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General Discussions => RPG Forum => Topic started by: Ruby Chan on July 27 2005, 06:09 am
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Hello! This RPG will be a slight AU, and is based in the Kingdom of Clow. Touya was furious when he woke and learnt of how Yukito had sent Sakura and Syaoran away, and he is freezing Yukito out....
Yukito - Me!
Touya - Sakaki
Mula - Pikari
Konan - Okamirei
Mula
A wizard of less power than Yukito, Mula has long been jealous of both Yukito's position as High Priest and Touya's confidant. Now, Mula aims to use Touya's anger to turn him against Yukito, hoping to eventually have his rival executed under false claims. He is obsessed with being close to Touya.
Konan
Konan is Touya's chief bodyguard, who follows him most places in the castle. Although he is fairly quiet, he can see all that happens, and wants Touya to realise how badly he's treating Yukito before it's too late. Back when they were children, Konan was one of Touya and Yukito's playmates.
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If you can come up with any good original characters, Pm me with them, and I'll consider putting them into the story. Ideas must include a tiny bit of past, an outline of their personality, and a look at their goals and their feelings about Touya and Yukito's falling out.
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Yukito walked down the corridors of the palace, gripping the scrolls he'd just taken from the library for study in his chambers. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept in his own rooms...for the last two years he had always shared Touya's bed. Nothing had happened of course....except for that one night. Last night.
The night before all hell had broken loose in Clow as the princess' feathers had flown away.
When Touya had woken from the sleep caused by the poisoned dart, he had been just as warm and caring as always, staring tenderly up into the worried eyes of his beloved. But when Yukito had explained how he'd sent Sakura away with Syaoran, his eyes had grown dark, and he had fell into a grim rage, bellowing at Yukito to get out of his sight.
Since then, he had been ignoring the High Priest, only communicating when necessary to duty. And for Yukito, who had grown accustomed to the small consistent affectionate touches and caresses that he received everyday, who had grown to cherish the intimate conversations he shared with the king...
It felt like he was the one who had lost his heart. Not Sakura.
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Touya walked back and forth, his robes whooshing softly as he turned........pacing in his room.
Still recovering from the poisoned dart, he should have been in bed or at the least, sitting, like he had been advised. But he was restless. A slow, angry rumbling was rolling through his body, like thunder. An anger that somewhat shocked and frightened him.
He wondered where his sister was at this moment, his sweet, innocent, little sister, who was now alone with that boy.
Dammit!
And now Touya found himself alone. Not even Yuki could comfort him now, for Yuki had been the one to send his only flesh and blood relative he had left.......
his own little sister.......away....
Touya had never felt anything but love towards the other man, but his anger and hurt at waking to find his sister was no longer in this world....... was something he couldn't control, be it irrational or valid.
And silently, he had sent Yukito away, away from his room, his bed, and after they had become lovers for the first time.......
Touya sat on the bed, running his fingers through his dark hair.
I have to find a way to rid myself of this anger and forgive Yukito....
I have to believe he's done what's right...
But how?
If only I had someone to talk to............
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Konan stood silently, watching the King pace to and fro.
He frowned. Seeing his majesty,his childhood friend, like this worried him deeply. Especially after the king had been hurt by the dart.
It was my fault..I wasn't there to protect you from that...
Now, the king was restless and pacing; even sending Yukito away. It was not normal; he had never seen Touya so mad before.
"Your majesty...you shouldn't be up walking, you're still recovering from that injury.."
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Touya looked up, slightly startled, his childhood friend could sometimes be so quiet that Touya had forgotten, in his confused feelings, that he was there.
His words and thoughts felt all twisted up inside him, and he didn't even know if he was capable of speech.
The King stood, walked to the window, and attempted to choke out the one word he repeated continuously in his heart and mind, the one word that he could get no answer to.......
"Why, dammit.......why?"
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In his chambers, Yukito furrowed his brow in concentration, biting his lip as he realised that all his attempts were futile. He could not work like this....not when Touya was so angry with him. Sighing, he set the scrolls aside for the night, moving into his inner chamber in order to undress and go to sleep.
Removing his outer robe, he flinched as he saw the red mark on his neck, a stab of pain shooting through him as he remembered exactly whose lips had left it there. And what they had been doing. Something that he would never be able to experience again....at least not with Touya, which meant the same thing at the end of the day.
For a moment he entertained thoughts of visiting the king later, and watching him sleep on unaware of the fact that he was being watched. But the sane part of his mind quickly shut that idea down. It was very improper to that to your king, no matter how close you were....had been.
Besides, Konan is in there. We may be friends, but his job is to protect the king. He may attack before even realising who I am. He thought wryly. Lying back on his bed, he burrowed under the covers.
With tears that had not fallen for years soaking his pillow.
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Mula could feel it. It seeped through the air like poison. Mistrust, anger, hurt... It was perfect.
He wasn't sure what had happened, but his sources among the palace staff told him that the King and his trusted advisor AKA not-so-secret lover (or so Mula suspected) had had a falling out. He could hardly believe it himself. King Touya had always had eyes for Yukito. It was as if the rest of the mages in the palace, himself included, did not even exist. Now he could scarcely believe the rumors that the King had ordered the High Priest out of his sight. He could scarcely believe his luck.
A confident smile crossed over the dark-haired man's face as a plan wound through his head. This could be my chance. My chance at last to make Touya mine.
He forced the smile from his face, but the confidence still glowed in his eyes as he knocked lightly on the door to the King's quarters.
The trap is ready to be set.
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The King stood, staring out into the darkness of the desert, from the high window.
His old friend watched quietly, concern written across his features.
Touya felt confused, angry..........hurt.....still with the one word.....why?......... on his lips, in his heart.
He wanted Yukito......
And yet, found he couldn't even stand to look at the man he had shared love with just a few nights before......
What could help any of them now..........
Suddenly a soft knock on the door broke through his daze.
"Come in," He called out, turning his dark eyes to face the visitor.
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As Mula entered, he gave a low, respectful bow. His eyes quickly took in the room - the only other person was the bodyguard Konan.
"Majesty," he began. "I have just returned from the ruins. I have finished sealing the remainder of the mysterious black soldiers. The entire site has been sealed off with magical wards to ensure that no evil can come out of it again, and I believe it poses no more immediate danger. I have made it my highest priority to ensure that nothing of value to the King shall be put in danger."
Unlike your "trusted" advisor, who throws your precious sister into other dimensions at will, most noble King.
