Honey Glayzed

Honey Glayzed 7

Trust pt 1

Shock. That seemed like too mild a word to describe the wide-eyed silence that met the Arcadians as they turned to see the two young men clutching each other. “Come on,” Andy took the stiletto from George's slack hand. She handed the blade to her husband. Nestoir pulled a thick cloth from his pocket after whispering a few words the cloth dripped sparkling water onto the polished marble floor. Nestoir cleaned the blade, then approached his wife. Bill stared not sure he saw the tall prince gather Andy's hair and loop it up into a chignon using the blade to keep it steady. When he was done, his wife's hair was in a neat do that left half of the mass to curl down her back. “I'm hungry, Ryo was making a great Peking duck.”
“Shouldn't we call...” Rain began looking worried over to the two on the bed.
“They will not awaken until morning” Nestoir said passing his hand over both of their forehead. “They need the rest. We can call the D's in the morning and Ryo can make a vegetarian breakfast.” Nestoir turned to see that Tom and Bill were returning to the land of the mentally functioning. “Oh good, hungry?”
“What was that black stuff?” Tom asked moving away from the prince keeping Bill behind him.
“Damn,” Nestoir sighed. “I had hoped that your immediate shock afterwards would mean that you had forgotten and we could get you downstairs before it wore off.”
“Why?” Bill heard real regret in Nestoir's voice. “What are you going to do to us?”
“Come downstairs,” Andy urged again. The sugar in her voice causing a shiver to tremble its way down Rain's spine. He knew that tone. Nothing good ever came of it if it appeared without a giggle. Bill looked at his brother then trooped out of the luxurious room. Ryo sat them at the large dining room table with heavy glass plates set with gold inlay, Gold utensils were laid out as well as crystal goblets rimmed with gold. He opened the dining room and gasped to find a strange red haired woman running her hands along the edge of a plate, her violet eyes seeming to glow red in the flickering light of the candles that had been set.
“Who did all this?” Ryo mouthed the words then gasped to see that Mihnea was the only other person available.
“Rock stars, pop stars and Royalty. I thought it fitting,” Mihnea shrugged. He took a jeweled edged figurine from Serina replacing it on the shelf as he had the golden bird stuffed in her pocket. “Oh and Bikky, here.” Mihnea offered a silver ring with a bow. “She can't help it.”
“What?!” Bikky looked down at the silver ring with a simple scroll of onyx around it. “Where did you...” Bikky recalled shaking Serina's hand on the way into the house and narrowed his eyes at her. “You're a thief.”
“By necessity, then profession, now habit,” Serina confessed.
“A bad habit,” Mihnea tapped the back of her hand, more loving than chiding.
“Oh and it seems there are more guests still...” Mihnea looked out to the kitchen, the back door was opening. Vlad appeared at his son's side and Bill loudly screamed at the apparition that had not been there before. Tom gasped, startled as well.
“Are you trying to give people a heart attack?” Rain frowned at Vlad.
The ancient creature chuckled. “Oh, Rain, do lighten up,” Vlad quipped. “If watching an untutored Druid mage battle an ancient pestilence has not rendered them loopy, I doubt a little smoke a mirrors will.”
“Druid?” Bill asked. “Smoke...yes.”
“What was the smoke, the black stuff? What was it?” Tom asked staring in horror at the dishes that Ryo and Dee began to cart out to the table in heavy crystal serving dishes. Ryo watched as Serina took a glittering bauble off his curio cabinet. She noted his eyes on her and looked away before placing it back with a careful hand and sheepish smile. Mihnea tucked her hand into his pocket.
“As it stands, there is a choice for you to make,” Andy said with a sigh. She liked the young men and could wish for a better fate.
“What choices?” Tom asked leaning close to Bill with his hand on his brother's arm.
“It's simple really,” Nestoir said when his wife offered them a pitying look. White vapors poured through the window solidifying into Heaven. Laton and Torcha rushed into the room tears spilling down Torcha's face. “Greetings, we were just explaining the situation to these young men.”
“Situation,” Torcha blanched. “How is Dumpling? To lose a mate at such a time and to such a thing...”
“Your dumpling is fine your majesty.” Andy bowed to the dragon queen. “In fact, pending a visit from Lord D tomorrow morning, he will be bustling about pampering his love.”
