Undying Love – It's Time to Finally Let Go
Author's Notes: Hey everyone! *grins* I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in a really long while. I've tried my best to update the story as much as possible. Originally, I was planning to edit all other 18 chapters… but I haven't really gotten that much time to do that yet. *frowns* I apologize for updating so slowly… it much be really a pain to wait for a month, just to find a new chapter here. Luckily, I'm having a long weekend here… so I was able to update today. Please note that only chapter 1 has been fully edited; I haven't started updating the other chapters yet.
You might also notice that there aren't any new characters in the chapter later on. *apologizes again* I was planning to introduce a new character, and much more detailed development of the plot… but I realized that writing the chapter would take me forever. Actually, to say at the least… this chapter was a full four and a half pages on Microsoft Word. This chapter is not even half of what I was originally planning to write about. Sad, isn't it?
Anyways, I do hope that you like this chapter. This chapter is very emotionally-oriented, but hopefully… you'll find it to your liking. *worked very hard on this chapter* You may have also noticed that the genre and summary of this story has changed. The genre of this story is mainly Romance/Drama now… but also can be categorized in the Fantasy genre as well. The story has been taking quite a significant turn now… and I have a whole new set of plans for Undying Love, which will be better than what I have originally plan. Well… hope to hear from everyone! Remember to read and review! Enjoy!
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Special Author's Notes - Sydni Nelson: To Sydni Nelson, I really thank you for all of your reviews and support! I was reading your reviews the other day… and I saw that you wanted some advice for writing fanfiction. Erm, well… in my opinion, I'd suggest that you check for proper spelling/grammar first. There is a tendency that if people look at a fanfiction, and see loads of spelling/grammar mistakes… they might not bother to read that story at all. Checking for spelling/grammar helps to clear out any confusion in what you are trying to convey to the readers.
Having a person to edit your story would be good too. Peer editing is always a plus, and sometimes… other people can see errors or places of improvement that might not be apparent to you.
Lastly, make sure that your summary is catchy and fully edited. The thing that makes others want to read your story is when there's either one of two things: lots of reviews… or an interesting summary. The summary might only be a few words, but it is crucial to help attract readers to take a peek at your story. Hope this advice helps!
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Chapter Dedications: I dedicate this chapter to the following people who have added me to his/her Favourite Authors list: Vegeta-and-Maria, SilverStarWing, Ravengurlie149, Kirara1, Millenium Spirit Of Shadows, Magik Bunny Ball, CoolCat10, Sesshochan1, ditterdums, faye-faye14, alannalivandra, sweet-genie-16, Meiko M, Vireyda Magodaly, Ringtir, Sakura-Star3, FluffyLuver4Eva, Tael95, SARSinjection. x, Ravenessa, khelen, Arlibie, xoxLoveWhorexox, and darkmidnightgoddess! I would also like to dedicate this to all of the other readers who have been patient with my updating, and have support this story endlessly! Thank you, everyone!
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Haku clutched painfully at his stomach, as he now lay carelessly on the forest floor. Haku coughed violently as syrupy blood left his mouth, his entire body in utmost physical pain. When the first powerful fist came in contact with his face, Haku wasn't prepared to protect himself from the following physical bombardments on his body. Though he tried his best to block the punches and kicks that were coming his unfortunate way, he was still awfully dizzy from the first punch. And after several minutes of constant and relentless abuse, Haku's body was hardly in the perfect condition that it once was.
Though it wasn't blatantly obvious in his current appearance, Haku's body was now covered in many purple-brown bruises of different sizes, mostly concentrated on the mid-part of his body. Haku panted tiredly for air, as he tried to shut out the piercing pain that coursed all over. The pitiful boy silently thanked destiny, as the constantly attacks on his wounded body came to a sudden stop.
Almost instantly, a tremendous surge of anger pumped through Haku's veins. Who had the nerve to beat him up for no particular reason?! It there was one thing that he hated the most; it would be when people intentionally harm others for no justifiable reason. What did he do to be treated in such a cruel and cold manner?
Thinking to himself quietly, nothing came to mind. Whoever had decided to use him as a punching bag definitely had some serious problems… or either that, had some unknown grudge with him that he wasn't aware of. What was even worse was that the attacker did a surprise assault on him… and that was just cowardly and unjust. At least if his attacker had some unsolved dilemmas with him, he/she could have talked to him first, trying to solve the problem in a more peaceful and civilized manner.
Haku, wanting to desperately know the identity of his attacker, used every ounce of his energy to turn his head upwards, to see the coward's face. His greenish-blue eyes made contact with a familiar and amused pair of deep black eyes. Haku's piercing eyes widen in complete shock; those eyes belonged to Koji, Chihiro's best friend.
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Koji watched angrily, yet somewhat amusingly, as the pathetic wreck, better known as Chihiro's new boyfriend… was sprawled carelessly on the dusty ground. Though he couldn't see any visible scars or bruises on the young boy below him, he knew that Haku was obviously still in pain, as the boy struggled to pull his act together.
