![]() Chapter 1: Reflections
Darkness all over the sky of Tokyo had slowly begun to turn silvery shadows of gray, though stars lingered and menaced to keep trying to outstand from the artificial radiance of the city lights beneath them. The eternal confrontation between darkness and light... The constant, everlasting endeavor of shadow, trying to eclipse the gift of life, the wish for peace, the memory of what happiness was, when it still was real... Seimei-san... Closing her eyelids hardly, allowing herself to cradle hope softly within the torn depths of her heart if only for a moment, Lady Sumeragi turned her gaze to the slender figure of her companion, and a motherlike smile enlighten her wrinkled but proudly beautiful face. The delicate, emotional cry of chords filled dawn with the magical voice a violin, played with mastery by the long, alabaster white fingers of the woman who stood gracefully fearless on the stone railing of the terrace balcony. Night breeze caressed softly the ethereal waves of her celadon hair. "Yes, my darling... " the old woman let her smile grow deeper, as her delicate hands held together as in an unconscious prayer. "I think you will be able to guide his heart back to the light again... "
He savored the familiar taste of the sugarless dark liquid as its hotness softly poured and mixed inside his mouth, wondering if he really shouldn't grab his briefcase and go upstairs to his apartment for a break, leaving all of the still-to-check results to his staff and enjoy a proper lunch on his own instead of just sitting in his sunlight filled office and glancing absently at samples he didn't even feel up to analyze. His duty was over anyway. It had been over for, what, two hours ago now? A quick glance at his watch brought an indifferent grin to his handsome face. Seishirou let out a muffled sigh and turned out the lamp switch with a swift movement of his slender index, finishing the content of his cup on just one swallow to then lay it aside, the opal eyes letting their stare lose in the immaculate white ceiling. Perhaps it was just easier to stay there and pretend to himself he was still working than admitting he had nothing else to do. Boredom was not exactly one of those sensations his constantly questing self enjoyed discovering. It had been a very long morning, and his last night's experience hadn't been quite enjoyable, to say so. Frowning slightly as his strong arms reflexively folded, Seishirou meditated about the fascinating, though annoying sensation that was filling his self right now. Was it anger? That could be perfectly explained, since everyone who was stood up for dinner with a whole three-way-meal ready should feel so. But him... Was it worrisome? The warm mahogany eyes turned to look at the silver photo frame that stood to his left on the small counter, and his hand unconsciously reached out to hold it closer. He glanced longly at the picture in it, unable to notice a secret smile that gradually came to curve his thin lips. It was bad illuminated, and a little blurred to one side, but what else could be expected from a lazy-headed amateur like Hokuto-chan? He remembered her shouting at them to embrace tighter, and look into each other's eyes as if they were about to kiss, so that the picture could be a little more artistic. He remembered Subaru-kun's face turning three different shades of scarlet, yelling back at his twin with an awkward tone just to get over with it. And he could still hear himself bursting into laugher -authentic laugher, surprisingly not the one he was usually forced to mimic in everydays' life- and advising him not to frustrate Hokuto's efforts on what might become a career. He chuckled absently, a lingering echo of what he had been through at the time that moment was captured, as he glanced through the thin glass surface of the frame into what was the result of that discussion. The closer Hokuto-chan had get to the realization of her vision was Seishirou's arm wrapped gently around Subaru's narrow shoulders, the hand of this last one placed shyly on Seishirou's hips. His own smile looked radiant, even though Subaru's revealed a bit of tension, his ivory cheeks colored by a faint pink blush as a result of that contact. Being Sakurazukamori, one learns to treasure instants. One learns to grab hold of the second lasting moments one believes he had finally touched emotion... Subaru-kun... Seishirou suddenly found himself stroking absently the skinny image of the sixteen-year-old Omnyouji with the tips of his fingers, slanted brown eyes narrowing in deep, introspective meditation. This feeling... A few months ago, that gesture alone would have been enough to get him startled, to make him fall into a desperate seek for answers to that sudden whirlwind of emotions that for about a time ago now filled his heart every time he thought about Subaru-kun. He would have struggled with himself in order to shove them out of his conscious mind, fearing an aggression to the very essence of his being. To the essence of the Sakurazukamori. But many things had happened between his young malefriend and him on the last days, things that had brought them closer still, events that, no point on denying it, had made him change immensely on his attitude towards feelings. Those warm emotions were now nothing new to him, and the most extraordinary fact of all was he hadn't even felt forced to drive them away anymore. He didn't want to. Blame it on his eternal curiosity about things totally alien to him, in his constant quest for new sensations and experiences that perhaps could be able to get him out of the constant dullness he found he existence was. Blame it on the unexpectedness of it all. But he now knew he felt for Subaru-kun, whatever this emotion he could still not name was, and it fascinated him to discover he was capable of doing so. Oh, Subaru-kun, what is it that makes me think this is all your fault? You dragged me into it, didn't you? That had been after all the purpose since the very moment he decided not to kill him but start this little game in which he was immersed, and in the very act of acknowledging them, those feelings had become a part of him. Denying them would had been as stupid as denying his own nature. And Subaru's... So he had just decided to let it be. Whatever was dawning inside his heart it won't change the reality of what he was, not as long as he was aware of its existence and could therefore control it. That was a certainty that kept him standing on solid ground. And besides, there was nothing of disgusting in the sensations he now experienced while being close to Subaru-kun. A new kind of smile came to his lips, and there was that sensation again. That sweet and inner-caressing warmth that arose inside him each time his gaze met the emerald eyes, that somehow aware him he wouldn't be needing to fake the gentleness he granted him anymore. And how Subaru noticed, and averted his dreamy, half lidded stare to his eternally gloved hands, surely by that moment captured lovingly by Seishirou's, smiling shyly, blushing beautifully, somehow complying to his feelings as if they were also his... Could it be...? On moments like that he couldn't help but wondering if his relationship with Subaru really did have a future after all. Was he letting this grow to be more than just a usual joke between him and his prey's crazy sister? Was it longing that he felt now, just by considering the