Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Shadows ❯ bargains, part 2 ( Chapter 18 )

Shadows

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chapter 11

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bargains, part 2

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Ken sighed into his beer, wondering what the hell he was doing here, the only normal human sitting at the table besides Koyu. Cassandra and Botan were on his left, Masato on his right, and across from him sat a fidgeting Schuldig. Where the hell was Omi?

<He's upstairs keeping an eye on Aya. Unlike you, he doesn't care what his friends are, only about their well-being. You know, the worst part of this was just the other day I was thinking that you'd come a long way and were proving what a great friend you were to Yohji by helping him with the situation with Aya. Too bad you wasted all that effort on a filthy bound.>

Glad that he hadn't been drinking when Schuldig's voice took to speaking inside his head, Ken glared at the bound. Who the hell was he to just `talk' to him like that, and how dare Schuldig judge him! Besides, his thoughts were private.

Schuldig glared right back at him. <I'm making sure you don't have any stupid plans to go running off to your Captain and get Yohji and Aya killed. As for the judging part, isn't that what you're doing to all of us? Deciding to believe in some old wives' tales you heard while growing up and ignoring the fact that we've been your friends for the past four years?>

His face flushing with shame, Ken glanced down at the table. Dammit, but Schuldig was right. Ever since he'd left Omi here, since the boy had no qualm spending the next couple days with a bunch of bounds, Ken had felt a bit of shame. Yohji was his friend, was the man who'd taken him under his wing when he'd first joined the Guards, had helped him and saved his life a couple times during hazardous duty, and here he was seeing him as some type of monster. But try as he might, Ken couldn't forget all the stories his Gram had told him as a child of bounds eating and killing unsuspecting humans. The two images he had of Yohji, a trusted friend and a demon, warred in his head.

<Well decide which one he is, and real quick. Yohji's coming down so the bitch over there doesn't have anything to tell her masters, and what he needs right now is a friend, not an enemy. If you can't be the former, get the hell out of the Koneko and never return, or else.>

Yohji entered the common room immediately after that warning, and as Ken watched Lilla, who'd been standing by the door talking to her cousins, let out a loud squeal and threw her arms around Yohji's neck. The blond man appeared haggard, but somehow Yohji managed to plaster a smile on his face and swing Lilla around in the air. As soon as the woman was back on her feet she started to drag him over to their table.

Yohji frowned when he sat down, tugging Lilla to sit between him and Schuldig, which caused the redhead's welcoming smile to falter. Ken started to wonder what was going on, as Yohji barely grunted a hello at his best friend and the man's mother, then concentrated his attention on Lilla and Koyu.

"Ah, I see you're looking better tonight, Yotan! I did warn you about buying pork buns from that vendor," Lilla chided. "Are you hungry?"

"I'm starving." Yohji swooped in and kissed her on the lips. The moment they parted, Lilla laughed out loud, turning whatever heads that weren't staring at the table in their direction. For a moment Ken wondered why Lilla was being so exuberant, then he realized she was purposely drawing attention to her and Yohji. Surreptitiously glancing at a table along the west wall, Ken noticed that the dark-haired spy was staring in their direction. It seemed Lilla's plan was working.

Ani and Kira delivered several plates of food to the table, both of them pausing to berate Yohji about making sure he ate enough. They needn't have bothered to waste their breath, as Yohji immediately attacked the plates. Koyu and Schu took up the conversation while Yohji gorged himself. Still feeling a bit uncomfortable with the situation, and not wanting to slip up in front of the spy, Ken remained quiet.

Teddy appeared from wherever he'd vanished to, along with Brad, and the table became packed. It took a few minutes to notice that the jovial air about everyone served a purpose other than just convincing people that everything was fine at the Koneko, since there seemed to be a concerted effort to snag Yohji's attention whenever his eyes shifted in the spy's direction. Each time that happened Ken swore he heard his friend growl. He wondered if there was going to be copious amounts of bloodshed that evening, but after seeing Aya last night, Ken wouldn't feel the least bit sorry if the spy was killed.

Even with all the raucous and amusing comments being tossed about, it wasn't exactly a relaxed atmosphere at the table. Ken felt his muscles grow more taut with each passing minute. Yohji could barely prevent himself from glaring at the spy, kept in check by constant effort of those around him, and one time was physically restrained by a hand on his shoulder, passed off as a comradely hug from _Brad_ of all people. Schuldig and Masato refused to look in each other's direction, let alone speak to each other, and any attempts that Cass and Schuldig made to get Yohji talk to them failed miserably. There seemed to be more going on than Ken knew about. For a moment he was furious that his friends were keeping secrets from him, then he remembered Schuldig's taunting words. It had never occurred to him that as he puzzled out whether or not the bounds were still his friends, that maybe they were thinking the same about him.

One of the longest hours of his life slowly passed by, making Ken extremely grateful to the gods for the creation of beer. A slight buzz numbed him to the tension surrounding him and helped him suppress a frown each time he saw Yohji kiss or touch Lilla. Only the dull look in his friend's eyes revealed how little pleasure Yohji was taking in acting the ardent lover with the woman.

Ken again remembered how Aya looked last night and gulped down his beer. What would he do if he came home one night and found Yuriko in that shape? He'd kill whoever it was who'd harmed his lover, would rip them apart with his bare hands. How the hell Yohji could just sit there while a person partially responsible for Aya's pain was right across the room… For being such a monster, Yohji wasn't putting his lover or his friends in harm's way, just for the sake of revenge. Ken didn't think he'd have that much reserve or care in him and was shamed by his friend.

Oh hell, he was stuck in this mess now. Ken realized that despite his prejudice and shock, Yohji was indeed still his friend. He couldn't hate the man for what he'd been born as, nor any of the others at the table. Well, he could dislike Brad for being such a cold prick most of the time, but that was about it.

<Congratulations, Hidaka. You do have a brain after all.>

Gritting his teeth, Ken glared at Schuldig. "Do you have to keep doing that?" he asked under his breath.

<It's called `telepathy', Kenken. Which means if you have a question, just think it. Attracts a lot less attention that way.> Schuldig rested an elbow on the table and propped his head on his hand. <Nice to see you're not going to let a bunch of nasty propaganda ruin one of the best friendships that you have.>

`I figure if I can forgive him for hitting on Yuriko, him being part demon is nothing.' Ken smiled when he saw Schuldig's eyes widen and his lips curl up into a grin. It was nice being able to surprise the man on occasion. `What's going on, Schuldig?'

<Well, the spy is thinking that she'll hurry home in a few more minutes, once Koyu starts to play. Odds are even that at any moment Yohji will either charge across the room and strangle her or go upstairs to check on Aya, and the staff is wondering if they'll get in trouble for spiking the bitch's drink with a major dose of laxative. You know, the normal things.>

`Don't give me that. I want to know what's going on with Aya's masters, and you, Yohji and Cass. He seems to really be pissed off at you two. Also, what's up with Masato? This is the longest I've seen you two apart since he arrived here.' Ken stared at the redhead, wanting a few answers.

Schuldig sighed and poured himself some more beer. <Ask me some other time, Ken. I want to make sure you don't have a sudden change of heart before I spill some secrets.>

The man had a point, so Ken went back to observing things around him as he slowly sipped his drink. When Koyu rose from the table and crossed to the front of the room, he prepared himself for one of Schuldig's predictions to come true. Yohji tensed when the woman soon stood up, his eyes focused on her and his body coiled for action, but thankfully he remained seated as she left.

Surprisingly, it was Lilla who was the next to leave. The woman rose to her feet, a slight frown on her face. "Yotan, I'm so sorry, but I just remembered about an order I have to finish tonight. I'll see you tomorrow." She leaned down to kiss Yohji goodbye, and as the gesture dragged on for several minutes, Ken glanced over at Schuldig. The longhaired man smiled and tapped his forehead in silent acknowledgement.

As Lilla walked away, Yohji made to leave the table, but Brad's arm on his shoulder prevented that. "What the fuck are you doing? I'm heading back upstairs." There was a feral look to Yohji's face that had Ken shivering; it was reminiscent of the way he'd stared at the spy, but it didn't seem to faze the dark-haired man in the least.

Brad sighed and leaned on Yohji some more. "We have a few things to talk about first." As Yohji grumbled Brad glanced at Botan. "How goes the spell?"

The wizard glanced over at Ken, a frown on his face. Cassandra patted his arm. "It's alright, he can be trusted." When she smiled beamingly at Ken he wanted to sink under the table in shame, recalling his earlier doubts about her and the others.

Botan hmphed and brushed back his bangs. "I've come up with the spell to recreate the soul sphere, but… it's as I said, I'll need a human soul and lots of blood, both bound and human. Omi has already volunteered his blood so I can make it appear that the spell is still keyed to his uncle and cousin, but…."

"You'll have all the bound blood you'll need," Brad reassured him. Botan swallowed nervously and glanced first upstairs and then at Yohji, who was busy gulping down a goblet of wine. When he gazed back at Brad, the bound nodded his head slightly.

`Schu, what's going on here? Why are you talking about this in such a public place?'

<Here's the abridged version: the Takatoris' have the soul of Aya's dead sister trapped in a sphere with a soul gaki. That's their hold on him; he listens to them out of fear of having his sister's soul devoured.> Ken blanched in horror at the thought of some poor woman's soul being destroyed in such a way. Schuldig's mouth tightened in anger. <Yes, do you now see why I get so pissed off when you humans call _us_ monsters? Anyway, Botan is cooking up a spell so we can switch the spheres, thus depriving Aya's masters of their only means of controlling him. Also, he's cast a spell that prevents anyone from eavesdropping on us.>

"You'll have to wait a few more days for the blood, Botan." Brad's quiet voice snapped Ken back to the discussion at hand. "As for the soul… hopefully a volunteer will step forward in time."

