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Blinding Grasp

Chapter 2:

For once Anna was tired-- exhausted. Yoh's behavior was so tiring to both him and her. It was sad to see her once optimistic fiancée change drastically to a rather pitiful, dreary state.

She walked in front of the window, absentmindedly stirring her steaming tea. She could feel the heat spreading through her fingertips while she stared out at what was outside. It was comforting. Something that Yoh used to make her feel, though she would never admit it. Now, all she felt was frustration and annoyance.

Yes, she was at home by herself. Yoh had not come with her. After constant pleading of Yoh telling her that it was ok for her to leave first, she had done so.

She knew she shouldn't leave him alone. The more time she left him alone, the more he got engrossed in regret. It wasn't supposed to be this way. They were supposed to be in a relieved, glad sort of spirit. Glad that they had saved the world from ultimate domination. But it had turned upside down. Regret was now their reward, suffocating them to no ends….

….creak….

Anna heard him come in. Even after his efforts of trying to get in undetected, it couldn't get past Anna. She waited for him to come in and sob for forgiveness for coming in late, which was the usual reaction…..

He didn't come.

She looked outside with despair and disappointment in her eyes. He was gone.

The brunette was sleeping in his futon; constant sounds of shuffling cloth, as he turned every so often. One that was looking at this scene from a distance would think that he was distracted in his sleep because of the echoing growls resonated by the wind, beating itself onto the thin walls. But it was not…..

--Dreaming State--

Mouth hanging open, Yoh gazed at the landscape; awed. It was a vast green field, under bright, eye-blinding sunrays. It reminded Yoh of a fairyland, so much that he almost expected to see a celestial being fly down from the sky.

A part of the field was planted with nimble, tall grass dancing whenever the wind blew itself across the grass. The other was strong, clipped grass-- soft and plush enough to just lie down and sleep to no ends. In plain words, it was Yoh's dream that had come true.

A couple of feet in front of him was a gentle hill, not too steep, not too low; he couldn't see what lay on top of the slope though. Yoh walked up the hill, assessing his surroundings, still not quite able to believe in this divine place.

The place was so silent, occasional sounds of the light breeze whispered in his ear. That's when he noticed, it was slightly strange. There weren't any bird's chirping, any bunnies jumping up and down, any butterflies resting elegantly on the tall grass. There wasn't any "life". But the thought diminished-- replaced by just more sheer amazement and wishful thinking. He was just content with what he was seeing and he was not eager to dig into the small details…

He finally reached the top. It was a beautiful view. He did a complete 180 scan through the scenery.

Grass…

Grass again...

…

Green… too much green...

Surrounded by grass…

((gasp))

Yoh's breath caught, eyes widened in shock and recognition. Time seemed to have stopped completely. The wind seemed to have stopped blowing. Everything was silent…. Matching Yoh's own reaction.

… Hao?...

'It couldn't be him… it just it?'

Yoh stared in disbelief at the lone figure sitting. He couldn't see the person's face but he knew it was Hao. The pit feeling that he always felt when around his twin had come back to haunt him.

--Normal--

Anna took a sip of her tea, her eyes closing in silent fury. She was completely exasperated with Yoh's actions. Thoughts of 'He needs to SNAP out of it! This is pitiful!!!' filled her mind. Everyone was trying their best to cheer him up. Why couldn't he let go of Hao? Why?

She gritted her teeth thinking of the possible solutions to the answer. Her grip on the teacup tightened, only a little bit more strength would cause the fragile object to shatter to pieces.

'It's not possible. It's not….'

It wasn't long until the cup did fall into miniature pieces in front of her, but she was oblivious to it. Instead her eyes were blood red dilated with fiery rage. Her fist clenched tightly, nails digging into her palms. She would not stand for it, if it were true… She would make sure they both died a thousand painful deaths. Yoh would not betray her.

Breathing hard she stalked to the bedrooms leaving the piercing fragments lying on the floor.

For any unfortunate soul to step on.

--Dream--

The object of his regret and remorse was there in front of him. Hao Asakura….. His brother; the brother that he had spent days crying over in grief, in sorrow, wretched in his own blanket of guilt. The brother that he had killed, murdered. No matter how many times his friends had tried to prove to him that he hadn't murdered him, Yoh thought otherwise.

He had always said that killing people was not the answer to anything, even if it was for the good of all people, even if it was destiny. Instead, he had become a hypocrite. He had gone and killed Hao, his brother, his family.

Hope lifted in Yoh's eyes. It was his window of opportunity. It was a chance for him to say that he was sorry and to repent for his mistake. The moment he'd been longing for…

Remarkably it seemed that Hao had not heard him, since his back was turned to him. Yoh had always thought, no known that Hao had keen senses. So why didn't he hear him? Why didn't he turn around to acknowledge his presence? From there, Yoh should have been suspicious before approaching his brother. But no, he was blinded in promising hope and joy.

He walked closer to Hao, excitement running through his veins. A foot away and still Hao had not turned around.

"Hao?" Yoh called out in a questioning tone.

