Karneval: Voyage to Rimhakka

Voyage to Rimhakka

Author's Note: So, I've looked at the poll, and there's been 6 votes. I'm actually fairly surprised by the results, too. Honestly, I'm not surprised by the way B&B2 looks in the poll, but the rest I hadn't expected. Let's just say it looks like I may still be writing Karneval fics after I finish this one. Anyway, I promised shout-outs! To the 14 anonymous people who have left Kudos on AO3 since I posted "Chapter 26 - Unexpected Alliances", thank you all! Annie/UltimateEyeshine2000/Fullmetalgeassvampire thank you again for your art, support, and comments. ChaelRi Reika, thank you for your comments, as well. I'm glad you both liked my KagiHaru pairing, even if you'd expected it. Oh, it's kind of late into the story to point this out, but nobody else has asked, so I'm not sure how many people caught on, since he can shift back and forth, but Nai is supposed to be Gareki's replacement for the Pirate Captain's Stereotypical Pet Parrot or Monkey. If you did figure that out and just didn't say anything, then you guys are awesome. By the way, brief, "I missed you so much, I need your touch" smut!

Chapter 28: The Greatest Haul of All

Uro spun around, looking for the young seafaring captain. "That idiot Kiharu let him get out again!?" he grumbled out loud.

Now there was a commotion even more than what Princess Tsukumo had caused. The mere mention of Gareki's name had the attendants worried for the safety of their valuables, and in the case of some of the women, for their virtuosity. Palnedo had this single boy nationally recognized as a murderous, villainous thief and rapist. In the eyes of the Kafkan gentry, Gareki WAS public enemy number one.

Gareki's voice had come from the chapel's rafters, but no one could see him. "I see you've got your voice now, Yogi," Gareki's voice called out to him, "Why don't you tell them these people the truth? Do you REALLY want to marry Princess Eleska?"

"Gareki…" Yogi mumbled under his breath. The young captain's voice had almost sounded mocking, as if the 'pirate' were trying to sound distant and unfamiliar with him. Yogi felt the sting of tears in the corners of his violet eyes. He glanced toward Tsukumo and her escorts, who waited with baited breath, then toward Eleska who's own peach colored eyes were full of hope that this would be the end of her grandfather's silly notion. The violet orbs then turned toward Uro. The red head stood staring dangerously at the blonde.

"There's nothing more you can do to protect your lover, but if you refuse Princess Eleska at the alter, Emperor Palnedo will have me take your head back to your father in Rimhakka on a silver platter, with no fear of the consequences of war," Uro's previous warning rang through Yogi's head.

Yogi glanced around, still unable to find Gareki among the rafters. The safety of two kingdoms, or the happiness of four people? Either way, Yogi would be making a sacrifice no matter how he answered. He closed his eyes and shook his head. Threat of war or not, letting Palnedo win this way was the coward's way out. Uro and Palnedo both gave a devious smile, thinking the prince would see reason and think of the safety of his people. "NO!" Yogi exclaimed.

"Yogi!" Tsukumo and Eleska both exclaimed happily.

There was an uproar from the guests. No one had ever imagined this outcome.

Gareki smiled as he stepped out of his hiding place. "That's all I needed to hear," the raven said, jumping to a hanging chandelier and swinging so that he landed just inches in front of the prince. Gareki landed, feet first, hands on the ground, his left knee just an inch below his chin, eyes closed, and face down turned. Ignoring the murmuring of the startled crowd, he slowly rose to his feet, his deep blue eyes opening to settle on Yogi. He tossed his head slightly, shaking a stray tuft of black hair out of his face.

"GAREKI!" Yogi exclaimed throwing his arms around the raven haired captain, taking everyone, even Gareki by surprise.

Gareki froze for a moment, then sighed and wrapped his arms around the blonde. "Yogi…" He nuzzled his nose into Yogi's neck and held on tight, they both did. They held onto each other as if they were afraid to let go, as if doing so meant the other would disappear completely, this time forever. "It's not very princely to cry in public, you know," he whispered teasingly.

Yogi's grip tightened on the back of Gareki's coat. "I don't care," he wailed, "I was afraid I'd never see you again!"