"You need a soul?" Ken stared in wonder at Botan, his shock and curiosity giving voice to the question. "Can you really remove a person's soul, just for a spell?"

The wizard frowned slightly. "For this spell I don't need a whole soul, just a portion of one. It's relatively easy to `borrow' a small bit; it's taking the entire soul and not killing the person that's tricky. But the spell I have to do just that requires a willing participant, or it won't work. I'm sure there are spells out there that could take one by force, but I refuse to use them."

Teddy leaned forward and stared earnestly at Botan. "Does it hurt? What happens to the person when they give up part of their soul?"

"They feel emotions less strongly. If the portion is not returned to them within several moons, sometimes they die, or become completely emotionless."

Nodding his head, Teddy tapped his chest. "Well, as long as you promise to return it, I'll give you part of mine. It'll be a big relief to everyone if I'm not as emotional-"

"Over my dead body, Teddy," Yohji growled, his eyes luminous with burning emotion. "I'm not letting any of my family do such a risky thing. I need you here in case something goes wrong, and the others will kill me if you're harmed in any way."

"But Yohji, it's not like I'm needed-"

"_NO_. No one else here gets hurt." The two men stared at each other as Yohji growled softly. Everyone else at the table held their breath for fear of setting Yohji off while he was so obviously upset.

When the crowd started to clap at the end of one of Koyu's songs, Ken leaned forward and cleared his throat. "What about me, then?" He was insane for doing this, especially for people he wasn't quite a hundred percent sure weren't monsters, but Yohji was his friend, and his duty was to protect the king in any manner possible. It didn't hurt that by making the offer Ken felt some of his guilt and shame fade.

Green eyes stared at him incredulously. "You've lost it, Kenken. Do you have any idea what you're offering?"

"Yeah, I do. Yohji, it's my job to keep the king and his family safe. If by doing this I can prevent Aya from having to follow his orders… I have to do it." When his friend looked ready to argue Ken stopped him with a stern glare. "It's my job, Yohji. I'm still a Guard."

Yohji glared back at him, then sighed and leaned against the wall. "Your job is also to turn in any bounds, Ken. Why one and not the other?"

"Because you are my friend." Ken put as much conviction as possible into his words and expression. "Yohji, I won't kid you and tell you that I'm perfectly at ease with what you and Aya are, but I've at least realized that I do still trust you. Just as I trust Botan to return my soul to me. And I agree with you about not dragging innocents into this matter more than necessary. Let me agree to do this, on the condition that you guys tell me _everything_ that's going on, and that you swear that no harm at all will come to the king and Omi. Is that a deal?" He gazed around the table, and saw the people gathered there nod their heads in agreement.

"It's dangerous as all hell," Yohji reminded him. "There's no telling what could happen to you."

"I don't care, Yohji, it's my decision to make, and I feel compelled to do this."

With a sigh Yohji gave in. "Okay."

Ken almost smiled at winning something over his friend. "Then I give my word that I'll hold to my end of the bargain." They stared at each other for a moment then Yohji gave Ken a thankful smile as he swore to do the same.

"Why the hell is it okay for him to do it and not me?" Teddy pouted.

"Because as he said, it's his duty. His job requires him to make certain sacrifices. Besides," Yohji said with a trace of his humor returning. "How the hell would Botan be able to tell any difference between your soul and the demon?" Teddy let out a shriek and tossed his napkin at the blond. Brad held out his arms to separate the two men, a very unhappy look on his face at being stuck between them.

Yohji tossed a wine cork back, and then looked at Schuldig for the first time that night. "Anything else I need to be privy to? If not, I need to go check on Aya."

"Go, Yotan. We'll fill you in if there's anything else of importance that's decided."

Brad looked as if he wanted to argue against that statement, but Cassandra slumped down in her chair and a grimace of pain crossed his face just as Yohji stood and left the table. When the blond was out of earshot she hissed at Brad to leave him in peace for the evening.

The discussion carried on, Masato asking various questions about what would happen the night of the wedding, and the others answering in various degrees, everyone but Schuldig. Ken listened with half an ear as he started to get anxious, wondering if it really had been a wise choice to volunteer as he had. While he was sure of wanting to do his duty, the thought of the magic involved, and the loss of such an important part of himself was making him nervous.

<You made the offer, Ken, and we accepted it. One thing you need to know about bounds is that when we give our word, we always keep it. Cold feet are perfectly acceptable, considering what we're facing, but dishonoring your sworn word… well, it's up to you, but decide quickly so we can find another volunteer.>

`I gave my word, and I'll stick to it, Schuldig.' Ken glowered at the annoying, invasive man and thumped his mug down on the table. Then he pushed his concerns aside and focused on the plans being made, plans he now had an intrinsic part in.

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Yohji ran up the stairs, wanting nothing more than to see Aya and make sure his mate was safe. As he neared the door, Farfarello flashed him a tired grin and stepped aside as he pushed the door open. Nodding his head in thanks, Yohji charged into the room.

He came to a halt a few feet inside. The room smelled of lavender, the scent of blood and sex almost completely gone. Stalks of the herb were scattered about the bedroom, amidst low candles that filled the room with dancing shadows. Aya was tucked into their bed, which appeared to be sporting new sheets. Omi and Naoe were cuddled together on the window seat, just holding each other.

"What did you do?"

"We decided to air out the place, Yotan. I snuck down to cut some lavender while you were out, and we cleaned the place a bit." Omi climbed off the window seat to stand before him. "Do you mind? Nagi and Farfie kept watch over Aya the entire time."

Who the hell was Nagi? Yohji's fuddled brain slowly made the connection between Naoe and what he assumed the boy's real name to be. "…no." Yohji took a deep breath as he settled on the bed beside Aya. "You even changed the sheets. How did you manage that?"

"Very carefully," Naoe commented. "Aya never woke the whole time."

It might have been Yohji's imagination, but his mate's bruises looked paler than before. He stroked a hand along Aya's cheekbone, wishing more than anything that the man would open his lovely eyes and purr at his touch.

"He looks a little better."

"We think so too, Yotan." Omi smiled at him, then stifled a yawn. "Oh my, I can't believe how tired I am, and I slept all day."

Yohji glanced at him as he stood up to pull off his clothes. "Why don't you go to bed then, Omi. Thanks for watching over him."

Omi smiled and shook his head. "You don't have to thank us, Yohji. We don't want anything to happen to Aya either." Then he grabbed a blanket off the bed and returned to the window seat, where Yohji noticed it contained several pillows.

"What are you doing?"

"We're sleeping here, Yohji. Nagi promised to keep an eye on Aya," Omi told him patiently, as if he was an idiot. Yohji grunted as he slid between the clean bed sheets, carefully curling up around Aya. He then looked back at the window.

Naoe was staring at him while Omi arranged the makeshift bed to his liking. "I'm not going to leave him while he needs me." The boy fell silent for a moment then quietly added, "Someone needs to keep an eye on him."

For once the old argument didn't piss Yohji off. Not when Naoe had been doing a better job of keeping Aya in mind than he had, thanks to the rage that still simmered under his skin. "Whatever, you little demon. If you want to sleep on an uncomfortable bench and watch me keep Aya safe through the night, go ahead and do just that. But for the gods' sakes don't roll out of the window in your sleep. Aya will kill me if you crush the rose hedges by the building."

Proving that he'd spent too much time in Aya's presence, Naoe just grunted and curled up next to what looked like a very happy Omi. Yohji reminded himself to have a talk with his young friend sometime soon and make sure he'd learned enough from overhearing his and Schu's morning after conversations. If those boys weren't having sex yet, it wouldn't be long now. Not when Omi had that sappy look on his face. Yohji recognized the look of blissful happiness when he saw it, having seen it reflected in his mirror a lot lately. He hoped to see it again very soon.

Tucking Aya's head under his chin, Yohji breathed deeply of the scent of lavender and thought of all the future opportunities he'd have to pounce on his cat in the garden. Nothing was going to keep his dreams from coming true. A step had been taken in that direction tonight, and hopefully it wouldn't be much longer before Botan cast his spell and Aya-chan's soul was safe. Then he wouldn't have to worry about Aya being defenseless when around his masters ever again. And at the wedding… Yohji dreamed of blood as he fell asleep.

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Aya pried his eyes to open, forcing the drug lethargy to release its hold on him. He couldn't take sleeping anymore; he needed to be awake and aware of his surroundings, knowing that he was safe. Something was wrong, and he didn't feel safe at the moment. But as he woke up the pain returned, no longer held at bay by the opiate. He couldn't choke back on a whimper when he tried to take a deep breath.

Someone immediately sat down beside him, making the mattress shift and Aya's body to move. That hurt, every little motion hurt, not as bad as the last time he'd been awake but bad enough. A gentle hand brushed back Aya's bangs, helping him to see a bit better.

"Aya, are you alright? Would you like something to drink?" It was Nagi's anxious voice, his scent registering on Aya's dulled senses. All he'd smelled upon awakening had been lavender and Yohji, but now he could make out his friend and Omi.

Blinking his eyes, Aya let Nagi know that he did indeed want something to drink. Aya's throat was so dry that even if he'd had the strength to speak it would have hurt too much to do so. Nagi asked Omi to bring him some water and tried to lift Aya enough so he could safely drink the beverage. However, each touch hurt so much.

