The Twin Thrones

Redaku stayed by the kid's side for an hour after they returned. The kid had been given the antidote. It was just a matter of time before he woke up. Redaku didn't need to post himself by the kid's bedside any longer.

The man looked terrible and it only took telling Redaku he looked like shit three times before the man finally left in a huff. Noberu called out to him to get some sleep. The older man was obviously too tired to slam the door. Personally, he couldn't care less how much the man slept, he was just sick of looking at him.

Noberu sat across the room from the sleeping kid, with his right ankle over his left knee. He was most comfortable in this position. He had briefed Rato who was now working with King Yoshi's people to try to identify how the kid came in contact with the toxin. He wanted to be part of it, but he felt he needed to be here when the kid finally woke up. Kato started to stir little over two hours ago, but he had yet to wake.

Though the kid's physician wanted to keep him in the infirmary in his own private room, King Yoshi was adamant against it. The kid's vitals were being monitored through medical patches placed directly over his naked chest. Information was being fed directly to Bankuson's office.

The blanket and sheets had been changed before he nestled the kid back into his king-size bed. The kid's coloring was getting better and looked great against the baby blue sheets and matching blankets. The smooth satin material looked cool and comfortable.

The use of the toxin bothered Noberu. It seemed random, not enough to do any harm. Was it a warning? And if so, from whom?

It didn't make any sense. The kid was a target but all of the royals were. There were more parties who were interested in joining the Twin Thrones than destroying them. He needed to stop over thinking it until they knew more. Noberu was so busy scolding himself for wasting time on something he could neither change nor understand that he missed Kato twisting himself in his sheets.

“Why do I feel so terrible?" Kato's voice was like broken glass, grating against each other and he groaned as he tried to sit up. His intravenous line was starting to get tangled in the thin blankets. He didn't seem to to be aware of it and started tugging.

Crossing the room quickly, Noberu helped the kid sit up, careful of the tube attached to Kato's left hand. The technician had problems finding a vein straight enough he could hit. The kid's left hand was wrapped in tape to secure the tube. The wrapping and tube were bulky. Kato should have noticed it.

He knew the kid felt bad when he didn't object when Noberu helped him. The big man grabbed several pillows at the end of the bed and started layering them behind the kid until Kato was sitting up without his help. He was very pale except for his lips. He was already gnawing on them and looking around blearily. He brought his thin arm up and used his sleeve to wipe his eyes. Kato looked very vulnerable.

"Haven't we done this before?" Kato croaked, wincing as if he had a headache.

"What do you remember?" Noberu asked quietly. He brought his chair over the to bed and had a seat so Kato didn't have to crane his head up so high to meet his eyes.

The kid tried to speak again and started coughing. Noberu stood and crossed the room. He picked up the weeping container filled with ice and water. He filled the cup, crossed the room and handed it to Kato. Kato took it and drank deeply, a small amount of water leaking from the side of his mouth. He used his tongue to catch the liquid before it dripped down his chin. Kato handed the empty cup back and sighed. He closed his eyes, rubbing them with his right hand.

"I remember waking up," he said, clearing his throat. He sounded less hoarse. He frowned. "This morning?"

Noberu nodded and sat down again. He set the cup on the small side table next to him.

Kato blew out his relief. The kid was still frowning. He looked at his feet in the blankets and continued gnawing on his lip until it started bleeding again. He winced and touched his fingers to ruby lips. Holding his right hand out in front of himself, he used his thumb to rub the blood around his two index fingers. There wasn't much. He looked over at Noberu sharply, "I remember Redaku saying I had a meeting. And then he left," he said, licking the blood from his lips absently. "Um....," Kato trailed off, staring off to the right away from Noberu.

Noberu nodded again. "Anything else?" Kato shook his head. Noberu felt a pang of regret. He was kind of glad the kid wasn't shouting for him to leave immediately. He knew he needed to tell him everything. Hadn't he said that keeping secrets made things worse? Why did he just stand there? Noberu reluctantly added, "You don't remember taking a bath?"

He was wincing when Kato sat up a little straighter. "Water? I remember water, like a bubble bath or something. I took a bath?" The kid seemed surprised. Guess he didn't take baths except when he pleasured himself. Noberu waited for a moment expecting...something. Kato really didn't seem to remember.

"You nearly drowned."

