Powdered Sugre 36

Strange and Beautiful

Rain watched as George went through the vocal workouts. When Daphnus called a halt for a break Rain made his way over to George. "Smile... please," Rain called up a bright wind to lift George's hair around his head. George smiled but the tears in his eyes was enough to make Rain want to pummel Jhaymes, but knew that he stood little to no chance against him.

"I just wish I understood,"George said with a sigh. "I think maybe... I just don't know." George sat down on a stool. George looked out the window to the sky and in his mind he recalled Jhaymes arms around him as they had flown the bright Arcadian skies. "You know, usually Carni-rides make me vilely ill, but... in his arms, I was fine riding that Pegasus."

"You'll see," Rain found himself saying while he sighed. George was so beautiful, he could not imagine anyone wanting to hurt him. "I'll bet wherever he is, he is thinking of nothing but you." George smiled, he hoped so, because he could not help thinking of nothing but him.

Break

"You look like hell," Dee said with a laugh as he looked at Jhaymes. Jhaymes could not even refute the statement. In fact, he sneezed green flames that Ryo deflected from Dee.

"I know, if he see's me like this..." Jhaymes sneezed again and Dee jumped back. "Not to mention I could set him on fire." Jhaymes sat down then held out a wing to Dee. "Ryo is too much for me even at my best. But Dee, could I borrow your arm?"

"What?" Dee backed away.

"I can't hold a pen right now, but I want to send him a message. If you pull one of my feathers, it will be my handwriting." Jhaymes explained offering Dee his wing again. Dee grasped one of the smoldering feathers and pulled afraid that he might hurt Jhaymes. Jhaymes yanked back leaving the pin feather in Dee's hand. Ryo left the room in search of a notepad and came back with elegant stationary. "I'll dictate a letter," Jhaymes said when Dee pulled a chair over and sat down holding the pad of paper. Jhaymes threw his head back and emitted a series of musical notes.

"How am I supposed to write that?" Dee asked as Jhaymes continued to sing then gasped as his arm moved on it's own. He looked down at his hand seeing handwriting not his own. It was a neat script and not a blotch from the inkwell that the feather was dipped in over and over again. Dee smiled and sat still while his hand wrote several pages.

When Jhaymes was silent and his name signed at the bottom of the page he walked over to salon moving his head to indicate that Ryo should follow him. "In the desk, second drawer there is a box." Ryo took the small box and could not help the urge to open it and look inside. He gasped at the intricate necklace that reposed on a tiny black velvet cushion. "I had planned to give it to him after... You know, our first... together..." Jhaymes paused and his nares turned an even darker shade of green.

"I don't think I have ever seen a bird blush." Dee laughed when Jhaymes lowered his head.

"But could you please with the letter, give it to him?" Jhaymes said his eyes drooping.

"Yes," Ryo said closing the box again. Jhaymes went back into the nesting area laying on his mats.

"Can you please leave now?" Alera said coughing white flames she went to lay beside her brother. "We need our rest." Dee nodded his head taking the letter and the box, he and Ryo departed. They walked the halls hand in hand hearing the sound of the rehearsal long before they rounded the corner. Ryo and Dee stood silently in the doorway while George sang with Andy. "Reach out and touch, somebody's hand, make this world a better place, if you can..."

Rain and Kenneth came in singing along. "Just try..."

"If you see an old friend on the street... And he's down, Remember, his shoes could fit your feet..." Andy paused as George stopped singing he looked at Ryo and Dee a hopeful glimmer in his eyes.

"I can see we are not going to get any more out of you today," Daphnus sighed then glared at Ryo and Dee for interrupting their session. "Go..." Daphnus waved George away then rolled his eyes as he scampered from the area.

"Is he alright?" George asked before Ryo could say anything.

"He is perfectly normal... for him," Ryo explained unsure what to say to George that would not seem weird. "But he will not be out for a few more days."

"Yeah he and Alera are..."Daphnus nearly bit his lip when he received a mental jog from Nestoir.

"They are under a special sort of quarantine for a while," Dee tried to do damage control.