Aya felt a flare of concern that was from Yohji. A few seconds later, his mate was there, making Aya blink his eyes in confusion about where the blond had come from, and he found himself being slowly lifted up. It still hurt, but Yohji's touch and scent reassured him. Biting back on a mewl, he let the man hold him against his chest as Nagi handed over a glass of water, complete with straw.

Yohji held the cool water, pulling it away every few seconds so Aya didn't drink it all at once. He wanted to snarl at the bastard for that but didn't have the energy. Once the glass was empty Aya whispered Yohji's name and let himself fall back to sleep. Now that his mate was here, he felt safe and secure once again.

The next time Aya awoke he felt the slightest bit better, the pain and lethargy having lost a bit of their hold on him. His back was still one throbbing hurt, thus he avoided taking any deep breaths, but he could move his limbs gingerly without too much pain.

He was cushioned by Yohji's chest, and as he shifted the older man jerked awake. Hands skimmed along Aya's arms and up to his face, brushing back his hair as his head was lifted enough so Yohji could look at his face. Yohji looked tired, his golden skin appearing dull and there were shadows under his eyes.

"Aya?"

"Hn."

The small grunt brought a smile to Yohji's face, and he bent down to kiss Aya softly on the lips. At first the touch reassured Aya, then he remembered Hirofumi kissing him after….

Aya started to gag, tasting the man in his mouth, recalling his shame and disgust at being forced to do such a thing, helpless to fight back. His ribs protested the sudden movement, his stomach burned as acid flooded into it, and it felt as if something split open along his back.

"Aya, are you all right? Stop it!"

Anger flooded into Aya, aggravated at the stupid orders Yohji was barking at him. What did the man think he was trying to do? That he enjoyed causing himself more pain? The emotion helped Aya get his panic under control, and after a few minutes he lay against Yohji's chest, exhausted and his body throbbing with pain.

A hand stroked through his hair, causing Aya to tense as he waited for the strands to be grabbed by a fist, used to pull him forward, to keep him in place….

"Aya, please love, you're scaring me."

This time it was Yohji's emotions that helped to center him: the man's panic, fear and worry, but most of all love. Aya forced himself to relax once more, told himself that Yohji wouldn't hurt him like that. The hand stroking his hair remained gentle and soothing, combing through his hair and then toying with an eartail. The familiar aggravation helped Aya's body to become limp once more, reminding him that this was his mate touching him, not some cruel human.

They remained still for a few minutes, and just when Aya debated falling asleep again Yohji gently lifted his upper body until they both were sitting up. His back didn't like the motion, but there were no more splitting sensations, and Yohji's arm around his shoulders felt nice.

A cup of tea was pressed against his lips, and Aya eagerly sipped it, needing the fluid to ease his parched throat. As he drank the door opened, admitting Nagi and Omi. The smaller boy immediately ran to his side, and Aya spared him a very slight smile before sipping more tea. Yohji asked Omi to fetch a fresh pot of tea, pulling the now empty cup away from Aya. He mewled at its loss, unable to voice a growl, but Yohji refilled it and that made him happy. Aya felt safe with Yohji holding him and Nagi sitting by his side.

"How long?"

"This is the second day, Aya. It's been about forty hours since you came back. We kept you drugged the first day or so, don't know if you remember any of that." Yohji's voice was tired and a touch hoarse. Aya shook his head and, when the cup was empty, rested against his lover. All he could recall was pain and the fear that Yohji would leave him.

"Do you need anything, Aya? Is it too bright in here?" Nagi hesitantly touched Aya's hand and when he didn't flinch from the touch, he gently held on to it.

"No. Not too bright." It took precious energy to say each word, but the tea helped somewhat. He recognized Cassandra's special brew, and about half of the tea had been honey. Aya's body slowly started to come out its the dormant state, now that he had some fuel and regained enough blood to support it. Yohji was a warm presence beside him, helping to dispel the chill that filled Aya. He was always so cold after being bled.

Yohji murmured softly as he pulled a blanket around Aya, being careful with his back. His fingers tangled in Aya's eartail, coaxing him to rest his head on the blond's shoulder. Gladly giving in, Aya did just that, soaking in Yohji's body heat.

Omi returned with the tea, giving Aya a nervous smile as he handed over a steaming cup. When he accepted the cup, needing Yohji's support to hold it, the boy's smile became brighter and he sat down beside Nagi.

"Why don't the two of you go see if Jo can make a nice broth for Aya," Yohji quietly asked.

"Jo's already doing that, now that she knows Aya's awake," Omi commented.

"Then go and get some more flowers." Yohji's voice was harsh again, causing Aya to stop sipping and look up at the man. Yohji offered him a tender smile and pressed the cup against his lips.

"Come on, Omi. The room could use some more lavender." Nagi got off the bed and tugged on Omi's arm. The blond boy looked confused, especially since the room was already full of the fragrant flower, but a look from Nagi had him nodding his head and telling Aya to let him know if there was anything Omi could do for him.

Nagi paused at the door, shared a significant look with Yohji and then closed it behind him. Figuring he'd worry about it later, Aya concentrated on finishing the tea. The more energy he got in him, the quicker he could heal. The faster that the pain would fade away, and he'd stop being so weak.

When the tea was all gone, Yohji settled against the headboard, very carefully adjusting Aya until he rested against the man's chest. Aya purred slightly as he tucked his head under Yohji's chin, just enjoying how nice it was to have someone hold him and keep him warm. Usually after he'd been bled he'd spend a few days shivering in bed, Nagi's anxious touches his only contact with another person.

"Aya, what happened?"

Deciding he didn't like that question, nor the pain that came from Yohji when he asked it, Aya ignored it. He didn't want to think about what had happened in the carriage, or about what had almost happened before he'd been whipped.

Yohji's hand tilted his head up. "Aya, please, tell me what happened."

"They bled me and whipped me, Yohji." Aya pushed the memories aside, wanting to hide from them forever. Why was Yohji doing this to him? He didn't even realize he'd spoken out loud until Yohji stroked his cheek and answered him.

"Because you've never acted like that when I've tried to kiss you before, as if my touch disgusted you. You've never flinched from me stroking your hair. Ever since we became mates, you've never flinched from any of my touches." Yohji gently ran a hand down Aya's side, toward his hip, and Aya had a hard time keeping his body still, to not tremble in fear at the touch.

"See, you're doing it now." Yohji pressed a kiss to Aya's temple. "Cat, I need to know what he did to you. I… could smell him on you."

Aya moaned, having forgotten about the way he'd smelled from Hirofumi's sweat and seed. He'd hoped so desperately that since Yohji hadn't been awake during the assault that the man would never know about it. He hadn't thought of a bound's sense of smell giving him away.

Trembling, Aya tried to push away from Yohji, but the man held on to his arms, trapping him. "He kissed me… touched me." Aya shivered in revulsion as he recalled the feel of Hirofumi's hands on his body, trying to get a reaction from him. "He… my mouth… I couldn't fight him, Yohji." Despair washed through Aya at the memory of how filthy he'd felt, how dirty he must seem to Yohji. "I couldn't do anything but let him…."

A sob tore through him, and for a moment Aya hated himself passionately. He was unclean and weak, a sorry excuse for a man. Yohji and Nagi were right, he couldn't even protect himself, and now Yohji would be disgusted with him for what had happened. A tear slid down Aya's face.

"Aya… gods, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." Yohji held him close, his hands stroking Aya's body, trying to calm his trembling. "I know you couldn't fight him, I know that. I'm not mad at you. Stop feeling like that, I'm not mad at you. I want to rip the bastard into tiny chunks and feed him to Farfie in a stew, but I don't blame you one bit."

Yohji stroked his face, forcing Aya to lift his head and look at him. The love in the green eyes shocked Aya, and he didn't move when Yohji kissed him. It was nothing like the way Hirofumi had, it was gentle and reassuring, so full of love. Aya thought of how he must taste, his mouth flooding with saliva as he remembered Hirofumi's bitter seed burning in his throat, and he started to gag again.

"Shh, it's okay. Aya, it's me." Yohji tried to kiss him again.

"Don't, the taste, I don't want you to taste him."

Yohji's finger traced Aya's bottom lip. "You taste sugary, from the tea and the opiate. So sweet. Not as good as you normally taste, but not bad." Leaning forward, Yohji kissed him again. "You don't taste like him."

Reassured, Aya opened his lips and kissed Yohji back. Despite his fears and doubts, he needed this: needed to feel Yohji wanting him and to know that he didn't repulse the person he loved. Yohji's hands continued to caress his body, reminding Aya that he was naked under the blanket. But instead of making him think of sex, like Hirofumi's touch had, the hands relaxed him, warmed his thin skin and washed away the bad memories.

After a few minutes Aya pulled away, purring but too tired to continue kissing. Yohji tucked his head back under the blond's chin, his hands still lightly touching Aya and warming him.

"I'm going to kill him, Aya. He's dead for hurting you like that. They all are. I'm never going to let anyone hurt you, ever again. Hell, I'm not letting you out of this room unless the little demon or I are right beside you. Please, just stay here until the wedding. Botan thinks he'll have the sphere completed within the week, then Schuldig will switch them and you'll be free." Yohji's voice had roughened when he'd spoken of Hirofumi and Schuldig, making Aya wonder why he was angry with his friend.

"Yohji, what happened that night? Why were you unconscious?" Not that Aya wasn't grateful for that occurrence, as it had kept Yohji from trying to rescue him.

"Hmph." Yohji played with one of his eartails. "Schu and Masato knocked me out. It seems that Cass had a vision of something happening to you, she claims she had no clue what, and had them keep me from trying to help you." Yohji caressed Aya's cheek. "Love, I'm so sorry that I didn't stop him from taking you."

