Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Shadows ❯ machinations part 1 ( Chapter 7 )

Shadows

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chapter six

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Machinations, part 1

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Yohji chased after Aya, catching up to the pale man just before he entered the Koneko. He grabbed Aya's hand and held it tightly, growling softly when his lover tried to pull away. Once they stepped inside the inn, he tugged Aya towards the kitchen. It wouldn't do to take the bruised man back into the common room, and there were supplies in the kitchen that Yohji could use to patch up the bleeding lip and other injuries.

When they stepped inside the bright room, Jo immediately looked up from the cheese wheel she was cutting into and hurried over to Yohji's side. He stepped in front of Aya, giving his friend a warning look when she got too close, and then started to usher Aya over to a bench.

"What the hell happened? Is he alright? What did you do, Yotan?"

Snarling as he stroked the back of his hand along Aya's unbruised cheek, he turned to glare at the middle-aged woman. "I didn't do a damn thing. Thanks a lot, Jo. Gods, you actually think I would hurt him like this?"

Hazel eyes stared back at him for a moment, and then their owner had the grace to blush. "I'm sorry, Yotan. I'm clearly not thinking straight. Let me get the medical supplies." She walked over to an oak cabinet just as Naoe, Mickey and Teddy burst into the room. The teenager hurried over to his master's side, shoving Yohji out of the way as he sat on the bench next to Aya and grabbed a pale hand to hold onto. Naoe treated Yohji to a dirty look, ignoring the growls being directed his way.

"Are you okay, Aya? Why are you here? We need to get you upstairs right now." There was a note of panic in the boy's voice, not quite hidden by his gruff manner of speaking, and he tried pulling Aya to his feet before Yohji shoved him back onto the bench.

"He's not going anywhere, Naoe, not until I see to his wounds. Then _I'll_ take him upstairs." Yohji glared right back at the little demon, not about to back down. Aya was his, not Naoe's, and the boy needed to learn that right now or get his throat ripped-

The sound of someone else approaching broke Yohji's train of thought as he looked over his shoulder to see the new threat. "Uhm, would someone tell me what the hell is going on here?" Teddy looked as if he was going to sit down on Aya's other side, but a snarl had him blinking and quickly stepping back.

The vicious sound faded into a low rumble in the back of Yohji's throat once he felt assured that no one was going to come near his lover again, and then became a yelp when Jo smacked him on the back of the head. "Will you stop that? You sound as if you were raised by a pack of dogs or something. Now move out of the way, you're blocking my light." She tried to shove him aside, but Yohji refused to budge as he glowered at the cook and snatched the wicker basket out of her hands.

"I'll take care of him, just give me a little room." He focused his attention on Aya as Mickey quietly told Jo and Teddy about what had happened in the garden. Jo hmphed and busied herself at the stove during the explanation. Dampening a clean cloth with some witch hazel extract, he lightly dabbed Aya's split lip. Half of the man's face was bruised, the purplish marks standing out in vivid contrast to the pale skin.

At his touch, Aya's eyes flicked in his direction, and for the first time since he'd dragged the redhead into the kitchen, there was a flicker of emotion in them. They stared at Yohji for a moment before Aya sighed and let them drift shut. When Yohji stroked back the ragged bangs that covered most of the pale face, the smaller man tilted his head into the caress.

"Does this hurt?" he asked quietly.

"Hn." Aya wasn't flinching from the astringent, so Yohji gently finished cleaning the cut and the bruises as well. When he was done, he reached into the basket and pulled out a ceramic jar. The scent of herbs filled the air when he unscrewed the lid, and Yohji lightly spread the ointment on Aya's face, sighing as his finger rubbed along his lover's lip.

Naoe peered closely at the quiet man, shifting about and blocking some of Yohji's light. "What's that for?"

"It's something that Cass whips up to help wounds heal real quick. This stuff works wonders; all my scrapes and cuts are usually gone in a day. It should help with the bruises as well."

A slight chuckle from Teddy made Yohji tear his eyes away from Aya's face and look over his shoulder. "What's so funny?"

Teddy grinned at him and motioned to the jar he still held. "Then maybe you should put a little on Aya's neck too, so he doesn't look like he's been mauled."

Returning his attention to the pale man, Yohji smiled as he stroked the bruised neck, still sporting the bite mark from this morning. "No, they're there for a reason." So everyone could see them and know that Aya was taken. Violet eyes stared into his, dark with desire as he brushed his finger over the marred skin, and Yohji groaned when Aya licked his lips with a quick swipe of a pink tongue and softly purred. It seemed the man was finally getting over his shock from the assault, and Yohji was hard pressed not to yank Aya into his arms and carry him upstairs to their bed.

It was Jo who brought him back to his senses as she snatched the jar from his hand at the same time as she put a mug in one of Aya's. "Here, drink this. Yohji, give him your tunic, his clothes have been ripped into rags. Poor thing. And if you growl at me any more, I'm going to hit you with one of my iron skillets. Behave like the well-raised young man you are before I beat some manners into you." She glared at him while she gathered up the medical supplies and tucked the basket against her right hip.

Why didn't he get any respect, Yohji wondered, as he spared a dirty look for the other men in the room who were busy trying to hide their smiles at Jo taking him to task. The only one present who was neither smirking nor glaring was Aya. Jerking his tunic over his head, Yohji helped the smaller man to pull it on and remove the remnants of his new tunic. After tugging Aya's eartails out from under the blue material, he sniffed at the mug Jo had given the redhead. It turned out to be a hot toddy, from the scent of it mostly rum with a little butter and some herbs mixed in. He stole a sip before returning it to Aya and urging him to drink. The man needed something warm in him to help with the shock; he was still too quiet and pale. Other than saying he'd taken care of himself against the bastard that had attacked him, Aya had remained silent the whole time.

"Come on, finish that off and then I can tuck you into bed."

"Great. The last thing he needs is to be attacked again," Naoe muttered under his breath. About to growl, Yohji caught sight of Jo stepping closer to him with a frown on her face and settled for cursing the damn brat instead. He didn't get very far into his tirade when Aya rose to his feet.

Clutching his mug between his hands, Aya treated the whole room to a glare. "I can take care of myself," he said in a quiet voice before drinking the hot beverage and setting the empty mug down on a table. Jo immediately snatched it up and in a few steps was at the stove, ladling more of the drink into the mug and returning it to Aya. He hissed a little at the woman when she came near, but he held onto the ceramic cup when she placed it in his hands.

"I've had it with the snapping, snarling, cursing and hissing. This is a respectable inn, not a menagerie. I'll let this slide since I know you're a bit shaken up," Jo said to Aya as she waved a finger in front of his face, "… but the next time someone produces anything other than a civil comment, he'll need patching up when I'm done with him. Am I being clear enough?" The five men mumbled under their breath as they glanced down at the floor, causing Jo to hmph as she returned to the stove. "I have an inn to run and can't be bothered with babysitting." Yohji and Mickey shot her dirty looks for that comment, which she ignored as she filled several more mugs with the hot drink and passed them around.

