[Fic] Le Soleil et la lune
Title: Le soleil et la lune
Pairing: Jin x Kame, hinted Yamapi x Tegoshi
Author: queen_kat-tun
Genre: AU
Rating: NC-17
Summary: They both live a cursed life, one a being of light and the other of darkness.
Notes: Written also for the amigo_santa exchange. My dearest jamie_spotty, I couldn't think of a plot so I considered the fact that you have enjoyed the manga/anime Kyō Kara Maoh. Some elements in this fic are from KKM and its creators. Also, Kazuki Fuuchouin of the Getbackers manga/anime has greatly influenced my characterization of Kame. The color of Kame's hair was inspired by his bemu role. To my lovely kaykm, thank you so, so much for doing this on such short notice. Jamie, please accept this as my ~gift~ for the job promotion instead. ILY girlies! <3
To clarify the terms used in this fic:
Heika - taken from KKM. Term used for sovereign royalty, similar to “Majesty” in English; symbol of the state and unity of the people (from Wikipedia). Used in this fic to depict that Jin is the usual Jin.
Maoh - taken from KKM. Used in this fic to depict that Jin is his other self.
Shinou - taken from KKM. Refers to KKM’s original king of Shin Makoku. Used in this fic to refer to Jin's father, the true ruler of Kamiumi.
Demon god - Seeks to overthrow the heika from his reign. A vague OC of mine.
Mazoku - are beings with supernatural power/people of Kamiumi. They can go visit Kuniumi though.
Kamiumi - taken from Japanese mythology. Used in this fic as the dimension where Kame, Jin, T-TUN and other characters live.
Kuniumi - taken from Japanese mythology. Basically, this dimension is what we call Earth.
Kusumabura - taken from the manga RG Veda. It's a city of flowers.
☀☾✯✟
Unknown to many, the world has two dimensions. Kuniumi is where average humans live and the other, known as Kamiumi, is another dimension governed by the Demon King. Its people have longer life-span, some with the power to control one of the elements and some granted with amazing strength. They live under the rule of the Demon King who is said to be the strongest, most beautiful and powerful in Kamiumi. As king, he tries to keep peace within his land and whoever disobeys him receives direct punishment from him. Unique to the Demon King is a Suppressor. A Suppressor is born with the fate of being one and born only to the great Queen Ashia, the kingdom's stargazer. A stargazer reads the alignment of the stars and weaves them into a prophecy with the wheel of fate. Like her, the Suppressor is to be treated with respect, an equal to the Demon King and acts as the Demon King's right hand man. Like its name, a Suppressor suppresses the Demon King's power in order to keep Kamiumi in one piece and its people alive, especially at times when the Demon King loses control of himself. If the Suppressor couldn't keep up with his role, even Kuniumi is bound to suffer. The proof that one is Suppressor of the king comes in the form of an intricate tattoo on his nape whose pattern is the same with what the Demon King has on the inside of his left wrist.
“Don’t run so quickly, Akanishi!” The young teen shouts from behind him. Jin could feel the air whistling past him as he goes fast on his feet and there is nothing but fields of green across him. The air is crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of the grass and soil. He stops, taking lungful of breaths and exhales a bit exaggeratedly.
Kazuya stops besides Jin, quickly hitting the older boy on the side of his head. “You are really stubborn, Akanishi,” he says after he’s caught his own breath. When there’s nothing left to do in the castle, Kazuya would always find himself doing something so carefree like this with Akanishi Jin. If he doesn’t know better, Kazuya would say that Jin’s just an ordinary boy, that he’s like any other child who prefers playing than studying, that he likes having a bolster when he sleeps at night and that he’s not the Demon King. However, the mark on Jin’s wrist isn’t something they could deny; just like what Kazuya has on his nape.
“Kazuya, isn’t it nice to watch the sunset from here?” Jin asks, looking towards the vast expanse of sky in front of them. He's always liked watching the peaceful sky. “You’ve always loved this place, am I right?”
“Un,” Kazuya replies, eyes focused on the sky that melts into shades of red, orange and pink. The clouds look soft, birds flying across the sky in fluid movements. “This place has its charm,” he mutters and they both watch in silence as day slowly changes into night. The clouds rolls pass them and the sky gets darker as they talk about anything they could think of to pass time. Kazuya feels Jin shifting and when he looks to his side, he sees him lying with his back on the grass, forearms supporting his head, eyes shut and his face is closed in serenity. “You like it here that much for you to sleep on?” he asks, eyebrow twitching a bit in fake mockery.
Jin chuckles but doesn’t open his eyes. Kazuya likes the way how Jin's body shake with his little laugh.
“It's peaceful here. Wake me up when it’s night time, okay?” Jin says as he finds himself comfortable in the grass.
“Why?”
“Just because,” Jin says and doesn’t tell Kazuya that he likes seeing Kazuya’s hair when it’s dark. He doesn't tell Kazuya that the strands of his hair look pretty under the moonlight; like silver waterfall on Kazuya’s back. Kazuya must have gotten his hair color from his late father.
Kazuya rolls his eyes, remaining seated on the grass as he watches the sunset, wishing he’s brought his harp with him. As a child, he's been taught how to control koto strings which became the reason why he enjoyed playing the harp. Koto strings are white strings that are very sharp and when used properly, could tear up skin, muscles and bones. He trained under his master and practiced day and night, getting cuts on his skin which heals soon enough that his mother need not worry. It’s been a part of his training, to fight both for the Demon King and himself. Due to his habit, Kazuya has few of the threads wrapped around both front strands of his hair. He uncoils them, left hand wielding while his right manipulates the strings. A gentle music echoes around them; so soft that Jin thinks it’s almost heart breaking.
“Play only for me, Kazuya,” Jin says when Kazuya finishes the music and tinkers with the strings. “Promise me.”
“Hm,” Kazuya just hums and passes time by playing a sweet tune as the Demon King dreams.