"You're mad at them, aren't you?"

"Hell yes. They let you get hurt."

Aya wasn't happy about what had happened, but he didn't blame Schuldig and Cassandra. "Yohji, it would have happened no matter what. Masafumi wanted the blood and would have used my sister against me if I hadn't gone to him. They kept you from harm, and that's all that matters to me."

Irritation and anger poured off Yohji, and the man grumbled. "Don't defend them, Aya. Not when you're all beaten up and flinching from me. But if it makes you feel better, I won't torture them so much once you're feeling better." A kiss was placed on the top of his head. "But they still went too far. I'd like to see how they'd handle things if their mate had been hurt like you were." Then Yohji chuckled softly. "One good thing, though, Schu's been staying away from Masato lately. Though it's annoying as all hell to see the two of them staring at each other from across the room, ignoring whoever's trying to talk to them because they're too wrapped up in each other. I even think that Schu's lost weight."

"Hn." Aya dredged up the energy to slide his hands inside the tan shirt Yohji was wearing, spreading the material open so he could feel Yohji's skin against his.

"Damn, but you're cold. I think you need some more tea in you." Yohji kissed him again then rubbed his cheek against Aya's hair. He started humming a melody as Aya lazed against him, trying to decide if he should sleep or not. His body ached from the pain, but this felt so nice, and there was no guarantee that Yohji would still be there when he woke up. He remembered him being gone the last time.

The door opened again. "Yohji, if you're trying something with Aya, I will geld you, mark my words!"

Yohji growled, the noise rumbling in his chest for Aya to feel. "Dammit, Jo, he's lost most of the skin on his back, had a punctured lung and a dozen other injuries, and you actually think I'm trying to fool around with him? Does everyone here think I'm a slut who can't control himself?"

Jo sat down on the bed, and the smell of the broth had Aya opening his eyes and looking in her direction. She smiled and held the mug to Yohji, who held it for Aya to sip through a straw.

"You look better today, Aya. As for you, Yotan, I've yet to see you keep your hands to yourself when Aya's concerned." Jo sniffed and set something on the nightstand. "You might as well put those hands to use and reapply that to all his wounds. I also brought some coffee for you, and there will be some real food coming up in a little bit. Maybe having something to eat and Aya awake will get you out of the foul mood you've been in lately. I know you've been worried, but you've been damn near unbearable." She smiled at Aya again and left the room.

"I swear they delight in abusing me. All I did was make a customer cry earlier and they won't let me live it down. He was getting on my nerves." Yohji wiped at a drop of broth that was sliding down Aya's chin. "And I damn well did have something to be worried about." Continuing to huff and growl, Yohji made sure that Aya finished all of the broth, then wiped Aya's face clean.

When Omi and Nagi returned he used their assistance to help tend to Aya's wounds. By the end of their ministrations Aya was mewling in pain and was so tired he wanted to cry, or at the very least to let his body go dormant for a few days and spend that time unconscious. Yohji soothed him the best he could during the painful procedure then laid down on the bed, Aya once more resting on his chest. Nagi and Omi curled up at the foot of the bed, holding each other close as they settled in.

"Go to sleep, Aya. We'll keep an eye on you."

Aya grabbed the hand stroking his arm and entwined his and Yohji's fingers together. "Yotan…."

"I'll stay, Aya. I'm not leaving you alone. The little demon wouldn't let me, anyway." Yohji kissed him on the lips, purring softly as he did so. Lulled by the sound and the scents of his lover and friends, Aya drifted off to sleep.

*******

Birman glanced up from her desk at the knock on her door. As she didn't often get visitors, she cautiously called out for the person to enter while her fingers touched the knife on her belt. She was surprised when an exhausted looking Jonsten entered her office.

"Jonsten, where the hell have you been?"

The Guard sank down in the chair and handed over a thick journal. "In hell, from the feel of it. You would not believe what I've put up with the past week. I tried to follow Prince Reiji and his sons back to the capital, as ordered, but…" Jonsten shook his head in disgust. "They must have cast a spell on me. Each and every gods-damned horse I got near ended up crippled somehow. I had to walk all the way back."

Birman nodded in sympathy as she leafed through the journal. She wasn't surprised about the spell, Masafumi had done a very good job of thwarting her agents in just that manner in the past, and she wasn't sure what the hell Manx had been thinking would be different this time when she sent the man to investigate her future in-laws.

"Give me a summary; there's a function I need to be at shortly, and you look like you could use some sleep. We'll save the thorough debriefing for tomorrow."

"Thank you," Jonsten said with heartfelt relief. "Sadly, there's next to nothing to report. The same as usual: no one wants to speak about anything remotely bad concerning Reiji, and the few people who might have are now dead. The princes didn't do a damn thing the whole time I was there, barely even stirring from the castle."

The same as usual indeed. Birman wondered why she bothered with a debriefing at all. "Did you manage to talk to the servants? Pick up any gossip that might be remotely of interest?"

"Reiji and his sons don't expect to be coming back, that's for sure. I did manage to confirm that there was a death amongst the family's personal servants, a young woman with short hair and a birthmark on her cheek who used to attend Masafumi." The two of them exchanged a grim look. The rumor confirmed that Reiji had indeed been behind the assassination attempt last year, but all they had to support their theory was the words of cowed servants who would never speak before any officials.

She was going to need some willow tea before she could attend the afternoon gathering, Birman thought to herself. "One of these days I'll catch the bastard out on something."

Jonsten sat forward in his seat. "Oh, there was another rumor about some other servants, ones I've never heard of before. Something about a young man that the princes kept hidden away as a sex toy or something." He made a face before continuing. "Each story I heard was more ridiculous than the last, including the man's description. The only thing everyone agreed on was that he's lovely, pale and a redhead, and hasn't been seen around the castle in over a month. Supposedly he ran off with another servant, a quiet boy about the crown prince's age. People are glad that he's gone, as they think he attracted bad luck."

Pale, lovely, and a redhead. Birman thought back on any other rumors she'd heard about Reiji and his sons having a redheaded sex slave, and couldn't recall any. There had been a rumor about them keeping a monster locked away in a tower, and the last sex slave she'd heard about had been a young girl, most likely the blue-haired teenager who had come with Masafumi, but nothing about a redhead.

"Did you get a name?"

"No. They were genuinely afraid to talk about the man, as if he was cursed or something. I think the only reason they did at all is because he's now gone. I really did try to get a better description, but pale, redheaded and beautiful was it. He was the real quiet type, apparently, and didn't venture from the castle at all. At least, not until six weeks ago." Jonsten patted his hands on the arm of the chair, as if about to push himself upright. "Anything else?"

Birman shook her head and wished the Guard a decent rest. Then she pondered his words for a few minutes. The whole sex slave story was ridiculous, especially considering Reiji's known prejudices and the latest one's sex, but it was also unlikely that the princes would just let one of their servants disappear like that. Either the boys had been killed, or had left with permission. But why had the redhead been hidden in the first place?

Redheads weren't very common, at least not natural ones, so maybe she should send some Guards to better investigate the story. Pale and lovely would narrow the search down even more. Though she'd had Guards trying to find one pale, lovely redhead's past the last month and they'd come up with nothing. Maybe it was harder than she thought. Her spies were turning up nothing on Aya and Naoe, that was for…

Cursing, Birman pushed her chair away and jumped to her feet. Six weeks ago two young men matching the description of Reiji's missing servants had entered the capital, and in a very short time had managed to befriend several Guards, the Royal Wizard, and the crown prince himself. Two young men she'd found no information about, since she'd sent her spies to the west and not the north. Could it possibly be…?

But why them? Why would Reiji send two more assassins, and such young ones at that? There had to be something special about Naoe and Aya, something that would convince that old bastard that he definitely would not be resuming his exile after the wedding. Birman pondered the situation some more as she paced about her office, brain furiously working. It was when her eyes rested on a sculpture that Botan had given her for her birthday two years ago that she remembered what was also supposed to have arrived in the capital the same time Aya had. According to her friend, that was a kage.

At first she refused to think that such a quiet young man could be a monster, then she remembered the books that had been scattered around Botan's office lately -- all depicting kage as pale, lovely redheads. Jonsten's description had been more correct that he'd thought.

So that would mean a kage who worked for Reiji was staying at the Koneko. A kage who was supposed to save the king, not kill him, if Botan was right. Which he usually was, dammit. A kage that had taken a former Guard, who had been instrumental in preventing the last royal assassination, as a lover. Was Yohji somehow to be involved in this one too? Birman had so many questions they were hurting her head. Only one thing to do, then.

She pulled on her cloak and grabbed a few charms and weapons then headed for the Koneko.

*******

Crawford gritted his teeth, wondering if he could shove a whole damn pillow down Jei's mouth without waking the man. Usually his partner didn't snore, but after being awake nonstop the past three days, Jei was utterly exhausted and sounding like a herd of wild pigs with all his snorts and rumbles. As this was the first time that Crawford had gotten any rest in a couple days himself, he wasn't taking the noise very well.

About to go sleep in Nagi's room, since the boy was spending all his time with Aya, Crawford felt a familiar tension in his head and gritted his teeth, riding out the pain as a vision descended upon him.

It involved Yohji and the Spymaster. Very interesting. So the woman was finally being tied to the rest of them. It was about time. With only about a week and a half left to the wedding, Crawford wanted all the players in their proper positions as soon as possible. Now he felt as if that was finally occurring.

But he'd have to go prevent Yohji from killing the woman. They'd need her after the wedding if they had any hope of leaving the palace alive. Everyone was so focused on the fight that was to occur at the reception that they didn't think of what would happen afterwards. But Crawford had.

