Silk

by insanechildfanfic

Leon has a secret silk obsession, D has his own secrets. And for all their intelligence and observation skills, they both cause a mess of things, as misunderstandings abounds.

2. Assumptions make fools of us all

Chapter 2 Assumptions

Author's note: I don't own Petshop of Horror, and my muses have made it clear I don't even control the story.

Summary: D view of the three months of Leon from his view. I think I should have stayed with Leon's perspective. Ah well, muses go where they want to go. Odd how I planned it to be a one shot but it didn't cooperate, so it was meant to be a two shot but well…I've decided to stop trying and just go with the flow.

Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate it. I would apologize for the wait…but well life is more important than a story.

-D-L-L-D-D-L-L-D-L—D-D-L—L—D—L—D—L—L—D—D—

A slender long finger and longer nails hand held a quill that gracefully flowed across the page of an old book. Adding to the hundred names already written, many of the names were red despite being written originally with black ink. He added more names to the already extensive list with beautiful calligraphy, writing similar to the previous handwritings. Name: Singh, Martha. Sold a white turtle dove. Crime- selfish, vain and rapist. Signed contract June...

The sound of the tinkling of the bell had the beautiful but youthful looking Chinese man paused in his writing at his desk from the corner of the pet shop, and looked up from the counter where he been transcribing his records.

A polite but distant smile had already begun to form, but quickly changed, becoming less polite and more true, though there was still some distance in his smile.

"Leon!" The more than he seemed, Chinese man greeted the new arrival, rising from he sat and placing his quill pen into an ancient beautiful wooden box made of blonde wood. "Your just in time for tea."

He waved his hand over the new entry a few times, drying the ink before he closed the book and carefully put away in his bottom desk door. It wouldn't do for the detective to catch sight of the book, even if it would unlikely for him to even tell what language it was in. He knew that if the detective had even a glimpse he was curiosity would be endless, and D was unable to lie, and telling the detective that this book was a record of all of the petshops' customers was chaos with a migraine waiting to happen.

The blonde detective had moved from the doorway and had taken his place at the chair at the tea table while D had been putting his things away. A fancy box was now resting on the table before him, and the man was leaning back, his eyes closed as he rested his eyes. A part of D wanted to ask, but another part of him, the larger part, couldn't bring himself too, instead he left the room to gather the tea, that had been patiently waiting the detective's arrival. He efficiently gathered the items, placing the tea pot back onto the stove as he headed up the pot. While he was flipping the tea cups over, his faithful friend flew to his shoulder, and perched carefully as he observed the preparation. With a smile, much warmer, than the one he gave the detective he pulled out another cup. Q-chan had to have his own cup for tea.

He pulled the tea pot off the fire once it began bubble and poured it into the three cups. Two of the glasses he scooped in plenty of sugar, the last cup he stirred two spoonfuls of sugar that the detective preferred. Starting at the cup with a completive look, he picked up the salt shaker next to the sugar, and sprinkled a fair amount into the tea.

"Oh my..." He covered his mouth with his long blood red nails, and said with a small laugh "my hand slipped. I hope that the tea isn't ruined."

Q-chan gave a look, which the grandson's count ignored; he refused to guilt for his actions. It was deserved and harmless, it wouldn't hurt the blonde detective, just made the tea flavor unlikable. He put the three cups back on the tray, along with a few treats, this time with the look of reproach in his companion's eyes he ignored his desire to 'accidently' spill salt on the food as well and carried the tray out the outer room, where the detective was waiting.

Leon still had his head tilted back with his eyes closed, he was now messaging his pressure points on the sides of head, when a clink of the platter being set on the table, had his eyes flying open. Giving the shop keeper a smile, he straighten up, he pushed the box over to the count. The count's eyes sparked and he snagged the box up and opened it to see mouth watering cream cheese and strawberry pastries and he felt a rare stroke of conscious and wandered if he should accidently knock over the other's cup to get him another untainted cup.

But it was too late, Leon had picked up the cup as he had complimenting sabotaging his own revenge and it was now out of reach. The cup was half way to his mouth, before he stopped and glanced around the room with a frown, "Where's Chris, I haven't seen him since the weekend?"

"He's out playing with the animals, I'm sure once he realizes you are here, he'll come running in." D answered, not surprised by the sudden question. It had become somewhat of a routine that when Leon realized that he was alone with the shop keeper, he tried to find excuses.

It took D a while to first notice something was off; he hated to admit it, but for once had been a lost on the detective's behavior. It started a few months ago, D knew that at least. He couldn't pin point the exact time, only knew that was when the changes had became obvious. It was very different from the detective's usual behavior. Leon had been acting strange, dodging his touch by either huddling in his chair every time he brushed past or shuffling over to the side. He also refused to look at him, instead he kept his attention on the tea cup or on the table or on the food. He always had something to stare at over the shop owner. He always had something to stare at instead of looking at the shop owner. Which, well speaking plain frankly very insulting, considering he had kings and princes fight over his attention, even other gods, and the human preferred to look at inanimate objects.

But D wasn't offended now, his brief regret was forgotten and he just hid a smile when the detective actual took a drink of his tea, and almost chocked at the taste.

"You don't like the flavor?" D asked, making his voice sound disbelieving, "it's a special blend exported all the way from a small tea shop in china, one of the best in the world."

The face the detective gave told him everything he needed to know, and D launched into a spiel of how the delicate exotic tea was wasted on him, and he should have known that he shouldn't even gave it to an American. Just should just buy cheap what the stores called 'tea' to serve him.

D had been a little concerned at first when he noticed the trend, but more than that he had begun to feel a seed of hope beginning to grow. The signs were all there. It seemed as if the time of waiting was near the end and they were going to soon be able to start the next step of their relationship.

He had been ready to call his dear detective on it, but then the very contrary man had shown up with a bright blinding smile the next day and practically song sung his greeting as he came in the door, not even snapping at t-chan for trying to take a bite out of him. Instead he knelt down and nearly gave the totetsu a heart attack, by scratching his head instead while saying, "well, hello to you too."

He had been cheerful and generous that day. Giving him a double portion of sweets and had babbled though over tea, not cursing once, before offering to play with Chris, before he had to go. It had been very confusing and not a little disappointing. He had thought for a brief moment that the detective had finally been ready. But he had mused to Q-chan as he had hand washed the china cups, after the detective had left it that just wasn't the right time. He just needed to be a little patient; obviously the detective had begun to feel the call though.

But now as he frowned into his tea cup, D was wondering if it was a fool's dream. Another sip had him noticing that the tea wasn't as good as usual; in fact it was very bitter. It didn't matter how much extra sugar that he added, the tea remained bitter, bitter and thick with dissolved sugar that turned his expensive, imported tea into sludge. That apparently it wasn't so much of the timing as the mindset. He was disappointed and felt a foolish emotion that was undeserving of him, jealousy.

"Um, D is something wrong with your sugar? Do you need more tea?" Leon asked sniggering, though there was a glint of concern in his eyes. It wasn't like the shop owner not to being drowning down his tea or his sweets, Leon tagged on, his eyes flicking over to the box half eaten strawberry cream cheese pastries.

It was foolish to be jealous of a human. They were barely of any regard. Greedy, violent and disgusting. He had to revise his opinion again. He had begun to give the human across from too much credit, D thought as he gave the detective an offended and a smile, hiding his darker thoughts, "Nonsense my dear detective, you just lack good taste."

He had begun to think that the detective being of the human race was a mistake by the fates and that he was nothing like the others. But even as the detective sat a few feet away, as ate a rice ball, the count could clearly smell the scent of herbal soap and conditioner; both more expensive and better quality than his usual quality. He knew the human kept on hand only for dates not liking to pay more than necessary when he felt the cheaper less quality stuff worked just as well for getting clean. And yet the fact that in out of the last six visits, four times he had smelled the same scent, told the count that the detective had betrayed their bond, however unspoken, repeatedly.

