"I helped Hayashi; he was frightened and worried because of my low power levels.  But my will was strong, and a higher courage guided me and gave me strenght. I dug a way out of those debris, using my you-ki to excavate a tunnel through the marble and granite ruins. We emerged from remains of the palace holding hands, feverishly. The sight of what had become of the city shocked us - it was like Hell."

Yomi squeezed Hikaru's shoulder with his hand, comforting him, assuring him of his presence. Then, he waited. He knew the story could not be rushed.

"I had before me the perfect portrait of one of the 1000 Hells - The Hell of the impalled ones." He took a deep breath in, trying to relax and continue his story. "As far as the eye could see, spined vines had intertwined the buildings and houses. There was hardly anything standing. Stalks and stems emerged from the mass of ensnared vines and debris, and bodies hanged from them, impalled. Some of my people were still alive, bleeding, their guts slowly oozing from the wounds, moaning, begging for their lives... It was a macabre view - They seemed flowers of evil."

The youko huddled; he trembled slightly.

"Warriors, females, children, they were all caught alike. Hundreds of them... When we left the ruins and looked up, Hayashi and I were paralyzed with horror."

"Hikaru... You had to be strong then..." Yomi murmured. He leaned on Hikaru and kissed his hair, holding him tighter against his chest.

"Buildings burned. The fires lit part of the city, turning it all into one of trhe most macabre exhibitions of horror I could ever imagine. Even in the Makai, I hardly heard of such wicked attack. There were piles of debris, and piles of corpses, scattered around us. I could not recognize my own city. Our warriors had tried to fight back the plants but their attempts had caused the ruin of our city." Hikaru served himself another dose of sake. "I could not think, I could not do anything. It was Hayashi who tried to pull me out of that paralizing terror. I remember he embraced me there, in the darkness, conforting me. He pressed my face to his chest, to make me stop staring at all that madness. I was crying like a baby..."

"Wasn't it risky to remain in the city?'

"However risky, we have decided to do something. I was determined to help my people, even if it costed my own life."

Yomi acquiesced. He remained in silence, following Hikaru's story. He kept on stroking the youko's arm, assuring him of his presence.

"I wanted to kill, I wanted to crush the vicious yuko who had wrecked my homeland! I wanted to destroy them completely, torn them to pieces... The sorrow, fear and terror seemed to merge inside me into one single, powerful emotion - the urge for vengence. I did not say anything, but I know Hayashi felt it in me. He perceived it in my tense muscles, in my focused expression, and in the fierce way I scanned the surroundings, already chasing the infidels - I was on guard like never before. My you-ki and my senses were focused."

He faced Yomi, and a sparkle appeared in the corner of his blue eyes.

"Have you ever felt it? This willpower that drives you to surpass everything and impels you into battle? Have you ever felt this powerful emotion that commands us and forces us to forget sense, prudence, danger all alike? It is a sense of need, of urgency, and honor that compels every part of your body towards action..."

"I have. In battles, many times... It is an addicting feeling..."

"It was so strong I trembled. Hayashi held my hand tighter to assure me he was ready to fight at my side. He said nothing, and yet I understood it in the way he looked at me. I guided us amidst the debris and the ruins. I wanted to reach Inari's Temple. It was the sacred place we had all vowed to defend till death. I was aware we might be marching straight to certain death, but I could not help it. We could be both accused of treason and simply executed, no questions asked. In the end we were two criminals - a foreigner and a Heir prince accused of high treason. Yet, together we found courage to face anything. We would live together, fight together or die together. We understood it all mutually, silently, without any need to accord it in words. We barely spoke. Walking hand in hand, we found our way through the decayed ruins of dismantled mansions and houses."

More sake. Yomi did not need eyes to perceive Hikaru's hands trembled as he held his cup and took it to his lips.

"The ruins were formed of debris and piled corpses. Some were still alive. We could hear them moaning in the dark, their feeble voices begging for help..." The youko covered his face with his fingers for a moment, concealing a tear or two that fell down his face. Then he took air in deeply, to recompose himself. "We stopped to try to help. People were dying - It was impossible for Hayashi to witness all that disgrace and not to do something. I could see he was tired, on the verge of exhaustion. Yet whenever we met a wounded or dying youko, he stopped and transferred some of his healing you-ki to him or her; energy enough to keep them alive a little longer, or at least to lessen their pain. There were many people needing help - Not only healing aid, but orientation. People did not know wht the city had been attacked - They were dragged from sleep into a world of pain and destruction."