possibility? Was he deliberately pushing himself to losing the bet? Oh, he was totally aware of the thousand obstacles, their very selves, their nature and identities, being the greatest: he was shadow while Subaru was light, he was the Sakurazukamori, Subaru the Thirteenth Head of the Sumeragi Clan. Both their families had been against one another since almost the beginning of history. And still, while being together, so close to each other as even more than best friends, this sensation filled his heart with the yearning of putting an end to the stupid bet he himself had started, of finally crossing the ancestral distance always stated between darkness and light, between hunter and prey, between dusk and dawn. He knew both had the power, but... would Sakurazukamori be ready to accept his defeat? To learn what it was to be in love? Subaru-kun, do I love you? The abstracted look on the deep brown eyes became fierce with passion. His grip over the delicate silver frame grew tighter, threatening to break the frail crystal surface that covered the treasured picture. A deep sigh escaped from his muscular chest. He still had to find out so many answers, so many names for this new emotions that now haunted his virgin heart, and the lone consciousness of the feeling that now brushed disturbingly through its no more void depths was annoying enough. Yes, worrisome, that was it. Subaru hadn't even bothered to give him a phone call in order to cancel their dinner plans, and when, after waiting in vain for three hours he had finally decided to put aside his hurt pride to do it himself, Subaru's voice on the answering machine's greeting message had been the only approximation of contact he had achieved. All the morning he had been waiting for his office's phone to ring, and even told his secretary to take down all calls while he was busy on the operating room, but his private line had remained unused for the whole morning. The frown returned to Seishirou's brow, this time growing deeper with now totally defined concern, musing at Subaru's capacity to make him experience emotions he'd never thought he would and the certain drawbacks about the desire to let himself become even more deeply involved. This disturbing sensation was one of them. Accommodating his glasses in an absent though elegant gesture, Seishirou gave a last, longing glance to the picture and then lay it aside. Subaru wasn't the kind of boy who would stand up a friend without even phoning... A friend... He did tend to have little accidents, keeping in mind how they had "met". What if something happened to him? The expression on the handsome, masculine face went blank for a moment, his mind dealing with the possibility he had just brought up. Then a wave of emotion crashed over him like a thunder strike, and the next moment he was on his feet, his right hand half reaching for the phone. He was ready to start dialing the number of the Sumeragi siblings while a polite knock on the door interrupted his rapture. Seishirou's hazel stare shifted from the phone to the closed door, shimmering in almost anger, and shrugging, he put the communicator down. Impulsiveness... He might also have to learn to calm down this new emotions, he wondered, acting by impulsiveness like he had just done could be something deathly dangerous for one in his situation. Though being with Subaru-kun seemed to justify any risks... "Come in, " he allowed, holding back a sigh, as his hand reaccommodated his glasses then again over the perfect arch of his nose in a mechanical, almost unnoticed gesture. To find himself thinking like that... How could the melancholic eyed little Sumeragi had ever got to affect him that way? The door opened to reveal the dazzling smile of his young secretary, brown-blonde strands of shoulder length hair glittering as pure gold as half entering the sunny office, the envy of the whole clinic's female staff for being able to work so close to the handsome director. "Excuse me, Dr. Sakurazuka, " she apologized with a slight bow, the gentle smile still on her coral red lips, "but someone has just arrived with an emergency patient and is asking for your attention. " Seishirou's ebony eyebrows lifted slightly in a discrete gesture of surprise. It wasn't really the hour for emergencies to arrive. Someone's dog had surely been hit by a maniac driver's car on his way home for lunch, he supposed. But he was definitely not in the mood for easing an old housewife's nerves and dealing with her pitiful pet. All he could think about was a pair of huge, shimmering wet green eyes, looking furtively at him through midnight fans of thick eyelashes, whose lovely shy gaze had been denied to him since last night. "My duty is already over, Miss Hitachi. So please deliver the case on any of my colleagues." He indicated, while leaning back slightly against the desk, arms enfolding in uninterested attitude. For this thoughts he was suddenly a stranger to his own self. Why, his office really looked bigger without the Sumeragi twins roaming around. "I know, Dr. Sakurazuka. So I told the consultant, " Libari Hitachi's honey stare lowered slightly to her feet in an apologethical attitude, blushing a bit while being charged again with all the intensity of Seishirou's questioning eyes, "But he insists on his case being attended by the best veterinarian on the clinic, and he won't accept anyone but you to take care of his pet in person." "Really? " the interrogating tone on Seishirou's deep voice was almost inexistent, though surprise was quietly beginning to intensify within his distracted mind about such a peculiar situation. So his prestige preceded him... He casted a last, brief glance to his wrist watch and conceded with another sigh, a disgusting attitude he wouldn't be letting become a habit. Gods, he was Sakurazukamori, and he was behaving like a dreamy teen in love! "All right, you can let him in then, " he authorized with a slight nod. Love. What could he lose, after all?, he told himself while watching how his cheerful secretary bowed thankfully with a pleased smile and then disappeared hurriedly on the doorway. Perhaps it would be a perfect way of keeping his mind busy. Love... It just couldn't be good, worrying like that and thinking so much about... The entrance's light broke behind a slender, almost skinny figure that stepped gracefully into the clean office, and Seishirou's distracted eyes couldn't help but going wide with surprise. "Subaru-kun...? " He thought he muttered the words, but maybe they never got to break through his parted lips, the faint accent of a question lingering doubtfully in the last syllable as his stare fixed inevitably on the frail figure of the boy that now stood right in front of him. In body, he was Subaru. The same almost pitiful thinness that no matter gave his figure an alluring air of childish delicacy, the long, slender, seemingly endless legs built upon the most exquisite curbs, the skinny arms enfolded in his lap that seemed could be broken by a single crack of fingers. And the face... Oh, Gods, the face. The same alabaster skin shinning silvery under the soft caress of the sunlight, the features, precious and purely naive, like a child's, filled with so much gentleness and unconditional sweetness, expressive to the point of seeming a transparent reflection of his heart. The enormous, sparkling emerald eyes whose pupils trembled like being about to break into tears, their passionate stare