Scabs
Disclaimer: Don't own anything
Joh: Finally! I'm done!
Jessie: Yay! You updated! -Hugs-
Joh: -Hugs back- Yes!
Warnings: Yaoi, twincest, dark, language, bad writing
0o0o0o00o0o0
"Pretty hot, Ren."
Ren spun around and crossed his arms over his chest, frowning. "This isn't time to be joking."
The taller of the two grinned and leaned back against the door. "I'm not joking." His blue eyes trailed lazily up and down Ren's body, a smirk stretching his lips. Ren flushed and wrapped his arms around himself.
"Why do the disguises have to be so…revealing?" he sputtered, looking at himself in the mirror. He watched his boyfriend's reflection approach him and wrap his muscular arms around his slender waist.
Horo was watching their reflections himself, wondering over how different they both looked. The black loose pants fell about their hips, a bit lower than what Horo was accustomed to. They both wore no shirt but instead had their bare arms decorated with simple brown bands across the wrists and upper arms. A plain black band was tucked around their necks as the last piece of decoration. The black mask fit over their face snugly, covering the top half and leaving the lips free.
Ren reached up to touch gingerly at the mask. He had undone his hair so that the dark purple locks fell freely about his shoulders instead of styled into the usual sharp spike at the back. They had all decided that Hao would recognize the hairstyle if Ren kept it like he usually did.
"I look like a girl with no boobs." Ren grumbled, scowling now.
Horo buried his face in Ren's neck, breathing in deeply. "You look beautiful." He whispered against Ren's pale skin.
"Guys aren't beautiful." Ren muttered, his blush hidden by his mask.
Horo chuckled before pulling away. "Come on, we can't keep the others waiting." He spun Ren around and pressed a soft kiss against Ren's lips.
As he was about to draw back Ren grabbed him and crushed their lips back together, shoving his tongue deep into the Ainu's mouth.
When Ren finally pulled away he was breathing hard, his amber eyes blazing from behind the slits in the mask. Horo brushed his fingers across Ren's cheek. "Don't worry, everything will turn out fine."
0o0
Hao leaned back against the tree, running his hands over the cherry blossom petals on the ground around him. He was throwing the celebration in his grandest garden. There were a hundred large cherry blossom trees surrounding a large grassy field. The pleasant wind blew soft pink petals across the landscape and into the large ponds. The garden was placed outside the manor kitchens, which made it easy for servants to fetch food and drinks for the guests.
As usual he couldn't help but feel empty as he watched his followers celebrate the birthday, which he should have been celebrating with his brother. With a sigh he flicked a few petals off his shoulders.
Flicking his long hair back he stood and brushed off his dark blue kimono. As he made his way through the field and past the dancers the brightly dressed shamans parted for him and bowed their heads respectfully.
He ignored them and approached a servant serving drinks to a group of guests eating in the grass.
The servant looked up as Hao stood over him and nearly stumbled, only catching himself in time to save his platter of drinks.
Hao raised an eyebrow before tilting his head. "Get me ice tea with honey."
The servant nodded quickly, keeping his head bowed low. He turned to hurry away to fetch him the right drink when Hao suddenly grabbed his arm.
The shaman king was surprised to find the servant tense up and jerk slightly at his touch. Was his grasp too hard? Curious, Hao let go slowly, watching the man slowly relax. "Are you not going to ask what type of tea I want?"
"Green tea?" the young servant's voice was soft and achingly familiar. Hao stared at him for a moment but quickly shrugged the feeling off.
"Yes…how did you know?"
The servant shrugged nervously before turning away and hurrying over to the manor. Hao watched him until a small hand tugged at his sleeve.
"Hao-sama? Is something wrong?" Opacho asked, blinking her big eyes up at him.
Hao smiled slightly. "No, Opacho, nothing is wrong."
He turned to look back up at the place where the strange servant had been. The wind suddenly picked up, whipping at his long hair. A flurry of pink petals danced across the long tickling blades of grass and up into the sky. Hao watched them, gray eyes narrowing.
Something was happening. His smile widened. Something good.
0o0
Yoh stood shaking, his hands clenched tight around the tray he was holding. The single glass of ice tea was trembling as his shudders shook the tray and he struggled to calm himself.
After taking a few deep breaths Yoh placed his tray on the long stone counters of the kitchen and glanced around. The few servants working in here were too busy cooking or dashing in and out serving guests to notice Yoh slipping through the door leading to the sunny halls of the manor.
Yoh walked silently through the open hall, admiring the closed in courtyard. He trailed his fingers over the doors he passed, feeling for his nephew's energy. He paused at one door, feeling a faint tingle of energy. He glanced around, dark eyes narrowed as he inspected the long hall. Empty.
Gulping, Yoh slid open the door and slipped inside, closing it behind him without a sound.
Yoh found himself in a small sitting room. Several candles were lit, lined up in a row on a low table. A few black cushions were laid out along the tatami mats. Yoh carefully stepped past them feeling for the small glimpse of energy he had gotten.
