Royal Ties (NC-17)

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Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

Hijiri shook his head. "You won't see them," he said, "I promise you." He took Hisoka's hand in his own, tightly. "But.... how does he heal wounds?" Hijiri wanted at least a warning before he went anywhere near the king of this realm.

Hisoka sighed deeply. "He just touches them and they go away. Saki... he used some kind of poison that burned my skin and was killing me slowly. All he did was rub my wounds and in a matter of seconds they were gone."

The mere thought made Hijiri wince. His face went slightly white and he looked away. He was biting his lip almost enough to make it bleed.

Hisoka looked concerned. "What's wrong?"

"I was just hoping that he wouldn't have to touch me...." Hijiri said, "for some reason, it hurts for anyone else's skin to touch it. Clothes aren't as bad, but.... flesh to flesh contact... it's excruciating." Hijiri closed his eyes.

Hisoka sat back. "Why did you want to hold me than? And believe me, it stops hurting immediately."

Hijiri leaned over and kissed him. "Because to be allowed to love you is worth any pain hell could ever give. Holding you makes me forget. I'm just me when I'm with you.... nobody else. Not this prince you tell me I am, not a knight, not a stableboy, just Hijiri. And holding you is my heaven on earth."

Hisoka stood and held out his hand. "Let's go right now and then we can cuddle all you want, pain free. okay?"

Hijiri gulped, then nodded. "Okay..." he said, taking the boy's hand, "l-lead the way."

Hisoka did so, finding Muraki in the thrown room. He knelt before the king momentarily before approaching him. "Muraki... will you please heal Hijiri of his wounds?"

Muraki stared for a moment. "Wounds?" he said, "are they that bad?" He looked at the young brunet with a single raised eyebrow. Hijiri grimaced at the man.

"You've been watching me," Hijiri answered bitterly, "you should know." The king shook his head.

"I stopped after the fire," he told the boy, "I had other things on my mind." Hijiri just looked away with a small sound of disgust that he couldn't hold back.

Hisoka resisted the urge to jab Hijiri in the shoulder and settled for giving him a hurt look. The wounded puppy eyes always got him. "Now is not the time Hijiri."

Hijiri cleared his throat, bowing slightly. "Forgive me for being rude," he said, "I still have not come to terms with the past few days." Muraki nodded.

"Understandable," he said, then stood, "as you are my heir, I will heal you. Show me your wounds." Hijiri backed away.

"Not here," he said, "and not in front of Hisoka." The king looked at the prince.

"Do you consent to this?" he asked the blond."

Hisoka was silent for a moment but nodded with a sigh, sure he didn't want to see this anyway. "I do."

Muraki nodded and led the boy away. "Wait here," he told Hisoka.

Hisoka nodded and watched them leave. While they were gone he got bored and found a very colorful bird in a cage at the far wall. Next to it he found a small painting of his mothers and figured it must have been hers. "Hello. Can you talk?"

The small bird flitted its wings at him. "Momma!" it said. Behind the boy, footsteps entered the royal room, echoing through the near silence. The bird's voice startled the man, making him look up and see the boy.

Hisoka smiled softly. "You recognize me." He opened the cage door and put his hand in for the bird to step onto. "I'm Hisoka." He assumed the footsteps were that of Muraki. "Why didn't you tell me my mother had a bird?" He spoke as he turned but jolted as he saw who it was. "What are you doing here?"

The knight walked closer. "Ah," he said, "the princess. Enjoying your time before you kill me and my fellow knights?" He strode forward, malice in his eyes.

Hisoka glaired. "I said nothing of your fellow knights, I said you." He put the bird back in the cage but left the door open. "Don't come any closer!"

The knight grabbed him roughly by the arm. "You really think that you can get rid of us so easily?" he demanded, "do you really think so, princess? Well, laying the king won't get you anywhere now, because you'll be dead before he can do anything. And nobody will be any the wiser about it, either." He reached for Hisoka's face to cover his mouth before he could cry out again.

His eyes widened as the room began to spin and he tried to pull away. His heart was racing, his thoughts on Hijiri.

The man held him hard enough to bruise him. "Don't fight me," he said, "I can make tis quick and painless, or I can make this slow and torturous. I'll leave the decision to you..." His words were a growl in the prince's ear as he began to drag the boy away.

Hisoka screamed as he tried to get free, unsure of what this man meant to do. He managed to pull the hand away just long enough. "SAGA!"

The knight grabbed the boy by the hair, throwing him against the wall. "Fine!" he said, "Slow and painful! That'll give me the chance to enjoy this..." He grabbed the boy's shirt backhanded him, knocking him back against the wall again.

Hisoka screamed again and faught back, even though tears were forming in his eyes. He used his nails to scratch across the mans cheek.

There was a yell and Hisoka was shoved harder against the wall this time, practically lifted a few feet in the air with the force. He threw the boy down roughly, letting every bit of malice out of himself.

Hisoka's scream was cut short by a loud crack and he suddenly couldn't move or breath very well. He'd broken a rib or two at least. "Sa... Saga..." His voice was just a whisper.

Without warning, the man was torn away from the boy, and hit the wall as Hisoka had not too long before. Saga stood over the boy, eyes demonic, huge muscles twitching like the legs of an angry wolf. "You dare lay hands on the future ruler of your kingdom?" he growled, his voice animalistic.

Hisoka's eyes widened. He tried to stand but the broken ribs in his side brought him back down quickly with a whimper. He never took his eyes from Saga though, wondering if he was using his powers, or if he would at all.

Saga grabbed the man by his throat. "Such injustice deserves immediate punishent!" The man's eyes flared and his fingers squeezed, crushing the knight's windpipe and spinal chord, the entire body quivering for a moment before going limp. Saga dropped the bdy before rushing to Hisoka. "M'lord," he said, his anger and demonic growl disappearing as though it had never been there.

Hisoka felt dizzy. "S... Saga... my ribs..."

The man touched the boy's arm, "Are you bruised? Broken? What is it?" He lifted the boy's head slightly, but only slightly for fear of injuring him further.

Tears were flowing from his eyes. He hurt so much. "I think... broken. They... cracked... I heard it."

Saga made a split second decision and lifted him from the floor, trying not to let him curl in on himself and hurt more. "I'll help you, M'lord," he said, "I'll make it okay."

Hisoka shivered as he was able to take somewhat of a deep breath but as his body was taken away from the floor, the motion made him dizzier. He clutched Saga's shirt but after a moment his eyes closed and his arm fell limp across his swelling chest.

Saga began to panic, placing the prince onto a table at the side of the room. Looking around worridly, he realized that there was nobody to help. He touched the prince's face. "I'm sorry, M'lord..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Hisoka came to again, all of the pain was gone and Saga was standing over him with worry in his eyes. "M'lord?" he said.

Hisoka sat swiftly, gently squeezing his ribs. "What... happened?! Was I dreaming?!" He looked around, not seeing Muraki at all. He gasped as he saw the body on the floor and felt dizzy again so he looked back up at Saga. "If Muraki's not here... how did I heal? How did you know I was in trouble?"

"A little bird told me that you needed my help," the man said, the colorful bird flying from his own shoulder to Hisoka's.

"Momma!" The bird made a kissing noise.

Hisoka smiled softly. "Oh! It was you!" He scratched the back of it's neck gently. He looked back at Saga. "But he hit me really hard and I heard my ribs crack when he through me to the floor. I couldn't have healed this fast on my own? Where is Hijiri and Muraki? Why would they leave me?"

"They're still off healing Hijiri's wounds," Saga said, "I healed you because I was afraid to move you."

His eyes widened. "You can heal?" He slid from the table, trying to stand perhaps a bit too soon and fell into Saga. "S... sorry!" He clutched Saga's shirt to gain his balance, body shaking as it recovered from the shock.

Saga held the boy up carefully. "Not as well as the king, but when I was younger, I wanted to be like him. Because that's when your mother was here. She encouraged my studying of healers powers, but after she left, I was drafted to be a knight and had no choice. Now I know more about fighting and attack powers than healer's powers."

Hisoka shook his head. "It's not you. I think I'm just still scared. Do you mind taking me to Hijiri's room? And tell him to come there when he's healed?" His voice was quivering as well.

Saga shook his head. "I don't mind," he said, "can you walk?"

Hisoka nodded. "If you don't mind me holding onto your arm. I'm just a little unbalanced."

Saga nodded, letting the boy hold his arm. "I don't mind at all. Is your pet coming too?" The bird was still on Hisoka's shoulder, it's head bobbing every now and then to rub his cheek lovingly.

Hisoka frowned. "I'm not sure if Muraki would like that much and I have no food. I'll ask about bringing the cage and food into the room a little later." He then turned his attention to the bird and kissed it's beak. "Back to your cage good boy. I'll see you again soon, I promise."

"Poopers," said the bird, but it flew back to its cage and watched them leave the room.

"You certainly have a way with animals," Saga said, "just like she did."

Hisoka looked up at him. "You really think so? Not nearly as good as she was, I'm convinced. I've heard stories. She raised a wolf cub. It died when I was about six. A very old dog."

Saga was about to answer, when from the last room came the all of "I love you, Momma!!" Saga chuckled at this.

"You really think you're not nearly as good as her?" he asked, apparently amused by the bird.

Hisoka chuckled softly and called back. "I love you too baby. I'll come back soon." He continued walking with Saga. "He thinks I'm my mother though. I don't think he realizes I'm her son. I wonder why he wasn't taken with her when she left. From what I can tell they had a really good bond. For a bird to remember it's owner after twenty years?"

"From what I remember, she wanted it to stay with His Majesty so the spell wouldn't wear off," Saga said thoughtfully, trying to remember something he hadn't thought about in many years.

Hisoka tilted his head, looking up at Saga. "Spell?"

"That bird hasn't aged in twenty years," Saga explained, "because of a spell that Muraki put on it. I remember one day after training was over, she was sitting by that pool of fish that you were sitting by before. The bird was on her shoulder. Muraki was with her. I stopped and watched because, like many others, I admired her. I heard her tell him that she hoped one day she'd hear a child call her that. But until then, she'd treat the bird as her own. She loved being called "momma"."

Hisoka felt tears coming to his eyes. "I used to... but... father always repremanded me for it and I stopped." He felt guilty and angry at the same time. "I hate my father."

Saga paused, nearly tripping over himself. "Repremanded you!?" he said, "why? I mean... isn't it natural for a child to call its mother like that?"

Hisoka brushed away tears. "But I'm a boy, and boys aren't allowed to be soft. And calling her mamma is soft like a girl. I'm going to be a king and kings can't act like women..." He sighed. "Guess that's why we don't ever get along. I'm... not manly. I'm boyish at best and femenine to a fault. Some days... I hate myself."

The golden eyed man made a sound of disgust. "I called my mother 'momma' for the longest time," he said, "do I seem at all feminine to you?"

Hisoka shook his head. "I wonder why she didn't push it than. I mean I knew she didn't mind but had I known she wanted me to..." He looked away. "Reguardless... I didn't turn out at all the way he wanted me to. I know how you think about me... and I guess you're right."

"Right about what?" Saga asked, "that you're a good person who'll do for the country regardless of what others think of you due to the fact that you're just that well suited for the job? That you'll be the salve that will save my people from the near destruction that they're in the middle of right now? That you're our savior by killing Saki and making the entire castle no longer live in fear of being killed just because the future king was bored?"

Hisoka sighed and studdied his feet. "Elequantly spoken... however you don't have to admit that you think I'm weak. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me. Like I'm a princess. If you had the choice you wouldn't guard me and I know that. So here's your chance. When Hijiri comes back to the room you are officially released. You don't have to look after me anymore." There was a bit of hurt in his voice.

Saga let out an unusual sound that sounded like displeasure and surprise. "Look, M'lord, I--" Before he could get out another word, they were both nearly startled out of their skin by a pained cry up the hallway. Saga's hand went immedietly to the hilt of his sword for a moment before he realized what it was.

Hisoka's eyes widened and he pulled away from Saga, quickly regaining his balance and taking off toward the scream. "Hijiri?!"

Saga ran after the boy, wondering what was going on. As they neared the screams, it was obvious that the person screaming was in terrible pain. But the door they reached was locked.

Hisoka was in tears all over again, this time in fear for his love. He pounded on the door, screaming through it. "What are you doing to him?! Let me in! Stop hurting him! HIJIRI! Please open the door!"

The screaming stopped, leaving a low moaning noise as the door was opened. Hijiri was hidden behind the bed curtains, and Muraki was in the way so Hsoka couldn't get though. He was sweating greatly and seemed very tired. "What's all the ruckus?" he asked, "I can hear you over him."

Tears slid from his eyes. "What are you doing to him?! Why is he in so much pain?!"

Muraki scratched his chin, making sure that he was barring the way so Hisoka couldn't get through. "I'm healing him. He has more wounds than I thought. Did he tell you that physical contact with others is painful?"

Hisoka began to sob, shoving him to try to get aside. "Let me in! How can I be sure?!" He was beginning to panick.

"D-don't.... h--soka...." came Hijiri's voice, still full of pain and quite weak. "Don't look at me.... please..... you can't.... I..." he trailed off with a moan.

Hisoka couldn't take it anymore, he ran in, slipping past Muraki and threw the curtain aside. As he stared at Hijiri's burned body he screamed, covering his face with his hands and dropping to his knees. Most of his body was chard and he had no idea how Hijiri had survived. "Oh gods... you're still alive aren't you?!" There was a fear that he had just come back from the dead to make sure he was alright.

Hijiri attempted a chuckle, but it sounded like a half cry as he turned his head toward the boy. "Of course I'm alive," he said, "you're so silly sometimes." He reached out with his uncharred hand and touched the prince's face. "This is why I didn't want you to see."

Hisoka choked back a sob. "But I don't understand! You... You held me! And you threw yourself on me and you seemed fine! Why are you in so much pain now?! And you were going to leave this for Watari?!" He touched the hand gently. "I'll leave you for now but please..." He looked up at Muraki. "Can't you put him to sleep until you're done? Wouldn't that help you heal him faster?"

Hijiri's hand tightened on his. "He won't put me to sleep because I won't let him," he said, "I know you'll hate me for saying this, but I still don't trust him. I will stay awake through this. And to your first question, it hurts much less through clothes. Bare skin on bare skin is just.... too painful. But I'll be okay.... I promise."

Hisoka shook his head. "If I stay in here with you while you sleep? Please Hijiri my heart is breaking listening to you screaming like that." He couldn't stop sobbing. "Please Hijiri. Isn't enough that I trust him? It was Saki that was the evil one."[/quote]

[color=darkgreen]Hijiri's eyes looked pained. "Hisoka," he said, "I didn't want you to see me like this at all. I don't want you to have to sit here and watch a man put his hands all over me. I mean.... he hasn't even gotten to the worst of it yet..."

Hisoka pulled away from him and stood. "Than you'll have to put me to sleep because I'll loose my mind if I have to hear you screaming anymore! Hijiri Minase sometimes you really make me angry!" And with that he stormed to Saga, tears streaming down his face. "I hate your stubbourness!" This was still directed at Hijiri.

Hijiri's head dropped to the pillow for a moment, but then he stood, bottom half wrapped in the blanket, and wrapped his arms around Hisoka, not letting him get out the door. He winced, but didn't show his pain to his love. "Hisoka," he said, "stop for a minute."

Tears rolled down his cheeks and it was apparent in his voice that he was choked. "What?" It came out less irritated than he intended and more of a puppy like whine. "You won't listen to me."

Hijiri leaned his chin on Hisoka's shoulder, staring down at the floor. "Fine," he said, "I won't like it, but he can put me to sleep. Just.... don't stay in the room. Please promise me that you won't stay in the room."

Hisoka sighed deeply. "If that's what it'll take to stop my heart from falling to dust than I guess that's what I'll have to do. It will go sooner for you and easier for him. With what just happened to me I can't go through that kind of stress listening to you like that."

Hijiri turned Hisoka around. "What just happened?" he asked, staring into the prince's eyes.

Hisoka closed his eyes. "The knight that hurt you. Your shoulder... and got away. He came back here. Well now he's dead. He tried to kill me."

Muraki raised an eyebrow at Hisoka. "Hmm," he said, "well, it's a good thing you're okay. It wouldn't do to have the fiancee of my heir to die at the hands of his own men. I'd have to go through my knights and kill every one of them. Well.... except for the ones I know for a fact are trustworthy." He looked at Hijiri. "Now lay down so I can finish you up." Hjiri wasn't listening.

"Are you hurt badly?" he asked, "Where'd he hit you? Please tell me you at least hurt him back once?" He kissed the prince's forehead.

Hisoka gently took his hand. "I'm fine. Saga helped me. And yes, I scratched his across the face." He stepped back. "I'm safe with Saga. You lay down and go to sleep. I love you and I'll be with you when you wake."

Hijiri kissed him gently on the mouth and went back to the bed. "You should eat something and rest too," he said, "I'm worried that you'll make yourself sick from lack of nutrition."

Hisoka smiled softly. "We'll have dinner together when you get up okay? For right now I'm going back to our room to sleep a little myself." He turned away again. "I'll be back as soon as Muraki heals you."

Hijiri nodded and watched him leave. "Get this over with," he muttered. With Hisoka, Saga was looking concerned.

"He's right," he said.

Once the door was closed and locked again, Hisoka fell to his knees, slamming his fist on the floor with a strangled cry. "When will I have a normal life again?! Without living in fear and being hunted down and nearly killed and kidnapped?! When will my father stop trying to seduce me and when will Hijiri finally be my husband?!" He wasn't directing this at Saga at all but he didn't care who heard him.

Saga was surprised at this, but quickly recovered. "It'll be okay, m'lord," he said, "for now you should just rest."

Hisoka didn't move. "You... can't understand why hell my life has been the last six months. I'm going to be seventeen in nine days and I'm trapped in a foreign kingdom where everyone is either trying to seduce me or kill me. But it's no worse than being home because there it's my father trying to seduce me and my own knights trying to rape or kill me. There is no such thing as rest."

"I promise you, M'lord," Saga said, "I won't let anything happen to you while you sleep. Please, you should at least try. His highness is right. You do seem very tired. And I know I don't understand what you're going through, but can at least attempt to help you?"

Hisoka looked up at him. "Why try to help someone you don't even like? If you'd been hidden and beaten the way I have for the last six years you'd be just a weak!" He stood slowly. "Just go. I'll be fine. I'll stay here until he comes out you don't have to babysit me anymore."

Saga frowned at him. "That's not true, M'lord," he said, "I wasn't able to say it before, but although I misjudged you at first, I don't dislike you at all. Every day I admire you more and more, not in the same sense as your mother, but the more I learn about you, the more I want to be your protector. I want to know more about you. What's your favorite food? What is it about you that calms the most savage beasts and seduces the most unruly men? And yet at the same time, you're just and fair and want what's good for everyone. You're making me think of who I wanted to be before. The healer. I want to heal and protect and the more time I spend with you, the more I feel like I can do that."

Hisoka sighed deeply. "There's just too much all at once right now. I thought I knew who I was and now there's been so many changes... I don't know who I am." He looked up at Saga. "I can't really walk anymore. I'm sorry to be such a pain but I really do want to lay down."

Without letting the boy speak another word of it, Saga wisked him off of the floor and carried him to the room that was Hijiri's. "Sleeping will do you some good," he said, "stop thinking so much. Sleep on it, see what happens, and talk to your Hijiri about this. It's like your mother always used to say. 'It always seems bad until you find the daimond in the dirt.'"

Hisoka looked up at him as he was set on on the bed. "Except I'm drowning in a river that has no bottom and no shores. You find diamonds in that." All the same he closed his eyes. "Will you sit by me... and hold my hand? I'm so used to someone laying beside me that I can't sleep without someone there anymore."

Saga nodded. "Sure," he said, "I'm not sure about daimonds, but you'll find all the koy in the world, that's for sure. That would be fun, wouldn't it? Swimming with koy? Try to pet all of those at once." He chuckled at the thought. "Sleep well, M'lord," He took the boy's hand.

Hisoka sighed deeply, pulling the blanket up to his chin and quickly fell asleep, dreaming indeed of koy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saga woke him later. "M'lord," he said, gently shaking the boy's shoulders, "I've recieved word that the king is ready for you."

Hisoka woke sharply. "Oh?" He sat up, letting go of Saga's hand. His eyes were slightly sore from crying as well as his throat. "Let's go than. I want to be there when Hijiri wakes."

Saga nodded. "No rush," he said, "His Majesty said that His Highness requested not to be awoken until you were in the room. Something about 'Muraki's face' not being the first thing he wanted to see. I can't help but wonder why on earth he's so bitter toward His Majesty."

Hisoka sighed deeply and stood. "It was lord Muraki who kidnapped me. He sent his other knights as well. Hijiri doesn't understand that he was trying to do what's best for his kingdom. He also didn't realize that what people have been telling us about Muraki was actually about Saki. He's angry that Muraki kidnapped me... but I'm thankful."

Saga ttilted his head to the side. "Perhapse," he said, "I don't know why, but I have the feeling that's not completely it." He shook his head. "What am I doing thinking? That's not my job... Let's head off to see him." He opened the bedroom door for the prince.

Hisoka smiled softly and stepped out. He frowned. "I'm afraid I don't know my way around yet..."

Saga patted him on the head, steering him toward where Hijiri was. "Is this castle much different from the one you're used to?" he asked, seeming interested.

Hisoka nodded. "The thrown room is on the complete opposite side, it's not as tall but it's a lot wider and there are a lot more hallways." He shivered. "I wonder if there are any secret passages..."

"Here?" Saga said, "probably a few, but only the king and the one who designed the place would know about them. The guy died and the king doesn't care much about them, so I doubt anyone here uses them if they do exist."

Hisoka sighed. "We make use of several of the ones we have. There's one that leads from my room to the kitchen and the thrown room. There's one I didn't know about between my room and my fathers room. That's how he was watching me with Hijiri, and probably by myself as well. I don't like them anymore..."

Saga made a face. "I highly doubt that His Majesty would do that," he said, "his vouyerism is honest. I heard him once say 'if they don't know I'm there, how can I join them later on?'" Then he made another face. "Our king...... is such a..... perve..."

Hisoka blushed deeply at this. "At least he's honest..."

Saga nodded and was quick to change the subject. "By the way, what did you want for dinner? I could have a servent relay the message down to the kitchens for you so once you're both ready for dinner, it won't take as long."

Hisoka smiled. "I haven't had lobster in a long time. What about that?"

Saga nodded. "We have plenty of those," then he laughed, "one of these days I'll have to show you the one my great uncle caught. He gave it to the then king as a gift, but the king was so amazed at how huge it was that he had a magic user do the same thing to it as His Majesty did to your mother's bird. It was quite grand when I saw it last, must be huuge by now." He chuckled again as they neared the room where Hijiri was.

Hisoka blinked. "Wow." He turned his thoughts to Hijiri as he knocked on the door. "May I see him now?"

The door opened. "I've released the spell," Muraki said, "he should wake up in a few minutes." On the bed, lower half covered by fresh white sheets, pillows around him, slept Hijiri, his skin perfect and unscathed, as though there had been no fire at all. He was breathing easily, face serene, body completely relaxed beneath the setting rays of sun that brought him to a toasted tan color that glowed.

Hisoka threw himself into Muraki's arms, sobbing into his shoulder in relief. "Thank you!"

The king seemed surprised, but patted the boy's head. "Go wake him up," he said, now sounding rather tired, "he's been calling for you in his sleep."

Hisoka hesitated no longer and knelt before Hijiri. He gently patted his cheek, speaking softly. "Hijiri... I'm here. It's Hisoka. How do you feel?"

Hijiri rolled in his sleep, his arm wrapping around Hisoka and pulling him down with a sleepy murmur. "S---Soka...."

Hisoka climbed onto the bed next to him and kissed him. "Wake up my love."

Hijiri's eyes began to open, emerald green peering out through tanned eyelids and dark lashes. "Hiso---" He slowly began to move, as though he were stiff and he didn't recognize where he was. He stretched like a cat, making sure he'd moved every part of his body before pushing himself into a sitting position. "Hisoka," he said with a sleepy smile.

Hisoka smiled and turned to his back. "Feeling better? I told you you'd be okay, didn't I?" He reached up and gently touched Hijiri's face. "I'm so glad your okay now."

Hijiri kissed his fingers, noting that Muraki was leaving and Saga was ready to stand guard at the door. "Now that we have some time..." he said, "would you tell me what's been going on?"

Hisoka was silent. "What do you mean?" he seemed nervouse. Did Hijiri remember that Hisoka had cheated on him? "What do you want to know?"

"What have you been up to before I got here?" he asked, "All I know is that you trust the king and I haven't the slightest idea why."

Hisoka took a deep breath. "I... he saved me from my father. He saved you from the fire. He protected me and killed his own evil son because he was hurting me. He's taught me so much. Mostly about my mother. He loved her Hijiri. And he loved your mother very much. He's not at all what we've been told. My father was jealous and afraid my mother would run back to him."

Hijiri's eyes turned cold for a moment, but it faded. "I'm glad you've been able to learn things though. And as for your father, he didn't deserve your mother in the first place."

Hisoka nodded. "I agree. But I'm glad to learn that Muraki is not my father either because that would make us half brothers." He looked away for a moment. "Do you remember what happened when you first arrived this morning?" He was debating if he should say anything or not. How could he have forgotten the conversation just hours before.

Again, Hijiri's eyes turned rather cold, but not at Hisoka. At Hisoka it was a momentary twinge of sadness. "Yes," he said, "why?"

Hisoka breathed a sigh of reliefe. "I wasn't sure if I'd have to explain it again or not. I really didn't want to but I knew you couldn't go without knowing. It would just make everything worse. I can't really say I'm sorry for sleeping with him. It was more a means to an end than anything else... but I'm sorry you had to find out that way."

Hijiri shook his head. "Just shocked me a little, that's all," he said, "Let's hope that the next time I walk into a room, it's you and me." Then he paused. "I think I just confused myself." He pulled Hisoka down onto the bed with a laugh, cuddling close. "I want to be with you forever. Just like this."

Hisoka chuckled softly and kissed his cheek. "Tonight after dinner... I want you to make love to me."

Hijiri looked at him with soft eyes, but then seemed worried. "Hisoka..." he said, "there's something that I have to tell you..."

Hisoka looked worried as well. "What is it?"

"I've never been.... er... the one.... inside the job... before," his face was red at the giving of he information. "I.... don't know if I'm any good at it or not...."

Hisoka looked away. "I don't think I'll know. Muraki took my virginity but it was only once. And he used magic to stop it from hurting. He's really thick though."

Hijiri sighed and leaned his head against Hisoka's shoulder. "What'll we use though?" he asked.

