Bound by Blood

This is a fic taking place before the events of Bushido Blade two. Tatsumi returns to the Meikyokan after spending years away, honing his skills. Chihiro wants a little fresh air from the confines of his family’s dojo. Rated for sex and some violence. We are poor! Do not sue us! XD

Italics for thoughts

Please read and enjoy!


Bound by Blood
Chapter Four:

Kaun sighed and ran a hand back through his pale hair as he left the Master’s room. He wasn’t sure why he was forced to come to these meetings, but he endured them in silence anyway. They’re hoping I’ll care enough to continue on here once the Lord and my Father are gone. He snorted quietly to himself. Father especially. I think he secretly hopes I will be to Chihiro-sama what he is to Daina-sama.

Chihiro was still humming happily as he slipped through the halls; it sounded as if his father had been drawn in to some meetings with his top men, and chances of his absence having been noticed were slim. Good. I’m not sure what I’d tell him, otherwise. How could I explain why I’m so excited? Blushing, he turned a sharp corner, and there ran into a familiar, pale figure. He blinked and stepped lightly back. “Oh, Kaun. Excuse me.” He gave a short bow, more for the sake of anyone who might be nearby than for Kaun himself.

Kaun bowed as well. “Chihiro-sama.” He, of course, was no stranger to all the different expressions of his Master’s son, and it was easy to catch the flushed, mischievous look in Chihiro’s eyes. “You were out late,” he commented indifferently.

Chihiro tried to smother a grin and failed--there wasn’t much he could hide from Kaun, after all, nor would he have wanted to. “I guess so,” he drawled innocently, clasping his hands behind his back. “Anything interesting with Father? He….” He glanced about. “He didn’t notice, did he?”

“No,” he replied easily. “Not this time.” There were…other matters to occupy his attention. Kaun’s gaze sharpened--some part of him thought that Chihiro should know what had taken place behind the closed doors of Daina’s room, but warnings from both Master and Father to keep the issue quiet were still ringing in his ears. Though, if he asks, then it wouldn’t be wrong for not lying. He turned suddenly, towards the wide archery fields--they would be deserted at this time. “Would you walk with me some, Chihiro-sama?”

Chihiro straightened, not sure if he was supposed to be wary or not. He trusted Kaun, but the tone in the man’s voice indicated he might be about to suffer a lecture. “All right.” He trotted easily to Kaun’s side. “Is there something on your mind?”

“Usually.” Clasping his hands behind his back, Kaun moved out into the yard, breathing in the night air. There was still some tension between his shoulder blades leftover from the meeting, and he stretched faintly to try and relieve it. He could tell Chihiro was somewhat nervous, a testimony that he’d been doing some mischief. He smells like sweat, and I doubt he was training. Kaun indulged himself in a moment of curiosity, wondering if perhaps the Shainto heir had finally taken his own exploits beyond watching at bedroom doors.

Chihiro licked his lips nervously--Kaun was playing with him, and that usually meant he had something in mind. “Um….” He straightened the front of his haori. He knew better than to think Kaun would relate anything to his father, if he’d figured out what he’d been doing, but…that didn’t keep his nerves from acting up. “Does it have something to do with me, or do you just require the company?”

“I confess to be enjoying some more…interesting company at the moment.” Kaun glanced at him a moment, and while the boy shifted a piece of paper drifted from within his sleeve. He bent down to retrieve it, seeing only that it was someone’s business card before handing it over. “You dropped this.”

Chihiro snatched it back, holding it close against his chest even though he knew Kaun would have made no effort to read it. “It’s nothing,” he said anyway, tilting his chin up. There were times when he couldn’t help but try to rouse Kaun’s curiosity, impossible as it seemed. “Just someone I met in town.”

He shrugged. “I assumed as much.” Kaun continued to walk. “I would warn you to place it safely away before your father sought you out, though I believe his mind will be turned in other directions for a time.”

Chihiro frowned slightly; there were few things that could divert his father’s attention away from the training of his son. He glanced at Kaun out of the corner of his eye. “It sounds as if something happened during the meeting he held,” he remarked idly. “For you to talk like that.”

