Shadow Wolf (Shinobi Saga)

by Sessha Batto

  “Heard about you how, sweetheart?”

  “About what I’ve been doing all these years. About the fact that the high and mighty Takahashi Yoshi, once the strongest shinobi in Kobayashi shuudan, is nothing but a common whore.”

  “Stop it,” Makoto growled. “I told you before not to worry yourself about such things. Daisuke has gone to a lot of trouble to keep all of this under wraps. If someone leaks it, well, let's just say I’ll have a talk with them about it.”

  “No,” Yoshi insisted. “You can’t threaten people for telling the truth.”

  “The truth is you did as your Shuhan ordered,” the interrogator pointed out. “You should be commended, not condemned.”

  “In any event, it's time to put my fears behind me. Let them talk, I'll get used to it eventually.”

  Mind made up, Yoshi returned to his dinner. He lifted a fork full of food to his mouth, only to fling it across the table when Jun noticed him. “My dearest friend, it is so wonderful of you to join us. I am honored to be considered worthy of sharing a meal with you.”

  “Oh, Kami.” Yoshi buried his face in his hands when his friend raced around the table and pulled him into a crushing hug. “Let go,” he managed as the air rushed from his lungs.

  “Stop it, Jun,” Makoto ordered as he pried him off the shadow wolf. “Stop making such a fuss and let 'shi-san eat.”

  “Maybe this is a mistake.” Yoshi tried to become as inconspicuous as possible, uncomfortable with the scrutiny. “Yuu, Shouhei, I’ll see you both tomorrow. I’m tired, I think I’m just going to go lay down, if that's alright with you.”

  “I’ll go with you, sweetheart.” The interrogator excused himself and followed the elite back to their room, ignoring the conversation that arose in their wake.

  “What is everyone going on about?” Hideaki asked.

  “Apparently Takahashi-san doesn't usually make an appearance at things like this,” Katsutoshi explained. “It caused quite a commotion.”

  “Aaa. Senpai, always did keep to himself. I’m sure he would have preferred no one notice he was here.”

  “Why?” Tatsuya jumped in from the Oonishi's other side. “We're all his friends.”

  “Think about his life,” Hideaki explained. “Yoshi knows there are people who will reject him because of his duties under Kobayashi-sama and Rin. Making a point of singling him out will only encourage him to go back into hiding. Just act like it's no big deal.”

  “What duties under Rin, Oonishi-san?” Jun asked. “Yoshi was taken off active duty when she took office.”

  “Hasn’t anyone filled you in on what's going on?” Daisuke frowned expressively, brows knitting together. “I’m sure I told Genki to—”

  “Don’t you dare,” the sage threatened. “You want him to know, you tell him. I’ve done my time.”

  “You’re right,” the Shuhan snapped back. “You have an unerring knack for saying the wrong thing where Yoshi is concerned. Although it might be interesting to see how Jun reacts—” He appeared to consider the idea for a long moment as the sage visibly shrank under Daisuke's cold glare.

  “Please, Shuhan-sama,” Genki begged. “I’ll do anything else. Don’t make me explain it to Jun, please.” He finished with his best puppy-dog eyes, which quickly morphed into blinks of astonishment at the wicked grin spreading across Daisuke's normally placid face.

  “Fine. Make up with Yoshi,” the Shuhan ordered.

  “That's up to the brat,” the sage grumbled. “I tried to help him.”

  “Try to accept him, Genki. That's what he needs from you right now.” Daisuke turned to face a confused Jun, taking a deep breath and thanking Kami that he at least had the company of friends for this ordeal. “I’m afraid Yoshi has been living a double life for a very long time.” By the time he finished recounting the things that had happened to the shadow wolf under Kobayashi-sama's reign, the normally boisterous elite could stand it no more.

  “Why didn’t he say anything?” a greatly subdued Jun asked. “I would have done anything I could to help him. Doesn’t he know that?”

  “No, I’m afraid he doesn’t,” the Shuhan replied. “You shouldn’t feel bad. No one knew until very recently.”

  “Who was it? Who found out?”

