The next morning found Tohma, Sakano, Mika, and Judy all outside of Yuki's bedroom.
"They've been in there for five hours." Said Mika in disbelief.
"It's not humanly possible…" returned Tohma in awe.
"The master's not human." Said Judy, watching the door for signs of movement.
"Do you think they're just sleeping?" posed Sakano slowly.
"And just how long have you know the master?" answered the other three smartly.
"Good point…"
Inside of the door, Shuichi was snoozing peacefully. Yuki was standing by a lone table in the dark room. On the table sat a beautifully orange Gerbera daisy, three quarters of its petals missing. A delicate mirror was in his pocket.
"Time's running out…" muttered Yuki into the silence.
Hearing his lover's voice, Shuichi woke from his slumber. He got out of the bed quietly and grabbed the pants he had worn last night. After pulling them on, he shuffled over to where Yuki was standing and threw his arms around the demon's waist.
"Morning." Said Shuichi heavily, voice weighted down from sleep.
"Finally. I thought you'd sleep forever."
"Hmmm…" sighed Shuichi. "Watch ya looking at, Yuki?"
"Nothing, really."
"No…what is it?"
"It's just a flower."
"It looks half dead."
"I know." Said Yuki, looking very pained. "More than half…"
"Yuki…what's wrong?"
"Just drop it."
"Ohh! What's this?" asked Shuichi, fingering the shiny mirror.
"It's a way for me to look in on life outside of this castle."
"Really? Would it show me my father?"
"Yes. Just ask it."
"Ok…" replied Shuichi timidly, taking the mirror and holding it in his hands. "I'd like to see my father…"
The mirror glowed brightly for a second and then revealed a shocking scene. K was unconscious on the ground, Hiro standing in front of him fighting off the bloodthirsty wolves.
"Oh no…" said Shuichi, his voice shaking as he slid to the floor.
"Shuichi. Get up."
"Does the mirror ever lie?" Shuichi asked, tears welling up in his eyes.
"No." answered Yuki. "It'll be alright, get up."
"I can't…"
"Fine." Said Yuki, grabbing Shuichi and pulling him close. He led the shaking boy over the bed and laid him down on it. "Here. You're alright."
Yuki silently watched Shuichi for a few minutes after. The boy was lying on the bed, obviously in shock, hands locked around the mirror. And he was crying, the tears running down his face.
"Yuki…"
"What, brat?"
"He needs me."
"You're not leaving."
"Please…he needs my help. Can I go to him?" said Shuichi tentatively, sitting up on the bed.
"I don't believe you."
"Yuki…don't be mad."
"Too late. Get out."
"Yuki? I'll stay, I'm sorry, please don't throw me out again…"
"I said GET OUT! NOW!" shouted the demon, striking Shuichi across the face, insulted that the boy would want to leave him now after last night. "GET OUT!"
"Yuki! Please!" pleaded Shuichi, his face stinging from the blow.
"NOW!" screamed Yuki, full of rage for the boy, grabbing him by his arm and throwing him into the door. "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"
Admitting defeat, Shuichi crawled through the now open doors and into the hallway. The four servants quickly surrounded him, astounded by his bloody face and the screaming. But apparently Shuichi's retreat wasn't progressing quickly enough for Yuki, as he showed up and gave Shuichi a hard kick in the stomach. The boy rolled down the marble stairs, not moving when he reached the bottom. Yuki snarled and stormed back into his room, slamming the door behind him.
Free to be alone with his thoughts, Yuki was devastated. Shuichi was gone. He wouldn't ever come back, not after this. Looking around his empty room, Yuki had to hold back tears of regret. His breathing rate increasing, the demon was forced to sit on the bed. He remembered Shuichi's words.
"He needs me."
"But I need you…" said the demon to his lonely room. "Shuichi…"
He lie there for a long time, on the verge of tears.
At the bottom of the staircase, Shuichi was coming to. His whole body was aching. His stomach was sick from being kicked, his face was still stinging and bloody, and his back made him feel like a steamroller had hit him. But worse than all of that, his heart was hurting him the most. It was broken.
His feelings for the demon ran deep. He had given himself to Yuki, and now this. Thrown out like trash. Shuichi had never felt more betrayed, more hurt. Everything aside, his father still needed him; he had to leave.
