[Fanfic] Red West III. - Chapter six
Title: RED WEST III.
Author: Kasumi
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Western, Drama, Romance, Adventure, Historical fiction
Warning: AKame pairing - AU; vulgarisms, violence, explicit content
Beta-reading:
atago4
Summary: A direct sequel of Red West II. - Masterpost
A strange company of three young gunslingers and one Indian is on their way to Montana, while the infamous Black Riders continue their fight against Silver King of Colorado… Will they succeed or fail in the clash with the cruel environment and heartless Governor? Will their friendship, brotherhood and love persevere or be destroyed by greed, bloodshed and vengeance?
Thank you: To Kamenashi Kazuya and Akanishi Jin, because this story wouldn´t have existed without them.
A/N: Hisashiburi!
Long time no see... How are you everyone? ^^´
I have been quite busy. The reality got in the way of my precious hobby again (moving along with a job change...) and now... now I must get used to writing in English again. XD
So, here you go with the next RW chapter and I hope you´ll enjoy it! If you´re still waiting for it, right...
I´m grateful for any opinion or advice, you help me hone my writing skills with them.
Thank you for taking time to read this story. I´ll be happy if you reward me with a comment for it.
Previously:
Prologue // Chapter one // Chapter two // Chapter three // Chapter four // Chapter five //
Monster night
It was nothing special - just several wooden poles bent and covered by birch bark mats creating a small, cone-shaped hut, with some sleeping leathers and furs inside. Their wigwam was actually the smallest one in the whole village, but still big enough for the two of them and their stuff. Jin wouldn´t have minded staying there for longer than just one more night, which was about to fall upon the reservation under the Rising Wolf Mountain. He didn’t miss the luxury of hotels and baths in the cities so much. He would rather have more of free time with his lover instead…
He added a few sticks to the modest fire, grabbed a cleaning kit from his sac, both their rifles and headed back outside. Kame was sitting on the blanket right in front of the wigwam, studying a map, which Jin was already well familiar with. They bought it back in Billings for quite a reasonable price, considering it included the most up-to-date information that could be acquired.
Untying his gun belt, Jin hovered above Kame to peek at the notes the younger one had made so far. He could see some dots marking all military forts and outposts in Montana they knew about.
“Didn´t know you want to make a tour around the country,” Jin commented as he settled down next to him.
“Just going through our possibilities…” Kame murmured, tapping the map with a short pencil.
Of course he was doing that, even though Jin thought it was not necessary. ´Do not leave anything to chance´ - that was apparently Kazuya´s motto.
Jin opened the kit and pulled both his revolvers out of their sheaths, satisfied with their shiny appearance. He cleaned them properly a few days ago, so after glancing over them, he set them aside and focused on the rest of their weapons. Who knew what was awaiting them while confronting the soldiers; it was always better to be ready.
The slim fingers tapped on his knee. Jin looked up to see that Kame put the map aside for the moment and pulled out his own revolver.
“Can you check it for me as well?”
Jin let his lips spread in a calculating smile and took the gun from the younger one: “Sure. What will be my reward?”
Kame was looking at him for a while, before he suddenly leant forward and pressed his lips against Jin´s in a warm, sweet kiss.
“Will something like that do?” he asked innocently.
“I need to think about it,” Jin reacted and turned away, trying to pretend that his pulse just didn´t get any faster at all.
“Liar,” chuckled Kame softly.
“Don´t get too confident,” he warned his smiling boyfriend. “I can be very expensive.”
“I already know that,” the younger one reacted calmly, taking the map back in his hand. “It wasn´t exactly cheap to make you my boyfriend.”
Jin´s hands holding one of the rifles dropped and he pierced the younger one with a sharp look. He seemed to be focused on the planning again, but the corner of Kame´s lips was twitching in a way which convicted him of enjoying this teasing.
“The same goes for you, Kazuya,” Jin stated in a deep voice, which made the other look at him again and the warm sparkles in his eyes made him lean closer. “And I don´t regret that price even a bit,” he added hoarsely, reaching for the back of Kame´s neck, as this time he connected their lips.
Kame happily let Jin´s tongue slip inside his mouth, shaking a little under the possessive, demanding pressure. How he loved that feeling when Jin claimed him…
Quite a vigorous cough made them tear apart and they looked up to the Indian pair standing nearby. It was Migisi, trying to cover her smile, and Liwan, who was observing them with a stony expression.
“I did not mean to interrupt, but Beara said you want to talk,” the young shaman announced kind of stiffly.
Kame heard Jin sighing inaudibly, as he pulled his hand away from him.
“Yes, I want to talk with you,” he said, hoping that his face was not too blushed. “Please, sit.”
His blood brother made himself comfortable on the blanket, while Migisi put a plate with two fish and some thin roasted pancakes in front of them.
“Thank you,” both white youngsters spoke in unison, which made the Indian woman giggle again. She nodded and left the men alone.
Kame and Jin exchanged a little sheepish, but warm look, while Liwan seemed as if he was not sure what face to make. In the end, he remained composed.
“I listen to you, my brother.”
“Well…” Kame took a breath. “It´s about those rations...”
He didn´t even need to continue and Liwan already knew: “I see you decided to do something. You want to leave.”
Jin, who was checking the second rifle already, chuckled amused: “I admit you know him well, Bear.”
Kame nodded: “I´d like to stay here much longer, but the sooner someone starts solving this, the better for the whole reservation.”
“I understand and I am happy that my brother cares for my tribe so much,” Liwan reacted calmly. “What do you want to do?”
“I will check on the situation in Fort Shaw, if there´s a way to talk to this Sergeant Turner´s superior. If not, there´s a bigger fortress near Bozeman. And if nobody listens to us even there, I will send a letter to Office of Indian Affairs. They´re responsible for everything related to Indian reservations.”
Jin kept himself busy, but he listened carefully to each word. It was clear that Kame was thinking this through in details.
“These officers are far from here though. Will it help?” Liwan wonder not very optimistically.
“I don´t know,” Kame admitted heavily. “But if we don´t try, nothing will change. And if it does, it won´t be for the better.”
“That much true is, I know,” the young shaman agreed, pondering the idea for a moment. “Anything I can do to help?”
