wishchapter41 by nat & yue 5.19.99 ========= "Put me down!" The deafening shout in his ear was accompanied by small fists pounding at his chest. Sakura ignored those minor distractions and resolutely strode forward. Only vaguely did he sense Mana and the rest following him as they made their way towards Gackt's clinic. The turmoil within his mind seemed to muffle everything else. When he thought about it, the prophecy did make sense. Could he really have expected someone as beautiful and pure as Haido to enter his life, no strings attached? Truth be told, somewhere deep inside his heart, there had even been a tiny burst of relief when all the terrible things had begun to happen to Haido. It just proved what he'd always been sure of and held on to – there was no fairness in this world. the idiotic little voice that had recently begun to make an annoying din in his head piped up. In his mind, he imagined a chibi-Sakura prancing around in the space inside his skull where his brain should have been. The SD creature stopped skipping for a while, and turned to look at him, opening his mouth to continue his lecture. Mercilessly, he mentally quashed the thing and shoved whatever thoughts that it'd tried to implant out of his head. He refused to allow himself the possibility of more crushing disappointment. Even as a pang squeezed his heart at the memory of large eyes flashing with hurt and disillusionment. he could almost hear the unvoiced cry, laced with too much regret. For a moment there, Sakura almost came to a stop, about to loosen his grip on the small body in his arms. But he steeled himself and trudged on, pushing the vision away. It was only after he had reached Gackt's clinic and put Haido down that he realised the latter had stopped protesting and struggling, a long way ago. *** Hyde sat with his legs curled up under him, staring out at the puffy white clouds in the brilliant blue sky. All of a sudden, homesickness suffused his being. Half-heartedly, he wove the colours in the light around him into little rainbows and sent them out of the window. Suddenly, he snapped his head around to see Izam and Yukihiro peeking around the door. The moment his gaze settled upon them, they had disappeared. Hyde looked away with a sigh. They had been tiptoeing around him like that for the entire past three days after they had returned from Gackt's clinic. All the way back, they had been apologising for not believing him, begging him not to be angry, but he hadn't been angry at all… Well, at first, maybe, but later… he just felt sad. True unhappiness was a foreign emotion to him, and dealing with it left him no energy to stay irritated at others. Still, the naturally mischievous part of him could still summon up a little glee at the recollection of the stunned, sheepish expressions on their faces after Kozi had declared there was no prophecy surrounding Hyde at all. The magician had been highly amused and it was evident even through the phone (Of course Kozi wasn't at Gackt's clinic, he was on vacation, and you can't expect him to materialise from wherever he is because of a false prophecy, rite? ^_~). "Your queen may have no originality in her, but at least she had enough taste to choose her plot from one of the best romance novels ever written, and not some trashy one," he'd said before hanging up. Everyone had been so relieved – even Mana had gave a slight curve of her lips which Hyde chose to interpret as a smile. Everyone, that is, except Sakura. When Hyde had turned to him, his face had been totally expressionless. They spoke not one word to each other on the way home, and ever since, Hyde was sure, Sakura was deliberately avoiding him. He just couldn't understand why. If anyone was supposed to be pissed off, it should be him, not Sakura. He had been so disappointed in Sakura when he'd refused to listen to his explanation. Leaning back against the wall, he closed his eyes, trying to forget this whole emotional mess. He heard the door creak open softly, and kept his eyes shut, feigning sleep. He felt a blanket being placed over his shoulders as Izam fussed over him, Yukihiro probably hovering behind. Their quiet whispers drifted into his ears nonetheless. "Poor Prince Hyde, he's so quiet and somber nowadays," Izam said mournfully. "I really miss his bright smile." "Do you think he's forgiven us for not believing in him?" Yuki asked anxiously. Izam shook her head. "Yuki ah Yuki, how important do you imagine you are if you really think Prince Hyde is so depressed because we didn't believe his explanation?" She sighed. "There must be other… things… on his mind." "What things?" "Aiyah, what would a blockhead like you understand about emotional stuff?" Izam replied mysteriously. "But Prince Hyde is different, he's sensitive and in touch