Chapter 9
The ethereal blast sent Mizuki to the ground mercilessly. The brightness that contrasted against his shadow ability made him immovable and powerless, as if his energy had been drained out completely. Because of Tezuka's nature of not letting your guard down, he swiftly moved behind Mizuki and caged the dark Lord with his fire ability.
"Let me out!" Mizuki screamed as he emitted weak shadow forces to break off the cage, but to no avail. Tezuka just possessed more power.
"Mizuki-sama!" Yuuta wanted to dash over to the Dark Lord, but Fuji held him off.
Before Fuji let go of Yuuta's arm, he assured his brother with a sense of safety and security to the Dark Lord.
Yuuta looked back at Mizuki only to receive a malignant glare, but the Dark Lord averted his glare over to the Queen.
"How did you get out!?" Mizuki snarled at the unfazed Queen.
One of her protector moved over to give Mizuki some beat-up, but the Queen flexed her arm out to stop her man on his track. She motioned him to step back, and he did as told. "Your barrier weakened when your Chi was disruppted."
Mizuki suddenly remembered his battle with Fuji. He got a hard hit from Fuji at that time. Damn it! I forgot! He was careless.
Shiraishi walked up to the Queen and whispered into her ears about tending to the wounded as top priority.
She nodded and made her way over to the wounded, who sat under the tree, to heal them. Not so long after, the wound and the blood were taken cared of.
After treating the soldiers, Fuji approached the Queen reverantly. "Yuki-sama." The familiar honorific could only be called by closed personals of the Queen herself. Others regard her as 'My Queen' or "Her Highness".
"Are you well? Did they lay a finger on you?" Fuji carried his conversation in soundless milieu.
"As well as always. You worry too much, Syusuke.." Her eyes were gentle, always with much concern and love. "I am capable of keeping myself out of danger."
Fuji closed his eyes and thinned his smile. "I know. But for you, too much is never enough."
"Like I said." She chuckled silently, but with much grace.
"It's my duty. You're my Queen whom I respect the most."
"Never say that, your duty is to yourself." It went on for a while. The other Peaceans had access to hear the dialogue, but to the others, only silence entered through their ears.
Sensing a never ending silent mutual exchange between the Queen and her right hand man, Yukimura spoke up with awareness that it might have been rude to interrupt. "Sorry to disrupt, but…what should we do about him?" He signaled to Mizuki who just sat silently with a scowl on his face.
"Ah, of course. " The Queen responded in an apologetic tone.
Mizuki wished they would forget about him. He was very much aware that he was definitely going to be in for some holy terror. Even if they were going to let him away this time, he won't be able to do anything as long as the Peaceans had their eyes on him and his Kingdom from then on.
"I'll let this judgment open to those who are presented. What do you all suggest?" The Queen asked all those presented at the ground.
"Ano…" Yuuta said nervously, earning all the attentions. "If it's not a problem, could you let Mizuki-sama out first?" The others looked at him with perplexing creases on their faces. Then, he quickly continued. "I'm certain that with so many here right now, Mizuki-sama cannot escape if he wants to."
The Queen looked at the boy with amusement; Yuuta had such a kind soul in her opinion. She turned to Tezuka and gave an approval nod to dispel his fire barrier. Tezuka complied without hesitation.
The moment the cage was lifted, Mizuki stood up and dusted his clothes as if the ground was a filthy place to be. His expression didn't show any sign of anxiety. But, why should he be? A dark Lord never was supposed to feel guilty or afraid even in his weakest moment. Ignoring everyone else, his eyes rested on Yuuta as if the lad was a traitor damned with treason. "Why did you do that?" He barked at Yuuta.
"I'm sorry, Mizuki-sama." Yuuta flinched and lowered his head, afraid to look at the Dark Lord.
"I asked why!? I didn't ask for an apology!" Mizuki shouted across the clearing.
Yuuta looked up with sadness flashed in his eyes. "I just wanted to know where I came from. You don't understand how much I long for a family." It shocked Fuji. "I've known for a long time now that I was taken from my family. But, I couldn't remember. I…just wanted to know, now that I have the chance." His voice declined into a whisper, but his solemn gaze remained on Mizuki. "This might be my only chance."
