Four days passed since the fight with the Ottoman pirates. In those four days lives have significantly changed, some for the better, some for the worse but change in itself was inevitable. With Shuichi still recovering from his exhaustion after the fight, Eiri was beginning to wonder about his relationship with the boy. How long it would last, whether or not the Princess would accept it if she knew. Another part of his deal with the king wasn't just that he had to marry Ayaka in just over six months, lord Usami couldn't tell her about him and Shuichi. But there was something about Shuichi that neither of them knew, but for some reason Taki knew, or at least suspected. Rumor had it that Shuichi was a long lost prince of Axis that was raised by edenian commoners whether it was true or not, they would be in for a big surprise.
Shuichi, Sakano and K were all in the medical wing of the castle still being treated. K was already healed but still had to stay for further observation. Shuichi's injuries were recovering nicely and he was in a peaceful sleep. He had a long day and when he woke up, he would have a lot of questions. It sure was strange how Sakano went back to being his old self. Considering all that had happened four days ago.
~Flashback- Four days ago~
During his fight against Bison and Sakano, Shuichi had found out something very strange about the way his old friend had turned to the dark side. Well, not exactly strange but his suspicions seemed to be true. The clown was under Bison's control. As he was fighting his former friend he received a strange request.
"S-Shuichi…" he called. The pink haired teen was shocked to hear his voice. He thought for a moment that he was either dreaming or losing his mind. But it was real, it was all real.
"Sakano?" He responded. Then he stood up to see that the slave was starting to fight against the psycho power that was controlling him. Sakano, like Shuichi was covered in bloody injuries but theyweren't dealt my him, they were from his own master.
"S-Shuichi…Please…kill, me..." Sakano breathed out. The boy was completely shocked by his opponent's request. He had never killed anyone before. Except that assassin but that was practically suicide. But now someone close to him was asking him to kill him. Shuichi was not the type to kill in cold blood.
"No, I won't do that!" He said. Then he turned to find help, but was stopped by his old friends grasp. It looked like he would be in for a long fight, but not a physical one this time.
"P-Please Shu…I can't go on like this anymore, Please, kill me." He pleaded
"NO!" Shuichi exclaimed with tears falling from his face. "There has to be another way!"
"There isn't…I'm running out of time and energy…I won't be able to fight him off much longer. Shuichi, do it. Do it now!"
Now the warrior had to think about what would be worse, setting someone free by killing them, or letting them be controlled forever just to keep them alive. Sakano was his friend and he didn't want to let him down. Even if it meant doing something that he knew he would regret.
Shuichi held up his sword. Still in shock of what he was asked to do. But if it would free his friend it had to be done.
"I'm sorry." He said before slicing the man across is chest. Blood splattered all over the ground and then on to the teen's soft and delicate face; His tears now mixing with the blood of a slave. He hoped that he would never have to harm anyone else again.
End flashback
Shuichi finally woke up after remembering what he had to do to save his friend. But was in for yet another surprise. Sakano was in the medical wing lying right next to him; wrapped up in bandages and was strapped with an IV in his arm. It was shocking enough that he asked the rookie to kill him but for him to survive was an even bigger miracle. Something had to have happened to bring him back to life. Could his magic perhaps be responsible for Sakano surviving and/or being resurrected?
"Well how about that? Sleeping beauty finally woke up." A voice said. Shuichi turned to see K standing up above them.
"K, what happened, is everyone alright?" he asked.
"A lot has happened since you snuck out." K started to explain. "First Suguru's had like a million visions and then he…Kind of…died. And then Hiro went after our new friend Saiou and it turns out that he's not so bad. Oh, and the king knows about you and the prince and said that after he gets married you have to go back to edenia. Heh, quite a day eh, Shu?"
"Uh, huh?" Shuichi agreed. Then he thought about what K said about the king and a wave of embarrassment filled his mind when he thought about the fight.
Flashback
As Eiri climbed down from the castle he saw that Shuichi had woken up. Maybe the fight would be easier than he thought. He got to the ground and saw that Shuichi still hadn't moved. But he regained consciousness.
