Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Shadows ❯ mates, part 2 ( Chapter 20 )

Shadows

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chapter 12

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mates, part 2

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Masato sighed as he pushed open the door leading to the Koneko's gardens. Yohji hadn't been inside the inn; maybe he'd find the boy out here. He strode onto the green grass, inhaling the scent of flowers as his eyes searched among the foliage for a certain blond.

When he spied Aya sitting by the patch of lavender, resting in the shade while Jei lounged against a tree and Naoe sat a foot away from him, Masato knew he wasn't going to find his son out here. Dammit. He approached the kage, hoping the man knew where his mate was, so Masato could track him down and get the discussion over Yohji's training out of the way.

"Hello there, Aya. You're looking well today." He nodded to Jei, who nodded back, and smiled at Naoe, who didn't.

"Hn." Aya set the book he'd been reading aside and pulled his black cloak around him tightly. For a moment Masato drank in the sight of the lovely young man. The bruise on Aya's face had finally faded away, and his skin glowed in the darkness. However, it was an aesthetic appreciation only, as Masato's hunger wasn't piqued by the kage's presence at all.

"What do you want?" Naoe hissed at him.

Breaking free from his thoughts, Masato gestured to the grass around Aya. When the pale man nodded, he sat down. Aya gazed at him levelly, clearly wondering why Masato was risking a painful death by being near him. At the least he looked puzzled and nervously scanned the garden before relaxing and tilting his head to the side.

"What do you want?"

"I'm wondering where Yohji is," Masato said in a low voice. He debated explaining his reason to Aya, and decided to see how the redhead responded to him resuming the training sessions. "I'm not done teaching him about his talent yet, and hoped to continue with the lessons sometime tonight."

Aya nodded his head. "A good idea."

"Yeah, maybe he'll finally be able to restrain himself from draining you silly then," Naoe muttered.

Over by the tree, Jei chuckled evilly. "Right. That's not so much a special nature than youthful hormones, Nags. Seems to me that Yohji's not the only one suffering from them either. Wanna explain that hickey on your neck to us?"

Naoe flushed and glared at the scarred man, but Masato caught a fleeting glimpse of a smile on Aya's face. Suddenly, Jei let out a yelp as his feet were jerked out from under him, making him fall on his ass while smacking his head against the tree. As soon as he could he jumped to his feet and snarled at Naoe, who growled back.

"Stop it."

Once the words were uttered the two bounds stopped snapping at each other, guilty expressions on their faces at the slip in their behavior. Jei reached out a hand to ruffle Naoe's hair; he made a face at the indignity before sliding over to sit by Aya. The kage watched the two of them for a moment before returning his attention to Masato.

"Yohji should be back in another hour. He needed to go to the market with Mickey."

"I'll talk to him the moment he comes back." Masato gazed at Aya, surprised that the man was talking to him, and civilly at that. "Listen, about the other night… I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd be hurt that badly or I would have let Yohji go. There's no way I'd keep a person from his mate like that if I knew there was real danger involved."

Closing his eyes, Aya nodded his head slightly. Then his eyes snapped open and he looked behind Masato. Turning around, Masato saw Cassandra and Schuldig enter the garden through the gate on the far wall. The woman waved her hand at the group, a smile spreading across her face when Aya nodded his head and the others waved back and went over to a patch of chamomile.

Schuldig remained by the gate, staring at Masato. Feeling his hunger rise, Masato couldn't look away from the slim redhead and found himself rising to his feet without any thought on his part. The motion must have startled Schuldig, as he shook his head quickly and stalked over to the Koneko's back door. Masato took a step after him and moaned in pain when the man vanished from his sight.

"Well that answers that question. I see the two of you still aren't talking to each other," Jei commented quietly.

Looking at Jei, Masato snarled. "It's none of your fucking business." He took a step closer to the other bound, who was starting to snarl back at him, when shadows entangled around Masato and stopped him in his tracks. He shivered in cold.

"Might I remind you that we're in a public garden?" Aya's voice was soft and sibilant, producing a new kind of shivers to run along Masato's spine. Mumbling an apology, he sank back down in the grass. Feeling the weight of regard on him, Masato turned to stare into a pair of curious violet eyes.

"Do all… succubae-bounds act like that around the people they sleep with?"

"Huhn?" Masato scratched at his chin, mentally reminding himself to find the time to shave someday soon. "What are you talking about?"

The question caused Naoe to snort and roll his eyes. "What he means is you act like Yohji does with Aya when you're near Schu. I thought the moron was like that because Aya's his mate, but I guess not."

"He's correct. I haven't seen Yohji react in that manner with any of his past lovers, just me. Is it because they're humans and Schuldig isn't?" Aya folded his hands on his lap and waited for an answer.

Masato tried to make sense of what was being asked of him. Was his behavior in regards to Schuldig that… out of control? It had to be if Aya was speaking to him about it, considering the fact that kage had barely spoken to him at all in the past.

While Masato was thinking over his reactions, Jei chuckled as he pulled out a knife to trim his claws with. "Well, I don't know about him in particular, but I've been around some succubae-bounds before, and they don't usually act like that with a lover unless they're either very hungry or feel that someone is threatening to take away their dinner. What's the matter, Masato, been skipping a few meals lately?" Jei flashed his fangs at him.

Refusing to be baited, especially with the way that Aya was now glaring at the two of them, Masato jerked a hand through his hair. "Jei's right, we don't usually react this way with a casual lover. Only with our mates or someone we've developed an attachment to." Not some brat whom he'd just fucked for the hell of it, enjoying the way Schuldig tasted and the fact that he was a bound.

"So which is it then? Do you actually care for Schuldig, or are you mates?"

Aya's question took Masato by surprise. "Why the hell do you want to know?" he snapped, earning growls from Jei and Naoe.

The kage didn't seem fazed in the slightest by his burst of temper. "Because once Yohji stops being an idiot, he's going to be concerned about his friend. If he decides that you're playing with Schuldig's emotions, he'll try to kill you again. It's one thing if you care for the man, or are mates, but if not, I'd suggest you find someone else to fixate on right away." Aya's voice had become sibilant again.

"I… I barely know the man. All I know is we can't be mates." This conversation was making Masato very, very confused.

"Why not?" This time it was Jei asking the question.

"Because… I've already had one."

Jei shook his head. "I've heard of people having two mates before, what about you, Aya?"

"There was a wind elemental-bound that associated with Katsumi, who lost her mate when they both were young, and found another one a few decades later," Aya said in a quiet voice. "They died together."

"Well, that's not the case here. I had Miyuki, and I don't ever want to go through the grief of another mate ever again." Masato pushed himself onto his feet. "It's not worth the pain."

Aya regarded him with sadness. "Yohji… he irritates me and treats me like a child sometimes, but I wouldn't say he brings me grief. If anything, he's one of the only two good things in my life, and I wouldn't change us being mates for anything."

For a moment Masato remembered the happy times he'd had in this very garden with Miyuki, and up in her bedroom…. That had been the happiest few months of his life, and he ached for those lost days with his whole being. But he couldn't believe that he had another opportunity like that before him, especially not after the way his happiness had been taken from him before.

"We'll just have to disagree on that. Please tell Yohji that I need to talk to him." That said Masato turned on his heel and left. He quickly walked back to his room, determined to get some rest. Obviously the lack of sleep was making him delusional if for one second he considered that the others might be right. Schuldig couldn't be his mate -- it just wasn't possible.

Yet for such an impossible thing, Masato couldn't tear his mind off the topic for the rest of the day. When he tried to escape them by taking a nap, his dreams were haunted by memories of Miyuki and images of a redheaded brat.

*******

Yohji helped Mickey carry the groceries they had bought back from the market rather than await their delivery to the kitchen. While he handed a few of the cloth bags to Jo, he craned his head to look out the window.

"That bastard Kikyou didn't stop by again, did he?" Too busy searching for Aya and anyone dressed in dark blue, Yohji didn't pay any attention to where he was about to put the rest of his bags.

"No, Yohji, he hasn't. And if he does, Jei and Naoe are both out there to make sure the man can't get within ten feet of Aya." Jo smacked him lightly on the side of the head and hissed a warning. Yohji looked down to see he was just about to set a bag of sugar down on some rising dough. Smiling sheepishly, he set the bags down on a clear space and walked over to the window for a better look. He could just barely make Aya out, sitting in shadows but not cloaked by them, talking to Jei and the little demon.

His mate looked good today, no longer as deathly pale and covered with bruises. Aya's back still caused him some pain, and his strength was still returning, but he seemed well enough to toss a sprig of lavender at something Jei had said that made Nagi frown. Good, someone else was teasing the damn brat for once. Yohji glanced away from the scene when a hand rested on his shoulder.

"I'll let him know you're here, and see about him coming back inside." Mickey waited for Yohji to reluctantly nod before heading outside. Remaining at the window, Yohji watched his foster brother approach his lover.

