Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Shadows ❯ answers, part 1 ( Chapter 9 )

Shadows

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chapter 7

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answers, part 1

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"What the hell are you?"

Yohji stared at his lover as he asked the question, unable to look away from the sight of Aya surrounded by shadows that were moving both over him and the walls as if they were alive. He'd woken up with a headache, and upon rolling out of bed to search for his lover had found his door blocked by darkness, which not even lighting all the candles in the room could dispel. Having decided to wait things out, in case Botan or some other wizard was playing tricks on him or had figured out what he was, Yohji had returned to his bed and noticed when the room had suddenly become darker. Hearing a sound coming from his window, he'd jerked open the bed curtains only to find Aya crawling into the room.

Surrounded by shadows. Shadows that shifted about, whirling over the white walls and pale skin and surrounding the redhead as he watched. Violet eyes stared back at him, wide with shock and reflecting the flickering candlelight as if they belonged to a cat. At the moment Aya appeared inhuman, the beautiful face completely impassive and the slender form impossibly still. Then he finished stepping into the room, coming to a stop in front of Yohji.

"What the hell are you? Are you even human?" Oh gods please don't let Aya be some wizard's creation; he couldn't take that happening to him again without going stark raving mad. At his words the shadows skittered around Aya, covering most of his form with darkness. The strange eyes closed, as if in pain, and the man became impossibly paler. "You're not, are you?"

"Yohji-"

"No, I want the truth, Aya." He pushed himself off the bed and started to circle the redhead, his hands clenched in fists. Yohji's chest felt as if it was on fire, full of pain and grief. Why did his lovers do this to him? Why did they betray him like this? He fucking loved Aya, had given his heart over without question, only to have it stomped on a second time. "What the fuck are you? A wizard's toy?" The pale man remained silent, refusing to open his eyes. "Answer me, damn you!" He wanted to shake a response out of Aya, but was so afraid of touching the man. He was afraid the feel of his lover would wash away his anger and hurt, and he'd willingly let himself be used again. And this time, it would be knowingly.

When the answer finally came, it was in a voice so soft he almost didn't hear it over the sound of his own steps. "A bound."

"A bound?" Yohji grabbed hold of a long eartail and yanked harshly, forcing Aya to open his eyes and look at him. "A bound couldn't do this, couldn't make shadows move about as if alive, unless…" He suddenly stopped talking, his tongue shocked still, as was the rest of him. Aya gazed at him, eyes filled with sadness and pain, so much more than he'd ever imagined a person could feel. "Unless he was a kage."

"Yes." That was it, just the one word.

This was impossible; he had to be dreaming this encounter. "You can't be. Kage are just myths and legends, stories that Cassandra told Schuldig and me late at night. They vanished years ago, when Aidan died."

"She didn't just die, she killed herself." Lowering his head, Aya hugged his arms tight around him. "Her family was put to death for her actions, but one or two must have survived, and passed the bloodline on. Or I'm descended from another kage, Edan or Katsumi or… I don't know." Yohji watched as his lover started to shake, ever so slightly, and had to resist the urge to hug the man. Dammit, he couldn't do that until he got some answers out of Aya, until he was assured that some sick fuck of a wizard wasn't messing with him again. That another lover wasn't about to rip out his heart. "I'm a kage."

A creature who could inspire nightmares in some by the mere mention of its name. A creature of myth, impossibly powerful and completely inhuman. Aya was a kage? A pale man covered with scars, too shy and afraid to venture out into the city, even with an escort? Yohji wanted to snort in disbelief, but he couldn't ignore the shadows scurrying about his room, the shiny blackness that covered Aya like armor. The redhead didn't appear to be a monster of destruction and death, but he couldn't say he was human, either.

But neither exactly was he, a little voice reminded Yohji. He still hadn't been able to talk to Schuldig about him possibly being a bound; in fact, he had feared that someone had discovered his secret and that was why he'd been warded inside his own room. Yohji had almost been afraid to call out and seek help, wondering if his friends would turn on him because of what he was. Just like he was turning on Aya.

Dammit, it wasn't the same thing. Bounds were a part of everyday life, more or less. But kage… it was like waking up and finding himself living in a fairy tale or something. That Aya was one of those creatures, that he'd felt the need to hide himself from Yohji… gods, his thoughts were so incredibly fucked up, Yohji wasn't sure what he was thinking anymore. "You're a kage?"

"… yes."

The forlorn tone of voice Aya used tore at Yohji's heart, which only made him angrier. He wasn't the bad guy here; he was just trying to get some answers after having been lied to. Gods, please let it not be that a lover was using him again. "And what, you just so happened to decide that spring would be a lovely time to visit the capital, and while you were here, you'd fuck an ex-Guard or two?" Aya flinched at the words, his head falling further down his chest. Dammit, why wouldn't the man look at him? "Why are you here? Answer me dammit, why the fuck are you here?"

There was no answer. Snarling, he reached out a hand and grabbed Aya's chin forcing the redhead to look him in the eye. "What the hell would bring a kage to the capital, Aya? Surely you know there's a chance that someone here would recognize you for what you are, and they'd want you dead. Why the hell are you here at the Koneko?" Why was he crawling in the window at night? Why had he taken Yohji for a lover? For a moment, the smaller man looked like Asuka. Rage filled Yohji, every part of him crying out in pain at the thought that he might again be betrayed by someone he loved. His hand clenched tightly on Aya's jaw, bruising the white skin. Yohji could feel shadows crawling over him and waited for Aya to turn on him, just like she had. "Answer me, you monster."

He regretted those words the moment he said them, then regretted them even more when he saw the effect they had on Aya. His lover trembled savagely and fell to his knees before him. The bruised face was tilted up at him, and Aya's eyes…. Yohji had never seen such a look of total hopelessness before, as if the soul behind them had been broken of every last thing.

The sight broke his heart, snapping him out of his madness. "Oh fuck, Aya, I'm sorry." Falling to his knees, Yohji held onto the shaking form, pressing his lips against Aya's temple as he repeated the words again and again.

"Aya, gods, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Please don't look at me like that, I didn't mean it." The fury left him, driven away by the fact that he'd hurt his love. "I'm so sorry."

When Aya remained silent, he picked the man up and carried him to the bed, setting him down gently then curling up beside him. "Gods, Aya, say something. Swear at me or something. I'm so sorry." He could feel a pair of arms hesitantly creep around his waist, holding him tighter when he stroked a hand through crimson strands. "I'm sorry."

"Yohji, I can't."

Tilting up Aya's face, Yohji softly kissed him on the mouth. "You can't what?" Relief washed through him as Aya gazed up at him, eyes still filled with pain and hopelessness, but not as much as before.

"I can't… I can't tell you everything. I can't tell you why I'm here, and I didn't choose the Koneko. I…." Aya pressed his face against Yohji's chest. "I didn't mean to come here and take a lover, be they a Guard or not. I didn't count on you."

He wasn't being used again. That one thought repeated itself in Yohji's mind causing his pain and fear to fade away. He didn't like the fact that Aya was keeping something secret from him, but this wasn't going to turn out to be a repeat of Asuka. Gods, he'd shatter if that was the case. Yohji had loved the woman, but nowhere near as much as he did Aya. To find out that he cared nothing for him, that he was just using him for some reason, would be the end of him.

