by Sarah

Hello, guys… I’m Sarah. I’ve been reading all those marvellous fics in this site, and then one day I thought maybe I should give it a try, too. And this is the fic as a result.

Whether you find it interesting or revolting, just let me know. *^^*

This is going to be a fantasy fic, so I’m trying hard to gather all my imagination here…;;

Comments are always welcomed, my dear readers.

Enjoy! (if you can…^^;)  

A tall, lean figure appeared in a dark room, where only the faint moonlight shone through, making out the outlines of the things inside. It was a full moon night; silence filled the room.

Yoshiki lighted a candle on a beautifully handcrafted wooden table.

Everything could now be seen, though dimly. Next to the candle lay a black and white photo of a smiling young man.

The photo was carefully framed with black ribbons around the edges. The man in the photo looked sensitive and delicate, enough to be mistaken as a girl. There was something magically child-like about his smile.

While looking at the picture, a sad smile grew on Yoshiki’s face. His beautiful, long fingers lightly touched the frame, as if caressing it. Then, suddenly he took off his hand and looked at his watch. 11:58pm, May 1^st.

Yoshiki closed his eyes, brought his hands together, and started to chant a spell in a low tone. Exactly two minutes later, a glowing light appeared on the window-sill and soon the light grew into a shape of a human.

The person had bright pink hair and a remarkable pair of deep, sorrowful eyes. He was actually the one in the picture, but he looked rather different without the exuberant twinkle in his eyes. He, now standing in a bright ray of light, warmly smiled at the other man.

"Hello, Yoshiki…"

"Hide……"

The two men looked at each other without a word. They didn’t need it. They seemed to be absorbing and blending into each other in silence. It was a beautiful, poignant moment, but frightfully fragile at the same time.

"Yoshiki… the Evil Forces will soon return."

Hide spoke quietly, trying hard to sound casual, not so damn worried like he was now. He apparently found it difficult, because as he watched Yoshiki painfully swallowing the information, tears soon welled up in his eyes.

"Oh, Yoshiki… I’m so sorry that I can’t be much help to you."

Hide used to fight against the Evil Forces with Yoshiki before he was killed in a huge battle that also killed many of their friends and enemies. The Evil Forces had retreated, and there were no signs of them to be found for seven years. But now they were coming back.

Their powers were stronger than ever… Hide could feel it, like a cold blade running down on his spine.

Yoshiki looked lost. He was ghostly pale and shaking slightly. He wasn’t taking it too well… but then, it was quite understandable when you think of how it ruined his life. He had to see lots of revolting, sickening things, and he even had to see it killing his one and only lover… Hide. Life hadn’t been the same since.

"So… what do I have to do now? Fighting them by myself? Well, it would be nice to go to you straight when I’m dead, but how about the world? Who saves it?"

"Yoshiki, you’re not going to die."

Hide managed to speak. He roughly brushed off his tears, and stared hard at Yoshiki.

"I hope I didn’t die for nothing. Don’t talk about death like that. All I want you to do is to live. Is that so difficult?" Hide’s voice broke, and he was soon sobbing. Yoshiki gently embraced him in his arms. "I’m so sorry…"

"OK… now, we don’t have that much time left." Hide said, glancing at the clock on the wall.

"Listen carefully. You have to find five people, who together will form The Saviours. You won’t be fighting anymore; they are the fighters. Each of them has his own special power, and you’ll just help them develop the skills and eventually conquer the Evil Forces with your knowledge and experience."

"Right…"

"The first four will be easy to find, though persuading them will be another matter. You just follow your instinct to guide you to them. However, the last one will come later, who will be the most powerful of all. He’ll be the hardest to get."

Hide paused.

Looking at Yoshiki’s intense expression, he laughed, though good-heartedly.

Yoshiki pouted.

"What are you laughing at?"

"No, no. Nothing at all."

But Hide couldn’t help grinning. Besides, it’s not everyday you get the cute, pouty Yoshiki.

"Don’t worry too much, though. It is a dangerous task, but I believe you can do it. You’re Yoshiki, for god’s sake. You even led me into temptation, remember?"

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"That means… I love you."

Hide gave a lovely smile, and Yoshiki couldn’t resist pulling him close for a sweet kiss.

But suddenly, Yoshiki could feel Hide slipping away from his arms. He was still there, but he was fading.

"I think it’s time…" Hide whispered, and Yoshiki looked down at his watch. 12:59am.

For a moment, the two lovers just helplessly looked at each other, unable to speak. Although Hide became totally intangible by now, Yoshiki didn’t let go of his arms. He just held them there.