Hisoka frowned at this for a moment. "Perhaps we'll take advantage of the private bath?" Hisoka looked up into his eyes. "Let's think about food right now. I'm in no condition for such activities at the moment."

Hijiri nodded. "I guess this means I have to get dressed?"

Hisoka nodded. "Hurry. The sooner we eat the sooner we get to bathe..."

Hijiri nodded and stood, finally unrapping himself from the sheets. He moved a bit slowly, though he tried to hurry. He pulled on his shirt, lacing it with careful fingers.

Hisoka helped him into the pants with a smirk. "Because I'm dressing you, you must undress me later."

Hijiri gave him a grin. "Of course," he said, "though, I'm just slow because moving for the past few days meant pain. I guess I'm just half expecting stabbing pains all over like before."

Hisoka frowned. "I wish you'd told me sooner." He knelt before Hijiri and wrapped his arms around his waist, resting his head on the fabric covering Hijiri's upper stomach. "I missed you."

Hijiri's fingers traced through the boy's hair as he looked down into beautiful eyes. "I missed you too," he said, "I miss you every moment I'm away from you."

Hisoka closed his eyes. "I hope my efforts weren't for nothing. I'll try really hard not to stop you tonight. But so you know... I am still scared."

Hijiri knealt as well, kissing Hisoka. "I'll stop if you ask me to," he said, "the last thing I want is to hurt you." Then he pulled Hisoka to his feet. "Let's head to dinner."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hijiri sat at the table, slowly eating. He hadn't eaten much for the past few days and he was starving, but he chose to savor every bite. He'd never eaten such exquisite seafood. Of course he'd had fish, but this.... this thing in a shell that Hisoka called "lobster". It was something else. At first he'd been afraid to go near it, but Hisoka's gentle convincing got him to take a bite and now he was convinced that he'd found his new favorite food.

Hisoka was munching happily as he watched Hijiri. The young man was quite amusing. "See. Nothing to be afraid of now is there?" He reached down and broke a piece off and took the crackers. "The claws I always save for last. I hardly ever get this as we're so far inland, and lobster doesn't stay well." He pulled the meat out of the claw and tore off parts of it to eat, not eating too quickly either. "I wonder if Muraki would mind us having it more often. I definately think it should be the wedding feast." He was simply glowing at this last part. "What do you think about inviting the village? I mean have the whole village celebrate with us?"

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

Hijiri smiled at him. "That's a good idea," he said, "so, we're going back to the other castle for the wedding?" he attempted to pull the meat out of a claw and ended up getting it in his eye.

Hisoka looked distraught at this. "I... hadn't planned on it no. I like it here. I haven't had a single stomach problem since Saki was killed and I've been able to take nice baths without worry of someone watching me and do you know how close we are to the beach?! It's practically right outside that window. I... I don't think i ever want to go back there."

"Hisoka," Hijiri said, looking unhappy that he had to say it, "you have to go back at some point. They're your people. I know you hate it there, and don't want to, but...." he stopped, wondering if Hisoka was angry with him.

Hisoka wasn't really angry with him, just sad. His jaw tightened and he spoke in a comanding tone. "Well I will not be going back before the wedding. If I had the choice I'd stay here until I was twenty one and have my father put to death for all the things he's done to me." He'd finished his dinner and stood. "Or I'd lock him away and have him beaten every day! I don't want to go back there while he's alive!" He turned on his heal and fled, intending to go back to their room.

Hijiri stood and moved to follow, a bit slower than normal. Little did he know that in the hall, there was someone waitingfor his love. The boy was grabbed and dragged into what had been a wall mere moments before, a hand over his mouth.

His eyes widened but he couldn't scream, infact he couldn't move either. His body seemed frozen.

The form dragged the boy down a dark passage, his feet skidding along the dirty and dusty floor. "So you're the one," said a voice, "you're the one..."

Hisoka was still frozen, mind running in dizzy circles. 'the one?'

Without warning, Hisoka was thrown onto the floor in a small chamber lit by flame. Now he was able to get a good look at his attacker. In the light, he saw a man with short black hair and some stubble on his chin.

He scrambled to his feet. "Who are you?! What do you want?!"

The man grabbed him by the shoulders. "You are the child of lady Kannuki..... Queen Wakaba..... you are.... I see her in you.... so much... like her...."

Hisoka pulled back. "So what if I am?! What do you want?!"

The man ran his fingers through Hisoka's soft hair, pressing him back against the walls. "Samples.... samples...." There was a tug and a snip and some of Hisoka's hair fell.

Hisoka let out a startled cry. Pushing on him. "Let me out of here! Get away from me!"

Up the hallway, Hijiri's voice could be heard. "Hisoka!!! Are you in there!?" The man wrapped an arm around Hisoka's shoulders, gripping a daggar that had been laying on the table beside them and placing the prince between himself and the doorway, the blade to the boy's throat. The hilt was familiar, but it was hard to tell where from in the dim firelight. "Hisoka!!!" Hijiri's voice was getting closer.

Hisoka cried out. "Hijiri!" But he was afraid to scream more because the blade scratched his throat when he made the sound. He hoped that was enough to find him by.

Hijiri's footsteps picked up and soon he was in the room. "Hisoka!" he cried, "where are you!?" The firelight got brighter and the blade was lit up for a few moments.

Hisoka could see him and suddenly his eyes grew wide as he recognized the blade. "Be careful he's got Saki's dagger! I'm right here can't you see me?!"

Hijiri looked around. "Where?" he asked, "I can here you, but you're nowhere in sight." Then, something flashed in his face. and he turned tpward them. The daggar was shining firelight into his eyes. "Hisoka?" The blade began to cut into the boy's skin, threatening not to say anything.

Hisoka whimpered at the pain but held his tongue. His body was shivering, tears welling in his eyes and on the edge of fainting. 'Hijiri...' He thought the name, in hopes that somehow he'd know and save him.

The boy's eyes darted to and fro, but then, he pulled out his own daggar, looking around. The light from the fire reflected off of the blade and into Hisoka's eyes, Hijiri staring around the room. "Trust me...." he murmured before his daggar flew toward Hisoka at blazing speed.

A scream ripped from his lungs before his eyes slid closed and fell limp in the man's arms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hijiri set Hisoka down on the bed carefully. He had noidea who that guy had been, but he'd gotten away, and luckily for him, Hijiri was more concerned for his love than the other. "Hisoka," he murmured, kissing his cheek, then his chin, and then his mouth, all slowly and lovingly, letting all of the softness in his heart out.

Hisoka woke with a start, pushing up on him but not hard, just enough to stop him. "What the hell did you think you were doing?! You could have killed me!"

"I could see the light that I reflected from my daggar hitting your face and his face," Hijiri continued kissing Hisoka's chin, the only thing he could reach while being pushed on, "I threw it aiming at him."

Hisoka sighed softly and relaxed. "It looked like it was coming straight for me." He moaned softly. "I'm still shaking." He wraped his arms around Hijiri's neck.

Hijiri's fingers buried themselves into Hisoka's hair. "I can feel you," he said, "shaking like a leaf..." He continued kissing the prince's mouth and face, gentle as could be, loving and tender. "I love you..." he said, over and over.

Hisoka tugged at him. "Then hold me close. I want to feel you against me..." He paused as he closed his eyes and held his breath. "Inside of me."

Hijiri kissed him deeper. "To the .... bath then?" he murmured against the boy's lips.

Hisoka nodded. "Quickly." There was a hidden desperation to that. One that told Hijiri he wanted comfort more than anything.

Within moments, the two were in the private bathroom, Hijiri still kissing Hisoka as he untied the boy's laces and began to srip him, wanting to touch him, badly.

Hisoka began to feel the beginnings of an erection as Hijiri continued. "Don't... let go of me... ever." His heart was still racing but it was beginning to be for a different reason. "I want to feel you as close to me... as you can get."

Hijiri soon had Hisoka fully stripped and undid his own laces, his body pressing as closely to Hisoka's as it possibly could through the clothes. "I love you...." he murmured again into the blond's mouth before pulling away to toss his shirt to the side. When they were both nude, Hijiri wrapped his arms around Hisoka, pulling him close and kissing him more deeply than ever.

Hisoka's eyes were closed tight and he moaned softly. Suddenly his head began to spin slightly and his legs gave out. He wrapped his arms tightly around Hijiri to keep his balance.

Hijiri brought him into the bath and sat him down on his lap, pressing his own aching member against the blond's. He moaned slightly through their kiss.

Hisoka pulled away from the kiss to press himself fully against Hijiri. (and to breathe.) He gently bit down on the strong neck under his lips. Just enough to leave a small purpleish mark. It felt odd for the first time being hard but not so hard that he couldn't stand it. Hisoka's remaining fear kept him from attaining a full erection and he frowned. "If i come too quickly, just keep going until your finished..." He hoped he could at least last longer than he had with Muraki.

Hijiri moaned at the bite, eyes fluttering closed for a moment. "Hisoka..." he murmured, "d-don't... I... want to be able... to stop.... if you need me t-to..."

Hisoka was slightly frightened by this but stopped and rested his head on Hijiri's shoulder. "I hope we don't have to. Just be slow to start with."

Hijiri nodded and let his hands trail down Hisoka's back lightly, landing on his hips to press his own close. More friction passed between the two and Hijiri's shoulders and he shook slightly, caught between wanting more and needing to be slow.

Hisoka looked up into his eyes, traces of fear shown in his own. "You will be gentle right?" He slid back a bit. "You're trembling with the effort to not take me right away. May I look at you? See how big you are?"

Hijiri nodded, blushing slightly more than before, but agreeing all the same. Because Hisoka had moved away, and Hijiri didn't want the boy to think he was being pushy, he kept his hands to himself. Though, all of a sudden, he didn't know what to do with them. One rested on his chest, the other on his stomach, watching Hisoka for his reaction.

Hisoka stared at it for a moment. "Okay... I don't think I have to worry. Thank you. You're longer than he is but fortunately you're not as thick. This shouldn't have any pain. You're just right for me." He couldn't look Hijiri in the eyes though. He slid from Hijiri and sat beside him. "I'd prefer you be in my lap."

Hijiri crawled between Hisoka's knees and kissed him, slowly and deliberatly. His hands ran over the blond's chest and along his stomach, eventually stopping on his hips. Hijiri's momber traced along Hisoka's for moment, not yet going to his entrance. Hijiri wanted Hisoka to be sure before he began.

Hisoka moaned softly, feeling Hijiri's member rub against his. "You... love me right?" He asked this, knowing the answer but needing to hear it again. "I don't know why I'm scared."

Hijiri nodded. "Yes," he said, "I love you so much..." He kissed Hisoka's forehead, then his nose, then his lips. "I love you more than I've ever loved anyone or anything. More than I thought I ever could.

Hisoka held his eyes closed and sighed. "Did you have anyone else who loved you? Were they good to you too? Am I good enough to you?" All these things. He didn't know why he'd never asked them before. Tears came to his eyes. He wanted to take this step with Hijiri. "Take away my fear. I really want this. I really really do."

Hijiri sighed and leaned his forehead against Hisoka's shoulder. "My other 'lovers' usually used me just for this and didn't feel anything for me," he said, "there's just something about you that makes me wnt to hold you forever and protect you from everything. I don't want to scare you.... I'll stop if you think I should." He shivered slightly.

Hisoka let out a breath he'd been holding. "That's just it. I don't want you to. I tell myself that you'll do it right. It won't hurt. But my head goes back to those men. And how much pain I was in for so long afterword." He brushed away his tears. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I need you to show me, but I feel bad about asking you to be so slow and cautious. It can't be any fun for you."

Hijiri shook his head. "I'm not worried about fun," he said, "I'm worried about you."

Hisoka took a deep breath. He knew he had to calm himself or it would hurt. "How can you help me calm down. I really want to do this, but for some reason I'm still really scared. I know that once we start i won't be though."

Hijiri's eyes peered into Hisoka's. "What can I do?" he asked.

Hisoka stared back into his. "Kiss me. A lot. But slowly. And talk to me a little."

Hijiri kissed him, but hesitated. "I feel like I'm forcing you," he said, "I feel like you're too scared and I"m forcing you..."

Hisoka sighed. "I was a lot more scared with Muraki and I got over it. you're not forcing me Hijiri... I'm forcing myself."

Hijiri pulled away. "Then let's wait until you don't have to force yourself," he said, not seeming bitter in the least.

Hisoka sighed deeply and relaxed a bit. "I'm sorry." In the time that it took him to try and convince Hijiri that he was okay, he'd managed to lose the erection. Tears sprang to his eyes. "I don't know why I'm being like this. I promised you. I feel bad for breaking that."

Hijiri shook his head. "Don't be," he said, kissing Hisoka's face, "we should head for bed, it's been hectic."

Hisoka stood slowly. "Do... you want me to help you with that? Since I made it that way?" His heart was heavy. "I feel like a tease."

Hijiri gave him a grin."The more you tease me, the more I want you," he said, "the better it'll be later when we finally do. But you don't have to help me if you don't want to. I can get rid of it pretty quick on my own."

Hisoka wasn't sure until he suddenly felt ill. Falling to his knees at the trash can he wretched twice. He hated himself at the moment. He then stood on shaking legs and took a sip out of the water pitcher on the sink. More tears came to his eyes. "I'm a horrible monster!" He couldn't face Hijiri and ran back into the bedroom, throwing himself onto the bed and burriying his face in the pillow to sob.

After a few moments, Hijiri followed. He had half a mind to tease Hisoka about the "sickening thought of blowing him" but he decided against it. "What's wrong?" he asked.

He was shivering, cold because he was still wet and naked. "I hate myself! It was two years ago! You're not them! But I can't get past it!"

Hijiri sat beside him, wrapping him in a soft robe. and rubbing his arms. "It's okay," he said, "these things are hard to get past sometimes. I won't force you to do anything, and I'm not angry."

Hisoka sat up, pulling the robe all the way around him and threw himself into Hijiri's arms. "But I promised and I can't go through with it! I broke my promise! i don't want you to think I don't love you!"

Hijiri paused for a moment, then brought their faces close, giving the blond a long, slow, gentle kiss. Then he pulled away. "Do you feel it?" he asked.

Hisoka heart stopped for a moment as he was kissed. "Feel... what?"

"Do you feel my love for you when I kiss you? Can you feel the way I treasure you?" Hijiri looked into his eyes.

Hisoka had calmed conciderably. "Is that why my heart stops when you kiss me like that?"

Where Hijiri would have teased, he was now serious as death. "That's how I know you love me. I feel it when you touch me and kiss me. I don't need sex to know that you're the one for me and I"m the one you chose."

Hisoka sniffled a bit before resting his head on Hijiri's shoulder. "I promise I'll get over it soon. It's just... there are so many things." He yawned softly and closed his eyes. "Will you hold me?"

Hijiri held him close. "You don't need to promise me anything," he said, "all I want to know is that you'll be okay."

Hisoka nodded and pulled away from him, laying down. "Maybe I'll feel better with sleep."

Hijiri nodded, kissing his forehead gently. "That's right," he said, "rest. I'll still be here when yo wake up." He clung to the boy, laying them both on the bed gently. "I love you."

Hisoka yawned again and pressed himself close to Hijiri, quickly falling asleep, though tears still trickled from his eyes even as he slept for a long time afterward.

Hijiri lay there, staring at the boy for a while. He tried his hardest to ignore the growing pain between his thighs, but soon it was just too much for him to bear. He carefully pulled himself back away from the prince, replacing himself with a thick pillow. He began to make his way to the bathroom, but on the way, he heard a distant scream, as though it was in the building, but down a long corridor. He looked back at Hisoka, who was sleeping peacefully, but then went out the door, meeting Sagatanasu. "Did you hear that scream?" he asked. The man looked at him.

"Scream?" he repeated, "I didn't hear anything." Hijiri was surprised.

"How could you not hear that?" he asked, "it sounded like it was coming out this way." Saga shook his head.

"Sorry," he said, "nothing." Hijiri sighed.

"Then can you watch over Hisoka for me?" he asked. Saga looked at him.

"You're leaving him?" he asked.

"Only for a bit," Hijiri answered, "I have to see what that was... it sounded familiar." Saga stared, but shrugged.

"Go, I'll stay with him until you return," He walked past Hijiri and into the room.

"I'll be back," he said, then hurried off in the direction he'd heard the voice from. Then, a few feet from the door, he heard it again. Every time he passed a servant, none of them seemed to even hear the cries. He moved up some stairs, then more. Soon, he found a spiral staircase that led to a tower. The tower was filled with blue and black, partially see through curtains swaying in the breeze of the open windows. The room was empty, and a thin layer of dust on everything away from the windows showed that nobody had been in that room for ages. Suddenly, Hijiri felt a tap on the shoulder. He turned, but there was nobody there.

"Hello??" he questioned, almost timidly, "is anyone there?" When he turned to the bed, he saw that the four poster bed curtains were open slightly, and someon was moving on the bed, though he couldn't hear anything or tell ho they were. He walked forward. "Hello?" he said again, "are you alright? I heard screaming...." He paused as he realized what he was seeing. It was a young man, around his age, toying with himself. The boy looked at him and Hijiri stepped back with a gulp. There were no eyes where the sockets were. He was suddenly terrified, the feeling returning from before he knew he was royalty, that feeling that he was no good and that he would do nothing important or well for his whole life. He turned and tried to run, but the boy appeared before him, the eyeless sockets mere inches from him. He tried to cry out, but was unable to. Without warning, Hijiri was tossed to the floor, a whisping and shadowy cord holding him there. The boy looked down at him with distaste.

"No stableboy streetrat will best me," he said, "I'm still the prince, no matter what my father says. You will stay here until I sy you can leave."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saga had fallen asleep in the room with the blond prince when all of a sudden, the early morning silence was interuppted by a huge bang.

Hisoka sat up with a start, screaming out for Hijiri. "Hijiri! What was that?!" His heart was racing. Hijiri wasn't there, but Saga was in his place. "Where is he?! Where is Hijiri?!"

Saga was already off the bed, heading for the window. "The sun's rising," he murmured, "he should've been back ages ago...." He looked back at Hisoka. "Get down, M'Lord!" He ove, pushing Hisoka off of the bed to land behind it as debris from the wall being blasted in few over them, Saga using his own body over Hisoka's to protect him.

He screamed, clinging to Saga. "What's going on?! Where is Hijiri?! Tell me!" He was shaking and the thin robe had been pushed off of him when they'd landed.

"He heard a scream in the night," Saga said, "asked me to stay here with you so he could go see what it was. I fell asleep watching over you... lost track of time." It took him a few moments to realize that the boy was now naked beneath him. "A-are you alright?"

Hisoka whimpered. "No! I'm scared! And I'm naked and Hijiri's gone!" He closed his eyes as tears came to them again. "And I just... want to get married... and have a normal life!"

Saga was about to reply, but Muraki then burst in the door. Without a pause, he threw something at Saga, which hit him in the head. "Sagatanasu! There's no time for that!! Get off the heir to the throne! Off!!!" The man grabbed the robe from the bed and wrapped it around the boy as the knight got up. "We have to get Hisoka to a safe place!"

Hisoka tied it tight and clung to Saga. "What's going on?!" He felt as though he'd asked this question at least ten times, still with no reply. "Hijiri is gone!"

Muraki shook his head, "Nobody's seen him," he said, "And what's more important is that we're under attack from the sea. Come this way.... we have to get you to a safe place." He led the boy from the room.

Hisoka whimpered. Where was Hijiri when he needed him most? Tears fell from his eyes silently. He glanced behind to make sure Saga was following.

Saga was indeed following. "What of the prince?" he asked. Muraki didn't look back.

"He'll be fine," he said, "he's strong enough to survive something like this, after all he's been through. And I've got several knights looking for him at the moment." He wrapper n arm around Hisoka and pulled him to the side, heading for the outside. "The only safe pace there is is the stables right now.... if we're in the castle, there's too much of a chance we'll be crushed if the building falls."

Hisoka bit back more tears. Was that really nessesary? "Maybe..." His heart lifted for a moment. "He came here. He loves horses you know. Maybe he got home sick and went to take care of the horses?" He let go of Muraki's shirt and went ahead, calling out as he reached the door. "Hijiri! Hijiri are you here?" but there was no reply.

Without warning, a bulkily built man stepped out and grabbed the prince's arm roughly. Muraki rushed forward. "Don't run away from me!!" he shouted beatedly, fire shooting out of his hand at the man grabbing Hisoka. The man flew back and hit the wall of the stables, only to be replaced by two men on either side of the prince, lifting him by the arms and beginning to run wth him.

Hisoka screamed. The grip on his arms was painful. "Muraki!" He stared up at the ship hovering over the beach and screamed again. It was a regular ship, but it was flying a good ten feet above the ground.

More fireblls flew on either side of the boy, the two men going down From the ship there were fireballs as well, aiming at Muraki. "DAMN YOU!!! ACCURSED PIRATE!!!" He threw fireballs at the ship.[/quote]

Hisoka screamed as one narowly missed him. Suddenly a bright light errupted from him again. This time all around him and the two men holding him screamed in pain as they were forced away, the arm on each of the men holding him dropping to the ground. He stared in horror as he fell to his knees. "What... have I done?!"

The blood spurting on the ground glimmered in the early morning light. Muraki rushed forward and grabbed Hisoka off of the ground. "Ignore them!" he cried, "you have to put yourself in a safe place!!!"

Hisoka was becoming more frightened by the moment. "Where?!"

The man threw the boy to the side, being struck by an orb of fire in the back. Saga jumped to Hisoka's side as more men surrounded them, looking very angry. "The princess is coming with us!!!" one yelled.

Hisoka clung to Saga. "I'm not a princess!" He was starting to feel dizzy and tears ran down his cheeks. Where was Hijiri?!

Saga's eyes were glowing yellow and his raised sword began to do the same. "You will all die if you try to lay a hand on him!!!" he growled. The pirates began forward, grins on their faces.

Hisoka hid his face in Saga's chest. His body was trembling. He felt useless and heartbroken. He'd denied Hijiri and now the brunet was gone. Had his love lied and abandon him? "Do something!" He begged. "Please protect me!" All he wanted was to feel Hijiri's arms around him.

Sagatanasu swung his sword, Slicing one man in half, then impaled another through the stomach. He lifted his sword and swung at an orb making its way toward them, the resulting blast sending enerybody to the ground, friend and foe.

Hisoka screamed as he hit the ground, the cold white sand below him coming up into his eyes. "Hijiri!" He sobbed out.

Without warning, Hisoka was lifted from the ground by a red jacketed man with an oversized hat and long black hair. "You're coming with me, princess," he said, carrying the boy to the ship quickly. Muraki was nowhere in sight and Saga was out like a burnt out candle due to the head on explosion. The man reached the ladder and climbed, the other men climbing ropes, the ones dead or injured too much to move being left behind as the ship arose into the air. The tallest tower glowed with a blue light and a familiar voice screamed Hisoka's name as the room exploded, green light overpowering the blue and disintegrating the rocks and stones of the tower room to leave nothing. The man pulled Hisoka onto the deck, dropping him amidst drooling crewmembers who stared at Hisoka like he was the dinner on the table of the starving.

Hisoka screamed, trying to get free. He reached out towards the tower as if he could stop the building from falling. "HIJIRI!"

The man grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. "Welcome to your new home, princess!" he said, his brandy eyes glittering as they looked into Hisoka's.

Hisoka shook his head and pulled back. "No! Hijiri needs me! Who are you?!" He stumbled away from the man but suddenly hit something very tall and very muscular. He screamed and backed away but quickly realized he was trapt. "Let me off of here!"

The man just grinned and grabbed his hand, forcing him onto a plank of wood jutting out over the open air. "You sure you want off, Keisei-Hime?"

Hisoka stared at the ground, another scream escaping his lips. It was higher up now than it was before. Jumping would mean death. But then... "What is life without the one you love?" And he took a step forwards, prepared to die.

The man tossed him onto the deck again with barely a flick of his wrist. "Don't be such a noble lady," he said, "what fun could we have if I let you do that? I was kidding, Keisei-hime. Besides, if you don't care what happens to you, I'll just let my men here have your body."

His eyes widened as he looked back on the crew. All large men, all looking very aroused at the moment, and all staring at him like he was the only sexual object left on the planet. He looked back at the man and with a soft moan he fell, eyes sliding closed.

The captain with the large hat stepped forward and picked up the boy. "Aww, look men, yeh scared 'er to death. Hands off though, can't waste a good toy like this on swine like you." The men groaned and the captain turned. "Anyone care teh fight me orders?" he asked, glaring a warning. There was no answer but for the men cringing away. "I dinna think so!! Now back ta work!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Hisoka awoke, he lay in a soft bed of deep crimson, the scent of seasalt around him. A small tune played to the side from a wooden box carved to look like a mermaid on top of a rather squared off boulder.

Hisoka wasn't feeling too well when he began to come around. He was hot, and felt a bit sick. "Hijiri..." He mermered softly. He longed for the brunet but at the same time wondered if Hijiri had indeed been angry with him.

"So, Keisei-hime has awoken," said the familiar deep voice of the captain, "sleep well, princess?"

A whimper escaped his lips. He'd prayed it was all a nightmare. "Take me home. Give me back my lover."

The man shook his head. "Sorry, M'lady, but no go. How can I get the king's attention if I send you back?"

Hisoka had never even opened his eyes. He began to sob and turned away from the voice. "I hate you. You've got the wrong one. It's Hijiri you want. I'm not important to anyone."

The man shook his head. "Nope," he said, "you're the one who slept with the king. I know you're the one I want."

He sat up so quickly his head spun and he stared at the man. "How the hell did you know that?! And so I slept with him why does that make me special? He doesn'tcare about me. I was just another lay for him."

The man raised an eyebrow, "he was gentle with you, was he not?"

Hisoka was silent for a moment. "He took my virginity. Of course he was gentle."

The captain shook his head, his inky black locks falling into his face. "You really don't know him," he said, "Had you been anyone else, he'd have ripped you open like a lady's blouse and taken you rough and hard. He likes it no other way when he's just having fun."

Hisoka was feeling quite dizzy at this thought. "He said himself he doesn't care about me. Why would he lie? I owed him my lovers life and that was his payment. Nothing more."

The man raised an eyebrow and lifted his hat from the table, walking over to Hisoka and setting it on his head. "Could it be he sees you as he did your mother?"

Hisoka stared at him. "How should I know? He says he was in love with Hijiri's mother and I've asked him how he felt about mine but he only says it's complicated. I told you, I'm not important."

The man tutted. "He was infatuated with her," he said, "I should know. I was there while they were planning their own marriage."

Hisoka closed his eyes. "What?" His head was spinning again. "But..." He couldn't speak.

