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 21

by Haruka (haruka@ymail.com)

--

The bird flew gracefully overhead, circling high above the ship's deck. The distance didn't matter to it its eyes were sharp and exact, and it located its target in a moment's glance.

Slowly, it descended.

--

Daryun saw it first. Narsus noticed his friend's eyes widen across the dinner table and glanced over his shoulder to see the huge, beautiful bird swooping down toward them. It was coming in fast, and Narsus knew its objective. "Azriel, no," he murmured. "Not here ...."

Arislan heard him and began to turn, but Narsus abruptly shoved his head down. "Shame on you, Arislan! Chew with your mouth closed!"

The bird gave a raucous cry and in the last moment of its dive, swept up and over the table, narrowly missing Arislan. Its talons raked across Narsus' arm in passing.

"Narsus!" Daryun exclaimed.

"I'm all right," Narsus said, aware of the buzz of shocked voices around them. He couldn't blame Azriel the bird expected to be able to land safely on Arislan's shoulder, but Narsus had made that impossible by shoving the boy down. Whether Azriel scratched his arm in frustration or to punish him for 'abusing' Arislan he didn't know or care. The important thing was no one suspected the bird was trying to land on Arislan rather than attack him.

"Are you all right, Master?" Arislan asked.

"Yes, but perhaps I should go clean this up." Narsus stood.

"Let's all go," Daryun said decisively, rising from his seat. They and Arislan left the dining area.

"Dratted bird," Daryun muttered, examining Narsus' hand.

"I wish we could have intercepted the message somehow." Arislan sighed. "He must be carrying one."

"Daryun, you and Arislan go up to the evening lounge no one will be there until after eight. It's the highest point on the ship we can access, so Azriel will be able to find you there. I'll join you shortly."

"All right, come on, Your Highness." Daryun and Arislan hurried up to the evening lounge while Narsus went quickly to their room to clean his wound.

--

Pulse opened the door and stood aside. "Please come in."

Kei and Yuri entered the cabin with Hiei and Kurama following. Pulse closed the door behind them.

"At least we can gather here without arousing suspicion," Yuri remarked.

"Those of us working together, anyway," Kei said. "Duo can't come."

"He's an idiot," Hiei said. "He's going to get us all killed by trying to infiltrate like that."

"He _is_ on the inside, though," Kurama pointed out. "If Van is found, he'll know before anyone else."

"Unless we find him first," Kenshin added. "Which is why we called you."

Kei frowned, looking around the room at the crowd of Seigi agents. "Where's Nuriko?"

"He volunteered to start without us," Pulse said with a frown.

"What are you talking about?!" Hiei snapped. "Is something going on with Nuriko?"

"I'm wondering that myself," Pulse said. "He's been distracted lately."

Chihaya cleared his throat. "Um, Signal and I are pretty sure something is wrong, but we don't know what."

"I don't know him very well yet, but the last couple of days he's been moody and not as focused on the mission as he was at the beginning," Yui admitted.

"And _that_ is not like Nuriko at all," Kenshin said.

"We'll have to worry about Nuriko's problem later," Hiei interrupted. "We've got to find Van first."

"Well, if he has any brains, he'll come to one of us, right?" Kei remarked. "He's sure as hell not going to Sesshomaru for help or anything."

"You're right, he'll approach an agent," Kenshin agreed. "In fact, I believe he'll try and make his way to this cabin."

"When he does, we should have a plan of action ready," Yui said. "We have to get him out of here as quickly as possible, but without anyone seeing us do it."

"I know how," Chihaya said. "Van is pretty small and lightweight, I think I can carry him."

"You mean fly?" Kenshin asked. "All the way to the mainland?"

"Yes," Chihaya answered. "How else can we do it? Besides, if I fly at night, I'll be virtually invisible." He blushed. "My ... uh ... wings blend in with the darkness."

"Van has wings, too," Hiei said.

"Yes, but he's in bad physical shape," Pulse said. "Even if he could fly, he wouldn't make it far."

"If Chihaya really thinks he can carry Van, then it's a good idea," Kurama said. "With Chihaya not being a Pet, people won't question his absence right away."

