an: is it okay for me to pretend that there are people who still read this story since none of you give review?

Disclaimer: characters belong to CLAMP

It's when the sun spread the color of red and gold through out the space, another shade of orange near it's center and rather purple at the other edge of the sky. The two shrine's guards of the shrine surprised by presence of the very Priest that haven't seen around lately. Not that they mind to bow politely greeted him at the front gate as they hear how busy a Highest Priest was, except the fact that there are other priest that divided into Orders.

It just natural that the one chosen as the Highest Priest would serve the King or Queen and gave them advice. Not ordinary person could became Highest Priest, it was believed that only the one with pure heart and soul, and sort of magical power able to seeing 'things'. The other Priest worked in divided division; they had their own duty to aid the entire country's need. Other Priest would wander around places to places, till far in borderline.

They just shocked at how miserable he looked like. With ordinary priest clothes covered his slender figure and his supposed to be holy robe on his hand, the guards wonder where he really have been for past two nights. Because King and Princess loved him, right?

Yukito walked silently, ignored them as he kept move on, disappear in the depth of long silent corridors. His eyes as tired as his body, but thanks to body's ability to remember that he able to found his room among the other looked-too-similar room as typical residence. He had been there for too long to forget the place which had well-mind-mapped on his sub-consciousness.

A soft crack was loud enough in the silent dawn; startled someone who was inside the room with sharp gasp.

"Who's there?" came a soft boy's voice from somewhere near the bed.

The light from the sun were far too dim to tell who's who. But Yukito knew this boy well.

"Subaru'kun?" Yukito asked, not so surprised that the boy was there.

"Tsukishiro'sama?! How have you been? I heard that you were sick…" the boy came closer, stopped from whatever he was doing right there.

"I'm better now. What're you doing here this early?" Yukito asked him back as the boy helped with his luggage.

"I've thought that maybe you would come back soon and it would be nice have it fresh and clean. So maybe you could rest just a little longer," Subaru voiced out his thought.

"But, this early?" Yukito asked the emerald-eyed teen.

"Uhm, well…I might not be able to prepare it later," the boy continued a bit trailed off.

He knew the boy's mean. They would have a morning prayer before the activity begun, and it's novice duty to prepare the short ceremony things. Since Subaru as fresh as novice, he must, and after the morning prayer end, there's still a ton things to do which hardly leave you any free time.

"Then, I think it's about the time. You'd better leave the things here to me."

"But, Tsukishiro'sama, you need rest. You didn't suppose to do anything else unti.."

"Then, please tell the chief that I'll take this day off too. I promise that I'll be back tomorrow, an old brand new me."

"Well, if that's the case…Did you need something, Tsukishiro'sama?"

"Can I ask breakfast at 10? I just want resting now."

"Of course, Tsukishiro'sama. Till then," Subaru excuse himself before slowly closed the door behind him.

Yukito walked slowly to his bed, the sheet has been changed. He buried his head as he sensed his eyes burning by tears at nearest pillow he could reach. Lying above his stomach, he continued his not-so-loud cry. Tired body shaken by mixture of untold emotions has left him hollow and empty.

Suddenly he felt the heavy burden on his shoulder, as well as in his eyes and heart. Worlds still spinning around him but Yuki abandon it into deep slumber. He had enough of everything and he won't counter anything. At least now.

..o0Oo.0oO0o..

It was near the noon when Subaru was about to write the script that one of the assistant talked to his friend. Not that he like eavesdropping but he was about to take the book from somewhere near him. He wondered why do people like gossiping other even in such holy place as temple.

"It seemed like he stayed at His Majesty's chamber all the time," the first person said in discreet voice.

"No wonder, he got the face. How someone in that position could did that thing is out of my mind. Eww," the second person adds his statement.

"Why couldn't you shut your mouth up?! This ain't place to talk, and gossiping nonetheless," he knew that voice, it was Sora'kun. His voice sounded brave and firm, as expected from his fair personality.

"If you have any private problem, said the word straight would never 's so disgraceful of you to bad mouthing people behind them, hmph, chicken!" Sora continued to talk with fierce determination.

"It's not gossip but the matter of fact," the first person become agitated being lectured by Sora which is his minor or junior, "My sister was the one that serve the meal."

Now, the debate not discreet again, their voice getting louder and it attract more priests to watch what happen. Priest Tsukishiro was famous amongst other since his child. He was close with royal family, smart, open and kind. Many people love him for his nature, but at the same time, hatred toward him gathered from people's jealousy.

If before thay thought that Priest Tsukishiro became High Priest because his closeness with royal family, now people thought that it was because he tempted His Majesty to fall -in love- for him. As an outsider, Subaru thought that Priest Tsukishiro was more than capable for his recent duty. Nobody seemed to fit with position that left after High Priest Yue's resignation. The green eyed boy wonder why couldn't people saw how hard he disciplined himself so that he worth of his position.

Then he felt someone patted his head while seeing the tongue clash in front of me between Sora and the higher rank Priests. When Subaru lift my head, it was Sakurazuka'san, he was smiling at him.

"Well, well, aren't both of you finished already? If all of you have so much plenty time, why don't you do something more useful? Subaru'kun was sent here to study before returned to his country so I expect everyone would show him how a priest should behave, would we?" ask Sakurazuka'san while eyeing everybody there.

Then they seemed regretted their childish action, some lowered their face before returning with each job.

"You too, Arisugawa'san. I appreciate your sense of justice but however, they were your senior. They wouldn't get angry easily if you show them some respect. It's a good thing able to manage your emotion," he talked to Sora'kun like a big brother with low voice, just enough for us to hear.

"Owkay…I'll try to keep that in mind," he said before turning to me.

"Yo, Subaru'kun, I need your little help. Let's go over there," Sora'kun suddenly pulled my hand away.

He's able to give short bow at Sakurazuka'san before followed Sora'kun wherever he want us to go to. They stopped at one of corridor which none around.

"So, how is he doing? I heard that he absence for today as well," his face turned to genuine concern.

It took some time before The other boy understand what he refer to, "When he back to his room, he looked miserable. Oh, my, it almost the time. He asked me to bring him his breakfast."

"Can I do that? I'm a bit worried and curious too," said the boy with spanking jet black hair.

"Sure. Be sure not to disturb him. By the way, Sora'kun, did King really love him?"

"He? What's with that out of the blue question?"

"Don't get me wrong, I wonder if they were love each other for real. You know that Tsukishiro'sama always light headed when it comes about his own feeling. If they were love each other, is it possible for them to continue their relation?"

"I'm asking the same for you. Did people agree with that?" he returned the question.

He began to see the point, "No."

"It is true that many disagree about that, there are many reason. Some want his place to their own liking, some afraid that they will get less benefit at his current position. It common that King like you then your wish would be granted no matter how foolish it sounds, they afraid losing their influence on took control of country matter for their own pocket. Some thought that High Priest as holy symbol was supposed to serve god for entire life, it is inappropriate for them to married, with a man nonetheless," Sora keep going with his rant.

"But, isn't it just natural for human to fall for other? It sad that you can't be together with the one you like, isn't it?"

With his last sentence, he smiled at Subaru before leave.

Yes, it did sad being separated from the one who you love.

..o0Oo.0oO0o..

As hurt as he was, Yukito has people that cared for him.

Touya: "What happen to him?"

Sorata: "I think Your Majesty knew it better than me, what happened to him."

Sorata persistently annoying. He wonder if he'll sent to punishment tomorrow, death maybe for his disrespect.

Next time on "The Thorn Never Hurt Me": You were always there for me.