As he climbed out of bed and pulled on his white shirt, Crawford thought of how well things were progressing. Botan was just about ready to cast the spell for the soul sphere, and only needed Aya to be well enough to donate more blood. He didn't relish being there when Yohji found out about that, but it couldn't be helped.

It was a bit of an unavoidable bother that Jei had guarded the kage the past few days, making him and Schuldig work all the harder to contact all the people they needed to, and find out about the mercenaries that Eto was gathering, but they needed Aya alive for things to work out properly. At least Schuldig had been too distracted by his duties to moon over Yohji still being upset at him or his mate all that much.

Each time Schuldig and Masato came in contact with each other, it seemed they forgot all about the world around them. They would just stare at each other, yet refuse to give in to the need to be with each other. The stubborn fools. Crawford had changed his mind and wished they would mate before the wedding. They were too distracted around each other to be any help to him. If they kept this up they'd be killed during the battle, and that wouldn't be very good. Crawford needed at least his son alive for the upcoming battle with the Elders.

Walking out the door, Crawford let a smile tease at his lips. Schuldig and Masato might be pains in his ass, but the rest were coming along fine. Omi was firmly attached to Nagi and would do anything to keep his boyfriend and friends safe, Botan was just as committed, thanks to both his daughter and Cass, and the Guard had offered his soul. There was actually a tinge of regret when he thought about the young man, but Crawford knew that sacrifices had to be made. Other people would be paying a far higher price by the time this was over than Hidaka.

Now to hurry before a certain Spymaster was included in that group. Understandably, Yohji's temper was ferocious with regards to his mate. Thinking of the latest development with the succubae-bound, Crawford wondered why he'd never suspected Aya's powers would bleed over to Yohji until the kage had been wounded. Succubae-bounds who'd been mated with other bounds in the past often took on characteristics of their mates, due to the constant draining of the mate's energy. Aya's life force seemed to be endowing Yohji with immunity to magic and some rudimentary control over shadows when the blond suffered from strong emotions, among other things. It was almost like having two kage to rely upon. Some good had come from allowing Aya to fall into the Takatoris hands again.

Yes, things were progressing wonderfully, Masato's surprise appearance aside. A little voice inside warned Crawford to be extra diligent, as Fate loved so much to turn things on their ends when they were going too smoothly.

*******

"Aya, if you set one foot out of that bed, I'm gonna spank you so hard you won't be able to sit for a month." Yohji set the tray of tea he'd brought from the kitchen on the nightstand and glared at his lover. Of course the stubborn idiot, sitting up on the bed with his legs dangling over the side, glared right back at him.

"Yohji, I want to-"

"No."

Aya tried again. "Just to-"

"No. En. Oh. No." Yohji walked over and straddled Aya's lap, pinning him to the bed. The smaller man hissed at him, trying to push him off but just didn't have the strength. Grinning, Yohji captured Aya's chin in his hand and tilted up the pale face to kiss him. The hisses slowly died down as Aya sighed and kissed him back, causing Yohji to shiver at the weak trickle of sunlight that flowed into him.

Keeping Aya's slowly returning strength in mind, Yohji reluctantly ended the kiss. "Listen to me, you little idiot. I'm not going to let you get out of bed and fall down. Not when your ribs are finally healing and your back's grown some skin. If something happened to you Naoe, Jo and Omi would beat me to a bloody pulp. So stay in bed, dammit."

Sighing, Aya rested his head on Yohji's shoulder. "I just wanted to get some books. It got boring with you gone. I'm tired of sleeping."

Yohji stroked a hand through Aya's hair. He'd had to go downstairs to help with the weekly arrival of kegs, and to be seen about the inn so any spies wouldn't be suspicious about his absence. While it was a bit easier leaving Aya's side now that the man had regained some of his strength, Yohji still hated being away from his mate. Except for the shadows, Aya was unable to defend himself, and would likely be for another day or two.

"Why don't we sneak you down for a soak later? I think your back can handle that now." Aya glanced up at him and nodded his head. Smiling, Yohji kissed him again, savoring how the man tasted and the soft purrs he uttered. His hunger flared at the feel of sunlight sinking into him, but Yohji kept the kiss light, barely. Now wasn't the time to tumble Aya back onto the bed and ravish him silly. Hopefully, it would just be another day or two for that. Yohji didn't know how much longer he could go without feeding. The only person he wasn't short with anymore was his cat.

Groaning, he reluctantly climbed off Aya's lap. "What books do you want?"

"The one with the gold and black spine, and the one on the left side of my desk." Yohji hurried to find the books, giving him something to do other than think about how good Aya tasted and smelled. He so missed kissing and holding his mate.

The gold book was found on the top of the second bookcase, and while he searched for the other one, Yohji caught sight of the latest present, which had arrived last night. The silver pen glowed in the bedroom's dim light as if taunting him. Yohji wanted to throw it out the damn window, but it had been argued by the others to keep all the presents until they figured out who was sending them. Then he could shove them all down the bastard's throat.

Returning to the bed, Yohji found Aya curled up against the pillows, resting on his good side. Clad only in an old pair of Yohji's pants, Aya's skin also glowed in the semi-darkness, but instead of taunting him it called to him to touch and stroke it. Yohji set the books on the nightstand and sank down on the bed, running a light hand over Aya's right arm.

His mate sighed and shifted forward, tilting his head until the pale neck was exposed to Yohji. Unable to resist, he leaned down and nipped the unmarked skin gently before kissing it. Pressing against Aya, Yohji sucked on his neck, his nature clamoring for him to leave a few marks that proclaimed the redhead as his.

Aya mewled softly, his fingers tangling in Yohji's hair. Without thinking Yohji tried rolling his lover onto his back so he could settle on top of the man. When Aya winced in pain it jerked him back to his senses. Yohji sat upright, moaning as he pulled away. The look on Aya's face didn't help at all, nor did his eyes, filled with desire, need and doubt. The last worried Yohji, knowing as he did what had happened to Aya the other night.

"Aya… gods, I want you so incredibly much. If I thought for one second it wouldn't hurt you I'd tear off those pants and fuck you silly." Yohji grabbed one of Aya's hands and pressed it against his arousal, his eyes closing at the feel of his lover touching him. "I want you, I want you so much it hurts, but I'm not going to cause you any pain." He opened his eyes and stared down at the smaller man, desperate to prove that he wasn't pulling away because he thought Aya was filthy or tainted because of what Hirofumi had done to him. "I have to go away, or I will hurt you. I couldn't bear to do that."

Aya didn't say anything, just slowly clenched his fingers around Yohji, moving his hand up and down. Yohji tossed back his head and moaned again, wanting nothing more than to feel Aya touching him. Then he forced himself off the bed, holding Aya's hand in his as long as he could, even lifting it to his mouth to kiss the tapered fingers.

"As soon as you're healed, you're not getting out of bed for at least another whole day. Gods, Aya… you drive me crazy, and I love every minute of it. Drink your tea, and I'll be back after I soak in some cold water for an hour or two." He smiled at his love, feeling a spark of joy when Aya's lips curved the slightest bit in response. Yohji didn't sense despair anymore, but wasn't helped by the love and want that filled Aya. No, he wasn't helped in the least to know that Aya needed him just as desperately. "Drink the tea so you get stronger quicker."

Then Yohji fled the room, needing to be somewhere that didn't smell of Aya and where he wouldn't see his gorgeous mate looking at him with violet eyes filled with desire. Maybe a dunking in the pond would be a good thing. He sure as hell needed to cool off somehow.

As Yohji was walking down the steps he met Koyu coming up them. "Ah, Yotan, I was just coming for you. You have a guest."

"Who?"

"Birman. She asked to speak to you, and she's waiting in the office."

Frowning, Yohji tugged his untucked shirt down a bit farther, but had to admit that the prospect of having Birman try to talk him into rejoining the Guards was managing to cool his ardor quite effectively. He followed Koyu to the office, making small talk with the Harper the whole while. When Yohji placed a hand on the office's door, he asked his friend to take a plate of sweets up to Aya.

"Sure thing, Yohji. Jo will be more than happy to put a plate together for him. Something that will give him a lot of energy." Koyu winked before heading to the kitchen.

Shaking his head at his true intentions being so obvious, Yohji entered the room and found Birman sitting behind the desk, dressed in dark pants and shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and a sword hung from her hips. It had been a while since he'd seen the Spymaster armed, as Birman didn't usually like to broadcast her weapons expertise.

"How are you, Birman?"

The older woman regarded him coolly for a moment. "Where's Aya, Yohji?"

Confused, Yohji walked over to the desk and sat down on the edge. "He's upstairs, resting. He suffered a relapse of his cold." That was the story that they were telling people to explain the man's absence, though many of the people who thought that he and Aya had really broken up claimed the redhead was hiding from Yohji.

Birman stared at him for a moment. "A cold?" She stroked a silver bracelet that Yohji had never seen before, a pretty thing decorated with blue stones. "I thought kage couldn't get sick."

As soon as the word `kage' sunk into Yohji's head he growled savagely and tossed his weapon at the woman, barely preventing her from drawing her sword as he did so. Birman glared at him, the look growing more worried as Yohji yanked her onto the desk and her struggles to free herself just made the wire around her grow even tighter.

"What, how the hell? Why isn't it working?"

Yohji slammed Birman onto the top of the desk, sending papers and pens flying. "How long have you known? Who have you told?" He wanted to kill Birman then and there, but he needed to know if there was anyone else who knew about Aya before he did that.

