Chapter 27: An Act of Devotion
by lightpathetic
"MY LEADER!"
Yuuki smiled gamely to those gathered as she stuck her shoulders back and nodded to her husband to lead her off to their table, past the guests standing in salute.
She was resplendent in an ivory knee-length high-collared satin sheath with sparkling gold thread accents and matching strappy heels and clutch, with a tiara of almond shaped diamonds securing a high bun of her dark hair. Her husband was in an immaculate black suit, pewter shirt and with a silver tie, his hair tamed to a glistening submission. They looked wonderful, if she thought so herself. A true couple of ultimate power and ambition.
The other guests were similarly outfitted, wearing some of the best the Regime had to offer. Including three special ones in particular.
Yuuki was helped to her seat smoothly, as they ought to have done - they had rehearsed a few times the night before, Shizuka being very particular about these things. Soon, her glass was poured from a fresh bottle of white wine – not sparkling wine as she really couldn't even pretend to like the stuff, thinking they should be happy she didn't decree it banned – and she addressed the party, raising her glass.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to our home! May you enjoy your stay and may we all continue to prosper under the Monoliths!"
"Or our lives!" came the chorus.
Yuuki then sipped the wine and smiled before launching into a "brief" address on the preternatural wonders of the Monolith Regime's accomplishments, punctuated – lengthened – by enthusiastic ovations as needed. However, she did finally relax at its conclusion, glad that her play in one act was over. She eyed Shizuka at the table to her right who nodded, at which point she sat and the throngs of waiters were let loose on the tables to serve the first course.
The evening's other events then began in earnest.
"ARE YOU DONE DANCING ALREADY?"
Ichiru didn't bother to look at the man at his side, who'd just reluctantly left his mother when a tall dark gentleman dared to come over to them and bow, Shizuka excusing herself a little too readily and raising her arms to the stranger in acceptance.
She'd been much cooler with the Second Leader since the picnic three days ago and the boys surmised that, given their mother's tight-lipped silence and the marked swelling to Kaname's forehead, that something inappropriate and intimate had happened of which their mother was not ready to speak. She didn't seem distressed otherwise and Kaname seemed happier, which made no sense, so they just figured Kaname had tried to, or actually, "copped a feel" and their mother had hit him hard with something equal to the task, which had dissuaded further attempts. She would speak about it when she was ready, they were sure, so they did not press it. She went about the preparations for the party readily enough and Kaname, who was just as mum about the entire episode, - you couldn't blame him if he'd been injured by a lady of some advancement in age – merely resumed his usual activities when he was home and avoided their mother's volatile temper and dominate hand.
Which was easy to do given the alternatives. His second night back, – he'd turned in early his first night due to insurmountable fatigue - he'd knocked on Zero's door a half an hour after they all had turned in and asked to see him in Ichiru's room. Given his purple forehead, Zero had real concerns there would be some announcement on some stupid course of action. But Kaname had taken his hand and led him through the adjoining door to where Ichiru was already naked, swollen lipped and, uh poised for action. It soon became clear the reason for Kaname's nocturnal invitation. He'd disrobed as soon as he entered the room, exposing his nakedness, and hooked Zero into a kiss as he massaged him inside his boxers. Zero eyed Ichiru's interest in them as the older man squatted and pulled Zero's one garment down his legs and undertook the task of making him match his brother in yet another obvious respect.
"Kaname… I'm tired…"
"Please, Zero," Kaname begged, borrowing his tongue for lapping the spot under Zero's tip. "The way I feel, this will only take a minute and you'll sleep much better."
It wasn't long before he was knelt on the bed, fisting Kaname's hair cruelly as he fucked his throat, as Ichiru, who was also kneeling, his thighs and hips pressed against the brunette's as he rolled sensuously against him, into him, his jaw slack from the feel of his hot clenching heat as he moved. It really wasn't long until Kaname began a long groan around Zero's tender flesh as his body began a seizure they knew only too well. It wasn't the time to let up, though, as they rolled him onto his back at the corner of the bed and increased their thrusts until they too were forced to joined him upon his second crushing orgasm, seeding him liberally as he whimpered desperately beneath them.
They'd spent the night together and the morning brought a more leisurely reprise of an enticingly tousled Kaname-sandwich, before they went down to breakfast.
Thus was passed the second night. The third night, the Supreme Leader was in residence and he spent that with her, as he should. Especially as…
"SHE'S RETURNING TO THE FORT. Tomorrow after the activities."
"That's such a shame," Ichiru returned, sarcasm a key constituent.
Zero looked over at Ichiru, to where his twin was pretending to admire the scenery on their horseback ride/break from the chaos of party preparations and arriving guests for its commencement that evening.
"You know… she's really very lonely…"
"I do. Not care."
Zero sighed and returned his own eyes to where the horses negotiated the cliff. It was their favourite trail. One could see for miles out to sea and inland. The wind teased their hair as they walked along.
"I did ask if she would return soon but she…"
"What?"
Zero wasn't surprised by the concern. Ichiru had grown not to be that indifferent to the petite authoritarian himself. They both got a perverse satisfaction from antagonising the other. He was at least curious, maybe if not for entirely wholesome reasons.
"She didn't answer. She just looked… trapped."
"'Trapped'," Ichiru scoffed, "That's rich. She knows what to do when she's sick of being the head fascist."
"Do you think she's really in charge? I mean…"
"She is. Kaname has a similar look for when he has to speak about her. Don't fall for the damsel in distress routine. Probably wants to trick you into volunteering to return with her to that living mausoleum."
Zero became quiet again as he thought about that. Quite seriously, apparently. Ichiru noticed.
"Fuck no!"
"I didn't mean you…"
"You know it's the same thing!"
"Please. I didn't leave us to go join the Resistance…"
"Because you were wrong and I couldn't dissuade you otherwise! Look where your staying at home got us!"
"Instead of dead?"
"No. Maybe, if had we been together, we would have killed him!"
Zero kept his counsel then. Ichiru loved to think up futile alternatives to the present. Perhaps it brought him comfort…
"In any case, being at the Fort is a dead end. You know this," Ichiru tried again.
"I know. But she only made that offer when we were about to come here. Maybe, I could do more now…"
"No. No. No. NO!"
