I am so sorry this happened, guys! All of my stories on got erased, but not because someone reported me for explicit content. This happened because some stupid bitch who I used to consider a friend got into a fight with me, stole my password onto this site, and deleted every last one of my stories while signed on as me. This is the worst possible thing that could have happened to me… that's all I'm gonna say. This girl is a manipulative bitch who deserves to rot in hell. I did nothing to her but end our friendship, a friendship that could barely be called such. I barely could bring myself to repost everything, but I did because I knew my readers wouldn't abandon me. PLEASE, leave reviews, as I have lost every last one of mine because of this… girl, I suppose. Thank you, and sorry for the inconvenience.
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Raenef looked at his brightly colored kimono with shinning eyes as he spun around happily. His ceremonial robes swished out around him, making him giggle inappropriately, and his nearby servant, Eclipse, sigh heavily. His little master was sure to embarrass him mightily if he couldn't control his childish ways.
A nearby village was holding their annual Sakura Festival, and their presiding Demon Lord, Raenef the Fifth, was required to make an appearance since the village fell under his jurisdiction. This happened to be the thousandth year anniversary of the Great Sakura Tree's life and therefore was an occasion that merited some formality. Raenef was given a brand new set of ceremonial robes for the event that had been hand stitched by the famous weavers of Arcadia. The beautiful white lilies stitched into the kimono with black thread shone in softly blazing, tremulous white. They stood out in sharp contrast to the deep, royal blue background of the velvety fabric and made Raenef very eye-catching.
The young boy's blonde hair was piled elegantly on top of his head, and the fabric of the kimono accented his bright ocean eyes, making him look rather stunning. The only problem was, with all his spinning and blushing and asking silly questions, he completely shattered any illusion of refinement that had been painted by his noble attire. Eclipse wasn't exactly sure if he was glad his master was going to be given so much attention during the occasion. If the way he was acting at that moment with his immature twirling and giggling was any indication of how his behavior would be at the Festival, Eclipse would rather just skip the entire thing. He supposed it was too late to back out now, though, as Chris and Erutis came striding into the castle's library, bickering pointlessly as usual.
Chris was dressed in a plain white robe worn by clerics to important events, while Erutis was looking rather ridiculous in a complex mess of bows and ribbons that was supposed to be a dress.
" I don't understand why I have to wear this stupid ball of frills!" Erutis whined as she pulled uncomfortably at the pink bow tied around her collar.
" Well, we have to give you a dress to wear," Chris answered, " Otherwise everyone will take one look at you and think you're Raenef's servant boy."
" No one will think I'm a boy!" Erutis screeched, hitting Chris square upside the head with the flat of her blade, which she had successfully managed to conceal in the layers of bows and frills coating her pink, lilac, and cream colored dress. " How can they think someone who radiates femininity like me could possibly be a boy?"
" Maybe because you have stubby legs, no chest, a big butt…" Chris had to duck the mad sword swings Erutis was now aiming at his head as she chased him around the expansive library they were all grouped in.
Eclipse rubbed his temples tiredly as he watched his master cheer the two on, innocently thinking that Erutis wasn't really trying to chop Chris's head off. His violet eyes watched the three with mild irritation before he drew forth a ball of fire threateningly to his palm, and the three immediately quit their squabbling, smiling amiably at each other as they nervously eyed the fire in Eclipse's palm.
" We should be going now, master Raenef." The raven-haired demon beckoned them out of the library door to climb into an elegant carriage waiting for them at the front gates.
Just before they left, Erutis, who had a rather mischievous look in her eyes, pulled Raenef aside.
" Hey, Raenef." She whispered to him. " Did you know that a really weird legend goes with this Festival?" Raenef blinked at her innocently.
" What kind of legend is it, Erutis?"
" Well," She began, grinning devilishly. " They say that the Great Sakura Tree happens to have some sort of magic to it. Many people who were destined to be together met under that tree, and it's said that anyone who declares their love under its boughs will be together for eternity."
Raenef's round doe eyes sparkled happily. He always liked legends like that.
" Not to mention," Erutis continued, " I heard that if you stand under the Tree at midnight on the night of its one thousandth birthday, it will send you a vision of the one you're meant to be with." Raenef gasped, making Erutis grin with even more manipulative evil.
" The one thousandth birthday?" Raenef asked excitedly. " That's tonight!"