“I already talked with Chief Ninastoko, but I´m not sure if he understood everything. Please, explain it to him in details, if he asks. And if the soldiers come again, try to keep the warriors in check. I know they´re upset, but another confrontation will make the situation only more difficult.”
“I understand,” Liwan nodded. “And you, my friend?” he turned to Jin. “You go with my blood brother, I assume.”
Jin raised his eyes from Kame´s revolver: “Do you really need to ask that?”
A fleeting smirk came across the Indian´s face: “It was not a question.”
“Sure,” Jin grinned.
Liwan got up to his feet again, and Kame as well. The young shaman took the younger´s arm and squeezed it with both hands: “You are good man, Kame. My heart is in great joy to have such brother like you.”
“I feel the same way, Liwan,” Kame assured him with a bright smile.
“I´ll see you off in the morning,” with that, the tall Indian left the two to enjoy the rest of fading day alone.
*
The village was mostly dark and calm as Jin walked through it after a short check on Kuro. The cool wind chasing waves on the surface of the lake made hairs on his bare hands stand. He shivered and quickly bent down to get into their wigwam. Kame was already inside, blankly staring into the flames of fire.
Jin kicked off his boots, leaving them near the entrance and with quite a relief, he sprawled on the fur behind his boyfriend´s back. They didn´t have to do anything too strenuous during the day, but still, he was grateful for some rest after the long traveling.
Checking on Kame´s profile, he assumed that his expression was kind of gloomy. The younger one was like that the day before as well, but after the unpleasant clash with soldiers it was nothing surprising. Though, Jin didn´t like that this mood stuck with his boyfriend for so long.
“You seem worried…”
Kame poked the fire, before replying quietly: “Kind of… I really tried to help the Blackfeet before and… You know how that worked out.”
Jin frowned and raised himself on the elbows: “This pessimism doesn´t suit you, Kame. Believe in yourself a bit. You´ll figure the best way out of this poor-ration situation and I´ll be there to help you.”
Kame turned to look at him: “I know…” he breathed out with a smile. Then he finally let the fire be the fire and moved closer, lowering himself to Jin´s face. “Thanks,” he whispered, before kissing him shortly. “And I´m sorry about our vacation,” he continued and caressed the older one´s awaiting mouth softly again. “Really sorry,” he finished with a longer, deeper kiss.
Half-amused, half-excited about such pampering, Jin observed his lover´s face feeling such a strong affection, that he wouldn´t be able to describe it even if he wanted to.
“I almost thought you forgot…” he complained, before eagerly reuniting with those soft lips and dragging the younger one down upon himself.
The slim figure willingly spread all over him, firm fingers on his shoulders and a cheeky tongue in a teasing fight with his own. Jin slipped with both his hands under Kame´s shirt, soothing the warm skin under it, and circled one leg around Kame´s to pull him even closer. The younger one fidgeted a little, creating a damn pleasant pressure against his crotch and making Jin hanker for much more.
Not ever disrupting their kissing, he shifted Kame to the side and imprisoned him under himself. Reacting on that, the younger´s hands went down all over his back and spread on his loins tenderly. He gasped, when Kame made for another teasing move against his private parts.
Unwillingly, Jin tore off the wet lips, sat aside and threw the shirt off him in an impatient move, with Kame already attempting to do the same with his.
The naked chests pressed against each other as well as the heated mouths.
Jin relentlessly forced Kame to lie down on the fur again, moving the kisses on to his neck, chest and nipples. Kame´s breathing got heavier, and he grasped the handful of Jin´s hair harshly, when he continued caressing him even lower, encouraging him to continue.
Jin smiled against the younger´s skin and then crept back up to his face, while pushing one knee between his legs. Kame´s half-closed eyes observed him closely, before the younger one raised himself up quickly and captured Jin´s lips in a demanding kiss, which was clearly telling, what he was eager for, as well as his fingers slipping under the older one´s trousers. And Jin was more than willing to give it to him and even more.
Impatiently, he started untying Kame´s belt, looking forward to make him moan in that way which always brought him to the edge of his own arousal…
“Kame? Jiiin?”
A weepy, pleading voice broke through the heated curtain on their minds and made them freeze, with Kame´s palms on the older one´s butt and with Jin´s fingers on the buttons of younger´s trousers.
“Can I…? Can I come in?” the child´s voice continued ruefully.
Jin closed his eyes and held his breath. He already felt the warmth of Kame´s palms retreating from the position on which he would have liked them to stay. Resigned, he straightened up and pulled his trousers back up.
“Beara?” Kame asked in a covert and already worried voice. “What is it?”
Jin moved to the entrance on his knees and lifted the skin just when a small hand reached for it. The faint light flashed on the face of the Indian girl wet with tears.
“Come,” he gestured her gently. “What happened to you, squirt?”
Beara threw herself around Jin´s waist: “Monster... there… and you two!”
“We´re here, Beara,” Kame was already there too, running his fingers through the girl´s messy her. “You saw something?”
“No… Yes… Eram de…” she sobbed barely coherently, but Kame understood.
“You had a nightmare?”
The girl nodded, still hiding her face from them: “Big monster… You both… It was… And I… Brother sleep and… He always say - just dream. But, but…”
“Shhhh, you´re safe here,” Jin assured her and lifted Beara´s chin up gently, so that he could look in her eyes. “It scared you, right?”
The girl nodded: “It was… awful. I am so scared… Can I stay? Pretty please? Brother would tell just sleep, I know. You let me not sleep alone? Right?”
Kame and Jin looked at each other, both equally defenseless against such a plea.
“Of course, you can stay, baby bear,” the older one ruffled the girl´s hair this time. “We won´t let any night monsters come close to you.”
*
Settled between them, appeased Beara fell asleep quite quickly and her breathing got steady, even with Jin´s hand still on the top of her head.
A handsome gunslinger comforting a scared child - it was a very nice, calming image.
“What is it?” Jin asked whispering, as he noticed Kame´s focused look.
“Nothing just… It suits you,” the younger one informed him quietly. “You can do well with kids.”
Jin thought that a completely different position, with Kame included in it, would have suited him even better, but he couldn´t bring himself to mention it. Not with a little girl begging for their protection.
“This squirt is not so difficult to deal with. Definitely easier than her brother.”
Kame chuckled softly: “So, you´re not mad that she…”
“Disturbed us in the most inconvenient moment?” Jin cut in with a sour grin. “What do you think?”
