Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ The Hope Diamond ❯ Gem-Stealer - 30 ( Chapter 30 )

Chapter Thirty

In a remote mountainous region far from Aya-chan, a deer suddenly looked up from grazing among the trees. It stood motionlessly, ears pricked and eyes watching intently as a man dressed outlandishly shimmered into existence within the forest.

His arms full of packages and a bouquet of red roses, the man turned to the deer and smiled. "Hello to you too, neighbor."

The deer relaxed, sensing no immediate danger, and went back to its grazing.

With silent stealthy grace, the man picked his way through the thick forest. His steps were sure and he followed an unseen trail only he knew. Curiously enough, he did not disturb any foliage in his passing.

As he walked on, his appearance changed as he took off the glamour spell. His brown clothes melted away, revealing a sleeveless tank top, jeans and duster. The short-cropped blond hair became honey-blond tresses that covered half of his face. The ever-present shades rested on the bridge of his nose despite the evening sun.

Yohji looked forward to going home.

They had come to this place eight months ago, determined to stay out of the world. Neither of them had any interest in the affairs of the world nor was they keen on being found. All they wanted was a little quiet corner of their own, where they could love freely and without care.

Up here, remote and inaccessible, they had found the perfect spot. The flow of wild magic was strong here obscuring any traces of spell-casting Yohji did to establish their sanctuary.

He built a log cabin, wove several intricate spells about the grounds to keep out unwanted visitors. Anyone who accidentally came close would simply walk past unaware. Thos who came looking for him would be subtly diverted away. If that was not enough, intruder wards, defensive spells and a kekkai formed the rest of his defenses.

In the past, it would be impossible for him to weave and set such complicated and powerful permanent spells in a single area. But now power was no longer an issue.

What was more important was that no one could find and disturb their peaceful life.

Yohji trekked through the forest for some time, a ghost gliding silently past trees and wild animals that regarded him with an odd lack of fear. He seemed to be walking aimlessly but in actual fact he tread an unseen path that would lead him home. By the time the trees began to thin, night had fallen. It was full moon tonight and by its silvery light, he emerged into a small clearing in the center of his sanctuary, hidden from the air by the kekkai. His log cabin, quite substantial for such a remote area but he considered as barely adequate, sat in the clearing. A lamp burned fitfully on a windowsill, beckoning him home with its homely glow.

Yohji walked up the trodden path; the front door swung open by itself to admit him into the cabin.

Inside the log cabin was cozy. The living room had a fireplace and behind the dividing screen was the bedroom. The kitchen and massive storeroom took up the rest of the cabin, and the outhouse was just a few feet away. The log cabin was simply furnished and neatly kept, unlike his bedroom at the Koneko no Sumu Ie. Most of the items were utilitarian in nature, except for the king-size bed covered with furs and woolen blankets. The luxurious, almost decadent bed was the only indulgence Yohji refused to give up.

Yohji quickly put away the supplies. Then taking the bouquet of roses, he exited the log cabin again and made his way to the hot spring.

The hot spring was a bonus find. It was close to the log cabin and it quickly became his second favorite indulgence.

Yohji stopped at the bank of the hot spring, verdant green eyes softening with love as he gazed upon the vision he would never get tired of.

Ran stood in the hot spring pool, back to Yohji and head tilted back as he gazed up at the full moon. The hot spring water lapped at his hips, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the curves of his butt and a hint of the crevice that led down to heaven. Sleek limbs and alabaster skin, covered with a light sheen of moisture, shone palely under the moonlight. The ruby redness of his hair was leached to a luminescent pink. Bathed in the moonlight, he was achingly beautiful, surreal and fey, like a faraway vision that seemed just out of Yohji's reach.

At times like this, Yohji could scarcely believe that he was real. It seemed too much like a dream; he was afraid that Ran would just disappear if he even blinked. But he would hear the silent murmur that passed for communication between them in his head, felt the tugging of the bond that bound him for life to the beautiful Gem, and was assured that this was real.

That, on this night, a year ago, he did made the most desperate and risky gamble of his life and won.

He had threw himself into the fires of wild magic, bent it to his will, and re-Forged the dying Blood Diamond into a new Gem bound to him. He hadn't known if it would work; he just knew he couldn't live without his beloved Ran by his side.

