Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction ❯ The Gift ❯ The Gift 10 ( Chapter 10 )

The Gift 10 by Kaialicious

Disclaimer: I make no profit from the characters of The Pet Shop of Horrors. They do not belong to me. Li and Shang however are of my own creation and do belong to me…, D…, and no one else...for now.

Warnings: This story contains suggestions of a Yaoi relationship. If you don't like Yaoi, then you're not even supposed to be reading this warning because I previously warned you about it in the description!

Author's Note: Finally, here he is, the long awaited Shang. ^_^

*****

Q-Chan flew on to the chair and began to lick his fur. D smiled at his stubborn pet. Even though Leon was not there, Q-Chan insisted on sitting in the detective's favorite chair.

"Your plan to rile him will not work if he is not here," D said.

Q-Chan purred and fluttered his wings. He was content enough just to have claimed the detective's chair. If Leon had been there, he would have brusquely swept the little animal off the seat with no consideration.

"Enjoy it while you can," D told him. "It is Jill's chair for now and Leon will not be gone for long."

The latter prospect warmed the count. He made a sound of pleasure. The sigh drew a curious look from Q-Chan.

D pursed his lips and said, "I am allowed to daydream, just as you are allowed to scheme against him."

The bell above the door rang. Q-Chan flew up on to the backrest and peered at the visitor.

"Back so soon?" D asked stiffly.

The tall Asian with the turquoise eyes strode over to D and gave him a brief bow. His cold features betrayed his true feelings for the count. He had little respect for him.

"My interest is at stake," Shang said.

D frowned at his obvious lie. "I am of no interest to you."

Shang's features did not change. "You are right. America has much that interests me. I look forward to doubling my fortunes here."

Greed had motivated his return, not family honor.

Shang had accepted certain untraditional practices and had avidly studied the world of industrial enterprises. He was a businessperson through and through.

"I have invested in a number of corporations. How convenient for me that they are located within the area," Shang informed him.

D was furious. Shang had done this intentionally. His investments were nothing more than an easy way to keep an eye on D. No doubt, he would fly in some of his own cohorts to spy on D's shop.

"Are you going to offer me tea?" Shang pressed, forcing D to be civil to him.

D bowed his head and said, "Please, sit down."

Q-Chan reluctantly gave up his seat and flew on to D's shoulder. Shang took Leon's chair and crossed his long legs. He looked very rigid in his black business suit and tie, very unforgiving.

D prepared the tea and assembled an assortment of small cakes and chocolates for his unwelcome guest. The sweets were mostly for the count -to calm his nerves.

He did not like Shang very much. Li's twin had the tendency to be cruel, overbearing, and insensitive.

D handed him a teacup filled with his own sweet blend.

"Why did you open such a tiny shop? You could do so much more if you had more space," Shang commented and sipped his tea.

"I happen to like my shop. It serves its purpose."

"Humph."

The count nibbled on a caramel filled chocolate square. The treat was more preferable than Shang's loathsome attitude.

"He visited you, recently," Shang said, changing the subject.

D instantly knew whom he was referring to -Leon.

Shang had eyes and ears everywhere. It was why the count had wanted Leon to stay away from the shop.

"Is that why you came as well? To see if I have betrayed you?"

Shang's lean fingers touched the elegant red pattern on the teacup. "We have already established why I am here. Besides, I know that you are not foolish enough to let a mortal destroy your common sense.

D's eyes widened. The audacity of him!

"You told me that my brother died by your hand over this Leon," Shang said. "I wonder what made you think that I wouldn't be disturbed by this revelation."

His voice had taken on a deep timbre. D stared at him, realizing that Shang had threatened him in his subtle way.

"You will leave him out of this," D said in a stern, yet calm voice.

"You are in no position to give me orders."

"How dare you?"

Shang lowered his cup on to the table and reached into his tailored jacket. He withdrew a small jade bottle adorned with raised ancient Chinese symbols painted in gold. The bottle's mouth was sealed with a matching jade stopper. A corded tassel made of red silk was tied around the bottle's neck.

