New chapter, insert cheerful banter and warnings here.

DEVIL IN THE DARK
Chapter 9

The excursion seemed to do Takumi good. He had something of Mao's old glow for the remainder of the day, and was calm enough not to need any of his pills. Daisuke was happy to see this, then deflated when Sato invited them to join him for dinner.

The dining room was ornate, western-style like the rest of the mansion, all Persian rugs, priceless tapestries, antique chandeliers. As the roast beef was served, as Sato chatted amiably about his security company, Daisuke sat on his hands to keep his fists from clenching. Takumi shyly asked curious questions, and their host was charming, smiling at the boy with something akin to affection. The lust beneath it was lost on Takumi, but not on his seething boyfriend.

"Sato-san, your house is amazing."

"Thank you, dear boy. You know, this house has an interesting history. It was built over a century ago by a wealthy western man for his fellow missionaries, then fell into the hands of a rich importer who bought it as a wedding gift for his beautiful young bride. Unfortunately, they didn't have a happy ending."

"What happened?"

"The young woman miscarried many times, and grew so despondent that she hanged herself in the barn."

Takumi's eyes misted up. "That's so sad."

"Indeed. Sadly, love was not enough to hold her to this world, no matter how supportive the husband was. Forgive me, Takumi-kun, but I find myself liking you, and I hope Gii-kun's love is enough for you."

The boy looked perplexed. "I don't understand, Sato-san."

"I know you've been hurt very badly, and I hope you will tell Ishii-sensei or someone else if you find yourself depressed."

Confusion was pushing past the teenager's politeness. "You think I would ever...do that? Leave Gii? I'd never...wait, you know what...happened..."

Takumi looked at Gii, hurt, the beginnings of anger. "Gii...did you tell him about Niisan?"

Before Daisuke could deny it, Sato spoke up. "Please don't be angry with him, Takumi-kun. I've known Giichi a long time and he sometimes shares his concerns with me. I, and he, just want to make sure you're feeling all right."

The boy stared at his plate, his small appetite gone. "Gii, how could you?"

"Baby, I...I'm sorry." If Gii's glare could kill, Sato would have died instantly. Or slowly, painfully.

"Forgive me, Takumi-kun, I spoke out of turn."

"Please don't worry about it, Sato-san. I appreciate your concern."

Damn it, he's trying to divide us. I knew it from the beginning, he wants Takumi for himself. He's mine, you can't have him! Takumi or Mao, he's mine!

"Baby..." He couldn't think what to say.

Just then, the butler returned, and went around the table to refill everyone's wine glass. When he got near Takumi, the boy locked eyes on the bottle, and they went wide. He began at once to shake, to breathe heavily. Before Daisuke could react, the butler worriedly placed a hand on Takumi's shoulder.

"Are you - "

"No!" Takumi leaped up, knocked the chair down, backed away until he hit the wall. "Please, no!"

Sato got to him first, tried to take the boy's arm, but quickly lost his hold. "Takumi-kun - "

"No no no please - "

It was like wading through quicksand, but finally Daisuke got to him, and thank all the gods, Takumi didn't throw him off but burrowed into his hug, gasping.

"Ssh, baby, it's okay. You're okay, you're safe."

"It hurts, something hurts and I don't know what what's wrong with me..."

"Honey, ssh, you're under a lot of stress, that's all. It built up and hit you all at once. Baby, breathe."

Sato was talking softly on his cell phone, telling someone to come immediately. Takumi buried his tear-stained face in Daisuke's neck, body spasming slightly. His breathing eased a little, but he softly wept, occasionally whispering something no one could make out. Daisuke held on, whispered his love over and over, and Takumi's name, invoking it like a prayer.

"Takumi, Takumi. You're safe, I've got you."

"Wh-What's wrong with me?"

"You're just stressed, you'll be okay."

Over the next few minutes, Takumi was reassured and began to calm down. Ishii jogged in, black bag in hand, and looked at the boy worriedly.

"Old friend, my young guest had a panic attack and I'd like you to take a look."

"I'm-I'm fine, really. I'm sorry, Sato-san."

"Don't apologize, dear boy. Just give the doctor a moment."

"Takumi-kun, forgive me, but I need to touch you a little."

The boy let Daisuke walk him to a chair and sit him down, and leaned against him while vitals were taken. Ishii pronounced him upset but healthy, had him swallow one of his pills, and looked sadly at Takumi for a few moments before excusing himself.

Sato thanked the doctor, then gave the boys a pitying smile. "Gii-kun, I think he needs some rest. I'll have someone walk you back to your room, and have some dessert sent in. Get some rest, Takumi-kun, and I'll check on you later."