Scrambling to get up in case Yuki was anywhere near him, Shuichi almost slipped on the slick marble. As quickly as he could, he gathered himself and ran for the East Wing to retrieve a shirt. Being fully dressed and still holding the magic mirror, he set out for the stables, and his horse.
"I wonder what happened…" said Mika darkly.
"Yeah…everything was going great." Replied Tohma, stroking his boa thoughtfully.
"Poor Shuichi…" came Judy's reply.
"The master is probably still upset…we should leave…" warned Sakano standing next to the stairs. "Hey! Shuichi's gone!"
Hearing Sakano say that Shuichi was gone was the final blow for Yuki. Nothing mattered now. The curse would never be broken; Shuichi would never come back to him. He was doomed to be alone, to go back to life before Shuichi.
Urging his horse to go as fast as possible, Shuichi couldn't hold back his tears any longer. He already missed Yuki. His biting remarks, his dark eyes, everything about him. Tears streaming down his raw face, Shuichi could barely see.
"Hey! Shuichi slow down!" shouted Hiro, dodging Shuichi's horse quickly as it zoomed by. "Shu!"
Snapping out of his daze, Shuichi turned the horse around and ran over to Hiro, throwing himself into his arms.
"Hiro…"
"Shu, what's wrong?" asked Hiro, full of worry. "Shuichi! Answer me!"
"He threw me out…he doesn't care about me…" moaned Shuichi, sinking into the snow.
"Who? That demon?"
"He's human on the inside, Hiro…"
"What did he do to you? Your face…"
"It doesn't matter now…He'll never let me go back…"
"Shuichi?"
"I miss him."
"Shu…"
"Wait! Dad!" said Shuichi, remembering why he had come out here in the first place. "How is he Hiro?"
"He'll be alright. Help me get him back to the village."
"Yeah, ok."
With that, the two hoisted the unconscious K onto Nanashi and set out for the village, for home.
"Ryuichi. I've been thinking." Said Tatsuha.
"Really? Do you have a headache?" questioned Ryuichi, his eyes wide.
"Actually, no. Strange isn't it?" replied Tatsuha, feeling proud of himself. "Listen. I've been thinking about Shuichi."
"Yeah…what about him?"
"I'm still set on marrying him. He will be mine. But we have to get through to him." Muttered Tatsuha darkly. "What's the most important thing to Shuichi in the entire world?"
"Candy!"
"Besides that…"
"Music!"
"Keep going…"
"His father!"
"Yep! We use K to get to Shuichi."
"Brilliant. Kuma likes it too!"
"Kuma?"
"My bunny assistant. He helps me assist you!" squealed Ryuichi with delight while he hugged Kumagoro. "What do we do with Shuichi's father?"
"He's crazy… We know that for sure. Let's pay a visit to an old friend of mine…"
The pair then set out to a dark house on the other side of town. The owner of said house a creepy, droopy-eyed man that 'took care of' crazies.
"Tachi! How nice to see you again!" said Tatsuha brightly, walking into the room.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Uesugi?" replied Tachi, eyeing the moneybag Tatsuha was carrying.
"I need someone taken care of."
"Killed or locked up, sir?"
"Locked up. Permanently."
"What's the situation, and who are we doing this to?"
"K. The crazy inventor. I want to marry his son and let's just say the two of them could use some persuading."
"I understand completely. I'll assemble my men and meet you there in an hour." Said Tachi evilly. "But I require pay. Up front."
"Will this be substantial?" said Tatsuha, full of himself for his wealth.
"No."
"Wha?"
"No. The man is always armed and his son is a firecracker waiting to go off."
"Fine. Ryuichi! Give me the back up coins."
"That will be just perfect, Uesugi. I'll be seeing you in an hour's time."
"Good."
Enough having been said, Tatsuha left the house with Ryuichi in tow.
Shuichi was almost relieved to be home. K's breathing had been very unsteady during the return trip, and Hiro had almost fainted from fatigue. But he still missed the castle, all of his friends, and Yuki.
"Hiro. You go and rest…I'll take care of K."
"Thanks Shu, but I need to get home. My mother will be wanting to see how I am. I hope everything works out for you."
"Bye Hiro." Said Shuichi as he waved goodbye to his friend and started to cart K up the stairs.
His task was interrupted, however, by a knock on the door. Swinging it open, he had to stifle a gasp. Tatsuha was standing outside with what looked like an army of goons.
