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Chapter Ten


Rajura chuckled as he also panted for breath. "He'll have to go through me first, koi. And I'm not that nice to those who threaten ones I care about." he purred out softly, caressing a gentle hand through the sandy brown hair.

Yawning, Amiboshi curled up next to his lover. "You wouldn't hurt otouto...I couldn't live without him.." His eyes began to drift shut.

Smiling, Rajura said softly, "You are quite right." He frowned then as he looked up at the suddenly open doorway. "Shuten...what the hell do you think you are doing here?" he hissed out angrily.

Shuten smirked as he looked at the two. "Making sure you get up and remember that Amiboshi has a job to do, Rajura." he said snidely as he crossed his arms.

"Huh?" Amiboshi blinked, looking up through bleary eyes. He eeped then hid under the covers in embarrassment.

Rajura growled defensively as he said, "Amiboshi shouldn't go. Give me a good reason why he should go."

Shuten just chuckled nastily as he shook his head. "Such emotions will get in the way, Rajura....I'd watch yourself." he said in wicked amusement and smirked as Rajura' eyes narrowed. Looking over his shoulder, Shuten continued. "And I believe the boy's leader has something to say about it. Don't you...Nakago?" he said snidely.

"Too true, Shuten."

"Awwww....shit." Amiboshi fell out of the bed onto the floor, dragging his clothes with him. He dressed quickly and then stood, facing Nakago.

Nakago snorted, shaking his head. "Such...impertinence."

"Gomen nasai, Nakago-sama! I'm ready for my mission!"

"Good. You will leave immediately."

"But..." Amiboshi frowned, a fine shiver going through his body. "I had hoped to...spend some time with Shun before I go."

"You should have thought of that before then, shouldn't you?"

Rajura stood, dressed in his yoroi subarmor and stood next to Amiboshi, glaring at Nakago. "Not even allowed to say good-bye to his twin? What kind of leader are you?" Rajura hissed out angrily.

Shuten came to stand next to Nakago, dressed also in his subarmor. "Stand down, Rajura. You have no right to interfere." He said in warning, ignoring the deadly glare he received in reply.

"One that expects results." Nakago fired back.

Amiboshi lowered his head. "Gomen nasai, Nakago-sama. I won't fail, I promise."

"Good. Your brother is waiting for you in the shrine. I suggest you don't keep him. He will escort you until you reach the border. Then you are on your own."

Rajura growled angrily and said, "I'm going with him."

Shuten glared angrily at Rajura. "Rajura...this is not our affair! You will stay out of it!" he growled and Rajura smirked snidely at the redhead.

"Oh, but it is our affair. If Amiboshi succeeds in getting into the Suzaku Seven...then the Troopers may get...eliminated." he said cunningly and Shuten blinked, looking thoughtful.

Nakago waved his hand negligently. "That is your decision. Just remember, if he gets in the way, it will be on your head."

Snorting derisively at Nakago, Shuten said, "Rajura is a Masho of the Youjakai. There is no one better." he sneered at Nakago, then looked at Rajura. "Alright. Go. You can teleport them to where they need to be, right?" he asked and Rajura nodded.

"If you think he can without screwing up." Nakago shrugged. It made no difference to him as long as Amiboshi filled out his orders.

Amiboshi blinked, then looked down. "But...what about my brother?"

Nakago shrugged. "If you can teleport there, there really isn't a need for an escort, is there?"

Rajura smiled gently at Amiboshi. "Since we are teleporting, we needn't take as much time. Go and visit with him for a bit. We can meet somewhere, k?" he said gently.

Shuten snorted and shook his head. 'Rajura is caught in a different web this time.' he thought to himself in mild disgust...and a tinge of jealousy.

"I...arigatou!" Amiboshi bowed to all three and made a dash for the door. Nakago stepped back, allowing the youth his exit.

Rajura looked at the two leaders with a glare. "Now...if you'll excuse me...I must go and meditate." he said softly, then left out the door.

Shuten growled softly and shook his head. "Becoming attached is not a good thing to do." he muttered softly as he stalked out of the room.

"No...it is not." Nakago replied, watching the others leave the room. He shook his head and left as well. He had duties to attend to.