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Touya nodded at the man, but said nothing.
At least someone knows what the hell they are doing......
He looked once more at Mula, as if becoming aware of the man for the first time ever, noticing his commanding presence and considering the fact that he worked with magic.
A man who knows magic....
Could he perhaps know a way to bring my sister back from God knows where?
Waking from his injury, Touya had asked, demanded, and all but begged Yukito to
bring Sakura back. The High Priest had told him sadly that he wouldn't even attempt it, it was an impossibility, it was much too dangerous.
The King turned to his friend, who stood silently watching, "Konan, you may leave now. I have a few things I'd like to discuss with Mula here. " He looked to the man with his dark, contemplative eyes, "unlike some, he seems to know how to please the King."
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Konan was shocked, but did as he was told. "Yes, your majesty."
As he passed by Mula, he cast a glare at him..eyes narrowing in suspicion.
You better not be up to something..
He headed towards Yukito's room; knowing that the priest was in sorrow. He knocked softly upon the door. "your highness..."
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The King watched his guard, Konan, leave his room, reluctantly, as he usually stayed as close to the King as possible, especially now, after he'd been injured.
As he walked out, Touya failed to see the worried, suspicious look his old friend wore on his face.
The King, usually highly perceptive and aware, was failing to notice a lot lately, his mind in such a turmoil over his lost sister, and the now torn relationship with Yukito.
If only Yukito could bring Sakura back.....but he can't....or he won't.
"Mula," Touya said, dark eyes looking sharply at the man, who was perhaps his last hope. "Can you get my sister, the princess, back............can you help me?"
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unlike some, he seems to know how to please the King.
Mula smiled inwardly. This might be easier than he thought.
The bodyguard passed him with a suspicious look, and Mula took note of that. He'd have to watch out for that one.
Can you get my sister, the princess, back............can you help me?
Mula was taken aback some, as he hadn't expected the King to ask such a direct request so soon. Finally he opened his mouth to speak. "It is a difficult request, my King, even for a magic user such as I. I fear the Princess may be far out of reach by now. But..." he bowed again gracefully. "as I live, I shall do everything in my power to return the Princess to you, your Majesty." Even as he spoke Mula knew it was an impossible request. He was a powerful wizard, but the High Priest surpassed him easily, and he had not quite mastered the ability to transport people between dimensions, much less find someone in an infinite number of worlds and bring them back. He doubted even Yukito could bring them back. But if he could gain the King's confidence while pretending to try, and disgrace the annoying High Priest, he couldn't care less if the Princess was lost forever.
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Can you find my sister..............
The sentence had slipped out before he could stop it, almost sounding desperate. This embarrassed the King immensely.
He knew he was slowly losing his composure.......his strength.
While Mula talked, the King drank, his anger was returning......anger at Yuki for reducing him to practically begging an almost stranger to help him. He was the King. He should have to ask for nothing.
And Yuki had distrusted Mula.......
This Touya knew and remembered well. Yuki had always kept a distance from the other mage, but never came out and directly said just what about the other man was so troubling.
Touya listened to the man speak, and when he finished, walked up to the mage, anger shining in his dark eyes.
"You say it may be possible to bring the Princess back. And what would you say if I told you I know of one who would call you a liar? One who says the Princess can not be brought back without serious consequence?" Touya demanded, and then wryly added, "One who I suspect is more powerful than you?"
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Hearing a knock at his door, Yukito got out of bed and swung the dorr open, blinking as he saw who it was.
"Konan? Shouldn't...shouldn't you be guarding To-....his majesty?" Yukito closed his eyes and forced himself under control. He had nearly called Touya by his special nickname, for crying out loud!
He realised that Konan was staring, and flushed as he realised that he must still have the tear tracks staining his otherwise clean cheeks....and his eyes were probably red from crying, too. Great...well, that's going to convince him I'm fine... He cursed mentally.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes again, making sure that when he opened them this time he was every inch the respectable High Priest.
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Mula listened respectfully to the reply he received. The King was not an idiot. He should have expected nothing less. He bowed deeply yet again.
"Your Majesty's words may be true. It is most likely more than impossible to bring Her Highness back to this world. I believe only the Dimension Witch herself could accomplish such a task. But even a lesser wizard may cross worlds, if not in body, but in image, or voice, communication..." In theory, of course, but Mula left this bit out. "I know the King would hope for even a small sign from his sister. Even if his request is impossible, as Your Majesty's subject I could not give up without trying."
"And I would not trust anyone who does."
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The King listened closely to Mula's reply, watching the man intently with cold eyes that stared through dark lashes.
"I know the King would hope for even a small sign from his sister. Even if his request is impossible, as Your Majesty's subject I could not give up without trying."
The mage spoke; carefully.....respectfully, to the King, and throughout, Touya said nothing, only studied the man. He sensed no signs of trickery or dishonestly, only deep respect and obedience to the King.
As it should be......
"I could not give up without trying."
"And I would not trust anyone who does."
Mula's last sentence rang in Touya's ears............trust.....did he trust anyone at all anymore? If he couldn't trust Yukito...............
Touya continued to stare at the man, who stood with head slightly bent, and eyes lowered out of respect for the King.
Who was he to send the mage away now, perhaps the last person who could help him? Did he dare? Did he have any choice but to listen to this man?
Touya rubbed his tired eyes, and finally spoke, "Mula, perhaps you could pour your King a drink. And then perhaps you could speak to me again the words I want to hear........that you won't give up trying to get my sister back.......that as impossible as it may seem, you will never give up. That you would, in fact, die trying......if need be."
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Konan stepped into Yukito's room. "His highness sent me away..the.. other wizard is meeting the king."
He looked at the priest's tear-stained face, his eyes clouded with worry. "Your highness.."
He knew the priest was deeply hurt, but what should he say?
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"The...other wizard?" Yukito choked out, eyes widening as he took in Konan's words. No...could Touya be replacing him already? After only a day or two?
"Who was it? Which one is seeing the king?" He asked desperately.
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"It's Mula-san.." replied Konan, watching the shocked look on Yukito's face.
"His highness..is trying to find a way to get his sister back."
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"M..Mula?" Yukito gasped, fully aware that a look of horror was passing across his face. Mula was the one person he didn't trust in this palace. He knew too well that the other mage had his eye on Touya, and had been very much put out on hearing that Yukito had got the position of High Priest, and not him.
Suddenly, he realised what Konan had said afterwards.
