CHAPTER 9 - GARDEN OF EDEN

I ran into a fog and looked around, there's nothing here.... Why was I running? It doesn't matter now, I must get out of here. This fog is too thick to see anything! Well if I go in some direction I'll finally get somewhere, won't I? But I am not sure. I started walking straight ahead not noticing anything. It was getting darker with every step but it didn't bother me at all. After minutes or maybe hours I suddenly could see a humongous silhouette, as I got closed I could recognize the walls, towers and windows - the Hiwatari Castle.

#X#X#

It suddenly got really cold. Steam was coming out of my nose with every breath. I wrapped my hands around myself to keep warm but it didn't help much. I felt a drop on my cheek. I gazed up and saw dark, heavy clouds. It was starting to rain. Just great! I walked to the gate and knocked on it and it fell down with a crash. Immediately I jumped back evading the steel covered doors, my heart was pounding in my chest, I could have got killed. Going inside wasn't probably the best idea so I walked away like a beggar that nobody wants. The fog slowly cleared, revealing some kind of a wasteland. I'm sure somebody lived here years ago. You could only imagine what kinds off structures were once here.... I walked slowly to nowhere specific, just to keep on going somewhere.

I walked through ruins of a city of some kind, they were completely abandoned, and nobody lived here for decades. The silence around me was sickening, it was like a knife slowly cutting and stabbing my brain from inside. I started to walk faster to escape this solitude, everywhere I felt death, I could almost smell the odor of decaying bodies. I covered my mouth to keep myself from vomiting.

Finally. I'm out of that place. Oh what's this? I looked down to see a lonely plant growing on the ash color ground. Its green leaves were an enormous contrast to the gray world around, and there was even a small flower forming, I smiled thinking that something so beautiful was here. I tried to touch it, to feel the smooth texture of the red petals but it faded immediately and turned into black cinders and as the wind blew the flower was no more there. I didn't even have time to think when I heard the most evil and malicious laughter in the world. It was mocking me, criticizing my every move and decision. To this absolute silence it was the sweetest music. I covered my ears to block it out but it was even louder then. It was in my brain! I have to run away! I started to run as if my life depended on it.

Suddenly I tripped over something, it was a small mound of rocks and soil but there was a. a ... a hand sticking out of it! It didn't have any skin on it. It was just bones, but it only had four fingers! I didn't notice that it wasn't the only thing sticking out of this "grave". I looked closely and saw a face, half covered with skin. It had a frown of pain written on it. I tried to run away but the hand grabbed my leg and tripped me. I was face to face with the head; it opened its only eye.

"Let me go, you monster!" I screamed desperately.

"You're the monster here! You'll die and no one, no one will remember you, nobody will ever think of you" it laughed and turned into ashes.

"No, no!!!" I yelled as everything faded to nothingness.

#X#X#

I opened my eyes and as they got used to the dark I saw… Oh no. Everything but not this!... I was in... the dungeon...Noooo!

I curled up into a ball on the floor and started to sob quietly. I don't know how much time has past. I didn't even notice someone slipping into the chamber.

"Hello there...." Someone said in a low husky voice, I was afraid, I heard that voice somewhere before....

I could feel him staring at me, I was terrified. Why can't they just leave me alone! Oh no.... he's closer now, I can feel his hot breath on my skin...

"We're gonna have fun now, won't we" He stated.

I whimpered, no...no it's happening again!

He slapped me across my face and kicked me in the stomach, I groaned in pain and rolled over on my back, he started to take my clothes off, I didn't have any energy to try to protect myself. It was dark in the room but I could see my attacker and it was he again!

"Why? Why are you doing this? I thought... I thought you..." I started weakly.

"What, you thought I loved you? That's a good one," His laughter echoed in the chamber.

"Nobody could love you Kai Hiwatari!"

#X#X#

##High noon, oh I'd sell my soul for water##

Kai shot up in bed; he was all wet because of his sweat. He was panting loudly as if he had just run the marathon. He fell back on his bed, pale as death and started to think.

'God, that was the worst nightmare I ever had' he thought.

Suddenly he felt horrible in the room. He was all alone, but that didn't worry him so much.

##Nine years worth of breakin' my back##

'What if it was true? Am I really so evil?' Kai thought in an almost delirious state.

He put his feet on the floor and his elbows on his knees, he buried his face in his hands and did absolutely nothing, even his breathing was so shallow it seemed he was dead.