Birman's brown eyes went wide as she continued to struggle. "I… I'm the only one who knows. I didn't tell anyone." When Yohji growled and pulled the wires tighter, determined to make sure she was speaking the truth before he killed her, she started to shake her head violently.

"You can't kill me! If you do, they'll notice I've gone missing, and know that I came here. Do that and they'll find out about Aya."

The damn Spymaster had always been a quick thinker. Yohji knew that she spoke the truth, and that too many people would have seen her here at the Koneko. Even if he had Farfie eat her corpse there would be an investigation at the Koneko, and someone might find out about Aya and the others.

Recalling his wires, he slammed Birman down one more time. "How the hell do you know? And if you think for one moment to harm him, you _will_ die."

"Yohji, I swear, I didn't come here to harm Aya. I need him if I'm to keep the king safe. But how do you know about him?"

Forcing his temper to remain under control, Yohji shoved away from the woman and stalked about the office, his hand always on his weapon. "He told me. What do you mean, you need Aya? If you think for one moment I'm going to let you use him, you're fucking nuts."

Birman tracked Yohji's movements as she sat up on the desk, a hand rubbing her bracelet. "You're a bound too, aren't you?"

His response was a snarl.

"Botan said that a kage and other bounds would help to push back the darkness, and prevent King Shuuichi from being murdered on his wedding day. He's been researching kage and bounds for the past month and a half, and I've assisted him at times. Then I got a report about a servant of Prince Reiji, one who matches Aya. I put two and two together…" Birman paused for a second as she eyed Yohji nervously. "Did he tell you why he's here?"

"Yes. To kill the king, on Reiji's orders. But he's not going to." Yohji was going to kill Botan the next time he saw him. The damn wizard, not telling him that he'd informed Birman about Aya and the others. Dead, the man was dead. "When did Botan tell you about Aya?"

He got a wary response to his question. "He didn't tell me about Aya per se, but about a prediction he'd had a month and a half ago. Are you telling me he knows about Aya?"

Well, at least he wasn't the only one pissed off at the wizard now. "He's known about Aya and me for a couple weeks now." Yohji stopped pacing and glared at Birman. "I won't let you use him. The only thing keeping you alive at this moment is the fact that your death would cause us problems, but try to get anywhere near Aya and I will snap your neck without any remorse." His voice had taken on a sibilant quality, and shadows stirred around the room, crossing to the desk and skittering over Birman, making her shiver in fear and cold.

"How…" She was clutching her bracelet as if it was a talisman of sorts. "Magic shouldn't be affecting me, _they_ shouldn't be able to touch me." Birman turned shocked eyes onto Yohji. "What the hell are you?"

"A succubae-bound, mated to a kage," he hissed. "Someone who can kill you with a thought." At least he hoped he could make the shadows obey him to protect Aya. The shadows crawled up to Birman's neck. Seeing the terror in her eyes made Yohji relent, and the shadows dissipated. They were getting better at following his wishes.

"Sweet gods," Birman moaned. She closed her eyes for a moment, clearly gathering her wits and courage, and then she resumed studying Yohji. "What happened to Aya? Why are you really hiding him?"

Yohji bared his teeth at her. If Birman wanted the truth he'd give it to her, and wait to see the woman's reaction. He still wasn't a hundred percent sure that he couldn't get away with killing her. "Because Reiji and his bastard sons bled Aya dry and tortured him three days ago."

When it came, Birman's reaction wasn't what Yohji had expected. She cocked her head to the side and looked at him with curiosity and disapproval. "Why are they still alive then?"

"Because…." Yohji growled. Damn Birman, searching for information at a time like this. He was a hair's breadth from killing her, and she was asking questions. How like the woman. "That's none of your business."

Straightening her disheveled attire, Birman scowled at Yohji. "There's a kage here in the capital, sent to kill the king, and that makes it my business." Then she sighed and carried on in a more conciliatory tone of voice. "Yohji, I promise not to harm him, but I need to know everything. I want to stop Reiji, to finally pin something on the bastard."

"By using Aya? How are you going to charge the bastard with anything without exposing Aya?" Yohji pulled at the wires on his bracelet. "I won't let that happen."

They glared at each other, then Birman broke eye contact, seeming to be concentrating on something as she chewed on her bottom lip. "Botan's auguries said something about a battle at the wedding. You're waiting until then to fight him, aren't you?"

He grunted.

"You're not going to say a word, are you?" Birman tapped her bracelet. "Okay, let's try this tactic. Do you have any idea how difficult I can make your life?" When Yohji growled and stepped closer to her she held her hands in the air. "Listen to me, Yohji, and use that brain of yours. I can help or hinder you, your decision."

Yohji let go of his weapon as he stalked away from the desk, trying to do just what Birman told him. He needed to think, but his head was cluttered with rage and his protectiveness towards Aya. Birman could definitely make his life hell, throwing all their plans into disarray. Maybe Schuldig could do something about her memory, but most likely not. He knew she had to have some sort of charm on her to prevent just that. Though once again magic seemed to be failing against him. One of these days Yohji knew he'd have to break down and ask Cass what that meant.

"What do you want?" Not that it really was a question, as he knew she'd want information.

"I want to know what you're planning, the full extent of Reiji and his sons' involvement in the plot to kill Shuuichi, and… I want you." Birman didn't bat an eye at the last.

Yohji stared at her in wonder for a moment, then shouted. "What?"

Birman didn't even twitch at the noise. "I want you."

The woman had never shown the remotest amount of sexual interest in him before; did knowing he was a bound turn her on? "I'm taken, Birman. I couldn't get it up for you even if I tried. I've mated with Aya."

She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "I don't want to have sex with you, Kudoh, I want you to work for me." Then she tilted her head to the side. "Though you are rather cute. Are you sure about not being able to get it up? I've never heard that about you before."

He gritted his teeth together. It figured Birman would try to use this opportunity to drag him back to the Guards. "I'm not rejoining the Guards, Birman. It's not possible for me to do that now. Before, I didn't know what I was. Now I do, and I couldn't possibly hide what I am from the others. And I'm not spending that much time away from Aya."

Birman considered what he said. "I don't want you to rejoin the Guards, I want you to work for me as a spy and an infiltrator. I'd rather no one know about that at all." She stroked her chin. "I could think of a lot of missions I could give a succubae-bound who seems to be immune to magic. You seem part kage. That could be very useful. You'll do well, with a bit of training. After all, that's what your kind were bred for."

Yohji's anger returned, making him bare his teeth at the woman. "I'm not a dog for you to command, Birman."

"No, you're a bound, which means you simply breathing is illegal." She glared back at him, her eyes cold and ruthless. "That's my price, Yohji; my cooperation in keeping your and Aya's secret and helping you against Reiji and his sons for your assistance on any matters that I require in the future. I could use both you and Aya for…"

In a blink of an eye Yohji was back at the desk, his hand wrapped around Birman's neck. "You won't use him." There was no way he'd allow that to happen.

"He's an assassin, Yohji. Knowing Reiji, he's probably better trained than you are," Birman choked out.

"No. No deal with Aya. He stays out of this." He squeezed his hand. "I won't let anyone use him." Not after the Takatoris had done that for the past twelve years. Yohji wasn't going to free Aya just to hand him over to a new master.

As Birman sputtered for breath, the office door opened and Brad entered the room. Yohji snarled as the other bound calmly walked over to the desk and tapped him on his shoulder. Why the hell couldn't he kill anyone in peace?

At his questioning look and warning growl, Brad nodded his head in Birman's direction. "That's not a very good idea. I just had a vision of you killing this woman, dooming us all. Would you like to know how many hours after her death before the Koneko would be burned to the ground?"

Yohji jerked his hand away, using it instead to grab ahold of Brad's white tunic and yank him close. "What the hell have you seen, and why didn't you warn me about this?" Birman gasped for air behind him.

"I just had a vision of your encounter with the Spymaster, but I've known about her for some weeks now. We need her, Yohji, so let her live." Blue eyes stared back at him evenly, and Yohji wanted to punch the man, to shatter his glasses and his composure. He was getting sick and tired of precogs and their visions, which didn't seem to be doing him and Aya any favors at all.

"She wants me to be her slave, Brad. How do you justify that?"

"Not my slave, just an employee, Yohji," Birman broke in. "I'll even pay you for your assistance."

Yes, and he'd have no choice but to accept the jobs she offered him. He looked back at her, and then at Brad. The bound nodded his head. "We need her, Yohji. We need as many people in our corner as possible if we hope to survive _after_ the wedding. Trust me on this. I didn't warn you about her because you'd have wanted to kill her before she found out, and that would have been a mistake. Accept her bargain, and she'll do everything in her power to keep Aya safe and hidden. I promise you that. Should she fail, I'll help you kill her." Brad gazed at him solemnly, and Yohji's shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Okay, Birman, you have a deal. Keep Aya safe, and I'll do whatever the hell you want, within my abilities." It wasn't like working for the Spymaster would be a bad thing; it was just that Yohji didn't like how he had no choice in the matter.

Birman nodded her head and slide off the desk to shakily stand on her feet. "I'll keep my end of the bargain, Yohji, don't worry. I'll also try and limit your missions to only tasks in which I feel your nature would be beneficial." She ran a finger over her bruised throat then crossed her arms over her chest. "Now I believe you gentlemen have some idea of what's going to happen at the king's wedding, at least more than I do, and I want that information. I'm not leaving until I get it."

She probably wouldn't budge from the office, short of Mickey picking her up, until she found out everything that she wanted, Yohji thought. Not in the mood for an interrogation, he glanced over at Brad, who was staring at Birman with a good bit of consternation. The older bound didn't seem to like her demanding personality.

