~^~Against The Dying of the Light~^~
     -Book One: Prologue-

"The mind has a thousand eyes, 
And the heart but one; 
Yet the light of a whole life dies 
When love is done."			~F.W. Bourdillon

	Rain pounded the roof furiously and unrelentless of the passers-by, who
scurried under shelters and into their homes, as if the harmless water were
actually knives or even bullets seeking their target. The rain was refreshing,
cooling off the steaming pavements, abused by the scorching heat; but the
combination of the uncommonly cold North Winds and the rain was harmful, and
even deadly.
	Disease was common at these times, taking people and even villages whole. It
was a time when people would rather die than face the horrid, unspeakable
conditions which plagued thirteenth century Spain. The bibles spoke of such
massive death as the hand of God, which would wipe the face of the Earth clean
from sin and from evil. The Armageddon, it was called, and it was not only
occurring in Spain, but neighboring countries, France, England, Portugal,
Italy, and around the known world. The Black Death, it was named; for not one
person would escape its hungry grasp, searching for new victims, unforgiving,
claiming new victims minute by minute. No cure had been found; and those who
had even come close to an antibiotic, were soon delivered into the hands of
death. Churches offered prayers and repentence, and people even beat
themselves for forgiveness; but to no avail.
	It was a time of death; mortality rates soared; the Black Death leaving no
one standing in its path. It was a time for a new world; a new lifestyle, or
new ways, as one might call it. It was the time for forgiveness, repentence,
and to turn back to Him. It was the time for another hero...

-Book Two: Death-

"When darkness envelopes ones heart, then all is lost.
Terribly shaken, yet standing up
Yet again to fall.
One more mistake, and one more lesson not yet learned.
In my frame of mind, I see only you..."		~M.A.Y.

	It was too dark for it to be noon. The clouds blanketed the once azure sky,
conquering the enchanting serenity. A lone figure walked aimlessly; dragging
his feet across the pavement, which soon ended to the once dirt path, which
was now mud, due to the freshy-fallen rain. The rain did not cease, and the
bitter winds continued to blow, stinging the young gentleman's face. His head
hung low, as if he had lost all pride and hope of survival; knowing that any
death was better than the life he was living now. His long, unruly hair hung
across his blue-greyish eyes, once animated with life, now conquered with
grief. His clothes were completely soaked now, dampening his tan skin, and
seeping through to his body, making him shiver. When he decided that he had
suffered enough, he turned and made way towards the nearest inn.
	*			*			*			*
	The streets were now desolate, and the inn was heavily packed now; with both
visitors and those who seeked shelter. The young man, oblivious of his
surroundings, went towards the clerk, asked for a room for the night, and
proceeded towards his temporary safe-haven. He then took off his clothes,
which hampered him from his original purpose. What he was planning to do, he
would never do in his house, for that matter. When he was done with that task,
he removed a small object and a dagger from the pocket of his coat. Wandering
aroung the room, he located a bathtub and began filling it with cold water
from the pump, located at the back of the room. Still clasping the small
object, he sat in the bathtub, placing the dagger on the drawer directly
adjacent to him.
	He slowly loosened the grip on the small object, which was now visible. A
small, gold, and dainty lady's necklace fell half-way down his palm, and he
still clutched the main piece; a heart locket carved from the purest gold,
with flowers and butterflies engraved and with the phrase T & M surrounded by
the carvings. He carefully pryed open the small locket, and revealed a picture
of a young, cute girl, about 2 years younger than him; and a well-dressed
gentleman, with his hair tied back and his face lit with a radiant smile. 
	Tamahome sighed, and not one of those normal sighes, which a man does out of
exhaustion; but out of grief, heart-ache, never-ending pain, and a sealed
fate. He kissed the locket, not a single word uttered from his lips, as he
placed the locket around his neck and reached for his dagger. *Miaka,* he
thought warmly as he brought the tool to end his suffering towards his wrists.
*Miaka, I will be with you...* Tamahome shut his eyes, not wanting to witness
what he was about to do. The Black Death had claimed his lover, and he wished
to be taken as well. Miaka was not yet dead, but she was in agony; and
incureable one, never-ending, and death was near. He wanted to be there for
her, before her in heaven, awaiting her arrival. It was through this that he
would do so.  *I will be with you...* He young man brought the dagger quickly
across both his wrists and dropped his arms to his sides, filling the clear
water with his blood. Not once opening his eyes, he fell into a deep,
seemingly eternal void of rest. *...Forever, Miaka...*

-Book Three: Awakening-

"So cold and so deep.
How I long for eternal sleep.
Blue Waterfalls are those which I call my own.
It is my escape, my way of being alone."		~M.A.Y.