Kato blinked. "You'd think I would remember something like that," the kid said quietly, absently rubbing his eyes again. He obviously didn't believe Noberu. "Is that why I feel so bad?"

Noberu was silent until Kato was glaring at him. If the kid could manage a glare, he was definitely feeling better. "You were drugged, before you were given a sedative. We're still trying to identify how it happened."

Kato blinked, his eyes growing wide. He drew his dark brows down with exaggeration until only his thick dark lashes could be seen. Red lips, slick with moisture, were pursing as if he wanted to say something.

He figured the kid thought he was pretty safe. After all, he was needed to bear young. It probably never occurred to him there might be some who didn't want the thrones to be joined. Kato looked off to the right for a few minutes, probably trying to rearrange his thinking. When he spoke his voice was clear, "Why was I drugged? Was this an assassination attempt?"

Noberu shook his head. "Unlikely," he said, waiting for the next question. Kato had spent most of the past 20 hours unconscious. He'd been given the antidote and they were pretty certain he was fine now. They also thought he would have woken up two hours ago. The kid was more delicate than he appeared. Noberu was watching him carefully now.

"Crap," the kid groaned. "Why are we playing twenty questions? Just tell me dammit!" He was breathing heavily. Noberu watched for signs of overheating, slurred speech, poor coordination. He really seemed to be doing better. He was just getting pissed off. That was as normal for Kato as breathing.

"In large doses, the drug is used to kill. You were given a very small dose. It interacted with the sedative."

Kato tried to cross his arms and the intravenous tube tugged a little. He grimaced and looked at his left hand in surprise. He dropped his arms and made his right hand into an angry fist. "I'm not asking any more questions," he muttered. "Just tell me."

Noberu grimaced, "You're not going to like it."

"Just tell me," Kato repeated stubbornly. "I already don't like it," he said, holding his left hand up high enough for Noberu to see it.

"Squirt," Noberu said, shaking his head. "Maybe we should wait until you feel better?"

"Just tell me," Kato repeated, anger coloring his voice. He was clenching both fists now. The tape pulled tightly on his left hand and turned his skin white in places. He was looking into his lap now. “Just. Tell. Me.”

"You were given a rape drug." Noberu had to fight to keep his tone neutral and not frown.

Kato raised his head, wide eyes meeting Noberu's as his mouth hung open. "What?" he finally gasped out.

"You were given a rape drug." It was easier saying it the second time.

The kid closed his mouth with effort. His head fell back against the pillows. He closed his eyes and muttered something quietly.

Noberu couldn't quite make it out and asked, "What?"

Kato opened one eye and moved his head slightly in order to see Noberu. "I want to go home," the kid said quietly. He was small and looked vulnerable in the large bed, surrounded by a mound of pillows. The dark smudges around his eyes made him appear waif-like and ethereal. His wild dark locks completed the look perfectly.

Noberu just stared at him for a moment. It was difficult to see Kato stripped of his anger. Naked – fear haunted this delicate creature's nearly silver globes. Noberu wasn't good at comforting people. "We'll identify who did it once we identify how it was administered." He thought that might help, but Kato merely nodded.

He wanted to apologize. He knew he let Kato down. "I missed something," Noberu muttered quietly. He hated failing just as much as he hated showing weakness.

The kid lifted his head and looked at him, squinting his eyes. "You're not perfect," he said.

Noberu shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said miserably.

"You're not perfect," Kato repeated, shrugging. "I know you think you are with that big fat head of yours, but trust me – you're not," Kato added with a small smile, Trying to lighten the mood.

Noberu shook his head and murmured, "I'm not apologizing for that."

Kato didn't seem to hear. He frowned and scooted up a little. He started moving the thin blankets off of himself quickly. Noberu stood up, not understanding what the kid was doing. Kato eased his leg to the edge of the bed where his tube and bag hung. The bag was attached to a long pole with wheels on one end and three irregular hooks on the other, holding his bag and another full, unused one.

"What are you doing?" Noberu rushed to help the kid up when it was clear the kid was standing. He realized the kid probably had to use the bathroom. He gripped the thin shoulders and helped him stand. The kid was light. He wrapped his arm around Kato's thin waist and was truly shocked when Kato let him. Kato gripped the rolling stand and started to move towards the bathroom. Noberu left the bathroom door open and helped Kato to the toilet.

