Petals of a Cherry Blossom - Chapter 6a - KazukixManabu, ToraxByou, KenzoxRui, AoixUruha, and more
Title: Petals of a Cherry Blossom
Chapter: 6a/??
Author: atmosphere_zero
Beta-Reader: misfitmisfit (Thanks a lot! <3)
Genre: Angst, Comedy, Drama, Romance, School life, AU
Rating: R - NC-17
Warnings: Abuse, Strong Language, Some Violence, Suggested Sexual Scene, Explicit Sexual Scenes/Smut, Crossdressing, Gambling
Band(s): Alice Nine, Ayabie, Sadie, ScReW, the GazettE
Pairing(s)/Character(s): KazukixManabu, ToraxByou, KenzoxRui, AoixUruha, MizukixManabu, KazukixUruha, Sagax??
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the bands, people, artists, and musicians mentioned in the story. The story is a work of pure fiction and is in no way meant to represent or reflect the real bands, people, artists, and musicians mentioned in any way. Any similarities are pure coincidences. I do not make anything off of the story as this is simply meant for pure entertainment. No harm or disrespect in any way is intended.
Summary: Behind the fading color of the cherry blossom petals, the truth unveils itself.
Comments: Yay! Another chapter :D Yeah, not sure how that happened XD As always, the chapter is broken into two parts due to LJ's text limit. Please read both parts to enjoy. More in the author's note in the last part. Enjoy!
Previous Chapters: Chapter 1a/ Chapter 1b || Chapter 2a/ Chapter 2b || Chapter 3a/ Chapter 3b || Chapter 4a/ Chapter 4b || Chapter 5a/ Chapter 5b || Chapter 6a/ Chapter 6b ||
Uruha sat in the spacious living room in front of the hearth as the sparks of fire in the fireplace crackled in the air. He held a book in his hands called the Art of War written by a famous Chinese warrior. His parents instructed him to read this book as a child saying how this book would be useful for the remainder of his life. He memorized this entire book A-Z hoping to earn his parents’ attention. But they turned a blind eye saying how learning such an important book was his responsibility. Not a task given to him. How unfortunate of him. His parents never truly cared about him.
As he thought about memorizing, he smiled thinking about how Kazuki and he used to have competitions to see who could memorize the most regardless of the text or scenery at hand. No matter how hard Uruha tried, Kazuki ended up winning because of his photographic memory.
Uruha had been envious of Kazuki being naturally smart, but Uruha loved that part about him. Kazuki was handsome, smart, and talkative. Every quality complemented the other creating the perfect person. Only Kazuki could be his perfect man.
Grr, but Kazuki reprimanded him the other day after school. Uruha curled his fingers into a ball as his blood boiled. What on Earth was going on with Kazuki? Usually, Kazuki wouldn’t care or congratulate him for ruining someone’s life. But not this time. Kazuki scolded at him! Why? Why?
Grr… It must have been that stupid freshman, Manabu. Manabu. Manabu. Manabu! He gritted his teeth just thinking about it. No one stood in his way until Manabu appeared. Only then did Kazuki transform into someone completely unrecognizable. He had to get rid of Manabu’s existence from Kazuki’s world. Manabu posed as a menace and a threat. Manabu would regret challenging him and stealing Kazuki away from his hands.
Knock. Knock.
Uruha frowned as he heard the sound. Who was interrupting him and his thoughts? Didn’t the incompetent servants know better?
“Uruha-sama.” a voice traveled to his ears.
Uruha rolled his eyes when he heard the voice. His bludgeoning, idiotic bodyguard presented himself at such an inconvenient time. Didn’t his oafish bodyguard know he wanted to be left alone right now? He wasn’t in a forgiving mood.
“What the hell do you want, Aoi?” Uruha kept his eyes glued on the fireplace as he heard Aoi open the door.
Uruha’s parents assigned Aoi as his bodyguard after so many other bodyguards proved their ineptitude or quit as they complained how Uruha never treated them fairly. No one could withstand Uruha’s menial requests or awkward pet peeves. Most of the time, people didn’t give a shit about Uruha’s wellbeing. Whatever the case, most people believed Aoi would end up the same as everyone else. But he proved them wrong.
Aoi stood at the doorway noticing Uruha’s slender body and long, golden hair dimly gleaming due to the fire’s embers. He sighed when he noticed Uruha in deep thought. He remained unsure of what occurred in Uruha’s mind since he was deemed unworthy of such information, but something troubled his master. Sometimes, he wished Uruha placed more trust in him.
“I was wondering if you were going to eat dinner.” Aoi brought up as a valid excuse.
It was the truth. The housekeepers prepared dinner, but Aoi already refused knowing Uruha’s answer beforehand.
Uruha scoffed in annoyance. “Not tonight, you idiot.”
He never particularly liked Aoi. He was too quiet and mysterious for his taste. He never said much or did anything. But Uruha could tell Aoi wasn’t incompetent since he managed to survive with him for more than a month. Still… Aoi didn’t compare to Kazuki in any shape or form.
He ordered Aoi to stay away and never follow him around. He didn’t want Aoi interfering in his interactions with Kazuki.
Bah, more important, how could he shove Manabu away without Kazuki finding out? Hmm, no. Kazuki would find out somehow. How could he make it look as if the physical evidence had nothing to do with him? Hmm. Damn. Kazuki was much smarter when it came to such devious planning.
“Is something on your mind?” Aoi’s voice traveled to his ears again.
“No, nothing-” Uruha was about to carelessly answer, but then paused midway.
Oh! Maybe Aoi had some use in his plan to make Manabu go away. Well, maybe not go away, but maybe to psychologically torture Manabu to stay away.
“Actually, I do.” Uruha slightly smiled.
Aoi stood there wondering what Uruha had in mind. Usually, Uruha never assigned him any tasks or jobs so most of the time he was reading books or training. He had to continue to become smarter and stronger. From time to time, he received tasks from Uruha’s parents, but he completed those meager assignments within days.
He became Uruha’s bodyguard only a few months ago and people considered him lucky. Apparently, those who were assigned to Uruha never lasted long. People were shocked to find Aoi still on the job and alive in one piece. But Aoi knew he why survived withstanding Uruha’s harsh treatment.
He… he got hired into the mafia business starting as a lowly bodyguard, but eventually worked his way up proving his worth. Every time he thought about the people he killed… slaughtered… and made disappear for this position… He used to cringe thinking about it, but not anymore. Not when he thought about his sole reason for working his way up.
When he worked as a lowly bodyguard, he spotted Uruha in a heated argument with his parents about something. He wasn’t sure about what, but when Uruha’s parents left the scene, Uruha was left alone drowning in tears. Aoi had the urge to go and comfort Uruha, but the rules forbid him to do so. He couldn’t stand someone… as fragile as Uruha being broken down into tears… Slowly… Bit-by-bit… Uruha transformed into that cold-hearted person. He used to greet everyone with kindness, but now… he kicked anyone who was in his way…
Whatever happened to that gentle, nice Uruha he used to see when Uruha was alone in the secret garden? Did that kind-hearted person extinguish into smithereens? Deep down inside, Aoi knew Uruha was not cut out for such cruel, mafia work. Yet… yet… Uruha pursued this path because of his parents…
“What is it?” Aoi came around toward Uruha’s view, a bit too excited.
“I didn’t tell you to come over here, did I?” Uruha snootily said.
Damn. Aoi forgot he stepped out of boundaries. He got too thrilled. Uruha hardly ever needed him. This one moment… He needed him. And he would do it.
“Humph. You don’t do things unless I tell you to.” Uruha rolled his eyes.
