WARNING:
This part contains a mature sexual situation.
In plain words, this fic contains smut.
Maybe not smut by your standards, but certainly smut by ours.
Specifically, it contains non-consensual, same-sex smut.
This is bad. We are bad people. In fact, as we're typing this
warning out, we're spanking ourselves for being so naughty.
Remember, kids, non-con smut is bad and evil is for losers!
Don't make Taikoubou smash Konron into you!
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
All rights and privileges to Houshin Engi belong to Ryu
Fujisaki, JUMP Comics; Shueisha Inc., and TV Tokyo. Characters
from HE are used without permission for the purpose of
entertainment only. This work of fanfiction is not meant for
commercial use. No infringements of rights are intended.
In other words - please don't sue us, we NEED our
allowance to buy HE merchandise and make you guys rich!
****************************************************************
NOR IRON BARS: an ARTL Sidestory
II. compromising position
by Kotoshin & MearlDox
****************************************************************
"You can't negotiate with extremists.
Negotiation is based on compromise.
Extremists don't compromise."
- Homer Fatt
================================================================
The humming in the halo intensified, and he was ready
to move when Taikyokufuin retrieved the door codes.
Breaking into two panels, the door slid apart into
recesses below and above. After disconnecting Taikyokufuin, he
stepped through into a control room. Not the main control room,
of course - that would have attracted too much attention - an
auxiliary one that would do nicely for his purposes.
He relocked the door behind him, refusing to leave
curious intrusions up to chance.
/And now, for some distractions./
Tapping into his paopei, it was an easy matter to set
off the small packets designed to create equipment failure
that seemed to be caused by the usual wear and tear. Acts of
minor sabotage left from earlier exploratory excursions, these
surprises were meant to divert the youkai's attention away from
/here/, the one trip that mattered.
/This should hold for an hour at worst, two at best./
He sat down at the terminal, setting Taikyokufuin up
for another break-in.
/Never leave only one escape route if you can help it./
Smiling, he remembered Bou-chan's advice.
/Hai, Bou-chan. I won't forget .../
Getting up, Fugen took note of the grille of an air
duct above the workstation as Taikyokufuin began to crack the
defenses of Kingou's system. Once satisfied that the air duct
connected to other rooms he'd passed, he settled down to
watch the data download.
================================================================
He stifled a snickering laugh as he watched. That this
frail looking creature actually had the audacity - and the
brains and ability - to hack into Kingou's records!
//Amusing. Very amusing.//
The human had seemed to know his way about, too.
Frowning, Outenkun made a mental note to properly discipline
whatever idiot was in charge of security for the past ten years.
This would not do.
//A legitimate reason for discipline - who would've
thought? But I'm sidetracking. This ... fool must be dealt with.
What do I do about him?//
He had to give the human credit for intelligence. There
was no doubt in his mind who created those alarms of equipment
failure, distractions that cropped up minutes ago. Distractions
which he ignored, as soon as he guessed their nature.
//We've got quite a guest here. Even bringing presents!
I suppose I should find a way to make him feel welcome. Let's
see...//
First things first. Switching off the sensors, Outenkun
erased the tapes of the human's presence as if the human had
never been there. He'd rather not share. He liked his fun alone
before he handed his toys over.
//What next?//
And he'd rather not start off the meeting on an equal
footing. So, a little something to pacify the aggressive
tendencies of the 'guest' first ... and he had just the thing to
do it.
//I'd hate for him to think of causing more trouble.
And "that" should make sure he doesn't think of much of anything
at all.//
Leaving the station unattended, Outenkun strolled to his
private suite. He could afford to take time to fetch what he
needed before seeing to the intruder. After all, he was the one
controlling the speed of information flow.
================================================================
He first sensed that things had gone awry when he felt
the soft kiss of air. The air moved against him, the gentle
movement raking across skin whenever he felt someone walking
towards him. Someone who was behind him.
He was too late when he felt the prick of a needle in
the back of his neck. The drug worked quickly. Still half-
turning to see who it was, he crumpled to the floor.
Outenkun grinned nastily at the body. Stepping away, he
went to remove Taikyokufuin - and was surprised to see it
still active. After a moment of thought, he smirked, admiring
and examining the other's handiwork.
//He set it on automatic download - based on a search
of keywords - and is powering it using Kingou's lines. How
very practical of him.//
He carelessly yanked the cords apart, and watched in
satisfaction as the lights in Taikyokufuin flickered and died.
//I can clear that information later.//
Oozing like a black sore, a portal opened beneath his
feet, and he took the intruder and paopei with him.
================================================================
His suite was a somber black, red light spilling like
blood through the crimson panes of glass onto the black marble
walls and floor.
//What should I do with this sad little creature...?//
Whatever he chose to do - it better be worth it. It had
better be worth the bother, he disliked exerting himself without
sufficient reason - or reward.
//Keep him as a part of the decor?//
His guest looked out of place, dressed in clothing that
screamed of vibrant colours. Or ... not. The contrast of white
on black, bright and dark - bared white neck, shoulders on the
black leather of the couch - the white and green and red of the
clothing like sparkling jewels on dark velvet. The strange white
flaps fastened to the back of the human's clothing were tangled,
evoking a suggestion of broken wings.
//Quite pretty, really ...//
He found that mental image rather pleasing. A golden
nimbus of sunshine, the halo only added to the portrait of a
crippled angel.
//I wonder if he'd last longer than he looks?//
Beauty was always fragile. With care, he supposed he
could make it last, maybe preserve it somehow, if the human
turned out to be less than interesting. Bending over, he
shook the human.
"Good morning, sunshine."
================================================================
His eyelids felt heavy, and there was a familiar, bitter
taste to the back of his throat. How did he let Bou-chan talk
him into another all night drinking binge again? He couldn't
remember, and his head /hurt/ at the voice, and he had to grit
his teeth to keep back the wave of nausea.
"... not now, 'ou-chan ...."
He decided that it wasn't worth the struggle to open his
eyes. He had a splitting headache just from brushing the light
touches on his body away.
//.... did he call me Ou-chan? How'd he know my name?//
Outenkun frowned as his pets took an interest in the new
visitor, shooing them away even as the human brushed them aside.
The drug was more than enough to handicap the sennin - he was
certain that his prize was at least that, now. The paopei he
carried was not one a sennin-master would grant to a mere
doushi-disciple, however talented.
"So, you're one of Konron's sennin, aren't you?"
Fugen's eyes flew open. Bou-chan would have never used
that tone of voice with him. With that realization came the
memory of where he had been - and what he had been doing.
/Kingou - the data - someone behind me - a needle -/
He pushed dizziness aside long enough to look toward the
dark figure hovering over him.
"Who ... are you?"
The soft tenor was slightly hoarse, as if the human
could not quite control his tongue and mouth to form the proper
sounds of speech. That was good. The drug was still numbing him.
//He was only mumbling... he can't possibly know who I
am - much less my name. Much less call me THAT.//
================================================================
Gradually, Fugen's eyes focused, grew used to the dark
and made out the features of his interrogator. The first thing
he noticed were the eyes, dull and black, sunken into a cruelly
smiling face. Almost sickly, the bright blue of the skin
stretched tightly over the bones of an emaciated frame.
"Welcome to Kingou."
The lips moved, and he stared, slightly repulsed and
attracted to the silver rings pierced through the lower lip.
"I should kill you for sneaking around here."
Pensively, a blue hand came into view, cupping the chin
of the face before him. The fingers were almost buried in heavy
rings of silver. Fingers that ended in painted black nails,
perfectly filed to sharp points, giving the hand the look of a
claw. Loops and chains of silver bracelets smothered black
sleeves at the wrists.
"But - it'd be more fun to play with you instead."
The tone was polite, almost to the point of impersonal
detachment, almost the gracious host. Filled with a vague sense
of unease, wishing for the pain hammering his head to go away -
Fugen tried to keep his mind on the words.
"Oh, but I forget to introduce myself. How /rude/ of
me. I'm called Outenkun."
/Outenkun./
/OUTENKUN./
The name struck him like a whip of lightning.
/... one of the Juttenkun. I'm ... in trouble./
That was an understatement, to say the least.
/He ... I will be lucky, if I come through this with my
life. Those of Kingou have little love for those of Konron./
He tried to raise himself up on his elbows - almost
succeeding - until he misjudged the space there was between
himself and the youkai-sennin. Nearly bumping into Outenkun's
chin, he fell back. Swallowing, Fugen tried very hard not to be
sick, but even that small motion made him sicker.
/Better ... not try to move./
He closed his eyes, feeling the hand come down heavily on
his chest, holding him down. Outenkun knew that the force was
not necessary, but he enjoyed the brief view of pained
expression too much to let it pass.
"Oh no, don't bother to get up. I'll take /very/ good
care of you."
Fugen winced at the sarcasm in the voice, but knew he was
in no condition to resist. Drugged as he was, it was a miracle
that he could even think that far ahead. He had to wait. There
was no choice but to wait for a better chance, when he felt
better, later - if he was allowed a 'later.'
