The Way It's Done - YCM Sequel (BoyXBoy)

Chapter 11 - Meadow Sweet

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

Akira's expectations of this whole trip were left unrealized and completely flipped around.

This was supposed to be simple. A get in get out sort of mission. But... Now, he knew better than to expect things like that. Aoi had never prepared him for this sort of emotional turmoil. Tearing someone away from a loved one was a horrible horrible thing to do. And he had done it. Now, Ruki wouldn't even look at him or talk to him. All while they flew he curled in on himself with a blanket and refused any and all contact.

That made Akira worry so much for the little imp, because Yutaka told him something he didn't know just a little while ago. If an imp experiences great amounts of negative emotions their overall appearance changes. His skin turned ghostly pale and his golden blonde hair was slowly starting to blacken until only the very tips were blonde. Even his eyes, once a pleasing blue were now an eerie mismatch of deep blue and pale grey. Like he was blind but he could still see at the same time. For all he or Yutaka knew... He might never change back.

It was frightening to Akira, knowing that he could not have possibly stopped this from happening. This was the way it was meant to be though.

Now the sun was gone and the sky was darkened to night as the horses finally flew over the last of the trees of the huge rain forest. The moon was a bright purple color, shedding violet light at the land below. Beyond the trees was a small valley with a rushing river, and just beyond there was a flat expanse of dry grasslands. It was here that Yutaka made them land the horses near the ravine so they could rest their wings. All around them were rolling hills and small clusters of trees chittering with small animals.

With loud hoof beats the creatures thudded across the ground as they came to a complete stop by the water. The rushing of the ravine did little to cut through the negative tension however as no one really spoke. Yutaka looked worriedly between the once inseparable couple and sighed heavily. His chest ached to see a dear friend in pain. It was something no one really recovered from. Ruki stayed seated on his horse and kept quiet as the other two arranged the tents for the night. After finishing up he slowly dragged himself to the one he shared with Akira and laid himself down on the bed space, ready to just sleep forever.

Akira and Yutaka watched this with worry and finally Yutaka couldn't take the silence anymore.

"Akira... You and I both know that things cannot stay this way. You have to talk to him, comfort him in his time of need."

It was true that he wanted to of course, but... Would Ruki even let him?

"Yes I know I just... After doing that to him, after causing him pain... I don't think he even wants to look at me anymore. What should I do?"

The spirit tsked and began to look for a nice spot so he could start a camp fire.

"I can understand how you feel, Akira," Yutaka started once he found a nice spot to start. "I can see that he deeply cares about you. Your bond is strong, and it will take more than something like this to keep you apart. Just please. Talk to him. For his sake and for yours."

The spirit once more gave him a look that was asking him so many unspoken questions that he didn't know the answers to. But he knew that either way, he couldn't ignore this dilemma. So he slumped his shoulders in resignment.

"I know. I will, but let's give him some alone time first to he can mourn to himself."

Yutaka gave him a pat on the shoulder and walked around the campsite between their tents.