However many times they had parted in the same way, it hurt each time.

"Sayonara…"

Hide was disappearing into the light which grew smaller.

"… I’ll miss you."

Yoshiki whispered, his voice cracking. With a sad but warm smile, Hide was gone.

"Hide…" Yoshiki’s hollow voice echoed in the empty room.

Two days later, 2:00pm. A rich, luxurious Italian restaurant in Nagano.

Toshiya’s dream has always been becoming the best fashion designer in Japan. But at the moment he was working as a waiter in a restaurant in order to earn enough money to go to a famous design school in Tokyo. Since he ran away from home a year ago, he had to move from one place to another. It was hard, but the thought of becoming a designer kept him going. If he kept saving his wages at this rate (with the minimum expenses), he could apply for the school next year. It always made him smile thinking about it.

"Ahh… itai! What the hell?!"

Toshiya’s fellow waitresses, Ami and Yumi had playfully pulled his long hair from behind, causing him to jump. Toshiya mumbled in annoyance, but they just kept giggling.

"Someone’s got a new boyfriend. You only broke up with your ex two weeks ago, Toshiya."

Ami said, with a hint of envy.

"Hey, Ami-chan, this is Toshiya you’re talking about. I was actually worried that he kept single for two whole weeks!" Yumi pretended to be shocked.

"I don’t know what you guys are talking about. I don’t have a boyfriend." Toshiya protested.

"Ha! Then, who is he?" Both girls pointed at the doorway, unbelieving.

"Who?"

Toshiya turned around and saw a man in a stylish black suit leaning against the wall, lighting his cigarette. His blond hair fell lightly on his handsome face, and he was wearing a sleek pair of sunglasses, which made him look like some kind of a celebrity.

"Who is that?" Toshiya raised his eyebrows.

"Oh, come on, Toshiya. It’s so obvious that you know him. He came in here 5 minutes ago, asking to see the manager. Ami and I were there, and out of pure curiosity, we listened to their conversation, hiding outside the manager’s office. Basically he said he wanted to take you out for a few hours because you two had some important business to accomplish together."

"He knew my name?"

"Of course. Don’t try to fool me, Toshiya-kun. Anyway, I’m quite sure he gave the manager a decent amount of money cos that greedy man finally said, ‘Oh please don’t hesitate taking out Toshiya, sir. He’s off-duty today. Take as much time as you like.’"

Yumi mimicked their much hated manager’s voice and the girls started to giggle again. But Toshiya felt strange. He was sure that he’d never seen this stranger before. Besides, Toshiya never forgets the cute ones.

Yoshiki noticed Toshiya giving him the funny looks. He waved his hand at Toshiya, smiling friendly. Toshiya blushed.

"Now, what are you saying?" teased Ami.

"But…" Toshiya tried to argue, but was soon interrupted by Yumi.

"Toshiya, it’s OK. We understand you. And besides, he is rather sexy-"

"And rich. Go, Toshiya, go!" Ami pushed Toshiya towards the doorway.

Toshiya sighed. They just wouldn’t believe him. Reluctantly, he started to walk towards the man.

But then looking at the stranger from head to toe, Toshiya decided that this wasn’t such a bad deal after all. He’s got a day off, and the man standing there, waiting for him was…

"Pretty damn hot." He said to himself.

Now feeling much lighter and happier, a smiley Toshiya reached the beautiful stranger, who politely held out his hand and said,

"Hello, Toshiya. Nice to meet you. My name is Hayashi Yoshiki…"

A week later. May 11^th, 5:00pm. Hyogo University.

Tap. Tap.

Someone was knocking on Kaoru’s study.

"Come in-"

He called, not much bothering about hiding his annoyance. That must be one of his students coming to complain about his exam results. He’d already had four today.

Kaoru was the youngest professor in Hyogo University. He taught Ancient Cultures and History.

He has always been a straight A student, and he just knew that he was going to be a professor since he was 8 years old. He was always sure about what he wanted to do and where he was going, but these days stress seemed to get the better of him.

Kaoru liked everything perfect and neat, and he hated to disappoint anybody. But the expectations from people being the youngest and (in his opinion) smartest professor were pressing heavily down on his shoulders, and the absolute dumbness of some of his students just drove him mad.

The door opened, and two people came in. To Kaoru’s surprise, they weren’t his students. Nor were they someone he knew.

"Hello. How can I help you?" Kaoru said in a dull, business-like tone. He wanted to make it short, whatever it was. He wanted to go home and have a nice deep sleep that he hadn’t had for ages.

