Bound by Blood

Title: Bound by Blood
Author: Shuukitty
Summary: Tatsumi and Chihiro meet in an unexpected way, unknowing of their relationship
Rating: NC17
Pairing(s): It’s a surprise!
Feedback: Desired and appreciated
Characters: The boys of Bushido Blade.
Betas: “Shuukitty” is the combined efforts of Tanithkitty and Croik, co-writers.
Author’s notes: This is an AU. This fic was written as a one-on-one RolePlay, so the POV switches just about every paragraph. Please be considerate and do not borrow original characters or situations without permission.
Italics for thoughts
Thanks for reading and please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, save the OCs, and I’m not making any money off this fic.

Bound by Blood
Chapter One:

Chihiro gasped around breathless laughter as he charged down the city streets. He hadn’t been around so many people in a long time; at least, not like this, with everyone dressed in casual clothing, milling about as they pleased. It was making his escape rather difficult; he was so used to the ordered files of the dojo, and if nothing else people moving out of his way, that he was bumping into just about everyone he came across. He could barely managed a gleeful apology as he raced on, ignoring the distressed cries of his bodyguards far behind.

They can’t catch me, even if I am lost, Chihiro thought with a smirk. His hair was flying, coat falling off his shoulders--it attracted a lot of attention from the crowds around, and he was thrilled. The only thing that could have made it better was if he could get rid of the men his father had sent to look after him. Such a bore.

He spotted his chance; a sushi bar off to his left, and with a short laugh he ducked inside. He knocked into several more people in the process. After quick apologies, he started toward the bar at the center, and there…found just what he was looking for.

There was a boy seated at the bar, and though he was dressed casually Chihiro could tell by the look of him that he was a fighter; just by the way he sat, so perfectly balanced, on the small stool. Chihiro was still trying to regain his breath as he trotted up to him. “Hey.” He grabbed the boy’s arm, hoping his flushed face and disheveled clothing would complete his helpless appearance. “Can you help me? Please?”

His drink spilt across his lips, dribbling over his chin as his arm was abruptly shaken, and Tatsumi’s other hand immediately went to one of his hidden daggers. When he saw who had grabbed him, however, he paused. It’s awful late for a kid like this to be out. He frowned at the boy’s windblown look. “What’s the matter?” he asked bluntly. The other patrons of the bar were watching him curiously, and he couldn’t help a bit of annoyance that so much attention was being called to him.

“I need help,” Chihiro gasped, still clinging to the boy’s arm. It was taking all his energy not to burst out in a grin. “Some men--some men are chasing me. Please, can you help me? I just want to get away.” He’s…kind of handsome. He hoped his cheeks were already red enough from running that the older boy wouldn’t notice if he blushed.

Great--just what I needed. “Why not just go hide in the bathroom?” he suggested, glancing briefly over the boy’s shoulder; he didn’t see anyone, save the rest of the customers that were still watching them curiously. “What makes you think I can do anything?”

Chihiro licked his lips and tried not to pout. And here I thought he’d be my shining knight. But he wasn’t about to let the boy get away just yet--and the others really were close on his trail by now--so he grabbed the boy’s collar, pulling him close so he could whisper in his ear. “I can tell. You can fight, can’t you? Please, just get me away from them. I’ll pay you, if you want.”

Tatsumi tried to pull away, but the boy was surprisingly strong. When he managed to lean back somewhat, he finally caught sight of a pair of men out in the street. They were dressed in dark clothing, looking about furiously, and one kept setting his hand at his hip as if to grasp some weapon. Damnit, maybe he was being serious. His frowned deepened. Well, I’m not going to be staying here after all this anyway. “Fine,” he muttered, pulling out some money and dropping it on the bar. “You can stop hanging on me, okay? I’ll help you.”

“Thanks--I’ll pay you, I promise.” Chihiro stood back, just enough so that he’d be able to step away from the bar, but as soon as he’d stood he pounced on the boy’s hand once more. “Don’t hurt them,” he warned as an afterthought. He could feel the calluses on the stranger’s hands, and if he really was a skilled fighter he didn’t want his father’s guards to be injured over nothing.

Tatsumi rolled his eyes. As if I’d be so stupid to go killing people in the street? He glared briefly at the boy’s hand, but when he didn’t let go he could only sigh in resignation. “You don’t have to pay me,” he muttered, turning away from the entrance and towards the kitchen. He slipped in easily and began winding his way around counters and cooks, barely attracting attention as he moved almost silently.

