* This story was inspired by previous works that I've read in the past. Key authors being Holly Black and Melissa Marr. I take no credit for their work. Furthermore, I don't carry the rights for this anime. Some of the characters will act OOC; all of these characters are of age. Constructive criticism is very welcome. Enjoy.
Chapter 16: Ikuto's POV:
Ikuto mentally berated himself the entire walk from Amu's home, to the park. He really, really couldn't figure out why- of all times- just why he had to be overwhelmed with the amount of self-loathing he felt. He'd accidentally touched random people without a blink of an eye. He'd even touched those he knew were probably the happiest people in the world out of spite for humankind. He'd laid a mere finger on hormonal teenagers, elders; mothers, fathers. He purposely ruined their lives! They all clawed and attacked him in the same exact way this annoyingly self-righteous kiddy king was. He took advantage of the fact it worked on both genders. He took advantage of the fact that his image could alter itself to look in such a way that appealed to his victim and his victim's eyes only. And in the kiddy king's favor, he seemed to look like a very lewd image of Hinamori Amu. Maybe that was why he was so upset? Why he hated himself so much? Because the kiddy king didn't think twice to jump Amu's fraud? No. He knew that wasn't it. He knew what he felt was an enraging emotion. Jealousy.
Just the recognition of such emotion caused him to tilt his head and look over from his own choppy, and tussled blue-violet colored hair only to get an eyeful of beautiful blonde tresses; though ruffled and stringy with sweat. He felt himself clenched his teeth, and if it had been possible his eyes would have seared holes through the kiddy king. Ikuto couldn't stand the sight of him. The male had been flawless in everything Ikuto had seen him do around Amu. Lately, the only thing Ikuto had accomplished was screwing things up. Leaving Amu with a hurt face. It was his own fault the damn blonde was over his shoulder in the first place. Even still, the burning sensation that curled about in his chest drove him mad. The feeling creeped up his throat, in such a way that almost made him believe his was going to experience vomiting. He wondered why he even decided to bring emotion into his life. Surely, it was a mistake. He could have had Amu. He could have had her. He still could! He could go back, and he could have them both. And he could kill them for ruining the cool he so long had kept managed. Ikuto was eager to go to the counsel; not because he wanted to save the kicking idiot in his arms, but because he wanted help. He wanted an 'Off' switch. He wanted to just turn it all off! Make it all stop!
Ikuto stumbled over a hook in the sidewalk, dropping the kiddy king as he did so. He half expected the boy to run. Run far away. Hide in a church, or something. He wanted him to escape. He wanted... he wanted the exact opposite of what the damned boy had done.
"Ughn!" Ikuto fell back with a grunt as the blonde haired male threw himself head first into his abdomen. Ikuto coughed and they wrestled around in the middle of the street. It was a moment that Ikuto hoped someone had been peeked out of there windows; the kiddy kind wasn't exactly a quiet mate. And then he remembered. Even if they were looking out of their windows, as long as this boy had a hold on him, the kiddy king was as invisible as Ikuto. And that irritated him more than anything.
Releasing another grunt, her forced the blonde's hands from his body, holding them over his own head. He normally didn't attempt conversation with his victims. There wasn't a need to. The only thing they spoke were lies. Well, lust. The only emotion they used to speak from was lust and yearning. In such a condition, you'd say anything to get what you want.
"Boy... back down." He was surprised at how cool his voice sounded. Of course he was used to this. He was used to the wrestling and dodging. The negotiating and bribing. None of it normally worked. He knew this, but he spoke anyway. "Release me. Your woman would not approve." It felt almost alien, referring to Amu in a way you'd refer to someone who didn't matter.
The only thing that cam from the lips of the kiddy king, was a frail sound of frustration. "What are you talking about? You're my woman!"
Ikuto's eyebrow twitched in irritation and he sighed. He supposed it was time to put on a facade. He'd tried it plenty of times before, and it always seemed to backfire. The kiddy king was a rather smart; though very annoying boy. Maybe it'd work? Ikuto smiled. "How about you wait until we get home to jump my bones, Tadase-kun?~"
The blonde's eyes clouded, glazed over; and even lowered with a pleasurable sigh. "Why not just do it with me now, Amu? No one is around. C'mon!" And with that, the blonde gripped Ikuto's forearm and held him with a now not-so-surprising strength.