For so many years, the people of Kamiumi have lived under the king's guidance but since the king is still not of age, twenty human years to be exact, a council headed by Nakamaru Yuichi handles matters that concern the entire Kamiumi. The North is under Nakamaru’s influence, East to Taguchi, West to Tanaka, and South to Ueda. Together, they and their clan keep control of Kamiumi until the Demon King turns twenty-one in human years in which he would be officially crowned as king and keep rule all over Kamiumi. It has always been like that, for each and every cycle of the king’s rebirth.
Kazuya walks along the hallway, his footsteps loud in the quiet hall. The servants are usually busy at this time of the week, attending to the needs of their king and the four lords. Kazuya finds it a bit funny and awkward having the four lords come to the castle just to spend time with the King, whom Kazuya now doubts is capable of such role. Jin hasn't changed at all. He's still the child Kazuya had chased around fields of green and demanding for the King to read whatever papers he needed to sign. Smiling at his thoughts, Kazuya stops, fixes the creases on his usual attire of red kimono, before he knocks gently and enters the room where the King and the four lords are.
“Kamenashi-sama,” Kazuya hears three men say their greetings and he greets back, paying every one of them with due respect as they do to him and the King. They seem to be chatting the day away, seeing how Taguchi’s face is bright and smiling. Kazuya looks around and sees Jin, with eyes glaring at the pieces laid out in front of him, concentrating on the game. He doesn’t seem to realize that Kazuya’s just entered the room.
“Use the queen,” Ueda says, enjoying how the Demon King always ends up being frustrated with every round they play.
“And then you’ll check,” Kazuya speaks, moving a piece in front of Jin’s queen, protecting her. Jin looks up and he’s a bit shocked to see Kazuya there but he smiles the next second. “Hi,” Kazuya says, sitting down on the chair next to Jin.
“You’re late,” Jin says, glancing at the clock across him and goes back to contemplating what piece to move on the board.
“Three minutes isn’t that bad,” Kazuya replies, moving another piece after Ueda does.
“As expected of you, Kazuya-sama,” Ueda praises, keeping his legs crossed and body relaxed on the chair, waiting for the King to counter his new attack. “You should train our king in playing this.”
“I don’t think so. He’s interested in other things when it comes to playing with me,” Kazuya says, ignoring Jin’s pathetic kicks on his shin.
“Come on, Ueda! Let’s just play another game. You know that I hate this!” Jin sulks, obviously frustrated. He slumps and pouts and Koki’s voice echoes in the room saying, “Heika, are you sure you are taking up the role of the King? You have such childish temper. I should be king and have Kazuya-kun all for myself. I'll surely satisfy him more than you do right now."
They all laugh when Jin bolts up from where he is seated and come running for Koki, with an empty threat of setting him on fire. Junno takes Jin’s seat and starts another round of chess with Ueda while Nakamaru asks Kazuya about his skills with his strings and Jin’s progress in controlling his powers. The day ends with them having a feast, teasing Jin while Kazuya watches.
☀☾✯✟
It has been Jin’s request that he stay with him at all times of the day so when night time falls on the kingdom, Kazuya also sleeps on Jin’s bed. Even though Kazuya is younger than the King, he feels he’s more mature than Jin who is known to act based on his whims whereas Kazuya would weigh every pros and cons before doing something. They have spent time together longer than with someone else, created memories, shared a few kisses back in the different cycles of their lives, growing closer and more intimate as they age. They were strangers, accomplices then friends then they became lovers in a span of a thousand years. They are on their third cycle now, equating to Jin being three thousandth years old and their lives won’t be stopping anytime soon. Being reborn is unique to the both of them. As they have only been reborn three times, reborn twice at the same place, and the other time they had to find each other at a certain age somewhere in Kamiumi. In that incident, they found out that when they are reborn away from each other, they would grow up without memories of one another and wait for the time of awakening which is equal to seventeen human years before they awaken to who they really are.
Born close to each other in this cycle of their lives, the memories of their past lives remained with them and sometimes, Kazuya almost believes he wouldn’t be able to live without Jin by his side. Jin has always told him that, promising his loyalty to Kazuya for all eternity, and he knows how serious Jin could get. Cliché, but Jin has pledged his heart and life to him in all life times they have had.
However, no matter how many times he had said yes to Jin, Kazuya still doesn’t know if being reborn would forever be a part of him. From what he knows, a Suppressor couldn’t live a very long time unlike the Demon King. He wonders how Jin would live without him by his side.
“What are you thinking about?” Jin whispers to Kazuya’s ear as he continues to shower Kazuya’s back with soft, little kisses. His right hand keeps Kazuya’s long blonde hair gathered on one side, twirling some of the strands on his wrist and let goes, feeling how soft and smooth they are against his skin. He could almost hear Kazuya purr with the treatment. The strings around Kazuya’s hair have been lying loose on the floor for a while now along with his clothes.
“You,” Kazuya replies, feeling how the fingers on Jin’s left hand tighten against his own.
“What about me?” The Demon King asks, aligning his body to Kazuya’s. Slowly he moves, licking and kissing Kazuya’s skin, feeling himself grow hotter with every taste of Kazuya. He kisses the mark on Kazuya’s nape, nipping at the sides and Kazuya calls out his name breathily. “You are not answering, my sweet, sweet Kazuya.”
“I was just thinking how you can be a grown up man at times like this when, really, you are just a child on the inside, heika.” Kazuya teases, hiding his smile against the silken sheets beneath him. They feel good against his heated skin.
“I can be a child doing this, too,” Jin whispers again and Kazuya shivers on the feel of it. Kazuya could feel Jin spreading his legs apart with his own and he gasps, feeling Jin’s finger tracing in between his ass. “However, I don’t think this is suitable for a child.” Jin says, kissing down the curve of Kazuya’s spine, both hands groping the swell of Kazuya’s behind. “Especially this,” he says more audibly, voice raspy, before doing what he has in mind.