But there were still some questions he wanted answers to. "Aya, you're a kage. Surely you know how dangerous it is for you to be here. And what are you doing with so many scars?" A kage was supposed to be able to lay whole countries to waste, yet Aya had let someone abuse him that badly?

Aya became tense in his arms, and when Yohji fell silent, waiting for an answer, tried to pull away. Huhn, he wasn't going to let that happen. Holding onto his lover tightly, Yohji stared deeply into a pair of violet eyes, resisting the urge to drown in them. After a few futile minutes Aya realized who was the physically stronger of the two and quit struggling. He closed his eyes, resting his head on the bed so red hair fell onto his face, covering it from Yohji's view. "Please, no questions. Just… just call the Guards, or whatever."

Without thinking, Yohji hauled Aya against his chest and kissed him breathless, growling at the thought of his former co-workers coming to take his lover away to imprison or kill him. No way. No way in hell. That would only happen when he was dead and ashes in the wind.

Reluctantly letting Aya pull away several minutes later, eyes wide and gasping for breath, Yohji glared at the stubborn fool. "I'm not calling the Guards, or anyone else. I won't let anyone hurt you. How many times do I have to tell you that?" The doubt he saw on Aya's face hurt him worse than a physical blow. "Listen to me for a moment and don't look at me like that. How the hell would you like it if you found out some great big secret about me? Something that you'd never possibly imagine in a million years? Wouldn't you be angry and hurt and wanting a few fucking answers? Gods, Aya, I'm sorry for acting like I did, but to say you shocked the hell out of me is a huge understatement."

For a moment Aya remained still and then he sighed. "You won't tell anyone?" He was clearly doubtful about Yohji's statement.

"Hell no! Gods, they'd be after your head if...." Uh, maybe it wasn't such a smart thing to mention how much kage were hated and feared. Great job there, Kudoh.

"I know what will happen to me if anyone finds out the truth." Lifting his head, Aya stared at him intently with a frown on his lips. "Promise me you won't say anything. The others could get hurt."

"Aya, I promise. The thought never even occurred to me." Yohji tried to convey with his eyes and his voice the sincerity of his word as he wrapped an eartail around his fingers. "I won't let anyone hurt you or take you away. But… you have to answer me one question. Please."

There was a flash of pain across Aya's face, but he nodded his head after a couple minutes of silence. "Why me, Aya? Why'd you risk so much to take me as a lover? The possibility of the truth coming out had to have crossed your mind at some point." If it was because he'd been a Guard, because he knew Omi and Botan and the others…. Taking a deep breath, Yohji told himself not to get carried away again. All he'd do then was hurt Aya.

"I didn't want any regrets. I wanted… I wanted memories of pleasure. You were interested, so I let things progress as they would."

The answer only begged for more questions, such as what regrets and why only memories, but Yohji limited himself to only one more, trying to ensure that Aya didn't withdraw from him any further. "Why me? You can't tell me that I was the only person who's ever been interested in you. Please, Aya, this is very important to me."

Aya tried to pull away once more. "Yohji, don't ask me to answer that. You don't want to know."

"Yes I do! Why me, Aya?" he growled out, afraid and hurt once more. This wasn't helping his suspicions any.

He started to think that the smaller man wouldn't tell him, but Aya went limp in his arms, letting his hair fall onto his face again. "Because… you're a bound."

Yohji waited for himself to react to that statement. Somehow, the words didn't hurt him, didn't even shock him in the slightest. That was odd, since he'd basically had his suspicions confirmed that he wasn't human. But all Yohji felt was relief over the fact that Aya wouldn't hate him because of that. No, he'd given the man better reasons to hate and fear him, what with his recent actions.

"You… you knew?"

Aya's question drew Yohji from his thoughts, and he gazed at his stunned lover. "I… sorta have been suspecting that lately." Then he fully caught the import of those words. "But how the hell did you know what I was, and why shouldn't I know?"

"Kage can sense magic, so I felt it when you used yours. At first I was confused, because you didn't act like a bound, but…"

A stern look from him made Aya sigh again and carry on, a slight scowl on his beautiful features. Yohji wanted to kiss the redhead at that sight, but refused to give in to the impulse. If Aya was mad at him, he had to be getting over the rough treatment from before.

"Cassandra told me you didn't know what you were. I didn't want to say anything until you knew the truth."

_Now_ he could kiss the man silly. Rolling onto his back, Yohji dragged Aya along with him, ignoring first the yelp of surprise then the ensuing snarl the man made over his actions. Latching his mouth onto Aya's put an end to the noise, anyway, at least until he moaned from the pleasure of feeling his love start to kiss him back. Once again sunlight flooded into him.

While he had thought to try and get a few more answers, Yohji immediately gave in to the need that filled him, that cried out for him to make Aya's pain and worry fade away through bliss, and for him to claim the man once more. Trailing his mouth down to Aya's neck, he was shocked when his lover growled and pulled away, a scowl on the lovely face. When he tried to soothe the pale man's temper by stroking his hair, Yohji had his hand batted away for his trouble.

Oh, this was _not_ going to happen. Aya was _his_. Snarling himself, Yohji moved with blinding speed, reversing their positions until the smaller man was underneath him. Aya bared his teeth and glared at him challengingly in response, causing him to hiss in fury. He jerked the kage's chin to the side, forcing it to move when Aya fought him and clamped his teeth on the pale throat.

For a moment Aya tried to toss Yohji off him, but as he started to taste blood the redhead stilled, and then tilted his head back to allow Yohji better access. He remained as he was for a few more seconds, growling softly, but let go once Aya started to purr. With a quick lick at the bite mark, Yohji lifted his head and stared into his lover's eyes. They were half hidden by heavy lids and dark with pleasure, a hint of a smile hovering on Aya's lips. His dominance proven once more, Yohji leaned down to kiss those upturned lips. He should be appalled at his actions, but they felt so right, so natural that he couldn't worry about them. Not when they left him with a suddenly very willing little cat to stroke and pet.

Sunlight poured into him as he delved into a sweet mouth, his hands tearing frantically at the damn clothes separating the two of them. The sound of cloth ripping filled the room along with purrs and growls of frustration. Soon enough they were naked, hands roaming over each other desperate for any and all touches. With his tongue deep in Aya's mouth, Yohji skimmed one hand down a long pale leg urging it to wrap around his waist as he ground himself against the slender body beneath him. Hands clenched in his hair, forcibly jerking his head upright and causing him to moan at the loss of Aya's mouth until a throat was offered to him in its place.

Sucking and licking the salty skin, Yohji groaned as Aya rocked up against him rubbing their erections together. Fumbling about for the container of lube, Yohji snaked a hand between his and Aya's bodies and grasped both of their cocks together stroking up and down the dripping shafts. He drank in his love's mewls as he closed his eyes, lost in the feeling of bliss that permeated his whole being. Yohji thought he'd burst into flames at the light pouring into him when he pushed a greased finger inside of Aya.

The pale man writhed beneath him, whining and mewling as he tried to get that finger deeper inside him. With gasping breaths, he happily obliged Aya by twisting it and adding another, desperate to be inside the man as soon as possible. Yohji moaned when moments later he started to thrust into the tight entrance, at the feel of being completely encased by a clenching, velvet warmth that felt like heaven, making him sigh in contentment. Fingers dug into his ass as Aya tilted his hips up, taking him in even further as his name was gasped out again and again.

