Haou: Finally, an actual chapter.
Die: *hits him over the head* Haou, be nice!
Haou: *pouts as he rubs his head* That WASN'T nice you little-
Jehu: *hits Haou* Language Haouie!
Sakura: Yeah, there could be little children reading this!
Haou: ... Like I give a flying-
Jehu: *hits Haou again*
Sakura: Enjoy the fic and remember! Me and Die-chan don't own anything but the idea!
Chapter One
"Boy! Get over here boy!"
Hibiki flinched, barely missing the bottle of whiskey that had been thrown at him, the glass shattering against the wall directly in front of his nose. "Yes Father?" he asked tentatively, his tawny eyes kept low and his long copper hair tied back in a low ponytail to prevent his father from cutting it jaggedly, a blow to his vanity.
"There's some sort of festival at the capital of Ayora," the man slurred drunkenly, his beady blue eyes foggy with his inhibition. "I want ya to take that good-fer-nothing horse of yers and sell it there."
"High Price isn't useless, Father," he protested, fists clenching at his side. "She just isn't broken yet."
"I can't afford to have her lazin' about all day, I have enough deadbeats with just you," the man stated. "Now take yer real horse and get out. Ya can find room and board on yer own."
Once Hibiki was miles outside his home, his anger and hatred came out in a low growl. "Danm him! Only because Price has some sense..." Hibiki pulled Dusty to a stop, then got off him to ride High Price. After rubbing High Price down get her used to him again, Hibiki climbed onto her back without a saddle or bridle and started the journey to Ayora again.
"Father must be real desperate if he's sending me to Ayora for a festival. Hm, this could be real good for us, guys. We'll spend the whole time the festival lasts, get good meals, see if they take my magic show well and hopefully earn some coins, and come back with the story that no-one there was interested in a scam. How does that sound?" The two horses neighs of glee was all the answer he needed and with some gentle urging the horses were making good time to Ayora's capital.
His stomach growled loudly, and he winced, bringing a hand to his belly. "Ugh, figures," he grumbled, ruffling Price's fine golden coat and slid off her to land heavily on his feet. His father generally didn't feed him much, and of what he did get, much of it went towards keeping Dusty and High Price fed, thus neglecting his own growth. He patted the mare's neck, glad her silver mane gleamed in the sunlight, and tied her up against a tree beside Dusty, who carried the saddle and saddlebags. "I'm gonna go try to find some nuts or something, okay you two?" The ebony-maned gelding snorted, rubbing his golden muzzle against his owner and left the human to his grazing.
As Hibiki was gathering nuts, he thought about all the strange things that had happened because of his 'gifts'... and when he found his precious diamond-shaped ruby. After he found his ruby treasure, everyone in the village began to fully notice his gifts with animals, plants, and fire. Animals, mostly horses, obeyed him easily. If he had the time to start and tend a garden of his own while tending to his wealthier neighbors, it would flourish. And no matter how wet or poor quality the wood was, he could start a fire every time. When he began showing that he can do other things besides get a reluctant goat to keep out of a garden, tend a garden well, or start a good cooking fire, the trouble began.
"Freak, they call me, witch," he grumbled, kicking the life out of a daisy. It didn't make him feel any better. "I know I'm different from them, but it's not like it's a bad thing." Tears pricked at the corners of his tawny eyes and his appetite left as quickly as it came. "Price, Dusty, let's go!" he called, darting back to where he left the horses and making a mental note to eat later, once he was inside Aorta's walls.
"Jehu, are we close?" Johan asked, fidgeting on his white mare. Jim was next to his mate, his own chestnut mare close to the others in a protective manner.
The young lord on his jet-black stallion harrumphed, his black cloak billowing behind him as they trotted to give the horses a break from the galloping they'd been doing. "We're a deal closer than we were when we were home," he stated, still clad in the thick garb from the far reaches of the north where his estate was located.
"Oh, I can't wait! Aorta's Blood Stew is calling me!" Johan purred, licking his lips at the thought.
"'lil turtle-" Johan sent his mate a pout, causing Jim to laugh and messed with his mate's hair "-We still have a ways to go before Aorta is in sight. Ayora's the biggest kingdom on the whole continent thanks to our Forest."
