OVER 100 REVIWS! Thank you all so much!

OnlyDarknessAwaits1369 - I'm trying to make longer chapters... / mrsklemzak - Really? It's summer where you live already? Here it starts 21st of June... sadly... / Guest - thanks for checking the pic! but missing the adult stuff - you're missing the best parts :) / kroscetish - please enjoy this one too. / lcbeastly - more plot and almost no Maki for you. And no, I don't think the war will ever start. Hana won't let it happen / fanofbleach- I swear I'm updating just as I finish the chapter... sorry to make you wait. / Guest - more of jealous Kaede will be coming soon. / Star7 - I'm trying to get better! / Guest - ha ha ha calling me a great one was a bit overboard. / Hikaru Itsuko - sorry, every chapter needs to end somewhere... ne? / XLightningX - thanks! and one moer Guest - ok, maybe next time.


CHAPTER 12

Dead silence reigned over the previously buzzing room allowing for the shocking words to sink in.

"So, if you want to put the blame on someone for that attack basing on this..." Sakuragi held up the dagger. "...then you can only blame me! Put me to jail, hang me, whatever, just... don't start a freaking war!"

That raised another wave of chaos. Kaede grabbed Hanamichi's shoulder, turning him around to face him.

"Don't say things like that, you idiot!" The prince was beyond angry.

"If that saves our countries from war then so be it."

Kaede's fingers fisted the redhead's collar and pulled him closer.

"If so, then I go with you."

Those words were like a blow to the guts. It all took Hanamichi's breath away. All the anger, worry and... much more in those blue eyes made his heart almost explode.

Mitsui watched their interaction. Standing close enough he heard their every word. It was one of those situations where the reckless prince was going to do something stupid and it was up to him to take countermeasures. He put his hand on Hanamichi's shoulder and squeezed slightly. It was enough to bring Hana back to earth from cloud nine.

"Damn you, fox, don't make me want to kiss you in front of your father."

Kaede squeezed his eyes shut and smiled so sweetly that Hana almost snapped but just then their guardian angel and not-so-girly-anymore protector pulled his shoulder harder reminding about their situation. Sakuragi pulled away, seeing Kaede open his eyes and looking at him with so much devotion that, it took every ounce of will and self preservation Hanamichi had, to do it.

Kaede reluctantly let go of Hanamichi's collar, but his hand slid slowly over his torso, and lingered on his arm, when Sakuragi was turning to face the crowd once again.

Mitsui silenced the gathering and then addressed Hana in a very official way.

"Sakuragi-san, we all know you didn't do it."

"I am the only person that your lead points at." He felt Kaede's hand grabbing the back of his tunic and pulling. He wasn't sure what to do. Another suggestion of putting the blame on himself would end in Kaede's reaction and that would probably meant trouble for both of them.

The king cleared his throat.

"I know how you became a slave. I've heard your story. What I think now is that it was no accident that you discovered the schemes of the traitors."

Hanamichi gasped. He blamed himself for what had happened this whole time. He was sure that if only he had stayed silent, if only he composed himself... maybe he would be able to escape and stop them. Could it really be that...

"Are you suggesting that it was a trap to purposely set me up?"

"Is it possible?"

"If they wanted to have one of the seven daggers..." Sakuragi rubbed his forehead, enjoying the touch os familiar black fabric. "...then that really was the only way to do it. None of the seven trusted would ever betray the king. Everybody knows that... Two of them are priests, monks who stay in their mountain temples practically all the time. Not many people knows where exactly. One is the king's brother. Me, and three others are soldiers, and the king's protectors. One is far away, leading our army to battles, one is too old to leave his bed, so taking it away from him would be useless. The king would know that it had been stolen from him. If they wanted to get their hands on one of the daggers then the only two available were mine and Fuku-chan's-auch..."

He coughed wincing at the pain that shot through his body. He looked back at the prince who apparently accidentally hit him with the hilt of his sword...

