Kage: PLEASE NOTE!! This ain't your run-of-the-mill-guy-loses-memory-then-gets-it-back story, k? Just read this chapter, and you'll see what I mean. Just give me a chance!!! -sobs- Lol, kidding. Lots angsty stuff to come... poor 'Feegi...
-sighs- I didn't want to do this... but I'm serious when I say that no reviews means no chapter. Why should I spend my time writing this when I don't even know if anyone's reading it?? If I don't get as many reviews as I want next time, I seriously won't post another chapter, capiche? ((Don't worry, it's nothing high. I'm not totally evil.))
WARNINGS:shonen-ai, slight YAOI, A PLOT!!!!Tell me how proud you are of me in a review, ne? Another warning: There's hints of RathxRunexThatz in this chapter, just because I love the tripling!! ((What? Well, it ain't a pairing! P)) Beware of angst as well, lol.
Disclaimer: Duh, not mine! -.n
Now that the unpleasant stuff is out of the way, here's the story. Thanks are at the bottom!
Chapter 5- Lost
"I'm so glad you're awake, Ru!" he said, using his affection nickname for the other. Ruwalk didn't return the gesture, but continued to fully awaken his mind. He looked about the room, then at the smaller officer that was hugging him.
"Uh, who are you?"
Alfeegi leapt back as if bitten, staring with wide copper eyes at his love. Ruwalk continued to stare at him and around the room in confusion, a strange expression on his face. A small, disbelieving smile played on Alfeegi's lips as he slowly shook his head.
"It's... m-me, Ru," he spoke slowly, watching every movement the other made with wide eyes.
The other looked at him again with something akin to disgust, "I don't... know who you are..."
Alfeegi shook his head again, "Ye-es you do..." his small smile vanished as Ruwalk continued to stare at him blankly, "I-it's it's i-it's..." he stuttered, trying to form the words that were resonating in his mind, "It's... it's Alfeegi, Ruwalk... 'Feegi...? You... have to... remember Ruwalk..."
"Well I don't!" the brown- haired secretary said, a frown playing on his beautiful face.
Alfeegi's wavering eyes blinked rapidly; Ruwalk... angry...? He swallowed thickly and shook his head yet again, "Yes... you do... i-it's me, Ru... it's... it's... 'F-Feegi..."
Once- warm brown eyes flashed, taking Alfeegi back slightly, but Lykouleon walked in at that moment.
"Ruwalk!!" the blond lord exclaimed happily, but wide grin faded as he saw Alfeegi, still shaking his head slowly, not taking his eyes off of Ruwalk. As if in a trance, the aquamarine- haired secretary moved slowly across and out of the room.
"Ruwalk?" Lykouleon questioned, turning confused green eyes in said dragons direction.
The other scowled, the expression so bizarre on Ruwalk, Lykouleon actually gasped. "Would you quit?" he asked shortly.
"Ruwalk? What's wrong?" the Dragon Lord asked, advancing slowly towards the bed, almost afraid.
Cold brown eyes stared at him, challenging him, "You tell me."
"W-what? Did you...?" a sudden thought hit him, "You don't... Do you have any... memories?"
Ruwalk looked confused for a moment, his eyes slowly roaming around for a minute, before returning to green ones, "No..."
Lykouleon swallowed, "Nothing... at all?"
The other huffed in frustration, another unfamiliar gesture from the Yellow Dragon Officer, "I said 'no' didn't I?"
Suddenly, the Lord couldn't breathe. He muttered a small apology before stumbling out of the room, only to run into Kai-Stern a little ways down the hall.
"Lykouleon?" the white-haired officer asked in concern as his Lord gripped both his shoulders tightly and hung his head so it was just barely touching his shoulder.
The other drew a shaky breath, "Ru- Ruwalk's... g... gone..."
"...What?!"
"His... m-memory... it's gone..."
Kai-Stern instantly wrapped a supporting arm around his Lord, sympathizing with the shaken and sad dragon.
It wasn't everyday... someone lost their best friend.
It's not true... It's not true... It's not true... Alfeegi kept telling himself in his mind, over and over again. It couldn't be true... Ruwalk was everything to him! It couldn't be true!!
He refused to believe it. Alfeegi walked numbly to his office, sat down on the plush red chair, and started to work his long overdue papers. His hand wrote mechanically across white paper, his mind completely blank, not focused on anything. He continued to write, not really taking in anything, not really thinking, just writing... paper after paper.
Outside, pink tinted dawn gave way to noon, golden and beautiful as the sun rose high in the sky. As it set, the sky darkened, and candles slowly came to life in the castle, lit by their respective owners. The clear, full moon now took its place in the sky, and white stars glittered across the sky, winking merrily down upon the world. Through all this, Alfeegi continued to numbly write, unaware of his surroundings.
Then, there weren't anymore papers. Blank, copper eyes stared dully at the brown desktop, before shifting towards the large pile of filled-out papers and documents. Slowly, a single thought came into his mind. That there weren't anymore papers. That now he had nothing to do. He had nothing to distract him...