seeking Seishirou's for almost desperate consolation, glimmering at him with great sadness. And yet... not Subaru at all. Seishirou's eyes blinked momentaneous surprise away, and now concentrated in the detailed, opened, almost fascinated contemplation of this mysterious young sprite he had with him. In face and body, he and Subaru could have been twins, though a slight turn on the perfection of his face's features, together with an almost indefinable detail in the way his slenderness was built and a soft, ethereal shock of bright, leaf green hair that fell over the narrow shoulders like waved strands of springtime grass blurred the striking resemblance a little. But there was also something about those eyes, Seishirou mused, narrowing lids throwing thoughtful shadows over his own mahogany stare, something that made them different to Subaru's totally opened green lagoons. Perhaps a secret... "Well young man, what is it that I can do for you? " he questioned politely, only after finishing with his scrutiny his childish visitor didn't seem to notice, enveloped as he was in his own, mournful worries, and half of a dark smile curved imperceptibly the soft lines of his lips. Now he perfectly understood why young Miss Hitachi had been so willing to intercede in this lovely bishounen's behalf: he was so incredibly beautiful his own eyes felt drawn to melt again in the contemplation of his preciously sad face. Or maybe she just thought he couldn't say no, given her knowledge of the relationship he shared with Subaru and therefore the evident attraction he showed towards young, delicate boys. And this particular one really seemed tempting... That last thought brought in a new kind of sensation that somehow he was amused to recognize as deep rebound towards what could be considered as betrayal to the absent Subaru. He silently laughed his own thoughts away, glad to see his real self was back. And besides, to think he could ever betray his Subaru-kun, the only human being capable of arising warm emotions in his stone-cold heart... It was ridiculous. Seishirou's inner laugh cut up abruptly, realizing he wasn't really back after all. "Oh, I beg you Dr. Sakurazuka-sama. Could you please do something to help my Kizuna...? " the young boy spoke then, his voice was rich and chiming like a high-toned contralto, another point of difference between him and Subaru's soft, shy voice, and as he stepped forward Seishirou was amazed to witness how the almost imperceptible hue of azure hidden among the bright viridian pools deepened with infinite sorrow until his hypnotic eyes became totally blue. His enfolded arms reached forward to Seishirou, developing the downy form of a cat: a snowy white persian with one eye as deep green as seconds before his owner's ones had been, the other scarlet brown as dry blood. So that was why he had kept his arms cradled upon his lap all the time, Seishirou thought, half surprised about the way he hadn't even noticed the presence of the kitten, his usually sharp observing abilities totally concentrated on appreciating the young stranger's naive beauty. He quickly chased away the thought, realizing that he had lost all the continuity of the sad bishounen's words. "... and she had been having terrible difficulties to breath. I'm so scared she has got her lungs damaged, or perhaps bronchitis, but I can't explain myself why: I have always taken care of her so bad..." the youth's musical voice grew more and more passionate as he explained his own impressions about the beloved pet's suffering, the unstopping current of phrases became flowing in awkward, anguish filled sobs as he pressed the cat's little white body against the frail frame of his chest in a desperate gesture that began to arise Seishirou's almost amused surprise, though the expression on his masculine face remained perfectly stoic apart from the so much practiced, professional expression of polite worrisome. The love this cute little boy held for the animal was truly remarkable. In his everydays' work he had to deal with persons who somehow tended to develop a very deep affection towards their pets, but nothing compared to this Subaru-kun-look-alike's sorrowful attitude concerning the cat's well being. And that passion in his broken voice, the way words seemed to roll over his soft lips in an uncontrolled manifestation of emotion... That really made Seishirou put him a mile apart from Subaru's shy, almost whispered phrases and respectful comments. His speech fluidity put him much closer to Hokuto-chan's shrilling cascades of words. Finally he would end up associating this young stranger to all the Sumeragi Clan... He managed to suppress a smile half forming in the harmonious shapes of his mouth, that would definitely not suit the tense atmosphere that now filled the sunny office. Perhaps that was his answer... So much like Subaru... And yet so very different... He promised to be a very interesting offer of amusement. "Please, Dr. Sakurazuka-sama! Please do something to help my Kizuna!" it sounded more like a mournful command that a plea, "I have been told you are the best professional on treating animal health problems in Shinjuku!" Seishirou made a quick, unnoticed grin that he skillfully managed to disguise with a quick gesture of his hand, pushing a few strands of ebony away from his glasses view. Why didn't he simply say ‘veterinarian’? "... I happen to be so far away from where I live now, and I'm really desperate about Kizuna's problem. She means everything to me. I beg you... help her, please help her..." The high tone broke, and light waves of the emerald mane fell forward to hide the teenager's tears as his graceful head arched forward in unchained sobbing, not showing the slightest haste about doing it in front of a complete stranger as Seishirou was to him. Another one who seems totally naive... Eyelids throwing interested shades across the dark honey of his slanted eyes, Seishirou found himself patting gently at the young boy's shuddering shoulders in seemingly comprehensive consolation, as he received the insignificant weigh of the sleepy persian from the other's enfolded arms, "Easy now, easy. I'm sure it is nothing more than a passing cold. You know, it is very common in this part of the year." He commented, cheerfully casual, delighted by the way the moistened pale face tilted back to look at him from the kind cradle of his strong arm wrapped comfortingly around the thin shoulders. Recognizing there an expression he well knew, he gifted him with the same caring smile he always gave Subaru, less surprised now when he received exactly the same answer: faint pink blush and a thankful, childish giggle. There were too many coincidences... By that point, he had began to convince himself it just had to be a connection. "Well, let's see what we can do for this sick little girl..." still smiling warmly at the green-eyed boy, he took the downy form of the pussy with him to the examining deck. On his way to it, his back to his guest, Seishirou concentrated his attention on the snowy white cat that was the center of so much love and devotion, deciding immediately that it really wasn't worth the pain put on its sake. It wasn't really a very pretty animal, too fleecy and with much more long fur to be desired. More still: the shocking, antagonizing impression that its mismatching eye color gave to the observer only helped making it an ugly and pitiful scene. He just couldn't understand