“It’s more of what was discovered that caused the meeting, I suppose would be the correct meaning.” Kaun idly reached out, brushing his fingers over a few low-hanging leaves. He’ll eventually ask--he’s curious now. He frowned slightly to himself, plucking a few greens as they kept moving. He should know…something like this.

“Discovered?” Chihiro glanced up at him. Kaun looked…almost troubled, or as much so as he ever did, and that was more than enough to warrant his curiosity. Is he trying to bait me into asking? He licked his lips. “What did Father discover?”

Kaun continued to look over the leaves as though they held more interest for him than what had gone on during the meeting. “It was discovered that some rumors we have been hearing might actually hold some truth to them.” Pausing, Kaun leaned over to pull a stray arrow from the cover of bushes. He examined the end critically. “Some of our recently taken on help brought us information about…a man who used to live here. One we all believed to be dead.”

Chihiro frowned critically. “I haven’t heard anything like that,” he accused, his full attention now on Kaun. What is he getting at? Though I guess it really is like Kaun to be this…cryptic. “Who? A deserter?”

He snorted quietly. “We didn’t believe so.” Kaun pressed his thumb against the arrowhead, wondering how much force he might have to apply before the skin was broken. “Nearly a year before your birth, a young woman escaped from the island with her infant son. Or so my Father says. They were followed into the mountains south of the city, but our men were intercepted by the Narukagami.” Now Kaun glanced over at Chihiro. “Your father went to the Meikyokan, where their warrior Utsusemi declared the woman and child dead by his actions.”

Chihiro listened, and though he was not entirely surprised by the account--he was surprised he didn’t hear of more deserters from the Shainto--there was something about the way Kaun was looking at him that was making him nervous. Something about the tale that was spreading a cold chill up his spine. “And you’re saying the boy survived,” he surmised, his words measured and careful. “A boy of our clan is among the Narukagami.”

Kaun nodded slightly. “It is possible. Our informant was once of their tribe that deserted them. My Father’s agents are still trying to get definite proof before we attempt anything.” Kaun’s eyes narrowed slightly, watching Chihiro very closely now. I know he can put it together, but…. “Chihiro-sama.” His fingers tightened around the arrow faintly. “You know that your father was wed once, before he married your mother.”

“My….” Chihiro frowned, his eyes narrowing as he considered that knowledge. “Then you’re saying this woman was once Father’s….”

He stopped suddenly, posture straightening as his lips parted. Father’s first wife deserted him. Taking with her his firstborn son…which would be….

Chihiro managed to collect himself well despite the shock; his flesh was cold, almost shivering, but his faced the man before him with calm intensity. “And what exactly does Father ‘attempt’ to do?” he asked as evenly as possible. He would not speak it aloud--it didn’t yet seem real enough.

Kaun met his gaze passively. “Nothing is planned as of yet. We can not be positive of the boy’s identity, and it will only be with proof that we will risk making any kind of move.” He returned his attention back to the arrow as he started walking again. “For now, we watch. And we prepare--if the Narukagami manage to call many more warriors to them, our chance to attack may pass. Tomorrow my Father will be sending out summons for our own aid.”

“I see.” Chihiro didn’t move yet, just watching Kaun move slowly away from him. If what he says is true…it means that I have…. His fingers curled stiffly at his sides, his eyes wide and unfocused.

“Kaun-san.” Chihiro lifted his head with a deep breath. “Thank you.” And then he turned, sprinting back towards the house in search of the thoughtful silence of his private rooms.

Kaun glanced back briefly to watch the boy, his expression sober. He should know. Continuing on, he started slowly in the direction of his own rooms, still idly playing with the abandoned arrow. He needs to decide what he will do if his brother returns. Or…if he doesn’t….

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Chihiro waited for his father to make some mention of the information Kaun had spilled. Three days went by without a word. He had expected as much--he would be the last one to be informed. Because…if the first of the Daina sons were still alive, it would mean Chihiro’s freedom. Freedom from the blood of his ancestors, the responsibilities of his clan. Their leader was right to keep it from the one person who would benefit the most from his brother’s return.

