AnK - Black Moon Rising

Black Moon Rising

By: ElegantPaws with all due deference to Yoshihara Rieko

Edited by: Ainzfern

Key Pairing: Raoul/Katze

Rating: Mature

Parts: WIP – 34 of 37

Reviews are fuel.


"For our paths have crossed
And I may be hopelessly lost
But somehow
I've managed to find heaven."
~~~

Fall In, (Eunice Kathleen Waymon) Nina Simone

Chapter 34 of ? – Fall In (Post OVA)

How fitting to the current mood Katze thought. His eyes travelled to the windows where blinding, serrated flashes of lightning beckoned as it moved across the eerily violet sky. He felt the sonorous thunder through his bones and sinew punctuating the rare night time occurrence as the plexi flexed and trembled.

“Katze, you are shivering, why?” Raoul intoned, moving rapidly to his side, the brush of a wide palm at the small of his back.

The mongrel looked furtively to the couch where the Ruby was pointedly studying his glass of wine before shrugging.

“Old shit. Was caught out in that once back in the day at Guardian, not my idea of a good time, Sir Am.”

Raoul nodded. “Inclemency is never favoured by anyone.”

The Ruby chuckled indolently and tapped his glass, bringing two sets of hooded hate filled eyes his way.

“But you wear drowned rat so well, Katze, almost as if you were born to it.”

“Niiro...I’m warning you.” Raoul intoned through gritted teeth.

“You should know.” Katze murmured diffidently as he turned to the seated Elite and narrowed amber orbs at the interloper. “Your men did a good job that night in beating the shit out of me and Katrina for daring to go beyond the grounds.”

“Ahh, I see you have regained some of your memories. Excellent, hadn’t anticipated that. I merely thought that loathing I see in your every glance a mere product of your caste.”

“How is the dear little thing? Still in your inestimable employ no doubt living up to all her lovely potentiality as whore?”

Katze stiffened listening to the flat, indifferent retort. “Dead, but so is the asshole who killed her.

The Ruby nodded dispassionately, studying the mongrel over the rim of his glass.

“No doubt by your own fair hands? You always did have a wild streak. It really was best to mark you as Furniture material, kept you out of trouble at least for a little while.”

“I don’t do well with those who choose to take steps on my watch, Sir Niiro.”

“Never did know when you were going to over-react to given stimuli, no doubt a flaw in your code’s sequencing, that and your ever present curiosity with things that really should never concern one of your lowly birth.”

Raoul strode forward, blocking the Ruby’s view of the irritated mongrel.

“You would do well to finish your drink in silence while you await the return of your chauffeur, who seems to have conveniently found somewhere else to be. Deek is unable to raise him on the Com.”

Katze snorted from behind, returning his gaze to the night sky. The light show and deep rolling thunder was moving towards Midas now. “Surprise, surprise, wonder how you managed that Sir Niiro, did you give him a specific hour to return?”

The Ruby shrugged unrepentantly, plastering a sweet smile on his face that never quite reached cold citrine eyes intently focussed on the redheaded mongrel’s rigid back. The little bastard was clever, too clever by half. Just how much did he actually remember?

“Just can’t hire good help these days, Raoul. I am quite content where I am at the moment, might even join you for dinner, if it is on offer.”

“It isn’t. In fact, please make an appointment the next time you deem it necessary to inflict your presence.” Raoul hissed.

Sir Niiro blinked with feigned amusement as he pursed his lips. “Now I have annoyed you, dear boy. Do you still have it, I wonder?”

“Have what Niiro? Make sense!” Raoul snapped, growing more impatient with his presence by the moment.

“Why the portrait of course, Sir Am. One assumes it still holds a place in this household, away from prying eyes?”

Raoul’s voice was muffled as he replied somewhat stiltedly, furtively noting where the dealer stood. “Yes it does and always will. Just a bit of imagining as you know, this was always encouraged by our tutors.

‘Creativity being of equal import to that of logic,” Sir Niiro recited in a monotonic voice clearly remembering the original speaker.

Katze’s heart plummeted to his feet as his agile mind strove to maintain an indifferent expression but not soon enough, as pale amber darted towards him and narrowed in victory.