"And once Van is safe, what do we do about the Community?" Yui asked. "It's true that most of the Pets are volunteers, but people like Nakago and Sesshomaru are hurting others for their fun."

"Quatre seems like a reasonable leader," Pulse said. "If we approach him as Masters with our concerns, he may take us seriously enough to change things."

"Yeah!" Kei exclaimed. "Probably no one else has the guts to challenge Nakago or Sesshomaru because they know they're dangerous!"

"Either that, or they have something on Quatre," Hiei snorted, folding his arms. "And if that's the case, no amount of reasoning will make him do anything about them."

"First things first then," Kenshin said. "Although I think Van will try to come here, he may have to rush to any one of our cabins if he's at risk of being caught. I believe he will make himself known to one of our three groups within the next twenty-four hours, so be ready."

"And in the meantime, start looking?" Yuri asked.

"Yes, but of course we can't be obvious about it. We just want to be nearby for Van if he should spot us so we can guide him to one of our cabins," Yui said.

"Let's go, Kurama." Hiei opened the door.

"Keep an eye out for Nuriko, too," Pulse said suddenly, then paused. "I don't want him out by himself right now."

--

Nuriko was taking his time. He didn't know how long the agents' meeting in his cabin would last, but he definitely didn't want to get back until it was over. It was bad enough having

Pulse, Chihaya, Signal, Kenshin, and Yui staring at him with wondering eyes; he didn't want the other agents adding to it.

Besides, he wanted to find Van before Nakago did. The evil man could _not_ be
permitted to lay his hands on the boy again, especially now. Nakago would kill Van for trying to escape, he knew it.

He came around a corner and found himself face to face with a pair of slitted gold eyes. His racing heart calmed when he recognized Inu Yasha.

"You startled me for a moment there," Nuriko said, one hand still on his chest. "I thought ...."

"I was Sesshomaru?" Inu Yasha gave a snort. "Not hardly," he said, then reluctantly added, "Master."

Nuriko's eyebrow went up. "Some people here believe me to be female. You never did, did you?"

Inu Yasha shrugged. "I knew right away from your scent. Sesshomaru's nose is better, since he's a full demon, but mine is still good." He gave Nuriko an unreadable look. "Good enough to smell fear."

Nuriko laughed uneasily. "What is that supposed to mean? I'm afraid of you?"

"Not me," Inu Yasha said, watching him closely. "Nakago."

Nuriko paled, but tossed his hair to appear unaffected. "You're imagining things."

"I know you have good reason to fear him."

The seishi faced Inu Yasha so sharply that he took a step back. Nuriko searched the half-demon's face and realized in horror that it was true. He _did_ know.

"How?" he whispered.

"They talk in front of me like I'm not even there," Inu Yasha said in disgust. "He and Sesshomaru." His expression changed suddenly and he reached clawed hands out to grab Nuriko's shoulders. "Hey, watch it! You look like you're about to fall over!"

Nuriko hadn't realized he was reeling, but he snapped back to reality at the touch of Inu Yasha's hands. He tried to pull away from him, and would have screamed if Inu Yasha hadn't covered his mouth at the last moment.

"I'm not hurting you, okay?! I'm not Nakago, just calm down!"

Through sheer effort of will, Nuriko slowed his breathing and relaxed. He nodded slowly and Inu Yasha took his hands away. The dog demon rubbed his ear, looking uncomfortable.

"Look, you're a Master, so you can have me beaten for touching you like that, but you were about to get hysterical."

"I guess I should be glad you didn't slap me," Nuriko said wryly, his voice trembling slightly. "I know you only meant to help, don't worry."

Inu Yasha glanced up and down the corridor to make sure they were still alone, then looked at Nuriko with a puzzled expression. "There's one thing I don't get. Why don't you tell someone in authority? My knowing isn't going to do any good. You have to tell your husband or Quatre or some other Master who won't blab to Nakago."

Nuriko sighed internally. Of course the boy wouldn't understand, and he never would unless he knew about the undercover mission and needing to rescue Van above all else.