“But, Soofu A sent word about Jhaymes getting fatally injured.” Laton could not help but to stare at the strangers sitting at the dining room table. “Child,” He circled Bill staring at the pile of hair on his head. Laton's brows drew down and his eyes narrowed. “What has happened to your hair?”
“Hair spray, and gel mostly,” Bill answered honestly, “Some dye, a bit of bleach, nothing to cause such concern.” Bill tried to reassure the man who seemed overly concerned with his hair.
“Oh,” Laton laughed a bit he reached out a hand to touch the spiked hair. He had heard that Jhaymes, and thus George, was fine, so now on to other matters. “I was afraid that it was due to stress related to the mishap of the past twenty-four hours. Arcadian matters to be sure.” All sound vacated as if a deafening hum of an overlarge vacuum was suddenly unplugged. Vlad was the first to break it with a chuckle. Mihnea joined him followed by Nestoir, tears falling down his face. Bill looked over at the strangers surrounding him and joined in with their laughter.
“No, I did this on purpose,” Bill explained causing Rain to smile at him.
“You guys deal with this,” Torcha said abandoning her husband and Heaven. “I must go to Dumpling.” The dragon queen hurried up the stairs a swish of deep green the only sound to mark her passing.
“While my wife coddles the youngling,” Laton sat down and picked up a plate. “Snap Dragon you have truly never failed to impress me with your culinary ability. High Prince, you were saying ere we disturbed you.”
Tom took in all this conversation wondering if the people around him were mad. He contemplated how he would take Bill and get out of here at the first opportunity. “Choices, right,” Nestoir began to fill his plate while Bikky poured Rain's tea in to a cup. “In the morning, Lord D will arrive to work on Jhaymes wounds and calm George's nerves. He can prepare for you both a cup of Honyaru Tea. Thereby eliminating any memory of this night that you may have.”
“Eliminate? Forget,” Tom gasped thinking of the snow capped peaks and the large pillars crusted with jewels in the guest room. It was like an entirely new world. “There is no way we could ever forget.”
“Yes, The horses, not horses,” Bill shook his head his eyes wide. He recalled the beautiful Carious and Bellenos that had brought the high prince and princess to the balcony. “Then the rainbows and the green light the black stuff. No forgetting.”
“Do not make your choice so lightly,” Vlad cautioned. “You have not heard them all yet.”
“The only other option open to you is death,” Rain's fork clattered to his plate at Laton's pronouncement. Bill had been about to bring his fork to his mouth for a first taste of Ryo's dinner. It fell from useless fingers. “We must maintain the sanctity of our world. It is unfortunate that you have become involved in this. I personally abhor the taste of human, but there are several of our citizens, my wife included, who would appreciate the taste of fresh young...”
“Shut up!” Bikky got to his feet. Rain teared up at the Dragon kings words. “You can't just come in here and say forget or die!”
“I am afraid I must agree with my son,” Ryo said standing beside Bikky, Dee stood as well along with Rain. “It is not their fault.”
“We understand,” Zarro had been clear in his directions. He knew what he had to do. What he had to orchestrate. Laton heaved a sigh after he finished chewing the homemade bread that Ryo had baked. “But we have to protect ourselves, so that we can protect the world.”
“The world,” Bill nodded. “It is good, but...Why must we forget?”
“If you speak of this to anyone, it puts all of our lives, and our mission, at risk,” Laton went on in the face of Tom wrapping his brother in his arms.
“We would never betray you,” Bill stammered.
“We can not take your words to be true, humans have repeatedly turned their backs on every measure to save their miserable lives,” Laton spat the words at the boys. “A mere mouthful now will save us centuries of heartache. You do not know who might be in thrall to Dae, or what the consequences should you defect. You have no clue what you would be embroiling yourself in.”
“I told you,” Ryo pointed at his grandfather who bristled. Steam rose from the dragon. Vlad sat back watching it all. He had never seen Laton so obnoxious, he had, but not over something like this. What drove the dragon king to such flights of paranoid fancy? “You can not eat people, just because you are dissatisfied with the outcome...”
“Snap Dragon!” Laton looked around at Ryo. “Are you aware that two Kami have lost their lives.” Ryo gasped dropping into his chair. “By this time tomorrow it will be three, maybe four. The knight risked his life, indeed he lost it, and it was in vain. Soofu Z is not going to make it. Dracul sent a message, he said she labors still to no avail. At this point they may not even be able to save the child.”
