.hack//SIGN Fan Fiction ❯ Yasashii Ryoute (Gentle Hands) ❯ Chapter 2

Yasashii Ryoute (Gentle Hands)  by Sakura (aka L-sama no Miko)             &n bsp; Disclaimer: Don’t own – just the plot – don’t sue.   Chapter 2   Haseo groaned and winced at the pain in his back and lower back. “Damn you, you bastard,” he muttered as he struggled to sit up. He flinched when he felt someone gently help him into a sitting position. Looking to the side of the bed, he saw a yellow and black humanoid type demon kneeling next to the bed. He glared at it, but the demon just sat there as if waiting for something. The demon reached over to a table that had been brought in while he was sleeping and picked up a jewel encrusted goblet.           &nbs p; <<Drink this,>> he said, making the angel jump at the sudden voice that reverberated in his head, as he handed him the cup <<It’ll help with the pain.>> Haseo stared at the goblet then at the demon, unsure of what to make of him. <<It’s not poisoned>> he said with a hint of amusement. <<Ovan-sama would never allow that to happen.>> ‘Though I wish he would,’ the demon thought to himself, ‘Then you wouldn’t have to suffer so much.’ The silver haired angel blinked, was that a hint of sadness he had heard? <<Please>> the demon pressed his much larger hands over his and began to gently push the cup toward his mouth. Sighing, Haseo put the goblet to his lips and took a small sip of the thick greenish liquid. To his surprise he found it tasted sweet, almost like honeydew mixed with something he couldn’t place. His demonic companion looked at him expectantly and began to finish the rest of the drink. Within a few moments, the pain he had felt earlier began to slowly go away till he was hardly in any pain. He felt strangely warm in spite of only being clad in the bandages on his chest. “Thanks, um….” he said softly not used to being polite let alone to demons. The demon’s three black eyes seemed to brighten at that. <<You’re welcome Haseo-dono>> he replied taking the cup and placing it back onto the table. <<I am Skeith. I’ll have to check your back, but first you must eat.>> Haseo watched as the demon wheeled the table over to one of the chairs by the fireplace, in which the fire was still burning. “Um…” he said, blushing profusely. The glint in those coal black eyes returned. Skeith went over to the foot of the bed and picked something up before coming back to kneel at the bed, <<Ovan-sama left this for you to wear.>> he said. Haseo looked at the offered cloth and saw that it was a black yukata with blood red scythes embroidered on the sleeves and hem. He couldn’t stop the chuckle from leaving his lips. ‘Just like Ovan to give me something like this,’ he mused to himself. The demon’s eyes glinted again at his charge’s amusement. ‘What’s he happy about?!’ Haseo thought as he played with the silk garment. Sensing the boy’s embarrassment, the demon gave a low chuckle then turned around, facing away from him, giving him the privacy he wanted. Haseo murmured a quick thank you and began to dress. However he hissed slightly as he tried to bring the other sleeve across his back. Hearing the sound, the demon quick turned back around and gingerly put the angel’s arm into the other sleeve. <<Let me>> he said, quickly grabbing the matching blood red sash and tied it around his slim waist. “H-Hey what are you doing?!” Haseo cried as the taller demon scooped him up and carried him over to the chair then gently placed him in it. “I’m not a doll!” he said, pouting. This time, the demon couldn’t help himself but chuckle. <<I’ll stop treating you like one when you can dress yourself.>>  Skeith said, a smirk in the rumbling voice. Haseo pouted further, but acknowledged he had a point. “I can feed myself!” he protested as the demon tried to hand him a forkful of what appeared to be scrambled eggs. <<As you wish,>> the demon said, wheeling the table closer to the angel’s reach. The angel then began to wolf down the meal since he hadn’t had anything since lunch the day Ovan captured him. <<Easy,>> he chided, <<I will get more if you’re still hungry>> If he had a mouth, he was certain it would be grinning as wide as the Cheshire cat’s. The silver haired angel glared at him, but slowed down his scarfing. After bringing more food that was enough for two – which Haseo devoured with just as much gusto – the silver haired angel let out a yawn now that his stomach was finally full. <<Once I check your back, you can sleep as much as you like,>> he said, lifting him once again and carrying him back to the bed. He then untied the sash, making Haseo flinch. <<I will not harm you,>> he said ruefully. The silver haired boy looked down, unable to help feeling guilty at assuming that this seemingly kind demon was like him. “Gomen (sorry),” he muttered when he stiffened again as the yukata was carefully removed. <<Lie down, Haseo-dono>> The boy obeyed and grasped one of the many pillows, unable to relax while he was feeling vulnerable like this. <<It won’t take long,>> Skeith said, running one razor sharp claw over the bandages. <<I’m just going to put more ointment on and change these.