Prince Of Tennis Fan Fiction ❯ The Clan Echizen ❯ Revelations ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: I own nothing!!! But I will make Stuffies! I swear it that I will have my chibi's eventually!! Wahahah! ^^ * twitch* * twitch * Just ignore me, Ne? Insanity has stolen away my brain.

Yes. I know. Another game has hijacked my life. Damned Lineage 2: Chaotic Chronicles. To make up for the lateness I'll make this an extra large chapter!

Author Note: Thanks for all the reviews everyone! They make it all worth it. This chapter contains one sided Atobe/Ryouma.

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Ryouma awoke with Atobe's warm body draped around him. He could feel the GrakuenKaizer's snores reverberating through the back of his neck.

He was inwardly repulsed, but drew it deep inside so that he could manipulate and control his emotions.

A dark smile flittered across his lips.

 

He had a plan now.

After spending the night in Atobe's bed he had been forced to come up with a plan.

He would seduce Atobe - if possible - and would do so by being as cold and unreceptive as possible to drive the man into complete submission.

Again.

If Possible.

 

He suspected that it would be easy to work with Atobe's self-obsession as a target.

The GrakuenKaizer would become very flustered if he was not treated exactly as was wanted.

Ryouma had seen that little detail on the first night's meal with him.

 

He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to block out the feeling of Atobe's fingers trailing their way against the fabric of his clothing - he had been doing so in his sleep for the past five hours and it was not an appreciated attribute to sleep.

 

Atobe stretched and drew in Ryouma closer to his body, nuzzling the flesh behind the youth's right ear.

 

 

“ Morning my dear little Ryouma…” Atobe murmured softly.

Ryouma remained silent, plotting as best he could.

Atobe let out a soft sigh and rolled Ryouma over, putting his hands on Ryouma's chest so that he could look directly into the eyes of his prey.

 

“ Today, I think I should give you a little tour of the area. Seeing as you have been so `depressed' and `distraught' over the loss of your family, I think it would be best if I found you a personal companion that would keep you company when I am not around. He will be waiting for you here when we get back from our trip.”

 

Atobe smirked and threw the blankets aside, striding nude toward a large cabinet. He threw the door on it open and pulled out a morning robe, sliding it on over his head. He strode over to a large screen and pulled it open to reveal a large bay window that had been previously hidden from view.

With a conceited grin on his face, he turned and put his hands on his hips, looking at Ryouma's body.

 

“ This window is the only thing that you will enjoy looking out of in this castle. I say this because what is out there beyond this expensive glass is nothing more then a forest spread out for miles - until of course, it meets the walls of my castle. Walls, my dear Ryouma, you will not be able to breach even with training from Tezuka Kunimitsu. These walls are seventy feet high and have guards posted at every entrance; let me add that even if you were to escape from this house, it would be impossible to reach the gates before they caught you. No horse can make the distance within the standard three hours it takes to get from here, “ Atobe gestured out the window, “ to my gates. But you will see all of this in great detail when we head out after breakfast.” Atobe turned and cocked his head to one side, trying to gauge Ryouma's reaction.

Ryouma took the chance to start off his plan. He yawned loudly and stared with bland indifference out the window.

As he had expected, a thin frown line began to develop across Atobe's brow. The GrakuenKaizer was clearly not pleased.

 

 

Atobe clenched one hand and sniffed disdainfully at Ryouma, turning his back to the youth; it was as if he expected the mere turning away would cause Ryouma great pain and suffering.

 

Ryouma lifted the blanket up and used it to shield the smile that had been gifted to his lips.

So there was a way to get under the Great Atobe's skin.

He took in a deep breath and prepared to draw forth all the courage he had in his soul to combat his captor.

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Ryouma forced down a bowl of the most disgusting gruel he had ever eaten in his life as slowly and painfully as possible while Kikumaru hovered fretfully behind him.

Apparently most of the Bandits had heard about his near starvation and had flocked in numbers to linger around him with worried looks on their faces.

It was almost as if he were some religious icon and they his pilgrims; Ryouma found it tedious but tolerated it only because it allowed him to gain some knowledge about the group that had taken him from his home.

 

All in all, he had counted seventy-five wander in and out of the main dining hall during Breakfast; far more then he had hoped would be under the GrakuenKaizer's rule.

