White Rabbit

Trickster Kitsune: Ashi is so cute... I just can\'t get over that. ^_^ He still has some innocence, despite what his profession is. The whole doughnut scene was cute in an odd, argumentive way. ^^ Garnen is such a bastard sometimes, but I think he really does like Ashi.

I may be looking to deeply into this, but when the baker said \"I never suspected another male\", does that imply that Garnen has been with a guy before, or am I looking at this from an odd angle?

Toward the end where Ashi was teasing Garnen before they left was cute. ^^ We all know Garnen will miss the hyperactive little rabbit.

Please update soon! Oh, and a beta-reader can do a few things. Mostly they just read over a story and correct spelling/grammar mistakes, but they can also give tips on things you might want to consider. You can also bounce ideas off of them for feedback. I\'ve done betaing in the past. ^_^;


Yes, I\'m afraid sometimes he doesn\'t totally follow the more expected personality of his profession, though I try not to make him too innocent... Garnen can be edgy, I have a thing for argumentative pairs...if you couldn’t tell.

Yay! You interpreted it correctly! Yes, it does at least hint at that...and I only noticed it could be seen either way after I wrote it. ^^’

Cool. I’m thinking about getting a beta...I’ve sent an email to one so far but...I always feel I can never edit my own stories properly. x_x Are you betaing now?

Aww. I loved the scene in the doughnut shop -- the way you described everything was wonderful, especially when Ashi thought the doughnuts were too pretty to eat. I could really imagine the pastries looking like little works of art. (As you\'ve probably guessed from my stories, I have a major sweet-tooth!) It\'s good to see Garnen slowly opening up to Ashi, but I worry that Ashi will accidentally hurt him, simply because he (Ashi) isn\'t comfortable being close to people. Despite Garnen\'s rough exterior, I know he\'s just a big softie inside! And I don\'t have any trouble with your pacing. I like stories where the couple doesn\'t hop into bed together on the first page. The slow way allows more romantic tension, and is more believable. (After all, I\'m on story 3, and Kale and Marzi STILL aren\'t a proper couple...)

Eagerly awaiting your next update!

Love,
Falcon


^_^ Thanks! Yes, your writing is chock-ful of the sweets...has a tenancy to make me hungry. :gonk: And I can honestly say it’s an inspiration. I don’t mind reading the occasional ‘hop in on first page’ but never can bring myself to write them. I need character and reason for it to be interesting...yay! Kale and Marzi! Yes, hot and sexy...but still not exactly your typical lovey-dovey couple, hm? *chuckle* I still love ‘em though...^_^

Note to everyone: Sorry the chapter’s so short! Only about five/six pages...^^’ I’ll have more later...forgive meeee! Gah...alright, drama over. Happy Thanksgiving!

Chapter Nine

Tray sat at the window and Ashi watched him, waiting, as he knew exactly the other boy’s intentions. Keen opal kept locked, focused perfectly until the white, new brand cruiser pulled completely out from the complex, only then did he lift his eyes, meeting lavender fully.

“Why’d you lead him here, Ash? Do you know-“

“Dammit I’m not stupid, Tray! I’m five years older than you! I know a thing or two, and Garnen is none of your concern, so drop the case.” Opal eyes flashed as he stood, instantly closer to the rabbit than comfortable for the smaller man. Even at only seventeen, Tray loomed over him.

“You may be five years older than me...but you ain’t got half a wit’s chance against me. I don’t like police officers, and for good reason. If you’re getting close to them...” Ashi forced himself straight, refusing the shiver Tray’s words brought about, eyes cold and narrowed in refusal to back down.

“I. Don’t. Get. Close. Not to anyone, Tray. You know that. Emotions are my job, I don’t feel them. Now get out my face before I withdraw the rent.” The taller boy frowned, but shrugged, stepping back.

“Whatever, Ash. You just worry me with crap like that, you know?”

“Yeah.” Ashi looked unconvinced though, still offset by the other’s actions, and finally shook his head. “Whatever. Look, I’m taking a shower, alright?”

“Are you getting out of those god awful clothes, then?”

Ashi glanced down and almost laughed out loud. The jeans hung, not loose, but likely the loosest either of his companions had seen him in, and the shirt... He shook his head with a grin as he looked up. “I don’t know...I thought it was kinda sexy...what’d’ya think?”

