My Light In The Darkness.

8 - The Never-Ending Responsibilities.

Princess Saki had sat through the brawl of her mother and older brother silently, wanting to tell them both to get over it, more specifically one side of the party who was clearly further in the wrong than the other. After her brother's heated exit, the princess also excused herself from the tension-filled room, having many desired locations to stop before she returned to her room.

With her same signature knock, she quietly pushed open the door to her older brother's bedroom with her free hand to see him sitting at his desk, scribbling plans and ideas onto different spreads of paper, muttering to himself as he did. "You alright, Saki?" He asked, not even turning to look at her. "I should be asking you that, I can't believe you were able to shut her up, you left her speechless" Saki commended him with a smile. "Eh, my head may feel like it has ten rocks hitting against it at once, but that doesn't mean I'm suddenly stupid" The prince gushed, still giving his full attention to the work laid out in front of him. Princess Saki sighed disappointedly at her brother's eagerness to do whatever he was doing. Her heels clicked against the floor as she approached his desk, placing a wrapped porcelain plate down beside the scatters of paper, finally catching her brother's attention. "Just because you're hungover and pissy doesn't mean you can skip meals, who knows, it might even help get that rocky feeling out of your mind?" She offered. "Saki..." Prince Tsukasa smiled at his sister's thoughtful act and words. "Don't mention it, enjoy, and don't push yourself too hard, I'm off to give food to my other hungover friend who just magically appeared in my bed this morning!" She laughed sweetly as she made her way to leave. "Ichika's in your bed?" Her older brother smirked at her. "Oh shush Tsukasa, not like that!!" She protested, her face going pink in blush because of it. "Mhm, I'm sure, don't forget to give her a kiss while you're at it, Princess~" Prince Tsukasa teased his sister, finding amusement out of her embarrassment. "You know what? Maybe I will, just to spite your twenty-six year old single ass that I can get with someone before you can, your highness!" She quipped, slamming her brother's door behind her as she left, leaving no room for response.

Something that Prince Tsukasa always regretted was not telling his sister about his relationship with his old acquaintance, not for any bragging rights, but more because Rui and Saki got along so well, they were almost as close as Tsukasa was with the knight, often playing pranks on the Luminarian prince and just genuinely getting along well. When the two boys had first confessed their love for eachother in the middle of the night one summer, they swore that no matter what the circumstance, they wouldn't tell anyone about their relationship until it became absolutely necessary, a time that never got the opportunity to come for the two. Thinking back on it, it made so much sense now to Tsukasa why his partner was so insistent on it having to be an utmost emergency for anyone to find out about them. At the time, Tsukasa remembered thinking that maybe Rui was embarrassed of their relationship, but knowing now that he was just trying to stay hidden from his responsibility felt bittersweet to him. He knew that his boyfriend of the time sacrificed a lot for him, and although he did wonder sometimes if it was all just a act for his escape, he knew deep down that there had to be something real about it, Rui didn't seem like the type to manipulate the feelings of himself and others just to save himself, or at least Tsukasa hoped he wasn't. Even so, there were some things that prince Tsukasa wish he could go back in time and change, thinking that maybe if he tried harder, his beloved would've been more open to the idea of letting him know, they could have worked through their issues together and eventually could have worked out a way to still be in love without interfering with the dutiful sides of their lives.
Alas, the regretful prince continued to hide himself away in his room, his mind full of plans for his first official attempt at bringing his largest life problem at the time to an end, starting with the most crucial step of the whole situation. That was when he remembered something very important that could benefit the idea.
'I need to interview General Asahina, immediately.'