 

Atobe was restless and kept looking at a pocket watch that one of his personal servants carried. He would glance up every once in a while, gaze unabashedly at Ryouma and then return to staring at the watch which would be closed and shut several times because of this.

It made Ryouma very jumpy, this glancing and looking away. It was like the GrakuenKaizer was staring through him instead of at him.

 

 

Ryouma finished his `meal' and pushed the bowl away. One of the servants behind Kikumaru darted forward and snapped it up as if she were afraid he would pick up the bowl again and start eating once more.

He turned his attention back to Atobe with a dry but subtle yawn again escaping his lips.

 

Atobe looked like he was struggling with rage and Ryouma bowed his head, acting respectful while looking for a way to sneak one of the many knives set out in front of him into his pocket.

 

 

Atobe clapped his hands sharply and the servants (as well as Kikumaru) darted together into an unbroken line.

The GrakuenKaizer smiled.

 

“ Have the Stable workers hitch up my carriage. We will be going out to the village today and I want Ryouma to see it where he can be hidden from view, efficiently, if necessary. Kikumaru, you and Ibu will flank the carriage's sides while Kamio will guard from the rear.” Atobe turned to Ryouma and flashed one of the vilest looks available to him.

“ This is because I don't want you to try to run away from me. As I said before, the walls are impossible to breach.” He turned back to Kikumaru and raised his hand to point one immaculately pale finger.

 

“ You will be quartered and drawn if he escapes - do you understand? I'll have your guts for garters if so much as a single hair from his head finds its way out of my household.” Atobe growled.

 

Ryouma frowned inwardly and eyed Kikumaru as best he could while still looking forward at Atobe.

He didn't want anyone harmed because of him; if possible he would take Kikumaru with him when he fled. He would somehow convince the man to escape with him; he would tell his parents that the man was a servant of his newly acquired - not that Kaidoh or Momoshiro would believe, but it was good enough to satisfy his father at the very least.

 

 

Kikumaru nodded sternly to Atobe and slipped from the line, vanishing from sight.

 

 

 

Within a few minutes Ryouma found himself packed into a lavishly furnished Carriage beside a rather glowing Atobe.

The GrakuenKaizer sank delighted into the plush padding of the seats, inspecting the interior with his perfect vision. He frowned and pulled a single strand of thread from the railing of the door.

 

“ The next time I find string in my presence, it will be the death of someone.” He called out.

 

Ryouma crossed his arms and looked at Atobe, trying to stare out another weakness that could be used against him.

Atobe met his gaze with an almost invisible movement.

It appalled Ryouma that this monster was keeping him trapped from his life. Not that he had enjoyed his life beforehand, but he had at least grown into a rut of normalcy that he had enjoyed immensely.

He found himself tracing the very lines of Atobe's face, watching for the wrinkles around the man's eyes; he found no laugh lines and was not surprised. It had not struck him that Atobe would find anything funny other then the pain and humiliation of others.

 

Atobe frowned and Ryouma smiled inwardly, winning his first battle when the man spoke the words he had been hoping for.

 

“ What is it that makes you stare so feverishly at me? Have I got something on my face?” Atobe asked. He paused and pulled a small mirror out of his pocket, examining himself before he turned back to Ryouma. Puzzlement clouded Atobe's features for a moment.

 

“ What?”

 

Ryouma yawned and laboriously began to examine his fingernails with more interest then he had shown Atobe.

 

In an instant, Atobe had slapped him across the face; Ryouma did not flinch, thought the pain of the sharp blow was more then enough to make him cry out.

 

“ Didn't I tell you that you weren't supposed to look at anything other then my beauty?” Atobe hissed, moving forward so that he could invade Ryouma's personal space; a tactic that worked better then Ryouma would have liked it to.

 

Ryouma gathered his strength.

 

“ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Ryouma said, using the obscure reference to toss both a psychological slap and a verbal blow into Atobe's face.

 

As he had suspected, Atobe drew back with snakelike speed, eyes wide and slightly startled.

The words had had the affect Ryouma had hoped they would, and he decided to continue with his statement for a few seconds longer.

 

“ Beauty is only skin deep- but pure glorious existence belongs only to you.” Ryouma said; he locked yes with Atobe and saw another startled flash in Atobe's eyes.

 

He had struck a nerve and repaired it in an instant.

It was the perfect attack upon the man.

The original statement had been forceful, damaging even, and the second had `mended it'.

