It's LOVE, yo!

Uncrowned King Masterpost

2009-11-28T11:47:00.000-08:00

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Final

yoroshiku ne <3

Uncrowned King Final

2009-11-28T11:30:00.001-08:00

Final

Pi was standing in the entrance, panting. He didn't know if this was the right thing to do, or if he would succeed. All he knew was that he wanted that man in the front who looked so utterly beautiful in that white suit. Once again Pi thought that Toma looked like an angel... no, he didn't just look like one. Toma WAS his angel. And Toma belonged to him and no one else.

Pain struck his body when he heard that voice. It was so beautiful and cruel at the same time. Toma turned around, slowly, afraid to face him. What was he doing here? Hadn't he hurt him enough already? Did he have to destroy his last hope that he had in life?
Then he heard his words.

“Toma! Please... don't marry her.”, Pi said, his voice shaking in discomposure.

“I know I've done so many things so terribly wrong, but... I can't live without you. I've realized that long before THAT night. You know... what we did... it wasn't just fun as I made you believe. This was so much more... I know it's hard to believe after all I've done to you but... please believe in me...”

Pi was watching Toma closely. But there was no movement in his expression. Nothing that made Pi believe that he would get Toma back.

The prince couldn't believe his ears. Everything he said sounded just like what he wanted to hear. As wonderful as in his dreams... 'I must be hallucinating', he thought and watched Pi still, his face numb.
'It must be a dream', he thought once again. And he wished that he could dream that dream forever, until eternity. He didn't want to wake up into the cruel reality.
If only THIS was reality...

Eventually the guests' voices raised, but Pi didn't listen. His whole self was focused on Toma.

“You know...”, he started again, his voice louder that before. “You know, I... couldn't stop thinking about you the whole time. I started crying when you left and I was so disappointed... in myself, my whole actions ever since I met you. But there's one thing I will NEVER regret... I love you. Falling in love with you was the best thing that has ever happened to me before, and I will not give up on you that easily!”

Toma's eyes widened at Pi's words. Each and every word cried out to him. He couldn't say a thing, couldn't move. Did he really mean it? Was his confession sincere? Then he remembered that Pi never said those 3 words to him, not when he had confessed. So maybe, maybe he was allowed to believe it? To get lulled by those words and the sound of his voice?

In the background, somewhere which seemed far away from him. Toma heard his father shout something. The next thing he saw were the royal guards, which were capturing Yamapi. It felt like a bubble that burst and suddenly Toma saw everything clearly.

He could see how Pi got captured by the guards and how he struggled against them, how his eyes were on him the whole time. And then he knew it was the right thing to do. If Pi fought, he would fight, too.

“Stop. This is a command. Let him go.”

Pi didn't recognize the king yelling or the guards approaching him. His mind was fixed at Toma. He stared into his eyes, which looked so terribly confused and unsure. But Pi was searching for hope in his eyes. And when he just thought he'd found it, the guards grabbed him and wanted to push him outside. Hard metal beat against Pi's head and stomach, but still Pi fought to stay inside, to not lose his focus on Toma. All his hope would die if he gave up now.

But then he heard that voice again. It was loud and harsh, but he had longed for it so badly. And the guards did as they were told. Pi still stood in the entrance, his eyes fixed on Toma, and he waited. Waited because he wanted to hear Toma's voice again. Even if he told him to go, Pi would be grateful for every word that was meant for him alone.

The guards did as they were told, luckily and although he hadn't expected them to. He looked at Yamashita, and even through the wide hall he could clearly see his eyes. Eyes full of hope. His heart began to beat faster again, god, how had he missed that beat.

As he was just about to say something, the king rose and went over to him. “What are you doing son? What is his all about?”, he said, his voice shaking with rage. But Toma just looked at him and smiled. Then he took the first step and another and another.

He wanted to be right in front of Yamashita and hear him say these words again.

But then: “Toma-sama!”

This time it was Maki. He turned around slowly and found her gazing at him. He knew how much he would have to hurt her, but he couldn't help it. “Maki-san, I...”, he began, but was interrupted. “Go.”, she said, tears in her eyes, but she still smiled.

Pi was watching the whole scene. He wanted to approach Toma, wanted to be by his side when he made his decision but the guards wouldn't let him.

Then suddenly Toma came down the long gangway slowly. Pi's heart beat louder and and louder with every step Toma took. Toma came closer, but it still wasn't close enough for Pi. As Toma took his last step towards Pi, the little princess shouted his name. And for the first time Pi didn't only look at Toma. He saw the small lady cry and he was so sorry, but as he told the prince to go Pi knew they had her blessing.

And so Pi didn't wait any longer.

He took Toma's hand, bumped some of the guards out of his way and dragged his prince outside. They ran and ran until the voices behind them eventually faded. They didn't look back, afraid to be captured if they slowed down.

Panting, the two men stopped at the place where Pi's tent was set up.

They stood there for a long time, just watching each other, catching their breath again.

Then again Pi spoke up.

“I... actually wanted to bring you to the place where we kissed first... But to me this place seems more real. And I... want to explain everything in whole. If you let me.”

Pi was looking at Toma, unease shaking his whole body.

Toma couldn't even react. It happened so fast. Suddenly he felt a warm hand clutching his own and in the next moment he was out of the church. They ran and ran until they reached Pi's tent. Everything felt so weird and yet so right as Toma looked at Pi who looked at him also.

Then Pi told him that he wanted to explain everything.

But did he even want that Pi explained everything?

It was the second when Yamapi touched him that he had already forgotten about the pain, and everything bad he had caused him.

“I don't want to hear it.”, said Toma after a long time. He could see Yamapi's face hardening and turning away slowly. “I don't need to hear it.”, Toma said again.

Pi turned around again and looked at him, confusion all over his face. And Toma decided that they had waited enough, suffered enough. They'd already lost enough time.

So he took the last step forward, raised Pi's chin and kissed the young man softly.

Pi just wanted to start explaining as Toma said he didn't want to hear.

Pi'd been afraid of just that reaction. He'd better not come here. He looked down to the ground, didn't want Toma to see his face.

“I don't need to hear it,”, Toma said then.

Pi looked up again. What did he mean? Hadn't he just told him he didn't want to make up with him? Pi was searching for an answer in Toma's eyes but he was too puzzled to even drink a glass of water without spilling it all over the table.

Then Toma approached him, Pi could feel Toma's finger touching his chin and finally Toma kissed him.

Pi didn't know what to do at first. Too long had his heart missed this very kiss.

He raised his hands slowly, touched Toma's cheeks, pulled his prince closer and suddenly started crying. Now all the fear and loneliness was gone and they were one again.

Pi broke their connection and whispered “I love you, I love you” over and over again against Toma's lips.

Toma pulled a bit apart, but just so that he could wipe away Yamashita's tears. It sounded so good to hear him say these words. Tears began to tickle in his eyes, too, but he didn't care.

All he wanted was to hold Pi forever. He kissed his forehead, then his eyelids and then his lips again. How he had missed him!

Then he hugged him tightly and nuzzled against his neck. Now the tears were running down his cheeks as well. “I love you, too, I love you so much! I always did.”, he whispered.

Pi could feel Toma's hands wiping away his tears and as he looked at Toma's face, he saw Toma's eyes turning red and watery as well.

“Don't... don't cry... From now on everything's gonna be alright, right? We're together now and we will be forever.”, Pi said, hugging Toma tightly.

As Toma whispered those most perfect words again and again, it was causing showers running through Pi's whole body. And Pi was enjoying them to the fullest.

“Toma, I... want you to go with me... to my mother's grave. I told her about you. She'll be very happy to finally meet you in person.” Pi smiled.

Toma looked up. “I'd love to.”, he answered and smiled as well, kissing Pi again.

“But first... let's sit down for a while...”, Pi said and dragged Toma to the tree where they had kissed once.

Pi sat on the ground, pulling Toma down and into a tight embrace.

“I've been running all night and day to tell you that I love you... and there's no need to worry anymore.”

“You're right.”, Toma said, huddling up against Pi.

“Oh, and I forgot something!”, Pi suddenly remembered while watching the most beautiful sunset in his life.

“Hm?”, Toma looked up.

“Close your eyes, please.”

And when Toma did as he was told, Pi got the ring once again and put the tiny metal on Toma's finger.

“Happy Birthday, my angel.”

The End.

Uncrowned King 18

2009-11-28T11:28:00.001-08:00

Chapter 18

Everyone stared at the man in the open gates. Toma's eyes widened when he saw him.

He was breathing heavily and looked to the ground.

Toma wanted to say something but then the young man spoke up.

„I... Please don't... don't marry.”

Pi looked at the couple in front of him. They were quite far away, but Pi was sure they heard him since everyone was staring at him quietly.

“I... I love you, so please don't. She's the wrong one, and you know it.”

As Toma heard his words he was speechless. Soon enough tears were tingling in his eyes. Could it really be...? He looked at Maki and back to the panting man in the door.

“You know, it was hard for me... to let you go. And now, to see you with her like that, is even harder. Please... forgive me for what I did to you. I'll make it up to you... if you'll let me.”

Pi was desperate. There was so much he wanted to say but his brain was a total mess and so the words came out, totally uncoordinated.

Tears were flowing down Toma's cheeks already. How could he make him feel all that? His words were so ... sincere. Was he really telling the truth? Toma wanted to believe in them... if it really was what he wanted, how could he not agree?

Pi moved towards the groom and suddenly there were people trying to hinder him from getting closer. But Pi didn't look at them. He looked at the young man in he front and tried to fight his way through the crowd. “Please!”, he cried out. “Please don't! I love you!”

Suddenly the guards came from the sides and tried to capture the young man. He tried to fight them but they were stronger. Toma stepped away from the altar.

“STOP. Let him free, that's a command!”, he shouted and stepped closer.

Pi's body froze as the young man ran towards him. The crowd had stopped their attack already and Pi was watching closely at the young man in the black suit.

Toma faced the young man and lay his hands on his shoulders. “If you really mean it...”, he said. “Then how could I be the one who's against it? Do you love Maki that much?”

The man looked at him confused. “Maki? I don't want Maki!”, he answered furiously.

Pi couldn't believe his eyes. Who was this guy standing right in front of him?

“Who are you?”, the man asked.

“I... actually wanted to ask the same.” Pi was so confused.

The man still looked at the prince confused. “I... I wanted to stop someone else... I want Keiko! Damn it!”

And so he rushed out of the church without another word. Toma stood there wordlessly for some seconds. Then remembered what he was about to do when the wedding was disturbed,

He got back at his place in front of the altar and looked at Maki.

Then finally they proceeded with the marriage.

“Isn't this... the wedding of the prince?”

“No, it's not. Now get out of here!”

Pi was so shocked that he couldn't move. The people around him pushed him outside and closed the gates again.

And so he stood outside until the bell rang and then he went to his tent crying, packed his things up and went away without ever returning again.

And so Toma and Maki got married and lived quite happily ever after.

The End.

[fake end desu xD]

Uncrowned King 17

2009-11-28T11:24:00.001-08:00

Chapter 17

Later that day Toma went to his fathers room, he knocked and was called in immediately. He stepped in front of the table the king was sitting at and cleared his throat. "Was is it, son?", asked his father, rather annoyed.

Toma had to collect all his courage to say the following words, even it was hard for him, he knew he had to do it. "I... I don't want to wait any longer... with your agreement I ....would like to...marry Maki-san as soon as possible.", he mumbled. His father stared at him in disbelief, then he smiled. "I already thought you wouldn't like her!", he said jubilantly and smiled. "Good choice, my son, of course you have my agreement. I'll let them prepare the wedding for tomorrow since it's also your birthday. It's a bit fast but we had already prepared some things." Toma sighed. His birthday, huh? He already forgot about it, but he couldn't care less now. He knew he was doing the right thing, and his father was overly pleased as well. But why did he feel like he would betray Yamashita? "Thanks, Otou-sama.", Toma said, bowed and left the room.

Once back in his room, he leaned his back against the door and slid down, burying his head in his hands. Everything within him was a total mess. His heart said it was wrong what he was doing, and was complaining with all the pain it could come up with. And his mind said it was the best solution for him, his only way left.

He wished he could stop the pain in his chest. He wished his mind could tell his heart that the battle was already lost, that it didn't have to fight anymore.

But he knew it wouldn't work. His heart was still beating for that man, the one who had betrayed him.

Why couldn't it just stop beating? It would be better if it did. It would save him from a life of pain. And the tears came again. He jammed his hands together and pressed the fist at his forehead.

Tears running down his cheek, he cried: "Yamashita..."

After all there was just one thing he wanted more than anything else: To hold him again, to kiss him again, to be with him again. He wanted him back so badly...

But it was impossible. He might have been in some other country already. It was useless to think about it, but Toma just couldn't stop thinking about the young man.

Suddenly a knock on the door, Toma got up hurriedly and wiped away his tears. Then he answered: "Come in."

It was Maki.

"Good day, Toma-sama", she said shy. "I heard... you decided... to marry me?", she asked, blushing. "Yes...", he said, avoiding her gaze. "… if you still want to...", he added. "Of course!", she answered happily. "But there is one thing I want to tell you beforehand. You probably wonder... why I changed my mind, right?" He didn't wait for an answer, he had to tell her, he wanted to tell her. Maybe deep within he wanted her to be disgusted, maybe he wanted her understanding, he didn't know.

He just felt like he had to tell her. And so he did. Everything.

And she listened carefully. When he had finished she looked at him with an unreadable expression. Then she hugged him shyly. "What a cruel story... it must be so hard for you...", she said, stroking his back gently.

Suddenly he remembered Yamapi's touches, he couldn't hold it anymore and pushed her away. "I'm sorry...", he said.

She stepped away. "It's okay." But Toma could hear that she was totally not okay. "I'll leave you alone now." He wanted to say something, but she already stepped out and closed the door behind her.

The rest of the day went past as he was coached in all kind of things for the marriage the

next day. The whole castle seemed to be in a hurry.

In the evening he was exhausted and he lay down on his bed, waiting for sleep to come... But somehow it wouldn't so he just lay there in the pitch dark room and thought about everything.

Some hours later he finally found sleep.

Had he ever run that fast? Pi didn't know for how long he had been running now. He was exhausted. And he was thinking all the time.

What was he supposed to say to Toma? Would Toma really give him a second chance? Did Toma still love him? All Pi knew was that he did love Toma and he always would. And if Toma didn't want him, he would leave and never come back. He would promise to him to leave him alone if he wanted him to. Oh, why had everything to be so difficult? Maybe Toma was already in love with the little princess. Maybe not.

It didn't matter what could or could not be. Pi had to try. He had to try hard to get back the love of his life. Now that he thought of it... He'd never told Toma that he loved him. He'd told him that he wanted to stay with him forever or that he would defend him from anything, but never had he said those three little words, which did mean so much. At least they did to him. He'd felt like his heart had stopped pumping as he'd heard Toma say it.

Just thinking of Toma's voice made Pi endure the long run. He only stopped when he was close to breaking down, and continued running when he was able to stand on his feet again. When he sat down he thought of Toma, when he got up he thought of Toma, and also while running the only thing he could think of was Toma. His prince. The person he wanted to be with the most. And the only person he wanted to be with until eternity.

When he reached the city early in the morning, he wondered if he should enter the castle through the secret entrance he had taken last time. No, this time he would do it properly. Go through the front gates, in clean clothes and he would his way to the prince. Even if he got caught by the guards. He would and could not find peace without telling Toma how he really felt. And most of all he wanted to know Toma's answer, his heart.

Toma woke up early that morning. He hadn't slept much that night. He felt awful and he knew the day wouldn't get any better... but he wanted it that way, right?

He got dressed and walked to the great hall to eat breakfast. The wedding was supposed to be at noon... Just his father was on the table in the great hall. Of course Maki wasn't there, since the groom mustn't see the bride on the wedding day till she shows up in the church.

“Today is your great day. Are you ready, my son?”, asked the king, gazing at Toma. “... yes, I am.. I guess I'm a bit nervous”, he answered slowly and he felt the big lump in his throat. Suddenly it hit him. He would really marry Maki.

When he reached his small tent and saw that it was still untouched by burglars and such, he took off his dirty clothes, placed them near his small home and got into the river to wash all the mud off. The water was cold as ice but he didn't want to look like a beggar when he stepped in front of Toma. As he saw his reflection in the water there were still some scratches from when he had hurt himself that night. And he would not hide them. He would tell Toma the truth, everything that would make him understand Pi better – and maybe make him forgive.

When he thought he was clean enough he got out of the river, got himself dry and dressed himself in clean clothes. By each second passing he got more nervous and wished everything was over already. He thought back of when he had met the prince for the first time. He'd seen him in the crowd of people that had gathered around him that day, and still his whole eye focus lay on Toma. He'd seen how the prince had looked at him and he's recognized the craving deep inside these eyes. The longing for something the prince didn't have and that he possessed. And he'd seen the admiration. Both had made him look like a lost child that wanted to be saved by a shining hero. And Pi still didn't know why, but he'd wanted to be his hero from the very second their eyes met. And he wanted to stay his hero, rescue him from this golden cage and lead him into another shining future, a free future that was predetermined for the two of them.

As they finished breakfast Toma got back to his room and was awaited from his teacher. “Happy birthday, Toma-sama!”, he said and smiled. Toma managed to fake a small smile and thanked him. Could his birthday become even worse? Wasn't it supposed to be the best day of his life? His birthday and his wedding day? He just couldn't get himself to be happy about it.

Then everything went very fast, he got dressed and instructed again and some hours later he already found himself in the church, dressed in a fancy white suit. He felt like he was in trance. Like his mind was turned off...

He stood in front of the altar, waiting for his bride-to-be. The whole church was filled with people, nobles, family and god knew who else. Toma didn't really care.

As the music started the lord and Maki came in. She wore a wonderful dress and looked very beautiful...

Soon she was next to him, looking at him shyly. He tried to smile.

Then he realized it. It was the end of his first love right?

So, while Pi headed towards the castle he heard the people talk about important happenings in the castle. They were talking about the prince's birthday, which was today, and that a big party would be held inside the castle with lots of guests and food and wine.

“And did you get the news?”, he heard an old man say.

“What news?”, another asked curiously.

“Rumor has it that the prince will marry the little princess by now. Seems like the prince wants to hurry things up a little. Can't stand just watching any longer, huh?” The old man laughed.

But Pi's body froze. Wedding? What was all of this about? Was it really just a rumor? Or did the old man speak the truth?

But there wasn't any time left for Pi. If the rumor was true, he had to hurry up and stop the wedding. But where should he seek for Toma? Well, since this was a wedding, they would be in a church of course. And that was on the other side of the city.

So he started to run. He didn't care if the old men stared at him or if he dripped and fell. He had to hurry or else Toma would do the wrong thing.

The pastor began with his speech. “...will you, Maki Horikita, take Toma Ikuta as your husband, in good as in bad times and love and care for him with everything you have?”, asked the priest.

Maki looked at Toma and smiled. “I will”, she said.

Pi ran across the big market place, where he had met Toma for the first time and prayed. Prayed that it wasn't too late already and that all his hope was lost.

Toma's chest felt like there was something inside of it, holding the air away.

“And will you, Toma Ikuta, take Maki Horikita as your wife, in good as in bad times and love and care for her with everything you have?”, asked the priest.

Toma gulped, the lump in his throat felt so big...

He took a deep breath and looked at Maki, who smiled lovingly. This was the moment everything would end and would start anew....

And so Pi opened the gates.

Toma opened his mouth and said: “ I-”

“STOP!”

Dare You To Move

2009-11-16T12:18:00.000-08:00

Author: Sareru
Pairing: TomaPi [but since there aren't any names in the fic, it could be anyone *lol*]
Genre: Romance, Yaoi
Rating: PG-13
Soundtrack: Switchfoot - Dare You To Move
Disclaimer: Neither the song or the characters are mine [i wish they were *bwaha*]
Notes: I was writing this after watching the movie "A Walk to Remember" starring Mandy Moore, and I highly recommend this awesome film <3
and as always: comments are love <3

Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
Everybody's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next
What happens next

"Don't... everybody's waiting for you...", I said.
"So what?" You didn't really seem to listen.
"It's your birthday party... so you should go, right?"
"I didn't ask them to come. I actually asked you only. Why did you bring them with you?"
"I... don't know. They wanted to come, so...", I stuttered. I really didn't know why I brought all of them to your house. You didn't ask for it and I didn't really want them here either. But they were so damn persistent.
"Let them wait. I don't mind and they got lots of food. So they won't ask for us." You grinned. And you were right. The main reason why they'd come here was the food.
"Aren't you hungry as well?", I asked.
"Oh, I am... But not for food.", and your grin wouldn't vanish.
The carpet under my back was fluffy and so was the decoration downstairs. But downstairs didn't really appeal to me right now.
You bent down, looking into my eyes and I wondered if you'd ever looked that sexy before. Sitting on my thighs you bent down a little more, your lips approaching mine until they finally touched. The kiss was so soft and I wanted more.
The others downstairs didn't matter anymore.

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

I wanted to get up, wanted to pull you close, but you stopped me, pinned me down to the ground.
"Don't... move.", You said with an expression I kew just too well. And I liked it.
"Okay.", I whispered, staying still.
You kissed me again and again and I enjoyed the sensations running through my whole body.
My skin burned where your fingers touched it. And also my hands burned as I touched you.
First your arms, then your chest, finally your face, your cheeks, your lips.
Your skin's so smooth, that I didn't want to stop touching you. And fortunately I didn't have to stop.
"Happy Birthday...", I whispered, tenderly pulled you down to kiss you again.
"I see this as my birthday present, okay? So no need to give me something else.", you said smiling.
"Okay..." I nodded and grinned.
I also meant this to be your present. Not because I didn't know what to buy, but because it was your first birthday since we're together like this.
Since we'd fallen in love.

Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
Tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be

Suddenly a knock at the door.
"Hey, are you guys in there? What the heck are you doing?"
You sighed, I grinned.
You got up, went to the door, stepped outside and said: "Okay guys, party's over. Go home. Grab something to eat and celebrate somewhere else, okay? I'm... tired."
Who the hell would believe this obvious lie?, I wondered and laughed.
You stayed outside for a few more minutes, went downstairs to the others to tell them to leave.
And in the meantime I got the blindfold I had brought and sat down on the bed. I remembered I hadn't been here for some time. Most of the time the bed was too far away for us, so we just stayed where we were, doing... stuff.
I heard the crowd leave and you came back. I was nervous.
"Hey...", you said when you entered the room again.
"Hey...", I answered.
You stared at me and I didn't get the expression on your face.
"What?", I asked, nervous if I did something wrong.
"Nothing...,", you said, smiling. "I could stand here watch you all the time."
I blushed. God, I'm a guy and I blushed. What the heck?
"But I don't like you just standing there while I'm waiting for you. Come here."
I patted the place beside me on the bed. You came closer.

Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here

You laid down on the bed, right beside me. I got on top of you, enjoying your surprised face.
"I want to... try something today, okay?" I showed you the blindfold and saw you swallow.
"Don't worry, I won't... hurt you or something, okay?" I smiled nervously. Was it alright for you?
"I... I hope so...", you answered. You still didn't seem convinced.
"I just want to... undress you... okay? Nothing else. And you can take it off if you want to."
You hesitated, but then nodded silently.
I smiled and got the blindfold over your eyes. And I was excited. I didn't know if you liked it or not, so I had to try hard.
I bent down, kissed you softly and started unbuttoning your shirt slowly. I wanted you to savor every touch like I did. [waah~ ich bin auch aufgeregt xD' meine ffs färben auf mich ab ö___Ö'] I got the shirt off of you, uncovering your chest. It rose and fell faster than usual.
"I'm a bit excited...", I admitted. Even my fingertips seemed to shake, or at least it looked like they did.
I saw your hands moving. They seemed all over my body, trying to find my face. When they had found it, you said: "Don't be... I actually... like this. It's kind of thrilling." You smiled.
"Okay.", I said, slightly relieved. I bent down again, kissed your chest. You seemed surprised, moaned and lifted your chest a bit.
I kissed your skin again and again, tasting the sweet flavor. And I couldn't get enough. My hands touched your shoulders, your chest, your stomach, came to a hold as they found your trousers. You sighed, and I didn't stop.
I opened your trousers, slowly pulled them down and you moaned again.
"I know, I know...", I whispered. I placed my head beside yours and cautiously kissed your ear. You moaned again.
"You still like this, don't you?", I asked.
You nodded tensely. I giggled.
"Hey, don't laugh at me.", you complained.
"I don't... I'm happy, that's why.", I answered.
You said nothing, but after a second took off the blindfold and looked at me.
"What?", I asked in surprise. "I thought you like this."
You smiled.
"I do. But I don't like you." You grinned.
"What the heck? You don't?"
"No... I love you.", you said, pulled my close again and we kissed once more.
"Happy Birthday."

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened before

Uncrowned King 16

2009-11-16T12:14:00.000-08:00

Yamapi's View

Soundtrack: Switchfoot – You

Toma said something, but Yamapi tried to get away fast.

He wanted to get as far away from Toma as he could, even if it broke his heart.

But then Toma told him to wait, and he couldn't but do as he was told. Pi wasn't sure if he should look at him, but he had to. How else would Toma believe his words?

He saw Toma rip the ring off his neck.

And it felt like Toma had ripped Pi's heart out. He wanted to cry, but he wasn't allowed to.

Toma talked to him, furious, but Pi didn't get a word.

Toma came closer and Pi watched him still. He wanted to hug him, wanted to tell him that he didn't want to leave but it was already to late.

When Toma punched his fist into Pi's face, Pi didn't even try to defend himself and sagged to the ground.

