IV. Yomi's tea party

Crawford threw down the newspaper he had been attempting to read with an oath. It's been two days since he and Farfarello had discovered Ran and Schuldich in the hotel but his mind had been dwelling on the incident. He had not been able to occupy himself with business or looking into the future because of it.

Despite Ran's attentions and continuous assurances, Brad had always doubted that Ran would stay with him long. This doubt wasn't born of the redhead's unfaithful nature. Ran had proven his constancy in matters of the heart when he waited and worked for the day that his sister would awaken. No, that wasn't it. It was that Brad doubted his ability to hold someone as passionate and caring as Ran.

Brad had lived most of his lifetime as a member of Estet and Schwartz done things, cruel and terrible things for the most part of those years without thought but expediency. They had been tender moments, a friendship or two in passing, he was human after all but they never lasted. He was ambitious and in Estet you learned to watch your own back. Anyone who didn't learn soon found that friendships are no shield against ambition and got trampled in the rush. It was simply the way things were. He spent honing his skill and politicking rather than learning how it was to care.

When the rite that was suppose to give Schwartz power failed because of Weiß interference, Brad had moved on. Holding grudges were not his way. Grudges were unproductive. They got in the way of success. He had decided to form a legit business from his share of the Estet fortune out of boredom and restlessness rather than of real need: with what they had salvaged from the fall of Estet, Schwartz didn't need to work for the rest of their days. It was a well ordered life until Fujimiya Ran of Weiß reentered his life.

Brad had always had a mild crush on Abyssinian and who wouldn't? These red disheveled locks made his hand itch to run his fingers in them to see if they were as silky as they looked. Purple eyes an unusual counterpoint to the red hair, eyes that sparkled full of command and a face that would have been feminine if not for the eyes and the icy detachment that froze it. The body, slender and strong with the grace of a dancer --or a swordman-- was so, so desirable that he fantasized jumping it and not in the combative sense either. And it wasn't just the physical he had admired about the younger man. Though there certainly enough of that to drool over. There was certainly more to the Weiß assassin than just a pretty face. Ran's determination and fidelity to his family for instance. And other things…

Other things that Brad found out during Ran's stay in the safe house. Brad was startled by certain similarities between their temperaments. They were both fussy about details to the point of perfectionism. They liked remarkably the same paintings by the same classical masters and the same music. And he found new appreciation for their differences… Brad liked the sensitive and passionate side of Ran he saw but didn't share. The swordsman had recited some of the latter's poetry with such feeling that Brad had often thought of how much he wanted to feel the passion and emotion behind the words.

There was one very important thing though that he never found out Ran's sexual orientation. As far as Brad was concerned, Ran was straight and Sakura was his girlfriend. He let got at having friendlier relations with the red head and the occasional wet dream. All changed when Schuldich had pointed out details to the contrary. The hope further blossomed when Ran had allowed himself to be tricked into a relationship with him by Schuldich.

Schuldich. The German had done so much to get Brad and Ran together. He had always known what he wanted and went for it unlike Brad who thought things through before deliberately acting. It was part of Brad's insecurity that he had not done the legwork necessary to win Ran as his boyfriend. Schuldich was witty and spirited, a good complement to Ran's sobriety. More importantly, they were both telepaths and fierily passionate. Brad could not loosen his control enough to act affectionate with Ran or passionate even. It was enough for him to show his love in practical ways. Helping with the chaperoning duties, attending to the needs of Kurama and Aya-chan as well as making sure that Ran had enough time for self and relaxation. Brad had thought this was sufficient except now it seemed that at least for Ran it had not been enough.

Schuldich had always raised Brad's hackles since he had been observing the predatory telepath show more than cursory interest in his Ran. The German had been his partner for five years and in all those years he hadn't seen anyone hold the latter's interest longer than three months less than three years. Schuldich was chaffing to get loose from Farfarello, chaffing for a change. He was ripe for the challenge presented by Ran. Though he would as a matter of course dump Ran on the wayside breaking the former Weiß' heart as he had done to many others. Brad seethed at this and his inability to prevent what was happening now. The precog berated himself silently for not seeing this sooner or making Ran immune to the German's blandishments. He was paying for his neglect now.

Brad could kill Schuldich for this.

