by Sessha Batto
Makoto stopped listening as the two men returned to their bantering. His thoughts centered on Yoshi, wondering how, and why, he ended up in Hokkaido. In the end, as so often was the case, he realized there was nothing he could do until negotiations were concluded. Then I’m going to Kazuki's old lair. If he's not there I’ll head to Hokkaido. In any event we should be home by spring. With that pleasant realization percolating in his brain he turned his attention back to the matter at hand, determined to wrap things up as soon as possible.
“Do you know this Yuu?” the interrogator interjected, derailing the discussion yet again.
“Would you please stick to the matter at hand?” Genki whined. “I’m not getting any younger.”
“Yuu's young,” the Shuhan chortled, “only twenty-one, and quite the beauty I hear. Too bad he's so blood-thirsty. Even if you get him back, how will you ever compete with that?”
Makoto didn’t bother to respond. He surged over the desk and wrapped his hands around the old man's throat, snapping his neck and letting the body drop carelessly to the floor. “And how do you plan on getting us out of here?” Genki snarled, enraged that he had been drawn into this fiasco of a negotiation.
“Walk.” The interrogator propped the body up in a chair, positioning it carefully behind the desk so that the Shuhan appeared to be studying the paper. He then strode out the door, dragging the sage. Makoto made a point of remarking loudly, “Well, at least his attention is on Hokkaido now,” before hurrying to grab their packs and slip quietly out of the village.
“Go back and tell Daisuke about what happened,” the interrogator ordered. “Let him know I’ll return as soon as I can.”
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Genki demanded.
“To collect Yoshi. I won’t be coming back without him.”
“So you’re going rogue and leaving me to deal with this mess?” The sage peered intently into the interrogator's flat black eyes. “I never would have expected it of you. If you want my opinion—”
“Not particularly. From what I’ve heard your opinions aren’t worth much.”
“I resent that,” Genki retorted. “Not finding the thought of two men together arousing doesn’t invalidate my insights.”
“I think when it comes to Yoshi you have repeatedly demonstrated that you have no insight whatsoever,” Makoto said. “Just go back to whatever it is you do and leave us be. After you deliver my message, of course.”
“Yare, yare.” The sage obediently turned toward Chiba, as Makoto set out in the opposite direction, anxious to get to Nakamura shuudan and see what he could uncover.
****
“You have holes.” Yuu bent closer to examine the nipple pinched between his fingers. “Why?”
“I was pierced for decorative purposes,” the shadow wolf explained. “Do they not do such things here?”
“I have no idea,” the Kai no Shuhan declared after much thought. “Why don’t you wear them?”
“I left them behind. Except for this one, I can’t take it out by myself.” Yoshi twisted erotically until he was positioned to display his guiche ring.
“Where else?”
“Here.” Yoshi indicated the line of frenum piercings marching up his penis. “And twice through the head. See, right there.” He pointed out the holes left by the Prince Albert piercings the Yakuza had graced him with, a shiver running through him as he recalled the feeling of the needle passing through his most sensitive flesh.
“I wish to see what it looks like.” Yuu pulled the startled elite up from the bed. “Get dressed.”
Yoshi did as requested, sliding into a pair of pants and tugging on a shirt while the young Shuhan did the same. They wandered through town until they came to a jeweler's, ducking inside to explain their needs.
Before long they were back where they had started, Yuu watching intently as the shadow wolf threaded the new rings through his nipples. The elite turned shaky hands to the rods piercing his shaft, struggling with them until smaller hands covered his. “Let me help you.”
Yoshi watched with resignation as the Shuhan carefully replaced the rest of the rods, letting out a soft sigh when the first ring slipped through the head. The sigh morphed into a strangled gasp when the second ring slipped into place and Yuu bent and engulfed his now throbbing length, taking it deep in his throat before sliding back up and tugging playfully on the rings with his tongue. “Now fuck me so I can feel them.”
“As you wish,” the shadow wolf murmured. He spread lube on his fingers and slid two deep inside Yuu's puckered hole as he kissed him passionately.
“Hurry up. A little pain won’t kill me.”