 

Atobe turned away and looked out the window of the carriage as it began to move toward the forest with a steady clip clopping of the horses drawing it.

Ryouma caught Kikumaru's eye and smirked.

Kikumaru nodded his head once, taking the look as a sign that nothing bad had happened and pulled back from the window as to not draw Atobe's attention.

 

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For the first time since Ryouma had met Atobe, the man had fallen completely silent.

It seemed odd to Ryouma, this strange silence.

The mere act of it seemed to be something out of a child's imagination or perhaps the dream of some starry eyed Princess.

Captured by an evil Sorcerer, awaiting to be rescued by a brave Knight.

Ryouma found it amusing.

Yet, something in his heart ached nonetheless.

Atobe had been right about the trip so far.

He felt no urge to flee from the carriage, whether it was from exhaustion or fear he did not know. It had had the desired effect upon his soul.

 

Yet somehow, now he wanted to hear Atobe's pompous voice; it startled him inwardly. He drew his arms around himself for comfort and let his gaze linger on the GrakuenKaizer for a moment longer.

He had found a chink in the ethereal armour of a man desperate for perfection; it was satisfying and also a little saddening.

Something with such high but necessary esteem had been damaged.

 

For some reason, Ryouma found that he had to make it up to the man.

 

So he spoke again.

 

“ Atobe-San? Why do you look so upset?” Ryouma asked, honestly concerned. He feared deep down that perhaps Atobe was planning something dangerously vicious as a punishment and had masked it in a mock depression.

 

Atobe did not turn to face him and kept his eyes on the window.

 

“ It looks like it is going to rain. I do not like the rain.” Atobe said simply.

 

Unsatisfied with the response, Ryouma pressed the matter further.

 

“ Why do you not like the rain?” he asked.

 

Atobe sighed and shook his head.

 

“ I do not like talking about things that happened before I was reborn. Those things do not belong to this life…” Atobe trailed off, falling into a deathly silence once more.

 

Ryouma was unsure whether to continue the conversation and fell into a calmed state of existence.

 

After a few moments, Atobe turned and looked at Ryouma.

 

“ Come here.” He said, sweeping with one hand.

Ryouma allowed himself to move and sat down beside the GrakuenKaizer. At once, Atobe draped an arm over his shoulder, caressing the smooth flesh of Ryouma's cheek.

The movement seemed to put the GrakuenKaizer at peace, and his ferocious staring out the window halted.

 

Ryouma felt himself sliding deeper into the embrace. It was confusing on its own for the first few minutes, for Atobe seemed much more possessive then he had originally been, but after a while there was a lull in the stiff anxiety Ryouma felt.

 

Atobe smiled to himself and turned his captives chin in order to bring their faces together.

He leaned closer until his eyes were directly locked on the younger mans. A sigh escaped his lips, and Ryouma felt the hot breath bathe across his face where it slid pleasantly down his neck.

 

Atobe's fingers ran through Ryouma's hair.

 

 

“ It pleases me to see you here with me. There is something,” Atobe paused, leaning forward where he took a deep breath pressing his lip against Ryouma's neck.

He pulled away after a moment and returned to staring into his captives eyes, un-phased by the flushed look on Ryouma's face.

 

“Desirable about the way you shrink back in total petrified fear of me.”

 

Ryouma shuddered inwardly and reminded himself that his had been the plan - a plan he had concocted out of necessity. He would tough it out! He would not fall into a puddle of horrified fear in the presence of the monster that had taken it upon himself to touch him whenever it felt was necessary.

Yes. Referring to Atobe as an `it' or a monster put his mind at rest for a few milliseconds.

His eyes widened.

Was this really the way to escape? Would he use such vile touch to escape?

 

 

Atobe laughed darkly and leaned Ryouma closer to his chest, turning the younger man's face away with one hand.

 

“ I know what you think your are going to do to get out of here - you think that by merely submitting to my whims that you will escape punishment and even this place. It makes you so much more attractive to me. Perhaps it would better you more to repulse me? Don't you think so? I applaud your use of materials in this kind of situation. Anyone would do the same thing if they were weak enough to be captured and taken prisoner.”

 

Ryouma frowned inwardly; he could feel Atobe's voice reverberating through the man's chest into the back of his head. It was as if the man were purring.

He looked up from Atobe's chest and saw that it had begun to rain. The wind was picking up and hurled wet leaves against the glimmering windows of the carriage.