He passed his hand over the door on the other side of the wall. Nothing. Yoh frowned and stood back, eyes searching the room. He was sure that he had felt something in here…
A shock suddenly swept across his hand, making him freeze. He inspected the wall his hand was resting against. Curiously, he pushed slightly against it, smiling when the wall moved forward under his touch.
"Yoh?"
The young shaman jumped, his breath catching as he spun around.
Lyserg stood in the doorway, his green eyes bright behind his mask. "Have you found them?"
"You scared me!"
"Sorry!" Lyserg smiled apologetically before stepping into the room and closing the door. "But have you?"
"I think he's in here." Yoh nodded to the small passageway he had opened up. Lyserg nodded and the two shamans made their way cautiously forward.
0o0
"Mommy…mommy…"
The crying woman ignored her child, fisting her hands as she sobbed.
"Mommy…" Akito tugged on his mother's sleeve, expressionless gray eyes wide. "He's here."
She pulled him towards her, wrapping her skinny arms around his small form. "Who's here…who?" she cried into his hair.
"Him." Akito pulled back slightly to point a pale hand to the firmly shut door.
"I don't-" She broke off as the door was suddenly forced open, the hinges screeching. Dim light poured into the small dark room they were confined in, making the woman blink.
Two figures stood in the doorway, both masked.
One moved forward swiftly, kneeling down beside her. "Are you Hao's wife?"
"Is it time already?" she whispered. Up close she could recognize their outfits as the uniform servants wore.
"We're here to save you…what's your name?"
"Natsu…"
The servant smiled kindly, green eyes shining from behind the black mask. "I'm Lyserg, and this is Yoh." He gestured to the slightly taller man who was standing quietly in the doorway watching Akito.
Lyserg turned to Yoh, frowning. "Yoh, are you ready?"
Yoh nodded and knelt down in front of Akito. "We're just going to put a temporary spell on you two for a few moments of invisibility."
"Well, it's not exactly invisibility. It's just a spell that makes you unnoticeable. It only lasts for 20 minutes exactly so we need to get you out of here quick." Lyserg explained, placing a reassuring hand on Natsu's shoulder.
"Thank you." She cried, rubbing furiously at her eyes.
Akito looked up at Yoh and smiled slightly. "I knew you would come."
0o0
Hao looked up sharply, eyes narrowing to slits. He had set up a barrier so that no one but a few select people could bring their spirit companions with them. So why did he feel an unfamiliar energy?
Or was it that unfamiliar?
Closing his eyes, Hao concentrated on the energy. He knew it…yet he couldn't quite grasp it.
Hao scanned the field for the source of magic. His eyes landed on two servants moving swiftly through the crowds of brightly dressed shamans.
Before Hao could follow them a young boy ran up to him, breathless. "Sir…someone…I mean…they aren't…"
"Spit it out." Hao sighed, frowning down at the boy.
"They're gone! Natsu and your child."
"You mean her child." Hao corrected him. "Bring me those two, over there." Hao pointed to the two servants he had spotted earlier.
"Yes, sir."
Immediately the group Hao had selected sprang forth, their oversouls out and ready.
Hao sat down in the grass, folding his legs as he waited for the two to be brought before him.
Closing his eyes he focused on the energy of everyone within his barrier. He could feel the aggressive energy of his guards mixed in with the muted energy level of the guests.
He sought out the wavering threads of energy of the intruders and grasped them. There were four intruders…
Hao frowned, wondering why he hadn't felt them he moment they entered his barrier.
Suddenly three of the intruders vanished.
"They escaped." Hao muttered, annoyance flashing through him.
He stood, brushing strands of grass off his pants. Machi came running up to him, her bright orange hair loose and wild. "Hao-sama! We caught one!"
The guests parted, whispering nervously among themselves, straining to get a peek of the invader.
Machi's two other companions stepped forward, dragging a limp figure forward. They shoved him forward on his knees where Hao towered over him.
The servant looked up slowly, his body trembling with fear.
"You have released two of my prisoners due to be executed. Do you know the consequences of what you have done?" Hao demanded, narrowing his eyes.
The young shaman glanced down at the ground before looking back up. "Fuck you." He spat, wincing when Kana stepped forward and slapped him sharply across the face.
"You will show Hao-sama the respect he deserves, scum." She growled at him, raising her hand threateningly.
"What's your name?" Hao asked him, ignoring what had just happened.
The shaman remained quiet, staring at Hao with silent hate.
"Remove his mask." The Shaman King ordered, gazing down at the shaking man curiously.
Kana reached forward to pull the black servant's mask away but the brown-haired man knocked her hand away and attempted to get up.
Hao frowned and raised a pale hand, waving it lazily through the air. He smirked when the man cried out as fire whipped around his wrists and yanked him back down.
Ignoring the man's groans of pain Hao yanked the mask away and let it fall slowly to the ground.
As the face was revealed Hao dropped to his knees, his calm manner shattered. Identical gray eyes met.
"Yoh…" he whispered.
0o0o0o0o0o0
Joh: This chapter was really shitty but it'll get better.
Jessie: She had issues with this chapter, that's what she's trying to say.
Joh: Exactly…that's why it took so long to update.
Jessie: sorry about that everyone!
Joh: Next chapter will be up a lot quicker.