"Thank you, Sato-san."

Takumi held onto Daisuke as they returned to their prison, hugged him once they were alone. His breathing was back to normal, but he seemed weak, drooping in the arms around him.

"Gii."

"Baby."

"I still can't remember anything."

"It will pass. Give yourself time."

"Time?" Takumi pulled back to look at him. "Gii, it's been days. The drug must be out of my system by now. What's wrong with me?"

"Baby - "

"And what's with you? Why have you changed? You never used to hover so much, or be so gentle. If it's because you're worried about me, there must be a reason! What's going on?"

"Baby - "

Takumi stepped back, distraught. "And that! You never called me that before!"

"I thought you liked it."

"I did, it's just...what are you not telling me? Are you in more danger than you've let on? Gii? Tell me!"

Think! "Okay, baby, maybe it is more serious than I let on. I don't know much, but they think it could be an overseas rival with ties to the American mafia. Really, that's all I know. Father and Sato are keeping me in the dark, I guess to not worry me. But we're going to be okay. I promise."

Takumi wasn't ready to let go of his anger. "And you told him about Niisan! How could you do that? I told you that in confidence. Have you told anyone else?"

Damn that monster. "No, I swear! Takumi, I'm sorry, I really, really am. I didn't mean to, I was worried about you during one of my trips and it just came out. Baby, I'm so sorry. Please, please don't hate me. I understand you being angry, but please."

"I don't hate you," the boy said softly, looking at the floor. He wrapped his arms around himself, seemed so forlorn. "I could never hate you."

"Takumi." Daisuke came closer. "Can I...touch you?"

A very faint smile. "I remember you saying that."

"See, you do remember some things. Can I? I won't jump on you, I just need to be close to you."

In answer, Takumi moved to stand directly in front of him. Daisuke slowly reached out to cup a soft cheek, running his fingers over the fine-boned face. Takumi let out a sigh of relief, closed his eyes, and leaned into the touch. Daisuke slid the fingers of one hand into the mussed hair to massage his scalp, curled the other around his nape to draw him nearer.

He wasn't shoved away this time, even though Gii had been a bad boyfriend again. Takumi hugged back, kissed back, let his mouth be explored. After a few minutes, Daisuke regretfully broke free and cupped the younger's face.

"Takumi, I love you."

"I love you, Gii, and I'm sorry. I forgive you."

"Thank you, baby. If I ever lost you..."

"You won't. I'm here. I won't go away if you don't."

"Never."

"But...something is wrong with me, isn't it?"

"Honey..."

"You won't tell me? You're that worried?"

"Baby...to be honest, you wouldn't understand right now. Look, as soon as we're able to leave here, I'll tell you everything I know about everything. You just can't handle it all right now. Please trust me. I just can't put any more stress on you right now. I can't. I'd rather you be angry at me than risk breaking you."

"It's...okay. I do trust you, Gii."

"You're like an angel, you know that?" Daisuke smiled and caressed his face again. "I even have dreams of you all in white, standing in sunlight."

"I know." Takumi's slight smile vanished. "Gii...why do I know that?"

Daisuke was saved by a knock at the door, then the sound of it opening. Sato wheeled in a cart with a few covered trays on it, and bowed.

"I brought a few choices. Chocolate always makes me feel better."

"Thank you, Sato-san. Please excuse my earlier outburst."

"Think nothing of it, dear boy. I want only to see you and Gii-kun happy. I will do all I can to ensure that."

"You've done so much already, sir."

Sato looked at him silently, with a strange, conflicted expression. He took a step closer, then another. He continued in this halting manner until Takumi fearfully edged back into Daisuke's arms with a whimper. This seemed to shake Sato out of his trance, and he bowed again.

"I'm sorry, child, I didn't mean to frighten you. I'll leave you to Gii-kun. Good night, boys."

"Baby?" Daisuke said once he was gone, asking the question though he thought he knew the answer. "What is it?"

"N-Nothing. You're right, I'm not well, I'm seeing things that aren't there."

"Baby, what did you see?"

"For a moment I thought...the way he looked at me...but I must be wrong."

"What, Takumi?"

"I thought it was like..." Takumi's voice went almost inaudible. "Like the way Niisan used to look at me."

Daisuke hugged him, tightly and silently, for a long time.

daimaodaimaodaimao

Mostly asleep, Takumi felt his cheek and arm being caressed. He smiled, moved encouragingly against the touch. A thumb brushed over his lips, gently parted them before descending to the neck, tracing the slender lines of it. The blanket was drawn down, the pajama shirt slowly nudged up.

"Gii," Takumi moaned.