"So, did you come here as an official spy, or is this just
for fun?
Looking down at Fugen, Outenkun was pleased by the wince
in reaction to the harshness of his voice. The human was still
disoriented - and more likely to give a truthful answer. It was
true that he could have included truth serum in the mind-fogging
drug he administered - but where would be the fun in that?
"I'm not that frivolous ... but it was my own idea."
"You know, something like this could easily be seen as an
act of war ..."
Letting his voice trail off suggestively, Outenkun smirked
down at the sennin.
"... I can hardly do anything about that now, ne?"
Fugen closed his eyes. It made him feel less faint, easier
to think. When he chose to spy in Kingou, he already knew the
possible consequence of his choice. He was not someone who would
shirk responsibility for his own actions. He also knew that
there was NOTHING that he could do to prevent Outenkun from
reporting him - from making an incident of his snooping.
/But I don't think he would./
The youkai-sennin so often acted for themselves, rather
than for their community as a whole. He had a feeling that it
was the same with Outenkun. Outenkun wanted something from him,
and if he could give it to Outenkun ... there would be no
incident.
/... the question is, is his price too high for me?/
It was his own fault that he was in this predicament,
and he would do everything in his power to stall the inevitable
war. He would give everything that was his to give. Everything -
except to compromise the truth of himself, or to harm those he
care for. He looked up, started at Outenkun's reply - it broke
the chain of his circling thoughts and confirmed them as
reality.
"If nobody else knows you came in here, though, there
won't be any problems, will there?"
/... he hasn't alerted anyone - yet? So ... if I could
... keep it that way, perhaps .../
================================================================
Outenkun was thoroughly enjoying his position. To have
someone weak and disoriented - his to spare or destroy as he
willed - helpless to refuse him anything ... well, few thrills
could match /that./ And it wasn't every day that someone was a
sennin of Konron, no less.
"So, how do you plan to convince me to keep this our
little secret?"
".... mmnn... what ... do you mean?"
Snatching his eyes open, Fugen immediately regretted the
sudden movement as a fresh wave of nausea washed over him. He
hoped he managed a credible surprise, at least - it would not
have been wise to let Outenkun know that /he/ knew what game
they were playing. Not too early, at any rate.
"Have any offers? I'm listening."
Outenkun watched the sennin's reactions carefully. He read
people easily, from the way they respond to his words. He had
the knack for taking them apart with nothing more substantial
than mere words - learning and prying out their secrets - fears
and dreams and desires, what made them tick with the subtle
blades of speech. He wondered what this one was made of, such a
pretty little thing ... he hoped it came with enough of a brain
to make the interrogation interesting.
//Heh, I surprised him... Let's see what he does.//
Fugen wondered what Outenkun was up to. Most youkai-
sennin were more ... straightforward in their demands. This one
was gauging him, weighing him like meat on a scale, to see if he
was ... to see what kind of a person he was, he supposed. To see
if he would answer truthfully, and to honour his word.
/He ... knows humans. Though it shames me to .... think of
it ... there are good and bad in any people./
He was a poor liar, and knew it. Necessity made honesty a
habit - but that didn't mean he always told all of the truth. It
was easier, to let people make up their own assumptions by
telling partial truths which they wanted to hear. Choosing his
words with care, Fugen's breathing ran ragged at the effort to
speak.
".... I don't know if I have ... anything that you want.
And I don't know if I would want to let you have it if I do - be
it information ... or ... an item or a service ..."
The only weapons left to him was his words and his wit.
Outenkun held every advantage, he could only try to outthink
whatever Outenkun had in stock for him. If only he could think
clearly!
//Aren't you a brave little sennin.//
By now, Outenkun was pretty sure what he had was an
interesting fool. One with high ideals and morals, the will to
carry them through - and practical enough to recognize the
limitations imposed by those naive notions. He snickered
softly as the speech struggled to a close.
"... so, you'd have to be more specific than that."
The headache throbbed at Fugen's temples, threatening to
burst out of his skull. Seeing the sennin turn slightly green at
the edges, Outenkun eased the pressure at his chest. In
response, Fugen lay back, trying to steal what little rest he
could from the reprieve.
"Let's start off easy, then. What's your name?"
He fought to maintain eye contact, amusing Outenkun
with his struggles at retaining dignity.
"I'm ... Fugen."
"Fugen, mm? Do you think Konron would notice if you
vanished, Fugen? You might be here for a while."
The name was unfamiliar. He had not bothered to keep up
with recent additions to Konron - recent, as in the last hundred
years - although he'd had taken an interest in the meddling
doushi called Taikoubou, since Mama asked him to.
//Just one name? Or he doesn't want to give his full name
for some reason. It doesn't really matter.//
It did not matter, for he would have /his/ way, no matter
what. But this maneuvering intrigued him. The sennin - no, Fugen,
he reminded himself - did have a brain. Names have power. If he
knew who he was dealing with, was, he held power over that
person, since he can learn more about a person with a name than
a person without a name.
"They ... probably will. I... "
================================================================
/...one of the Juttenkun ... not even natives of Kingou
know what they look like - I wonder, how far up in the Juttenkun
hierarchy does he ... rank?/
Fugen committed the face and voice to memory. It was an
invaluable piece of information Konron could use - but useless,
if he could not get away. Consciously, he made a decision to
disclose his own status at Konron - staking all in a calculated
gamble - to place himself as Outenkun's equal.
/It's risky. He'd either ... use me, more, or ... respect
me, more. I'm ... hoping for more of .... the latter, rather
than the former .../
"... because my rank at Konron ... is at least the equal
to yours ... in Kingou."
//A member of the Juunisen. I've got a good catch,
haven't I?//
Fugen's value, in his estimation, had just gone up. A rare
catch indeed - a rare catch, for a sennin to rise this high in
power and remain this ... simple. He'd bet this pathetic
creature had little idea of the politics and intrigue among
Konron's high-ranking sennin. He would /so/ enjoy destroying
what innocence this simple creature had left.
"Heh. I wonder what that damn old man who runs Konron
would think - if he found out one of his star pupils was caught
hacking into Kingou without his permission?"
"Well, I can hardly do anything about it - /if/ you choose
to tell him." Fugen managed a weak smile, knowing he could not
afford to show weakness - or rather, too much weakness.
/... if he was going to ... he should have, already ... I
think ... but he's ... toying with me instead. Why?/
He ... amused Outenkun. Outenkun was amused. He put two
and two together, and almost made four as a hint of the reason
'why' occurred to Fugen. Boredom was the greatest bane of any
Immortal's existence. If Outenkun found him ... of interest ...
/I may get out of this mess yet. And stave off open war
for that much longer./
Outenkun's respect for Fugen rose another notch, along
with his interest. Fugen was thinking more clearly than he
expected, in spite of the drugs. Cunning naiveté ... an
interesting combination.
//And pretty accepting, isn't he? He even knows I'm not
going to waste this opportunity like that.//
"I won't," Aye, he'd let this one live - he had great
things in mind for Fugen. "As a favor for somebody who has a lot
of guts."
"No, not ... 'guts.'" Cautiously, Fugen shook his head.
"Just that ... since you have all the advantage ... there really
is no point ... in being uncooperative."
"So, the question is, what should I do with you now? Kill
you? Send you back home? What do you think?"
"I'd like you to let me go ... of course - but I know that
... it ... won't be as easy as that."
What could he offer that would not cost anyone other than
himself?
"So ... with respect to my own loyalties ... I would ...
like to find out ... your terms for my freedom, and ... keep
you .... interested enough .... to keep to those terms."
"I was expecting /you/ to make an offer. What would /you/
trade to leave? I'm open to suggestions."
================================================================
Outenkun leaned back, watching Fugen with a smirk still
on his lips.
//He doesn't want to say what he's willing to do, in
case I'd have accepted something easier, probably. Smart kid.
Stupid, to sneak in here, though.//
"After all, I wasn't expecting a member of Konron's
Juunisen to fall in my lap." A blue hand played absently with
the edge of Fugen's shirt, just below the collarbone. "But if
you really don't know, I could think of something, I'm sure..."
"It's ... easier ... to think of ... what I won't do, in
exchange ... " Fugen closed his eyes again. "I will do nothing
that would endanger Konron, nor will I ... "
He opened his eyes, looking straight at Outenkun.
"... nor will I give you any information ... that may hurt
those ... I care for. That .. is all."
"Ohh?" He gnawed a fingernail thoughtfully. "Anything
else?"
================================================================
"No." Fugen paused, thinking. That a Juttenkun of Kingou
and a Juunisen of Konron were face-to-face for the first time,
and conflict the last thing either wanted ...
He smiled at the irony of the situation.
"... should there have been?"
"You know, the first time a Juttenkun has met one of the
Juunisen is pretty significant, isn't it?" Outenkun raised an
eyebrow, smirking at Fugen's smile. "This should be something
you'll always remember."
"... I was ... just thinking that .. a moment ago."
He laughed, weakly using humour to bolster his facade of
calm. He was sweating, a cold sweat that chilled him with bone-
deep dread.
