Chapter Three

Scene 6:

Kaede laid with tranquility on Hanamichi's petals-filled bed.

Hanamichi dipped herbal ointment on Kaede's crimson wounds lovingly. The prince's fingers were definitely soft and smooth like a golden porcelain.

"Tell Yuki not to sneak foods again. If he's hungry, he comes to me and I'll attend to his needs."

"Hana, thank you." Kaede said that made the prince smile. The slave touched the Prince's hands and placed it closer to his chest. "But you must be aware on how we're treated like animals in this city."

"I don't know, Kaede. There are no slaves in the city where I grew." Hanamichi planted sweet kisses around Kaede's wounds while Kaede touched his head gently. "I can't bear to see more wounds on your body."

Kaede stared at his copper brown eyes.

"Hana... always remember that I will always love you no matter what." He seized his head gently and placed him closer to his chest.

Hanamichi felt something strange about his companion.

"Is there anything wrong, Kaede?"

"No, my love." He gave the prince a soft and caring kiss on the forehead. "Never forget that no matter who you are and no matter what I do... I will always love you."

Hanamichi hugged him very tightly, like it would be the last time he could. Kaede's warm chest and arms comforted him as they lay so close to each other for a very long night.

Scene 7:

Hanamichi was playing Chess with the Emperor inside the palace.

The game was exciting and Hanamichi promised the Emperor that if the Emperor wins, he would kiss him on the cheek. If Hanamichi wins, the Emperor would play another round with him.

The game was on its hottest peak when Akira came with his usual proud look and wearing his black royal suit and blue cape.

"Akira... what made you come here?" The Emperor greeted with formality.

Akira went towards the Emperor and kissed the back of his hand. It's the way royalties and nobles respect each other.

"I heard Hanamichi is here..." Akira went to the Prince and also kissed his hand. Hanamichi was apparently disgusted but Akira was too merciless to pay heed of his opinions. He caressed the Shohoku prince' hand. "Good morning, my love."

Hanamichi had been in the palace for how many days and on every sunset he gets to know Prince Akira more and more.

Prince Akira is very handsome, very smart and very brave and very proud. He's nothing compared to Hanamichi's Kaede. The slave man may have nothing in his pocket but has the capacity to melt the Throne Prince' heart and make him smile with his mere presence.

"I got you!" The Emperor check-mated Hanamichi's chess king and won. "Now, where's my kiss?"

Hanamichi kissed him on the cheek.

"I shall go now. I have several things to do, I shall leave you with Akira."

The Emperor left.

Silence came in between the two princes.

Akira's teeth gritted whenever he remembers what the Emperor said to him yesterday.

"Your skills are unquestionable, young prince." Maki commented. "I only have one condition to state, for you to have my throne."

"What is it, your highness?" Akira asked with respect as he remained kneeling in front of the Emperor.

"You shall have Hanamichi's approval to marry you."

"But... I thought you have asked for his hand already."

"Hanamichi is a very beautiful and kind prince. He's a treasure in Kanagawa. I have loved him like a son. I don't want to oblige him in marrying you. He must agree to it with his heart. My son... the Emperor and the King shall have more than their throne to make them one. Remember Akira, that the two of you will rule this land someday. If not love, then trust shall bind you together."

"I know you came to the Emperor and told him you don't love me." Akira said... while walking around Hanamichi like a lion preparing to beleaguer his prey.

Despite of loathing Akira's presence, Hanamichi forced himself to speak unyieldingly like he was not affected completely. "Don't tell me you don't know that I don't love you?"

Akira looked at him seriously.

"It doesn't matter. It's merely about the royalty. I.will.marry.you.because.I.need.a.King.for.Kanagawa.No more.No less."

Then, Akira gently caressed the Prince' cheek and looked into his eyes, while Hanamichi fought not to look at him.

"You are the symbol of Kanagawa. The throne Prince. You will only marry the next Emperor of this nation." Akira placed his lips an inch apart from Hanamichi's lips... "Just like Kanagawa, you are meant to be mine. Only mine." And he kissed him

Hanamichi broke the kiss by pulling Akira away.

"I will never be yours, Akira. Never. Even if it meant that I withdraw the throne of the Kanagawa's King."

"Do you think the Emperor would approve that?" Akira forcefully grabbed Hanamichi's jaws... almost crushing it. "I won't risk my throne for a SLUM."

