Haruka's Fanfiction

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WARNING! This fanfic contains most if not all of the
following: graphic descriptions of S&M, non-consensual m/m f/f sex,
violence, rape, torture, physical and/or emotional abuse, humiliation,
degradation, suffering, regret, angst, misunderstandings, etc. If _any_
of the above bothers you even a little PLEASE DON'T READ ANY
FURTHER! If you do not heed this warning, I am not responsible.
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Seigi - Part 20

by Haruka (haruka@ymail.com)

--

Signal leaned against the railing and looked out over the water.
The moonlight shimmering on the waves was nice, calming. There
wasn't really any reason he should feel uneasy, and yet ....

"Hi Signal." Chihaya walked over to join him.

"Hi," he answered. "Anything new?"

"Not really," Chihaya replied. "I'd like to get closer to some
of the Pets and talk to them, but their Masters keep them right by their
sides for the most part."

"Including Inu Yasha?" Signal asked.

"Especially him." Chihaya sighed. "That Sesshomaru is
terrible. He won't let him out of his sight if it isn't Free Time, and I'm
sure he only allows him that because he'll look bad if he doesn't."

Signal snorted. "I'm not so sure he cares about looking bad."

Chihaya nodded sadly. "Maybe you're right."

There was a few moments' pause while each became lost in
their own thoughts, then Signal looked thoughtfully at the other boy.
"Chihaya ... have you noticed anything unusual about Nuriko?"

"What do you mean?" Chihaya asked.

"Well ... he seems kind of quiet, doesn't he? I mean, before
we came on this ship and even after he was all gung-ho and pumping
us up all the time. Now he doesn't say anything."

"I hadn't noticed, but now that you mention it he _has_ been
pretty withdrawn." Chihaya frowned. "Have you asked him what's
wrong?"

"I tried earlier, but he pretended to hear Pulse calling him from
the other room and ran off. _I'm_ a robot with precision hearing and
the only noise Pulse was making was a snore while he slept to
recharge."

"Maybe Nuriko just thought he heard his voice?"

"Or maybe he was avoiding the question," Signal replied.
"The past couple of days, he seems to be avoiding _me_. I don't get
it."

"I'll try to talk to him," Chihaya decided. "If he's distracted
somehow, he won't be any good to us, and we need him on this
mission as a veteran Seigi agent."

"Let me know what you find out, okay?" Signal said. "I've
been having this weird feeling about Nuriko ... and I'm worried."

--

A lost cause. That's what Duo was starting to think this
mission was. There were problems in the Community and they knew
it, but none of them were getting closer to finding a solution.

Ryoga was in the game room -- now there was another 'lost'
cause. Despite their semi-truce, Duo still didn't want the other boy to
find out what he was doing.

Which at the moment was digging into Quatre's desk drawer.

It wasn't hard getting into it -- no harder than breaking into
Setsuna's office had been. What was hard was concentrating on what
he was doing and not thinking that Quatre could walk in at any
moment. Sure, he was in a meeting right now, but he wouldn't be
there forever.

Fortunately, it seemed that Quatre kept his drawer neat and
tidy so he didn't have to sift through old note papers and candy
wrappers. What he found were several notebooks, all stacked
carefully, of differing sizes. He picked up the top one; small,
leatherbound, with a red ribbon tied around it. Quickly, he untied the
ribbon and opened the book, recognizing Quatre's handwriting
immediately.

"'I can't be everywhere at once,'" Duo read aloud. "'The
rumours of Pets being mistreated without benefit of masochistic
pleasure troubles me, but I haven't known how to investigate without
offending some Community members. Therefore, I have engaged the
assistance of a few trusted members by having them keep journals like
this one. I hope they will convey their suspicions so that we may
compare notes and eliminate those who would be cruel.'"

Wow, Duo thought, closing the book. So Quatre was aware of
problems, huh? And yet the problems, namely Nakago and
Sesshomaru, remained. Why? He wondered who the others were who
kept journals. How could he find out without searching every cabin?

"Duo? Ryoga?"

Damn! Duo quickly stuffed the journal inside his shirt and
closed the drawer. Taking the book might be a bad idea if Quatre
decided to write in it, but there was no other choice. He peered out
the bedroom door and saw Quatre glancing into the bathroom. He
crept up behind Quatre and covered his eyes. "Guess who?"

"Duo!" Quatre turned, smiling. "I was looking for you.
Where were you?"

"Hiding." Duo grinned. "To surprise you."

