Ties of love and Friendship

[oni flygon]

This one's comparatively short...XP

Chapter 73: Jealousy and Love​

I gasped for air as I slumped down to the ground. I felt the cold, hard, stone floor as I continued to cough and wheeze. My hands touched the cold floor and I was on my knees. Lyn was in front of me, smiling in pleasure. Emily looked in horror behind her and Nick and Michelle were now awake. My throat hurt?I must?ve been screaming.

I clutched my chest, trying to take away from my mind, the vision that was so vivid and so realistic that it must have happened right now at this very moment.

?So how does that feel?? Lyn smirked as I felt her grab me by my collar. I was completely weakened and my feet were shaking. My fingers trembled as Lyn held me up. I looked down, feeling every bit of my energy lost.

?Gary!? Nick yelled as he struggled to break free of his chains.

I was unchained now but my whole body was weak. I tried to fight of Lyn but my arms were too heavy. I tried to yell or scream back but my throat was too sore and too tired.

?Did that finally change your mind?? Lyn taunted as she began to walk out. ?I?m sure it did?? She laughed cruelly as we passed a possessed man waiting in the entrance. Lyn faced the possessed man and motioned her head to the room where my friends were kept. She smirked as the man entered the room and closing the door behind him, which was a bookcase, disguising the room. I noticed that we were in the corridor leading to the stadium. ?Your friends will join you soon. But I?m sure it will take a while. I just hope they can stand torture?? She then let out a cruel laugh.

I tried to hesitate but she held me tightly and she was far too strong for my weakened state. Even though I couldn?t walk, Lyn forced me to take a weak step one at a time. I wanted to break free and run away immediately. I tried to move my hand and concentrate. She?s not harming my friends?no matter what.

Even though despair was within me, and all hopes of my father returning, gone, I still persisted. I squeezed my fist and tried to struggle. ?You?? I muttered. ?You?you?re not??

Lyn stopped, amazed that I was still strong enough to talk.

??Hurting my friends?? I continued as I felt my strength in my feet returning. I struggled out of her grasp and stood opposite to her. I glared at her as I struggled to stay standing, clutching my arm. ?My dad didn?t die just because I?m going to die now?? I spat out, feeling my rage build inside me.

Lyn?s shocked expression was replaced with a smirk. She chuckled as she folded her arms. ?How foolish,? She smiled. ?You have a strong will to have your strength back,?

?You?re not hurting my friends! You?re not going to kill me!? I yelled at her. The stored anger in me was about to burst.

Lyn continued to keep her smile. ?And what might you do to stop me??

There was only one thing in my mind and that?s to punch Lyn immediately. I lunged forward, while retaining my balance. I aimed my fist towards her and launched my fist. I hit as hard as I could but my punch was immediately caught.

?So you want to do things old style, eh?? She smirked. After she said those words, she immediately sent out a punch towards me.

Her fist connected to my face while she was still holding my right fist with her left arm. The impact was so powerful I heard a small pop from my right shoulder. I cried out in pain as I fell down to my knees again. I clutched my shoulder, which was sprained from the punch?s impact. She was still holding my limp arm. Next, she twisted my arm, which caused a great deal of pain to me.

?Tell me when to stop,? She mocked me as I felt her shoe hit my face. I felt her hand release mine.

My face burned as I felt the kick. Nevertheless, I?m not giving up. I tried to stand up once more, despite my current state. I spat blood on the floor and wiped my mouth with my left arm. My right hand was hurting so much as I clutched it.

I didn?t want to give up?no?even though this whole journey was in vain after all the deception?jealousy?friendship?love?I?m not letting it all fall down so easily? I finally let out a last yell as I ran up to Lyn with my left hand outstretched. I was ready to punch that smiling face.

Everything was in slow motion as I ran forward. As I launched my left fist, I could see Lyn?s hand, ready to catch it. But as she caught my hand, a loud explosion rocked the whole gym.

I fell down as Lyn recoiled back. I stood up, looking what happened. I heard a commotion of yells from the entrance. Lyn swore as she I heard the metallic clicking of a Pok?ball.

?Who did that?? She yelled as she headed towards the entrance of the gym. ?Who blew up my door??

I heard a familiar voice respond. ?There she is!? Yelled Silver.

?Flamethrower!? I heard Gold command. ?Marina, go find them!?

?Right!?

I heard another loud explosion and a loud flamethrower echoing the walls of the gym. Suddenly, I the whole gym immediately turned hot. Then, after the sound of fire was gone, the yelling continued. I heard Pok?balls flying in the air and releasing their contents. Soon, attacks were being called out.

Footsteps could be heard along the corridor. Marina?s gasping echoed in my ears as I called her name. ?Marina??

?Gary!? She yelled as she rushed towards me. The distress in her face was very evident. ?Where are Nick and the others?? She immediately asked me.

?Over there?? I pointed with my left hand to the bookcase. ?They?re behind it. Someone?s with them?? I sputtered as I tried to stand up.

Marina took out her Pok?ball and released her Meganium. As the smoke cleared, Marina commanded her attack. ?Razor leaf!? She yelled. Leaves came out from her Meganium?s petals and attacked the bookcase. The wooden bookcase collapsed and revealed the masked man, holding Nick by his shirt. Emily and Michelle were both cowering in the corner, still bound by chains.

?Body slam!? Her Meganium obeyed at once and charged the masked man and sending its huge body towards him. The man released Nick immediately, tried to capture the Meganium but failed and was crushed under Meganium?s weight. The man had fainted as Meganium retreated back.

?Nick!? Marina yelled as she went towards him immediately. He was grazed, bruised and dirty. She commanded a razor leaf attack that immediately broke the chains.

?Hey?you?re just in time?? Nick smiled as Marina hugged him tightly.

?Hey! Stop that and take these things off us!? Michelle demanded as she approached Marina.

?Oh, sorry?? Marina replied as she commanded her Meganium to break Emily and Michelle?s chains.

Loud explosions and yelling continued near the entrance. I stood up slowly and walked limply towards my friends.

?Gary!? All of them chorused.

?Aw man, I thought you were a goner!? Nick exclaimed as he released Marina and helped me up.

?Nah, I?m alright,? I smiled.

?Gary!? Emily cried as she immediately wrapped her arms around my neck. ?I thought I?m not going to see you again??

?I?m?I?m glad you?re okay, Gary?? Michelle simply smiled at me.

?I?m glad all of you guys are alright!? Marina exclaimed.

After she said those words, a loud explosion followed that shook the ground and made me almost loose my balance.

?Dad!? Marina gasped as she ran back to the entrance quickly.

All of us followed her and when we reached the entrance, Gold was holding the unconscious Lyn with one arm. She was bloody and bruised. Lyn?s fainted Pok?mon lay strewn all over the battlefield. Silver was holding Gold?s right arm to refrain him from punching her.

?Stop it, Gold! We need her alive!? Silver grunted as he held Gold?s arm.

Fury was present in Gold?s eyes. His angry glare was one thing that I?ve never seen before from him?who was always docile and seems to be cheerful like Marina. ?I don?t care!? He yelled at Silver as he kept on struggling.

?If you kill her, you won?t know where your son is!? Silver yelled.

Gold immediately unwrapped his fist. He dropped Lyn to the floor and quickly broke off from Silver?s hand. He looked all around us with a weak smile. Marina ran to her father and hugged him, who embraced her back.

?We?ll keep her until she wakes up,? Silver muttered to Gold as he walked to us. ?Are you all alright?? He asked as he stopped in front of us.

I nodded weakly as Emily quickly ran up to her father and threw her arms around him quickly. Silver kneeled down on one knee to match Emily?s height. ?That?s good to know?? He muttered when he noticed all of us nod.

?What?what?s happening here?and how did you find us?? I asked him as I stuttered.

Silver sighed. ?There were a lot of things that happened ever since that last battle with Reiji?? Silver replied. ?Pryce?he managed to escape but he was weakened?so?he had to find a host to?restore to his original form??

?Host??

??Gary?I?m sure you?ve seen it before in your visions?he?s going to need fresh blood again??

It immediately came to my mind that he needed a baby to revive himself. ?You mean?another sacrifice? But?where did he get the baby from??

Silver was silent as he looked down and then looked over at Marina and Gold. Marina was sobbing as Gold?s arms wrapped around her. Gold?s eyes were closed as he embraced her tightly. She was sobbing uncontrollably as Gold comforted her.

It then dawned inside me?the horrible, terrible truth. Reiji?s final warning?of me being obsolete and that Pryce found a new host?why Crystal was so distressed when she made the phone call? everything that had happened before will happen again?

I was in a state of shock?Pryce has kidnapped Gold and Crystal?s son, Kenta?and Pryce will attempt to do what he would have done to me unto him?

?What?s this all about?? Nick asked us. ?Why?why is everyone so quiet?? He let go of me and walked to Marina. ?Why are you crying? What?s wrong??

Marina continued to cry amidst of the destruction. Nick began to become frantic. Michelle was confused herself. I was standing alone by myself and I was numb?the events just happened all too fast for me.

As the wind blew inside the gym, I felt the world beginning to collapse at any moment. Marina?s sobs echoed across the gym and in my mind. The devastation and destruction tarnished my sight. My thoughts of the last vision were still so vivid in my mind. Everything?s just going to happen again?everything?I can just feel it inside me?

To be continued...

 

[Kenta]

Yay! They escaped!
Oh man. Gold was pissed. So that is what happened! Thats why Crystal was upset on the phone.
Evil Pryce! Beat him good Gold!
Excellent chapter Oni

 

[Suzu]

Really good chapter! That poor baby, They need to finish off Pryce soon!

 

[Fixen]

I'm still catching up from chapter 33... so I'm not going to say anything much.

Oni, compile all this and lets see how long it gets. XD

 

[Cyan Goggles]

You call that short?but still good.But isn't there a user on PC named Kenta?Just wondering.

 

[Fixen]

Yeah, well, Kenta's in the Pokemon anime. I won't be shocked to find user "Yellow" in PC. (Now why didn't I think of that when registering?)

 

[Kenta]

Yep. I registered as Kenta
Its cause he's my favorite character in the Pokemon Anime

 

[oni flygon]

No new chapters...but...as of today...I'm posting:

"Forbidden Love: Chronicles of the Pious Guardian"
PG-13 For some scenes...

Fourteen-year-old Sakaki blinked as she woke up from her sleep. She found herself in her room that one eventful day. She sat up and noticed that she was lying in a bed. She never really remembered lying in a bed. Her mind raced to events that have happened yesterday.

Her grandfather is a teacher of some sorts. Usually, her grandfather brings in handpicked kids and teaches them a secret art passed down from family to family. It?s a mystical art that ensnares a certain kind of magic. This magic is said to be dark magic but her grandfather considers it just a magic that aids people in many ways. Soon, those children grow up and become knowledgeable of that art and soon, they will teach it to their children and so forth.

Sakaki already mastered this form of magic. She didn?t realize that there was something else that arrives with this form of magic?something she didn?t know before?not even now.

Sakaki sat up with her thin blanket covering the front of her bare body. She clutched her head?it was aching ever since yesterday. She looked around the small room. There was nothing except for the bed, which was against the right corner. To the right of the bed, there was an old fashion lamp that was on top of an end table. On the right hand side of the wall was a window that was covered by a curtain. Her drawer, which was full of clothes, rested on the left wall. Finally, there was a chair right in front of the bed was a chair with all of her clothes. The room was only small since the bed must have occupied half of the whole room.

Her long hair, that reached up to her back was tangled and disheveled. She yawned as she stretched her arms. She then rubbed her eyes and lay down the bed once more. Her head still ached. Yesterday was a day of intense training. She couldn?t stand intense training. This must have been the reason for her headache. Also, it was probably hot last night. Probably the reason why she doesn?t have her clothes on.

She sighed as she looked up at the roof, her head rested on her arms. Of course she didn?t notice the door open up a bit.