Atobe stiffened, but remained regally composed.

It was clear that this rain caused an unpleasant feeling in the GrakuenKaizer.

Ryouma smiled.

 

 

The horses lurched to a stop -

Ryouma slid down the side of Atobe's leg onto the floor where he laid prostrate at the man's feet.

Atobe yanked him up onto the seat and rapped once on the glass of the door.

 

At once, Kikumaru bounced into view, looking both mortified and apprehensive.

 

“ Yes my Lord?” Kikumaru asked delicately.

 

“ What is going on out there? I don't like it when my travel is met with lurching and bouncing - you had better tell that fool who is driving that he had better watch the road or he'll be watching his head when I lop it off and mount it on a pike outside my gates.” Atobe growled.

 

Kikumaru bowed his head.

“ My Lord, it is not the driver that is causing this unpleasant ride - One of the villagers had run in front of the carriage.” He said.

 

Atobe frowned.

“ What is the dolt trying to prove?”

 

“My Lord, it seems that a man has broken through the main gates and his heading toward us.” Kikumaru mumbled.

 

 

Atobe's eyes narrowed into slits of fury.

 

“ WHAT?!”

He pushed Ryouma down onto the seat and stood, throwing open the door; he stuck his head out the door, looking into the rainstorm before them.

 

“ Who is it? Who has broken into my lands - I'll kill them!” He snarled.

 

Kikumaru let out a sigh and shook his head.

 

“ My Lord, it is Kirihara-kun.”

 

Atobe raised an eyebrow.

 

“ Kirihara? Here? Why would he go to such great lengths to break into my lands - if he wasn't my cousin, I would order you to kill him on the spot.” He scowled and slid back into the carriage, shutting the door with a graceful flick of his wrist.

 

Kikumaru nodded and gestured for the Bandits surrounding the Carriage to tighten their circle.

 

 

 

Ryouma frowned.

The GrakuenKaizer had a cousin? Kirihara? How was that possible? The man had been born centuries beforehand! It would mean that this Kirihara was something of demonic origins…

He started to rise up to peek out of the windows, curious about the intruder, but Atobe pushed him down onto his lap.

 

“ Don't concern yourself with watching for him. Kirihara's never been the kind of person to just walk up to me and wave. The belligerent bastard hasn't a refined bone in his body. Wretched demon - he isn't worth my time.” Atobe let out a dignified yawn and leaned back against the padded seat.

 

“ We'll let the bandits sort him out for a while… then I'll deal with him.”

 

 

The winds began to pick up, rocking and tearing at the carriage with brutality unknown to any human.

The leaves began to whirl up in a tornado before them - it began to tear toward the startled bandits.

Rain that had once been calm and peaceful began to form into blades of ice - the horses whinnied and shrieked as the blades drew lines of red across their sides, but still the bandits remained strong.

 

Kikumaru dismounted from his steed and drew a dagger from his belt.

 

Ryouma struggled free from Atobe's grasp, pressing his face against the window with vehement awareness.

Atobe grumbled, but moved as well to peer out the window with reluctance.

 

 

“ Weapons at the ready - Kirihara's all show - prepare to strike!” Kikumaru shouted.

Kamio and Shinji nodded to each other and began to circle the tornado; they held their hands up and began to mutter words from a language that Ryouma had never heard before.

 

From the fingertips of the pair, a golden chain extended, shooting out to pierce the tornado with incredible accuracy.

At once the wind picked up and died down simultaneously - a growl tore forth from the gale directed toward the pair.

 

Kamio nodded to Shinji and they clapped their hands together.

The chains entwined with each other, spinning around and around as whirlwind as it tried to break free, binding it in its place.

The horses whinnied and began to pull backwards, tightening the chains.

 

To Ryouma's horror, an unearthly shrieking noise sailed up from the whirlwind. The winds died down - the rain began to return to its original pitter-pattering, hitting the soft grass covered ground.

The chains shimmered as the sun peered through the clouds with tentative ease.

 

There, trapped within the binding links was a man.

 

 

Ryouma's eyes widened.

 

 

The man had wary hair curling around his ears; strands of it stuck out atop of his head where feathers gradually began become noticeable. The hair was dark and wet with drops of falling rain sliding down until they fell free to the ground.

Red eyes blazed against snow-white skin, framed by thin arched eyebrows.

