Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Lyre ❯ (Epilogue) ( Chapter 45 )

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

"Have you finally calmed down?" Ryo asked as Asa dried her eyes.

"I think so," she replied. "Why do you keep your skin so rough around me?"

"Why did you come here?"

"Ikara..."

"What about him?"

He was taken."

"Are you sure?"

"A few days ago, some strange people came to our house. They said they were exterminators."

"Exterminators?"

"They said they had a contract to destroy your people. Ikara chased them away with his gun but when I came home one day, he was gone! I thought....I thought that he had gone out somewhere but when he didn't come back, I got scared."

"I see. Why did you come here, though?"

"He said he was going to warn you about those people but he hasn't been here, has he?"

"You're the first visitor we've had in awhile. Wish I brought a cigarette with me."

The door swung open and Lee stormed in, jealousy deeply rooted within his dark eyes. Ryo glanced at him for a moment then turned to D, who had stepped around Lee.

"Thanks," he said as D helped put his robe on.

"You're welcome, your highness," D replied as Ryo searched the pockets for a cigarette. He glanced at Lee, who stood watching him with a strange expression on his face.

"What's with you?" he asked.

"I was ready to bitch you both out but I can't!" he exclaimed.

"We may have some trouble. There's one."

"What kind of trouble?"

"Apparently Ikara got mixed up with a group of demon haters."

"He never came home!" Asa cried.

"And the fact that they hate us is what got you interested," Lee said.

"You know, for some strange reason, I thought I should be concerned," Ryo said.

"You don't need to get sarcastic."

"Asa, you must be tired from your ordeal. Why don't you let D take you to a guest room?"

"Thank you," Asa said and stood up. "You WILL look for him, won't you?"

"Of course," Ryo replied as D escorted Asa out of the room.

"Elgas has returned," Karu said as he opened the door.

"Good. I want to talk to that stupid son of mine."

"Lyre is not with him."

"What?! Where is he?"

"I did not inquire. I thought you would want to handle that interrogation."

"Come on, Lee. Why did he have to inherit your stubbornness?"

"MY stubbornness? What about yours?" Lee asked as he followed Ryo out of the room.

"My stubbornness isn't as bad as yours," Ryo said.

"Where do you get off saying that?"

"I'm not staying long. I came to pick up some provisions before I leave," Elgas said.

"Where's Lyre?" Ryo asked.

"In the city."

"Why?"

"He's got a job."

"A job? Doing what?"

"Stripping,"

"It fits him," Lee said.

"Would you shut up? When is he coming back?" Ryo asked.

"I don't know," Elgas replied.

"Stupid bastard."

"No he isn't," Lee said.

"I told you to shut up. Is that the only reason he's staying there?" Ryo asked.

"Aside from the fact that he dislikes his position, yes. Um...I didn't wake you, did I?"

"No. I had to get up to deal with Asa. I want you to use my bike for the remainder of your journey to the ocean. Ikara got mixed up with a cult apparently and I don't want you killed."

"All right. I'll watch out."

"Good. I really don't want to hear my stupid son go off about losing you."

"Okay. I don't know when I'll be back."

"We understand. Thank you for wanting to do this," Lee said.

"You're welcome. Well, I'd better leave before it gets too late," Elgas said and walked away.

Ryo pulled himself up onto the windowsill and gazed at Lee. Lee walked over to him and massaged his feet. Ryo glanced at him for a moment then leaned forward and placed a hand on Lee's head.

"So...you up for another adventure?" he asked.

"What does it involve?" Lee asked.

"Looking into this cult business. If it's real, I have to protect my people."

"True. I think everyone's on an adventure now. I wouldn't want to be left out."

"All right. Let's get ready."

"Just you and me again on this one, honey."

"I'm bringing Lirin. He missed out the last time. Since you're dressed, why don't you pack the food? I'll take care of packing the clothing and informing people about our leave of absence."

"You're going to have to let go of me, then."

"I know. It's not getting any earlier. I'm glad I got satisfied before all this happened."

He let go of Lee and jumped down from the windowsill onto the floor. He walked towards the door and opened it. He watched Lee walk through the doorway then brought up the rear.

"Bring only what is necessary. Don't try to force me into eating more," Ryo said and Lee sighed.

"All right. I still don't know how you survive, though."

"I manage. Karu, I need to speak with you."

"What's going on?" D asked as he followed Lee into the kitchen.

"Remember Ikara?" Lee asked as he opened a cabinet door.

"How can I forget the guy that tried to kill me?"

"Well he's gotten into trouble and Ryo will do anything to keep that bitch off his back."

"I see. So he's leaving?"

"I am too. I'm not staying in the same place as her."

"What did she do to you?"

"She's annoying as hell and ever since she moved in across from Ryo at the apartment house, she's thrown herself at him. She really pisses me off."

