Event Horizons Chapter 4: Three: Evening Lessons, a pet shop of horrors fanfic

Title: Event Horizons

Fandom: Pet Shop of Horrors

By: Sanjuno Shori

Rating: R

Pairing: DxLeon

Warnings: YAOI, AU, and a blatant TWT (Which means I've taken certain canon events and switched their order around, or ignored them all together so that the story makes sense. D didn't run off to the moon after his father bites it, while Leon doesn't blame Chris for his mother's death and he hates his father's family, stuff like that.) There's implied Non-Con, supernatural things, speculations on the mating habits of non/super-human sentient life, etc.

Disclaimer: May I have your attention please! PSoH is not mine, nor are any of the canon characters. I write for entertainment purposes only! I am making no money off this! That being said, it would bring me great pleasure for you to enjoy the story! If you feel like borrowing the fic, please remember to ask permission first. The fic belongs to me and plagiarism is not welcomed. Your cooperation is expected.

AUTHORS NOTES

There are a few things I'd like to get out of the way before we begin today. First off is a big 'domo arigato' to Mae-san for showing me the mistakes I made with the timeline in the Prelude, as well as letting me know when and why Chris stopped talking.

There are a few things I want to explain, but I won't because that would spoil the story. So I'll just clarify the most obvious things. One, D and Leon will get together. Two, Leon has no idea why he's having weird dreams. Three, D's a sneaky bastard and has tricked a doped up Leon into staying with him for an indefinite period of time.

Well, that seems to be the whole of it. I've fixed up a few things in the previous chapters, so if you skipped them just to come and read this part, you should go back and read them over so that the flow of the story isn't messed up.

Recap:

D shook himself. Setting his mind to another task, he had to find out more about why Chris had withdrawn from the human world again. If the child was still capable of interacting with D's world as well as the human world, then there was no telling what could happen. Or even…

Now why had he not thought of that before? If Chris had such extraordinary talents, especially at such a young age, then what did that say about Leon? Really, it would explain Leon's uncanny ability to detect lies and his irritability when in the presence of illusions or people and things with something to hide…

How truly… unexpected this all was. His detective was always so very fascinating.

Event Horizons

Chapter Three: Evening Dreams

D smiled gently, watching Leon sleep with a certain fondness in his expression. The emotion lighting his odd, gem coloured eyes and lifting the curve of his lips. The blond human was soundly asleep and once again leaning on D, golden head resting on one silk clad shoulder. It was rare to see the young detective so unguarded, and D was taking advantage if the rare opportunity to openly study the other males sleeping features.

It was strange to see the blue eyes hidden behind the thin skin of the man's eyelids instead of flashing at him, burning with whichever emotional storm his detective was in the midst of experiencing. The younger man was so passionate, so alive, always feeling everything so fully, never holding himself back from life. Straightforward, honest, driven, it was no wonder Leon had made the rank of Detective at so young an age compared to most humans. Even during the rare moments that D was able to catch Leon feeling peaceful or looking thoughtful the sky blue eyes reflected the vibrant soul that lived behind them.

Asleep, with his eyes closed and compelling presence dimmed, Leon was suddenly both more and less human than D had ever seen him before.

In his slumber the young mans full lips were slightly parted, lightly pink and curving in a soft, barely-there smile, looking delightfully vulnerable when compared to the way D usually saw them, pressed into a tight white line of anger or pain, or curled in an accusing sneer. Far more attractive this way, D would really have to find a way to encourage the detective to look like this when awake, so that the kami could see how a smile like that affected the mans eyes.

What would it take to have Leon smile at D that way when awake? It was a vastly entertaining and utterly distracting thought.

D pulled himself away from thoughts of chocolate body paint, silk lined handcuffs, and an ostrich feather with some effort, returning to his perusal of the sleeping detective, but not before filing his musings away for a later date.

Lashes lay across cheekbones in fans of dark gold. Just brushing sun bronzed skin and creating a delightful contrast. The darkness of the tanned flesh brought out the brilliance of the gleaming blond hair. It was oddly thrilling to see the shining strands loosed from the customary elastic, falling slightly past the detective's shoulders and spilling over the silk covering D's shoulder.

Leon's nose wrinkled cutely and he shifted with a soft whimper, almost as if in an attempt to get closer to D and away from the bother. Delicately, D reached out with his free arm and tucked the tickling strands back behind Leon's ear. The detective sighed and subsided, stilling against D's side as the Chinese kami continued to stroke Leon's hair as he had earlier, hoping to offer whatever aid he could.