“Dae is winning,” Rain sank his head into his hands. “How did things get so bad?”
“He's not winning,” Laton looked up. “As long as we have the royale, he will never be able to win.”
“But at what cost?” Bikky asked for a moment forgetting that they were arguing the choices of Bill and Tom. “In the end, what price will be paid?”
“We have already paid the greatest price,”Laton deflated. “ The gates have been opened. And for that the spawns determination has redoubled. We can not take any risk now.” Laton brought the conversation back around to Bill and Tom. “Choose.”
“NO!” Rain stood in front of the pop stars. He was beautiful in his spirited defiance. Bill could feel his hair shift as the wind picked up. Mihnea was quick to place his hand over the rim of his wine glass as the liquid sloshed around. “I will vouch for them. I invited them here. It's my fault. I trust them. If they die the blood will be on my hands. I won't let you. They can keep the secret. I know it.”
“Surely if they do speak of this, or our world,” Laton went back to his meal a smile on his face. He had yet to fail in a mission from his king. He would not start now. “You will be the one to bring them in Squire Rain.”
“I'm not a squire yet,” Rain owned up to his title. “Until further notice, I'm a page.” He sat next to Bikky taking deep breaths. Bikky offered him his tea and Rain gulped grateful for his brother. Bikky could always see through to his every need. He saw Tom urging Bill to take off his jacket.
“It's fine,” Bill shoved Tom away from him.
“At least roll down the sleeves,” Tom tugged the sleeves on his brother's jacket. He rubbed the arm he had a hand on. “You'll have bruises again.”
“Look man,” Rain clapped Bill on the shoulder. “If he's anything like my brother, just do it.” Rain sipped his tea. “Life is much easier that way. Besides, he wouldn't be such a pain if he didn't care.” Bill looked at the younger boy, then removed his jacket. Chagrined he saw that there was indeed bruises forming on his arms. Bill knew that Rain was right. He wondered how though. Bikky and Rain were not twins. They were not even related by blood. How could their connection so resemble their own? Tom nodded his agreement with Rain's words. Bill laughed a bit then began to really taste the dinner that Ryo had prepared.
“Oh, wow!” Bill's eyes widened. “Wonderful.”
“Yep,” Bikky grinned. “Our dad is the best.” Bikky licked his lips. “Lemon meringue for dessert. He made 'em last night.”
“Thats why I made the cookies,” Ryo laughed, his cheeks flushed. “That was the only way I could keep them safe from the boys, Dee included.”
“Snap dragon you are too lenient,” Laton admonished. “Increase the consequences of their actions and life will be much easier.”
“Yes,” Vlad spoke up his eyes burning into the dragon king. “I suppose he could always eat them.” The silence that descended seemed nearly deafening. Serina paused in the act of placing a golden fork into her pocket. “But I would recommend lighter measures. They are family after all. Perhaps a simple impalement would be in order.”
“Who are you?” Bill turned slowly as his brother questioned the strange man at the end of the table next to Dee.
“Before questioning my father” Mihnea spoke up. “You are German.” He allowed his accent to denote the disdain in his voice as he said the word. “With whom does your loyalty lie?”
“What?” Bill backed into his chair afraid that they would be interrogated and yelled at again. Accused of betraying the Arcadians when they had yet to know them.
“Do you side with Hunyadi? Will you pledge to Corvinus when he makes his stand for revenge against the dragons?”
“What are you talking about?” Tom demanded offering a glare to the young man. “Before you yell at us about ancient history, you might want to stop your lady from robbing the host blind.”
“Serina,” Mihnea took the watch that she had slipped from Dee's wrist back to the irate detective. “Hon, please.”
“Sorry,” Serina sighed her eyes fading from a crimson boil to deep lavender. “I got bored.” Serina swirled her vegetables around on her plate. “I don't see what the big problem is anyway. Hunyadi and Corvinus betrayed your family in the fourteen hundreds.”
“It is well you do not understand the hatred inherent in a blood feud.”Vlad's words were low.
“I get that this place is magical,” Bill thought aloud. “Things exist here that should not. Things that normal people either never knew or forgot...Your name is Vlad.”
“And you hate the old Hungarian king...” Tom's mind circled his brother's. “Vlad... Dracula. You never died did you?”
