Scabs
Disclaimer: Don't own SK ever.
Joh: Damn, it's been forever since I updated this.
Jessie: Seriously.
Joh: It's a funny story about how I got motivated to write this but I won't go into it. I love everyone who kept encouraging me to update this! You guys are officially cool.
Warnings: Yaoi, language, twincest
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He couldn't take this. After finally escaping from his brother's clutches he had started to heal, slowly but surely. And now he was back.
Yoh clawed a hand through his hair as he slid to the floor, pulling his legs up against his bare chest. He was going to go crazy if he stayed here any longer. For a long time Yoh remained sitting where he was against the door, listening to his breathing and the rhythmic tick of the clock in the corner.
Slowly, he got to his feet, head spinning from the sudden movement. He turned and pressed a hand to the door, biting his lower lip as he gathered the courage to open it. He had been expecting some kind of lock or spell on it that would keep him trapped inside the bedroom, but to his surprise it slid open easily and without a sound.
Peeking his head out, Yoh glanced around the narrow hall and was relieved to find that no guards were to be found.
He stepped out of the room and froze holding his breath. He held still for a moment before he was confident that he could continue.
"Yoh-sama?"
The brunet jumped, spinning around and raising his arms protectively.
A boy stood before him, a confused but curious look across his face. "Hao-sama wants you to stay in his room."
"I can't do that." Yoh took a step back, watching the dark haired boy warily. The boy frowned when he said this, tucking a strand of hair that had escaped from his ponytail behind his ear.
"What do you mean, Yoh-sama?"
Yoh studied him carefully. "I have to leave." He replied slowly, taking another half step back.
The boy shook his head, bewildered. "Why would you want to leave?"
Yoh sighed, wondering how much this boy knew about his relationship with Hao. "I have a whole list of reasons." He paused. "Are you going to try and stop me?"
The boy looked suddenly nervous, glancing up and down the hall as if searching for help. "I had orders to make sure you didn't leave." He bit his lip as he placed his hand on the hilt of a knife strapped to his waist. A spirit of a snake appeared, wrapping it's shimmering green body around the boy's arm as he drew the knife.
The young Asakura frowned, remembering with a pang his spirit companion who he hadn't been able to bring along due to Hao's barriers. Ander was probably beating himself up over not being able to protect him. Yoh sighed, hoping that the wind spirit wouldn't do anything rash without him around.
He watched with growing tension as the young shaman approached him. "Why would you refuse to stay here? Hao-sama is willing to give you anything."
"Nothing he could offer me would make me want to stay by his side." Yoh replied coldly, narrowing his eyes as he took a small step forward.
The boy opened his mouth angrily to speak, but froze, eyes widening as he drew back and slipped his knife back into place. "Hao-sama!" he gasped, bowing deeply.
Yoh spun around, arms rising to defend himself.
Hao stood before him, smiling lazily as he clapped his hands, eyes never leaving Yoh's face. "That was quite the performance." He tucked his hands into his pant's pocket, tilting his head to the side, a deceivingly innocent gesture. "You did well Hiro, but you're dismissed."
The boy, Hiro, nodded hastily and nearly tripped as he scampered down the hall and out of sight.
Yoh took a step back from Hao, his panic increasing now that they were alone. "I'm leaving, Hao." He flinched when Hao reached out to rest a cool hand against his cheek, but he kept his voice steady and firm.
He held his brother's dark gaze for a moment before swatting away his hand and turning around to walk away.
Hao scowled, grabbing Yoh roughly by the wrist to pull him back. Of course, the younger Asakura had anticipated that and was able to twist away from him and sprint down the hallway.
Yoh didn't look back; his heart was pounding in his ears, drowning out everything around him. He had to get out. He had to keep running. Keep running…
And then pain exploded down his spine, sending his body crashing to the wood paneled floor.
His fingers twitched as he jerked his legs to move but he was frozen in place. He could only curse silently as he heard soft footsteps approach him as a shadow fell over him.
"I'm not ready to say good bye yet, Yoh." Hao whispered, kneeling down next to him. He trailed a finger down Yoh's cheek and sighed.
Gathering all of his strength and willpower, Yoh forced his head away from Hao's touch. The shock of pain that erupted at the movement was so vivid that he had to bite his tongue to keep from yelping. "What…did you do…?" Yoh hissed, glaring up at Hao.
The Shaman King shrugged and brushed back a lock of hair. "It doesn't matter. It'll wear off by the end of the day. In the meantime, I suggest you think twice about leaving." He grabbed Yoh by the shoulders and lifted him up, leaning him against the wall so that they were face to face.
Yoh glared back at him, wishing that Ander were with him so that he could wipe that smug look off Hao's face.
"Are you sure nothing I could offer you would make you stay?"
"Go to hell." Yoh spat in response.
Hao sighed and reached out to pick up Yoh's limp arm, lightly stroking his fingers. "What if I promised to leave Akito alone? I would let him walk free…" he trailed off, raising his eyebrows questioningly.
Yoh snorted and narrowed his eyes. "I happen to remember that you don't keep your promises."
Hao said nothing for a few minutes until he shook his head and let Yoh's arm drop back to his side. "I'm not going to rape you."
"You must think I'm really stupid if you want me to believe that." Yoh paused then said, "If you're trying to be the good guy then just let me go."
"Not yet."
0o0
"We're going back."
Jun nearly dropped the pot of tea she was serving Akito. She looked up, eyes widening as she comprehended what Ren had just said. "Back?" she repeated, hoping that he didn't mean what she thought he did.