Fastening his mouth onto a puckered nipple, Yohji rocked his hips forward causing the sunlight and pleasure to increase with each thrust. Aya met each one, nails digging into his flesh, as Yohji was urged to go deeper and faster until he was so lost in the ecstasy and overwhelmed by his emotions. It felt as if a thousand tiny hands were stroking his body, a thousand tingling touches that set his nerves aflame, burning him inside and out. Thrusting himself as fast and deep inside Aya as he could, he let out a strangled yell when the walls surrounding his cock constricted almost painfully tight, nails raking down his back. He came in a shuddering rush, offering his essence in return for the sunlight that scorched him, reducing him to a bundle of thrumming nerves.

Yohji collapsed on top of Aya feeling as if his body was made entirely of flames, filled with light and warmth. When he heard a low rumbling purr, he smiled and pried his eyes open, only to blink when the room remained completely dark. "Ah… Aya? I think I've gone blind." He couldn't even see his lover.

"Hn." The darkness began to fade away as the shadows scurried back to the corners of the room after a final few caresses to his and Aya's flesh. Chuckling nervously as he realized what those tiny `hands' had been, he glanced down at the redhead.

Aya was lying with his eyes closed and a small smile hovering on his lips. He looked so fucking beautiful, even with a throat that appeared to have been mauled by a dog or something. Stroking a finger along the new bite mark, he mumbled an apology against the smiling lips before kissing them.

"Huhn, it'll be your throat one day, Yotan," Aya purred.

Something in him shivered at the idea of him baring his throat to the kage, and Yohji nuzzled a pale ear as he grinned. "Just promise me you won't bite as deep as you did last time." The comment caused first one and then the other violet eye to open. He swore he saw a faint blush spread over Aya's face. Enjoying being a tease, he rubbed at the healed bite mark on his shoulder. "It's what made me think I might be a bound, you know, the way it healed so quickly. Good thing you aren't a flesh gaki-bound. Though from the looks of your neck, I think I might be." He bent his head to lap up a stray smear of blood on the bruised skin, then frowned as a thought occurred to him. "Hey, it's not healing as quickly as mine did."

Stretching his body beneath Yohji's, which caused him to moan in return before shifting off the smaller man, Aya grabbed a scrap of a tunic and wiped himself clean. "It's because you're not a gaki-bound, but a succubae. I've been told the wounds won't heal as quickly as normal since it's a sign…" Aya suddenly became very interested in scrubbing a spot on his stomach.

"A sign of what? Here, let me see that." He started to wipe himself clean with the scrap, and then tossed it aside. The whole entire time, there wasn't a single word from Aya. Yohji gazed sternly at his lover.

"A sign that I… let you claim me."

Aya was hiding something from him, Yohji could tell. He knew the man was nervous about something, though how he knew he wasn't exactly sure. "Ay~aaa. What the hell do you mean by you letting me claim you?"

He was glared at for a moment then Aya nervously nibbled on his lip. "We're mates."

That word caused Yohji to blink his eyes. "Mates? What, you mean along the lines of best buddies, or wolves and geese?"

His lover's eyes grew sad once more, and he could almost feel Aya pulling away from him even though the man remained at his side. "The latter. It means… we're bonded to each other. For life. Which is a very long time for bounds." Aya stared at him, his face expressionless. If Yohji couldn't hear the man's heart pounding in his chest, he'd think that Aya was rather unhappy with the situation. Instead, he sensed the man was more fearful than anything.

Leaning over his lover, Yohji stared deep into the glowing eyes. "Am I supposed to be angry about this? Is that what has you so afraid, cat?"

"You're tied to a kage, Yohji. To a monster."

Yohji knew it had been a huge mistake to call Aya that and now realized he'd be paying for it for some time to come. "Aya, love, I was angry and confused and didn't mean a damn word I said. You're not a monster, not at all. Kage or not, I couldn't be happier that you're mine. A very long time won't be nearly enough to spend with you -- infuriating, sexy, temperamental cat that you are. You're mine." He sealed his words with a kiss, not breaking it off until Aya relaxed and kissed him back.

"Mates, huh?" he mused as he stroked a hand along Aya's hip. The new knowledge emboldened Yohji to make a confession and try to pry another answer out from the reticent man. "Does that mean you love me? Because I've loved you since the moment I saw you, you know."

"How can you love a …"

"_Don't_ say it, Aya," Yohji growled out, jerking the smaller man close. "I love you. Don't piss me off by arguing with me or you're gonna be sporting another damn bite. Which means Jo really will kill me when she sees you tomorrow morning. Fuck, I wonder if Cass made you anything with a really high collar."

Aya trailed a finger over his throat, wincing as he touched the latest bite. "You didn't know what I… Yohji, stop it," he snapped when Yohji started to growl, his head bent and baring his teeth. "I… I think I love you too." The words sounded as if they were painful for him to say, and the fear and uncertainty was back in the amethyst eyes.

Feeling that it wouldn't be wise to push any more at the moment, Yohji sighed and tugged Aya onto his side and facing him. "So, what does it mean, me being a succubae-bound? Other than me growling and snarling a lot and biting your throat all the time. I don't think I've heard much about them."

A hand stroked through his hair, gently untangling the knotted strands. He let out a purr of his own as he gazed at his… mate, enchanted by the vision the man made with his heavy lidded eyes, tousled hair and kiss swollen lips. So fucking beautiful, and he was all his. Hell, they were mates. Yohji smiled at the thought.

"It means… you feed off people, off their emotions and energy, to a much greater extent than a soul gaki-bound does. You mainly do this through sex." Yohji felt his cheeks burn at the statement and issued a weak chuckle. It was nice to know there was a reason for him having been such a slut. "Do you realize that you've been feeding off me the past few days?" Aya was sporting a slight blush as well.

"What?" About to ask another question, Yohji stumbled upon the answer on his own. The sunlight. That's what Aya must be talking about: the mysterious, delicious sunlight that filled him whenever he pleasured Aya. Now all the comments about taste and his appetite made sense. No wonder he hadn't been eating as much food as usual, and that his lover was so tired and pale. He was feeding off of the redhead.

Yohji stared at the man, finally noticing how Aya looked ready to fall asleep at any moment. "Does it hurt, the feeding part?" Ah, that was definitely a blush spreading across the pale cheeks.

"No." Aya ducked his head as he snuggled closer to Yohji, who wrapped his arms tighter around the man without any conscious thought. "I just wish you'd leave me with a little more energy."

"Hmm, any suggestions on how I go about that?" At Aya's mumbled `no', Yohji sighed and combed his fingers through his lover's hair adoring how soft and silky the strands felt. "What do you know about succubae-bounds?"

Aya purred, causing Yohji to shiver as he felt the vibration against his chest. He was so sensitive, filled as he was by the sunlight. "Only that you feed off your lovers and exude a… glamour of sorts that attracts people to you."

Huhn. "Hey, is that why you decided to let me pounce on you? Because of my power?" It wasn't exactly a pleasant thought that his lover and friends cared for him only because he was a bound.