Under the pressure of those dark, deep eyes burying into his, Kame gulped down heavily: “I had no heart to send her away…” he forced through the narrow throat.
His boyfriend sighed agreeably: “Me neither, of course,” he stated with tired resignation, glancing at the peaceful face of their unexpected visitor. “How could I be upset at such a cute little bear?” a gentle smile curved Jin´s lips with those words.
Kame was not used to seeing such an expression on his lover´s face. And it made him feel strangely sad. He shook that feeling away quickly though, not wanting to spoil the nice moment. He pulled the blanket a little, to cover Beara up to her neck and then lied down.
“Let´s get some sleep then?”
“Yeah,” the older one agreed with no sigh of annoyance, nestling right next to the girl. “But count on me making up for this missed opportunity…” he added murmuring.
Kame closed his eyes smiling: “I do count with that.”
***
Jin was woken up by a cheerful voice. It sounded a way different from that tearful, scared one they had heard the evening before.
He opened his eyes to the shadows of an empty wigwam. It had to be just shortly before dawn and the girl´s voice was gibbering outside. Listening to it for a while, even though he didn´t understand a single word of it, made him smile. And hearing a well-known voice of a young man replying made him sit up.
“Jin!” the little bear exclaimed as soon as he peeked out. “Kame made me breakfast!” Beara showed off a full plate.
“Oh, really? That´s nice of him,” Jin smiled at Beara, but directed a reproachful look at his boyfriend, who turned to him. “What about me?”
“Don´t worry, I put your portion aside,” Kame assured him with a wink.
“Great! I´m so lucky,” Jin reacted with his mood improved right away, as he started to put on his boots hastily. “I´ll be right back, nature calls.”
“Hurry up, or this hungry baby bear will finish your portion as well,” Kame warned him jokingly, laughing when Beara puffed up her cheeks, not being able to protest with her mouth full.
*
When Jin got back, Beara was just dashing off, being full of energy as always, the nightmare probably long forgotten.
Kame had already even managed to pack up his stuff and now waited for him, while observing the slowly awakening village. With a vicious smile, Jin sneaked up to him from behind and stole a kiss on his neck. A soft chuckle followed, letting him know he was not as inconspicuous as he had thought.
The younger one turned, reached for the back of his neck and gave him such a morning kiss, that it shortened Jin´s breath.
“Wow… What was that for?” he breathed out, feeling an urge to drag the younger one backwards inside the warm wigwam.
“I don´t need a reason to kiss you, dummy…” his lover whispered with the first beams of rising sun in his eyes.
“Damn right,” somewhat dazzled Jin agreed, half-lifted surprised Kame from the ground and promptly executed his previous idea.
“Jin, what…!”
“Hush.”
Once they were inside, hidden from any curious eyes, Jin almost threw Kame on the fur and himself on the top of him. He prevented his mouth from talking anymore in the best way he knew and repaid him that awesome kiss. Kame squirmed under him, gasping a little because of the harsh treatment, but despite that, his hands were already on their way under older one´s casually dressed shirt.
Jin reached down and pressed his hand against the younger one´s crotch. Kame tore off his lips and exhaled heavily, looking up to him with his eyes hazed.
“Up to a morning play?” Jin whispered hoarsely, as he rubbed his palm against that firm, warm place.
Kame bit his lower lip and then curved his mouth in a provocative smile. That was all Jin needed. And just as he started to pull those annoying trousers away…
“You said that they are both already up… So, where are they?”
Making out couple stiffened.
“Beara not liar! They are up!”
Jin suppressed a little desperate chuckle. How damn right that cute girl was. They were both up that was for sure.
Kame seemed to be in a similar state as he shook with quiet laughter, hiding his face into Jin´s shoulder.
“Kame?” a muted Liwan´s voice called for his blood brother.
Kame hastily rolled away from his resigned boyfriend: “We´re here! Just packing some things yet.”
Jin admired how composed Kame´s voice was, when he peeked out from the wigwam, while he remained lying on his back.
“Wait for us at the horses, all right?”
“See?!” Beara let herself be heard again.
There was a short pause.
“Of course,” finally, the young shaman´s response came. “Come, Beara.”
Three seconds after that, Kame crawled back to the older one´s side. He opened his mouth, but Jin beat him to speaking up: “I swear I´ll tear the pants off you behind the first tree big enough to hide us.”
He felt Kame´s stare, but didn´t open his eyes to repay it.
Then there came a short, hot blow of breath: “Agreed.”
*
“Finally ready?”
Jin couldn´t miss the complaint in the young shaman´s voice and that was a very rare thing to witness. Kame just nodded and started to check Ukushi´s harness.
“It´s you who´s too early, not us who´s too late, Bear,” Jin replied sarcastically, but avoided that sharp look the Indian literally threw in his direction.
They had nothing to be ashamed of and he couldn´t think of a reason for Liwan to be upset, but he had no intention to poke in it. Maybe he was just jealous, either on Kame or on Beara, who kept running around them, raising curious questions.
Once they attached their stuff to the saddles, they led their faithful animals further away from the awakening village. As Beara was called in by Migisi to help her with some usual morning duties, only Liwan showed them out to the east bank of the lake. They intended to follow the direction, in which the soldiers left two days ago.
“Good luck, my brother. My heart is with you. May Manitou accompany you as well,” the young shaman parted with Kame first.
“Obrige tamaši, Liwan,” Kame reacted seriously. “I hope we´ll be back soon and with some good news.”
Then he jumped into the saddle and without any further delay, he made Ukushi move. Already seated as well, Jin wanted to set off right after him, but a strong grip around Kuro´s reins stopped him. The black stallion snorted and stomped, not very fond of this sudden change. Jin patted him on the side of his neck calmingly and then focused on the Indian standing on the ground.
“Akanishi,” Liwan looked up, his eyes dark and serious, somehow too serious for Jin´s taste. “Take care of Kame.”
He repaid that stare no less earnestly, any mockery forgotten: “I will.”
***
State of Colorado
Denver
Although the Silver King´s office was quite spacious, that afternoon felt kind of crowded. In total seven people occupied the space, either sitting in comfortable chairs or standing in front of the mahogany table covered with newspapers and letters.
From the corner of the room, Augusta watched the gathering of six men, her husband included, in a fierce conversation. Well, the most heated up one was her dear spouse, of course. As usual, he made a greater fuss than necessary.