A sharp, throbbing pain entered Aoi’s heart. Why did Uruha always treat him like this? Couldn’t Uruha see him? He only did everything for Uruha. His purpose in life was… for Uruha and yet he never received an ounce of kindness.
“I apologize. I stepped out of my boundaries.” Aoi immediately apologized.
Uruha was beautiful, pretty, and cute. Even though Uruha was stubborn and easily got upset, he didn’t mind putting up with Uruha’s unbearable attitude since his heart only beat for Uruha. Because deep down inside… the Uruha Aoi knew was far from malice.
“Learn how to do it a little less, okay? Don’t be such an idiot and forget next time.” Uruha’s voice was cruel and harsh.
Aoi assumed Uruha’s attitude derived from his parents’ ruthless treatment toward him. When Aoi had to go report to them about Uruha’s condition, they didn’t seem to show much care about their son and Aoi knew why. They loathed their son for being a homosexual. In fact, they wished he were never born into this world. Aoi was partially angry and outraged by their attitude, but he restrained himself. He was aware of his place in the grand scheme of the mafia world. He would be considered a fool to lash out at the very people who now owned his life.
“Anyway, you don’t go to school, do you?” Uruha oddly asked him.
It was true. Aoi was a bit older than Uruha and had no reason to go to school.
“No, sir.” Aoi obediently answered.
“Well… you know at my school. There’s this annoying freshman that I want you to deal with.” Uruha started to reveal to Aoi about the anxieties bothering his mind.
“Deal with?” Aoi hadn’t a clue what Uruha meant.
Uruha sighed in annoyance as he shut his book and placed it on the couch. “Don’t tell me I need to explain that to you?”
“What do you want me to do with him?” Aoi stated his bewilderments.
Uruha shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t care what you do with him. Just scare the hell out of him. And make sure he doesn’t ever get close… to Kazuki.”
Kazuki. It was always about Kazuki. Uruha had hopelessly fallen in love with Kazuki ever since Aoi could remember. The thought depressed Aoi. Uruha loved Kazuki with all of his heart and forgot about the world around him.
“Oh, and his name is Manabu.” Uruha mysteriously flipped out a picture of Manabu presenting it to Aoi for him to keep.
Aoi took it from Uruha’s hand and examined Manabu’s features from the picture. He had shiny, smooth black hair with a fair, white complexion, but wore such a melancholy expression in his eyes.
“May I ask why?” Aoi studied Manabu’s picture.
Uruha silently glared at Aoi who immediately, to defend his question, said, “In order to better get inside of his mind, Uruha-sama. I cannot do anything if I do not know him.”
Aoi didn’t understand why Uruha wanted to psychologically torture this poor kid. Other than getting close to Kazuki, the biggest mafia’s son, this Manabu didn’t pose much of a threat to anyone.
“Well… Manabu is a menace who thinks he can be with Kazuki. But he’s really a poor, scholarship kid who doesn’t know anything about the mafia world.” Uruha leaned over to reach for the vanilla folder laying on the glass coffee table.
He handed Aoi the vanilla folder, which contained Manabu’s file and information. Aoi hesitantly took it from Uruha’s hands and opened it up aghast by the contents of the file. Manabu… had been brutally bullied by kids in the worse ways possible and had an abusive father who gave him life-threatening injuries. Manabu… saw too many doctors… especially for someone his age.
“But Uruha-sama…” Aoi formally addressed him.
“What now?” Uruha tapped his fingers against his leg planning devious ideas in his mind.
“Manabu-san is very fragile. If I break him anymore, he might-” Aoi tried to warn him.
“I don’t care.” Uruha heartlessly turned his head away from Aoi’s sight.
Aoi’s body grew frigid seeing how Uruha’s body swayed so malignantly. He might have protested, but he knew Uruha wouldn’t stand disobedience. Damn. Aoi closed Manabu’s file sickened by the sight of it. The file contained numerous pictures from the bruises of the abuses… Damn. He gazed at Manabu’s school picture. How could Uruha ask to hurt such an innocent kid…?
“I have to get him away… away from Kazuki.” Uruha muttered under his breath mainly speaking to himself.
Kazuki. That name rang in Aoi’s ears. When Uruha was in elementary school, he met Kazuki and opened up to that guy. Ever since then, Uruha tagged along with Kazuki like some servant. Aoi couldn’t fathom how Uruha could subjugate himself to the biggest mafia boss. Uruha was his own person. Not Kazuki’s.
Thinking about Kazuki made Aoi’s blood boil. Most people wouldn’t admit their jealously, but Aoi boldly did. Just because Kazuki had a lot of fame, great looks, and the smarts didn’t mean Kazuki was the only man in the world. Why… why couldn’t Uruha bat an eye toward him? No… it was only toward Kazuki. That damn Kazuki. He wasn’t the only one around with experience and time in the mafia field.
Aoi thinned his lips as he shifted his eyes back down at Manabu’s picture. He clenched his free hand into a ball. He prayed God would forgive him for being a sinful human being. If he couldn’t have Uruha, then Kazuki wouldn’t be able to have Manabu. He would make Kazuki suffer for taking the only person who Aoi cared about. The only person who made Aoi sacrifice his original career. Then Kazuki would understand the experience of losing someone precious.
“Uruha-sama. May I go beyond psychological torture?” Aoi purposely asked for permission.
May God curse him for asking such a question… because the Devil was on his side now…
“What do you mean? I don’t want you to kill or destroy him.” Uruha turned around to face Aoi. “I would hate to be labeled a murder.”
Aoi inwardly grinned at Uruha’s favorable answer. Keeping the victim alive was much more rewarding than killing them.
“That’s the only condition, right? Keeping him alive?” Aoi doubled checked Uruha’s conditions.
He inquired again to make sure although he relished Uruha’s answer. He would have some play time soon.
“Yes, that’s it.” Uruha nonchalantly nodded his head. “Now, get away from me. I need some time to think alone.”
Aoi nodded as he slipped out of the room and closed the door behind him. He might have sought redemption from the almighty God, but he knew he was beyond saving. Only the Devil could bring him to hell.
Aoi gazed at the door and back at Manabu’s picture. He set himself on the path of no return without any intention of giving up. He picked up his untraceable cellphone from his pocket and dialed a number. He walked in the damp, abysmal hallway waiting for a response.
Click. Yes. Someone picked up.
“Yo, what’s up?” a gangster-like voice inquired.
“Hello, Saga-sama, do you have some time tomorrow night to play poker?” Aoi casually asked. “Uruha-sama wishes to play tomorrow.”
There was silence and heavy breathing as well as some muttering going on in the background. Aoi grinned a little. He knew Saga too well. He figured Saga was speaking with a close associate of his to set up a game. Hmm… After all, Saga’s family was in charge of any revenue dealing with tourism such as casinos, hotels, and restaurants.
“Cool with me. Who’s coming?” Saga easily agreed.
“All of the future mafia heads.” Aoi seriously spoke, but wore a small grin.
“7:00pm, then.” Saga said and hung up without saying goodbye.
Aoi shrugged his shoulders as he put his phone away in his pocket. Hmm, tomorrow night would be quite interesting. He remembered he was still holding Manabu’s picture. He sorrowfully stared at it. Perhaps if they had met in another lifetime, he might have been genuinely interested in him.
“Sorry, kiddo. I personally have nothing against you. You happened to get in the way.” Aoi slipped Manabu’s picture in his pocket as he muttered to himself.
XOXOXOXO
Rui got off the plane in Kumamoto a few hours ago staying at a beautiful hotel. He couldn’t wait to start tomorrow morning to tour all of the castles. He eagerly looked forward to traveling everywhere. He had to make sure to buy Kazuki a souvenir.
