Naraku's Phoenix:
If you were disturbed by the HaruXNeko age difference in the previous chapter, I must warn you there is a section in this chapter that deals with a similar scenario that you will find, likewise, unappealing. Please trust me in that I do not write these types of scenes without reason. This chapter, as a whole, is a little on the smutty side - hint is in the title - but I was careful to not deviate from what I've seen or read in other T-rated media. A more elaborate author's note is at the end of this chapter. OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Chapter 24: The Castle's Courtesan
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Éclair Tonnerre was a whore. A high-class whore, to be exact, and one that handled more jewels in a week than most women would in their entire lives. She was taught from an early age that men existed to spoil women, and that a mistress was generally more comfortable in life than a wife. She had all the graces of a Duchess, knew of only the finer things in life, and had connections in nearly every corner of the map - the majority of those connections having spurred in the bedroom. She was currently employed by the Suoh Kingdom; however, she had her goals and standards. She was a courtesan, yes, but she was brought in for the sole purpose of taking care of anyone wearing a crown. So why, then, was this red-headed devil still bothering her?
Éclair was enjoying a walk through the castle gardens and had stopped to admire a small pond when she felt two hands cup her rear. These hands proceeded to rub up and down the outside of her thighs, tug on her skirt ,and then pull her backward into the body of a male who was blatantly obvious about his desire for a female companion right then and there. Kaoru nuzzled against her cheek and began planting kisses down the side of her neck. Éclair refrained from striking him since he was a close friend of the Prince and a member of the royal council. For now, she let him exert just enough aggression to relieve some of his tension. If there was one thing she learned over the years, it was that an aroused man was more vulnerable than threatening - if you played your cards, right. And luckily for her, she always carried a winning hand.
"Kaoru-san, I thought we've been over this," she said. Kaoru wasn't swayed and continued planting small kisses against her throat.
"We have," he replied.
"And yet you persist?"
"But of course, milady."
"I see," Éclair sighed, "Very well."
She turned around and allowed Kaoru to press her up against a nearby tree. His eyes were that of a predator's, ready to savor his prey. Before he could do anything else Éclair grasped the hem of his pants and pulled him flush against her body. She heard him whimper, and she smiled. Checkmate.
Éclair lifted her pouty lips to Kaoru's ear and whispered, "You'd have better luck with one of the kitchen maids." She felt Kaoru freeze and used the opportunity to push him away. She caught sight of his stunned expression and laughed. "Good day, Kaoru-san." And with that Éclair picked up her skirt and walked away. At her departure Kaoru groaned and punched the tree.
"Beaten, again," he whispered, "Dammit!"
Kaoru spun on his heel and walked vigorously in the opposite direction. Retreating from the garden and reentering the castle, he rounded a corner and collided shoulders with his brother. Ignoring the impact Kaoru kept moving. Hikaru did a double-take and ran after him, cutting off his path at the end of the hall.
"I was just coming to fetch you," he said, "Kyoya wants to speak with you."
"It can wait," affirmed Kaoru. He placed his palms on Hikaru's chest and gently shoved his brother aside. Hikaru stood rooted to the floor, stunned.
"Oi!" Hikaru called after him, "Where are you going?"
"To the kitchens!" yelled Kaoru.
Hikaru stared at his brother's awkward departure, and shook his head. Without being in too much of a hurry to catch up with an angry Kaoru, Hikaru took the long route to the kitchens. When he arrived he noticed a few of the cooks preparing for that night's dinner, but no Kaoru. A voice broke his train of thought.
"He's back there," sighed one of the older women. She seemed agitated. Looking in the direction she was referring to, Hikaru said 'thank you' and walked across the floor. Along the way he almost tripped over an unattended bucket of soapy water. He finished navigating around the wooden tables and arrived at the broom closet.
Puzzled, he gave a light knock and said, "Kaoru?" There was no verbal reply, but Hikaru could hear something moving around inside. Without giving it a second thought, Hikaru grabbed the handle, swung the door open, and immediately regretted it. Inside the closet was one of the kitchen maids bent over a stool, and his brother right behind her, burying himself in her skirt. Neither took notice nor acknowledged his interruption.