"Well then, I think you should talk to Brad here, as he's the one organizing everything." While Brad glared at him, Yohji beat a hasty retreat for the door. "I'm going to make sure that Aya is alright." If Yohji was to answer to the damn woman for the foreseeable future, Brad could give her a few answers. No reason why he should be the only one suffering.

Stepping out of the room, Yohji found Jo waiting outside it with a worried look on her face. "Something wrong, Jo?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you, Yotan. I heard you yelling."

Yohji patted Jo on the arm. "Just discussing a few things with Birman." He'd wait until after the Spymaster left to inform the Koneko's staff that another person knew about Aya. Else he'd be hard pressed to prevent Birman's murder at their hands. "Brad's in there now, and most likely they'll be talking for a while."

Jo's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What are they talking about?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know. But it's nothing that will harm us," Yohji hastily added as the woman stepped towards the door. "In fact, it will probably help us, in the long run. Just leave them be." While it would be beneficial to have another powerful ally, Yohji just wished that Birman had given her aid without any strings attached. He was going to have one hell of a time explaining his new job to Aya and the others.

"Jo, do me a favor and clear out the bathing room. I think I'm going to take Aya downstairs for a soak."

He received an assessing look at the request, but Jo nodded her head and left without saying a word. After heaving a sigh, Yohji ran up the steps, taking three at a time. He needed desperately to be alone with Aya for a little bit, and no one would hear his mate yelling at him if they were in the bathing room. While Yohji planned on waiting before he told the staff about the bargain he'd struck with Birman, Aya had to know now. The man had felt his emotions all through the discussion.

Yohji found Koyu in his bedroom, sitting on the window seat and playing his harp. Aya was curled up in a nest of pillows, nibbling on a small tart as he listened. The moment he stepped inside the room Aya's eyes latched on to him, and Yohji noted the shadows of worry and fear that clouded them.

"Did you have a nice talk with Birman, Yohji?"

"I had an interesting chat with her, you might say. Normally I'd love to sit and hear you play all day, Koyu, but Aya and I are going to have a soak right now." Yohji walked over to the closet and pulled out two robes. As Koyu murmured that he'd gladly play for Aya another time and packed his harp, Yohji quickly stripped and pulled on his blue robe. He waited for the Harper to leave before hurrying to the bed and handing the scarlet one to Aya.

"You up for a bath?"

Aya sat up and slid the robe over his shoulders before pulling his pants down. The quick flash of his lover's naked body made Yohji's throat go dry.

"Yes. What happened, Yohji?"

Stroking a hand through Aya's bangs, Yohji smiled humorlessly. "Ask me again when we get downstairs." He then bent over to pick Aya up, ignoring the man's protests about being able to walk. Aya could walk all right, for about two feet. The bathing room was considerably further away than that. Upon pointing this out to the redhead, Yohji was smacked for his observation.

Two steps towards the door and Yohji realized that he wasn't exactly going to avoid notice, not walking around the Koneko in the middle of the day with Aya in his arms. First off, he wasn't supposed to be anywhere near the man, secondly people would wonder about Aya's bruises.

"Uh, love, how are we going to do this?"

Aya sighed and rested his head in Yohji's shoulder. "Idiot."

Opening his mouth to ask why he'd deserved the insult, Yohji was startled when shadows began forming around the two of them. He then belatedly recalled the kage's ability to walk around unnoticed and assumed it was because of the shadows. Hmphing as he settled Aya more securely in his arms, Yohji headed for the bathing room. Each time he passed a patron he twitched, but no one truly noticed them.

It only took them a few minutes to reach the room, the door springing open at Yohji's touch before his key entered the lock. This time he heard the lock click open and wondered if Aya had used his powers to do that. He entered the humid room, noting the stack of clean towels and fresh bars of rose and lavender scented soap, and knew that Jo had left the items for them.

Aya was set down on a stool and reverently washed clean, Yohji's actions gentle and thorough. He moaned when Aya tilted his head back for him to wash his hair and couldn't resist kissing the pale throat, even if he got a mouthful of soap bubbles for his trouble. As soon as his mate was clean, Yohji scrubbed himself then moved them both to soak in the tub.

Yohji leaned back against the spring's rim, enjoying the feel of heat sinking into his body almost as much as having Aya curled up on his lap, facing him. He'd missed the sensation of being filled with sunlight, and a good soak in hot water was almost as nice. For the first time since Aya had been hurt, he felt warm.

Aya leaned away from him, causing Yohji to wrap his arms around the man's waist to help support him. "What happened, Yohji? Koyu said that Birman came to see you."

Not knowing what to say, Yohji decided to get the ordeal over with. "She came here to talk about you." Aya instantly became tense in his arms, but Yohji plowed on. "She figured out what you are, thanks to something Botan said a month or so ago, and she came here to strike a bargain."

"What bargain?" He could feel the anger, fear and worry that filled Aya, causing Yohji to pull his mate close and kiss him on the forehead.

"That she'll help us fight Reiji and his sons, and keep you safe after the wedding, in exchange for… me working for her in the future. She sorta figured out I was a bound too and thinks she can use someone like me." Yohji prepared himself for Aya's reaction, expecting something along the lines of an explosion.

Instead, all Aya did was stare back at him, his emotions in turmoil then he nodded his head. "We'll both work for her."

It was Yohji who ended up yelling. "The hell we will! I'm the one who'll do the damn missions for her, not you!"

Violet eyes narrowed, sparking with fury. "We both will."

"No!" Yohji grabbed Aya by the shoulders and jerked him back and forth a couple times, trying to shake some sense into the man's head. "I made the deal, I'm the only one who will be working for the sneaky witch. You have nothing to do with this!"

"I'm the reason you agreed to work for her," Aya hissed. "I felt your emotions, Yohji, I know you're upset about this. Why should you suffer alone?"

Yohji gritted his teeth together and wondered how he'd make Aya see reason. "Because I'm not the one who, if found out, will have someone trying to remove his head from his shoulders in the quickest manner possible. It's too dangerous for you to go on any missions."

Aya didn't immediately reply to that, instead Yohji felt his love grow colder and emotionless as shadows skittered over to surround the hot tub. In a sibilant tone of voice, the kage spoke, his glare never wavering from at Yohji.

"I've killed over a hundred people, Yohji, have had dozens of missions to kill or steal or observe, whatever Reiji and his sons told me to do. I've killed all ages and types, men and women, even wizards and other bounds." Aya gazed at him, no trace of humanity on his face. Yohji could only stare back, mesmerized by his mate's alien nature. "What makes you think you can do a better job than I can? I've been a killer and a thief for twelve years, can you say the same?"

His throat dry, Yohji licked his lips before hoarsely replying. "You've been a slave for twelve years, Aya. I refuse for you to be one any longer. I told Birman I'd work for her to spare you from having to kill on orders ever again -- to be reduced, yet again, to being a weapon and not a person. I'm not going to let you do that, not after I break you free."

Aya continued to stare at him, but ever so slowly emotion showed on his face, flowed through their link. Aya suddenly looked like a scared and uncertain young man little older than Nagi. The change shocked Yohji, especially when Aya became angry once more.

"I'm not a doll, Yohji, I won't break." Aya grabbed a handful of Yohji's hair and tugged harshly, startling him with the pain. "I've done little but train and kill for the past decade. I know how to take care of myself, I've defended myself in the past. There's very little I'm not able to do. But all you do is treat me like I'm a child or something."

When Yohji tried to talk Aya yanked again. "Listen to me, _please_. The whole time…" Aya swallowed, his eyes clouding over with pain. "The whole time I was in Hirofumi's hands the other night, all I thought of was how grateful I was that you were safe, that you couldn't feel what I was going through. You want to protect me, Yohji. Well, I want to do the same for you. I want you to be safe and not suffer any harm. But you won't give me the chance."

Trembling slightly, Yohji hugged Aya close, being mindful of his back. "Aya… all I can think of is keeping you safe. I want you to be happy, to have a chance at living, something I don't think you've done for quite some time. I just can't agree to something that might hurt you, that could cause you pain. You shouldn't have to suffer anymore." He pushed up Aya's chin until he could kiss his mate, needing to make him feel something other than anger and pain.

Aya kissed him back, his tongue flicking against Yohji's after he gently sucked it into his mouth. Yohji moaned and pulled Aya's hips against his, grinding his growing erection against the smaller man. With a soft mewl, Aya broke off the kiss and leaned back in Yohji's arms.

"Together, Yotan."

"Hmm, what?" Yohji tore his eyes from Aya's neck, gazing into his love's eyes with confusion.

"We'll do it together. I can't let you work for her on your own, or remain safe while you go into danger." Steel entered Aya's voice contrasting it with the love and need shining in his eyes. "I can't be your doll any longer. That's a different type of slavery."

While wanting nothing more than to argue with his decision, to point out that Yohji just wanted Aya to be safe, to never have to relive the hell of the past few days, he found his resolution weakening in the face of Aya's determination. Dammit, the man had a point. The bond between them went both ways, and Yohji knew he'd never be able to bear remaining safely at the Koneko while Aya constantly put himself in danger, all for him.

"Together, cat. But if you ever get hurt, I'll never let you live it down, and I'll damn well tie you to the bed the next time we have a mission." He sealed the agreement with a kiss, grabbing hold of an eartail and using it to yank Aya forward. His mate responded with equal fervor, wrapping his arms around Yohji's neck.

Moving his mouth down to Aya's throat, Yohji nipped the sensitive skin, making Aya moan out his name. He could feel the pale man's erection rubbing against his, could feel how their need and desire were the same, overwhelming the both of them.