“My son asked you a question,” Vlad sat back sipping his wine. “Do not dare question me, whelp!” Vlad's teeth emerged. Rain moved fast putting himself in between Vlad and the twins. Vlad smiled, it was good that the boy was willing to stand up to him. Especially in light of Mihnea's recent tasting. Vlad leaned on his elbows on the table sizing Rain up as one would a piece of Ryo's savory duck. Bikky stood as well next to his brother.
“Vlad,” Laton spoke up. “Why do you goad the boys?”
“Why did you?” Vlad countered his gaze gone shrewd as he looked at the dragon king. Ryo placed a hand on Rain's shoulder pushing him back into his seat while Dee urged Bikky to back down. Heaven paused on her way downstairs to see the dining room with a less than friendly atmosphere. She was used to meals here full of chatter and laughter.
Laton got to his feet. “My wife wants to stay here, so I will see you in the morning. You two will decide your fate. You can either forget the past twenty four hours, die, or enter an oath of absolute secrecy, the fate of breaking it would be your permanent end...Painfully.”Bill and Tom gasped causing Laton to smile brightly. “Sleep well.” He bounded up the stairs seeing the truth in their eyes. He had seen their mettle. He knew what these boys were capable of. Zarro would be well pleased.
“Why the time?” Bill asked chewing the end of his thumb nail. Tom reached over and silently lowered the digit from his brother's mouth.
“We leave tomorrow afternoon for Arcadia,” Ryo folded his arms. “We'll be gone for two weeks.”
“Oh...” Bill nodded even though he was no less confused of the situation.
“Finish your dinner.” Bikky pushed Bill's plate to him. “We will let you make up your own minds.” Bill leaned in close to his brother not sure what was going on. The one thing he knew for sure was that there was no way he could ever forget all he had seen, and all the people he had met. Dracula... Bill looked again at the tall, dark clad figure. He was sitting down to dinner with the ancient menace of the Carpathian mountains. The Turk killer, the impaler prince himself. Bill smiled at Vlad causing Mihnea to gasp as he looked at the boy. “What?”
“You know,” Mihnea was suddenly behind Bill. “I do have a sweet tooth...Choose wisely.” Tom snatched Bill to him but it was to no avail. Mihnea was gone.
“My son has a point...” Vlad said his fingers passing over Bill's hair. “I don't eat sweets... but you smell nice.”
“Give me a reason to believe...” Rain sang causing Vlad to pause in the action of getting closer to Bill who had gone plaster white as Vlad sniffed him keeping Tom at arm length when the boy would have defended his brother. Vlad looked up at Rain. “That you're gone. I see your shadow, so I know, they're all wrong...” Rain closed his mouth. His eyes never left Vlad as he sang. Vlad winked at Rain.
“Alright then Wind Rider,” Vlad straightened to his full height. “ You win. As long as I can hear you sing every now and then, your friends have my protection.” Vlad held out his hand. Tom hesitated but after staring at the terror inducing creature, he shook his hand. Bill followed suit. “Even if it means sending my son to bed without dinner.” Vlad was chuckling as he vanished into a mist of deepest red. Bill leaned his elbows on the table lowering his head he took several deep breaths. Tom was startled as his little brother yelped jumping from the chair.
“What is!?” He nearly leaped into Tom's lap.
“Slyphe,” Rain ducked under the table.
“Bill?” Tom questioned when Bill settled in his lap refusing to be moved.
“Between my legs,”Bill shook his head pointing to the offended area.
“Smart cat...” Dee laughed. “Went for the goods.” Rain stood hauling the large cat up with him. Bill's eyes widened as he saw the ear tufts. “Proof she's been hanging out with Laton. You know he gave George a hands on gender test. Found out he really was 'Boy' George in his own way.” Dee wiped tears of mirth from his eyes.
“Go upstairs and wait for me in Bikky's room,” Rain sat her down patting her rump. “And no fighting with Cujo.”
“You send your cat up there with my dog and expect them not to fight,” Bikky scoffed. “I just made that bed, it better be made when I get there.” Bikky called after the cat. Slyphe paused to look over her shoulder at Bikky her tail high in the air.
“Did she just tell me to kiss her....”Bikky got to his feet.
“Are you arguing with a kitty?” Heaven laughed relaxing as the mood swung back to what she was used to in this house.