A few moments later he paused, glancing over at Chris to see what the boy thought about his actions towards the child's elder brother. D found there was no reason for concern. Chris was tucked up against Leon's side, his head resting against the other blonde's arm, small hands limp and open in his lap.

Smiling again at the image they presented D was content to simply look at them for the rest of the drive to the pet shop.

He frowned, drawing into himself. There was something out there in the stillness… a cold, dark silence that crept around the edges of his perceptions.

It was looking for him, he knew, he could feel it. He did not know how or why but he was certain that letting it find him was a bad thing. If it found him, there would be pain, a biting cold so deep it burned, and the darkness would seek to crush him. Break him and use him despite his protest, despite his struggles.

He knew because it had nearly happened to him before.

He was stronger than the last time, and well hidden, but he was not ready to fight it, not yet. There was something else that needed to happen before he could get rid of it. He had to be ready so he could protect…

The cold presence drew nearer, almost as if drawn by his thoughts of preparation and protection of the other. Reflexively, he drew into himself again, desperate to escape detection.

In his panic, he almost did not notice the new presence. Cool and calming in shifting greens, like light filtered through wind-stirred leaves, a twisted nest of serpent vines. Other colours bloomed and faded into the shadowed green like accelerated flowers, and he let himself be drawn in. Captivated by the new presence. He hid his own light among the vines, feeling the dark cold recede, and he tucked the smaller light of his other into the green presence.

This was good. They were masked by the cool calm, so unlike their own dancing warmth, but with the potential to match their fury if roused. It was familiar to him, from the outer time. He was safe. He could rest now, and gather his strength.

The time for his awakening was coming… it would be soon.

He had found the one who could free him.

Sofu D examined the human who entered the shop. He was a solid Chinese man of middle age, and he was wearing jeans and a work shirt, a formless hat was bunched in his hand. The old kami slid forward, intent on discovering the mortal's reason for coming.

The man was startled when Sofu apparently dissolved out of the shadows, but bowed respectfully and answered the question in their native tongue. He and his sons had been contacted by the Count to go to an apartment and pack everything inside. He had told the buildings super that Mr. Orcot was moving out, as the honoured Count had requested, and the personal effects were out in the truck. The boxes from the post office had also been claimed and were likewise outside.

This was all well and good, but Sofu still did not see why the man had come.

Apparently the man had been told to bring everything to the pet shop after boxing it up. Did the honoured kami know what they were to do next?

Wondering what his grandson was up to now for a moment before he recalled the phone call from D requesting that he make up a pair of guestrooms for visitors. Sofu told the man to bring the boxes inside through the back entrance and leave them in the hallway.

Of course, the human bowed again, it was a pleasure to serve them.

An hour later Sofu D was staring at the pile of boxes containing human belongings. From the scents he was able to detect, they belonged to D's detective. Absently Sofu wondered how D had managed to get the surly human to agree to stay at the pet shop. He dismissed his musings and sent the boxes to the rooms. The shop would know which boxes belonged to which of D's 'guests'.

Satisfied that his part was over Sofu returned to the front room to wait for his grandson's arrival.

D almost gave into the desire to frown when he felt the car slow and stop on the street outside the pet shop. He stifled the urge and smiled at the driver when the small man opened the door. A sharp young face surrounded by short grey hair smiled back.

"We've arrived back home, Count. Would you like me to take the human's things inside?"

"Yes, thank you, Michael."

The driver grinned and winked before moving around to the back of the car, opening the trunk and removing Leon's duffel and Chris's suitcase before disappearing through the doors of the pet shop with his burdens.

D sighed and turned to look at his guests. Leon was still deeply asleep, but the sound of the trunk shutting had woken Chris up. The little blond yawned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes before looking questioningly at D.

The Count smiled and nodded at the open door.

"We are at my shop, Chris. You and your brother will be staying with me for a time."

Nodding to show he understood Chris grinned brightly and climbed out of the car onto the sidewalk. D followed after gently shaking Leon into semi consciousness. The drowsy detective leaned heavily on the Count for a few stumbling steps before D simply picked the other man up again.

Leon made a 'mrmm' sound and pressed his nose into D's collarbone, sighing once before going limp. D revised his earlier thoughts; the detective's painkillers must have contained heavy sedatives.

This was true to a point, but the sedative in Leon's medication wasn't that strong. It was a combination of Leon staying up late the night before cleaning up his apartment, a restless sleep, an early morning, and an active day that had exhausted the injured detective to this point.