He thought about Kazuki and the argument he had with him the other day. Why did Kazuki utter such strange words? Why would Kazuki want to trade his life for his own? None of it made sense to Rui.
His father brought Rui and Maru to a nice restaurant located inside of the nice hotel they were staying at. At first, the people wouldn't let Rui in with Maru, but after his father whispered a few words to the hostess’s ear, the hostess had zero qualms about bringing Maru in.
He was dismayed about Kazuki not being able to come on the trip, which made Rui recall something. Why couldn’t Kazuki come along with them? He remembered his father told him Kazuki was busy for the weekend and couldn’t make it. Come to think of it, Kazuki never vacationed with them. He mostly spent time with his father, but not Kazuki. Kazuki seemed more of a stranger to him than his schoolmates… or Kenzo. He knew them more than he knew Kazuki.
They sat down in a private room with a wide, breathtaking view of the landscape. Rui gazed at out the window as Maru rested on his lap. At least he was able to bring Maru along. It was a small fragment of Kazuki that Rui could interact with on a daily basis.
Rui’s father ordered some exquisite dishes and desserts for the meal off of the menu. Rui was elated to try them all out since he never heard of them before.
After the waitress left the room, Rui noticed his father sipping on some red wine. Kazuki’s words about their father being upset at Rui for getting those piercings echoed in his mind. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. Their father never spoke a word to him about it, which made Rui thought it was okay. Yet… Yet… how did Kazuki know?
A flashback of Kazuki’s solemn, bruised up face popped up in Rui’s mind. Could it be…? But that couldn’t be. Rui never knew their father to be so aggressive…
“Dad?” Rui broke the silence.
“Yes, Son?” his father quietly placed the wine glass on the table.
Should he ask his father? But… Rui… Rui felt out of the loop. There were things going on with his father he had no idea about. If his father was upset at Rui for getting these piercings, then why didn’t he say anything? Rui didn’t understand…
“Are you mad at me?” Rui bravely asked him.
“No, why do you say that, Son?” his father casually asked him.
Rui continued to pet Maru wondering how he should approach the topic to his father. Would Kazuki get in trouble for leaking out the truth to their father? Would Kazuki get in trouble for the fact Kazuki knew? Gosh… Why was Rui getting hung up over this question? Normally, he wouldn’t be fearless in asking his father anything, but this… this made him scared. If he wasn’t careful… Kazuki… Kazuki… God… How could Rui be so oblivious?
“Why… why isn’t Kazuki-onii-san on this trip with us? I never get to see him.” Rui frowned speaking the truth. Gosh, he awkwardly avoided the topic.
Their father sighed as he thought about Kazuki. He didn’t bother to ask Kazuki to come since he only wished to spend more time with his youngest son, Rui. But it seemed Rui was dying to let him come along.
“He said he was busy.” his father lied through his teeth. “I didn’t want to force him to come.”
“Oh.” Rui was disappointed as he stared at his untouched juice cup.
His father grimaced at the sight. Damn, Kazuki. His son couldn’t leave him alone. Anytime he tried to get Kazuki away from his life, Kazuki kept on coming back.
“Do you want to spend time with your older brother?” his father inquired.
Rui nodded his head, but then realized how his father might perceive his action. Did he also discover Kazuki never hung out with him on the weekends? God… Did he cause that much pain for Kazuki? He never meant to be such a nuisance. “But… I do understand how busy he is.”
“I know. He’s very busy.” his father nodded his head. “Perhaps next time around.”
“Yeah.” Rui concurred.
He petted Maru wondering why he became so frightened to talk to his father about Kazuki. It wasn’t as if Kazuki was some stranger or something. So then why…?
XOXOXOXO
Kenzo sat on his bed in his sullen, gloomy room with hardly any rays of light emanating from the lamps. He simply lit up a small candle, which rested on the nightstand, to accompany him through his reading. He confined himself to his room reading up books and books about this mafia family to dig up any possible dirt. So far… He wasn’t finding any good information to utilize. Damn. Where else could he look to discover potentially threatening information? There had to be some way to blackmail the big mafia boss…
Kenzo shut the book and gently placed it on the nightstand. He blew out the candle transforming his room into an eternal abyss. He didn’t mind, though. After all, he grew up in darkness.
He slipped the covers over him, but laid wide awake in bed. He was perturbed by Kazuki’s behavior lately. More and more, Kenzo and him spent less time together planning and researching up on the latest enemy. Fortunately, Kenzo kept up-to-date tabs on everyone for Kazuki, but Kazuki didn’t bother to ask him. In fact, Kazuki had been too preoccupied to think about his mafia duties. He let his mind ponder about Manabu all day long.
Kenzo couldn’t comprehend as to why Kazuki was wrapped up with Manabu. He thought Kazuki would use Manabu only as a play toy in his revenge scheme against Tora. His conversation on Thursday night replayed in his mind.
Kenzo swiftly headed up to Kazuki’s room and knocked on the door. He expected to give a full-length report to Kazuki about the latest enemies and what not.
“Come inside.” Kenzo heard Kazuki’s voice emanate through the door.
Kenzo swiftly opened the door spotting Kazuki at his study table reading up on something, but hastily put it away from Kenzo’s eyes slipping it in one of his desk’s drawers.
“What is it?” Kazuki was obviously busy doing mysterious research.
“Nothing, sir. I just wanted to check up on you.” Kenzo stated in a polite manner.
Kazuki paused for a moment before answering. “Kenzo! I’m perfectly fine. Nothing’s going to happen to me.”
Kenzo was taken aback by Kazuki’s statement. It wasn’t his choice of words. It was the sound of his voice. Usually, Kazuki answered him in a monotone or bored voice. Something was off kilter because for this once… He carried a happy tone, which was exceedingly rare…
“Sorry, sir.” Kenzo immediately apologized.
Kazuki sighed as he leaned back in his seat. Kenzo wondered if Kazuki would follow up with questions about the latest sightings of the other mafia henchmen, the other mafia groups, or the potentially dangerous enemies they had to keep tabs on at all times. Even though Kazuki couldn’t do any more missions, it wasn’t a time to relax. It meant a time for more preparation. Instead, Kazuki mindlessly gazed at the wall in front of him without saying a word about the mafia business. This… was certainly strange.
“Kazuki-sama, is something on your mind?” Kenzo broke the silence.
“Now that you mention, there is.” Kazuki sat back up in his chair.
Kenzo thought Kazuki might have spoken or asked about usual business.
“This weekend, I’m going to be busy so I don't want you coming here to this side of the mansion. Stay on the other side.” Kazuki strangely ordered him.
The sentence threw Kenzo off. What the hell?
“Sir?” Kenzo didn’t mean to sound ignorant, but he was getting a bad feeling at Kazuki’s plans for this weekend.
Was Kazuki scheming something without him?
“I don’t want to be interrupted and I want privacy. So do whatever you want this weekend. Just don’t come over to this side of the house. Got it?” Kazuki strangely demanded.
This was… very unlike Kazuki. Not do anything? No work? Kazuki’s orders astonished him. Oh, no… Kenzo’s worst fears came true. Dammit. He never thought the transformation would occur this quickly. It was that kid, Manabu.
“If I may ask, what is it that you’re doing?” Kenzo hoped he didn’t push any buttons.
Kazuki sighed acting as if Kenzo was being the world’s biggest idiot at the moment. “I’m going to spending time with Manabu here.”
“Manabu-san? But… is it dangerous to bring him here?” Kenzo found himself questioning Kazuki’s actions without realizing it.
If an outsider became aware about the location of Kazuki’s home and someone else got his hands on that outsider, the house would be compromised. Including Rui.