"Drink this up and then get the hell out of my kitchen. Yohji, if Aya does _anything_ but sleep tonight, the Kudoh genes will never get another chance to be passed on, understood? I have plenty of nice, sharp knives available, and I won't hesitate to use them." Yohji tugged Aya protectively in front of him and wrapped his free hand around the man's waist, whining softly at the look his employee was giving him.

Jo was on a roll and her wrath soon moved on to a chortling Teddy and smiling Naoe. "As for you two, leave them the hell alone. You pick on Yohji again tonight, and _I'll_ pick on you. There's been enough excitement for the time being, the last thing anyone needs is a fight breaking out." That said, she glanced over at Mickey, who despite being a rather large man was doing his best to appear invisible. "I want you to go out and tell one of the Guards about this Timon. Let them know if he comes back to the Koneko, I'm going to cut his hands off, along with another choice body part. No one hurts our guests like that and gets away with it, not while I'm still breathing."

The cook took a deep breath, and to everyone's amazement smiled gently as she tapped Aya's mug. "Drink, you clearly need it. I'm sorry for what happened, but you can rest assured that it won't happen again. Despite this incident, you really are safe here."

Lifting the mug to his lips, Aya once again repeated that he could protect himself.

"I'm not doubting you, all I'm saying is that while you're here at the Koneko you shouldn't and won't have to protect yourself. Right, Yohji?"

"Most definitely, Jo. He's not leaving my sight for even a second from now on." Yohji hugged Aya against him and nuzzled his lover's hair. Anyone who got within a foot of the man was going to get hurt. Dammit, he should have listened to the little voice that had whispered in his head and told him to follow Aya outside instead of having another beer with Schuldig. If he had, that bastard Timon would be dead and Aya unharmed.

The young men quickly finished their drinks and made good their escape: Teddy and Mickey back to the common room, and Yohji, Naoe and Aya upstairs. It was while he was going up the steps that Yohji heard from Schuldig.

<I take it that right now is a really bad time to see if Jo will make pancakes in the morning?>

Yohji rolled his eyes and bit back on a laugh at the mournful tone that accompanied that thought. `I think that unless you're Aya, it'd be worth your life to ask anything from her. She's in quite the mood.'

<Hmm, any chance of your `cat' asking her then? How is he?>

`Still a bit shaken up, I think. And Schu, fuck off. I'm not letting Aya go back downstairs just so you can have a nice breakfast.' Yohji stopped on the second floor and tugged his lover towards his room. `However, Naoe mentioned during dinner that Omi's supposed to stop by tomorrow morning, so try passing that on to Jo. He's the only other one she'll make them for, no matter what her temper.'

<Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow.>

Yohji had barely gotten a meter away from the stairwell when Naoe called out, noticing that Aya wasn't right behind him any longer. "Hey, his room is up here!"

"Aya's sleeping down here, you little demon. Now go away." He turned the knob on his door, but the damn thing seemed to be stuck and wouldn't open, no matter how much he pushed against it.

Naoe stepped beside Aya and touched the redhead on the arm. "Aya, come on. You need some rest, and I'll make sure you're safe."

"Fuck off, you little brat!" How dare the kid even think he had to protect Aya when Yohji was right there. He'd make sure no one ever harmed his lover again, not some snot nosed brat. "Aya doesn't need a child to take care of him, he has me."

"As a protector, you're seriously lacking, Kudoh. You just care about getting him into your bed."

"You-"

The burgeoning fight was cut short as Aya cleared his throat and brushed off the hands clinging to his arms. His eyes glowing with fury, he glared at Yohji and Naoe as the hallway became darker. "The next person who suggests I need looking after won't be able to speak for at least a month. The only protection I need is from a bunch of idiots." Aya's voice was low and serious, and Yohji didn't doubt for a moment that he'd be in a world of pain if he dared to refute the man's claim.

When no one spoke for a minute, Aya nodded his head. "I'm going to bed." He pushed open Yohji's door and walked into the dark room. Throwing Naoe a victorious look, Yohji followed him, pausing once inside the threshold to mutter a charm that caused a spelled candle to light. He found Aya removing his boots and leggings, but left the blond's tunic on before crawling into bed. Hastily stripping off his remaining clothes, Yohji soon joined him.

Once under the covers, he spooned Aya against his chest, content to have the man next to him. Aya hn'ed softly in response as Yohji hugged him close and quickly fell asleep. Enjoying the feel of his love relaxing in his arms, Yohji smiled. The fear and anger that had filled him upon seeing Aya in the garden bruised and bleeding began to fade away. The stubborn fool was safe and next to him where he belonged. As the sound of Koyu's harp drifted faintly through the floor, he gave some thought on how he could make sure that the redhead remained at the Koneko forever.

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Yoru watched as blood dripped into a silver bowl. He reached out a hand to adjust the hooks that held the cuts along the precog's wrists open and sighed when the flow refused to increase. "I don't think we'll get any more out of it." Damn, he'd been hoping for a whole bowlful, in part to replace the bound blood he'd given to Botan's assistant the other day. "It's old and weak, and clearly starting to fade." The Etos would not have a precog to rely on for much longer; probably only for another generation or two, but it was their own fault for not taking care of the thing better. The fools had even removed the bound's eyes, probably believing in the old wives tale that precogs could better predict the future if they were blind.

"All it has to do is serve its purpose for another month or two, and then I'll order the Guards to search out a new one. There has to be another of its kind somewhere in this country." Hajime stared down at his slave with a look of disgust on his face, the sneer on his lips becoming more pronounced when the bound moaned in pain before passing out.

A fool. He'd allied himself with a fool, but it had been necessary, Yoru reminded himself. "Precogs are very rare creatures, almost as much so as kage and should be able to predict the Guards coming for them. I don't know how your ancestors managed to catch this one off guard."

"It was one of my esteemed ancestor's bastards and had thought that a claim on the family would save it. Stupid creature. As soon as its power was evident, it was blinded and caged away so as not to bring disgrace to the Eto name." The young lord stepped away from the bound and walked over to the window, looking out on hills touched with a hint of red that signaled the start of dawn. "Do you have enough blood for your spells?"

Judging the contents of the bowl once more, Yoru sighed and yanked the hooks off the bound's arms, tearing the already lacerated skin. "No, but there's enough here for the wards, and they take top priority. The wonderful thing about these monsters is that they heal so quickly. I'll be back to blood it in another week or so, and I'll continue to do so until the wedding. We have more than enough time to get all the blood I need." And after the wedding, he'd have kage blood at his disposal and not have to worry any longer. He'd have his lost youth once again, and enough power to knock this idiot off his newly claimed throne. Yoru hadn't thought to take over Kritiker for himself, but seriously doubted that the country would be safe in Hajime's hands. He'd kill the lord, and maybe once things settled down he'd look for a suitable puppet to take over for him, leaving him to his studies and the glory waiting to be discovered there.