"Hiding, huh?" Quatre looked thoughtful. "Hmm, that gives
me an idea for a delightful little game we used to play in the
neighbourhood we should play on deck one day soon. I'm sure the
others would enjoy it, given the success of Kurama and Arislan's
performance."

Uh oh, Duo thought, but kept the grin plastered on his face.
"What game is that?"

"Hide and Spank. It's fun. Didn't you and your Master ever
play?"

Duo tried his best to look sorrowful. "No sir. My Master
didn't have much imagination."

"What a shame." Quatre patted his head. "Don't you worry,
we'll make up for it here."

I can't wait, Duo thought with an internal sigh.

--

Nuriko brushed his long hair slowly. It was morning, time to
go out and face another day. He was going to approach Sesshomaru
about buying Inu Yasha even though it seemed like a lost cause.
Nobody thought the demon would sell his half-brother, but he had to
at least try. They were also supposed to try buying Van, but Pulse was
going to handle that one. Nuriko had said that Nakago wouldn't sell
peanuts to a Suzaku Seishi, let alone his Pet, but the truth was he just
couldn't bear the thought of approaching the man.

"Nuriko?"

The purple-haired beauty looked up into his mirror and saw
Chihaya in the doorway behind him. "Yes?"

"May I come in?"

"Certainly."

Chihaya closed the door and went over to stand behind him.
He smiled. "You have such pretty hair. May I?" He held out his hand
for the brush. Nuriko surrendered it and relaxed to enjoy being
pampered.

"How do you think it's going so far?" Chihaya asked as he
brushed Nuriko's hair with smooth, firm strokes.

"The mission?" Nuriko sighed. "Not very well. We're
gaining information, but it feels like we're all going in circles. I can't
understand anyone wanting to live this lifestyle, but apparently most
of the Pets do. Those that don't should simply be released. If their
Masters resist, they should be taken by force."

"I agree," Chihaya said softly. "I want to save Inu Yasha so
badly."

Nuriko glanced at him mischievously in the mirror. "What
about Van? He _is_ one of the main reasons we came."

Chihaya flushed. "Of course I want to save Van," he said.
"It's just that he at least knows we're here and he has hope. Inu Yasha
has none."

"Hopefully we can change that."

"Mm-hmm," Chihaya murmured, lifting Nuriko's hair in his
hand so he could brush underneath it. He frowned, noticing a dark
bruise at the base of Nuriko's neck. He wondered why he hadn't seen
it before, and then realized that spot was usually hidden by Nuriko's
hair. "Did you hurt yourself?" he asked.

"What?" Nuriko looked at him.

"There's a bruise ... right here." Chihaya touched the spot as
gently as he could. Nuriko winced.

"Is there? I wondered why it was sore there. Can't imagine
how that happened. So, Chihaya, tell me how you're doing fitting in
with the people here. Are they open in speaking to you, or guarded?"

The change in subject happened so fast, it took a few moments
for Chihaya to catch up. "Um, open mostly. At least no one seems to
have any doubts that I am who I say."

"Has anyone offered to sell you Pets?"

"Most of them want to trade for Yui or Kenshin," Chihaya
replied. "I keep saying they aren't mine to trade." He took a deep
breath and decided to try again to do what he came for. "Nuriko, are
you okay?"

"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?"

"We've noticed ... that is, Signal and I ... that you've been
distracted lately, and kind of withdrawn. We're worried."

Nuriko turned to face him sharply. "Is _that_ what this is all
about?"

Chihaya wasn't prepared for an angry Nuriko and it frightened
him a little. "Um ... n-no, not exactly ...."

"You're a terrible liar." Nuriko yanked the brush from his
hand. "If Signal has any problems with me why doesn't he come to
me himself instead of sending someone else or isn't bravery part of his
programming?!"

"I - I'm sorry." Chihaya ran from the room as quickly as he
could. The exchange had only strengthened his conviction that Signal
was right, but now they were further than ever from finding out what
troubled Nuriko. It was time to take this to a higher source.

--

Duo watched Hamel stroll through the tables, providing soft
violin music accompaniment to breakfast. The boy was talented, there
was no denying that. He stole a mischievous glance at Ryoga's rapt
expression as he listened to his lover. Obviously Hamel had other
talents as well.

There was a quiet stir through the room as Nakago arrived late,
and without Van. Duo frowned. With things the way they were,
anytime Van turned up missing was reason for worry. Nakago, for his
part, seemed unconcerned. He seated himself at Sesshomaru's table,
earning a sneer from Inu Yasha. You aren't the only one who feels
that way about him, buddy, Duo thought fervently.