Kazuki shot a momentary glare at Kenzo. “Are you questioning my actions?”
Kenzo immediately realized he stepped out of line. “I humbly apologize. I just thought Manabu was a way for you to exact your revenge on Tora-san.”
“It is.” Kazuki wore an unpleasant disposition due to Kenzo’s words.
There was a moment of silence as if Kazuki plotted what to say next. Kenzo didn’t want to probe anything further into Kazuki’s personal business. But he knew Kazuki was treading on dangerous waters that spelled trouble. If Kazuki had seriously fallen in love with Manabu, then someone, an enemy of Kazuki’s, could use that to their advantage. Kenzo was sure Kazuki knew that better than him, but he suspected Kazuki’s personal emotions clouded his professional judgments.
“You’re dismissed. Don’t let me catch you this weekend.” Kazuki threateningly said to Kenzo.
“Yes, sir.” Kenzo quickly bowed.
He hastily left the room and shut the door behind him. He didn’t know what was going on with his master. But he knew it would only spell out more trouble later. Damn. Was he going to have to cover up Kazuki’s affair with Manabu? He shook his head and headed to his room. He needed to get away from this complicated mess of human emotions…
Kenzo continued to lie in bed pondering about his master’s behavior. He closed his eyes hoping to drift away to sleep.
Damn… He wanted some rest tonight because tomorrow would be a busy day for him. He had to leave this place and start his missions…
XOXOXOXO
“Dammit. I’m tired.” Tora obnoxiously yawned as tears leaked out of his eyes.
Byou silently smiled and chuckled at Tora’s comment. “When are you not?”
They sat on the couch together snuggled in each other’s arms watching television late at night. Byou couldn’t be any happier since the weekend had arrived. He could actually spend some quality time with Tora.
“Hmm, true.” Tora nonchalantly agreed.
It had been too long since Byou rested in Tora’s strong, warm arms. There were nights he longed for Tora’s presence. He had been so lonely and even sad at one point. But now, Tora returned back to his side.
Tora enjoyed coming home seeing Byou’s loving, beautiful face. He hadn’t been able to come back home to a warm face in a year. With Byou next to him, he could, at least, feel relieved and comforted that there was someone who cared for his existence.
“How’s the progress going between you and your little brother?” Byou innocently inquired.
Tora thought about how Manabu was on his tail about Byou. Hmm… Dammit. He needed to find a way to stop Manabu from discovering how he wasn’t married to a woman, but to a man. He wasn’t sure about Manabu’s sexual orientation, but Tora certainly wasn’t considered normal, according to society’s standards.
“Well… It’s… going to take some time to warm up to him. It’s expected, though, since he hasn’t been through the greatest life.” Tora carefully spoke as he thought about Manabu’s fragile soul.
Byou slinked his arm around Tora’s waist and leaned his head back on Tora’s chest. “I’m sure he’ll trust you if you keep on showing how much you care for him.”
“I hope so.” Tora had an ounce of doubt that Manabu might not return his friendliness. But it was all within due time.
Tora combed through Byou’s silky hair with his fingers missing that soft feeling. He could never lose Byou or Manabu. These two people… made up his whole world. If he lost those people… God… He dared not to ponder on the consequences.
Suddenly, Byou lifted his body up and kissed Tora’s neck. Shivers slithered down Tora’s spine.
“What the…?” Tora was perplexed by Byou’s actions.
“You owe me.” Byou mischievously smiled.
At first, Tora had no clue as to what Byou meant until he realized Byou’s seductive eyes. Goddamn. How could he miss such obvious signs…? Man, he became too engrossed with his work. He needed to take a break. Perhaps this could be an excuse. No, this was a valid excuse.
Tora returned with a smirk on his face. Instead of responding to Byou’s words, he responded with his actions. He caressed Byou’s lips with his thumb. Hmm, he certainly craved to touch these soft lips. Tora closed in anchoring his lips onto Byou’s as he slowly let his tongue slip out of his mouth. Byou closed his eyes ready to accept Tora’s invitation. Tora excitedly entered into Byou’s mouth reaching deep for Byou’s tongue to intertwine with his own.
He passionately kissed Byou for what seemed to be an eternity. Tora refused to let go. He missed these wonderful kinds of delectable kisses from Byou. He released, as his oxygen tank was about to deplete.
When he let go, he caught his breath hearing Byou catch his own.
“I forgot how you’re aggressive.” Byou commented.
“Hmm, be afraid of what you wish for because unleashing the tiger is dangerous.” Tora teased him.
Byou chuckled at his statement. He learned to deal with the ‘tiger’ within Tora. As nice as the euphemism sounded, it was another way of naming Tora’s fierceness during the moment.
Tora slid his fingernails against Byou’s exposed neck and cocked his head to the side to smell the sweet aroma of Byou’s cologne. He hadn’t been able to do this in a long time. He hadn’t been able to touch Byou.
Tora placed soft kisses on Byou’s neck as Byou tugged on Tora’s shirt to pull him in. Tora gladly went along with the flow and propped the rest of his body on the couch. Before they knew it, Byou laid on the armrest of the couch while Tora hovered over him.
“Come on, Tora. You’re being too gentle.” Byou remarked as he seductively licked his lips.
Tora was embarrassed. How could Byou call him unmanly? “Fine. You asked for it.”
He bowed down to passionately kiss Byou’s enticing lips. He had a hard time resisting them when he became unfocused on his work. Byou’s tongue kept escaping his, but Tora knew he would catch up with it. He wouldn’t allow Byou to win this battle. He swirled all around Byou’s mouth before finally seizing a hold of it. Yes, he had won.
Meanwhile, Tora had, unconsciously, placed his legs in between Byou’s and rubbed his knee against Byou’s inner thigh, which made Byou’s back arch a bit, but Tora could tell it was a sign of Byou enjoying the feeling. And Tora was goddamn right about it.
When Tora released his lips, Byou pulled Tora in forcing another kiss upon his lips. No, he wouldn’t Tora go. He couldn’t. His insides deeply craved for more especially since he missed Tora’s presence for an entire year. Tora cursed at Byou, who certainly knew how to draw him in.
As they began to violently exchange kisses, Tora slipped his hands underneath Byou’s shirt while Byou had undone his pants. Fuck… Feeling Byou’s bare skin... was so pleasurable. He was having a harder time resisting Byou, but… what did he care? He had been away from Byou too long. When Byou finally snugged Tora out of his pants, he enjoyed lightly scratching the bare skin on Tora’s legs.
Tora shivered at the sense of Byou’s hand. Fuck… it had been too long since he had done this. Tora proceeded to pull Byou’s shirt over him and carelessly threw it on the glass coffee table. Byou wondered how long it would take Tora to take off his shirt. Hmm, approximately three minutes. Faster than before, at least.
Right afterward, Tora impulsively decided to trail kisses down from Byou’s neck to his chest. Byou slightly moaned at the touch of Tora’s lips.
“Hey, By-chan.” Tora called for his attention.
“What?” Byou hung his arms around Tora’s neck pulling him in closer leaving only centimeters of hot, moist air between their lips.
“Shall we continue this here or go inside?” Tora suggested.
Byou bit on his lip. They were at such a good spot. How could they just abruptly end everything?
“Come on. I’ll make it worth your while.” Tora persuaded him with his deep voice.
Byou deviously smiled and said, “Fine. But this time, you’re doing the work.”
Tora didn’t mind. In fact, he enjoyed being the one who inserted and not be the inserted one. “You know, we haven’t done this in such a long time.”
“Yeah, because you’re a federal agent who can’t fuck around since you’re never home.” Byou playfully teased Tora.
