5, November 1998, 12.06am

X zoner
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Notes: I love the darkness, an eerie feeling, yet homely, to it. So, I am writing this, of darkness. I have these dreams, too, about at night, when there are these monsters, no, not ghosts, humanoids, human-likes, but scary, killers... And I had to run away from them in order to survive. Then, there are these dreams of a vampire with a phobia of heights, which isn't good since I have to leap very high to escape from the police. ^^; And, then, there are these dreams where I could fly using mind concentrations, and these dreams, I have a lot. Really, scary too. Last time, I dreamt that I could hover, small heights, now, I climb out of my HDB flat window and hover too.. Really scary.... And very dark. Sometimes, it scares me. But, they fascinate me too.

Warnings: No lemon (but there is shounen ai)… And for those who don’t know J-rock, Hyde and Hide is two totally different people.
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It was night. The night was his home. He dwelled in it, and he loved it. It was when he can enter the dreams of people, to see their sub-consciousness wander about, to feed on the dreams or nightmares. He saw an open window, and silently, like a shadow, he flit in. Softly he landed, and to the stupid humans, he would be nothing but the shadows.

A gleeful smile played his lips as he hopped into the dream. Images of the person came into view, where he was dreaming that he was running, running...

He gave chase on his wings. Finally, he caught up with the human. The human shrieked; even in a nightmare, he could feel the presence of the Night-chaser. He grabbed the human's body, and smirked as he pressed himself close to the human. He was relatively short compared to the tall spirit of the man. He knew that it was a man, even though the man looked and dressed like a woman. He knew everything.

Even though he was short, he was hovering in an embrace with the spirit. Leaning down, he began to kiss him, passionately. The man was too beautiful for him to let go of so soon, he thought. He had found that people had taken the nightmares that he created too well for him to be satisfied. He needed a different way instead of exploiting their deepest fears. He loved to dig out their deepest fears and wanted to make them afraid. Yet they were too stupid to understand.

The man tried to worm his way out, but were allured by his seductive eyes. He let his hands travel on the man's back, and slowly traced his way to the front of the man, his caresses making the man stay put, and even responding to his kiss.

All of a sudden, out of the blue, a white figure with wings appeared, his glow shattering the darkness. "Let Izam go, Hyde." commanded a familiar --and annoying-- voice.

The Night-chaser snarled, but clutched on to his prey. The angel had hair like dried leaves from Autumn. In his eyes shone a small light, one which was not enchanting like Hyde's own ones, but a inner fire.

Hyde decided to take on the offensive. Somehow, the angel never hurt him. Hyde was not sure if Tetsu had the power to, but if he did, he would have been destroyed long ago. He summoned a twirl of lightning to strike Tetsu, only to be warded off with a kekkai… As always. Hyde knew that only he himself was silly enough to believe that he would win Tetsu. He was unqualified for a Night-chaser, but he was on his own.

He tried again, this time, with a full-blast attack. He had drained all of his energy, and he knew that he needed to get away before Tetsu noticed that he was gone. As his kekkai warded off the second scorching attack, Tetsu saw that Hyde had disappeared into thin air.

Tetsu heaved a sigh, whether one of relief or one of disappointment, he did not know. Hyde had been keeping too low a profile for a Night-chaser recently, so he was spared for not catching him. However, Tetsu was not sure if he had taken the measures too far. He had been on Hyde's trail for several months, and he could not get his hands on Hyde. Actually, if he had chosen to try his best, he could have gotten him at the first try. But at the first try he had stumbled as an angel.

He kept telling himself that he did not have a chance to attack. Yet he knew that he, indeed, had the chances. There were plenty. Yet when he faced the devil, who sometimes stared at him with hatred, other times, as if with miscomprehension of his own feelings. For Tetsu, it was almost the same. Except that the thing that he hated was the fact that he could not bring himself to attack Hyde. Which was why sometimes, it misdirected him to believe that he hated Hyde as well.

By the time Tetsu had left the dream of Izam's to make sure that everything in the mind of his was okay, Hyde had escaped into the wings of the castle in Hell. It was a huge black building, shining in the moonlight of Hell. That was all Hell needed to thrive on; the moon was the devils' trademark. Hyde pouted as he entered the castle, his thoughts full of how annoying Tetsu was, and marched along the corridors to stop at a certain door. He kicked the door open to reveal a huge room with a thousand black and red candles. Those candles provided an eerie light which seemed homely to Hyde as he stepped onto the path carved out by roses of red, black and blue, making his way to the giant bed in the middle. The sheets were rising and falling, almost as if someone was turning and flipping under it.

"Hyde!" A male voice called out.

"Gackt-sama…" he whispered as he cuddled into Gackt's unoccupied arm. Someone licked Hyde's neck, making him squirm in discomfort. It was Hide, Hyde realized. The happy little demon pounced onto him next, licking playfully. Finally, Gackt grabbed him by the collar, and set him onto the other side of the bed.

"Now alright, you two," Gackt smiled, his large eyes narrowing down to a slit, as he kissed both of them fully on the lips. "Quit playing. Where were you, Hyde? I told you not to go out. Besides, I knew that the stupid angel would be on your path again. As long as you stay here, you'll be fine!"

Hyde pouted again, as he turned his back towards the man dressed in black. "I just wanted to get some fun, Gackt-sama! I know that the angel was too stupid to hurt me anyway. Besides, you would help me if I was ever in deep trouble, won't you?"

Gackt chuckled and turned Hyde around, forcefully. "What do you think?" He whispered and kissed Hyde again.

"Not fair! I also want a kiss!" Hide grabbed Gackt's black wings, and tickled the feathers.

"I'll play with you later, okay?" Gackt told him, prying him off, and kissed him too. "You've been occupying me for the whole day, now it's Hyde's turn."

Hide shrugged unhappily and flew off to a corner to sulk by himself. Gackt drew Hyde closer and kissed him, forcing Hyde down to the sheets. They got under the covers, and Hide turned to see the sheets wriggling vigorously, and loud noises were heard. Silently, still with that adorable pout that graced his pretty face, he walked out of the castle for a little bit of fun.

It was dawn by the time he had finished weaving the spell to get to Ningenkai. Many of the humans were already up and about, he thought mischievously. The pact that Heaven made with Hell was to not disturb Ningenkai, not physically. Thus, from then onwards, Hide could reach out to touch a human, but he would only find that his hand went right through the human. In fact, that had not been the only thing that formed the rules between Heaven and Hell. Members from Hell were not allowed to touch humans at all, not even spiritually.

That had lead to a new class of social division in Hell, Hide mused. Night-chaser. Hyde was one of them. Hide knew that Hyde was one of them only because he needed the thrill. At night, it was more convenient, since humans' spirits were less in touch with the bodies. Hide had never bothered with that class of people, except for Hyde. Hyde was his enemy, also his friend. Gackt seemed to dote more on Hyde. Hide snarled, and flew across the whole of Tokyo, surveying the city. Angels were all around, some helping people, others trying to keep track of lost spirits, thus making sure that only trash entered Hell.

Hide sighed as he swooped down to a hospital. People were busy rushing about, as if it had been a famous celebrity whose life was on the line. He closed his eyes and shrugged, trying not to remind himself that he had seen the same thing six years ago, as his soul hovered over his body.

Angels were nowhere to be seen. Just as Hide was deciding to take a peek into the emergency room to see what the fuss was all about, a familiar angel appeared. It was the angel who had been going after Hyde for so long. And he had failed miserably, somehow. Hide knew both Tetsu's and Hyde's standards. He was sure by then that there was something between Tetsu and Hyde.

Tetsu flew into the emergency room. "Must be a pretty important soul," He muttered as he flew over to a hospital ward, glancing inside. He had been to too many hospitals when he was alive, he thought.

Finally, he grew bored and decided to wait for Tetsu outside. Tetsu did not come out until five minutes later, holding a blonde's hand. The blonde had the most beautiful years of his life imprinted on the appearance of his soul. He was still wearing the hospital's operating robe, and it was not complimentary to his gorgeous long curls of golden hair.

"Yoshiki? Yoshiki!" Hide shouted, flying after Tetsu and the spirit.

Yoshiki looked back, and blinked, as he saw Hide. "Hi…Hide…? Is it really you?"

Hide nodded vigorously, tears in his eyes. "…Yoshiki, it's really me."

Yoshiki smirked. "And I thought that there would be no afterlife, no god, no nothing… Glad to see that wecan have a chance to be together again."

"Huh?" Hide asked, as he chased after Tetsu. "Oi, mind telling me about it? I'm sure your men had never told me about it before!"

"Well, you do know that you have to go to Heaven for a revision of your life." Tetsu told him matter-of-factly, trying not to be softened by the fact that one of the famous demons from Hell were crying over a dead human. Yet as an angel he had been naturally compassionate, even if he went straight by the rules. "Yoshiki most likely will end up in Heaven."

Yoshiki shook his head, and, feeling a tightness in his chest, the pain overwhelming him, turned to ask Tetsu, "May I stay with Hide?"

Tetsu shook his head, and caught hold of Yoshiki's arm. "You'll have to come. It's not my rules that I had created, even if it were, rules could never be bent."

Yoshiki's eyes gleamed with tears and he tried to struggle himself free, but with a bright light that shone suddenly, both of them disappeared into a portal.

Hide could only hover there, his tears now flowing freely, as he saw Yoshiki disappear. He had missed Yoshiki so much… And all because of some stupid arrogant guardian angel of Yoshiki's he had not been able to stay by his side right after he died. If Yoshiki became an angel after he died, he would have been his enemy. It was common knowledge that Heaven was in charge and Hell was about underground things.

With a sigh, he flew in to the operation room, to see that Yoshiki's heart was still pumping. It was weak. Yoshiki had given up before his time was up, Hide realized. He wondered what the baka had done it for, but it was done anyway. Hide could imagine plenty of people crying… Again. Like when he himself had died. He almost killed himself for dying after he saw their expressions at his funeral. He would have given anything to live on. He could have sworn it.

