Disclaimer: Despite the amazing skill of your dear authoress, she doesn't own anything. What a shame. ;A;
o.O
As per usual, the first day of the banquet was a spectacular. This year, the traditional dance had been between Ayame and Hatori. Ayame's flamboyant personality did counter-act Hatori's stoic one, thus making the dance between the dragon and snake a beautiful one. The two of them seemed in perfect sync with each other, when in reality, Ayame had been adding extra moves to the dance that his partner was unaware of. Hatori, however, made quick work of copying the moves that his high school friend would create. With a quick flip of the right hand, Hatori was now caught up with his partner, who's long silvery hair had almost hit him in the face. Seeing how the moves between the two of them had slowed down, Hatori examined the costume that Ayame had designed for the both of them. Their outfits were both identical in every form, that is except for the hidden charm that the snake had snuck in when he was designing the costume. Underneath both of their sleeves were silver bracelets with a charm of their cursed zodiac. Ayame had insisted that this would 'add' to their performance by displaying their uniqueness, and somehow it did. Hatori now looked at the mass of fabric that was required to be worn during these dances. The clothing the two of them were wearing started out as a light pink silk garment that slowly faded into a blood red. He wasn't sure how to describe the rainbow colored fabric that was loosely hanging from each of their shoulders, but he did find the luxurious silkiness to be quite alluring. There was a jade pigment on the sash that both of them donned, as it layered over a pale blossom embedded cloth. Hatori shook away the thoughts as he saw that in his peripheral vision that the dance was to reach its climax.
In the audience's eyes, the two dancers were apart five feet and appeared to give each other hidden messages through their colored eyes. And they were. This last part of the traditional dance included sets of fans, and the two performers were about to use them. The pulled the props out of a hidden compartment in their sleeves and gracefully threw them up into the air. Both of them caught the item in the correct hand, but if those in the room were watching carefully, they would see that Hatori had missed a step when he made the movement to grab the fan. This mistake landed Hatori a few feet closer than he should have been causing Ayame to step back. They tossed the fans to each other, before Hatori grasped both fans in his hands. Now, it was becoming difficult. Hatori tossed the fan in his left hand to Ayame before both of them twirled and faced each other. The switched fans once more, but back flipped into the catch before returning a stepping motion.
"Smile Tori-san, it adds face value," The snake had observed that his partner hadn't been smiling through the whole act, and he took it upon himself to remind him of that simple, yet important motion. Ayame wasn't sure if his friend would actually listen to him, but surprisingly he noticed a subtle upturn of the corner of his lips. Now with newfound enthusiasm, the two of them continued with the dance. They cart wheeled away from each other, until they reached the end of the small stage they were performing on. The members of the audience were seated on the left and right side of the stage with Akito and Yuki at the very front. Hatsuharu was seated to the left of right of Yuki continuing with each of the zodiac, save for the two performers. The ox had seen Yuki right before the banquet started for a short period of time. The two of them made idle conversation with each other, but when the two were called into the hall, the rat fell silent. Haru wasn't sure if it was just his cousin's subconscious actions or it was intentional, yet he shrugged it off when the two of them sat at their positions.
The two dancers now landed after somersaulting into a standing position, reaching the very end of the stage. Ayame was closest to Akito, while Hatori was furthest. Ayame beamed at his younger brother and Akito, while Hatori gave a quick glance to Shigure. The quick pause is over now, as the two of them started on second half of the dance. The first half embodied the dragon with its strong, down to earth movements. They bent over backwards, and did a single flip before twirling with ease. The spotlight was on Ayame now; Hatori retreated to the back where after Ayame performed a move, he would imitate. Multiple flips were performed, as well as turns, but Ayame and Hatori let themselves slip into the dance. The two of them felt as if they were actually the spirit of the snake and dragon. Hatori fell to his knees, embodying the end of the dragon, while Ayame twirled and danced around the fallen man. Finally, the dance ends when Ayame front flips over Hatori's bent over figure and grabs his hands to pull him up. The two of them pose for a short amount of time before bowing to the small group of people.
