Sladin or Bust! – Explicit One Shots from the Vault of Sladin-

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Based on Three Day's Grace's song, Pain. Richard (Tatsuo) is the tool (sorely adopted bodyguard from a young age by circumstance) of Warlord called Lord Shinji. The young man, Tatsuo ( Richard) kills for his lord (Shinji) "Slade" without question until at 18, he discovers that the pain balms the panic that he feels deep inside - and when it all comes crashing down when he begins to feel for something other than his bitterness, well…in this case, you be the one to press it. Manipulation and sex in this used as a subtle chain to keep Richard ( Tatsuo) from running off, Yada Yada. Slade's foe is the Capital and his army and his rival is actually the next Emperor in line, Asahiro ( Bruce in this case.) Not mentioned much because, well …(Tatsuo) kills an entire squadron in the beginning so it is just his job... Also based off of the complete garbage that was…Shogun on Hulu. Shivers….Def a lot of back lashes. Same as Onmyouji on Netflix. I preferred other series to that even in sub. Too slow paced. It is watered down compared to Shonen Onmyouji. That, was insane stuff. That, I like despite the BL themes. Wait, they both had that so…was Abe no Semei, bi?...Solomon and poss Jesus were but back then, that was a way to rebel against authority and culturally as far as upper class was somewhat overlooked for men. Sometimes. Unless my history on that is spotty, only overshadowing sex scenes in this.

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Pain

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Perfected blades were designed to kill. To cut through enemy lines and to preserve order. But despite every known victory, every ounce of blood drawn in an era meant to stand firm against invaders from the west, what good was feeling at all, if those were useless to a cause which could NOT die?

/

Useless.

The rush of an ache through his arm and shoulder meant the warrior, only at eighteen, had to adjust his stance.

Useless!

They all were going to get culled by his blade in no time.

The screams, as the enemy attackers dove from every angle over the castle walls. The Shogun was inside, planning the greatest welcome once his warriors had returned. The one to lead his cause, being the most skilled.

The greatest threat.

Tatsuo swing his arm out as blood flecked the ground. Bodies lay there, hapless corpses meant to burn. His long tail was for dhow, preferred by his lord to look. Distinctive of his frame; lithe, long as a dancer's by his background. Lashed caked in blood, he was a rare fire lily that could not fall to a drought that easily.

He would return a hero. Right? The Shogunate had picked him, only him from the flock of those meant to train as samurai. As dangerous, damaging vassals of the lord up in that palace. They bowed after every meeting and at every day's end….

He killed, he culled and he never lost his mark. Not to stay alive. And not to forget.

/

Later ….

Tatsuo recovered his composure and was led to the home of the lord he currently had served. Shinji – done in his mind's eye, and the man who had taken this lowly child from his deceased family to train as the now head of his formal guard. Tatsuo was made captain rather quickly, yet the man's son Gonta (Grant) had once protested this. His daughter, Ringo, (Rose) was not one to set her eyes on anyone else. The lord intended to have Tatsuo consider her hand one day. Yet to this, the boy's feelings remained unavailable to anyone other than the man he served. The war he'd won today, was etched still upon his eye lids as he set back the screens. The lord there sipping not a drop until his prize had arrived.

Ringo did not hate him, yet Tatsuo was in pain deep down the prevented love from finding his twisted-up heart. He was called there, to speak by the lord, not to him. To have his drink and go rest, yet that was never the case.

The lord of this place recalled a bit of information; something to keep his dear weapon bound to its promise.

"They were never here at the capital." As the man drank by the dying day of that hour, Tatsuo listened and only bowed as he awaited the man's adoration. The touches that had come from where that "pain" plainly existed. He was pruned as a tree in the man's garden, tended to not only fit in, yet to allure.

"Come." The older male was there for the night to rest, yet the young man he'd summoned could not evade his orders and like a bride, began to dis robe for his lord.

The man owned him. There was no denying how many scars Tatsuo had taken. How his skin tasted under the man's waiting coax; for them to be at each other's throats in a new way was nothing at all new. He laid himself out and the lord had his fill. The burning hot bundle of nerves deep inside not as bad as the branding of his blade to his enemies' throats. How many had died to protect his nation alone, while he moaned as a wanton whore, not at all contented enough beneath a man twice the boy's age.

Twice his status.

Well before the morning light, Tatsuo returned to his rooms elsewhere in the city and did not have the energy to weep any longer. So, instead he did something that the lord who had bound him to this fate always punished his toy for.

Cutting his arm, letting a new scar bloom as it did to take over. A red that was welcomed more than anything... His body was scarred, mostly because the agony of feeling for once took him from the sex and the lies.

Drifting off finally, his bandages wetted and the pain dead enough by morn, he ate, relaxed and pretended nothing had gone wrong.

/

His servants knew better and never whispered it in his presence.

