Yay! I updated! Thanks so much to Winter's Light, who gave me an excellent review. Thank you!
Remember, Akito is MALE!
" Yay! Ice-cream date with Tohru!" Momiji squealed, throwing his arms up in the air.
" Shut up brat. You aren't the only person going with her." Kyo mumbled, his shoulders hunched and his hands shoved in his pockets.
Momiji's eyes filled with fake tears. As always however, caring Tohru thought the bunny's distress was real.
" Momiji! Oh, don't cry!" The high-strung girl was getting frazzled, her eyes widening impossibly.
Yuki sighed, looking away as Momiji instantly 'recovered', and immediately set upon cheering Tohru up. The rat shook his head. Watching the two spaz at each other was really…
" Honda-san, Momiji-kun, let's just get ice-cream, okay?" Yuki smiled gently, and the two calmed. Kyo scoffed.
School had just let out, and the four had some time to kill. Hanajima, Uotani and Hatsuharu would've joined them, but they were all busy due to detentions.
So it was only Yuki, Kyo, Tohru and Momiji who walked down Main Street towards the new candy store.
It wasn't long before they stood before the store. It was a square building with wood trim painted in lavender and lemon. It had large picture windows that displayed the most precious candies wrapped in shiny papers of every colour. Yuki noticed it was styled after traditional Western candy shops; it really stood out. Large glass jugs of hard sweets occupied the corners of the display, and rows of soft chocolates beckoned. Colourful lollypops stuck out at all angles, and ice cream could be seen from inside the store.
It was too much for Momiji. " Ahhh!" He squealed and ran forward.
Unfortunately, he collided with a person coming out of the shop.
" Momiji!" Tohru called out, anxious. The blond boy stumbled back. When he had recovered, he looked up to see another fair-haired young boy, slightly taller than he. The stranger was holding himself aloof and he was leaning a bit backward, so he looked older than his stature allowed. His slanted clear jade eyes were blank, but his fine eyebrows were raised, so that he looked surprised. He had delicate features, and was alabaster pale. It wasn't a sickly colour on him, like on Akito, but made him look like china. His palest flax hair was worn long at his nape, and fell over one eye. Around his neck was a small gold conch shell on a thin golden thread.
" Sorry!" Momiji apologized, smiling brightly. The boy nodded slowly, seeming unsure. The cheerful bunny instantly thought he was shy, and extended a hand. " I'm Momiji Sohma."
The boy hesitated, and took the other's hand gently. His hand was cool, and seemed slightly damp. " Hana…Sohma."
" Sohma?" Yuki started. " What?'
The boy's calm gaze slid to the surprised rat. " Yes." He nodded slowly.
Yuki's eyes narrowed, studying the boy. That was strange…he had never seen the youth before, but the Sohma family was fairly large…
Now that he thought of it, the boy himself was odd. He was dressed in too large cargo shorts, a pink-flowered Hawaiian shirt that hung off him and midnight blue fuzzy slippers. And there was also that odd smell of sea air around him, like natural chlorine.
Hana ignored Yuki. " If I may ask, where is Hatori Sohma?"
" Ha'ri? Why, he's just – " Momiji was cut off by Kyo's hand clamping over his mouth.
" Why do you want to know?" The cat narrowed his eyes.
Hana remained silent.
" He looks like Hatori-san."
Everyone looked at Tohru. She blushed, but nodded. " He does."
All gazes swivelled back to Hana, but this time their look was more scrutinizing.
Tohru was right. This stranger did look like a much younger, white, blond Hatori with long hair.
Hana ignored their new revelation. " Where is Hatori Sohma?"
" We aren't going to tell you, brat!" Kyo snarled, shaking a fist. Hana didn't look bothered. He merely brushed by Kyo, and started down the street.
" Hey! Where are you going?" Kyo barked, starting to run after the boy. Hana turned around.
" You will not tell me where Hatori is, so I have no further need of you." Hana's voice was robotic, and right after his mouth closed he turned again and started walking.
Kyo made to go after the boy, but Yuki caught his shoulder. The rat's lavender eyes were still narrowed. Something wasn't right about that boy. He walked in a stiff, yet fluid manner, as if he were made from…rubberized water. Actually, Yuki mused, he really resembled a liquid wax doll…
" Has the dragon been targeted?" A cool melodious, androgynous voice suddenly filled the air. Instead of breaking the silence in the vast cavern, the voice seemed to fill it, stretching the quiet.
" Yes." The figure that replied was crouched at the feet of a stone-carved throne, draped in rich velvet.
" Let me see." The voice commanded.
The crouched figure rose, its red robes sweeping the rock floor. He – it could be identified as male – as taller than he looked, as if he'd uncurled himself.
He approached a dais in the middle of the cave. Atop the stone pillar was a large jagged crystal with flat, smooth sides. The crystal was dark, a purple-black. No light reflected upon its surface, and it seemed to have an ominous air.