"Yeah, Zarro does not want his palace on fire..." Daphnus paused again having received a stronger kick from Nestoir his brain buzzed a moment then settled down. "Stop that." He demanded turning to glower at the other high prince.

"What's really going on?" George asked looking from the princes to Ryo and Dee then back again.

"Nothing to worry about," Ryo said handing him the letter and the box. "But Jhaymes asked us to give you this."

"You saw him? Can I?" George asked looking down the hall.

"Not in your best interest right now," Dee steered him away from the door and sat him on one of the empty chairs around the room. "He could sneeze and kill you." Dee muttered too low for George to hear, he was not paying attention anyway for Ryo had opened the box showing him the necklace inside. George stared at the large pendant of a rampant bird it's wings spread wide seeming to be made of emerald and diamond flames the white gold and platinum filigree setting gleamed in the sunlight.

"This was made by the same person," George said looking at the bracelet that Jhaymes had given him for his birthday. "The detail is too similar."

"You mean, you don't know," Andy said walking over to George and clicking her wrist together. George gasped as she pulled her sword and showed him the hilt with the deep purple jewels and diamonds. "These were all made by the same person."

George stared at the weapon then at his bracelet and the necklace his heart speeding up and skipping a few beats. Gentle fingers were traced along the design as tears gathered. "Jhaymes made this?" He said the words soft and Ryo watched as the most beautiful smile came to his face. Ryo nudged Dee as Andy backed away leaving George to his letter. Rain sighed seeing George so engrossed in his letter he was jolted as his cell phone began the theme song for Sailor Moon.

"Great," Daphnus complained when Rain excused himself. "Now we are losing you too. If this is going to be the pace of the entire summer, we may as well plan for a New Years release instead of thanksgiving as we had planned, you know friends and family."

"Friends huh," Bikky said with a grin as Rain went off with his phone. "I had to do a report for school, seems more like villains and victims if you ask me. I mean, a bunch of Europeans come over to 'The New World', find a bunch of peaceful tribes and try to steal their land, change their religion and rape their women. Then had the nerve to brand them savages, how fun is that?" Bikky felt a gust of wind around him and looked for Rain only to see him still on the cell. Out the window he saw Wyld Wynd flying by giving him an approving nod.

Daphnus nodded his agreement with Bikky. "But that is not, in a sense, what we celebrate. We should allow the past mistakes of generations long dead to pass away with them. What should be attempted is a remembrance of the proud race that the Natives are. The ideal of two nations coming together in peace and in friendship is what should be the cumulation of the holiday. We are still in times when prejudice, ignorance and hatred are running amok I am hoping that one day our children can honestly say that they have a world where race, creed, species even, does not matter. But I also know that the only way the world will ever know peace is if there is only one man left on it. For surely if one man has something, the other will want more and is willing to fight and die in order to take it."Daphnus sighed looking sad. "Sorry young MaClean, I don't mean to jade you so young."

"Nothing I did not already know," Bikky said patting Daphnus hand he went to call Carol wondering if she would be willing to come over for dinner tonight.

Break

Count D sighed, he looked at the customer, a young woman in all black clothing. Chains hung about her hips and from there dropped down to her knees. Her hair was spiked at least three feet in some places and frizzy in others it too was jet black while black lip stick was on her mouth and Kohl lined her eyes. She had silver piercings in her brows, lips and at least five in each ear. Norma fluttered her wings where she perched on the young woman's shoulder oddly dark against the pale face of the patron. '-Are you sure about this?-' Count D asked in Mandarin to which the bat squeaked and nodded. Count D sighed, then smiled signing his name to the contract. Business as usual. He supplied the incense and the three rules feeling his heart sink in sadness as Norma left the shop. He hoped it would not be the last he ever saw of her.