Zero closed his mouth. The problem of what they really should do still remained. They were having trouble with the brutally killing them portion of their planning and they really didn't want to do nothing, like those people history spat upon. But being out here was like a vacuum. They got no news and Kaname gave nothing away except he was quite happy. The war could over and they would be oblivious. Which meant they didn't even know whether his being "happy" helped him to kill more people or if his being miserable would… It was so frustrating. All they had were the animals and the land, unparalleled luxury and each other. Which reminded him…
"She said something odd."
"Do you mean odd-for-Yuuki odd, or…?"
"She said to be careful with Kaname. And… if it looked as though we might lose his favour… we should get out. And… that she would do her best to help us if that happened."
"Fuck! When were you going to tell me that?"
"I just did…"
"Bloody hell! What is the point, huh?! Is she trying to spectacularly shit in our bed before she goes?"
"I don't know. We were out walking when she came close to me and…"
"What does she mean?"
"That Kaname will kill us when…"
"I know that! I'm panicking for just that fucking reason! I meant why tell us now?! What does she mean!? Can we trust what she says?!"
"I don't know for sure. But I think something happened to spook her."
"With Kaname?"
"Who else?"
"Then why not just kill him? Why tell us fucked up shit like that?"
"I don't know. I'm still trying to figure it out. But… we need to do something soon. Get help to do it. Now we're not at 'that place' anymore…"
"Before Kaname kills us, you mean."
Zero turned away from Ichiru's desperate stare and off into the distance, more for a respite than to calm his nerves. Yuuki could be toying with them now that she had to go back to the Fort alone. But what if she was really trying to warn him, as a "friend"? It was hard to jibe that with the affectionate brunette who had drained them dry the day before, and had lain on them, a tangle of satiated limbs, whispering of his adoration before he'd fallen asleep across them.
Kaname did love them. Or he behaved as though he did. But that was the problem. It was a fickle foundation. How often had they heard the words themselves only to be abandoned when it was inconvenient?
"We should try to escape," Ichiru finally suggested as he scoured the coastline frantically. "Steal a boat and sail away."
"He'll catch us. And he may not be as forgiving this time. It would be our third strike. I worry that he won't just kill us…"
"Then get your 'friend' to help us!"
"That has strings attached, Ichiru. We'll be back where we started but with someone far more volatile."
"Not if she helps us escape!"
"We'll always be running. Always."
"Then what's your idea? Stay and die?"
"Perhaps… Perhaps we should stop thinking about ourselves, being so scared, and look at the larger picture. So many people are risking their lives and dying while we're here fucking his brains out. And doing it for practically nothing…"
"Our lives aren't nothing."
"But what do our lives matter when we can lose them so easily after he's had his way? He's got us so scared for ourselves we can't see what we have. We used to be able to see. To leverage what we did to our advantage…."
"And look where that got us."
"Yes. A vast ranch in the middle of nowhere."
Ichiru began to ponder what his brother was saying. With Kaname being as besotted as he was, they could get almost anything they wanted. It's just that they were holding out for freedom. Maybe that was something they had to take for themselves.
"We do have the Supreme Leader as a friend and Kaname where we've always wanted him," Ichiru finally managed.
"That's why we should act now. We need to be more demanding. Like we used to be. Get major concessions for the privilege of fucking us. Now we are out of the Fort, we can insist on going to the Capital. While there, we keep our ears open for news of the Resistance. While there, we can have a look at Kaname's offices. There must be someone out there that can use what we can provide! This close to the top…!"
"Kaname is going to be all over us. There's no way anyone will be stupid enough to approach us. We'll only arouse his suspicions and lose everything. Just by trying."
Zero did stop to consider this, becoming quiet as he looked out over the ocean. The wide blue expanse of it seemed to call to him as he felt the peril of his circumstances. Would Kaname really find them if they simply…?
Probably. They knew him only too well by now.
"Still… we have to try. All we have is now. And right now, Kaname is desperate to hold on to us. We need to man up and use it. Use him. Before it's too late."
Ichiru touched his horse's belly and shot forward, away from Zero, clearly needing to process what he'd said alone. Zero took heart in it.
It meant he was preparing himself for what must be done.
"I'VE DANCED WITH MOTHER AND YOUR WIFE. I'll pass on the other members of the Regime, if you don't mind."
"Suit yourself."
"Thank you."
Ichiru resumed propping up the wall as Kaname came even closer.
"I'm just regretful, I suppose. You dance very well. Even with Yuuki. I didn't… expect that."
"Just a 'thank you' for her hospitality given I was marooned at her house for months. And… I began to feel sorry for her toes. She seriously needed a competent dance partner."
"Yes…"
Ichiru looked at Kaname then, his pensive face. Even Yuuki had looked ready to bolt when he'd come over, bowed and raised his hand to her, offering to cut in on her and Kaname. He'd even patiently stood there during the stand-off between them until Yuuki took his hand, which she had been staring at like a grenade missing a pin, but gave her a pleasant surprise as he led her off into a series of precise steps. She'd had to hide her laughter. Even he had seen the stunned looked on all their faces, including Zero's. But, only his twin could give the innocent occurrence the weightier context. He'd felt the desire to tease her some more, to resurrect the tension between them. A tension she only tolerated for one real reason. And that was the possibilities that lay therein. So, after their discussion that afternoon, he felt the… powerful need to remind her that not only Zero could be "a friend".
Her and a certain homicidal brunette, for that matter...
Ichiru watched Zero execute a twirl with Commander Souen, scrutinized her fiancé's face as he did so – who was studiously avoiding his gaze, by the way - before he returned his eyes to where Kaname had become quiet as he looked at him.
"What?" Ichiru demanded irritably.
"Would you rather she have stayed?"
"Who?"
"Yuuki."
"Do mean I have a say in it?"
"…Maybe."
Ichiru lifted himself off the wall to clear himself of the feeling of being trapped by his intense stare.
"She has her good points, Kaname. She's good for an intense argument on Monolith politics and I rather liked making her angry. Her entire body turns red."
"How would you know something like that?"
Ichiru looked back at Kaname at this, catching the intense jealousy before it was successfully masked. No matter how often they made love, Kaname always looked like they would leave him for the next dictator in an instant. Rather than answer, Ichiru placed his glass on a table on the periphery of the cleared room, took Kaname's hand and tugged him towards the exit. Kaname caught himself looking around for whomever was looking.