She sipped from the cup of weak coffee with milk, just as she liked it. That new manservant Horace had hired instead of the poor black woman, who supposedly didn´t meet her husband´s requirements, was quite capable, she had to admit. He even served her a small plate with biscuits. If, or rather when, their unpleasant divorce-matter would come to its bitter end, she promised herself to take this servant with her.
Augusta Tabor didn´t involve in the ongoing discussion, which turned into an upset monologue of her husband a while ago, but she listened very carefully. This issue concerned her a lot as well, as she had to remind Horace, when he wanted to expel her from his office before.
“I´m not interested in any of your excuses, Sergeant!” Horace raised his voice, not for the first time on that day. “You were assigned with a clear task! Just what kind of men are in your unit that they´re not able to capture a couple of dirty criminals?”
Augusta pitied the poor soldier, who stood in front of her husband in a stiff stance, his face a bit pale. Sergeant Perry had been designated as a leader of the mentioned special unit, which was created after many repeated Horace´s requests. And their mentioned important task was to finally capture the infamous Black Riders. Which were, as far as she knew, more than a couple and quite capable. In some cases even courteous, as she could verify herself two months ago.
“Governor, I assure you that we´re doing our best to…”
“And it´s not enough!”
The office fell unpleasantly silent after that harsh interruption.
Augusta noticed that another present man - Mr. Robert Morris, the first Irish-born mayor of Denver - seemed to have be almost amused by the whole scene, while the face of his secretary´s face showed nothing but cold detachment. None of them commented it though. Surprisingly, only the current sheriff of Leadville - Ed Watson, if Augusta remembered correctly, dared to express his opinion.
“Those black bastards aren´t easy to catch, Mister. Believe me, I know what I´m talking ´bout.”
“If they were, I´d have caught them by myself ages ago!” Horace snapped caustically, not appreciating the sheriff´s comment. “Captain! Is there anything you would like to tell me about this never-ending issue as well?”
Augusta observed a calm face of the addressed man with great interest. From what she saw, he was the most likeable man in the room at the moment, and the coolest one as well.
“Governor, I fully understand your concerns,” Captain Walker, facing her upset husband calmly, reacted seriously.
“Glad to hear that,” Horace snapped caustically, while Augusta inconspicuously rolled her eyes over his rude behavior.
“Perry has been my subordinate for many years,” Walker stated in a balanced voice. “I´m sure there´s nothing more he can do right now to accomplish this task.”
There was gratefulness on the sergeant´s face, but Horace didn´t seem to like this reasonable response much.
“These are some nice words… You´re very good at using them, Captain.”
“I´d like to remind you that Black Riders are not some stupid horse thieves,” Captain Walker continued, not letting himself be disturbed. “Especially after all your previous experiences, even you have to admit that this gang is very difficult to deal with, Governor. It´s exactly as Sergeant Perry assured you - his unit is doing its best to capture them and bring to justice.”
“I´d love to believe you, Captain,” Horace said in a very abusive tone. “But after all that time, this failure seems to be because of your soldiers´ incompetence more than anything else!”
Captain frowned and his expression told Augusta that he pretty much disliked when someone bad-mouthed his subordinates.
“No offense, Mr. Tabor, but if nothing else, your public crusade against the Riders definitely made them be more cautious. Not to mention they seem to have great support of local people. It´s very hard to find anyone who would be willing to sell them out.”
“This is ridiculous!” Horace burst out. “If not for all those rewards from my pocket, we wouldn´t have gathered half as much information as we´ve got about them now!”
“Not everything can be achieved by money,” Walker replied dryly.
“You´re crossing the line here, Captain!” Horace hit his fist on the table.
Augusta hid her expression in the mug of coffee. She definitely agreed with this likeable Captain. Horace tend to think his power over people had no limits. Well, he thought wrong. Black Riders were the living evidence of that.
“If you´re not satisfied with Sergeant Perry being appointed for this task, I´ll talk to my superiors and we can arrange a change,” Captain suggested coldly.
“Great! Then I want you personally to take it over!”
“I´m afraid I cannot decide that, Governor.”
“Don´t worry about that! I´ll send a telegram to Fort Lyon or anywhere necessary. I´m sure your superiors are going to meet my request.”
“Very well. We´re done here then,” Walker touched his hat. “Gentlemen. Ma’am.”
Augusta nodded at the polite farewell and the Captain with Sergeant on his heels left the office. Horace was so amazed by that fact somebody dared to leave without his permission, he was not able to utter a word until the door was closed again. It took her some effort not to laugh aloud over his expression.
“I´m not happy to admit it, Horace, but Captain hit the point,” the mayor Morris, smoking an awfully thick cigar, broke the silence first.
Augusta was not surprised. Nobody else would be impudent enough to talk like that after the scene they had just witnessed. Mayor had been Horace´s close friend for many years, ever since he moved in to Colorado and had great influence over the Irish community in the country. Horace, with his obsession to rule and decide everything, valued this friendship more than any other.
“Those bandits are smart,” Morris continued. “They dragged many locals to their side with their so called good deeds. I bet they´ve got tons of places to hide.”
Horace stabbed him with a grumpy look, but then nodded sharply: “You might be right, Robert. But that doesn´t mean we cannot find anyone willing to talk.”
“This bigheaded Captain seems to be too lazy to ask though,” Morris noted.
“Don´t worry. He will be very active sooner that he´d have liked,” Horace growled. “Sheriff, you may leave now. Keep me informed about anything suspicious in Leadville.”
“As always, sir,” Ed Watson nodded and left with quite a relieved expression.
Only the mayor, his secretary and Augusta stayed. And she so expected that unsatisfied look in her direction…
“Dear, you´ve heard what you desired, so…”
“Of course, Horace, I´ve just finished my coffee anyway,” she flashed a false smile and stood up. “I´ll leave you to other, surely important matters.”
Which would mean more cigars and whiskey and even more complaints, she would have bet her new shoes on that. But before she managed to turn, there came a short knock on the door.
“Excuse me, sir…”
“What is it?” Horace snapped on his manservant, still in an obviously bad mood. “We haven´t finished yet.”
The black secretary bowed his head: “You instructed me to let you know immediately. Mr. Henderson is here, asking for reception.”
