(no subject)
Title: 31 Trials from Hell
Rating: 18
This chapter: PG
Main Characters from: Gacktjob, Malice Mizer
Main Pairing: Gackt X Kami
Summary: When his lover dies Gackt will do anything it takes to get him back even if it means following him into the depths of hell.
Previous Trials
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Trial 18: New Allies
Gackt opened his eyes and took in You staring at him instantly dropping onto hands and knees as he bowed before his lord realising now how rude and ungrateful he had been to You. It wasn't befitting of a samurai to act that way and as he bowed he begged for forgiveness which You gave him before ordering him back to his feet.
“Come on Gakuto you know we're friends.” You scolded, using the samurai's original name just in case, getting a hug this time for his kindness.
“I know You, but I’ve been so rude to you for so long.” Gackt apologised before turning to Hyde. “And thank you Hyde for saving me from hell.”
“World of the the damned.” Hyde corrected. “How's your memory?”
“It's back, all off it.” Gackt replied. “I plan to finish my quest off course, as selfish and spoilt as that makes you see me Hyde.”
“Perhaps I was too hasty in judging your character.” Hyde apologised. “You have shown great strength to go through everything Chachamaru did to you. I take it he didn't go straight to Mana?”
“Oh no he...” Gackt began growing quiet as he realised he didn't want to admit it all. “He tried torturing me first.”
“It's OK, we won't make you talk about it.” You reassured Gackt. “We shall just admire you for still being strong and determined despite whatever happened to you.”
“Hardship just makes me more stubborn.” Gackt announced firmly. “But You, is there anything you can do to fix this brand? I hate that it's broken, I look like a Rounin.”
“We can't brand living souls.” Hyde spoke up but You was shaking his head.
“No you can't, my brand is more an invite than a judgement. I can brand a soul whenever I like just as long as he wants it.” You admitted pausing before reaching for Gackt's hand. “I have to remove this brand first, I'm trusting this isn't a trick.”
“It's not a trick, I’d never betray you. I'm a samurai, you know how much loyalty means to me.” Gackt replied firmly and You smiled, he did know how much loyalty meant to Gakuto and if Gackt had his memories back, all of them, then he knew he could be trusted. It took a minute but with two spells he had removed the old mark and replaced it with a shiny new one, a winged sword.
“The mark of a general? But I haven't completed my quest. How can you reward me now?” Gackt demanded not angry just confused.
“Because when you do complete your quest I'd have to remove your brand and do it again if I returned the brand you had.” You replied. “Off course in rewarding you now I’ve pretty much given you no choice but to succeed.”
“He will succeed, if anyone can it will be Gackt.” Hyde spoke up having watched the whole exchange with a smile hoping his souls were half as loyal as Gackt proved he was. He'd been wrong to judge the samurai so quickly but he wasn't too proud to admit it, humility was a sign of strength.
“You I need to apologise again, my sword and armour are still in the world of the damned, Közi stole the sword but I have no idea where my armour is.” Gackt realised not ashamed to only be wearing tight leather trousers but knowing it wouldn't make good first impressions.
“I'll get you more.” You promised.
“If you like I could find you something to wear for now?” Hyde offered.
“No offence but I want my sword and armour.” Gackt explained realising he had hurt Hyde he added. “What kind of warrior would I be without them?”
It had taken You just under an hour to find suitable replacements and give them to Gackt but as he did the Samurai smiled as he realised they were all black and silver. A similar design to his old ones but without embellishment.
“The blacksmiths can alter them as you see fit later, or we can get you an entirely new set.” You reassured Gackt who already knew such things but let You explain silently amused that the Valkyrie had got so used to being questioned he was now offering up answers on his own.
“No, I like black.” Gackt reassured him. “We can customise it later, right now I just want Kami and now with a complete knowledge of how everything works down here, all the dimensions and such, I think I know exactly where Kami is. Tell me Hyde, what do you know of love? You is clueless which explains why he hasn't even thought of this option.”
“Love is light and kindness.” Hyde explained. “At least around here. I love every one of my souls equally.”
“Great one of you can't love and the other can't feel anything but love.” Gackt muttered. “Anyway I’ve been thinking, if I hurt this much without Kami then I’d like to think it hurt him to be without me. Not because I'm sadistic but because I want him to care he no longer has me in his life. That being said how can he find heaven here unless he forgets my existence? He's with Mana's brother in the Gardens of lost memories.”
“Are you sure?” Hyde asked surprised at such an answer.
“Sometimes to be happy you need to forget the pain of your past.” Gackt replied. “Hizaki knows that and uses his powers to help. His is a heaven dimension you know.”
“But Hizaki isn't good.” Hyde argued.
“But he isn't evil.” You added. “I think Gackt might be right, let's just trust him on this unless you have a better suggestion?”
“No, I think Gackt knows best.” Hyde replied. “He is the one who knew Kami. With that said I ask that you let me come too, just in case Chachamaru returns. Together You and I can handle him.”
“I can handle him on my own.” You boasted. “But if you want to come I won't stop you.”
