Earthian Fan Fiction / Fake Fan Fiction / Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction ❯ Spun Sugar ❯ chapter 21-28 ( Chapter 12 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Spun Sugar 21 Segue Saturday dawned clear with a cloudless sky. Rain tiptoed in the hallway to listen to the sounds of the house. He wanted to familiarize himself with his new surroundings. Rain had little sleep last night. He had tossed while listening to Dee urge Ryo to go to the hospital. Finally Ryo gave in and came home with two stitches. Bikky was asleep, so was little Lyo. Rain paused outside of Ryo and Dee’s door. He heard talking pausing to listen Rain began to go back to his room then he heard his name. “Leon will fix it up nicely…” Rain heard Ryo saying softly. “Ummm… Baby, why do you like having these conversations so early? It’s our off day. Can’t we just sleep in like normal people? We don’t often get weekend off days.” Dee’s voice was muffled. “You woke me up,” Ryo’s laughter was followed by bedsprings. “Yeah, but you liked it, you’re blushing.” Dee said Rain gasped and backed away when the bed squeaked again. Ryo laughed and Rain stepped closer to the door. “I like when you taste like me.” “Dee!” Ryo’s voice startled Rain and he looked around to make sure he was alone in the hallway. “I’m sore, come on I just want to talk for a bit.” The bed was heard as Dee flopped back against the pillows with Ryo in his arms. “Sure, talk all you want. I’ll listen.” Dee promised and Rain tucked a lip between his teeth. Were they going to send him away? “I was talking about Rain’s hair…” Ryo’s voice trailed off. Rain gasped when he felt a hand over his mouth. “What are you doing?” Bikky whispered furiously pulling Rain away from the door. Bikky kept pulling until they were shut in Rain’s room. “Do you know how often I used to have to work to nothear them and you are trying to listen?” “No, that’s not, I mean. What do you mean?” Rain’s brow crinkled he did not want Bikky to think he was perverted or something. Doctor Jones couldn’t be right…could he? Bikky was thrown off by the bright green eyes that filled with tears. “When we were in New York in Ryo’s apartment, well sometimes it sounded like Dee was killing him. Then, Ryo would be all sleepy but happy in the morning and Dee would have a silly grin on his face.” Bikky paused when he saw Rain’s eyes widen. The tears spilled causing Bikky to stare in horror. What had he done? Ryo was going to kill him. “Ryo is so kind… I can not believe that I injured him.” Rain sat heavily on his bed. He brought his hands up to his face before he lowered his head into his upraised palms. Bikky placed a consoling hand on his shoulder. “Believe me, if that were the worst injury Ryo ever had in his life…” Bikky trailed off laughing. “He’s a detective, he’s been shot, thrown out of buildings, put into wars with…” Bikky paused. Oh no! He thought frantically as he remembered the Pet shop and the Arcadians. Rain did not know a thing about the magic in the pet shop, or the Arcadians, the demons and wars. What were they going to do? Oh well, Bikky thought and shrugged. That was something the adults would have to deal with. “You know next weekend is my birthday. We are having a party. I am inviting a few friends from school. You would like them, well, you better not like Carol.” Bikky laughed hoping the tearful look would leave Rain’s face. “C…Carol?” Rain asked wiping his face on a tissue. Bikky nodded; he left the room motioning for Rain to follow him. Rain brushed his uneven hair aside and followed Bikky into his room. Rain looked around at the rock star and rapper posters on the wall. He saw the desk with its expensive computer and the full sized bed. A plush red carpet covered the floor. “It’s a nice room,” Rain said. The sun glinted off the deep blue walls highlighting a frame on Bikky’s desk. He saw Bikky in the picture with Ryo, Dee and Lyo. Another picture caught his eye and Rain gasped. Carol sat on a swing her golden hair flowing behind her. “She’s beautiful and… older.” “Yeah, Carol and I have been friends for a long time. We’ve made promises to each other.” Bikky sat back on his bed; he heard the shower and grinned. “Ryo must have made it out of bed. Dee is such a horn ball.” Bikky laughed but paused at the pensive look on Rain’s face. “Hey Rain, whatever happened before, it’s ok now. Ryo and Dee are real good… No they are great guys. Yeah Ryo may seem like a soft pushover, but there is no one I would rather have in my corner. And yeah, Dee is a horny bastard, but he only wants Ryo it’s so funny when Ryo’s not in the mood…” “Hey,” Rain gasped when he looked up to saw Dee standing in the doorway. He wore baggy sweat pants and an old t-shirt with the words: Too Hot emblazoned across it. “You boys aren’t minding business not your own are you?” Dee’s deep green eyes were alight with humor and Rain blushed under his deep colored skin. “Just wanted to let you know that Ryo is making breakfast. Bikky would you mind giving Lyo his bath?” “Whatever, come on Rain,” Bikky jumped off his bed. Rain glanced shyly at Dee before he inched past him out the door following Bikky. They found Lyo sitting up in bed. He held his hands out as if offering them a gift. “What is that awful smell?” Rain gasped he tried to peer into the dim room and backed away in horror at the brown covering Lyo’s hands. “Biggy! POOOOOOP!” Lyo announced happily while clapping his sticky hands. “Ah…Ha…Ha…Ha…” Bikky’s laugh was a lot less than enthusiastic. “Great.” Break Chihaya sat watching the waves break upon the shore and smiled. He thought of Kagetsuya and his smile widened. Last night had been one of the best. Kagetsuya had taken him walking along the shore and they had talked until the sun rose. Kagetsuya lay on the sand with his head in Chihaya’s lap. The blond tresses tickled the skin of Chihaya’s thighs and he almost regretted the shorts he had worn. Kagetsuya rolled over and Chihaya enjoyed the warm breath that blew across his legs. Kagetsuya opened his eyes and smiled up at Chihaya. “You know,” Kagetsuya yawned with a sleepy smile. “I love you.” “I love you too, Hey Kage-Kun,” Chihaya said as Kagetsuya got to his feet and dusted the sand from his clothes as much as he could. “Let’s go to bed.” Kagetsuya smiled and pulled Chihaya to his feet. He looked down and admired the long legs visible through the tiny shorts. “Are you sleepy?” Kagetsuya asked knowing the answer in Chihaya’s seductive smile. “Nope.” Chihaya giggled and ran down the beach. His slim legs enticed Kagetsuya and he followed after laughing the whole way. Break Leon looked up as the manila file landed on his desk. Jill stood twirling one of her blond ringlets. “It’s the psych report on Jonston.” Jill explained. “He had the usual story, you know. His mother abandoned him and he found out his girlfriend was cheating on him then…” Jill continued on and Leon frowned. “Doesn’t excuse killing four people and molesting a child.” Leon scowled. “I mean, he’s scrawny too. Rain I mean. Ryo carried him like it was nothing.” Leon sipped his coffee. “Speaking of, Ryo called, he and Dee have today off, but they want me to stop by when I get off and head to their house to give the kid a haircut. Apparently he decided to chop into his hair and he nipped Ryo too. He needed two stitches in his hand.” “Rain did?” Jill asked with a frown. “No, Ryo.” Leon sighed. “That poor kid is going through so much. Lord D said his nerves are shot.” Jill sighed and felt tears prick her eyes. But she would not allow them to fall. In their line of work, they could not afford to cry over every case. Break Liinnouye wandered the halls of the pet shop with Sofu D. She smiled at her older brother glad to be in his home. “Tell me Soo-Fu, what is the secret of the D family? How are you all so healthy and prolific? There is a beautiful glow that shines around you. You give birth to children, living ones and survive the birthing. Tell me Soo-Fu, how is this done?” Sofu gazed at his sister with a gentle smile. She was always so full of life and questions. Perhaps some of her blood ran in the high princesses veins. “I hope you have noted the interaction that we share with humans. My wife may be a vampiress, but she has a human heart, and possesses the remnant of a human soul.” “How can you say such a vile creature…” Sofu D looked up at A. He had his arms crossed with a frown drawing his dark brows together. “I want to try this plan because it intrigues me, this battle you mentioned.” “Good,” Sofu’s words were clipped his brows drawn in annoyance. “Why do you always have to be such a…” Sofu paused thinking of his Grandson’s mate. “Such a hard ass.” Sofu gave his little “D” smirk before he turned on his heel stalking down the hall. Liinnouye stared after him with her mouth open in a shocked gasp. Never would she have thought to hear someone address an older sibling with such casual cheer, especially A, the oldest. A folded his arms across his chest. That particular brother had always been his favorite. Break Rain left Bikky to dress Lyo wandering downstairs to see if he could help setting the table. He found Ryo in the kitchen stirring a bowl of pancake batter. Dee snuck up behind him and placed his large hands on the smaller mans hips. Ryo laughed using his elbow to shrug Dee off. “Baka… If you want breakfast…” Ryo’s words were muffled as Dee pulled his head back sealing their lips together. “That one’s yours.” Ryo pried his mouth free motioning to the now burned pancake. “Worth it,” Dee laughed turning to head into the living room. He paused when he saw Rain standing in the doorway. “Sorry, I did not mean to stare so rudely.” Rain brushed his wispy hair aside while staring at his bare feel peeking underneath his too long pajama pants. “No problem, feel free to make yourself at home. This is you know. This is your home now.” Dee promised looking at Rain’s bent head. “A friend is coming over to cut your hair later.” “Coming here?” Rain asked puzzled as he wondered what kind of friends the detectives had. “Yesterday Detective… I mean Ryo told me that the doctor was coming here to see me. Am I not allowed to leave the house?” “Of course you are, as soon as you are up to it.” Dee assured him. “I… I …I mean… I want to go to school. Please.” Rain asked looking away from Dee and staring at his toes again. “Mother and I stayed in the apartment during the school year then on vacations we would live in the manor. Mother always told me that my education was what I could always count on to get me places, not how much money we had. A fool can be wealthy for a week, but a wise man will be wealthy for a lifetime. A fool will enjoy his riches for a day, but a wise man will leave an inheritance for his grandchildren. My father told her that and she taught me.” Ryo walked over smiling at Rain and Dee. “Your father was a wise man indeed. He imparted the greatest gift to you. A grand heritage is a thing to be proud of.” Ryo went back in to his cooking. “Wash up now,” He called back to them. “I am almost ready to set the table.” “I can do that.” Rain offered his feet. “Not if you can’t see where you are going.” Dee told Rain as he placed one of his pistol roughened hands under his chin and lifted until he could look into the bright green eyes. “Hold your head up kid.” Dee turned and went to help Ryo in the kitchen. Rain smiled as he went in behind him waiting for Ryo to hand him the plates and utensils. Rain smiled brightly before he went to the dining room to set the table for the traditional family breakfast. Rain sat silent through most of the meal watching as the happy family interacted. Dee and Bikky fought over the last piece of Bacon. Ryo tapped both of their hands offering it to Rain. Rain shook his head. “No thank you.” Ryo smiled before he chopped the bacon up and placed it on Lyo’ plate. Dee laughed with a chagrined smile. “Rain, if you truly feel up to it. Leon can come to cut your hair tomorrow and Monday morning I can transfer you to Bikky’s school. Would you like that?” Ryo asked surprising Rain that he had heard he and Dee’s conversation. “Oh Yes, please. I am glad to be transferring. I have missed too many days at West Lake I am sure I have failed. There would be too many questions. A fresh start is the best. I would like, if it is possible… I would like to go to Leon.” Rain said the name as a question. “I don’t see why not, I will call the shop. Why don’t we all go? Lyo and Aoi can play together.” Ryo said with a smile he lifted his Chai breakfast tea to his lips.” “Biggy!” Lyo called bouncing around in his booster seat. “Potty!” “All right buddy, let’s go,” Bikky stood to his feet he picked Lyo up to hurry him to the bathroom. Rain looked after them with a puzzled frown. “Bikky got him to wet in the potty, he still has a problem with well,” Ryo blushed and went back to his breakfast. “Nana tells me that is normal. At least he knows what a potty is for.” Rain laughed as Ryo dutifully ate his eggs. “Eat up, you will need your strength.” “For what?” Rain asked wondering what he would possibly be stressed about. They were just going to a pet shop that was attached to someone’s home were they not. What was so special about that? “Perhaps D will show you his garden. I told him you loved plants and had a bunch of them. He was the one who coached me in the proper care of some of the exotic ones while you were away.” Ryo said smiling and hugging Lyo as Bikky led him from the bathroom with a proud grin. “He did it!” Bikky announced with childish gaiety. Bikky winked at Rain urging him to applaud the small child. Rain clapped and joined in the laughter. He smiled a genuine smile and thought that he could be really happy here. Break Rain sniffed the air smiling. This did not smell like any pet shop he had ever been inside of. He peered into the dimness under the bill of a borrowed hat from Bikky. The word FAKE was scrawled on the front. Rain stood in the back as Dee greeted a tall blond. “Man, you have no idea what I had to agree to in order to get today off. I thought Jill was going to kill me. But when I told her it was a favor for Ryo she caved. You better watch her man. I think she has her eye on him.” Leon gave Dee a conspiratorial grin and nudge. “I will worry when she sprouts eight and half inches of…Ow!” Dee broke off rubbing his ear once Ryo released it from his brutal grip. “Hello Ryo, Gentlemen,” Rain gasped at the deep, soft voice that seemed to float from down a dark hallway. “I would like to thank you for remembering that there are children present.” Rain stared at Count D in awe. “Doctor…” “Oh no Child, my father is home today. I am D welcome to my grandfather’s pet shop.” D’s words were kind and Rain smiled at the beautiful man. “This is Chris. I am sure he is going to enjoy showing you his many friends here.” Dee introduced Chris who waved happily. “Gentlemen, I have prepared tea why do we not let the boys frolic for a while and get to know each other.” “That would be lovely.” Ryo said politely. He watched the boys leave for the winding halls of the pet shop. “Thank you Count D.” Rain stared in awe at the many doors that surrounded them. How could such an abundance of rooms exist in this small shop? “Bikky, how can we be on a beach in the basement of a pet shop?” Rain asked staring around at the blowing white sands. “You know how I get along here?” Bikky said stripping into his swim shorts. “A long time ago I decided not to ask any questions. Come on; let’s get some swimming in before Leon is ready to cut your hair. If all goes well, you start school on Monday.” Rain brightened at the possibility of getting out of the house. Break Ryo sat in the principal’s office holding the large file that contained all of Rain’s documentation. “Ah, Hello Detective MacLean. It is so nice to see you here for a reason other than young Bikky’s skirmishes.” Ryo laughed and Rain brushed a hand through his newly layered hair. “So you are Rain Cloud Cornwall of West Lake.” “Ne’eashi”,” Rain whispered and blushed brightly. “I mean yes.” The principal stared at Rain a moment before he handed him a slip of paper. “This is your class list, I will have Terry Ellis here take you. He is the sophomore office aide. Terry, please take Rain to his class.” “Thank you Principal Wallace. I am glad that there was room in Bikky’s homeroom for him,” Ryo said softly. “So…” Rain looked up at the sneer that transformed Terry’s face from friendly to malicious. “You are a chico from West Lake. A snob… What the hell are you doing here?” Rain said nothing. He clutched his backpack and walked down the hall. Perhaps this was not a good idea. He could feel his breathing speeding up and his heart rate accelerate. What if he had a panic attack? Maybe Ryo had not left yet, maybe he could still go back to the house. “Here you are snot… I’ll be seeing you later.” Terry smiled an ominous promise. Bikky waved with a confident grin as the homeroom teacher introduced Rain to the class. Rain sat in his seat and Bikky wondered at his flushed cheeks. “Hey…Hey Rain, what’s up?” Bikky tried to whisper when the teacher turned her back. Rain said nothing but his eyes filled he and stared out the window. Bikky took out his notebook vowing to ask at the first opportunity. Three classes later and Bikky still could not get a word with Rain. They separated for Math, Social Studies and Lunch. Gym time came around and Bikky eagerly changed into his uniform. He heard laughter in the showers and decided to investigate. Rain sat on the floor trembling as he tried to calm his breathing. The other boys in the room surrounded him laughing. “Aw… Is the little snot going to cry?” “Ha! I think he is!” “Maybe you could try begging in Spanish.” “I do not know that language.” Rain sputtered feeling himself black out from the panic that welled in his heart. “You’re lying I heard you speak it this morning.” Bikky rounded the corner. He saw Terry with his hand raised over Rain. “Get away from him!” Bikky ran forward with fist raised. He punched Terry first then turned a glare on the other boys who backed away in fear. “He does not speak Spanish he is Cheyenne and I’ll kick all you guys in face if you dare lay a hand on him.” Bikky promised as he held out a hand to aide Rain in standing to his feet. “He’s just a West Lake snob, what’s it to you if we rough him up?” Terry asked staunching the flow of blood from his nose as he stared at Bikky in fear. “As of two weeks ago,” Bikky said with a smirk. “He’s my brother.” Spun Sugar 22 On With The Show “Ryo…” Dee called softly. He ran his fingers through the soft hair at Ryo’s pale nape. “Ryo…” “Ummm,” Ryo muttered burrowing deeper into his folded arms. “Dee,” Ryo’s voice was muffled but he made no move to awaken. “Come on, baby, get up,” Dee urged leaning down to blow a warm breath across Ryo’s sensitive ears. It was a little known fact that Ryo had sensitive ears. He trembled clenching his fingers on the soft fabric of his woven silk shirt. “Ryo, Koibito,” Dee said smiling. It was one of the few words that he had managed to learn in Japanese. “Dee! I don’t feel like it right now! Baka, you horny bastard let me get some sleep.” Ryo sat up, face flushed with annoyance as his eyes sought Dee. He turned crimson with embarrassment when he looked at his surroundings and heard the laughter and applause. Dee stifled a laugh as Ryo realized that he had dozed off in the break room at the police department. Ryo gasped bring a faltering hand to his lips as if to catch the incriminating words back. “Ah… Watashi No Baka Desu… Dee!” Ryo’s blush deepened. “Why did you wake me so gently, I thought you were… well, you should have just awakened me instead of playing with my…” Ryo stopped talking realizing that he was making it worse. “Nani Ka?” Ryo asked straitening his tie. “Was there a reason you sought me out?” “Uh… yeah, Chief has a case for us.” Dee told him trying his best to be professional in the face of Ryo’s reddened cheeks. He thought Ryo the most adorable thing he had ever seen. “He is waiting in the office.” Dee turned on his heel knowing that Ryo would be right behind him. They found the chief sitting at his desk chewing on a cigar as if it were a lifeline. He looked depressed as he stared at the manila folder on his desk. “Oh, you found him,” Chief looked up bleary eyed with exhaustion. “Here’s the case boys, solve it soon. This