Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction ❯ Troubled Times ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Copyright: I don't own "Pet Shop Of Horrors" or the characters, wish I did though. Matsuri Akino is the lucky goddess who owns them.

Characters maybe a bit OC, but this is my story. I came up with this idea at work. Slight AU, yaoi..

Warning- This is a Yaoi fic if you haven't noticed by now. This fic will involve mentioning of NCS (rape, not graphic) and eventually lemon most likely. No likey then no readie.

Don't forget to review so that I know someone cares.

Troubled Times

Chapter 3

By: Vidalark

Leon and Yue patrolled all of Chinatown. When Leon tried to avoid Wong Lau's shop Yue decided to make a bee-line for it. Lee greeted them warmly when he saw them. Yue however dashed to the spot that Leon had fought off the street gang.

"Your dog is very curious." Lee chuckled while Yue investigated the area.

"Would make a great police dog if he were bigger." Leon grinned. "Come on Yue there isn't anything over there for you." Leon really wanted to get away from the area. Events that he wanted to forget came rushing back to him as clearly as if they were happening again right then before him. Shame mixed with fear and dread. It had happened once and if he wasn't careful it would happen again. Yue sensed Leon's sudden panic and quickly went back to his side.

"Ah detective! I am almost done with your cheongsam. If you have time later please come back so that I can check a few things out." Wong Lau said brightly.

"Uh yeah sure." Leon became more worried. He wouldn't have time until nightfall and Wong Lau's shop was the last place her wanted to be at that hour. "Well duty calls."

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Eyes watched Leon. These eyes knew Leon's body intimately, very intimately. Lust shone brightly in them as they saw how panicked Leon became just by being so close to where everything had begun. Oh how that first night went so well according to plan. Things couldn't have gone any better.

The street gang had played their part well. The youths though had been furious that they hadn't managed to score any real prize from their failed robbery and further vexed at the fact that they had been taken to jail. When they had gotten out and demanded that they be given a better payment they were further surprised. They had been very well taken care of by their employer. In fact Leon was due to find out how well taken care of they were very soon.

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"Last hour." Leon sighed. Yue had followed Leon around Chinatown faithfully. People had given Yue food along their beat so Leon didn't bother with lunch at all. Should D ever find out that Leon had skipped a meal he knew that he would be in for a long lecture, but after seeing that spot he couldn't even enjoy the thought of a steak.

He continued to walk until a familiar stench hit his nose. A scent that he knew well from countless crime scenes. He followed the scent much like a dog with his nose in the air. Yue by now though was on the trial and doing slightly better at tracking the source. They reached an alleyway that went fairly deep between two buildings. Carefully he made his way in and encountered a series of large dumpsters that were overflowing with trash. A gut feeling told Leon that this where the scent was coming from.

He found a broken broom handle and used it to carefully lift open the lid of one of the dumpsters and instantly his stomach began to heave as the smell worsened. What he would have given at that moment for the incense that D always burned. Once he had gotten his treacherous stomach somewhat calmed and the overwhelming urge to retch his guts out had more or less passed he braved a look. All control was lost as he quickly lost his breakfast. Inside was nine bodies that looked as if they had been mauled, but oddly enough their faces had been spared as if someone wanted them recognized. These dead and rotting bodies belonged to the very street gang that not that long ago Leon had put in jail.

Once his stomach gave up on the painful dry heaves when it was empty Leon called for forensics. With in ten minutes the area was swarming with police. Under old circumstances the old crew would have all expected Leon to instantly accuse D, but Leon didn't. If anything Leon looked overly shaken with how he was clutching Yue to his chest in what had to be a painful embrace to the small dog.

"Leon, you alright?" Jill asked as she walked up to him.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Leon said quickly falling into cop mode just to hide how upset he really was.

"Orcot maybe you should go home You're pushing yourself way to early with this." the Chief said in a fatherly fashion.

"Sir I can handle this. Really." Leon protested realizing what was going to happen if he couldn't talk his way out of it.

"You don't look it son. Now go home and rest. Take a few more days off."

"But..."