?Rise and shine, Sakaki-chan!? Said a familiar voice.

?Makoto! Close the door!? Sakaki immediately screamed as she covered her body with the thin blanket.

?Whoa! Didn?t know you weren?t wearing anything!? Makoto yelled as he closed the door slowly.

?Makoto! Don?t do that again!? Sakaki yelled.

?What?s the matter here?? Yelled her brother from outside the room.

?Oh nothing?? Makoto said awkwardly. Then, door opened. ?Hey, don?t go!?

?ACK! Nii-san, no!? Sakaki yelled as she threw the chair at the door, closing it. Sakaki was getting her clothes and nothing was covering her this time.

?Sakaki, why are you wearing nothing?? Hiroki yelled from outside. ?Are you?oh gosh no!? Hiroki teased her.

?No I?m not doing what you think you think it is!? Sakaki yelled frustratingly as she wore her clothes. Those two boys?sixteen-year-old Makoto and eighteen year old Hiroki, were pretty close to Sakaki. As soon as she was finished, she opened her door to see Makoto peeking trough the keyhole while Hiroki was sitting against the wall, trying to restrain his laughter.

?Grow up!? She yelled as she kicked her cousin. ?You two are sick! I?m related to you two and you guys peeking on me??

?Sorry, sis,? Hiroki said under restraint laughter. ?I just can?t help it and all??

?You?re the one who should be ashamed, Heishiro Hiroki! You have a girlfriend and why don?t you peek at her instead of your own sister!? Her headache was getting far worse. ?And you!? Sakaki yelled to Makoto. ?Get a life!?

She stormed down the corridor muttering something about how things should be different if her parents were still alive. She tied her messy hair to a long ponytail as she made her way down to the kitchen. As she entered the kitchen, the refreshing aroma of cooked eggs and rice greeted her.

?Good morning, Sakaki-chan!? Greeted her cousin who was cooking.

?Aya-san?I just can?t stand Makoto anymore.? Sakaki grumbled as she sat down on a chair next to Aya.

?Is something bothering you, Sakaki?? She asked as she washed her hands and dried them with her apron.

?Him and Hiroki-nii. They are just so immature. They were peeking at me when I was sleeping, I betcha.? Sakaki replied frustratingly.

?Ah, yes. Last night was a pretty warm night. You?you were wearing nothing, am I correct??

Sakaki nodded and sighed. She rested her head on her hand, which was on the table.

?Boys grow up soon. Especially Hiroki. He might be immature, but he?s quite caring, especially to Miharu.?

Sakaki sighed again. ?Anyway, I?m going to meet grandfather. I don?t think I finished the training yesterday.?

?Oh wait. I think grandfather is busy. You shouldn?t bother him?? Aya said, stopping Sakaki.

?Okay then, I?m going to wait for him to get finished.? Sakaki quickly left as she made her way to where her grandfather is, to a room where her grandfather teaches his students about the science of opening Unown gates.

~*~*~*~

Sakaki slid the door to the lecture room a bit and peered inside. She could see many boys and girls her age, listening to her grandfather teach. The room was pretty big. She knows that it could contain about thirty people can sit comfortable in the room. The students were sitting down on the floor, listening attentively as her grandfather gave lectures about the values and mishaps of fully mastering an Unown gate.

Her grandfather stood on the north side of the room. Even though her grandfather is pretty old, he was still energetic and can still perform opening an Unown gate?which took enormous amounts of energy. His long, white beard cascaded down from the old man?s chin to his waist. There was still an ample amount of hair in the old man?s head. He was wearing his traditional blood red suit while teaching the kids.

Sakaki?s dark brown eyes twinkled as she peered inside. She didn?t want to be noticed since her grandfather was really overprotective of her and didn?t seem to want her to fall in love yet. She wondered why since she never really loved someone before. That was when Sakaki was still young. Somehow, her grandfather still kept it up even though she was already a teenager. Thus, her grandfather didn?t want her to show herself to any outsider. Sometimes, her grandfather doesn?t even want her to leave the house.

She gasped when she noticed that someone was already looking at her. It was a boy with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Sakaki?s heart pounded as the boy smiled. He was probably about Sakaki?s age. Sakaki blushed as the boy continued to smile at her.

?Shiroh, pay attention!? Sakaki?s grandfather scolded the boy.

?Oh, sorry, sensei.? Shiroh said as he paid attention.

?What are you looking over there??

?Nothing, sensei.? Shiroh replied.

Giggles and laughter filled the room as Shiroh said the words. Sakaki quickly turned around and ran as fast as she could.

~*~*~*~

?Aya, why doesn?t grandfather want me to fall in love?? Sakaki asked timidly to her cousin.

Aya paused for a while. She was washing the dishes when Sakaki brought up the subject during a conversation.

?Sakaki, it?s kind of a tradition. Grandfather wants you to be?well?remain what you are when you were born. It?s kinda hard to explain and all.?

?But why?? Sakaki asked. ?Why me??

Aya sighed. ?It?s a tradition in our family. You see?in grandfather?s family, the first daughter of the first born son will remain unmarried for the rest of her life?I know it?s unfair but?it?s our family??

Sakaki stared at the table as she listened to Aya?s words. ?Unmarried, huh?? Sakaki repeated. ?Then?why can?t I just love someone then not marry him??

?Sakaki?are you??

?No?? Sakaki replied all of the sudden. ?I?m just asking??

?Very well?just?obey grandfather?that?s all I can say.? Aya?s words echoed in Sakaki?s mind.

She felt something different when he saw that boy during the day. She couldn?t get the boy out of her mind. The smile lingered in her mind during the day.

~*~*~*~

?Uh?Makoto-san,?

Makoto looked around and saw a blonde fourteen-year-old standing next to him.

?Yep, waddya want?? Makoto muttered irritably.

?Makoto-san, uh?do you any girl in your family besides Aya-san who lives here??

Makoto was resting under a tree in the garden when a boy approached him.

?Yeah, why do you want ask that?? Makoto muttered as he overlooked Ecruteak city.

?I just wanted to ask for her name, Makoto-san.?

Makoto glanced at the boy. His light blonde hair rested softly on his head. His bright blue eyes were brimming with curiosity. The boy?s smile was enough to convince Makoto.

?You?re Shiroh, right?? Makoto asked the boy.

Shiroh nodded enthusiastically. ?All I want to know is the name of the girl, Makoto-san.? He told him.

?Hmm?I dunno. Let?s see. You were grandfather?s student for how long??

?For five years,? Shiroh responded.

?Five years?? Makoto repeated. ?Have you learned any other arts besides the one that you are learning currently??

Shiroh didn?t reply. Instead, he looked down and remained silent.

?Hmm?I?m guessing that?s a yes.?

?Makoto-san, to be honest, I?? Shiroh hesitated.

?Ah, won?t matter. You want to know her name right? Her name?s Heishiro Sakaki. She?s Heishiro Hiroki?s sister.? Makoto interrupted Shiroh. ?You got a liking for her??

?N?no, Makoto-san. I just wish to know her name.? Shiroh stammered.

?Sure, sure. She?s a cute girl you know. But she can?t get married.?

?Huh? Why so??

?Family traditions,? Makoto muttered as he closed his eyes and rested his head against the tree. ?Next time, don?t disturb me, okay??

?Wait, I have one last question!?

?What is it??

?How?how can I meet Sakaki-san?? Shiroh asked. His eyes were blazing with excitement.

Makoto opened his left eye. ?Are you sure you have no liking for her??

Shiroh shook his head. ?No,?

?Fine, during the afternoon, she trains on one of the gardens east from here with our grandfather.? Makoto muttered while letting out a low laugh.

?Thank you, Makoto-san!? Shiroh said as he bowed. As Shiroh left Makoto, his heart dropped. ?East Gardens? Those are forbidden for someone like me?? Shiroh cursed his luck?but to see her eyes again, he would do anything.

~*~*~*~

?Concentrate, Sakaki!? Her grandfather?s voice loomed in her mind. Sakaki focused herself as she meditated that afternoon. And that afternoon?it was burning hot. Sakaki despised the heat. At that moment, all she wanted was to swim at a cool river or something.

?Sakaki, you?re not concentrating enough,? Her grandfather told her.

Sakaki opened her eyes and she was back under the hot sun. The sun?s rays beat down on her skin as she wiped sweat from her forehead. Trees all around her surrounded her. She suggested her grandfather to meditate under the shade but her grandfather insisted to do it under the sun.

?Grandfather, I can?t concentrate in this heat!? She whined. ?I?m sorry?but?? She stood up. ?I can?t.?

?Sakaki?if you just concentrate more. I know how frustrating this is, but give it another chance.? Her grandfather persuaded her. She was sitting next to her granddaughter amidst the heat. ?Speaking of frustrations, you have been peeking at the lecture room again.?

?Grandfather, I was just??

?Silence, these excuses have been becoming absurd. Cannot you discipline your curiosity?? Her grandfather continued to scold her.

Sakaki remained silent. But then, her words broke the silence that prevailed over them. ?Grandfather?why won?t you let people meet me?? She asked.

?Sakaki, you have asked that question for many times now. I have already said it in the equal amount to what you have asked. I will not answer it anymore.? Her grandfather rose up and stormed out of the garden.

Sakaki was left alone now. She sighed as she walked to a shade nearby.? However, the heat was still unbearable. Maybe it?s because of her thick clothing. She muttered as she took off her thick black jacket and her boots. She rolled up the sleeves of her shirt as she sighed and laid her head against a tree and rested for a while. But then, she sensed someone looking at her.

She opened her eyes to a pair of familiar blue eyes. She tried to scream but Shiroh?s hand quickly covered her mouth.

?Sakaki-san. I came here just to meet you. My name is Shiroh, just Shiroh.? He whispered to her.

Sakaki remembered the name. He was the same boy who looked at her in the lecture room. She nodded and took off Shiroh?s hand.

?What are you doing here? You?re forbidden to come here!?

?Sakaki-san, I just came here to see you again. I just?wanted to see your eyes again.? Shiroh sighed as he sat next to her.

?See my?what do you mean by that?? Sakaki asked as her heart finally calmed down. ?And how did you know my name??

?Ah?it?s nothing really. Oh, and I learned your name from Makoto-san.? Shiroh said. ?I?ve never seen eyes like yours before, Sakaki-san.?

Sakaki looked at the boy with curiosity. She was confused. Of course there were a lot of dark, brown eyed people in the world but why her?

?You should leave now, you?re not suppose to be here! If my grandfather or anyone finds out??

?I know all the consequences, Sakaki-san.? Shiroh said as she stared at Sakaki. ?I?m to be expelled at the site,?

?Shiroh, that?s why I wanted you to go?!?

Shiroh smiled. ?Ah, I didn?t know that Sakaki-san would care for me,?

?Will you stop with the san parts? Just call me Sakaki!? Sakaki muttered. She was getting frustrated with the suffix being added to her name every time.

?Very well, Sakaki.? Shiroh smiled at her.

?Okay?why did you come here in the first place?? Sakaki asked him once more.

?Well, to be friends!? He exclaimed as he quickly held her hand.

Sakaki was shocked since someone she didn?t know actually touched her hand. Is this a sign of affection of some sort?

?Friends? I don?t know?grandfather doesn?t want me to talk to anyone outside of the family??

?But why? I heard it?s a family tradition but it?s absurd!? Shiroh exclaimed. ?I just wanted to be friends with someone like you?you?re eyes?it?s like they meant something to me.?

?Th?they do?? Sakaki blushed and looked down. She noticed that she wasn?t wearing her dark jacket anymore; rather, she was wearing a shirt with folded sleeves and her black pants?nothing under her clothes. And a boy she barely met was sitting beside her.

?I came here to be friends?but then?now that I see your eyes once more?I have a feeling that we?ll be more than friends?? Shiroh whispered, his hand still holding Sakaki?s.

