Thank you for reading the Woods of Arcadia. I cannot tell you enough how much I enjoy reviews, follows and favorites. I would write without them, but it does help me know what the reader is thinking/enjoying/mad at me for (lol). This story is for NIGHTMusic4167, who is reading the horror genre for me (Thank you). Thanks to Jace2pt4, Fairyprncss5678, coraz, and . Words of encouragement are always valued.

Please enjoy,

YamatosSenpai

Part XIII: Coax

Shunsui sat on the bed with his hands in his lap, twirling his fingers around one another awkwardly. Jushiro cleared his throat and placed his tea cup onto the table slowly. "Thin walls," Shunsui chuckled quietly.

"Yes. Apparently." Jushiro agreed, looking in any direction but Shunsui's.

"Sounds like he's having fun…" Shunsui continued uneasily.

"He deserves a bit of fun every now and then." Jushiro agreed stiffly.

"He should be finishing up any minute now…" Shunsui reasoned, clearing his throat.

"You said that nearly fifteen minutes ago." Jushiro arched a dark brow, a smile tugging at his lips. "He has stamina, I'll give him that."

"He's not human, don't get too impressed." Shunsui replied dryly, running his hands through his curling ponytail.

"He's forever a teenage boy." Jushiro was suddenly struck by the heaviness of that realization. "For better or for worse."

"I do." Shunsui answered quickly, a wide grin on his face.

"What?" Jushiro tilted his head in confusion, studying Shunsui quizzically. "You do what?"

"Nevermind." Shunsui waved his hand in dismissal. "To explain a joke is to kill it."

A loud outburst of blaspheme, expletives and moans poured out of the room next door and then all was silent. Shunsui shook his head with a laugh and Jushiro exhaled in relief. "I was afraid we would have to drag him out," Jushiro admitted, a pink blush staining his pale cheeks. A few moments later Coyote appeared at the door, a freshly rolled cigarette in his mouth. He nodded toward Shunsui casually before sparing a wink for Jushiro, who narrowed his eyes irritably. "You look proud of yourself."

"I love Italy." Coyote exclaimed, plopping himself into the chair next to Jushiro. He adjusted the waist of his pants and ran a hand lazily over his bare stomach. "I love Italians."

"That's great, I'm happy for you, I am…" Shunsui began tersely. "But we have only three days left. We have to find somebody..."

"Whoa! Take it easy, Pops. This isn't my first time, ya know." Coyote laughed easily. "It'll be too easy to find people in such a populated place."

"I hope you're right." Shunsui looked at Coyote pointedly. "You're the one who's going to get into trouble."

"Why must you ruin my euphoria?" Coyote groaned, rocking himself forward into a standing position. "Fuck you and fuck the Master."

"Where are you going?" Jushiro called after Coyote nervously.

"To meet our quota." Coyote snapped. "Since Shunsui is a worthless sack of flesh and can't manage to do anything without me."

"Hey, I can't… I don't have the hand…" Shunsui defended himself angrily.

"You are such a fool. Do you think the Master would make only one of us capable of helping him? How about when my contract ends? Do you use that head of yours or is it merely decoration?" Coyote's low voice rose in volume. "You can do everything I can do."

"Oh." Shunsui could think of no response. To be honest, the thought had never occurred to him. He couldn't imagine how he would even complete the task with the 'gift' he was given.

"Let me guess, after this many years, you still don't know how?" Coyote's anger dissipated and he smirked. "You truly are a hopeless case."

"Well, it is your fault. You're the one who trained me!" Shunsui insisted in embarrassment.

Coyote shook his head and chuckled heartily. "I rather like when you play the helpless babe…"

"Yabbe, yabbe…" Shunsui groaned in frustration. "I'm coming with you then."

"Are you sure?" Coyote teased merrily. "I don't want you to accidentally do some work…"

"He's always been this way." Jushiro interjected with a nod of his head. "Always resisting the tiniest requisite of effort…"

"I'm feeling bullied now…" Shunsui eyed Coyote and Jushiro dryly, clicking his tongue as they laughed at his expense.

"Oh, come on," Coyote instructed, gesturing for Shunsui to follow. "We'll be back, Ukitake-san, eventually."

"I'm going to take a little nap after I've supped," Jushiro decided aloud, smiling in farewell. "Oh, and if you've the time, bring me back some of that red wine."

"So, what's first?" Shunsui asked excitedly, barely restraining the urge to run around the meadow. "Show me how to steal souls."