with his feminine side – so of course he would be troubled by his feelings." "Huh?" "If that's all you can say, I shouldn't have bothered telling you anything at all!" There was a sudden minor commotion as Izam grabbed a nearby broomstick to whack Yukihiro. "Hey!" Yukihiro protested while dodging the whizzing broom. "Who says I don't know? It's definitely because of him!" "Who?" "Him lah!" Yuki had come near the window again. Opening his eyes slightly, Hyde peered through his lashes to see who Yukihiro was referring to. "Hmph, I guess even a 'dry-fish' can still have a little brains," Izam conceded grudgingly, as she glanced out of the window herself. Following her line of vision, Hyde looked out to glimpse a giant panda walking away from the apartment building. "But… Prince Hyde has to return to Ciel someday." "That's why it's so sad and romantic…" The door closed on Izam's words. Hyde sat up almost immediately, Izam's and Yuki's conversation still on his mind. He could feel the heat in his cheeks, he had no idea his emotions had been so evident. But… his shoulders drooped a little dejectedly, the same couldn't be said for that stupid panda going to work. He tilted up his head to drink in the brilliant cerulean of the sky – it reminded him so much of the colour of his mother's favourite dress. Suddenly, all Tetsu's hugs and caresses no longer seemed so smothering and restrictive. Hyde found himself longing for his mother's soft voice and her reassuring touch that would soothe away his worries when he was little. he thought, bewildered. *** "Thank you, your Majesty." "Is that all for today?" Queen Tetsu asked, as the last courtier stepped back, bowing respectfully. "Yes, You Majesty," First Guard Ken murmured softly from beside her. "Good," she replied, beginning to sound a little breathless. "Then I... I think i shall retire to my chambers..." The members of the court all froze in a stunned silence as their Queen collapsed into Ken's arms. Flustered chaos ensued. "Quiet!!" Ken's roar cut through the frantic exclamations. "Someone get the royal physician. I'm taking the Queen to her room." "How is she, Tadashi?" Ken asked, worry threading his voice. The royal physician removed his glasses as he rose from the Queen's bedside. "At the present moment, all she needs is a long, proper rest -- but even this won't help for long," he said gravely. "Why?! What's wrong with her?" Ken demanded, an anxious glance flickering in her direction. "Well..." Tadashi cleared his throat, going into 'lecture' mode. "The well-being of the Kingdom of Ciel is deeply intertwined with that of its monarch and vice versa. What affects one affects the other." "But there's nothing wrong with Ciel right now," Ken protested. "No, but we are in close proximity to the Moon Kingdom, and have forged strong ties with them. Ever since the Moon Kingdom was invaded and tainted by the Dark Power, the evil is trying to seep in and corrupt Ciel as well. As Queen, it is her Majesty's duty to prevent that from happening, so she has to draw on her reserves of energy to ward off the darkness," Tadashi concluded. "In doing so, her strength is being sapped too rapidly, and she grows weak." Ken nodded, pacing the room in frustration. "Is there anything we can do to help her?" "Of course, I'm actually quite surprised that she hasn't suggested it yet," Tadashi replied. "She has to share her burden with another. And the only other person who is a direct royal descendant is --" "Prince Hyde!" "Yes, we have to bring him back. With the Prince back in Ciel, the balance of powers will return to equilibrium." Ken paused by the bed, a hand instinctively reaching out to caress Tetsu's cheek before he remembered they weren't alone. "No wonder... Prince Hyde has to come back... Tadashi, you don't understand your Queen very well if you find it surprising that she hasn't said anything." "Lord Ken?" "It's nothing. Get Kiyoharu. Tell him I have a new mission for him." "Yes, my Lord." Tadashi quietly left. Ken sat down on a chair by the bed, gazing at Tetsu's pale face, strained even in deep slumber. Now he finally understood why Tetsu had stopped insisting Hyde return all of a sudden. He was dragged from his brooding by a knock on the door followed by Kiyoharu's entrance. "Kiyoharu, I need you to go to Earth." "Yes, Lord Ken," Kiyo answered, his heart quickening at the mention of the place. That was where _he_ was... "You are to find and deliver a message to Prince Hyde..." It was all thanks to Kiyoharu's excellent training that he actually remembered Ken's words, for the rest of him was reeling. Finally, after so many years, he would get to see _him_... *** They silently prowled along the walls of the Moon Palace, blending skilfully into the shadows so as to avoid any guards that were patrolling