Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Love On A Leash ❯ Seeking Shelter ( Chapter 4 )

Love On A Leash

By: Atsureki

Disclaimers: This is getting real old. /sighs/ They aren't mine I'm just using them to satisfy my twisted imagination.

Paring: Implying Ran/Ken

Warnings: AU, Mild Shounen-ai. OCC, Angst, Slavery.

Notes: Stuff written in Italic are thoughts.

Chapter 4. Seeking Shelter

He was nervous, very nervous. His owner was ready to go but he had forgotten about Ken's collar. The brunette bit his lip and stared at the floor. He couldn't go out without it, it was against the law and besides, a slave with no collar was up for grabs. But he couldn't say anything, he wasn't allowed to. Anxiously he shifted his weight from one foot to the other praying that Aya would notice it and ask what was wrong.

"Put your shoes on," the deep smooth voice said but Ken didn't move. He might be scared of his owner but he didn't want to be taken away from him. So far he hadn't been hurt there, at least not by the redhead. "Is something wrong?" The brunette sighed. Finally he asked.

"M… my collar," he stammered and glued his eyes to the floor.

"What about it?" Ken didn't answer, didn't know how to explain. "It's on the table." Relieved the slave looked up and saw his collar. He grabbed it and quickly secured it around his neck. "You can't wear that I haven't had time to get it fixed yet," Aya objected. That was rather obvious since the buckle still cut into his skin but it didn't matter as long as he a collar to wear.

"I… I don't mind."

"Mind? Ken it's hurting you, take it off," Aya said firmly. The slave's hands twitched but he didn't remove the collar. "I said, take it off!" The voice was hard and annoyed now. Ken cowered. He was going to get beaten for this but that option was better than taking off the collar.

"I… I… c… can't," he squeaked out and sank down on the floor to at least protect some parts of his body. To his surprise nothing happened.

"Can't? Why not?" Ken glanced up in confusion and widened his eyes when he saw the look on his owner's face. Aya wasn't angry he just looked… perplexed.

"It's… against the law."

"Damn! I forgot, thanks for reminding me," the redhead muttered. "I'm gonna have to ask my cousin for some help. I have no idea of how this works." Ken stared. "Listen we'll get you a new collar okay? One that doesn't hurt you. Is that alright with you?" The slave was lost in utter and complete confusion but he managed to nod. "Good, now put on your shoes and let's go."

//

Ran decided against taking his car, since it was Saturday and the traffic would be awful, which meant that they would have to take the subway. He glanced over his shoulder and frowned when he saw Ken walking two steps behind him with his head lowered to the ground. Of course the brunette was acting like a slave should but it was humiliating. Ken was human being and there he was following his master like some damn collie.

Actually Ran should have him on a leash but that was something he just refused to be any part of. To hell with laws, there was no way that Fujimiya Ran would walk around with an adult man on a leash! Huffing to himself he made a turn and soon they reached the stairs that would lead them down to the subway station. The place was packed so the redhead stopped to allow Ken to catch up.

"Stay close to me, okay?" The slave nodded and seemed to be very uncomfortable with the situation.

They started walking again and Ran had to use his strength to push through the mass of humans that surrounded them. Annoyed he elbowed a young man in the side to be able to move forward. The redhead suddenly stopped and tilted his head. He could have sworn he had heard his name. Slowly he turned around and frowned deeply when he noticed that Ken wasn't there anymore. Worried he searched the station but there were too many people.

"Aya!" That time he was sure. Ken was calling his name. Quickly he started pushing his way towards the sound. His sharp eyes caught a flash of his slave and he started moving even faster. "Aya, help me," Ken begged as two men kept on pulling him backwards. The biggest one of them gave the brunette a punch in the side and covered his mouth with a large hand. Ran snarled and finally managed to catch up to them.

"Let him go," he said coldly and reached out his hand to Ken. "NOW!"

"I don't think so rich kid. Buy yourself a new slave. I like this one, he's pretty." The redhead corrected his long black leather coat and smiled dangerously.

"I like him too so I suggest you get your filthy hands off him before I get angry. You won't like it if I do," Ran said quietly with his violet eyes dark and deadly.