"First of all, we can't steal souls…" Coyote corrected in a rather patronizing manner. "We can coax them out, but if they really wish not to come, we cannot make them."

"DiRoy Rinker?" Shunsui asked disjointedly, but Coyote understood the implication and nodded.

"Exactly."

"Alright then…" Shunsui recovered quickly. "Teach me how to coax souls."

"First of all, you're too excited about this." Coyote scolded Shunsui with a frown. "And secondly, please be quiet and give me an opportunity to speak."

"Fine." Shunsui shrugged nonchalantly, his cheeks blushing pink despite his best efforts to hide his embarrassment.

"What is the best thing you've ever done?" Coyote asked suddenly. "What is your happiest memory or your proudest moment?"

"The happiest I've ever been was when I became a Samurai…" Shunsui answered thoughtfully. "Jushiro and I placed together at the top of our class. His father was furious, mine was shocked silent. Our mothers asked for blessings to keep our fathers apart. But Jushiro was pleased. He smiled and laughed but still kept so humble and proper…"

"Cute." Coyote teased with a smirk, brushing a strand of dark hair from his face.

"Rokudenashi…" Shunsui muttered under his breath irritably.

"Am not." Coyote replied back shortly. "And I can understand you, asshole."

"I know, that's the point." Shunsui shot back.

"Listen! You have your favorite memory." Coyote called out loudly, bringing the attention back to his lesson. "Now, give it to me."

"Give it to you?" Shunsui spoke hesitantly, nearly jumping out of his skin as Coyote's hand brushed against his shoulder.

"Master never did this?" Coyote shook his head in disbelief, laughing bitterly as Shunsui shook his head. "Well, I do apologize for the intrusion…" Coyote placed both hands on Shunsui's shoulders, pulling Shunsui close enough their chests touched. "Still have that warm, fuzzy memory?"

"Yeah…" Shunsui breathed out expectantly, fearfully. Coyote pressed his lips to Shunsui's firmly, taking one deep breath after another. Coyote never loosened his grip, his kiss morphing into something completely sinister. Shunsui's breath was stolen and he turned his head from side to side fighting for air. Shunsui's head felt light and his body heavy as Coyote pulled away at last.

"What is your favorite memory?" Coyote asked with a frown.

"I… I guess it would be…" Shunsui stood for a few moments in stunned silence, unable to comprehend why nothing could come to mind. Only moments earlier he had answered this exact question, hadn't he? "It's… well…"

"Good." Coyote cleared his throat, his whole manner much more sober than before.

"What did you do? What did you just do to me?" Shunsui demanded angrily. "I just said it and now I can't remember!"

"I coaxed the memory from you." Coyote answered softly. "Hate me for it if you will but it was absolutely necessary to do."

"What was it?" Shunsui asked. "What did I say?"

"Shunsui are you completely miserable? Do you wish for death to free you from your contract? Do you look forward to the day the Master rips out his piece of you and finishes you off?" Coyote questioned slowly.

"No." Shunsui admitted with a shake of his head. "I wanna live and defeat him."

"Then I will keep it." Coyote answered simply. "Collect souls for the Master, kill over and over again, live a hundred years in slavery, and then kill our Master. By the time you've done all of those things you will pray for the end… you will have no happiness, no light… I will give you that light. Let me keep it. I will return your memory when you need it."

"Tell me." Shunsui shook his head adamantly. "Just tell me what I said."

"No." Coyote responded firmly, his low voice heavily accented as usual when he was tense. "You asked me for help. I am helping you."

"You're not helping me! You're just trying to make me as miserable as you are!" Shunsui accused, pressing his finger into Coyote's chest.

"Enough." Coyote barked. "Shut up so I can teach you."

"I don't even care anymore." Shunsui turned, stalking from the meadow. "I expect this shit from the Master, not from you."

"Shunsui Sozosuke Kyoraku no Jiro!" Coyote's voice thundered and for a moment he thought he might transform on the spot. "If you walk away from me, I will dismember you with my bare hands and carry you around in a pine box for the next century…"

"Why would you take that from me?" Shunsui's confusion and betrayal was clearly evident in his voice. "And don't call me by my full name like that…." Shunsui shrugged and Coyote shrugged and in the next moment Shunsui had broken into laughter. "I've lost my mind."

"Just come back here." Coyote insisted with a reassuring smile. "It's not anything hard. You'll learn it in no time… In fact, you already do it unconsciously…"

"Oh?" Shunsui narrowed his eyes curiously and gestured for Coyote to continue, hurrying back toward Coyote with a sigh.

