Part Three:

A rain of purple runes came down in the dining hall. Boris appeared with Bresha Harvoan. Yuui wanted to jump up and go right to Boris' arms, but the dining hall was filled with mayors from towns having a business lunch with Ashura.

"Hello, Majesty. I decided to visit you to follow up on my note and bring back this girl. I believe you know her."

"Welcome, Boris. Yes, I do recognize her. Hello, Bresha."

A sensual lady-mayor from the Southlands, Lady Kanoe, spoke up. "Mistress Bresha, your sister is worried sick about you. I'll take you home after this meeting."

Bresha didn't say anything. She just looked down at her feet. Yuui was hit by the girl's panic, but also her aggravation. Bresha used to be so easy-going. He wondered why her emotions felt so different.

"We're just finishing. Are you two hungry?" Ashura offered.

"We ate before we left," Boris said.

Ashura finished up the business lunch and the mayors milled around, gossiping, for a while afterwards. Yuui took that time to slip away with Boris into the empty hallway. He glanced around and then smiled at Boris when he was comfortable they were alone. He stretched out his empathy to warn them if anyone approached. Yuui said, "I've missed you so much, too."

"So you've been keeping safe? Maybe I should do some more tracing with you?" Boris asked, firmly. Yuui sensed the man's trepidation.

Yuui's smile fell and he said, "I'm fine. Don't worry over me. Ashura is going to check on his aunt this afternoon. He's having me stay in Luval until he investigates. I wanted him to take me because I could read her emotions, but he's afraid of what she may do. She has very powerful telepathy, after all."

"I'm sure the king can handle his aunt. By the way," Boris leaned over to Yuui's ear, placing his palms on the wall beside Yuui's shoulders. He whispered, "don't trust that girl Bresha. That ninja that wants you to pretend he doesn't exist in your mind and I don't trust her a lick."

"What? Why?" Yuui asked, trying hard, but failing, to ignore Boris' heady, musky oder.

"Because her behavior doesn't make sense." Yuui barely took in what Boris said, the reanimator's hot breath tickling his ear sent his stomach into a fluter. He was starting to get nervous at being seen with Boris so close, close enough to start laying kisses on his neck, those kisses Yuui was aching for. Yuui could kick himself for letting Boris be such a big distraction. Then again, it wasn't like he could see the man every day.

He took a deep breath and let it out softly. "But Ashura doesn't favor the Harvoans right now," he whispered back in Boris' ear. Boris let his thick sable coat fall over them as he leaned in closer, creating a cloaking effect.

Yuui gasped when he felt Boris' thigh press against his groin. Yuui bit his bottom lip and tried to cling to the smooth, cold marble wall for support. Boris rubbed his leg upwards, and Yuui thought he'd collapse in sensory overload. Boris' hand on his waist kept that from happening. Yuui spread his legs slightly to get Boris closer.

"I don't think I have your attention, Loftiness. I said, the girl is out to get you. I feel it in my bones," Boris whispered and then thrust his thigh against Yuui's groin a little firmer.

Yuui struggled to get his melting brain to have a coherent though, but Boris was making it far from easy. "Something did seem off with her emotions." He gasped as Boris continued pressing against his groin in a rhythmic motion. "I'll watch out for her."

Boris stopped what he was doing with his thigh, and Yuui bit his bottom lip, hard. "You whimper so pretty, Loftiness, but do you understand? Don't trust her. Now say 'yes, sir, I understand and will do everything you say'."

Yuui liked this game Boris would play with him. Yuui never felt comfortable being the one in power, but in the bed, Boris made Yuui obey every little order. It was letting go of stress, handing himself over to this man. Letting Boris have total control over his body, and yes, his heart too, was the best way he could relax.

It was so rare for Yuui to allow himself to trust like this. That's why Boris was vitally important to his emotional well-being, now that his responsibilities were so weighty. Boris had the ability to give Yuui permission to have release in a safe way.