Especially when he saw Yoshiki's tears… He decided not to dwell on that. Turning, he flew away, back to the dark realms of Hell… Which would be his home…

For good.

***

Gackt opened his eyes a little, wanting to get back to deep sleep. He felt his eyelids close, but soon opened it again as he felt someone enter the room. There was a strange aura about him.

"Hide?" He asked aloud, his senses aware that the demon was not his usual self that day. Hyde sat up and began crawling over to the edge of the bed.

"Gackt." Hide acknowledged him, with a somewhat strange smile. :.Definitely not himself today.:, Gackt thought as he stood up and flew over to his side.

"You're fine, aren't you…?" Hyde asked from the corner of the bed, and suddenly tumbled off. Gackt stifled a smile. Hide only gave a glance and looked away.

:.Now, this is *definitely* not Hide!.: Gackt frowned, and dragged Hide out of the chair. "Hide, it'll help a lot if you can tell us what's the matter."

Hide looked up, and looked back down as if his vision passed through Gackt. Gackt began to realize that it was *definitely* something very serious, after all. Hide would never play a joke like that, even though he did had plenty up his sleeve. Finally, after a moment, Hide looked up again. This time, his eyes were filled with tears and he was looking at Gackt as if he was his savior.

"We… We can never be together…" With that, his tears started flowing down in a long chain of pearly beads. He closed his eyes and buried his face into Gackt's chest. "Yoshiki…"

Gackt hugged Hide tightly, and let Hide cry on. Hyde had gathered around Gackt, watching Hide like an intent child. Finally, he shrugged and curled himself up in a corner to sleep. Gackt looked at Hyde for a moment, and wondered who was Yoshiki. Whoever could break a happy demon down to sobs-- He himself fell asleep, too, with Hide in his arms, as he was thinking about it. Last night's activity was too much for even him.

***

When Hyde woke up, he saw Hide asleep in Gackt's arms. With a sigh, he got off the bed and started going through his wardrobe. He was going back on daily routine again. Somehow, he wished that Hide would return to his annoying normal self… It seemed more appropriate.

His thoughts wandered from Hide to what Hide said before he broke down. 'Yoshiki'. He decided to find out more about it, thinking that it would have been a real challenge. Moreover, he wanted to help, even if it was only a little.

:.I will not let Tetsu catch up with me today….: He told himself determinedly. :.I hate that angel, always on my trail and spoiling my fun. What a square he was, too….:

Still thinking unpleasant thoughts about Tetsu, he put on a white dress with lace. Taking a leather strip, he tied his long hair up. Finally, he buckled a dog collar onto his neck, and stood in front of the mirror. It was not what he usually wore, but he wanted a change. He adjusted the leather strip, and flew out of the dressing room. As he passed by the bed, he stole a glance at Gackt again, who still had Hide nestled up against him. He silently wished Hide goodwill and continued flying out of the room.

Hyde went into the business section of the castle, wanting to make sure that everything was alright for Gackt. He had been pretty tired recently, and it had been Hyde's fault. Not that he felt guilty about it. The souls were coming in all too well. Hyde realized that there had been a huge increase in the population of Hell. The angels in Heaven had kept all the better ones for themselves, Hyde thought, surveying the territory. Much to his amusement, more religious people were lead to their own homes outside of the castle, and most of them were either wailing "Jesus why are you doing this to me" or yelling "In Jesus' name, get away, demons!"

Finally, satisfied that everyone was doing their work properly, he went into the spell room. It was a room designed for weaving spells, and only he, Hide, Gackt and a few others were allowed to use it at their own free will. He entered it, making sure that there was no one else remotely in that area.

He began uttering incoherently the words of the spell, and stretched out his arms out. Soon, in front of him floated an illusionary pentagon. He uttered some more, and the pentagon seemed to glow brighter and brighter. As a huge explosion of light occurred, Hyde shouted, "Show me who is Yoshiki!"

The pentagon stopped glowing and an image began to form. At first, Hyde could not see his face. All he saw was golden curls, and the back of a white dress which flowed as he walked along the road which Tetsu was leading him.

"Baka angel!" He spat, still looking into the pentagon. For some reason, Tetsu looked as if he knew about Hide, and actually felt sorry for Yoshiki. Tetsu was wearing the same robe as Yoshiki, Hyde noted. :.Yoshiki definitely looked better in it.:, he thought, as Yoshiki was lead to a tree. It was a tree bearing some weird fruit.

"Look after it, Yoshiki, while my men are after Hyde." He told him, softly.

Yoshiki nodded, and Tetsu walked away, turning once to give an encouraging smile.

:.Maybe, Tetsu is nice after all… … … … … … … … …Damn! What am I thinking?! He even said, 'While my men are after Hyde'!.: Hyde fumed, but held on and refused to let the spell fade because of his distraction.

Yoshiki sat down by the tree. It was the time that Hyde got to see his features, and it struck him as 'beautiful'. Beautiful in an unfathomable way, his face innocently sculptured as if it came from another tide of time.

Yoshiki was looking into empty space. Hyde realized that it was exactly the same look that Hide had when he came into the room. He wondered what made the similarity. Was it the thoughts, or the feelings? He could not figure it out, but decided to put it aside.

"… Hide…"

With a small nod, he told himself to do something that he had never done before. He wanted to contact an angel. It would have been an easy spell to weave, had he not been resting it for so long. Muttering the magic words, the pentagon glowed again, and this time, it glittered in silvery bits.

"Yoshiki."

Yoshiki's expression changed to a surprised one, as he heard Hyde's voice echo in his mind. "Who… Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter who I am. You… Do you know who Hide is?"

"Hide… What do you want?" Yoshiki spoke cautiously, his eyes narrowing.

"I'm Hide's friend," Hyde could find no better word to express himself, even if it was not really appropriate. Between Hyde, Hide, and Gackt, they had a love-hate relationship-- Gackt dotes on Hyde and Hide hates that. "He needs to talk to you."

Yoshiki nodded, closing his eyes. Taking in a painful breath, he heaved a sigh. "I… I hope not…"

"…Why?" Hyde asked.

He shook his head, eyes still closed, eyebrows arched into a painful expression. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He shut it again.

"Because you're an angel?" Hyde demanded. "You have no choice, do you? Can't you break the rules for a moment?"

Yoshiki opened his eyes. Those elfin expressive limpid shades of eyes were telling of fear and confusion. "But… But, if I were to break the rules… If I were to be with a devil… There will be a punishment… God will kill both of us… And since Hide is an important person in Hell, war might even break out between the two…"

Hyde shook his head. He had NEVER heard of those rules when he died. Those stupid angels must have kept it from him, after all. "But… Would you rather not see Hide forever? Would you rather him suffer too? Would you rather suffer too?"

Yoshiki nodded, tears flowing freely from those eyes. "I would rather him to suffer than to die again and disappear forever."

Hyde argued, "But…"

"A spell…" Someone could be heard exclaiming from behind Yoshiki. Yoshiki jerked and turned around, and Hyde could see a guy with a pair of sharp eyes before his connection went dead.

***

"Who… Who are you?" Yoshiki asked the other angel. He had never seen him before. The angel had brown hair which was short and cute, and sharp eyes which reflected a darker shade of the color. He looked strictly at Yoshiki.

"Takanori. You must be the new angel that Tetsu was telling me about." He paused, "Why were you communicating with a devil?"

"I… Uh…" Yoshiki looked away from those penetrating eyes, hoping to find a distraction. "What nice flowers that the tree bears!"

Takanori looked up at the tree, and smiled, his eyes softening. "Yeah… It's one of my favorite colors. White."

"Why is this tree so important?" Yoshiki asked, glad to have Takanori's attention diverted.

"…… I cannot tell you as yet… But, my job and yours are to look after the tree, and to make sure that it grows well."

"Oh… Tetsu-sama is in charge of this tree?"

"He is in charge of more than that. But he is indeed responsible for this tree… He used to station five angels here to help him. But, now that he had gotten himself a new enemy…"

"New enemy? Hyde?"

"It is just Night-chasers in general. However, according to other angels, Hyde was able to disappear and appear whenever he wants to."

"Night-chasers are able to do that?"

"No, no one can do that, not even Tetsu himself, unless they weave a spell or form a portal. Tetsu was after Hyde for months, but he could not catch him."

"I know. He's another important demon from Hell, is he not?"

"Yes, just like Hide. They have to be present whenever there is a meeting between Heaven and Hell."

"Hide…" Yoshiki whispered.

***

Hyde pouted for about the hundredth time that day, annoyed that he had no chance to persuade Yoshiki. He would not know whenever Yoshiki was alone, and weaving too many spells to Heaven would take too much out of him. Besides, even though he was tired, he could feel his blood churn deep inside him as he wanted to go out there and hunt the haunted.

Stretching himself, he stood up, kicking some candles over in frustration, and went out of the room. As he closed the door, he walked into someone.

"Ow," Gackt said monotonously.

"Gackt-sama, I've just checked out who Yoshiki is…"

"Really? Who is he?"

"A new angel."

"Oh… This is bad." Gackt muttered thoughtfully., "If they were together, Heaven would hunt them down right till the end… And it would have been a shame if we allowed Heaven to take away Hide…"

"It would have been utter defeat. For so long, we've been bullied by Heaven. And for so long, they've only been giving trash to us. Just look at the citizen list," Hyde fumed, "How many of them are acting so idiotic? How many of them actually act or DRESS remotely properly? How many--"

"I know, I know. I'm glad you realized that," Gackt cut in, "But that is not the point. We all know how Heaven has been treating us, but it is true that the most powerful personalities among Heaven and Hell are angels. You can't even fight Tetsu."

"I can do without having you point that out, thank you." Hyde rolled his eyes.

