Warnings: R (Finally, some more Tsume/Kiba action and I don’t mean fighting either! /snerks/)

 

 

Part Six

The Young and the Restless

 

A siren went off and Kiba hissed in response. He didn’t know what was more humiliating. Being frisked and groped by that bastard Quent or running around naked in a house that had a million and one doors and hallways. One could get lost in here quite easily and he didn’t want to get caught by Quent’s minions for he knew it was only a matter of time before those two men would show up to see what was wrong.

 

He crouched and began to run as fast as his legs could take him, being careful to remain close to the walls. He could hear the loud cries of the security guards (and he could have sworn several dogs barking) as they all scrambled into the building in search of the intruders. However, something about this situation didn’t seem right to him. He had only been in Quent’s bedroom and he wasn’t aware of triggering off any alarms while in there – unless Quent had an alarm set in his head. So why were the guards all in a frenzy? It could only mean that an outside party or parties had invaded the rich man’s house.

 

Could it be…?

 

No. He shook his head rapidly to get rid of the stray thought that had entered his mind. It couldn’t possibly be that pushy bastard here to rescue him. For starters, there was no way Tsume could know he was here. He hadn’t given or left any clues in the apartment and besides, why would Tsume want to rescue him? It wasn’t as if they were friends or anything. So why then did he feel this sickening lurch in his chest – this ache that refused to stop?

 

“There he is!”

 

He sucked in a harsh breath and spun around to see the two burly men running towards him at an increasingly rapid pace. For such large men they really were light on their feet. Taking another furtive but quick glance behind him, Kiba winced as he realized there was no other place to run to. He had reached a dead end. He took another step backwards and braced himself, holding out his cuffed hands with his teeth bared in open challenge. If he couldn’t run anymore, he’d just have to stop and fight with his life on the line.

 

“Come and get it,” he growled to himself as their looming black figures came even closer. And falling on all fours, he felt a wave of vertigo wash over him as he got ready to…

 

 

__

 

 

“…come this way,” Toboe said quickly as he motioned for the taller man to follow. They had left Hige with Blue and Tsume wasn’t sure if that was a good idea or not. However, he would have to deal with this Quent guy first and get Kiba out of his clutches.

 

“I hope you aren’t trying anything funny,” Tsume said tightly as they walked through yet another narrow pathway filled with enough ostentatious décor that looked too out of place and made Tsume want to gag.

 

Toboe gave a light shrug. “This is the only way to get to the boss’s room without alerting the guards. As you can see, you and your friends are surrounded and there’s no way to escape. Of course my boss will still defeat you…”

 

“Just shut up brat and keep walking,” came the curt reply that had the young boy flushing with indignation at being spoken to in such a manner. He wanted to tell himself that he could take this arrogant man down – after all, he had defeated bigger men before. But there was something about Tsume that he couldn’t quite shake off. Perhaps it was the genuine anger and animosity he sensed, but Toboe had the feeling that if he tried anything, he really would die in a heartbeat.

 

He stopped before a door – a simple wooden door with a brass knocker of a lion’s head. Lifting it up gently, Toboe knocked, once, twice…until Tsume pushed him aside with impatience and kicked the door in.

 

“No! Wait…!”

 

But it was too late to back out now. Tsume saw the huge blade descending from the ceiling as if in slow motion. He cursed loudly and tried to duck but he was not fast enough. A searing, blinding and mind-numbing pain coursed through his body and he howled as the blade sank into his left shoulder. Toboe’s cry of horror mingled with his as Tsume fell to his knees in agony.

 

“I tried to tell you!” Toboe yelled as he reached for the end of the scythe-like weapon to pull it out quickly. Tsume’s black jacket was already made darker with the blood that now gushed freely from the deep cut. Toboe felt faint at the sight. “Oh god…you’re…you’re…bleeding…so badly…”

 

“I can see that,” Tsume grated out through clenched teeth as he staggered to his feet. His entire left arm felt numb and useless but he held on to the knife tightly in his right hand as he continued to walk into the large bedroom. His vision blurred for a moment and he staggered again, cursing in frustration at how much blood he was losing. He didn’t want to lose consciousness now.

 

“Oh my goodness!” Toboe gasped. “It looks like there was a fight in here.”

 

Tsume forced his vision to become clearer as he too stared at the mess in the room. The bed sheets looked like there had been a struggle on it. There were broken pieces of glass on the floor and a table that had looked like it had been set for dinner, now had it’s contents strewn all over the floor. It really did look like a fight had occurred.

 

Hn. He would bet that damn Kiba had fought his way out of this. He should have known.