In a flash, Hikaru felt his face heat up, and he could not have closed that door fast enough. He heard the other women chuckling behind him. Fully embarrassed, but having no motivation to abandon the reason he followed Kaoru in the first place, Hikaru stood awkwardly at guard by the door until his brother finished.
When the door finally swung open, the kitchen maid he knew as Renge stumbled out, first. She limped past Hikaru and bent down to collect her abandoned wash bucket before going on her way. Inside the closet Kaoru was tucking in his shirt and readjusting his pants, all the while trying to catch his breath. As he exited he shut the door behind him and wiped his brow. It was then he noticed Hikaru, who was still red in the face and now trying to avoid eye contact with him. Kaoru smiled and clasped an arm around his twin's shoulder.
"Had I known you were here, dear brother, I would've invited you in," teased Kaoru.
"Had I known what you were coming here to do, I would have waited elsewhere," replied Hikaru, firmly. The two brothers exited the kitchens and took their time walking down the castle corridor. Kaoru observed the blush that was still lingering on Hikaru's face.
"Oh, come now," said Kaoru, "don't tell me you're still embarrassed, at our age? Am I ever going to catch you sweating over a woman? ...or a man? ...Or a potted plant? Come on, I'll take anything!"
Hikaru sighed, "You know the vows I took."
"Men break vows all the time!" exclaimed Kaoru, "If you weren't my brother I might brush it aside, but I know, for a fact, that you feel desire. Wouldn't it be better to unleash those desires onto the soft curves of a woman instead of your hand?"
"Not everyone can fix their problems by filling every hole they can get into!" bit Hikaru. Now Kaoru's feelings were hurt. The two brothers huffed and walked the remaining distance to Kyoya's room in complete silence. When they arrived, Kyoya met them at the door with a courteous smile and waved his hand at Hikaru.
"Thank you, Hikaru," said Kyoya, "but I only need Kaoru. You're dismissed."
Given the current state of things, Hikaru had no problem obliging. Kyoya shut the door behind Kaoru.
"Having another fight?" he inquired.
"Something like that," said Kaoru, "He thinks I'm a whore; well, I think he's a prude! Be honest, Kyoya, if a woman were to approach you, flaunting her body and begging you to take her, would you ride her until morning or would you push her aside?!"
Kyoya sighed, "I told you buying a whore for his birthday gift was a fruitless endeavor."
"I didn't think so," said Kaoru, "She couldn't get enough of me."
"Or your purse," joked Kyoya. Kaoru scowled.
"Alright, enough small talk. What did you want me for, anyway?"
"I trust you are familiar with Prince Tamaki's medicine mission?"
"Of course," replied Kaoru, "He sends you and your brothers as complimentary healers to different towns and villages throughout the year."
"Indeed," said Kyoya, "In fact, my group and I are leaving for the next destination in a week's time. I'd like you to come with me."
"Go with you?" repeated Kaoru, puzzled, "I never have, before. What do you need me for?"
Kyoya then motioned for Kaoru to follow him to his writing desk. He carefully sifted through his pile of scrolls, and when he found the one he was looking for he handed it to Kaoru.
"This arrived by a messenger raven, last night. I think you'll find it interesting."
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As Éclair departed from the gardens she strolled toward the stables where she knew she would find a certain Prince this time of day. The Queen Mother, his grandmother, kept him on a rather predictable schedule. She tiptoed across the hey-strewn floor and saw him brushing his horse.
"Prince Tamaki, how lovely go see you, here," she greeted.
Tamaki was startled. He finally cleared his throat and acknowledged her.
"Good afternoon, Lady Éclair, beautiful day for a walk, yes?" He laughed nervously and felt his joints stiffen with anxiety. He knew why she was here, and he dreaded every moment she lingered.
"Indeed," she replied, "I just finished one. Would you like some help?" She delicately laid her palm on top of his hand. She smiled when he jumped, but then frowned as he jerked away from the contact.
"No...no thank you," he stammered.
Éclair sighed. She didn't want to be reprimanded by her employer, again, so she tried a different angle. While Tamaki was preoccupied with not looking at her, he didn't notice when she unpinned her hair and relieved herself from the outer layer of her dress. She grabbed his free hand and forced it onto her breast. Tamaki's entire body went still.