Rescue ... Nuriko blinked suddenly and stared at Inu Yasha. Here was someone who didn't want to be involved in the Master/Pet Community at all he was there against his will. There was no one he was protecting on the ship, except perhaps Chihaya, who Nuriko knew was already in love with him. He seemed to care about Chihaya just as much he wouldn't betray them. Most importantly, he'd already told Nuriko he could help, even if he didn't know it yet.

"Inu Yasha," Nuriko said seriously, "there's something I need to tell you. Is there a place nearby where we're guaranteed privacy?"

--

Arislan stroked Azriel's feathery breast while Daryun removed the message tube tied to the bird's leg. It hadn't taken long for Azriel to find them once they reached the evening lounge, but Narsus had yet to join them.

"What does it say, Daryun?" Arislan asked, his blue eyes anxious. The dark-haired knight unrolled the tiny paper and read it.

"The assassin has been captured," he said in relief. "It is safe for us to return home."

"How wonderful," Arislan beamed, then his smile faded. "Except ... we can't."

"Not right away, no," Daryun threw the note overboard. "The ship makes another stop in two days we'll get off then."

"I gather the note was good news?"

Arislan and Daryun turned as Narsus approached. "Very good," Arislan said. "The assassin was caught."

"How's your arm?" Daryun asked, taking Narsus' hand gently so he could examine the bandage.

"It wasn't very deep, nothing to worry about Arislan, what are you grinning at?"

"Nothing at all," the Prince replied, trying not to giggle. "Shall we return to the cabin?"

--

"So where are we going?" Maze asked eagerly as Duo dragged him along by one arm.
"You're not my usual type, but you've got nice hair, so maybe "

"Shut up, this is more important than that!" Duo cursed the forces that brought him to this lowly state. Male Maze was one of the last people he wanted to turn to for help, but there was an advantage here. This Maze had no scruples and was probably the only Pet who would have searched his Master's belongings and might know the answer to his question.

He brought Maze to the game room. It was noisy enough there not to be overheard and crowded enough not to be suspicious.

"Sit down." Duo pushed him into a chair. Maze grinned broadly at him.

"So what's this all about? You sure didn't bring me to this place to make out
unfortunately."

"Will you be serious for two minutes if that's possible?" Duo snapped. "This is
important!"

Maze sat back and stopped grinning. "So talk," he said, looking more attentive than Duo had ever seen him.

"Okay," Duo took a deep breath, "I need to know if you've ever found a diary among your Master Rascal's possessions, and if so, what was in it."

"Maybe I have," Maze replied slowly. "Why should I tell you anything, though? Won't you just run off to Master Quatre?"

"The diary I'm talking about would be one that was meant to show Master Quatre
anyway," Duo answered, watching Maze closely.

The black-haired boy gazed up at the ceiling, then tilted his chair backwards. "Yeah, there's a diary."

Duo tried not to look too relieved. "Did he write stuff about Master Nakago?"

"Yep. Master Sesshomaru, too. Female Maze is blushing inside me remembering some of the terms he used to describe them." Maze shook his head. "Bastards, both of them, but then we all knew that already. Masters can be so thick sometimes."

Duo leaned forward. "How brave are you, Maze?"

"Until dawn, I'm as brave as you can get. Why?"

"Fish Eye jumped overboard. Now Van is missing. If Master Quatre starts getting some of those diaries back and reads what the other Masters know, he may finally do something."

Maze nodded thoughtfully. "So I'd have to tell Master Rascal I snooped."

"Yeah. Can you do that?"

"Sure." Maze shrugged. "It's no more than he would expect from me, anyway, and
besides, I'd love to get rid of those two. Any one of us could end up with them in one way or another no matter how our Masters try to prevent it, and I don't want that to happen." He paused, then added, "I don't want it to happen to female Maze, either."

"Do you know of anyone else with a diary?" Duo said hopefully.

"Two others," Maze said. "Lina's Mistress has one, and so do Soujirou and Xelloss. I guess they take turns writing in it, but the consensus is the same."

"I'll talk to Xelloss ... or Soujirou ... or whoever is the Pet today," Duo said. "Can you talk to Lina?"

"Yeah, okay. I think she's at the pool with her Mistress, but I can probably get her alone."

