| Priests, Saints and Servants |
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The door behind them closed with a soft, precise snap, which made both Die and Kyo flinch and exchange a secret look. 'Told you so', Die mouthed silently at the smaller saint but then quickly shut up as Kaoru turned away from the door, facing them. Wearily Kyo watched the priest, the tight narrow line of his mouth, the unreadable hooded eyes. Kaoru didn't shout. He didn't say anything. After a moment he just started to pace the room with controlled clipped steps, the tension visible in every line of his lean body. Die kept silent, following the priest's every move from the corner of his eyes, which was probably what told Kyo the most just how angry Kaoru-san had to be. The silence in the luxurious antechamber was stretched thin, etched in glass. Every one of the priest's precise steps threatened to shatter it into a thousand pieces. Finally Kyo snapped. "So what! I went t' have a look around. I thought I was a fuckin' Saint! I'm not goin' t' play along. If I'm a prisoner you've gotta lock me the fuck up." He snarled, glaring sullenly at the priest. Kaoru stopped sharply, then suddenly whipped around and with two long strides closed in on the little blonde saint. He didn't so much as even touch Kyo, but he held him with the force of his steely gaze. "Now listen you little street rat." The priest said in a hard voice. "If you are going on like this you're going to be dead, that's what you are." "Are ya threatenin' me?" Kyo hissed. His dark eyes sparkled with ferocity and he unconsciously fell in an aggressive stance, ready to attack. Yet the priest looked unimpressed. Instead he gave Kyo a calm, level gaze. "No. I'm not threatening you. I'm barely informing you about your situation." "Screw ya, fuckin' priest..." "Now shut your filthy mouth and listen if you want to live!!" The priest's loud yell came so unexpected that it made Kyo stare at him wide-eyed, thrown off his attack. "I haven't nursed you for weeks, fed you and cleaned your filth away just to have to kill you afterwards because of your stupid stubbornness!!" Kaoru continued forcefully. "You are a danger like you are now. You can't control your powers and you're hardly aware of just how much of a mess you can make with them. I know you don't care if you kill people with your Voice and no one else will give a damn if it's a few street rats from the slums. But you can do far more damage than that and there are people, who will mind about that. So here are your choices: You are going to behave and learn what I'm going to teach you or you're going to die. It's as simple as that. No other alternatives. You've got that? So face it and tell me your decision." Kyo stared at the priest, just stared, his heart beating violently. This was no threat, no big bully trying to scare him, to make him back down without a fight. Kaoru was indeed just stating a fact. Cold sweat broke out on Kyo's body and he clenched his hands into fists to stop them from trembling. //I don't want to die. I don't want to die.// Relentlessly the priest watched him, waiting for an answer while Kyo's throat worked his lips pressed tightly together. Not wanting to die, not wanting to play along. There was a commotion beside them and at the periphery of their locked gazes the two young men saw Die raising his hands in a soothing gesture. "Now come on Kaoru." The redhead said in a warm consolatory voice. "I think you made your point clear. You don't have to go that far to scare him. The archpriest wouldn't allow him to be killed." Kaoru gave him a long sideways look. "Saint Neko," he told him calmly "You've always been too good-natured to be aware of certain going-ons." For a moment Die gazed uncertainly at the priest, then he laughed and waved it off. "But Kyo didn't do anything bad. He just walked to the great Choir to have a look outside at the city. No harm done, really. He just doesn't know how life is going on in the Temple because he was sick for such a long time and he couldn't get started with the training yet. But as soon as he begins the training everything will be all right." Die reasoned optimistically and padded Kyo on the shoulder. "Ne, Kyo?" "Ah yes." The little blond saint said with scathing bitterness. "And whenever you feel like playin' thief just tell me. Then I could even lock the doors to indulge ya." Die's face fell slightly and he slowly drew his hand back from Kyo's shoulder. Kaoru shook his head in exasperation. "I just don't understand you. What is it you miss? What is so bad about staying here? You're going to have more food than you can eat. You'll be dry, safe and clean. There are luxurious rooms for you and your own warm bed. You can also have as many beautiful men as you want to keep you company in this bed of yours. Or wherever you want them. All you have to do in exchange is to learn how to control your Voice and to help