“Well, the tiger hasn’t lost his skill. Let me show you!”
Part B
Chapter: 6a/??
Author: atmosphere_zero
Beta-Reader: misfitmisfit (Thanks a lot! <3)
Genre: Angst, Comedy, Drama, Romance, School life, AU
Rating: R - NC-17
Warnings: Abuse, Strong Language, Some Violence, Suggested Sexual Scene, Explicit Sexual Scenes/Smut, Crossdressing, Gambling
Band(s): Alice Nine, Ayabie, Sadie, ScReW, the GazettE
Pairing(s)/Character(s): KazukixManabu, ToraxByou, KenzoxRui, AoixUruha, MizukixManabu, KazukixUruha, Sagax??
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the bands, people, artists, and musicians mentioned in the story. The story is a work of pure fiction and is in no way meant to represent or reflect the real bands, people, artists, and musicians mentioned in any way. Any similarities are pure coincidences. I do not make anything off of the story as this is simply meant for pure entertainment. No harm or disrespect in any way is intended.
Summary: Behind the fading color of the cherry blossom petals, the truth unveils itself.
Comments: Yay! Another chapter :D Yeah, not sure how that happened XD As always, the chapter is broken into two parts due to LJ's text limit. Please read both parts to enjoy. More in the author's note in the last part. Enjoy!
Previous Chapters: Chapter 1a/ Chapter 1b || Chapter 2a/ Chapter 2b || Chapter 3a/ Chapter 3b || Chapter 4a/ Chapter 4b || Chapter 5a/ Chapter 5b || Chapter 6a/ Chapter 6b ||
Uruha sat in the spacious living room in front of the hearth as the sparks of fire in the fireplace crackled in the air. He held a book in his hands called the Art of War written by a famous Chinese warrior. His parents instructed him to read this book as a child saying how this book would be useful for the remainder of his life. He memorized this entire book A-Z hoping to earn his parents’ attention. But they turned a blind eye saying how learning such an important book was his responsibility. Not a task given to him. How unfortunate of him. His parents never truly cared about him.
As he thought about memorizing, he smiled thinking about how Kazuki and he used to have competitions to see who could memorize the most regardless of the text or scenery at hand. No matter how hard Uruha tried, Kazuki ended up winning because of his photographic memory.
Uruha had been envious of Kazuki being naturally smart, but Uruha loved that part about him. Kazuki was handsome, smart, and talkative. Every quality complemented the other creating the perfect person. Only Kazuki could be his perfect man.
Grr, but Kazuki reprimanded him the other day after school. Uruha curled his fingers into a ball as his blood boiled. What on Earth was going on with Kazuki? Usually, Kazuki wouldn’t care or congratulate him for ruining someone’s life. But not this time. Kazuki scolded at him! Why? Why?
Grr… It must have been that stupid freshman, Manabu. Manabu. Manabu. Manabu! He gritted his teeth just thinking about it. No one stood in his way until Manabu appeared. Only then did Kazuki transform into someone completely unrecognizable. He had to get rid of Manabu’s existence from Kazuki’s world. Manabu posed as a menace and a threat. Manabu would regret challenging him and stealing Kazuki away from his hands.
Knock. Knock.
Uruha frowned as he heard the sound. Who was interrupting him and his thoughts? Didn’t the incompetent servants know better?
“Uruha-sama.” a voice traveled to his ears.
Uruha rolled his eyes when he heard the voice. His bludgeoning, idiotic bodyguard presented himself at such an inconvenient time. Didn’t his oafish bodyguard know he wanted to be left alone right now? He wasn’t in a forgiving mood.
“What the hell do you want, Aoi?” Uruha kept his eyes glued on the fireplace as he heard Aoi open the door.
Uruha’s parents assigned Aoi as his bodyguard after so many other bodyguards proved their ineptitude or quit as they complained how Uruha never treated them fairly. No one could withstand Uruha’s menial requests or awkward pet peeves. Most of the time, people didn’t give a shit about Uruha’s wellbeing. Whatever the case, most people believed Aoi would end up the same as everyone else. But he proved them wrong.
Aoi stood at the doorway noticing Uruha’s slender body and long, golden hair dimly gleaming due to the fire’s embers. He sighed when he noticed Uruha in deep thought. He remained unsure of what occurred in Uruha’s mind since he was deemed unworthy of such information, but something troubled his master. Sometimes, he wished Uruha placed more trust in him.
“I was wondering if you were going to eat dinner.” Aoi brought up as a valid excuse.
It was the truth. The housekeepers prepared dinner, but Aoi already refused knowing Uruha’s answer beforehand.
Uruha scoffed in annoyance. “Not tonight, you idiot.”
He never particularly liked Aoi. He was too quiet and mysterious for his taste. He never said much or did anything. But Uruha could tell Aoi wasn’t incompetent since he managed to survive with him for more than a month. Still… Aoi didn’t compare to Kazuki in any shape or form.
He ordered Aoi to stay away and never follow him around. He didn’t want Aoi interfering in his interactions with Kazuki.
Bah, more important, how could he shove Manabu away without Kazuki finding out? Hmm, no. Kazuki would find out somehow. How could he make it look as if the physical evidence had nothing to do with him? Hmm. Damn. Kazuki was much smarter when it came to such devious planning.
“Is something on your mind?” Aoi’s voice traveled to his ears again.
“No, nothing-” Uruha was about to carelessly answer, but then paused midway.
Oh! Maybe Aoi had some use in his plan to make Manabu go away. Well, maybe not go away, but maybe to psychologically torture Manabu to stay away.
“Actually, I do.” Uruha slightly smiled.
Aoi stood there wondering what Uruha had in mind. Usually, Uruha never assigned him any tasks or jobs so most of the time he was reading books or training. He had to continue to become smarter and stronger. From time to time, he received tasks from Uruha’s parents, but he completed those meager assignments within days.
He became Uruha’s bodyguard only a few months ago and people considered him lucky. Apparently, those who were assigned to Uruha never lasted long. People were shocked to find Aoi still on the job and alive in one piece. But Aoi knew he why survived withstanding Uruha’s harsh treatment.
He… he got hired into the mafia business starting as a lowly bodyguard, but eventually worked his way up proving his worth. Every time he thought about the people he killed… slaughtered… and made disappear for this position… He used to cringe thinking about it, but not anymore. Not when he thought about his sole reason for working his way up.
When he worked as a lowly bodyguard, he spotted Uruha in a heated argument with his parents about something. He wasn’t sure about what, but when Uruha’s parents left the scene, Uruha was left alone drowning in tears. Aoi had the urge to go and comfort Uruha, but the rules forbid him to do so. He couldn’t stand someone… as fragile as Uruha being broken down into tears… Slowly… Bit-by-bit… Uruha transformed into that cold-hearted person. He used to greet everyone with kindness, but now… he kicked anyone who was in his way…
Whatever happened to that gentle, nice Uruha he used to see when Uruha was alone in the secret garden? Did that kind-hearted person extinguish into smithereens? Deep down inside, Aoi knew Uruha was not cut out for such cruel, mafia work. Yet… yet… Uruha pursued this path because of his parents…
“What is it?” Aoi came around toward Uruha’s view, a bit too excited.
“I didn’t tell you to come over here, did I?” Uruha snootily said.
Damn. Aoi forgot he stepped out of boundaries. He got too thrilled. Uruha hardly ever needed him. This one moment… He needed him. And he would do it.
“Humph. You don’t do things unless I tell you to.” Uruha rolled his eyes.
A sharp, throbbing pain entered Aoi’s heart. Why did Uruha always treat him like this? Couldn’t Uruha see him? He only did everything for Uruha. His purpose in life was… for Uruha and yet he never received an ounce of kindness.