- To be continued -
Credit for banner:
witchann2
Author: Kasumi
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Western, Drama, Romance, Adventure, Historical fiction
Warning: AKame pairing - AU; vulgarisms, violence, explicit content
Beta-reading:
atago4
Summary: A direct sequel of Red West II. - Masterpost
A strange company of three young gunslingers and one Indian is on their way to Montana, while the infamous Black Riders continue their fight against Silver King of Colorado… Will they succeed or fail in the clash with the cruel environment and heartless Governor? Will their friendship, brotherhood and love persevere or be destroyed by greed, bloodshed and vengeance?
Thank you: To Kamenashi Kazuya and Akanishi Jin, because this story wouldn´t have existed without them.
A/N: Hisashiburi!
Long time no see... How are you everyone? ^^´
I have been quite busy. The reality got in the way of my precious hobby again (moving along with a job change...) and now... now I must get used to writing in English again. XD
So, here you go with the next RW chapter and I hope you´ll enjoy it! If you´re still waiting for it, right...
I´m grateful for any opinion or advice, you help me hone my writing skills with them.
Thank you for taking time to read this story. I´ll be happy if you reward me with a comment for it.
Previously:
Prologue // Chapter one // Chapter two // Chapter three // Chapter four // Chapter five //
Monster night
It was nothing special - just several wooden poles bent and covered by birch bark mats creating a small, cone-shaped hut, with some sleeping leathers and furs inside. Their wigwam was actually the smallest one in the whole village, but still big enough for the two of them and their stuff. Jin wouldn´t have minded staying there for longer than just one more night, which was about to fall upon the reservation under the Rising Wolf Mountain. He didn’t miss the luxury of hotels and baths in the cities so much. He would rather have more of free time with his lover instead…
He added a few sticks to the modest fire, grabbed a cleaning kit from his sac, both their rifles and headed back outside. Kame was sitting on the blanket right in front of the wigwam, studying a map, which Jin was already well familiar with. They bought it back in Billings for quite a reasonable price, considering it included the most up-to-date information that could be acquired.
Untying his gun belt, Jin hovered above Kame to peek at the notes the younger one had made so far. He could see some dots marking all military forts and outposts in Montana they knew about.
“Didn´t know you want to make a tour around the country,” Jin commented as he settled down next to him.
“Just going through our possibilities…” Kame murmured, tapping the map with a short pencil.
Of course he was doing that, even though Jin thought it was not necessary. ´Do not leave anything to chance´ - that was apparently Kazuya´s motto.
Jin opened the kit and pulled both his revolvers out of their sheaths, satisfied with their shiny appearance. He cleaned them properly a few days ago, so after glancing over them, he set them aside and focused on the rest of their weapons. Who knew what was awaiting them while confronting the soldiers; it was always better to be ready.
The slim fingers tapped on his knee. Jin looked up to see that Kame put the map aside for the moment and pulled out his own revolver.
“Can you check it for me as well?”
Jin let his lips spread in a calculating smile and took the gun from the younger one: “Sure. What will be my reward?”
Kame was looking at him for a while, before he suddenly leant forward and pressed his lips against Jin´s in a warm, sweet kiss.
“Will something like that do?” he asked innocently.
“I need to think about it,” Jin reacted and turned away, trying to pretend that his pulse just didn´t get any faster at all.
“Liar,” chuckled Kame softly.
“Don´t get too confident,” he warned his smiling boyfriend. “I can be very expensive.”
“I already know that,” the younger one reacted calmly, taking the map back in his hand. “It wasn´t exactly cheap to make you my boyfriend.”
Jin´s hands holding one of the rifles dropped and he pierced the younger one with a sharp look. He seemed to be focused on the planning again, but the corner of Kame´s lips was twitching in a way which convicted him of enjoying this teasing.
“The same goes for you, Kazuya,” Jin stated in a deep voice, which made the other look at him again and the warm sparkles in his eyes made him lean closer. “And I don´t regret that price even a bit,” he added hoarsely, reaching for the back of Kame´s neck, as this time he connected their lips.
Kame happily let Jin´s tongue slip inside his mouth, shaking a little under the possessive, demanding pressure. How he loved that feeling when Jin claimed him…
Quite a vigorous cough made them tear apart and they looked up to the Indian pair standing nearby. It was Migisi, trying to cover her smile, and Liwan, who was observing them with a stony expression.
“I did not mean to interrupt, but Beara said you want to talk,” the young shaman announced kind of stiffly.
Kame heard Jin sighing inaudibly, as he pulled his hand away from him.
“Yes, I want to talk with you,” he said, hoping that his face was not too blushed. “Please, sit.”
His blood brother made himself comfortable on the blanket, while Migisi put a plate with two fish and some thin roasted pancakes in front of them.
“Thank you,” both white youngsters spoke in unison, which made the Indian woman giggle again. She nodded and left the men alone.
Kame and Jin exchanged a little sheepish, but warm look, while Liwan seemed as if he was not sure what face to make. In the end, he remained composed.
“I listen to you, my brother.”
“Well…” Kame took a breath. “It´s about those rations...”
He didn´t even need to continue and Liwan already knew: “I see you decided to do something. You want to leave.”
Jin, who was checking the second rifle already, chuckled amused: “I admit you know him well, Bear.”
Kame nodded: “I´d like to stay here much longer, but the sooner someone starts solving this, the better for the whole reservation.”
“I understand and I am happy that my brother cares for my tribe so much,” Liwan reacted calmly. “What do you want to do?”
“I will check on the situation in Fort Shaw, if there´s a way to talk to this Sergeant Turner´s superior. If not, there´s a bigger fortress near Bozeman. And if nobody listens to us even there, I will send a letter to Office of Indian Affairs. They´re responsible for everything related to Indian reservations.”
Jin kept himself busy, but he listened carefully to each word. It was clear that Kame was thinking this through in details.
“These officers are far from here though. Will it help?” Liwan wonder not very optimistically.
“I don´t know,” Kame admitted heavily. “But if we don´t try, nothing will change. And if it does, it won´t be for the better.”
“That much true is, I know,” the young shaman agreed, pondering the idea for a moment. “Anything I can do to help?”
“I already talked with Chief Ninastoko, but I´m not sure if he understood everything. Please, explain it to him in details, if he asks. And if the soldiers come again, try to keep the warriors in check. I know they´re upset, but another confrontation will make the situation only more difficult.”