“I would venture to say, it is a perfect likeness actually,” the Ruby added smugly, the intended barb reaching its mark. Oh he had seen the vague flick of limbs and the sudden set of pale jaw as Katze blinked rapidly before regaining that falsely indifferent mask as he turned his head intently listening to the private conversation.

“Oooooooooooooh too delightful for words,” The Ruby drawled in a sing song tone, “Such a venomous expression, little mongrel. Sorry if I got there before this current little,” pale lips curved into a pensive pout as he strove to find the right words and brightened as he found them, “abhorrent dalliance.”

Raoul turned and studied Katze’s expressionless face and thinned lips over one broad shoulder before rounding on his unwanted guest, who was looking entirely too pleased with himself and determined, as always, to make a spectacle.

“Niiro! That is quite enough. Keep your voice down!” Raoul quietly threatened.

‘Their voices had been sufficiently low, mongrel hearing at certain discrete decibels could, fortunately, be challenging at best. The stoic countenance he had observed simply spoke of intense loathing, nothing more.’

“No point in looking now, Raoul. You missed it, dear boy.”

The Blondie’s neck stiffened. “I’m warning you...”

“Synapses were firing left right and centre as your pathetic little object of lust tried to regain a semblance of composure when I mentioned that exquisite portrait of me. One might even say, the little vermin was showing a smidge of jealousy.

Raoul coughed, uncomfortably colouring in the silence that followed, feeling Katze’s eyes upon his broad back.

“As I said, Sir Niiro a flight of fancy and not worthy of further mention if you please, you are intentionally attempting to goad my guest. Modify your tone.”

Sir Niiro shifted on the couch and stretched a long arm over the back of it, long fingers tapping out an internal beat against the soft velvety material as he snorted inelegantly.

“Guest?”

Sir Niiro inclined his head and looked amusedly down the crystal glass balanced playfully on one crossed knee. Slowly flat amber looked back up into pinpoint irises ablaze with pent anger and held them.

“Is that what they are calling it these days, but then you of all people wouldn’t wish this little indiscretion to get out and soil your hallowed reputation? We all have wondered endlessly what possessed you to get rid of your own Pets shortly after encountering this wretched little beast you seem bound and determined to dance attendance upon.”

“Niiro...” Raoul murmured in a warning tone, stepping closer to the bane of his existence threateningly.

The Ruby waved dismissively at the glowering Blondie.

“Temper, temper, my error of course, let us put it down to that sincerest form of flattery nonsense, but do answer one question, Raoul dear.”

Sir Niiro’s eyes darted to the stiff shouldered lithe being with a meditative moue about his perfect lips as he sipped, suddenly enjoying how the game had turned in his favour. Katze had been slowly edging closer, determined to eavesdrop, no longer caring at being obvious. The wide expansive windows showcasing the storm without had apparently lost their appeal to the growing storm within the confines of the luxurious abode.

He could feel Katze’s hackles rising; truly delicious; war having been subtly declared in twinned amber glares locked and loaded.

Pale thinned lips turned up at their corners as Sir Niiro’s eyes narrowed, a slight tremor entering his form as adrenalin began to flow through the coiled muscles of his limbs.

Katze’s smirking eyes followed leisurely the path of Sir Niiro’s gaze to the lining of the right sleeve.

The irony of the moment struck him then as the smile slowly faded, looking at the pale well muscled lean forearms of the mongrel folded across his chest, revealing the coil of loose silken sleeves.

Raoul had made a choice.

Oh yes, war had been declared alright, time to up the ante.

“Is he any good? Obviously attractive in a wholly common way, but he looks rather reedy, in my opinion. He couldn’t possibly have the stamina required to satisfy your passions once unleashed.”

Irritably, Raoul flashed even white teeth as he stalked to the couch and glared down at Niiro. “You are bound and determined to make a fool of yourself, here. To what end?”

Uncaring of the censure, the Ruby continued glancing beyond Raoul’s shoulder.


“Ahhh yes, I remember it well. You were rather inspired that night, after that hateful do at Iason’s where that wretched creature got his comeuppance from those tiresome off-world miscreants.”