Toma continued to scream out what he had in mind, while Pi didn't even feel his back. He could hardly keep his eyes open, so that he was able to absorb Toma's hurt expression and his whole face.

But then it started to rain and Toma threw the ring at Pi. He wanted to get up, to feel the cold metal between his fingers, but before he was able to move, Toma turned around and ran as fast as he could.

Pi slowly lifted his hand, groping for the ring, but he didn't find it. He fought to get up and saw the ring and Toma's necklace lying beside him in the grass.

Hesitantly he reached out for the precious metal and looked at the ring in his palm. And then he couldn't hold it any more.

He started crying like there was no tomorrow, clinching the ring in his hand and cried Toma's name into the rain.

How could he live without him? How was he supposed to go on when he knew that his only reason to live hated him now and he would never be able to reach out for him again? Toma was gone and there was no doubt about this fact.

Where should he go now?

There was no one close to him any more. He had killed his dad and driven away the love of his life. And his mum had already died years ago.

Was there actually any reason to go anywhere anymore?

But then he heard his mother's voice in his head, saying “Hora, there's always a reason to live. And if you don't know how to go on anymore, come talk to me and I will help you, alright?”

Yes. He would go to his mum. He would go to her grave and pray. Maybe he would get an answer.

He tried to get up, but trembled and fell down again. So he tried for a second time and finally got on his feet. He began walking in the rain, heading for the opposite direction of which the prince had taken. He walked the whole night and half of the next day through, until he finally reached the grave.

And then his feet couldn't hold him any more. He kneeled down and read the text on the gravestone. He couldn't read that well, but he knew how to write his mother's name, because he was the one who had written the name on the stone that day.

“Mother... I'm back...”

He smiled.

“And I'm desperate. I've met... my special someone. And then I met dad, and I had to decide between both of them and I made the wrong decision and took the wrong path and now it's all too late and I don't know what to do... I know this may sound confusing, but... I've fallen in love and now there's no chance for us to stay together. Please, help me...”

Pi felt tears running down his cheeks again as he talked.

“Don't worry, son...”

Pi looked up, confused. Was his mother talking to him?

“Behind you, son.”, the voice said.

Pi turned around. There was an old lady standing there, watching him with a warm smile.

“I don't know your story and I don't know your problems, but... I believe there's always hope when you're in love. Try to get your second chance.”

Pi was confused. Did he deserve a second chance?

“But I... have said terrible things... I don't think that person will ever forgive me.”, Pi said, looking to the ground.

“Have you tried to apologize yet?”

“N-no... I have not...”

“Then go and try. I also... have done terrible things ages ago. But the person I loved would forgive me every time I did something wrong. Saying I would learn from this to be a better person one day. And he was right. I was afraid I would hurt him if I stayed with him, but I didn't. And I still believe he knew.”

The old lady looked at a gravestone only meters away from the one Pi sat in front of and smiled. Then she looked at him again.

“Now get up, son. Tell your mother good-bye and run. I believe your special someone is still waiting for you.”

Pi hesitated, but then got on his feet again.

“I wish I could show you how grateful I am, but...”, Pi said and bowed deeply.

“Don't bother, boy. Just run, before it's too late.” The old lady still smiled.

“Alright. Good-bye.” Again he bowed to the old lady. “Good-bye, mother. Until next time.”

And Pi even managed to smile, before he started running again. He bought something to eat, because he was so hungry and drank from the water in the river and then he headed for the castle again.

And prayed for a second chance.

Uncrowned King 15

2009-11-14T15:19:00.000-08:00

Toma's View

Soundtrack: "Because of you" by Kelly Clarkson

Toma laid a hand on Pi's shoulder, he was still looking down the cliff,
where his father had disappeared into darkness. Toma knew that it must
have been hard for him to do such a thing to his own father. It's not
like Toma approved of what he did. But he did it to save him didn't he?
He smiled at Pi warmely.
Then Yamapi turned around, his face in a mixture of shock and
guilt?"Why... are you still here?", Pi began. "You should run. I...
betrayed you, you see?"
Toma didn't know what Pi was talking about. 'He must be confused', he
thought.
"No, I don't. You saved me, didn't you? There still a chance for us
to...", said the prince slowly.

"No, there's not!", answered Pi rather angry, shaking Toma's hand off
his shoulder. He stepped away and his face was expressionless, even
cold. "Don't you understand? I...", began Pi, then he paused.
"I did never love you, you see? I just said this so I had better chances
to free my father. It was never because of you that I came back into the
castle that night. And last night... was fun. But that was all there was
to it. Don't... follow me, okay? It's better for both of us.
Sayounara... your highness.", he said coldly.

Toma stared at him with wide eyes. It hit Toma, and every word felt like
an arrow in his heart. At the end he felt like something was breaking
inside of him. "What...?", he murmured. But Pi just walked around him
and tried to escape.
A sudden anger got Toma and he shouted after him. "Wait, you!" He pulled
the ring off his neck and helt it in his hand. "Why did you even try so
hard? It was all useless...", he laughed bitter, his feelings were a
total mess.
Pi still stood there and watched him. "Why aren't you saying a word, you
traitor?!!", he shouted and approached him angrily. Pi didn't move and
still didn't say a word. His face was still emotionless and Toma got so
angry. With the ring still in his fist he punched Yamapi in the face and
the latter fell down on the hard rock.
"Do you even know how much you hurt me? Do you have ANY idea, what you
did to me?",he shouted as loud as he could and threw the ring hard on
Pi's chest.
Suddenly it began to rain, but Toma didn't care. "I... loved you... with
all my heart... dammit... I trusted you! How... how could you do that to
me?", he spoke with tilted head, his voice almost breaking.
And then he began to run, as fast as he could. He ran, not caring what
direction. He just wanted to leave Yamapi behind, get as far away from
him as possible.

It wasn't long until he found no other place than the castle to come
back. So he went straight to his room. But even there, he could get no
rest. The room and everything reminded him of Yamapi and the night they
had spent here....

Toma had barely entered his room when he turned around and walked back
to the hallway. Finally he settled down in the last corner of the
library in his favorite seat...

"I did never love you, you see? I just said this so I had better chances
to free my father. It was never because of you that I came back into the
castle that night. And last night... was fun. But that was all there was
to it. Don't... follow me, okay? It's better for both of us.
Sayounara... your highness."

Toma could still hear Yamashita's voice echoing in his body, which felt
utterly empty. He felt so lifeless... he didn't know for how long he has
stared at the wall, but he was sure, if he moved, everything would break
down on him.

How could something like that happen? Why? Didn't he love Yamashita? And
didn't Yamashita love him? That was what he had thought at least...but
he got tricked.
Everything was fake. His gentle smile... his soft touches, his pretty
words... everything.
The prince touched his chest, where the ring had been some time ago.
Somehow his skin, where the cold silver had touched it, was burning...

He thought about the moments they had shared, how they had kissed and
hugged and just were together. All this time... He had felt so secure...
he had trusted Yamashita, he had thought that he could become truly
happy together with him. Finally get what he searched for so
desperatly... but all these things were fake...
He couldn't believe it... he had even slept with him! Pi had just used
him... It was just a game for him. A cruel one...

Toma couldn't hold it any longer, the tears started to pour out of his
eyes and the flow just wouldn't stop. He was angry, with himself and
with Yamashita. How could he get fooled so easily? And how could
Yamashita fake those gentle words and this warmth?

He stood up, not knowing what to do... he ran through the corridors
between the book cases, the tears still running down his cheeks. He
wanted to punch him, to hit him, too hurt him as hard as he could....
He pushed the books from the nearest shelf to the ground. Then he punched
against the wall until his hands began to hurt. He leaned his head
against the wall and continued crying silently.

No matter how fury he was, no matter how much he hated Yamashita now...
he still loved him...
His heart was aching with love.
It was unbearable... and he continued crying until there weren't any
tears left....

It was early in the morning when a small figure walked through the dusty
gangways of the library. Maki loved to read a good book in the morning.
She still felt hurt and in pain because of the prince's words. She
needed some distraction... As she strolled through the corridors she
read one or two titles of the books in the shelves.
Finally she reached the last shelf, and as she looked closely, she saw a
book lying on the ground. When she turned around the shelf she found a
bunch of books on the ground and in between was the prince. Sleeping...
dead?
Maki panicked. "Prince Toma!", she hurried over to him and shaked him.
He opened his swollen and red eyes and looked at her. "Maki-san...", he
murmured confused. But then the memories came back...
"Toma-sama, what happened? Were you.... crying?", she asked cautiously.

Suddenly he hugged her tight and began to sob. Maki was taken aback, but
she had no time to get excited or something. The prince was crying and
sobbing in her arms. She couldn't resist, so she hugged him back and
whispered reassuring words into his ear. "Shh... I don't know what
happened to you. And I won't ask if you don't want to tell me...", she
said softly. "But... I will be there for you if you wish,
Toma-sama....", she whispered.

She was glad that she could do something for him.
Toma cried a little longer. He should be embarrassed, he thought for a
second, for crying in front of a girl. But he didn't care at all. All he
wanted was that everything was just a bad dream...

And he felt save in Maki arms, it somehow reminded him of his mother.

Maki was gentle and kind and that although he had hurt her that bad. Now
he knew how it felt... and he really was sorry about it.

This all and even more circled around in his head, as he clinged on Maki
for support.
Sometime, he didn't know when, he let go off her and looked at her.
"I am sorry... for breaking down like that...", he said, his voice
sounding hoarse.
"Don't worry... I'm happy when I can be there for you, Toma-sama", she
said and wiped away his tears gently.
"Thank you... so much... for everything, Maki-san... I ... I don't
deserve your kindness....", he spoke.
"No, don't say that. I told you that I love you, didn't I? I will always
be there for you when you need me, Toma-sama...", she said and blushed
lightly.
Toma hugged her again. It was a miracle that she still was so kind to
him, after what he had said.
"Thank you so much...", he whispered and sighed.

It felt good to have her there with him. It didn't ease his pain much,
but it was better than being alone. And it was good to know that she
cared for him and his pain... and all at once it crossed his mind... She
loved him, she cared for him, no matter what. She wanted him to be happy
and she would stay with him... all he wanted... maybe, he thought... he
should stick with her...

He was sure that he could never forget Yamashita and his love for him.
But if he would stay with the little princess, he wouldn't be alone and
he wouldn't ever be hurt again.

He knew that she would never leave his side and would be with him
forever....

After all, he should have listened to his father, he thought. He should
have never sneaked out of the castle... he should have married Maki
right away when she confessed to him...

If he had done so, he wouldn't have to experience that pain...

And it was that moment, when he knew that he wouldn't search for
dangerous adventures again... he would marry her and be happy with
her... get children... grow old and have someone by his side, who loved
him and cared for him...

He would choose the save path...at last...

[A/N: And I am crying too now, OMG...]

Uncrowned King 14

2009-11-12T05:38:00.000-08:00

Yamapi's View

Soundtrack: JUJU with JAY'ED – Ashita ga kuru nara

Pi was more than happy. Never had he thought that Toma would tell her the truth. It wasn't the whole truth, but still. As Toma took his hand after leaving the room, his skin was soft and smooth, but cold and his hand was shaking.

“Don't worry, everything's going to be alright.”, Pi said, smiling. With his thumb he was drawing small circles on Toma's hand.

“I don't. I'm just... excited. And... she's going to be alright... right? I didn't want to hurt her. I like her. Somehow. But only as a friend!”

Pi grinned. He knew the prince didn't like her that way. Or else he wouldn't have spent the night with his new servant but with the little princess.

“She'll be alright, I promise. She's cute. She'll find another man who will make her happy.”, Pi reassured him and kissed Toma's forehead.

Suddenly Toma stopped.

“Wait.”, he said, laughing.

“What is it?” Pi wondered if he wanted to do it a second time right here in the cold corridor.

But the prince said: “We got lost.” He laughed again. “Let's go back and take the right way to my room. I... want to be alone with you.”

Pi smiled and kissed Toma, locking with light pressure onto the wall. He actually didn't want to wait until they got back to the bedroom.

But then there were voices. “Oh, dammit...”, Toma hissed.

He took Pi by the hand again and pulled him into another corridor. It was dark and cold, only a faint light from the torch at the end of the tunnel.

Pi remembered the tunnel. He'd been here before. When he met his father.

And suddenly there were voices in his head.

“They say I killed someone, but I didn't! You believe me, don't you? I would never kill someone!”

“Tomohisa, come here. Come to mommy, sweetheart.”

“I'll think of a plan to get you out.”

“I'm ill, son. I'm probably... going to die soon. Will you promise me to search for your father?”

There were voices in Pi's head and they didn't want to vanish.

He had to get his father out of here. He knew it. He'd known it before he had made love to the prince. This was the reason why he was here. He couldn't help it.

“I'm sorry... my prince.”

“Hmm? What are you talking about?”, Tome asked confused, but Yamapi smashed his fist into Toma's stomach and the latter dropped down to the ground, unconscious.

Pi caught him, before his face hit the cold stone, and placed his back against the wall.

“I'm so sorry, my prince... I'm sorry...”, he whispered and kissed him one last time, before he went off and headed towards the jail.

Yamapi was lucky, he could not see any guards and could hear no sounds. He took the keys and sneaked into the dark dungeons, searching for his father.

When he'd finally found him, he tried to open the door in a hurry but dropped the keys and had to search for the right one once again.

In the meantime his father had gotten up and stood at the other side of the door, telling his son to hurry up. When Yamapi had finally opened the door, his father smashed it open, sending Pi's bottom to the ground.

The old Yamashita ran down the corridors, behind him his son to whom he hadn't payed any attention since the door was open.

Outside the castle they ran into darkness. They ran and ran and Pi wondered when they would stop, but they were still too close to the castle.

But then Pi could hear footsteps. They were close and loud and he could hear them clearly. Pi turned around.

It was Toma.

What was he doing here?

He wasn't supposed to see him like that.

Why was he chasing them? Hadn't he hit him unconscious only minutes before? It was dangerous for him here outside the castle.

Pi wanted to go on thinking, but suddenly he bumped into something. As he looked up, he saw that his father had stopped running and was looking Toma.

“Father, hurry. We don't have time to...”, Pi started, but his father interrupted his talk.

“No, this is the prince, is he not? It's his family's fault that I have been locked down there in the dungeons. His father sentenced me to lifelong imprisonment and now he will suffer as much as I did.”

“What... what do you mean? Father...”

Dark thoughts came into Pi's mind.

“No... no, father, you can't...” But once again he was interrupted by his father.

“Oh yes... I can...” And the expression on the man's face were even darker as Pi's suggestions were right now.

The old Yamashita moved towards Toma, and as Pi wanted to stop him, he bumped him away.

Was this man really innocent? He had said so, but still...

“Toma, run!”, Pi shouted, trying to save his beloved.

But Toma didn't listen. Or he didn't want to. He kept chasing them and coming closer. And he was merely impressed as the old Yamashita slowly moved towards him as well.

“Toma, please! Run!”, he cried out once again, but still no reaction.

And finally the old man reached out for the prince, and the prince did so as well. But it was an uneven fight. Toma eventually became weaker and weaker and it was only a matter of time until he was lying on the ground, the older one on top of him, strangling him.

Pi was watching the whole scene, unable to move. He couldn't believe this. He had just rescued his father, wanted to just run away and never see the prince again, and now his father was about to kill the man, his son couldn't have. Pi watched Toma become weaker with every second, and finally he moved towards them.

“Father, let go of him!”, he shouted.

“No... he shall suffer like I did all these years... suffer...”, his father said, pure madness in his eyes.

“I won't... allow this... get off of him!”, Pi cried and pulled his father from the beloved prince.

Toma coughed, rolled on the floor and eventually came to his mind again.

But his father didn't. He started to fight his own son, and he fought like a lunatic. Pi saw in his eyes that he would kill him if he had to to get to the prince. He didn't only want to make Toma suffer... he really wanted to kill the prince. And so the truth came to Pi's mind: It was true. His father had killed someone and he had been imprisoned rightly. Even if Pi didn't want to believe it, his father was a murderer and he wouldn't stop. Unless someone else stopped him. And if it had to be him, he would do it. Do it for Toma. Or else his life would come to an end.

So Pi fought with all his power and eventually got back on top.

“Father, stop it! I don't... want to...”, he stammered.

But his father wouldn't stop. He fought and fought, and so Pi fought back. Until this one ending hit.

They were close to the cliff, and Pi's last hit was so powerful that his father tripped and like in slow motion fell off the cliff. He was waving with his hands, hoping for help, but Pi couldn't reach out for him. Somehow he didn't want to. And so it was too late to safe the old man.

Crying out Pi's first name his father fell and fell, until he couldn't be heard any more.

Pi looked down. It was going deep down, so there was no chance that his father would still be alive.

He felt a warm hand on his shoulder and turned around. Toma was standing right next to him, looking into his eyes with a warm smiley.

“Why... are you still here?”, Pi began. “You should run. I... betrayed you, you see?”

“No, I don't. You saved me, didn't you? There still a chance for us to...”

“No, there's not!” Pi shook off Toma's hand and took a few steps away from him. “Don't you understand? I...” Pi took a very deep breath. It was hard for him to say all this, but he had to. To keep himself and Toma from danger. He had just bumped his father off a cliff and didn't reach out for him when he was about to fall. And he was his father's son. So maybe... he didn't want to go on thinking. He couldn't bear the thoughts.

“I did never love you, you see? I just said this so I had better chances to free my father. It was never because of you that I came back into the castle that night. And last night... was fun. But that was all there was to it. Don't... follow me, okay? It's better for both of us. Sayounara... your highness.”

Uncrowned King 13

2009-11-12T05:36:00.000-08:00

Toma's View

Toma woke up as the first sun rays began to shine through his window. He opened his eyes sleepily, the ground of his room was hard and his back hurt. But he felt Yamashita's warm body, still clinging on him, as if for dear life. He shifted a bit, so that he could see Pi's sleeping face. The prince smiled as he saw the calm expression on Yamapi's face, he looked so peaceful. It was like heaven, being here with him. Having him in his arms, feeling him.

Then he remembered the last night and his face turned a little red. It had felt better than he had imagined it. And he was happy that Yamapi was the one he had done it with first. He would never ever forget this night, he swore to himself.

Then the clock tower announced that it was already 8 o'clock. As much as he wanted to keep lying there with Yamashita, he didn't want to get either of them into trouble. So he took a long glance at the sleeping face of the young man and then gently touched his cheek. "Yamashita", he said softly. "Wake up."

No reaction.

Toma stroked Pi's cheek and pinched him softly every now and then. But still no reaction. "Yamashi~ta",he said in a sing-sang voice. But the latter still wasn't showing any sign of consciousness.

"Mou!", pouted the prince. Then suddenly an idea popped into his mind. It was actually rather stupid, but he found it funny.

He leaned over Yamapi's head and blew into his ear.

With a soft moan Pi opened his eyes and held his ear. "What are you doing?", he asked confused, but to Toma's satisfaction, he looked utterly flushed. The royal one hugged him. "You just wouldn't wake up", he answered grinning and getting up, pulling Pi with him. "We have to get ready now. It's almost time for breakfast!", he said with a genuine smile and walked towards his wardrobe.

He took out some clothes and turned around, finding Pi staring at him. His face turned red immediately and he got clothed hastily. Pi also got into his servant uniform. Toma had to admit that it fitted him really well.

As they arrived in the great hall for breakfast almost everyone was already sitting at the table. Maki, her father and the king. The prince greeted them and sat down, Pi standing behind him.

Toma shot a glance at Maki, who were eying him with an unreadable expression. The atmosphere was awkward, uncomfortable, at least Toma felt so. The king and the lord were talking cheerfully, while Maki was very quiet. Not that Toma had heard her speaking much, but now she didn't even say a word.

So they ate their breakfast and after that the king and the lord retreated for some chess game. Now only Maki, Pi and Toma were left in the great hall and the air seemed to get thinner every time Maki looked at him.

“Toma-sama?”, asked Maki with slightly shaking voice. “Y-yes?” “Why didn't you come last night?”, she asked keeping her eyes lowered. “Eh?- ah!”, Toma had to think a second but then it hit him, he had promised to watch the falling star shower together with her. But what should he say now? He cleared his throat. “Well..” There was no one in the hall except for the three of them.

The prince didn't want to lie to her, but could he tell her the truth? Also about that he didn't intend to marry her? Would she tell his father? Her father?

She looked at her again, her eyes were full of sadness... but he didn't want to make her false hopes anymore. She deserved better than that and without hesitation he said: “Well... I was with someone else.”, he said and could hear how Pi gasped hard.

Maki looked confused. “What do you mean?”, she asked. Toma sighed. 'Now or never', he thought. “The truth is... I already like someone else...and it's a man...”, he whispered and watched Maki's reaction. Her eyes grew wide and she looked at the the prince in shock.

“You- you mean... A man? But... “, she stuttered, trying to understand the situation.

“Yes, that's how it is. I'm terribly sorry, really. I don't intend to break your heart, but I fell in love with him before I could even realize it... and... I won't marry you. I'm really sorry”, he told her and tried to be as kind as possible. But how kind can you be when you break someone's heart with these words?

Maki's eyes watered. “I-i understand”, she said sobbing.

“I'm really sorry. You deserve a better man than me. You really do...”, the young prince almost also began to cry, but he pulled himself together.

“I know I'm asking for too much, but would you please not say anything to my father or yours yet? I-i want to tell them myself... I don't know how they will react but... I have to do it.”

“Yeah... I -i won't say anything... I promise... if that's it what makes you happy”, she said in a low voice. Toma tried to smile. “Thank you so much! And I'm really sorry...”, he raised. “Let's go Yamashita.” “Yes, sir.”

So they headed towards the door, Maki watched hem leave. It was short before the door closed that she saw how the prince took the hand of his servant...

Uncrowned King 12

2009-10-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Yamapi's View

Soundtrack: Miyavi – Aishiteru kara Hajimeyou

Getting into the castle wasn't a big deal for Yamapi, and so was the casting. There were so many people applying, but most of them were merely able to carry a plate safely. So it wasn't a problem to become part of the staff as well.

After the casting was over, someone who supposedly was Toma's private teacher announced who had to do what kind of job. Luckily Yamapi was announced as the prince's servant and so he was to follow the teacher into Toma's room, where the teacher finally left them alone.

“You really did it!”, the prince shouted excited. “Yes, although I was really nervous. I don't even know how I made it through...”, admitted Yamapi. “It doesn't matter...”, grinned Toma and pulled him closer. “... now that you're here”, Toma smiled softly and then kissed him passionately.

Pi had longed for this so much. He had been waiting a whole night to be able to feel him again and now he had him again. It had just been one night but to Pi it had felt like one year. He could feel Toma everywhere on his skin, smell him, taste him and he didn't intend to let go of him now. Trying to get closer to his prince Pi moved forward, but moved too fast and so they both lost balance and fell onto the bed. But actually they didn't really mind. Or maybe they did?

Pi broke their connection and looked at Toma.

“My prince,”, he began. “What are your intentions?” He grinned.

Toma smiled as well, though Pi could see a slight red shade on his cheeks. “I... I'm not sure,”, Toma said. “I've never done anything like this before, so...”

“Then please leave it to me. I'm quite fond of my skills regarding this kind of action.”

And Pi was REALLY fond of that. He continued to kiss the royal one again and let his finger slide to the first button of Toma's shirt and finally broke their connection again. “Please let me undress you, since I'm your servant and you should not do this yourself.” And he kissed Toma again. When he had removed Toma's shirt, he wanted to continue with the prince's trousers, but Toma stopped him, holding Pi's hands tight. “Wait a second... please.”

“Of course, my prince.”, Pi answered and stopped moving. “What's the matter?”

“I-It's nothing... I just... don't want to rush this.” Toma smiled and stroke Pi's hands.

“We don't have to rush, if you don't want to. Actually I... don't want this to end as well...”

And again he kissed Toma gently. After some time he continued removing Toma's trousers and this time Toma didn't stop him. When he was done, he wanted to unbutton his own vest as well, but again Toma grabbed his hands to stop him.

“Wait. I... want to do this.”, he said shyly.

“Certainly,”, Pi answered smiling and slowly got off Toma. The prince got up and hesitated. “Don't worry, your highness. I'm sure you'll do just fine.”

Encouraged by Pi's words Toma got in top of his servant quickly and pushed him down onto the bed. “I'll try,”, he said, before he carefully and very slowly unbuttoned Pi's shirt. Pi's eyes meanwhile lay on Toma's face and he tried to memorize every expression the prince's face made while he was on top of him. It took Toma some time to unbutton the shirt and as he was finished he removed the shirt carefully. He looked so serious that Pi almost started laughing, but luckily he was able to hold back and so he just smiled and said: “My prince... don't worry so much. You are able to unbutton your own shirt, aren't you? So it's no big deal to remove mine. Please have more self-confidence. You're the prince of this country still. And mine as well.”

Encouraged by these words Toma bent down and kissed his servant. Pi could have only kissed him the whole night through, if they weren't already gone that far. So he hesitantly touched Toma's chest, stroking over the smooth skin.

“Yamashita... I... think I love you...”, the prince whispered.

Pi looked up into Toma's serious face, shocked by what he had just heard.

“Prince... Toma...”, he murmured. He had just said he loved him. And he was so serious. Pi didn't know what to answer. He knew the answer already but he was scared. Afraid if he spoke it out aloud, he had to admit to himself that it wasn't just a game. That he really cared for the royal one and that his whole plan might be destroyed by these 3 words. He just couldn't say it.

So he pulled the prince down into a tight hug and kissed him passionately. While he kissed him, he hastily removed his trousers. He wanted so much more, even if he knew he didn't have the right to. Yamapi rolled over Toma, pressing him onto the bed and began to remove the royal underwear. But he rushed. And Toma began trembling.

