Destiny of The Lovers 2

Masashi knows well that the lost of Jasmine still lies deep within the heart of his new family, especially for his young prince. Masashi tries hard to get along but it seemed the result will only be a mess and scolded from the young prince. Even so, Masashi keep trying his best for his new family. Will his effort give a good result? 

...

Masashi is sitting still. He’s watching Teru who’s jumping with one foot. Masashi thinks Teru is playing some kind of game, but he doesn’t dare to ask about it to the young prince. Masashi is afraid he would just bother Teru’s fun. Masashi knows, Teru hasn’t felt better after what happened to Jasmine-san; not only Teru, but also with the rest of the family. Sometimes Masashi feels useless because he can’t do something to ease the pain. Furthermore, maybe he has added the pain by being around. His existence would just make them remember about Jasmine-san.

Teru keeps jumping around. Suddenly he steps on top of a crack and almost falls. Masashi sees it and quickly grab Teru’s arm to avoid him from falling.

“Are you okay?” ask Masashi. He’s holding Teru’s skinny arm.

“I’m fine,” Teru pulls his arm. Masashi realizes what he has done. He mustn’t ever touch the young prince.

“I’m sorry,” said Masashi slowly. Teru turns his look away.

“Why are you here anyway?”

“Why are you watching me? I’m not a baby who always needs to look after,” said Teru angry. Masashi stills.

“Kamijo-sama told me to look after you, so that’s what I’m doing,” said Masashi.

“So, you’re doing it because Kamijo-sama told you? Well, I don’t need you! You might as well leave!” Teru walks away. But he quickly turns back before Masashi can say something.

“And don’t follow me!” Teru looks at Masashi with angry eyes. Masashi stills. Teru then finally walks away. He walks so fast that he suddenly disappears behind the rocks. Masashi takes a sigh and decide to return to where Kamijo has told them to wait. Masashi is hoping Teru would be back before Kamijo and Hizaki arrives back, or else he would be scold for sure.

Yuki has light the fire; it won’t be long until the night come. Masashi slowly comes from other side of the dumped building. He looks limp. He’s holding some rocks and seems to be playing with it. He also looks confused. Yuki guesses Teru has been angry with him again. Masashi notice Yuki was looking at him. Yuki raises his hand.

“Yo,” said Yuki with a smile. Masashi replies it with an awkwardly smile. His hands are still playing with the rocks. He comes closer to Yuki and sit not far from him.

“Where’s Teru?” ask Yuki looking around.

“He told me not to follow him,” said Masashi. He’s looking at the fire. Yuki smiling, his guessing is correct.

“Well, just let him explore this place. He must be feeling bored being left behind by Kamijo-sama and Hizaki-chan,” told Yuki putting some dry woods to the fire. Masashi nods slowly, deep inside he knows it’s not the only reason. Masashi knows how Yuki always being kind to him. He knows he can talk what he feels to Yuki. But, He’s afraid he might be wrong. It’s the feeling he had since he joins the family. Can he be really with them? Can he replace Jasmine and fill his space, just like what Jasmine expected?

Yuki knows what’s on Masashi’s head. Since the first moment they met, Masashi already has the look, confused. Yuki knows Masashi has been thinking about his place, does he really belong to the family? Also with the way they lose Jasmine, the situation is hard for every one of them. Yuki also knows that Masashi has been hard with himself. Masashi is trying his best to be a guardian for all of them, just like what Jasmine has asked him. But, it’s burdening him instead.

“Don’t worry, he’ll be back soon,” said Yuki.

“Teru-kun doesn’t like when he’s being treated like little kid,” he smiles. Masashi nods slowly.

“I think that’s not the only thing he doesn’t like,” said Masashi.

“He doesn’t like me,” finally he says it. Masashi waits for Yuki’s reaction with heart beating faster.

“Why do you say that?”

“It’s obvious. I don’t belong here. I’m not supposed to be here. I can’t replace Jasmine-san’s place,” told Masashi.