"Are you worried about my reputation or yours?"
"I… don't know…" Kaname responded slowly, before squeezing Ichiru's hand tightly as if to assure himself it was real. Ichiru shot him a look but relented when he saw Kaname's smile.
Ichiru pulled Kaname out into the hallway. He then led the officer to an empty adjoining room and pulled him inside, leaving the door ajar. They could hear the music from the live band as though they were still in the party.
"There," Ichiru whispered as he slipped his arms onto Kaname's shoulders, pressed his body into his and began to sway. "Is this what you were angling for?"
"I wasn't angling for anything…" Kaname countered childishly, a little annoyed at being so readable.
"Go on. Hands on my waist. Do it."
Kaname did… as he was told, placing his hands on Ichiru's hips and sliding them over the smooth material up to his waist. His eyes were locked on the younger man as he continued to his back and up, pressing them tightly together.
"You… are so beautiful," he whispered.
Ichiru smirked before breaking his hold to do a circuit around him, running his hand along his middle, before slipping behind him.
"Concentrate on the music. We're dancing…"
"So, this isn't foreplay?"
Ichiru chuckled. Kaname had a severe one-track mind where they were concerned.
"It could be," Ichiru whispered, his lips brushing the shell of the officer's ear. He felt an answering shudder before continuing. "It depends on how pleased I am with you after our dance."
Ichiru changed the hold on his hand and then spun Kaname forward then back into him, before taking his hands and beginning to step expertly about the room, leading him. Kaname's face did register his surprise and delight, before he tripped…
"Don't think about it, Kaname. Just look into my eyes and react."
"I'm trying…"
Ichiru led him into another series of steps to the music, pushing away, holding his hand as he executed a more complex manoeuvre waiting until Kaname matched it before bringing them together again. He held up his arm and twirled him again before sweeping Kaname back into a shallow lean. The soldier held on for dear life as his world tilted but went with it and Ichiru planted brief peck on his lips in reward. They had been laughing before but now Kaname looked pointedly at the youth's lips in an open invitation. When he'd seen them earlier in their suits, he'd nearly been rendered incapable of coherent thought. They were so beautiful. Simply stunning. No wonder he couldn't resist…
Ichiru soon found his mouth was being plundered by a certain brunette. He let up eventually, however, to kiss his neck and voice the below.
"I want you to fuck me," Kaname rasped. "Right here."
"Seriously?"
"Yes," Kaname moaned, one hand sliding to Ichiru's belt.
"No," Ichiru countered, slapping his hand away and straightening them both before going into a gentle sway against him. "You're hosting a party. It would be bad form to desert it."
Kaname pulled away then, a look of familiar cold determination on his face as he went to the door and grabbed the doorknob to close it. Not much would stop him ending up on this floor and finally stemming this ache he'd had since the evening began, so to speak. He definitely thought hosting duties were at the rank bottom of that list. He'll be better able to concentrate on such matters afterwards, he reasoned. However, it was when he appeared at the doorway that…
"Kaname! There you are! I knew I saw you come out here!
"I want you to meet someone!"
Ichiru tried then to compose himself, raking his fingers into his hair as Kaname hesitated painfully in the doorway and shot a look back at him of such comical frustration that Ichiru would have laughed aloud but for the echo of it in his very being. Kaname also looked very sexy tonight.
"Yuuki, I'll be right there in a minute…"
"He's such an adorable young man! He was just telling me how he would manage the invasion of the Channel Countries. You have to hear it! I'm in stitches…!"
Kaname looked from where Yuuki was beckoning frantically to him back to Ichiru who gestured with his eyes to go on, also giving him an encouraging, secret smile that indicated he would always be available to him later. Kaname turned back towards him and also smiled gently holding his gaze, his body calming as he felt the assurance. Then he left, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Ichiru went over to the doorway to await a suitable chance to slip out, not wanting to make it obvious they were trying to have an intimate moment. He felt… silly. That smile, that look… Damn, Kaname made it so obvious he was smitten. And Ichiru…
Dammit. Dammit! Stop! You can't rely on it! Any of it!
"Kaname, he's a graduate of … University in … the Channel Countries. He has a degree in Strategic Intelligence but he's a secretary in the Procurement Office in … City with Commander Shiki. Senri Shiki gave him his invitation because he wanted to meet you!"
"Second Leader, Sir! It is an honour, Sir!"
Ichiru stood to one side of the darkened room and watched as the tall, beautiful young man with stunning hazel eyes smiled unreservedly into Kaname's face as he offered his hand in greeting which was eventually taken by the morose leader.
"You're in Commander Shiki's office?" Kaname appeared puzzled by this.
"Yes. He sends his regrets and his charming wife, Rima, but he is engaged in an audit in …"
"Really? An audit?" Yuuki pouted, thinking it was an intended slight. She ought to send him to the Front.
"I don't think Commander Shiki is the social type," the youth volunteered, all sheepish adorable grin. Ichiru almost made an "aw" face to match Yuuki's.
"Aren't you a native? How did you end up in his office?" Kaname was almost interrogating him but the man was calm and ready.
"The Monoliths were recruiting from the area in … City for clerks to run the local distribution. Low level stuff. I'm from the Bordorlie Region near … I applied and worked my way up from there…"
"To hear Rima tell it, he's brilliant!"
"So, you must know the Crew Estate," Kaname asked, ignoring his wife.
"Do you mean the Kiriyuu Manor? Yes. Very well. It's a shame what happened. That place was there for as long as anyone can remember."
He'd passed the first test. Kaname seemed less tense.
He was tall and handsome. Ash-brown hair and a good, strong physique. More importantly, he held Kaname's gaze unflinchingly, with just the hint of the ravenous. Ichiru thought he'd had that look down pat until he saw this guy. Ichiru had a bad feeling about this. It was then he noticed other things; the care with his appearance, how close he was standing…
"Shit…"
"Never mind all that," Yuuki screeched, clearly well lubricated and enjoying her in-joke too much to tolerate what she perceived as small talk. "Tell him about your plan! I swear, you'll laugh when you hear it, Kaname and I want Rima to see…!"
It was then they moved away and back to the party. Ichiru slipped out then and went back to the proceedings to find Zero. No use keeping stuff like that to himself.
