Okay so I probably don't deserve your attention since I've been away for so long. T_T

Gomen minna. I'll try to update as soon as I can for all my stories. I know waiting is hard, because there are some stories I am waiting for updates too.

I hope you can forgive me. I am working hard as much as I can to get these stories updated.

'Secrets' has been updated so R&R this and that too ;)

xoxo Lexi1989


Previously:

"Well, once the Flame Guard were sent away, a cute little boy came to us. He pointed to her and said the word.. ermm 'Fairie'… To which Hotaru let out a subtle cough under her breath.

"The term was 'ugly girl Fairie' and 'meanie boy Fairie'. It doesn't take much to put two and two smirked as Mikan pouted at the reference.

"…well anyway, I offered to accompany Imai-san in case any Flame Guard were still lurking nearby. And well, she told me about your interesting story. Plus, knowing my old childhood friend Natsume was here, then I couldn't let myself leave without ensuring your safety in your journey. Ruka finished.

"Say what now?" Natsume asked.

"I'm going with you to the Glade of the Fairies!"


CHAPTER 7: YOUICHI'S PAST

"You don't have to do this Ruka." Natsume said when he was able to get a moment alone with his friend.

"You can't stop me Natsume." It was one of the rare times that the blonde prince asserted his own tenacity. He was usually the more submissive of the two.

"We both know who's stronger when it comes to a fight Ruka." Natsume combed his fingers through his hair. A habit he had when he was annoyed or frustrated.

"Your mother has been looking for you everywhere. Why did you even think you could slink into our Kingdom unnoticed?"

"I did it before and I can do it again." The raven haired Fairie retorted, looking smug.

"Not if every entrance, every escape route we've ever discovered was guarded by members of the Flame Guard. They have been everywhere. I almost got caught trying to sneak out. I had to order Usagi-chan to pretend to get lost so I'd have an excuse and even then, my mother was suspicious."

"Did you tell her I was with you?" Ruka shook his head. He wasn't about to blow Natsume's cover despite knowing he could get in trouble himself. He treated Natsume like his own brother because unlike Natsume who had a younger sister, Ruka was an only child.

Natsume and Ruka were childhood friends. Their parents, despite ruling separate Kingdoms, were close with the other rulers, except for the Koizumis who preferred to drift from the norm. Despite the ongoing disputes on who should be ruling on the Fairie Throne, Ruka and Natsume had been playmates as soon as they were old enough to walk and became best friends as soon as they could talk. They had gotten into plenty of mischief as kids, but as the rumors flew that the Koizumi Kingdom was becoming more dangerous, their parents decided they had to keep their respective heirs safe. They were sequestered into their own Kingdoms. Neither could see the other nor travel in between Kingdoms.

It didn't mean that either teen obliged to their parents' decision. They had their ways to still remain in touch, although not as frequent as before. Natsume had snuck off a few times and so did Ruka. They were brothers despite having no blood relation. The meetings became less and less when Ruka's wings manifested on his 16th Name Day.

Prince Nogi was born on the first month of Spring, when the flowers and plants started to blossom and animals emerged from their hibernation. He was kind-hearted, a bit shy, but this time his nature was that of the opposite. He insisted that he accompany his friends, both old and new to where they were going. And Natsume knew he was not taking 'NO' for an answer.


The visitors to the dwellings lined up in the center of the dwellings, preparing to bid the hospitable Yokais their goodbyes as they needed to proceed on their journey. Alice Mountain was in the middle of the country, farther North to the shoreline than they intended to go. After what happened in the forest, they had lost almost two days on their journey. They needed to make up some time.

"Arigatou, for taking us in, Nobara-chan, but we need to go now." The Yuki Onna Yokai looked forlorn but nonetheless kept her cool until the Yokai Mother approached her and whispered something to her ear. They all stood frozen as Nobara let out a short outburst.

"But, that is dangerous!" She shrieked, her face contorted in a panicked look.

"It is in the will of the Gods, Nobara-chan." The Yokai Mother then turned and left for her own dwellings hidden behind the curtain of vines. Nobara knew there was nothing she could do. She gently pushed Youichi towards the foursome who were still standing in front of her with puzzled looks on her faces.

"Youichi needs to go with you." She said as she nudged Youichi forward.

"No way. It will be dangerous." Natsume was the first to object.

"You heard what the Yokai Mother said. It is in the will of the Gods. And we are not allowed to interfere neither are you. It is written in his life'ssa purpose. Just take heed of what I'm about to tell you. Never under any circumstances are you to touch him directly. Otherwise, he will die."

"Why is that?"

"Youichi is one of the more special ones. He was born with a curse, inflicted by one of the evil Yokais that roamed the earth many centuries ago. The evil Yokai, fell in love with one of Youichi's ancestors, but when she rejected him, he cursed her. The moment that she or any of her descendants bore a son, her son would bear a curse that would drive him away from humankind. The curse of being linked to the spirits of the Underworld." The last few words were like whispers as Nobara lowered her voice so as not to agitate Youichi.

"How does that differ from being a Yokai?" Everyone was surprised as Hotaru spoke up. The topic had clearly piqued her interest.

"You pose a valid question. As Yokais are spirits as well. But those from the Underworld, who are trapped possess far greater and destructive powers than we ever could. Most of them had been banished by the Great Fairie King Izumi. So that they could not do harm to the Kingdom. Their hatred has been feeding them, and thus, if even one can escape, they will wreak havoc to those among us here on the surface of the Earth. We Yokais living amongst the people, yes, some of our kind play pranks and are sometimes mischievous, but we are never malevolent towards humankind or any being in that walks this earth."

"Wait a minute, Yokais don't reproduce, do they?" Mikan asked to which Hotaru rolled her eyes.