Setting aside the bowl as he motioned for servants to return the unconscious bound to its prison, Yoru rubbed at a healing cut on his palm. He had to give Hajime credit for insisting on a blood vow that would make it all but impossible for him to back out of their agreement or to betray his partner in crime. But once he had his hands on kage blood, the oath could be broken with impunity.

He cautiously poured the blood into a leather flagon, making certain not to spill a drop. "As I said, this should be enough to replenish the wards in the palace, and enough to spare that I can use it to aid my auguries. There are still some deplorable holes in my and that creature's visions of the future."

Lord Hajime turned away from the window to look at him. "That's partly why you're here, to counter any difficulties that arise. Do you suddenly not feel up to the challenge?"

"I am more than ready to meet whatever opposition we encounter," Yoru gritted out. "However, my lord, it's best to be prepared or else your family would've never kept a precog as a slave these past few centuries. I've already started to circumvent the palace wards so your private army can gain entrance during the wedding, and in another week or two will enter the place myself and set up all the spells needed for the attack. No other wizard besides Botan could manage such a feat, and you'd never have met his price."

"Believe me, I did some research of my own, and you wouldn't be here if I thought there was someone better out there. I'm just attempting to ascertain if you're still capable," Hajime replied in a bored voice. "After all, you are rather old, and aren't as strong as you once were."

No, but he would be soon, and when that day came Hajime would pay. "I'm more than strong enough for what you have in mind." After all these years, and still people looked down on him, belittled him. Once Yoru had the kage blood he needed to perfect his spells, he'd ensure that never happened again. People would speak of him with reverence, in the tone of voice they reserved for Kritiker's legendary wizard, but no one would ever forget his name or think of him as the court mage who'd been disgraced. "I'll give you the throne, have no fears."

The young lord studied him with calculating blue eyes. "Know this, old man, I'm not foolish enough to believe you're doing this merely for a chance to repay the Takatoris for what they've done to you, which is why I insisted on the oath. I will be king, no matter the cost, and once I'm securely seated on the throne you can do whatever you want. But the Etos are owed the throne and I intend to see that my family receives its due. At the very least, Shuuichi and Reiji will pay for what happened to Kikuno.

"Now, I've been up all night watching you bleed the creature dry and listening to your ideas, I'm off for some rest. Contact me when you have some news to report. The king should be making his announcement soon, and my attention is going to be occupied with that and holding up my end of the bargain." That said, Hajime gathered up his elegant robes and left the room, leaving Yoru alone.

Eyes narrowed in anger, he finished gathering up his tools and wiped them clean before stowing them away in his bag. Three centuries were more than enough to have to grovel to a bunch of highborns and other wizards; he'd officially had his fill. The moment his youth and powers were restored, he'd make sure that no one ever forgot his name or failed to grant it proper respect. Not that the foolish Lord Eto would be alive to see that come about.

*******

Schuldig stood in the shadows watching as servants garbed in the Eto family colours dragged an unconscious bound behind them. Utilizing his power, he quietly followed them, thankful that it was still too early in the morning for many people to be up and about.

<Crawford, I'm following Eto's men to where they keep the bound. Poor bastard, it looks as if they drained him dry.> It was hard to concentrate on cloaking his presence from the servants' minds and project his thoughts while filled with so much rage. Schuldig wanted to unsheathe his claws and kill everyone who was wearing blue and gold in retribution for what they'd done to one of his own. He could very well imagine that the pitiable figure as his own mother, tortured and caged for years because of her talent.

<Good. Did you manage to `overhear' Lord Eto's conversation with the wizard?>

<The pricks were wearing charms to cloak their thoughts, but forgot about the servants in the room with them. They're already working on the palace wards.>

<What, are you telling me that you couldn't break through the charms?>

Some of his anger transferring to his father, Schuldig prevented himself from growling out loud just in time. <Of course I could break them, but didn't see the need when I could just pick someone else's mind. So shut the hell up you drunk bastard.> He really wanted to know why he'd been kicked out of the Koneko to spend most of the night prowling around a castle that he'd been ordered not to steal anything from, while the prick got to stay behind and drink himself silly.

Distracted by thinking of some choice insults to call his father, he barely noticed in time the feeling of heat coming from the ring on his right hand. <Ah, guess I'm done here for the night.>

<And why is that?>

<Because where they're taking the poor bastard is warded. I'm gonna sneak out now before anyone notices me.> Sparing one last look at the retreating figures, Schuldig promised his temper that it could slip its leash as soon as he got back on the streets. Carefully retracing his steps so as to avoid any other wards, he was outside in a manner of minutes.

The first human he came across fell to the ground as he ripped through the man's mind, making him spill the basket of fresh bread he was carrying, overwhelmed by agony. Reaching down to pick up a warm loaf, Schuldig snarled and continued on his way. Someone would find the man and assume he'd had a stroke. Fucking humans, thinking they were so perfect when they really were just a powerless waste of flesh driven by jealousy to torment their betters.

Biting into the bread, Schuldig's temper slowly started to calm. <So what was the point of all of this, hmm? We know who the bad guys are, and what they're planning on doing. And don't tell me you're just going to leave the poor bastard in their hands, now that I've confirmed that they do indeed have a precog at their disposal, or you'll be suffering one hell of a migraine.>

<The kage's presence has cast most of the future in shadows, no pun intended. It pays to be absolutely certain about as many matters as possible. As for the unfortunate bound… I'll order Aya to take care of him.>

Schuldig stopped in the middle of the street, earning a curse from an old woman who was driving a cart of goods to the market. He spared her a glare and a headache before jumping out of the way. <Don't even think to tell me you're going to kill that man.>

<Schuldig….> A sense of irritation came through the mental link. <Think for a damn minute, will you? If he disappears, Eto and Yoru will know that someone is on to them. Aya can kill the man in such a manner that no one will be suspicious. Besides, it's likely he's warded so he can never leave the premises alive.>

<So the only solution is to kill him? One of our own?>

Crawford's aggrieved sigh translated rather well over the mental link. <Show me what he looks like.> Obliging, he sent his father an image of the other bound. <Schuldig… the man's fading, right now a quick death will be a mercy. Even if you managed to get him out of there alive, he's been drained and abused too much. It's not worth the risk involved to rescue him.> As if sensing his son's anger, Crawford continued. <I won't leave him in Eto's hands, but the only option we have here is death. One life for millions. You know the stakes, Schuldig, and somehow… I doubt he'll mind the sacrifice that much.>

No, the bound had been practically begging for death the whole time Schuldig could sense his thoughts, wanting the abuse to end. But it galled him to admit his father was right; not so much in the sense of agreeing with the man, as in letting Eto succeed in ruining a bound's life. <I still don't like this, but… I see your point. Just have it done quickly then.>

<I'll ask Aya to do it tonight. We'll need to distract Yohji and allow the kage a chance to leave the Koneko without his mate. It's going to be a long day, so let me get some sleep while I can.>

<Grouchy bastard, at least you're tucked into your bed at the moment, unlike others.> Before Crawford could respond, Schuldig severed the connection. Noting the time, he decided it would be best to see if Jo was cooking anything and then go to bed. He needed something to eat, what with using his power so extensively the past hour or two. Hastening his pace, Schuldig resolved to wring a promise from his father that he got to take Eto out when the time came. Jei would probably insist on taking the wizard and would make that bastard suffer. The least he could do was make sure that the bound was avenged since he couldn't be saved. Growling softly, Schuldig wondered why he and the others were sacrificing so much to save a world largely composed of humans. They really were fools.