Chris did not react to the manhandling of his elder brother beyond a blink as he opened the heavy doors to the shop and held it open for the kami. D smiled at the boy again as he manoeuvred his burden through the doorway.

"Ah, thank you, young Chris. You are most helpful."

The blond child flushed lightly at the praise as he closed the door behind them and followed the Count down the stairs.

Chris looked around curiously once they reached the bottom, taking in the ornate furniture and rich, heavy drapery. Things ha not changed much at all since Chris had left.

SNARL!

Tet-chan lifted his head as he heard the door to the shop open again. The rush of air from outside carried with it the scent of his master and the idiot human. The tou-tetsu bared his teeth and slunk around into a prime pouncing position.

So far his efforts had done nothing to discourage the man from bothering the Count, but Tet-chan was determined. Besides, biting the moron made him feel better.

D's voice preceded him into the entry room, his arms full. A familiar blond head following after pulled a snarl from Tet-chan's throat as he leapt.

"Tet-chan! Stop that! This is no time for games."

The Tou-tetsu froze at the first sound of D's voice, thumping to the ground mid leap. He tucked his head down and whined at the scolding. Pausing as he took in the scene, a single confused thought running through his mind.

'Eh? The idiot shrunk?'

Chris peered around D's legs, blue eyes wide and frightened as he stared at the strange animal that had made as if to attack him. The boy's eyes crossed as the sight of the striped goat was overlaid by an image of a familiar red haired boy with horns. Chris took a step away from the Count as the other boy looked at him, a surprised expression appearing on the redhead's sharp-featured face as he got a good look at Chris.

:: Tetsu! It's you! I missed you::

Chris tackled the redhead around the waist, hugging tight. Tetsu made a garbled sound of surprise before falling to his knees, automatically wrapping his arms around the child as Chris clung.

D sighed, ruefully thinking that he should have expected something like this to happen.

"Tet-chan, you remember Detective Orcot's younger brother Chris, do you not? He and the detective will be staying with us for a while. Chris, you already know Tet-chan."

Chris fixed a 'no duh' expression on his face as he looked up at D without loosening his hold on Tetsu. The kami ignored the boy's look as he swept past the bewildered tou-tetsu.

"Tet-chan, please let the others know of our guests. Chris, follow me and I'll show you to your room."

With one last mutual look exchanged the two did as the Count bade. Chris reluctantly letting go before he hurried after the man carrying his brother and Tetsu gaping before running off to spread the word to the rest of the pets.

"I am just going to put your brother to bed. His room is the next one down this hall, feel free to explore your lodgings, young Chris."

The kami and his load disappeared through a door further down the hall as a wide-eyed Chris stared at the room Count D had led him to, mouth open in a small 'o' of surprise.

D reappeared in the doorway to Chris's rooms a few minutes later, smiling at the hesitant way the small boy fingered the tapestry on one wall. There were no windows, but the arrangement of the furniture and the scenes on the wall hangings gave the room an expansive feeling.

"Is it to your liking?"

The smile faded from D's face slightly when Chris snatched his hand away, spinning to face the Count as he tucked his hands behind his back. Chris kept his eyes on the floor even as D walked across the room to stand in front of him.

:: I… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have touched…::

The kami caught the boys chin in his hand and raised the child's gaze to meet his own. Searching the wide blue eyes as he spoke, D sought to comfort Chris, as the young human was obviously uneasy even in this familiar place. Unsure as to his welcome in D's home, where Chris should already know he was welcome.

"Listen to me, young Chris. This is your room. You may do as you like in it. You may touch what you will in it. For as long as you and your brother live in my home, this is your place."

:: B-but…::

"No 'buts', young man. I do not want you to feel unwelcome here, so please do not worry. I have many pets who are far harder on the furnishings than a mere boy like you, as I am sure you remember."

Chris blinked up at him, timidly returning the encouraging smile the Count gave him. D stood straight again and patted Chris's shoulder.

"Now, over here we have your bathing room. Your wardrobe and dresser are over here. The desk comes with a lock just in case you have something you wish to keep private…"

Closing the door softly behind him D sighed, leaning against the solid wood for a moment, just letting the calming flow of the shop's energies wash over him. He had checked in on Chris again after feeding his pets and letting them know that the two humans were not to be harmed or bothered. The detective was still badly injured, for all his stubborn insistence that he was fine, and Chris was so easily frightened. The boy had been sleeping soundly when D had looked in, and Tet-chan had already promised to apologize to the child.