  “Makoto figured out what was going on. He brought it to the attention of the clan heads,” the Shuhan explained. “It's part of why they have such a strong bond.”

  “What did Rin do, exactly?” Jun's hands unconsciously clenched into fists as Daisuke detailed the last several years of the shadow wolf's life.

  “The thing to remember is that he wants to be treated normally. Act like you always have, challenge him to spar... treat him as your dearest friend.”

  “I’m not sure I can. I feel like I’ve let him down.”

  “We all do,” Tatsuya assured him. “But we can’t undo what was done. Our only choice now is to go forward and try to make up for it. And as far as Yoshi's concerned, the best way to do that is just to drop it.”

  “He didn’t even want his attacker punished,” Shouhei added. “He doesn’t want any controversy on his behalf.”

  “I just don’t understand how all this could have been going on. I never had a clue,” Jun whispered.

  “We’ve all beat ourselves up over it.” Tatsuya lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag, and blowing out a puff of smoke before continuing. “But it doesn’t change anything. The best we can do is make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”

  ****

  “Are you alright, 'shi-san?” the interrogator asked as the pair headed toward their room.

  “I don’t like being looked at. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “You thought you could trust your friends,” Makoto explained. “Most of them already knew you were coming. Jun is just... you know how he is, he overreacts to everything. Should I send for some dinner?”

  “I’m kind of tired,” the shadow wolf decided. “Maybe I should just go to bed.”

  “That sounds like a wonderful idea,” the interrogator agreed. “Do you want to clean up first?”

  “No, I just want to sleep. We have to be up early tomorrow.”

  “Well then, we should get ready for bed.” Makoto moved behind the elite and wrapped burly arms around him.

  The shadow wolf's head was turned and his mouth captured in a deep, devouring kiss. Before he realized what was happening deft fingers had stripped them both and Makoto was settling them into bed. “Wait. I can’t.” Yoshi panicked, attempting to wrench himself free of the restrictive hold.

  “Relax sweetheart,” the interrogator soothed. “I just want to hold you as we fall asleep. I will never, ever hurt you. I will never force you. This is my promise. Do you believe me?”

  “Yes, I believe you,” Yoshi whispered. “I just... I know you’re going to change your mind.”

  “I will never change my mind about you,” the interrogator swore. “You’ll see. I’m a remarkably patient man and I’m not going anywhere.” With that he flicked off the light, wrapping his arms around Yoshi and pulling him close, stroking a hand through soft strands until the rigid form relaxed against him.

  Makoto stayed awake for a long time, carefully plotting how he would convince the skittish elite to stay with him. The direct approach isn’t working. Every time I touch him he stiffens up, only not in the way I wish he would.

  Eventually the interrogator gave up and shut his eyes. Just as he was drifting off to sleep an idea sparked. That might work, he thought, examining the plan from every angle. I’m too tired to be sure. Still, it's the best one yet. Satisfied that he now had a way to show Yoshi just how serious he was, he settled down next to the slumbering form, smiling broadly when the lanky figure immediately snuggled closer, throwing an arm over the larger man's chest and tucking a shaggy head into his side.

  Soon, Makoto thought as he drifted off. Just you wait. I’m going to sweep you off your feet.

  ****

  “Time to get up,” th
e interrogator urged. “You don’t want to be late for the wedding. That's bad form for the best man.”

  “No, I doubt they’d forgive me for that,” Yoshi agreed as he stretched wantonly.

  The torture master's mouth went dry at the sight of all the tantalizing alabaster flesh spread out in front of him. “On second thought, we have a bit of time before we have to leave. It can’t take that long to get dressed, after all.” Makoto climbed back into the bed, gathering the startled shadow wolf into his arms and kissing his forehead.

  Surprisingly, Yoshi offered no resistance. He melted into the interrogator's arms, returning his kisses with increasing passion before sliding down the length of the scarred torso and sucking his lover's erection deep into his throat. “We can be a few minutes late,” he husked before returning to his ministrations.

  Makoto bit back a growling moan, wrapping his hands in snowy tangles and pulling the elite up to meet his stern gaze.

