Whoa! I'm already at chapter 4?! Woo hoo!
I'm really glad at the reviews that my co-authors were giving. I'm really grateful! You guys are my inspiration! (Well, except for my favorite student John Rei. Hehe)
Well, I hope that I could finish this fiction before classes resume… I really hate juggling my time between work, studies and recreational activities.
Anyway, here's chapter 4 for everyone! And, a HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR EVERYONE!
I don't own 07 ghost, just Azrael and Akira
Chapter 4: CONNIVANCE
***
Bishop Castor was renowned as the greatest puppeteer of Barsburg church. His manipulation-based zaiphon enables him to control puppets that may come in handy in one way or the other, such as when he needed extra man power, his dolls could take the replacement. In espionage, his dolls could take on the position of a rank-A spy, just like what the spy doll Castor assigned to Teito in his earlier days in the church. When seriously crafted, his dolls could 100% mimic the real person it's suppose to imitate, just like the replacement trick he did when Frau was imprisoned. Anything could be done by the power of Bishop Castor the Puppet Master.
And that's why Akira and Teito are now in his doorsteps.
"Akira, are you sure about this? I mean, I don't want to involve Castor-san in my problem." Teito whispered anxiously while tugging at Akira's sleeves.
"Oh don't worry my dear, I'm sure Bishop Castor would love to help you out on your problem…" he said before knocking at the door. A crash followed by a hurried "Oww, coming!" echoed from the other side of the door.
"It seems that Bishop is up to something…" they thought in unison. Soon enough, the door opened, a disheveled Castor donned in his assumed to be sleeping garments (which is primarily a long white robe.)
"Akira-kun, Teito-kun, what brings you here?" he said after opening his door wide enough for the two.
"Good evening Castor-san, but we have important matters to discuss with you."
"Important?" he asked before looking at Teito who was fisting the fabric of his purple robe. Then, instantly the gears of his mind started to move as the thought hit him straight.
"I see, please come in." he continued before stepping back to allow the two boys to enter.
'This would be very interesting…' he thought gleefully before closing the door.
***
Being left alone in the middle of a serious conversation was not an ideal treatment for a friend right? That would make the other to feel that he's unimportant. What kind of friends are those who committed such crime!
'Then again, it's Teito Klein. I should be used to his harsh and cold treatments.' Mikage muttered while walking down the road towards their shared quarters. "But we've been friends for so long! He should at least change for the good!" he shouted which earns him a scornful remark that someone's trying to sleep. He immediately countered an apology and hurried his strides towards his destination.
'I guess Teito's already asleep.' he thought as he gripped the doorknob and opened their room. His guess was proven right when he saw the sleeping figure of his friend on the other bed across the room. He was sleeping while facing the door and his figure was bathing in moonlight, giving him that angelic and innocent look.
"Really, if someone's going to look at a sleeping Teito, that someone might jump my friend for his cuteness."
Mikage gasped and to his surprise. 'Where did that come from?' he though. 'Sure he's attractive in a feminine way but…' Mikage immediately dismissed the though with a series of head shakes. 'Right, maybe I'm just speaking in a brotherly affection. There's no way its possible.' he continued before removing his jacket and preparing to undo his pants.
Then he remembered something. He glanced at the wall clock located at the top of the door, seeing that it was already 11:50 pm.
'Shit it's about time!' he cursed before casting a hexazaiphon and jumping out of the open window.
Unknown to Mikage, if he would only look closely at Teito, he would he that his body articulation aren't normal human joints.
***
"Teito?" a certain raven called but instead of responding, the addressed boy ignored his friend's call and kept on staring at the water. "Teito, you okay?"
Still no reply…
Akira felt an upcoming headache and he pleaded Azrael to cure it right away. Although their plan is going smooth and all, Teito still feels anxious about the outcomes which in turns make Akira almost lose it. But since he's the good friend, he couldn't just sit down and do nothing while his friend's is in a troubled state. Akira walked closer to Teito until he's within reach with Teito's back. Due to annoyance, Akira balled his fist and smacked Teito at the back of his head.
Keynote: Hard.
"That hurts!" Teito howled while nursing his abused head. "What's the big idea?"
"You're becoming a coward that's the idea!" Akira shouted back, surprising Teito at the tenacity of his voice. "Teito, of all people, you should be the one who understands most! If you want something, you have to do something in order to obtain it. Nothing's for free in this world especially the love of others! You said that that you like Mikage then do something! Make him aware of your feelings!"
"But what about if worst came to worst?" Teito suddenly countered. "What if he refuses? Our friendship will -"
"Oh shut the hell up! If Mikage is truly your friend, he wouldn't do whatever outcome that edgy brain of yours is supplementing! He would refuse yes but that doesn't mean that he wouldn't like to be friends with you anymore! If he's your friend, he will accept you no matter what you are, so stop being so emo and get your butt moving!" the raven raved, panting after his tirade.
Teito couldn't believe it, but was Akira scolding him? But whatever the raven had said sure does left a nice dent on Teito's insecurities and that left him to think whether to continue this or not.