*******

Ran drifted awake to the sound of Yohji snoring, ever so lightly. For a moment he felt safe and warm, and even began to purr softly before memories of the night before returned, of the man assaulting him and paying for it with his life when he'd called the shadows to him. It had felt so right, using the part of him that he had to deny except when taking someone's life. What would it be like not to have to hide what he was?

The Takatoris would make sure he never found out, not as long as they lived. Hissing under his breath, Ran slowly shifted about until he was free of Yohji's arms. He gazed down at his sleeping lover, gently combing back a lock of honey blond hair while the man slept.

What would happen to Yohji? Ran had realized just how powerful the bond was between them when Yohji had brought him back from the darkness, had been his shield from the hurt and anger. Usually it took him days to return to his more human side after an assignment, yet all the older bound had done was touch him and he'd… not so much shoved his true nature back inside himself, but… it was like his human and kage mentalities had merged, both reveling in Yohji's presence, both wanting to be near him so much.

Mates. Ran was beginning to understand what exactly that meant. He couldn't stop himself from craving Yohji, and the other man… he could still see Yohji in the garden and the kitchen, intent on making sure no one came near him or hurt him. At the time, he'd been filled with anger that his lover thought him so helpless, but now he was seeing things in a different light. Yohji really wasn't going to let go of him, just like he wasn't able to counter this _want_ that filled him, all because of the blond.

He was, as Jei might say, so screwed. The both of them were. Yohji wouldn't let him go, and neither would the Takatoris. For a moment loathing overwhelmed Ran, and the room became black with darkness. He'd give just about anything for the prince and his sons to die a slow, painful death. But the men held his sister's soul and he knew of no way to break the spells that held it bound for them to torment at will. He couldn't stomach the thought of Aya-chan suffering any pain or her soul being devoured, never to be reborn, because of him. He wouldn't let that happen.

Neither would he allow Yohji to suffer because of him. Which the fool would if he tried to take on the Takatoris on Ran's behalf. If Prince Reiji ever found out about the succubae-bound, then he'd have another captive to abuse and drain of blood for his spells. Stroking a hand along Yohji's chest, Ran realized that the thought was as painful as the one of Aya-chan suffering. How had the innkeeper become so special to him? Was Cass right, did he love him some small little bit? All he knew for certain was his need for Yohji became stronger and stronger by the moment.

Rising from the bed in a fluid motion, Ran searched out his discarded clothes, only pausing when Yohji tossed about fitfully and murmured his name. Well, not his but his sister's, yet somehow when the other man said it, it became his. Shaking his head, Ran finished dressing. He needed some time away from the bound, some space to think. If he stayed here, he'd only curl back beside Yohji and wait for the man to wake, and then… right he couldn't afford to lose any more energy.

He quietly left the room, not making a single sound with his departure. Encountering no one on his way back to his room, Ran entered and then crossed over to his bed. He sat down on the mattress and pulled the shadows about him, taking comfort in their sanctuary. Their cool touch reassured him, helping him to ignore the part of him that cried out for Yohji and the man's tingling magic.

Cassandra and Crawford both told him that they'd seen futures that didn't have him tied forever to the Takatoris. Or was he just interpreting their words to mean what he so desperately longed to hear? Could he trust the precogs? They had clearly allowed something that could be quite detrimental to happen to Yohji and him, yet on the other hand claimed it had been necessary for there to be any hope of averting his abysmal future. Could he trust them?

The only people he'd ever really trusted in his life had been his sister, his father and Nagi. Now Yohji had been added to the mix, so much so that Ran had chosen to spend the night by his side instead of following Nagi to their room. He knew the elemental-bound had been worried about his welfare and keeping his nature a secret, yet he hadn't been able to walk away from Yohji. His mate.

A man who puzzled him endlessly. One minute Yohji was so incredibly human, the next purely a bound. He teased, tormented and annoyed Ran, made him lose his precarious control on his temper until he snapped back at the blond. But Yohji had never hurt him and didn't have a clue of what had happened between them the other night. How was the man going to react to the truth of what he and Ran were? And how was an ex-Guard going to handle the fact that he was here to kill the king?

Everything just seemed to get bleaker the more he thought about it. Ran didn't see that many choices left to him. Since there seemed no way to break the bond, it was either trust the precogs or destroy Yohji's life, and possibly the others here at the Koneko. He hated the fact that his life always seemed to be in the hands of others. What he wouldn't give to be free.

"Ran, are you alright? Why are you hiding?"

Hearing Nagi's voice, Ran let the shadows melt away from him. He realized that the sun had finished rising, and that the inn would be filled with activity shortly, if not already. "I was thinking."

"Huh, brooding, you mean." Nagi retorted as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "When did you get back? I thought you were spending the night with Yohji." There was a hint of reproach and hurt in the boy's voice.

Tugging on one of his eartails, Ran thought about what he should tell his friend. Nagi's life was at stake here as well; he deserved to know what was happening. "Nagi, what do you know about bounds taking mates?"

The teen blinked his eyes for several moments, his face becoming serious as he thought about the question. "All I know is from those books you had me read. Many demons and spirits take mates or form packs, so most bounds do as well. Though it's rare that things turn out well since they often choose humans, who die so quickly. Plus, it's hard for bounds to meet and associate with other bounds, since they are often on the run and hiding. When it does happen, the bond is supposed to be irrevocable. Why do you ask?"

"Because… Yohji's my mate." The last three words were spoken in a hushed whisper.

"Ran, what did you just say?"

"Yohji's my mate. It happened the other night, but I didn't know it at the time. He doesn't know it at all." He stared at his friend, waiting for a reaction.

Nagi rubbed his eyes again. "I must be having a nightmare."

"No, you're not." It would be easier if it had all been an insane dream, though.

Nagi stood and crossed the room to sit down next to Ran. He studied the kage for a moment, then nodded his head. "That must be why the bruises on your neck haven't healed, even though your face has." The boy looked him over for another minute, then grabbed a pillow and hit Ran over the head with it. "What the hell were you thinking? Gods, Ran, you said you wanted some sex, not a mate! That means you're stuck with the bastard now forever, which means _I'm_ stuck with him as well!"