"What are you doing?" Kato asked this time when he was standing in front of the toilet. He turned his head and looked up to Noberu who stood to his right. "I think I can pee all by myself."

"I don't want you to hurt yourself." He said and watched Kato's lips thin and the kid's left hand tighten around the tall rod of his rolling stand. "It's not like I haven't seen this before," Noberu murmured, watching the kid frown and move away from him a little.

This wasn't how he planned on telling him. He was already imaging what the kid would think of him and was surprised it bothered him.

"What?" Kato said, trying to shake Noberu off of him. “Let go,” he grunted. His legs were moving a little and he crossed them awkwardly.

"Kato," Noberu said, instantly regretting using the kid's name. He had never used his name, except when he was first introduced to the kid months ago. Kato's wide eyes met his own. Noberu cleared his throat. "I didn't get your attention when you were bathing. You were 'busy'," he said emphasizing the last word.

Kato continued to stare at him. "I don't take baths," he said quietly. He seemed to think about it for a minute. "But you saved me from nearly drowning in one?" He was still squirming a little. Kato looked over at the massive submerged bath and then back at the big man.

"The door was locked. You didn't hear me,” Noberu groaned because the kid was going to make him say it. If the kid remembered, Noberu wouldn't have bothered to say anything, but without his memory, watching the kid masturbate now felt more like molestation than voyeurism. It was an uncomfortable feeling. He never really felt like this before and it sucked.

He was about to open his mouth and just blurt it out when the kid's eyes wondered off to the right for a few seconds and then jerked back and his face lit up immediately. Well, so much for not embarrassing the crap out of the kid. At least he got it.

"I'm sorry," Noberu said. "I won't look this time,” he added gently. “I'll just hold you up." He waited for the explosion. It actually made him feel worse when it never came.

Kato nodded, his face still hot. Noberu moved around the kid a little and held him by the waist, above the elastic band of his pajamas. “I'm looking away,” he said into the kid's ear and felt him shuddered. He straightened and looked off to the left towards the large submerged tub. It didn't bring back any memories. He could feel the kid's legs trembling slightly. He wasn't certain if it was because of him or because Kato had been drugged, had little to eat since yesterday morning and had been unconscious for hours.

He could feel Kato fumbling with something and then heard his strong stream. The kid sighed a minute later as the stream stuttered and stopped. Kato fumbled with something and the toilet flushed and the sound echoed. He said quietly, “I need to wash my hands.”

Noberu shifted and wrapped his hand around Kato's waist again. He helped him to the sink.

Kato finished washing his hands, shut off the faucet and waited while Noberu handed him a towel. He wiped his hands without looking at the man. He handed the towel back to Noberu and then looked at him in the long mirror.

“Look, I don't remember. I kind of wish you hadn't said anything," the kid murmured almost too low to hear. His eyes dropped to the floor fidgeted as if unsure what the say. The tube squeaked when he gripped the rod to his rolling stand too tightly. He raised his eyes back up to the mirror, "I'm fine not talking about it, okay?”

Noberu nodded and cursed himself for appearing so relieved. Weak. They reached the doorway when Kato turned to him and murmured against his chest, "I'm still pissed at you."

Noberu blinked and then nodded. That was more than fair. Noberu helped him back to the bed.

Once he had the kid nestled back into the bed, he took his place in the chair by his side. Kato was silent. He wouldn't meet his eyes again. He played with the intravenous tube and flicked and pulled one edge of the tape holding the needle and tube in place. Noberu watched him for a few minutes.

“They'll remove that sometime later today. They'll be back in a bit to get another blood sample, just to make certain the toxin is out of your system.” The kid nodded, his cheeks were still flush.

They sat in silence while Kato continued playing with the tape. Noberu eased himself back into the chair drawing his left leg up and crossing it at the ankle of his right knee. He decided to tell Kato more than he planned. The kid was recovering. And in any case, he thought Kato preferred ripping the bandage off all at once instead of in small, painful increments.

“Your father met with Redaku and myself when you were out,” Noberu said calmly. He could already see the fire in the kid's eyes so he quickly added, “Your father was going to include you. You were unconscious.”