the palace grounds. To their surprise, they encountered no resistance at all. The deserted palace grounds boded ill as Hisashi and Teru feared for the worst: Had there been a massacre that had plundered the inhabitants? Imai was no kind master.... The sounds of the ballroom floated across the courtyard into their ears. But this was not the gentle peals of laughter of royality, but the coarse heckling of soldiers and mercenaries; not the twinkling of glasses of wine as they were passed against each other but that of mugs of beer as they were smashed against each other. Using his bionic vision, Hisashi was able to confirm, that contrary to their belief, there had been no massacre and no one was hurt. Rather Imai must have left the palace and put someone else in charge. The usually disciplined and strait-laced Dark Kingdom troops were letting it all hang out in the absence of the supreme dictator, drinking, smoking, gambling, flirting openly; Security was going to be lax... Teru lead the way to the secret dungeon where he guessed a prisoner of Queen Shinya's stature would be kept, with Hisashi following closely behind. It was hidden deep beneath the palace grounds and was only accessible via a complicated maze. Finally, they reached the entrance to the dungeon. Teru tried to unravel the door, but to no avail. "The codes have been changed since last we were here so many hundreds of years ago. Imai is not _that_ big a fool." Hisashi said calmly, and gently pushed Teru aside. In terms of combat technique, Teru was more highly-skilled, but when it came to technology, Hisashi was superior. Putting his hand on the lock, Hisashi concentrated and was able to synchronize with the complex circuitry and assimilate all its intricacies. With a soft click, the door opened for him. "Who's there? Show yourself!" The silence was pierced by Teru's command, and they both drew their weapons in anticipation of a fight. [It's... it's... me, Jiro] and Jiro walked timidly out from the shadows. [What are you doing here? You were supposed to stay in Dark Kingdom to observe the situation.] Hisashi questioned. [I... I.... was worried... about Hisashi.... oh wait, and Teru as well.] Jiro blushed a furious pink at this slip. Hisashi's even-handed tone betrayed none of the tumultous emotions that surged through him nor the quickening of his heartbeat at the golden-haired boy. On one hand, he was ridiculously happy that Jiro cared enough to follow them here; yet the cold, logical and cynical Hisashi that had developed over the years in Dark Kingdom told him that he was being silly and that Jiro could only get in the way... [Do we look like 3-year-olds to you? Takuro sent us here for a _reason_. We can handle the job perfectly _without_ you tagging along. Go back.] He replied icily, feeling at the same time, strange pain in his heart. [I...] Jiro stood there, tears brimming in his eyes. He tried to stop himself for bursting out for he knew Hisashi disliked the showing of weakness. [There's no need to be harsh. Since the boy's already here, we might as well as bring him along with us and get this over and done with. Besides Takuro can take care of himself, right Jiro?] Teru said. Jiro looked hesitantly at Hisashi, who nodded tightly and led the way in. "Thank goodness!!!" The loud motherly voice of Queen Shinya greeted them. "Hisashi, Teru, Jiro - am I glad to see you! Did you get hurt while getting here?" Worry dotted her voice. "Your majesty, thank you for your kind concern, we're fine." Teru bowed finely and proceeded to unlock the prison door. She heaved a sigh of relief. "Good, no one got hurt. I must thank Queen Tetsu soundly for this. I think she'll enjoy it very much if I bake her favourite strawberry cake for her.... " Queen Shinya mused whimpsically for a spell before snapping back into the present and adopting a serious tone: "Ice archers, please get me out of here asap. I have business to settle with Dark Kingdom..." As she said this and stepped out of the cell, no one noticed the demonic glow in Hisashi's eyes - that of the Darkness that inhabited the other kingdom. Teru turned towards Hisashi but was startled by the chilling gaze. [Is there anything wrong?] he asked. "Yes. YOU AND EVERYBODY!" XXXXXXX Hyde was weaving rainbows in his room again when he abruptly realised there was a shift in the patterns of light around him. That could only mean one thing... Before he could move, incandescent light flashed through the room, leaving in its wake a slim, lithe figure. The young man looked up, a strangely expectant glint in his eyes. "Prince Hyde?" he whispered in seeming disbelief. The door burst open as Hyde was about to reply, Izam leading the charge with her mini broomsticks. "Who is it?! Which intruder is so stupid as to sneak in when I'm here to protect Prince Hyde?? Prince Hyde, are you okay?