++++++++++

Rajura sighed softly as he walked the halls of the castle. He didn't know where his koi had gone, but he decided he might as well go and meditate to get ready. Teleporting was somewhat of a strain when you didn't know where you were going. He found a courtyard surrounded by sakura trees and smiled. 'Perfect.' He went in and sat down next to a mirror pool and arranged himself into a lotus position. Up in the trees, a slight giggled could be heard. The limbs of the trees parted and something that resembled an apple fell, hitting Rajura square on the head. "Ouch!" Rajura rubbed his head as he glared up at the tree from whence the apple fell. "Who's up there? Show yourself!" He growled out as he looked up.

More snickering could be heard from the trees. "Ne... Rajura-san! It's just us!" Amiboshi snickered from high above. He looked down from the branches. His twin, Suboshi, sat next to his brother, twirling an apple on his finger. He smirked down at the Masho, not bothering to hide the fact that he had dropped the apple. Beside him sat Yui. She rolled her eyes, but couldn't stifle the giggle.

Rajura smirked as he sat back, looking up at the three youth. "Ah, I see. Up to some tricks? Don't mess with the Gen Masho." Rajura said lightly, a gentle smile on his face.

Suboshi snorted. "Uh huh. Sure...I don't have to seeing as I know /everything/!!!!" Amiboshi felt a hot blush creep over his features and Yui snickered.

Rajura smirked and cocked an eyebrow. "And tell me, young Suboshi....did you enjoy?" he asked smoothly, licking his lips as he winked at Amiboshi. Suboshi blinked, then turned a bright red along with his brother.

Yui snickered, winking down at Rajura. "Of course he did. I made sure of that."

"YUI-SAMA!!!!!!!!!!"

Chuckling softly, Rajura winked at the young girl. "Ah, is that so?" he asked as he stretched back and laid down on the ground.

"Of course! I can't very well let my seishi suffer, now can I?" Yui replied, smirking.

"Yui-sama!" Suboshi cried out, scandalized. She shouldn't be talking about things like that in public!

Chuckling in amusement, Rajura winked at her. "No, you certainly shouldn't." he said with a smirk.

"See?!" Yui beamed, smirking.

Amiboshi sighed, shaking his head. "You've corrupted our Miko, Rajura-san."

Shrugging and looking innocent, Rajura replied with an evil smirk, "I only give the seed sustenance, Amiboshi. After that.....it's all in their hands...." he grinned at the implied reference. Unfortunately, it was lost on the three youths.

"Uh huh."

"Right."

"Okay...."

Chuckling at their innocence, Rajura shook his head. "Alright....if you want the lewd version. Get your hands on something and make it grow with little assistance." he said with a leer at Amiboshi.

Suboshi looked to his brother and frowned. "Ne...aniki? What's he mean?"

The elder twin shrugged, equally perplexed. "Your guess is as good as mine, otouto."

Rajura sighed, giving up. Hentai remarks don't fly well with the youth. Finally, he said, "Amiboshi....did you like what happened last night?" his voice was deceptively mild like he was asking about the weather.

"Er...hai..." Amiboshi looked down, blushing bright red.

Suboshi smirked. "So did I actually."

"SUBOSHI!!!!!!!" *SMACK*

"OW!!!!!"

Chuckling softly in triumph, Rajura just lay out and closed his eyes. "You have much more to learn, koi." he said softly.

"Oh...shut up!" Amiboshi growled, still bright red. Suboshi grinned, then snagged his brother's flute when he wasn't looking. "HEY!!! Give me that back!!!!!!"

Rajura looked up and grinned. "Tell me, young Yui...would you like to know what Suboshi was probably feeling when I made love to his brother?" he asked impishly. Yui blinked, then turned bright red and hid behind Suboshi.

Amiboshi took that moment to snag his flute when his brother was distracted. "Quit teasing them, Rajura-san. You know they...er..."

"They what?!" Yui asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Er...nothing..." Amiboshi eeped and moved farther away so she couldn't get him. He brought the flute to his lips and started to play.

