Peace Maker Kurogane Fan Fiction ❯ I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin Light ❯ Tortures of the Damned ( Chapter 8 )

I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin Light

 

Chapter 8 Tortures of the Damned

 

You know the moment before you awake when you just want to sleep forever to escape the harsh realities of life that would come to you never left the last vestiges of sleep? Tetsunosuke felt that way, though at the time he had no idea why. In all honesty he should be ecstatic about waking up. After all he had so much to look forward to upon waking. Suzu...his very name sent a chill up his spine.

Though he realized that the chill might not have had everything to do with his newly found lover. It also might have had to with the fact that he was shivering uncontrollably from the cold. It probably had to do with the fact that they had fallen asleep naked, still drenched, and lying on top of the cold wet sand beach that led to the springs.

Needing to warm himself up, Tetsu made a move to snuggle more into his lover's arms, but found the body heat that he was seriously needing sadly lacking. “...Suzu...” He mumbled out as he fought off the last bit of sleep from his brain. Reaching out, he tried to find where his lover had rolled off to, but all that he felt was the cold earth around them. Where was he? He grabbed at the damp clothing covering his form, and as he felt it he had a feeling that something was definitely wrong.

Shooting up, Tetsu looked hastily around, only to find that his worst fears were confirmed. He was gone! Red tinted eyes widened as he scrambled from under Suzu's haori. Where was he? He couldn't have left...he wouldn't just leave his clothes! Though that excuse fell somewhat short when he saw how his own clothes were missing, and that's when he saw it...the few scribbled caricatures in the mud.

`Good-bye'

 

No...No...No...NO!!!! He couldn't...he wouldn't! Tears began to fall uncontrollably as the realization sunk in. The shakes he had from the cold were nothing compared to the trembles that racked his spine now. “Suzu please no...Suzu...SUZU!!!!!”

A scream ripped through his throat as he shook his head back and forth in disbelief as he struggled to his feet. He hadn't left. He had just gone to get them breakfast...that was all. Tetsu quickly scrambled into the still damp clothes Suzu had left. He had borrowed his own clothes because his were still wet and he wanted to be as comfortable as possible while trying to scrounge them up some grub, and the good-bye...he was only trying to be sweet.

The clothes hung off of him, showing the varying difference between the two boys' size. Tetsu wrapped his arms around himself as he slipped into his sandals, trying to feel the last bit of Suzu's warmth that had long since evaded the clothing, and yet he still clung to them nonetheless.

He stumbled down a path in the forest, determined that this was the way Suzu had to have gone for their breakfast, though the longer and longer he stumbled down the forest ridden path the more hopeless his quest looked to be. “SUZU!?”

Tetsu collapsed onto his knees, tears flowing uncontrollably again as the weight of the world seemed to settle down upon his shoulders. He had left him...he had really left. Why? Why had he left when he had told Suzu he would do anything for him? Why had he left him after taking away the one thing he could only ever really give to him. “Please come back...” He sobbed. “Please don't leave me alone...not again...” He hugged his arms, collapsing full onto the ground, not caring on how his hair smeared into the dirt. “...Suzu...”

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Souji sighed in contempt as the last of the coughs wracked his body. They were kept continuing to get worst, no matter how much medicine Toshi got for him. Though that didn't mean that he didn't appreciate the effort. He's always appreciated everything Toshi has done for him.

“Is it getting worst?” Speak of the demon...Souji gave a snort to himself at the nickname given to the commander. Turning around, he wiped the excess blood from his mouth on the inside of his haori to make sure it was hidden, and gave the dark haired samurai a smile.

“Of course not Mr. Hjikata, as a matter of fact I think I'm getting much better since that new medicine that you got for me.” He felt bad for lying to the man he loved, but what good would the truth bring? It would only make the people closest to him worry, and then they would be sad. This pain in his chest he could handle, but other people's pain was the one that really hurt him, especially when that pain came from Toshizo.

The man scoffed, giving him a look that definitely said he thought he was bullshitting him. Sighing in resignation Hijikata, sinking into the cushion beside Souji, not bothering to hide the fact that he sat close enough to him so that their knees were lightly touching. “That brat from Yamatoya leaves today.”