--" She stopped short as the man turned towards her. "Oh, my!" she gasped. "It's Lord Kiyoharu!" "Who?" Hyde asked. "Lord Kiyoharu, from the Mansion of Dreams," Yukihiro explained, in the room now that he was certain it was safe. "What are you doing here, my Lord?" There was a drawn out pause as Kiyoharu gazed intensely at Hyde, as if willing him to say something. Hyde stared back in puzzlement, not understanding the sudden undercurrent of tension that had sprung up. Then Kiyoharu looked away. When he raised his eyes to Hyde's again, all Hyde could see was the subservient courtier mask. "Prince Hyde, I bring an urgent message from Lord Ken." *** Sakura shrugged out of his panda suit in relief, dumping it on the floor. He was about to proceed to his pants when Mana's voice came from behind, making him jump. "Do you know that Hyde's going back to Ciel?" Sakura stiffened, then turned around to glare at Mana. "Of course I do!" he retorted. "Is that all? I want to shower now." "And?" "And what?" "What are you going to do about it?" Sakura became very still. "I don't know what you mean." "Hmm... Really?" Mana leisurely strolled from the doorway past him to sit on his bed. "Do you know why he's going back?" "Yes, because of his mom..." "But that's not all, I think." "Huh?" "Hyde's going back because of something else as well -- he's running away," Mana remarked, as she took a mirror out of her pouch to check her makeup. "Running? From what?" "I think you should be saying from _who_." Mana returned the mirror to her pouch and shut it with a snap. She glanced up, and Sakura found himself pinned by the unusually fierce blue gaze, unable to look away. After a few moments, Mana spoke again. "How much longer are you going to igmore these feelings between you and Hyde? It's perfectly clear to all of us here, even that block of dry-fish, that Hyde's unhappy because of your behaviour." Sakura remained silent, the word battering him. "And I, for one, know that you like him too, a lot. So what's your problem? It can't possibly be because he's actually a guy -- you've never seemed to be really interested in girls anyway..." Here Sakura wanted to object but wisely kept his mouth shut when Mana shot him a _look_. "Don't make yourself out to be a tragic figure," Mana said softly, her voice laden with the bitterness of experience. "Everyone deserves a chance at happiness and love... By denying it, you're hurting more than one person." Mana stood up, preparing to leave. She was stopped by Sakura's question before he could go out. "Why are you telling me this, Mana? I thought you liked..." "I do like him, Sakura." Sakura was sure he actually saw a hint of a smile flit across her expressionless face. "He's the little brother I never knew I always wanted... And I don't want to see him get hurt." Her tone became rather ominous. "It's up to you, ultimately. Hyde's leaving with Kiyoharu tomorrow. I truly hope you make the best decision -- for the two of you." She left, her perfume and her words hanging thickly in the motionless air. XXXXXXX "Yes. YOU AND EVERYBODY!" With that he flung Teru across the room with his telekinetic powers and he was knocked unconscious. "Why? Why did we have to come back here and risk my skin to save you and Moon Kingdom? You and all of a country which has forsaken us, the Ice Archers?" "My husband never...." Shinya tried to say. "The King? On one of his freerer days he decided: 'Oh why don't we send some spys to Dark Kingdom? It would be a good idea to have some insider info.' and after the deed was done, he conveniently forgot all about us and sentenced us to a life of misery as spys." Hisashi said, his voice full of sacrasm and venom. "I never knew...." Jiro said. "Shut up! You of all people should know! The duplicity, the cold mask of indifference that we had to wear, the fear of being caught anytime and having to face a horrible death, all the feelings that we never could voice out..... " For a moment, Hisashi glanced longingly at Jiro but then reverted "And for what? A country which calls us when it needs us then casts us aside?" The Dark energy that Hisashi had suppressed for so long had emerged in full force, triggered by the land of its arch enemy and the longing that Hisashi held for a land which he had thought lost to him forever - as well as the deep-set resentment which had been exploited by the Dark energy. It was turning his grievances into outright words and action, drawing on the irrationality of its Dark Moon and threatened to overcome Hisashi completely. "Please, Hisashi, stop this. " Jiro mustered up the courage to say. "This is not you. You are being irrational - it is the Dark energy that's clouding your mind...." Oblivious to Jiro's pleads, the Dark energy