Gackt smiled. "Still insolent and young. You don't even act like I'm your senior."

"……I'm going off to do my daily chores…"

"See you soon. Don't be caught by Tetsu!" Gackt stepped past him and twisted the switch to the spell room.

"Oh, how is Hide?"

"Soundly asleep, like a child… Keeps muttering Yoshiki's name…"

Hyde's eyelids fluttered closed for a moment, and opened his eyes again. "I'll be back soon."

Gackt smiled warmly, as Hyde turned and walked out to the corridor. Softly, he whispered something, so that Hyde would not hear.

"And I wish it is forever."

***

Yoshiki was wearing a beautiful yellow dress as he danced on the dance floor. Hide stood there, mesmerized. In the dream, it was the first time that Hide had seen Yoshiki. Hide only watched on as the beautiful maiden danced. Suddenly, Yoshiki grew wings. All Hide knew was pain, as he knew that when those wings grew, Yoshiki would be gone, somehow.

"Maiden!" He shouted, the name 'Yoshiki' alien to him.

Yoshiki looked back, as he smiled sadly. "I am Yoshiki…"

Hide ran towards Yoshiki, and grabbed his hands. "Yoshiki, please don't fly away!"

Yoshiki smiled, and reassured him, "I won't."

Hide smiled gratefully, but Yoshiki's wings glowed with white light, and he slowly flew up. There was nothing Hide could do when he tried to hold on. He could only let go, as Yoshiki flew away, with that sad expression on his face…

Hide woke up with a jolt. Finally, he saw that he was on the bed in a room of the castle in Hell. He sighed, as he flipped on the bed, the softness of the mattress nothing real compared to the pain in his heart.

Finally, he could bear it no longer. Climbing out of the bed, he strolled down the long red carpet amongst the roses and candles, towards the door. He needed to do something different, something to distract him from all the pain. He wanted to become a Night-chaser for the night.

***

Hyde flew around the city, and decided to enter a large mansion for a change. Swooping in through the open window, he watched as a lady turned and flipped in bed.

He flew near her without a moment of hesitation, and wove a small spell to know about her state of consciousness. Her name was Mariko… The pentagon between Mariko and Hyde grew brighter and larger, until Hyde was able to step into it.

Everything became dark on his journey to Mariko's dream. As he entered Mariko's dream, he was surprised to see her in a place full of flowers. The air was so sweet and the flowers were so colorful. The next thing that he noticed was that she was with a handsome young man. Both of them were smiling happily. They were a couple, Hyde knew, from what he saw in Mariko's mind. His name was Akiba.

"Akiba, the flowers are blooming so beautifully today…" Mariko told him, smiling happily.

Akiba smiled, "But their beauty is not as shining as yours."

Mariko's smile grew wider and happier, as she fingered the bouquet of flowers which she was holding to her chest. She looked so happy and fulfilled. Hyde was unable to create chaos in a moment; the scene was sheer beauty. He decided not to do anything, when suddenly someone else entered the dream. Hyde whirled, it was Tetsu again.

:.Why are you here to spoil my mood?!.: He gritted his teeth. "You're always appearing at the *right* times, Tetsu!"

Tetsu sighed, his expression unfathomable. The couple had noticed the duo's presence, and were shocked. Mariko was clinging to Akiba, afraid, when suddenly, the dream began to change. The flowers melted away, together with the house, the blue sky, and even Akiba, into a dark kitchen. Mariko was alone. She was at the doorway of the kitchen, propping herself upright as she ventured closer to the man lying on the ground. She saw an angel at his side, while his spirit rose. She screamed and shouted, as she tried to grab his hand, but her hand passed through his. With a sad look, he glanced back, and suddenly shook the angel's hold loose. He ran towards Mariko, but the angel flew towards him, and dragged him, despite his and Mariko's protests, into the glowing portal nearby.

"So she has the ability to see the supernatural…" Tetsu gasped.

Hyde set his jaw firmly. "And I'll bet this is the same with Hide!" He accused. "How many times have you do-gooders actually done that, despite the spirits' protests?"

"We… We have no choice…" Tetsu whispered hoarsely, his face contorted by a gorgeous expression of sadness.

"Tetsu, if you had a choice what would you do?" Hyde asked, seriously.

Tetsu ignored him and moved towards Mariko, taking her into an embrace of compassion. "I don't have a choice, Hyde." He said carefully, "Being an angel is not as easy as you think it is."

"So, do you think it's easy working with trash that you guys send in? Or is it easy having to work with a broken-hearted partner?"

"…Hi…De?"

"Hn. Dumb Tetsu." Hyde seethed angrily.

"I… I'm sorry, but I cannot defy God's wishes."

In disgust, Hyde gave Tetsu a defiling look and sprinted through the glowing pentagon which was standing at one side, and disappeared.

With a sigh, Tetsu glanced down at Mariko, and a tear dropped from his eye. With comprehension he wiped it away, as a faraway look crept into his eyes. All of a sudden, he wanted to become human all again, and live through life again… He wanted Hyde to be a human, too, so that they could live together without differences…

That look from Hyde made him realize many things. It made him feel worse off than a dog. With resignation, he helped Mariko up. "I am sorry you suffered so much because of us… I do not ask for your forgiveness, but please wait patiently to be with him (Akiba) soon… I hope…"

Tetsu let go of Mariko, who had stopped crying. "I will…" Was her soft whisper as Tetsu left the dream. However, it was unheard to Tetsu, or anyone else but Mariko herself. And probably not even her when she had waken up.

***

"Hide?" Hyde was very surprised when he had seen him from a distance. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, Hyde!" Hide exclaimed, as he looked towards Hyde's direction. He flew towards him. "I'm just, you know, out here to have some fun. I thought there would be less Night-chasers," He added cheerfully.

Hyde smiled warmly. He knew that Hide was still feeling hurt. He knew everything. But Hide was forcing a false front so well, that he almost wondered if his own instincts we wrong. "Hey, I know of a park which is beautiful, and silent, with absolutely no lovers whatsoever."

"Must be in the suburbs," Hide muttered. "I was thinking of going to the shopping centers!"

Hyde's smile faded. He looked down, as if he was thinking of something. He was, in fact. He was thinking of the sleeping city. And Tetsu. "They're all closed, Hide."

"…… Are you okay?" Hide asked, getting worried. "You seem like you’ve just fallen in love with an angel or something."

Hyde laughed a natural laugh. Yet, it seemed strange to Hide. "What a comparison! I'll never be in love with an angel!"

Hide smiled sadly. "Make sure you'll never be. Hey, dude, I'd very much like to go around by myself tonight, so do you mind if we split?"

"Huh? No, but, Hide, you're not going to do anything… are you?"

Hide laughed it off with his best laugh at the moment. He hoped that it would convince Hyde more than it convinced himself. "Nah, I'm just going to visit a few old friends."

Hyde's smile came back. "Make sure you aren't."

"Don't worry, I won't!"

***

Hide flew down into Sugizo's home. The man was fast asleep, and Hide noted, he snored. :.I promised you, Sugi, that I'd be back to drink with you one day….:

Sugizo as not dreaming that night, Hide pouted. :.Baka Sugi!.:

Suddenly, Sugizo's eyelids twitched and he sat straight up. He looked around blankly as if searching unknowingly for something. "I must be too tired…"

"Baka! Baka!" Hide shouted. "I am right here!"

Sugizo snorted as he got out of bed to get himself a cup of plain water. "And I thought Hideto visited me… But, even if he did, I won't know, will I? Hmm… I wonder if you're in heaven or hell, Hide? I sure hope Heaven, but somehow it doesn't seem possible…" He gave a short laugh. "Damn, I gotta wake up early tomorrow."

"…You're right, Sugihara, and I darned well hate it…" Hide forced a smile, as if Sugizo would be able to see him.

"Hide, you know, I'm always right." Sugizo paused for a moment. "Just that sometimes I know that I wish I aren't."

Hide smirked, as he gazed fondly at his friend as he made his way to the kitchen and then back to sleep. Sugizo began to have a dream, but this time Hide did not want to interfere.

***

Gackt had finished weaving his spell to 'bless' the individuals in the underworld, if it could be called 'bless'. It would seem more like a hope of good will rather than bless. He had that power, above all, to wish others good will. He was the only one in Hell who could do that, even though he was not the strongest. No one knew it, not even Hyde or Hide.

He heaved a sigh of silent self triumph, as he stepped off the platform of the room to take a rest. Such things took too much out of him, especially when his world was much worse-off than the mortal world, in terms of chaos and bad will. He would rather go back to being an ancient prince from France who died early any day.

:.I wonder how Hide is… And Hyde….: He thought absentmindedly, as his fingers twirled around playing with the long brown hair which hung down to his chest. He felt a slight blush coming to his face, as his heart beat faster. He closed his eyes for a moment, Hyde's face shining in his memory, and sat down on the black chair carved out of redwood, between the table of candles and beautiful branches of flowers. Somehow, he dozed off for a few minutes, and sat up straight, thinking that he needed to know about Yoshiki.

He stepped back onto the platform, and wove a beautiful spell to make Yoshiki, and only Yoshiki see him. Hyde must have been interrupted, Gackt mused. The young demon hated to be disturbed. "Yoshiki……"

"Who are you?" Yoshiki whispered, startled, yet afraid that Takanori, who was at the other side of the garden, would hear.

"Gackt."

"Gackt…! You're…"

"Yes, I am the person in charge of Hell." Gackt sighed. "What do you want?"

"I should be the one to ask you that," Yoshiki muttered pointedly.

"Well, Let's just say presently I'm one of the few people who can help you."

"Help? Do you even know what help I need?"

Gackt sighed; it was getting harder and harder. Maybe he should have thought of rephrasing it before he spoke. "No."