Suicidal, they would say. The lord is harming a boy so young, the gossiped behind his back.

They would be right, yet Tatsuo owed that man his life when his parents had died by an assassination to their troupe. A circus act, somewhere outside of Japan at the time. He was nine, the lord was parading with his most favorite wife through the city. Tatsuo lost them, his family to a killing that ended up with a large fire meant to threaten the capital, yet he had been spared and even fought the attackers with acrobatic feats only he could have honed.

The lord applauded that, and even so, yet again his pains only grew. At a young age, Tatsuo was given training that forced his will to wither and succumb to that loyal brand. The man who had been to train him was the lord's half-brother (Wade) Watanabe.) A rough man who seemed to enjoy taunting more than teaching, yet his aim was sharp. Deadly. He had spats with his brother Shinji, yet always lost. The lord was a great deal to strong and the Emperor kept this man in check because of his power over the people he had swayed. Some called him a man with an immortal presence. Tatsuo guessed it was due to the many dead from defying him.

The pain he felt then, healed much quicker now. Then, a school for his rank came about as the boy was enrolled to learn what a socialite was. His kind however, which were not welcomed, had Tatsuo teased, assaulted and harmed emotionally by the other boys and coerced to by belittled by beautiful women that only wanted him to cry and fall apart. Lord Asahiro (Wayne) and the supposed eldest son of the emperor's favorite wife, took pity, yet that didn't last and for a moment. The boy wondered if he could ever reconsider his post with the other man. He was not like the forceful Lord Shinji, not as demanding or brash to fall into the throws of temptation. To this, the ability to drown out his own screams became a power that let Tatsuo survive those harshest years. He was fourteen when the lord considered bedding the sorry minor. His coming-of-age day was forced along to have him by sixteen ready to fight for his lord and country.

To none, no one dared question his lord's fixation on him since.

The one most that stole his eye these days, was not Ringo but a fiery princess. Her eyes were emerald and strange too. Her hair, red as leaves at an autumn festival….

She was said to have been touched by the goddess of the late harvest, and to appease her was to bring abundance into every home. Surely, he thought of her at sixteen then, that they sometimes saw one another on strolls for years after. At eighteen now on that one day, one day when the cuts and gazes stung the least, a single wall allowed their affections to truly be founded on this fact that Tatsuo had found his suggestion to leave that life behind.

And to put away his sword, just….once.

/

On a ride out with his falcon to survey the area in the woods there, whatever was left of the grass and fields they had harvested from, she was there; looking out and so soon did she vanish to the grasses as he followed. Only to be sure she was safe. Where was her escort? He followed on quiet steps never heard, for his training prevented such movements.

He heard humming, and saw her. Her gaze downwards as she disrobed and stepped into a secret bathing spot. She must have known these woods for some time. It was not accustomed for wives and daughters to not have their wit. That is why many weak men felt ashamed to be beside them.

Yet, she was all alone. Until….

A crunch of a branch underfoot, had the princess grip her things, a small blade there in case she was ever to face an enemy.

He blinked. Eyes there and wide, not at her body. But her eyes gazing back at him.

"Are you there to spy on me?" She looked at him, her blade up, and his body swaying to bow at her status. To pardon his rude behavior right away, he did not hesitate to show great humility.

"Many apologies "Oujou- sama…" (informal here.) Tatsuo tried to act quickly. "I mean no disrespect, yet there are no attendants nearby. You are –

"I am what."

His voice froze up. "You, are not safe without your escort."

She whipped out her blade, hands to her bundle of clothes only to see that she wore an outfit below the first. Of course, the steam had hidden her bathing wear – wrapped in a way to protect her pure self, she was fine. For now.

"I have fought boys somewhat taller in status…" She hummed and held her hand better than any Shinobi. He was, shorter than most. This was only due to the Lord Shinji having him be the youngest to join. There was no reason why she should press, not while her height was almost alien to him.

"Many apologies, please." He pleaded as carefully as he could. A provoked princess, he had every reason to report his findings….

"Where is your post." She asked, her brow raising skeptically up. "Why are you not protecting it?"

"I was, oujo – sama. But you, you had frightened me. Being all alone. How do you know about this spring?"

She looked him over once more, and to his relief, her arm dropped with a sigh. "Only a boy. Your name has flown across the halls of father's palace. They call you the Red Wind. The empty killer; held as a prize by the late Shogun called Lord Shinji." She crinkled her nose at the title. "He is most distasteful in his actions, even if his loyalty is to the emperor. You would be wise to request a change of station. The position of captain is available should you beseech your wants to Lord Asahiro. My uncle."

The boy blinked. Asahiro, was royalty after all…he could then tell Shinji to…

Yet, that wasn't the issue. There was so much blood. And the reason he had stayed, was by a promise the day of their deaths.