He stood up, reached under his pillow to get a dagger he always kept there. He began to look into the smooth, cold blade but immediately stopped when he saw his reflection. With the weapon he slowly walked to the door in one of the dark corners of his chamber. His movements were strange as if some parts of his body didn't work, we was almost dragging one of his legs behind and his left arm was limp by his side. When he reached the door and caught the handle, he shivered but nonetheless he opened it quietly and slid in.

##REI POV##

#There's no sun in the shadow of the wizard#

I was curled up in bed. My hair were tangled with the sheets, my eyes were wide opened.

"I can't handle much more of this. Please. Stars you always help us, maybe you could help me? Kill me please!" I didn't even realize that I said that out loud when my keen Neko - Jin hearing picked up something. Someone was opening the door... Maybe it's the end of my torment here on earth? I waited, not making a move. I could fell someone staring at me. Why can't he do it already?! Does he want to torment me? I don't know how much time has passed but for me it was ages.

##See how he glides, why he's lighter than air?##

When I suddenly heard metal hitting the floor near me I jumped up, and turned around. Oh fuck....

##NORMAL POV##

##Oh I see his face!##

Rei was looking into a pair of dull brown pools; tiny pupils were staring at him, as if they were looking inside his soul. He shuddered; it could be only one person - KAI....

The two males were looking at each over, not with hate, not with friendship; it was just a lifeless stare.

##KAI POV##

Why am I here? Something made me to come to my slave, but what was it? I looked down to see a dagger on the floor. Did I want to...

I am a monster, a cold-hearted bastard that doesn't care for anything or anyone! I looked at Rei who was staring at me. I noticed dark shades under his bloodshot eyes. Is he having nightmares?

Yes and it's my fault.

##FLASHBACK##

"You killed my best friend and you ask why I'm upset?! You bastard!"

##END FLASHBACK##

It's my fault, I killed numberless people, it there's even a sense to live on?

##FLASHBACK##

"Don't make my laugh! You are the weakest person I ever seen"

##END FLASHBACK##

Maybe he was right? I'm weak, I'm just afraid.

##FLASHBACK##

"You will never do anything worthy of our name. You are nobody!"

##END FLASHBACK##

Worthless...

Am I really so bad? Am I so cruel that I don't deserve a little happiness?

How can I even think about myself? I destroyed lives, I destroyed his life! Maybe I could do something? Anything to make his life better.

I could set him free.... No! I can't!....But why am I so... so attached to him? The slaves think his a traitor, they'd kill him. I don't want anyone to die anymore... don't I?

##NORMAL POV##

Rei and his Master would be still looking at each other but suddenly someone knocked. The two males almost jumped to the ceiling when they heard it.

"Enter...." Kai said weakly.

"Good morning Almighty." Tala said as he entered and bowed to the wizard. "Breakfast is ready my Lord."

"I'll be down in a couple of minutes." Kai said, he realized he was still in his sleeping clothes - loose silky pants. He turned around and went to his bedroom to dress in his usual clothes. Rei also stood up from his bed and reluctantly came up to his wardrobe. After a while of hesitation he picked cool indigo shirt and white loose pants both from silk. He put them on, laving a shirt fastened only at one button and with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He brushed his black hair and tied them in slipshod ponytail. He looked into a mirror at his tired face, sighed and then he went to the Wizard's bedroom.

Kai was already fully dressed - he wore black shirt and pants and his inseparable cloak. He looked at Rei, but said nothing. Black head couldn't guess Kai's expression, but he wasn't in mood to ask him about that. Finally, they headed towards the dining room to eat a breakfast.

#X#X#

After a breakfast Kai set about doing his normal works. Rei wondered around the castle corridors, musing about all previous thoughts and events. He was in some kind of lethargy - he really wasn't aware where he was going and all his thoughts were very distant and as if not his own.

As he was at the fourth floor, he passed an opened window. A hot air was slipping through it to the cold space inside the castle. Rei came up to it. After a while he pulled himself up and sat on a sill. He looked down at his feet dangling in the air. He saw dark stains dancing in front of his eyes and he felt slightly dizzy. The train of varied thoughts passed his mind.

All his childhood time, all pain and happiness he endured at the desert. Then the latest events: the deaths of his friends, the accusation they threw at him.

Michael's death.

##FLASHBACK##

"Kill him."

"I want a public execution."

##END FLASHBACK##

Kevin's death.

##FLASHBACK##

"I didn't want to kill the wizard! I wanted to kill that traitor!"

"Kill him." Kai said finally.