The room was silent save for the breathes of the two of them, that is until Akito stood and spoke, "And that ends the year of the dragon, may the year of the snake be as magnificent as the last," The timing of the statement was incredibly uncanny as the clock struck twelve. To Yuki, it felt as if the banquet was already over, for that day was exhausting. His brother and Hatori exited the room to change into more comfortable clothing for the actual banquet. Everyone in the room hadn't eaten yet, and many servants had entered with plates of food made specifically for each family members tastes.
"Yun-chan, wasn't Ayame-nii and Hatori-nii's dancing amazing?" Kagura said after she had eaten. Akito was still eating, but didn't give any sign that they couldn't speak to one another.
After a pregnant pause, Yuki spoke, "Yes, it was. I don't remember ever watching nii-san dance, so it was a nice thing to see," The silver haired boy could see his cousin smile at him before he continued with his small meal. Everyone else had finished their meal, save for him and Akito. His family members were now idly chatting among themselves, but Yuki couldn't help but feel as if everyone in the room was watching him. There was still food left on his plate, but right now the boy didn't have much of an appetite.
"Everyone, is to remain in this building until I return for the sunrise. You are to ask no questions to our whereabouts. Now have a wonderful time," Yuki heard the room go silent with the announcement.
'Our? What can he mean by our?' The question was answered when Yuki felt the bony hand of Akito pull him up and lead him out of the room. The walk seemed to remind him of a faint memory, as if it was history was replaying itself. When the two reached the familiar room, Yuki was the one to place his hand on the door frame as well as open it.
"Yuki, I have a surprise for you. Why don't you wait here, while I retrieve it?" Those words, were the ones that signaled that the next few hours would lead to hell.
II
'Everything hurts... Can't it just end? It's too much... Too much'
"Yuki, why don't you smile for the camera? Don't you want Suoh-san to see your face? After all, I am going to send this to them," Yuki bit back his cries of pain, filtering the noise until it became nothing. He gripped his left arm with his other, trying to pull himself up into a standing position. Through his silvery bangs, he saw that Akito had pulled out the 'surprise' and that the small device was recording. Just moments before, it felt as if he was going to die, much like before. That was when Akito had gripped his pale chin and spoke to him through the camera.
"I don't think that's a smile Yuki," The boy flinched at the tone of the zodiac god's voice before mustering enough strength to upturn his lips. It was an act that Akito found amusing. He shut off the camera and let it rest on the low table before pressing the record button once more.
'No more. Please, no more' Akito grasped Yuki's neck with his left hand without warning before tightening his grip. The god could feel Yuki flail before stiffening.
"I expected you to put up more of a fight," Akito released the boy, who immediately slumped over breathing hard. He gave a glare, and grasped the other's pale tendrils, until he was able to see his face.
"You've been quiet this whole time? Is there something interesting going on in that pretty little head of yours?"
"No. Nothing, just thinking Akito-sama," The younger had flinched when the skinny hands didn't remove the fierce grip. Instead it had only tightened until Yuki could swear that his scalp was bleeding.
"And what were you thinking of? I hope it wasn't that girl or your friends," Akito spat at the boy. Yuki could feel the tugging at his hair loosen before a hard slap could be felt at his cheek. Against his better judgment, the silver haired boy lifted up his palm to caress the growing welt. The younger could feel his 'god' circle around him as if he was the sacrifice being given to the divine force. It certainly seemed that way. The beeping sound of the video camera seemed to fill the room for neither of its occupants seemed to make a sound.
.
.
.
And then Akito started laughing. To Yuki, that sound was a terrifying one as he desperately reached for something to protect himself with. The zodiac god had taken out something that the rat had seen before. The object that had left scars on his skin that would never disappear, the thing that had left him immobile for days, Akito's favorite plaything. Amethyst eyes gazed up at his tormentor, and saw that Akito had been brandishing the whip with left hand.