"You're an idiot." He said to the pink haired boy. He then took the injured warrior into his arms. Shuichi wasn't expecting for them to have a bond deeper than this, but it happened and there wasn't much that could be done but to embrace their new connection. The next thing he knew, they were in a deep, loving kiss. Both lord Usami and Taki were in shock to see them kiss. They couldn't believe that the prince of edenia would think about being involved with another man, and to them, Shuichi was a second class citizen. The kiss finally broke and Shuichi gave these words
"And you're a jerk." Shuichi said.
End flashback
Violet eyes widened at the discovery of what the king and his adviser might have seen. He started to wonder what would become of his relationship with the man he loves.
"Oh, shit," the teen blurted out. "So, he knows everything now."
"That's right, Shu-chan. He knows." K said. It all sank in and it wasn't a pretty thought. Everything came together in an unflattering way for them both. But little did he know, he had another problem on his hands and a secret that even he didn't know about himself.
"What should I do now? If they really know then they're probably gonna punish me for being with him. I mean I should know that being with a man is wrong! How can I be so stupid *rambles uncontrollably*"
K couldn't stand it any longer and knocked the boy upside his head with a nearby fan he was using to cool off.
"You can start by relaxing. And there is no law against two men being together or getting married. So in that sense you are not in any real trouble." K explained.
"However, because you are a novice here, you are only a small step above the peasants and he is a noble so for that reason you might be in trouble! But fear not, the king won't punish you."
But that was what made Shuichi worry the thought of what his punishment would be if he continued to see Eiri. He worried that he would damage the prince's reputation if he continued to be romantically involved with him. Sakano awoke after hearing their conversation. He then realized how much the rookie changed since their journey began. Deciding that now wasn't the time to say anything, he went back to sleep. K stepped out of the room and thought about what happened.
'I never thought that I'd be back in here. Considering the fact that I was supposed to be killed if I ever came back, some thing about my life will never change, other's I wish would.' He pulled out a picture of a young man, at least young looking.
'I wish I didn't leave you behind, but I had no choice, I only hope that you don't hate me…Ryuichi.'
Back in their room Hiro couldn't help but wonder about what happened between him and Saiou four days ago. One minute the evil half was taunting him and the next he was showing tenderness. That really confused the sorcerer and then on top of that, he was Suguru again. Or at least gave the illusion that he was Suguru. Something seemed strange about how Saiou was, was he evil or was he simply jealous of his other half.
"There has to be a way to get him back." Hiro said to himself. "I just have to have Suguru back. But how, how do I get him back, can I get him back? I don't know what's going to happen. Can I bring myself to love Saiou?"
All of these thoughts ran through his mind as he looked at the body that belonged to his dead lover.
You may look like Suguru, and at times act like him but you're not him, and I don't know if I can accept you. But I'll try to. Hiro said. As soon as I find a way to get Suguru back, I'm locking you away; I never want you to come out again!
Eiri was in his room writing in his tables.(1) after all the craziness over the past year and all the adventures, it seemed like he had become a new person. At first he had no idea what it was like to travel, being stuck in a palace all day and not having much to do or much say in what went on was not only boring for the blond, but very annoying. Deep down he always did want an adventure and he finally got one. But after what happened almost a week ago, it could all end. Then again, the king did say that he had to marry Ayaka at the end of summer, and it was the middle of fall.
I'm not sure what will happen in the next year, but I do know, I won't be bored here that's for sure. I met some interesting people on this journey and I've gotten to be rather close to them. As annoying, loud mouthed and nosy as they can be, I have to admit, I like them. As far as the brat goes, I know how I feel about him now. I know I've never said this to or about anyone but, I think I'm in love with him. But I can't tell him. Not because I don't love him. I just don't want to cause anymore trouble for him. That tyrant is already on my ass for sleeping with him. But that won't stop me from seeing him. Then again, I'm worried about what would happen if he hurts me. After what happened with him I'm not sure if I want to take another chance like that. But I must admit, I feel like l can be I around him and his friends. And I do trust him on some level. But I'll just have to see if I can trust him completely.
As he finished writing his thoughts, he pulled out the locket he stared at before. (2)
His mother gave him that locket just before she passed away; he never let it out of his sight since. The music played as his same thoughts continued. After the music finished, he put the trinket away.
"Something tells me, we're in for more problems ahead." He said to himself. "I think those pirates attacking us were only the beginning."
End of vol. 1
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