Chapter 6 : A Promise

WARNING! After here there is some mild shounen-ai ( or boys' love) so if that bothers you, I suggest you read no further, but I'd really love it if you would :)

Such bright blue eyes, like sapphires, half shadowed by thick black lashes. The shadow was a boy, a little older than Onihime, dressed in black. Onhime blinked, he had never seen anyone dressed in black before. Anything that was black, cats, dogs, even birds were considered outcasts and thrown out of the city into the Wilderness outside. The boy's black coat was long, with splits in the side that reached up to his thighs, and bedecked with strange, silver pendants. His trousers were black, his knee-high boots were black, he stood out like a sore thumb against the pale surroundings of the room. He was...different from anyone in Vila, not of this world, an alien.

Sora cursed is ill-luck, he hadn't noticed the sleeping boy, who was now wide awake and staring at him as if he was a three-headed camel or a square paopao. A little thought sneaked into Sora's mind,

He looks like Riku...

He had Riku's hair, althoughthe boy'swas a little longer, he had Riku's tilted eyes butunlike Riku he was frail looking, Riku had always been strong. In fact, he looked as though someone had pricked him with a pin and drained out all his colour, he was so pale. His skin and hair was snow-white and perfect, unblemished. His soft grey eyes were framed by long, pale eyelashes. His ankle-length robe was as white as his skin, with a pattern of gold embroidery. Suddenly, the boy straightened up with a deep breath and shouted,

"Whothehellareyouandwhatareyoudoinginmyhouse?" Sora blinked in surprise.

"Wha-?"

The boy took an another breath, his small chest heaving, and began again. He looked furious.

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my house?"

Sora tried his threatening smile. It didn't work on the boy.

"Oh, you must be the Lord Sorgota's son...how did you get in here? Presumably you don't know the passwords?"

"I could ask you the same thing, stranger," the boy pouted, "I'm pretty sure you aren't one of the guests." Sora shrugged, trying his best to act as confident as he could.

"No, I'm a gatecrasher," he said simply, "an intruder, a trespasser...a thief if you will."

"What have you come here to steal?" Sora's eyes twinkled.

"Knowledge." At this the boy's angry little expression turned to one of confusion. He sat down.

Onihime felt as if he could trust this strange person. He felt that they were the same, not meant to be in Vila Civitas, aliens...

"Well," he mumbled, "You've come to the right place, and I don't know how I got here, I just found a doorknob."

"Hmmm, could be the workings of fate..." The tall boy smiled. He held out a long-fingered hand,

"I'm Sora." Onihime paused, no one had ever offered him their hand before. He took it shyly.

"My name is Onihime Sorgota." The boy called Sora shook his hand warmly. Then he straightened up and walked swiftly away.

"Wait, where are you going?" Sora turned and stared at Onihime.

"Don't tell anyone we met here, don't even mention you were here to anyone. Your father suspects that you were hiding out in this room, because you weren't anywhere else, but make something up if he asks. As for me, I've seen the secret of your house, what I'm going to find out now is why it's so important to his Lordship the Magistrate." Onihime blinked.

"Why are you telling me all this? What are you even talking about?" Sora grinned, and put his finger to his lips.

"Because I know you'll be quiet." then he turned away. A thousand thoughts raced in Onihime's head as Sora moved almost in slow motion out of the door. He wanted to know more about this odd boy, what he was doing in Vila Civitas, where he came from. Perhaps then Onihime could find out the secret of his heritage as well. But would he dare leave his mother here alone? He was a Lord, it was his duty. Then the little rebellious thoughts in his head interrupted. Screw his duty, he was a teenager, nearly an adult, and he had to do what was best for him. Onihime made up his mind.

"WAIT!" He shouted a little too loudly. Sora turned back.

"What is it?"

" I want to...I want to go with you, wherever you're going." For the first time, Sora looked surprised.

"What? Even if I wanted to bring you, it isn't a good idea."

"But, you're looking for something right? I know a lot more about Vila Civitas and the workings of the Lords than you do, and if you bring me with you, you can make sure I don't blab to anyone!"

Onihime didn't know if it was what he said that made a difference, but Sora paused in thought, then he looked up, and gave Onihime a perfact white smile.

"Sure, you're on."