We all know the old saying, right? Love is blind. Well, it's true! Not only that, Love's ten-years-old! Welcome to the would of Mekura ai aka Blind love! R/R please. Shonen-ai.

Mekura Ai: Part 1- Tears
By: Link-chan

"Mekura Kibo, the time has come for you and Oni Akiyama to go out and do your job on your own," said a tall angel, wearing long flowing robes of white and gold. Ten-year-old Mekura Kibo looked down at his eight-year-old companion, Oni Taki Akiyama. The boys had been together for years now, training just for this day, for Mekura and Oni weren't normal, not even by angel standers. Both were half demon, and they were the only ones capable of completing this job: bringing together the crown prince of Demons, Akito Akiyama, and crown prince of the Celestials, Okami Yami Cloud. If they failed…well, they couldn't, "You know what will happen if you boys fail, do you not?" both boys nodded, "Kibo-chan, are you sure those contacts of yours are working properly?"

"Hai." the reason the master angel had asked this question was because Mekura was blind, Oni, being the genius that his is, made special contacts for Mekura so he could see. Oni turned around to look up at Mekura, and smiled sweetly, making Mekura blush, "We are ready, sensei." the master angle smiled.

"Remember, the Celestials are not your enemies." Oni glared at the master angel.

"What's that supposed to mean?! I'm half Celestial myself, I know perfectly well that the Celestials aren't my enemy!" yelled Oni, getting angry at the master angel for saying something like that about his people.

"Calm down, Oni-chan." soothed Mekura, putting his hand on Oni's shoulder.

"Gomen nasai…" said Oni, tossing back his light brown hair, his deep green eyes glowing with anger, "We're ready to go."

"Very well, please do be careful, boys." the boys disappeared before Oni could get even angrier.

~Avalon~

Fourteen-year-old Okami Cloud climbed up a tall sakura tree in full bloom, and sat down on one of the stronger branches, even thought he, being half elf, didn't have to, because he was so light. The crown prince let out a small sigh, and closed his big deep blue eyes, as a gentle breeze blew his short messy dirty blond hair, "Well look what we have here! Crown prince Okami Yami Cloud without his attendants!" Okami nearly fell out of the sakura tree, until he recognized the voice that had spoken. It was his best friend, fourteen-year-old Fukki Tsunomi. Okami leaned over and saw Fukki, his deep green eyes glinting, as another gentle breeze played with Fukki's short messy dirty blond hair.

"Fu-chan! What's up?" yelled Okami, laughing.

"Not much, I was looking for Haru-kun." Haru Matsumoto, Okami's seventeen-year-old half brother, on their father's side of course.

"Ni-chan? He should be at the castle." Okami lept out of the sakura tree, and Fukki caught him, helping him to the ground, "Well, I'm off." he started walking away but Fukki stopped him.

"Matte. Where are you going? Aren’t you supposed to be at the castle right now?" Okami shook his head, laughing.

"Hai, demo I'm going to go see Tamoki-chan."

"Tamoki Miyomoto? You're girlfriend?" Okami nodded, smiling.

"I'm gonna ask her to marry me."

"Okami-chan, are you sure that's such a good idea? I mean…"

"We're not going to get married now. We'll wait of course, it's just…I want her to know that I really care about her, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her." said Okami, starting to blush (That's so sweet. *starting to cry* Okami: -.-).

"Okami-chan…don’t you feel weird? I mean…I've got a bad feeling for some reason," said Fukki.

"What do you mean, Fu-chan? Did you have a vision?" asked Okami, now concerned.

"I'm not sure…it was blurry…" whispered Fukki, "Never mind, it was probably nothing anyway. Good luck, oh wait."

"Nani?"

"Where are you going, do you know where Tamoki-chan is now?" Okami nodded, tossing his tousled dirty blond locks.

"Hai, I can sense her energy at one of Avalon's restaurants."

"Okay, see you later." Okami turned to leave, but paused as Fukki turned toward the castle.

"My ni-chan's in his room!" added Okami, making Fukki blush, and then the young prince turned and ran to the restaurant.