Redaku entered the room tentatively and let out a huge breath of relief when he saw Kato. His face didn't look so drawn though he still was pale. His hair was clean, tied back tightly, and he was wearing fresh clothing. He had settled back to the robes over thinner clothing that was common on Radekoun. A smaller man carrying a small box entered the room and stood for moment, glancing around.

"The med tech," Redaku gestured with his head at the man following him, "Needs a blood sample now."

Kato nodded and looked at Noberu who shook his head.

The technician had trouble hitting a vein that didn't immediately collapse or roll. They probably should have just put in a central line. Noberu wasn't certain why they didn't. The kid grimaced several times when the needle was pushed deeper into his arm and wiggled around.

Redaku huffed loudly as he stood directly over the medical technician, watching him intently. After the third huff, the technician ended up switching to a butterfly and was able to hit a vein and take two tubes of blood. He left quickly, not quite running from the room. When he reached the door, Noberu called out, "When will I have the results?"

The man stopped abruptly, still holding the door and turned, "In an hour, Mr. Haitatsu." Noberu nodded and the door closed quickly behind the technician.

Kato looked mournfully at the three small band aids left by the technician doting his left forearm. He carefully pulled his sleeve back down and started to open his mouth when Redaku descended on him. He sat next to Kato and was already stretching his hand out and touching the kid's face as if he couldn't believe he was awake or alive.

"What is wrong with you? Stop it! " Kato screeched loudly, pushing the older man's hands away in vain. "I'm not dying," he groaned and finally stopped moving and glowered at the man. Redaku slowly straightened the tube. He checked the tape and looked into Kato's face.

Redaku did finally pull his hands away. "Prince Kato," he said quietly, shaking his head. "You will be the death of me."

Kato frowned. Noberu had heard Redaku mutter that many times. It often seemed to annoy the kid. "I'm not dying." Kato repeated and he looked at the older man with concern.

Noberu took the opportunity to end this moment before they started to talk about their feelings or some other stupid shit. "The Administrator of the counsel was killed yesterday. Four bombs were detonated earlier today on Radekoun. One killed the largest land owner on your planet."

"Are you mad?" Redaku sputtered. He returned his hand and started to feel Kato's cheek and forehead with the back of his hand. "He only just woke up. He's been sick." He narrowed his eyes at Noberu as if to say more. Noberu looked at him blankly. “This can wait,” the older man hissed. Noberu shrugged.

Kato didn't seem to notice Redaku's motherly hands again. His eyes grew large. "Are you sure drugging me wasn't an assassination attempt?"

"You told him?" Redaku asked, his eyes widening comically as he punctuated his words by opening both hands and flinging his arms in the air in front of him.

"It's his body," Noberu said, dismissing the concerns of the older man. He still sat comfortably and waited.

Redaku was quiet and that was unusual. He shook his head and glared at Noberu. With utter indifference, Noberu watched him stand, cross the room and stop in front of him. The older man met Noberu's eyes. Pursing his lips, he said quietly, "I need to speak to you outside. Now," he muttered and caught Noberu's raised brow. Redaku shook himself and added, “Please,” with difficulty.

“What? Why can't you talk here?" Kato demanded, sitting up straighter as if he wanted to get out of bed again.

Redaku turned his head and muttered, "Everything is not about you, Prince Kato." Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the room.

Kato turned hurt eyes to Noberu who shrugged and followed the man out. He jerked his thumb to one of his man. He did turn to make certain the man took up his place with the kid before he continued.

They moved to the sitting room with the huge video picture screen. Noberu would have preferred any other room but it was easily far enough away they would not to be heard. Redaku gestured for him to take a seat. He got comfortable. These plush chairs were wonderful. He was actually able to get a few hours of sleep last night in this very chair. He should have had it moved to the kid's side so he could have been more comfortable.

"I know you don't like me. I know you don't trust me," Redaku let out a quivering sigh. He sat down heavily into the chair across from Noberu. “I shouldn't have talked to Prince Shinko behind your back and I know better than leaving him with Kato without an audience, but I've known Kato since he was a baby. Of the three, Shinko is the best fit for him."

"Ah, I see. So you weren't pimping Kato out, you were pimping Shinko out," He half-jokingly said and knew he hit the mark when Redaku's face started to pink up. "What makes you think Shinko would win? Have you seen Seshimora in combat?"