Yoshiki closed his eyes briefly and took in a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted at you, but…"

"It's okay…" Gackt smiled. "Would you like to know how Hide is doing?"

Yoshiki looked down sadly, hesitating for a while. Finally, after long moments of silence, he nodded.

Gackt wove a spell of his own memories, as Hide came back into the castle looking all strange. He managed to leave the naked Hyde out of the picture. Yoshiki watched, as he saw Hide through Gackt's eyes, Hide's sad expression causing his heart to sublime. Tears flooded his eyes as he felt his heart tear to pieces, simply at the apparent pain Hide was in. He began to wonder if he had made the right choice by letting go of Hide.

Gackt smiled, as his memories faded and he saw Yoshiki's tear-tracks. "I can help to wish you goodwill if you ever need it. It's just a matter of will… Believe in yourself, Yoshiki, and believe in your loved one. If you think you can live on like this forever-- or let Hide live on like this forever, go ahead. But remember that you have the choice. I'll be behind you if you ever need my support."

Yoshiki's expression was unreadable, but it slowly changed to gratitude. "Gackt… Thank you…"

"Hey, Yoshiki!" Takanori yelled, and dragged him towards the pond at the edge of the garden. Gackt watched as the short angel enthusiastically pointed everything to the new angel, who actually listened, with enthusiasm, and without tiring, to everything which he said.

Gackt ended the spell, and smiled to himself. He had hit the right buttons, after all. It was not that he was proud of himself, rather, he was proud of Yoshiki and happy that he could help.

***

Hide had flown out of Sugizo's home and had nowhere else to want to go. He was just wishing that he had more experience, but somehow, he realized that he himself had not really wanted to do anything after all, much as he lied to himself. With resignation, he flew towards Yoshiki's empty home. It was exactly the way he had remembered it, only that it was so much emptier now that no one was living in it.

"Yoshiki…" He whispered as he recalled the times that they spent inside when both of them were alive. It was easy to lie to people that they were only friends, Hide laughed to himself. Everything seemed so silly and pointless now. The house was dirty and messy, now that no one was living inside. He wondered who owned the house now that Yoshiki was not the legal one, but decided that he hated laws and customs and all the crap. He hated the way humans fought over things after someone had left them.

Almost thoughtlessly, he went into Yoshiki's room. There, at a corner, stood a piano. A beautiful piano, Hide thought, almost a replica of its master. He smiled, and his hand reached out to touch the keys, only to pass through it. Hide sighed, knowing that he was only a demonic spirit.

How he longed to be alive again, he could never express in words. He missed touching everything which had substance, he missed playing his guitars, he missed hugging friends and drinking sake. He missed a lot of things. Most of the fun he had when he was alive had something to do with his body, and it was by far *not* only sexual means.

Most of all, when he was alive, he was with his loved ones. His friends, his fans, and, from the beginning, Yoshiki.

He wanted all that he had when he was alive back. He would miss Gackt, and Hyde, but he wanted Yoshiki to be by his side most. He longed to see his face, and his smile, or his pout everyday. It would not matter if Yoshiki was really a spoilt brat, he missed him so much.

He shook his head, trying to clear his mind of all its thoughts, and flew out of the room. Hide came to a table. On it was a unnamed composition. Hide read it; it was a beautiful piece of composition. He sat down on the carpeted floor. :.Stupid Yoshiki. You don't even know the right time to die! Think of how many souls would be touched by the composition….:

He sagged gently onto the floor, and began to weep.

***

Yoshiki's mind was in deep thought even as Takanori explained everything to him. He wondered if he could just go about doing whatever he wanted to do, without being ordered to. Yet Takanori had told him that they were supposed to do whatever they were told, which left no space for whatever they were not told. Yoshiki felt his heart's feelings mixed in a chaotic rainbow, even as he pretended to smile at Takanori's jokes.

"Yoshiki!" Takanori suddenly turned around from the little birds and gave one of them a little kiss on the beak. "Heaven is a really beautiful place, right?"

Yoshiki smiled peacefully, his mind still in pain even at the sight of a beautiful scene. "Heaven is a beautiful place… Just, too many laws…"

"Too… Many laws?" Takanori looked at him strangely and inquiringly. "Why?"

Yoshiki shook his head, and smiled painfully. "I can't explain to you, not really."

"Is it…. Because of a demon?" Takanori asked, his face suddenly as sharp as he had first appeared to be. "That spell from a demon… Is it because Heaven does not allow demons to communicate with angels here?"

Yoshiki shook his head again, this time, his heart filing with tears. "I cannot be with a loved one is all…"

"Oh… It must have hurt a lot…" Takanori whispered, almost as if he could feel Yoshiki's pain. "But, someday, she'll come to Heaven, won't she?"

"Never……" A tear gleamed in Yoshiki's eyes, and fell down the smooth rise of his cheek, making a beautiful line on its path. "He… He's a demon."

"But, demons and angels are enemies! Demons are the ones to rebel against the laws of Heaven, which is necessary for peace for the three worlds." Takanori exclaimed, making Yoshiki squirm in discomfort. "A love with demons are impossible."

"Love, faith, and hope." Yoshiki suddenly said, wiping away his tears. "When I first entered Heaven, it was what Tetsu told me. The greatest of these is Love, even though we are not a religion, like Christianity, which exists on Earth. Because, when you have love, you have faith and hope."

"But…" Takanori started, hesitant. He knew what Yoshiki was getting at. Yet, even though the logic was right, he could not agree with it.

"I want to have all these, is it possible? I believed, from my life, that I must strife to succeed in a dream."

Takanori shook his head, the truth of Yoshiki's words eating at him, but he refused to accept it. "You can't win… Against Heaven's forces…"

"I hope, and I have faith, because I have love… I am sorry, because I love Heaven too… I have thought of it before, but I believed in suffering… But, I have to make a choice between the two… Heaven is a place where people are happy. But I cannot be happy without Love… Without the love of my life… He left me once, I cannot let him leave me for eternity again…"

***

"What a stupid angel!!!!!" Hyde seethed to himself, as he skipped among the clouds. "He's so annoying, so irritating, so nerve-fraying, so frustrating, so mutating…"

He paused as he realized that he made wrong choices of words. "Whatever! He's just sooooooo goody-goody!"

Still fuming, he skipped towards a tower, which was known as the Tokyo Tower. He paused, and decided to go in once again. He had hardly been to it, he thought, thinking that it was no big deal anyway. Getting bored after a while, he decided to scan the whole city beneath him. He came across a crying baby. Her breathing was weak, and her efforts were great. He wondered why she weren't in a hospital. He flew towards the rich-looking house, and entered it. The baby's cry grew louder and louder, but weaker and weaker, as if the baby did not want to go at all. Yet her attempts were futile.

Hyde scanned her soul with a spell. Her name had already been chosen-- it was Kiyoko. Her time was about to be up, Hyde thought, but the pain of hers was so strong it had overwhelmed him. He wondered why had she not wanted to leave, but a woman came in.

"I'm sorry, Kiyoko!" She cried, gathering the baby in her arms, and carrying her carefully. Kiyoko's crying ceased. She was Kiyoko's caretaker; Hyde saw. The baby had special feelings towards her, and she would be in trouble if the baby died, which was why Kiyoko refused to leave.

He probed into the caretaker's mind. She was called Ruri, and was of a poor family. She herself had two kids, but both of them had died of cancer. Now, Kiyoko was dying of cancer, too. She had a mother, who was old and sickly, and a husband, who was brain dead. Ruri's life was one huge tragic story, and she was only thirty-two. From what Hyde knew, Ruri loved Kiyoko as her own child. She was working under a rich man, who had an affair with a young woman. Kiyoko was the child of his former wife, whom he hated. His former wife had died, and Kiyoko had no one to look after her. But the middle-aged millionaire extremely disliked the girl, because she reminded him of his former wife. Kiyoko was never brought to a doctor. The millionaire had wanted to shift the blame all onto her, this she knew.

Hyde sighed in both frustration and pity, as he watched Ruri and Kiyoko. It seemed like one huge corny unoriginal soap opera. Somehow, even though he was a devil who liked to see people suffer, he only liked it when he caused it, and when it meant no real harm to one's soul. He hated it all when there was a parting with a loved one, like Hide and Yoshiki.

He flew towards the baby and her caretaker, wishing that he could comfort them. Just then, an angel came in. Hyde was relieved to see that it was not Tetsu. He knew that it would have been better if Kiyoko had went to Heaven; she deserved no such physical pain at such a young age, but both Kiyoko and Ruri would be hurt if they parted.

"Angel," He whispered. "They need each other."

The angel seemed surprised, that a demon would actually care. "Hyde…?"

Hyde nodded, remaining expressionless. "Hi, David."

David seemed even more surprised when his name was called. It was a special ability of Night-chasers, a very special ability which even Hide had not had. It was to truly penetrate ones' soul. "But it's my duty to bring Kiyoko to Heaven."

"But they will suffer if you bring Kiyoko away," Hyde reasoned, a pentagon forming on his hand. "I will not allow that, until Kiyoko has realized the fact herself."

"She's too young," David said patiently. "Anyway, not many people will realize the fact."

"True," Hyde agreed. "They're too stupid. But, don't you think that feelings do matter?"

"It does, but it should not affect the whole system." In David's hand glowed a sword, and Hyde struck. David dodged the fiery ball, and prepared to slit Hyde's back, but Hyde had already disappeared to David's left. Another glowing pentagon shone towards a place where David once were, but Hyde was faster than that. He was flying over David, and a pentagon engulfed David with its light, before David's wings were torn from his body, and he lay there, his chest heaving with the pain of a soul hurting. He was gone.

"We're all too weak, even though we are immortals," Hyde muttered. "God must have had a brain breakdown when he designed spirits."

