CHAPTER 18 - BAD OMEN
The sky was gettting darker, but the crowd on the streets had not dispersed even a little. At the same times, Tezuka's hope in finding Fuji was diminishing. He was growing tired mentally, but not so much physically although he had spent all sunlight hours searching for Fuji.
There were a lot of people around, but Tezuka felt extrememly lonely and afraid. Never in his life was he afraid of nights. He had always prefered the night's tranquility and cool temperature. Now, he feared the night as the sky turned from dark gray to pitch black.
He had been searching every corner of every street and alley, but there was nothing at all, not even a scent. He feared for Fuji. Tezuka held back tears that was sitting at the corner of his eyes and went in the direction of the affluent neighborhood.
One thing that came across Fuji as he came to consciousness is the presence of someone really close to him. Somehow, he felt extremely weak, like his bones had gone limb. Even opening his eyes seemed like a really hard task. The irregularity in his breathing told the person that Fuji was slowly comming to conciousness.
Fuji felt his hair being combed in a rather tenderly way before he curiously opened his eyes to take a look who the hand belonged to. When his vision focused, the image of the person made him gasped and he immediately moved further into the bed to get away. "Y-You!"
Kai smiled slyly and climbed closer to Fuji. "It's an honor that you remember me."
"Don't come close to me!" Fuji freaked out and tried to merge himself with the wall as much as he can. He didn't know what Kai was going to do, but he didn't like their first meeting. He had a bad feeling about Kai.
Kai chuckled and sat down on the bed. He found Fuji's panicking self funny and cute. "Alright, I won't come any closer..." He watched as Fuji's tension of awareness going away. That was too easy. He meant about Fuji's gullibility. "...yet.
Fuji's froze and once again his awareness came back. He looked at Kai through his narrowed eyes with a small frown.
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you." Kai waved it off and stood up from the bed. "Are you hungry?"
Fuji kept silent, still keeping up his front in case Kai decided to do something unexpected.
Kai nodded and smiled. "Alright then. Be good and I'll be back in an hour." He turned around and left, closing the door behind him.
For a few seconds, Fuji heard rattling of metal against metal from the door.
When he was sure that Kai was gone, he immediately got off the bed and looked around the room for anything that would help him escape. Unfortunately, the only vent in the room was the door; there was no window.
Just like Kai said, he returned after an hour to see Fuji sitting at the edge of the bed with a tense expression. Kai let out a short laugh.
Fuji's frown deepened when an alcoholic smell waffed into his nostrils. He shifted on the bed subtly, feeling very uncomfortable. He didn't like drunkards. He never did.
"My beautiful sage~" Kai slurred and tilted his head to the side to look at Fuji's face. His grin widened when Fuji looked away unhappily.
"Why did you bring me here?" Fuji asked once he looked back at Kai.
Kai brought the wooden chair to the middle of the room and sat down, staring at Fuji. "You don't know? I kidnapped you."
Fuji shifted uncomfortably and tightened his hands.
"It's not nice to kidnap people." Fuji stated almost too innocently.
Kai laughed. "Oh really. It's not nice to kidnap people? Then, I guess I'm not really nice." He replied with amusement before he stopped laughing. "You really are beautiful."
Fuji frowned, wasn't happy to hear that.
"You know." He paused to stare at Fuji. "I've liked you since we first met that time at the market. If I hadn't known better, I'd think you're a courtesan."
Fuji looked confused.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "You don't know what a courtesan is?"
Fuji merely stared.
Kai smiled and stood up, making Fuji flinch for a second there. "Then I should teach you." A dark shadow dawned on his face and he smirked predatorily at Fuji.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Fuji panicked and tightened his grip behind his back. He dashed to the wall. For some reasons, he didn't like the bed.
Kai's smile turned into a smug one and slowly walked toward Fuji. He licked his lips. "You really are beautiful."
"Don't come near me!" Fuji ran over to the table, where it gave him the furthest distance away from Kai.
Kai laughed. "You're like a bird in a cage. There's no where to run or hide from me."
Once Kai neared the table, he used his strength to flip the barrier aside and cornered Fuji. He grabbed Fuji's struggling wrist and pulled him over to the bed.