Redaku nodded, his face still a pretty shade of pink. He covered his face with his hands and started to massage his temples. "I know he doesn't stand a chance," he said, talking to the floor. He stopped and raised his head. "I also know the three remaining royals won't take the throne if they don't have the support of the King, his counsel, and the people of this planet."

Noberu stopped and studied Redaku carefully. The man had been busy. He knew Seshimora got the backing of the counsel when he took his younger brother out. Seshimora always had the respect of the military. Seshimora showed his father he could make decisions that were best for his people at the expense of something he loved. Who wouldn't respect that?

Shinko on the other hand had the favor of the people. His outrageous and decadent lifestyle made him an entertaining figure. Noberu admitted grudgingly, looks didn't hurt. The man was loved by the populace. The counsel would follow him since he had the support of the people, especially if they thought he'd leave them to make a lot of the decisions. His father was the deciding factor. Seshimora was clearly his favorite. It would take a great feat like murdering Fusako to gain his father's respect. How twisted is that?

"And the people, of course, " Noberu added, still watching Redaku. "You're leaking their affair," he said with a flat voice. The advisor had flair. He'd played games like this his entire life. Of course, flair means little to the dead. "You can't become involved in the right of ascension."

"I don't have to. This place is crawling with people. There only needs to be one who values money more than loyalty. I'm certain Kato and Shinko's affair has gotten back to King Yoshi. It won't be long before his counsel hears of it." Redaku stilled. He didn't move. It was strange. The man was always moving nervously. "Shinko may be a whore, but he's not a cold-blooded murderer."

Noberu blinked. Redaku hadn't seen the pain in the soldier's eyes when he confessed to the kid. He wasn't cold blooded, just practical. It made him predictable but not any less deadly. There was no point trying to explain the difference to the advisor. He was a stubborn fool.

Noberu realized in that moment Fusako didn't have a chance. He should have known better. The men of Radekoun would not recognize her. Radekoun was still backward with how women were treated. None of them were allowed any positions of power or influence. He assumed since she would not have influence over Radekoun, it wouldn't matter, but it did. Children born from the twin thrones would not be female. The only two competitors that mattered were Shinko and Seshimora.

It was a shame. Fusako was brilliant. She would have done this planet proud, maybe even changed the views of a few males on Radekoun.

Noberu shook his head. "The kid will take the brunt of this," Noberu said. "Neither Shinko nor Kato will thank you. You do realize the kid will look at this as a betrayal. He values family – he treats you like family.”

Redaku nodded as if in agreement, but he tried to excuse his choices by adding, "He genuinely likes Shinko. He'll understand in time." He was still nodding to himself.

Redaku was wrong if he thought the kid would forgive another person he loved for deceiving him.

"You're making a mistake. He won't thank you for keeping him ignorant and I don't mean just about this. You have to stop lying to him."

Redaku looked at him, questioningly, and wrinkled his forehead. "I don't know what you're talking about," he sniffed.

“Lied to me about what?” The kid stood white-faced while a guard held him by the waist in the doorway. How did he not hear them open the damn door? Noberu looked past them to see Rato's head above the two figures. He shrugged. Now Noberu would have to beat Rato's ass, too. This was just getting better and better.

Noberu stood and started to make his way over to the kid. Kato held his hand up and waived at Noberu to sit. "No. No. No," the kid repeated, stubbornly holding his hands open in front of himself, as if his tiny hands would stop Noberu. "I'm not a kid anymore. You can't keep treating me like one." He huffed when Noberu leaned down and wrapped one arm around his back and the other under his knees and lifted the kid with ease.

Noberu gave Rato a flat look and watched the man back off. Rato didn't even have the decency to look embarrassed. What, he couldn't sit on the kid? It's not like the kid had any strength right now. What the hell was going on? When he had the time, he and Rato were going to have a long talk. He watched Rato pick up the rolling stand carefully and waited to follow Noberu. The other guard went ahead of them.

Noberu straightened and shook his head. He sighed and his eyes nearly crossed. He was getting tired of all of this. "This is neither the time nor place to have this conversation."

He heard Redaku mutter, "We're not talking about this period, " behind him. He heard the man stand and start following them. Noberu was going to beat the man. Soon.