is not a case that will be easy. I am assigning my best. That is you guys, Orcot, JJ and Jill. I am expecting you to fill them in. Once you are acquainted with the case, you will head the investigation team.” The chief looked serious at Dee and Ryo. This could be it, they knew from the chief’s expression. This could be the case of their careers. Whatever it was in that file could advance them or lock them at detective. After solving the Jonston case as they had and finding the child, they had proven their mettle. “Orcot and Jill are already above the mark. I want you boys there as well for a special group effort that the force is thinking of introducing. Solve this one boys, save some lives, keep the streets safe and… Hell, just solve this damn thing. I want it over with.” The chief dismissed them from his office. Ryo and Dee stared at the file wondering what it could possibly be. “We better get this home and get to work,” Ryo said. “ I want to be able to brief Leon, JJ and Jill. You know,” Ryo paused and Dee nearly smacked into his back. “Bikky wants me to bake his cake. I was going to buy him one, but he loves my cooking so much…” Ryo blushed thinking of Bikky’s demand that no one could make it better. “I can’t believe he is going to be fourteen.” “Speaking of…” Dee looked up to see Leon entering the department with Bikky and Rain. “What’s up?” Ryo smiled at Rain and wondered at his shy avoidance of his gaze. “Hey Ryo, Dee,” Bikky called with a wide grin. “Uh, oh yeah Dee,” Ryo said smiling his warmest smile that never failed to melt all of Dee’s insides. “Bikky wants to follow us for his social studies assignment remember. Since Leon came in at this time I asked him to pick them up.” “I…I asked if…” Rain began took one look at the other officers and shut his mouth. “Rain is going to follow you guys too and do his own report.” Bikky was cheerful. “Oh yeah Ryo, I kind of have a note for you from the principal.” “What did you do you little…” Dee began but paused at the look on Rain’s face. Rain stood as if in complete terror with wide eyes clutching his backpack as if it would protect him from the enraged detective. Ryo gave Dee a warning look that spoke more than words could have. Dee shut his mouth glaring at Bikky as he waited for him to explain. Ryo then turned a frown on Bikky. “Before you get mad and ground me, let me explain.” Bikky demanded with his arms folded across his scrawny chest. “This sophomore jerk was picking on Rain, so I gave him what for. All I did was break his nose and black his eyes. Maybe now he won’t see Rain so good.” Ryo wanted to be angry. He actually tried to frown, but he saw the tears filling Rain’s eyes and his heart melted. “Oh… Bikky.” “I’m sorry Ryo, but they had him backed against the wall.” Bikky explained with a sad smile. “Are you suspended?” Ryo asked kneeling until he was eye level with Bikky. It was one of the things that Ryo had always done. It put Bikky at ease immediately. “Three days,” Bikky admitted sheepishly staring at the toe that he scrubbed dutifully into the carpet. “But I don’t want Rain going to school without me, so I told the principal that he threw a punch and he is suspended too.” “I’ll call little D.” Dee said behind Ryo. Leon had left them to talk with Jill and JJ. At the mention of Count D he looked up. “We need the boys to stay at the shop till Friday, suspended, both of ‘em.” Dee explained. “Well, I am sure D would not have a problem with it. Rain could help him with his garden and Bikky could help with the kids. If they are going to be suspended they will be put to work.” Leon promised with a dour smirk at Bikky and Rain. “Bikky,” Rain whispered still clutching his backpack. “I’ve never been suspended before.” “Maybe you’ll rub off on him,” Ryo muttered and Rain wondered how Ryo had heard him. On the one hand he was terrified of Count D’s pet shop. He had only been there once but the many rooms and incense in such small surroundings had him shaken. Plus, if it was a pet shop; where were all the pets? “That is twice a garden was mentioned, but I never saw one, all I saw was a beach. How is there a beach in the basement of a pet shop? Why are there no pets? Why does Count D and his father and his grandfather look more like triplets than father and sons and…” Rain had worked himself to a huffing panic. His eyes dilated as his face flushed. Ryo placed a calming hand on his shoulder. “There are many things that can not be explained about the pet shop.” Ryo spoke softly. He bent over so that he could look Rain in the eye. “With time I hope you will come to understand and accept the many wonders that are to be found in all the corridors.” Rain nodded as he stared into Ryo’s dark eyes so full of compassion and understanding. “All…All right. I am sorry I got Bikky into trouble.” Rain whispered looking away from Ryo’s soft gaze. “Don’t worry about it, actually I was thinking of asking a favor of Count D.” Ryo thought suddenly with a bright smile. Rain stared at the beauty that transformed Ryo’s face. “Rain, how would you like to learn martial arts?” “M..M…Martial arts?” Rain asked following Ryo to the car. He saw Bikky behind him jabbing playfully at Dee. “… Then I punched him again,” Bikky announced proudly. “Erik might be a bit put out with me, but he should teach his brother not to be jerk.” “Bikky, violence is not the answer.” Ryo told them firmly. “Then why are going to ask Little D to train Rain?” Bikky asked tossing his backpack into the car. “Self defense and violence are two very different things.” Ryo sighed as he climbed into the passenger seat. “Ryo…” Rain paused, firmed his bottom lip and continued. “Do you not drive? I have never seen you do so.” “Well, I have a license,” Ryo explained blushing. “If Ryo drove, I would personally write him a ticket, believe you me, you do not want to get into the car with him behind the wheel.” Dee said laughing with a look of loving tolerance at Ryo. “To avoid all the problems he does have while driving, he compensates by driving at least twenty under the speed limit.” Bikky laughed, “It’s not like we have school tomorrow, so getting home after midnight is not really a problem if you actually want Ryo to drive.” “Just because you do not have school does not mean staying up late,” Ryo admonished. “I wish you would think before using your fist to solve a problem. Then you dragged Rain into it too, on his very first day of class.” “I did think Ryo. I thought that Rain would not like his face rearranged for him, so I rearranged theirs instead. I told you, he should not go there without me, they’ll eat him alive.” Bikky defended his actions. Dee smiled thinking back to his own childhood. Arnon had been a scrawny little kid; he had tried to take care of him. Dee’s thoughts trailed off as he drove his family to the shop. They arrived to find Count D sitting at the table with Lyo counting carefully. “…Five…Da-Ryo!” Lyo bounced in his seat before he jumped down and ran to Ryo. Ryo laughed as he placed many kisses along Lyo’s little face. “I count five, I count five.” Lyo announced pride shining in his eyes. “One…” He held up each pudgy digit as he counted to five. “Good job!” Ryo praised him as he hugged him tightly. Aoi clapped her little hands and showed that she could count as well. “Ichi…Ni…San…Go…Yon.” She laughed before repeating the numbers in English. Lyo mimicked the Japanese numbers with a laugh. “Wow Little D, you make an excellent preschool teacher. She is only one and Counting to five.” Dee praised watching Leon pick Jewel into his arms for a kiss. Count D blushed smiling at his guests. “Please, won’t you stay for dinner?” “Sorry, but I started stew this morning, it should be ready by the time we get home.” Ryo admitted with a smile. “But thank you for the invitation.” Ryo would not admit to D that he had cooked the beef the night before. No sense mentioning to Little D that they were eating a bovine for supper. “While you boys do your homework, I’ll toss the salad and…” Count D stifled a giggle and Ryo grinned. “How is Chihaya?” Ryo asked he had not seen the Angel since they got back from New York. “Satisfied,” D answered. He was still laughing as Ryo, Dee and their children left the shop for the night. Rain looked around wondering again why it was called a pet shop. Where the heck were all the animals? Break Dee looked grim as he pored over the papers and photos in the folder the chief had given them. It was worse than he thought. “Hey Baby, come here and look at this.” Ryo pulled his pajama bottoms up and buttoned the top before crawling into bed. He sat beside Dee looking at the notes. “This man’s wife called him in missing, his eight month old is still missing,” Dee explained. “Then this is a missing person’s case, why do we have it? We work homicide.” Ryo frowned as he looked at the picture of the smiling young man. “His feet were left at the apartment, his hands were found in a dumpster on fifth street and the rest of him was found floating in a pool at the Y. The only part missing is his head.” Dee explained the details of the case. He saw the sadness creep into Ryo’s eyes. “Promise me one thing, when we find the kid, you are not bringing it home.” Dee hoped that speaking of the child as if it were still alive would brighten Ryo’s mood. Ryo smiled with tenderness at his lover. He kissed Dee hoping to convey his thanks in the simple action. “Don’t worry baby, we’ll solve this, and see what the Chief has in mind for a special unit.” Dee assured Ryo while dutifully undoing the painstakingly buttoned top. Spun Sugar 23 Butterflies are Free Rain sat on the ornately carved, lavishly upholstered chair clutching a cup and saucer. The clank of delicate china tapping together was loud in the silence of the shop. Dee and Ryo had dropped them all off. Bikky had been given his chores as to the care of the animals. Count D had taken one look at Rain before offering him a cup of tea to calm him. “You must surely relax child.” Count D said in his deep voice that belied the gender his features portrayed. “Ryo says you will be of aid to me in my garden. I must inform you that it is not so grand a garden as that of my father, or his father, but it is impressive. I understand that your mother kept a green house.” Count D watched the light green eyes fill with tears that fell down smooth cheeks. Rain sniffled and sat down the teacup to accept the handkerchief that Count D offered him. “Mother grew the most wonderful flowers. When we stayed at the manor I would spend hours there.” “Such fond memories are to be treasured.” Count D placed a beautiful hand on Rain’s frail shoulder. “Come, if you are willing.” Count D moved away with a rustling of delicate silken fabric. Rain watched him glide down a hallway before he got to his feet. He looked at the smoke filled parlor of the animal-less pet shop. There were tales among his people of shape shifters, those who were more than they seemed. His mother had been diligent in assuring that he knew his heritage. Taking a step he began to follow Count D. The hall ended at a large door carved with leaves and vines. Count D placed a hand upon it causing the heavy door to swing open with a welcoming scent of life. Rain stepped inside his feet moving on their own as if beckoned by the many plants that resided within. He blinked fearing his eyes deceived him, but the smell of the grass, flowers and trees swamped his senses. Count D stood to the side watching he young human attempt to assimilate all that he saw before him. Rain felt tears in his eyes at the lush beauty before him. He dropped to his knees to feel the grass between his fingers. “How is this possible?” “Yo Counts, Aoi is wet,” Rain gasped at the platinum haired young man that stuck his head into the garden reminding Rain that they were inside a room in a tiny pet shop in China town. “Yes Ten-Chan, I will be right there.” Count D walked over to the door. He turned on his heel and sent a small smile in Rain’s direction. “You are welcome to remain in here for as long as you like.” Rain stared after Count D and gasped, as the young man with him seemed to vanish leaving a fox in his place; a fox with nine tails. Break (…It’s a comfort to know that anywhere else you could possibly go after New York would be… A pleasure cruise…” Collins sat at the airport with his bags and his friends hardly daring to believe the telephone call that he had received. He had feared, after Mimi’s claiming to have seen Angel surrounded by light and talking to her, that his lover was dead. But his voice over the phone had sounded more than alive. Angel sounded jubilant, as he had invited them all to LA. He had explained that it was all expenses paid by his doctor. They were even being put up in hotel at no personal cost. Not that any of them could afford such luxuries on their own but… Collins train of thought was interrupted at the bright blue paisley mini skirt that was suddenly before him. He allowed his eyes to travel up the slim hips to the yellow smiley face on the white t-shirt. He saw the slim, pale neck accentuated by the cropped wig. Collins smiled into Angel’s warm brown eyes “Hi,” Angel’s simple greeting lifted the burden of grief from Collins and he stood to his feet prepared to pull the smaller man into his arms. “No,” Collins gasped when Angel was pulled from his reach. He looked with a hostile glare at the small Asian man standing beside him. “Can I not greet him? I know you said that we could not…” Angel paused his blush shocking Collins. “I mean.” “It would be best if we got your friends settled, they must be exhausted.” Sofu’s words were clipped as his eyes roamed Mimi and Roger. “You are note fully healed yourself. You need your rest. Against my better judgments I allowed you to come here in the first place. Sometimes I can be as rash as my son.” Sofu smiled as the little creature on his shoulder nipped his ear. Roger stared at it trying to figure out what exactly the creature was. “Come along, my siblings have tarried here far longer than they wish to.” Mimi held tight to Roger’s hand hoping that they had done the right thing. She watched as Angel smiled his reassuring smile at her. All right, she thought, this could be done. Angel had seemed at deaths door when he had left and to see him now he was a picture of health and vitality. Roger looked at Collins and shrugged, they had come this far, they may as well see it through to whatever end it held for them. Break Leon scrubbed a hand over his face after he had drained his Coffee. Ryo stood in front of the room of officers. “This is bullshit.” Randolph muttered. “How in the hell do you guys get all the top cases?” Randolph frowned at Dee who stood in front of Ryo as if to guard him from the accusations. After they had eaten their lunch they had went to the pet shop to pick up their boys so that they could do their school assignment. Rain had been glowing with happiness as he had described the many intricacies of Count D’s garden. His chatter had filled the entire drive amazing Dee at the happiness in his eyes. Rain stared at the disgruntled officer clutching his notepad to him until his knuckles blanched from the grip. He placed a trembling hand on Ryo’s pant leg. “Calm down, he’s all hot air, or should I say hot for Count D…” Bikky said snickering close to Rain’s ear. Rain tried to smile at the words. “Come on,” Randolph said with a suggestive leer at Ryo. He looked down and saw Rain holding tight to the detective’s pant leg. He gave Rain a mean smile before he looked into Ryo’s dark eyes, “Who did you bend over for? Is it easy, letting the superiors shove their cocks up your ass? Would you do it for me? I can make you feel good…” Rain gasped turning away feeling the room take a sick dive. “Iie Chibi…” Ryo gasped the words out as he spun catching Rain in his arms before he could pass out on the floor. Dee’s vision blurred and he saw red cloud before his eyes. Randolph howled in pain as Dee’s fist connected with his jaw. Randolph emerged from the ground swinging at Dee. Bikky cheered when Dee dodged the blow and landed a hard right to Randolph’s midsection. Leon swore as he tried to wedge his body in between the combatants. “Come on Dee, he’s not worth it!” JJ yelled as he hooked his arms around Randolph pulling him back. “This case could make our careers.” “Exactly!” Randolph snarled struggling against JJ’s hold. “How in the hell do a bunch of fudged packers keep getting all the top cases?” Dee snarled, heaving his body free of Leon’s hold he lunged for Randolph. JJ shoved Randolph behind him placing his body in front of Dee’s. “That will be enough Laytner!” The chief barked as he entered the conference room. “I will have to put you on report for that. It will be documented.” “Whatever,” Dee grumbled as he wiped blood from his nose. “When a man insults and propositions my lover he gets what he asked for. Especially if he does it in front of our kids.” Dee glared at Randolph and the chief noted Rain and Bikky for the first time. The chief looked at Rain noting that he looked better than he had in the hospital. He seemed to be calming as Ryo stroked his back and spoke calmly to him. “Randolph,” The chief said when he turned back to the other detective. “You are not on report.” Ryo gasped and looked up at the chief. He then turned away from the smirk on Randolph’s face feeling bile clamor in his throat. “For your actions today, you are on unpaid suspension for two weeks. Get out of here.” The chief demanded. Ryo looked up grateful at the chief. “Get back to work and get this thing solved. Show these young lads what real detective work is all about.” The chief turned on his heel and left the conference room. Break Ryo sipped his tea as he watched Rain. The young man watered his plants humming softly. Ryo noted that he had a beautiful voice. It was clear and pure, unlike anything he had ever heard. Rain, Ryo thought, belonged in the Arcadian band so sweet was his voice. Such emotions were brought from Ryo at simple humming, Ryo was afraid of what an actual song could produce. They had left the police department and Ryo had made an appointment for Rain to see a doctor. It was unnatural the way he ceased breathing whenever he became emotionally upset. Lord D had promised to look at him the next day. Rain’s humming became a soft song and Ryo listened smiling. It was just as he had feared. The boy’s voice was unimaginably beautiful. He had come up intending to tell him that dinner was ready. Bikky had chosen hamburgers for tonight and they were setting the table. Rain sat down his watering can turning to face the door. He gasped his song dying as he stared at Ryo with a blush on his cheeks. “Ryo, uh, I mean, hi.” Rain lowered his eyes speaking only to Ryo’s chest. “I am sorry for this afternoon.” “Sorry, for what?” Ryo asked stepping into the room. He heard the clink of plates being placed on the table and quickly shut the door. “You had to leave work early because I…” “You should not worry about that, it was nearly time to clock out anyway.” Ryo noted the heightened color to Rain’s cheeks. “Rain, what’s wrong?” “Well, today, the other detective…” Rain hedged staring from Ryo’s chest to his toes. Rain took a moment to appreciate Ryo’s classy, highly polished shoes before he could speak again. “He said…He said…” Rain gulped trying to get air into his constricted lungs. He grew fearful when they would not work. “Dee, I mean, I know you guys make love… I mean. If he loves you so much how could he hurt you like that?” Rain sobbed throwing his arms around Ryo’s waist holding tight. “You are the nicest man I have ever met! How could he?” Rain sniffled, hiccupping as he tried to prevent a nervous collapse. “Why would you stay here with him, letting him hurt you?” “Oh…Ame-Chan,” Ryo whispered pulling Rain into his arms. He marveled that the thin arms crept around his neck holding him close. “When two consenting adults approach lovemaking, it can be very enjoyable.” “But it hurts…” Rain sobbed into Ryo’s shoulder. “Don’t let him do it anymore.” “No, Ame-Chan, it does not. Not with the proper preparation. You are a child; there is no way your body was prepared for such activities. I am also sure that proper lubrication was not used.” Ryo began speaking fast. “I love Dee, and I love…” “Ryo… Rain… dinner is ready, come on.” Bikky’s voice interrupted them. “I know there is a lot that