Thank you for the amazing response to the Prologue. Sorry this took so long, but I wanted it to be just as good as the prologue.

Junsu Saito- Thank you ^_^ I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Darky303- I will! Thank you. Im glad you like it.

I also entered and won the NaNoWriMo (meaning I wrote a novel) so that took up most of my time. But it have given me new life in writing and shown me I can achieve anything if I set my mind to it.


Chapter 1

I'll probably spend the rest of my life creating, even while knowing that it's impossible.

I love him...

Its nothing less and nothing more than that.

Just from my heart, more than anything I love him.

'Nee-chan!' Sayuri yelled out as she launched herself onto the bed, landing beside the pile of blankets covering Tsukishima. Tsukishima stirred, opening one eye slowly, peering over the top of the blanket that he had pulled over his face.

'Sayuri, its too early.' Tsukishima groaned as he buried his face into his pillow.

'Come on! Come quick. There is something you have to see.' Sayuri begged, tugging as hard as she could at the blankets trying to pull them free. A hand popped out from underneath the blanket and reached out, knocking over items on the table next to the bed as it was feeling around for something. When fingers brushed against the cold metal of the watch they grasped it and pulled it from the table.

Blinking against a haze of sleep Tsukishima focused on the watch face, his blurred vision slowly focusing on the time.

'Sayuri its the middle of the night!' He exclaimed, the watch falling out of his hand and falling to the floor. The man in question sighed, running his fingers through his tangled hair as the bed dipped next to him followed by the small figure of Sayuri climbing to sit on top of him, fisting her small hands around the blanket.

'I know. But there is something you have to see. Come on.' Seeing the look on the young girls face Tsukishima groaned, pulling the layer of blankets off his body and shifting his tired body off the body, a hiss escaping his lips as his feet hit the cold floor. He pushed his tired body off the bed and shuffled around aimlessly, his mind half asleep and not processing anything.

Sayuri bounded off the bed and grabbed a thick black coat off the floor.

'Is this what you're looking for?' Tsukshima muttered a thank you and slipped his arms into the sleeves, pulling the warm coat around his body.

'Alright miss. Lead the way.' Sayuri giggled, grabbing the older mans outstretched hand, pulling him out into the hallway behind her and out through to the back part of the manor. Quickly slipping on a pair of shoes Tsukishima let Sayuri guide him outside and across the field that backed onto the manor. The cold air stung against the exposed skin of his face and hands, making him shiver at the sudden exposure to chilly air outside.

They neared the stream and crossed the small foot bridge, Tsukishima continuing to be pulled by the blonde to an unknown place. He didn't say a word, just letting Sayuri pull him to where ever she was leading. He knew Sayuri wouldn't bring him somewhere if there wasn't a reason. Especially at this time of the night.

Usually she was worried about something. And he wouldn't pry. Tsukishima would let Sayuri come to talk on her own when she felt ready. For now he would let the young girl take him on the midnight mystery tour. If he didn't freeze first.

Blowing air onto his free hand he tried to create some warmth but failed as the cold air tangled with his warm breath.

As soon as the pair cleared the line of trees Tsukishima stopped in awe at their surroundings. They were standing in the middle of a large open field. In the distance mountains soared high into the clouds, floating across a sky illuminated by a beautiful full moon. The glow from the moon turned a usually dark night sky into a crystal clear green and blue, like an ocean on a calm day.

Stars dusted across the canopy, twinkling like diamonds.

Scattered throughout the long green grass stood elegant purples flowers that seemed to spread across the entirety of the field.

'These flowers...' Tsukishima couldn't help but notice something odd about the flowers. The centre of each flower seemed to be emitting a glow, a light from deep inside the flower

'My teacher told me about these. They're Starlight Blossoms.'

'Starlight blossoms?' Tsukishima whispered, kneeling down to look at the flower up close.

'They're a rare flower that only blooms under the light of a full moon.'

'The dust of the pollen was thought to have healing properties. But no one has ever been able to prove it.'