"Seduction." Coyote answered simply, a smirk twisting his lips.

"Seduction?" Shunsui repeated with a heavy dose of skepticism.

"Of course." Coyote pulled his glove from his hand and flexed his fingers. "I use my hand not because it is cursed but because it is sensual. Let me show you…" Coyote walked in a circle, closing in behind Shunsui intimately. Coyote's body heat filled the space between them and Shunsui was suddenly very aware of Coyote. His warmth, the beating of his heart, the smoothness of his skin, the bouncy brown curls of his hair… Shunsui's stomach whirled as Coyote's hand came to rest on top of his head.

Shunsui had wondered how the deformed hand would feel and the thought had almost made him sick. But this feeling was nothing he had expected. Coyote's hand was large but slender and the heat was enough to make the balmy air seem chilled. Coyote's fingers ran through Shunsui's waves and Shunsui closed his eyes. It felt nice. Coyote's breath caressed the back of Shunsui's neck sending goose bumps down his arms.

"Accuse a man of great sins and he will get defensive." Coyote spoke at last. "Make a man feel good and in that moment he will give you the world."

"So you're saying you have seduced every person we've collected from?" Shunsui snapped back to reality, putting some distance between himself and Coyote. Coyote merely smirked, replacing his glove slowly.

"Seduction is not always sexual." Coyote pointed out. "Were we not seduced into servitude?"

"I suppose." Shunsui conceded with a heavy sigh. "But how do I get someone to give me their soul?"

"You can tell a bad person by their scent, right?" Coyote asked rhetorically. "Well, the rest is easy."

"For you, maybe! How do you expect me to rub all over people?" Shunsui asked in all seriousness. "I don't look like a teenage boy. I'm a bit more threatening…"

"You are the most flirtatious person I've ever seen and I am French!" Coyote laughed in disbelief. "To seduce is to tempt! To seduce to is be romantic and persuasive! You are the absolute embodiment of seduction."

"For some reason, I can already hear Ukitake-san laughing at me." Shunsui shook his head slowly.

"Let's practice." Coyote suggested.

"But there's nobody here…" Shunsui pointed out with a laugh. "I suppose I can also seduce the trees and little bunnies of the meadow?"

"You can seduce anything with a soul." Coyote ignored Shunsui's teasing. "Start with little things. If you can convince someone to follow your directions eventually you can convince someone to sell their soul."

"Did the Master teach you all of this?" Shunsui questioned.

"No." Coyote admitted. "What I have learned, I've learned from observation. I've seen how he works, how he does it…"

"He's very powerful, I don't think…"

"He may be powerful, but unless you give into him, he cannot harm you."

"What about Jushiro then, eh? How did he get involved? Me. I brought him into it but he is the one being punished. I…"

"He was seduced inside and to the dinner table." Coyote pointed out. "Jushiro was tempted by the sign and by Master's smile, he told you which Inn to stay at, am I right? Jushiro was charmed by the Master, even though you were clearly uncomfortable."

Shunsui stood in stunned silence and Coyote cleared his throat. "Come on, let's practice. If you can seduce me before nightfall, I will let you have my turn to bathe first."

"Seduce you?" Shunsui laughed in surprise. "First of all, how can I do that? And secondly, why would I?"

"Seduction does not have to be sexual! Do you ever listen?" Coyote groaned, his hand pinching the bridge of his nose in agitation. "If you want to learn, you must practice. If you can't get their soul, you run a risk of exposing us or of murdering a person for nothing."

"Fine." Shunsui agreed reluctantly. "I feel stupid doing this." Shunsui placed a hand on Coyote's shoulder, rubbing it back and forth lamely.

"This is a waste of my time." Coyote stepped out from under Shunsui's arm and turned to leave.

"I'm sorry, wait. Let me start again…" Shunsui called after Coyote, his large hand intertwining with Coyote's. Coyote looked up into Shunsui's soft, brown eyes, surprised as Shunsui brushed his thumb over his chin. "Don't go."

"I won't." Coyote conceded simply. His eyes narrowed as Shunsui pulled him closer, their hips and groins touching. "Minus five points for crudeness."

"Shut up." Shunsui breathed heavily. "I'm nowhere near done trying."

A shiver ran down Coyote's neck and he swallowed with effort. Shunsui's broad, developed chest pressed against Coyote's and Shunsui's eyes darted around the meadow anxiously. "Minus another five for distraction."

