by Haruka

Ryoga awoke the next morning to the sound of paper rustling. He figured Master Quatre must be up and around already, and if that was the case, he'd better get out of bed. He quickly dressed and rushed out of his room.
The sight of Duo going through Master Quatre's itinerary stopped him in his tracks. Who did Duo think he was?! And what could he be looking for, anyway? Didn't he know Quatre would take a belt to him for snooping after already being warned once?
"Duo!"
The brown-haired boy jumped, slamming the itinerary closed. He looked at Ryoga with wide eyes, but his fear quickly changed to annoyance. "Man, Ryoga! Scare me to death, why don't you?"
"What are you doing, going through Master Quatre's things?! He'll skin you alive!"
"No, he won't, because he won't find out."
Ryoga folded his arms. "Oh no?"
"Not unless you want him to find out what went on in his bed yesterday between you and Hamel." Duo grinned.
Ryoga paled. "You wouldn't?"
"I told you what I wanted for my silence, Ryoga, and this is it. You keep quiet, _I_ keep quiet. It's that simple."
"You're up to something," Ryoga growled. "I just don't know what."
"All you need to know is that your secret is safe so long as mine is."

"I think we should stay here," Daryun said stubbornly.
"And I think you're just trying to hide the Prince, which you cannot do," Narsus said frankly. "He was a big hit at that gathering. The other Masters will be expecting us to show him off."
"That is exactly what I do _not_ want to do!" Daryun insisted.
Arislan sighed and stood up from the easy chair he'd been seated in. "Daryun, I trust Narsus and I think you should, too. Now let's go to breakfast, shall we?"
"All right, Your Highness, if that is your wish." Daryun looked over at Narsus. "I hold you responsible if anything happens."
"I never doubted you would," Narsus said dryly.

Van rubbed his cheek and glanced toward Nakago's room. The big blonde was preparing to go to breakfast. It was strange the way their trip had begun with Nakago keeping the two of them pretty much confined to their quarters, and now they never came back until evening. It probably had to do with his growing disinterest in his Pet. He had taken him the night before, but Van could tell Nakago's mind wasn't really there. He'd been rough, but in a preoccupied, frustrated sort of way. Van wished he knew what had Nakago so aggravated, but didn't dare ask.
The Seiryuu Seishi came out of his room and glanced in Van's direction. "I've ordered room service for breakfast for you. I'm going to the dining area."
"Oh," was all Van could think of to say. He contained his frustration, didn't let it show, but inside he was dying to run out the door. His friends were here, and newcomers on their first mission. They were all here to save him and finish what he started. And Nakago was choosing _now_ to lock him away?
"I'll see you in a little while," Nakago said and walked out. Van sighed and looked at the phone. He didn't even know which of his friends were in which rooms, so he couldn't call them. For all he knew, Nakago was paranoid enough to be tapping the wires, anyway.
Listen to yourself, Van, he thought with a sigh. You're getting paranoid about Nakago being paranoid. Or maybe you're just afraid because your time is running out.