Mizuki swallowed the lump in his throat. He turned his head to the ground. Now, he finally realized what the situation was heading to. He was going to lose a precious friend. He sighed deeply and closed his eyes. "You were never belonged." His voice showed no anger, just disappointment.
"I never did, but you were there to make me feel welcomed." Yuuta approached slowly toward Mizuiki.
Shock flashed across Mizuki as he lifted his head up to see Yuuta in front of him. I always thought you were someone special. Mizuki let out a dry chuckle of defeat. He knew that the truth couldn't be erased; Yuuta was going to leave him. Yuuta was the only person he didn't need to act strong and superior to because both had a deep mutual friendship. Yuuta understood him more than anyone else could. "I never thought this day would come…" Mizuki looked over to Fuji before turning his back on Yuuta. "Go on. He's waiting for you."
"Mizuki-san…"Yuuta let the word rolled off his lips softly. He looked at Mizuki's back for a few seconds before turning around. When Yuuta made a step toward the Sage, he also started moving toward him.
They stopped in front of each other. Even though Fuji was the older of the two by a few years, he stood less than a head shorter than Yuuta.
"I want to know everything. Tell me everything you know." Yuuta began.
Instead of replying, Fuji moved his hand up to brush his fingers over the scar on Yuuta's face. "You're…my brother." The words came from his mouth slowly and softly, as if he wasn't sure.
A gut feeling told Yuuta not to doubt Fuji's words, and he believed it. Two tears rolled down his face that got brushed off by Fuji's thumb.
"Why are you crying? Aren't you happy?" Worries etched on Fuji's face.
"No stupid. Haven't you heard of tears of happiness?" Yuuta chuckled and wiped his face dry.
Fuji grinned and moved in to hug his brother. "I'm glad."
Everyone left the two brothers at the clearing. They brought Mizuki along for a thorough quarantine of Doryou.
The two long lost brothers spent their times recalling their past with more tears and laughter of both happiness and solemnities.
Mizuki hadn't said a word since he left Yuuta alone with his new found brother. He remembered the first time the former Shadow Lord, his deceased father, brought a crying Yuuta home that day. His dad said he rescued Yuuta from some barbarians in the wood. Yuuta didn't speak for a while in the beginning, but as time past, he began opening up to Mizuki. And from then onward, they became very close friends, and Mizuki taught Yuuta how to control his power. But no matter how hard Mizuki tried, Yuuta never learned any shadow abilities; Mizuki learned later that Yuuta wasn't born of the shadow blood, so teaching it to Yuuta would be all vain. Yuuta began to forget his home and his identity. He was too young to be blamed.
When the sun shifted from the highest point in the sky, they group started to leave Doryou. The Dark Kingdom was barricaded with an energy force that would block accessibility into or out of the Kingdom for later judgment by Queen Yuki.
The Queen and her soldiers decided to head for Hyoseirokkai Kingdom. She insisted that it'd only be right to thank King Kutei properly in person, rather than having her representatives did it for her.
Mizuki was left to clean up the mess in his own castle while Yuuta decided to follow Fuji.
Few horses came, but many riders came back because half the number of their starting party was doubled. They retrieved their horses from the hidden wood.
"Yuki-sama, take my horse." Fuji offered as he reeled his white stallion over to the Queen. Tezuka looked up at the master and subordinate from petting his black horse.
"Thank you, but what about you?" She took the rein and replied in a concerned sweet voice.
Fuji smiled assuring. "I'll find a way."
Tezuka suddenly decided to break into the conversation. "He can ride with me."
Fuji looked at Tezuka and gave the latter a confusing smile while the Queen just happily thanked Tezuka for his thoughtfulness.
Seing how it was going to be, Yukimura spoke up. "Then Sanada-san can ride with me." To much of his surprise, everyone stared at him puzzlingly, but Yukimura was quick to fix that. "I mean, it is only right to render our horses to our guests, right?" At the last word he says, he looked to the Hyoseirokkai warriors to imply the point.