engulfing him completely, he drew his bow : "Vengance shall be mine." and released it towards Queen Shinya.... ... Jiro threw himself headlong into the path of Hisashi's arrow,knowing his own arrow would not be able to deflect Hisashi, being of a weaker might. The arrow grazed his chest, but a small dose of the venom on the tip of the arrow was enough to send him into a deep sleep. "What... have I done?" The sight of his secret love strucken down by his doing was too much, and it shook Hisashi back to reality. Love was afterall,still more powerful than hate. The malovelent influence dissolved forever and was now replaced by a deep regret and worry. He rushed to Jiro's side and cradled him in his arms. "I don't know what went over me... back then... I never meant to hurt you. Oh my god... " "Let me take a look at him." Queen Shinya walked over authoritatively and took his pulse. "He'll sleep for a while but he'll be alright." "Your majesty, " Hisashi threw himself at Queen Shinya's feet. "please execute me. After I threatened to take your life and have now injured my beloved, I am too ashamed to live." "Rise, Hisashi-kum. It was the Dark energy that caused you to do all that you did. It's no genuine fault of yours. I will forgive you. Will you now assist me in regaining Moon Kingdom? Such a skill as yours should not be wasted." He came foward and put his hand on Hisashi's shoulder, cleansing and banishing all traces of the Dark energy in Hisashi, so he felt the warm glow of his motherland in him. "Yes, I will now serve whole-heartedly." Hisashi bowed gratefully. "Awaken Teru and gently carry Jiro along now, we have a lot to do." XXXXXXX "Prince Hyde, it's time," Kiyoharu said, distracting Hyde from his thoughts. Hyde gave a little sigh, then picked up the bundle he had come to Earth with. The white dress Izam had made for him was inside, no longer wearable, for now he was returning home to assume his real identity -- Hyde, Prince of Ciel. It was time to say goodbye to Haido -- and the freedom and happiness that came with the pretense of being a simple human girl. Izam and Yukihiro had left the night before, going back to Ciel through the secret passageway, but Hyde, being royalty, got to be transported back instantaneously. He had said his farewells to everyone then, together with Izam and Yuki, and asked them not to send him off, for he knew he would break down and cry if they were there. He'd learnt so many things from all of them. Countless memories he would cherish. He'd been to the edge of life and death, tasted friendship and experienced love. Yet, the keenest emotion he knew now was the sour tang of regret. For something... someone that he couldn't have, despite all his hopes. He nodded to Kiyoharu, unable to speak due to the lump in this throat. Kiyo closed his eyes and concentrated. Soon, the both of them were bathed in rainbow light. Suddenly, the door to Hyde's room slammed open. The light wavered as Kiyoharu's concentration was momentarily broken, flickering to a softer glow. "Hyde! Wait!" Sakura stepped cautiously towards them. "I have something to say to you." Hyde glanced at Kiyo in question. "I can only maintain this for another five minutes at the most," Kiyo said. "Once it's started, the spell can't stop until it's reached the end." Hyde moved to the very edge of the light. "Yes, Sakura?" He tried to keep out the hope tingeing his voice. "Hyde, I..." Sakura tried to reach through the light to touch Hyde, but an invisible force warded his hand away. Undaunted, he kept pushing at it. "I want to say I'm sorry -- for avoiding you, ignoring you, for making you unhappy... I never meant to do that, but I did anyway. And I'm truly sorry for that." He gazed intently into Hyde's large eyes, the emotions swimming in them giving him the courage to go on. "I... I didn't dare to open my heart because I couldn't... refused to believe that anyone as beautiful and wonderful as you would seriously want to be with me. But I realised I've been an obstinate asshole, now that it's too late -- Oh god! Please, don't cry..." Sakura pleaded desperately. Hyde shook his head, as if the action would deny the tears rolling down his cheeks. "And I want to tell you while I still have the chance... I fell in love with Haido a long time ago, and I didn't know what to do when I discovered you were actually Hyde. But it doesn't matter now -- I love you, whoever you are... and I'll always remember you." The light suddenly intensified, and the force field keeping Sakura out disappeared. For an instant, he felt Hyde's smooth skin underneath his palm. Then it was gone, leaving him with salty liquid on this fingertips, amidst the remnants of a rainbow. *********************************************** next.... previous... wish index... back to zealous