Sir Niiro winked at Raoul who was having none of it as he bent and took a flexed bicep about to pull the Ruby to his feet. “You are going!”

On silent feet Katze approached the two Elites with a speculative expression affixed to his perfectly imperfect face, a wan smile playing about thinned lips. He remembered that night alright. It had changed his life in more ways than one.

Katze turned to Raoul and bowed deeply. “Please forgive me, Sir Am, but I must interject.”

Raoul inclined his head, somewhat suspicious of the slow pivot on one heel that Katze made within seconds of the apology. He heard the sharp intake of breath too late as the dealer rounded on the Ruby as he was shoved bodily back down into the couch.

“How the fuck would you know anything about it, Sir Narcissistic Shit? In case you missed it, sex is about your partner’s enjoyment in equal measure to that of your own, but I doubt that would occur to you what with all the preening and self satisfied bullshit you go on with in preparation for your three minutes of glory.”

Raoul turned and glared at the mongrel standing by his side, momentarily nonplussed by the dealer’s directness and secretively pleased by the possessive stance taken. This was a different side of Katze. Still, he needed to take control of the moment. It could well get out of hand and not to the mongrel’s benefit.

“That is quite enough, Katze. It is not your place to speak to my fellow Elite in so disrespectful a manner. Apologize immediately to Sir Niiro for this breach.”

The Ruby assumed a put upon expression, impish amber eyes, the colour of a winter sun rise, pinning the mongrel with laser like precision as they narrowed in glee, waiting patiently for the dealer’s response.

None came.

Katze felt in his pocket for the old style matches to light the cigarette that he placed between his lips.

Silently he gazed back at Raoul as he inhaled before exhaling the richly scented plume, removing the lit filter tipped cigarette from his lips with furrowed brows as he mirrored Sir Niiro’s expression to a fault, bright cognac coloured eyes locked with that of soulless amber in hate.

“You know, just doesn’t add up, Sir Am. Still don’t get it; must be fuckin’ huge though.”

Katze no longer looked aggravated and that was a relief to the Blondie and yet he remained stand offish in how he regarded him, pale eyes usually liquid and warm watched him with cool surmise as he inhaled slowly.

“What are you talking about, Katze?”

The hand that touched the Elite’s face was gentle as it brushed back the self willed lock of silk behind his ear contemplatively.

“Whatever he’s got on both you and his Excellency; all I can figure is it started in adolescence. Something you all did and or witnessed. Something you all basically know and would ill affect your almighty maker’s version of the universe. It’s big that’s all I know, maybe even bigger than me cracking those files way back then.”

Katze visibly softened as he felt Raoul subconsciously lean into his touch, while watching his face intently, dark emerald warming markedly in their appraisal. The mongrel smiled wistfully though his gaze remained distant in thought as he continued, gathering strength from the simple touch as his hand moved to his own cheek.

“Maybe even bigger than my own little reality check that day when Iason gifted me with this,” long, expressive fingers outlined the scar affectionately. “It began my own journey of understanding and reckoning. The moment I fell from his grace.”

Raoul paled visibly at the casual truth spoken.

‘Where had he heard that phrase before? Had it been a dream? No, it had been Admon’s room while with Kato and that music box.’

Katze’s gaze drifted to the Ruby as he nodded contemplatively. “Thought as much, he’s been using it ever since.”

Sir Niiro huffed and adjusted his dark plumage nervously. “Shut him up Raoul, before I do. Pas avant les domestiques, Raoul. I will not suffer any further insults from the likes of this...”

“If you really didn’t want his sorry, affected ass here, he’d be tossed off the balcony toute suite, am I right?” Okay so it was childish but rather enjoyable that sharp gasp as the redheaded bastard realized that Katze had understood the alien reference, even by the subtle interjection of the ancient tongue.

