I'm doing some massive studying for econ today, and I wrote this part in quite a hurry; I beg you all to pardon the bad writing. Gomen nasai. -''-x
Part 36
Sakura bent down and, carefully, gathered Yukihiro's exhausted form into his arms. Silent, unresisting--the smaller man seem strangely fragile at that very moment.
Appearance was a deception-- Sakura knew that much. After all, he wielded it better than anyone did. Better than Yukihiro, perhaps, even.
He glanced at the two figures on the bed, hugging each other, in contented silence, so tightly, as if to blend into one. And he felt the mixed taste of relief and jealousy whelming up his throat.
How absolutely happy Tetsu seemed.
He watched the way Tetsu lightly rested his head on Hyde's shoulder, the way his arms wound a protective circle round the ebony-haired mortal's shoulders. The way those bright eyes softened in adoration, and those lips, curling up in a heartfelt smile.
He watched as Hyde wiped the tearstains off Tetsu's pale cheeks with the fabric of his sleeve. The gesture was infinitely tender.
Sakura was bitter, though he swallowed the emotion with his rational mind, burying it deep into his heart where it wouldn't be able to hurt anyone, especially not the one he... loved.
It was amazing, and ultimately new, this affection for Tetsu. Frightening, too. How long has he known this... 'Star'? A member of a race he had once purposely ignored-- refused to believe existed. They had met for a few days, only. Yet here he was, yearning for a kiss, a caress, and a smile of love, from the beautiful man.
And to think, he had thought himself devoid of emotions.
He wondered if Tetsu could detect his bitterness, his suppressed possessiveness and jealousy, when he held the pretty Star in comforting arms, letting himself be trustable and supportive? Surely Tetsu knew of them. He must did. Yet he had still entrusted himself to Sakura's care, /unafraid/. Sakura felt his heart swell at the thought. /Not afraid./
Because he sees your soul.
Sakura stood up, holding the slumbering Yukihiro in his arms as he did so.
In his mind he had a thousand questions for Yukki. He had to find out The Force behind all this! ...For he swore to himself that he would protect Tetsu. He would protect Tetsu's happiness. And if that happiness meant Hyde, so be it.
Before he stepped out of the room, he caught Tetsu looking at him. The latter had pulled ever so slightly away from his lover, and was regarding him with worried eyes, silently questioning.
Sakura gave a little gentlemanly bow of head in return, and slipped out of the room.
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Hyde didn't notice Sakura leaving; but he did notice Tetsu's distressed face.
"Tet-chan...?" he called, gently.
The redhead lifted his gazes to his beloved. For a moment he remained silent, stroking Hyde's slender arms slowly. Then he began, voice soft, thoughtful: "I thought you'd die for sure, Hyde. I... I was so afraid."
Hyde's heart tightened. "I'm fine now, aren't I, Tet-chan."
"Yes," Tetsu whispered, "but... but Hyde, who healed you?"
Hyde didn't know. He only remembered a knife plunging into his back, right through his heart, and the intense pain that followed. He remembered, before he blacked out, a curious sensation, almost as if his very spirit was rising out of his body, yet lingering, unwilling to leave. And then he'd saw a warm blazing, beautifully white, burning like a great ball of fire yet was not one, enveloping him. And when he struggled to open his eyes, he was alive.
Tetsu's voice shook him out of his trail of thoughts. "Hyde?"
"Ah..." He lowered his eyes and unconsciously drew his lover closer.
"Hyde, I'm...I'm puzzled. I'm frightened," Tetsu continued quietly. "Why did that Levin try to kill you?"
"He was trying to kill /you/," said Hyde, with a scowl.
"But why? What have you...Why have I done?"
Hyde was speechless. In truth, he, too, didn't understand the events that had taken place ever since he woke up in this foreign place. What was happening? After he had recovered his memory, he thought that everything was going to be fine, that he could finally be with Tetsu forever. But...
"Hyde, don't you... don't you know about Sakura-san?" Tentatively, Tetsu asked.
The smaller man gave him a puzzled look. "What about him?"
Tetsu sighed. Touching Hyde lightly on the face, he tried for a smile. "No... Nothing. Forget it." Should he tell Hyde about Sakura--and Levin-- not being mortal? Did Hyde have to know? Perhaps he should know. However, he was only a human. And he bore so much pain already. "...Forget about it."
Hyde gripped his shoulders, looking into his wide eyes. "Tet-chan, you know about what's going on, don't you? You do."
"No, Hyde, I..."
"You do," Hyde insisted, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice. "You know. You aren't like me; you're a Star. And you have to tell me. I need to know! Don't leave me in the dark."
"But Hyde, I don't want you to be hurt--"
The ebony-haired man suddenly took Tetsu into his arms tightly. He kissed Tetsu's dark crimson hair as he pleaded: "No, no, don't try to protect me. I want to protect /you/! I know I'm only a human, but... you've been lost to me for so long, and I don't ever want to lost you again!"
Tetsu returned the hug even as tears stung his eyes.
"Please, Tet-chan, I know something's happening. What is it?"
"...All right." Slowly, Tetsu spoke, "I... I'm not entirely sure of it myself. But I have a feeling... that someone wants to have us killed."
"Tet-chan, you mean... Levin?"
"No. I mean a Force that's infinitely larger... /greater/." Tetsu turned troubled eyes to his lover, whose eyes widened. "But I don't know what it is."
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When Yukihiro opened his eyes, he saw the graying sky and heard the tumbling waves of the sea. With difficulty, he sat up.
"Yukki." Someone's voice from behind. Calm.
Yukihiro turned around sharply. "Sakura-kun..."
With impeccable grace, Sakura unfolded his arms and rouse from the enormous rock he'd been leaning on. He jammed his hands into the pockets of his pants and stared ahead at the peacefully moving sea. "Beautiful, isn't it? The sea."
Yukihiro stood up as well, masking his alarmed suspicion with a gentle expression. "Aa."
Turning to him, Sakura's thin lips curled into a dry smile. "I've questions for you, Yukki."
---------To be Continued---------