"No buts Leon, you look like shit right now and I'm not going to be held responsible for you having a nervous break down or worse." the Chief told him firmly. "Now go home and call us in two days. You're on further medical leave with pay."

"Come on Leon I'll drive ya home." Jill said. She guided him to her car and Leon allowed himself to be led. Yue remained clutched in Leon's arms.

"Jill drove them in silence sensing somehow that even if she did get him to talk he wouldn't talk about what was bothering him. A very male action that she knew Leon would use. D would have to do something about Leon. Jill was one of the very few people that Leon had entrusted with the information about his relationship with the Count. She thought that it had taken them long enough. And had told him so when he had broken the news to her.

"Ah... Miss. Jill welcome." D said when Jill and Leon arrived at the shop.

"Hey Count." Jill said brightly.

"Leon what has happened?" D asked seeing how shaken Leon looked. Yue yipped a few times and the look of worry on D's face deepened.

"Just a crime scene D. I think I'm gonna lay down for awhile." Leon then left for the sanctuary of his room.

"Count I'm worried about Leon. Sure he has a weak stomach and all for a cop, but this is way beyond his normal." Jill whispered even though by now Leon was out of earshot.

"What happened?"

"Well Leon found nine bodies in a dumpster. They were pretty badly sliced up. The thing is though that they were the members of the street gang that Leon had the run in with awhile back. Those boys had just been bailed out by their families a few days ago. A mass murder like this isn't normal. Leon isn't handling this very well at all. Chief gave him a couple more days off. He's supposed to call in before her comes back. Please try to find out what is wrong with him."

"I will." D promised though he actually knew more than Leon wanted him or anyone else to know.

"Good. Well I gotta get back to work. Give me a call if you need any help with Leon. Here's my card." Jill said as she handed a small business card to D. "See ya!" with that Jill left.

D put the card away in his desk and sat down. Whatever was going on had to be connected to Leon's attacker. D desperately wanted to protect Leon, but he couldn't do anymore than he already had without knowing who had it in for Leon and why they had targeted Leon in the first place.

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"Hey D I was thinking why don't we get out of Chinatown for awhile?" Leon suggested after dinner while they drank their tea on one of D's couches.

"Like where?"

"Anywhere. How about to the woods? Great place to relax and it would give you a chance to commune with nature so to speak."

"You mean we should go camping?" D asked puzzled by the sudden topic.

"If you don't want to do that we could find something else to do, what about the beach? Should be nice this time of year."

"Leon why the sudden interest in leaving Chinatown? Has something happened here that you aren't telling me?" D asked casually leaving a wide opening for Leon to confess what had happened that night.

"No reason, just a thought ya know." Leon said nervously.

"Leon please don't lie to me. I know something has happened to you and your friend Miss. Jill suspects something also. Please Leon what is the matter?" D pleaded. His mismatched eyes gazed into Leon's own blue ones almost as if the simple gaze would bring out all of the answers and in truth it could. D could force Leon to tell him, but doing that wouldn't help Leon. He wanted Leon to confront his problem head on like he was well known for.

"D there isn't anything wrong." Leon said becoming irritated that D was able to read him so well and wasn't willing to let Leon suffer alone. Leon couldn't risk any harm to D. He hated keeping the one he loved with all of his heart and soul in the dark, but as far as he could tell there was no safe way to tell D anything about that night past the street gang. However D's safety wasn't his only reason for not saying anything, shame was his secondary reason.

"D sighed, he had one more trick that didn't involve supernatural powers but he didn't was to resort to it. If Leon knew that he had the letter he was more than sure the American wouldn't be all that happy, and even more upset if said American knew that he had read it. However he saw how badly this was tearing Leon up. Leon was ready to crack soon and D didn't want that to happen so he needed to pull out his tricks quickly.

"Leon I was hoping that you would have told me because I found this on the floor after you came home earlier with Yue." D said calmly as he pulled out the letter. Leon paled as his blood turned to ice. The one piece of evidence that he should have destroyed had fallen into D's hands.

"I really hope that you didn't read it." Leon said softly.

