Disclaimer: I own the chocolate I got for Valentine's Day. No Legal Drug people.
Yoru: Yep.
Kuronue: That was eloquent.
Yoru: Bite me.
Rikuo sat across from his former mistress, watching her fidget. Once the initial reunion was over, there was an odd, awkward silence. Finally, Tsukiko broke it.
"I'm sorry I wasn't stronger, Rikuo."
The words rang in Rikuo's head. She was sorry?
"I'm sorry you weren't too," he said, unable to stop the words. Her eyes met his, slightly widened. Her expression enraged him suddenly.
"Did you expect me to say, 'it's all right, Lady Tsukiko'? You expect me to just say it's all right, when I spent the last year being beaten and used like some dirty whore? You didn't even try to protect me! All you had to do was tell the King and he would have had General Hartham dismissed! But you were scared, weak, and I paid for it."
"Rikuo…" she started, but he cut her off, standing and pacing.
"Of course, I'm just a slave. Nothing in the eyes of anyone. Just property. Hell, the King even said he couldn't set me free even after I saved his son from being raped. Slaves don't mean anything; we're not worth fighting for, are we?"
"STOP IT!" Tsukiko was on her feet, tears tumbling down her face like twin waterfalls. Rikuo stopped, blinking. He had never heard Tsukiko yell.
"You don't mean nothing to me!" she said, more quietly. Rage built in Rikuo once more.
"THEN WHY IN ALL THE HELLS DIDN'T YOU PROTECT ME?!?" he yelled, much louder than she had.
"I don't know!"
"It's because I'm property! I'm not fucking worth it!" Rikuo felt like crying himself, especially when he realized that he'd wanted to yell at her like this since the General had taken him.
"You are worth it!"
"Then. Why. Didn't. You. HELP ME?!?" He was so angry, so enraged, that all he could do was scream at this woman who dared to think that a simple apology was enough to make up for a year of hell.
She hesitated.
"Say it."
"I was afraid…to lose…everything…"
"That you owned. Over one possession," he finished for her. She hung her head.
"Yes."
"Then my decision is made. I will not return with you. I will stay here…with the one person who looks at me like I'm human."
"I wish you well, then." She left the room without a backward glance, and Rikuo sat down hard on the bed.
The one person who looks at me like I'm human…or maybe more.
Kazahaya sat in his room, glaring at nothing in particular. Why had he been so angry at Tsukiko for embracing Rikuo? Of course she missed him, and he missed her. Rikuo had said nothing bad about her, so he must have liked her.
Kazahaya kicked the side of his bed moodily. Why on earth was he jealous? Rikuo was handsome, but he was a moody jerk. Who wanted him?
He wanted him.
Gods, more than anything, he wanted him.
Kazahaya groaned and buried his head in his knees. How had this happened?
"Kazahaya?" Kei stepped into the room, and ran to him when she saw his pitiful state, "Kazahaya, what's wrong?"
Kazahaya buried his face in her stomach, knowing if there was anyone he could trust, it was Kei…or Kakei.
"I…I…"
"You what?"
"I'm in love with Rikuo."
There was silence.
"Are you just now figuring that out?" Kei asked. Kazahaya's head shot up.
"What?"
"Please, everyone could see that, Kazahaya. I mean, you were only mooning over him about 90 of the time."
"I wasn't mooning!" Kazahaya snapped. His sister laughed.
"Daydreaming then. Staring at him, watching him move, sleeping in his bed…"
Kazahaya sighed, "Well, at least you're not mad or something."
"Nah. Just don't tell Father. Princes and slaves don't go together, you know."
"I know. But I want him so bad…"
"And since you're one of the only people who treat him like he's more than dirt, I'll bet he wants you too. But it'll either have to be secret or some miracle's going to have to kick in." Kei ran her fingers through Kazahaya's hair, wishing she could dismiss reality and let Kazahaya have his fantasy.
"I'm not sure how long I could deal with secret."
"Take a miracle then."
Kakei lay with Saiga, gently entwined in his lover's arms. Saiga's lips ghosted over his collarbone, making him gasp.
"Saiga…"
"How could anyone think this is wrong?" Saiga asked breathlessly, letting his lips move sensually on Kakei's sensitive neck.
"Who cares?" Kakei gasped, grabbing Saiga's hair and bringing him into a deep kiss. Once they pulled away, Saiga smiled.
"I thought you did?"
"If you continue to ruin this moment with your blathering I shall have to smite you," Kakei snarled, suddenly flipping Saiga onto his back and attacking his stomach with tongue and teeth.
"Gods, Kakei!" All coherent thought fled as Kakei and Saiga loved each other through the night.