~Restaurant~

Okami entered the restaurant, smiling happily, "Ta-" he stopped. Okami had spotted Tamoki, but she was with another guy, at first he thought it was her brother, until she kissed him that is. He was surprised at first, sad, and then finally his famous anger flared up and he nearly went into his 'Death Form'. Okami tossed back his hair, and started walking toward Tamoki's table, "Hey, Tamoki." Tamoki jumped as Okami slammed his hands onto the table, "Surprised to see me? Thought I would be busy at the castle, eh? You should know that they let me do whatever I please because they fear me as much as they respect me, because of what I am, and what I've done in the past."

"O-Okami-chan!"

"Don't 'Okami-chan' me." spat Okami, angrily. He turned to the guy sitting with Tamoki, "Did you know that Tamoki's my girlfriend?"

"No, gomen nasai, Okami-sama. She told me she wasn't seeing anyone."

"Looks like you're in a bit of a jam, eh, Miyomoto. Let me guess, you just went out with me because of my status, you thought that I was so innocent that you could just cheat on me, and even if I found out, I would be too nice to say anything. Guess what, you couldn't have been more wrong. We're through, oh and if I ever see you again, I will kill you, have a nice day." Okami walked out of the room as the guy that Tamoki was with was breaking up with her as well.

~Avalon Castle -Okami's room~

Okami flopped backwards onto his bed, trying not to cry. Thirteen-year-old Shuichi Cloud knocked lightly on his door, and opened it, "Ni-chan…"

"Hey, Shu-chan." whispered Okami, his voice breaking. Talking was a mistake; he lost control and started crying.

"Ni-chan…I'm sorry." Shuichi walked over, sat down next to his elder, twin brother, and hugged him.

"…I…should have read her mind, I know I should have, demo I wanted to respect her privacy…" cried Okami.

"I know, and everyone loves you for that, ni-chan." soothed Shuichi, seeing his elder brother crying made him want to cry as well. His brother had such a bad life, and he didn't deserve to be treated badly, he was too kind for that.

"Hai…demo…what if I'm too gentle?" asked Okami, looking at his younger brother through his teary deep blue eyes.

"Heh. You too gentle? That's funny Okami." it was Haru. He stood in the doorway, leaning against the side, arms crossed, his long messy, parrot green hair lying on his shoulders, and his yellow cat-eyes glinting, "You've destroyed two towns, and a royal family. No one should think you're too gentle." Okami sniffled, "Come on, Okami-chan, you are too good for her, you deserve far better."

"Oddly enough, ni-sama, I don’t think that made ni-chan feel any better," said Shuichi, hugging Okami tighter.

"Well-" Haru was cut off by a servant running through, bowing to the three boys.

"Good evening, sires. Two boys are here to see you, your Highness." with that, she ran off. Okami stood up, whipping his eyes.

"Two boys…I wonder who they could be." he mused.

"Friends maybe?" asked Haru.

"Or princes." suggested Shuichi.

"They would announce them by name if they were princes…" said Okami, walking past Haru, and down the hall toward the guest hall. When he got there, he saw two very young boys sitting down on the guest couches. The older one had short messy cloud-blue hair, and milky gray eyes, Okami suspected him to be blind. The other boy had short messy light brown hair, and deep green eyes, "Excuse me." both boys looked up.

"Ah, Prince Okami." said the blind one, or so Okami thought, "I am Kibo Mekura, and…" he looked down at his companion and both nodded, "Akiyama Oni."

'Akiyama…where have I heard that before…? I remember it has to do with something…something important…demo what?' thought Okami. Haru shared his thoughts, but said nothing, because he knew why the name sounded familiar, "Oh, greetings. Ano…what do you wish of me?" both boys smiled up at Okami, making him nervous.

"Nothing, your Highness, except to talk with you." said Oni.

"You both wish to speak with me then?" both boys nodded, "What in the name of Eden about?" he could sense something different about these boys; he just couldn't place it at the moment. They were far too young to be Stardestroyers, sworn enemies of the Starmakers. Okami was a Starmaker and so was his younger brother. Starmakers were very important, they were the ones who created new worlds.