Ren nodded to Bason and they headed towards the door followed by Horo, Lyserg, and Chocolove. "Back to Hao's."
Akito jumped in his seat, upsetting the cup of tea that Jun had poured him, spilling its contents across the kitchen table.
Jun stood up and wrung her hands anxiously. "You can't fight him, at least not yet. It would be pointless to…"
Lyserg held up a hand, a strained smile in place. "We're not that foolish. We're just going to look around and see if there are any openings to sneak in and steal Yoh back."
The green haired woman bit her lip, not feeling comforted in the slightest. "Well… don't you think only two of you should go? You want to be as unnoticeable as possible." She stepped forward and pulled her brother in for a hug. "I would ask you to stay here but I know you won't accept that." She sighed.
"I'll be safe." Ren promised her, pulling back and fixing her with a determined look.
"He will be safe with me." Bason assured her, crossing his thick arms over his chest.
Lyserg stepped forward, hands fisted at his side. "I want to go too."
Horo looked like he was about to protest, but stopped himself when he noticed the hard look in Lyserg's wide green eyes. "If you guys aren't back in three hours then I can assume the worst and go after you?" he forced a crooked grin, cocking his head to the side as he ran a hand through his blue hair.
Ren nodded, stepping up to the door and slipping it open.
"Be careful." Akito whispered as the two shamans left the safety of the house.
0o0
Opacho slid open the bedroom door and stumbled into the room. "Hao-sama! Yoh-sama's friends have been spotted around the borders!" she gasped, looking wildly around the room for the Shaman King.
Her eyes landed on Hao seated by one of the windows with Yoh propped up against the window seat on the floor by his knees. Hao glanced over at Opacho, eyebrows rising curiously as he ran his finger absently through Yoh's hair.
"Is that so? Have they attempted to break in?" He glanced down at his brother who looked pleased and worried at the same time by this news.
Opacho shook her hand, skipping forward to stand in front of him. "What does Hao-sama think we should do?" she asked as she looked curiously at Yoh, wondering why he wasn't moving at all.
Hao stood up and shook back his hair. "I'll go see to them."
At these words, Yoh drew in a sharp breath.
"Don't worry, Yoh. I won't attack them. I just want to talk." He smiled lightly before beckoning to Opacho and making for the door.
"Wait!" Yoh cried out. "Let me go with you."
Hao turned, cocking his head to the side. "What for?"
Yoh clenched his teeth and narrowed his eyes as he twitched his arms. "I want to know for sure that you won't harm them."
Opacho looked up at Hao then glanced back at Yoh. Hao considered Yoh for a moment, lips pursed thoughtfully.
"If you insist." Hao shrugged, walking back to Yoh and lifting him up into his arms. Yoh's hissed, hating to be so close to Hao and having to be carried.
"Do you have to carry me like this?" Yoh ground out as Hao shifted him in his arms so that he was cradled close against his chest.
Hao merely smiled in response before nodding to Opacho. She hopped forward and reached up to clutch a hand to his black shirt. Yoh's eyes fluttered as whirling flames consumed the three of them and the painfully familiar feeling of weightlessness fell over him.
As the waves of fire faded away Yoh saw that Hao had transported them outside, high in a tree. Everything seemed peacefully quiet; the only noise came from the whisper of the trees as they shook in the breeze.
Opacho swung her legs over the thick branch they were perched on, pointing her finger to the left. "They'll be here in eight minutes."
Just as she predicted eight minutes went by until they heard two voices drifting towards them.
"I told you I thought I saw something back there!"
"There wasn't anything you're just…" the voice trailed off as the two shamans emerged from the bushes below, freezing as they looked up and caught sight of Hao and Yoh.
"Yoh!" Lyserg exclaimed, darting forehead and glaring up at Hao. "Let him go!"
Ren stepped forward with Bason hovering menacingly behind him. "You bastard. What did you do to Yoh? I swear if you-"
Hao held up a hand, cutting him off. "I'm here to offer a trade, that's all."
Ren spat. "Like we would negotiate with you. Release Yoh!"
Yoh looked up at Hao, suddenly fearful. There was no way his friends could defeat Hao, at least not yet. If they fought him now they would certainly be killed. "Don't hurt them." He hissed under his breath, squeezing his eyes shut in frustration as he struggled to move but found his body still paralyzed.
Hao hummed his response, clutching Yoh tighter to him as he leapt gracefully from the tree to the grassy Earth. He ignored the defensive positions Ren and Lyserg jumped into, and carefully set Yoh on the ground against the trunk of the tree.
Yoh groaned angrily as his head lolled limply to one side, hating his helplessness.
Lyserg watched Yoh with a confused scowl, turning to Hao. "What did you do?" he demanded.
"A simple spell." Hao seated himself casually on the ground next to Yoh, folding his legs comfortably as he leaned back with a calm expression. "You have the boy, don't you?" he asked softly.
Ren crossed his arms. "You mean your son?"
Hao laughed quietly, reaching out and settling an arm across Yoh's shoulders.
"I'm willing to trade Yoh for him. Give me Akito and I'll give you Yoh."
0o0o0o0o0o0
Joh: Hm I wonder if Hao is telling the truth.
Jessie: why haven't you posted my story yet -sob-
Joh: Uhm… I will?
Jessie: Aw…
Joh: Yeah… since it's been years since I updated this I don't except many reviews, but it would still be nice!