 

Toboe was looking around the room with a light frown of confusion and concern on his features. “But…but …where is my boss…?”

 

“Right over here, you little traitor!”

 

Tsume didn’t know when he moved or how he had managed to so quickly but he would be damned before allowing the old guy to hack into the kid. Quent had sneaked up behind them with another scythe and its destination had been intended for the oblivious Toboe’s head or neck. However, Tsume’s quick reflexes stepped in and he reached for the man’s hand, holding it back as the blade struck the bed post ineffectively.

 

“Run!” Tsume ground out coldly as his gaze met the maniacal ones of the older man. So this was the bastard that had dared touch Kiba. There was congealed blood on Quent’s features and he looked…horribly grotesque.

 

“But…” Toboe began weakly.

 

“Run, goddamnit! Find Kiba! You’ll know him when you see him!”

 

“Ri…right!” Toboe gave one last look at the two men braced in a stand off and ran out of the room, feeling his eyes sting with unshed tears. He didn’t want to believe that his boss – the man he had loved so very much – would have killed him if Tsume hadn’t stepped in. He had been nothing but loyal to Quent all these years…but he had betrayed his master and he could understand the old man’s reasoning. But if Tsume defeated him… what was to become of him and Blue? How could they manage to survive on the streets again?

 

He ran out to the hallway and froze in mid-stride at the sight that met his eyes. For standing over two large bodies was the naked figure of the most beautiful and bloodied beast he had ever seen. And for one heartbreaking moment, Toboe forgot how to breathe.

 

 

__

 

 

 

Kiba couldn’t even explain what had happened to him a few minutes ago if he tried. He stared at his blood-stained hands and indeed his entire body as he stumbled backwards in horror. He could remember falling on his hands and knees and then…just…nothing. It was as if that particular section of time had been erased from his mind completely.

 

Had he actually felt even more excited and thrilled at the thought of biting into the men’s flesh? Had he actually ripped their lungs out and nearly torn their heads off their shoulders? How could he have done that with his bare hands? That was…impossible!

 

The handcuffs that had been on his hands had long gone and as he rose to his feet slowly, he became aware of the boy standing before him with absolute terror on his young features. Kiba couldn’t blame him for that reaction. He was sure he looked anything but normal at the moment. He took a step forward and Toboe shrank away.

 

“It’s okay,” Kiba began softly while trying to force a warm smile on his features. “I won’t hurt you. I promise. I just need…”

 

But Toboe wasn’t listening. He squeezed his eyes shut and slid to the floor, hands over his ears as he screamed desperately. “He’s in there! He’s going to kill my boss! Please! Please make him stop!”

 

He’s in there! He? He could only be one person.

 

Tsume!

 

Feeling a sudden rush of adrenaline course through his body, Kiba ran towards the bedroom again. So Tsume had come for him after all! Why he felt ridiculously pleased about that, he would never know. But he did and as he threw open the doors to the room; he sucked in a harsh breath at the scene before him. It looked like Quent was lying above Tsume’s body and as Kiba walked closer; he could make out the dark stain upon the older man’s head. Had Tsume bashed Quent’s head in with his bare fists? Good grief.

 

He pushed the old man off Tsume and winced softly at how ashen the silver-haired man looked. He propped Tsume against a wall gently and one glance at his left shoulder told Kiba all he needed to know. The cut was deep and if proper precautions weren’t taken, Tsume could bleed to death.

 

“Tsume…Tsume,” he whispered softly as he fell to his knees. “Open your eyes…Tsume…”

 

Tsume heard the voice and wondered if it was yet another figment of his imagination. The old guy had been pretty tough to beat and Tsume was still not sure of how he had managed to subdue the raging bastard with just one arm. But he had done it somehow and he hated to admit that it had really felt good to hear the sound of crunching bone beneath his fist.

 

He opened up his eyes weakly, only to blink slowly at the blood streaked face before him. However, there was no denying the sharp teal eyes that were boring down at him in concern. Blood. Geez, the guy didn’t know how to take things easy, did he?

 

“You…” he began thickly – it felt as if his mouth was filled with cotton balls - only to find the words lodged somewhere in his throat as he realized that Kiba was also stark naked. Tsume doubted if Kiba had hurt himself as well, but there was something so primitive and delightfully sexy about the blood-stained man before him. Fuck. It had been almost twenty-four hours since he had seen Kiba. Twenty-four long hours of not tasting this bastard whom had almost gotten him killed…twice.

 

In other words, he had missed the clueless fool.