The kami fought down the urge to find the ones responsible for the boy's renewed timidity and make them sign a contract. The child's spirit was badly wounded, and D was under the suspicion that Leon may be hiding similar wounds under his scowls and shouts. The thought that anyone could have hurt his detective made him angry, forcing D to take several deep breaths.

D pushed away from the door and walked further into the room, looking sadly at the peaceful figure resting under the fine sheets before he sighed again. Sitting on the edge of the bed as he gazed thoughtfully down at the young detective.

"What will it take for you to smile at me, my Leon? Will there ever come a time where you feel joy with me? Or is your distrust of me so deep? Is your blind anger, your unreasoning hatred of what you perceive me to be so vast that you will never look at me unguarded, Keiji-san? If I could, if I thought it would help, I would tell you whatever you wanted to know. The answers to all your questions… if I thought it could change things. Yet I do not know if the answers I can give you would make a difference. If only you allowed me close enough, I would kiss dry the tears you will not shed before me. I would do anything, if only to see you smile for me…"

The green spirit was there again. Close enough to touch. His light danced among shadowed vines as he curled up in the midst of this other.

In the outside time the vines wrapped around him so protectively had a name. A name his waking self knew well.

He reached out, twining his own golden light with the leafy green, matching his glow to the pulse of flower-colours all around him. Subtly mixing his self with that of this other soul. Drawing it to his own even as he gave over to it.

A name echoed through his whole being, his spirit shivering with its unexpected potency.

"… D…"

It was a whisper, a murmured exhalation of breath, barely stirring the air at all. Yet the kami froze, eyes locked on the prone form tucked under the covers.

Leon's eyes flicked back and forth beneath lightly closed lids. A soft sigh had the Count leaning down, dark strands falling forward as his face drew nearer to the other mans.

D breathed deeply, taking in Leon's scent, the warm aroma flooding his senses. He shut the rest of the world out, nothing so important as the man on the bed. He saw only Leon, smelt only Leon, heard only Leon. It was as if a tether tied D to the golden human, and he could not find it within himself to fight the pull that drew him ever closer to Leon.

A whimper caused D to frown as an expression of distress crossed Leon's face. The kami reached out, smoothing the furrowed lines away with a gentle touch, marvelling at the soft, warm skin under his fingers. So very delicate, D could rend Leon's flesh to shreds in a moment if he so wished. Despite it all Leon was so very fragile…

The shadow had come back. His joy in finding his match had made him grow careless. He had drawn back in to himself, pulling away from his other. His soul growing cold as the contact waned, yet he had no choice. He could not risk being found by the vile presence that sought him out, not until the bindings to his match were completed.

Then the soothing green had reached out, drawing him in. The wonderful, beautiful being wrapped around him until he could no longer sense anything beyond his other.

Joyously he pressed closer, until he could feel his excitement surge into his waking mind, and he welcomed his match into his self.

"… D…?"

Leon's sky blue eyes fluttered open to cast a sleepy gaze on D, blinking lazily as the blond focused on the pale face so close to his own. Laying unmoving, Leon simply looked up at the Chinese man, confusion and a strange relief warring for dominance in his expression.

Unable to resist the open vulnerability before him D caught Leon's lips with his own, tasting the detective deeply. Leon's mouth opened easily under his, sweet heated darkness welcoming the kami's sudden invasion.

When D drew back Leon was breathing quickly, shock apparent on his features. Without waiting for the detective to remember his temper, D kissed Leon again. Leon moaned, soft lips gently surrendering to the kami's second assault. This time, when the other man drew back, Leon was flushed, eyes glazed with something other than simple sleep.

Leon blinked up at D and smiled, utterly breathtaking. His face tinted pink, eyes soft, warming D from the inside out. Then Leon yawned and his eyes closed as sleep pulled him back into the realm of dreams.

D chuckled as he brushed Leon's bright hair away from his face, laying a gentle kiss on the other mans brow.

"Sleep well, my Leon."

His soul sang his victory quietly to itself as the bindings began to form, gleefully feeling the wall between his waking mind and his sleeping self weaken. Not much, just cracking enough to let the bindings take root.

His laughter rang out through the void, mocking his hunters as he revelled in a rare moment of carelessness. It was too late! He had found his partner, they had lost their chance to capture him!

The spell that hid his true self was fading. A double handful of dawns were all that remained to it.

His time of wakening was coming, and then he would have his vengeance!

"Just what do you think you are playing at Grandson?"