Kazuya gasps when he feels Jin’s tongue on him, licking him and it makes him feel embarrassed and more aroused at the same time. He tightens his hold on the bed covers when Jin exposes him more, spreading his butt cheeks wider as the tip of Jin's tongue delve deeper inside him. Kazuya moans, moving his hips against the bed, biting his lower lip when Jin slides a finger inside him, then two and Kazuya raises his hips in respond, thrusting down against Jin’s fingers in controlled rhythm. He calls out Jin's name, not knowing how Jin's eyes darken with the husky, needy sound of his voice.
“You are really beautiful,” Jin whispers, sliding his body up against Kazuya’s, tracing the path where he’s left marks on Kazuya’s skin; he has always loved this image of dark red against white. “And you’re mine.” He tilts Kazuya’s head to kiss him as he moves to thrust into Kazuya’s body. He feels his cock twitching as he drowns Kazuya’s moans in his mouth, pushing in gently and holding Kazuya in his arm.
They fit perfectly together. Jin gives and Kazuya takes. They move together in a rhythm they’re long familiar with and with every moan Kazuya lets out, Jin feels himself growing bolder as he thrusts deeper and harder into him, loving how Kazuya’s long, pale hair is spilling on his back and the deep colour of his bed. He makes love to Kazuya, easing in and out of his lover’s tight body.
“So beautiful,” He mutters and he thrusts faster into Kazuya, hand stroking Kazuya's cock with his every push and pull. Kazuya groans as Jin tugs on his sex, Jin's palm providing his much needed friction as Jin changes his pace, pounding into him and he couldn't hold it any longer. Arching in Jin's arms, Kazuya spills himself into Jin’s hand and Jin loves how Kazuya's body becomes a beautiful arc. His own creation; a masterpiece only for his eyes. Faster and deeper and Jin comes inside his lover, collapsing onto Kazuya and bringing Kazuya down with him on the bed.
"Let's just stay like this forever, Kazuya," Jin whispers into Kazuya's ear, slowly kissing his way to Kazuya's shoulder. He searches for Kazuya's hand and holds on to it, as if afraid that Kazuya would vanish in the next minute. Jin has always had this kind of feeling of uncertainty. It makes him feel like Kazuya would be gone if he doesn’t pay attention to him.
"I have a question to ask you, Jin,” Kazuya says with a soft voice.
“What is it?”
“What are you going to do once I'm gone? I want to know." Kazuya says, still feeling languid but his mind is never too tired whenever it comes to Jin. “And if I stop being reborn, do you promise to take care of yourself and of the people of Kamiumi?”
"I won’t.” Jin’s reply comes in an instant. He doesn’t see but feels the way how one of Kazuya’s brows arches. “I won’t because I will search both worlds to find you, bring you back here and keep you always by my side."
"And if you cannot find me?" Kazuya just had to ask. He looks back to Jin to see his face, wondering if there would really come a day where he would no longer be able to see Jin. The thought pains him.
"I will trade my soul for your life," Jin says, staring deep into Kazuya's eyes. "I will do anything just to have you back, Kazuya," he promises and shuts Kazuya up with a kiss, no longer wanting to hear any further questions from his lover. He doesn’t even know why they die only to be reborn again and again. It’s not like they die because of old age, Jin is sure. He has to ask Kazuya that someday.
Kazuya wakes up the next day and he is still naked under the sheets with Jin draping over him. It’s a good thing that their relationship is considered normal in Kamiumi or else, Kazuya would have been long dead or maybe, reborn too many times, knowing that the nobles have been eyeing Jin to marry to their daughters. Gently, Kazuya lifts up Jin’s arm that is on his waist, carefully removing himself away from Jin and quietly walks towards the bathroom.
On the mirror, Kazuya sees the marks Jin has made on his body. He has more on his back, he’s sure. Turning around, Kazuya lifts up his long hair, gathering them to one side to inspect his skin and he’s right. There are red marks all over his back and there are those prominent kiss marks, seven to be exact, that make up the shape of a cross. It’s Jin’s mark. Their mark. The Demon King has always been possessive after all.
“You look quite tempting standing naked like that in front of the mirror, Kazuya.”
Turning towards the door, Kazuya sees Jin with a smirk on his lips, making his way towards him. When Jin reaches him, they kiss and Jin’s hands are all over his body in an instant. Kazuya could feel his body responding. Jin's hands, they do know how to make him feel really good.
“You are up so soon,” Kazuya says, nipping on Jin’s jaw. He curls his fingers on the few strands he could get a hold of Jin’s hair, finding it a little surreal how Jin could look so gorgeous under the morning light that shines through the window of the bathroom.
“I got cold,” Jin’s tone is a bit accusing and Kazuya knows why. Jin isn’t fond of waking up without him by his side, afraid that he has been taken away. It has happened only once though. It was during one of their travels in the early years of their lives’ second cycle. They had to go in a place that is being controlled by a middle-class demon, commanding all the lower-class to slay people and destroy villages. They travel during the day and at night, Jin allows his men to rest, taking into account that Kazuya doesn't get much rest as he tends the wounded people on their way. They stopped in a forest and Jin had Kazuya resting next to him, both exhausted from their trip. Time passed quite fast in that place and the next thing he knows, Kazuya is no longer by his side. There’s a faint scent of blood though and Jin knows it is Kazuya’s. Kazuya could still remember how Jin destroyed almost everything that was on his path when Jin finally found him.
“Don’t ever leave me, Kazuya,” Jin's whisper brings Kazuya back from his memories and he feels Jin kissing the top of his head.
“I won’t,” Kazuya promises, looking up at Jin with a smile on his face. “I can’t even if I wanted to,” he teases, laughing lightly when he hears Jin grunting in disappointment. Kazuya takes hold of Jin’s hand and drags the other with him to the bath.
☀☾✯✟
Kazuya lies. For every cycle of his life, he lies. It would be his greatest sin for as long as he lives. Somehow, he’s grateful for the fact that Jin doesn’t remember what happens when he’s consumed by the Demon King. It makes his life a bit more liveable because of that.