Hikaru sighed. He was consumed by the sorrow that part of his story evoked.

"They recognized me; they came to me and begged for an explanation or orientation. They besseched for assistance. I realized then I had not yet been publicly deprive of my natural rights and status - I was yet their loving prince, and they treated me accordingly, with faith and respect." Hikaru smiled softly; it was a bittersweet smile. "All the people were expecting my death to be announced at any minute. I found I had become a victim, almost a martyr, not a traitor. The details of my affair with the Barbarian were overlooked in the face of my agony and affliction."

"It makes sense. If you were a traitor, why would you have been abandoned to death? Moreover - why would you be there, risking your life to help your people?" Yomi commented. "Your fall redeemed any faults and sins you might have commited."

Hikaru gave Yomi a slight, misterious smile.

"Yes; My grievous faults were forgotten for a while. People came to me for help and orientation. They recognized me, and fell on their knees before me, begging me to try to save what was left of our city. The best warriors had been selected to guard the Temple, and they had perished there, trying to defend our city's relics. Part of the Guard was killed, and the rest fled; all our defenses were destroyed, and no one was in charge of helping the wounded. Despair was so intense, no one bothered about Hayashi's presence, even though he held me in his arms most of the time. He kept on conforting me. I felt my nerve return to me, and I knew somehow it was Hayashi's presence that restored it." He smiled softly. "Hayashi insisted on staying in the city - You need a healer - He told me. And I could not prevent him from staying. He helped and healed the wounded ones, relieving their pain and suffering with his powers."

"They did not mind being healed by a barbarian?"

"Of course not! They only cared about their lives."

"How typical..."

Hikaru assented.

"After a while I was surrounded by some remaining warriors. The refugees have gathered before what used to be the Temple's atrium. The Temple itself was nothing more but a pile of debris. The treasures which had not been stolen were buried by the collapsed structure. Everything was torn down and apart. People were disoriented, lost... It was a sad thing..."

"I've been to many war sites before. I know how horrible destruction can be."

"Warriors, guards, young noble and common males surrounded me, demanding immediate action. They wanted revenge; they wanted to fight; they wanted to hunt the criminals who had destroyed our city. And they begged me to lead them."

Yomi leaned forward.

"Yes? What happened then?"

"They were headless. Most of the officials were dead or missing; others had ran away. My brother was not found anywhere. We established a base at the Temple's site. Wounded kept coming in, and Hayashi did all he could to help each and every of them while I entered what was left of the Temple - It was then I found my parents were dead."

The youko drank a little more. He turned his eyes downwards, and inhaled air deeply. A sorrowful silence halted the conversation for a while.

"The demonic plants have attacked our city on two fronts - The stems and thorns wrecked the surface while roots destroyed the underground shelters. Many of our people, mainly children, women and elders were killed while seeking refuge in the shelters - they were taken by surprise and many perished. It is what happened to my mother, Queen Tama. Her body was recognized and brought to the temple, to be laid before my father's."

Another deep sigh was heard. Feeling somewhat unconfortable, Hikaru squirmed in Yomi's embrace, pulling himself a little away from him.

"The guards have reported me that as many guards have been slain, in the end my father remained the sole defender of Inari's Temple and its relics. One third of the city alone have collapsed in the battle between my father and the leader of the infidels. It was such a fierce, furious battle that brought down the whole temple. It seems the villain wanted to kidnap my father. But King Yousai would rather die in battle than be taken prisoner." The grey youko smiled to himself; it was a bitter smile. "He was shred in pieces by a multitude of demon plants and spiked vines. His corpse laid there, missing bits and pieces, bleeding, smashed, slashed... My father looked like a dismantled puzzle of flesh and bone..."

A loud sob was heard, and Hikaru hid his face in his cupped hands, crying. There was no way he could prevent his emotion to show then. He trembled, sobbed, and moaned, allowing his grief to take control for a moment.