 

“Tsume…can you…we have to…”

 

“Shut the fuck up, Kiba…” Tsume growled as he lifted his good arm to sink his fingers into the other’s hair. “Just shut up…”

 

He tugged Kiba’s head forward and closed his eyes as their lips met in a kiss that was nothing short of bruising and demanding. If Kiba was surprised at this sudden development, he made no effort to show it as he responded just as hungrily.

 

Dear gods, but he had missed this!

 

Someone moaned but neither cared to know who. With tongues clashing and sucking on the each other roughly, Kiba straddled Tsume’s waist and pressed his body even closer to the sinewy length. For a moment, his eyes remained open, watching Tsume’s once ashen cheeks fill with dull color. He finally let them close as he felt Tsume’s right hand upon his waist and slide down to the taut curve of his ass cheek. He growled within the kiss, shifting restlessly upon Tsume’s waist as both men felt their arousals awakening with unbridled lust.

 

Damn but Kiba was extremely sensitive, Tsume thought feverishly. The urge to own this man was so overwhelming that all rational thought was about to fly out the window in mere seconds. Kiba’s scent was intoxicating. His taste was even more delicious than he remembered. He wanted Kiba. Needed him.

 

“Hah….hah…aaah!”

 

Kiba tore his lips away and cried out as he felt Tsume’s wandering finger tease the entrance to his rectum but it was a shy and rather loud cough from the doorway that had both men turning around quickly. Standing at the doorway, looking rather uncomfortable and quite flushed, was Toboe.

 

“Sor…sorry…” he began quickly, unable to look at the two men completely. “I didn’t know…I mean…I…”

 

“The brat,” Tsume muttered harshly while desperately trying to even his ragged breathing, only to groan again at the sensation of Kiba’s cock still pressing incessantly against his stomach. If he were wicked enough, Tsume would be more than willing to give the young boy a good showing of what adults do in their spare time, but to his irritation, Kiba was already pulling away from him and rising to his feet. 

 

Toboe’s flush darkened as Kiba placed a hand upon his shoulders. “Will you lead us out of here, Toboe?” he asked with a small smile. “We need to get Tsume to the hospital…”

 

“No…” Tsume said quickly as he tried to move and then wished he hadn’t as the world swarm before his eyes. “Fuck. Just take me back to the apartment. I can take care of myself.”

 

“But you’re bleeding badly!” Kiba said firmly as he spun around to face Tsume again. “This isn’t something that can be taken of by yourself. You need professional…”

 

“Don’t you tell me what to do, Kiba,” came the cold retort and this time Tsume began to struggle to his feet, using the wall as leverage. “You don’t know me. So don’t act like you…fuck…!”

 

The world danced before his eyes again and he almost fell or would have if Kiba’s strong hands hadn’t been there to hold him up. “Stop being such a stubborn bastard and just listen to me…!”

 

“And since when do I have to listen to some newbie from the main city, huh?”

 

“Goddamnit, Tsume! I’m trying to help you…!”

 

“Then don’t! I can deal with it on my own! I’ve managed this well so far without you and believe me I can bloody well do without you this time!”

 

He tried to push Kiba away but the dark-haired man wouldn’t budge. And hell if they weren’t getting aroused again.

 

Toboe watched on in fascination as the two men squared off. It was hard to believe that just a few minutes ago; they had been ready to screw each other into the ground. There was a palpable tension between the two and Toboe hated to admit that it was mildly ‘exciting’ to watch. He almost yelped at the firm hand that was placed on his shoulder.

 

“Whoa. Who’s the hottie?” Hige asked with a grin as he watched Tsume and Kiba arguing in the bedroom. Blue was standing behind him, out of breath but with an uncharacteristic look of excitement in her eyes – at least it was there until she saw the body on the floor.

 

An anguished cry escaped her throat as she ran forward and past the bickering men. She fell to her knees, hands reaching out to caress the lax features of the man she had considered her mentor and father figure over the years. The tears fell hard and fast as she cradled his body to hers.

 

“Who did this?!” she wailed with gut wrenching sobs that made the men a bit uncomfortable. “Who amongst you, did this?!”

 

“I did it, lady,” Tsume finally replied with a light frown unaware of how heavily he was now leaning on Kiba. “I don’t know what kind of relationship you had with him, but he was no good…”

 

“And how would you know?!” Blue screamed in anger as she rose to her feet and made a charge for him. But Toboe was fast as well and before she could swing her arm at the surprised couple, he had blocked her way with a pleading look in his brown eyes.

 

“Please, Blue…don’t,” he said quietly but firmly. “I’ll explain everything later. Please…”

 

“Toboe,” she said in a broken whisper. “You…you approve of this? After all the master tried to do for us?”

