The Twin Thrones

Summary: Prince Kato will face marriage and pregnancy to unite the twin thrones and secure the future of a newly-formed wormhole. He'll need the best to protect him. Noberu Haitatsu wasn't a pleasant or kind man. Though special ops training and an acute understanding of man's weaknesses made him the perfect guy to guard Prince Kato, only male heir of Radekoun Royalty, it didn't help him understand him. If they can't find a way to unite the twin planets, Radekoun and Kitsurin, a hell of a lot people are going to die.

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Noberu glared at the slight male figure with the mop of dark hair. It wasn't the kid's fault. This was an important job. In fact, it was the most important assignment of his career. It wasn't the kid's fault, but it didn't make him happy.

He shook his head and pursed his lips. Two years! Two years stuck in the middle of bumfuck nowhere guarding some kid who was not old enough to govern and certainly not old enough to negotiate treaties to bind two planets together and provide a united front for commerce and induction into the United Planets. It's not everyday a stable wormhole appears. The fact that it appeared between two warring planets in a system that had reached space travel only two hundred years ago was a boon for the strongest, most influential powers in the United Planets or UP, if they could control it and soon.

He wasn't naive. He knew how important this stable wormhole was. His years spent in the special forces prepared him for survival. He learned more in those two years that the four years he spent in college.

He learned a lot about the nature of man. Pain can change a man, but fear can raise a man to his best or drag him to his very worst. Evil is simply the desire and execution of the dark, thirst for power over others. Trust and love cannot be taken or demanded but must be earned.

Some lessons he was able to learn from watching others, most he learned the hard way. Noberu wasn't particularly proud of some of the choices he'd made over the years. He learned how to use fear, how to manipulate and break a man to his will. His own conscience finally forced him to leave a way of life that felt like home.

In the end, he choose to protect life, using every tool in his arsenal. He signed on with the UP and provided security. That's right. He became a security guard. He got a lot of shit for his career choice at first. Turns out he was a natural.

Noberu knew security was more and less. It was a greater tool than he ever imagined. He was shocked when he realized a single job at the right time could accomplish more than a year of special ops. He learned how to shape negotiations. He knew how to influence those he protected.

He made quite a few enemies in a short period of time. He didn't take an assignment because it was given to him. He took it because he agreed with it. It was known he would do anything to guarantee the best possible outcome. If they couldn't appeal to his sense of rightness, they couldn't appeal to him at all. He was a loose cannon that way and knew he'd lost as many jobs as he got because of it. He was on a list somewhere. He was fine with that.

He'd been at this for a decade now and was the best. Sometimes his charges died, sometimes they didn't, but the job was always successful.

Noberu knew why the administration wanted him. This new foothold would enable the UP to spread their influence even farther. Even though he knew the UP had the potential to be one of the monsters he protected his charges from, the UP was still the peace-keeping force in many worlds of instability.

Nothing is perfect.

Noberu also knew why Captain had told him to take the job or take a hike. A cold unpleasant feeling settled in his stomach. Nothing bothered him but this sure the hell did. He was being sent away, punished because of who he was.

Fuck, he thought. She's an adult, not a damned child! Captain has no right to be in this pissed. We both had a good time and neither of us wanted more than that.

He knew he wasn't a good judge when it came to women. Suki wanted comfortable arms to hold her and a man who knew how to use a thick, long cock. He was only too happy to oblige her – often and over a period of months.

He'd been told by many that a relationship cannot be based on just sex. That was just gay. Why the hell couldn't it? There was nothing to be ashamed of. Sex with her had been fucking fantastic and exactly what he wanted and needed.

He'd met her several times in the past, always around her brother. You guessed it – Captain. Noberu really thought she was a bitch. She was too quiet and was always observing, never getting involved in the activity around her. She held herself with a cold reserve that just wasn't normal. Let's face it, women are emotional wrecks. It doesn't matter what planet or time you're from, all women are the same from the beginning of time and will be when the Gods finally yank the chain on us all and flush us back into the nothing they created us from.

He thought the ice queen was frigid and unyielding until he ran into her after she broke up with her boyfriend of five years. He just finished a three-month stint with no women and no personal space to alleviate his growing need. They both had the same idea, to tie one on. It didn't seem like a good idea. It seemed like a fucking fantastic idea. He felt damn good and she didn't seem to be feeling any pain either.

