This is quite literally the fine print. No one likes it, but please read.
Disclaimer: All characters, character names, worlds, and world names belong to their respected companies, authors, producers, etc. I do not benefit money from writing this story. I do not own any of the characters or places.
Warnings: This is MPREG and YAOI. I don't want flames from people complaining about this because I have officially warned you. You only look stupid when you complain about something you've been warned away from reading. Those who do enjoy these topics are welcome. As a novelist I take criticism very well. But I have no patience for ignorant people whining about how two characters are not gay in their original stories, or that it is impossible for a man to get pregnant. Yes, I know this. But this is a place for fan fiction and I can do whatever the hell I want with these characters. Do not waste my time and review space with nonsense that will only get you laughed at.
Also, please do not base my abilities as a writer on this or any of my fan fictions. They are only for fun and, in my view, are badly written. They are first drafts. No editing or unnecessary time is spent on them.
Author's Note: This note is only to explain basics for this story that will make it easier to understand. You should read this before reading the story. Though this encompasses many characters from many different animes, mangas, and games it all takes place on the planet Elicoor II from the game Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. There is a race of beings called Welves, or as the humans call them, Wolves. This race is composed entirely of males split into two groups: Seme and Uke. Uke's share many qualities with human females in that they are weaker than the Seme's. They also have the capability to bear pups. Elicoor II has undergone an upgrade in technology (in the game Fayt mentions that it wouldn't be difficult to perform such an upgrade since the planet is well developed already in its technology) so things like electricity, running water, etc. are not so far fetched. Also, as far as this story is concerned there are no executioners, there wasn't a creator. Basically this world is just another world in Star Ocean's set up. There are other more developed planets out there, but they have little to no contact with this underdeveloped planet (aside from the upgrade) just like in the game. Fayt and other lovable characters from the game were born on this planet rather than elsewhere.
The ancient Welf pack is so large that the Alpha male—Laures from Seimaden—had to split his people into sub-tribes each with a respectable Elder in charge, but all obey the Alpha. Just as it is with wolves the Alpha is an unbeatable male who has earned the respect and submission of his pack through challenges and battles between the strongest. Laures has remained the unchallenged pack leader for hundreds of years as no one can best him. His son Beele and heir to his position as Alpha (as long as no one challenges him) broke away from the pack in Greeton to find his own country to protect and create a society that he believes in as he does not agree with how his father runs the pack. Many welves went with Beele across the waters to the country of Aquaria because they believe the same way. However, most of his followers are young, practically mere pups, most barely old enough to recognize (a spiritual and physical binding to the mate they are meant to be with. Recognition is nearly impossible to escape or ignore). Still, Beele has faith that his young pack will prosper in the new land and grow just as his father's pack has grown. When the story begins Beele's pack has only been in Aquaria five years.
There are footnotes at the end of each chapter to better help understand aspects of the story as it goes along. Here is a list of each of the couples for those of you who have to know before you dedicate yourself to reading. I'm the same way; I need to know. Some names are changed a little to avoid duplicity and to fit better with the story.
Beele (Beelzebub) x Sariel from Innocent Bird (manga)
Albel x Fayt from Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Seifer x Squall from Final Fantasy VIII
Heero x Duo from Gundam Wing
Sephiroth x Cloud from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Zack x Vincent from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Walter x Leon from Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
Susugi x Jirou from Three Wolves Mountain (manga)
Soubi x Ritsuka from Loveless
Itachi x Diedara from Naruto
Iason x Riki from Ai no Kusabi
Seiji (Sage) x Ryo from Ronin Warriors or Samurai Troopers
Athrun x Kira from Gundam Seed
Kagekiyo x Yoshitsune from Genji: Dawn of the Samurai
Shiki x Akira from Togianu no Chi or True Blood
Hisoka x Tsuzuki from Yami no Matsuei
Darcia x Kiba from Wolf's Rain
Yuuki x Sumiya from Hoshi no Yakata (manga)
Tetsuya x Kaoru from Gakuen Heaven
Treize x Milliardo from Gundam Wing
Hiei x Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho
Eiri x Shuichi from Gravitation
Nishi x Haji from manga Blood+ Nightwalker City it takes place before the tv anime
Huang (Huang saw) x Douryon from manga Blood+ Nightwalker City
Schuldig x Aya (Ran) from Weiss Kreuz
Madoka x Kei from Tokimeki Memorial
Camus x Milo from Saint Seiya
Siah (Messiah) x Chihaya from Earthian
Kazuma & Tachibana x Ryuho from Scryed
Kouyuu x Ryuuki & Seiran from Saiunkoku Monogatori
Victor (Delacroix) x Sieg from Chaos Legion
Dark x Link from Zelda
Laures x Tetius from Seimaden (manga)
New couples I've more recently decided to add:
Ryuzaki (L) x Light from Deathnote
Emba x Yuuen from Wild Rock (manga)
Koumei x Rikuson from Koutetsu Sangokushi
Possibly Kaname and Zero from Vampire Knight and Vampire Knight Guilty, Yuber and Percival from Suikoden III, …. and I know there must be some more…I'll think of them.