the Temple with it. What's the problem really? You can't prefer the slums over this." "Lies. It's all lies." Kyo muttered softly, his eyes sparkling darkly. But the sullen sparkle couldn't hide the confused and scared look that lay underneath it. With a soft sigh Kaoru reached up and rubbed over one of his temples. "At least they'll help you to survive." He told Kyo curtly. Then he watched him expectantly, still wanting an answer. After a moment Kyo turned his head away. "Yes. I'm going to behave." He said tunelessly. The priest shortly closed his eyes, probably offering a prayer of gratitude to the Sun God. "Good. Good." He exhaled turning to the next problem at hand. "You said you've been to the great Choir? That's a long way through the Temple. Did you meet anybody?" "Izumi-san and Shin-san." Die prompted helpfully, the hurt expression having vanished from his face as if it had never been there. "But they think you had me show Kyo around the Temple." "I wouldn't trust that Izumi-san bought that." Kyo interjected gruffly. Kaoru considered it. "Well, I'll talk with them. Anyone else?" "One servant." "You don't know his name, Die-sama?" Die shook his head. "But I've seen him around before." "Then I'll go and find Izumi-san and Shin-san first." The priest decided, but he was interrupted by Die. "They are in the servants' quarters." He told him. "They're looking after some servant who didn't feel well." Then the red head smiled wicked. "It's not my fault though. Emiru felt extremely well when I left him." It took Kaoru a moment to catch on, then he too gave a little smile though it was a bit half-hearted. "I wouldn't have expected anything else from you, Die-sama." The priest's gaze moved on to Kyo and rested at him for a moment before he turned back to Die. "Well then, I'd ask you to keep Kyo-sama company while I sort this out with Izumi-san. There is still enough food and drink left should you be hungry. So there's no need for you to leave the rooms while I'm gone." Die nodded, smiling. "Don't worry, Kaoru-san." One of Kaoru's eyebrows rose and instead of commenting on the redhead's highly optimistic statement he turned his attention on Kyo. "I get it - I'm a prisoner." Kyo muttered glumly. It earned him another long, weighing look from Kaoru, but then the priest nodded shortly. "As long as you're staying in here." With that he turned sharply and left the room. After the priest's departure a tense silence hung in the air of the luxurious antechamber. Both Saints were looking in the same direction but each of them wore a different expression that betrayed that they weren't really looking at the same thing. Kyo stared at the closed door, with its bronze glow from the inlaid ornaments, but only too obviously the artistic value and craftsmanship were lost on him. There was no doubt that what he saw just then was a prison door. To Die on the other hand the door was immaterial for his gaze had been following Kaoru, still hanging at the place where his gaunt shape had vanished from sight. But finally Die broke the silence with a half-hearted laugh. "Well, I told you. It's no fun when Kaoru-san gets annoyed." As Kyo didn't answer, Die looked around to observe his fellow saint. He had expected the sullen look on Kyo's boyish face, but Die was observant enough to read behind that. //Lost. He looks completely lost and frightened. Damn it, Kaoru really has him scared now. There was no need to go that far! He was already feeling scared and lost to start with and now... How's he supposed to settle in like that? Just cause he's a little obstinate...// Die's gaze rested at the small Saint, at his shiny black eyes that were still fixed on the door, hatred and fear burning in them. Kyo's soft lips were pressed tightly together but Die noted the small quiver running through them. He couldn't stand it. "Hey, don't worry, Kaoru didn't really mean it like that." Die said in a gentle voice, resisting the urge to help it a little along with his powers. "He's actually rather nice, he just has this tendency to cynicism. Don't get too worked up about it." It got Kyo's attention at last. He blinked, tearing his gaze away from the door and looked aggressively at the tall redhead. "You're a blind fool if ya think he didn't mean it." He hissed. "Or what is it you're playin' at? Does he want ya to sooth me now so ya can win my trust? I won't fall for that!" Taken aback Die raised his hands to ward of that unexpected accusation. "Nah! You've got a twisted little mind, I wouldn't think of that. Kaoru... well, probably, but just now he was much too angry for any such subtle manipulations." Die told the other man openly. Kyo didn't look convinced and he kept a cautious distance to Die. "Maybe I'm a blind fool though. Now come on." With a sudden smile the tall Saint reached out and simply took one of Kyo's hands, pulling him along to the divan. "Let's sit down and drink something. I'm thirsty