The king's rebel

by Velvetsin

Japan is being ruled by a cruel king. Hotaru helps her family escape his tyranny. But she is left behind alone. The new king seems different from the last but who is to say that he won't repeat history again. The sticky threads of fate makes their paths cross. How will his lordship handle the rebellious Tachibana? Is her entertaining defiance enough to sate his hunger?

3. Chapter 3

The kings rebel

Chapter 3

2 weeks later

Friend or foe? Tachibana has been stuck at this impasse when it comes to the man named Midori. He delivered me from the clutches of death but at the same time my consciousness knows that I've been ferried to another gate of hell. And that man is the gate keeper. On the exterior he looks like a kind gentleman. Sometimes he behaves like one if the mood suites him. Which is why Tachibana uncertain about him. My justice compass goes haywire when I'm in his company. Tachibana can't function like my normal self hence my decision to avoid him at all costs. He was correct when he said that I had no intention to see him again. Tachibana can't afford to be dragged into his world where he toys around with me as he sees fit. Tachibana was absolutely horrified seeing his face again at the mansion. The string of memories from the night Tachibana brushed shoulders with death became alive. It was as if I was reliving the nightmare again. The same stony pale blue eyes that shone with a semblance of kindness reflected a predatory light. I should have escaped him earlier but Tachibana was not in the right state of mind. The memories are still fresh in my mind. The burning sensation I felt as his belt bit into my flesh. I can't help the anger that courses through my veins as I recall the memories from that night. The horror began soon after the bathing room incident. Midori showed Tachibana the room were we'd both be residing in. Our host came knocking on our door. "Sorry dearies if I'm intruding ," she said pushing in a small tray. The smell of delectable baked goods wafted into the air. The stomach that I had sentenced to abstain from any form of food or drink made its existence known. The sweet old lady pinched my cheek lovingly. "The poor thing must be starving. I brought some warm clothes for your nephew just as you requested. He must be freezing," she said looking at Midori. Midori flashed her a polite smile. "You've been a great help to us Mrs Yamaguchi. We are eternally grateful," he said. "Don't say things like that. We'd do anything to help. Remember what I said. Ring the bell if there's anything you need," she said shutting the door behind herself. Midori turned around to face me. "Are you hungry?" he asked. "Tachibana is not hungry. I have no appetite," I said. "Eh? She went through the trouble of making this for you. I am well aware that you're involved in some shady deals but are you a dishonorable man as well? Acting aloof and disregarding the honest hard work of the elderly," he said sharply. "I didn't mean for it to come across like that," I apologized. His eyebrows quirked upwards. "Eat it all. Every last bit," he demanded. I eyed the intimidating tower of food and gulped. This task was going to be impossible to achieve. "Midori-san, Tachibana can't do it," I said. His eyes darkened as he leered at Tachibana. "Hm? My instincts warned me that you were going to be a difficult one. Answer me Tachibana-kun. Is it because you're not hungry or maybe you don't want to?" he asked. "I'm not hungry," I answered. He stopped smiling. "I hate deception Tachibana-kun. Deception of any form can't be condoned. Hence all naughty boys should be punished. Lie down on the bed," he said. Why was he saying insane things like that? What did he want to do to me? "No. Tachibana will do no such thing," I said. His eyebrow quirked up as though he was asking me to repeat myself. Unfortunately I did. "I don't want to," I said. "I don't remember giving you a choice. But the other option I have is reporting you to the police. Maybe I should let them deal with you instead," Midori said. I wanted to fold my arms and stick my tongue out at him but Tachibana could wind in a lot of trouble if the police got involved. I lay down on the bed in my towel still wrapped around my damp clothes. Midori unbuckled his belt. "What are you doing?" I asked feeling extremely alarmed. He removed the belt and snapped it between his hands. "Relax Tachibana-kun. I'm just making sure that you don't harm yourself," he said. He wound the black belt around my wrist and pulled the belt's tongue out painfully tight. Tachibana could feel it almost cutting my wrists. "Midori-san that hurts," I said. He held his lips as he laughed. "I know," he answered. Shit! He sat down on the bed and put Tachibana across his laps. "Tsk tsk Tachibana-kun. I can't believe you made me resort to this. All I ever wanted was your obedience," he said with a child like smirk on his face. "But you disobeyed me Tachibana-kun. I didn't like that. Are you familiar with spanking Tachibana-kun. That's what the grown ups do to naughty boys like yourself," he said. "Are you insane? " Tachibana finally asked. "Hn? Plus one," he said. "Let me go this instant!" I yelled. "Plus two. If you continue like that your spanks will keep on piling up. Not that I'm complaining," he said with a sadistic tone to his voice. He whipped off the towel from my still damp undergarments. "Too bad you weren't dry. It might be painful. Try not to scream too much Tachibana-kun. We wouldn't want to disturb our hosts would we," he said. The first time his hand came in contact with my flesh I whimpered. He chuckled menacingly. He spanked me again. "Argh," I cried. "Sounds like we're getting somewhere," Midori snickered. He spanked me four more times then he left me on the bed. "That was so much fun. Tachibana-kun change your clothes. Then sit down and eat okay," he said cheerfully. Was he the same person? Tachibana is slowly losing it. I nodded my head quietly. My flesh hurt so much but Tachibana did as he instructed. "Rest Tachibana-kun. You've had quite a night," he commented as he switched off the light. I couldn't sleep a wink. Not with him in the same room as me. I had to get away. Tachibana waited for the right opportunity. His breathing had eased. I shifted off the bed. His hand grabbed my wrist. I winced. "I thought you were falling off. Going somewhere?" he asked. "I need to use the toilet," I said. "Oh? When will you be back?" he asked. "Soon Midori-san," I answered. "Go ahead," he said. The moment I left the sordid room I clenched my grey hoodie. Tachibana was thankful that the couple's house was tiny. I found my way to the door and unlocked the deadbolt. Tachibana escaped into the dead of the night. Being devoured by predators was better than suffering by his hand.