"...sorry." Kaede growled the word, not sounding anywhere near sorry, and when Hana met his gaze he started to stutter, because the anger shinning in them clearly showed that it not only was on purpose, but also that Kaede meant to hit harder. "You were saying?"

Gears in Sakuragi's brain moved rapidly as he tried to figure out what was it all about this time. And, of course, the realization hit him like a punch The fox's was so predictable.

"Fu-fuku-da-san… I meant to say Fukuda." He explained taking a careful step away from the king's son.

"Look, king Anzai doesn't want to start a war. Him and his ancestors spend over a hundred years to bring Shohoku to the point where it is now, which is IN PEACE with all three neighbouring countries. He stopped funding forgeries three years ago and turned half of our fleet into transport units. It brings more money than war these days. You know it's true, because it's not a secret. Why would my king even want Keade's death?" He stopped talking feeling the prince getting closer to his back and he blushed realizing that for some reason he had used the brunet's fist name! He never did that. "I meant... the prince... prince Rukawa's death..."

Kaede snorted softly letting Hanamichi know how amused he was by that slip of tongue. Or maybe it was Hana's reaction that amused him?

Finally one of the generals asked for permission to speak.

"That is a very nice story, but this man is a slave from an enemy country and there is no way that we could risk our future believing his words. He popped out of nowhere instantly gaining everyone's attention, even sneaking his way into the palace and to the prince's close surroundings. It's outrageous! Even listening to him is reckless!"

Another general popped in.

"True! He killed the assassin, so we will never learn the truth unless we torture it out of him!"

Mitsui watched the pure fury ignite in Kaede and froze knowing all too well where it was heading. The boy snapped, moving protectively between his slave and the generals, but just after he managed to growl accusingly: "Traitors..." Hanamichi grabbed him from behind and covered his mouth with his hand. Kaede didn't struggle, pressed up against the man's warm chest. He knew better than that. Those idiots would probably claim that Hana attacked him and they would use it as a reason to do something ugly. So Kaede just breathed in through his nose, trying to calm down. It was not an easy thing to get a reaction out of him, and even harder was to make him angry, but threatening his Hana was like flipping some magical switch that made him see blood-red.

The king silenced another rising uproar.

"Now, what my son meant to say, general, is that it was too bold to question my decision in such a manner."

The general apologized but he didn't look convinced. He served the king faithfully his whole life and no one had ever dared to accuse him of treason.

"Maa-ah..." Akira dragged everyone's attention away from the fuming prince. "Arguing will get us nowhere. Why don't we think of a way to prove this theory right or wrong"

"How?" It was Maki who supported him. It was always Maki...

"Well... Let's think about it. We don't want to go to war, especially with a country that has such an amazing access to the seaside..."

Maki smiled discreetly knowing about Akira's favourite hobby. "If they really want to provoke us than they surely are prepared and we will only walk into a trap. Then again, if it really is a conspiracy than we may destroy a great chance to establish some nice a profitable treaty with a country that may be far way but is influential enough to make it worth a try."

"That is true. A treaty with a country who rules the seas would be revolutionary for our economics. We have never even tried to accomplish something like that because we simply didn't look that far. But now, as Sendoh-san pointed out, it surely is worth trying."

The king and most of the gathered people nodded in agreement to Maki's words, while Akira used the moment to wink at the shocked soldier in the centre of the room. Obviously Mitsui didn't expect him to do something so cool.

"Alright then..." The king was glad that the majority of the gathered people finally agreed with something. "How can we learn the truth?" The various answers came one by one.

"We could sent messengers to king Anzai..."

"They have as many reasons to believe us as we have to believe him..."

The crowd began to argue again discussing giving Sakuragi away to king Anzai.

"That may be a good idea!"

"NO!" Kaede apparently believed otherwise.

"King Anzai knows I would never betray him. If I only had a chance to meet him..."