The red-clad man pushed his arms out before him gently, lightly touching the surface of the crystal. At that small touch the crystal came to life. Impossibly white, yet iridescent light poured from its very centre, illuminating the cavern. It turned the stalactites into tapered points of marble, and the dripping water into crystal drops.
The red-robed man backed away, so he would not obscure the crystal from his master.
A figure stood and stepped away from the throne, reaching out with a slim, long-fingered hand as white as the light coming from the crystal. Nails two inches long lightly scraped the crystal, pressing until finger pads touched the cool glassy surface. The nails looked painted, but they were naturally the colour of dull pearls.
A picture formed in the crystal, seeming to float in the middle of the transparent gem. It showed a pale face, with blond hair and jade eyes.
The figure's fingertips stroked the image's cheek. " Dear honest, serious Hana. I do hope you're doing well…" The figure trailed off, them dropped his hand, causing his artfully tattered silk robes to flutter.
The image of Hana slowly vanished, as if being absorbed by the crystal, and other pictures came forth. These were of fifteen swirling orbs. One had a dragon inside that was curled in sleep. It was the only one with a dozing creature. The others, the rat, cat, monkey, rabbit, snake, dog, horse, tiger, boar, ram, rooster, dove and nightingale, were all active, looking around and moving.
Slanted, molten eyes of many hues studied each one, and then raised a hand. The figure crooked its index finger, and the one of a black dove swam forward. The figure touched the flat crystal before the dove, and it instantly showed signs of fatigue. Its wings drooped, and it sat down.
The figure returned to the throne, and sank down as if it were tired.
The man in red stepped close again, and with a single gesture, the crystal returned to its former appearance. It looked as if the light had suddenly all been sucked in.
" Touch the caged bird now." The figure on the throne commanded softly. The red-clad man nodded, and approached the other with his hand outstretched. From his master's snow-white palm he removed a small silver pendant in the shape of a dove.
The garden was beautiful at dusk. The sliver of sun left cast deep, velvety shadows upon the plants, stretching their dark reflections. The colours became darker, pastel changing to rich, full hues. Pink to tinged crimson, mint to evergreen, lavender to violet.
And everything was still. It was a windless night, and neither a leaf nor a petal stirred. The surface of the pond was like shadowed mirror.
SPLASH!
A frail hand slashed through the water, breaking the quiet reflection of the boy. Droplets splattered on the surroundings stones, creating dark spots on the white rock.
Akito snorted, and turned his head away, pulling his fingers out of the water and wiping them on his yukata.
Oddly, today he wasn't up to being to disdainful, and he leaned back on the grass, staring at the sky. Maybe he was tired form the surgery, or…
Akito's logical thoughts trailed off, as he gazed at the night sky. The tiny, fire-bright stars seemed to wheel slowly above him, turning into a blur of shadows and pinpricks of light…
Akito's brow furrowed as he slept, as if he were fighting off a nightmare.
Cool white hands touched his forehead, and his features smoothened. His eyelids fluttered, lashes trembling against his cheek, and opened. Dark orbs, hazy with sleep, looked at a shimmering silver form.
" What – " He protested, struggling. The same white hands held him down, and a soft, echoing voice whispered comfort. Akito stilled, but his eyes were large and frightened. He desperately tried to focus on the shape above him, but it always seemed just out of reach. All Akito could make out was long, pale hair, white skin, and large silver eyes that seemed to shimmer with tears.
" Who are you?" Akito demanded harshly, trying to retain his cruel dignity.
The shape just bent, and pressed their cheek to his. "Akito…" The breathy voice was distinctly female. " Akkii…"
Akito stiffened. No one had called him that since his father. " No – " He gasped, struggling. He pushed at the indistinct form, scratching at it with long nails. He employed the unnatural strength used against his juunishi, but it was to no avail. He felt no physical pressure against him, and no skin torn beneath his fingernails, yet he was still restrained. It was like some great comforter had been placed over him, one made of gel so that it conformed and fitted itself to his motions.
His voice became high-pitched and panicked. " No! Get off! Hatori! Hatori!" His shrieks pierced the night.
Thudding footfalls were soon heard, and a sliding door forced open. Kurenro pulled the screaming boy close, holding his flailing arms still. He murmured comfort, soft words that eventually stilled the young boy in his arms.
" What was the matter, Akito-san?" His quiet voice was a life board Akito clung to, a safety net that enveloped him.
Akito, still gasping and shuddering, tightly grasped the front of Kurenro's robes.
" There was – a person – here. Not – a – Sohma. A horrible – horrible person!"
Kurenro frowned. " A person?" He made to let go of Akito and started to rise, but the young God's needy gestures stopped him.
" Kurenro, don't – " Akito pulled at the rooster's fair locks, pulling him close. He rubbed his cheek against Kurenro's, smothering hot, sloppy kisses upon the man. " Don't!" Akito was incredibly insecure at the moment, needing physical contact. Finally, his wild mouth found Kurenro's and they pressed themselves to the other's hard.