The pillow was immediately snatched and tossed across the room while Ran snarled at his young friend. "I didn't do it on purpose! Do you have any idea of how many problems this will cause us?"

Nagi grew serious once more. "You can't hide him from the Takatoris, and I can imagine them being only too happy to have another bound in their service. You can't go back to them, Ran."

"I have to, they still… they still have Aya-chan."

"I know," Nagi breathed softly. They remained motionless and silent for several minutes. "Ran, Crawford said something to me the other day. He was telling me not to interfere with Yohji and you, and he mentioned a chance of freedom for all of us. Do you… do you think that might be possible?"

Getting up from the bed, Ran walked over to the dresser where a large vase filled with flowers was perched. As he stroked a finger along a rose petal, he closed his eyes and shivered. "I don't know, and that frightens me. So much is in the hands of several bounds we know next to nothing about." Then there was the thought of a future free of the Takatoris. Ran had to admit that as much as he longed for freedom, he didn't know what he'd do with himself if that actually came to pass. All he knew was how to kill and had only experienced life through books.

"They want to be free as well, Ran. I think we can trust Jei and Crawford that far."

Yes, there was that. Nagi and he weren't the only ones who were slaves. He felt a bit more comfortable knowing that there was one bond at least between the Esset agents and himself. But he still didn't trust Crawford, not after the man had said nothing about Yohji becoming his mate. The man definitely had his own agenda. Ran was not happy remembering the promise he'd made the precog. He might not have any choice but to put his faith in Crawford.

He heard Nagi get up and pour some water into the washbasin. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes. I promised Omi that I'd spend the day with him again, if you don't mind. I didn't think you would, not after the way you spent the past couple of days with Yohji."

Feeling a bit guilty at the way he'd been ignoring his friend, Ran looked through his belongings for a new outfit to wear, waiting for his turn to wash. "No, that's fine." He didn't like the thought of Nagi being out with a Takatori, but was bound by his oath.

Drying himself off, Nagi gave him a tiny smile. "Thank you. He's shown me so many things I never even dreamed about before coming here. I love the capital."

"Have fun, Nagi, just… be careful."

"I will. I know this will sound odd, but I trust him, Ran. And he makes me happy. I hope that Yohji makes you feel that way too, or I really am tossing him through a wall, your mate or not."

His hand touching the tunic he was wearing, Ran ducked his head and softly replied back that Yohji did make him happy. He didn't mention the frustrated, confused and aggravated part. Setting aside the borrowed garment, he cleaned himself before dressing in a lavender tunic and black leggings and jerkin. Pulling his hood up, Ran followed Nagi out the door and found Yohji waiting for him, leaning against the wall.

*******

Kikyou looked up from his breakfast as a large, heavily muscled man dressed in a Guard's uniform walked into the room. "Morning, Tsubaki."

"Morning, my lord." The man, formerly a servant who had chosen to follow his master when Kikyou had joined the Guards, bowed low. Tsubaki only acted this way in private, for which Kikyou was grateful. The other Guards would be furious to see one of their own acting subservient to another, but try as he might, he couldn't break the bigger man of the habit. "I have the information you asked for."

Setting aside his coffee, Kikyou motioned for Tsubaki to sit. He offered the man some coffee and sweet rolls, which were declined. "What have you found out about Aya?"

"He arrived at the Koneko several days ago in the company of three other men. It is believed that the group is here for the wedding, although two of his companions, a Brad and a Farfarello, have been seen about town, supposedly on business for their masters. It is believed they have a gift for the king and his new bride, but have been very quiet on the matter. No one knows who they serve or where they're from, other than the western border. No family names were recorded either."

This was not good news. He needed more concrete information on the redhead if he hoped to steal him away from Kudoh. Kikyou had refreshed his ring yesterday, but found himself unwilling to rely on it. "Anything else?"

"Yes, there was another disturbance at the Koneko last night centering around this Aya. He was attacked by another guest, who fled when the man's companions came to his rescue." His hand clenched into a fist at that news. What was something that lovely and rare doing at a low class inn like the Koneko in the first place? Something about Aya fascinated Kikyou, with his beauty and air of sadness. He hadn't been this interested in another person in quite a while, not since his sister died.

"What did Kudoh do?"

His hands clasped on the table in front of him, Tsubaki continued with his report. "He came upon the situation too late to do much of anything; however he wasn't seen again for the rest of the night, and neither was Aya. One of the staff, a Mickey Kudoh, the man's foster brother, reported the incident to a Guard present, Miko Li."

"How badly was Aya hurt?"

"Unknown, though the staff reported he was just bruised and shaken up. Sentiment around the Koneko was the assailant, by the name of Timon, would be lucky if the Guards found him, and not anyone working at the Koneko. They take their patrons' safety very seriously."

Yes, the inn's reputation was at stake, after all. "Tsubaki, I want an eye on Aya at all times. Let me know the second he leaves the Koneko and where he goes." He had acquired a few spies over the years, some from his past as a lord's son and others during his career in the Guards. He'd put them to use and have them ferret out the redhead's past. If he was serious about taking the man as a lover, he had to know Aya's background. It wouldn't do for the new Captain of the Guards to be surprised by an enraged lord showing up looking for his concubine or some other such thing. Not that it would discourage him from having what he wanted, it just meant that a few things would have to be dealt with before he displayed his lover here in court.

"I'll see to it, my lord."

"Good. I'll be in Manx's office much of the day, but feel free to interrupt if it's important." The woman wanted his input on planning security for the wedding ceremony, something he took as a positive sign that he would be named her successor any day now. There had been hints of that nature yesterday.

Tsubaki rose to his feet and displayed an amazing amount of grace as he bowed and then left. Watching his servant leave, Kikyou finished his coffee and did up the collar of his uniform. Brushing his ring against his sleeve, he smiled as he thought of his future. Soon he'd have a rival's lover as his own, and would be in a position powerful enough to gain revenge on his brother and the men involved in his sister's death. His hard work was finally paying off.

*******

Yohji didn't move as he watched Aya slowly exit his room and come to a halt in front of him. The pale man motioned to his friend to continue on his way downstairs, and quietly said he'd be down for a bite to eat in a minute. It was taking all of Yohji's willpower to stand there and not pick Aya up and carry him to the nearest bed and fuck him until he couldn't even think of getting out of it.

Glancing at his lover's face, Yohji noticed that the bruises from last night were gone, thanks to Cass's wonder cream. The ones on the white throat however, seemed to have barely faded at all. A part of him stirred at the sight, and he found his hand outstretched and caressing the bruises without any thought on his part. When Aya purred softly at the contact, he couldn't control himself any longer and snatched the man into his arms. He had enough presence of mind to pull Aya against his chest and not pin him to the wall as he wanted.