"Of course." Momoshiro spoke up regally.
"You don't need to. We are in debt to you enough." One of the Queen's escorts refused humbly as they all nodded in agreement.
"If you've already accepted out kindness, then you all might as well receive it 'til the end." Tezuka offered scholarly that fortunately appeased the Peacean's humble minds.
With that decided, the Queen took her own reign, as well as all 6 of her escorts, Yanagi, Kuwahara, and Momoshiro took theirs.
After Yukimura jumped onto his horse, Sanada followed up to sit behind the navy-blue haired Lord.
Tezuka lent Fuji a hand to boost his way up onto the horse before joining him in the back, not that Fuji needed help, but Tezuka thought it was polite to do so.
Oishi ended up riding with Eiji in the front. Inui rode with Kaido, Shiraishi and Yuuta, Marui and Jirou, and Kirihara and Niou.
The troop made their way back some times later after riding straight through the meadows and valleys without any rest in between.
The sun was half way between the peak and horizon by the time they reached Hyoseirokkai Kingdom.
Their way to the palace inside the Kingdom was rather amusing to the Queen and some of the other Peaceans as they've never or once gone outside the Kingdom of Peace to another. The market and street folks gave them all the spotlights as they passed through the dirt road.
Words were immediately sent to the King as soon as they got within the Kingdom boundary, so when they were able to see the palace, King Kutei was already at the palace gate to greet them, or more specifically, Queen Yuki.
Everyone got off their horses and onto their feet at the great distance from King Kutei. It wasn't polite to be on horseback so close to all respected figures like King Kutei.
"King Kutei Dai." Queen Yuki greeted with reverent with a slight bow even though she was at least a decade older.
"Queen Yuki." He returned the respect in the same manner. "It's an honor to meet with you in person." King Kutei was perhaps 20 years younger than the Queen, but the difference could not be seen from the youthful look of the Queen's face.
"With the same honor." Queen Yuki replied.
King Kutei led her and the returned warriors into the reception hall.
Everyone stayed for the welcome back speech. Only a moment later that everyone dissipated except for Fuji, Queen Yuki, and King Kutei. They moved to the study room for better comfort and minimal noises as they discussed about who knew what.
Tezuka took a quick shower the moment he returned to his room and then changed into mor formal clothing. After the refreshment, Tezuka headed out to his usual hang-out spot, where his sector bourgeois were filling up their stomachs under a pavillion in the garden.
Echizen sat by a willow tree with his cap covering his face, as if the shorter boy was sleeping. Echizen stirred and fixed his cap properly on his head when Tezuka was a few steps in front of him.
"My Lord." Echizen got up groggily and tipped his cap slightly forward like a bow as he greeted the taller man in his sleepy tone.
Tezuka grunted in response. "You've been sleeping all day." Tezuka stated as a matter of fact. Little things were competent enough to keep Echizen occupied.
Sluggishly, Echizen fixed his clothes before picking up his sword that rested against the tree he was leaning on. "I'll be around the castle."
Tezuka nodded in comprehension. He knew Echizen meant about running, or rather, dashing between the tree branches around the palace to train his stamina. Echizen always did this when Momoshiro wasn't bothering him with his unbearable noise or when Inui paced after him for data. The ace preferred to be alone, doing his own stuff. Tezuka reflected how much of Echizen was similar to himself.
After Echizen was out of sight, Tezuka joined his friends. He fixed an apprehending glare at the meal that was almost devoured totally. Good thing that Tezuka never ate much, or else the so-called friends of his would be sprinting around the castle despairingly for not suppressing their appetites until he arrived.
Tezuka thought about the Sage all day long. He hadn't got the chance to meet up with Fuji after they got back from the rescue mission because when Fuji finished up his meeting with the Leaders, King Kutei called the 4 Lords in for a meeting.
Inside the meeting room, the Lords stayed silently as they watched King Kutei shuffling around a few parches of paper and scrolls on the table. When it was all finished, King Kutei looked to Atobe, telling the Lord to begin the discussion.