Johan looked to his brother, faking anger at his mate, "Jehu-nii, how come you still have on your cloak? Jim's sweating and he still isn't used to our land's chill."
"Because, Johan-otouto," the lord said, smirking, "it makes me look sexy." Laughing at the thunderstruck look on the younger's face, he kicked his horse into a canter. "Besides, my Ice Gem prevents me from getting too warm, I'll be fine!"
"Jehu-nii!" Johan screeched, kicking his mare into a canter to catch up, Jim a breath behind his mate.
Jehu just laughed again. It was good to be returning to Aorta.
In the proud capital of Ayora, Haou was busy arranging the ball held at the end of the festival. A lot was at stake since nobles from the seven other countries had accepted the invitation to come. Though Haou was positive his kingdom would reign supreme in any battle, why fight when you can become allies instead?
"Fujiwara-san, Misawa-san," he called, gaining the attention of the two soldiers, "I trust the Blizzard Prince shall not be attending this festival?" he asked in a dangerous tone of voice, topaz eyes narrowed.
"To our knowledge, no," Yusuke answered, his tone dull and his eyes glazed over. Haou, though he could feel the man's pain, gave a curt nod in response, continuing on his way to finish the ball's preparations.
"He's grown so cold since Judai-sama and Jehu-kun left," Daichi murmured, shivering slightly.
"He's not the only one, I'm sure Manjoume-san isn't the most peppy of people," Yusuke stated, keeping his voice low.
"Yeah," Daichi murmured, forlorn at the thought of the other ravenet. "I wish I could see him again, but he'll be killed if he returns to the capital with or without Phoenix-san."
"It's hard to be away from your mate, or mates in our case," Yusuke started to walk in the direction of the soldier bunker, "I hope Fubuki has found Koharu..."
Fubuki grinned as he trotted his horse past security, the cowl of his cloak pulled low over his face as he fingered the leather ties in his pocket. I bet Yusuke'll be happy to see me, even if it means I gotta tie him up so he's not violating his oath...
"It's good to be home," Fubuki said in a soft voice, though it held a sadness. The crowd of people, mostly the native population, were busy getting ready for the festival and selling, making, or buying everything needed to make a week of no work possible. Even if Haou-sama himself was providing most of the food and entertainment, it was better to be prepared.
"What do you mean I have to pay a tariff for two horses?" a tenor voice yelled in a tone of disbelief.
The voice had an eerie familiarity to him, so Fubuki followed it to see a young boy with long flaming red hair next to two fine horses arguing with a shady man.
"I'm sorry, kid, but those are da rules," the snake stated, holding out his hand as if expecting money.
"Funny, I don't remember that kind of rule for the festival, unless Haou-sama came short this year," Fubuki stated, riding his horse to the pair.
The man snorted. "Haou-sama has an admission fee now," he stated darkly. "How is it my fault he charges by the horse, not the person?"
The copper-haired boy looked down. "But I only gathered enough for one," he murmured sadly, both of his horses nudging him as if to offer comfort, "and I can't just leave Price or Dusty outside, they aren't that good at finding food and shelter from predators and horse thieves..."
"You don't look like any of the palace guards... I should know, I'm friends with one of them," Fubuki stated coyly, showing the filth his crazed smirk.
"Hey, Haou-sama didn't give the job to the palace guards, all right? And don't look at me like that, I got a family to feed too."
The buckskin gelding at the boy's side whickered softly, looking at the palomino mare until she wuffed softly, turning her side to her owner in the exact way so that he could place a saddle on her back
"Okay, if that's the case, who is the Captain of the Guard? He normally gives authorities like this in the King's place," Fubuki asked, smirking all the while.
The boy moved so his horses were in better reach to climb onto if the need arose.
The man paled a bit, a nervous sweat forming on his brow. "Um, I think he said his name was Misawa. Something Misawa..."
"Hm, guess you're not lying, then. If that's the case, I'll pay for him!" Fubuki exclaimed, handing the dumbfounded man the fee for both of the boy's horses.
Hibiki gasped at the kindness of the stranger. "Thank you!" he murmured feverantly, bowing deeply before remounting the buckskin. "I promise you, I'll pay you back before the festival ends!"