"Hey Hotaru," Matsuoka called. He snapped me from my flashback. "Yes Matsuoka-san," I answered. "Remember that I asked you to be my squire today kid," he said puffing his chest. Tachibana folded my arms and turned away from him. "I'm nobody's squire. Besides our contract is only temporary," I said confidently. He laughed his lungs out. "God you're cute. Our contract reads that you will do whatever duty I see befitting you. And right now I need a squire," he said tapping my nose. The Casanova must have switched contracts when I wasn't looking. "What do you want from me?" I asked monotonously. "We are going on a hunt for the finest works of art. My friend Piyoko Kotori is a renown artist. We already placed an order from him. What we are going to to is collect our chosen items," he said. "Tachibana isn't interested in everything else. Is he anything like you?" I asked. He patted me roughly on the back. Tachibana coughed viciously. "You're funny Hotaru. I almost believed that you had a crush on me of some sort. Well I can't say that we are the same but he's a bit different," Matsuoka said. "Tachibana doesn't have a crush on anyone. Don't flatter yourself old man. Onwards to the infamous artist's studio! " Tachibana said. Piyoko Kotori tapped the pen furiously on his drawing pad. He needed inspiration. His overactive imagination had somehow been sapped dry. He scribbled something on the customized drawing pad. The idea was complete and total rubbish. Piyo tossed ripped out the monstrosity and tossed it with the other unworthy pieces he'd created. "This can't be good. I'm at the prime of my career !" he yelled slamming his fist. He had made a name for himself in the art industry without any hitches. And now when he needed to progress and conquer the world his mind shut normally preppy romantic had reached his first artistic block. The desk phone beeped. "Mr Kotori excuse me. Mr Masamune is here. Should I send him up?" his secretary asked. "Ma-Mattsun," he stammered. Heat prickled his neck at the thought of seeing the blonde man. "Please send him up," Piyo said. He cleared his working area which was an impossible feat. In the end he pushed all the trash in one corner. Knock knock knock. "Come on in Mattsun I've been waiting for a terribly long time. With my deadlines and everything I managed to fit in enough time to see you. You won't believe the...Huh?! Who is that Mattsun? I asked you to come alone," the bespectacled artist fumed. Matsuoka scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry about that Yukki," he said. Yukki turned his back on him and defiantly raised his chin in the air. "It'd be awkward having a third wheel around. Unless if you purposefully brought him to making today more exciting," he blushed. Hotaru nudged Matsuoka. "Tachibana is in no way obliged to participate in your lewd activities," he said. "Yukki," Matsuoka began. "Call me Yukki in private Mattsun. I already told you that before," he gushed. Yukki turned around and eyed the blonde boy. His brain zinged. Unconsciously his artistic side took over and he began framing him with his fingers. "Magnificent!" he yelled. "Those eyes. They electrify my soul. Let me inform you that that is an uncharted ground. Everything about you is exquisito. Mwah. I want you on set now. What's your name?" he asked fetching his brushes and camera. He dialed a number. "Sonia can you come in right now... Yes... This is the real deal," he said. "I'm Hotaru Tachibana, Mr Piyoko Ko..." Hotaru said. "No no. You've earned the right to call me Yukimura. How about I get you to shed off that hideous suit," he said. Hotaru stepped back. "Matsuoka-san. Tachibana did not agree to be a commercial stripper. We came here to collect the selected items. What is this fuss about getting Tachibana out of my clothes?" he complained. "Hotaru he won't harm you. When Yukki gets like this its almost impossible to dissuade him. So I'll make a deal with you. Agree to be his model and I'll remove a month from your working time," Matsuoka proposed. "A month and a half. From both Kanae and I. Tachibana doesn't know what problems you're inviting to my doorstep because of this. It's only fair that I get less working time," he said. Matsuoka eyed the blonde boy. "Fine kid. You drive a hard bargain," Matsuoka said. A female burst through the door with a cart of makeup bags. "I'm assuming that's Sonia," Matsuoka said. "Piyo what look are we going for here? Adventurous or passion?" she asked. The hair she had piled on top of her head like a birds nest was falling apart. Hotaru snickered at the sight of two insane adults. "I think the vintage style will suit him better. Go for nude lips and dark eye makeup," Yukimura said. Hotaru backed up at the mention of industrialist's favorite tool to toy around with women's minds. "You're not doing anything to Tachibana's face," he said stepping back. "It's a bold step," Yukimura muttered. "It's been a while since any artist in the industry has attempted a nude look. Just thinking about it makes my insides quiver. But if you're willing to take such a bold move. Then I'm all for it," he said grabbing his camera. "Sonia, Project Flora is a go," the artist said. "Mattsun take a seat and see a great mind at work. Maybe then you'll finally agree to be my model you handsome hunk of a man," Yukimura said rubbing shoulders with Matsuoka. "Hahaha. Yukki how about I see you at work first," he said.