"Bring back the princess? No! Without being able to travel and find her feathers, she'll never be the same Sakura-hime! She may even die if she hasn't got enough!" Grabbing his cloak, and wrapping it around himself, he urged Konan out of the room, and followed him, closing the door behind him.
"We have to see His Majesty right away!" Mula shouldn't have enough power to summon the princess through dimensions....and that's what worries me. Something will go wrong, I just know it! And the princess shouldn't be brought back anyway! Travelling with Syaoran is the best way to ensure her safety and survival!
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"Of course, my King."
Mula stepped toward a pitcher on the table in the corner and poured the liquid into a cup for the King. With a quiet movement of his hand, he slipped a small pinch of powder into the cup. It was nothing extreme, nothing dangerous, just a little aid to help the King relax ... to calm his mind.
He presented the cup to the King, and stepped back respectfully as Touya lifted it to his lips. He bowed low again, but felt a small thrill run through him, realizing the King...Touya... was this close to him.
"Your Majesty has my most complete and devout loyalty, I assure you."
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"Of course, my King."
"Your Majesty has my most complete and devout loyalty, I assure you."
Loyalty...
True, Yukito hadn't trusted Mula, but why?
And how much was trust worth? For he had trusted Yuki and then awoken to
find his very sister no longer in this world.
At least someone is doing as I ask...
Touya lifted the cup to his lips and emptied it in one long drink, as the mage stood close by, head lowered respectfully.
This is how it should be.....
Mula's words echoed in Touya's mind....
"Even if his request is impossible, as Your Majesty's subject I could not give up without trying."
"And I would not trust anyone who does."
Touya was beginning to feel a faint glimmer of hope as he looked at the man, so eager to help, so eager to do whatever he asked of him.
At least someone understands me....
And as he held the cup out to Mula to refill, Touya began to feel strangely calmed by the man's presence, beginning to see the man as perhaps an ally, and realized that at last, he was starting to feel better about the whole situation...........
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Reaching the King's chambers, Yukito knocked loudly on the door, hoping that Touya would answer.
Come on, To-ya....open the door. We need to talk......
Getting no response, Yukito raised a hand to knock again, only to let it fall to his side with a gasp as one of his flashes of foresight came to him. Losing control of his body momentarily, he felt himself go limp and slump backwards into Konan's concerned arms as the images flashed before his eyes.
Touya....angry
Yelling at him and gesturing wildly....
Mula's satisfied face.....
A faceless person tied to a wall and whipped.....
Trembling from the after effects of such violent scenes, Yukito managed to get himself under control, and nodded his head in thanks to Konan. Then, taking a deep breath, he knocked once more on the door.
After all, that future wouldn't happen for a long time.
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Touya stood at the large window, drinking from the cup Mula had refilled and brought to him, again with that humble bow of respect.
"Your Majesty has my most complete and devout loyalty, I assure you."
The man smiled at the King, respectfully, supportively, and Touya found himself giving a nod in return, feeling a kind of dazed calmness growing over him, which was a welcomed relief from the anger and frustration he'd felt for the last many hours.
A loud rap at the door brought the King partially out of his daze, and he motioned to Mula to answer it as he remained at the window, not wanting anything to disturb the slight bit of peace he was suddenly experiencing..........
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Mula smiled back at the King - his potion was working. Touya trusted him completely. Then, a loud knock broke into his world.
He felt resentment rising inside him at whoever dared to interrupt them. Nonetheless, he moved at the King's order to open the door. As soon as he came face to face with Yukito, his eyes hardened. He pasted on a thin smile, but it didn't disguise his distaste for the man in front of him.
"The King does not wish to be disturbed," he told the High Priest coolly.
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Yukito's mouth set into a grim line, his usual smile quickly vanishing from his face.
"Mula, I need to talk to His Majesty right now. I don't know what you've been telling him, but from what Konan has told me, you're planning to bring the Sakura-hime back." He spoke clearly and decisively, throwing off his Yukito-ness easily. It wasn't Touya's friend who stood there in front of Mula now.
It was an experienced High Priest, exuding huge amounts of power and staring sternly down at his subordinate.
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Konan quickly followed the priest to Touya's room. Reaching it, he waited silently as Yukito knocked upon the door. As Mula's face appeared, a dark shadow crossed his face.
The King does not wish to be disturbed.
He gave Mula a hard glare.
"You should let his majesty in, Mula."
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Mula inclined his head in the smallest bow. "I am only expressing the wishes of His Majesty. I'm sure you can understand the King is still grieved with the loss of his sister. But, as you wish..." Mula stepped aside, allowing the High Priest to enter. He wasn't stupid enough to challenge a man superior to him in magic power, and disobeying the High Priest in front of the King wasn't going to get him the trust he needed.
"Yukito," he added as the priest passed him, using his name rather than his title, "You should know as well as I that it is not possible for Sakura to be brought back. Your bodyguard's words are obviously lies." He sent a glare of disdain in Konan's direction.
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Yukito glared at Mula as he swept into the room, uncharacteristically planning several unpleasant demises in his head for the other wizard.
"I would trust Konan with my life. He's shown me more loyalty than you have ever done, Mula. Why should I turn against him in favour of you? Your slippery words will not work on me." He said calmly, ignoring the way Mula was glaring back at him.
Stopping a little way from Touya, Yukito bowed down, before straightening up and gazing seriously at his king.
"To....Your Majesty. We need to talk. Urgently. Preferably without the....pleasant......company of Mula."
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Touya felt only a dazed sort of relief as Mula went to the door and so obviously tried to protect him from any distractions........annoyances.....by trying to discourage the visitors.
He understands......this is the first time I've felt at peace in so long....
But then Touya heard the voice of the High Priest.....insisting, and then Konan's voice rising to demand entrance, and watched as Mula stepped away from the door and the High Priest hurried in to stand before him.
Touya turned away from Yukito, to stare out the window, not wanting to look into the eyes of the High Priest, not wanting to see - only wanting to be alone with the peace he had so mercifully felt........
Yuki..........why?
"What?" Touya asked coldly, refusing to look back at him. "What is worth this disturbance?" He quietly demanded, ignoring Yukito's request to be alone.
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Yukito winced at the cold tones in Touya's voice, but steeled himself and pushed ahead. Keeping Sakura in the other world was more important than keeping hiw own heart intact.
"I have been informed that Mula had told you that it may be possible to bring Sakura back....that he'd die trying. I am here to assure you that if Mula tried, Sakura will be the one to die. A failed spell would only result in pulling half of her through...and leaving the other half in the other dimension."