"You're hurting me."

"When I'm the Emperor, you will merely be a special flower to beautify my palace. You will obey every word I say." Akira was deadly serious. "Whether you like it or not, you will marry me. I promise that to you, my love."

Akira released him and left the room with a burning rage.

Scene 8:

Kaede was busy wiping the floor of his house with a rag when he heard a little noise from outside his house.

He heard his siblings getting excited in the window.

"The prince... the prince..."

Kaede wondered and was surprised when Yuki opened the door. Hanamichi was right outside his house.

"Hana..."

"Kaede..."

Suddenly, Yuki and Mari kneeled in front of the prince.

"Can I kiss your feet, your highness?" Yuki asked with exuberance.

It was not the way of the slaves to kiss the royalties. Instead of disapproval, Hanamichi even lowered himself to the kids, then hugged them tight.

"Hanamichi, you can't." Kaede said.

"It's fine. No one would know about this."

After Hanamichi had hugged them, Kaede told his siblings to go inside their room and the children obliged.

"What are you doing here?" Kaede enveloped Hanamichi's waist. He perched on a chair... letting the prince to sit on his lap.

"I want to see the man I love."

"Do you miss me?" Kaede used his point finger to touch Hanamichi's soft lips.

"Very much, my love."

Kaede noticed Hanamichi's legs separating subtly and he knew what it meant. He slowly inserted his right hand inside Hanamichi's cape that was covering his legs... and caressed his thighs.

Hanamichi got excited as Kaede touched his manhood and squeezed it slightly.

"Is this what you came here for?" Kaede teased and buried his head on Hanamichi's neck.

"I want to feel your love, Kaede." Hanamichi kissed the slave's head, while he became so hot.

"Not here. My house is not good for you."

"Please..." Hanamichi's eyes fluttered while his head was facing the ceiling of the shabby house. "Just one."

Kaede continued his ministrations with the Prince' manhood as he watched him moan. He stared at the very beautiful and warm face of the Prince... like a flower in the midst of the storm. He really is a treasure to Kanagawa.

The Prince panted as he relaxed himself in the lap of his lover.

"I came to invite you to my city... in Shohoku." Hanamichi's face was as mellow as ever. "You once asked me what a handsome city I grew up to."

"It's..."

Hanamichi pressed his middle and point fingers against Kaede's warm lips.

"Leave everything to me. I'll take care of Taoka. You will stand as my charioteer and that's how my King Father will know about you. I'll be waiting for you tomorrow in the place where we first kissed."

Hanamichi stood up and flattened his cape and clothing.

"Yes my love. I will." Kaede held his cheeks with both hands, and kissed him on the forehead.

The Prince was already near the door, but he inched back to Kaede and embraced him tightly. He felt the warmth of his skin... the beating of his heart inside his chest and the hot breath coming from his nose.

Their vacation in Shohoku would be the very last time they would hold each other. After that, Hanamichi is no longer free to congregate with the man he truly loves. For Akira was after their wedding like a desperate lion.

Scene 9:

Akira pumped his pelvis on and on until he reached nirvana.

Then he settled his head over Hiroaki's chest.

"Can you tell me your surprise now?" Akira asked while panting and Hiroaki chuckled.

"You are very persistent."

"If you need another round then we can have another one." Akira teased.

Hiroaki had been his copulation mate for so long. It's not love that make them go back for more. Hiroaki needed to keep his access to the royalty while Akira needed his release... which his future husband couldn't give him.

"I know a good way for you to have Hanamichi's approval to marry you."

"And what is it?"

"My new helper who used to work for your Prince told me that one time he caught the prince having sex inside the grand room given to him by Maki."

Akira was stunned by the story and he wanted to know more.

"That man he's ejaculating with always comes inside the palace unofficially."

"And who is this man? A noble? Or a royalty?" Akira queried seriously. The throne prince shall not have any sexual intercourse until the next Emperor is chosen and certain. It's a tradition of respecting the Great Emperor of Kanagawa.

Hiroaki laughed.

"A slave, my love."

"Stop it, Hiroaki. This is no time for jokes."

"There's nothing to lose if you would try your future husband." Hiroaki tickled his genitals that aroused the Prince.

An idea popped into Akira's mind.

"Well done." Akira told Hiroaki with a victorious smile.

-to-be-continued-