"You're NOT going anywhere!"

"It's about war, fox! A war, where people die in agony. Have you ever been on the battlefield? Because I have and I don't want to see it again. I don't want Mit-chi to see it, nor you, or any soldier."

"Sakuragi-san... This matter is exceptionally delicate. I suppose you understand that we need to time to figure out how to deal with it..."

The king stood up, and with him all the gathered.

"I will expect you all to present me with possible solutions by tomorrow morning. For now that is all. Thank you for coming."

Yoshifumi's head was pounding with throbbing pain. Kanagawa was near the border so they were about three hundred miles from Shohoku... He wanted to believe Sakuragi. He wanted to avoid war for all costs. What if he sent a legation to king Anzai? The king would see the dagger and then he would demand Sakuragi... There was a chance that the king really trusted the redhead, but there was this risk that he didn't. They would lose Sakuragi, but it still wouldn't prove whether the conspiracy really took place or not. Was there any way to avoid this war?

After the meeting had ended Kaede stayed close to Hanamichi. He wanted to go back to their room and yell at Hana for putting himself in this situation. How could he? How dare he? He had no right to do that. Kaede should have never let Hana attend that meeting in the first place! He was beyond himself with anger and fear. He never asked his redhead about his past because he just knew that he would learn about something he didn't want to know. He didn't want Hana to be anyone important... He only wanted Hana to be his. He knew that the man was special even without confirming it and he didn't want everyone to know it too. He wanted to keep him for himself completely. He wanted to lock him up and... and... then he caught a glimpse of two soldiers guarding the entrance. They were both younger than him... Hanamichi served since he was sixteen. Mitsui was just two years older and already in high ranks. He and Akira experienced probably something similar to him and Sakuragi,... Kaede didn't want to give it a name or ponder about what it was, but he just knew that Sendoh and Mitsui belonged together... Sakuragi's words about war reverberated in his mind making him sick and suddenly very uncertain about his accusations toward the redhead...

"Oi, Maki-san!" Sakuragi was trying to catch up to the handsome politician, who instantly turned around and smiled at him invitingly. It shifted Kaede's attention and anger to him. The prince hated the way that man was looking at his Hana. He would tell him to back off but then he would have to speak to him and he certainly didn't feel like it. The fact that it would probably anger Sakuragi was not without meaning too. So Rukawa decided to just stay as close as possible to his favourite person and glare the older man into the safe distance. Maki instantly got the message and even made a small placating gesture with his hands, meeting the brunette's eyes. He had heard about Akira's injury so he didn't even try to touch Hanamichi. He liked his face in one piece.

"Sakuragi! I was impressed with everything you-"

"It's not about that. Is that true that you've bought Akagi's guild?!" Kaede rubbed his forehead. He hoped Hana would forget about it for a moment...

"Yes. I'm heading there just now. Would you like to come with me?"

"I... I would. I need to see my friend. Is he still there? A short one, with curly hair?"

"Ah, yes. Miyagi. He asks about you every day and worries about your condition. He's quite brilliant I must admit."

Hanamichi's smile was like a ray of sunshine after the endless rain. Kaede wanted to be its reason...

"Ryo-chin always worries too much. Is he alright?"

"He's fine. Come and see for yourself."

Hanamichi didn't even think about asking for permission. He simply started to walk in step with Maki, and Kaede silently followed, hoping Hanamichi didn't feel that he discreetly wound his fingers in the loop of his belt.. It was enough for the prince. He was contented with just staying close enough, but he had this awful feeling that the redhead wasn't going to let him... Hana was going to leave, endanger himself and die, cruelly leaving Kaede behind,.. But of course Kaede wouldn't let him.