Fuji used his other hand to pry off the offensive hand, but he couldn't; the grip was too tight. Before he knew it, he was thrown to the bed, landing with a yelp and possible a few bruises.
Kai's fumbling hands cam up to pin Fuji onto the bed and looked predatorily down into Fuji's eyes. "Your eyes are one of a kind."
Fuji narrowed his eyes and continued to struggle. "Get off me!" He demanded, but to no avail.
"Not until after I get what I want." Kai said greasly and straddled Fuji by the waist, using his hands to remove the layers of fabric that adorned Fuji's body.
Fuji panicked and screamed, willing his adrenaline to kick off the person on top that was divesting him of clothes. He flailed and miraculously, he kicked Kai's manhood and Kai doubled over the bed in pain.
"Ahh! Fuck!" Kai screamed.
Fuji quickly got off the bed and ran over to the door that he knew was not locked.
The door then suddenly opened.
Fuji widened his eyes at the two familiar men that tricked him into the small alley. He wanted to escape passed the two men, but he didn't go far. The taller guy grabbed him and pinned his arms behind his back.
"Where do you think you are going?" The guy sneered and tightened his hold, making Fuji yelped.
"Young master, are you alright?" The smaller guy came over to Kai to check whether Kai had any injury on him.
"Shit! That fuckin' hurt!" Kai seethed in between his tightened jaw while holding onto his crotch.
The taller guy steered Fuji back to the bed to present the capture sage to his young master.
Kai's eyes that were filled with anger and pain turned to Fuji, making him flinch. "Don't-don't..."
Before Fuji could utter his shock, Kai's hand flew across Fuji's face and smacked his hard on his cheeks. "Ah!" If the tall guy wasn't holding him, he was sure that he would be thrown to the floor by the hard impact.
The tall guy straightened Fuji up to face Kai.
Kai reached out and roughly held Fuji's chin. "You sure kicked hard for someone so innocent."
Fuji gulped and his eyes trembled in fear. His cheek stung.
Just before Fuji was about to be manhadled again, a deep voice rang out and froze the 3 kidnappers.
"You sure are enjoying yourself when you are in hiding."
Kai's eyes averted to the newcomer, recognizing him as the princess's assasin. He gulped before mustering his strength to stand up. "I'm surprised you could find us."
The assasin smirked. "Of course, I will find you as long as you are alive. The princess would be so happy to know that I found you."
Kai thinned his lips. "I'm not stupid to get captured by you and sent back to that devil bitch." He took the sword that was strapped behind the tall guy's back and unsheathed it, moving into an offensive position. "Not without a fight."
The assassin looked amused. "You don't have a chance."
Once the last word was spoken, Kai charged at the assassin and they fought.
Kai's two folowers backed up into a corner with Fuji to avoid the clashings.
For a brief moment, Fuji caught the assassin's eyes looking at him before Kai was being thrown out the door. The assassin turned and looked at Fuji. He smiled in recognition. "Aren't you the sage that the princess wanted to kill?"
Fuji gulped pressed back against the tall guy's body when the assassin walked closer. He reached out and yanked Fuji closer to his body, one hand held Fuji's chin and the other his wrist. "How did you end up with the dumbass?" He chuckled and dropped his hand to pulled Fuji out the door.
"Wait!" The two men yelled and joined their young master outside, blocking the way out. "We found him first. You can't take him away."
"Oh yeah?" The assasin mocked.
"Get him!" Kai ordered and three of them gained up on the assassin, who easily beat the three back to the ground. "Useless dogs." He laughed and went passed them with Fuji in towed.
Now, Fuji wasn't sure if the situation got better or worse, but at least the assassin didn't manhandle him the way Kai manhandle him. After a few minutes of walking through some alleys under the dark sky, they ended up at the back door of a large residence.
"Where are you taking me?" Fuji asked and pulled back a little.
The assasin turned around. "Somewhere better." He smiled slyly and yanked Fuji forward.
If he still had his power, the assassin would be toasted by now. Fuji gave up the stuggle and went along.
He was locked into another room while the assassin went off to somewhere. Fuji sat idly in the room, hoping nothing bad like Kai will come onto him again.