There was a quiet hissing sound, and Aya shifted about to pull up the bedcovers, all but burying himself underneath them. Yohji swatted away the material when it settled against his face. When Aya continued to hiss and grumble instead of answering the question, he prodded the redhead with a finger. "Well?"

"Kage aren't affected by magic, so that's not why I… chose you." Aya looked up at him, his eyes narrowed in anger. "I wouldn't make such an important decision based merely on an attraction spell."

He'd forgotten completely about kage being immune to magic. "Then how am I draining you, if my magic doesn't affect you?"

Yohji did a little hissing of his own when Aya ducked his head down yet another time and mumbled about being tired. "Ay~a. I'm not letting you sleep until you tell me. I feel like I could stay up all night pestering you, what about you?" He flinched at the ferocious glare that was immediately directed his way. Maybe Aya feeling secure enough in his presence to give him dirty looks wasn't a good thing after all.

"… I let your magic inside me, which means now you can feed off me. Good night, Yohji."

About to ask how and why Aya had done something like that, the sight of his lover yawning with his face drawn and eyes shadowed stopped Yohji. He suddenly remembered that him feeling so energized meant that Aya would be equally exhausted. Brushing aside the man's ragged bangs, he kissed the white forehead and held him close. He could feel a sigh against his neck and hummed quietly as Aya fell asleep in his arms.

As the faint sounds of Koyu's harp filled his ears, Yohji tried to sort through the muddle of thoughts and questions that whirled about in his head. If Aya hadn't been so tired, largely due to him, he'd have interrogated the man all night long. Although he had the suspicion it would have gotten him nowhere, as the stubborn fool would either refuse to answer him or not know the information he wanted. But he found it very interesting that Cass had known he was a bound, and even had told Aya of the fact. And what Cass knew, her son usually did as well. Which meant that two of his closest friends had lied to him most of his life. Not a happy thought.

At the very least, the two bounds should be able to supply him with the answers he needed, about what he truly was and how he'd keep Aya safe. The thought of anyone else discovering the kage's secret made Yohji tremble with fear. Then he wondered about Aya's friends. Did the three men know the truth about him? Was that why Naoe was so protective of the redhead? And Jei had commented about protecting Aya and not letting anyone harm him. Perhaps they did know the truth, giving Yohji other alternatives for answers now.

A sudden outburst of noise startled him, and had Aya flinching in his arms as shadows crawled onto the bed covering the both of them. It sounded as if the crowd downstairs was cheering about something. He was a bit curious as to what, but Yohji didn't want to leave Aya's side to go investigate. Guess that was another answer that he'd have to wait for.

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Nagi glanced over at Omi, who had been tense ever since a Guard appeared in full regalia: a long midnight blue coat festooned with gold clasps and white ribbons, a lacquered matching helmet, and black boots that shined as if wet. The crowd had fallen silent when the woman cleared her throat and proclaimed she had an announcement to make. The silence lasted long enough for her to inform them that King Shuuichi was formally announcing his plans to marry the current Captain of the Guard. Pandemonium broke out, everyone cheering the happy couple and shouting out questions about the wedding festivities.

Omi appeared sad about the news. Nagi touched his… friend on the arm with a questioning look in his eyes. The older teen glanced over at him and smiled reassuringly. "I think I'm going to be very busy at the palace from now on." When Nagi frowned, Omi's smile became a bit surer and a hand stroked along his cheek. "Don't worry, I'll still find time to see you, but I doubt it will be tomorrow. Now I better get back home, but… can I see you again the day after tomorrow?"

"Yes." The word slipped out before he could give it any thought. Today had been so nice: weaving their way in-between the crowd at the docks and watching unusual cargo being unloaded as they snacked on exotic foods. The best part had been having Omi at his side; the boy insisted on buying him new things and trying all day long to make him smile. He had been rather successful, and Nagi's face was sore from using the seldom exercised muscles. If Ran felt even the slightest bit like this when he was in Yohji's presence, no wonder he had become mates with the pervert.

He suddenly noticed that Omi had shifted forward. "Good. I'll see you then." Nagi didn't move as a pair of soft lips pressed against his, and he closed his eyes when Omi deepened the kiss. He could taste the minted honey that had been drizzled all over the fruit they'd had for dessert on Omi's tongue, and Nagi shifted in his seat to get closer to the boy.

Fingers teased through his hair, combing back the strands and settling on his neck. Nagi's hands clutched at Omi's jerkin, holding the blond close as the kiss continued for several minutes. It wasn't until someone roughly nudged his shoulder that they broke apart.

Feeling a bit of heat on his face, Nagi turned to glare at Schuldig who shoved a goblet of wine at him. "Here, drink this. We're toasting the happy couple. Omi, I'd offer you one, but Botan would turn me to stone if I got you drunk."

"That's okay, Schu. I better get going." Omi kissed Nagi briefly on the cheek. His voice quiet, he asked if the other night had been as good as that. Nagi nodded his head, struck mute by the look in the blue eyes staring into his. They were full of heat and promise, and now he couldn't stop thinking of that night up in Aya's bed, the two of them stroking and kissing each other. Omi smiled slyly and gave him one more kiss before leaving.

"Hmm, wonder what's in the air around here. Everyone's pairing up all of a sudden. But I must say, Naoe, you've made quite an impressive catch." There was something in Schuldig's voice that hinted that the soul gaki-bound knew something he didn't, but Nagi didn't play to the man and just glared at him as he drank the wine. Schuldig pouted over the lack of a response and drained his drink as well.

Free to talk openly now, as long as they pitched their voices low enough so no humans could hear them, Nagi turned to Crawford. "Aya should be back by now."

"Hm, yes, almost an hour ago. Schuldig, I think you can let Yohji wake up now."

The longhaired man shifted in his seat, and Nagi caught a whiff of nervousness with his sharp nose. Wondering if he had imagined the scent, he looked around the table and found Crawford and Jei staring at Schuldig intently. "Is something wrong?"

"That's what I'm wondering," Crawford quietly replied. "Let's take this discussion elsewhere, why don't we?" When Schuldig appeared ready to argue, Jei grabbed the younger bound by the arm and actually hauled him to his feet and into the hall. Nagi followed the men out to the garden.

As soon as they were out of sight of the Koneko, Crawford turned to face the telepath. "What's going on? Is Yohji waking up or not? Don't tell me you put the man into a coma or something."

"For fuck's sake, I wouldn't make a stupid mistake like that. He's fine," Schuldig retorted as he started to edge away from them. "In fact, he's awake right now."

About to return to the inn and go upstairs to make sure that Ran was alright, Nagi stopped when he heard a growling sound. He turned to find Jei and Crawford cornering Schuldig in front of a bramble of roses.

"That was rather quick," the precog replied in a deceptively calm voice. "It should take longer than that to wake someone up from an enforced sleep."

"He's still nervous about something, Oracle. I can smell it pouring off of him. What did you do, you brat?" Jei bared his fangs, emphasizing his question.

Schuldig swallowed nervously and flashed the two men a shaky smile. "No worries, Yohji's been up for over an hour now."

The next sound was that of a hand slapping against flesh. Schuldig looked up from the ground where he'd been knocked down by Jei's hit. "What the hell was that for?"