Yomi recalled then the intense wrath that youko had shown in the face of his duel against Kurama - Such fearlessness... Such vigor and strenght of will and resolve... Now he knew why Hikaru had treasured vengence so deeply in his demon heart: He had indeed suffered a great tragedy.

Hikaru recomposed himself after a while. He dried the tears with the sleeve of his robe and took a deep breath. Calm again, he resumed his narration.

"It was then I swore to myself I would hunt those infidels, and kill them one by one. I vowed before my parent's bodies I would never rest till I have achieved complete revenge. I swore I would not cease my pursuit for revenge till I have terminated all of them."

The King acquiesced in silence.

"I prayed and payed my respects to their remains. When I turned my back to their corpses I felt I had become a different demon inside. There was a new powerful emotion growing in my heart - It was strong and overwhelming; and it was also dark, bitter, consuming... It was like a tide of venom filling my blood. I felt like my chest had been cast in stone, frozen in a permanent mould of evil and determination. I promised Inari I would avenge all that destruction and the profanation of his Temple. I fell on my knees before the ruins, praying to be gifted with strenght enough to become the avenger of my people."

Another pause. Again, Yomi remained in silence. He could perceive the torment those recollections brought Hikaru. He preferred to offer the youko his respectful and warm silence, than to push him into continuing his story. Gandara's King merely poured the youko a little more sake.

"I encouraged all the young males and the remaining warriors into battle. We gathered before the ruins, and I urged them to fight for what was left of our city. I divided them in two teams - A rescue party, to bring and protect the wounded ones who had not yet reached safe ground; and a termination one. I included myself in the termination team, naturally."

Yomi's lips curved in a slight, condescendent smile.

"Naturally..." He repeated, in a soft tone of voice.

Hikaru tilted his head, tossing his long hair.

"I tried to convince Hayashi to stay in the temple. At the rear he could be useful helping the wounded ones; moreover he would be safe. The problem is that he did not obbey me." Hikaru smiled too, in an indulgent fashion. "He harassed me with his persistence. While I tried to organize the teams he followed me all the time, insisting he would not leave me alone for a single second. He asked me for a weapon, and I allowed the guards to handle him one, because I was not taking his intentions seriously yet.  Hasn't he always said he was a pacifist, that he did not have the nerve to kill a vermin? But then I perceived something had changed inside his heart too; it was just like it had happened to me - we were both tired of being mere pawns in the game of Fate."

Yomi assented. He supported Hayashi's firm decision.

"He held high the long crystal sword he was given, and brandished it in the air with determination. It was a long, heavy piece of weponry, but he handled it firmly."

"Did he know how to wield a sword?"

"Knowing or not, he was determined to use it. His golden eyes sparkled with resolve. There was no way I could dissuade him. In addition to the sword, he scavenged some clothes, boots, a chain mail and a bronze cuirass from the wounded guards belongings. He challenged me then - He said nothing would stop him..."

"What did you do?"

"I had to assent. I had neither time nor the right to try to detain him. The villains must yet be in the city or its surroundings, and we had to act quickly if we wanted to catch them. I gave the hunters the order to kill the infidels; no questions asked. But in my mind, I wanted to be able to catch them alive, so I could torture them lengthily, painfully..."

Yomi agreed; he knew that feeling well enough. He had dreamed of punishing the ones guilty of his blinding  - Torture and vengeance helped to relieve much of his pain.

"Search teams were sent in all directions, to find the infidels. Hayashi stayed with me. We still had the opportunity to share an embrace and a slight caress before we started the raid." The youko still smiled. But now his smile became sweet, filled with a deep missing feeling. "I cared not to be witnessed by my peers. I just held Hayashi in my arms, and brushed my nose, my lips, along his face. I fondled his entangled hair, and felt the hardness of the sheathed crystal sword he carried against his thigh. We were both trembling, but it was not fear - it was love - our emotion was so intensee our bodies shivered with it."

The youko huddled tightly, and smiled sweetly to himself as he caressed his own arms.

"I loved him for it. I knew he was sacrificing part of himself to our love, just like I had done when I first decided to abandon the city and the Throne. We both understood it perfectly. We were both on a knife's edge, balancing between treason and surrender, between denying or fighting for our love..."