He thought of Tezuka. The lord must be extremely worried and Fuji felt bad for making Tezuka worried.
A moment later, there was noise outside. Fuji sat still while trying to eavesdrop.
"Now tell me what's the hurry? I was dealing with a very important guest."
"This would be worth it. I found you a new item."
"This better be good." The female voiced grumbled.
"Don't worry. The princess reccomends it."
"Alright, I guess I can trust you both."
A second later the door opened and Fuji looked up.
An old woman stepped in, followed by the assasin. The woman raised an eyebrow in surprise when she saw Fuji. "Oh my." She gasped.
"What did I tell you?" The assassin smirked and leaned against the door frame while the old woman came closer and inspected Fuji with her eyes that danced with mirth.
"I haven't seen one like her for quite a while."
"It's him." The assassin corrected.
"What?" The woman turned around.
"That's no she. It's a he." The assassin nodded to Fuji.
"Oh." The woman gasped and looked back at Fuji with a new expression. "I can't tell." After a moment of looking, the woman straightened up. "Where did you get him? I hope it's not illegal."
"Illegal?" The assassin rebuffed indignantly. "Since when was everything legal for you? Don't fretch about his identity. He's not from here or anywhere near. No one will recognize him."
"Are you sure?" The woman asked with doubt.
"Of course."
"Alright. How much?"
"I don't need money. Just give him the best experience."
The woman's smile spread. "More for me." She turned back to Fuji and tugged on his arm to make him stand up.
"I'll send out an invitation to you, in case you want to see how it's like."
The assassin gave the woman a smile as she left with Fuji. "Thank you." Once they were out of sight, he left.
Tezuka had no choice. He was desperate. He did not want to make his presence known, but he had to. It was the only way to find Fuji fast.
He was in front of the heavy iron door and came up the the henchman on guard. "Tell General Kyuchi that Tezuka Kunimitsu wants to see him immediately."
The hench man nodded and left without a question. The look on Tezuka's sublimal face was enough to tell him of the urgency of the request.
A short moment later, General Kyuchi came out in quick strides with the henchman following behind. He smiled when he saw Tezuka. "Tezuka!"
Tezuka inclined in acknowledgement. "General."
They shook hands. "I haven't seen you 3 seasons ago. Come in."
Tezuka nodded.
They walked to Kyuchi's study room. "I heard that you ran away from your duty."
Tezuka let out a small smile. "News sure travels fast."
"Quite so. I'm not sure if I should be seeing you." Kyuchi opened the door to his study room and stepped through. "I was asked to report back to King Kutei if I see you. He wants you back."
Tezuka could only sigh. "I'm not coming back."
After a moment of silence, Kyuchi assessed the situation and to ask Tezuka. "Tell me, why are you here?"
Tezuka looked at the other man. "I need help." He then told Kyuchi of the whole situation. Kyuchi and he fought together in the previous war and since then, they had developed a strong brotherhood, so it was easy for Tezuka to confide in him.
After listening to the whole story, Kyuchi spoke up. "Do you really believed that Fuji-san is kidnapped?"
Tezuka nodded surely. "It can't be any other way. Fuji would not leave without telling me."
Kyuchi nodded. "If that's the case, then it must be so. Recently, there have been cases of missing maidens, but you said that Fuji-san is a male, right?"
Tezuka nodded.
"So I'm not sure if Fuji-san is involved in these cases or another." Kyuchi flipped through his criminal record book while Tezuka waited patiently. He traced his fingers over the prints and read aloud. "Here, it's recorded that about 20 young men were kidnapped a year ago to the southern forest for an illegal opperation. The operation was destroyed when we found out about it, but the perpertrators got away." He looked back up at Tezuka. "What do you think, could it be that?"
Tezuka contemplated closely. It could not be the second case because anyone could tell that Fuji was not made for heavy labor. "I think the case of the missing maidens is more accurate." He decided.
Kyuchi looked taken back. "Are you sure?"
Tezuka nodded. "Yes. I have a feeling that it is right. If you have seen Fuji, you would think so too." Fuji was indeed more beautiful than any girls he had seen in his life, putting his mother aside.