you do not understand right now, but believe me you do not need to worry about such things. You are a child and I want you to enjoy your childhood.” Ryo swiped tears from his eyes as he looked at Rain’s frightened looks. “Nothing Dee does is against my will, in fact there are times I initiate…” Ryo blushed, but knew that it had to be said. “Truly?” Rain asked wiping his flushed face. “But,” Rain began shushing as Ryo placed a hand on his lips. “Do not worry about it. I am a big boy… I can take care of myself.” Ryo said with a wink and bright grin at Rain. “Sometimes I like it so much it keeps Bikky up. That is why we were glad of the larger house with thicker walls and longer hallways.” Rain giggled when Ryo blushed and ruffled his hair. “Come on, dinner’s ready.” Ryo stood to his feet. He opened the door, but saw a withdrawn expression on Rain’s face. “What?” “Oh no, I mean, I am not very hungry.” Rain blushed as he resisted the urge to rub his aching tummy. He saw the worried look on Ryo’s face and quickly smiled. “But I am sure that a little dinner won’t hurt.” Rain said quickly leaving his room. Ryo smiled and followed. Break “The most beautiful thing you have ever heard for one so young.” Ryo was saying into the telephone. “Andy, I am honest. You have to hear Rain sing.” “Ryo,” Andy’s laughter was heard on the phone. “You are the only parent I know who goes to so much trouble for a birthday party. He is only fourteen. I thought such parties should be held for the sixteenth birthday.” “This is a very special birthday party. It is the first one he has ever had,” Ryo explained. “Well, we will be there and of course we will perform. Anything for you Ryo-Kun.” Andy’s flirtatious laughter warmed Ryo’s heart. “I would love to hear your Rain sing. Maybe I will stop by the house later.” Andy ended the call and Ryo went back into the break room Bikky was leaning over an extra large supreme pizza. He was smiling at Jill as he offered her an invitation to his birthday party. “This is one party you don’t want to miss.” Bikky’s confidence would always amaze Rain. “That’s some great parenting Ryo and Dee,” JJ quipped with a laugh as he entered the break room. “What kind of kid gets a fun party after getting suspended for three days?” “This kind of kid that was defending his brother,” Dee said ruffling Bikky’s riot of blond locks. “Man, I told you, don’t touch the ‘do’,” Bikky straitened his hair and winked at Jill. “Too bad I’m spoken for missy, or you,” He pointed a finger at Jill winking roguishly. “Could be my date.” “How will I ever console my broken heart?” Jill asked bringing a hand up to her heart. “Rain will be my date won’t you?” Jill sat by Rain; a blush crept up his neck until he hid behind his layered locks. “I…I…I…Y…You…Date?” Rain stammered licking lips gone suddenly dry. “But I just turned thirteen, you are full grown. Ryo said adults shouldn’t date children.” Rain turned wide, panic-filled eyes to Ryo who laughed. “No, Rain you should not date grown ups, I am sure Jill was only joking.” Ryo assured the terrified teen. “Jeez, Rain, you take everything so literally.” Bikky said with a grin as he placed a large slice of steaming, cheesy pizza on Rain’s plate. Rain looked at his plate with disdain before he brought his fork to his mouth. Bikky laughed at his dainty eating and picked his slice up with his hand to take a big bite. “So Ryo, after you guys get all the clues, you go talk to people?” “Yes Bikky,” Ryo said sitting at the table and helping himself to the pizza. “We interview them.” “Suspects right?” Rain asked surprising them all with the excitement in his voice. “Oh no, sometimes we interview people that can lead us to suspect. Or we question people to knock them off our suspect list.” Ryo explained taking a sip of his soda. Rain sighed and rubbed his tummy. “Are you alright?” Ryo asked noting the gesture. Rain began to nod, but a cramp nearly doubled him over. “It’s my stomach. It hurts terribly.” Rain confessed sitting down his note pad and frowning at Ryo. “This has been going on for some time hasn’t it?” Ryo asked worried as he thought of the days of Rain rubbing his tummy. Rain nodded miserably as Ryo reached a hand out to touch his stomach. Ryo gasped at the taught skin. Ryo looked at JJ who was talking into his cell phone. “Darling says to bring him over right away.” JJ said before Ryo could even ask him to call. “Thanks man,” Dee said as he grabbed his jacket. “You guys follow the eight street lead and the waterfront lead and we’ll connect with you later.” Leon nodded and swiped a slice of pizza. “I’ll drop D, Chris and Aoi off at your place around seven thirty.” “Our place?” Dee asked looking at Ryo for confirmation. “We have to work late tonight and Sofu does not want them in the shop for some reason so they are coming over to stay in our last available spare room. Chris will stay in with Bikky, Aoi will share with Lyo.” Ryo explained absently as he guided Rain to the door. “We don’t need a baby sitter. I’m almost fourteen and Rain is thirteen. We are old enough to take care of Lyo by ourselves.” Bikky said with his arms folded. “You are old enough when I say you are old enough.” Ryo told him as they left the department. Break Lord D finished his examination and stepped back. “Rain, I must ask,” he said with a gentle hand on Rain’s arm. “Has your diet changed recently?” Rain looked at Ryo before he nodded. “I don’t usually eat so much… red meat.” Rain admitted looking away from Ryo’s concerned expression. “Lately there has been a lot of pizza, meat sauce on spaghetti and roast beef, beef stew, steaks…” Rain trailed off he saw the horror on Ryo’s face and quickly added. “But it is all delicious, I love your cooking.” “You may love his cooking,” Lord D said. “But his cooking does not love you. Allow me to ask,” Lord D hedged with a blush of his own. It was difficult to ask about functions that he knew nothing about. “When was the last time you… Uh… Used the facilities?” “Just after we got here,” Rain answered blushing himself now. “No, I mean… Well…” Lord D sighed, he was doctor, this was ridiculous. “When was the last time you…” “Oh… you mean…” Rain said before Lord D could continue. “About five days ago,” Rain said miserably. Ryo and Lord D both gasped. Lord D wasted no time as he went to his counter to make a prescription. “This is a laxative, I would suggest you take this child home immediately,” Lord D explained. Ryo nodded and motioned for Rain to get dressed. Ryo felt simply horrible. He had made Rain ill. Break Rain had drunk the tea that Lord D had given him as he clutched his tummy. He sat on the toilet trembling. Ryo sat beside him rubbing his back. “I’m so terribly sorry.” Ryo apologized when Rain gasped. “You should leave,” Rain managed to speak through clenched teeth. “This is my fault, I won’t leave you alone.” Ryo promised rubbing small circles in Rain’s back. “Thank you,” Rain whispered as a pained tear leaked from his eye. Break Sofu stood back allowing Roger, Mimi, Collins and Angel into the shop. His brothers and sisters sat around sipping tea. Sofu A looked up. His piercing eyes bore into Mimi. “Lord Suzaku tells me many interesting things child. I wonder…are they true?” Sofu A stood to his feet, his curly brown hair falling around his face a highlight to his deep brown eyes. “Interesting things, Sir?” Mimi asked respectfully as she looked at the beautiful young man. “Is it true that you used needles to insert pollutants directly into your blood stream?” Sofu A asked sadly. Mimi said nothing. She looked away from the disapproving look. “We will aid you all simply because my brother has requested it of us, there is no other reason.” “Then we will thank you.” Roger said stepping in front of Mimi hoping to divert Sofu A’s attention away from his frail girlfriend. Break Ryo pulled a blanket up around Lyo and kissed his little head. He left the room to find Leon shutting the door to Bikky’s room. They had already switched off leaving Rain’s room for last. Count D was sitting beside his bed in a chair. His soft silken robes rustled quietly as he stroked a long fingered hand over Rain’s now settled tummy. Leon had expressed his disbelief that Ryo had sat for two hours with him in the bathroom. Even now, the fan was going and Count D had left a little pot of his sweet smelling incense. Count D had promised to give Ryo some of his vegetarian recipes. Rain wondered why Count D winked at the large sheep creature that sat at his feet. Count D discretely left the room so that Ryo and Dee could say goodnight. Ever since his visit to the garden, Rain had fallen in love with the enigmatic family that owned the pet shop. “Andy called,” Leon was saying to Count D. “She was planning to come over tonight, but she will wait and come over tomorrow, since Rain was not feeling well. Apparently, according to Ryo, the kid can sing.” “So I will just read a bit then retire for the night. You all be careful tonight, I hope you solve your case.” Count D said kissing Leon’s lips. He stood back laughing as Leon pushed him against the wall and deepened the kiss. “Leon-kun…. Go to work.” D pushed against Leon’s shoulders licking his kiss-swollen lips. Rain peeked into the hallway, he witnessed the embrace and blushed as Dee placed his hand on Ryo’s hip as they left the house. Break Ryo was so frustrated he gritted his teeth as he stomped down the pavement. There was nothing worst than a disagreeable witness. He had sat and told him that he was not a suspect; all he had to do was to tell him what he had sent the night the victim and his son went missing. Ryo glowered at the passing surroundings he passed paying no attention to the shifting shadows of the moonless night. “Scared is he… If he tells us what he knows he won’t have to be scared we’ll catch the bastard.” Ryo snarled the words. He would have grumbled more but a rough hand grabbed his arm. The man pulled him over and slammed him into a wall. Ryo felt the hard metal of a pistol being poked into his ribs. “You think you can walk around in my turf so freely copper?” The rough accented voice rasped out in Ryo’s ear. “Take your hands from me,” Ryo ground out angrily struggling against the hold. “My partner is right around the corner.” “By the time he gets here, all that will be left is your corpse.” The thug promised malicious amusement in his eyes. Ryo inhaled and heaved a heavy sigh. He felt his temperature rise and the gun began to glow red where it pressed against his body. Ryo growled and felt something cold and pointy along the sides of his mouth. Crimson rage fanned out from his eyes and he brought his hands up to brutally squeeze the thug’s wrist. The man howled in pain. The sound of the gunshot reverberated of the damp walls of the alley. “RYO!” Dee’s voice was heard. He came crashing around the corner in time to see Ryo break the thug’s arms and shove him to the ground. Ryo made a chopping motion with his hand catching him in the neck. The thug fell to the ground gasping for breath. One well place kick in his mid section left him unconscious on the floor. Ryo lowered his hands and Dee stared in horror at the ring of fire that surrounded his lover. “Dee,” Ryo called breathing deeply. “I can’t stop…I …Dee...” Ryo panted frightened, as the flames grew higher. “I fear to call it back, I’ll burn myself… I… Dee…” Ryo backed up against the wall. Dee sighed before he pulled Ryo into his arms and kissed him deeply. Ryo gasped in fear. The last thing he ever wanted to do was burn Dee. Dee took the opportunity to shove his tongue into Ryo’s mouth. Ryo sucked in hard falling into the dizzying pleasure of Dee. Ryo gasped and inhaled as the world around him cooled. “Usually your kisses heat me up…I never would have thought of you cooling me down.” Ryo laughed, he looked at the unconscious thug on the slick pavement. “Well let’s hurry and book him so I can get you home and heat you back up again.” Dee trailed a suggestive hand along Ryo’s side. “I thought you’d never ask.” Ryo purred. Spun Sugar 24 Bittersweet Rivalry: Part 1 Rain opened his eyes and winced rubbing his tummy. When the doctor had said the tea would clear him out, he had been telling the truth. Rain decided to be extremely quiet. He had heard Ryo and Dee come in and he did not want Ryo to come in with him. It was a comfort having him there, but Ryo was too nice a guy to have to suffer through his illness. Rain crept down the hall. He passed the spare room and heard a deep-throated giggle. “Leon… Right there… I love it…” Rain blushed and hurried past. He made sure to shut the door quietly. As he sat on the toilet he heard a distinct voice. “Come on…” Rain frowned as he heard Dee speaking in a low tone. “Wait, just let me…” Ryo said and Rain wondered what was going on. “Wrap your legs around,” Dee said and Rain groaned as his stomach twisted. Lord D’s tea was taking its toll on him. Breathing deeply as Ryo had taught him Rain began to suffer through his tummy troubles. Rain brought his hands to his ears when he heard Ryo and Dee begin to moan. Rain strained forgetting Ryo and Dee for the moment as his own troubles began to weigh on him. Break Sunlight lighting his body awakened him. Roger opened his eyes in shock. Last night he had wandered in a dessert with one of the doctors. Roger had stared in awe as he doctor had turned it into an oasis. Roger could not say he understood the battle that the…Kami?… had fought, but he could not deny that he had won. The cloud of blackness that had haunted the dessert vanished as if it had never been. Roger looked around the garden and sighed before he closed his eyes. He leaned back against the grass. Perhaps a bit more sleep would be beneficial. Break “RYYYYOOOOOO!!” Rain opened his eyes as a high-pitched squeal could be heard ringing through the hall. Rain opened his eyes and pulled a sweatshirt over his t-shirt. Straitening his flannel pants he opened his door and went downstairs. He heard loud feminine giggles. “OOOHHHH You cooked breakfast for meeeee?!” “Nah Andy, he cooks breakfast almost every morning. Even when he can barely walk.” Rain rounded the corner and saw Dee with his arms around Ryo’s waist. Ryo laughed and swatted at Dee with his spoon. “I can walk just fine.” Ryo said blushing as he playfully shoved away from Dee’s embrace. “That means I didn’t do it right,” Dee purred. “Sorry princess, we’ve got to return to bed and let me try again.” “Believe me,” Ryo said as he poured waffle batter into the maker. “You did everything right…you always do.” Bikky stomped around Rain making false barfing noises. “Adults…” He mouthed off as he poured a glass of orange juice. “I was going to wake little D and Leon for breakfast, but they are already awake, and have no interest in eating anything but each other.” “Watch your mouth,” Nestoir chided cuffing Bikky’s head. “Or did you forget that you are in the presence of a princess?” “I don’t see Daphnus here anywhere.” Bikky said with a smirk that had Nestoir laughing. “You think D is pretty, wait till you get a load of him.” Bikky said in an aside to Rain. Rain stifled a laugh. Were these people really royalty? If they were, why was every one so casual around them? “You must be Rain,” Rain’s entire body trembled with the force of his shock at the full-bodied embrace he was treated to. Rain stared up into the smiling deep colored face of the stranger in the room. “I am Andy, some people call me High Princess Andromache.” “You’re a princess?” Rain’s eyes widened. Andy giggled placing her hand on her rounded tummy. “Daphy will be here later. He is on official palace business. Better not let him hear you call him a princess.” Andy said to Bikky with a conspiratorial wink. “Is that honey syrup?” Andy turned from Rain rushing instead to the small pot simmering on the stove. “You make the syrup?” Rain asked perplexed. He went to Ryo’s side next to the stove. “All this time… so much care for breakfast?” Ryo was blushing as he stirred the small pot. “I just know that sometimes, we can not have lunch and dinner as a family so I want to make sure that we sit down to at least one meal everyday. I mean, we have to wake up earlier, but it is worth it.” Ryo said he received a tender look from Dee. “My family was away from home so often that…” Ryo began but paused as the telephone rang. He reached over to take it off the base. “MacLean and Laytner residence,” He said into the receiver. “Oh Good Morning Chief, don’t worry we’ll all be there on time,” Ryo joked. “You did not have to give us a wake up call.” -“Sorry Ryo, I am not calling to wake you guys up. In fact I have to ask you to issue a statement when you get in.”- The chief’s voice came over the line causing Ryo to frown. “A statement?” Ryo asked wondering what the chief was up to. “Well Randy, a complaint came demanding your badge. A lawyer from New York is pressing assault charges on you. Say’s you broke his nose. Came in with pictures and everything. He is here in the office, say’s he’ll wait for you.” The Chief sounded as if he could not believe the words that were coming out of his own mouth. “The hell you say?” Ryo sputtered into the phone causing the occupants in the room to startle and stare at him. “I broke his nose after he came into our home, insulted one of our children, sexually harassed me and touched me inappropriately in front of my children. I’ll counter sue,” Ryo promised vehemently. Dee sat up in his chair frowning. He had heard none of what had happened. All he knew was that Donnie had upset Rain. “No one told me this!” Dee snarled turning to Bikky. “Did you think I would not want to know that my friend accosted my lover?” “Look man,” Bikky backed away with his palms up. “Everything was crazy, Ryo was bleeding, Rain was bleeding, Lyo was crying… Hell, I pulled a knife on a man three times my size.” Bikky was breathing deeply. “I think the only reason he left was because he was bleeding and he couldn’t see beyond the swelling in his nose after Ryo punched him. Ryo is a good man though. I would have decked him as soon as he asked to hop in the sack with me, he waited until the freak smacked his ass…” Bikky huffed, his dark color deepened as he realized what he had said and in front of whom. “Sorry princess,” he muttered breathing deeply to control the rage that the memories brought to the surface. “Look, I’ll take that as your statement and advise him to drop the charges. If the courts get wind that he harassed and assaulted an officer at all, let alone in front of his kids, they’ll eat him alive.” The Chief ended the connection and Ryo sagged against the counter with a trembling hand on his forehead. “UMMM Ryo-Chan, breakfast smells delicious.” Count D said with a swish of his long silken sleeves. “Oh,” Count D pursed his pretty lips when he felt the tension in the room. “What is wrong?” Dee turned on his heel wordlessly leaving the kitchen. He stomped to the back yard. Cujo ran to his side barking and waving his tail happy to have company. Ryo shoved away from the counter. He went to Dee’s side pulling the taller man into his arms. Rain peered out into the yard before he turned away as Dee pulled Ryo in for a passionate kiss. “So… Rain, while we wait for them to come back…” Andy said with a hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you come with me?” Rain followed the princess from the kitchen as Count D took over preparing breakfast. Nestoir heard Rain’s bedroom door close then felt the tremor in the air. For some reason his wife felt that it was necessary to employ a veil of silence. He could easily enough heighten his senses to find out what she was up to, but decided to leave her with her secrets; at least for the moment. Break Ryo pulled his lips away from Dee backing away. He sat down in the soft grass allowing Cujo to cuddle in his lap as much as the overly large dog could fit. Ryo did not worry about breakfast trusting the occupants of his house to see it done. This was more important. This was his…Marriage, Ryo thought. For that was what they had. Maybe their vows were unconventional and hell, not even acknowledged in most states. But they had something strong. Maybe keeping his silence about Donnie had hurt more that he knew. “Dee…” “Dammit Ryo!” Dee expelled. Ryo saw the clenched fists he closed his eyes feeling tears threaten. “I used to look up to him. He made it out, he made good you know. Taken in by