He was of medium height and of awkward build. He wore a crimson robe that was slit open until his navel; it hung around his hips, sheltering his bare feet.

He was growling.

 

 

“ Is this any way to treat family Atobe-Sempai? Huh?” Kirihara snapped, revealing pointed incisors.

 

The Bandits scowled at Kirihara and began to circle him with murderous looks in their eyes. It was clear that this man was not well liked by anyone belonging to Atobe.

Kamio glared severely at Kirihara, shaking with wrath.

 

“ We should kill him for this - breaking in without any notice.” Kamio growled, clenching and unclenching his fists; as he did so, Kirihara began to squeal in pain, for the chains were tightening of their own accord.

 

“ Akira - let it go. Atobe-boss will deal with him.” Shinji said, motioning for his friend to stop.

 

Kamio sniffed disdainfully and looked away.

 

“He deserves everything he gets for this. Anyone of us that tried to destroy one of Atobe-boss's commanding officers deserves death. Think of Tachibana-san. Do you really feel pity for him?” Kamio asked.

 

Kirihara grinned and began to chuckle.

 

“ Tachibana is nothing. He's only useful when he's out spying on the Yamabuki area. He's pathetic and he deserved it when I - “

He let out a shriek when Shinji tightened his side of the chains.

The metallic links dug into the fabric with ease suited to a knife cutting through butter.

 

 

“ That's enough.” Atobe drawled.

Kamio and Shinji bowed their heads and loosened the chains but did not release the man.

 

Atobe pushed open the door and stepped out, dragging Ryouma by the wrists.

His boots made a squelching noise as they touched the ground and Ryouma was almost forced to fall to his knees to keep up with the GrakuenKaizer's movement.

 

Kirihara's eyes widened and he began to giggle to himself, watching Ryouma as Atobe approached him.

 

Noticing this, Atobe pushed Ryouma toward Kikumaru, who caught him and dropped his dagger to the ground.

Ryouma pretended to slip and retrieved the weapon, waiting for the perfect moment to strike at Atobe -

 

Atobe grabbed Kirihara by the throat; the manicured nails on his hands suddenly warped into claws that tore at the pale flesh. A trickle of blood made its way down Kirihara's neck, dribbling down the man's chest where it vanished under the red fabric of Kirihara's robes.

 

Kirihara giggled again.

“ Temper, Temper Atobe-Sempai.” He cooed.

 

“ What the hell do you want with me now Kirihara?” Atobe snapped. The claws dug in deeper and this time Kirihara flinched.

 

 

“ I've come for my prize - I go out of my way to dump off your precious captives clothing in the room of Akutsu Jin and what do I get? Nothing. Not even a thank you - and I've started a warring between your two favourite enemies. That's not very fair.” Kirihara pouted and looked with one eye into Atobe's eyes while the other eye drifted over to stare mysteriously at Ryouma.

 

Its detached glory seemed to send a collective shiver down the spines of the Bandits. Kikumaru pushed Ryouma behind him, forgetting about his dropped weapon.

 

 

Kirihara smiled and pulled one hand free from the loosened chains.

He put his hand on Atobe's shoulder, caressing it delicately.

Atobe shrugged it off and slapped his cousin across the face.

 

“ How many times have I told you not to touch me?” he snapped, seizing Kirihara by the ear.

 

Kirihara shrugged and leaned closer to Atobe - the chains tightened.

 

“ a thousand times by now- and its not as if I'm attracted to you you know. You fear something that doesn't exist.” Kirihara grumbled.

The eye fixed on Ryouma seemed to be ordering him to strike.

 

Ryouma felt his limbs move of their own accord.

 

He sprang up and struck.

 

Atobe stiffened as the dagger blade sank deep into the flesh between his shoulder blades, piercing his throat.

Blood began to spurt out - a jet of it caught Ryouma in the face and he pulled back.

Yet Atobe did not sink to his knees.

 

He calmly turned; arm stretching out longer then it had ever been before. He pulled the dagger from his back, and turned around, looking at Ryouma with a smile peppering his face. Blood dripped from his lower lip and he licked it away before raising the dagger above his head -

The sun glinted off the blade -

Ryouma raised his arms up in front of his face, unable to move -

 

 

“ Ryouma-kun, you really think that stabbing me to death could kill me; a demon that has survived thousands of years, slain by something that anyone could accomplish? My flesh is bound by the power of my demonic aura and will not be destroyed even with a thousand arrows.” Atobe turned and threw the dagger with a graceful arc.

