Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction ❯ The Gift ❯ The Gift ( Chapter 13 )

The Gift 13 by Kaialicious

Disclaimer: I make no profit from the characters of The Pet Shop of Horrors. They belong to Matsuri Akino. Li, Shang, and Lynn, 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: I thought that Lynn should have a chance to get out of the suite. Where is the little dragon going? That's right, straight to Chinatown! ^_^

*****

Lynn added another dessert plate to the pile on the floor and laughed as his dragon attacked the frilled edge of the carpet. The animal was getting more agitated each day. The mortal that they had killed together had not tempered it in the least.

Shang had given Lynn a long lecture about not killing any more mortals while he was gone. He had been very upset -despite the fact that Lynn had done everything to appease him.

He sat cross-legged in bed and remembered when his master had left him.

Lynn had been huddled beneath the covers, still recovering from Shang's violent attentions, when the gray haired Shang had decided to leave.

"Must you go?" he had asked, disappointed that he would be left behind again.

"You know that I have business to attend to, Lynn. I cannot be with you all day long." "Then what are we to do while you've gone on your business, lure another mortal to our room?" Lynn had asked.

Shang had given him a look of displeasure. "If you become restless, go to the park."

"Why can't we go with you?" Lynn had whined beneath his breath.

"We have been over this before, Lynn."

"You are going to him. You are going to the count."

"What does it matter?" Shang had snapped.

It was not until Shang had left that Lynn realized that his lover had not been angry with him. He had been angry at the count. Shang had said himself that the count refused to go back to China with him.

What person in their right mind would turn down Shang? Lynn had never even given it a thought when he had first met the blue dragon. Shang's personality had come off as forceful, hard, and Lynn had needed someone like him to discipline him.

Shang was his master and he cared for him greatly. He would do whatever he wanted -within reason of course.

Last night, Shang had been more upset than normal. He had done things to him that had frightened him.

He shivered as he remembered the jade bottle. Lynn enjoyed enduring a little pain as long as it brought him pleasure, but the jade bottle had brought him no pleasure. He had cried for the first time in Shang's arms and he had been ashamed.

Maybe he wasn't as strong as he thought he was.

He sighed in unhappiness and got to his feet. He was feeling better now that he had gorged on sweets and he refused to sit there a moment longer. He wanted to explore. He wanted to see the sights of this strange city. Moreover, he wanted to see the consort that Shang had inherited from his brother.

*****

Leon was outside smoking a cigarette. It was almost the end of his lunch break. He scratched his neck for the third time in five minutes.

Jill had gone to see D.

Last night, D had suggested that Leon should still allow Jill to visit him during lunch. Leon had reluctantly agreed. He saw no reason why he had to give up his visits. The situation was under control. D had explained that he liked talking to Jill and that Leon could still come and see him after work. That way, they would have more than an hour to spend time with each other.

Tea-drinking time, Leon thought sourly.

The count had been happy that Leon had tried his tea, and now Leon was expected to have some each time he visited D.

As long as Li didn't make another appearance, he would continue to visit D and drink whatever the count wanted.

Even though D had assured him that Li had not tried anything with him, suspicion still filled him.

Maybe I am jealous. His neck was itching again. Damn rash.

He ground out his cigarette and shoved his hands into his jeans pockets.

Jill came stomping up the sidewalk, a look of displeasure on her face.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I met Shang."

Leon's eyes widened at her words. He hurried behind Jill as she entered the office, tried to keep up with Jill's angry strides. He was curious as to why she was so pissed. Had Shang done something to offend her?

She slammed her purse down on her desk. Judging by her actions, the Chinaman had done more than just insulted her.

Leon sat on the edge of her desk and stared at her. Her shoulders were stiff. Her lips set in a thin line.

He had never seen her this way before. She was usually in a good mood.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" Leon asked her.

Jill adjusted her glasses and answered, "No."

"Hmm."

She began typing furiously. He winced as her fingers clicked away at the keys. The sound was irritating to his ears, a side effect of having Li's sensitive senses for his own.

Leon could tell that he was not going to get anything out of Jill. She was too upset.

"Am I going to have to ask the count?"

"You'd better," she grumbled.

"You don't like the guy, huh?"

She shot him a stare that could have peeled the paint off the walls. Leon got off her desk and waved his hands at her, "Sorry I asked."

