Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Violet Eyes ❯ Wandering Around ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Weiß Kreuz. I probably never will, no matter what I do. <sobs>

Author's Note: This is going to be one of the many Yohji/Aya(Ran) stories. Not by me, by the way, this is the first time I try to write such a story. I have already written a fanpoem, but that was different.
This story is also a bit based on "Sorrow's Light" by Freda Warrington. I've borrowed the plot and changed it to my liking. I hope you guys like it. Please give me many reviews! Please? I love reviews.

Warnings: NC-17, Hentai, Alternate Universe, Yaoi

Summary: Ran's sister, Aya, gets ill after their parents have died in an accident. But no doctor in Torlossen can help Aya. So Ran decides to undertake a journey through the Stolen Land to Onafross, in hope the doctors there can help him. Will he ever get through the Stolen Land alive?

Character's thoughts

//…// = telepathy

Chapter Three: Wandering Around

My sister and I rode throughout the night and a great deal of the morning, until Aya-chan finally begged me to stop. She looked like she could collapse any minute and I felt sorry for her. It wasn't easy, going through the funeral ceremony, being attacked by a redheaded stranger and without any chance to sleep.

I didn't feel much better myself, but the fear drove me on. The words that the stranger had said, kept repeating itself in my head. You can't hide yourself. What had he meant with those words? What had he wanted from me?

But there was no redheaded stranger here. There was no one here, except for my sister and me. We could safely stay here for at least a few hours, until we had enough strength to continue our journey. Our journey leading to nowhere, because no one would accept someone like me.

I prepared a simple meal; not knowing when would be the next time 'till we could eat. I had to force Aya-chan to eat. I guessed she was too tired, but she obeyed me when I pointed out this could be her last meal for the next several days. Nevertheless, she ate very little, while a girl of her age ought to eat a lot more.

After we'd finished eating, Aya-chan curled up beside me, her head resting on my lap. Even though I felt tired, I couldn't allow myself to sleep. It wasn't only my fear of the redheaded stranger that kept me awake, for I had heard enough stories from travellers that robbers and wild animals inhabited the countryside. I didn't want to be surprised by an attack by either of them.

I listened to the soft breathings of Aya-chan, the birds and the wind and I realised, I have never felt as peaceful as this very moment. Quite ironically, actually. Now I was fleeing from people, unsure about my future, and yet I felt at ease. I thought nothing could harm me.

But it's all an illusion… I'm not free or whatever. I have no right to feel safe.

I let my sister sleep for a few hours. I knew she needed more, but we couldn't stay here for too long. We needed to find a shelter, a place to stay during the night. Aya-chan already began to look very pale and I didn't want her to become ill. We didn't have medicines here in Torlossen. A broken leg could be set, but that was as far as our medical knowledge went.

I didn't want to loose my sister. I had had too much bad luck and I had to cope with too many losses. My sister was all I had.

* * * * * * *

We arrived at a small village when the sun already was down. Before we rode further, I stopped to take some precautions. My sister waited silently, almost uncaring. I thought she was still in a shock. I didn't blame her. It was, after all, quite a shock, looking back to what had happened.

Let's go," I told Aya-chan after I was ready. "You know what to do, right?" She nodded. I drove my horse next to hers and hugged her closely, for as far I was able to do so. "Don't worry," I whispered. "I won't let anyone harm you."

The cloth before my eyes itched and made them teary, but I endured it. If anyone saw my eyes, it could not only be my death, but also my sister's death. I had to prevent that. Thank Ama the cloth wasn't very thick, so I was still able to see where I was going, though I saw things quite vaguely.

We dismounted and Aya-chan took my hand to lead me to the inn. I felt like a complete idiot, with everyone staring at me. My sister ignored them and I admired her aloofness.

"I'd like to have a room for two person for the night," I said when we reached the innkeeper. He squinted and looked from me to Aya-chan and back to me again. I could guess what he was thinking. A boy and a girl, looking for a room? That young?