It embedded itself in Kirihara's forehead with the sound of flesh slitting.

 

Ryouma's eyes widened.

He fell to his knees and looked up at Atobe in dismayed awe.

Was there nothing he could to do slay this beast of a man?

 

Then to Ryouma's surprise, Atobe knelt before him.

The GrakuenKaizer reached out and the wicked claws on his hand vanished; he wiped his blood off of Ryouma's face with a handkerchief that he pulled from a pocket.

 

“ Really Ryouma-kun. You should have more faith in me.”

 

 

Kirihara groaned and reached up with his free hand, wrenching the blade free from his flesh. Blood burst forth and dripped lazily down the bride of his nose. He licked it off when it fell to his lips and shook his head with such force that the blood sprayed Kamio and Shinji where they stood, paces away.

 

“ Sheesh Atobe-Sempai. What'd you do that for? I was only playing around.” He grumbled, wiping at the blood. The injury seemed to fill itself back up with pale flesh and vanished before Ryouma's startled eyes.

 

Atobe's injury as well had vanished from sight. No more did the flesh bulge forth from his throat in a growth of gore. It smoothed itself down and vanished, leaving not a trace of the attack, spare the blood.

 

 

Ryouma found himself trembling uncontrollably.

The energy that had been flowing so haphazardly through his body was suddenly diminishing into nothingness.

Atobe reached out and picked Ryouma up, holding him in his arms.

 

He turned and sent Kirihara a dark look.

 

“ Look what you've done now! He's only just begun to recover from his depression and you've thrown away his hope - now he knows that there's nothing he can do but resign to his fate. You've ruined my game and crushed the will for him to continue moving.” Atobe said; his voice seemed to take on a malicious tone.

 

Kirihara laughed aloud, shaking his head.

 

“ He'll be fine. You can always just tell him how to kill you. It's not a big deal - besides Atobe-Sempai, even I can smell the darkness oozing from him - you could always just make him one of your living dead if he decides to kill himself.” Kirihara said, mimicking Atobe's usual drawl to such an extent that several bandits began to murmur amongst themselves.

 

 

Atobe was not pleased.

 

“ You ungrateful piece of rubbish. I should have left you to die when Hazuka Kaidoh and the Kunimitsu Clan raided you home!” the GrakuenKaizer said cruelly.

 

Kirihara rolled his eyes.

 

“ It wouldn't have happened if you hadn't pissed them all off. Bloody Seigaku rulers! They thought by slaying the demon nest that had sheltered you would bring your tyranny to an end. Pft.”

 

Atobe raised a hand over Ryouma's head and at once, Ryouma felt the energy return to his body.

He was perplexed by the action, but remained still in the GrakuenKaizer's arms, unsure of what his next move should be.

 

 

“ Take this moron back to my main house and keep him locked up until we return. If he fights back you have my permission to hang him from the ceiling by his feet, understand?” Atobe growled.

 

The Bandits nodded in unison and soon Ryouma was whisked back into the carriage for the journey to continue.

 

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The Village was perhaps the homiest thing that Ryouma had ever witnessed.

One could almost miss the fine detail that it had been established by one of the most arrogant and narcissistic beings to ever exist.

 

The villagers bowed as they walked past, praising the GrakuenKaizer with loud and boisterous chanting.

It was clear that Atobe was none other then a God to those under his protection; Ryouma could see it in their eyes when they saw him.

He was sure that there were shrines set up somewhere with incense burning and paintings framed with a thousand things that he had dropped on the ground or walked on.

It baffled Ryouma how much one person could convince others.

True enough, he himself had likely several people that thought of him and his family in the same manner, but Ryouma was sure that no one bowed down and chanted their family name whenever they were in the same vicinity.

 

Ryouma kept to Atobe's left side, opting to keep himself away from the many villagers. He had never appreciated large groups of people and found it stifling now that the entire population of this village was outside hanging on the every breath of his captor. He was made very aware of the fact that everyone near him was an enemy when he strayed a few inches from Atobe and was forcefully pushed back towards the man by several almost irate villagers.

 

 

Atobe smiled to himself and gestured to the crowd (they moved together faster then the most loyal army) so that Ryouma could see them better.

 

 

“ So what do you think? Aren't they lovely?” He asked, moving so that he was standing directly behind Ryouma with his hands on his shoulders.