"It's not about good taste, I just strong sense of preservation. If I drank that syrup you call your tea, I would be in a diabetic coma."

"With what you put in your system, detective I am surprised that your poor abuse arteries haven't put you in the hospital, yet." He responded automatically, his voice pleasant as he teased the other, one hand was curled in his lap, cleaned tightly as his long razor sharp painted nails dug into the palm of his hands. The detective was right at the moment, the tea in his cup was ruined, but he refused to let him have any satisfaction.

But today was far worse. Not only was the detective covered in that scent, but his wardrobe was different. His usual appearance was in worn blue jeans, a few holes he could catch with his superior vision and a plain shirt, his only concession to trying to look professional, outside of his cheap winkled suit, was his button long sleeve shirt that he always worse. Hair in a messy pony-tail, and he was done.

His jeans were new, the color still rich, having only suffered possibly only one wash, if that and a blue silk shirt assembled his outfit, though he did admit that the hair style and the button shirt was still the same, which was good for the sake of his detective and his own peace of mind.

"Hahahaha, good one. Shi…shoot" Leon back tracked reacting even before D had time to give him that look, "It's time for me to go. Let me say bye to Chris, and then I'll be out of your precious hair."

"Oh there aren't enough words to describe my joy." D answered, with a perfect sincere smile. 'Yes run detective. Run and leave before I take you to task for the betrayal of our bond. Did you really think I would not be able see the evidence before my eyes?'

"Man you're cruel today." The human muttered, before he raised his voice "Chris! Come here, I got to leave!"

He sat in his chair as the two blondes said their goodbyes, one verbally the other mentally, and the older blonde headed out the door, with a nonchalant half wave thrown behind him, not bothered that D hadn't chosen to rise from his place as he was custom too do.

Now that his audience was gone, he gave up on trying drinking the ruined tea, and placed the cup down and grazing at the empty chair in front of him with a darker scowl. He hated to admit it, to give the words its power, but it seemed as if that the chair was the root to the bitterness of his tea, he could still smell residue of the soap covering it, and he wasn't too pleased with the reminder.

"Grandfather, what did I do to be tormented so?" Leaning forward, he let his hair fall forward to shield his face as he cried out.

The sound of the fluttering of wings alerted the shop keeper that he wasn't the only one in the room. Q-chan landed on his shouldered and q-ed. Not saying anything, just offering comfort as he clawed the silky black strands.

D peered up at his companion and gave a bitter smile, much more true that the smiles had given the detective that afternoon, "I feel like a fool. I had truly thought that he had been ready. The signs…I had believed he had been ready to accept my world, accept me. And now I see he is still so human." He sighed and sat back, careful not unseat Q-chan, "I can only pray that he won't bring her scent in here. I fear what I will do if I smell her on him."

The bat creature could say nothing that would bring his charge comfort, only offer his presence as company, and D clung to him tightly, wishing that his grandfather was actually here and not just a gift, no matter how treasured was in here instead. He needed to learn against something strong and unyielding and gain his comfort there. But he took what he could, and just stayed curled up there, fighting back the desire to comfort. The animals keeping out, allowing the count his privacy for as a long as he needed it, as he grieved, silently and tearless.

After a long while, D straightened back up, and straightened his cheongsam, making sure that the wrinkle free clothing remained immaculate, and began to straighten up. Forcing a smile on to his red lips he looked at his companion he said with a graceful shrug, "Well, we know Leon, the 'relationship' won't last longer than a few weeks."

DxL-LxD- DxL-LxD-DxL-LxD- DxL-LxD

It had been over a month since he had come aware of another woman in his detective's life and it was clear not all was well. D knew he should feel concern at the tiredness that enveloped the detective, should try to find out what troubled his spirit, but he kept his council. He took dark delight in the pain that came off him. He knew it was unbecoming of him to behave so, but he found he had little will to change his attitude. But he felt it was only fair for the human to get a taste of the pain he had caused himself.

'I don't think so detective.' He sharp gaze caught the detective licking his lips and knowing his habits, made sure he gave no pause for the human to speak.

"And I could not believe my eyes when I saw Touya-san actually setting up his booth the other day. The weather was simply too hot for anyone to want his soup, and I even told him so. I told him that it was best if he set up his stand another day, but he insisted. Claimed that despite the heat that…"

He kept their conversation light, and talked airily about the weather and other meaningless things. He was well trained and practiced on making him sound as if he was talking about something important, a conversation he really wanted to have, when it was just useless garbage. And found that trick useful now. He knew that if he didn't want the human to confide him, then he should at least give the detective something to think about, the human would use that to distract his mind from his trouble, but he was unwilling to bless the human with such a gift. The phone call from the detective's partner Jill had been very enlightening. All those missed lunches that Leon had claimed were because of a case load and in truth it was because he was gone some date! No he would not lessen the burden on his mind.

The look that Q-chan shot him, told him he knew exactly what the young kami was doing, but the shop keeper carefully avoided his graze. He wanted to be petty. Wanted to punish his mate, and if meant ignoring his discomfort this afternoon, then he would do so. He refused to care about the detective's trouble, wanting him to suffer as penance for his betrayal, especially as he still wore the evidence. His shirt and over shirt were both silk and the 'date' scent still wrapped around him.

He didn't care the next visit either. The count had received a phone call just a few hours earlier. A young man from china town, who had a job at a department store out in the city rather than the staying in his turf, had called to wonder about the purchases he been making lately. All high quality and silk, especially new sheets. Everyone in Chinatown knew what the foolish human didn't seem to know, that he was D's!

No. He did not let the detective to speak either this visit, anytime he began to try and change the conversation to the topic plaguing his mind, D just had something he needed to say, or pretended he didn't notice, and felt pleased when he stopped, and just focused on his plate and listened to the useless chatter. The rush of power and ability to punish the blonde foolish human set his veins on fire and made it unbecomingly difficult to suppress the smirk that wanted to play on his lips in delight.

D found his opinion hadn't changed on the third visit. Even if he hadn't received a phone call this time from one of his networks or well meaning friend. The silk and soap scent keeping his resolve strengthened and undeterred. Q-chan made his disproval well known, by tightening his claws in harder than necessary and giving him sharp nips that grew close to drawing blood. But he felt no guilt, his rage, feelings of betrayal and grief was still too great, and it only grew as the scent of his expensive soaps flirted around the shop, causing his nose to flare and his eyes burn unnaturally. If the detective's face scrunched up at the thick syrup taste of the too sweet tea, it was of no fault of him that he forgotten that the other disliked lots of sugar. And if the food was much too salty, well, that was no fault of his own, he had been extraordinary clumsy today and might have knocked three times the amount of salt into the food during preparation.

On the following visit when he shut the detective down again, preventing him from talking, Q did draw blood. Which the shop owner's grandson felt was completely out of line, and underserved. If anyone deserved to bleed it the unfaithful human, not him. Why should he relieve the human's guilty conscious, and give him the peace that was alluding him, when he was still betraying him? He couldn't pretend that he still wasn't dating another human, and that he just changed his soaps and had just incorporated his wardrobe with remaining silk. Did Leon truly think he wouldn't notice the silk ties and shirts he begun wearing? That no one would have told him of his ritual shopping trips where his brought even more silk, replacing his wardrobe? Oh no he knew the truth, knew the betrayal of their bond that had been committed. Saw the guilt in his eyes and smelled in his scent entwined with the hateful soap's scent. This time wasabi had been accidently added into food prepared special for the detective.

It was the visit after, his cut now healed, leaving his skin as flawless as it had been before, that the shop keeper conceded that Q-chan had been in the right to react the way he did, as he stared over his tea cup at the blonde detective.

The detective had grown distressingly pale, dark bags under his eyes showed that he still hadn't been sleeping well, and even more worryingly the human had loss more than a few stones. Making him feel guilt over the spicy dishes that had been with extra curry powder. Motioning for T-chan to redo the dish, he moved the ruined dish off his table. That he had not noticed how drastically the detective had been affected was unforgivable and was a strike against him. No matter how angry he had been, Leon was his mate. Leon was human, unaware of his status, and did not know he wasn't free. He shouldn't have punished him do to ignorance, but sought to try correct and educate him. Instead he had given into his desire for revenge, a curse that his family often fell too and hurt him.