"Well…" started Mekura, he seemed to be struggling with what he wanted to say. Haru noticed this, his eyes narrowing, and he turned to Shuichi.

"Come with me Shu-chan. I want to go find Fu-chan." Haru and Okami nodded to each other, and Haru and Shuichi left the guest hall.

"All right," said Okami, calmly, his double-edged sword appearing in his right hand, as Haru and Shuichi closed the double doors leading to the hall. His poisonous blood dripping from his hand and sticking onto the special metal of his sword, "tell me, who are you really? Be quick about it if you don’t want to die at such a young age." (…isn't he nice…)

"Jeez, I heard you were violent, but killing little kids on the spot, come on," said Mekura.

"I killed two whole towns, a royal family, and all the innocents, it didn't bother me then, don't think that the blood of two children on my hands is going to bother me now." (heh…Okami's just protective of his brothers)

"Please, we are who we say we are, and all we want to do is talk with you, Cloud-sama," said Oni. Okami sighed, lowering his sword, and then finally making it disappear. He healed his arm, and gestured for the boys to sit down, "You will not regret this, Cloud-sama." Okami sighed again.

"Very well, demo…make sure whatever you tell me isn't too out there, because today is not my day." sighed Okami, 'Why am I sighing so much? Because of Tamoki? We were together for four-years…'s not fair…' (obviously I've made Tamoki the villain, I want you readers to hate her! *laughs*) Oni looked as if he wanted to say something, but Mekura stopped him by shacking his head.

"Well…ano…I really don’t know how to put this…" he thought about it carefully, 'Looks like our timing was off…He already broke up with that one girl…he's not going to want to go along with our plan, or…maybe he is gonna want to…' he thought about it some more, "Well…maybe…we were thinking…you could have a ball."

"…A ball…" repeated Okami, eyes lolling. He looked tiered, or…just really sad, "I'd have to ask my ni-chan for permission and all…he is my guardian…"

"So, you'll consider it?" asked Oni.

"Hai, demo who shall I invite?" (he wants to know what they're up to)

"Princes and Princesses from all over Eden." said Oni.

"All over Eden." repeated Mekura.

"…" Okami raised an eyebrow. (I think he got what he wanted. Oni and Mekura let it slip)

"Nani?"

"Oh nothing…just thinking…" said Okami, waving his hand, '…what do they mean by all over? Do they want me to invite him?' Okami shook his head laughing, 'I guess so.'

"Hmm?" Oni smiled, he enjoys Okami's carefree laugh/ attitude. "So, shouldn't you get ready?"

"Hai, do you want me to show you out?" he asked politely, opening the double doors with his magic.

"Most princes would just get a servant to do that," mused Mekura. Okami smiled, rubbing the back of his head, blushing.

"I really don't like having servants around, demo they insist…because at my condition…" Okami paused, "Uh…never mind about that, demo please let me show you out." Oni waved, taking Mekura's arm.

"No, that's okay, really, I would expect you'd be busy preparing for the ball and all." he said, dragging Mekura out of the room.

"Oh, both of you are invited if we are allowed to have the ball!" said Okami.

"Don't worry." whispered Mekura, "You won’t miss us. Ouch!" Oni had pinched Mekura's cheek, "What I'd do?!"

"Keep it down," hissed Oni when they got outside, "Elves have excellent hearing."

"Demo he wouldn’t know what I meant." said Mekura rubbing his cheek. Oni sighed.

"I'm sorry for pinching your-" he stopped, cupping his hands behind his ears to listen.

"What is it, Ni-kun?" asked Mekura.

"Can't you hear that?" asked Oni, looking around, "It…it sounds like someone's singing, and there's music, too."

"King of Hearts!" both of them said in unison. They ran around the corner of the castle, and saw Okami, Shuichi, and Haru playing three different instruments. Okami was singing the lead parts of the song, playing a silvery-blue electric guitar, while Haru was doing the background singing with Shuichi, playing an electric piano, and Shuichi was playing the drums, "Sugoi…" whispered the two boys in awe. Okami stopped playing and singing as he felt the presence of the boys, and his brothers followed shortly after.