I am open to suggestions for more couples. But I reserve the right to decline no matter how many people might suggest the same couple. If there are ANY characters on this list you do not know you should look them up and you will probably agree with my opinion that they are hot, sexy, and/or adorable.
PLEASE READ this at least: I have tried to keep personalities and mannerisms of these characters intact, but it didn't always work considering that there is nothing they care more for than their mate once they have recognized. If you know any of these characters very well you know that that might go against what we know to be their character. In my defense, too many of these characters are the "dark, mysterious, cold, stoic, quiet" types, and after a while, especially with so many of them together in one story, that can get very repetitive and boring. So, please do not flame or argue about OOCness, ok? I realize, I understand, I know. It just doesn't make a good story. I'm sorry.
And now that all the pleasantries are out of the way, here's
Chapter One
Beele was proud and quite fond of his young pack. They were not many, but they were strong and so full of life energy. Their number failed in comparison to his father's ancient pack in the country of Greeton, but he was certain his young pack brothers could protect this country they had fallen in love with. Aquaria was beautiful and provided them with bountiful hunts and large forests and ranges to stretch their legs in. It had to be. Otherwise a pack of oversized wolves would be too easily detected. Too easily hunted out of fear.
He learned that much from his father. He sighed. Be very careful who you trust.
A gentle hand covered his and he woke from his reverie. The bonfire in the community circle made the shadows of his dancing pack twitch and flash eerily. But this was a dance of celebration. Young Fayt was of age now to recognize his mate when the two finally found each other. That is, if he was lucky to find his rightful mate. Not all Welves1 were so lucky. Especially now that his pack was separated from the ancient pack. But Beele prayed earnestly that the young orphan would recognize and be happy. Fayt had already been through so much. The deaths of his sire and bearer devastated his spirit. That was why he took all who would come and broke off from his father's tribe. Callousness often led to foolish mistakes and Fayt's parents were only two of the victims of his father's more recent failure.
That was five years ago. Who knew how many others have suffered since?
Beele growled softly. Just thinking of it enraged him.
"Beloved?" a soft masculine voice called him from his inner turmoil. He turned his head to his beautiful mate, raised the hand that held his and kissed it.
"I'm all right, Sariel," he assured.
Sariel leaned into Beele's side and kissed the mating mark on the left side of his neck. Beele closed his eyes and shuddered.
"Nothing can be done except to make ourselves better," the blonde wolf whispered in his ear. Beele smiled. Sariel always seemed to know what he was thinking. It was a little strange sometimes but a welcome comfort when his thoughts were troubled.
Beele opened his arms, an invitation to his lap that his mate could never resist. Once Sariel was settled snuggly against his chest they returned to watching the dance. Across from the Alpha wolf and his mate Fayt danced with his pack brothers. He looked happy, and Beele sincerely hoped he was.
Behind and a little to the side of the dancing circle sat a scowling couple. Seifer sat with his arms around a dangerous looking Squall. Now there was a recognition that almost brought the world to an end. Both looked like they couldn't stand touching the other, but neither could move away either. They were from rival sub-tribes under his father's rule—the two hated each other. Each was hunting with their packs when they crossed paths. A fight erupted between the boys so fierce and angry that neither pack realized the two had recognized. That is, until the fight turned into a ferocious battle to remove clothing.