"THAT KID IS NOT WASTING ANY TIME."
Zero turned away from the window from which he could see the guests lounging by the large pool with the Leaders, in various stages of undress. The youth was the centre of attention, speaking animatedly with them all, making them laugh. Zero looked over to where Ichiru sat waiting for Zero to make his move on the chessboard.
The guests were on their second day of activities and food, but the twin decided they would keep a low profile – not talk to anyone – and stay in the apartment except for mealtimes when it would be truly obvious that they were avoiding the lot of them. He was not as worried about the youth as Zero. Which was not to say he wasn't concerned. He'd found Zero immediately and told him what had happened, after all.
"Do you think he'll try something…?" Zero asked. Ichiru shrugged.
"Maybe Kaname will fall for him and finally let us go."
"Yeah, right."
"I'll just feel sorry for him when we leave," Ichiru continued, as he resumed his study of the board, Zero having taken a pawn. "Kaname requires three people to satisfy him."
Zero rolled his eyes and went over to the window again. Their mother was still down there as she was the hostess. She also did enjoy giving a good party. She simply ignored the insensitive comments or questions like, "You are quite funny for an elite" or "Who knew an elite knew how to cook?" or her personal favourite "Do you know what it is like to work for a living?" and concentrated on the mechanics. Besides, they were mostly careful enough not to say anything too taxing within the earshot of the Leaders. It also helped that Commander Souen and her fiancé, Akatsuki Kain, as well as their closer friends were nice enough to pass the time with in between carrying out her other functions, they being well resigned to the Second Leader's peculiar fixation on them by this point.
Though, she did find herself wondering at odd moments why Takuma was missing but dared not ask. She'd had to send that invitation out as well. Not that she missed him but it would have been interesting to see him. She'd even found a piano duet for them to try…
"Check."
Zero looked back to his brother from the window.
"He just took off his shirt and dove into the water. He is wearing an eyepatch…"
"Really?"
Ichiru rose then to look. The boys both stayed in the window as the interloper swam a few laps then emerged, dripping wet, from the pool. They both turned at the same time and returned to the table without a word. The kid was breath-taking.
"I really couldn't blame Kaname for hitting that at least once," Zero sighed.
"You know, we could get rid of him easily."
"How?"
"Make a pass at him in front of Kaname."
Zero thought about it as he took Ichiru's rook.
"Nah. I don't want him killed. He's from back home, after all…"
"But he works for the Monoliths."
"True…" Zero thought that was a significant strike against the lad, momentarily losing the irony of his censure.
"Although, he does have a slight Channel Country accent."
"It can be explained by his going away to school, Ichiru."
"I know but…"
Ichiru paused mid-move to think, Zero raised his eyebrows. Ichiru took Zero's bishop and sat back in the chair.
"It's strange how he said he was from 'Bordorlie'."
Zero laughed, repeating the old joke in unison with Ichiru.
"'No-one one from Bordorlie calls it Bordorlie.'"
"He should have said Bordar-ley," Zero recalled absently as he studied the chessboard. But then their eyes met as it slowly began to sink in…
"He couldn't be…" Ichiru said slowly.
"He must be. It would explain the lack of finesse. But he must also know the risks. Right…?"
"Especially since Kaname knows that joke too. We… told him the day we visited. He didn't let on, though. Do you think he forgot…?"
The boys jumped up from their seats in unison and rushed to the window.
"Where is he?"
"I don't see him! Or Kaname!" Zero shouted, his nose pressed to the glass.
"Shit. He's probably already de…"
"Quick! We have to find him!"
"Why? What can we do?"
"Talk to him, Ichiru. It's not everyday a spy falls right into your lap!"
SHIZUKA LOOKED from Akatsuki to behind him where Ichiru was pointedly staring at her from a window.
"Oh, that's a good point! Excuse me, I see something that requires my attention."
Shizuka rose gracefully from the green fine-mesh lounger and marched to the open doorway to her left, her gauzy floral wrap whipping around her aquamarine swim suited form.
"Suzie, more fruit punches for the table, please. Thank you."
"Ma'am."
Shizuka went to the stairs and up it to where Ichiru waited on the landing.
"What…?"
"Have you seen Kaname?"
"Kaname? Why?"
"Mother…"
"He excused himself to go to the bathroom."
"Which one?"
"I don't know! How would I…?
Shizuka broke off as Zero trotted up to them.
"He's not in his study," he reported breathlessly.
"What's going on?" Shizuka asked her sons through her teeth.
Ichiru pushed them into a nearby room. It was the men's changing room for the pool. Ichiru checked it over, including the stalls in the back and returned to them.
"We think the new guy is a spy."
"What?" Shizuka gasped. "The nice young man in the eyepatch swimsuit from back home? He said he used to go to our restaurant…"
"Yes, mother. Him," Ichiru interrupted. "He's working on Kaname hard. We think his goal is to seduce him…"
"Really? What madness," Shizuka exclaimed, backing away as she came to terms with the implications. "He'll just get himself killed."
"Do you know where he went?"
"No. Kaname excused himself and I was talking to Akatsuki… Did you notice the odd accent, though? He could use some more training…"
"Yes. And Kaname probably has too."
Shizuka eyes flitted around agitatedly as she thought. A spy. From the Alliance perhaps? The balls on that kid…
"He'll try to get him alone. I would," Ichiru injected into the uneasy silence.
"We've checked everywhere. His guard said he didn't leave the house…" Zero edified.
"The steam room," Shizuka finally said.
"The steam room?" Zero asked.
"Yes. You know we finished the renovation Monday and I mentioned to him that I wouldn't even let you both try it before he did. He got that look, you know?"
They did know "the look". Kaname would be anxious to use it and free it up for them to enjoy. And with everyone else out here it was the perfect time.
On all accounts…
"Shit," Ichiru expelled and leaned his head onto the door.
"DO YOU MIND IF I JOIN YOU?"
Kaname was emerging from the pre-sauna shower when he ran into the tall young man. He automatically looked to the doorway to see which guard had dared to allow this before remembering he was without his usual security. An effort to relax in his own home.