~ Your life is owed ten – fold for what you have committed. I will tell not a soul of your crimes, nor theirs, should you remain my weapon and lay at my feet whenever I wish it. ~

Tatsuo bowed, his eyes asking to move on. To not think about the past.

"Why would the great warlord desire you, a child to fight his wars…he has that spoiled daughter. Ringo – sama. Yes?"

She was speaking so highly of the child he was to be wedded to. Tatsuo nodded. "She is aware of the power her father holds over the capital. We of the lord's division have a duty to protect those…. that cannot find themselves whenever possible."

"It must be painful, all of that weight atop your shoulders." She did not stop, so what could Tatsuo do but sit and wait. He let his falcon fly off and soon, Gonta would come. A dread filled Tatuso as he moved to take a part of his clothing and throw it to the princess. "Please. Go and return quickly. The Lord's son is not as humble. He will surely have you taken away. I can aid in your –

"He is not to desecrate this place, do you hear?"

"Yes!" Tatsuo bowed, begging with every fiber for the princess to gather her parcels and retreat. Gonta's horse was known as the Thundering Storm. He would be heard soon and they both….

"Yes, Oujou – Sama…. I shall not allow for this spot to lose its splendor. Now, quickly. Go!"

/

They rode back together, and by the next day, there was only a song of silence and a man at the gates which scared a great deal of people. (not OC but basic cross over)

The great wizard, the high mage and demon exorcist known as Abe – no – Semei was here to visit. For what, none could tell.

The truth about the start of any events supernatural or otherwise were spoken about by what Ringo had been foretold in a session of healing and in a dream. This was against Tatsuo's earlier knowledge, and too was the lord even brought to know of such triggers to his raging conditions. That some not really "here" to take the life of the Lord's family. Something truly despised, so the paranoia rose and thus…his daughter was but a sacrifice Shinji was not willing to lose to a demon.

The fox – faced, grinning man in white and black arose to see to this dilemma, with much to do about anything his eyes could pry at. Including, the boy who harbored many scars at the Lord's side.

/

"He treats you as a son, yet your manner is peculiar. Do you know of Ringo – chan very well?"

The man stood up, his arms shaking and his gut saying to defend. This man…what title had he called her by??

"Ringo – sama is not a child. I ask that you speak with more respect to the lord of this home. My role is to protect his family. Nothing more."

"You?" Scoffed the sage. "I sense a strange energy that is not her own over – lapping. Should I tell the good Lord Shinji that you chose to take his offer and bury someplace secretly away?" A sip from his cup, Tatsuo did not like this sorcerer one bit. "Tell me also, has Ringo…. been acting differently lately."

"No, Sir." The boy swallowed and sat back down, feeling his feathered ruffled too soon in the daytime. "She is quiet and takes to her lessons. We, are betrothed one day, so I have chosen not to stay close for this reason to maintain-

"A good liar leads men astray from his true intent. You are crying out, or your soul wants tell me everything. A heart to that sleeve will have it severed from your entire being if you cannot be truthful. You do not love that girl, do –

"That is none of your concern. She is the Lord's treasure!"

"As are you, I suppose." Semei took a sip of his drink, while Tatsuo's face went pure white at the thought of being exposed. "You've harbored demons from an early time on. What does this lord do to hold sway over his little soldier. I would tell no one, to have your secret kept and for a price, I will even solve that problem covering your heart up."

Only demons made deals…was this a trick?

"Lord Shinji – sama already asked that you save his daughter. My involvement is nothing –

"Wrong." Semei put down his cup and wagged a finger at the boy. "Your involvement could crush his whole world to dust if you so wished to. Just one secret, and the house would fall. You could be set free to do as you like. Maybe to woo a new…. princess."

/

In a word, could that man be possibly one to blackmail a lowly soldier like that? Tatsuo paused outside the lord's doorway. It was now night, and he'd begged to meet even while the distress Shinji felt was vastly encompassing the home. How he should not try to be here, but with his own wounds to nurse.

Instead, the door slid to the side as the warrior entered, unafraid by what he'd see.

/

After another night of bloodied cries to the gods, no okami had pity on the pitiful, as Tatsuo went to seek out their guest. Semei had asked to stay a few nights to see to the condition of the lady being possessed or just acting on wanting attention. Yet his keen fox fire eyes were on her, how she was with her blade even when she'd been told to draw it quietly. "She is a sword - woman too?" The long-haired brute rubbed his chin and smirked wickedly in his own way, impressed.

"My, my. Why would you not remain betrothed to someone with such talent? She is not only a pretty face to lay besides when the time comes, but a suitable and loyal asset to her country. Anyone would surely have her. Why not you?"

Tatsuo held his blade and dared not draw blood in the lady's presence. Not for petty excuses such as his self-worth. Or…his questioned devotion to their later "union."

"Have you decided on a trade?"