Sonia dragged Hotaru to the changing room. "I know how teenage boys are shy about letting women see them naked. So here. I need you to strip of your clothes and wrap this sheet around you. When you're done just knock on the door and I'll do some light touch ups," she said. Hotaru was pissed off after being labelled a male again but she forgave her because she hadn't bothered to correct them from the get go. "Yes Sonia-san. Tachibana will be done in no time at all," he said closing the door behind her. The blonde boy wondered how his parents would react if the information ever leaked out that he had volunteered himself for slavery. Or if they found out about what truly happened after the night of the escape. He raked his blonde lockes and sighed. His hair had outgrown its normal length. He laughed to himself. Turns out that even his regular grooming routine was growing sloppy. "What am I doing with my life? Tachibana is becoming more entangled with these weird band of adults. But I have to focus on the task at hand. If I do this it's one and a half months off my working time. That should be Tachibana's motivation," he said. With Hotaru dressed up , the woman named Sonia did a few touch ups and walked her to the set. Matsuoka's eyes were looking at everything apart from the shooting set. "Sonia add some water to his hair. The feel of moisture adds to the tangible sensuality. Hold that pose Tachibana-kun," Yukimura said. The blue eyed man failed to comprehend the reason behind the sudden surge of feelings seeing Hotaru in that manner. Yukimura continued taking pictures. "Tachibana-kun that'll be enough for today. I really loved working with you," he said. "Thank you Yukimura-san. But Tachibana won't be stepping foot in here again," he said with blunt honesty. "Mattsun your Kohai is so mean to me. Treat your senpai with more respect," Yukimura said. "Never," Hotaru replied.