Mitsui insisted that since he was responsible for the prince's safety he should go too, so of course Akira also followed and that's how they all found themselves in Akagi's guild once again. It was the first time for Hanamichi to enter the guild through the front gate. Getting in like that was like entering a completely different place. Being a guest was even stranger than that. Hanamichi felt out place and a little confused.
They waited for the main entrance to open. Kaede felt nostalgic. It was the same place where Akagi welcomed them that first time, that day when he had met Hanamichi; he had seen him for the very first time, trapped and whipped... covered with sweat and blood, almost naked... The prince wiped his forehead feeling all hot and bothered all of a sudden. Every time he entered those walls it was leading to see Hanamichi, and it was getting better and better each time. Now he didn't have to sneak into the guild to see the redhead but the place still brought to his mind some good memories. As if it was not enough, every step he took reminded him about the last night with this annoying throbbing in his backside. It made him completely unable to think about anything else. He wanted to be back in their chamber already...

"Hey, kitsune..."

They were still waiting for the entrance to open. In a few minutes time they would be among the slaves. Hana had been on the other side and knew that not all the slaves in the guild were as nice as him and Ryota. There were some sick motherfuckers and crazy killers too.

"Do you really have to shy by my side like that?" Kaede was driving Sakuragi nuts. He was so cute and clingy and so perfect. Hanamichi had a hard time trying to not think about the man at his side, about his pale hand resting on Hana's belt and about his closeness. He didn't want to take him to the guild. Not just because he was worried but he just wanted to get his mind off the prince for a moment.

"Like...how?" Kaede brushed his chin over Hana's shoulder while asking. Hanamichi wanted to grab him and pull him close, then hug and kiss slowly until the fox's legs went weak.

"Like THAT! Don't do that. It's bad enough that you've even come here with me. You should've stayed in the palace. It's not a place for you."

Kaede met Hanamichi's worried gaze and stated: "You're here."

Brown eyes blinked in confusion. "So...?"

"So, it is for me."

Mitsui smiled hearing that but was glad that Maki was busy talking to the guards and most probably didn't catch the conversation of the pair of newfound lovers.

"Prince Rukawa, I think it's best for you to stay away from Sakuragi-san. We will surround you from all sides, Sakuragi in the front, me in the back and four guards on the sides. That of course only if you trust him to be your bodyguard."

Kaede blinked. He didn't want to endanger Hana in any way. Actually, he really wanted to hug the man, to bury his face in the man's shoulder and breathe in his smell. He kept his distance through that tormenting meeting with his father and now he really needed at least five minutes with his redhead. He glanced at Maki and the guards. Akira was successfully blocking their line of vision. He quickly pulled Hnamichi's hand, bringing it up to his lips, and kissed the inside of his palm.
Hanamichi froze in shock. Even his heart seemed to stop for a moment but when it rebooted its beating was so fast that it was like buzzing, What did the kitsune do? What... And why? And... He just wanted to snatch him in his arms and kiss him senseless. He looked over, at Mitsui. The court guard was blushing, but he was rendered speechless by that improper show of affection too.

"Do what you want, ahō, just don't get hurt."

Damn he was so weak against this man... There was nothing he would refuse him now. He grabbed the prince and pulled him closer, leaving a quick kiss on the side of his neck.
"Mit-chi, I'll stay behind him. It's better if Akira and Maki-san stay inside the circle of guards too. I don't want to bring so much attention to the fox. Give us three soldiers on each side, one at the front, and the two of us will take the back."

Misui nodded and started to give orders before he once again realized that he just took orders from the slave again. It reminded him about Sakuragi's supposed position on the Shohoku's court. His rank was probably as high as Hisashi's, or maybe even higher. It came naturally to Mitsui to listen to his orders. Not because he should listen to them but because his instructions made so much sense... He wouldn't mind serving under a leader like that... He was pretty sure that Hana was one of those guys that would always have your back. But a prospect of going to war against someone like him made Mitsui's blood run cold...

"Give him weapons." Kaede was looking at Mitsui expectantly.

"I...I don't know if..."