"After that, you go confess to Master Rascal and tell him that I've done the same thing with Master Quatre by then he'll be waiting to receive the other diaries."

"Good enough." Maze stood up and clapped Duo on the back. "We'll make this
Community safe again, right?"

Duo felt a twinge of guilt. He didn't know _what_ Seigi's intent was after all this where the Community was concerned. He forced a smile anyway. "Right."

--

Chihaya hoped he didn't look like he was _obviously_ searching for anyone, although he knew he probably did, especially since he was looking for two people.

Where was Van? Had Nuriko found him? Was he even really looking, or had his mind wandered again? Why wouldn't he talk to them?

Chihaya sighed. He'd tried to sound brave in front of the other agents, but he couldn't help feeling a little nervous, too. If he found Van first, he'd have to take flight with him immediately, and get them both to land before his strength gave out. He was sure he could do it
... reasonably sure. In any case, he _would_ do it or die trying.

No! He told himself sharply. That was the wrong attitude, because if he died, so would Van, and that was unacceptable. He would do it. Period.

He rounded a corner and gasped at the sight of Nuriko's bright purple hair at the end of the hallway. He was with Inu Yasha! "Hey, there!" he waved, and ran toward them.

Nuriko had jumped at the sound of his voice, but seemed more composed by the time he caught up to them, albeit somewhat surprised. "Chihaya, I thought you were still at the cabin."

"The get-together is over," Chihaya said carefully, aware that Inu Yasha was watching and listening. Nuriko glanced between he and the half-demon for a moment, then placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Chihaya," he whispered, "I took Inu Yasha into our confidence. He knows everything."

The angel couldn't have been more shocked if Nuriko had said he was the reincarnation of Elvis. "But ... but why?" he said uncertainly, glancing at Inu Yasha.

"Because he knew I wouldn't tell anyone and I'm going to find Van for you," Inu Yasha replied, looking him straight in the eyes. "Does it bother you that I know?"

"You know it doesn't," Chihaya said, and suddenly knew he was blushing under Inu
Yasha's gaze. The dog demon stepped forward and put his hands on Chihaya's shoulders, making the angel's heated face redden further.

"Now that I know you're not a Master, I can say it," Inu Yasha murmured. "I love you, Chihaya. I'm not good at words and stuff, but I can say that to you no problem."

"Inu Yasha ...," Chihaya said softly. He tilted his chin and closed his eyes, feeling Inu Yasha's lips warm against his own. The other boy hugged him closely, and he enjoyed the sensation of strong arms around him once more. An image of Kagetsuya's face floated before his vision and vanished as he hugged Inu Yasha back. He had no regrets.

"I hate to interrupt you both," Nuriko said with a tolerant smile, "but we have to get back to business. Chihaya, did the meeting come to any conclusions about how to get Van off the ship?"

"Yes, I'm going to fly him off." Chihaya pulled back, as did Inu Yasha. Any Master entering the corner would have big-time questions at seeing the two of them in a clinch. "What did you say about finding Van for us? Can you do that?"

"Nuriko thinks I can, and I think we're getting closer," Inu Yasha told him.

"Inu Yasha told me that he can smell fear," Nuriko explained. "Who else on this ship is more frightened than Van at this moment?"

Chihaya wondered at the glance Inu Yasha gave the seishi, but didn't comment. "Good point," he said and looked at Inu Yasha. "You've picked up the scent then?"

"Yeah, he's that way for sure." Inu Yasha waved a hand down the next corridor. "I'll be able to pin-point it once I get closer."

"Wonderful, we'll find him soon!" Chihaya exclaimed, then frowned. "But your brother doesn't _he_ have that same sense of smell as you do?"

"His is better, because he's a full demon," Inu Yasha replied. "But it's not like Sesshomaru to help anyone out, and there's nothing in it for him if he finds Van, so he won't even bother looking. Now let's get going."

--

Nakago carefully moved back into the steward's lounge so the little group wouldn't see him watching them. It was too easy to sense Nuriko's ki, especially after having slept with him. However, he hadn't expected to find the seishi with his son and Inu Yasha, or to see the latter two kissing while Nuriko smiled. He was too far away to hear their conversation, but he _had_ heard Van's name mentioned and then the three of them were off and running. If there was any way they could lead him to his errant Pet, he was going to stay close by. With that thought in mind, he vanished.