"Masamune if you do in fact intend to retain your position as my chief adviser it'd be wiser to be available to me frequently," Lord Nagamasa said. Matsuoka scratched the back of his neck. "I'm sorry about that Midori. Ever since I employed the new kid I hardly have time to myself. He's pretty demanding. Yosh I'm saying too much," Matsuoka said. "Hn? Indeed you are. I have no need to listen to you prattling about a boy. How about we get straight to business? I need to dispose the trash," he said with a sinister smile. Matsuoka's hair stood straight as he understood what the lord was relaying to him. "You're not suggesting that method again are you Midori?" he asked. "What else would I be talking about? The weeds drain the nutrients and the take space from the crops. If left to grow freely the crops would wither. Would they not? Weeds must be exterminated the second they are identified. Mercilessly. These new little upstarts dared to defy me hence I must eliminate them. I wouldn't want my new flock getting ideas," he said playfully biting his gloved finger."Can't you let them off with a warning?" Matsuoka pleaded. "A warning? Uh. I've never thought about that before," his lordship said. His lordship snapped his fingers together. "They should prove to me that they are worthy of living. If they survive that is. I'm in dire need of some good entertainment anyways. Hopefully they won't be disappointing. I don't like disappointments," he said. Matsuoka leaned over to analyze the classified documents. Midori's pupils dilated when his nose caught the distinct scent of vanilla and honey. The smell he'd associated with his little assassin. "Masamune ," he called. "Yeah. Is anything the matter Midori?" he asked. "That boy you were talking about earlier. I want him to attend the soiree," Lord Nagamasa said. Matsuoka gave him a flickering look. "Why the sudden interest in him? Earlier you didn't want to hear a word about him," Matsuoka stated. "I didn't did I. Well I changed my mind. If he's as important to you as you make him seem. I want him to attend my soiree," his lordship concluded. Matsuoka shrugged it off as one of the lordships quirks. Lord Midori Nagamasa wanted to punish his little assassin for bluntly disregarding his request. He knew that she wasn't the type to listen which is why he gave her a direct order. But it was even more infuriating somehow when she proved him right. He was going to see to it that he taught her well never to disobey him again.