'It looks like something out of one of your paintings Nee-chan.' Sayuri looked into the distance, a frown creasing her forehead.

'Nee-chan.' Her voice was so timid against the quiet night backdrop but Tsukishima heard it clearly.

'Mmm.' He watched as the small blonde study the grass under her feet, unsure of where to look.

'When I turn eighteen, do I really have to ascend the throne?' Sayuri asked, her voice shaking a little. 'Cant I stay with you?'

'You can if you want to.' Tsukishima said with complete certainty.

'What do you think I should do?' Sayuri asked.

'Oh no! I'm not making that choice. I made a choice many years ago and all I got for it was a whole lot of dead.' Tsukishima defended, waving his hand dismissively in the air. He fell back against the cold wet grass, letting his eyes scan the vast open field that was alive with the pale glow of the moonlight. Tsukishima let his mind study each detail, knowing this moment would be something he would want to recreate onto canvas when he had the time.

'Do you regret it? Your choice.'

'Yes and no.' he sighed as Sayuri looked at him, confusion in her eyes questioning his response before she could even voice it.

'When I made the choice I was so sure. I knew it was the right thing to do. Take the responsibility and protect the clan.'

'But?'

Tsukishima smiled slightly, plucking a blade of grass and twirling it between his fingertips.

'The night before one of my friends broke past the guards and confronted me.' He explained, the memory still fresh in his mind even after ten years.

'He told me things... I already knew and things I didn't.' Tsukishima paused, carefully picking his words, 'but in that moment I didn't want to hear him.' He continued tilting his head slighting to gaze up at the stars.

'When I woke up that morning and saw him laying next to me, I came very close to not going through with the harakiri. I wanted to stay, stay right in that moment.'

'But I didn't.' Tsukishima whispered, his voice cracking slightly.

'Why?'Sayuri whispered.

'I thought my duty in that moment was to follow through with what was required. I truly believed that it was the only option.' He replied honestly, because in that moment so many years ago, that was what Tsukishima believed to be the right thing to do. He couldn't see any other option for the clan.

'Your choice is not an easy one Sayuri, I wont lie to you. You have to decide if being a ruler is truly what you want.' he said simply. Pressing a finger under her chin he lifted her head and brought her gaze to meet his own, holding it strongly.

'If you can not see yourself being the queen this land needs then you don't have to take on that responsibility.' Tsukishima spoke as he stared into Sayuri's eyes.

'But I want you to think it through ok.' He continued in a soft voice. Sayuri smiled, giving a small bob of acknowledgement. She knew that Tsukishima could only help her so far but ultimately the decision was something she had to come to on her own.

'You will always have a home with me, being queen will never change that.' Tsukishima murmured softly, a small smile playing on his lips. He took her small hand in his own, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand in an attempt to comfort her.

'Do you think I could do it?' Sayuri paused, peering down at her small hand in Tsukishima's. 'Do you think I could be queen?'

'I already told you you could. I already told you that I told you.' He replied with a smirk.

'I'm scared.' Sayuri's voice came out in a whisper, so small and fragile that it tore at Tsukishima. He reached an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to sit on his lap.

'I know you are.' Tsukishima shrugged, gently stroking the soft golden crown resting against his chest. 'But you don't have to worry so much. I will always be here for you. And I will do what ever I can to help you.'

With a small smile Sayuri cuddled into Tsukishima, resting her head against his chest. The quiet field combined with Tsukishima's warmth and his gentle fingers stroking her hair, the young girl was fast asleep in his lap. Tsukishima glanced around the field one last time before shifting, picking Sayuri up gently in his arms and standing up from the ground. As he carried her back to the house he tightened his hold on her, never having felt more protect of the child than he did right now with her words echoing in his mind.

"I wont make the same mistake again."

"I promise."


In a dimly lit room, the only source of light the flickering, warm glow of the desk lamp and the pale moon light seeping in through the open shoji door. Against the black sky the glittering stars filled the warm summers night.