Hikaru raised his eyes towards Yomi, who assented, in sympathy.

"We were both traitors of our peoples and families. We had equally abandoned a way of life we took for granted for our love. I knew, that when Hayashi held that sword and joined me in the fight, he was not fighting for the Crystal City, or merely to terminate his evil brother. He was fighting for us, for our love. I was not a Heir Prince any longer; he was not a Barbarian - Together we were a completely different thing..." He blushed, and smiled. "I am sorry... Perhaps I am not making myself clear..."

Yomi leaned forward to pat the youko's shoulder, offering him a heartwarming smile.

"Not at all. It is perfectly clear."

"It is rather difficult to describe feelings and emotions in a rational fashion. I cannot find the proper words..."

Yomi moved his hand up along the curve of the youko's shoulder, caressing his neck, till he cupped his face with a stroking gesture.

"Don't think. Just feel it..."

Hikaru's eyes locked on Yomi's face. The youkai approached him a little more, and more yet, leaning on him. They werer so close now that the youko could feel the warmth of their breaths on each other's face.

The youko closed his eyes. Yomi's hand on his cheek was so large and comforting that Hikaru surrendered and leaned forward, embracing the other demon. The fox sighed out, slowly, sweetly, expectantly, and as he did it, his lips parted a little, enough to invite a kiss.

They did not avoid the contact. Yomi merged his fingers into the youko's hair, holding the nape of his neck and drawing him closer, till their lips touched. They could feel the taste of sake mixed to the wet warmth of their mouths. The kiss they exchanged had a pungent bittersweet taste. But little by little, the affection and sweetness of imbrued in their kiss became undeniable. Hikaru offered himself wholly to Yomi. Their tongues touched, brushed, rolled one on the other, then pressed in the wet passion that filled their mouths. They became breathless. Their fingers clasped each other's body eagerly as they squeezed and caressed each other with ardor and intensity.

Yomi pulled Hikaru to him, using his muscle not to let the youko slip out of his grasp. He drew him closer, and he felt the warmth and the vibration of the fox's you-ki pulsate under his chest as they embraced. He could not avoid to smile as he pressed his tongue deeper into Hikaru's mouth, happy to be welcomed, happy to feel the youko's loving  response. The King heard a soft moaning sound around the kiss and sensed that the youko's hands clasped feverishily to his robe, pulling it down his shoulders and arms. Yomi rubbed his naked chest on Hikaru's and tried to undress him. For a short moment  they brushed skin on skin, still kissing, ardently, hungrily...

Yomi felt lightheaded. Hikaru noticed a sudden tingle run through his body. Then they parted their lips very slowly, almost hesitantly. Yomi caressed the youko's chest with a very tender touch of his fingertips, light as a feather. Hikaru looked sweetly at the horned demon and stroked his face.

Gandara's King smiled when he felt the intensity of those blue eyes on him, warming him up with their beauty.

"Have you felt it?" He asked Hikaru, in a passionate murmur.

The youko flushed. He recomposed himself, arranging his kimono. Then, he shifted a little away from Yomi.

"I have felt it... Yes... But..." His husky voice failed. Hikaru simply lowered his eyes, and squirmed, avoiding the touch of the other demon's hands.

Yomi still smiled.

"Yes?" Yomi insisted, very affectionately.

"Give me time... Please..." Hikaru gasped.

Gandara's King acquiesced. He did not seem disappointed. He still showed that same expectant, sweet smile he had been offering Hikaru since that evening had started - It was a smile full of hope and desire.

"I miss him still. I miss The happiness I felt back then..." The youko's eyes became teary, but he kept up. "I miss the feeling of being loved. I felt completed, wanted..."

"It all can happen again." Yomi declared, with affection. He reached out for Hikaru and touched his knee to call his attention.

The youko stared at Yomi, but he said nothing. The sorrow and the bitterness that filled his existence were clearly perceived in the gloomy expression that veiled his face.

"There is no cure to love but to love more," Yomi stated. He smiled gently, but Hikaru continued still and expressionless for a long moment; like a blue-eyed sphynx.

"He died. My heart died with him."

There was a long instant of silence, till Yomi's manly voice broke it.

"How did it happen?"

