February 26th 1586:
It was the first time in his eighteen years of life, that Akihito was on his own. For sixteen years, he had lived a sheltered life with Ai and his sisters. For the next two years of his life, he had lived with his lover. Asami Ryuichi, Duke of Dio. The Duke had swept Akihito off his feet and into a whirlwind romance. Akihito had fallen deeply in love with his lover. Ryuichi spoils him daily. Gave him all he asked for, and things he never thought to ask for. It was beautiful. Perfect. Or so it was supposed to be.
Two weeks earlier:
Akihito's laughter danced through the garden as he laughed at the joke Ryuichi had just told. Other pedestrians strolling through the garden. Some smiled, others were merely curious. They were a few who glared at the blond, annoyed that he would dare intrude on their lives so loudly. As they passed beneath tall trees, Akihito and Ryuichi spied the little outdoor café of the garden.
Claiming a table for two for themselves, they ordered a light meal and drinks. The lovers talked and laughed. Enjoying the feeling of the sun shining down upon their heads. They were unaware of the people and world around them. Akihito and Ryuichi's universe consisted of only them.
Ryuichi was leaning over, whispering dirty things into Akihito's ear, when the harsh sound of metal scrapping over soft stone intruded. Looking up, the caught sight of a young blond Beta with blue eyes. He was dressed well with gold hoop earrings hanging from his earlobes. Obviously wealthy. Without a word, the Beta sat in the chair he had dragged over to their table. An unexpected, uninvited and unwanted guest.
"Ryuichi dearest! It is so wonderful to see you again. How I have missed you so."
Ryuichi's golden eyes were narrowed with annoyance at the interloper. "What are you doing here?" His voice was cold. His words clipped.
The Beta placed a hand over his heart. A faux hurt look on his face. "Ryuichi, always so cold. But! It is one of the many things that I love about you."
Ryuichi grimaced. "Why are you here?"
"Why, when I learned of your last living here, I just had to come!" The Beta batted his lashes flirtatiously at Ryuichi. "You have not been back to Japan for years my love. Nor have you returned any of my letters." The Beta pouted. "I am wounded by your neglect Ryuichi."
The Beta turned his attention away from Ryuichi. Finally focusing on the other person at the table. The Beta's blue eyes lost their warmth, becoming icy cold as they focused on Akihito. Akihito shivered and the Beta grinned. He held out a hand, Akihito shook it hesitantly.
"How rude of me not to have noticed you! I am Shuu Sudou. Ryuichi's fiance." Sudou released Akihito's hand. "You must be my dear Ryuichi's kept woman."
Sudou turned to face Ryuichi once again. "Ryuichi dear, you will have to be rid of him when we marry. I will not allow my husband to have a mistress Ryuichi. I expect complete faithfulness from you." Sudou looked down at his watch. "Oh! I must be going. I do not wish to be late for The Lords of Tomorrow meeting." He stood and pressed a kiss to Ryuichi's cheek.
Ryuichi squeezed Akihito's hand as the Beta made his exit. "I am sorry that you had to experience such."
"No, its okay. Your fiance—"
"Shuu Sudou is not my fiance. I can not even stand the man." Ryuichi sighed, a hand pressed to his temple as his head began to pound. "Lady Sudou and my mother have known each other since childhood. My mother wasn't very fond of the other woman, but made polite with her. Lady Sudou is a selfish, cold hearted, greedy woman. And she raised her children to be the same. The Sudou family has been a thorn in my family's side ever since they came to Japan.
"The Sudou family was one of the families left in charge when the Parents went to sleep. Their holding was on the island of Greece. After the war, it was revealed that the Sudou family had been supporting the army. Supplying weapons and even sanctuary. Lord Sudou committed suicide rather face justice for his crimes. Lady Sudou had fled to her home of Japan years before. Her two children with her.
"Having been in Japan during and before the war, Lady Sudou was not charged with her husband's crimes. Lady Sudou was allowed to keep a part of the Sudou family wealth after the war. The rest was taken to help survivors. It was still a grand amount, though to Lady Sudou, it was barely enough to survive a month.
"I was to have a true mate. However, his mother was murdered and he was never born."