He would just go to D. He did have to swing by Chinatown anyway. Maybe he could pick up some ointment for his rash -ginseng balm or something.

He smiled. It was getting easier for him to find excuses to go down there now that he had a good reason to.

*****

"She poured tea into his lap."

Leon laughed.

Q-Chan stared at him, his beady eyes filled with anger. Leon had swept him off the chair, and avoided his bite. Q-Chan was now perched atop D's shoulder, licking his ruffled yellow fur.

"Its not funny, detective," D chastised him, but smiled nonetheless.

"Why would she do something like that?"

D folded his hands in his lap and said, "Shang was being very overbearing."

"With Jill, or with you?" Leon asked him.

D turned his gaze away and said, "Shang is a very difficult person. He does not appreciate that fact that I have associated myself with Jill. He thinks that she is a bad influence on me."

"This is great," Leon muttered. "Jill, a bad influence."

Leon figured that it had to be more to it than that. Jill was an angel. If anyone had the problem, it was Shang. Maybe the dragon prince just hated women in general. On the other hand, maybe he was just a complete prick. He had looked unapproachable to begin with. Li had been more readable than his brother had.

Leon suddenly recalled what Li had once said to him. "You disgusting American mortal."

The amethyst-eyed dragon had been very vocal about his distaste for mortals. Shang probably shared the same sentiments as his brother.

"What did he say to her?"

"Very rude things…I do not want to mention them," he frowned.

Telling by D's reaction, Shang had said obscene things.

"What did you do?"

"I yelled at him and told him to leave."

D yelled? Leon raised an eyebrow. I would have liked to seen that.

"I was so embarrassed that he insulted Jill, I lost my temper," D explained.

"Ah," Leon nodded in understanding.

"He told me that being in America has changed me, and that he did not approve of my rebelliousness."

That meant that Shang assumed that D's behavior towards him was a result of being in Jill's company. Blame it on the mortal. It figures. What a bastard.

"Your hair has gotten longer," D noted.

"Yeah, Li just keeps on giving," he muttered. "He's given me a rash too."

"Oh?"

Leon hooked a finger in his shirt's collar and tugged it down. D examined the red area and gasped.

"Why did you do that?" Leon asked, warily.

D traced the inflamed area with his fingernail. It started to itch again.

"It appears to be the outline of a dragon," the count told him.

"No way," Leon reached over to scratch it.

D brushed his hand away and said, "Yes, detective. Li's dragon tattoo is growing on you."

"On my body? What the fu-"

D gave him a warning glance. He clamped his mouth shut and gave Li a silent earful.

"I suppose that more of Li's physical appearances are adapting to your body."

"Fantastic," Leon said sarcastically.

"It is possible that his animal spirit is being reborn within you."

Leon scowled. He didn't want anything scaly growing on or in him. His body was already overcrowded. There was absolutely no vacancy for a damn dragon.

"I have had it up to here with you Li!"

D stood and said, "I have just the thing to take away the irritation."

"A blowtorch?" he asked and scratched the mark.

The count smiled. "No, don't be silly, detective. It's a cream. It will stop the itching."

"Great…"

It seemed like D was having a ball with this latest development. Did he want Leon to have an animal spirit?

"Stop being paranoid," he told himself.

D was crazy about him, not Li. Hadn't he proved that when Li had attacked him? Maybe D was just glad that he had come to see him so soon.

Yeah, that had to be right.

Leon relaxed and slumped in his chair.

You hear that, Li, he told the Chinaman, I like being with D, and you are not going to ruin our relationship with your little magic tricks.

When D returned with the golden container of cream and inspected the rash, his eyes widened in shock.

"Leon…"

"What?"

"It's…different."

"What do you mean it's different?"

D lifted the lid of the container. A diamond shaped mirror was affixed beneath the top, surrounded in red velvet. He positioned the mirror for Leon. Leon saw the rash and paled.

"Jesus…"

The mark on Leon's neck had darkened a bit more. Darker patches resembled shapes -the dragon's scales and wings.

"He's doing this deliberately."

D sighed and dipped two fingers into the mint green cream. He applied the salve to the mark.

The cream was cool and soothing.

Q-Chan made a little sound akin to laughter. Leon glared at him, stretched, and pretended that he wasn't watching where his hand was going. He knocked the little monster off D's shoulder. Q-Chan squeaked and flew to safety.