>> Haseo shivered at the demon’s touch but to his amazement, managed to hold still and thus prevented his being sliced open. ‘The scars are healing fine, but I fear they’ll be with him till he dies,’ the demon pondered, solemnly as he went over each welt and scar left from Haseo’s torture a few days before. <<This may sting a bit,>> he warned as he grabbed the jar of ointment from the bedside dresser. He gathered a generous amount of the slimy looking purplish goop with one hand and gingerly began to smear it over the angel’s mangled back. “It’s cold!” Haseo cried, jumping slightly, then hissed as the stuff began to make his back sting. <<Gomen,>> he apologized. Skeith then rubbed his hands together, warming the salve as much as he could. The silver haired angel winced a few times as the demon went back to his work, but as he began to add a second helping of the ointment, Haseo began to moan in pleasure at the gentle touches to his back. The demon’s eyes seemed to smile at that and decided to continue massaging the tense muscles even though his work with the salve was finished. Within minutes, the boy had fallen asleep. Skeith chuckled at the slumbering angel, glad that he had gotten Haseo to relax enough around him to fall asleep. He quickly yet gingerly rewrapped the angel’s back with clean white strips then lovingly covered him with the velvet coverlet. ‘Sleep well, Haseo-dono,’ he said silently bending his head to the angel’s forehead, barely touching it with where his mouth would have been. <<I’m so sorry,>> he whispered as he gathered the leftover supplies and carefully left the room so he wouldn’t wake his charge.   ******************   “Well?” the cornflower haired demon asked, leaning against the back of the ornately carved throne. <<His wounds are almost completely healed, though I fear the scarring may be permanent,>> the black and yellow demon replied. Skeith inwardly glared at his master. He had grown immensely fond of his silver haired charge over the past few weeks and could see that the angel was slowly warming up to him as well. “That is good news,” Ovan said, grinning evilly. He reached beside him and ran one gloved hand through the honey brown hair of the boy kneeling against the throne. “It’s a pity about his back though.” The boy cringed slightly at that, but kept his head down submissively. The yellow and black demon cast a sideways look of sympathy at the slave. “But he had to learn his place, isn’t that right, Silabus?” he asked, pulling on the boy’s waist long ponytail. “Y-Yes, master,” the former angel murmured quietly. Ovan smirked smugly. This angel was much easier to break, due to his compassionate nature. All it took was a few threats on his friend’s life added to a few light whippings. But what really broke him was his wings had received the same treatment as his silver haired friend’s, they were torn off. Haseo on the other hand seemed to be almost unbreakable. The angel still fought him whenever he came to the room at night. “Such a good little pet you make.” He went back to petting Silabus’ hair, the angel knelt there silently crying, feeling immensely ashamed. Ashamed for not truly fighting the demon that was now his master, ashamed that a small part of him was beginning to like being enslaved, ashamed that he no longer had any tears left to cry. “Can he fight?” Ovan asked. <<He is still too weak for the arena, Ovan-sama,>> Skeith replied, <<Perhaps with a bit more rest?>> <<I think otherwise, master,>> objected the black and blue streaked demon standing at the throne’s other side. <<It has been almost a month since you brought him here.>> Skeith glared at his former comrade. “Hmm. I believe you may be right, Corbenik. See to it that Haseo is prepared for the next tournament.” Skeith started to protest, but the hand tightening on the boy’s head made him think otherwise. <<As you wish Ovan-sama,>> he said, bowing and sighing inwardly. How that rogue managed to gain his master’s ear, he’d never know, but as long as he did, the man would listen to Corbenik’s advice over his. The cornflower haired demon grinned and loosened his grip on the other angel’s head slightly. “That is all,” he said, dismissing him. Skeith didn’t need to be told twice, he quickly left the throne room. ‘Damn you,’ he spat, loathing both demons more with each passing day.             <<He always was too soft,>> sneered Corbenik. <<Though he may become a problem now that he’s become attached to that angel.>>              Ovan frowned. “That may be so, but we can still control him as long as I have possession of these two lovelies. Skeith wouldn’t dare let anything happen to his precious Haseo. And once he learns of his dear friend here, Haseo would be just as easy to manipulate.” He roughly pulled the honey-brown haired angel into his lap and just as roughly kissed him. Silabus moaned and welcomed the fierce assault, blushing profusely in shame as one hand slid beneath the green and gold vest he wore.             <<Just be careful master. Skeith is still a powerful fighter.>> the black and blue demon warned, fighting against the jealousy he held against the boy currently squirming in his master’s lap.             >>And so am I, Corbenik. Do not forget who it was that bested you,<< Ovan sent back, his mouth a bit occupied at the moment.             <<Never master,>> the demon answered. ‘I am forever yours,’ he murmured to himself, remembering how the two had met just after the Helba Empire had lost was now known as the Twilight War against Silabus and Haseo’s homeland, the Kingdom of Lios.             Though they were both demons and hence on the same side, Corbenik was a disgraced Knight of Morganna who took to killing and capturing angels and humans alike at every chance he got. The current emperor of Helba at the time, Antares, had asked Ovan to ‘persuade’ the rogue demon to behave.             Always one to leap at a challenge and a chance to increase his power amongst the other demon lords, the cornflower haired demon whole-heartedly accepted. The battle was the stuff of legend, for it lasted an entire day leaving the area near the floating city of Megin Fi a ruined and blackened field where nothing would grow again and thus renaming it to Coite Bodher after the legendary Coach of Death.             It was after that battle that Corbenik had pledged eternal loyalty to the demon lord after having been pushed to the brink of exhaustion.   **************        &nbs p;      “I’m WHAT?!!” Haseo yelled in shock. He hadn’t seen either demon in the past few days and this was not what he’d expected to hear. <<You are to fight in the next Demon Emperor Tournament,>> Skeith explained again. <<I tried to convince him you weren’t ready. I’m sorry Haseo-dono.>> The yellow and black demon bowed his head. “You tried,” the boy said, laying a comforting hand on one large arm. “And for crying out loud, stop calling me Haseo-dono! It makes me feel like an old man.” <<As you wish H-Haseo.>> The silver haired angel looked at him perplexed. Did the demon just blush? Deciding it was a trick of the firelight, he dismissed it and plopped back into the chair closest to the always burning fire. “So what now?” he asked, uncertain of what it was exactly that Ovan wanted from him. He had thought the twisted cornflower haired demon had wanted him as a bed slave due to the almost nightly visits, but now that Skeith had told him he was going to be a gladiator, he didn’t know what to think anymore. <<Are you well enough to fight?>> his demon friend asked. And yes, he did consider Skeith to be a friend, since he was the only decent person in the castle not to mention the only one who was actually nice to him. <<I can always try again.>> “No, I’m fine, Skeith. If I can dress myself now, I can fight.” The black and yellow demon chuckled, however the mirth in that sound didn’t reach his three eyes. <<If that’s what you want. I won’t lie to you. The tournament will be bloody.>> Haseo stared into the fire, letting his mind wander amidst the dancing flames. “I wouldn’t doubt it. So what’s the tournament for? Is there some kind of demon holiday coming up?” <<Not exactly,>> he said, sitting on the floor beside him. He was too big for the other chair. <<Every few years the demon lords hold a tournament to see who is strong enough to be emperor.>> Haseo whipped his head around to look at his much taller companion. “If it’s for the lords, then why do I have to fight?”           & nbsp; <<Some of the lords choose others to fight in their stead. It’s usually another demon looking to raise their status, but some of the more sadistic lords like to send their ‘pets’ into the arena.>> “Like Ovan,” the silver haired angel spat bitterly. <<Yes, like Ovan-sama. Those who are sent to the arena, never come out again, alive,>> Skeith said, with great sadness and pity. <<Those poor creatures are just lambs for the slaughter, and the lords’ sick enjoyment.>> Haseo growled and clutched his hands into white knuckle tight fists. “Well it’s gonna be me who does the slaughtering!” he vowed, “Especially once I get my hands on that bastard!” <<Haseo, please reconsider,>> Skeith pleaded. <<He is fighting in the tournament and that is final!>> came Corbenik’s voice as the black and blue demon came into the room. <<Put that on,>> he commanded, throwing a black and red leather bundle at the angel. He blinked, recognizing his former outfit from when he had first went up a rank. He looked at the black and blue demon, who was – well it was hard to tell what that demon was feeling since he had no face, just a strange white head with spikes that formed some kind of crown. Anyway he got the impression that Corbenik was glaring at him. <<I will use force if you refuse>> his voice sneered, almost eagerly. To tell the truth, he was looking forward to Haseo’s usual rebellion. Seeing that this demon wasn’t going to give him privacy, the silver haired angel sighed and turned around. He undid the sash of his yukata and the black and red silk slid off his body, exposing his scarred but still desirable back. ‘I can see why master’s so fond of his one,’ Corbenik said to himself, ‘If I had a mouth, I’d be standing in a puddle right now. Damn I wish I had lips to lick.’ He looked over at his fellow demon and saw the Knight had turned around away from the boy. ‘Hmph. What a prude,’ he snarled. He turned back to the boy and saw, to his disappointment, he had finished putting on the semi tight pants and was busy buckling the various straps on his legs. <<Hurry it up!>> he demanded <<The master doesn’t like being kept waiting.>> “Yeah, yeah, I hear you blue boy,” Haseo shot back putting on the very tight black cropped tank top. “I’m almost done.” A few minutes later he had the rest of the straps buckled across his chest and arms. ‘You’re damned lucky I can’t touch you or you’d never leave this room,’ Corbenik said, his imaginary mouth practically turning the room into a small lake at the sight of all that skin and tight leather. <<Come with me.>> He then latched onto one of Haseo’s arms and dragged him from the room. <<Please be careful,>> called Skeith, the demon’s rumbling voice giving him  a tiny bit of comfort. <<And good luck.>>           & nbsp; >>Thanks<< Haseo sent back, sending him what he hoped to be a comforting squeeze. “My, my, don’t we look good enough to eat,” Ovan purred, eyeing him lustfully. The silver haired angel glared, but kept silent at Corbenik’s tightening grip. “I trust you’ll be a good boy and win for me, won’t you?” “Rot in hell!” spat Haseo, flinching at the bruising claw on his shoulder. “Now, now Haseo,” the cornflower haired demon chided, “You wouldn’t want anything happen to your friend now would you?” “W-What are you talking about?!” he asked, getting unnerved by the demon’s calmly smirking face. Ovan gestured behind him and a figure in a green and gold harem costume and golden collar came over to the demon and knelt silently at his side. The silver haired angel gasped, that waist long ponytail was unmistakable. “S-Silabus?!!” The honey brown haired angel hung his head, too ashamed to look his friend in the eye. “What did you do to him?!!” The cornflower haired demon grinned triumphantly. “There’s no need to get all excited, Haseo. Can’t be having you worn out before the tournament even starts.”              “Answer me dammit! What did he do to you Sil?!” The slightly shorter angel flinched at his friend’s angry voice, whimpering slightly. “There now, it’s alright,” Ovan said petting the soft hair absentmindedly while scowling at the feisty angel. “Must I always explain everything Haseo?” he asked, sighing. “It’s quiet simple, even you could understand. You fight for me and my little pet here stays safe. However, should you lose or refuse, well not even I can say what will happen to our lovely Silabus.” The green and gold clad angel stiffened and whimpered again at the icy cold hand wrapped around his throat, squeezing just enough to make it uncomfortable. “I hate you,” Haseo spat, narrowing his eyes at him. How he wanted to murder him right there and then. However, he kept still, using every once of his willpower not to move.             The demon lord smirked, “Love you too,” he said, mockingly, Haseo sighed then lowered his eyes. “Good boy,” he purred. “Let’s get going. Can’t be late on the first day can we?” He turned, giving the emerald studded gold chain he’d been holding a slight tug. Silabus stood at the unspoken order and gazed forlornly at his friend before following his master. “OVAN!!!!!!” the silver haired angel called as he was shoved forward by Corbenik, “I’ll win this *beep*in’ tournament then, I’m coming for YOU!!!!!!” The cornflower haired demon didn’t even bother to turn back around. “Just remember whose life is really on the line, Haseo,” he replied, yanking the chain and making Silabus stumble. The silver haired angel cursed, but said nothing else as the black and blue demon continued to prod him forward.   ****************   ~TBC!~   Sakura: Hooboy! I can’t believe I went and did that to poor Sili! T_T   Bo: You’re so mean, Sakura-san. ;_;   Sakura: I know and I’m sorry kiddo. But I had to do it in order for this thing to work.   Endrance: ‘The course of true love never did run smooth.’   Sakura: Been studying the bard love?   Endrance: Pardon?   Sakura: Never mind. Well now that this horrible mess is out of the way, I can finally get to my darling En-sama’s part at last. ^_^   Endrance: Oh good. I’ve been waiting to see my beautiful Haseo again. ^_^   Haseo: B-Beautiful?! I thought you said Mia was beautiful.   Endrance: She is. But you are even more lovely than her. It was you who brought my heart back to the light Haseo.   Saku: Haaaaaaaaaaaasssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooooo!!!!!   Sakura: Skeith do be a dear and help Ha-chan would you?   Skeith: … (runs after Saku with his scythe)   Haseo: Um.. thanks I think.   Sakura: My pleasure. Anyhoo, as always minna, I liiiiiiiiiive for your feedback so please please please tell me what you think of this thing, ‘k?   Messiah: I think you should trash this rubbish and get working on my fic.   Chihaya: Messiah! She worked really hard on this. She had to struggle with writer’s block twice!   Messiah: Well I guess you can keep it then. But you do need to get back to my fic.   Sakura: All in due time dear. I’m still waiting for L-sama to send me more ideas. Right now she wants this one done. Yeesh bishies. Can’t live with ‘em can’t live without ‘em.