Kaname ran his eyes the length of him. He was tall lean but well-muscled, with broad shoulders. He was smiling charmingly as he too looked him over. They were both almost nude but Kaname pulled his towel around his middle before heading to the door to the sauna, while the other slid his "swimsuit" down his legs and entered the shower. Kaname had said nothing so the other probably took it as consent.
Kaname found himself looking back to watch the other through the glass. He was a gorgeous young man. And very brave or foolish. He was working hard to get into his good graces and, perhaps, a higher position. He had an idea of just how he'd advanced so quickly. But that was not unusual. Almost mundane, really. Kaname had lost track of all the men and women, even boys and girls, beautiful and not, who had crossed his path, who have tried for just where the Kiriyuus didn't want to be. He often wondered if that was why he wanted them: the perversity.
No. They pushed all sorts of buttons with him. Which was why this play would not succeed. But the youth wouldn't know that. Yet.
Kaname winced a little as he sat on the smooth teak bench. He was still a bit sore from how he'd been… used their night – and morning - together. He closed his eyes briefly as he thought of them and how… and he felt his usual response. He was nigh insatiable where they were concerned and he had no idea why. He probably should analyse it in case the inevitable happened and he had to move on to far lesser options.
The door to the sauna opened and in came such an option now. Kaname watched him as he crossed to a bench opposite and sat, his legs invitingly opened, the glimpse didn't disappoint. Kaname thought of whether to take advantage of such an evidently willing mouth before… Well… This was when Kaname got distracted as only he could from the thought of a "willing mouth". He hadn't his knives, he thought, regretfully. And it would be a shame to ruin the new door. He'll have to use his fists and…
"God, this is good."
The boy moaned appreciatively, his legs widening as he relaxed back against the wood. Kaname became more irritated. Perhaps the edge of the bench? A smashed nose, broken teeth and jaw were a good enough message to whomever had sent him. He was tall and strong, though. Kaname wondered if the fight would at least be interesting.
"Do you mind if I…?" the youth gestured to his towel. Kaname again didn't answer. The boy lifted himself and pulled it off while watching Kaname's eyes. He was already… well…
Kaname closed his eyes. No. He already hated him. He wouldn't even bother with his curiosity over the blow-job.
Now Kaname's level of antipathy would not be understood, given the mundane occurrence of someone throwing themselves at him, unless you had context. For this, you would have to go to last night when he'd gone to Zero's room, let himself in and covered his prone body to sleep. Zero had stirred to find himself pressed into the mattress and a hot, heavy mass on his back, the reason for which was a rather presumptuous brunette trying to settle onto him like a yoga mat.
"Of all the options you have tonight, you chose to wake me up…" Zero intoned grumpily.
"I didn't want to wake you. Just fulfilling the urge to sleep with my dick between your legs," Kaname had had a happy grin on his face as he did just that, snuggling his hips onto Zero's behind, his head on his left shoulder. He was close to passing out when…
"Why? Working off some additional stimulation?"
"Do you mean the twin formal attire? Hell yes."
"No… I meant… Never mind."
Kaname heard the silence, snuggled to sleep, tried to enjoy Zero's smooth warm skin against his… but resurfaced as Zero's heartrate wouldn't settle. Was he really that angry he came in?
"Do you want me to leave?"
"No."
"What is it, then? What's troubling you?"
"Nothing!"
Kaname sighed and slid off his warm body pillow, then burrowed under it. Zero protested loudly in the night until Kaname covered his mouth.
"Tell me. Now. Or…"
"What?" Zero countered belligerently.
"Or, I won't let you sleep. I'll keep doing this to this rib…"
"No! Hah! Stop…!"
Zero fought but Kaname rolled him onto his back sat up onto his stomach and continued poking until…
"Alright! Ichiru told me about the person Yuuki introduced you to. It was just a silly comment."
"You're worried… about him?" Kaname did think that was ridiculous and it showed. "Why?!"
"I don't know…" Zero moaned, more in disgust with himself and tried to roll over to sleep. It was late…
"You think I'll pick him over you? You do, don't you?"
"No! I…"
"You're jealous, aren't you?"
Kaname thought this was hilarious. He actually put his head back and laughed. Zero turned over to shush him.
"Kaname! Shut up! It's fucking the middle of the night!"
"That's never stopped you before."
Zero froze at this and watched as Kaname became disgusted with himself and eventually lay on his chest in contrition.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to accuse you… of anything. I… guess I get a little jealous too."
Zero's hands came up hold him back as Kaname was trying to.
"You have nothing to fear. Yuuki will tell you, I'm a hard man to distract when I'm focused on something. And I'm focused on making you all as happy with me as humanly possible. I wouldn't dare stray and ruin the progress I've made so far."
Zero said nothing to this but groaned when Kaname again raised his head.
"He probably just wants a position in my office and that will happen when he's earned it the old-fashioned way, not before. So relax, okay? And these things will happen. People will try to approach me in this way. It doesn't mean anything. I have everything I want here with you all and I will do nothing to jeopardize that. Certainly not with some low-level clerk."
"I understand, Kaname. Now go to sleep." Zero demanded, pulling him onto his chest, feeling very foolish now he'd mentioned it.
"I just hate that… he's making you so unhappy…" Kaname mumbled into Zero's left pectoral as he began to lose consciousness.
"Shh," Zero muttered, before settling his nose into Kaname's hair and also drifting off to sleep.
Zero probably didn't remember the conversation but Kaname certainly did, grabbing his towel as he too pulled it away to reveal his body as he slowly slid forward. He was aware of its shock value, given the scars, and was proud of it, only having pause when the loves in his life appeared distressed by the very real pattern of abuse on his skin. Otherwise, he wore his skin proudly. It showed his experience, his maturity, his toughness, his survival. But best of all, it showed a stark warning to all that he was far more than his calm exterior.
It was odd, one could observe, that, rather than his suspicions about the origins of the boy, instead what was foremost in his mind was how he'd hurt Zero by trying this shit in front of them. Funnily enough, if it hadn't been for Zero, he probably would have just ignored the him. Instead, he wondered if Yuuki had her hand in this. Or maybe Takuma. But it was all secondary to his anger. His need to make a gesture to his loves that they'll likely never know about but whoever sent this twit certainly would. And would never try it again.
"There's someone already in here! Hello!?"
"Quiet, Ichiru. It's probably guests."
"Oh. Should we still go in?"