"You were supposed to keep him out until after Aya came back from his mission," Crawford replied. "Why did you let him wake up early?"

The answer came from Jei. "Because he's a jealous prick, that's why. I can smell it on him whenever Aya is around. And his lust for Yohji. You little shit, what have you done?"

In a blink of an eye Schuldig was back on his feet, glaring at the older bounds. He moved almost as fast as Ran causing Nagi to look on in surprise. "All I did was make sure that Yohji learned the truth about what he'd mated himself to. He deserved the truth and he found it out tonight." When the Esset agents snarled in anger, Schuldig took a cautious step backwards. "Oh, relax, almost nothing happened. Yohji was all pissed off when he discovered the truth, but they quickly made up." The telepath's voice was heavy with bitterness.

"You son of a …" Both Jei and Crawford reached out for the longhaired man, who promptly turned around and dashed off. But he didn't get very far. Filled with anger, Nagi reached out with his power and snared the man, lifting him into the air and then slamming him into the ground. While Schuldig lay there dazed, Jei dashed over to him and crouched on his chest, fangs inches from the other's face.

"What. Happened?" Schuldig shook his head for a moment, a frown of concentration on his face. Pale green eyes first narrowed and then went wide, turning to look in Crawford's direction.

The precog stalked over to where the two men were, and Nagi followed on his heels. "What's the matter, son?" Nagi's eyebrows arched at that last word. "Finding it a bit hard to control an enraged flesh gaki-bound? Now answer Berserker before he rips your throat out."

"It's like I said, Yohji was pissed when he saw Aya climb into the room and demanded the truth from him. He was afraid that he was being used again and took it out on Aya. The kage only admitted to what he is, and the fact that they are mates. Yohji yelled a bit, then the two of them fucked like bunnies. That's all I know." Schuldig pouted for a moment. "Now get this animal off me."

"Let me get this straight. Because of you, Yohji now knows what Aya is. Something that I didn't intend for him to know until I was able to convince Aya that he can indeed break free of the Takatoris' control and choose another destiny. But because of your petty jealousy, that plan is now completely fucked up," Crawford growled. The normally composed man was actually snarling, and Nagi caught sight of claws extended and reaching towards Schuldig. "Do you have any idea of the damage you could've done? What if Yohji wasn't ready to face what Aya is? He doesn't even know he's a bound too."

"He was well on his way to figuring it out, thanks to your precious kage," Schuldig spat out. "And he sure as hell knows now. I don't know what the hell you're so upset about, it's not like Yohji has any choice but to keep Aya safe, since they're mated to each other. Hell, he barely laid a hand on Aya during the fight."

The moment the words were said Nagi was filled with a murderous rage. With but a thought both Jei and Crawford were sent flying away from Schuldig, who found himself lifted into the air and slammed into a nearby oak. Then ignoring the bounds, Nagi turned and raced into the Koneko determined to make sure that Ran was alright. He didn't care about the stunned people he brushed past in the hallway and on the stairs, not pausing in his unnatural speed until he stood in front of Yohji's bedroom. Using his power, he unlocked the door and swung it open, retaining enough clarity of thought to know that if he shattered the door like he wanted to, Ran might be hurt by the flying debris.

He was met by a wall of darkness. "R-Aya, it's me. Let me in." Nagi mentally pushed against the darkness, but it refused to budge. "Let me in now or I'm coming through the wall." Ran would have warded the door and possibly the window but that would be it. The darkness slowly melted away, and he rushed into the room.

Only to be halted before a finely woven net of gold and shadows. When Nagi tried to sweep the threads aside, he found that they resisted his power. He extended a finger and brushed it against the glittering strands and hissed when it was cut. Looking beyond the web, he found Yohji glaring at him from the bed, a half awake Ran held tight in his arms.

"What the fuck do you want?"

"Shut up, Yohji. Aya, are you all right?" Judging from Ran's grogginess, he'd been drained again. Nagi stared searchingly at his friend and growled when he saw the bruises along the pale jaw. Grinding his teeth together, he reached with his talent and shook the bed. He might not be able to touch the strands, but he could break the bed apart until they fell down and gave him a clear shot at Yohji. Who, for some unfathomable reason, he couldn't grasp directly with his power. "I won't let him hurt you again."

The bed creaked with an ominous sound. Immediately afterward, Nagi found himself covered with shadows and paused in using his power as he was filled with an aching cold from their touch. "Aya?"

Violet eyes stared back at him, finally clear. "Naoe, stop it. Now." Ran was actually glaring at him, making him shiver with more than cold. Nagi did as he was told.

"Yohji, retract your weapon."

"But Aya…"

"Now."

Yohji did as he was bidden, not that Nagi could blame him. He'd never heard that quiet authority in his friend's voice before or the way the words carried a hint of threat. As he watched, the threads broke apart and reformed on Yohji's wrist. The blond glared at him as he lowered his arm and adjusted the blankets around the couple.

Running to the bed, Nagi reached out a shaking hand and lightly touched the bruises on Ran's face. "Are you alright? Schuldig just told us what he did, about letting…" He remembered about the perverted bastard just in time and shifted his gaze to scowl back at the man.

Ran sighed and grasped his fingers, squeezing them lightly. "I'm fine."

Breaking off his glare, Yohji lowered his head and kissed Ran on his left shoulder. "I'm really sorry about that. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Well, you still did, asshole."

"Naoe." The one word from Ran was enough to make him fall silent. The kage sighed and leaned back into Yohji's arms. "It was a misunderstanding."

"Yeah, and I won't let it happen again," Yohji promised, his face serious. "Or you can snap me like you almost did the bed, kiddo. Take it you're a bound too? My, it's a popular club lately."

Nagi flushed, realizing that he had revealed at least one secret tonight. Great. Crawford would probably kill him. At least Ran didn't look too upset about the slip. If anything, the redhead appeared ready to fall asleep at any moment. Nagi sat down on the bed and leaned against his friend, prompting a growl from Yohji. But Ran merely snarled back and rested an arm over Nagi's shoulders. Glad that his friend was allowing him to be close, Nagi settled against Ran.

Crawford, Jei and Schuldig entered the room a couple minutes later and stared at them. The precog was the first one to speak. "Well, it's heartening not to see any dead bodies. I take it all is well?"

The three of them grunted, and Nagi slid down the bed and rested his head in Ran's lap. He glared at Schuldig, gathering his power to shove the man out of the room and possibly break a few bones while doing so. Ran tapped him on the head, a silent warning to behave. With a sigh of regret, he did just that. He could always torment Schuldig later.

"Good night, then." The two older bounds left quickly. Jei paused to flash a leer at Ran before walking out the door, probably chuckling at the vicious snarls coming from Yohji. Schuldig lingered behind, casting unhappy looks at the bed.

"Schu, I'd like to have a chat with you." Yohji's voice was quiet, but carried a hint of anger and force.

"I imagine you do, Yohji. You want to get this out of the way now or what?"

There was a pause, and Nagi lifted his head to see Ran stifling a yawn. Yohji was gazing down at his lover who was more than half asleep and fading fast. "No, it can wait til tomorrow."