The scars from that recognition stood out proudly on their faces. Beele smirked when Seifer dared a kiss to his lover's mating mark and Squall jerked in his arms with an angry growl. Squall was a month pregnant now and irritable as ever. Poor Seifer.
Another pair sitting out on the dance was Heero and Duo. Beele was especially fond of the violet-eyed boy, like an elder brother to the younger. They shared a special friendship though they were in no way related. He couldn't be happier that it was Heero Duo recognized. Heero was quiet and stern, but it was obvious that he cared for his mate over everything in the world. And that was the way it should be. Your mate came first, the pack a close second. Beyond that was obsolete. Well, nearly obsolete. The country a pack protected was vital to their survival. It was in the pack's best interest—so really there wasn't much outside of it that mattered.
Duo rested his hands on his protruding belly, Heero's resting over them. Duo was due any day now and the pack was abuzz with bets as to the number and sex2 of the pup, or pups. The violet-eyed bearer did little these days other than rest in preparation for the birthing. The pregnancy robbed ukes of their strength so it was also the duty of the semes to protect their mates throughout their state of weakness. Heero took it to an endearing extreme, never letting Duo out of his sight for a second. Yes, Beele couldn't be happier for his beloved Duo.
Beele nuzzled into Sariel's neck suddenly—sentimentally—overwhelmed by his love for his mate. Sariel turned his head to allow easier access and moaned softly. It was a gesture not only of absolute submission to the Alpha male, but between mates it was a show of trust to expose what was most vulnerable to attack. Sariel's little appreciative noises heated his groin and he suddenly wanted to get somewhere private very quickly.
"Shall we take this to our bed?" he said in a husky whisper licking the mating mark. Sariel groaned with abandon. Several of the closest dancers turned and laughed. Sariel blushed but Beele stood proudly to his feet, his mate in his arms, a smug look on his face. The dance stopped and everyone got to their knees, heads tilted slightly to the side in submission.
"You'll forgive me for…" Beele looked down at Sariel's blushing face "our early departure, won't you Fayt?"
Fayt couldn't help but smile. "Of course, Lord Beele," he said. Beele made a show of sweeping his lover away from the community circle and hurried in the dark to his hut followed by unabashedly loud hoots and hollers.
Once the fur over the doorway fell closed and they stood alone in the large one-room hut, Sariel covered his face in Beele's neck.
"Do you have to embarrass me every time?" Sariel complained. Beele laughed as he carried his mate to the large bed of furs in the middle of the room. It was sunk down so the top was even with the floor level and Beele had to kneel to lay his lover gently down. The furs made it look rustic, but underneath was a comfortable mattress the wolf couple had bartered from a shopkeeper in Aquios. Beele leaped beside his mate and bounced against him with a wolfish grin on his face.
"But you look so delicious when you're embarrassed. Besides, it's nothing to be ashamed about. Being unable to resist your mate only proves the strength of the bond. As the Alpha it is only right that our bond be the strongest." Sariel mocked a frown.
"You're so full of it," he said. Beele only laughed as he climbed on top of the blonde. He tickled along one side of the blonde's ribs making his body jerk to the side. "You're not as irresistible as you think you are," Sariel gasped, struggling to keep his denial intact.
"Oh, really?" Beele smirked and his mouth descended on the mating mark he'd made their first night together on the left side of Sariel's neck where throat met shoulder. Sariel stiffened as he sucked and massaged the sensitive flesh with his lips. When finally Sariel could breathe again he moaned long and low. The sound went straight to Beele's groin and he panted hot breath against the mark. In turn Sariel squirmed beneath him.
"Am I still resistible?" he asked sucking again on the mark. He pulled Sariel with him into a sitting position, Sariel's legs automatically wrapped tightly around him.
"Nnn, your charm overwhelms me," he said breathless. "But I can play, too." And then his mouth found the mark he'd made, nipping, licking and sucking skillfully. Beele groaned under the gentle attack. They kept at it, each trying to drive the other beyond their limits until both were painfully aroused.
