Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ The Hope Diamond ❯ Gem - 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Name: Androgene

Website: http://www.angelfire.com/space/noir13

Email: androgene@lycos.com

Title: The Hope Diamond: Gem - Two to Four, and Interlude

Summary: It was said that certain gems are cursed and brings only misfortunes. What if these cursed gems are creatures of magic? Can one love a cursed gem and live happily ever after? YohjixAya/Ran, TakatorixAya/Ran.

Date of completion: 24 February 2002

Date of revision: 24 February 2002

Category: AU, fantasy, drama, angst, action, yaoi, shounen-ai

Rating: NC-17

Warning: Yaoi!!!

Author's comments:

I'm pretty satisfied with the way this fic is turning out. And I think I'm getting the hang of writing in first voice. Still, I'm going to put up these chapters and see what the response is like. If you guys like it, let me know so I can keep on writing.

Disclaimer:

All characters belong to their creators. WeiB Kreuz™ is created by Takehito Koyasu and Project WeiB. I don't own them and I don't profit from using these characters.

Gem

In the ancient times, we were only known as Mages. Because we were scattered throughout the world, living in different cultures and steeped in different traditions, not knowing we were not alone, the Mage Arts have evolved into several different Disciplines.

Today, seven major Disciplines exist - the European Discipline, the Chinese Discipline, the Japanese Discipline, both North and South American Disciplines, the Middle Eastern Discipline and the African Discipline. The UN Code of Ethics and Rules for Techno-Mages govern today's Techno-Mages.

This was not so in the ancient past.

Power-hunger is a human failing and it drove Mages of ancient times in their pursuit for power. Peculiarly enough, to all the ancient Mages, despite the different cultures and languages, the one common symbol of ultimate power was a Gem - the rarest and most beautiful and powerful of all magical creations.

It is not known when this tradition originated but it continues till this day.

A Gem is a creature of pure magic - the raw wild energy that suffuses this world and comes from the Nether Plane. To harness the magical energy and consolidates it into a living breathing form requires months of preparation, three terrible days of Forging and a sacrifice.

The sacrifice must be a virgin, pure in body and in soul. He or she must be willing to give up his or her humanity and soul for a life of frozen age and servitude to the Techno-Mage. The sacrifice is essentially 'purified' or 'burned' by wild magic during the three days of Forging, which he will experience terrible agony.

Most sacrifices do not survive the Forging.

When the Forging is successful, the sacrifice becomes an unnatural vessel containing limitless raw magic. He will not age or bleed, and is bound to his creator and master. When his creator dies, the Gem will follow as well.

The beauty of Gems is legendary. Their skins are very pale; their hair and eye colors are often very vivid and brilliant. They possess a subtle glow, a by-product of their magical state. Cold, pristine and unearthly, they remind people of precious stones. Thus, this is how Gems got their name.

For the Techno-Mage, the Forging is a test of willpower, endurance and resilience. He must wield raw magic without the aid of filter or technology and wield it constantly during the three days of Forging. Raw magic is a force of nature - fierce, unpredictable, wild. Controlling raw magic is the equivalent of trying to control the weather; countless Techno-Mages have died in the attempt, burned alive by raw magic. But when they do succeed, they must bind themselves to the Gem for life.

The price of Forging a Gem is heavy.

The Techno-Mage will wield vast magical power through the Gem's ability to tap the Nether Plane. He will gain the prestige and wealth, power and status, everything he ever desire for. The Techno-Mage will live a short life of decadence and excess. In exchange for his material desire, there will come a day of terrible retribution and reckoning. A Gem, because of its origin as a sacrifice, is a cursed creature and will eventually bring misfortune to his creator and master.

Yet because a Gem is so valuable and powerful, many Techno-Mages are willing to risk the danger.

Throughout the history of the world, there were only ten successful Gems made. Among which are the famous tragedy of Helen of Troy whose Gem-beauty destroyed the city of Troy and her husband, the Empress Yang Gui Fei whose legendary beauty fell a dynasty, and the Turquoise of the Inca whose presence certainly contributed to the civilization's annihilation at the hands of the Spaniards.