Kiyoko was clinging on to her life. She was getting the better of it, but suddenly, she convulsed with pain, and the cord connecting her soul to her body was fading. Within seconds, her cord had disappeared. She was dead, Hyde realized. David had come at the right time after all. He and David had a miscommunication. He should have known that Kiyoko would have died anyway, whether David took her away or not, but he didn't.

"David!" Someone exclaimed, from a corner.

"Tetsu!" Hyde felt as if he was struck by lightning; the angel seemed to be everywhere at the wrong time.

"You killed him." Tetsu whispered, something inside him fading, fading into nonexistence, fading with a lot of agony and pain. "You're just a devil after all."

"No, wait!" Hyde struggled to explain, the pain in Tetsu's voice shocking him in a way he had never felt before. It was a new feeling to him, a new struggle. It was as if the whole world could think that way, everyone and he would not care. But not Tetsu.

"And I thought… You would be different… You just showed it to me, but…" Tetsu started, his tears falling like pearly beads from a unthreaded necklace, "But, I was wrong… Even though I never realized it…"

"Tetsu…!" Hyde cried, like the accused sitting awaiting a verdict which he knew was going to be bad. "I have my reasons…"

Tetsu shook his head, and a fireball came hurtling towards Hyde even before Hyde realized it. He barely managed to somersault away, but Hyde was faced with another one. In desperation, a pentagon shielded him as he prepared a spell to teleport away.

***

:::Yoshiki and Takanori!::: A strange voice echoed in his mind. :::Tetsu is fighting Hyde. You have to stop them, or there might be a war when he kills him, and bring David's body back. Capture Hyde, and bring him back for trial.:::

:.Hyde… Isn't he Hide's friend?.: Yoshiki jumped, and turned to look at Takanori uncertainly. "What happened?!"

"Something must have happened…" Takanori uttered. "Something serious."

***

Hide's eyes jerked open as he felt Hyde's ki. "Hyde!" Hide exclaimed, as he knew that Hyde was fighting someone whom he would never win. It was an angel, he thought, as he quickly wove a spell to teleport him to Hyde.

Hyde jumped away as Tetsu struck again. Hide was surprised to see the angel crying, and he came to realization when he saw a body of an angel lying on the ground. :.Hyde… Whatever did you do that for?.: "Tetsu, stop! You'll kill him!"

Tetsu did not stop. He was still crying, but his power was fully unleashed. In desperation, Hide lunged forward to get hold of Tetsu, but Tetsu's movement was too fast for him to catch up. He crashed into the wall behind them. Of course he was not hurt at all, but Tetsu had Hyde cornered. Hyde was charred on a shoulder, and blood was flowing profusely from other various wounds. Tetsu's power was directed to Hyde alone.

Still crying, Tetsu pinned Hyde to the wall, lifting him off his feet, making him squirm in pain. Hide tried to get near them, but the two was inside a kekkai which, no matter how he tried, could not break.

"Stop, Tetsu, stop!" Hide was shouting in desperation, but each time he touched the kekkai, it would get stronger and burn him.

Suddenly, a bright light appeared as someone was sent down from Heaven. Tetsu was soaked in the warmth of the light. He let go of Hyde slowly, relenting to something in that light.

"You can't kill him, Tetsu. You're an angel," It was a short angel, and a blond. At first, Hide could not recognize Yoshiki. Not in that bright light, or that beautiful white robe. But he knew it was the most beautiful angel whom he had ever seen, and he was awed by it.

"……I'm not an angel anymore," Tetsu whispered, and turned to face Hyde. His face softened, slowly, he reached out to the inanimate, yet alive demon. "I've fallen as an angel."

Yoshiki chewed on his words, while Takanori told him, "But we have to bring Hyde back for trial."

"Tetsu," Yoshiki suddenly spoke up, "You can't kill him. I know you can't."

Tetsu had taken hold of Hyde by then, and smiled sadly. He handed Hyde, who was near death, to Yoshiki. Yoshiki smiled, with the same sadness. "Let's go home."

Gently, Yoshiki held Hyde in his arms, and Takanori let the way back into the light. And all Hide did, while they finally had a chance to meet, was to do nothing. Not even to rescue Hyde. He just stood there, stunned. The light faded, and Yoshiki was gone with the light. So was Hyde, but Hide's feelings were mixed. He just sagged there, as he reached forward to touch the dead angel. The corpse faded slowly, under his touch, much to his surprise.

Then, he heard a soft cry. It was a soul of a baby. The baby had noticed the fight, but could not understand anything.

"…What's your name?" Hide asked, gently, wondering if Hyde had killed the angel for her.

"…Kiyoko." The young mouth barely formed the word. "Who… Are you? What happened?"

"I don't know," Hide was surprised that the baby could form intelligent words. He supposed that it was because that Kiyoko was a spirit, reborn, which was mature enough. "Hyde…"

"Is there anything… I can do to comfort Ruri…?" The baby pointed to the woman crying over the dead body, sadly. "I owe her…"

Hide shook his head. "Not even if you are an angel… Unless she can see you…"

The baby closed her eyes, and shook her head sadly. Hide could not feel any compassion for her at all, not while he was feeling so mixed up at the moment, with Yoshiki and Hyde and all.

***

"Te…Tsu-sama?" Yoshiki asked, gently, as the other angel carried the Night-chaser in his arms, as if he was a precious gem which would shatter when dropped. "Are you fine?"

Tetsu shook his head slowly. "No."

"Do you need some healing?" Takanori asked, concerned. Tetsu usually held himself with so much power and warmth, but now he just seemed like a cracked glass doll.

Tetsu shook his head again. "No, I'm fine, in this aspect…"

"……" Yoshiki sighed, as he followed Tetsu towards the great courts. "Give Hyde some healing, Tetsu-sama. He's weak…"

"He won't die." Tetsu uttered, coldly.

"But…" Yoshiki argued, knowing exactly that it hurt Tetsu to see him suffer, but Tetsu wanted to do so. "Takanori, do you think you can heal him?"

"I… I'll try…" Takanori nodded, worried as well. He clasped his hands together, and a sense of well-being filled the corridor. Hyde's wounds disappeared, but he remained unconscious.

Tetsu sighed, and continued walking along the corridor. "Go back and look after the tree, Takanori, Yoshiki… I'll bring him to the court myself."

Takanori nodded, and nudged Yoshiki, who reluctantly followed him back to the gardens. Suddenly the strange voice appeared in Yoshiki's mind again. :::Yoshiki, third angel of Fire's Madrigal. I will teleport you back to that place. Bring Kiyoko, the spirit of an important baby, back to Heaven.:::

***

Hide stopped short, when the same light shone down from Heaven again. Someone familiar appeared.

It was Yoshiki.

"Yoshiki," Hide called out, softly, sadly, yet surely.

"Hide…" Yoshiki whispered, as he moved closer to embrace the demon, forgetting his mission. Hide held him closer, breathing into his fragrant hair. Yoshiki sighed as he felt a long awaited dream come true. Tears filled his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. There they stood, for a moment or two, until, suddenly, a voice sounded in Yoshiki's mind again. :::You have to bring Kiyoko's spirit back, not embrace with a demon.:::

Yoshiki reluctantly let go, feeling helpless for a moment. He wished that he had powers to weave spells so that he could just send Kiyoko to Heaven and stay by Hide's side himself. But he was just a Third angel… An unimportant and useless angel. He reached out and took Kiyoko's spirit, which was hovering by a side.

"May I stay?" Yoshiki was shocked, when Kiyoko spoke out. "Please?"

"But… If you do, you'll forever be a roaming spirit…" Yoshiki stammered softly. "You must come with me."

"But, Ruri…" Kiyoko's face twisted into agony again.

"She'll come to Heaven, someday, with you," Yoshiki told him, crossing his fingers. "You'll be together again, as long as you wait… I believe…"

Hide looked away wordlessly, but Kiyoko's spirit smiled. He reached out and touched Yoshiki's face. Suddenly, he was enveloped in a white glow, and disappeared from Yoshiki's grasp. Just as Yoshiki and Hide was gaping, someone tapped them on the shoulders.

"I'm Kiyoshi." A deep male voice said. "Reborn as Kiyoko."

"Ki…Yoshi?" Yoshiki and Hide gasped simultaneously, looking at the adult spirit which was once a baby. He had high cheekbones, orange hair which somehow reminded Yoshiki of a bird's nest, and was dressed in colorful clothes. "Nani?"

Kiyoshi laughed at both their surprise, and winked at them, "Unfortunately, I was reborn as a girl! I suppose… I wouldn't have remembered if not for you… But… Ruri does mean a lot to me… Still, I'll come with you if you want."

:.Why?.: Yoshiki thought, but led him into the light. "Sorry, Hide… We'll meet again… And hopefully, I'll be able to set myself free by that time…"

Hide watched, silently, smiling, as Yoshiki rose in the light, his tears shining like before.

***

"WHAT?!" Gackt exclaimed, and fell down the steps with a thump. "Ouch!!"

"Are you okay?" Hide asked, hovering above Gackt carefully.

"No!" Gackt yelled. "Why is it that you allowed Hyde to be captured?"

"Well…" Hide sighed, swallowing hard, wishing that the lump in his throat would go away. "I'm sorry…"

"You're sorry? Is that all you can say?!" Gackt got up, whacking the demon on his head.

"Yeow!" Hide exclaimed, tears running down his face. "It's what I mean, at least!"

Gackt sighed, and continued walking. "We'll have to think of a way to save him… I'd never thought he'd kill an angel…"

"……" Hide said nothing, but followed Gackt.

"I give him too much freedom…" Gackt looked so sad that Hide would have kicked himself for the mistake.

"It's not your fault," Hide whispered, touching Gackt on his shoulder, hoping to comfort him.