--

"Master Quatre," Duo said.

Quatre finished what he was writing at his desk, then looked up at Duo. "Yes, Duo, what is it? I _did_ tell you and Ryoga that you had the evening off so I could get my work done."

"I realize that, but something very important has come up." Duo held out three leather-bound books. "These are the diaries that you asked Master Rascal, Mistress Scarlet, and Xelloss and Soujirou to keep for you."

Quatre stared at them, then regarded Duo questioningly. "How did you acquire these or even know of their existence for that matter?"

"Uh, I snooped," Duo admitted. "I found your diary and read it." He put the books down on the desk. "Rascal, Scarlet, and Xelloss all gave these with their permission. You can beat me later if you want, but please read them first, and do something about the people they wrote about. You're the only one who can."

--

"Here," Inu Yasha stopped abruptly.

Nuriko frowned. "Whose cabin is this?"

"I don't know," Chihaya said.

"I do," Inu Yasha said. "It's Mistress Chocolate's."

"Then Van can't be here," Nuriko said. "He would have gone to an agent's cabin."

"Not if he couldn't find one, or was afraid of running into a Master," Inu Yasha stated and looked at him. "You said you trusted my sense of smell, are you changing your mind?"

Nuriko shook his head. He couldn't deny Inu Yasha's senses not when he'd known he was male just from his scent. "Can you tell if Chocolate is in there?"

"She's not there," Chihaya said suddenly. "I passed her on my way here myself, before I found you. She was going the other way."

"Let's go." Inu Yasha opened the cabin door and walked in, then stopped, with Nuriko and Chihaya bumping into him from behind. The three of them stared at the spectacle on the couch of Ryoga and Hamel cuddled together, kissing.

"Hello, boys," Nuriko said.

The pair looked up and stared back at the newcomers. They pulled away from each
other, but from their expressions, knew it was too little, too late.

"We can explain ...," Hamel began.

"It's not how it looks!" Ryoga added.

"Don't worry, we're not here to trap you," Nuriko said, then turned to the dog demon. "Inu Yasha?"

Everyone watched Inu Yasha sniff the air, then head straight for Hamel's room. They all followed.

"What's going on?" Ryoga asked.

Inu Yasha strode to the bedroom closet and opened the door. There, huddled on the floor with his arms around his knees, was the object of their search.

"Van!" Nuriko cried, bending down to hug him. "Thank God we found you!"

"Nuriko?" Van murmured, then looked over the seishi's shoulder and his eyes widened. "No! Inu Yasha! Ryoga! They'll tell him! He'll take me back!"

"No, no, honey, they won't, I promise!" Nuriko soothed. He lifted Van easily in his arms. "We have to get you out of here and right now."

"Wow, you're strong ...." Ryoga commented, staring at how effortlessly Nuriko handled Van.

"I'm a seishi, this is my power," Nuriko replied simply. "The recreation deck is the closest place to do this. Chihaya, grab that blanket over there, we'll cover him with it -- it might help us make it there without being stopped." He waited until Van was hidden from view, then started out of the room with Chihaya and Inu Yasha behind him.

"Wait a minute!" Hamel exclaimed, running after them. "Where are you taking him?"

"To safety," Inu Yasha replied. "You want to help, come. You want to get in the way, stay here."

The two boys exchanged a quick look. "We'll come," Ryoga said.

Hamel grabbed his huge violin in passing and Inu Yasha snapped, "You don't need that thing!"

"I take it everywhere," he said, "People will be suspicious if I don't have it."

"People are all over the deck areas tonight with the weather so nice," Chihaya said. "How will we manage this without being seen?"

"We're going to be seen," Nuriko said frankly. "Let's just hope it's not by the wrong person."

The cabin door shut behind them and Nakago materialized inside. The recreation deck, hm? Now _what_ did his little Suzaku whore have in mind to do with Van there? He vanished once again, vowing to find out before he killed them all.

--

End of Chapter 21

(1998)

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

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