The tenth Gem currently resides in Magnopolis, owned by the President and CEO of the Takatori Incorporation. No one knows who he really is or how he looks like. Reiji Takatori takes great pain to shield his Gem, even to the extent of making him wear a mask in public.

So far Reiji Takatori seems to suffer no ill effects from creating his Gem. His business grows in strength and his health is perfect. His family is together, though his wife has passed away before the Gem's forging.

We can only wait and see if the Gem will stay true to his nature.

Chapter Two

Three weeks after the mission up in the mountains and I still can't forget that strange Techno-Mage. Neither can I rid my memories of that redhead Aya. I should have gotten his number at the very least, damn it.

Arrgh! Stupid, Yohji! Stupid!

I can't do anything about the Techno-Mage besides reporting him to Manx (Kritiker has been strangely silent on the issue since the debrief). But I could have done something about securing a date with Aya-san so I wouldn't have to suffer now.

For the first time in a long, long while, my schedule for the week is empty. No dates, no successful hitting on women in the shop, nada. Everything trick I know seems to fail and I know exactly who to pin the fault on.

Aya, the most gorgeous redhead man I have ever seen whom physically took up a mere half hour of my life but occupies my thoughts every waking moment and sleep. I want to see him again, dig my way beneath his walls, finds out if he's as good in bed as I has fantasized every night.

Yes, I got it bad. No one has ever affected me this much in such a short time. Even Omi has to throw me out of the shop to 'work off the tension', as he puts it. Driving around in my Seven is no help. I keep remembering our encounter in the supermarket, his standoffish attitude, that ugly orange sweater and that sweet blush of his.

Aargh! I can't get him out of my mind! If I can just see him one more time, maybe I can finally get him out of my system.

Suddenly I jam the brakes so hard I'm flung against the steering wheel. Speak of the devil… The object of my current obsession is in the Southbank Park across the street, sitting all alone on a swing.

Hurriedly, I turn off the engine and dash across the busy street, nearly killing myself in the process. I approach from behind, slowing down when I reach the swings in the park. This close to him, I can't help but sense the loneliness and despondence in him. It seems as though he is close to losing faith in the world or maybe just what he believes in.

"Hello."

His head jerks up in surprise, the purple orbs wide and vulnerable for an instance before he retreats behind his ice walls again. I keep my expression mild and friendly, sensing the guarded wariness in him.

"Don't tell me you forgot all about me already, beautiful Aya."

His wary expression clears slightly. "The man who accosted me in that supermarket. Yohji Kudoh?"

"The one and the same." I'm impressed. He remembers my full name. "So what are you doing all alone in the park?"

"None of your concern." He stands and walks off.

Promptly I give chase. "Well, I like to make it my concern."

He looks at me as though I have grown another head. "Why?"

"Because you look like you need company."

"I don't need company," he bites out harshly.

"Fine." I shrug. "You need a distraction then."

"Go away."

I'll pretend I didn't hear that. I fall into step beside him as he cuts across the park. To tell the truth, I'm feeling happy again. It's a Friday and I've found myself something to do: cheer this gloomy redhead up.

"Stop following me."

"Iya."

He whirls and glares at me in part annoyance, part anger and part puzzlement. "Why won't you leave me alone?"

"I'm interested in you."

"What?"

"I'm interested in you and I'd like to get to know you better." I know I'm taking a risk. I know nothing about Aya except that he has a very prickly and harsh nature, neither of which bore well for me. He regards me with mixed suspicion and uncertainty and I try my very best to look sincere.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Iya."

"You should not even try."

"Why not?"

"I'm considered…bad influence."

I find that hard to believe. "I'll take that under consideration. Do you have anything on tonight?"

He blinks owlishly at my abrupt change of topic. "I-I have to return at six."

"Spend your afternoon with me then. We'll try to know each other a little better. By six, if you think I'm not sincere, we can part and I'll never bother you again."

"That's all?" he asks warily.