Kaede frowned and turned his back on Hisashi, already stretching his hand out to the other guard who quickly took of his belt and handed it to the prince. Kaede's eyes were smiling as he fastened the belt around Hanamichi's hips, using the situation to get unnecessarily close to the slave and touch him.

"I'll have the best furriers in the kingdom make you the most beautiful belt and the best blacksmiths to forge you the sharpest weapon in the world." Kaede leaned closer to Hana's ear and whispered. "Hard and dangerous... and beautiful..."
And then added louder: "It will suit you." Then he finally finished fastening Hana's belt and moved away leaving the slave flustered and aroused. He could feel the fiery brown eyes boring hoes in his back. It felt good to have the slave's attention.

Finally the gate opened and in the formation Sakuragi ordered they entered the field where all slaves were training for the Saturday games.

It was different than when Kaede had seen it for the first time. Back then, slaves were just training punches and kicks. Now they trained throwing, running and jumping. Surprisingly enough the one giving orders to the lot was the smallest one of them all.

"Ryo-chin!" The curly head turned toward the newcomers and Miyagi's brown eyes widened.

"Hanamichi!" He run up to them quickly but the guards stopped him few paces away from the redhead. Only then the short man realised that the prince was there too.

"Y-your highness...?" He bowed respectfully and shyly looked up meeting ice-blue eyes. The prince was gorgeous. Miyagi wasn't into guys but this one was of exceptional beauty. He looked good from the arena but up close he was absolutely incredible. What was a creature like him doing in this place?

And then to the utter shock of Akira and Mitsui Kaede spoke to the shorter man.

"Hana's fine..." His voice was very soft but people seemed shocked to hear it. Only Sakuragi remained completely unimpressed and just trapped Miyagi in a bear hug slapping his back.

"How are you, Ryo-chin? How is the guild?"

"It's great actually. Maki-san removed some troublemakers... and the food is much better now."

Maki chuckled softly. "Well, I can afford more than Akagi could."

"You're free." They almost missed those words coming from the prince's lips.

"What?" Maki wasn't a huge fan of slavery but freeing the one most valuable was something he didn't want to happen. He had already lost his chance to get Sakuragi and Akagi had left with his sister... The prince was messing with his business.

Kaede didn't want to explain himself in front of all those people. Hana wanted that man free and that was it. He grabbed the redhead's sleeve and tugged. When their eyes met, Sakuragi knew that it was his queue to explain.

"Are you sure...?" Hanamichi couldn't believe.

"You told me to do it. Why are you so surprised?"

"Waht?" Miyagi obviously couldn't believe too."

"I... made him promise he would set you free."

Maki gasped. So it was true. "Prince Rukawa...?"

Kaede looked down at Hana's sleeve squeezed in his own hand and added. "I'll pay. I promised Hana..."

Ryota's eyes were getting bigger and bigger. Hanamichi was walking around town with the prince of Kanagawa, and the said prince was obeying his whims... granting his wishes... It was unththinkable. Yes, he did hear some rumours. People were saying strange things about famous people all the time so he didn't always believe them but... The prince really acted... strange... almost as if he...

"Is... is it really true?"

Hanamichi laughed. "If the prince says so than it must be."

Small smile appeared on the pale lips of the royal. "Since when you even listen to what I say, ahō?"

"Oh, shut up." Hana was getting caught up into their usual banter missing the tears flowing from his short friend's tired eyes.

"Now you want me to shut up again? You liked what I've said a moment ago."

"Well, because you were making some sense for once."

Finally a sob reached their ears and only then Hanamichi took notice of Miyagi's condition.

"Ryo-chin! Why are you crying?"

"I... I can't believe it... Thank you..." He threw himself at the prince's feet, but Keade just moved away, using it as a pretence to get closer to Sakuragi.

"Thank him..." He looked up at his handsome slave, clearly very proud of who he had at his side. Ryota instantly stood and threw himself at Hana's neck , not missing that Rukawa's hand had never let go of the redhead's sleeve.