"Why did you leave?" That question had been on his mind ever since Yohji had woken up and found his lover gone. At first panicking at the thought that something had happened to Aya, he'd only calmed down when he noticed the man's clothes were gone. Aya had left of his own free will, dammit. The panic had soon become anger and hurt, and he'd been hard pressed not to break down the door of Aya and Nagi's room once he made sure the man wasn't anywhere else in the inn.

Aya gazed at him for a moment with those lovely, improbable eyes and then glanced downward. "I wanted some time to think."

Think? "About what?"

Shivering when the smaller man tucked his head in the crook of his neck, Yohji combed a hand through the crimson hair making Aya sigh. "About us."

Oh, this was not good. In his rather limited experience, consisting mainly of hearing other people's relationship woes, when one person took the time to think about the relationship the other usually found themselves dumped. Tightening his arms around the slender figure in his embrace, Yohji growled harshly. "I'm not letting you break up with me."

That earned him another look from wide violet eyes. "Break up?"

"Yeah, you're not leaving me." The mere thought of Aya walking away from him filled him with jealousy, rage and panic. Aya was his, end of story. He'd kill anyone who tried to touch his love. The intensity of his emotions shocked Yohji, though he didn't try to deny them. He wasn't letting his boyfriend go without mass slaughter.

"Leaving you?" Aya was clearly perplexed by the conversation's turn. "I didn't say anything like that."

Remembering that the man had clearly never been involved with someone else, Yohji heaved a sigh of relief. "Never mind, my mistake. So what were you thinking about, in regards to us?"

The question earned him a glare before Aya bent his head again. "We seem to be getting very serious, very fast. Maybe you don't want this."

"Bullshit." Tilting up the pale chin, he kissed Aya on the lips. "Things aren't moving fast enough, in my opinion." He wanted to tell the stubborn fool he loved him and find out who'd hurt Aya, but was resolved to wait a little longer. Resuming the kiss, he delved into the man's sweet mouth, all but moaning at the feel of sunlight flooding his senses, a sensation he'd been craving since he woke up. One hand was buried in the red hair, the other cupped Aya's ass and pulled his lover close, slowly rocking against him.

Aya's hands tangled in his hair, and a leg wrapped itself around his hip. Groaning, he tore his mouth away and stared into the smaller man's eyes when they fluttered open. "I want this, I want you. And so help you if I ever wake up again and find you gone, do you hear me? How many times do I have to tell you you're mine?" His voice was low and all but growling, having never recalled being more serious in his life. "Mine." Yohji fastened his mouth on Aya's neck, once more biting into the soft flesh until the man mewled and went limp in his arms. His body tingled, set aflame by sunlight and desire.

He kissed the new bruise and nuzzled smooth, rose scented skin. Yohji drank in each mewl he wrung from Aya as he nibbled his way to a pale ear. Everything was right once more; Aya was his.

"Ah, Yotan, I don't think the hallway is the proper place for that. Also, Jo said if the pancakes get cold, she won't make them again until winter." Growling under his breath, Yohji looked over Aya's shoulder at Touya, who was blushing furiously and holding a pile of clean sheets in his arms.

"You hate me. All of you hate me, don't try to deny it." If not, his employees would not purposely bedevil him like this. Screw countless generations of Kudohs, he had to get out of this business before he killed the whole staff. What did he have to do to have some uninterrupted time with Aya, for the gods' sakes?

The redhead was tense in his arms, his hands falling from Yohji's hair. Guess that was the end of the fun, considering how the mood had been ruined. "All right, we're headed downstairs now. Just leave a spare set of sheets in my room, I'll need them after breakfast." Aya, who had been in the process of pulling his hood up, glared at Yohji and stomped on his foot before storming away, muttering `shi-ne' under his breath. Ha, as if the cat hadn't been willing to do it right here in the damn hallway a moment ago. Yohji would have him that hot and bothered again shortly… maybe after Aya's temper cooled down a little. Glaring at Touya in passing, Yohji went to get his pancakes. Damn Schuldig for asking for them, they better be extra good this morning, considering what he'd had to sacrifice for them.

*******

Omi peeked around the corner of a wall, and upon seeing a horde of courtiers walking his way, decided to take the long way to Botan's chamber after all. Quickly dashing down the hall, he purposely ignored the sound of someone calling out his royal title. He wasn't going to allow himself to be latched onto this early in the day, especially not when Naoe was waiting for him at the Koneko.

Still, all this activity meant that the king was probably going to make the wedding announcement soon. Things would be crazy in the palace once that took place; everyone would be busy cleaning, and strangers from all over the land would be coming to visit. He'd probably have to sit through countless formal dinners, but beyond that, he expected to be ignored. As he ducked into a little used, and hence, dusty corridor, Omi considered the fact that not too many people would be out to curry his favor once the king married Manx. Everyone knew that it would be one of the children from that union who would inherit the throne and not him. Soon he would have nothing but free time on his hands.

Seeing a man garbed in dark blue, Omi let out an eep and ran the last few meters to the stairwell, praying it wasn't someone sent after him by Manx or Ken. Those two would probably be trying to make sure that he didn't go anywhere today, especially the Koneko. There was no way he was going to remain here in the palace and do nothing but hide in his room all day when he could be out with… someone special having fun. Did it really matter if he, the crown prince, was putting himself in danger? He had the charm that prevented anyone but the select few who knew about his `Omi' identity from recognizing him, and he wouldn't be holding onto the title for much longer.

For a second he wondered what would happen if he told Naoe the truth. How would the boy take the news? He didn't think it would be received very well. But if Naoe wasn't going to remain here for very long, why ruin things when they were going so well? If by some chance Yohji did manage to convince Aya to stay, he'd deal with the situation then. Even though it meant possible trouble for him, Omi found himself wishing that his playboy friend would manage to talk Aya into remaining here in the capital. He didn't want Naoe to leave.

Heaving a sigh of relief when he found Botan's door unguarded, Omi quickly knocked on it then slipped inside. The wizard was studying the same old texts from last night. Slipping up behind the man, he peered over a grey clad shoulder and read a few lines.

"It's not polite to read over someone's shoulder, especially when they're doing you a favor."

Resting his chin on Botan's shoulder for a moment, Omi laughed softly and then stepped away, allowing the wizard to shift back his chair and stand to his feet. "Why are you reading about Ban?"

"I had the sudden urge to look up old and depressing history," Botan replied as he straightened his robes. "It's interesting to compare actual events, or at least recorded notes about the events, and popular gossip. So many things about the kage have been lost or twisted beyond recognition. I'm trying to track down a bit of the truth, but feel as if I'm failing miserably. Now where is your amulet?"

Needing a moment to follow the sudden shift in topic, Omi reached into his pocket and handed the necklace over. "You know, one thing I never understood about the kage was if they're so powerful, why they're all dead. Couldn't they have just leveled the continent or something and hidden away?"