How long he spent re-Forging the Blood Diamond, he did not know. Only that, when he finally finished, he was totally spent and hurting too badly to pay much attention to his surrounding. He remembered vaguely that Takatori's island was completely engulfed in the out-of-control fires of wild magic, burning to the ground. He hazily recalled realizing that there was no escape for them, that they were surrounded on all sides by the fires. That it was Ran, who despite his own pain, gathered him up and transported them away Gem-style.

That was when he blacked out.

And when he came to again, he found himself lying in bed in the safe house close to Southbank Park, wrapped in bandages and in a fiery world of agony.

Ran stayed by his side, anxious and worried as he carefully healed his lover's burns and cared for him in those feverish days.

Yohji hadn't been able to make contact with Weiss, delirious and too much in pain to think properly and struggling to get used to the bond and the new power that filled him. A week passed by before the fever broke and he could finally process the ramifications of his actions.

He had become Gem-Stealer, the first Techno-Mage to accomplish not only the impossible but also the unimaginable. Yohji didn't understand how he managed to succeed but the fact remained that he did.

For two weeks, neither of them left the safe house. They were new to this strange situation, afraid and apprehensive, yet at the same time giddy with joy and happiness. They needed time to get used and explore the new dimensions to their relationship before they contact Yohji's friends.

But before they could do so, the rumors broke out. Neither of them wished to confirm the rumors; they were unwilling to have their happiness threatened by people's greed and concern. So they did the only thing they could.

They left Magnopolis and went into hiding.

Since Yohji had been legally dead for years and the Blood Diamond's true identity was never discovered, they had little worry about being tracked.

Yet concerned about the Gem's curse, and not knowing how severe it would be in their case, they decided to retreat into isolation where they could stay out the business of the world and no one could find them.

So far their plan worked.

And Yohji intended to keep it that way.

He carefully placed the bouquet of roses on the bank and stripped off his clothes, leaving them carelessly discarded in a heap. He slid into the hot spring water, letting out a sigh of relief as the warmth penetrated his body and eased the ache in his body. Wading through the water, he crept up behind Ran and captured the redhead in his embrace. His arms curled about the narrow waist and chest, pulling the smaller man close.

"Tadaima," he greeted softly next to a pale ear.

"Okaeri." Ran leaned back in his embrace, head resting against his lover's shoulder as he hugged the arms embracing him. "You've been gone for three days. I missed you."

"Sorry. I tried to be quick about it." Yohji kissed the damp skin behind his ear. "I missed you terribly."

"So did you find them?"

"Yeah, finally. They're back in your homeland, running a new flower shop there. They are taking very good care of your sister."

Ran turned around, amethyst eyes peering eagerly up at his lover. "How is Aya? Did you give it to her?"

Yohji bent his head and rested his forehead against Ran's. "Come take a look."

Ran closed his eyes, peering mentally into Yohji's memories. His full lips curved into a smile. "She looks wonderful," he remarked. "Radiant. I'm glad she's getting on so well. It made everything all right again, even though I can never see her again."

Yohji kissed his lover's forehead. "Ran, I think she loves you enough to accept it."

"Perhaps but I won't risk it. What I did for Takatori...I promised myself I would never let her know. I don't want her to view her brother with shame and guilt. Knowing she is awake and leading her own life now...it is enough."

"Stubborn Gem," Yohji muttered. He softened his rebuke with a tender kiss. "So self-sacrificing. It's why I love you so much."

Ran arched a brow. "Just for one reason only?"

"Hell no," Yohji grinned. He made a quick gesture and called the bouquet of red roses to his hand. He presented it to Ran. "Happy anniversary."

Ran took the roses, amethyst eyes glowing with joy and contentment as he brought the bouquet to his nose and inhaled the sweet fragrance. "They're beautiful."

"Red roses remind me of you somehow. Beauty with an edge, just like you."

"Hn." Ran lifted his arms and wrapped them around Yohji's neck. "I'll take that as a compliment." He reached up on tiptoes and kissed his lover deeply. "Happy anniversary to you too," he purred against the cherished lips.

Yohji smiled tenderly at him, caressing a pale cheek with the back of his fingers.

Ran cocked his head imperceptibly, sensing something amiss with his lover. "What's troubling you?"