"We don't have any," he replied curtly.

Before I could say something that might have gotten the innkeeper angry, my sister spoke. "Please, sir, my brother and I have no other place to go to. We have to go to Torbyrgi. Please, help us." The notion that we were brother and sister made the expression of the innkeeper softer. Aya-chan looked up at him, her huge brown eyes begging for help.

Perhaps he had himself a daughter of the same age, or perhaps he always wanted a daughter like Aya-chan. At least he grumbled, "I'll have a look." He went to his book, where he registered the rented rooms. He came back after a while. "Got one place free. Sign here."

I had to sign. Girls, especially when they are my sister's age, weren't allowed to sign for themselves. I ran my fingers searching over the desk, as if trying to find the pen. Aya-chan placed it carefully in my hand, then made sure my hand was at the right place to sign. The innkeeper watched us curiously.

"What happened to him?" he asked, half aloud, half whispering, probably thinking I couldn't hear him because I couldn't see him.

"It's his eyes," Aya-chan replied. "They were stabbed out. Some robbers tried to rob us, and he wanted to stop them. The sight's really horrible and scares people off. That's why he's wearing that cloth." She sounded so calm and determined, I was almost shocked. I never knew my sister could lie like that.

"Anything else?" I asked, turning slowly around, searching for my sister. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it slightly.

"No, sir," the man grumbled sourly. "Here's the key. Upstairs, third door on your left. Room number five." I let my sister pick up the key. We both thanked him, then went to our horses to collect our luggage. On the whole, I was rather pleased. Our little trick worked, the innkeeper hadn't noticed anything.

* * * * * * *

"Where is he?! I told you to bring him to me!" Arch-Perfect Takatori stood in the middle of the room, glaring at both Schuldich and Crawford. More at the back were Nagi and Farfarello, watching the performance, half amused, half uncaring. Takatori shivered slightly at the sight of these four Perfects, but they were the only ones he could trust. Besides, he was the Arch-Perfect. He had all the power to rule everyone.

"Well?" he thundered.

"My Lord, there was nothing we could do to stop this demon," Schuldich replied, his head lowered as a sign of respect and submission to the angry Arch-Perfect before him. But this sign meant nothing to Schuldich. The redheaded smiled inwardly. Takatori didn't know that. But Schuldich would make sure the Arch-Perfect would, when the time arrived.

"Ama above, that's no excuse," Takatori snarled. "I gave you an order and you were supposed to carry that out. I cannot accept failures."

"Mister Takatori," Crawford said, joining the conversation with a pleasant voice, though his eyes glittered dangerously, "you hadn't told us the demon had help. Together, they used their dark powers to prevent us from following your orders."

"I don't care. I want him. You make sure I get him. I don't care when or how, just do it." The Arch-Perfect stamped away.

"What a fool," Nagi said.

"Don't worry, I'll get my kitten," Schuldich said. His jade eyes sparkled intensively, and he sounded possessively. //He's mine… mine…//

* * * * * * *

Aya-chan and I moved from village to village, every time performing the same trick, telling the same story. Most people seemed to accept my blindness and we seldom encountered problems. Most of the nights, we had a place to stay and we had enough food to feed ourselves every day. I would even enjoy this way of living, of being free, if my fear wouldn't spoil it all.

You can't hide yourself.

It had been more than two weeks now since our escape, since our encounter with the redheaded stranger, and still I could not get rid of his voice. Nothing had happened to us, there was no sign of this stranger, but uneasiness never left me. Did he know where we were? How did he know that then? There was no sign he had followed us.

He only tried to scare you. And if you stay like this, he succeeded. You don't want that, do you?

Of course not, but…

Then shut up and enjoy your journey.

My inner self was right, as usual. I shouldn't be scared. I should enjoy my journey. But there were still things worrying me. One of them was my sister.