Even from this distance he could see Aya tense when the large man came near him and he sensed his mate's discomfort and touch of fear at Mickey's presence. Yohji's mouth tightened in a grim line. Aya now reacted like that to any human male that came near him, even Teddy and Koyu. While Aya knew that he didn't have anything to fear from the Koneko's staff, he could only tolerate the women around him these last few days. Well, them and Omi.

"Yohji, stop it." He turned around to look at Jo, a frown on his face. She scowled at him and shook her head. "You're growling."

"Oh. Sorry, I wasn't aware of it." Yohji looked back out the window, just in time to see Aya rise to his feet. The redhead nodded at Mickey, and with Jei and Nagi flanking either side of him, he slowly made his way towards the Koneko.

"Dammit, he's still pretty tired, and yet he insists on walking. Jei could carry him upstairs with no problem if Aya would just let him."

"Or Mickey could."

Yohji shook his head. When he glanced at Jo, he saw her looking out the window with a sad smile on her face. "What's wrong, Jo?"

"Yotan… I don't want to know what else those pricks did to him, other than the obvious. If I thought he was hurt before he came here…" Jo shook her head. "I've seen him around the boys lately, and I was hoping things would go back to normal quickly. But I guess not, so I'll have a word with them. They need to know to give the poor cat a little space and some time to heal. And, to know it's not them that he's afraid of."

Yohji waited until Aya was out of his sight before turning his attention to the woman. "I didn't think anyone else had noticed."

Jo smiled sadly. "Well, Ani and I did. He's the way we were when we first came here -- too afraid of letting any man near us in case they got it in their head to beat or…" Jo smacked her fist into her hand. "I'll talk to them. Teddy will probably be hurt since he tends to take things personally, but I'll make sure that it's only us girls who tend to Aya for the next few weeks. Hopefully once you kill the monster who did that to him, he'll feel safer. Just…."

"Yeah, Jo?" The cook wasn't usually this hesitant about anything.

"Make sure he pays for what he did. Make him suffer." There was a light in Jo's eyes that was only ever there when some fool followed the person, usually a woman or child, who sought sanctuary from them at the Koneko. Or when she thought of her ex-husband.

"He will. My word on it." They exchanged chilling smiles before Yohji left the kitchen for his bedroom. Along the way he briefly chatted with various guests, even flirted with a young woman. He wanted to give Aya enough time to make it up the steps, because if he found him resting along the way Yohji would have to pick up the stubborn fool and carry him to their room. Which would probably earn him another bite or two.

Yohji entered his bedroom to find Aya curled up in the window seat, Nagi fussing around him. The teen was trying to make sure that there wasn't any light escaping through the curtains to bother Aya. For a moment Yohji smiled at the scene, and his imagination spun an image of the three of them through the centuries. Nagi continuously mother-henning Aya and tormenting Yohji while Aya tried not to strangle the two of them. Yohji felt a good mood lighten his heart as he watched the two.

Nagi finally noticed him standing there and stomped his foot, something he must have learned from Omi. "Kudoh, do something. He shouldn't be sitting here, not when it's so sunny out. He's too tired as it is from walking up those steps."

Aya glared at the boy and went back to reading his book. A wicked smile on his face, Yohji strode across the room and suddenly swept Aya up into his arms, spinning the hissing man about several times until they were both dizzy, and somehow managed to collapse onto the bed and not the floor. Yohji made sure he was on the bottom, and immediately lifted his head to kiss Aya. His love nipped his bottom lip but kissed him back.

A few minutes later Aya pushed himself off Yohji, a bit short of breath. "I was fine over there."

"Sure you were, cat. That's why your cheek's a little red." Yohji stroked Aya's face, loving the feel of the pale skin against his hand. Aya was so smooth: silken hair and satin skin over compact muscles and delicate bones. The man looked smaller than he was due to his thinness, and Yohji couldn't help but think that he was holding a porcelain doll at times, Aya's denials aside. A magnificently crafted work of art brought to life just for him.

The look in Aya's eyes had Yohji's hunger stirring, but Nagi plopping down on the end of the bed made him sigh wistfully and rein it in. He'd had Aya last night, and with a bit of luck, would again tonight, but until Aya regained his full strength that would have to be it. Yohji had centuries ahead of him to ravish his mate. He could more than make up for showing some restraint for the next couple days.

"Anything happen while I was gone?"

Aya and Nagi exchanged looks for a second. "We had a talk with your father today," Aya remarked quietly.

Anger filled Yohji, causing Aya to rest a hand on his shoulder. "He was polite and didn't touch me even once. What he wanted to talk about was you resuming your training."

That shocked Yohji, making the anger fade the tiniest bit. "The bastard actually thinks I'm going to let him teach me anything, after what he did the other night? No way in hell."

"So you'll cut off your nose to spite your face?" Nagi's voice was cold, almost as cold as the look he was giving Yohji. "You admitted before that you don't know much about your powers, and Aya's paid the price for that in the past. Now you'll refuse to learn anything about them, for either his benefit or your own? Maybe Masato could teach you something useful for at the wedding reception."

Aya decided to add his two cents worth. "I thought you agreed with Cassandra yesterday morning about needing to resume the lessons. The man is offering, why don't you take him up on it?"

"Because he knocked me out and damn near fucked right on top of me while you were being beaten and almost raped!" Yohji tugged at his own hair. "Am I the only one who thinks him and Schu are a couple of assholes for doing that?"

"Kudoh, I wanted to kill them too when I found them like that, but I didn't. We need them alive, and I think they honestly regret what they did." Nagi fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. "Now that I think about it, they did act an awful lot like you do when you're interrupted with Aya. Maybe they are mates."

Yohji was getting tired of going back and forth between fury and shock. "Would you care to explain that a little better, you interfering demon? Schu and my father are mates?" Now that was a revolting thought.

He let out a yell when Aya hit him on the thigh for calling Nagi a name. "We think they might be, though Masato denies it. They do act a lot like us."

In pain, Yohji closed his eyes. Oh that so wasn't a thought he wanted in his head, Schu and his father going at it like he did with Aya. Or at least used to, until he started getting his power under control. Then Yohji guiltily remembered being unable to control his appetite in the bathing room the other night. Damn, he knew he needed more training, but to have to sit in a room with Masato and not strangle him… that was going to be tough.

"You better appreciate the sacrifices I make for you, cat. It must be love." He kissed an uncomprehending Aya on the nose and lay back down on the bed, dragging Aya with him. The feel of his mate curling up at his side made Yohji start to purr.

"So does this mean you'll resume the lessons?"

"Yes, you little… brat." Yohji caught Aya's fist just in time. "What? It's clear you spoil him rotten. I'm the only one you should be doing that to." Aya hmphed and rested his head on Yohji's chest. "I'll resume the lessons, and I promise not to kill Masato until he's taught me everything I need to know."

Nagi rose from the bed and started walking around the room, picking up a few things and putting them in their places. Aya hadn't been able to do much cleaning the past few days, and Yohji hadn't been in the mood to tidy up.

"If he is Schuldig's mate, you won't be able to kill him. At least, not without harming Schuldig."

"I could care less about harming that prick." Feeling Aya's anger, Yohji lifted his head to look at the smaller man. "What did I say now?"

His eyes glowing with fury, Aya curled his fists on Yohji's chest and rested his chin on them. "Yohji, why am I fighting against the Takatoris?"

Yohji decided to humor his mate and answer, despite the sudden change in topic. "Because they killed your family and kept you as a slave for over a decade, not to mention the way they treated you."

"Why are you going to fight?"

"To kill the bastards and make sure you're never hurt again," Yohji growled. "What's your damn point, Aya?"

"One moment. Why is Nagi fighting? Ken? Crawford and Jei?" Aya appeared calm, but Yohji could still feel his anger and disappointment.

"Nagi's fighting for you, and to be free. Jei and Crawford want to be free too, and think they will be once you are. Ken's fighting to keep his king safe." Yohji scratched his head. "What does this have to do with anything?"

Aya frowned. "Why is Schuldig fighting?"

Yohji opened his mouth to say something and realized he didn't quite have an answer. To keep fellow bounds safe? That didn't seem Schu's style. Neither did being told to do so by his parents. For Yohji, then? Was Schu really fighting for him?

Aya seemed to be following his thoughts. "He could walk away from this battle and live a free life, but he isn't. He's risking his life, not just at the wedding reception but also to get back my sister's soul. Schuldig is certainly not doing it for me. I'm also pretty certain that no one asked him if he wanted to fight or not. It just seems to have been taken for granted.

"You want to know why I'm not mad at him, Masato and Cassandra? Well that's partially why. Those three have found themselves involved in something they could have easily avoided yet they're helping us at great cost to themselves. I don't like depending on other people, Yohji, especially ones I don't know very well, but you told me I could trust them and I do. Their actions have proven you correct."