Schuldig remained where he was for several moments, a drawn look upon his face. When he did speak, it was in a rather somber tone. "Yotan… know that I, we, well, Cass and I never meant you any harm. We were just looking out for you. But the rest of the explanations can wait until morning. Night." With that, the telepath quietly departed.

Nagi couldn't resist slamming the door behind him making Schuldig yelp in pain when it smacked him in the ass. A smug smile spread across his face, lasting until his own rear end was hit. "Hey!" He sat up in bed and glared at Yohji.

"I think I just figured something out, you shitty little demon. You're the reason why I've been black and blue the past week! Gremlins my ass, I outta toss you out on the street!"

Yohji's tirade was cut short when Ran hissed out his name. It was almost funny to see the blond go from enraged to concerned to sheepish in a matter of seconds. Holding Ran close to him, Yohji settled for just glaring at Nagi as he jerked his head in the direction of the door.

"Fine, I guess I'll let the past go, but you need to get your ass into your own bed, right _now_. Aya needs to get some sleep."

"He wouldn't be so tired if it wasn't for you," Nagi retorted, but he did as he was told after sparing Ran a quick look. The kage seemed to have already fallen asleep; his eyes were closed and he was limp in Yohji's arms. "Let me tell you something right now, though. If I ever see another bruise on him, you're dead."

Yohji sighed as he shifted down onto the bed, Ran still in his arms. "Like I said, you can snap me in half if that ever happens again. I…."

"Shut up and sleep." One violet eye opened up to glare for a moment, and when not another word was said, drooped shut. Taking a hint from the furious tone of voice that order had been issued in, Nagi quietly headed for the door. He didn't get more than a few steps from the bed when his friend called out to him.

"Naoe, take the box of cookies that's on the nightstand." He found the decorated tin, and salivated at the thought of food. Trust Ran to remember how hungry using his power made him.

Nagi glanced back at the bed to see the two older bounds snuggled together, mostly covered by a blanket, and felt a pang of jealousy in his chest. What was it like to know that from now on, you would always have someone to be there for you? That was something he longed to feel for himself.

Silently closing the door behind him, Nagi made his way to his room where he laid on his bed for most of the night thinking about Ran, Yohji and Omi.

*******

Birman tracked Botan to his office and handed the wizard a glass of wine. "To Manx and Shuuichi."

"May they have nothing but happiness and health," Botan replied before finishing the wine in one long swallow. "A nice fantasy at that."

"You're getting bitter in your old age, you grouch," she chided her friend and laughed softly when a paper flyer was tossed her way. Easily catching the object in her right hand, Birman straightened out a wing and tossed it back. "How are the wards coming along?"

Botan sighed and rubbed his eyes. "They're coming. If I keep being a slave driver, they'll be finished a day or two before the wedding. Right now I have my assistants scrambling around the palace trying to get the more public areas done before the horde of well-wishers descend upon us. I'll take care of the ballroom and chapel, myself, in a few weeks time."

The man sounded exhausted, and after giving him a thorough once over, Birman concluded that she hadn't seen him this tired since his wife had been murdered and his daughter kidnapped. "Botan, get some rest. You look ready to fall asleep at any moment. Take a day or two off and make those lazy assistants of yours do a bit of work for once."

"Hmph, you know what they say, no rest for the wicked. I have too much to do to take a day off."

Birman picked up her empty wineglass and twirled it between her fingers. "Botan… you'll do the king no good if you're powerless from overwork at his wedding. He'll need you to be focused and energized on that day."

All of a sudden Botan's complete attention was focused on her. "Birman, what have you heard? Is something going to happen?"

"You said it yourself, grouch, that something will happen on the wedding day." For a moment the wizard stared at her as he rubbed the scar on his cheek."

"I know that. I was just wondering if you found out something more concrete. You got my hopes up for a moment."

Debating how much she should tell her friend, Birman exhaled slowly and shook her head. "There are rumors of a lord recruiting mercenaries, but I haven't been able to substantiate them at all yet. I have my best people working on it, but they're getting nowhere. It's almost as if magic is involved."

"Which is entirely possible. Let's face it, if a kage really is going to play a part in the future, there will be tons of magic involved. The thing seems to attract it. I've already noticed that there are a lot more spirits concentrating in the capital than usual; my spells aren't taking quite as long to cast as they normally do. Hell, I finished renewing all the wards in the Koneko today in less than two hours, and that was while talking to Mickey and the Harper Koyu most of the time. The Koneko was practically overflowing with spirits." Botan fell silent, a frown on his face.

Not willing to spend the night standing here while he was lost in his thoughts, Birman cleared her throat. "Have you divined anything else lately? Anything that will help us?"

Jerked from his thoughts, Botan glared at her for a moment. "No, I haven't. I think I might try a few potions I know of, but will need to stock up on some herbs first. Yohji has a friend who is quite knowledgeable in their use, so I'm going to pay her a visit soon and see if she has any that I need."

"Ah ha! A woman!" It was about damn time Botan talked to another female besides her and Manx. He'd been mourning for Midori way too long in her estimation. "If she's a `friend' of Kudoh's, she has to be pretty."

"No, she looks to be my age, my true age. Somehow I don't think Yohji and she were ever lovers," Botan sniffed as he leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms and legs before him. "So quit being such a pervert."

"Drat, another fantasy squashed." Pouting in Botan's direction, Birman waved goodbye. "Well, I just came to share a toast with you and I'll be off." She had a lover of her own waiting for her, and it wasn't often that he could slip away from his entourage. Birman wanted to take advantage of this brief reprieve as much as possible. "But think of what I've said. We'll need you come the wedding day, so take what rest you can." For the closer that day approached, the less chance there would be of them doing just that.

*******

Teddy looked about the kitchen for a moment, idly noting how the spacious room never seemed to change over the years. It was still full of hanging herbs and copper kettles and pots, the three ovens along one of the brick walls blazing merrily. The Koneko had been his home for so long that he could no longer recall the one he'd lived in when his father had still been alive.

His thoughts were interrupted when Jo placed cups of sweetened tea in front of him and Koyu. "So, there's going to be a wedding on Summer's Solstice. Things should be crazy here until then."

Mickey sighed mournfully, but ruined the gesture by smiling. "They certainly will be. We'll be raking in money hand over fist and we should be able to afford that new wing we've been talking about when it's all said and done."

It would be Mickey who did most of the work, Teddy reflected, and momentarily spared a dark thought Yohji's way. His brother and he had been adopted by Miyuki and were technically Kudohs, but it was Yohji who owned the inn and would pass it on, never mind the fact that it was Mickey who did most of the work. He'd taken over running the inn at first because Yohji's career in the Guards hadn't left him any time to do so, and then continued because the blond had been wallowing in misery because of that cunt. Now it seemed Yohji was going to be distracted by Aya. Ah well, at least Yohji wasn't trying to kill his liver anymore. But he still wished his brother had something more to look forward to than being a manager all his life, even if that was what made Mickey happy.

"I can only imagine all the dignitaries who will be showing up for the event. Not to mention my fellow Harpers, intent on catching a glimpse of the proceedings and composing tons of awful songs about a king who dared to take a commoner for a wife. I'm glad I'll be back on the road when this is over," Koyu commented dryly, "…and hopefully can stay ahead of the new songs as long as possible."