"Detective," D admonished him.

"Li did it," he lied and pulled D into his lap.

"Q-Chan will never forgive you."

"Q-Chan can go to -"

The little beast came out of nowhere, and grabbed a hold of Leon with his teeth. Leon cried out and tried to shake him off, but Q-Chan was determined not to let go. Ultimately, D had to pull him off Leon.

"You poor thing," the count said.

Leon was touched by D's concern. His hand was bleeding.

"It was the detective's fault."

"What?"

Q-Chan purred and burrowed his head against D's cheek. Leon swore that the animal was smirked at him.

In the end, he went back to work with gauze wrapped around his hand. He contemplated about shipping Q-Chan to Antarctica where the little pest would never be seen again.

*****

Lynn had found the count's shop by asking the owner of an antique store in Chinatown for directions. Lynn was surprised that such a thriving little Asian community existed in America. No wonder Shang was interested in doing business in the country.

Lynn had read documents of Shang's conquests. He knew that Shang had acquired several Asian businesses in the area. He still could not help but think that Shang had done it all for the count.

Lynn found the pet shop. Eager to meet the count, he opened the door and heard the merry tinkle of a bell above him. The interior of the shop was dim and cool. It was lavishly decorated in Chinese accents. The floor was covered in oriental rugs. The scent of incense and vanilla wafted in the air. Lynn found it to be pleasant -even for his sensitive nose.

The place reminded him of home.

A tall, slender, graceful figure dressed in a black cheongsam with blue trim and white embroidered lilies came from an adjoining room. His shiny, straight black hair fell over his eyes, shielding them from view. A small winged creature sat upon his right shoulder. Its ears twitched as it spied Lynn.

The dark haired being was delicate and lovely. He looked curiously at Lynn, and Lynn gasped as he saw the color of his eyes. The right one was amber, the left -violet. They were such mysterious eyes.

This is the count, Lynn thought, then narrowed his gaze. No wonder Shang wants him.

"Can I help you?" the beautiful Asian asked.

Lynn was startled out of his stupor by the count's soft voice. He gave a short bow and said in Chinese, "My lord, it is quite an honor to meet you."

The count's dark painted lips broke into a smile. "You must be one of Shang's new employees."

Lynn sweat dropped. Was the count…feeble minded?

"Have you come to spy on me?" he asked.

"N-No. I am Lynn. Shang's…assistant."

The count's smile disappeared. He stroked the fur of the creature on his shoulder. His multicolored eyes became distant. His beautiful, pale features seemed harsh now, threatening. How could someone so delicate and harmless looking turn so cold in just a matter of seconds?

Lynn was intrigued.

"You are rather young to be in his company," the count told him.

"I have known him for many years," Lynn said, and released his precious dragon from his body. The red orange beast curled about his legs before it descended to the pricey Asian carpet and studied its surroundings.

The count's hardened gaze did not avert from Lynn's. He had no fear of the dragon, and why should he when he was the widow of one?

"You came here to tell me that?" The count looked irritated. "I assure you, child, I have no interest in Shang."

"But he is interested in you."

"Yes," the count sighed, "how unfortunate."

Lynn's dragon prowled around the shop, investigating all of the smells that permeated the room. It rose on its hind legs and sniffed at the nearby cages covered in silk. A rolling growl, akin to a purr emitted from deep within its throat. It went down on all four limbs and approached the cages. It sniffed at the one covered in blue silk, curled up beside it, and rested its horned head upon its front claws to sleep.

The familiar scent of Shang warmed Lynn's blood.

He is here with him, even when he is with me.

The count suddenly smiled at him. "Would you like some tea?"

Tea? Lynn was baffled by his change in moods. Was this some trick?

I do not want your tea, Lynn wanted to snap, but the count's cheerful expression made him utter, "Yes, thank you."

Lynn soon found himself sitting in a parlor and being served sugary sweet tea and lavishly frosted cakes. Had Shang also been offered such treats? He was hesitant to ask. He did not want to give the count reason to send him away just yet.

"My lord," he began.

"You may call me D if you wish," the count told him, and handed a small cake to the pet on his shoulder. The creature took the sweet into his front paws and flew off with the dessert.