	Darkness, a feeling of emptiness rose in the air. It was like this for a
while; cold, unloving, death at everywhere one turns. And soon, without any
warning, light shone, breaking the black, the white finally triumphing. A lone
monument, almost like stone, lay; cast among the reeds of tall grass.
	Tamahome slowly opened his eyes, not in any hurry whatsoever, as he took in
the beauty surrounding him. The azure sky, the fresh scent of country air, the
serene surroundings, a handsome young red-head running towards him in the
distance, the warm beams of sun striking his face...
	*A young red-head?* Tamahome squinted his eyes, attempting to make out the
figure coming towards him. It was definitely a guy, and he was holding a
sword, charging and making some sort of chant while doing so. Tamahome, who
was more intrigued at the clothes the stranger wore, did not block or avoid
the death charge. Instead, being the gentleman who was raised in Spain's finer
schools, he smiled at the young man, who ran the sword straight through him.
	"What the fuck?!" The surprised red-headed man cursed, more out of surprise
rather than quizically.
	Tamahome looked down, surprised not to see a hole bore through him by that
sword. The stranger who had charged at him, tripped, and fell flat on his
face, enabling Tamahome to get up, and defend himself.
	It turns out that the sword had gone straight through him, without making any
contact whatsoever; not injuring him in any way. Without thinking about that
situation, Tamahome stood over the stranger and placed his foot atop his back,
preventing the man from getting up and escaping. The red head screamed, not
out
of anger, more like being scared.
      "Aho! What the fuck are you?! Some freakin' ghost trying to kill me!"
The red haired stranger struggled, but Tamahome, bent down, placing his hands
atop his attacker's shoulders, and his knee on his back. Tamahome could really
see his features now. The man was slightly muscular and built, maybe from
those long days at the farm; lean and muscular with a bit of arrogance in his
tone. He was good looking indeed, his fangs bared anytime he got angry; his
eyes gleamed as emeralds did. But the most striking feature besides his gruff,
foreign accent, was his fiery, flame colored hair. Tamahome was almost
hypnotized by it, how it could be so bright and vibrant. He wondered what type
of shampoo he used...
      "I swear, if you don't get off of me I gonna...", started the stranger.
      "You're going to what, pray tell?" Tamahome responded and cocked his
eyebrow at the man. He wasn't one to be intimidated, and he could easily
change from being a pretty-prissy school boy, into a tough warrior.
      "Well, I don't know!" The stranger paused and struggled again, but he
couldn't break his captor's clutches. "I freakin' tried to kill ya once, but
it obviously didn't work out. Shit! What else am I supposed to say?"
      Tamahome seeing that this was true, (he wasn't harmed the least bit when
he was attacked), came to his senses and let go the stranger, who leaped up
quickly and unsheated his dagger, posing it towards Tamahome, who only gave
him a weird look.
      "Baka! How much of an idiot can you be?" Tamahome referred to the
dagger. "Like you just said, that can't hurt me." He paused, and resumed a
less aggressive stance, realizing that this was getting nowhere. He extended
his hand, as any gentleman would do. "My name is Tamahome."
	"Stay back you freak of nature!" The stranger growled and backed away as
Tamahome sighed, grabbed his hand and shook it. "Aho! What the hell is that?"
The stranger said, referring to the handshake. 
	"Ano, you're supposed to say your name."
	"And why the fuck do I have to tell you?"
	Tamahome sighed and let go, breaking off the handshake, as he turned the
opposite direction and started walking. *Sheesh, I've heard of uncivilized
people, but in this case, this is insane!* He didn't care where he was heading
off to, just away from this certain individual, who was just another
obstruction in his journey.
He was surprised to hear footsteps behind him, and he prepared for another
squabble with the ignorant stranger. Instead, the other man tapped his
shoulder, and extended his hand.
	"Err...Name's Genrou, but everyone calls me Orion."
	"Orion?" Tamahome looked puzzled. "Isn't that a girl's name?"
	"Hell no!" Orion withdrew his hand, insulted. "It means 'son of fire' in
Greek. Where the hell did you get the idea that Orion was a girl's name.
Shit."
	"I...err...nevermind." Tamahome looked puzzled, and new that this argument
was not going to be a fruitful one. He headed off in the direction against the
sun. His grandmother told him that to walk towards the sun was bad luck, and
it could mean death. He always believed in superstition, and this situation
was as much as he could take.
	"Aho! Where the hell do ya think ya going?"
	Tamahome paused and looked back at Orion who had his hands on his hips.
	"Ya need someone to show ya the fuckin' way don't ya?"
	Tamahome sighed, and realized that this was true. Besides, he didn't know
this place, he was tired, and hungry; and it was the middle of the day. The
sun beat down on his body, wrenching all the moisture from it, leaving him
weary and dellusional. He gave in and he motioned for Orion catch up. *I just
know I'm going to regret this...* Tamahome thought as he shook his head and
felt Orion place his arm around his shoulder, leading him to what appeared to
be a near-by village.