##END FLASHBACK##

'Is there any sense of living anymore?' he asked himself and then looked down again. 'Maybe I should end up my disgusting and pitiful life? There's no use of me here, I can't escape and go back to my friends, I'm a traitor... They hate me...' he leaned forward and was to jump down when he felt two strong arms wrapping around him and pulling him back to the interior.

##KAI POV##

I was going to one of my numerous offices when I saw a view that froze all blood in my veins. My slave, Rei, was sitting at the edge of window, dangerously swaying back and forward. What if he really wants to end his life like that? Is it for real? But why?

Don't be stupid Kai! You know the reason really good. YOU caused him to fall in such a desperate state. And IF YOU have a HEART and a CONSCIENCE, YOU WILL undo it, no matter what it will cost YOU.

I have to help him...

'"Nobody could love you Kai Hiwatari!"' those horrible words reverberated in my mind.

There's no wonder why nobody could love me. It is caused by myself, I created a terrible barrier around be, not allowing anybody to come close to me and causing the others to suffer. I can't take back all the damages, but at least I can stop evoking them.

All this thoughts passed my mind in the one second as I rushed forward to catch Rei before he would fall down from the window. I wrapped my hands around his waste and pulled him back, causing both of us to fall on the floor.

I painfully fell at the stone floor at my back and Rei landed at me.

I opened my eyes, and saw the most breath taking sight on earth.

My slave was laying on me, his legs between my own, to hold balance he placed his hands on both sides of my head. My arms were still wrapped around him.

I could feel a blush rising up on my face, I looked down, that was a mistake I only got redder. Rei's shirt was fastened on only one button, revealing his muscular chest and stomach, his tan, smooth skin made the sight even more amazing. I suddenly had the urge to run my fingers over it, but instead I shook my head and tried to stand up.

After a minute we were both on our feet, as I regained my sober thinking after that intoxicating sight and I started to panic.

"What the fuck were you thinking?! That you're a bird?!" I shouted, fuck I didn't want to yell at him.

"I wish I was, at least I could escape from this lifelong torment." he almost whispered. Rei looked down on the floor, avoiding any contact.

I calmed down, kicking myself mentally for yelling at him. What to do? What to do now?! Suddenly I got an idea....

"Rei come with me." I said as calmly as I could.

##REI POV##

I flinched as he yelled at me, I didn't dare to look at his face, when I last saw him he was red from anger. Finally I heard.

"Rei come with me." he said.

I stared at him with wide eyes.... Did he just call me by my name? He was a few steps away from me as he said.

"I thought I have told you something." He said a little angrily.

"Yes Master..." I answered quietly.

I walked slowly behind him, I wonder where are we going.... We turned left into a dark corridor but after a moment I could have seen a small light at the end... Hmmm this seems familiar, maybe I've been here....

As we stopped I looked around with amazement. No, I haven't been here before. It was a marvelous garden, I have seen some in castle before, but this one was joining beauty of all others. It was enormous, actually I couldn't see opposite walls. The garden was placed in a round room, under a crystal doom, which was letting sunlight in. In the center of doom, there was a hole. Suddenly I saw some birds flying through it to the garden.

I tore my eyes from them and precisely looked around. At the evenly mowed green grass there were pearly white round plates of marble. Those paths were leading in different directions, disappearing behind trees. Yes, trees. There were gorgeous, I haven't seen any like that before. They were very tall and shaggy; I guess they had to grow here from many years. I could see many kinds of them; I know the names of few because of talks of elder slaves. Old oaks were overweighing, also there were slender cypress, birches and olives. In some places I could also see fruit trees, like apple and orange tress.

In one place I spotted a little pond, with a weeping willows bent over it. In many places, under and next to trees there were many blossoming bushes. Also there were countless flowers of many kinds. Jonquils, daisies, tulips, violets, lilies and many, many more.

Kai strolled forward and I followed him. As we were walking over the paths I discovered even more beauty of garden. There where few wooden arbors, which were overgrew with ivy. Also there were some fountains in many shapes and sizes.

Everywhere I could see exotic birds and butterflies. The sun was shining lightly through the leaves of trees, showing soft shadow at the rich green grass. It was like a paradise, I was surprised that such a wonderful place can be in this castle.

Kai led me to that beautiful pond. It was slightly in shade, spots of light dancing over the grass and flowers. Suddenly he came to the halt and sat under a shaggy weeping willow and gestured at me to do the same. The twigs of tree were falling down like a cascade, touching the calm surface of water. From time to time, there was a small movement in pond, I guess that was caused by some fishes or insects. Next to the tree there were some flowers and bushes.