Muttering a few spells under his breath as he poked at and twisted about the amulet, Botan spared a moment to look up at Omi. "Don't say things like that, or the next one might very well just do it. Have you ever heard the names Toyoma, Nicea, Alegati or Komor before?"

Omi shook his head after wracking his brain for a moment.

"They once were cities scattered across the continent, except for Nicea, which was an island, and they were destroyed by various kage at different points in time. Wiped clean off the face of the earth or sunk into the sea. Edan obliterated Komor merely because a lord there had sought to try and take his lover hostage and made a failed attempt for the woman. So yes, they are very powerful, but they have their weaknesses. In all cases, it was someone they cared about, or in Aidan's, her whole family.

"Kage don't think rationally when their loved ones are endangered. They either destroy everything in their wake or sacrifice themselves. This fact has been used against almost all of them to end their lives. The only exceptions were Namie, who killed herself when her child died of old age, and Aidan…"

"I know about Aidan," Omi replied softly. It seemed the Takatoris were capable of both great good and evil and had practiced both throughout the centuries. He spent many nights awake in his bed wondering which side he would take after. Was it no wonder he preferred to be Omi Tsukiyono instead of Mamoru Takatori?

Botan spared him a pitying glance. "Yes, well, the way to defeat a kage is through their heart. They don't love like we humans do, when they find that special person, they give them their all. Kage don't wake up one day and decide that they made a mistake and aren't in love anymore, or find someone else; they remain faithful to the end. Most often theirs. There's an old and rarely used saying, dating back to Ban's times. `May our love last as long as the shadows.' It refers to a kage's unwavering devotion. Not many people are willing to swear an oath that powerful."

Trust the wizard to turn a simple question into a history lecture. Not that Omi minded in the least, he had always adored the stories Botan told him. There were times when he thought of the sad man as his real father; certainly Botan had spent more time raising him than the king did. But then, Shuuichi had his reasons. It was more of the Takatori taint.

"How's my amulet?"

Brown eyes blinked and then their owner frowned in puzzlement as he handed the necklace back to him. "It barely needed recharging at all, which is odd, considering that I haven't touched it in months." Botan got the far away look in his eyes, which signaled that he was about to pull away from the world and puzzle out a new mystery.

Not willing to spend the better part of the day watching the wizard do an impressive impersonation of a statue, Omi tugged on a grey sleeve. "Come on, I promised Naoe I'd meet him after breakfast, but if we get there early enough, I know Jo will feed us." Besides, he was eager to see Naoe and make sure the other teen didn't regret the other night. Which he still couldn't remember, dammit.

"Hmm, breakfast sounds good, since I'll be expending all that energy renewing the spells. Let me put these books away, and we'll be on our way."

*******

Yohji glared evilly at a guest when she stared at Aya a little too long. It seemed that word of what happened to the redhead last night had gotten around. He didn't like the curious looks directed their way, especially when Aya kept tugging his hood forward and pressing against his side. Well, he didn't really mind the last, though it was reminding him of what they'd been interrupted at upstairs. Shoving a mouthful of pancakes in his mouth, Yohji mentally sighed as his hunger refused to abate no matter how much he ate. Snaking an arm around his lover's waist, he pushed his plate aside and picked up his mug of coffee.

He sighed aloud as Koyu and Teddy walk over to the table. Damn, he was hoping the pest would spend the day in bed, recovering from the journey to the capital. No such luck. And the woman was staring this way again. What did he have to do, toss her out on the street or something? Yohji resumed glaring in her direction as he growled softly.

Upon reaching the table, Koyu heard the growl and frowned in confusion, then looked in the direction Yohji was scowling in. The Harper smiled as he sat in his line of sight. After glaring at the man for a moment, Yohji realized now that the bitch wouldn't be able to gawk at Aya any longer. He nodded his thanks.

"I take it people are still curious about last night? Aya, would you mind passing me the pancakes, please?" Koyu reached for the plate and smiled at the pale man, causing Yohji to growl again. At least until he got a pointy elbow in his side. It was his turn to frown as he looked down at Aya, who gave him an angry look before returning his attention to his cup of tea. Well, how was that for gratitude? Here he was getting abused for making sure Koyu knew that Aya was off limits.

The hunger making his temper short, Yohji snorted as he tucked back the hair falling into his face. "Yeah, all the stares and whispers are starting to piss me off."

"Well, it certainly was the talk of the inn last night. It's not often that someone's assaulted here, and several Guards immediately searched the vicinity for the man, even though they were off duty. I know Mickey is hiding in the dumbass's room, waiting to see if he comes back for his stuff." Teddy had decided to add his two cents to the discussion, in between shoveling pancakes into his mouth. He only paused to wave to Ani and point to the now empty platter. "The debate amongst the staff is whether we should skin him before we draw and quarter him, or just cut him up a bit and pour vinegar all over him."

"He's not coming back."

Yohji glanced down again at Aya, who was cupping a mug of tea between his hands. "What did you say, cat?"

"He's not coming back."

"Well, he'd be an idiot to do so. Then again, you can't have too many brain cells if you try to rape someone when there's a cadre of Guards a couple dozen meters away," Teddy commented.

Aya shivered at the word `rape', and Yohji found himself biting down on a snarl. He hauled his lover into his lap, earning a curse as some tea splashed onto Aya's hands. Pushing back the black hood slightly, he stroked a pale cheek before winding an eartail around his fingers. "I won't let something like that happen to you, I promise. If he comes back here, he's dead." As soon as Yohji saw the fucker, he'd strangle him.

There was a look to the violet eyes that stole his breath away, something so incredibly sad and hopeless that Yohji couldn't say a word. "Some promises shouldn't be made, Yotan. They can't be kept without paying too high a price."

"I'm willing to pay it."

"I'm not willing for you to do so." Aya stared back at him, his face solemn and paler than usual.

"I've already made up my mind, love. Nothing harms you while I'm alive." The smaller man closed his eyes, as if in pain. Yohji bent his head to kiss him, wishing there was some way to convince Aya of his sincerity. His whole being was focused on that promise, making sure that nothing ever caused the stubborn little fool pain ever again.

Aya sighed against his lips and then opened his mouth, tasting sweet from the tea. Yohji groaned in satisfaction and flicked his tongue deeper into the warm cavern.

"You know, this reminds me of the time you were making out with the one girl a few years back, and her mother came down for dinner and found the two of you. My ears hurt from her screams for days. She was so hysterical she grabbed a carafe of wine and knocked out the poor person sitting behind the two of you when you ducked. Hadn't you slept with her on a previous stay?"

Reminding himself of why he couldn't kill the damn pest, Yohji bared his teeth and kept Aya on his lap by a firm grip around his slender waist. "Teddy, go away before I hurt you."