"Foreign dignitaries won't be the only ones arriving; rumor is already going around about whether or not Prince Reiji and his sons will be allowed to attend the wedding." Teddy paused to take a sip of his tea before continuing. "That's all I've heard people talking about, and bets are already being placed. Odds are in favor of the king forgiving his brother, so as not to offend the gods."

Jo snorted over the rim of her mug. "Allow him back for the wedding, maybe, but forgive? Never. The man was responsible for Princess Kikuno's death, whatever lies and denials he spouts. The poor thing, to be raped on her honeymoon by her own brother-in-law, then have the man slander her by saying she asked for it. And on top of that, to bear a child that no one knows who the father is, either Shuuichi or Reiji."

"Poor Omi," Koyu sighed. "He never talks about his uncle, and I know he knows the complete details behind his birth. I can only imagine how he must feel to have that man back in the palace, if only for a few weeks."

"Yeah, poor Omi. How much you want to bet he'll be spending all his free time here, or off with Naoe." Pushing his empty mug away from him, Teddy stifled a yawn. The Koneko was closed for the night, and most of the staff was already in bed. He, Koyu, Mickey and Jo had decided to remain awake a little longer and have a bit of a powwow. "Speaking of which, what does everyone think of that couple? All I hear you guys talk about is Yohji and Aya, and here we have a servant running around with the crown prince."

"A servant who is polite to everyone but Yohji and seems rather intelligent for the little he talks. I don't think he'll do Omi any harm." Jo reached for the teapot and poured herself some more to drink. She looked exhausted, having been up all day long. While Teddy was glad she got to sleep in tomorrow, he wasn't looking forward to Ani cooking breakfast. Maybe he and Koyu would eat out tomorrow. "Besides, you see how protective he is towards Aya. I can't imagine him being any different with Omi."

"Yeah, but he's nowhere near as protective as Yohji is. I don't understand how his throat isn't worn raw by all those growls of his. But," Teddy drawled out until he had everyone's attention, "Aya's a bit protective of him as well. You should have seen the look he gave me when I was teasing Yotan, dredging up bits of his scandalous past. I nearly soiled myself."

"Huhn, that's heartening to hear. Perhaps this won't be a repeat of that bitch after all."

Mickey bit back on a chuckle as he rested his head on his hands. "Come on, Jo, we saw you around him last night. Don't tell me you were still skeptical of Aya's sincerity until just now."

The cook flushed a little then flashed a guilty grin. "What can I say, my maternal instincts took over when I saw him all bruised and battered. Besides… the more I see him with Yohji, the more the two of them make sense. I still have a few suspicions though: we know next to nothing about the man and his companions, even after several days of trying to find things out. I think we should still keep an eye on them."

"I'll see if I can't talk a little with this Aya. I haven't managed to piss him off, unlike a certain person I won't mention." Teddy stuck his tongue out at his lover. "But the next question that begs attention is, what if he really is legit? What are we going to do when he leaves? I can't see Yohji just letting the man go, not if he's this serious this quickly. And if we think he's acting oddly now…"

The four of them groaned in unison. Teddy smacked his head against the wooden table they were gathered around, mentally reminding himself to whap his lover later for bringing up that point this late in the night. Now he'd be too worried to sleep. A grin spreading across his face, Teddy resolved to make sure that Koyu wore him out until he could sleep by means of compensation.

"That ought to be interesting as all hell," Mickey said. Now that was the understatement of the year. "Now for another cheerful thought. Do you think he knows what he is yet? He certainly has been acting oddly enough."

"No, I don't think so. But this Aya…." Jo shook her head. "I have my suspicions about him. He has to be something special to attract Yotan's attention like this and to keep it for more than a few days. Question is, is it special good or special bad?" When no one had an answer for her, the middle-aged woman rose to her feet. "Well, I'm off to bed then. Get some rest, boys."

The three of them wished Jo pleasant dreams and got up to wash the mugs and teapot before heading to bed. Waving at his brother, Teddy walked into his room yanking Koyu behind him. As the older man opened his mouth to complain, he shoved Koyu against the wall and silenced him with a kiss. It wasn't until they were both breathing heavily and fully erect before he pulled away. "Why is it you always bring up things I don't want to think about right before bedtime?"

"Huh?" Brown eyes stared at him in wonder then Koyu chuckled evilly. "I don't usually mean to, but you have to admit, you have to love the reaction it evokes. I take it I'm to help distract you from those nasty thoughts?"

"Damn right you better." Teddy nibbled on the Harper's ear, which he knew Koyu was exceptionally sensitive about. "And you better believe I'm gonna keep taking advantage of having a nice comfy bed available these next few weeks."

"Hmm, honey, and I thought you adored fooling around in the hay." Koyu bucked his hips against Teddy's as a pair of hands slid around to cup his ass. "But there's something to be said for clean sheets and feather ticking. What about us refreshing our memory on those points a little more?"

Grinding his groin against Koyu's, Teddy heartily agreed.

*******

Ran awoke to the sound of a husky alto singing the words to the song he'd heard last night out in the garden and the sensation of light prickling against his skin. He was resting against Yohji's chest, and the man's arms were wrapped around him. Unwilling to move, even with the danger the sunlight provided, he just lay there as a feeling perilously close to contentment suffusing his whole being.

He didn't want to move and shatter the peace. Memories of last night flashed through his mind, of an enraged Yohji yelling at him, demanding the truth. Which Ran couldn't give him, not with his sister's soul at stake. A part of him had been relieved that Yohji had discovered the truth about him and had hoped that there would be an ending of sorts before he was forced to choose between the two people that were the most important to him. He'd waited for the Guards to be called or for Yohji to strike him down himself.

What he hadn't been expecting was the pain that had ripped through him when the blond had called him a monster. The word had caused more agony than he'd ever felt at the hands of a Takatori, all because it was Yohji saying it. Because he believed it. Aya-chan had accepted what Ran was and had never held it against him the whole time she was imprisoned or had come up with her doomed plan to free him. But for Yohji to think no better of him than his masters… Ran tucked his head against his lover's chest, his eyes pricking with tears he refused to shed. He hated to cry, and hadn't done so at all since Aya-chan's death.

The song came to an abrupt end. "You all right, cat?" Ran's chin was lifted until he could look Yohji in the eye. Bracing himself for hate and fear, so sure he was that Yohji had come to his senses and reverted back to being angry and disgusted with him, he was stunned to see the man smile at him and tenderly brush back his bangs. "Get a good night's sleep?" He could only nod dumbly at the question.

"Good." Yohji bent his head down as he dragged Ran's up and proceeded to kiss him breathless. If the man had any doubts about the bond between them, he certainly wasn't showing it, especially considering the erection pressing against Ran's stomach. The tingle of magic was back, easing his fears as he was hauled upwards, straddling Yohji's stomach.

"Gods, I want you. I'm always wanting you." Yohji moaned as he shifted about on the bed until he was sitting upright with Ran on his lap. "I've never needed anyone like this before. Is it because we're mates, or what I am?"

Ran wasn't able to answer for several minutes as he found a hot tongue thrust down his throat. When fingers teased at his crack, he squirmed in Yohji's lap, causing both of them to moan. "I don't know," he breathed out.

"Hmm." Yohji's lips against his neck had Ran mewling. "Do you want me just as badly?"