Closing his eyes, Yukito rested on his staff for support, suddenly feeling the weariness of grief finally beginning to set in.
"You Majesty....To-Ya.....I beg of you....please hear me out."
To-Ya.....open your heart to me once more. Your coldness is killing me softly....can't you see?
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"You Majesty....To-Ya.....I beg of you....please hear me out."
"To-Ya"
The High Priest's words tore through Touya's heart, ripping away the calm he had felt only moments before. With every word from Yukito's mouth, Touya hurt more............and this angered him.
How can I love you after what you've done.......after what you now will not do?
"No.......I will hear no more," Touya growled in a low voice. "I will hear nothing else on this topic from you, Yukito." And then Touya turned toward the High Priest - not looking in his eyes, but past him to Mula, trying to regain that feeling of comfort and calm the man had somehow provided him.........
"You sent my sister out of this very world, Yukito.......then you refuse to bring her back! Do you know where you sent my sister? Do you know my sister isn't in danger this very second? Can you tell me my sister isn't lying somewhere dead as you stand here refusing to bring her back?" Then the King paused. "Mula is your partner now, Yukito. You will work with him to bring my sister back. Perhaps show him whatever it is you think he doesn't know about the situation, teach him if you must. For to do otherwise will result in you losing your position as High Priest." Touya finally met Yukito's eyes, "Do you refuse?"
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Yukito stared in disbelief at Touya, unable to comprehend how the calm and gentle man that he had once known was standing in front of him, refusing to see sense and threatening him. Closing his eyes in pain, Yukito bowed his head.
"Then, I guess I have no choice Your Majesty." He murmured softly, looking up at the king. Seeing the look of triumph on Touya's face, and the one of disbelief on Mula's, Yukito smiled sadly at his monarch.
"I choose to resign from my position as High Priest. I will play no part in harming the hime, or hampering her recovery. I cannot believe that you would think that I'd send your sister away just to get killed.......when all I have given you is many years of service, and friendship. I wish you pleasant dreams, Your Majesty."
Bowing deeply to Touya, Yukito straightened up, allowing the king to see the deep hurt in his eyes. Then, with a final nod of his head to Mula, Yukito swept swiftly from the room and along the corridor.
It was only once he was back in the privacy of his own chambers that he began to weep.
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Konan was waiting patiently outiside. Then seeing Yukito come out, a his eyes welled up with tears, his chest tightened. He bit his lip, restraining himself from speaking; as he watched the priest walk silently back into his room.
Yukito...
He entered the king's quarters, frowning. "Your highness.."
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"Mula is your partner now, Yukito. You will work with him to bring my sister back." "For to do otherwise will result in you losing your position as High Priest." Touya finally met Yukito's eyes, "Do you refuse?"
Touya stood, mildly shaking, hearing the words come from his mouth.....words that he never could have imagined he would say to Yukito.....words that were killing him as he spoke them...as he spoke - as if from a dream.....as if he couldn't control the feelings of anger and betrayal that he felt welling up inside him...as if under a spell......
"I choose to resign from my position as High Priest."
"I wish you pleasant dreams, Your Majesty."
And then Yukito had looked into his eyes, revealing the deep hurt Touya was causing him. The King felt an emptiness at Yuki's words......had nearly reached out a hand to stop him from leaving, wanting desperately to pull him back to him and erase that hurt....to halt the disaster that was happening right before his dark eyes........but something stopped him.....
As the High Priest walked swiftly from the room, Touya's mind flashed back to a night that now seemed so far away....when he had, for the first time, held Yuki in his arms and loved him........
Then a voice broke through his haunted memory........as Konan began to speak....
"Your highness.."
-
"your highness.." he repeated, kneeling before the king.
Then getting up, he stared hard into the kings dark eyes.
"Please forgive me for saying this, but you're taking this too far. The priest is your dearest friend...my childhood friend..why would you now trust Mula more?"
He turned towards the doorway, preparing to leave. He paused, his back facing Touya. "I would think twice... before trusting the new high priest, your majesty."
With that said, he left the room.
-
"Please forgive me for saying this, but you're taking this too far. The priest is your dearest friend...my childhood friend..why would you now trust Mula more?"
Touya blinked in confusion at Konan's words.
Why.........why would I now trust Mula more......
The King felt torn....confused......what was he doing? What was he thinking?
Would Yukito send his sister away......only for her to be hurt?
What have I done.....
And Konan's last words...
"I would think twice... before trusting the new high priest, your majesty."
Touya watched Konan walk away, then turned to speak to the man who had stood so silently by during the conversation with the High Priest. "I have to stop Yukito......" he said, running his hand through his dark hair. "I don't know what I'm doing, I fear I've made a terrible mistake.....been too harsh..."
The King slowly turned to leave the room....to find Yukito.......
-
Yukito sat at his desk, staring blankly at the scrolls laid out in front of him. The tears had stopped long ago, leaving behind only the deep ache of a pain he felt deep within him. The conversation had put a crack in his heart as surely as dropping it would have, and it hurt just to think about the angry look in his friend's....his koi's eyes.
The scrolls in front of him held spells for erasing emotions like these....ones that would harden his heart until it was icy and cold as the moon itself, protecting itself from the world he lived in. But Yukito wasn't sure if he was willing to go that far just yet....to change himself into a cynical being, to see his eyes become cold as he looked in the mirror.
To-Ya......can I really do this to myself? Have your words hurt me so? If only you could have followed me, instead of just letting me go....maybe we could have made this right.....
((OOC - anyone guess where I took inspiration for the scrolls from? Cough, cough *Yue*))
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The King walked down the halls towards the High Priest's rooms.....not knowing what he would say....not knowing what he was thinking anymore.
He felt dizzy....not right......the feelings of calmness and security that he had experienced earlier....... slipping away.
He vaguely heard footsteps behind him....but didn't turn to see if it was indeed the other mage, Mula, following after him. He couldn't be bothered with anything now......except talking to Yukito, trying to understand....why?
If only he could understand, perhaps he could forgive....
He reached out to knock on the High Priest's door, when he suddenly heard a whispering voice behind him.......
-
Mula had been surprised, to say the least, at the turn of events. He had never expected the High Priest to stand up to the King and resign so easily. He knew better than to treat it as a victory. Then that annoying bodyguard spoke up, convincing the King of his mistake. Mula couldn't let Touya go to Yukito... couldn't let them come together again, because it would ruin all his chances.