Hikaru avoided looking towards Yomi. Instead, he fumbled with his kimono, twisting the silk at the hem of his sleeve.

"We were searching the ruins. Perhaps I was so eager to catch them, I became reckless..."

Yomi's lips curved in a somewhat indulgent smile.

"Are you blaming yourself already?"

Hikaru felt a tingle of emotion tighten his shoulders and back. Recalling those moments was hard for him.

Someway he pretended not to have grasped Yomi's comment.

"It was too dark. We were on a badly ruined section of the city. Debris and wreckage piled up, forming blocks and barriers; It was difficult to proceed. I was ahead of a small but determined platoon. All the while Hayashi did not leave my side. He acted like a valiant; I remenber it perfectly... He was so stouthearted... I..."

The youko stopped. He sniffled, and brushed his eyes with the back of his hand, drying the tears.

"He was nervous, jumpy... I was very edgy too, but I struggled to control myself. I had to focus on the hunt. I stayed a little behind the group, checking what seemed to be a fresh trail; it was then that I was attacked." He raised his eyes, and gazed at Yomi for a while. "Something or someone struck at me from behind. I sensed no you-ki; no noise alerted me; I saw nothing in the darkness. It hapenned so fast, so suddenly, I did not notice it. I felt the air dislocation and turned my head to see what was happening..."

The fox sighed in.

"I would have died if Hayashi were not there..."

"Was he near you?"

"Near enough to throw himself against the enemy." Hikaru smiled, in a bitter way. "The enemy clutched around Hayashi's neck, trying to toss him to the ground. They clashed and started to scuffle savagely in the darkness. They struggled, groaned, roared... Their voices were loud and confusing - One begged and complained, the other cursed and accused... They growled and gritted their teeeth in their strive. I tried to approach them and help fighting the intruder, but Hayashi demanded that I kept at a safe distance."

Hikaru sighed. He noticed Yomi was curious and impatient about the outcome of his story, but he did not wish to rush it. He had to give it away slowly, little by little, to be able to stand the pain it caused him.

"They called each other names as they battled, empty-handed. Punches, jabs, blows... I have never suspected Hayashi could fight with such energy and ardour - he had always been so calm, so tender-hearted... Yet, he fought like a wild animal would."

"Who was he struggling at? Kurama?"

Hikaru shook his head softly.

"It was his twin brother."

"Oh..."

"He had been lurking all the time, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to attack me and steal his brother back. Hiroshi was a coward; his only chance was to attack us treacherously, and so he did. But Hayashi noticed it in time to protect me from his assault."

Yomi assented. He smiled in a candid fashion. The borwn youko's attitude was no surprise for him - Hayashi would never let anything or anyone hurt his "Blue Eyes."

"I wanted to interfere, but they struggled violenly, one clinching the other, one trying to strangle the other, twisting and squeezing each other's neck with savage determination. I did not know how Hayashi had found such strenght, such verve... He seemed a mad animal... I did not suspect he possessed such fierce resolve..."

"He was guided by love - He would do anything to defend you."

"I wanted to break in their battle, but I could not - they were so viciously entangled, ensnared in their attempts to defeat one another, that I could not risk Hayashi. They  were too close; they clinched furiously and there was no way I could interfere. They were killing each other, strangling each other to death..."

"I circled them; I intended to attack Hiroshi from behind, turn him into a block of stone before he could do us any harm. After the initial shock, I felt my sense and my fighting spirit return to me. I tried to find a position to attack him, but it was difficult - I did not want to risk harming Hayashi at all, but were too entangled in their struggle. Hayashi creied and roared, trying to bite; Hiroshi defended himself, and clinched furiously to his brother, trying to subjugate him. I was getting nervous with their stalemate. I caused a tremor of the earth under their feet; it was a way to make them lose their balance and unlock their struggling embrace." Hikaru paused, organizing his own thoughts before keeping up his story. "Hayashi seemed possessed. He shouted at his brother, urging him to leave alone; his voice was a ferocious roar... It was then I noticed Hiroshi struggled and roared at Hayashi, and kept on asking him: Why? Why did you do it? Why did you try to save him? I don't want to lose you, why did you do it? - I could not understand why Hiroshi was so desperate, so shocked..."