“Wa-wait... Yamashita...”, he said and again held his hands. “That's too fast... Please...”

And Pi realized what he just had been about to do. He wasn't focusing on Toma any more. He was soaked into his own thoughts. And he was about to get it over with. Although he didn't want it to end, he'd acted so fast that Toma was scared of him now. And he didn't want this. He wanted Toma to love him, to stay by his side.

And so he got off the royal one.

“My apologies... I... I'm sorry...”, he mumbled and sat down on the floor, his back against the bed. What the heck was he doing? Yes, his father was imprisoned and he somehow had to get him out. But was that the kind of thing you thought about when you spend your time with someone like Toma doing such an important thing?

Toma got off the bed as well, stared at Pi for a second and slowly sat down on his servants thighs, facing him.

“Listen...”, he started. “I... want to do this... with you, okay? You probably haven't done anything wrong, but since it's the first time for me, I don't want to rush. I want to savor every touch, every gaze by you so I can remember everything even when I've grown old. So... please go on...”

Toma bent down and kissed him again. It was a light, soft kiss but it was full of love and Pi could feel it. And he knew he wouldn't rush any more. He wanted to enjoy this like Toma did. And he would make love to him.

He kissed him back, his one hand caressing Toma's neck while the other was sliding over Toma's back. He softly pulled him closer, felt Toma's skin on his and the places where their bodies touched became as hot as fire. It burned but still felt so good that Pi couldn't stop. He felt Toma's fingers on his chest, touching him with care.

The air around them became hotter with every touch and every adoring word they whispered. And they didn't care for anything but the here and now.

They enjoyed every second and while Pi was in Toma he was sure that there was no better place than here with his prince. “Toma... Toma...” he whispered all the time and he didn't want to say anything else ever again.

When their love making had come to an end, Pi still didn't let go off Toma. He wanted to stay like this forever, even when the floor wasn't probably the most comfortable place in this room. Toma was still on top of him. He looked exhausted but he still smiled. A smile filled with love and happiness.

“I love you...”, he said again and Pi leaned in and kissed him tenderly.

He pulled the blanket off the bed and wrapped it around them.

“I want to stay like this a little longer... please...”, he whispered. And again he pulled Toma into a tight hug and didn't intent to let go off him until the sun lit the next unbearable day.

Uncrowned King 11

2009-10-27T10:24:00.001-07:00

Toma's View

Toma watched how Yamapi taking the ring off.

Pi pulled him up, so he was sitting as well. Then he put the ring on Tomas finger.

As if even this gesture wasn't enough, Pi said: “Just for now, okay? I promise... my heart... will always be with you.” Toma blushed but smiled softly. He couldn't tell how much this meant to him. Instead of saying something he leaned in and kissed Pi again. He didn't want this to end...He wanted to stay with him forever.

Forming out of this wish an idea came to his mind and he pulled back. “What if you work in the castle?”, asked Toma.

Yamapi looked confused and Toma looked at him seriously. “If you work in the castle... then we could see each other more often...”, he concluded still thinking. “I think they are searching for some people because of the... engagement.”, he said. “That... that would be great!”, answered Yamapi. The prince smiled. “Then we can be together every day and night.”, he blushed, but the smile wouldn't vanish from his face and he pulled Yamapi into a tight hug.

Oh, how much he wanted to be with him every day, every second. And if everything went well, he could have Pi by his side always... until they would escape together. And then they could be together forever and nothing could ever part them again. The young royal sighed satisfied as he still held Pi in his arms.

The next day started early for Toma. He had to attend lessons in preparations for the wedding and Toma went along with them happily, knowing that it wouldn't come to said wedding. As he had some spare time between two lessons, he thought about the public application which had started this morning. He hoped that Yamapi made it through and he would be able to work in the castle.

After lunch he got taken aside by Maki. “Toma-sama... would ...would you meet me in the garden this evening... I heard that there will be a shooting star shower. I think it is interesting...” She blushed. “Well...”, Toma hesitated. If Pi made it, then they could spent the time together. Suddenly he heard his father say: “Of course he will come to see you, right, my son?”, he smiled widely. “I'm sure he is just too shy to say how much he wants to spend time with you.” Toma caught his father's gaze, he had no other option than to agree. “..yeah... of course.::”, he tried to sound just as shy as his father made him just now. “Really? That's great, then until tonight!”, she smiled sweetly and hurried to her room, leaving the prince and his father alone. “My son, I hope you know what to do, right?”, said the king in a menacing voice. “I know”, he said in a low voice.
Yes, he knew, he just had to play his role a little longer. Although he had remorse because he had to be so nice to the girl, although he didn't want it. But he had no choice.

He went back to his room and sat on the desk. Shortly after he heard a knock on the door. “Yes?”, he asked. The door opened and his sensei stepped into the room.“Young Master, this is your new servant”, he said. Toma's eyes widened as Yamapi stepped into his room. The young man bowed. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Toma-sama”, he smiled politely. He plays his role very well, thought Toma. “Pleased to meet you, too”, said the prince smiling widely. “His name is Yamashita, he will take care of any of your issues from now on, so please rely on him”, the teacher told him. “Thanks. I will, be sure of that”, nodded Toma and gazed at Pi. “You can go now”, he added to his teacher, who excused himself.

“You really did it!”, shouted Toma after he was sure no one could hear him. “Yes, although I was really nervous. I don't even know how I made it through...”, admitted Pi. “It doesn't matter...”, grinned Toma and pulled Pi closer. “... now that you're here”, he smiled softly and then kissed Pi passionately.

The prince was so happy, he had Pi right there, with him. And he wanted to have him by his side forever. His kisses felt so good and right. He began to stroke Pi's cheeks and his neck. His skin was so smooth...

The young prince was amazed by the feelings which Yamapi was causing him. He wanted to feel more of them, to feel more of Yamashita.
And as they kissed and tried to get closer and closer to each other, they suddenly stumbled over each others feet and landed on the bed.

Uncrowned King 10

2009-10-16T10:15:00.001-07:00

Yamapi's view

This kiss was better than the one before. It was a gentle, warm kiss and Toma was into it as well. He wasn't as unmoving and shocked as he had been the first time they kissed. And this time it was more passionate than anything else. He felt Toma's arms around him, smelled, tasted him. He was about to lose himself in it, but then his mind told him it was wrong and he immediately broke off their body connection, starting to shiver. This situation was too awkward. And the fact that Toma suddenly confessed to him that he'd never been so free before only made things worse.

While Toma cleaned Yamapi's wounds, Pi tried not to tremble too much. The scratches hurt as hell when Toma put the alcohol-drained wool on them but Yamapi felt like he deserved it. [A/N: don't we all think so? *lol*] Pi tried his hardest to avoid Toma's gaze. He couldn't bear looking into the prince's eyes right now. But he was thankful. Thankful that the prince was the one hurting him right now. Even if he was just hurting his body. It didn't make Pi feel better, but it calmed down his nerves.

"Ok, done!", Toma said cheerfully. Oh, how Pi wished he could be as happy as Toma was right now.
"Thank you...", Pi answered. It wasn't a thanks for cleaning his wounds but for anything Pi had been able to experience with him so far.

Toma got up and went to the river to wash his hands in it. Pi's eyes followed the young prince. Even Toma's back was beautiful.

"Your life must be very interesting, right? The life in the castle is so boring... I wished... I could come with... you instead.", Toma said.

Toma wanted to come with him? But he was the prince, the one everybody's eyes lay on right now. But Pi wanted him to leave together with him as well.

And if he came with him, this would be the chance to finally free his father. Everyone would be looking for the prince, once they found out he was gone, so probably no guards in front of the jail entrance. And there it was again. The inner fight. Wanting the same for two so different reasons.

"You could...", he finally managed to say. The prince's face brightened. "Really? Then... I wouldn't have to marry her... I told you about her, didn't I? My fiance... maybe you saw her at the ball." "Don't worry. I... won't allow you to marry some stranger..." No, he wouldn't. At least not until he had rescued his father.

Toma came closer and sat next to Yamapi. Yamapi's heart started beating faster again. So close. There wasn't much time for them left to be so close. And Pi wanted to taste all of it.

"You... are wearing my ring, don't you?", Yamapi said. "So you're mine now. And nobody will take you away from me." And if somebody dared to try, he would smash their faces on a rock.

Automatically he laid one arm around the other one's back. He wanted to be with him forever, wanted to possess him, to take Toma with him when he escaped together with his father. But it was just too dangerous. He couldn't allow this to happen to Toma. So he had to keep his mouth shut about the situation. And their relationship would be destroyed soon enough, so he should just smile and enjoy the time they had together.

"Yes, I do wear the ring.", Toma said, smiling. "It would be to obvious wearing it on my finger, so I put it onto a necklace instead. And now it's closer to... my heart.", the prince said, blushing.

"You... are beautiful, when you smile, you know?" And finally Pi managed to smile as well. "You are, too.", Toma answered. They felt like they had so much to say and didn't know where to start. But looking into each other's eyes was enough for both of them right now. And again, Pi leaned over and kissed Toma gently. He lay one hand on Toma's, the other on Toma's cheek. His skin was so smooth that he couldn't help but stroke him over and over again. After some time Toma leaned into the kiss so much, that suddenly Pi lost his balance and fell off the small chair he sat on, pulling Toma with him.
So Pi lay on his back, Toma on him and both looked at each other in surprise. And then they had to laugh. Laugh so hard they couldn't stop for a whole while.

After a while Toma went serious again, saying: "You know... that time in the castle... that was my very first kiss." He smiled. "And I'm happy you took it. Yamashita."

Pi smiled as well. "I like the way you say my name. You should stick to the long version, so I can listen to your voice longer." "Okay!", Toma answered, grinning. "But aren't I heavy?" "Uh, no. I like this just fine." Pi grinned as well. And how he liked this. Again he took Toma's hand and intertwined it with his own. Even though his hands and face still hurt, he didn't mean to keep his hands off the prince. Not now, when almost everything was just so right. He turned around, putting Toma under him.

"What a feeling, sitting on a prince. Maybe I should apologize to you later." Pi laughed. He took Toma's necklace from Toma's neck, took off the ring and pulled Toma up, so he would sit as well. Then again he took the prince's hand and with slightly shaking hands he put the ring on Toma's finger. "Just for now, okay? I promise... my heart... will always be with you."

Uncrowned King 9

2009-10-16T10:14:00.001-07:00

Toma's view

And they danced and danced. Toma didn't know how long they were moving like this, but it didn't matter to him. He wanted to continue like this forever. Suddenly he bumped against a tree and they stopped moving. But they still continued to look deep into each others eyes. Toma was about to loose himself in them as Yamapi spoke, whispering the words he wanted to hear so much. “I... missed you.”

And this time the prince was prepared for Pi's kiss, he had been waiting for it desperately. This time he enjoyed it to the fullest. He put his arms around Pi and pulled him closer, never leaving his lips. Unspeakable feelings rushed through him, it felt so good to be here with him and he wished he would never have to leave him. If only he could be with him forever...

It was as if all of his hopes had materialized into one person, someone who would save him from his gray life. Someone who gave him what he needed so much. Someone who could give him security and love, someone that Toma could trust no matter what. And he felt that Yamapi was all this and even more.

Suddenly Pi broke their kiss and breathed rapidly. Toma also had to catch his breath, but then he looked at Yamapi tenderly. “You know.. I can't really believe it...”, he said smiling mild. “What?”, asked Pi frowning. “ This all.. that I can be here with you...I thought.. I would be stuck in this castle forever... But now.. I feel so free like I never felt...thanks to you”, he smiled brightly and held Pi tight.

But Pi squirmed himself out of the embrace and walked back to the tent.

“W-would you mind... helping me with the... bruises?”, he asked in a voice that Toma couldn't interpret. He guessed that the injuries must still hurt more than Pi wanted to admit. “Sure, do you have alcohol?”, he asked cheerfully. Pi pulled a bottle out of his tent and Toma took some of the cotton that Pi had also found in his tent.

They sat down facing each other and Toma opened the bottle. “OK, I have never done this before, but I've seen the doctor do it over and over again. It could hurt a bit though...”, he said and eyed the young man in front of him. “I don't mind”, answered Pi, his gaze fixed on the ground. The prince soaked a bit of the cotton in the alcohol and took Pi's hand gently in his own, careful not to hurt him anywhere. Then he slowly touched the scratched skin with the alcohol soaked cloth, he could feel how Pi's hand twitched in his, but he didn't withdraw it. “Did it hurt? I'm sorry...”, spoke, continuing with his work even more careful.

After some time Toma had disinfected the wounds on the hands and had dressed them. He continued with the face, in order to do so he approached closer to Pi. He dabbed the little scratches on his face. Yamapi sat there, not moving, he had already closed his eyes and didn't even twitch a bit as the alcohol came in contact with the open wounds. “Ok, done!”, said Tom and stood up to wash his hands in the river.

He could hear Yamapi whispering “Thank you” behind him and turned around again and smiled. “Your welcome.”

“Your life must be very interesting, right? The life in the castle is so boring... I wished... I could come with... you instead.”, he said hesitantly, waiting for Yamapi's reaction. After some seconds he answered. “You could...” The prince's face brightened. “Really? Then... I wouldn't have to marry her... I told you about her, didn't I? My fiance... maybe you saw her at the ball.” “Don't worry. I ... won't allow that you have to marry some stranger...”, Pi said seriously. Toma blushed a bit as he heard his serious tone. But he felt very happy that Yamapi also seemed to have him by his side. He sat down next to Yamapi again, leaned on his chest and closed his eyes. He could hear Yamapi's heart beating fast. He also felt his heart beating happily in his own chest, maybe they were even , beating synchronous. Maybe, he thought. Maybe everything will be good at last.

Uncrowned King 8

2009-10-16T10:13:00.001-07:00

Yamapi's view

Yamapi left the castle in a hurry through the front entrance. He wore a mask so nobody would notice he didn't belong here.

Right, he just didn't belong to this world. He belonged to the dark side of life, from now on until forever. How could he even think of such a cruel thing? Toma wasn't only the prince any more. He was someone different from anyone he ever knew. He was warm-hearted, fair, with a smile that would melt any frozen heart away. His smooth skin, his beautiful hair, his eyes - oh yes, those eyes. Yamapi was afraid that if he was looking into those eyes for to long he would lose himself in them. He didn't want to image how they would look like when Toma found out that he was just used by Yamapi. Right, he was the bad one in this cruel game that he couldn't stop anymore. He regretted ever coming to this city.

And the kiss. He had stained those beautiful lips with this tainted kiss. But still... it had felt so unbelievably right that it hurt. His whole body hurt, but most of all did his heart. He felt like someone wanted to rip it out of his chest. But he also felt he deserved it for deceiving the person he longed for, wanted to be with so much that he couldn't breath from just thinking of him.

He was outside of the castle already but he didn't really realize where he went. But he was heading for his tent, the only save place in this cursed world. When he reached his plain home, his feet didn't want to carry him any longer, so he sank on the bare floor. When had he started crying? He hadn't noticed, but it didn't even matter to him. He didn't stop the tears as they ran over his cheeks. When had he become like this? Probably when his father had left home. Or after his mother had died. Or probably it was both that had influenced him so much? His mother was as warm-hearted as... Toma was and she had always looked after him, even when she was to weak to leave the bed. God, how he missed her right now. She would tell him the right thing to do and dry his tears with a lovely song. But she wasn't here so the only thing he could do was fail.

Pi was so angry with himself. He was a bad person, a fraud, a traitor. He was going to free a person, who was imprisoned for murder. He was going to deceive the crown prince, fake true love to make him free his father. He slapped himself in the face, again and again. He wasn't worth living. That's what it was about. He hit his own face again and again, fell on the ground, got up again and continued bruising his hands, scratched them until he could see blood coming out of his right. And all the time he cried. When his face and his hands hurt to much, he stopped, lying down on the floor and continued crying until there were no tears left. And finally he fell asleep.

Early in the morning he woke up again. It was cold, because he was still lying outside in the grass. He wanted to heave himself up again, but somehow failed. His hands still hurt so much that he could barely touch anything. So he rolled on the back and on the third try was able to get up without using his hands but only his elbows. His face also still hurt. He got on his feet and kneeled beside the little river that was right next to his tent. Wow, he really looked awful. All over his face were bruises and scratches, his lower lip was swollen and his hands were full of dried blood and mud. He carefully started to wash off the blood from last night, although it did hurt like hell. But it didn't matter to him. He didn't have to face the prince like this. If he actually came. Yamapi wished he wouldn't but he had no idea of the prince's mind, so all he could do was to be prepaired for what could happen today. So he went into the tent and put on some more decent clothes, since he'd worn the fancy dress all night long.

And then there were footsteps. Something he didn't want to hear. As much as he didn't want to go outside, he wanted to be with the prince. Stay at his side and protect him from any evil. But he was the evil, wasn't he? And still, there was no option left but to go out and face him. He would be confused, maybe even disgusted when he saw his face and his hands and immediately take a turn and leave. But Yamapi couldn't but go outside. For his father's sake.

When the cold air hit his face again, he hesitated to look into the prince's eyes. He felt like he still wasn't prepared at all.

When the prince saw Yamapi's injuries, he came a step closer. Yamapi wanted to take a step back, but it felt like his feet were tied to the ground. “Wha- what happened to you? Where did you get all those marks from?”, Toma asked. "It-it's nothing... I just... got beaten up, that's all...", Yamapi answered, his voice trembling. “Be-beaten up? By whom? Was it when you escaped out of the castle?”, the prince asked again. There was something in his voice that made Yamapi lift his eyes.

Toma was so close to him right now. He wanted to touch him, to kiss him again and tell him how much he wanted him and that he didn't mean to harm him but that all of this was for his father's sake. No, not all of this. His feelings for the royal boy were sincere. He'd fallen in love with him the second their bodies touched in the castle. Or maybe even before that. But time didn't matter, did it?

He'd fallen in love with Toma, once and for all, and he couldn't help it. Didn't want to. But still they didn't have a chance from the beginning. So Yamapi had to try to make the best out of it.

“It doesn't hurt as bad as it looks, don't worry anymore”, he said. “But...” The prince wanted to protest, but he was cut off by Pi.

“You see... on the ball, we didn't have the change to dance, right?”

Pi smiled. Make the best out of it, he thought to himself. And so Pi closed the distance between them, lay one arm around Toma and took Toma's hand with the other. Carefully he pulled Toma closer and started to dance a slow waltz, the only dance he was able to dance thanks to his mother. He wanted to say something, keep up the conversation, but he couldn't. All he could do was stare at Toma's angel-like appearance.

And then Toma looked him in the eyes. It was as if the world had stopped turning, giving them the time they wanted and needed so much. They danced as if there was no tomorrow and neither of them knew if there really was one for them. Suddenly Toma bumped with his back into a tree. It didn't hurt, but they both stopped moving. Continued looking into each other's eyes.

“I... missed you...”, Yamapi whispered, right before he closed the distance between their lips once more and kissed his prince.

Uncrowned King 7

2009-10-16T10:12:00.001-07:00

Toma's view

Pi's face was unreadable.
"Come with me...please", he said and left the hall without any further explanation.
Everything in Toma was in uproar right now. He looked around and sneaked out of the hall and followed Pi,who was standing in a dark corner now.

"Answer my question... why are you still here? I don't understand this...", Toma said, more and more confused. He waited until his counterpart took a deep breath and said: "I... I couldn't leave. I want to... see you again."
The prince's eyes widened and something in his stomach was puring happily. He wanted to answer him, but when he tried to speak, there were no words left.

"Meet me tomorrow at my tent. I will wait for you." Then Pi laid his hands on his shoulders and a second later he was pressed against the wall, another second later he got kissed passionately.
It was so strange and yet so nice and it felt so damn good. But too fast Pi parted their lips again and said: "Good-bye, my prince."

Then he left huridly. The young prince still stood there, unable to move. A hundert of butterflies flying around in his belly. And he couldn't believe what just happened. He stared at the spot where Yamapi disappeared into the darkness. Suddenly everything was so clear within him. The warm feeling which was now spreading all over his body was more than obvious. Toma couldn't
believe it and maybe even didn't want to believe it. But now he could name what was bothering him about the young artist. And it hit him with such a great might that his feet couldn't hold his weight anymore. With his back still against the wall, he slided down and came to sit on the ground.

He was in love with Yamashita.

The ball had ended fast after this. Toma had been in a trance-like state for the rest of the evening.
Later, back in his room he sat on his bad, his back leaned against the wall and let the necklace with the ring on it swing in front of his eyes. How is it possible?, he asked himself.
Didn't he only knew the young gleeman for a few days? How could he fall in love with someone he hardly knew?
And also: It was a guy! How could a guy fall in love with another guy? If someone would find out it would be a scandal! Not that HE cared so much. But his father would... he would never allow something like this. In his eyes and in the eyes of society it was wrong. But how could
something that felt so right be wrong?, he asked himself as he thought about the kiss again.

He wondered if Yamapi loved him too. But why should he kiss him if it wasn't like that? Everything was so damn confusing. Plus it was the first time for the prince to fall in love. He hadn't ever met someone who captured his heart as much as the young artist did. So he didn't really know how to deal with that kind of things.

Tomorrow... he didn't know how to sneak out of the castle, when the whole city was going crazy for this damn engagement. There would be tons of guards... but he had, he just had to go and see Yamapi. He had to be sure about his feelings...

This night he couldn't sleep much due to his nerviness. It hadn't even dawned when the prince, clothed in some old clothes he lent from his servant and the black coat.

Toma tiptoed through the corridor and down to the kitchen. Fortunately the whole castle seemed to be still asleep this early. He took the same secret passage he had taken the last time. As he came out in the city he got more and more nervous by every step he did.

As he could see the river he couldn't nearly breath. He stopped his pace and took a deep breath. Then he crossed the river and could already see the little tent standing in the grass near the forest. His lump in his throat seemed to grow every time he breathed. He never had been so nervous in all his life.

As he stood right in front of the tent, Yamapi came out. Toma held his breath, when he saw his face. It was over and over full with little scratches and marks. Even his hands looked like this. Toma took a step closer to Pi. “Wha- what happened to you? Where did you get all those marks from?”, he asked worried. "It-it's nothing... I just... got beaten up, that's all...", he answered, avoiding Toma's gaze. “ Be- beaten up? By whom? Was it when you escaped out of the castle?”, Toma got more and more worried and his remorse was now slowly calling in his head. Pi's face softened. “It doesn't hurt as bad as it looks, don't worry anymore”, he answered. “But-”, Toma started but then Yamapi already knelt down and held a hand out to him. The prince's face looked questioning. The young man smiled. “You see on the ball, we didn't get the chance to dance right?” Toma couldn't even reply as Yamapi already grabbed his hand and pulled him close. He began to lead a slow waltz, his eyes always focused on the prince's face. Toma thought that he was a god dancer but Yamapi was even better than him. He felt very secure and thought that every girl he danced with must have enjoyed it. His heart twitched as this thought crossed his mind. As he looked a bit down he found Yamapi staring at him, their gazes locked and Toma could feel the tension between them.

Uncrowned King 6

2009-10-16T10:11:00.001-07:00

Yamapi's view

Yamapi was following various corridors and didn't know where to go. It actually had been a bad idea to search the exit on his own. He really had no idea where he was right now. He felt like he ran deeper and deeper into the palace and he pleaded that he wouldn't be found. Running deeper and deeper into the stone building he had no idea where he was or where he went. All he knew was that he still was inside, not outside where he should be.

Suddenly there was a strange dull noise. Sounded like pigs. As Pi cautiously went on and looked around a corner, he saw two guards sleeping on their wooden chairs. That's what the noise came from. And those two really somehow looked like pigs. At least they were as fat as such.

Pi wanted to turn around and go back, but suddenly there came voices from behind. So no going back. And those two fat ones were sleeping. So the only option left was going through that door beside the guards. Pi sneaked through the door as silently as he could. The corridor in front of him was lighted by some torches on the walls. He went on, afraid that the source of the voices came after him. This was the jail. He knew it by the voices coming from the cells. He could see faces. Horrifying faces which were pale and skinny and looked frightened to death. And Yamapi was frightened himself. This view really was scary. But since this was the jail, those people were to be here. Pi went on.

A hand – a hand coming out of one of the cells, reaching out for him. Startled, Yamapi jumped back, desperately trying not to scream. The arm that was still reaching out for him belonged to a middle-aged study man with a unreadable look on his face. But Yamapi knew this face. The face he had been searching for for so long.

“Father? Is this you?”

He didn't really believe it. Didn't want to believe it. After all those months he had found the person most important to him. One day four years ago his father was gone, leaving Yamapi and his sick mother behind. Shortly after that Yamapi's mother had died and so nothing would hold Pi back from trying to find out about his father's whereabouts.

“... Tomohisa?”, the man answered.

“Father! It's you! Why... are you here? … I have to get you out of here...” Yamapi got up quickly and closed the distance between them. He had so many questions he wanted to ask him, so much he wanted to know. But first of all he had to get his father out of here.

“Son... my son... I'm innocent. You believe me, don't you? Help me! Please!” His father sounded desperate. And The young one was desperate as well. Desperate to get his father out of that cell, putting him into freedom again.

“What happened?”, he wanted to know.

“They say I killed someone, but I didn't! You believe me, don't you? I would never kill someone!”

“Yes... yes, I do believe you. I... I'll think of a plan to get you out. Just wait a bit longer, okay?”, Yamapi said. “I'll come back. Wait for me.”

Yamapi went back to the door he had come through. Those fat ones were still asleep and no other voices so far. Maybe he could steal the key and free his father right now?

