AN: This chapter was inspired by a scene from the yaoi anime "Song of Wind and Trees" in which it is briefly mentioned that a man deliberately puts his nephew through suffering and psychological torture with the intent of honing him into a better artist.

Feedback is greatly appreciated and put to good use!
Nolan

Cold Ashes

The money changes hands and fear eclipses your angelic features. I can see it in your face. Disbelief. Questioning if this really could be happening. The hands of the men who bought you find your shoulders and tear at your thin white shirt, startling you from the waking dream. You stir to life in a frenzy of motion. Your fragile dove body pulls away in unmasked horror.

I hear you shriek, your voice yet unchanged by manhood. It is a sound that only a boy in your tender years could produce.

"Sensei!"

Your eyes burn with terror and desperation, locked onto mine. Even after you witnessed me sell your body, your eyes still turn to me, pleading for me to be your savior.

"Eiri." I hold up my hand and your attackers pause for a moment.

It is enough for me to stroke the side of your tear-streaked cheek. You stop trembling at the feel of my caress and on your knees, you throw your arms around my legs. Your sobs beg me to stay.

When I pull away, your sky-blue eyes beg me for answers, the reason to this madness.

You don't know, Eiri. How could you understand until years from now this blessing I've bestowed upon you? You will become a great author. I will shatter you completely and tear your threadbare soul to ribbons. Only then will you be reborn as a fiery god from the ashes of your own devastation.

You will understand later, Eiri, the lessons only suffering can teach. The masterful tutoring of cruelty and despair will mold you into the artist I could only dream of becoming. When the day has come for you to eclipse me completely, I will fall to my knees and it will be me who worships you.

You will thank me then, my grand author, my angel. You will bless me for this when you understand. But now I can only look away and surrender you to despair.

Only when I hear the first gun blast do I understand that I was the one in need of a lesson. It seems you have surpassed me already. Ahhh, Eiri, you always could write the most exquisitely twisted endings.