Prince Rui Kamishiro had always been surprisingly fragile, even as an almost twenty seven year old adult, he still knew that the minute certain people were around him, he ended up cowering in fear like a tall child. Take his father for example, most people just water him down to someone who is forbidden to speak of because it's disrespectful considering how much he has 'suffered' throughout his life, more specifically, his life after the birth of his only heir. With his wife having died during childbirth, the King was thought of as a sorrowful man, who just wanted to 'protect' his only remaining family member from the harm that was apparently being brought by the light.
In every public sighting, the Kamishiro's appeared as a picture perfect family, presenting themselves as respectable authority figures to all of their subjects, allowing themselves to be feared by the public eye for their ability to manage the kingdom even while going through such 'hard times'.
In the eyes of a young Prince Rui, these words sickened him. They weren't perfect, they shouldn't be feared, and the worst realisation of them all for the young boy, was that his father was using his mothers death as a weapon. Everywhere they were seen, they were pitied and given sorrowful condolences by the higher Obscurian class, and Rui had to watch as his father gave in to this act, often saying things such as "It's been hard, but I love my boy, and I know his mother would want me to protect him, so this is all for her", obvious lies that slipped the minds of the people who had said them. King Kamishiro didn't "love his boy" and despite never getting the proper chance to meet her, Rui didn't think that his late mother would want the father of her only child to beat and abuse their son in various ways for minor inconveniences, especially when her husband was making such a big deal out of supposedly 'protecting' him. As a child, Prince Rui always hoped that once he grew older and was able to benefit his father, he wouldn't be useless and a disgrace to him, and maybe his father would finally love him the way he longed for. However when the prince turned only ten years old, he was told that he was getting too old to be acting like a child, and he needed to mature, and "make sure you didn't kill your mother to just stay useless forever". By fifteen, any sign of self-respect or confidence within the boy was nonexistent, his father had him fully convinced that all he was, was a useless child who brought nothing but disappointment and shame to his family, and worst of all, it was his fault his mother was dead, and she had died for nothing. King Kamishiro never let his son forget the fact that he was motherless, always reiterating that it was Rui's fault, and if he wasn't born, it wouldn't have happened.

It was no surprise to see that compared to that of the Prince of the Light, Rui Kamishiro was a shell of himself. His feelings were long locked away in the back of his mind, layered beneath years of false beliefs and tortment, only a few memories that he kept close to him remained, needless to say none of the un-engraved ones involved his father. Despite his efforts to push his past down to the gutter of his memories, there were still a few that were permanently engraved into his mind, haunting his every thought and action. These certain memories always seemed to appear as a replacement for dreams, or nightmares so to speak. They were horrible reminders of what he had done in the past, and did nothing but feed into his negative view of himself, all influenced by his father.

Most of the time, these memories were just vivid reminders of words that people had said to him, and Rui had even noticed a few statements being twisted to have other meanings in his mind. One of the most repetitive and painful of these torturous visions was the aftermath of the day that Rui had been caught in his homeland with his foreign lover. Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, but that night a letter was sent to the knight of the time through his fathers advanced sorcery skills, and without a second thought after reading the letters contents, the rebellious prince returned to his home in the dead of night, to be met with aggressive guidance the minute he stepped back over the border.

Stepping through the dark entrance to his home that night introduced a level of fear that the young prince never knew he was capable of feeling. His first sight as he was pushed through the door was his father, standing firmly a few feet away from him, his aid residing under the palm of his left hand. With company still in the room, the King performed yet another of his pitiful acting skits, another horror for the prince to witness. "Oh my son!" A forced, relieved smile was plastered onto the aged mans face the entire time as he made his way closer to his child, positioning himself as though he were going to hug him, but the two Kamishiro's knew that the chances of that actually taking place would be slim, the guards would already be outside the entrance by then, returning to their posts at the newly stationed border guard stations. "Oh Rui.. I was so worried, I thought I had lost you too.. How could you do such an irresponsible thing to your father? Do you not realise how much I love you?" The king carried on with his sweet talk, catching the few unamused sighs that the latter was exhilarating. As expected, the border guards bowed to their king as he spoke and left, shutting the door, unknowingly subjecting their prince to have no chance of anyone hearing his destined screams for help. With the click of the door knob, the man's phoney smile dropped almost instantly. What was once the start of a warm embrace from his father was now the teenage heir being dragged by the collar of his shirt into an untouched room, making any already slim chances of him being able to call for help impossible. His fathers words were cold as always, his anger apparent in each cursed word that spilled through his lips.