Kusumabura, located north of the Maoh's Kingdom, is where the moon palace is. The great queen Ashia lives there and Kazuya finds himself walking the familiar path to her room. Everything is made up of gems, crystals and glass, golden decors shine when rays of light befall the palace. The palace courtyard is green with grass and flowers sway in the breeze, their bright colours dotting patches of green. It is a known fact that the great queen Ashia likes flowers. She even grows her own and names them after the people she cares for.
“Kazuya,” he hears a sweet voice call his name and when he turns around there’s Ashia, looking more ethereal than the high priestesses in Kamiumi who are forever young-looking and never fail to offer prayers to the ancient Demon King. Her long blonde curls flow freely on her back, her long black dress cling to her body like second skin. Her emerald eyes are as calm as the sea and there’s a gentle, sad smile on her red-painted lips. “I haven’t seen you for a long time, my baby."
“Indeed. It has been a long while since I last came to visit you, mother,” Kazuya answers, hugging his mother for a short while. She hasn't changed at all, except maybe for her being a bit melancholic this time. Ashia, the great queen of Kamiumi, has lived a long life. She'll live much longer as she has taken up the role of being the kingdom's stargazer. As a mother, Ashia has spoiled him with much affection. In her arms, Kazuya feels at peace. His mother's warm bosom always makes him feel welcomed. He's home. Kazuya feels her softly kissing his head and he knows she's worried even without her uttering any word.
“How long do I have?” he asks, detaching himself away from her and looking out the huge glass windows beside him. He knows he’ll see sadness in her eyes if he looks at her face. He'd rather look at the palace courtyard than see her suffering. Ashia is known to be a woman of great power. She always makes it a point not to show people how weak she can get, especially when it comes to her son. But Kazuya knows. He's her only son, after all.
“Not too long. They will be coming soon,” Ashia says softly. She walks beside him, watching the grounds of her palace where children are playing. “You have done so well, Kazuya. I still remember when you were just a baby."
"It isn't like you to look back on the past, hahaue," Kazuya says lightly.
Ashia laughs. Her heart hurt hearing Kazuya call her hahaue again. "Do you remember playing outdoors?" she asks instead with a gentle smile on her lips. "You have always made the soldiers and our maids worry. You loved running and riding. You even enjoyed hitting balls with bats and breaking the windows in my room."
"I have lived a very favourable childhood, hahaue. Thank you." Kazuya says, chuckling lightly as he looks back to his own memories back when he was young. “Will this never stop, hahaue?" he asks then, allowing himself to be petted when Ashia does. Sometimes, he’s just too tired and there's no one else like his mother who could soothe him.
“The stars would not let me see, Kazuya,” Ashia says regretfully.
"Don't be sad, hahaue," Kazuya cheers, smiling at her. "You know that I will come around again that it almost feels like dying is a joke," he says, his voice nearly sardonic. He knows that the irony is not lost in his mother though.
“Do not say that, Kazuya. You know that each cycle is never exactly the same. I am afraid you won't be coming back to me this time." Ashia says with much worry in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," Kazuya says lowly. "I know it's hard for you to watch me die again and again."
"You are here though," Ashia says, both of her hands cupping Kazuya's face. "That's all that matters, my love."
Kazuya hopes he could agree to that.
☀☾✯✟
A fire festival is being held in the West continent of Kamiumi and as King, Jin has been invited to come. He and Kazuya have met with several acquaintances and have decided to meet with them next time for a more formal gathering wherein they could talk about alliances during war. Nobles have come forth to meet him, bringing their most beautiful daughters and sons with them to present to him. However, Jin, King as he may be, have already lost interest in the party and all he desires now is to be with Kazuya. It has always been Kazuya after all.
They could hear the drums play a tribal music and there are flashes of bonfire on their periphery, people dancing to the beat of the drums and fire dancers pirouetting with every flicker of the flame. The waves crash on the shore but there is nothing louder than the beat of their hearts, getting louder and faster every second.
Jin couldn't fight back a groan from escaping his lips when the younger man licks that side of his neck where his carotid pulses. He could feel fingers dancing along his skin, teasing and stroking; feeling. He could feel the other's tongue, wet and hot, against his skin.
Kazuya's lips flutter like butterfly wings against Jin's neck, down to the sharp of the man's collarbones and to his chest. His lips closes in on a nipple, sucking and biting, and Kazuya couldn't help but smirk when he hears a loud gasp from the man whose back he has pressed against the soft white mattress. On Kazuya's right hand is an almost empty bottle of alcohol. With a last swig, Kazuya empties the bottle and throws it in a corner, away from them, before kissing the man deeply.
Jin's arms wrap around the younger. They share a wet kiss, literally and figuratively, with their tongues and teeth and their noses bumping. Some of the liquor spills from their mouth but Jin could care less. He feels the younger man's tongue on his neck again, licking his way up to Jin's chin and then to his lips and Jin feels like his toes would curl with all the pleasure the other is giving him.
Kazuya opens his eyes to another set of dark hazel. He's looking at him intently, with the fire burning and passion written in his eyes. Kazuya couldn't resist the urge to kiss him again.
The drums are louder now, more playful, faster.
Kazuya takes everything off, strips the other man off of his clothes and soon enough, they are naked. Their eyes meet as Kazuya straddles the beautiful man beneath him, their cocks rubbing together as Jin seeks more friction. Kazuya could almost feel his toes curling with the mere thought of them getting rather intimate in a place where anyone could catch them, see what they are doing. The idea is a bit thrilling.
With heavily lidded eyes, Jin thinks the other is gorgeous, drop dead beautiful with the faint glow of bonfire illuminating the younger man's face. Their eyes meet and he sees his face, aroused and made more perfect with that flustered tinge on his skin. He sees him lick his lower lip and there's that fine sheen of sweat covering their bodies as they move to kiss again, their hands roaming all over each other and then there's a loud gasp and Jin couldn't deny that he made that noise because the other is looking at him with teasing eyes. He feels him crawl up against him and a warm tongue dips into the inside of his ear and god, Jin could just imagine himself coming undone with that tongue.
"Shhh," Kazuya shushes softly, brushing his nose against Jin’s. "You will get us attention if you continue being loud, heika," he says teasingly, his voice coming out in a dangerously low purr that has Jin reaching out to kiss him again.