"Enough of this," Beele growled shucking off his robe and quickly helping Sariel to do the same. Then he paused as he always did marveling at the naked, radiant beauty of his mate's body. He lowered Sariel slowly onto his back and they each beheld the other in a kind of reverence. With a loving kiss Beele slowly entered his lover, needing no preparation. Sariel's body was always ready and open for him.
Their love was slow and even, a sacred thing between them. They never wanted it to end; to make it last into the eternities was their goal. They trained their patience and durability each time until it was unbearable before they could allow it to end. This time was no different. Beele kept the slow pace though his body wanted to quicken with his mounting need. Sariel did not beg though he whined softly in his mate's embrace, legs drawn up and resting against Beele's sides.
The heat and passion grew until they could bear it no longer.
"Beele?" Sariel whispered his eyes almost agonized. Beele nodded and quickened his rhythm, taking Sariel's stiff member in one hand and stroking in time with the deep thrusts.
Sariel's mounting cries carried Beele with him to completion. With one final thrust Beele buried himself deep within his lover, emptying his seed with a sharp cry. Sariel clutched his mate's body to him as his essence3 spilled between them. And they stayed that way lost between a sweetest moment and its terrible loss. Knowing they could have it again was the only consolation.
They bedded down for sleep, neither noticing that the celebration outside was long over.
Beele was about to succumb to sleep when Sariel whispered his name.
"Beele?" Beele raised his head to see his beloved in a state of torment, tears glistening in their paths down his face. "Do you think this time…?" he whispered.
Beele placed his hand gently over his mate's stomach, his emotions carefully controlled in the presence of Sariel's distress. His mate needed him to be strong in this.
"We will pray as always. We will never abandon hope," he said and kissed his lover's closed eyes into sleep.
Fayt enjoyed staying with his cousin. There was always so much going on. Beele and Sariel took it upon themselves to take Fayt in when his sire and bearer were killed. A kindness he would be forever grateful for. But on night's like this he gave them their privacy and stayed with Shuichi and Eiri and their little family.
"Ow!" he said surprised when a small leather ball hit him in the back of the head. He turned to look at the five guilty little pups—each face holding varying degrees of joyful slyness. Fayt smirked. "Why you little—" he made a move toward them and they screamed and squealed running in different directions. Ultimately they all fled to their sire who was trying to make the bed for his pups to bed down and give him a moment's peace. They latched onto his legs and back giggling for him to save them.
Eiri growled in frustration. "Fayt!" he turned his icy glare to the blue-haired boy. "I'll thank you not to encourage them. It's already long past their bedtime."
Fayt tried to compose his face. Smiling would only make the blonde angrier. "In my defense they attacked first."
Eiri growled again. "Yes," he looked into the five little faces looking up at him and he smirked. "They are treacherous." Five little faces smiled. "Come, my little monsters, bed down." They moved as one to the fire-warmed furs and curled up with one another. They knew better than to argue once the bed was laid—of course until that moment they could do what they pleased. Eiri kissed each forehead with a whispered 'good night', and then joined Fayt on the low couch.
Eiri could be cold and seem insensitive, but Fayt knew there was not a more proud or loving father. Eiri closed his eyes and sighed. Fayt glanced around the small hut. There was a small room in the back corner for a bath and toilet. Next to that was a small kitchen area and low table for eating. To the right of the door was the couch they sat on, to the left of it was the crackling fireplace. In the middle of it all was the bed of furs which had to be put away each morning to allow the family to move in the small round hut. It didn't seem to bother them to have such a small home for a large family. In fact it seemed to only magnify the love that was shared within its walls.
The air soon filled with the sound of soft snores. Fayt smiled.
"Damn it, Shuichi," Eiri growled under his breath.
"Where did he go anyway?" Fayt whispered.
Eiri was about to answer when he turned his head to sniff. Without another word he was on his feet and out the door. Fayt winced. His cousin was in for a tongue-lashing.
