Kuji

Disclaimer: Nope, no profits, no ownership, no nothing, just me and myself and a standing order of manga

Chapter 11: Dragons and Yakiniku

Warnings: Yaoi (in case you haven't realised), M/M, Voyeurism,

Notes: After reading the latest scanlated chapters of Gaiden I realised there was an excellent opening for the story. Not to give too much away in spoiler form but basically mentions are made of Tenpou taking the guys out for yakiniku and it kinda stuck along with a couple of other plot bunnies.

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It had been Tenpou’s idea to do it. The first platoon were an elite fighting force and had just worked their asses off at a recent subjugation. They had put in near enough constant days and nights of lookouts, attacks and fights. That sneaky bastard Enrai had busied himself on the quiet side of the battlefront, “assuming control” of the second platoon and keeping himself out of the frontline. He was an exceedingly clever man, too clever by Tenpou’s estimation and had already been marked on the Marshall’s list of possible troublemakers.

He knew he wasn’t supposed to have favourites but he had always been fond of the first platoon. Nothing to do with the fact that it was Kenren’s primary platoon – well a little – it was a platoon that he had carefully nurtured. Having extensively read Machiavelli’s The Prince and borrowed The Art of War from that helpful little library under the palace, Tenpou had set about putting those theories into work and creating a platoon to be proud of.

Kenren’s timely arrival from the Western Army had fitted into this experiment well. Kenren was a rough, boisterous, incorrigible man who was perpetually in trouble with either one superior or the other: and his troops loved him for it. This was because, along with these faults, Kenren was also concerned with troop’s welfare and wouldn’t send his guys out to do something he wasn’t prepared to do himself something which was always excellent to have in an officer. This made him a useful ally to Tenpou.

Tenpou also knew that, as a team, Kenren and he were unstoppable and the platoon responded to this. Fuck-buddies, partners, marriage aside, when they planned and fought together under Goujun’s command they were unstoppable, and came back with hardly any casualties. The first platoon – and more begrudgingly other platoons also – respected this. Whereas the other platoons speculated on the affair between the Marshall and the General, the first platoon couldn’t give a shit as long as they were in control and Tenpou liked it that way.

Anyway, his men had worked themselves rigid in their last mission and had come back sticky and exhausted but ready for celebration. The bars in Tenkai were ready to roll out every barrel of booze they had to welcome the hardest drinkers in Tenkai but Tenpou had something better in mind. The latest chapters he had read of the Art of War had recommended thusly: “A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind”. To Tenpou this could be gamely interpreted as needing to take prodigious care of his troops and General so had organized something.

He had instructed Kenren to assemble the platoon in plain clothes at the rear of the palace of Tenkai. For the soldiers this meant a series plain muted-colour kimonos with the exception of Kenren who had discovered a dramatic black kimono on his last trip Down Below, which he kept gaping open almost to the waist purposely to draw Tenpou’s gaze and to debate when a nipple was going to be flashed. Tenpou had led the now-increasingly familiar route down to the gates to Down Below. Thirteen eager soldiers, one excitable General and himself had dropped down into Tenpou’s town and he had lead them towards their destination.

Tenpou’s town was still just as bustling as he remembered it. Welcoming, warm and experiencing a very good harvest by all accounts. This pleased him greatly: those crops he had advised on really had worked. The lanterns outside the shops and bars and restaurants swung merrily in the breeze and the smell of good food was in the air. The soldiers gathered around excitedly all pointing out features that they had never seem before. Not being officers or troublemakers, they rarely got the chance to come Down Below for anything other than fighting purposes so this was all new and wonderful to them.

Tenpou pointed out where he wanted them to go and hung back with Kenren. Whereas Kenren had chosen his dramatic black silk kimono which made his jet black hair shine in the moonlight, Tenpou had chosen a green kimono with slightly darker green vine patterns over it, almost as if he was trying to blend in with local plant life. Their wooden sandals knocked dully against the ground as they headed towards a fairly innocuous wooden building complete with orange lanterns fluttering in the night breeze.