" Wow, Raenef, I think you're right!" The Sword master replied with faked shock. Anyone with half a mind would have seen she was planning something, but half a mind was just a tad bit past Raenef's capacity.
Erutis saw that Eclipse was glaring at her suspiciously.
" Don't tell anyone what I told you, Raenef. If you do, it'll break the spell and the Tree's magic won't work on you." The Demon Lord nodded vigorously to her, already resolved to be under that tree at precisely midnight, just to see if he would be sent a vision of his soul mate. Raenef wasn't really expecting it to be true, but he was a rather trusting person, and had chosen badly in trusting Erutis.
Eclipse glared at her from across the room, reminding her that she was keeping them from leaving. The four left the castle, all with a different agenda for the night. One was innocently thinking about a possible meeting with his soul mate. Another was planning on grilling a certain Sword master to see exactly what she had filled his little master's head with, and still another was grinning mischievously as she wondered what would come from her sharing the legend of the Sakura Festival.
The final was sitting quietly as the carriage took them to the nearby village, completely oblivious to it all and muttering something about super genius and vanquishing any demons who happened to be at the Festival with his almighty power.
…
Raenef had fallen asleep by the time they were half-way to the village despite the fact that the sun's rays had just barely dipped below the horizon and the pink flush of dusk was still tickling the blushing clouds. Erutis and Chris soon followed suit, leaving only Eclipse awake to tell them all when they'd arrived.
Erutis was snoring in a very unladylike manner as she sprawled out against the white satin seats of the carriage, violently kicking the nearby Chris in her dreams. The young cleric was valiantly fending off her attacks despite the fact that he wasn't truly conscious. Eclipse was amazed as he realized that the two fought so often, they could even brawl in their sleep.
Raenef had settled himself rather uncomfortably against the side of the wide bench-like seats of the carriage and Eclipse mercifully pulled the boy to him and rested his head on his lap. Raenef snuggled against his chest, smiling in his dreamy state and murmuring something that sounded much like '…yummy Mr. Tomato…' into the folds of Eclipse's robe. The demon's hard, amethyst eyes softened considerably as he watched the boy sleep.
Raenef always looked beautiful when he slept, and Eclipse should know, for the boy had fallen asleep in his arms like this on many occasions. Usually when they'd been traveling great distances or simply decided to take a break from their lessons under the comfortable, shady boughs of a tree. Eclipse sighed slightly as one of Raenef's hands curled around his robe. He ran a hand through Raenef's soft hair, breathing in his sweet summer scent as he did so.
Eclipse had never been able to clarify exactly how he felt about his little master, not even to himself. There were some times, like after a particularly disappointing lesson or during one of Raenef's usual displays of ignorance, when Eclipse wanted nothing more than to slap some sense into his master. But sometimes when he would find Raenef on one of the many castle balconies at night, the wind playing with his hair and his eyes out shinning the stars above, or when Raenef was curled up in his arms like this, Eclipse felt nothing but overpowering love for him.
It was like some kind of disease. Some beautiful disease that spread through his body like a hot flood whenever his master looked at him with those shimmering ocean eyes. It washed over him every time those slender fingers curled around a strand of his ebony hair to give it a playful yank, or when Eclipse had to tuck him in at night when he fell asleep in the library while attempting to study. At such times, Eclipse wanted nothing more than to climb in bed next to Raenef and never move from his place with his arms wrapped protectively around his master.
His little Raenef.
Eclipse started as the carriage pulled to a halt with a rather annoying jolt. Chris bolted upright and began to fire a Holy Bolt at them in confusion, but Erutis woke in a similarly startled manner and slapped him upside the head with the hilt of her sword. The two slowly managed to realize they were no longer dreaming and began arguing again.
" What were you doing with that Holy Bolt, Chris! Trying to kill us all!"
" And what about you, Miss slash-first-ask-questions-later! That's the second time you've hit me today!"
Eclipse sighed heavily as he watched the two climb out of the carriage and continue to squabble as they approached the Festival gates.
They stopped mercifully, however, as they all caught sight of the Festival. Raenef had awoken to a slightly less violent degree as the other two and climbed out of the carriage to join them, eyes widening to shimmering moons in awe. The Sakura Festival took place in a village that was dingy at best every other day of the year, but today it had been transformed into a place straight out of a fairy tale.