Outside Shuichi walked slowly down the dirt lane, a small brown bag in his arms. It was completely dark out but for the light of the quarter moon and all the huts were dark, their owners asleep. The purple-haired4 boy was almost home when Eiri stormed out, a look to kill in his golden eyes. Shuichi stopped in his tracks.
"Eiri?" he said stunned. Eiri grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Why did you sneak out like that?" he demanded.
"I just—"
"You are not to go anywhere without me. Do you understand me? We have been over this a thousand times."
Shuichi's big green eyes watered, his face pained. "Eiri?" he whimpered. Eiri sighed and pulled his mate into a tight hug. "It's such a short walk," Shuichi moaned.
"I know," Eiri whispered.
"You'd trust our pups to go there alone," Shuichi cried softly. Eiri frowned and hugged him closer.
"Shuichi, listen to me," he whispered in his ear, and then looked him in the eye. "It isn't a matter of trust. It's a matter of your accepting that you cannot do everything you used to anymore. If anything happened I couldn't bear it," he rubbed his thumb gently over Shuichi's cheek. "Please," stern golden eyes pleaded.
Shuichi nodded and Eiri kissed him deeply.
"So, what did you get?" Eiri asked as if he couldn't have smelled it from a mile away.
"Honey cakes," Shuichi exclaimed his excited spirit reclaimed. "Tsuzuki makes the best!" Shuichi dug in the bag. "He even makes them bite-sized now," he said pulling one out and putting it to his lover's lips. Eiri took the sweet cake and chuckled.
"They are pretty damn good," Eiri agreed.
"I've been hungry for them for weeks now," Shuichi said as he popped two in his mouth and mmm-ed.
Eiri's face grew serious again.
"Did you get a chance to see Seiji?" he asked.
"He'll see me first thing in the morning," Shuichi confirmed and took Eiri's hand in his with a light squeeze.
Seiji was the pack's healer and a gifted one at that. There wasn't anyone else Eiri would trust with his mate's health anyway. Especially after Shuichi's birthing. Shuichi had been pregnant with their five pups, a number unheard of since three was the highest of any birthing. The pregnancy alone was extremely taxing on the young wolf bearer. When it came time to deliver the pups Shuichi nearly died several times over the two days it took to give birth—the longest and most terrible labor any of them could remember.
But Seiji was undaunted and stretched himself to his limits and beyond to keep Shuichi with them. In the end Eiri had five healthy, beautiful pups and a mate still as happy and beautiful as ever. However, his strength never fully recovered and he was easily susceptible to illness. It was very likely that Shuichi would never bear pups again. And even if there came a time when Shuichi was strong enough to handle it, Eiri probably would not allow it. He never wanted to go through that again—never wanted to put his mate through that again.
Shuichi shivered and Eiri wrapped an arm around him pulling him into the heat of their home. Fayt looked up when they walked in and Shuichi smiled.
"Hello, cousin," he said softly.
"Hello," Fayt answered. Shuichi offered him one of his precious honey cakes, but Fayt declined. "You need all you can get. You're too skinny." Shuichi scoffed and placed the bag on the counter.
"The little ones will find them tomorrow and they'll all be gone anyway," Shuichi said with a fond smile. "Sorry cousin," he continued as he lay down on the bed furs, his head close to that of his pups. It was obvious that his short walk had exhausted him. "You must be tired. You did not have to wait for us to bed down." Eiri lie down behind his mate and drew him close. Fayt shrugged his shoulders in answer. Shuichi opened his arms to him. "Come here, cousin."
Fayt crawled next to Shuichi and snuggled in against him. Eiri pulled the blanket up around them and they quickly drifted off to sleep.
Heero woke from an unpleasant dream. In it he could hear his mate whining with pain, but no matter how frantically Heero searched he could not find him.
His eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness of the hut. Through the loft's window just above the bed he could see the first lighting of the early morning. Then he sniffed the air and stilled. His mate had left the bed some time ago; he did not need to look beside him at the empty space to know that. He got up to dress, his movements slow and casual. He was not worried. Duo often woke early to make herbal tea to calm his stomach.