Fingers toyed with his nipples, slower than usual, experimentally, as though it was the first time, tapped the buds before circling each tender point. A mouth followed, sucking with less force than usual, but it was still good, and Takumi groaned for more. It wanted to please him, moved all over his skin, leaving no inch unexplored.

"Gii..."

Hands stroked his sides, worshipped the pale skin, began to draw the pants down. When Takumi was bared down to his knees, a hand slowly rolled his balls between its fingers, as though coaxing them to fill and grow heavy. Two digits ran up and down the half-hard length, patiently giving it the bare minimum of touch it needed. Takumi could feel eyes drinking him in, lusting for him, desiring him desperately.

Takumi whimpered, and hands soothed him. He kept his eyes closed, imagining he heard Gii whisper, "Don't wake up yet." A hand placed over his closed eyes, making the point further, and the other hand began to slowly stroke him. Takumi pushed past his automatic fear to enjoy it, thrusting in the rhythm that his lover set. He wondered briefly why Gii wasn't kissing him, but he couldn't think of much but how good this felt.

"Gii," he cried, and came into the waiting palm. Eyes still covered, he felt lips against his at last, and opened his eyes with a cry of dismay, shoving the arm away. This was not Gii.

Sato, smiling Sato held him down by his arms and said, "Ssh, Takumi-kun. Forgive me, I couldn't resist. I had meant only to watch, but I must have you again."

"Wh-What...why...please - "

"I won't hurt you." Sato managed to place a kiss on the struggling boy's forehead. "I love you. Believe me, I love you more than anything."

"B-But Gii...you said you were protecting us!"

"I am protecting you. I will make sure you exist for as long as you please me. I'll give you anything you want, just - "

"GII! GII!"

"He can't hear you, little one, I had him locked up safely out of earshot. Don't worry, I'll bring him back after I satisfy myself." Sato smiled peacefully at the teenager's terror. "You'd do anything to keep me from hurting him, wouldn't you?"

Eyes wide and full, Takumi went still.

"Good, you understand. Just be good for me, let me show you my love, and your Gii will remain unharmed."

"W-Why? Why would you do this?" Takumi whispered.

"Because I love you." Sato let go with one hand to stroke his cheek. "Your brother must have been as bewitched by you as I am."

"Takumi, I'll make you feel good."

"NO!" Takumi began to thrash, and was held down again.

"Have you forgotten? Only by cooperating do you ensure Gii's safety."

"P-Please, don't hurt him. I'll...I'll..." He wanted Gii, and he wanted the stranger from his dream, Shinnosuke, that he suddenly remembered.

"I know, you'll be good. Ssh, just relax." The boy trembled as he was undressed, but the man continued to smile. "Is it me? Is it so bad being pulled in by me?"

"Gii," Takumi sobbed, flinching from the fingertips that wiped his tears. "Please, no, I can't, I need Gii."

"Beautiful child. Don't you understand? There are thousands of men worse than me, so many things that could hurt you. I can keep you safe here, keep you pure, and you can have Gii to comfort you. Just be Takumi for me, and I'll give you anything."

"Niisan, no," Takumi cried as two come-slicked fingers penetrated him.

"I wish I'd had you that young, you must have been...oh yes...even tighter, even more delicate. How was it, Takumi-kun? Did you feel any pleasure, or was it only pain?"

"Niisan, it hurts!"

"You're old enough now for it to feel good. Let me make it feel good."

Takumi's breathing had become erratic, his chest heaving. Sato lifted his legs and slowly entered the boy, groaning at the clench of heat bleeding around him.

"God, you're like a virgin each time. How could I ever give this up? How do you stay so innocent?"

"Nii...san..."

"Your brother proves it, Gii's protectiveness proves it. Every man who sees you wants to fuck you. Wouldn't you rather it only be the ones who love you?"

Vision fuzzy, Takumi was now hyperventilating too hard to speak. Sato came inside him, thrust until he was emptied completely, then withdrew to a trickle of milky white and red.

"Ssh, relax." Sato took out his phone, dialed, and frowned after a few moments. "The doctor isn't picking up, what do I pay him for?" He retrieved one of the boy's pills, dropped it in his mouth and held the jaw closed. "Swallow."

Takumi obeyed entirely by accident, and continued to gasp. Sato caressed his face, brushed the fine hair back from it.

"Ssh, you'll feel better soon. When you wake up, Gii can take care of you. Stay with me a little longer, relax. Let me distract you." Looking at him intently, Sato lifted the boy's twitching hand, inserted Takumi's thumb into his own mouth. "Suck for me, just a little."

Hardly knowing what was going on or what he was doing, Takumi did as he was ordered, continuing to heave and shake. He knew he'd pass out soon, and looked forward to it.