"Are you hungry, princess?" the man asked.

Hisoka looked away. "I'm too sick to be hungry. Why couldn't you have taken us both? Oh gods, he's all I want." Tears fell from his eyes.

Brandy eyes flashed for a moment. "Now, boy," he said, "don't start that. I didn't even know he was in the castle. I don't think that the king has much care for him, even as his heir."

Hisoka laid down, facing away from him. "I had him... for three days. we've been apart for a week already. All I've wanted for three months was to get married. I'm in love with a stable boy and I wanted to make him my king. Everything has stood in my way and now all I want is for him to hold me. I hate anyone who stands in my way. He's my life." His voice cracked on the last word.

"You should eat something though," the man said, "you'll never see him if you kill yourself through starvation."

Hisoka didn't move. "You just don't understand do you? Do you have anything that won't turn my stomach? This is a pirate ship. I thought you all just drank yourselves full..."

"Ah, but we know better than to force such a thing on a royal princess," he said, turning to the table behind the bed's footboard.

Hisoka was growing irritated. "Do you not realize I'm male or do you just like pissing me off?" He sat up, watching the mans actions. "At this point I might as well not be anything and I'm still telling you, your wrong. He doesn't care about me."

"You've given me no other name to call you by," he said, walking to Hisoka's side with a tray of fresh fruit, cheese, and bread. Beside the plate of food was a bottle of wine. "And I'm still telling you, you don't know the half of it."

Hisoka looked away. "I'm... Hisoka." He started to feel a bit hungry as he looked at the food. "Than explain. Why was it that you took me? Why do you think he feels anything for me at all?"

"Hisoka it is then," the man placed the tray on the bed before the boy. "And you may call me Oriya. First, I took you because I have an old score to settle with your father-in-law. And I saw he cares for you because he looks at you the same way he did your mother back when we were all friends in the castle."

Hisoka grudgingly began to eat. "You were in the palace? Why did you leave? And... everyone seems to be in love with my mother..."

Oriya nodded at the last part. "She was certainly worthy of all of the love she recieved. She certainly never recieved enough of it," he coughed into his hand, "I was their best friend, brother to Miss Wakaba's best friend, Lady Hisae. I was to be the best man in their wedding..." his face took on a dazed look, as though he was in the past with his memories. "Good days..."

Hisoka stopped chewing and choked on his grape. "Your... Hijiri's uncle?!"

The man nodded. "We're a big family," he said, "three or four sons, not counting the bastards... perhapse six daughters. All of us are different ages." He stole a piece of cheese from Hisoka's plate. "We all lived here in the kingdom of Kazutaka Muraki's grandfather, Haro Muraki. The man lived for a long time and ruled for many years. But when his son took over the throne, things became much harder. Your mother, who was supposed to marry Kazutaka, was forced to marry the rival country in hopes of making sure the peace stayed. Without her, he went to her best friend for comfort, finding love in her. But our oldest brother died in your father's country and Hisae went to help our youngest brother with his horse farm and family business." He paused for a moment, awaiting a reaction, though there was much more to it than that. "I'm not sure if you want all of the information or just parts of it."

Hisoka sighed. "All of it. I'm sick of being kept in the dark. My father has lied to me all these years. It's time I knew the truth."

Oriya nodded, then paused. "Your mother left the day before she had been scheduled to marry Muraki. We got many letters from her, all saying that she missed us dearly and telling that she would visit hen she got the chance. Two years passed before we finally got news of you. She sounded so happy in her letters. Bragging about how beautiful her new baby was, saying that he'd be a true heartbreaker one day. But she was worried that he would grow up with scars because his father wasn't the nicest. Sure, he was a father, but he also tended to get angry at the boy without reason. Like the way he wasn't allowed to call her momma anymore. Broke her heart, it did. I couldn't stand hearing about this. And of course, neither could Muraki, who'd taken the thrown from his father because the man was insane and only wanted war. He couldn't come himself, of course, but he wanted someone he trusted to go check on her. He chose me. I went with high hopes, ready to see her again because she was such a good friend. But of course, I wasn't allowed to see her. I did hppen to see you though. You were about three and you were outside with a caretaker, both of your parents busy with their royal duities. You were being held up to pat a horse and I couldn't help but think how much you looked like her. Later, when the night fell, I tried to see her again, hoping she wouldn't be that busy. Again, I was turned away, but as I left the castle, I saw her, opening a window andleaning out to breath the cool night air. She seemed so much more tired than before. Not s much light in her as there used to be. I waved at her, but she didn't see me. The king. The man you call father.... brought her back inside and shut the windows. I could hear him shouting from outside, though I couldn't hear what they were saying, something about her lowering taxes without his consent. I hated him. I went back and reported to Muraki and his first reaction was to hit me for not doing anything. I know I deserved that. But about four years later, we got word of her death. The king lost all the fight he had within himself. He no longer cared about the impending war. He was just too hurt to try anymore. I'd heard that Tsubaki, your mother's sister, had been going to meet her, but when she returned, she said she'd never come. I found out that she'd died by falling off of her horse and left, wanting to find my sister. The castle was already going downhill by then and I just couldn't see a way to fix it. Come to find out my sister had never gotten to your country. No idea where she went. Just disappeared. But as for why I want Muraki? It's his fault that any of it happened."

Hisoka was silent for a moment. "Why... was it his fault?" He looked up at Oriya. "Father... he was good to me until she died... and then he was drunk for three years..."

"Your father has drinking problems, boy," he said, "the things those wines and brandys do to him... I wouldn't wish him on anyone. And it's Muraki's fault because he's a coward! A Pompous ass who cares only for himself!!"

Hisoka sighed. "There, you've caught yourself in a lie. Obviously I was right than and he has no feeling toward me or you'd not have said that."

The man looked at the boy with serious eyes. "Don't start with me," he said, "if you're going to be difficult, then allow me to reword myself. He cares mostly about himself. Your mother in second. He didn't fight when she was to be shipped away. He didn't do a damn thing!" He hit the wall, "he sat there and watched her leave, the cold hearted bastard!"

Hisoka jumped at the action. "I'm sorry." He couldn't think of anything else to say, memories of his father doing that years ago forcing fear into his eyes.

Oriya paused, seeing the fear, and put his hands into his lap. "You are not to be harmed," he said, "I just want at Muraki... so he can pay for what he's done."

Hisoka closed his eyes, letting out the breath he'd been holding. "And when is it that you think he'll come for me? What if he doesn't? What if Hijiri comes alone?"

"I know him," he said, "he'll come. And that's when I'll give him just what he deserves." He cracked his knuckles.

Hisoka stared into his eyes. "Is Hijiri ready to be a king? Do you really not understand what that would bring about? The country is already falling to ruin from Saki. I'm not sure Hijiri could handle that preasure yet. I know I can't. Hijiri is only seventeen and I wanted time for us to spend together before we had to take on such responsabilities."

"Do you really think Muraki will be able to hold the country together for four more years?" Oriya demanded, "it's a miracle it hasn't disbanded into its own little kingdomes as of late!"

Hisoka shivered. Oriya's voice was echoing around the room. "What makes you think a seventeen year old can do any better?"

"I've seen him in action, Hisoka," Oriya said, "when he puts his mind to something, he won't stop for anything...." he paused, then decided to correct himself, "anything but you."

Tears came to his eyes again. "How long?" His voice was weak. "How long until my suffering ends?"

"That depends on how long Muraki takes to summon me back so I can claim the ransom," Oriya said, "he'll be haste, seeing as it's you. I'd give it about two days for the messenger pigeon to arrive..."

Hisoka sighed. That didn't seem too long. It still hurt like hell. He slowly began to eat again. "Whatever you do... please don't hurt Hijiri."

Oriya shook his head. "My own nephew?" he said, "no... Hisae would kill me if she ever found out. That and I'd like to get to know him better."

Hisoka sighed. "Good luck after this. You realize he'll hate you right? Like myself, he's been upset without me. This will just make things worse for him."

[color-darkgreen]"I don't mind a challenge," he said, "and I'm not exactily innocent, being a pirate and all. I'd be honored to die by his sword. Just as long as I finish Muraki first."[/color]

Hisoka was silent for a long moment as he ate a bit more. "I love him so much. Can't you just knock me out until I'm back with him? I'd rather lose two days of my life than be forced to face the heartache of being without him."

Oriya gave him a look. "Are you daft?" he asked, "a pretty little thing like you unconscious on a ship full of horny sailors?"

His eyes widened. "You said I wouldn't be harmed!"

"Still," Oriya said, "they don't always listen to me. Do you really want to be out cold if there's a mutiny?"

Hisoka's heart was pounding. He didn't know what to say to this. He closed his eyes, shivering. "What than can I do until I'm with him again? Oh gods, I'm going to lose my mind!"

"It's only two or three days," Oriya said, "in the meantime, you can make yourself useful and help me out or something."

Hisoka blinked. "Help you with... what? I really don't want to be trapt below deck for that whole time. "

"Well," Oriya said, thinking, "what are you good at?"

Hisoka looked away. "Nothing I can do on ship... unless you want me to befriend the rats and birds..."

"Are you sure?" he asked, "I mean... nobles can read maps and things like that, can't they? You never learned anything like that? I mean.... you have to be good at something."

Hisoka shook his head. "I guess... I can cook... do you have a kitchen?"

Oriya nodded. "Yep," he said, "and I'm sure that Mitani would ove to learn a new recipe." He grinned, "never met a men who loved to cook as much as he does."

Hisoka stared out the window. "Mother encouraged me to learn. When I was younger, Lady Rika would let me help with dinner." He pushed the tray away, feeling full. "What do you do for fun?"

Oriya raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?" he asked.

Hisoka was silent for a moment and then sighed. "Never mind..."

Oriya couldn't help himself then. He leaned forward, whispering so he was barely audible. "Or... I could show you what we do for fun," he waggled his eyebrows.

Hisoka froze, beginning to tremble. "N-no!"

Oriya's fingertip traced under Hisoka's chin. "I could mke it very fun for you," he said, his voice taking on a seductive purr.

He pushed the hand away and leaned back. "Leave me alone!"

"But why?" he asked slowly, "you wondered what we did for fun.... why can't I show you?" Without waiting for n answer, he took the boy's chin in his hand and tilted it upward, catching those soft lips with his own. His kiss was gentle and teasing. A kiss that would melt anyone's heart and leave it in a puddle on the floor.

His eyes widened. 'No!' his mind screamed out. 'Please no!' suddenly the room was spinning far too quickly and his eyes slid closed with a soft moan. He fell limply back against the pillow. In his sleep he mermered. "Please... don't hurt... me."

"Oops..." Oriya thought out loud, "I think I teased him too much...." he pulled the covers more tightly around the boy and tucked them so he'd stay warm. Then he smiled fondly. "I think I see why Muraki likes you so much, Hisoka-chan," he said, brushing the boy's bangs from his face. "Sleep well..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When the boy awoke, hours later, the room was completely empty, no sign of the red jacketed captain anywhere.

Hisoka glanced out. it was dark and the stars were shining. in the distance he could see a light house. He recognized that light house. they weren't too far from where Hijiri had taken him to the beach. He stood and went to the door, unlocking it, and silently made his way on deck. His heart fluttered as he saw the life boats. He wasn't sure if he knew how to get it into the sea but he couldn't just wait around and probably be hurt by this pirate.

Most of the crew was below deck, sleeping and drunk, one or two walking from bow to stern every now and then.

Hisoka was unseen by these men as he was in the shadow of the upper level. He swung the small dingy out over the ocean and climbed in. However he couldn't seem to untie the knots holding the boat to the ship.

The ropes made a creaking sound and the pullies squealed as they were moved. Apparently, they were never used, as they were rusted almost beyond recognition. There was a crunch, and one of the pullies began to slowly crumble, the piees of worthless metal chipping away.

Hisoka screamed as one side slipped and he nearly fell into the ocean.

Haaving heard a while ago, one pirate made his way to the boat and reached out, grabbing the boy's wrist. "Avast, yeh scurvy dog! What devil squander be runnin through yer head?"

Hisoka screamed again. "Let me go!" He tried to pull free but the same side slipped again with his struggling and the boat went completely sideways. He now had no choice but to grab a hold of the arm holding him by the wrist.

The man pulled him back onto the ship and held his wrist tighter. "Them who abandon ship wivout the order be keelhauled on the cap'm's word," be said, "but mayhapse the wee lass can find it in 'er head to git 'erself outta it?" Something about the way he said it told exactily what he was suggesting.

Hisoka tried to worm away from him. "No!" his body was shivering, scared already from almost falling into the sea, and now afraid the very thing he tried to escape from would happen twice over. "Oriya wouldn't do that to me!"

"Not the cap'm," he said, "but I stand afront o' yeh. Would yeh rather yeh sing yer praises o' the cap'm from the depths of Davy Jone's locker?"

Hisoka screamed louder, pulling away finally and beginning to run for the door to below deck. "Oriya!"

The man was surprisingly fast for someone so big and wrapped an arm around the boy's weist, lifing him off of the deck. "Shut yer hole," he ordered, bringing the boy to the ship railing and bending him over it.

Hisoka screamed, vision blurring. "LET ME GO!" the bar below him hurt. He could feel his skin being bruised as he was pressed into it. "ORIYA! HELP ME!" Tears sprang to his eyes. "It hurts! Let me up!"

Without warning, the man behind Hisoka froze, then went limp and fell to the deck with a thud.

Without the man holding him to the railing he screamed as he started to fall over it.

A strong hand caught him by the back of his robe, then his shoulder. "What do you think you're doing?" Oriya's voice demanded, "you want me to protect you, but you go wandering the ship at night! Are you sick in the head?"

Hisoka whimpered. "I was trying to steal the raft but the rope snapped!"

"We haven't had to use one of those since I became captain," he said, "they've long past rusted through." He began to drag the boy back to his room.

Hisoka faught against him. "Please!" He was paniked. "I don't want to sleep with you!" Tears fell endlessly from his eyes. "Just send me home! I'll make Muraki come out here I swear!"

Some men were beginning to appear onthe deck, wondering what the commotion was. Oriya's grip became painful as he ordered the pirates to throw the body of the man who'd caught Hisoka overboard. He dragged he boy into his room and closed the door, pressing Hisoka back against the wall. "Stop!" he ordered, "I'm not going to force you to sleep with me, okay? Just stop!"

Hisoka whimpered. "But... you kissed me and... I will! I'll make him come here! Please just take me home!"

Oriya ran his hand over his face, "you can't take things like that so seriously," he said, "I'm a pirate, I kid about things like that.... calm down. And no matter what you tried, you could not get him to come here with you being safe. He would refuse to see me."

Hisoka was still shivering. "You can't do that! Not with me! You couldn't understand what I've been through! I've been raped three times already and the thought of that happening agin..." He tried to get his breathing under control but he couldn't seem to take a deep enough breath.

Oriya took him by the shoulders. "Look, I've only known you for a few hours, how could I have known that?" he tried to seem calm, but he was still rather annoyed, "and I"m not all that bad a guy, but you won't listen to me, so what's the use?" He picked up the prince and sat him on the bed. "If you want to cry and whine, do it all you want. Shove your face into the pillow and scream as loud as you want. But for crying out loud, I've waited long enough for payback for what he did to me and my family! I won't have you trying to run away and killing yourself so that everyone who still has any type of resect for me will leave too!" He turned his back on the boy, heading over to his table and sitting heavily to look over a map.

Hisoka didn't know what to say. Now he sat there in near silence, the small hups as he tried to catch his breath from crying so hard. "Will you not then send your men to take Hijiri as well? Don't you care that I'm scared to death and miserable? Do you know what it's like to feel someone you love holding you and waking to find them gone and then be ripped away before you can find them?"

Oriya shook his head. "The deed has been done," he said, "and from what I've seen, your Hijiri's too strong. He'd have killed half of my men by now had I brought him onto the ship. It's only a little longer."

His eyes were dull now. He laid down. "Every second..." he whispered. "Is an eternity."

The man looked at him. He knew how that felt. He moved slowly to the side of the bed and sat next to the boy.

He didn't lok at Oriya, just stared blankly at the ceiling. He didn't speak either. Tears endlessly welled in his eyes and fell down his cheeks and into his hair and ears. He felt complete dispair.

Oriya then lifted him into an embrace. A tight one that revealed sadness. "Only a little longer for you," he said, "forever for me...."

Hisoka was completely limp. "What do you mean?" His tone was dead. No emotion. He'd given up. "Pirates don't love."

Oriya shook his head, still clinging to the boy. "That's where you're wrong," he said, "most don't find it. But remember, I wasn't always a pirate...."

Hisoka sighed deeply. "Let me guess... my mother right? And now you think you've got feelings for me because I look so much like her?" There was a slight annoyence behind this but not much.

Oriya looked at him in surprise. "Well... no," he said, "I'll admit that your mother was admirable and you're both very attractive, but she was like a sister to me. That would feel too much like incest. Why? Does it happen to you often?"

Hisoka gave out a disgusted grunt. "It started with two knights who I learned later were possessed by Saki so I don't know if they count or not. Then it was my own father. Possibly Muraki. I feel like I can't trust anyone but Hijiri."

"Hijiri never met your mother," Oriya said, "I'm glad you have someone you can trust. He must be very worried about you."

Hisoka sighed heavily. "If I know him, and I think I do, he's thrown up at least twice and he's now beating the shit out of Muraki in an attempt to make him do something faster. He's probably threatened to come alone."

Oriya cringed. "The type to worry himself into sickness, huh?" he said, "he really does love you. Worrying too much tends to run in our family. Of course, if I know Muraki, he doesn't want the boy to come at all and would rather come for you on his own."

Hisoka shook his head. "He won't stand for that. If Muraki won't allow him he'll simply find a way to follow."

Oriya shook his head, "stubborn too. He sounds just like his mother." He patted the boy on his shoulder. "My men are going to think that I've taken you in as my lover," he grmaced slightly, "because I don't want you to be hurt."

Hisoka sat there silently for a moment. "I'm sorry... I just paniked. Every time I've been in so much pain for weeks afterword. I don't ever want to go through that again."

Oriya grimaced. "I'm still in shock that something like that happened to you at all," he said, "but don't worry, I don't believe in rape. Every time I ever had someone, I made sure it was consintual, however rough." He looked away and cleared his throat. "I'm just not sure if you want your lover getting wind of it. My family line tends to be a bit jealous. Though... his mother never was..."

Hisoka sighed. "As long as it's not true I don't think there will be a problem."

Oriya looked at him. "Did he ever find out about Muraki?" he asked.

Tears sprang to his eyes as he nodded. "He... sort of walked in on us afterward. And... he seems to have forgiven me but he was so hurt. He thought I was in love with Muraki and that I was leaving him."

Oriya nodded. "Exactily like his mother," he said, "While my sister got sad and blamed herself, some of the people in our line would have walked in and slit Muraki's throat right then and there, leaving no room for explination."

Hisoka took in a slow, shuddering breath. "Let's... not talk about him... my heart is going to break. I need to keep my mind off him if I'm to live through the coming eternities. Who was it, if not my mother?"

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

Oriya acted as though he hadn't heard the last part. "Let's make a deal, okay?" he said, "in return for my protecting you, you have to do something for me.... besides cooking."

Hisoka seemed angry at this. "I have to pay you?! You kidnaped me it's your fault I'm in danger in the first place!"

"Not my fault you decided to sneak out of the nice, safe, warm bedroom, is it?" he asked, "and I could do what I usually do and send you to the brig. What a pleasant experience that is."

Hisoka whimpered. "This isn't fair! What do you want anyway?"

"You decide," Oriya said, "besides, you still haven't told me everything you're good at."

Hisoka tried to pull away. "I told you, cooking. And animal training. Archery. Singing. And sometimes I can read tarot."

"Singing, hmm?" the man thought about this, "your mother had a beautiful singing voice. I imagine you're tenor?"

Hisoka blushed. "I don't know about such things. Only that I can. And that mamma used to teach me songs."

"Lullabyes?" Oriya asked.

"Among other things."

"Sing to me..." he tilted his head to the side with curiosity.

Hisoka really didn't want to, but decided it was best not to argue. "He sang to me of summers past and tales upon the sea. Of pirate ships and treasure maps, that lead only to me. I once had a dream as a sailors wife, married faithfully. Yet I knew our love was not meant to last as he fell into the sea." Tears were gathering in the corners of his eyes. His mother sang him to sleep with it every night.

Oriya's eyes were closed. "Very nice," he said, "but that song is too sad for you. I'd teach you one, but you probably can't sing it as low as I can.... not until you are able to hold your liquer well."

Hisoka shivered. "I'm never drinking anything but wine in my life."

"Hear hear!" Oriya said, "you sound just like her. Anyways, do you want to learn it?"

Hisoka was silent for a moment but then nodded. "I... suppose so." 'anything to stop thinking about Hijiri.' he thought forelornly.

Oriya brought a chair beside Hisoka's bed, but didn't sit down. Instead, he walked over to the porthole and opened it, taking a few moments before singing low. "Your day has ended, the sun is down. It's time for you to sleep. Lay your head down. Now and forever, should you fall from heaven, I will be sailing on blue seas, waiting. I'll find you somewhere, among leaves of autumn, and bring you home with me." The tune was slow and soft, filled with love and caring. Oriya's voice, harsh while speaking, was now smooth and low, almost a lullaby.

Hisoka couldn't help but stare at him. Were all nobles trained in this manner or was it natural tallent? Suddenly he felt inferior and looked away. "It's very beautiful."

"Isn't it?" he asked, "your mother taught it to me."

Hisoka couldn't look at him. "I hate this. I feel so stupid. She had this whole life that I never knew about. I wish she had stayed with Muraki. I wish I'd been able to call her mamma more often. I wish it was my father that died and not her."

He turned to the boy and walked over, sitting down. "She always said that she's live forever as long as she was never forgotten. You can't turn back the pages of time, but you can learn from life. You'll never do to your child what your father did to you, did he? And you'll teach your child the songs your mother taught you?"

Tears came to his eyes. "It's just that I miss her so much. And if I'd known then what I know now I wouldn't have stopped calling her mamma. I'd have told my father to go to hell and called her by that. And Tera tells me he used to hit her and Muraki says she wasn't ever happy again and you say she lost her light... I... I want her back Oriya! I want to hug her again! And I hate him for making me stop and for being so bad to her."

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

He turned to the boy and walked over, sitting down. "She always said that she's live forever as long as she was never forgotten. You can't turn back the pages of time, but you can learn from life. You'll never do to your child what your father did to you, did he? And you'll teach your child the songs your mother taught you?"

Tears came to his eyes. "It's just that I miss her so much. And if I'd known then what I know now I wouldn't have stopped calling her mamma. I'd have told my father to go to hell and called her by that. And Tera tells me he used to hit her and Muraki says she wasn't ever happy again and you say she lost her light... I... I want her back Oriya! I want to hug her again! And I hate him for making me stop and for being so bad to her."

Oriya wrapped his arm around the boy. "I bet she's looking down at you through the glass floors of heaven and wishing she could be here with you, to tell you that she understnds and that she loves you too."

Hisoka's sobbing began all over again, for a totally different reason. "She's probably angry about how much of a screw up I am!"

Oriya made a face. "That's not her at all," he said, "she loves you and would never think you're a screw up."

Hisoka burried his face in Oriya's shirt. "She wanted me to marry Lady Kazusa and I'm in love with a man. She wanted me to keep my virginity until I was married and I lost it to someone I don't even have the slightest feelings for. I'm supposed be a good king, and I've never known my people. I'm a failure!"

Oriya petted his head gently. "Things like virginity aren't really controllable by a parent. Sure, they have their ideals, but very few children ever listen. And about knowing your people, you can't help that. It's your father's fault, not yours. And she didn't know if you would be able to love and trust the person you would marry if you chose your own when she made that arrangement. She won't mind as long as you truly love him and he treats you right."

He sniffled. "I feel so lost."

Oriya yawned and stretched, feeling rather tired. "You should sleep some," he said, "I know you've been sleeping practically since you got on board but you seem very white. Don't want you to get sick on me now."

Hisoka sighed deeply and sat up, staring into his eyes. "I can trust you right?" There werevery clear wounds in his eyes. He wanted to trust Oriya but because of his teasing earlier he wasn't sure if he could. "I sleep better with an arm around me."

Oriya nodded. "I don't believe in rape, remember?" he said, then kicked off his shoes, shoving them to the side.

Hisoka let out a slow deep breathe and laid down, crunching himself almost painfully into a ball. He took up very little space like this. "You kissed me remember? I'm just making sure before I lay with you. Knowing my past can you blame me?"

Oriya crawled in beside him. "I can't," he said, "but just remember that I won't do anything to hurt you. You're going to be my nephew-in-law, so I'll take good care of you." He wrapped an arm around the boy carefully.

Hisoka closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. "Just distract me until I'm with Hijiri again. Or you may have a suicide on your hands."

"DOn't say that," he said, "if you die, how can you be with him?"

Hisoka was silent for a moment. "He'd kill himself after he found out and we'd never have to worry about any of this ever again."

Oriya tapped him on the head. "Stop speaking of such things and go to sleep," he said.

Though Oriya couldn't see it, he smiled a little. He reminded Hisoka a bit of Tera and that was slightly comforting. "Aye aye cap'n" and he slowly drifted to sleep.

Oriya fought not to squeeze the boy. How could he go from infuriating one second to adorable the next? He shook his head before laying it on the pillow and slowly drifting off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beside Hisoka, Oriya slept soundly for hours, his arm comfortably around the prince. He enjoyed the warm of having someone beside him after so many years of sleeping alone.

Hisoka was having very... odd dreams. Faceless men making love to him. It was a dream he'd had many times before, a product of his curiosity. It always felt good in his dreams. In fact, it felt so good, it physically aroused him. Many times he'd waken with an erection and today was no exception. It was particularly hard this time though and he sat up, glancing around. He was disappointed to find that there was nowhere he could go to get rid of it, and he certainly didn't want Oriya to know about it.

The boy's movement awoke the man. "Hisoka?" he said questioningly.

Hisoka pulled away, blushing madly. "Do... do you have a bathroom? I really have to go."

"Most men go over the side of the ship," he said, "but there's a basin in the corner you can use. It's clean." He half rolled onto his side, "do you really ned to go that bad? You look ready to explode."

Hisoka groaned. "I... don't like to go in front of people." He couldn't tell Oriya his real problem.

"I"m still half asleep," Oriya said, "I can't watch you if I can't see..." He rolled onto his face, pulling another pillow over his head. A muffled sound came out that was barely recognized as "better?"