"Some issues came up when you two weren't in the Kingdom. Yamabuki's militia was moving discreetly outside our Kingdom wall. The morning that both of you left," Atobe looked at Yukimura and Tezuka. "our spies reported a sudden movement from Yamabuki at the outskirt of our border."
"I went there to check it out myself. There were about 500 men at watch at the Eastern border." Saeki picked up the discussion. "I don't know about their status, but it seemed like it wasn't an offense tactic from Yamabuki, more like an assessment or a false alarm."
"Is that so?" Yukimura says; his forefinger tabs his chin contemplatively.
"Mhm hm, and I also went to check earlier. Apparently, they have all left the spot." Saeki says with a little confusion. "Now I'm not so what their motive was."
"That's odd." Tezuka voices his thought.
"They were aware of your absences, it seemed so." King Kutei said. "The moment you both left, their militia moved out. And the moment you both returned, they receded."
"Strange thing is…" Atobe's face puzzled. "How does Yamabuki know? I mean, we kept this rescue mission from those who don't need to know." He looked to the serious faces of the young men around him.
"That's right, unless..." Saeki trailed off to let the others fill in the thought.
"We need to find out, fast!" King Kutei declared, handing out a scroll to each Lords, who eyed the objects curiously. "These are the documents of the prodigal palace members. Each divides into a category. There are more, but these divisions are most suspicious to me, at the moment. Look through the names and documents. Figure out the culprit. If any of you have any suspicion, then we will recall this meeting."
"Understood!" The 4 Lords answered in unison. Kung Kutei signaled the end of the meeting and everyone stood up to leave the study room.
"Man, this is irritating, one problem after another!" Saeki complained as the 4 made their way outside.
Yukimura chuckled lightly as he slipped the scroll under his layered clothing. "Didn't you complain about having nothing to do before?"
"Yeah, but I don't want a war, or something related to it. It's just too much!" Saeki whined, flinging his arms around dramatically.
"Too bad!" Atobe grinned. "Either do it or go dig yourself a hole and give your seat to someone else."
Tezuka sighed as Atobe and Saeki bickered on. The 2 never stopped going at each other, and Yukimura happily stood by watching with amusement. Tezuka never minded much. After all, it was a great entertainment to ease his brain from thinking about the problem too much. Tezuka lefet the trio quietly and headed for his room.
Inui and Oishi were standing by his door. They stopped conversing when Tezuka walked into view. They followed Tezuka into his room, and he told them about the problem that arose within their Kingdom.
Night fell. Tezuka heard from Inui that Fuji and the rest of the Peaceans were constantly by their queen's side since they reached Hyoseirokkai. Tezuka figured it'd be that way. He sighed and changed into his proper evening attire to attend the meal.
King Kutei threw a feast in welcoming Queen Yuki. Dancing and partying all through the night. Yuuta made quick acquaintances with Marui and Jirou, much to Fuji's delight. The trio were of the same age and had the jubilant energy like one another. They out-doned themselves to keep each other in companies.
Fuji was glad that his friends were amiable and of great hospitality to his new found brother. He worries that Yuuta might not fit in so well disappeared as he looked at Yuuta from across the ground.
For some reasons, Fuji didn't feel like chatting this evening, but instead the need to be left alone. Distantly, he walked off and headed to the back of the castle, where the roses grew.
It was like a labyrinth at night, the rosy garden. The cemented walkway was not distinguishable with the presented lack of light. The only light reflected was from the moon light, which hit the droplets of water on the rose bushes and radiantly glimmered irredesciently. He took a step forward, then another, and soon he got lost in between the roses.
Fuji looked up at the night sky with a nostalgic smile and longing. Nee-san, I found him. Mother. Father. I've found Sasuke. Amazingly enough, the stars twinkled at him. His smile widened. Come home, Nee-san. See how much our little brother has grown since then. He dropped his gaze and continued walking forward until he reached the end of the labyrinth. Before him was a refreshing pond with very pristine water. The moonlight reflection revealed the untainted water rippling with each passing zephyr.