Somehow they made it to a hotel, littering the elevator and the hall to their room with their clothing. She was struggling with her garters and cursing like a pirate, and he couldn't stand it anymore. He lifted her up and she squeaked like a little mouse. He had chuckled when he saw her face turn crimson and roared when he saw how fast the blush raced down her chest and stomach.

There's a point when the mind becomes so muddled with drink, embarrassment cannot be achieved. She wasn't that drunk and he really needed a fuck. If she could shed her frozen, calculating facial expression as quickly as she shed her clothing while sporting a shiny, new vocabulary, he couldn't wait to fuck her.

Suki never disappointed him.

She was nothing like the other woman he dated, fucked - whatever. She was too damn tall. She wore too little make up. She didn't wear provocative enough clothing for her fit body. She didn't have horrible mood swings and yell at him for stupid things. She wasn't illogical. Come to think of it, she didn't act like a woman at all.

Noberu never liked staying overnight at women's homes. He usually tried to leave as soon as possible. He didn't like cuddling and didn't want to talk. He didn't need to share. She never asked him to stay and actually got pissed a few times when he wouldn't leave and actually punched in the the side of the head when he was trying to sleep. He was fucking tired and just needed a few hours of sleep. So what if he hogged the covers? She was so damn stubborn. She wouldn't get more covers down and he didn't see where it was his responsibility to get them for her. He thought she secretly just liked punching him in the head.

As luck would have it, her stubbornness was a wonderful trait he'd benefited from more than once. No matter how much she gagged or how much she blushed from making loud slurping sounds, she wouldn't finish until he was thrusting into her mouth with enough force to bruise the back of her throat and the orgasm he had so strong he couldn't get his toes to uncurl for ten minutes. Sometime he hated her when she'd drag it out, and he had to beg for her to finish him.

He did like how she smelled. He liked how she comfortable she was with silence. He appreciated not having to hold her hand. He loved undressing her. She took pride in her unmentionables and delighting in how he'd react when he was trying to remove them, especially when his hands were preoccupied, and he had to use his mouth.

It didn't make them a couple though. They fucked. Sometimes they had dinner and then fucked. They didn't do movies. They didn't share each other's day. They didn't pick up a cell to talk. They didn't do much that made them a couple. In fact, the more he thought about it, one sobering thought righted itself too clearly in his mind.

He didn't know anything about her.

Hell, he didn't know why she and her boyfriend broke it off all those months ago. He didn't know what kind of food she really liked. He didn't even know what she did for a living. She only knew what he did because of her brother.

Noberu did know she had her best orgasms on top, their legs tangled with him meeting each thrust while he massaged her breasts with enough force to bruise. He knew going down on her was still so embarrassing for her, she couldn't watch and she had to cover her eyes even after she'd thrust up her hips, lift her legs and squeeze his face with her thighs until she came. And she always blamed him for her shoulder hurting. She fucked it up weightlifting and it only bothered her when she put her shoulder into punching him in the head. He knew the reason even if she didn't voice it.

Noberu felt the unfamiliar creases in his heavily lined cheeks.

Gods, he actually missed her! How the hell did that happen? This was bullshit. Great and now he was starting to get hard thinking about her. He was working for fuck sake! This is why he didn't do personal. Personal was messy. Personal was distracting. Personal got you and your charge killed.

His left eye twitched. He didn't like doubting himself. He was on a job. He didn't get distracted. Hell, he didn't think - about shit like this.

"Was she really that good a fuck?" Rato asked sincerely while scanning the crowd for anything unusual. He didn't glance at the hulking figure next to him."I've never seen you distracted before."

It was just an observation and it pissed Noberu off. He grunted but said little else.

"That kid is a squalling brat with the cord just cut," Rato grinned behind reflective twin lenses. His large square face wrinkled as he chuckled. "We are sooo screwed."

Noberu's cold gray eyes slid to his left. His lips twitched but he refused to be baited today. He returned his line of sight to the crowd. His men were well-trained, but he was not totally certain they were loyal to him. He would fix that soon. Normally, he got to choose his own detail. Normally, he wouldn't get dumped on a gods' forsaken planet to watch a brat for what would be a two-year stint in hell. He was just glad that Rato agreed to come along, at least for the first six months. He had a handful of men he trusted but none more than Rato.