"Nuriko, will you hurry up?" Pulse said impatiently. "They began serving breakfast precisely fourteen minutes and twenty-two seconds ago."
"So?" Nuriko said in amusement as he braided his hair. "Don't tell me you're hungry. I know better."
"Well, _I'm_ not and Signal isn't, but Chihaya, Yui, and Kenshin might be."
"I won't be much longer," Nuriko said. "But you can go on ahead. We'll need to get a big table anyway."
"I think we should all go together, Nuriko-dono," Kenshin remarked.
"Perhaps, but I'm not ready yet, and you may be missing vital information while you're wasting time here, so go."
"All right," Pulse said reluctantly. "But I'll leave Signal here with you."
"As what, my bodyguard?" Nuriko flipped his braid over his shoulder and gave Pulse a warning look. "I am a Suzaku Seishi and a Seigi agent. I can take care of myself."
Pulse wanted to argue further, but Nuriko's eyes were flashing and he knew it would be pointless. "All right, join us when you can."
Nuriko watched them go and breathed an inward sigh of relief. He didn't want them there when Nakago came. Nuriko didn't know how he knew the Seiryuu Seishi was coming, he only knew that he would arrive shortly. He also knew that he'd never be able to focus on his work unless he got his personal problem with Nakago out of the way.
A tingle ran across the back of his neck. He was here. Nuriko looked up at the mirror and saw Nakago framed in the doorway behind him. He turned to face him. "Do Seiryuu Seishi always barge into peoples' private quarters uninvited?"
"You invited me by your presence here." Nakago shut the door behind him. "Suzaku trash."
Nuriko leapt to his feet. "Let's not resort to childish name- calling, shall we? There's no reason why we both can't enjoy the remainder of our trip. We need not like each other."
"Oh, but I _do_ like you, Nuriko." Nakago slowly advanced on the smaller young man. "Who wouldn't like such a rare, exquisite beauty?"
Damn, Nuriko thought, trying not to let his fear show. Nakago's tone, stance, and the look in his eyes had altered. He hadn't come for a confrontation, but for something else. Nuriko held up his arms defensively, and his matching bracelets lengthened to become guantlets. "Keep your distance!" he warned. "You don't know what you're up against."
Nakago stopped, a slow, evil smile spreading across his face. "Nor do you."
Nuriko saw the blue flash in the split second before the world exploded into shards of agony. He was alive ... right? Yes, he could feel the bedspread beneath his back, and although his vision couldn't yet focus, he sensed someone nearby.
Then pain, searing pain at his wrists. Nuriko opened his mouth to scream but a hand clamped firmly over it. His vision finally cleared and he recognized Nakago as he smirked down at him. He tried to bring his right arm around to whack the blonde across the skull, but he found both wrists unable to move.
"You're spellbound," Nakago told him casually. "Those bracelets of yours don't like it they seem to be fighting it. You can't break past my power, however."
Nuriko watched in utter fear and revulsion as Nakago stripped off his own shirt. A large, powerfully-built man for sure, and one Nuriko didn't want within ten miles of him. Especially as he was now taking off his pants.
"You'll never get away with this!" Nuriko snapped, hoping Nakago couldn't hear the tremor in his voice.
"I get away with anything I do," the Seiryuu Seishi remarked, crouching over him. He grabbed hold of the front of Nuriko's blouse and tore it down the middle, then began working on the rest of the smaller Seishi's clothing.
"No!" Nuriko cried, struggling desperately. The willow character blazed on his bare chest, and his gauntlets felt like they were burning into his flesh, but he couldn't move his arms. Nakago gripped his chin with bruising force and kissed him hard. Nuriko squeezed his eyes shut. Oh, sweet Suzaku, he pleaded. Help me.
Nakago wasted no time. He forced Nuriko's knees up and moved between them. His cold blue eyes met Nuriko's tear-filled ones and he drove into him, catching the scream with his palm before it could escape.