“I apologize. I stepped out of my boundaries.” Aoi immediately apologized.
Uruha was beautiful, pretty, and cute. Even though Uruha was stubborn and easily got upset, he didn’t mind putting up with Uruha’s unbearable attitude since his heart only beat for Uruha. Because deep down inside… the Uruha Aoi knew was far from malice.
“Learn how to do it a little less, okay? Don’t be such an idiot and forget next time.” Uruha’s voice was cruel and harsh.
Aoi assumed Uruha’s attitude derived from his parents’ ruthless treatment toward him. When Aoi had to go report to them about Uruha’s condition, they didn’t seem to show much care about their son and Aoi knew why. They loathed their son for being a homosexual. In fact, they wished he were never born into this world. Aoi was partially angry and outraged by their attitude, but he restrained himself. He was aware of his place in the grand scheme of the mafia world. He would be considered a fool to lash out at the very people who now owned his life.
“Anyway, you don’t go to school, do you?” Uruha oddly asked him.
It was true. Aoi was a bit older than Uruha and had no reason to go to school.
“No, sir.” Aoi obediently answered.
“Well… you know at my school. There’s this annoying freshman that I want you to deal with.” Uruha started to reveal to Aoi about the anxieties bothering his mind.
“Deal with?” Aoi hadn’t a clue what Uruha meant.
Uruha sighed in annoyance as he shut his book and placed it on the couch. “Don’t tell me I need to explain that to you?”
“What do you want me to do with him?” Aoi stated his bewilderments.
Uruha shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t care what you do with him. Just scare the hell out of him. And make sure he doesn’t ever get close… to Kazuki.”
Kazuki. It was always about Kazuki. Uruha had hopelessly fallen in love with Kazuki ever since Aoi could remember. The thought depressed Aoi. Uruha loved Kazuki with all of his heart and forgot about the world around him.
“Oh, and his name is Manabu.” Uruha mysteriously flipped out a picture of Manabu presenting it to Aoi for him to keep.
Aoi took it from Uruha’s hand and examined Manabu’s features from the picture. He had shiny, smooth black hair with a fair, white complexion, but wore such a melancholy expression in his eyes.
“May I ask why?” Aoi studied Manabu’s picture.
Uruha silently glared at Aoi who immediately, to defend his question, said, “In order to better get inside of his mind, Uruha-sama. I cannot do anything if I do not know him.”
Aoi didn’t understand why Uruha wanted to psychologically torture this poor kid. Other than getting close to Kazuki, the biggest mafia’s son, this Manabu didn’t pose much of a threat to anyone.
“Well… Manabu is a menace who thinks he can be with Kazuki. But he’s really a poor, scholarship kid who doesn’t know anything about the mafia world.” Uruha leaned over to reach for the vanilla folder laying on the glass coffee table.
He handed Aoi the vanilla folder, which contained Manabu’s file and information. Aoi hesitantly took it from Uruha’s hands and opened it up aghast by the contents of the file. Manabu… had been brutally bullied by kids in the worse ways possible and had an abusive father who gave him life-threatening injuries. Manabu… saw too many doctors… especially for someone his age.
“But Uruha-sama…” Aoi formally addressed him.
“What now?” Uruha tapped his fingers against his leg planning devious ideas in his mind.
“Manabu-san is very fragile. If I break him anymore, he might-” Aoi tried to warn him.
“I don’t care.” Uruha heartlessly turned his head away from Aoi’s sight.
Aoi’s body grew frigid seeing how Uruha’s body swayed so malignantly. He might have protested, but he knew Uruha wouldn’t stand disobedience. Damn. Aoi closed Manabu’s file sickened by the sight of it. The file contained numerous pictures from the bruises of the abuses… Damn. He gazed at Manabu’s school picture. How could Uruha ask to hurt such an innocent kid…?
“I have to get him away… away from Kazuki.” Uruha muttered under his breath mainly speaking to himself.
Kazuki. That name rang in Aoi’s ears. When Uruha was in elementary school, he met Kazuki and opened up to that guy. Ever since then, Uruha tagged along with Kazuki like some servant. Aoi couldn’t fathom how Uruha could subjugate himself to the biggest mafia boss. Uruha was his own person. Not Kazuki’s.
Thinking about Kazuki made Aoi’s blood boil. Most people wouldn’t admit their jealously, but Aoi boldly did. Just because Kazuki had a lot of fame, great looks, and the smarts didn’t mean Kazuki was the only man in the world. Why… why couldn’t Uruha bat an eye toward him? No… it was only toward Kazuki. That damn Kazuki. He wasn’t the only one around with experience and time in the mafia field.
Aoi thinned his lips as he shifted his eyes back down at Manabu’s picture. He clenched his free hand into a ball. He prayed God would forgive him for being a sinful human being. If he couldn’t have Uruha, then Kazuki wouldn’t be able to have Manabu. He would make Kazuki suffer for taking the only person who Aoi cared about. The only person who made Aoi sacrifice his original career. Then Kazuki would understand the experience of losing someone precious.
“Uruha-sama. May I go beyond psychological torture?” Aoi purposely asked for permission.
May God curse him for asking such a question… because the Devil was on his side now…
“What do you mean? I don’t want you to kill or destroy him.” Uruha turned around to face Aoi. “I would hate to be labeled a murder.”
Aoi inwardly grinned at Uruha’s favorable answer. Keeping the victim alive was much more rewarding than killing them.
“That’s the only condition, right? Keeping him alive?” Aoi doubled checked Uruha’s conditions.
He inquired again to make sure although he relished Uruha’s answer. He would have some play time soon.
“Yes, that’s it.” Uruha nonchalantly nodded his head. “Now, get away from me. I need some time to think alone.”
Aoi nodded as he slipped out of the room and closed the door behind him. He might have sought redemption from the almighty God, but he knew he was beyond saving. Only the Devil could bring him to hell.
Aoi gazed at the door and back at Manabu’s picture. He set himself on the path of no return without any intention of giving up. He picked up his untraceable cellphone from his pocket and dialed a number. He walked in the damp, abysmal hallway waiting for a response.
Click. Yes. Someone picked up.
“Yo, what’s up?” a gangster-like voice inquired.
“Hello, Saga-sama, do you have some time tomorrow night to play poker?” Aoi casually asked. “Uruha-sama wishes to play tomorrow.”
There was silence and heavy breathing as well as some muttering going on in the background. Aoi grinned a little. He knew Saga too well. He figured Saga was speaking with a close associate of his to set up a game. Hmm… After all, Saga’s family was in charge of any revenue dealing with tourism such as casinos, hotels, and restaurants.
“Cool with me. Who’s coming?” Saga easily agreed.
“All of the future mafia heads.” Aoi seriously spoke, but wore a small grin.
“7:00pm, then.” Saga said and hung up without saying goodbye.
Aoi shrugged his shoulders as he put his phone away in his pocket. Hmm, tomorrow night would be quite interesting. He remembered he was still holding Manabu’s picture. He sorrowfully stared at it. Perhaps if they had met in another lifetime, he might have been genuinely interested in him.
“Sorry, kiddo. I personally have nothing against you. You happened to get in the way.” Aoi slipped Manabu’s picture in his pocket as he muttered to himself.
XOXOXOXO
Rui got off the plane in Kumamoto a few hours ago staying at a beautiful hotel. He couldn’t wait to start tomorrow morning to tour all of the castles. He eagerly looked forward to traveling everywhere. He had to make sure to buy Kazuki a souvenir.