"Done?" a voice behind him asked softly. Alfeegi didn't jump, didn't blink, didn't say anything. Slowly he turned his chair, only to find Kai-Stern gazing at him with saddened yellow eyes, shielded slightly by round glasses.
Alfeegi swallowed, but didn't answer. He adverted his gaze and finally, nodded ever-so-slightly.
"Alfeegi... I..." but the Blue Officer didn't know what to say. What could he say? "Are you... alright?" he settled for asking finally, slowly.
The other didn't answer. He blinked, stood up, and walked slowly out of the room, with Kai-Stern looking at his retreating back sadly. He softly sighed, accidentally blowing out the single, pitiful flame that sat on the White Officer's desk. The albino sat in the dark office, drawing the barest hint of comfort from the moon's pale light as it shone down upon his thin frame.
Morning, Alfeegi's brain told him automatically. Copper eyes blinked, breaking his solid stare on his hands, which were folded in his lap. His door opened slowly, no knock, and the officer from last night poked his head in hesitantly.
Lemon yellow eyes gazed at the numb officer, sitting on the edge of his bed with his feet dangling an inch off the ground. His hands were loosely folded in his lap, the long part of his aquamarine hair flowing over his hunched- over shoulders, which were clothed in the same clothes as yesterday.
Kai-Stern blinked, and moved hesitantly into the room, "Alfeegi?" he took a deep breath and sat down on the still- made bed next to him, trying to meet copper eyes, but to no avail, "My report is on your desk," he said quietly, after a few minutes of silence passed.
Alfeegi blinked, got up, and left the room without a word. Kai-Stern blinked rapidly for a moment as his eyes darted around the room, holding back sad tears. He didn't want Alfeegi to feel like he had to do work around the castle, but right now... it seemed like that was all the other officer had. He sighed after awhile, and moved out of the room as well.
"Kai-Stern?"
He turned around, "Rath," he muttered, addressing the Fire Knight softly.
The crimson-haired Knight looked, puzzled, at the other, "What's the matter?"
"Where are Rune and Thatz?" he carefully avoided the question, but Rath noticed of course.
Similarly- crimson eyes peered at him, "Around. What is the matter?" he asked again, this time more firmly.
Kai-Stern sighed shakily, a thin hand finding his forehead and rubbing it roughly, "Nothing, I- I just..." tears sprang unbidden, pricking his eyes, begging to be released, "I just... miss... R- Ruwalk..."
Saddened tears flowed.
"Hey!!" grinned a merry Thatz as he stepped into Ruwalk's room. The doctor had briefed him shortly on what happened, so Thatz figured Ruwalk needed cheering up, since he was bed- ridden. He expected Ruwalk to smile cheerily at him, ask how the mission was, and even maybe ask what he stole if Alfeegi wasn't around. They were a lot alike, along with Kai-Stern as well. They all liked the castle, but also like finding ways out of it. Finding ways to infuriate Alfeegi, just because it was funny to see someone else get yelled at by the strict officer.
He didn't expect usually warm brown eyes to glance over at him sharply, followed by a cold, "What?"
Thatz paused, blinking, "You... alright?"
"Thatz!" the Earth Knight heard suddenly, then was pulled out of the room by a wide- eyed Rath.
"Rath?" he asked in concern as wet crimson eyes looked up at him.
"Thatz? Rath?" Rune joined the picture, also looking disheartened.
Green eyes darted from each of his Knights, "What's... going on guys?" he asked slowly, wondering if he really wanted to know.
"Ruwalk's... memory?" Thatz asked softly, looking slightly hurt and confused as Rune blinked rapidly and nodded. They were now sitting outside, on one of the many stone benches in the flourishing garden. Well, to be specific, Rune was sitting on the bench with Thatz kneeling on the ground to the side of him, his elbow resting a hairs- width away from the elf's thigh. Rath was sitting on the ground on the other side of the bench, resting his head on his arms, which were crossed in front of him, looking up at Rune with shining, crimson eyes. Morning light danced and reflected off dewdrops as they sat on colorful flower petals and blades of grass, but it went unnoticed by the three Dragon Knights.
Rune nodded and blinked, his eyes looking like the clearest lake as they swam with unshed tears, "I heard it from Dr. Avis. He... may never get his memory back," the elf sighed shakily, "I saw Alfeegi... but he..." he bit his lip, looking down at his legs, unable to continue.
Thatz lowered green eyes, feeling terrible sympathy for the Dragon Officers, who had known Ruwalk for forever, but especially Alfeegi. They never openly admitted it, but everyone knew he and Ruwalk were deeply in love. It was quite obvious, after all.
Then Lykouleon... he and Ruwalk had been best friends since the beginning. The same went for Kai-Stern, who held a special bond with Ruwalk, as well as Thatz, since the trio had such a great time finding ways to sneak out of the castle, sometimes even with the Lord. Tetheus as well, though he'd never openly admit it. Ruwalk had become a large part of everyone's life, even those who hadn't been here long at all.
"Does everyone know?" Thatz asked quietly, thinking of a certain hybrid and two fortune tellers.
Rath shook his head, "I don't think so. I haven't seen Cesia since I got back. I think she's avoiding me..."
