Is it just me or the story is getting more and more interesting... I think it's just me. Anyway, I really cracked my brain for this chapter and hell. I've wrote the story halfway, I have the ending... The only problem is to connect the ending from where I left off. Ah.... Just enjoy...
The next morning, Kyoko was shocked to find Sayko unconscious on his bed, faced down into the pillows and dried blood was noticeable on his bedsheet, probably from his injured right hand. Kyoko went nearer to Sayko and let out a sign of relief when she noticed that the boy's bare back was rising and slumped back into place indicating he was still breathing. Kyoko reached for his right shoulder, shaking it, trying to wake him up.
"Wake up, Sayko. It's already 8." She said while shaking his shoulders a little harder than before. He mumbled out something as his right hand work it's way to his face, wanting to rub his sleepy eyes but was immediately stopped by Kyoko's strong grip on his hands. Sayko's eyes snapped open. 'What the hell' was mumbled out. However, there was no answer from Kyoko. She held Kenji's hand in her palms almost motherly-like while ordering Kaizu to get the first-aid kit.
"This has to stop soon, Sayko. Akira isn't going to like this." Kyoko said while removing pieces of broken glass from his hand. Kenji just looked on to Kyoko with silence until Kaizu return to his room with the stuff requested from Kyoko a moment ago.
"Yeah, you have to stop entering my room when I'm asleep." Kenji said bluntly, making Kyoko bandaged his hands tighter almost making his blood stop flowing to his hands. Kaizu went back to the kitchen to make breakfast. Not wanting to be part of this sadistic friendship moment.
"Look, asshole, I am worried about you. And you just sit there as if nothing is happening and making stupid jokes!" Kyoko bellowed out, as Kaizu heard her from the kitchen. She was glad that she was not in there to see Kyoko's angry face. That is how she got the nickname 'Mother of Terror'.
Sayko was on the floor with split lips, probably caused by one of Kyoko's famous punches. Sayko un-tighten the bandage so blood can start flowing into his hands again. Nevertheless, he was not ready to face Kyoko's wrath face-to-face. He just stared at the floor beneath him. Kyoko, on the other hand was impatient with her housemate, pushing Sayko's face upwards to look at her. She stared into the Irish green eyes, looking for answers. Then, she released him and heads towards the door.
"You don't have to face it alone, Sayko. And you don't have to keep it bottled inside either. You will always have me and Kaizu by your side." Kyoko said out and depart the room leaving Sayko to himself, thinking what she has just said.
Breakfast that day was unusually quiet. Seriously. There was no screaming, food-snatching or murderous-aura-emitting. Kyoko was having her coffee and reading the papers and Kaizu was quietly eating as her toy did not show up for breakfast.
After breakfast, the two women found Sayko nowhere to be found within the house. Kyoko mumbled out 'thought so' as Kaizu moved to the couch for a nap, like she always did when Sayko is not present within the household. Both of them had a feeling that the boy isn't coming back for a while.
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Kenji looked around for a moment. He quickly recognized the place. It was the forbidden garden of the Britannian Palace. He was 4 at the time. He remembered being brought to the place by a brute and barbaric guy. He can see the palace from where he is standing, however, getting there by himself was impossible for a 4 year old. It wasn't because he was far away from the palace. It was because he was in the middle of a labyrinth.
He sat down on the ground for a moment, trying to remember how he got there. At first, Otto-sama announced that they were all going to Britannia, visiting his maternal grandmother, whom from a 4 year old point of view, hates him. When he reaches the palace grounds, his grandmother quickly shoved him aside to be with his 2 year old baby brother. Later on, when it was almost lunch time, a hand from behind grabbed him by force, covering his mouth with a type of drug to make him sleep. The drugger, whom Kenji could see from his blurred view, was his uncle, his mother's older cousin who hates him as well. When he woke up, he was already here.
The 4 year old Kenji stood up. Well, if he is going to reach the palace by morning, he has to move, NOW. While walking, he could imagine his father worried sick, because his first born was missing and his mother pacing around asking the guards whether have they found him or not. Then he let out a sigh. His parents probably do not know that he was missing. They would probably be talking to his grandmother about how cute Heiji is, or what to do with his future.
As nightfall came, Kenji's feet was hurting. He has been walking for a long time now but the exit was never found. He had the idea of just forcing himself through the thick shrubs, but he would probably get scolded for ruining the labyrinth. Kenji sighed again for the hundredth time before slumping down on the ground. He was hurt, cold, tired, alone, hungry and wet from the brief rain earlier. He lay down on the cold hard ground beneath him and saw the stars shinning brightly above in the skies. He was about to shut his eyes before a flashlight shone on his face. His small body was lifted upwards into a warmth of someone familiar. Kenji put his arms around the warmth. 'Hadeshi.' He thought and slept in his arms.