-Book Four: Remembering-

"Walking or asleep,
Thou of death must deem
Things more true and deep
Than we mortals dream..."		~P.B. Shelley

	The sun shone brightly, causing the night and its creatures to retreat fully.
The heat was almost unbearable to Tamahome, who was now leaning and solely
depending on Orion for support. He wasn't used to this torrid weather, and his
dark
clothes weren't helping much. Orion cringed as Tamahome shifted all his weight
towards him and limped through town. 
	Tamahome was totally unaware of his surroundings, all things that happened
were a blur. He disregarded things as a illusion caused by the heat and his
hunger. He was still hungry and he awoke with a start and immediately surveyed
the room, and its environment. Through the floors, he heard talking, laughing,
and music. He felt around, realizing that he was completely naked, and he
blushed at the thought that people could have seen him; not that he had
anything to be afraid or ashamed of. He was normal, just that he was taught to
be proper, and be a gentleman. He sat up in bed stretching and enjoying the
moment of warm, cozy sheets meeting his skin. He was interrupted by a strange
presence in the room.
	The young lady coughed and apologized immediately. She was indeed pretty.
Young and full of life, with golden, bronze hair cascading down her shoulders,
falling below her waist. Her garb and attire was simple, that of common folk.
She bowed her head down and apologized again for interrupting the man's peace.
Tamahome quickly leaped out of bed to introduce himself, forgetting that he
had nothing to cover himself. The girl turned a deep shade of scarlet an
stiffled a giggle. Tamahome, being the courtious one, sprinted towards the bed
and grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around his waist.
	"Ano, sorry Miss. You do not need to apologize." Tamahome approached her, as
he noticed that she kept her head down, in respect to the older man. He smiled
and responded kindly, assuring her that she would be alright and would not
have to continue to bow her head and apologize. He came close to her and
lifted her chin, at the same time crouching to gaze directly into her sky-blue
eyes. Her skin was soft and warm to his touch, and they were locked in that
gaze for a while. Both could feel their faces flush and become colored. Again,
the lady giggled and flashed Tamahome a quick smile.
	"Miss, it would be rude of me not to ask for your name, for a true gentle..."
Tamahome was cut off as the lady sprung up suddenly, causing their lips to
brush together in a short, yet enchanting kiss that completely mesmerized
Tamahome. He stood, wide-eyed as the lady allowed her dress to slip past her
shoulders, and fall graciously off, resting on her hips as she approached
Tamahome, who had backed away and was now pressing one hand against his lips.
	"My name, if you must know, is Leila." She walked towards him, her scent of
lilies and orchids absolutely alluring to Tamahome, who just stood there and
marveled at her beauty; her honey-toned skin shimmering in the sun's light and
her ample breasts round and perfect, a gift from Mother Nature. She spoke
again, this time whispering into his ear, her eyes closed. "Do not worry. I
will make you better. I understand that you are hungry..." Leila, not giving
Tamahome any time to respond, nontheless think, quenched his thirst my placing
her mouth over his.