"Aya… I can't wait any longer." His hunger, barely held in check the past couple of days, demanded to be sated. Yohji knew there was no way he'd be able to push it aside this time without one hell of a struggle, the mere thought of doing that had him growling and holding onto Aya all the tighter.

His mate tilted his hips and ground them against Yohji. "Don't, then." Aya was filled with desire and need, but deep down was still a trace of fear and despair. Suspecting it was because of what Hirofumi had done to him, Yohji cupped Aya's face between his palms and kissed him, leisurely and thoroughly.

When the man was left gasping for breath, Yohji trailed his mouth to Aya's neck, licking and sucking on the white flesh, grazing it with his teeth. Aya chanted his name, rendered weak with desire and pleasure, and Yohji searched the side of the tub for something he could use as his mouth continued southward.

As he licked and nipped at Aya's pert nipples, he found a bar of soap and slickened his hand. Spreading Aya's bottom open with one hand, he rubbed a soapy finger around the tight pucker hidden there. That earned him a drawn out mewl, and Yohji couldn't resist pushing a finger inside, desperate for the clenching heat that waited there.

Aya mewled again and thrust his hips down. Sunlight flowed into Yohji, stoking the hunger that had plagued him the past few days. He almost shoved inside of Aya right then, but stopped himself when his hand traveled up Aya's back, feeling the ridged, and still scabbed, in some places, skin. Quickly returning his hand to Aya's thigh, Yohji started to stroke his mate in time to his plunging fingers.

"Yotan…" Aya's eyes were closed, his head lolling on his neck as he panted. Each flick of his fingers, each stroke on the man's cock caused Yohji to shiver in ecstasy as the much missed sunlight poured into him, calming down his hunger and making him feel whole. When Aya sobbed his name again Yohji soaped his hand and quickly slickened his own cock, no longer able to keep from seeking out the heaven that awaited him.

He pushed inside Aya as slowly as he could, making the both of them groan in frustration. Yohji knew he shouldn't be doing this now; Aya was still bruised and sore in too many places, but while he could, just barely, resist his own need, he couldn't fight Aya's as well. After an agonizing minute he was completely buried inside his mate, breath coming in heaves as he fought for control, being driven wild by the feel of Aya's clenching muscles around him, of the man pressing kisses against his neck and rocking his hips.

"Aya… cat, gods you feel so fucking good. I've missed this." It felt so incredibly good to be inside Aya, to feel complete once again. Using more willpower than Yohji ever imagined he possessed, he kept his thrusts slow and languid, making sure to hit that spot inside Aya as often as he could. Aya trembled in his arms, mewling and sobbing in pleasure. Yohji's tongue skimmed all over his mate's flesh, needing to taste the man as much as possible. He dragged out the bliss as much long as he could, needing this too much to hurry to its conclusion.

"You're so beautiful, so lovely. Gods, Aya, I love you so much. You're perfect and mine, always. I'm never letting you go." The words poured from his mouth, assurances that Aya was still beautiful in his eyes, was still wanted so incredibly much by him. Aya's arms tightened around his neck with each one, holding Yohji closer. Then Aya tossed back his head, his body clenching around Yohji's cock, his eyes wide and staring as he shook in Yohji's arms. He remained like that for a few seconds, then melted against him.

Breathing harshly, Yohji held his lover close, thrusting his hips a bit faster as he felt the pleasure coil inside him, the sunlight so warm it burned. Then he cried out Aya's name and came as well, feeling as if every last drop he had was being shot inside the man. The waves kept coming, each one more blissful than the last, until Yohji shuddered and slumped down on the bench.

Aya's breath panted against his ear, the water lapped at his chin as Yohji just sat there, trying to make sense of how his body worked. It didn't seem to want to move, but instead to just melt in the hot water. It took several tries to sit up on the bench, and both of them moaned when he slipped out of his mate, losing that intimate contact.

Yohji tilted back Aya's face, taking in his closed eyes and swollen lips. Satiation, pleasure and exhaustion radiated from the smaller man, along with a hint of pain because of the activity. Returning some of the energy he'd stolen, Yohji guiltily stroked Aya's sore ribs and wounded back. He couldn't give back all of it, his hunger demanded some in order to be appeased, but the little he sent back helped to soothe the ache of Aya's more serious wounds. Yohji cursed himself for not being able to resist making love to his mate, knowing that Aya should have been given more time to heal, but he'd needed him too much. Aya had needed Yohji too much also, and felt rather happy at the moment.

"You still awake, cat?"

Mumbling, Aya opened his eyes and weakly glared at Yohji. Unable to hold back a smile at how adorably grumpy his love looked, Yohji kissed him on the nose and flicked an eartail against Aya's lips. That earned him a hiss, but the sound soon turned into a purr when Yohji kissed him gently.

"Let's get you out of the water. I don't think your skin can take much more." He lifted Aya and climbed out of the tub, and after a few minutes and several caresses they were both dry and in their robes. This time Aya didn't make any complaint about being carried, while Yohji doubted the man could manage even two steps at this point in time, and as soon as the shadows returned to cloak them they were on their way.

Omi and Naoe were waiting for them in their room, causing Yohji to growl slightly upon being surprised by their presence. Naoe took one look at Aya, glared at Yohji and used his power to grab a towel from the washstand. As soon as the kage was placed on the bed Naoe started to dry Aya's damp hair.

"Are you trying to give him another cold? What about his back, you didn't let him soak too long, did you?"

Resisting the urge to strangle the little demon, Yohji snarled and pulled on some pants and a shirt, then set about drying his own hair. He noticed that no one volunteered to do that for him. But at least Naoe wasn't commenting about the new bruises on Aya's neck, or on how weak the man was. Aya just rested amongst his pillows, his eyes closed and purring slightly as Naoe tenderly dried his hair.

Tossing his towel aside, Yohji brushed back his hair and crossed over to the bed, sitting down by Aya. He grabbed the towel from Naoe's hand and shooed the boy away. "I'll take over from here. What were the two of you up to today?" Omi had finally managed to drag Naoe away from Aya's side that morning, citing that his boyfriend needed a break.

Though Naoe glared at him, he still floated a brush over to Yohji so he could patiently work out the tangles in Aya's hair. Omi gestured to a stack of bags and boxes on the desk. "We did some shopping. There are a few presents for Aya, and for you as well, Yotan."

"So nice that someone remembers I exist," Yohji drawled, but he couldn't help smiling and craning his head for a better look. "Get anything for yourself?"

Omi grinned. "Of course we did. It's a good thing I had some allowance saved up, or I'd have been trading in the crown jewels, but we did manage a few bargains. Want to see them, Aya?"

Glancing down, Yohji found his love fast asleep. Aya was curled up beside him, his hair in disarray and falling on his face, but the slight smile on his lips was still evident. It was the first genuine smile he'd seen from Aya since he'd been injured, and the sight made his heart lighten.

Omi noticed that Aya was asleep and stifled a giggle. "I won't say anything about nice, relaxing baths, Yohji. But you better hope that Jo doesn't hear about this." He smiled when Yohji growled at him. "Do you want us to go?"

Looking back and forth between him and Naoe, who was watching Aya sleep with a slight smile on his face, Yohji shook his head. "Nah, why don't you show me what you bought. I doubt Aya's going to wake for the next couple hours, so I might as well be able to tell him what he missed."

Laughing softly, Omi ran over to the stack of presents.

*******

Reiichi watched as Lord Eto talked to a few of his compatriots, taking note of their family colors. Most of them were younger sons and daughters, obviously eager to take a gamble on gaining some prestige. There was even one of Shuuichi's ministers in the group, a disturbing sight. But what distressed him most was the man standing in the corner, dressed in a grey cloak he recognized from Yuushi's description.

The earring in his right ear warned Reiichi that he'd better leave, as he was getting near enough for the cloaked man to notice him. Sticking to the shadows, he returned to the quarters he shared with his friends to find them waiting for him.

"Well," Naru asked, all but bouncing up and down.

"It's as we suspected. They have established allies deep in the Court and Shuuichi's Ministry." He gazed at Yuushi. "It seems your `friend' does indeed have very powerful allies. Powerful enough to actually be able to overthrow the throne, in my humble opinion. They've selected various ministers and lords who seek to change the way things are."

Yuushi gazed back at him quietly for a moment, and Reiichi saw the worry, nervousness and excitement that crossed his friend's elegant features. The final emotion was that of resolve.

"Well then, I guess we know where we stand. It's time we had some allies of our own. I doubt my `friend' expects aid only from me. Start talking to the Guards we can trust."

Naru bounced onto the balls of his feet then, a bundle of nervous energy. "Uhm, can I just say we could lose our heads for this? I mean…." The young man shrugged his shoulders. "Nevermind, forget I said a thing. This is gonna be fun!"

Reiichi sighed and shared a smile with Yuushi. They were committed now, but Naru was right. This was going to be fun. And tricky, and dangerous, and could see them and a lot of other people paying for their decision. But it was always possible that they could succeed, no matter the odds, and he felt that it was a chance worth taking.

"I'll start talking to some of your more loyal supporters. A lot of people are dissatisfied with Kikyou becoming the new Captain, so I suggest we look for recruits there." Yuushi and Naru nodded their heads, clearly counting on him for guidance. Sighing again, Reiichi rattled off a list of names, struggling hard to keep a smile off his lips. For fifteen years he'd played games of intrigue with the Court, trying to keep the more corrupt members of it in line. Now he had a much more interesting game to play, with much higher stakes. He looked forward to the challenge.

*******

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