Hisoka stood slowly and walked over to the basin and slowly reached into his pants to pull it out, rubbing quickly at the base. He couldn't get it done quick enough though and after a moment a soft moan escaped his lips.

Oriya shifted and out came his still muffled voice. "Are you okay?"

His voice sounded rushed dispite his attempt at spunding normal. "I'm fine."

Oriya almost moved the pillow. "You don't sound it."

He sighed. "I..." He couldn't really speak. He had no idea what to say. He had no exscuse. Finally he gave up. "I... kind of had a dream. And..." He didn't finish the sentance. "Can you leave for a few minutes?"

Now Oriya sat up and looked at him. "What are y---" he stopped when he saw. "...oh.... um..." He paused, "you.. look like you're having a hard time."

Hisoka sighed. "I can't do it in front of people and you're in the room... it reminds me of the times with my father watching me."

Oriya grimaced. "If I ever meet your father, I'm going to thrash him," he said, standing. "You know... I could help you if you wanted."

Hisoka blushed madly at this. It was tempting. He didn't want to say no. "What... would you have me do in return?"

Oriya tilted his head to the side. "That depends on what you think is fair," he said.

Hisoka sighed deeply. "I won't sleep with you."

Oriya shook his head. "No," he said, "that's hardly fair. I could teach you the art of oral stimulation?"

Hisoka was surprised at this. "Do I have to swallow?"

Oriya shook his head. "Course not," he said, "you probably balk at the very idea."

Hisoka nodded. "Okay than. Where do you want to do this? I'm also very...tidy."

"Bring the basin over here," Oriya said, "Your lesson starts now. kneel on the bed here and put the basin down in front of you."

Hisoka did as he was told.

Oriya knelt behind Hisoka, tossing his jacket to the side. He always slept in it. Warmer that way. His hands, thouh calloused, were gentle. "You probably know already what makes it feel pretty good," he said, "the head is the most sensetive spot." He stroked his fingers lightly over it.

Hisoka moaned softly and leaned back against Oriya. "That's what... I was going for a few minutes ago."

Oriya nodded. "But there's another spot that's very sensetive as well... you'll notice if you're ever kicked there..." one of Oriya's hands moved to massage the spot just behind Hisoka's balls, his other hand sliding down the boy's shaft.

Hisoka let out a startled cry at the feeling. He squeezed the sheets below him. "I didn't... haa... know about... that one!"

Oriya raised an eyebrow at the boy's reaction. "Apparently," he said, "but that's why I'm teaching you." He brouht his hand to his mouth and licked his finger, running the tip over Hisoka's head, pulling back gently on the shaft. He massaged slowly and carefuly, with exact movements that moved from base to tip. "The thing about using your mouth to give pleasure is the fact that moisture on any skin makes feelings more sensetive and creates more reaction."

Hisoka shivered at this and his breath caught in his throat. "Oh... I know... ahh!" He gave up. Speaking wasn't an option right now.

"Using your mouth also leaves your hands free," Oriya said, "it's important that you find something to do with them. One hand could assist the mouth with stroking, though the main focus is on your mouth, never let up on your oral concentration for your hand." He began to stroke Hisoka harder, watching his reaction.

Hisoka called out an inaudible cry of pleasure that sounded something like a command of 'faster'. Too much pleasure to speak though.

Oriya's hand moved its way up Hisoka's torso, the other still massaging him. He caressed the boy's chest, lips sucking gently on a soft earlobe. "Slower, did you say?"

Hisoka moaned and shook his head. "Fa... ster!... ple... ease!"

Oriya's hand gripped tighter and his hand moved faster, fingers of his other hand tracing over the boy's chest.

]Hisoka was beginning to pant. He was close to release. "Just... a little more!"

Oriya tickled Hisoka's neck with his tongue, tugging slightly harder and bringing down a hand to massage the spot behind his balls again.

Hisoka let out a scream as he finished. With panting breaths he fell limply against Oriya's chest. "Th... thank you."

Oriya's arms wrapped around Hisoka's torso, hands on his chest and stomach. "All better then?" he asked pleasantly.

Meanwhile, searching through a crack in the wood of the wall, three sets of eyes searched to find the oigin of the sharp cries coming from th captain's quarters. "The wench be needin a hand from the cap'm," one said.

"I be wantin to pillage them loins an stuff'm fer all thar worth," said another. All stared hungrily, unseen by those being watched.

Hisoka began to catch his breath and nodded, eyes still closed tight. "Just... let me catch my breath for a moment and then I'll start."

"Take your time," Oriya said, "I'll go empty this." He took up the basin and walked to the porthole, dumping its contense into the sea. "There you go, fishies... have a snack."

Hisoka couldn't help but chuckle at this as he laid back fully. "You're odd." He covered himself for a few moments as he looked up at Oriya. "Is it natural to dream about sex when the people you're dreaming about aren't even real? They have no faces. I'd think I'd be dreaming of Hijiri."

"That depends," Oriya thought for a moment, "how many times have you and Hijiri had eachother?"

Hisoka was silent. "We've never done that. He did this... I mean what we just did now... and he did what I'm going to do to you. But for some reason when I try that with him... I freeze up."

Oriya nodded. "Maybe that's why," he said, "you're still afraid of him, so you replace him in your dreams with faceless comfort?"

Hisoka pulled his pants back on as he sat up. "But then... I was able to complete it with Muraki. What makes him so much more different than Hijiri?"

"Muraki is no average man," he said, "he has he ability to take away any and all pain just by touching a person wherever they hurt. Your Hijiri doesn't seem to have that. Perhapse you're afraid he might hurt you by accident."

Hisoka nodded. "I guess so. Anyway, let me repay you now. I'm ready."

Oriya placed the basin at the edge of the bed and sat down by it, beginning to untie the front of his pants. "Have you ever done anything like this before?"

Hisoka shook his head. "But I think I learned enough from when Hijiri did it to me."

Oriya's eyebrow lifted. "He didn't mind doing it to you and getting nothing in return?"

Hisoka shook his head. "Hijiri has always put me first. That's why I feel so bad that I can't seem to sleep with him."

Oriya nodded. "Well," he said, "I'll tell you this. If he does it right, and you're aroused enough, pain will be minimal and you probably won't notice it much because of the adrenaline in your system." He pulled himself out, holding the extremety ready.

Hisoka knelt before him. Closeing his eyes he began to suck on the head, licking it softly. One hand came up to stroke as he continued to lick and suck.

Oriya was surprised at first. Hisoka's mouth was soft and warm. He had the feeling this wouldn't last long. His fingers duginto the boy's hair, embedding themselves in the softness.

Hisoka ignored the slight pain in his head at his hair being tugged. He'd heard this was a sign that he was doing it right. He took a little more into his mouth, tongue running around all that was covered. Then he began to pull out, using his lips and tongue to tug on him. It was more fun he noticed, to lick the head. It felt so strange in his mouth.

Was it really the boy's first time doing this? Oriya had to wonder. He was most certainly god at it. He shivered at the boy's attentions on him. "Good...." he murmured.

Hisoka stopped for a moment and looked up at Oriya. "Tell me when you're about to come okay?" With that he went back to his work. The fingers of his free hand now moving up behind Oriya's balls, the way Oriya had touched him. As he gently and slowly rubbed at that area, he took in a little more, about half. His hand moved down accordingly and his tongue still teased the head.

"Uh...." Oriya had lost his cool facade, "uh-huh...." he tried not to move his hips, letting Hisoka do what he would, but it was damn good, surprisingly so for a virgin prince.

Hisoka was letting his instincts and his memory guide him. He remembered what Hijiri had done, and what he'd wished Hijiri would do and combined the two. He decided he could take a little more, so he did. For a few moments his tongue ran up the underside and down slowly then back up to circle the head before keeping it back on the head permenently.

Oriya felt himself nearing surprisingly fast, his fingers tightened in the boy's hair. "M-more!" he begged, "p-please!"

Hisoka was pleased with himself. He took in more, almost all of it now. He began to suck now instead of licking. The hard shaft in his mouth was throbbing in time with his sucking and he didn't have to be told that Oriya was damned close. He slid the rest of it in, his lips touching Oriya's balls.

The man let out a moan, eyes squeezing shut. He wanted to keep going, but couldn't last anymore. "Hisoka....." he murmured, "I'm... going to..."

Hisoka pulled back and set the basin under Oriya so it would catch. He sat there for a moment out of it's way, watching. He couldn't believe he'd just done that and apparently he'd done it well.

Oriya's eyes didn't open until after he'd come. "I don't think you need anymore training," he said, blinking slightly as he fought to catch his breath.

Hisoka couldn't stop the smile. "You really think I was good? I've never done this before."

Oriya nodded, cleaning a few leftover drops with a rag and tossing it into the basin before tucking himself in and tying his pants up. "You're better than a natural. You pay attention and observe everything. Let's just say that I"m rather envious of your Hijiri." He grinned at the boy.

Hisoka blushed madly at this. "I... well I mean... I'm always that way... uh... with everything." Suddenly he yawned. "I also usually go to sleep after things like that."

The man smiled again. "Then come sleep. We've only got a short time until the sun rises." He wrapped an arm around the boy and rolled over, dragging Hisoka along so he was between the wall and himself, hilding him in the comforters. "Sleep, precious Hisoka...."

Hisoka was startled by the swift action but sighed heavily as he settled. "One thing... you don't have feelings for me right?"

Oriya shook his head. "I'm fond of you, but my heart is not yours," he grinned, "gods, that would feel like incest."

Hisoka thought this a bit strange but decided to leave it at that. "Good night." He snuggled closer, pulling the blanket up to his neck and hiding his face in Oriya's chest. It felt good to have someone hold him. Quickly he fell asleep again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Hisoka awoke, Oriya had left the room, the ship bucking and swaying. The porthole was closed now and there was wind and rain lashing against it.

Hisoka became scared. He'd never been in a storm at sea before, and the one he'd seen from the beach that day he'd nearly been drowned by six foot waves had looked really bad. He laid back down and pulled the covers over his head in hopes of going back to sleep until it was over but he was starting to feel sick.

There was a click as the door was unlocked and opened, no voice was heard, but footsteps made their way toward the bedside.

Hisoka froze. There was more than one pair and they sounded heavy. But how could they have gotten into Oriya's room? The door was locked. Where would they have gotten a key? He closed his eyes, hoping that if he ignored them they'd go away.

Instead, arms wrapped around the blankets, drawing them tight around him and curling him into a tight ball.

Hisoka screamed, eyes snapping open. "Who are you?! Put me down! Where's Oriya?!" he struggled but the blankets acted as a restraint.

He was lifted and carried away, bumping into a few things as the men went, rushing so the bumps were more like bangs to Hisoka.

He writhed in the mans arms. "Let go of me! ORIYA!" He let out another scream. What would they do to him?

Suddenly, male voices erupted around him, a cheer of too many calls to distinguish one from another. He was dropped to the floor.

He screamed in pain this time as he hit the floor. He quickly managed to scramble out of the covers but was frightened to find himself completely surrounded. "What do you want?! Let me out of here! Oriya!" He screamed the mans name again. Where was he?

"Cap'm's not 'ere now, wench," one said, "ye be ars fer the takin." He grabbed Hisoka's wrists and pulled him to a table.

His eyes dulled and he whimpered. "No!" He tried to pull away but the man holding him was too strong. "Where is he?! ORIYA! He has to be here somewhere! Let me GO!"

Hisoka was backhanded. "They'll be no scurrying outta this from you!" said an angry pirate as the boy's hands were locked down onto the table, the boy forced into a bent over position.

Tears welled in his eyes, both from the sting on his face and the knowlege of what was about to happen to him. "No..." He whimpered softly. "Not again. Please not again. Don't hurt me!" He began to sob Hijiri's name over and over again. The fact that he had his clothes on still didn't help the matter at all.

A daggar was placed to his neck and it sliced its way down his collar, then went over his shoulder and cut down the shirt on his back, barely tracing his skin, but not cutting him.

He whimpered, body beginning to shake. "Hijiri..." Tears poured over his cheeks and onto his arms. "Someone please save me." He whispered. Before his eyes flashes of that night one of his own had betrayed him played.

Hands touched him everywhere, giving no warning as fingernails cut into him, teeth even, biting into him, laughs of the tainted minds and bodies of those around him almost enough to strangle him. His pants were being cut now.

"NO! STOP IT!" he screamed as loud as he could but it was barely heard over the men. More tears fell to the table as they dripped over his arms. "ORIYA WHERE ARE YOU!" his voice was broken in sobs. His heart raced.

There was a bite on his inner thigh, but before the mouth could get any closer, the door burst open. "Just what do yeh think yeh'r doin!?!?!?" demanded an unfamiliar voice.

Hisoka let out a sigh and tried to calm himself. He couldn't turn to see who it was but they sounded like they were on his side. He was shivering still and he called out to whoever it was. "Please... If you can, please stop them!" his tears never ceased.

"Worry not, Maiden!" came the call, "I shall assist you!" There was laughter. "What've yeh got in yeh'r head, yehmadman!?" demanded one, then he turned to the rest of the men, "Hear that?" he called, "Mitani's got our necks 't th' noose!" There was roaring laughter.

Hisoka whimpered again. "Leave me alone!" he fell into uncontrolable sobs after that, thinking Mitani was just playing with him. He closed his eyes, body shaking from fear and cold. "I just... want... to go... home."

Without warning, the laughter stopped and there was a groan as there was a thump on the floor. "MITANI!!" There was a clang and suddenly, everyone was rushing around Hisoka, the sound of metal on metal indicating a fight.

Hisoka was terrified. He was facing a wall and couldn't see anything around him. The noises alone were frightening but the idea that he was strapped naked and totally unprotected to a table was worse.

A man hit the wall next to the table and fell unconscious, More men rushing at the unseen fighter by the door.

Hisoka's eyes widened. By the bulge in the mans pants Hisoka could tell he'd been really hard and he was apparently really big too. Who was this stranger named Mitani and how was he defeating these men?

More men went down and the man called Mitani was still fighting. He let out a yell as he threw yet another one. There was a whistling noise, as though his weapon was singing as it cut the men down. Very few were left.

Hisoka was frozen with his fear now. He could do nothing but hope this man truely was on his side.

When all was silent, Mitani's voice was soft. "Are you okay?" he asked, "say something."

Hisoka couldn't muster his voice for a moment but when at last he did it was a strangled cry. "Please don't look at me! I don't like to be naked!"

"Naked?" he said, "did I come too late?" He moved forward and hands touched Hisoka's shoulders, then moved to the table, finding the straps and unbuckling them, letting Hisoka up.

Hisoka was dizzy as he stood, staring around at the bodies on the floor. "Did you... do all of that? They tore my clothes off with a knife. Can't you see me?" He looked at the man before him, wondering how one about his own size could fend off that many men twice or three times his own size.

The man seemed to peer at him through long bangs. "I'd better find you a blanket then. I don't want you catching a cold. It's still storming out there."

Hisoka covered himself in spite of the fact that he wasn't entirely sure this man could see him. He picked the blanket up off the floor that he'd been brought in and wrapped it around himself. "I've... got one."

Mitani smiled. "That's good," he said, "now to take you to----" he paused, going silent. Then, without warning, man behind Hisoka, the one with the daggar, stood abruptly, an arm around the prince. The blade was immedietely at Hisoka's throat.

Hisoka screamed, eyes going wide for a moment before closing. He fell limply into the mans arms, the blanket once again falling away from him.

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

Hisoka screamed, eyes going wide for a moment before closing. He fell limply into the mans arms, the blanket once again falling away from him.

There was a bang and the man went down. Mitani halfway turned. "Captain Oriya..." he said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later, the storm had died down, though the ship still rocked rather heavily from side to side. It was nearly dead silent and the only person in the room was Mitani, who seemed to be knitting.

Hisoka began to wake with a whimper, subconsciously pulling the blankets closer around him. "Hijiri... where are you?"

Mitani's voice came softly through the room. "It's okay," he said, "they're all gone, lass."

Hisoka opened his eyes and looked over at him. "Who are you? And stop calling me that, I'm not female." he couldn't be too angry, he had a suspision that this man couldn't see him.

The man's head tilted to the side. "You're not?" he seemed completely sincere as he said, "you're really not?"

Hisoka stared at him. "No. I'm a prince. Oriya has kidnapped me from Muraki's palace to get revenge on him. I just want my knight."

Mitani bowed his head. "I"m sorry," he said, "I haven't encountere too many girls before...." His face was red now, "sometimes it's hrd for me to tell."

Hisoka sighed. "I look girly enough. Everyone keeps telling me I look just like my mother. People calls me things like that to be offensive, undermine me. I wasn't sure if that's what you were doing or if you really thought I was a girl."

"I'm sorry," Mitani's face turned redder, "I really didn't mean anything by it."

Hisoka turned to his side, never letting the blanket slip. "It's okay. It's happened before. I guess I'm just still a little scared. My body won't stop shivering."

"Another blanket perhapse?" Mitani moved slowly as he stood from his chair and began across the room for the closet where he groped around for the door handle for a moment before opening it.

Hisoka couldn't argue. Without clothes the blanket didn't seem to do much. "Thanks."

"What aren't you saying?" he asked suddenly, "if you want to say something, just go ahead and say it."

Hisoka was startled. "Um... well I just don't understand. Can you see me at all? I mean I was in the middle of the room strapped to the table. It's hard for anyone to not notice someone naked out in the open like that."

Mitani laughed. "You caught me," he said, "I haven't ever seen you." Right then, Oriya walked in.

"Ah, hello, Hisoka," he said, "how do you feel?" Mitani grabbed the blanket from the closet.

Hisoka sighed. "Cold, scared... I'm just... so ready for this to be over with. I keep thinking about my wedding and where I want it held. And then I remember that my birthday is in two weeks and I realize I probably won't be home for it. And then... then I think that I don't want to be home. Because my mother is the only one who ever cared. And then I remember those knights and what they did to me and the realization that I hanged two men who were possessed and I didn't know." He stopped as he took a deep breath, tears welling in his eyes. "I don't know what to do anymore."

Oriya frowned, trying not to look at Mitani, who was making a face without realizing it, standing off to the side. He tilted his head to the side. "Um.... you said you liked cooking?" he asked.

Hisoka nodded. "I do." He closed his eyes. "But I have no clothes. I might as well just lay here and cry until he comes for me."

"You can borrow something from Mitani," Oriya said, "right Mitani-kun?" Mitani smiled with a nod.

"Anything of mine is yours, lad," he said.

Hisoka wrapped the blanket around himself and stood. "You're about a foot taller than me, but other wise you look the same so I guess."

Mitani grinned more. "I'll lead you to my room," he said, "just follow me..." he knocked on the wall off to the side, listening, then opened a door that was made so that it blended into the wall as though it wasn't there. "Nothing to fear this way. Nobody can get in here but myself and cap'm Oriya.... or anyone else we decide to bring in."

Hisoka subconciously raised an eyebrow at that but followed. "Thank you." His voice still sounded scared and after what had just happened he was. He trusted no one at the moment so he kept on his guard.

Mitani was pleasant as he walked. "No need to bristle like that," he said, "I hardly know how to use a woman, much less a man." There was a bit of a sorrowful tone in his voice.

Hisoka sighed. "Please forgive me. I'm just very scared and I tend to be on edge when I'm scared. There's really only two people left in this world who I trust and they would be Hijiri, and my personal knight Terazuma."

"I know how you feel," Mitani said, "there are very few trustworthy people in the world."

Hisoka kept his eyes straight a head as he walked. "I've just had a lot of bad things happen to me in a very short time frame. I find it hard to trust men spacifically."

"Then don't look at me like I'm a man," he said, "nobody else does."

Hisoka stopped for a moment. He knew how that felt. "Me either. Even though by my own fathers laws I am. It's just... well your taller than me and stronger and... the only men I'm not afraid of are smaller and weaker than me... but then they really aren't men, just children. You're also older than me. You look about twenty?"

"I'm 18 actually," Mitani said, "of course... Captin Oriya always tells me I'm more adult than my age. I wouldn't know... I haven't seen myself since I was..... about 14."

Hisoka continued walking. "What happened? I thought blind people were born that way. What happened to your eyes? They look fine."

"I....." Mitani stopped walking, his face sad, "I.... my room is this way," he said, tracing the wall with his fingertips as he went.

Hisoka was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry. Hey... I know someone who can help you. He's a really good person and he really wants to become a healer. Will you let him help you? He'll probably be coming with Muraki."

"I want nothing to do with Muraki or any of his subordinates," Mitani's voice was no longer cheery. "I will pay forever for my nievity." He entered doorway of a room full of different textures. There were no windows, and only one lamp, which was kept unlit.

Hisoka felt nervouse. "Sorry... I just thought that..." but nothing came. "Listen... you don't have to give me your clothes. I'm sorry I troubled you." and he turned, beginning to head back.

"Hisoka...." Mitani said slowly, "it was Saki...."

Hisoka froze. "Saki is dead now. Muraki killed him."

"No," Mitani said, "his physical may no longer be around, but his spirit continues to torture me. I have so many nightmares.... He's in my head...." The young man leaned his forehed against the bedpost, the look of pain on his face not at all difficult to see... even in the dark.

Hisoka turned back to him. "He did it to me too. Just in someone elses body. Twice. I trusted him. I loved him... and he betrayed me. And then I killed the man he was possessing. And a year later it all happened again. How than should I pay? You with your sight... what should be taken from me? Two things I should think by your logic."

Mitani shook his head. "You shouldn't," he said, "it was you who brought his end. You made the king see his folly. While I lost pieces of myself. My eyes, my innocence, and my purity." He made a disgusted noise, "that's all he's interested in, dirtying the pure."

Hisoka rested his hand on his shoulder. "Mitani... I still concidered myself a virgin even after my two attacks. Have you ever been with someone you loved? But in my eyes, no one can take away the innocence of another. That's only something you can do to yourself and from what I've seen here, you haven't lost that at all, just gotten smarter."

Mitani shook his head. "Yet I am filled with guilt," he said, "I almost forgot. I must apologise to you." He bowed.

Hisoka pulled his hand back slowly and huddled under the blanket. It was cooler here. "Don't feel guilty. It was his evil ways that lured you. He lured me too. If you feel guilt for what he did, than perhaps I should as well. Have I been wrong in believing that the fault was not my own? I believed that I should be able to lay with those men, clothed, and not fear their advancements. Is it wrong of me to think that it's okay to want that and nothing sexual to come of it?"

Mitani shook his head. "No," he said, "But it's more than that. It was my fault you were left unguarded when the crewmen took you."

Hisoka blinked. "What? But I didn't even know you were here. Oriya should feel guilty, he's the one that left me."

"He left you to tend to me," Mitani said, "because I was having anoher nightmare amidst the storm.... he came to me because I called out to him."

Hisoka sighed. "That's not your fault. He could have waken me. Something. But... it's over now and I didn't get hurt. I just wish I had Hijiri here with me. Everything would be okay if I could just feel him next to me again."

"You love this Hijiri very much..." Mitani said, a small smile gracing his lips. "I know a lot about this boy, but I've never met him before."

Hisoka nodded. "I fell in love with him from the balcony of my lonely room three years ago. And then a few months ago one of Muraki's knights tried to kidnap me but single handedly he saved me from them. At first my father was going to put him to death because earlier that day I'd given him money and jems for saddling my horse. So then I saved his life and I had an exscuse to get close to him. What I didn't know was that he'd been in love with me for just as long. So now we're finally together and we're getting married very soon." There was a slight lift to his voice when he thought about Hijiri.

Mitani sighed slightly. "It's so wonderful that he loves you back," he said, "Mine found me when I was young and brought me into his home. He looked after me and cared for me, even though I was an orphan. Then, when he was exiled, he brought me with him.... because I was blind and there was nobody else to take care of me...." he paused nervously.

Hisoka smiled softly. "I think he loves you in his own way... just whoever he was in love with before... he can't seem to let go. But then... I think if Hijiri abandoned me I don't think I ever would either."

Mitani cleared his throat and turned away, hands opening the drawers to a dresser beside the bed, "It doesn't matter," he said, "he'll never know about it anyway."

Hisoka watched him curiously. "Why don't you tell him? You could lean on each other you know. Please let my friend help you Mitani. I'd feel so guilty if I left you knowing I could do something."

Mitani had some clothes thrown over his arm now as he paused. "I can't tell him," he said, "it would break my heart if anything I told him would hurt him. And if he sent me away, I'd simply die. But... if it'll make you feel better, I will accept assistance from your friend.It seems impossible at this point to be able to see again, but if you really want to try...."

Hisoka was silent for a moment as he took Mitani's hand. "I'm sure he can."

Mitani clung to the boy for a moment before handing him the clothes. "Try these on," he said, "I'll be waiting for you in the door just to the left of this one. That's the kitchen."

Hisoka nodded but quickly pulled away and took the clothes. "I will, okay. Thanks again. I appriciate it." He waited for Mitani to move away even though he knew the man couldn't see him. He pulled the clothes on and followed Mitani into the kitchen. "The arms are a bit long but they'll do."

The "room" Hisoka had walked into was actually a small hallway leading to the kitchen, there was nobody there, though, he'd been tugging on the clothes when he'd entered. The room ahead was the kitchen, and there were hushed voices there, one Mitani's, the other Oriya's.

Hisoka paused to listen, not entering the room.

"Mitani..." came Oriya's soft voice, "why didn't you tell me? I.. I knew you had a crush, but I had no idea that you felt so strongly about it." Mitani's voice was shaking.

"I.... please don't hate me...." he begged, "please don't send me away...." There was a slight shuffle, the sound of cloth against cloth.

"I won't send you away," he said, "I couldn't be without you." There was a silence then, neither of them talking.

Hisoka tip toed to the door, seeing it cracked slightly. He looked through breathlessly and saw the pair.

Oriya had Mitani against the wall, as though he'd pinned him there, one hand over his head and leaning against the wood. His other hand was tlting Mitani's chin upward slightly, his mouth pressed warmly against the mouth of the younger man. Mitani's hands were on Oriya's chest, rather tense, but slowly relaxing. The kiss was deep, full of emotion. Then, without warning, the ship rocked to the side, sending both men hurling at the door.

Hisoka screamed as he was thrown away from the door as they were flying towards it.

The two men landed on the floor, Oriya standing automatically, his pirate captain side taking over. He pulled Mitani to his feet, then reached out a hand to Hisoka. "He's here," he said.

Hisoka's heart leapt. "Hijiri!" He took Oriya's hand and stood. "Please! Take me to him!"

Oriya looked at Mitani. "Stay here," he said, "I won't have you be blown away by one of Muraki's attacks." And before the man could reply, he was off, dragging Hisoka through the hallway and back to his room, then out the door and through the ship untill they were to the deck. The ship was swaying as though caught in a huge wave, but they were still flying above the sea. To the side, there was another ship, Muraki at the side, standing over the rest. "Now that I've got your attention, hand over the boy or I will fire on your ship!!!"