"Damn you," Kato grunted. Noberu wasn't certain who he was talking to. It didn't really matter at this point because he had had enough. From the look on the kid's face, he obviously wanted to hit the big man in the head but settled with kicking his legs a little. He grimaced when thick large arms tightened around him. "I can fucking walk!" Kato bellowed. He obviously felt better.

"Squirt," Noberu said, wanting to hit something when another pair of eyes they came across widened in surprise as he carried the kid. He moved through another room and was entering the hallway when he said quietly, "For once, just shut up."

The kid went rigid in his arms, but thankfully, was silent. Noberu looked down. He thought the kid might have passed out again. Instead, he was frowning and glaring. His face was flushed. Rato followed carefully behind him, holding the rolling stand out in front of him. It didn't take long to make it back to Kato's room.

He set Kato on the edge of the bed. Rato settled the rolling stand next to them and stood waiting. He knew what kind of mood Noberu was in now.

Noberu turned to Kato and spoke through his teeth, "I've made arrangements for your own cooks to make your meals. You will remain here for the remainder of the evening. Your meal will be brought here. You will eat. You will be quiet," Noberu said in a flat voice. Noberu was clear and from the glower he was getting from the kid, he knew the kid would do exactly what he was told. "You can resume normal activities tomorrow -- after you've been cleared by the medical staff."

Turning to include the older man, Noberu punctuated what he had to say by pointing at the man and then at the door, "You will go to your room where you will remain. I don't want to see you again tonight." He waited with his arm still pointed at the door and said a little louder and a lot meaner, "Leave. Now."

It took ten seconds before Redaku left, sputtering nonsense under his breath.

Noberu turned to leave when he felt Kato's small hand on his forearm. It was warm and under normal circumstances may have felt nice. Noberu stopped, turned back, and with an exaggerated slowness, looked where the kid's fingers gripped his loose sleeve. He moved his glare to include the rest of Kato and didn't feel bad when the kid winced.

Noberu pointedly looked into the kid's eyes and let the aggravation he felt fill his entire face. The hand withdrew quickly. The kid kept looking up at Noberu, craning his neck painfully. "I'm going to get answers," he murmured.

"Not today, squirt," Noberu said tiredly and left the kid with Rato.

The big man had no doubt that the kid would get his answers. He was equally certain the kid would would either react with absolute despair as he had with Seshimora's confession or with regret he knew the truth as he had with Noberu's confession.

Sometimes being ignorant is better. The kid would learn there are things so awful your mind can't understand it at first and you're left with a memory that comes to you at your weakest...in dreams. Who can protect you from the life of your own mind?

____________________________________________________________________

Noberu took a long hot shower after his five mile run. He needed the exercise and needed the time to think. He grabbed a light snack afterward. He set three men to watch over Redaku now. They would work in eight hour shifts. He had a few side jobs that would keep them a little busier. They wouldn't complain. He wasn't happy to lose more men loyal to him, but the advisor needed a babysitter.

He received word back from headquarters. His request to bump up the next tour rotation was approved. He'd have his men in a week. He wouldn't bother to tell anyone but Rato until the day they arrived.

Basang, as was his way, left a message that merely read, “Need me again so soon? You owe me beer and tail. Kisses.” Noberu shuddered to think of the catastrophe that was Basang. He would just have to keep the man really busy. The fact the kid wasn't Basang's type in the end was the only reason he gave this insanity a second thought.

The last time it took two months worth of his salary to bail the man out of jail. Noberu always thought prostitutes were broken people who were trying to destroy themselves with sex and drugs. The knife wound he'd received in his lower back said differently. Sometimes prostitutes were just “entrepreneurs” who didn't waste time with litigation when goods and services weren't exchanged on their terms.

It took him a month to heal and to get it sorted out. At first he wasn't sure what to do with the cow or “prop” as Basang called it. He ended up just giving the cow away. He couldn't imagine eating it considering where it had been. Basang still owed him a fortune. He did make some revenue from the sex tape that Basang had made as a gift to him. He shuddered again wishing he could forget about twenty minutes of footage. He knew the man would be worth all of the trouble. If Noberu could just get past hating him.

Noberu decided to poke his head into the kid's room before he went to his meeting with Rato, medical staff, and staff helping with his investigation. He brought Rato's relief with him and had the man wait at the door outside the room until they left.