Chihiro bit his lip, unknowingly holding his breath in excitement as he followed the stranger through the building. He is good. I can see it already. Though he should have been wary about sneaking away like this, with no knowledge of his skillful escort, he was too drawn into how surreal it all felt. As if he were escaping some evil….

And maybe I am. He hid a bitter smile as they slipped out the back of the restaurant.

He could already guess that the men that were following the boy wouldn’t be so easily out-witted--plenty of the customers had seen them leave, and surely the searchers would ask after the boy. Which means more work for me, but…. Tatsumi shook his head and glanced at his unintended charge. “These guys won’t give up that quick, will they,” he asked, though his tone implied he already knew the answer.

Chihiro shook his head doggedly. “They’ve been chasing me for almost an hour, and I’m not so bad myself,” he confessed. His hand tightened slightly around a warm palm. “I don’t know this city well--is there somewhere we can go? Somewhere safe?”

Not anywhere I’d take him. Still, there wasn’t anything he could do now--he was already involved. “I don’t know about a place, but I’ll get you far enough away that they won’t bother you.” Tatsumi finally pulled his hand free, instead wrapping his arm around the boy’s waist and pulling him up against his hip. “Just stay put,” he instructed, and with a deep breath he leapt onto a short ledge just above the restaurant’s back door, and from there to the roof. Setting off across the tiles at a quick pace, he decided it would be best to just keep carrying the kid rather than risk him jumping from roof to roof. “Where are you going, anyway?

Going…? Chihiro was already so captivated by his being carried from roof to roof that it took him a moment to realize what Tatsumi had asked him. “I…don’t know,” he answered. I’m not going home yet. “I’m lost.”

Tatsumi snorted lightly. Figures. Must be my luck lately. “So rather than go with those guys, you’d prefer to have some stranger carry you off?” Tatsumi wished a moment that Kannuki was there, or even Mikado--at least they would have some kind of idea of what to do with the kid. He took a quick, running start for the next jump, holding the boy a bit closer just to be sure he wasn’t dropped.

Chihiro gasped, reeling a bit at their landing. He really is good. “You’re being nicer to me than them so far,” he replied. I like this. He…feels good, too. I could probably jump all this on my own, but…I don’t want him to put me down yet. The way the boy was handling him was almost…rough, so differently than all the polite attention he received at home, and he was enjoying it.

“That’s a hell of a way to judge someone,” he replied with a frown. What’s with this kid, anyway? This outfit…. Tatsumi fell silent as he tried to puzzle out the mystery he was suddenly, literally, burdened with, gradually taking them further from the downtown area. He must be rich, wearing such traditional clothes. Were those guys trying to kidnap him or something? After a moment he realized just how far they had come, and his pace slowed a bit. “You think you’re far enough from them now?”

Chihiro craned his neck about, seeing for himself, and though he didn’t want to admit it they really had come a long way. “Yeah, I think so.” As the other slowed he slipped out of his grip, wooden sandals clanking softly against roof tile. “Thanks. I don’t think they’ll be able to find me now.”

“Yeah, well….” Tatsumi scratched at the back of his head, not really sure what the appropriate reply was for a situation like this. I should just go. I don’t want to just leave the kid, but…. Knowing he would probably regret his concern later, he fixed the boy with a serious look. “Listen, are you going to be all right now? Think you’ll be able to find your way home?”

Chihiro gave the matter great thought. He knew if anything else he could go back to the pier, which…was west of here. Eventually, he’d find it. But that also meant losing his companion. Not to mention actually going home and being scolded for running off.

“No,” he stated deftly, as if it were a mark of pride. “I don’t think so.”

Of course. Tatsumi sighed in exasperation. “Just great,” he muttered. “You don’t know where you’re going and you’re being followed. Don’t you have any kind of relatives around here? Your mom and dad, maybe?” he added, perhaps hoping to get rid of that damn little smirk the kid was wearing.

“Well….” I guess I have no choice. Though he really hated to do it, it looked as if he were about to go home in defeat after all. Unless…. Chihiro brightened, tugging up the shoulders of his coat. “I was supposed to go to a shrine around here--to pay my respects. My parents’ idea. Maybe they’ll be waiting for me there?”

“Shrine?” Tatsumi frowned as he considered. Well, he couldn’t mean the Tatara--Mikado-san said they’d be closing it off to outsiders, what with all the trouble they’ve been having. Glancing out over the rooftops, Tatsumi tried to think of where else the kid could mean. “It’s probably the one a little further south of here,” he said, almost to himself. “In that little valley out near the bay?”