Cautiously he opened the door, trying not to make any strange sounds. He approached the key but did an unconsidered step and kicked over a steely cup and the cup skipped cheerfully over the stone floor. “Sh*t...”, Yamapi whispered. Of course the guards woke up, but luckily it took them some time to realize that there was someone who was trying to steal their precious key. They got on their feet and shouted for him.

Yamapi hurried down the corridor and ran until he couldn't hear the heavy steps anymore. But he recognized the gangway. He was somewhere near the great hall where the ball was taking place right now. Out of breath he sat down in a dark corner and thought about what to do next. He had to get his father out of here. But going back was impossible now that the guards were on alert. He had to think of a plan, a good plan.

His gaze fell on his hands. His finger felt awkward without his precious ring that he had gotten from his mother years ago right before she died. He had given it to the prince and he didn't regret it. The prince...

The... prince... He could use the prince to reach his goal.

No, he couldn't. He just couldn't do it. Imposing on the prince's kindness was impossible. But how else could he help his father? “Hello, my name is Yamashita Tomohisa and I want you to let my father go.” Of course, it would help to just go to the guards and explain the situation, they would surely be nice enough to open the door... and imprison Yamapi as well.

So, the only solution was the prince, huh?

Although Yamapi hated to do this, but he had to help his father. And the prince? He had known him only for some hours right now. He would make him help and free his father and then take the ring back and then Yamapi would vanish and everything would turn back to normal again. It should be easy right?

With trembling knees Yamapi got on his feet. He had to find the prince. On the floor some meters away was a green mask. It absolutely didn't fit his costume but whatever. He took it on and stepped into the great hall. It wasn't very hard to make out the prince. He was the one everyone was staring at, despite the fact that he wore a mask. He was talking to a young lady but she seemed somewhat disturbed and hurriedly left the hall. This was Pi's chance. He approached the prince and hesitantly put his hand on his shoulder.

Toma looked confused and upset as he turned around, paused and then asked: “Wha-what are you doing here? I – I thought you ran...”

Pi didn't bother to answer. “Come with me... please.”, he said before he turned and slowly left the hall. He went back to the same dark corner he had been thinking in before and waited for the prince to come after him. And he came.

“Answer my question... why are you still here? I don't understand this...” Now Toma looked really confused.

Yamapi took a deep breath. “I... I couldn't leave. I want to... see you again.”

'You are such a great actor,', Yamapi thought, disgusted by what he was doing.

Toma tried to answer, but somehow no words left his mouth as he moved it.

“Meet me tomorrow at my tent. I will wait for you.”

Pi laid his hands on the prince's shoulders, pressed him against the wall and kissed him passionately.

He was amazed by those feelings, wanted to continue until eternity but still he broke their contact.

“Good-bye, my prince.”

Yamapi hurried and left, leaving a numb Toma behind.

He felt as if his heart was torn apart. But he knew he deserved it.

Uncrowned King 5

2009-10-16T10:09:00.002-07:00

Toma view

For a few seconds they looked into each others eyes, then Toma took a deep breath, pulled himself together and squeezed himself out of the notch. “Come one, get out. I'll help you leave without being seen.”, he whispered. “No, don't... If someone notices, you'll also be in danger. I'll find a way out. Don't worry, sire”, answered Pi. Toma was scared. “But if they find you...”, started Toma but was cut off by Pi. “Be sure they won't. Please don't worry. And one more thing. Please... close your eyes for a moment.” Toma was surprised. “Close my eyes?” He was nervous as he closed his eyes hesitantly. He didn't know what was happening, he didn't feel something and he also didn't hear something. He wanted to open his eyes to see what Yamapi was doing, but couldn't somehow. Suddenly he felt how Pi grabbed his hand and put something cold on his palm. His skin began to prickle where Yamapi touched him. Then he felt his breath on his ear as he whispered hastily: “Please keep this, my lord. And remember, that there'll always be someone who will put his life in danger to save you... and not only because you're the prince.” Toma opened his eyes in surprise and saw Yamapi running away from him now.

The prince stood there and looked after him, the words Pi had spoken still echoing in his mind And remember that there'll always be someone who will put his life in danger to save you. His heart pounded fast and he clenched his fist. Then he remembered that Pi had given him something. He opened his fist and saw that it was a small silver ring. It looked like it was very old. It seemed like Pi had worn this ring for years. He was touched that Pi would give him something important like this. Suddenly he felt an indescribable pain in his heart and he hoped that the young man made it out of the castle without being caught. He wanted to see him again no matter what... “Toma-sama what are you doing down here?”, the voice of his teacher was right behind him. Toma hadn't even heard him coming. Then he remembered what was actually happening. Today was the great ball... “You should get dressed soon, the ball will start in some time. And don't forget the dance steps!”, he lectured him. “Hai”, Toma headed for his room, on the walk he put the ring on his finger and examined how it looked. Quite nice, he had to admit.

Back in his room he stripped off his clothes and put the special suit on. He wasn't in any mood to dance or whatever right now. But he had no choice, yet again. His thoughts drifted back to the young man and the short moments he had spent with him. Toma sat on his bed, staring at the ring on his finger and turning it around until he recognized that it was indeed weird to daydream about a guy. What was happening to him? Why was he focused on this young man so much? He tried to think about it clinically. He admired him, he wanted to be like him. That must be it, he thought. But then the beautiful face and the smile came to his mind. The way he spoke to him. There must be more to it... Toma was confused, he never had been so confused his whole life.

“Toma-sama are you ready?”, asked a voice from outside. “Hai, I'm coming!” His gaze fell on the ring again and thought that he shouldn't wear it. If anyone would see it, they would start asking questions. So he took one of his necklaces, put the ring on it and hung it around his neck, carefully hiding it under his clothes. He could feel the cold silver on his skin, it calmed him down. Now he had to dance with his fiancée. He put on his mask, because it was supposed to be a fancy ball. The ballroom was already filled with people in magnificent clothes. All of them were wearing masks to hide their faces. It was useless, thought Toma. Cause once he entered the hall everyone would be staring at him, knowing quite well that he was the prince.

Then a girl in a wonderful dress approached him. “Toma-sama... can I have this dance?”, asked the little girl, avoiding his gaze shyly. It was quite unusual that a girl would ask for a dance herself. He figured out that it must be Maki. He tried to concentrate on her and smiled. “Of course.” The face of Maki brightened and so they started their dance. She was a good dancer, thought Toma. It was really easy to dance with her, he even enjoyed it a bit. Every now and then their gazes would lock and Maki would turn red. In her way, she was cute. “Ano ne Toma-sama...”, she seemed nervous. “... do you remember when we first met?”, she asked warily. When they first met? Toma was shocked, did he meet her before? If that was the case, then he couldn't really remember. “I'm afraid... I don't”, he answered slowly. She looked hurt, but continued talking. “Well... it's no wonder... it was a long time ago... my father and I were here... and I was playing in the garden of the castle... I remember how you helped me when I fell and got hurt. You were so kind and your smile was so warm”, she turned even more red. “... since that day... I always loved you...”, she looked at him shyly. Toma hold his breath when she confessed. What was he supposed to say now? He didn't want to disappoint her, but he knew that he didn't love her and maybe never would...”...well, I feel honored... really.. but I ...”, Toma started. “...it's okay!” , she interrupted him. “It's ok if you don't love me now.. we have our whole life, don't we?”, she smiled but Toma could see tears tingling in her eyes. “Would you excuse me now, Toma-sama?”, she said and walked into the crowd.

The prince stood there alone feeling like crap. Toma didn't want to marry her, even if she was really nice. But he didn't love her...and she... , she loved him and was now also in all this mess, which Toma called his life. He pitied her as well as himself. Then he felt a tip on his shoulder. He turned around and found a young man with a mask smiling at him. At first Toma asked himself who this was, but then he looked in the eyes of his counterpart. A weird mixture of happiness, fear and confusion formed inside his body. “Wha-what are you doing here? I – I thought you ran...”, Toma asked upset, totally swamped by the whole situation.

Uncrowned King 4

2009-10-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

Yamapi's view

Sneaking into the castle might really have been a bad idea, Pi thought. But... he didn't regret it yet. Knowing that the prince wouldn't be able to come back again he tried to find a way to get into the castle. And then he had remembered the party. So he was a gleeman... and who was more needed on a party than an entertainer? Sneaking in was quite easy as he just followed the other entertainers inside. He followed them through various gangways into an enormous hall that was filled with graceful people wearing expensive clothing. Pi's eyes wandered around the hall and there he was: The prince. Toma. Looking bored. But only until he answered Pi's gaze, who was strangely excited although he never was before his shows. He would have been able to stand there the whole evening watching those beautiful eyes, but suddenly he got a light punch in the back and he stepped forward heading towards the space in front of the royal family and their guests. He thought how awkward it was being here and juggling in front of the royal family. Normally he would have been to nervous to even hold one ball, but with Toma watching him everything was so easy. He remembered the day before, when you watched Toma against the orange sunlight and how... perfect this picture had been. So perfect that Pi started smiling during his act, never taking his eyes away from the prince's. To early his act was over and he had to leave the great hall, but didn't lose hope that Toma would come after him. Even if it was more that unsure that Toma wanted to see him as well or even had recognized him. Waiting, he sat down in front of the servants' room and juggled. But only until suddenly Toma left the room came after him. Pi dropped the balls and got on his feet quickly.

The prince didn't seem amused as he started talking, and first Pi thought Toma was annoyed to see him again but then he realized the prince was worried. Worried that Pi got caught and imprisoned. And suddenly Pi was happy, but also sorry at the same time. “I'm sorry... I shouldn't have come. I just... wanted to see you again.”, he said in a low voice, avoiding the prince's gaze. “...thank you...”, the prince whispered. “That you put yourself in so much danger, just to see me...” And then Pi wasn't sorry any more. But he was more and more unsure why he had come here. He actually hadn't known in the first place. He wanted to think about what the reason was, but he was interrupted by voices coming closer. Without knowing what happened, he got drawn behind some tapestry and found themselves in a small space between the tapestry and the wall. Toma was nervous, he listened carefully to the voices until they faded. Pi's thoughts instead were all about Toma. Being pressed against each other, feeling the prince's warmth, smelling him. Pi should have been frightened that he was put into prison and still he couldn't think of anything but the young prince. Then their eyes met. Paralyzed Pi felt every cell of his body heating up.

But fortunately Toma had more self control than Pi had. He squeezed himself out of the little space they had been trapped in and stepped into the gangway. “Come on, get out. I'll help you leave without being seen.”, the prince whispered. “No, don't... If someone notices, you'll also be in danger. I'll find a way out. Don't worry, sire.” Pi wasn't sure if he would make it without being seen, most of all because of that colorful dress he wore. “But if they find you...”, the prince started, but Pi interrupted him. “Be sure they won't. Please don't worry. And one more thing. Please... close your eyes for a moment.” Pi wasn't sure if he did the right thing. “Close my eyes?”, Toma answered surprised. Pi nodded. The young prince seemed unsure, but finally he did as he was told. Watching Toma with eyes closed he took a step towards the prince and lifted his hand. He wanted to touch him. His hair, his face. Touching the air, Pi's hand followed the outlines of Toma's face. Pi wanted to stay with the prince, but he also knew that this was impossible. So he took off his most important ring, took Toma's hand and put it in his palm. Then he whispered into Toma's ear: “Please keep this, my lord. And remember, that there'll always be someone who will put his life in danger to save you... and not only because you're the prince.” And so Pi turned around and followed the corridor without looking back.

Uncrowned King 3

2009-10-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

Toma's view

"M-my lord, will I... see you again?" The prince was taken aback by this sudden question, he turned around to face the young artist once again, his face unreadable. "...it would be a pleasure...", he could see Yamapi's face brighten. "...but I don't know if it will be possible", he added sadly. The young gleeman's face fell. "Oh... of course... My apologies... I know you have better things to do...", said Pi hastily. Toma felt bad for disappointing him, he wanted to explain why it was so difficult for him. "No, that's not it.. you see...I will meet my...fiance... tomorrow... it will be a great festival...", he tried to explain. "I don't know if I can sneak out again...." He sighed, head lowered. "I envy you for your freedom, young artist... I wish I could be like you. Go wherever I want to, do whatever I like... marry... whom I truly love...", his voice got lower with every word and the sadness flooded his whole body. He looked up to meet the eyes of the young man again and saw something like shock in his eyes. Of course it wasn't what you expected from a prince, he thought. He didn't really know why he told him what he never dared to speak out aloud to someone else. "Well.. I have to go now... I'm sorry...", so he continued his walk back to the castle and left the artist behind.

He didn't sleep well this night. Somehow he couldn't forget the young man's disappointed face. It was early as he got up, he looked out of the window to the trailer on which Pi had stood yesterday. He really wanted to see him again, but he knew that it was impossible to sneak out a second time. Especially today. He sighed and got dressed. The lord and his daughter would arrive soon. After he ate he went into the throne room and sat next to his father. The king eyed him closely. “You have rings under your eyes. Didn't you go to bed early yesterday? “I did....I was too... nervous to sleep...”,he answered slowly. His father seemed to be satisfied by that answer. Suddenly the door opened and one of the messengers hurried in and bowed in front of the throne. “My lord, the earl and his daughter arrived!” “Alright, let them in.”, Toma could hear him smirk. Then the great gates opened and a small man with an even smaller young woman entered. They both bowed and said their greetings. Toma observed the girl, she was small and pretty, kept her eyes down. So this was the girl Toma had to spend his life with? “Welcome to our kingdom, please make yourself at home! I'm so glad to meet you and your wonderful daughter. She really became beautiful.”, the king said. Toma hadn't heard him talk like that his entire life. “This is my son Toma!” Toma stood up and took a bow. “It's a pleasure to meet you.” His gaze went to the girl and for a second their eyes met. There was something in her eyes which confused him... maybe it was affection? Toma wasn't sure, maybe he had even imagined it. Her eyes went down very fast again. “And this is my daughter, prince Toma. Her name is Maki!” And she bowed once again. After the greeting the guests were shown to their rooms and Toma also got back to his room to relax a bit. Tonight would be a ball and this afternoon would be a festival on the court... The prince sat on his bed, his head pillowed in his hands. Why did he have to endure all of this, he was sure that Maki was a nice girl, but he wasn't sure if he could love her... why couldn't he be free like Yamapi? Once again his thoughts drifted to the young man. How disappointed he had been, it was heart aching... he sighed. It was noon already and he had to attend the royal lunch. Somehow he didn't feel like eating at all...

It was after the lunch when the four of them sat in the throne room, when the minstrels began to sing. They were 5 men colored in red, blue, green, yellow and violet. Toma always liked those singers and was happy to see them perform again. It raised his mood at least a bit.

Later on were some random joke tellers, Toma listened without great interest. Suddenly he felt something and looked to the side and found Maki observing him. When she noticed that he caught her, she turned around quickly and her face went red. Toma sighed once again. After the joke teller came a group of jugglers and fire-breathers. Toma watched them, still with little interest until he found a pair of deep brown eyes that were fixed on him. His heart began to beat faster in an instant. He thought he couldn't believe his eyes as Yamapi stepped forward, now dressed in a more expensive looking costume and started to use his juggling skills. He smiled like it was the most common thing to be here right now. It was hard for Toma to not call for him and ask him, what he was doing here. Wasn't it dangerous? Toma knew perfectly well that Yamapi wasn't one of their castle entertainers. So how did he manage to sneak in here... The prince's thoughts went in circles as he watched the artist do his job. He was relieved in some way and happy to see him, but also afraid, that if his father found out that he originally didn't belong here, he would be imprisoned. After the performance the entertainer went out of the throne room, to one of the servants' rooms. Toma couldn't sit still, so he excused himself for a moment, earning an unpleasant but allowing glance by his father. He headed for the room immediately and found Pi sitting in front of the room, again juggling with the balls. Toma caught his breath. “What are you doing here?”, he whispered out of breath. Yamapi's face brightened when he saw the young prince. “I thought, when it is difficult for you to come out, then I could come in”, he answered brightly. “Or shouldn't I have come?”, he asked, unsure if he had made a mistake. “Of course not! Isn't it dangerous for you? If they find out then you'll be thrown into prison without any questions!” The young gleeman smiled. He was happy that the prince was worried about him, but he was also afraid to be a burden to him. “I'm sorry... I shouldn't have come. I just...wanted to see you again..”, he said in a low voice, avoiding the prince's gaze. Toma's heartbeat went faster again, without him understanding why. “...thank you...”, he whispered. “That you put yourself in so much danger, just to see me...”, he said softly. The young gleeman looked flustered now, his cheeks went red and he didn't know what to say. Then they heard voices coming closer, Toma recognized the voice of his teacher. He panicked and grabbed Yamapi's hand and pulled him with him behind a tapestry from which he knew that there was a small notch in the wall, where originally had stood a statue years ago. [A/N: yeah the castle is pretty much like hogwarts xD]

There wasn't much space for two grown up people so they were practically pressed against each other, trying not to make any noise as the voices echoed from the stone walls. When they were gone, they sighed in relief and Toma noticed just then how close he was to Yamapi. He looked down to the smaller man, now also flustered, but he couldn't turn away from those deep brown eyes.

Uncrowned King 2

2009-10-16T10:05:00.001-07:00

Yamapi's view

It actually had started like any other day. Yamapi had started his act on the streets of the capital with some juggling and playing with fire. As he went on, he became aware of a young man his age who was amazed by this uncommon sight. The man was fully covered with a coat and the only thing Yamapi could see were his boots and his beautiful face. This man didn't look like the rest of Yamapi's audience. Yamapi had been staring at the stranger and juggling at the same time, but suddenly he saw the king's guards coming closer. He jumped off his little stage, which actually was a small trailer, and vanished into the crowd so the guards wouldn't get him. But he couldn't forget the stranger's face as he saw the guards. He didn't look uncomfortable, but horrified. And there he was again, standing right in front of him. Pi couldn't see his face but he recognized the coat and the boots and the guy was running from the guards. So he grabbed the man's shoulders and put a hand on his mouth and drew him behind the corner, so the king's men wouldn't find them. "I don't know what you have done, but you looked like it wasn't good if they found you", he concluded. The stranger nodded. "Thanks", he said. “No problem, we're comrades right? We have to help each other in order to survive!" Pi smiled. “By the way my name is Yamashita, but everyone calls me Yamapi! What's your name?“ “Uhm.. my name is Toma.“ So that was the stranger's name. But wait... Toma? That's why this guy was so different from the others. The beautiful face, his graceful walk, the clean boots and a coat covering his whole body. “Wait, you're... You're the prince. Oh, forgive me, my lord. I didn't mean to touch you.” “W-wait... don't apologize. I thank you, Yamapi. For rescuing me from my father's men. But... let's go somewhere else. I don't like this place.” Of course he didn't like a muddy ground behind a small cottage. He was the prince after all! He had to be used to a ground that was so clean you could eat from it. “Of course, my lord. Let's head over there.” As Yamapi went ahead he couldn't help but stare at the prince. Why was he out of the castle? Why was he alone? And most importantly: Why the hell did he try to avoid being seen by the royal guards? He had no answer to those questions and it wasn't his right to ask the prince. After a while the two reached a beautiful little spot near the forest and a small tent was there. Yamapi went to the tent and brought a three-legged stool for the prince so he could sit down. “Douzo.” “Arigatou.”, the prince answered and smiled at him. This was strange. Yamapi had never seen a royal person being nice to common folks. Pi stared at him in wonder.

The prince's eyes wandered around. His gaze fell on some small balls that were lying on the ground.

“You... have skills in juggling, don't you?”, the prince said. “I admire that. I wish I could do it myself.”

Pi's face turned red. “Thank you, my lord. I... I can teach you...?”

The young lord stared at Yamapi as if in disbelief.

“I-I am so sorry, my lord! I didn't mean any offense...” While Pi's face turned even more red, Toma interrupted his speech.

“No... you didn't. I'd love to be taught by an artist like you.”

Never had Yamapi thought of something like that. Teaching juggling to the crown prince of the kingdom! “It's an honor, my lord!”, Yamapi said, smiling brightly.

“Please... don't say that... 'my lord'... I'm out of the castle, so would you mind calling me Toma instead? Just Toma.”, the prince said. “I don't want anyone else to know about my whereabouts.”

“Sure.”, Pi answered. And the smile didn't want to vanish from the young gleeman's face.

Not as he picked up two of the balls to show Toma how juggling works. Not as he did the same thing with three balls. And also not as one of the balls fell on the ground and the whole rhythm was off and the other balls followed their comrade to say hello to the mud. And still Yamapi couldn't stop smiling because of Toma's even brighter face. It seemed like the young prince enjoyed this lesson in juggling. He reached out for two of the balls to try it by himself and after some misses the young prince was able to juggle with two balls. [A/N: don't you dare thinking what I think right now xD!]

“You're talented, my... Toma.”, Yamapi said in admiration.

“Thank you. That's because you're a great teacher.” Toma really was having fun doing this little trick that Yamapi was almost able to do while sleeping. “I have never done anything like this before. Back in the castle... I'm not even allowed to get fighting lessons because I don't have the theoretical knowledge. But I like this way of learning better. Just doing it, that's how it should be. I... envy you, young gleeman. You're free, at last.”

The young prince looked to the ground. His boots were covered in mud from walking to this unroyal place. “I... I'm sorry to burden you with my worries. I have to go now. There are some... special preparations I need to do. And the sun is already setting. I'm sorry for having stolen your time.” Toma got on his feet again and started to head back to town. Yamapi was slightly confused as he got up as well and said to the prince: “Toma... prince, you don't have to apologize. It was an honor meeting you.” Yamapi bent down deeply. “You are really talented with juggling and I believe you will become a better juggler than I am now.” He looked up into the young royal's face. A angel-like face against the red sunlight. Yamapi was amazed by the view, like the prince must have been earlier. “M-my lord, will I... see you again?”

Uncrowned King 1

2009-10-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

Title: Uncrowned King

Pairing: TomaPi

Genre: Romance, Angst, AU

Rating: PG

Author: Toma view: Careline18, Pi view: Sareru

Disclaimer: We wish we would own those two georgous men, but unfortunalty We don't. Just the story is ours.

Notes: Fanfic Collab from Sareru and Careline18. First will be Chapter one from Toma's view and next Chapter fromYamapi's view and so on :D

Chapter 1 Toma's view

There was nothing that Prince Toma hated more than being stuck in the castle all day. Sometimes

he wished he was like everyone else. When he studied in his room, he watched the people down on the streets of the capital. How the children were running around freely. The women were doing the daily shopping and chatting. Toma had noone to talk to... at least not about interesting stuff. Interesting for him. So he spent every and each day in his studying room, reading old fashioned books about whatever a prince must know. It was terrible, not to say unbearable. Toma felt like a bird in a golden cage.He desperatly wished for a miracle to happen, but he knew, that it wouldn't. Because there wasn't stuff like this. Life was life and no more. No fairies or goblins. No princesses to rescue, nothing like in the stories that children hear when they go to bed. Toma knew that most of the people thought that the life of a prince was comfortable and thrilling. With a lot of adventures. But those were really just stories. Well, he couldn't deny that his life was indeed comfortable in comaparison to the life of the normal citizens, but it wasn't like he was enjoying it.

