not worry, I will be back soon and then you will know what is going on." The advisor said.
And as he walked out of the room, the image before them froze once more, and the girls knew that the Kurotsuki they had met would soon start explaining again, so, without asking any more questions, they turned back to face him and sure enough, he was already beginning to speak again.
"Well, that was the last time I ever saw Shin'Ya on good terms. Turns out that Li Rin, that messenger which you just saw, was delivering more than one message. I found out later, much too late, I might add, that he told Shin'Ya I had been doing things I shouldn't, like killing people who said anything against him or me. Of course, I hadn't done anything of the sort, and my dear lover didn't believe a word Rin said; but that was all part of the plan."
At this point, the magician had his eyes closed in distress, probably trying to tell them his story without having to face the horrible mental images they were surely bringing back to his memory. "When I went to help sort out the 'disagreement', I got trapped inside the council room, but no one was there. It was then that I noticed something was drawn on the floor right beneath where I was standing, but, again, it was too late. The drawing lit up and I realized it wasn't any drawing, it was a magical crest the elders drew... and the spell it conducted was our downfall."
Opening his eyes again, the girls noticed the chocolate irises were moisted, but no tears came out. It was obvious to the both of them that Kurotsuki wasn't showing them an image because that scene surely hurt him a lot, to know that he was tricked by his own family... and even worse to witness it once more.
"I heard whispers and quickly knew that it was the elders' chanting. Unfortunately, my body was paralyzed and my mind was then taken from my control."
"What do you mean, your mind was 'taken from your control'?" Suuki asked, astonished as everything sank in.
"It's like being possessed, except a bit stronger; because of that I had no more control over my actions and half of my thoughts, but I was perfectly able to feel if I had, meaning when my body touched or was touched, I felt it. That was when I, or better, my body, started doing things shouldn't have: mainly killing innocents and destroying everything. When Shin'Ya saw all the chaos it was causing, he never realized it wasn't me."
Turning back to the frozen image, the reincarnated magician waved a hand and as the picture began to change, the girls heard his whispered words of anguish.
"Here, see the last of my days come by the hands of the one I loved most."
As they looked, new images appeared: first, a village; then destruction brought by fire, floods and thunderstorms; at the middle of everything, was a lavender-haired body they already knew.
The reincarnated Kurotsuki's whispers were barely audible through all the noise. "I know it's me causing all that chaos, but I didn't want to. I was really screaming and crying inside, but the elders' combined powers surpassed my own, even if I was the strongest."
Soon enough, Shin'Ya appeared before them, the elders and some unknown younger magicians behind him. The family leader had a clearly shocked expression, but he soon recovered and tried talking to 'his lover'.
"Kurotsuki! What are you doing?! Have you gone mad?!" He screamed.
The noise died down considerably as the young Kurotsuki stopped everything to look at the other man, a look of utter happiness on his handsome face. "Of course not. I've merely found a hobby that I really, really enjoy, my dear Shin'Ya." The voice of the young advisor echoed.
"Stop this at once, Kurotsuki! Let's talk this out! I know you'd never do this, something must've happened, so tell me! Stop now, or I'll have to take action!"
"Then do! I have no intention on giving up something that pleasures me so much!" Was "Kurotsuki's" answer, as he turned back to continue his destruction.
The next scene passed by as if in slow motion: Shin'Ya closed his eyes and called upon an incantation, the only one he knew would be able to stop the powerful Kurotsuki; the others behing him immediately closed their eyes and started whispering too... whispering the same words in unison with the family leader.
Seconds later, a magic symbol; simple, but powerful none the less; appeared before them, its cubical shape increasing its size as the words were spoken and the crescent moons on its sides glowing with might.
"Kurotsuki" turned to face them again and, realizing their intentions, raised a magical shield around himself, but in the end, it was useless: after much struggle, the magical cube eventually broke his barrier and had him surrounded and trapped. The moons on all six sides started to rotate, and they saw the "box" decrease its size along with the man inside.
When the "magic box" had the size of a dice, the chanting stopped, the "box" stoppped shrinking and most of the elders fainted right after, for they had recently cast two very powerful magic spells, although the family leader only knew about the casting of the second one.
Shin'Ya collapsed on his knees, tears freely falling from his eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Kurotsuki... I'm so sorry, my beloved lover, my guardian..."
As these words were whispered by the young chocolate-haired leader, Kurotsuki waved a hand and the images disappeared. He stood there calmly, now standing before the two speechless girls, waiting.