Sakaki stared into Shiroh?s eyes. The blue eyes sparkled with more than friendship?there was something more?

Sakaki motioned forward but then stopped. ?Wait, I can?t fall in love?? Sakaki whispered. ?No, no! I?m not supposed to!?

Shiroh felt Sakaki?s hand loosen and slip away.

?I?m sorry Shiroh?but?we barely even know each other?and?you?re already in love with me?? Sakaki said while looking away.

?I wasn?t in love with you when I saw you for the first time. But now?I think I?ve changed my mind.? Shiroh replied as he felt Sakaki come close to him. ?I know you?re not supposed to fall in love, Sakaki?but?this feeling won?t go away all of the sudden.? Shiroh whispered to her ear.

Sakaki blushed as her mind raced for an answer. ?A?a kiss?it won?t hurt, will it?? She stammered to Shiroh silently.

Shiroh smiled at her. ?I know we barely even met?but?if that?s how destiny leads us?? These words echoed in Sakaki?s mind as they both moved forward together in accord. As their lips touched, they knew immediately that it?s not easy to resist love?s temptation.

At that moment, Sakaki could not feel the heat anymore; rather, she felt Shiroh?s arms wrap around her. She was caught in an embrace?resisting it remains fruitless.

As they parted, Sakaki gazed at Shiroh?s eyes. ?This is awkward?but?we really haven?t known much about each other. It?s?it?s not right?? She felt Shiroh release her.

?You?re right?maybe I should start to tell you something about myself?? Shiroh began. ?Well, to tell the truth, I?m an orphan and all?I was raised by my older sister in Violet city.? Shiroh sighed as he looked up at the tree branches up above them. ?And?when I was eight years old, my sister died when she was giving birth to a child??

? I?m sorry about that?? Sakaki said solemnly. ??Who?who was the father??

?It was some man?I don?t know his name. He took the child afterwards?and then?he abandoned me when I was nine?and?that?s where I found myself here.? But a smile returned in Shiroh?s face. ?What about yours, Sakaki??

Sakaki let out a sigh. ?Well?uh?when I was young, my grandfather was kind of?overprotective of me. Maybe it?s because it has something about my father being a first born and I?m his first daughter.? Sakaki said. ?But?when I grew up, I never knew that I had a brother. When I was four, I had a dream?about my parents getting murdered. The next year?on my birthday?they were killed by one of grandfather?s students?? Sakaki sighed as she wiped a tear from her eye.

?Oh?I?m sorry about that?? Shiroh said. ?Who killed your parents??

?A man named Reiji. He was a rogue?he learned another secret art from grandfather?s secret art?it was something about gate leaping and age manipulation?? Sakaki continued. ?But?he fled and grandfather stopped searching for him. When I was six, I found my long lost brother, Hiroki?and?that?s it I guess. I grew up here and my grandfather never let me meet anyone outside of the family?well?until now?? Sakaki smiled.

?Your life seems to be more interesting than mine!? Shiroh laughed. ?But I guess the death of your parents was more emotional than mine?since I never knew how my parents died.?

Sakaki?s smile remained. ?Shiroh?how about we meet here every time when I go on my training?? She asked.

?Really? I mean?aren?t we going to get caught??

?Nah, trust me?? Sakaki reassured him with a kiss to the cheek.

?Sakaki?? Shiroh smiled. ?I?I don?t know how to say this but?now we know each other, I can say that I love you now, huh??

?Maybe?? Sakaki teased him. ?You know?ever since that kiss?I had a weird feeling that I wanted another one??

Shiroh moved forward and gave Sakaki another kiss. Sakaki closed her eyes as she felt Shiroh?s warm lips. Sakaki treasured the kiss that lasted for a few minutes. During that time, she just wanted to be at his side for the rest of her life. She had forgotten that their love was forbidden?through tradition and through family.

?Shiroh?I?I love you?? Sakaki whispered as they both parted.

?I love you, too?Sakaki?? Shiroh replied.

They gazed at each other for a few seconds but were interrupted when a voice called out deep in the garden. ?Sakaki? Sakaki!?

 

[oni flygon]

?Hi?Hiroki!? Sakaki stammered. ?Shiroh, you must go now, quick!?

Shiroh nodded. ?I?ll be seeing you tomorrow,? Shiroh smiled as he stood up and ran out of the garden as fast as he could. At the same time, Hiroki came in to the clearing.

?Sakaki? There you are!? Hiroki exclaimed as he approached his sister.

?Nii-san! Why are you here??

?Just came in to see you. Grandfather was really furious when you refused to cooperate.? Hiroki said as he sat near his sister.

?Was he? Oh, I?m really sorry?I couldn?t concentrate when I?m in the heat, you know??

?I know. It?s all too obvious, just look at you know.? Hiroki said as he pointed the fact that Sakaki was only wearing a shirt with rolled up sleeves and loose, baggy, black pants.

Sakaki smiled guiltily. ?Well?I really wanted to cool down.?

?Sure, sure,? Hiroki muttered sarcastically. ?I know all of this tradition can make you lonely, Sakaki?especially when you?re in that period where girls start to hunt out guys??

?What??

?Oh never mind what I said.? Hiroki laughed as he placed his arm around his sister. ?You know?we should change the tradition. I really care for you and all Sakaki. And sometimes, I think that you should love someone someday.?

Sakaki gasped. Could her brother know? ?Y?yeah, I guess?? Sakaki stammered with guilt.

?Huh? ?Yeah, I guess?? Is that all?? Toshin replied as he stood up. ?Come on, Sakaki. We really need to go home now.? He then lent out his hand. Sakaki grabbed his hand as she stood up. She then picked up her black jacket and followed his brother.

?Nii-san,? She called.

?Yeah??

?If you were me, would you break the tradition? You know, fall in love?? Sakaki asked his brother as she walked near him.

?Well, it depends. It depends, Sakaki. It?s all in here.? Hiroki then pointed to Sakaki?s heart.

Sakaki smiled as she walked close to her brother.

~*~*~*~

Weeks passed. Soon, Sakaki and Shiroh were meeting each other regularly. Shiroh?s fifteenth birthday followed. Sakaki was now completely in love with the blond boy she never knew before. The same goes for Shiroh. She wanted to become friends with Sakaki?but now, it seems as if they became lovers. Sakaki didn?t mention that she loved Shiroh to no one. Not even to her brother or his cousin. Sakaki?s fifteenth birthday followed?

~*~*~*~

The next morning, Sakaki rose up feeling quite tired. She yawned as she looked around her usual room. She rolled up her sleeve and there it was. Shiroh?s tattoo still remained ever since last night. She then remembered what he said. ?No matter what, this means I love you?? She remembered from last night when she snuck out to meet him?and then?he gave her the tattoo?the tattoo that Shiroh claimed to have mysterious powers?

Sakaki sighed as she rolled down her sleeve and rose up. She was feeling quite groggy as she balanced herself. She sighed once. She must have slept at three in the early morning or something.

?Rise and shine, Sakaki-chan!? Makoto yelled from the other side of the door. ?I?m not opening it this time since you might not be wearing anything!? He teased her as he walked on.

?Don?t worry I?m all dressed up!? Sakaki sighed once more as she stood up and took out her clothes from her drawer. She unbuttoned her pajama as her head ached. ?I don?t blame Shiroh for inviting me in last night?? She thought. ?But?? She sighed as she took off her pajama. She then finally took off her pants.

She looked at herself in a small mirror on top of her drawer. She wasn?t wearing anything at the moment and her hair was untied. And?she forgot to lock her door?unfortunately, Hiroki had a good mood to greet her.

?Good morning, Sak?AH!?

?NII-SAN!? Sakaki yelled as she threw her pajama to Hiroki.

~*~*~*~

?Sorry, I?m really sorry!? Hiroki said comforting his sister. They were outside and in the east garden. ?I didn?t know you weren?t wearing anything! And Makoto said that you were dressed!?

Sakaki muttered about having privacy as she sat next to her brother.

?By the way Sakaki,? Hiroki said as he grabbed her left arm.

?Nii-san??

?What?s this?? He asked her as he rolled Sakaki?s sleeve. ?I noticed it when I went in your room.?

?It?s?it?s nothing, really!? Sakaki said as she quickly took her arm off Hiroki?s grasp. She then rolled her sleeve down.

?Sakaki?I know what that symbol means?? Hiroki whispered. ?Who is it??

?Who is who?? She replied fearfully. Her secret was about to be revealed.

?Sakaki?that mark is used?well?to not make you have it?? Toshin stammered trying to pull out the best words to describe it. Sakaki looked down and remained quiet.

?Nii-san, please don?t tell anyone!? She said all of the sudden bursting in tears. ?Please??

?Just tell me who gave you the mark first.? Hiroki said. His voice was serious. This was something that Hiroki rarely becomes.

?Shi?Shiroh?? Sakaki sobbed. ?Please don?t harm him, nii-san.?

Hiroki didn?t move as Sakaki threw her arms around him. ?Do you love him??

Sakaki nodded. Her cries made her words choke.

Hiroki smiled all of the sudden. He knew at once that his sister has grown up to be someone new? ?It?s fine then. Your secret is safe.?

?Nii-san?? Sakaki whispered, with a sigh of relief. ?Thank you!?

?It?s nothing really. If you do love him, then I guess I should let you love him. But?make sure that grandfather doesn?t know anything about this.?

Sakaki nodded.

?Lastly, it?s good to know that you?re not a girl anymore. You?ve become more than just that.? Hiroki said as he stood up. The wind blew against his tangled hair. ?But don?t overdo it??

Sakaki nodded once more, heading her brother?s warning.

?Now, I have to go. I need to talk to Miharu before I leave.? Hiroki said as he left.

Sakaki then remembered that her brother is leaving for a few days. Sakaki sighed since she was alone in the garden again. It was strange since her grandfather doesn?t seem to want to bother her anymore during her training.

~*~*~*~

?Shiroh?about last night?? Sakaki said during that afternoon.

?Oh yeah, what about it?? Shiroh replied. They were both sitting under a tree to shade themselves against the sun?s rays.

?I?I never managed to thank you about it.?

?Thank me?? Shiroh laughed. ?That?s kind of awkward?but?? Shiroh moved closer to Sakaki. ?It?s just nothing, really??

She nodded as she rested her head on Shiroh?s shoulder. ?Shiroh?one more thing?? He listened to her attentively. ?My brother knows about us?but?he promised never to tell anyone.?

?Your brother, Hiroki-san? But how did he know??

?He noticed the tattoo that you gave me last night.? She replied as she rolled up her sleeve. ?He knows what it means.? She said as she stared at it. ?But you don?t have to worry. I trust Hiroki and he promised me never to tell.?

?I see?? Shiroh said as he rolled down Sakaki?s sleeve. ?Sakaki?do you really wish to run away with me??

Sakaki nodded. ?I do?I?d leave everything just to be with you.?

Shiroh smiled and wrapped his arms around her. ?Sooner or later??

~*~*~*~

No one noticed Miharu?s disappearance that day?after a few days, Hiroki returned in search for her. But when a letter arrived from someone telling him to meet him in the forest that day, he was changed forever.

Above the forest, a huge swirling vortex appeared one late afternoon. Everyone panicked. Sakaki?s grandfather forced every one of his students to go in their homes immediately.

?What in heavens has Hiroki done?? Sakaki?s grandfather yelled as he stormed towards the forest. Sakaki followed her with Makoto and Aya by her side.

As they reached the clearing, the vortex disappeared. In the clearing, Hiroki lay in the center, holding Miharu?s lifeless body. The body that was elegant and beautiful before was now scratched and bruised. Dry blood was everywhere around her. His lips pressed onto hers.

?Hiroki-nii!? Sakaki gasped.

As Hiroki parted from their kiss, they noticed that he was crying over Miharu?s limp body. Everyone was silent?only Hiroki?s sobs were heard.

