A/N-Thanks to you fab reviewers! Please review some more.
Chapter 20
Feather light kisses decorate his shoulders as he slaves over the oven trying to make this dinner perfect and he smiles when the ox plants one last kiss on his cheek before sitting down. "So, what's the hottest cook in the world making us," Haru asks casually with a slight smirk playing on his lips and he rolls his eyes saying, "I already told you, it's a surprise." He hears the chair move against the floor and tries desperately to hide his smile when the ox hugs him tightly. "I'm really glad that you're back," Haru whispers, his warm breath tickling his sensitive ears, and he turns around to greet the ox's talented mouth. "I'm glad too, now leave or shut up before you cause the house to burn down," he states shoving the back towards his chair. "Why couldn't you go with Yuki to entertain Kisa and the brat?" Gently he's tugged onto Haru's lap and he pouts as the ox's tongue creates intricate designs on his neck. "Haru, really I have to watch the food. I can't let the noodles get over done," he snaps trying franticly to ignore the waves of pleasure the cow sends through his body and he stands up after the ox reluctantly released him.
Sighing Yuki glances at the clock and leaves the room. He sits down across from Haru and turns so he can watch the neko move gracefully around the kitchen. "You're a good housewife," he comments and dunks the plate that was hurled at him. "I'm not a damn girl," Kyo yells and he roughly grabs the neko's wrist pulling him down to his knees. "Keep your voice down or shut up. The others are trying to enjoy a movie," he icily states as Kyo stares up at him with fearful eyes. Releasing the teen he rubs his temples and says, "I'm sorry, Kyo. I don't know what got into me." The neko reassures him that he's okay with a hug and mutters, "I'm fine."
Nervously Kyo sits down between Yuki and Haru as he rubs his bruised wrists. He watches everyone's eyes light up at the sight of his perfectly golden turkey. He dishes the stuffing out and passes the homemade mashed potatoes around before handing the bowl of pasta to the doctor. He had put his shirt back on despite Haru's complaints and now sits wishing he had a jacket so the others wouldn't glance at the bruises. He can feel Hatori's scrutinizing gaze and glances worriedly at Yuki. He's grateful that no one speaks; even the chatterboxes Ayame and Shigure are quiet. He tenses when Yuki's slender hand rubs his wrist apologetically and he smiles weakly when his violets lock on his eyes.
"Dinner was amazing, you're a fabulous cook, Kyo. And good to look at, also. Don't you agree, Hari," Ayame squeals clasping his hands together dramatically before drinking his cup of sake. Leaving them to their endless, annoying chatter, Hatori seeks out the rat. He can still hear Shigure's chuckles combined with Aya's giggles as he knocks on the teen's door. "Come in," Yuki calls and he slips inside only briefly glancing at the photo album. "What happened to Kyo's wrist, I have an idea but I want to hear it from you," he asks pointedly and the teen shrugs responding, "I accidentally grabbed him too hard. He wasn't bothered by it and I told him I was sorry. He knows that I didn't mean it and he knows that I don't believe that he deserves to be hurt." He nods slipping his hands into his pants pockets and he watches Yuki's eyes for a moment before saying, "Just be careful, don't underestimate your own strength." He nods at the neko when he enters the room and frowns when the neko says; "They've engaged Haru in a drinking game. I was sent to see if either of you wanted to join."
He feels the rat's eyes burning into his body as he searches for his blue, zip up jacket and he nervously tugs it on. "Where are you going," The Prince asks and he closes his eyes against the bitter reminder of Akito. "Just for a walk, I've never actually seen all of the lands before," he says hoping that his voice remains calm but he tenses when Yuki moves from the bed quickly. "Are you feeling okay," the rat asks placing a cold hand against his forehead and involuntarily he shivers at the brief contact. "You're slightly warm. Maybe you should just stay inside and rest," Yuki suggests hugging his back to his chest and vaguely he wonders if Akito's hugs ever felt this possessive. "Yuki, I'll be fine and a little fresh air never hurt anyone," he says hoping that rat doesn't get suspicious and he touches the rodent's hair just to make sure that it's actually his lover rather than the psychotic Head. "Okay, but if you're gone for longer than an hour I'll come find you," the Prince says releasing him and he nods in agreement before kissing the teen's soft lips.
The warm air swirls around his body, comforting him, and he closes his eyes saying, "They're not the same, Yuki would never intentionally hurt me." A scream disturbs the calm surroundings and he races through the winding paths and into the Main House. "Where the hell are you," he yells and searches for the Head as the strong scent of blood overpowers him. He feels dizzy as he creeps closer to a door he never noticed before. The scents grow stronger with each step and he fights off the onslaught of nausea. He tries to distinguish what smells are what as he tosses open the door and peers into complete darkness. The smell of urine waifs up to him and he stares in disgust at the room when his vision sharpens enough for him to at least make out the shape of someone huddled in a corner. Whimpers draw him closer to the figure and he jumps back when a snake hisses at him.