Tray rolled his eyes but Lan giggled. “You look funny, Ashi. Where’d ya get ‘em?”

“Garnen gave ‘em to me.” Ashi explained easily, moving over for his said shower even as he explained. Glancing back he gave an appraising look to the golden eyed blonde before making a last question. “You took your contacts out, Lan...how come?”

The boy flushed and looked down. “You never hide...I figured...I could at least show this, right?”

Ashi smiled in spite of himself. “Yeah. You have beautiful eyes, Lan. Don’t hide them again?” The younger boy gave a mumbled nod, now flushing all the brighter and Shi chuckled before turning into the bathroom.

Once the door shut though, he let his mask drop and a look of worry crossed his features. He trusted Tray. He’d known him so long, but nonetheless, his previous pressing attitude worried him. Tray never liked change, never liked admittances. Where he, an Albicean, or rabbit, had obvious characteristics of his immortal link, and left them open, he knew both of the other two hid other ones.

Unlike him though, Lan and Tray, in their feral states, appeared more feline. He knew, if Tray ever removed the opal cover, he hid slitted gold, much like Lan’s though likely darker. A rabbit in a panther house, he chuckled and shook his head, great situation he’d gotten himself into now, right? He sighed and turned on the water, wishing, just for an instant, that there weren’t so much prejudice against the immortal ties.

If the mortal world could only accept the border, the change, then, maybe, the ‘immigrants’ wouldn’t get so torn at. Portal trash, half-breed, animal scum, his brow tightened in a heavy frown as his eyes shut, testing the water and stripping.

He took a breath, shook his head, and let his ears hang free as the pants dropped from his body, the shirt crumpling to the floor beside it. Blinking violet open again, he tested, stepped in this time, and relished in the relaxing hit of the warm water across his skin. It reverberated, comforted, and energized his tired form.

Even with all his denials to Garnen, he still felt the after-effects of fever and the water calmed them, pushed away the hurt. He smiled at the thought. Almond-flecked chocolate vision. God, he loved chocolate. He smirked and let the water run across his face.

Smooth, heated. He took up a lather of shampoo and spread the foam, letting it roll off, slip down, massaging over his body. His thoughts flickered back, back to the officer, his breath across his face, lips so close, hard form pressed tight to him. He bit his lip with a tiny frown and his eyes fluttered open. That couldn’t work. His frown deepened, so many men, so many times, but not once, not even one time, had he ever thought about them afterwards. Not a thought, let alone vivid, sharp images. Could Garnen really be so different? Did he really want...a kiss? A-

Even as he thought on it, he knew he wanted a whole lot more than that and cursed silently, that could never work. Out of all of them, thousands. He had to pick the one, stupid bastard, that he couldn’t get. He glared ahead to the wall. A police officer. A homophobic, Christian police officer.

“Oh for Christ’s sake...come on Ashi...this is ridiculous. You can’t possibly...” He frowned. “...and now I’m talking in third person. Shit.” He turned off the water, given up on any further cleansing as he stepped from the shower.

Grabbing a towel, he glanced ahead to the simple, fogged mirror ahead. It hung off, almost at a slant, above the sink, but provided at least a small view and he frowned at his own expression. Damp, wetted white ears hung down about his face, usually pink locks darkened with the wet, but what he frustrated over was not his face, but his simple look.

He looked tired, almost defeated. “Dammit.” He glared heatedly to the sink, unable to keep even his own gaze as his eyes fogged. “Dammit, dammit, dammit.” Shaking his head roughly he cursed again. “No. I can’t think like this. My life was fine before, I can go one just perfectly...like I used to. Right.” He took a breath. “Tonight, I’ll go to the bar. It’ll be quiet at first, if there’s anyone there Toni will drag me off to his office, if not...I’ll have to make sure I clean the tables real good.”

Lip caught between his teeth he shut his eyes silently. “Then, I’ll go outside, dressed in practically nothing...and I’ll do exactly what Garnen told me I’d do...for the rest of my life.” His form shook. “Sell my fucked up playboy’s ass to the world...”

Tears built in his eyes as his words wavered and, for the first time in far to long, he hated his job, felt filthy for it, but he didn’t cry. It wasn’t in him to cry. He didn’t deserve pity, not even his own, and he wouldn’t give it. By the time he looked back up to the mirror, clear now, his expression was stony, blank, and emotionless.