wealthy parents, given the best of everything, food, clothes, and education. Opportunities the rest of us could only dream of. I finally have something. Someone who cares, someone I could not have dreamed of on my best nights and…” Dee flopped into the grass defeated. Cujo licked the hand that Dee placed on Ryo’s knee. I love you baby,” Dee squeezed the knee and Ryo nodded. “I love you too Dee, you know I do.” Ryo affirmed placing his hand over Dee’s. Their rings lined up perfectly glinting in the early morning sunlight. “When we were kids in the chilly rooms at the orphanage we would dream of the family’s that we wanted to be adopted into. He always wanted to be rich. Whenever the richer parents would come by to pick over us like pairs of shoes looking for the right fit… He would smile and be charming. The perfect little prince. Me, I just wanted a place to belong. Someone willing to say, he belongs with us, you know…” Dee lowered his head not wanting Ryo to see him cry. “Looks to me like you both got what you wanted,” Ryo said coming onto his knees in front of Dee. He pulled until he could look into Dee’s deep green eyes. With a slow smile Ryo pressed his lips to Dee’s. He waited until Dee opened his mouth and he deepened the kiss. He knew what a turn on Dee found it when he initiated as he so rarely ever did. Dee was trembling when Ryo pulled back. “Now you tell me, who’s the better man?” Dee could not speak; he pulled until the smaller man fell into his arms. Cujo barked before jumping away from the tight embrace. He waved a hand to Bikky to let him know that his parents were all right. Bikky shut the curtain allowing them their privacy. Break Nestoir was quick to pull Andy into his arms. “Fifteen minutes is too long to be parted.” He whispered as he placed a kiss on her smiling lips. “Why must you leave me this way?” “So that you will miss me when I return.” Andy answered hugging him tightly. Rain tried to inch past the cuddled lovers blushing the entire way. Rain went about setting the table as Bikky poured orange juice into a carafe for the table at large. “You do not eat meat, right?” Rain asked Count D. A subtle of shifting of cloth and Rain had the Count’s full attention. “No, I do not, Ryo has made sure that he did not even cook meat for this breakfast. I fear I gave them all quite a scare a while ago and now he won’t have meat anywhere near me.” Count D laughed and Rain found himself staring in awe at his beauty. “A scare sir?” Rain asked when he could find his tongue. Count D smiled his small secretive smile. Saying nothing he turned back to the stove. Rain went back to his task making sure that the table was set to perfection just as his mother had always taught him. Ryo and Dee returned to the kitchen. No one commented on Dee’s red-rimmed eyes. Breakfast commenced with Andy filling the room with her normal happy chatter. Break The other officers in the precinct wisely held their tongues as Dee and Ryo entered. The chief bustled to their side chewing his cigar as if it were a lifeline. “The bastard refuses to leave. He says he’s the best lawyer in New York City and he is determined to beat you in court.” “I’ve got Charis Krystallis on line one.” Dee told Ryo handing him his cell phone. “He thinks he’s the best in New York, huh, well how well will he fare against the tiny spitfire of doom.” Dee gave a chuckle. Ryo was glad that Dee was ready to fight. “While Ms. Krystallis rips him a new one, we’ll get to work. Where are the new files?” Ryo asked watching as Bikky and Rain’s eyes light up with anticipatory joy. The chief handed them a manila file. They went towards their office passing an irate Donnie on the way. “You’re still here?” Ryo asked with a smirk he copied from Count D. Then he thought of his grandfather and Donnie backed away in fear of the malice he could sense coming from the detective. “That was brave of you.” Ryo said nothing else he grinned as they went into their office. “Now if this is too gruesome for you boys, you let us know and we’ll find another detective for you to shadow.” “Oh no I find it highly riveting.” Rain assured Ryo his eyes peeled to the file that Ryo held. “Yeah, what he said, so who died this time?” Bikky asked Ryo aimed a worried look at Dee. Perhaps they should not have had the boys involved in such a difficult case. Shaking the thought he opened the case…and immediately shut it. Ryo’s face turned red then green. “A mother of three this time.” Ryo answered with a sigh as his grim mask of detective slide back into place. “The perp mailed her hands to her husband.” “The kids?” Dee asked pulling out his notepad. He took the file from Ryo and opened it up. Grimacing at the initial photos he delved into the woman’s history and schedule. “You’ll have to cross reference this one babe, do your profiling thing. See what this case has in common with the other one.” “Yes of course,” Ryo said as he took his eyeglasses out and put them on. “The oldest son was home with dad he has the chicken pox.” “We should probably expose Lyo now, and Aoi too.” Dee murmured as he turned on his computer. “Best time is now when they are kids, no long term affects you know.” “I think Jewel is immune to most human diseases.” Leon said as he entered the office with Jill and JJ. “Why would that be true?” Rain asked and Leon resisted the urge to call himself a fool. He glared at Dee as if it were his fault that they had yet to explain that Count D and his family weren’t human. Intercepting the look Rain smiled. “It is true then,” he said. “The legends of trickster extend far beyond my people. There is more to the shop. The gardens, the animals all of it is magic, even your lover!” “Bright boy you got there Ryo mind teaching him to keep silent around unwary normal human beings.” Dee gasped at the acerbic comment. He looked up at the tiny blond that stood in their doorway. “Lady Chimera,” Ryo greeted then quickly looked about at the room hoping no other officers were within hearing. “Forgive me,” He apologized. Charis waved away his words. “Your grandfather wants you at the palace tomorrow.” “No can do, tomorrow is Bikky’s fourteenth birthday party, he is however welcome to come and speak to me there.” Ryo said looked over the file. “So how is the case with Donnie looking?” Charis grinned blowing a puff of air to move her blond hair out of her face. “I ate lawyers like him for breakfast when I was still in law school.” Charis dropped her briefcase onto the desk before lounging on the edge. “Your grandfather is not going to like those conditions, since he is a bit agitated right now.” “Agitated?” Ryo asked thinking of the steel tempered dragon lord. “What could possibly agitate him?” “Your grandmother.” Charis said without warning causing Ryo to snap his pencil in half. Charis smirked as the shattered ends smoldered. “I have a grandmother?” He asked, not so much concerned with the familial bonds. Thinking only of the being that could agitate his grandfather “Yep and she is a piece of work believe me.” Charis told him looking into the folder he held. “Gross.” Ryo closed the file thinking of her delicate sensibilities. “No worries, I see worse when a fire breathing slime demon decides it wants my entrails for lunch. Speaking of what are you guys doing for eats later?” “Grabbing a quick bite then taking the boys to get costumes for tomorrows party.” Dee answered, “Hey Baby look at this, they were both last seen near this park.” Ryo looked over. “Yeah, I noticed that, but after they were seen, no one noticed anything.” Ryo said showing his notepad of answered questions. “They are scared of something.” Dee answered. Rain and Bikky stared between them avidly taking notes. Charis looked at them before she left the office. This case was going to be as fun as the last one. Spun Sugar 25 Bittersweet Rivalry: Part 2 Rain stared about the shop with an indecisive frown. There were so many different costumes. How was he to pick one? Bikky turned around with a cape on he bared his nonexistent fangs. “Grrr. Rain, I’m gonna bite you.” Rain cringed in mock fear laughing as Ryo and Dee stood back waiting for them. “You know,” he said thinking of Lady Aurora. “Vampires look nothing like this. I mean beautiful beyond imagining would better describe them, and sort of cool,” Bikky thought of High Prince Nestoir. The royal had explained that at one point, he too had been a bloodsucker. “There is a legend about a…” Rain paused when he saw the bored clerk behind the counter staring at him. “You need something?” Bikky asked with his usual belligerent confidence. Bikky’s frowned deepened when the man said nothing but continued to stare. “Our parents are right over there.” Bikky informed him. “My brother and I will be leaving soon.” Bikky said with a glare at the startled expression in the man’s eyes. So, it was just as Bikky had feared, the man thought Rain was a girl. The older man smiled. His gray hair was pulled back into a ponytail. “Hey kid, you know someone named Spencer?” “Spencer, it was my mother’s maiden name, why?” Rain answered wondering why the cashier stared at him so intently at him. “Where’s your mother boy?” The cashier demanded as he frantically came around the counter to grasp Rain’s arms. “Boys, do you see anything that you like?” Ryo asked pulling Rain away from the erratic salesman. Rain said nothing, with a sigh; he wrapped his arms around Ryo. “Yeah, I wanted to be a Phoenix. See that? It looks like Lord Suzaku.” Bikky said laughing. He pointed to a red, gold and black ensemble. “But Count D has better Kimono’s, that one looks like it is made of plastic instead of silk.” “Come on then, tomorrow is your last day of suspension,” Ryo said pulling the boys from the shop. “Count D will begin training you both. You,” Ryo pointed to Rain. “Need to learn to defend yourself. And you,” Ryo turned a frown on Bikky. “Need to learn self control.” “Hey…Boy,” The cashier called as they neared the door. Dee tossed a glower over his shoulder but the man continued to speak. “Where is your mother, boy? Where is she?” Before Rain could speak Dee pulled him from the shop slamming the door hard behind him. “It was in the papers, doesn’t he read?” Bikky grumbled stomping to the car. Rain was silent the entire way to the house. Ryo continued to send worried looks to the backseat of the car. Bikky sat with his arms crossed over his chest and Rain stared out of the window with a melancholy expression. Ryo knew the boy missed his mother and daily reminders sliced into his heart without mercy. Perhaps he should talk to Andy about getting him some counseling. “Eat your dinner,” Ryo encouraged Rain at the table. Rain picked up his fork to poke at his Italian pasta salad. “So uh, what did Andy want to talk to you about?” Ryo asked hoping to remind Rain of something pleasant and if Andy was anything it was pleasant. “It is a surprise,” Rain smiled stunning the table. “She made me promise.” Lyo chose that moment to tip his plate onto the floor. “I’ll get it Ryo,” Bikky said getting to his feet. “Now that I see what you guys really have to put up with it must be hard coming home to take care of us. Especially with a half potty trained three year old.” “Well half is better than none.” Ryo said with a blush. “Andy said it took a while to train little Nicklaus and that he still has accidents sometimes.” “My father took me into the bathroom with him.” Rain admitted with a blush. “Mother used to tell me how cute I was toddling after him. I found pictures of us, the last time as a family was right after my fourth birthday. Then… “ Rain sighed and ate his dinner determined to put it all behind him. “Rain,” Ryo sat down his fork. “I am not going to tell you to forget your past. No one can ever really forget. But it makes us who we are.” Ryo aimed a smile at Dee. “Whether we grew up in an upscale house with white picket fences and parents barely home, or an orphanage, or a manor, or a mafia syndicate.” Ryo chuckled as Lyo pulled his sippie cup to his mouth. “Mafia syndicate?!” Rain asked sitting up in his chair staring at Ryo in rapt attention. “Tell me, tell me!” “Help me clear the table and I will, but Dee why don’t you set up our lap tops, I need to start my cross referencing.” “On it.” Dee stood to his feet with a satisfied pat to his belly. “Thanks babe, dinner was awesome as usual.” Dee said as he blew a quick kiss to Ryo. Dee then made his way to the bedroom. Ryo stacked up the plates and helped Rain to clear the table. Bikky looked in on them doing the dishes while talking about New York. He went up to find Dee surrounded by cords and electronics. “What?” “What did that guy do to Rain, the one who killed his mother?” Bikky asked with his arms folded as he leaned casually against the doorframe. “Sorry kid, not at liberty to say.” Dee sat down after he had gotten the machines plugged in. “Whose rule is that? The cops, or yours?” Bikky asked growing angry. “Well seeing as how I am a cop it would have to be both. Trust me, you don’t want to know.” Dee told him. Bikky remembered Ryo talking to him. He had been so serious demanding that Bikky tell him if someone touched him. Had someone touched Rain? How? Rain did get alarmingly upset when people thought he was a girl. Bikky’s blue eyes widened when he understood what Rain had gone through. He dropped to the floor on his bottom in the doorway when his knees would no longer support him. “Rain was…” Bikky began but swallowed when he felt bile threaten. “Yeah, Ryo threw up for a couple days after that one,” Dee said, he smiled as he finally managed to the get the computers ready for work. He then stood and placed a hand on Bikky’s shoulder. “I never said this job was easy.” “Who would want an easy job?” Ryo said as he entered the room with Rain. Bikky took one look at Rain before he stomped into his room. Rain looked between the adults before he took Lyo’s hand and followed Bikky. The toddler was always a guarantee in securing a better mood for him. Break Count D sat on his knees on the bed with Leon perched between them. Leon leaned his head back smiling in pure bliss as Count D’s hands worked their magic on him. He had profiled the latest case and third victim before emailing the results to Ryo and Dee. Count D threaded his hands through Leon’s loose flowing hair smoothing out the stress. Leon moaned as he felt the tension leave his body. “Thank you so much sweetheart.” Leon mumbled as he moved over to kiss D’s lips. “We got another body in today,” Leon explained. Count D gave an interested ‘mmmm,” sound as he artfully arranged his silken garments around his body. “Or rather body parts… Single mother of two this time, both kids still missing. That is four missing children and three different bodies. Ryo is cross-referencing tonight, Dee, JJ and I are on question details and Jill volunteered to look for the heads.” “Sounds like a difficult one,” Count D said picking up his needlepoint. Leon looked over at the delicate flower pattern. “That’s beautiful,” Leon told him. “Yes well, I had to start over after Aoi decided that the threads would look marvelous on Femto-Kun. He did not so much enjoy that and ran off down the hall with my work trailing behind him.” “What did Grand Pa D have to say about that? You know with his precious sleeping patients and all.” Leon stretched out across D’s lap turning his head to nuzzle D’s tummy. “You smell so good.” “I bathe,” D said with his typical smirk. “Grandfather did not mind apparently he and his siblings induced them into sleep. Soofu L is determined to discover the secret of the D’s. She has been asking me questions, holding Aoi, pestering father about the twins. He ran out of here today like his unders were in flames.” Count D paused to laugh at the remembered sight of Lord D rushing to JJ’s side when he had come to pick them up. Nana had simply smiled and nodded. She found it too difficult to talk much and visiting took a lot out of her, but she insisted on getting out at least once a week. “I thought Grand Pa D told her it was because of the human intervention. Didn’t she believe him?” He asked trailing a hand up D’s thigh. D squirmed on the bed smiling as Leon’s hand traveled up further. “Soofu A is determined that nothing good can come from humans.” D answered as he sat his embroidery aside. With a sigh he pulled Leon into a kiss, a thought later and the lights dimmed, another thought and their clothing began to divest themselves. Leon pushed D's legs apart and sat for a moment admiring the pale beauty spread before him. It was an offering he could not refuse. Leon placed a kiss on D's dainty ankle before allowing his tongue to trail up to a knee. D laughed when Leon's tongue tickled the sensitive area's of his thigh. Leon inched loser with kisses and D's aching member prepared to be swallowed. D slumped against the bed when Leon moved on to the other ankle. Leon treated the other leg to a similar treatment. By the time he took D in hand he was panting. "Leon..." D moaned unable to keep his hips still. Leon slithered his tongue out of his mouth to taste the milky, sweet droplet that rested there waiting for him. D shivered clenching his fingers in the sheets. Leon chuckled sucking D deeply into his mouth. Feeling him hit the back of his throat Leon hummed knowing the vibrations would drive D wild. "Ah... yes...Hai...Leon-kun," D moaned as he fell back against the bed spreading his legs wider inviting Leon's questing tongue and fingers to probe his tight opening. Leon sucked his fingers deep into his mouth before pressing them inside. The heat and tightness of D would always welcome him. As Leon worked his fingers inside D reached beside him on the bed. He curled his body around until he was facing Leons straining member. D wasted no time opening his mouth to take Leon deep inside. "OOOOH, yeah baby, like that." Leon said befor he licked the opening his fingers were preparing. D's breathing hitched as Leon's tongue wiggled inside of him beside his fingers. Leon smiled when he felt D's fingers and mouth reflexively tighten around him. "Wait, baby, I'm gonna come," Leon said pulling from D's grip and hot mouth. "Leon..." D whimpered laying on his back with his knees up and arms raised. Leon fitted himself in D's welcoming embrace. "So much for foreplay," Leon mumbeled nuzzling the soft skin behind D's ear. "Please, Leon now," D begged wrapping his legs around Leon's waist. Leon gasped in surprise as he felt D's fingers, slippery with lubrication, wrap around his erection pulling him forward. With a smooth thrust of his hips he pushed inside. "Yes..." D panted raising his hips to meet Leon's thrusts with his own. "Yes... Hai...Oh..." D cried out clutching Leon's shoulders. After their years together, Leon was used to the scratches and barely oticed them. They were just a part of being with D. He loved them. As Leon moved inside he lowered his head to capture D's already swollen lips. D slid his tongue into Leon's mouth feeling himself fall closer to the edge of control. "Leon!... Leon!..." He cried out as his muscles tightened around Leon sending him over the edge of bliss that could only be found in the arms of his love. Break Lord D felt like the biggest fool on the planet. He had let Nana convince him that she was well enough to go so far. She sat on her breathing apparatus wheezing and coughing. Tears fell down his face as JJ put the boys to bed. Lord D saw the slow rise and fall of Nana’s chest go even slower. He rushed forward placing his hand on Nana’s chest. JJ entered the room to see Lord D slip into the trance. His breathing evened synchronizing with Nana’s. JJ’s shoulders slumped; he had asked Sofu D what was going on. The older Kami had explained that for about a month now, Lord D had been breathing for Nana. His grandmother should have died a long time ago. When he could do no more Lord D fell away gasping for air. Nana sat sleeping in the chair. JJ put her feet up and wrapped her in a blanket. He turned her breather up to maximum for the night while saying a prayer that she would awaken in the morning. JJ picked up Lord D. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep her here. I was trying for Christmas, but…” Lord D trailed off. JJ felt his heart melt as two fat tears fell down the porcelain fine cheeks. JJ hugged him close as he felt his own tears spill. Break “Welcome,” Count D said as Bikky and Rain were ushered into the Dojo in his basement. Before they could step fully onto the matted floor Count D held a hand out to halt them. He clasped his hands in front of him while giving them a meaningful look. Bikky gasped before he clasped his hands. Rain followed suit. Count D smiled and bowed to the boys. Bikky and Rain bent at the waist. Rain’s eyes widened when he straitened. He saw Alera sitting cross-legged in the center of the room. “Today you will sit there and observe. The lady Alera has agreed to come and spar with me.” Rain stared in awe as Count D undid the buttons of his robe to reveal a white sleeveless sheath that was cut up to his waist to allow for easy movement. Blue pants completed the outfit. Alera stood and bound her startling white hair. Her black-cropped top showed off her trim figure. Bikky stared appreciatively at the long slim legs her shorts displayed. Count D paced off to her then bowed. He took a stance before amazing Rain and Bikky with the skills they would both soon begin to learn. “Are they really trying to kill each other?” Rain whispered to Bikky when Alera fell hard to mat after a well placed kick from D. “I don’t think so,” Bikky answered watching Alera bounce to her feel to topple D over. She landed on top of and moved to strike. Count twisted his legs in a way that Bikky did not think was humanly possible to switch positions until he was on top of Alera. Her green eyes flashed with annoyance as she bucked but could not dislodge him. “Concede,” D prompted when she huffed and fell back against the mat. “No,” Alera gritted out twisting futilely in the strong leg hold. Bikky wondered why Count D yelped before jumping away from a laughing Alera. “You little cheat!” Count D accused laughing while rubbing his pinched backside. “Not cheating, I got an enemy off of me by any means necessary.” Alera explained doubling over to hold her aching side as she continued to laugh. Count D jumped over her head to land behind her. Alera turned just in time to catch his arms in a locked hold. “Concede,” Alera prompted. Count D wiggled he lifted his legs surprising the boys that Alera was strong enough to hold him aloft. She fell back with Count D in her arms and rolled him underneath her. Count D could not buck her off. “Concede,” She prompted again. Count D hunched his back causing Alera to topple over his head. “Call Draw,” Count D huffed out of breath. Alera pushed the mussed hair that had escaped her ponytail out of her face. “Call Draw,” She agreed standing to her feet. She and Count D both clasped their hands in front of them before bowing formally. Bikky and Rain still sat with their mouths hanging open. They had never expected Count D to be so skilled. “You expect us to do that?” Rain asked terrified that someone was going to attack him and expect him to defend himself. “Well not right away.” Count D could not help but to join in Alera’s startled laughter at the boy’s obvious fear. “The level of Hachi Dan takes years to achieve. Most people spend a lifetime and only make to San.” “I don’t understand,” Rain admitted. Count D motioned the boys forward. As they sat on the mat, he explained the levels of skill and how to acquire them. Break Ryo took the safety off his gun as he entered the alleyway. Three body parts had been found here on several occasions. Dee signaled Leon that they were going in. Leon nodded as he looked up and down the street, his own gun ready for trouble. JJ waited, something moved and he flashed his light on the cat that was dragging away some stolen meal for the night. “Dee,” Ryo called motioning to the cat. Dee stared in horror at what the creature carried. “That’s a human foot.” “Yeah,” Dee answered he stomped his foot at the cat. Instead of dropping the severed appendage the cat hunched up and hissed. Dee jumped back when the cat tried to take a swipe at him. Dee shot at the cat’s front paws. The cat screeched before dropping the foot and bolting down the alley. With guns and flashlights at the ready the detectives entered the alley. “Got a leg,” Leon called. “I’ve found an arm,” JJ said snapping pictures. Soon the alley way was alight with the flashes of many cameras’ going. “Almost a complete body, only missing a head.” JJ huffed. “Looks like it was a man this time.” “There’s an extra arm and foot here.” Leon pointed to his findings. “Keep looking,” he said before they called the precinct. “Great,” Leon huffed as he sat in the car exhausted. “We have one and a half body’s out here and neither of them have a head.” “I think I could wish that there was a faint smell of incense here.” Dee grumbled. “Count D always has an explanation for the weird crap that goes on.” Dee got to his feet as the CSI vans carried away the remains. “Come on guys, we have to decorate the basement for tomorrows party. Let’s go.” Break Rain sat at his desk with his head held high just as Bikky had told him. His hair fell around his shoulders in neat layers. “So what costume are you wearing tonight?” Terry asked with a laugh. “Feathers and a thong, he could probably borrow one of his dad’s, you could be a fake Indian chief.” “First off,” Bikky said from behind Terry. “Insult my dad again and I’ll break your legs. “Second, if Rain dressed as befitting his native heritage I would be sure to give him a tomahawk so that he could scalp anyone who bothered him.” “I would rather have bow and arrows. I at least know how to use that.” Rain said smiling at Bikky. “I have medals in archery you know.” “Excuse my brother, he has dreams of being a gangster, but grew up in a upper class neighborhood.” Rain looked up to see an identical Terry offering his hand to shake. “I’m Erick. Excuse my brother, Vanilla Ice, over here. The ultimate thug wannabe.” “Shut up!” Terry expelled punching his brother in the arm. “Don’t make me break you,” Erick issued a dire warning with a glare. Terry stepped away from his twin. “Hey new kid, you really native?” “Yes, Natsehestahe” Rain laughed at Erick’s confused look. He amended his words as Erick continued to stare at him. “I’m Cheyenne.” “Man you got weird eyes, I thought all native’s had like dark eyes.” Erick said he blushed to have been caught staring at another boy. “I’m not hitting on you or anything, but they stand out.” “Well, I’d hope you’re not hitting on me, I’m a guy,” Rain tried to laugh and Bikky thought of his revelation about Rain. He felt anger rise up him again. “My father was Thunder Cloud Cornwall, my mother Patricia Spencer, if that tells you anything.” “Spencer?” Terry exclaimed with an excited gaze. “A while ago I was reading the paper they said something in about a woman…” “So Bikky, man about this party tonight,” Erick said cutting his brother off. “You want us there at seven right?” “Yeah, didn’t you read the invitation?” Bikky frowned wondering what Erick was up too. Taking a look at Rain’s stricken face he understood a need to change the subject. “Uh, yeah, Ryo and Dee are letting us have the basement tonight, but we will be supervised.” "Didn’t think otherwise, your parents are detectives right?” Erick asked with a congenial grin. “Ha Ha, yeah,” Bikky said as the bell rang signaling that the free hour was done. Gathering their backpacks the boys headed back to their homerooms. Break Ryo stood in the kitchen with a black apron tied about his waist. He stirred a large bowl with one hand while checking the timer on the stove with the other. He heard the door open and looked up to see Dee entering with large grocery bags. “As if the chips and cookies and other artery clogging accoutrements weren’t enough, I had to go out today and get more. What, do you think we are feeding an army?” Dee looked up to see Ryo with a finger delicately stuffed into his mouth, as he tasted the homemade icing for the cake. “In light of your inherent sexiness I forget the annoyance of shopping for junk food for a bunch of snot nosed…” Dee gave up as he pulled Ryo’s finger from his mouth to suck it into his own. “Dee… All the chocolate is gone…” Ryo moaned as Dee sucked his fingers one at a time. “You taste good all by yourself,” Dee pulled Ryo closer by the captured hand before stealing the last traces of chocolate from Ryo’s lips. Ryo was just melting into the kiss when the door opened. Hearing the boys come in laughing with Carol. Ryo spun away from Dee to wash his hands. “Ryo… Are you making cake or making out?” Bikky rounded the corner with his arms folded. “Ummm… Both?” Ryo laughed while drying his hands on a dishrag. Bikky dipped his finger into the icing. “Hey,” Ryo scolded chasing Bikky away from the bowl. “Do you have any homework?” “Nah,” Bikky shrugged. Ryo frowned when he heard Rain chattering to someone in the living room. “You don’t mind that we brought a friend home, he is just bursting with questions about Rain’s heritage.” “Not a problem. Go make sure things are all set up, X’Ta C will be here in about an hour to set up and get ready.” Ryo said above Bikky’s excited dance around the kitchen. Bikky went back upstairs to find Lyo perched on Rain’s bed as he showed Erick his plants. Terry stood by the door watching as his brother talk animatedly to Rain. “Come on, this could take all day, get him talking about his babies.” Bikky lead him to the basement. “You’re not mad, about earlier this week?” Terry asked nervous as he followed Bikky into the basement. His eyes bugged when he saw the pool table, stage, dance floor and buffet set up. “Whoa!” “Not mad, I mean, if it were any other kid, I probably would have… Nah, a while ago, maybe, but now… Ryo has taught me better than that.” “You love him,” Terry said helping Bikky move microphones to the stage. “He is more of a father, than I ever had even when living with my old man.” Bikky admitted. “I went from sleeping under my bed in fear of my dads friends or my moms johns to having my own room and a guy who would get up in the middle of the night to sit with me when I had nightmares about my father riddled with bullets.” Bikky explained the facts as if he were describing a movie he saw rather than the sad events of his own life. “Dude, that’s harsh,” Terry sat on a bean chair. “Ryo makes things brighten up. No matter what is going on he is just…” Bikky paused when he heard the door open. “They’re early!” He ran up the stairs terry jumped to his feet to follow. “HAAAAPPPPYYYY Birthday Bikky!!” Andy sang as she bounced through the door. Nestoir walked behind her holding out his arms to catch her in case she fell. “Honey,” Andy placed a hand on her round tummy as she swung around to catch her husband ready to catch her. “You worry too much.” “You are pregnant and clumsy, where does it say you should be bouncing around like a bunny on caffeine?” Daphnus said stepping into the door. “Where’s this prodigy that Andy was telling us all about?” Daphnus asked swinging his waist length hair out of his face. Rain stood at the top of the stairs in time to see the mass of shining black hair reveal the creamy beauty beneath. “That’s a man?” He whispered when Daphnus doe slanted eyes found him at the top of the stairs. Rain stared in awe as the once brown eyes turned light green and matched his own. “How…” Rain began but paused as Lyo began to dance around. “You gotta go potty,” He said leading the boy to the bathroom. Erick stared as the band headed downstairs. This was going to be an awesome party. What kind of kid gets a grand bash like this for a 14th birthday? Just how much money did this unorthodox family have? Hi, I am so sorry that this was uploaded without the proper disclaimers and explanations. I was just trying to get it finished as soon as possible. The disclaimers can now be found at the end of the chapter for all of you who care to go down and check it out. I am in no way making any profit from this work of fiction... Spun Sugar 26 Bittersweet Rivalry: Part 3 Andy saw Rain and Lyo leave the bathroom and winked at him. Rain blushed before he took the toddler to Dee. “Count D sent these to you…” Andy said she handed a bag of cloth to Bikky. “They are to be used for practice in the Dojo and if you want you can wear them tonight at your party. As long as you promise to have them cleaned.” Andy explained accepting a cup of tea from Ryo. “He, Leon and Chris will be here later with T-Chan of course.” Bikky and Rain both stared at the very loose, long pants and large top before running upstairs to change. “Yes,” Ryo said as he placed the second layer of chocolate chip laced cake on top of the other one. “He called to ask if they could bring Angel. He is fully healed now and going insane while waiting for his friends to awaken.” Ryo then began to spread his thick homemade icing on the cake. “I can imagine,” Daphnus, pouted having just come off his own forced bed rest. “One little puncture and they force you in bed for weeks…” Daphnus trailed off as Andy rounded on him with a furious glare. “Little Puncture!?” She demanded setting her tea down. She got to her feet to face her best friend. Nestoir backed away from his wife fearing an explosion was about to take place. Nestoir placed a hand on Rain’s shoulder to move him back in case she did lose her temper. “Honey, the last time I checked having a dagger shoved in your side is more than a little puncture; especially if that dagger happens to be covered with demon spit!” “With what!?” Nestoir grabbed Andy’s arm to silence her too late. He saw the amazed twins both dressed as pirates now. “Oh whatever, you both saw and heard nothing.” Andy waved a hand dismissing Erick and Terry. The boys blinked before they headed back downstairs their minds quite empty of what they had just seen. Andy giggled, “I borrowed that trick from Count D. He was telling me how he did it in a Lab when he took some eggs…” Andy became silent when she received a meaningful look from her husband. “So you did do it,” Leon said sitting down his gifts for Bikky as he turned a frown on D. Count D smirked at Leon blowing kisses at Aoi. Chris ran from the room to the basement where his friends were. Angel stood in the doorway waiting to be invited in. “I never could prove it.” Leon scowled as he looked at D. “And now you can detective, I’ve admitted it.” Count D said with a saucy toss of his head. Count D walked over to the couch to hand Aoi to Dee who reached for the little darling in her bright pink cheongsam. “The question is, what are you going to do about it?” Count D held out his hands as if offering them to Leon for handcuffs. “Besides, you were an accomplice,” Count D said forcing Leon to abandon his carnal thoughts of D in handcuffs; helplessly bound and at his mercy. “Youate the evidence.” Leon thought back over his long history with the Count. He remembered being surprised by the Count with a breakfast of fried eggs that the Count refused to eat. “Why you little,” Leon surged forward. He captured D’s hands pulling him into his body. As Leon plundered D’s willing mouth Ryo walked over to Angel. He took in the flower patterns on the thick tights, plaid mini skirt and light yellow baby t- shirt. Ryo blushed when Angel caught him staring. Angel tossed his cropped wig making the hair swing about his face. His laughter put Ryo at ease. “Well, I have been told that my fashion was a bit…” Angel paused when the doorbell rang. “Why don’t you come in? This house is about to be bombarded by a bunch of teenagers.” Ryo offered kindly. “Thank you,” Angel stepped to the sofa as Ryo opened the door. He saw a group of costumed kids outside the door. “Downstairs to your right,” Ryo informed them. Carol came upstairs then looking at Ryo. Count D stifled a laugh as he peeked at the fangs underneath the long black wig. He thought his grandmother would be flattered to be so imitated. “Ryo we need more chips, please.” Carol handed him the empty bowl. “All the guest have not even arrived yet and they just kept right on eating.” “Ah, boys,” Ryo went into the kitchen to refill the bowl. “So glad we got extras.” He said with a snicker at Dee’s chagrined look. “Thanks Ryo,” Carol stood on the tips of her toes to place a kiss on Ryo’s cheek before she bounded back to the basement. The doorbell rang again and Ryo directed another group of teenagers to his basement. Rain came upstairs then. He saw Count D and dipped into a formal bow. “Hello Ame-Chan, how are you this evening?” Count D greeted the frowning teenager. “That is twice now that I have been called that. What does it mean?” Rain asked as he peeked at Angel. “Ame is Rain in Japanese,” Ryo explained handing him the fresh bottles of soda without him having to say a word. “Oh…Ehoo’Koho,” Rain said his name in Cheyenne while patting his chest in introduction. Angel stared at the young man in awe. When Rain went back downstairs Angel turned to Ryo. “Yes he is quite fluent in his native tongue.” Angel blinked in surprise to have his unspoken question answered. Dee frowned; lately Ryo had been doing things like that more often. He wanted to speak to Laton. He needed to find out just what he could expect from Ryo now that he had emerging abilities that he had yet to learn to control. Several more times the doorbell rang and Ryo pointed kids to the basement. Twice he went down to check on them. “I can’t tell if they are dancing or having seizures,” Ryo quipped with a chuckle. “I think everyone is here if you guys want to get ready.” Ryo told Daphnus and Nestoir. Nestoir looked over to his wife who sat talking and laughing with Angel and Count D. Break “Man,” Bikky looked up as Joey, an acquaintance from school, sidled up to him. “This party is awesome, you even got Crazy frogon the big screen. Not to mention that big screen, your house rocks dude.” Joey reached into his pocket. “Want some added fun to the mix?” Bikky stared at the small bag of green leaves that had been chopped to a fine mixture. “What the hell is that?” Bikky demanded when Rain came to see what was keeping him Chris standing beside him. “Come on, you know what this is,” Joey prompted. “The adults are all upstairs sipping tea and talking shop, they don’t care what we do.” “Ryo and Dee do so care,” Rain interjected. “How dare you bring that crap into my house?” Bikky snarled the words out gaining an audience. “I have seen the damage that mess can do and I want no part of it… RYO!” Bikky called he smirked at Joey knowing that within moments Ryo would be… Bikky had no time to finish the thought as Ryo and Dee came down the stairs Leon on their heels. “He brought marijuana to my party.” Bikky stated the facts pointing a finger at Joey. “I did not invite you cause I knew you were a joke. I decided to be nice and let you stay when you showed up anyway. You know my parents are detectives, what are you, stupid or something?” “I’ll call his parents right away, oh,” Ryo said when Bikky began to turn back to his guests. “The band is ready.” Ryo leaned close to Bikky and whispered. “You made a good choice, I’m proud of you.” “Go on,” Bikky shoved Ryo away. “You dork,” Bikky blushed when Ryo ruffled his hair. “Hey Rain, can you shut down the audio? Bands starting soon.” Rain nodded as he went to do as Bikky had requested. “You’ll regret this zebra blood,” Joey threatened as Dee pulled him upstairs. When the lights went out the crowd went silent. “You all are about to see a show that is a rare treat to the common man.” Bikky’s voice came through the microphone. “Bring your hands together and welcome… X-Ta’ C…” Bikky trailed off as the crowd began to go wild with applause. They had heard about the group for weeks now. A crashing base beat rocketed through the basement as pulsating laser lights began to swing around. The crowd gasped as the band suddenly appeared on the stage. “OOH E… OOH Ah, Ah, Ting tang walla bing bang.. oh e ooh ahh ahh ting tang walla bing bang.” Bikky laughed at the techno revision of the old song. Lady Tisiphone took the stage her blond locks swinging as she began to dance and sing. “I told the witch doctor I was in love with you…” The crowd went wild laughing and dancing. “This is awesome,” Catherine cried out. She stood next to Chris dancing. “My older brother saw them on New Years Eve, he said they rocked, he was right.” Catherine had pouted for an entire week with Blanca after the disappointment of missing the show. As the song ended Andy sashayed through the crowd. She grabbed Rain’s hand and pulled him to the stage. “As you all can see,” Andy said into the microphone. “I am a bit round about the