The intravenous line had been removed from Kato's hand and the rolling stand removed from the room. The dark smudges still outlined the kid's eyes but his face had a healthy color to it now. His hair was a fright and he was trying to pat it down when Noberu entered the room. Kato's face lit up and he started to climb out of bed. Noberu shook his finger at him and frowned. The kid stopped and started chewing on his bottom lip as if in thought. He reluctantly eased himself back on to mounds of pillows with a huff.

"When can I get out of bed?" The kid demanded now in anger, pushing his hair down with both hands.

"Can you make it to the bathroom by yourself?" Noberu asked calmly. The kid nodded sharply, his forehead wrinkling. Noberu turned to leave gesturing to Rato to follow him. The kid made an exaggerated sound of disgust.

"Where are you going?" Kato demanded after Rato crossed the room and was nearly out the door. The kid looked over at Noberu. "Why can't I come?"

Rato was waiting in the hall. His replacement was already across the room and beginning to sit down before Noberu turned in the doorway and just looked at Kato. The kid started to squirm and looked like he might bolt.

"Fine," bellowed Kato, crossing his arms. Noberu could hear him muttering something about caveman and jerks under his breath. The guard settled himself in the chair and gave Noberu an enthusiastic thumbs up as Noberu closed the door quietly. Hanson was still a smart ass. He and the kid would get along fine.

The two large men walked comfortably beside each other while others moved quickly out of their way. It took a few minutes to leave Kato's rooms. There were two entrances to his rooms. They left through the one rarely used. It opened into a wide corridor with many doors to the left and right of them.

Everything was a flat white. Then walls were smooth and the flat white color was echoed in the flooring and the high ceilings, concealing each door. They would be easy to miss if you didn't know what to look for, a thin line betrayed each door. Large globes of white hung from thin rods of white and dotted the way every two or three feet. All of this white was giving Noberu a headache.

"You couldn't sit on him?" Noberu asked with a flat tone, staring ahead of himself.

Rato blew out an explosive breath. "No," he shook his head and scratched his ear. "I don't know how, but you can manhandle the kid and no one blinks," he said shaking his head slightly, "but if any of us tried it, we'd be up on charges. And you know it,” huffed Rato also refusing to look at the bigger man beside him. They took up the entire space in the over-sized hallway. Rato's shoes had some part of a hard-soiled part. It clattered each time he brought his foot down. They weren't good shoes and he shouldn't have been wearing them. "The kid wanted to see you, so I thought it was safer to help him."

Noberu sighed. Having any of his men detained would just be yet another distraction he didn't need. He was already short on good men. It galled him. Rato made a good decision. It was just bad timing. He was so distracted he didn't hear them coming down the hall or opening the door.

"So, I'm not walking in blind, what else have you learned?" Noberu asked finally looking over at his friend.

Rato was scratching his ear again. They were nearly hairless now. He recently had his dirty blond hair buzz cut. He must have decided to actually trim the rest of himself. He was one of the hairiest men Noberu had ever seen. Seriously, he thought one of the guy's parents had to be a bear or a moose. Either the man was getting tail, he didn't know when he's had time, or he had enough of being a walking, talking bear.

"There is some speculation about Seshimora. His guards have demanded to be part of the investigation, something about saving face," Rato said moving to the other ear. "Apparently all three of the siblings were tested for the substance. Seshimora apparently had higher doses of the drug in his system than Kato. Of course, he didn't have a reaction like the kid did. Neither Fusako or Shinko were exposed."

Noberu found himself frowning again. They moved out of the colorless void and into a wider space. The change was dramatic and his headache was receding. They turned to their left to another corridor. These walls were beige, like the floor and ceiling. Brass fittings hung in intricate patterns every five feet sporting small chandeliers with ten white glowing bulbs each. They only had a few minutes before they would be at the right room.

"Anything else?" Noberu asked.

"The records we needed were moved to the campus of the local university three months ago. The building had severe water damage two days ago. It just happened to damage the records of the endangered species we're tracking. We have no idea who purchased the fish or how much was purchased. We're trying to work backwards with fishermen but so far nothing has panned out. I don't think we can move any more people to this task," Rato finished, moving his hands to his sides with great effort.

“I'm replacing a few men. They'll arrive in one week. I want it to be a surprise,” he said seeing Rato's firm nod. “Basang is coming,” he said wryly. He didn't need to see the wide grin Rato was sporting. Rato got lucky last encounter. He wasn't so drunk he got himself arrested. He was the one who took care of the cow though. Noberu was relieved when he saw the entrance to the auditorium.