"So you think you can just leave, huh?" He began, his previously caring demeanour nowhere to be seen. One thing that the Obscurian prince will never not find himself regretting is the chances he took that night, thinking he was going to be brave enough to defend himself this time. He knew that no matter what his father did, it would be bad, and yet he willingly chose to make it worse for himself. His only thought as his superior pulled him was, 'I'm nineteen, I should be able to defend myself'
That was when he made the firm decision, if he couldn't defend himself, then he was nothing but a danger to Prince Tsukasa, and deserved to be punished for it, so he knew he had to challenge his abilities and prove himself.
As the two charged into the secluded room, Rui made his first move, a sly but effective attention seeker. "That was certainly quite an act you put on, you can really pretend you care when you want to, can't you father?" All it took was those few, simple words for Prince Rui Kamishiro, the boy who was previously in charge of the full protection of the Luminarian Prince Tsukasa, was sent to the floor with just a throw from the king. "Don't you dare speak to me that way, you wretch."

After his body had been slammed against the dark wall and he was left in a confused state against the hardwood floor, Prince Rui could feel that his parental figures outburst was much more than he expected it to be.
"What did you..?" Rui questioned in a low tone. He could feel a wound, he could feel his blood seeping from his body. His father hadn't hit him with his bare hands, he had hit him with his only other weapon that he knew would out-do everything that his son thought he knew.
"If you've been 'training' for the last four years, prove that you actually learned something from your disgrace" His father demanded. "You should still be standing, that was an easy trick, I only nicked you, you're lucky I haven't killed you yet. Your mother died because of you, and this is how you repay her?"

Rui felt weak already, he knew that any protection he could have offered himself was useless now. King Kamishiro, as the head of the Obscurian state, naturally had the highest knowledge and abilities of the dark magic that came with his land. He hadn't 'nicked' Rui. If he had, why did his son feel like his insides were twisting, about to spill out from the newly discovered incision in his skin?
He wanted to scream, he wanted the world to know how much something so 'simple' was hurting him, he didn't care how weak he looked anymore, he wanted to be saved from this hell, despite knowing it was only the beginning. His silent sobs came out in murmurs as he tried to lift himself to his knees, his arm clenched around his stomach in agony. "Please-"
"Nothing to say, no? You worthless piece of shit, when I was your age I would've been able to survive being murdered, while you lie there whimpering like a pathetic animal. You have no shame, do you? Sucking off the enemy Prince won't end the war, I thought that was common sense, but obviously not to you" With his aggressive tone, the cruel king sent another shock through the violet haired boy, this time receiving the reaction he had hoped for. "Father stop it!" Rui wailed, screaming as his efforts to get himself onto his feet were lost with the sudden impact onto his back. Through his pain and desperate attempts, Rui's mindset had changed drastically compared to only a matter of minutes ago. He could only be thankful that he was able to bring his Prince back to Luminaria safely that day, and be thankful that his father was ensuring that he wouldn't be a danger to Tsukasa anymore.

A lonely castle in the middle of a woodland was a notably ideal place for King Kamishiro to choose as a home. He knew that for certain on the day of his wife's death, the same birth date as his only child, his heir, as he listened to the cries of his newborn echo throughout the building, but drawing no attention or noise from outside. And as the years went on and the Prince suffered the reprimands of his disobedience, the King knew he couldn't have chosen a better place.

"You're just like your mother, a slut" He shouted. "Did you really think you could escape your responsibilities by just running away? You think that just because you were in love with that shining prick, that I wouldn't find you?" His father shouted as he used his long, black cane to whack the feeble prince back and forth.

By now, to say that the violet haired boy was trembling was an understatement. His body shook violently as his breath appeared rushed and heavy. A childish fear rushed through him as defenceless, he could do nothing but watch as his father conjured harmful sorcery right in front of him, aiming directly at him, a murderous glare in the older male's eyes. Only then, shrivelled up in pain, his chest feeling as though it was imploding with another blast of magic, did the realisation dawn on the feeble Prince. This wasn't just another one of his father's tormentous punishments, this was his father giving his son the ending that he wished he had along with the child's mother.
He was going to kill him.