Maki cleared his throat. "Alright then... I guess I should've done that myself, even if just to show my respect to the man who saved the prince's life. Miyagi... you are free. Now name your price."

"My price?..." What price? He didn't want to be sold again.

"Easy. I was just asking about the price for your services. I need you to train this lot, remember?"

"But... I have a wife and..."

"Then bring her here. I'll pay you whatever the price you name. Think about it."

Mitsui studied the scene. Miyagi's face was still confused even after he wiped the tears from his eyes. Hana seemed relieved and absolutely overjoyed. Maki was smiling. He could afford to buy Ryota's services. Even Kaede seemed pleased with his own good deed though Hisashi wasn't sure if for the right reason. Sometimes he thought that the prince would do absolutely anything and everything to make Sakuragi smile, but as scary as it seemed to be, it was also heart warming.

He was so preoccupied with the scene in front of him that he didn't even notice Akira's hand resting on his hip.

Maki was showing them everything that he changed after buying the guild. It looked more civilized and much cleaner. Sakuragi praised the idea of futons in the cells and Maki explained that investing in the players was now possible thanks to the new character of the game. Their chances of survival were much higher and they lived longer than just a week because the game wasn't only about killing anymore.

Mitsui observed the players. His soldiers also formed a team in the barracks. He wanted to be in it and play. Maybe soon they would have a game against Maki's team. Hisashi was actually looking forward to it. Those slaves looked strong and fast but none of them seemed to do what he could do...

As they got closer to the field some of the slaves instantly stopped training in favour of ogling the prince. Sakuragi's senses were on high alert and he kept his eyes wide open and aware of everything. Some brutes moved closer, not worried about the guards. Some whistles and cat calls were heard all around.

"Hey, Sakuragi, how is being the prince's dog?"

Hanamichi froze. He was afraid of some improper comments. He could ignore verbal attacks against himself but if any of those idiots dared to insult his fox he would break their arms and legs.

"Hey, Sakuragi! How's the prince's bed? Warm and sof-" The man didn't manage to finish the sentence because he was suddenly grabbed and actually thrown at the nearby wall, making a dent in the old roughcast. For a moment there was silence. All eyes were on the unconscious man by the wall. A trace of blood stained his robe. No one made a move to check if he was alive.

Kaede's heart was racing. Sakuragi Hanamichi was like fire, beautiful and helpful but also deadly and very dangerous. It was amazing that he had this power tamed...

Sakuragi looked around meeting gazes of most of the gathered slaves one by one.

"Say one word about the prince and it will be your last."

Some slaves took few steps back, others remained stubbornly in place. They knew Hanamichi and his impossible strength so they were reluctant to start a fight.

"You're so tough with weapons at your side, hiding behind the guards..." Someone still decided to be bold. "If not for that I would show your prince who is the strongest!" The guy who spoke was tall and looked strong. Hanamichi was pretty sure it was the first time he saw him. He must have been new in the guild.

"I'm sorry Maki-san, I 'm afraid you'll be short on a few players after our visit..." Hanamichi smiled apologetically at the politic and started to undo his belt. Shinichi smiled back, clearly not bothered by the loss of some troublemakers. He clearly couldn't wait to see a good fight.

Hanamichi turned around to hand the belt to someone for safekeeping but Kaede took it from him, purposely grabbing the slave's hands and keeping them in his hold for a moment.

"Don't do this, aho."

"What?" Hanamichi leaned down a bit and lowered his voice. "You can't seriously think that I'll pass up the chance to impress you?" The smile Hana received as an answer was a sight to behold. Kaede rarely smiled and it was always a treat to see it, but to see him grin like that was unprecedented. His eyes were smiling and shining so brightly that it was blinding. It was hard to not kiss him at the moment. He freed his hands and used one to run it discreetly up and down the brunette's side. When he walked away Akira took his place beside Keade with an innocent face.