"Yes, sir, I understand and will do every thing you say," Yuui barely gasped. Yuui sensed someone coming down the hallway and quickly told Boris. They parted, but Yuui quickly drew his cloak tighter around him and prayed his hot face wouldn't tattle on him too much, especially since it was Ashura that showed up.

Ashura's narrowed, soft brown eyes told him his father wasn't fooled in the least. "Well, Boris, since you've made this trip, why don't you look after Yuui while I go visit Naidra and figure out if there is a plot. After all," and then Ashura gave Yuui a harsh, paternal gaze, "I know you two will be joined at the hips, so he won't be out of your sight."

"I'll keep a careful eye on him. I promise," Boris said, cheerfully. "I'll make sure he's carefully watched after. I'll keep him carefully confined in a small space."

Yuui could honestly choke the snot out of Boris right now as his face turned fuchsia.

Ashura then raised a suspicious eyebrow at Boris and then gave a deep sigh. "Now, Boris, I'd hate to see you join your would-be assassins in the dungeons... or worse."

"I promise to be a good boy, Majesty," Boris said. "And I promise to make sure Yuui is a very, very good and obedient boy, too."

Now Yuui wanted to melt into floor. Why did Boris insist on play these word games with Ashura, of all people!

Ashura sighed and shook his head. He left muttering about his children and their strange mates. Boris chuckled, but Yuui scowled at him. Before Yuui could castigate him, Boris said, "I'll give you two choices, use that mouth to chew me out or go down on me. Which is it?"

"Oh I can't stand you at all! You're really an infuriating..."

"So nagging it is. I guess I'll have to occupy myself while you bitch at me." Yuui knew this phrase meant Boris would sit on a chair in the corner of his bedroom and order him to do a whole host of solitary acts on himself. Not that they didn't have moments when they were pleasing each other the whole time during their intimacy.

The times when it was solo, like this one coming, Yuui would be drained and slaked from satisfying himself. At that time, Boris would climb on top of him. Yuui then would let Boris finish in any way that pleased him.

There was something in this way that comforted Yuui. He felt more in control, even though he was handing over control with what was happening in the bed to Boris. He didn't always want to have someone beside him in the bed when he was so vulnerable, and, well, Boris like watching and controlling a great deal. Their odd kinks met and meshed.

Boris was always so careful and mindful of Yuui's past when they were intimate. The slightest discomfort Yuui would feel, Boris would stop immediately and just hold him. Yuui, though, still couldn't remember a thing about the sexual abuse with his grandfather, and he was now grateful and at peace that he couldn't.

He went on what Fai and Ashura told him had happened, which he believed. He was starting to believe, in his case, it was all for the better. He could actually make things work with Boris, even though it was a little twisted.

Yuui knew he was on the losing end of this new verbal war with Boris, and he was so in need of satisfaction, thanks to Boris' boldness. He turned and marched towards his bedroom, Boris followed, gloating all the way.

"You should moderate your drinking more, Kurogane."

He looked up at his father. The man was across the campfire. It was just them. The girl assassin was with a female ninja Suwa retainer in a tent further off. It would be unseemly for males to travel with a female and no female chaperon.

They'd traveled four days and would arrive at Edo tomorrow. Kurogane felt a little guilty at the chastisement, because he had drunk a little more than normal. He was a little more nervous than normal.

He was surprised at his father chastising him over drinking, though. He knew his father seldom touched alcohol of any sort, and it gave Lord Suwa a good reputation. Lord Suwa always impressed on Kurogane the importance of temperance on the body.

"Sorry, a bad habit I picked up from Fai," Kurogane said, realizing he was slightly more "buzzy" than he wanted to be.

"I'm worried about that. Did I make a deal with the Witch of the Far East to have it squandered away by a foreign drunk? Will he stop drinking when he bears children?"

"Of course, Father. He'll do what's necessary to bear healthy children and raise them." Kurogane started feeling a little trepidation at his own father. "Besides, Fai's culture uses alcohol more as a social bonding method. By their standards, his drinking is only slightly above average."