the attachment the slender boy revealed towards such an ordinary and graceless toy. But besides, there were still too many things totally alien for him when it came to feelings, he mused as settling the animal four feet over the smooth surface of the table. He wasn't even capable of naming those that linked him so strongly to his lover/prey himself yet... The swift image of another skinny, innocent-faced teen, the one he knew by heart, brushed over his memory as in a ghosty caress, the huge green pools of his eyes shinning enthusiastically and caring beneath it's ever shy look. Dinner? Great! I'd love to, Seishirou-san! But please be patient with me if I am a little late... He decided to put the bitter sensation he found his heart filled with by recalling last night's events away and concentrate on doing his job now, both his slender hands gently prying the kitten's jaws open in order to scrutinize the inner throat. It gave a few, dry coughs of protest when he slid a wooden spatula over its tongue to amplify his angle of view, illuminating his way down the gorge with a standing lantern he pushed closer to the patient. Irritated, still no traces of injury. On that moment Seishirou's gaze met fully with the cat's empty one. Dark amber eyes narrowed thoughtfully as his meditating stare merged within the animal's expressionless, glass-like green pupil, totally void of soul as all animal's eyes were. Then turned to the crimson one, that that had called his attention firstly. Seishirou felt a sudden revolution starting to forge from within him, a sensation that somehow filled his self with incomprehensible rebound while staring into the red-brown globe that appeared to be enlighten by an independent flame, bearing a life of it's own, so much different from the other's void, dim reflection of the room's radiance. Fire. It was the first impression that came to Seishirou's abstracted mind. "So, do you think it's serious, Dr. Sakurazuka-sama? " the beautiful youth's voiced concern came to break his deep exploration of the cat's strange eye, and Seishirou couldn't help but blinking in what he amazedly recognized as a kind of unexplainable relief when taking away his mahogany stare from the fiery depths of the animal's iris. It was even as if something was protecting itself against his curious scrutiny. Feeling more intrigued at every moment, Seishirou casted a last, brief glance to the cat's indifferent expression to then turn once more to its worried owner, his handsome face once more reassuringly smiling. "We will see what the X-rays monitor tells us before risking any conclusion, but don't worry, " he advised gently as he scooped the cat completely in his strong arms and took it to the viewing machinery, his kind features' sure expression bringing an intense, passionate glare of hope to the viridian eyes of the young boy, "Whatever your dear Kizuna has it's nothing that I can't handle..." He received the thankful look his consultant granted him, and after acknowledging it with a polite nod he returned to his examinations on this peculiar pet. Even as he performed the automatic procedures of the check out, Seishirou's mind returned again to the contemplation of that reddish eye, repairing in the way it didn't seemed to belong to the animal's natural complexion, apparently being placed into the empty socket by some unknown force and for some unknown reason. And then again, that disturbing impression of blocking, of rebound came to him when trying to focus his attention on the animal's pupil. It actually felt as... burning. As if an invisible barrier of fire was held upon the entrance to some hidden world lying behind the cat's flaming red eye, holding him inevitably back from trespassing. He even felt tempted to try some little discrete spell in order to break through that enigmatic, alien force and discovered its very well kept inner reaches, intrigued as he was by the animal's unusual nature, but finally the checking process was over and he had no more time to dedicate to his ramblings. Perhaps he'd get the chance to try later, if the cat was left under his care. Instead he delicately cradled the white pussy in his arms again, his long fingers deliberately caressing its downy long fur with skillful, precise touches, causing the animal to purr softly against his broad chest, eyes closed in ecstasy, as it relaxed itself in Seishirou's warm, sheltering hold. The boy dedicated him a sweet and innocent smile as witnessing the scene, veiled by the lasting impression of his deep sorrow, glittering unmistakably in his deep, now less azure pupils, "She likes you... " Seishirou didn't need to fake his next smile, for it came spontaneously towards the charming naiveté of his precious little guest. He only needed to hide the darker part of the expression. Subaru was there somewhere within the shifting, wet depths of those huge eyes. "Her difficulties to breath have nothing to do with inner infection or lung damage, " he spoke his diagnostic in the usual, calming tone he gave to all his consultants, "It is due to a little restriction on her breathing passages, but nothing that a quick, minor surgery can't fix, so you can stop worrying," the bishounen's face was suddenly full of the most priceless combination of relief and half-aroused fear, this last one due to the very startling idea of surgery, but Seishirou quickly soothe up the feeling with reassuring words, "I can assure it doesn't hold any risks to her. We will take care of her security all through the process, as we do with any of our patients..." "Will you take the matter in your own hands, Dr. Sakurazuka-sama?" the rich, high tone of the worried youth's voice cut politely through Seishirou's calming lecturing, a small ivory hand clenching impulsively into a delicate fist in front of the thin frame, letting Seishirou know by the expression on his cute face that it would be the only way he would accept it. "You are for sure the best veterinarian surgeon on the clinic, and this emergency demands all of your talents!" A light smile came to curb the thin corners of Seishirou's attractive lips. "All right. Since it means that much for you then I'll see what I can do about it tomorrow, fine?" The giant leaf green pools dilated with contentment and relief, a glorious smile that beat sunshine in its luminescence and joy came to beautify the delicate face, as the young stranger gave out a sigh with open satisfaction, "It seems I'll never stop thanking you, Dr. Sakurazuka-sama. I really appreciate your kind considerations... " "You will need to fill in a solicitude to apply for a cage so we can room your dear Kizuna for the night, " Seishirou started, his index finger pointing to the closed door that lead to the corridor, "Take the elevator back to reception and..." "Room her?" The emerald eyes grew wide with startlement and the slight beginnings of fear, surprise driving the still acute tone of the youth's voice even an octave higher and making it break through Seishirou's ears with a slight flinch, causing the dark eyebrows to rise a bit in annoyed gesture. Definitely close to Hokuto-chan when it came to lung power... "You-you mean I'll have to leave Kizuna here?" the way in which he emphasized the phrase as if talking about an unforgivable sin brought Seishirou's intrigue on guard again "Oh, no. Please no," the green-haired bishounen averted his hypnotic gaze with concern as he run his pale fingers nervously