Shadow Wolf (Shinobi Saga)

by Sessha Batto

  The giant pulled out, admiring the way his seed leaked out of the quivering ring in little spurts. “Very nice, Jubo,” the crime lord decided. “But my boy doesn’t seem to be enjoying himself. Perhaps he’ll react better to your whip than your dick.”

  “Sorry, beautiful,” the giant rumbled, easily hoisting the limp figure over his shoulder as he rose to move the rack into position. Well practiced hands soon had the shadow wolf firmly secured and Jubo stepped back, unfurling the whip on his belt and cracking it a few times to loosen his swing. The pale body jumped when the lash made contact, a red furrow immediately blooming on the alabaster skin, but Yoshi remained silent, staring at nothing as the strokes rained down.

  The Yakuza finally called a halt when no unbroken flesh remained. From shoulders to knees the long back was nothing but a devastated landscape of raw flesh. “Leave it,” he barked when Jubo reached to unshackle the elite. “I will get my money's worth out of it one way or another.”

  “Yes, my lord,” the giant rumbled, coiling his whip and returning to his position outside the chamber.

  “Have at it men,” the crime boss offered, gesturing toward where Yoshi hung. “First one to get a reaction picks the next game.” His guests were anxious to comply, eagerly lining up even as they argued amongst themselves as to who would go first.

  ****

  Makoto finally paused just outside the border with Kanegawa, taking a few minutes to gulp down some food and drink some water before starting off again. Only a few more hours. He willed the shadow wolf to hang on just a little longer.

  The thought got him up and running, determined not to rest until Yoshi was safe.

  A mere thirteen hours after leaving Kobayashi shuudan, Sasaki Makoto barged into the Yakuza's estate, feeling out with his ki to locate his quarry. He slunk through a maze of connecting passages, trying to travel in the most direct line. He turned down yet another passage, spotting a set of double doors at the end guarded by a man even larger than the interrogator himself.

  There, not long now. The interrogator hurried down the passage, sacrificing stealth for speed as he rushed the guard. “You cannot pass,” Jubo rumbled as he moved to block the entrance.

  “Like you could stop me,” the torture master chuckled darkly. “You can still save yourself. I have no quarrel with you.”

  “My lord is currently occupied,” the giant insisted. “I’m afraid I'll have to restrain you.”

  “You will not keep me from what's mine.” Makoto pulled a kunai as he dropped to sweep the massive man's legs. Jubo toppled, wrapping a hand around the interrogator's leg as he fell and slamming him to the floor.

  “He's far too pretty for the likes of you,” Jubo rumbled. “Too bad you’re so possessive, otherwise I might be willing to share.”

  “How dare you,” the torture master growled. They scrabbled across the floor, each seeking to subdue the other, until Makoto finally managed to pin a hard forearm across the giant's throat. “Did you touch him?” The interrogator increased the pressure, completely cutting off Jubo's air. “I said, did you touch him?”

  “His skin feels like silk,” the servant taunted, “and he makes the most wonderful noises when he comes.”

  Makoto saw red, snapping the giant's thick neck before throwing the double doors wide and striding inside. Oh god, I’m too late. He froze at the sight of a bleeding and battered Yoshi, a large metallic object protruding from his ass. The elite hung, limp and unresisting, while a man knelt in front of him, intent on sliding something into the slit of his penis.

  The torture master gazed in horror at the mutilated mass shackled in front of him before positioning himself protectively in front of the limp figure.

  “He will be leaving with me,” Makoto proclaimed. “Rin is no longer Shuhan of Kobayashi shuudan. Any debts you may be owed should be addressed to her personally.”

  “I think not, boy,” the Yakuza sneered. “Although you’re more than welcome to join him. I’m sure Jubo will take just as much delight in fucking you as he did your friend.”

  “If Jubo was the big guy outside, he's already paid for his crimes.” The interrogator gave a sadistic chuckle. “Obviously we’ve never met, allow me to introduce myself. Sasaki Makoto, head of covert operations for Kobayashi shuudan, and I’m nobody's boy. I’ll be more than happy to give you a taste of your own medicine and prove it if you don’t move.”