D promised himself that he wouldn't stop the detective from speaking this time. His delight turning into worry as he sat across from his future mate, making sure his plate was kept full, and encouraging him to eat, despite his reluctance. He knew that the other had a reason to be reluctant to trust the food he served him due to his late meals. But this food was untainted, and he would make sure all the other foods he served the man remained untainted. And if he did add something else he would make sure it enhanced the taste or was tasteless, nothing that would put the man off his food, his mate did need few additional nutrients. The kami could feel his blood burn as he planned on making this mysterious woman pay for the harm she was causing to his beloved. There was no feeling of glee over the human, his human's suffering only an echo of pain that he had been very much blind to his plight.

DxL-LxD- DxL-LxD-DxL-LxD- DxL-LxD

Did his detective enjoy driving him mad?

The human had tried to speak of whatever his troubling him, and had been bushed off by D. Had ignored the very blatant hints that his company wasn't wanted, continuing to show up. But now that D was all ears and his desire for punishment halted. He changed his tune and was just content to listen or keep to light conversations, a complete turn around.

The idiotic human ignored all of D's attempts at finding at what was bothering him. Choosing to leave when the prodding became too obvious and now he stopped visiting as often. Now when the human was basically welcomed and expected, he stopped showing up. Only stopping in for a few minutes to check on his brother once or twice during the week and pick him up for the weekend. Their tea time had dwindled to a half. Not that the shop keeper could find in himself to blame the other. Constant sabotage of his food and fluffy useless conversation about nothing had not made tea time very enjoyable, and had done nothing but damage the relationship that they had begun. There had been no debates on his human laws, human stupidity, animals or talks of history and legends, only weak gossip.

And to add to his ire and rage, D noticed that soap scent still clung to Leon. For him finding out that Detective was still dating…he couldn't help but feel let down. Leon was his; he came in on weekly basis if not every other day, and sat with him, bringing him sweets as humans did for their sweethearts. He drank his tea and ate his food, trusting that it was safe and not laced with the 'drugs' he claimed he had, while they shouted, debated and conversed…and suddenly without warning Leon was stopping? Not even hinting on whom had the audacity to become between them, never a name.

It might have been unvoiced but they were together, in most of the ways. The damn detective even made a schedule of joint custody for his little brother! It didn't matter if it wasn't official, being told that he would keep Chris during the week, unless Leon wasn't working and he would keep Chris the weekend, was sharing custody. And now some woman was coming between them? He knew better to excuse it as one the usual dating habits of the detective. D knew it was serious; the detective's wardrobe had even changed. And worse this relationship was hurting him. Constant drops in weight, more defined shadows under his eyes, his skin pallor was more becoming tinged with yellow.

D couldn't believe that he actually missed the days when the blasted human shot though his doors at all of the day, shouting threats and accusation. Swearing that he would find a connected to the crimes that he committed. That he catch him purposely murdering people. That he would find the drugs and prostitutes that he had hidden in his shop. The detective hadn't been a welcome visitor, and showed up whenever he thought he caught some trap or a loophole, and now when he was welcomed again he stopped coming!

The animals smelling the tension in the air retreated so that wouldn't be noticed. One goat like creature pulling his charge quickly away after he greeted his brother and into the back room far away from the danger he could sense building.

D hadn't many customers that day, and for those who had found themselves with broken down cars, mysterious bad luck and emergencies that just could not be avoided, they had been blessed with the gods' protection. For those that had the unfortunate bad luck to have clear schedules and working cars, well...

The animals had watched at first. But the smelling the storm brewing in the air retreated so that wouldn't be noticed. One goat like creature pulling his charge quickly away after he greeted his brother and into the back room far away from the danger he could sense building.

"Yes, and remember just follow these two rules. Don't touch him during the day and make sure to feed him only uncooked meat. If you break any of these rules, I'm afraid we can't be held responsible for the consequences."

An attractive blonde hair and blue eyed basketball star, Paul Savon, a high school junior, agreed before him eagerly accepting the rare breed of cat. He of course didn't see the cat, all he could see was an image of beautiful boy. He carefully look up long enough to sign the contract and pay for the 'boy'.

D watched him leave with a cruel smile, he could already see the man's death. He would be found in less than a week, unable to keep with just the nights, and be found with his pants down and his manhood torn off, lying in a pile of blood, having bleed to death. The police would find a pile of trophies under his bed from his previous victims that he would tutor.

Julie Safe, a small black haired petite woman who had been devastated by her missing boyfriend, left all happy with her new bird, seeing the image of her dead boyfriend. Not that her friends saw the image, all the saw was their tragic friend was finally smiling again, after the bastard deserted her.

Her contract was very simple, 'Don't feed him any human food.' She would be found three weeks after her death, her room smelling of bird feces and the bird cage open, the bird gone. Her eyes would have been plucked out and her neck torn by claws. And while the police searched to discover clues, they would find the body of her dead boyfriend in her basement, where she had hid him after she killed him, three days before she reported him missing.

Their fates were similar to the other seven of the eight customers he had today. Only one customer had actually good come from where others suffered.

Greg Diseg was very fortunate. He too had left with a pet, a small hyperactive dog, seeing his best friend and crush's image. But Diseg had chosen to follow his contract to the letter, choosing to treat the dog with the best of love and care he could offer. Backing off and not following though with his desires. And so he lived. Lived to stop seeing his friend in the image of the dog, which was good as two weeks after the image faded, and he was content with his happy companion, his best friend confessed. But his story was another story, and happy fortunate accident, as D had every attention of killing every blasted human that he could. As the one human he wanted to kill, was out of his reach.

The detective arrived all too soon for the other. D's temper was still flaring evident by the change of his scent, though the human being of limited senses could not sense it. He could only see a slightly strained smile and spark in his eyes that said he wanted a fight, and he was going to get one.

Barely finished with preparing the tea as they both liked it, he watched as the tea was quickly gulped down and winced as the other fell back into old habits that he had thought he thoroughly broke him of. The first being that tea wasn't too gulped down as if it was a glass of water or soda, but tasted and enjoyed, though sipping with breaks into between of conversation. Tea time was a ceremony; a sacred art that begun many centuries ago but was dying due to ignorance and lack of culture. The delicate china was placed onto the table oddly careful with how quickly it was placed back down, the various snacks next to the pot, ignored and the other stood up with a hurried thanks.

"Not staying for dinner, then?" The 'regent' Count asked his voice soft and pleasant as watched his detective through half close eyes, disguising his true displeasure. He was beginning to lose his patience and was thoroughly quite sick of the game that was playing. D was could still feel the storm of rage inside his veins, and he had not released enough of his rage on his customers. He needed a target, the target, and the detective was not cooperating.

His detective froze half way through with putting his jacket on, before he shook his head shaking off the effects of a all too cheery tone, pretending that he hadn't just acted as rabbit in front of a predator and exposed himself, "I have to get back to the office, there's some important paper work I have to finish."

"It can't wait?" He asked airily before continuing on, it really wasn't a question, not that it was, he was getting almost daily calls from his detective's occasional partner, Jill who was also to happy to discuss his laziness and constant lunch breaks, "My you must be quite busy that you had to rush your tea and cannot even have dinner."

"There's nothing I can do about that! I barely had time to stop by to see Chris, much less tea!" Leon growled angry.

D placed his own tea down carefully, and looked directly at the officer who was looking anywhere but at him, "You must have been very busy as of late then. Chris has barely seen you more than a half hour stretches in weeks."

Leon winced and ran a hand though his blonde hair, the hidden rebuke hitting home hard, his anger that had been building changing targets "shit."