"Just so that you know, we don't need your help against
Konron." Outenkun decided to throw pretenses aside, and see if
directness could rattle Fugen more than evasions. "I don't need
any information from you. So anything I take from you - will be
just for my personal entertainment."
Fugen watched as Outenkun put one hand on his cheek. He
knew that already, but it still ... was a shock, to hear it
stated so ... baldly. Eyes burning, he blinked the sudden
moisture away.
/... I thought so ... Konron .. isn't much of a threat ...
to Kingou ... from what I've seen./
".... what do you consider entertainment, then?" He only
wanted to get it over with.
================================================================
//Think I've rubbed his nose in it enough. Not too
deeply, now, wouldn't want to ruin his pretty looks. Yet.//
"All sorts of things." Outenkun ran his fingernail
sharply along Fugen's cheek, watched blood swell in tiny beads
along the cut. "Killing you would be entertaining ... but then
someone would notice you were gone, and we'd have to explain it,
and I'd hate to break my promise of not telling anyone. So ..."
"... so?" Fugen eyed the trailing finger curiously for a
moment, then turned his attention back to Outenkun.
//The drugs should be starting to wear a little bit off now
... probably.//
"Do you have a lover on Konron?"
".... no." The question took him by surprise, and it took
him a moment to find the voice to answer.
"Good," By way of explanation, he leered at Fugen and
began to pull off the purple shirt. "Then they won't have to
feel jealous."
//He hesitated. Wonder if he was lying?//
================================================================
Fugen tried to remain still as Outenkun undressed him.
He had to remind himself that, given the danger his actions
had placed Konron in, this would be getting off, rather lightly
... but ...
/... Bou-chan .../
His throat tightened.
/Bou-chan already has Youzen-kun./
He could not breathe. His chest hurt, and he could not
draw in air to breathe, even if his throat were not stopped by
sudden grief.
"... wait." Putting a hand over the hands plucking at the
shoulder pins, he stopped Outenkun.
"Wait?" Outenkun sneered. "But you said 'anything that
didn't hurt Konron or my friends.'"
"I can do this myself, please." He looked away.
"Oh?"
================================================================
//This is bound to be interesting ....//
"Show off for me, then." Backing up to give Fugen room to
sit up, Outenkun demanded.
"... show off?" Unfastening his waistband, Fugen did not
understand the request.
"Yeah." Outenkun wished he could have afforded to record
/this/ - he didn't expect this much cooperation. "Too shy to
give me a show?"
//I bet that old bastard would love it. Probably has
cameras in the doushi dorms and showers for getting his
shriveled prick off.//
"... like this?" Sitting upright, Fugen let the shirt
slide from his grasp due to its own weight.
"You don't seem very enthusiastic." He cast a smug glance
at Fugen, approving of what he saw. "I guess I'll forgive you,
because of the drugs."
"... would you be enthusiastic in my situation?" Fugen
gave Outenkun a smile laced with irony as he folded each item of
clothing away neatly to the side, as he removed each in turn.
"I'm not stupid enough to get in your situation."
Outenkun scowled.
//Prissy little guy.//
Ignoring his taunt, Fugen merely nodded at Outenkun,
having finished disrobing.
"Turn around and let me look at you." He was gratified to
see Fugen obey immediately, but slowing the turn of the body
near-instantaneously. "Still feeling sick? Well, lie down, then."
"Hai ...." Fugen lay on one side, right cheek pressed
against a leather pillow to cushion the blow of nausea.
"So, when was the last time you did this with someone?"
Curious, Outenkun brushed hands lightly across Fugen's chest,
watching the shiver that followed in the wake of his touch.
"... depends ... on your definition, of 'this.'"
================================================================
He was not going to give Outenkun /that/ much
satisfaction. He knew very well what was about to happen, and
he'd often shared bed and room with Bou-chan - but they had
never crossed beyond the line of friendship. Even though he
wished, otherwise ...
"Oh, whatever you like." Outenkun was most satisfied by
the startled cry, bitten quickly into lips as he pinched Fugen's
chest hard. "It doesn't matter to me. I was just curious."
/... Bou-chan ... why ... does he remind me of ...
Bou-chan ....?/
Mind forced back into the present, he remembered how
Bou-chan used to pinch him, holding the barest fold of skin
just so between the very tips of his fingers, digging in hard
with his nails ... whenever he was deep in thought and did not
pay attention to Bou-chan.
"Did that hurt? I'm sorry." Returning to the earlier light
touches, Outenkun did not sound sorry at all.
//He's trying to keep from reacting too much.//
"Don't ... say what you don't mean." Fugen placed a finger
to Outenkun's lips, and gently traced the outline of a silver
lip-ring.
"Why shouldn't I?" He gave Fugen a half-smirk in return.
"You smile when you don't mean it."
"But I do ..." Fugen smiled faintly. "I smile when I find
something ... absurd, or amusing ... Myself, in this situation."
================================================================
"Oh? It's good to know we're both amused." He took Fugen's
hand from his lips and gripped it tightly, leaving marks on the
slender wrist. "But you're here because I decided to bring you
here, not for you. So don't get carried away."
"... I thought that ... it would be more likely for you to
keep your word -" Fugen refused to be cowed, "if ... I keep you
amused."
"Are you afraid that I'm lying to you?" He let Fugen's
hand fall. "I'll entertain myself with you. You shouldn't do
something if I haven't told you to."
"It's... merely an observation that ... you're more amused
when I do ... or say something you do not anticipate."
//So, you've been watching me as closely as I've been
watching you, have you?//
Outenkun was quite surprised. So, the little butterfly had
more hidden depths than he'd reckoned.
"Are you trying to tell me what I like?" He grabbed Fugen's
wrist again, twisting it.
"No. I'm trying to tell you that I intend to ... make as
good an effort as I can." Lightly, Fugen tried to tug his wrist
out of Outenkun's hold.
"Aren't you a good boy." He let go.
"... I try to be." Another smile, small and secretive.
He thought that he should be angry at such insolence,
but he surprised even himself with his own snickering laughter.
"That's good." Catching the puzzled look in Fugen's eye,
he laughed again. "You deserve a reward for that."
//Amazing ... he doesn't even realize what he's doing.//
"Do you do things like this often?" He felt up the
inside of one thigh, lightly. "I'm sure everyone on Konron
would like someone so frail and ... obedient."
"... no ... " Fugen's face coloured.
/... never. Bou-chan ... I would have liked ... Bou-chan
to ... but ...!/
Fugen had pressed his entire body down, as if he was
trying disappear into the couch. Smirking, Outenkun leaned over
Fugen and ran his fingernails down the white thighs again.
//I finally got something sensitive, did I?//
"... what a waste."
".... nnrr ... I ... didn't mind."
He watched avidly as Fugen's hands made fists, fingers
digging into the couch for purchase. A bump at the back of his
right elbow jarred him from savoring the sight. Fugen had drawn
one knee up in a futile attempt to escape his touch.
"Nn-nn-nn. What are you trying to do?" Gently, he pushed
the knee back. "Stay still and let me do what I like."
"I ... thought I was supposed to entertain you?" The
question sounded more like a challenge. He let it slide. There
will be plenty of time to teach his pretty new toy better.
"You are. But I'll decide how I want to be entertained for
now." In a stroke of ingenuity, he added, "besides, we still
haven't gotten to know each other all that well."
"It's ... easier for me to know you ..." Fugen leaned back
onto his right elbow and gave Outenkun's neck a petting rub with
his left hand. "... if you'll let me touch you."
"Is this the first time someone touched you like this?"
"... yes." The hand faltered on the back of his neck.
"That's nice. So from now on," He allowed Fugen to touch
him, "whenever you do this, you can remember me."
"... what makes you think I ... would do this again?"
A brief flare of rebellion in violet eyes, as the massaging
pressure continued.
"I can't be the only person who'd like to take advantage
of something so ... delicate looking." Outenkun shrugged,
pleased when Fugen's hand finally stilled and removed itself.
//He's too touchy-feely.//
"I'll be sure not to let anyone ... take advantage then."
"Oh? Why not? Aren't you enjoying this on some level?"
Outenkun's hands were busy, prodding and pinching and
feeling, watching and experimenting with the various responses
he extracted from the lithe white body beneath him. To distract
himself, Fugen changed the topic.
"... I usually prefer ... cooking ... as a hobby."
"That's a boring hobby for someone who's a Juunisen." He
snapped without thinking, irritated at the deft maneuver away
from his question. "Did you cook your way to the top?"
Fugen burst out laughing.
"... nope. ^^"
"Maybe I should make you cook after this." Rattled that
Fugen could still find humour in his current situation, Outenkun
played with wisps of sky-blue hair. "But I don't think you would
cook the kinds of things I like to eat."
"mmmmmwrrr ...." Purring, he leant into the caress, it
felt good. "... what do you like to eat?"
Food was familiar territory that he felt comfortable with.