“I don’t need anyone’s help. I can take care of myself.” He said them together, the two things in the world he always promised himself, always needed true. Even as he heard himself say it, heard the words fall from his tongue and into the air, he knew no greater lie. “God, I hate police officers.”

As soon as he exited, wrapped in a towel, he made for clothes, and contact opal locked on him, watched him. Finally, the continuous gaze irked him to much and he turned to the other. “What is it, Tray? You’ve seen me before, what’s the sudden fetish?”

The cool gaze blinked, as if leaving from a trance and they raised to curious violet. “Oh. Right. Sorry, Shi. I was just...thinking.”

“Alright...” A small frown graced him, but he decided to ignore the abnormal behavior, moving back instead to look for suitable clothing for that night. His frown only increased slightly at the selection, so very, very different from the clothes he’d taken to wearing near Garnen. He shook his head roughly and grumbled. Stupid thought, of course they were different. This was his life. He almost reached for something when a form behind him froze him mid-move.

“What are you afraid of, Shi?”

He blinked. Such a strange question, but it brought an irking doubt to the pit of his stomach and he shivered unintentionally. “What do you mean, Tray? I-“ He tensed as hands spun him and his eyes shot up to fierce opal as the other pinned him back to the closet doors.

“What are you afraid of. You’re not afraid of me...” Hands caught his chin and violet eyes narrowed, dangerous at the sudden abrupt handling.

“No. I’m not. Get off me, Tray. You’re too close.” His voice came snapped, cold, but the other didn’t back off, only forcing tighter.

“Why? Why is this too close? Thousands, Shi. Thousands of men! You let them touch you...how come I can’t, huh?” Lavender widened slightly at the sudden, more piercing reality of the other’s intentions.

“Stop.”

“No.”

“Tray, stop!”

“Why! I don’t feel like it! How about you make me?!” Shi made a slight squeaked noise as the other tugged him roughly forward and he gave a rough shake as their lips came forced together, tight, hard, almost painfully. He cursed even over the kiss, desperately pushing away at the other, trying to get him off, but Tray’s grip stayed strong, one hand pulling his waist tight and the other at his neck.

“Shit.” A tongue forced into his mouth and he caught it in his teeth, resisting the urge to snap hard on it and merely narrowed violet vision narrowed on the blue above. For that brief moment, they paused, challenge sparking and finally Tray withdrew from his mouth, placing a quick, close-mouthed kiss on him before pausing, breath panted, cheeks heated, as he scoured the other form.

“Why not, Shi?”

Ashi shook his head, but didn’t drop his gaze. “You’re my best friend, I don’t want to get into that, Tray. Please?”

The younger boy frowned. “But you’re beautiful, Shi...and the way that man looked at you...” Ashi laughed nervously at the irony.

“Tray...like you said...thousands...why now?”

The other denied. “No. It was different, Ash. Not a lust...just...he cared about you Ash.” Ashi frowned, almost curious now, worried.

“He...did?”

“Yeah. I can’t explain it but...I...I think I’m in love with you.”

Violet widened. “Tray...there’s a big difference between-“

“I’m not a kid anymore, Ash! Why can’t you see that? You always protected me, helped me but...Ashi, I...”

The rabbit looked away. “Tray...please don’t say that. You’re young, and-“

“I’m young!? Ashi! If I wanted to, I could toss you on that bed, rip your clothes off, and do whatever I felt like, and you couldn’t do a thing about it!”

“Yes. Young.” He shook his head. “You could do that, but it wouldn’t prove anything...except that you’re immature, forceful, and exactly the type of bastard I avoid no matter how much they pay me.” Tray frowned, considering this. “Look, Tray. I have to go to work or Toni’s gonna kill me...and after that...I’ll be back. If you still want to talk...I’m fine, but...try and be sensible, ok?”

The other simply looked glum and frustrated. Ashi sighed as he moved over behind cover to dress. “Where’s Lan, anyway?”

“He’s out. Probably already whoring himself if I know Lan...”

The rabbit frowned, lacing and zipping at the proper attire, the zips on his pants going up, literally, the whole length of his sides, made for easy access in off, if not quite so in getting into them. “Isn’t it a bit early for that?”

“Yeah well...that or he’s just hanging...don’ really know. He just left.”