The count stopped from correcting his language just this once as he didn't want to give him an escape. Somewhere along their friendship the man had figured out how to play him. It was aggravating to be on the other side, before it was only his grandfather and his father who had the honor.

He sighed "I know."

Leon looked defeated and worn, and the count found his breath caught, and he wanted desperately to hold him and not let him go, until the look was gone and he had confessed what had put that look there, so he could ensure that it never came again. Running his hand though his hair, displacing some from its holder, "I know. But there's just so much work to be done, it's not like I can tell criminals not to commit any crimes tonight I wanna spend time with my brother."

"My dear detective," The count rose gracefully and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, and suppressed a frown at the shudder before the officer stiffened, "you have a very demanding and unappreciative job, you work long and thankless hard hours and it's hard to find time to take care of yourself. But you must also remember that being a detective isn't your only job, you have a little boy who needs his older brother."'And when I have my way, a mate who needs you too.'

Closing his eyes he nodded, "Your right, I'll try to make time. Let Chris know I said goodbye." Before he shrugged off D's hand and walked out the shop, flipping the sign from closed to open automatically.

D was left standing there watching his back unsatisfied and concerned. That had been the shortest arguments in all the time of meeting and the detective had given in too fast, his anger today a pale imitation, before he had raced out of there as if he couldn't get out there fast enough. He was unsure it was because he was uncomfortable of the topic or he just didn't have the energy to try hold out for long. His weight loss still hadn't been resolved, the short touch had felt only bone with skin spread thinly, and the circle and bags under his eyes had grown more pronounced.

Clenching his fists tightly to the point of breaking his nails, he stood glaring at the door, before he let out a growl that was definitely not human. Before he whirled around and began striding towards the bird cages, who started shifting uneasily as they were faced with an angry master

Leon had been acting odd long enough. And D had loss any remaining tolerance, his patience had run out. Enough was enough. He wanted an identity and he very close to sending out one of his animals to find out the identity of this mysterious woman that had been destroying his will. He wanted that woman to know just who Leon belong too, and how pleased he was for her to be causing this much trouble for his detective that his health was declining. He knew it wasn't stress, or at least not job related stress as the detective had tried to paint it as.

It was funny how life worked. How time changed one's perspective and tore their careful plans to shreds.

There was time when mere mention of the blonde detective had driven him to the point of such fury that he was ready to do more than suggest the detective get a pet and force him to sign a contract. Uncaring if Leon was evolved enough not to fall like the others. Yet when he was so enraged that he was ready to throw his tea cups at the detective when he couldn't even think straight and was ready to forget all dignity and launch himself at him, show him what his nails could really do…Leon would give him a sheepish but sincere smile or give a brash apology and offer a box of sweets, or would show up the next time holding a lost or injured animal, asking him for help, worry clear on his face. And D would find himself softening once again to the detective letting his anger fade. This time D was at the point he knew not even a sincere apology could calm him, no nothing but a complete explanation would suffice, and even then, D wasn't sure if it would save the detective, in fact he highly doubted it.

D hadn't expected much when he arrived in Los Angeles those few years ago. He certainly hadn't expected to find his mate in this city. Los Angeles was just the same as the other cities he had visited. And in truth this place had seemed even worse than many he had gone too. The humans here just as foul as they did elsewhere. They constantly reeked of chemicals: chemicals in their food, chemicals in the air, chemicals they sprayed all over. Humans were also bad tempered, aggressive, inherently selfish and cruel. It was one of the many reasons he had incense always burning, even when his store was closed. And here Los Angeles was over filled with humans. Crowded and jammed together, making the stench grow worse, as they tried to outdo themselves in stupidity.

When he arrived he had planned on getting as many contracts signed as possible and watching the fallout. Yes a tiny part of himself hoped that at least some would stick to the contract and be changed, but he held little hope, often there were no one in a city who came to his shop and passed. In truth he cared little for humans and if they committed genocide as they were heading towards, he doubted he would mourn them with anything but pity and contempt at their end that their arrogance had brought them to. It was for the sake of his pets that he hoped, the animals held out for hope each time, and found themselves bitterly disappointed. He rarely felt anything at all but maybe satisfaction and even that was far in between.

He had arrived in Chinatown, setting up his shop calling it the same name his grandfather had used when he first began their business almost a millennium ago, 'Count D's Petshop' and followed his lessons well. Meeting with government officials and high officials, charming them easily, he had learned from his grandfather that connections with influential humans made things smoother and kept their path clear.

And when it came time to open his shop, he greeted his first customer with the same greeting that had always been used with slight variations, "Welcome to my Petshop. I am Count D. This is china town, a mysterious place with many rare and valuable commodities. Tonight, you shall find something you desire. We have everything from dogs to cats to birds to insects to reptiles. What can I do for you?"

He didn't bother counting how many customers came into his shop, the ones that he needed to remember, had signed contracts and he could always see what was happening with the contracts. They were flies anyway, short life spans and pest for their entire life span, making a nuisance and driving many to stalking them with a fly swatter, to speed up the invertible and stopping them from spawning.

When he had first met the detective had been an interesting experience, nothing of course really intriguing, but it had been a break from monotony. The detective had been just another futile lawmen seeking to link him to the mysterious killing to the even more mysterious shop owner.

"There have been a string of unnatural deaths. All the victims were customers of this petshop." The human had began, his eyes narrowed, desperate to find clues, "I hear the petshop is a cover and your real business is the human trade…drug dealing, and Chinese terrorists." He looked around the shop before looking back again, "The pet shop is suspected of selling animals prohibited by the Washington Convention."

To be frank, at first Count D had to admit that despite his loudness and coarseness the blonde lawman wasn't a complete loss, he had after all connected the animal killing rather quickly to his shop. Through D hadn't really expected the cops to connect him, especially so quickly, but he had been easily prepared when he had faced the young blonde detective. The cover part of his business an amusing venue, but not something he was remotely interested in, and he was amused by human's creativity and stupidity.

"You must be mistaken. We do not handle such species here." D had answered back, turning his back on the detective, finished with the conversation, and not feeling like playing this one.

"It's not worth discussing with you. Where is the owner?" The rude and at the time nameless human had demanded.

"I'm afraid my grandfather is out of town." The last location he had been aware of his grandfather had not even been on the same planet or plane. "I am tending the shop in the meantime."

When's Leon line of questioning had got him nowhere, along with his demands, the man had pulled out a box of chocolates.

Eying the sweets, he had been amused as the Detective hadn't been the first to bring him gifts, though he was the first detective to use it even as he threatened. He had invited him to have tea enjoying that he would have company for a time, he did miss his grandfather dearly, even if a human, especially this one, was a poor substitute. But the scenery hadn't been so bad. The human had little longer than shoulder length blonde hair that he wished to yank free from that pony tail. He was fair skinned, not as pale as he was of course, but paler than he expected a Californian to be. And his eyes were a unique shade of blue, changing shades with his emotions.

He had served him tea over his reluctance, hiding behind a polite smile and allowed him ask him all the questions he desired too, while he smiled at him and enjoyed the chocolates. With how quickly the count had destroyed the detective arguments, using similar arguments that triumphed so many other lawmen who had tried to link him to a crime.

Then to prove that he was law abiding shop owner, he even went as far going to meet with the chief and the mayor to let them know he was all too willing to be helpful, and completely unconnected to the crime that the detective was trying to link him to. D had went though the same dance routine he had done the few times the 'lawmen' of the time and country he was in, had connected the shop to the animal killings. Pretending that he was a humble but harmless eccentric shop owner of domestic and exotic animals, who was lucky enough to be connected with the higher up. He known there would be nothing to be found to connect him, and even if there just a small chance there was, he had a signed contract proving that the legalities were taken care of, and that his shop was not responsible for the breech in the contracts.

He had not thought he would meet the detective again after the humiliation he had suffered. He studied enough of humans to know that humiliation was something they could never tolerate well, and it was worse when they were men. He was sure that he had seen the last of him, positive that the man would hide and lick his wounds after the heap of humiliation. But sure enough, the detective had busted though his doors shortly after he felt another contract break and the consequences released.