Smiling softly in pleasure, Rajura closed his eyes again. "Amiboshi, your lips produce the most lovely of music." he said softly and gently as he listened to the flute music. Amiboshi gave a curt nod, his lips never moving from the flute. The music surrounded them, soothing all that heard it. Yui sighed, resting against Suboshi. It was so beautiful and light. Sighing softly in pleasure, Rajura relaxed, wishing his koi would come down and snuggle with him, but he didn't want the lovely melody to stop. Suboshi sighed, watching his twin. This would be the last time he got to see his brother for who knows how long. He felt a tear slide down his face and he sniffled. Rajura sighed softly, then looked up. Waving his fingers a bit, he started to create an illusion. Suboshi looked at Yui, who shrugged. Neither one of them knew what he was doing. Concentrating, Rajura looked up at Suboshi. "Do you have....a trinket or a pendant?" he asked softly as he held the illusion in his mind.

Blinking, Suboshi looked at his brother. His twin nodded, lowering his flute. "Uhm...yeah...our mother gave it to me..." Suboshi dug under his tunic and produced a small necklace with a piece of quartz attached to it.

Rajura smiled reassuringly and held his hand out. "May I borrow it?" he asked softly.

"I...I guess..." Suboshi said guardedly, removing the necklace from around his neck. He dropped it, watching as it landed in Rajura's hand. Closing his hand carefully around the necklace, Rajura closed his eyes and focused his illusion into the pendant. He saw within his mind's eye the image of Suboshi being with his brother as Amiboshi played his flute. Suboshi watched Rajura suspiciously. What was he doing to his mother's pendant?! He looked at his brother and bit his lip. Amiboshi seemed to trust him so...

Rajura opened his eyes and smiled up at Suboshi. Threading some spider silk through it, he levitated it back up to the youth. "Look into the gem, Suboshi. What do you see?" he said softly.

Warily, Suboshi took the pendant and gazed into the stone. His eyes widened and he squealed. "Aniki!!!! It's you!!! You're inside!!!!"

Rajura smiled softly as he took a deep breath. Surprisingly, that had taken more out of him then normal. Softly, he said, "If you ever miss your brother...you need only look into the pendant and see him. And he will know you are watching over him."

"I...arigatou, Rajura-san!!!!!" Suboshi gushed, putting the pendant around his neck once more.

Amiboshi smiled, pleased. That was a wonderful thing to have done for his brother. "See, otouto? I'll always be with you."

"HAI!!!!!!!"

Rajura smiled again, closing his eyes. He planned on doing the same for Amiboshi, but later. When they were alone. He knew how much the brothers meant to each other. Amiboshi grinned. "Why don't we show him how we keep in contact, Shun-chan?"

"Er...okay...yeow!!!!!" The younger of the twins found himself sprawled on the ground next to Rajura, as his brother had pushed him off the low limb playfully. "I'm going to get you back for that aniki...just as soon as I learn to breathe..."

Rajura chuckled as he sat up and grinned at Suboshi. "Are you alright?" he asked politely.

"FINE!!" Suboshi growled, glaring up at his brother, who smiled innocently. He sighed, shaking his head. "Okay fine. Go." Amiboshi put his flute away and removed one of the armbands around his wrist. With his nail, he began to mark onto his forearm. On the ground, Suboshi winced a bit, but took his own arm guard off and held out his forearm to Rajura.

On it read 'Arigatou, Rajura-san.'

Rajura blinked in surprise, then read the message, smiling. He leaned forward and whispered into Suboshi's ear, "Reply: You are welcome, koi."

Suboshi blinked, then flushed. "Er...okay..." He wrote the reply and watched, amused, as his brother's face turned red.

Chuckling softly, Rajura leaned back, then winked at Suboshi. "I could have said worse....like what I want to do to him...." he said softly so only Suboshi could hear.

"Ewwwwwwww!!!!!!" Suboshi made a face, scooting away. "I don't want to know!!! Shit, I already know more than I ever wanted, thank you very much!"

Rajura chuckled. "And you enjoyed it..." he reminded the youth.

"Er....well..." Suboshi went scarlet, looking away. He gave Yui a sidelong glance and blushed again. "Not as much as I would have liked..."

Smirking, Rajura just shook his head. "You know the rules." he said softly, though he felt sorry for young Suboshi. "Just take it as a taste of something that could indeed happen." he said with a warm smile.

"Hai hai..." Suboshi sighed miserably. It wasn't fair. His brother could show the person he loved how he felt, but he couldn't. Not physically anyway. It just didn't seem fair at all...