"I want you again, but I'll let you recover." Sato let go of his hand and lifted him into a hug that did nothing to soothe the boy. "I've never loved anything like I love you. I'll never love anything but you."

"G-Gii..."

"Soon, baby, soon."

Finally, the smaller body went limp, and was laid gently down. Never in Takumi's life or Kyousuke's had unconsciousness been more welcome.

daimaodaimaodaimao

It seemed like no time had passed, and there were arms cradling him again. Without looking, Takumi screamed and struggled, as a voice rose over his shouts.

"Baby! Takumi! It's me, Gii! Look at me, you're safe, he's not here. It's okay! Takumi!"

It took a minute, but the familiarity of the words and tone finally got through to the boy, and he gradually stilled, and opened sticky eyes.

"G-Gii?"

"Yes, baby, I'm here. It's just us and I've got you. I'm so sorry. I was locked in a room and they only let me back in here just a few minutes ago."

"Gii, why did he...I thought he was our friend. Why did he hurt me?"

"Baby, I'm sorry." Daisuke tucked the boy's head under his chin and gently rocked him. "Baby, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. He wasn't protecting us, he kidnapped us. I didn't want to scare you, but I...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Gii, I love you," Takumi said softly. "I'm sorry, I l-let him, he said he'd hurt you."

"God." Gii's voice broke, and he quickly coughed. "Don't apologize. You've done nothing wrong, except I don't want you getting hurt to protect me."

"But we're equal, aren't we?"

"Hardly. Ten of me isn't worth one of you."

"Gii - "

The door flew open, and this time, Sato was too agitated to bother closing it. Daisuke leapt up and pushed Takumi behind him, shielding him from the gun their captor was erratically waving.

"Well, he's done it," Sato said, with a strange laugh. "Ishii's conscience got the better of him, and the effect you had on him, Takumi. Police are raiding the house. It's all over."

"Stay away from him," Daisuke warned with a glare.

"I won't let anyone else have you, and I certainly won't go to jail. I'm leaving this world and I'm taking you both. Come, Takumi-kun. I'll end your pain forever."

"No!" the boys said together.

"One shot in the head each, it won't hurt at all. It's better this way, you'll always be young, beautiful, mine. You'll be together."

"And we'll be together long after you're gone," Daisuke snarled.

"It can be over, Takumi-kun. All the sadness, all the memories, your unworthy parents who don't love you. Let me save you."

"Gii already did," Takumi said firmly. "Die if you want, but do it alone."

A smile that was sad, at last. "I love you."

Sato aimed the gun, there was a blast, and Takumi dropped to the floor, unharmed but in shock. Daisuke protectively enclosed him, and armed men in black SWAT gear swept into the room, one pausing to check Sato's unmoving body. Others checked every corner, and two approached the captives with their hands held up.

"Watanabe Daisuke and Hamao Kyousuke?"

"Who?" Takumi murmured.

Daisuke carefully stood them up. "Yes."

"Sato is dead and the building secured. Are either of you injured?"

"I'm fine, but Mao needs to be checked. He was..." The word stuck in his throat, but the officers seemed to understand.

"Gii? Who are they talking about? Who's Mao?" Wait...from my dream...

"Gii?"

"Sato had him hypnotized." The words came out in a stressed rush. "He was drugged repeatedly, traumatized, he thinks he's his character from movies we did. Don't touch him unless you have to, he's haphephobic. Baby, I'm sorry. Just trust me and I'll explain everything."

"Why are you saying I'm not Takumi?" the boy whispered, drawing back to look hauntedly at his boyfriend. "You're Gii, aren't you?"

"I will be." Daisuke drew him close again. "As long as you need me to be."

The taller officer looked at the trembling boy kindly. "Takumi-kun, is it? My name is Detective Yamura and this is Detective Kanou. I know you're confused and upset, but I promise, you're both safe now. Two of your captors are in police custody, the rest dead. Ishii contacted us about you two and got us access into this place. He wanted us to convey his apologies to you."

Daisuke smiled weakly. "I had a feeling he liked you, baby."

"Do you have any injuries causing you pain, Takumi-kun?"

"I-I'm okay."

"He needs to be looked at," Daisuke said firmly.

"You both do. We're taking you both ot the nearest hospital once we confirm you're stable enough for transport. Your families are being contacted and will meet us there."

"My parents won't care."

"Baby." Daisuke looked into his eyes. "Believe me when I tell you you have parents that adore you and a brother who would rather die than hurt you."

"Gii, who am I?" Takumi whispered unsteadily.

"Baby, I'll explain everything."

To be continued.