“I refuse to hurt you on purpose.” Yoshi continued to pump his fingers in and out of the tight passage, twisting and scissoring before adding a third, rubbing hard against the Shuhan's prostate.
“In me now,” Yuu growled. The elite quickly lubed his throbbing erection, running a hand down the smooth unmarked length of the back in front of him before slowly pushing inside. He only stopped when he was buried completely.
“That feels amazing. Don’t stop.”
“Of course not.” Yoshi gave a sultry chuckle, pulling back until only the tip was inside before pushing back in. He watched with fascination as the tight ring stretched even tauter around each piercing, drawing a series of bubbling moans from the younger man and ending in a loud gasp of his name as Yuu's prostate was struck.
The shadow wolf brought all his skills to bear and soon the Shuhan was bucking and thrashing underneath him. Yuu gave a warbling cry and shot his seed across his chest. Yoshi thrust once more into the clutching heat, shutting his eyes and thinking of Makoto and home as he shot his seed deep inside the receiving body. Coming down from his shattering high, Yoshi fell back, limp, empty and unsatisfied.
“They are functional as well as decorative.” Yuu's voice startled the elite out of his thoughts. “Wear them from now on.”
“As you wish.” Yoshi curled around the smaller body protectively, cradling the Shuhan in his arms while he drifted off to sleep.
The shadow wolf woke to the scrutiny of intense turquoise eyes. “I have taken care of your issue with the Mochizuki no Shuhan,” Yuu announced. “He knows I have taken you as my consort, and he isn’t strong enough to win should he be foolish enough to make an issue out of it.”
“No. I did not agree to that. This is not a permanent arrangement. I’m sorry if you misunderstood, Shuhan-sama. If that is what you wish—” Yoshi trailed off, an idea forming in the back of his mind. “I believe I have a possible solution, but I need to send a few letters.”
“Then you agree?”
“No. I’m sorry if you misunderstood. I am otherwise committed.”
“I know that,” the Kai no Shuhan snapped back. “I told you I took care of it.”
“No, that's not what I meant. I have someone that I intend to go back to, assuming I get this mess cleared up, that is. I care for him very much. The Mochizuki no Shuhan is unbelievably old, eventually he’ll die and I’ll go home to my lover.” Yoshi grasped Yuu's chin in his hand, turning it to meet his eyes. “I’m sorry if it hurts you, but I never meant to imply this was more than a temporary stop for me.”
“You promised to help me find peace,” the young Shuhan snarled. “What was the point if you were going to snatch it away?”
“I meant inner peace. I can’t be your peace Yuu-san, no one can. Once you find it then, perhaps, you will find someone to love who can love you in return. It just won’t be me. If you wish me to leave—”
“No,” Yuu snapped. “Of course I don’t want you to leave. Didn’t I just say I wanted you as my consort? I have no intention of letting you go anywhere.”
“Am I a prisoner then?” the shadow wolf asked. “Will you keep me here by force?”
“Not a prisoner, but there is no reason for you to go. Stay with me until you are free. Then I promise to send you back home.”
“Am I free to send corresp
ondence as I wish?” Yoshi asked. “You won’t interfere?”
“I will not keep you from communicating with whomever you want.” Yuu's face twisted as he tried to explain. “I thought this would make you happy.”
“I am sorry, beautiful one,” the shadow wolf crooned. “I never meant to hurt you or lead you astray. Let's not argue. None of this matters right now.” He carefully took the younger man into his arms, unease abating slightly when the rigid form relaxed into him. Yoshi stroked his messy locks when he buried his face in the crook of the elite's neck.
“Don’t leave me,” Yuu entreated. “I’ll do whatever you like.”
“I’m not leaving you, not now at any rate. I’ll see you happy before I do. I promise.” Yoshi dipped his head to peer uncertainly into the Shuhan's eyes.
“Can we just go back to bed?” the younger man whispered. “I don’t want to think about this anymore.”
“Of course we can,” Yoshi assured him. “Let's see if I can make you forget all the things that trouble you.”