Giving a smile, Souji reached for the tea Tatsunosuke had once more prepared in Tetsu's stead. There was something going on with the fiery red headed page, and he was sure it wasn't for the better. He could tell just by how worried Tatsu seemed all the time...even more so than usual. He knew by the topic conversation that Toshi was just as worried as he was...especially seeing as how Tetsu and Suzu Yamatoya hadn't returned yet.

“Yes, and I'm sure our little page boy will be most upset when he leaves.” He said, knowing it was where his lover wanted to take the conversation, but wouldn't be near as trivial as to actually bring it up.

Sure enough, Hijikata let out a scoff of disgust he grabbed at the tea, letting himself voice his frustrations. “Yes, they sure as hell are familiar with each other, aren't they?” He narrowed his eyes. “Can you believe that little brat actually took off with Yamatoya last night and didn't bother to come back to camp?”

Hijikata shifted, coming all the closer to the man next to him, actually going so far as to subtly lay his hand on top of Okita's, which in turn made Souji smile. Toshi was always so cute when he was trying to be coy.

Stretching his fingers, Souji did what his lover refused and actually entwined their fingers as he continued to sip at his tea that was much too good to have been made by their puppy. “Yes, well boys will be boys and all that stuff.”

The Commander gripped his hand even harder as his anger seemed to get the best of him. “Oh come on, is that what you really believe?” He glared at the wall. “That brat from Yamatoya is up to something, and I'm sure my sorry excuse for a page is in on it as well.” Using his free hand, he dug through his kimono for his pipe. “I didn't believe for one second that Ichimura didn't know Yamatoya...He's been acting strange for days.”

Sitting up on his toes, Souji crawled over so that he was kneeling in front of the commander. “Oh, aren't you just so adorable when you worry.” He teased, leaning forward ever so slightly. Hijikata gave him a warning look, but he had received that warning look many times in the past, and if he had listened to that look he wouldn't have gotten far at all. Placing a hand on Toshi's thigh for leverage, he leaned forward, touching their mouths a gentle kiss.

Sadly that would be all they ever got for the time being, for just as Hijikata had fisted a hand in his dark purple hair a scream of alarm ripped through the camp. “Hijikata...HIJIKATA!” Souji pulled away in alarm, scrambling up onto his feet as Shinpachi's voice traveled in alarm all throughout the camp.

Both him and Hijikata rushed through the doors and out into the middle of the camp where Shinpachi's worry filled voice was coming from. Though some part of him wished he would never have come. What had happened?

Tetsunosuke stood sobbing in the middle of the camp, covered in filth and sobbing uncontrollably. He was missing one of his sandals, and his legs were scraped and bloody. The strange thing was was that he wasn't even wearing the clothes he had left in. No, he was garbed in the Yamatoya boy's threads.

The closer and closer he got to the red headed teenager, the more of his incoherent ramblings could be heard. “...Come back...I promise I'll do what you ask...I promise I'll do whatever you want from me!” His dirty fingernails dug into the ground. “Don't leave...please don't leave me...”

Souji's eyes widened in shock, and he turned towards where Sanosuke, Heisuke, and Shinpachi were continuing to stand stunned. “What are you waiting for? Go get Tatsunosuke!” He commanded, not at all sure what had happened himself. The one thing he did know for sure was that he had to get Tetsu inside and then he would try to find out what had happened.

Rushing up to the redhead's side, he quickly hefted one arm over his shoulder, ignoring the teenager's protests to be left alone. Looking over he saw Hijikata nod towards him and motion to his room. Giving a confirming nod, Okita hefted the boy up and hastily followed the commander into his room.

He laid Tetsu down on the pillow, watching with sad eyes as he curled around it, once more mumbling about being left. Souji leaned down, laying a hand on the page's hair as he tried to calm him. “Tetsu? Tetsu what happened?”

“Suzu come back...don't leave...you said you loved me.” His eyes widened at that, and he saw how Hijikata was just as shocked. They didn't get a chance to ask anymore question however, because the door slid upon with a slam and Tatsunosuke hastily made his way towards his little brother.

Tatsunosuke's face filled with fear as he rushed towards his brother, both hesitating in taking him in his arms and cradling his body. It seemed he knew very well how to handle his brother in this state. Though even before Ikedaya, Souji had never seen him this bad.

“Oh Tetsu...I told you not to do it...I told you you'd get hurt.” Sobbing, the redhead clung to his big brother, sobbing into his shoulder.