Hikaru gazed at Yomi. The suspense made Gandara's King expectant, breathless... But he would not have to wait too long; his saga was almost at its end.

"There was a moment Hayashi thrusted so violently against his brother that Hiroshi lost his balance and fell splat on the ground. I stepped forward, ready to send my you-ki forward and turn the bastard into a block of rock, but Hayashi did not let me. He stepped in between us again." Another deep sigh was heard, coming form Hikaru. "Hiroshi roared in protest, like a wild beast... I heard him foreshadow in between his gnashing teeth that I was going to pay... I could feel his vicious you-ki rise; his eyes burned with wrath, and yet Hayashi remained between us, protecting me with his own life..."

"Did Hiroshi attack you again?"

"That devil was insane... His wrath and madness were too intense! I could almost feel his you-ki reaching me, like an evil tide. Hiroshi started to focus all his power, all his venomous strenght to aim an attack against me... Yet Hayashi kept his position, defending me..."

The  youko blinked his clear eyes. A tear appeared and slid down his face, drawing a slow wet trail.

"Hiroshi stood on his feet and darted forward to attack me. Again, Hayashi cut his way. And this time he had time to draw out his sword and thrust it against his brother."

Yomi brandished his clenched fist, and showed a smile. Yes! At last it seemed someone managed to give that wicked character what he had always deserved!

Hikaru remained impassible.

"He did not miss it; the crystal blade pierced Hiroshi's middle. That fiend let out a loud cry of pain and stepped back, in an unsteady, vacillant way. Hayashi tried to push his sword forward and aim another blow, but he could not make it. He bent over himself and fell on his knees, uttering a groan of pain..."

There was silence between the two demons for a little while.

"All strenght left his body from one instant to the other." The blue-eyed youko gave a bittersweet smile then. "Instead of taking that chance to attack Hiroshi, I hurried to help Hayashi..."

"What did that bastard do then?"

"Hiroshi? Nothing... He was seriously wounded... Unsure, unbalanced, he stepped back, struggling not to fall down. It was then other warriors arrived to that scene - they were attracted by our loud cries, and hurried to check what was going on. They were all ready and hungry for battle. Hiroshi noticed he was about to be surrounded by fierce enemies and panicked. He stepped back; nevertheless, he still growled and gritted his teeth in a threatening way and spitted angry accusations and the most obsecene swearings at me. Hiroshi threatened me with death. He oathed he would find me and kill me when I least expected it..."

"Oh..."

"Then Hiroshi assumed his fox aspect and fled. Even seriously wounded, he was still fast and powerful. He managed to dart in between the approaching warriors and disappear..."

"He left without a fight?"

"Hiroshi was a coward; His attacks needed furtiveness to be effective. Surrounded by enemies, he became aware of  his disadvantage and chose the easiest course. However I found too late that despicable creature had already stolen from me what I loved the most..."

"What was it?"

There was another gesture from Hikaru, requesting for a little more patience. The horned youkai was eager for the rest of the story, but he conceded, acquiescing. He had waited for so long; he could hold on for a little, just a little longer...

"I wanted to hunt that devil down, and kill him, destroy him completely. But I could not leave Hayashi. I realized something serious had happened - Hayashi tumbled down to the ground, weak, weary, out of breath. The other youko hurried after Hiroshi, starting a mad chase through the city's ruins. I stayed behind, holding my helpless lover in my arms, holding back the tears..."

"Tears? Why should you cry then? You had shunned your enemy, Hayashi was with you..."

The grey youko gave Yomi a hopeless stare.

"Hiroshi had attacked me. He had focused the whole of his evil you-ki against me in a single blow; he wanted to put me down as fast as he could, so he could rescue his brother. But Hayashi stepped in between us. He absorbed all the tainted energy Hiroshi had aimed at me."

Yomi grew paler with shock when he heard it and perceived the whole scope of that tragedy. Hikaru had been stolen of everything then - his throne, his city, his parents, his lover; all of it overnight...  No wonder he had showed such wrath, such ardour in his fight against Kurama.

Gandara's King reached out and held Hikaru's hand very gently. He caressed his fingers slowly, showing him his sympathy.