"I'm not afraid of you. We're bigger and there's two of us," the large man sneered.

"Well then…" The redhead dashed forward and buried his fist in the man's face. His grip on Ken loosened slightly and the slave got free. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Ran warned the second man who was approaching him. "Now you two run along, shoo."

"Thank you," the brunette almost whispered and hung his head.

"You okay? Did they hurt you?" The redhead calmed himself down. They had almost gotten Ken; he had almost lost Ken.

"I'm okay."

"Good. We have to get out of here. Just hang on to me Ken and don't let go." To Ran's surprise the slave grabbed his hand tightly. That wasn't exactly what he had meant but what the hell. He could feel the brunette tremble so he hugged the hand in his a few times to calm him down. After more pushing and shoving they finally stepped onto the train.

//

Carefully Ken glanced up and looked at his owner. Aya had saved him again and he was holding his hand, gently squeezing it every now and then. It felt so safe. Sighing quietly the brunette tried to calm himself down. He had been so scared when those two men had grabbed him. People kept on pushing him back and forth almost making him lose the grip he had on his owner's hand. He didn't want to let go; he didn't want to lose Aya. He had never felt safe with any of his other owners so he was damn well going to cling to this one. Amethyst eyes looked at him and narrowed when he again was shoved to the side.

"Come here," the redhead said softly and pulled Ken close. Trembling the slave pressed himself against the tall firm body, seeking shelter and protection. "Calm down Ken no one is going to hurt you. Just stay close to me." A strong arm was placed around his shoulders and held him.

It had to be a dream. And if it was then Ken would enjoy it while it lasted so he hid his face against the soft leather of his owner's coat and grabbed it with both hands just to make sure he didn't vanish. He didn't fully trust Aya, not yet, and he knew that the redhead still could turn out to be some sadistic bastard who wanted to cause him nothing but pain but he seriously doubted it.

For now he was going to allow himself to cherish everything his owner was willing to give him, no matter how trivial it might seem. Feeling content and safe Ken closed his eyes and relaxed.

//

Ran was stunned by himself. He had Ken pressed up against him and he couldn't convince himself to do anything other than enjoy it. The slave had stopped trembling and his breathing was calm again. It was getting dangerous, he knew that, but he just didn't understand how he could develop that kind of caring for a complete stranger so fast? Ran wasn't that kind of person, not anymore.

He let out a puff of air and rested his chin against Ken's soft hair. To hell with it all! He was going to protect this man with all he had. The redhead couldn't even begin to understand what it must be like to be a slave but he was going to do everything in his powers to make the brunette feel secure again, he just had to.

He didn't want to see fear in those beautiful chocolate eyed anymore. Gently he ran his fingers through his slave's brown hair and sighed. If he weren't careful he might fall for Ken and he knew that that most likely wouldn't be a good idea, but he wasn't sure he'd be able to stop himself. He would have to deal with that if it happened; at the moment he didn't care. Ran shifted his weight slightly and frowned when he heard a low whimper from Ken.

"What's wrong?" he asked with worry in his voice. The slave started trembling again.

"I… just… please…" the brunette stammered and pressed himself closer. Ran felt like crying. Ken was scared he would push him away, that he would take away what safety he was offering. The redhead sighed sadly. He would never do that.

"Sch Ken, I'm not gonna letting go unless you want me to," Ran murmured softly.

"Th… thank you." It took about 20 minutes before the station the train reached the station where they were stepping off.

"Ken, next stop is ours." The brunette nodded and took a step back. "Look at me." Ken look up with hesitation. "Are you up to this? If you rather go back home we can," Aya said softly and made sure his eyes weren't as bland as they usually were.

"I'm okay." A small smile flashed across the redhead's face.

"Good. Take my hand Ken, I don't want to lose track of you again."

//

As soon as they got back out onto the streets again Ken released his owner's hand and fell into place two steps behind. Aya gave him a questioning look but the brunette kept his face lowered. He couldn't allow himself to forget his place no matter how much he wanted to. They entered a shop and Ken obediently stayed slightly behind his owner. A clerk approached the redhead and waited to be noticed. He had to stand there for some time before Aya gave him a bland look.