After his mother's, the queen's death, there was noone who could protect him from his father's opinions and wishes. He had to follow whatever his father wanted. He would exchange his life for one of the normal poeple, like down on the street, immediatly, if he could. He sighed as he came back to reality from his daydreaming. His teacher had just stepped into the room. "Toma-sama, what are you doing?", he asked with a strict voice. "You're supposed to read that book, not daydreaming!" There it was again. Studying, studying and more studying. He was sick of it. "Sensei, when do I get to do something interesting? Like fighting lessons?", Toma asked. "Fighting lessons? Young master, you don't even have the theoretical knowlegde, how do you want to fight like that?", the teacher seemed merely amused. Toma sighed. So it was useless... he grabbed the book and tried to concentrate on the text again. His teacher left the room to do whatever he had to do and Toma's thoughts wandered back to unnamed heros and their adventures. Suddenly he heard some cries and shouting. His gaze went out of the window to the market place, where a great deal of people were gathering. Due to his good view from above he could see that there was someone standing in the middle of the crowd. The young, blonde man was clothed in a red costume, which Toma identified as those of a gleemen. He watched in awe when he began to juggle with some balls. Then he switched to sticks with flames burning on each end. Toma was amazed by the prestidigitation and grace of the young man. How much he wanted to see this from nearby. Before he realised it, he got absorbed in ideas of sneaking out of the castle to see this man perfom his show. But his thoughts were interupted by a knock on the door. "Yes?", he shouted out annoyed. "Master Toma, the king is calling for you", said one of the maids, keeping her eyes lowered. "Alright,
thanks!", he answered smiling brightly. Another thing that differed him from the rest of the royal family. He tried to be kind to all of their employees. Because they deserved it like other people, too. The maid's face flushed and she bowed, leaving quickly as he stepped out of the room. He walked into the throne room and bowed in front of his father. "You called for me", he asked politely. "Yes, you'll be turning 20 this month, won't you? So I thought it was time to think about your future. There was a request by the lord of the neighboring kindom, you see. They have a daughter right your age. It would be a good engagement, if you married her." Toma's face fell as he heard the word "marry". He still didn't feel like he was ready for that kind of thing. And also, if he married, he wanted to marry someone he loved, and not someone his father wanted him to marry. Again he cursed his life as a prince. "You'll be meeting her tomorrow. There will be a ball, so I hope you know how to behave around a girl!", he got hold by his fathers gaze and had no option other than to agree. "Kashikomarimashita", he said in a low voice. So tomorrow he would meet his fiance... "Good, you can go now. Get prepared for tomorrow. The tailor made a new suit for you, make sure you try it on by tomorrow evening. You can go now." "Hai", and Toma headed back for his room, head tilted to the ground.
He sat on the table and watched out of the window again. The young man was still there. If I really have to marry a stranger, than at least I could have a bit of fun on my own... He called for one of his servants and asked him to tell everone who asked for him that he's busy with preparations for tomorrow. Then he took his cloak and searched for a save way out of the castle. Fortunately he had read much about the castle and the kingdom itself, so he knew one or two secret passages, which
hopefully noone of the other people knew. Toma went down to the kitchen. There should be a passage under a carpet in the storage room. He sneaked into the room without being noticed by the kitched staff. He rolled up the carpet and found the old trap door. He opened it carefully so that it didn't make much noise. He slipped through it and began walking down the old stone stairs. Soon he was in a cave which looked like he was hundreds of meters under the ground. He walked quite a time, but then there were stairs going up again. He hoped that there wouldn't be any people on the other side. He climbed up the stairs and opened the door slowly. He observed if it was save to come out and found noone near the door, so he slipped through it and closed it carefully. He seemed to be in an old storage room, which looked unused. He saw a window, which was open, so he pulled himself up and disappeared out of it. As he landed on the street he could hear the shouting from the market place. He followed the noise and soon stood on the street in front of the market. Toma pulled the cowl over his head and slowly approached the crowd. Most of the people around the gleeman were women, so he had no problems to see the man in the middle. He seemed very young, maybe as old as himself. He had a smooth face and soft-looking blond hair. His slender fingers twirled the sticks around like they were light as paper. Toma never thought that a man could look so beautiful. He was amazed by the young man and stood there watching him in awe. Then the gaze of the young man went over the faces of the audience and for a second or two he met Tomas gaze. It was like he was drawn in by those eyes. But suddenly the noise of hooves approached and some guards began to shout. "You, what are you doing there? You aren't allowed to do that here!" Toma's body stiffened. What if one of the guards would recognise him? He would be done for it if the king found out that he sneaked out of the castle. The crowd disbanded hastily now. Toma also ran in some random direction, afraid to be seen by the guards. When he turned into a small street, he suddenly got gripped from behind, a hand on his mouth and someone whispered: "Shhh." Just then a brigade of guards rode along. As they were gone the stranger released Toma from his grip. Toma turned around to face the unknown person and was taken aback to see the young gleeman standing in front of him. "I don't know what you have done, but you looked like it wasn't good if they found you", he concluded. Toma nodded. "Thanks", he said. "No problem, we're comrades right? We have to help each other in order to survive!", he smiled. „By the way my name is Yamashita, but everyone calls me Yamapi! What's your name?“ „Uhm.. my name is Toma.“

SLEEPING ROSE 9: A Dream Named Desire

2009-09-18T09:52:00.001-07:00

Perplex starrte der junge Arzt in die halb geschlossenen Augen seines Gegenübers. Nach einer schieren Unendlichkeit löste sich dieser von ihm und meinte lächelnd: "Revanche..."

Hiroki sah im Moment wohl aus wie ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen, denn er öffnete den Mund, wollte etwas sagen, doch dann verließen sie ihn und er schloss seinen Mund wieder, um wenigstens nicht komplett vertrottelt zu wirken.

Souta bemerkte, dass er wohl warten konnte bis er ergraute, wenn er weiter auf eine Antwort von Hiroki warten wollte, also nahm er allen Mut zusammen und fing mit pochendem Herzen an zu erzählen.
"I-ich... hab gemerkt, dass du mich geküsst hast. Das war das erste, was ich gemerkt habe, als ich wieder aufgewacht bin. Beziehungsweise... es kam mir so vor, als wäre ich wegen diesem Kuss wieder aufgewacht."
Bei dem letzten Satz kicherte er leise. "Ich habe so getan, als hätte ich nichts gemerkt, weil ich nicht wusste, wie ich reagieren sollte. Und dann bist du zu den Schwestern gelaufen und ich hatte plötzlich Angst, ich sehe dich nie mehr wieder und dabei... dabei... wusste ich noch gar nicht, dass ich dich so mag."
Hirokis Herz drohte bei diesen Worten in seiner Brust zu zerspringen, und so tat er ohne zu überlegen auf den Jungen zu und küsste ihn immer und immer wieder, bis sich beide nach Atem ringend voneinander lösten. Und Hiroki wäre der glücklichste Mensch der Welt, hätte er nicht die Tränen bemerkt, die Soutas Wangen benetzten. Und da wurde ihm wieder wahr, dass sie im Begriff waren, voneinander getrennt zu werden und so nahm er den weinenden Jungen tröstend in seine Arme. Mit sanfter Stimme meinte er: "Sh~, Souta. alles wird gut, hörst du? Wir finden einen Weg." doch diesmal dachte er nicht mehr an die metallenen Fesseln, die er gut versteckt am Körper trug. Er war sich mehr als sicher, dass es eine andere Lösung geben würde, wenn sie sich nur noch etwas Zeit ließen.
Und so meinte er schweren Herzens: "Komm jetzt, steh auf. Dein Zuhause wartet auf dich."
Er erhob sich, doch Souta hielt verzweifelt an ihm fest und schüttelte den Kopf. "Nein! Ich will nicht gehen! Ich will hier bleiben bei dir."
Und nichts anderes wollte auch Hiroki, doch trotzdem sagte er: "Hör mir zu, Souta. Deine Eltern lieben dich und sie wären sehr traurig, wenn du nicht mehr zurückkommen würdest. Und wo gibts denn sowas? Ein Patient, der lieber im Krankenhaus bleiben will, als nach Hause gehen zu dürfen." Er lächelte. Täte er das nicht, wusste er, dass Souta sich nie umstimmen lassen würde. So sagte dieser nichts mehr, und Hiroki trug ihn in den Rollstuhl, den er schon für ihn bereitgestellt hatte, und kniete sich noch einmal vor ihn.

"Wir werden eine Lösung finden, okay? Ich... liebe dich, und deshalb wird auch alles gut werden." Und endlich konnte Hiroki wieder ein Lächeln auf den Lippen seines Lieblingsexpatienen sehen, und so küssten sie sich noch ein letztes Mal und dann erhob sich Hiroki und schweigend fuhren beide in Richtung Ausgang.

Wortlos passierten sie das Tor zur Außenwelt, die so grausames für unsere zwei jungen Geliebten bereit zu halten schien und so waren sie sehr bedrückt, als der Rollstuhl vor dem Auto von Soutas Eltern zum stehen kam.
"Also...", begann Hiroki, doch er hielt inne, als Souta sich angestrengt aufrichtete, langsam um den Rollstuhl herum lief, und seinen Arzt ein letztes Mal umarmte. "Danke...", flüsterte er. Hiroki lächelte. Er wollte seine Stimme öfter hören, den ganzen Tag sollte Souta nur für ihn reden. Zärtlich erwiderte Hiroki die Umarmung, und so standen sie eine ganze Weile, bis Soutas Vater sich räusperte. So ließen sie also voneinander ab und Souta stieg mit der Hilfe seiner Mutter ins Auto ein. Gerade wollte sie die Autotür schließen, als Soutas Vater sich ein zweites Mal räusperte und die Tür festhielt.
Lächelnd sah er Hiroki an. "Ishitogu-san...", begann er. "Ihr Vater kam heute mit einer Bitte zu mir. Er wollte kürzer treten, weil er ja nun nicht mehr der Jüngste ist. Und wie Sie wissen, war Ihr Vater jahrelang unser Hausarzt. Schon vor Soutas Geburt kam er tagtäglich zu uns und ist uns auch ein guter Freund geworden. Doch weil er sich jetzt mehr Zeit für andere Dinge nehmen will, haben wir versucht gemeinsam eine Lösung zu finden." "Und wir glauben, wir haben sie gefunden.", warf Soutas Mutter ein und lächelte. "Richtig. Wir möchten Sie. Wir waren sehr davon beeindruckt, mit welcher Hingabe Sie sich um unseren Sohn gekümmert haben, und glauben, dass sie der richtige Mann für den Job sind."

Hiroki wusste kaum, wie ihm geschah, da war Souta schon voll Übereifer aufgesprungen, kam auf ihn zugelaufen und warf seine Arme um Hiroki. Dieser musste nur lachen, als er Soutas Umarmung glücklich erwiderte, denn endlich hatten sie ihre Lösung gefunden.

Und in seiner Tasche spürte er immer noch die Handschellen, die sich an seine Hüfte schmiegten.

~おわり~

SLEEPING ROSE 8: I'd run for You

2009-09-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

Als Soutas Eltern die freudige Nachricht empfangen hatten, waren nicht nur sie, sondern das ganze Haus außer sich und sie lachten und freuten sich und auch die Arbeit ging ihnen nun wieder viel leichter von der Hand. Einer nach dem anderen kam ins Krankenhaus um den jungen Herrn zu besuchen, allen voran natürlich Vater und Mutter und alle brachten sie Geschenke und Genesungswünsche und waren fröhlich und vergnügt, als sie wieder von dannen zogen. Kamen sie wieder ins Hause Nobara zurück, erzählten sie von einem noch etwas angeschlagenen jungen Herrn, der immer noch schwach, aber auf dem Weg der Besserung war, und einem hübschen Arzt, der den ganzen Tag nicht von der Seite des jungen Herrn weichen wollte.

Und Hiroki wich wirklich nicht von Soutas Seite. Selbst zum Schlafen blieb er in Soutas Krankenzimmer auf der Couch, die man dort aufgestellt hatte, da es ein Zimmer speziell für Privatpatienten war, in das sie Souta verlegt hatten, nachdem er aufgewacht war. Wirklich allein ließ Hiroki seinen Schützling nur um zuhause zu duschen und sich frische Kleidung zu holen. Und längere Zeiten als diese wollte sich Hiroki nicht erlauben. Seine Mutter war zwar seitdem nicht mehr aufgetaucht, aber so plötzlich wie sie an diesem Abend aufgetaucht war, konnte sie es wieder tun und das wollte Hiroki nicht riskieren. So bewachte er Souta rund um die Uhr, ließ ihn nie aus den Augen und schlief aus Sorge nie wirklich fest.

Eines Tages hatte Souta gesagt: "Hiroki-san, du musst nicht Tag und Nacht bei mir bleiben. Ich fang bestimmt nicht mehr an zu weinen." Doch Hiroki hatte ihn nur freundlich angesehen und bestimmt den Kopf geschüttelt. Er wusste nicht, wie er Souta die Situation erklären sollte, da dieser sich an nichts mehr zu erinnern schien, und so versuchte er es erst gar nicht. Wer weiß, wie Souta darauf reagieren würde, dass die Dreizehnte ihm nach dem Leben trachtete oder dass ihr Sohn ihn geküsst hatte, als er schwach und hilflos im Koma gelegen war. Doch da war noch etwas, das Hiroki auf der Seele brannte: Soutas Genesung schritt schnell voran - was natürlich gut war, kein Zweifel - doch genauso schnell rückte auch der Tag näher, an dem Souta entlassen würde. Und was sollte er dann tun? Hiroki konnte und wollte nicht mehr ohne Souta sein. Doch wie sollte er es anstellen bis in alle Ewigkeit bei ihm bleiben zu können? Sich mit Handschellen an ihn ketten und den Schlüssel wegwerfen oder aufessen? Das wäre wohl Plan Z. Doch wo sollte er auf die Schnelle einen besseren Plan herzaubern?

Mit diesen und anderen Gedanken schritten die Tage voran, wurden zu Wochen und immer noch fehlte dieser ultimative Plan, nach dem Hiroki so verzweifelt suchte. Und so kam auch der Tag, an dem Souta entlassen werden sollte, mit seiner vollen Härte und Grausamkeit und trieb Hiroki an den Rand des Wahnsinns. So nahe war er dem Rand gekommen, dass er sich als letzte Rettung wirklich Handschellen gekauft hatte - mit rosa Plüsch, denn er wollte Souta natürlich nicht verletzen. Den ganzen Tag lief Hiroki aufgeregt im Zimmer umher und Souta sah ihm nach und fragte in regelmäßigen Abständen: "Was hast du?", worauf Hiroki jedes Mal antwortete: "Nichts..." und mit mürrischem Blick seinen Gang fortsetzte, während Souta sich das Lachen verkneifen musste, da er die ganze Szene recht belustigend fand.

Irgendwann jedoch klopfte es an der Tür und Hiroki wäre vor Schreck vom Stuhl gefallen, wäre er denn auf einem gesessen. Mit lachenden Gesichtern kamen Soutas Eltern herein, grüßten Hiroki und Soutas Mutter unterhielt sich angeregt mit ihrem Sohn, während sein Vater seinen Koffer für die Abreise packte und Hiroki aus einer Ecke heraus mit finsterem Blick die fröhliche Familie beobachtete. Nachdem der alte Herr Nobara dann auch den Papierkram erledigt hatte, wollte das Ehepaar schon aufbrechen um ihren Jüngsten und Einzigen endlich wieder nach Hause zu holen, als dieser meinte: "Wartet ihr noch draußen? Ich... will mich noch von Hiroki-san verabschieden.", woraufhin beide mit verständnisvollem Blick den Raum verließen und meinten, dass sie sich Kaffee besorgen werden und unten im Auto warten wollen.

Als sie nun das Zimmer verlassen hatten, hantierte Hiroki aufgeregt mit den Handschellen, die sich immer noch in der Tasche seines Arztkittels befanden, bis Souta schließlich meinte: "Hiroki-san, kommst du kurz her und hilfst mir? Ich will aufstehen."
"Was? Na... na gut.", entgegnete Hiroki etwas besorgt, denn Souta war immer noch sehr wackelig auf den Beinen. So näherte er sich dem Bett, legte seine Arme um den Jungen und auch dieser legte seine Arme um seinen Arzt, zog sich näher an ihn heran und ehe man sich versah, spürte Hiroki die weichen Lippen Soutas auf den seinen.

SLEEPING ROSE 7: The Green Day

2009-09-18T09:49:00.001-07:00

Im Raum war wieder alles still geworden. Das Gerät hatte sich beruhigt, nachdem Hiroki den Halt der Elektrode korrigiert hatte, und auch kein Kleiderrascheln war zu hören, denn weder Patient noch Arzt bewegten sich. Der Patient, weil er immer noch tief in seinen Träumen gefangen war; der Arzt, weil dieser sich ebenfalls gerade wie in einem Traum fühlte und er nicht wusste, ob dies nun Realität oder Einbildung war. Die Szene vor seinen Augen entsprach wohl der Realität, doch was war mit dem Blut, dass in rasendem Tempo durch seinen Körper schoss, weil sein Herz vor Aufregung angefangen hatte so schnell zu schlagen, dass man glauben mochte, eine Herde Hengste trabte über eine Wiese?
Vielleicht war es wirklich nur ein Traum, denn Hiroki spürte eine fast magische Anziehungskraft, die von den Lippen des Jungen unter ihm auszugehen schien.

Hiroki schüttelte den Kopf und erhob sich wieder. Das MUSSTE er sich gerade eingebildet haben. Immerhin war der Junge vor ihm ein Patient und lag im Koma, wie konnte er da nur so etwas denken?
Bestimmt lag es daran, dass er so müde war. Der Tag war doch sehr aufregend gewesen. Erst war seine Mutter überraschend nach so vielen Jahren wieder aufgetaucht und dann hatte sich herausgestellt, dass sie diejenige gewesen war, die Souta-kun das angetan hatte. Nun wusste er auch endlich, warum seine Mutter vor so vielen Jahren vom einen auf den anderen Tag plötzlich verschwunden war, ohne ein Wort zu sagen. Als sein Vater ihm an diesem Tag gesagt hatte, dass seine Mutter gegangen sei, hatte Hiroki stundenlang in den Armen seines Vaters geweint und auch Wochen später war er nachts aufgewacht und hatte im ganzen Haus laut rufend nach seiner Mutter gesucht. Doch wenn sie Souta-kun genau an dem Tag attackiert hatte, an dem er zum ersten Mal allein das Haus verlassen hatte, musste sie die ganze Zeit in der Nähe gewesen sein. Oder hatte sie etwa einen Verbündeten im Anwesen? Oder gar jemanden mit der Beschattung des jungen Mannes beauftragt?
All das waren Fragen, die wohl so schnell nicht zu beantworten waren. Zuerst musste er seine Mutter wieder finden und das würde wohl nicht leicht werden.
Doch würde das alles nicht helfen um Souta-kun wieder aufzuwecken. Wie lange er wohl noch dort schlafen würde?
"Souta-kun...", sagte er, als er ihm sachte mit einer Hand über die Wange strich. "Wach doch wieder auf. Niemand kann dir hier etwas tun. Ich passe auf dich auf. Und... auch wenn sie meine Mutter ist, werde ich dich sicher vor ihr beschützen, hörst du? Also komm schon... bitte..."
Unmerklich war bei diesen Worten eine Träne über die Wange des Arztes gerollt. Dieser bemerkte es erst, als der Tropfen das Gesicht unter ihm berührte. Denn wieder hatte er sich dem Jungen genähert. Dem Jungen, den er um jeden Preis beschützen wollte. Der ihm in der kurzen Zeit schon wichtiger geworden war, als die Freiheit seiner eigenen Mutter.
Doch immer noch tat Souta keine Bewegung. Als würde er auf etwas wichtiges warten, wie die Pflanze, die Hiroki ihm geschenkt hatte, auf lebenswichtiges Wasser wartete um blühen zu können. Der junge Arzt warf einen flüchtigen Blick auf die Pflanze, nur um festzustellen, dass das trübe Braun einem saftigen Grün gewichen war und sie nun endlich wieder zum Leben erwacht war.
Ein Lächeln gesellte sich zu der wässrigen Tränenbahn in Hirokis Gesicht, und er legte seinen Blick wieder auf den hilflosen und schlafenden Menschen unter ihm.
"Erinnerst du dich?", begann er. "Du hast mir ein Versprechen gegeben. Du hast versprochen, dass du wieder aufwachst. Und ich verspreche dir jetzt auch was: Ich werde dich beschützen, egal vor wem oder vor was. Ich werde bei dir bleiben, solange du mich willst und alles von dir fern halten, was dir schaden könnte. Ich zeige dir die ganze Welt, wenn du willst, okay? Genau das... verspreche ich dir..."
Bei den letzten paar Worten senkte sich seine Stimme und wurde leiser, bis sie verstummt war. Und auch sein Kopf senkte sich, immer weiter und weiter und näher an das Gesicht des lieblichen Jünglings unter ihm.
"Ich versprechs...", flüsterte er, kurz bevor er die noch so geringe Distanz zwischen ihnen überbrückte und sanft seine Lippen auf die Soutas legte.
Die Lippen des geliebten Jungen waren so sanft und weich, dass der Arzt ewig so hätte verharren können. Und wie eine Ewigkeit schien es ihm auch, bis er ihre Verbindung wieder brach und sich schon wieder nach der Berührung seines Mundes zu sehnen begann.
"Ich versprechs dir... also wach wieder auf, Souta."

Sein Blick lag weiter auf dem Gesicht des Jungen, als er plötzlich spürte, wie die Hand, die er ja immer noch hielt, sich vorsichtig bewegte. Oder hatte ihm da seine Müdigkeit wieder nur einen Streich gespielt?
"Souta? Souta, hörst du mich?", fragte der Arzt aufgeregt, hielt seine Stimme jedoch leise. "Souta."
Wieder bewegte sich die Hand und schloss sich um die des Arztes. Das war nun wirklich kein Streich seiner Phantasie. Das durfte es einfach nicht sein.
Suchend huschten Hirokis Augen über Soutas Gesicht und endlich tat sich auch hier eine Regung.
Langsam, so unendlich langsam öffnete Souta seine Lider, blinzelte und ließ seinen Blick schließlich auf dem Gesicht des Menschen vor ihm ruhen.

"Ha...hallo...", brachte er mit gebrochener Stimme hervor und Hiroki dachte bei sich, dass die Augen Soutas immer noch genauso hell und voller Leben waren wie zu der Zeit, als sie sich kennen gelernt hatten.
"Hallo... Souta..." Und auch die Stimme des Arztes begann vor Erleichterung zu brechen und schließlich verstummte sie gänzlich. Eine weitere Träne hatte sich über die Wange des Arztes gestohlen und ihr folgten viele weitere und der gerade erwachte Junge war davon so verwundert, dass er langsam sie Hand des Weinenden drückte und fragte: "Was hast du? Geht es dir nicht gut?"

Hiroki erschien diese Situation so absurd, dass er leise lachen musste. Da lag der Patient unter ihm, gerade wieder aus dem Koma aufgewacht und fragte den Arzt, ob es ihm gut ginge.
"Ja, mir gehts gut.", meinte er mit einem leichten Grinsen, während er doch weiter vor lauter Freude weinte. "Mir gehts so gut wie schon lange nicht mehr."
Souta schien von diesen Worten nicht sonderlich überzeugt, denn er sah Hiroki weiter skeptisch an und drückte besorgt mit beiden Händen die des Weinenden.

"Ich... kenne dich. Du... hast mich gerade vor dem Motorrad gerettet. Wo sind wir?", fragte Souta, während er sich im Raum umsah.
"Das ist eine lange Geschichte, Souta. Ruh dich aus, okay?"
Hiroki wischte sich mit seiner freien Hand die Tränen aus dem Gesicht und versuchte sich wieder zu beruhigen. Doch allzu fröhlich war er, dass Souta wieder aufgewacht war. Und irgendwie war er auch traurig, dass er sich nicht an den Kuss erinnern würde, doch es schien ihm trotzdem, als könnte die Welt gerade nicht schöner sein. Der Junge hatte sein Versprechen gehalten, auch wenn er sich nicht erinnern konnte, und nun war es an ihm, auch sein Versprechen einzulösen und Souta vor seiner Mutter zu beschützen.

"Soll... soll ich dir etwas bringen? Hast du Durst?", fragte Hiroki, fürsorglich wie er als Arzt eben war.
Souta überlegte kurz. "Meine... meinte Eltern.", meinte er leise.
Natürlich würde er sie sehen wollen, nachdem die so lange voneinander getrennt waren.
"Aber... die arbeiten bestimmt gerade und haben keine Zeit für mich.", sagt er traurig.
"Nein! Nein...", entgegnete der Arzt schnell. Souta sollte nicht traurig sein, weder jetzt noch sonst irgendwann. "Ich werde sie rufen lassen, okay? Sie komme bestimmt... Jetzt, wo du endlich wieder wach bist."
Hiroki lächelte um den jungen Mann zu beruhigen und schon nach kurzer Zeit schenkte Souta ihm ein warmes, sanftes Lächeln, wie er es noch vor 100 Tagen getan hatte.
"Ich gehe schnell einer Schwester Bescheid sagen, dass sie bei dir zuhause anrufen soll. Ich bin gleich wieder da, okay?"
Mit diesen Worten stand Hiroki auf, ließ nur widerwillig Soutas Hände los und ging zum Schwesternzimmer um zu tun wie er eben gesagt hatte.

Nur eine Minute oder vielleicht auch zwei waren vergangen, als Hiroki wieder zurückkam und noch bevor er Soutas Zimmer erreicht hatte, hörte er jemanden leise wimmern und seinen Namen sagen. In Panik stieß Hiroki die Tür auf und fand einen ängstlichen Souta vor, der sich in seinem Bett zusammengekauert hatte und bei dem Anblick des Arztes in Tränen ausbrach.
"Hi-hiroki-san...", wimmerte er leise und streckte die Hand nach ihm aus. Hiroki ging sofort zum Rand des Bettes und nahm den ängstlichen Jungen in seine Arme.
"Hiroki-san... tut mir Leid. Ich... Als du gegangen bist, hatte ich plötzlich solche Angst, und ich weiß nicht mal vor was. Aber... ich hatte solche Angst...", sagte Souta unter Tränen und Hiroki wusste auch warum.
"Keine Sorge.", meinte Hiroki mit sanfter Stimme. "Ich bin da. Ich pass auf dich auf, ja?" Mit zittrigen Fingern strich er Souta über den Kopf, der sich aufgeregt an ihn klammerte und es schien, als wollte er ihn nicht mehr loslassen.
"Souta-kun... schlaf jetzt, okay? Du bist bestimmt müde, und ich bleibe auch hier, versprochen.", meinte Hiroki mit einem Lächeln. "Und ich werde dich wecken, wenn deine Eltern da sind."
Mit sanfter Gewalt schob er den Jungen von sich und half ihm sich wieder hinzulegen, denn nach über 3 Monaten Schlaf konnte Souta sich nur mit viel Mühe bewegen und bestimmt war er von der Aufregung sehr erschöpft und wollte wieder schlafen.
"Gut... dann gute Nacht.", meinte Souta mit einem leichten Lächeln auf den Lippen und ohne Hirokis Hand loszulassen.
Dieser ließ sich auf dem Stuhl vor Soutas Bett nieder und stützte sich mit den Ellenbogen auf dem Bett ab.
"Ja. Gute Nacht, Souta-kun."
"Und... danke,", meinte der Junge, bevor er wieder einschlief.

Wieder betrachtete Hiroki Souta und so erfreut war er über die Ereignisse, die dich gerade zugetragen hatte, dass er seine Augen nicht von Souta nehmen konnte und erfüllt von Glück und Erleichterung schlief auch er schließlich ein.

Und sie träumten einen Traum, der beiden ein Lächeln zu schenken vermochte.

SLEEPING ROSE 6: Tomorrow will be better

2009-09-18T09:48:00.001-07:00

"Mutter... was... was tust du hier?", gab Hiroki verwirrt von sich, doch die Frau vor ihm starrte nur weiter starr auf den Jungen in dem weißen Bett.
"Mutter? Was hast du?"

"... die Dreizehnte..."