~*~*~*~

?For years I?ve hunted him, I never knew he would strike again.? Sakaki?s grandfather said solemnly as he drank tea from his cup. They were inside the kitchen now. Hiroki was outside, just buried his lover.

?Grandfather, is there a way to stop Reiji?? Makoto questioned him as he slammed his hands on the table.

?I believe no?? His grandfather sighed. ?There might be no possible ways?unless, it?s to learn the forbidden arts themselves.?

?Then why can?t we learn them then??

?Makoto, have respect for grandfather,? Aya said as she tried to hold back her cousin.

?Mastering these forbidden arts come with a price.? His grandfather said sullenly. ?I cannot risk anything more??

Sakaki listened to them argue. She was outside with her brother, Hiroki.

?Nii-san?I?m sorry about Miharu?s death.? She said solemnly. Hiroki didn?t reply. ?Hiro??

?Don?t call me that name anymore?? He said bitterly. ?I am what I was before I met Miharu?I was Toshin.?

?Nii-san?reliving the past doesn?t bring anything!?

?I control my own destiny now.? Toshin muttered. ?I keep your secret and you keep mine,?

Sakaki nodded.

?I?m going to learn the forbidden arts?then I?m going to hunt down Reiji??

?Nii-san! It?s too dangerous. We don?t know the consequences yet.?

?There are no consequences.? Toshin said all of the sudden. ?I?ve read about them. Immortality, control over age, the ability to leap through time and space??

Sakaki?s eyes widened. ?Hi?Toshin?if you wanted to gain immortality just to serve revenge, the pain will never go away.?

Toshin stood up without taking heed of Sakaki?s words. ?Just remember, Sakaki. You keep my secret, I keep yours.?

~*~*~*~

?I?m sorry for your brother?s lost?? Shiroh said solemnly. ?He loved that girl?I can see it when he walks with her every day.?

?He?s not the same on as before?? Sakaki said as she examined a second tattoo in her shoulder. It was just right below the first one. ?He?s so cold and sullen. He isn?t my brother anymore.?

?But, will he still keep his secret??

Sakaki nodded. ?He will?he?s always true to his word.? Sakaki sighed as she looked at the falling leaves. The orange and red leaves floated slowly and were crushed as they landed on Sakaki?s hand.

?Shiroh, if I ever get killed, will you avenge me?? Sakaki asked him.

?Well, I will??

?Please don?t?? Sakaki said placidly as she held Shiroh?s hand. ?I want you to know?as long as you love me, there is no need for revenge.?

Shiroh nodded. ?And when someone kills me?please forget whoever killed me?just erase the killer from your memory.? He said to her.

Sakaki smiled. ?I will?I promise.? They were about to kiss but were suddenly interrupted.

?Sakaki? And you! Boy!? It was Makoto.

?M?Makoto-san!? Shiroh exclaimed as he quickly stood up.

?What are you doing here? This place is forbidden for you.? Makoto said sternly as he looked down at his cousin. ?Sakaki?since when have you been both seeing each other??

Sakaki didn?t reply as she stood up with Shiroh. ?Do whatever you want, Makoto. If he gets expelled, I?m running away with him!?

Shiroh trembled. ?Sakaki??

Makoto looked at the two and sighed. ?Separating lovers isn?t my idea.? He muttered. ?Shiroh, since when have you been seeing together??

?E?ever since I asked you her name?? He stammered.

Makoto nodded. ?Does anyone else know??

?Just nii-san?? Sakaki replied quickly.

?Toshin, eh?? He muttered. ?Sit down, both of you.?

The two sat down nervously. ?I knew you two were together since I saw Sakaki sneak off into the dark two times already. I decided to follow the first time?well?? Makoto cleared his throat?

?Makoto!? Sakaki yelled. ?You didn?t?you stalker!?

?I had more than what I bargained for, you know! But don?t worry?I never followed you the second time. And that was last night.? Makoto cleared his throat again. ?But don?t worry. Breaking hundred year old traditions is one of my rules.? Makoto smiled. ?Your secret?s safe with me.?

Sakaki?s heart leapt the moment Makoto said the words. ?Really??

?Yep, keeping it as ever.? Makoto said.

?Thank you, Makoto-san,? Shiroh said as he bowed in front of him.

?Hey, no need to bow. I need some answers though. I have a few questions that seems to loom in my mind when your deed was finished.? Makoto smirked.

~*~*~*~

It was fall and Sakaki still continued her training.

?Sakaki, I?ve noticed that you?re becoming less serious every time,? Her grandfather said as she meditated with him one night.

?What do you mean, grandfather?? She asked. ?I always try my best!?

?No, it?s not that?you mind is clouded. You?re always thinking of something rather than concentrating on one thing.? He said as he stood up. ?The heat is gone, why can?t you still concentrate??

?Grandfather, just give me time. I will improve!? Sakaki pleaded.

?You had enough second chances. There is something different now?? His grandfather left the room.

Sakaki was already accustomed to being left alone now. She was alone in the room, sitting on the floor. She breathed slowly as she closed her eyes. It?s true?she couldn?t get Shiroh out of her mind. She wanted day to break out so that she would see him again. See him?the boy she loved so dearly.

?I see you could not concentrate, Sakaki-chan.? Aya said as she entered the room. ?Is there something bothering you??

?No, nothing.? Sakaki replied. ?There?s nothing.?

?I could feel uneasiness in your heart. Is it because Hiroki has changed??

?I guess?maybe that?s why?? She replied while looking down guiltily.

?I don?t think so,? Said Aya as she sat next to Sakaki. ?Your heart is much fuller than it was before. A lover, eh??

?Aya-san! You know I?m forbidden to love someone!?

?I was right. You do love someone.? Aya giggled as she examined Sakaki closely. ?You would sigh or wish you love someone whenever I say those words.?

Sakaki blushed as she recoiled.

?So?who is it, Sakaki? I promise I won?t tell grandfather.?

?Aya-san, I don?t want more people to know about this!?

?So other people know your secret, eh?? Aya said maliciously. She then sighed. ?I can?t believe you?ve grown up already Sakaki-chan. We should throw away this tradition. It?s getting sickening.?

~*~*~*~

Sakaki opened her eyes. She was very tired this morning. Her whole body was groggy. She sat up as she rubbed her head and felt terrible. She sighed as she remembered last night. She must have fainted while taking a bath last night. She looked at her left arm?unmistakably, the third tattoo was there. She sighed as she let herself fall on her bed and wondered how she ended up back in her room. Then, there was a knock on the door.

?Who is it?? She asked groggily.

?Your brother,?

She didn?t respond.

?I?m taking that as a yes,? Toshin said as he entered the room. Sakaki sighed as her brother entered the room. ?What?s the matter?? He asked as he closed the door.

Sakaki shook her head as she sat up again. ?Nothing,? She sighed. ?What are you doing here??

?I just came in to see you. Just because I changed my name doesn?t mean I liked it?? Toshin replied as he sat next to her.

?Nii-san?? She whispered as she leaned her head on him. ?I?m so tired,?

Even though Toshin was to Sakaki?s right, he immediately knew something was wrong. ?Let me see your left arm,?

Sakaki paused but then obeyed as she rolled her sleeve and then showed her arm to her brother.

??This third tattoo?did you just get it??

Sakaki nodded weakly. As she let her brother hold her since she was weak.

?Poor Sakaki?looks like you got a fever?? Toshin solemnly said while feeling her forehead.

Sakaki smiled as she fell asleep on Toshin?s arms. Toshin cradled his little sister as the morning passed.

~*~*~*~

?She?s sleeping, please give her time to rest!? Toshin said from the outside.

?I don?t care if she?s sleeping, Hiroki. Let me see her.? His grandfather insisted.

?Grandfather. You do not need to disturb her,? Toshin pleaded. ?She?s a growing girl and she really needs her rest.?

?For heaven?s sake, she?s already almost sixteen!?

Sakaki blinked as she found herself in her room. She was not tired anymore but felt a bit groggy as she stood up and tried to retain her balance. She moved her way on to the door, the voices grew louder and louder. Finally, she opened the door.

Hushed silence followed. ?Nii-san?grandfather?? She stammered as she rubbed her eyes.

?Sakaki, you?re awake,? Toshin said.

Her grandfather seemed pleased to the fact that Sakaki was awake. He remained quiet as Sakaki hugged her brother.

?Are you alright now?? Toshin asked.

?I am, nii-san. Thank you for caring for me.?

Toshin didn?t reply as he led her sister back to her room. He helped her lay down on her bed and tucked her with her covers. ?Sakaki?promise me that you would not go on your night outings anymore.?

?But nii-san?? She hesitated.

?Sakaki, this is for your own health. Look at you, you?re getting weaker and weaker every time you do so?? Toshin sighed as he sat next to her sister. ?Besides, Shiroh got almost caught if I didn?t spot him immediately this afternoon.?

Sakaki?s mind immediately went to the thought of Shiroh being captured. ?Shiroh? Where is he??

?He?s fine,? Toshin reassured her as he stroked her hair. ?He to wants to see you.?

Sakaki sighed as she closed her eyes. ?But?nii-san?I love him. I couldn?t stop visiting him during the night.?

?Three times already?isn?t that enough for you??

?It?s not?? She said as tears streamed down her eyes. ?If you could understand, Toshin.?

Toshin paused and then smiled. ?I do understand love?I have been in love,?

Sakaki breathed once more as she turned on her back and relaxed.

?I?ll be seeing you tomorrow,? Toshin said as he stood up and went outside.

Sakaki sighed once more as she thought of Shiroh. He has been so kind to her?


~*~*~*~

?You are loosing effort day by day,? Her grandfather told her one fateful day. ?I?m not sure if you?re taking this all too seriously.?

?I am, grandfather.? Sakaki replied firmly. ?I?m doing the best I could.?

His grandfather stroked his beard. ?Your mind is very clouded. It is not clear.?

Sakaki tried to clear her mind. She was in the middle of the east garden once more and her thick robes were pretty warm for this year?s summer. She stood there, blindfolded and was instructed to stop the rocks being thrown at her. So far, she never blocked a single rock when this was an easy task for her before.

?Enough,? Her grandfather said. ?This should be it for today,?

Sakaki took off her blindfold and watched her grandfather walk away from her. Sakaki was now sixteen years old. She was different now, with her hair, cut to shoulder length. Even though she had grown already, she still despised the heat. It was still morning and yet the sun beat down on her. She knew that her grandfather would want to find her during the lunch so she went back home.

She took off her black jacket, revealing a white shirt with ripped sleeves. She wiped sweat from her brow as she continued on her way back to her grandfather?s home. When she reached the house, she wore her jacket once more. She was walking near her grandfather?s room when she heard him call her.

?What is it, grandfather?? She asked as she went inside. Her grandfather stood in front of the window staring at the outside.

?Sakaki, please close the door,? he said.

Sakaki obeyed her grandfather and closed the door. She then sat down to the chair where his grandfather had pointed.

?Why did you call me, grandfather?? She asked him.

?Sakaki, please show me your left arm.? He said as he turned around and approached her.

 

[oni flygon]

Sakaki gasped as her mind raced. She didn?t know what to do. How could her grandfather have learned?

?Show me your arm,? Her grandfather said, now more threateningly.

Sakaki trembled with fear as she took off her jacket and showed her arm to him. Her grandfather examined the black tattoos?all three of them looking similar in their square shaped pattern.

?So?you have broken a hundred years of tradition?? His grandfather muttered as he released her and continued to look outside. ?Who gave you those??

?Grandfather!? Sakaki hesitated. ?Please don?t harm him. I love him!?

?It does not matter. No wonder why your mind have been so clouded. No wonder you were ?sick.?? His grandfather muttered. ?Did you not know that your own love would soon turn against us??

?What do you mean?? Sakaki asked as she trembled in fear.

?Sakaki?how na?ve. If only I could have told all of you before?? His grandfather whispered dreadfully. ?That you are a family curse! Your own existence and your own liking to your ancestors!?