Smiling, Rajura said, "There are ways around this obstacle." He opened his eye and looked at Suboshi.

"Huh?" Suboshi blinked, staring at Rajura in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Shrugging as he settled against the tree, Rajura said softly, "There are other ways to please someone without going to that point."

"There is?" Suboshi frowned, sitting in a lotus position as he gazed at Rajura. Above them, Amiboshi and Yui were talking quietly. "Uhm...how? I...er...know about.... well..." He blushed, looking down. "The man's side of it but...uhm..."

Smirking, Rajura said, "There is that....but there are other ways."

"How?" Suboshi asked, fascinated. All he wanted to do was make her happy...

"You have your mouth and fingers....you can use them to...great affect." Rajura said softly as he closed his eye, remembering his first.

Blinking, Suboshi frowned, trying to think of what Rajura meant. His eyes widened as he gazed at the Masho. "You don't mean..."

Opening his eye, Rajura smirked at Suboshi. "Don't mean...what, Suboshi?" he asked slyly.

"Uh...well..." Suboshi felt his face start to flame. "You know...uhm...in place of...er...it."

Chuckling softly at the boy's discomfort, Rajura said, "Hai....it may not be...AS fulfilling.....but it certainly does the trick."

"So...she'd like it?" Suboshi frowned, looking up at Yui as she laughed at something his brother had said. "Are you sure? I mean..." He blushed, looking down. "I know she...er...helped me last night but...I don't want to hurt her."

"Your fingers and tongue will not...damage her, if that is your worry. And believe me, she will indeed enjoy it. Just...do what you want done to you. Do what feels good to you." Rajura said softly, soothingly.

"Uhm...okay..." Suboshi frowned. He didn't really think that was possible, as they weren't exactly built the same way...

Chuckling softly as he shook his head, Rajura said with a grin, "Trust me on this. You will know what to do."

"Okay. Though...how I'll be able to get her alone with Nakago-sama around is beyond me." Suboshi sighed morosely. "She had to tell him last night that I was sick and she was nursing me back to health. He didn't like it but didn't say anything..."

Smirking, Rajura leaned his head back, then looked thoughtful. "Suboshi....do you have a piece of paper or something to write on?" he asked thoughtfully, an idea forming.

"Huh? Well...I do have this map. I was supposed to use it for getting Aniki to Konan. But since I'm not going anymore..." He left it hanging, swallowing hard. He still didn't like the idea of his brother going away without him.

Smiling soothingly, Rajura said, "May I have it?"

"Sure." Suboshi dug into his tunic and produced the map he had been given. It was rolled up into a scroll and he handed it over to Rajura wordlessly. Rajura took the scroll and unrolled it. He smirked as he saw the map. Softly, he began to chant, drawing lightly with his fingers over the map. As he drew, the map disappeared, replaced by kanji.

Once he had finished, he carefully rolled it up, then handed it back to Suboshi. "When you wish to be alone with Yui, unroll this and trace each kanji, top to bottom slowly. A special ward will allow you to 'hide' from Nakago for as long as you need. No more than two days though." he said softly, then leaned against the tree, weak.

"I...I don't know what to say! Arigatou, Rajura-san!!! Arigatou!!!" Suboshi took the scroll in his hands carefully, holding it close. He looked at Rajura with wide eyes. "Why are you helping me?"

Rajura tried to hide his own confusion. "I am not sure, Suboshi. Blame your brother's influence." he said with a warm smile.

Suboshi smiled at that. "Hai...Aniki has that effect on people, ne?!" He looked up, watching his brother play his flute. "He's special...so if you ever hurt him, I won't hesitate to kill you. Or anyone that hurts him."

Rajura smirked. "I would never hurt him willingly." he said softly, smiling at the warmth the words brought to him. He knew that once he was back in Arago's control he'd be as cold as ever....so for now, he enjoyed this freedom.

"Okay. Just making sure. I won't let anything hurt aniki." Suboshi sighed, a tear sliding down his cheek. "Why does he even have to go?! He shouldn't be the one to go. It should be me. He's too gentle for what needs to be done..."

Rajura smiled sadly. "Because it is his gentle nature that will soothe and fool the Suzakus, allowing him a successful entry. And even gentle ones will become fierce when the ones they care about are threatened. You are threatened. He will do what needs to be done." he said sadly, thinking of his own original reasons for fighting.