 

“Listen people,” Hige cut in with a wave of his hand. “As much as I’d like to stay here and stare at naked butts and crying babes, we’ve got to split. I don’t think I can hold back anymore of these guards that are just about ready to come up here. But seriously, dude,” he eyed Kiba with growing interest. “Were you the one who ripped those guys apart on the stairs? That was wicked cool.”

 

Kiba had the grace to flush but Hige’s warning stood true. They did not have the time to waste. “Toboe,” he said firmly. “Show us the way out of here.”

 

The young boy seemed torn at the decision he had to make. He could either go with these men or stay with Blue. However, as he took another glance at the desolate room, he realized that there really was nothing for him in this place. He had been raised and used as nothing but a common thief since Quent found him. He was grateful for that, but he was also grateful to Tsume now. If it wasn’t for the silver-haired man, Toboe was sure he would have been dead.

 

He gave a small nod and spun around, wincing inwardly at Blue’s cry of disbelief. “Toboe! You can’t leave! You and I…!”

 

“I have to Blue,” he said with a sad smile struggling hard not to break down in tears. “I can’t stay here anymore, Blue and neither can you. We’ve got to move on, can’t you see?” He held out his hand in invitation, hoping that the woman he had considered an older sister and best friend would join him. “Please…come with us…”

 

She shook her head rapidly and took a step backwards. “No…no…I can’t believe you’re betraying me like this, Toboe.”

 

“Blue…”

 

“Get lost! Go! Join them! See if I care, you ungrateful slut!”

 

“Hey now,” Hige cut in with a frown as he watched Toboe’s eyes fill with tears. “You can’t speak to him that way! He’s only trying to help you…”

 

“She doesn’t need our help,” Kiba replied coolly as he began to lead Tsume out of the room. “Let her wallow in her self pity. We don’t have too much time, remember?” He placed a hand on Toboe’s shoulder and squeezed it gently in reassurance. “Let’s go.”

 

The young thief gave a slow nod and wiped his tears away. He refused to look back as he began to lead them down a series of pathways that would take them to the underground garage. Within the warm cocoon of his three new friends, Toboe felt that he was now safe. He only wished that Blue would open up her eyes to see just how wrong she was.

 

 

__

 

 

It was Hige who had hotwired the sleek black car. It was also Hige who had managed to find a pair of jeans and t-shirt from a friend who lived nearby for Kiba to slip into. Hell, he could only look at the naked guy for so long without having illicit thoughts of having a piece of him. It was also Hige that had somehow managed to convince them to stay in any place but Tsume’s apartment. He had explained the situation with Darcia and Jagara and it all made perfect sense. There really was no need to go back to a place where they would be found again.

 

And so here they were in Hige’s little place he considered home away from home. Tsume had been cleaned, stitched and bandaged by a local ‘doctor’ that Hige knew and now lay sleeping on a bed half-delirious. Kiba, who had also been cleaned and treated for a cut on his right ribs, sat on a chair beside the bed, with his head lowered in thought. He had not moved from that position since the doctor had left almost three hours ago.

 

The apartment was relatively small but crowded with unnecessary junk, which was just the way Hige liked it. There were posters of naked or half-naked girls on the wall. There was a mini-entertainment center with half it’s DVD collections filled with such tasty titles as ‘Girls Gone Wild’ and ‘Pussy Alley’. Toboe, who had been going through the collection, couldn’t help blushing at some of the images on their covers. This really was a bachelor’s pad. The kitchen was just as tiny with a sink almost filled with dirty dishes and a box of leftover pizza upon the brown counter.

 

“Okay, so it isn’t the Ritz,” Hige said around a shrug as he opened up a can of beer and tossed one towards Toboe. “But it’s my place and I like it.”

 

Toboe eyed the drink warily and shook his head. “It’s okay I guess. But I don’t drink beer…”

 

“Well, it’s about time you did! You’re a grown man now. A grown man!” He sat down on the floor and drank thirstily before darting a glance towards the bedroom. “Man…are those two like…well you know…?”

 

Toboe’s cheeks grew pink and he toyed with the can. The memory of Kiba’s naked body writhing upon Tsume’s lap had him clamping his legs tightly. “Uuum…I dunno…”

 

“He’s one lucky bastard that’s for sure,” Hige said with a smirk as he drank again. “No wonder Jagara and your boss want him. With a body and a face like that, I’d do him in a heartbeat.”

 

“Hige!” Toboe gasped in shock at the man’s bluntness. “But…” His brows furrowed in thought. “Who is Jagara?”

 

“Yes,” Kiba said quietly. Neither of them had heard him and their surprised looks were almost comical. “Who is this Jagara you keep talking about and what does she want with me?”