across the ethereal mane, seemingly groping for words to explain his very mysterious attitude. Finally, he lifted his eyes back to Seishirou, "Dr. Sakurazuka-sama, I know this may sound stupid and childish. But see, I... I can't sleep without having Kizuna by my side..." He spoke the last words hurriedly and awkwardly. That, together with the intense hue of scarlet that came to color his cheeks and how his shimmering stare seemed to avoid looking straight at him convinced Seishirou that this partly wasn't true, or at least had details missing. "Well, yes. I couldn't be calm without having my... pet around. The fact is that she is my only true friend... It seems I'll be abusing of your kindness again but, would it be fine if I keep her with me and then bring her along?" Seishirou's face was now totally unexpressive, as he took his time to decide which decision should he take. This situation, along with the lone peculiarities of the pet, seemed already weird enough... Why fearing so much to leave a sick cat alone at a veterinarian hospital, more still, the one that he had said he was told to be the best? Nothing there appeared to make sense. Besides, that would steal away his chance to make deeper investigation on the animal's strange nature... Seishirou suddenly found himself at the verge of laugher. Oh Gods, he really might be completely desperate, finding himself yearning for a funky ugly cat to entertain himself. So, then... "Fine, fine. But you must be here before eight, or you'll miss the chance. We have quite a busy day on the operating room tomorrow," he ended up warning his consultant with an almost fatherlike lecturing tone, strong arms reaching out to hand the patient in question back to its worried owner as it gave out some protesting purrs when being taken away of Seishirou's arms, to which comfortable warmth it had just grown accustomed. Deep green eyes lifted wide open to his, as if trying to check out on the seriousness of his words. Then a smile bloomed there, and with a deep sigh all of the anguished, previous worrisome seemed to abandon the boy's pretty pale face. With it came a trace of almost subtle release that didn't go unnoticed to his companion's sharp eye. "Domo arigato, Dr. Sakurazuka! Domo arigato gozaimasu!" he vowed several times, causing the soft green locks to fall over the insignificant thinness of his shoulders, as his eyes shimmered in what seemed to be eternal gratitude for saving his own life. Seishirou smiled back, wondering if it was his day for making charities or perhaps Subaru-kun's beatific influence that had leaded him to such a kind decision. He could have perfectly sticked to the Clinic's politics, tell the young boy that he was obliged to do it as well. He even had a personal interest for doing so. But he had not. He was beginning to muse at the inner impulse that had driven him to make such an exception with this particular case, starting to blame it on the cute stranger's resemblance with the one who had all at once started to bear such an importance in his life, but then, "My cousin was right: you are such a kind and charming person. See you tomorrow then, and thanks again for your understanding..." Seishirou's gold brown gaze lifted automatically to stare at the boy, who, utterly satisfied, was half-beginning to leave the sunny office, his slender back to him. "Just a second, please." The firm though gentle voice caused the teenager to turn around again, a cheerful questioning expression on his delicate features, as his hand absently stroked the beloved pet's warm fur. Seishirou's eyelids narrowed slightly, abstracted shadows brought down to his rich brown iris bearing a little contrast with the kind smile that was still as if frozen on his thin lips. "I am supposed to make a reservation for your cat, and you haven't even told me you name..." The boy stood there blinking for a second, maybe a bit surprised for the emphatic tone the caring and gentle veterinarian put on those last words. Just then Seishirou's smile widened, dazzling, as all of the first impression was blurred with a warm chuckle, "You don't expect me to do it on Kizuna, do you?" A shy smile came to the youth's childish face, accompanied by an intense blush facing what he considered had been an indelicacy from him as he echoed Seishirou's soothing laugher a bit faintly. "Of course not, please do excuse my lack of consideration," he vowed again, this time bit too rapidly thanks to the evident nervousness that was beginning to arise in him, maybe out of Seishirou's unexpected question, as his whole body become apparently restless with the sudden urge to leave the room. Or perhaps the inquiring stare of those intense brown eyes that were fixed on his with pitiless demanding beneath the kind expression of that handsome face. "My name is Hikari," he finished with a slight smile, "Hikari Midori." "Well then, Midori-kun," Seishirou casted one last, good-bye glance to the teen, his gaze drifting swiftly to the cat's curled up form to then smile in reassuring kindness, "Until tomorrow, and take good care of your dear Kizuna. She needs to be relaxed and calm through the operation." The boy mumbled out some polite words about being eternally grateful and rushed through the doorway, leaving Seishirou with his stare innerfocusedly fixed on the spot seconds before his unexpected visitor have been occupying, acute ears still listening to the graceful, light steps vanishing gradually down the corridor. After a few more moments, he shrugged slightly, casting his mind away of the previous train of thought to head with slow, absent steps to the coffee maker. An abstract glint enlightened the sensual darkness of his maple brown eyes. Midori was quite an appropriate name, somehow strange for a young boy, though he had not being entirely satisfied by the family one, perhaps for the simple reason it was not the one he expected to hear. Cousin, he talked about a cousin... The electronic beep brought him to take absent hold of the forgotten cup. And there was still the cat's thing... Well, after all, if things resulted as he thought they might be, he'd end up sooner or later having some answers to this tiny enigma that for now had served as nothing else but early evening entertainment. Now he badly needed a cigarette as well as something the closest resemblance the better to a lunch break. Quite strange it was going to be, having lunch by his self. He paused as he tried to justify the sensation he was experimenting now among the few ones logged in his virgin heart. Being on his own was absolutely nothing new to one in his condition, and it didn't bother him, at least it had not for the last five years. It was just, he realized, the last months he had been out of practice thanks to a noisy pair of cute teenagers. Particularly one of them. I'm going to give you another call after I'm done, so please, try to be home this time. You'll make it easier for both of us, and save me a lot of useless rambling... "Excuse me, Dr. Sakurazuka," the melodious female voice reached his distracted ears just the second he touched lips to the hot, dark liquid inside his cup, a remarkably cheerful accent blurring a bit the usual politeness Libari-chan used to address him, "But someone is looking for you..." A tickle there, a sparkling of something that was very close to anger, and he was setting the cup down with slightly unnecessary strength over the helpless surface of the