He returned his attention to the male dressed in long crimson robes. The robed figure brought his arms forward to rest before him revealing pale hands and delicate wrists against the darkened, glossy fabric. He still had that awkward slimness that teenagers have but his movements were measured and practiced.

Raising large almond-shaped eyes, the kid looked up to the priest, his chin held high. He repeated the priests words, just as his father had and his father before him. Many generations of proud Radekoun males, one from each generation only, knealed before the priests of the Father King to be take their place among Radekoun Royalty.

Noberu could see the kid's lips held the faintest blush of pink and watched him shape each syllable. The kid's ease was slightly marred by the flushed look to his cheeks. It made him seem younger than his seventeen years.

The kid lowered his eyes and then his head. The priest brushed the kid's hair from his eyes and smiled fondly. He briefly anointed the smooth forehead with a shiny substance. The kid held himself still and waited patiently for the priest to draw his hand away. He rose gracefully to his feet before the dais. He started to turn to address the congregation of sycophants, loyalists and distant family members.

Noberu narrowed his eyes as he absorbed all of his charge's features. The kid is too damn pretty, he thought.

His thinking was all fucked up today.

A large crash to their left brought Noberu and Rato to the balls of their feet. They drew their weapons with an economy of movement easily missed. Rato shifted into the crowd of people as if he were a mirage and disappeared. Noberu edged closer to the youngest member of the royal family. He ignored the sharp gasp as he gripped the kid's elbow tightly, pulling him along.

The hallway loomed before them before the kid started to struggle. Noberu pulled him closer when they heard a sharp crack behind them. The kid jerked and Noberu had to tighten his grip to keep the youth from falling.

There were two doors between them and the throne room before screams and the sounds of fighting could be heard behind them. Noberu straightened to his full height and held the kid's arm far too high for comfort. He dragged the youth along at much faster pace.

The kid stumbled and gritted his teeth. He hissed through thinned lips, "Slow down, damn you!"

"Pick up your little feet," Noberu's voice was smooth and unhurried. He lowered the kid's elbow a fraction, but he did not slow down. He felt a weak incessant tugging from the thin arm and tightened his grip again. The youth gasped but stopped tugging on his arm.

They turned to the right and went down a hallway and through another door to a large room near the royal kitchen. The youth's security detail immediately closed around him. Noberu did not leave his side but did drop the kid's elbow.

Rato brought up the rear closing the door sending the bolts locking into place. He turned to Noberu.

"Three suspects. Two were executed on sight. Our men sequestered the third, but who knows how long he'll live. No idea if an interrogation will lead to any answers. We're being instructed to transport Prince Kato to Kitsurin now."

"Make the arrangements, Rato. We'll leave in fifteen."

"I need to speak to my father first." Kato's voice was strained and his face was even more flushed. He rubbed his elbow.

Noberu ignored him. He gestured to his men and they began walking towards another door on the other side of the room. Noberu reached towards the robed figure. The kid jerked away from him violently and stumbled.

"I need to speak to my father first," he demanded angrily. He set his feet and his jaw. Noberu merely raised an eyebrow. "Are you listening to me?" the youth sputtered.

Noberu moved his service weapon back to the inside of his jacket calmly. He stepped closer to the youth, towering nearly a foot over him. The kid raised his head but maintained eye contact without flinching.

"Do you want to die and leave your planet at the mercy of Kitsurin and all of the other planets that have a vested interest in your wormhole?" Noberu asked quietly. Noberu knew he was a scary son of a bitch.

Wide eyes stared back at him.

This kid might be a brat, but Noberu had studied him and the twin planets' history. Duty wasn't a four letter word here. The kid knew his place and he was confident the kid wouldn't let anger best him. At least, not about this.

Noberu took this assignment for a reason. This delicate, pretty kid was the only chance the twin planets had and the only chance the UP had to secure countless worlds without bloodshed. If he had to, he'd sacrifice the twin planets for peace for many, many other planets. For now, he had to protect this kid from himself and everyone else. He would do what it took, no matter the cost.

"Do not question me." Noberu raised his hand and pointed with his index finger towards his men leaving the room. "Get your ass moving. NOW."

The muscles along the kid's jaw rippled. He drew himself to his full height of five feet and nearly six inches. Breathing heavily through his nose, he grunted, "Fine." The kid quivered with the effort of maintaining control.