“From the very start, no one told you to replace his place, even not Jasmine-san’s himself,” said Yuki as he throws another dry wood to the fire. The fire quickly becomes big.

“We accept you for what you are and not for what you expected to be,” Masashi stills. He knows Yuki is being sincere with the words, but it doesn’t make him feel better. Masashi knows how the lost of Jasmine has hurt them all. Kamijo is sometimes looking at the vast blue sky, as if he’s looking at Jasmine up there. Hizaki sometimes cried in silence. Even though Yuki has been looking strong, but Masashi believes he also feels the deep lost. And Teru, Masashi realizes that Teru feels the pain the most. That young prince has lost his spirit, his laughter, his smile and cheerfulness.

Masashi still could remember the first day he meet all of them. Jasmine was the one that brought him. Kamijo welcomed him with open arms. Masashi has been amazed with the master aura, so powerful yet also comforting. The first impression when he meets Hizaki was what a very beautiful princess. Hizaki is truly beautiful in and outside. His smile is beautiful, gentle, and sweet. Yuki has been the big brother of the family. He strongly jabbed Masashi’s hand when they met. And then Masashi met Teru, the sweet and energetic young prince. From the first impression, Teru has caught Masashi’s attention. Masashi seemed can’t turn his look away from Teru. Masashi feels he wanted to protect Teru from all danger; he wants to always be at Teru’s side. He wants to keep that warm smile beside him forever. When Jasmine sees how Masashi’s reaction for Teru, he’s sure Masashi is the right person to be with the family. And so without doubt, Jasmine asked Masashi to be part of the family, as he will also be apart soon.

Masashi was thrill, excited, and also honored with Jasmine’s request. He feels proud to join such great and beautiful family. To be under Kamijo’s leading; to be together with beautiful Hizaki; working together with the strong Yuki; and of course to be close with his young prince, Teru. Masashi doesn’t ever thought that time, how heavy the burden he would bear. He feels doubt he can still continue to be together will his precious family.

  “Tell me, Masashi. Do you hate us?” ask Yuki. Masashi feels surprised with the sudden question.

“What…? No, I don’t hate you. I won’t ever hate you, I can’t,” answer Masashi.

“Why? Why you can’t hate us when we’re just giving you hard times? We give you too much burden,” 

“No, you don’t give me the things you’ve said. You give me happiness instead. I’m so grateful I can be with you all,”

“If that’s so, then why are you keeping the feeling? Why do you keep thinking that your place isn’t with us? Why do you keep the distance?”

“It’s just that, I can’t be like Jasmine-san. I can’t guard you just like he wanted me to be,” Yuki takes a sigh. He thinks he’d better stopped it before the conversations goes far and round and round. 

“Masashi,” calls Yuki with a low but heavy voice.

“You said Jasmine-san asked you to guard us, are you doing it just because he told you to, or was it because that’s what your heart wanted to do?” ask Yuki. Masashi stills.

“Ask yourself, Masashi. What do you really want to do? I hope you’ll find the same answer just like I have,” smiles Yuki looking back at the fire. Masashi keeps still and thinking about Yuki’s words. He puts his hand on the chest and feel his own heart beat.

“What I really want to do,” mumble him.

...

“Teru-kun? Where are you?” calls Masashi. He looks around the abandon and ruin pieces of the building. While thinking about Yuki’s words, Masashi realizes that Teru has been going for too long. Masashi then decides to look for him, and also continue with his thinking. But, everywhere he sees there are only ruins and big rocks. Masashi doesn’t see Teru’s tiny body anywhere. Somehow Masashi starts to feel worry something bad might happen to his prince.

“Teru-kun?” calls Masashi over again.

“I’m here!” suddenly Teru shouted.

“Where are you? I don’t see you,” Masashi looks around searching for Teru.

“I’m down here!” shouts Teru from behind a crevice. Masashi looks over and see a big and deep cliff. He sees Teru was inside the crevice, sitting at a big rock.

“What are you doing there? Are you okay?” ask Masashi feels worry seeing Teru’s pale face.

“I accidentally fall and sprained my foot,” told Teru.