Aya-chan ate very little and she looked very pale, almost paler than me. After two weeks riding under the sun, my skin was still the same, not tanned or whatsoever. But I had always been pale. My sister was not. I glanced at her. She didn't smile anymore; she just rode on, like a ghost. I feared something was happening to her, but I didn't know what and I couldn't stop it.

"Aya-chan," I asked one evening. "Are you all right?" She gazed at me for a long time before nodding numbly. Then she turned back to the flames again, staring dully into them. I put my arms around her and pulled her close to me. She didn't object but neither did she return this gesture of love.

"Aya, please talk to me." I tried to conceal my desperation from her, but nonetheless it sounded like a plea. "Tell me what's wrong. Let me help you, Aya. I don't want to loose you as well." I buried my face in her chestnut hair, squeezing her softly. She still didn't say anything.

I didn't know what to do. My sister was slowly slipping away and I couldn't stop it. What do I have to do to break through this apathy? I let my headrest on her shoulder. "Tomorrow," I murmured softly, "tomorrow we will go to Torbyrgi. Okay?" A long silence, then she nodded slightly. I could only pray to Ama that she would make it, that she would be cured of this apathy.

* * * * * * *

We were to leave the next day to Torbyrgi, when my sister suddenly collapsed on the floor. I knew she hadn't slept well last night, murmuring and turning around all the time. When she woke up, she had red cheeks, while for the rest she looked even paler than yesterday. I made sure I watched her closely, but I had my back turned towards her when she collapsed.

"Aya!!!"

I ran towards her, lifting her white face. Her eyes were closed; her breath was uneven and shallow. At least she was still alive. But I had to find a healer. I had to reach Torbyrgi as fast as I could.

I carefully placed her on my own horse, then mounted it myself. I whistled sharply, and Aya's horse came to me. Holding Aya close against me with one hand and both reins with the other, I started to ride. It wasn't easy, but after some practice, I knew how to handle it all.

It was about forty leagues to Torbyrgi, I estimated. I ought to be able to reach that in two days. But that meant riding all day and night. I looked down at my sister. Her head felt warm and somehow natural against my shoulder and I decided it was worth to ride on all the time.

I'd do everything to help her…

* * * * * * *

I arrived at the port of Torbyrgi at dusk. As soon as its huge walls came into sight, I stopped to fold the cloth before my eyes. I felt tired, but my concern for Aya kept me awake. She had only woken up once, to look a bit dazedly around, then fell unconscious again.

As I rode towards the port of Torbyrgi, a Sublime guard approached me. He had brown hair, though not as dark as my sister's. He lifted his face up to me and looked up at me inquiringly with two chocolate brown eyes.

"Good evening, sir," he said in a formal, though still a friendly voice. "What is your business in Torbyrgi?"

I remained silent for several moments, thinking of how I would say this. "My sister," I started carefully, "she's very ill and I hope to see a doctor here who could help her. Could you please help me?" I knew I sounded like I was begging, but I needed someone prepared, to help Aya-chan and me.

The Sublime looked at my sister. It was quite obvious she was ill and that was clearly what he thought as well, for he nodded. "Of course, sir." He called out to some other Sublimes. "Botan! Kaori! Bring the horses to the stables!" Two Sublimes came swiftly and silently. I dismounted and the dark-haired Sublime helped me with Aya-chan. As I watched the horses being taken away by the two Sublimes, the other one started to walk to the port.

"You don't live here, right? I'll see if I can find an empty room. Please, follow me."

I did what he said, still carrying the unconscious Aya-chan. He turned around and asked, "Do you need any help?" I shook my head, but told him instead he had to continue to talk to me. "Why is that?" he asked surprised. He was a good lad, I decided, but either very stupid or naïve.

"Because I'm blind," I told him softly. I saw his shocked and sorrowful expression when he heard that.