Before Fubuki could say otherwise, the boy was off. A sense of familiarity filled Fubuki again, reminding him of the aura of his lost love.
He grinned. "Oh, Yusuke's gonna want to hear this one..." he murmured, trotting his horse carefully down the streets in search of his green-haired lover.
"Wow! This year's crowd is bigger than ever!" Johan cried, walking a ways in front of his brother and mate. The younger breathed in the scent of the place, imagining the smell of his favorite food.
"Are you really surprised, 'lil turtle?" Jim asked teasingly, then paused at a flash of silver darting in front of his eye. No, it can't be, he thought, starting after the cowled man until they were alone, at which point he was certain. "Edo!" he greeted warmly, hugging the silveret. "I didn't think I'd see ya til Manjoume found Judai-sama."
"We haven't," Edo stated sadly, though he hugged the other back in hopes of comfort.
Jim noticed the slight desperation of the hug. "You still haven't found your mate, have ya?" he asked softly, his single eye sympathetic.
"No..." Edo moved away from his friend, seeming to walk away but stopped. "How are Jehu and your mate?"
The ravenet smiled. "Johan gets handsomer every year that goes by, but Jehu... I worry for him. He's... not self-destructed per se, but he's certainly become a lot darker since we first found him when he was seven."
"That's understandable, Manjoume-san's been as cold as metal surrounded by ice since Judai-sama's been kidnapped..."
Jim winced. "Do you have any leads?"
"Yes, Ryo-san," Edo spat out the other's name as if it disgusted him, "lives near the border of Magic Country. If Judai-sama, as sneaky as he is, snuck out, he'd run to the nearest town. Magic Country is very similar in culture to Ayora, so he'll be safe."
"But don't they see speech with the elements as a taboo power?" Jim asked, worried that Judai could have died because of his heritage.
"Yes, and if the people who found him, if he escaped that is, love him as much as we do, they'd have him sign a Contract with the elements' representatives as he learns a new speech."
"I guess that's good," Jim murmured. "Manjoume would've gone insane if Judai-sama had died, and I'd rather not have to kill 'im over it."
"Jim! Jim, where are you?" came Johan's light voice, concern coloring his tone.
"You better go to him," Edo stated.
"Be careful, Edo," the one-eyed man advised, clapping the silveret on the shoulder and going back the way he came. "Right here, 'lil turtle, something just caught my eye!" he called, going back to his mate's side. Edo watched him go with longing eyes before he turned. He still needed to help Manjoume find a lead on Judai-sama...
"Wow! Ryou-san, this is so cool! How come nobody from home ever accepts the invitations? There's so many people!" Judai exclaimed in excitement, running a ways in front of his guardians to enjoy the sights.
Ryou chuckled, his hands taken up by both Bakura and Akefia to keep the two from pilfering anything. "Most of our people don't like to travel to Ayora, they think it's unnatural what Ayora's folk do, but since it's to help you find your mate, I don't mind, and besides, Kura's always wanted to go to one of these."
"You bet! Look at all the things we can steal..." Bakura said, a dreamy look in his eyes as he saw all the fine clothes and jewels only found in this kingdom.
"No stealing Bakura!" Ryou scolded, glaring at the mahogany-eyed man. "And that goes for you too, Akefia!" he added, seeing the gleam in his tanned lover's eyes as well.
"But-!" They complained, but the 'No-sex-for-a-month' glare shut them up soundly.
"Now, Judai-" Ryou turned his attention back to their charge only to see he was missing. "Judai!" Ryou panicked.
Judai, meanwhile, was happily running through the market, looking at everything there was to see. For some reason, the place felt familiar, though he couldn't place it exactly. Because he wasn't paying attention, Judai bumped into a richly dressed man surrounded by many strong men in a dark uniform.
"Watch where you are going, you filth!" the man yelled, grabbing Judai's arm roughly to keep him in place.
"I'm sorry, sir, I was distracted with how beautiful Aorta is," Judai apologized, then asked politely, "could you release my arm, please?"
"Like hell I will, you little-"
"Is there a problem, gentlemen?" a smooth voice asked, and everyone turned to see a man in a guard's uniform, his short raven hair smoothed back.