Why couldn't you have chosen someone else, Schuldich? The one person in this world that I feel anything for… Why? Aren't there enough men in the bars if you needed a good fuck?

All Brad could do now was wait and that was killing him, he had always been a man of action.

If Ran comes back to me, if he still wants me… I swear I'll take better good care of him… Hell, if he doesn't come back to me, I'll make him. Hmmm, I think I’ll need to go shop for certain things. I'll seduce him back to me, Schuldich won't have a chance…

Brad almost smiled at the thought -- almost. He felt that he'd never truly smile again until he had Ran back by his side where the latter belonged.

Though how can I beat Schuldich who had more practice in this sort of thing is beyond me. No, this is not the time for doubts. I must.

***

"Ran-sama, is this spot empty?" A blue haired neko demon said twitching his ears and tail rakishly, he wore a white silk shirt and leather pants that fit snugly on his body. A body that half pressed into Ran, too close for comfort.

"Hn." Ran accompanied the grunt with a glare that would have had the offending youkai wonder if Cei were related to basilisks. He sighed internally as he rose and left the corner in search of another where he can brood and he thought he had finally escaped form the whole shrieking horde.

It was another boring "tea party". Everyone, that meant mostly youkai and one ningen no baka, were sitting on plush cushions huddled on one table or the other in the open air solarium. They were eating finger foods of doubtful origins and drinking tea, sake or whatever they fancied. It was a perfect party except for the fact that the guest of honor was trying to be invisible.

Once the citizens of Adiago had found out that their liege lord had brought his technically unattached aniki -- ningens don't count -- they had decided to try and change the agreeable state of things. Several male and female youkai of varying degrees of power and beauty had congregated in these gatherings vying for his attentions and hopefully something more permanent. Just what Ran needed more complications! To make things worse Kurama's overlord Yomi was in Adiago for his once-a-decade tour of his domains. The powerful youkai had closeted the kitsune-chan for hours on end. Ran had a suspicion that some of these parties were to cover up for several seduction attempts by the horned and horny youkai on Kurama. He was indignant for Hiei but could not do anything about it.

Schuldich's and the kitsune-chan's unadulterated silliness would be better than this… Ran thought as he moved again to another corner as he saw the blue-hair follow him determinedly to his corner followed by a couple of less canny individuals. What a day, the wilderness would have been much, much safer, I think…

***

Ran sighed, his face wore a resigned look as he watched as Schuldich and Kurama cavort around him. After some time of gamely guiding both Ran and Schuldich closer to the nearest city, Kurama informed him that they were on safe ground and started a game of catch-my-tails with Schuldich who had found the fluffy things fascinating. It left for Ran to watch out for danger as unlikely as it may seem. The wards woven within the surrounding earth and plants were impressive to say the least.

Schuldich certainly seemed to make the kitsune-chan happy. Ran couldn't help but compare this scene with the ones with Brad in it. Brad had taken an interest in Ran's siblings after they became involved with one another but it was more of a supervisory nature, more parent than playmate. The closest thing Brad had ever come to this was when he had patted Kurama's head solemnly after being introduced to the Little Fox and the occasional smile at the "youngster's" antics.

Suddenly, Ran found himself off-balance and falling on his rump as the Little Fox ran in between his legs.

:Gomen, 'niichan.: A mostly repentant voice said in Ran's head. :Schuldich-san is much fun!:

It was uncannily like Ran's thoughts that made him wonder if he had been projecting but before Ran could ask if Kurama preferred Schuldich to his Brad-'niisan he heard a voice in his head again.

:But I like Brad-'niisan better, he suits you as a mate. For all his wooing, I think Schuldich-san won't.:

The answer made Ran sighed in relief. The kitsune-chan's advice was something he valued. Despite they're biological ages and the way they acted around each other, Ran respected the other's real age and the experience that came with it. Though gods knows he still didn't trust the Little Fox with Hiei, but then that was probably jealousy.

I just found him for two years. I'm certainly not letting an uppity fire demon take him away right now… Maybe a bit later but not now…

Well there was no help to it, children grow up and leave their families, so maybe he should concentrate on enjoying the moment.