"Hai."

"No catch?"

"None."

He didn't say no straight away but neither did he say yes. As we both stand there in the park, I watch his internal debate. Aya is hard to read. His expression does not change much but his eyes say the most about his feelings. He does not know if I'm for real or just stringing him along. The longer I watch him, the more certain I am that he has been hurt very badly in the past to warrant this high level of suspicion and distrust of the world around him. I will not be surprised if he decides not to take me up on my offer.

"…All right."

I grin happily. Okay, so I'm wrong and I'm happy I am. I don't care if he decides he won't see me ever again at six, but at least I will walk away knowing I have given a moment of companionship to another lonely soul - just like me. Hn, since when Yohji Kudoh becomes a charity worker for the lonely? Ken will laugh to hear this.

"So what flavor do you like?" I ask Aya brightly.

* * *

Minutes later, I'm busy munching on my double-scoop chocolate ice cream cone. I peer at Aya sitting next to me on the bench, staring in bemusement at his triple-scoop chocolate vanilla and strawberry ice cream cone. He didn't tell me what flavor he likes, so I just got him the three basic flavors. I could have chosen to treat him to tea at an expensive café but some instincts of mine warned me not to. If I am to work my way into Aya's social circle, I have better start with something very harmless.

Aya stares at his cone for so long that I just have to needle him. "It's not going to bite."

He glances at me and then at his cone. I watch as he takes a cautionary lick. Then seeming to like the taste, he begins to eat his sweet confectionary in earnest. He's a methodical ice cream eater, that's for sure. Starting from the top scoop, open, lick round his cone, his pink tongue bringing the melting bits into his mouth…

Down, boy.

I think buying him ice cream is a bad idea. My mind is starting to run wild. I can't help but stare as he daintily licks his full rosy lips clean, leaving behind a wet shimmer. It doesn't take much imagination to replace that ice cream cone in his hand with my cock. What I wouldn't give to have his mouth sucking me off. I force myself to look away before he can notice. My pants are noticeably tighter. Thank God for my loose baggy shirt to hide the evidence. Before today, I never realize how eating ice cream can be so erotic.

"Let's take a walk," I suggest somewhat desperately. I need to calm myself before I succumb and jump Aya's bones out here in the open.

He pauses in mid-bite. "Walk?"

"Yeah. Walk."

Southbank Park is the largest park in Magnopolis. The both of us leisurely meander through the park, talking. At least I do most of the talking; Aya listens quietly but gives his own comments when he feels necessary. The man is a good listener and he seems to enjoy hearing me talk. I can't help but feel triumphant as he relaxes during our walk. Once or twice, I catch a faint smile that passes so quickly, I would have miss it if I haven't been watching for it.

Conversation stops when we pause by the swan lake (no pun intended), admiring the swans that swim serenely in the water. Far out in the center of the lake, I can see tiny dots of canoes and rowboats. To my left is a flock of pigeons cooing softly and to my right is the enigmatic presence of my afternoon companion. It is all so peaceful and relaxing. I have never been what you call the peaceful type, laidback yes but not peaceful. This feeling is alien to me and I think I like it.

I glance at Aya. He is staring out at the lake as well, a calm relaxed expression on his face. I admire how the afternoon sun set his dark red hair agleam and his fair skin aglow. The relaxed state of his profile softens the sharp edges, making him look younger and vulnerable.

"Aren't you going to ask?" he says suddenly. I detect no anger, no suspicions, just soft calm curiosity.

"About what?"

"About what's bothering me."

"I don't need to know," I shrug. I feel his eyes on me as I squat to play with a curious stray kitten. "Everyone has his own secrets and burdens. Some can be easily shared, most can't. I figure you'll tell me only when you decides to."

The kitten scampers back to its mother. I stand, giving Aya my best friendly smile. I think it is the right time for that tea at an expensive café. "Tea?"

"We just had ice cream."

"So? Come on, I know this place just outside the Seventh Avenue entrance." I turn and walk off, leaving him hesitating next to the lake. I didn't bother to check; he'll follow if he wants to. A moment later, I hear his quick and nearly silent footsteps as he catches up to me.