Nearly everyone was eating on deck that morning, which
provided him with the perfect opportunity to look around and try to
guess who might be harbouring journals and likewise, who amongst
the agents could search for them. Kei and Yuri were buddy-buddy
with Scarlet and her Pet, Lina -- they might have a chance there, even
if Scarlet didn't strike him as the journal-keeping type. Rascal, on the
other hand, was a real possibility. He was a teacher, so he'd be used
to taking notes, and he and Quatre seemed to get along really well.
He'd expressed interest in borrowing Kurama before maybe an
opportunity to look for a journal would present itself if Hiei allowed it.
Soujirou and Xelloss? Tough call. With their sharing of Master
duties, how would they handle writing in a journal for Quatre? Still,
as long as there was a chance, they couldn't be overlooked. It might
be difficult to access their cabin, though they hadn't really become
friends with any of the undercover agents. Narsus and Daryun weren't
in the running at all Quatre barely knew them. Chocolate ... maybe.
She didn't strike Duo as being very sensitive, but sometimes you had
to look in the least likely places. Accessing her cabin would be made
difficult because of Hamel and Ryoga's secret affair just when the
place might be empty would be when they could sneak off to it.

He figured Nuriko's group would have a good chance of
moving freely without being questioned -- the family cover was
perfect. Judging from the expressions around their table, however,
something was wrong. Chihaya and Signal looked miserable,
Nuriko's jaw was set stubbornly, Pulse was frowning, and Kenshin
and Yui were exchanging puzzled glances. He hoped that whatever
the problem was, it would be resolved soon. They couldn't afford to
lose half their agents to some kind of internal squabble.

"Arislan seems to have recovered nicely," Quatre remarked to
his Pets. "I don't think I've ever seen a young Pet with as much
obvious breeding as that one."

Duo couldn't argue. No one would know anything out of the
ordinary had happened to the boy kneeling by his Masters' table. He
ate as politely as ever, and showed no outward signs of suffering. A
wisp of white-blonde hair fell into his impossibly blue eyes and he
delicately brush it back. Duo was about to turn away, when a flash of
gold caught his attention. What was that he had seen? He focused on
Arislan's face, but didn't see anything unusual until the same wisp of
hair slipped out of place again. This time when the young beauty
pushed it back, Duo saw the source of the flash. A jewelled circlet
across his forehead -- a symbol of royalty.

Duo sucked in his breath. No way! Arislan couldn't be
royalty, no Pet could be. His Masters must have somehow acquired
the circlet and had Arislan wear it as decoration, not realizing the
symbolism. Where could they have found it, though? Crowns and the
like didn't just find their way into street bazaars.

"Duo, what are you staring at?"

He looked up into Quatre's puzzled face. "Oh ... um ... just
Arislan, Master."

Quatre smiled knowingly. "I see. Well, I can't blame you for
that, he seems made to be admired."

Could be, Duo thought. Or maybe he was made for something
greater.

--

Nakago bid Sesshomaru goodbye after breakfast and headed
back to his cabin, ignoring the growl coming from Inu Yasha's throat.
He was ready for a rough-and-tumble session with Van. Not that the
boy would stand up to much more rough stuff he was weakening
fast. He was getting bored of him, anyway. He thought perhaps it was
time for a Pet with more spirit. Unfortunately, on the ship, not a lot of
Pets were going up for sale, and Pulse and Nuriko were already
looking for Pets for their kids. A sly smile crossed his face as he
thought of Nuriko. Now _there_ was a victim with spirit.

He opened the cabin door and went in. "Van, come out here,"
he commanded, closing the door behind him. His order was met with
silence, and he frowned. If Van thought ignoring him would help him
avoid what was to come, he should know by now it was a mistake.

"Van!" he shouted, striding into the bedroom. It appeared
empty. He looked in the bathroom, then went back out into the living
room. Where could he be?

Closing his eyes, Nakago used a bit of magic to determine
Van's location in the cabin. It came up blank.

"He's gone," the seishi murmured. Van knew better than to
leave the cabin without permission -- he'd been taught the lessons well
over the past several weeks. That meant only one thing; he didn't
plan on coming back. He'd gone into hiding.

Nakago stormed out of the room. The first order of business
was to tell Quatre and have him organize the Masters.

--

"Breakfast was good," Daryun remarked as he, Narsus, and
Arislan headed back to their cabin.