“I understand,” Liwan nodded. “And you, my friend?” he turned to Jin. “You go with my blood brother, I assume.”
Jin raised his eyes from Kame´s revolver: “Do you really need to ask that?”
A fleeting smirk came across the Indian´s face: “It was not a question.”
“Sure,” Jin grinned.
Liwan got up to his feet again, and Kame as well. The young shaman took the younger´s arm and squeezed it with both hands: “You are good man, Kame. My heart is in great joy to have such brother like you.”
“I feel the same way, Liwan,” Kame assured him with a bright smile.
“I´ll see you off in the morning,” with that, the tall Indian left the two to enjoy the rest of fading day alone.
*
The village was mostly dark and calm as Jin walked through it after a short check on Kuro. The cool wind chasing waves on the surface of the lake made hairs on his bare hands stand. He shivered and quickly bent down to get into their wigwam. Kame was already inside, blankly staring into the flames of fire.
Jin kicked off his boots, leaving them near the entrance and with quite a relief, he sprawled on the fur behind his boyfriend´s back. They didn´t have to do anything too strenuous during the day, but still, he was grateful for some rest after the long traveling.
Checking on Kame´s profile, he assumed that his expression was kind of gloomy. The younger one was like that the day before as well, but after the unpleasant clash with soldiers it was nothing surprising. Though, Jin didn´t like that this mood stuck with his boyfriend for so long.
“You seem worried…”
Kame poked the fire, before replying quietly: “Kind of… I really tried to help the Blackfeet before and… You know how that worked out.”
Jin frowned and raised himself on the elbows: “This pessimism doesn´t suit you, Kame. Believe in yourself a bit. You´ll figure the best way out of this poor-ration situation and I´ll be there to help you.”
Kame turned to look at him: “I know…” he breathed out with a smile. Then he finally let the fire be the fire and moved closer, lowering himself to Jin´s face. “Thanks,” he whispered, before kissing him shortly. “And I´m sorry about our vacation,” he continued and caressed the older one´s awaiting mouth softly again. “Really sorry,” he finished with a longer, deeper kiss.
Half-amused, half-excited about such pampering, Jin observed his lover´s face feeling such a strong affection, that he wouldn´t be able to describe it even if he wanted to.
“I almost thought you forgot…” he complained, before eagerly reuniting with those soft lips and dragging the younger one down upon himself.
The slim figure willingly spread all over him, firm fingers on his shoulders and a cheeky tongue in a teasing fight with his own. Jin slipped with both his hands under Kame´s shirt, soothing the warm skin under it, and circled one leg around Kame´s to pull him even closer. The younger one fidgeted a little, creating a damn pleasant pressure against his crotch and making Jin hanker for much more.
Not ever disrupting their kissing, he shifted Kame to the side and imprisoned him under himself. Reacting on that, the younger´s hands went down all over his back and spread on his loins tenderly. He gasped, when Kame made for another teasing move against his private parts.
Unwillingly, Jin tore off the wet lips, sat aside and threw the shirt off him in an impatient move, with Kame already attempting to do the same with his.
The naked chests pressed against each other as well as the heated mouths.
Jin relentlessly forced Kame to lie down on the fur again, moving the kisses on to his neck, chest and nipples. Kame´s breathing got heavier, and he grasped the handful of Jin´s hair harshly, when he continued caressing him even lower, encouraging him to continue.
Jin smiled against the younger´s skin and then crept back up to his face, while pushing one knee between his legs. Kame´s half-closed eyes observed him closely, before the younger one raised himself up quickly and captured Jin´s lips in a demanding kiss, which was clearly telling, what he was eager for, as well as his fingers slipping under the older one´s trousers. And Jin was more than willing to give it to him and even more.
Impatiently, he started untying Kame´s belt, looking forward to make him moan in that way which always brought him to the edge of his own arousal…
“Kame? Jiiin?”
A weepy, pleading voice broke through the heated curtain on their minds and made them freeze, with Kame´s palms on the older one´s butt and with Jin´s fingers on the buttons of younger´s trousers.
“Can I…? Can I come in?” the child´s voice continued ruefully.
Jin closed his eyes and held his breath. He already felt the warmth of Kame´s palms retreating from the position on which he would have liked them to stay. Resigned, he straightened up and pulled his trousers back up.
“Beara?” Kame asked in a covert and already worried voice. “What is it?”
Jin moved to the entrance on his knees and lifted the skin just when a small hand reached for it. The faint light flashed on the face of the Indian girl wet with tears.
“Come,” he gestured her gently. “What happened to you, squirt?”
Beara threw herself around Jin´s waist: “Monster... there… and you two!”
“We´re here, Beara,” Kame was already there too, running his fingers through the girl´s messy her. “You saw something?”
“No… Yes… Eram de…” she sobbed barely coherently, but Kame understood.
“You had a nightmare?”
The girl nodded, still hiding her face from them: “Big monster… You both… It was… And I… Brother sleep and… He always say - just dream. But, but…”
“Shhhh, you´re safe here,” Jin assured her and lifted Beara´s chin up gently, so that he could look in her eyes. “It scared you, right?”
The girl nodded: “It was… awful. I am so scared… Can I stay? Pretty please? Brother would tell just sleep, I know. You let me not sleep alone? Right?”
Kame and Jin looked at each other, both equally defenseless against such a plea.
“Of course, you can stay, baby bear,” the older one ruffled the girl´s hair this time. “We won´t let any night monsters come close to you.”
*
Settled between them, appeased Beara fell asleep quite quickly and her breathing got steady, even with Jin´s hand still on the top of her head.
A handsome gunslinger comforting a scared child - it was a very nice, calming image.
“What is it?” Jin asked whispering, as he noticed Kame´s focused look.
“Nothing just… It suits you,” the younger one informed him quietly. “You can do well with kids.”
Jin thought that a completely different position, with Kame included in it, would have suited him even better, but he couldn´t bring himself to mention it. Not with a little girl begging for their protection.
“This squirt is not so difficult to deal with. Definitely easier than her brother.”
Kame chuckled softly: “So, you´re not mad that she…”
“Disturbed us in the most inconvenient moment?” Jin cut in with a sour grin. “What do you think?”