"I did. I had thought that it belonged to a customer and had been dropped, but I was very surprised to find out what it really was. Why didn't you tell me Leon?" hurt was evident in D's voice and Leon found that he couldn't look at him. Shame and humiliation had frozen Leon to the spot. D knew that someone had forced Leon into something that Leon obviously wasn't even sure if he was ready for with someone he loved.

"D... I... I... oh God. I didn't want it to happen and I never wanted you to know. It hurt so badly." Leon had broken. D knelt by Leon and pulled him into an embrace of comfort. Leon was fighting back what was sure to be a flood of tears. It felt good to him though to know that someone else knew and really wanted to help him but he had also realized that with D's knowledge D was in even more danger.

"Sh... my Golden Lion. You needn't fear. I don't judge you by what happened. I am saddened that you didn't trust me with this information. I don't care what this man may try to do to me because I've many of my own defenses, but the fact that they hurt you is unforgivable." D whispered as he stroked Leon's hair.

"But if he finds out that you know anything..." Leon began but D silenced him with a gentle index finger to Leon's lips.

"As I said, I am very well protected. You needn't worry about me. I however must worry about you. This person has already promised that they will attack you again. You haven't told anyone about what happened aside from the street gang.

"I can't tell anyone." Leon whimpered.

"Yes well Yue shall remain with you and I shall arrange for another guardian for you."

"D it would look really bad for a cop to have security following them. The guys would be razzing me for months and I definitely wouldn't be hiding that fact that someone is out to get me all that well." Leon said his mind instantly on work. "No D I can handle this. The last time he had the upper hand on me because of my injuries. No the next time he won't be so lucky." Leon had firmly planted in his mind that he wouldn't allow himself to become a repeat victim without a fight. His pride and body was badly wounded, but he'd be damned if he'd let his spirit be broken.

D was proud of Leon. He had seen rape victims become weak and afraid, but here Leon was willing to fight back. Leon was living up to his pet name, but even though D was proud of this act of courage he was also afraid for Leon. Leon was human and even his strong spirit could be easily destroyed by one who knew how to break it. D would ensure more protection to his beloved without said beloved knowing.

"As you wish Leon." D said softly as he gently raked his fingers through Leon's hair. This was the first time in almost three weeks that D had been able to hold Leon without him struggling to pull away. There was still a slight tremor that ran through Leon`s lean form, but D was willing to ignore it.

"Don't worry about me D, this is all just a part of the job." Leon said though D wasn't so sure that the words were to reassure himself or Leon.

That night D gave Leon the very tea that had relaxed the detective once before and sat with him until Leon fell asleep. Yue lay across Leon's lap and until Leon had fallen asleep had been the perfect spot to receive gentle strokes from Leon's hands. D smiled warmly at Leon's sleeping form. The tea had yet again done a wonderful job in relaxing Leon. D knew that Leon needed the rest badly and would refuse any and all sleep aids if he were offered them. D however was sure of how safe his pet shop really was. A few of the more dangerous beasts had been briefed on the situation by Q-Chan and then knew to guard Leon. To D's surprise even Tetsu, who hated Leon with a passion volunteered to guard the human.

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"Hello." D said as he answered the phone the next morning.

"Count I have Leon's cheongsam ready for him." Wong Lau said proudly.

"Ah wonderful."

"You can pick it up anytime."

"We'll come by around three."

"I'll be waiting for you." Wong Lau the hung up. D was delighted to hear that Leon's cheongsam was ready thought it seemed to have been completed rather quickly.

"Leon, Wong Lau just called saying that your cheongsam is ready." D told Leon when he saw that his Golden Lion was waking up.

"Hm sure is a fast tailor." Leon commented as he stretched. "Must use a sewing machine."

"Are you hungry?"

"Yeah I am." Leon said with a sleepy grin.

"I'll have something ready for you shortly." D chuckled. A full nights of rest had done Leon good.

"Hey D a lot of your animals are hanging around the couch." Leon said as he barely missed stepping on several large dogs and several enormous house cats.

"That is because they like you." D said.