“You’ve sprained your foot? Can you walk?” ask Masashi.

“No, I think I can’t. I’ve tried. I think I can’t climb up the cliff with my foot like this,” Masashi looks around. Teru looks at him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine here. Just go find the others to help,” said Teru. Masashi suddenly disappear, so Teru thinks he’s doing what he’d been told. Teru knows he mustn’t feel surprised with Masashi’s obeying his orders; it’s what Masashi always do. But, deep inside Teru doesn’t want Masashi keep following orders given to him. Teru doesn’t want to treat Masashi like a guardian. Masashi is their new family member, and Teru wants to treat him just like a family. And the way Masashi acts as a guardian, obeying orders, being polite, it made Teru upset.

“Teru-kun, I’m coming,” said Masashi suddenly.

“Eh?” Teru surprises. Suddenly something big and dark flies above the crevices and landed in front of Teru. It’s Masashi.

“What are you doing?” ask Teru stunned.

“I was looking for a jump point to get here, sorry to make you wait too long,” told Masashi calmly.

“You fool! Now both of us are trap in here! We can’t go out,” said Teru upset.

“Yes, we can go out. I’ll carry you, if you don’t mind,” told Masashi.

“What?”

“I’ll carry you in the back,” Masashi turns back and squat in front of Teru. 

 “Come on,” Masashi shakes his hands and look at Teru, telling him to get to Masashi’s back.

“You can’t be serious; you think you can carry me out of here, by climbing that cliff? You must be crazy!” scold Teru.

“No, I’m not crazy. I believe I can take you out of here. Please, believe me,” said Masashi gently. It’s for the first time Teru hears that kind of voice coming out from Masashi, and he really like to hear it.  

Teru tries to rise up slowly. The pain from his sprained foot makes him lose the balance a bit and almost fall. Again, Masashi quickly holds him.

“Be careful,” said Masashi still with gently tone. Teru lets Masashi guides him. Masashi squats carefully and hold tights Teru’s ankles when he carried Teru’s on his back.

“Ready? Hold tight,” told Masashi.

“Um,” answer Teru shortly.

Masashi climbs up the cliff slowly and carefully, one by one. He almost falls when he loses a grip. Teru tighten his arms around Masashi’s shoulders, preventing himself from falling.

“I told you we won’t make it! Just put me down and go get Yuki’s help!” told Teru a bit angry.

“No, I won’t leave you. I will always be with you, I won’t ever leave you alone,” said Masashi.

“I will take you out of here, I promise,” Teru stills hearing Masashi’s words. Suddenly he feels lose power and just let himself depend on Masashi. Masashi can feel that Teru is starting to believe in him. It boosts his spirit to climb the cliff. In a short time, they manage to climb out of the crevice in safe and sound. Even though they manage to get out, Masashi still carries Teru at his back.

“Let me down, I’ll walk by myself,” told Teru.

“It’s okay, I’ll carry you back,” said Masashi. Teru struggles to jump down.

“I said I’ll be fine by myself, just let me down!” said Teru with a high voice. But instead following Teru’s order, Masashi tighten his grips on Teru’s ankle.

“Teru-kun,” calls Masashi with a gently voice. Somehow Teru now become weak every time he hears that kind of tone from Masashi.

“Please, keep still. Please, allow me to carry you back,”

“I’ve been talking to Yuki-san earlier, and he told me to think what I want to do. And this is what I want to do, to serve and guard you. So please let me do what I want,” explain Masashi. He feels Teru is holding his shirt tightly.

“Fool, I never want you to do that,” said Teru with a low voice. Masashi turns a bit to see Teru’s face, and he sees an almost crying face from Teru.

“Teru-kun,”

“I was so happy when you said you won’t ever leave me alone, that you will always beside me. I was so happy when you came to get me, but it’s not because I want you to serve me. I don’t want you to serve me, I don’t want you to be a guardian, I want you to be our family, to always be with us, with me,” Teru is starting to sob.

