AN: Here we go some more :) I think I'll keep working on this until I get to the start of Harem. There's a lot more Koushiro/Jyou in this part though….
Koushiro was in the process of checking Takeru's new bedroom when Jyou came in. Koushiro decided to decorate the room in shades of blue and white. When he had asked Takeru what he would like, he just got a blank stare from the blond. So Koushiro decided to use the colors that Ken had already chosen for Takeru. The household slaves had done a good job of cleaning and decorating. Everything looked good enough for a prince. Of course, they probably were happy for Prince Ken. So they were doing everything they could to help Takeru, from his bedroom to dinner to just overall making Takeru feel at home. Takeru seemed to be overwhelmed by all of the attention.
Jyou came up behind Koushiro and held him close. "Is everything in order?"
Koushiro nodded and snuggled into Jyou. "How is Takeru?"
"A little disoriented, but that's normal. However, I do wonder about his past owners. He has odd rope burns around his wrists. They're pretty old, but he was definitely tied up for a long time, and fought it. But strangely there aren't matching ones on his ankles. Why just tie his hands?"
"Did you ask him about it?"
Jyou shook his head. "I think that he needs time to realize that he's in a safe place."
Koushiro looked over the room again. "We can ask him about his past life tomorrow. He needs a good night's sleep tonight." He saw that a small black cat had curled up in the middle of Takeru's new bed. "Hey, shoo. Go back to Ken." The cat stood up and stretched. He looked at Koushiro like he was an unwanted pest and stalked out of the room. "Why do we have that pest?"
"Because it showed up at the palace and Ken won't let us get rid of him," answered Jyou. It usually follows Ken around the palace. I wonder why he's in here."
Koushiro shrugged. "Probably curious about all of the activity in here."
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Koushiro was sound asleep when he suddenly heard screaming. He sat up in bed. Jyou sat up with him. "What is that?" asked Koushiro.
"I don't know. But it sounds like someone's being killed or worse."
"Not in this palace. Not without me knowing about it, anyway."
"We'd better go check. It would be just our luck that someone is being killed and Ken would have us dead next."
"Do you always have to be so negative first thing in the morning?" Koushiro asked as he got up.
"I would like to remind you that it is the middle of the night." Jyou pulled on his shoes. "I think I'm allowed to be pessimistic when I get woken up by screaming." They heard the screaming again. "Well, he's not dead yet."
Koushiro went out the door quickly and listen to find out where the noise was coming from. It was coming from Takeru's room. He went straight there with Jyou following behind. Takeru was thrashing around in bed and screaming. Koushiro shook Takeru awake. "Takeru, what's wrong? Wake up!"
Takeru sat up and stared at Koushiro. He started crying. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'll be good. I'm sorry." Takeru was saying it over and over.
Koushiro tried to calm him down. "It's okay. Nothing's wrong. We just were scared." But Koushiro seemed to have no effect. Takeru continued to cry and say that he was sorry and would be good. Koushiro looked up at Jyou. "Go get Ken. Maybe he can calm him down. He's not listening to me."
Jyou nodded and went to find Ken. When Ken heard that Takeru had woken up screaming and crying he came with Jyou right away. Ken walked into Takeru's bedroom and looked at Koushiro.
"I don't know what's wrong," Koushiro said. "He was screaming. I woke him up, and now he's crying uncontrollably."
Ken sat down next to Takeru on the bed and pulled him into his lap. "Shhh. It's okay. You're safe." Takeru leaned into Ken. He gradually stopped crying. Ken held him close and stoked his hair. "Everything will be fine. Just calm down." Ken looked down and realized that Takeru had fallen asleep. Ken laid Takeru down in the bed and got up to tuck him in. Takeru started tossing back and forth like he was having a very bad dream. Ken sat back down on the bed and put his hand on Takeru's head. Takeru snuggled back into Ken and settled down.
Koushiro looked at Ken. "Apparently, he's only going to get a peaceful night's sleep with you around."
Ken sighed and got into bed with Takeru. Takeru snuggled into Ken. Ken smiled. "Well, at least he's comfortable with me when he's sleeping."
Koushiro smiled at nodded. "Jyou and I will be off to bed. Goodnight Ken." Jyou and Koushiro walked to the door.
"Good night. Hopefully we'll get this problem solved in the morning," responded Ken.
Koushiro stopped at the doorway and looked back before following Jyou out. "Are you sure that's what you want?" He winked at Ken and then went on to his room.
Ken chucked softly to himself.