"Right... okay I'll buy that for now." Leon said though he highly doubted that all of the sudden D's animals would suddenly take a shine to him. "ACK! D your goat is watching me and I know that he hates me." Leon said pointing to Tetsu who was indeed watching Leon very carefully with an evil grin knowing full well what his presence was doing to the human.

"You needn't worry about T-chan, he and I have had a long talk and he knows not to eat you." D assured, but Leon had a feeling that Tetsu wasn't all that honest in what he understood, but D did know his own animals better than Leon.

"Sure... if you say so, but if he bites me I'll turn him into a rug." Leon said with a shrug. He then noticed that Yue seemed to be giving the animals that had surrounded Leon an inspection. Yue avoided Tetsu though since the two animals seemed to agree that Leon meant a lot to D so he was in need of their mutual protection. "Gee Yue I'd almost say that you were in charge of a police unit." Leon laughed. Yue had reminded Leon of his academy days when they had to go through severe inspections.

"Yue takes things very seriously. He just wants to make sure that they are worthy of being around you." D explained.

"Chill out Yue, I think it's me who isn't worthy of being around you guys." Leon's chuckle seemed a bit off with his comment.

"Leon you are very much worthy of being around here." D said very quickly. The way that D has suddenly announced that made Leon's heart warm and melt all at once.

"D I was joking."

"Well don't joke about your worth again my love. You mean to much to me to allow you to even jokingly say that you have no right to be here." D said as he cupped his right hand to Leon's cheek lovingly. Leon was beyond touched by the words and show of affection. The loving look in D's eyes told Leon how heartfelt D's words were.

"Sometimes I wonder D. How did I ever earn the right to be loved by someone as... beautiful and magical as you? When did I earn the right to be allowed such love? I wasn't worthy before and now... now I'm afraid of tainting you with everything that has happened to me."

"Leon you are only human. Every creature on this planet including humans have been given the right to love. You are no different from any human in their right to find and have love. As for having earned my love, you earned it just by being you. You captured my heart with your very nature. You yourself are like a wild beast that many would wish to tame, but I won't because that is a part of your beauty. As for tainting me you can't. What has happened has happened and can't be undone though if I could fix every problem you have ever had I would. To me my beautiful Golden Lion you are a valuable treasure which I shall never let go of."

"D..." Leon was speechless. He looked so confused and off guard that D couldn't help himself. With the seductive speed and grace of a striking cobra he stole a kiss. Leon froze for a minute as images of recent events flooded his mind, but he quickly gave into D's kiss as he pushed the unwanted images out of his mind.

"Kee keee." Q-Chan squeaked to get their attention. Reluctantly D broke the kiss. It had been so long since their last kiss that D had wanted to make the kiss last as long as he could.

"Yes Q-Chan?" D asked with a slight edge of irritation to his voice. Q-Chan pointed to the kitchen. "Oh yes breakfast."

"I dunno I was enjoying what I was having just now." Leon purred.

"Hmm... yes, but you really do need to fill your stomach."

"Uh huh." Leon was still wanting to kiss D. He's been afraid to kiss him for awhile, but now that he'd been reminded of what he had been avoiding he wanted more. Before he could initiate a kiss of his own D held up a plate of scrambled eggs and toast between them preventing such an action. "Eh?"

"Time to eat." D said simply. Leon groaned but took the plate and started to eat. D watched as Leon ate.

"Leon I was thinking that tonight we could go out for dinner. You could wear you new cheongsam." D said finally.

"I'd love to be able to take you to a nice place that I could wear something like that D, but my checks are looking really bad still." Leon said feeling a little guilty that he couldn't take D to any really fancy restaurants like he was worthy of.

"Nonsense. I suggested it so I wish to treat you."

"But..."

"No that is what I wish to do." D said knowing that Leon was trying to talk his way out of the whole thing.

"Alright you win."

"Good." D beamed. "We'll be stopping by Wong Lau's shop at three."

"Well off to work then."

"Leon, Miss. Jill has already told me that you are off for a couple of days and that you aren't to return to work without calling first."

"Uh yeah..." Leon trailed off. Leave it to Jill to make sure that he did what he was supposed to when she could put her two cents in.