desk. "What is it now, Miss Hitachi?" Seishirou's voice however remained calm as he turned to the opened door. He was not going to go through another case like the previous indeed, feeling that for today he had covered his quote of permissiveness, "Another emergency patient?" He really wasn't expecting what came next. Seishirou couldn't help but lifting his neat eyebrows over the golden frames of his glasses, brown honey eyes widening slightly in pleased surprise as their stare met fully with the one of a skinny, tall youth, graceful body clad in one of the most outrageous fashion screams in Tokyo thanks to his sister's crazy choice, that stood in the doorway hat in both gloved hands, apparently not daring to enter the room without an extended invitation, as he caught a half-sight of pleased Libari discretely disappearing behind him. The shy smile in those full, pale lips obliterating sunshine around him. "Subaru-kun!" Surprise was impossible to hide out in his deep toned voice, less still was that warm sensation of satisfaction, more than that, of happiness that had been triggered in his heart the same instant he had laid eyes on the beautiful figure, and Seishirou was betrayed by a glorious smile. Subaru blushed faintly, but not averted his stare, huge green pools shimmering guiltiness and regret so deep and charming out to him, as his slender fingers crushed the sides of his yet black hat, "I owe you an explanation, Seishirou-san..."
"So I'm supposed to blame it on your cousins from Osaka, then, " Seishirou introduced casually as he comfortably reclined over the side of the clean stone table, voice tone as cheerful and kind as usual, though mixed with some redolent sweetness he justified to himself by thinking not to make the sensitive teenager feel more guilty than he already did. It seemed he succeeded, for Subaru just nodded his graceful head slightly after finishing the content of his diet Sprite tin, not showing any further hints of shame apart from the usual ones. Seishirou smiled. That was good, after all. It showed Subaru felt comfortable with him. They were sitting at their fave lunching place at Ueno Park: the third of a neat line of pic-nic tables at the edge of the pavemented walking trail, as far enough to feel privacy, as close enough not to feel solitaire, as he used to joke. The fact was they had picked it up because it was always protected by the light pink shade of Sakura trees, one of their supposed shared passions, and something Seishirou used to find entertainingly ironic. This time was different, though. Lunch break was over for the most of the usual working visitors, and the whole park was filled with such a pleasing aura of peace, only shattered now and then by the yells of playing children and gossiping housewives, all of them being enough entertained with their own affairs to not pay any special attention to the remarkable male couple. He felt happy he'd been able to convince regretful Subaru to join him there for lunch. There was a certain magic in the afternoon's atmosphere. Ueno Park was particularly soothing, Subaru-kun looked particularly beautiful and there was a particular swirling of sensations and feelings blooming inside of him that kept his heart at a strangely pleasing restlessness. He breathed into the cherry-scent-filled air as amber brown eyes wandered from the slender, pianist-like gloved hands to the glossy ebony hair, the way it felt in gracious shadow over the rose-petal soft forehead, the way his lips shaped out the words in their delicious curves around the harmonious sound of his timid voice. Beautiful was quite a limited word to describe what spreaded before his glance. "It was so unexpected... I mean, they just turned up home in the evening without even giving us a phone call! Hokuto-chan was delighted, but I " the soft, tender voice cut up a little, as the sparkling green eyes lowered to stare at the empty can he had begun to crush absently with his graceful fingers, apparently groping for words to describe his feelings without being impolite. That was something he found lovely about him: always needing to justify himself to him. That was a straight hint of the fact he occupied quite an important place in Subaru's life, an idea that had started to please him most than he could have ever imagined. "I don't know... It had been such a long time I barely remembered how they look like. I felt kinda strange." "Well, that's natural, Subaru-kun," he comforted him with his reassuring voice, testing the bishounen's reaction by leaning a hand gently over his narrow shoulder. Oh yes, he felt certainly willful to exploration that evening,"One is always getting so used to treat strangers in everydays' life that suddenly distant members of his own family appear to be the same. Specially when it comes to a family as huge as yours..." The result was an extremely satisfactory one. Subaru's innocent stare lifted to him at that soft contact, tilting his frail head back so sunshine hit him fully in the face and reflected in the liquid depths of those melancholic green lagoons, almost as if to remind him then again how deliciously beautiful he was. Seishirou's heart was filled with a disturbing heat, and the older man suddenly found himself sitting closer to his companion. Why was it becoming stronger? What was the reason for which he felt at the same time defenseless and protected about it? "I'm so terribly sorry, Seishirou-san," Subaru whispered the words mournfully as his whole expression supported the idea, holding Seishirou's glance much longer than he had ever dared to do as he blushed just a little, his desire to apologize giving him strength to push down his deathly shyness, "So sorry I couldn't be there... But obaa-sama insisted in having a family meal and she gave me no choice." "Lady Sumeragi?" Seishirou's voice gave out a hint of surprise, spell broken by the unexpected appearance of the old Clan's Leaderess in the conversation. He managed to put away a dark smile as he asked, his hand instinctively fleeing from the young boy's weak shoulder. Seemed his Sakurazukamori mood and that odd romantic allure were being switched on and off by Subaru's words that evening. "Is your obaa-sama in Tokyo now?" Subaru nodded again, hat projecting heavy shadows over the brightness of his green eyes as some kind of dark precognition, "She came here to attend to a yearly Council for the female members of the Clan," he explained in soft voice, "Hokuto-chan is just thrilling with excitement about what to wear for the occasion. I just left her at Kenzo before coming to see you..." Seishirou chuckled warmly as he could imagine the crazy-headed reflection of Subaru-kun devastating the shop with her lethal credit card, though his thoughts helpessly laid over the unexpected presence of the Twelfth Head of the Sumeragi at that, his hunting territory. Why was it that he sensed some deeper reason for it apart from that supposed council? It promised to be utterly interesting. The feeling the old woman brought to him was always as bizarre as the unspoken relationship he shared with her, given their conditions. He usually considered her as his anthonomastic enemy, though there was some weird air of respect brought to him by the fact she was, after all, the main current of influence over Subaru's submissive personality and a woman of will and wisdom. The all-knowing matriarch of his enemy Clan. Powerful, indeed, in way he would someday