The first light of dawn was just beginning to show as Shion crawled into his cold little bed.  He no longer felt much like sleeping, but it seemed wise to make it appear as though he'd spent some part of the night there.

Why had he awakened in Kamui’s chamber alone?  Perhaps he had no right to question it, but- something about Lord Kamui leaving him felt wrong.  Certainly there were many reasons a daimyo might be called away, but why before daybreak?  To a shrine?  Perhaps something was bothering the man, but what could it possibly be?  Unless-

He heard stirrings in the house behind him and knew his master was awake.  A loud clatter resounded from the direction of the storeroom, accompanied by loud swearing, and Shion closed his eyes.

Harvest-time was near.  Soon his theft would be discovered, if it hadn’t been already.  Judging from all the noise, such a thing was imminently likely.  He sat up slowly, with a deep sigh, steeling himself for what was to come.

“Where are they?,” the apothecary demanded, bursting into the room.

“What are you looking for?”

“The harvest is three days away.  You know damned well what I’m looking for.”

Shion stared down at the dusty floor.  “I took them,” he answered.  “The ingredients for the poultice-”

“You did what?”  There was a dangerous edge to the man’s voice.  “Why?”

“Lord Kamui returned wounded this summer, and the wound became infected.”  The man’s feet moved closer.  Shion watched their progress with a heavy sense of dread.  “It was my duty to help him, so I took them-”

“It was your duty not to steal from me!”  Rough fingers pulled at his hair, jerking his head back.  The man’s features distorted with rage.  “What did he pay you to betray me?”

“Nothing.”

“You lying, ungrateful little brat!”  Another hand grabbed at his neckline, pulling him forward.  His sleeve dropped down over his shoulder, and the man seemed to hesitate for a moment.  “What is this?,” he demanded.  “Who were you with last night?”  The tension forcing at his head had loosened enough for Shion to glance down at what had drawn his master’s notice.

Three distinct bruises darkening against his pale skin- the marks of Kamui’s fingers as they’d pressed into him-

Shion held himself as straight and tall as he possibly could, meeting the man’s eyes directly, without a trace of shame.

You are exactly what I seek.

“With Kamui, our lord.”

The man's grip went completely slack for a moment before tightening again. "You're lying," he growled.  “There’s no way such a man would ever come near you.”

“You know I’m telling the truth,” Shion answered quietly.  “He came to the shop that day to find me.”

“Why, you little slut-”  The hated fingers forced his head back more and more sharply.  "I feed you and clothe you and give you shelter, I save your very life and take you in, and this is how you demonstrate your gratitude?  You constantly disobey me.”  His lips twisted into a sneer.  "Do you really think you would've lasted a day in the fields, as weak as you were after the illness which claimed your father?  You're still so useless and pathetic-”

Shion closed his eyes, remembering the feel of Kamui's hand on his cheek, so gentle, so tender.

"I should’ve cast you out in the beginning, you degenerate piece of shit!”

The man's palm collided against the cheek Kamui had touched so lovingly, followed by a ruthless fist, over and over and over-

Chapter IV

"I've come for Shion," a voice he recognized as Kagamine's announced. "Lord Kamui wishes to see him immediately."

Hearing that particular voice speaking those particular words filled him with a complicated mixture of utter dread and longing.  Shion's hands shook as he began placing another layer of leaves on the rack to dry, deliberately keeping his head down.

"Is that so?," the apothecary answered gruffly. "And who are you to speak for him?"

"I am Kagamine Len, messenger to our exalted Lord."

Exalted? Had he heard that correctly? It seemed out of character for the boy to ever regard anyone or anything as 'exalted.'

"Why should I believe you? You look like an ordinary brat to me.”

Kagamine sighed impatiently. There was a sound of rustling cloth. "As you can see, I bear his seal, old man."

Shion smiled. He wanted to gaze up at Kagamine, but the moment he did, he knew those keen eyes would notice-

"I will not allow him to leave."

He felt the blood freeze in his veins.

"Perhaps you have become senile, apothecary, and do not understand. This is not a request, but an order-”

"From our exalted Lord. Yes, yes, I know."