Following the King at a safe distance, he decided he would have to take his chances, even if the High Priest might sense his magic intervention. Yukito was an accomplished wizard, no doubt, but Mula had long been a secret student of the dark arts, and he hoped this could be used to his advantage.
Hidden in the dark, he began whispering, chanting forbidden words. To gain possession of Touya, he realized what he had to do. He had to steal Yukito from the King, from his heart... steal his love, and cloud the memories that they shared......... Only when Yukito was gone could Touya be his.
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Touya hesitated....hand outstretched to knock at the High Priest's door.
He slowly turned to look behind him, hearing..a whisper.....down the darkened corridor. His brow furrowed into a frown, as he suddenly wondered what he was about to do....what he had been wanting to say..
And then the whispering became louder....almost intolerable..... Touya reached his hands up to cover his ears, trying to block the voices as they whispered into his mind......into his heart.......
He betrayed you, Touya..........
Your sister is no longer in this world........
He sacrificed your only sister to have you completely as his own........
The voices swirled around the King's heart......until he felt ill with weight of them, and he turned away from Yukito's door, walking quickly back to his quarters - not noticing the one that hid in the darkness, watching......
-
In his room, Yukito slumped against the wall, fresh tears streaming down his face. Touya had been right outside....he'd sensed the king's aura, and had foolishly allowed himself to believe that perhaps Touya had come to apologise, and to 'forgive' him for sending his sister away.
But then the king had turned away, and he had heard Touya's footsteps fading, until all was silent once more outside of his door. There would be no happy ending for him tonight.....that was one thing that Yukito was sure of.
He briefly wondered what it would be like to serve the king as an ordinary wizard, instead of the High Priest. Would he still be able to see the king? Had he just given up his only chance to keep seeing Touya so regularly? Yukito went to the window and looked out, staring at the full moon that hung shining in the sky above him.
I was always associated with the Moon....not just because of the fact that my powers, unlike the other priests', seemed to stem from it........but because I was seen as cold and aloof when I first came here, because I was too shy to talk to anyone. But Touya....he wouldn't just give up and leave me alone....he helped me to open up....to meet Konan....
Oh, Touya, how can loving someone this much hurt so badly?
-
As the King walked through the corridors of the castle, his face remained calm and emotionless, not showing the inner torment, that he knew, was slowly driving him to the brink of his sanity. It had been several days since the confrontation with Yukito, since the High Priest had resigned from his position and began to work as a common castle wizard.
Several times over the last days and nights, Touya had found himself drawn to Yukito's door, but never able to actually knock or call to him, he'd turn and walk away, as if forced away by some feeling he couldn't describe, some thought....
He betrayed you Touya........
But had he? Touya didn't know. He just wanted some peace, something to take his mind off of everything else and leave him totally unfeeling....for at least a while. His mind went back to the night of the confrontation, and the other mage, Mula. How he had felt such calm when around the man. It was a mystery to Touya, one he hadn't gotten to pursue further, as he hadn't seen the other man much in the last few days either. Perhaps he was hard at work devising a plan to bring back Sakura....... Mula's words came back to him as he walked towards his rooms..
"Your Majesty has my most complete and devout loyalty, I assure you."
"I know the King would hope for even a small sign from his sister. Even if his request is impossible, as Your Majesty's subject I could not give up without trying."
"And I would not trust anyone who does."
Walking down the hall that led to his rooms, Touya caught site of a light colored robe, and slowly turning, found himself suddenly facing the former High Priest.
-
"To.....Your Majesty....." Yukito breathed, coming face to face with the ruler of both his country and his heart. He'd been retiring to his rooms for the night (he hadn't been assigned new ones yet), when he had seen the monarch up ahead. Thinking that Touya would never notice him, or turn round, he'd carried on. And now, he had no idea what to do.
How should I act? As Yukito, or as a subject? I don't know anymore.....
Bowing, Yukito glanced up at Touya through the curtain of grey hair that had fallen to obscure his eyes.
"I hope this evening finds you well." He murmured politely.
-
"I hope this evening finds you well."
The former High Priest's words hung in the air......
"Yuki..." Touya whispered, looking down at the man who had been his partner for so long. "I......" His heart caught in his chest as he really looked at Yukito for the first time in many days.....seeing the dark circles under his gentle eyes, and how his small hands shook slightly.
Touya felt sick, suddenly realizing he was the cause of this.....
This is your fault, Touya.......
He betrayed you, Touya.......
No.............
Touya angrily pushed all the voices away, impulsively taking Yuki's arm and pulling him quickly into his room, shutting the door behind them.
He then turned to face the other man, "Yuki......I....." Touya found he couldn't begin to choke out the words he wanted to say, so instead of trying, he pulled Yukito close, leaned in........and kissed him...never suspecting for a moment that they weren't alone.....
-
Yuktio gasped as Touya suddenly took his arm and pulled him into the royal chambers, unsure of what was happening. His confusion only grew as Touya shut the door behind them, causing a million memories to go through his head at once.
The first time Touya had ever kissed him......
The time he had been sick with a fever and Touya himself had looked after him......
The nights he'd spent sleeping next to the young king......
The night that they'd truly been together for the first time......
As Touya walked over to him, Yukito stared at the king, his heart beginning to beat wildly.
"Yuki......I....."
And then Yukito found himself being pulled close to Touya's broad chest, and felt Touya's soft lips covering his own. That was all it took for his worries to melt away, and he slipped his arms round Touya's neck, sighing into the kiss.
Touya.....
-
Over the past days Mula had kept to himself, working on his project deep in his basement quarters, but he was always watching. Now, he boiled with anger watching the scene that unfolded through his mirror. He thought he'd brought the King completely under his control, but apparently their attachment ran deeper than he'd suspected.
Mula glanced over at his "project" that lay on the table - a young woman's cold body, a perfect resemeblence to the princess. He turned back to the scene in the mirror, just barely restraining himself from breaking the glass in anger. This was not acceptable. He reached out with his mind, trying once more to regain his grasp.
What is this man doing in your room? This man who betrayed you completely. Sakura could be dead right now. He betrayed her, stole her from you. She is lost forever. That is unforgivable. A crime worthy of death...
-
As if nothing had changed...... Touya felt Yukito's arms going around his neck, felt his soft lips responding to his.....and inhaled Yukito's soft sigh......
Touya reached to pull Yukito to the bed.....wanting to hold him......love him..... Wanting to erase away everything he had done.
Then as quick as a breath, images came to Touya's mind, invading his imagination.