"Oh Ryuichi!" Tears fell from Akihito's silver purple eyes.
"My mother and father were true mates. As such, my mother knew the devastation and depression that came with that loss. So she made an agreement with Lady Sudou that I would marry one of her children. It was Shuu who wished to do so. The Beta has been after me ever since.
"My mother has since come to regret that agreement. She has tried to break it many times over the years. But the Sudou are so very greedy. Though I am not pleased with the situation, I am not angry with my mother. I understand her actions and in truth, I love her all the more for them."
Their lives had returned to normal after that awful encounter with Sudou. Until the Sudou siblings had taken it upon themselves to invite themselves to Akihito and Ryuichi's home. At first, Ryuichi had simply ordered their butler to inform the siblings they were not home. But after a time, the butler took to slamming the door in the siblings' faces. No more liking them than his employers.
Present Day:
Akihito stared out their bedroom window. A deep sadness and loneliness settling into him as he watched the Duke of Dio's carriage fade into the distance. Early this morning, the two of them had been awakened by an urgent letter sent by Lady Asami Margaret Ryuichi's grandfather's health was failing.
George Asami was a rarity in this world. He was both the direct descendent of the child born of the God Dio's tears and fathered by the God Dio himself. This led the Alpha to live far longer than anyone else. How long, no one was really sure. The Alpha was already a thousand years old. When the war began, he was strong and healthy.
He was sadly taken as a war prisoner by the soldiers. He was taken to a place many called hell. George Asami was beaten, starved and tortured daily. Clothing had been denied and due to his magical strength, the metal creatures had fed upon him. All this had stolen away the Alpha's magic, life and strength. Decreasing his life expectancy. It was a cruelty.
Akihito turned from the window, a strange foreboding settling onto him. Shaking his head, he stood. Taking a deep breath, Akihito set aside the foreboding feeling as well as the feelings of loneliness and sadness. This was as good a time as any to learn to be independent.
Grinning, Akihito turned and marched over to Ryuichi's wardrobe. Flinging the doors wide, he pulled the first items he came across. Stripping out of his dress, he tugged on Ryuichi's clothing. He looked a bit silly with the far too big clothing on, but he couldn't help but enjoy it. He had never worn men's clothing before. Eager to do more, Akihito dispatched a letter off to Kei. Requesting the Omega's help in adjusting the clothing he now wore.
Kei's reply arrived only a moment before the man himself did. Kei grinned at the sight of Akihito racing down the stairs in Ryuichi's far too big clothing. Kei and Akihito set up in the sitting room. Cheerful chatter filled their time as they set to altering Ryuichi's clothing to fit Akihito. Hours later, pleased with their work, Kei sent for his mate. The three then headed out for a fun day in town.
~ The Kept Woman ~
Akihito cheerfully headed out of the small cottage. Today he was dressed in one of the men's clothing outfits Kei had gifted him. This one, like the other four, was made by Kei himself. The gift had made Akihito cry and he had thanked the Omega profusely. Over the course of the last two years, Akihito had gotten to know Kei and Kazumi. Becoming close friends with the other couple.
Akihito knocked on the private entrance to Kei and Kazumi's shop. The day was still early and the shop had yet open. However, the couple was expecting Akihito. The door opened and Akihito was engulfed in a gentle hug by the big Alpha. "Good morning Kazumi!"
Kazumi pulled back, a big grin in his face. "It is good to see you again Akihito. Come on in, Kei will be right out."
True to Kazumi's word, Kei was out by the time Akihito had claimed his favorite spot. Kei set the tray of food and drinks he held down and rushed over to hug Akihito. "Oh Akihito, we have the most delightful news! We're pregnant!"
That night found Akihito sobbing by the fire. He was so happy for his friends, yet he could not help but feel jealous. He had always wished for children of his own. But he was sure he would never have them. While he was healthy and his parts worked perfectly, he was living a life of a magicless Beta. He was not married or mated. The only person he wished to be with was Ryuichi.
Did Ryuichi wish to have children? Would he be willing to have them with his mistress or would he marry someone else and father children with them? What if he told Ryuichi the truth? Would his lover be angry? Hate him? Would he leave him?