"Hey! Sorry, we were just practicing." said Okami, smiling down at the boys, who were both speechless, "Oh come on, we weren't that bad were we?"

"N-no! You were really good!" said Mekura, quickly.

"Oh, my ni-chan said it was all right to have a ball, that's partly why we're practicing, so we can play at the ball…All though I don’t think techno would be good for that ball, so we'll have to try some of our other songs." giggled Okami.

"Demo…shouldn't you…" started Oni. Okami's eyes flashed a crystal-blue, and then back to deep blue.

"I've already sent the invitations to everyone."

"Sou ka…well, we'll be going, come on, Oni." the boys left.

"Shouldn’t you be nicer to them?" asked Haru, grinning, "I mean, they are younger than you."

"Is that the only reason you want me to be nice to them, ni-chan?" asked Okami, smiling back.

"Maybe…"

"Okay, enough with the grinning and smiling! We've got work to do here!" yelled Shuichi, hitting his drums. Haru and Okami jumped a bit at the sound.

"Okay, okay, don't get so touchy." Okami stepped behind his microphone again, "Yoi no dekitaka?" he asked, "Hajimeru dai yo!"

~Fukumaden-Demon Castle- Throne room~

"Aieee!" yelled sixteen-year-old Akito Akiyama as he ran through the huge double doors and into the throne room. The doors slammed shut behind the demonic prince as he collapsed onto the blood red carpet that led to the thrones. He sat there trying to catch his breath, "Jeez. All those girls want to marry me…" he had just ran away from a bunch of suitors for his 'upcoming wedding', "Man, some upcoming wedding," sighed Akito, "it's not for two years."

"Sire." Akito jumped up, seeing one of his servants was in the throne room with him.

"Hai?"

"A message from Prince Okami Yami Cloud, do you wish to see it?"

"Ano…" started Akito, "Yeah, sure." the servant handed the prince a small box and left. Akito pushed a button on the box and a holographic image of a fourteen-year-old boy appeared. He had short dirty blond hair, big deep blue eyes, pale skin, and elfin ears.

"Regards, Prince Akito Akiyama. I am Okami Yami Cloud, prince of Avalon, and a Priest of the Avalon Shrine."

"Avalon!? But that's-"

"I am holding a ball very soon, and I wish for you to come join the festivities. Domo arigatou. I pleasantly await your arrival." the hologram disappeared as the prince bowed, and was replaced by the date on which the ball was going to be held, and where.

"Now why would a prince of the Celestials invite the prince of Demons, the Celestials sworn enemies, to a ball…unless it was a trap maybe, demo for some reason I don’t believe that…Argh…what should I do!?" there was a loud knock on the double doors, that made the prince jump, "H-hai?"

"Akito-sama! Let us in!" it was the girls who had been chasing him earlier.

"Argh! No, g-go away!" yelled Akito. He turned back to the invitation; "I'll send some demons after him to investigate." a glass sphere appeared in front of him.

"Matte." said a small voice. Akito turned, and saw two young boys standing next to him, "Do not summon your followers to attack Okami Cloud."

"And why not?" the demon glared at the boys.

"Because we were the ones who made the prince hold the ball." said the boy with light brown hair.

"Is that so?" asked Akito, "Why should I believe a couple of kids?" he asked. (See? See? Ageism at it's worst! Okami:…are you feeling all right? You keep taking about ageism… Link-chan: because it's evil! Okami: I think you need to rest, okay…)

"Because Okami-san did."

"Hmph, and why should I believe a Celestial?"

"He's not a full Celestial," said the boy with short messy cloud-blue hair.

"Half elf, half Celestial." said the other boy.

"Hmph. That's even worse." said the demon, crossing his arms.

"Then send your demons," said the older boy, his milky gray eyes growing darker, "send as many as you wish."