He saw Sakura's body.....cold.....gone...
And the thoughts once again invaded his mind...
Sakura could be dead right now.
He betrayed her, stole her from you.
Touya pushed the High Priest suddenly away, his hands going up to cover his ears, as the words raged once again through his mind....
-
Yukito was floating on air, his mind blissfully blank. Touya was here, Touya was kissing him just like nothing had ever torn them apart. It was the happiest he'd ever felt for weeks.
And then Touya pushed him away, hands coming up to cover his ears.
"To-Ya? To-Ya, are you alright? Are you in pain?" Yukito asked urgently, although his soft voice never rose in the slightest. He had learnt long ago that keeping calm was important when it came to dealing with a hurt Touya......he wasn't a good patient at the best of times.
Getting no response, Yukito gently touched Touya on the cheek, his brown eyes shining with concern.
"To-Ya?"
-
As the High Priest touched his cheek, the voices became louder, intolerable, and Touya pulled away....
She is lost forever.
That is unforgivable.
A crime worthy of death...
"Go........." Touya commanded, and walked from the room quickly, not able to face the High Priest's hurt confusion. Not knowing which was worse, the pain raging through his head concerning his sister.......or the pain in his heart at so coldly pushing Yukito away once again.
His hands shook uncontrollably. He loved the High Priest, this he knew, but somehow, he was now unable to touch him without the voices and images coming to his mind.......
-
"Go........."
Yuktio stared after Touya as the dark haired king walked out of the room, leaving Yukito alone in the royal chambers. One single tear dripping down his cheek, Yukito numbly left the room and headed for his own chambers, unable to believe what had just happened.
"To-Ya......why? Why did you do that to me? Let me think that I was forgiven?" Yukito whispered miserably, head bowed as he shut his door behind him. The pain within his heart hurt even worse now, and Yukito was sure that a pain this bad must mean that it was cracking.
He had been so happy when Touya had kissed him....but then Touya had pushed him away......and knowing how close he had just been to the king brought back the pain of being abandoned ten-fold. To-Ya.....what will this fighting lead us to? Can it take us to anywhere but grief and pain?
Suddenly, Yukito gave a gasp, and dropped to his knees, hands pressed to his face as another vision came to him without his control, as for the second time he saw something that he had not tried to see.
Touya....angry and screaming at him, rage flashing clearly in those dark eyes.......
Himself gesturing wildly, tears streaming down his face and falling to the stone floor beneath his feet........
Mula's satisfied face as the other wizard watched from the shadows.....
A faceless person tied to a wall and whipped.....his cries of pain echoing around the small cell.
Yukito gave a small moan, before letting his hands fall to his lap as the vision faded away, leaving only his chambers behind. Shaking, Yukito looked up and out of the window, gazing across the desert blankly.
Touya....is that where this will lead?
-
Touya stood in his study, trying to get his emotions under control.
He needed something....someone to talk to, someone to relieve him of the voices......the images.....the pain he was feeling.
The King looked out the door slowly, making sure Yukito had in fact left, not being able to face him again....not wanting to hurt him again......and called into the hall for Konan, “Konan, get Mula right away. Tell him to stop whatever he’s doing and come immediately.......tell him, the King needs him.......”
Having given his instructions, Touya sat on the bed, head in his hands......trying to stop the voices......and waited.
-
Konan, get Mula right away. Tell him to stop whatever he’s doing and come immediately.......tell him, the King needs him.....
"yes, your majesty."
Konan went towards the basement in thought. What could the king need from Mula?
Entering Mula's quarters, he looked at him sharply. "His highness is calling for you..he says he needs you."
-
"He needs you."
Those were the only three words that Mula heard. A triumphant smile crept over his face, and he didn't care that Konan saw it. The King needed him. "Well, then... I suppose I shouldn't keep him waiting."
He followed the bodyguard upstairs to the King's room. Entering, he bowed, not quite as low as usual, but enough to show a little pretense of humility. "You called, Your Majesty?"
-
The King had sat waiting, head in his hands......still seeing Sakura's cold, limp body in his mind..... still hearing the voices ringing through his ears.
Sakura could be dead right now.
He betrayed her, stole her from you.
Touya didn’t know how long he could go on like this. He wondered if perhaps losing his sister had pushed him over the edge, and he was in fact, losing his sanity.
He also had no idea what to do about it, how to put an end to it. Always before, he went to the High Priest with his troubles......and Yuki had always known what to do.
Yukito’s touch had only made the voices grow to extreme..........and he now had no one to turn to.......except the other mage.....Mula. And suddenly the man was standing before him......eyes concerned....voice deep and calming.
"You called, Your Majesty?"
Touya looked into the man’s dark eyes...searching for any sign of disloyalty or trickery, and could find none. Could only see calmness.........relief...
He studied the man's eyes, the very man he had been warned of by both Konan and Yukito, and spoke in a deep, serious voice, despite the pain that still raged in his head.
"Can I trust you, Mula?"
-
Mula could hardly keep himself from laughing at the question. The question, dear King, should not be 'can you trust me', but 'should you trust me'.And soon enough the choice will no longer be yours.
He put on a look of surprise, as if the words had shocked him. "Your Majesty has my full devotion," he assured. The truth - though it was not the same "devotion" that Touya wanted. Mula stepped forward, nearer to the King than any subject, priest or otherwise would normally dare go, and placed a hand on Touya's shoulder - comforting, soothing...controlling. "His Majesty has been through so much this past week... his sister stolen from him... betrayed by his closest of friends... of course I can understand why he must ask such a question of me."
-
The dark-haired King looked up in surprise as he felt Mula's hand rest upon his shoulder...for he was only used to one person's touch...Yukito... and he half expected the voices to explode within his mind once again - but amazingly, at the man's touch, the voices immediately ceased.
The King looked up to Mula, who stood close before him. "Arigatou, Mula," Touya whispered, his eyes shining with obvious relief and gratitude. "Thank you......."
The voices had so exhausted Touya that he was pulled into the man's comfort, resting his head against his arm....wishing for complete relief of his feelings.. and he closed his dark eyes, letting Mula's words drift through his mind..."Your Majesty has my full devotion"
Dare I trust this man I was warned of?
Dare I not trust the only one who can help me...
But as Touya rested his head against Mula's arm...eyes closed...surrendering to the comfort of his touch, the choice was slowly slipping from the King's grasp...