Count D hadn't counted on that addition to his loud and brash personality, he was stubborn to the fault, and determined that he was guilty of multiple crimes. Which he thought was a rather an unfair accusation he had never forced his clients to break their contracts, and even warned them that he nor his stores would be accountable if they did. And he knew that this man especially was too blind to ever see their true forms and would only see their animal forms, so he was safe. And he was no drug dealer, he didn't sell prostitutes and his dealing with the mobs was limited to them being customers.

Every visit that brought the detective flying though his door, with more accusations or questions, he had carefully disguised his irritation and offered the detective tea, accepting the sweets graciously, knowing that they were meant to be a bribe, and that it was useless except for his enjoyment. This second meeting and quickly revised his opinion of the blonde, he couldn't understand how he had even thought for a second that this human had enough intelligence to survive walking do the street much less find connections that few had found before, and certainly not as quickly or persistently.

His dark amusement faded quickly though when he realized one of the reasons that the detective was coming back. One of their earlier meetings, their hands had met as the human had picked up a pastry and he could feel the jolt of a connection.

His scream of rage once the human had left had shook the shop and sent animals fleeing. That brutish, stupid foul disgusting beast was his mate! Never! Never, he vowed. He would rather follow his father's footsteps and kill him than let thing touch him with his grubby bloodstained hands.

The only thing stopping him from killing him the next time they met had been not wanting his grandfather to suffer though another one of his families insanities. The thing was human he would die soon anyway, and he was a kami, all he had to do was last half a century, and he would be free from his burden. Probably not even a half century, he was detective after all, a brutish, loose tempered one at that, he probably wouldn't even last another ten years. No, he would not suffer the punish of the furies, reserved for those who kill their mates, as his father suffered, no he would simply wait it out. He would refuse to bond, he doubted the thing was even sensitive to even notice a beginning bond, and so the cycle would end, and he would be free to be mated with another. He would be like his grandfather and wait for a better mate.

Mostly manners, tradition and cruel delight at the knowledge that he would never suffer it as mate, had him allowing the detective back in his shop. Accepting the sweets now as payment to endure the lawman's presence as tradition demanded. While he had no attention of accepting the thing as his mate, he couldn't deny him the right of his presence if he sought him, by the laws of their people.

He gave insincere smiles and empty gestures every time the detective entered his shop. But the large part of the reason he allowed him back, was because he had accepted that nature had sent this boar of a man to him. Surely this was natures' way of showing him the dangerous path he had begun treading. He had begun to question his dedication for his family's cause and had wondered if the reasoning was sound. But the more time he spent in detective's presence, no matter how reluctant, helped bring him back to the right path. He had been given this thing has his possible mate to show what his fate looked like going the path he had been starting to go down.

The detective was crude, uncouth, vulgar, ill-mannered, violent, constantly smelled of foul cigarettes, foolish and blind. D had taken delight in masking his insults, in rousing the man's temper, truly loathing this thing. How could nature even try to suggest that it was his mate? It was absurd. Truly Orcot's only redeeming values was his fair looks, he was fetching with his blonde hair and blue eyes, and his willingness to bribe him.

This Leon Orcot had been a living example of humanity, and though ill planned, D had focused all of his ire, plots, hatred and reasoning's on the detective, the very truth of humanity. He played the game of taunts, insults and manners all tied up gracefully and disguised well that he would not shame his people with his conduct.

The legends of his people had told of his mate driving him to the depths of desire, would set his blood on fire, would make him blind to anyone else and be driven to protect him from all harm and he found that the myths were truly misleading and just tales told by romantics and believed only by the gullible. The only desire the thing invoked in him was the desire to kill him. His blood burned, but it burdened with his hate. And what kept him alive was only because he couldn't kill him yet, without suffering the furies' curse.

Waiting until his greed and lust came too much and D could sell him one of his precious pets, for that was one contract his mouth watered for. Oh he wanted so badly for that day to come, but he summoned his patience and told himself that the wait would make it all the sweeter. Months past and forced him to grit his teeth and clench his tea cups, wishing he could add a little something extra into the detective's cup. Wondered if that would count as killing him as he didn't do it by hand. But he knew that this thing was the very thing the embodied human's true nature and he wouldn't have much longer to wait. The thing's own nature would trap him and bring about his own end.

The detective would fall like the other lawmen. They all thought themselves beyond reproach, incorruptible, good men and loyal to the law. That they were somehow above other humans and distant from them, wiser and beyond reproach both by ethics, morals and law abiding. Yet when it came clear that they couldn't find any law that could touch him. That the centuries he and his family had spent learning all the humans' law and then twisting it until they were in bounds of the law, and left them uncatchable. And when the law couldn't do it, they threw away their morals and attempted to take their own justice. Proving that they were all too human, just as greedy, selfish and rash and corrupt. Even worse, because they hid their nature behind self righteousness.

Yes the thing would fail, and would give him the means to take his life. He couldn't touch it yet, but the minute he sought to use violence against him, he had the right to take it's pitiful life…was expected to.

To make the game more interesting and speed the invertible along, D began to make sure that there were hints of his involvement with the pets he sold. Not enough to make him a suspect, and certainly nothing that would be able to actually tie him to the crime. But he knew that the human was intent on him being the culprit and would jump at any slightest hint. He initiated an allure to call on the dredges and rich of society to his shop, making sure that they people that the cops would want to solve due to either criminal connection or connection to money and power. The people that would answer the call would be those with greed more obvious than the rest of the humans, who desired power and had no allusions of their morals, long since shredded their ignorance of their true nature. Where before the deaths might have given him the slightest satisfaction, but mostly left him untouched, he now felt dark delight every time he felt a contract break. Knowing that the detective would be driven mad each time he came across the with the results of the consequences of breaking their contracts, as he would never be able to solve them, to perfectly protected with his contracts and staying in the bounds of 'humans' laws'.

He fought hard to be patient and tolerate the human for just a little longer, to let time take its toll, rather than reach out and just snap his damn neck.

Oh, and the temptation only increased when the torsou was added to his shop. Tetsu was more than eager to make the detective his meal, and D was more than willingly. But he knew that his grandfather would never approve and that there was a chance that the furies would see it as him laying hands on his possible mate, by giving approval. The thing wasn't worth that, just a little longer, then he would be free.

The arrival of the detective had broken up his monotony though, as he had hoped he would, even if he had done much more thoroughly than he would have liked and he was appalled that the fates were so cruel. The human was a whirlwind, bursting unbidden or desired though his door with accusations and threats, determined that this was the day he would prove that he was guilty, only to end up watching D enjoy his sweets while they shared tea together and discussed what ever came to mind, whether it was the news, a book, art or just random things about their day.

D had learned reluctantly exactly how the lawman like his tea, and which was his favorite and which one left a bad taste in his mouth, how much sugar and cream to use. He had learned that he would come once or twice a week and that it was better for him to keep his calm and gather patience if he just gritted though the interruption. Just kept repeating his new motto 'it's life is short, it's not worth the price, it's life is short, just a little longer.'

D found himself consistently both amused with the detective and infuriated. He had never met someone who was so contradictory. He constantly insulted his clothing, referring to them as dresses despite his constant corrections, muttered about his obsession with tea, threatened him, insinuated that he was a criminal, which while held some truth, but none of which he accused him of.

To the counts embarrassment and fury, he had begun to adjust to that routine, as months went by. And detective had turned into 'my dear detective', taking enjoyment in his spluttering. He even found himself giving more sincere smiles when the detective arrived at his door, all to ready to close the shop and enjoy some tea with him, and even answer the accusations and questions that followed. He might have hated all that the detective represented, especially his possibility but the detective started easing his loneliness, with his interruptions, gave him something to look forward to. He knew it didn't mean anything after all; he didn't even have to repeat his motto very often.

He had been darkly amused to notice that "his dear detective" was softening towards him. Wondering idly if it was due to him sensing the possible bond that would remain that, if he had any choice after all.