Vor Schreck drehte Hiroki sich um. Neben ihm stand die Mutter des Jungen, der vor ihnen schlafend in seinem weißen Bett lag und keine Bewegung tat. Und sie stand ebenso neben sich wie Hirokis Mutter es tat, als hätte man ihr gerade erzählt, dass ihr Sohn nicht mehr aufzuwachen vermochte.
"Was... was tun Sie hier?", wisperte sie, bewegte sich langsam auf die Frau im Raum zu. "Bitte... gehen Sie..."

Hiroki war mehr als konfus von der Szene, die sich ihm bot. Ob sich die beiden Frauen vertraut waren?
"Nobara-san, was meinten Sie eben mit 'Dreizehnte'?", fragte er vorsichtig, denn eine besondere Spannung lag in der Luft. Doch keine der beiden Frauen, geschweige denn der Junge in seinem Bett, wollte ihm Gehör schenken, weshalb er wieder fragte: "Nobara-san? Kennen Sie meine Mutter?"

"Wir kennen uns sehr wohl,", antwortete seine Mutter an Nobara-sans Stelle. Ihr Gesicht war bleich und kalter Schweiß stand auf ihrer Stirn. "Ich war eine der Ärzte, die euch zu eurem Sohn verholfen haben, nicht wahr? Ich hatte mir die meiste Mühe gegeben, und doch war ich nicht zu eurer schicken Baby-Party eingeladen... Aber ich hatte euch an dem Tag vorgewarnt... Ich werde es nicht vergessen. Und das habe ich auch nicht. Und irgendwann werde ich zu Ende bringen, was ich beim letzten Mal nicht geschafft habe..."

"Dann... dann waren Sie..." Nobara-san versagte die Stimme, so geschockt war sie von dem, was das Weib vor ihren Augen da vorbrachte. Sie drohte zu Boden zu stürzen, hätte Hiroki nicht geistesgegenwärtig einen Satz nach vorn getan um sie zu stützen und ihr auf den Stuhl zu helfen, der im Raum stand.

"Mutter... heißt das... heißt das, dass du Souta-kun das..." Und mit einem Male verstummte auch er. Denn es war ihm wieder eingefallen. Das Haus, in dessen Garage er Souta gefunden hatte. Es war das Haus seiner Mutter. Doch warum das alles? Was hatte seine Mutter mit dieser reichen Familie zu schaffen?
"Mutter..."
Gerade wollte Hiroki wieder etwas sagen, da stürzte seine Mutter zur Tür hinaus, nachdem sie noch einen letzten bösen Blick auf den Schlafenden und seine Mutter geworfen hatte.
"Mutter!"
Hiroki wollte ihr hinterher, doch als er zur Tür hinaus war, war seine Mutter verschwunden. Keine Regung war im Gang zu erkennen; kein Laut, der bis an sein Ohr drang. Resignierend machte er kehrt und ging in das Zimmer zurück.
"Sind Sie okay, Nobara-san?", fragte er vorsichtig.
"Was..? J-ja... ich... bin okay.", antwortete die Frau stockend.
Hiroki stand erst nur eine Weile im Raum, dann setzte er sich auf den zweiten Stuhl, der sonst immer nur in der Ecke des Raumes stand, und neben Soutas Mutter.

"Was meinte meine Mutter vorhin? Und welchen Grund hätte sie Souta so etwas anzutun?"
"Ihre Mutter... welche Ironie,", meinte Nobara-san mit traurigem Lächeln. "Mein Mann und ich hatten lange versucht ein Kind zu bekommen und als es nicht klappte, entschieden wir uns für künstliche Befruchtung und wollten natürlich nur die besten Ärzte, also entschieden wir uns für dieses Krankenhaus, in dem damals auch Ihre Mutter arbeitete. Sie war die Spezialistin und hatte alles beinahe allein getan. Als Souta dann zur Welt kam, gaben wir eine große Party, weil wir unser Glück mit unseren Freunden und auch unseren Ärzten feiern wollten, doch Ihre Mutter kam nicht. Also begann die Feier, doch mittendrin platzte plötzlich... Kijo-sensei wutentbrannt herein und schwor, dass sie sich dafür rächen würde, dass sie nicht eingeladen war... Aber das war alles nur ein dummes Missverständnis. Ihre Einladungskarte war nicht angekommen, weil jemand auf dem Postamt Kaffee über die Adresse gekippt hatte und die dann nicht mehr zu lesen war. Doch das wurde uns erst nach der Feier mitgeteilt und als wir sie suchen wollten, war sie umgezogen und keiner wusste, wo sie war. Und jetzt... will sie ihre Drohung wahr machen und uns wieder nehmen, wofür sie so lange gearbteitet hatte." Nobara-san war den Tränen nahe, das konnte man deutlich hören.
"Keine Sorge, hier ist er sicher. Ich werde auf Ihren Sohn aufpassen. Tag und Nacht, wenn es sein muss. Sie wird ihm nichts mehr tun, das verspreche ich." Und Hiroki war es ernst, sehr ernst. Für ein dummes Missverständnis wie dieses durfte niemand sein Leben lassen, und schon garnicht ein Junge, der noch sein ganzes Leben vor sich hatte.

Nachdem Hiroki eine Schwester gerufen hatte, die Nobara-san nach draußen begleiten sollte, kam er wieder in Soutas Zimmer zurück. Der Junge lag immernoch regungslos in seinem Bett, als wäre die ganze Szene eben garnicht passiert. Beinahe zeitlos schien dem jungen Arzt das Bild, das sich ihm bot. Als würde die Zeit einfach still stehen. Doch die Zeit sollte für Souta nicht still stehen. Sie sollte weiterlaufen und er sollte jede Sekunde genießen und nicht verschlafen.

"Souta... Wach endlich auf..."
Hiroki setzte sich auf den Rand des Bettes und nahm die Hand des schlafenden Jungen, als würde er wieder auf eine Reaktion von ihm warten. "Erinnerst du dich? Du hast versprochen, dass du wieder aufwachst. Und Versprechen bricht man nicht, das haben dir deine Eltern bestimmt beigebracht, nicht wahr?" Schatten der Verzweiflung schlichen sich in das Herz des jungen Assistenzarztes. Was, wenn der Junge wirklich nicht mehr aufwachen würde? Würde man irgendwann die Geräte einfach abschalten und ihn sterben lassen? Das könnte er nicht ertragen. Er hatte den Jungen in der kurzen Zeit so lieb gewonnen, dass er nicht mehr ohne ihn sein mochte. Auch zuhause dachte er an ihn und betete, was er sonst nie tat. Mochte er den Jungen womöglich lieber haben, als es sich ziemte? Seine Haut war so zart und so weich, dass er sie den ganzen Tag berühren wollte. Sein Gesicht war von solcher Schönheit, dass er sich nicht daran satt sehen konnte. Und dachte er an sein Lächeln, das der Junge ihm bei ihrer ersten Begegnung geschenkt hatte, wurde Hiroki ganz warm ums Herz.

Doch wieder tönte eines der Geräte mit unertäglichen Lauten, sodass Hiroki sich über Souta beugte und die Elektrode an seinem Kopf vorsichtig wieder befestigte. Lieber würde er sie alle abreißen, schoss ihm durch den Kopf. Auch sein Haar war ganz weich, fiel ihm da auf. Wie es wohl riechen würde? Nur einmal kurz... Und er beugte sich zu dem Jungen herab und roch an seinem Haar. Der betörende Duft stieg ihm in die Nase, vermischt mit dem typischen Krankenhausgeruch und doch reiner als so vieles auf dieser Welt. Und er war ihm nahe. Der Arzt war dem Patienten gefährlich nahe.

Und keinen Millimeter mehr wollte er weichen.

SLEEPING ROSE 5: Her Diamonds

2009-09-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

Stunden vergingen, wurden zu Tagen und wurden zu Monaten und immernoch schlief der liebliche Junge. Oder zumindest schien es so, wenn man ihn ansah. Er war fast so hübsch wie vor dem Vorfall, dachte Hiroki jedes Mal, wenn er nach ihm sah. Der Junge war blass, hatte zarte Haut, in der man keine Unreinheit erkennen konnte. Auch seine Lippen waren blass, doch er helle Rotton, der seinen Mund umrahmte, passte in das ganze Bild, mit weißem Bettlaken, dem ebenso weißen Hemd, das Souta trug und den gleichsam sterilen Wänden. Souta war blass, und doch konnte Hiroki sich nicht an seinem Anblick satt sehen. Jeden Tag saß er etwas länger bei ihm am Bett, beobachtete ihn und hoffte und betete auf ein weiteres Lebenszeichen als seinen langsamen Herzschlag und den ruhigen Atem des Jüngeren.

Und Hiroki stellte sich vor, was Souta wohl am liebsten tat, was er gerne essen mochte und ob er zahmes Vieh im Haus hielt, das ihn vermissen würde, wie es seine Eltern und das ganze Fußvolk in seiner Heimat tat. Seine Leibgarde hatte dem jungen Arzt berichtet, dass ein Jeder Souta lieb haben mochte und alle so betrübt wären, dass sie nicht mehr arbeiten wollten und nur um den Jungen trauerten.

Und auch Hiroki trauerte, wollte er Souta doch kennen lernen und nicht nur zu ihm, sondern auch MIT ihm sprechen, so wie sie sich vor langer Zeit in seiner Wohnung unterhalten hatten. Fast hundert Tage lag der Jüngling schon dort, angeschlossen an viele Gerätschaften, die ununterbrochen kurze Laute von sich gaben, um die Menschen daran zu erinnern, dass Souta noch lebte, und Hiroki hatte schließlich von ihm das Versprechen bekommen, dass er auch weiter leben wollte.

Als Hiroki also nun wieder einmal seine Schicht beendet hatte, und spät abends noch auf dem Weg war, um Souta Gesellschaft zu machen, dachte er bei sich, wie sehr ihm der Junge wohl fehle, wenn er entlassen werden würde. Er hatte sich schon so an die nächtlichen Besuche gewöhnt, dass er sich seinen Feierabend nicht mehr anders vorstellen konnte, und das alles definitiv vermissen würde.

So war er also gerade in Gedanken versunken, als er Soutas Zimmer betrat und nich wusste, was er von der Szene, die er vorfand, halten sollte.

Seine Mutter, ihres Zeichens ebenfalls Ärztin, stand in Soutas Zimmer, und mit ernstem Ausdruck lagen ihre Augen auf dem Gesicht des schlafenden Jungen. Sie stand am Bettende, ihre Hände lagen auf dem Metallgestell, das die Matratze trug und ihre Finger krampften sich um das Rohrgewinde, das Souta über dem Boden hielt.

"Mutter... was... was tust du hier?", gab Hiroki verwirrt von sich, doch die Frau vor ihm starrte nur weiter starr auf den Jungen in dem weißen Bett.
"Mutter? Was hast du?"

"... die Dreizehnte..."

SLEEPING ROSE 4: Lover Awakened

2009-09-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

Im Hause Nobara war sofort heller Aufruhr, als man erfuhr, dass der junge Herr erst ausgerissen war und nun sogar im Krankenhaus lag. Sofort waren die Eheleute zu ihrem Sohn geeilt, doch als sie im Krankenhaus angekommen waren, mussten sie erfahren, dass ihr Sohn im Koma lag. Erst wollten sie ihn nach Hause holen, doch man einigte sich mit dem Krankenhaus, dass dort alle nötigen Gerätschaften und Personal vorhanden waren und Souta dort deshalb gut aufgehoben sei. Seine Eltern waren von Berufs wegen nur selten zuhause und würden so ihren Sohn auch nicht viel öfter sehen.

So bekam Souta als Privatpatient ein eigenes Zimmer, das so wunderschön und groß war, dass sogar die Schwestern ihn darum beneiden mochten. Und neben den vielen Schwestern und seinen behandelnden Ärzten zählte auch Hiroki zu Soutas Besuchern. Des Nachts, wenn er vom Arbeiten erschöpft war, nahm er sich einen Stuhl und setzte sich neben Soutas Bett, um ihm kleine Geschichten zu erzählen oder seinem regelmäßigen Herzschlag zu lauschen oder ihn einfach nur zu betrachten. Einmal hatte er auch beim Einkaufen im Schaufenster eines Blumengeschäfts ein Gewächs gesehen, dass ihm so ins Auge gefallen war, dass er es kaufte und Souta zur Gesellschaft brachte.

Es war eine Wüstenrose, der Verkäufer hatte sie auch Rose von Jericho genannt.
“Weißt du,”, hatte Hiroki eines Nachts zu Souta gesagt. “meine Mutter hatte eine solche Blume neben ihrem Bett stehen, als sie mich zur Welt brachte. Ein befreundeter Gärtner hatte sie ihr geschenkt und gemeint, dass das Glück und ein langes Leben bringen soll. Meine Mutter liebte solche Geschichten. Sie war so abergläubisch.” Er lachte leise. “sie war ein wenig wie deine Mutter. Die ganze Zeit besorgt, und als ich in den Kindergarten kam, hat sie alle 5 Minuten angerufen um zu sehen, ob es mir gut geht. Aber... das ist lange her.” Sein trauriges Lächeln blieb dem kranken Jungen vor ihm verborgen, doch das war Hiroki auch Recht. Lange hatte er nicht mehr über seine Mutter gesprochen. Sie war Ärztin gewesen, genau wie sein Vater, hatte hier mit ihm zusammen gearbeitet. Doch eines Tages war etwas geschehen, was...

Hiroki sah auf. Eine der Maschinen hatte Alarm geschlagen. Er erhob sich, überbrückte die kurze Distanz zu Soutas Bett mit einem Schritt und sah, ob er helfen konnte. Doch es war nur eine Elektrode, die sich von Soutas Kopf gelöst hatte. Er setzte sie wieder an ihren ursprünglichen Platz und kümmerte sich auch um das Gerät, das nun wieder aufhörte so unerträglich zu piepen.

Hiroki seufzte leise auf, setzte sich wieder auf seinen Stuhl und betrachtete Souta weiter.
“Wach schnell wieder auf, Kleiner. Hörst du? Deine Eltern sind so krank vor Sorge, dass sie schon nicht mehr arbeiten wollen. Einer der Bodyguards meinte neulich zu mir, in eurem Haus sei es so still, dass man meinen könnte, das ganze Haus schliefe. Noch nicht mal die Vögel wollen mehr singen.”
Er beugte sich zu dem jungen Patient nach vorne und nahm seine Hand, strich ihm dabei mit dem Daumen über den Handrücken. Wieso hatte das Schicksal gerade ihn ausgewählt? Als Hiroki ihn kennen gelernt hatte, war er noch so lebendig gewesen, mit rosigen Wangen und liebevollen Augen. Augen, die nun geschlossen waren, und es war nicht absehbar, wann der Junge sie wieder öffnen würde.
“Wach schnell wieder auf,”, sagte er wieder, leise, beinahe zärtlich.
Und wie zur Bestätigung spürte er einen leichten Druck auf seiner Hand, der ohne Zweifel von Soutas schlafender Hand ausging.
Verwundert betrachtete Hiroki ihre Hände, sah auf das Gesicht des Jungen. Er schlief immer noch, das stand fest. Er atmete ruhig und tief, und keinerlei Regung war in seinem Gesicht erkennbar. Doch er hatte seine Hand gedrückt. Oder hatte Hiroki sich das nur eingebildet? Vielleicht lag es auch an dem wenigen Schlaf, den er bekam. Nein, Hiroki wollte und würde daran glauben, dass Souta ihm im Schlaf ein Zeichen gegeben hatte. Er wollte daran glauben, dass Souta kämpfte; kämpfte, um wieder zu leben, wie früher. Und er glaubte daran, dass Souta ihm gerade ein Versprechen gegeben hatte. Er würde wieder kommen. Er würde aufwachen, irgendwann.
Und auch Hiroki gab sich ein Versprechen: Wenn es so weit war, wäre er hier bei ihm und würde ihm zur Seite stehen, wie schon in dem vergangenen Wochen.

Doch die Wüstenrose, die doch auch als Zeichen der Auferstehung galt, wollte und wollte noch nicht aufblühen.

SLEEPING ROSE 3: The Inner Chamber Fair

2009-09-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

So war der junge Arzt nun wieder allein, und weil ihm nichts anderes einfallen wollte und der Tag heute so schön war, trat er abermals ins Freie und atmete einmal tief. Immer noch wunderte er sich, wo der junge Mann, den er vorhin vor dem Motorrad gerettet hatte, herkam und vor allem wo er so schnell hinwollte, dass er noch nicht einmal genug Zeit hatte, um sich richtig zu verabschieden. Der junge Mann war überaus hübsch anzusehen und deshalb wollte sein Abbild auch nicht aus Hirokis Kopf verschwinden. Besonders seine Haut war ihm aufgefallen, die so zart war, dass Hiroki beinahe Angst hatte, sie würde zerreißen, als er die Wunde an Soutas Arm behandelt hatte. Er hatte keine einzige Unreinheit ausmachen können, auch nicht, als er in sein Gesicht blickte (und dass er deswegen auch ein klein wenig neidisch war, muss ich hier wohl keinem sagen, oder?).

Diese Gedanken schlichen ihm durch den Kopf (nein, sie schossen nicht, denn der Tag war zu schön, um so schnell zu denken), als er durch die Straßen der Stadt schlenderte und unbewusst auf ein ihm bekanntes Haus auf einem kleinen Hügel zusteuerte. Es war ein hübsches weißes Jugendstilhaus mit großem Garten und auch einer kleinen Garage, die sich direkt neben dem weißen Tor befand. Doch Hiroki erblickte noch etwas weißes, was nicht so recht ins Bild passen wollte: Rauch, der durch das Garagentor nach außen drang, gepaart mit dem Geräusch eines laufenden Autos. Dies erschien ihm ungewöhnlich und so beschleunigte er seine Schritte, öffnete das Garagentor und wurde von einer dicken weißen Rauchwolke umschlossen. Nach wenigen Momenten schon war die Sicht freier, sodass sich Hiroki weiter ins Innere des kleinen Häuschens vorwagte und etwas erblickte, das ihm nicht gefallen wollte: Direkt neben dem Auto lag auf dem Boden eine zierliche menschliche Gestalt, die sich nicht regte und wirkte, als ob sie schlafen würde. Geistesgegenwärtig fasste Hiroki nach dem Menschlein und schleifte den bewusstlosen Körper an die frische Luft. Als er die Person auf den Bürgersteig legte und in sein Gesicht blickte, kam ihm dieses sofort bekannt vor: Der junge Mann, den er vorhin noch vor dem Motorradfahrer beschützt hatte.
"Hey... hey, Kleiner! Wach auf, hörst du?", sagte Hiroki, während er vorsichtig Souta kleine Ohrfeigen gab, um ihn wieder aufzuwecken, doch gelingen wollte es ihm nicht. Deshalb beugte er sich zu dem Jungen hinunter und horchte, ob er noch atmete, was glücklicherweise der Fall war, und auch sein Puls war da, wenn er auch schwach war.
"Verdammt... komm schon!" Hiroki griff nach seinem Handy und wählte die Nummer des Krankenhauses, in dem er arbeitete, um einen Krankenwagen zu rufen. Als auch das erledigt hatte, vergewisserte er sich nochmals, ob der Junge noch atmete und tat auch sonst alles, um ihn so gut wie möglich zu versorgen.

Auch als der Krankenwagen kam und Souta in das Krankenhaus von Hirokis Vater fuhr, wich der junge Arzt nicht von der Seite seines Bekannten, während Souta mit Sauerstoff versorgt wurde und viele Ärzte und Schwestern des Krankenhauses sich um ihn bemühten. Unser Arzt jedoch war von der Behandlung ausgeschlossen, denn das Krankenhaus beschäftigte Spezialisten für solche Fälle, weshalb er den Jungen auch gut aufgehoben wusste. Dennoch blieb er im Krankenhaus, um mit ihm zu sprechen, sobald er wieder auf dem Damm war.

Doch, ach, wie unglücklich war er, als er erfahren musste, dass der hübsche Jüngling nicht aus seinem Schlaf erwachen wollte?

SLEEPING ROSE 2: The Claiming Of Sleeping Beauty

2009-09-18T09:43:00.001-07:00

Angelangt in der Wohnung des hübschen Unbekannten setzte Souta sich auf die Couch, während der Andere sich auf die Suche nach seinem Erste-Hilfe-Kasten machte.

Als Dornröschen sich umsah, erblickte es viele hübsche Bilder an der Wand und eine wunderhübsche Spindel zierte die Kammer, in der es ach so viele wunderliche Dinge zu besehen gab. Das Kind besann sich, und wollte die Spindel berühren, doch da ward der Prinz zurückgekehrt und sagte zu ihm: "Setz dich, Kleiner, das muss behandelt werden."

Souta nickte und setzte sich wieder zurück auf die Couch. Sein Gegenüber nahm sich einen Stuhl vom Esstisch und stellte ihn vor Souta, setzte sich dann darauf.
"Erm... wir haben uns noch gar nicht vorgestellt. Ich heiße Nobara, Nobara Souta. Und Sie?", meinte Souta mit leiser Stimme, denn der Erzählerin war es zu blöd, sich bei den Bezeichnungen für den eigentlichen Prinzen andauernd zu wiederholen.
'Dann wollen wir der Erzählerin diesen Wunsch eben erfüllen, auch wenn sie sich bei Souta ebenfalls dauernd wiederholt', musste der Unbekannte wohl denken und antwortete: "Entschuldigung, du hast Recht. Mein Name ist Ishitogu Hiroki, angenehm."
Er lächelte, und seine Gesicht strahlte dabei, wie Souta es selten gesehen hatte. Er war fasziniert von dem jungen Mann, was vielleicht auch daran lag, dass er selten Fremde traf und dazu noch welche, die so gut aussahen und so nett zu ihm waren wie dieser. Sicher waren alle Fremden, die er bisher getroffen hatte, nett zu ihm gewesen, doch das war nur, weil sie seinen Eltern imponieren wollten. Doch Hiroki war der erste, der nur wegen seinem Wesen nett zu ihm war, nicht, weil seine Eltern vermögend und einflussreich waren.
"Freut mich ebenfalls,", antwortete er schüchtern, während Ishitogu Hiroki seinen Verbandskasten aufklappte und diverse Utensilien herausfischte. Souta sah ihm dabei zu, wie vorsichtig seine Schürfwunde am Arm behandelt wurde. "Sie... machen das sehr gut,", meinte der Kleinere lächelnd. Ishitogu sah kurz auf, grinste und widmete sich dann wieder der Wunde. "Das liegt daran, dass ich Assistenzarzt im Krankenhaus in der Nähe bin. Ich wäre schön blöd, wenn ich 'ne einfache Schürfwunde nicht behandeln könnte,", entgegnete er Souta. "Oh" war dessen einziger Kommentar. Er traute sich nicht wirklich ein Gespräch aufzubauen, immerhin war er nicht wirklich geübt darin und er wollte seine neue hübsche Bekanntschaft, die ihm irgendwie den Kopf verdreht hatte, nicht gleich wieder vergraulen.

"So, fertig,", meinte Ishitogu nach einer Weile, und wieder schenkte er Souta ein Lächeln.
"D-danke, Ishitogu-san... und entschuldigen Sie bitte, dass ich vorhin so unhöflich war. Ich... war wohl etwas verwirrt von dem Beinahe-Unfall."
Mittlerweile leicht rot geworden, stand Souta auf und verbeugte sich tief.
"Kein Ding, wirklich. Und nenn mich doch Hiroki, Ishitogu klingt so... steif...", meinte Hiroki grinsend. Und da fiel es Souta wie Schuppen von den Augen.
"Hi-hiroki-san... ist dein Vater zufällig auch Arzt?", fragte Souta.
"Ja, wegen ihm habe ich Medizin studiert. Ihm gehört das Krankenhaus, in dem ich arbeite. Wieso? Kennst du ihn?", fragte Hiroki neugierig und stand ebenfalls auf, um den Kasten und den Stuhl wieder wegzuräumen.
"Ja,", antwortete Souta. "Er... ist mein behandelnder Arzt, seit ich klein bin."
Dann war Hiroki der Sohn von dem, den seine Eltern oft nur den Zwölften nannten.
Seine Eltern... Er musste so schnell wie möglich nach Hause, bevor sie noch merkten, dass er weg war.
"Tut mir Leid, ich muss jetzt gehen,", meinte er hastig, verbeugte ich und sprintete zur Tür.
"Auf Wiedersehen,", rief Hiroki ihm noch hinterher und während er noch seine Wohnungstür sah, die gerade zugeschlagen wurde, wunderte er sich darüber, wo Souta so dringend hinmusste.
"Souta...", sagte er lächelnd zu sich selbst. "Schade, dass unser Treffen nur so kurz war... Dabei warst du echt..."

Es geschah, dass an dem Tage, wo der König und die Königin nicht zu Haus waren, und das Kind ganz allein im Schloss zurückblieb. Da ging es allerorten herum, besah Stuben und Kammern, wie es Lust hatte, und kam endlich auch an einen alten Turm.

Und dort wollte es allein nicht wieder herausfinden.

SLEEPING ROSE 1: Nobara-Hime

2009-09-18T09:38:00.000-07:00

Oh, wie ihm diese Eltern auf den Geist gehen konnten. Manchmal übertrieben sie es wirklich mit ihrer Fürsorge.
Natürlich, mit durchgedrehten Wahnsinnigen war nicht zu spaßen, aber mussten die ihn deshalb jede Woche zum Hautarzt schicken? Ishitogu-sensei, den seine Eltern übrigens immer den 'Zwölften' nannten, war zwar ein netter Kerl, aber Nobara Souta wollte auch mal andere Leute sehen als immer nur Ärzte, Security und seine Eltern um sich herum haben. Rausgehen, Freunde treffen, Spaß haben war alles, was er wollte. Und was bekam er? Große bullige Kerle in schwarzen Shirts, sonnenbebrillt, kahl geschoren (und das nicht nur auf dem Kopf... aber lassen wir das...) und immer griesgrämig dreinblickend. Konnte man mit solchen Leuten Spaß haben? Manche vielleicht, aber Souta jedenfalls nicht. Nur gut, dass ihm die Kerle nicht auch noch bis auf die Toilette folgten. Souta liebte seine Eltern zwar, aber was zu viel war, war einfach zu viel. Sogar Privatlehrer hatten sie ihm engagiert, weshalb er keinen einzigen Freund (und schon gar nicht in seinem Alter) hatte.