"Did you ever blame me?" Yohji asked pensively. "For re-Forging you without your permission?"

Ran blinked. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I broke my promise to you. I didn't set you free. I wasn't selfless enough. Instead I bound you to me because I couldn't bear to live without you. I made you several promises but I didn't seem to be able to keep a single one of them."

Ran smiled then. "Silly Yohji. Do you think you would have succeeded in the re-Forging if I hadn't been willing?" He cupped his lover's face. "I didn't want to leave you. I sought freedom from Takatori, not from you."

"Demo-"

"I was more than willing to be bonded to you. For all our talks and promises, I just can't bring myself to leave you behind. And besides, we have paid enough for our happiness, don't you think?"

Carefully, Ran brushed aside the fall of hair to reveal the ruined side of Yohji's face. Pale slender fingers lightly caressed the massive burn scars. The beautiful verdant green orb stood out from the burned side of Yohj's face, gazing steadily at him, bright with love and emotions running high.

Ran's pale fingers traced the thickened tissue that ran down Yohji's neck, covered nearly half of his chest and arm, and down to his pelvis. His back was similarly scarred as well. Despite his ability, Ran could not completely heal the burns. The burn scars would remain and they would always ache, a reminder to Yohji of his action.

But Ran hardly saw the scars. In his eyes, Yohji was still the most gorgeous person he had ever seen. He lifted calm amethyst eyes to meet Yohji's green gaze. "You're stuck with me now, Yohji Kudoh. And there's nowhere else I would rather be."

"Ran..." Too overcome with emotions, Yohji gathered him into a tight embrace, kissing him fiercely.

"God, I love you so much." he whispered. "Let's stay together always."

Yohji gestured again, a small velvet box materializing in his hand. Nervously, he presented the box to Ran.

"Open it," he coaxed.

Yohji wet his dry lips as Ran slowly opened the box and stared at the pair of gold rings nestled within. They were simple plain gold bands, masculine and identical in design. The meaning they held was all too clear to Ran.

"I want you to be my mate," Yohji said. "I don't want to be your master but as your partner and your lover. That is...if you would accept me?"

Yohji watched nervously as Ran calmly took out one of the rings and slipped it onto his fourth finger. It was a perfect fit. Then he took the other ring, negligently tossed the box away and slid the ring onto Yohji's finger.

He clasped Yohji's adorned finger with his own and raised it, a tiny smirk on his lips, amethyst eyes sparkling. "Hai."

A wave of relief broke over Yohji. He shouldn't have doubt Ran wouldn't accept his proposal. It was silly to think like that but Yohji couldn't help himself. Proposing marriage was always a nerve-racking business.

Letting out a whoop of laughter that echoed through the trees, Yohji scooped Ran up and hoisted him high. He swung his lover about, heedless of the water splashing around them or the dangerous shift of stones under his feet.

"Aishiteru! Honto ni, aishiteru!"

Ran tried unsuccessfully to stifle his laughter. It spilled forth in a rich baritone flow that complemented with Yohji's laughter, as he held onto Yohji's shoulders for dear life. "I love you too, Yohji, very much. But put me down before you drown us!"

Yohji did as he was told, grinning broadly as he hugged his lover, now mate, close. He couldn't let him go; he would never be able to let him go.

"Beautiful Ran, whatever consequences fates deliver to me, I'll accept it because you're all I ever wanted. Just you, never your power."

"I can only pray your retribution will be kind on you." Ran reached up and stroked his cheek. "And I'll be by your side till the end."

Arms entwining, they shared a long sweet kiss, treasuring every moment of it, like they would for the rest of their days.

It didn't matter what the world thought of them. It didn't matter that they called Yohji Gem-Stealer, or the whole world hated Ran for the Gem's curse that brought about the Dark Recession.

Neither did it matter that their love was forbidden, and the world might condemn them if it knew. Nor did it matter that greedy unscrupulous people sought to destroy their happiness to steal the Gem's power for their ambitious desires.

None of it matters anymore.

They were together at long last, after so much pain and hardships.

And they were happy.

It might be fleeting, their happiness. And in the end, it might bring upon them a terrible retribution in payment for their love and happiness.

But that was all right.

Whatever happened, they would face it and accept it.

They loved each other and it was more than enough.

End of Book Two

The End