"Glad to see you're back safe, my dear."
"Don't call me that…" said Shuichi, backing away.
"Don't run from me." Ordered Tatsuha, reaching up to Shuichi and grabbing his arm to drag him outside. He easily overpowered the small boy. "Heh."
"Let go of me!"
Shuichi's cries for help awoke K, and he came charging out the door guns in hand.
"Get your hands off of him, you!" shouted the angry gunman, getting a round off at Tatsuha's head.
"Ummm…Uesugi, I'll come back with more men. And a stronger carriage…he has more firepower than usual…" said Tachi, noticing the large gun strapped to K's back.
"Fine. I'll just round these two up and save them for later…" smirked Tatsuha, pulling Shuichi over to the cellar door and kicking it open. "You'll be plenty comfortable in here."
K and Shuichi then found themselves locked in their own cellar with no way out and Tatsuha leaving for the local bar to celebrate.
"Ryuichi, my stupid friend, we are victorious. I'll have Shuichi any day now." Said Tatsuha, ordering a beer from his usual chair.
"Yeah. Our plan worked. Kuma's happy for you."
"Right…"
"I'm tired…I'm going home. See you tomorrow Tatsuha!" said Ryuichi drowsily as he skipped out of the bar.
"Maybe I should rethink this whole marriage idea. I only want to sleep with him a couple times." Mused Tatsuha to his trophy wall. "And if he's worth getting tied up in a marriage with, then I'll marry him. Yeah. I love this new idea…"
Walking out of the bar, Tatsuha was feeling especially evil. Now all he had to do was to go and get Shuichi. Things were going great.
"Tohma…I'm worried about Shuichi." Said Sakano sadly, looking out of the castle's main door.
"Me too. We should go after him."
"I agree. Let's get going. I hope nothing's happened to him."
Setting out the door on his rescue mission, Tohma's path was impeded by a very bedraggled Yuki.
"Tohma. Bring him back."
"Of course, sir."
"Make sure he's safe."
"I will."
"Tell him I'm sorry…that I want him to come back."
"I will, Eiri."
"Thank you."
Tatsuha had arrived. He was feeling very gleeful, absolutely giddy about his new plan.
"Shuichi! I'm going to let you out now if you promise to be nice…" he called softly.
"Go to hell!" was the only reply.
"Then I'll just come and get you myself."
"You come in here and I'll shoot you!" retorted K.
"Shuichi. If you don't come out of there, I'll have K locked up."
"I'd love to see you try. That doctor already ran."
"Then I'll kill your little demon friend."
"Wha…No!"
"Then get out here."
"I'm coming…"
"Good."
After Shuichi had exited the cellar and left K behind, he couldn't help but notice some branches rustling in the distance. But there wasn't any wind. Looking into the tree behind Tatsuha, Shuichi caught sight of only one thing; a feather boa.
"Tohma…"
"What was that? My name's Tatsuha, you dolt."
"Don't insult me. I'm immune."
"You remember when I proposed and you turned me down flat?"
"Yeah…my answer is still no."
"I don't want to marry you anymore. I just want to sleep with you. Let's go."
"No!"
"Then it's over for Yuki."
"How do you know his name?"
"He's my brother."
"What! You're just like him too! Jerks! All you want is sex!"
"It's a family thing. Let's go."
"You'd kill for brother over me?"
"Getting you into my bed is the most important thing on my agenda. I could care less about blood ties."
"OK. I'll go with you."
"Good."
Tatsuha threw his arm around Shuichi's waist and practically ran for his house, and his bed. He couldn't wait for the night's events. Following close behind the two were Tohma and Sakano, both worried for their friends.
"Sakano. You stay here and try to help K…I'll go stop Tatsuha."
"Right."
Tohma then scampered off into the distance, determined to stop Tatsuha at all costs. He had never seen Eiri this upset, and he didn't want to make it any harder on him.
After the three had reached Tatsuha's house, Tohma hid behind a tree and watched the other two. Tatsuha was dragging Shuichi in, and Shuichi was much too tired to resist him.
"Damn it! Fight back!"
"It's time Shuichi."
"I don't care."
"Well I don't care if you don't care so let's get started." Said Tatsuha, shoving Shuichi roughly onto the bed and throwing himself on top of him.