Raoul stifled the grin that wanted to come to his face as he leaned down and kissed the chattering lips in question. He really should not be proud of Katze, but he was. Those soft lips imparted a smoky flavour, not unpleasant; interesting. Most delightful this touching of lips, extraordinarily intimate and an excellent way to close the astute conjecture before it went too far.

Truth was in order.

“Something along those lines yes, Katze. In fact, it has much to do with both the portrait and the item I was to share before our evening was so....rudely interrupted.”

Katze smiled, his peripheral vision noting the Ruby had drawn his frame into a tightly coiled ball of anger as he studied the pair with growing envy dripping from every pore. It was dishonourable to kick a man when he was down, but then the Ruby wasn’t actually a man, Katze mused abstractedly.

“Cause you don’t lust after him, I know that much. He hasn’t anything you want otherwise you wouldn’t have chosen me to bed. He’s been here for awhile now, sniffing around your crotch for days. Sure he is exquisite, but which of you isn’t? You’re supposed to be that way, the culmination of Jupiter’s fanciful leanings of what she wanted for our next step in evolution, if Dr Katzen’s journals are anything to go by. No exceptions, Raoul.”

The dealer’s eyes narrowed as he looked to the shocked Ruby’s white countenance.

“No middle ranking Elite of the Ruby caste, regardless of scientific acumen, would be allowed such liberties otherwise.”

“You should see about having your little feline declawed, Raoul. He oversteps and you continue to allow it.”

Sir Niiro rose abruptly and launched himself at the smaller male before a broad palm stopped his progress, shoving him effortlessly back onto the couch.

“Sit.”

“Unhand me, Raoul! Our esteemed leader shall hear of this travesty!”

“Like he gives a shit,” Katze murmured under his breath.

Sir Niiro blanched and shot his ample sleeves.

“Katze! I command you to be silent! Stop baiting him!”

This was entirely unseemly and the mongrel did have a point, but he would not give him the satisfaction.

“Raoul, how could you and for that mongrel filth? Are you that desperately perverse? It was bad enough when Iason took that creature to his bed, Pet indeed. It was clear to us all what was going on there once he refused to show him. Now this, are you to follow in his footsteps? Have you no pride of place? He is Furniture and always will be!”

Katze stood his ground glaring over Raoul’s shoulder at the thoroughly incensed Elite. He tried to sidestep Raoul but was stopped abruptly by a hard body as Raoul turned his fury onto the equally livid redhead, who had clearly lost his reason if the glowing embers he had for eyes was anything to go by.

The dealer hissed, uncaring about the possible outcome of his impudence. “Command my ass! I know what you are about to do after this so I don’t actually give a shit. You’ll all close ranks! Go ahead and report me to his Excellency. All I know is that bitch keeps referring to me as mongrel in that tone of his and I am not going to take it tonight, regardless of what is done to me. It’ll be worth it.”

“See, just like the other two test subjects. Just hid it better than that wretched Guy and that dark infidel Iason took up with. I rue the day I discovered the isolates that brought forth the wretched creatures from stasis. They should have died like the rest of that motley crew, left for dead on Remus.”

He was faster than he looked, Raoul thought, misjudging the next step the mongrel took as he feigned to the left then jumped on the Ruby determined to strangle him.

For the first time in Raoul’s life his eyes became large green pools.

What disturbed him most, however, was the pride he felt in the pit of his gut at such an evasive and wholly successful ruse. Still, he had to stop this, Nii Nii might hurt him and then that would bring on an entirely unforeseen and probably fatal outcome for the Ruby.

Not desirable at the moment. Then there would be the task of explaining the inopportune dispatching of the thorn in their respective sides. In the practical sense, he still had a few questions to put to the Ruby, particularly with the new revelation. He needed him in an amicable mood to get the truth in all its detail.

“Bring it, Bitch!” Katze rasped, struggling and losing manfully at his intended task. A nice length of leg though. Such beautiful skin, truly pearlescent, particularly now that blood flow was at premium as adrenalin coursed through his veins.

Oh dear. Must intervene, things were getting dicey. Raoul sighed passing long fingers through thick golden waves in frustration while studying the ridiculous tableau.