"No sir," the man growled, letting go of the brunet.
"Good, let's keep it that way," the guard stated, turning to Judai. "Are you all right?"
A sense of deja vu hit Judai like a ton of bricks, "Do I... know you?" he asked, hoping he found Jun, or his other mate he can't remember save for a brief description of his looks.
The elder's eyes widened when he saw the brunet. "Yes, Judai-sama," the male murmured, bowing slightly. "I'm Daichi Misawa. You met me the day you disappeared when you were three."
"Daichi?" Judai asked, though the name rolled off the tongue in a familiar way to him. "Dai-chan, where's Jun-kun?" If this was his other love, then he must know where Jun-kun was!
Daichi looked away. "I'm sorry, Judai-sama," he murmured, "but I don't know where Manjoume-san is. After your disappearance, Haou-sama banished him until he could find you and bring you back."
"Then let's find him!" Judai exclaimed, grabbing his mate's arm to drag him around the festival, "There are lots of people here, so maybe he snuck in! Everyone gets homesick, I've been craving to go somewhere, so I should know!"
Daichi just smiled and put up with it. It's good to have you back, Judai-sama...
"Are you positive you found her?" Yusuke gruffed, angry that he purposely fell for one of Fubuki's traps. Being tied up would set any warrior on edge.
The thief nodded, cuddling into the greenet's side. "He sounded just like her," he murmured. "Looked like her too."
"Well, go make sure! From what I've researched, reincarnations can use the powers of the previous life. If this boy is Koharu, then he could be able to summon Koharu's fire dragon and use fire the best. You can cuddle with me later!"
"You're right! I'll go find him, you stay put!" Fubuki was gone before Yusuke could retort.
"Not like I can really go anywhere," the lavender-eyed male muttered, though it wasn't as if he was really mad. Fubuki was too cute for Yusuke to stay mad at for long.
Hibiki was happy, everyone loved his best magic trick! The small dragon made of fire danced with a fierceness he never seen while back home, and there were kids wanting to pet it! Hibiki let out a joyful laugh as his trick came to a close, earning applause from the large crowd and an equally-large tip from them.
To placate the kids pleading for more, he swallowed a mouthful of spirits and spat it out, letting the alcohol light on fire so that he could give the appearance of breathing it, and then grinned at their delighted faces as they scampered off with a small bow. Used to the boy's light-show, Dusty clopped up behind him and nudged his back, causing him to stumble. "I know, I know, I did promise you two an apple," he stated, grinning as High Price came over to him as well, "but I gotta settle our debt first."
While Hibiki was counting the tips he earned, a human-shaped shadow fell on him. The red head looked up to see the man he intended to repay. "Hey there, gorgeous! Cool tricks you did. I especially liked the fire dragon Summon," the elder said, holding out his hand to help the performer into a standing position.
Hibiki colored as he was pulled to his feet. "That wasn't a Summon," he murmured shyly. "I was calling to the spirit of the flames, asking them to give me their blessing, and they rewarded me with some of their playful spirit."
"Sounds like you're pretty in tuned to fire. You from Magic Country?" the other asked, beckoning Hibiki to follow him.
"Human, actually," the copper-haired boy answered, leading Dusty along behind him with the reins clenched in one fist. "The village shaman says I'm just more in tune with the spirits than most."
"Then can you do other things, like get animals to understand you, or break eardrums with a high-pitched scream?" the elder asked.
Hibiki stopped in his tracks, dumbfounded that the elder knew what his other powers were. "Price and Dusty are just really... intelligent animals," he murmured, "and that was a fluke, the spirit world was just protecting me from those bandits..."
"So you have done those things..." the elder stated, his hand under his chin in a thinking pose. "If that's the case, then there's something I need to show you!" The elder grabbed Hibiki by the hand and dragged him towards the center of Aorta.
There, they found people making seeds grow into full trees baring fruit with a simple polite word, ask rocks to sharpen themselves into things not even skilled stone masons could make, set the very air on fire to make it as hot as a dessert in mid-day, causing only an area of sky to rain, and creating mini tornados with a stir of their finger. "What..?" Hibiki was speechless, never had he seen the elements be commanded like this, and by the looks of most of the crowd neither had they.