As soon as he started down the stairs he smelled a new scent and his heart stopped. Blood. He raced to the ground floor all the while calling Duo's name. There on the floor of the kitchen was Duo lying on his side, his legs drawn up as far as his belly would allow.
"Heero," Duo whimpered when he opened his eyes and Heero hurried to his side. There were fresh and dried blood smears all along the insides of Duo's thighs and a small puddle pooling around him. "My water broke a little while ago and then I started bleeding. I couldn't get up—"
Heero softly hushed his mate. "Forgive me for not waking sooner." He leaned down and kissed his forehead quickly. "But I'm here now. Everything will be fine." Heero was actually quite panicked. How long had his mate been cold and bleeding on the chilled floor? He gathered Duo carefully into his arms and carried him to the furs lying in front of the long dead fire. He was in the middle of making his mate comfortable when he heard a small knock on the front door frame.
"Heero? Duo?" a young voice called out before pushing the fur aside and stepping in. Ritsuka stopped short when he saw Heero. "Sorry," he said quickly. "I was on a walk when I heard yelling and I thought I smelled blood—" Ritsuka's eyes widened when he caught sight of Duo and the blood. He looked to Heero, his lower lip trembling.
"Is he going to be all right?"
"Thank the gods you're here, Ritsuka," Heero smiled relieved. "Fetch Seiji, please. Quickly. Tell him Duo's gone into labor."
Ritsuka nodded frantically and was out the door in a blur.
Heero turned back to his panting mate. He pulled the night shirt up and over Duo's head leaving him naked on the furs. He rubbed comforting circles over the tightly contracting belly and smiled bewilderingly down at his mate.
"I cannot believe it's time," Heero whispered. Duo chuckled softly. Heero turned and gathered wood for the fire then cast the simplest fire spell. The flames were blazing and re-warming the hut in no time.
Meanwhile Seiji was just waking to a pleasurable sensation. He moaned and heard a soft chuckle come from the area of his mating mark. He opened his eyes to the hut he shared with his uke mate Ryo. He could see the darkened outlines of the furniture around the room. He guessed it was in the fifth hour of the morning—if that. And Ryo, it seemed, was in a particularly good mood.
"Good morning," he mumbled to his mate whose face was buried in his neck, licking and teasing his mark. "Mmm, Ryo, it's too early."
Ryo pulled away and smiled down at him, his midnight hair falling to tickle Seiji's face.
"It's never too early for this," he said and leaned down to his mate's lips. Seiji was finally waking enough to steal back control and his tongue delved into Ryo's hot mouth. Ryo hummed and settled his body so he straddled his lover, their groins rubbing deliciously together.
Seiji growled and flipped them over, slamming Ryo's back into the furs and immediately attacking his mark. Ryo arched his back and moaned loudly.
Just then there was a frantic pounding at the front door. Seiji immediately pulled back and turned his nose in the direction of the front room to sniff. Beneath him Ryo sighed. Seiji looked down at his mate apologetically.
"It's Ritsuka. He wouldn't bother us unless it was urgent," he explained and Ryo nodded. He never got angry when this happened. He understood and was quite proud that his mate was so important. He watched the lean muscles move as his mate dressed. Seiji turned at the door. "I am sorry," he smiled faintly at his mate. Ryo languidly stretched and waved him off with one hand and a yawn. Seiji looked truly reluctant to leave watching the tanned naked flesh of his mate arching and stretching atop the furs.
Then the knocking pulled him out of the bedroom and into the main room he used as a small clinic. As he bent to gather his bags, he called, "Come in, Ritsuka." The boy tossed the flap aside and hurried in.
"It's Duo," he said quickly. "He's gone into labor." Seiji nodded. He expected as much.
"Ryo?" he called over his shoulder.
"I heard. I'll follow soon after," he yelled back already up and searching for something to wear.
Seiji turned to Ritsuka. "Will you wake Tachibana and send him to Heero's hut?"
Ritsuka was out the door again on his errand. Tachibana was Seiji's assistant and had some skill in the healing arts. When it came to birthings he took no chances. Every little bit helped. Besides, when there could be numerous pups it was best to have extra hands to handle them.
With his supplies in hand he walked out the door then ran up the dirt lane the quarter mile to his destination.