“Die! Damn you! Die! You filthy mongrel! How dare you touch my person with your disgusting little hands, who knows where they have been recently?”

Despite being held down and almost effectively smothered by the Ruby’s greater body mass, his Katze managed to utter rather personal and somewhat lewd sentiments.

“Smell um, if you like. Lick ‘em even. Might just come back to you what you’ve been missing.”

Raoul sighed again, studying the current contortion of both bodies and carefully avoiding flailing limbs. Calmly Raoul shifted a few of the edibles on the low table and sat, crossing his legs.

They really were extraordinarily flexible considering. Of course he had noticed their striking physical similarity. Even their temperaments really, but there was something ineffably attractive about the visceral way in which Katze was attempting, albeit crudely, to defend his territory; in fact, stirring in more ways than one.

Absently Raoul made a mental note about hormones and their psycho sexual effects. Right now for example, he really did wish to pull Nii Nii off Katze, but mainly in order to take command of the current situation and haul the mongrel off to the bedroom, skipping dinner in its entirety.

Fascinating, perhaps an element of study with careful application in the years to come. The occasional aiding and abetting of the odd fracas with his mongrel for this exacting effect upon his person; exceedingly stimulating, indeed.

Sharp green eyes were somewhat hooded as they gazed at Katze’s flushed face. As to be expected, his mongrel was on the losing end of the deal, but was struggling on, though obviously winded.

Excellent tactic to utilize Niiro’s virulent red braid as a tourniquet about his throat, but alas, it was not having the desired effect.

Pale brows knitted in thought. Not enough pectoral strength or leverage, but a damn good effort nonetheless considering the Ruby now had Katze’s head clasped between his knees and was for all intents and purposes squeezing the life out of his mongrel.

‘Three taken out of stasis? He had been told by Niiro none of the cryogenically preserved specimens had survived the attempt at regeneration. Something about missing aspects of their encoded DNA structure. Had he lied? Were there others of the First Ones progeny still trapped on Remus? It explained the mongrels in question atypical behaviour patterns and why they rose through their own ranks.’

Katze began to growl cheeks a deep rich crimson from the strain of effort as he tried to dislodge the heavier framed being to no avail. The redhead managed a quick glance at his Blondie.

“A little ...help...here...” the dealer said haltingly through gritted teeth.

Raoul smiled vaguely, finding a suitable solution that would not break a sweat and might, just might, address something Katze had said earlier while giving Sir Niiro his walking papers, finally allowing them both to get on with their evening in a more, amenable fashion.

“The portrait was inspired by you, Katze. Not Niiro, though he was the initial sitting subject. Subconsciously, and in truth, aggravatingly that portrait is what I imagined you would be, if born of the brethren Elite. I actually began it, the first day we met. Niiro is the stand in.”

Silence...palpable indeed, but silence, well, other than Katze making undignified hacking sounds as Sir Niiro, levered himself off the panting mongrel and righted himself, staring daggers down at the seated Blondie, who looked up at him dispassionately.

“You remember it well, don’t you Nii-Nii? You made reference to it, a few moments ago. Never wonder what possessed me that night and who was fucking whom by proxy. I believe it is rather self evident.”

Katze jumped at the echoing within the still room as Raoul’s cheek was slapped and his neck twisted with the kinetic force of the blow. Raoul smiled up at the Ruby when he slowly turned back to face his attacker.

“Good night, Nii Nii. We will speak in the morning. Find somewhere else to be for the remainder of the evening.

Pulled back his forearm with venom, Sir Niiro prepared to strike again.

Raoul rose to his full formidable height, pale eyes challenging. “You only get one, Nii Nii for honours sake.”

Livid amber glared into calm, cold ice green, daring him in challenge. “Leave. I really can’t be bothered to explain to Iason as to why your corpse was found outside in the rain, broken and battered. He does so hate spectacles as we both know.”