It was at that moment that Tohma came bursting into the room, fully alight with flame.
"SHUICHI! Stop!"
"It doesn't matter anymore Tohma! Go back to the castle!" said Shuichi, now squirming underneath Tatsuha, who was trying his best to ignore Tohma.
"Eiri still cares about you! He's sorry! He wants you to come back!"
Hearing these words fully re-energized Shuichi. He came to his senses and kneed Tatsuha right in the family jewels.
"AHHHHH! Ohh! Shit!" screamed Tatsuha, rolling off of the bed with a thump. "Unnhhh…"
Tohma and Shuichi made a speedy escape, not wanting to be there when Tatsuha regained mobility.
"I left Sakano to help your father. We should get back there quickly."
"Yeah."
When they reached the house, Tachi's men surrounded it. And they were all armed. One of the bigger ones grabbed Shuichi as he came around the corner.
"Well lookey here. Aren't you pretty."
"GET OFF OF ME!" screamed Shuichi, kicking his feet as hard as he could.
"Take this!" said Tohma, catching the brute on fire. "Haha!"
"Men! Stop! The boy is the crackpot's son." Ordered Tachi. "Ah, Tatsuha. You're here. Is something wrong? You're limping."
"I'm…fine…"
"Throw the candlestick in the cellar." Said Tachi, not wanting anymore of his men to be scorched.
"Shuichi! I make good on my word. I'm going to kill him." Said Tatsuha, glaring at Shuichi.
"No! You can't…"
"I can. I will."
"Who do you want to kill?" asked an inquisitive soldier.
"A demon."
"Aw, there's no such thing."
"Give me that mirror. I know you have it." Said Tatsuha, looking at Shuichi. "Now!"
"All right…"
"There is a demon." Said Tatsuha, holding the mirror up, it now showing a very sad Yuki.
The crowd gasped and stepped closer to the mirror.
"He's harmless! Really!" said Shuichi, trying to protect Yuki.
"Really? Then what happened to your face?" questioned Tatsuha cruelly.
"Noth…nothing." Said Shuichi, hiding the scratch marks on his face.
"The monster must be killed!" shouted Tatsuha, receiving enthusiasm from the crowd.
"So it's time to take some action, boys, it's time to follow me!"
(TATSUHA throws a torch into a haystack, creating an instant bonfire. He begins to prance around it, warning of the dangers of the horrible DEMON.)
Through the mist, through the woods
Through the darkness and the shadows
It's a nightmare but it's one exciting ride.
Say a prayer, then we're there
At the drawbridge of a castle,
And there's something truly terrible inside.
(Tatsuha chases Shuichi around, mimicking a monster.)
It's a beast,
He's got fangs, razor sharp ones
Massive wings,
Killer claws for the demon
(The mirror shows the face of Yuki to the crowd, which Tatsuha exaggerates about.)
Hear him roar, see him foam,
But we're not coming home,
'Til he's dead, good and dead, kill the demon!
SHUICHI: (Interrupting) No, I won't let you do this!
TATSUHA: If you're not with us, you're against us!
(Tatsuha throws Shuichi back into the cellar with K, Tohma, and Sakano and bolts the door.)
TATSUHA: We can't have them running off to warn the creature!
SHUICHI: LET ME OUT!
TATSUHA: (To the CROWD) We'll rid the village of this demon. Who's with me?
(A chorus of "I am"s comes from the CROWD)
MOB: Light your torch, mount your horse!
TATSUHA: Screw your courage to the sticking place
MOB: We're counting on Tatsuha to lead the way!
Through a mist, to a wood,
Where within a haunted castle,
Something's lurking that you don't see every day!
(Tatsuha leads the MOB through the town and out into the forest, where they start chopping trees in preparation for their assault on the castle.)
It's a demon,
One as tall as a mountain!
We won't rest
'Til he's good and deceased!
Sally forth, tally ho,
Grab your sword, grab your bow
Praise the Lord and here we go!
TATSUHA: We'll lay siege to his castle and bring back his head!
(The scene shows Shuichi is prying at the window with a stick. He opens it enough to allow Tohma and Sakano a chance to escape.)
"Listen. Sakano and I are going to return to the castle. We've got to prepare everyone." Said Tohma, launching himself out the window.
"Remember to fight dirty." Said Shuichi with a small smile
"Of course." Said Tohma, disappearing with Sakano close behind.