explore deeper. "I thought to give you a call, but obaa-sama jut stayed home chatting with my cousins and," Subaru paused again, thinking the next one over, "Hokuto-chan told me it was better for me not to..." Seishirou's ebony eyebrows lifted slightly in mute admiration to the so considered oblivious young girl's precautions, while he didn't miss the nervousness that had come over Subaru-kun's person when pointing out the facts. "Well, I must totally agree with your nee-san on that, Subaru-kun," he thought to ease the boy's restlessness with a caring, sypmphatetic smile, backing it up with the tenderness in his masculine voice, "Since it was supposed to be a family meal then my presence there would have been totally unfitting." "It's not because of that," Subaru refused to meet his stare as he appeared now totally concentrated in a noisy group of school children that razed cheerfully past them, maybe on their way to the nearby playground. A sigh escaped the young boy's thin frame, and there was a small period of silence set between the two of them, that Subaru then broke himself. "Hokuto-chan thinks she mustn't know," the words were whispered with care, even with secrecy, as Seishirou's full attention was now centered upon them, a smile playing in his eyes Subaru would never get to notice. Was it a trick of his mind, or there was sadness in that shy, soft voice that reached his ears only by the benefit of their closeness? "She thinks obaa-sama wouldn't like that... with you being a Sakurazuka," Subaru's stare was brilliant, almost dazzling under the convenient protection of his hat's shade, the tension in his body and voice not going unnoticed to his partner as he perfectly understood what hiding something away from the old woman meant to his pure heart, "She wouldn't like us to be friends..." Friends... There was that word again, sounding more unfitting each time he heard it. Well, she wouldn't really. Perhaps it was his wondering of how would the old Lady react if she ever got to know, with all the further implications that remained hidden to Subaru, perhaps his sudden desire to throw some cool water over the matter or maybe this growing, unexplainable sensation of wrongness he felt as witnessing Subaru's pain the one that lead Seishirou to obey an inner impulse and tenderly wrap his right arm around the beautiful boy's narrow shoulders. He pushed the frail body close. Subaru's face catapulted backwards only to have his chin captured by soft, caressing fingers, alabaster cheeks colored bright scarlet as he met fully with Seishirou's intense, teasing brown eyes. "Friends?" he felt the older man's warm breath over his all at once too sensitive skin, growing goosebumps in his whole body by the mere fact of staring into those caramel-sweet pupils, as brown as old honey, feeling the smooth surface of Seishirou's thumb traveling slowly through the delicate curves of his lips. Seishirou's smile was seductive, almost feline, and it gave Subaru even a stronger reason to justify the sudden arrhythmia of his heartbeat, "And may I ask you from when is our relationship reduced to simple friendship, boku no daisukina Subaru-kun?" "S-s-sei...!" Subaru couldn't remember how to speak the whole name. He felt his breath caught abruptly as he wondered if it was just an illusion brought by evening sunlight or was Seishirou really leaning forward onto him, his breath warmer and sensual as he reached for closeness over the insignificant space that held both their faces apart and he was suddenly resting all his weight over the acute angle of the pic-nic table, heart thrilled with excitement. And all at once, Seishirou let go of him, chuckling in his cheerful, familiar way as he stood up from the stone sit they shared and looked at him with playful eyes from behind the gleaming crystal of his glasses. That... Subaru's breath came out all in one time, and he could just stare at the handsome, kind veterinarian with goggle eyes, iris shimmering as bright as the cloudless sky as his face was the most rich imitation of a strawberry. Was that a trace of disappointment he perceived in his supposedly released heart? His blush went even brighter just to think about it. "Come on, let's go Subaru-kun," Seishirou laughed his thoughts away as he held out his hand to him in gentle attitude, "I'm running out of time for the Clinic's evening duty and so are you for rescuing those poor shop attendants from the greedy claws of your twin sister. A walk under the Sakura would sure please you?" Subaru barely had the time to think things over, so he just stood up from his place as well and joint his best friend on the walking trail after discarding the empty can inside a neighbor garbage bin, "Sure! I-I'd love to..." "And so I'd love you to tell me more about cousins," Seishirou's voice was kind as his hand came to rest again over Subaru's shoulder, this time with the casual attitude he usually assumed after playing that kind of jokes to him, his touch so distant from the passionate, enveloping heat of the lover he liked to pretend he was, Subaru mused silently, but still bringing about the knowledge he was embracing him, and the idea of all the passerbies' glances on them. And in spite of all that, there was a warmth inside him that told him that deep in his heart he loved to share those moments with him. Perhaps someday I'll understand, Seishirou-san... Perhaps someday I'll get to put together all this things you make me feel... The furtive emerald pupils risked a secret glance up to the older man's handsome face from the corner of his eyes, melting into the warmth emanating from that caring smile, and Subaru finally found himself wondering if he had really liked Seishirou to go on a moment ago. Seishirou-san... Why do you always need to do that? "I didn't know there were Sumeragis even at Osaka," Seishirou went on with the conversation as they reached their favorite part of the park, the one that was covered by a soft, fresh rug of cherry blossoms and hidden from the strangers' glances by tall, majestic Sakura trees, but Subaru didn't allow himself to lose in the contemplation of such beauty, willing to pay attention to his companion's speech, "Tell me, are they both practitioners?" "Only my cousin Mitchuru," he replied with a childish smile. He liked Seishirou-san's way of being interested in his family's affairs. That showed he cared for him, "She has been trained by obaa-sama since being a child, and even though she's part of the minor branches of the Clan, she has such a wonderful talent for Omnyoujitsu. She is now a Mizunoto..." "An Omnyouji who expertises in the dominion of the Water element..." Seishirou's kind voice denoted admiration, "She must be a prodigy!" "She has always been very gifted, " Subaru pointed out with a sweet smile, evident traces of affection glimmering in his emerald stare as he spoke about his female cousin, "You must hear her play the violin. She's superb. Her dream is to become a professional violinist and play with Japan Philharmonic." "Oh, I love violin." Seishirou-san's smile was brilliant as their eyes met again, fingers closing slightly over the skinny surface of his shoulder as a Sakura petal drifted now and then around the ebony of his short waved hair, "You have such an interesting family group, you know? And what about your other cousins? Do you and Hokuto-chan have a good relationship with them?" "Hokuto-chan and Mitchuru-san are close friends, even