"Yeah, it's YOUR fault." Gackt accused, and Hide practically slammed into the wall beside him, in comprehension. "……..But I don't blame you. I can't blame you…"

"Gackt…" Hide knew that he had let Gackt's favorite demon be caught by the angels, but he had no other choice. He wondered what would have happened if he had made his presence known at that time. "I'm really sorry…"

Gackt smiled, holding Hide closer. He hugged him gently and kissed him on his lips, gently. "It's okay. I'll save Hyde. Hide, if there should be anything that happens to me, please hold the conference for me…"

"Gackt…?!"

Gackt silenced Hide with a finger to his lips, and wove a spell. Hide felt a strange warm feeling emerge over him, embracing him like a long-lost mother. "And get your own servants. Oh, and make sure that they are more useful than both you and Hyde ever will be!"

Hide's eyes narrowed into slits as he fumed silently, but swiftly calmed down. The strange warm feeling had not receded, rather, it seemed like it had merged with him, into one. Realization swept over him as he gazed at Gackt's peaceful face. Gackt only smiled at his expression, and kissed him again.

"Take care. I'm going to Heaven." With that, a portal appeared like magic out of bare reality.

"Gackt…!" Hide shouted, running after him into the portal, but fell down as he realized that the portal was gone. With Gackt.

***

The court was big. Hyde sat there, unmoving, as he gazed at the grand halls. He had never seen Heaven before, except for the times when he wove spell as he watched Tetsu. And of course, the time when he first communicated with Yoshiki. The beauty of the place surprised him; it was beautiful in a different way from hell. It was forever bright in that place, and everything was white. It was the same white as the snow. Hyde loved snow. The snow-like walls shone with light like the angels' wings, and white candles burned beside the throne, which was so far away.

The throne was made of gold and silver, whether it was gold dug from the ground or just gold-color, Hyde was not sure. He looked around, but saw no one, much to his surprise. Suddenly, someone came in. Hyde tried to stand up, but pain engulfed him as he touched an unseen barrier. He cried out, and fell back to the seat.

"Baka judgement day," Hyde muttered. "Angels will forever be angels."

"Are you okay?" A youthful voice asked. Hyde looked up, to see a strange spirit clad in colorful clothes, in a contrast to the solemn walls around him.

"I'm fine," He replied sarcastically. "As if you haven't noticed."

"Don't be like that," The spirit laughed.

:.Darned… I can't even penetrate his thoughts….:

"My name is Kiyoshi, what's yours?" The orange-haired youth winked at him playfully.

"Hyde. … Kiyoshi…?" Hyde muttered, slowly. "This name sounds like a certain person."

"Kiyoko?" Kiyoshi asked.

"However did you know?" Hyde shot, careful not to touch the kekkai.

"……" Wordlessly, Kiyoshi's smile evolved into a mischievous grin, turned, and ran away. "I'm not telling ya!"

"………" Hyde said nothing as he watched Kiyoshi's back. Somehow, the bright figure seemed familiar. He sat back in his chair and waited, and after a period of time, he fell asleep.

***

"BAKABAKABAKA!!"

Hide flew up and down the castle, trying to think of a way to get to Heaven, too. But no matter how hard he tried, and no matter how many times around the castle he flew, he could not think of an idea, and it was getting frustrating. Finally, he flew to the spell room, and shut himself there for a long time. He still could not think of an idea, not even in that tranquil room and the strange atmosphere. Finally, he stood up, and walked towards the platform where Gackt usually performed his spells.

He looked at his hands, and they were glowing with a strange warmth which seemed so familiar. The same glow which reminded him of Gackt. It was what had always attracted him to Gackt, even though he had never thought about loving him like Yoshiki. Rather, he loved Gackt the same way as he loved Hyde, with a sense of friendship and belonging. It was different, but he had been enjoying himself too much in hell.

He closed his eyes, and let the warmth guide him. A pentagon locked itself up into his mind, and it engulfed him with its own light. He breathed a sigh, and it felt as if it was breathing through him. He felt like an angel, a being of love and goodwill. :.And I'm a devil..: He laughed silently to himself. He wondered if it was what made Gackt the master of Hell. The pentagon glowed into a portal, and Hide stepped inside. He marveled at the magic he felt inside of him, and wondered if that was what made Gackt so special. For a moment, he felt as if he was travelling through time and space, as he closed his eyes to embrace the magic.

***

The trial was coming. Hyde knew, for the court was full of angels. The angels flew in. They seemed beautiful, like a crowd of white doves. His vision wavered, and he imagined that he was seeing snow. The angel's wings, white as snow, brought about that illusion, he thought. Angels were never as beautiful as they seemed… He took in a stale breath; not that he needed it. He needed to calm his thoughts, and anything was welcome.

Finally, after waiting for some time, he watched as Yoshiki stepped in, together with the sharp and short angel. Then, Kiyoshi came in. Even Kiyoshi seemed solemn. Then, someone stepped in. It was Tetsu.

Hyde glanced at him quickly, but Tetsu seemed to be not paying attention. It was almost as if he was submerged in water. It was as if he was in a world of his own. Hyde quickly looked at the front as a strange figure descended onto the throne. It seemed as if the figure simply materialized out of nowhere, with no help, not even with a portal. The figure shone with a light so bright. The light was as white as the snow-white walls, and the angels' wings. Suddenly, Hyde realized the beauty and the power of the Divine.

"…God…?" He asked himself again. As a devil, he had never had the chance to see him. "What do you want with me?"

:::To decide your punishment for killing David, the Second Angel of Fire's Madrigal.:::

"What's Fire's Madrigal?"

"It's the group of angels under the First Angel, Tetsu." A strange sinister voice was heard.

"Who are you?" Hyde jumped as a little yellow bird flew to the front of him. It had long feathers which floated around it as it flitted over to Hyde.

"The First Angel of Damnation," It said with a laugh. A short laugh which seemed so unfitting to Heaven. "To convince God that you are not worthy of existing at all."

Hyde withdrew from the hissing bird, and snarled at it. The bird had blue eyes, Hyde noted, enchanting blue eyes. "I shall not be defeated by you!"

:::Silence!:::

The bird smirked, if a bird could be said to smirk, and flew away. It cleared its throat and hovered towards Yoshiki and Takanori. "Ahem. According to First Angel Tetsu of Fire's Madrigal, you have been harassing the humans in dreams as a race called Night-chaser and he had seen you at the scene where Third Angel David of Fire's Madrigal had died. David's wings were torn from his body, a normal ending for a Night-chaser's spell. Is that not correct?"

Yoshiki lowered his gaze, and nodded. Tetsu kept his gaze elsewhere, and Yoshiki was tensed up and worried that Hyde might get the verdict. Takanori seemed oblivious to both Tetsu's and Yoshiki's uneasiness.

"Hai," he replied.

"Now, may I have Kiyoshi's spirit up front, please." The bird snickered, and Kiyoshi stood slowly up. "Kiyoshi was the spirit to witness Hyde's confrontation with David."

Kiyoshi nodded at the bright figure in front. Hyde gasped as he realized that the spirit was actually a baby. A baby, he thought, with a heart of a grownup. He should have guessed it. But, if so, why couldn't he feel it when he was scanning Kiyoko's soul?

"I am Kiyoshi."

"Kiyoshi." The bird smiled softly. With a wave of its wings, and a little beautiful dance, Kiyoshi suddenly fell back into his seat.

"Kiyoshi!" Hyde gasped, as he reached forward. This time, to his surprise, there was no kekkai.

"Don't worry, he's just passed out," The bird informed him. "It's the scenes of his memory which you should be worried about."

Hyde quickly turned his head, to see a hologram-like apparition appear in front of him and God. To his surprise, even though he had half-expected it, it was Kiyoko's image which he saw. "Kiyoshi… Kiyoko?"

"Shh," The bird hissed. "Shut up."

"Biiiiida!" He stuck his tongue out at the bird, surprising everyone, especially Tetsu and the former. "Who are you to tell me what to do?"

Everyone burst into giggles, especially Takanori (Kiyoshi would have done so if he were awake). The only sober people were Tetsu, Hyde, the bird (or the yellow fucking bird if Hyde had the chance to give it its name) and God. The bird, furious, flew away and ignored him. "You are so dead."

"Hn!" Hyde pouted, and relaxed back in his seat. "Big fat deal!"

"Hyde, this is not of laughing matter," Tetsu softly told him, his consciousness wavering. "You will be condemned to disappear, if you are found guilty at worst rate."

Hyde looked at Tetsu, and he nodded slowly, closing his eyes. He was still trying to comprehend why he wanted Tetsu to understand everything of the matter. He was, at the same time, trying to comprehend why he was only concerned about Tetsu. He was so sure that Gackt would not come and rescue him, but he did not care anyway. Somehow, he was trying to understand why he did not care about Gackt or Hide, or anything…

:.Why was it only Tetsu?.:

:::Kiiroi, get back to Kiyoshi's spirit's imprints.:::

"Yes, your Almighty," The yellow bird flew towards the holograms again.

:.So its name is Kiiroi..:

"His name was Kiyoko then, as he was reborn in a girl's body. Unfortunately, the body had started to rebel against the spirit, unlike most cases. Kiyoko was dying, but she wanted to be alive."

Hyde was pretty surprised that Kiiroi told all the truth. He thought Kiiroi was just a bird all out to condemn. :.Maybe, Heaven is not as unfair as I thought….:

"Ruri comes in. Hyde watches all these, as he probes into the minds of the humans. He seems to have developed a feeling that we have never expected devils to have… True compassion. At a deep level where he will do something to help the person," Kiiroi closed its eyes, and seemed to speak from the inside of itself. "Hyde wants to fulfil Kiyoko's wish. David comes in, with a duty in mind. Hyde and he fights, as Hyde stops David from taking Kiyoko away. David knows the system and he cannot defy it. He knows that by following the system, he is doing good. The system cannot exist without sacrifice, no matter how much sacrifice it takes for a person. Hyde has not seemed to realize that. He kills David. Kiyoko dies, and Hyde realizes that all the fighting has been useless…"

The holograms played it just as Hyde had remembered it. Hyde closed his eyes, his heart beating in his throat, and then opened it. He turned, and glanced at Tetsu, hoping that the angel had known what it was all about. To Hyde's surprise, the second major one for that day, Tetsu was crying. Tears were dropping from his eyes down the smooth rise of his cheeks. Never in his dreams, had he thought that Tetsu would cry… For a demon like him, for the second time, when he had killed his trust for him before.