Yohji tried to say something but Aya glared him silent. "I could care less what they did that night, they kept everyone here at the Koneko safe from harm. I would have been hurt regardless, but what I suffered wouldn't have been half as bad as seeing you or Nagi in my place. Even having the staff here be abused for my sake would be too much. So think, for once, before you ruin your friendship with Schuldig and Cassandra."

Nagi jumped right in when Aya finished. "One thing you need to learn is that as bounds, we stick together. You've never experienced living in fear of people finding out what you are and killing you for it, and not being able to trust anyone but another bound. We have, and we stand by our own."

"Okay, I get the fucking point." Yohji sighed and pulled Aya closer to him. "Not that I'm at all happy with those three, but I'll stop being nasty to them. As long as they never do something like that again, I'll forgive them." He tugged on one of Aya's ear tails. "But if they ever let you get hurt again, I'll never speak to them as long as I live."

Aya stretched out and kissed him. "Hn." He made himself comfortable on Yohji's chest, and Yohji wrapped his arms around his lover, mindful of his back. They just lay there like that, and after a few minutes Nagi left the room.

"You know, for two quiet young men, you and Nagi sure can bitch a fellow out."

"Hn."

*******

Holding onto Cassandra's hand, Botan knocked on the door. Yohji's voice called out a welcome, so he proceeded to open it and stepped inside with Cassandra and Schuldig following him. It took Botan's eyes a moment to adjust to the dark room, and he heard Yohji light a couple of candles.

The blond man was sitting up on the four-poster bed, Aya lying beside him with his head resting in Yohji's lap. But something on Botan's face must have alerted the kage since he immediately sat up.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, Aya, nothing's wrong. I just wanted to talk to you about something." Botan nervously paced the room while Schuldig and Cassandra retreated to the window seat. "It's about the spell for the soul sphere."

"What about it? I thought you had the thing figured out and were just a couple days away from creating it." Yohji's voice was tinged with anger. "Don't tell me you hit a snag. We don't have much fucking time left!"

"I know that!" Botan snapped back then cleared his throat. Oh, this was going just great. Yohji was already upset and he hadn't even made his request to Aya yet.

He tried again. "I came here because I need one more ingredient for the spell. And for some other spells that will be needed to enable Schuldig to steal the sphere containing Aya's sister." He gazed at the kage.

It wasn't surprising that Aya's face paled and became blank. The man was very familiar with wizard spells, having supplied blood for them over the past decade.

"You need my blood, don't you?"

Botan nodded his head.

"Wait a second, what do you mean he needs your blood?!" Yohji asked as he tugged on an eartail. When Aya didn't respond he glared at Botan. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Time to get this over with. "If my suspicions are correct, the Takatoris used Aya's blood in the spell for the sphere that contains his sister's soul. It would help anchor her soul, and it would make such a difficult spell much easier if kage blood was involved. Plus it would tie them together, enabling Aya to feel his sister's suffering. In order for me to make a convincing substitute, I need his blood for my spell."

Yohji didn't look too happy, but after a minute he nodded his head. "Okay, I can see your point. How much do you need? A few drops?"

"Two cups, at the very least." Yohji frowned at the amount, and Botan knew he was going to be even unhappier in moment. "But that's not all I need Aya's blood for."

"He'll need it for Schu, so he won't have to worry about any of the Takatoris' magic or wards. Plus it will render him mostly invisible. They… Masafumi uses it for his women all the time." Aya spoke with a monotone voice, betraying no emotion at all. Over on the window seat Cassandra and Schuldig shifted about uncomfortably. Botan shared their feelings.

"So how much more blood is that?" Yohji's voice was quiet, but still managed to convey his anger. His green eyes were dark with suppressed rage and his arms were wrapped tightly around Aya.

Botan swallowed nervously. "A considerable amount."

"How. Much. More?"

"Several liters," Botan whispered.

Yohji remained silent for a moment, dropping his head to nuzzle Aya's hair. "No way in hell. Get the hell out of here."

Several things happened simultaneously. Botan cursed, Cassandra and Schuldig leapt from their seats, and Yohji let out a yelp in pain. Everyone stared at the blond as he shook a hand bearing a red set of teeth prints.

"Why the hell did you do that, Aya? Dammit that hurts!"

Aya glared at his mate and spoke in a hissing voice. "You don't have any say in this decision, Yohji! Botan is here asking for my blood, not yours. And I damn well will give it to him!"

"Hello, do you remember the past few days? You lying in bed filled with pain and unable to move? There's no way I'm letting that happen to you again!" Yohji stopped glaring at Aya long enough to turn the look on Botan. "I said to get the hell out of here!"

Botan stepped back, and Schuldig took his place in front of the bed. "Yohji, listen to him please! He needs the blood for the spell. At least agree to that much. I'll get the sphere without any magic but my own."

Yohji's angry looked faltered. "That might work…"

The room was suddenly plunged into darkness for a moment, then the candles sputtered back to life to reveal an Aya surrounded by shadows and standing by the bed. His eyes, reflecting the dim light, glowed silver and his face was perfectly smooth.

"No, it won't. I refuse to risk my sister's soul and all of our lives because of your stupidity, Yohji. Botan will have my blood, or else Schuldig's mission will fail. I know the Takatoris have charms against soul gaki-bounds, and that they've warded the sphere. Only my blood will circumvent those things." As everyone watched a black knife appeared in Aya's left hand, and he raised it to his right wrist, the point moving towards his flesh.

"Stop it!" Yohji jumped up and caught Aya's hand, stilling it before the kage could cut himself. "Aya, you'll be weak again, and be in pain. There must be another solution. Maybe Botan can bleed you over a few days."

"We have only a week to go, Yohji. How much time should we waste to spare me pain?" Emotion slowly crept back onto Aya's face, and his voice became less sibilant. "I need her to be free, Yotan, so I can believe we have a chance. Let Botan bleed me now and get it over with. I'd gladly face a thousand bloodlettings if she's free at the end of them." The two mates stared at each other, neither one moving for several minutes.

Cassandra pressed against Botan's side, and he patted her hand as he cleared his throat. "I need to render the blood for some of the spells, and that will take a day. I was hoping to cast the sphere tomorrow night, and the following night would be the best time for Schuldig to steal the sphere. There will be a big party at the palace, the last major one before the wedding."

Yohji looked away from Aya, rubbing his eyes with one hand while the other tugged his mate close. "As long as Aya agrees, I don't see what say I have in the matter," he said bitterly.

Aya hissed and wrapped his arms around Yohji's neck, making the taller man look at him. "It's my decision, Yohji. You know damn well you'd offer your blood if this was for me."

"I know, love. And this is for your sister." Yohji stroked his lover's hair, a sad smile on his face.

"It's for you too. Once they lose their hold on me, I can truly be yours, Yohji. We'll never again have to go through what we did this past week." Aya stared at Yohji until the man's smile lost its sadness and he bent his head down to kiss him. After a minute Yohji picked up the redhead, and ignoring his hisses set him down on the bed.

"If you're going to be drained again I want you to rest as much as possible before tomorrow night. You'll need your strength." Aya grumbled under his breath but gradually stopped trying to climb off the bed. Yohji smiled gloatingly and turned to look at his guests. "Is that all? Cass, Schu, why are you here?"

"We ah…" Cassandra blushed and looked at the floor, while Schuldig didn't even try to speak.

"You wanted to keep me from killing Botan, didn't you?"

Schuldig found his voice. "Can you blame us, Yotan? We do need him alive, and we all know how protective you are of Aya." The young man shifted about nervously as Yohji stared at him, and Botan felt sorry for Schuldig. He knew how the man was suffering from Yohji's refusal to have anything to do with him anymore and knew Schuldig was risking more of Yohji's wrath by being here.

Yohji sank down on the bed beside Aya. "I have very good cause to worry about him," Yohji said bitterly as he stared at the three of them. Cassandra and Schuldig flinched while Aya hissed. Furious with his friend, Botan opened his mouth to tell Yohji off but didn't get the chance.

"Okay, that was low of me." Yohji rubbed the back of his neck as if trying to ease tense muscles. "Schu, do you really think you can pull it off without Aya's blood?

Schuldig barely nodded his head.

"You idiot. It won't do us any good if you get killed." Yohji glared at his friend. "Keep that in mind. You'll use his blood. And if you bring back Aya-chan's soul… I'll never speak of the other night again." The two men stared at each other for a moment then Yohji added a comment. "That is unless you mistake my bed for yours again, and not only will I make you burn the damn sheets and buy me a new mattress, you'll hear about it every damn day of your life."

"You're just jealous because you know I'm a better lover than you are," Schuldig sneered. Then his expression became serious. "I won't let you down, Yohji. I promise you that will never happen again. I'll bring back Aya-chan's soul to you and Aya."

"Just make sure you come back too." Yohji gathered Aya's left hand in his and entwined their fingers. "Tomorrow night, eh? Do we need to make any preparations?"