Palnedo's eyebrows furrowed. Tsukumo's objections had already tried his patience. "That's enough!" he chided, rising from his seat. "How dare you! Do you mean to insult my granddaughter in such a manner!? Surely, you can't expect us to believe you'd choose the company of this vagabond over the hand of a princess?"

Yogi slowly released Gareki and turned to face the emperor. "I mean your granddaughter no disrespect at all," he answered, solemnly. "I do not wish to marry her, any more than she wishes to marry me!" More clamor came from the pews.

The priest turned his eyes to Eleska. "Princess?" he asked.

Eleska shook her head and tore off the veil, throwing it and her bouquet both to the floor. "No, I never wanted this either!" she admitted.

The priest sighed and shook his head, turning to face the emperor. "I'm sorry, my lord," the priest proclaimed, "Arranged marriages rarely share the consent of both parties, but I cannot officiate one where neither person will consent!"

"You're both making me look like a fool," Palnedo growled under his breath. His cold violet eyes settled on Yogi and Gareki. Yogi stood, away from the captain, staring him down, but the two young males were still locked hand-in-hand. Palnedo sneered and choked back a snicker. "Ah, I see, so that's how it is?" he mumbled.

"Really?" Uro thought, mentally face-palming as he realized the emperor had finally put two and two together, "It seemed rather obvious to me!"

"Uro! Seize Captain Gareki at once!" Emperor Palnedo ordered. "His lies have confused the prince, and he's dared to interrupt what was meant to be a momentous occasion." The emperor chortled, "You shouldn't have let your guard down in front of a crowd, Boy, it's not like you!"

Uro rushed at Gareki who quickly dodged out of the way. "Who said I'd let my guard down?" Gareki retorted, kicking Uro's left leg out from under him. "And I've never told Yogi anything but the truth." Gareki stopped, his hands tucked in his pockets, he glanced over his shoulders at the masses sitting in the pews, his lips turning upwards into a smirk. "I don't lie like you do, Palnedo. There isn't the first person in this place who isn't quaking in their shoes knowing I'm here. What they don't realize is that everything I've ever done has always been to your benefit. You've always found some way to make me look like the menace to society, and glorify yourself." He turned his eyes back to the old emperor. "Well, not this time. You're forcing this marriage on two young people who want nothing to do with it." He moved closer to Yogi and Eleska. "Yogi, fly us out of here when I give the word," he whispered.

"Eh?" Yogi asked.

"Just trust me," Gareki answered, quietly. Yogi gave a quiet nod.

Gareki smiled and returned his attention to Palnedo, as he slowly wrapped his arms around the prince and princess, pulling something out of his pocket with the arm he wrapped around Yogi. "Why don't you tell these fine people how you've threatened to start a war with Rimhakka if Prince Yogi didn't agree to today? Why don't you tell them how you kidnapped Princess Miumarie to lure him here, and used the lives of his friends and family as bargaining tools? Or how about that Yogi's been in solitary confinement for the last three days? We won't even get started on your Varuga experiments. Today wasn't about making sure your granddaughter was taken care of, it was about procuring the throne of the world's richest kingdom for yourself. So, you've portrayed me as the villain… To them, this is a rescue… To everyone else in the room, like a true pirate, I'm making off with the biggest treasure in the world!"

"Yogi, now!" he whispered, quickly locking his arms around Yogi and Eleska. "You've got to learn sometime, Palnedo, not everything is always going to go your way!" He pressed a button on the item he'd pulled from his coat. Eleska let out a startled shriek as the three of them took to the air. There was an explosion, opening the roof to the chapel to allow them a straight flight upward. There was a second explosion and Gareki began to chuckle.

"Gareki!?" Yogi exclaimed, "Tsukumo-Chan and the others are down there!"

"Relax," Gareki chuckled, "Nobody got hurt, look." Yogi looked down to see several of the guests were covered in pastry, frosting, and fondant. Gareki had stuffed the cake with explosives and snuck it into the chapel. Tsukumo, Jiki, and Hirato were some of the few people untouched by the sugary debris.

"That's such a waste of cake," Yogi lamented.

"Are you two crazy!" Eleska exclaimed, "Put me down!" She tried to squirm away.