The very air around the village floated with the most beautiful pearly-white blossoms any of them had ever seen. The breeze was warm and comforting, caressing them as gently as a mother's touch. It carried such a blissfully sweet aroma in its gentle wake that it lulled them back into the dreamy states they'd just left behind in their sleep. Streamers of gentle white and pink were hung from every building in the entire village and thousands of candles and torches had been lit, making the town twinkle like it was coated in many-faceted, blazing white diamonds.
Despite the fact that the last drops of golden sunlight had vanished from the sky long ago, the village seemed to be bathed specifically in the moon's ethereal light, as if she wanted to make sure the village could not be overlooked on this special occasion. The village was bustling with people of every ethnicity and background imaginable. Merchants shouted out their wares to the busy crowd as people mingled about, marveling at the different trades and eating delicacies purchased from a thousand different chefs.
There were bands of musicians set up, each one seemingly different. Some had entire orchestras playing together harmoniously, while others were carrying flutes and drums and some instruments Raenef couldn't even identify. Still others had nothing but their voices and their hands as they clapped out their own beat and sang together, creating a sound sweeter than all the songbirds on the planet. Dancers twirled around the musicians, some professionals with tambourines and elaborate costumes, and others just people from the crowd who'd joined in on the fun. None were denied their chance to perform and the crowd applauded all no matter what their skill level.
Children ran through the crowd freely, for no one was afraid or secretive tonight. No one kept an eye on their wallet or their wares, and not a single weapon could be seen on anyone. It was truly a magical evening, full of nothing but the desire to celebrate the joy of life with others. Erutis and Chris headed off into the crowd while Eclipse lead Raenef up to a luxurious tent where he was to be met by the leader of the village and a few other important officials.
" But Eclipse!" Raenef complained. " I want to explore the Festival! Do I have to stay in here?"
" You are required to meet with the heads of the event, but you can leave once that is complete." Raenef smiled happily at the thought and settled down on a pile of velvet pillows that served as seats in the tent.
Flickering torches dimly lit the tent and Raenef could easily see the refinement of the enclosure. The floor was covered in rich carpeting dyed with bright colors and gauzy fabric had been hung from the walls and served as room dividers. Piles of velvet pillows much like the ones he was resting on littered the floor in great heaps, and slits had been cut into the tent walls to allow the sweet aroma of the Sakura flowers to drift in lazily. Eclipse stood protectively next to Raenef as they waited for the officials to arrive and welcome their presiding Demon Lord.
Raenef settled back comfortably, completely at ease as long as he had Eclipse by his side. Raenef gazed up at the tall, raven-haired demon and remembered how he'd felt when he awoke from their carriage ride. He'd been too startled by the beauty of the village to feel properly embarrassed, but he'd been awake nearly the entire time. Eclipse had pulled him into his arms, and instead of pulling away, he'd allowed himself to be cradled like a small child. A part of him had relished the feel of the demons powerful arms wrapped around his frail body and had liked it even more when he'd felt Eclipse run a tender hand through his blonde locks.
The warmth that had spread through him at such personal contact with his servant had been deliciously familiar to him. It made him feel how he always felt when Eclipse looked at him, or held him in his arms, or tucked him in at night. Always, always, he wanted to stop Eclipse. To tell him not to leave him alone, and would he please climb into bed next to him. Ask him to please just stay the night with him, hold him in his arms and make him feel safe.
Raenef hadn't realized what he'd been feeling at first. He'd assumed it was natural to grow attached to someone if you spent enough time with him, but slowly he began to realize his feelings for the demon weren't as innocent as he'd led himself to believe. More often than not, he dreamt about the demon in ways he'd be embarrassed to talk about with anyone, even Erutis and Chris, his supposed best friends. His dreams haunted him like shadowy monsters that threatened to consume him if he went to sleep again, but gradually he began to accept them, and even look forward to when he would again be met by his stunningly tempting servant in the late hours of the night.
Raenef was yanked from his thoughts as the officials finally arrived, welcoming him amiably and giving him free reign of the village for the duration of the Sakura Festival. Raenef hardly heard a word of it, for he was far too busy planning exactly what he would do with an entire evening alone with Eclipse.
To be continued.
Well? What did you guys think? I had a marvelous time writing this story and I hope you guys enjoyed reading it, but you won't read any more until I get reviews! I'm usually very good about updating and as long as the reviews come in steadily, you'll get a new chapter every week. If they don't, then you'll be waiting for a long time, and future chapters will be chock full of yaoi goodness. Ja ato de!