Disclaimer: I don't own anyone except the asshole. For some reason that makes me sad.
Yoru: So I just got off work, and am not quite tired enough to go to bed.
Kuronue: This might suck, because she is tired.
Yoru: It won't suck, and it's a nice long chapter for you. I'm so glad everyone likes this story. I thought someone would flame me and tell me that I was terrible and how could I do that Rikuo and blah-diddy-blah-blah…wouldn't have surprised me at all. But when you write fanfictions, you just take that risk, don't you?
Kuronue: So a big thank you to all of her reviewers, and we hope you keep reading.
Yoru: I don't know what Saiga's power is, so I made it the power to sense other people's power. Makes sense in a way, really, if you think about it.
Kazahaya gulped as he eased open the door to General Hartham's room. He knew the sadistic man to be off jousting or some other manly sport, but he was still afraid of capture. Kei and Nayuki had warned him vehemently against trying to save the slave boy, but he would not be moved. Finally the two had agreed to be lookouts while he snuck into the General's room.
He moved quickly to the bedroom, where the slave boy was asleep. Almost immediately, the beautiful eyes opened, and the boy sat up, shock on his handsome features.
Kazahaya gave him a warm smile and moved closer. As he expected, the slave boy pushed himself backward, pressing against the wall.
"It's okay, really. I want to free you," Kazahaya whispered. The slave boy's eyes widened. Kazahaya crept closer and reached toward the boy's metal collar.
Immediately, the boy jerked back and scuttled away, planting himself firmly in a corner. He glared fiercely at Kazahaya.
"What? I'm just trying to get it off."
The boy shook his head, but Kazahaya wasn't sure why. Did he not want to escape? Or did he just think Kazahaya couldn't get it off?
"No what? Don't you want to get away?"
Hesitation, and then a nod.
"Will the collar hurt you if I try to take it off?" Kazahaya had heard of masters marking their slaves by attaching a collar that hurt the slave to the point of death if removed. Was this one of those?
He sighed in relief as the boy shook his head.
"Then why…" Suddenly he saw the wary fear in the boy's eyes. He was afraid of Kazahaya, no matter what the Prince said.
"I swear I'm not going to hurt you," Kazahaya murmured, reaching out again. The boy couldn't move; by pushing himself into a corner, he had trapped himself. Kazahaya put a hand on the boy's face, stoically ignoring the immediate jerk.
"Please, I'm just trying to help you. I swear on anything you want me to, on the gods, on my mother's grave, whatever."
The boy opened his eyes a crack and studied Kazahaya, suspicion visible even in barely opened eyes. Kazahaya waited.
Finally, the boy gave an almost imperceptible nod. Kazahaya couldn't contain his smile of triumph. He put his hands on the collar, feeling for a weak spot.
He frowned. There was a bolt for the chain, but not a hinge to close the collar, nor was there a lock. How had they gotten it on in the first place? He ran his hands over the collar again, trying to ignore the pleasant tingles when his fingers brushed pale skin.
He saw the slave boy's eyes widen before he opened his mouth in a silent warning.
Suddenly a large hand closed on Kazahaya's forearm, pulling him up roughly. He stared up into the face of General Hartham.
"You piece of trash."
Kazahaya realized that this wasn't directed at him only a second later when a harsh slap rang out. The slave boy held his cheek, hiding his face from other blows. General Hartham pushed Kazahaya onto the bed and put his hands on his hips.
"Prince Kazahaya, what are you doing?"
Kazahaya found his voice, "What you're doing to him is wrong! I was getting him away from you!"
"He's mine to do with as I wish." General Hartham reached down and grabbed a handful of his slave's hair, pulling him up to his knees, "I bought him for a huge price, and what I do to him is my concern alone."
The slave boy grabbed the hand holding his hair, wincing. General Hartham pulled his face up and planted a rough kiss on his lips, smirking slightly at the resulting struggles.
"Stop it. I command you," Kazahaya choked out. The General pulled away and shoved the slave to the ground.
"You're in no position to be commanding me to do anything. I'm taking you to your father. Princess Kei, too; don't think I didn't see her lurking around. I went around her, since I figured she was here because something I wouldn't like was going on."
He kicked the slave boy in the ribs, "And I'll deal with you when I get back, Rikuo."
As Kazahaya was dragged out of the room, he couldn't help but take slight comfort in the fact that he knew the boy's name.
Rikuo.
Rikuo fought his collar for all he was worth as Kazahaya was dragged away. He hadn't meant to pull away from the boy, but every time someone reached for him he thought they were going to hurt him. He knew that General Hartham had almost broken him.
Almost.
Finally, he stopped pulling. It was no use; all he was doing was hurting himself. And Kazahaya was going to be hurt because of him.
He sat back against the wall, rubbing his side. His future showed only more pain once the General returned.
Suddenly someone stood before him, someone huge. Thinking General Hartham was back already, Rikuo covered his face, waiting for the blows to fall.
None came.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
General Hartham would never say that. Rikuo looked up slowly.
The man wasn't quite as muscular as the General, and he had no sadistic aura. Rikuo's eyes narrowed at the blindfold around the man's eyes.
"I'm Saiga. I'm a slave too, just not…the same kind," the man said conversationally.
The words stabbed at Rikuo's heart, but he was careful not to let it show.