It took newly ordained doushi some time to adjust to the all-
vegetarian diet of sendou. He'd been the one in charge of the
doushi menu, creating vegetarian dishes that approximated what
they were used to, gradually accommodating their stomachs. But
Outenkun's reply reminded him yet again of the differences
between human sendou and youkai-sennin.
"Meat. I run off of meat and drugs." He smirked at the
discomfort that tinged Fugen's expression, and twisted a nipple
brutally.
"... aah ... " Wincing, Fugen clutched at Outenkun's
collar. "I cook meat substitutes, mostly ..."
"I don't like vegetables, even if they're playing pretend
at being meat." Shoving Fugen's hand away from his collar, he
grinned toothily. "I like to know that something suffered to
feed me."
"I see ... "
/... it's easy to forget that if I didn't ... amuse him,
he'd kill me. it's even harder to remember that ... he .. isn't
Bou-chan .../
For a moment back there, he'd almost thought that he was
talking to Bou-chan, chatting and taking amiable stabs at the
holes in each other's logic. Sighing, Fugen placed his left hand
over Outenkun's heart. Outenkun brushed the hand aside as one
would brush away a troublesome insect.
"... where would you like me to put my hands, then?"
//Are you trying to play along to gain some more control
on the situation? You can't get away with this that easily.//
"Just stop trying to feel me up." Outenkun leaned down to
bite lightly at Fugen's neck.
"... would it help if I ... told you -" At the bite, the
sentence nearly dissolved into a moan. "- told you that ...
it's to keep myself from thinking too much?"
"But I want you to think about what's happening." Smiling
against the slender white neck, he sucked hard to leave dark
marks.
"... aah ..." Fugen whimpered, left hand on Outenkun's
scalp as he felt the sharp cold of metal dig deeply into skin.
"I'm glad you haven't done this before." Whispering
against Fugen's ear, he plucked at the nipples a little more.
"I'm happy to take this from you. Are you happy I'll be the one
to take it? "
"... and ... what if I ... said no?" Falling back, he
clutched the front of Outenkun's shirt with his right hand.
"That's too bad." Reaching down between the open thighs,
he seized his prize.
He found Fugen's reaction most rewarding. With a startled
cry, panicked violet eyes widened, and Fugen tried to close his
legs together.
"Spread your legs." Mirth in his voice and mischief in his
hand, he watched as Fugen obeyed, swallowing visibly.
"And, don't turn away from me," Stroking the tip with a
delicate twist of palm and fingernail, smirking, "you should
look me in the eyes."
"... hai ... " Meeting his eyes, hands tugged nervously
on the arms of his shirt.
/He has a cute face. That halo suits him./
It was a lovely sight to behold, the red of the flushing
face, the white of flesh he'd not yet paid attention to, the
delicate lavender of eyes under sweat-damp locks of soft blue
hair. Not quite enjoying his advances, not yet ... Smiling,
Outenkun casually decreased his tempo, tormenting Fugen into
raising hips to meet /him/.
================================================================
Afterwards, he leaned back to give Fugen breathing space,
admiring the results of his handiwork. Fugen had fought against
the pleasure he gave, giving in only when he could not resist
/feeling/ the touch of his hands, the ways he gave pleasure in
pain with the crescent moon marks of fingernails. The scars
would linger for days, bright red slashes, purpling bruises, and
finger-shaped shadows on white flesh. Beautiful. He'd fought
Outenkun in a losing battle, knowing it - but had still fought,
gone down fighting. That amused him the most.
//Such a pretty little fool.//
Fugen's head had fallen limply onto the pillow, eyes
closed and panting. Cream on cream, the white fluids slowly
drying over whiter skin. Outenkun felt the satisfaction spread,
about to split his face with the force of its grin. Time for
the next step. He reached down, and fingers brushed against
the heavy silver chains he always wore. The jewelry was too much
of a bother to remove. Besides, he didn't need to strip down
completely.
"It's my turn." He shook Fugen roughly after he unbuttoned
his pants.
"What would you like me to do?"
Fugen looked up at him. The resigned bleakness in violet
eyes made him hard, but it wouldn't hurt to make sure. Touching
himself, he made sure of appropriate arousal.
"Roll over."
Fugen did not like that idea at all. It was bad enough,
when he could see what Outenkun was doing ... but he obeyed.
Keeping an eye on Outenkun while he could, he turned over,
slowly.
"So, you're enjoying yourself, aren't you?" He felt up
Fugen's backside for a bit.
"Physically ... yes ..." He never could tell a proper lie.
"But emotionally, you're scarred for life?" Outenkun was
yet again amused, as Fugen tried not to tense up at prying
fingers.
"... I'd say ... unsettled." Fugen did not quite trust his
voice, shaking his head for added emphasis.
"Oh? I'll take your word for it." He was almost done
preparing a pathway for his entrance. "Are you ready?"
Through it all, Fugen had kept a stranglehold on the
pillow, visible tremors flitting through outline of his body.
"... as ready as I ... ever will be." Outenkun did not
sound overly concerned - if anything, he had sounded bored.
/... he's dragging it on to intimidate me./
The realization hit him the same time as the pain that
felt about to split him in two. He stifled his cries into the
pillow, feeling Outenkun slowly advance into him.
================================================================
//It's time.//
"Aah..." Outenkun squeezed his eyes shut to fully savor
the sensations.
Tight - tight and hot - the body twisting and shaking under
him like the final convulsions of a newly dissected specimen.
"... 'ou-ch'n ..." Fugen's voice was muffled, only audible
through the broken gasps for air.
"W-what did you say?" He was thoroughly distracted with
other things.
"... nothing. Nothing ... at ... aahl!"
Punctuated by muted cries, sudden starts and hurried,
sobbing breaths into the pillow, the ride was exhilarating.
Finally spent, he came to a rest against Fugen's back, also
gasping for breath. As soon as he got his breath back, he
leaned forward, higher - to rouse the limp body into another
response - and failed.
//Heh. Exhausted him. Emotionally and physically.//
His nose caught catching a green scent of tea. He sniffed
again. It was some herbal rinse, probably - coming from the
pale blue silk of hair. Not unpleasant, just ... so alive and
utterly /organic/ compared to the sterile odours found in
most of Kingou. He lay still, resting for a bit, chest molding
to the curves of Fugen's back. Smiling, he played with Fugen's
hair.
"Mmmmmh ..." He was surprised to feel a returning nuzzle
to his cheek.
Was Fugen awake? He looked, and found Fugen unconscious.
The expression was lax, but not relaxed, small tensions lines
of pain and exhaustion etched into the brow. He yawned. Sleep
was becoming an attractive prospect to him as well.
//.... I should do this more often...//
His last thoughts were pleasant, as he drifted into sleep.
Yes, it was indeed something he should do more often.
================================================================
author's notes:
SHI
I should explain several premises in this story, which DIVERGE
from the manga storyline, which makes it an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE,
or A/U for short.
The basic storyline of NOR IRON BARS and A REASON TO LOVE
follow that of the manga with several differences:
1) Fugen managed to bend the Konron decree for no direct sennin
intervention (which is why only doushi were actively helping
Taikoubou until the Senninkai War), and has been at Taikoubou's
side as a covert backup since he became Shuu's military advisor.
2) Fugen becomes aware of Youzen and Taikoubou, dating from
after the Kou family comes to Seiki.
3) Youzen & Taikoubou are officially a couple after Doutoku
Shinkun shows up.
4) Fugen decides not to come between them, returning to Konron
just before Ryogaku's virus attack.
5) Mokutaku is in the Ningenkai along with Fugen, remaining
there even after Fugen left.
Any other manga divergence will be noted in the fic itself.
MEARLCHAN
"Because gothic blue elves need love too."
================================================================
WARNING:
Ignore the following evil dialogue.
But then, you probably don't need to if you made it this far.
in our evil(er) moments:
Mearlchan: In one paragraph "smirk" is used twice... what're
some synonyms?
Shi: sneer.
*LOL @ online dictionary*
"Sneer: Idioms *have a shit-eating grin"
Mearlchan: *lol* Hmmm, that might suit, but I don't think
that's the right phrase!
"Outenkun looked down at the body with a shit-eating
grin.
/Hell yes, I haven't gotten laid in 500 years./"
Mearlchan: "... man, you have no idea how hard it is to find
human-shaped bodies around here."
Shi: ..... yeah, kinkouseibo has no bottom half.
Mearlchan: "I mean, Kinkouseibo's a nice chick, and she has
great hands, but...."
Shi: "... would you be enthusiastic in my situation?"
Mearlchan: "If I was gonna do me? Hell yeah. *admires self in
mirror* That's some fine Juttenkun action."
Shi: You know, that's a scary thought, considering there's 3
of him ....
Mearlchan: Eeek! I didn't even think of that.
"Oh, number 1! Yes yes! 3! Yes, you know just what I
like!"
Shi: Fugen burst out laughing.
"... nope. ^^"
Mearlchan: ... in a sick, strange way, they're cute.
Shi: .... yes'm.
================================================================
Last Modified: February 22, 2002 8:36AM
================================================================
This part contains a mature sexual situation.