"Hello, Niikura Kaoru-san. I’m Hayashi Yoshiki."

Yoshiki held out his hand and Kaoru shook it, not so tightly and not so lightly. He wanted everything impeccable. This Yoshiki guy looked quite alright. His movements were rather elegant and refined. ‘Probably full of himself…’, thought Kaoru.

He noticed that the girl standing beside Yoshiki was giggling. She was trying hard to stop, but obviously failing to do so. Kaoru joined his eyebrows. This girl has no manners. Tut tut.

"Oh, I’m so sorry. I have a habit of laughing in unsuitable situations. I’m Toshiya. The full name is Hara Toshimasa, but everyone calls me Toshiya."

Kaoru shook hands with Toshiya, thinking ‘I don’t think I’ll ever need to call you, Toshiya.’

Toshiya kept giggling, in spite of Yoshiki’s constant nudges. Kaoru eyed ‘her’ carefully.

‘Quite a beauty.’ Kaoru thought, looking at the bishonen with long silky blue-black hair, in a little black dress and high-heels.

But Kaoru just wasn’t the sort who chased after beautiful girls. In fact, any girls. He had never been in love before and was proud of it. He was way too smart and busy to play the silly games. Kaoru never quite understood why people behave like idiots when they’re in love. ‘"Pathetic" is the word’, Kaoru thought. While engrossed in his thoughts, Kaoru suddenly realised that Yoshiki had been saying something to him.

"…Sorry?" Kaoru scolded himself inside for not concentrating. It was so out of his character. ‘They’ll think I’m nuts.’ Kaoru noticed the way Toshiya tried hard to put on a straight face, but he chose to ignore it. She is pretty, but annoying all the same. Why does she keep laughing at me? Who does she think she is? I reckon many guys made her think that she’s some sort of a princess or something.

Toshiya smiled innocently at Kaoru.

"Now listen carefully, Kaoru-san." Yoshiki began.

"I’m going to tell you something that might seem outrageous and making no sense at all."

"Right." Kaoru slightly frowned, but let Yoshiki continue.

"I am here because I want your help. The dark forces have come to rule again…"

"Pardon me?"

"I know it will be difficult to accept this, but everything I say is true. There’re four other members-The Savours- to fight against the Evil Forces with you. Each of you has a special power. You, Kaoru-san, have the power to make the potions and to work out the spells."

"That’s ridiculous! Absolutely preposterous!!"

Yoshiki ignored Kaoru’s remarks and continued.

"One of your fellow Savours is Toshiya here." Yoshiki pointed at Toshiya, who blushed a little. Kaoru looked at him dumbfounded.

"Then what is her special power?" He asked rather dully, as if bewitched.

"Uh… he’s not a girl, Kaoru-san. Toshiya’s power is to read minds of other people, of animals and plants… anything alive, really. And as I have noticed, he has been reading your mind, too." Yoshiki smiled at Kaoru, then at Toshiya.

"She’s not a girl…?" Kaoru asked, looking dumber than ever.

"Hey, Kaoru-san. You think I’m pretty~"

Toshiya couldn’t help a little tease.

"…////" Kaoru blushed furiously.

"Aww… you’re so cute."

"Toshiya, don’t be rude." Yoshiki stopped Toshiya, who pouted cutely.

Yoshiki turned to Kaoru.

"Now, Kaoru-san… Are you ready to save the world from the Evil Forces? Will you fight for the world-"

"with me?" Toshiya finished the sentence.

Kaoru blankly looked at Yoshiki, and then at Toshiya.

Toshiya beamed at Kaoru; his eyes twinkled and sparkled. Kaoru felt something hot and burning in his heart that he had never felt before.

"… Okay."

Kaoru said, not taking his eyes off of Toshiya. Toshiya suddenly turned to Yoshiki and hugged him hard. "We did it!!!"

Kaoru felt a bit sad and jealous looking at it. Besides, it was he who said yes.

But Kaoru’s jealousy didn’t last long as Toshiya soon jumped at him, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "I’m so glad, Kaoru… It’ll be so much fun."

The next thing Kaoru noticed was that his arms were soon all around the lovely Toshiya, and Yoshiki was giving him a knowing smile.

It felt so hot and dangerous… yet incredibly exciting.

Well… this is for today. Die and Shinya will join us next time.

I have always felt angry about virtually every DEG fic presenting Toshiya as the flirt. He’s not all that flirtatious, is he? (Well, maybe a little…)

But somehow, he’s becoming one in this fic, too. (I’m so sorry, Totchi…T.T)

Dangerous…--;