He could not possibly talk to him right now. There was no way he could speak to him with humans around. They would not understand. They thought Toshiya was their cousin! They believed every word he said.

But Shinya could feel it, that unusual air around Toshiya. He felt it when he saw Toshiya this morning and when they stood close, the feeling grew stronger and it pulled Shinya.

Shinya walked past Toshiya and the two ladies in the hall. Toshiya didn’t look at him but Shinya knew he could sense his presence. Quietly, Shinya just moved away.

He walked aimlessly; he did not know this huge mansion. It was not like the forest where instinct carried him to where he wanted to go. This was a man-made maze, every door appeared to Shinya like a yawning tiger’s mouth and he shrunk away from them. He did know if he had the instinct of a fox anymore.

When he reached a long corridor with glass walls that looked out to the garden, he saw the violet-haired man. But the man didn’t see him, his eyes were closed and a frown knitted his brows close together.

Shinya was not familiar with this man.

He did not know what his name was.

But something about him attracted Shinya.

Shinya frowned. There was…

Suddenly a presence made Shinya cock his head to the side.

Toshiya was standing at the end of the corridor.

-Meet me at the balcony.-

Then before Shinya could move, Toshiya was gone.

***

He twirled the green vines of ivy that hung down from the tree branches around his fingers. He could see the tops of trees of the forest from where he stood on the garden balcony. The bracelet he wore on his left wrist glowed dully but Toshiya could feel it pulsating against his skin. He wrapped his fingers around it, feeling the slight warmth in the beads.

When the warmth subsided, he just circled his hand on his arm, marvelling at how his skin glowed in the nice warm sun and he touched his hair too, feeling the long black strands play in the early evening breeze. The hem of black gown flapped against his slender legs, the cloth hugging his hips before tapering around his slim waist, wrapping up his chest to where it curved gracefully around his shoulders.

"Toshiya…"

The little hairs at the back of his neck bristled. He turned around and saw Shinya standing in front of him. His hair gleamed auburn and gold in the sun, fine strands, like Toshiya’s, swaying with the gentle current of air. Dressed in men’s clothes but still he held his feminine beauty and grace. His hazel eyes looked up at Toshiya.

There were words but they were unspoken.

Toshiya smiled.

"Shinya, I found you," he said, his voice soft and loving as he extended an arm out towards Shinya.

"Toshiya, I…" Shinya touched Toshiya’s hand and pulled back a little as if doubting that Toshiya was really there. "What happened?" His voice was small and faltering as if he was about to cry.

"I came after you," Toshiya said, wrapping his bigger hands around Shinya’s.

Shinya saw the charm around his wrist.

The beads seemed to flicker at him.

He saw a blinding light, red blinding light.

Fire.

Burning. He was writhing in flames, burning. The flames shot up, engulfing his face and hands. The white gown he wore burned too. His mouth opened in a horrifying silent scream.

Toshiya, run!

He jerked out of his trance.

No…no, no!

"Toshiya, we have to leave!" he said in a cracking voice.

Toshiya stared at Shinya’s face for a second before he turned away. His lashes drooped down to cover his eyes. "You want to leave?" he asked softly. "Or you want me to leave?"

A confused look washed over Shinya’s face. His lips parted to speak. "To-"

"I thought you HATED humans!!!" Toshiya growled and turned to stare accusingly into Shinya’s eyes.

Shinya gasped in shock, seeing the speck of tears forming in Toshiya’s dark brown eyes and collect at the rims. Toshiya’s hair seemed to rise in the wind of anger to create a dark halo around his face.

"You just left me…" The tears fell; the droplets gleamed in the sunlight before it splashed onto the ground.

Shinya felt his heart wrench. Taking a step forward, he cupped Toshiya’s wet cheeks. "I..I didn’t leave you…" He rose on his toes and kissed Toshiya’s lips.

But the black-haired beauty pulled away from him. Strands of black hair blew in the wind as he leaned against the balcony railing. His lips held a sad smile.

"Shinya." He wiped his tears.

The other man stood where he was. Oh, how he wanted to just hug Toshiya, to tell him how much he missed him! But…

"You betrayed me."

Cold eyes, full of hurt and hatred, met Shinya’s.

Gathering his skirt, Toshiya flicked the last of his tears away and walked off, leaving Shinya alone on the garden balcony, overlooking what was once their home.

***

The haze that misted the crystal shifted, making the colours swirl into one another. Slowly long pale fingers with dark purple nails wrapped around the sphere, lips murmured the ancient spells.

As the incantations grew louder in volume, the haze cleared or rather, it formed two blurred figures.

But something shone brightly between them, so bright it sparkled that it was reflected in her violet eyes.

The amulet resting between her breasts throbbed.

She had found it…