“Yeah! Yeah, that’s…probably it.” Chihiro smiled sheepishly. “Sorry. I really don’t get out much, so I don’t know much about…well, anything.” He shrugged; there was no need to let that damper his spirits now. “But do you think you can take me there? I’d really appreciate it.”

Tatsumi shrugged. “Might as well. You’ve gotten me this involved in this much already, right?” He started for the edge of the roof again, planning on continuing on this higher path before taking to the streets, when he reminded himself of the kid. “Oh, right. Here--” He raised his arm towards the boy. “I’ll probably have to carry you again, at least until we’re a bit closer.”

“I can make it,” Chihiro assured. He wanted suddenly to prove himself, and he reached down, hiking up his thick pants. The leap to the next building was easy for him, even in his geta. He grinned at the other over his shoulder. “See?”

Tatsumi quickly joined him, and he almost had to smile at the boy’s obvious excitement at having been able to make the jump. “Not bad,” he conceded, quickly continuing on. “Just let me know if you want some help.” Though…a fancy dressed kid like that, being able to jump with that kind of skill…. Tatsumi shook himself. It was obvious the boy was more than he appeared to be--Tatsumi could almost feel it in the air around him--but there was no point wondering about it now. Soon he would be dropping the boy off at the shrine, freeing him to make his own way home.

“Don’t worry about me.” Though he’d enjoyed having the other carry him this far, he liked the quick smile he’d seen even better. He must…really be someone, he couldn’t help but think as they went along. From a school. I wonder if there are many around here?

Tatsumi lead the way over the rooftops, keeping an eye on the boy while also trying to appear as if he weren’t doing so--the kid had seemed rather proud of his skill, and Tatsumi wanted to give the impression that he was allowing him to make his own way. Probably because of how badly I wanted to prove myself at that age. He hmphed humorously to himself. How badly I still do.

Finally he deemed it safe enough to return to the streets, and he paused on the edge of a quiet building to wait for his charge. “Your ‘friends’ are probably far enough away for us to take to the roads,” he said over his shoulder, tugging at his short jacket. “Would that be all right?”

“Oh--sure.” And without any further prodding Chihiro dropped lightly to a lower section of the building’s roof, and then into a small alley. He let his pants fall back around his ankles with a soft swish. “Ah, that was fun.” He glanced up at Tatsumi with a smile. “We should do it again sometime.”

Shaking his head, Tatsumi dropped easily beside him. “Get chased across the city?” he asked. Though, I guess it wasn’t so bad. He seems like a nice enough kid. He started off again, easily leading them into the crowds of people wandering the small streets, continuing their way towards the temple. “You were pretty far out of your way, you know,” he said suddenly, glancing back. “Practically heading in the wrong direction from this shrine. Are you new to the area?”

“You could say that,” Chihiro replied lightly. It was true enough. “My father’s pretty important, if you couldn’t tell.” He plucked at his traditional clothing. “So I don’t get out much. I think I’ve only ever been in this city once before. And besides.” He sent Tatsumi a wry smirk. “You don’t usually think of things like that when you’re fleeing for your life.”

Tatsumi gave the boy a close look. “Something tells me you wouldn’t have had to worry about your life,” he replied dryly, though a moment later he shrugged and smiled. “But whatever. Not like it matters now--we’ll be there soon, and hopefully we’ll find your negligent mommy and daddy.”

Chihiro faltered, his eyes dropping momentarily. My dad, anyway. Not that he’s at whatever shrine we’re going to. “Yeah, okay.” What then? When we get there and don’t find anyone, is he just going to leave me? I’ll be able to find my way back, but…. He glanced up at him briefly. It’s too bad that I might never see him again. This was fun.

Tatsumi couldn’t help a faint chuckle. “I’m just kidding,” he offered, reaching back to pat the boy on the shoulder. “They’re probably worried about you. My mom wasn’t exactly very parental, but she would always look after me. I’m sure your dad will be glad to see you.”

“Yeah, I know.” He’s not going to buy it. Not if we get there and the shrine is empty. Chihiro pursed his lips briefly. But what else can I do? It’s too late to turn back. He puffed himself up. “So hey, what’s your name, anyway?” he asked brightly.

That’s right. I can’t believe we didn’t ask each other before now…. “Takeshina Tatsumi,” he replied, glancing behind them just to make sure they weren’t being followed again. He smiled faintly at the other. “And you?”