Ritsuka ran as fast as his legs would carry him. He wasn't usually an errand boy, being the youngest brother to Beele, the Alpha male. Ritsuka, Beele and their other brothers, Haji and Kiba5 were princes in their father's pack in Greeton. Now, with Beele as the Alpha of his own young pack, they were princes still. But he didn't mind the task. It made him feel important. Besides, he and his brothers believed it was their duty to serve the members of the pack not just rule them as their father believed.
Young Ritsuka was so preoccupied with his task that he wasn't paying attention as he rounded a corner and smashed into another wolf.
"Whoa, young prince, where are you going in such a hurry?" a deep soothing voice asked from above him. Ritsuka recognized it immediately.
"Soubi," Ritsuka exclaimed, face buried in the older wolf's chest. Soubi's lean arms held him in a friendly embrace as he steadied him. Ritsuka pulled away to look him in the eye to apologize for running into him, but when their eyes met a jolt of warm electricity shot up his spine. Soubi felt the same and together they collapsed to their knees as it overwhelmed them. Not once did their eyes leave each other's. Ritsuka whined as the painful pleasure shot through him again. Soubi pulled him close, the need to comfort the young wolf suddenly all that mattered. Ritsuka clung to him, pressing his face into Soubi's neck trying to ride out the jolting pain that kept searing up his spine in even rhythm with his heartbeat.
"Soubi," he whimpered and Soubi held him tighter.
"Ritsuka," the blonde groaned. "This cannot be," he mourned and Ritsuka cried out. They both knew what would stop the pain, and knew better still that they could not do it.
Finally, Ritsuka found the strength to pull away a little. "Tachi—I have to get Tachibana. Duo, he's—he's—" Their lips were nearly touching, their panting breath mingling. Then Soubi collected himself. He would need to be the stronger one. He forced a smile.
"Then you need to go," he said.
Ritsuka nodded and struggled to his feet. Then ran away for all he was worth knowing that if he looked back he would never reach Tachibana.
Soubi stared after him a panting groan on his lips. This is impossible, he thought to himself. Ritsuka is too young to recognize. Only fifteen. Two more years before our laws permit us to mate. Why? Why did we recognize now?—When we cannot have each other?
Tachibana was lying awake enjoying the warmth of his beautiful mate's body. Ryuho was on his side facing away from him and he pressed his body as close against his back as was physically possible. His nose was nuzzled into the soft green hair unable to get enough of his uke's exotic scent. He felt so lucky to have recognized with Ryuho. The man was exceptionally strong, unbelievably intelligent and proud. But it was not an arrogant pride. Rather it was an absolute confidence in himself and his abilities. Tachibana liked to think of it as knowing your limitations, or like with Ryuho, your lack of limitations.
He kissed the back of Ryuho's head. It all would have been so perfect…if only he had Ryuho to himself. Curled into Ryuho from the other side was a loudly snoring Kazuma. Perhaps Tachibana was selfish but he did not like having to share his mate with another seme, especially one as arrogant as Kazuma. The welf really was quite the opposite of Ryuho and in many ways, himself. Kazuma was loud, obnoxious and thrived in the center of attention. Nearly everything turned into a test of strength. It got on the nerves of the shy purple-haired seme.
Because their situation was something no one had ever heard of they did not really know how to handle it. They had to come to a compromise. One that they were not satisfied with because they had to take turns with Ryuho when it came to making love. It kind of took away the thrill of spontaneity.
Another frustration wearing on their minds was that, though they have been recognized for three years now, neither had succeeded in impregnating Ryuho. As distraught as Tachibana was about it he knew Ryuho suffered the most. He hid it well, but it was clear to the perceptive seme that Ryuho was beginning to despair just like Sariel was. Only the Alpha and his blonde mate had been trying for over six years. Tachibana could not imagine the pain of a barren belly time after time for so long.
He hugged Ryuho tightly to him. Unfortunately it looked like they were headed down the same road.
Tachibana sighed and resigned himself to get out of bed and start fixing breakfast. A quick trip to Tsuzuki's and his mate would have the smell of sweet buns to wake to.