The memory of that day was painfully vivid for the Obscurian Prince, right up until he found himself falling unconscious, remembering the bright pink hair of one of the guards as he desperately and weakly shouted to them for help before his world turned dark around him.
The only things he couldn't remember were somehow being found a few hours later by his apprentice of the time, Lady Nene Kusanagi, who with what little magic ability she had, managed to salvage the Prince in his state enough to be able to get actual help. Though the memories were permanently engraved into his mind, the only reminiscent reminders of his near departure are the slashed scars that were permanently engraved into his skin, blood red stains looking as though they would bulge at even the slightest touch, and the crumpled piece of parchment written by his father the night of his departure from the only place where he felt freedom, where he felt love, where he felt that he could be himself, where he could be with his prince.

Mizuki Akiyama was never the type of person to dwell on the past, knowing that no matter how much regret she felt about it, it was unchangeable. But seeing their Prince in such a state that day was something that stuck with them, and knowing how much loyalty was given to the abuser in that situation, made her feel sickened. Maybe it was just as well that she was exiled that day, as even just the simple idea of her comrades ignoring the atrocities that were happening behind closed doors made them question how much truth was actually being told around the kingdom, especially to the knights. The only thing she will ever be grateful for that day, is the fact that she got the chance to warn the Prince's shy apprentice of what she had seen, shocking the young woman who at the time was serving the king, making him believe that she was one of his attendants because she feared what would happen if he found out that she was her sons apprentice. Mizuki didn't know Lady Kusanagi very well at the time, but could tell at that moment that they made the right decision once they saw the concern on the grey haired girl's face.

That was why seeing the new stowaway from their homeland made Ser Akiyama feel a sense of uneasiness. She was partially glad that Sir Shinonome also felt suspicion regarding the new applicant for the Luminarian knight forces. They could only hope that their Prince knew what he was doing when news got back about the current meeting he was holding with the Obscurian General.
"I don't trust her one bit, I know the fear of doing what she did, and she does not look even slightly worried about it," Mizuki declared as they walked alongside Sir Shinonome and Ser Hinomori through the bright halls of the palace, killing time waiting for their next orders. "Maybe she doesn't realise the severity of the situation?" Ser Hinomori suggested, her answer being met with Mizuki's shaking head. "As an Obscurian General? Nope, she knows EXACTLY what risk running away comes with. It's not easy to obtain high ranks over there, so either she saw something that she wasn't supposed to and ended up like me, or she has ulterior motives, "she explained. Sir Shinonome then butted in with an inquiry. "But you were exiled, right? Whereas Asahina seems to just have tagged along with us when we were coming back, according to Yoisaki's descriptions" He pondered.
"Speaking of Yoisaki," Ser Hinomori began. "She's been acting strange since Asahina was brought over, I wonder-"
"It's because they're in love, I caught them kissing by the fountain in the gardens, so that's why, it's because she's lovestruck by the enemy" Akito said bluntly, forcing the two others to stop dead in their tracks in simultaneous confusion and shock. "WHAT?!"

He nodded nonchalantly as he continued walking, hearing the surprisedly toned theories from Ser Akiyama being backed up by her other friend. "You two, don't fall behind"
"But lil' bro, you don't realise how BIG this is!?" Mizuki exclaimed, her and Shiho's heeled boots clicking against the marbled floor when they ran to catch up with him. "If Asahina doesn't prove herself, then it looks like a big fraudulent plan set up by her and Yoisaki just so that they could be together!? This is so big, there could be so many reasons, what if it's a whole setup?"
Shiho then added to the conversation. "Well then it would be a question of how long were they together and how did they meet? Surely it must be something if Sir Shinonome caught them kissing?"
The orange haired male let out a sigh before turning to face the two behind him. "The only thing we need to be concerned about if Asahina's testimony turns out to be fake, is the safety of the Royal Family, which mostly is just referring to the Queen because the Princess has Hoshino and Prince Tsukasa is more capable than all of us combined, and then we would need to investigate not only Asahina's intentions, but also Yoisaki's. As much as it is enjoyable to make theories like this, we need to think of the bigger picture here. This could be a trap by Kamishiro and we wouldn't know, since we have absolutely no idea what is being said in there, and we can only hope that if it is a trap, that Prince Tsukasa doesn't let his desire to help whatever he thinks that Kamishiro is going through take over his decision." He declared. "I'm sure he'll-"
Suddenly, a light brown haired lady ran up to them. She seemed nervous as she approached the three upper-knights, bowing shakily to them as she squealed her message. "P-Prince Tenma requests your presence in the knight's room, if you could please go there now!!"
The three smiled at her, Sir Shinonome being the only one to speak up. "Will do, thank you, Hanasato"
The young knight then bowed as she hurried past the group to find more people.