Fuji walked over and sat on the bank. He removed his shoes and lowered his bare feet into the cool water.
o0o0o0o0o
Tezuka felt the night was going to be a dreary. He wasn't the type to like glamorous celebrations like the one today, but it was his obligation to show up as one of the four Lords.
His friends were obstreperous as always, so Tezuka decided not to join them and excluded his presence in a farfetched corner. He picked up his wine glass idly and downed the content in one gulp. Looking up briefly, he saw Yukimura stood up quite secretively and left his friends, walking away from the concurrent party.
Wondering where the other Lord was heading to, his eyes made a search around the ground to see who else was missing and discovered the Sage was also missing along with Sanada. One thing crossed his mind and he stood up quickly to follow Yukimura.
o0o0o0o0o0o
Fuji shut off his sight and listened to the sound of croaking toads and crickets chirping around him.
"Fuji."
A voice from behind broke his reverie, not startled, but surprised that he didn't notice someone had followed him. He turned his head around to see a silhouette of a person, hiding in the shade of a willow tree.
"Sanada!" Fuji smiled and made a gesture to invite Sanada over.
Sanada complied and stepped out into the moonlight. "What were you thinking?"
Fuji turned his attention back at the pond. "Nothing."
Sanada stood over Fuji. "I can't read your mind if you block it off. If you have something on your mind, then I'll listen to it if you'd allow." Sanada's voice was deep like always. The only difference was how he said it with so much concern that was reserved especially to Fuji.
"Thank you, Sanada. But, it's really nothing." Fuji assured his friend. "Why aren't you at the party?"
"I thought you might be lonely." Though I know you want to be alone.
"I'm sorry. I always make you worry." Fuji said in an apologetic tone. Sanada always cared so much for him. Others might have not known it because their close friendship was clandestine compared to the obvious affection Shiraishi shows in public, probably it was because Sanada was more of a thoughtful person. He was not like Shiraishi. Sanada shared Fuji's conflict, but Shirashi shared Fuji's happiness. Both were valuable assets.
Sanada shrugged it off. He was used to Fuji's modesty. Suddenly, he heard soft rustles from behind. He turned around quickly and saw…"Yukimura-san…"
Hearing the name, Fuji also turned his head around to acknowledge the comer. "Yukimura-san. What brings you here?"
Yukimura smiled and closed the distance. "I was wondering where you both disappeared to."
Fuji stood up and took the place next to Sanada. "I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as everyone do, so I decided to take a walk and ended up here. And Sanada just followed me." Fuji looks at Sanada who gave an affirmative grunt in return.
"Saa, I think you have a lot of followers." Yukimura mused. He turnned his head to the left and smiled.
"Tezuka-san!" Fuji's surprised tone greeted the silhouette that just walked out of the shadow.
"And what's your excuse?" Yukimura asks playfully.
Tezuka joined Yukimura's side. "Hn." He gave a bashful grunt.
Fuji invited the three to come over the bank to join him. Fuji and Yukimura sat next to each other in the middle, while Sanada and Tezuka sat on their respective sides. Their feet dangled playfully in the rippling water. At first, Sanada and Tezuka didn't want to do it, but Fuji made them and they ended up taking off their shoes.
"Ne, Fuji-san." Yukimura said.
Fuji cocked his head at Yukimura. "Hm?"
Yukimura's smile widens, and then a chuckle followed. "Let's call each other casually. We're friends after all, right?"
Fuji nodded in agreement. "It is too long every time we addressed each other by our names, and then the honorific."
"We think alike, right Fuji?"
"I think so too."
A paused took place until Yukimura chuckled to himself.
Fuji curiously looked at the man next to him. "What is on your mind?"
"I was thinking what Sanada and Tezuka have in common." He tapped his nose playfully. "What do you think?"
Fuji chuckled as Sanada and Tezuka threw their glances at the blue-haired boy. "Hmm…." Fuji hummed contemplatively. The three looked at Fuji expectantly, waiting for the answer. Fuji chuckled again. "Both of them are…mind-numbing, like a stone." Fuji said it slowly as he tried to find the right words to say. "Although inert, a stone can bring excitement like ripples on water."