“Shut up Heaven,” Bikky stuck his tongue out at her. Heaven giggled and Tom stared at the beautiful young woman. “After dessert, you guys go on up. It's a lot to discuss in one night. We leave tomorrow.”
“Leave?” Tom asked his brows drawn down.
“You're coming with us,” Ryo nodded at Bikky's words. “To Arcadia.” Bikky got to his feet and began to gather up the dishes. “Great dinner Ryo.” Bikky commented. “I think Rain is stuffed. That is an accomplishment.” Bikky tried to take Rain's plate but his brother took one more pot sticker and stuffed it in his mouth. Bikky left the half-filled cup of tea. “Drink it,”Rain picked the cup up. Dee just shook his head. It was always funny to him the way Bikky took care of Rain. He saw the same connected devotion in Tom as he took care of Bill. These boys were okay. He was sure of it. He knew that Rain would not have to deliver them in to be disciplined.
“I am going to the bathroom,” Tom dropped his napkin. “You go upstairs. Stay in the room til I get there.” Bill nodded looking under the table unsure if there was another creature ready to sniff him out. “How big is your dog?” Tom asked catching Bill's arm before he went upstairs.
“Pretty big, but better behaved than his cat,” Bikky laughed. “Your brother's safe.” Tom nodded letting go. He had to trust him. If they wanted trust, they had to first give it. Bill mounted the stairs. He looked around at the polished rail. He walked over to the room that Rain had showed him earlier before he looked at the door at the end of the hall. The guest room. If he opened that door would he see a normal room, or an entirely new world. Bill placed his hand on the doorknob before he had even realized that he had moved. The knob was shiny and hot. He almost snatched his hand back but the knob twisted as if opened from the inside. With a gentle push the door swung open and he walked inside.
It was still here, the world beyond the guest room door. Bill gazed around not sure if he truly saw the pillars. The room was so dark, even with the moon shining through the open patio doors. Bill wondered how it was so warm in here with the doors wide open. When Bikky had opened them earlier to take Rain out a blast of icy wind had come in. Now they stood open, the curtains billowing around in the wind and yet the room was as toasty as the rest of the house downstairs. Warmer, moist, like a tropical oasis. “What is your purpose in here child?” Bill gasped at the calmly spoken words. He felt a blast of hot air against his body and shook.
Peering into the darkness Bill could see nothing but shadows. One seemed to be moving, but he shook his head convincing himself that it was the wall. “I was just wondering,” Bill answered the voice of the person that he could not see. “How they were doing.”
“The dumpling and the knight are fine,” The voice answered. “You may look at them, but do not dare to touch. They need their rest.” Bill approached the bed. He was not sure what he would see, but sighed in relief to see Jhaymes face relaxed in slumber. George's hair fell over Jhaymes' chest a silky curtain that Bill could barely see.
“Your heart is warm,” Bill shivered at the soft...he could not tell what it was...but it rubbed along his arm Bill brought his hands up wishing he had his jacket back. “You smell nice. My husband is skeptical still, but I think you and your brother will do. I see that Vlad has vowed you protection. A stronger alliance you could not have made.”
“We did not make it,” Bill answered backing away from the bed afraid of raising the female's ire by waking the two on the bed. “It was in response to Rain's singing. He somehow convinced him.”
“Vlad, son of the Dragon, would not be so easily lead,” Torcha chuckled softy. Bill frowned surprised that the two had not awakened. “Nestoir made sure they would not arise until morning.”
“Then I can turn on a light?” Bill asked reaching a table and finding a switch.
“Does the night frighten you?” Torcha's voice had a hint of amusement. “I think the light will not make it better.” Torcha warned just as he pulled the cord on the bedside lamp. Bill blinked as his eyes adjusted to the light, he smiled and looked around hoping to find the owner of the voice he heard. Bill screamed before he realized that he saw the lithe creature that took up the room. The softness that had stroke his arms rippled in the air near him, appeared to be whiskers, or feelers on the large creature. The wall he had seen moving in the shadows was not a wall but the side of the green scaled beast that coiled around the bed. Bill tried to back up to the door, but tripped over a massive claw. This heat, he thought, it must be coming from her. He sat on his bottom staring up at the dragon. Another scream became lodged in his throat as he scrambled backward on the floor. Torch watched the small human amused. She moved her claw out of his way.