I think she's angry at us because she loved you, and we kind of... stole you I guess... Thatz thought to himself as he sweatdropped, but chose not to say anything. The Earth Dragon Knight sighed deeply, sadly, and moved to rest his head on Rune's lap.
The elf ran his fingers through the others short green locks automatically, paying more attention to the overly-sad Rath.
"Rath?" the blond questioned, causing crimson eyes to look up at him.
"I'm worried about Kai-Stern I guess. He looked... really sad..." he muttered.
Rune blinked, thinking that Rath was probably a lot sadder than he let on. After all, Rath used to be the demon who had almost killed Ruwalk... they had to have some sort of deep understanding towards each other. Not to mention that Kai-Stern was practically his father, and seeing someone that close to you be depressed could be... painful.
The elf sighed, thinking about how much the loss of one memory could cause so much grief. He briefly wondered how his absence affected the Faerie Forest. Then again, his twin sister, Tintlett, had most likely taken care of everything and beyond in his place. She always had been very... resilient...
Rath sighed and climbed up on the bench to sit crossed- legged next to Rune, leaning his head on the blonde's shoulder.
"So..." Thatz asked slowly, "Ruwalk will be this way for a long time?"
Rune nodded sadly, "Perhaps forever. The doctor said this could very well be permanent."
"I wonder why he's acting so different though..." Thatz muttered, frowning to himself in deep thought.
"What else did you expect?" asked a new voice.
"Kai-Stern..."
The Blue Dragon Officer sat down on the other end of the bench, lemon yellow eyes looking at the Knights, "It's a person's memories, their past experiences that make them who they are. Something in Ruwalk's past motivates him to always smile, and be happy around others. Without those memories... all he has is bitterness."
"But Alfeegi..." Rune trailed off.
Kai-Stern gave a half- shrug, "He may be most affected by this..."
"I've seen him working though..." Thatz muttered.
The other nodded, "I don't think he's fully realized that Ruwalk... won't be coming back to him," Kai-Stern sighed deeply, "Once he does realize it..."
A bird twittered and flew off its perch on a nearby tree, fluttering it white wings to gain acceptance to fly in the deep blue sky.
"...And that's about it," Dr. Avis said, just finishing telling Ruwalk who he was and what had happened.
Brown eyes looked thoughtfully out the window, "So I may never get my memory back?"
"It... is highly unlikely..."
Ruwalk didn't reply.
"Sir," the doctor started slowly, "May I suggest you go and see Alfeegi? The one with the aquamarine hair? He seems very hurt by this."
Brown eyes were rolled, "I don't really want to talk to him right now."
"But sir-"
"But nothing!" Ruwalk snapped, his head jerking around to glare at the startled doctor, "I don't want to talk to him, alright?! The guy practically strangles me when I first wake up-"
"He didn't know you had-"
"Well he knows now! He may as well just back off since I don't love him!"
"But-"
"What?! How can you expect me to love someone I don't know?" suddenly Ruwalk wasn't talking to the doctor anymore.
Dr. Avis whirled around to find a wide- eyed Alfeegi, standing at the door. Copper eyes wavered, looking shocked and sad at the Dragon who was once Ruwalk, who was staring at him coldly. Suddenly the White Secretary turned and fled, Dr. Avis looking after him sympathetically.
The oak door was slammed as Alfeegi ran into his room, breathing heavily and shaking his head slightly in disbelief. Grief suddenly grabbed a hold of him, choking him, smothering him in grief and pain. His knees gave way, and Alfeegi slid slowly to the ground in a saddened heap. Hugging his knee's close, he started to sob brokenly into them, feeling like his heart was being ripped out of his chest.
Hot tears stung his eyes and flowed down his thin cheeks. Alfeegi let them flow, unable to stop their sorrowful descent. Wracking sobs tore their way through his body, his back heaving and his breath coming out in short gasps.
A knock sounded behind him, but Alfeegi didn't stop crying, nor got up to answer it. He ignored the person out there, choosing instead to drown in bittersweet memories of times he and Ruwalk spent together. It was all he had now...
Outside his bedroom door, Tetheus sighed and leaned his forehead against the cool wood, a tightening sensation filling his chest as he listened to his fellow officer cry. He blinked a moment before standing up and moving off, feeling for the first time in a long while, that he could not do a single thing to help his broken friend.
Kage: Aww... -sniffs- Poor 'Feegi! And things only get worse for him, lol. I'm so evil Gawd, I had such a hard time finding all these adjectives for 'sad'!! There's not that many, --;; Oh yeah, Kai-Stern and Rath are just friends. They share the father- son thing because I don't particularly like that pairing. Don't like it? Tough cookies, X3
DragonessFei- Yes! Sic Gil on me! -clings to Gil- Mine!! XD
Suzumi- Hi again! Yes, please continue to read and review! Please...?
Minea- Glad you liked the memory, because there are going to be more!! Well, I did say this was going to be a fluffy story, even though its a bit angsty right now, lol.
Thanks for reviewing you guys!! 33
REVIEW!!!!! ((or ELSE))
((I'm not kidding about the 'or else' part either))