On the fourth day Chihiro brought himself to call Tatsumi. He was curled in the corner of his room, idly tracing the buttons on the cell phone he’d stolen from one of the others’ rooms. He just hadn’t been ready to see Tatsumi before then, with his emotions in such disarray, knowing he would relate everything and cast their relationship into jeopardy. He couldn’t risk that, now that he needed the boy more than anything.

Chihiro wet his lips as the phone rang, drawing his hair over his ear so that if anyone came in unannounced it would be hidden, and he could claim to be napping. His breath caught when his call was answered. “Tatsumi-san?”

Tatsumi couldn’t help a relieved smile, setting down the weight in his hand and moving towards the couch. “Yes, it’s me.” I know he said it would be difficult for him to call, but I was starting to get worried. At least…. He dropped down with a sigh, wiping his forehead with a towel. “It’s good to hear you, Chihiro-kun.”

Despite everything, Chihiro couldn’t help but smile himself. “You, too,” he replied, curling a little closer into the corner. “I wanted to call sooner, but…a lot of stuff came up.” Just hearing Tatsumi, however, was warming him; he was relieved. “Forgive me?”

He chuckled softly. “All right, but just this once,” he teased, settling deeper into the cushions. Though…he sounds kind of quiet. Tatsumi stared up at the ceiling, wondering if he should say something…. “So how are you?” he finally asked. “Working hard, I hope.”

“Yeah. Real hard.” Chihiro licked his lips. I don’t want to start into it, because I know I’ll tell him anything. But…. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he said, trying to inject some enthusiasm into his voice. But before he knew what he was saying, the words slipped out. “I want to see you.” His tone lowered, growing a bit thicker as he remembered…some particularly interesting evenings he’d spent, distracting himself from his worries. “I’ve been thinking about you. A lot.”

His smile grew, hand dropping to rest on his stomach. “Oh yeah?” He tried to sound cool, though his heart skipped a little at Chihiro’s lowered tone. Well, I’ve been thinking about him, too. More than thinking…. Tatsumi shifted faintly on the couch. “I’m not busy right now, if you’d like to come over.”

“Really?” Chihiro’s shoulders crept up, already thrilled by the idea. There was something exciting about all of this--calling a boy he barely knew, planning to sneak away to him, feeling the delicious shiver it gave him to remember strong arms…. It’ll keep my mind off of everything. And I do want to see him. Idly he smoothed out the wrinkles in the front of his haori. “Mmm, that sounds good.”

You sound good. Tatsumi’s eyes slid closed. Chihiro’s voice was young but…somehow thrilling. It made his fingers tense against his stomach. “How about I meet you somewhere. I’ve got a motorbike--better than you having to walk all the way.” Sooner I can get you here….

“Okay.” Somewhere close, but…not close enough for him to know I came from the docks. He licked his lips again. “How about…that coffee place by the mall?” he suggested. “That’s not far from where I’m coming from.” He smiled and hummed almost mischievously. “I hope you’re ready, ‘cause I can’t wait to get my hands on you, Tatsumi.” He shivered; it was so true that a faint murmur built in his throat.

Tatsumi was glad the boy couldn’t see his grin. He really is a tease. “We’ll see who’s ready for who,” he countered, gradually pushing to his feet. “I’ll meet you there in thirty minutes, all right?” Man, I’m getting excited just thinking about this. It hasn’t been that long since I got some, so…. He flushed as he moved into the bathroom. Maybe it’s just him.

"All right. I'll be there." With a giggle Chihiro hung up, and immediately pushed to his feet. Hopefully his father's attention would be diverted for long enough that he wouldn't be bothered with Chihiro sneaking out again. I really want to see him. At least...I'll be able to relax some.

Tatsumi turned off his phone, setting it beside the sink as he started to pull out of his shirt. He would have enough time for a quick shower. Maybe...take care of himself a bit, first.

A few minutes later he was rocketing down the main road on his small motorcycle, his spare helmet hanging from his elbow. He was still excited despite a lengthy shower, and he hoped to make a grand entrance by skidding to a halt at the curb of the coffee shop. Chihiro was easy to spot in his formalwear, and he flipped back the dark visor of his helmet with a grin.