And a Fire angel he was. Tetsu could not stop himself, as he just stared at the short lithe figure in the condemnation seat. Fire angels should not have the emotions like Water angels. More and more tears came, and he lowered his head. Hyde was looking at him, and Tetsu wished that Hyde was looking at the holograms instead. It was as if a light had been shone on his own heart, and he finally understood everything. He understood why he had not attacked Hyde when he first went after him. He understood why everything had happened, why he wanted to do everything that he did. He had not exactly wanted to kill Hyde. He was trying to kill the part in him which hurt so much, which believed that Hyde was not like every other Night-chasers.

Now, he knew that Hyde was what he thought he was. Tetsu was so grateful, yet he was so confused. And sorry. He only wondered if Hyde thought the same way as he did, if Hyde loved him back. But it did not matter, because he was an angel and he was so used to giving love.

But it would be wonderful if it was two-way.

"Then, Tetsu comes in. Tetsu, First Angel of Fire's Madrigal. He has never attacked Hyde before, and I'm sure the reason is secret. Seeing this, he starts to attack Hyde, who is no match for Tetsu. Then, completely forgetting Kiyoshi's soul, he struggles to kill Hyde. Hide, Hyde's partner in Hell, comes in to rescue Hyde, but cannot get past the barrier or energy which envelops both Tetsu and Hyde," Kiiroi turned, and pointed to Yoshiki and Takanori. "Then, you sent this two in to stop Tetsu from killing Hyde, because if he did so, he would have regretted it. He would also have to face the trial. The rest does not have to do with Hyde's sentence."

Hyde saw the look in Tetsu's eyes, and he finally realized his heart of truth as well. He had always thought he hated Tetsu… Softly, silently, he laughed at himself.

***

"Yoshiki," A familiar voice was heard coming from the other end of his room. It was dark. Yoshiki opened his eyes, and saw a familiar shape at the corner.

"Hide."

A small chuckle was heard. "You're correct! For once."

Yoshiki smiled, just too happy to see Hide again. He pouted, pretending to be mock-angry. "Nandayo~~! Hide~~"

Hide laughed, and, suddenly, he seemed to be glowing. Yoshiki was sure of that, because he could see Hide's features again. He still looked as perfect, as pretty as ever… "We've gotta be greater enemies, Yo-chan!"

"…Why?"

Hide smiled. This smile did not seem like Hide at all. Rather, it seemed fulfilled… It seemed like an angel's smile. It reminded Yoshiki of Gackt's smile… "I'm the Master of Hell."

Yoshiki gasped, as he remembered what had happened during the trial. "So… Gackt is giving up his place in hell…"

Hide laughed softly. "I guess you know."

"Were you watching us all along?"

"Yes. And only God knew about it."

"…" Yoshiki sighed, and he ran forward to hug Hide. "Can we be together…?"

Hide smiled warmly, wrapping his arms around Yoshiki. "We can. We always can… We will… If we wish to be…"

Yoshiki gazed into Hide's warm eyes, feeling his heart beat faster and faster, and perhaps skip a beat or two. Hide's face seemed closer and closer, until their lips met, and they engaged in a long, long kiss.

***

The trial was over. Hyde was going down to the Human's world again to live through life again, to discover if he was much better as an angel or a demon. He would have the chance feel proper emotions again, in a testing world. To anyone, it would be worse than hell, if they had seen Hell or Heaven, yet it was a place of tests and growth…

:.So according to God..: Hyde closed his eyes. :.I'm sure that guy has not been to Ningenkai before… Hn..:

Of course, deep in his heart, he knew the truth. It was indeed a place of tests. Maybe not growth, but a place to learn if one grasps the threads to life.

Much to everyone's surprise, during the trial, Gackt had suddenly appeared. He appeared not as the Master of Hell, but as a faithful soul which bore love and tears. A soul who just wanted his love to be safe. God had taken care to the Leader of Hell's prayer, and they were supposedly having another meeting about it.

Hyde opened his eyes, the dimness of the huge place appealing to him. Much as he liked Heaven, he thought, he sure missed Hell. Hell was so much more fun and interesting than Heaven.

He stared into the flames of the three white candles again. In them, he saw Tetsu's face.

He would rather be with Tetsu than anything else. He hoped that Hide would take care of Hell properly.

Hide had appeared in front of him right after he was locked up, practically scaring Hyde with his ghastly glow. Hyde smiled, amused as he was only thinking as a spectator, as he remembered Hide' appearance.

~`;~ ::.flashback.::

Hyde was alone. Turning and flipping in bed, he could not sleep, the glow of the three candles irritating him. He had been sleeping in the presence of countless candles for countless of times when he was in Hell. Yet these three candles were bothering him like Tetsu had been so before he realized his heart.

"Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisuuu!"

"Yahhhh!!" Hyde practically jumped into the ceiling. "Nani?!"

"What's up?" Hide grinned, bouncing onto the bed. He had a glow like Gackt used to when he was working on a spell, and it was getting kind of scary.

"Nothing's up, no really," Hyde replied sarcastically. "Where have you been?"

"Keeping track of Gackt? I knew he won't just sit there and do nothing!"

"… Really…?" Hyde smiled, closing his eyes for a brief moment, lowering his head to look at the sheets.

"What, you have no confidence in him?" Hide mock-exclaimed, grabbing the shoulders of the smaller man. "Poor Gackt! And to think that you're the only one on his heart…"

"Shut up!" Hyde growled, annoyed. :.You don't have to remind me….:

"Oro?" Hide laughed happily.

"I'll say! You smell like you've just played with Gackt!" Hyde got onto Hide's trail, hoping to change the topic. :.That I've changed the Gackt whom I thought I always knew….:

"Not Gackt!" Hide laughed again. "Guess who?"

"I know, Yoshiki! Good for you then…" :.The Gackt whom I always thought was the Demon of all demons… Whom I thought was unfeeling… Just pretending to be fatherly, I always thought… Just pretending to be fond of us….:

Hide winked and sat down on the bed. "Actually, I've more important things to tell you, I thought I wanted to joke like we used to… But I guess it just isn't the same…"

"What? Get to the point."

"Well, Gackt's going to be with you for as far as I can see!" Hide joked, "And… This part is scary… I'm the new Master of Hell."

"Gomen ne, but it is scary alright," Hyde chuckled, as Hide gave him a 'killing' look. Then, turning more sober, he sighed and looked at Hide straight in the eye. "I never thought…"

Hide smiled. To Hyde's surprise, just as it was for Yoshiki, the smile was not Hide's. It was similar to Gackt's just as he had smiled, when he appeared in front of God and told God what he wanted.

The truly killing smile.

"I know you'll miss me, but I have to go… I want to see how Gackt-sama has been. Take care while you're back on Ningenkai! Mata ne!"

Hyde smiled, tiredly, and waved goodbye.

~`;~ ::.End of flashback.::

Hyde closed his eyes, hoping to drift off to sleep, but the light of the candles was still bothering him. Sitting straight up in bed, he closed his eyes, and began to sing a song which had been popular in Japan for a time… "Indifference". He had always wondered why it had appealed to him so much. :.It must have been the lyrics,.: he thought ironically, :.Especially the chorus….: Now that he saw everything clearly.

"I thought I had heard you for the last time
And thus lies my dream
In a tears laden path which I walk on
Carefully, I close my eyes to try to realize differently
It was then that I saw your love for me
Though I never thought
You would ever be there for me once again like I had dreamed
A cloud of Indifference lies on the path
Where I said my oath
But I just want to thank you for the pain and…"

Hyde shut his mouth, as he felt an unwelcome presence in the room.

"Who's there?!" He yelled, turning his head to face the door, and saw a dim figure near the door. He had hair which burned like foxfire bushes during autumn, and a kind --Hyde would never have admitted it at all before-- face. He blushed, a slight grimace gracing his beautiful angelic face.

"S… Sumimasen!" Tetsu breathed, his face a fiery red, and turned a little to grasp the doorknob. "I thought I'd check on how you were…"

"Tetsu… Wait." :.After so long… After so much suffering and confusion which we went through….: Hyde practically bounced out of bed, and gripped Tetsu's wrist. "Don't go yet…"

Tetsu seemed surprised, and let go of the doorknob, as Hyde let go of his wrist. His heart was beating faster and faster. He had never thought he would ever be alone with such a special person, in a just an enclosed space, breathing in the same air… Being in the same presence… He just wanted it to stay, that beautiful transparent shade which was so real to him.

"Do you know what has happened to Gackt's meeting…?" Hyde asked, knowing that it was not exactly the reason he had wanted Tetsu to stay. He just wanted to talk to him, just wanted to be in the same place as he was… Even if they did not have to do anything.

Tetsu shook his head, "I don't know the exact details, but I heard that God was going to let Gackt go to Earth…"

"Sookaa…" Hyde muttered, lowering his gaze.

"Sumimasen," Tetsu looked away. He had managed to calm down. Suddenly, the whole world did not seem as fast as it did any more. In fact, time seemed to have stopped, just for him. "Hyde…?"

"Eh?" Hyde asked, enquiringly.

"Never mind…" Tetsu lowered his gaze again. He had no real reason to even talk to Hyde. That made him uncomfortable once more.

Hyde looked at Tetsu, realizing that it was the same with the angel, and pretended to pout. "Disturbing me in the middle of the night while I'm singing!"