“Right. Just make sure he get’s home safe, kay? I worry about that kid. I’m out to work. Mind if I take your car? Mine still isn’t starting.”

Tray frowned but shrugged, switching on the single TV in the room. “Whatever. If you leave now though...I can’t go anywhere for the day.”

“Were you planning on it?” Ashi questioned, looking up from finishing his shoes.

“Not really. Chao, then.”

“Right, I’ll see you tomorrow, kay?”

“Yeah...whatever, Ash.” He glanced up as the other stood and his lips pursed, tight as his eyes scoured the slender, exposed form. He snorted and leaned back, falling backwards to the bed and glaring to the ceiling. “You look terrific, Shi.”

The older glanced back, looking over Tray’s gloomy, dissatisfied form with a small frown. “Thank you...Tray. I’m glad you think so.” He turned from the room, feeling almost as output and frustrated as the friend he’d left on the bed. “What’s the matter with me...” The question came out, not meant for anyone in particular, but he looked up in surprise as he got an answer.

“What happened to that man you came in earlier with?”

Ashi blinked. “Marge...I...he...” He sighed and shook his head. “He’s not what you think. He’s...just a...passing man.”

“Aren’t they all, Ashi? I know you never pay attention...but you really could try and get a real relationship...just once?” She offered tentatively, but the rabbit only shook his head, pulling his coat tighter, defensive, though not sure what over, against a sudden chill.

“I can’t.”

“Why not? Shi, you really-“

“I’m a whore. Remember?” He shook his head. “Nobody takes a playboy bunny seriously, Marge. Ever. All they’ll ever see is a whore...so...that’s what I am.” He gave a weak smile. “Have a nice night, Marge.”

“Just come back safe, Shi.”

“Don’t I always?” She didn’t answer as he turned, left, and she honestly worried for him. Once long gone, she shook her head and sighed.

“You have no idea how many people you worry each night, Ashi...if you’d just quit...” But she knew he wouldn’t. Knew he’d keep it up, till something terrible happened. Ashi always defied the odds.

*~*~*~*~*

Monday, Oct. 24th
(Just outside Risedale Apartments)


The waiting figure glared ahead to the darkness and glanced again to his watch, golden eyes glittering dangerously in the dark. “Ten-thirty....great...mayb-“

“Don’t tell me you’re doubting me now, pet.” The smaller boy visibly jumped, spinning to the low purr, dark and menacing it’s own seduction. He shivered, obvious even in the dark, his voice coming out shaky despite his effort’s to steady it.

“N-no...of course not...I-“

“Good.” The other man smirked with quick interruption, flashing, dark and feral, almost pointed teeth showing in the action. “Wouldn’t want you turning on me, now would we?” Golden eyes lowered, ashamed. The man frowned. “Look up, my sweet. You have such pretty eyes, do not hide them.” Nervously, unsure, the boy lifted his vision. “Just tell me what I want, little one, I promise you’ll come to no harm.”

His worry still tinted, shone through, concerned. “But...he’s my friend...I can’t-“

“They both cast you away, you know it. The rabbit is just one step in such a long chain you couldn’t possibly understand. Just tell me. Just trust me, and I’ll make sure you come to no harm.” The uncertainty still hung, but lessened now, wavering on the brink of submission.

“I-“

“Forget him.” It came low and whispered, purred across his cheek and the captor smirked menacingly at the shudder it received. “Now...tell me...what happened?”

“He brought home a police officer.” He started out shaky, worried, but continued nonetheless. “Gary or...Garon....something like that...big....big man. He...he looked so happy though, I-”

“Shhh....go on.”

The boy’s confidence built and he continued on stronger this time. “He’s been gone since Tuesday...I saw him...I saw him once but...he never came back to the apartment till just yesterday.” He glanced up. “Toni...his boss...says he’s been gone a lot to...I don’t know what’s happening to him...” The words trailed off from there, with nothing else to say, and finally the other gave a brief nod.

“So he has taken to the police...” He chuckled lowly, anything but friendly. “Interesting....yes. I wouldn’t have expected such a thing out of you, mi conejo...I underestimated you. Quite a move...quite a move...but I’m afraid...a fatal one.”


Note: Yes, it’s short. Again, sorry! Please review! And...happy thanksgiving! Again! x_x Can you tell I have energy today? *flops head to desk* *jumps up to go check on turkey*