AN: Finally! a new chapter after such a long wait. Thank you all for being so patient.
This Chapter was kind of hard to write since it goes really into Sasuke's and Juugo's relationship. It's not supposed to come off as anything other than a close friendship and if it did, I insist that it's not my fault...
(Don't forget to review!)
"Over there!" Juugo was pointing towards the end of the field and Sasuke turned to look, shielding his face from the stinging rain with a raised arm. Sure enough, there was a dark lump lying near the forest edge and as they moved towards it cautiously they could see that it was a body.
Chills crept up Sasuke's spine as they approached the still figure and he braced himself for the sight, hoping against hope that somehow this wasn't the work of that being…
"It's the girl everyone's looking for" Juugo sounded shocked and he knelt by the girl's side, checking for signs of life as Sasuke watched the line of trees for any signs of shadow, if the anima furem was the one that had attacked her he could still be in the area…
"Sasuke, she's still alive" Sasuke turned to Juugo as the taller teen spoke—so she was alive, but was that really good? He swallowed, trying to focus "We need to take her to the infirmary" he couldn't keep the urgency out of his voice and Juugo gave him a slightly confused look…why did Sasuke seem so shaken?...Ignoring the question in his mind, Juugo lifted the girl into his arms and stood, doing his best to shield her from the chilling rain.
*are you still trying?* The voice was hissing through the mist and Sasuke whirled, his dark eyes scanning the edge of the forest, searching for the source of the voice as he took several steps back *You can do nothing to stop me* a black fog was swirling forward and a thrill of terror raced through Sasuke's stomach "Juugo, we have to hurry—" he turned away from the forest and began to hurry across the field, using all of his willpower to prevent himself from breaking into a full run. He wasn't going to be trapped, not again.
*You won't even run* Thunder rumbled in the sky and Sasuke sprang forward, unable to keep his pace steady anymore as he broke into a full run, Juugo not far behind as both of them were driven forward by an unknown force that seemed to threaten to overtake their very souls. *foolish, foolish* The taunting voice was growing closer and Sasuke focused all of his energy into the door that was just ahead, pouring all of his will into a single command 'open'. With a loud creak, the door swung back on its hinges, opening just in time for Sasuke and Juugo to go sliding through the slick mud and into the stone hall beyond.
"Close it!—" Sasuke stood and threw his entire weight against the swinging door, barely managing to shut it as the rain exploded into thousands of shards of knife-like hale that hurled themselves towards the door with a deadly force.
"Is everyone alright?" The headmaster was hurrying towards his students from the end of the hall, flanked by the grounds keeper and the nurse, their long robes flowing behind them as they moved.
Sasuke slid to the floor, breathing heavily as he nodded in silent relief—yeah, they were fine…
"What on earth happened?" the nurse had reached Juugo and was examining the girl he held in his arms head master moved towards Sasuke, offering a hand to help the boy to his feet.
"I don't know, we just found her like this on the field-" Juugo answered the question and the nurse looked at the headmaster "She's alive but unresponsive, I'll have to examine her in better conditions" She straightened and motioned for Juugo to follow her as she moved briskly down the hall "I'll send word on her state as soon as I have any"
The headmaster nodded slowly and watched her disappear down the hall before turning to face Sasuke "Was it him?" his old voice was low and Sasuke climbed to his feet, nodding slowly. "Are you sure?" even now the headmaster was hoping he was wrong but Sasuke nodded again, confirming the man's worst fears "It was him…"
The old man sighed grimly and turned to the grounds keeper "call off the search, the girl has been found"
.
.
It was half past eleven when the door opened and Juugo slipped into the room, carefully easing the door shut behind him as not to disturb Sasuke whom he assumed was already asleep.
"Welcome back" Juugo turned in surprise, squinting in through the darkness to see the figure that was perched on the window sill "You're still awake" It was more of a surprised exclamation that a question and Sasuke lit the oil lamp, wondering why the school didn't use electricity despite the modern conveniences of the times…
He turned the flame to a low setting and then leaned back "I couldn't sleep" he quietly spoke the explanation and Juugo nodded in understanding "The girl will be fine."
He was trying to help but Sasuke looked away, guilt pooling in the bottom of his stomach "Illa mortua esset melioris…she'd be better off dead"
There was a beat of silence and Juugo froze, a look of shock darkening his handsome features as he realized what Sasuke had just said "What?"