****
Makoto arrived at Nakamura shuudan's hidden compound shortly after dusk and headed for the Shuhan's office to inquire about Yoshi. When the doors opened he was surprised to be met warmly by Oonishi Hideaki. He had thought the infamous nin a cold-blooded killer, despite Yoshi's's assurances to the contrary. A chill ran through the interrogator as he faced the man who had slowly poisoned his entire family, watching dispassionately as they succumbed one by one. “Welcome, Sasaki-san.” Hideaki's mellow tenor rang out. “I think I know why you’re here.”
“Where is Takahashi-san? I received word that he was in Hokkaido with the Kai no Shuhan.”
“Indeed, he is.” The last Oonishi tilted his head, blind eyes locked on the interrogator knowingly. “I had not expected this.”
“Expected what?”
“That you would come for him. My apologies, Sasaki-san. I’m afraid I misinterpreted Yoshi-senpai's remarks. I thought he was done with Kobayashi shuudan for good. I encouraged him to go to Hokkaido, it seemed unfair for him to languish alone. It is hard for him here.”
“What did you do?” the interrogator growled.
“I brought two lonely men together in hopes they could find solace in each other,” Hideaki explained. “Senpai has earned his peace.”
“Not without me,” the torture master insisted. “I promised him we would be together again once he was free.”
“Is he?”
“The Mochizuki no Shuhan is dead, Yoshi can do as he wishes. I just assumed he would come home.”
“Perhaps he will. I can send word if you like,” the Shuhan replied. “Will you stay and wait for an answer?”
“I thought I would go to Hokkaido,” the interrogator said. “I have no wish to waste time dawdling here.”
“I think that would be ... unwise. Yuu-san is volatile, he might not react well to your presence. Let me summon Yoshi-senpai. He’ll come if I ask. You can see him and figure out what he wants to do.”
****
Abe Shouhei paced the Kobayashi no Shuhan's office while Daisuke watched him through narrowed eyes. From this angle he's almost handsome. The Shuhan studied the familiar figure of his lover's childhood friend. Only when the normally reserved nin shifted did he expose the shiny puckered scar that graced his right cheek, running from his ruined eye and disappearing under the collar of his shirt. “I don’t know. Are you sure it's what you want?
“I’m willing to give it a try. I have nothing to lose.” Shouhei gave an expressive shrug. “It's not like I’ll be missed.”
“I’ll miss you, Shou,” Souta piped up from the shadows. “You’re my best friend.”
“And you’re mine. But that's not the same and you know it. I’m not a kid anymore, and I’m tired of being alone.”
“I’m sorry.” The assassin's shoulders slumped in defeat, “I’m just being selfish. I want you to be happy.”
“Thanks, it means a lot to have your support,” Shouhei said. “So, I guess I’ll leave in the morning.”
“I want frequent reports,” Daisuke warned. “If I don’t hear from you I’ll assume you need help.”
“I’ll be fine, but thank you both for worrying about me. I’m going to miss you guys.” Shouhei pulled the pair into a rough hug before taking his leave.
“Are you sure about this, Dai?” Souta asked.
“I’m sure I trust Takahashi-san. He wouldn’t have suggested it if he thought Shou could be hurt,” the Shuhan decided. “I just hope he’ll be happy, that's a lot harder to predict.”
****
Yoshi paced the Kai no Shuhan's suite restlessly. The message he’d received from Hideaki was disturbing, to say the least. He’d never expected Makoto to come after him. The last thing he wanted was for the interrogator to find out about his time in Hokkaido. “Yuu-san,” he ventured. “I have a friend coming from home. He should be here in a few days.”
“That is excellent news,” the Shuhan decided. “It will be nice for you to see your friend. Maybe it will help you settle in here.”
“Perhaps,” the shadow wolf agreed. “He has agreed to act as ambassador here in Hokkaido, so you'll have plenty of time to become acquainted.”
“What is this mystery man's name?” the Shuhan asked.
“Abe Shouhei. He's a former black op and guard of the Kobayashi no Shuhan. A good, if lonely, man.”