The door was getting closer, Bill could feel it. God, he did not want to be eaten. Large yellow eyes peered down at him the obsidian slits in the middle of them focused on him. Bill stared at the eyes as they stared at him. The door slammed open and Tom cam rushing in holding his pants up trying to zip them. Rain came in after him his hands wet from helping Ryo with the dishes. “We heard you downstairs... What?” Tom halted in his tracks. He reached down grasping Bill by both shoulders and hauling his brother up.
“Dr... Dra...Dragon!” Bill pointed behind Tom.
“Whoa!” Tom whirled keeping his brother behind him. “Oh...Um...Okay.”
“Torcha,” Rain called the dragon queen's attention. “Please shift down, you're scaring our guests.”
“I like him,” Torcha said the wind picking up. She stood before them in a long green dress of watered silk. “He is nice...” Torcha said no more. She resumed her dragon form laying her head at the foot of the bed. “Leave me now, before I become annoyed. I have been up worried and I am tired.”
“Out” Rain shoved both boys to the door. “Now, this is the one that actually likes the taste of human.” Rain breathed a sigh of relief when the door was shut firmly behind them. “My room is there. Good night.”
“Our bags have arrived downstairs,” Tom said to his brother in their native tongue. “Just stay here. I will be back.” Bill nodded his movements jerky. He rubbed the raised flesh of his arms sure that if he had not gelled his hair, it would be standing now. A dragon, a big, green scaled dragon. Wait! Bill's thought raced. The man, the dragon king is what they had called him, claimed her as wife so what was he? This place, Arcadia, was magic. He wanted to know more. He had to know more. He believed, down to the marrow of his bones, that this was his and Tom's destiny.

Break

Ryo rested his hands on the now clean counter. His mind still reeling from all that had happened. Was the war with the demons really getting so out of hand? He was so busy here with his human criminals that he was not paying close attention. And the D's? There were already three dead Kami's. How could they keep them safe under these circumstances? Warm hands circled his waist and Ryo leaned back against the broad chest of Dee. “Don't worry about it.”
“About what?” Ryo asked leaning his head to the side so that Dee could take advantage if the exposed skin to trail his tongue along it. Dee's body absorbed the shiver that ran along Ryo's slender body.
“About whatever it is you're worrying about,” Dee slid his hands under Ryo's shirt. The skin right along Ryo's tummy, to his hips was velvety smooth and taut. “Come to bed,” Dee shifted behind Ryo pressing in close to him. Ryo automatically raised his hips pressing his backside against Dee. “That's right,” Dee crooned licking the sensitive area behind Ryo's ear. “Tell me you want it.”
Ryo turned in Dee's arms wrapping himself around his lover. “I want it,” Dee laughed softly at the red cheeks that Ryo tried to hide. He raised Ryo's face. Those, a wolfish grin covered Dee's face, those lips were his. And he took them. Hungrily he pressed Ryo back into the counter lifting the smaller man off his feet. Ryo gasped into Dee's mouth at the nimble hand that pinched his nipple.

Break

“Water?” Bikky looked over at Tom. “Yeah, I'll get you some.” Bikky rounded the corner and stopped. Tom came right behind him crashing into his back.
“Why did you stop?” Tom peered around Bikky his eyes wide. “Oh...”
“Guys,” Bikky turned away. “Upstairs with that. Come on we have company,” Bikky turned his nose up at Ryo and Dee. Tom laughed at little to see Ryo's face flaming. Ryo began to mutter in Japanese before he dashed upstairs. Dee playfully bopped Bikky on the head with a closed fist before sauntering after his embarrassed love. “Sorry about that. Ryo is pretty much a defenseless airhead where Dee is concerned.”
“Your parents are both male, but you are not into men,” Tom mused.
“Nah, no attraction. I like 'em soft, sweet smelling and full in the chest.” Bikky reached into his pocket. Pulling out his wallet he showed Tom a picture of Carol.
“Nice,”Tom punched Bikky's arm. “Rain... I know he is into girls. But why does he fear men?” Tom noted the closed-off expression on Bikky's face and decided not ask again. “You protect your little brother.”