"Whoa, whoa!" Gareki said, "Princess, please, calm down!" He sighed, "Yogi's the one doing the flying, and I don't want to drop you."

"You've got who you were after, why are you bringing me along, too?" she asked.

"Several reasons," Gareki answered, "If your grandfather really does care about you, he won't let them shoot at us while we're in the air. If I leave you there, he'll come after us and only try to force you both into marriage again. But, perhaps, most importantly of all, there's someone in Karasuna that wants to see you. Someone I know you want to see, too."

"Gareki? What about Tsukumo-Chan and the others?" Yogi asked.

"Your sister's safe with those two," Gareki answered, reassuringly. "And they know how to reach our rendezvous point. Shishi is already at the Kuroi Hitsuji, the others should be on their way there now."

Yogi gave Gareki a soft smile and gently nuzzled the young sailor's neck. "Alright, point me in the direction I need to go."


*~Meanwhile~*


"Alright, boys," Tsukumo said, watching as the guests flicked pastry from their clothes, several uttering expletives about how this would effect their dry cleaning bills, "That's our cue to get out of here."

"Yes, ma'am," Hirato and Jiki nodded, the three of them quickly taking to the air and leaving through the chapel's newly exploded sky light.

Palnedo was furious. "Ryuu, Uro, Nima, Meiga, and Derumen, that rat bastard's escaped with Eleska, we're going after them!"

"Yes, Sire!" came the resounding reply from the Varuga and their two Power Holders. As the six of them headed out the door, there came a small series of several other explosions. Gareki had rigged up the entire fireworks display. While the explosions didn't do any bodily damage to anyone, it was enough to cause some damage to the chapel, and to utterly decimate the decorations and tables in the Reception Garden.

"Damned kid!" Palnedo scoffed as he watched the wrappings from the gifts table flutter through the sky like pieces of confetti. "No more attempts to hold him. When we catch him, this time, I'm going to personally remove his head!"


Gareki, Yogi, and Eleska reached the Kuroi Hitsuji in a matter of hours. Shishi, Sesiri, Ranji, Tsukitachi, Nai, Kagiri, Kiharu, Miumarie, and Nyanperowna were all already on board. "The rest of you are already here? Good, then as soon as Princess Tsukumo's party arrives, we can head for Karasuna," Gareki said with a relieved sigh.

"Oni-Chan!" Miumarie exclaimed, running up and leaping into her brother's arms.

"Miu-Chan!" he hugged her tight.

"I'm so glad you're alright!" she whimpered.

Yogi smiled. "It's alright, Miu," he assured her quietly, "It's all over now. As soon as Tsukumo gets here, we're going back to Karasuna to regroup with the Fuchsia Usagi and then we're headed straight home for Rimhakka, I promise."

"Which one is he trying to convince, her or himself?" Eleska whispered.

"I wish it were as easy as that, Yogi," Gareki sighed. "Palnedo's not going to just stand aside and let me run off with his granddaughter without a fight. The old bastard does care about her to some degree."

"Gareki!" Yogi scolded, his eyes shifting from Miumarie to Eleska, to Sesiri herself.

Gareki smirked. "Right, forgive the language, ladies, bad habits die hard." He turned his attention to Yogi and snatched hold of the prince's wrist. "As for you…" He drug Yogi to a secluded side of the ship and pushed the unwitting blonde against the wall.

"Gareki…?" Yogi asked confusedly.

Gareki smirked and leaned in close. "You know, you clean up real nice, Yogi," he said. Gareki's smile got bigger as the blonde's cheeks slowly turned red. Gareki chuckled and leaned in. "You are so gorgeous… And, it's only been three days, but I've missed you so damned much!" He forced his lips against Yogi's.

Yogi blushed bright and wrapped his arms tight around Gareki, leaning into the kiss. Yogi's return was much more intense, more intimate than Gareki's initial kiss. It sent chills through both of them. Gareki had never suspected Yogi to be so passionate, and Yogi himself never thought he could be so forward. But he was starved for attention during his time in solitary confinement. Gareki was the one person he knew he could turn to for emotional, verbal, and physical contact all at once, and he was desperately craving all three. The blonde gave a slight protesting whimper as the need to breath forced them to pull away from the kiss.