"Yes, there's no shortage of fine food on this ship, even if most
of it is not native to our lands." Narsus agreed and looked down at
Arislan. "Did you enjoy ...?" he stopped abruptly and caught the
Prince by the shoulder, turning him around to face him. Arislan gave
a small squeak of surprise, his blue eyes wide.

"Narsus, are you out of your mind?" Daryun demanded.

"Your Highness," Narsus murmured, trying with difficulty to
keep his voice steady, "your forehead."

Arislan frowned and put up his hand to finger the circlet.
Understanding and horror dawned on his face. "Oh no! I must have
put it on this morning automatically! Do you think anyone noticed?!"

"I doubt it," Daryun said slowly. "They would have mentioned
it if they had, I believe."

"I'm so sorry." Arislan pulled off the circlet. "I almost ruined
your plan, Narsus. Can you ever forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive, Your Highness. It was an honest
mistake." Narsus smiled reassuringly and unlocked the cabin door,
allowing the other two to precede him inside. Daryun glanced at him,
his dark eyes grown even darker with concern. Narsus' smile
disappeared and he shrugged. The error had occurred. If there were to
be ramifications, they'd find out soon enough.

"Master Narsus, Master Daryun!" came a voice from down the
hall before they could shut the door. They peered into the hallway and
saw Duo running toward them.

"Sorry to disturb you, but my Master Quatre has requested that
all Masters gather in the Presentation room, no Pets allowed. It's on
the deck just below this one, there'll be stewards to give directions."

"What has happened, Duo?" Narsus asked.

He glanced toward Arislan thoughtfully. "I can't say in the
presence of a Pet."

Arislan dutifully went to the bedroom and shut the door.

"One of the Pets has run off," Duo told the Masters. "I'd say
more, but I have to go spread the word."

"Thank you, we'll go join the others right away," Daryun
assured him, and watched the braided boy dash off, then shut the door.

"You may come out now, Your Highness," Narsus said.

Arislan left the bedroom. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Apparently a Pet has escaped," Daryun told him. "They
won't get far on a ship."

"It's a big ship," Narsus said. "And if they hide long and well
enough, they might be able to slip off next time we dock."

"I wish them luck," Arislan murmured.

--

Quatre watched gravely as the Masters and Mistresses
assembled. Nakago stood by his side, his expression frightening to
behold. Everyone spoke softly until they were all seated, then they
faced Quatre curiously.

"Thank you all for coming," he said. "I know Duo told a few
of you what this is about, but for the benefit of the others, I'll have
Nakago fill you in." He stood aside and Nakago stepped forward.

"My Pet, Van, has run away," he said.

Everyone began murmuring. The Seigi agents exchanged
wide-eyed glances.

"He left during breakfast, so he hasn't been gone long,"
Nakago continued. "Obviously, he's still on board ...."

"Like Fish Eye?" Rascal said casually. Sesshomaru turned
toward him slowly, his slitted eyes cold.

"What are you suggesting?"

"He's not saying anything, Sesshomaru," Quatre interrupted.
"Rascal, please. We have a problem here and we need to work
together to solve it."

"What's the problem?" Sesshomaru shrugged elegantly. "Find
the boy and return him, simple as that."

"Not that simple," Quatre said. "If Van is found, I want him
returned to _me_."

Nakago looked at him, frowning. "I don't think it will
necessary to bother you with the return of my wayward Pet."

"If he ran away, Nakago, there must be a reason," Quatre
replied softly, not looking at him. "I'm not just here for the Masters, I
listen to the Pets, as well. I'm very good at determining fault, and
whether or not someone is lying to me. If Van has no legitimate
claims, he will be returned to you immediately. If he does, you and I
will speak again, in private." He addressed the Masters, "Please tell
your Pets as little as possible about this -- we don't want any of them
following Van's lead. But keep an eye on them and to whom they
speak. Often, the Pets know more than we think they know, and they
may hold the clue to Van's whereabouts." He bowed. "Again, thank
you for coming. This meeting is adjourned."

Nakago ignored the suspicious looks he was receiving from
some Masters as they filed out and instead focused on Nuriko. The
purple-haired beauty glanced his way as if sensing his gaze and his
eyes widened. Nakago licked his lips and Nuriko turned away so
abruptly that he stumbled into Pulse.

"Nuriko, what's wrong with you?" the robot asked as he
steadied him.

"I just lost my balance," Nuriko said hastily. "Come on, let's
go back to the room and talk to the others." He glanced over to where
Nakago had stood to find the Seiryuu seishi had left.

--

End of Chapter 20

(1998)

Character copyrights are too many to mention, just know that none of them are mine.

This fic is not to be re-posted.