Kenji woke up to a distinct sound that he recognized as his father's. His father was angry. Kenji got up from the comfortable bed beneath him to see what his father source of anger was. He peaked out the room to see his father, mother with Heiji in her arms, grandmother and Hadeshi in the room. Oh, how Kenji wanted to run into the room into Hadeshi's arms. But, somehow that was not a good idea right now.
"I can't believed that the boy can run into the middle of a labyrinth on his own. It is ridiculous." The grandmother said calmly looking at Hadeshi. It seems like all eyes are on him now and Kenji knew that they were talking about him.
"But there is where I found him last night, your majesty. He was laying on the wet ground near the south entrance of the labyrinth. From the weariness of his shoes, I can say he has been walking for about more than 5 hours." Hadeshi explained. However, his father becomes more enraged with the explanation.
"That kid is so troublesome. Can't he once think that his actions are causing troubles for others?!" His Father yelled out, making the small Heiji yelp in his mother's arms. "Sometimes… just sometimes… how I wish he ceased to exist…" suddenly they heard a thump behind the door. Hadeshi quickly went to the door only to discover a small quivering body with tears all over his face.
Kenji's Irish Green eyes connected to Hadeshi dark ones. The small face devoid any emotion attached to it but tears was streaming down his cheeks. Hadeshi made an attempt to hold the shivering boy but small hands quickly shoved them away. Hadeshi knew, Kenji was hurt. Deep. When Kenji's father arrived to the scene, Kenji turned to him. Little mouth was moving but nothing can be heard. Hadeshi was making out of whatever his coming out from the chibi's mouth until he heard it. It was heartbreaking to hear it from a 4 year old.
"Am I unwanted?" That was all the small boy said, again and again. Sensing no answer from his father, he turned to his mother, also was taken aback by the words, and finally to Hadeshi. How Hadeshi wanted to hold the small boy in his arms, comforting him. A voice suddenly broke the longed silence.
"Hadeshi, you shall take Kenji home to Japan and keep him in his room. I shall be returning as soon as I have finish my business here." The Japanese Emperor commanded him. Hadeshi just nodded as he saw the Royals leave the room leaving him and the boy alone. Kenji was gazing in space when he finally collapsed into Hadeshi's arm. Hadeshi pushed the midnight bangs away from the unconscious face and lay a kiss on the prince's crown, before taking him away.
Once reaching Japan, the young prince was locked away in his room. Foods were sent up to him but nothing will go pass that mouth. The boy's temperature was quickly rising and still refused to eat anything. Hadeshi was very worried now. The prince was not eating, feverish and sleeping throughout the day. Kenji is only awake when Hadeshi wakes him up for meals only to fall beck to sleep. Hadeshi knew that Kenji was taking this the hard way. Few weeks later, the Emperor returned from his trip from Britannia and when informed of his son's latest condition, he acted like he didn't care. That was until the Empress said if he did not do anything, she'll kill herself. That night, Hadeshi saw the Emperor enter Kenji's room, followed by the sound of a small boy screaming and gagging. That was also the night Hadeshi left the palace.
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Kenji woke up from his horrible nightmare. He remembered everything that night. He also remembered how he painfully realized that Hadeshi was no longer by his side. Then, he recalled what Kyoko said to him. Yes, this has to stop soon. Kenji ignited his car and started driving towards the castle grounds.
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Akai cursed himself mentally. He had hurt the boy again. Akai remembered the day the boy was presented to him. An emotionless mask was put on but he can see the hatred the small boy was emitting. This boy is the future of Japan. He was the crown prince. Akai was curious what had made the innocent boy full of odium. The boy was too young to be trained by him. All those who trained under him was always be the best outcome, that is with a lot of emotional scars. This young boy in front of him deserve nothing of that. He deserved to be pampered by his father and mother.
Akai took the opportunity to ask the father of the boy, the Emperor himself of his action, sending the poor boy into his clutches. The discussion was a meaningful and emotional one.
"Your Majesty, I do not want to question your actions but what the hell are you thinking sending a small boy to me? I don't do baby-sitting." Akai started out while the Emperor was sitting behind his desk, eyes not taken off the book like the book contains all the answers to Akai's question. Maybe it has… who knows.
"You baby-sit is the last thing I wanted you to do with Kenji. I believed he was sent to you to be trained, and to be trained by you is what he shall be." The Emperor replied softly. He was really testing Akai's patience. Akai tried so hard to shrug it off. He still need to know something.
"Well, humor me this, Your majesty. Why is that, a 5 year old contains so much abhorrence? So much pain and so much suffering when he was to be loved and pampered?!" Akai asked the Emperor. He was taken aback when the Emperor shut his book violently and snapped at him. Akai was even more surprised when the sudden vicious aura disappeared altogether and was replaced by a soft gaze in the eyes of the Emperor.