Kyuchi could only smile. "He must be that beautiful heh? I guess that is why Tezuka has finnally decided to fall head over heal."
Tezuka smiled nostalgically. "Maybe."
"Don't worry. I'll help you find him, even if it costs my life."
"Thank you."
To Fuji's relief, the woman was nice to him. She gave him clothes and told him to wash up. She sent a young maid to show Fuji to the bath house. After he was done, he was led back to the given room and given dinner.
As he ate, he couldn't help but be confused. He wasn't sure if he was in better hands. He didn't understand when the assassin and the old woman, whom everyonce called her "okaa-san," talked about giving him the best experience. In addition, he had a gut feeling that there was something wrong with this place, like how the majority of the residence is female.
He just hoped he would be able to see Tezuka soon. Maybe, he should ask okaa-san tomorrow if he could see Tezuka. Yeah, that's right. She looked like a nice person.
As soon as morning came, Tezuka knocked on Kyuchi's door and they continued to discuss what was left off yesterday.
"There are 5 grand prostitution houses in all. The plan is, we pretend to be clients and ask for a new..." Kyuchi paused, thinking of another word to replace courtesan, but before he could say anything, Tezuka picked up the cue.
"I understand." Tezuka silently thanked his friend for not referring Fuji to a courtesan. He had never dealt with one before, but he knew what they did, and he was against their promiscuous practice. Fuji was to pure to condem to those indignified practices.
The first prostitution house resembled a palace, albeit 20 times smaller. It looked extremely nice and proper on the outside, but once they step through the doors, a strong scent of mixed flowers, food, and perfumes filled the air and inevitably infiltrating their nostrils. In a second, a few courtesans evaded them flirtatiously.
"Oh my, this is the first time that we see faces like yours here." A courtesan purred and latched onto Tezuka's arm. Seeing the initiative, the others began latching on Tezuka and Kyuchi as well.
Tezuka held in a disgust, wanting to fling everyone away.
Kyuchi was feeling as uncomfortable as Tezuka because like Tezuka, he had never stepped into this place until today. "Excuse us, ladies, but would you lead us to the owner of this place?"
They giggled, covering their smiles as if they were shy to show their teeth. "Of course." One said and the others flocked away to greet new clients who just entered the house. "This way."
Tezuka and Kyuchi followed her to a table. She told them to wait and went off to get the owner.
"Not your hang out place?" Kyuchi commented with a small chuckle.
Tezuka merely frowned. "These places shouldn't exist at all."
If not for their mission, Kyuchi would laugh at Tezuka's seriousness right now.
An old women came over and greeted them differently than the ladies earlier. "What can I do for you both today?"
They figured she was the owner.
"This is the first time that my friend and I come to these places, I am hoping you could show us the best."
"Ah." The old woman smiled widely. "We only offer the best." She called a waiter over and whispered something in his ears before turning back to them. "If you would just wait for a second, I'll bring out the best ladies."
The two nodded.
A minute later, 5 ladies stood in front of them, seduction was on their faces.
"My dear young men, who would you like to be escorted today?" The old woman asked.
Tezuka gave Kyuchi a side glance.
Kyuchi nodded to Tezuka and turned back to the owner. "Are these 5 all you have?"
The old woman raised an eyebrow as if it was an insult. "They are the best at our house."
Without a warning, Tezuka stood up, momentarily startled the owner and ladies, and walked out.
Kyuchi nervously laughed and apologized before following Tezuka out.
The old woman looked at Tezuka's retreating back with deep thought.
"Those two are weird." A girl commented. "Right, Okaa-san?"
The old woman nodded and smiled, decided that those two odd men could be forgotten.
"That was unexpected." Kyuchi commented while going to the second house.
"I don't want to waste time."
"Ah. Of course."
The second, third, fourth, and fifth houses were all the same. There wasn't any one new added to the house courtesans. Tezuka was disappointed because one day had passed with no progress.
It was night once again and Fuji felt waried. The whole day was frivolously spent with him trying on new clothes that are too frilly to his liking, not that he wore those before. They also made him do things like sitting down while people styled his hair in many possible ways and walking back and forth, but at least he was treated better than he was with the two men.