~~~BMR~~~

Admon hovered over the still sweating form at rest, cradling the under nourished body to him with a satisfied smile. Sid would sleep now, despite the crackle of thunder overhead. It would continue to hover here the light of lightning like a sentinel over its burden and the source of its greatest fear finally realized from the least of the tribe.

It could do nothing now but wait, excising its fury in torrents of freezing rain and blades of light that lit the dark, murky corners of Ceres, frightening its denizens impotently while beckoning its first born to communion.

~~~BMR~~~

Iason dressed in silence, ignoring the mongrel’s watchful gaze while Cal straightened and adjusted his cuffs seamlessly over pristine white gloves.

He flexed long, agile fingers within the constricting garment of mandatory dress, understanding for the first time as he studied his hands their true purpose – not a mark of distinction, but that of separation.

A layer designed to dull the rudimentary sensation of touch, something Jupiter was incapable of understanding. No wonder Riki instinctively loathed being touched while they were on. So basic a creature craved warmth, even from the one he feigned to despise when it suited his need to rebel and yet, in the quiet space of night that body moved towards his when he thought the Blondie asleep. Carefully, gently Riki smoothed fingers over his skin, examining his hair and studying his form with furrowed sable brows, confusion evident in that distant gaze.

“So you’re going?”

The head of Syndicate inclined his head to the Furniture. Cal bowed deeply closing the bedroom door behind him as he left.

Iason turned to the figure in the bed. Riki looked ridiculously small at the moment as lightning flashed burnishing the warm skin of his torso, the handsome face beset with confusion and fear.

“I have no choice, Riki. Something has changed in the call.”

The mongrel shrugged, throwing off the covers as he stood and stretched carefully, sharp dark eyes still worried. “Whatever. Gonna go stir crazy in here, listening to myself breathe, at least you’re company.”

Pale ice blue eyes sparked with understanding and vague hope. “You are feeling better, Riki?”

Diffidently the mongrel raised his chin and glared. “I didn’t say that, but I’m bored. Can I go visit Katze if Cal takes me to Ceres?”

“On this night of all nights? I think not, Riki. I want you here, safe and further more Katze is otherwise engaged with Sir Am or so I have been informed by Cal.”

“Katze always said it was speedier than any interstellar repeater link.”Riki snorted, bending over to stretch his supple form with a grimace. “I need to work out these kinks. Go if you’re going.”

He felt the warmth, that preternatural warmth approaching and he opened his eyes, studying the immaculately booted feet whose toe tips were within centimetres of his. He smiled at the familiar sensation of cool strands caressed his forearms.

Iason bent and regarded him with a quizzical look.

“The Furniture gossip link, Iason. What happens in Eos Towers might stay in Eos Towers, but oh damn, that walk of shame is going to be hell for Katze in the morning with all those eyes.”

“Really, Riki, the things you say sometimes.” Iason huffed and straightened, gloved hands taking that of his and righting him. “If you are feeling sufficiently well enough to raise such conjecture, you are well enough to eat in the dining room with me upon my return. Perhaps you might find something engaging on the vid link, or one of those puerile games you favour might prove diverting curing you of this ‘stir’ you spoke of?”

Despite the convoluted manner of delivery, Riki understood the attempt to appease him.

“Yeah, we’ll see. Try not to be too late. I’ve a bone to pick with you but it can wait.”

“A Bone? I do not wish to pick at the remains of your food, Riki, however congenial you might find this act.”

Riki sighed sometimes it just wasn’t worth explaining. He tipped up on his toes, placing his unshaven face next to the smooth hot cheek.

Iason’s body grew instantly rigid, but he did not move, still crouching to accommodate the ungainly pose. Self consciously the mongrel pulled away, passing his fingers through his hair and shrugged before placing his hands against the resilient heat of Iason’s chest with a gentle shove.

The eyes looking back at him were almost warm with the slight dilation of pupils.

Riki was the first to look away. This was uncharted territory. For three days, the Blondie had kept vigil with him. Cared for his needs without question, even dismissive of Cal at bath times, preferring to perform the task of ablution for his mongrel himself. This had to be a side effect of all that fucking nurturing shit.

‘Get a grip, idiot. He’s still a Blondie, the Blondie for fuck’s sake.’

“Come back in one piece.”

Iason nodded slowly and headed for the door, pausing briefly to take one last lingering look at the exquisite mongrel looking back at him with the usual confused fury and conflict evident in dark intelligent eyes.

“Shave.” Iason commanded.

Fortunately for both concerned, speed and dexterity was inherent in the enhanced and had the added benefit of allowing, due to the inclement weather without, selective hearing or the lack there of.

Just this once, there would be no need to correct the behaviour displayed, Iason thought overhearing an object connecting with the door frame as he closed it.

His mongrel was indeed feeling more himself.

Now for Jupiter’s call, he thought touching his cheek with gloved hand, still warmed by the touch of that unshaven cheek.


Author's Note

Enjoy. Happy Labour Day weekend!

EP