"That is because…" The Emperor stood up, "He has more pain and suffering that other normal 5 year-olds or any other man." The Emperor moved to a window behind his chair and gazed outside. "As you may know, Kenji has lost his mother since he was 5 months old." Akai nodded. "And in exchange for his foregone mother, I had married the Britannian princess, who willingly takes place as his mother." Akai looked on to the Emperor. "And in order to marry that wonderful woman, I had to agree to her mother's request, that once the child between me and her daughter is born, Kenji was never to be first in my priority again." Akai's eyes widen at the this statement. It was a cruel thing to do, but he knew, it was also to protect her daughter.
"But I had to let Kenji know that I still care, that I still love him, although it involves sadistic measures. Everytime we set foot within the Britannian palace, I had to endure to see the son from my beloved person being tormented to the heart's content. He was treated worse than a mouse. I see him being bullied by his uncles and aunties but I had to acted like I don't care when all I want to do is kill those who harm him. Everyday I see a new bruise or cut on him. I hired Hadeshi, to mend all those and make him feel better. But I guess it was not enough. Bruises are coming more then those that healed. Once, they even sent my son to sleep in a contaminated room. The poor boy was sick for months and I could not do anything to help him. I relied hundred percent on Hadeshi to take my place.
But things got too far when I accidentally said that I did not want him. He overheard and he broke down. You should hear him. It really breaks my heart making him feel unwanted. I wanted to hug him tightly. Comforting him. But unfortunately, my mother-in-law was also present at the current time. I couldn't do anything to help him but to watch and again, acted like I don't give a hell. I told Hadeshi to take him home before he was hurt anymore. Everyday Hadeshi reported to me how worse his condition has become. I told Hadeshi to do everything to save the boy's life. Hire the best doctors. Give him the best medicine. Soon, he stopped eating and has lost all his will to live.
I was getting worried. I married the princess so that my son would be loved and alive. Not the opposite. I had to return to Japan. Only to have my mother-in-law following me, seeing how I am going to solve this. I cried that night, feeling the regrets of my action. As I entered the room, I can see Hadeshi's face turned paled looking at my mother-in-law behind me. He knew I had no choice. Akai, did you know what I did that night?" Akai shook his head, then stared at the Emperor who is now having tears falling off his eyes. He was crying. He was full of regret and remorse.
"I took him by the hair. He screamed out but I saw the smirk on her face. I took the food and shoved them down his throat. He was gagging, vomiting out the food that never even touched his stomach. I pulled him by his hair again. I pushed his face into the water, forcing him to drink it. I think he accidentally inhaled some of it. He was struggling to break free. I slapped him in the face, making him fall to the ground. All pale and quivering. Then she… she pulled him up by the neck to shove more food into him." Akai could see that the Emperor was shivering now, reminiscing the horror that he has done. Tears are flowing even more.
"That night I really felt like killing him, Akai. For the first time in my life, I felt like killing my son. I don't want him to face anymore pain in his life. Part of me almost did it. But part of me couldn't do it. He was my son. The only son I had with the woman that took my heart at first sight. The woman who sacrificed her life for the life of my son, so he could be loved. Not tortured. He was the only living evidence left of the woman I loved so much. How can I kill him, Akai? When my mother-in-law left the room, leaving the almost lifeless body in my hands. He was pale and cold. I held him tight to share my warmth with him. I stroke his midnight hair, only to be shoved away. He had rejected me, wholeheartedly. In conscious and in oblivion. My tears fell on his face, holding his hands tightly in my arms. My heart stopped when I felt his stopped for a minute. I never been more scared in my life. Luckily, Hadeshi quickly took him to the emergency room. That night was also the night that he resigned. Not wanting to be a part of this sick play anymore." The Emperor finished his stories, shaking in fear, holding himself for comfort.
Akai could feel the hot tears falling to his cheeks. The boy has devoured more than most men on his squad. He was made to feel like no one cares. Although Akai was cruel and some might say sadistic, he never felt not wanted. He knew that even if all his men are cursing him, he still had the love of his wife at home. Although an accident caused them to never have a child, but Akai and his wife are still happy. Akai held out a hand to help the Emperor and pulled him into a hug. He knew the Emperor was lost. Not knowing what more to do. He loved his son so much but was forced to ignore just to give the boy a mother.
"Akai, I want you to get into Kenji. Let me know how he is feeling. Let him open up to you as he did to Hadeshi. Help me to help me help him." The Emperor stuttered out after a long hug with the head assassin of the palace. Akai nodded agreeing.
Akai wiped a tear. This wasn't the time to get all teary-eyed. He need Kenji to open up to him. His mission was to make Kenji feel needed. Making that boy feel what he has long forgotten. He need the boy to feel wanted and loved. Yesterday he was angry at his failure to let Kenji open up to him. He was never a patient man. He kept forcing himself into the boy.