Sadly, he doesn't have a clue of what to do right now.
Akira spun around and headed towards the cathedral while stomping all the way. "If you still want to continue this, come inside. I'll wait for you till midnight." he said with an irritated yet weary voice. He entered the cathedral not long before that…
…Leaving Teito alone in the middle of the night.
Inside the cathedral, a purple light glowed softly, revealing three silhouettes all gathered in one place. When the light disappeared, only two silhouettes remained.
***
Instead of entering the cathedral and resume this venture of making Mikage fall for him, Teito went for another destination in order to think. Surely, a pissed off Akira is not a good company right now. Being the vessel of Azrael he could decapitate his enemies within a blink of an eye. Aside of being capable of mass murders, he could also teleport you away.
So instead of facing his irritated master, Teito went somewhere else to cool down, or so but if he really want to apologize to Akira, wouldn't attending to his practice be the best way?
Well, apparently, Teito's undecided whether if he should continue this quest or not. Just like what he said, what if his best friend denied him? His romance and friendship with Mikage will crumble right into his eyes.
Oh Teito if only you know.
"What should I do?" he rasped, kneeling in front of a fountain before releasing a series of sobs. He kept of crying and crying, making him unaware of the sudden presence of a certain bishop.
"Teito-kun?"
The boy stopped for a moment before turning around to see the concerned face of Bishop Labrador in his midnight suit, which was a sleeping gown.
"The flowers are saying that you're upset over something. Do you think I can help?" he said genuinely before offering his gentle smile to the burnet.
Of all the people in the church, for Teito, Bishop Labrador seems to be the perfect confidant. He's so gentle and kind that it makes Teito's anxiety to disappear. Unlike Akira who was pushy, bossy and demanding, Labrador would be a perfect guidance counselor, or even a clinical psychologist.
"Come Teito, why don't you tell me what's bothering you while we're having a nice chamomile?" Labrador said while walking towards a tea house situated in middle of the garden. Teito followed reluctantly but inside his heart, he knew that if he wants a good advice, then following and talking to Labrador would be the perfect answer.
After seated, Labrador poured water from the teapot into the two glasses and put three seed of chamomiles in each. He gave one to Teito while the latter was all uneasy so to say.
Silence ensured but Labrador is more than willing to way for the boy in front of him. After all, it is not his nature to pressure someone to tell something to him.
"Labrador-san, can I tell you something?" the jade bishop suddenly asked.
"What is it?" he replied before sipping some from his tea.
Teito hesitated for a moment but after pondering whether it is right or wrong, he mightily asked Labrador his question.
"Labrador, I'm in love and I'm doing everything to make the person I love to reciprocate my feelings. I want to tell him but I couldn't." he said before sniffing some runaways from his nose. "I really like him-" and Labrador's eyebrows rise in surprise. "-but I couldn't find the courage to tell him! I been doing everything on my abilities to make him notice me, and so far everything's going smooth but…"
"But?" Labrador asked.
"I don't know whether I should continue this or not. I've been friends with him from the start and I treasure our friendship, but I love him!" he cried, tears overflowing from his eyes as he looked at Labrador caring face. "I love him and I want him to love me more than a friend, but if I did confess to him and he rejects, he might avoid me and be disgusted for having a homosexual friend, thus ruining our friendship in the process."
Oh he couldn't take it anymore. Once again, Teito bawled like a child and hid his face in the sanctuary of his palms, while Labrador continued to portray a look of pity and understanding.
"Labrador-san I don't know what to do. I love him, but if I tell him, it maybe the end of our relationship." he said under the covers of his palms.
"Teito, look at me please." and at that caring voice of Labrador, Teito stopped crying and faced Labrador with tear-stained face plus his runny nose. He sniffed those runaways by the way.
"I'm sure Mikage would understand."
What?! How did he know?! "Labrador-san, you knew?!"
Labrador shook his head and smiled sweetly at the perplexed Teito. "No, but I guessed that maybe you're referring to Mikage. After all, he is your only best friend right?"
Way to go Teito. He mentally scolded his self for being easy to read.
"Teito, if Mikage really does look at you as a true friend, he would accept you for what you are. Even if declines at your love, he would still be your friend, if Mikage was truly your friend that is." he said before sipping once again at his tea.
Teito couldn't believe but the words that Labrador uttered were the exact word Akira shouted at him earlier. He couldn't believe the fact the Akira could think in line with Labrador.
"Follow your heart Teito, for the heart will lead you to happiness." Labrador finished.
"Follow my heart?" he whispered before placing his hands at his left chest. There he felt for the beating of his heart, and think of what to do. He think of all the love the he has for Mikage, his smiles, the time when he was under the control of Ayanami, his sleeping face, his warmness when they were sleeping together back in the Academy, all of his memories with Mikage.
And with that, Ladies and Gentlemen, Teito Klein finally pressed the button and shouted:
"DEAL!" he stood up, tears no longer visible and was replaced with an innocent determination. "I will follow my heart for my heart will lead me to my happiness. "Labrador-san, I thank you."