"Better shut me up then," Jin smirks and Kazuya's lips claim his in a deep kiss. Jin tightens his arms around the man as the younger starts to thrust into him, deep and rough.
"I want to hear you," Kazuya whispers to the man beneath him, thrusting deeper into the man, not letting go and just burying himself deeper into his lover. "Let me, heika."
Jin does, calling out Kazuya's name over and over as the drums continue to echo. They seem to be never-ending.
☀☾✯✟
Time passes quickly in Kamiumi. Darkness has fallen over the kingdom and the four lords haven’t had rest for the last seven months. They haven’t visited the King and his Suppressor for a long while now as demons of all classes and kinds are ensuing chaos in different parts of Kamiumi knowing that the King will be taking over soon. It has always been like this but each time proves to be much more difficult than the others. Nakamaru somehow wishes that they could stop always being played like this. They wanted to protect Kazuya and the king; however, he knows that they couldn’t. Even the great queen Ashia couldn’t. They are only pawns. Everything is all up to the king and he, along with the other three, know the sacrifices the King has to make in order to save his land and his people. Nakamaru feels himself waver, almost at his limits, guarding his people from the group of feral demons who feed on their people’s flesh. Koki and Ueda had already lost a village or two and he has heard about Junno getting seriously injured, protecting a young girl from the vicious attacks of such beings.
These demons, Nakamaru thinks, have received orders from someone greater than them. The Demon King doesn’t have much control on these underground demons who seek to overthrow the King from his throne. At this time, they probably won’t stand a chance. Nakamaru hears the castle doors open with much force and all he could do is pray when he sees a flock of demon beasts, wild and hungry for food. Their eyes glow redder than blood and their mad howls bring shivers down Nakamaru's spine. Pouring all his power to the barrier he’s created, he hopes for the priestesses to keep them safe until the King arrives.
Looking out of the huge window overseeing the palace courtyard, there is a sudden shiver that consumes his body. It is that time again. Kazuya knows because the mark on his nape burns. The pain prickles at his skin but Kazuya endures. He’s always known that this time would come. It is a cycle that Kazuya himself finds absurd. This is his destiny. Always has been.
Kazuya could hear him; every foot step, every snarl, every hiss. He could feel his rage in not having enough power because Kazuya suppresses him. There’s an evil aura in the air and the smell of blood is being carried from different places of Kamiumi. Kazuya feels heavy; his head, his breaths, his heart. In the remaining silence of the castle, Kazuya utters a prayer. He takes his time and when he turns around, he’s there. Jin does not look like the gentle Demon King who swore to protect him. In his eyes, Kazuya is sure that he only sees red and in his mind, he thinks of nothing but justice and revenge for his people.
We've meet again, Kamenashi.
Kazuya acknowledges the King's presence, bowing before him.
"Kazuya,"
Kazuya closes his eyes in the gentle whisper of his name. He wants to tell him not to cry nor hesitate because by doing this, they would be able to save Kamiumi. They could revive their entire world and heal those who are wounded once the fight is over. The war would soon stop. Hush, Jin. Looking up at the man, both of his eyes have different colours - the left brown and the other black. Tears are running down from his eyes to his cheeks.
“Kazuya, I do not want this,” Jin pleads, fighting his other self from taking over him and his body. He feels he isn't who he is. “What is happening to me?" His voice is confused, eyes growing terrified as he brings his sword up against his will. He could feel his grip tightening on his weapon. He could feel himself aiming for his lover. "Kazuya, make me stop this. Suppress me! I don't want to do this!" he says in panic.
Set me free.
Kazuya could hear the Demon King’s anger as he wavers.
Give me back my strength. All of it. You owe me that!
Now, Kamenashi!
“This is our duty, Jin,” Kazuya finally says, walking towards Jin. Jin moves a step back. Kazuya doesn’t stop though. Reaching him, Kazuya takes hold of Jin’s left hand, tracing the pattern, the one that forms the cross, on his inner wrist as he chants softly. Finishing the ritual, he looks up and sees the way how the colours of Jin’s eyes completely change - from the warmest of browns to the deepest of blacks.
"Ah, it's been a really long time since I last saw you, Kamenashi," Jin, the Demon King, says. "You have grown more beautiful."
"Your majesty, your people needs you," Kazuya replies instead, keeping his head low.
"You have always been a good child, Kamenashi. Always following what has been told you to do. However, you know that your mere presence still suppresses my powers, am I right?" Jin remarks, seeing Kazuya nod his head. "I promise that I will make it fast so that you won't feel a thing."
Kazuya looks up and he sees a brief smirk on Jin’s lips as Jin brings his hand up, sword thrusting deep into his chest and the next thing Kazuya knows is that he’s falling, darkness consuming him. He faintly hears an agonized howl.
☀☾✯✟
Inside her room, another crystal glass that holds a piece of Kazuya’s soul breaks. For the third time, Ashia laments for her son’s death.
☀☾✯✟
Hidden in the deepest part of the Demon King is his gentle soul that weeps. The Demon King has released his power and allies from all of Kamiumi, fought with all they have knowing that their Demon King has awakened. He lends them strength, protects them with his power as underground demons continued to create chaos. The four lords have regained their power. Despite killing everything in his path, Jin could only see Kazuya in his head, blonde hair soaked in red and he knows, as time passes, his face would have that perfect colour of white porcelain. There is a gaping wound in his chest, blood pooling on the floor where Kazuya lay.
“I don’t want you,” Jin says over and over in his head.
But you are me.
“I am not like you. You’re not me!”
We’ve been doing this for a long time now.
“Get out of me!”
I cannot.
“I said get out!” Jin screams and he feels a tight pull in his powers. “Get out! Get out! Get out!”
Stubborn ass. Sleep. I do not need you to interfere with my task.
Then, there’s that tight, tight pull on him again and Jin feels his consciousness ebbing away.