Kai leaned over the trunk, gazing at the clean water of pond. He closed his eyes and then, to my genuine amazement, he softly smiled.

"Maybe you don't know, but I tends to come here when I need some comfort." He sighed and then opened his eyes and looked around. I had an impression that he was avoiding my gaze.

This made me wonder. Is he afraid of something? Of me maybe? Oh yeah and what else Rei? Of course he isn't scared, he killed so many people he isn't afraid of anything. Or maybe this is one of his new ways of torturing me?

We spent a couple of minutes in uncomfortable silence. In the corner of my eye I could see him looking at something by the pond .

"Do you see all this flowers? In this garden there are every kinds of them except one. From many years I have tried to grow roses, but in vain. I guess that they can grow in this climate, no matter what I will do…"

Why did he bring me here? I didn't even realize that I said that out loud.

"What did you say?" he asked in his usual unemotional voice.

I don't know if he was angry at my question but you can't kill someone for asking, can you? I repeated louder.

"Why did you bring me here, goddammit!" fuck I didn't want to say that.

He turned to face me and looked into my eyes, I could see a flick of emotions in his dull orbs. Hmmm come to think about it they were different when I first saw them.

"And why did you want to jump?" he asked in a calm voice.

Oh, that made me mad. Mad? I was furious! Is this psycho playing with me? Or is he just stupid?! My muscles tensed, I clenched my teeth and fists. I couldn't take this anymore, I exploded.

##Where is your star?##

"Why?! Why?! You still have the nerve to ask me?! Are you so cruel or stupid?! It's your fault! You killed my friends! It's because of you, people that I love, hate me now!! You coldhearted bastard! Oh I'm sorry My Master" my voice was dripping with sarcasm. "You don't even have a HEART!"

##Is it far, is it far, is it far?##

I stood there slightly panting, glaring at him as hard as I could, waiting for some kind of reply. Maybe he'll order to whip me? Or maybe even kill me, I don't care anymore. He was sitting there, his head bowed, his blue bangs covering his eyes from my gaze and throwing a shadow on his pale face. I couldn't hear any angry word from him, instead he whispered something.

"You're not the only one whose life is miserable...." he trailed off.

What did he mean by that?

##FLASHBACK##

"He had very tough childhood and past, so try to be understanding for him."

##END FLASHBACK##

Is he talking about his past? What could have happened to him to make his childhood "tough"?

##FLASHBACK##

As he was staring at the painting his face turned paler than normally and his turquoise eyes had a strange light inside. Something between fear and pain. When I was musing over his reaction one thought had stroke me down. Tala has spoken about Kai's painful past before. Maybe this man had something with him and Tala. But what? It won't harm to ask.

"Tala?"

"Yeah?" he said as he woke up from his meditations, still staring at the picture.

"Who's that man? Did he have something to do with The Almighty's past?"

Tala faced me slowly and looked straight into my eyes, as if he was thinking over the answer. He was very close to me; I felt his breath at my skin. Strangely, I didn't feel uncomfortably - on the contrary I felt safe and calm. I stared up into his deep turquoise orbs, trying to figure out his thoughts.

Finally he opened his mouth and spoke with calm, but slightly trembling voice.

"Voltaire was The Almighty's grandfather and the prior ruler of this castle. He had died 12 years ago and then Kai has become the next Lord…It's all I can tell you at the moment."

"I see…but I have the impression that the memory of him awakes rather bad memories in you, doesn't it?"

He looked at me with concentration and to my amazement he smiled at me.

"You are really smart guy, you know?

##END FLASHBACK##

##When do we leave?##

Voltaire was Kai's grandfather, maybe something bad happened between them?

Am I an egoist? Crying over my own fate not looking at others people's problems? Maybe I even misjudged him? If I remember right he didn't look good after the execution, what if he really feels bad about all this? Maybe he has done it only because of his Wizard's obligations? I was thrown out of my musings when I heard a quiet sob. A sob?!

##I believe, yes, I believe##

I looked at the figure lying on the ground, he seemed small and defenseless. I don't know what came over me but I kneeled down beside him in order to see his face but he just turned around even more. I reached out and grabbed his chin lightly drawing him closer to me. He shivered but didn't object. When I saw his face, it stunned me. I lonely tear was slowly flowing down his cheek. Suddenly his facial expression changed, he was completely terrified. He jumped out of my grasp as if my touch was burning him and he ran away as fast as he could leaving me alone with my thoughts.

##NORMAL POV##

Rei didn't know but a pair of sapphire eyes was watching this whole scene with great amusement.