"D," it was such a simple name. Surely, someone who was as beautiful as the count deserved a better title. "I confess that I envy the attention that Shang has given to you."

"Why? I do not enjoy it in the least," D said and sipped his tea. "That should make you feel more confident."

Lynn frowned. "You know that he wants you. He will not cast me aside, but he will have you and I will have to share him."

The count ignored his rushed words. He seemed to care little about the entire conversation. Lynn was impressed by his indifference.

So, the count can be as unresponsive as Shang when he wants to. How…thrilling.

"I…suppose that I can share him with you," the young male said after much thought. "It might be fun."

D pursed his lips. He would obviously not comment on such an unsavory suggestion.

Lynn laughed at his expression. "My, aren't you the cold one."

Lynn set his teacup on the table and knelt beside the count. "It is fun, you know," he ran his fingers over the black silk that covered D's legs, "being between two strong, virile dragons…"

"Two?" D asked, raising a thin, dark eyebrow. Lynn had gained his attention.

"You mean you've never experienced it before?" Lynn stopped caressing the costly cloth and looked up at the count. "I thought that Shang and his brother shared everything."

The count's spine stiffened.

Lynn chuckled.

This is too amusing, he thought. He really did not know. Well, I will enlighten him...

"It happened when you left for America," Lynn told him. "Li was very distressed. Shang said that it would ease his pain."

"Will you please be silent," D ordered rather than asked him.

Lynn studied the count's face for a moment. His eyes widened as he became aware of the count's physical condition. "I forgot that you are in mourning. I could not imagine going through such suffering."

D made a sound of exasperation.

Lynn was fascinated by the count's celibate state. He wondered what it would take to make the beautiful consort break his vow. He was willing to find out. He loved challenges.

"I could be of assistance to you, my lord," he said, and lowered his head to take one of the count's fingers into his mouth.

He moved his head over it, mimicking a licentious act.

The count's finger tasted sweet, like the cakes that he had served him.

Lynn's red orange hair surrounded him in a protective curtain. It caressed D's silk covered legs and made the faintest of sounds as it encountered the fabric.

Silk on silk, Lynn mused, getting easily aroused by the concept.

He released the slender digit and flicked his tongue over the count's long fingernail. He wondered how the dark painted talons would feel against his back.

He looked up into the D's amber and violet eyes. There was nothing there -no emotion, no lust, nothing.

Impressed by his reserve, Lynn leaned forward and licked the count's chin -a dragon's kiss.

His hand traveled over the count's thigh, intent on touching his member. D pushed him away before he could achieve his goal.

Taken off guard by the count's strength, Lynn fell to the floor and landed on his back.

"Mmmm…now I see why Shang wants you. You'll give him quite a fight," he grinned.

His shirt had ridden up around his waist and had exposed a portion of his flat stomach.

The count saw the raw bruises there and stared at them in shock.

"He used it on you."

"Yes," Lynn said and quickly straightened his shirt.

"How could he?"

Lynn's face flushed with heat. "He did not mean to, it just happened."

"He could have killed you."

"But he didn't."

D gracefully knelt down beside him. "Let me help you. I have a salve that can clear up those scars."

Irritated by his compassion, Lynn sat up and said, "No, they're my scars! I don't need your help!"

"What an ungrateful little whelp you are," D scolded him. "If you want those scars to ruin your skin that is fine with me, but do not let your pride affect your dragon's health as well."

Lynn blushed in embarrassment. His dragon still bore the wounds that the mortal had given him. He had been meaning to tend to them, but Shang's needs had taken precedence over anything else.

The count's attentiveness annoyed him. Why did he have to be so kind to him? He was his rival. They were supposed to hate each other, but instead, the count had offered him tea and cakes and now wanted to heal him. He made him feel like a little boy.

"I did not come here to be coddled by you," he announced.

"That much is clear," D replied dryly. "Your Shang is safe from me. I do not want him, Lynn. Now will you let me help you?"

No! Lynn wanted to shout, but, there was a side of him that craved the count's attention. His personality was spellbinding.

Lynn reluctantly nodded.

D smiled, and stroked Lynn's red orange mane.

Yes, Lynn thought in embarrassment. I can see why he must have you.

*****

This chapter was just filled with people being injured. I am so sadistic! Muahahahaha!

Longer is better, so from now on, the final chapters will be longer. Enjoy! ^_^