Noberu reached for the kid's elbow and this time the kid didn't pull away, just grumbled something unflattering under his breath about caveman bodyguards. He thought he heard the kid comparing him to an ape and thinking he'd be better off with the ape. That almost brought a smile to Noberu's calm face. One of his men snickered.

The kid's slightly rounded cheeks were flushed and he frowned at Noberu, eyes flickering to him as they entered their transport. Noberu helped the kid to his seat and watched as the kid's thin hands cinched the belt snug against his narrow waist.

The kid was annoying. He was young. He was innocent. He was bursting with youthful energy. After years of protecting people Noberu thought were a waste of skin, he was shocked to realize he actually liked the kid.

Taking the seat furthest away from Kato, Noberu clipped himself in with a frown. Liking the kid was an emotion he could not afford. He had a job to do.

____________________________________________________________________

Prince Kato was getting annoyed.

He agreed Radekouns and Kitsurins had equal rights to the wormhole. He knew a marriage between himself and King Yoshi's daughter was the best way to unite the two planets. Their offspring would eventually rule both planets under one throne and lend credibility to inducting both planets into the UP. What he didn't understand was why King Yoshi was stalling.

Yes, that silk tapestry is exquisite. If he gave a damn about the chief export of some small province south of the palace, he'd love to tour it. Yes, he was impressed with King Yoshi's collection of swords used nearly 2000 years ago when Kitsurin ancestors assumed the throne in the bloodiest battle in Kitsurin history. If he had to hear one more thing about the energy efficient crafts being used to transport goods and services around the planet, he would start screaming.

Kato couldn't afford to let anger rule him. He kept his face smooth. He listened and commented when appropriate. He tried repeatedly to bring the conversation back to marriage negotiations. Every comment was met with another story, another offer to tour something or questions about himself he had no intention of answering.

Kato knew all of this useless talk was counterproductive. He had been racking his brain for the past ten minutes for a way to convince King Yoshi of the importance of announcing the wedding and hammering out the details now. It wasn't like he could just tell the man to stop being a giant ass. What made it all the more annoying were the looks his chief advisor and that asshole, Noberu, kept giving him.

Though royalty on both planets certainly ruled, they were figures uniting the planet. Cold hard cash often lead the way to changes in foreign policy, laws and sometimes even social contracts. Rich, special interest groups were powerful and carried a great deal of sway with each crown. To ignore their responsibilities to them was dangerous to their health and to the stability of each planet.

It was utterly baffling.

Even after the marriage announcement, birth of the first child would be necessary to stabilize the planets. Trade and travel negotiations would continue for months even years. Quick negotiations would be necessary to convince the UP of the desire both planets have for induction. Both planets were still in their adolescence in space travel and needed the protection only the UP could offer. Without this quick merging, the twin planets would only be considered stable enough for unsavory and illegal utilization of the wormhole.

Kato couldn't take it any longer. He took a long, calming breath and decided it was time to actually use a few skills he learned. He cleared his throat and the large monarch turned his face slowly, a fixed smile gracing his wide jaw.

“King Yoshi, even with marriage and offspring between princess Fusako and myself, it is likely to take months we do not have to negotiate with other parties for use of the wormhole. If we delay, we cannot curry favor with the UP.” Kato was having difficulty disguising his frustration. His palms were sweating and he felt color beginning to bloom in his cheeks.

King Yoshi merely smiled. He gestured to the swinging doors. Kato turned around in his chair not really seeing King Yoshi's offspring. He was familiar with them from reports he received over the past few months. He was mildly surprised at the number of personal bodyguards each had with them. Three people entered the room, one sitting to the left and two to the right of the King. He looked back at the door for a moment looking for the youngest male sibling.

“We will set aside time for you to spend time with each of my children,” King Yoshi said in a soft, warm voice usually reserved for small children.

Kato jerked and swung back to glare at the King. His chief advisor put his hand on the the arm of Kato's chair in warning.

“I am honored, but when will the marriage announcement be made?”

King Yoshi chuckled. ”When it's clear which of my children you will marry,” he said cheerfully.

Kato blinked. What the hell? What is that supposed to mean? No one told him King Yoshi had a sick sense of humor. He looked over at Redaku, his chief advisor. The man looked miserable. He wouldn't even meet Kato's eyes.

King Yoshi gestured to his right. “This is my oldest, Prince Seshimora.”