“Don't you?” Bikky held out the glass of water. Tom nodded his head going back upstairs. Bikky shook his head to see the roll-a-way bed in his room empty. Rain, Slyphe and Cujo were all curled up in his bed sleeping. Bikky took the journal and pen from Rain's slack hand and sat it on his nightstand. He perused a few of the lines with a smile on his face. He could see why Daphnus and Cory both considered the boy a genius. To Bikky, it was just poetry. But he knew that Rain would sing it to perfection. Bikky switched into his pajamas then squeezed in with them. Rain sighed in his sleep clutching the end of Ryo's tee-shirt that he was wearing in his hand. In the large, thin clothes he looked so small. Bikky wrapped an arm around Rain's shoulder then closed his eyes. Vaguely, he heard soft voices speaking in German coming from Rain's room.

Break

“Is she alright?” Leon passed a cool towel over Aoi's head as the little girl shivered her little body burning with fever.
“I do not know,” Count D wiped tears from his eyes. “I have called my father, but,” Count D paused as he too felt a wave of nausea. He had been feeling random pangs for the past few weeks now, this was the third time he had felt it in the past few months. Each time he had gone to his father and been told that he was not carrying. His father would look sad and say no more. At seven months, the strange malaise was having a heavy toll on him as well. Even Kurayami whimpered as the night wore on.
JJ tapped lightly on the door. At Leon's summons he opened it for Lord D who walked in, their small boys toddling after him. “Grave news my children,” Lord D began. He pulled Aoi into his lap cradling her against his stomach. “The illness that we felt, then a renewed vigor was from the primal forces of our blood ties. It has happened three times and Soofu A has just sent out a command that all of his family who are not making their way to his side in Jerusalem will be confined to Arcadia until further notice.”
“Confined...” Count D began but Lord D had begun to weep silencing any more he could have said.
“Soofu Z has been lost to us,” JJ patted Lord D's shoulder as he wept. “She passed on just this evening while birthing a child. The labor was perilous due to Dae's attack. He has already seen to I that Soofu X and Soofu Y would leave this world.”
“What?” Leon gasped. “But you guys are Kami's. Immortal.”
“We will not die, but for a failed childbirth,” Count D said tears streaming down his face. “But we can be killed.”
“So,” Leon said looking for Chris and finding his younger brother sitting in the back of the room with Pon-Chan, and T-Chan. “What's the plan? How do we do this so that humans won't notice anything out of the ordinary?”
“Tomorrow we will leave for Arcadia with Ryo and Dee and George.” Lord D said recalling his father's words. “Then we will stay there. Father has gone to be with his brother, he will return after they have said their farewells to their sister. I offered to go, but he said with Dae attacking the way he has, it was not safe for me in my condition.” Lord D rubbed his mounding tummy. “That means that it is not safe for him either.” Lord D curled over weeping into JJ's arms.
“Your dad does some pretty scary stuff,” Leon tried to reassure his father-in-law. “He is fourth in line as far as power goes.”
“O-Ji-Chan, help baby come out,” Aoi patted Lord D's tummy. “Baby out, baby in, more to D more to friends. World get small, friends get bigger. Zarro happy.” Count D stared at his daughter hoping to understand her stranger pronouncements. He got that Sofu D would return, but the rest was all gibberish to him. He would have to take it to Clarisande, see what she could make of it.
“I have been called to Ryo and Dee's house in the morning, seems Jhaymes got himself injured while rescuing Soofu Z,” Lord D smiled as he agreed to spend the night in the shop. “The wound is clean now and I am able to tend it.”
“I am glad,” Count D nodded his head. Good news was definitely something that he needed at this moment. “We had best get our rest, seems like we will need it.” Count D ushered his family to bed his heart beating frantic in the night as he worried if his grandfather really would be alright.

To Be Continued

Author's notes. The song that Rain partially sang was Even In Death by Evanescence. I do not own that song and I am making no profit from using it here in this fiction. I do not own Tokio Hotel, any of their lyrics, band members or image. I am writing as a fan and nothing more. I have received several comments that lets me know that Infinity does not ship world-wide and the site I had mentioned before is temporarily down. But that should not stop any of you in Malasia, Romania, Germany, or any other country with access to Amazon dot come, or Barnes and Noble dot com. I don't own them either but I could make a profit if you all purchase a copy of The White Lion.
Thank you to all who already have. Please, help with recognition and go to the infinity publishing website and leave a comment.