"Yes." He burned with desire and want at the moment, overwhelmed by Yohji's magic and sheer presence, knowing of the bliss that awaited him. All Ran's worries and fears fell aside, a precious gift in and of itself.

"Then it's not because of what I am. Good."

The fingers were back, this time greased and more demanding than before. Ran lifted himself slightly when one pressed against him then sank back down, taking it in as far as it would go. One of his hands wrapped itself around Yohji's shaft and pumped it, spreading the slick moisture that dribbled from it over the large cock. He wanted it inside him, wanted to feel Yohji inside of him, filling him with pleasure and heat. When had this one act become so important to him? It must be the succubae-bound's influence.

Mewling softly, Ran tossed his head back as another finger pushed inside him. "Aya." He ignored the name for a moment, too lost in the explosion from those fingers brushing against that special spot inside him, making him moan and writhe. "Aya, look at me." Doing as he was told, Ran stared deep into a pair of emerald green eyes.

The emotions he found there frightened him. There was a need that rivaled his own, and something so extraordinary and powerful that he couldn't believe it possible. No one had ever looked at him like that, not even his sister. But Yohji did, and something in his own eyes had the man smiling in joy.

Yohji grabbed Ran's hand that was gripping his hip and poured a thick liquid into it. "Here." It took Ran a moment to recognize what it was, and then he traded hands around Yohji's cock, lubricating the shaft as he licked his other hand clean of bitter fluid. That caused Yohji to groan in a low voice, and Ran was tugged forward by an eartail and kissed savagely. Hands guided his hips, and he eagerly shoved downward, not even flinching at the initial pain as he quickly rose and fell again. He was used to the sensation, and knew that it would fade away in moments.

"Gods, love, ohhh, so fast." Yohji panted the words, his eyes screwed shut as he held Ran's hips still. "So tight, oh gods." The green eyes opened and resumed staring deep into his as Yohji thrust upwards. Ran curled his arms over Yohji's shoulders, fingers toying with long honey gold strands and mewled out the blond's name when his hips were tilted into just the right position.

A wicked grin spread across his lover's face. "Right there, ne?" Ran wanted to smack the imbecile, but another thrust had him gasping as sparks of light scattered across his vision. "You feel so hot and tight, do you know that? If this feels half as good for you as it does for me, no wonder you're so impatient." Talk about a stupid question.

"Yohji, shut up." The words were punctuated by mewls and hitched breath, and Ran gave up on trying to glare.

His words were greeted by a deep chuckle, Yohji rocking his hips upward to meet Ran's frantic pace, spurring it on even faster. The now familiar drain was back, but he didn't care in the slightest. It didn't matter, not with the pleasure that was filling him, coiling in his insides with heat and bliss, and the love that shown in Yohji's eyes. All that mattered was what he felt at this moment, the ecstasy and sense of being cherished that had him believing this must be a dream.

A hand was wrapped around his shaft, pumping it in time with the thrusts hitting that certain spot inside him with unerring accuracy. With lips fastened to the crook of his neck, a tongue rasped along his skin until Ran was almost sobbing from all the sensations. It suddenly became too much, and as he moaned Yohji's name, his body was wracked with pleasure. His seed pulsed out of him in waves as his head tossed back and his breath hitching. Ran was dimly aware of Yohji calling out his name as the man thrust into him deeply and mewled as he was filled with warmth.

"Aya… oh gods, that…." Ran felt an annoyingly familiar tug on an eartail as his head was jerked forward and his mouth claimed for a kiss. Grumbling a bit, he nipped at Yohji's bottom lip before parting his. He drank in the man's taste until the sunlight on his skin became unbearable, causing him to shift away and weakly call the shadows to him.

Yohji stared at him, first with annoyance and then curiosity, and Ran could tell the exact moment when the older bound realized what was happening.

"Fuck, we left the curtains open last night! Aya, I'm so sorry." He was gently deposited to the side as Yohji scurried to edge of the bed and yanked the velvet draperies closed. As soon as that was done, Ran found himself cuddled against Yohji's chest.

"Shit, your skin is all red." Large golden hands soothed the sunburnt flesh, stroking it gently. It felt almost as nice as the shadows caressing him. Ran rested his head on Yohji's shoulder as the blond continued to apologize to him.

Yohji mumbled against his temple. "I'm gonna sew the curtains on that side of the bed shut, just you wait and see. Sorry, cat, but you look a little like a cooked lobster at the moment." Ran hit Yohji in the ribs for that comment and growled softly. "Well, it's true. Gods, I'm sorry about this." The hands continued to touch him, and suddenly Ran felt a tingle along his flesh, sinking through his skin and filling him with warmth and energy. The pain faded away.

"Yohji, what are you doing?" He glanced up to see a puzzled expression on the older man's face. Looking at his shoulder, Ran was stunned to see his skin returning to its normal white.

"I don't have a fucking clue. It feels like something's draining from me, and my palm is tingling. What does it feel like to you?"

"Energy. Warmth." Ran took a deep breath as the last of the pain vanished. He felt almost as rested as he'd been when he woke up. The flow trickled to a halt, and Yohji's hand shifted to his hair, long fingers pressing against his scalp until he bent his head back for a kiss.

He let Yohji pull him back onto his lap, eventually tucking his head underneath the blond's chin when they broke apart to breathe. They remained like that for several comfortable minutes.

" I really need to talk to Cass and Schu today, see if they can't teach me to control this a little better. Did you know that succubae-bound could… I don't know what the hell to call it, feed others?"

"No." There was a tug on his eartails. "Yohji, touch the hair again and you die. Painfully." He was getting sick and tired of having the long strands yanked on.

"You won't kill me, you love me." Ran stared incredulously at the smug man. Yohji smiled at him and brushed back his bangs. "You might not be able to say it very convincingly, but I can see it in your eyes. That's good enough for me, at the moment. But don't you think you can spare the love of your life a better answer than `no'?"

"No."

Yohji heaved a deep sigh. "Yep, we're definitely going to see Cass then. _She_ at least speaks more than monosyllables and threats."

"Why am I going?" He wasn't the one who was clueless about his true nature.

"Because I want to do a little shopping while we're out, maybe show you some sights. It'll be fun." Ran narrowed his eyes in anger, not at all convinced by that argument. "You know, the place I got the cookies from has a ton of other things. Chocolates and almond wafers and truffles, and that's just the beginning. Plus, there's a bookstore not far from there."

Torn between the dual promise of books and treats, Ran felt his glare waver. Yohji just smiled at him, now stroking his cheek until he sighed in defeat. To add insult to injury, he couldn't claim to be too tired for the excursion, not after Yohji had returned some of his stolen energy. Of course Yohji had to look all smug about his defeat.

His temper wasn't helped any when he crawled out of bed in search of his clothes and only found rags. Suddenly remembering what had happened to the garments, Ran treated Yohji to a particularly evil look. This was the second of his new outfits that had been ruined, and the blond had the gall to call him impatient? Growling softly, he stalked over to the closet and grabbed Yohji's blue robe. Yanking it on as he crossed the room, he ignored the man's cries.

"What the hell am I supposed to wear down to the bath?"

"Shi-ne, Kudoh." The door slammed behind him with a satisfying thud.

*******