“The world is a lonely place,” Yuu replied. “Isn’t that what you said when we met?”
“Indeed it is,” Yoshi agreed. “And yet, we find ways to combat that loneliness. I hope—” He was cut off as the door banged open and Takumi stormed in.
“This is getting ridiculous. I’ve stood by idly long enough. You need an heir, and you won’t get one from this old man. It's time for you to face up to your responsibilities and marry a nice woman.”
“Women are of no interest to me,” the Shuhan insisted. “I cannot do what you ask.”
“So this ... ghost,” Takumi sneered, “has ruined women for you forever. I told you he was a mistake.”
Yoshi remained off to the side, frowning when Yuu muttered, “No, that would be father's doing.”
“Takumi-san,” the shadow wolf began. “I’m afraid Yuu-san is correct. Sexual preferences aren’t something you can turn on and off. If he isn’t interested he won’t be producing any heirs, no matter how many women you throw at him. Perhaps you should explore other options, artificial insemination, for example.”
“Perhaps you should butt out,” the Shuhan's sibling snapped back. “This is all your fault. I wish you had never come here. No wonder Kobayashi shuudan didn’t want you, you ruin everything you touch.”
****
Shouhei approached the gates of the Kai enclave with some trepidation. Although he had initially been elated by Yoshi's suggestion, now that he was so close to his destination he was having second thoughts. I can always go back. I just need to give it a chance. Decision made he squared his shoulders and headed into the village, taking the opportunity to familiarize himself with things on his way to the Shuhan's office.
When he could stall no longer he headed into the imposing building in search of the shadow wolf. “Takahashi-san,” he exclaimed in delight when he spied white hair.
“Ah, Abe-san, you made it.” Yoshi turned to face the approaching elite. “It's wonderful to see you. Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me.”
Shouhei froze, his eyes fixed on the shadow wolf's face. He gulped as he realized how foolish he must look, shaking his head before attempting to explain. “I'd forgotten what a striking man you were, Takahashi-san.”
“I trust your journey went well?” Yoshi changed the subject. The last thing he wanted was an in depth discussion of his many flaws.
“Yes, I haven’t been to Hokkaido before. It's very beautiful in its way,” Shouhei replied. “I really appreciate this opportunity, although I’m not sure why you thought of me.” He shifted nervously, suddenly all too aware of his own short
comings.
“You’re calm, steady, and one of the kindest people I know. Despite that you’ve installed yourself as Souta and Daisuke's third wheel for years now. I guess I thought it was time for you to have something for yourself.” Yoshi stared pensively at his feet for a few moments. “I suppose I should explain why I’m here.”
“Only if you want to,” Shouhei insisted. “You don’t owe me anything.”
“You need to know the whole story. I don’t want to start this if there's a chance you’ll change your mind. That would only make things worse for everyone concerned.” The shadow wolf shifted back and forth nervously, eyes on the ground between his feet. He gave a deep sigh and tentatively ventured, “When I was fifteen Kobayashi-sama called me into his office—”
For the next several hours Yoshi told his life story in painful detail, refusing to leave anything out, although his voice at times was thick with tears and barely audible. Head held high, he explained his relationship with Makoto, Kazuki, the Mochizuki no Shuhan and even Yuu. He ground to a halt and waited for the condemnation he was sure would follow.
When silence continued to reign, the elite braced himself for a brutal rejection in light of what he had just revealed.
It would be an understatement to say Yoshi was surprised when burly arms wrapped around his neck and the quiet black op pulled him into a tight hug. “I always suspected something was off with Kobayashi-sama, but Rin had me totally fooled. I’m so sorry I didn’t notice. You should hate me.”
“Why would I hate you?” the shadow wolf asked. “You’ve never done anything to harm me.”
“But I was Kobayashi-sama's personal guard. I should have realized.” Shouhei's voice dripped with self-hatred. “I feel like I failed you, Takahashi-san.”
“You never failed me,” Yoshi assured him. “I worked hard to keep it secret. No one knew until recently. Now it seems like everyone knows.” He huffed a small sigh. “After hearing everything have you changed your mind?”