"Why don't you help me around the shop? I have a few sick animals that need some extra attention that I can't easily give them if I'm working all alone." D suggested with a sweet smile.

"Why not. What do I need to do?" Leon sighed. He was learning that if D smiled and spoke sweetly he couldn't refuse him.

"Just watch the front of the store. Should any customers come just greet them and offer assistance. Just call me if you need help or if there is a sale to be completed."

"Sounds easy enough."

"The only catch is that you need to clean up and dress up a bit more. You can't sell much here dressed in jeans and a T-shirt."

"D I hate to point it out, but that is almost all my wardrobe is." Leon couldn't believe that D wanted his to dress up just to sell animals.

"But what about that tuxedo you wore that one time?"

"Rental."

"Your suit from the funeral?"

"Isn't that a little to dressy for a pet shop?"

"Wait right here I know what you can wear." D quickly ran off and returned in less than ten minutes. "Here this should work for now." D handed a package to Leon and ushered him into his own room.

Awhile later after a shower and shave Leon emerged cleaned and dressed in a traditional white Chinese shirt and pant set trimmed in gold. White Chinese slippers covered his feet. D was amazed at how good Leon looked in the quickly purchased clothes.

"Surely a lost prince in America." D breathed.

“I look like I belong in a Bruce Lee movie." Leon groaned.

"Don't be silly."

"Yue what do you think?" Leon didn't know why he was asking the dog but he did. Yue gave a couple of barks and spun around a few times.

"Yue says you look beautiful." D chuckled. "Please Leon just for today wear that outfit."

"Alright."

Leon worked in the front of the store and found that once he got over his initial nervousness he was an excellent sales man. It got to the point that D decided to show Leon how to use the register. He managed to sell three puppies, six cats, and two birds before morning ended. He had barely avoided an incident of a customer wanting to buy Yue. All in all when lunch time rolled around he was feeling really good about himself. D was amazed at how well Leon had handled the shop while he tended the sick animals.

"You've done a wonderful job Leon." the pride in D's voice was obvious.

"Thanks." Leon blushed with shy embarrassment. "I can handle things for awhile longer if you want." D was surprised by the hopeful sound of Leon's voice.

"Alright, I have a few quick errands that need to be done. You already know how to run things and I don't have any appointments scheduled so you should be fine."

"Nothing to worry about, I can handle everything."

"I don't doubt you. Do you want anything while I'm out?"

"Nah gotta save room for tonight."

"Of course." D chuckled. The animals that had watched over Leon during the night came out of their hiding spots and chose various sections of the front shop and made themselves comfortable. "I'll be back soon."

"Okay." Leon was eager to see how well he could really do in the shop on his own. With one last look back D left.

No customers came. Not even a single looky-loo. Leon couldn't believe it, but he wasn't going to complain since he did ask to be able to watch the shop alone. This was really his first chance to look around the place without D nearby. The areas that had always seemed dark and eerie were really pieces of dark mahogany that he had never noticed before. The Chinese decor was very rich in color and flare for the tiniest of carvings or molding. Expensive silks lined and hid things from view. Leon felt very poor just admiring the luxury that D was obviously very accustom to.

"He has expensive tastes doesn't he?" a cold yet seductive voice purred. Leon was badly startled by the sudden appearance that hadn't even been signaled by the tinkling of the small shop bell.

"Welcome how can I help you?" Leon asked quickly trying to calm down the rapid beating of his heart. He turned to face the owner of the voice. In front of him was a young looking Chinese man. His skin was sun kissed much like Leon's own and his raven feather black hair was waist length and flowing freely. His eyes a beautiful jade green which in itself was very unusual for any Asian blood. He had long talon like finger nails like D, but his were white not pale pink. He wore a stone washed white denim jacket, a black mesh muscle shirt which showed off his sinfully delicious sculpted chest, white vinyl pants, and black leather knee high boots finished his look. Not a very good combination of materials, but he wore it with an almost tangible air of danger. Leon didn't know why but the way that he was looking at him seemed very familiar, but he couldn't place it. The animals in the shop sensing that something wasn't quite right with the customer made ready to protect Leon if the need arose.

