The Genie's Curse

Chapter 26

At her words, a slight smirk crept up his lips hidden from her gaze as he had turned his back on her, "Tsuru, you know very well we can't be together, it is on your contract. You can't extend life, you can only watch and enjoy the time we have together."

He growled, smashing his fist against the wall, a single tear slipping from his eye before hiding away in his own arms, "We just can't."

"No, no." She continued to shake her head wanting to believe his words were a lie, "We'll always be together, always." Tsuru was about to break down in tears at seeing his own, feeling Keir's sweet embrace.

"If only it could be that way..." Keir's lips twitched slightly upwards but fell once again, "If only."

"It will, I know it will, we... we just need another genie, we can fix this. We can be together, you and me!" She screamed out, hugging him tighter and burying her face in his chest, "We will... we will..."

He lifted her face to meet his, "Hey, it's alright Tsuru, I'll always treasure every second with you." He leaned in to kiss her, however, she panics at the moment and stumbled backward, "Not ready?"

"It's not that, I-"

She pressed a hand against her chest flustered at his actions feeling her cheeks heat up. A deep sigh escaped his lips, brushing the tears of her face.

He stopped her, "We've got time..."

She watched him walk off and lean against the wall looking up at the ceiling, "Keme..." she started small, swallowing the lump in her throat, "I promise, no... I vow we will be together, you'll see."

A smile created on his lips hiding his face from her line of sight and a whimper escaping his lips, "I'll take you up on that."

Her whispers faded and crowd murmurs reached her ears

"Tsuru! I'm glad Keme found you in time, who knows what could have happened." Allon felt gleefully, placing an arm over her shoulders, "What were you doing anyway?" He asked casually but curious to know the reason why she ran off so suddenly.

"Huh." She stared at him realizing he was actually talking to her, "Oh, I don't really know... just got lost in the moment..."

He hummed knowing there was more to it. Figuring she was probably getting another flash of memory but wouldn't admit to it. Knowing not to push his limit on her, "Lost huh, well be careful, you could have ruined your own plan." He emphasizes the word 'own'. As soon as they had gotten out of the car Tsuru got lost in her thoughts and also lost in the crowd, causing the two to frantically go looking after her.

While he watched Tsuru's expression slightly change, Keme watched him hang his arm over her and felt like smashing his head against the pyramid, "Alright, can we continue?" His voice came out bitter.

Tsuru looked over at Keme, "Sure."

She fell back on Allon's words, 'you could have ruined your own plan' and it was true, she could have. She was so lost in the past that she wasn't paying attention to the present. Needing to focus, she begged herself to focus but no matter what she fell back on those memories. Ones she once treasured and now damned to ever exist, damned herself for being so blind at reality.

Tsuru walked ahead and shifted away from Allon's hold. Finding another familiar figure slowing down his pace to walk beside her, "Angry at him or something?" Keme asked, attempting to joke around. He had seen her distracted gaze while walking.

"No, it's just... never mind." She shook her head trying to get rid of her thoughts.

"I'm sorry about that, if that's it. Just forget about it, really I'm just talking carelessly."

"It's not that... it's just that... memories are the worst form of torture for me." She paused but felt him nudge his shoulder against hers, when she looked up he had a reassuring smile on his face, "I can't remember things that are supposed to be unforgettable... but my nightmares won't go away, they drag me around like a rag doll and throw me all over the place-" her voice shattered and tears began streaming down her face as she wept to try to brush them off, but more taking their place.

Keme rubbed her back ignoring the glances he got, "Tell me everything-"

Tsuru stopped him mid-sentence, "You don't need to hear this. I shouldn't have told you that." She brushed off the tears and controlled her emotions a few more slipping by, "Nobody needs to hear this, because soon enough it won't even matter. I'll make Keir pay and I'll be out of your life forever, you don't owe me anything anymore. You've already done a lot, and I'm very grateful, but that's it, nothing more. You'll be going your way and I'll go mine."

Her face grew distant and emotionless for those that didn't know her well. Although for those that did and cared they could see how angry and broken the look was, hidden away by a cold shoulder.

"Does it matter? It matters to me." He grabbed her arm and placed her hand on his chest, stopping, "I might not deserve to know, but please, don't keep this bottled in."

"So you can get to me, so I get betrayed again? I'm sorry if your feelings are true, but I can't risk it." She pushed him away and looked at Allon who stared at the two with a conflicted expression, looking from one to the other expecting one of the two to explain.

Walking over and standing beside Tsuru, making Keme clutch his fists as if ready to get done with him, "Will we really be continuing this trip, or do you two need a break? We can stop at any time."

"No, we're done here. Do you know where we have to go, Allon?" She asked in order to break away from Keme completely.

"Yeah, come on. I'll take you." While Allon dragged Tsuru away with him he spared a glance to look at Keme who gave him back a death glare. All his anger formed a threatening and cold aura around him, "Quickly now."

Soon enough they were by Khufu's ship admiring how well preserved it still was over the years. Tsuru was especially mesmerized by it forgetting everything she had been squabbling about with Keme, "Is this really-"

"Yes, it is his ship. Brings back memories, huh?"

"You've got no idea... not all good ones though... and not all...clear." She sighed, strolling away from the ship and remembering her moment with Keme, the man was practically screaming away the fact he held feelings for her, ones she couldn't return.