SHUICHI: I've got to warn Eiri. This is all my fault. Oh, K…what are we going to do?
K: (Comforting him) Now, now. We'll think of something.
MOB: We don't like, what we don't
Understand, it frankly scares us
And this monster is mysterious at least!
Bring your guns, bring your knives,
Save your children and your wives,
We'll save our village and our lives,
We'll kill the demon!
At the castle…
(A footstool of sorts comes tearing into the room barking. Tohma and Sakano following closely behind. The four servants rush over to the window expecting to see Shuichi riding up.)
MIKA: Could it be?
JUDY: Is it she?
TOHMA: (Realizing the MOB has already caught up with them.) Sacre bleu, invade
SAKANO: Encroachers!
JUDY: (Looking down at Tatsuha.) And they have the mirror!
SAKANO: (Issuing orders) Warn the master. If it's a fight they want, we'll be ready for them. Who's with me? Aahh! (The door is slammed as the other three run to fight. Sakano quickly follows after them.)
TATSUHA: Take whatever booty you can find, but remember, the demon is mine!
(Scene goes to stairway, where all of the furniture and servants are marching down to do battle with the MOB.)
FURNITURE: Hearts ablaze, banners high!
We go marching into battle,
Unafraid, although the danger just increased!
MOB: Raise the flag, sing the song
Here we come, we're fifty strong
And fifty Frenchmen can't be wrong,
Let's kill the demon!
(The scene changes again, showing Yuki's bedroom, where Judy is briefing him.)
JUDY: Pardon me, master.
YUKI: Leave me in peace.
JUDY: But sir, the castle is under attack!
MOB: Kill the demon, kill the demon!
(The furniture have tried to block off the door, but it is being bashed in by the MOB with a big stick.)
TOHMA: This isn't working!
MIKA: Tohma! Get smart and do something!
TOHMA: Wait! I know!
MOB: Kill the demon, kill the demon!
(Scene jumps to Yuki's bedroom)
JUDY: What shall we do, master?
YUKI: (Still very depressed) It doesn't matter now. Just let them come.
MOB: Kill the demon, kill the demon, kill the demon!
(The MOB succeeds in breaking in, and finds a grand entrance filled with quiet furniture and other assorted objects. Everything seems quiet. Suddenly, a thick steam fills the air. They tiptoe in, and a burly man unknowingly picks up Tohma to see through the haze. )
TOHMA: Now!
At that second, Tohma blew fire at the face of the man holding him, Sakano ran around in circles, Judy spewed hot tea on everyone, and Mika was taking out knees all over the place. The entire army was crazed. Just like Shuichi had taught them.
Back in the West Wing, a family reunion was happening.
"Aniki…what's happened to you?" asked Tatsuha, astounded by his brother's appearance.
"Get out, Tatsuha. It doesn't matter what happened or why. Everything's finished."
"There has to be a way…"
"The way ran. He's not coming back."
"He? What are you talking about?"
"Shuichi. He knows you, you know him. No more questions. Just leave me alone."
"Shuichi? My Shuichi!" said Tatsuha, enraged that the relationship between his brother and Shuichi was more than master and prisoner. Then he saw Shuichi's clothes lying on the floor around the bed. All feelings of brotherly compassion flew out the window. In a zealous fashion. "Time to die!"
"Whatever. Just get ou- Ahh!" started Yuki, even as Tatsuha was loading the arrow into his bow. "Ahh…"
"Get up and fight me! I'm going to kill you!"
Yuki gave no response, the arrow in his wing causing him great pain.
Tatsuha took the silence as a sign of weakness and pushed Yuki onto the roof, determined to win the fight. He pulled out his knife to prepare for Yuki's counter-attack, but it never came. Enraged at his brother's lack of participation, Tatsuha lunged toward Yuki, dagger at the ready. Yuki grabbed one of his wrists in an effort to stop Tatsuha, but didn't move fast enough. The dagger was plunged into his stomach by Tatsuha's free hand.
"Shuichi, why do you care if the demon is warned or not? Look what's he's done to you." Said K to his son after Tohma and Sakano had left.
"He's my friend. I can't just leave him to be killed. I have to help him!"
"Why would you risk your life for him?"
"Because I have to!"
"We could just stay here and continue our lives…" said K, thinking of his inventing.
"NO! We have to go!"