"I know you can't talk. But I came to tell you a few things. One, Kazahaya will be fine, so you don't have to worry about him. His father isn't an unnecessarily cruel man."
Rikuo nodded, relieved.
"Two, no matter how much you've been hurt in the past, and I know it's a lot…" He knelt and put a hand on Rikuo's shoulder. Rikuo flinched, but the hand stayed on his shoulder instead of moving to his neck or torso as the General's often did.
"You have to let yourself love, Rikuo. Only then can you free yourself of that collar." The man reached up with his other hand. Rikuo jerked, thinking it might be a coming blow.
The man only pushed his blindfold up. Rikuo gasped slightly.
His eyes were iridescent purple, shining with colors Rikuo had only seen in his wildest dreams. Saiga smirked.
"I can see your power, Rikuo. You and Kazahaya both have the power to free yourselves from your personal hells. But you have to let it go, and that means you have to trust him."
With that, Saiga stood up and left the room. Rikuo sat still for a long time, his mind a jumble.
Kazahaya sat on his bed, knees pulled up to his chin. Across the hall, he knew Kei was also locked in her room.
At least they didn't catch Nayuki. He'd be fired faster than I could say "no." The thought brought some comfort. Kazahaya laid back, arms behind his head, remembering his father's harsh reprimand.
"Kazahaya, you insolent child! The boy belongs to General Hartham to with as he pleases!"
"Father, he rapes him!"
"It's not rape if you're ordered to take it! The boy is a sex slave, and you cannot change that!"
"But…"
"No more arguments! You and Kei are confined to your rooms until I can trust you not to do anything so foolish again!"
Kazahaya turned over, closing his eyes.
Rikuo. The name fits him. Kazahaya smiled slightly at the thought of the feelings Rikuo's eyes and the feel of his skin stoked in his stomach and heart.
I will save you, even if my father disowns me. You will be free.
Rikuo had stopped fighting several minutes ago. Instead he kept his eyes tightly shut as General Hartham bit his neck, above the collar, none too gently. The preceding beating had been one of the worst yet, and Rikuo was not keen to repeat it.
For the first time in a long while, General Hartham had removed the chain and brought Rikuo up to the bed. It was slightly more comfortable…
His thoughts were interrupted as his mouth was violated again. He could never lie still when the General kissed him; he could not bring himself to tolerate that particular mockery of a loving gesture. He fought hard, trying to shove the General off, but the bigger man only grabbed his wrists in one huge hand and held them above his head. Rikuo tried to bite, but another hand grabbed his face and refused to let his mouth close. Finally his rapist pulled away.
"When will you learn to stop resisting, Rikuo? You've been mine for a year now. Not that I don't enjoy a little tussle, but it's getting ridiculous."
Rikuo only glared up at him, fighting the hold on his wrists. General Hartham leaned down and licked his ear, smirking as the slave boy jerked away.
"Why don't you just learn to enjoy it?" he whispered. Rikuo bit his lip as General Hartham kissed his jawline.
"I do love you, Rikuo. None of the others ever lasted this long." General Hartham slid a finger into Rikuo's mouth, gently pressing his tongue. Rikuo gagged a little, eyes shut tight. He felt tears starting behind his lids and he refused to let them fall.
"One day I may give you your voice back, if only to hear you scream and beg."
Rikuo coughed a little as the finger was removed. He forced his thoughts away as the General began his rough preparation.
Kazahaya…I trust you. I know you'll free me. Just…soon, please…
In his sleep, Kazahaya stirred just a little. Kakei wondered what he was dreaming about; probably Rikuo.
One day, perhaps you'll be able to do more than dream, Kazahaya. Kakei reached down and pushed a little of Kazahaya's hair off of his forehead.
"You have the power, Kazahaya, you and Rikuo. You'll save each other. I can't see it, but I can feel it." Kakei smiled as Kazahaya murmured his name in his sleep, "Yes, I'm here. I'll always be here."
Strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind.
"Is this really all we can tell them?" Saiga asked. Kakei nodded.
"Unfortunately. It's against the rules for us to directly intervene, Saiga."
"I know. It's just so frustrating. Poor Rikuo, he looked so cutely confused I almost spilled it. I have to get rid of my weakness."
"Weakness?"
Saiga nuzzled Kakei's hair, "Weakness for beautiful things."
"Ah, so you like Kazahaya as well."
"Which is why you're telling him instead of me. I really would spill it if he gave me the puppy dog eyes."
Kakei reached back and stroked Saiga's hair. The hand stopped at the blindfold, where the hair was slightly ruffled around it.
"You moved it."
"I showed Rikuo my eyes."
Kakei pouted, "You showed him and not me?"
"You already know I'm not normal and have accepted it. Rikuo was looking at me like I was crazy. If I had been normal, he wouldn't have listened to me."
Kakei stroked Kazahaya's hair again.
"You really like that kid, don't you?" Saiga asked. Kakei smiled.
"Yes, I do. And Rikuo." He turned in Saiga's arms and kissed him, "And you."
"Most of all?"
"I don't know about that."
Saiga growled and kissed him again with a fervor that almost brought Kakei to his knees. Once he had reclaimed coherent speech, he smiled.
"Okay, yes. You most of all."
"I thought so."