He thought about Kazuki and the argument he had with him the other day. Why did Kazuki utter such strange words? Why would Kazuki want to trade his life for his own? None of it made sense to Rui.
His father brought Rui and Maru to a nice restaurant located inside of the nice hotel they were staying at. At first, the people wouldn't let Rui in with Maru, but after his father whispered a few words to the hostess’s ear, the hostess had zero qualms about bringing Maru in.
He was dismayed about Kazuki not being able to come on the trip, which made Rui recall something. Why couldn’t Kazuki come along with them? He remembered his father told him Kazuki was busy for the weekend and couldn’t make it. Come to think of it, Kazuki never vacationed with them. He mostly spent time with his father, but not Kazuki. Kazuki seemed more of a stranger to him than his schoolmates… or Kenzo. He knew them more than he knew Kazuki.
They sat down in a private room with a wide, breathtaking view of the landscape. Rui gazed at out the window as Maru rested on his lap. At least he was able to bring Maru along. It was a small fragment of Kazuki that Rui could interact with on a daily basis.
Rui’s father ordered some exquisite dishes and desserts for the meal off of the menu. Rui was elated to try them all out since he never heard of them before.
After the waitress left the room, Rui noticed his father sipping on some red wine. Kazuki’s words about their father being upset at Rui for getting those piercings echoed in his mind. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. Their father never spoke a word to him about it, which made Rui thought it was okay. Yet… Yet… how did Kazuki know?
A flashback of Kazuki’s solemn, bruised up face popped up in Rui’s mind. Could it be…? But that couldn’t be. Rui never knew their father to be so aggressive…
“Dad?” Rui broke the silence.
“Yes, Son?” his father quietly placed the wine glass on the table.
Should he ask his father? But… Rui… Rui felt out of the loop. There were things going on with his father he had no idea about. If his father was upset at Rui for getting these piercings, then why didn’t he say anything? Rui didn’t understand…
“Are you mad at me?” Rui bravely asked him.
“No, why do you say that, Son?” his father casually asked him.
Rui continued to pet Maru wondering how he should approach the topic to his father. Would Kazuki get in trouble for leaking out the truth to their father? Would Kazuki get in trouble for the fact Kazuki knew? Gosh… Why was Rui getting hung up over this question? Normally, he wouldn’t be fearless in asking his father anything, but this… this made him scared. If he wasn’t careful… Kazuki… Kazuki… God… How could Rui be so oblivious?
“Why… why isn’t Kazuki-onii-san on this trip with us? I never get to see him.” Rui frowned speaking the truth. Gosh, he awkwardly avoided the topic.
Their father sighed as he thought about Kazuki. He didn’t bother to ask Kazuki to come since he only wished to spend more time with his youngest son, Rui. But it seemed Rui was dying to let him come along.
“He said he was busy.” his father lied through his teeth. “I didn’t want to force him to come.”
“Oh.” Rui was disappointed as he stared at his untouched juice cup.
His father grimaced at the sight. Damn, Kazuki. His son couldn’t leave him alone. Anytime he tried to get Kazuki away from his life, Kazuki kept on coming back.
“Do you want to spend time with your older brother?” his father inquired.
Rui nodded his head, but then realized how his father might perceive his action. Did he also discover Kazuki never hung out with him on the weekends? God… Did he cause that much pain for Kazuki? He never meant to be such a nuisance. “But… I do understand how busy he is.”
“I know. He’s very busy.” his father nodded his head. “Perhaps next time around.”
“Yeah.” Rui concurred.
He petted Maru wondering why he became so frightened to talk to his father about Kazuki. It wasn’t as if Kazuki was some stranger or something. So then why…?
XOXOXOXO
Kenzo sat on his bed in his sullen, gloomy room with hardly any rays of light emanating from the lamps. He simply lit up a small candle, which rested on the nightstand, to accompany him through his reading. He confined himself to his room reading up books and books about this mafia family to dig up any possible dirt. So far… He wasn’t finding any good information to utilize. Damn. Where else could he look to discover potentially threatening information? There had to be some way to blackmail the big mafia boss…
Kenzo shut the book and gently placed it on the nightstand. He blew out the candle transforming his room into an eternal abyss. He didn’t mind, though. After all, he grew up in darkness.
He slipped the covers over him, but laid wide awake in bed. He was perturbed by Kazuki’s behavior lately. More and more, Kenzo and him spent less time together planning and researching up on the latest enemy. Fortunately, Kenzo kept up-to-date tabs on everyone for Kazuki, but Kazuki didn’t bother to ask him. In fact, Kazuki had been too preoccupied to think about his mafia duties. He let his mind ponder about Manabu all day long.
Kenzo couldn’t comprehend as to why Kazuki was wrapped up with Manabu. He thought Kazuki would use Manabu only as a play toy in his revenge scheme against Tora. His conversation on Thursday night replayed in his mind.
Kenzo swiftly headed up to Kazuki’s room and knocked on the door. He expected to give a full-length report to Kazuki about the latest enemies and what not.
“Come inside.” Kenzo heard Kazuki’s voice emanate through the door.
Kenzo swiftly opened the door spotting Kazuki at his study table reading up on something, but hastily put it away from Kenzo’s eyes slipping it in one of his desk’s drawers.
“What is it?” Kazuki was obviously busy doing mysterious research.
“Nothing, sir. I just wanted to check up on you.” Kenzo stated in a polite manner.
Kazuki paused for a moment before answering. “Kenzo! I’m perfectly fine. Nothing’s going to happen to me.”
Kenzo was taken aback by Kazuki’s statement. It wasn’t his choice of words. It was the sound of his voice. Usually, Kazuki answered him in a monotone or bored voice. Something was off kilter because for this once… He carried a happy tone, which was exceedingly rare…
“Sorry, sir.” Kenzo immediately apologized.
Kazuki sighed as he leaned back in his seat. Kenzo wondered if Kazuki would follow up with questions about the latest sightings of the other mafia henchmen, the other mafia groups, or the potentially dangerous enemies they had to keep tabs on at all times. Even though Kazuki couldn’t do any more missions, it wasn’t a time to relax. It meant a time for more preparation. Instead, Kazuki mindlessly gazed at the wall in front of him without saying a word about the mafia business. This… was certainly strange.
“Kazuki-sama, is something on your mind?” Kenzo broke the silence.
“Now that you mention, there is.” Kazuki sat back up in his chair.
Kenzo thought Kazuki might have spoken or asked about usual business.
“This weekend, I’m going to be busy so I don't want you coming here to this side of the mansion. Stay on the other side.” Kazuki strangely ordered him.
The sentence threw Kenzo off. What the hell?
“Sir?” Kenzo didn’t mean to sound ignorant, but he was getting a bad feeling at Kazuki’s plans for this weekend.
Was Kazuki scheming something without him?
“I don’t want to be interrupted and I want privacy. So do whatever you want this weekend. Just don’t come over to this side of the house. Got it?” Kazuki strangely demanded.
This was… very unlike Kazuki. Not do anything? No work? Kazuki’s orders astonished him. Oh, no… Kenzo’s worst fears came true. Dammit. He never thought the transformation would occur this quickly. It was that kid, Manabu.
“If I may ask, what is it that you’re doing?” Kenzo hoped he didn’t push any buttons.
Kazuki sighed acting as if Kenzo was being the world’s biggest idiot at the moment. “I’m going to spending time with Manabu here.”
“Manabu-san? But… is it dangerous to bring him here?” Kenzo found himself questioning Kazuki’s actions without realizing it.
If an outsider became aware about the location of Kazuki’s home and someone else got his hands on that outsider, the house would be compromised. Including Rui.
Kazuki shot a momentary glare at Kenzo. “Are you questioning my actions?”