"I'm not distracted." Shunsui's breath tickled Coyote's flesh. "I'm making sure we're alone." Coyote opened his mouth to reply but was silenced as Shunsui's warm mouth met his. Shunsui's tongue pressed inside and heat instantly spread throughout Coyote's belly. Coyote's eyes closed as Shunsui's lips pressed gentle kisses onto his cheeks and forehead, lightly pressing to his closed eyes. "Coyote?"

"Yeah?" Coyote moaned as Shunsui's hand snaked under his shirt, his thumb teasing the ticklish flesh of his abdomen.

"Can you get down on all fours for me?" Shunsui asked huskily. Coyote nodded, kissing Shunsui hungrily before letting go and dropping to the ground. Shunsui pushed Coyote's shirt up, kissing from the waist band up to his neck. He bit down on Coyote's neck firmly, causing the smaller man to yip. Coyote groaned as Shunsui pressed against his thigh, his firmness evident through his pants. "Coyote?"

"Yeah?" Coyote inhaled sharply as Shunsui's teeth nipped along his neck roughly.

"I get to bathe first tonight." Shunsui teased merrily, rolling off of Coyote's back and climbing to his feet. Coyote remained motionless for several long moments, blushing furiously. He cleared his throat and sat back on his feet, readjusting his clothing without a word. "Come on. Ready to go?"

"I'll be a moment…" Coyote answered stiffly. "You go on ahead."

"Are you sure?" Shunsui asked as he looked around the meadow. "It'll probably be dark soon."

"Yeah." Coyote nodded his head vigorously. "I'm going to get a start on the quota tonight. That way you can take your time in a real life scenario."

"Okay." Shunsui agreed, adjusting his pants uncomfortably. For the first time, in a long time, Shunsui was worried he may have been out of line. He cleared his throat and walked from the clearing, suddenly feeling very anxious about his own behavior. It's not like we were gonna have sex, Shunsui thought, he knew that. Shunsui walked back to the hotel, still unsure why exactly he felt like such a bad person.

Coyote walked the cobbled streets absently. There was music and laughter and flowing spirits. Rome was alive with passion and art. But Coyote didn't seem to have the time to enjoy it. He ignored the women's offers and bristled when the men tried to solicit him. At last he found himself in a dark alley, facing a dirty tavern with unscrupulous clientele.

"I'll take a cognac." Coyote told the barkeep as he sat down on the stool.

"We don't serve French crap." The barkeep snapped.

Coyote looked up at the barkeep, his blue eyes glittering dangerously. Any sane person would fear such a remarkable scowl and the barkeep blanched. "How about Polish crap then? Have vodka?"

"Aye, we serve vodka."

"Where're ye from, stranger?" the older gentleman at the end of the bar asked nosily.

"Nevers, France." Coyote replied, turning his nose up in the air proudly. As soon as the glass was placed in front of him, Coyote downed it in one gulp, snapping his fingers in gesture. "I'll have another."

"That's straight liquor…" the barkeep warned.

"And I asked for another." Coyote replied simply. He rested his head in his hands and sighed, wiping his face slowly before sitting up. He scanned the tavern quickly, sizing up the occupants unfavorably.

He stood up and crossed the room, his hand reaching for the door. "Hey! Pay up, little fuck! Pay up!"

Coyote slid the bolt on the door, twisting the knob and crushing it in his hand silently. No one would be able to go in or out through that door. Coyote smiled and opened his jacket, searching for his wallet. "Of course, of course… I am not trying to skip out on my tab."

"Just pay and get the fuck out!" the barkeep ordered, having had quite enough of the intimidating stranger in his bar.

"I thought I'd have a little bite to eat first, if you don't mind."

"I do mind. Fuck off!" the barkeep shouted, pulling a rusted blade from inside his apron. Several men around the bar stood up abruptly, their chairs scraping the floor.

Coyote smiled and shook his head in disbelief. "You've made it too easy for me." Coyote pulled his glove from his hand and stuffed it into his pocket. He reached for his second glass and downed the vodka in an instant. "Another." The man obeyed wordlessly and Coyote swirled the liquid around, inhaling deeply before sitting it untouched back on the counter. "I'll save this for after dinner."

"I'm telling ya, we don't serve food!"

Coyote clamped his eyes shut, gritting his teeth against the pain of his transformation. His agony was such that he was barely conscious of the screams. The worst had passed and Coyote was able to move, hastily annihilating all of the drunkards in the tavern. Without delay, he collected all seven souls, the fear easily coaxing them into giving in.