"Very well." the boys were gone, "Demons! Attack the Celestial's Prince, Okami Yami Cloud!"

~Avalon -Nighttime~

Okami hurried back toward Avalon Castle, in his priest outfit. He had just come from Avalon's Shrine to close up because Haru had stayed at the castle to finish up Okami's work, now Okami was late, "Man, I'm late! Ni-chan's gonna kill me," he stopped. Something was in front of him, and all around him, something…evil. Okami's eyes turned blood red and his hair jet-black. His long double-edged sword appeared in his hand, already drenched in his blood. Ten demons suddenly appeared around him, their sharp claws ready to shred him into pieces, "Well, well, well, Demons who can enter Avalon. I'm impressed," said Okami. He lifted his left hand into the air, and a strong wind blew at them, followed by rain. Okami readied his sword, "Let's do this shall we?" he charged forward.

~Two hours later~

"Ni-chan! Ni-chan, where are you?!" yelled Shuichi, running through one of Avalon's parks, looking for his elder brother. He saw Okami, leaning against a sakura tree, clutching his right arm, "Ni-chan!" Shuichi ran to him, "What happened?"

"D-don't…w-worry…" gasped Okami, "I'll be…o-okay…I just…ran…into some…demons…" Okami passed out; he was covered in blood, and badly injured. His priest robes were torn and bloody, and his dirty blond hair was soaked in blood.

"Ni-chan!"

"Shh. Don’t yell." said Haru, running over to them, Fukki at his side. Haru leaned over, and picked Okami up.

"Is he going to be okay?" asked Fukki, in a whisper, putting a hand on Haru's shoulder. Haru smiled down at the young elf.

"Would it make you feel any better if I healed him, or do you want to?" he asked.

"I will." said Fukki, quickly.

~Castle -Okami's room~

Okami lay on his bed, gasping for breath, "Ni-chan…" whispered Shuichi, taking his older brother's hand.

" 'S kay." gasped Okami, smiling weakly, " 'S my fault…I used too much energy in my 'Death Form'."

"Demo…" Haru put his hand on Shuichi's shoulder.

"Come on, Shu-chan, let your brother rest. I think Futaru-san made some tea for you." Shuichi nodded, and left the room.

"You didn't make Futaru-san do that, did you?" asked Okami, weakly.

"Iie. Ka-san heard about what happened to you, and rushed over here." said Fukki, smiling, "She's feeling better now." (Yeah that's what that dying guy in Monty Python…*gets hit in the head by Okami* Ouch!)

"But your mom…" started Okami, but Fukki stopped him.

"It’s okay, trust me. She adores Shu-chan, so she doesn't mind."

"…I guess…" Okami sighed.

"So what happened? How'd those demons get into Avalon?" asked Haru.

"I suppose a high-class Demon helped them."

"Who?"

"Dunno." said Okami, "Demo there where hundreds of them, if there hadn't been that many I wouldn't have had any problem…I guess I get a little cocky." Okami sat up, and pulled off his shirt with Haru's help, then he used a transformation spell to change into his cotton powder-blue pajamas, "How many days until the ball?"

"Two, is that okay?" asked Haru.

"Doesn’t bother me."

"All right get some rest." Haru and Fukki left the room.

~Fukumaden-Demon Castle -Throne room~

"Hmm. He's stronger than I thought. I didn't think there was a Celestial alive that could have destroyed all those demon and walked away from that battle." said Akito, the crystal sphere showing an image of the sleeping Okami.

"He is different," said a voice. The two boy from before appeared again, on either side of Akito.

"Who are you?!"

"I am Kibo Mekura, this is…Taki Oni."

"What do you want with me?"

"Only for you to go to the ball that Prince Okami Cloud is holding, you shall not be disappointed, and it is not a trap," said Oni.

"Very well, but what makes you so sure I won't kill Cloud myself?" asked Akito, grinning.

"You shall not. Even if you were to try to kill him, Prince Okami will take care of himself." the boys disappeared.

"Hmph."