This was going to end very badly.  Shion rose to his feet.  "I'll go with you," he murmured softly, keeping his head down.

"No, he won't," the old man hissed. "Tell Kamui to find some other man to warm his bed."

"Why, you-"

"Stop it. Please." Shion turned to Kagamine with pleading eyes. It was impossible for him to hide the swollen bruised mess of his face any longer. The boy frowned when he saw it. "We shouldn't waste time here," he urged, stepping forward to stand by Kagamine's side.

"Filthy wretch," his master spat out. "You've probably spread yourself open for this one as well."

Shion's face turned red. He stood very still, feeling sick to his stomach. Kagamine reached out to him protectively, drawing him closer. "Kamui will be very displeased when he sees what you've done to his lover."

"And what exactly is he going to do? Frown threateningly at me, as you do?"

Kagamine lunged at him, striking as quickly as a venomous snake, his fist connecting with the man's throat and sending him stumbling back. "No one disrespects my lord," he muttered dangerously, closing the distance between them. Shion's master had fallen, dazed and helpless, to the floor. That blow he'd landed wasn't accidental. Kagamine knew how to fight, and he wasn't being so calm and rational about it.  Undisguised hatred burned in his eyes.

Shion rushed to the boy’s side just in time to clutch at his upraised arm. Their eyes caught and held. He placed himself between Kagamine and the object of his fury, gently shaking his head, as the boy's body quivered with rage.

"You may thank this 'filthy wretch' for your life," Kagamine finally spat out, loosening a pouch from his waist. "Be assured I was prepared to take it." He tossed the jangling bundle at the apothecary's chest, where it landed with a heavy thud. "Since gold is the only thing fools like you understand, take this, and hope you do not see either one of us again." He turned to Shion. "Do you have any belongings you want to take with you?"

"I-" He stared back at Kagamine, stammering, bewildered by what had just happened. "I only have my yukata-"

"Are you carrying your flute?" Shion nodded. "Then let's go. I can't stand the sight of that man any longer."

"That boy," the apothecary choked out, "he stole from me-"

"Then you ought to be glad to see him go, old man. There's more than enough money there to clear every debt he owes. "

Shion gazed down at his master, wheezing there on the floor. He felt hesitant to leave. Whatever the man had done to him, he was surely in pain.  He was old and his bones were brittle.  Something might be broken-

"One day you will regret this," the apothecary muttered hoarsely. "When Kamui can no longer protect you, when his fortress is burning around you, you will remember your merciful master, and weep." He shook his head, a little unsteadily, as if he were drunk. "Sooner or later, your precious lord will fall, and you will both be put to the sword." He laughed, a terrible sound which quickly dissolved into a pained fit of coughing. "Perhaps it will even be Kamui's own.  It is only a matter of time."

Shion stood, rooted in place by this pronouncement, his eyes wide with fear.

"Don't listen to him, Shion. He's only trying to scare you."

He bowed awkwardly to his master, who would not look at him, as Kagamine tugged insistently at his arm, pulling him away.

Once they finally managed to get outside, the youth hoisted him up onto his horse's back before climbing up gracefully in front of him. Shion was lost in his thoughts. The vision of Lord Kamui with his sword raised towards him hovered before his eyes and would not leave him. He shuddered at it. Kagamine seemed not to notice. Perhaps he was too preoccupied with disturbing thoughts of his own. The silence which stretched between them was unnerving. The youth kept his back straight, his eyes focused on the road before them, as though he expected another ambush. His body seemed tense and ready for a fight.

"Ah, Kagamine?" There was no response. "I'm Kamui's servant now, as you are?"

The boy glanced over his shoulder with a quiet nod. Shion couldn't make out his expression.

"Then, if his territory is taken-"

"This province hasn't been fought over in two hundred years. It's poor and possesses no tactical importance, so it doesn't really have much to offer."

"Yes, but- we've become more prosperous since Lord Kamui came here, and then there is the matter of his injury. Someone might choose this time to make a move against him, and if they do-" The words died away on his lips.

"What answer do you want me to give you?," Kagamine murmured, his voice dry and tight. "Do you want me to tell you it's impossible? That it will never happen? That everything is going to be okay?" He shook his head. "You know I can't do that. All I can tell you is to trust in Kamui- both as the man you've chosen, and as your lord."