He clings to the solid form that lifts him up and he forces his tears to vanish. "We're leaving tonight, okay? I'll tell Hatori that we have to go home," Kyo promises not sure as to why they had gone back to the Main House while he was gone and he whimpers quietly as he clings tighter to the neko's body. "We can't, Akito forbids us from moving away from him now," he whispers praying that the family Head wasn't waiting in the room like a skilled predator hunting its prey. "Then we'll go away for a week or so, just for a vacation for the three of us," the neko states carrying him towards the bathroom and he cringes when he catches sight of himself in the mirror. "Kyo, am I ugly now," he questions as his eyes trace over the cuts that now mar his porcelain flesh and he watches crimsons darken dangerously with a hint of murderous intent while the neko lovingly says, "No, you're absolutely beautiful. I'll love you no matter what you look like." He cups the cat's tanned cheek and sighs reluctantly when he's laid in the tub. "Stay," he pleads when Kyo heads towards the door and he smiles gratefully as the neko lounges on the floor next to the tub.
He glances through the crack in the doorway at Kyo's lean body and he grins when the neko begins playing with the necklace he gave him with one hand as his other hand occupies itself with Yuki's damp hair. He knocks not wanting to just barge in and fights to keep his expression neutral when he spies the blood stained water. "You shouldn't let those wounds stay open much longer," he comments and he slips down next to Kyo reaching for the first aid kit. The slate haired teen slips onto Kyo's lap soaking his clothes completely and he watches as the neko perfectly applies the ointment then places gauze over the deeper wounds before bandaging the teen up. "Our neighbor showed me how to dress the wounds I could reach myself so that Domenic wouldn't find me at her house," Kyo explains at his quizzical expression and helplessly the neko tries to calm Yuki's whimpers down. "Kyo, why does he hurt us like this," he asks and hopelessness flashes in those fiery crimsons as the neko shrugs.
"I have to see him, I don't care about that brat's empty threats! I need him he's my life. Where the hell is that wench with my drink?" His blues glare at the man sitting across from him and he sneers in disgust as his fist slams onto the table. "I've dealt with seeing him but not being able to touch him enough already. I want him back, he belongs to me," he growls and his companion gives him a cold look saying, "Domenic, calm down. You'll never get Kyo back with the way you're behaving." He growls lowly as he searches for his cigarettes and with shaking hands he pulls one out. His lighter tumbles from his grasp and he shoves the man away when he tries to help him. "The men miss him, too, Domenic. They've been calling me a lot lately wondering why you haven't been whoring him out lately. What do you want me to tell them, Domenic? The truth won't do," the man, states, his tone calm and reasonable like a teacher's, and he itches to bash the man's smiling face in. "Tell them that I have to discipline him a bit more, that while I was away he became untamed and a disgrace," he snarls grabbing his jacket and storming away. "What are you doing, Domenic? You're not thinking logically." He smirks and states casually, "I'm just going to teach my boy a lesson."
Father would be so proud of me. He'll see that I've accomplished so much more than him. I'll have my little, excitable whore tamed to my side, business will be splendid, and I'll be the man. I'll be the one in control from now on. No more father to beat me with a branch off the Willow tree or mother to ignore my pleas for help. I'll show them what power is as soon as I get that loose, no good slut back. I'll love Kyo so much that his bones will be crushed. I'll prove my love to him by leaving my marks upon his goldenly beautiful flesh. He will bleed for me and his screams will echo of echo of my pleasure. Kyo will belong mind, body, and soul to me!
Cold chills numb his body as he stares hopelessly at the door and he cringes when it's thrown open viciously. "How dare you steal my pet from me," Akito demands and yanks him up by his hair causing him to almost lose his hold on his rat. "Haru, take him and run. I'll be fine," he urges pressing Yuki's sleeping form to the ox's chest. "No, he will stay and witness me tear you limb from limb, my foul creature," the Head screams but he grabs the man's wiry arm before he can grab a hold of Haru. "Just run," he demands, his scarlet orbs pleading with the teen, and he gasps when he's shoved into the tub. "I loved you so much then you betrayed me. I only wanted to save you from their lies, but you wouldn't listen. They don't love you, they can't! It's impossible for anyone but a monster to love a monster like you," the man shouts, yet his voice breaks occasionally giving way to his emotion, and his hold weakens enough for him to fight through to the surface.
His throat and lungs burn as he sits in the water shiver and he blinks in confusion when Akito hugs him. "It's alright, my darling. I wont let them hurt you. They force me to do things like this to you," the sickly man says lifting him out of the water and laying him on the floor. "Go to sleep, neko. I'm here to keep you safe. I'll hold you carefully and guard your life with my own," the man whispers and he shakes his head weakly murmuring, "Hatori, I want to see Hatori." Reluctantly Akito lets him go and stood up with a dark, foreboding look in his eyes. "You can't protect them forever, Kyo," the Head says and with almost knowing sneer the man chuckles.