With a soft growl, Ikuto wrenched his arm free from the grasp of the damned kiddy king, and stood. This was taking too long. It was taking too damn long, and the longer he stayed on this street, the thinner his patience became. He wanted to throw away his 'auto-glamour'. He wondered what the damned kid would do if a man was under him. What would he do, then? Ikuto smiled grimly. The men he touched never realized until penetration. He may have had an impenetrable auto-glamour, but it was only glamour. Only a mask. He couldn't obtain a vagina, and he couldn't exactly give his mate one. Anal. It didn't matter. The outcome was always death. Long ago, he convinced himself that he shouldn't hold guilt. His victims would die with experience. But what would he know? He didn't know physical pain. He knew the pains of hunger. He knew the pains the heart could give, but that was it. He wondered how different his existence would have been if he'd experienced every emotion a human had.
"If you want me, you're going to have to catch me," Ikuto's voice pitched high; a small, teasing lilt in his voice. He turned and sprinted off just in time before the kiddy king had gotten a grip on his ankle. He knew the boy would follow; there's no way he wouldn't have. He'd run a few times from his victims in order to lead them to a place of his choosing. He imagined this to be another of those times.
Even though humans' strength had became ridiculously stronger once affected, their speed still remained the same as they had before. He admitted that the blonde was a rather fast runner, but he could also admit how he used to felt in practice with Yoru whilst in his youth. Running with arousal had been a pain he'd rather not remember. It'd made him want to fall to the ground and just stop. Just stop moving for a moment to catch his bearings. Almost a wrench in the gut. You forcibly tearing yourself away from something you yearn for so badly. Ikuto almost felt pity. He knew his victims could never stop. Their arousal lasted forever. Their were no breaks. They didn't deserve any breaks.
How different would his existence have been if he'd experienced every emotion a human had? He yearned to feel something other than the pains of love, and the madness of jealousy. That was when he applauded humankind for such strength. They may be stronger than even the highest ranked of the Fae.
Special POV:
It hurt. God, it hurt. Why wouldn't she stop running from him? Why would she be so cold? Need. Yearning. Give me her. Let me have her. Why can't I have her? She won't stay still. When did this happen? I don't remember. Why did it happen? I don't remember. Amu? Amu, is that you? Why are you running? Please don't run from me. I don't want you to run from me. I need a release. It burns, Amu. Make it stop. I don't mean to hurt you. Amu, have mercy! No, wait! I almost caught you! You can't run in zig-zag lines! It hurts my eyes- Oh, Amu, please. I can't get this image out of my head. I just want you beneath me. I just want to release. I need to release, Amu. It has to be you! I don't know why, but it has to be with you. Don't let me go through this alone! I can't touch myself. Why can't I touch myself? I only need you. Amu! Look out! There's a car! How am I going to catch you if you hurt yourself?! Why'd you stop running? Ahh, the grass feels so good under my feet.
Amu, do you love me? Like I love you? I love you so much, I love every inch of you. I love when you stare at me in that way. Like you have a secret that you want to tell me. There's a light underneath your feet. Are you an angel? I wouldn't be surprised. Amu, why must you dress like that? Angels shouldn't dress like that! What if others see it? I don't want others to see it. Amu, you're skirt is so short... The wind isn't working in my favor, Amu. I can't see underneath it! It's dark. Are you wearing shorts, Amu? Amu, please. YES! Amu, that feels so good! Even when you touch my hand, it feels amazing. You're taking away the heat! I don't feel hot when you touch me. Ooh, but I still yearn for you. I want more of your touch. Give me more? Yes? Amu, don't smack my hand away. Amu, I love you! Can't you see? Can't you let me express my love for you? I could buy you flowers. Your body needs love to. My body needs love. You love me, don't you? Please say that you love me. Amu, where are you taking us?
Light. White light. It's blinding. Burns. Why does it burn? It's too bright! Is it daylight already? A-Amu... Who are all these people? Can you hear me, Amu? Why won't you answer me? N-Now you won't even look at me... Don't look at those other guys!