"You look like a cat that swallowed a canary."

Kaede was stupidly happy so he even spared his friend a glance and a smile before he called to the redhead.

"Hana! Don't get too much blood on those clothes. It's my favourite set."

Hanamichi laughed out loud and without warning planted his fist in the centre of his opponent's chest. The huge slave's eyes widened and then rolled to the back of his head before the man's body tumbled into the dirt rising a cloud of dust.

"So who's next?" Hanamichi looked around, carefully studying the faces of gathered men and trying to read their intentions. The only person who moved was the prince. He walked up to the winner, with an elegant gesture he nonchalantly dusted Hana's thigh. Then he also brushed some nonexistent dirt from the slave's shoulder and finally he brushed the red unruly locks with his pale fingers. Hanamichi was holding his breath. The fox was provoking him again but it was no time or place for those kind of things. Still, the prince took his sweet time fastening the belt back around Sakuragi's waist and driving him nuts with small touches, intoxicating smell of his skin and batting eyelashes.

No one dared to bother them after that display of power. They walked around the guild some more. Seeng the place where he slept for months Hanamichi couldn't believe it was his home for so long. At that moment it was just some spot on the floor. It looked vaguely familiar but it wasn't his bed. This 'cage' meant nothing to him now... Hana couldn't fathom staying there. When the prince was saying wodrs like bed and room and phrases like "when we get home" Hanamichi thought of the same things as the royal: their room, their bed, the palace... It was strange how quickly it all has changed. He quldn't even think of Shohoku as his home anymore because... welll, because the kitsune wasn't there.

The home is where the heart is, ne?

...

"Now, let's play some kago!"

Sakuragi missed it terribly. Slavery in general sucked, but when he was getting into the arena to play he always felt as if he was free. It was the best feeling ever! Well, at least until he got to sleep with the fox of course. That was now on the top of the list and seemed not possible to change position.

After some convincing the fox finally stopped worrying and let Hana play but only on one condition. He wanted to play too. Hopefully moving would be good for his sore muscles...

It wasn't. It hurt like a bitch and Kaede quickly started to regret his decision. Running around was too troublesome and jumping too painful but he could still successfully throw the ball, surprisingly not missing even a single shot.

"Damn you fox, you gotten more points than me."

"Because I use my brain, ahō. You just jump and run round like a mad man."

"I'm just trying to get the ball from our opponents. I can't do it just standing in one place."

"I'm standing in one place because I'm... indisposed, remember?"

Hanamichi instantly flushed deep red.

"Right... Um... we... should probably get back already. You have dinner soon..."

They thanked Maki for the fun time and left, especially that after their sport activity Kaede was actually hungry for once.

It the palace the first person who welcomed them back was Furuichi. He waited patiently in the forecourt dressed in his best clothes, ready to grant the prince's every wish. As the carriage stopped he quickly moved to open the door for Kaede and help him out of the vehicle but the person who got out was not him. The man was tall; not as tall as Sakuragi or Sendoh-san, but still significantly taller than the eunuch. He looked mature and dignified. His skin was tanned and his smile charming. When his curious eyes slid over Furuichi's uncovered stomach, the slave trembled helplessly and blushed.

Then the redhead monkey gotten out, and of course, extended its huge paw to help the prince. The brunette smiled slyly and jumped out of the carriage falling straight into the surprised gladiator's unsuspecting arms, forcing Sakuragi to catch him.

"What the hell, fox? I could've dropped you!"

"You wouldn't drop me."

"Maybe I should, to give you a lesson."

The prince was just looking into the redhead's eyes for one long moment making Furuichi strangely curious of what he would say after this moment of tension. Then a dreamy smile spread over the prince's face before he repeated simply:

"You wouldn't drop me."

The fighter player just sighed in resignation and pulled the obnoxious prince toward the palace entrance.

Tsuzuku.