***

Now, it seemed like either Kurama had forgotten this conversation or was kept too busy by Yomi to intervene. Also, it was clear that there were far too many enterprising youkais who wanted to benefit by becoming Kurama-sama's in-law. Ran was too acutely aware that most of these had power of the political sort, so much that he couldn't fight them off without dire consequences.

Hmmm, it looks like it's going to be an eternity of an afternoon once again… Huh! Wait a minute, aren't those dark clouds heading this way…

Ran's Gift of Elemental Magic emphasized on the side of air and water and he had practiced weather control once in an isolated part of the Makai. Though there were strictures against making big changes in weather patterns, there weren't any when it came to nudging clouds that would drop their load soon anyway. He glanced about to see his current corner unoccupied, dropped into trance and nudged a bit. Nudge…nudge and a little of cool wind in the mix.

Ran was smirking in a satisfied way as he accompanied several drenched youkai as well as Schuldich into the shelter of the palace hallway.

I must be hanging around the kitsune-chan too much…I actually enjoyed getting them all wet…in icy water too. That should cool off their rampaging libidos. The party from the depths of boredom hell seems to have dispersed somewhat. At least I don't have to deal with Schuldich…

Ran smiled at remembering the look on the German's face when the latter saw the Little Fox transform. It was almost worth all the aggravation the ningen caused.

***

:I have to transform now.: Ran somehow knew that the voice had carried over to Schuldich. From the way the green eyes widened, it was the first time the Little Fox spoke to the German. The telepath probably thought the kitsune-chan was some kind of intelligent animal, something not overly bright like dolphins.

They were at the gate of Adiago, then. The massive structure was made of fire-flower vines and solid wood guarded by impassive faced youkai of various varieties.

In a puff of smoke, the kitsune-chan transformed into his youko form then to his human form. Schuldich's jaw fell almost to the forest floor in astonishment.

"Schuldich-san, are you all right?" Kurama said, eyes twinkling in suppressed merriment.

"I welcome you to my city. Mine since Yomi's being stubborn about not giving me up as heir at any rate." Kurama added with a flourish before Schuldich could recover his aplomb. He was turning away to speak with the guard captain leaving Ran to explain things to the still surprised ningen.
 
 

***

Ningen? I must be hanging around the youkai too long… I should be more careful. I might find myself not fit to come back home… Crawford's not going to allow that to pass either…

Crawford was another order of problem all together, jealous and possessive but all together too human. These few days have been quite a revelation, Crawford's human and he's not going to live that long considering the long life Ran had in front him. A long, lonely life… Gods, now he's getting himself depressed.

Better concentrate on the amusing parts of this situation. You won't be able to change that… Besides you could be killed by a youkai assassin tomorrow, now's all we have anyway…

***

Schuldich was having the time of his life, as Ran-sama's friend he had courted and cajoled to give as much information about the Man from him. Even the cold drenching he had gotten didn't affect his amusement.

Amazing, I wouldn't think how important the little schemer was here in the Makai. You'd never know it from the way he acts in the human world. Sweet, unassuming Shuuichi-kun, star student and dutiful son, any one with a feather's common sense would know that wouldn't work here. Come to think of it the mischievous fox doesn't act much like an authority figure in our day together… Charm he certainly has in abundance…

Schuldich had the surprise of his existence when he found out that the fox-demon he had been playing with was in truth little Shuuichi. The youngster never exhibited any sense of humor or a hint of one. Besides the transformation ability was unexpected.

Hmmm, I wonder what Farfie's doing right now… Probably forgotten about me and raging about hurting god in the streets…

The unbidden thought felt heavy in Schuldich's mind and his smirk fell off for just an instant. No it was better not to dwell on such things.

***

Meanwhile a blue-haired being with feral yellow eyes sneezed as he walked on in the pouring rain. He cursed and twitched one horsy ear irritably.  His Celtic-style blue armor was made to withstand the stresses of fighting rather than to ward the chill in this inclement weather. Besides his mane and tail were wet and plastered close to his head and armor, dragging his mood down further.

It wasn't this cold a moment ago… Never mind that, keep your mind to your objective…

Feral rage welled up with him and his eyes glowed with suppressed violence.

Soon, soon, I'd catch up t' the thief that stole my lover... I'll...I'll...split 'im in 'alf....

~TBC~

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