~Two days later -a few minutes before the ball~

Okami tightened the band on his silver-blue kimono, brushed back his messy dirty blond locks just to have them fall back into their usual places, and put in a blue hoop earring in his left ear, there was a knock on the door, and then the sound of his younger brother's voice, "Ni-chan, are you ready?"

"Hai, come in, Shu-chan!" Shuichi opened the door, and walked in wearing a light blue kimono.

"Everyone's here now…Demo…" Okami turned when he heard his brother pause.

"Hmm? What's wrong, Shu-chan?" asked Okami, concerned.

"Akito Akiyama…he's the demon prince."

"NANI?!"

"Ni-sama's talking to him right now, he wanted to keep Prince Akito from Fu-san." Okami hurried out the door with Shuichi following closely behind him

~Ballroom~

"Shuichi, stay with Fu-chan, he'll keep you safe, okay?" Shuichi nodded, and ran off to find Fukki, "How could I be so careless?" Okami lifted his hand in front of his face and a glow in the outline of a sword appeared there briefly, then disappeared, " 'S my fault he's here, so it’s my duty to make he leave." Okami hurried down the stairs, through the crowd, to where Haru and a sixteen-year-old boy with short messy jet-black hair, and deep green cat-eyes stood, 'That must be Akiyama.' thought Okami. Haru was clad in a cloud-blue kimono, his long messy parrot green hair down, and Akito wore a dark green one.

"Oh no!" gasped Oni, sliding to a halt, in his pale sugar pink kimono, "Are we too late?" Mekura put his hand on Oni's shoulder; he was dressed in a dark blue kimono.

"No, Okami-sama has yet to draw his sword. Give me an arrow."

"Sure." Oni pulled out a slender silver arrow as Mekura pulled out a bow. He took the arrow from Oni, aimed for Okami and Akito, and let the arrow fly. It hit Okami in the back, went through his chest, and into Akito's, "Yatah!" Oni threw his arms around Mekura's neck kissing his check, making Mekura blush, "You did it Mekura-kun!"

"I couldn't have done it without your help, Ni-kun." yelling interrupted them, and they looked up at Okami, Haru, and Akito. Okami had stumbled forward from the force of the arrow hitting him in the back (not to mention that Okami's a klutz), and Akito had caught him.

"Let go of me!" yelled Okami, pushing Akito away.

"What’s going on?" asked Oni, in a whisper to Mekura.

"I guess…Okami-sama can resist the effects of my arrow," said Mekura, "Demo…Akito-sama wasn't able too." Akito let go of Okami.

"Gomen nasai." said Akito, "I'm Akito Akiyama." Okami backed away to stand next to Haru, and grabbed onto his elder half brother's arm.

"Ano…" started Okami, "I'm…Okami Cloud…this is…Haru Matsumoto, my elder half brother…"

"Okami-chan…I'm going to go check up on Fu-chan, you'll be okay, ne?" asked Haru, in a whisper, "I want to make sure he's okay."

"Don't worry. I can take care of myself." Haru nodded, and walked away, "Nice to meet you, Akiyama-sama." (Hey, that rhymes!)

"Oh, please call me Akito." he said, smiling down at Okami. Okami's eyes suddenly caught something and he turned to see Mekura and Oni.

"Do you think he suspects us?" asked Oni, grabbing onto Mekura's arm.

"Don’t act suspicious." whispered Mekura, "Come on, let's dance." Okami looked back at Akito.

'Why'd they…' he sighed, 'I…guess it had to happen sooner or later. The saying is true. Love is blind. Demo I sensed that this was supposed to happen…'

"Ano…" started Akito, starting to blush.

"Oh, you can call me Okami." he said, smiling sweetly.

"Hey, do you want to dance?"

"Ano…" he looked around, "I guess so, sure."

~Afterwards~

Okami closed the door to his room, sighing, 'This…isn't right.' he thought on the verge of tears, 'I'm just venerable now…after my break up with Tamoki…' he walked over to his bed, and plopped down on top of it, hugging a pillow. He used a transformation spell to summon his pajamas on him, and he closed his eyes.