Break

'Sweetheart,

I am hoping that this letter is finding you well and brings a smile to your face. Even if I am not there to see it I am not so selfish as to deny others the pleasure of the expression. I regret that I can not be with you today, and that there are still some days yet that I must stay away from you. Please know that I would face anything to be at your side, but the one thing I can not face is harm to you which is what would be the ultimate result of my presence. If I have not yet told you, let me do so now... I love you. I never wanted these words to be said in a letter, I was hoping for rose petals and champagne, the glitter of starlight shining in your eyes. As well as my scent all over you from the love we've made.

It is strange to me and beautiful, the things I feel when I am with you, or near you, or even if I should just happen to think of you. I have never met anyone like you so willing to give of yourself. So willing to offer and accept love. You are kind and marvelous in a way that I have never known before. You have won the hearts of the Dragon King and Queen of Arcadia as well the youngest Prince and his consort. You rode a pegasus, and had lunch with mermaids, touched the heart of a soul wounded wind rider, and earned the fierce devotion of a dragon in human skin, young though he may be I sense greatness in Ryo's oldest son.

My heart stood no chance the moment you walked into the consulate, wounded and haunted, brokenhearted and sad, but smiling. You are so brave to face a heartless and cruel world as you do and Oh, my love how I admire you. No, I not only admire you, I adore you. I long for the moment when you are fully mine with the surest passion as the sun displays shining on the world for all to see. The fire in my loins pales in comparison to the fire in my heart that blazes your name in a song of glory. You send me to new heights of delight with just the touch of your lips, your hand could be the death of me and yet I look forward to dieing a thousand deaths in your arms.

Please shed not another tear in despair for my heart is yours and I desire none but you. As soon as I am able I will fly to your side and take you in my arms. Until then I will dream of the shade of your eyes as they gazed upon mine.

My every heart beats a devoted note to only you

Jhaymes

The last piece of the little light green and silver paper fell to George's lap to mingle with the tears he had shed. "George," He looked up to see Rain concerned and smiled brilliantly at the young man. "Are you alright?"

"Oh... Rain," George said carefully picking up the tear stained papers and holding them to his heart. "How is this possible?"

"How? I don't know what you are talking about," Rain said he sat on the floor at George's feet and looked up at him. His eyes shone from within at the sight of George blushing and smiling, crying and yet he seemed delighted. Rain sighed and propped his chin in his folded hands as he gazed at George.

"I... He... Oh gosh," George brought up a hand to his brow as his heart seemed to palpitate, he looked up alarmed as Ryo dashed to his side with his inhaler. "No, no I am fine," George assured Ryo who sighed. "I think... Oh... Gosh."

"Are you sure?" Ryo asked for George's cheeks were red, he was weeping and yet his smile was devastating in its beauty. "Dee and I are on our way to see Alicia now, we'll be a few hours. Do you need anything?" George shook his head and wiped his face on a handkerchief.

"Why is he so wonderful?" George whispered and took the necklace from the box. He held the delicate creation in his hand and brought it to his lips.

"He's in love with you," Ryo said. He took the necklace and went behind George who lifted his hair out of the way so that Ryo could close the clasp. "And you are in love with him." George gasped realizing that it was true. He sat as if stunned allowing his hair to fall around him.

"Dear God, I am aren't I?" George said with a sigh. "What now?"

"Well, you love each other right?" Rain said not sure why he had the sudden urge to weep. "The rest will come from that, you'll see." Ryo took Rain aside before he and Dee left. "Ryo?" Rain said sitting on the window ledge overlooking the bright garden of the Queen of Arcadia.

"Rain... Do you," Ryo paused not sure how to approach such a sensitive subject with his son. "Do you... Like George?"

"Of course I do, he is wonderful and so kind and talented and gosh, beautiful." Rain gushed, turned dark red and shut his mouth. "Who wouldn't like him?"

"I mean seriously," Ryo said and turned Rain to face him when the boy looked away. "Romantically?"

Rain stared out at the garden saying nothing and Ryo watched as he became fascinated with the sight of several elves walking through the garden, a common enough sight that it should have deserved no more than a passing glance. "I...I'm not gay okay," Rain said after a lengthy pause. Rain did not want Ryo to worry about him and he sighed. He thought of the first time he had seen George, of the startled kinship he felt and of Slyphe's ready acceptance of him. "It's just that George is George and he is unique. I want to kiss him and hold him and..." Rain paused when he heard Ryo gasp.