But for the dark haired man poised over the desk, all this had faded into the background long ago. His long, pale fingers delicately brushed the dust of the rosy coloured cheek of the doll cradled in his palms. Letting the doll drop onto the desk the man reached out and grasped the weakly lit pipe that was perched on top of a series of books.

Kuroda leaned back as he brought the pipe to his lips, the chair groaning under the weight. He inhaled deeply and let a puff of smoke slowly seep from his slightly parted lips, rising and disappearing into the darkness. His tired eyes closed heavily, listening to the wind blowing through the wind chime just outside the door. Tilting his head back resting against that top of the wooden chair, the man couldn't remember the last time he had slept in his own bed as he felt the painful stiffness in his neck protesting against the movement.

Deciding he deserved a decent night sleep he pushed back against the desk, pushing the chair, the feet scrapping loudly across the wooden floor but Kuroda paid no attention, leaving his work abandoned and spread out across the surface of the desk in a large mess.

Slowing rising from the wooden chair he stretched his arms above his head, the faint clicking sound coming from his back as he stretched out his stiff muscles, walking over to shoji doors to close them.

'How long have I been sitting there?' Kuroda muttered, peering out into the darkness. He slid the door closed, cutting off the cool breeze and turned around, heading back through his workshop and out into the hallway. Shutting off the lights and closing off the workshop Kuroda shuffled down the hallway towards his bedroom, feeling the exhaustion of the day creeping over him making it difficult to walk straight.

When Kuroda entered and switched on the light in the bedroom, he crossed the small space and opened the windows, allowing fresh air to enter the stuffy, hot room, shut off the lights, the faint moonlight his only way of manoeuvring around the room. He then collapsed against the futon, burying his face into the soft fabric of the pillow, sighing with relief at the feeling.

Before he let his eyes close properly, before allowing himself the sleep Kuroda decided to remove his robe as the room was still uncomfortably warm. Rolling over onto his back, his hands fell to the sash around his waist and with weak fingers began to untie the knot, pulling himself free from the confines of his robe. He pushed the robe down his shoulders and slid the fabric down his body until he was able to kick it off, letting it pile at his feet.

Sighing at the relief of the cool air against his bare skin, Kuroda laid sprawled out on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Placing a hand over his chest, Kuroda could feel the subtle beating of his heart deep within his chest. One of the few signs that he was still alive. But within that there was a heavy, tight feeling deep within his chest, an almost painful sensation,"but what is this feeling?"

Kuroda lifted his hand from his chest, rubbing it across his unshaven chin, the rough stubble scratchy under his fingertips.

"Why do I keep going?" He thought. He had no purpose, there was no reason for him to continue to make Hybrid Child dolls, not with the amount of money he had accumulated over the years. He could quit creating tomorrow and live out the rest of his days in comfort.

But for what reason? Kuroda had no answer. Not one answer and yet he was still here.

Slowly his eyes closed, sleep taking over his body, his mind drifting off into a deep sleep.

Oi Kuroda, are you there? The memory of the voice distant and faint, pulling him into another dream of the past.


RING RING

'Hello?' Tsukishima puffed, having had to run down the hall to pick up the receiver just in time.

'Listen I can not give you my name. But I have information that you need to know.'

'What?'

'I'm a friend. And I have found something...something I can not hand into the palace.' There was silence for a few seconds before the person on the other end continued, 'You are the only one I can trust with this.'

Tsukishima remained silent, unable to think of the words he needed to respond to what he was hearing. He didnt even know if he should believe anything!

'Trust me with what?' He pushed carefully, curiosity pushing him forward with the conversation.

'Tsukishima-sama, we need to talk but in person. This is too important to talk about over the phone.' The man pushed back, trying to convince Tsukishima.

'What is so important that I need to meet a stranger? What cant you say over the phone?'Tsukishima interjected, his voice clipped with annoyance. He was very tempted to hang up the phone when-

'Its about Sayuri.'


TBC

As always like and comment to tell me to write more.

Ill see you next time.

Xoxo Cagallirocks