Resisting the coldness of the enormous room with high ceilings, Hanamichi slowly inched towards the 10 feet navy blue statue of the lion god, Eros whose hands were stretched in front of him, as if bringing something to the city.
Staring straight at the ruby eyes of the lion god while naked from head to toe, Hanamichi took a deep breath to calm himself and hoped that he could stand there amidst the low temperature of the room for more minutes.
It's a belief for Kanagawans that if you want something so badly that it's worth your life, you can offer your body to Eros and that wish will be granted.
Hanamichi had been praying and pleading to Eros for the 365th day but his wish to see Kaede again had not yet been granted.
"It's me, the King of Kanagawa, Hanamichi Sakuragi." Hanamichi spread his arms and willingly offered his naked body to the god. "Am I not enough? Are you refusing me?"
The tan skin of Hanamichi glinted with its flawlessness against the light shed by the torches. His red hair messed erotically on his head and he opened his mouth seductively to invite the god and persuade him that he's worthy to be kept.
Hanamichi knelt down the velvet red carpet before the statue of Eros and looked at his eyes. "Let me see the man I truly love again. Let me know he's doing fine. Let me make love to him for the last time. And I swear my entire body is yours to keep."
"Take me god Eros." Hanamichi stretched his neck then touched his own skin lasciviously. He traced the shape of his chest and down to his toned abdomen and hard pelvic bones. "Take me for all you want... but grant me my only wish."
"Brother!" Yuki hurried down the inclined land in the desert and hugged his brother Kaede with all the love in the world. "They almost caught me!"
"How did you escape?" Hisashi, who saw him approaching Kaede and heard what he said, queried with curiosity.
"Hisashi!" Yuki turned to Hisashi and hugged him as well. He was very frightened. When he reached Kainan City, he immediately bought a horse that would take him to the rebel camp in the desert. He had spare money with him, given to him from the rebel's fund.
"It's King Hanamichi." Yuki stared at his brother and watched his reaction. "He went to my house and informed me about the Emperor's order. They knew I'm a rebel." He said worriedly.
"It means our brothers are in deep toruble in Ryonan. All rebels there should leave at once." Hisashi said and looked at Kaede for his affirmation. When Kaede nodded, he rushed to one of the cottages to implement the order of the master.
When Yuki and Kaede were left alone, Yuki murmured to him. "The King asked if I know where you are."
Kaede's heart felt a tingling of joy knowing that Hanamichi had not forgotten about him all through those years. Suddenly, the youthful face of Hanamichi with his lips flashing a bright smile and his hazel brown eyes dancing, shone on his mind. "What did you tell him?"
"I said I have no idea and it's just a plain rumor that you are still alive."
Kaede's head fell down. Yuki did the right thing but he badly wished that Hanamichi knew the truth and would go to the rebel camp to see him. He desperately wants to hold him, to touch him and kiss him all night long. He is his inspiration and he would love to have him by his side for eternity.
"He cried when I said it." Yuki told him. "I know how much you two love each other after all these years." He stared at the cold facade of the rebellion master. He seemed to care less but his deep silence and immobile stance meant that he was concerned.
Kaede resisted a tear from falling down. He never lost hope. He would see Hanamichi someday and they would live happily together.
Fourteen days since Yuki had left Ryonan City... and the palace armies had been very strict in guarding the boundaries of Ryonan City to other places. They made sure that they check everyone who gets in and gets out of the city to avoid rebel spies.
Hanamichi decided to have a vacation in Shohoku with Prince Ichiro. At first, the Emperor refused due to the threat of rebels but Hanamichi and Ichiro pleaded. Their chariot was guarded with eight horses ridden by eight brave and mighty soldiers.
On the way to Shohoku, Ichiro slept on Hanamichi's arms. They had taken the long way to avoid the desert which is the nest of the rebel's camp.
Hanamichi was about to take a nap when sounds of hitting bullets disturbed him. He opened the sliding mirror to talk to the charioteer when he himself was stunned to witness the charioteer being hit on the neck by a dagger and fell down on his seat instantly. Luckily, the horse had not jumped away from the noise.
"Papa Hana, what's going on?" Ichiro scratched his sleepy eyes and Hanamichi immediately grabbed him. They were in the feared desert where rebels nestled. How? No one knows.
"Don't leave this chariot, Ichiro. I'll only be outside to ride the chariot." Hanamichi released his protective grip on the Prince.
Ichiro obediently nodded and Hanamichi took off his jewels in the neck and arms and his crown in order to move freely and also fool the attackers that he isn't a royalty. But little did he know that his red head is one of a kind in the land and he's famous for it.
He rode the horse as fast as he could and swung his sword to those who intrude. He saw his soldiers fighting with the attackers but the only thing in his mind is to save Ichiro from that doom.
Suddenly, a man crawled beside Hanamichi and attacked him with a dagger but Hanamichi blocked it and fought with his sword. The man fell down the chariot but it wasn't the end: a dozen of dark creepy horses surrounded the royal chariot and there was no way to escape.
"One more move and you shall perish!" Hisashi yelled in the middle of the warm air in the desert. "Your Highness."
Hanamichi was flabbergasted that he was recognized.
"Who are you?" Hanamichi yelled.
Hisashi smirked. "You'll soon find out... my handsome king."
"Take him!" Hisashi ordered and the rebels advanced towards him. Hanamichi attempted to save his life even when he's only one but Ichiro suddenly knocked the walls inside the chariot and the rebels heard it.
The rebels opened the chariot forcefully by hitting the lock with a huge hammer and took Ichiro with them. By that, Hanamichi wasn't able to fight any longer or his son would die in the hands of the rebels.
A rope was tied around Hanamichi's wrists behind him and guarded by two rebels to make him helpless.
"Bring them to the camp." Hisashi sternly ordered then went near to Hanamichi and cupped his chin. "I've never tasted a king before."
Hanamichi's heart thumped hastily as he was put in a horse ridden by the rebels. He attempted to free himself but it was useless. When the horse was about to move, he spotted Yuki Rukawa riding one of the rebel horses and he was puzzled. What is he doing there?
to be continued
Author's Notes: I AM VERY PLEASED TO READ YOUR REVIEWS AND GLAD THAT EVEN IF I GOT BORED OF WRITING FANFICTIONS AND AMIDST THE SHORTAGE OF READERS, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO FIND TIME TO APPREACITE MY WORK. IN EXCHANGE, I'LL MAKE A PACT TO FINISH THIS FIC. EVERY MONDAY, EXPECT A NEW CHAPTER UPLOADED IN 'KANAGAWA: THE LOVE OF MY LIFE' UNTIL THE ENDING.
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FICS, INSPIRED BY 10 COMMANDMENTS. ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT WRITTEN VERY WELL, I CAN ASSURE YOU A WORTHWHILE READING.
HAVE FUN!