-
Mula smiled softly, almost maliciously, as Touya's head came to rest on his arm.... helplessly. His other hand came up to stroke a few strands of the King's dark hair, making soothing noises. "Come, my King..." he whispered softly. Leading the King of Clow by the hand as if he were a child, Mula brought him through the winding halls and stairways of the palace.... deep, down to his basement lair, dimly lit by lamplight.
Inside, Mula reached for a sheet that covered an object lain out on the table. Pulling it down, he uncovered the pale and lifeless face of Sakura. "This," he hissed in the King's ear, "is the fault of your High Priest. This is what Yukito has done."
-
"Come, my King..."
...and the King followed, letting himself be led by the mage, not wanting to break physical contact with Mula...not wanting to think. Touya followed Mula down through the winding corridors, to a part of the castle he had never seen before. And then the mage was letting go of his hand...moving away to reach for the white sheet...and Touya watched, eyes growing wide...wanting suddenly to be away from the dim, unfamiliar room...wanting to call out, command Mula not to remove the sheet that covered what he knew must lie beneath...
But as if locked in a dream, Touya couldn’t speak, couldn’t move, his heart thudding heavily in his chest...and as if in slow motion, Mula pulled the sheet away, to reveal what Touya believed to be...his sister...
"This is the fault of your High Priest. This is what Yukito has done."
Touya stood in stunned silence, his mind taking many moments to catch up with what his dark, disbelieving eyes told him lay before him. And then the King let out a wretched cry as he pushed the mage out of the way and pulled the cold...lifeless...brown-haired girl into his arms, falling to his knees and clutching the body to his chest...rocking her slowly back and forth...Sakura...as what was left of his heart froze away, leaving him with nothing but grief filled misery...
“No...no.....please...no.....” The King’s heart wrenching cries carried through the mage’s quarters, echoing through the dark, lonely depths of the castle, as he continued to clutch the girl in his arms...trying to reason with the gods to strike him down too...put him out of his pain and heartbreak...
As grief tore viscously through his soul, his mind finally gave in to his exhaustion, and as Touya’s anguished, tear-filled eyes began to close...before sliding into unconsciousness...Touya whispered, needing...begging...for the only one who could be of any comfort now.....”Mula...”
-
Mula... The king whispered his name as he sank into the wizard's arms, and the word was sweetness to Mula's ears. Murmuring sounds of comfort, he waited until Touya had fallen limp and unconscious. He had the king exactly where he wanted him.
He pried the king's fingers from her and then threw the sheet unceremoniously back over the fake princess on the table. He then called for two servants to carry Touya back to his chambers, explaining that the king had fallen ill and collapsed.
He followed them with effected concern until the King had been placed in his bed and the servants left. He then turned down the hall toward a different bedroom. It was time to put the next phase of his plan into order, and that involved eliminating the one who he had hated for so long. With a quiet smirk, Mula knocked on the door of the former High Priest.
-
Yukito tossed and turned in his bed, unable to get to sleep. He'd thought that after his little encounter with the king, grief would have left him to cry to sleep. Instead, it kept him awake, unable to keep his mind off the last kiss he'd shared with Touya...or the turbulent feelings he'd seen in those dark eyes.
Touya....there's something wrong with you, isn't there? Something more than Sakura's travelling. Oh To-Ya....what is it? Do you even know it yourself?
He was just managing to drift off, when he sat bolt upright in bed, his heart coming to his mouth as he felt a silent scream of agony uttered in Touya's voice, and cried out as a wave of pure grief and anger crashed through him. Holding his head, Yukito gave a whimper, tears beginning to flood down his cheeks.
No! The old High Priest swore to me! He said that I'd never feel emotions like this again! He placed a bond on me and Touya, to stop this ever happ....oh no, Touya.....why's our bond broken? How come I can feel these emotions that aren't mine once more?!
Hearing a knock on his door, Yukito managed to roll out of bed, quickly trying to will the feelings away, and was satisfied to find he'd managed to reduce them to a mere ache in his head. Swinging open his door, Yukito froze, staring at the person who stood there.
"Mula." He whispered.
-
Mula gave a polite smile of greeting, although it twisted into more of a smirk at seeing the ex-High Priest's puffy eyes and tear-stained face. "Yukito." He stepped inside without invitation, taking his time looking about the room.
"I thought that I should inform you that since your recent... retirement, that I - being the next wizard in rank, of course - must humbly take the position of High Priest. Of course this means that I will inherit these rooms - the High Priest's quarters.. seeing as you no longer hold the position. Oh, don't worry!" he added quickly. "I have no desire throw you out of your living quarters - I would never be that cruel. You may stay here as long as you wish. After all..." he continued, turning toward the door again. "There will be plenty of time for me to move in after your execution."
-
"There will be plenty of time for me to move in after your execution."
Yukito's head shot up, and he stared at Mula in shock, eyes widening as his vision came back to him full force and even clearer.
Touya....angry and screaming at him, rage flashing clearly in those dark eyes.......
Himself gesturing wildly, tears streaming down his face and falling to the stone floor beneath his feet........
Mula's satisfied face as the other wizard watched from the shadows.....
And tied to a wall and whipped savagely, death creeping closer to him...was Yukito himself.....his cries of pain echoing around the small cell.
"Execution?" He murmured weakly from his new position on the floor, staring up at Mula. No...only Touya can order executions, not the High Priest....only....oh no....Touya, what have you done?!
-
Mula only gave a low chuckle as he watched the other man collapse to the floor. "Yes, execution," he repeated. "You can't really believe Touya is going to show you any sympathy now. After you betrayed him? Murdered his sister?"
Mula's eyes darkened as he leaned toward Yukito, the fake smiles gone, his face reflected only pure evil. "Touya belongs to me now," he said darkly and evenly. "Everything you have stolen from me all these years I am going to take back. And there is nothing you can do to stop me."
-
Yukito choked, his mind reeling.
"Touya belongs to me now,"
"No..." He whsipered brokenly, unsure if he could take much more of this.
"No! He will never be yours, even if he doesn't love me anymore! To-Ya isn't a thing to be owned like a prize! He's a kind, caring man who should be cherished! I don't care if I am to be executed for my supposed 'murder' of his sister....because I know that one day he will realise the truth about your trickery and false reports of the hime's death, and he will have his revenge on you! And if it takes my death to do that, then fine!"
-
Mula blinked the man's reply in surprise for a moment, before his face broke into laughter. "So willing to die for your King? You're an even bigger fool than I thought. Well, don't worry. I'll make sure you're not disappointed." With another chilling laugh he turned from the room, shutting the door behind him with a slam of finality.