Botan shook his head. "Mickey and I have already arranged everything. We'll use the attic upstairs since we won't be bothered there. Ken and Omi need to be here for the spell, but it shouldn't take very long. I've already got the flesh gaki captured. The longest part will be…" He wasn't sure if he should mention that part.

"I want Yohji there for that part," Aya quietly asked. He sat up and leaned against his mate's shoulder.

"That's fine, Aya. He can be there for the whole thing." Botan had almost said `ordeal' but caught his slip in time. "We'll start after sundown. Do you have any more questions?"

The two young men shook their heads. Nodding his, Botan grasped Cassandra's hand. "We'll be leaving, then. I need to talk to Mickey and the others about a few things tonight, so I'll be back later. Will you be down for dinner, Yohji?"

"Yeah. I might be a little late, since I need to talk to Masato about my lessons, but I'll be down for a little bit." Yohji lay down on the bed and Aya immediately curled up beside him.

Taking that as a sign that the couple wanted to be alone, Botan and Cassandra walked towards the door. Schuldig followed after saying goodbye to his friends and closed the door behind him. He waited till they were on the steps before saying anything.

"I have a couple errands I need to run, but they shouldn't take me more than two hours. I'll see you guys at dinner." With more spring in his step than Botan had seen over the last few days, Schuldig bounced down the steps and out of the Koneko.

He chuckled at the sight and was taking a step down when he noticed that Cassandra had stopped walking. Botan looked at his lover and found her staring sightlessly in the air before her. As he watched her cheeks pinked until bright red.

"Something wrong, Cass? Was it a vision?"

The petite woman nodded her head and started walking, a hand pressed against her flushed cheek. "We need to come here a little earlier if we want to eat and talk to Mickey. Tonight won't be the best night to spend hours talking."

"What do you mean, love?"

Cassandra glanced at the door her son had bounded through and then back at Botan. "If I'm interpreting things correctly, my son will finally meet his match tonight. We won't be able to stay at the Koneko once that happens."

Botan tried to figure out what she was talking about and gave up. Cassandra could be too cryptic for words at times, but he'd found out if he just waited patiently and quietly, things would make sense in a short while.

"Very well then, let's go to the one store that I was talking about and come back here. I guess an early night is a good thing, since it will give me a chance to finish a few things that I've been neglecting lately."

Patting his arm, Cassandra gave Botan a wicked grin that stole his breath away. "I think those things will remain neglected a while longer. But you won't mind."

Sometimes Botan wished he was a soul gaki-bound himself. He'd love to get inside Cassandra's mind and save himself from the very real possibility of being driven insane by her lack of sense. He hated waiting for revelations.

*******

Masato forced himself to swallow the growl that was building in his throat. "You're not trying hard enough, Yohji. You should have a handle on compelling by now."

His son, seated on his bed, glared at Masato. "Why the hell do I need to learn this anyway? I have a mate, and he wants me without any coercion. Well, most of the time."

Sighing, Masato rubbed his aching forehead. Were all children this difficult, or was it just his son? "Because even if you don't plan on having sex with the person, compelling can come in very handy. It's a way to charm them, to gain their trust and friendship. Once you hone the ability enough, you can convince someone to jump off the top of a building if you want to, or to tell you their deepest secret."

"Really? I never knew that." Yohji suddenly became interested. "I didn't think it could do anything other than make someone want me."

"It's a way of charming them so thoroughly that they'll do any damn thing you ask of them. Once you learn that, I can teach you a way to… cloud their senses and let their lust create new memories for them. It's not as simple or easy as wiping their minds clean, but you can make them think that they spent the night with the person of their dreams when instead, they were talking to you or doing whatever it was you'd asked of them. A very good way of covering your tracks."

Yohji cocked his head to the side, a habit he'd picked up from his mother, and lines of concentration formed on his face.

"I'm not feeling anything. Think of your hunger and try to will me to appease it." When his son scowled Masato let a small growl slip past his lips. "I know, it doesn't make sense, but do it anyway, dammit."

"First you train me to rein in the hunger, and now, to focus on it. Make up your mind," Yohji muttered. But he tried again.

It took a few minutes, but just when Masato was about to curse in frustration he felt his hunger rise to the fore. For a moment Yohji looked so much like Miyuki that he almost rose from the chair he'd been sitting on and walked over to the bed. Then Masato remembered that Miyuki was dead and that was his son he was thinking of feeding from. His cock, which had just started to respond to his lust, immediately became flaccid.

"Very good. Now do me a favor and never try that on me again." It was gross thinking of his son as an object of lust, even if he'd been compelled to do so. Masato felt as if he needed a bath. He was also reminded just how powerful Yohji was. It had taken the boy less than a half hour to get the knack of compelling, and it had taken him three days. His son was a very fast learner. Then again, Masato had never felt the compulsion to quickly learn everything he could so he'd be able to protect his mate.

He began to talk Yohji through the various uses he could put the newly acquired skill to, and began to work on the powers that were based on that one. Almost an hour had passed, his throat was sore and his hunger gnawed at him, demanding to be fed. Yohji had to be hungry too, considering the energy he'd just expended.

It was short while later that Masato was taking a break and a sip of water when Aya entered the room, carrying a book in his hands. He set it down on the nightstand. The kage had retreated to the garden for the duration of the lesson.

"Are the two of you done yet? It's dinner time."

"Huhn, the time must have gotten away from me," Masato acknowledged. "Guess we should go downstairs then."

Aya nodded his head. "Yes, you should. Lilla is waiting." He pushed Yohji's shoulder, trying to get the man to leave the room.

"Aya, I haven't seen you for hours, and you immediately kick me out of my own room? How cruel," Yohji pouted.

"Omi and Nagi are going to join me here for dinner, and I don't want you to pick a fight with Nagi when they arrive. Go."

"You just want the room to yourself so you can read a damn book." Yohji started to get off the bed, but his eyes suddenly narrowed and a smile blossomed on his face. Intrigued by what he assumed was about to happen, Masato remained sitting by the desk.

Hissing a little, Aya started to rise from the bed. Then he suddenly seemed to change his mind. In a quick, graceful move he straddled Yohji's lap and started to rock his hips against the blond, his mouth latching on to Yohji's. Masato could hear Aya purring from across the room, and the couple didn't break apart for air for several minutes. Even then, it seemed that Aya had only pulled away so he could yank first his then Yohji's shirts off.

As the redhead fastened his mouth to Yohji's neck, Masato cleared his throat. "Ah, Yohji? I think you need to work on your control a little more. Obviously you're using too much power. Stop it now, please." His pants were becoming painfully tight, but Masato couldn't find the will to get up and leave the room. Not when Aya leaned back, offering his neck to his mate.

Yohji licked his lips and with obvious difficulty tore his eyes away from the sight of Aya offering himself to him. "If I do that," the younger man said in a hoarse voice, "he's gonna figure out what I did and then kill me for it." Aya hissed in frustration and slid his hand down the front of Yohji's pants, completely oblivious to Masato still being in the room and the discussion he was having with Yohji. The blond tossed his head back and moaned.

"Oh gods, he's really gonna kill me now. I might as well enjoy this." Yohji bent his head and kissed Aya's neck, sliding his hands down the back of the smaller man's pants as he did so. Aya mewled and tugged frantically at the laces of Yohji's pants.

Feeling as if his own pants were about to split open, Masato shakily stood to his feet after Yohji fell back onto the bed, Aya in his arms. The young men were sliding out of the last of their clothes, and the sight of naked flesh became too much for Masato to take. He could remember the frenzied rush of having his mate in his arms, the way the world faded away because it just didn't matter. Not when the person you loved and who completed you was begging you to take them, to thrust inside them and become one….

His mind came to a sudden decision. Consequences and his fears be damned, he wanted to feel that way again. If there was the slightest chance that Aya and the others were correct… Masato hurried from the room, closing the door behind him and cutting off the sound of Yohji's moans. He made his way downstairs, stalking into the dining room.

His quarry was seated at the table in the corner, deep in discussion with Brad, Mickey, Botan and Cassandra. Masato walked up to the table and tapped Schuldig on the shoulder.

"What do you want?"

"You." Schuldig's eyes went wide at the stark tone of voice that Masato spoke in. "We need to talk."

Licking his lips nervously, Schuldig looked away for a moment. He struggled for composure, then turned a haughty look in Masato's direction. "I'm busy at the moment. Go find another meal."

It was funny, but Masato didn't feel angry about the brush-off. Instead he felt his resolve harden. Schuldig hadn't had any problem in the past with using his power against Masato, and he decided it was time to return the favor. Concentrating with all his might, Masato focused his compulsion on Schuldig.

The younger bound suddenly straightened in his seat and stared at Masato, clearly shocked. Then his eyes narrowed in anger and he started to fight the compulsion. Determined to win this battle, Masato reinforced the magic. For a few seconds Schuldig managed to resist him, but then his will crumpled.