 

Hige eyed the man standing before him for a moment and then took another thirsty gulp from the can. He wiped a hand across his lips and smiled wanly. “Sure you wanna know? This could take all night because this guy keeps his ears and eyes open if you know what I mean. So I know plenty.”

 

Kiba shrugged and made himself comfortable on the floor beside Toboe, who lowered his head to hide his blush at the close proximity of the older one. He couldn’t quite place it yet, but just being in Kiba’s presence was very…intoxicating and he wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing. But he liked the protective air that seemed to emanate from Kiba and smiling softly to himself, he moved a bit closer to the dark-haired man’s warmth.

 

 

__

 

 

By the time Hige was done with his story, the sun was already high in the sky again and Toboe was fast asleep with his head upon Kiba’s lap.

 

“So that’s all I know,” Hige finished with a yawn as he stretched his arms above his head. “Just be careful that’s all. You don’t want to go walking around for no good reason in this town. She’s always had it out for you and she’s not gonna rest until she gets you in her clutches.”

 

Kiba frowned lightly in thought at all he had heard. This Jagara was apparently one of the last few nobles left in the Main City. He wasn’t sure of what or who they really were, but according to Hige, they had once ruled like Kings and Queens, being the most powerful family at the time. Rumors had it that their source of strength had come from the blood of wolves, beasts that had long been extinct since their last rule.

 

So…that’s what I am. I am a…wolf? Although, Hige had said that, Kiba had gotten the sense that the brown-haired man had not believed a word of it. Of course he wouldn’t. Why should he? After all he had been raised as a human all his life and being told he was a wolf was not something could just take lightly. However, it all made sense somehow. That would explain all the ‘blackouts’ he had whenever he got into a really serious fight. That would explain his heightened sense of smell and the sights around him. But how did he really feel about it? Was he happy or horrified? Should he even continue to regard himself as a human despite this new knowledge about himself?

 

However, he wasn’t the only one. He was sure of that. He knew without a doubt that Hige, Toboe, Blue, even Quent and most especially Tsume were just like he was. He had sensed it the moment he had seen them. So just how many more wolves were in this city? Had they always existed in this human form? Hiding away with society to deceive everyone and even themselves?

 

Kiba held up his hands, watching them tremble slightly as something – just for a brief moment – flashed through his mind. He could remember…a flower. Something about a flower. But what was so fascinating about a flower? There were some flowers around the city, so why did that single thought come to his mind out of his murky past?

 

He allowed his hands to fall to his lap, listening to Toboe’s slow breathing and Hige’s snores. Shifting the young boy’s head off his lap gently, Kiba rose to his feet and made his way towards the bedroom. He simply raised a brow as he noticed that Tsume was now sitting up in bed with a distant look in his eyes as he stared out of the window. .

 

“Did you hear everything?” Kiba asked quietly as he sat on the chair again.

 

Tsume shook his head. “Not everything…just the later bits.” The sun struck his bronzed chest and the deep scar almost hidden between the heavy bandages, seemed to throb in response. Kiba, rather unconsciously, reached out to touch it in fascination, but his hand was immediately caught within Tsume’s in a tight grip. Teal met cool gold and they remained locked in a silent battle of wills.

 

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now and get a move on with my life?” Tsume asked softly, even as he found his gaze drifting towards Kiba’s full lips. “You’ve given me nothing but hell from the moment I met you.”

 

“Really?” Kiba asked huskily, feeling his heart beat quicken with anticipation at what was yet to be. He was aware that Tsume was pulling him closer and he made no move to stop himself from going along.

 

“I should be jealous you know,” Tsume continued as his grip slackened a little although he made no attempt to release his prey. “Everyone seems to want you. This Jagara. That bastard Quent. Even the fat one.”

 

“His name is Hige,” Kiba breathed against Tsume’s moist, warm and parted lips.

 

“Like I give a fuck what his name is,” came the growled reply as their tongues met for a brief moment. It was a deliberate tease and both men gasped at the jolt of electricity that raced through their bodies.

 

“What I would give to fuck your brains out right about now, Kiba,” Tsume muttered and groaned as Kiba straddled him again. “Damn it…”

 

“I want you too, Tsume,” Kiba confessed as his lips began to trail down Tsume’s jaw and neck. He ground his aching groin against Tsume’s and swallowed the silver-haired man’s cry within his mouth in a scorching kiss.

 

No, this had to be more than just mere lust between them, Kiba thought helplessly as he lifted his hips a little allowing Tsume’s hand to slip into his pants. This had to be more than lust. He had to consume Tsume if need be for Kiba knew - somewhere deep down inside – that he might never get to see this man…ever again.

 

 

TBC…