"Yuki, did you know that you and this object share many similar traits?" It was a hypothetical question, seeing how Akito did not wait to continue.
"This object has brought scars upon you, both mentally and physical. You and it are connected, definitely," Akito paused to admire the contrasting color between Yuki's skin and the whip," I understand your confusion, but listen carefully. This whip is just another one of my toys, correct? You've seen it many times," Yuki was bewildered, but relieved. Akito had not struck him just yet.
"Because of that factor, you and it are the same. You will always be my toy. No matter where you go, what you think, or who helps you," Akito brought down the leather strip with a cracking sound, "You will never be saved," And with that, the favored of the zodiac broke. The countless hours of torture, were ones that would take time to heal. Those that seemed as if they would never heal. While the one who was hurting seemed to be unaware of the world around him, he could tell that Akito was speaking. It was faint, but he could pick out words.
"Suoh-san, by the time you watch this with your colleagues, I'm sure that you and my dear Yuki will be close. It is inevitable in a way, however, don't think you can save him. Listen carefully, Yuki is mine and if you get in the way, you'll pay. Also around this time, Yuki will be-" The next words had been muffled for Yuki had started to feel his chest tighten. Struggling to breath, the boy instead coughed numerous times. The room was dark, only lit by the small flickering lanterns hanging on the outside, but Yuki could see that there was a murky liquid that spilled out of his mouth. Before he could even examine it, his coughs started up once more and more of the metallic liquid spilled out.
'Wait, metallic?' Yuki didn't have much time to think before he could feel the god press a cold hand to his cheek.
"Aw, is my dear rat hurting?" Akito had mocked, saying the sentence in way that vaguely reminded him of someone. The motion that was supposed to be a comforting one quickly turned into one of hurt an pain. Akito dug his fingernails into Yuki's flesh until it drew blood. "When you are asked a question you answer. Next time remember!"
"I-I understand Akito-sama," There was a quick flash that made spots occur in the boy's vision.
"Let's see, maybe I should send these to that girl, she would enjoy them, no?"
"It's your decision Akito-sama," Yuki felt his tormentor pet his hair softly before bringing him into a position that looked like a forced hug. Yuki flinched at the touch, as if the other would hurt him again. This time, Akito didn't yell at the boy.
"It's alright Yuki, you are finally beginning to learn your place. The more obedient you are, the less of this punishment you'll receive,"
'Lies! You're lying!' The rat thought as he continued to tremble, not calming down one bit. Akito only gripped harder as he whispered again, "Don't worry, you'll be fine as long as you're at my side. You don't need anyone else when you have me,"
'YOU'RE LYING! STOP LYING!' With little strength he had left, Yuki pulled himself away from the other and moved to the corner of the room. The darkest one, where he had been placed numerous times before. He brought both hands to block any sound coming being thrown at him.
'Just leave me alone! Let me go somewhere else! I don't want to be here anymore!' The rat continued rocking back and forth in a ball even when minutes turned to hours. He didn't notice that Akito had left the room to return to the rest of his family. With every passing second, Yuki could feel himself becoming dizzy.
'Just let me go to a place better than this... Please?' The sun rose, but contradictory to the year previous, he wasn't able to witness it. The boy had fallen unconscious, and maybe that world he had slipped into was truly one that was free of pain. One where he could be himself. One that would keep him alive.
o.O
I'm sorry for being so inactive lately. TT-TT I'm a bad person. Well, I only have one excuse. I've been banned from using the 'shared' computer that my family owns. No internet, nothing unless it's related to school work. D: Anyways, this allowed me to perfect my sneaking skills! I don't think I'll be able to update as frequently as I wish I could, but don't worry dear readers! I have most of the chapters written and ready for editing. ((I know it doesn't look like I even edit things, but I try my best)) Have a wonderful day lovelies! Ja ne! Next update should be before the week ends... hopefully.