"Su… Su… Sumimasen!!!!" Tetsu apologized, feeling even more uncomfortable. "I'm really sorry!!"

Hyde laughed at his discomfort. "You're forgiven… Are you free now?"

Tetsu looked at Hyde, surprised, and smiled happily. "Yeah!"

"Let's sit down, then…" Hyde smiled a mirror response to Tetsu's smile, and pulled Tetsu along towards the bed. It was all that was available; there was not a single chair. "How was my singing?"

Tetsu blushed again, reminded that he had caught Hyde singing alone. He had never thought a demon would… Sing. And such a deep gorgeous voice, too… "It… It was really great."

"Thank you…" Hyde laughed.

"What are you laughing about?" Tetsu wondered, sitting cross-legged on the soft bed.

"You're so cute!" Hyde exclaimed, serving to make Tetsu blush further. "………Say…"

"Huh?" Tetsu was shocked by the suddenness of the serious tone in the last word. "What…?"

Hyde closed his eyes. It had hit him that he would never be able to see Tetsu again while he was in Ningenkai… "Can you come down with me to Ningenkai…?"

Tetsu's eyelids lowered, as he thought about it for a moment. He was a First Angel, he was much needed in Heaven. Just as he was thinking, Hyde's voice broke his thoughts.

"Sorry, I was just thinking selfishly. Tetsu, I wanted to tell you something I would never have thought of before." Hyde intoned, the seriousness practically freezing the air, yet to Hyde, it seemed as if there was a warm feeling to it. He was not scared, not at all, because he knew what he wanted to tell Tetsu, and he knew that the angel felt the same way. "I love you, more than I've ever loved anyone or anything."

Tetsu's eyes widened, but narrowed to a slit as he laughed like a child.

"What's so funny!" Hyde demanded. Tetsu looked so much like a innocent girl when he laughed, Hyde thought slowly, noticing his beautiful purity which seemed so strange compared to his own delinquency.

"Nothing… I'm just so happy… Hyde, I love you too! I was always so confused… But, I know it now. I'll ask God if I can have some time off to go to Ningenkai to see you… And you can remember me in your dreams… I'll pray for God to bless you with your dreams of me…" Tetsu paused, gazing at Hyde straight into his eyes, "You may forget, or remember, it doesn't matter. But I'm sure you'll know…"

Hyde smiled, reassured. :.Baka Tetsu, what makes you think that?.: Of course, his mind was always thinking differently from what his heart knew.

"Oh, and I'll protect you from the Night-chasers!"

:. TETSU NO BAKA!!!!!!!!!!.:

***

It was morning. Gackt woke up, after an hour of sleep… Or so. He was not sure how long he had been sleeping, but he knew that it was not much. He crawled out of the layer of blanket, and got out of bed. He stood up, and stretched. He liked Hell more than Heaven, he thought lackadaisically.

He had not fallen asleep since the meeting. :.And that's because Hyde isn't here for me to hug,.: He told himself. :.I miss the old days….:

Gackt yawned again and went towards the bathroom. "What a 'clean' white place," he thought aloud. "Does not raise the mood for two people."

Getting into the Jacuzzi, which was filled with hot water by then, he closed his eyes and relaxed as his body went limp in the water. He wondered if he would be able to remember everything once he went down to Earth again. He hoped so, but chances were, even if they were chosen people, people would not remember anything when they went down again. Knowledge of the past life was forbidden.

Opening one eye, he reached for the soap, but felt something strange. He nearly knocked his head against the edge of the tub when he saw that it was Hide.

"Yo~!" Hide shouted happily, sitting at a corner of the Jacuzzi. "How do you do? Fine thank you!"

"What are you doing here?!" Gackt exclaimed, trying to calm his beating heart.

"Making sure you're alright," Hide grinned, and reached for the soap. "Here you go!"

He passed the soap to Gackt, who promptly took it. "I'm happy…"

"Happy?" Hide echoed, pressing his ear closer towards Gackt's mouth, who laughed softly and pushed him aside.

"Happy that I can be with Hyde… You've been watching, haven't you?"

"Hai." Hide nodded, and pinched Gackt's shoulder. "I've been there all along. I guess God isn't the only one who knows after all!"

Gackt smirked, and closed his eyes, as Hide pulled him towards a sitting position for a back-in-water rub. "I'm the senior-master of Hell, Hide! I'm not like the angels, or any other demon."

Hide laughed, feeling his hands go over the lean and well-muscled flesh. "I thought so…"

"But, for a beginner, you've really mastered the spells well!" Gackt told him.

"It's the magic, I suppose……" He trailed off. "I'll take care of you and Hyde while you're on Earth!"

"Huh! Make sure that no Night-chasers come near us!" Gackt joked, emitting a moan as Hide nipped his neck gently with a laugh. "You know how dangerous they can get."

"Ho, I doubt they can be any more than Hyde!" Hide nipped his way up towards Gackt's ear.

"Haha…"

"Gackt…" Hide whispered, and stopped biting. "You know, I never thought it's so… So nice to be the Master of Hell."

"Nice?"

Hide nipped him again. "Baka! I'm sure you know. The strange feeling that calms, and that kindness which I swear I can never feel before…"

Gackt laughed gently. "I'm glad it has accepted you… Maybe you're even more suitable than me!"

"Eh?" With that, Hide burst into giggles. "This is stupid. I can see the headlines in tomorrow's newspaper Hell Times. Ex-rocker becomes the Master of Hell. 'That baka's more suitable than me,' Gackt, ex-Master, says…"

"Shut up," Gackt muttered, smiling. "…Baka."

"Thank you," Hide grinned, and nipped him again. "Well… Let's just say I wish you the best on Earth with Hyde! Hey, I gotta go… I have a meeting with God later…"

"Meeting?"

"I'm going to improve the stands between Hell and Heaven, and, of course, the angels' working condition. Yoshiki told me about it. They do have good places, and many of them actually work, but the thing is that they don't have much freedom. I'm also going to get God to allow relationships between Demons and Angels."

"Blockhead! Do you think that there are many like me Hyde, Tetsu, Yoshiki, and of course you?" Gackt pinched Hide's cheeks playfully. "Chances are that the Angels will get conned by Demons and there'll be a big mess."

"Hahaha…" Hide laughed, smacking away Gackt's hands. "Then, maybe not. But, I just want to make sure that no one else goes through what Yoshiki and I went through… Who knows, maybe Demons can learn to work with Angels! Yes, I'll wish them goodwill… Aaaaa! Damn cool that goodwill lies in my hands!"

"Okay, then, you'd better not be late!" Gackt patted Hide on the back. "Jya ne!"

"Buh bye!" Hide winked, and disappeared.

Gackt smiled, again, that warm smile of his, as he thought of the new Hell. He could not wait to live through the life and get it over with to come back to a better Hell. :.Hide will surely bring about better changes than I did!.: He thought, rubbing himself down. :.Much of an idiot he may be….:

***

Nobody said anything, as Hyde walked along the long white road, alone, towards the cosmic plain that lay beyond. Takanori sighed as he watched. He did not turn to look at Tetsu's expression, for he knew that it would not be a happy one.

Indeed, it was not a happy one. He looked so sad, almost as if he would never see him again. He wondered if it was going to be a long time before he had the chance to go to Hyde's birthplace… Not that he knew it yet.

:.I have no reason to cry….: Tetsu thought to himself, as he remembered Hyde's face.

::.Hyde was looking at him with that look again. That sad look, as if they were going to be apart for so long..::

::."Don't be so sad, Tetsu!" He said, despite himself. His smile seemed… So much like an angel's, Tetsu remembered fervently. "Our hearts will be together… If you just think of me…".::

::."…Hai!".::

::."So, stop crying. I'll know you in my heart, I promise. I'll never forget you.".::

Tetsu smiled, suddenly, and a few drops of tears fell again. "I'm… I'm sorry, Hyde, I cried. But it's okay… I will not be sad again…"

He did not know if Hyde heard it, but the small demon looked back, before he stepped into the glow of the cosmic field. And the demon smiled, lighting up a place in Tetsu's heart.

:.He wants to remember. And I believe he will….:

"Hyde! See you soon…"

Hyde waved, and nodded, as he disappeared into the sudden intense light of the white infinite field.

***

Hyde felt alone. In that whiteness, he could see nothing. He continued walking, not stopping for a moment of hesitation. He had faced so many tests, as a human, and then, as a demon… He would, once again, pick up the challenge. :.Tetsu and Gackt will be proud of me….:

:.Gackt! Where's Gackt? So he's not coming after all….:

He continued walking. The solitude hit him worse even in the warm light, but he walked on, and on. He was at the end of the light, finally, and saw the Earth again, from above. He was in outer space, he mused. :.Am I going to be born in Japan again, as I was, or? Oh, God, NOT Antarctica….:

He felt even more alone.

The blackness of the cosmos hit him harder than the white light. He saw the Earth as a huge orb with colors, and there was the moon beside it.

:.Kirei….:

Closing his eyes, he ventured towards the Earth. He wished that Gackt was there to comfort him…

Someone's warm hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Gackt," He smiled, and took hold of the hand, turning to see Gackt's beautiful warm face.

Gackt smiled back at him, with that warm smile of his which would never change. "Let's go."

***

The blinding light faded.

Yoshiki and Takanori stole a glance at Tetsu, and both of them grinned simultaneously. Tetsu had learnt one more thing, that was to let go after finding. And letting go was not cutting the thread. Tetsu was still holding on, but he learnt to make the kite soar.

By letting go.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

The End!

Author's notes: I have NOT forgotten about the tree! ^^; I will write it… If I live to write it.

So! Goodnight…

Oh. Thanks, you-know-who-you-are, for alwayz giving me constructive comments on my fics ^_~

Wednesday, May 19, 1999 11:48:05 PM

Mail me--
http://xz0ne.cjb.net
voidmatsumoto@yahoo.co.uk