  The crime lord reluctantly stepped back, watching through angry, heavy-lidded eyes as the torture master unclasped the shackles pinning the elite in place and stretched him out on the floor. The interrogator carefully removed the bronze bust from Yoshi's anus before beginning to treat his injuries, slowly binding his back to stem the worst of the bleeding. That will get us clear of this snake pit at least, he decided, unwilling to risk spending any more time in the Yakuza's territory than was necessary. Looking up Makoto demanded a blanket, wrapping the shadow wolf in the soft material and cradling him in his arms as he moved toward the door.

  “Just so you know,” the interrogator remarked as he threw open the doors, “you haven’t seen the last of me.” With that he strode confidently out of the estate, breaking into a run as soon as they passed the walls. He maintained the breakneck pace until they were outside the boundaries of the Yakuza's territory.

  Once he felt they were clear of watchful eyes Makoto found a secluded glade. He pulled some soft sweat pants and a t-shirt out of his pack and slipped them on the shell-shocked elite. “That's a little better, isn’t it? You don’t have to worry anymore, Takahashi-san. Rin has been tossed out of office. No one will be forcing you to do anything you don’t want.”

  The torture master shuddered when he thought about the piercings littering the shadow wolf's body, and he wondered if perhaps he should remove them. No, the last thing I need is for Yoshi to come to his senses and find me handling his cock. I doubt I’d survive long enough to explain. If he wants them out it will just have to wait until he can do it himself.

  “Come on, Takahashi-san, have some water.” The interrogator slipped a strong arm around the silent figure's shoulders and lifted him to a sitting position. “There you go.” Makoto pressed a canteen to pale lips, gratified when the unresponsive elite swallowed.

  “Jubo, don’t make me go back, please.” The shadow wolf turned pleading eyes on his savior, even as he wound strong arms around Makoto's neck. “I’ll make it worth your while.” Yoshi leaned in and sealed his mouth over the interrogator's in a deep erotic kiss.

  The scarred man stiffened, eyes going wide. No one had kissed him since he was a child. He was used to people going out of their way to avoid even catching his eye. Makoto tried to pull back, but Yoshi anticipated his reaction, wrapping a strong hand around the back of his head to keep him in place.

  “Please. I … liked what you did, we can do that again. I'll do anything you want, just don’t make me go back.” Yoshi once more sealed his lips over Makoto's. This time the interrogator couldn’t resist, bringing a hand up to caress a pale cheek as he dominated the kiss.

  When the torture master came to his senses Yoshi was stretched out under him, their erections grinding together as he nipped and sucked a pallid nipple. What the hell's the matter with me? He pulled back, mesmerized by the desire apparent in hazy mismatched eyes.

  “Jubo, please don’t stop.”

  “Takahashi-san.” Makoto shook off his lingering desire and once again focused on the task at hand. “We need to get home.”

  “You’ll take me home with you?” the shadow wolf asked. “To your house, not back to the estate?”

  “Yes, I’ll take you to my house,” the interrogator agreed, anything to get them moving before he did something he’d regret. What have I gotten myself into? He shook his head to clear it before extending a hand to the last Takahashi.

  ****

  Rin jerked awake at the sound of angry voices, lifting her head from the cradle of her arms and wiping the drool off her face. She quickly shoved her pipe under a pile
of reports just as the door flew open.

  “What is the meaning of this,” she demanded. “You can’t just barge in here.”

  “Rin, the council and clan-elders have found you guilty of treason. Your actions have disgraced not only yourself, but also the Kobayashi name, and by implication all of us who live here,” Hoshu said. The other elders spread out to surround the kunoichi. “You have been stripped of the mantle of Shuhan and are to be taken into custody to be tried and punished for your crimes.”

  She just laughed. “You don’t seriously think I’m going to let you get away with this?”

  “I don’t see that you have a choice,” Tatsuya growled. “I should kill you for what you’ve done.”

  “What has your panties in a bunch?” she asked in confusion. “What is it that I’ve supposedly done, anyway?”

  “You used Yoshi as a whore, you bitch,” he retorted.