It takes a fortnight before Jin wakes up and when he does, he realizes he’s alone in his bed. Kazuya, he thinks. Where has Kazuya gone to? If Jin would try to focus his attention on his emotions, he would feel exhaustion and emptiness. There is something missing but he doesn’t know what. Unable to go back to sleep, Jin gets up from his bed, only to find himself walking out of the palace and is a bit shocked to have stopped on a field. In the silence of the night, there is a soft melody accompanying the wind and beneath the dark veil of sky, a woman is playing to the moon under a tree. Her fingers tug gently on the strings of her crescent-shaped harp. Jin listens to its beautiful sound and somewhere in his mind he recognizes the music she plays.
"That is Kazuya's song," Jin says. "It is his song for me."
"Indeed, heika," she replies, hitting the last notes of the music before laying the harp on her lap.
"Lady Ashia?" Jin asks, walking closer to the woman seated under the tree. She greets him with respect. "I didn’t expect to see you here. Have you seen Kazuya?" The woman shakes her head. "I see..." Jin says. "Do you know where I can find him? I have something to say to him."
Her eyes are clouded with sadness. "I am afraid my Kazuya would not be able to attend to your needs right now, heika."
“What do you mean?”
“Kazuya…” She starts with her voice rough and hoarse from all the crying she’s done the past two weeks. Ashia feels another sob trying to escape her lips again.
“Lady Ashia?”
“Heika, Kazuya’s soul…it hasn’t returned to the wheel.”
Jin feels everything around him shatter.
☀☾✯✟
In Jin's dream, Kazuya's fists are in his hair as they kiss, letting their passion to consume them both. Kazuya pushes him down into the bed, pressing him into the mattress and his mouth kisses down a path to his chest. Jin's fingers curl into Kazuya's hair as Kazuya takes a nipple between his lips, tugging hard on the nub. Jin feels his muscles tighten as the sensation sweeps through him.
Kazuya teases him with his fingers, his nipples growing hard under his touch. Jin's breathe hitches when one of Kazuya's fingers traces his length, gliding on the sensitive skin of his cock. Jin reaches for Kazuya and kisses him, tongue slipping in between Kazuya's lips. He moans as Kazuya's hand wraps around his throbbing length, feels it respond to Kazuya's coaxing. Then, Kazuya shifts and sits astride him, their hands laced together. Slowly, Kazuya eases himself onto him, his eyes closed and Jin moves his hips, flexes to fill Kazuya more. They move in a practiced rhythm, going faster and harder as they get used to the feeling. Jin watches as Kazuya moves on top of him, feeling heady. Kazuya opens his eyes and watches Jin, moving his hips down as Jin thrusts into him.
Jin chants Kazuya's name over and over as dark eyes watch him fall apart.
Jin wakes up alone in his bed again, catching his breath, sweaty and sticky, and the feeling of discontent heightens, growing more prominent in his heart.
☀☾✯✟
No one really expected that without Kazuya, the heika would really fall apart. The first six months without Kazuya have been worse. Ashia is the only one Jin would talk to. However, Jin refuses to talk to her about anything that concerns Kazuya. No one tells him where Kazuya had gone to and why he isn’t there. Why did Kazuya leave without telling him? The feeling of betrayal burns inside him like mad. Without a suppressor, he has freedom to do what he wills. Temperamental and impatient, he brings justice to Kamiumi in ways that had the people of Kamiumi fearing him. He has caused water to overflow, fire to burn villages, strong winds to destroy homes and earthquakes to separate lands. He did all that to show he rules over them and to dismiss demons that aren't keen on obeying his orders. Ashia couldn't bear it for much longer.
“Heika, you should not act like that.”
Jin looks at Ashia who is perched on his balcony as if she belongs there. Her legs are crossed and her long blonde hair moves along with the gentle breeze of the wind. Sometimes, Jin thinks of sending her away, tell her not to come back anymore because she reminds him so much of Kazuya. He is angry because he feels betrayed. Kazuya has promised not to leave him.
“Why are you here, Lady Ashia?” he asks with a cold tone. Everything just doesn’t sit well with him at this time.
Ashia removes herself gracefully from the rails of the balcony, standing before the king in her usual elegance and confidence. “Like you, I have lost my most important person,” she begins, staring up into the night sky, watching the stars. “He is my son and as his mother, I want to see him always. Did you know that I wanted to burn everything when I first lost him, heika? When he first sacrificed his life to save the people, I felt useless. My knowledge and my skills were nothing because I couldn't save my only son. I still feel the same every time he goes missing.”
“What are you getting at?” he asks, his attention fully directed to the great queen. Sometimes, Jin wonders what it would be like if she has become his mother. She has always been a great competition of his late mother after all.
“I just wanted you to know that Kazuya didn’t betray you. It has never been his choice to leave you.” Ashia says softly. “Do you want to know what really happened?” she asks, careful as if testing the waters. She knows Jin wouldn't like the truth.
“Are you going to tell me?” Jin asks. “Forgive me, great queen, but if you don’t then I do not have much time to waste.”
“Inside you I am sure you know what has happened. The Demon King never forgets, heika, remember that,” Ashia says carefully, politely. “However, it is by your own doing that you cannot remember what happened.”
“What do you mean?”
"Kazuya is your Suppressor," Ashia answers calmly, crossing her arms against her chest as she leans against a cold wall. "Without him you unconsciously suppress your own powers to keep Kamiumi but in the process, you forget events and put all the blame to Kazuya."
"I don't..." He stops then and watches Ashia perform a ritual, bluish-white light surrounding her and there’s an intricate seal on the ground where she stands. Then, inside his head, he sees himself. In his room, he’s talking to himself. It feels as if he’s restraining someone. Then he walks outside of his room, searching Kazuya with the intent to kill. It terrifies him. He sees Kazuya, praying in silence and Kazuya bows down to him. He sees himself talking to Kazuya as himself and as the Maoh. The final blow comes when he sees himself thrusting a sword into Kazuya’s heart. “This isn’t real…”
“I am sorry, heika,” Ashia says once everything is done. Reaching out to the Demon King, she holds him in his arms. “Kazuya has always told me to keep watch over you when this time comes. Kazuya wouldn’t want you to stay the way as you are right now.”