"I understand," Shion responded softly.

"What the old man said to you is rubbish. Kamui would never ask us to die for him, and he would never, ever hurt you, Shion."  The boy's voice had regained some measure of its warmth. "Mind you," Kagamine continued with a sort of baleful shrug, "he's going to be very angry when we return to him, but it'll be directed towards me entirely.  Not you."

"Why? Because you wasted all that gold?"

"No, Shion." He laughed. "That was exactly how it was meant to be used." He hesitated for a moment. "To be completely honest, Kamui didn't send me. I came on my own, without his permission, because I was concerned what might happen to you.  You might not have noticed, but- there's a bruise on one of your shoulders. You can clearly make out the mark of his fingers."

Shion's hands moved unconsciously to the place he had mentioned.

"Judging from the state you're in, the old man must've noticed it too. I'm sorry I reacted like that, but I'm so tired of looking on as you’re neglected and beaten-" Kagamine shook his head. "You deserve that less than anyone. I don't care how dangerous it might be for you to live with Kamui. At least there I can protect you, and make sure you have plenty of food, and suitable clothes, and perhaps I can-" The youth sighed, sounding suddenly despondent.

"Kiss me again?," Shion teased.

Kagamine nodded. "And also- keep you warm, some nights-" His words were halting, slow. He seemed embarrassed by them.

Shion leaned his forehead against the boy's slender back. He wondered what Lord Kamui might think about all that, but it seemed kinder at the moment to keep his misgivings to himself.

"When Kamui left during the summer, he was genuinely worried he wouldn't return. He gave me the money he'd set aside to secure your freedom. If anything happened to him, I was to take you away from your master, and never again to leave your side." Kagamine paused for a moment. "He gave me the same instructions when he was ill. Kamui knows that someday he'll leave and not return to us, that we will be left with nothing but each other. That's why I alone- can do anything I like with you- provided you wish it- as well-"

The poor boy's discomfort at saying these words was obvious, but, once spoken, a torrent of emotion came rushing out behind them.

"You barely know me. I understand that. I'm sure it seems as though I'm only doing any of this because Kamui told me to, but I've been following you for so long, Shion. Not a day passed that I didn't keep watch on you, until Kamui returned and I was called upon to tend to him instead. I'm sorry. I know it all seems dishonest-"

"I don’t think you’re dishonest at all.”

The boy’s body seemed to relax slightly.  "Then do you- think well of me?"

"Of course I do.”

"Perhaps you shouldn't. I've stepped so far out of line." Kagamine sighed. "I went there with Kamui's seal and delivered a false message. I provoked a quarrel and injured an old man. I took you away from your home, against Kamui's wishes, and perhaps against your own-"

"My master had discovered the theft. I don't think it would've been safe for me to stay there any longer."

"That may be true, but still- it’s a serious breach of conduct. Anyone but Kamui would have my head for it."

Shion wrapped his arms around the boy's waist and held him tightly. "You defended my intentions once, remember? I will repay the favor."

"As reassuring as I find that, you have no idea how intimidating Kamui is when he's angry." He sighed. "We're nearly to the gate. I suppose we should get this over with as quickly as possible-"

"I don't think we have a choice," Shion whispered, gazing directly at the tall figure standing there in front of them, its arms crossed tightly over its chest. The guards must've been dismissed. No one else was waiting outside.

The boy's white-knuckled fist clutched at the horse's mane. His face had probably turned the same color. Shion tightened his arms around Kagamine's waist, feeling a deep sense of sympathy. Kamui's sudden appearance, stark and alone, seemed like an ominous sign.

Wordlessly, the daimyo took hold of their horse, pushed open the gate, and led it inside. He began walking towards the fortress with quick, purposeful strides.

The boy dismounted, holding his hand out to Shion, who watched Kamui's retreating back with a sense of mute despair.

"I am to follow him," Kagamine murmured, moving to shut the gate behind them.  "He won't confront me here. If you want, you can stay behind with the horses. He has no dispute with you."

Accompany Kagamine

Do as he suggests