Pulse raised his head suddenly and frowned. Something was wrong. Nuriko was always slow to get ready, but he should have been there by now, then there was this feeling he couldn't shake ....
"Are you okay, Papa?" Chihaya asked, aware of the others around them in the dining area.
"Your mother is late," Pulse replied. "Signal, go see what's keeping him."
Signal was about to say something, but changed his mind and got up. "Yes, Papa," he answered, and headed for the corridor leading out of the dining area. If Pulse had decided to ignore Nuriko's request that he be unaccompanied, then it wasn't his place to argue. Despite their filial relationship, right now Pulse was his Seigi instructor and he had agreed to respect him as such.
Signal was about to pass the last table before the hallway when he felt a sudden tug on his ultra-long hair. He stopped and looked back, realizing that he'd been concentrating so hard on his thoughts he hadn't noticed his hair dragging right over some poor Pet sitting on the floor. The Pet sat motionless, but when Signal saw that the Mistress giggling at the table beside her was Yuri, he had a good idea just who the Pet was.
"I'm sorry!" he said, quickly gathering his hair so it slipped off to reveal Kei, who rubbed at her nose.
"That tickled," she complained.
"It's quite all right." Yuri smiled reassuringly at Signal. "She'll survive."
"Okay," Signal said uncertainly, hoping Kei wouldn't kill him for this the next time they were alone. She certainly had an odd look on her face as she once more rubbed her nose. He realized suddenly that he was wasting time. "I have to go." He turned and headed off again.
"Ah ...."
Signal stepped into the corridor and paused. Had Kei said something?
"AH ...."
His eyes widened. She hadn't spoken! She was going to
".... CHOO!"
The transformation caught Signal before he could blink. His field of vision changed and suddenly all the doorknobs looked very high.
Chibi Signal turned his head left and right, his hair sweeping the floor that he was now much closer to. Where were all the grownups? He wondered. He could hear the clink of utensils and plates nearby, and realized that he was beside the dining area. That's right, Oniisan had asked Ookii Signal to check on his pretend-Mama, Nuriko. Chibi brightened. Maybe Nuriko would play with him for a while before they went back to the dining area! He proceeded happily down the hall.
When he turned the corner that led to their room, he nearly ran into a leg that seemed the size of a tree trunk to him. He stopped abruptly and looked so far up he nearly toppled over. The owner of the leg had stopped as well, and was staring down at him with cold blue eyes.
"Chocko?" Chibi ventured, not knowing what else to say to this blonde giant.
The man said nothing, but stepped over Chibi and continued on his way. Chibi watched him go. He didn't know why, but he didn't like the man a bit. He decided to hurry and get to Nuriko being alone in the silent corridor was a little scary.
It took a few minutes for him to remember which room was his, they all looked pretty much alike from his level. But the door was ajar on one of them, and when he peeked inside, he recognized Pulse's blades leaning against one wall.
"Nuriko-mama?" Chibi Signal called out as he walked into the cabin. At first he thought Nuriko was gone, it was so quiet, but then he heard something from one of the bedrooms. He followed the sound and looked around the corner of the door.
Someone was crying. The sound of it made Chibi sad, too, and he went over to the side of the bed to find out who it was. By going up on his toes he could just barely see over the edge, and he noticed Nuriko's purple hair right away. But Nuriko's pretty face was buried in a pillow, and his shoulders shook as he sobbed.
"Nuriko-mama?"
The Seishi raised his head abruptly, shock in his wide maroon eyes. "S-Signal?" he whispered.
Chibi managed to scramble up onto the bed. He frowned when he saw Nuriko's torn clothing and the bruising of the skin underneath. "Did you hurt yourself?" he asked softly.
Nuriko bit his lip and nodded. "Yes, baby, I did."
Chibi threw himself into Nuriko's arms. "Don't cry anymore, Nuriko-mama! Oniisan will make it better!"
He felt Nuriko stiffen and then he was being held by the shoulders with the Seishi gazing intently into his eyes. "No, Chibi, you mustn't tell Oniisan. It would only worry him. Don't tell _anybody_."
"But you're _hurt_," Chibi insisted. "Oniisan will want to help you."
Nuriko looked as if he might start crying again until his expression altered and he looked thoughtfully at the three-year-old. "Chibi, am I right in thinking that you remember everything that happens to Ookii Signal but he never remembers what happens to you?"
Chibi nodded solemnly. "Signal-kun never remembers anything after changing back."
"All right," Nuriko winced as he dragged himself off the bed. "Wait here for me, then, and we'll go see your Oniisan."

