Chapter Eight "Reunited With My Fate"
"Wanna fly to a place, where it's just you and me, nobody else, so we can be free…"
The subtle but unearthly aura of the garden reminded Daisuke of the other times, like the search for Dark in the other worlds of the mirror and the time he had shared with Freedert in the land created by her memories. It was because of the memory now of those other times in other worlds that Daisuke knew that he was once again inside of the lands of a magical artwork.
It had to be the inside of the painting he had found at the end of the hidden corridor in Satoshi's library. Daisuke had stumbled upon the picture after his trip through the bookcase (Although it had seemed weird to fall through such a random object of furniture, Daisuke had seen stranger things happen on his nights stealing with Dark, and so thought little of it). Naturally attuned to these things through his heritage, Daisuke had sensed something negative around the portrait, and, feeling the need to be far away from its strange aura, he had turned to leave. An unknown voice calling his name, followed by a flash of light identical to the one that had emitted from Satoshi's books, was all that he remembered before opening his eyes and finding himself in the garden depicted on the canvas.
The garden was full of nothing but the purest white roses he had ever seen, exquisite in full bloom under the bright midday sun that shone overhead. Tall stone walls surround the garden, running the length of the grounds to the edge of a shining white marble tower whose summit reached far up into the sky. Squinting his eyes against the sunlight, Daisuke could see a contrasting mark against the skyline, caused by the orb of black onyx stone that was held at the tower's pinnacle.
He didn't know how long he had been there; his watch had stopped almost straight away, denying him the knowledge of the time. He was having doubts as to if time existed in this place, it seemed almost frozen, one moment in eternity, unable to move on.
A refracting sparkle in the corner of his eye caught Daisuke's attention. Beyond the flower beds to his right there lay a small pond that he had not noticed since his arrival in the garden. A mysterious haze floating over the surface of the water made his curiosity rise, and the subconscious urge to gaze into the depths took over as he moved to the edge of the pool.
Leaning out over the side and staring down through the still, crystal waters, Daisuke saw not the bottom of the pool, as he naturally expected, but something entirely different. His eyes widened with shock as he observed the scene before him.
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"Dark? Dark!"
"…dark…ark…" Nothing but echoes.
Dammit, Dark, where did you go…? Typical of that kleptomaniac freak to ditch me like that. I thought I heard him say Krad's name…
Satoshi raised the candle looking around the small passage for any sign of where the Phantom Thief could have got to.
…Well he couldn't have gone back to the library, I would have felt him go past me, this hall is so narrow, I'd be in the way of his escape.
He gave up on thoughts of Dark for the moment, turning back to study the large painting that blocked the end of the corridor.
It was defiantly a Hikari work, he decided after his keen artists' eye had examined the piece and recognised the trademark-like signs of his ancestors' masterful artwork.
Wondering of its origin and why he had found no record of the painting in the extensive records of the family library, Satoshi sunk back against the wall, his legs feeling strangely weak after only a short extrusion.
I don't feel so good…I hate this, not even being able to walk around without getting exhausted. How am I supposed to help Daisuke in this state? I can't even help myself…I hate it.
Feeling his breathing getting worse and the far-too-familiar constricting pain around his chest, Satoshi sunk to the floor, wrapping his arms around himself and trying to block out the pain and what it meant with the wandering thoughts spinning around in his light-headedness.
…Guess I've had a lot of hate in my life, when I think about it. First my 'father' gives me cause to detest him, by treating me the way that he does, then Krad came along, and I thought for a long time that it was him who I hated. But, things have changed now, thanks to Daisuke. Looking at him, able to live with his curse without strife, and the way he copes with Dark's soul residing with his own…No, I wouldn't say he copes with it, it would have to affect him first…I think the only thing that bothers Daisuke about Dark's nature is his annoying tendency to be, well, annoying.
A small smile played on his pale face at the thought, but was quickly followed by a grimace as another wave of pain hit him, worse than any one he had suffered recently.
It's getting worse…I can feel it…but I...I can't stop…I have to find Daisuke…
Words appeared in Satoshi's mind, recalling a past conversation with his other self. "Satoshi-sama, you can't ignore it anymore. You're getting worse." He hated to admit it, but Krad had been right when he had warned Satoshi not to push himself; it was aggravating his condition, and through ignoring all warnings and stubbornly refusing to rest, he had made himself worse than he could handle.
The pain was shooting through him, blocking all his other senses and making him moan in the moment of intense agony. Satoshi tried in vain to block it out, as he had done in the past by crushing his emotions, but this feeling was too strong, and the pain took over him, his body racking with sobs as he desperately tried to hold on through the tears and the pain.
"Dai…"
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"Satoshi!"
Daisuke hadn't realised he had said the boy's name aloud as he saw him collapse in the dark tunnel shown to him in the vision of the waters.
His love for him was so strong that the connection between them stretched across the time and distance between them, and Daisuke was struck by a bolt of burning pain that spread through him like an inferno, an echo of the agony that tormented Satoshi.
"Satoshi, please, hold on!" Daisuke shouted, his panicked state of mind refusing to comprehend that the boy was a million miles away in another world, and could not hear him. "I'll help you! Hold on!"
Clinging onto the banks of the lake with one hand, he thrust the other into the icy waters, reaching for his love.
"Take my hand!"
Through the rippling water, Daisuke thought he could see Satoshi open his eyes briefly. He can hear me!
"Satoshi!"
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"Satoshi!"
"Dai…suke…?"
The canvas was rippling, like the disturbed waters of a lake, parting in circular movements to form a portal constructed of magic, linking one world to another.
"Take my hand!"
Satoshi thought he could see Daisuke's face through the light of the portal, his arms reaching for him.
If I am to be given entrance to Heaven, then you must be the angel sent to guide my way, Daisuke…
"Stay awake!"
His arms forced their way through the protesting barrier, breaking into the world as a thief breaks into a guarded room, reaching for Satoshi as if reaching for a beloved treasure. They wrapped around the boy's tortured form like the wings of twilight wrapping around the evening sky, and he was pulled away…
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"Gaah!" Daisuke threw himself backwards onto the bank, dragging Satoshi up through the waters and onto the ground beside him.
Daisuke gasped for breath, looking down at the figure beside him. I did it…I brought you here, with me…Please, be safe, Satoshi…
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Stirring from his unconsciousness, Satoshi felt weak, but the pain had subsided. He pushed wet strands of hair from his eyes and made to get up. A hand reached down to aid him.
Taking the hand and pulling himself upright, Satoshi found himself face-to-face with Daisuke. He didn't need to ask the redhead what had happened, he remembered everything…Daisuke had reached him…he had saved him.
His gaze locked by Daisuke's eyes, Satoshi could no longer pretend, he could no longer deny the way he felt about him.
"Daisuke," he whispered, at long last falling into his arms, holding him close, feeling the warmth of his body as Daisuke wrapped his arms around him. "I'm sorry for pushing you away, Dai…I do love you."
"I love you too, Satoshi-chan."
Standing in the light of the magical garden, the two tamers shared a kiss. Now that they were together at last, they never wanted to let each other go. No matter what.
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Please review while I find tissues…I mustn't cry, not here…in the school computer room…full of people who think I'm weird...
I know it's late but a very happy new year to you all!
Lia xxx
PS: If you're wondering about Satoshi's insult, a kleptomaniac is someone who is obsessed with stealing. I think…Heh…Please review!