Masato leaned down and kissed Schuldig savagely, needing to taste the younger man. Schuldig kissed him back, wrapping his arms around Masato's shoulders as he did. The feeling of happiness filled him and confirmed his decision had been a good one; Masato gathered his lover in his arms and then tossed Schuldig onto his shoulder.

He stepped away from the table, smacking a protesting Schuldig on the ass as he did so. He came to a stop when Cassandra stepped into his path. Masato eyed the woman warily, highly conscious of his plans for her son.

"Treat him well. Cause him any grief, and I will make you regret it for the rest of your life." She revealed a dainty set of fangs for a second, and then returned to her boyfriend's side and tugged on his arm.

More frightened by Cassandra's threat than he thought he should be, Masato shook his head and gave Schuldig's ass another smack as the man continued to yell at him to be put down. He briskly walked out of the room, amid catcalls and shouted suggestions of what he should do with his lover. Masato ran into Teddy out in the hall, but all the man did was smile wickedly and wave him on. Then he swore he heard the man say something about finding Koyu before Teddy broke off in a run.

It didn't take him long to reach his bedroom, and as soon as he did, Masato tossed Schuldig down onto the bed and relaxed the compulsion. As the man scrambled to sit up, cursing all the while, Masato straddled his hips.

"Fucking asshole, I can't believe you did that! What the hell were you thinking? Get off me!"

Masato leaned down and grabbed Schuldig by his hair, tilting the man's head back but maintaining eye contact the whole while. "No."

Schuldig's eyes narrowed in anger. <You've gone nuts. Get off me, I'm not going to be your dinner any longer.>

"No, you're not. You're going to be my mate." Ah, there was a spark of fear and hunger then, and Schuldig suddenly looked more intimidated than angry. But then his damn contrary personality had to try to resist Masato, even when he could feel Schuldig wanting him. The damn brat.

<The hell I am. You're talking nonsense. I'm not anyone's mate.>

"You will be mine."

Schuldig tried to use his power against Masato, making him smile and increase the compulsion. The brat didn't stand a chance against him. In a matter of seconds, Schuldig was moaning and fighting the hold Masato had on his hair in an attempt to kiss him.

Chuckling, Masato nuzzled the smaller man's neck for a moment before he started to suck on it, tasting the salty skin. Schuldig moaned out his name and started to purr. His hands stroked Masato's back, sliding along to his front and working on the buttons of his shirt.

Once Masato left a mark on his mate's throat he sat up, pulling his shirt off. Then he took care of Schuldig's, chuckling when the younger man eagerly lifted his upper body from the bed so Masato could pull it off. He stroked his hands along the muscled chest, making Schuldig squeak in pleasure when he tweaked his nipples. His composure slowly leaving him, Masato started to breathe heavily and his hands began to shake as he tried to untie the laces of Schuldig's pants.

Then it left him completely. He snapped the laces, pulling at the pants until they ripped. When Schuldig's erection sprung free, Masato bent down and took the cock into his mouth, sucking and licking his treat. Schu tasted so good, his flesh salty and bitter and utterly delicious, as much so as the pleasure and energy that was pouring into him. Schuldig bucked under him, clutching his hair and pushing Masato's head closer to his groin.

Determined to overwhelm Schuldig with pleasure and not give the man's perverse nature a chance to mess things up this time, Masato deep throated him, humming and sucking with all the skill accumulated over a century. One of his hands slid underneath Schuldig into the narrow cleft and circling the puckered ring hidden there. Snapping his hips back and forth, Schuldig started to moan and stutter Masato's name.

Masato pushed his finger inside his lover very slowly, conscious of the lack of lube. Schuldig didn't seem to mind, though, and rocked his hips backward until the finger was buried inside him completely. He came in a wave of pleasure so intense that Masato trembled with bliss as he swallowed the bitter come. He'd forgotten how damn good it was to feed from his mate.

That rush of energy was his undoing as he decided he was never going to live without it ever again. While Schuldig panted underneath him, Masato pulled back and ripped off his own pants, desperate to free his erection. Then he grasped Schuldig's chin and looked deep into the man's eyes.

"Mine."

"Masato… no. We can't be mates." Schuldig's voice was weak, the man clearly dazed from his orgasm, but all Masato heard was the denial.

"You're mine. I'm taking you now, Schu. You're my mate." When Schuldig shook his head Masato snarled and kissed his lover, one hand searching for the jar of lube he'd placed on the nightstand. He ravaged Schuldig's mouth while he did that and thrust his tongue deep inside the man's mouth as he ground his hips against him. Schuldig moaned, his legs wrapping around Masato's hips and his fingers tangling in his hair, slowly losing himself in the pleasure.

Pulling away from his lover, Masato stared down at the man. "Say it, Schu. You're mine."

"I'm nobody's," the man snapped back, but his body told a different story. Schuldig's hands tugged on Masato's hair, trying to make him bend down for another kiss, and his legs tightened around Masato's waist.

Using the compulsion again, Masato concentrated until Schuldig was writhing beneath him. Then he stilled his power, using more willpower than he thought he ever possessed.

"I could force this, Schu. I could make you beg for it, but you have to choose. Be my mate, or make us both suffer. You have to be my mate."

Schuldig stared at him for a moment, and then a smile spread across his lips. "Make me, Masato," he purred.

The challenge was instantly accepted. Masato let loose the full force of his magic as he grabbed Schuldig's head and jerked it back to a painful angle. For a moment Schuldig tried to strike back with his own power, but Masato was too lost in his hunger and need for the mental command to take effect. When his teeth sank into Schuldig's neck, the younger bound moaned and suddenly ceased trying.

He raked his nails down the man's sides, making Schuldig yowl in pleasure. Masato squeezed the finally located jar of lube until the lid cracked, then he tossed it aside and scooped out a glob of the slick gel. Pressing his finger back inside Schuldig, Masato growled and trailed his mouth downward, latching on to one of the man's hardened nipples.

Schuldig tossed his head back on the bed, the long strands of his hair clinging to his sweaty chest and face. "Fuck me already."

"I'm trying," Masato growled as he flicked his long finger deep inside of his mate, causing the man to gasp in pleasure. One of Schuldig's hands fumbled about until it found the lube, and after slickening his fingers, he grasped Masato's cock. His turn to gasp, Masato trembled and stared down at the evil grin on Schuldig's lips.

<You're not moving fast enough. Let's see if this helps to speed things up.>

"I'll move as fast as I want to, you damn brat." Masato pulled his finger out of Schuldig, causing the man to mewl and curse. He pushed two back in and smiled at the look of ecstasy that appeared on Schuldig's face. The hand around his cock started to pump faster, and Schuldig lifted his head to fervently kiss Masato.

Every touch, every taste of Schuldig made Masato's hunger flare stronger and stronger. He scissored his fingers about, drinking in the burst of pleasure that overwhelmed the younger man each time they brushed against his sweet spot. Schuldig dropped his head back onto the bed for a moment, then lifted it and attached his mouth to Masato's neck.

The feel of teeth biting around his jugular, the little pricks breaking his skin caused Masato to shudder in bliss. Unable to control himself any longer he slid his arm under one of Schuldig's legs, shoving it up onto his shoulder. Then in one smooth thrust, Masato sheathed himself inside his lover.

Schuldig's claws dug into his shoulders, the man shouting out his name at the top of his lungs. Masato was instantly lost in the pleasure of being buried inside his mate, at the feel of warm velvet walls clenching around him. He stilled his body, just enjoying the sensation for a moment.

"Dammit, you bastard. I said, `fuck me!'" Schuldig bit Masato's chin hard enough to leave a bruise and he rocked his hips back and forth.

Snarling, Masato pulled almost completely out of the brat and pistoned back in, burying himself to his balls. Schuldig yelled again and yanked on his hair.

"Oh gods, do it hard. Fuck me, Masato. I'm supposed to be yours. Make me feel it."

"You damned little brat." Masato pulled back and thrust forward with all his strength, hard enough to shake the bed. He smiled when Schuldig choked out his name. "You're mine, and you'll never forget that." He thrust forcefully a few more times, then pulled all the way out.

Schuldig cursed him; his hands clutched at Masato and tried to pull him back down. Masato grasped the man's wrists in one of his hands and jerked Schuldig upright, turning him around until he rested on his hands and knees.

"Gods, yes. Do it." Unable to resist the need to be buried inside him again, Masato shoved back inside Schuldig's tight ass, wringing another shout from his mate. "MASATO!"

"Mine!" He pistoned inside his lover, his thrusts deep and frantic, sheathing himself completely inside the willing flesh to pull almost completely out and then back in again. The bed pounded against the wall, Schuldig screaming his name again and again. Masato couldn't stop growling, and his hands tightened on Schuldig's sweat slick hips tightly enough to leave bruises.

It was pure pleasure; Schuldig's essence flowing into Masato and filling the aching void that had numbed him since Miyuki's death. Masato could feel the ecstasy that overwhelmed his mate and became determined to add to it. The sensation was so fucking addicting. Each spark of bliss from his mate had him increasing his pace, had Masato more needy even as his hunger was becoming sated. His flesh smacked against Schuldig's again and again, his cock sliding deep in the clenching heat that felt like heaven.