"Yogi, I'm sorry," Gareki sighed, gently caressing the prince's cheek. He could see it in Yogi's eyes, how lonely and frightened he'd been over the past three days, "I wanted to come for you sooner. But… They told me there was no way to get to you until now."

Yogi shook his head and hugged the young sailor tight. He knew this was the most they had time for at the moment, as soon as Tsukumo, Jiki, and Hirato caught up to them, they would have to set sail, and it would be some time before they had another moment alone. "It's alright, Gareki," he whispered.

Gareki sighed and hugged Yogi once more, gently stroking a hand through silken golden blonde curls. "You look exhausted," he said, "Why don't you go lie down? I'll put the girls in a cabin so they can rest, too. Let the boys and me take care of everything." Yogi smiled weakly and nodded. He didn't want to be alone again, but the idea of rest was very alluring. Gareki gently kissed Yogi's forehead, right over the third eye. "I'll have Nai sing you to sleep, if you want?"

Yogi shook his head. "That won't be necessary," he insisted, "I haven't had much sleep these past few nights. I'll be out like a light the moment my head hit's the pillow."

Gareki smiled and nodded. "Alright, then. I'll be in with you as soon as we're safely on our way back to Karasuna," he promised.

Yogi nodded and started to turn and head for the Captain's Cabin. He paused. "Gareki, did I see that right, those two Varuga are on board?" he asked quietly. He didn't sound as mad as Gareki had expected him to be, only a little surprised.

Gareki nodded. "Kiharu has apologized to Princess Miumarie," he assured the prince, "Both of your sisters have forgiven them. Kagiri and Kiharu aren't Varuga by birth, but they're not Varuga by choice, either. They were turned that way against their will, just like Yotaka. However, they're more like power holders than post humans, they can eat real food, so no one's in danger of being eaten with them on board, unless they're provoked. Just like me, they were a couple of slaves brought in as normal kids, and they want out. Kagiri took Kiharu's punishment for slapping your sister and wound up in the medical ward, and they were forbidding Kiharu to eat. I let Kiharu have some of that damned oatmeal before he took the bowl back to the kitchen, and he helped me get to you. He's also the one who told me about the conditions you've been in since I left. I helped him get Kagiri back and he helped me set up my plans for today. We owe them both safe passage to Karasuna at the very least."

Yogi nodded. "I can't tell you who you can and can't welcome aboard your own vessel," he said quietly, "I trust you judgment." He gave Gareki a soft, quiet smile.

Gareki smiled back, but the raven could see it in those violet eyes, just how tired and broken the blonde really felt at the moment. An hour a day in the sun hadn't been enough, Yogi looked like a wilting flower, pale and worn out. It broke Gareki's heart to see him in such a state. "Run along and get some rest. I promise everything will be alright," he encouraged.

Yogi entered the cabin and face planted himself into the mattress. Kicking off his shoes, and lazily tossing the top hat across the room, he didn't even bother to remove the tuxedo before curling up and wrapping his arms tightly around the pillow. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, nuzzling his head into the pillow. It still wasn't as soft as the beds he was use to back home, but it was much more comfortable than the tiny one-occupant-over-the-age-of-thirteen-is-too-big-for-it 'bedding' he had been confined to for the past three nights. Add to that the fact that Gareki's scent was on the sheets and pillows, and he already felt much safer. Silent tears, that until now he'd been afraid to let fall, escaped his eyes and splashed on the pillow. His time in Kafka had been a nightmare that he wanted to forget ever happened.

Eleska, Sesiri, and Miumarie were moved into a cabin that could comfortably accommodate all four of the girls. Gareki knew that if Palnedo and his men caught up with them, there would be fighting. Sesiri was charged with keeping the girls safe, should it come to that. Nai was allowed to join them incase his abilities were required.

Gareki returned to the deck and hailed Hirato, Tsukumo, and Jiki to come aboard, the moment he saw them come into view. He'd known they couldn't be too far behind. "Brilliant performance out there, today, you three," Gareki congratulated them, clapping his hands. "Princess, when I asked for a distraction," he chuckled, "I had no idea you intended to accuse the old goat of blackmail."