*			*			*			*
	Orion covered his eyes with his hands and sighed. *I can't bear to watch!* He
got up from his sitting position and faced away from an transluscent orb which
seemed to be like a container holding the two individuals. He paced around,
his arms folded across his chest and he spent the time muttering and even
mentioning some curse words.
	"And to think that he had such a strong will, no da!" A voice came from the
distance, startling Orion, who was in his own world.
	"K'so! He does have a strong will! You just see, he'll break out of this for
sure. I have faith in him." Orion began nibbling on his fingernails, having
nothing else to say.
	"Well, it doesn't look like it, no da! I mean Leila has got him good, no da!
Just take a look at the orb, and see for your..."
	"Aww, shut the fuck up! It was your idea to send Leila anyways. She's just to
good. She's tempted one too many men. Shit! I even fell for her!" Orion stood
up in defense of Tamahome, who was obviously busy.
	"Ano, Orion. That was because you were drunk, no da!"
	Orion sighed and stopped arguing. It was no use. *What would arguing get? It
sure won't save his ass.* Orion started nibbling again on his fingernails. He
had a bad habit of that. Being a guardian angel for certain people almost
drove him to the point of insanity; dealing with all that stress would kill a
mere mortal.
	"I know you worry about him, no da. But there is nothing you or I can do. It
is all up to his will, no da." The voice paused, and began again. He was
determined to calm his companion, for they had been through this several
millions of times, each with time with different souls. But in this case, this
one was different; special and therefore, in order to prove itself worthy, had
to go through many trials, which were meant so no regular mortal could pass.
"I know that you have been his guardian ever since he was born, no da. And I
know that you believed that this was the person to deliver the human race from
another disaster, no da. But try not to stress out about it, no da."
	Orion paused after hearing this, noticing that he had nibbled his way past
the nail onto skin. True, he was Tamahome's guardian. But he had been guardian
for so many others as well. He just felt that this one was special. All that
thinking made his head hurt, and he spoke to the voice. "Awww, stop getting
sentimental on me. Afterall, it happens all the time." He stopped at sat down
at his chair facing the orb, which glowed and transmitted the images from the
imaginary room into theirs. "And what the fuck is going on with the 'no da'
thing. Ya always say that. That is giving me a headache. And it makes ya look
like shit for brains!"
	"Aho! It's not like I can change my destiny, no da! I was created like this,
no da! And just why in Suzaku's sake do you curse a lot? I mean, every single
sentence cannot be complete without a profane word in it, no da!" The voice
countered back, agitated, but then again relieved that Orion was back to his
normal, foul-mouthed, complaining self.
	"Shit! I can't help it if I'm me." Orion shrugged his shoulders and stopped
biting his nails. He turned his attention to the orb. *Oh well, at least I
have something to watch.* He thought to himself, as he quietly wished in back
of his mind that Tamahome would pull through. *Just as long as he doesn't
strip her of her virginity...*
Orion thought, *He will be safe.*

