Koga's flashback (p.2) and waking up

Koga frowned, looking uncomfortably hot. Maki glanced at him, worried that the temperature would rise even higher. He changed a cold towel on his forehead. It's been several days now.

In the meantime, Koga had no idea that his actions and feelings were merely someone else's memories. He lived the days as Takeshi, who spent most of his free time interacting with the scholar, their relationship growing stronger. As they discussed life, Takeshi pridefully told the stories of his success. On other days they would walk through the village, interacting with the locals. Sometimes they would venture into the nearby forest, where Aki would sketch rabbits, or Takeshi, who liked posing for him.

The more Koga lived this life, the more he felt that the scholar was a fascinating person to spend time with. He felt strange - uncertain what were the emotions he had for this human. Aki looked simple and aloof at times, yet when he told Takeshi about his travels, he changed into a different person: immersed in storytelling he would articulate and describe various adventures lively. Takeshi couldn't help but listen with all his attention, trying to catch all the smallest details.

He didn't notice how ten days had passed, and his life before meeting Aki felt like something long forgotten and boring. His subordinates all looked at each other, confused - never have they seen their ferocious Leader behave in such a way, and for a mere human of all.

Today he woke up smiling, he chose a dark navy robe with silver dragons embroidered on it. After ensuring he looked his best, he ran off to meet with Aki, who was already waiting for him in the hall. Aki nodded politely, some hair falling out of his ponytail as he did, making Takeshi's heart tremble.

"Leader Takeshi, good morning."

"Hi, Aki. I was wondering what we should do after breakfast?"

"I was going to talk about it with the Leader."

Takeshi felt excitement rising inside, "Oh really? I appreciate that, let's go and eat first."

"Leader," he paused, "I wanted to talk about leaving."

"What?" Takeshi turned back, unable to suppress his surprise.

Aki felt uncomfortable after seeing the other's facial expression, "I-I told you when I came, that I was here to collect information, and I would leave after. It has been a very successful time spent with you, but I have to move to the..."

"You can't!" Takeshi couldn't explain the feeling - he was boiling inside. He didn't know why his emotions were over the top, and he just didn't know how to behave. He wanted Aki to stay with him forever. It had never occurred to him that wishing and not getting something was possible in his case.

"Leader, " Aki's expression got cold, "I must leave. You knew that. I have a life goal of collecting the information about yokai..."

"Stop this, now. I want to eat, so let's eat." Takeshi was adamant about it. He turned and walked out, expecting the other to follow.

Aki's fists clenched, and he headed to the dining room. They ate in silence, Takeshi's brows furrowed. The extravagant dishes tasted like plain paper to him. He contemplated how to be in this situation: he wanted to persuade the other to stay. He wanted him all to himself. Imagining how Aki might behave the same way with others made him furious. He glanced at him, the scholar was eating calmly, his expression unchanged. This made Takesi even more jealous - how come he was the only one concerned about parting ways, while the other was okay with eating in peace and leaving him behind as if nothing happened?

He stood abruptly, throwing his chopsticks, "Walk with me."

Aki followed him out silently. Outside the morning sun was only starting to show itself behind the trees. The air was fresh from the night. Takeshi didn't notice that, though, walking straight into the forest. One last time he wanted to try to persuade Aki to stay - in the forest where they spent so many precious moments. The place where they sat most of the evenings, chatting and drawing.

This time violet flowers were blossoming all over the ground, and Takeshi stepped on them while walking. While Aki tried avoiding ruining more of the stems, choosing where to step carefully, he sighed internally from the waisted beauty beneath his feet.

Takeshi turned to him after finding the spot he liked, he felt the sun was highlighting his figure beautifully. "Aki, stay," he said seriously, "I learned that life could be more entertaining after you have come here. I want to hear more about your life, about your adventures and childhood."

Aki stood there, taking his time to reply. He looked at Takeshi with his detached gaze, "Leader Takeshi, there won't be many stories if I can't travel. All the stories I have told you were because I got to experience the wonders of the world and because I got to see so many things. I can not stay, as this would mean I have to give up on my goal."

Takeshi didn't want to hear him, he frowned, dissatisfied that his sincere confession was rejected just like that. He wanted the other to give up everything for him. He couldn't say it out loud though. "Listen, I will ask you one last time. I want you to stay here. With me. We had so much great time together, why don't you see it? Or are you like this with all the people you meet?" His voice almost broke.

"I am like this with everyone. I am like this because I try to be open to everything. I can not stay, I have to live my life. If you wish for me to return and visit you again, I can..."

"Stop this nonsense, human life is a mere second in the span of time and life itself. I will continue living, and you, what will you do when you die? Will you then return to me? But how many years would I have to live alone, bored? I want this now. Yet, if I kill you, and catch your soul in the Underworld, you would be able to stay with me as long as I want, and NOW. And... And if you don't enter the cycle, yes...yes!" Takeshi turned his back to Aki, mumbling to himself like a madman.

"What are you saying?" Aki's eyes glistened, he felt surprised at this unexpected turn of events. He was lost for words, feeling afraid all of a sudden. He backed away, then again. This time he stepped on some leaves, making a slight sound. Takeshi turned his head rapidly, eyes brimming with obsession.

"You are not going anywhere!" He took his blade out, and appeared in front of Aki, "Not if I make you stay!"

The moment paused. The forest became silent. Aki looked into Takeshi's eyes for the last time hopelessly, now certain of his fate. Takeshi's mind was clouded, he was as if in a gaze, seeing only the person he wanted most in front of him, his.

In a moment, Takehi's solemn face was covered in droplets of blood. The purple flowers were now glistening violet under the sun. His mad eyes turned calm again. But then he looked at the lifeless body beneath him, the blade in his hand, red, he realized what he'd done.

"No... no, no..."

"Aki!" Koga opened his eyes, screaming. Maki sat beside him, worried. Koga had been crying as if in pain for some time now, and Maki had been extremely concerned. Unsure how to deal with this, if he was in pain he just sat there, holding his hand.

When Koga turned and saw Maki there, he breathed in heavily, "You are alive, oh you are alive." He grasped at him, trying to pull Maki into his arms.

Maki was startled, but he complied, hugging him back, his voice gentle, "Koga, what was so painful that you have seen? Well, no need to tell me," he brushed his hair, "You just to rest for now. Do you want to eat? You have been unconscious for four days, you must be hungry. I can make anything you want."

"No," Koga's eyes were full of tears, "I just ate, I don't want to eat."

"What," Maki straightened, "what do you mean, you lost so much weight these past days. You must be starving!"

"Please, please...don't leave me," Koga's grip became stronger, tears running uncontrollably.

"Okay, okay. I am staying. I am here, with you, you see?"