Souta war überaus intelligent, und wäre er nicht so schwer bewacht, wäre er wohl auch von Model-Scouts belagert worden, so hübsch war er anzusehen, doch waren seine Eltern stets um das Wohl ihres Sohnes in Sorge und so kam niemand in seine Nähe, ohne nicht vor den prüfenden Blicken von Vater und Mutter (und den prüfenden Privatdetektiven, die von selbigen engagiert wurden) bestehen zu können. So ward ihr Kind vor allen Gefahren den Lebens beschützt, wie von einer unsichtbaren Dornenhecke, bei der kein Durchkommen möglich war.

Doch unser lieber Souta, mittlerweile süße 19 Jahre alt, hatte genug von all dem. Er hatte versucht, seinen Eltern mit Worten klar zu machen, dass er endlich sein Leben selbst in die Hand nehmen und die Welt kennen lernen wollte, doch die wollten nicht einsehen, dass ihr Sohn mittlerweile schon ein fast erwachsener Mann war und durchaus einen eigenen Willen hatte. Allerdings kann auch jeder, der selbst Kinder hat, verstehen, dass man seine Kinder gut beschützt wissen will, wenn da draußen so schlimme Dinge wie tollwütige Ärzte mit Pickel-Drohung lauerten. Und weil Souta es schon so oft mit Worten versucht hatte und die nichts, aber rein gar nichts gebracht hatten, waren jetzt Taten ganz oben in seinen Trendcharts.

Während seine Eltern am frühen Abend auf einer High Society Party eingeladen waren und ihn wie immer zuhause mit seinem Schutztrupp zurückgelassen hatten, gelang es Souta durch ein kleines Fenster im Badezimmer der Horde von zweibeinigen Wachhunden zu entkommen und endlich den süßen Duft der Freiheit zu schnuppern. Gott sei dank kannte er das große Anwesen, das natürlich mit hochsensiblen Sicherheitssystemen ausgestattet war, wie seine Westentasche, weshalb er unbemerkt vom Grundstück flüchten konnte.
“Ah... Achtung, Welt, jetzt komme ich!” waren seine ersten Worte auf unbekanntem Boden. Er lachte, überquerte die Straße und zog ein in die große weite Welt.
Doch seine Eltern hatten mit ihrer Angst um ihren Sohn nicht gerade Unrecht, wenn bedachte, dass es auch viel anderes außer der Dreizehnten gibt, das gefährlich ist.
So zum Beispiel das Motorrad, das gerade um die Ecke bog und wie so oft keinen großen Wert auf Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzungen zu legen schien. Beinahe wäre Souta, der viel zu vertieft in seine neu gewonnene Welt der Freiheit war und dagegen von der Realität nichts mehr mitzubekommen schien, von dem mechanischen Ross angefahren worden, wäre da nicht von hinten laut schreiend ein junger Mann angerannt gekommen, der Souta an beidem Armen packte und zurück auf den Bürgersteig zog. Doch der mutige Unbekannte hatte natürlich so heftig an ihm gezogen, dass sie beide auf dem harten Steinpflaster landeten und Souta deshalb vor Schreck fast zu weinen begann.
“Aua, verdammt! Was sollte das denn? Ich blute!”, gab Souta verstört von sich. Das ließ dann wohl vermuten, dass er selbst in dieser komischen Situation das Motorrad nicht wahrgenommen hatte.
Doch anstatt empört davon zu stolzieren, rappelte sich der Unbekannte wieder auf, hielt Souta die Hand als Hilfe an und sagte dabei mit sanfter Stimme: “Ich hab dich gerade vor mindestens 4 Wochen Krankenhaus bewahrt.” Er grinste, und wo er Recht hatte, hatte er wohl definitiv Recht, denn dieser Motorradfahrer war bei weitem keine 50 km/h gefahren, was sich auch darin zeigte, dass er etwas weiter die Straße hinunter von der Polizei angehalten worden war.
Souta blickte verwirrt die Straße entlang, erspähte den (eigentlich recht winzigen) Fahrer und die beiden Beamten, sah dann wieder zurück zu seinem Lebensretter und ergriff schließlich trotz etwas Angst seine Hand.

Angst vielleicht deshalb, weil er noch nie einem Fremden die Hand gereicht hatte.

SLEEPING ROSE Prolog: Der Fluch der Dreizehnten

2009-09-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

Es waren einmal ein reicher Mann und seine Frau, die sprachen jeden Tag: "Ach, wenn wir doch ein Kind hätten!", und kriegten immer keins. Da trug sich zu, als die Frau einmal in ihrem Bade saß, dass ihr Handy klingelte und ihr Mann zur ihr sagte: "Lass uns künstliche Befruchtung versuchen. Wenn auch das fehlschlägt, lassen wirs bleiben, okay?"
Was der Mann gesagt hatte, das geschah: Dank den dreizehn fähigsten Ärzten und Ärztinnen des Landes wurde die Frau schwanger und ihre Gynäkologin sagte zu ihr: "Du wirst einen Sohn zur Welt bringen."
Und auch was die Gynäkologin gesagt hatte, geschah, und die Frau brachte einen Sohn zur Welt, der war so schön, dass der reiche Mann vor Freude sich nicht zu lassen wusste und eine Riesenparty schmiss. Er ladete nicht nur seine Verwandten, Freunde und Bekannten ein, sondern auch die Ärzte und Ärztinnen ein, da sie dem Kind hold und gewogen waren. Nur die dreizehnte Ärztin ward nicht geladen.

Die Party ward in aller Pracht gefeiert, und als sie zu Ende war, brachten alle Ärzte ihre Wünsche für das Kind vor: Der eine wünschte Tugend, die andere Schönheit, die dritte Reichtum (den das Kind dank den Eltern aber schon hatte), und so alles, was auf der Welt zu wünschen ist.

Als elf nun ihre Sprüche getan hatten, trat plötzlich die dreizehnte herein. Sie wollte sich dafür rächen, dass sie nicht eingeladen und wie die anderen mit einer schicken Limousine abgeholt worden war, und ohne jemand zu grüßen oder nur anzusehen, rief sie mit lauter Stimme: "Ich wünsche diesem Kind alle Pickel dieser Welt, und was sonst noch böses da draußen lauern mag. Ihr werdet es bereuen, dass ihr mich nicht eingeladen habt. Immerhin hab ich mir den Hintern aufgerissen, damit ihr rechtzeitig euer befruchtetes Ei bekommt und ihr habt mich trotzdem nicht eingeladen!" Und ohne ein Wort weiter zu sprechen, kehrte sie sich um und verließ den Saal. Alle waren erschrocken, da trat der zwölfte Arzt hervor, der seinen Wunsch noch übrig hatte, und weil er Mitleid mit den verschüchterten Eltern hatte, sagte er: "Ich wette, der kleine wird keine Pickel bekommen, dafür werde ich sorgen. Ich wünsche mir für ihn, dass er immer eine reine Haut hat, um die ihn alle beneiden werden. Vor der Drohung braucht ihr euch nicht fürchten. Ich verspreche, dass alles gut enden wird."

Und wer weiß, ob der zwölfte Recht behielt?

KISS 8: Fifteen Half

2009-09-18T09:34:00.001-07:00

Nahm dieser Lehrer eigentlich auch mal seine Hand da weg?
Er kam schon selbst leicht schwul rüber, wie er dastand, mich verständig anlächelte und meine Schulter tätschelte. Wieder die Kontrolle über meine momenante Gesichtsentgleisung findend schloss ich langsam meinem Mund und fragte voll Selbstbeherrschung, ob er wohl freundlicherweise die Hand da wegnehmen würde: “Würden Sie bitte genug heterosexuelle Mentalität besitzen, um das da wegzumachen?” Seinem Gesichtsausdruck nach zu urteilen schien jedoch sämtliche Männlichkeit aus ihm zu weichen, denn es trat mit der Zeit immer mehr Pipi in seine Augen.
Shit. Jetzt hatte ich schon ‘nen Lehrer zum Weinen gebracht. Wie scheiße konnte der Tag eigentlich noch werden? “Tut mir Leid, Sensei...”, sagte ich leise. “Aber ich bin wirklich nicht schwul...” Ich musste versuchen ihn irgendwie zu beruhigen. Und bei diesem Lehrer gab es nur eine Methode, wie das zu schaffen war.
“Hier, Sensei.” Ich kramte in meiner Tasche und zückte eine kleine Schachtel. “Schokolade?”
Ja, dieser Lehrer war, wie viele weibliche Exemplare dieser Spezies, schokoladensüchtig. “Ist sogar mit 90 % Kakao-Anteil.” ... Hatte es eben geblitzt oder waren das seine Augen, die aufleuchteten?
Mit fast schon Lichtgeschwindigkeit hatte er von mir abgelassen, mir die Süßigkeit entrissen und war in Richtung Lehrerzimmer verschwunden. Mission erfolgreich, würde ich sagen. Blieb nur noch das “wiiiii~nzig” kleine Problem mit meiner angeblichen Zugehörigkeit zur anderes Seite des Ufers. Aber wie bitte konnte ich eine Horde wildgewordener Affen beruhigen, wenn jedes Glied in der Kette einen anderen Schwachpunkt hatte? Hasegawa-sensei dagegen war ja ein Klacks gewesen.
Jetzt aber erst mal nach Hause, bevor mich noch eins von diesen wildgewordenen Affenmännchen ansprang.
Gott sei dank ohne einem dieser Höllenhunde auf dem Nachhause-Weg zu begegnen kam ich klitschnass - Petrus schien ganz schön gebechert zu haben - zuhause an und sah als allererstes mal bei meinen geliebten Geschöpfen vorbei. Ich hatte mir mein eigenes Reich aufgebaut, bewohnt von Wesen, die so was wie Tratschen nicht kannten. Genau wie ich gaben sie nur Laute von sich, wenn ihnen was nicht in den Kram passt.
Ich ging also zu meinem Reich, in dem ich Gott war - manchmal kann Religion schon gut sein! - , doch wie ich sah, sah ich nichts. Es war schon so kalt geworden, dass sie wohl beschlossen hatten, sich einzugraben. Also gab es heute wohl wirklich nichts zu sehen - und für euch Kameradenschweine auch nichts zu Essen, ha! Und ich musste dringend mal in den Chlorwellen im Innersten meiner eigenen heimischen Badeanstalt schwimmen gehen.
Und wo bitte war meine gelbe Quetschschildkröte?

KISS 7: Info am Rande

2009-09-18T09:33:00.001-07:00

Was ging denn bitte hier ab? Was wollten die bloß von mir? Klar war ich in der Umkleide gewesen, aber ich war doch allein. Und wenn die gerade alle im Unterricht waren, wer hatte ihnen dann so eine Story erzählt? Okay, ich hatte auch Tatsumi-sempai geküsst...
“Leute... wer hat euch denn so einen Quatsch erzählt?”, fragte ich nervös. Wer weiß, was diese Klatschtanten alles in der Schule verbreiten würden. Irgendwie musste ich ja mein Image wahren. “Er hat euch gesehen, als du ihn geküsst hast,”, meinte Murata und zeigte dabei auf Tatsumi-kun.

Daher kam also diese fiese Aura. Tatsumi-kun stierte mich an und legte dabei seinen Kopf so siegessicher in den Nacken, dass es bestimmt gleich in seine Nase regnen würde. Wenn es hier drinnen regnen würde. Und er grinste dabei sein bösartigstes Grinsen, das ich bisher nur einmal gesehen hatte, als jemand auf deinen wertvollen rosa Elefantenbleistift getreten war und Tatsumi-kun ihm dafür einen Eimer Eiswasser über den Kopf gekippt hatte. Mitten im Winter während dem Sportunterricht im Stadion. “Und aus der Umkleide hat er dich auch kommen sehen!”, rief einer von den billigen Plätzen. “Und außerdem hast du deine Schuluniform gar nicht mehr an,”, meinte Murata mit skeptischem Blick.
“Aber... ich war auf dem Dach und es hat geregnet... und...” Wieso stammelte ich eigentlich so? Als ob ich Ausreden nötig hätte. “Auf jeden Fall ist nichts passiert, was euch interessieren würde.” “Aber ich habe Stimmen aus der Umkleide gehört!”, kam es wieder von den billigen Plätzen. “Ja, genau, die hab ich auch gehört,”, meinte Murata zustimmend. “Anscheinend ist es ja nicht bei einem Kuss geblieben.” Tatsumi-kuns Worte klangen leicht amüsiert. Dieser Kerl schien ein schweres Problem mit mir zu haben. “Da war nichts! Wir haben nur zusammen gegessen!”, gab ich mit etwas lauterer Stimme von mir. Ein kurzes Raunen ging durch die Klasse. “Nur zusammen gegessen, hä?”, meinte Murata, während er mir mit seinem Ellenbogen in die Rippe stieß.
“... Habbede-bääh!”, stieß ich aus lauter Verzweiflung aus. “Tatsumi-kun erzählt doch Mist!” Und ich hatte genug von diesem. Schlagartig drehte ich mich um und wollte zur Tür hinaus stürmen, als ich volles Karacho in Hasegawa-sensei rannte. “Autschi!”, hörte ich nur, als ich auf meinem Lehrer und dieser auf dem Boden landete. “Nicht schon wieder,”, raunte ich. Jetzt hatte ich schon wieder jemanden umgerannt und lag auf ihm. “Warst du etwa heute schon auf ‘nem anderen Kerl gelegen?”, fragte Murata neugierig. Und ohne groß zu überlegen - was in letzter Zeit eindeutig zu oft der Fall war! - antwortete ich ein entnervtes “Ja!”. Ein gediegenes “ahaaaaaaaa~” ging durch die Klasse und auch mein Lehrer starrte mich entgeistert an.

FATALITY. Wo war nur mein Hirn geblieben heute? "Es feiert ‘ne fette Party mit Leber und Milz!", hörte ich mich denken. Wenn das so weiter ging, schaufelte ich mir noch mein eigenes Grab.
“Ach, denkt doch, was ihr wollt,”, sagte ich, stieg von meinem leichenblassen Lehrer ab und ging den Gang entlang Richtung Ausgang. Heute hatte ich definitiv genug von Schule. Kurz bevor ich die Tür in die Freiheit erreicht hatte, hatte mich mein Lehrer erreicht. Hasegawa-sensei war eigentlich ein sehr netter Lehrer und hörte immer jedem zu, wenn er etwas zu sagen hatte. Er wäre so was wie der Schulseelsorger, wenn wir hier so einen Posten hätten.
“Tanaka-kun! Warte kurz! Wenn es etwas gibt worüber du reden willst...” Er wirkte leicht aufgeregt, oder seine Gesichtsfarbe kam vom Rennen. “Ich wüsste nicht, worüber,”, antwortete ich ihm, als ich mich umdrehte. “Na, über das, was ihr da eben gesagt habt. Die Anderen scheinen ein Problem mit dir zu haben. Und... wenn ich das anmerken darf... Es ist nichts Schlimmes, seine Gefühle zu zeigen. Du solltest offen und ehrlich dazu stehen, was du fühlst.” “Bitte... von was reden Sie überhaupt?” “Na, von deiner...” Er schluckte. “... Homosexualität. Es ist nur natürlich, dass man am Anfang nicht weiß, wie man damit umgehen soll, aber ich kann dir helfen,”, sagte er , während er zu mir rüber kam und eine Hand auf meine Schulter legte.
Mein Gefühl sagte mir im Moment weniger, dass ich schwul war, sondern eher, dass ich hier gerade extremst verarscht wurde.
Dachte jetzt etwa schon die ganze Schule, ich wäre schwul?!

KISS 6: Skepsis-Town

2009-09-18T09:32:00.001-07:00

A/N: auftritt von kenta, der furie :D

Cousin?
Okay, Tatsumi und Tatsumi (mein Gott, der fast täglich wechselt, klang das dämlich, da musste ich mir schnellstens was einfallen lassen...) hatten zwar den gleichen Nachnamen, aber ich hatte mir bisher noch nie Gedanken darüber gemacht, ob die zwei verwandt waren. Und allem Anschein nach war das ja der Fall.
“Cousin! Hat er dir was getan?!”, rief Tatsumi Kenta, wild, als ob er von einer Vesper gestochen worden wäre. Er kam zu uns hochgerannt und half seinem Verwandten aufzustehen. “Bist du verletzt? Hast du dir irgendwo wehgetan?” Sind denn alle in dieser Familie so überfürsorglich? Lag vielleicht an den Genen. “Nein, nein, mir geht’s gut,”, sagte der Sempai, der erst eben auch noch wie einer ausgesehen hatte. “Aber Yuki-kun ist ganz durchweicht. Dank ihm bin ich fast nicht nass geworden,”, meinte er dann. Und schlagartig waren beide Augäpfel meines Klassenkameraden auf mich gerichtet. Wenn Blicke töten könnten, wäre ich jetzt wohl schon verfault. “I-ich hab mich nur dafür revanchiert, dass du meine neuen Schuhe gerettet hast,”, gab ich schnippisch zurück. Und wieder grinste der verhinderte Sempai zufrieden. Das Gesicht seines Cousins allerdings wurde von dessen Hysterie wild hin- und her geworfen.
“D-... dddddddddu~ sitzt auf Kaorus Jacke?!”, quälte er seine Stimmbänder und wurde dabei immer lauter. Stimmt ja. Ich hatte immer noch seine Jacke um die Füße geschlungen. Vielleicht war ich ja deshalb auch gefallen. Und jetzt saß ich drauf.
Mit einem Satz brachte er Sempais Jacke an sich und mir kam es so vor, als würde er gleich in einen Heulkrampf ausbrechen. “Cousin… wieso hat dieser Aufschneider deine Jacke?”, wimmerte er kläglich und suchte mit wässrigen Augen die seines Cousins. Wenn man ihn so ansah, konnte Kenta-kun einem fast Leid tun. Aber eben nur fast.
“Er hat neue Schuhe an und die wären doch kaputt gegangen, wenn sie so aufgeweicht worden wären,”, antwortete Tatsumi-sempai ihm, während er seinen Kopf tätschelte. Und anscheinend schien Kenta-kun da etwas falsch verstanden zu haben, denn schon wieder stürzte er sich auf mich. “Du hast Kaoru die Jacke geklaut, weil diese hässlichen Dinger sonst kaputt gegangen wären?!”
Kinn meets Bodenfliese. Was hatte ich ihm bitte getan, dass er so auf mich losging? Das musste ich mir wirklich nicht geben. Ich stand auf.
“Ihr entschuldigt mich, Prinz von Skepsis-Town, aber ich geh mich jetzt trocken legen. Bis dann, Tatsumi-sempai,”, sagte ich und zog von dannen in Richtung Umkleiden, um mir meinen Sportanzug anzulegen und aus diesen durchweichten Klamotten rauszukommen.
Aber jetzt mal ehrlich, was hatte ich diesem Tatsumi Kenta eigentlich getan, weshalb er mich so anfahren musste? Das war nebenbei bemerkt der längste Wortwechsel, den ich mit ihm hatte, seit ich auf diese Schule gekommen war. Bisher war er immer ziemlich zurückhaltend, beteiligte sich kaum an den täglichen Gerüchteverbreitungsphasen und liebte seinen rosa Elefantenbleistift über alles. Ich wollte lieber nicht wissen, was es mit diesem “tollsten aller Schreibgeräte” auf sich hatte. Also zog ich mich um, stopfte die nassen Klamotten in eine Tüte und watschelte wieder in Richtung Klassenzimmer. Die Stunde nach der großen Pause schien wohl schon vorbei gewesen zu sein (Heutigem Gott sei Dank! Wer braucht schon Religion?), also war wieder die ganze Klasse in Aufruhr. Eigentlich wollte ich gar nicht rein, denn gleich würden sie mich mit ihren Vorwürfen steinigen, aber was blieb mir anderes übrig? Ich hatte schließlich noch Unterricht.
Also zog ich die Tür auf und saugte mir irgendeine Entschuldigung aus den Fingern. “Hey Leute, entschuldigt, aber ich war auf dem Dach... und... ich...” Mit einem Mal herrschte Totenstille und alle sahen mich an, als ob ich Michael Jackson höchstpersönlich wäre.
“Was... was ist denn?” Das konnte einfach nichts Gutes bedeuten. Und plötzlich schienen sich alle von diesem Schweigebann befreit zu haben, denn das gewohnte Wortgewitter brach herein.
“Du hast Tatsumi geküsst?” “Ihr ward alleine in der Umkleide?” “Wieso habt ihr so gestöhnt?” “Los, erzähl! Kann Tatsumi wirklich so gut küssen?”
...
Bitte was?!

KISS 5: Rat Race

2009-09-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

Gott... diese Situation war zu peinlich, um wahr zu sein. Ich stand also mit einem Kerl an der Wand, von dem meine Klasse erwartete, dass ich ihn küsse, in einer Position, die genau das vermuten lassen würde. Ich sah aus, als wollte ich ihn auf der Stelle verführen. Das durfte doch alles nicht wahr sein! Welcher Vollhorst hatte bitte diese verdammte Tür zugemacht?!
So langsam wurde es wirklich kalt, selbst Tatsumi zitterte schon. Ich war vollkommen durchweicht und ich hatte das Gefühl, dass vor lauter Kälte gleich gewisse Körperteile die Verbindung zu meinem Körper unterbrechen würden. Und zu allem Überfluss hatte ich meine Kopfstellung keinen Millimeter verändert, sodass mein Genick so steif war, wie… wie… Auf jeden Fall tat es verdammt weh, die ganze Zeit nach oben zu starren! Aber was sollte ich denn machen? Wenn ich mich bewegte, würde ich ihm in die Augen stieren, sodass er wirklich glauben würde, ich würde mein “Drohung” von Vorhin auf der Stelle wahr machen.
Aber langsam aber sicher wurde es um die Brust herum etwas wärmer. War ja klar, denn wenigstens war ich dort noch nicht komplett durchgeweicht. Und es wurde dort auch langsam härter…
...
Härter? Ein skeptischer Blick fiel gen Himmel. “Du bist ja ganz kalt,”, meinte Tatsumi plötzlich. “Natürlich,”, entgegnete ich ihm. “Es ist ja auch Oktober und es regnet. Soll ich etwa transpirieren?” Langsam fühlte ich zwei Arme, die sich unter meiner Jacke um meinen Oberkörper schlängelten. WA-?! So konnte ich mich einfach nicht mehr zurückhalten und musste meinen Kopf ruckartig nach unten bewegen. (Verdammt, tat das weh! Q____Q~) Und anscheinend hatte Tatsumi gerade vorgehabt, etwas zu sagen, weshalb auch (ich trau mich kaum, es zu sagen!) unsere Lippen aufeinander trafen. Welchen Gott, zu dem ich noch nicht gebetet hatte, hatte ich nun schon wieder verärgert, dass so etwas ausgerechnet mir passieren musste? Auch Tatsumi musste so geschockt gewesen sein, dass er sich für einen Moment nicht bewegen konnte. Doch dann löste er den (*schluck*) Kuss.
“War das etwa Absicht?”, fragte er mich einem Gesichtsausdruck, der voll von Selbstbewusstsein und vielleicht auch Selbstüberschätzung war. Und mit einem Mal sah er 10 Jahre älter aus. Auch seine Stimme klang irgendwie… männlicher. Ein komisches Gefühl beschlich mich. “Wieso sollte das Absicht gewesen sein?” Ich stieß mich mit den Händen von der Tür ab, doch ich wurde von seinen Armen festgehalten. “Wer weiß, vielleicht stehst du ja auf mich, und willst diesen Auftrag nur als Grund vorschieben, mich in aller Öffentlichkeit küssen zu können.” “Wa-! Aber das... das ist doch...” Und schon wieder war ich so geschockt, als ob ich einer 2m-Schildkröte auf einem Baum begegnet wäre. “Aber eins sage ich dir: ‘Ich’ mag es nicht sonderlich, geküsst zu werden, also lass es in Zukunft besser bleiben.” Er bedachte mich mit einem abschätzigen Blick. Was zur Hölle war das denn? Oder besser: WER zur Hölle war das? Von dem unschuldigen, schüchternen Tatsumi schien recht wenig übrig geblieben zu sein. Ich sah ihn mit Augen an, die ein Universum voll fehlender Intelligenz und unvorhandenem Wissen enthielten. Was bitte...?
Doch ich wurde in meinem schleichenden Denkprozess unerbrochen, als hinter uns plötzlich die Tür aufkrachte. Anscheinend war das Gewicht von zwei Schülern zu viel für dieses alte Stück Wandlochverschluss gewesen. So landeten wir ziemlich unsanft aufeinander auf der letzten Stufe der Treppe, und als ob das schon nicht schlimm genug gewesen wäre, hatte ich heute schon zum zweiten Mal (Unfreiwillig!) meine Lippen auf seine gepresst. Ich glaube, durch die vielen Schocks in den letzten Tagen schien sich mein Körper langsam an diesen Schock zu gewöhnen, sodass ich diesmal etwas schneller als sonst zu meiner alten Fassung zurückfand und so ziemlich zügig von den etwas geplätteten Tatsumi herunterkletterte.
Dieser schien wieder ganz der Alte zu sein, denn schon während ich mich aufrappelte, ging es wieder mit ihm durch: “Oh mein Gott! Hast du dir was getan? Tut dir irgendwas weh?” Ich behielt meine (zugegeben etwas unfreundliche) Antwort für mich und sah ihn stattdessen ziemlich skeptisch an. Und bevor ich den Mund aufmachen und etwas sagen konnte, sah ich, dass noch jemand anderes hier war.
Oh. Mein. Gott. Wir waren entdeckt! Jetzt musste ich allen erzählen, dass ich ihn geküsst hatte... Bei dem Gedanken fiel mir auf, dass ich noch gar nicht darüber nachgedacht hatte, ob diese beiden Küsse eben gut waren oder nicht. Genau genommen konnte man das gar nicht sagen, denn es war eben nur das Aufeinanderpressen von Lippen, was mir da widerfahren war und sonst nichts. Ach, egal, irgendwas musste ich ihnen ja sagen, also würde ich ihnen einfach das sagen, was sie hören wollten.
Und da fiel mir auch schon auf, wer da überhaupt stand. Tatsumi. Also, nein, nicht DER Tatsumi, sondern der andere. Der mit dem rosa Elefantenbleistift, den er anscheinend mehr liebte als sein Leben.
Und auch der schien ziemlich geschockt zu sein, mich zu sehen.
“Cousin... Kaoru...?”