“He left me Tatsu...he left me...he left me after making love to me!” All three of the adults in the room seemed taken aback, but even with that bit of information things began to make quite a bit more sense.

Tatsu squeezed harder, petting the boy's fiery mane as he did. “I know he did Tetsu...I know, but that's not what I'm going to do.”

“Ichimura get a hold of yourself and tell me what the hell happened!” Hijikata growled, obviously not near as patient as Tatsu was with the boy.

“Mr. Hijikata please don't yell at him.” Souji tried, not thinking Tetsu getting a lecture what was really going to help him right now. No, Tetsu seemed to be in a world of his own. From what he had heard Tetsu say so far he could only assume what happened, but it seemed it had hurt the teenager beyond words.

“Hmmff...it's the only way to get through that thick skull of his.” He said gruffly, but from his stature Souji could tell that the commander was worried. Tatsunosuke actually turned to glare, but after remembering just who it was he was glaring at, he quickly lowered his gaze back towards his brother.

“He's not going to talk about it right now...Suzu obviously hurt him pretty badly. I should have made sure to end it after I saw the fingernail marks...but I only put two and two together now.”

Tetsunosuke stiffened in his arms at the words, and his eyes widened in fear. His fear only grew at Hijikata's angered reply. “That Yamatoya brat was the one that did that to him?” He sneered. “I should have known...Ichimura was acting much too strange around that kid for them to have just met.”

The redhead shot up from his place in his older brother's laps and stared with wide faraway eyes at his master. “No, it wasn't him...I didn't know him...I swear!” He turned tear-rimmed eyes back on his brother. “Why'd you say anything...you promised you wouldn't.” He tilted his head to the side in hopelessness. “He'll get in trouble.”

Tatsunosuke gave him a pitying smile. “Tetsu...” He turned his head to the side. It seemed it hurt him too much to see his brother in such a state. To be completely honest, it hurt Souji too.

Crawling forward, the purple haired wolf settled in front of Tetsu, trying to catch his wandering eyes. “Tetsu can you tell me what happened between you and Suzu?”

“Nothing.” He lied. “I was just sad that he had to go home today, but he was supposed...he didn't do anything to me...I was just being stupid.” Souji gave him a sad smile before nodding at the lies. He had never seen Tetsu cover for anyone before, but from his ramblings he could tell that Suzu meant a hell of a lot to him.

“I've warned you before Ichimura that lying to your commander is punishable by seppuku, now I'll ask you what happened one more time, and if I still don't get the answer I want I'll go get you a short sword.” Toshi threatened, obviously not at all liking being blatantly lied to by his page.

Gulping Tetsunosuke seemed to weigh his options, and then a blank look appeared on his face and he stared his commander straight in the eyes. “Well then get the sword, because I won't tell you anything that will make you hurt him.”

At that response Hijikata looked like he wanted to strangle the redhead, and was only stopped by doing so when Souji jumped up, placing a hand on his lover's chest to calm him. “Mr. Hijikata why don't we continue this later when he's feeling more himself...He doesn't know what he's saying right now.”

Tatsu gave the mibu wolf a thankful nod, which Souji returned with a smile. He turned back to Toshi, trying his hardest to get the man out of death mode. “Let's go check on the rest of the camp to see that everyone's alright, and see if Suzu's servant has left yet...alright?” Souji smiled to the man, and with a huff Hijikata gave a nod and followed the samurai out of his chambers. ...This certainly had turned out to be a strange and foreboding day.

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It was amazing the things you could do for someone you loved. It was even more even the things you would do for them. Suzu had been planning his revenge for half a year, and yet in the span of a few weeks Tetsu had ripped his plans to shreds. Oh he would still do it, of that he was sure, but it wouldn't be quite as easy. He had left his servant at the camp and fled before Tetsu could wake up, and one could only imagine how bad the redhead was freaking out right about now. He wasn't the most stable of teenagers, and Suzu could only imagine the nervous breakdown he was having. Good, his lapse in sanity should then turn into hatred, and then it will be easier for Suzu to continue his plans. It was much easier on his conscious to know that there was a wolf he hated him rather than one that loved him after all.