*			*			*			*
	It all happened so quickly, and one thing led to another. Leila had placed
her soft mouth over Tamahome's, who had fell under her bewitching spell and
her enchanting presence. It was slow at first, the kiss, and then it gradually
became for fluid, smooth and intoxicating. Each second he spent with her, his
hunger increased more and more, and he feasted hungrily from Leila's mouth,
which had even more to offer him. It was though he was searching for something
that wouldn't really satisfy his animal-like hunger, yet he didn't realize it
yet. His tongue moved over her mouth with expertise, running over her tongue
and her teeth, feeling every crevice.
	He wanted to devour her, take her in fully. Nothing mattered right then and
there, except the fact that he wanted to feel her inside of him, to take her
right then and there. He didn't want to miss any inch of her, to taste her
skin, which almost resembled pure sugar, in taste and in addiction. It was a
sugar rush, a high that he couldn't overcome. When he had enough of her mouth,
he moved downward, past her neck, making sure to nibble on that as well,
causing her to exert a slight moan, which in turn gave him the chills. But as
he was conquering her, she stopped him and gently reminded him that it was his
turn to feel the passion and to relax. Leaving no time for thinking, Leila got
to work by placing her hands atop her victim's chest, working her way down to
Tamahome's hand, which still clutched the blanket. 
	Leila, seeing that he was a true gentleman, couldn't pry the blanket away
from him, and so she got to work; starting off at his chin, placing soft,
butterfly kisses along his jawline, causing Tamahome to tilt and crane his
neck upward. This left an opening for Leila, as she moved downward, brushing
her eyelashes along his neck, making him shiver with delight. Her warm tongue
lapped lightly at his neck, softly at first, making him await the next part.
She knew exactly how to pleasure a man, leading them on slowly at first,
making them crave for more and more. She made her way down to his bare chest,
alternating soft kisses, with lapping from her tongue, and quick bursts of
warm air. Moans escaped from Tamahome's throat, as he closed his eyes,
enjoying the moment.
	The temptress, lightly kissed Tamahome's right nipple, which quivered at the
slight touch. She then took it into her mouth, sucking slowly at first, then
began forming a rhythmic motion, as her left hand probed downwards, now easily
brushing away the only covering he had left. As her mouth attended his nipple,
her left hand made its way down, and her right rested upon his hip for
support. Her left hand carressed his manhood, and she could sense his entire
body tense up after that slight brush. Her hand did that again, carressing the
surface of his penis, back and forth in a fluid-like motion, matching that of
her tongue. Both hardened at her expertise and her touch, and a groan of
ecstasy escaped Tamahome's lips. As her tongue traced circles around his
nipple, so did her hand, twirling his manhood in her fingers, enjoying the
shivers and rippling waves which coursed through his body.
	Tamahome's lips were quivering now, his whole body was giving in. No, not
just his body, but his mind as well. He found himself slipping, his hand,
originally holding the blanket dangled down to his side. He reached up and
touched his upper chest, to steady himself. But his hand caught on something
else besides Leila's golden tresses. A necklace, with a pendant. A heart-
shaped one...

*			*			*			*
	"Yes! Ha ha! I knew it!" Orion let out a hearty chuckle as a voice shushed
him.
Orion didn't care though. "Oi, Angel! Lookie here! He sensed it." Orion
pointed at the orb, which showed Tamahome grasping the locket on his chest.
	"Hai. I know, no da!" The voice echoed in the distance. "But you have to
remain
quiet, no da."
	Orion looked puzzled. "What the hell for! There's no way they could hear us!"
	"Shhhh, no da! Others have to do evaluations, no da." Angel insisted, trying
to calm down his ecstactic friend once again.
	Orion mumbled. "Shit for brains..."
	Angel sighed. "When will you ever grow-up, no da?"
	"But I'm over 10,000 years old! Don't ya think I'm already old enough to go
out by myself, Mommy?" Orion teased Angel, who entertained him for a while,
glad to know that the hardest part of the test was over with.

*			*			*			*
	Tamahome's hand paused over the locket, his mind beginning to regain
consciousness, as though he were in some sort of trance. He gasped as he
realized what he was doing, or on the other hand, what was being done to him.
He choked and coughed a bit. *Miaka!* He recalled that name, once being so
familiar to him. He could now open his eyes and move his hands, each spell
placed on him, breaking and falling apart.
	"No! Miaka!" Tamahome gasped and cried, as he looked down and immediately
pushed himself away from the strange maiden. He clutched the locket, as beads
of sweat fell down his brow. His concentration was back now and he could think
clearly.
	Immediately, as though the curtain from a play rose, revealing cast members;
so did the scenery around him. Leila disappeared, not before giving him a wink
and a thumbs up sign; the blanket he was once holding and the bed behind him,
as well as the four walls and the entire environment grew extremely hazy and
mists enveloped him, not allowing him to see anything. He soon found himself,
well-dressed and fully-clothed. He was no longer afraid, as he walked towards
the mists, clutching the locket in his right hand.


***Author's Note: The rest of the story is still being written. The next email
has more parts to it. Sorry for the trouble, but I did not wish to split the
story in the middle of Book Five***