"I merely spoke the truth, Captain," Tsukumo answered, "Where is my brother now?"

"Asleep, I hope," Gareki answered, glancing over his shoulder toward the door to the Captain's Quarters, tucking his hands into his pockets. "He looked so weak and fragile, I thought he needed to rest."

Tsukumo smiled. "You truly do care for him, don't you, Captain?"

"From the moment we met, eleven years ago, Princess," Gareki answered with a quiet sigh, "I've been grateful to him for trying to help Karoku and me out of a dangerous situation, and I knew that moment I would gladly give my own life to keep him safe, not because I had to like a paid soldier, but because I wanted to." Gareki smirked. "Having reunited with him, I came to realize I had deeper feelings than even that for him," he admitted. "But, I realize even with your father wanting the three of you to choose who you spend your lives with, his reciprocation of those feelings will threaten his claim to the throne. It's something I should have took into consideration before I ever even started fraternizing with him."

Tsukumo put a gentle hand on Gareki's shoulder and stifled a giggle. "If you're referring to the chances of the two of you having an heir…? There have been cases of the Cradle Cells finding a way. My brother isn't exactly the most masculine prince Rimhakka's ever had, and the Cradle Cells are MUCH stronger in him than they have ever been documented with anyone in our family's entire history."

Gareki flinched and blushed bright red. "What!? You mean he could?" Gareki's heart felt like it could leap out of his chest at any moment, at the thought that Yogi could possibly… They had only been with each other twice, but Yogi had been drunk the first time, and they had both been inside each other that night. The fact that Yogi could have, in that moment… Gareki suddenly felt weak in the knees at the very thought. He also found himself silently regretting ever being curious of what the blonde would look like in a dress.

Tsukumo giggled at the young Captain's reaction. It was almost as if she could read his mind. "I'm not saying he is. But he could, so just be careful with him next time you two roll in the hay."

"Huh, hey wait a minute, what are you…?" Gareki started to deny.

"I'm a lady, Captain," Tsukumo stated calmly, "But I'm not naïve. The way you two held onto one another back at the chapel, it looked like you both were ready to break down and fornicate right there in front of everyone. … I also passed your room a couple of times that night we were all in Karasuna," she admitted, "Apparently you did seduce him," she winked. She smiled. The blush on Gareki's face gave him away in full. There was no need for him to answer. "I presume Miumarie is below deck?" she asked, changing the subject, since she could clearly see the young captain was becoming uncomfortable.

Gareki nodded. "She's in the cabin you shared with Sesiri on our way here, Princess," he answered, "As is Princess Eleska."

"You're taking her to your brother, aren't you?" Tsukumo asked.

"She's been a pawn in this every bit as much as Yogi has," Gareki answered. "I realize I was wrong, when I thought she had set him up. I'm not letting Palnedo win this time. We all deserve to get out of this with some sort of happy ending."

Tsukumo smiled. "Yogi made a wise decision in choosing you for his life partner," she said. She quietly wrapped her arms around the captain. "Remember when you told me he'd vouch for Jiki and me if we were to start a relationship?" she whispered.

"Yes?" Gareki answered.

She smiled and lightly kissed his cheek. "When that time comes for the two of you, you'll have my support as well," she promised, "Feel free to call Miumarie and me your sisters, and drop the formalities." She turned her attention to Hirato and Tsukitachi. "Do you two hear that?" she asked, knowing the guards had gotten off to a rocky start with the young captain. "From this point on, Captain Gareki and family Nai may as well be considered members of the Royal Family of Rimhakka. I expect you two to treat them with the same respect you would the rest of us."

"Yes ma'am!" Hirato and Tsukitachi both answered with a nodding salute, followed by a respectful bow.

"Thank you, Tsukumo," Gareki said with a blushing smile. He cleared his throat and moved away from her. "Now, if you'll excuse me, we need to get this ship moving, before Palnedo catches up with us. Without your father's official consent, I'm still a runaway slave to him, he won't recognize your acknowledgement of me as family. The only one who can and will give me any sort of pardon here in Kafka is Princess Eleska, and if I can't get her safely to my brother in Karasuna, to the one person I know she wants to be with, I have no right asking it of her."

