"Takao-kun, please deliver the food inside the room. I'm sure Furihata-kun is starving."

Takao whipped his head in the direction of the voice. Was that Kuroko just speaking to him now? Who knew that he even spoke? Wait… did Kuroko just tell him to go –inside- the room? The room with Lord of Rouge and probably, most probably, his lover? It's like Kuroko just signed his death warrant! The Lord of Rouge must've sent everyone out the room and now Kuroko wants him to go back in?

"Akashi-kun will not be pleased to have his flower starved to death."

Everyone started to make nervous movements. It seems that this "flower" is of great importance.

Takao looked down at the food tray. The porridge was still warm. The loaf of bread appeared to cool down. If the food was still warm, then that's not a lot of time that passed in between the time he was down at the kitchen. And in other words, that means even less time since he "walked" and had conversation with the Lord of the manor. No… he really didn't want to go back in. Takao's eyes darted back towards Kuroko.

Takao started to protest, "Um…wait…why do I have..."

"Takao GO." Shin-chan glanced sharply at him.

The look on Shin-chan's face explained all. If he didn't go in… everyone will be punished. Him included. Those scribes aren't going to transcribe themselves. Perhaps they'll face an even worse punishment in the torture chamber.

"I'm going Shin-chan, I'm going!" Takao called to the priest. Stealing a look at the "pouting" priest, Takao braced himself to go. All right, just go in and put the food on the table. That's all… nothing to it. Open the door. Food on the table. Get out. O…kay, I can do this.

Shifting the tray to one arm, Takao opened the door with his other. Quietly, he made his way in.

The room was dark, despite the fact that the sun has long risen. The heavy drapes of the room have been drawn over the windows. It was hard to see. Yeah, sure, Takao had the eagle eye, but everyone needed light to see.

Takao turned his head to look around the room. "Geez, where's that table?" Takao thought silently to himself, "It's so dark in here…"

With his initial thoughts fading into the quietness of the room… Takao heard clothes and blankets ruffling…

"Mmm" A soft murmur.

"N-Nn-no…pl-please st-stop…" A small voice squeaked.

"Do not resist, Kouki," A firm voice returned. More rustling of sheets.

"Nnngh…it hurts…" A soft moan.

"Shh…just a little bit more…" A gentle command, "be still…"

Takao's eyes widened. Oh no… are they having sexual intercourse? Worse! He just walked in on them. Heaven have mercy on him.

Takao's eyes shifted back to the bed… and he saw two heterochromatic eyes glaring back at him. Nothing was friendly about this look. Instead, it spelled danger. Takao breathed harder. His heart raced. The adrenaline rushed into his body. He needs to get out of here now.

"There's a table to your right." An indifferent firm voice said.

Takao stopped thinking and just set the tray down the table. Quickly and quietly, he opened the door just a crack and slipped out.

Shin-chan was waiting for him. "Takao?" A worried look crossed the Priest's face as soon as he got out.

"T-They were…They were…" The adrenaline ebbed away and Takao slumped against the door.

Akashi sighed. When will he ever have his alone time with his flower.

He had just recently taken Kouki and set him on the bed. A pallet is no place for his injured flower.

Akashi seethed at the thought. His flower was here in the castle for the past 2 weeks. Yet, he was not notified at all. His most trusted men and yet they betrayed him. Kuroko especially. Akashi's heart ached. The person who knew about this most intimate issue and yet, did not tell him. In fact, not only did Tetsuya not tell him that his flower was injured, but had the audacity to lie to him about Kouki's whereabouts. Unforgivable. Unforgivable. Definitely unforgivable.

Kouki stirred.

Akashi's anger melted away. How could he be angry when his flower is resting in the crook of his arms?

True, he was very cross from being interrupted in his quiet time with his flower by Kuzunari. But, Akashi decided that he'll dismiss the disturbance since the acolyte did bring in the food for Kouki. Akashi turned his attention to Kouki. Up until the interruption, Akashi had only been nuzzling his lover. How could he go further when his flower was so terribly bruised and hurt? Akashi began to scrutinize his lover's condition.

Besides the few fractures to the rib cage, the broken right arm, and both legs, Kouki whole being seemed to be in a bad state. Kouki's rough hair seemed to be matted with sweat since he's been cooped up so long in the room. His skin was of a paler green shade. Unhealthy. Sick. Akashi thought in disapproval. Also, Kouki was most noticeably thinner than two weeks ago. Kouki needs to eat and he needs to eat now.

Although Akashi wanted to keep nuzzling and press love marks into Kouki, it was best to get Kouki to eat something first. Then a warm bath before being tucked to bed. His bed.

Kouki's head was still facing away from Akashi. It was understandable. Anyone would be scared if they were taken out of their familiar surroundings. The situation for Kouki, his flower, to adapt to would be more difficult. Kouki is very skittish after all.

"Kouki" Akashi breathed softly against Furihata's neck and pressed a kiss to a previous love bite he made.

"Mmm…" A whimper. Kouki reflexively shut his eyes and moved his left hand to cover the spot. Furihata's actions tempted Akashi to tease his lover further. The small mewling sounds and reactions from Kouki were delicious to Akashi's ears.

A soft sigh. Yet, Akashi knew he must resist the temptation. Akashi, without jostling his lover, started to slide his arm out from under Kouki's resting head.

Noticing the movement, Furihata turned to face Akashi. Akashi was sitting up by now and he peered down at into the deep brown eyes of his flower. The corners of akashi's lips turned up into a gentle smile.

"You need to eat." Carefully, Akashi pulled Kouki into an upright position. With Kouki leaned against the mountain of pillows, Akashi got off the bed and went to get the tray of food. Despite with his back turned, Akashi sensed Kouki's face flushed red. Being with his flower has definitely set him in a better mood.

The tray of food was getting cold. Still slightly warm, but Akashi would've liked it to be warmer. However, Kouki is in dire need of food now. Akashi carried the tray to the bedside table and set it down. Aware that Kouki's eyes were on him, Akashi turned to look at his lover's face.

"Is something the matter?" a teasing tone.

Kouki immediately turned his face away. "N-no… nothing… nothing at all."

Picking up the bowl of porridge, Akashi took the spoon and scooped up some of it. "Kouki, turn this way and eat." Furihata turned towards Akashi.

Akashi held the spoon close to Furihata's mouth.

Furihata quickly shielded his mouth with his left hand. "Um..Uh…it's okay…really…I uh…I can feed myself. Furihata's eyes darted around the room, as if looking for escape. Then Furihata's eyes darted to Akashi's face, as if checking for anger. Anger at this refusal.

Akashi just smirked at his lover's noncompliance. He found it very endearing. "You will not eat, Kouki?"

"Nn-no… I-I'll just eat by myself. No need for you to b-bother with- with me." Kouki squeaked. His eyes downcast. Hiding from Akashi's eyes.

"Okay then." Akashi turned away from Kouki and moved to set the porridge down on the side table.

Quickly, Akashi took a bite of the porridge. Without swallowing, Akashi turned around, pinned Furihata's shoulder to the pillows with left hand, lightly squeezing Kouki's cheeks with his right and forced the porridge through. All in one kiss.

Kouki swallowed the porridge and gasped for air. Kouki turned his eyes to Akashi, in some what of disbelief.

"I don't take rejection too well…Kouki."

Akashi left the room.