Though Koji knew that violence often wasn't the most righteous way to solve things, he felt some sickening satisfaction because of the fact that he held some power against this boy. Chihiro knew that if she ever found out what he did, she would most likely never forgive him for his sins. After all, she never did approve of the aggressive and hateful ways for solving life's problems.
And yet, during the moment of his merciless attack on the unknowing boy, Koji felt no regret or guilt whatsoever for his harsh actions… at first. Koji was surprised, yet terrified, of the envious and savage beast that was released from within him during the pain-afflicting confrontation. Though he was often known to be short-tempered and violent in his ways, he would still take a short moment to think things through.
However, this case was truly different. Unlike the other people he had "punished" in the past, Haku didn't create any sort of direct hostile aggression towards him. And yet, Koji felt no sort of compassion for the once innocent and peaceful boy before him. Koji couldn't explain it… once spotting the boy alone in the forest sparked some sort of immediate response within him. It was just a perfect opportunity to physically confront Haku… something that he just couldn't resist.
The devil within Koji alerted him that the boy was alone, and vulnerable to any sort of attack. However, his angelic side told him that what he was doing was morally wrong, and that the poor boy didn't deserve such a harsh fate. Yet, Koji was intensely compelled to do the wrong deed, to beat the hell out of the boy before him… without any remorse or hesitation.
Trying to comprehend what had just occurred; Koji had stopped his array of punches and kicks. What had happened? Why did he just lose control like that? Koji just couldn't understand it. Never before in his life… did he ever lose the self-discipline that he upheld. He was always in full-control of his life, his actions, and everything else around him that mattered. What made him unleash the terrifying and uncontrollable demon from within him?
Koji pondered to himself for a few moments… and suddenly things had become so obviously clear. He lost his sense of control because of fear… because of jealousy… and because of pure hatred. Though he couldn't accept this fact, deep within him, he somehow knew that he was fighting a losing and hopeless battle.
The young man just couldn't understand it… where did things go so wrong? Koji nearly had his fantasies and dreams of being with Chihiro turned into reality… and suddenly, those high hopes of his seem to disappear… all because of Haku. He couldn't understand it… three whole years of being the closest male to Chihiro, and yet... this new student had no problems whatsoever, to pull Chihiro from right under his nose!
Koji couldn't accept such painful rejection… it just wasn't fair. He always convinced himself that it was never Chihiro's fault for breaking his heart; she never did really know the true feelings he still held for her, until he had confessed today. Koji and Chihiro had always joked about the various males that were always hounding her, and yet… at the same time, Chihiro seemed to be utterly oblivious to the evident signs of affection radiating from her best friend.
He couldn't understand it… how could someone be so close to achieving happiness and fulfilled dreams, and yet so far at the same time? What was so special about Haku? What did Haku have that he didn't? And most importantly… why did it always seem that he could never win Chihiro's heart, regardless of the constant support he had always offered through the years?
Though Koji would never admit it to anyone else, he knew that somehow… destiny played a most interesting part in life; it always seemed that Chihiro would never belong to him, regardless of his constant efforts. Somehow, in his mind and in his heart, he knew that the new student was not to blame for attracting the affections of his love life. If he was in Haku's shoes, he would have tried to win Chihiro's friendship or… affections as well.
But, after still knowing these facts, Koji could not fully forgive the boy before him. He couldn't bear the fact that his hard work went all to waste in a single day, and all because of this supposedly "harmless" and innocent boy. He couldn't stand the idea of losing the center of his entire life to a person he hardly knew… and a person that he didn't even think deserved her love for the matter.
However, what really fired up Koji's doubts and anger was the fact that her boyfriend, was never there for her when she was down in the slums. That Haku was never there for her when she shed the most painful tears… he was never there went she experienced physical or psychologically pain… was this Haku someone that truly could take care of his Chihiro? Did Haku deserve Chihiro's love… even after the lack of emotional and mental support for his own girlfriend? And what was even more disturbing was where this boy could be all of these years, when Chihiro needed the help of her friends and family the most?
Truth be told, Haku was never there for all those tough times that Chihiro had to go through. Koji sighed to himself… one thing was for sure, those questions of his would be solved soon enough. As he stared up into the angry, but curious eyes that belonged to Haku… he truly knew now that Haku had no clue of the heartbreaking pain that the boy had inflicted to him. Looking over the boy's body once again, he decided that it was finally time to leave the boy in peace.
While looking into those deep eyes a few more moments, Koji sighed to himself… realizing that he was going nowhere. Even after beating the hell out of Haku, it seemed that Haku's eyes weren't faltering a bit; the boy's eyes clearly reflected much anger and frustration. As he locked gazes with Haku longer, Koji got the sudden impression that the boy finally knew what this male-domination conflict was about. Koji was able to see people like glass, and Haku had no intentions of giving up Chihiro to anyone, much less to him.
He frowned… knowing that his chance of taking Chihiro for himself, and protecting her from other male influences was coming to an end. Even though he was able to indirectly shield Chihiro from dating other guys for the last few years, there was only so much control he had over her love life. Even after confessing his undying love to her this morning, he could tell that Chihiro was trying hard to spare his feelings; she just didn't feel the same way. No matter what he did, Chihiro would never be his by a long shot; he could no longer prevent other males from associating with his lovely best friend.