"They can't. Which means Youichi is partly human."

"Correct. He was a human. He is the first male in his lineage. His female ancestor was lucky enough to find love in her time, and despite her hesitance, she bore six children, all girls. These girls lived happy lives, never knowing the curse that was plaguing their family. They all eventually became betrothed and wedded, started having families, all having girls. It happened, generation to generation. Only when Youichi was born that the curse was discovered. His ancestor had thought to tell anyone of the curse, seeing as she lived long enough to witness she had brought up all granddaughters and great granddaughters, she saw no need to tell anyone." Nobara seemingly paused, as if she was trying to gauge if she should continue when Youichi nodded, giving her full permission to disclose his story.

"When Youichi was born, his mother died of childbirth and he was deathly ill. His father, a poor woodcutter, went to the village asking for help but the village healer was in a different village two days away if travelled. He sought the help of a woman, a rumored witch, cast away from the village years ago when he himself was a young boy. He travelled for days, almost dying in the Forest until he reached Alice Mountain. There he saw the woman, still beautiful as the day he last saw her. And he begged her to help him save his son as he was the only family he's got. She saw how Youichi was plagued by a curse and the story behind it. And told him the only thing he could do to save him was to leave him behind. He didn't want to at first, but he did."

"Who was that woman?" Mikan asked and soon she got her answer.

"It was the Yokai Mother, Serina. She managed to put a little bit of life into Youichi, saving him from death, but she could not lift the curse from him. Only the evil Yokai can lift his own curse from another being. So she did the next best thing. Serina gave a bit of her own self to Youichi, in turn, turning him into a Yokai like us. He isn't a full Yokai which is why he is still mortal. If anyone other than a Yokai touches him, he will die."

"Then that breaks the curse? His death?" Everyone was surprised to hear Natsume speak. His voice was low but his words were clearly conveying how perturbed he was of this situation.

"No. If a human were to touch him, the curse would be transferred to the human body. They would be tormented by the souls of the Underworld, desperate to get out. They could use the vulnerability of the human mind to manipulate them into freeing them. Youichi was lucky enough to be taken under the wing of Yokai Mother Serina. She helped him block out the Spirits and taught him how to control them. A human would not have that kind of willpower. And they would be consumed easily. The malevolent spirits will use the human as a portal to escape the Underworld and wreak havoc in the world. Which is why he is never to touch a human."

"But we're not human. We're fairies…" Mikan interjected.

"You're still partly human Mikan. Fairies have a humanity in them. You.." Nobara looked at each one for emphasis. Mostly Hotaru who was only a half blood Fairie. "…are still all mortals. Which is why I implore you. Please never forget. I was already here when Youichi became a Yokai. That was decades ago. I treat him like a brother. I leave him in your care as I cannot abandon my duty to the forest. Please take care of him." Nobara bowed low to the Fairies.

"Don't worry Nobara-chan. We will take good care of You-chan." Mikan stepped in front of the Yokai, who was on the ground still bowing. Mikan extended a hand to her, and she gratefully accepted it as she got back on her feet and led them to the opening at the side of the mountain for them to exit.

"May the Gods be with you in your travels. Stay safe my friends." Nobara said as the side of the mountain opened before them, bathing them all in bright sunlight. They were enveloped by the sunlight, which suddenly turned blinding and in the blink of an eye, they felt like they were falling.

A chorus of groans and a loud muted thud could be heard as they landed on soft white sand. Hotaru had landed next to Ruka who, being the gentleman that he was brought up to be, quickly scrambled to his feet and offered a hand to help her up. She blatantly rejected his offer and stood up, brushing the seat of her pants while looking at the scene a little ways from her.

Mikan moaned as she felt something heavy on her. That sudden feeling of falling had made her sight spin amidst the bright light and she was afraid to open her eyes for fear of going blind. She heard a grunt and peeked through her lashes. She blushed beet red as she realized what that heavy thing was on her. It was Natsume. He had fallen on top of her and they were in a most compromising position. She shrieked and that seemed to make him realize where he was at that exact moment. His face was mere inches from hers, and if he turned his head, their lips would touch. His reflex kicked in and he quickly put his wings to good use, lifting him off her, slightly hovering but removing the physical contact, putting more distance between them.

Before anyone could protest, they heard a small cry a few feet away from where they were. Youichi was in the water. It was then they realized that they were where they were intended to be. The beach. They had reached the southern shores of Alicia. And Youichi was now drowning in the ocean.

END OF CHAPTER 7


Oh no! Youichi's drowning! Can they save him in time?

And they finally know why Youichi won't allow anyone to touch him. How will they save him?

Stay tuned for the next update!


newroz – Thank you sweetie! Well, Natsume is certainly feeling something, he's just not sure of himself yet. He at least feels the need to protect Mikan which is a good thing. And she intrigues him since she's different from the ladies who have been introduced to him. And yeah, Ruka is now in the story! Hope your travels are going great!

Yla – Thank you! And yes, I wanted Mikan to portray courage, strength and wit, despite not knowing her true identity just yet. It is already kinda obvious who she is, well at least to us. But the challenge I have for myself when writing the story is on how she gets through her journey and not what's at the end of it! ;) I hope you enjoy as much as I loved writing this.

Anilissa – Yeah! an apology counts for something right? Hahaha. And although he realizes he feels something, he's just not sure what it is yet ;)

Derp1Derp2 – They may become a subpairing in this fic. I already have Philophobia which has them in the spotlight but I do think we have a chemistry for them here so we'll see. ;)


STORY CYCLE UPDATE

Starting Over Again - The Scam - Philophobia - Secrets - Fairie Tales

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Ja Ne!

xoxo Lexi1989