Intimidated, Ryouma forced himself to nod. This seemed to please Atobe, and he motioned for the carriage to be brought back toward them.

 

Within minutes, Ryouma was corralled back into the vehicle and they were on their way back to the main compound.

 

Ryouma sighed to himself and looked out the window, watching the main gates vanish into a forest of trees.

There had not been much to see of the gate and what he had seen had not been positive for the situation. Atobe had not been lying when he had said there would be no way to breach the great walls.

Construction of the gates had to have taken at the very least a few thousand people as well as several highly equipped engineers. The Echizen Clan's illustrious compound had taken several hundreds to construct and was nowhere near the same magnitude.

These walls had been built clearly to both keep out and to threaten. One that was outside was glad that they did not have to escape and those within dreaded ever having to leave, for it would be an impossible task without the help of a demon.

Unfortunately, most demons were under the hold of a Sorcerer by the name of Akutagawa Jirou, a man rumoured to have lived even longer then the GrakuenKaizer.

 

Ryouma thought fondly of Oishi-Sensei and the lessons he had taught.

If only Oishi-Sensei had told him more about Demons and the GrakuenKaizer…

He would have been more wary if he had known that the man was still alive and kicking.

 

He drummed his fingers on his chin.

What were Kaidoh and Momoshiro doing right now? Were they looking for him somewhere? Or were they simply awaiting for his mother's child to be born so that they could forget all about him.

 

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Kaidoh crossed his arms and sank into the dark shadows that danced across the main hall.

He and Momoshiro had been lurking here for the past week trying to find out anything that would help them locate Echizen-San.

He let out a sigh and shook his head.

 

Kaidoh had never seen Nanjiroh Echizen pussy foot around anything but he was certainly doing so now.

The man had seemed eager at first to go rescue his son, but had fallen into a sullen rage since then; it was not that he did not want to find his son, it was that there were not enough leads to locate him.

 

Kaidoh blamed himself for this.

He had seen the kidnapping take place; a catlike thief had sprung down upon Echizen-san as he was looking at the books and the moment he had tried to save his charge he had been hit from behind by someone.

 

It angered him that he had been unable to give chase.

He clenched and unclenched his hands.

He would find Echizen-san by any means necessary and he would pay back that horrid thief that had taken his young master captive.

 

Momoshiro put a calm hand on his shoulder and let out a sigh.

 

“ Kaidoh, I'm afraid there is bad news about Echizen-San.” Momoshiro said softly.

 

Kaidoh felt as if the world had dropped out beneath him; the air caught in his lungs.

 

Momoshiro looked warily toward Nanjiroh, making sure that the man could not here what he was going to say.

 

“ They found his clothes on the border between Seigaku and Yamabuki… this is where the news gets worse.”

 

 

Kaidoh feinted indifference and gave Momoshiro a deep look over.

Yes.

Momoshiro had something important to Echizen-san's safety. It was an annoying habit of his to keep things of such magnitude from those that needed to know it.

 

Momoshiro motioned for Kaidoh to follow him out into the courtyard.

He looked around to be sure that they were totally alone and began to speak once again.

 

“ We've had rumours that villagers have seen a demon place the clothes in the area - a demon well known to the Echizen Clan through history.”

 

 

“ Kirihara.” Kaidoh said with a hiss, shaking his head.

 

Momoshiro looked surprised.

 

“ You know of this demon?” he asked.

 

Kaidoh nodded.

“ This particular Demon convinced his clan leader to take in Atobe Keigo - “

 

“ The GrakuenKaizer?!” Momoshiro interrupted impatiently.

Again Kaidoh nodded.

 

“ The one and same. Kirihara is the last of his kind, wind demons that once dwelled in the Hyotei area. If he has been seen, then things are indeed much worse then you would think.” Kaidoh turned and began to walk away, deciding to head off to the Library where he might stumble across some of the old documents his predecessor Hazuka Kaidoh had left behind. If what he thought were happening, it would be imperative to gain access to such documents.

 

“Hey!”

 

Momoshiro grabbed him by the shoulder, anger enflamed in his eyes.

 

“ I told you what I know - it's only fair that you tell me what you know, you sneaky little snake!” Momoshiro growled.

 

Kaidoh turned slowly, eyes narrowing until Momoshiro was glaring right back at him.