With an inhuman shriek, Schuldig came; his body clamped so forcefully around Masato's cock that it was half pleasure and half pain. Pistoning his hips as he felt his own body tighten, Masato bent down and sunk his teeth into the back of Schuldig's neck. A trickle of blood flowed into his mouth as his seed shot into Schuldig's body, Masato's marks of ownership.

He collapsed forward, spent, sated and energized all at the same time. Schuldig purred underneath him, sweaty and hot and utterly limp. Masato licked at the wound he created, spitting out a strand of reddish-orange hair after a moment. He pulled out of Schuldig and collapsed beside the man, stroking the long hair off his mate's face.

Schuldig opened his eyes and glared at Masato. "Just because they're called love-bites doesn't mean you have to draw blood."

He chuckled at the man's hoarse voice and rubbed his own marked throat. "Who bit who first?"

"Well, I needed to make sure that you wouldn't forget that I can bite back." Schuldig revealed his elongated canines for a few heartbeats. "You better damn well accept the fact that I won't let you walk all over me right now and save yourself some grief."

"Hmm, who begged who to be fucked?" Masato laughed at the angry expression on his brat's face. "I hope that was hard enough for you. I do aim to please."

That comment earned him a glare, and in a temper, Schuldig struggled to get off the bed. Not about to allow his mate to leave, not when he finally had made the man give in to him, Masato yanked him back down and kissed him.

Schuldig's hands twisted in his hair. <Don't you dare get cocky on me. I didn't `give in', I just decided to go along with you.>

`Whatever, brat. You're mine now.'

<And you're mine. I'll never let you forget that.> Schuldig pulled away, panting for breath. "Oh shit, I just thought of something. You weren't holding back any there, were you?"

"No. You were being a stubborn ass, as usual." Masato cursed and sat up suddenly when what Schuldig was implying dawned on him. "Don't tell me…."

"The whole inn is fucking like a warren of rabbits," Schuldig snickered. "It figures that I finally get to experience a succubae-bound claiming his mate and I end up being that mate. Now, I'll never have Mickey."

Growling, Masato draped his body over Schuldig's. "You'll never have anyone other than me. Try it and I'll smack your ass raw."

<There are other things I'd rather you do to my ass. And me to yours.>

"Now that thought has possibilities," Masato purred as he nuzzled Schuldig's neck. One of his hands slid down his mate's slick body and grabbed both of their cocks. His was hardening already, and after a few strokes Schuldig's did as well.

<Oh gods… aren't you ever satisfied?> Belying Schuldig's complaint the man's body arched into his strokes. Masato started to nibble on his lover's neck.

"I'm going to make you pay for denying me this past week and a half…for the last several days of misery and hunger. I'm not letting you out of bed until then. And I'm warning you now, you'll be even more tired than that first night."

Moaning, Schuldig tilted back his head, exposing his neck. Masato sucked on it as his hands started to pump faster. The brat was indeed going to pay for causing him so much frustration. But he'd enjoy every moment of it.

<I'll just get you back for this, you do realize that?>

`I look forward to it, love.' It was going to be a very interesting several centuries with Schuldig as his mate. Masato smiled as he rolled Schuldig onto his back.

*******

Jo, busy putting together a plate of assorted cheeses, felt a familiar if unexpected tingling in her loins. The kitchen suddenly became too hot, and she felt as if the air had become stale. She hurried out of the sweltering room, seeking relief in the cooler hallway, but the physical reactions only grew stronger.

She remembered the last time she'd felt like this. Her lips pressing in a thin line, Jo stalked into the common room. She wasn't half as surprised as she should've been to see a roomful of people kissing and stroking each other, couples scooting past her through the door and heading to the rooms upstairs, out the front door or back to the garden.

"Damn succubae-bounds," she muttered, sparing Mickey and Kira a glare as they ran past her, intent on reaching the office. "The Koneko isn't a fertility temple!"

Then she stomped back to the kitchen, banking the fires underneath various pots and pans. No one sure as hell was going to be interested in food any time soon. That taken care of, she went in search of Ichiro.

*******

"Nagi, are you done yet? I'm hungry." Omi shifted his weight from foot to foot, impatient for dinner. Things were bad when he was the one complaining of hunger and not his bound boyfriend. But he hadn't had time to catch lunch, not when he'd had to attend some stupid rehearsal for the wedding, and then flee the palace. Omi wanted to go collect his dinner, spend some time with Aya then come back here to the bedroom with Nagi.

The younger boy grunted and finished selecting a new tunic to wear for dinner. "Relax, Omi. Jo will feed us."

Crossing over to help Nagi straighten his shirt, Omi binked his boyfriend on the nose when he reached him. "I know that, but I really am hungry. I think I know how you feel now." He smiled at the grin Nagi gave him and unable to resist, Omi kissed the boy on the lips.

This felt so nice, holding Nagi close and kissing him, their bodies pressed together so tightly that it felt as if they were one being. Omi couldn't get enough of his boyfriend, needing to spend more and more time with him the closer the wedding came. It was barely a week away, and tomorrow night Botan would bleed Aya and him and create the soul sphere. Once that was done, the showdown at the reception with his uncles and cousins would be inevitable.

Intending to just briefly kiss Nagi, Omi was surprised to find himself stumbling to the bed several minutes later, dragging his very willing boyfriend along with him. They tumbled onto the furniture, rolling around on it until they hit the wall. The sound of Nagi's laughter filled the air, causing Omi's heart to swell with joy. They ended their rolling with the younger teen lying on his chest, and Omi had to kiss him again.

The next thing he knew they were both missing their shirts, and he was halfway out of his pants. Stunned at how overcome he was with lust, Omi pulled back from Nagi, making the boy whimper. Why were they acting like this? As pleasurable as the situation was, Omi didn't like how he was blanking out on everything but his lust and how impossibly good it felt to touch Nagi and be touched by him.

"Nagi, what's happening to us?"

Nagi was silent for a minute and frowned. "It feels… it feels like our first night together." He closed his eyes, as if trying to remember something. Suddenly, they flew open and he stared at Omi. "When Aya and Yohji became mates."

The night everyone in the Koneko had been overcome by that event. Omi wondered why it was happening again and suddenly remembered about the other succubae-bound staying at the inn. "Oh no, Schuldig and Masato." Omi smacked his head. Why, oh why, did those two finally have to decide to mate tonight? Couldn't they have waited for some evening when he wasn't able to come to the Koneko? With much regret and all the willpower he possessed he started to pull his pants back up and climbed off the bed.

"What are you doing? Why are you leaving?" Nagi's voice was confused and hurt as he reached out for Omi with his hand, only to let the limb fall just short of its goal.

Omi gazed sadly at his boyfriend. "We can't think straight like this. I don't want us to do something we'll regret, so I'll leave." It hurt so much to pull away from Nagi, but if he stayed Omi wasn't going to be content with just kisses and strokes. He wanted Nagi too much for that, but he wanted Nagi to feel the same about him.

An invisible force pushed him back down onto the bed. "I don't want you to go."

"Nagi, I can't stay near you and do… what we usually do." Omi was scared and crazy with desire. He wanted Nagi so much, and even though he felt ready for that next step, a part of Omi was terrified of it too.

Nagi's hand stroked his face for a long moment. Omi stared into the teen's brown eyes, watching various emotions flicker through them. Then Nagi spoke. "We don't have much time left, Omi. I… I want more too. And this might be our only chance."

Thinking about how both of them could be killed in a short time, Omi bent down and kissed Nagi, stroking his thin chest and doing his best to make his boyfriend squirm in pleasure. Pulling back after a few minutes, he cradled Nagi's face between his hands. He'd try one more time before giving into this frightening compulsion and need.

"Are you sure? I want you Nagi, and not just tonight. But this is a big step we're taking, too big to let some rutting bounds influence us."

Nagi growled and used his power to pull Omi back down against him. "We're old enough to kill and to die, why not this? Aya told me, when he first decided to sleep with Yohji, it was because he didn't want any regrets. I know how he feels now. Should something happen…" Nagi swallowed but continued. "If it was anyone else, I wouldn't be ready. But it's you, Omi."

Well then, that was good enough for him. Omi knew he'd never regret this, and Nagi seemed to feel the same. He knew he wanted the other young man, that he truly loved him even though they were both so young. And his teenaged body wasn't able to hold back anymore, morals or no morals. He bent his head and kissed Nagi.

Nagi kissed him back, his hands sliding along Omi's back and starting to push his pants back down. Omi gave one last thought to the hope that he'd managed to pick up a few things from Schuldig and Yohji's conversations as he helped Nagi remove the last of their clothes.