Tsukumo nodded. "I'll go down and join the girls in our cabin. The rest of you are more than capable of getting this vessel underway. But, do not hesitate to call me if there's trouble. I may appear the delicate flower, but there's more to me than meets the eye."

Gareki nodded. "Alright. Otherwise, I once we're moving, I want everyone to take a rest. If we don't run into any trouble tonight, I'll call everyone to the galley for a meal later on. Jiki, you should go and rest for now, too. It's after sunset, but they may still be able to see us for now. Once it gets darker, we'll need your eyes to navigate us. They'll have trouble following us at night, unless their ship has a spotlight."

Jiki nodded, "Aye, Captain!"

Gareki then turned to the others and began giving their orders. Between the humans, post humans, and the robotic sheep, especially thanks to Shishi's prior preparations, the ship was moving out to sea quickly. As soon as they were away from the shore, he left the steering of the ship to the robotic sheep, and put Hirato and Kiharu on first watch for look out. He was sure he could trust the Varuga, but until they proved themselves, he thought it best not to let them work side by side just yet. If a Kafkan Varuga and a Royal Guard of Rimhakka could work together without killing one another, then maybe the two of them really would be safe enough to trust.

He entered the Captain's Cabin and gently sat on the bed, wrapping his arms around the sleeping prince. Yogi jerked awake, his eyes popping wide open. "Sorry," Gareki said, softly, "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Gareki…?" Yogi smiled at him. "It wasn't a dream," he thought to himself, reaching out for the raven, "He really did come to rescue me." He pulled Gareki close and snuggled up to him. "Gods I missed you," he mumbled.

Gareki sighed and smiled, gently snuggling up to his prince. "I missed you, too, Yogi," he said, gently tussling a hand through golden locks. "I was worried sick about what they were doing to you."

Yogi nuzzled his head into Gareki's shoulder. "They didn't hurt me," he assured him, "not physically anyway. But that cell they held me in was pure torture. No sound, no light, the air was hot and dry. I was alone and in the dark. I could feel my strength and my sanity both slowly waning away in there."

Gareki softly shushed him and held him tight. "It's alright," he said comfortingly, "It's all over. I'm sorry, Yogi. I should have found a way to get you out of there sooner. I promise, I won't let them get their hands on you or your sisters ever again."

Yogi shook his head. "Don't blame yourself, Gareki," he said quietly, "You did all you could, and you're with me now. I know everything's going to be alright."

Gareki smiled and kissed Yogi's forehead, gently taking Yogi's hand in his. "That's right," he said quietly, "Everything's going to be just fine." He gently pressed the tip of his thumb against Yogi's knuckles and rolled it soothingly in a figure eight. He smiled softly at the currently timid blonde hugging close to him. There was still enough light in the cabin for him to make out Yogi's form, to tell definition of the gold in the prince's hair, and the vibrancy of those two violet tear soaked gems string up at him. He blushed slightly, as his mind returned to what Tsukumo had told him.

"There have been cases of the Cradle Cells finding a way." Surely, she had been teasing him, right?

Try as he might, he found fighting the urge to ravage the prince becoming increasingly difficult. That tuxedo was simply stunning on the blonde, and Gareki wanted nothing more than to be the one ripping it off him. But, after everything Yogi had been through, he didn't think such contact was what the prince needed.

What he didn't realize was that it was not only what Yogi needed, but exactly what he wanted. Violet orbs locked with azure blue ones. They were silently pleading for Gareki to make the first move. "Gareki," Yogi moaned quietly, nuzzling his face into the raven's shoulder. "It's ok," he whispered. He could tell exactly what Gareki was wanting to do. "Take me."

"Yogi, are you sure?" Gareki asked, "After everything you've been through? I wouldn't feel right."

"Please, Gareki," Yogi asked, "I've been cut off from human contact for days now. I know I can trust you to be gentle with me, but I want to feel your touch."

Gareki sighed, he couldn't deny Yogi when he asked so desperately. Yet, there was more than just desperation. Yogi was being sincere. The prince was craving a certain level of attention that he'd selected Gareki to be the only person privileged enough to give him. He nodded. "Alright," he agreed, "But if I start to think you're getting worse instead of better, I'm stopping." Yogi nodded in agreement.