 

“ If you're claiming to be a member of this household, you are making it look pathetic! Haven't you listened to anything that Oishi-Sensei and Fuji-Sensei have said? Atobe Keigo was locked away five thousand years ago by my ancestor - a man who knew the best course of action - “ Kaidoh snapped.

 

“ Yea, well most people don't have High Priests for ancestors you know - and what makes you think that you can just keep this information from me eh?” Momoshiro snarled back.

 

Kaidoh reached out and seized Momoshiro by the ear.

 

“ Kirihara was present during the final attack of the Hyotei Wind Demons you fool. He was the last one connected with the GrakuenKaizer when my ancestor sealed them both away. Fuji-Sensei can prove that! Anything that Kirihara is involved in will be either reviving the GrakuenKaizer or overthrowing the Echizen Clan.” He snapped.

 

Momoshiro looked as if Kaidoh had just beaten him over the head with a mortar and pestle.

 

“ You mean… there's a possibility that Atobe Keigo has been revived… and that he's the one that has taken Ryouma-kun?” Momoshiro asked softly.

 

Kaidoh nodded.

 

“ If he is involved, it would only make sense that the GrakuenKaizer was alive once more. Even someone as stupid as you should know the implications of THAT.”

 

Momoshiro glowered, but did not speak.

 

Kaidoh sighed and shook his head, releasing his fellow bodyguard.

 

“ It's a trap they are setting up to pit Seigaku against Yamabuki and we cannot allow ourselves to fall for it. There is only one way to find out the truth… and that, is to locate the GrakuenKaizer himself.”

 

 

Momoshiro scowled.

 

“ And how do we do that exactly? Its not as if he's going to leave his address all over the castle with comprehensive plans about the incident.”

 

 

 

“ He's been revived alright.” Fuji said, walking out into the courtyard. He was carrying a large paper umbrella, twirling it as he moved.

It surprised Kaidoh at first that Fuji-Sensei would have been willing to eavesdrop in on a private conversation, but he was quickly reminded of Fuji's fondness of Echizen-San.

 

Momoshiro crossed his arms and looked up at the sky, appearing unhappy about the revelation.

 

Fuji turned and nodded to Kaidoh, darkness slipping down over his face; at once Kaidoh realized the reason for the umbrella.

 

“ It's started again, hasn't it Fuji-Sensei?” Kaidoh asked.

 

Fuji smiled softly.

 

“ Of Course. This curse of mine never goes away. I've lived five thousand years in suffering ever since those damned Wind Demons brought down their wrath upon me and I'll be damned if I let it defeat me…”

He lowered the umbrella and Momoshiro let out a gasp of horror.

 

Fuji-Sensei's eyes had gone a devilish red.

He held up his hands and revealed claws that had grown their way brutally through his flesh. The flesh around his fingertips was torn and bleeding, as if the claws had scratched their way out of his body.

 

Kaidoh shook his head sadly.

 

“ And Yuuta? Is he facing the same problems?” He asked.

 

Fuji shook his head and hid his hands and eyes once more.

 

“ This part of the curse was cast only upon me. I am destined to turn into the next body of the Wind Demon's belated master Shikishi if I don't find a way to break the curse soon. Hazuka was buying me time when he sealed, but it seems that I have not yet discovered a way to break the curse…”

 

Momoshiro began to back away, horror struck.

 

“ Y..You can't be serious, can you? You can't be five thousand years old - you can't be a demon!” he shouted, hysterical.

 

Kaidoh moved as fast as he could and clamped his hands over Momoshiro's mouth, silencing him.

 

“ Be quiet you fool. This curse is not something you blindly shout out - the only ones aware of the curse are the people of the Fuji Clan and the Kaidoh Clan. It does not concern the Echizen's or anyone under their control. I trust that you will keep quiet for Fuji-sensei's sake.”

 

Momoshiro struggled against the grasp and fell silent.

He nodded once and Kaidoh let him go.

 

“ What are we going to do then? All we have to go on is the testimony of a demon and a few villagers that can't be sure they saw Kirihara at all. What makes you think that Nanjiroh or anyone else for that matter will move just for that?” Momoshiro asked with a grumble.

 

Kaidoh smiled forebodingly.

 

“ They, my friend, will not be acting at all. You and I will gather every bit of information we can about the GrakuenKaizer's involvement; then we shall set out on our own to retrieve Echizen-San.”

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T.B.C