Mirage Of Blaze Fan Fiction ❯ Cruel Paradise ❯ Chapter 2

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Mirage of Blaze or any of it's characters. They belong to Kuwabara Mizuna.

Author's Note: Okay, I had posted this chapter once already, but I was unhappy with a few parts, so I changed them. ^_^

Chapter Two

When Naoe pulled up in front of Yuzuru's house, he was surprised to see that there were no lights on. He stopped behind Takaya's motorcycle, and shut off his car. He took a cigarette out of the pack in his pocket and lit it. Studying the dark house, he took a long drag, then exhaled slowly. "So you're spending the night here, huh, Takaya?" he mumbled aloud. His heart pounded once again as his thoughts were overcome with the images that Saori had described.

He stepped out of the car into the chilled night air, softly shutting the door behind him. He nonchalantly slid his left hand into the pocket of his slacks as he walked up the sidewalk to the front door. When he reached it, he headed around to the back, straight to Yuzuru's window. He took another drag of his cigarette, then flicked it into the darkness.

He noticed a soft light streaming from the long window. He approached cautiously, creeping close to the wall. Stopping when he reached it, he took a deep breath, both fearful and curious to see. I have to know. Finally, he mustered the nerve to pivot his body to peer through the glass. The window was almost as big as he was from his head to his knees, and the dim light of Yuzuru's computer monitor made it possible to see most of the room.

On the other side of the window was the head of Yuzuru's bed. Takaya lay sprawled out on his stomach next to Yuzuru, who was on his back. His arm loosely draped over Yuzuru's bare chest. The blankets were pulled up to their waists, leaving their naked upper bodies exposed. The dim light of Yuzuru's computer monitor cast an eerie glow on the two of them as they slept.

Naoe stared down at them, his anger mounting by the second. His fists clenched. Why did I come? I knew I would find them like this! His eyes narrowed, wondering if they were naked under the blankets as well. Naoe bit his lower lip to quell the anger that boiled inside him.

Four hundred years of memories flashed through his mind in seconds. All of the times he'd saved Lord Kagetora's life; proved his loyalty to his master, and now all of that was thrown back into his face. This, though...this was the last straw! To see him in bed with Yuzuru was too much, especially after he had just confessed his love to him. Blood trickled from his lower lip where his tooth had pierced it.

Unable to bear the site of his beloved Lord with someone else, he raised his hands up, putting them together in front of his chest. You've driven me to this, Lord Kagetora! If you won't love me, I won't allow you to love anyone else either! Eyes fixed on them, his body began to glow with a yellow aura as he quietly began to chant. "Noumakusamanda Bodanan Baishi Ramandaya Sowaka." His voice became increasingly louder as he continued, focusing completely on the two men, his hair blowing with the immense energy he was emitting. "Ari Nari Tonari Anaro Nabi Kunabi."

Takaya stirred in his sleep, lazily rolling over onto his back, pulling his arm off Yuzuru's chest. His sleeping face glowed with the flickering light coming from Naoe's body.

"Namu Tobatsu Bishamont..." Suddenly, Naoe stopped chanting, his hands falling limply to his sides. "Damn you, Lord Kagetora!" he whispered hoarsely. "I fucking hate you," he muttered through clenched teeth. "But worse than that...I love you. I love you so fucking much," he breathed.

He covered his face with his hands, letting out a soft guttural groan of defeat. "Why do you hurt me like this?" he muttered, removing his hands. "Do you no longer need me?" His body trembled with fear at the thought. And you must know that if I harm Yuzuru, I would be violating Lord Kenshin Uesugi's orders. Did you plan it this way?

He stared in at Takaya, lifting his index finger to the window and gently traced Takaya's outline through the glass. He wished it was Takaya's warm skin he stroked, rather than the cold glass. Do you think Yuzuru can replace me? He let his forehead rest against the window. It hurts...it hurts so badly. The pain you have caused me is...unbearable. Yet, still I continue to love you. A painful lump formed in his throat as he fought to keep his misery and rage buried inside.

He pressed his palm against the window. "Why do you do this to me?" He let his palm slide down the window before dangling at his side. He turned away, fighting back his tears as he stormed to his car. I won't let you have him, Yuzuru. He's mine. He's been mine for four hundred years.

Naoe got back into his car, started it, and drove away. This isn't over.

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Takaya awakened with a start. He could've sworn that he'd heard something outside the window. He pulled the blankets off, leaving him clad only in his jeans. He crawled up to the window and peered out into the darkness, looking for any sign of movement. He thought it odd when he heard a car pulling away. His heart skipped a beat when he wondered if it was Naoe. Has Naoe come back?

After staring out the window for what seemed like forever, he moved back down into the bed and covered up with the blankets again. He closed his eyes, his heart pounding with excitement that perhaps Naoe was back. Was that you, Naoe? His lips curled into a smirk. Are you jealous? For the remainder of the night, he tossed and turned with anticipation.

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"Takaya," a soft voice called out. "Wake up, Takaya."

"Hmm?" a sleepy Takaya answered.

"It's time to wake up," Yuzuru said, gently shaking his friend. "It's already nine o'clock."