middle.” Andy giggled and patted her tummy. “Rain here has agreed to help me out seeing as how my husband gets a bit hot under the collar if I over do it. He is such a gentleman looking out for me as he is.” Rain hid a blush behind the curtain of his hair. Andy inhaled and entranced the audience. “Whistle down the wind… Let your voices carry. Drown out all the rain; light a patch of darkness treacherous and scary. Howl at the stars, whisper when you’re sleeping. I’ll be there to hold you, I’ll be to stop, the chills and all the weeping…” Andy stepped back. Rain stepped forward clutching a cordless microphone in nerveless fingers. He trembled from head to toe, but when his voice came through the audience was entranced. “Make it clear and strong, so the whole, night long.” Ryo felt tears gather in his eyes at the vibrant passion that could be heard in Rain’s young voice. “Every signal that you send, until the very end… I will not abandon you my precious friend.” Andy rejoined the song and she and Rain went round and round singing a duet of enduring friendship. The song ended and Andy stepped away from Rain. “I… Want to thank you all for allowing me the opportunity to express my gratitude to my new family. I just…” Rain paused; he took a deep breath and continued. “Well, you see. I am lay claim to the blood of the Cheyenne Nation, Detective MacLean, Ryo, has Japanese, Bikky is mixed, black and white and Dee is a self proclaimed mongrel. What I want to say is…” Rain paused turning red underneath his tanned skin. “I had a dream,” He sang out. “A crazy vision. It may sound strange this intuition.” “But it was true, beyond description,” Rain continued. “And somehow I knew that it was real, when I saw. “One sky above, there is just one source of love. If I’ve got, one chance, one choice. “I’ll sing it from the heart, one song, one voice.” Rain continued and Ryo had to swallow hard to keep from openly sobbing. “Well, look at that, the boy can hold his own next to the Arcadians.” Dee muttered in his ear. Ryo nodded unable to speak. “I’ve seen the fires of deep division, the hearts of stone, the cold ambition. But I have found my sacred mission. To live in this world and still believe. That there is… One sky above, there is just one source of love. If I’ve got, one chance, one choice. I’ll sing it from the heart, one song, one voice.” Rain looked out into the audience finding his new friends. He took strength from Bikky’s sure gaze. “A song that heals, A melody of reason and freedom. With words that will speak for the weak, the hopeful and the strong. Sing it for everyone… Cause there is just…” Rain inhaled before he blew the audience away. “One sky above, there is just one source of love. If I’ve got, one chance, one choice. I’ll sing it from the heart, one song, one voice.” Rain ended the song on a huff as Andy jumped him in a great embrace. “Awesome!” Bikky whispered and began to dance with his friends. The Arcadians began a fast dance beat that was sure to keep the kids going for a while. Andy, holding her tummy left the stage her husband following behind with a worried frown on his face Break Ryo was exhausted. He trudged to his bedroom after checking in on a sleeping Lyo for the last time tonight. Dee leaned casually against the doorframe of the bathroom. “Come here,” Dee said with a wink and saucy smile. “You took care of everyone else, let me take care of you.” Dee pulled Ryo into the bathroom and Ryo gasped to see the bathroom set up for a relaxing bath. “I thought those kids would never go home,” Ryo sighed when he saw the candle lit bubble bath. Two champagne glasses sat near an ice bucket. Ryo grinned allowing Dee to stand behind him. Ryo leaned back against Dee's strong frame and smiled as those nimble fingers undid the buttons on his shirt. Dee's fingers then found the the tiny nipples and pinched them to aching hardness. "Come on Baby," Dee whispered blowing a breath of warm air over Ryo's sensitive ear. Ryo felt his pants drop to the floor and stepped out of them. Dee lead him into the tub where he sank luxuriously into the foaming bubbles. Dee slide in behind him waiting for Ryo to snuggle between his spread legs. Once Ryo was comfortable leaning back against agaisnt his lover, Dee placed a cup of champagne into his hand. "Just relax and let old Dee take care of you." "Ummmm," Ryo sipped his drink before he leaned back and turned his head for Dee's kiss. They sat for some time enjoying the warmth of the water. Dee brought a sponge to Ryo's body and began to wash the days troubles away. "Dee," Ryo said after being thourougly cleaned. "Let's go to bed." Dee's mouth hung open in shock as he pulled Ryo from the tub. Dee wrapped him in a towel wondering what had prompted this. Should he be expecting anything? Ryo was probably just tired and wanted to go to bed. Dee looked into Ryo's dark eyes and saw the blatent invitation. Dee swallowed hard, Ryo wanted sex, Ryo had practically asked for sex...Ryo! Dee's hands were trembling when they made it to their bedroom. He pulled Ryo into his arms for a deep kiss just to make sure this was not just some wild dream. He would not wake up to find Ryo sleeping beside him. He would have to spend hours getting Ryo in the mood, he was ready. Dee looked at the calendar to make sure it was still October and not Christmas. Ryo stiffled a chuckle when he saw the overjoyed expression on Dee's face. It was akin to the one he had worn the second time they had made love. He remembered the almost violence of their second coming together and blushed at the memories. Dee had been rough then, it had hurt, but damn, it had felt good. Dee had owned him and he relished it, he wanted it again. That feeling of submission. Mabe Laton was right, maybe he needed to submit to Dee. Whatever it was he did not care, he wanted to feel Dee all day tomorrow. The backs of Ryo's knees hit the bed and he realized that while he had been dreaming Dee had taken his towel. Ryo blushed embarrassed still by Dee's lack of modesty. The lights were still on and he knew Dee had no intention of turning them off. "You're beautiful baby," Dee said as if confirming Ryo's thoughts. Ryo turned his face up silently begging for Dee's lips. Dee saw the pouting, suculent morsels, there was nothing for it. He pressed his lips to Ryo's tasting the remains of the champagne and Ryo's own tantalizing sweetness. Ryo arched at the sudden almost painful pinching of his left nipple. Ryo cried out, but hissed in bliss as Dee's tongue traced a hot path over his right one. Dee laughed at the shocked gasped that Ryo released. "Dee..." Ryo tried for some semblance of rational thought. He felt moisture escaping and Dee had touched him no where below the waist line yet. Ryo shivered when he felt the strong fingers of his lover pushing his legs up. "Dee..." Ryo moaned when he felt Dee's tongue on the outside of his ankle. "Raise your legs up and spread 'em," Ryo blushed at the demand but he did not hesitate to comply. Dee did this to him, made him lose all inhibitions. Dee looked up from his crouched position between Ryo's legs and enjoyed the view of the pale perfection before him. "You're blushing from head to toe," Dee whisprered almost reverent in his admiration. "Dee..." Ryo tucked his bottom lip between his even, white teeth. Ryo sucked in a ragged breath when, in one gulp, Dee sucked him in whole. "Ah..." Dee smiled around his mouth full of pulsing Ryo. Ryo gripped the sheets and threw his head back as his body became a mass of quivering pleasure. His moans and thrusts of his hips goaded Dee into further sucking. "That's right baby," Dee purred as he nuzzled the rounded globes of Ryo's manhood. "Tell me how much you like it." "Fingers..." Ryo gasped, raising his hips. "Dee...Fingers," Ryo closed his eyes as Dee took his fingers deeply into his mouth. Wetting them thouroughly Dee pressed his slick fingers against the tight ring of muscle. "Hai..." Ryo groaned feeling the fingers scissor inside of him. "Deeper, koibito." "Damn baby, you're hot for it," Dee growled as Ryo's fingers tunneled through his hair. Dee smiled as he thought of something he had been wanting for a while. Something that Ryo was always too embarrassed to do. Dee looked up into the passion fogged dark eyes and grinned, Ryo was up for anything tonight. "Come on baby," Dee purred pulling a pliant Ryo into his arms facing him. "I want to se eyou move," Dee encouraged when Ryo's eyes widened and face went up in flames. "No... Dee," Ryo squirmed as he felt Dee pressing against his opening. "Why not?" Dee asked softly pressing his lips to Ryo's neck searching for all the sensitive spots that he knew would drive Ryo wild. "I know you like it. It's how we found your spot. I know where it is, but the only way to hit it every time is with you on top." Dee coaxed pushing up into the tightness of Ryo. Ryo opened his mouth to protest further but gasped as Dee pushed past his ring of muscle sinking deep inside of him. "Ah...Oh...Dee..." Ryo panted squeezing Dee's sides with his bent knees. "Ride me baby," Dee groaned as Ryo shifted his hips. Dee palmed Ryo's waist with his large hands guiding him up then sliding him back down. Ryo felt him brush against his most sensitive area inside his body and every inhibition he had melted in a wave of pure sensation. Ryo panted moving his hips in wild circles trying to agitte that spot by any means necessary. Dee smiled before he fastened his lips to Ryo's enjoying the deep pulling of his warm body. "That's right..." Dee crooned nibbling Ryo's sensitive ears. Ryo cried out clutching Dee to him. This was good, this was so unbelievably good...But it wasn't enough. He raised hp and pushed down hard. It still wasn't enough. "Dee I need you to do it," Ryo begged slumping against Dee's glistening body. Dee grinned and heaved his body surprising Ryo with his wiry strength. His strength and ability to lift the smaller man had always amazed Ryo. Ryo landed ont he bed tossing his legs up. Dee pushed in instantly, one hard thrust that sent him all the way inside. "Yes...Harder! Ah..Kiimochi... Dee," Ryo panted as Dee pushed in as far as he could go. "Harder..." Dee shoved in as Ryo screamed. "Shite...Dee...Harder..." Ryo's cries pounded in Dee's ears goading into a frenzy of hard movements. "Dammit Dee...Harder..." Ryo growled thrusting up agaisnt Dee's invading member. Dee pulled out staring down at Ryo. "On your knees," he demanded with a firm grip on Ryo's hip turning him around on the bed. "You'll, feel this for a week," Dee promised as he positioned himself behind Ryo. "Do it Dee..." Ryo panted griping the sheets. "Take me hard," Ryo blushed at the need he could hear in his own voice; the complete submission of his position, but he needed Dee to claim him. Dee shoved in hard relishing the sound of Ryo's loud cry of pleasure. Dee smiled as he was glad that the boys rooms were far down the hall, the last thing Rain needed to hear was Ryo screaming as he splattered their sheets with his warm release. Dee felt Ryo's clencing muscles that sent him over the edge along with him. Ryo felt Dee's warmth fill him and he sank into the sheets satisfied. Break It wasn’t fair, Randolph thought as he crept around the large house. They all just thought they were better than he was. Better house, better skills, better families. Who the hell did they think they were? Kissing up to that damned Commissioner from New York. They had to have a weakness, something that he could exploit, some way to drag them down a peg or two. Randolph saw the large, old tree in the yard and climbed it. He felt a few scraps but felt the pain was worth it in his attempts to find something, anything that he could use against them. Randolph situated himself in the tree. He pulled his binoculars to his nose. After Randolph focused them his eyes widened. He saw Dee leading Ryo from the bathroom; both men wearing only towels. Randolph frowned when he had to admit that Ryo was beautiful all over. Randolph knew he should leave, or at least look away, but his eyes were riveted to the sight of the two that were steadily making their way to the bed losing their towels in the process. He watched feeling his manhood stiffen. There was something wrong with this scenario. But no way could he leave. Randolph frowned when his pants became painful. He really had no choice but to undo them. To stroke to relieve the pressure. He brought the binoculars up staring hard into the room. He saw Ryo moving on top of Dee, the sinuous lines of his body glistening with sweat. He glowed even. Randolph squeezed as he stroked himself. Damn them, Randolph thought his hands moving faster. He watched as Dee moved Ryo going faster. Damn them, he thought as he felt his balls tighten. Damn them both, Randolph spewed his seed across the bark of the tree. Shivering with the force of his release he felt shame curdle the very marrow of his bones... Damn them... Bittersweet Rivalry end, more soon to come… Oh and Happy (Belated) Halloween… I would like to let you all know that I am not a songwriter. I do not lay claim to any of the songs used in this chapter. I do not own, nor did I create Crazy Frog, I saw him on the internet and thought his music rocked, no matter how annoying he is. The Arcadians then perform Witch Dr. It is a DDR Track. Then Rain and Andy sing Whistle Down The Wind, all credits to this song go to Andrew Lloyd Webber and then there was the solo that Rain sang, it is called One Song and itis performed by Brandy. The person that Rain is based on has a voice to Rival the pop star and that is why I chose that song to give the audience and idea of his capabilities. Rain is a stand alone character, I just gave him attributes from this person that I thought would suite him. THe things from the series that happened to Rain came out of my own demented mind. I hope you all will continue to support me by leaving comments and I will continue to write... Ja Ne Chi Spun Sugar 27 Give Thanks Sunlight greeted a bright smile on Bikky’s face. His birthday could not have been better. When Ryo had brought the cake out all eyes in the basement had rounded. Only Ryo would have spent the hours necessary to make a triple layer, chocolate chip cake with home made icing. Fourteen candles had blazed brightly in the dim lighting of the basement. Bikky had felt a terrifying moment of a knot form in his throat. He had swallowed hard, blinking to release the pressure of moisture in his eyes. Sometimes the depths of Ryo’s affection for him bowled him over. Bikky sat up stretching wanting to do something for Ryo…and Dee. Bikky smiled as he rubbed the grit from his eyes. He yawned widely and headed to the bathroom. After freshening up Bikky went to the kitchen to see about cooking breakfast for once. Rain was sitting at the table cradling a cup of orange juice. “Hey,” Bikky mumbled getting his own glass. He frowned, as his glass was the last in the bottle. “We need more juice.” “Look in the back,” Rain said getting to his feet to place his now empty glass in the sink. “What are you doing?” Rain asked after watching Bikky take the bowl of eggs out. “French toast,” Bikky answered pulling a loaf of bread from the basket. “I want to make breakfast for Ryo and Dee. Want to help?” Rain nodded getting to his feet. He cast a worried look in the direction of the stairs. It was unusual for Ryo to not already be up making breakfast himself. Before Rain could ask if he were ill Bikky smirked. “Ryo will probably have to be awakened, after he and Dee have a wild night, believe me, it sounded like…” Bikky gave up and shuddered wishing his bladder had held through till morning. Although Ryo and Dee had their own bathroom attached to their bedroom, Bikky and Rain’s bathroom was right next to the master bedroom. Bikky could hear Ryo screaming again and shook his head to clear it. He had never relieved himself so fast in his life. “Will…Will he, I mean Ryo, will he be ok?” Rain asked with a blush on his face. Rain could not meet Bikky’s eyes. “Ryo’s fine,” both boys startled when Dee spoke. He stretched and peeked over Bikky’s shoulder. “Make sure you get all the shells out. French toast is not supposed to be crunchy.” Bikky made a rude gesture as he went back to shelling eggs. “Hey kid, Rain,” Dee said with a sad sigh. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Ryo has been fighting this for a while now, but…” Dee looked away from Rain and went to investigate the refrigerator. “Who drank the last of the orange juice and didn’t put it on the shopping list? It was you, Bikky, wasn’t it?” “Look in the back dipstick,” Bikky said without looking up. He wondered what Dee wanted to talk to Rain about, but would not ask. Perhaps, he thought, he did not want to know. Dee pulled out a new bottle and poured a glass. “Johnston has been in prison for a while now and…” Rain flinched at the name, but Dee continued speaking. “He has a lawyer and everything, but they want you to testify in court. Ryo wants them to use the physical evidence and photos, but the district attorney actually wants to put you on the stand.” Rain said nothing he took a few gasping breathes before he shook his head. “I don’t want to. He’ll be in the courtroom. I never want to see him again, Ryo promised I would never have to see him again.” Rain began to panic. Dee swore wondering if it were a good idea to bring the subject up. Ryo would have handled it better. But it was a subject that broke Ryo’s heart. Thinking of sparing his lover pain, he had upset the boy, which was going to hurt Ryo anyway. “Look, like I said,” Dee explained. “Ryo has been fighting this, and I have never known Ryo to lose a fight. Unless he’s going up against me.” Dee smirked when Rain sat down heavily on the chair; his mixing of syrup forgotten. Ryo always kept reserves of his homemade syrup in the cupboard. All they had to do was heat and stir. “I thought you said he often beat you in hand to hand.” Rain said recovering from his fear. “I didn’t say he lost to me in hand to hand.” Dee smirked, “and before you say it, yes he is a better shot than me.” Dee said no more but received a disgusted look from Bikky. “Breakfast is almost ready,” Bikky said flipping the last few pieces of dipped bread into the pan. “Dee could you get Lyo up and bring him down. Rain, you go get Ryo.” Rain nodded and headed up the stairs. Rain placed a hand against the partially open door pushing it open. He found Ryo buried under the comforter with his head cradled in his arms. “Ryo…” Rain called gently tapping Ryo’s arm. Ryo opened his eyes. He stretched with a wide smile on his face. “Hmmmm, that feels nice.” Ryo mumbled snuggling under the blankets. Rain rubbed at the gooseflesh on his arms when he saw Ryo’s face. Ryo’s lips were swollen and he had bruises on his neck and chest. Ryo blinked several times before he opened his eyes and fixed Rain with a piercing stare “Good morning, I suppose I should get breakfast huh?” Ryo sat up. He blushed when he realized he was not wearing pants. “Would you mind?” Rain was hasty in his attempt to find and hand Ryo the article of clothing. The pants sat in the chair as if they had never even been worn the night before. Rain blushed turning his back giving Ryo privacy. “Bikky and I…we have breakfast and Dee is waking Lyo. All you have to do is come down.” Rain said turning with a smile on his face. “Thank you,” Ryo said with a smile as he left the bed in search of a shirt. “What brought this on?” Ryo wondered as he left his bedroom with Rain. He saw Dee carrying Lyo in his shoulders. Ryo smiled at the contented feeling that settled in his heart. “Guess who was dry this morning!” Dee said with excitement. “He was!” Ryo exclaimed proudly as they all headed downstairs. “I am so proud of you.” Ryo gushed; he pulled Lyo into an embrace. “Go potty like Biggy, Da-Ryo,” Lyo said with happy clapping of his little hands. Rain laughed for the moment forgetting the pain that had bothered him. Bill Johnston could not hurt him any more. Ryo and Dee would not let him. Break Dee stared at Ryo as he images on the screen flashed. Ryo frowned before he sipped his coffee. The one thing that Dee had always found amazing was Ryo’s ability to focus on work while looking so unbelievably delicious. Ryo sat in his pristine white pants and pressed navy blue shirt. A white jacket hung over the back of his chair. With his