Nuriko bit his lip to keep from screaming as he submerged himself in hot water. He tried to bathe quickly, not wanting to leave Signal alone too long. Nakago had done some damage to him inside, and he was pretty sure there was some blood on the sheets. He'd carefully pulled the covers up, but a fidgety three-year-old might push them back down. He fought back fresh tears, remembering how Nakago had laughed, calling him his 'little Suzaku whore' just before he sauntered out, leaving Nuriko to soak his pillow with tears.
Get a grip, he commanded himself. You've had your cry, your orgy of self-pity, now you need to pull yourself together. If you don't act normal when you join the family, you won't keep the secret very long. Kenshin especially was far too experienced at reading people and their feelings to miss it.
By the time Nuriko finally made his way out to the bedroom, he was satisfied that his outward appearance would at least fool Chibi. He'd work on the positive attitude that he'd need in the dining room on the way. But first, a little transformation would have to take place. He concealed the plastic bottle he'd taken from the bathroom in his sleeve and smiled down at Chibi, noting with relief that the blankets were still hiding what occurred. By the time they returned, room service would have changed them.
"Come on, little one." Nuriko held out his hand. "Let's go see your Oniisan."
Chibi took his hand and left the room with him. Nuriko looked and sounded much better, the child thought, but he couldn't _really_ be better, could he? Chibi glanced up at the Seishi to see him drawing a container of talcum powder from his sleeve. Nuriko squeezed the bottle hard and a cloud of powder poofed up into his own face.
"Nuriko-mama?" Chibi questioned, puzzled.
"Wa-CHOO!" replied Nuriko. The force of Signal's transformation threw him against the wall, but it was still a relief to see the sixteen-year-old robot go into his speech.
"Where there are intruders, I'll be there! When danger threatens, I'm your protector! I am Signal!"
"You certainly are," Nuriko remarked. Signal spun around to look at him.
"Nuriko! What are you doing here ... with that white stuff all over your face?"
"Oh!" Nuriko hastily brushed the powder off his skin. "That's nothing. We were just on our way to the dining area."
"We were?" Signal blinked, then remembered. "Oh yeah, Pulse sent me to get you. What happened after that?"
Nuriko raised an eyebrow. "You came for me and now we're going back."
Signal frowned. "Maybe I've got a short-circuiting wire or something. There's a gap in my memory bank."
Nuriko tucked his arm into Signal's. "You can ask Pulse to check you out later. Right now, let's go to breakfast."