Chihiro couldn't have been more thrilled--it was like something out of a movie, and with a delighted grin he skipped happily to Tatsumi's side. "You're right on time." He eyed the motorcycle with wide, excited eyes. "I get to ride?"

Tatsumi easily tossed him the extra helmet. "Buckle up and hold on," he replied. He was all too thrilled by Chihiro's reaction. Damnit, I hope he's not looking to do too much training--I don't think I'll be able to concentrate for long.

Chihiro was sure that if he'd had any less self-control, he would have squealed for joy. Though the helmet was somewhat uncomfortable with his thick hair he barely noticed as he hopped onto the back of the motorcycle, slipping his arms up around Tatsumi's waist. "Mm, like this?"

"Yeah." Tatsumi flipped his visor down, revving the engine impressively. "Just hold on tight." He hit the gas, and he couldn't help laughing to himself at the surprised looks he got from the people on the street as they roared off.

Chihiro laughed as well, arms tightening around Tatsumi's waist. He'd never been on a motorcycle before--it was louder and faster than he would have thought, and he already loved it. "Thanks for picking me up," he called over the noise as he leaned close.

It's because I didn't want to wait for you to walk over. Tatsumi only replied by taking a turn almost dangerously close, making a pair of female shoppers shriek. He loved the feel of Chihiro's arms around his waist, his body pressed so tightly against his back.... Soon. We'll just see how bold he is then.

He feels good. This close Chihiro could easily feel Tatsumi's body, and he enjoyed the excuse to hug tightly against Tatsumi's muscled back. This is what I need. What I want. Feeling bold, his right hand crept stealthily down Tatsumi's stomach.

Tatsumi grinned. Good. "Careful there," he called back, only partially serious. "I'm driving here, kid." Still, he couldn't help shifting back suddenly, pressing their hips more firmly together. Almost there....

Chihiro gasped quietly--he hadn't realized until then how...deftly Tatsumi was already affecting him, and he felt himself beginning to harden as his thighs scraped against firm hips. He squirmed a little, embarrassed. I don't want him to think I'm just a kid.... "Is it far?"

"Almost there." And not soon enough. He finally pulled around behind the apartment complex, taking them down into the basement parking lot. Damnit, I'm this hard already? The little shit really is doing a number on me. Tatsumi parked, hopping off to secure a chain lock around the wheels and to a cement support beam--he was horny, but he wasn't about to be careless with his baby. At last he pulled off his helmet to fix Chihiro with an eager look. "Wanna go up?"

Chihiro straightened, shaking his head so that his hair would poof back out now that it was free of the helmet. "Of course." He bounced after Tatsumi, trusting his thick clothing would hide his excitement for a while.

Tatsumi easily took the extra helmet, hanging both over his arm as they got to the elevator. Once it arrived, he snatched Chihiro's wrist and pulled him inside. He grinned at the surprised in the boy's face, and he leaned back against the wall. "It's been a while, Chihiro-kun."

"Yes...." Though he was sure the elevator ride wouldn't be nearly long enough he slid forward, pressing up against the elder boy. "I missed you," he purred.

His eyes narrowed around his please smile. "Funny, isn't it," he murmured in reply, watching Chihiro's approach with interest. "Since we've barely known each other even twenty-four hours." Tatsumi gave him an encouraging tug.

"It must be our amazing chemistry," Chihiro replied, drawing his fingers with interest over Tatsumi's abdomen. "Isn't that what it's called? Body chemistry." He tipped his head against a sharp shoulder.

He's...so soft. It's been a while since I've been with a guy like this. Tatsumi tilted his own head so his lips could whisper against the boy's temple. "Are you saying I turn you on, Chihiro-kun?" he asked, a bit surprised at his own boldness.

Chihiro smirked against his collar. I want to be good for him. His fingers curled against Tatsumi's chest as he pressed more tightly against him, rising up on his toes so their hips brushed. "Can't you tell?"

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