"This," the brunet waved his hand to emphasize everything, "is what Ayora is about. Complete harmony with the elements and the privilege to speak to them at will. You, my dear, are an Elementalist in the making! So let me be the first to welcome you."
And with a kiss to the hand, Hibiki snapped out of his trance and yanked his hand free. "I'm not an Elementalist," he growled, High Price emphasizing her owner's words with a stomp of her hoof. "I'm human."
"Where do you think our kind came from? Ayora is the child of the seven kingdoms, all because we are different, unique, special!" the elder stated, retaking Hibiki's hand. "Not everyone in Ayora can speak to elements; some show signs they could be from Human, Beast, Dragon Country if birth records didn't prove they were born here. So why must an Elementalist be born just here, hm?"
"I'm nothing but a freak, a witch," the younger spat, trying to yank free again but failing. "I can't be something so accepted, so admired!"
"There is no such thing as a freak, just misunderstood people. That's what you are, misunderstood by the people you live with." The elder grabbed Hibiki by his shoulders, freezing him in place, "And you are not a witch! Witches are whores who dabble with Black Magic. I've seen my sister fall for their faux promises, I know what a witch looks like..." The elder pulled Hibiki into a hug, crying over his sister's mistake. "You have real beauty, something that will last for years to come..."
Hibiki froze, not expecting the hug, but at a nudge from Dusty, he wrapped his arms around the handsome brunet. "It's all right, shhh," he whispered, petting that soft chocolate hair.
"Sorry, it's hard to believe my sweet sister could fall that deep..." he apologized, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
"It's all right," the redhead reassured. "Anyway, here's your money back." He pulled out a handful of coins, grinning sheepishly. "Now that I think about it, I don't remember getting your name."
He gave a light laugh, "That's because I haven't told you yet," the elder held out his hand, "Hi, my name is Tenjoin Fubuki. May I know yours?"
The name sounds familiar, thought Hibiki. "Hibiki," the younger answered, giving the brunet his money back. "I've never had a last name, so it's just Hibiki."
"... I held out my hand so you could shake it, not pay me," Fubuki deadpanned, putting the currency back into Hibiki's hands, "I paid for you out of kindness, so you don't owe me a thing."
"Oh, but I do," the redhead replied. "I don't like being in someone else's debt, so I'll find a way to pay you back whether you like it or not!"
Fubuki eyed him for a long moment before sighing. "Fine then," he said, rolling his chocolate eyes, "come with me and I'll consider it paid, deal?"
"All right," Hibiki agreed, clucking to Dusty and High Price to get the gelding and mare walking after him.
1) Blood Stew-A stew that varies in the different regions of Ayora. It's broth is made of a mixture of pasted vegatables that makes it a bloody red color.
Chazz: ... Die, what are you doing?
Die: *is sitting in front of computer screen* I'm waiting for the random threesome sex to start next chapter!
Chazz: ... You do realize you have the next chapter on your computer already?
Die: *is still sitting there, completely ignoring him*
Sakura: Wait, there's sex in the next chapter? *sits down in front of Die's computer screen*
Aster: They are hopeless!
Die: *eyes go big* Aster! *glomps him, hugging him between her boobs*
Aster: *crying out for air while waving his arms*
Die: *loosens grip so he can breathe but keeps him between her boobs*
Sakura: Well, I wonder what Fubuki has planned for poor Hibiki, and will Haou keep his hands to himself when Jehu finally gets to Aorta?
Jesse: Sakura, you're forgetting something!
Jim: And what's that, mate?
Jesse: Sakura forgot to explain what Blood Stew is! The readers could get the wrong idea!
Sakura: No I didn't!
Die: *looks up from where she was snuggling Aster* Yes you did.
Sakura: No I didn't! Look up! It's above the A/N! *points*
Die: ... Whatever. *goes back to snuggling with Aster*
Jehu: Please review! You'll get your own Ice Gem!
Haou: You'll have to pry it out of Ice Dragon's cold, dead claws though...
Sakura: ... Morbid much?
Haou: Oh not in the least.