This is beautiful. Tachibana has never witnessed perfection in beauty. Perfection is an unattainable goal but somehow Lord Nagamasa's mansion is the embodiment of it. The scenery and the people all belong to this flawless fairytale. Tachibana would wish that it wouldn't end if it weren't for the one blemish tarnishing this perfect night. "Hey waiter over here. I need another champagne flute," he said. The brown haired gentleman has been purposefully relocating himself to where-ever Tachibana is stationed. It's been grating on my nerves. Why is he hell bent on spoiling my night? I handed him another flute. "Finally. My throat was parched," he said. "Nii-san don't drink too much. You know that father doesn't like it when you get drunk," someone said from behind me. I turned around and my tray went air borne. Without thinking twice I found myself launched in the air retrieving the flutes. My feet touched the ground as I dusted myself off. I felt a finger poking my back. "I can't find your off switch. You must be genetically engineered super human. Or perhaps a cyborg," the mirror version of the guy who's been taunting me says. "Stop touching Tachibana like that. I'm a hundred percent human. I assure you," I said walking away. "Big deal anybody can do that," the brown haired man said. But that doesn't stop him from following me around again. Tachibana exits the ball room to visit the staff restrooms. "Stop there. Hey can you wait for a minute," he demands. "How can I help you sir?" I ask. "Sir? Oh you mean me. Call me Haruki...uhmn?" he asks. "My name is on the name tag Haruki-san," I said. "I'm seeing double so I can't really make it out. Which brings me to my other problem," Haruki said. "How can Tachibana assist you this time?" I asked. "I can't find my way to the restroom. It seems like you were already on your way there," he concluded. Tachibana can't enter the men's bathroom. But if it will get him off my back I'll do it this one time. "Follow me," I said. "About earlier I didn't mean to come up as such a jerk. It's just that these parties are boring and you're not like all aristocratic pricks around here," Haruki said. "Eh? Instead of joining the other pricks you decided to be the biggest one instead. Classy huh?" I said. "I said I'm sorry alright! Jeez can't a guy catch a break," he said. I pointed at the men' s restroom. "That's your destination. Tachibana will now be leaving," I said bowing my head. "Hell you are. That's not how it works," Haruki said pulling me in with him. "You don't leave a drunk guy alone. It's basic bro-code. What if something weird goes down? " he said hanging his arm around me. When will Tachibana be free of this mess I somehow involuntarily found myself in. "Are you afraid of showing me your peeper or something? " he asked. "Tachibana does not possess a peeper," I said. "Oh? Hahaha. That's funny. You crack me up ...uhmn? Tachi..ba..na," he dragged out. "Call me Hotaru for the love of God. Get on with it. I don't know what I'll do if someone sees me in here," I said. "Okay! Okay! These things take time. You should know that. Regardless of whatever nonsense you're sprouting I know that you're a guy. That's a fact," he said. Tachibana's knees feel weak at the rather heartless remark. I'm a girl you idiot. "Zip up Haruki. Just staying in here is giving me bad vibes," Tachibana said. "Fine. I can't really see where I'm going so help me out," he said. I put his arm around my shoulder and we left the for the party. Halfway along the line his brother found us. "Nii-san I warned you about this. You're going to embarrass father again," he said. "Screw him and you. Hotaru catch you later. Thanks for your time," he said. . I leaned against the wall trying to capture my breath. Maybe tonight was more than what I bargained for. A gloved hand grabbed Tachibana's hand and began pulling me away. My eyes flew open at the sudden intrusion of my privacy as I found myself being pulled further away from the ball room. It's a man based on his back profile. His shiny royal blue tuxedo reflects the light off it mesmerizingly smooth. Focus Hotaru! I tried prying my hand free but his iron grip became painfully tight. "You're hurting me," I said. "Not any more than you hurt me," he replied. That voice. The hair. Every single part of his anatomy. Why hadn't Tachibana noticed earlier. Had my senses dulled because of that loud mouthed man Haruki? "Tachibana doesn't remember inflicting any form of hurt on you recently," I said. "The human brain is an amusing yet annoying organ. It remembers what suits it and chooses to forget what does not. But I believe that you did not forget our agreement. You're on your last strike now," Midori said. "My last one? Tachibana does not recall using the second one," I stuttered. "All in due time Tachibana-kun. Fufufu. This is absolutely ridiculous. How can you spend the time meant for me with a complete stranger?" he asked. The noise slowly dies down as we walked deeper into the maze of the mansion. "Midori-san I was just attending to a guest. It's Tachibana's duty. Besides you're no different from that stranger," I said. He spared me a steely gaze. My body stiffened. "No different you said. I recall asking you to meet me but of course you had to go against my simple wish. I wasn't asking for much. Just a fraction of your time," he said. "What do you want from me exactly Midori-san?! I'm just a regular high school student trying to survive in this world. I'm alone. I'm all alone with nobody else to turn to. Why are you making my life so difficult?" I finally asked. Midori stopped and looked at me. He has the gentle look in his eyes again. Tachibana almost forgets about the monster that lurks beneath. Midori pressed my head against chest. Why is he comforting me? "Don't waste your tears right now Tachibana-kun," he says softly. His fingers gently stroke my head. Maybe he's not that bad after all. He pressed his lips against my forehead. "I haven't done anything worth crying about just yet," he said sadistically.

++++++++++++end of chapter 3+++++++++++++++++

In this story I want to venture into the darker side of Midori. I'm curious about how bad his sadistic side can get if given the power to run free. I hope you liked this chapter. Let me know what you think of the story so far. ; )