"My desire to want pain."

The musing gaze the sorcerer sent was, unreadable at first. He rubbed his chin and looked up at the beans above their heads. "Done. If you should have your woman that your heart now requests, I shall do wjat I can within my power to have the Lady Ringo not miss you too much…once you've left your position as guard dog for this one lord."

"You…would do that? You cannot though, I beg you let her decide –

"It is not her heart I aim to cure." The sorcerer shook his skull. "What does he tell you. That your family was full if thieves and murderers, just like him? You were none if those things, he may have just wanted young blood to add for his ranks. You never know those in power, what odd things they will do to gain attention. He must have a curse placed upon that heart, for that would be the only way to break it. To leave."

"I…cannot…"

"What about her, the princess. Akane?" (Kori.)

/

This fiend was telling him to do what? To take his blade and ego and tear at the chains he'd sworn to carry till death….

Semei was wise yet not even he knew of the child's real reason for staying by the lord's side. Laying as a dog to his feet whenever he deemed it be so.

Ringo's demon must have been slick. It never was in the day, but at night she woke up screaming. Now, tonight it was different. The demon had legs and had carried her to the north wall. Where the mountains were closest.

Abe – no – Semei was quick. He and Tatsuo and the guards all found tendrils of slithering black holding tightly to the lady's near disheveled body. Her tears were fresh and her voice was broken.

"No…."

"Stop that youkai, Onmyouji!" Shinji had his sword and a charm or two he kept due to his inevitable paranoia.

Tatsuo stood in his more offensive stance ad the wizard began to cast his spells.

The lady was forced to harm her family, her people. A vessel in defeat as she wept bitterly while a snake's forked tongue tickled her ear.

"I see…" Smirked the wizard, the flaring lord as pissed as all could see him. "What?? What do you see??"

"If she marries, she shall surely die."

/

The demon was sent away, yet the Onmyouji seemed unfazed by the miasma they had all witnessed taking hold of Ringo that evening.

"She cannot what??" The lord was growling in his seat, drop after drop smashed or downed, as Semei tried to quell this beast's fire all on his own. Tatsuo stayed small and innocent by his lord's side as always.

"If she is to marry, he must not be the only one to wield a blade. Your child is quite talented, and that reduction of her worth is surely why the demon found a home so quickly."

"She cannot – I have only one other child and she is not old enough to be wed off…I cannot trust this logic. It is –

"Fate cannot be declined its hand. So, my advice as medicine to sooth your family of this, horror you have witnessed, is that this…. demon only looks for those who would not trust their hearts. She could not, thus she won't be a suitable wife for that which you've chosen. I would look elsewhere. Also, also ...the gods spoke and in that dream? It was a warning. If the soldier closest to you cannot be stripped of his title, your home shall fall. You cannot kill him. It is not of their wish, yet maybe…. a lesser position in the farm lands to survey much more than I can tell him of."

Tatsuo looked at his lord. No… no! That was not alright…that would immediately-

"Done, but he is still left under the watch of my squadron for as long as this curse is bound to us. Can it not be removed, Onmyouji?"

"I am afraid not. It eats at these walls every day, and if it feasts for too long, the house will surely fall…I am very sorry."

"Father." Gonta put his foot down. "This man must be swindling you with lies. I saw him speaking –

"To save Lady Ringo, sire." Tatsuo caught Gonta's real excuse with his still sharp tongue intact. "It was not against you, but for the sake of saving her life from peril. I meant no disrespect."

"To save my honor, by giving up yourself." The lord snorted. "We shall not part long. You will be summoned when it is convenient and should this bargain be broken…."

Semei kept his fave on straight. The perfect alibi. "Of course. My greatest thanks to having me participate in your affairs. I intend to be sure the demon in Ringo's heart shall never return. To you or your esteemed family."

/

Tatsuo was busy packing up when Abe – no - Semei knocked upon the boy's door informally. Tatsuo looked up and was shocked to see he'd not left yet. "Did you not yet depart?"

"This is but a copy, I am here only to be sure that our bargain was paid off in full." The fox faced male replied. "As a part of OUR deal…you'll go to her, change your face and hair as this will allow you to be by her side, undetected. That is what you wanted all along, a new life?"

"I…the pain. When is –

Semei chuckled. "Unfulfilled persons will often blame each other or themselves for something within their own control. Maybe crying to me was the right thing after all? After all, we are just vessels of these weighted souls we carry into the next lifetime."

The poof of white paper was a sweet farewell, and hopefully as he left and cut his hair, changed his appearance and wrapped up his one eye to look damaged, there would be no turning back as Tatsuo got out a parchment of paper and readied to send his letter right to Asahiro's front door.

Tomorrow, was a day he could cry to. With all of his heart, one that Abe – no Semei had graciously returned to him from the clutches of a true demon.