In plain words, this fic contains smut.
Maybe not smut by your standards, but certainly smut by ours.
Specifically, it contains non-consensual, same-sex smut.
This is bad. We are bad people. In fact, as we're typing this
warning out, we're spanking ourselves for being so naughty.
Remember, kids, non-con smut is bad and evil is for losers!
Don't make Taikoubou smash Konron into you!
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
All rights and privileges to Houshin Engi belong to Ryu
Fujisaki, JUMP Comics; Shueisha Inc., and TV Tokyo. Characters
from HE are used without permission for the purpose of
entertainment only. This work of fanfiction is not meant for
commercial use. No infringements of rights are intended.
In other words - please don't sue us, we NEED our
allowance to buy HE merchandise and make you guys rich!
****************************************************************
NOR IRON BARS: an ARTL Sidestory
II. compromising position
by Kotoshin & MearlDox
****************************************************************
"You can't negotiate with extremists.
Negotiation is based on compromise.
Extremists don't compromise."
- Homer Fatt
================================================================
The humming in the halo intensified, and he was ready
to move when Taikyokufuin retrieved the door codes.
Breaking into two panels, the door slid apart into
recesses below and above. After disconnecting Taikyokufuin, he
stepped through into a control room. Not the main control room,
of course - that would have attracted too much attention - an
auxiliary one that would do nicely for his purposes.
He relocked the door behind him, refusing to leave
curious intrusions up to chance.
/And now, for some distractions./
Tapping into his paopei, it was an easy matter to set
off the small packets designed to create equipment failure
that seemed to be caused by the usual wear and tear. Acts of
minor sabotage left from earlier exploratory excursions, these
surprises were meant to divert the youkai's attention away from
/here/, the one trip that mattered.
/This should hold for an hour at worst, two at best./
He sat down at the terminal, setting Taikyokufuin up
for another break-in.
/Never leave only one escape route if you can help it./
Smiling, he remembered Bou-chan's advice.
/Hai, Bou-chan. I won't forget .../
Getting up, Fugen took note of the grille of an air
duct above the workstation as Taikyokufuin began to crack the
defenses of Kingou's system. Once satisfied that the air duct
connected to other rooms he'd passed, he settled down to
watch the data download.
================================================================
He stifled a snickering laugh as he watched. That this
frail looking creature actually had the audacity - and the
brains and ability - to hack into Kingou's records!
//Amusing. Very amusing.//
The human had seemed to know his way about, too.
Frowning, Outenkun made a mental note to properly discipline
whatever idiot was in charge of security for the past ten years.
This would not do.
//A legitimate reason for discipline - who would've
thought? But I'm sidetracking. This ... fool must be dealt with.
What do I do about him?//
He had to give the human credit for intelligence. There
was no doubt in his mind who created those alarms of equipment
failure, distractions that cropped up minutes ago. Distractions
which he ignored, as soon as he guessed their nature.
//We've got quite a guest here. Even bringing presents!
I suppose I should find a way to make him feel welcome. Let's
see...//
First things first. Switching off the sensors, Outenkun
erased the tapes of the human's presence as if the human had
never been there. He'd rather not share. He liked his fun alone
before he handed his toys over.
//What next?//
And he'd rather not start off the meeting on an equal
footing. So, a little something to pacify the aggressive
tendencies of the 'guest' first ... and he had just the thing to
do it.
//I'd hate for him to think of causing more trouble.
And "that" should make sure he doesn't think of much of anything
at all.//
Leaving the station unattended, Outenkun strolled to his
private suite. He could afford to take time to fetch what he
needed before seeing to the intruder. After all, he was the one
controlling the speed of information flow.
================================================================
He first sensed that things had gone awry when he felt
the soft kiss of air. The air moved against him, the gentle
movement raking across skin whenever he felt someone walking
towards him. Someone who was behind him.
He was too late when he felt the prick of a needle in
the back of his neck. The drug worked quickly. Still half-
turning to see who it was, he crumpled to the floor.
Outenkun grinned nastily at the body. Stepping away, he
went to remove Taikyokufuin - and was surprised to see it
still active. After a moment of thought, he smirked, admiring
and examining the other's handiwork.
//He set it on automatic download - based on a search
of keywords - and is powering it using Kingou's lines. How
very practical of him.//
He carelessly yanked the cords apart, and watched in
satisfaction as the lights in Taikyokufuin flickered and died.
//I can clear that information later.//
Oozing like a black sore, a portal opened beneath his
feet, and he took the intruder and paopei with him.
================================================================
His suite was a somber black, red light spilling like
blood through the crimson panes of glass onto the black marble
walls and floor.
//What should I do with this sad little creature...?//
Whatever he chose to do - it better be worth it. It had
better be worth the bother, he disliked exerting himself without
sufficient reason - or reward.
//Keep him as a part of the decor?//
His guest looked out of place, dressed in clothing that
screamed of vibrant colours. Or ... not. The contrast of white
on black, bright and dark - bared white neck, shoulders on the
black leather of the couch - the white and green and red of the
clothing like sparkling jewels on dark velvet. The strange white
flaps fastened to the back of the human's clothing were tangled,
evoking a suggestion of broken wings.
//Quite pretty, really ...//
He found that mental image rather pleasing. A golden
nimbus of sunshine, the halo only added to the portrait of a
crippled angel.
//I wonder if he'd last longer than he looks?//
Beauty was always fragile. With care, he supposed he
could make it last, maybe preserve it somehow, if the human
turned out to be less than interesting. Bending over, he
shook the human.
"Good morning, sunshine."
================================================================
His eyelids felt heavy, and there was a familiar, bitter
taste to the back of his throat. How did he let Bou-chan talk
him into another all night drinking binge again? He couldn't
remember, and his head /hurt/ at the voice, and he had to grit
his teeth to keep back the wave of nausea.
"... not now, 'ou-chan ...."
He decided that it wasn't worth the struggle to open his
eyes. He had a splitting headache just from brushing the light
touches on his body away.
//.... did he call me Ou-chan? How'd he know my name?//
Outenkun frowned as his pets took an interest in the new
visitor, shooing them away even as the human brushed them aside.
The drug was more than enough to handicap the sennin - he was
certain that his prize was at least that, now. The paopei he
carried was not one a sennin-master would grant to a mere
doushi-disciple, however talented.
"So, you're one of Konron's sennin, aren't you?"
Fugen's eyes flew open. Bou-chan would have never used
that tone of voice with him. With that realization came the
memory of where he had been - and what he had been doing.
/Kingou - the data - someone behind me - a needle -/
He pushed dizziness aside long enough to look toward the
dark figure hovering over him.
"Who ... are you?"
The soft tenor was slightly hoarse, as if the human
could not quite control his tongue and mouth to form the proper
sounds of speech. That was good. The drug was still numbing him.
//He was only mumbling... he can't possibly know who I
am - much less my name. Much less call me THAT.//
================================================================
Gradually, Fugen's eyes focused, grew used to the dark
and made out the features of his interrogator. The first thing
he noticed were the eyes, dull and black, sunken into a cruelly
smiling face. Almost sickly, the bright blue of the skin
stretched tightly over the bones of an emaciated frame.
"Welcome to Kingou."
The lips moved, and he stared, slightly repulsed and
attracted to the silver rings pierced through the lower lip.
"I should kill you for sneaking around here."
Pensively, a blue hand came into view, cupping the chin
of the face before him. The fingers were almost buried in heavy
rings of silver. Fingers that ended in painted black nails,
perfectly filed to sharp points, giving the hand the look of a
claw. Loops and chains of silver bracelets smothered black
sleeves at the wrists.
"But - it'd be more fun to play with you instead."
The tone was polite, almost to the point of impersonal
detachment, almost the gracious host. Filled with a vague sense
of unease, wishing for the pain hammering his head to go away -
Fugen tried to keep his mind on the words.
"Oh, but I forget to introduce myself. How /rude/ of
me. I'm called Outenkun."
/Outenkun./
/OUTENKUN./
The name struck him like a whip of lightning.
/... one of the Juttenkun. I'm ... in trouble./
That was an understatement, to say the least.
/He ... I will be lucky, if I come through this with my
life. Those of Kingou have little love for those of Konron./
He tried to raise himself up on his elbows - almost
succeeding - until he misjudged the space there was between
himself and the youkai-sennin. Nearly bumping into Outenkun's
chin, he fell back. Swallowing, Fugen tried very hard not to be
sick, but even that small motion made him sicker.
/Better ... not try to move./
He closed his eyes, feeling the hand come down heavily on
his chest, holding him down. Outenkun knew that the force was
not necessary, but he enjoyed the brief view of pained
expression too much to let it pass.
"Oh no, don't bother to get up. I'll take /very/ good
care of you."
Fugen winced at the sarcasm in the voice, but knew he was
in no condition to resist. Drugged as he was, it was a miracle
that he could even think that far ahead. He had to wait. There
was no choice but to wait for a better chance, when he felt
better, later - if he was allowed a 'later.'