But of course Orcot and the fates couldn't have that, and his dark amusement had turned into alarm when he but all shoved his little brother into his arms, acting as if he was some daycare, while he worked. D had absolutely no desire to deal with a human for hours on end, especially one that was of the same cloth as the detective. Even more than one who was the same coloring and type, a mirror of the detective just younger. He had more than enough reminders of it, and didn't want anymore.

And just to prove that he was the detective's brother; Chris decided to add more chaos to his world when he kicked T-chan in the stomach. Revealing that not only could he see their true appearance and hear them, but that was all he could see. He couldn't see their animal appearance. And while D had theories of how some of this possible when he found out about Chris' voice, he knew that humans had to already have the potential to see and hear already there.

Chris had managed to worm into his heart when he realized that the mute child could communicate to animals and even see them in their true state, actually could only see them in their true form. He didn't see or know they were animals. Which only added to the mystery of his detective. He had been around humans long enough to know that the gift ran in the family, if one member had the potential then it was likely assumption the family did. Which meant that the detective was another potential, if he couldn't see them yet. And he did see signs that Leon was indeed sensitive, when he had been drunk he had seen them clearly, been dragged into dreams, and occasionally remarked on something that he shouldn't have heard or seen. But then would act as if the count was the one who was crazy and just dismissed any irregularities, which most humans did, but at the same time, accepted D had something to do with it, even if common sense that the humans followed, said it wasn't possible.

The lawman was a constant contradiction. Refusing to be labeled and put in a category, and would be contrary just for the sake of being contrary. He ignored any proof that would turn his attention away from the Count of being the culprit, insisting he believed he was scrum and just needed to prove it. Showing no signs of sensing any bond between them except for lawman and criminal. And yet he brought his brother to him, trusting him to take care of him and keep him safe. Took time to come in and drink tea with him and eat his food despite his claims of hallucination drugs. Of course he also ignored any evidence that his animals were more than animals, even when he helped hatch a three headed-dragon which he was now, unknowingly the mother of Holon. Kanan took after her mother the most, as she even had his personality, through where, Junrei and her timid self got her personality he wasn't to positive. He knew it wasn't from him, but had a hard time believing that side came from Leon, even if his brother's personality was similar to Junrei's.

But D was beginning to see that as a part of his charm. He was beginning to understand it hadn't been a cruel trick of fate, but a precious gift. That this man hadn't been brought into his life to ruin his life and torment him, but to bring life into him. He had been following his families' path again, he had long forgotten genuine amusement, joy, grief, laughter, sorrow, fury, exasperation, anger, desire and love.

But not only did he reveal the potential, but Chris began to show D the other side of the detective. The side that he had never seen before, because he had been a suspect, one who was guilty and dirty scum. And the shop keeper on his end had wanted little to do with his possible mate. But though Chris, he saw another side of the detective, a side that had been slowly being revealed to him, but he had dismissed or ignored as a fluke, to wrapped up in perceptions.

D had seen Leon ready to take on a customer who insulted him despite that he was just a teenager. And yet the very the next week, see the same teenager being surrounded by a gang ready to beat him, and had leapt in the middle, protecting the kid. And there a few times he had been out walking though china town, and caught Leon sitting by little kids, as he kept them company. Listening to them chat and even pulled his hair out of the pony-tail, so they could play with his blonde hair that was so different from the black hair. Watched him hardly able to stop moving, always tapping his foot or waving his hands, unable to be patient, every time they had tea together, only to learn from some of his new arrivals, that he had sat for hours unmoving until the spooked child grew comfortable enough to come to him.

Seen him bluster and rage, sprouting off complaints and rants about the criminal life. Yet on some bad days sit across from him, hidden by his hair and looking down as his tea, and cry silent tears for the life he had been forced to cut short, while animals curled around him as close as they could. Listened as he mocked those who cared too much for animals, like the PETA, but climbed trees, jumped in to ditches and dumpsters, dived into bodies of water to rescue animals in need.

The detective was crude, uncouth, vulgar, ill-mannered, violent, foolish and blind, yes all of that, but there was more to him. He was crude yes but he could be gracious. Be uncouth and ill-mannered one second, and be respectful and courteous the next, helping an old woman carry her groceries and lend an ear to her woes. And while he didn't expect a miracle, though his corrections and their endless tea time, Leon was becoming more mannered and cultured, once his blustering was passed. Learning to hold the tea cup just right and not rest his legs on his furniture. Now Leon could pour the tea correctly and was beginning to learn how to make tea correctly without those silly bags. Violent, hmm yes, more so verbally and was more loud than anything else. He didn't abuse animals, ever. Never even connected a kick to T-chan, only removed him when he was bitten and he could have easily done so more than a few times. More often than not he would bring hurt or ill animals to him.

Leon was a police men; he occasionally come in bruised and bleeding, even rarer of gun residue, but he was the first to throw himself into the line of fire to protect the innocent and those he had deemed to be under his protection. Foolish he didn't disagree, but he also knew that Leon was highly intelligent. And there had been times during their tea that he would bring up a point in an argument that he hadn't noticed. Blind of course, but he had seen evidence that the blindness was fading, despite Leon's loud denials and dismissals; he had seen their true form when he had been drunk, and could now hear his brother clearly.

And slowly, unknowingly the term "my dear detective." Meant only to rile and privately mock their joke of a bond became a true and sincere endearment. Orcot wasn't just now his dear detective but also Leon too, and very much his. Somehow, somewhere done the line, when he had been unaware, the 'possible' mate had loss the 'possible'. Leon was his mate; there was none other he would accept, none other he could even think about accepting. He had been so sure that he was undeserving on being considered sentient and had believed that he could let the man close without being affected and unchanged, and had his world destroyed and remade.

The very idea of Leon's death made him sick and enraged. He would not let death have him, he would have his mate as fate decreed. The fate of his father, even the fate of grandfather would not be his fate. He would not be driven crazy by the furies' curse, because he would never lay a hand against him, and he would not be stuck waiting for millenniums for fate to bring a new mate into existence, because he had lost his previous one to death. No, Leon was his.

And while he would never lay a hand against him, or allow another to do, that didn't mean he couldn't still bring the world down in flames if Leon didn't stop playing the games he was playing, and give him the answers he sought.

DxL-LxD- DxL-LxD-DxL-LxD- DxL-LxD

*Is Leon here yet?*

The totetsu threw his stirring spoon onto the counter and glared at his blonde charge, "NO! The idiot isn't here yet; he's loud enough that you'd hear him an hour away."

Chris' blue eyes went watery, and T-chan began to feel a little guilty for snapping so harshly, and sighed. He knew Chris was anxious, it was near one and the detective should have been here twenty minutes ago. Not that he was technically late it was just the normal time the loud mouth showed up. But Chris had been driving T-chan insane with his repeated asking. He was constantly peeking his head out of the back room every five minutes, asking for his brother. And with his charge's worry on top of his worry it wasn't helping matters. He had been stalling as long as he could on setting out lunch, but if he didn't take it off the stove soon, then lunch would be ruined, but if he did…then it would make the matter settled. That the detective wasn't coming once again, and while he wasn't too fond of the loud mouth smoke scented human he had grown use to him and learned to tolerate him. He had accepted it his duty to torment the detective, and he wasn't too happy that someone had horned into his turf, without even introducing herself and that the human had let him.

"Don't worry Chris, I'm sure he will be here soon." The Count interrupted, saving the totetsu from having to apologize, Chris turned to look at the shop keeper surprised, he hadn't been aware that he was there, "Lunch is almost prepared, and you know your brother is always aware of when there is food for him to rudely invite himself too."

Chris almost smiled and was about to let it go, but still a worry nagged at him. He bit his lip for a moment, he knew Leon would be angry, but he was worried, Leon didn't talk to him about it, in fact he just grinned and shook his head and told him not to worry, it was something he ate. Maybe the count would know what to do.