Labrador smiled warmly at him before replying "You are very welcome, Teito-kun."
After nodding and giving his thanks once again, Teito waved a goodbye to Labrador and vent to continue what he has started.
Unknown to him, a purple light glowed at the back of the garden, and then it disappeared, living the darkness at its wake.
***
He was growing anxious, no he was getting impatient! It's about time!
"Why? What happened?" Mikage uttered while standing in one of the pillars of the church's rooftops.
***
Teito rushed pass corridors, stairs, the fountain, rooms and dungeons. It's about midnight and he prayed to God that Akira's still there. He finally saw the cathedral's gate and, much to his relief, he heard a soft lulling of two unmistaken voices of his mentors. He opened the doors, and low and behold, Razzete and Akira both clad in night silk robes and were playing the piano and violin respectively.
"Akira, Razette."
Akira brought his violin down as Razette rose from her seat in the church's organ. Both looked at Teito for a moment before Akira broke the silence.
"You did took your sweet time. It took you long enough." he said, face contorted in a frown.
"I'm sorry Akira, Razette, but now I have my answers." he replied, which made Razette smile and Akira to raise one fic\e black eyebrow.
"Oh and what is that answer of yours?"
"I will follow my heart, for my heart will lead me to happiness." he said, face full of determination. "Please, let me finish what I have started."
The two music teachers exchanged looks, then after broking a warm smile, Akira and Razette held their hands towards Teito.
"Then, we have to right away."
***
Mikage huffed; a disappointed huffed, for he hadn't expected that his mission would be a failure. He'd been waiting for about an hour, heck it was past 1 in the morning yet there was no mysterious requiem or melody that resonated throughout the perimeter of the church.
"How unlucky of me…" he said in defeat before turning around and casting a hexazaiphon around him. He was about to venture back to his room when suddenly a sound of a piano being plucked expertly echoed, followed by the music of a violin.
Nee, Aishitara, daremou ga
Konna kodoku ni naru no?
Nee, kurayami yori mo, fukai kurushimi
Dakishimeteru no?
Mikage immediately jumped the other way, towards the voice that had ensnared his heart and soul
Nanimo kamo ga futari kagayaku tame
Kitto
Labrador went to check a red rose finally blooming under the influence of the music that he was hearing from afar. He felt an unmistakable tone of love and affection from the song, and by that, concluded that indeed, Teito was following his heart.
"Towards your happiness, Teito." he said.
Kimi wo, kimi wo ai shiteru
Kokoro de, mitsumete iru
Kimi wo, kimi wo shinjiteru
Samui yoru mo
Razette and Akira were accompanying Teito signing by the orchestral musical instrument they are so fond of. The trio glowed in a soft and mellow light as the moon above sang with them, showering them with its celestial light. Teito, among the three, stands out as his voice evokes the power of a certain angel residing inside him. His love towards Mikage took materialization, manifesting into a white and blue crystal shards that are now floating inside the large room. Reflected in the shard were the memories of Teito for Mikage, his smiles, his laughter, his tears, his everything Teito had witnessed.
Hitomi de ima yobikakeru
Yakusoku nado iranai
Hitomi de ima te wo nobasu
Mikage was running at full speed, his hexazaiphon enhancing all of his movements he was close, very close, and yet something happened.
The cathedral glowed in a purple light.
Mikage hurried and he reached the cathedral even before the purple light disappeared.
Samui yoru mo
But sadly, all that he could see was the beautiful green eyes of his mysterious songtress as the purple light carries her away.
"Wait!" he shouted, but only darkness and silence greeted him, no trace of any life at all.
Who are you? he thought, the green eyes of the songstress burned in his memories.
***
The following morning, Castor and Labrador, the inseparable duo, were once again found in the teahouse in middle of the garden sipping their teas happily, completely ignoring the loud snores of Frau who was sleeping unbishoply.
But today, they aren't a duo anymore.
"I should thank the two of you. You were really a great help!"
"Oh it was nothing, were happy that we are able to help you out." Castor replied, before setting his cup unto the table.
"You really are something to think that you anticipated such outcome." Labrador added.
"It was nothing." the stranger said, before finishing the rest of his drink. "Oh! I need to get going! See you later, Castor-san, Labrador-san."
"Okay." they replied and the stranger went on, leaving the two to converse on their own.
"But I couldn't believe that He would do such action, and he even seek you're help!" Castor joked, eyeing his friend once more as the young bishop stifled a giggle.
"Oh, we should keep this a little secret. I'm sure Teito would be angry if he knew that HE had told me to say those lines to him." Labrador said, before taking his tea once more. Castor took his' and after they emptied their cup, they both sighed before uttering the name of the master of this farce.
"Akira…"
Hahaha! What do you think?
Oooh, that song was the opening song of Vision of Escaflowne, and! I don't own any of the word of that song (Yakusoku wa Iranai)
Thank for reading! Comments and Criticisms are highly appreciated…