"So, did you come here as an official spy, or is this just
for fun?
Looking down at Fugen, Outenkun was pleased by the wince
in reaction to the harshness of his voice. The human was still
disoriented - and more likely to give a truthful answer. It was
true that he could have included truth serum in the mind-fogging
drug he administered - but where would be the fun in that?
"I'm not that frivolous ... but it was my own idea."
"You know, something like this could easily be seen as an
act of war ..."
Letting his voice trail off suggestively, Outenkun smirked
down at the sennin.
"... I can hardly do anything about that now, ne?"
Fugen closed his eyes. It made him feel less faint, easier
to think. When he chose to spy in Kingou, he already knew the
possible consequence of his choice. He was not someone who would
shirk responsibility for his own actions. He also knew that
there was NOTHING that he could do to prevent Outenkun from
reporting him - from making an incident of his snooping.
/But I don't think he would./
The youkai-sennin so often acted for themselves, rather
than for their community as a whole. He had a feeling that it
was the same with Outenkun. Outenkun wanted something from him,
and if he could give it to Outenkun ... there would be no
incident.
/... the question is, is his price too high for me?/
It was his own fault that he was in this predicament,
and he would do everything in his power to stall the inevitable
war. He would give everything that was his to give. Everything -
except to compromise the truth of himself, or to harm those he
care for. He looked up, started at Outenkun's reply - it broke
the chain of his circling thoughts and confirmed them as
reality.
"If nobody else knows you came in here, though, there
won't be any problems, will there?"
/... he hasn't alerted anyone - yet? So ... if I could
... keep it that way, perhaps .../
================================================================
Outenkun was thoroughly enjoying his position. To have
someone weak and disoriented - his to spare or destroy as he
willed - helpless to refuse him anything ... well, few thrills
could match /that./ And it wasn't every day that someone was a
sennin of Konron, no less.
"So, how do you plan to convince me to keep this our
little secret?"
".... mmnn... what ... do you mean?"
Snatching his eyes open, Fugen immediately regretted the
sudden movement as a fresh wave of nausea washed over him. He
hoped he managed a credible surprise, at least - it would not
have been wise to let Outenkun know that /he/ knew what game
they were playing. Not too early, at any rate.
"Have any offers? I'm listening."
Outenkun watched the sennin's reactions carefully. He read
people easily, from the way they respond to his words. He had
the knack for taking them apart with nothing more substantial
than mere words - learning and prying out their secrets - fears
and dreams and desires, what made them tick with the subtle
blades of speech. He wondered what this one was made of, such a
pretty little thing ... he hoped it came with enough of a brain
to make the interrogation interesting.
//Heh, I surprised him... Let's see what he does.//
Fugen wondered what Outenkun was up to. Most youkai-
sennin were more ... straightforward in their demands. This one
was gauging him, weighing him like meat on a scale, to see if he
was ... to see what kind of a person he was, he supposed. To see
if he would answer truthfully, and to honour his word.
/He ... knows humans. Though it shames me to .... think of
it ... there are good and bad in any people./
He was a poor liar, and knew it. Necessity made honesty a
habit - but that didn't mean he always told all of the truth. It
was easier, to let people make up their own assumptions by
telling partial truths which they wanted to hear. Choosing his
words with care, Fugen's breathing ran ragged at the effort to
speak.
".... I don't know if I have ... anything that you want.
And I don't know if I would want to let you have it if I do - be
it information ... or ... an item or a service ..."
The only weapons left to him was his words and his wit.
Outenkun held every advantage, he could only try to outthink
whatever Outenkun had in stock for him. If only he could think
clearly!
//Aren't you a brave little sennin.//
By now, Outenkun was pretty sure what he had was an
interesting fool. One with high ideals and morals, the will to
carry them through - and practical enough to recognize the
limitations imposed by those naive notions. He snickered
softly as the speech struggled to a close.
"... so, you'd have to be more specific than that."
The headache throbbed at Fugen's temples, threatening to
burst out of his skull. Seeing the sennin turn slightly green at
the edges, Outenkun eased the pressure at his chest. In
response, Fugen lay back, trying to steal what little rest he
could from the reprieve.
"Let's start off easy, then. What's your name?"
He fought to maintain eye contact, amusing Outenkun
with his struggles at retaining dignity.
"I'm ... Fugen."
"Fugen, mm? Do you think Konron would notice if you
vanished, Fugen? You might be here for a while."
The name was unfamiliar. He had not bothered to keep up
with recent additions to Konron - recent, as in the last hundred
years - although he'd had taken an interest in the meddling
doushi called Taikoubou, since Mama asked him to.
//Just one name? Or he doesn't want to give his full name
for some reason. It doesn't really matter.//
It did not matter, for he would have /his/ way, no matter
what. But this maneuvering intrigued him. The sennin - no, Fugen,
he reminded himself - did have a brain. Names have power. If he
knew who he was dealing with, was, he held power over that
person, since he can learn more about a person with a name than
a person without a name.
"They ... probably will. I... "
================================================================
/...one of the Juttenkun ... not even natives of Kingou
know what they look like - I wonder, how far up in the Juttenkun
hierarchy does he ... rank?/
Fugen committed the face and voice to memory. It was an
invaluable piece of information Konron could use - but useless,
if he could not get away. Consciously, he made a decision to
disclose his own status at Konron - staking all in a calculated
gamble - to place himself as Outenkun's equal.
/It's risky. He'd either ... use me, more, or ... respect
me, more. I'm ... hoping for more of .... the latter, rather
than the former .../
"... because my rank at Konron ... is at least the equal
to yours ... in Kingou."
//A member of the Juunisen. I've got a good catch,
haven't I?//
Fugen's value, in his estimation, had just gone up. A rare
catch indeed - a rare catch, for a sennin to rise this high in
power and remain this ... simple. He'd bet this pathetic
creature had little idea of the politics and intrigue among
Konron's high-ranking sennin. He would /so/ enjoy destroying
what innocence this simple creature had left.
"Heh. I wonder what that damn old man who runs Konron
would think - if he found out one of his star pupils was caught
hacking into Kingou without his permission?"
"Well, I can hardly do anything about it - /if/ you choose
to tell him." Fugen managed a weak smile, knowing he could not
afford to show weakness - or rather, too much weakness.
/... if he was going to ... he should have, already ... I
think ... but he's ... toying with me instead. Why?/
He ... amused Outenkun. Outenkun was amused. He put two
and two together, and almost made four as a hint of the reason
'why' occurred to Fugen. Boredom was the greatest bane of any
Immortal's existence. If Outenkun found him ... of interest ...
/I may get out of this mess yet. And stave off open war
for that much longer./
Outenkun's respect for Fugen rose another notch, along
with his interest. Fugen was thinking more clearly than he
expected, in spite of the drugs. Cunning naiveté ... an
interesting combination.
//And pretty accepting, isn't he? He even knows I'm not
going to waste this opportunity like that.//
"I won't," Aye, he'd let this one live - he had great
things in mind for Fugen. "As a favor for somebody who has a lot
of guts."
"No, not ... 'guts.'" Cautiously, Fugen shook his head.
"Just that ... since you have all the advantage ... there really
is no point ... in being uncooperative."
"So, the question is, what should I do with you now? Kill
you? Send you back home? What do you think?"
"I'd like you to let me go ... of course - but I know that
... it ... won't be as easy as that."
What could he offer that would not cost anyone other than
himself?
"So ... with respect to my own loyalties ... I would ...
like to find out ... your terms for my freedom, and ... keep
you .... interested enough .... to keep to those terms."
"I was expecting /you/ to make an offer. What would /you/
trade to leave? I'm open to suggestions."
================================================================
Outenkun leaned back, watching Fugen with a smirk still
on his lips.
//He doesn't want to say what he's willing to do, in
case I'd have accepted something easier, probably. Smart kid.
Stupid, to sneak in here, though.//
"After all, I wasn't expecting a member of Konron's
Juunisen to fall in my lap." A blue hand played absently with
the edge of Fugen's shirt, just below the collarbone. "But if
you really don't know, I could think of something, I'm sure..."
"It's ... easier ... to think of ... what I won't do, in
exchange ... " Fugen closed his eyes again. "I will do nothing
that would endanger Konron, nor will I ... "
He opened his eyes, looking straight at Outenkun.
"... nor will I give you any information ... that may hurt
those ... I care for. That .. is all."
"Ohh?" He gnawed a fingernail thoughtfully. "Anything
else?"
================================================================
"No." Fugen paused, thinking. That a Juttenkun of Kingou
and a Juunisen of Konron were face-to-face for the first time,
and conflict the last thing either wanted ...
He smiled at the irony of the situation.
"... should there have been?"
"You know, the first time a Juttenkun has met one of the
Juunisen is pretty significant, isn't it?" Outenkun raised an
eyebrow, smirking at Fugen's smile. "This should be something
you'll always remember."
"... I was ... just thinking that .. a moment ago."
He laughed, weakly using humour to bolster his facade of
calm. He was sweating, a cold sweat that chilled him with bone-
deep dread.