They were using one of the great rooms without any windows. About fifty chairs were set up in rows of ten facing a long steel table with ten large chairs seated behind. Noberu picked a chair on the end of the long table while Rato found a seat in the front row. One wall held five separate computers screens, all the same size.

A moderator stepped forward and planted himself in between the table and rows of chairs. Noberu recognized him.

Kobin was a weasel. The man was rail thin. He had perpetually greasy-looking hair that he always had tied back. His bangs hung loose and often covered his eyes. The man gave the weakest, most limp handshake Noberu had ever received. He didn't care for him. With Kobin's arrival, the politicians were involved now. The body count would start climbing. Kobin cleared his throat loudly. Everybody started to take their seats.

Noberu looked around the room. He recognized everyone at the table. The lead guard of each of the siblings was present. Dr. Bankuson and his counterpart, Dr. Hoginii, sat next to each other with several files scattered between them. The two lead investigators representing King Yoshi and King Miyazaki were at the other end of the table. He recognized counsel members, Botan from Radekoun and Sarutai from Kitsurin. Noberu knew the men seated in front of them were all members of the teams that represented them at the table.

Kobin was directing a small group of technicians at the computer screens. The were setting up links or something. He wasn't paying that much attention. Several pictures queued up included a fish, presumably the endangered one responsible for harming the kid and the bows the two princes used yesterday. Noberu nearly groaned. Kobin was not known for brevity. The man was the consummate bureaucrat. He was anal to a fault.

The “briefing” started ten minutes later. Just as he suspected, Kobin did nearly all of the talking. Though each person at the table got to introduce themselves and give a short report on their involvement and responsibilities. Listening to the nasal drone that was Kobin, gave Noberu the time to think.

The toxin was obviously meant to harm Seshimora, maybe permanently. His bow had been drenched with it. The physicians both concluded that the kid must have received a negligible amount from Seshimora touching him. It was either an assassination attempt or a failed legal right of ascension. Since it failed, they likely would not know until the next attempt. He was pretty certain the small amount of the toxin Kato received wasn't part of any conspiracy. Most likely the kid got caught in the cross fire. It didn't make him feel any better.

With a power struggle beginning on Radekoun, Noberu wondered just how stable the power structure was on Kitsurin. Things could always get worse.

Noberu settled comfortably in his chair. With Kobin moderating this meeting, they'd be here for hours. Noberu resisted the urge to rub his temples. He was developing a headache again.

He worried that Redaku's interference in the rights of ascension would implicate the UP. He worried the violence from power changing hands on Radekoun would find it's way here. He worried that Kato would be caught in the crossfire in the rights of Ascension. The more he worried, the louder and sharper Kobin's nasally voice grew.

But most of all, he worried his concern for Kato was more than it should be. He couldn't remember the last time he felt regret or guilt. Until Kato.

He'd been attracted to clients he protected in the past. He normally preferred women, but a pretty face and tight ass looks good on both genders. He was able to separate himself from his chargers because he didn't really think of them as people. They were jobs. Six months, maybe a year of his life.

Noberu would never have sat patiently by another's bedside while he was ill. He would have never have taken the time to instruct or teach anything to another charge. He would never feel anything but aggravation for any charge.

But Kato made him feel. He liked holding Kato. He liked making him angry and watching him rage. He liked embarrassing him and watching that glow engorge his face.

Kato made him feel. And it sucked.

An image of Suki pulsed so strongly into his mind, he groaned. Suki and Kato were nothing alike. In fact, they were exact opposites. It didn't make any sense. Suki was more like a man than a woman. And Kato, well, he was small, pretty and delicate. Suki and Kato shared two things: They both had one hell of a temper and he couldn't have either of them.

At this rate, if watching Kato masturbate was the best thing his two-year tour would offer, he'd take it.

Fuck, he thought, as he imagined Kato's tight channel pulling his cock even deeper while Suki's warm thighs squeezed his face as he explored the tasty folds he remembered so well. An image of Kato straddling his hips and Suki straddling his face came easily to his mind. He completely forgot his headache and for the first time ever, sat through a “briefing” with a wide grin on his face.