Inu Yasha's ears flattened as he listened to Nakago and Sesshomaru's breakfast chatter or what passed for it. Never any light-hearted conversations for this pair, they took _everything_ seriously. Inu Yasha supposed he shouldn't talk he was pretty serious by nature, too but really, was a cold piece of toast good reason to consider throwing the cook overboard? Nakago seemed to think it was ....
Chihaya was eating grapefruit. Inu Yasha almost smiled when he saw the pretty black-haired boy bite into a wedge, his sweet face screwing up at the sour taste. He dabbed his juicy lips with a napkin and glanced in Inu Yasha's direction. The dog demon sat up a little straighter. Chihaya smiled at him.
A heavy hand fell onto Inu Yasha's head. He fought the impulse to jerk away from it, and instead submitted to the loathsome stroking of his hair. From anyone else he supposed this could be considered affection, but it was Nakago touching him and like Sesshomaru, the big blonde didn't know the meaning of the word. Hell, Inu Yasha barely knew the meaning himself. He hadn't experienced true affection since his mother died and that was too far in the distant past to remember clearly.
"And have you made any progress in your goal of possessing the pretty newcomer?" Nakago was asking Sesshomaru. They both looked toward where Arislan knelt on the floor between Daryun and Narsus. The latter was eating calmly, but the dark-haired Daryun kept glancing down at their Pet with an almost embarrassed expression on his handsome face.
"I've done some digging, and they won't loan him, period." Sesshomaru tapped his claws against his water glass, his lovely face drawn into a pout. "If using him sexually is out of the question, I shall at least extract some entertainment at his expense." He lifted the glass to his lips and sipped. "I shall accomplish that little feat by the end of the day."
Nakago raised an eyebrow. "Will this be a private party or is anyone invited?"
Sesshomaru smiled coolly. "Well, it would hardly be fun at all if it took place in private, would it?" He eyed Arislan closely, studying every detail of his delicate features and mannerisms. Even though he was a Pet and sitting on the floor, he ate his pancakes as if he were a guest at a royal banquet. Cut tiny wedge, lay knife down, switch fork to opposite hand, chew with the mouth closed, swallow, sip juice, wipe mouth with napkin, repeat process. By contrast, Mistress Yuri's Pet had two forks going at once in a non-stop motion that were a blur to the naked eye. Like his Masters, this was a Pet with class, and it would be his pleasure to bring him down to the level where all Pets belonged.
"Dinner time, Nakago," Sesshomaru said calmly. "That's when our little aristocrat will put on a show that everyone may enjoy."
Nakago nodded. "Then I shall make it a point to attend the evening meal." His gaze moved to the entrance, and Inu Yasha saw the pretty purple-haired Master Nuriko arrive with Chihaya's brother, Signal. The beauty locked eyes briefly with Nakago, then hastened to where Chihaya and his father sat. Inu Yasha frowned. Chihaya's mother was frightened of Nakago very frightened. He hadn't shown it visibly, but Inu Yasha's canine senses had picked up on the fear the instant Nuriko and Nakago exchanged eye contact. Something was very wrong there.
Sesshomaru gave a soft chuckle. "I see you've accomplished your own goal, Nakago. Congratulations."
"Is it that obvious?" Nakago asked. "I _would_ like it to remain a private matter."
"Oh, don't worry." Sesshomaru waved a delicate hand blithely. "It's only because as a dog demon, I can sense fear. Smell it, even. You have that little lovely completely terrified."
"Good." Nakago smiled coldly. "That's the way I like them." He rubbed behind one of Inu Yasha's velvety ears, then gripped it and squeezed. Inu Yasha yelped like a wounded puppy. His head whipped around and he sank his fangs into Nakago's hand.
"Auugh, you cur!" Nakago jerked his hand back. Sesshomaru shot Inu Yasha a dangerous look.
"SIT!" he commanded.
Inu Yasha felt the spellforce of the prayer beads around his neck activate and found himself flat on his face. He cursed himself for the instinctual reaction to Nakago's cruelty, even if the bastard _did_ deserve it. Sesshomaru was digging into the bag he'd brought along. Inu Yasha knew what was coming and dreaded it. He was barely able to push himself up off his stomach by the time Sesshomaru was standing over him. There was a dull smacking sound as his elder half-brother slapped something into his palm, letting Inu Yasha know, even without looking, what to expect.
"Inu Yasha," Sesshomaru said icily. "You are a very _bad_


dog."


He struck. Inu Yasha closed his eyes tightly and ducked his head, feeling little pain but indescribable humiliation as the blows rained down upon his shoulders and back. Each one degraded him further, making him wish he could tuck his tail between his legs and slink out of the room. Chihaya was witnessing this, he had to be. His eyes stung behind his lids. It shouldn't be like this. Sesshomaru was a dog demon, too, and his only family -- he _knew_ how deeply this cut into his spirit. Damn it, it wasn't _fair_....
The beating ceased and Sesshomaru laid aside the rolled-up newspaper, leaving it where Inu Yasha could see it. He took his seat once more and held out his hand by his younger brother's face. Inu Yasha gave it a quick swipe with his tongue then lowered his head once more. Through his curtain of hair, he glimpsed Chihaya looking his way, white-faced and shiny-eyed. It startled him. Chihaya was a Master's son, soon to be a Master himself. Why would the correction of a Pet affect him like that?
"Next time, Inu Yasha," Sesshomaru announced. "I'll fit you for a muzzle."
Inu Yasha's ears flattened. Yes, there was such a thing as dying of embarrassment.

End of Chapter 17

I own none of the characters used in Seigi.
This fanfic is for your private enjoyment only. Do not distribute it or post it on the internet in any form.