"Just so that you know, we don't need your help against
Konron." Outenkun decided to throw pretenses aside, and see if
directness could rattle Fugen more than evasions. "I don't need
any information from you. So anything I take from you - will be
just for my personal entertainment."
Fugen watched as Outenkun put one hand on his cheek. He
knew that already, but it still ... was a shock, to hear it
stated so ... baldly. Eyes burning, he blinked the sudden
moisture away.
/... I thought so ... Konron .. isn't much of a threat ...
to Kingou ... from what I've seen./
".... what do you consider entertainment, then?" He only
wanted to get it over with.
================================================================
//Think I've rubbed his nose in it enough. Not too
deeply, now, wouldn't want to ruin his pretty looks. Yet.//
"All sorts of things." Outenkun ran his fingernail
sharply along Fugen's cheek, watched blood swell in tiny beads
along the cut. "Killing you would be entertaining ... but then
someone would notice you were gone, and we'd have to explain it,
and I'd hate to break my promise of not telling anyone. So ..."
"... so?" Fugen eyed the trailing finger curiously for a
moment, then turned his attention back to Outenkun.
//The drugs should be starting to wear a little bit off now
... probably.//
"Do you have a lover on Konron?"
".... no." The question took him by surprise, and it took
him a moment to find the voice to answer.
"Good," By way of explanation, he leered at Fugen and
began to pull off the purple shirt. "Then they won't have to
feel jealous."
//He hesitated. Wonder if he was lying?//
================================================================
Fugen tried to remain still as Outenkun undressed him.
He had to remind himself that, given the danger his actions
had placed Konron in, this would be getting off, rather lightly
... but ...
/... Bou-chan .../
His throat tightened.
/Bou-chan already has Youzen-kun./
He could not breathe. His chest hurt, and he could not
draw in air to breathe, even if his throat were not stopped by
sudden grief.
"... wait." Putting a hand over the hands plucking at the
shoulder pins, he stopped Outenkun.
"Wait?" Outenkun sneered. "But you said 'anything that
didn't hurt Konron or my friends.'"
"I can do this myself, please." He looked away.
"Oh?"
================================================================
//This is bound to be interesting ....//
"Show off for me, then." Backing up to give Fugen room to
sit up, Outenkun demanded.
"... show off?" Unfastening his waistband, Fugen did not
understand the request.
"Yeah." Outenkun wished he could have afforded to record
/this/ - he didn't expect this much cooperation. "Too shy to
give me a show?"
//I bet that old bastard would love it. Probably has
cameras in the doushi dorms and showers for getting his
shriveled prick off.//
"... like this?" Sitting upright, Fugen let the shirt
slide from his grasp due to its own weight.
"You don't seem very enthusiastic." He cast a smug glance
at Fugen, approving of what he saw. "I guess I'll forgive you,
because of the drugs."
"... would you be enthusiastic in my situation?" Fugen
gave Outenkun a smile laced with irony as he folded each item of
clothing away neatly to the side, as he removed each in turn.
"I'm not stupid enough to get in your situation."
Outenkun scowled.
//Prissy little guy.//
Ignoring his taunt, Fugen merely nodded at Outenkun,
having finished disrobing.
"Turn around and let me look at you." He was gratified to
see Fugen obey immediately, but slowing the turn of the body
near-instantaneously. "Still feeling sick? Well, lie down, then."
"Hai ...." Fugen lay on one side, right cheek pressed
against a leather pillow to cushion the blow of nausea.
"So, when was the last time you did this with someone?"
Curious, Outenkun brushed hands lightly across Fugen's chest,
watching the shiver that followed in the wake of his touch.
"... depends ... on your definition, of 'this.'"
================================================================
He was not going to give Outenkun /that/ much
satisfaction. He knew very well what was about to happen, and
he'd often shared bed and room with Bou-chan - but they had
never crossed beyond the line of friendship. Even though he
wished, otherwise ...
"Oh, whatever you like." Outenkun was most satisfied by
the startled cry, bitten quickly into lips as he pinched Fugen's
chest hard. "It doesn't matter to me. I was just curious."
/... Bou-chan ... why ... does he remind me of ...
Bou-chan ....?/
Mind forced back into the present, he remembered how
Bou-chan used to pinch him, holding the barest fold of skin
just so between the very tips of his fingers, digging in hard
with his nails ... whenever he was deep in thought and did not
pay attention to Bou-chan.
"Did that hurt? I'm sorry." Returning to the earlier light
touches, Outenkun did not sound sorry at all.
//He's trying to keep from reacting too much.//
"Don't ... say what you don't mean." Fugen placed a finger
to Outenkun's lips, and gently traced the outline of a silver
lip-ring.
"Why shouldn't I?" He gave Fugen a half-smirk in return.
"You smile when you don't mean it."
"But I do ..." Fugen smiled faintly. "I smile when I find
something ... absurd, or amusing ... Myself, in this situation."
================================================================
"Oh? It's good to know we're both amused." He took Fugen's
hand from his lips and gripped it tightly, leaving marks on the
slender wrist. "But you're here because I decided to bring you
here, not for you. So don't get carried away."
"... I thought that ... it would be more likely for you to
keep your word -" Fugen refused to be cowed, "if ... I keep you
amused."
"Are you afraid that I'm lying to you?" He let Fugen's
hand fall. "I'll entertain myself with you. You shouldn't do
something if I haven't told you to."
"It's... merely an observation that ... you're more amused
when I do ... or say something you do not anticipate."
//So, you've been watching me as closely as I've been
watching you, have you?//
Outenkun was quite surprised. So, the little butterfly had
more hidden depths than he'd reckoned.
"Are you trying to tell me what I like?" He grabbed Fugen's
wrist again, twisting it.
"No. I'm trying to tell you that I intend to ... make as
good an effort as I can." Lightly, Fugen tried to tug his wrist
out of Outenkun's hold.
"Aren't you a good boy." He let go.
"... I try to be." Another smile, small and secretive.
He thought that he should be angry at such insolence,
but he surprised even himself with his own snickering laughter.
"That's good." Catching the puzzled look in Fugen's eye,
he laughed again. "You deserve a reward for that."
//Amazing ... he doesn't even realize what he's doing.//
"Do you do things like this often?" He felt up the
inside of one thigh, lightly. "I'm sure everyone on Konron
would like someone so frail and ... obedient."
"... no ... " Fugen's face coloured.
/... never. Bou-chan ... I would have liked ... Bou-chan
to ... but ...!/
Fugen had pressed his entire body down, as if he was
trying disappear into the couch. Smirking, Outenkun leaned over
Fugen and ran his fingernails down the white thighs again.
//I finally got something sensitive, did I?//
"... what a waste."
".... nnrr ... I ... didn't mind."
He watched avidly as Fugen's hands made fists, fingers
digging into the couch for purchase. A bump at the back of his
right elbow jarred him from savoring the sight. Fugen had drawn
one knee up in a futile attempt to escape his touch.
"Nn-nn-nn. What are you trying to do?" Gently, he pushed
the knee back. "Stay still and let me do what I like."
"I ... thought I was supposed to entertain you?" The
question sounded more like a challenge. He let it slide. There
will be plenty of time to teach his pretty new toy better.
"You are. But I'll decide how I want to be entertained for
now." In a stroke of ingenuity, he added, "besides, we still
haven't gotten to know each other all that well."
"It's ... easier for me to know you ..." Fugen leaned back
onto his right elbow and gave Outenkun's neck a petting rub with
his left hand. "... if you'll let me touch you."
"Is this the first time someone touched you like this?"
"... yes." The hand faltered on the back of his neck.
"That's nice. So from now on," He allowed Fugen to touch
him, "whenever you do this, you can remember me."
"... what makes you think I ... would do this again?"
A brief flare of rebellion in violet eyes, as the massaging
pressure continued.
"I can't be the only person who'd like to take advantage
of something so ... delicate looking." Outenkun shrugged,
pleased when Fugen's hand finally stilled and removed itself.
//He's too touchy-feely.//
"I'll be sure not to let anyone ... take advantage then."
"Oh? Why not? Aren't you enjoying this on some level?"
Outenkun's hands were busy, prodding and pinching and
feeling, watching and experimenting with the various responses
he extracted from the lithe white body beneath him. To distract
himself, Fugen changed the topic.
"... I usually prefer ... cooking ... as a hobby."
"That's a boring hobby for someone who's a Juunisen." He
snapped without thinking, irritated at the deft maneuver away
from his question. "Did you cook your way to the top?"
Fugen burst out laughing.
"... nope. ^^"
"Maybe I should make you cook after this." Rattled that
Fugen could still find humour in his current situation, Outenkun
played with wisps of sky-blue hair. "But I don't think you would
cook the kinds of things I like to eat."
"mmmmmwrrr ...." Purring, he leant into the caress, it
felt good. "... what do you like to eat?"
Food was familiar territory that he felt comfortable with.