*******

Yohji cradled Aya against his chest, humming contently. He could feel Aya slowly shift about, fitting his body against his perfectly. Everything about the man was perfect, was more proof that he was meant to be Yohji's alone. It shouldn't feel this comfortable and nice to be cuddled with a naked, sweaty and sticky person who was little more than skin and bones, especially when you were little better. But their bodies just seemed to melt against each other's.

Then Aya's stomach rumbled rather loudly, and Yohji's answered back. Aya lifted his head to rest his chin on Yohji's chest, a frown on his kiss-swollen lips. "I just remembered that we never ate any dinner."

"Ah, no." Yohji suddenly had a very bad feeling, but before he could change the topic Aya's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"I came here so you could go downstairs to eat, and Omi and Nagi were to join me here for dinner. But you didn't want to leave, and…." Yohji was suddenly flooded with Aya's anger. "Yohji, you bastard! You did something to me!"

He barely managed to prevent a painful blow to his ribs from landing. "Aya, love, I'm sorry! But you walked in on me practicing something, and, ow!" Aya sneaked a punch past his defenses. Yohji shoved his lover off his chest and put a safe foot or two of distance between them by sliding across the bed.

"Why the hell do you have to be so mean?" Yohji whined as he rubbed his sore ribs. "You're always hitting and biting me lately. I know you enjoyed what just happened, so why are you so pissed off at me?"

"Because you seem to take advantage of me whenever you can," Aya hissed back. His stomach rumbled again, and the angry look on the man's face slowly melted into puzzlement. "Nagi and Omi should have been here by now. Something's… something's wrong." Aya tilted his head to the side and closed his eyes, seeming to concentrate on something.

Yohji sat up straight, finally noticing that there wasn't any music and noise from downstairs as there should have been. In fact, the inn was distressingly quiet. Except for the faint sound of moans, barely heard even with his heightened senses, coming from either side of his room, and above, and below… "Fuck, when did the Koneko become a whorehouse?"

"I feel magic. It's a lot like yours, like what you used on me this evening." One of Aya's eyes opened, revealing a flash of violet and a lot of hostility. "It's Masato's."

Yohji tried to `feel' what Aya was talking about and sensed an echo of… something that reminded him of Masato. "Wait a second, I think I'm feeling this too. Sorta." It was so faint that if he wasn't aware of Masato's magic, he would have missed it. "What's happening? What are you sensing?"

Aya smiled, his expression smug. "It feels like when you claimed me as your mate, but it's definitely coming from Masato. I was right after all."

That meant… Yohji stuck out his tongue, his stomach suddenly feeling more queasy than empty. "Oh please, I don't want to think about Schu and Masato going at it for the next few centuries. Why couldn't they just be fuck buddies?" Well, to be honest that image was just as disturbing to him. "Great, so this means the whole inn is fucking like bunnies then. Guess that means we'll have to get our own food. Unless… you feeling frisky, love?" It was worth a shot to see if the magic was affecting Aya any.

It seemed that Yohji should have kept his mouth shut. Aya resumed glaring at him, and with blinding speed yanked on Yohji's hair. "I can't believe you did that to me. And in front of Masato, too. I'm not some meal you have to charm into bed, Kudoh."

Uh oh, Aya was beyond pissed; Yohji could feel the anger and hurt emanating from his mate. "Cat, I'm sorry. I just wanted to try a new talent on someone other than my father."

Spitting and hissing, Aya tried climbing off the bed, but Yohji yanked him back down, holding him against his chest. He apologized a couple more times, trying to figure out why Aya was so upset. It had just been a little coercion, leading to some great sex. When he said this out loud Aya twisted in his hold and bit Yohji on his arm hard enough to break the skin.

"Dammit, Aya, I'm getting sick of you biting me!"

"What the hell else am I to do, Yohji?" Aya hissed back. "Hit you? Stab you with a shadow knife until you get the hint? You keep doing things like this, just taking control no matter what I think or feel, and getting what _you_ want. You either use your greater strength or your magic to your advantage against me. I didn't let your magic inside me so you could dominate me!"

Yohji growled and sat up in bed, a hand holding onto his bitten arm. "What the hell are you talking about? Is this more of me treating you like a damn doll?"

Aya sat up too, pushing his bangs off his face so he could glare unimpeded at Yohji. "The other day you said we'd face things equally, then today you tell Botan `no' about using my blood. It's my blood, Yohji, my life. Have I said one word about you fighting at the wedding? Have I forbidden you to be involved in my affairs lately?"

"…No, you haven't." Yohji swallowed the sudden anger and rubbed his eyes with a shaky hand. "Okay, I shouldn't try to boss you around. I shouldn't take advantage of you. You win, all right?"

Aya's anger seemed to vanish too. "This isn't about winning, Yohji. It's about being equals. I can't…" Sadness and pain radiated off Aya. "I know what it feels like to not have any control and to be utterly dependent on the whims of those who are. We can't be like that, Yotan. You make me feel safe, and I just want to lean on you, to let you keep all the bad things away. So, in a way, I'm guilty too. But how can I keep you safe when we both look to you to keep me protected? Does that make any sense?"

Stroking his hand through Aya's hair, Yohji sighed and nodded his head. "It does. You're the one who's been hurt the most, Aya. The one who needs to heal. I just want to keep you from harm until you do."

"What then, Yohji? What if I keep leaning on you? You said it before, what hurts me hurts you. If we want to have any chance of surviving what comes, we both need to be strong." Belying his stark words, Aya tilted his face into the caress, purring softly. He looked so beautiful that even in this serious moment Yohji wanted him so badly.

"Aya."

His mate opened his eyes, which had drifted shut in pleasure at Yohji's touch. Aya stared at him curiously.

Continuing in his husky voice, Yohji pulled Aya onto his chest as he fell back on the bed. "Maybe there is something we need to do to remind me that we're equals. I made you my mate by marking you. Maybe you need to do the same to me?" He held his breath as he waited for Aya's response.

The quiet man frowned for a second, then smiled slightly, a sight that made Yohji suck in his breath. "You'll do anything for sex, won't you, Yotan?"

Taking his cue from how amused Aya sounded, Yohji smiled back lasciviously. "Well, if everyone else is doing it, why not us?" He lifted his head to kiss Aya. It became more impassioned by the second, until Aya lay completely on top of Yohji, their hips rocking together.

"Yotan… I've never done this before," Aya moaned softly as he trailed his hands down Yohji's sides.

"You know the basics, love. Just do to me whatever I do to you that feels good." Yohji arched his back when Aya's right hand started to stroke his arousal. "Oh yeah, just like that."

Aya's touch was hesitant at first, reminding Yohji of that first morning they'd been together after having sex. But it grew more confident as pale hands carefully stroked his body, returning again and again to the spots that made Yohji moan and shiver in pleasure until he felt dizzy. Yohji ached to roll Aya onto his back and return the favor, to make his mate weak with bliss then plunge inside his luscious body, but was prevented from doing that when Aya growled and pressed him against the mattress.

Aya's eyes were glowing silver in the darkness of the bed as Aya growled again, a low sound that sent shivers through Yohji's body. Shadows skittered along the bed and joined Aya in stroking and touching Yohji until his whole body thrummed in bliss from the caresses. When he tried to touch Aya in return the shadows wrapped themselves around Yohji's hands and trapped them at his sides.

"Aya… love, you're driving me mad. I wanna touch you too."

Yohji's eyes went wide with surprise when Aya grabbed his chin and jerked his head around until it was bent backwards at an almost painful angle. His lover bent down until strands of crimson hair fell around Yohji's face.

"Mine." The word came out as a hiss, and Aya's face was a perfect mask. Only the pleasure, desire and sense of possession that Yohji could sense from the smaller man convinced him that Aya was indeed feeling any emotions.

The slim fingers grasping Yohji's chin tightened as Aya hissed the word again. A feeling of euphoria and need coursed through him when he heard it. Swallowing, Yohji whispered back that he was Aya's.

Aya regarded him for a moment then tilted Yohji's head back further. Thousands of caresses ran along Yohji's skin as the redhead grasped his throat with his teeth, causing Yohji to arch his back in ecstasy. Sharp teeth pressed against his skin, Aya's tongue stroking him gently before the man started to suck. Unable to help himself, Yohji writhed underneath his lover.

There was the scorching sunlight from Aya burning through his veins, so hot and powerful that Yohji was lightheaded from the energy. His own pleasure washed through him, from the feel of Aya's teeth on his throat to the shadows' touches to Aya's hand stroking his aching arousal. Yohji fought the bindings that prevented him from touching his lover. He wanted to feel the smooth skin that slid over his body with his hands, to drive Aya as wild as he was being driven.

He actually cried out in pain and loss when Aya released his throat and slid off Yohji, settling on his knees in between Yohji's legs. Lifting his head, he watched as Aya greased his finger, and Yohji hurriedly spread his legs. Oh gods, he couldn't remember a time when he wanted a lover inside him more than right now. Aya grunted quietly as shadows wrapped themselves around Yohji's legs, spreading them wider. He tucked a pillow under Yohji's back, exposing all of him to the silver gaze.