Hisoka called down. "Please don't! Where is Hijiri? Is Saga with you? I need his help!"

Muraki and Oriya seemed to ignore him. "I'll not hnd him over unless you go by my terms!!! We fight!!! You and me! Nobody else!!! I'll give you a lesson you'll never forget!!!!" Murki glared at him.

"Your terms are weak!!" He turned to his knights on the boat, "Board the ship and kill the pirates!!!" he ordered. Oriya stepped in front of Hisoka.

"Go to Mitani," he ordered the boy, more quietly than usual, "you'll know when it's time to come back. But you're not safe up here."

Hisoka bit back tears but nodded and went below to find Mitani again, hurrying to Oriya's room and locking the door.

Mitani grabbed his arm. "Hisoka?" he said questioningly. He seemed nervous and confused.

Hisoka threw himself into Mitani's arms, sobbing into his shoulder. "Hijiri... Hijiri's not with him! And he sent his knights to kill the other pirates!"

Mitani seemed surprised at first. "It's not safe here, Hisoka," he said, "come on, I've got to get you to a place where they can't find you..." he pulled the prince toward the wall so he could find the hidden door, knocking on the wood.

Hisoka whimpered. "But... I locked the door and Oriya said I'd know when it was safe!"

"You will," Mitani said, "but for the moment, you are not. Any door they can see, they can break open. This door they will not think to break. Because to them, it will not be there."

Hisoka sighed and followed Mitani. "What if Saga finds this room? I don't want him to be hurt. He's the man that can help you. I want him to find me, he's safe."

Mitani frowned. "I can fight the men of this ship," he said, "because I know how pirates fight. Knights are another story. If the knights come in, I will die. If I go and hide, then the pirates come, what'll you do? Is there any way we could leave a message that only this... Saga person would know or understand?"

Hisoka thought quietly for a moment and his heart fell as he shook his head. "Never mind... we'll just wait until it's over."

Mitani opened the door and then pulled Hisoka in. "I'm sorry," he said, "I'm just so scared.... I can't help it..." He practically dragged Hisoka back to his room, fingers dragging along the wall.

Hisoka understood that. "I am too... it's okay. Let's sit together. Maybe that will help."

Mitani gulped and nodded, pulling Hisoka to his bed and sitting. He wasn't moving much, listening with all of his might. He put his hands over his face. "Gods.... I wish Oriya were here..."

Hisoka cuddled close to him. "So do I... but he'll be okay. And when he kills Muraki, Saga will heal you and I'll finally get to go home to my Hijiri. Everything is going to be okay."

Mitani clung to him for a moment before pausing. "Shhh." he ordered.

Hisoka was silent, now clinging back. His heart was pounding. Was it over? He wanted to ask Mitani why he'd shushed him but he decided against it. Mitani could likely hear better without his eyes so there could be something dangerous he's heard.

Without warning, Mitani stood, limbs quivering as he pulled out a staff, readying it in an attack position. "Who's there!?" he demanded. There was a pause.

Hisoka looked around wildly. He dared not speak until he knew who was there but he saw nor heard no one.

Then, someone turned the corner into the room, sword unsheathed, but didn't attack. Then, with a cry of surprise, the sword hit the floor. "Hisoka!"

Hisoka was terrified but realized suddenly who it was. With a small cry of joy he leapt into Hijiri's arms, clinging tightly to him. "Hijiri! I didn't think you'd come! Why weren't you on deck with Muraki?!" He sobbed into Hijiri's shoulder. "I thought you'd abandoned me!"

"I stowed away on the ship and came out when pandemonium broke loose. Muraki still doesn't know I'm here. He thinks I'm back at the castle." He squeezed the prince tight and kissed his mouth and cheeks. "Gods, I was so worried about you. Had I been there... I swear I would have protected you... I'm so sorry."

Hisoka couldn't stop his sobs, lost completely in Hijiri's attentions at the moment. "Don't let go of me. It's been hell without you. You have no idea how much I missed you. I love you so much, please don't ever let go of me again! Where were you? I woke up and Saga was in your place."

Hijiri kissed him again. "It's a long story," he said, "but I don't have the time, all hell's breaking loose on deck. I have to get you back to Muraki's ship, there's less of a chance of you getting hurt there."

Hisoka shook his head as he realized where he was. "I can't leave him. And I need Saga. Where is he? How did you find us anyway? There's no way you could have seen that pannel."

Hijiri shook his head. "Saga went to a different part of the ship to look for you," he said, "and I fell against that secret door while I was in a fight and the guy's sword got caught in it. I got rid of him and went to pull it out, but the wall came with it. Please, Hisoka. We've got to hurry."

Hisoka pulled away. "What about Mitani? He's not safe here either but I can't leave him! Please stay with us! He can't defend himself against the knights, that's why Oriya put us down here."

Hijiri looked at Mitani, who'd lowered his staff and was simply standing there. "Will you come too?" he asked the young man. Mitani nodded.

"Hisoka trusts you, so I do too," he said.

Hisoka rested his hand on Mitani's shoulder. "This is my Hijiri. We're going to have to go fast so hold onto me and I'll lead you." He then looked back at Hijiri. "Will you send Saga to us as soon as you can?"

"I'll bring you to him," he said, "he's probably still making his way to the brig to see if you're there."

Hisoka nodded and turned back to Mitani. "Can you keep up okay? Do you know your way around the ship? Hold my hand okay? Don't let go."

Mitani nodded. "I know the way," he said, "I'm just.... there's so much sound right now.... it's hard to tell...." he reached out.

Hisoka took the hand and pulled him closer. "It's okay. Hijiri will take us to Saga and Saga will help you and take us to Muraki's ship. Everything will be quiet there because all the knights are here."

Mitani's hair moved down past his nose as his head dipped down. "And Oriya?" he asked.

Hisoka sighed. "Will come back for you when Muraki is dead."

Mitani pouted, but nodded. "If you're sure," he said, leaning on the boy's shoulder slightly. Hijiri looked at Hisoka with a raised eyebrow. What was he missing?

Hisoka gave him a look that said 'later' and turned his attention back to Mitani. "I'm not entirely against him killing Muraki. He'll be fine. Something tells me Oriya can hold his own."

Mitani nodded and Hijiri took Hisoka's free hand, picking up his sword and rushing out to the hallway and toward Oriya's bedroom. A man came running at him, but he was easily taken down, Hijiri never even slowing from his run. "Be careful, you two!" he called back.

Hisoka's heart raced faster than Hijiri's steps. He hoped they could make it to the other ship unscathed and the idea that some of the pirates were about the ship and not fighting didn't settle well at all.

Mitani was silent, clinging to Hisoka's hand almost painfully. Hijiri stopped short as another man appeared before him, this one was a knight. "Move aside!" he ordered.The man just looked at him.

"I am standing guard over this area," he said. Hijiri growled.

"Stand aside NOW!!" he glared, "this is an order from your prince!"

Hisoka took a step behind Hijiri, pulling Mitani with him. "We're running from the pirates, we need to get to safty on Muraki's ship. Please let us pass."

The man looked at Mitani, who was halfway facing the other way, his face emotionless. "Hand over the pirate and I'll let you pass," he said. Hijiri grimaced. What now? He didn't know the boy at all. How could he defend him?

Hisoka shook his head. "He's not a pirate, he's a cook and the captians slave. He was dragged onto this ship years ago and he wishes escape." Hisoka could be quite inventive at the drop of a hat when he wanted to be and he looked completely sincere.

Hijiri held in a sigh and told himself to make a mental note to kiss the blond as many times as he would allow later. "You hear that?" he demanded, "now let us pass!!" The knight looked like he was about to hesitate, but the look in Hijiri's eye showed that he would kill would there be any more hesitation. He stepped out of the way and let the three through, onto a deck that was riddled with fights, yelling and the clanging of swords surrounding them, Immedietly, Hijiri dispatched one with his blade, letting out an annoyed cry. "Get the hell out of my way!!"

Hisoka held closer to both Mitani and Hijiri as they began to make their way across. "Hijiri, I'm scared. How are we going to get across? There are so many fights."

Hijiri paused. "Hold as close to me as you can," he said, "time to try something new."

Hisoka was scared but did as he was told and gave the same directions to Mitani.

Hijiri paused and took a breath, "now close your eyes and follow me." He began to walk forward, concentrating with all of his might.

Hisoka closed his eyes, not having to tell Mitani to do this. He wondered if Hijiri could feel his pounding heart against his back.

Hijiri moved quickly, but carefully. There were cries of pain around them and the sound of blood splashing over the deck. "Almost there," Hijiri murmured, gritting his teeth. "When I tell you to, run with everything you have!"

Hisoka whimpered. He felt hot liquid splash against him as he took a step forward. Oriya had not prepared the deck for a battle. He held onto Mitani as tight as the man was holding onto him. "We're going to have to run in a moment."

"NOW!" Hijiri cried, taking off, but still holding Hisoka's hand. Suddenly, men, both pirate and knight, charged at them, all wanting to claim the blond prince for themselves.

Hisoka screamed as he was dragged along, seeing the men. He didn't stop running though, letting Hijiri lead them on.

Hijiri uttered a word in a language Hisoka had never heard before and everything stopped, everything but himself and the two others. They charged foward and went down a flight of stairs, down to the bottom most floor, then things began to move again, Hijiri nearly collapsing. He gasped for air. "Are.... you both.... okay?"

Hisoka was beside himself with fear. "Are you okay?! What did you just do?! How did everything stop?!"

"I made it stop," he said, "while we were waiting for the knights to find you, before we got the ransom bird, Muraki made me learn some magic. I used some of it just now. It got tired easily because I haven't fully excersized it yet. I"ll be okay..." he looked around. They'd run into a place where there were more drunk pirates than anything else. Mitani was listening closely.

"Don't move, you two," he said, "a few here are fully sober and know how to fight. They tend to be lazy."

Hisoka whimpered and clung to Hijiri. "How can we find Saga than? I'm scared! Are any of these the ones you saved me from?"

"There's an unfamiliar smell here," he said, "your Saga's been through.... but... something's not right...." he listened closely.

Hisoka began to cry softly. "What do you mean? Is he okay?"

"Your friend smells like wet dog," he said, "but there's one person missing here..... and one extra.... your friend is the extra, but....." Without warning, An arm wrapped around Hisoka's throat tightly.

Hisoka's strangled cry was cut short by the crushing hand. He faught against the familiar form behind him, eyes widening.

"Well now, who'd have thought that my son was on a pirate ship?" came Hisoka's father's voice. Hijiri's eyes grew cold.

"YOU!!!!" he yelled.

Hisoka squeezed the hand, choaking out the words. "Can't... breath..." the room was beginning to spin from lack of air.

Hijiri tried to use his sword to help himself to his feet, but to no avail. "Get... away from.... Hisoka!!!" The man's face was mad with glee.

"He's mine, boy! Mine!! I shall make him my wife and he will bear unto me eternal youth!!!" There was a horrible cackle.

Hisoka gave in, leaning back against the man so he'd stop being strangled. "Not... if you kill me... first."

Hijiri was almost up, but Mitani stopped him. "Let him free," he said, facing the man whom he could already tell he didn't like. "Now or I shall smite you with this staff." He held out his weapon, seeming to be glaring at the king. One wouldn't be able to tell that he was blind unless they aleady knew.

Hisoka's eyes were barely open. "Mitani... please don't... he'll hurt you too." He then spoke to the man behind him. "Father... it's time to end this. Let me go and go home. I can't give you what you want."

"You can and will, my son!" he said, "you will become the mother you once had and I will take your beauty and grace with me throughout my life, the guarentee of youth at my fingertips!! You will do as I say!" Mitani stepped forward.

"I will not allow you to harm the one royal I have ever had respect for," he said, "he is my friend and I swear that I won't let you do what you want."

Hisoka closed his eyes. He was tired of fighting. "You're insane. You don't know what you're talking about. Just let me go. I'm not returning home until I'm 21 so just get over it."

The hand that wasn't holding the boy's throat moved and drew out a daggar, which he held to the prince's cheek. "You'll come with me," he said, beginning to back up, moving away from Hijiri and Mitani.

Hisoka held his breath for a moment, giving into his tears finally. The room was still spinning wildly. "Alright. Just... put the dagger away. Please, I've been through so much already. Don't scare me more."

"Don't talk, Hisoka," Mitani said, "he won't listen. He's blind and deaf in a way I never hope to be." Indeed, the man's eyes were rolling in his head with evil cackles, the daggar cutting into Hisoka's cheek and drawing blood.

Hisoka was lithargic now, on the cusp of a fainting spell. He tried to keep awake, at least until he knew he was safe, but now the blood slowly running down his cheek wasn't helping anything. "I can't... do this anymore Mitani... let him have his way... maybe he'll kill me and I'll be free."

Hijiri was on his feet now, leaning against the stair rail and about to fall again. "No, Hisoka," he said, "you cuh---" he fell to the floor again, body shaking. Mitani raised his staff, hands clenching it tight.

"SOME FATHER YOU ARE!!!" he cried, "KILLING YOUR OWN SON!!! AFTER RAPING YOUR WIFE TO HAVE HIM, YOU SHOULD AT LEAST TREASURE HIM FOR THE GIFT SHE GAVE!!! SHE DIED BECAUSE OF YOU!!! IT'S YOUR FAULT SHE'S GONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE SLIT HER THROAT YOURSELF!!!!"

Hisoka's eyes widened. "Mitani... just... let it be." The left side of his face was covered in blood now and he was growing weaker by the second. "If this keeps up..." he closed his eyes again. "I won't feel a thing when he takes me and I'll be gone soon after that. I'm tired of fighting. I just want it all to end."

The king's hand weakened. He was silent. Hijiri couldn't move, having used up everything he had to get them there safely. Mitani gripped his weapon harder. He didn't speak, listening to the no longer cackling king, but to the gasps for air he was making. Then, a hand came out of the darkness behind the king, grabbing the daggar and pulling it back as the man was forced to let the boy go.

Hisoka couldn't even scream as he fell to his knees. He lay there, barely conscious on the floor. "My face... hurts. There's... so much blood. I think.... I'm going to die."

Mitani was about to step forward, but Hisoka's father was now on the floor, unconscious. The man who'd stopped him bent down and touched the boy's face, fingers on the wound. "I won't let that happen," he said.

Hisoka blinked up at him for a moment. "Saga? Is... that you?" He couldn't keep his eyes open. "So tired... can I sleep... now?"

"I won't let you die, M'lord," he said, his fingers beginning to glow, "you'll be alright."

He tried to point up but couldn't seem to lift his hand. "Mitani... make him... see again... please." Before he could get a reply, he lost it completely, his body finally giving in to the blood loss.

Hijiri stared, sobbing, watching as Saga's fingers traced over Hisoka's face, the cut slowly disppearing. He lifted the boy. "I must tell my lord of this," he said. Mitani stood for a moment.

"You are the one who smells like wet dog," he said, "you are faithful to Muraki, yet you care for the prince?" Saga looked at him.

"He won my respect," he said, "and I will guard him as long as I am allowed." Mitani nodded.

"I must tell my lord of this coming aboard as well," he said, "is there any way to wake Hisoka?" Sga looked down at the sleeping boy.

"It's best that he regain his strength," he said, "come with me and we shall tell our masters of he goings on. This must stop." He made his way to the stairs. Mitani paused though.

"Hijiri," he said, "what about you?" The brunet shook his head.

"I can't move," he said, "I'll just weigh you down. Go ahead, I'll watch his father." They nodded and left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[color=darkgreen]When Hisoka awoke again, all was quiet. He lay in a white room with gold etchings and silver curtains, Hijiri out like a burn candle by his side.

Hisoka shook the dizzieness from his head as he sat up and looked around. He thought better of trying to wake his love. he had important concerns to see to first. "Saga?" He called out, hoping the man was within ear shot. "Mitani?"

The door opened and Saga looked in. "M'lord?" he said, "how do you feel?"

Hisoka touched his cheek softly, finding no wound and no bandage. "Better. The man who was with us... have you talked to him? Is he okay?"

Saga moved into the room and closed the door, siting on the chair beside the bed. "He's with his master," he said, "we've come to a temporary truce, but it won't last long. His majesty was more worried about you than he was about his fight with that Oriya fellow, so he made the fighting stop. The pirate captain ordered his men to clean up the dead bodies." He paused. "Apparently, a third ship came up when the fighting began. It held your father and his men, all of them boarding the pirate vessel and adding to the confusion. Right now, your father and his knights are in the brig of Oriya's ship. Nothing will happen until, you give your say on what should happen to him. Apparently, he employed his own powerful magician to make his ship fly."

Hisoka's dizzieness returned. "I can't deal with that. Not right now. Saga... will you please do something important for me? While the ships are at peace?" His eyes were begging.

Saga tilted his head curiously. "What's that?" he asked.

Hisoka continued to stare into his eyes. "He was blinded by Saki. That man we were with. And he saved me from being attacked by pirates. He... he deserves to see again. Please Saga... please try to make him see again."

Saga furrowed his brow. "You mean he was serious?" Saga seemed shocked, "I thought it was a metaphor!"

Hisoka's eyes filled with tears. "You turned him down?! Saga how could you?!"

Saga shook his head. "He didn't ask me to," he said, "he told me he was blind. It surprised me because he doesn't act like he is at all."

Hisoka laid his head on Saga's chest. "Will you than? Please? For me if for no one else."

"Of course," he said, "but does he trust me enough to allow me to use magic on him?"

Hisoka nodded. "I already told him. I trust you, so he will too."

Saga's fingers touched Hisoka's hair. "Is it better yet?" he asked.

Hisoka didn't look up, but leaned closer. "Is what better?"

"Not too long ago, you told me that you were weak and asked me 'what kind of king will I be as I am?'" The look he gave Hisoka was full of the fondness of an older brother... perhapse something more. "I believe that now you have your answer. Somehow, whenever you meet someone, you have the power to make them believe in you. To make them want to be loyal to you with everything they have. Mitani was ready to give his life away for you back there, and Hijiri nearly died trying to fulfil your wishes. Though, I don't think he knew it at the time. You've made a pirate captain who listans to nobody become fond of you and care about you with his heart, and a broken king bring his people together for your sake. And when they were at odds with one another, ready to fight to the death, they stopped because of you. So... is it all better yet?"

Hisoka looked up into his eyes. "I... didn't think about that. I guess... it is. What's so special about me?"

"I can't remember well, but it's something your mother had too," he said, "you carry with you the ability to make those around you want peace. They believe in you because they know you're honest. When you show that you are stronger than you seem, then they want to be able to be by your side, to work with you."

Hisoka closed his eyes tightly and laid back against the pillows. "I wish I saw in myself what they all see in me. I just don't understand. I mean, I know I've grown quite a bit in the last few weeks alone, but... I feel odd. Like I'm stuck in my childish innocense. But at the same time, turning into a man."

"I don't think your mother ever lost hers," Saga said, "and if she did, it wasn't until she left." He continued to pat Hisoka's hair. "You'll be fine." Then he paused. "Just... look out for his majesty. He seems to be planning something. He's been trying to get that magician from your father's boat to join him in trying a spell."

Hisoka looked up at him. "With me? Do you think he'll try to hurt me?" There was a deep fear in his eyes. "Oriya... he's not in love with me. Does Muraki know that?"

Saga nodded. "From what I've heard, they already established that. The pirate captain looks at you like a little brother, or a nephew. The king looks at you like a son. But there's mischief in the king's eyes and he's planning something that's very important to you. Though it's hard to tell exactily what's going on. One thing's for sure. If he needs the help of another magician, then it's a powerful spell that few attempt."

Hisoka looked up at him. "Let me rest and make Mitani see again. I can't think about these things right now. Please go now. Before the fighting starts again. Give them time to themselves. Oriya... he loves Mitani."

Saga nodded. "Sleep, young prince." He kissed the boy on the top of the head and stood. "I'll tend to Mitani."

Hisoka nodded and closed his eyes. He turned to Hijiri, wrapping his arm around the brunet's waist. He kissed his ear and whispered. "I hope you wake before me this time my love. I miss feeling your arms around me. I feel so safe when you hold me." With that he slowly drifted back to sleep.

Hijiri didn't even murmur, too deep in his sleep to be able to move. Saga looked back as he walked out, then closed the door securely and locked it so nobody would be able to get in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Hisoka was awoken again, it was by familiar hands. "Hisoka?" the voice was questioning, "are you Hisoka?"

Hisoka blinked sleepy green eyes open and stared up at the figure. "Mitani?" he rubbed his eyes to clear them and smiled softly as he was finally able to see straight. "Can you see me now? Yes, I'm Hisoka."

Mitani brought him close into a hug. "I knew I'd still be able to name your voice!!!" He squeezed the blond. "You're amazing.... thank you!!"

Hisoka smiled happily and hugged him back. "You can see me right? I mean it worked? Saga healed you?"

Mitani shook his head. "Saga wasn't able to," he said, "but he told the king of his realm that it was a request from you and it was done as a special favor to the future son-in-law." Mitani paused, "then he said something about a wedding gift, but I have no idea what he meant..."

Hisoka couldn't imagine either. "Well... I'm just glad you can see again."

Mitani smiled. "It's all thanks to you," he said, "but... I'm here to tell you that Captain Oriya wants to see you on deck. Things are getting tense."

Hisoka frowned. "I'll be right up. I should wake Hijiri first."

Mitani nodded. "I"ll be waiting outside your door with Sagatanasu." He stood and made his way out the door, closing it tightly behind himself.

Hisoka turned to Hijiri and shook him gently. "Hijiri... I'm sorry to have to wake you... but it's important. They want to see me on deck."

Hijiri murmured slightly, his arms wrapping around the blond. "You," he said, "Don't. Ever. Do. That. To. Me. Again." He buried his face against Hisoka's shirt.

Hisoka blinked. "Do what? It's not my fault I was kidnapped."

Hijiri squeezed the boy. "Never let yourself come so close to death.... never assume that your death will make anything better. That hurt... so badly....." He couldn't stop his shaking, his fingers clutching at the boy's shirt.

Hisoka sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just... I was actually glad that Muraki kidnapped me. He saved me from that. He saved me from my own father. I don't want to go home. Muraki has treated me better in the time I've been with him, than my father ever has in my life. I'm tired of him lusting after me like that." Tears welled in his eyes. "I felt so helpless. I lost a lot of blood and I just thought... if I was dead it would all stop. If he killed me I'd not be here to suffer like this."

Hijiri continued to cling to Hisoka. "I wouldn't have been able to live without you. Just when I found true love an happyness in you.... you were willing to let it all go. I know it hurts... I know you hate it... but if you were gone..." He sobbed against Hisoka, his grip on the boy tightening even more.

Hisoka closed his eyes. "Can you keep him away from me? Because if Saga wasn't there, I would have died by choice or not. If he's gotten so bad that he will injure me and not even realize he's doing it, what will happen if he does get me alone? now, I don't know what he wants to do to me. It was bad enough to be raped by the knights... and it was a living hell to have it happen by him the first time when he wasn't crazy, just too drunk to realize who I was. Whether he wants to or not, he'll kill me if he gets to me again and I can't live my life in fear of that."

Hijiri pressed his face into Hisoka's neck. "I"ll kill him," he said, "as soon as the chance arises, I"ll kill him. I swear. I won't let anything happen to you. I'd give everything I've ever had to make sure you were okay."

Hisoka sighed heavily. "I think... I finally see that must be the only answer. I can't imagine how it could get so bad in a single year but I'm to the point where something has to go. And I guess the answer is him. There are just so many things I'm afraid of. I don't want to rule my country at just seventeen. I wanted to be able to get to know my people first. I'm afraid that we won't have any time together."

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

Hijiri's eyes squeezed shut. "I'll fix it," he said, "I'll do something.... anything." He kissed Hisoka's neck. "Anything....."

Hisoka pulled away and sat up. "I can't..." he paused to sniffle and wiped his tears away. "Think about this right now. They need me on deck. I'm afraid the fighting will start again soon."

Hijiri nodded and stood from the bed, swaying slightly. His clothes were the same he'd been wearing before, so he streightened them and looked at Hisoka. "Any idea how long we've been down here?" He was still whiping away his own tears.

Hisoka shook his head. "Mitani just woke me. He and Saga are waiting for me outside the door. We'd better hurry. I don't want to be on deck when the fighting breaks out again."

Hijiri nodded. His tears whiped away, he reached out a hand to Hisoka. "Let's head off then."

Hisoka took Hijiri's hand and stood. "Let's try to make this quick." He gave Hijiri a faint smile. "I want to cuddle with you. We have a lot to talk about."

Hijiri smiled back and led him out the door to find Mitani chatting happily with Sagatnasu. The two seemed to be friends now. Saga stood immedietly upon seeing Hisoka. "Thank goodness," he said, "I'm afraid the peace won't last much longer. Both the king and the captain want to slit your father's throat, but neither will let the other. We need your help."

Hisoka sighed heavily. "Lead the way then." He shivered. "Your sure he can't get to me?"

Saga nodded. "He's still unconscious in the brig of Oriya's ship, guarded by Muraki's knights. Muraki isn't allowed onto Oriya's ship and the knights, on Muraki's orders, won't let Oriya by to get to him. Right now there's a bloodlust in the air thick enough to be cut by a sword and watch it bleed. You're the only one who can fix it. There's a meeting being held between the ships captains."

Hisoka held back a new set of tears and leaned back against Hijiri. "Why does this have to be up to me?" He closed his eyes. "My spite wants to put him to death but my fear wants to let him go... I guess at least they're agreeing on something."

"Because both care about you and neither want you unhappy," Mitani said, "they want you to tell them what to do because otherwise, they might make an enemy of you. That would be unwise at this point for both."

Hisoka was beginning to shake. "Alright... we'll talk... and I'll decide."

Hijiri's grip on Hisoka's hand tightened in hopes of encouragement as they walked onto the deck of Muraki's ship, the man in white already there, staring out over the clouds at Oriya's ship. The pirate captain was staring back. The pirates stood on deck, hanging from the mast and glaring from the crow's nest. The knights stood in a rather harsh formation, allowing Hisoka and Hijiri through, Saga and Mitani falling back to flank them.

Hisoka stood straight, looking strong despite the fact he was shaking like a leaf. "Is it possible for the three of us to discuss this without yelling back and forth?" He looked up at Oriya. "Will you come down here?"

Muraki turned to him. "Neither of us will board the other's ship," he said, "the meeting ground hs been decided. "I will lead the way." He moved toward the side of the ship, motioning for Hisoka to follow.