Yukimura grinned. "Is that so? I was thinking the same thing, but not as poetic."
"That's not true." Sanada protested and Tezuka managed a disagreeing grunt.
Fuji laughed more and playfully leaned to his right side to collide with Sanada, in an attempt to push him into the water. "Maa. You just don't know it yourself."
Fortunately, Sanada was too heavy for Fuji to push him off. He growled and planted his bottom firmly back on the dry ground.
"What about you Tezuka?" Yukimura nudged at the quiet figure beside him.
"What?" Tezuka replied in an indifferent tone.
"Maa, Tezuka-sama is really boring." Fuji teased and was rewarded with a death glare. Fuji only grinned wider at the reaction.
"Do you think so?" A smirk played dangerously on the corner of Tezuka's mouth.
Suddenly, Yukimura felt a big hand on his back and soon he was pushed forward unceremoniously and lost his balance from the firm earth. "Whoah!" Instinctively, he reached out for something to hold on to stop from falling forward.
Another surprised voice yelled. "WHAH!"
--SPLASHH!!--
Before Yukimura knew it, Fuji was in the water with him, soaking from head to toes. Yukimura smiled sheepishly at the frowning Fuji. "Sorry."
Fuji gleamed at Yukimura and squirted the water out from his mouth. Both soaked boys turned their heads toward the bank when they hear two deep voices chuckled amusingly.
Sexy!
Soon, Fuji and Yukimura found themselves laughing along.
"Hehe! I didn't know Tezuka-sama is capable of fun." Fuji splashed a good amount of water at Tezuka while Yukimura did the same at Sanada.
Soon, a water war broke out. Sanada and Tezuka stayed on the bank and splashed water playfully at the two constantly giggling young men in the water.
"!" Sanada and Tezuka's eyes bulged out when a big tidal wave suddenly stood before them. Quickly, both pulled themselves a water barrier from the pond water and shielded themselves from getting drenched.
"…That was close!" Sanada sighed in relief.
Tezuka growled, one that sounds cute to Fuji's ears. "You can't do that. It's cheating."
"Saa. You never said we couldn't use our power." Yukimura and Fuji pouted simultaneously.
Sanada and Tezuka only glared at them. Boy, did those two liked to glare or what!
Fuji put his hands up in defense. "Fine, no more power." He winked at them before splashing them both off-guarded.
"Hahahah!! They look like two wet angry turtles." Yukimura laughed, pointing his finger at them.
The time went un-noticed by the four. When a chilling wind swept by the pond, Fuji and Yukimura shivered.
"Let's get out. I'm freezing." Fuji exclaimed and climbed out. Yukimura nodded and followed suit. Both lads wrapped their arms around themselves as the night chill dawn upon their shivering bodies.
Sanada took off his cloak and about to approach his Sage when Tezuka moved ahead of him with his own cloak. Instantly he steered over to Yukimura and gave the blue head his cloak.
Yukimura whispered a 'thank you' to Sanada, but he didn't miss the strict look Sanada gave Tezuka.
Fuji was shivering when he felt a heavy cloak draped over his body. He thought it was Sanada, but upon turning around, saw Tezuka instead with an encouraging smile that told Fuji to accept the cloak.
"Thank you!" Fuji smiled back and pulled the cloak tightly around himself.
The party of four pivoted their steps and headed back. Reaching the entrance of the labyrinth, the two pairs separated.
"Guess we're heading back to our rooms now." Fuji said as Sanada joined his side and Tezuka joined Yukimura's.
"Okay. Keep yourself warm and good night." Yukimura patted playfully on Fuji's wet head. His hand moved down to Fuji's face , but yanked quickly away at the icy-touch. "Your face is cold."
Fuji wrapped his arms around himself tighter and smiled sheepishly. "I know and I will. The same to you too. G'nite Tezuka."
Tezuka grunted.
The night ended.
Im a little stuck after this point on, feel free to share your ideas for the oncoming chapters!! Thank you for reading.