?I?I do not understand?? She said, as she could not believe what she was hearing. ?It?s not true! I?m not a curse!?

?You are! When you fall in love?you, the first daughter of the first born?you shall bring down your own family!?

?No! That?s not true!? Sakaki yelled. ?I?ve loved him for two years and he has done nothing wrong!?

?It does not matter! When the time comes, he would destroy the whole family! Reiji has already killed almost all of our ancestry and now?this?? Her grandfather ranted as he settled down to a chair. ?Now tell me, who did you love??

Sakaki remained silent and didn?t reply.

?You are stubborn,? her grandfather muttered. ?But I do not forget the most extreme details of my life.? He stood up and questioned her once more. ?Who is it? Tell me.?

As if Sakaki was forced into telling, she could feel the words slip out from her mouth. ?Shi?Shiroh?? She stuttered. At that moment, she could not restrain her tears anymore as she ran out of the room and to her own room. She locked the door as she cried.

~*~*~*~

?So?you all knew and yet you never told me anything??

?Grandfather, I thought she really needed someone to love and?? Makoto pleaded.

?Silence! Answer my question!? He boomed as Toshin and Makoto were forced to confront their raging grandfather.

?Y?yes?? Makoto stammered.

?Yes,? Toshin said firmly.

?Were you all aware that I forbid her to love anyone??

Makoto nodded and so did Toshin.

?Bring me Shiroh, now!?

?Grandfather, I have a vow that I cannot break,? Toshin, said all of the sudden.

?So now you have betrayed the family, Hiroki? You just couldn?t do it, can you??

Toshin didn?t reply.

?Fine then. He is banished. May no one lend him a hand when he is dying. As for that girl, she not fit to be my granddaughter!?

?Grandfather?please spare Sakaki,? Makoto pleaded.

?Silence or you?re next!?

Makoto tried to argue back but was stopped by Toshin. Toshin simply nodded and walked out with Makoto.

?Are you insane? He?s banishing your sister!?

?I know that?? Toshin muttered. Tell Sakaki to leave. I?m telling the boy.

?Funny how some things do rot?? Makoto spat.

?Makoto, you?re jumping into conclusions again. You?d understand this sooner or later.? Toshin said as they stopped in front of Sakaki?s room.

?You tell her now?I?m sure she?ll be rushing to her lover??

~*~*~*~

?So now your grandfather knows,? Shiroh muttered as he packed his clothes.

Sakaki was standing in front of the door. She just burst in the room, in tears. She nodded to Shiroh?s question.

Night was already at its peek. The moon shined up above in its quartered form.

?Shiroh!? Sakaki sobbed as she threw her arms around him.

?Hey, look in the bright side?now we can live together?? Shiroh said, cheering her up.

?It?s not that?it?s just?my grandfather said that I was a curse?that I would be my family?s downfall?? She sobbed as she hugged him tightly.

?I don?t think you?re a curse?? Shiroh whispered to her ear. ?Don?t worry?we?re going to move as far as we can tomorrow?us, together!?

?Shiroh?? Sakaki whispered back. ?Why does my life have to be like this? Why??

Shiroh closed and locked the door while Sakaki was still clinging to him. ?Sakaki?just let it go?we?re free now. Wasn?t that what you wished for? We?re going to live near the ocean and we?ll be happy together.?

Sakaki tried to stop sobbing. Only her choked words were left in her throat.

?Yeah, that?s it,? Shiroh said as he caressed her cheek. He then examined Sakaki?s arm. ?That was last year, remember?? He said pointing to the first one.

Sakaki nodded and smiled.

?The first time we kissed?I knew we had something more than friendship?? Shiroh looked at her eyes, marred by her own tears. He moved forward, with his eyes closed and kissed her lips, gently and passionately.

~*~*~*~

As dawn broke out, Sakaki moved the soft blanket away from her body. Shiroh was sitting on a chair while holding a mug of coffee in one arm. The morning was silent and the two never spoke to each other. Sakaki noticed her fourth tattoo on her arm. She was the one to break all of the silence.

?I fainted again, didn?t I?? She whispered as she slowly, examining her tattoo.

Shiroh nodded with a smile. He then lifted his mug and sipped coffee from it. ?Are you in any condition to walk? Last time you were so weak??

?I know?? Sakaki interrupted him. ?Everyone was worried about me because I was sick??

Shiroh remained silent as Sakaki stood up and sat next to him. She rested her head on his chest as she clutched his shirt.

?Am I really this family?s curse?? She whispered. ?I want to move away?far, far away?I don?t want to disappoint grandfather anymore.?

Shiroh placed his arm around Sakaki as he tucked her head under his chin.

??Shiroh?let this be the last tattoo you will give me?? She guided his hand to the last tattoo?the final tattoo that Shiroh will ever give her. The last tattoo?like the others?a square shaped tattoo shaped like a serpent biting its tail. In the center, an eastern symbol lay there.

?But Sakaki, that means?? He protested but was interrupted when a knock on the door was heard. He rose up quickly and answered it. Toshin was at the doorstep looking sternly at him and at his sister who was inside. Makoto was standing outside with his grandfather.

?Child,? Sakaki?s grandfather said as he stepped in front of Toshin. ?I am sorry for my actions.?

Shiroh stepped behind so that he could talk to her grandfather directly.

?If you please, come back to the family.? He pleaded.

Sakaki stared at her grandfather and then looked down. ?I?m sorry, grandfather. I can?t return. I love Shiroh and I can?t leave him.?

Her grandfather bit his lip as Sakaki said the words. He waited for another answer from Sakaki but silence was prevailed. Her grandfather groaned and then walked away without any word.

Toshin stepped inside. ?So, Sakaki. Are you going to live a life of your own??

Sakaki sadly nodded. ?I?m going to miss you, nii-san.? She cried as she quickly hugged her brother.

?It?s okay?be the brave girl that you wanted to be. Someday we?ll all meet again.? Toshin whispered as Sakaki continued to cry. Makoto stepped inside watching the siblings hug for the last moment.

?You take care of her,? He said to Shiroh. ?Give her the reason why she loved you.?

Shiroh nodded. ?Yes, Makoto-san,?

As Sakaki and Toshin parted, Toshin quickly left the room with Makoto following him. The two were alone once more.

~*~*~*~

?So this is living out in the wild,? Sakaki whispered as she looked at the stars above. Shiroh was next to her. A blanket was over the two even though they already wore thick clothes for the cold night.

Shiroh nodded. ?I used to look at the stars all the time when I was young,?

?I see them once in a while,? Sakaki sighed. ?This world looks so familiar and yet everything is so different.?

Shiroh smiled as he placed his arm around Sakaki. ?So where do you want to live??

?Somewhere near the ocean?I?ve heard about it so much and yet I?ve never seen it before?? Sakaki sighed as she held Shiroh?s arm. ?Nii-san describes the ocean like a vast blue carpet. He said that the smell of the ocean is so sweet and refreshing and the sound is soothing.?

Shiroh nodded, as he felt closer to her. She was shivering in the cold. ?You cold?? He asked her.

Sakaki nodded. ?I always wanted to be cold when its warm?but now I don?t think I want to be cold.?

He wrapped his arms around her and felt her cold, clammy hands. He tried his best to make her warm. Soon, she was asleep within the arms of her lover.

~*~*~*~

?Shiroh?? Sakaki whispered as she woke up. She was alone in the wilderness. No sign of Shiroh. ?Shiroh?? She asked again as she tried to feel what was beside her. There was nothing.

She sat up and looked around. He wasn?t there.

?Shiroh!? She made her voice loud and clear as she stood up calling his name. Her voice echoed through the woods and she cupped her hands and called his name once more. ?Shiroh!? There was no response. ?Shiroh!? She repeated once more. Her heart pounded and she could feel beads of sweat running down her forehead. He couldn?t possibly leave her?he loves her!

?SHIROH!? She yelled, this time louder. She felt tears running down her face as she fell down to her knees. She sobbed as she gripped the grass and tore it from the ground.

But then she heard footsteps behind her. Her heart leapt. It could be him. But as she turned around, horror was there to meet her. A wide smirk was with those burning red eyes, the thick green hair and the dark robe of the rogue.

?Reiji!? Sakaki gasped as she quickly recoiled. She was powerless before this murder. ?What did you do to Shiroh? Where is he?? Sakaki demanded when he noticed Reiji?s hands were immersed in dried blood.

?Heishiro Sakaki,? Reiji whispered maniacally as he calmly approached her. ?My, my. Isn?t this a surprise finding you out here in the wild? Aren?t you supposed to be cooped up in your grandfather's cage??

?Shut up!? Sakaki yelled at him as she quickly stood up. ?Where is Shiroh??

?Shiroh? Oh you mean that boy who you?re with?? Reiji let out a mocking laugh that reverberated throughout the forest.

?Where is he?? Sakaki yelled, as her voice was getting hoarse. Her voice was cracked and choked since she couldn?t stop herself from crying.

Reiji approached Sakaki, examining her and finally, he was at her back. He held her shoulders with his hands. Sakaki tried to struggle but was immobilized with fear. Reiji let his head come close to Sakaki?s ear.

?You?ve grown quite a lot, Sakaki,? Reiji whispered as his hand traveled down to her left arm. ?These marks. They tell a story to the trained eye?? She could feel his cold, bloody hands feel her arm.

Sakaki gasped as she quickly freed herself from Reiji?s grasp. ?What do you want from me?? She yelled. ?Tell me where he is now!?

Reiji let out a low, mocking laugh. ?I want nothing from you but your cooperation. As for him,? Reiji snapped his fingers. Behind him, Shiroh walked out of the shadows with his head down. He walked eerily as he came to a sudden stop next to Reiji.

?Shiroh!? Sakaki yelled as she quickly ran up to him but stopped on her tracks when he noticed that Shiroh?s eyes were different. They weren?t the gentle blue eyes that she knew. They were red, bloodshot eyes. More like Reiji?s eyes. ?What did you do to him?? She gasped.

?Simple really,? Reiji said as he approached Sakaki. She backed out slowly as he approached her. ?Mind control is one thing that I just learned. I can do it on you but for amusement?s sake, I?ll do it on him?? Sakaki felt a tree stop her tracks. She let out a cry of desperation as Reiji came closer to her. ?He?s in my power. He would not see anything or remember anything. He will not feel and he would not hesitate to do what I command him to do.? Reiji whispered as his eyes came close to Sakaki?s terrified eyes. ?And yes, I could hear what he thinks in that deep sub consciousness.?

?Please stop?? Sakaki pleaded weakly as she felt Reiji?s breath down her neck. ?Stop it!?

?In his mind?it?s all you, Sakaki. Oh, it?s like a shrine full about you. That desire to be with you, love as you might call it, present in every corner of his mind?rubbish?the cause of all weaknesses. The very thing why I made Hiroki surrender to me.? He smirked as he took pleasure on Sakaki?s terror. ?And yes?agony?he feels agony. Do you feel it? That is why we humans are weak. We feel love and pain and grief.? Hiroki stepped back and let Sakaki slump down slowly, crying.

?Please stop this! Please leave us alone?? She sobbed.

?I will not stop unless I kill the rest of your bloodline. Then, I finish you off?? He muttered as he kneeled down in front of Sakaki. He then grabbed Sakaki?s shoulder length hair and pulled her up.

She screamed in agony as he led her in front of Shiroh.

?You, do what I have told you earlier!? He yelled at the mind controlled Shiroh.

?Shiroh! Snap out of it!? Sakaki cried.

Shiroh didn?t respond to Sakaki?s pleas but just walked off.

?No! Shiroh!? Sakaki sobbed but was kicked on her back. She screamed in agony as she fell to the ground.

?It?s no use, Sakaki. It?s better to wait for him. His business wouldn?t take that long.?