 

He knew that Tetsu for the most part would keep his mouth shut, and he needn't worry about the servant he left to watch over his bag. He'll have committed seppuku long before they find him. He paid his help well…so well that upon one command they will take their own life and think they're doing something noble. He'd feel bad about it if he hadn't caught Shinta staring at him and the perverted old cretin fuck one too many times. Maybe now he could find himself a servant that didn't give him the creeps…though soon it wouldn't matter either way.

 

Suzu made his way to a safe house the Choshu used to use. He knew that he would have to use it for a while, because the Shinsengumi would no doubt come looking for him. It probably wouldn't be safe to go back to his state for quite awhile, not even to get supplies. Though he could always buy new ones, it's not like he was lacking in the money department.

 

As soon as he was sure it was safe for him to move out again, he would go to the nearest town and buy himself everything he needed. Though in the meantime he needed a new plan. He had done a good job in scouting the Shinsengumi camp, and now he just needed the force necessary to destroy them from the inside out. He would have it to, those Mibu wolves would be nothing but a pile of bones after what they did to his master and brother…after they turned Tetsunosuke into one of them. All three sins were unforgivable.

 

After walking most of the morning and into the afternoon, Suzu stopped at a stream for a drink of water, remembering exactly what happened last time he had stopped at a stream like this. He had been ready to curse off his humanity and slaughter all that opposed him in his quest, and then his bubbling redhead had tackled him from behind and proceeded to practically kiss him to death. Tetsunosuke Ichimura, he had changed his life in more ways than he even knew of.

 

Letting his hands fall into the stream, Suzu scooped up a palm fool of crisp water, taking great care in letting it slide down his parched throat. He shouldn't have left him, but for the life of him he couldn't bring himself to stay. If he stayed and continued with his original plan Tetsu would get hurt, and that was something that he would never let happen. Not while he cared so much about the redhead at least.

 

It had taken him six months to rid himself completely of the pesky annoyances called emotions before, hopefully this time it took less. He had a goal to accomplish, and he would let nothing or no one hinder that goal, not even his Shinsengumi puppy.

 

Splashing some water on his face, Suzu dusted himself off and began once more walking to the old abandoned Choshu hideout. Hopefully some ronin hadn't stumbled upon it and made it his dwelling place. It would be much too big of annoyance to have to kill some random person outside of his plans. He preferred to only kill the ones that deserved to be slain, and he knew that everyone of those Wolves of Mibu deserved to die ten times over.

 

The walk there wasn't bad, though Tetsu's clothing rode up in places he never wanted to be ridden in. They still smelled of the redheaded teenager, and as he looked down at the still dirty threads he could imagine it was his puppy wearing him as he smiled and chatted constantly beside him. Though that was only a dream. The next time he saw Tetsunosuke he wouldn't be smiling. No, he would probably be staring at him in the hatred he knew he deserved. Tetsu had been ready to go to the ends of the earth with him, and he had been the one to deny his small lover. He had done this to himself, and now he just had to find someway to go on without him.

 

Suzu's eyes scanned the area, finally catching sight of what he was looking for. With a smirk he headed towards the side of a hill covered in shrubbery…perfect for hiding things that no one wanted seen. He pushed away the branches and vines, and found the mouth to the entrance of the Choshu hideout.

 

From the looks of the place it had been abandoned for quite some time, so he didn't need to worry about clearing out unwanted visitors. No, it would only be him and his thoughts for quite some time.

 

The musky scent assaulted his nostrils as he entered the desolate place, remembering coming here once before with his master when they it had been raining hard and they needed a place to sleep. Suzu shuddered…strangely enough it had been then that his master had found his interests towards his page anything but fraternal. Suzu could still remember how scared he was the first time…how eager to please…he could still remember how much it hurt.

 

His fingernails dug into his hand as he tried to force back the sob that threatened to overtake him. No, he wouldn't cry about such things anymore. He couldn't afford to cry. Tears were weak, and if he were going to accomplish his goals he had to be strong. He had to sever all of his ties with this world, and be ready for the next at any moment…he had to become a demon…he had to forget all about Tetsunosuke.

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A.N- Ok short chapter (ducks away from flying rocks) Don't kill me…I restarted the story…you should love me for that right? Well this was just a transitional chapter to get me back into the swing of things, and to set-up for some plot later. But yeah, stay tuned for chapter 9, and please REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW…it'll make me REALLY happy!!!!