"As a matter of fact you can. I'm looking for a very rare pet." the man purred all the while grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"We have many kinds of animals here you'll need to be more specific." Leon said as he slipped into his cop mode just enough to be thankful that his gun was very close by and to notice that the animals that had been following him all day with their eyes had assumed a defensive stance including Tetsu.

"Of course. Well the pet I'm looking for has sunshine yellow mane."

"A type of cat... how about a tabby?"

"No, this pet I desire has beautiful topaz blue eyes."

"Still sounds like a cat to me."

"Perhaps I should describe this pet more. The pet I desire has sun kissed skin and walks on two feet. He stands at exactly your height." he said moving dangerously close to Leon and slowly licked his lips in what would have been an enticing display if Leon weren't suddenly so afraid. Had one round of rape made him a walking sign?

"Sorry, but we don't have any animals that match your description." Leon said barley able to keep the tremor out of his voice.

"Oh but you do." the man insisted as he got even closer to Leon, practically placing the length of his body against Leon's and Leon could feel something hard and throbbing against his thigh and he knew that it wasn't his. Yue at this point decided that this intruder had breached all form of being a respectable customer and let him know by sinking his teeth into the man's right calve. "Damn you!" he howled in pain as he attempted to dislodge Yue.

"What are you doing here?!" D had come back in time to see Yue attack the man.

"Right now it would be called trying to pull a damned dog off of my leg."

"I've told you before that you are forbidden to enter this shop." D growled appearing much more dangerous than Leon had ever seen the frail looking Chinese man look.

"Surely you aren't going to kick me out in front of him?"

"Don't count on it. You are to leave now."

"But I haven't gotten my pet."

"What pet? Leon have you sold him anything?" D asked Leon in a much softer tone than he'd just been speaking in.

"No I didn't sell him anything. I couldn't figure out any animal in the shop that is for sale that matched his description."

"Well since no business was conducted you have no reason to be here. You had better leave and don't ever let me catch you in here ever again. Yue let him go, he isn't a meal worthy of you." D said in an attempt to coax Yue off of his new chew toy. Yue decided that D was right and let go.

"See you around." the man said with a smirk as he quickly limped away with his leg still bleeding and unattended. D looked worriedly at Leon. Though Leon was obviously making a valiant attempt at keeping his composure he couldn't hide the fact that he was still as pale as his clothes and trembling slightly. This experience was just to much so soon after his attack and would more then likely set him back again.

"Leon... my Golden Lion what is the matter?" D asked. Leon blinked and thought for a minute, maybe he had seen that man with D before but he wouldn't know unless he asked.

"How do you know him?" Leon asked slowly without any trace of emotion.

"Sadly that waste of flesh is a cousin of mine. Why do you ask?"

"I take it from what I just saw you guys aren't on the best of terms with each other."

"That is the understatement of the millennia. He is a bad apple as you would say." D growled. Thinking of such members in his family never brought to mind any good memories. "Leon what kind of pet was he looking for?"

"One you don't carry for sale." Leon didn't want to tell D what his cousin had described since it was very obvious as to what he had been there for. D however looked puzzled by the answer.

"What was he looking for?"

"Something that isn't for sale." Leon wasn't enjoying the fact that D didn't seem to want to drop the subject. Um didn't you tell Wong Lau that we'd bee by around three?" Leon quickly added.

"Yes I did why?"

"It's quarter to now."

"Oh my! Q-Chan please change the sign. Leon you'll just have to go dressed as you are." D said quickly as he dashed to his desk.

"D what if someone thinks that I'm trying to be insulting?"

"Leon no one will think that. Now come on we really must be going." to further the point Q-Chan began to push Leon to the door.

"D, Yue's muzzle still has that guy's blood all over it. He can't go out looking like he's just come back from acting like a hunting wolf." Leon said while pointing to Yue who indeed did have an unbelievable amount of blood on his squashed face.

"Come Yue I shall wash you up before we leave." D said with an exasperated sigh knowing that they were going to be late.

To Be Continued...