D stiffened, turning to face his grandfather as he lay the tea things on the small table.

"I am not certain of what you mean, Sofu."

Gold eyes glittered in the dim light.

"Do not play the fool with me, D. Drugging the detective, bringing the humans into the shop. Just what exactly do you hope to accomplish?"

Keeping silent as he poured the sweet tea, D did not answer his grandfather's question.

Examining his quiet descendant, Sofu sniffed lightly and reached for a cookie. The elder kami stopped mid reach, leaning forward to take a deeper breath. As D looked at him questioningly Sofu sat back with an amused expression.

"Ah, so that is it then."

D could only stare at his relative in bewilderment.

"What do you mean?"

Sofu shrugged gracefully and made a dismissive gesture with his teacup.

"You are in the beginning stages of the seeding."

D sat bolt upright.

"What?!"

"It certainly explains why you manipulated the detective into staying here. You have always had an unhealthy interest in that human, at least now I know why. He is not the one I would have chosen, but he is attractive enough I suppose. I find myself looking forward to seeing the results."

"Sofu!"

The elder kami blinked gold eyes at his grandson.

"Yes?"

"I cannot be seeding!"

"Of course you can, and you are. There is no denying it. Your scent gives it all away."

Looking at his shell-shocked grandson, Sofu D leaned over the table and patted D's hand soothingly.

"There is no need for such hysterics, child. The seeding is a perfectly natural part of our lives. You just wait and see, it will be the most enjoyable experience of your life. Even better than those chocolate covered fruit tarts we had last month."

"Sofu, I cannot! Leon would be killed, he would never survive the seeding process in his condition!"

"Ah, that is a problem…"

"Besides, he does not want me, not like that!"

Sofu made a dismissive noise.

"Nonsense, no human is able to resist us, and by the time your human is healed enough, well… even with the help of our magic, it will take a few weeks for you detective to heal completely. By that time you will be so far gone into the seeding you will not care what he says, no matter if he can remain unaffected."

D looked at his grandfather blankly before burying his face in his hands. Now that his attention had been drawn to it, he could feel the stirring deep within, a warning breeze before the storm. His actions suddenly made terrible sense, the way he was constantly coming into contact with Leon, the carnal thoughts, bringing him to the shop, the kisses earlier that night.

The seeding…

It was, in the simplest manner of explanation, one of the ways in which D's species reproduced.

An expanded description went like this; first the kami in question found a suitable mate. Gender and species had no bearing on the kami's choice, the personality and spiritual compatibility of the individual in question of more concern than anything else. Once the mate was decided upon, usually subconsciously, the first real stage of the seeding began. The kami would bring his future mate into his territory, making his mate as comfortable as possible. Within the next handful of days to a few weeks, the kami's scent would change, focusing on becoming an aphrodisiac tailored for the kami's chosen mate. How fast things went from there depended on the kami and his new mate, but the end result had the kami's mate impregnated with a new kami.

Since Leon was injured, D would be fighting the instinctive need to claim his chosen mate until the man was healed enough that he was capable of surviving. The seeding process was strenuous on even the usual choices the kami made for their mates, most of whom were magical in some form or other. Instead of staying as close to Leon as possible for the next few weeks, D would have to keep his distance, or risk destroying the human when the seeding got to the point where D would lose control of himself. It would be difficult at best, and exceedingly painful at worst.

"Oh no…"

Sighing, clinging to the patience he needed to deal with stubborn children, Sofu moved to sit next to D.

"Stop that this instant. Feeling sorry for yourself will not help either you or your detective. I will leave his care to you for as long as you are capable, but I promise to help if you think yourself losing control before the healing is finished."

Breathing deeply, D nodded at his grandfather's words, drawing the tattered shreds of his control around himself like a security blanket.

"Thank you, Sofu. Your aid is appreciated. I will make certain to inform you should I require your assistance."

The older kami said nothing, simply nodded and turned back to his tea. Valiantly keeping the mirth he felt over his grandson's predicament and reaction to the situation pushed down. Sofu sipped his tea and smiled benevolently. He was looking forward to seeing how his grandchild handled the next few weeks. It would be a test of the younger kami's self-control to be certain, and the detective's reaction to the seeding was going to be vastly entertaining.

Tsuzuku…

END NOTES

Ah, joyful happy day. I'm back from visiting my Aunt and my writer's block is gone. This Chapter is a bit shorter than I'd like, but at least I got all the important parts covered.

Finished:

Revised: 14/01/05