“What am I right now? Who am I?” Jin fears the answer as the scenes inside his head keep on playing as if mocking him. “Why do I have to kill him?”
“If you are not aware, you have been destroying Kamiumi piece by piece, heika,” Ashia tells him, soothing the King in her arms. Holding Jin feels like she's holding Kazuya and Ashia welcomes the bittersweet feeling. “Please keep in mind that you have no power to revive this entire world. It has always been Kazuya’s fate. His life for you, Kamiumi and its people. If this did not happen, the demon god would take over Kamiumi and Kazuya does not want that. Your people love you because you are a gentle king. Don’t ever forget that, heika."
☀☾✯✟
Kusumabura is a place where flowers bloom all year round. It has taken him five days of travelling with his horse to reach and upon his arrival; the King and his men are immediately led to the palace. Reika, Ashia’s assistant, came to attend to them. She leads them to a room that Jin is familiar with and what he sees has him in both agony and excitement. He's found him. Kazuya has come back. Inside him, Jin knows they are both living a cursed life, one of light and the other of darkness, both to be reborn after a thousand year.
There, lying on the bed is the person he's sworn his loyalty to a couple of thousand years ago. He's back. He lays there on his bed with his hands on his sides. His eyes are closed and his long blonde hair lay neatly around him while his skin glows fair against the soft light of the sunset. The King couldn't help but notice rose vines wrapped around his lithe frame, red petals looking like spots of blood against white skin.
Walking closer towards the bed, Jin’s eyes only sees the man lying frail on his bed. He reaches out to feel Kazuya's hair. "Finally, you have come around, Kazuya.”
However, silence remains loud even if Kazuya has come back. From all Jin knows, Kazuya should wake up any minute now and when he couldn't take it any longer, he asks, "Why is he not waking up?"
“I am sorry to inform you, heika," Alcina, the highest of the priestesses, begins with regret in her voice. "But Kazuya’s soul no longer rests here.”
“What do you mean?” Jin is angry at the thought, feeling as if he’s about to go insane. Kazuya couldn’t just lie here all his life, could he?
“Pardon me, heika, but only Shinou could answer you."
Jin’s eyes darken then, like the dark clouds of a storm. He stands up and everyone could see the determination of the Demon King, of why he has been chosen. In his every move, there is certainty and confidence. He has always been firm with his decisions.
“Alcina, please prepare the ritual. I shall talk to my father.”
☀☾✯✟
When the moon comes out that night, the King performs a ritual together with the high priestesses of Kamiumi who has been called out from their temple. They rarely go out of the temple and when they do, they are treated with utmost care and respect. Whoever disrespects them disrespects Shinou. The high priestesses are beautiful beings, eternally young but have a sound mind. They wear long white wardrobes, accentuated with golden cinches. Their golden hair, kept in an elaborate braid, reaches their ankles and their eyes are the colour of lavender. They perform rituals for the King and Shinou and they protect the people of Kamiumi by offering prayer all day, every day of their lives, especially Alcina.
“Heika, Shinou is waiting,” Alcina tells Jin with a soft, cool voice. It's almost like the whisper of the wind. She is looking at Jin from where he is kneeling.
"I am the current Maoh, king and ruler of Kamiumi,” Jin begins, introducing himself as Maoh to let Shinou know that part of his soul dwells inside him.
Why have you come, Maoh?
“I have come to you, Shinou, the true ruler of this kingdom, to ask a favour. It is to spare Kazuya’s life," Jin says, kneeling in front of the cross where Shinou’s soul has been sealed. It glows faintly inside its glass encasement.
What are you willing to give up for him?
"Anything." The Demon King answers.
You are aware that descendants of the moon goddess would always be a sacrifice in order for you, the Maoh, to have full control of his world, are you not?
He knows that, Jin tells himself. He's always known that and yet, it still hurts knowing he couldn't find a way to stop this kind of cycle from happening. Instead of answering back to his father, Jin makes a cut on his wrist and the pattern glows a deep red as blood drops on the ground beneath him, he whispers a prayer. If what's been said about this tragedy is true, it would be a fact that he has tried freeing Kazuya for two cycles now so another one wouldn't hurt. Shouldn't.
You are still as stubborn as I remember you, young Maoh. Why do you always decide for your own good?
“Because I love him. I have pledged my life to him, Shinou, unlike you. I care for him more than I do for this entire kingdom.”
Fool. Love isn’t needed when you are ruling a world.
“I do not desire for a marriage to keep this world stable. The warring of the countries would always be present and marriage cannot put an end to that. You know that I will never submit myself to that, do you not, father?”
His soul is as beautiful as his mother’s. Outside of his body, Kazuya's soul is as fragile as a glass and as light as a feather. Ashia has raised him well.
“He is her only son. Please return him to us. I know that you do not desire for Lady Ashia to suffer for so long.” Jin says, knowing full well that his father once loved Ashia during their time.
I do not but Kazuya is not meant to be reborn this time, young Maoh. This is supposed to be his final sacrifice. His soul weeps for you every time you kill him and he does not want you to bear the guilt alone. Kazuya’s lifetime has reached its end. Bringing him back here would disrupt the balance Kamiumi has as of this moment.
“Then, I ask you a favour to bring him back and have me reborn now. Send me to Kuniumi and let him stay here.”
But you are Maoh not him. Your people need you.
“I will come back. He will find me,” Jin says, putting all his trust into Kazuya. Whatever happens, Kazuya would have to bring him back. Jin knows only Kazuya could do that. “Ashia needs him and I know that without Kazuya, I would only destroy Kamiumi after living without him for a long time.”
You are really a stubborn man, young Maoh.
"I have to be," Jin says. “I need to be with him.”
If that is what you really desire then I shall grant your wishes and shall accept your payment.
Then it happens. It is something Jin hasn't experienced before. He's falling, the road before him nothing but shadows. The pattern on his wrist glows scarlet and it hurts. His wrist hurts so much, he feels like cutting a part of him to subdue the pain.