Kurenro remained motionless as Akito licked and sucked; nipping so that the rooster's mouth opened and he could attack the cavern within. The blond man only crouched there, his eyes half-closed and hazy, pleasure creeping into his every crevice at his God's loving, skilled touches. He almost wanted to throw his head back and crow; such was the power of the juunishi God over his subjects. For just as every little word could be devastating, every little caress could be exhilarating.
-
Akito opened bleary eyes, wincing at the sunlight. He dragged himself into a sitting position, his crimson robe pooling around his slim waist revealing a neat row of stitches on his chest.
He gazed dispassionately at the sleeping man beside him, noting with distaste the other's rumpled, loose robes. He only saw a messy, weak man glistening with sweat. The sun's rays gleaming off golden hair, the boyish face in sweet repose, how Kurenro's lips curved in a small smile; this was all lost to Akito.
The young boy stood lazily, stretching his pale, frail arms above his head. His rose lips formed a small 'o' as a yawn escaped him. Akito dropped his arms abruptly, bored. Ignoring how robes his robes sagged and slipped on his hips, he walked out further in the garden. He surveyed the yard like he would some great domain.
Despite his delicate condition, Akito paid no heed to the cool wind caressing his exposed back and lifting his raven hair. If Hatori could've seen him the dragon would undoubtedly be upset.
Akito sneered, purposefully striding closer to the pool where there would be more wind. None of them really cared if he got sick anyway, so why not make their lives more difficult?
He stared into his reflection, studying his own flat, blank eyes. Snake eyes. He was much more like the slithery reptile than Ayame Sohma would ever be.
There was an object at the bottom of the pond, right between his reflection's collarbone extrusions. It was nestled, half-hidden, in the pebbles.
Akito's brow furrowed slightly at the tiny glint of silver. Again disregarding his poor health, he stepped into the pool, shivering at the water's chill. He waded forward till he was knee-deep in the water, his robes floating about him like bright lily petals. He bent, reaching into the pond for the silver he had seen. The water closed around his arm all the way up to his elbow, his forearm looking even whiter and frailer underwater.
Akito roughly pushed aside pebbles and weeds in search for what he'd seen, not caring about the dust and mud that got beneath his fingernails, nor about the potential danger of those sharp rocks.
Just as he touched something cool and smooth, his hand inadvertently slid against a jagged end and he hissed, yanking his hand out of the water. Crystal drops were flung from the limb, catching the light before returning to the pool. A deep cut glistened red on the fleshy part of his thumb.
Akito brought the wound to his lips and sucked on it to slow the bleeding. He spat the mouthful of the red liquid back into the pond, and swished his cut hand in the water to rinse off the blood and saliva. Turning, he clambered out of the water, his chilled legs weak. Knees wobbling, he collapsed by the pool, and opened his bloody palm to see the fruit of his efforts.
It was a little pendant, such that you'd see around a young girl's neck. About the size of his thumbnail, a silver dove with twinkling crystal eyes.
A strange little smile crossed the dark boy's lips, and he carefully washed the pendant in the water, cleaning blood and much off of it. He was captivated by the tiny gleam in its eyes, so much that he forgot about his injury, and his hand was only bandaged an hour later, when Kurenro awoke and ushered him into the house.
-
In the darkened room, the only light was that from a small pendant around a young boy's neck. It hung on a short, tarnished silver chain, the only one he could find.
The said boy moaned softly, turning over on his side. Slim fingers unconsciously reached up, tangling themselves around the cold silver.
Nothing happened for a moment. Then the surface of the dove shimmered as if it were a disturbed pool. The metal actually rippled quietly, and the glow in the dove's eyes intensified. Light shone from the crystal, its ray becoming wider and bigger with every second. At last its span was large enough to encompass a small adult, and when the softly blinding shine faded, there laid a young woman.
She was garbed in a translucent, loose robe that glimmered like an opal, and her silvery hair flowed down her back. It literally flowed; moving waves that seemed to change length with every second.
Akito's eyelids twitched, and he frowned in his sleep, apparently disturbed from the earlier light. The strange woman clucked her tongue, and placed a soft hand on his cheek. This only served to agitate the juunishi God, and he moaned again, his eyes fluttering open. Grey eyes tried to slide into focus, but failed. Still, Akito recognized the figure that had been with him before.
" Who…are you?" He managed to choke out. His voice was raspy and his tongue weighed down by sleep.
The woman smiled, but her opal eyes remained sorrowful. " I am your mother, your sister. I am your love and your comfort. I am everything you never had…"
This made no sense to Akito. His sleep-fogged mind tried to understand the statements. His mother was Ren…he had no sister…he loved no one, and needed no comfort. " Your…name?"
" Iri." She smoothened his hair back from his forehead. " Sleep…" Her voice was soft and hypnotic, and seemed as if it carried sleeping sand to Akito's eyes, for he dozed off almost immediately.
Iri stayed there, blank eyes just staring at the slumbering boy. Only when the first rays of sun shoot through the clouds did she rise, adjusting her robe and slipping out of the room. She stayed to the shadows, and had soon left the Main House.
" Now…where's Hana?" She wondered, setting off down the street, ignoring the odd looks she attracted.
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