It was all too tiring for him, and now he just wanted to go to sleep.
He stayed in a new room now, but he wasn't sure if he was still in the same building because he was unconscious when they moved him.
This room felt much more habitable than the first. There were more furnitures and items.
However, one thing still remained the same: he wanted to return to Tezuka's side. Thinking about Tezuka made him cry softly.
Somehow, his cry was heard by the old woman whom everyone called "Okaa-san." She came in and sat on the bed by Fuji.
"Why are you crying, my child?" She asked in a comforting tone as she stroked Fuji's hair. Her long and sharp fingernails going to his locks smoothly.
Fuji sat up, his eyes red and tired. "I want Tezuka. I really really want to see him. Can you help me, please?" He begged.
The smile on her face stayed the same, but her eyes changed into an unreadable glint. "You will get to see your Tezuka soon, but first you must do something for me."
Fuji wiped the tears away and focused on the woman's face. "Really? You will let me see Tezuka soon?"
"Yes." She nodded. "Would you do something for me?"
"Yes." Fuji nodded and smiled gladly without a second thought.
The woman thought that was the most beautiful smile she had seen. She reached up and cupped his face. "I will have a party in two days and I need your help."
"Two days?" Fuji asked with a sad voice. "But after two days, I will be able to see Tezuka?"
"Yes."
"You promise?"
The woman paused to look at Fuji, as if observing him before she nodded.
Fuji paused. "Alright." He nodded. "I will help you."
"Good." The woman smiled. "Go to sleep and we will talk more tomorrow."
Fuji complied.
As she walked out of the room, her eyes glinted in the night, orbs filled with unease intentions. That was too easy. She let out a small chuckle.
Fuji lied on his back looking up at the drapery on top of his bed. He was glad that he didn't have to be around those two men anymore. Afterall, this old woman seemed nice enough not to hurt him, and she did promise him that he would see Tezuka in two days. That fact alone made him happy.
The candles flickered on the round table. Around it were 5 figures sitting on wooden chairs, and one of the distinguishable faces was "Okaa-san."
She spoke first, her hand holding a quil as she scribbled on a piece of decorative parchment paper. "Tomorrow we send invitations to our top clients."
"It will be an auction, you said?" A man across from her asked.
She looked up. "Yes, he will be up for auction on his first night. A virgin always has the highest price." She smirked and resumed writing.
"I assume we will make this a private auction?" The man on her left asked.
She responded without taking her eyes off the paper. "We have to. Our new fish was brought here on an illegal term. I doubt it is wise for the public to know about him, else we'll get arrested." Even though the assassin told her that Fuji came from another kingdom, she couldn't help but doubt that someone like Fuji would be a mere peasant in another kingdom or not. They couldn't take the immense risk. For all she knew, Fuji could be a prince. He looked like a prince to her.
"Mhm." The man agreed. "A risk for a big profit."
Oh you don't know what risk you're talking about. "That's how we do business." She said it with ease, like it was her expertise, in which it was.
The next day, Fuji spent most of his time in "Okaa-san's" company. She fed him and treated him like how he was treated back home. Maybe even better. Unfortunate that Fuji wasn't at all suspicious of the change in the situation.
The people there got busier as the day passed, and no one would tell him why. They just smiled at him.
"We can try the smaller ones." Kyuchi offered, feeling sympathetic for his distressed friend. He knew Tezuka was restless last night, because the light in Tezuka's room was on all night. He could see Tezuka's restless shadow moving within the room everytime he passed by.
Tezuka nodded and once again they began the search.
Tezuka didn't want to count how many days had passed already because that would only make him feel more depressed.
TBC
AN: I was supposed to post this chapter a week ago, but I got the plot mixed up, so I had to write another one. Anyways, here's another late chapter.
I'm thinking of ending this story in 2 chapters because I think readers are getting tired of the stretched plot.
Is there anything that you expect to happen before this ends? Or do you want me to stretch the plot?
Elysis - thank you, hope you are doing fine with your busy life.
Moon - Yeah, I've been updating less and less. This semester is putting a huge toll on my time and I barely get any sleep. Can't wait to see your fanart. ^^