The two in agreement, Gareki gently pushed the blonde flat on the bed. He leaned in and gently trailed kisses down Yogi's neck as he undid the buttons on the tuxedo jacket. Yogi's body shivered in response. Even being away from Gareki for so long, his body probably wouldn't have been so sensitive to the touch had it not been for the complete isolation. Yogi let out soft, quiet moans as his lover's lips gently caressed the flesh along his neckline.

The jacket and undershirt unbuttoned, and tie removed, Gareki continued to trail his kisses down Yogi's torso. His hands gently caressed Yogi's midriff, one wandering slowly up toward the chest, the other down toward the beltline. As the one moving up reached Yogi's chest, and Gareki gently fingered the sensitive flesh around the prince's left nipple, the other hand began fumbling with Yogi's belt. Gareki slowly kissed his way back up Yogi's torso, reaching the right nipple, he gently ran his tongue around it before closing his mouth around it and gently sucking at it. By this point, Yogi's belt was unfastened and Gareki's hand was already down his pants and gently wrapping around his manhood.

"Ah, oh…!" Yogi moaned as his body shivered in pure ecstasy, "Mnh, Gareki…" He practically purred his lover's name and tossed his head in pleasure, his golden hair flailing in the air with his movements.

Gareki smiled around the hardened nipple in his mouth and rolled his tongue over the tip. He sort of liked having Yogi this sensitive to his touch. He only hated what had caused his beloved prince to be in such a state. He gently stroked his hand up and down Yogi's member. "Yogi…" he questioned softly, "Are you sure you're alright?"

Yogi nodded and hugged Gareki close. "I'm fine, Gareki," he assured the young captain, pulling him close and kissing him, deeply, passionately. "Thank you."

Gareki smiled and shook his head. "Don't thank me… At least, not yet."


*~Later~*


Hours passed before a knock came on the door to the Captain's Cabin. Gareki opened his eyes and smiled. He and Yogi, both now stark naked, had fallen asleep curled up to one another after their release. Instead of Yogi's arms being wrapped protectively around Gareki like usual, it was now Yogi wrapped in Gareki's protective embrace, the blonde's face buried into the raven's shoulder. Gareki lovingly brushed a stray strand of golden curl from the sleeping prince's ivory cheeks, gently tucking it behind his ear. Again came the knock. Gareki groaned, not wanting to leave his lover's warmth, or wanting to wake him in moving.

"Just a moment," he answered, slowly untangling himself from the mess of covers, discarded clothes, and warm flesh. He stood, threw on a pair of pants and wrapped his coat around himself, buttoning it and pulling the sheets to keep Yogi covered. "Damned if I let anyone else see him like this," he thought with a smile. In the end, the only things that Gareki had not removed from Yogi's body was the purple bracelet they had acquired in Karasuna and the Royal Seal of Rimhakka. Yogi had somehow managed to slip the bracelet on unnoticed underneath the sleeves of the tuxedo. Gareki's heart had skipped a beat when he'd unearthed it. It had elated him to know that Yogi had managed to hold on to it.

Gareki slowly opened the door. Judging by the knocking, there was no immediate emergency. "Yes?" he asked, as he opened the door, just enough that he could see Jiki standing there, while still blocking a look inside the room.

"Captain, we've been out to sea for a good four hours with no problems," Jiki reported, "I find it hard to believe they haven't given chase when Princess Eleska is with us, but perhaps they simply haven't caught up yet. Either way, most of us are starting to get a bit hungry."

Gareki nodded. "It's about time for a meal," he admitted, "Tell Kiharu to drag out that bag I had him grab from behind the chapel, and let everyone know to meet in the galley within the next ten minutes." He smiled and glanced toward the bed. "I'll see if I can't get Sleeping Beauty over here to wake up and join us."


Author's Note: I need to clarify this right now! What Tsukumo told Gareki about the Cradle Cells finding a way is purely for funny-watching Gareki's reaction-and for the suggestion that it's possible. This story WILL NOT become an M-Preg fic, I promise! Oh, and don't worry, the fighting's coming in the next chapter.