Hisoka blinked but followed, if a bit nervousely. "Where is it? I don't see anything."

Oriya stepped to the side of his own ship as well, walking off of the side as though stepping onto a platform. The only thing there was the clouds, pressed past his knees and feet by a gentle breeze. Muraki stepped off of his ship next, then turned to Hisoka. "It's okay, prince," he said, "it's safe." He extended a hand to Hisoka.

His eyes widened. He was already shaking and his fear of heights wasn't helping anything. He took Muraki's hand and closed his eyes, stepping over the edge. "You... you won't let me fall?" his voice betrayed his fear and at this close range he was sure they both could tell he was shaking.

"I won't," the man said. From Oriya on the other side of the clouds there as a yell.

"Stop pawing at him, you letch!!" he ordered.

Hisoka stepped onto whatever it was the other two were standing on and took a deep breath. "Let's just please get this over with. I'm terrified of heights and I'm already scared. Muraki, is there anything you can do for his sanity?"

Muraki moved with the prince about midway between the ships, where Oriya met them, Mitani taking his place by the pirate captain's side, while Saga stood behind Muraki and Hijiri stood close by Hisoka, who stood between the two. "Your father's ailment is of the magical sort," he said, "probably brought upon him by an item which he stays with a lot. He's lost much of his mind, but he'll gain it back through sleep. Rest will put together the pieces that were lost and make him somewhere near whole again, though I'm not sure how much of a man he can consider himself after this." Oriya obviously agreed, grimacing.

Hisoka was confused. "But we destroyed the mask. Why has he gotten worse?" Then he closed his eyes, shaking his head as he faught back more tears. "I just can't win. He must be back to drinking." He gave up and began to sob, covering his face with his hands. "I hate this. I don't want it to be true. But if this is how he is... there will be no peace until he's dead. I can't do this anymore. I don't want to suffer him. I'm so tired." He looked up between the two men. "Oriya... bring him on deck when he wakes... and kill him in whatever way you see fit. But do not ask me to be there when you do."

Hijiri kept his hands on Hisoka's shoulders. Muraki was about to step forward, but the brunet boy halted him. "Hisoka told Oriya to do it," he said, "you can't fight about it now." Muraki grimaced.

"This fight is not yet over," he said, "Oriya wished to fight me long before this for something that cannot be changed---" he glared at the man to emphasize his point before continuing, "--what have you to say of that?"

Hisoka looked away. "Do what you will. I must rest. As long as Hijiri is with me I don't care what the two of you do. Thank you though, for correcting your sons's mistake. It's greatly appriciated."

"My son made many mistakes," Muraki said, waving a hand over his shoulder. Saga retreated back to the ship, stopping and waiting for Hisoka and Hijiri. Mitani turned and rushed for Oriya's ship, Hijiri sensing danger as well and wrapping his arms tightly around Hisoka. "Let's go back to the ship," he murmured.

Hisoka nodded and waved slightly at Mitani. "Hide yourself well my friend. Please don't get hurt." He followed Hijiri, greatful to be back on solid ground.

"Hurry, Hisoka," Hijiri said, "I have a really bad feeling." He practically pulled the boy along.

Hisoka didn't hesitate any longer, though his legs were making it hard to walk quickly. Suddenly he stopped. "Hijiri...?"

Hijiri stopped as well. "What's wrong?" he asked, worried.

He took in a deep breath. "I just... condemned my father to death... and... I feel no remorse..." suddenly his eyes slid closed and he began to fall with a soft moan.

Hijiri caught the prince. "Hisoka!!" he cried, "Hisoka!!" Suddenly, the ship shuddered. "Oh sh---" he didn't have time to finish. The last thing seen on the ocean that day were two ships going down to the water in flames.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Hisoka awoke, he was in what seemed to be a tent made of deerskin. It was quiet and there ws a humming behind him.

Hisoka moaned softly and called out, his voice weak. He couldn't seem to open his eyes just yet. "Hi...jiri?"

The humming stopped and a warm form leaned over the boy. "Hisoka?" he said, "are you okay?"

Hisoka turned to his side and streached out. "Hot..." he managed to pry open his eyes to look at Hijiri. "I feel really hot. Where are we?" he realized the surroundings were different but he couldn't move much more.

Hijiri kissed his cheeks. "We seem to have washed ashore at the beach where I brought you before," he said.

Hisoka stared up at him for a moment. "So we're in my kingdom?" he seemed really out of it and his cheeks were flushed pink. "What about Muraki... Oriya... Mitani... my father?"

Hijiri shook his head. "I haven't the slightest," he said, "the last thing I saw was two ships crashing into the ocean in flames. I think Oriya and Muraki's fight got out of hand and they lost control of their powers.

Hisoka whimpered and sat up quickly, tears springing to his eyes. "Mitani! He just got his vision back! He can't be dead! That's not fair! And Oriya! He's been taking care of Mitani! They're in love! Oh gods, I don't want either of them to be dead!"

Hijiri wrapped his arms around Hisoka tightly. He didn't know what to say, he didn't know either of them at all. "But... Oriya's the man who kidnapped you," he said, "was he really that good a guy?"

Hisoka nodded. "He... he wanted to kill Muraki in my mothers honor. And he really loved Mitani. And he loved my mother like a sister. He took care of Mitani." Hisoka's sobs began to wrack his body with heaves. "They can't be dead! They were too good to die like that! We have to see if we can find them!" Heavy tears soaked Hijiri's shirt. "I wanted them to be at our wedding!"

"Hisoka," Hijiri said, "we can't do that right now. What about your kingdom? Without your father... or anybody at all... there to rule it, what'll happen?"

Hisoka couldn't stop sobbing. "I don't know what to do! I thought he'd take us home! It's such a long way."

Hijiri thought about this. "I'm not really sure," he said, "we'll probably have to walk back to the castle. It should only take us about a day to get at least to the cave. We can stay there for the night and then walk back to the castle the next morning."

Hisoka took a deep breath, trying to calm himself but it wasn't working. "I don't want to walk that far! We took horses last time remember? It'll take longer than that, I can't walk that fast. And my shoes were on that boat!"

"Take my shoes then," Hijiri said, "I'll carry the tent so we can take our time and walk at a relaxed pace. I've already caught us some food, so we should be okay."

Hisoka sniffled, looking up at him. "But then you'll have nothing. Where did this tent come from anyway?"

"I made this tent long ago, back before I came to the castle. This was where I came to get away from everything that I hated and everything that hated me." He looked around himself fondly. "I have many memories of playing in this tent, getting shelter from storms and running away from bullies to hide." He kissed Hisoka's cheek. "I'm sure everything'll turn out okay."

Hisoka sighed deeply. "Let's go than. My people are waiting."

Hijiri kissed Hisoka again and pulled off his shoes. "They may be a bit big, but if we strap them well, they won't seem it."

Hisoka looked up at him. "Will you be okay without them? I feel guilty for taking your shoes."

Hijiri waved away the question. "I once got my foot stepped on by a horse while I wasn't wearing any shoes. It took ages for it to heal, but every since, my feet have been tougher than rocks. No worries from me." He tied the shoe cord tightly around the boots, letting only slight slack so the blood circulation in Hisoka's feet wouldn't be cut off. "There," he said, "comfey?"

Hisoka nodded. "Thank you." He brushed away his tears. "I can't wait to see Tera again. I've missed him. And my room... I'll finally be able to feel safe in my room again." He looked down. "Hijiri... am I evil for being happy that he's gone?"

Hijiri shook his head. "Hardly," he said, rolling up the furr blankets Hisoka had been wrapped in. "You'd be crazy to want him to stay alive to torture you."

Hisoka sighed. "I guess I feel wrong for feeling nothing but joy. I'm not sad at all. I feel as though I should be."

Hijiri made a face. "At this point, I'm actually surprised you aren't crying for celebration," he said.

Hisoka looked up. "Oh gods... I just realized something horrible."

Hijiri looked at him with wide eyes. "What?" he asked.

He took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. "Without my father there, the knights will do as they please. There could be a mutiny against me right now. It's dangerous going back. Some of them hated me, some lusted for me, and some were loyal. There's probably a civil war going on right now!"

Hijiri grimaced. "I'm just hoping that Terazuma and his knights can keep the others under control," he said, "I remember that there were a lot of knights called to fight beside the king on that ship in hopes of bringing you back. Amost all of them fell to the sea. I'm just praying that they either haven't gotten word that the king went down or that Terazuma and his men are keeping everything under control until they get some other plan."

Hisoka nodded. "I'll pray for the former. It'll be easier to take over if I tell them he's dead." He pulled away from Hijiri. "Let's get going okay? We need to hurry now."

Hijiri nodded and wrapped up the small tent into a bundle, held closed by leather straps. Then he tossed it over his shoulders and looked around. The fire he'd used to smoke dry the meat was long since past and there was nothing else to show that they'd been there. "Okay," he said, "let's go."

Hisoka sighed and began after his love. "I hope this doesn't take too long. I really miss home now that I'm safe there."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hijiri paused, staring out into the distance. It had been almost a day and a half since they started out and Hijiri could see the last stretch coming up. He turned to Hisoka. "Almost there," he said, "you okay?"

Hisoka nodded. "I'll be looking forward to a glass of water and some of Rika's morning bread though. Rabbit is good, but i'm ready for some real food."

Hijiri stuck his tongue out at the prince teasingly. "Okay then," he took the prince's hand, "lets go."

Hisoka leaned on him as they walked, eyes closed. "It'll feel good to get a good nights sleep too. I've missed you so much. I just want to snuggle forever."

Hijiri was about to answer, but he instead let out a cry as an arrow sprouted from Hisoka's shoulder like flower from the ground. "Hisoka!!!" A rain of arrows surrounded them and Hijiri brought up a magical barrier to shield them, staying by Hisoka's side.

He cried out as well, stumbling to his knees as pain shot through his arm. "Hijiri! What... what happened?!" Blood was beginning to trickle from the wound. He opened his eyes for a moment to see the rest of the arrow and his eyes grew wide. "My knights!"

Hijiri squinted to try to see through the barrage hitting his barrier and recognized some of the knights. "STOP!!" he yelled at them, "it's Hisoka!!! You just hit Hisoka!!!" Some of the archers were hesitating now, but the rest just kept shooting. Hijiri rushed to Hisoka's side. "Gods.... you're bleeding.... so bad..."

Hisoka whimpered as his head suddenly began to spin. "My own knights... attacked me. It hurts." His lowered voice was reflecting his dizzyness, trying to yell but with every second he lost more blood he became weaker. "Why... aren't they stopping?" Tears were flowing from his eyes nearly as fast as his blood was flowing from his shoulder. "Hijiri... you have to... take it out."

Hijiri cringed slightly, but pulled off his cloak, breaking off the feathers of the arrow and pulling it out the other side, as it had been fired directly through his shoulder. The boy then pressed his cloak to both sides of the wound, applying pressure.

Hijiri had moved so fast. The pressure hurt more than the arrow had and he let out a piercing scream before falling limlpy against Hijiri's chest. His breathing was heavy from the pain, even in his sleep.

Hijiri watched the boy sweat in pain as he held the cloak tight against him. "STOP!!!!" he cried again. This time, with his own cry, there was another. "STOP!!" Hijiri looked as the arrows halted. It was Terazuma, running up to meet him. Hijiri nearly cried. "He was hit!!! Hisoka was hit!!!" The man's eyes were wide as he ran up, kneeling beside the prince.

"Let's get him to Watari!!" He lifted the prince and carried him to the castle hurridly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hijiri clung to Hisoka's hand, wishing that he would just wake up already. Watari said that he'd be fine, but he was still worried. The prince's face was white. "Hisoka..." he whispered.

His breathing had settled. He moaned softly in his sleep but did not wake. His other hand found it's way to rest over Hijiri's. "Mamma..." he whispered. "Father... hit me again." He seemed to be dreaming of his childhood and from the sounds of it, not a good memory. "He said... I can't call you mamma... anymore." Tears welled in his eyes.

Hijiri kissed his cheek just before Terazuma walked in. "There's a meeting you have to attend," he said, "they need to know what happened while you were away." Hijiri frowned.

"But what about about him?" he asked. Terazuma nodded.

"Watari's here, and I'll be standing at the door," Hijiri sighed and leaned over, kissing Hisoka on the cheek.

"I love you and I'll be back," he whispered, and with that, he left.

Hisoka slipped back into a more peacefull sleep. He had been subconsciously picking up on Hijiri's worry.

Voices outside of the room in the hallway were suddenly heard. "Why are you here?" came the sound of a distraught Terazuma.

Hisoka was jolted awake at the harsh sounding voice. "Tera?" He called out but his voice was simply a whisper.

Another voice could be heard, but the words spoken could not be distinguished. Again Terazuma spoke. "That would not be wise, sire," he said.

Hisoka stared at the door, trying to sit up a little but his shoulder prevented that. 'Muraki? Is he here? Hijiri?'

THe other voice grew louder. "He's my son," the man's voice said, "and your knights shot him with an arrow. I wish to make sure that he's okay."

Hisoka's eyes widened, trying to speak, begging for Tera to not let him in, but he couldn't find his voice in his weakness.

"Truly, your majesty," Terazuma said, "that would not be wise. Things have happened---" The door handle shook.

"Nonsense," the king said, "after everything he's been through, don't you think he'd want to see his own father? A form of comfort would be nice, wouldn't it?"

Hisoka shook his head as though Tera could see him, his voice reaching just above a whisper. "No!" but he doubted if he could be heard.

The king walked into the room and saw that the boy's eyes were open. "Hisoka, my son!" he said, "are you well? Did Watari take care of your wounds?" He was about to hurry to the side of the bed, but Terazuma caught his shoulder.

Hisoka's heart was racing, fear overwhelming in his eyes. "Leave me alone! Tera! Don't let him hurt me! Please, Tera! Make him leave! Where is Hijiri?!" He was terrified. He couldn't move well as he was still regaining blood cells. "Once wasn't enough you sick bastard?!"

The king stepped back in shock as Hijiri came running into the room, hand on his sword hilt. His clothes had been changed and he was fresh and clean, anger burning from his green eyes as he placed himself between father and son.

"The.. stableboy...?" the king murmured, surprised.

Hisoka looked up at his love. "Kill him! Kill him before he has the chance to hurt me again!" He closed his eyes, hiding his face in his hands. "I don't want to deal with it anymore!"

Hijiri glared at the king. "How many times do you have to die before we're actually rid of you!?" he demanded. The man stared at the blade of the sword as it began to unshieth. Terazuma grabbed Hijiri's hand and shoved the sword back into the shieth, then pushed the king away more.

"The stableboy has... why is he dressed like...? A sword...? Hisoka...?" He stared around, wide eyed.

Hisoka looked up at him. "Stop pretending damnit! I know the second we're alone you'll try to rape me again! I hate you! You're sick!"

Terazuma was about to lead the man out, but the sickroom door opened one more time, admitting a woman who could have been Hisoka's twin. "What is going on here?" he asked, her musical voice and emerald eyes harsh despite their softness.

Tears came to his eyes immediately. "M...mamma?!" then fear began to sting him. "Oh gods... and father doesn't remember anything? Have we all died?!"

The king looked at Hisoka. "How many times do I have to tell you, Hisoka?" he said, "a true man and king does not say 'momma'."

The growel that eminated from his throat was near demonic and he leapt up, striking the man across the face before dropping to his knees as his shoulder tore. "You have no right to tell me what a man does or doesn't do! Real men don't rape and torture their children! As far as I'm concerned you have no sway in my life anymore!" He looked up at Wakaba. "Do you know what's been going on?! How can you just stand there?! Why aren't you doing anyhing?!"

She smiled at him. "I've been working on it, Soka-chan," she said, "your father wanted to come and see if you were okay. And who am I to stop him? Though... I had no idea he'd hurt you in such a way. The knights were rather vague with what's been going on around here while I was gone." The king's head drooped in shame.

He decided to ignore his previous question about being alive. Surely he'd not feel this much pain if he were dead. He stared at her. "But mamma. I don't understand how you can stand by him so calmly. I've learned so much in the time that I've been gone and it was only a few hours ago that he was unconcious in the brig of a pirate ship. Everyone who's ever known you. They told me so much. I hate him! How can you not?!"

The woman tilted her head to the side with a gentle smile, one that was rested, rather than the tired ones she'd had when Hisoka was small. "He's my husband, 'Soka-chan," she said, "but you should get back into bed. Tell me all about your adventures while I was resting. Your father will exit so we can catch up. How's that?"

Hisoka sighed and nodded, glancing up at Hijiri and taking his hand. "Don't leave me." His eyes begged.

Hijiri knealt down and wrapped an arm around the prince's weist. "I'm not going anywhere," he said, "I was supposed to be back before you woke up." He helped Hisoka back to the bed and Watari opened the boy's shirt and poured some liquid over the wound. "That should help with the pain and make it heal faster," he said. Hijiri then noticed that the queen was looking at him with interest in her eyes. He blushed and bowed. "Pleasure to meet you, M'lady," he said.

Hisoka silently thanked Watari and dismissed him before looking back at his mother. "Mamma... this is Hijiri... my fiancee."

The woman practically cheered and took Hijiri by the shoulders, looking him over. "Good," she said with a wink, "you seem to have inherited my good taste." Hijiri's face turned redder.

Hisoka frowned. "From what I've been told I'm not so sure it was good. I believe you should have broken it off with father and made Tera possibly the happyist man on earth. He loves you mamma. He really truly loves you in all the right ways. In all the ways father doesn't. He's found someone... my uncle Tsuzuki."

Lady Wakaba wasn't sure what to be surprised at first. Terazuma's face went white and he fled to the outside of the door and Wakaba gave Hisoka a scolding look. "Soka-chan," she said, "you know I told you not to speak of that. People might not believe you're right to take the thrown." She frowned. "There's so much to tell you, baby..." She patted his hair, trying to calm herself.

Hisoka wasn't all sure what to do now. "Than... tell me. Because right now I'm so full of hate for that man that I just want him to die. Can you blame me?"

Wakaba sighed and sat on the bedside, Hijiri leaning against the window and looking out to give the illusion of not really listening, for politeness. "I don't know what has happened to you," she said, "but before I lived here, I had a different home, in the country to the south, surrounded on three sides by ocean."

Hisoka nodded. "Muraki's kingdom."

Wakaba nodded. "Ah, so you met him?" Then she nodded. "That was my home and the place that I belived would be my sanctuary. But the former king of this kingdom wanted to start a war with Muraki's father. He wouldn't take no for an answer. There was only one thing that we could do. Send a sacrafice to make sure that it didn't happen."

Hisoka closed his eyes. "Muraki told me this himself. And I spoke to Oriya as well..."

"You're on good terms with him?" she seemed surprised, "has he changed that much?"

Hisoka looked away. "Apparently... I look a great deal like you did when you were there... and yes, you could say we're on good terms." He felt a stress headache coming on. "Why is everyone in love with you? And because they're in love with you they fall in love with me. Two knights, Muraki, father... I can't trust anyone."

She blushed. "I'm sorry," she said, "before I married the man, I was a shameless flirt. But Hisoka. You've probably already figured out that I didn't marry him because I wanted to and that I wasn't very happy after I did."

Hisoka nodded. "But mamma, you're alive again. You don't have to stay with him anymore. He's found someone else to love and Muraki's probably dead. Hijiri is his heir. Don't you see? Our marrage will ensure peace in both kingdoms."

Hijiri's head lifted at the mention of his name and he nodded confirmation when she looked at him. Wakaba smiled and leaned to kiss her son on the cheek. "You're amazing, you know that?" she said with a smile.

He blinked. "Ha? Why?"

"You always were my little angel..." she hugged him gently, being careful not to hit his arm. "Now you've given me something that I've wanted for.... so long..."

Hisoka smiled softly. "You can be happy this time. And no one will stop you. You and Tera can be happy together, free from worry. I'm sixteen mamma. I'm a grown man now and I can do something about his behavior. Father treated us both wrongly. I want to fix that."

Wakaba nodded. "I'm still trying to figure out how all of this happened," she said, "will you tell me what's been happening recently? About Hijiri and everything?"

Hisoka nodded and looked up at the brunet. "Feel free to add to this." He looked back at his mother. "Muraki's first heir was an evil person. His name was Saki. Muraki wanted me to marry him to restore peace and sent his knights here to kidnap me."

Wakaba's hands covered her mouth. "Oh dear!" she cried, "that's terrible!!" Hijiri grimaced.

"I was left behind because of one of the king's insane fiascos," he said, "I wasn't able to help him and left the castle to save him."

Hisoka frowned. "He tried to force me to marry him. He tricked me into believing that not only was he sane again but that he was sorry what all he's done to me. He made me believe that he'd set up a wedding for Hijiri and I. What was supposed to be the happyiest day of my life turned out to be total heart break on all sides. He drugged Hijiri and locked Tera up."

Hijiri grimaced at the memory. "They chased me out of the castle and tried to kill me, but Hisoka saved me, with help from Muraki." Wakaba made a face.

"I don't get it," she said, "is he a bad guy now? Or a good guy?"

Hisoka looked down. "I don't know. I don't even know if he's alive. From Muraki's castle I was kidnapped by pirates, the captains name was Oriya. He's Muraki's brother I think. I hope at least Oriya and Mitani made it out okay. I... don't know if I want Muraki to be dead or not. I don't want to sacrifice my time with Hijiri."

Wakaba made a face. "Not Muraki's brother no," she said, "though they do act like a couple in the midst of a lover's spat. Oriya was the older brother of my lady in waiting. Mistress Hisae." Hijiri actually fell from the window, landing on his rear end on the floor in surprise.

"LADY HISAE!?!?!?"

Hisoka nodded. "Now I understand. He's your uncle. He told me that but I assumed it was on Muraki's side."

Wakaba looked at Hijiri in surprise, then at Hisoka. "Hisae and Muraki?" she said.

Hisoka nodded. "According to him, they were lovers. She concieved Hijiri but then she left him to come to Tera... but she never made it here... saddly she died in a brothel when Hijiri was very young. It was Konoe who brought Hijiri here to the castle."

Hijiri nodded, still seeming surprised. "So... all this time I've been fighting to kill my father, my uncle, my half brother, and the people who serve them?"

Hisoka suddenly felt guilty about everything. "Oh gods... there's so much I did. So much I feel responsible for." Tears welled in his eyes.

Hijiri now moved to Hisoka's side. "What do you mean?" he asked, "you didn't do anything."

Hisoka looked up into Hijiri's eyes. "I... did something... wrong." He looked up at his mother. "May I talk to him alone please?"

Wakaba gave a worried look, but kissed his cheek and stood. "We still have a lot of talking to do, you and I, 'Soka-chan." Then she hurried away. When the door was closed, Hijiri moved from his place to take the spot where she had been.

"What's wrong, Hisoka?" he asked.

Hisoka looked away. "I... let Oriya touch me... in the way that you did in front of the mirror... and then... I did to him what you did to me in the cave." There was so much embarassment and regret in his voice. Tears flowed endlessly. He genuinely felt sorry for it. "If... you can't forgive me... or don't want to..." he couldn't finish as he broke into sobs.

Hijiri sat there for a moment, then leaned forward, placing his hands on Hisoka's shoulders. "Wait..." he said, "tell me everything, what lead to it? Did he force you? Should I have killed him myself?"

Hisoka shook his head. "No. I... well he offered to help me and I had to name a price for that help. See... I have these dreams sometimes. Where I'm having sex with men I don't know. They have no faces. And... well it feels really good in my sleep and... I had to um... relieve myself but he caught me..."

"It was that painful?" Hijiri asked. "I mean... you never... asked me.... but..." he paused, then leaned back and shook his head. "It's.. okay.... I just wish I could have helped you."

Hisoka blushed madly. "I haven't had them since I started laying with you at night. It usually only happens when I'm alone. I would have asked you had it happened around you. And... yes. When I wake up from them I've usually already been hard for about twenty or thirty minutes..."

Hijiri frowned. "I'm not happy about it, but I'm glad he didn't force you against your will." He leaned forward and hugged the boy gently. "I just want to stay with you until everything ends...." his voice became distant.

Hisoka shook his head. "Don't ever leave me. Hijiri, I can't explain what's going on with me lately. But my heart belongs to you alone. I just... I've been so supressed and I have this... rebellious feeling in my chest. Like I'm burning to do everything I was ever told not to and I... give in too quickly and then regret doing it."

Hijiri's head leaned on Hisoka's shoulder. "I'll be here with you if you need me to help you streighten out your rebellion. If you need or want me to. But so you know, I'm yours and yours alone." He kissed that soft neck.

Hisoka closed his eyes. "When my shoulder is healed... I want to try again. Just... don't go so slow. I think that's what made me nervous."

Hijiri nodded. "Whatever you want," he said.

Hisoka closed his eyes. "Are you too terribly disappointed in me to lay with me for a while?" He still felt bad.

"At this point, I never want to be away from your side again," he said, "I just want to hold you forever."

Hisoka carefully slid over and laid down again. "Then hold me, and keep me safe."

Hijiri lay beside him, his arms wrapped around tightly. "I wish we never had to move from here." He murmured into Hisoka's ear.

Hisoka closed his eyes, turning his face into Hijiri's neck. "For right now, we don't. I feel really tired still."

Hijiri kissed Hisoka's cheek, nose, and forehead, relaxing close to the boy. "I love you."

Hisoka mumbled an 'I love you too' but it was muffled by sleep and Hijiri's neck. Quickly he was out, feeling safe again."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The two were awoken a few hours later by a startled feminine squeal. Queen Wakaba had entered the room.

Hisoka jolted awake and pealed himself away from Hijiri to sit up. "Mamma?! What's going on?! Is he after you?! Did he hurt you?! I'll have Hijiri kill him!"

The woman's hands were pressed together and she squealed again."You two are so cuuuuute!!!!!" She couldn't stop herself from hugging her son tightly.

Hisoka groaned. "DON'T DO THAT! You scared me!" he winced. "Not so tight."

"I can't help myself," she said, "you two are such adorable little heartbreakers!!!!" She kissed his cheek. Hijiri sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. Even in the dress of a knight, he seemed rather childish in doing this.

"Whu--?" he asked slowly.

Hisoka sighed. "Mamma just scared the shit out of me..."

"Oh," Hijiri said, his head going back to the pillow. Wakaba giggled.

Hisoka crossed his arms and huffed. "Well it's a good thing I wasn't in trouble... lazy!"

"Not lazy," Hijiri said, "I just doubt someone would attack you, squealing like a young woman playing with kittens." He yawned.

Hisoka humphed again. "How could you ignore that?! I thought she was being attacked!"

"I grew up around women," Hijiri said, "I know the difference between a fearful cry and a squeal of joy."