grace, the double holsters looked out of place. His fingers flew over the keys as the mouse scrolled over the gruesome images. Ryo flipped a slime, well-manicured hand up and moved his hair out of his face. Dee longed to stroke the honey colored tresses but knew that if he bothered Ryo now, there would be hell to pay. “I’ve got it,” Ryo’s voice startled Dee from his lusty thoughts. “Got it?” Dee wondered having to look at the screen, away from Ryo’s tantalizing beauty. The images of the severed body parts were a bucket of snow on his raging temperature. “The connection,” Ryo affirmed with a smirk as he heated his tepid coffee. It was one of the things he actively worked at. Of his new abilities, that was one of his favorites. He never had to worry about cold coffee or tea again. “Yes, all the victims took their children to this immediate care facility,” Ryo pointed to the address on the screen. “So you think that is where the perp was getting the candidates for his special care?” Dee asked setting his desires on the back burner for the duration of their hours at the office. “Has to be, that is the only solid connection. I thought it was this park,” Ryo said pointing to another location on the map. “But I was wrong, the park is near the office, they pass it on their way there, I am sure that with children, the parents were coaxed into making a stop at the park.” Ryo paused remembering when Bikky used to do the same thing to him. “Let’s head on down to the office then and see if we can get the records of our victims.” Dee said stealing a quick kiss from Ryo. “Yeah,” Ryo stood to his feet. He pulled his jacket on with a graceful swing of his arms. Dee stood for a moment admiring the lithe body he had so thoroughly loved the previous night. Ryo caught the look with a grin. He stretched feeling the discomfort in his rear with a smile. JJ was just passing them. Seeing the move he smirked with a knowing grin. “What are you smiling at?” Ryo asked blushing bright under the close proximity of the other detective. “I’ll bet it’s been so long since the last time you took a…” Dee began but paused at JJ’s grin. “Not so long,” JJ answered remembering Lord D’s labored breathing. JJ was amazed at Lord D’s stamina. The man…No, the Kami could keep going and going, he was like an energizer bunny. It was only when JJ entered him that he was able to finish in a shorter amount of time. JJ stretched feeling the soreness abate albeit in small degrees. “What? So you mean? I thought you topped,” Dee said with a frown. “Sometimes,” JJ said before he asked where they were off too and opted to go with them. JJ was halfway down the hall leaving Ryo and Dee to stare at each other in wide-eyed shock before they shook their heads and followed him from the police department. Break Lord D surreptitiously watched Nana as she threaded her needle through the thick velvet fabric. He listened for any signs of labored breathing before he went back to his painting. Listening to the quiet sounds of his children sleeping Lord D smiled. Painting their beautiful little faces were a definite mood lifter for him. Nana looked over at his handiwork. “Such delicate brush strokes,” Nana said with a gentle smile. She looked at the pastel blush to the tiny cheeks resting on the fine porcelain disk. JJ had acquired the material at the Arcadian consulate. “I have always enjoyed painting.” Lord D said forcing another draft of wind to carry the fumes out of the room and away from Nana. He looked again at the scene developing under his hands. His children sat happily on their blanket surrounded by his garden. “When D was a tot, Count D,” Lord D clarified. “I spied on him in father’s garden. He was so beautiful then, both of his eyes were still…” Lord D paused feeling his throat tighten. “Ah… We cannot change the past now, can we?” “Oh child,” Nana said purposefully forgetting the centuries age difference between them. “We are who we are, shaped that way because of our experiences. I know now that I should not have abused cigarettes as much as I did, but I know better now. To have the wisdom I have now, with the body I had then. I would have been quite the potent combination…” Nana’s laughter broke off into a fit of coughing. Lord D sat his work aside taking the frail woman into his arms. “Hold on NaaNaa please,” Lord D begged pressing his lips to her forehead. Lord D blinked before he synchronized his breathing with hers. “Hold on,” Lord D begged rocking back and forth. “Please, just hold on.” “Sometimes,” Nana wheezed with a gentle smile as she closed her eyes. “Sometimes it is a wisdom to learn how to let go. I am so tired.” Nana sighed leaning against Lord D. “You smell so good little one, like a crisp wind and freshly fallen snow. I can almost see it glistening.” Lord D sobbed openly; Nana had never been able to scent him before. Only those who were connected to his heart, or those close to death could truly scent a Kami. It was how Angel had been able to smell their birth seasons. Lord D squared his shoulders determination making him stubborn. “Breathe NaaNaa,” Lord D begged as he slipped further into his trance taking deep breathes, filling her lungs with oxygen then mentally circulating it through her body. He grew tired, but he would not let her die. Break JJ sat behind his desk with a pencil stuck between his teeth. He had never been a smoker, but keeping the pencil there helped him concentrate. “The only connection I see is that they all went to this clinic. They saw different doctors, went on different days, and complained of different illnesses. There were only two victims that saw a pediatrician for the child accompanying them.” Ryo said with a frustrated sound as he drained his coffee mug. “The person is fastidious about the clues that are left at each crime scene. The only thing on the body is useless to us in solving this.” “The chief sure gave us a beast,” Dee complained, he opened his mouth to say more but Jill poked her head into the office. “What’s up? You find anything new, or a head?” “Oh… Actually, I am here to ask Ryo if I can borrow his roaster.” Jill said with a sheepish grin. “I am cooking all the meat dishes for thanksgiving dinner at my place, so…” Jill shrugged at Leon’s thankful look. “We are not taking any chances of accidentally contaminating anyone. I can’t believe we were so lax in the past.” Ryo said with a sad sigh. He could still see Count D sitting so still and pale as he had suffered through his meat intake. “It is not our fault, how could we have known,” Leon said softly hoping to cheer the other detective. “Speaking of dinner,” JJ said gaining Ryo’s attention. “Would you mind if Jeremy and Berkeley joined us?” Dee raised his brows at the question. “Well, Darling has told my that Nana does not have much longer, so… I mean,” JJ blinked away tears at the thought that this Christmas, Nana might not be with them. “Oh, JJ, I am so sorry,” Ryo said softly, his large dark eyes melting into pools of compassion. “Of course, we wouldn’t mind.” “Thank you, on your word, they’ll be in town by Monday,” JJ said dialing his cousin’s cell phone. Ryo went back to his files giving JJ privacy for his call. Break Chris dozed as he listened to the sound of the keypads being pushed. Rain and Bikky both sat at desks with their laptops finishing up their papers. Rain heaved a wide yawn before he reached into the bowl of crackers for a handy snack. “Oh yeah,” Bikky said with a sly grin aimed at Rain. “I meant to tell you that a girl was asking about you.” “About me?” Rain looked up at Bikky his eyes widening in shock. “Yeah, she say’s she is from West Lake, named…” “Angelica,” Rain blushed before going back to his computer. “She hung around me a lot, always asked me to sing for her. Nothing more,” Rain sputtered at Bikky’s cocky grin. “She sounded cute,” Bikky said wiggling his brows. Chris broke into laughter as he looked at Bikky. “Man, how do you sound cute? You’re almost as bad as Leon was when it came to women. Does Carol know you are such a hornball?” “Yep,” Bikky said with a wide grin. Rain shook his head before going back to work. “Boys,” Count D interrupted. “Have you done your homework?” “Yes we’re almost done,” Rain answered still blushing. “You know, Miss Angelica was once a customer of mine,” Count D sat in a chair pulling Aoi into his lap. “She purchased a pair of Gokurakacho, often called Strelitzia, and even further still Birds of paradise. She fell in love with his singing… Count D trailed off. “Perhaps she saw, or heard, a bit of him in you.” Count D allowed his hand to trail through Rain’s hair. “ You boys should wash up, dinner will served soon.” Count D stood to his feet cradling his daughter. “Bro is not coming?” Chris said with a pout. Realizing he was with his friends he straitened to what he considered a manly scowl. “I am sorry Christopher, but this is a rather difficult case. We are lucky they are being allowed a break for the holiday.” Count D said with a small smile. “I’m in charge of desserts.” Count D smiled before he walked down the long hallway humming softly. “We’ll all be needing dentures by Christmas,” Bikky mumbled causing Chris to laugh before going back to his book. Break Angel paced outside the bedroom door with his hands in constant motion. He was either clasping them tightly together, or fidgeting with his wig, his clothes, once he had fidgeted with Sofu D’s robe attempting to align a fold. Sofu had dealt him a quelling look; Angel kept his fidgeting to his own person. The door opened, Angel looked up tears glistening in his eyes. “C…Collins!” Angel rushed into Collins arms unmindful of the cool assessing stares of the ancient Kami’s in the room. “We were successful,” Soofu A declared as Mimi and Roger entered the lushly upholstered salon in the pet shop. Lady Aurora hung back still uncomfortable in the presence of such openly hostile beings. Normally she would stand her ground… and win, but not against something so powerful. Soofu A gave her a sliding glance before he said, “Never fear. My brother’s affections have assured your safety.” Lady Aurora looked away from his censure ashamed that she had been afraid. Sofu D looked at Mimi in shock. The transformation was startling. No more did she resemble a half-starved wraith on the brink of death in the next strong wind. In fact, she looked downright beautiful. Her eyes were not glazed with cocaine; they shone brightly as she bestowed a smile on Roger. Mimi laughed at the collection of stunned expressions in the room. It was an infectious sound that soon had the parlor in an uproar of joy. Break “Now students,” Bikky rolled his eyes as their teacher began a speech in a voice that he called her ‘Homework’ tone. “I am very glad that you all had such fun following your chosen careers around. Since today is the last day before your thanksgiving break I am assigning you an in school assignment. It will be due at the end of the day.” Rain looked up at the teacher. She stared a moment at his bright eyes before she continued. “You may use the library or any in school source, including the Internet. Your assignment is to find out all about the first Thanksgiving, the basis for the traditions that we currently observe.” Terry bounced around in his seat with his hand waving high in the air. “Yes Terrence?” “Is Rain considered an in school resource?” Terry asked with a snicker. “Na-tse,hest’a-he oeskeso,” Rain muttered giving Terry a dark look. At the questioning look from the teacher he smiled tightly. “I am of the Cheyenne Nation, not Wampanoag.” Rain went back to his notebook after an approving smile from Bikky. “What difference does it make?” Terry asked before he sat back alarmed at the look of rage that crossed Rain’s features. Rain thought of Count D and gave Terry a small smirk. “There are many nations divided amongst the Natives. Some of them fought great and terribly battles full of bloodshed and loss…” Rain closed his notebook with a snap causing Terry to startle at the brisk movement so at odds with Rain’s timid nature. “With each other.” Rain bestowed a genuine smile on the teacher breaking the frightening spell that had fallen among the students. “I would suggest you do a little research before you lump all natives in one pretty package.” “I didn’t lump anything in a pretty package, you did that on your own,” Terry tried to win back some of his bruised pride. The teacher planned to step in, but it was so refreshing to see Rain stand up for himself and not hide behind Bikky’s fists. Perhaps it would be best, before they drew blood. “Careful,” Rain said with a careless shrug. “Or people will begin to mistake your homophobia for flattery.” Erick began to laugh as his brother turned red. “Boys!” The teacher admonished. “I suggest, if you have so much energy, that you get to work on your assignment. I will except nothing but your best.” She dismissed them from the classroom giving Rain a small smile as he left with Bikky and Erick. Terry hung back with a scowl on his face. Where did that little mud bastard get off talking to him that way? He was just a half-breed snot from West Lake. “Trust-fund-faggot,” Terry muttered as he sat away from the group in the library. “That’s not nice,” Terry looked up into a pair of big blue eyes. Lush locks of golden hair fell around her face. Carol frowned at Terry. With out a backward glance she sauntered over to Bikky. “Hi sweetie,” Carol pecked a kiss onto Bikky’s cheek. “Hey Carol,” Bikky sat his book on the table to caress her hand. Rain blushed before studiously attending to his research. Erick grinned, looking at Rain, before he did the same. “Man,” Erick whispered to Bikky. “He is acting more and more like you. It’s almost scary.” “Nah,” Bikky said marking some notes on his notebook. “I would have punched him way before the teacher stepped in. That was all pure Ryo.” Bikky snickered looking at Rain with a grin. He would not mention that their training sessions with Count D had also helped to boost his confidence. “Push the right button and he’ll rip your head off without getting of the spatter on his expensive tie.” Bikky said no more. He gave Terry a sardonic grin before he got back to work. “Rain,” Bikky said gaining Rain’s attention. “Do you know anything about the Wam…Wam…” “Wampanoag,” Rain said laughing as Bikky tried to pronounce the name and failed miserably. Break (Thanksgiving) "MaClean and Laytner residence," Ryo said into the reciever. "Oh, hello grandfather, Happy Thanksgiving to you too," Dee perked up listeneing to the end of the conversation that he could hear. Ryo laughed then and Dee frowned, Laton was being nice? "Thank you grandfather...Yes before Christmas, I promise. What?!" Dee grew alarmed at the change in ryo's voice after a brief pause as he had listened to his grandfather speak. "But who would want to?" RYo looked confused he spoke a few more words to his grandfather, but the doorbell rang dragging Dee away so that he missed the rest of the conversation. Dee made his way to the door wondering what had startled Ryo. Roger stared at the three story, white columned house. “This is a nice house and all, but,” Roger paused as he looked at the groups of cars parked around the house. “How do they expect such a large crowd to be able to go inside and have dinner?” “Yeah,” Collins remarked, as the door opened and warm smells of dinner wafted out to greet them all. “And what is with all the meat dished being prepared elsewhere?” Angel laughed so surprised to see his friends alive and well. “A very smart man will not ask questions designed to confuse him even more when he has received the answers.” “You’ve been hanging out with that Count D too often you’re starting to sound like him.” Collins complained with a smile. They had been joyfully reunited the previous night. “Hmmm” Collins turned around with an embarrassed grin as Count D and Leon looked out from inside the house. “Do you think so?” Count D bestowed a rare smile on Angel. “I’m flattered.” “Welcome,” Ryo said coming out of the kitchen with a short apron tied about his waist. “Make yourselves at home, everyone else already has.” Ryo laughed as he fluffed a pillow under Nana. He was glad to see the gentle old woman, but he grew fearful at how frail the once vibrant woman had become. Jeremy and Berkeley sat among the throng talking in low tones to Nana making sure that she did not stress herself. Collins reached for Dee’s hand. “Thank you for inviting us, this is a nice house.” He said sitting down the bottles of champagne they had brought. “Don’t mention it, Ryo kind of likes your Angel, I think it’s the clothes,” Dee added a conspiratorial grin. “Reminds him of when he thought he was straight.” “Yamero Baka!” Ryo scowled over at Dee. With an indignant glare he went back into the kitchen to check on dinner. Bikky simply shook his head and went back to setting the table with Chris and Rain. It was their table, their dishes, and their chairs, but the table that could seat four, or eight with the insert, was suddenly large enough to seat them all. Count D had said he had made it ‘enough’. Whatever that meant. “Kind of like the shop,” Chris had said with a grin trying to steal some of the sugar that rimmed the chilled bowl of pudding that Count D had made. Feeling a chill travel his spine Chris looked behind himself to see Count D giving him a silent glare. Chris’s hand fell away from the almost pilfered treat. “It always has just what you need, when you need it the most.” “Great,” Bikky huffed with a smile. “Just what I need, my house turned into the pet shop.” Kagetsuya and Chihaya showed up bearing a plethora of baked breads. “Thanks Ryo, for inviting us.” Chihaya said straitening his deep red shirt and matching hair ribbon. “The Arcadians will be here shortly. Andy called me before we left our house.” “Must be great living on a beach,” Leon said with a smile. “If you want to live on the beach I think I could accommodate.” Count D said softly as he handed Aoi her sippie cup. Lyo toddled along holding tight to the end of his silken robe. “Da-Ryo…Hot…” Lyo said remembering the heat that had emanated from the oven. Jill arrived then. Leon and Dee both went out to help her haul in the turkey, roast beef, ham and other meat dishes. Roger and Collins joined them wanting to feel helpful. Count D pried Lyo’s fingers loose then smoothed the wrinkles from the deep violet material. Delicate flower patterns were woven into the heavy silk with pearls and jewels sewn along the borders. Ryo emerged from the kitchen with a bright smile on his face. “As soon as all the guest arrive we can sit down at the table.” Ryo sent an encouraging smile to Rain. The boy did not look as if he were doing very well in such a large gathering of people. He had been doing so well, but was it too soon? Ryo wondered as he watched Rain sitting in the chair in the kitchen. After the boys had set the table he had sidled up to Ryo’s side staying close. As the Arcadians arrived Ryo shook his sad thoughts aside. Andy could be heard giggling. Rain perked up hearing the voices his smile brightened Ryo’s mood. Perhaps there was nothing to be overly concerned about; Rain was a strong boy, and getting stronger everyday. Rain was amazed to be able to look down their small family table and see so many faces. Lyo sat in his booster seat next to Bikky and Chris. The table was grouped so that Chris, Rain and Bikky were together. Andy stood to her feet with her elegant hands resting on her mounding tummy. Mimi took a moment to stare wide eyed at the wedding set the Princess wore. The sparkling diamond was set into white gold with smaller jewels around it. “This is an odd tradition at my house, and since I can’t be with my family this year, I was hoping you all would not mind.” Andy looked around the table to make sure that there was no malcontent. “I would just like for each of us to introduce something in our lives that we are thankful for. It has been a long year, a wonderful year. I will start if you all don’t mind.” The large gathering was all smiles of consent. “I am thankful that God has seen fit to bless me with my family, my mother, my father, my sisters and my brothers, my wonderful husband and my son. I am also thankful for our unborn child. I must not forget all of you, my friends, old and new.” Andy giggled before she sat down, taking her husbands hand and placing it on her tummy to