No answer….

"Hao?" he called again getting anxious.

…

"Onii-chan?" Yoh's voice started to waver in despair, confusion.

He reached out slowly to touch Hao's shoulder- to make him turn around, to see the face that filled his mind everyday. To say, "I'm sorry". He would forgive him right? He would, wouldn't he? Doubts seemed to escalate in numbers as his hand went closer and closer to its destination. Time went slow.

His hand touched his brother's shoulders before he could even hesitate. Seconds seem to pass without any reaction. No reaction at all. Yoh panicked. Doubt had reached its fullest capacity. A sense of rejection slowly pooled inside him.

'Why isn't he turning around?' His mind screamed.

At that thought a violent wind gushed through the whole field. The clouds seemed to form and spread swiftly to block the sunlight. Everything was turning into an eerie darkness rapidly as a hand seized Yoh's wrist.

Hao had turned around.

Yoh winced, as he could no longer feel his own fingers. His was lost, not being able to comprehend what had just happened. Yoh just stood there paralyzed mentally for what seemed eternity.

He started to gain back his senses when he started feeling a burning, hot sensation from the grip on his wrist. Only then did he try to take notice fully of his capturer. He made eye contact with Hao's eyes almost in a pleading way.

It wasn't Hao. Yoh stared, frightened by them. They were crimson, sending out a diabolical, unnatural aura. It looked as though he was taken controlled by madness. He was even more unnerved when those eyes stared back at him with accusing yet threatening expression. An ashen face was twisted to a sinister smile.

Yoh didn't want to be there anymore. He wanted to be somewhere, anywhere that would not make him be occupied by this strange, devilish being that impersonated itself to his brother. Who is this "thing"? What is this "thing"? It was certainly not Hao. Even though it may look like him, Yoh knew it couldn't be. Hao didn't look this…. Demonic.

He started struggling with the grip. Trying desperately to get away from this "Hao".

Yoh gasped suddenly in pain. The burning sensation that he had felt a few seconds ago was increasing in heat. It was actually scorching his skin. "Hao's" smile widened even more, as he pulled Yoh towards him.

Yoh choked. The pain was becoming nearly unbearable for him.This couldn't be happening! Was he going to die?He was so helpless...

They were touching now. "Hao" turned his head and whispered softly in Yoh's ears, "Murderer."

Yoh's eyes widened in utter shock. He had just called him 'murderer'. Something that had been inhis own mind over and over again. But to hear it said by another person was crushing and by a Hao look-alike no less. Tears fell down in flowing streams on Yoh's cheeks. Yes, it was correct. He was a murderer…

But the silence did not reign on. "Hao" had other plans as he added more strength to his grasp in punishment.

…..Crack…

A deafening scream ringed through the stormy field.

--Normal--

Yoh bolted up from his dream, gasping deeply for breath. It felt like he just woke up from the dead. So ragged and nonplussed. He could feel stinging at his wrist.

He stared frantically at it. A deep scarlet handprint lay around the slim wrist. It looked and felt like it was burnt. He started trembling in disbelief..

'The dream… it was real? What's happening?'

Everything had started all so perfectly, innocent before it turned upside down.

Yoh was caught between relief, happiness and silent terror. It was the first time he had seen Hao in his dreams and he was well, relieved. But… It hadn't been Hao fully. It was some arcane being in a form of his brother that had caused him to fill with pain and horror.

He couldn't help but worry. What if Hao was alive and possessed out of his will? What if … he needed his help? What if this was some kind of sign?

He still needed to apologize. He was so close to saying it. So close. But he would not say it to an impersonated Hao. It would have to be his brother, his twin.

Yoh started to fall into a cold sweat from all the apprehensiveness. It felt like all of the sudden that he was in a closed face, as if he was going to suffocate.

He stood up, swaying a little with lack of balance and misted thoughts. He trudged out of the room, deciding that he should take a walk. Each of his steps were heavy with his head drooping.

It was dark outside. Pitch dark. The only light was from the numerous twinkles in the sky. The air was chilly but bearable. All in all it was a good, formidable night.

Yoh closed his eyes and took a deep breath, the air filling his nostrils and lungs. He indeed was a lot more relaxed than he had been when he was inside. But a walk was still needed.

His steps were now light, taking a trail through the woods alongside the Asakura residence. Normally it wouldn't be very logical to go into the woods any light except the stars. It was simply put, dangerous. But it seemed that Yoh was ignorant or distracted in a lot of things that night…..

--Author's Note--

First of all I'd like to say I'm really sorry for the late update. School was hectic and life seemed to call my name… (that's such a lame excuse)...

Anyways, the characters may seem a little OOC… which I hope I can fix in the future. XD This chapter was supposed to be a bit longer but I got lazy. LAZZZY. And I wanted to get the next chapter up as soon as possible since it had been a long time.

((sighs)) I seriously need to get my ass up and update sooner…

Review!! XD and I assure you, my update should be faster…. Even though it may be short… heh heh… ((sweatdrop))