Accustomed to years of such threats, Teddy only smiled at him and started to chuckle when Naoe muttered `pervert' under his breath. Great, the little demon had been halfway civil to him this morning, and now the bane of his existence had to go and ruin that. "Koyu, how about I pull a few strings and get you a room at the palace? You could have a first row seat at the wedding proceedings." That way Teddy would be gone.

"Sorry, Yohji, but I think I'll stay here." The Harper graced him with an apologetic smile and yanked on one of his boyfriend's braids. "Teddy, I don't think you want to go telling stories, when I very well know there are a few involving you that you don't want made public."

Grinning wickedly, Yohji tucked Aya's head under his chin. "Yeah, like the time you thought it was me and someone else going at it in the stable and interrupted Jo and Ichiro. Want me to tell everyone just how red your ass was for how many days?"

A pair of angry blue eyes glared back at him. "Oh, do you really want to start something like that, Yohji? Talking about sore asses, what about that guy from Thracia last spring, the one you went off with when you were too drunk to say your own name, and he decided he wanted to be the one in charge? You could barely walk for two days after that and had to sit on a big fluffy pillow. Just how big was he again? He certainly had you screaming your heart out. But at least he left you a nice big bag of silver in recompense, thinking of you as a rather exceptional whore."

Damn Teddy for bringing up that point in his life, and how low he'd sunk. He hadn't cared who he'd fucked, or had fucked him, those first few months after Asuka's death. Yohji had practically drowned himself in one orgy after another trying to appease his pain and hunger. About to reply back with a scathing insult, Yohji was surprised to hear a growl that wasn't coming from him.

Aya leaned forward as far as the arms around him would allow and hissed in the coldest voice Yohji had ever heard. "Shut the hell up, Teddy. Or else." He couldn't see his lover's face, but the way the pale man was looking at Teddy caused him and Koyu to turn white. Glancing to his side, he found Naoe glaring evilly at the longhaired man and shivered himself from the expression on the boy's face.

Everyone at the table remained still and quiet until Omi's voice rang through the inn, calling out Naoe's name. Yohji shook himself as the tension broke and noted the considering look Teddy was now giving Aya. Heh, his cat really did have a set of claws, which he didn't reserve just for himself and the little demon.

Omi practically ran over to Naoe and threw his arms around the younger boy. Aw, they were just so cute together. How a sweet kid like Omi could fall for such a grouch was beyond him, but Yohji wasn't going to complain about having the only other claimant to Aya's attention gone for the day. Teddy pouted until the boy left Naoe long enough to give him and Koyu a quick hug and kiss.

"Hey, kiddo, I heard you didn't feel too good yesterday. Nice to see you've recovered."

Omi glared over Teddy's shoulder at him. "You're evil, Yohji, for letting me drink that much."

"I didn't force you to, Omi. Like the majority of us, you found out your limit the hard way. Now sit down and have a bite to eat, Jo made pancakes just for you." That put the prince in a better mood, and he immediately sat down and reached for the platter of hotcakes with the hand that wasn't entwined with Naoe's.

Looking over at Botan, who was standing with a smile on his face as he regarded the boys, Yohji motioned to the table. "You too, you old grouse. There's more than enough food, now that Naoe's done stuffing himself." That comment earned him a snort from the boy in question and an elbow in his ribs from Aya.

"Well, as you can imagine, I'm here to hold up my end of the bargain and to ask you to ensure that Omi doesn't turn into drunkard." Botan helped himself to a mug of coffee before starting on the food. "I'd rather he wait a few more years before becoming thoroughly debauched."

"As if, Botan," Omi sniffed. "Your idea of debauchery is to spend the evening doing something other than reading some ancient book or muttering spells. Besides, I've learned from Yohji and Schuldig's mistakes, for the most part. They've certainly made enough, and rather spectacular ones at that. Too bad I'm not usually around in the mornings to see them recover from their hangovers or I'd have paid better attention the other night to what I was drinking."

"Omi, shut up and eat," Yohji said wearily. His own damn inn, and he didn't get any respect at all. Ah well, at least he had his arms around a pretty little cat who he hoped to drag off to his room in a few minutes, once Botan renewed the spell on his washbasin. Let Teddy or Mickey escort the wizard around the Koneko and stand there all wide eyed as he spouted gobbledy gook and made things glow.

The two new arrivals ate while Koyu and Teddy told them about their travels, and Jo came out to make sure that her hard work was appreciated. She also brought Aya a new pot of tea and fussed over his face, rolling her eyes at Yohji when she saw the fresh bruise. It seemed the cook had thawed a bit in regards to his lover, which made Yohji feel much better. He wanted his family and friends to accept Aya, since he would be doing his best to make sure the man became a permanent resident at the Koneko.

About to set Aya aside so he could stand up, Yohji was surprised to hear his name called out. He looked up to see Cassandra, dressed in gold and white, walk over to the table, her arms full of material. "Hey, gorgeous, let me give you a hand with that." Aya slid onto the bench, and Yohji hurried over to the precog's side. "What ya got there?"

"A trunk of gold and the sea king's daughter. What does it look like, fool? You didn't break your promise to my son this soon, did you?" Cass leaned forward to smell his breath.

Wondering why it was that the people he loved the most could annoy him better than anyone else, Yohji bit back on a curse. "I'm not drunk, you old witch. Are those Aya's and Naoe's clothes?"

"Aya's, I'm not done with Naoe's yet. Now come, come, I want to make sure they fit him." She turned around before Yohji could help her with the bundle and made for the stairs. Grabbing Aya's hand, Yohji nodded his head at Botan. "When you're done with that, could you come up to the second floor, to the bedroom all the way down on the left? There's a basin spell that needs to be renewed. After that, perhaps Mickey could show you everything else that needs attention."

Teddy rose to his feet and stretched his arms over his head for a moment. "I'll go get him, he needs to stop lurking anyway." With that the pest disappeared, much to Yohji's pleasure. If only there was a way to convince Botan to turn the man into a frog or something.

*******

Crawford opened an eye, and upon seeing how bright the room was, closed it and gritted his teeth. Really, at his age he should have known better than to get drunk and waste valuable time sleeping off the alcohol, but he'd felt the need to cut loose just the littlest bit before he killed his offspring or his partner. The men had annoyed him immensely last night. Speaking of Jei, he heard the man's gentle snores and ground his teeth together some more. There was so much that needed to be done, and the man had let his nature get the better of him and had gorged on the corpse last night. It was a wonder Crawford wasn't an alcoholic, but he had a feeling that given another year or two, he would be well on his way.

It was then that the visions struck him. Due to the kage's influence, they weren't the most exact ones he'd ever experienced, but Crawford was able to interpret them somewhat. It seemed that things would be irrevocably set into motion very shortly, and he now had an idea of how to pry Yohji away from Ran long enough tonight so the kage could take care of the tortured precog. Not bad, but the headache that resulted from his talent did not mix well with his hangover. He needed a nice long soak to start the day. It was going to be another busy one.

*******