feel the movement. Nestoir stood to his feet and stared at his wife. “I am thankful for every beat of my heart, and every breath of air that fills these once inactive lungs of mine. I am thankful for my wife, my family and my friends. I am also thankful that we have doppelgangers that can keep the media happy while we enjoy a relaxing holiday with all of you.” Rain began to get nervous as everyone stood to their feet explaining all the wonderful things in their life that they were thankful for. When it was Ryo’s turn, Ryo smiled and Rain felt as if it would be all right. “Our lives have changed so much this year, I mean, well, change is good.” Ryo blushed under the stares of the group of people. “I am thankful for my boys, all of them,” Ryo chuckled giving Bikky a smile. “I give thanks for the wonderful people that surround me on a daily basis. Whether I am surrounded by computers and criminals or weird animals that may one day eat me.” Lady Aurora laughed when Sofu D patted her hand. Her laughter showed off her brilliant fangs. Roger suppressed a shiver. “I am also thankful for my newfound family, though he scares me.” Ryo ended and took his seat. Dee cleared his throat, stood to his feet and cleared his throat again. “I was never meant to be a family man.” Were the first words out of his mouth. “I was abandoned as a baby, left on the street. I grew up in an orphanage on the rotten side of New York City. I was going nowhere fast, with a badge. I was getting there faster. Then I met Ryo and I felt real love for the first time, I had a family, it was screwed up at times, but it was a family, more than I ever had. Then we moved here and I met awesome friends, we got more kids and a dog. I have a family.” Dee said smiling at Ryo a rakish swirl of raven’s black hair falling into his deep-set green eyes. “Dee sat and took Ryo’s hand in his own placing a kiss across the palm. “Thank you.” Ryo nodded blinking rapidly trying to clear the moisture from his eyes. Angel then stood smoothing the knee high plaid skirt in nervous fingers. “I always wanted to be a fashion designer, but then I got ill. I found out that I had HIV. I still made plans you know; maybe I could start the business and leave a legacy. But then it became AIDS. Drugs, alcohol, men, whatever I could get, I took it. I was found by a nun and nursed back to health. I decided then, I may not live long, but I was going to live well. I was going to love. But now I have the opportunity to live again. And I am so thankful for that I just…” Angel grew choked and Collins stood beside him holding his hand. Mimi and Roger stood with him. “THANK YOU ALL!” They said in unison tears shining on every face. Lord D smiled as they sat and it was his turn. “I,” Lord D began but paused as he thought about his words, then spoke them. “Have never known love as I have learned it now. I was married before, to a female of my race. We shared love of a kind, had a child, but it did not last. My wife passed away. Then I was with a man and he…” Lord D took a deep breath. “Abused the privileges of my affections.” “I’ll say,” Andy huffed as she folded her thin arms around her ample figure. “But I have been shown the forgiving love of my son, the enduring love of my father and the passionate love of Jemi-Chan. I also have come to know and love NaaNaa and I am thankful for the opportunity.” Nana smiled over at Lord D thinking that he sparkled more than the jewels he wore. JJ stood to his feet. “I am thankful for all that I hold dear, my Darling, My Nana, Jeremy, there is so much I could be here all night.” JJ laughed as he looked around the table. “I am thankful for my sons. I never thought I would have children but I do and it is all thanks to the love of this wonderful…” JJ paused he could not say more. Sitting he nodded on to Jeremy to pass it on. Rain’s palms began to sweat, they were coming closer. He would have to stand in front of all these people and speak. Bikky was standing and Rain began to take deep calming breaths that Andy had taught him. “I was not in much of a better situation when Ryo found me, but he took me in. I live in a great house, I have two dads,” Bikky smirked, “When before I had none.” Ryo and Dee laughed as Cujo barked from the kennel in the sitting room. “I have my dog and my best friend,” Bikky grinned at Chris. “I also have my brothers. We make one hell of a team.” Bikky snickered ignoring the stern look from Ryo at his choice of words. He dropped into his seat and Chris stood. “I have a voice. I mean I always had it, but it was lost for a while.” Chris said with a sage nod. “Count D taught my brother how to hear my voice before I even remembered how to speak. I have a beautiful niece and an entire pet shop of wonderful friends. I also have friends out side of the shop. Human friends, then my brother is awesome and the D’s and the Royals, life is awesome… and I am thankful.” Rain was trembling from head to foot. He had to do this, but… “I… Was pulled out from under…Hell,” Rain took deep breaths. “Rescued by an angel., I lost everything and was given so much. I am more thankful than you can ever know.” Rain wanted to be angry at the swearing, but he knew that Bikky would be a positive influence on Rain, even if it grated on his delicate sensibilities. Rain dropped into his seat unable to say more. Andy stood again as the last person sat. Little Nicklaus sat on his fathers lap watching as Lyo sucked on his thumb. “We all our pain, but we are all better people because of what we have left behind, what we have lived through. Andy inhaled giving Rain a look. He was still trembling, but he, along with the accompanying Arcadians, stood to his feet. Andy placed her hand on her tummy and began to sing. "The lights go out all around me One last candle to keep out the night (w/Rain) And then the darkness surrounds me I know I'm alive But I feel like I've died And all that's left is to accept that it's over (w/Rain) My dreams ran like sand through the fists that I made I try to keep warm but I just grow colder I feel like I'm slipping away (Chorus (W/Rain And Arcadians) After all this has passed I still will remain After I've cried my last There'll be beauty from pain Though it won't be today Someday I'll hope again And there'll be beauty from pain You will bring beauty from my pain My whole world is the pain inside me The best I can do is just get through the day (w/Rain) When life before is only a memory (w/Rain) I wonder why God let me walk through this place(Rain Solo) And though I can't understand why this happened (w/Rain And Arcadians) I know that I will when I look back someday (Rain Solo) And see how You've brought beauty from ashes And made me as gold purified through these flames ((w/Rain) (Chorus (W/Rain And Arcadians) After all this has passed I still will remain After I've cried my last There'll be beauty from pain Though it won't be today Someday I'll hope again And there'll be beauty from pain You will bring beauty from my pain Here and I am at the end of me (at the end of me) Rain Shadow Trying to hold to what I can't see I forgot how to hope (Rain Solo) This night's been so long I cling to your promise (Andy) there will be a dawn (Rain) (Chorus (W/Rain And Arcadians) After all this has passed I still will remain After I've cried my last There'll be beauty from pain Though it won't be today Someday I'll hope again And there'll be beauty from pain You will bring beauty from my pain “Beauty From Pain” There were tears falling from almost every eye around the table. Sofu D simply held tight to his wife’s hand glad to see his family doing so well. As the candles guttered around the table, they began to carve turkeys and serve food. A feeling of deep content settled over them all. Yes it had been a long year, but it had been a great year. Author’s Notes:1.I did something different with the song in here, I mean the way it is protrayed. It is copyrighted to SuperChick. I am making no profit at all from this work of fiction. Authors Notes: 2. And here it is. A holiday chapter that is on time. We all get broken sometimes and I am glad to know that there are some friends that are super glue and can help build us back up. Give Thanks, for all that you have, even if you think it is nothing, or not much or broken it is worth a simple Thank you. Those two little words can lead to so much. If you are thankful for a little, you will be blessed with a lot. I am thankful for all of you that are constantly reading this. God Bless you all and Happy Thanksgiving Ja Ne Chi WildFyre: Part 1 Count D offered the steaming tea to the Kami that sat in his shop. The rest of his extended family had departed leaving behind Sofu L. She sat next to him on the sofa smiling brightly. “You are so beautiful child, youth pours from you. How old are you?” “One thousand, thirty seven, Soofu-L.” Count D said respectfully. “So young,” She gasped staring at him. She took his hand, turned it over in her own gazing at the pale skin. “And you have birthed a child, a female child.” Sofu L sat the cup aside as she peered at Aoi. Count D sent a pleading look to Leon. “Ah, sorry Baby, I have to go to work.” Leon said placing a kiss on D’s soft lips. “See you later.” “Yes of course.” D said waving Leon off with a pleasant smile. “Will you be home for dinner?” “Wish I knew,” Leon mumbled as he left. Count D sighed before he looked at his aunt. Sofu L batted her large teal eyes as she gave Count D a sympathetic sigh. “He does not have to work. You could easily support him.” “I could never ask Leon to give up being a detective. It is a large part of who he is… I love him, all of him.” Count D grinned when Aoi toddled to him. “Papa, -Daddy, come later, no sad.-” Aoi patted Cont D’s hand where it rested on his lap. “Hai Chibi, Daddy come back later. Do not be sad.” Count D smiled at his daughter. Sofu L sat back to observe the young Kami sure that somehow, she would learn the secret of this prolific family. Break “You’re serious?” Ryo asked staring in horror at Andy. “But, X’Ta C is made up of Royalty.” “And nobility, don’t forger Lady Alera and Lord Jhaymes sometimes works with us.” Andy nodded as she rubbed her shifting tummy. Ryo still sat with his large eyes glued to her as he tried to assimilate what she was asking him. “But…” “No buts, if the lineage is all you are worried about, you are Royal.” Andy reminded him. “Your mother was a princess. About that,” Andy hedged giving Ryo an understanding sigh. She saw him tense when she mentioned his parentage. “Laton wants you to begin training as soon as possible.” “Training,” Ryo wondered what the princess was talking about. “Well, you do not control your flames, and you do not know the full potential of your abilities and… Your mother’s crown needs a home.” Andy looked away from Ryo as she said the last. “C…Crown,” Ryo stammered his hands began to shake. He sat the teacup down before he damaged the delicate china. “They want to crown me?” “Yes,” Andy said simply feeling that honesty would be best for him. “Your grandmother Torcha is anxious to meet you.” “She can meet me without a crown on my head can’t she?” Ryo’s alarm showed in his heightened color. Before anymore could be said Bikky and Rain tumbled into the house laughing. “Excuse me your highness.” Ryo stood to his feet glad to be away from the disturbing conversation. “Hey guys, try to be quiet, Dee has a headache and is upstairs sleeping.” “Yes Ryo, we will,” Rain said before he turned to Bikky. “Bikky, will you help me with my geography.” “If you help with my algebra,” Bikky promised as they ran to the dining room table to set their books out. “Ryo what can we eat?” “Dinner will be ready soon, can’t you smell it in the oven?” Ryo teased knowing that a snack would not daunt the boys’ hearty appetites. “Ryo!” They whined in unison. Ryo was laughing as he went into the kitchen. He emerged moments later with a plate of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. “That should hold you till dinner.” He promised. “Oh and before you get started, Rain,” Ryo sat beside him at the table as Andy gave him an imploring look. “I have an invitation for you, and well, since you are thirteen, I thought that you are old enough to have some input into the decision. When Dee wakes up we will all discuss it, as a family” Ryo spoke in soft tones as he looked over what the boys were expected to do. Bikky’s homework he did in his mind as he thought of how he would explain the situation to Rain. “What invitation?” Rain wondered hoping that whatever had flustered Ryo had nothing to do with the invitation. “Andy, the entire band, wants you to be a permanent member.” Ryo explained with a faint smile. Bikky’s sandwich fell to his plate with a low thud as he stared openmouthed at Rain. “I never should have brought it up. At least not yet,” Ryo felt selfish for using Andy’s invitation as an excuse to not think about his impending coronation. “What’s really bothering you?” Ryo looked up surprised to see Dee standing behind him. “Oh… Dee. Did we wake you? I am so sorry.” Ryo sighed getting to his feet. He looked for and found Andy dozing on the sofa with her hands resting on her large tummy. “Nah you didn’t wake me,” Dee assured Ryo. “I smelled dinner and got hungry. Headache’s gone and all, now I’m starving.” Dee reached over stealing one of Rain’s sandwiches. “Hey!” Bikky frowned as Dee took a big bite. “It’s alright, he can have it.” Rain said finishing his first sandwich. “I can’t eat right now anyway. This homework is not due until Monday,” Rain told Ryo. “Would you mind if I went to lie down until dinner.” Ryo felt horrible for putting such a weight on the young boy’s shoulders. “I am ecstatic to be given such an opportunity, but nervous.” Dee suppressed a laugh; Rain’s honesty would always amaze him. Bikky got to his feet to follow Rain winking at Ryo. “You should not be nervous, man we all heard you singing on more than one occasion. You were with Andy for crying out loud and she did not have to overcompensate for you once.” “Bikky, they have CD’s and DVD’s out, they are known all around the world as the bored Royalty of Arcadia. They made the group because…” “I know,” Bikky cut off Rain’s nervous chatter. “And you would fit in nicely.” “They are all of royal and noble blood.” Rain explained feeling lightheaded as he remembered the few times he had sang with the band. “Well as of a few months ago, so are you.” Bikky said wondering why Ryo had yet to explain everything to Rain. “You see, Ryo’s mother was a princess of Arcadia, remember we told you that?” “But Arcadia is magic. It has so many different realms, I recall Ryo telling me that though it has different realms, it has one king to rule them all.” Rain breathed deep feeling overwhelmed. “Yeah, that’s Zarro, and he answers to the BIG KING.” Bikky said with a snicker. “Big King?” Rain asked confused. He thought Zarro wasthe big King. “You know him, we are celebrating his birthday next month.” Bikky stretched out beside Rain on the bed looking up at the dream catchers that Rain had made. “I don’t get it,” Rain looked over at Bikky confused. “Christmas…” Bikky laughed. “Oh man, if you do join, you can be a part of their Christmas concert!” Ryo stood outside the door listening to the boys with a smile on his face. “Hey, you know something. I think you should do it. I think you will be awesome.” Ryo sniffed the air leaving the boys to talk. As he made his way to the stove he saw Andy awake on the couch. “Ryo…” Andy began but paused to breath deeply. “I’ll call Nestoir,” Dee called from the kitchen as she huffed, winced in pain and stifled a cry. “Bikky!” Ryo called upstairs. Bikky came running to the hall at the sound of panic in Ryo’s voice. “Call Lord D and have him meet us at the hospital, Andy is in labor.” Ryo pulled out his cell phone. “Hello, Count D I hope I am not intruding, but do you think you can come to the house to stay with the boys…Yes actually Dee and I are taking Andy to the hospital. She is in labor.” After a few more words, Ryo hung up the telephone. “Ryo, we don’t need a sitter,” Bikky complained frowning at Ryo. “Someone needs to take care of Lyo,” said Ryo. “I can do that,” Bikky affirmed with a nod “I am sure you can, but humor me for a while longer ok. Be good to the Count, apparently his aunt has been driving him crazy.” Ryo said as he and Dee left the house helping Andy to her feet. Break Lord D had never been more torn in his life. Andy needed him, but he couldn’t leave Nana. “Go Lord D, I will watch her.” Leonine promised smiling. “I know how to work this apparatus,” Leonine affirmed looking at the breathing machine that Sofu had given Nana. Lord D hesitated a moment longer before he sighed leaving with JJ. Lately the machine had not been enough. He had been breathing for Nana. Lord D thought that maybe he could link her to him from a distance, it was worth a shot he thought. Lord D said a prayer that Nana would be all right. “We are here,” Jeremy said with a smile. “Go deliver the princess’s baby.” Berkeley nodded his head sending Lord D from the room with his typical smirk. The hospital staff stared in awe at Lord D. Wasn’t he already in the room? He wondered for a moment what could be wrong. They had all seen him before. “Come along, things have already started. I am the attending physician this time; you’ll have to assist me.” Sofu called from the room bustling with people. He entered after having washed to find Andy writhing in pain on the bed. “Everything will be all right, breath…” Sofu said as he got back into position. Nestoir held his wife’s hand while Lord D moved to aide his father. Hours fell away as the princess huffed in labor. Crying piteously she held on to Nestoir. Andy screamed as Lord D cheered her on. “Its… Its… A girl, your highness, a new princess has been born of Arcadia.” Sofu announced handing the child to Lord D to clean. Andy fell back on the bed. “Nes… Love you, but I don’t think I can do this again.” Andy huffed with tears streaming down her face. “If you will my lady, due to several endurance training factors of a patient…” Lord D interrupted. “Well, I think I may be able to ease your suffering, if you will allow me to. I would have to…” Lord D paused, looked at Nestoir with a sigh. “I would have to touch you intimately.” “Whatever,” Andy moaned as she thought about the pain that was to follow the weeks of after birth, not to mention the inactivity. What if she were needed to fight? “Just do it. You’re a doctor, you’re our doctor make it stop hurting. You were the one minimizing the birth pains right?” “Yes, but I can only minimize them, I can not go up against the one that increased them.” Lord D said with a blush. “We would never ask you to, but,” Nestoir became worried for their friend. “Is it ok for you to do this now?” “Yes, the baby is out,” Lord D explained, put his gloved hand against Andy. Andy gasped as Lord D slid fully into a healing trance. Sofu swore, taking his son in his arms as he held him up. Lord D searched inside Andy’s body finding her pain, knitting the skin, leaving her fully healed and refreshed. Sofu was there and ready when Lord D’s knees collapsed underneath him. “He… Grand pa D he…” JJ exclaimed from his position at the door. He was staring at Lord D. Lord D lay in his father’s arms gasping for air. “He can’t breath!” “No!” Andy exclaimed jumping from the bed amazed that the feat was painless. “Foolish child, release…” Sofu yelled. “You just admitted that you can not battle God and yet you are trying. Release. I am your father and I order you to release.” Lord D sat up sobbing hysterical. “Father, no… she is going to!” Lord D brought trembling hands to hide his face as he broke down. JJ took his trembling lover into his arms. “How could you…” “You were fighting a futile battle. Any longer and he would have taken you as well. I am sorry,” Sofu turned luminescent golden eyes to JJ. “About your grandmother, but I was not about to loose my son.” “Nana!” JJ lost the ability to regain his footing. “Still lives, but before the night is out…” Sofu shook his head. “I forbid my son to reconnect to her. It is time to say goodbye.” Lord D clung to JJ, sobbing for all that he had failed to do. TO BE CONTINUED. Author’s Note: It is now the end of November in the series. Next chapter will contain the conclusion to the case the detectives were working on. Thanks for reading. Ja Ne