“We haven’t been here before … what does it do?” asked Kenren watching the soldiers herd into the building. A handsome, mature lady immaculately dressed in a dark blue kimono welcomed them in with a smile and nodded at Tenpou in recognition as they went in.

“Well, this is a rewards trip, we have done quite well in the last few subjugations and my experiences with you have been to feed you lots and often.” He smiled as he saw that the restaurant had managed to push together two of the larger tables to create two large grills to cook on and the soldiers were being happily wooed by the four pretty waitresses who were taking their drinks orders. “Plus I’ve always wanted to try this restaurant, it’s called Sakura-Cho and it reminded me of home.” Tenpou added in a sickly sweet voice.

They both took their places in the middle of the two tables and Tenpou ordered copious amounts of meat, sake and beers from the hostess, whose eyes were shining at the prospect of so much business. She winked at him and went in the direction the kitchen barking orders. The men cheered as the waitresses returned with overflowing trays and the drinks started flowing.

“Hey Marshall, this shit’s good!” said one of the soldiers and Tenpou smiled and watched the soldier eye up one of the pretty waitresses who was serving bottles of sake next to him with the flap of her kimono dipping low and exposing the slight curve of a pale breast. The soldiers leered good-naturedly, the waitress gave a cheeky grin and Tenpou knew this was a good idea.

He had found this restaurant on his last visit. The owner was the plump bustling woman who had greeted them at the door. She had served him tea and chastised him for not buying any yakiniku. Didn’t he know that they served the best yakiniku in the town and surely the very god of the town would approve? Tenpou had nearly fallen off his chair until he had realised she wasn’t referring directly to him. He had apologised for not stopping for yakiniku but he didn’t have enough time to do so.

“So you sample now and come back later.” She had then handed him a small skewer with a glistening piece of freshly grilled beef on it. He had eaten it. He had booked a table for his entire first platoon five minutes later. Her last words to him had been “don’t go forgetting now.” As a large plate of raw meat came to the table Tenpou looked up and caught the hostess’s eye and she gave him a satisfied smile.

A hand brushed over his silk covered thigh under the table.

“So I don’t do it for you anymore, Marshall … you have to resort to flirting with older women.” Came the low murmur followed by a small plate being pushed into his hands. Tenpou picked up his chopsticks and pinched the skin of Kenren’s hand before grabbing a strip of beef which sizzled on the grill.

“Now, now, don’t get jealous, General … it doesn’t become you.” He watched as the other soldiers started loading up the grill. There was a herd of cattle tonight that were sincerely regretting over going in that “mysterious room” tonight. “Besides, if you are a good boy … you may be rewarded.” He laughed and Kenren joined in before turning to the soldier next to him and striking up a conversation.

The meal went well. The platoon ate far more than was healthy and drank enough to fill a lake. The hostess became more and more amiable with the constant requests for more sake and hard liquor. As other customers dwindled the soldiers started to spread out across the restaurant, drinking more and generally inviting the staff to join in, making a party of the whole occasion.

Then, just as the hostess gave permission for the waitresses and cooks to hang up their aprons for the night and join in with the riotous party, the door opened. In the doorway, almost shimmering in a soft silver-grey kimono and white almost-scaly skin was the Dragon King of the Western Seas, Commander Goujun himself. All the soldiers froze in position and Kenren nearly threw up his yakiniku.

“Stand down.” Said Tenpou good-naturedly, getting up and shaking Goujun’s hand. “It’s okay, I invited him and he knows it’s a secret.”

There were several minutes of silence as Tenpou passed over a sake bottle and cup. The hostess looked worried and waitresses back away for a few moments as the Dragon accepted the bottle. They weren’t sure what to make of this newcomer but money was money and he was probably a strange kind of youkai. The soldiers didn’t move until Goujun placed the cup on the table and raised the bottle.

“To first platoon of the Western Army.” He said calmly and knocked back the bottle as if it were water.

There was an almighty cheer and the drinking continued.

Tenpou settled down on the bench next to Kenren who was looked slightly hazed.