“Come with us.” Gackt replied. “I'd like your company and support.”
“So many roses.” Gackt commented as they walked down the gravel pathways towards Hizaki's grand home. The whole place smelt of the flowers and between them flew bees, ladybirds and dragonflies though it was the butterflies that made Gackt stop in his tracks. They were gorgeous and unlike any butterfly on earth but that wasn't what had surprised him.
“Sometimes Hizaki is called the Rose princess because of these gardens.” Hyde explained pausing as he noticed Gackt wasn't even listening. “Gackt?”
“Kami loved butterflies, he even had them tattooed onto his arm.” Gackt explain smiling fondly at the memory. “If I had any doubts Kami was here, which I don't, these butterflies would eliminate them. You're birds are nice Hyde and so is your heaven but these gardens are where Kami belongs.”
“It is peaceful here.” Hyde agreed. “I should remember to come more often.”
“Well I find it rather boring.” You admitted and the two men with him turned to give him a shocked look. “What? You know I love nothing more than a good fight.”
“Oh You, without Chachamaru here you're the one coming off as evil.” Gackt remarked rather casually.
“Seems your second life has had a stronger influence than I thought.” You remarked. “Gakuto would never say such a thing, I think I prefer you like this. I like that you treat me as your friend.”
“Don't get me wrong, I'm a samurai and you have my unquestionable loyalty and respect.” Gackt argued. “Just, I suppose now I know what I can get away with it's hard to go back to being so subservient.”
“I can't imagine you ever being subservient.” Hyde remarked amused by the idea.
“He was, too me anyway.” You defended Gackt. “Samurai's always were some of the loyalist of souls. Though you are right in a way, Gackt may have followed every one of my orders without question but if a command came from somebody else and he didn't agree he made his voice heard. You always have been a leader Gackt, that's why I promoted you the first time and barely had to think about making you a General. You're the right man for the job and would have become one eventually anyway.”
“So you're saying if I fail then I still get my reward?” Gackt teased.
“You won't fail, I won't permit it.” You responded. “You listening to me Gakuto? You have to succeed, it's an order.”
“Yes my lord.” Gackt replied even bowing to half height as he said it but as he stood up it was clear he was putting on a show for Hyde.
Like his brother Hizaki had a love of wearing women’s clothes but that was where the similarities came to an end. Where Mana was dark he was light, where Mana was cruel he was kind and whilst Mana only talked to those he saw worthy Hizaki was welcoming to everyone unless they angered him, which was a rare occurrence. Hizaki was easy going and honest by nature and as he saw his visitors he smiled warmly.
An angel on the left, his wings white as snow, a Valkyrie on the right with his own deep blue wings clearly visible as if being with the angel made him want to match, it was the samurai in the middle that really caught Hizaki's attention. 'The samurai is in charge', was the first shocking thing that crossed Hizaki's mind, the second the realisation that he was still alive. Standing up Hizaki greeted them all warmly recognising the angel of music but having to be introduced to his companions.
“You look like you have a purpose here, some kind of business?” Hizaki asked.
“Seems the gossip hasn't got to you yet.” Gackt replied. “I'll be brief, I'm looking for my lover Kami.”
“Your ex lover, Kami is dead.” Hizaki replied. “You are still alive, I don't understand why you're here.”
“Because I want him back.” Gackt replied stubbornly.
“Hyde? You're helping him with this?” Hizaki asked stunned by this revelation.
“He's proven his worth to me.” Hyde explained. “And I know he won't be talked out of this so yes, I feel that if any man deserves to get his lover back then it will be Gackt. He will succeed where Orpheus failed.”
“You must truly think highly of him.” Hizaki commented. “If that is the case then I will admit that Kami is here.”
“Really?” Gackt asked stunned by this despite his certainty that he was right. It was just after searching so hard and for so long the concept off having found Kami seemed rather strange, wonderful but still weird.
“He is.” Hizaki agreed. “Poor man, couldn't bare to be without you but he's happy now. At peace.”
“Please Hizaki, I need him back.” Gackt begged. “I'll do anything to be with him once more.”
“Perhaps there is no harm in letting you say goodbye.” Hizaki responded but to Gackt that wasn't enough.
“No Hizaki. You don't understand. I need Kami back in my life.” Gackt explained. “I'm not asking you to loose your soul, just let him live a little while longer.”
“I don't think so, it's not how things are done.” Hizaki replied stubbornly.
“Hizaki please. What can I do to make you change your mind?” Gackt begged but before Hizaki could answer Hyde had dropped to one knee.
“Hizaki, grant this man's wish and you can borrow my finest musicians for every party you wish to throw.” Hyde pledged. “I know you love music almost as much as I do.”
“If you need an army you can borrow mine.” You pledged also dropping to one knee before Hizaki who was as shocked by this turn of events as Gackt was that it had been Hyde who had tried to bargain with the demi-god first. Who ever thought that Hyde, who had been so against the idea at first, was now so willing to help Gackt succeed?