Seshimora was the image of his father. His heavily muscled frame and unbelievable height were the thing of legends. He never looked this freaking big in any of the pictures Kato was shown. It was unimaginable that anyone could be that big without significant genetic intervention, but that was impossible. The man could not be considered for the throne if he was altered in any way.

King Yoshi nodded to his left. “Princess Fusako is only two years younger than yourself Prince Kato.”

Kato's eyes widened. While Seshimora was the biggest man he'd ever seen, Princess Fusako was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her pale complexion, dark eyes and darker hair were shocking against the redness of her lips. Considering the size of the rest of the royal family, he was relieved she was small like himself. He caught himself staring and started to blush. Her quick smile quickened his heart. He didn't want to stop looking at her. She had such a tiny little nose. It couldn't possibly be real. His eyes kept going back to those very red lips. He was still staring and really needed to pay attention, but those lips were really, really red and shaped so, so perfectly.

King Yoshi cleared his throat and Kato tore his eyes away from this beauty with regret. He brought his attention to the last sibling. His eyes jerked back to Princess Fusako and back to Prince Shinko.

Were they twins? No one told him. Shinko was obviously taller, much taller, in fact, and had a little more weight to him. He had the same features...just a little more masculine. He should have been pretty. He was too slim. He looked too much like his sister. It was annoying as hell.

Kato knew he was pretty and fucking hated it. He actually had features similar to Kitsurin Royalty. His eyes narrowed. Shinko's jaw was square where his was narrow. Shinko's nose was wider and his brow ridge a little more defined than Kato's. Was that the only difference? That's what made Kato pretty like a girl and Shinko handsome like a man?

“ Prince Shinko is now my only middle child.”

Kato blinked. What the hell happened to Prince Takimore? He chewed his lower lip. He hadn't been informed and that bothered him. He should know this already. It made him look a fool for being so unprepared. He forced down the anger and gave Redaku a cold look.

”I am sorry for your loss, King Yoshi.”

”Though I appreciate your sympathy, it is unnecessary. Takimore was weak,” King Yoshi murmured almost too quietly to be heard from across the table.

Kato looked for a tightness around the King's eyes or even pursing of his lips and saw none. He truly appeared untouched by his son's death. It was possible King Yoshi was incredibly skilled at smoothing his features and schooling his eyes, but that seemed unlikely. No one was that good. Kato took an involuntary breath. Oh hell, it was true!

He had learned years ago the path to the Kitsurin crown was littered with bodies. He never really believed it. It now made sense why each sibling was given a personal guard from birth. It was the duty of each child to eliminate the competition. Age ten was the typical life expectancy for Kitsurin Royalty. Kato felt a cold squirming in his gut. He was going to marry into this fucked up family?

Family was supposed to be a source of comfort and strength. One thing was clear to him, his children would not ascend the throne by murdering each other. It was not open to negotiation.

Prince Kato pushed aside his revulsion and steered his face to smoothness. He nodded to Prince Seshimora, “It is an honor to meet you Prince Seshimora,” he said his own voice growing soft. He nodded to the remaining siblings, “It is an honor to meet you Prince Shinko, Princess Fusako.” The siblings inclined their heads in his direction.

“You are right, Prince Kato. Even with marriage and offspring, it is likely to take months to negotiate with other parties for fair use of the wormhole. Time is essential, but it will not alter the right of Ascension. Two thousand years of history will not be ignored. It would be unwise to interfere,” warned King Yoshi.

The man was clearly threatening him. Kato's eyes drifted to Noberu. He actually expected the man to intervene. He was always so concerned about Kato's safety. He treated him like a freaking child and no one questioned him. The man had worked as his chief bodyguard for months now, but he didn't know him. Kato was disappointed in Noberu's silence.

King Yoshi stood, followed by his children. “My oldest will have the honor of showing you to your rooms since you refused to be shown to them upon arriving at my home,” King Yoshi said firmly, making it clear it wasn't open to debate. Kato and his advisor stood.

Seshimora's thick, heavily muscled legs brought him to stand at Kato's right. Kato looked up to Seshimora's gray eyes and didn't like how high up he had to look. Seshimora was too damn tall, nearly a foot taller than Kato. Seshimora indicated with a nod of his head and a quick gesture of his arm that Kato should follow.