Hisoka had no answer to this.

Wakaba giggled again. "I have a few things I want to talk to you about, Hisoka," she said.

Hisoka frowned but nodded. "I... suppose Hijiri has to leave than."

Wakaba smiled. "Yes, but that's only because Terazuma's looking for him." Hijiri's head lifted again. "He is?" he said, "I'll go see what he wants." He streightened himself up, unwrinkling his clothes before saluting and hurrying off. She looked at Hisoka again. "I want to talk to you about Muraki."

Hisoka blinked. "Oh... okay." small blush began to creep to his cheeks.

"I've got a group of old friends out looking for Oriya, but I thought that you should know that we found Muraki," she watched for his reaction.

Hisoka's eyes widened. He wasn't sure if he wanted the man to be dead or alive. He covered his mouth with both hands. If he was still alive he'd call Hijiri back to the palace. And Oriya would likely still be fighting. If not, Hijiri would have to go back anyway. "Either way... I lose."

Wakaba shook her head. "I've heard your wishes to have time with your Hijiri," she said. "Now that Muraki is dead, I was hoping that you'd agree with me on something."

Hisoka bit back his tears. "What?"

"Before I say, I need to know two things. First, do you trust Oriya?"

Hisoka was silent for a moment. "I... I guess so."

"Second, does Hijiri trust your judgement?" Wakaba was much more serious than usual.

Hisoka nodded. That was the one thing he was sure of. "With his life."

Wakaba nodded. "I knew Oriya fir a very long time before I died," she said, "and from what I can tell, he's past capable of leading people. Would you argue if I had him take care of Hijiri's kingdom until his 21st birthday?"

Hisoka was silent for a long moment. "You're sure he will?" he stared at her. "I don't want to be selfish... I just... I love him so much and I saw how it affected you and father and... if he will I'll accept gladly."

His mother nodded. "I believe he will," he said, "he's very fond of you and very loyal to his family. He'll certainly do it for Hijiri too. He loved his sister too much to turn down a chance like this."

Hisoka nodded. "Okay than. It will give Mitani a nice place to live too. I wanted them to come to the wedding."

Wakaba smiled. "You're so cute," she said, bringing Hisoka into a hug. "And one question."

Hisoka smiled warmly and nuzzled his cheek against her chest. "Oh mamma, I missed you so much. What was it you wanted to ask?"

"Why suddenly fighting with your father about calling me mamma?" she peered into his beautiful emerald eyes.

Hisoka stared up into her eyes, tears coming to his own. "Muraki still has your bird. And Saga told me that you had it call you mamma because you one day hoped to have a child who would call you that. And then Oriya told me of the notes you wrote him and how it broke your heart that I wasn't allowed to. If I had known any of that, I'd have fought him then too."

Wakaba hugged him tighter. "I'm so glad you're my baby," she said, "my own personal little angel." She kissed his cheek.

He closed his eyes with a yawn. "Not half as glad as I am to have you back." And soon he was asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hijiri hopped onto the bed beside Hisoka with a cry of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Wake up, my love!"

Hisoka screamed as he sat up, staring at Hijiri, his heart racing. "Wha?!"

"Hurry and get up before someone else comes to get you," he said, "come on, come on." He tugged on Hisoka's hands.

Hisoka blinked but did as he was told, pulling his pants on before tugging off his night shirt and putting on a regular shirt. "Who else? What's going on?"

Hijiri smiled and kissed the prince. "I have to show you something... we have to hurry.... the sun'll rise soon.

Hisoka groaned. "I'm tired. Carry me."

Hijiri grinned wider and lifted the boy, bringing him swiftly outside, wrapped in a cloak to keep the chill breeze from him. There was a horse laden down with saddlebags, which Hijiri placed Hisoka onto, then climbed on himself. Together they raced off in the direction of the cave.

Hisoka leaned back against Hijiri, wondering what was going on. He clutched the cloak closed. "Hijiri... don't you think they'll get worried?"

"No," he said, "they don't expect you back until nightfall." Hijiri didn't stop the horse until it was at the mouth of the cave, then jumped off, opening his arms for Hisoka. At the cave's entrance there were few shields, standing against rocks and sticks.

Hisoka jumped down into his arms and stared at the oddities. "Hijiri... what's going on?"

"You'll see," he murmured, "you'll see." Hijiri grabbed the saddlebags and led Hisoka into the cave, not letting him touch the shields and not lighting the way with anything but a single torch. The sky was getting light.

Hisoka followed, clutching Hijiri's cloak now to keep up and not get lost in the darkness.

Once they were all the way in, Hijiri tossed the torch aside and it went out, falling into a puddle of water to the side. He then pulled Hisoka close and kissed him, lips gentle and loving, hands traveling into the boy's hair.

Hisoka's heart began to race. In the dark, with Hijiri alone and now he was being kissed so passionately. He let out a soft whimper but didn't try to stop him. He had to learn to trust Hijiri.

"Close your eyes," Hijiri murmured against his lips. "You'll like it, I promise."

His eyes slid closed slowly. "I'm... scared."

"Don't be scared," Hijiri said, "It'll be over in a moment." His kiss became more gentle. He seemed to be waiting for something.

Hisoka relaxed a little, wrapping his arms around Hijiri's neck, wondering what Hijiri was up to.

Hijiri's arms were snug around Hisoka's weist. Then, he pulled away from the prince. "Open your eyes, my love... slowly."

Hisoka was disappointed that he was let go of but did as he was told.

As Hisoka's eyes opened, the two boys were surrounded by a glowing multicolored light. The crystal rocks on the walls of the cave were shimmering and shining, the sunlight reflecting from the shields and into the cave, the glow dancing as though they were under water.

Hisoka stared around. "Hijiri..." he had nothing to say. He couldn't take his eyes off of the glittering crystals. "It's so beautiful."

Hijiri grinned in triumph. "I thought you'd like it," he said, pleased.

Hisoka nodded. "Though you... kinda scared me to start out with..."

Hijiri blushed. "Sorry," he said, "I'm winging it. I didn't have the chance to make plans. Had I made plans, I would have had a better birthday gift."

Hisoka smiled softly and wrapped his arms around Hijiri again. "Just spending time with you, totally alone and uninterrupted is the best present I could get."

Hijiri grinned. "Well that's good," he said, "because I we have all the time in the world.... until nightfall," he kissed the tip of Hisoka's nose.

Hisoka sighed contentedly and laid his head against Hijiri's chest. "I really missed this. Feeling safe and loved. Things are finally starting to settle down. We need to begin planning our wedding."

"Mmm hmm," Hijiri agreed, leaning his chin into Hisoka's hair. He swayyed slightly with the prince, as though to music, "and we have to remember to do this every now and then once we're married. Rather than just getting to the business part of negotiations between kingdoms."

Hisoka frowned. "I hope it's more than once in a while. I'll die if I don't feel you holding me absolutely as much as possible. But... didn't mamma tell you about Oriya?"

"Tell me what about him?" Hijiri asked, looking into the prince's eyes.

Hisoka sighed. "You... trust my jugement right?"

Hijiri nodded. "Of course I do," he said, "why?"

He pulled away and turned from Hijiri. "I'm selfish. And I trust him. And Mamma wanted me to agree. If they find that Oriya is alive... he's going to take over Muraki's kingdom until you're twenty one. I... I thought they'd told you."

Hijiri shook his head, "I haven't heard about it," he said, "but this Oriya... my uncle... do you think he'll do well?"

Hisoka was silent for a moment. "Mamma seems to think so. She grew up with him, she should know."

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

"If you both believe he can, then I'll go with it," he said, "Because I trust you both and I wasn't really excited about having to be king so soon."

Hisoka turned to him again, tears shining in his eyes. "I was afraid you'd be angry that I made the choice for you. I didn't want you to be king yet. I'm so selfish!"

Hijiri cupped his chin. "And I love you for being selfish," he said, "it's something I was never able to do and often forget to do. You balance me out. It's okay." He kissed Hisoka's cheek, then his jaw, then his ear.

Hisoka closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. "I guess I just want to spend all my time with you... before we have to get down to buisness."

Hijiri made a noise of agreement, nibbling on Hisoka's earlobe gently. His arms hung loosly clasped around Hisoka's weist, holding him close in a loving embrace.

Hisoka lifted his arms around Hijiri's neck. "Hold me tighter." His voice was a mear whisper.

Hijiri's mouth traveled down to Hisoka's neck as his hands slid up the blond's back, his arms tensing to pull them closer together. "Hisoka," he murmured against the boy's neck. "I..." He was afraid to say it.

Hisoka held his eyes closed. "Yes?"

"I want you...." it was a whisper against his collarbone, barely audible, yet filled with heat.

Hisoka was torn. He was scared but at the same time he loved the idea. He just had to convince his subconscious that Hijiri wouldn't hurt him. "Let's... try again."

Hijiri's kisses were feather light, but filled with passion, his fingers quickly untying the cloak and pulling it from Hisoka's shoulders, then kissing the prince's neck once again.

Hisoka's grip on Hijiri tightened. "You... love me right? And you trust me?"

Hijiri's tongue brushed the boy's skin. "I love you very much," he said, "and I trust you with my life."

Hisoka took in a deep breath as he felt himself begin to rise. "Then make me stop thinking. Undress me, take me to the floor and hold me down. I promise that if you hurt me I'll stop you. Please Hijiri. I want to do this but I'm thinking too much about it. Move quickly."

Hijiri looked into his eyes, hesitating for a moment. But the resolve he saw in the glowing light around them made him move. His own cloak hit the floor and he brought Hisoka to the side, to a preset area where there were layers of blankets over the rocks. He was rather harsh as he lay the boy down, but apologetic kisses flowed from him as he expertly opened unlaced the boy's vest and shirt in moments, both hitting the floor to the side. His hands went to Hisoka's pants ties, which were pulled away just as quickly, and soon the prince lay nude beneath him, his mouth forever raining love on that pale flesh.

Hisoka closed his eyes with a soft moan. "Not... not so rough..." he rested his hands above his head. "When you start... hold me down."

Hijiri nodded, throwing his own cloak to the floor, soon followed by his shirt, boots, and pants. Despite the coolness of the early morning air, his skin was moist with sweat. Now his hands smoothed along Hisoka's skin for a second before bringing the prince's wrists over his head and holding them down, kissing him with everything he had. He held those wrists with one hand while the fingers of his other hand, wet with something from a bottle he'd just tossed aside, pressed into him carefully.

Hisoka had no time to think as he moaned softly. Muraki had done this and he'd quite liked it. He began to pant slightly as the sting between his legs increased.

Hijiri was quick but careful, trying to relax the prince's inner walls. "Don't clench," he said, feeling that the prince was about ready to. He kissed him, hoping to take his mind away from what was going on at the meeting of his thighs. The kiss was passionate and almost rough, but not quite.

Hisoka held his eyes closed and tried to control his body. "I... can't always control it. But I'm... trying not to. I'm sorry."

Hijiri's nose rubbed against his own. "Don't be sorry," he murmured before kissing the prince and sending his fingers in deeper, "I was the same way my first few times." More kisses and Hijiri's third finger went in.

Hisoka moaned softly, holding his breath for a moment. "I... think I'm ready now."

Hijiri's fingers spread to open him wide, placing the tip of himself inside, moving in with caution. His eyes closed at the feeling, the hand on Hisoka's wrists holding tighter involuntarily.

Hisoka sighed. So far it was okay, there was no pain. He could tell already that Hijiri was a much better fit than Muraki. "I'm okay." He was starting to enjoy this. "I just need to know you'll stop if I want you to." This was just his subconscious warning him. He didn't actually think he'd need to once they got going.

Hijiri nodded, his now freed hand moving to join the other on Hisoka's wrists as he kissed the boy, hips pushing him deeper.

Hisoka had no reaction to this. His throbbing member was beginning to give him pain. "Rub me a little... please. It's starting to hurt... it's really hard."

Hijiri brought his hand back down, his still wet fingers running over the boy's swollen head, reaching the deepest he dared to go, pulling out, then pushing in again.

Hisoka gave a cry but not in pain or fear.

At the cry, Hijiri repeated the movement, faster this time, tugging on the prince's member with a loose hand.

Another cry followed by a gasp. His body began to tremble and suddenly without even thinking he called out Hijiri's name.

Hijiri would have smiled at this were he not in the midst of losing control over his body. "Hisoka...." he couldn't raise his voice. This was better than he'd ever imagined. He kissed Hisoka lovingly, his heart beating too fast and making him dizzy.

The prince had been quite dizzy from the start. He felt near his release now.

Hijiri was glistening with sweat as he moved, his eyes closing of their own accord. "Hisoka," he murmured again, "I... I love you..."

Hisoka couldn't stop the smile across his lips. "I... love you... too...." He shivered suddenly. "I'm almost... there."

Hijiri was ready, his spine arching like a snake poised to attack as he pressed harder, letting out a keen. "H-Hisoka...."

Hisoka's body hunched up on him and he gave a final cry as he released. "Hijiri!"

With Hisoka, Hijiri came as well, his grip on the boy's wrists almost painful. Holding in his final cry, his mouth pressed against Hisoka's, his heart swelling with his momentary lack of mind.

Hisoka fell limp, breathing heavily and shivered as he was drained. "Sorry... I couldn't... hold off anymore."

Hijiri leaned on the prince, huffing. "Don't..... don't be..." he shivered, finally feeling the chill morning air on his naked and sweating body. He clung to Hisoka. "Was it okay?" he asked hopefully.

Hisoka was beginning to feel cold as well. "It didn't hurt at all. And it was definatly better than with Muraki..."

Hijiri would have beemed at this, had he not buried his face into Hsoka's shoulder. "I'd better clean you up," he said, then reached for a saddlebag to the side, pulling out a rag. He poured some water from a flask onto it and carefully cleaned Hisoka's chest and torsoe of seed. He kissed Hisoka then, grabbing his cloak and wrapping it around them tightly. "Stay close to me," he murmured, "I forgot that it was autumn and brought only light blankets."

Hisoka sighed, half asleep. "Okay," he murmered. He snuggled closer.

Hijiri closed his eyes, more comfortable than he'd ever been. "We'll have to do this again soon," he said, "this snuggling nude. So warm and comfey..." he cut off with a yawn against Hisoka's shoulder.

Hisoka frowned. "If I had more energy I'd get up and put my clothes back on. But I'm too tired."

"Then I"ll have to tire you out next time too," Hijiri said, kissing Hisoka's temple. "Sleep. We still have a lot of time before we have to go back to the castle."

Hisoka was slightly unnerved by that comment but decided to let it drop. He was far too tired to argue and soon fell asleep.

Hijiri fell as well, their bodies tangled together in a loving embrace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Hijiri awoke again, the sun was just past noon. He snuggled closer to Hisoka, watching the prince until he heard something that sounded like an arrow hitting the tree outside the cave. That must've been word from Terazuma. He lifted his head and saw that there was now a green ribbon blown by the wind in front of the cave. That meant that all was going well. He lay his head down again, kissing Hisoka's nose.

Hisoka woke, startled at the sound of the arrow. "Hijiri?" He sat up slowly. "What was that?"

Hijiri sat up with him, stretching slowly. "That was Tera sending word that everything's going as planned."

Hisoka blushed. "Tera's here? What's going as planned? Where did that ribbon come from? He didn't see me did he?" Panik flooded his mind. "What if he tells mamma?"

"Calm down," Hijiri said, "uncle Tera's not here. We made a form of long distance communication using arrows and ribbons. Red means to go home immedietly, green means that everything's alright, blue means to stay here until further notice, and yellow means that there's a message with the arrow that I have to read. And Tera's busy today. He said that he'd send me the arrows to tell me if he needed me or not. He can't see us because I told him not to set foot in the flower field. And he has yet to tell anyone about our hiding lace. We're safe here."

Hisoka took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Gods... I don't want anyone seeing me again. This is supposed to be private..." He snuggled close to Hijiri, heart beating quickly. "Can we get dressed now?"

Hijiri nodded. "I brought an outfit for you to change into." He went to the saddlebags, letting Hisoka wrap up in his cloak while he searched. Then he turned back to the boy, holding out a blue tunic and vest, a pair of blue breeches over his arm. "There we go," he said.

Hisoka blinked. "Okay..."

"Do you not like it?" Hijiri asked, "your mother picked it out for you."

Hisoka whimpered. "What?! What did you tell them?! Do they know?! I thought you didn't plan this, what if I hadn't wanted to!"

Hijiri stared at him. "I didn't plan it," he said, "I told them that I was going to take you out riding for the day. I wanted to spend time with you and be alone with you rather than having Watari or someone else walk in every time I tried to get close. I rushed you out of the castle because I was running late and then, just everything at once with the excitement and the surroundings, I wanted you... If you hadn't wanted to, I wouldn't have made you. And your mother wanted you to wear something brand new on your birthday, so she had me bring this to your room. But by the time I woke you up, this would have been too complicated to put on. We wouldn't have made it to sunrise. I figured you could change into it when we got here." His head drooped slightly. "Sorry.."

Hisoka sighed. "I'm... sorry Hijiri... I'm just so afraid. These things are really personal to me and I don't want anyone knowing that we're doing them. And since father watched us... well I've just been really paranoid. I do like the outfit... I just thought that, well why would she choose an outfit for me if I was only going out for the day? I guess I thought she knew why we were coming here." He took the outfit from him with a half smile. "Will you help me put it on?"

Hijiri brightened. "Sure," he said, moving closer and bringing the tunic down over Hisoka's head, then laced the neckline. He kissed the blond lightly, thankful that he wasn't angry.

Hisoka sighed happily. "I love you."

Hijiri smiled. "I love you too," he said, "I was wondering if you wanted to ride with me through the forest for a little while before we headed home." He handed the prince his breeches.

Hisoka put them on with a smile. "That sounds nice. You'll hold me while we ride won't you?"

"Of course I will," Hijiri said, kissing the smile he loved so much, "I wouldn't dream of anything otherwise."

Hisoka nuzzled close. "Lets go then."

Hijiri nodded and wrapped his arm around for his hand to rest on the boy's hip, pulling their sides together. There, he kissed the soft cheek and led him out to the horse, taking the bow and arrow that were attatched to the saddle. He jotted down a note onto some parchment, then tied it to the arrow with a yellow ribbon. Then, he aimed directly into the air, and loosed the arrow. The arrow disappeared and Hijiri grinned. "Need me to help you onto the horse?" he asked.

Hisoka shook his head and climbed up. He was unnerved now by arrows. "He won't reply right away will he?" The idea of being shot again sending dizzy ripples through his head.

Hijiri shook his head. "He shouldn't at all," he said, "the message said that we're going riding and we'll be back before nightfall." He climbed onto the back of the horse behind Hisoka and wrapping his arms around the boy's weist "Hold on tight," and the horse galloped off.

Hisoka leaned back against Hijiri, snuggling into him. "Anywhere spacific we're going? We don't want to get lost."

"We won't," Hijiri said, "your mother taught me a spell that won't let us get lost. And I don't really care where we go. I just want to be alone with you..." he held the reins with one hand, letting his other hand stay around the prince's weist.

Hisoka closed his eyes. "It's so nice. I wish we could live forever with you holding me. I feel so safe in your arms."

Hijiri had to agree. It was a wonderful feeling. Just being close to Hisoka made him feel as though he could do anything. "Point me in a direction," Hijiri said, "anywhere you want to go, we will go."

Hisoka smiled softly. "The top of the waterfall. I saw it from the tower room."

Hijiri smiled. "As you wish my love," he said, and hurried the horse in that direction, the creature moving so quick that it was doubtful even the wind could catch up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before nightfall came, Hijiri and Hisoka were heading back both quite content. Hijiri was jabbering away about the horses he'd taken care of under the command of the king and holding tight to his prince.

Hisoka was listening contentedly. Though he really didn't care about horses at the moment, he was happy and that was all that mattered. "It's been a wonderful day."

Hijiri paused. "I'm glad you've enjoyed yourself," he said, kissing Hisoka's neck lovingly, "I wanted to make sure you enjoyed yourself."

Hisoka sighed softly. "I did. Very much so." He closed his eyes, leaning back against the strong chest. "You've made me so happy today. I feel as though nothing could go wrong. We finally have peace between the kingdoms. No more fighting... mamma's back. Father is normal again. Everything is perfect."

Hijiri looked over Hisoka's shoulder. "Speak of the devil, look who's waiting for us." He pointed at the group of people waiting in the light of the lowering sun. Wakaba, Terazuma, the king, Tsuzuki.... a group of servants... all were waiting, dressed in their best. Hijiri grinned and pressed his mouth to Hisoka's neck one more time. "Happy birthday," he whispered.

Hisoka blinked his eyes open and looked ahead. He smiled widly and waved to them. "Hijiri..." he whispered. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," he said, "but for now, enjoy your birthday party." He kissed Hisoka's cheek and jumped off of the horse, planning on leading it to the crowd by the reigns. He looked back to give Hisoka a smile, but spotted something glinting in the trees. Before he had the chance to cry out, he was knocked down by a net, the edges digging into the ground and holding him there. The horse took fright and bolted in the direction of the group of people ahead, Hijiri left behind.

Hisoka let out a scream, clinging to the animal with his eyes closed. What had just happened? Muraki was dead. His knights shouldn't still be after him.

A shadow dropped onto the horse's back before it could reach the group, an arm wrapping around Hisoka and the other grabbing the reins, slowing the beast and turning it to the side, heading toward the forest edge. Tsuzuki aimed his arrow, but Terazuma stopped him. "No!" he cried, "you could hit the prince!"

Hisoka screamed again, knowing better than to struggle. "HIJIRI!" he tried to look back but the man holding him had far too strong a grip. "Who are you?! What do you want?!"

"Hush and I won't hurt you," came the voice forcefully in his ear. The person turned the horse, calling out to Hijiri. "Son of the late King Muraki!! If you wish to prove yourself worthy as king of your kingdom, come and rescue your fiancee!! If you come within three days, he will be unharmed!!" Hijiri struggled against the net holding him down.

"Hisoka!!!" he yelled, his magic escaping from his body without his trying. "HISOKA!!!!!" The silver magic attacked the darkness around the shadey figuere, who paniced for a moment.

Hisoka watched in awe, reaching out to his lover. "Don't let him take me! Hijiri please!" Tears welled in his eyes. "Tera! Do something!"

Hijiri tore at the ropes, his hands becoming bloody with the effort. "HISOKA!!!!" Without warning, it was not Terazuma who lashed out but the queen. She glowed brightly in the quickly dimming sunlight.

"I don't know who you are," she said, "but your need to test a future king is not something I hold in higher regard than my son's safety." Tendrils of green light surrounded the horse and two riders, comforting for the horse and prince, menacing to the shadow. Hijiri's animalistic growls could be heard as his bloodied form arose from the ground.

"Hisoka!!!" This man would not get away with stealing the prince.

Hisoka was feeling dizzy now. Once again he spoke to the stranger. "You wish to lose your life? If you want to live I suggest you leave now."

The man clung to Hisoka, the horse rearing back from his nerves. Suddenly, unnatural cloud overtook the sky and rained down something that most certainy wasn't water... or wasn't completely. The queen's green lights faded and so did Hijiri's white light, the man finally regaining his bearings and charging away. "Come to your own kingdom and you'll find him!!! THREE DAYS!!!" And they were gone.

"HISOKA!!!!" Hijiri screamed, beginning to run after them, but falling as he hit mud that was created by the unnatural rain. The blood on his hands dripped with it now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The man's grip on Hisoka was tight as they crossed the borders into the next kingdom. All was silent around them.

Hisoka was terrified. "Where are you taking me?! What do you expect to prove by this?!"

"I'm taking you to your lover's kingdom," he said, "and my people just need to be shown that the new king will do better than the last." The man looked around, then jumped off of the horse.

Hisoka stared at him. "So you kidnapped me?! What will that prove?!" Tears sprang to his eyes. "Hijiri won't even be king for another three years! Why don't you test Oriya?!"

"We know Oriya," he said, "he's one of the great heros of our land. And he convinced the king of our country to give his life to bring back the peacemaker."

Hisoka's head reeled with this information. "Muraki... gave his life to bring back... my mother?"

The man nodded. "With the peacemaker back, there's hope in our country that things will go well. And we don't want this king ruining anything." He pulled the boy down from the horse rather harshly. They were at the edge of a grassy field, surrounded by a forest. The man sat him down at the bottom of a tree, standing there and looking around. "We're early," he murmured.

Hisoka looked up at him. "Why don't you understand? Hijiri is like me. We love our people and we know how to fix this kingdom. Just like my mother, I will bring peace and safty. Hijiri will always do what's best."

"How long have you known him?" the man asked, "and a lot has happened to keep you apart, hasn't it?"

Hisoka looked away. "A year in january. And yes. I was kidnapped by Muraki's knights. And he spent one night with me before Oriya kidnapped me. I just returned home two weeks ago. Do you know how painful it is to be sepparated from someone you love for so long?" Tears sprang to his eyes.

"It's only three days," the man said, "it won't kill you." He rolled his eyes at the boy.

He whimpered and looked away. "You could have at least waited a single day..." Then under his breath. "It wouldn't have killed you."

The man turned to him and sat on the ground with a huff. "Don't take an attitude with me," he said, "you'll be going to your captives with black eyes. If I didn't have orders not to, you'd have'm already."

Hisoka's eyes widened. Without warning he stood and began to run. There was no way he'd go willingly.

The man jumped to his feet as well, springing for the prince and catching up with him in moments, catching his shoulders and spinning him around, forcing his back against a tree. "What do you think you're trying to do?" he demanded?" The back of his hand came across the prince's face.

Hisoka screamed as he was slamed against the tree. He'd been hit so hard however that suddenly everything went black and he fell limp.

As Hisoka fell, a hand rested on the man's shoulder. "What did I say about injuring him?" The attacker froze, and suddenly, as a nerve in his shoulder was pinched, he fell too. The newcomer lifted Hisoka from the ground and turned to two people behind him. "Kojiro, Kotaro, take the horse. Leave the man. For his disobedience he can stay here." They bowed and Kojiro moved to take the horse back to the castle, the other disappearing into the forest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Isn't there anything we can do for him?" Tera asked Wakaba. The two had been talking in their chambers since Hisoka had been taken a few hours ago. Wakaba had stopped them from making a full attack on the kingdom, going after the boy, saying that it would cause great unrest and war between the two kingdoms.

"No," she answered, shaking her head, "they extended this challenge to Hijiri and Hijiri only. If anyone else goes, they may not trust his ability to rule. It is up to the king to control his people. If he cannot control them, then he cannot be king."