"We'll just ask politely if…"
The door yanked open and in stumbled a certain twin.
"Kaname! You're in here? Oh! Hello there!"
"Who are you talking to?" Zero was still outside.
"'Eyepatch'."
The youth frowned at the two young men in frustration. It seems they were interrupting something.
"Who's 'Eyepatch'?" Kaname asked, pulling his towel slowly back over himself, hoping they hadn't noticed he'd been nude. He was glad of the heat. He was flushing in embarrassment, for no reason whatsoever, to be caught in this position by his significant others.
"I'm sorry," Ichiru began to explain. "We didn't get your name. We gave you a nickname for the swimsuit you wore today."
The man smiled incredulously then laughed. He shook his head as he got to his feet.
"It's the latest fashion from the House of Renard. I'll be sure to pass on your critique."
"Please do," Ichiru said too sweetly and smiled as Zero entered the sauna and walked around Ichiru to place himself between Kaname and the man. The pathway was clear for him to leave. The man gave them a knowing smile and headed through the doorway which Ichiru pulled closed behind him a little too roughly. Kaname watched him go with some regret but he was too happy his lovers had charged in to 'save' him.
"Aren't you going to sit down?" he asked as he pulled off his towel again. He was far more enthusiastic this time given the vision of the sweaty boys in small towels. Zero, who was backing him, shot Ichiru a look before heading for the door.
"I'll go see if he's left."
"My saviours. How will I ever repay you?"
Kaname's eyes were full of mirth as they followed Ichiru, who had come over to sit next to him before leaning over and taking him in his mouth and beginning to suck. Kaname shuddered as he closed his eyes at the shock to his system.
All rational thought left his mind for several crucial minutes.
THE MAN EMERGED FROM THE SHOWER, to find Zero waiting for him.
"What do you want?" the man demanded, not hiding his irritation. It never failed. Some jealous lover trying to warn him away.
Zero pressed a finger to his lips as a low tortured moan issued from the sauna and seemed to punctuate the motion. He nodded towards the door.
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
"You'd better," Zero whispered, "Or I'll tell him who you are."
The youth bit back his surprise as he grabbed his "garment" and a towel, settling the latter around his middle. He thought his standing there wouldn't help matters. Once he cleared the door he could think of escape.
However, as he exited, he saw the hostess hovering with a…
"Mother, where did you get a sword?!"
"This place has an armoury…"
"A what?"
"Put your hands up!" Shizuka ordered, holding it up to the 'spy' and ignoring her son.
"Mother, that isn't necessary! We just want to talk…!"
"He could be dangerous."
"I am. Let me demonstrate."
Zero was suddenly kicked in the shin and punched in the nose, knocking him backwards and into the wall. Zero moaned and cursed as he touched his bleeding face.
The youth rounded on Shizuka and lunged. She yelped and backed up before swinging the sword to keep him at bay. Her son was injured, though, and she was having trouble concentrating on remembering her training – she used to fence at school, you see. The man noticed and watched for her to eye Zero again and kicked out at her hands, but she reacted reflexively, swung, twisting and executing a defensive move that had the effect of cutting his leg. He cried out in pain and Zero grabbed a nearby vase and hit him with it.
"HOLD YOUR HEAD BACK. Put this on it."
The man heard this and realised he was not alone. He resisted moving however painful his neck and head and listened some more to get an idea of the occupants, location and his current state.
Which was tied to a chair.
Fuck.
"He's awake."
"What? I don't…"
"His breathing has changed."
The man wanted to stamp his foot and scream. Here he was being thwarted by three glorified trophy wives.
"Hey. You awake? Hey! Eyepatch!"
Ichiru began slapping him with more than strictly the required amount of force. The man stiffened and opened his eyes to get him to stop.
"Told you," Zero said, as he dropped the cloth filled with ice to his knee. Ichiru nodded to his brother and resumed his seat on the bed beside him.
"Who are you?"
The man looked over the room instead of answering. It was dark and musty from disuse. His mind suggested "basement" but then he noticed a covered window against which furniture was stacked.
"Well?"
The man continued to ignore them. Ichiru rose and grabbed a bit of rope and pulled it out to form a noose.
"Wait, Ichiru. It's no use torturing him…"
"Why not, huh? We saved his sorry life and he hits you…"
"How was he to know?"
"…And it's stupid! Kaname is going to take one look at you and know we're in on this shit…!"
"No, he won't. We'll say you punched me…"
"What? Kaname knows better than that…"
"We'll think of something…"
"Worried about what lover-boy will think?" the man chimed in. "War has its hazards, right? Even for whores."
His tone was slimy. Ichiru began to swing the rope...
"No! I mean it. Put it down!"
Zero was on his feet. Ichiru expertly twirled the remainder into a coil and stalked off to a chair on the other side of the room.
"Really? Bad cop, good cop? That's the best you can do?"
"Can I hit him now?"
Zero closed his eyes and wondered about mechanisms to turn back time when there was a knock at the door.
"Watch him," Zero ordered as he went to the door.
"Mother! Why…?"
"I brought you all something to eat. Yuuki asked where you all were…"
"It can't be helped," Zero replied, taking the basket. "I look like a truck hit me."
"I told her the party wasn't your thing. Kaname seems to be fine with it, although he also seems to be looking around for… someone.
"Are you using the ice?"
"Yes, Mother…"
"Hey lady! Please save me from these two morons! Lady!"
Zero sighed as Shizuka gave him the look Ichiru had given him not two minutes earlier.
"I need to get back or…"
"See you later, Mother."
"There are some nails in a tin over there if you need them for his eyelids…"
"Thank you, Mother."
Zero closed the door and stayed there a while. He really began to wonder if he should just let him go and head down to dinner before they really got into trouble with Kaname. It was a wonder he hadn't done anything as yet about their absence given they all were missing. Kaname noticed things like that.
"Come on. If you let me go, I'll suck your dick, show you how it's done. What do you say?"
Zero winced and turned back to the man. He was grinning. Zero set the basket on the bed and moved behind the his chair.
"We'll let you go. I don't know what we were thinking…"
"Zero, no! Aren't you going to ask him about the…?"
"No. We were mistaken. He's obviously a Monolith insect. If we let him go now and show up to the party, Kaname won't believe anything he says."