"I can see that. But why are you so jealous of her? Ryoshan never took advantage of her, did he?"

"I would hope not. Do we have any cured meat?"

"I don't know. I'm not the cook."

"Where IS the cook?"

"Probably sleeping. It IS late, you know. So where are you two going?"

"I don't know. He said he was going to look for clues."

"That cult is probably a group of violent, extremely religious humans."

"Most cuts are. Screw the frozen stuff. It won't last. You know, Ryo should be doing this. He's had the most experience with it."

"He'll probably come down and redo everything you did."

"I should go get my weapon. We'll be roughing it for awhile."

"I think Ryo prefers it. It's what's familiar to him."

"I think you're right. What's in here?"

"I don't know. We've got out own kitchen at home. Speaking of home, it IS late and..."

"Go on. I wouldn't want to deprive your mate of anything."

"Thank you. If I don't see you in the morning, please keep safe."

"We will."

Lee watched D walk out of the kitchen then opened another cabinet door. He took out a container of dried fruit and set it on the counter. He rummaged through the other packages for a moment then sighed. He really didn't know what he was looking for.

"Are you done?" Ryo asked as he walked into the kitchen. "Here. You're going to be wearing plain clothes for awhile."

"I know that," Lee said as Ryo began opening cabinets and going through the contents. Lee watched him set containers on the counter for a moment then picked up a bag.

"Do you want me to start packing?" he asked and Ryo nodded his head.

"Yeah. We really got started late on this trip."

"You didn't decide we were going until half an hour ago."

"Oh sure. Blame it on me."

"You're the king. You make all the decisions here."

"Let's go."

"Wait."

"What?"

Lee kissed him deeply then drew back when Ryo pushed him away.

"Sorry. We don't have time to get serious. Let's get to the stable," Ryo said.

"All right. Later?"

"Yeah."

"I like what you're wearing. Plain but tight and sexy. That family medallion adds to your appeal immensely."

"Come on. You need lower yourself to human standards too. If we're going after a violent group of demon haters we can't be showing our true colors."

"True but I can do it while we're walking. I've got better control over my heritage than you do. You come from a hot-blooded family."

Ryo showed him the middle finger and Lee smiled.

"You told me I'd have to wait," he said as they stepped out into the darkened courtyard. A muffled woman's cry was heard and Ryo shook his head.

"Someone's definitely getting it," he commented as they headed towards the stable.

"I hate having to wake old Bo up," Lee said as they walked into the stable. Ryo lit a candle and walked around the stable. He stopped at Nightwing's stall and stroked his horse's mane. The horse gazed at Ryo and Ryo could almost see displeasure in the horse's eyes.

"Get his saddle," Ryo said and Lee stared at him.

"What? Honey, he's not as young as he used to be," Lee said.

"Neither am I but you still ride me."

"I fail to see the connection."

"Just get his saddle."

"Who's in here?" Bo demanded. "These are the king's horses."

"We tried not to wake you," Lee said and Bo squinted his eyes.

"Is that you, Lee? It's so hard to see with this candle."

Ryo waved a hand and the flame began to burn brighter. He took the saddle from Lee and began preparing Nightwing for departure.

"We're leaving again," Ryo said as he put Nightwing's bridle on.

"But you just got home," Bo said.

"I know but something has come to my attention and we need to check it out. If the rumors are true, the safety of the castle may be in jeopardy."

"I see. But are you sure you want him?"

"I'm sure. There shouldn't be any hard riding involved. Don't even start," Ryo said to Lee.

"I don't even know what you're talking about," Lee replied.

"Yes you do. Go pick out a horse."

"All right. We'll be done soon so you can get some sleep."

"I never sleep well when you two are out in the wilderness," Bo said.

"We'll be okay. We usually are," Ryo said as he mounted Nightwing. He directed the horse out of the stable and he glanced behind him. He pulled his hair back away from his face and secured it with a ribbon.

"Such a sexy male," Lee said.

"Don't start," Ryo replied. "Are you ready?"

"Of course. Where are we going?"

"Ikara's place."

"Are we seeing Lyre too?"

"Maybe. We will spend the night there."

"Not Ikara's place."

"No. I meant the city."

"I want to sleep in an expensive hotel room with plenty of wine and beautiful silken sheets. Fresh flowers would be good too," Lee said and Ryo stared at him.

"What is it with you and flowers?" Ryo asked after a few seconds had passed.

"I like flowers."

"Okay..."

"I like a lot of other things too. Chocolate is good but only if it's white and in liquid form. There are quite a few liquids that I like too..."

"Stop. Wait until the city."

"Hey, let's check out the bar I worked in. I want to see if it's changed any."

"All right. Just keep up and stay silent."

"I can't talk to you?"

"Not in the way you've been talking to me."

"You're no fun."

"Just do it. Now come on. There's a long road ahead of us."