He changed his mind when they were seated at the tea table, food that smelled and looked good and there still was no Leon.

Chris was urged to eat, while D was sitting in his usual chair, occasionally glaring at the clock. Torn between worry and shimmering rage as he rose up from his seat and began to dump the now useless tea and left the food for the rest of the animals if they desired it. And made sure to give a comforting smile to the worried Chris, who's bright blue eyes were once again shimmering with tears, when he realized his brother wasn't coming today either. He wanted to do more for Chris, to have the answers or another sound reason for his brother's delay but it looked like another skipped visit. D found his patient was gone, he wanted answers and he going to get his answers. He could sulk all he wanted with him, still giving him a childish payback for his own misconduct, but not when it affected the detective's little brother. The stalling needed to come to an end.

Yet, at D glanced at the clock showing that it was past the detective's usual time that he would show up, and the already prepared tea and lunch cooled, he felt anger simmering inside, at a level that he had felt towards the detective in months. The rage that had begun to cool when he saw the effect that his betrayal was doing to Leon, was now fully ignited, that his stupidity and pain was now spreading to Chris.

DxL-LxD-DxL-LxD-DxL-LxD-DxL-LxD

Chris felt upset. His stomach ached and was worried that Leon would be mad, but fear made him brave and he found himself ignoring his friends as they tried to stop him from approaching the obviously fuming count.

Lunch had passed and there had been no sign of blonde hair. It wasn't until one that the phone rang and Leon called to excuse himself from stopping in due to heavy case loads. It was the fourth time that week.

Seeing D's anger and worry gave Chris the push he needed to confess but when the two toned eyes looked at him, attention no longer on the dishes, Chris found his bravery fading and he had to stop himself from sniffling. He wasn't sure what was going on, he missed Leon, and loved it when he come for lunch at D's because he got to spend time with him and his friends. He wished to stay all the time and that his big brother would just move in with the Count, so that they never had to leave.

D looked up from his cleaning to stare at the intruder in his line of site and when he realized that it was Chris, who looked near tears, he tried to give a smile, but found his mouth was to still and uncooperative. But the failed attempt worked a little making Chris relax slightly and take a deep breath.

Trying to find his courage in the count's half smile, but still mostly afraid and unsure Chris found himself blurting out Leon's secret that he had discovered weeks ago. *Leon's been crying!*

It hadn't been his bravest moment. But he was worried about his big brother and D had been worried too. Still he a part of him couldn't help but feel sorry that he had spoken at all. Leon didn't know that Chris even knew, trying to keep it hidden, but he found out one night when he had to go to bathroom, and heard the cries.

The dishes were forgotten, and T-chan and Pon-chan stopped trying to pull him back. Their eyes wide with shock, and even Q-chan let out a squawk.

"What?" D's voice was still and very soft.

Chris gulped and regretted even spilling the secret, but it was too late to go back now. And a large part of him was relieved that he could finally tell, that his deep secret could finally be told, *Leon's been crying at night, he thinks I'm sleeping but I heard him when I went to the bathroom. He sometimes cries all night and makes him sick.*

There. It was out. His brother's secret. Now that D knew, surely everything would be okay. They might even live with the count, so that the shop keeper could keep an eye on his brother, and comfort him when he cried. Maybe even make sure that never cried again. He didn't like it when Leon cried, his brother was so brave and big, not a crybaby like him.

-DxL-LxD-DxL-LxD-

His soft shoes made little noise as he walked through the halls of the pet shop, his stride was swift and sure, and his clothes and hair fluttered as invisible wind picked up around him. The wind wrapping around him stronger as he felt his ire rise. Q-chan fluttered behind him, kept a few feet back as he followed, keeping quiet as he knew his grandson was ready to snap, and he wondered if he would be forced to reveal his secret to keep him from doing anything to rash that couldn't be undone. A small voice in his mind was also wondering if he should begin to pray for the detective's soul, for it didn't look like he was going to live much longer.

D pulled out a special incense stick out and gave a cruel smile, as he turned to the shallow bowl in front of him. Some dirt and water carefully poured into it, before he placed the incense that it hung just over it. Q-chan was flying above trying to convince him of the extremeness of his plan, but the Petshop Keeper patience was done. If the Detective was going to be stubborn, then he would force him to come to him.

"Heed my words and listen well, spirits of earth, water, air and fire! Let my words carry and be heard!" He began as he lit the incense, "Long in the darkness you have hidden your deeds, stained your hands with the blood of innocence and sank in your greed." Winds formed and circled him, ripping his robes and hair, the incense caught fire, "Well let your greed over take you, let it feed on your mind and live in your dreams. Let their dreams be tormented and their sleep lacking, let their hunger fade…"

The water began to steam and the earth shook and split open, dirt rising to join the other elements, spinning with the wind and the smoke the incense grew stronger until a small spark caught and turned into a flame, they circled around, all four elements, until a bird emerged replacing the elements. D held out his hand and carried the bird to the window.

GO!" He commanded, "Find them and bring them to me. With all haste and do not hesitate."

The bird lifted off and flew out of the window, and the young god watched with blazing eyes as it faded off to the distance. He had never understood why his father had created such a horrible smell, and had abhorred it's creation, like his grandfather before him. He had thought it had proven how far his father had fallen. But now, as he watched the bird flew, the magic still roaring though his veins, he felt closer to his father than ever. He understood now.

-DxL-DxL-DxL-DxL-

It had been days since he had cast his spell and D could not find it in himself to feel remorse. In fact he felt vindicated. While the spell had actually shown it's fruit yet, the seed had obviously planted, as D felt the presence of his creation enter the shop. Moving from where he had been knelt, preparing food for the animals, he gracefully rose and headed to the front of the store. His dark colored mouth twisted in a pleased smirk as observed from the shadows who entered his shop, drawn like a moth to the light.

The Lees. Dressed in finery and sharp suits, the head of the family and his wife stood their eyes dazed as they stood there, the bird resting on his shoulder invisible to their eyes.

He recognized them of course; he had been trained well by his father, then his grandfather. He knew that just because someone has an official title didn't mean they were in power. Such as the case as the mayor, Richard wasn't a man that they would keep in office any longer than necessary. The only reason he remained in office was heavy influential backers. The Lees had put him in office and had made sure he remained there.

Perfect.

"Welcome to my pet store, where your deepest dreams and desires come true. We have many animals for you to choose from, even some more exotic animals." He said silkily, coming out from the shadows to stand before them. "Would you like to look around, or do you already have a selection in mind?"

They of course didn't. Their minds to wrapped to think past the cloud that his creature was casting on them, and it suited the count's grandson just fine. He had already had the perfect selection in mind.

D's suppressed temper, despite his best efforts, came to head one evening. He had done his best to keep it at bay. His plan already in motion, he didn't need to try and force Leon to reveal his secrets quite yet. But seeing Chris downcast expression, had thrown his best intentions out the window.

The young kami count wasn't really sure what was bothering him the most. Leon crying, his dating at all, his avoidance of him or the fact that Chris had been caught in the midst of the storm, that the blasted human had caused due to his lack of judgment.

Didn't Leon have the common sense to get out? He was detective, didn't they learn about domestic abuse and its dangers? It all boiled up and D despite trying not to blasted his entire ire at Leon. He tore him to shreds. Blasting his attitude, his intelligence and his faults.

"If you think I'm a murderer and scum what does that make you detective?" D shot back nastily. And Tetsu who had been half rooting D on and the other half wanting to get the hell of dodge and take shelter with Ten-chan, Pon-chan and Chris, suddenly had feeling that he been rotting for the wrong team, and wasn't that just bizarre?

Leon snapped his mouth shut and took a step back, but the shop keeper wasn't in the mood for the dance and continued pressing his point.

"You bring your mute little brother over the majority of the week and leave him with what you believe to be a murderer? Really? Where is your priority or even your humanity? I bring in drug dealers and mob members. I'm a front for human trafficking, isn't that right, detective?"