The first finger inside him was like the first touches, hesitant and unsure. Yohji rocked his hips back, trying to take it further inside as he moaned with need. Words spilled from his lips, Aya's name again and again and pleas for the man to fuck him. The more control Yohji lost the more sunlight poured into him from Aya, even though all the man did was add another finger and stroke them inside Yohji, twisting all about.

"Aya!" Yohji cried out when that special spot inside him was brushed against, his knees splaying as he rocked his hips back and forth. Aya's hand was back on his cock, sliding up and down until Yohji started to thrust into it. Shadows crawled all over him, covering his eyes and teasing through his hair.

Lost in the feelings of Aya jerking him off and the shadows all over him, Yohji wasn't aware of Aya pulling away his fingers, not until something thicker started to press inside him. He called out Aya's name again, groaning as Aya's cock slowly slid inside. The stretching, burning sensation made him grunt and still his body until Aya was completely inside of him, but the first thrust had Yohji moving his hips.

His mate kept the pace slow but forceful, pushing all the way inside of Yohji before pulling back out, and the hand around his cock pumped in time with the thrusts. Aya's breath sped up. That was the only indication, other than the bliss that scorched through Yohji, of what he was feeling right then. The man's pleasure only made Yohji's all the more intense, leaving him a shuddering, needy heap of flesh.

"Please, oh please, Aya let me see you. Wanna see you, cat. So lovely, so hard. Oh gods, right _there_." Aya's cock was hitting that spot inside Yohji, making him yowl and writhe in pleasure. Everything was too much: Aya's cock buried inside him, his hand around Yohji's, the shadows tormenting him as they stroked and tickled and pinched. On top of it all was that lovely sunlight, burning inside of every inch of Yohji's body. He cried out Aya's name as he came.

There was a flash of pain that helped ground him from the rush of ecstasy, something sharp on his throat. Yohji tilted his head back farther, submitting to his mate as the man growled softly, pumping in and out of him a few more times before heat flooded inside him. Aya fell against Yohji, a solid weight on his chest and warm lips against his throat. They remained motionless for a few minutes, bodies still aside from twitches and shivers of pleasure.

"Oh gods, Aya… we _have_ to do this more often!" Yohji managed to rasp out. When Aya didn't move or say anything he frowned and tugged his hands, trying to get them to move. The damn shadows were still holding him bound and blindfolded.

"Aya, please tell them to let go. Please. You're starting to worry me."

The shadows slowly retreated, stroking Yohji's body a few more times as they did. Once they were free he immediately moved his arms and encircled them around Aya. He looked down at his mate, who was curled up on his chest.

"Cat?" He tilted Aya's chin up and found the impassive visage from before staring back at him. A little bit nervous, Yohji brushed back Aya's sweaty bangs and patted his cheek. All the smaller man did was reach out with his hand and touch it to Yohji's sore throat.

"Mine."

"Yeah, I'm yours alright. And you're mine, so do me a favor and come back to me, Aya." The man was acting like that time in the office, when Masato had first appeared. Yohji didn't like this Aya and wanted his lover back, bad temper and all.

Aya didn't say or do anything else, so Yohji forced his body, which wanted nothing more than to lie there for a few more minutes, to sit up. He kept Aya close the whole time, cuddling his lover against his chest while he stroked his hair. When that didn't seem to work Yohji started to nibble on Aya's ear, eventually moving his way down the man's pale throat. When he started to suck on a particularly sensitive spot, Aya shuddered and drew in a deep breath.

"Yotan?"

Almost sighing in relief, Yohji tugged on an ear tail. "Who else would it be?"

Hissing under his breath, Aya squirmed on Yohji's lap and yanked his eartail free. "You're an idiot."

"And why is that?" Yohji grabbed the other eartail. "Maybe I am, but I'm your idiot. Got the marks to prove it."

Aya hmphed and brushed his finger against the marks on Yohji's throat. "I… It happened again, when that part just takes me over and I'm so lost in all these new sensations that I can't fight back, and I don't want to." He looked apologetic for a moment. "Did I hurt you?"

"Hell no. I told you, I want to do it again." Yohji kissed Aya on the nose. He felt fucking great, so full of energy and zoned out on bliss, and now his mate was back to normal. Then his stomach decided to rumble noisily at the same time Aya yawned and blinked his eyes. Yohji kissed his mate on the lips and lightly ran his hand down Aya's back, returning some of the stolen energy. Even when he had done he could still feel Aya's exhaustion from having been drained twice that night.

Sparing one more kiss for the adorable man, Yohji untangled himself from Aya and stood to his feet. He crossed over to the washbasin to quickly wash himself off, tossing the damp cloth to Aya when he was done. He then pulled on his blue robe.

"I'm gonna stage a raid on the kitchen and get you some tea and us something to eat. Here's hoping that no one's going at it in there."

Aya snorted and tossed the cloth back at him. "Judging from _personal experience_, they'll never know you're there." As if the venom dripping from the words weren't enough, Aya added a glare for good measure.

Getting the impression that his love wasn't one to let grudges go, at least when he had some hope of being vindictive and not having someone else pay for his temper, Yohji sighed and tucked back his hair. He gave the bed a wide berth as he wondered if Jo had a stash of almond cookies anywhere downstairs.

It took Yohji over fifteen minutes to put together a meal for them, and during that time he saw a few things that even made him blush. One thing was for sure, there would most likely be a crop of babies come spring. And maybe a few divorces come the morning, since he recognized at least two patrons who had spouses waiting for them at home.

Bearing his bounty to his mate, Yohji entered their room and found Aya clad in his robe and sitting in the middle of their bed. He didn't look as angry as before, so Yohji decided to keep any comments about what he'd seen downstairs to himself and set the tray down on the nightstand. They were both hungry enough that little was said until the food and tea were all gone. Yohji uncorked the bottle of wine he'd brought with him and offered it to Aya.

The pale man swallowed some of the alcohol and handed it back. Then he tugged on Yohji's arm until he lifted it and curled against Yohji's side. A bit shocked at the sudden change in attitude, Yohji wound his arm about Aya's waist and pulled him closer.

"It just occurred to me that we should be drinking to something," he said. "How about to being mates, and equals?"

Aya took back the bottle, one of his eyebrows arched over his eye. As he lifted the wine bottle to his lips, he paused for a second, his tongue flicking out to lick up a stray drop. The sight made Yohji want to moan.

"To successful endeavors, regaining what is lost and repaying for what is owed." He then swallowed some wine.

Taking the bottle, Yohji nodded his head and repeated the toast. After a large gulp he rested back against the headboard and thought about what they had in store in their future. First would be Botan bleeding Aya and creating the soul sphere tomorrow night. After that Schuldig would steal back Aya's sister, and he didn't want to think of all that could go wrong. Aya would have barely a week to recuperate from the bloodletting, and then it would be time for the wedding.

Where they would have to face the king's traitorous family, several wizards and a small army -- the nine of them. Possibly ten, now that Masato had managed to worm his way back into Yohji's life and take his best friend as a mate. Yohji knew that some of the staff wanted to attend the wedding, but he'd try his best to keep them away from the event. He'd probably be losing a few people he cared for and wanted to keep that number to a minimum.

This night felt like the last one of peace and happiness they'd be allowed to have for some time, maybe ever: a night of fantastic sex, resolutions and now, hopefully, just cuddling next to each other and enjoying the other's presence. Yohji fervently wished there was a way to make this night last forever.

He set the bottle aside and pulled Aya onto his lap facing him. When his mate gazed at him in puzzlement, he stroked Aya's hair away from his face. "I love you. Whatever time we have together, it won't be long enough."

Aya lowered his gaze, staring at Yohji's throat as he gently stroked his fingers over it. "I love you, with all my heart. Yotan…" Aya raised his eyes. "All I want is for this to be over with, so I can spend my life with you without fear for my sister, or having to look over my shoulder for the Takatoris. I have to let Botan take my blood tomorrow, and I have to fight. But… but I'm not doing it just for Aya-chan. I feel like I can finally let her go now, because I have you."

Both of them moved forward for a kiss, one sweet and filled with all the love they felt for each other. Maybe they couldn't make this night last forever, but they could enjoy every last second of it, Yohji thought as he threaded his fingers through Aya's hair. They could at least try. Tomorrow would come soon enough, so they would fight for this moment of happiness.

*******

Okay, just a comment about reviews. Thanks so much to all the wonderful reviews you guys have left me, all of them are fantastic. Don't think I've thanked you guys before. Also, in answer to your question, Scarlet Longbottom, I chose succubae-bound as a general term for all Yohji's kind, when yes, he is technically a incubus. It just seemed simpler that way, less likely to confuse everyone, and I'm going w/ succubae being a plural name for the demon species, since as far as I know, there isn't a name for both succubae and incubae. Just making things up left and right here!

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