Ryo tried not to be shocked, not only was Rain fantasizing about George, but he thought himself a suitable top. "Rain, George is involved now."

"I know all that and I have Julie, so nothing can come of these feelings." Rain firmed his lips and blinked rapidly. "I just don't understand why I have them, he's a man, I know, but Ryo I think I love him. I want him. We are both involved, so I can't do anything about it."

"Not to mention he is too old for you," Ryo gentled his voice and placed a hand on Rain's shoulder. "You are only fifteen, he is in his twenties."

"You'd have to arrest him," Rain said stepping further away from his fantasy of George.

"And give you a bare-assed spanking," Ryo nodded and laughed when Rain widened his eyes and gaped at him. "It takes two and I have faith that he would do the right thing and turn you down, but I hope you understand that love can take many forms. George is beautiful, no one can deny it and he is talented and all that you say, it is alright to love him, but you can't have him. Besides, Ame-Chan... He is happy now, be happy for him." Rain nodded and hugged Ryo before sending him on his way. Rain rejoined the group for the rehearsal unable to meet Andy's knowing gaze.

Break

Leon returned home from work to find Count D weeping. He leaned over the sofa his cheeks and nose red while his eyes matched, bloodshot and overflowing. He was in full bodied sobs when Leon entered staring at him in horror. "Baby?" Leon rushed to his side unable to fathom what could have upset him. "What happened?"

"Oh, Leon," D sobbed as Leon picked him up and sat with him in his arms. "Today, Norma left the shop and it finally hit me, I mean it really hit me. Everything that happened, everything that it meant. I... I really am barren. I said it the other day so easily and now it feels as if a part of me is gone and... Oh Leon." Count D broke down acknowledging his grief for the first time since his father had explained what Dae had done to him so long ago. He had buried the pain deep, deep enough that he could get through the pregnancy thinking only of the life of his child but now. He could no longer hide from it and he feared it would rend him in two. "I am a Kami, a being of light and life and I can no longer bring forth life. Before Aoi was born the notion was foreign to me, not even a tentative thought. In fact I could not believe I was carrying. I was terrified, but... It is a natural part of me. Of what I am and I... I can't bring forth life."

"Oh no D," Leon said patting the trembling back. "You are light and you are life, you are my life. You and Jewel and Leon Jr. You gave me that, never think otherwise. Chris is able to speak today because of you. You four are my family and I treasure you." Leon assured D he tilted his head back and kissed him deeply. "Please stop crying every tear you shed is like a knife in my soul."

D sniffled then wept anew. "I should have fought him harder, thought to use my powers, something, anything. He tried to abort my child and I was useless."

"No baby, no," Leon said with a lump in his own throat at seeing D so shattered. "You did what you could, which is more than any of us. And you survived and you gave me a son. A beautiful, healthy son. I thank you," Leon kissed D again then stood to his feet. Traversing the long halls was always like an adventure to Leon because he never really knew where he would end up. Somehow, he knew it was the magic of the shop, he always ended up where he needed to be. When he opened the door that appeared before him, he was amazed at the garden on the other side. "I love you D, let me show you." Leon carried D inside with a smile. He refused to shed tears for a future he did not know, but he would indeed celebrate the present and all that it held.

Count D's sniffle turned into a sigh at the feel of Leon's lips on his neck. "Leon," Count D rasped unable to catch his breath swamped under the onslaught of Leon's passion.

"I love you," Leon whispered in Count D's ear his breath warm on the sensitive skin. He drank in each shudder that left D's body, each gasp emitted from his succulent mouth. Moist lips parted and Leon drank his mouth as a thirsty man in a desert laps a bountiful stream groaning at the heady taste of D's arousal. The same sweet scent that had allured him, wild cherry blossoms in bloom, the same exotic taste that ensnared him greeted his mouth and nose. Leon felt as if he came alive his hands almost desperate as they fumbled with D's ties and buttons. This cheongsam seemed unnecessarily fussy and yet he knew the reward would be worth it.