"May I help you Sir?"

"He needs a new collar," the redhead said with his monotone voice and nodded towards Ken.

"This way Sir. Is there any special kind of collar you're looking for?" Aya frowned slightly.

"What type do you like?" The clerk was just about to answer when he realized that the question wasn't asked to him. "Ken?" The brunette snapped his head up and swallowed. "What kind of collar do you want?" Why was he asking him that?

"Eh… leather," Ken mumbled quietly and lowered his head again.

"Leather it is then," Aya nodded and turned his cold amethyst eyes to the clerk again.

"Hai Sir." The young man handed the redhead a few collars and stepped back.

"These aren't any good. The leather is too hard and the edges too sharp," Aya frowned with dislike and handed them back.

"The leather will soften with time and the edges will wear down." The clerk got a hard look from the tall redhead.

"And until that happens his neck hurts like hell." It was obvious that the clerk didn't understand Aya's concern.

"But he's just a slave Sir." Ken carefully glanced at his owner and saw the anger in his eyes.

"Bring me one that isn't so hard and sharp!" he ordered flatly. The clerk hurried away and soon returned with five new collars.

"Those are the best ones we have Sir," he squeaked. Aya examined the collars and shook his head.

"They're too heavy, hard and too sharp. Ken, give me your collar." Reluctantly the slave handed his black leather collar to his owner. It was old and worn and therefore soft and smooth. "It should feel like this one," the redhead muttered and gave it to the clerk.

"I'm sorry Sir but the new ones are a lot stiffer than this. However I believe we can change the buckle on this one, would that do?"

"What do you say Ken? Do you want a new one or should they just fix the one you already have?" Ken's head was spinning. This man was just confusing him to no end. Why did Aya care if the collar hurt him or not, he was just a slave. Carefully the brunette licked his lips.

"I… I…" He just didn't know how to answer; he wasn't supposed to be asked questions like that.

"Do you want the old one?" Aya asked softly. Ken nodded, again thankful for being spared to really say what he wanted. "Fix it." The clerk bowed, took Ken's collar and disappeared.

//

Ran glared after the clerk with anger. He had really gotten annoyed when that man had said that Ken was just a slave. Ken was a human being, not some damn toy. If he had to wear a collar it would be one that felt comfortable at least. He glanced at the slave who seemed nervous without the soft ring of leather around his neck.

"It's okay Ken, we'll stay in here until you get your collar back." Brown eyes carefully looked up at him and the slave nodded. It didn't take long before the clerk returned.

"There you go Sir." Ran took the collar and handed it to the brunette.

"Is that better? Does it still hurt you?" Ken fastened it around his neck and fiddle with it for a few moments. "So? Better?" He nodded and lowered his eyes to the floor again. Ran paid the clerk and walked out again. It still made him feel uncomfortable that Ken insisted on walking behind him but there was nothing he could do about it.

Now, all the brunette needed was clothes and Ran wasn't exactly looking forward to buying them. It was so difficult for him to get Ken to tell him what he liked or disliked and he really wanted the slave to feel good about the clothes he would wear. Frowning he turned and walked into a huge store. They had barely taken three steps before a female salesclerk came up to the redhead.

"Good day Sir, how can I help you," she smiled and eyed him up and down. When she got no answer she started to look rather uncertain. "Would you like someone to look after your slave while you shop?" Ran raised an eyebrow. What was with these people?

"No. It's for him I'm shopping," he answered flatly and gave her a cold look.

"Oh…" The redhead ignored her and turned to Ken.

"I want you to go with this woman and tell her exactly what kind of clothes you like. You only have to wear the ones you like, do you understand?" The brunette started to tremble again. "Ken, look at me. Do you want me to go with you?" Frightened brown eyes met his for a brief moment and then the slave nodded. Ran sighed. Ken was so scared but at least he seemed to trust him a little. Together they followed the woman deeper into the store.

~TBC~

Go Ran!!! /cheers the redhead on/ Aw it's sooooo cute how he protects and cares for Kenken isn't it? /chuckles/ Ah in the next chapter we'll meet Yoji and Omi too /S/ And you'll all find out what Omi is in this fic /hehe/ Ja/Atsureki