"He shouldn't have to fight!!! It isn't fair!" Suboshi groaned, wrapping his arms around himself. "He's too good for this...for what Nakago wants. And I'm scared..."

Rajura looked over at Suboshi, then placed a gentle hand on the boy's arm. "Suboshi....if you let this fear take over...then you will endanger your own brother. Do not fear....instead, be proud of his courage to do something even when he doesn't want to or like it. And...learn from his choice." he said soothingly, firmly.

Suboshi swallowed, nodding. "Hai...I am proud of him. If anyone can succeed, it's my aniki!!"

Grinning in reply, Rajura just smiled and said, "Good. Now....I suppose we should talk of going. Shall Yui and I leave you two alone so that you may say your.....oh, how did those boys put it.....'See you later's?"

Looking down, Suboshi fidgeted. "Do...you have to go so soon?" He still didn't want his brother to leave. He felt an ache in his heart at the very idea.

Rajura smiled sadly. "No....I guess not right away. But it will need to be soon." he said softly.

"Arigatou Rajura-san!!" Suboshi grinned, standing and jumping up onto the limb of the tree to join his brother and miko. Rajura smiled as he looked up at them, then stood up, stretching. He walked away from the tree and headed for Shuten's rooms.

After a moment, Amiboshi left his brother and Yui alone and ran to catch up with Rajura. He smiled warmly at the Masho. "Thank you for whatever it was you did for Shun."

Rajura smiled down at Amiboshi. "You're welcome. I just...gave him a key to some pleasure....without fear of retribution...." he purred out, stopping and leaning against a wall.

"Oh?" Amiboshi blinked, then snickered. "Now the only question is will he use it? Might be interesting to see. Though I know Shun would never hurt her. He probably doesn't know it, but he does love her. I can feel it."

Rajura smirked. "There are other ways to please a woman. And not necessarily the traditional way." He said, and then chuckled, reaching out and wrapping loose arms around the blond's waist, pulling him closer.

"Hmmm..." Amiboshi purred, resting his head against his lover's shoulder. "Well, I'm sure there are. That's not the point. He's very...I don't know. Scared I guess of touching her. He doesn't want to hurt her, not after what she went through."

Rajura frowned down at Amiboshi. "Happened to her? What happened to her?" he asked softly as he rubbed his hands soothingly up and down the firm back.

"Oh. No one told you?" Amiboshi sighed, purring at the soft touch. "When Nakago-sama first found her, she was being raped by a bunch of street thugs."

His eye narrowed in anger. "Raped...." Rajura whispered softly, thinking of the gentle girl.

Amiboshi nodded sadly. "Hai. I...haven't told Shun-chan. I couldn't. It's too horrible. He'd go nuts if he knew. He just knows something bad happened to her, but not what."

Nodding in understanding, Rajura said soothingly, "I will not tell either." He kissed the blond head and laid his cheek against his love's head as his hands continued their soothing strokes.

"Arigatou." Amiboshi smiled, purring. "I said my good-byes. Maybe we should head out now before Shun decides to come after me again."

Smiling sadly, Rajura nodded. "Do you have everything?" he asked quietly, swallowing past the sudden lump in his throat.

Amiboshi shrugged, holding up his flute. "This is all I need."

Nodding, Rajura asked, "Is there anyone else I need to take with us?"

"No. One of Nakago's assassins will meet us there." Amiboshi replied.

Nodding again, Rajura leaned up so he was standing straight. Wrapping his arms more firmly about his love's waist, he whispered, "Hang on then." Closing his eyes, a soft fuchsia glow surrounded them and they found themselves in a wooded clearing. Looking up and around, he asked softly, "Does this seem right?"

"Hai...I guess. Since I've never been to Konan, I wouldn't know." Amiboshi smirked, looking around. "That was...weird I must say." He smirked, tweaking Rajura's nose.

Eyes crossing briefly as he looked at the fingers, Rajura smirked. "Well...ah, yes, I can sense the Troopers nearby. We are indeed in the correct area." he said softly, a fairly evil grin on his face.

"Well then! We're in the right place, ne?" Amiboshi grinned. "Come on. We have to find a descent spot where I can start."

+ Book I : Chapter Nine +

+ Book I : Chapter Eleven +