"I still looked in his eyes and tried to smile. I wanted to show him confidence, hope, faith; but all there was inside me was the darkest despair. I knew he was about to die there, in my arms, and there was nothing I could do..." Hikaru took a moment to inhale a deep breath. "We both knew there was no future for us any longer. It hurt like nothing I have ever felt before..."

Yomi said nothing. He just leaned down on Hikaru's hand and kissed it, with tenderness.

"He held my hand, and I felt his fingers becoming colder, weaker, little by little. He trembled, and his breathing was difficult. Yet, he still smiled at me, and his golden eyes were still full of love. He told me he was content he had been able to save me."

The youko sniffled his cry, and sighed in.

"He knew he was going to leave me, yet he tried to pretend it was nothing serious. He even tried to sat up and stand on his feet, but he did not find the strenght to do it. I had to support him, and guide him to a retreat formed by a the ruins of a half-destroyed portico. By then the day was starting, and the morning light revealed to me in cruel, bitter detail, the gravity of his state. Hayashi's voice was but a faint murmur. His lifeforce abandoned him quickly and he shivered with cold. I  held him tight against me, to keep him warm, offering him my own you-ki to try to comfort his last moments."

Hikaru gave out a moaning sound of anguish.

"There was no sorrow, no regret in his eyes... Thankfully, there was no pain. He was just fading awayt; like a dying star."

Yomi squeezed Hikaru's hand, warmly. The youko was making a heroic effort not to cry.

"He hardly have air enough for himself, yet he still talked to me, trying to relieve my anguish and soothe me. He told me of his love, of the happiness he felt because we were together again... He told me he wanted me to live happy and free, and always remember his love... I embraced him and hid my face on his hair or on the curve of his neck not to let him see my crying - but he felt it; anyhow he smiled to me all the while,  with all his tenderness and love, trying to ease my pain. Hayashi was too unselfish. Even during his last moments, all he thought about was my safety, my well-being... "

"He was a valuable friend and the most affectionate lover. Now I see why you still treasure your recollections so dearly." Yomi smiled then, with confidence and fondness. "But you must move on, Hikaru..."

The youko knew it; but awareness of the fact did not make it hurt less.

"We watched the sunrise over the ruins together. The sun grew warmer, brighter, and Hayashi became colder and weaker as the instants passed. I covered him with caresses, kisses, and I tried to smile back at him and show him hope and faith I possessed not. I kept him warm with my own body my own you-ki.  He knew he was dying; even though he seemed so peaceful... His eyes glinted with happiness..."

The youko sobbed. He squeezed Yomi's hand with despair, as if he had been trespassed by a sudden pain.

"In a few moments he became too weak to speak. Consumed by that draining disease, his body became limp, and his eyes closed. The smile on his lips disappeared, and I  realized his breathing had ceased..."

Hikaru lowered his head. Still, he cried silent tears that rolled down his face, and dripped on his robe. Gasping with the intense flow of emotion, he squeezed Yomi's hand so tightly it hurt. But Gandara's King did not refuse the youko's nervous grip. he scooted closer to Hikaru and circled his shoulders eith his other arm, making him lean his face on his chest.

His warm tears trailed down from Hikaru's face to Yomi's chest. The youkai kissed Hikaru's head.

"Hush... I know he was very happy to make the passage in your arms..." Yomi kissed the youko's soft hair again. "He was happy because he had saved you; and he knew the love you shared would never be forgotten. Thus, he died in peace."

Hikaru still wept. He cuddled to Yomi feverishily.

"He left me... It hurt too much to hold his body to mine and feel his lifeforce disappear. I actually sensed his spirit leave that mortal flesh..." He sighed in so painfully Yomi trembled, affected by emotion. "I cried so much my eyes burned; my chest hurt, my whole body quivered... I could not believe all we had dreamed, all we had shared had come to an end... I could not believe that gorgeous, lively youko was no more but a coldening carcass which I still snuggled to my  bosom... My dreams had ended; and I felt my life ended as well."

"Your life? No... Please... He did it all for you, to keep you alive and well... Thinking on putting an end to your life was an insult to Hayashi's memory."

The youko hissed out, agreeing with a faint "yes."

"It was the urge for vengeance that gave me motivation not to slash my wrists and throat and put an end to my existence on the spot. The pain was so intense... It was maddening; I was losing my reason..."