The defiance that had been shinning his blue eyes flashing as his own temper had risen to defend himself from D's unusual shortness, flattered. And he looked hurt and guilty.

*Enough D. Enough! You've made your point, now enough!" Q was chirping urgently. But D was to enraged and to loss to listen to reason, right then.

"Oh yes!" D hissed, stalking the human, "You so proud and righteous, searching out for the truth that's led you to my doorstep. I'm a criminal, your just trying to prove it. I am a heartless killer and drug dealer." He swirled around the human, now circling him, "And the brave detective left his little brother in my care, entirely defensive. Was he your little bait, your little ace in the hole? Bring him here and have him find the evidence of the crimes I've committed?"

"T-that's not…not what I…"

"Shuōhuăngzhĕ!" D snapped, "Just shut up. I've had enough of your excuses and your lies! Why can't you just admit the truth once in your life? You're a coward! Admit it. You run and run, blustering and…"

Leon had grown fiercely pale and looked close to tears, unable to back up anymore blocked by the wall. Terror shone in his eyes and it stopped D dead in his tracks. Suddenly realizing how far he had gone in his desperate need to release his rage and his attempt to appease the fury that building in him ever since Chris' confession.

The silence that flowed between them was heavy and made D feel as if he was further than he had been from his intended. Leon licked his lips a few times and tried to gather his wits, his every expression and thoughts shown on his face for a moment. Before he closed his eyes and shook his head.

D knew what Leon was going to do before he even did it, and he tried to stop it. "Leon…" his voice was softer now, all trace of anger gone. It was quietly apologetic and his approach towards the detective had changed from fast and angry to slow and cautious. "Please… Please, let me help you. Tell me what burdens you."

Leon shook his head, "I'm just…there's nothing you can do to help D." His voice was just as soft and quietly apologetic, "I'm just tired, is all."

"I don't…Chris…" D found himself in a strange state of tongue-tied and it wasn't something he often was. In fact, he could only remember a few time he was in this state and they all occurred due to Leon.

The blonde detective shook his head, and smiled faintly, his eyes bruised "No. I…I wouldn't leave Chris here if I thought that you would ever endanger him. Whatever I believe and know about this shop and its activities I know you wouldn't harm an innocent little boy."

D found himself still speechless, the coherent state that he had begun to regain, gone at the acknowledgement.

Leon swallowed, his adams apple wobbling, "I need to get back to work. If you could say good bye for Chris for me. Tell him I'll make it up to him the next time I'm around. I'll make sure to stay for dinner, next time."

The blonde cautiously moved away from his section of the wall, grabbed his jacket off the arm chair and was out the doors before D would regain use of his voice.

The Count was left standing alone in the sitting room of the store. Turning slowly around, D's graze landed on the tea table where their tea cups waited still untouched from a few sips, long cold and forgotten. Not even thinking about it, his hand quickly snatched a fragile cup from it's spot and threw it across the store, tea and pieces of glasses shattered against the wall. His hands twitched in desire to pick up another tea cup, but he fisted his hands, his nails digging into his skin tight enough that it drew blood from where the nails dug.

The animals who had been watching the abrupt argument froze from their movements, and sat back down silently. Not willing to draw their master's attention with the state he was in at the moment. Not even Tetsu was willing to test his anger at the moment.

They didn't know how long D would have stood there, if not for a tug on his robes from a brave child that was a spitting image of his older brother. Not just in looks, but also in temperament by the stubborn set look on his face, as brushed off his friends' holds. Pon-chan and Ten-chan were desperately trying to keep him back, but the boy had been determined check on the shop keeper. He also wanted to know where his brother was.

*"Count?"* His mental voice shook a little but he brave on, *"Are you alright?"*

D blinked and looked away from the mess of the tea and looked at Chris, his multicolored eyes glowed. There was nothing remotely human in his eyes before he blinked and suddenly he was a harmless, charming, sweet loving shop keeper again.

"Oh my!" D gasped, his hands coming out of his fists to cover his mouth, "My grip must have slipped."

None of the occupants of the shop said anything against the excuse. Just allowed themselves to breathe again, feeling their worlds begin to turn again and go back to their normal routines.

D looked back down at Chris who was still standing there, and raised an eyebrow in inquiry while he smiled, "I apologize. I lost my train of thought. Was there something you needed?"

Chris hesitate, knowing something bad must have happened between his brother and D but he still he pressed on, using his last bit of courage, *"Did my brother leave?"*

D's smile became strained for a moment, and there was another flash in his eyes, before he shook his head, "Yes, I'm afraid your brother had to leave. Didn't even have time to finish his tea. But he promised that next time, he'll stay longer and even eat dinner again." Shaking his head, he sighed, "Invited himself, how rude. Do Americans' have any manners?"

Chris was content with that answer, and allowed Tetsu to pick him up and literally carry him out of the room. All his bravery drained and he was content that all was well. D said everything was fine, so it had to be. And Leon was going to stay for dinner next time!

DxL,LxD DxL,LxDDxL,LxD DxL,LxD

D was sitting back on the couch listening to Chris read his book, gently correctly any misread words, when Ten-chan burst into the room.

"Is something…"

"D! Turn on the tv! It's the Lees! Channel 5!" The normally calm and smooth fox spirit shouted, and D frowned at him for a moment. Surprised at the out of characteristic behavior before what was said registered.

"Why don't we finish up today? You can go play now!" D said addressing Chris, who took no chance in asking if D was certain but rushed out as fast as he could. Philip was going to take him treasure hunting today.

Turning on the rarely used television, D flipped to channel 5 and felt a wicked smile cross his lips at the breaking news.

"The Lee's were a reputable family and connected with many influential people. They donated too many charities, and their loss is a great tragedy. From what we know, the family was found murdered in the house discovered by their house keeper….LOOK THERE'S A DECTECTIVE NOW! DECTECTIVE! DECTECTIVE! QUESTION…"

D watched a man in a hat and sun glasses push his way through the crowd. As he brushed past one pushy reporter a flash of blonde locks were clearly seen, and D flipped the television off.

Leon was one of the best detectives in his unit. D had made sure that a connection to the Petshop would be pretty obvious to spot. With Leon already involved in the unsolved cases, he was going to be coming to him within a few hours at best.

"Times up, my dear detective."

He left the study to prepare. Stopping by to give Tetsu the menu for the evening dinner, and for a kettle of tea to be put on, he headed to his room. He carefully stripped himself off his usual outfit, and looked for something more bright and eye catching in his wardrobe. Finding a yellow one, he pulled that out.

He doubted that the detective would understand the meanings in the color, but there was no way he would miss the change in his wardrobe. Yellow was a far cry from black. A color he purposely wore to manage the shop. A silent but vivid warning to all those smart to heed it. Black was the color after all of bad omens and death. If the foolish humans wanted to buy from one who advertises bad luck then, they deserved their fate that their stupidity had gifted them with.

Finally dresses to satisfaction, he brushed his hair making sure every strand was in place, and headed out to the front of the shop. He had a detective to wait on.

It took longer than D desired, but finally he saw the detective's car pull into his shop. And the count could barely stop himself from flinging open the doors and dragging the human out of the car. His control began to slip when he saw Leon make no move to leave the car. Determined to wait him out, he felt his heart ache as the blonde buried his face in his hands. Just a few minutes more, he could wait. His resolve shook when he saw the foolish human reach to start his car again. Maybe he could sense the stare, because Leon looked over and with his keen eyes, D could see the horror in Leon's face and the knowledge that he was prey.

He narrowed his eyes when the man stormed past him. His body saying anger but his scent was more fear and dread. He had Leon where he wanted him, and the man wasn't leaving his shop until he dragged every truth out of him.

He wasn't a foolish mortal. But a kami. And he was going to get his answers one way or another.

Stones: for Americans and Canadians is what other English countries use instead of pounds.

1 stone- 14 pounds

China was heavily influenced by Britain during the Imperialism area.

shuōhuăngzhĕ- shut up in chinese