"In that case, you should tell them he hit you."
"No. They'll kill him…"
"So what? He's a Monolith. One less cockroach. You know, Yuuki will order a firing squad if we asked."
Zero thought about this, straightening from his attempt to loosen a knot.
"He did call us 'whores'…"
"You stay here," Ichiru said, heading for the door. "I'll get Kaname. He does this thing with knives you have to see. And no-one will hear the screaming out here…"
Zero came around to his brother to stop him.
"No. I should go. With my face like this, he'll be more likely to come..."
"What do you want. What?!"
Zero and Ichiru turned to the man as if seeing him for the first time.
"We'll start with a name, Eyepatch."
"My name is Kaito Takamiya. And I'm not a cockroach."
"SHIZUKA. DO YOU HAVE A MOMENT?"
Shizuka took a deep breath and turned, smiling her best hostess smile as she set down her notepad onto her desk. She was going over the inventory now that everyone was gone and she wanted her order to return with the ship so they would have enough food for the next week while Kaname was here.
The weekend itself had been a roaring success and Yuuki was already talking about making it a monthly occurrence, while her husband seemed much less enthusiastic about that suggestion than she was. It remained to be seen if it would occur.
"Relax, Shizuka. I'm not going to give you grief about Zero and Ichiru's absence before. I know they are young and hate mingling with us at the best of times. I'm not heartless, you know."
Shizuka laughed tightly and moved to her sofa to sit, gesturing for him to join her by sitting opposite. She wondered if she could she relax or was he toying with her?
THEY'D BARELY BEEN ABLE to get that spy onto the ship in time. He'd been very stubborn but Zero and Ichiru did manage to speak to him. All that, and sneak him out to the beach to run back wet, sandy and laughing, just in time to depart, the assembled guests quite appalled at the lack of respect, before the spy apologised, saluted and ran upstairs to pack in record time. They'd had their heart in their throats right up until he boarded. But he'd left without a fuss, only kissing her on the cheek as if they were fast friends before running off, leaving her to laugh off the familiarity to a grim Kaname.
Zero's injury was neatly explained away by the rough and tumble of men being more rough than tumble on the beach, as Kaname inspected him closely in concern. Once the officer was satisfied his nose wasn't broken and that there were worse things than an elbow to the nose, he was kissed rather comprehensively. Zero guessed it was Kaname trying to dispel what else they might have been up to from his mind. He gave in to it wholeheartedly, drawing his tongue into his mouth and reaching into his trousers to fist his underwear and pull before Kaname wrenched his hot and sorely aroused frame away and turned to leave so he could see Yuuki off before… anything else. Still, he'd paused at the door, as if he couldn't help himself...
"Did he try... anything else... with you?"
"Like what?"
"You know..."
"Nothing happened, Kaname. We just talked about home, exchanged phone numbers, swam, did a tour and wrestled. Quite harmless, except for my nose. He's very ambitious. We couldn't get him to understand Monoliths were bad. We tried but..."
"Very funny. See you later, Zero."
"Bye, Kaname."
SO, SHIZUKA did think she would have the late hours of the night to herself, but here he was.
"What is it, Kaname?"
"I'm leaving in the morning. Something's come up."
"Oh? Safe trip."
"I want you to come with me."
"Really? What for?"
Shizuka was suspicious. She'd only returned to speaking to him because of the guests - and the spy - but she still remembered what he'd said at the picnic.
Kaname left the chair opposite her and came over to the sofa. He took her hand in hers and resisted her attempts to reclaim it.
"I hate when we're like this."
"Then you shouldn't do stupid things."
Kaname sighed and released her hand but he leaned in to rest his head onto her shoulder.
"Kaname…"
"Yuuki is on her way back to the Fort. I have to go back to the Capital. It's the perfect time for you to come and redecorate the place as well as see what a gorgeous city the Capital is. You can shop, eat loads of noodles, sightsee and gut the hell out of a famous local landmark. What do you say?"
"I'm not finished here. I only did some urgent things to make you happy…"
Kaname straightened and got to his feet at this. He hated when they… did that.
"I thought… you liked the house…"
"I do! I meant I was focused on saving it from you. Now I want to settle in and take my time to make it ours."
Much better. Kaname returned to face her, the tension leaving him.
"You'll have loads of time to do that. I need you now. Think of it as my 'thank you' for your hard work."
"By giving me more hard work?"
"Yes. If you want it. Take a look at it. If you don't want to deal with it, I'll have someone else take over. It's just that I trust you to give me exactly what I want."
Shizuka bit her lip. She felt ill at the thought and was feeling not a little performance anxiety. She was aware of where Kaname's new "headquarters" were. An enclave that had stood for millennia. And he wanted her to spread cheap paint over centuries of inspired religious artistry. She sighed. She had better do it or Kaname would hire some á vanguard artist just to spite her. And, although the thought of that person being stoned in the street lent her some amusement, she thought she stood a better chance of getting Kaname to keep some of the priceless acts of genius.
So much for relaxing. Shopping? She'd be lucky if she saw her boys again.
"I'll tell the boys."
"Fine. But the boys stay here. I find them distracting and we all have to work. Especially since I want the grand reveal to be another party in four weeks. White tie. Can you handle that?"
It may seem like Kaname was trying to torture Shizuka but he was fairly sure she liked to busy herself with this stuff and he liked when she was happy. If she merely went shopping and relaxed, he would be fine with that too. But he wanted her there. He'd been thinking about how to get what he wanted from their relationship and it all pointed to an investment of time he didn't have.
"Are you separating me from my sons? To what end? To see if I will sleep with you?"
Kaname became quiet at this and smiled into her eyes. She was the first to look away, annoyed at herself. She had brought it up first. His smile was asking why.
"I'd rather not. Thank you."
"Not everything is about sex. I like having you around, taking care of everything and I like when we're on good terms. None of that is being accomplished while I'm hundreds of miles away. Look, I'll understand if you don't trust yourself around me. We can have separate apartments, if you want and I'll walk around thickly swaddled in bed-sheets to hide my virile body…."
"Oh, you bas…"
"…But I do need to have my office gutted at least.
"What if I just left you to it? I am very busy with preparations for the… with other things." Kaname rubbed his face. He was tired and it was showing.
"You're saying you won't be there?"