Kato's bodyguard surrounded him and Redaku. He couldn't see Seshimora and had no idea where they were. Something tickled the back of his mind. He lost track of the number of turns he made and what direction he was now heading. The palace was larger than his family's but then again, his family had only one male offspring each generation. They didn't need this much space. Crap, did Noberu say something to him? He was getting distracted again. Noberu touched him lightly on the arm. They stopped.

Kato peeked through the ring of bodies. He saw Seshimora reach into the pocket of his pants. He handed something shiny to one of Kato's guards. Several of them disappeared into the darkness of the room. He waited getting impatient. He sighed loudly. His toe started to tap. He sighed again.

”I'm sure it's fine,” Kato growled. He started to push between the bodies in front of him. He ignored Redaku pulling gently on his sleeve. He jerked his arm free. “Move,” he said to no one in particular.

”You will wait until the room is clear, Prince Kato.” Ah, now Noberu was concerned for his safety. He ignored the man until he heard Seshimora's voice nearby.

“Prince Kato, it is unwise to ignore concerns of your guard. They will lose face if any harm comes to you,” Seshimora said in that same warm, calm voice of his own father.

Kato pursed his lips into a tight line. What an asshole! He doesn't know what the hell he's talking about, thought Kato, but he said, “I appreciate your wisdom Prince Seshimora, but I am capable of making decisions regarding my safety.”

“No, you're not, ” murmured a calm voice at his side. Kato jerked and glared at his chief bodyguard, Noberu. How dare he? Kato raged, clenching his fists and twitching them against the sides of his thighs. He caught the smile Seshimora directed at the caveman.

He really wanted to hurt his chief bodyguard. The man was fucking annoying. Kato reached the age of majority today and was recognized to assume the crown. He was a man. He'd be damned if he'd allow himself to be treated like this. He turned to give Noberu his due and appearances be damned when he felt his elbow being grasped tightly. He was proud that he didn't gasp in surprise this time. He allowed himself to be pulled aside. His guard closed around him into a tight circle.

“Let me go,” Kato growled in a low voice. “You're undermining my authority.” He jerked on his arm, resisting the urge to punch Noberu in the head.

“You don't need my help there, squirt.” The man needed to be beaten. “Your parents obviously spared the rod with you. I won't be as forgiving.”

Kato was speechless. Was the man actually threatening to spank him?

“Noberu?”

Kato turned to glare at Noberu's second in command. The man cleared his throat. “Rooms are clear, sir.”

Kato had had enough. “Move,” he growled loudly. He didn't wait and started to push forward. He wasn't a child. He was responsible for a fucking planet for fuck sake! He nearly flung himself into the room. He turned to close the door and came face to face with Seshimora's stomach. He looked up, way the hell up and took an involuntary step backward.

Seshimora smiled, obviously enjoying himself. Well, Kato was glad he was so freaking entertaining. He wanted to slam the door in the man's face, but he stepped back and allowed Seshimora to enter his rooms.

“My brother will have the honor of having dinner with you this evening in three hours. Your guard will be given the details and have an opportunity to view the area to determine if it's suitable.”

Kato nodded. Anything to get this giant away from him. He raised his hand to shake the man's hands, ending their discussion, as was custom in Kitsurin. He was too shocked to draw his hand away when Seshimora brought it his lips, brushing the delicate flesh briefly before gently dropping Kato's wrist. Kato resisted the urge to wipe his hand on his pants.

He's treating me like a woman, he thought miserably.

Kato turned to watch Seshimora leave. He didn't stop the shudder that started at his shoulders and moved down his spine. At least one thing was comforting, it couldn't get worse.

Seshimora turned at the door to smile at Kato. His eyes roamed briefly over Kato's slight frame in appreciation and then widened. Kato's knees suddenly felt weak. He managed to find a chair before his legs gave out. He turned to meet Seshimora's eyes. Damn pervert was still staring at him!

“I spar at six each morning and would be honored if you would watch me tomorrow.” He frowned when Kato said nothing. “Perhaps you would prefer to participate in archery with me? I understand you are quite skilled,” he said but didn't sound like he believed it. “I will await your answer.”

Kato didn't hear the soft sound as the door closed. He glanced up at Noberu, expecting to see pity. A wave of relief swelled from Kato's chest. Noberu was an ass. He bullied Kato. He made him look stupid. He treated him like a child. Kato didn't understand why it mattered what Noberu thought, but it did.

It just did.