The café I chose is a small modest affair, cozy and comfortable. The food is good but the atmosphere is what made this café expensive. Somehow I have a hunch he likes this sort of café and I'm not wrong, if that glow in his purple eyes is any indication. It is really remarkable how much his eyes can give him away, even though his expression remains impassive and stoic. I can spend hours just gazing into those beautiful orbs.

We take a window table and I order my usual mocha-latte. Aya mulls over the menu for a long while before settling on chamomile tea.

"I guess you're not a coffee drinker, eh?" I comment.

"Never got used to the taste."

"I'll keep that in mind for our future meetings."

"You're very confident we will meet again."

"Oh yes," I rest my chin in my interlaced fingers and grin at him. "Now that I have practically spilt my life story, mind telling me a little about you?"

He immediately drops his gaze to the tabletop. "There's nothing to talk about."

There's something…defensive about his pose, almost secretive. I wonder just what he had got to hide. Heedless of the fact that we are not alone in the café, I gently lift his chin with two fingers and ignore his startled gaze. "You don't have to tell me anything important."

"…"

I pull back, sensing the waitress approaching with our drinks. Her presence breaks the moment of intimacy between us and I can sense, to my dismay, Aya retreating behind his walls again. Great, Yohji. You went too fast. You sent him running for cover. I kick myself mentally several times as we drink our beverages in silence. This is not how I want to end the afternoon.

"I met a little girl before you came along," Aya says suddenly. "At the hospital."

I listen, sensing at once that he is trying to tell me something that is important to him.

"She's blind and very ill. Her only living relative is her brother Jun. He hasn't visited her in a long while now."

"Do you know her personally?" There's must be a reason why the little girl is bothering him; blood relationship is a likely answer.

"Iya. I only found her unconscious in the corridor and alerted the nurse."

Okay, scratch that thought. So why was he bothered by that little girl?

Aya turns his troubled gaze to the window. 'Have you ever…?"

"Ever what?" I prompt gently when it becomes clear he isn't going to continue.

Aya shakes his head. "Never mind."

I wonder what he was about to say, and why he changed his mind. Aya seems to carry so many burdens on his slender shoulders. What can possibly happen to chain him down so much?

Aya stiffens when he glances at his watch. "I…have to go." He rises to his feet, hovering beside our table. "I…had a pleasant afternoon, Kudoh-san."

I think my smile is a lot more genuine than I can ever recall making. "You're welcomed."

His gaze skitters between the window and me, clearly uncertain how to proceed. "Maybe…I…will like to see you again."

I perk up at once. That is the best thing I have heard for the day, and this time, I think my smile threaten to split my face. "I like that very much too. Can I have your number?"

"I…don't have one."

"How about I give you a lift home then? That way I'll know -"

"No," he says quickly. "I, um, I'm unreachable most of the time."

It is a bad lie but I'm willing to let it slide for now. "So how do I get you?"

"I visit Southbank Park frequently. You can find me there by the swings." He glances out of the window and his expression tightens. I glance out as well, trying to see what got him so spooked. "I really have to go, Kudoh-san."

"Yohji." He looks at me blankly. "You can call me Yohji, Aya…?"

"Fu-Fujimiya."

"I'm looking forward to our next meeting, Aya Fujimiya."

"So am I," he says quietly.

Then he is gone, striding out of the door and disappearing back into the park. I'm tempted to follow him, find out why he is so secretive about his life. But I decide not to. It will be like the pot calling the kettle black. I can't help but smile at the memory of his sweet uncertainty when he decided he wanted to see me again. It is so refreshing and endearing. Somehow I get the feeling that he hasn't gone out much and everything we did today was new to him.

Aya Fujimiya. What a strange enigma you are. Ice-cold in one instance, and sweet vulnerability the next. I can get so addicted to your mystery, unraveling the layers after layers to claim every bit of you until you are so totally mine…

Wait a minute.

He's still in my system.

Well, damn.