Takaya rubbed his eyes. "I'm awake! Quit harassing me!" he snapped. He slowly sat up in bed. Stretching his arms above his head, he yawned.

"Are you staying for breakfast?" Yuzuru asked, ignoring his friend's grouchiness.

Takaya shook his head. "I'm not hungry," he replied, feeling a twinge of guilt when Yuzuru's smile faded a bit. "Hey, Yuzuru, did you hear anything unusual last night?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.

"No, why?" Yuzuru answered. "Did you?"

Takaya nodded. "I swear I heard someone outside the window, then it sounded like a car took off from in front of your house," he explained. "Strange, huh?" he added.

Yuzuru thought for a moment. "I wish I could help you, but I didn't hear anything. I slept like a rock."

Takaya shrugged it off. "No big deal. Maybe I was just hearing things." Or was it you, Naoe? He grabbed his shirt off the floor, and put it on. "I've got to use the bathroom," he informed his friend.

"Okay, meet me in the front room," Yuzuru said, leaving.

When Takaya was in the bathroom, he heard a knock on Yuzuru's front door. Hoping it was Naoe, he quickly zipped up his pants. He bolted out of the bathroom, and ran into the front room, just as Yuzuru opened the door.

"Oh, it's just you," Takaya mumbled when he saw Saori. He was surprised when she marched straight toward him.

"Takaya," she snarled under her breath. How dare you kiss Yuzuru. She slapped him as hard as she could across the face, leaving a red mark.

He touched his stinging cheek, his eyes wide with shock. His eyes narrowed. "Bitch," he said under his breath, pushing past her, and out the front door. He stormed toward his bike, fishing his keys from his pants pocket.

"Saori?" Yuzuru stared at her in disbelief. "What'd you do that for?" he demanded. He let out a frustrated groan and threw up his hands. "Wait right here," he directed her, as he flew out the front door after Takaya.

"Takaya, wait!" Yuzuru called out, running to catch up with his friend. "Are you going to spend the night tonight?" he panted as he reached out to touch Takaya's shoulder, but Takaya jerked away.

"Not tonight," Takaya replied coldly, turning and getting on his motorcycle. He threw on his helmet, started his bike, and took off. Where are you Naoe? I thought sure that was going to be you. His jaw tensed with anger when he thought about the slap that Saori had given him.

Yuzuru watched the motorcycle disappear down the street. He sighed, feeling sorry for his lonely friend. Takaya had always been a high-strung person, but when he'd met Naoe, Yuzuru noticed that his demeanor seemed more calm. Now, with Naoe gone the last few days, Takaya was uneasy and restless again. Getting slapped by Saori didn't help matters either. Why had she done that?

A car approaching from the other direction caught his attention. He shielded his eyes from the bright, morning sunlight with the back of his hand as the car neared. He was surprised to see Naoe's car. He smiled and waved when Naoe got out and approached him. "Hello, Naoe," he called out, perplexed when Naoe didn't return the greeting. "You just missed Takaya," he added, pretending not to notice the dark circles under Naoe's eyes, or his wrinkled suit.

"Is that so?" Naoe answered coldly, slipping his right hand into the pocket of his slacks. He stepped in front of Yuzuru, studying his peaceful expression. Always so innocent looking...but I know who you really are. How dare you touch MY Lord Kagetora! Unforgivable! He clenched his fists.

Yuzuru didn't like the way Naoe looked at him with his ice cold expression. He must be upset with Takaya for something. "Takaya will be so glad to see you. He's looked so lonely these past few days," Yuzuru said. "He's acting very strange."

"Hmmm," Naoe replied. Lonely? Not from what I've seen. "I don't think my presence will cheer him up, if that's what you're implying." His eyes narrowed at Yuzuru. He wanted nothing more than to smack that `I'm such a concerned friend' look off his face.

"You don't understand," Yuzuru shook his head sadly, frustrated by Naoe's indifference. "He's really depressed," he explained, glancing in the direction Takaya went.

Naoe slowly pulled his hand from his pocket. No, it's you, Yuzuru who doesn't understand. He raised his fist, but paused. No...not like this. Lord Kagetora will...

"He was pretty agitated when he left," Yuzuru continued, turning his gaze to Naoe, who quickly dropped his fist. "I hope he doesn't hurt himself. He always drives like a maniac when he's stressed out."

Naoe's stomach fluttered. "Was he that upset?" he asked, suddenly very concerned.

"Yes. That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Yuzuru answered. "If you left right now, you might be able to catch up with him."

Without another word, Naoe jumped back into his car. I'll deal with you later, Yuzuru.

Yuzuru watched Naoe speed off. He wondered what everyone's problem was. It wasn't only Takaya. Saori, Naoe...they were all acting crazy. "Has everyone lost their mind?" he mumbled aloud, trudging to his front door. Saori, I don't care what your reason is, I won't let you treat my best friend that way.

Author's Note: Thanks to the people who reviewed, I really appreciate your comments and suggestions. Also, I know I rated this NC-17, and I promise to deliver on that soon. ^_^ Thanks for reading!