It took newly ordained doushi some time to adjust to the all-
vegetarian diet of sendou. He'd been the one in charge of the
doushi menu, creating vegetarian dishes that approximated what
they were used to, gradually accommodating their stomachs. But
Outenkun's reply reminded him yet again of the differences
between human sendou and youkai-sennin.
"Meat. I run off of meat and drugs." He smirked at the
discomfort that tinged Fugen's expression, and twisted a nipple
brutally.
"... aah ... " Wincing, Fugen clutched at Outenkun's
collar. "I cook meat substitutes, mostly ..."
"I don't like vegetables, even if they're playing pretend
at being meat." Shoving Fugen's hand away from his collar, he
grinned toothily. "I like to know that something suffered to
feed me."
"I see ... "
/... it's easy to forget that if I didn't ... amuse him,
he'd kill me. it's even harder to remember that ... he .. isn't
Bou-chan .../
For a moment back there, he'd almost thought that he was
talking to Bou-chan, chatting and taking amiable stabs at the
holes in each other's logic. Sighing, Fugen placed his left hand
over Outenkun's heart. Outenkun brushed the hand aside as one
would brush away a troublesome insect.
"... where would you like me to put my hands, then?"
//Are you trying to play along to gain some more control
on the situation? You can't get away with this that easily.//
"Just stop trying to feel me up." Outenkun leaned down to
bite lightly at Fugen's neck.
"... would it help if I ... told you -" At the bite, the
sentence nearly dissolved into a moan. "- told you that ...
it's to keep myself from thinking too much?"
"But I want you to think about what's happening." Smiling
against the slender white neck, he sucked hard to leave dark
marks.
"... aah ..." Fugen whimpered, left hand on Outenkun's
scalp as he felt the sharp cold of metal dig deeply into skin.
"I'm glad you haven't done this before." Whispering
against Fugen's ear, he plucked at the nipples a little more.
"I'm happy to take this from you. Are you happy I'll be the one
to take it? "
"... and ... what if I ... said no?" Falling back, he
clutched the front of Outenkun's shirt with his right hand.
"That's too bad." Reaching down between the open thighs,
he seized his prize.
He found Fugen's reaction most rewarding. With a startled
cry, panicked violet eyes widened, and Fugen tried to close his
legs together.
"Spread your legs." Mirth in his voice and mischief in his
hand, he watched as Fugen obeyed, swallowing visibly.
"And, don't turn away from me," Stroking the tip with a
delicate twist of palm and fingernail, smirking, "you should
look me in the eyes."
"... hai ... " Meeting his eyes, hands tugged nervously
on the arms of his shirt.
/He has a cute face. That halo suits him./
It was a lovely sight to behold, the red of the flushing
face, the white of flesh he'd not yet paid attention to, the
delicate lavender of eyes under sweat-damp locks of soft blue
hair. Not quite enjoying his advances, not yet ... Smiling,
Outenkun casually decreased his tempo, tormenting Fugen into
raising hips to meet /him/.
================================================================
Afterwards, he leaned back to give Fugen breathing space,
admiring the results of his handiwork. Fugen had fought against
the pleasure he gave, giving in only when he could not resist
/feeling/ the touch of his hands, the ways he gave pleasure in
pain with the crescent moon marks of fingernails. The scars
would linger for days, bright red slashes, purpling bruises, and
finger-shaped shadows on white flesh. Beautiful. He'd fought
Outenkun in a losing battle, knowing it - but had still fought,
gone down fighting. That amused him the most.
//Such a pretty little fool.//
Fugen's head had fallen limply onto the pillow, eyes
closed and panting. Cream on cream, the white fluids slowly
drying over whiter skin. Outenkun felt the satisfaction spread,
about to split his face with the force of its grin. Time for
the next step. He reached down, and fingers brushed against
the heavy silver chains he always wore. The jewelry was too much
of a bother to remove. Besides, he didn't need to strip down
completely.
"It's my turn." He shook Fugen roughly after he unbuttoned
his pants.
"What would you like me to do?"
Fugen looked up at him. The resigned bleakness in violet
eyes made him hard, but it wouldn't hurt to make sure. Touching
himself, he made sure of appropriate arousal.
"Roll over."
Fugen did not like that idea at all. It was bad enough,
when he could see what Outenkun was doing ... but he obeyed.
Keeping an eye on Outenkun while he could, he turned over,
slowly.
"So, you're enjoying yourself, aren't you?" He felt up
Fugen's backside for a bit.
"Physically ... yes ..." He never could tell a proper lie.
"But emotionally, you're scarred for life?" Outenkun was
yet again amused, as Fugen tried not to tense up at prying
fingers.
"... I'd say ... unsettled." Fugen did not quite trust his
voice, shaking his head for added emphasis.
"Oh? I'll take your word for it." He was almost done
preparing a pathway for his entrance. "Are you ready?"
Through it all, Fugen had kept a stranglehold on the
pillow, visible tremors flitting through outline of his body.
"... as ready as I ... ever will be." Outenkun did not
sound overly concerned - if anything, he had sounded bored.
/... he's dragging it on to intimidate me./
The realization hit him the same time as the pain that
felt about to split him in two. He stifled his cries into the
pillow, feeling Outenkun slowly advance into him.
================================================================
//It's time.//
"Aah..." Outenkun squeezed his eyes shut to fully savor
the sensations.
Tight - tight and hot - the body twisting and shaking under
him like the final convulsions of a newly dissected specimen.
"... 'ou-ch'n ..." Fugen's voice was muffled, only audible
through the broken gasps for air.
"W-what did you say?" He was thoroughly distracted with
other things.
"... nothing. Nothing ... at ... aahl!"
Punctuated by muted cries, sudden starts and hurried,
sobbing breaths into the pillow, the ride was exhilarating.
Finally spent, he came to a rest against Fugen's back, also
gasping for breath. As soon as he got his breath back, he
leaned forward, higher - to rouse the limp body into another
response - and failed.
//Heh. Exhausted him. Emotionally and physically.//
His nose caught catching a green scent of tea. He sniffed
again. It was some herbal rinse, probably - coming from the
pale blue silk of hair. Not unpleasant, just ... so alive and
utterly /organic/ compared to the sterile odours found in
most of Kingou. He lay still, resting for a bit, chest molding
to the curves of Fugen's back. Smiling, he played with Fugen's
hair.
"Mmmmmh ..." He was surprised to feel a returning nuzzle
to his cheek.
Was Fugen awake? He looked, and found Fugen unconscious.
The expression was lax, but not relaxed, small tensions lines
of pain and exhaustion etched into the brow. He yawned. Sleep
was becoming an attractive prospect to him as well.
//.... I should do this more often...//
His last thoughts were pleasant, as he drifted into sleep.
Yes, it was indeed something he should do more often.
================================================================
author's notes:
SHI
I should explain several premises in this story, which DIVERGE
from the manga storyline, which makes it an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE,
or A/U for short.
The basic storyline of NOR IRON BARS and A REASON TO LOVE
follow that of the manga with several differences:
1) Fugen managed to bend the Konron decree for no direct sennin
intervention (which is why only doushi were actively helping
Taikoubou until the Senninkai War), and has been at Taikoubou's
side as a covert backup since he became Shuu's military advisor.
2) Fugen becomes aware of Youzen and Taikoubou, dating from
after the Kou family comes to Seiki.
3) Youzen & Taikoubou are officially a couple after Doutoku
Shinkun shows up.
4) Fugen decides not to come between them, returning to Konron
just before Ryogaku's virus attack.
5) Mokutaku is in the Ningenkai along with Fugen, remaining
there even after Fugen left.
Any other manga divergence will be noted in the fic itself.
MEARLCHAN
"Because gothic blue elves need love too."
================================================================
WARNING:
Ignore the following evil dialogue.
But then, you probably don't need to if you made it this far.
in our evil(er) moments:
Mearlchan: In one paragraph "smirk" is used twice... what're
some synonyms?
Shi: sneer.
*LOL @ online dictionary*
"Sneer: Idioms *have a shit-eating grin"
Mearlchan: *lol* Hmmm, that might suit, but I don't think
that's the right phrase!
"Outenkun looked down at the body with a shit-eating
grin.
/Hell yes, I haven't gotten laid in 500 years./"
Mearlchan: "... man, you have no idea how hard it is to find
human-shaped bodies around here."
Shi: ..... yeah, kinkouseibo has no bottom half.
Mearlchan: "I mean, Kinkouseibo's a nice chick, and she has
great hands, but...."
Shi: "... would you be enthusiastic in my situation?"
Mearlchan: "If I was gonna do me? Hell yeah. *admires self in
mirror* That's some fine Juttenkun action."
Shi: You know, that's a scary thought, considering there's 3
of him ....
Mearlchan: Eeek! I didn't even think of that.
"Oh, number 1! Yes yes! 3! Yes, you know just what I
like!"
Shi: Fugen burst out laughing.
"... nope. ^^"
Mearlchan: ... in a sick, strange way, they're cute.
Shi: .... yes'm.
================================================================
Last Modified: February 22, 2002 8:36AM
================================================================