“I was so sad when we lose Jasmine-san. I don’t want to feel the same with you. I don’t want you to disappear. I’m so afraid you would disappear just like Jasmine-san,” Teru’s grips become tighter. Masashi keeps still letting his young prince talking between his sobbing. He doesn’t believe he can know about Teru’s feeling and fears. That’s the feelings that keep Teru being far away from Masashi, and so does backwards.

“Thank you, Teru-kun, for letting me knows what you really feel. And I will always keep my promise; I won’t ever leave you or the family. I will always be with you until the very end,”    

“It’s not because Jasmine-san told me. It’s because what I want really do,” said Masashi. He feels Teru’s head at his back. Teru is crying. Masashi lets him crying and continue the way back.

...

Hizaki caresses Teru’s hair gently. Teru was sleeping at his laps. Hizaki smiles sweetly while looking at Teru’s sleeping face. Hizaki and Kamijo get back in the same time with Masashi and Teru. Masashi explain what happen with Teru, but he didn’t say the conversations they had. Teru was quickly sleeping because he feels tired with the incident and also after he lets loose of his feeling about Masashi. Hizaki can see a look of relief at Teru’s face, so somehow Hizaki can guess what has happen. Kamijo and Yuki are also feeling the same. Masashi move closer to kamijo who’s sitting in a big rock, looking at his little sleeping prince.

“I’m sorry Kamijo-sama, I’ve let my guards down so Teru-kun become like this. I’m terribly sorry,” Masashi bents his head deep down to the master.

“It’s an accident; you don’t need to apologize for it. Beside, Teru is fine; he only sprained his foot,” said Kamijo calmly.

“Also, I think I never told you to guard him, no one can,” Yuki smiles a bit. Masashi knows Kamijo doesn’t tell him to guard Teru, but he also know how the master loves Teru and how precious Teru is, especially after Jasmine has gone.

“I know you didn’t tell me to guard him or anyone of you. And I also been thinking and I realize what I want to do,”

“And that is?” ask Kamijo. Masashi looks at him and feel his great aura. Masashi understands why Kamijo is being so deeply loved by the family. Masashi feels he can depend on Kamijo. Kamijo knows what to do, and he wills always taking care of them all.

“I want to be with you, with all of you. I don’t want to leave you. Please let me be with you from now on and forever,” Masashi bents his head again. 

“Now isn’t that what you want from the first place?” said Hizaki with a smile on his face. He’s still caressing Teru. Masashi looks at the beautiful princess, his princess.

“Isn’t the reason why you are here now with us, Masashi-kun?” ask Hizaki.

“Don’t burden yourself too much. We’re on this together. As you want to be with us, let us be with you too. Let’s walk in the same path together from now on and also forever,” Yuki takes a sigh.

“Hizaki-chan has said what all of us have been thinking. Don’t be too hard on yourself Masashi-kun,” smiles Yuki.

“Well, I guess that clears everything,” Kamijo stands up. Yuki and Hizaki are looking prepared with what he wants to say. Masashi also feel the same. Beyond him stand his master, the one he will be following forever.

“I think I haven’t said it, and it might be causing all this confusion,” told Kamijo. He looks at Masashi and smiles gently; the smile that Masashi haven’t seen. Masashi’s heart beats faster.

“Welcome to the family, Masashi-kun,” smiles Kamijo.

“Welcome to the family, Masashi-kun,” follow Hizaki smiling so sweetly and beautifully.

“We welcome you with warm heart. Welcome, Masashi-kun!” said Yuki smiling widely.

“Thank you, thank you so much,” said Masashi with teary eyes.

“Oh, you’re going to cry? Masashi has a gentle heart, now I know that. And I can’t wait to know more about you,” said Hizaki. Kamijo is sniffing follow by Yuki’s laugh. Masashi is also smiling. He looks at sleeping Teru. Even though he hasn’t heard the welcoming words from Teru, but he knows Teru is also feeling the same. Masashi feels relief now. He shall walk in the same path with his lovely family, and he can also be at his young prince side. He believes that is what Jasmine really wished for. 

~KiRaidesu~