"But he hasn't been trained in such powerful magics as his enemy!" Tera pleaded, "you saw! And your son was taken!" He was like a mother hen, worrying over chicks. Wakaba touched his face gently.

"My son trusts that boy with his life," she said, "and I am confident that his father, despite the fact that he's dead, is still out there, watching over him. And don't you worry. As soon as Hijiri saved my Hisoka-chan, they will feel the true wrath of the one time "peacemaker"." She pracitcally growled. Terazuma held her hand tightly. She frowned. "Though.... I'm still worried..." He wrapped his arms around her weist and kissed her cheek, looking out the window and into the distance, barely able to see in the distance the small dot that was Hijiri, speeding away after his love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hisoka awoke in a small room of stone and soft curtains.

Hisoka sighed heavily as he woke. His eyes slid open and he stared at nothing. His face stung. "Hijiri..." he whispered the name with such saddness that any listener would believe he was a grieving widow.

"You make me sad, speaking with such a tone," the voice was from the corner of the room, a slim figure, standing with arms crossed, the face unseen. The voice sounded femanine.

Hisoka looked at her though never moved. "If I have to spend one more hour without him I may lose my mind. No one seems to care that I've had the life scared out of me too many times to count. I had such a wonderful day. And my parents and friends were throwing me a party tonight... lady Rika probably made me a cake that'll go to waste. I just want to go home."

There was a pause. "Lady Rika," came a small murmur, then, "it's not that the leader doesn't care, it's just that he wants to make sure that the kingdom won't be sacraficed to a useless king again. The one before the last was war obsessed, and the last lost everything when the peacemaker left. I promise that we'll take good care of you until your lover comes."

Hisoka was spiteful now. "You mean like being back handed for trying to escape someone who threatened to give me black eyes? Such kindness and compassion..."

There was a sigh. "He was knocked out and left behind for the wolves to feed on," the person took a step forward, "he failed his mission to bring you here unharmed." She carefully reached out to touch his cheek. "Does it still hurt?" she asked.

He nodded. "It'll probably bruise. He hit me hard enough to knock me out."

"He cut you with the ring on his hand," she said, "I tended to it for you." She looked at him with loving and caring eyes, perhapse like a sister to a brother. "I was very worried about you," she said.

Hisoka looked away. "What do you care? You don't know me. You probably don't even know my name."

She frowned at him. "You are Hisoka," she said, "son of Queen Wakaba and the former king, who recently gave up his thrown to her. When you were young, you liked to run and play outside when your father didn't know that you were there. Lady Rika and her daughter would bring you snacks and play with you."

Hisoka sat up, staring at her. "How the hell do you know all that?! Who are you?!"

"My name is Chidsuru," she said, looking back at him, eyes gentle.

His eyes filled with tears. "Liar! She died! she died in her bed when she was twelve!"

"I didn't," she said, "I'm still not quite sure what happened, but I was taken from my bed and woka up again a while later. It was summer when I fell ill, I know that... but... when I woke up, it was winter. Snow was on the ground. I was told that I had been cured, but I couldn't go home. Instead, I devoted myself to protecting you and your kingdom from across the boundries."

Hisoka didn't believe her. "Rika! She's never been the same since! She tried to kill herself after the funeral! Chidsuru was buried in the family graveyard! Beside Mamma!"

"You didn't see me go into the ground though," she said, "you didn't see me with your own eyes."

"Rika would never have agreed to have a funeral if she hadn't! If you really are her don't you think your own mother would have sent searchers out if you'd just disappeared?!"

"My mother...." she paused, "my mother was decieved. What was placed in that box was not me, but a doll created to look like me, made of porcilain."

Hisoka stared at her. "But how?! Why?! Why didn't you come back?! Chidsuru was the only friend my age I had until Hijiri. Prove to me you're really her!"

She thought about this for a moment, then looked back at him. "Do you remember when we met? I was climbing trees and you were at a picnic with your mother? I fell out of the tree and got hurt and you two came over to help me?"

Hisoka was silent for a moment but nodded slowly.

Chidsuru pulled her shirt off of her shoulder to reveal a small scar there. "Remember?" she said, "you told me that it looked like a bird."

Hisoka stared for a moment. "I don't understand... why did you never come back? We all thought you were dead. I cried for two months solid."

She leaned forward and touched his shoulder. "I couldn't," she said, "my former masters wouldn't let me. But now that I'm in this place, I can finally pay you back for your kindness to me when I was younger."

Hisoka threw his arms around her, hugging her tightly as he burried his face in her shoulder. "I missed you. So much. I was so sad. Can you get me out of here? Can you convince them Oriya has good judgment? The man said you trusted Oriya but you don't trust that he trusts Hijiri? Please don't let them hurt me!"

"I can't convince them to let you free, but I can protect you from the ones who are not so loyal as myself," she offered a smile, "that's a promise."

Hisoka broke into a full sob. "But I don't want to stay here! I want Hijiri! I've only had two weeks with him now! Why don't you understand?!"

"I do," she said, "I know how you feel. But there's nothing I can do. They won't let you free, and there's no way you can escape... not without killing or maiming yourself in the process. Please, Hisoka. If you love your Hijiri, and truly believe he can make it as king, please please just wait a little while."

He clung to her, sobbing uncontrolably. "But I've waited so long. And everything went so well today that I thought everything was going to be okay. And now I have no idea where I am or who to trust."

"Trust me," she said, "I swear that you can trust me. I promise you above all else."

Hisoka pulled way from her and lay back. "What am I to do? What if it takes him more than three days?! They said they'd hurt me after three days!"

She shook her head. "Most likely not," she said, "master seems to enjoy playing with people's minds. That and I think he's really hoping your Hijiri is a true king. He told the messenger to say that in hopes of making Hijiri think that he has to do this or all is lost. If he really loves you, then losing you should be as weighty as losing his kingdom, or even worse."

Hisoka nodded. "But what does that have to do with how good of a king he can be? His love for me can't prove anything! Muraki loved my mother and you see how he was!"

"Muraki was a good king before the peacemaker died," she said, "but when she left, everything went from good to bad, then, when he heard of her death, from bad to worse. My masters know what they're doing. I promise."

Hisoka furiously wiped at his tears. "But he'd kill himself if I left. Or if I died."

"Thus leaving us without a king," she chewed her lip, "I just hope everything goes well. If they denounce him as king, there will be civil war. It'll likely get into your country as well. Then the peacemaker's work will be undone as it has threatened to be as of late."

Hisoka sighed. "What am I to do? Am I trapped to this bed, this room? No windows. No natural light. It's so small. I'll lose my mind if I have to stay here for three days."

"I'll talk to my master about it," she said, "I could probably bring you to the garden. There would be guards at every entrance, so I'd have to be there with you." She thought for a moment. "The next time master comes to see you, I'll see about it, okay?"

Hisoka nodded. "Until then... I think I'll try to sleep."

She gently ruffled his hair. "You do that," she said, "please rest well, and trust me to do everything that I can for you."

Hisoka nodded and closed his eyes. "Just... please... don't let them hurt me." He yawned. "I turned seventeen today. Hijiri took me riding. Maybe I'll dream about him."

"I pray you do," she said, "may your dreams be full of him." She stood from the bed and moved to he door, taking up her stance of protector. "Sleep well, prince."

Hisoka sighed deeply, tears slowing down but not stopping. "Hijiri..." He murmered. "Come to me on swift wings..." and with that he was asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hijiri traveled swiftly, slowing down only because his horse was tired. The poor beast was foming at the mouth when he finally paused at a stream and sat under a tree, still huffing in anger. He crudely changed the bandages that had been wrapped around his hands. "Hisoka...." he thought aloud, "it's been a day since I began riding. And I've barely crossed the border between kingdoms.... dammit....." He closed his eyes to nap for the moment, knowing his horse wouldn't move without some rest. He dreampt of a small room, stone and curtains, seeing a bed to the side. Who was that on it? None other than Hisoka. He moved to the bed and touched the boy's face. "Hisoka..." he murmured.

In his sleep Hijiri was there. He sat up slowly. "Hijiri. You're here? Oh... wait. I must be dreaming. Still..." He reached out, taking the hand. "Hold me."

Hijiri wrapped his arms around the boy, kissing his cheek. "I'm sorry," he murmured.

Hisoka sighed deeply. "What for? I wish we could stay asleep forever. I don't want you to leave me." He held tightly to the form. "Sleep as long as you can. I'll try to do the same in a while. I'll try to come with you to whereever they have me."

"I can't stay long, actually," Hijiri said, "I just have to sleep some while I have the chance. I still have a long way to go before I find where you are. I'm going to have to ask in the first village I reach. That way I'll have some clues to where you are."

Hisoka sighed, afraid to close his eyes. "I... the man who took me. He hit me when I tried to run from him. The woman looking after me said he cut me with the ring he was wearing. It hurts when I'm awake. I'm sorry I tried to run from him. If I hadn't been knocked out I'd be able to help."

Hijiri shook his head. "Don't be sorry," he said, "It's not your fault at all. And don't worry, I'll find my way to you before the three days is up. I promise you."

Hisoka's eyes filled with tears as he looked up. "I'm just so scared. I want you to be here now."

"I'll be with you soon," Hijiri gave a small squeeze, "for now, I'll leave with you a piece of me.... for comfort." He handed Hisoka a necklace of a metal seal. "My family seal, from my mother."

His eyes widened as he took it. "I won't take it off until you save me." He slipped it over his head and looked up into Hijiri's eyes. "One more kiss..." his eyes begged.

Hijiri pulled Hisoka closer and kissed him again, not wanting to pull away, ever.

Hisoka's eyes slid closed as he wrapped his arms tightly around Hijiri's neck.

Despite his wish to stay asleep, Hijiri could hear the horse whickering beside him. "I love you," he murmured against Hisoka's lips.

Oddly enough Hisoka could hear this too. "Soon. Please Hijiri. Don't let them hurt me." He let go reluctantly and fell back against the pillow, sobbing.

Hijiri jerked out of his sleep, looking around himself. The sun was beginning to rise now. He stood and the horse's reins. "Time to go..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chidsuru sat above Hisoka, touching his face. "Highness?"

Tears still wet his cheeks and he whimpered softly. "Hijiri... come back." His eyes slid open slowly and he sighed. "Is my torment over yet?"

Chidsuru tilted her head to the side. "I'm guessing you dreamt of Hijiri then?" she asked.

Hisoka shook his head as he sat up. "I can't explain it. I don't know how we do it, but he came to me while he was asleep. He said he's just crossed the border and he gave me this until he got here... to comfort me." He pulled the necklace out of his shirt. "He says it's his family seal."

Chidsuru stared for a moment. "It's an ancient type of magic," said a low, female voice from behind her suddenly.

Hisoka looked up, startled. "Magic? But I don't know magic. Hijiri knows some, but I went to him first. When I was taken by Muraki. I went to him while he was resting in a barn."

The young woman with piercing eyes stepped forward. "It's not something difficult, just rare. When two who may work magic are in true love, they may visit eachother in slumber when they're both thinking about only the other."

Hisoka looked away, hiding his face in one hand as he began to sob, clutching the sheet with the other. "What more do you need than? I still don't understand what you're trying to prove."

The girl made a face. "What's not to get?" she asked, "we don't know this boy, have never heard of him. After what his father's done, I'm surprised you can blame us."

Hisoka couldn't stop crying. "Can I blame you for testing him? No. But what was the reason for kidnapping me?! Haven't I been put through enough?! I got two weeks of partial rest after having been shot by my own knights and on my birthday no less, once again I'm ripped away from the only person who's ever cared about me more than anything. Hijiri would die for me. He'd hurt himself to get to me. I don't want him to be hurt! I want to go home!"

"I don't know what's been happening to you," she said, "but it's the only way we can truly get a reaction from him. You're the thing he worries about the most."

Hisoka laid back down, closeing his eyes as he faced away from them. "My father went insane and raped me. Then he tried to force me to marry him. Then Muraki kidnapped me. Then Saki tried to rape me three times and tormented my every waking second. Then he tried to kill me. Then Oriya kidnapped me and i was almost raped by his pirate crew. Then finally on my home the knights that had been sent out by my father shot me through the shoulder. Yesterday was the happiest day I've had all year and you ruined it by tearing me away from my family. My mother is alive again. My father is sane again. They had a party planned for me. Gods, I just want to go home with Hijiri."

The girl looked away. "Sounds rough," she said, "but you have to understand. Our people won't be able to survive another bad king. We have to have a king who can handle being king, one who cares. It's apparent that he cares, but will he be able to handle it?"

Hisoka was quiet for a moment. "I believe so yes. Do you not understand that I too will rule this kingdom? I'm what's held mine together for the last three years while my father drowned himself in alcohol. I've secretly made all his major descisions. Have I not done a good job? Have I not handled it? Even with everything that was going on. Hijiri will be the best king this country has ever seen and beside him, we'll fix what's gone so horribly wrong." He took a deep breath. "But none of my words matter to you so I don't know why I'm waisting my breath."

The woman looked at him. "We've known of all of this," she said, "as Chidsuru has been watching over you for a very long time. And it does matter because this will test everything about him. The physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and magical. Everything about him will be used when he gets here." She paused, looking at him, "did you still want to go to the garden?"

Hisoka nodded as he sat up, not looking at her thought. "Anything to get out of this room for a while." He brushed away his tears. "He'll be here by sunset."

The woman nodded. "I expected as much," she said, "by the way, my name's Kira." She headed to the door. "Chidsuru?" Hisoka's old friend offered him a hand. "Just stay with us and you should be okay," she said.

Hisoka nodded, taking the hand and allowing her to pull him to his feet. "I wouldn't dream of trying to get away from you. I have no idea where I am."

"A wise decision," Kira said, "As we are several kilometers under the ground."

Hisoka blinked. "Is the garden above ground? How can you grow anything without sunlight?"

"It's an interesting put-together," Chidsuru said, "any magic user can do it without much hassle. But trust me, you'll likely never see anything of this type again." She was smiling pleasantly.

Hisoka followed closely and reached out, taking her hand gently. "Do you have any fish here? Mamma raises koy and I'm very good with them. They're very calming."

"There's a pool in the middle of the grounds," Chidsuru said, "don't know if they're koy, but there's certainly fish."

Hisoka smiled softly. "We'll see than. Is it okay if I sit by that?" Dispite his lack of tears now, his body was trembling. He was so scared without his lover. His voice also betrayed his fear. "Mamma used to sing to hers. They were often like her children. Imagine me with bright orange scales and fins." He chuckled softly though it was a bit out of tune. He felt as though he were being watched.

"That would be cute," Chidsuru teased, " you with fins. That would make you one of this mermaid creatures from my moma's stories."

He nodded. "But very... odd. Hey Chidsuru... um... I'm scared. It feels like there's someone watching me but I don't see anyone." He held her hand a little tighter.

Chidsuru looked at Kira, who simply shook her head. "Our people are curious about the future king's bride," she said, "and they're trained in stealth."

Hisoka stared at her for a moment. Almost afraid to ask. "Why?"

"That was our job for the king before he lost interest in affairs of state," Kira said, "we're here as his information system so that he can know everything that he needs to know when he needs to know it."

Hisoka shook his head. "I mean why are they interested in me?"

"Wouldn't you be interestedin the person who was supposed to help save your kingdom?"

Hisoka looked down at his feet. "I guess... I just... well I have a fear of men and them not being visible to me scares me... my father, he watched me secretly as well."

"They won't reveal themselves to you because it is their duity not to," Kira said.

Hisoka sighed deeply and closed his eyes. He was very unnerved. There was an energy building in the air that he didn't like.

Kira continued forward and soon, they found themselves in a large and wide chamber of the dug caves, a grassy area in the very center of the room and in the middle of the grass was a inground pool with rocks around the edge. There were flowers too, blooming brightly beneath a circle in the ceiling that looked like patch of sky, but most certainly was not.

Hisoka stared around in wonder. It was beautiful and strange at the same time. He waisted no time going to sit by the rocks and water, finding a place to sit where he wouldn't hurt anything. Looking into the water he saw many brightly colored fish but the definately weren't koy. They matched the flowers in a rainbow of matalic colors.

Chidsuru stood a small distance away, holding a weapon she'd grabbed from the walls of the garden room. She watched him with a pleasant smile, swinging her glaive upside down from side to side. "You look so cute with those fish," she said.

Hisoka smiled softly. "I love animals, especially fish." He dipped his fingers in the water and watched in a dazed like trance as they gently nipped at his fingers. After a moment he laid back. "This reminds me of the flower field between my favorite place and home." He closed his eyes with a yawn, not feeling the eyes here. "I could sleep so soundly here."

Chidsuru looked at Kira, who nodded. Then she looked back at Hisoka. "You can sleep some if you like," she said.

Hisoka yawned again, feeling really comfortable and curled up on his side. "Thanks... I'm really tired for some reason." And soon he was asleep."

Then, a young man walked into the garden room and up to Kira, whispering into her ear. Then she looked at Chidsuru. "Watch over your prince," she said, "his lover is closing." Chidsuru nodded, continuing to swing her glaive. Kira hurried away, heading through many corridors and up to a place where the area became not rock, but wood. She climbed what seemed to be an infinite set of stairs, hurrying her way along so that she could meet the boy when he got there.

Outside, Hijiri was just reaching the building he believed Hisoka was being held captive in. There were no doors, and only one window, about fourty feet from the ground. He'd have to climb to get in. But the walls were too smooth. He let out a sigh, looking around. There was another buiding accross the walk from the one he was looking at. He began to climb this one, as it was coarse and had many jutting pieces of wood in the design. It took him a while, but he was soon up to the window's height. He jumped and caught the window, pulling himself in carefully. There was a light in the middle of the room, a candle seemingly lit a while ago. It was burning away quickly. He walked up to it, then heard something behind himself at the window. He turned around swiftly to find himself staring into the pure cerulean eyes of a stranger dressed in wizard's robes. The boy was young, barely older than him and spoke with a low voice that could have been a distant thunder.

"You have made it here within three days," he said, "now for your true trials to begin. The candle blew out and suddenly a rain began to pour outside, the boy disappearing. But his voice continued. "You will be tested by the knights of your realm. If you pass the tests, we will be loyal to you, if you do not, we will not allow you to rule over us. Continue to the first stage." Hijiri walked toward a set of stairs and walked down them to find a room of blue, a young woman staring at him with eyes the same color as the young man's Hijiri had just encountered. She was much younger though, perhapse a kid sister to him.

"If you are quick on your feet, come forward," she aid, her hands slowly raising into the air. Without warning, an odd, maze-like design appeared on the floor and rose, turning into walls that went from the floor to only a few feet from the high ceiling. Hijiri took a breath of air. "Hisoka...." he murmured.

Hisoka suddenly found himself a few feet above Hijiri. "Hijiri!" His voice rang out in pure joy and he floated down to him. "Can you see or hear me? I'll lead you. Be careful! There are traps!"

Hijiri looked at him, eyes wide. "Hisoka?" he said, "what are you doing here? I thought that you were being held captive? are you sleeping again? Who's watching over you if you're asleep? Will you be okay? Are you sure you won't get hurt?"

Hisoka sighed. "I'm not concerned with myself right now. A good friend is watching over me. I should be fine. When you come to the first turn you'll want to go right. Left there is a secret trap door.

Hijiri nodded. He walked quickly. "Do you think they'll be able to see or hear you?" he asked.

Hisoka was silent for a moment as he looked at the girl. "It doesn't appear so. Hey! Girl...! can you see me?"

There was no responce, the girl watching the maze for Hijiri to exit. The knight prince looked at Hisoka. "Well?" he asked.

Hisoka shook his head. "We're safe. Let's hurry. I'm only in a light sleep. I could wake any second and I want to make sure you get past this okay. Remember, right not left."

Hijiri nodded and rushed in the direction Hisoka told him to go. "Where now?" he asked again for the tenth time when he was in the middle of the maze.

Hisoka's eyes followed the maze. "Straight ahead." He was well aware that there was seemingly a wall in front of Hijiri but the path behind it lead straight through the rest. "Ignore the wall, it's not there and both right and left take you to dead ends."

Hijiri did as he was told, walking forward, right through the wall with only a slight wince. He found himself staring into the eyes of the young girl. He wasn't sure how to react. "Um...." She smiled at him.

"You are indeed wise," he said, "you trusted your lover with your life. And your lover is truly trustworthy."

Hisoka's eyes widened. "You can see me?! Why didn't you answer when I called out before?!"

She smiled at him. "I thought that if you knew I could see you, you might leave. I've wanted very much to meet you." She paused and took a string of beads from around her own neck, handing them to Hisoka. "Keep this," she said, "a gift from myself to the future queen." Then she turned to Hijiri. "And to you, I offer this. A sign of my loyalty to you." She handed him a silver chain with a royal blue gem on it, encased in silver wires. Hijiri accepted it with a slight bow.

Hisoka put it on and took the necklace Hijiri had given him off. "Here, before I forget. The others were staring at it and I'm afraid they'll try to take it." He then looked at the girl with a slight nod. "Thank you." He looked back to Hijiri and frowned. "I'm starting to wake now. I'm sorry... I can't help you anymore." He began to fade away.

Hijiri watched him fade away sadly, but then became all the more determined to get him out of there, he looked at the young girl, who bowed and moved aside, revealing a stairwell illuminated in red. "Continue," she said. He strode forward.

As Hisoka was waking, Chidsuru's voice was heard. "Get back to your post!!" she ordered, "he is none of your---" she cut off as there was a thud.

Hisoka sat up, eyes wide as he saw her unconscious on the ground. "Chidsuru!" He saw no one else but felt the eyes again. He ran to her, falling to his knees by her side and shaking her. "Chidsuru! Chidsuru wake up! Please wake up! What happened?!"

She didn't move, her body completely limp. Everything was frighteningly quiet, the only sound heard being Hisoka's breathing, echoing off of the walls around him. Then, there was a noise behind him.

He stood quickly and spun around to be face to face with... no one at all. His heart raced as his eyes darted back and forth across the room. Chidsuru's sith had disappeared and he had no defence. "Who's there?! Show yourself!"

Still nothing. But then, strong arms wrapped around him from behind. "You're quite the interesting catch, young princess," came a smooth voice into his ear.

His eyes widened and he screamed as he tried with no result to pull away. "Let me go! I'm a prince, not a princess!"

A daggar was held in front of his face. "Quiet," came the calm, yet threatening voice, "Or you'll soon lose your ability to call yourself that." The daggar lowered to below Hisoka's weist, hovering over his thighs.

Hioka's eyes widened and his breath came in rigged pants. His whole body trembled. "Please don't hurt me." He whispered. His voice was as shaken as his body.

The man lifted the daggar once again to Hisoka's throat and there was a chuckle. "That's better," he said, pulling Hisoka back, "now.... have I got plans for you..." he bit the boy's ear, the blade pressing against his throat slightly to keep him from crying out. "I know just what I want you for." There was lust in his voice. "You're just the type I like to bugger."

Hisoka screamed, trying now harder to get away but the blade slid across the side of his throat and reached up, feeling the warm liquid begin to pour from the wound. He held his fingers out before his eyes to see that they were covered in his own blood. With a scream his eyes closed and he fell limp against the man.

The man's arms tightened to hold him up and he grinned. "Now the fun begins...." And he dragged him away, out of the room and down stone corridor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hijiri was able to somehow catch a young man who resembled a white tiger, both in ability and appearance. He'd been so amazingly fast that Hijiri had almost lost hope at first. But then, he was able to come up with an idea and finally caught him. He was breathing harshly, sweating profusely, but he was victorious. The young man turned to him and bowed. "I am Byakko," he said, "you're loyal knight." He handed the brunet a bit of pelt. "A gift for my king," he said. Hjiri accepted it with a bow and a word that was supposed to be 'thanks', but there was no voice behind the air. "Sit for a moment," Byakko said, "you need your rest." Hijiri shook his head.

"I have to keep going," he said, "I have to get to Hisoka."

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

"You will," Byakko said, surprised at the boy's adamance, "but you need rest." Hijiri stared at him with serious eyes.

"I'm going to the next test," he said. This was an order to let him pass. Byakko sighed, realising that he couldn't argue.

"Be careful," he said, stepping aside. Hijiri hurried past, trying not to run too fast. He was getting so tired, but he felt that Hisoka needed him, as fast as possible. The next few tests he went through were rough, and he got more worried with every one. When he reached a floor where there were stone walls, he found himself facing a young woman with piercing eyes. It was obvious that he was beyond tired, but he forced himself to face her without slump to his shoulder or curve to his spine.

"What is this test?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Hisoka had been placed in a room of white rock and gothic taste.

He was still out but coming around slowly. His eyes glinted open but he was in a haze. His mind didn't really grasp what his eyes saw. "Hello?" He didn't seem to remember what had happened. All he remembered was that he'd fallen asleep in the 'garden'.

"Hello, little one," came a voice from off to the side. There, in a large chair, sitting next to a fireplace, was a young man only a few years older than Hisoka, hair dark red, eyes dangerous and wild, flashing a dazzling blue at the prince. "I see you slept well. And for quite a while." He stood, a robe flowing around him. "You fit so well in my room... I have a half a mind to keep you here."

Hisoka tried to sit up but he was still out of it and just didn't have the strength. "Who... are you? How did I get here?"

"I am Fujisawa," he said, "and I brought you here."

His eyes widened as he began to remember. "Ch...Chidsuru..." His eyes began to fill with fear. Why couldn't he move? Had he lost that much blood?

Fujisawa moved closer, touching the boy's face. "You will make quite the addition to my collection..." he said, voice low and smooth.

Hisoka stared up at him. His neck was no longer bleeding but it felt sore. He still felt dizzy. "Hijiri... is here. If you don't stop right now..."

"If I don't stop right now, you'll just get worse later," Fujisawa said, "There's no way anybody will find you. We are deep within the catacombs of the knights."

Hisoka whimpered, pushing on him though his strength was drained. "Please... just let me go. I'm a prince and I'm engaged. Hijiri will kill you."

"Not if he doesn't know it was me who took you," he said, "and nobody will ever guess that it was me, as I'm going to be keeping you as my pet. Perhapse I'll use you as my personal kitten..." He traced a finger under Hisoka's chin.

He batted the hand away. "Don't touch me! He'll find me!"

"And how will he do that?" Fujisawa challenged, "do you think it'll be through that special bond of yours? Pah, that's all myth and luck. Nothing will lead him to you this time."

Hisoka closed his eyes tightly. "You really think so? Tell me. if so, where did these beads come from? They were given to me by one of your own. I left my body in the garden and helped him through the first test."

laustic · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 660 Location: Florida

I'm so bad for not commenting sooner! I really do like reading long stories and I just took my time in reading it. I'm enjoying this so much and I can't wait to read more.