"Why can't you stay here, continue the business?" said K with anger. "How could you do this to me, to yourself? How can you be happy with that demon!"
"Because I love him!"
"No, you don't!"
"Yes, I do!"
"He's a demon!"
"You're not acting much better! I love him, and you can't change that!"
"He doesn't love you! Look at your face, for God's sake!"
"I don't care if he loves me! He needs me and I'm going!"
K then took to staring long and hard at his son. He couldn't believe everything that had happened. He didn't want to see all of the changes in his son. But if this was important to Shuichi, then it was important to him.
"Alright. Let's go. I've been itching to shoot something."
"Really? You're OK with this?"
"Yes. As long as you're happy, Shu."
"Thank you."
K pulled out a spare gun and shot the lock off of the door, allowing the two to escape. Shuichi mounted Nanashi and K jumped on behind him. They reached the castle in record time with no wolves, but the mob beat them there.
"Eiri!"
"Don't call me that…" muttered Yuki stubbornly, holding the wound in his stomach and dodging another attack from Tatsuha.
"What the hell are you doing! Fight back!"
"It doesn't matter if I do or not! Leave before you get hurt!" said Yuki, again avoiding Tatsuha's dagger. "Give me that!" he said, snatching the knife away from Tatsuha.
"I'm here, and I'm staying!" shouted Shuichi, his eyes wide with worry, his voice shaking noticeably.
"Shuichi…" said Yuki, looking down at Shuichi. Tatsuha took the opportunity to sneak up behind Yuki, an arrow drawn to be used as a substitute dagger.
"Eiri, watch out dammit! You can't get killed now! Please don't die on me!"
Yuki didn't give Shuichi a response, but turned around and slapped Tatsuha in the face.
"It's not nice to stab people."
"Oh so now you're going to fight…"
"Yeah." Answered Yuki, throwing Tatsuha's own dagger at him. "Hope you're ready."
Below, Shuichi left K behind to assist the furniture. He himself ran through the castle, trying to reach Yuki as quickly as possible. The demon had appeared to be seriously injured when Shuichi had shown up.
On the roof, Tatsuha was getting his teeth kicked in. Yuki had proved quite wily. He had hit him, slapped him, kicked him, stabbed him with his own knife and disappeared. At the least, Tatsuha was pissed.
"Come out and fight me, dammit! Or are you afraid?"
"What, of you? Don't make me laugh." Cackled Yuki from his hiding place behind a gargoyle statue.
"Get out here!" screamed Tatsuha, loading an arrow into his bow. "Come here so I can kill you!"
"Nope."
"Tatsuha! You prick!" screamed Shuichi, running onto the balcony holding a mop. Then he realized he was on the wrong part of the roof. "Shit…got lost again…"
"Happy to see me, Shuichi? We'll be together soon as I get rid of a little problem."
"I'm not little." Snarled Yuki, coming out of his hiding place. In a distinctively lower tone, "And he's not happy to see you."
"Aha!" shouted Tatsuha, firing his arrow. It hid Yuki square in the middle of the chest. "Gotcha! Shuichi's mine!"
"NOO!" screamed Shuichi, watching from his balcony as Yuki gasped and fell to the ground. "NOOO!"
Shuichi jumped over the railing of his balcony and started to climb over to where the two brothers were finishing up the fight. Yuki was covered in blood. Tatsuha looked pleased, having found his dagger.
"It's over, demon."
It was all Yuki could do to glare at Tatsuha, his eyes starting to give out on him. Everything was going black.
"Get away from him!" screamed Shuichi, hitting Tatsuha in the head with his mop.
"What the…!" exclaimed Tatsuha as he lost his footing and fell off of the roof.
Shuichi ran over to where Yuki was lying. A pool of blood had begun to form from the arrows being pulled out. The boy dragged Yuki over another railing and onto a flat balcony leading into the West Wing. Yuki struggled to sit up, but couldn't find the strength. His breathing was becoming heavy and slow.
"I'm sorry…Shuichi…" he said, his eyes closing as he fell to the ground. His last thoughts were of Shuichi. He realized now what he had denied all along. He loved Shuichi. More than anything in his lonely world. A second later, the daisy lost its last petal. The light from the flower faded, and was no more.