"That was quick.." Shiho admitted. "Who, Hanasato? She seems so lovely-"
"No, Akiyama, I mean the time it took for that meeting to be called, and unfortunately I don't have a very hopeful feeling about it.."
"Let's just go, what will be will be"


As they approached the room, they saw many of their acquaintances waiting inside already. Prince Tsukasa only became visible once the three stepped in the door, finding him sitting on a stool in the corner of the room, hazy eyed. The three knights immediately rush over to him. "My Prince-!" Mizuki is the first to reach him, calling out as she approaches the seemingly frustrated blonde. "Hm?" He looks up at them with tired eyes, as if Mizuki's greeting had pulled him out of some sort of daze. "Are you alright? You look awful" Akito admitted bluntly, only realising the fault in his honesty when Prince Tsukasa frowned at him. "Well of course I'm not alright, but there's nothing that anyone can do about it, so it's better to just get this over with, sit down, all of you" He sighed as he stumbled up from his previous position, motioning for his friends to take his seat.
The three knights shot each other worried glances as they watched him take to the front of the room, looking as though he would kill everyone there if they didn't quiet down.

The rest of the room were quick to notice their prince's new presence, and with that shut themselves up before he even had to open his mouth. "Right, I'll keep this quick because I'm sure you all have things to do, and I apologise for calling a meeting on such short notice" Prince Tsukasa began his speech. "To start, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Luminarian Knights Force, previous General of the Royal Imperial Army of Obscuria, Ser Mafuyu Asahina, who has provided me with enough information to prove innocence, but will still be under watch until that information can be proven useful, any questions?"
The words stung Mizuki a lot more than they thought that they would, there was something about the way that this was becoming all too real that ticked her off. "But Sir, how can we know for sure that she isn't one of Kamishiro's spies? For all we know she could-"
"Akiyama, you of all people should know that this kingdom isn't easy on things like this, so I'm overruling your question" He fired back, leaving a borderline disgusted look on the latters face. She stood up with angered mannerisms, pointing towards the darkly clothed stowaway sitting among the others. "No, My Prince, I of all people should know an Obscurian spy when I see one, and I know damn well that no matter how much ass kissing she does, she is not here to serve the benefits of Luminaria!? I can tell you, gaining ranks over there isn't as easy as over here, she has to be-"
"And how are you so sure of that, Akiyama? That makes it sound like you've been actively involving yourself over there, hm?" Mafuyu responded slyly, knowing that it would cause the desired reaction. "You dare accuse me of such a thing? I only know because your king is a lazy idiot, and your prince is nothing but a-"
"That's enough!! Both of you need to calm down before I have both of you questioned for treason!" Prince Tsukasa roared, holding one hand against his head after he did, muttering to himself. "I am far too hungover for this.."
He couldn't handle the thought of someone he knew closely bad mouthing someone who he once held so dear, even if that person was now his enemy, he couldn't bring himself to let it happen, not in his current mindset. He then continued his declaration.
"I have made my decision, and it is final, we need anyone we can get at this point, which leads me to my next point. The Queen has officially stated that she wants no further part in this war, which means that I call the shots now, and with my new intel that I will share in a few moments, I have made the decision that I want to try something new, something that might just be able to bring this war to an end overtime"

"High General, We have just received word that everything is going according to plan, except, you might want to know something about their new plans.."