He hadn't wanted to tell Shunsui about this way. He hadn't wanted to tell Shunsui, who despite all pretenses was truly gentle, that violence was the greatest motivator. It was hard to resist the absolute terror and agony of being ripped apart limb from limb. Coyote liked to believe that he only resorted to it on necessity but perhaps his anger had shown a new side of him.

Coyote was angry. He was angry at himself and angry at Shunsui. He was humiliated. And if seven scumbags had to die to make him feel a little better, then so be it. It was no skin off his back.

"So apparently the trick is to seduce the victim." Shunsui explained as Jushiro listened patiently. Shunsui could see the corners of Jushiro's mouth twitch but he didn't say a word which surprised Shunsui. "We have to coax the souls out…" Shunsui continued, feeling rather foolish the longer he spoke. "Coyote told me to practice… do you mind?"

"You want to practice your seduction techniques on me?" Jushiro arched a dark brow and smirked, his green eyes narrowing.

"You're probably the hardest nut to crack to be honest." Shunsui answered playfully.

"Uh-huh." Jushiro replied unconvinced. "And what on Earth are you going to do to me if I agree? What if I completely fall under your spell? Are you willing to take responsibility if I act unbecomingly?"

"I am offended. Of course, I will uphold your honor at any expense on my part."

"Shunsui," Jushiro spoke quietly. "I know I'm confusing…"

Shunsui's eyes widened in surprise, where they having this conversation now? "What do you mean?"

"Just listen." Jushiro requested gently. "I know I'm not the most liberal of people… and… I'm working on it… I am reserved and quiet…"

"I like you how you are." Shunsui promised, his large, warm hand cupping Jushiro's face.

"Well I don't." Jushiro confessed. "I wish I could be like you. I wish I could be open and free and flirtatious… I want to be fun but I don't know how to be any different… Japan wants people like me, obedient, pensive, respectful and genteel. I was raised to be all those things. You are creative and romantic and funny. How? How did you get to be so much? I'm not jealous of you, honest, I am simply wanting to be more than I am."

"Jushiro, you are creative and funny and charming and, and kind too. You are all those things."

"I'm boring."

"You are the immortal Samurai mate of a Japanese werewolf serving a demon in Europe, while in the traveling company of a French werewolf… you are hardly boring."

"Those are things you have done." Jushiro countered. "I'm boring."

"I disagree."

"Well you are blinded by affection for me." Jushiro groaned.

"When I see your swordsmanship I get turned on." Shunsui admitted rather loudly. Jushiro laughed and shook his head but Shunsui was undeterred. "I think you are sexiest when your hair is tied back loosely. You have the loveliest, snowy hair. Your eyes are like dewy grass. Your skin is pale but softer than anyone else's I have touched. Your shoulders are broad but you are slender. You tower over everyone back home and many people here. You are beautiful and delicate but god damn it, when you have a sword…" Shunsui paused in thought. "You are alive, every inch of you. You are on fire. You are graceful but forceful. You are dangerous."

Jushiro sat in silence, his pale cheeks flushed. "Do I need to keep going?" Shunsui asked with a smile. "If you don't know Jushiro Ukitake, don't talk shit about him."

"Is this part of your practice?" Jushiro questioned in all seriousness.

"No, but if it's working, I'll take it." Shunsui replied, closing the distance between them, their lips mere inches apart.

"It's working." Jushiro admitted, smiling into Shunsui's kiss.

"Good," Shunsui kissed Jushiro deeply before pulling away. "Any chance I can coax a little more than a kiss from ya?"

"The chances are abnormally high." Jushiro laughed, yelping in surprise as Shunsui lifted him from the chair and dumped him onto the bed. Shunsui looked down at Jushiro, his eyes roaming from his face to his exposed chest. His hair had come undone, lying around his head like a halo and his kimono had slipped down his shoulders.

"Exactly who is seducing who, Ukitake-san?" Shunsui asked, the familiar jerk in his abdomen rushing the blood away from his head.

"We're all alone, Shunsui." Jushiro whispered, his hand reaching up to take hold of the belt around Shunsui's waist. "You don't have to call me Ukitake-san."

"How about Shiro-chan? Ya wanna be my lil' Shiro-chan?"

"I already am." At Jushiro's words, Shunsui swallowed heavily, his own cheeks burning bright red. "I love you."

"Oh, baby, I love you too…" Shunsui muttered, kissing all over Jushiro's exposed shoulders and chest. "I love you too."