When Tachibana stepped outside he heard his name shouted from down the lane behind him. Turning he saw young Ritsuka in a stumbling race toward him. When Ritsuka was only a few feet from the assistant healer he stumbled and fell into Tachibana's arms.
"Ritsuka, what's wrong? You do not look well," Tachibana said gently.
"It's not me," Ritsuka gasped harshly. "Duo's having the pup. Seiji needs you there." Then Ritsuka winced and nearly fell. Tachibana frowned.
"I think Seiji can wait a bit longer. You, on the other hand, are suffering. Come inside." The healer started to lead the boy inside but Ritsuka jerked back.
"But Duo—"
"I do not believe Duo is in any danger. Seiji can do fine without me a few more minutes." He looked kindly down at Ritsuka. "Come," he urged. With a soft whine Ritsuka obeyed. "Have a seat," Tachibana offered a chair and then kneeled in front of him. Touching his fingers to Ritsuka's heart he began a search for overactive energy that would signify the source of whatever pain the young prince suffered. He frowned.
"Ritsuka, if I didn't know better I would say you have recogni—" he stopped short when Ritsuka looked down at him, big burgundy eyes brimming with tears. "Oh, dear gods! You have, haven't you?"
"Yes," Ritsuka sobbed.
"You poor pup." Tachibana grabbed Ritsuka in a tight hug and the boy clung to him. "Does Lord Beele know?" Ritsuka shook his head against his chest. "You and your recognized need to speak with him immediately." Ritsuka whimpered. He was afraid to tell his brother. "Until then, though…here." Tachibana rose and walked to a cupboard in the kitchen. He pulled down a few spices until he found what he was looking for. Returning he opened the bottle and held a small, dried black leaf out to Ritsuka.
"These are sage leaves. You place it under your tongue. It helps to stave off the intensity of the unconsummated recognition pain. Do not eat it, though. You only keep it there until the taste is gone. Then spit it out and put in a new one." Ritsuka held out his hand eager for any amount of relief. But Tachibana held his hand and looked him sternly in the eye. "The relief of the sage leaf is meant only for a short time. After a month or two it will no longer be able to bring you any kind of relief. That is why you must promise me that you will speak with your brother and find a way to resolve this for good. All right?"
"I will tell him," Ritsuka promised quietly. Satisfied that the promise would be kept, Tachibana held the leaf in front of Ritsuka's mouth.
"Open," he said and Ritsuka obeyed. He placed the sage beneath the tongue just behind the gums. "You put it there just like that, see?" Ritsuka closed his mouth, his face scowled at the taste, but the immediate reduction of pain made it more than worth it. He felt no more than a dull throb at the base of his spine. With a happy smile he thanked the healer. Tachibana gave him the bottle of sage and Ritsuka turned to leave.
"Oh, and Ritsuka," Tachibana began and the boy looked back at him. "You might want to tell your recognized about the sage. He's in as much pain as you are."
Ritsuka's brow furrowed with worry. Then with a nod he was gone.
Tachibana sighed as he set out immediately for Heero's hut. He couldn't help but wonder who Ritsuka had recognized, or what would become of a couple who could not consummate their bond.
To be continued...The recognition between Seifer and Squall is hot. I will post it as "Chapter 1b" as long as I get a lot of reviews. Review twice or three times if you think it will help…
Footnotes:
1 Welves are a race of men who turn into wolves on the night of the full moon: Seme's turn into full wolves, Uke's get the ears and tails of wolves. So, they will be referred to as both wolves and welves in this story.
2 By sex they mean Seme or Uke. There are on females in this race/species.
3 Uke's do not have seed and so cannot impregnate another male. The 'essence' serves only to give them the same sexual release as a seme.
4 Nobody seems to agree about Shuichi's hair and eye color. So I picked the dark purple hair that he has on the "Lyrics of Love" dvd cover and the green eyes he has in those two episodes…so there.
5 Beele is the oldest, the only pup of his bearer's first birthing. Haji and Kiba came together in the second birthing. Ritsuka came alone in the third. Beele is the only seme and is extremely protective of his younger uke brothers.