"That must be hard," he said, his voice thick with compassion. I smiled. He might be naïve, but at least he was friendly and helpful. "My name's Ken," he introduced himself. "Hidaka Ken. I work and live here in Torbyrgi." Continuing talking in his pleasant voice, he led me through Torbyrgi.

I was rather surprised at the sight of Torbyrgi. I had heard stories of it, of course. But seeing it all was quite different. For one thing, no one had told me there were trees growing here. Trees! I'd never seen a tree before and I had some difficulty with not showing any sign of astonishment on my face. Another thing was that Torbyrgi was actually one gigantic house, divided in different quarters. Everyone had his own room, and that room was divided again in a sleeping part, a living room and a kitchen. It was all miraculous and for a moment, I forgot all of my problems.

Am I dreaming? How can such a place exist? There are trees here and fountains. I want to live here forever.

Then I remembered something. Arch-Perfect Takatori lived here as well. And the Prince. And probably also those Perfects of the funeral ceremony. I felt my heart sinking and suddenly all I wanted to do was to run away. But I couldn't. Only here in Torbyrgi could I find help for Aya-chan.

Damn it.

"You can stay here. If you need any help, you can always ask it to any of the Sublimes walking around here. Of course, you can always ask for me, if you prefer that." He gave me a shy smile

I walked into the room, carefully carrying Aya-chan to the sleeping quarters. I laid her on a bed. Ken had followed me, but for some reason I didn't want him here. He was nice and friendly, but I wanted to be left alone. The cloth started to irritate my eyes and I was tired. But I didn't want to be impolite.

"What's your name?"

I stiffened. So far, I'd always used my own name. Yet instinct told me that wouldn't be a good idea. There weren't many boys with the name Ran and blood red hair. Even though no one could see my eyes, I was sure the Arch-Perfect knew my name and had given an explicit description of me to all the guards and Perfects living in Torbyrgi, knowing that sooner or later I would visit this city.

You can't hide yourself.

"Aya." It was the only name I could think of. "My name's Aya." A short silence. Then I asked, "Where can I find a doctor?"

"In the palace," Ken answered promptly. "Lady Tamae is the only doctor. But I wouldn't go to see her now. She usually devotes her time in the evening to Prince Keiji. She doesn't like it when normal people come to her for help when she's busy." When he saw my defeated expression, he took my hand and said, "But don't worry, you can go tomorrow morning, during the surgery hours."

I was too shocked at this sudden familiarity to think properly. Ken noticed what he had done and quickly let go of my hand, blushing furiously. "Sorry for that," he stammered. "I… I'd better go. It's my time for duties." He ran away. I could only stand there, looking at my hand. It had felt strangely nice. No one had done that before.

I removed the cloth and sat down next to my sister. Her breath was even now, but still too shallow. I took her hand with my own hands. It felt cold and I tried to warm it. "Don't leave me Aya. Please, don't leave me."

* * * * * * *

"I'm sorry, Fujimiya-san, but there's nothing I can for her." Lady Tamae rose up and collected her possessions. "Your sister's illness is unknown to us. I can only advise you to let her rest as much as possible and give her only soup when she wakes up."

I swallowed hard and nodded. "Arigatou, my Lady," I said.

She nodded and walked to the door, when she suddenly turned around. "Are you family of the former Perfect Fujimiya?"

I managed to sound casual. "Only very far. I've never met him though."

"Too bad he's dead. He was a good man." She looked as if she wanted to say something else, but decided it wasn't important and left.

I sank down near Aya's bed and pulled off the cloth. I tried to hold back the tears, but I couldn't. I buried my face in my arms and cried. So I would loose my sister as well. I was a demon, and it was I who was responsible for Aya's illness. I wished I was dead.

Someone touched my shoulder and I looked up. I hadn't noticed Ken entering the room. I had forgotten about the cloth and Ken's shocked face told me I was too late now. He stepped back in fear, whispering harshly, "What are you?"