though they haven't seen each other since we were children, " Subaru replied, his light steps barely audible in the sunny vastness of the park, "They have been exchanging e-mail for almost three years. But I love my cousin Midori. Obaa-sama says he seems more to be my twin than even Hokuto-chan does..." The teenager turned around in surprise, noticing Seishirou's steps had halted in their way. Golden brown iris met his questioning stare with a faint sparkle of echoing inquiry. "Midori?" his deep voice sounded stranged, though his usual, warm smile never abandoned his attractive features, "You cousin's name is Midori?" Subaru nodded in response, wondering what should be the reason for the victorious satisfaction he could read in his best friend's eyes. "Quite a peculiar name for a young boy," Seishirou commented, seemingly more to himself than to his companion, as mysterious as he always loved to be. "Anyways, Seishirou-san," Subaru put the matter aside as he shyly took two steps towards where his best friend stood, eyes suddenly filled again with all the usual nervousness brought about by his timid personality, a pleading expression on his delicate face, and Seishirou was suddenly looking at the nine-year-old intruder he had met under the Barrow Tree again, with all the innocence and all the purity of his childish beauty. The park was filled with sunshine as a white clad hand was reached out to him. "Would you please come home tonight?" Such an invitation... Seishirou charged him pitilessly with all the pleased surprise of his mahogany stare, making him blush so preciously under the protective shades thrown by his fashionable head wear. The little Sumeragi sounded as lovely hopeful as a teenage schoolgirl asking her boyfriend out to a first date, and he couldn't help to consider the unspoken ambiguities about the charming offer. "We're going to have another family meal, but just for us. My Grandmother won't be there, so I'd love you to come and meet my cousins," Subaru's sad-eyed stare was unrefusable, thick dark fans of eyelashes coming over that pair of huge green pools in a gesture that woke once again on Seishirou's heart the warm caress of that feeling he had been meditating about the whole morning and whose name was still to be found, "Please, Seishirou-san. Hokuto-chan is going to cook something special, as a compensation for last night's broken date..." He laughed lightly, warmly at Subaru's convincing arguments, granting him the most tender of the smiles as he softly brushed the back of his hand across the fresh, blushing skin of his velvety cheek. "I am the one who owes you a meal, and not the other way round, don't you think Subaru-kun?" he whispered silkily, enjoying the teenager's ashamed reaction, devouring every inch of the desperate expression that came to beautify even more the heavenly face, every sparkle of green in those wet, pleading eyes that looked all at once so passionately, so directly into his. He could almost feel it as their souls touched, melted, swirled into one perfect entity that was neither light nor darkness until the moment faded away and they broke apart again. Seishirou smiled a caring smile, one he admitted was born from the heart, not from the constant illusion he was surrounded by in everydays' life and in which he so deeply expertised. A smile he wore for Subaru-kun's eyes only since not a long time ago. "At what time would you like me to be there?" And Subaru-kun was smiling back at him, all his previous feeling of shyness and regret vanishing like an early morning's daydream under the pure light projected by his glorious green iris. "Eight will be fine," he assured with a childish giggle, "Thank you so much, Seishirou-san..." A quick glance to his little bunny shaped wristwatch -birthday gift from Hokuto-chan, if Seishirou's memory served- brought a new expression of restlessness to the delicate features, "Oh Gods! I must rush! I promised to pick up Hokuto-chan at Ginza by three!" Subaru started to walk faster towards the end of the park, then, apparently remembering something important, turned around again to wave him goodbye, the satisfied, endlessly happy expression still on his pale face, bathed by sunshine, "I'll see you tonight, Seishirou-san! Sorry to leave like this, but Hokuto-chan is going to be mad at me if I'm late for trying on my new clothes for this night's dinner!" Seishirou waved him back, then just stayed standing there as he absortly contemplated how the slender figure of the sixteen-year-old boy disappeared into the blurred gate of pink casted by Sakura trees, his ethereal coat floating around the thinness of his long limbs as a bright white cloud, and decided that, no matter what his crazy sister decided he should wear he would surely look beautiful. The smile remained in his handsome, thoughtful face as a gentle evening breeze carried myriads of tiny pink petals around his tall figure, and Seishirou Sakurazuka wondered if it was at all normal, feeling himself so glad for losing the bet.
The boy took one firm step into the darkness of the alley, casting nervous glances over the slenderness of his shoulder at the same time, his fingers running nervously absent through the soft, long fur of the downy white cat he carried lovingly in his arms. He didn't believe he had been followed, but it was always better to reassure himself, most specially being at the huge metropolis where the power of his family held the hegemony of its influence. He didn't have to wait long until two strong, huge arms came out of the shadows and engulfed his thin figure from behind, pushing him close in a passionate, almost violent hug. A startled manifestation escaped from the curve, soft lips, "You scared me!" He turned around to face the cyclopeous man whose face was kept veiled by the empty alley's darkness, bright green eyes shimmering his deepest emotions out as bulky fingers, perpetually stained by car oil's marks caressed softly the ivory paleness of his skin. He tenderly rested his cheek on the open palm. "I'm sorry," a deep, harsh voice reached his ears from the shadow, as the stranger's touch moved to fondle lightly at the sleepy cat's white down, "Is she going to be all right?" "Yes," the boy replied reassuringly, a pleased smile playing over his lips, "I took her to see this veterinarian my cousin recommended, and he said she'll be fine after a little operation..." "That's good," the man in the shadows gave out a deep sigh, "I must go now, I have some work to finish." "No! It's... it's just too soon," the teenager's voice showed despair, as his bright green eyes deepened in intensity until becoming azure, "Can you take me with you?" "I can't, and you know that," his companion replied seriously, but just then the tone of that harsh voice sweetened, and the muscled naked arms came around the fragile body of the young boy passionately, filling him with all the enveloping heat that emanated from the tall, dark figure, "But you can still talk to me tonight..." "It's not enough!" there were tears in the shifting depths of the beautiful teen's eyes, "It's not the same as having you near!" "I know..."one humongous hand came to lift the delicate chin up as they looked into each other's eyes, "But it's still the only way..." The young boy sighed, and slowly closing his bright eyes, he leaned forward. The tall stranger imitated him until their lips met.
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