  “What are you up to sweetheart? Not that I’m complaining, but now really isn’t the time for this.”

  “I’m just trying to please you,” Yoshi replied a bit too innocently. “I didn’t think you’d complain.”

  “Yesterday you jumped every time I touched you. I’m supposed to believe you’ve suddenly made a complete turn-around?”

  “I thought you’d like it,” the shadow wolf insisted. “The last thing I expected was complaints.”

  “I’m not complaining,” the interrogator retorted. “I’m just suspicious of your motives. What are you really trying to do?”

  “Just what are you implying?” Yoshi asked.

  “That you’re being a manipulative bastard, and I want to know why.”

  “Guess you don’t want me as badly as you like to pretend you do,” the shadow wolf snarled back.

  “I want you with every fiber of my being,” Makoto retorted hotly. “But I know you don’t feel the same, at least, not right now. So what are you trying to accomplish with this little stunt?”

  “I just thought,” Yoshi began before shaking his head in despair. “I’m scared, alright. I’m worried about who I may run into at the wedding.”

  “I don’t understand sweetheart. Who are you worried about?” The interrogator pulled the tense figure back into his arms and stroked the long pale back comfortingly.

  “All Kai shuudan's most important clients, the other Shuhan, even some crime lords will be here today, and I’ve spent time with most of them. I’m afraid of what they may say, or do, when they see me.”

  “I’ll be with you every minute,” Makoto assured him. “No one will bother you, I swear.”

  “That's easy to say,” Yoshi concluded. “But it may prove more difficult to accomplish.”

  “No one will risk insulting Yuu. Everything will be fine. Now go get ready or we’ll be late.”

  “But I didn’t—” the shadow wolf trailed off, motioning toward the interrogator's erection.

  “If you’re actually interested I’m not going anywhere. Now go.” Makoto chuckled, patting the elite's shapely ass as he gave him a push toward the shower. “You wouldn’t want me to have to help now, would you?”

  “I don’t know,” Yoshi husked. “It might be fun.”

  “Minx,” Makoto growled half-heartedly, purposefully turning his back on the offered temptation.

  When the shadow wolf emerged twenty minutes later the interrogator gasped at the change. The formal cheomsang and fitted pants Yuu had sent showed off his lithe form to perfection, and the contrast between the dark, mossy green material and Yoshi's pale skin and snowy hair made him even more eye catching.

  They finally made it to the hall just minutes before the worried couple was going to send out a search party. “Finally,” Shouhei exclaimed with a broad smile. “We thought you weren’t going to show up.”

  “I couldn’t do that to you.” Yoshi flashed him a tight smile before drifting off to greet Yuu.

  “What's going on?” Shouhei asked the interrogator pointedly.

  “He's worried someone will recognize him... from his ‘duties’,” Makoto explained. “I need to stick close, just in case.”

  “None of us will let anyone hurt him, Sasaki-san. Now go take your seat, it's just about time.”

  Makoto slid into a seat between Daisuke and Katsutoshi just before the doors closed, glad the ceremony was starting and he didn’t need to explain their late appearance. “Is everything alright, Makoto?” the Kobayashi no Shuhan asked with concern.

  “Yoshi was just a little nervous,” the interrogator explained quietly. “He’ll be fine, although I don’t know how long we’ll stay at the reception.”

  “I hope long enough to eat, you missed dinner last night,” Daisuke fretted. Just then Hideaki appeared on the altar in front of them along with the happy couple and their two witnesses and everyone quieted down and focused on the ceremony.

  A few minutes later Hideaki wrapped the ceremonial scarf around their joined hands, permanently binding the couple, and Yuu and Shouhei shared a tender kiss before walking down the aisle. The guests were quick to follow, streaming out of the hall and into the large dining room for the wedding banquet.

  “Yoshi,” a deep voice called as a hand grasped his elbow and held him in place. “I never expected to see you here.”

  “Mochizuki no Shuhan-sama,” the shadow wolf replied shortly.