"By our standards he's a raging alcoholic! Make him stop."

Kurogane knew his father took offense to heavy drinking, but never had been so put out by it with regards to Fai. Then again, Fai had been drinking like crazy since they got back from Celes. No doubt that was irritating the man. Fai was a more than normal heavy drinker here in Nihongo. Kurogane chalked up Lord Suwa's testiness to being worried about the safety of the children Fai would bear. Also, he was sure his father wasn't thrilled with this trial.

"I'll talk to Fai when we get back to Suwa," Kurogane said, pouring the rest of his sake on the ground and planning to turn in.

"Tsk... you have no control over Fai. This is just going to look bad in front of the court."

Kurogane took in his father's criticisms and wasn't happy about them. He started feeling miserable like he had when he was hiding his relationship with Fai from his parents. He knew being dragged to Edo to be asked about his son's sex life had to be embarrassing for his father, and he felt guilty over that.

He vowed to try to make this situation easier on his parents, even if that meant reigning in Fai more. This wouldn't work as it was now. He just had to minimize the conflict for Suwa and make things as peaceful as possible. It was in Fai's best interests anyway.

"Die! Die! Die!" Icchan screamed as his thumbs pounded on the video game controller. Ohjiro continued on the attack. Ohjiro was able to do in his older brother's video game icon handily. "What the...! Why you little jerk! I spent months on perfecting that angel and you destroyed her!"

"Wizard is tough. I thought that's why you asked me to play," Ohjiro said, referring to his own video game icon. The steel doors to Icchan's lab slid apart, and Icchan's abused assistant appeared. Ohjiro hitched his thumb at the cowering man in the doorway. "Here's Ogata. Take it out on him."

The mad scientist jumped up on his chair and screamed, "Icchan go boom!"

Ogata screamed and flung his arms up to protect himself from Icchan's craziness. "Sir! President Tomoyo wants to see you right away. It's about your new project."

"Oh good!" The man said, tossing aside his controller and scrambling off the chair. He grabbed his teen brother and assistant, dragging them to the elevator that shot them high into the Piffle Princess corporate headquarters' building. He burst into President Tomoyo's office and called out, "I'm here, Madam President! You wanted to see me about having babies!"

Ohjiro was used to his older, brilliant brother's seemingly incoherent thoughts pouring forth from his mouth, but Ogata sputter in embarrassment. Tomoyo sighed and walked over to the excitable scientist.

"Yes. I actually had a dream. A woman by the name of Yuuko-san said I should approve your research."

"Great! Wait a minute," Icchan said, now looking thoughtful. "I've got to find a guinea pig." He started eyeballing Ogata. "You'll be famous! And I bet you have the genes to make a me a beautiful baby."

"No, Sir! Anything but that!" The man sweated and covered himself with his arms.

"All I need is a little donation and nine months of your time," Icchan said. "Of course, I don't think you'll be able to get many dates, but you'll have a nice, healthy glow."

"Actually, Icchan, you'll have a willing participant in a few months, when you've perfected how to imprint the artificial egg," Tomoyo said. "Yuuko-san worked it out for us. They'll be coming from a different dimension."

"I can't wait! Let's get started on making eggs!" Icchan grabbed his brother and assistant and dragged them out of Tomoyo's office. "I'll figure out how to make babies with you two!"

Ogata screamed as he was dragged down the hallway and Ohjiro groaned. His brother's antics and inadvertent perverseness even wore on him, sometimes. President Tomoyo shook her head and giggled. She said to herself, "From toy making to baby making. What a mad genius."

Fai listened to the report about a border village to the north being harassed by raiders from another province. He was supposed to meet Lady Suwa to have the translation spell removed, but he was curious about why the men headed towards the armory. He eavesdropped at the doorway.

"...ands so we'll head out within the hour," Kentaro ordered after Fai heard the barest details.