Under the pressure of those dark, deep eyes burying into his, Kame gulped down heavily: “I had no heart to send her away…” he forced through the narrow throat.
His boyfriend sighed agreeably: “Me neither, of course,” he stated with tired resignation, glancing at the peaceful face of their unexpected visitor. “How could I be upset at such a cute little bear?” a gentle smile curved Jin´s lips with those words.
Kame was not used to seeing such an expression on his lover´s face. And it made him feel strangely sad. He shook that feeling away quickly though, not wanting to spoil the nice moment. He pulled the blanket a little, to cover Beara up to her neck and then lied down.
“Let´s get some sleep then?”
“Yeah,” the older one agreed with no sigh of annoyance, nestling right next to the girl. “But count on me making up for this missed opportunity…” he added murmuring.
Kame closed his eyes smiling: “I do count with that.”
***
Jin was woken up by a cheerful voice. It sounded a way different from that tearful, scared one they had heard the evening before.
He opened his eyes to the shadows of an empty wigwam. It had to be just shortly before dawn and the girl´s voice was gibbering outside. Listening to it for a while, even though he didn´t understand a single word of it, made him smile. And hearing a well-known voice of a young man replying made him sit up.
“Jin!” the little bear exclaimed as soon as he peeked out. “Kame made me breakfast!” Beara showed off a full plate.
“Oh, really? That´s nice of him,” Jin smiled at Beara, but directed a reproachful look at his boyfriend, who turned to him. “What about me?”
“Don´t worry, I put your portion aside,” Kame assured him with a wink.
“Great! I´m so lucky,” Jin reacted with his mood improved right away, as he started to put on his boots hastily. “I´ll be right back, nature calls.”
“Hurry up, or this hungry baby bear will finish your portion as well,” Kame warned him jokingly, laughing when Beara puffed up her cheeks, not being able to protest with her mouth full.
*
When Jin got back, Beara was just dashing off, being full of energy as always, the nightmare probably long forgotten.
Kame had already even managed to pack up his stuff and now waited for him, while observing the slowly awakening village. With a vicious smile, Jin sneaked up to him from behind and stole a kiss on his neck. A soft chuckle followed, letting him know he was not as inconspicuous as he had thought.
The younger one turned, reached for the back of his neck and gave him such a morning kiss, that it shortened Jin´s breath.
“Wow… What was that for?” he breathed out, feeling an urge to drag the younger one backwards inside the warm wigwam.
“I don´t need a reason to kiss you, dummy…” his lover whispered with the first beams of rising sun in his eyes.
“Damn right,” somewhat dazzled Jin agreed, half-lifted surprised Kame from the ground and promptly executed his previous idea.
“Jin, what…!”
“Hush.”
Once they were inside, hidden from any curious eyes, Jin almost threw Kame on the fur and himself on the top of him. He prevented his mouth from talking anymore in the best way he knew and repaid him that awesome kiss. Kame squirmed under him, gasping a little because of the harsh treatment, but despite that, his hands were already on their way under older one´s casually dressed shirt.
Jin reached down and pressed his hand against the younger one´s crotch. Kame tore off his lips and exhaled heavily, looking up to him with his eyes hazed.
“Up to a morning play?” Jin whispered hoarsely, as he rubbed his palm against that firm, warm place.
Kame bit his lower lip and then curved his mouth in a provocative smile. That was all Jin needed. And just as he started to pull those annoying trousers away…
“You said that they are both already up… So, where are they?”
Making out couple stiffened.
“Beara not liar! They are up!”
Jin suppressed a little desperate chuckle. How damn right that cute girl was. They were both up that was for sure.
Kame seemed to be in a similar state as he shook with quiet laughter, hiding his face into Jin´s shoulder.
“Kame?” a muted Liwan´s voice called for his blood brother.
Kame hastily rolled away from his resigned boyfriend: “We´re here! Just packing some things yet.”
Jin admired how composed Kame´s voice was, when he peeked out from the wigwam, while he remained lying on his back.
“Wait for us at the horses, all right?”
“See?!” Beara let herself be heard again.
There was a short pause.
“Of course,” finally, the young shaman´s response came. “Come, Beara.”
Three seconds after that, Kame crawled back to the older one´s side. He opened his mouth, but Jin beat him to speaking up: “I swear I´ll tear the pants off you behind the first tree big enough to hide us.”
He felt Kame´s stare, but didn´t open his eyes to repay it.
Then there came a short, hot blow of breath: “Agreed.”
*
“Finally ready?”
Jin couldn´t miss the complaint in the young shaman´s voice and that was a very rare thing to witness. Kame just nodded and started to check Ukushi´s harness.
“It´s you who´s too early, not us who´s too late, Bear,” Jin replied sarcastically, but avoided that sharp look the Indian literally threw in his direction.
They had nothing to be ashamed of and he couldn´t think of a reason for Liwan to be upset, but he had no intention to poke in it. Maybe he was just jealous, either on Kame or on Beara, who kept running around them, raising curious questions.
Once they attached their stuff to the saddles, they led their faithful animals further away from the awakening village. As Beara was called in by Migisi to help her with some usual morning duties, only Liwan showed them out to the east bank of the lake. They intended to follow the direction, in which the soldiers left two days ago.
“Good luck, my brother. My heart is with you. May Manitou accompany you as well,” the young shaman parted with Kame first.
“Obrige tamaši, Liwan,” Kame reacted seriously. “I hope we´ll be back soon and with some good news.”
Then he jumped into the saddle and without any further delay, he made Ukushi move. Already seated as well, Jin wanted to set off right after him, but a strong grip around Kuro´s reins stopped him. The black stallion snorted and stomped, not very fond of this sudden change. Jin patted him on the side of his neck calmingly and then focused on the Indian standing on the ground.
“Akanishi,” Liwan looked up, his eyes dark and serious, somehow too serious for Jin´s taste. “Take care of Kame.”
He repaid that stare no less earnestly, any mockery forgotten: “I will.”
***
State of Colorado
Denver
Although the Silver King´s office was quite spacious, that afternoon felt kind of crowded. In total seven people occupied the space, either sitting in comfortable chairs or standing in front of the mahogany table covered with newspapers and letters.
From the corner of the room, Augusta watched the gathering of six men, her husband included, in a fierce conversation. Well, the most heated up one was her dear spouse, of course. As usual, he made a greater fuss than necessary.