For Akai whom had been childless from his 16 years of marriage, Kenji seemed like a son to him. A son that he will never have in his lifetime. That is why Akai is determined to help Kenji. He wanted Kenji to feel loved and if possible, to love back. Akai picked up his stuff and head towards the door, after kissing his wife's forehead. He needed to see Kenji.
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Akira woke up that morning, feeling a little better. Last night she received a message on her phone that helps her feel a lot better. Kaizu was right. Onni-sama is strong and he won't be bothered by one or two injuries. Akira took her phone from her bedside table reading the message she received last night.
S is home. Safe, sound, no injuries. He is in his room sleeping. Told ya. – K&K
Akira just smiled on even when Kaname, her personal maid, entered the room to get her ready for the day.
"Is something making you happy today, Ohime-sama? You seem very cheerful this morning." Kaname said to the little princess who is now bouncing up and down the bed. Happy was an understatement. She was beyond happy. She was delighted. For the first time, Kenji was able to return home from the palace, uninjured. Kaname had whispered something in Akira's ear that made her blue eyes grew wide, and at the verge of tears. 'Impossible' she thought to herself and ran out of the room. Kaname, on the other hand just smiled on and continue cleaning the room.
'His Royal Highness is back, Ohime-sama. He was seen this morning entering his room.'
Those words were played again and again in Akira's mind as she run towards the crown prince's room. But yesterday, Kaizu told her that her brother was at the KsK residence. Akira doesn't want to think anymore. All she wants to do is to see her brother. Hug him, kiss him, and touch him, although she knew all of those will just make Kenji annoyed. But she didn't care.
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Kenji has reached his home. His real home where his family was inside. But in his heart, he always doubt that was his home because a wise man once said that 'home is where the heart is'. In this monstrosity, it lay not a single piece of his heart. All it contains were tragedies and undesirable memories. Kenji shove all the uneasiness aside before entering the grounds. Usually he would just sneak in unnoticed but today, he had entered through the front door.
Once entered, his return had surprised many maids, butlers, guards and other palace workers as he made his way through the hall. The veteran staff would come up to him and whisper the same thing before making their way back to their assign chores. Kenji smirked. If this is what returning home is like, he should return more often.
But all that is in his mind right now was his sleep was disturb earlier and he needed to cover up for that. He walked towards a room, his room more specifically. He opened the door. Everything was left untouched since his last return by force. And that is the way he likes it. Kenji closes the door behind him, took off his shirt and jeans, and lay down on his bed and before he knew it, his eyes were closed and he was already slipping into unconsciousness.
Once he was asleep, the door was pushed open, revealing a teenage boy. Looks were almost the same as Kenji but with a significant difference in hair and eye color. The boy walked towards the bed where Kenji is now fast asleep on it, took a chair and sat by the bedside. Long, tanned fingers reached the midnight bangs and gently pushed them away from the eyes. The boy grew nearer to Kenji's ears and whispered something, the same thing all those has been whispering to him since he step foot in the palace, before smiling.
'Okairinasai, Onni-sama.'
Irish green eyes shot open and lay it's sight upon the boy sitting next to him. Pale fingers reached up to the tanned ones. Kenji smirked at the sight of the boy in front of him. This boy was the cause of all his pains without the boy knowing it himself. He mumbled out a thanks before Kenji's bedroom door swung open like it was going to fall off it's hinges. Akira was standing in front of it, panting as if she had ran a hundred miles. The two boys stared with eyes wide open. The older of the two boys was about to say something when the girl leaped onto him like a predator hunting it's prey.
"What the…" Kenji was about to curse when he felt his chest covered with tears. He hold up the girl as the small princess went and hug him. He awkwardly lift his hand to pat Akira's back which causes her to bawl much more. Kenji pushed Akira up, making her straddle Kenji's hip. Heiji just witnessed the episode happening before him and let out a smile. He knew how long Akira had waited for her eldest brother to come home on his own free will. Heiji's eyes were connected to the Irish green before both eyes were focused on the blue-eyed princess.
"Onni-sama… You're hurt." Akira said out reaching for Kenji's split lips before taking his right hand into her own. "I don't understand. Kaizu ne-chan said you were fine. No injuries when you returned home last night." Akira continued on, kissing the bandaged hand, hoping by doing that, the pain would go away. Kenji pulled his hand away from Akira and slowly pushed her off him to Heiji, got up and headed towards the bathroom, closing the door without saying a word. Akira looked up to Heiji, hoping that he can provide her the explanation.
"Your time is up my little duckies. It's my turn to chat with my little minion." The two siblings looked at the source of the sudden interruption.
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SASUNARU
Idol pairing
AKAME
1827@HibaTsuna