  “Oh, that,” she said. “Your father is the one that turned him into a whore, you know. All I did was keep him busy. What?” she whined at the disgusted expression on everyone's face. “You know he liked it. He's the biggest slut I’ve ever met.”

  “I seriously doubt that,” Aya retorted. “Takahashi's no bitch. You used his loyalty against him, and that's the worst crime of all. How can we expect our shinobi to pledge themselves to the shuudan if they’re going to be abused as a result?”

  “Get over yourselves,” Rin retorted. “Are you telling me you’d rather be sent on a suicide mission?”

  “Yes,” Tatsuya replied. “Personally, I’d rather kill myself. I don’t know how Yoshi's dealt with it for so long. I would have gone insane.”

  “Do you even pay him, Rin?” Naoki asked.

  “Not exactly, it's usually more of a barter situation. They’re not actually paying me,” she replied, unsure of where this was going.

  “According to the records,” Daichi said, “Yoshi hasn’t been on an official assignment for three years now. What do you think he lives on?”

  “That's not my problem,” Rin shot back. “I didn’t start this, and I still don’t see how it concerns any of you. I don’t see Takahashi complaining.”

  “Probably because you sent him on another assignation. Makoto will have him back here soon,” Akihiko added.

  “But I promised him to the Yakuza for two weeks.” Rin tried to come up with a rationale for the status quo. “We had an agreement.”

  “Then I guess you will have to take his place,” Hoshu said. “Takahashi is far too sensitive an asset to allow him to languish in Kanegawa if he doesn’t need to. I’m sure we can find much better uses for his skills.”

  “You seem to be doing most of the talking, Hayashi-san. I assume you’ve convinced these fools to back you for my position.”

  “No,” Hoshu replied with satisfaction, “I have no interest in the job. We have, however, chosen your successor. It is our hope that he can return honor to this office, something that has apparently been lacking for a very long time.”

  “That's all very interesting,” Rin retorted. “However, I’m still waiting for you to explain how you plan to get rid of me.”

  “That won’t be a problem.” Daichi spoke up from just behind her.

  Rin tried to raise her hands to summon her powers, only to find them bound at her sides. “Cute,” she hissed as Tatsuya stepped forward and fastened ki draining cuffs around her wrists.

  The minute he fastened the clasps Aya stepped forward, slapping a meaty hand on Rin's back and pushing her toward the door. “I’m sure we can find a nice, dank cell for you to wait in until Makoto gets back. Hope you weren’t counting on getting a tan.”

  Once Rin was gone they left the office and headed toward the council chamber, intent on getting Daisuke installed as the new Shuhan. The last thing they needed was a leaderless shuudan.

  ****

  The shadow wolf struggled on gamely, but only a few hours after leaving the estate it was already apparent he was in no shape for a forced march. “Let's set up camp here for tonight,” Makoto suggested. “I’ll go gather some firewood.”

  “Don’t leave me,” Yoshi pleaded, latching on to the interrogator's arm with an iron grip. “You promised to take me home with you.”

  “I’m not leaving you,” Makoto assured him. “I’ll be right over there, but I need to make a fire so I can fix you something to eat.”

  “I don’t want to eat. I just want you.”

  “Just wait here, Takahashi-san. I give you my word I’ll be right back.” Yoshi leaned back against a fallen tree, still regarding the interrogator with suspicion. Makoto was unwilling to stray outside that keen gaze, so he gathered some fallen branches from the fringe of the clearing.

  “See, all done.” Makoto built a fire, seating himself next to its warmth and motioning for Yoshi to join him. He was not expecting to find himself with a lap full of wriggling elite, eagerly pressing against him as hot tempting kisses rained across his face.

  “You didn’t leave me,” Yoshi purred as he snuggled closer, rubbing his face against the interrogator's chest.

  “I promised I wouldn’t,” the torture master replied stiffly as he tried to extricate himself from the clinging grip.

  “Everyone always leaves me,” the shadow wolf whispered as his eyes finally slipped shut and he fell into an exhausted sleep in his rescuer's arms.