Sakaki sobbed as she let despair take over her. She was now bound on her feet and on her hands. She was sitting against a tree as she waited for him. She never dared to look at Reiji who was waiting patiently for his slave to return.

?What did you make him do?? She asked him weakly, still not looking at him in the eye.

?Just wait, Sakaki. Then I?m sure you?ll know. If he doesn?t come back, I?m sure he failed his mission and he might have gotten himself killed??

?NO!? Sakaki yelled as she looked at him now, straight in the eye. ?Why are you doing this to him? He didn?t do anything to you! Why are you trying to kill us anyway??

Reiji smiled. ?Did your grandfather tell you the story why I?ve loathed your lineage??

Sakaki remained silent as she glared at him.

?Very well?your father?was my friend once. We grew up together and we always never took this entire gate harnessing too seriously. We were best of friends. Though?we loved the same woman?your mother. She never loved me but she did love your father. Didn?t you know that??

Sakaki shook her head. She continued to glare at Reiji. ?If you grew up with father, then why do you still look young??

Reiji laughed. ?Let me finish this, Sakaki,? He said. ?When they had Hiroki, I was enraged. We had an argument?yes?one very bloody argument. As always, he wins. Heishiro Shu?always the winner!? Reiji spat. ?Your grandfather banished me for that but I also kidnapped your baby brother at the same time. Everyone thought I?ve killed him but I didn?t! I actually threw him away somewhere??

?You monster! So you?re the reason why Hiroki was separated!? Sakaki yelled as she struggled to be released from her bonds.

?You look so much like your mother. But your eyes are your father?s.? Reiji sneered. ?They hunted me down. I claimed that I killed him?so they condemned me. They banished me again?but this time, they let the Unowns take care of me!?

At the same time he said the words Shiroh already arrived. It was already dusk when he arrived. His shirt was stained with blood and his emotionless face showed cuts and signs of struggle.

?Shiroh!? Sakaki yelled as she saw him. ?What happened??

?So, did you kill all of them?? Reiji asked. A pause followed. ?What?s the use of talking to this corpse?? He spat as he stood up. ?I guess he did kill all of them,? He approached Sakaki, slowly and steadily. ?Killed all of them?your cousins, your brother, your grandfather!?

?No!? Sakaki gasped. ?It?s impossible!?

?Oh yes it is!? Reiji laughed. ?My slaves gain my powers?they have no match against me!? He said as he knelled down and leaned over at Sakaki. ?What is left?is you?? He whispered sinisterly. ?The last flesh??

?No! It?s not true! They?re still alive!?

?How can they be alive when their blood is smeared all over him?? He roared at her as he pointed at Shiroh. ?Now?you?re the only one?Sakaki?the last surviving member of your lineage?? He grabbed her chin, squeezing her cheeks. ?As I said before, you look so much like your mother?except those eyes?they make my blood boil every time I look at them!? He released the crying Sakaki.

?They?they?re not?dead?? She sobbed.

?So how do I kill you?? He muttered to her. ?Do I need to dishonor you first?? Reiji laughed maliciously as Sakaki felt his breath down her neck. He felt his hands touch her body.

?Don?t touch me!? She yelled as she struggled but was grabbed immediately by Reiji. She couldn?t escape. ?NO! Shiroh! Help me! Someone! Help!? She cried in desperation.

?It?s no use! I?ve told you before!? Reiji yelled back at her as grabbed her neck. ?You struggle and you die??

 

[oni flygon]

Note: If you just entered the thread, go up to the beginning. You don't want the ending spoiled for "Forbidden Love"

?Take your hands off her!? A familiar voice said from behind them.

Reiji swore as he turned around. There stood behind him, Toshin and Makoto.

?You! I thought he killed all of you!? He spat as he kept his hand on Sakaki?s neck.

?Nii-san?? Sakaki gasped.

?He almost did?but?? Makoto muttered but trailed off.

?So he did manage to kill someone!? Reiji laughed and stood up.

?Shut up, you!? Toshin yelled. ?Sakaki, are you alright??

?Nii-san! He?s controlling him! Please don?t hurt him!? Sakaki yelled hysterically.

?We know that, so hang on tight!? Makoto blurted out but didn?t notice the possessed Shiroh was attacking them. ?Whoa!? Both of them dodged him as he lunged forward at them.

?You take him. I?ll take Reiji!? Toshin yelled to Makoto. He saw him nod and headed straight to Toshin.

?Well, well. Heishiro is this your plans for revenge?? Reiji mocked as Toshin stopped in front of him.

?Nii-san, be careful!? Sakaki pleaded as she tried to free herself from her bonds.

On the other hand, Makoto was dodging the attacks from the possessed Shiroh. ?Hey! Don?t you remember me?? Makoto yelled as Shiroh continued to attack relentlessly. ?It?s me! Makoto!?

Reiji took out a blood stained dagger from his robes. ?Remember this, Heishiro? This is the very dagger that killed her.?

Toshin glared at Reiji, as he remained silent.

?Don?t you remember it? Oh I could remember it so vividly. You two have a dirty little secret together.? Reiji sneered at him mockingly.

?SHUT UP!? Toshin shouted at him. ?Don?t you ever dare say another word!?

Reiji laughed at him. ?So it is true! She was so worried about something?and I knew it!? Reiji continued to laugh.

?Nii-san, what?s he talking about?? Sakaki pleaded as she continued to struggle.

Reiji turned around and grabbed Sakaki?s hair. She yelled in agony as Reiji raised her up and held her at knifepoint. ?Does this scene look familiar, Heishiro?? Reiji mocked as he held Sakaki?s neck in one hand and pointed his dagger at her at the same time. ?I could still remember it, of course,?

?I?m not letting you do it again,? Toshin said calmly. Behind them, Makoto was still continuing the battle. Shiroh threw punches and kicks at him but he dodged all of them.

Reiji let out another laugh and breathed down Sakaki?s neck. ?If only you two didn?t show up?then my plans would?ve been complete?? He let out another malicious laugh. He was clearly deranged. Sakaki whimpered in fear as she tried to struggle.

Before Toshin could open his mouth to reply, Makoto was kicked from behind him. The kick was so powerful; it sent him flying towards Toshin. He wasn?t able to react on time as they both collided and were sent crashing to a tree.

?Nii-san!? Sakaki yelled.

Shiroh walked to were they were with a deranged sneer.

?You have no match for my slave. It?s impossible to release him?that is unless you kill me first!? Reiji yelled as he looked at Toshin who was trying to stand up.

?Sorry there,? Makoto muttered as he stood up, too. ?Wait until I get my hands on?? He ran towards Shiroh and sent out a punch but Shiroh blocked the punch. ?What the??? He was quickly counterpunched and was sent flying to another direction where he collided with another tree. The slave looked at Toshin with a deranged smile. Toshin glared at the possessed Shiroh.

?Nii-san! Don?t hurt him, please!? Sakaki yelled desperately.

?Quiet you! Let me watch this with pleasure!? Reiji snapped.

In a blink of an eye, Shiroh immediately rushed towards Toshin and readied to punch him. Toshin jumped up, avoiding the punch. He landed right behind him and tried to kick him but was immediately blocked. Toshin swore as Shiroh grabbed his foot and punched him to the face. Toshin staggered back as he revived from the punch.

?Kill him now!? Reiji demanded.

Shiroh took out a knife hidden in his shirt. He smirked at Toshin as he brandished the knife.

?Shiroh, no!? Sakaki yelled as she continued to cry. ?Stop it! Stop it!?

Shiroh quickly ran toward Toshin with the knife in the air. Toshin smiled as Shiroh quickly stabbed him directly to the heart. Reiji let out a deranged laugh as Shiroh plunged the knife deeper down Toshin?s chest.

?NII-SAN!? Sakaki yelled. ?NO!?

?That?s right! Deeper! Deeper! DEEPER!? Reiji chanted maniacally.

But something was wrong. Toshin was still standing. Blood dripped down his bloody clothes and he was wearing a smile and his eyes were closed.

?This pain isn?t as painful when you stabbed Miharu, Reiji?? Toshin said then trailed off. ?You do realize what this means??

Shiroh withdrew his knife away from Toshin?s body. Toshin opened his eyes and faced Reiji and Sakaki.

?This is what I?ve been waiting for,? He whispered angrily as he noticed Reiji?s shocked expression.

?You! You couldn?t have learned them?you couldn?t have!? Reiji yelled.

Sakaki looked at her brother. He was still alive even though he was leaking a lot of blood. ?Nii-san, what does this mean?? She whispered as she continued to cry.

?This?? Toshin pointed to his bleeding chest. ?...Is the result of me learning the forbidden arts. I cannot be killed by physical means?and time will never wither my body?? He glared at Reiji. ?Isn?t that right? Aren?t you just like me, too??

Reiji threw an evil smile at Toshin. ?You are gifted. You learned so quickly.? He muttered. ?Yes it is true you are like me. Time cannot wither my body nor can I be killed by physical means.? He then laughed. ?But you can still feel pain!?

?I told you this isn?t as painful as the one time you?ve stabbed her!? Toshin roared as he marched towards Reiji. ?This time, my revenge is swift. Even though I can?t kill you, I?ll make you suffer for eternity. Immortality?a blessing and a curse.? He didn?t notice Shiroh running to him.

?Nii-san! Behind you!? Sakaki yelled.

Toshin turned around and received another stab to the stomach. He swore as he moved to the side, clutching his stomach.

?Creep!? Makoto yelled as he lunged from behind Reiji and punched him then grabbing his knife.

Reiji groaned in pain as he let go of Sakaki. He stumbled to the ground but then revived quickly. ?It?s my departure you?ll regret!? He yelled as he ran off into the forest.

?NO! Get him!? Toshin yelled as he ran after Reiji. But Shiroh blocked him.

?Shiroh!? Sakaki yelled as he ran in front of Toshin. ?It?s me! Don?t you remember?? She pleaded to him. Shiroh?s eyes remained red like fire. They weren?t the blue eyes that Sakaki knew. ?Shiroh!?

?Sakaki! Get out. This is dangerous!? Makoto yelled as he tried to pull Sakaki away in front of the possessed Shiroh.

?He?s possessed. There?s no possible way to release him unless we could kill Reiji?? Toshin muttered. ?Or if Reiji allows him to be released.?

?No! Let me go! I know he remembers me!? Sakaki yelled as he broke free of Makoto?s grasp and ran in front of Shiroh. ?Shiroh! Please remember me!?

Shiroh growled as he readied to stab her. His glaring red eyes glowered at Sakaki?s tearful hazel eyes.

?Shiroh?? Sakaki whispered. ?Please don?t do it?? She moved forward and kissed him on the lips.

?Sakaki!? Makoto yelled but was stopped by Toshin. ?Hey! What are you???

?Let them be. Let?s see how this turns out?? Toshin muttered to him.

As Sakaki parted, she looked at his eyes. They were the same gentle blue eyes that she knew from before?but?

?Sakaki?? Shiroh whispered. ?Please?kill?me?? He stammered as he gasped for air.

Sakaki?s joy plunged down to sorrow. ?Shiroh? Why?? She cried. ?You?re normal again but??

?I?m?no?I?m not normal?I?m still possessed?I want to die?seeing your face for the last time?I?m trying to fight off?this?possession?? Shiroh gasped as he clung to Sakaki?s arm, placing the knife in her hand. ?Hurry?before?it takes over my body again??

?NO! Shiroh, I can?t do it!? She yelled as she dropped the knife. ?I love you! I can?t kill you!?

Shiroh smiled but his eyes were turning red once more. ?Sakaki?I love you too?if you love me?kill me now?let me rest?remember your promise?forget the one who killed me?? He smiled as he kept fighting the possession off. ?Remember?forget all about the person?who killed me?promise me??

?No! Fight it off!? Sakaki yelled as she tried to raise him up. ?Shiroh!?