"Will you love me? Leon," Count D sobbed burying his face in the neck that hovered above him in the soft grass. "Will you love me even is I wither from within?"

"As long as you have my love to sustain you, you should not worry about withering." Leon said looking down at D his mismatched eyes shining like jewels under the white wash of pale moonlight. "From the inside out I love you. Your body," Leon licked D from his left shoulder across his chest paying homage to his nipples then moving on to his right shoulder. "You mind," Leon placed a kiss on D's lips sliding his tongue inside he dueled with D's tongue. "Your heart," Leon lay his head on D's chest listening to the pitter-patter of D's fluttering heart. "Every part of you I love," Leon confessed and D looked into his deep blue eyes.

D could not get away from those eyes. Ever since they had met and Leon had sauntered into his shop accusing him of murder and drug trafficking and a host of other crimes, D had been trapped in those straightforward eyes. "Leon, love me," D begged wrapping his silk clad arms around Leon's neck glad when Leon pushed the falling material completely from his body leaving his delicate nude form laying on the pile of rumpling clothes. D tugged at Leon's shirt and with a thought the article was tossed aside. Leon undid his pants he stepped from them and dropped to the grass pulling D into his arms.

"I will, I will love you, I will always love you." Leon promised leaving his mark on D's neck. He moved all over D's body kissing and licking tasting and savoring. Just as D thought he could take no more Leon stopped and placed a large hand on his hip. D gasped to find himself being turned over on his stomach so that Leon could start all over again. Leon paused by the dip in the small of D's back he placed a warm kiss there while his fingers massaged the two peachy globes. "I love you now, yesterday and tomorrow, forever," Leon promised punctuating each word with a kiss to D's cheeks and finishing with a long lick in between them.

The cry that Count D released was music to Leon's ears mixed with pleas in Mandarin a sure sign that D was almost ready. Leon licked further pressing his fingers against the rosebud opening. D relaxed clenching his fingers in the fine garments he lay upon. "Ah... Oh..." Count D managed all thoughts leaving his brain. Leon's fingers always drove him mad. "Leon...Leon.. Inside... Oneigaishimasu," D begged turning over and spreading his legs. Leon chuckled softly taking D into his mouth. Leon pushed three fingers inside and pressed forward with them. He drank every drop as D convulsed underneath him. It was thick, this cream, sweet and addictive and Leon craved it if he was without for more that three days. He was glad that D never made him go without for more than two. "Leon," D sighed panting he reached for Leon and was gratified when his detective crawled over him bringing his legs up. Leon held the appendages with his arms as he placed himself for entry.

Pushing inside was always a delicious adventure in sensation and Leon closed his groaning at the tight feel. His mouth on D earlier and his own pre-release enough to gain him access, but he would have to go slow, go gently, for though D was relaxed from his orgasm, he was still tender inside. Leon wished he had thought to ask D to summon lubrication, but he knew D's pleasure fogged mind would be capable of nothing more than crying his name. It was a thought that pleased him. D hitched his hips meeting Leon's tentative thrusts with desperate movements spurring Leon to move faster inside of him. Leon could not hold back. He knew it would be over soon and he tried to slow his hips from the continued thrusting into D's willing body. D was having none of that. He locked his ankles around Leon's waist and placed a hand on each of Leon's bottom cheeks pulling him in faster and faster. Leon lost his head staring into those eyes he came. Copious amounts of his milky release entered D's body and he coated both of their belly's with another stream, testimony to his own enjoyment. Leon collapsed on top of D panting.

"I want you to tell me something," Leon said kissing D's face, his cheeks, his forehead, his nose and finally his lips. "Did I love you when I found out you could have kids, or was it long before that?"

D waited his breath catching in his throat and he found it difficult to swallow. He worked his throat convinced an audible sound would never get through but he was determined to answer Leon. "Before."