Fai stepped into the armory and flashed Kentaro a bright smile. "Looks like you're going for a stroll. Mind if I join you?"

"Mage?" Kentaro then shook his head. "The young master said you weren't to leave the compound. There could be other assassination attempts."

"But I can help out. I'm a combat mage."

"With all do respect, you are to stay with Lady Suwa. I'm not to allow you out of the compound."

"Allow me?" Fai asked, hearing his own words drenched in false honey. Yes, he was certainly Ashura's son. "Kuro-mu said I'm not allowed? Allowed was his word?"

"Yes," Kentaro said. "You need not concern yourself with fighting anymore. Respectfully, may I suggest to the mage he considers the young master's wishes? The young master is honoring his mage by insisting he take on an appropriate modesty in his role."

Fai nodded and said, "I see."

Fai actually skipped off to his and Kurogane's bedroom. He ducked in, changed into a hakama and a hatori, and fetched his magic staff. He marched out to the courtyard to get an annoyed look from Kentaro.

"You must stay, mage," Kentaro ordered sternly.

"You have a choice. Take me willingly or I'll just teleport there on my own."

Now Kentaro looked pissed. "You put me in a bad position, mage!"

"I'll handle Kuro-cranky when he gets back."

"Does Lady Suwa know your plans?"

"I didn't want her to worry," Fai said. Fai scrambled over to a horse and mounted up. Kentaro, Fai knew, was furious, but didn't know what to do to stop Fai. Tough! Kentaro could just cope with having him along.

Fai wanted it to be clear. He was a combat mage. He had struggled hard to accept that in himself, and he thought Kurogane had accepted it, too. Now it was time to reinforce what he was.

"Ashura!" Naidra hissed, glaring up from her darkened cell deep in Belgrad Olbast's darkest cell. She stood and walked to the bars of the stone cell. She didn't dare touch them; they were enchanted. Ashura could see her unvarnished hatred towards him, now.

He only gave her a serene smile. "How have you been, Auntie?"

"You ingrate! How dare you do this to me! Rescind this or else!"

"Or else what? You're where you belong, out of my hair."

She then got a sly expression. "I heard you chose that weak, little dotard rather than that unruly, little monster. Bad move. Then again, either would be child's play to manipulate, especially, that little, damaged thing." She then made an unpleasant tsk'ing noise that infuriated Ashura. "He'll never make it, and you know it. He'll be someone's puppet soon. If not mine," then her smile grew very cool, "then someone else's. I hazard to bet he won't even live to be around to rule in your stead."

"Is that a threat against my child... Auntie?" It was all Ashura could do to not order her execution for treason instantly.

"I'm just saying there are others who know what you plan on having as your successor. They'll know what a weak child he is, and, well, it'll just encourage them to come after him. And they won't have to do away with him to gain control. They could just order him to do something and he'll jump."

"So, are you the one who's coming after my son? There are reports of it."

"That Bresha! She's an ignorant child that misunderstood things. Just ignore her."

Ashura could tell the woman wanted attention on Bresha, so he played along. "Oh, but she's very informative."

"And very ignorant. Go ahead, Ashura. Try to figure it all out. Now leave! I don't wish to talk to you any more!"

"I'll go, Auntie, but a warning. If you dare harm my child in anyway, I will kill you. I will make you an example for all to see. And all will be so fearful of meeting your fate they won't even dare. Don't toy with me, woman. I won't tolerate it."

"And so you pick someone to follow you like your mother. A weak idiot!"

"You don't know my child or my mother. You may have been her sister, but you were blind to why my father picked her, rather than you. And you're blind to why I picked Yuui. You won't understand until you strike at them. They really are strong."

"And what kind of strength is that they have?" she sneered.

Ashura's smile grew kinder. "It's the strength of drawing the strong around them, to protect them and stand up for them. Don't strike Yuui. You'll have a very dangerous person to deal with if you do. And it won't be me."

With that Ashura left and ordered her carefully watched.

To be continued.