Toshin moved towards them and picked up the knife. He slipped it in Sakaki?s hand. ?He?s right?there?s no other way?now is your chance?? He whispered solemnly to her ear.

Tears poured down Sakaki?s eyes without end. ?Shiroh?? She cried as she thrust it up his heart.

Shiroh let out a groan of pain but then smiled at Sakaki. ?Remember your promise?Sakaki?you?re still beautiful when?? He slumped down on the ground as Sakaki let go of him. ??You?re still?beautiful?even?when you?re crying?? As the final seconds passed?Shiroh closed his eyes slowly. He let out his final breath as blood poured out from his chest.

She kneeled down, crying over his lifeless body. She sobbed as Toshin and Makoto stood behind her. Makoto bowed his head as Toshin kneeled down next to his sister and placed his hand on her shoulder.

?Shiroh?? Sakaki sobbed. ?Why does this have to happen??

~*~*~*~

?Teach me. Teach me everything?? Sakaki whispered as she looked over at Shiroh?s grave. Toshin was standing next to her.

The sun was setting over the newly dug grave. They buried him along with their family. That day, three newly dug graves were in the family cemetery. Their grandfather and Aya killed by the possessed Shiroh. The three graves were next to another old grave, dug a year ago.

?Teach you?? Toshin repeated.

?I want to forget everything. I?m not a child anymore. Teach me everything you learned.? She said as she wiped dry tears from her face.

?Was that your promise to him?? He asked as he placed his hand over her shoulder. ?To forget about the killer??

She nodded slowly and solemnly.

?You weren?t the killer,? Toshin whispered to her ear. ?You didn?t kill him.?

Sakaki closed her eyes and shook her head. More tears burst from her eyes.

?Just teach me everything you learned!? She cried.

?Vengeance won?t lead us to anywhere!? Makoto blurted out all of the sudden. He was standing behind Toshin. ?If you?re going to chase him down??

?It doesn?t matter! Even if he trapped her, too?? Toshin trailed off. ?There is no better pain that seeing a loved one dying. Are you going to simply forget about her?? Toshin yelled at Makoto.

Makoto fell silent as Toshin said the words.

?Fine, I?ll teach you?I?ll teach both of you. Just?don?t swear anything on his grave??

Sakaki looked over to her brother.

?Don?t do it?you?ll be just like me and that pain will haunt you. Just be Sakaki??

She smiled at him as Sakaki hugged her brother.

?Just be Sakaki??

Owari?

So how was that? I posted it here since it doesn't correspond to anything Pokemon...and yet it does mention somethings that are Pokemon...XD

 

[Suzu]

Forbidden Love was excellent oni! very long and sad, but excellent no the less! ^^
It tied up alot of the lose ends of the story!

 

[Fixen]

Now what happened to Red in the final chapters? Is he going to be in the final battle?

 

[oni flygon]

Don't worry. He'll be there...XD

I'm happy some guys liked Forbidden Love...XD

New chapter! Not the final one yet...

Chapter 74: The Ties of Love​

​

Red walked silently to Yellow?s morning lit room. The rays of the newly risen sun flooded down the room as the white curtains flowed with the refreshing morning breeze. The crib were baby Gary lay was silent and Yellow was sleeping soundly on her bed, hugging a pillow that was once Green?s.

He observed the room and turned his sights to Yellow. He walked to the side of the bed, slowly as he breathed deeper and deeper every second. He could hear the pulse beating in his ears as he looked down her beautiful face. The face that he loved once?the face that denied him immediately?

She was wearing her silk nightgown and her beige blanket covered up to her waist. She hugged the pillow tightly as she slept soundly, breathing softly? Red sat down the bed and continued to gaze down at her. He positioned her so that she would be facing up. She moaned in her sleep as she did?

?Green?? She moaned. ?Please?don?t??

Red?s jealousy and anger quickly spread all over his body. A desire of revenge flooded his heart. But Yellow?s sorrowful whisper calmed him down almost immediately.


?Gary!?

He moved on top of her and moved his head down to press his lips unto hers. She responded immediately, thinking that it was Green, by kissing him back in her sleep. She finally thought that he returned home as she woke up, yet her eyes were closed. She wrapped her arms around him as they continued to kiss. As she slowly opened her eyes?

?Gary, wake up!?

?She let out a scream and moved back, covering her body with the blanket.

?Red!? She screamed, waking up the baby and making him cry. ?What?what are you doing??

Red moved out of the bed and looked at Yellow then at the crying baby. Without word, he immediately exited the room.

?Red!? Yellow called his name as she leapt out of bed trying to follow him. ?Red, where are you going??

?Wake up!?

I immediately opened my eyes to see that I was in the wilderness once more. My eyes met the blue sky up above. It was morning already. I realized that I had another vision from just sleeping.

The events of yesterday all came too fast. After regaining all of our Pok?mon, we all left the gym shortly after a while, bringing Lyn with us. Silver said that he?s going to interrogate Lyn somehow and he has to find the Toshin or any of the three. Gold agreed on leading us to Mount Moon, thinking that Pryce would be there soon if his son was to be used by him.

I sat up, rubbing me aching head. I noticed that Emily woke me up. ?Emily? What is it?? I asked her. I looked around and noticed that everyone was still asleep.

?You were talking in your sleep again,? She whispered. ?You were saying something about your mom?? She looked at me directly in the eye with her silver eyes.

I rubbed my eyes and sighed. ?I?m sorry?I just get these dreams?? I began. ?I can see stuff that happened before with them?I think?? I shrugged.

She stared at me curiously as if I just said something in a different language. I just smiled back as she continued to stare at me.

?I?guess?? She whispered, as she looked down at me injured right arm. ?Is your arm still hurt?? She moved closer to me and touched my arm.

?I think?? I replied as I rolled up my sleeve. My arm was still sore and bandaged as she massaged it with her little hands. ?What are you doing??

?I?m making your arm feel better?? She replied as she looked up and smiled at me. ?This is what mommy does to my arm when I get it hurt?? She continued to massage my sore arm.

?Thanks?? I looked at her smile?and?I knew I felt different?

~*~*~*~

?So Pryce did it again?? Toshin muttered as he talked to Silver.

Silver and Toshin were talking to each other with Sakaki and Makoto behind Toshin. They had stern looks in their faces. They looked paler than usual and it seems as if they?re nervous and pressured.

Silver nodded and looked behind him. Gold was sitting on the ground against a tree with his daughter sleeping on his lap. Gold looked at Silver and Silver turned back to Toshin. ?Yes?this time, it?s Gold?s son??

Toshin paused. His long hair flowed with the wind that blew below the mountain. ??Any sign of him??

?Not right now. But?I have interrogated one of his subordinates. His last one?she?eventually killed herself?? Silver?s voice lowered as he spoke.

Toshin or his companions didn?t seem to change nor react to what Silver said. I looked around me?Emily was watching her father silently as she sat on the soft grass. Nick, after knowing all the truth decided that he should help Marina no matter what. Michelle, who first declined, changed her mind immediately and now is with us. They both sat together silently as they hear the two talking.

?Are you seriously going to let the children handle this?? Toshin muttered.

?They could help?you know. But?let?s hope that it wouldn?t happen again. Even though I invited Red with us.?

Rage erupted in me as Silver said Red?s name. I stood up quickly making me noticeable to the people who are already standing. ?Let me talk to Red when he gets here,? I muttered angrily as I clenched my fist.

Sakaki looked at his brother with a concerned look, even though he wasn?t facing her. Makoto just had his neutral look at me and Toshin?s face didn?t change. Silver looked back at me.

?So?you finally knew,? says Toshin in reply to what I said. ?Tell me, Gary. Do you consider your father to be dead??

I nodded slowly in reply. I clenched my fist as I recounted the whole truth to myself. My journey is all in vain?that?s all I know right now.

Toshin smirked as he closed his eyes. ?So?that?s what you think??

~*~*~*~

Red looked at me directly in the eye. I glared back at him with loathing and distrust. He had a fearful look in his eyes since he must have recognized the glare in my eyes?if what they say that my eyes look like my father?s?it must?ve reminded him how they looked when he glared at him with them.

?Gary?look?that was then and??

I interrupted his plea. ?I just can?t forgive you Red,? I interrupted him with my stern voice. ?You?after all this time. I was looking for my father?and you were the one who killed him??

?Gary, I can explain,?

I threw him another glare, which stopped him from talking. My fists were clenched and my teeth gritted. Emily looked at me fearfully since this was the first time she saw me angry against someone. My friends were shocked, too. On the other hand, Toshin didn?t seem to care. ?You just?made my mom?cry so much!? I was so angry I could not take out the words fully from my mouth. ?My mom?cries every night?calling my dad?you made all of this?? I felt my voice rise.

?Gary!? He held me by my shoulders. ?You don?t understand!?

?I do understand!? I yelled, releasing myself from his hands. ?You wanted my mom?just because she went for my dad, you just hated him?and you didn?t grab his hand?? I was furious. My eyes raged with fury and anger.

Red simply sighed and walked back. ?It is true?what you said?I was jealous of your father. But?then?I did want him back and I wanted to apologize to him?I?m really sorry??

I was still breathing in fury, inhaling and exhaling deeply. I continued to glare at Red even though he just paced around in front of me. After a while, he stopped and faced me. ?Gary, I?m really sorry. If you could just forgive me, I?ll feel as if your father?s forgiven me??

I still glared at him. I was still unable to speak in my anger.

?No use, Red.? Silver said from behind me. ?Even if you apologize, I?m sure Green won?t forgive you himself.?

I tore my eyes off Red and went under a tree and sat there. It was already noon and the sun?s heat just increased my anger. I let out a frustrated sigh as I looked over at Mount Moon. This was the place where my father disappeared forever from my life. I clawed the grass, picking up its blades along with the soil that was with the roots and started to rip the blades of the grass. I tried my best to hide my anger?but I couldn?t.

~*~*~*~

?Hey, hey.? Makoto insisted as he held Nick by the collar of his shirt. ?I didn?t say that you could be with us,?

?What? I?m helping Marina no matter what!? Nick yelled at Makoto as he struggled away from his grasp. ?No matter what!?

?It?s too dangerous kid. Besides, last time we did it?well?? Makoto trailed off into silence.

It was night already and the whole day dragged on slowly for me. At Red?s presence I could feel utmost anger boiling in me. I couldn?t stare him in the eye?it just made me want to punch him or kill him that instant.

The silver moon loomed on top of us. Toshin was seemingly gone along with his sister. Silver was gone for the night, too. Gold remained behind and Red insisted on staying despite the fact that Silver told him to go. Makoto?was left to baby sit.

?Hey, you guys sleep now!? Makoto smiled to us. ?Gotta sleep to grow up strong!? I looked at him, trying not to look at Red. ?No need for that long face of yours, Gary!? He teased. ?C?mon?it?s?I dunno what the heck the time it is but it?s awfully late!?

?I?m sleeping here,? I muttered as I folded my arms. I rested against the tree where I slept for hours already. I clutched my bandaged arm.

I didn?t notice that Emily was sitting next to me. She peered at my arm and asked me, ?Does it still hurt??

I shook my head. ?Nah?I?m fine??

She remained silent as Makoto started to argue with Nick and Michelle. But then, she broke her own silence. ?Gary?please don?t be mad anymore?? She whispered to me softly. ?Please?even though?you can?t find your dad anymore??

?I?m not angry because of that. I?m angry because of Red!? I growled angrily. ?He?s the one who made my mom cry after all?he?s the one??

?Please, Gary?? I felt her arms wrap around my arm. She pressed her face on my bandaged arm. ??Don?t be angry anymore??

I looked down at her and felt my anger disappear. I felt a weak smile spread on my face as I gazed down at her. She had her eyes closed as she embraced me lovingly. ?Okay??

She looked up at me happily as I whispered the word.

?I?I won?t be angry?for you??

She smiled as she let go of my hand slowly and lay her head on my shoulder. ?Thanks??