Kenzo immediately realized he stepped out of line. “I humbly apologize. I just thought Manabu was a way for you to exact your revenge on Tora-san.”
“It is.” Kazuki wore an unpleasant disposition due to Kenzo’s words.
There was a moment of silence as if Kazuki plotted what to say next. Kenzo didn’t want to probe anything further into Kazuki’s personal business. But he knew Kazuki was treading on dangerous waters that spelled trouble. If Kazuki had seriously fallen in love with Manabu, then someone, an enemy of Kazuki’s, could use that to their advantage. Kenzo was sure Kazuki knew that better than him, but he suspected Kazuki’s personal emotions clouded his professional judgments.
“You’re dismissed. Don’t let me catch you this weekend.” Kazuki threateningly said to Kenzo.
“Yes, sir.” Kenzo quickly bowed.
He hastily left the room and shut the door behind him. He didn’t know what was going on with his master. But he knew it would only spell out more trouble later. Damn. Was he going to have to cover up Kazuki’s affair with Manabu? He shook his head and headed to his room. He needed to get away from this complicated mess of human emotions…
Kenzo continued to lie in bed pondering about his master’s behavior. He closed his eyes hoping to drift away to sleep.
Damn… He wanted some rest tonight because tomorrow would be a busy day for him. He had to leave this place and start his missions…
XOXOXOXO
“Dammit. I’m tired.” Tora obnoxiously yawned as tears leaked out of his eyes.
Byou silently smiled and chuckled at Tora’s comment. “When are you not?”
They sat on the couch together snuggled in each other’s arms watching television late at night. Byou couldn’t be any happier since the weekend had arrived. He could actually spend some quality time with Tora.
“Hmm, true.” Tora nonchalantly agreed.
It had been too long since Byou rested in Tora’s strong, warm arms. There were nights he longed for Tora’s presence. He had been so lonely and even sad at one point. But now, Tora returned back to his side.
Tora enjoyed coming home seeing Byou’s loving, beautiful face. He hadn’t been able to come back home to a warm face in a year. With Byou next to him, he could, at least, feel relieved and comforted that there was someone who cared for his existence.
“How’s the progress going between you and your little brother?” Byou innocently inquired.
Tora thought about how Manabu was on his tail about Byou. Hmm… Dammit. He needed to find a way to stop Manabu from discovering how he wasn’t married to a woman, but to a man. He wasn’t sure about Manabu’s sexual orientation, but Tora certainly wasn’t considered normal, according to society’s standards.
“Well… It’s… going to take some time to warm up to him. It’s expected, though, since he hasn’t been through the greatest life.” Tora carefully spoke as he thought about Manabu’s fragile soul.
Byou slinked his arm around Tora’s waist and leaned his head back on Tora’s chest. “I’m sure he’ll trust you if you keep on showing how much you care for him.”
“I hope so.” Tora had an ounce of doubt that Manabu might not return his friendliness. But it was all within due time.
Tora combed through Byou’s silky hair with his fingers missing that soft feeling. He could never lose Byou or Manabu. These two people… made up his whole world. If he lost those people… God… He dared not to ponder on the consequences.
Suddenly, Byou lifted his body up and kissed Tora’s neck. Shivers slithered down Tora’s spine.
“What the…?” Tora was perplexed by Byou’s actions.
“You owe me.” Byou mischievously smiled.
At first, Tora had no clue as to what Byou meant until he realized Byou’s seductive eyes. Goddamn. How could he miss such obvious signs…? Man, he became too engrossed with his work. He needed to take a break. Perhaps this could be an excuse. No, this was a valid excuse.
Tora returned with a smirk on his face. Instead of responding to Byou’s words, he responded with his actions. He caressed Byou’s lips with his thumb. Hmm, he certainly craved to touch these soft lips. Tora closed in anchoring his lips onto Byou’s as he slowly let his tongue slip out of his mouth. Byou closed his eyes ready to accept Tora’s invitation. Tora excitedly entered into Byou’s mouth reaching deep for Byou’s tongue to intertwine with his own.
He passionately kissed Byou for what seemed to be an eternity. Tora refused to let go. He missed these wonderful kinds of delectable kisses from Byou. He released, as his oxygen tank was about to deplete.
When he let go, he caught his breath hearing Byou catch his own.
“I forgot how you’re aggressive.” Byou commented.
“Hmm, be afraid of what you wish for because unleashing the tiger is dangerous.” Tora teased him.
Byou chuckled at his statement. He learned to deal with the ‘tiger’ within Tora. As nice as the euphemism sounded, it was another way of naming Tora’s fierceness during the moment.
Tora slid his fingernails against Byou’s exposed neck and cocked his head to the side to smell the sweet aroma of Byou’s cologne. He hadn’t been able to do this in a long time. He hadn’t been able to touch Byou.
Tora placed soft kisses on Byou’s neck as Byou tugged on Tora’s shirt to pull him in. Tora gladly went along with the flow and propped the rest of his body on the couch. Before they knew it, Byou laid on the armrest of the couch while Tora hovered over him.
“Come on, Tora. You’re being too gentle.” Byou remarked as he seductively licked his lips.
Tora was embarrassed. How could Byou call him unmanly? “Fine. You asked for it.”
He bowed down to passionately kiss Byou’s enticing lips. He had a hard time resisting them when he became unfocused on his work. Byou’s tongue kept escaping his, but Tora knew he would catch up with it. He wouldn’t allow Byou to win this battle. He swirled all around Byou’s mouth before finally seizing a hold of it. Yes, he had won.
Meanwhile, Tora had, unconsciously, placed his legs in between Byou’s and rubbed his knee against Byou’s inner thigh, which made Byou’s back arch a bit, but Tora could tell it was a sign of Byou enjoying the feeling. And Tora was goddamn right about it.
When Tora released his lips, Byou pulled Tora in forcing another kiss upon his lips. No, he wouldn’t Tora go. He couldn’t. His insides deeply craved for more especially since he missed Tora’s presence for an entire year. Tora cursed at Byou, who certainly knew how to draw him in.
As they began to violently exchange kisses, Tora slipped his hands underneath Byou’s shirt while Byou had undone his pants. Fuck… Feeling Byou’s bare skin... was so pleasurable. He was having a harder time resisting Byou, but… what did he care? He had been away from Byou too long. When Byou finally snugged Tora out of his pants, he enjoyed lightly scratching the bare skin on Tora’s legs.
Tora shivered at the sense of Byou’s hand. Fuck… it had been too long since he had done this. Tora proceeded to pull Byou’s shirt over him and carelessly threw it on the glass coffee table. Byou wondered how long it would take Tora to take off his shirt. Hmm, approximately three minutes. Faster than before, at least.
Right afterward, Tora impulsively decided to trail kisses down from Byou’s neck to his chest. Byou slightly moaned at the touch of Tora’s lips.
“Hey, By-chan.” Tora called for his attention.
“What?” Byou hung his arms around Tora’s neck pulling him in closer leaving only centimeters of hot, moist air between their lips.
“Shall we continue this here or go inside?” Tora suggested.
Byou bit on his lip. They were at such a good spot. How could they just abruptly end everything?
“Come on. I’ll make it worth your while.” Tora persuaded him with his deep voice.
Byou deviously smiled and said, “Fine. But this time, you’re doing the work.”
Tora didn’t mind. In fact, he enjoyed being the one who inserted and not be the inserted one. “You know, we haven’t done this in such a long time.”
“Yeah, because you’re a federal agent who can’t fuck around since you’re never home.” Byou playfully teased Tora.
“Well, the tiger hasn’t lost his skill. Let me show you!”
Part B