"We need to put your iron in the forge while it's still hot, my Prince." She smirked inwardly at her wordplay and relished the embarrassed look on his face. She slowly closed the distance between them and lifted her pouty lips to claim a kiss, but Tamaki was firm. He took a deep breath, gently grasped her shoulders, and pushed her away.
"I think it's best if you left now, my lady," said Tamaki sternly.
Éclair frowned. "Your bride to be will be visiting, soon," she said, "Are you determined to disappoint her during her first time?"
"Of…Of course not!" Tamaki was blushing furiously, now.
"I beg to differ," sneered Éclair, "You need me."
"You will not be my wife, Lady Éclair, I do not need you for anything. I made a vow to give myself to the princess, and to her alone. I love her, and she deserves this respect."
"How can you love someone you've never met?" she snapped.
"Why are you still here?" said Tamaki. He was getting angry, now. He had long put down the horse brush and nudged past Éclair so he could reach his saddle. Without so much as another glance, Tamaki mounted his steed and galloped away.
Éclair was fuming. She was about to punch the wall and have a fit when a deeper voice distracted her.
"Prince Tamaki is an odd one, I assure you. He cannot consummate with his wife until after marriage. If he, indeed, has such feelings of longing for her, already, he will not be able to contain himself upon her arrival. He will seek you out, soon enough, my lady. Let him come to you."
"You and your astounding observation skills never cease to amaze me, Ootori-san."
Yoshio Ootori, the Royal Healer, had one daughter, three sons, and no wife. He approached Éclair and pulled her into a kiss. A kiss that escalated into primal ecstasy on the stable floor.
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After her impromptu romp with Ootori-san, Éclair's mood made a complete turnaround and she decided to spend the rest of the evening relaxing and pampering herself. She sent for dinner, and was in the process of removing her makeup when she heard a gentle knock at the door.
"Come in," she called.
The door creaked when it opened, and in came a kitchen maid with her meal. Éclair looked up and smiled.
"Oh, good, I was hoping they'd send you," she said, "Put the tray down and come sit with me."
The kitchen maid raised her brow, but followed instructions without question. Éclair scooted to the side of her vanity bench and patted the empty space beside her.
"Renge, correct?" she asked. The kitchen maid nodded.
"Yes, Lady Éclair, that is my name. May I ask why you were hoping to see me?"
"Of course!," she said, "I heard about what happened, earlier. I wanted to apologize for Kaoru-san's behavior."
Renge blushed and clenched her fists around her apron. Gossip traveled quickly.
"No, milady, I apologize for not being more discreet; though, he didn't give me much say in the matter," said Renge, trying to maintain a somewhat professional composure.
"I know, but please forgive me, all the same. He sought your company only after I turned him down."
There was a moment of silence, and then Renge said, "If you don't mind my asking, milady, why do you not entertain Kaoru? He is, after all, a member of the royal council."
Éclair smirked and returned to dabbing off her makeup in the mirror.
"Because, sweet girl, it amuses me."
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Naraku's Phoenix:
Backtracking a bit, I know some of you were taken aback by the age difference between Haruhi and Nekozawa that was revealed last chapter, but please know that I didn't choose the final numbers on a whim and that I put a lot of thought and consideration into them. Nekozawa's age plays into a VERY important plot point, later on. It is my fondest wish that this detail doesn't deter your readership, but I completely understand if it's not your cup of tea. Our characters still have a lot of growing up to do.
ALRIGHTY, DEAR READERS. This will be the last update for at least the next few months. I really want to get in another update for my Naruto fic before I come back to this one, and it's peak convention season, right now. I'm staffing at one show in a couple of weeks, and I'm selling at a few more, after that. Work has been tough, but dat cash money makes adulting so much easier. That, and then come August I'll be back in school earning my Planeteer degree. I value my stories with pride and importance, but I have to put them on the back burner while all of this other stuff is going on. I haven't had time to read fan fiction let alone write it, and I have a lot of unread Story Alerts in my Inbox to go through. I appreciate your words of critique and encouragement, and I look forward to continuing this story with you. Please be patient with me, at least until September, then you can light another fire under me, lol. As always, thank you for your support and readership.