  “I won’t leave you, Yoshi,” the interrogator whispered. “Not until you want me to.” He gave in and stroked a tentative hand through cobweb soft strands, knowing that as soon as the elite ninja realized who he was cuddling with he would pull away. Hell, I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t kill me, Makoto thought with a shudder. Still, it's what he needs now. Unwilling to admit how much he, too, appreciated the illusion of closeness after so many years alone.

  ****

  Inside Nakamura shuudan's underground headquarters, the feared master of spells and illusion idly reviewed his decades-long plan to destroy his former home. Although Kazuki was now in his late fifties he appeared no older than his early twenties, with a pretty, almost fey, face set with piercing blue eyes and framed by a thick fall of inky black hair. He twisted a random lock between long fingers as he waited for his apprentice to return with the latest update

  “I have news from Chiba, my lord,” his apprentice, Kenta, said as he knelt at his master's feet. “Rin has been removed from office and imprisoned and Sasaki's retrieving Takahashi from our Yakuza friend.”

  “Now, now, pet,” Kazuki soothed. “You need to learn patience. Takahashi will be yours soon enough.”

  “And how do you expect that to happen without Rin in charge?” the apprentice asked.

  “You need to learn to trust me,” Kazuki replied coldly. “Or are you thinking of changing your allegiance?”

  “No, my lord.” Kenta prostrated himself at his master's feet. “I live to serve only you.”

  “Very good, precious, very good.” The powerful shinobi ran an absent-minded hand through walnut-colored strands before suddenly wrenching Kenta's head around to meet his gaze. “Make sure it stays that way,” he commanded, releasing his hold and sending the startled man tumbling to the ground.

  Kazuki paused when he reached the doorway, turning to address his underling. “What you fail to realize is how motivated my old friend is. She’ll move heaven and earth for what I’ve promised. I have no doubt she’ll be joining us soon with your prize.”

  “Thank you my lord,” the apprentice replied, bowing low as his master swept out of the hall.

  ****

  Daisuke woke before dawn to a thunderous pounding on his door. “‘suke, wha's that?” his longtime lover Fukazawa Souta slurred disjointedly. The compact, leanly muscled shinobi muttered grumpily as he stretched his limbs, snuggling into the pillow in an attempt to recapture the blissful slumber he'd just been jarred from. His main business was, after all, assassination. That meant a lot of late nights and missed sleep.

  “Just the door,” the instructor replied, planting a kiss o
n his lover's head as he slipped into a robe and went to answer it.

  “Daisuke, it's time,” Tatsuya announced, grabbing his arm and yanking the startled man onto the stoop.

  “At least let me get dressed.” Daisuke pulled his arm back and retreated into his apartment. “I’ll start some coffee.”

  “We don’t have time for that. Rin's in custody, nobody's in charge.”

  “And five minutes more or less won’t make any difference,” he retorted. “Believe me, coffee will help get me there a lot quicker.”

  “Fine, I’ll make the damn coffee. You just go get dressed.”

  “Who’w's’t’Dai?” Souta mumbled into the pillow, hoping against hope that whatever was going on didn't require him to be upright.

  “Kobayashi Tatsuya,” the instructor replied. “I never had a chance to tell you about my day yesterday.”

  “Okay,” his boyfriend sighed, “I’m up.” He dragged himself upright and fixed Daisuke with his best glare. “Why is Tatsuya here before dawn? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

  “No, the opposite of trouble. At least, I hope it is. I had a meeting with the clan leaders after I got off work last night. Rin is no longer in charge,” Daisuke explained, lips thinning in anger as he thought about the reason for her removal. “And, surprise, they asked me to be the next Shuhan.” He gave a weak chuckle, watching Souta's face for his reaction.

  “Ha, ha, good one, Dai,” the elite assassin said with a grin. “Never mind, I’ll go ask Tatsuya.” He pulled on some boxers and wandered toward the kitchen, scratching his ass absently. “Morning, ‘suya. Why the hell are you here so early?”

  “Didn’t Daisuke tell you?” the clan head answered, trying to hide his surprise at finding Souta there at such an early hour and in such an obvious state of undress, “He's been chosen as the next Shuhan. He needs to be sworn in.”