KISS 4: Akira SHOCK!

2009-09-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

A/N: langsam aber sicher ergeben die titel sogar einen sinn!! :D

Bei diesem Anblick wurde mir bewusst, dass ich gerade etwas unheimlich Furchtbares gesagt haben musste. Und während ich so meine Gedankengänge zurückspulte, bemerkte ich, was dieses “Furchtbare” war: Die Wahrheit. (Tusch bitte!) Ich hatte ihm irklich gesagt, dass ich ihn küssen wollte… “Wollte”?! Moment! “Sollte” muss das heißen!
Und während ich so mit dem Teil in meinem Gehirn, der für Formulierungen zuständig war, kämpfte, ergossen sich plötzlich 1.000 Sturzbäche über uns und wir kramten schleunigst unsere Sachen zusammen, um aus diesem Unwetter herauszukommen. Mit unseren 7 Sachen bepackt sprinteten wir zur Tür, die zu unser beider Schreck zu war. Und das Schlimmste daran war: War die Tür einmal zu, ging sie nicht mehr auf. Entweder das war alles Zufall oder irgendjemand hier hasste uns unheimlich.
“Na~ toll, und was machen wir jetzt?”, fragte ich mich mehr selbst als meinen Leidensgenossen. Geschlagen legte ich mein Zeug auf dem Boden ab. War ja eh alles Geschirr und musste später sowieso gespült werden. Und als ich meinem schon fast triefenden (und nun leeren) Fressbeutel nachsah, fiel mein Blick auf meine Schuhe.
Meine NEUEN Schuhe. “Na~ toll, gerade erst ekauft und schon sind meine Schuhe hinüber,”, beschwerte ich mich lautstark. Diese Situation war aber auch zum Schweine-melken!
Ich saß mit meinem unschuldigen Opfer auf dem Dach fest, es regnete und meine neuen Schuhe waren somit so gut wie ruiniert. Und gerade blickte ich zu Tatsumi rüber, um ihn zu fragen, was wir jetzt tun sollen, da sah ich wie er sich auszog.
Er zog sich aus.
Mir fiel beinahe die Kinnlade auf den Boden. Okay, es war nur die Jacke, aber was zur Hölle tat der Kerl da?Es war nicht Juli, sondern Oktober und dem entsprechend kalt war es auch. “Was treibst du denn da? Du erkältest dich noch!”, sagte ich, als er sich bückte. Und seine Jacke über meinen Schuhen ausbreitete. “Wa-…?”
Ich war so verwirrt, dass selbst mein Gehirn meine Körperfunktionen nicht mehr richtig steuern konnte. Mir war heiß (es war Oktober), mir lief kalter Schweiß über die Stirn (oder Regen, wer kann das in so einer Situation schon unterscheiden?) und auch meine Stimme zitterte.
“W-was soll d-das denn? Zieh das wieder a-an,”, brachte ich mit Mühe heraus. “Aber dann gehen doch deine neuen Schuhe wirklich noch kaputt,”, meinte Tatsumi besorgt. Dieser Typ war ein Buch mit sieben Siegeln für mich.
Erst rannte ich ihn über den Haufen, hielt ihn in der Besenkammer fest und ihm den Mund zu un dann sprach ich ihn anscheinend auch noch auf etwas an, über das er wohl nicht reden wollte. Wieso war dieser Kerl nur so seltsam?
“Wieso tust du das?” Mein Kopf war so leer wie mein Geschirr, das nach der gemeinsamen Futtersession auf dem Boden lag. “Ich weiß nicht.” Er zuckte mit den Schultern. “Ich mag dich einfach, glaube ich.”
…
“Argh!”, schrie ich, als ich mit beiden Fäusten an seinem Kopf vorbei an die Tür schlug und ihn somit einkästelte. Doch Tatsumi bewegte sich keinen Millimeter. “Was tust du da?”, fragte er stattdessen und blickte unschuldig-interessiert erst auf meine Arme, dann in meine Augen.
Erschrocken, weil er so ungeniert direkten Blickkontakt mit mir suchte (Schau mir in die Augen, Kleines 8D~), wanderte mein Blick zur Tür hinter ihm und ich musterte unheimlich interessiert die abbröckelnde Farbe.
“Zusehen, dass du nicht krank wirst,”, murmelte ich vor mich hin, und nuschelte natürlich absichtlich so leise, dass er es nicht hören konnte. “Was?”, fragte er deshalb wieder.
“Zusehen, dass du nicht krank wirst, und jetzt halt’ die Klappe!”, schrie ich ihn mit hochrotem Kopf an.
Und wieder dieses selige Grinsen.

KISS 3: Feed your Need

2009-09-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

Und da lag “es”.
…
Mein Fressbeutel. Der musste wohl abgefallen sein, als ich mit Tatsumi in die Besenkammer gefallen war. Und die Höllenhunde schienen wohl dumm genug gewesen zu sein, um es nicht zu bemerken.
Ich ging zu meinem besten Freund während der Pause und hob ihn gerade auf, als ich von hinten wieder Tatsumis Stimme hörte.
“Ähm…” Als ich mich wieder umdrehte, stand er neben der offenen Tür und schien sichtlich nervös zu sein, denn er tippelte immer von einem Bein aufs andere (Musst du auf die Toilette?).
“Also…”, begann er wieder. “Mein Name ist Tanaka Yuki. Aber nen mich ruhig Yuki, das machen sowieso alle,”, warf ich ein, da er mich noch nicht zu kennen schien. (A/N: JA! Main Chara #1 hat auch einen Namen! Tanaka Yuki, 2. Klasse Oberschule, Sternzeichen Jungfrau, Blutgruppe 0 und heimlicher Schildkrötenzüchter!)
So standen wir also da und starrten uns eine Weile an. Tatsumi hibbelte immernoch und fing zu allem Überfluss auch noch an, an seinen Haaren zu spielen. Und ich hatte als meine neue Lieblingsfreizeitbeschäftigung Fressbeutelschwingen auserkoren.
“Also ich geh dann mal was essen. Tut mir echt Leid wegen eben,”, durchbrach ich die Stille. Wenn wir weiter stehen geblieben wären, wäre die Pause bald zu Ende gewesen. Und ich musste diese einmalige Chance schließlich nutzen, ohne eine Horde wilder Affen um mich herum mein Mittagessen zu geniesen.
“Ach, schon gut, ist ja nichts passert.” Wieder dieses selige Grinsen. So verabschiedeten wir uns und wollten beide unserer Wege gehen, als wir bemerkten, dass unser gemeinsames Ziel das Dach war.
“Oh,”, gab ich von mir. “Du isst auch auf dem Dach? Wie wärs, wenn wir uns zusammentun?” Irgendwie kam es mir so vor, als würde sein Gesicht bei diesen Worten strahlen. “Gerne!”, erwidert er mit ungewohnt lauter Stimme und es schien, als ob er bloß auf diesen Satz gewartet hätte.Ein wirklich komischer Kerl, schoss es mir wieder durch den Kopf. Man bemerkte im Moment von seinen 18 Jahren ca. 10. Er benahm sich wie ein Kind, das einen Lolli geschenkt bekommen hatte.
Nachdem ich ihn noch einen Moment verwundert angesehen hatte, gingen wir beide, Tatsumi vergnügt hüpfend voran, zum Dach und machten uns dort breit.
Als wir fertiggegessen hatten, legte ich mich mit einem zufriedenen Seufzer auf den Boden und blickte in den Himmel. Es sah so aus, als würde es bald regnen.
Die Stille war toll, doch manchmal war ich schon froh, wenn ich selbst mal zu Wort kam. Und so packte mich die Neugier.
“Isst du eigentlich immer hier oben?”, fragte ich Tatsumi und sah ihn dabei von unten an. Er hatte seine Arme um die angewinkelten Beine geschlungen und antwortete mit einem Unterton, den selbst ich nicht überhören konnte: “Ja, jeden Tag.” Er verzog keine Miene, doch mit seiner Aussage hatte er mich stutzig gemacht. “Und deine Kumpel, was…”, begann ich zu fragen, doch ich wurde rasch unterbrochen. “Wieso sind eigentlich diese Typen hinter dir her? Die von eben?”
Gedankenverloren ob dieses Satzes, der mich eben geistig zu einer Frage angeregt hatte, meinte ich zu ihm: “Sie wollen sehen, wie ich dich küsse, um zu sehen, ob du es kannst oder nicht…”
…
Was da eben so geklappert hatte, mussten wohl Tatsumis Essstäbchen gewesen sein, die gerade die Hand ihres Besitzers verlassen hatten. Mit hochrotem Kopf und weit aufgerissenem Mund starrte er mich an.
Er sah aus, als hätte er einen Exhibitionisten gesehn.

KISS 2: Smoke on the Water

2009-09-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

Das war also der Auftakt meiner glorreichen Mission im Auftrag der Gerüchteküche! Da würde ich lieber Teller waschen. Denn so wurde ich auf Schritt und Tritt verfolgt, nicht einmal zur Toilette konnte ich während der Pause noch allein gehen. Ich könnte ja Tatsumi treffen und ihn gleich bespringen und das wollte keines dieser Waschweiber verpassen. Aber stellten die sich das wirklich so einfach vor? Ich renne zu ihm hin, drücke meine Lippen auf seine und dann weiß ich, ob er küssen kann oder nicht? Anscheinend hatten sie davon genauso wenig Ahnung wie davon, wie man schnell lange die Klappe hält und dabei still sitzt.
Langsam kam ich mir echt vor wie ein Promi, der von ca. 3.000 Paparazzi verfolgt wird. Da blieb mir wohl bloß noch eins übrig: Flucht.
Und damit diese auch gelang, hatte ich mir den perfekten Plan zurechtgelegt. In der Mathestunde vor der großen Pause band ich mir meinen Fressbeutel an den Gürtel und als das Klingeln begann, rannte ich los. Dieser Plan war genial, gemein und somit auch schlichtweg perfekt. Zumindest wäre das der Fall gewesen, wenn ich beim Rennen etwas besser auf meine Umgebung geachtet hätte. Denn so rannte ich nicht nur in jemanden, sondern fiel mit diesem Jemand voller Intelligenz und Grazie in die Besenkammer im dritten Stock, kurz bevor ich die kleine Treppe zum Dach erreicht hatte. Ich hatte noch nicht mal genug Zeit, mich bei meinem Opfer zu entschuldigen, denn schon kamen die Boten der Hölle den Gang entlanggeschossen (Sehen konnte ich sie zwar nicht, weil die Tür zugefallen war, aber überhören konnte man diese Traube unmöglich.)
Und voller Panik verging ich mich schon wieder an dem unbekannten Opfer, indem ich ihm den Mund zuhielt. Schließlich sollten sie uns nicht entdecken. Als sie endlich aufgegeben hatten nach mir zu suchen (Ich bin einfach zu schlau für diese Waschweiber!), gab ich auch den Mund dieses armen Jungen frei, der zuerst kräftig Luft holte und dann erleichtert ausatmete.
“Ähm...”, gab mein Mund voller Weisheit von sich (was sollen eigentlich immer diese herablassenden Formulierungen, Schreiberling?!)
“Tut mir wirklich Leid, was...” Doch mein Gegenüber fiel mir ins Wort. “Hast du dich verletzt? Ist alles okay mit dir?” Verwunderte Stille.Und so langsam konnte ich auch erkennen, wer mich da eigentlich aus so besorgten Rehaugen anstarrte. Genau der, den ich vor einigen Tagen noch verteidigt hatte und der Schuld an dieser ganzen Misere war (eigentlich bin ich ja auch ein bisschen schuld... aber weiter geht’s!) Tatsumi Kaoru, 3. Klasse Oberschule, Sternzeichen Waage, Blutgruppe A+ und angeblicher Looser im Küssen. Ich hatte ihn zwar schon lange nicht mehr gesehen (Sich von jemandem fernzuhalten war für mich schon immer leichter, als jemanden zu finden!), aber irgendwie hatte ich ihn doch größer in Erinnerung. Vielleicht lag es auch daran, dass wir auf dem Boden saßen.
“Hallo? Alles okay?!” Er wedelte wild mit einem Arm vor meinem Gesicht, doch ich war wohl noch zu geschockt, um mich zu bewegen. “Hoffentlich hat er keine Gehirnerschütterung oder sowas... was mach ich nur, was mach ich nur?! Mama schimpft, wenn sie das rauskriegt...” Beim Gedanken an seine Mutter fing er an sich wild die halblangen braunen Haare zu raufen. Was für ein seltsamer Charakter, schoss mir durch den Kopf (Ha! Das ist für dich, Author! >D) Langsam fand ich wieder zu mir. “Alles... alles okay... Tut mir Leid, das eben,”, stammelte ich noch leicht benommen. Ich war ja schließlich derjenige, der Schuld an dieser Situation war, also hatte ich mich zu entschuldigen und nach seinem Befinden zu erkunden. “Hast du dir auch nichts getan?”, fragte ich ihn, nachdem er verlegen seine Frisur wieder gerichtet hatte. “Nein, nein, alles in Ordnung,”, antwortete er mit einem seligen Grinsen. Erst jetzt fiel mir auf, dass wir immernoch in der Besenkammer waren. So stand ich also auf, half Tatsumi hoch (es war wirklich eng hier!) und öffnete die Tür.
Und da lag “es”.

KISS 1 : Wie du mir, so ich dir

2009-09-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

Genre:
Comedy, Romance, Shounen-Ai
Rating:
T
Comments:
zu den kapiteltiteln muss ich sagen, dass sie zwar nichts zum inhalt sagen, aber trotzdem cool klingen, oder? :D~
das in klammers sin gedanken des erzählenden charakters, wenn a/n dabeisteht, sinds meine XD dann wünsche ich hier viel spaß x33

Well then... STARTO!!

Chapter 1:

Wie du mir, so ich dir.

Oh, wie ich die lange Pause verabscheute.
Ich war bestimmt kein Streber (so weit kommts noch!), aber ich war es einfach Leid, mir das Getratsche der ganzen Klasse auf einmal anhören zu müssen. Ich kann doch nichts dafür, dass ich so beliebt bin! Q______Q~
Jeden Tag, wenn es zur Mitagspause klingelt, bete ich, dass mich sofort der Schlag trifft, damit ich von dem Gequietsche und Gekreische und dem andauernden “Weißt du schon...?” wenigstens heute verschont bleibe.
Aber wie immer war auch heute diese höhere Macht, zu der ich insgeheim betete, mir ungnädig. Vielleicht sollte ich zu ‘ner anderen Religion wechseln… Aber zurück zum Thema! Ich wurde also auch heute wieder von meinen vielen Kumpels zugequatscht. Und auch heute kam Murata mit einem ewig alten Thema an.
“Habt ihr schon gehört, dass Tatsumi Kaoru schon wieder ne Abfuhr gekriegt hat? Ich wette, dass das an seinen Küssfertigkeiten liegt, ihr nicht auch?” Wildes Gelächter. Manchmal fragte ich mich wirklich, wen die mit ihren Sprüchen beeindrucken wollen. Hier gings ja manchmal schlimmer zu als bei Mädchen.
“Ich habe gehört, dass das nicht stimmt... Dass Tatsumi so schlecht küsst, meine ich...” Mein Einwurf hatte seine Wirkung nicht verfehlt, denn augenblicklich herrschte Stille im Raum und ich konnte hören, wie diverse Bleistifte unsanft Bekanntschaft mit dem Boden machten. Endlich Ruhe. Wenn auch nur für wenige Sekunden.
“Wa~s?” “Woher hast du das denn?” “Tatsumi kann küssen?” “Hat jemand meine rosa Elefantenbleistift gesehen?” All das glaubte ich in diesem Wortgewitter herausgehört zu haben.
“Nun ja, ich habs eben irgendwo gehört. Aber ich hab keine Ahnung, was da dran ist, Leute.” Interessierte, fast schon aufdringliche Blicke fielen auf mich. “Ich will’s wissen!” “Genau, das muss geprüft werden!” “Ich will’s auch wissen!” “Hat jemand meinen rosa Elefantenbleistift gesehen?” Wieder so ein Wortschwall. “Na, dann sollte wohl jemand losgehen und ihn einfach küssen,”, meinte ich mehr zum Spaß als im Ernst. “Genau!”, sagte Murata und musste grinsen, wie ein gutes Drittel der Klasse. Hmm, denen schien die Idee zu gefallen. Warum auch nicht, wenn sich mich dann mal für ‘ne Weile in Ruhe lassen würden.
So kam also meine nächste Frage, um dieses Feuer noch mehr anzufachen. “Und wer soll das machen?”
...
Und innerhalb von einem Bruchteil einer Sekunde zeigten 26 der 28 vorhandenen rechten Zeigefinger in dieser Klasse auf mich (der 27. gehörte mir und der 28. suchte immer noch verzweifelt nach seinem rosa Elefantenbleistift).
“W-… Da-... Dadas ist nicht euer Ernst, oder? WIESO ICH?!”
Na~ toll... Wieso war ich nicht eher darauf gekommen, dass sie den Anführer der Klasse für so eine schwierige Mission auswählen würden?
Wieder ergriff Murata (eigentlich mein -bis jetzt- bester Freund!) das Wort und meinte trocken: “Ganz einfach, du bist der einzige hier, der sich so was traut. Immerhin hast du dir selbst den Titel ‘ganzer Kerl’ verpasst, oder?”
Nach einer schier endlosen Diskussion war ich aufs Dach geflüchtet und aus dem Klassenzimmer drang nur noch ein “Gefunden! ... Wo seid ihr denn alle?!”

Just A Matter Of Time

2009-09-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

Pairing:
Hanei x Teppei
Genre:
Shounen-Ai, Romance, Comedy
Rating:
erm... argh~, just darn those strange letters xD suitable for anyone who likes gay guys XD
Timeline:
somewhere near the ending of the series, after the hepatitis-episode ♡
Disclaimer:
Characters belong to the dear writers and producers of the 'VOICE' dorama :3
RABU ³³³, ey ! ♡
A/N:
i hope you enjoy this crap i'm writing xD
hrm... so what else? .____. did i mention that i don't know what to write until the story is finished? xD guess i'll never be a pro XD
[and please note that the title has no relation to the actual story, just like in almost every of my stories xD i just liked that expression (and i'm listening to that song right now, so... xD)]

~*~*~

"Teppei? Where the heck are you?"
This guy never was where he should be, when you were searching for him.
"Come on, get out of where ever you are! I know you are somewhere around!"
Maybe that would really make him come out. Or maybe not. Finally I found him in the lab, washing dishes.
"Hey, how the heck could dishes be more important then I am?"
I jumped towards him, laying my arms around him, pushing him to the ground. He began stuggling, just as always.
"H-hey... get away from me, Hanei-kun... w-what do you want?"
"Nothing, actually."
I released him, so he was able to breath and also to stand up, just like I did (I meant the stand-up-thing... well, the breathing as well... argh, just forget that...).
"Then what did you jump me for?"
He was looking annoyed as always. I liked that expression on his face. Usually he was smiling the whole time and that was a thing that made me seriously sick.
"You got a problem? Huh?!", I asked just like every time I was struggling for an answer. What did I really jump him for?
I didn't really know myself. Maybe just for some action in that damn boring house. Or maybe it was for seing this expression that I liked so much on his face.
"N-no, of course i ain't no problem with that...", he answered, smiling shyly again.
And as soon as that smile entered his face, I turned for the sink and grabbed some scalpels of the surgery set. Putting it under the water I said: "I'll help you...", and before he could return anything: "And DON'T you dare asking why, okay?!"
I didn't look at him. I know what he looked like right now. He was wearing his smile again. But not the usual smile. This smile was full of happiness and appreciation, and I couldn't stand looking at him like this. I would start smiling with him. And my pride forbade this to happen. Why did Japanese have so many problems with their pride? Was this about genes? Maybe I should look that up in a dictionary...
After a short moment he gave me a "Thank you" in a small voice and joined me in washing the dishes.
When we finished, we got back to our research room and took off the white coats. "Ne, Teppei... You... and me... drink some beer tonight?"
The other three were out for some research on our current case so they wouldn't join us tonight.
He thought about it for a moment, then answered a polite "Yes".
"Cool" was all I could say about that.

So we took off to our 'Chura-chan'. I ordered two pots of beer, got them and led Teppei-kun upstairs into my room.
"Why are we here?", he asked, looking around.
"You got a problem?!", I returned, glaring at him.
"N-no, sir..." And again, I liked this expression of his. Staring at me anxiously he sat down on the ground and waited until I would say something to comfort him and show him that he was safe. But he wasn't safe. Especially not now. There was something I needed to talk to him about, that's why we came here and weren't downstairs where my mother always came by to interrupt our every conversations.
I got down in front of my bed, leaning against it, and passed the beer to Teppei.
But as always there was one big problem between us: A big gap of silence and rigidity.
So I downed the beer with one gulp (which maybe wasn't the best idea I ever had since I began choking right afterwards).
"Anou sa...", I began, not really knowing how to continue.
He was looking at me, probably wondering what I was going to say.
I tried to arrange some words (because that damn silence started getting on my nerves), but then he started talking.
"You know... I still have those charms you put in my pockets when I came back from hospital that day..."
Yes, THAT day... Probably one of the worst days since our seminar in forensic pathology had started. When he was told the results of his hepatitis test results. The day I bought 10 health charms for him and sacrificed 1000 yen in the shrine. It was really hard for me to resist running for him while he was in the hospital waiting for his results which would have an effect on his whole life.
I watched him drinking his beer silently. And he downed it almost as fast as I had done just now.
"I'm... gonna get some more..."
I reached out for his glass, but suddenly I slipped and fell over.
And almost automaticly he burst into laughter.
"Hey, you think that's funny?! Wait until I get you, you..."
I finally got a grip of myself and jumped on him, locking him between my arms.
"You still thinking that's funny?"
He obviously did, because he was still laughing.
"Hey, stop laughing at me, Mister Perfect..."
I released him... but only to pin him down to the floor, sitting on his lap.
"Shut it, you little..."
And now I couldn't hold myself any longer.
I mean, come on. This guy was lying right beneath me, giggling like there will never be tomorrow.
So I lowered my face on his. Slowly, not realizing how he stopped laughing.
"H-Hanei-kun? What... are you..."
That damn freakin' wrong smile that made me go crazy finally had disappeared.
But just in time I could stop myself - stop myself from kissing him. What a ridiculous... but still nice... thought.
But how should I get out of this now? I mean, I wasn't the one giving explanations on anything I do, but would he talk to me ever again if I wouldn't explain myself?
"Sorry... haha... drunk, I guess..."
I tried to laugh, but I gorgeously failed. Would he believe in what I just had said when I couldn't even laugh properly? Gosh, I'm really something... (something bad, deffinitely, but still something...)
"Hanei-kun...", he suddenly said.
"I... I also have something I want to give you... a good-luck charm..."
I swallowed. "Oh... really?"
He nodded, watching my face as I watched his.
Then, suddenly, he touched my lips with his.
It was just a fraction of a second but this fraction was the best, deffinitely. I felt his lips softly pressed on mine, felt him shivering, felt his hotness, even smelled his seductive scent.
But then he drew his lips away from mine, with that smile that was so much more beautiful that it almost hurt my eyes looking on him.
"Sorry....", he whispered. "Drunk, I guess..."
'Astonishment' was the word everybody who saw me must have read in my face right now, maybe even he read that. But he didn't seem like he would read anything right now.
"Y-yeah... I... I guess so...", I pressed out between my lips.
"So... since we're both drunk... I.. I like you... a little... maybe... so... I'll overlook that... and won't punish you..."
"Okay..."
"And... the charm...?", I asked to get back to a (to some tiny extent) normal conversation.
He looked at me, his eyes full of questions.
Was there maybe something I didn't get? Or did I miss something? What the heck...?
"Spit it out...", I whispered, pressing his arms to the floor.
Again - a short moment of silence. Then he said: "You... want more?"
And so he pressed his lips against mine again.
So... this actually WAS the charm? Wow... No wonder my mum didn't watch those romantic crap movies with me. This situation here was... fairly romantic... like in some girls drama. Except for no girls being around.
And? Did I want more?
Well... I was drunk, wasn't I?

~Owari~

-------------------------

A/N:
wow xD
for not knowing what to write this is a pretty long one, isn't it? xD
i hope you guys like it and maybe i will even get some encouraging comments :3
thx a bunch in advantage <3