Koji stuffed his hands in his pockets, staring up in the sky… as he recalled the heated argument that he had with Chihiro a couple of months ago…
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"I'm so sick of your actions, Koji! Why in seven hells did you beat him up for?!" Chihiro screamed furiously, her face reddening with every passing moment. She paused to catch her breath, as she glared at her best friend in exasperation and discontent.
"I was doing it for your own good! The guy's hands were on your waist… and he was on the brink of groping you senseless! You should be grateful that I got rid of deceptive scum like him, before he was able to do some more… drastic…" Koji spat disapprovingly, disgusted with the lustful and sexually deprived male, who was in no doubt… trying to hit on Chihiro.
"Drastic? Oh please…" scoffed Chihiro unconvincingly, rolling her eyes after hearing another one of Koji's fantastical spurts of unreasonable imagination. "Aya was just having a friendly conversation with me, that's all!"
"A friendly conversation?! Did I hear you just say a friendly conversation?! Trust me… it was far from "friendly", or "innocent"… for that matter. Besides, it sure look like you two were about to do something a little too friendly… like kissing!" Koji said disapprovingly, as an apparent frown played on his handsome and troubled features. Koji watched quietly as more intense emotions crossed her face, which were being fueled by his not-so-considerate accusations.
"And so what if we were going to do something more?! What business is it of yours, anyways? God, if there was something I hated more about you, it would be that irrational… overprotective mind you've developed throughout the years!" she shrieked loudly, despising the fact that Koji had the nerve to make such foolish and low claims of her.
"I was trying to protect you from males that could potentially harm you! Why can't you understand this?" the young male said quietly, pained by the fact that his best friend didn't appreciate the care that he had for her.
"I don't need your protection, Koji! For heaven sakes, I'm sixteen years old, not some toddler in need of moral guidance and physical protection! I'm able to make my own decisions now, okay?! Honestly, not every single male who is interested in me is trying to exploit me for who-knows-what! You always think that when a male shows interest in me, you suddenly have to play the goody-goody hero! Sheesh… you act like as if you are my boyfriend or something, when you clearly aren't! Thank god that I'm not your girlfriend; I just shudder at the thought of how unreasonable you would act every single time!" Chihiro blurted out the painful and harsh words instinctively, immediately seeing the heartbreaking emotions that played on his depressing features.
Chihiro covered one hand with her mouth, as she looked guilty at Koji… who now had his back faced to her, his head hung down limply. "Koji… I… I didn't mean what I said. I don't why I said such horrible things… I don't know what came over me… I'm… I'm sorr--"
Koji interrupted Chihiro, still not able to get over the upsetting and cold words that were directed towards him a moment ago. "You don't need to say anything more. You were… you were right. I'm not your boyfriend, and… I honestly don't think I'll ever be in your eyes. I know that I don't have any jurisdiction over your love life. It was my fault for being irrational and overprotective…" Koji exclaimed forcefully, shedding but a single tear, as each of the strained words leaving his mouth left a painful scar like no other.
Her words still echoed like an endless, beating drum in his mind… and it was killing him slowly like a sharp machete cutting through his beating heart. He couldn't bear to face her again for the moment; she would just bring back memories of pain that she inflicted so mercilessly on him. He walked away from Chihiro, never turning back to glance at the girl calling his name, as the young female shed tears of sadness and guilt.
"Koji… I'm so sorry…"
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It had been two weeks after the heated argument, before Koji and Chihiro finally made up and started talking to each other again. Even after Chihiro had told him that the dreadful words she had spoken were false… Koji could not help but to think otherwise. From past experiences, Koji knew that often honest feelings and thoughts are often said at the most unexpected times, when your emotions become rampant and uncontrollable.
Though Koji and Chihiro never did admit this fact to each other, they knew that her words that day were how Chihiro truly perceived him. For the first month since that argument, Koji tried to tell himself that Chihiro had only said those words because of pure instinct; that those words were only formed because of her anger that day. But as Koji tried to contemplate the situation more and more, he came to realize that even with all of the regrets and denials that he and Chihiro went through… it did no justice to contradict the fact that during those heated moments… hidden thoughts and feelings of each other were released.
Koji glanced at the tattered and bruised boy below him, a slight frown tugging at his lips. Even after knowing the fact that Chihiro would never be his, he could not help but still feel some sort of bitter hatred for this Haku. Koji, being always someone who got his way, couldn't bear the fact that he lost the most important and valuable thing of his life to a person who didn't even try to win Chihiro's love.
Koji let out a disgruntled breath, tilting his head up… as he looked at the dark blue sky above him. He knew that two wrongs didn't make a right… and that people couldn't choose who they loved. Koji finally accepted the fact that things could never be changed between himself and Chihiro… they would only be at most, best friends.
Koji turned away from the boy, now knowing that it was finally time to let go of Chihiro… regardless of the intense feelings that he still held for her. As he gracefully and slowly walked away from the wounded teen, Koji let out but a whisper of words directed to Chihiro's new boyfriend:
"She deserves someone who can bring her true happiness… someone who won't make her cry. Please take good care of my Chihiro."