from climbing all the way up to the gallery of the Choir." Kyo's hand in his felt cold and clammy and in a reflex Die squeezed it gently and encouraging before making the smaller man sit down. He simply didn't leave Kyo the time to protest and filled one of the goblets with wine, mixing it with water, then handing it over to Kyo. "Here. It will make you feel better." Somehow the way Die took so resolutely charge of the situation made Kyo's angry snarl die on his lips. He stumbled along to the divan and then unresistingly accepted the glass of watered wine. His wide-eyed gaze hung at the bustling redhead as he took a sip of the wine and absently tasted the rich aroma that flooded his mouth. Die gave him a bright smile as he watched him drink and Kyo felt a warmth spread in his belly, which wasn't entirely due to the wine. Confused Kyo lowered his gaze. "Now then. You've gotta be lenient with Kaoru-san. He might be just frustrated for not being allowed to have sex. That's why he exploded like that." Die joked lightly while he poured himself a glass of wine. It made Kyo scowl slightly. "Screw him then." He muttered, but he sounded less sullen. Die feigned a sigh. "That's easier said than done. Kaoru takes his duties and responsibilities as a priest rather seriously." At that the redhead sobered again, observing Kyo thoughtfully. "I think he was rather worried about you, you know. You are in his charge and he doesn't want anything to happen to you. He really does take it seriously, being a priest."Kyo still looked somewhat doubtfully, but considered Die's words. After all Die knew Kaoru longer than he did and probably he knew things about the priest that Kyo had missed so far. But in Kyo's opinion the priest was probably only nettled because he couldn't keep his Saint in check. Kyo couldn't bring himself to think of Kaoru as the caring type... The memory of the priest's cool hands on his face, holding it and soothing back damp, sticky hair sneaked into his mind. //Damn it. But I guess he just wouldn't let me die cause it would hurt his priestly pride to loose a Saint in his charge.// Glumly Kyo sipped at his wine. About one thing he was certain though. He really would be killed if he didn't play along. And Die was a blind fool if he didn't realize that. But then somehow the presence of that blind fool beside him managed to calm him down. Somehow he felt different to have Die there, even though he didn't completely trust him. //In the slums there was no one like him. I don't feel like I have to fight Die. He's not threatening me... doesn't want anything from me. He's just there and tells me not to worry. I... I probably could tell him things, just things that worry me. He didn't tell on me neither with Kaoru nor with Izumi.// Kyo felt utterly insecure, sitting there on the soft divan, holding the delicate goblet of crystal glass, being surrounded by a cage of confusing entwining ornaments and painted landscapes bathed in golden sunlight. Suddenly there was a warm touch at the back of his head and he looked up into Die's face. The redhead gave him a friendly smile and then bent down, putting a kiss on Kyo's mouth. It was nothing but a chaste affectionate touching of lips, a small tender gesture. But it left Kyo rattled and bewildered. He stared at Die who smiled openly again before he let go and drew a little back from Kyo, his brown eyes sparkling warmly. "You aren't alone, hm." Die offered, leaving Kyo time to react to his unexpected move. For a few heartbeats Kyo's internal struggle was plainly visible on his face. "I... I hate those paintings." He finally confided awkwardly. Die watched him and then smiled, recognizing the sudden announcement as a tentative attempt to befriend. Nonchalantly he looked around the room, considering Kyo's words. "You mean all those landscapes? Well, I think they look beautiful." He answered honestly. "I didn't say they weren't beautiful." Kyo pointed out with a slightly dark look. It puzzled Die. "So, you think they're beautiful, but you hate them?" "I hate them 'cause they're beautiful." Explained the small Saint. Thoughtfully Die lay back on the divan, crossing his arms behind his head in a gesture that left him all open to Kyo, radiating a relaxed air. "That sounds... hm, sad. Unhappy. Or do you hate it that you can't have them, their beauty? Cause it's not like in this paintings."Kyo shrugged half hearted, his gaze lingering at the catlike reclining redhead. "It's all lies... all those pictures..." "You are so gloomy, Kyo." Die chided. "You can relax here." It got him a frown from Kyo. "You are much too relaxed!" "Best thing to be for a thief - relaxed. No one will suspect you then." Die announced cheerfully and stretched, completely at ease. Utterly uncertain and suspicious Kyo observed Die, who just gave him an open, na�ve grin. Please continue with Part 6 here ! |
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