Tatsumi…? Though there was nothing particularly unusual or even uncommon about the name, something about it made the back of Chihiro’s mind tingle. “I’m Chihiro,” he introduced, but he caught himself before he gave out his family name as well. If Tatsumi did belong to a school around here, he might have heard of that, and…he knew he should be cautious. “Matsudaira Chihiro.”

Tatsumi nodded. It’s fitting, almost. “Well, Chihiro-kun, we’re nearly there. In the least, I’m sure they’ll have a phone you can use to call for some help, hmm?” Though, it hasn’t been awful, doing this. It’s nice being able to look after someone. Too bad I couldn’t actually fight those guys….

“Chihiro-kun?” The boy nodded, and then he chuckled and scratched the back of his head. “Heh, I don’t think anyone’s called me that before.” It almost sounded like something a brother might have called him, and he found that…oddly comforting. He grinned up at Tatsumi suddenly. “Hey, do you have any siblings? Does your family live near here?”

His smile sobered somewhat, but it didn’t fade completely. “You could say that, I suppose. I consider my friends my family now, since my mother died when I was still a child.” Tatsumi ran a hand back through his hair. It didn’t really bother him that much anymore--the Narukagami had been so accepting of him, and he rarely felt lonely when with them. Even if they treat me like a kid, but…maybe now I’ll be able to prove myself. Tatsumi quickly woke himself from his sober thoughts, reminding himself of his company. “What about you?”

“I don’t remember Mother at all,” Chihiro replied, though he did his best not to let his tone drop. “She died when I was really young. But Father takes good care of me--too good, sometimes.” He gave Tatsumi a smirk. “I’m pretty spoiled, if you couldn’t tell.”

Reaching out, Tatsumi tugged lightly at Chihiro’s fancy haori. “Yeah, no kidding. But then, you don’t seem too bad, save for a poor sense of direction.” Tatsumi was a bit surprised by how easy it was to speak with the boy--somehow, it just felt comfortable. Similar to his companions at the dojo, but…maybe more relaxed. More equal. And…he liked that.

“It’s not my fault if I don’t know where I am,” Chihiro shot back, tilting his chin up proudly. He folded his arms inside his coat the way his father would do when overlooking the dojo. “Besides, that’s why I hired you to help me, right? So it all works out.” He glanced up, and caught sight of the small stone statue that indicated a shrine ahead. Uh-oh. Here it goes.

“And it was lucky you found me. Most men in this area would sooner rob you than take you anywhere.” Tatsumi followed the boy’s gaze, and he felt a moment of disappointment when he realized they had reached their destination. “Well, here we are.” He paused on the pathway. I guess…. Facing Chihiro, he offered a small smile. “Think you’ll be okay now?”

He’s not coming in…? Chihiro bit back a sigh of relief. At least he won’t think me a liar. “Yeah, I’ll be fine,” he assured, folding his hands behind his back. “Thanks for seeing me this far. I promised I’d pay you, right?” He reached into his sleeve for his purse.

Tatsumi waved his hand aside. I don’t want his money. I just…almost wish…. Pursing his lips a moment, he suddenly brightened, reaching into his own pocket. “I’ve got a better idea,” he said, pulling out a small card with a few digits on it. “This is my cell number. If you’re ever in town again….” I hope this isn’t too bold or something, but I…almost want to see him again. “…then you can buy me dinner.” He held his breath as he offered the card, slightly fearful that he would be rejected, but wanting to try anyway.

Chihiro instantly brightened. “Sure! That sounds great.” He accepted the card, tucking it safely away in his sleeve. He skipped a few steps ahead and turned back. “Or,” he added with a playful grin, tugging coyly at the collar of his haori, “I could pay you back with myself.” He winked.

Tatsumi snorted. “Maybe in a few years, kid,” he called back, and it wasn’t until a moment later that it really registered what they had both just said. He blushed faintly, hoping the dark would cover it as he raised a hand in farewell. Well, it has been a long time. “Don’t get lost again!”

Chihiro grinned. “Thanks for tonight!” he called, and then, just to make it seem legitimate, turned to run up the stairs to the temple. I’ll just wait for a while, then head back toward the harbor. I’ll run into the others along the way. He paused, watching Tatsumi’s turned back as he left. A few years, huh? We’ll see about that. With a blush and a laugh he continued up the stairs, deciding to at least take the chance and look around a bit before he had to go home.

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