"G-Guardian? You mean you are..."
"Yes, I am, or better, I was, like you, a Li Guardian; except somehow, I grew much more powerful than my master. However, as I powerful as I became, I couldn't hold against all the elders, much less when they had helpers... and one of these helpers was Shin'Ya, the person I wouldn't go against for various reasons [4]. Besides, even if I could, my body wouldn't obey my mind anyway..."
Remaining quiet for a few seconds, as if thinking how to say the next words, Kurotsuki sighed and proceeded. "I don't really blame Shin'Ya, he did what was right for someone with his responsibilities: protect the people, because, at that time, the 'people' consisited of the whole village you saw burn. I'm sure it hurt him too, after all, he did kill himself half a year later with a dagger at his heart. The Li family must have changed the story, but that's how it went. I know he killed himself like that because, when he did it, he was inside the room the cube in which I was sealed in remained... and that's where his body was found. I don't know if he discovered the truth, but he killed himself right before me, and I'm sure that happened because Shin'Ya wanted me to see him go too. He was fooled, as was I, but his spell ended up trapping my soul in this world and I became filled by hate because of it. When my life energy withered away, my body disappeared, but my magic energy still remained trapped and as did my conscience, for some reason which I don't understand. The Li family must have realized that and thus locked away that room in which I was trapped."
At that point, the reincarnated Li Guardian looked at the other one, a kind smile on his face. "I guess I should be thankful that you and your partner released me. Thanks, but..." He stopped in mid-sentence, looking up at the dark sky, a sorrowful expression in his new amber eyes quickly mutating to a longing one on his features.
"All I want... is to be reunited with him."
END of CHAPTER NINE – THE TRUTH
[1] In case someone noticed and is confused, Kurotsuki's eyes were originally green, but some of his physical characteristics changed when his energy merged with Syaoran's to create a new body, his eye color included. In this case, it changed from moss green to chocolate amber.
[2] Shin'Ya is supposed to mean "death night" or "night of death" (shin, or shi, is death; ya is night).
[3] Oh yeah, just so you can picture it better: North wing is where the Li family leader and the advisor stay, the elders are at the west wing, the south wing is the residential area and the east wing is where the gardens and a few other special rooms are located. It was divided like this to give more trouble to invaders or assassins, separating the important roots of the family so that one or more could escape and continue with the family's traditions and stuff.
[4] If you want to remember: 01) Kurotsuki loved Shin'Ya a LOT; 02) Shin'Ya was his master, Kurotsuki was his Li Guardian; 03) Shin'Ya was the Li family leader and Kurotsuki was to respect him as such, even if they were lovers (that would happen even if Kurotsuki was a woman not related to him and became Shin'Ya's wife); 04) even if he was stronger than Shin'Ya, the latter was not TOO far behind, so it would be very difficult to beat him, even less with others backing up the family leader and to top it all, the mental barriers I have already stated.
A.N.: Wow, that took a lot of effort to type, so I would appreciate some feedback.
Kai: Meaning... review. ¬¬
Kouichi: Please? '
Loki: Ne, Kai, why are you so grumpy?
Kai: She started another Beyblade fic, and guess who is the main character?
Syaoran -sly grin-: Meaning, guess who's the tortured one?
Kouichi: Let me guess...
Loki: You?
Kai -sighs-: And Tala...
Kouichi: It's about time too, she's had that on her list since October or something... ¬¬
Syaoran -smirks-: Ne, Kouichi, she also started that promised Digimon Frontier fic...
Kouichi OO
Loki -reading Syaoran-Lover's fanficiton plans list-: 2 Digimon Frontier fics; 3 Beyblade fics to go, 2 finished; 3 Card Captor fics to go, 3 finished; Gundam Wing; Prince of Tennis; anime crossover and the list goes on... OO
Uh, Loki, sweetie, please give that back or at least stop reading it aloud?
Loki -quiet-
--' OK, well, anyway, one more big chapter, a medium one, the (lemon- included --') epilogue and we're done with this fic.
Next chapter: The Redemption or The Salvation (can you believe it's been 4 months and a bit more since I finished this fic and I STILL haven't decided the title of this chapter yet?! --'''''); the title must give something away...
Doubts, mistakes, comments, compliments or flames? I'd appreciate a review!
And please avoid flames if possible, this place is burning by itself already! --''
Syaoran-Lover signing out.