Reach. I need to touch her. Touch her shoulder. No! Please, Amu. I'm begging. Let me have you? Right here? Amu, are you cheating on me? Who is this guy? He looks like the guy from school. Is this his dad? Amu, why are you bowing? Should I bow too? Oh, Amu.. You're so close to me. Let me rub my shoulder against yours? How about my cheek? How about a kiss on the shoulder? You're shy, so I'll ask. Can I kiss your shoulder? Why aren't you listening? Can you hear me? You heard me before! In the street! Oh. My mouth won't open. Why won't it open, Amu? You really are an angel! There's golden light all around you! God, you're so warm. So warm, but so cool. You're like ice. Take away my fire, please? Take it away? I hurt so much, Amu. I'm going to break. I'm going to explode.
Exploding.
Breaking.
Amu, do you notice? Amu? Why is this guy grabbing my face? Why is he staring at me? Amu, please make him stop. I just want you, Amu. I just want you to touch me. What's he saying, Amu? Is he talking about me? What does he mean? Tell him to say it again.
I can't hear past my own thoughts. Amu, love me. Just ignore them. Ow! Amu! He pinched me! Why did he pinch me? Amu, I need you to look at me. Let me see your eyes. Your eyes were so cold earlier, did I mention? So dark. They weren't honey earlier today. They were almost black. Or was it blue? Purple? Amu, this guy has those eyes. Your eyes. What's going on, Amu? Are you cosplaying? Can you stop doing so for an hour? I just need... I just need... You!
Give me.
Amu.
Love.
Amu.
GivemeloveAmu-
Ikuto's POV:
"What are you talking about, Ikuto?" Yoru scoffed, his brow furrowing. He'd had hold of the boy's face, poking and pinching at his skin. "He's over-sensitized. Even if their were a way to revert him back, why would you care? Have you grown a human heart? Shall I punish you further? Your parents put you under my care. And I do care. But I will also not allow you to forget who and what you are." Yoru stood, his tall and slim frame almost rippling with energy as he walked towards his desk.
It happened during this time. Spring was on it's way, and Summer would be soon after. Ikuto had to admit he felt a small ripple of energy of his own. Slight. Ikuto's eyes grazed over the room. Women and men stood around, chattering and eavesdropping. The majority of them were vastly different from one another. Ikuto had always imagined this to be the most pleasant sight. To see such creativity of his kind. He'd expected to get to the counsel, but knew he'd never get there on his own. He thought he could ask Yoru. Though he had already guessed the answer. Women whose skin was the color of grass, leaves and flowers entwined and outlining their bodies. Women with skin the color of bark; thorns covering their bodies. Those type had condemning eyes. Eyes that warned you to leave them be. He noticed the men who'd appeared like fauns. Or wolves. Half-and half, horns on their heads and a rather grotesque and animalistic face. The majority of them were nude. Why wouldn't they be? This was the Summer's court! The court that fared best during the season of love and lust! Heat and fun! They were a rather mischievous and teasing court. They were the ones who untied your bikini top. They were the ones who hid your suntan lotion, or snuck a libido pill in your drink to encourage a hot night with your mate. The court that fed from all of this was his. His very own. He was nearly the last Gancanagh of his kind, and here he was, taking sympathy for a mortal who'd caused him unforgivable irritation.
He stood and stared down at the boy who'd now had tears in his eyes. He smelled musky and dirty. It'd only been a few hours. He didn't feel anything. He'd told himself over and over that he felt nothing for the kiddy king that sat at his feet.
Then, kill him. Let him die.
What stopped him from doing so? A character such as him; cold, brooding and hateful shouldn't have any problems with killing off one human when he's killed thousands. He didn't care. He never would. But then a certain pinkette's face flashed in front of his eyes. Would she hate him? She'd most certainly hate him. Amu was different. Not like the many he'd seduced. He wanted to love her in ways that didn't revolve around sexual touching. He knew he could do it. But a human needed touch. A human craved physical contact; if anyone could know and understand that, it'd be him.
Ikuto stood there for a long period of time, going from one subject of thought to another until he finally decided to turn and face Yoru. "I... I think you know where I'm coming from. You've been through this too, haven't you?"
"Yes, Ikuto. I did." Yoru had now been sitting in his chair hunched over paperwork before he swiveled around to meet Ikuto gaze; clearing his throat. "But I also had to make the right decision. Your parents would say the same, you know. Your sister would as well. She can't always be there for you, as I've said in the past. She can't always rescue you. What is it she always says? Ah, yes," Yoru grinned and continued, "her closet is almost full."