"Exactly," Leon said pulling D into his arms. "I will love you long after you can't. Forever." Leon promised his eyes closing. Leon sighed in contentment when he felt D relax against him.

"Forever," D promised laying his head against Leon.

Break

Chihaya sat watching as the waves poured over the sands and thought that the ebb and flow of the ocean was akin to the tidal waves of life. He loved Kagetsuya, but he could not help the guilt at ruining his career back on Eden. Who knows how far Kagetsuya could have gone if he had not had him for a partner? "You're looking down in the dumps." Kagetsuya said sitting beside his little lover on the sand and tucking him in the security of his arms.

"If you hadn't met me, you would probably have children by now," Chihaya whispered. "Sometimes, I wish I could be like the Kami and give you children, but I know that is impossible and I am sorry."

"Who say's it's impossible?" Kagetsuya said raising Chihaya's face. "We are similar in make up to the kami, but our desire for our partner as well as an act of will is needed."

"I don't understand," Chihaya said and wished he had payed more attention in physiology when he had been in school on Eden. Kagetsuya laughed and pressed Chihaya into the sand of their private little area of paradise.

"There is a lot still that I don't understand," Kagetsuya said placing nibbling kisses along his jawline. The sound of the waves was a calming backdrop the the gentle sigh Chihaya released. "If I had known you wanted children, I would have spoken with Lord D a while ago."

"Wait, me?" Chihaya gasped and was unable to say more when Kagetsuya pulled his shirt from him and tossed it to the sand. "I thought you wanted a baby. Whenever Count D or Lord D are over, you play with theirs and say how cute they are."

"Well, they are cute," Kagetsuya sat down beside Chihaya giving up on getting him out of the tiny shorts. Besides, he consoled himself. They had made love on the beach before and the sand got out of hand. It was embarrassing at the cafe the next day with the itching and carrying on they both did. "Doesn't mean I want one. Think about the responsibility that would entail. Maybe one day, but," Kagetsuya shrugged. "I mean, if you want one... I will,"Kagetsuya said with a smile. "Anything you want, I will try my best to get it for you." Chihaya felt tears in his eyes and he got to his feet. Beckoning to Kagetsuya Chihaya turned and ran up the beach. Kagetsuya took a moment to appreciate the slim legs firm and running down the beach before he got up with a laugh ad followed him.

Break

Long fingers drummed together as cold violet eyes watched the chief of police on television. The man was claiming that the crime rate in his city was down. He then went on to explain that he had some of the best officers on the force. The eyes narrowed listening to the officers that were named who had recently or even at one point won medals and honor as well as Arcadian recognition. Safe city huh? He ground his teeth and decided to accept the words as a challenge to his superior ability. "Florian," Dae called and the demon, wearing a female form this time in the hopes of gaining his master's attention and failing utterly as Hamanosuke was still warming the demon's bed. "Call all that will hear and have them assemble."

"Yes sir," Florian fluttered his eyes at Dae and hurried off to do his bidding.

"Listen to me," Dae said when his minions had appeared before him. "There is a nasty little rumor that this city is safe and it insults me. I want you all to go out there and commit any and every crime that you can think of. But avoid the law at all cost, immolate yourself if you have to. I want it to start out small, and get more and more outrageous. Leave no clues, I want the public terrified. When they can't turn to their heroes for answers the city will be ripe... Ripe for the plucking and I am feeling the need for some fresh fruit. Go," Dae pointed to the door and watched as his wraiths and warlocks, demons and scouts left to do his bidding.

To Be Continued

Aurhor's notes: Another short chapter, sorry, but I am working on a lot of different things right now. I will try for a longer one. I must apologize for not going into detail about Ryo and Dee's anniversary, but I was getting too far behind with time again. I will do something special with them for sure and allow the French One to really spread his kinky little wings. He was working on the first George and Jhaymes scene and I peeked over his shoulder... I am still blushing... Such that I can anyway with this deliciously Dark skin that I have. Anyway, I look forward to comments. Thank you all for your continued reading of this series, your words mean a lot to the both of us.