"Eiri! Eiri?" said Shuichi, choking on his tears. He was answered only by silence. Yuki had stopped breathing, his pulse slowing to nothing. "Please don't leave me…"
The battle downstairs being concluded, K remained behind to deal with any stragglers, and the four servants rushed up to the West Wing. As they approached, their eyes fell on the sight of Yuki lying in Shuichi's arms while Shuichi's face was covered with tear trails.
"No…no…this can't be happening…" he muttered, watching the lifeless form of Yuki. "Why did this have to happen…now that I realize I love him…"
All of a sudden, a strange light surrounded the balcony. Shuichi gasped, still shaken over Yuki's demise. The light centered itself around Yuki, and lifted him off of the ground a few inches. Shuichi stood back, afraid.
Change was swallowing the demon. His wings were shrinking, now they were nothing, his ears were becoming rounded. His claws disappeared, leaving behind long, pale fingers. The fangs retreated. The curse was broken.
"Eiri?" asked Shuichi tentatively, walking over to where the demon now lay. "Are you alive…?"
"Does it look like I'm dead?" said Yuki, rubbing his head and looking at Shuichi in disbelief. "What are you, stupid?"
"I knew it! You do love him!" shouted Tohma from the doorway, doing a happy dance with Sakano and the boa. "I was right!"
"I don't love him!" retorted Yuki, getting up. He then realized his wings were gone. Looking at his hands and seeing no claws, he gasped. "I'm…normal."
The light moved onto to the others, surrounding them as it had their master. Sakano grew taller, and lost his clock shape. His hair appeared and turned black. His eyes grew brown. Glasses appeared. He looked as nervous as ever.
Tohma was to follow him. His waxy head evolved to reveal sharp, distinguished features. A hat materialized onto his platinum blond head. The boa was still in his hands.
Now Mika was changing. She lost all of the feathers, and became a beautiful woman that had the same features of her brothers. She was stunning in a black gown.
Judy and Micheal were standing together, waiting for their turn. Instead of being round and portly, Judy transformed into a perfect woman. Tall, curvy, scary. Everyone was shocked. Shuichi gasped. Micheal was turned into a little boy with blond hair. He stayed close to his mother.
All throughout the castle, furniture was changing. Then the castle itself changed. Gone were the gargoyles and dark things. The walls were now white and shiny. The statues were of angels. Everything had returned to normal.
Three weeks later, Shuichi was still living with Yuki. But not as a servant. As a fiancé. K was there too, and very much in love with Judy. He and Micheal were the best of friends, much to Judy's dismay. The little kid had started carrying a water gun, K's latest invention.
To celebrate the return of normalcy, Tohma had called forth all of Yuki's subjects, as he was again a prince. The party was beautiful. Shuichi was dressed in a princely outfit, his old clothes gone. Yuki was again dressed like royalty, and looked very spiffy. The two were dancing around the room, Shuichi trying to look dignified. Yuki was just trying not to laugh at him.
When the party was said and done, one last visitor came to the castle. Her name, Ayaka. Her profession, a witch. She had cursed Yuki all those years ago. She again appeared as a hag.
"You Prince. Have you learned your lesson?" she asked, coming into the castle after Shuichi opened the door to her.
"What lesson?" Yuki answered, coming downstairs to find Shuichi.
In response to his answer, the hag's ugliness melted again, leaving a puddle, and revealed the not-so-beautiful enchantress Ayaka.
"Oh, crap." Said Yuki, realizing his mistake. "Not you again…"
"Now you've done it! This time it's for eternity! No redeeming yourself!"
"Eiri…what's going on? What's she talking about?" asked Shuichi, having always been oblivious to the curse.
"Nothing…"
Ayaka just started laughing, waved her hand, and then left. She had no desire to see everyone's misery.
"Hey, Eiri."
"What, brat?"
"You look weird again."
"Shut up."
"Whatever." Said Shuichi, stretching his arms. "OH MY GOD! I'M WING-ED!"
Shuichi then started screaming. Yuki rubbed his head. This was not good.
"…this is gonna be one long eternity." He muttered into the castle, amidst Shuichi's screams.
The End
Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I couldn't have written this story with out you.
I'd also like to thank my editor-that-didn't-read-the-story. My best friend, Jacob. You're the best, thank you so much for putting up with my random phone calls about this story for two years and one day.
Ciao.
-Raita Amaya-
Special Thanks to: for the song formats