The 'young' Gancanagh stood beside the kiddy king and stared at the floor in earnest. "This one... Has potential. Just look at him."
He hadn't the slightest idea what came from his lips, but it was too late to take them back. He himself stared down at the horrific mess of human that lay surprisingly calmly at his feet. The boy was mussed and ruffed up; and his stench could have had a miles' radius. He loathed this boy, but at the same time, he didn't think he could handle being hated for Amu's entire life. He felt he had to make things right. He simply did not know how.
"With all do respect, sir... How long do you think he has left?" Ikuto's voice was quiet. "How long do you think he has left?! Could you let someone like this die? He's not attacking me... It's... He shows a great deal of restraint." Restraint my ass. Ikuto bit his tongue and continued. "Isn't there something we could do? Make him behave normally once again? There's always a cure for something. There's a cure to everything, whether it's been found, or not. Remember you telling me that? Why did you tell me tha-"
"Hush now, please. You're talking more than usual, and I'm sorry, but it's making my eye twitch relentlessly." Yoru always stayed calm. He never truly yelled, nor did he outright shed blood. He was mischievous, smooth-voiced. He could talk a man into suicide. It was the kind of man he wanted on his side if it ever came down to standing in front of the counsel.
"I'm sorry." Ikuto's voice had come out as heavy as his heart felt. He didn't know what to do. Self-loathing practically choked at him. Made him want to destroy anything and everything. He could always find another town to live in if it came down to it. Surely Amu wouldn't mind. Especially if she knew what'd happened here today. "Never mind it, then, sir."
"Never mind it? It's too late for such selfish words now, Ikuto. You've brought it to my attention, and now I'm worried for your own life."
His own life? What did his life have to do with this damn kiddy king's?
"If you feel so much guilt over one human, I am not entirely sure you'd feed after this episode. You seem to be falling into depravity. A corrupted mind. So many have fallen at the hands of humankind. I fear you are yet another example. "
Depravity... Fae believed once you caught the human soul, you'd forever fall and lose yourself. That you'd be lost and go completely mad. Your mind would be unable to perform correctly. You'd forget your nature. You'd live as human as possible until your body wore out and you fell to death. Depravity...
"Such involvement..." Ikuto heard Yoru mutter under his breath before setting his pen down. "Ikuto, you are smarter than this.. so much smarter than this. How will I explain this to your parents? They'd certainly have my head. I have not been strict with you..."
Ikuto tensed and looked up. This wasn't Yoru's normal behavior. He behaved proudly. Arrogant, knowingly powerful. Now, he seemed to waver. To pause. To be at lack for words.
"Ikuto, tell me. Do you know your place?" Yoru's eyes burned holes into his own and he stood just barely. The only thing keeping his weak form from folding in on itself was the tight arms around his leg.
"Yes, sir. I know my place. I simply touched this male by accident, and.. I'm... not quite fond of him." He felt himself pause, testing to see for himself if he'd lied. It was the truth, he supposed.
"Well. There's not much I can do. Leave the boy, go on back to hunt. You look horrible, and I'm in no mood to share."
"Sir, what do you plan to-"
Yoru stood and waved his hand dismissively, uttering two words that brought both relief and incredulity. "Black Yéʼii."
Black Yéʼii. The lowest ranked Fae. Every inanimate thing, everything they longed to touch the most only rotted in their hands. Humans rotted at their touch. The Faerie of death. The Black Death.
Ikuto glanced down at the kiddy king in repulsion. Said boy tilted his head back to look up at him with lustful wide eyes.
"I love you, Amu."
Q: I stayed up alllllll night writing this. I was thinking, and for the past month I haven't done a thing with my life. So why not write? I'm getting a little push and shoves here and there, and that's what made this chapter possible. Honestly, I'm quite proud of this chapter. After reading the reviews over, I thought that I should try to go into explanation of things I'd only brushed upon in the previous chapters. I've decided to do small editing to the past chapters as well, but I'll probably do that later on in the year. Anyway! I hope you liked this! I tried to make it as unpredictable as I could. Please R&R. It's what keeps me going.