"Mostly. I'll be in and out and I will return for the party."
"How many guests?"
"One hundred, easy."
"Wonderful."
"Don't worry. I'll call incessantly…"
"Please don't."
"Can't have you missing me, Shizuka. I'm only thinking of you..."
"Shut up, Kaname," Shizuka ordered to the grinning Second Leader. She was tempted. She'd once visited the Capital as a young girl and had longed to return. Just the thought of walking the streets and seeing people besides soldiers called to her in ways she was almost helpless to fight.
The only other problem, besides desecrating a religious landmark, was Kaname. She was certain he was planning something for her.
At this point, she thought again of the spy. Could this… "Kaito" better come through for them if she was somewhere more accessible? Her sons had mentioned they had had a fruitful discussion…
"I'M ZERO KIRIYUU. THIS IS MY BROTHER, ICHIRU."
"I know who you are."
The twin watched as the spy/suicide candidate resumed staring at them in some distaste. They had been judged and found wanting. Hardly novel territory for them but they were both sensitive to it in this case and it took them a beat or two to move past the feeling of shame that plagued them to be in this predicament, their having little choice in the matter not as soothing as it should be when faced with what people must be still saying about them.
Zero eventually swallowed and continued as Ichiru ground his teeth.
"You've met our mother, Shizuka…" Zero continued, gesturing to their hostage's bandaged leg.
"You are going to get to the point, right? I don't have all day. Really. I'm not sure how long I've been out but…"
"Close to an hour. And, no, the ship hasn't left as yet…"
"Are you a spy?"
The last was from Ichiru. He did not want to waste time either.
"That's absurd. Can't a man suck a little cock to get ahead now or do you both have the market cornered?"
The twin looked at each other. Why was he being like this? Was it training or were they wasting time? Zero shrugged and turned back to Kaito, if that was his real name. They hadn't many options and he, at least, felt this twit was an opportunity too good to pass up.
"I… I think we can help each other. We'll get you out of here safely and you will get the Resistance to contact us…"
"Doing your boyfriend's dirty work? I'll pass."
"Listen to me you moron from Bordorlie," Ichiru sneered, going to evidently assault him in some way but Zero stopped him.
"I understand why you picked that region. The record-keeping isn't the best. But the natives pronounce it Bordar-ley. Kaname knows this. You were about to get yourself killed…"
Another smirk.
"I can handle myself."
"Is that why you're tied up having had to be saved from our old lady?"
That wiped the smile off his face and it was Ichiru's turn to smirk. Zero felt relief for the first time in hours.
"We need help. We're marooned out here…"
"You actually want to be rescued?"
He looked incredulous. Zero pushed at a beet-red Ichiru and pointed to the back of the room. Ichiru stalked off and began to pace to calm his savaged spirit.
"Just listen, okay? We do want to be rescued but… we also want to be of assistance in the fight against… them. If you can let them know that and have them contact us, we'll do our best. We're ready to… We want to do our part. We just don't know how or…"
"The war is still on, right?"
Kaito, turned towards the odd-ball pacing behind him who had asked the question and raised an eyebrow. Ichiru nodded, feeling his query had been confirmed, and resumed his efforts.
"We're a little isolated out here…"
"No kidding! Don't you fuckers have a radio?!"
"No. Nothing like that. Just telephones but those are monitored."
The man looked them both over for a while as if coming to some weighty decision.
"If you feel that way, why not just kill them?"
Zero and Ichiru looked at each other uncomfortably. Kaito's look of disgust returned.
"I see."
"Listen to me. We know we have our shortcomings. We're not killers…"
"Maybe I should just turn you in and replace the lot of you spineless freaks…"
"You bastard…" Ichiru began, but Zero was the one watching his face.
"You can try. We're not killers but we happen to be very good at what we do. You won't get far. Especially after I explain you did this to me."
Zero pointed to his discoloured face. Kaito scoffed and looked away but Zero could tell he was thinking some more. Tempted even. Maybe this conversation meant more to him than just getting them in touch with the Resistance.
The man calling himself "Kaito" eventually sat back in the chair and sighed.
"It's Bordar-ley, huh?"
"Yes. It's a popular family name and a point of historical pride. They hate when it's massacred. You should have known that."
"We've had to break up fights on the grounds over that shit," Ichiru volunteered in some exasperation, also fighting a twinge of homesickness.
"Fuck."
Kaito looked bitterly disappointed in himself. He'd gotten so close. Of course, none of them suspected the real reason Kaname wanted him dead was now asking for his help.
"It took me months to get here…"
"Why are you so desperate? You had Yuuki eating out of the palm of your hand. You could have leveraged that easily."
Kaito bit his lip and looked Zero in the eye, searching his face before responding.
"Something big is being planned. An invasion. My… superiors are just as desperate for information on it."
"And you went straight after Kaname?" Zero spat in astonishment. "You'd have better luck with Commander Souen…!"
"We figured if he liked young men and I gave a little, I could get a post in his office…"
Zero staggered back in disbelief as Ichiru smacked his head. Kaito began to feel very foolish for no reason. But he'd gathered he'd made a big mistake.
"Kaname is very cautious. Very. He still doesn't discuss anything about his work with us…"
"Then why would we need you?" Kaito hammered back, trying to share some of his chagrin, apparently.
"I… I don't know," Zero stammered. "Perhaps, we can get access if we knew what to look for, where to look. We need direction. We're just… farmers. If we absolutely can't help, we'll do something else…"
"Can you help us or not?" Ichiru asked, tired of letting this idiot speak to them like this.
Kaito looked from Zero to Ichiru and back again for a long while, then sighed.
"You're sure you can get me out of here alive?"
"Well, we can keep you away from Kaname and make sure you get onto the boat. The rest is up to you."
"Fine. If I survive, I'll see what I can do."
SHE WONDERED at putting their trust in such a novice. Just showed their desperation. A stranger doing a one on one pass at Kaname? Without a back-up plan? What was he thinking?
She sighed eventually, coming to her decision. They had no choice, really.
"Fine. I'll go pack. Good night."
Kaname was all dimples as he responded.
"Good night, Shizuka. Sweet dreams."
to be continued
lightpathetic wrote this but these are not my characters. Though quite unrecognizable, they belong to Vampire Knight.