  “Now, now,” Zenshiro chided. “You act like you aren’t happy to see me, and here I thought we were such good friends. After all, we spent a lot of time together while my Lord was having you trained.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I was thinking of talking to your new Shuhan. I wonder if he would be interested in granting me the same privileges my predecessor had? I know you make a most excellent consort,” the new Shuhan chuckled as he groped the shadow wolf. “We always had fun together, didn’t we?”

  “Not interested,” Yoshi insisted. “Now move your hand.”

  “Oooh, feisty. I always loved that about you.”

  “Let go of me.”

  “There he is,” the oblivious man exclaimed, pulling Yoshi along as he headed toward the group congratulating the newlyweds. “Kobayashi no Shuhan-sama,” he began as soon as they reached the small gathering, “I need to speak with you.”

  “What can I do for you?”

  “I would like you to reinstate Yoshi’s contract,” Zenshiro declared. “I wish to follow in my predecessor's footsteps and take him as my consort.”

  “I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Daisuke said coldly. “I do not barter my shinobi.”

  “You wish to end the peace between us?” the new Mochizuki no Shuhan declared. “So be it. I’ll raid your enclave and take what I want.”

  “I would think twice about that plan if I were you,” Yuu broke in. “Attack Kobayashi shuudan and you will dissolve our peace as well.”

  “I, too, will go to their aid,” Hideaki warned. “I would strongly urge you to reconsider.”

  “I’m a bit confused,” Zenshiro admitted. “Why is everyone getting so upset about a whore?”

  “He is not a whore,” Makoto growled from behind him. “Say it again and you’ll be joining your predecessor.”

  “And who might you be?”

  “That is not important,” the interrogator growled, “Let go of Takahashi-san... now.”

  “I don’t think so,” Zenshiro shot back. “What are you going to do about it?”

  “Nothing,” Yoshi jumped in. “Excuse us for a second gentlemen, let me talk to the Mochizuki no Shuhan for a moment.” He pulled Zenshiro away from the group to whisper in his ear. “I’m afraid I’m damaged goods. I have only recently recovered from an attack that has left me unable to perform sexually. So, you see, I would not be a satisfying choice as a consort.”

  “It will indeed be a shame. I was hoping you might enjoy it. But, in the end, your pleasure isn’t my concern.”

  “Enough.” Yoshi clenched his fists hard enough to draw blood, bl
unt nails digging into his palms. “I am not going to listen to any more of this. Apparently the one who needs training is you. This is a wedding, hardly the place to be trying to negotiate a bed partner.”

  “It seems to me to be the perfect place. Love is in the air, after all.” Zenshiro shrugged artlessly. “One thing I do know, you are exactly what I'm looking for.”

  “Unfortunately for you, I'm not looking.” The shadow wolf mirrored the Shuhan's nonchalant shrug, turning on his heel to go look for Makoto. Zenshiro merely reached out and snagged Yoshi's sleeve, jerking him to a halt.

  The room echoed with a chorus of menacing growls as all eight of the demon wolves appeared, easily separating their master from the Shuhan's grasp before surrounding him with a barrier of bared teeth and sharp claws.

  “Hey, boss,” Oushi remarked over his shoulder. “Sorry we’re late.”

  “I didn’t summon you,” Yoshi muttered angrily. “I have everything under control.”

  “Still, it never hurts to have a little backup,” Onchu howled excitedly. “You need to trust us.”

  “Gods, what a miserable excuse for a ninja you are. Can't even stand up for yourself, you have to hide behind a bunch of animals,” Zenshiro spat in disgust. “Your Shuhan would be doing the shuudan a favor by letting me take you.”

  “Shut your filthy mouth,” Oushi growled menacingly. “You have no right to talk to the boss that way.”

  “I'll talk to the whore any way I please. I know what he likes,” the new Mochizuki no Shuhan retorted.

  “As do I,” Yuu remarked coldly from behind him.

  “Ah, Kai no Shuhan-sama, I was just pointing out the obvious,” Zenshiro insisted. “I spent a great many months observing his training. He really is a most excellent whore, even if he isn't good for much else.”