D took one look at the bottle and paled. Q-Chan shrieked at D's distress and glowered at Shang.

"Why?" D questioned him. "Why did you bring it here?"

"I needed an advantage over you. I know how difficult it was for Li to handle you. You were so spirited…uncontrollable. A trait I find undesirable in a future consort. Perhaps that can be changed."

"You are mad Shang!"

"I have beaten you, and because of this you think that I am mad. My brother was foolish to have pursued you. He should have left you here to while away the years with your insufferable passions."

D stood, his fists clenched at his sides. "You go too far!"

Q-Chan shrieked and ascended into the air. D's pets heard his anger and began to make a raucous noise. Shang's face contorted into a look of displeasure.

D calmed himself -for the sake of his animals and hushed them with a few words.

"You are upsetting them," D told him.

"It is you who I am upsetting," Shang smiled, "and I care nothing for your animals."

D winced. Shang was so cruel.

"I admit I like seeing you squirm. Maybe I will enjoy our union."

The count was determined not to let it happen. "I will not break my period of mourning."

"Oh?" Shang raised a gray brow. "I suppose that the tryst you had upstairs with him did not count?"

"You know that it didn't."

D had orally pleasured the detective and had not broken the rules.

"Look at you. You have starved yourself for far too long. Why don't you just give in to your desires?" Shang suggested.

"You cannot tempt me. I do not desire you." His words were meant as an insult.

"Very stubborn…" Shang muttered and stared icily at D.

D's gaze did not waver.

"You will be mine, D. Have no doubt. You are weak in your love of this American and your weakness for him will bring you to me."

Shang picked up the bottle and placed it back into his jacket. He stood up and left, leaving D feeling seriously upset.

Q-Chan flew back on to his shoulder and cuddled against him.

"It's all right," D said, more to himself than to his little friend. "Shang is gone."

But he would be back with his threats…and the jade bottle.

*****

McNeal had been captured. He was now sitting in a Federal State prison. Knowing the con's background, Leon figured that he would be out on bail within a day.

The guy was not his problem anymore. Jill was.

"What are you staring at?"

"Your hair," she answered.

"What about it?"

"It looks a little lighter," she said.

"Maybe your glasses need to be cleaned."

Jill came over and examined Leon's shaggy mane, running her fingers through the loose strands over his forehead.

"Leon, it is definitely lighter. In fact, I think that I see some gray."

Leon brushed her hands away and growled. The woman did not know what she was saying. It was far too early for Leon's hair to be turning gray. He was still a young man.

"It could be from work related stress," Jill told him.

Or Jill related stress, or lack of sex stress, Leon thought.

He had come to think that he was losing his mind. What had happened in the alleyway with McNeal had frightened him.

When the Federal marshals had come to claim McNeal, the con had told them, "Detective Orcot is a monster!"

"You doing drugs now, McNeal?" one of the marshals had asked.

"No. I swear! His eyes were glowing yellow! He was going to kill me!"

"A lot of people would like to kill you, McNeal, but don't worry, we have a nice little cell to protect you."

Had the con man been telling the truth? Had Leon's eyes glowed yellow? He had certainly been ready to kill him. His rage for the man had taken over all of his senses.

The mist at his feet, Li's calling card, had appeared out of nowhere.

It suddenly struck him.

If McNeal was to be believed, he'd had glowing yellow eyes. He'd experienced a bloodthirsty rage. Leon's hair was showing signs of premature gray.

The mist and the gray in his hair all seemed to point to one entity -Li.

"My God…"

"Leon? Are you okay?" Jill asked in concern. "You look ill."

"I'm fine." He grabbed his car keys and cigarettes, rifled through his drawer for some loose change. "Listen, you don't have to go to the count's today. I'm going to check on him."

Right now.

He had answers to what was happening. Leon was certain.

Isn't Shang a complete bastard? I love him! Wait until you meet his… Oops! Almost gave you too much info! ^_^