-
Inside the King’s room, Touya was slowly waking, and fighting consciousness... not wanting to remember the last several hours... the dimly lit room... Sakura...
When his dark eyes reluctantly opened, he found himself to be alone... emotions swirling around his heart once more, turning him cold... and dazed, he rose from the bed, finding a slow anger suddenly replacing his hurt... then rising in intensity until it engulfed him in it’s white fire.
The dark haired King of Clow walked to the shelf that held bottles of sake, and downing the first bottle, Touya suddenly turned and threw it... watching the glass shatter... as it crashed violently against the wall... Then one by one, Touya lifted the bottles... smashing them against the stone wall, viscously sending showers of glass through the room, and the echoing sound of his rage throughout the castle...
-
Carelessly tucking loose strands of hair behind his ears, Yukito strode down the corridors of the castle, his eyes still blurry with the tears that were streaming down his cheeks. People who saw him on the way gasped and stepped forward to offer assistance, but Yukito merely waved them away, not caring how bad he looked at the moment.
Now that his empathic abilities had been unsealed by him losing the bond he had cherished with Touya, he could feel the dark and agonising emotions of his king, and was determined to put an end to them. He was well aware that Touya would not want to see him, would only see the 'murderer' in him, and not the heart that still loved the dark haired man, but he pushed ahead anyway. He was unsure of how long he had left before he was dragged off for his execution.....before my vision becomes a reality as I am whipped to death.....and he wanted to help Touya before his time in this world was over.
Ignroing the startled face of Konan, who was guarding Touya's chamber door once more, Yukito pushed past him, slamming the door open and walking into Touya's room.
-
Touya turned slowly, the last bottle of sake still clutched in his right hand, and dark hair hanging sweaty over narrowed eyes... to glare at the one who would disturb him in his rage. Yuki...
In his state, he no longer saw the gentle man that he loved, perhaps the only one actually capable of saving him... He only saw the one he thought caused his beloved sister to lay cold upon that table down in the depths of the castle. And he listened to the voices that called to him... convincing him...
Murderer...
Touya ignored the smaller man standing at the door, as he drank the last bottle of sake, then turning fully around, threw it to shatter against the wall behind Yukito.
Like a warning...
-
Yukito didn't even flinch as the bottle shattered behind him, nor wince as a few small pieces of glass bounced off the stone wall to embed themselves in his neck.
Stepping forward, he gazed at Touya with his dark eyes, and said the first thing that popped into his mind.
"You shouldn't be drinking like that.....that much sake will only make you feel ill later, To.....Your Majesty." Before Touya could react angrily to his statement, Yukito had moved until he was right in front of the king, his cool, soothing hands smoothing Touya's sweaty hair out of his face and back into a facade of normalcy, biting his lip as he felt Touya's brow furrow into a scowl.
Backing off, he bowed his head and let his hand drop to his sides, closing his eyes as the raw painful emotions of Touya echoed through his mind, making him want to cry out at the thought of the one he loved suffering so.
"Your Majesty....is there anything I can do for you?"
-
As Yukito stepped forward, hand outstretched, Touya tried to take a step backwards... even in his drunken rage... fearing what he knew would happen...
For a brief moment he only felt the soft coolness of Yukito's hand resting against his forehead, Yuki... Then chaos once again overtook the King... as the voices returned...and he saw his sister's body upon the table...
"This is the fault of your High Priest. This is what Yukito has done."
"Why are you doing this to me?" Touya demanded, as he struggled to hold off the voices... trying to understand what was happening.
-
"Why are you doing this to me?"
Yukito felt the sting of tears in his eyes once again, but pushed the feeling aside, trying to step towards Touya again.
"What do you mean? I just want to help, Your Majesty......My empathic abilities have been unblocked, and I can feel your pain and anguish.....let me help you, Your Majesty." Every time he used the formal title, it felt like another stab to his already shattered heart. But he ignored the pain, not caring anymore as long as he was able to help Touya.
To-Ya....please, please just let me in. Just for one last time....
-
"let me help you, Your Majesty."
Touya felt the cold prickles of glass underneath his bare feet, as he slowly backed away from Yukito, the phantom voices gaining in volume with every step the former High Priest took towards him...
Betrayer.......
Murderer...............
"No..... Don't come near me..." He growled to the one who only wanted to help him... the only one who could truly help him... But all Touya saw was what the voices told him... what the visions demanded he see...
Suddenly shaking hard, afraid of losing control... afraid of hurting the one he somehow still loved... Touya called out to Konan, who stood outside the door, his face a mask of sadness and worry over the events taking place between his two oldest friends... "Konan! Take Yukito away immediately..." And then not knowing what to do, only that he had to get himself away from Yukito before he did something unthinkable, he added, "Ask Mula for further instructions... and then send the new High Priest to me..."
With that, Touya turned away, not noticing the bloody footprints he left on the floor as he walked into the other room to sit upon the couch... away from the scene of shattered glass and rage... only feeling his heart breaking, his head in agony...
Yuki... how could you betray me like this...
I have no one else but you now... Mula.
-
Konan! Take Yukito away immediately..Ask Mula for further instructions... and then send the new High Priest to me....
"Yes, your highness." Konan tried to conceal the shocked look on his face when he saw the bloodstains upon the floor. He led Yukito away, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Returning the crestfallen priest to his room, he gave Yukito a sad smile before leaving him to find Mula. He sighed as he walked toward Mula's quarters, bowing his head. Things are not going well at all..
Reaching Mula's room, he knocked on his door, his voice solemn. "Mula. The king wants you."
-
Yukito walked into his room as if sleepwalking, before slowly sitting down on the bed, shivering as the shock of the last events crashed in on him. Despite his visions....despite the furious rage he had felt in Touya...somehow he had harboured a distant hope that Touya would listen to him.....would allow them to be friends again, even if they could never truly be together like before.
But Mula's grip on the king was too strong, and Yukito realised that now. But I won't give up. I meant what I said to Mula. If it takes my death to open Touya's eyes to Mula's trickery and realise that the hime is still alive.....then I won't hesitate to offer it up to him.
But still....the thought terrified him. No one wished for death, not really. And even though Yukito wanted to help Touya, he was scared. The visions that he had seen were rushing ever closer to the truth, and it made Yukito wnat to run away from them. But he loved Touya to much to let this chance of freeing the dark haired man pass him by......
"Touya. My life, as it ever was....is in your hands, and your hands alone."