Disclaimer: I don't own most of the characters herein. I own General Hartham, who had to be made up because nobody mentioned in the books are as big of an asshole as he is.
Yoru: So. Hi. Never thought I'd actually do another Legal Drug fanfiction. This one is inspired by the picture in Volume 3 of Rikuo in a collar and Kazahaya on top of him.
Kuronue: Never looked at it that way before, had you?
Yoru: Oh, I thought of it some way, all right… (evil smile)
"Kazahaya, if you don't focus on your lessons, your father will be sorely disappointed." Kakei smiled down on his pupil, hiding his frustration. Kazahaya blinked.
"Huh?" he said brilliantly. Kakei sighed, and then adopted his angel-with-malicious-intent face.
"If you don't finish your lessons, your father will be angry with me. He may fire me, and then I would have to come after you for revenge." His sympathetic tone of voice did little to reassure his student. Kazahaya gulped as Kakei's face came closer to his own.
"A-and what k-kind of rev-venge would i-it b-be?"
"Revenge of the most…unpleasant kind." Kakei stood back up, smiling brightly, "Shall we continue?"
"Yes, please!" Kazahaya sat at attention, readying his pencil for notes. Suddenly a fanfare was heard outside.
"MAKE WAY!"
"Make way for who?" Kazahaya asked, straining to see out the window from his seat. Kakei went to the window and looked down on the parade coming through the palace gates.
"Apparently someone of importance." He turned as the door to the classroom opened. Mukofujiwara, the head servant, bowed low.
"Prince Kazahaya, the King requests your presence."
Kazahaya bowed before his father. The King glared at him.
"Kakei tells me you aren't paying attention to your lessons."
"Well, er, Father…"
"Never mind. Just be sure to greet General Hartham. He has not graced this palace with his presence in at least five years. He will be excited to see how much you and Kei have grown."
At that moment, Kazahaya's sister entered the throne room. She hurried to Kazahaya's side and threw her arms around his neck.
"Kazahaya! Are you doing better with your lessons?"
"Erm…"
Kazahaya was saved by the entrance of General Hartham. A large man, corded with muscle, face scarred by countless battles, General Hartham's very presence demanded obedience. He knelt before the King, who raised him up and hugged him warmly.
"General, you have not been here in so long."
"It is good to be back." General turned to see the Prince and Princess, squinting hard at them, "That cannot be Prince Kazahaya and Princess Kei?"
"It is."
Kei smiled prettily and curtsied. Kazahaya bowed, but kept his eyes on the General. There was something he had never liked about the man, something…sadistic.
"No, no, don't do anything like that. Just let me look at you. Let's see, Kazahaya would be nearing his eighteenth birthday, right?" Hartham directed his question at the King, who nodded. Kazahaya let the man take his chin in calloused fingers and turn his face from side to side.
"Goodness, My Prince, when did you get so handsome?"
Eighteenth birthday, not fifth! Kazahaya spat in his mind as General Hartham turned to his sister. Kei smiled and spun around for the man, showing how much she had grown.
"I'm going to have to beat off those suitors with a stick, I see that already," the General chortled. Kei smiled and slapped his arm playfully.
"General, I'm only sixteen! I don't have suitors yet!"
"Not long now." The General turned back to the King, who motioned Mukofujiwara forward.
"Mukofujiwara is the head of paid staff here. He will make note of your needs and have a servant take care of you."
Mukofujiwara bowed, "Is there anything wrong with your accommodations?"
"The only thing I still require is that a bolt for a chain be secured to a wall, preferably close to the bed and near the floor. I have brought a pet with me, and he's dangerous in his own right."
"Of course, General." Mukofujiwara bowed again and left the room. Kazahaya eyed the General, wondering what sort of pet he had brought.
"Curiosity killed the cat, Kazahaya," whispered Kei beside him.
"Well, what sort of dangerous animal could he put in the room?"
"Maybe only he can control it, and it doesn't like people." Kei shushed him as the King ushered General Hartham to the door and walked him out.
"I'm going to find out," Kazahaya swore.
The naked slave boy struggled as one of Hartham's guards secured his chain to the bolt in the wall. His metal collar pressed against his windpipe as he pulled, and he knew from long experience that it was useless to struggle. However, he couldn't let himself give in until he tried.
"Rikuo, you're going to harm that lovely skin of yours if you keep that up." Hartham knelt in front of his slave, smirking at his snarl. Grabbing the boy's chin, the general forced their lips together harshly. He smirked around the kiss as Rikuo pushed at him. Finally, the boy gave up, closing his eyes tightly and waiting to be released.
"Good boy." Hartham let go and stood, "You know the rules. No more struggling with your collar, no communication, no clothes, no indication that you are here. I don't want you to be a bother to anyone."
Rikuo only nodded. Hartham sighed.
"Sometimes I wish I hadn't had them remove your voice when I bought you. I'd like to hear you call me Master." Laughing, he left the room.
Rikuo curled up on the floor and tried to keep warm.
Kazahaya couldn't keep his mind on his lessons, no matter how many times Kakei subtly threatened him. Finally his teacher dismissed him on grounds that nothing was being accomplished. Kazahaya sighed.
"I'm sorry, Kakei. It's something the General said…"
"About his pet? Don't worry, Kazahaya, you'll find out soon enough." Kakei patted Kazahaya on the head, smiling.
"How do you know? Did you "see" it?"
Kakei nodded, "Yes, I did. Your curiosity will overwhelm you and you'll go find him."
"Him? Him who?"
"The pet. I know Hartham referred to it as a him, and so he is. You'll like him, I think." With only that, Kakei left the room.