His voice reflected the horror in his eyes and Sasuke clenched his teeth—so Juugo understood that much Latin… "Did you just—" the tall one could hardly speak and Sasuke shoulders fell in defeat; he'd said too much…
"Look Juugo…" he stopped as Juugo shook his head; "How can you say something like that?!" His voice was quivering with emotion and for a moment Sasuke thought Juugo would lose it "I didn't think you were like that; the type of person to write a person's life off that easily" he was emphasizing his point with strong gestures as his jaw worked angrily "Do you not feel anything? Do you not have a soul?!"
Sasuke's head snapped up and he slammed his hand on the window still, the lamp's flame dancing wildly in the room's tense atmosphere "What did you say?" his voice was dark and Juugo faltered, wondering what he had said that had caused the sudden change in the air
"no soul? You have no idea Juugo. Don't even try to lecture me about something you know nothing about" he snapped each work viciously and Juugo stiffened
"What is there to know? Human beings are not mean to condemn another's fate!" He was almost shouting and Sasuke sprang to his feet, the lamp beside him bursting into a roaring flame that hovered in the air above the wick "I'm NOT human!"
The room fell completely silent and Sasuke collapsed against the wall as if the outburst had somehow drained all of his energy "not anymore…"
His dark eyes were pained and Juugo sat down hard, numb with shock "not…human…?" he stammered the words and Sasuke bit his lip as he turned away—he'd gone too far; lost his cool and now he would have to explain everything…
"What…what do you mean you're not human?" Juugo broke the silence after what seemed like hours and Sasuke lifted his gaze from the floor to the lamp "Are you a ghost or something?" Juugo's brown eyes held confusion and Sasuke shoved his hands in his pockets, refusing to turn and meet his roommate's gaze "No…"
Juugo was silent as he thought carefully "then, what are you?"he posed the question with sensitivity and Sasuke turned towards Juugo, his expression melting into the longing, almost pained gaze that was so familiar to his fine features
"If I tell you, will you tell anyone else?" he spoke in a low, cautious voice and Juugo swallowed "who do I have to tell? You know how people see me…" he hadn't meant to sound accusing but the feeling was there and Sasuke's gaze shifted down, his dark lashes hooding the stab of pain.
"I'm sorry—" Juugo was quick to apologize as he stood and took a few steps forward "I didn't mean to-" Sasuke shook his head
"No, You're right…you wouldn't do something like that…" he gave a small, sad laugh and Juugo felt ashamed; why had he gotten so defensive? Sasuke was only trying to protect whatever secret he was carrying…
"Sasuke" Juugo's voice was soft and Sasuke lifted his gaze in response "What are you?" he spoke the question gently and Sasuke took a deep breath "I'm…" the words lodged in his throat and he swallowed hard, trying to clear the feeling of fear that was growing in his chest "I'm a non anima"
The words seemed to hang in the air and Juugo took a step back "w-what?" the dry whisper was full of shock "b-but that means" "No soul? Yeah…" Sasuke cut in rather dryly "I speak Latin"
Juugo shook his head to show that wasn't what he had meant "H-how?" he was still stammering and Sasuke shrugged slowly "The same way it happens to everyone…my soul was taken…" he spoke in a matter of fact tone and Juugo's eyes grew sad with empathy
"By who?" so many questions were swirling in his mind but he could hardly from the words…his closest friend and roommate was a non anima…
"The anime furem" There was anger in Sasuke's deep voice and Juugo suddenly felt cold in the pit of his stomach—was this what Sasuke was feeling?
"He came to the school, trying to collect souls to boost his power and lengthen his life…" the apathy was fading from his voice as the agony from the memories clouded his face
"It was a long struggle and once it was over—I was no longer alive…" he trailed off and sat down on the edge of his bed, his hands clasped between his knees
"What happened to the furem?" Juugo asked the question after a short pause and Sasuke clenched his teeth "That's it Juugo, that's why that girl would be better off dead…" his eyes were grim and he looked up "He's back".
He sounded utterly defeated and Juugo placed a hand on Sasuke's arm, trying to lend some comfort "I'm sorry Sasuke" his voice was quiet and Sasuke looked up "why?" he couldn't help but ask, he didn't understand why someone would apologize for the anima furem still being alive
"Because of everything I said…and everything that's happened to you" Juugo answered as if it was the simplest thing in the world and Sasuke looked away, unused to such thought being put towards his predicament. "Thanks".
Juugo gave him a funny look "for what?" it was only natural to care, wasn't it? So why had Sasuke thanked him. The smaller male shrugged his shoulders and looked at the hand on his arm "for believing me…for caring" he threw the answer casually but Juugo wasn't fooled, it meant a lot to Sasuke and it made him happy to know that.
"Juugo…" Juugo snapped out of his thoughts and turned towards Sasuke, a gentle smile lifting the corners of his lips "You can let go now…"