Yomi kissed Hikaru's head more. He squeezed the youko tenderly against his body.

"The morning came, and all I saw before me was ruins and destruction. Blood paved the streets; dust tainted the sunlight; ruined piled up all around us. My whole life had fell down on me, burying me with pain and despair... I lost my family, my people, my lover... I remained there, catatonic, crying, trembling, still squeezing his cold body to mine. People came to see, tried to move me from that site, to comfort me, but nothing worked. All I could do was weep for my dead lover..."

There was a somewhat long pause. Hikaru shifted in Yomi's arms, trying to escape the embrace. Yet, Yomi insisted, and his touch around the youko was so warm and soothing that Hikaru assented to be held a little more.

"By midday the fugitives returned to the city. Warriors, nobles and guards escorted my brother Seiji and my ex-fiancee Mitsui. Prince Seiji entered what was left of the Crystal City like a hero. He flaunted ahead of their guard, boasting his efforts were responsible for expelling the invaders away."

Hikaru tensed. His muscles tautened up, and Yomi stroked his back with his large, gentle touch, to quieten him.

"Of course it was mere bullshit! Seiji had returned because the pillagers had already left! He justified his absence saying he remained outside the walls fighting the invaders when in fact he had ran to the hills for shelter. Incredible as it might seem, many warriors supported him as he entered the city. The people celebrated his comeback - the caravan which was expected in the ciity arrived with him, bringing provisions. The youko that had fled with him were fresh and well-disposed -  They had not fought to rescue survvivors and search the surroundings the whole night like the guards that remained in their posts. Therefore they started rebuilding the whole city immediately after their arrival."

"And you?"

"I remained in the ruins, holding Hayashi close to me, watching them march in victoriously. I was so drained by sorrow and hopelessness I could not react." Hikaru sniffled his crying, trying to keep in control of his emotions. He frowned, and his voice became low and tense, full of anger. "He turned my people against me. He used vain promises and the provisions and shelter he started to provide to gain their trust and support. It was easy to convince all of them that I and my Barbarian lover were to blame for all that tragedy."

"Definitively, with a brother like this you needed no enemies..."

"He was a serpent."

"What did you do then, Hikaru?"

The youko sighed out.

"I did nothing. What could I do? How could I try to do anything? I was too upset to react... I remember there was a slight opposition in the beginning; some peers and guards tried to stand by me, but soon they were silenced with threats and favors."

"Your brother knew it was the perfect moment to overthrow the first Heir."

"Precisely. He blamed openly me for the death of my parents, for the destruction of the city, for the suffering of our people... I had not yet been oficially disinherited, but Seiji used his wicked, venomous tongue to speak against me and dethrone me." Hikaru clenched his fists against Yomi's chest. The intensity of his wrath could be noticed in his gesture. "I allowed him to speak whatever he wanted. I was insane with sorrow and despair. I had no energy, no will to try to rebate his accusations."

"No one spoke in your favor?"

"Not a soul; They were all intimidated. No one wanted to be accused of treason like I was. I was alone; no warriors, no nobles supported me." The youko took a deep, painful breath in before continuing. "My brother decided I was a traitor. In memory of my parents, and in consideration for all the blood that had already been shed, Seiji declared I would not be executed. However, I was banished from the city permanently. By sunset, guards escorted me to what was left of the city's gates; a herald announced I would be killed if I ever tried to return - Then, I was sent away."

Hikaru sobbed. Yomi squeezed the youko against his chest.

"I promised to myself one day I would return. I would return when I could bring the death-mask of every of those golden-eyed villains. On the day I could regain my honor I would challenge Seiji and duel for the Throne. Then I would be strong enough to weave diamonds; strong like my father had been. Finally, I took Hayashi in my arms, and left the city. I did not look back."

Yomi murmured comforting words in Hikaru's ear. He kissed his grey hair again.

"I buried Hayashi in the desert. I engraved his tombstone with my fingers and watered it with my tears." The youko showed a missing smile. "The inscription shows: To love someone deeply gives you strength; being loved by someone deeply gives you courage. I wrote it down and swore to myself to I would use the courage and the strenght I was given to dedicate the rest of my life to retaliation..."
 

To be Continued...