Near the fire that Makoto made, I could see Makoto making Pok?mon shadows with his hands as Nick and Michelle slept on one side. Marina was still awake and with her father. Red was looking at the shadows Makoto was making?a Pidgey?an Ariados?

I yawned as I placed my arm around Emily?I guess Emily was right all along?that I?d be more that her friend soon?but?I kept that feeling for myself for a while?I?m not going to say to her while we?re young.

To be continued...

 

[Suzu]

Aww Gary and Emily are so cute ^^ I've been wondering what Gary would do once he saw Red agen... This chapter was grate oni! ^^

 

[Kenta]

So Lyn finally kicked the bucket eh? heh
Good to see Emily and Gary get closer^^
Poor Nick, getting told to not come.
Gold and Marina staying up late worrying. I would too. :'(
Red really needs to make up for all of this. Getting yelled at a lot
Cant wait to read more :rambo:

 

[The Vince Knight]

can't wait to read more. These storys have a good feeling.

 

[oni flygon]

Chapter 75: The Scapegoat and the Sacrificial Lamb​

When I woke up, I noticed that Emily was still clinging to me. It was still dark when I woke up. The silver moon hung in the sky lazily in its quarter form and the stars were still in the dark blue sky, glittering softly. I could see dark shadows of clouds floating across the blackened sky.

The fire was put out and only a small stream of smoke came out from where was once the fire. Burning embers burned slowly as they were lifted up to the, cold, damp air. My arm was still around Emily and she was sleeping soundly and peacefully. Her shadowy outline had its arms wrapped around me.

I tried to adjust my eyes into the dark. For hours I stared and I stared into the dark. I could see six figures lying in the darkness, around the thing that was once the fire. As the hours passed by, the darkness was soon unveiled slowly. Dawn was cold and I soon felt Emily shivering even though she was asleep. The best thing I could do was to wrap my hands around her this time in order to keep her warm.

I positioned myself so that I would be facing her and I made her close to me. I felt her cold hands and rubbed them so that they would be warm. I tucked her arms to her chest in order to keep them war. Then, I wrapped my arms around her.

Soon, she stopped shivering. As the first rays of the sun broke out at the cloudy, blue sky, Makoto was first to wake up. He sat up slowly and then stretched his arms and yawned. He rubbed his eyes and then stood up and moved towards Red and started to nudge him with his foot.

After a few seconds, Red was already awake. Next, Makoto moved away from Red who was sitting up, and started to nudge Gold. Marina was the one who woke up, actually. Her father was still asleep and she started to push him until he was awake.

I noticed Makoto walk to me. I closed my eyes and just hugged Emily tightly. I didn?t want to be disturbed right now. I?m just not in the mood to talk to anyone or move at all.

?Wake up, love birds,? Makoto muttered as he nudged me with his foot. ?Gotta wake up?? Makoto yawned again and scratched his messy, blue hair. He kneeled down on one knee in front of me and began to shake me.

I slowly let go of Emily and then just moved away from her and faced him, rubbing my eyes pretending that I just woke up. ?Alright, alright, already,? I muttered as I pushed his hand away.

I heard Makoto mutter as he stood up and walked to Nick and Michelle next. I looked over to Emily and she was still asleep. I stood up, stretching my arms and sniffed the fresh morning breeze.

?Gary?? I heard a low whisper from behind me. Emily whispered my name again softly. I sat down next to her. She was awake and her eyes were barely open. She had a small smile in her face as she looked back at me. ?Gary?? She held my hand weakly.

I smiled back at her. ?Good morning,? I greeted her. ?It?s time to get up, Emily,?

Her smile widened and I could feel her hand hold mine tightly. ?Thank you??

~*~*~*~

Everyone was silent during the whole day. It?s as if we were all mute or I?m deaf. Everyone was silent except for one?or?I?m deaf to everyone except one?Makoto?

?Bored, bored, bored. Isn?t everyone bored?? He sang in a lazy tone. ?I?m sure everyone?s bored. Where could those three be? I?m bored??

He was singing lazily ever since morning. I was starting to get irritated?especially everyone else.

?Shut up, already!? Nick yelled as he stormed towards Makoto. ?Can?t you see we?re already sick of this??

Makoto was silent when Nick started shouting at him.

?I don?t care if you?re bored. I don?t care!? Nick shouted at him.

?Nick?? Michelle began. ?Stop yelling!?

Anger between the siblings erupted again. I simply ignored them even though their quarrel started to give me a headache. The familiar scene of both of them quarreling wasn?t an odd sight for me. I?ve grown accustomed from all the days and nights they?ve quarreled. But?this was the first quarrel between the two in days.

As Nick finally calmed down, he walked away from Michelle furiously and sat down on one side of the camp. Michelle sat down to where she was right now, ignoring Nick. Gold looked at the two curiously and asked his daughter if the two act like that always. Marina nodded her head solemnly.

Finally, Makoto sighed and stood up and paced around the camp. I noticed that Red was staring off into the distance just east from the camp. Emily was sleeping soundly just a few feet away from me. The sun was directly above us but the clouds blocked the sun?s warm rays. I felt the cold wing blow to the back of my neck and sent shivers down my spine.

My eyelids felt heavy as I tried to stay awake that one afternoon. Soon, I found out that I dozed off. But then, a sudden rustle from a dry, brown bush next to me startled me awake. I recoiled as I looked around. The bush was shaking to my left. I immediately stood up while letting out a small whimper of fear.

?Gary, what is it?? I heard Makoto ask as he headed towards me. Everyone else gathered behind me as the bushes rattled violently.

?Get ready,? Gold muttered as he took out his Pok?ball.

I immediately took out mine, fumbling as I looked at the violent bush in terror. I heard the tumult of Pok?balls being taken out. Emily was awake now and she seems to be ready.

We waited for the thing in the bush to spring out at us. It might be some vile creature that Pryce sent towards us?or some demonic slave that Pryce threw down at us?well?I was wrong.

A familiar face popped out from the bush. Her pigtails waved as she shook her head in order to get the dry leaves out of her hair.

?Melissa!? Red yelled. He immediately placed his Pok?ball back in his pocket and headed towards his daughter. ?What are you doing here? Does your mother even know you?re here??

?Dad!? Melissa smiled as she sprung forward and hugged her father?s neck. ?I knew you were here!?

?Melissa!? Red scolded her as she broke away. ?You?re not supposed to be here. It?s dangerous and you should be at home! Isn?t your mother worried at all??

?Nah, she said that I could go!? She grinned at her father.

Inner conflict was evident in Red?s face. Melissa looked at us and waved at us while posing us a wide grin. ?Hey everyone!?

?Uh?hey?? I waved back at her along with my other friends.

Gold approached Red and nudged him with his elbow. ?Dad? Is that your daughter, Red?? Gold smirked.

?Uh?well?yeah?? Red replied while scratching his head guiltily.

?She?s cute?I bet it?s Misty, huh?? Gold grinned evilly as he nudged Red again.

Red replied with another mutter that sounded a lot like: ?Yeah??

?Hello,? Melissa waved at Gold. ?My name is Melissa!?

?Hi, Melissa!? Gold smiled as she patted her head. ?My name is Gold. I?m your dad?s friend.?

?Wow! No wonder there is so many people here! Are they you all your friends, dad?? She tugged her father?s hand.

?Yes, yes, Melissa. Look at you?you?re all dirty. You should clean up.? Red took off a leaf from Melissa?s head, which was clinging to her pigtail.

Behind me, I heard Makoto let out a low grunt. He then walked back to where he was sitting before and sat back down while ruffling his hair and muttering things I couldn?t understand.

?Let?s get you back, Melissa. Before you get hurt.? Red suggested as he picked up his daughter and let her ride on his shoulders.

?Dad! I want to hang out with you guys! You?re having so much fun here, right??

Makoto let out a low cough and then cleared his throat. He doesn?t seem to want any more kids hanging around anymore.

?Why don?t you let her stay for a while?? A voice was heard from behind us. I turned around quickly and noticed it was Silver. ?So that?s your daughter, eh, Red??

Red nodded. ?She needs to go home, Silver. It?s too dangerous out here?? He set her down but Melissa wanted to ride on his father?s shoulders more.

?You may be right?but we don?t know when Pryce will strike again, yet.? Toshin blurted all of the sudden. I recoiled and noticed that he was here, too, along with his sister. ?When you go home, you might have the risk of you and your daughter getting attacked.?

Inner conflict resurfaced on Red?s face.

?Dad, what are they talking about?? Melissa asked as she tugged Red?s shirt. Red simply rubbed Melissa?s head and smiled.

?Okay, you get to stay??

?Yay!? Melissa cried triumphantly as she ran towards us. ?Gary! Gary! It?s been so long, huh?? She laughed as she ran around me.

I smiled as I scratched my head. ?Yeah??

~*~*~*~

Dusk painted the sky with golden, puffy clouds. The sun was barely visible and the dark was about to envelope all of us soon. Makoto made another fire while muttering and cursing under his breath. Sakaki scolded him since she claimed that there are minors around and he was using such language.

Everyone seems to be bored at this time of the day. There wasn?t anything to do but just stare at each other or listen to Toshin?s plans. Eventually, I thought of what to do when this is all over. There isn?t anything to do at all?since?I didn?t want to travel anymore or collect badges.

As darkness surrounded us, I noticed, at the corner of my eye, Melissa who was staring at the bushes that led to infinite darkness. She stared at the darkness curiously while her father was looking at the fire, lost in thought.

I heard the wind rattle the leaves of the trees. An unusually cold wind passed. It wasn?t a cool breeze?it was a cold, frigid breeze. I shuddered as I looked around. Brown, whittled leaves flew by. I felt the mixed emotions of anger, fear, and anguish brew inside me as I looked around. But then, it went too fast.

I recognized immediately, Pryce?s strongest masked man leap out from the shadows of the night, run towards Melissa, grabbed her?and the disappeared into the darkness. Red immediately stood up, shocked, and shouted, ?Melissa!? He ran as fast as he could to the darkness.

?Red, stop!? Gold followed him. ?It?s too dark! It might be a trap!?

?I don?t care!? Red?s voice resounded in the darkness.

I stood up along with everyone but Toshin stopped us immediately. ?No,? He boomed while holding up a hand. ?Makoto, Silver and me will search for her. Sakaki, you watch over the kids.?

Sakaki nodded before I or anyone else could hesitate. Toshin, along with Silver and Makoto ran out to the darkness.

~*~*~*~

I watched the fire glow as it died down slowly. Everyone was asleep right now. It was probably in the middle of the night and yet no one has returned yet. Was it really a trap? Could they all have fallen to that trap? Question upon question flocked my mind.

?Gary,? I heard Sakaki as she moved towards me after placing a blanket on Emily. ?It?s time to sleep.?

I didn?t budge. ?Sakaki, will they be okay??

?Sure they will! I?m sure they?ll come back with her.? She let out a sigh. ?I just wish that they would be careful??

I nodded as I still stared at the fire. The orange flames leapt and then disappeared. The glow of the flame let out familiar warmth?the warmth of my mother hugging me. A sense of nostalgia wafted all over me. Later, I dozed off while still staring at the fire. I was half-asleep when I felt Sakaki place a blanket over me.

~*~*~*~

When I woke up, it was still night. Red had his head so low, I couldn?t see his face?I could only see his messy, disheveled hair. The ground below was damp, possibly from tears of desperation. Everyone from the search looked upset.

I rubbed my eyes and noticed that it was still night. I guess?they didn?t find Melissa?and that?s when I realized that the stakes have gone higher this time?

To be continued...

 

[Suzu]

Now Melissa, getting kidnaped... I feel sorry for Red and Gold.
and again Gary and Emily were cute ^^
Grate chapter oni!!

 

[Cyan Goggles]

Great catper.I'll rate better tomarrow,but right now I'm tired.night night.*flops of bed*