Jin
He hears Kazuya's voice and Jin opens his eyes in an instant. His eyes grow wider when the light on his wrist ceases and the pattern vanishes slowly in front of him.
Kazuya, he calls out and the Demon King drifts further and further away in pitch black.
☀☾✯✟
Two thousand years in Kamiumi has passed. In her room inside the palace, Ashia, with her blonde curls lifted in the air and a soft blue light encircling her, gazes into the dark sky and the stars through the glass walls of her room. The stars are aligned beautifully against the vast canvas of the night sky.
After two thousand years, Ashia smiles again.
☀☾✯✟
Jin lives in a quiet village, far from the city, where fields, mountains and trees are all over the place and he could smell the fresh grass every morning he wakes. He likes it there. He likes watching the fields lit by the moonlight and when the night is calm and the villagers are all bundled up in their futons, he would hear a lovely melody echo in the night. It’s as if the night is singing him to sleep.
Jin has asked his mother about the music that only plays at night and she answered him saying, “It’s just the wind, Jin. Now go to sleep while the wind sings you a lullaby.”
As a young child, Jin believed whatever his mother told him and from then on, Jin knows that he would sleep soundly every time he hears that sweet, sweet sound in the dark and with the stars shimmering with its tune.
Jin doesn't know that it is only him who could hear the sound.
When the sun rises, Jin comes out to play outside their home. He would run outside, smiling at and greeting the old ladies he passes by. He helps the old men remove weeds from the field. It is a nice gesture his mother has taught him as he grows. Jin loves playing with young boys his age the most. He likes getting sweaty and muddy with them. Jin also likes looking at young girls and ladies that smile fondly at him.
Today is one of the days that Jin likes best. The villagers will be celebrating the tsukimi tonight and Jin is always present during the moon-viewing festival because it is during that time that the moon is at its best.
With the moon still partly hidden in the clouds, Jin decides to walk around the area where the festival is to be held. He strays away a bit further into the woods that lead into a forest. It's only when he hears noises coming from behind the trees near him that he realizes that. Shifting on his feet, Jin runs thinking about catching something deep in the woods, something he could brag to his friends and girls about. In his haste, Jin trips, scraping his left hand against the rough bark of a tree. It stings but he closes his hand in a fist, ignoring it in search of an adventure. In the quiet of the night, he could hear a sweet tune echoing as he nears the clearing and when he finally does, Jin’s eyes fall on the long furisode of the red kimono that touches the ground. His eyes catch something that glimmer in the night and he sees an instrument, shaped like the crescent moon with strings lying against a tree.
“Hey,” Jin begins as he steps forward. “What are you doing here by yourself? This part of the village isn’t really safe, you know,” he says as the other turns slowly towards him, keeping his senses alert for any creature of the wild.
It turns out that the stranger is a young boy, probably around the age of ten. He has blonde-ish white hair, almost platinum under the moonlight. The strands are pretty long, too, and Jin could almost feel its softness in his fingertips as the wind caresses that hair. The front strands of his hair have been secured by strings. His face is small with sharp, delicate features - a good balance between feminine and masculine. The part of his skin that catches the moonlight gleams in a way that Jin has never seen before. Jin looks at that face again and sees the other’s eyes whose colours are a mixture of striking gold and hazel. They look warm.
“Are you hurt?” Jin tries again when the boy remains quiet, his foot steps forward and another when he sees the boy nod at him.
“I think." The boy says with a gentle voice. He shows him his wounded hand.
Jin stands beside the boy. “What happened?” he asks, eyeing the boy's hand.
"I was looking for something and didn't see the tree branch lying here. I kind of scraped it against the bark." The boy replies.
"Something?" Jin repeats.
"It's my pluck. I still can't play my harp well with only my fingers," the boy replies. "I'll find it, don't worry about it anymore."
“Good luck finding that in the dark," Jin says but couldn't ignore the boy’s wound. “There’s a spring near here. We should clean your wound, at least." He points the wound to the boy before he wraps the scraped hand with a piece of cloth his mother always ties around his left wrist. “This should keep it protected from dirt for a while.”
“It’s alright,” the boy says, watching Jin fit the cloth around his wounded hand snugly. “It will heal soon enough.”
“Still, it wouldn’t hurt to clean it up. My mom always tells me to clean my wounds the soonest time possible if ever I did get one,” Jin says, helping the boy to stand up.
"Did you ever get wounded?" the boy asks.
"No. My wounds heal fast. But don't tell my mom that, okay?" Jin grins. "It's my secret. My name’s Jin by the way. What’s yours?”
“Kamenashi," the boy says, he looks up and sees the moon. “Everyone calls me Kamenashi. But you can call me Kazuya.” He then lifts Jin’s left hand, palm facing up. He studies the pale skin of Jin's wrist and the black smudge on it before tracing the pattern that is supposed to be imprinted on Jin's skin with his finger. "Do you always hide this?" he asks curiously.
"Not really," Jin answers, looking down at the deformed pattern on the inside part of his wrist. "It's my mom who keeps on hiding it. I wonder how I got it though. The other kids seem to think that I have an incurable disease because of this." He laughs a little and catches the way Kazuya's hair flows with the wind. It seems to glow in the dark; the silvery strands reflecting the moonlight. “Hey Kazuya, if you don’t mind me asking, why are your hair and eyes like that? Are you of mixed blood?”
Kazuya shakes his head and gives Jin a smile as calm and mysterious as the moon. “You'll know why someday. I'll come to you. Soon."
Jin frowns, confused and as he’s about to speak again, there are fireworks lighting up the sky and when he looks to his side Kazuya is no longer there. Instead, in his place, something catches the moonlight. Jin picks it up and keeps it in his pocket, fingers tracing the edges of the pluck. That night, the music the wind creates is much sweeter and Jin dreams of the moon and a beautiful man whose hair falls down to his hips, silver against his pale skin.
However, time passes and Jin forgets about the boy when he goes to study in Tokyo.
☀☾✯✟
Part 2