She sipped from the cup of weak coffee with milk, just as she liked it. That new manservant Horace had hired instead of the poor black woman, who supposedly didn´t meet her husband´s requirements, was quite capable, she had to admit. He even served her a small plate with biscuits. If, or rather when, their unpleasant divorce-matter would come to its bitter end, she promised herself to take this servant with her.
Augusta Tabor didn´t involve in the ongoing discussion, which turned into an upset monologue of her husband a while ago, but she listened very carefully. This issue concerned her a lot as well, as she had to remind Horace, when he wanted to expel her from his office before.
“I´m not interested in any of your excuses, Sergeant!” Horace raised his voice, not for the first time on that day. “You were assigned with a clear task! Just what kind of men are in your unit that they´re not able to capture a couple of dirty criminals?”
Augusta pitied the poor soldier, who stood in front of her husband in a stiff stance, his face a bit pale. Sergeant Perry had been designated as a leader of the mentioned special unit, which was created after many repeated Horace´s requests. And their mentioned important task was to finally capture the infamous Black Riders. Which were, as far as she knew, more than a couple and quite capable. In some cases even courteous, as she could verify herself two months ago.
“Governor, I assure you that we´re doing our best to…”
“And it´s not enough!”
The office fell unpleasantly silent after that harsh interruption.
Augusta noticed that another present man - Mr. Robert Morris, the first Irish-born mayor of Denver - seemed to have be almost amused by the whole scene, while the face of his secretary´s face showed nothing but cold detachment. None of them commented it though. Surprisingly, only the current sheriff of Leadville - Ed Watson, if Augusta remembered correctly, dared to express his opinion.
“Those black bastards aren´t easy to catch, Mister. Believe me, I know what I´m talking ´bout.”
“If they were, I´d have caught them by myself ages ago!” Horace snapped caustically, not appreciating the sheriff´s comment. “Captain! Is there anything you would like to tell me about this never-ending issue as well?”
Augusta observed a calm face of the addressed man with great interest. From what she saw, he was the most likeable man in the room at the moment, and the coolest one as well.
“Governor, I fully understand your concerns,” Captain Walker, facing her upset husband calmly, reacted seriously.
“Glad to hear that,” Horace snapped caustically, while Augusta inconspicuously rolled her eyes over his rude behavior.
“Perry has been my subordinate for many years,” Walker stated in a balanced voice. “I´m sure there´s nothing more he can do right now to accomplish this task.”
There was gratefulness on the sergeant´s face, but Horace didn´t seem to like this reasonable response much.
“These are some nice words… You´re very good at using them, Captain.”
“I´d like to remind you that Black Riders are not some stupid horse thieves,” Captain Walker continued, not letting himself be disturbed. “Especially after all your previous experiences, even you have to admit that this gang is very difficult to deal with, Governor. It´s exactly as Sergeant Perry assured you - his unit is doing its best to capture them and bring to justice.”
“I´d love to believe you, Captain,” Horace said in a very abusive tone. “But after all that time, this failure seems to be because of your soldiers´ incompetence more than anything else!”
Captain frowned and his expression told Augusta that he pretty much disliked when someone bad-mouthed his subordinates.
“No offense, Mr. Tabor, but if nothing else, your public crusade against the Riders definitely made them be more cautious. Not to mention they seem to have great support of local people. It´s very hard to find anyone who would be willing to sell them out.”
“This is ridiculous!” Horace burst out. “If not for all those rewards from my pocket, we wouldn´t have gathered half as much information as we´ve got about them now!”
“Not everything can be achieved by money,” Walker replied dryly.
“You´re crossing the line here, Captain!” Horace hit his fist on the table.
Augusta hid her expression in the mug of coffee. She definitely agreed with this likeable Captain. Horace tend to think his power over people had no limits. Well, he thought wrong. Black Riders were the living evidence of that.
“If you´re not satisfied with Sergeant Perry being appointed for this task, I´ll talk to my superiors and we can arrange a change,” Captain suggested coldly.
“Great! Then I want you personally to take it over!”
“I´m afraid I cannot decide that, Governor.”
“Don´t worry about that! I´ll send a telegram to Fort Lyon or anywhere necessary. I´m sure your superiors are going to meet my request.”
“Very well. We´re done here then,” Walker touched his hat. “Gentlemen. Ma’am.”
Augusta nodded at the polite farewell and the Captain with Sergeant on his heels left the office. Horace was so amazed by that fact somebody dared to leave without his permission, he was not able to utter a word until the door was closed again. It took her some effort not to laugh aloud over his expression.
“I´m not happy to admit it, Horace, but Captain hit the point,” the mayor Morris, smoking an awfully thick cigar, broke the silence first.
Augusta was not surprised. Nobody else would be impudent enough to talk like that after the scene they had just witnessed. Mayor had been Horace´s close friend for many years, ever since he moved in to Colorado and had great influence over the Irish community in the country. Horace, with his obsession to rule and decide everything, valued this friendship more than any other.
“Those bandits are smart,” Morris continued. “They dragged many locals to their side with their so called good deeds. I bet they´ve got tons of places to hide.”
Horace stabbed him with a grumpy look, but then nodded sharply: “You might be right, Robert. But that doesn´t mean we cannot find anyone willing to talk.”
“This bigheaded Captain seems to be too lazy to ask though,” Morris noted.
“Don´t worry. He will be very active sooner that he´d have liked,” Horace growled. “Sheriff, you may leave now. Keep me informed about anything suspicious in Leadville.”
“As always, sir,” Ed Watson nodded and left with quite a relieved expression.
Only the mayor, his secretary and Augusta stayed. And she so expected that unsatisfied look in her direction…
“Dear, you´ve heard what you desired, so…”
“Of course, Horace, I´ve just finished my coffee anyway,” she flashed a false smile and stood up. “I´ll leave you to other, surely important matters.”
Which would mean more cigars and whiskey and even more complaints, she would have bet her new shoes on that. But before she managed to turn, there came a short knock on the door.
“Excuse me, sir…”
“What is it?” Horace snapped on his manservant, still in an obviously bad mood. “We haven´t finished yet.”
The black secretary bowed his head: “You instructed me to let you know immediately. Mr. Henderson is here, asking for reception.”
- To be continued -
Credit for banner:
witchann2