“See, no problems … Goujun’s all right really. Besides someone higher than me had to deal with the cover-up. It’s not easy removing fifteen soldiers all at once. He said he wouldn’t make the yakiniku but would come down later.” He slung back a cup of sake and Kenren smiled watching their Commander talking with two of the soldiers in quite an amiable tone.

“True, he ain’t bad … I just thought he had a stick up his butt.” He nudged Tenpou. “So does that mean you’re off baby-stting duties?”

Tenpou stood up and grabbed the largest bottle of liquor from the selection that the increasingly-sozzled hostess had put out for them. Kenren looked over at the middle-aged woman who was now chatting up an increasingly-uncomfortable Goujun and then let his gaze linger on Tenpou who was coming back towards him. He really did look gorgeous in a kimono; all lithe and sleek and the green colour made him look like he was part of some mystic forest or shit like that. The silk skimmed across his hips and if Kenren stared hard enough he could faintly make out the slight bulge of Tenpou’s dick. Not hard yet, but that could be remedied.

Tenpou filled Kenren’s cup with the bottle he had swiped and turned to look at the happy chaos going on around him. He felt Kenren’s hand slide up his thigh and cup his buttocks, lazily pinching and squeezing.

“That could get you into trouble, General.” He murmured. Kenren tossed back his drink and moved his hand lower; so his fingers lightly pushed the kimono silk between Tenpou’s legs. A few millimetres further and he would be brushing Tenpou’s balls. Tenpou shifted away from him and Kenren pouted.

“What … no one’s looking.” he grabbed his lover’s wrist and stood behind him. “Come on, you and me doing the dirty with these guys less than a few feet away, it’ll be just like that party we went to.” Kenren felt Tenpou imperceptibly shift against his hardening cock and leaned closer. Now it was time to play dirty. “Besides, I want to see your hot mouth wrapped around my cock, sucking me off like the seasoned whore you are...” He felt Tenpou jolt. Score!

“Mmm … you’re a sadist.” Murmured Tenpou. He tried to concentrate on keeping an eye on his soldiers and not on his hardening cock. Everyone would quite clearly see the bulge in his kimono and it didn’t help that Kenren was now whispering even filthier things in his ear. Ever since the man had discovered that dirty talk was one of Tenpou’s many turn ons, he had employed it in every situation he could.

No one would miss them for a bit. He picked up one of the lanterns supplied for the guests who needed the bathroom.

“Come on.”

Kenren could have punched the air at this point. Instead he ushered Tenpou from the restaurant; onto the covered walkway that surrounded a small garden courtyard and pressed him against the wall. Kenren’s hand slipped into the folds on his kimono and groped at him with a desperation Tenpou himself was starting to feel. He rubbed himself against Kenren and reached into Kenren’s own kimono to pinch a nipple, all the while holding the lantern.

“Oh fuck, don’t do that.” Kenren gasped, groping for the handle to the sliding door behind him. “Come on, I really need to fuck you.” He licked at the pulsing vein on Tenpou’s neck and bit down gently.

“You can do me here.” Came the husky murmur. At the tone of pure-sex in his voice Kenren was about to, but the catch finally gave way on the door and he used the distraction to bundle Tenpou inside.

Tenpou found himself in one of the many store cupboards, holding up his lantern to look closely at what he would be sharing the room with. Bags of rice and flour lined one side and the scent of bunches of dried herbs were in the air. Luckily this wasn’t cold storage otherwise he’d have to contend with raw meat as well. Kenren settled himself on a pile of rice bags and wrapped his arms around Tenpou’s waist, drawing the shorter man to him.

“We can’t be gone long.” Murmured Tenpou dipping in for a kiss; Kenren hummed against his lips and requested entrance with his tongue. “Mmmph … they will start to wonder, and we have to get them back to Tenkai …” whatever he was going to add was taken away by the force of Kenren’s kiss. Tenpou could feel his lover’s hardened arousal through the layers of silk and cotton against his abdomen and he felt himself begin to harden again in response.

“I don’t see you like this enough.” Complained Kenren in his ear his voice husky; his hand hooked into the waist-tie of the kimono. “I don’t even have to take this off you … just pull it apart and I get what I want.” And pull it he did, exposing Tenpou’s chest and the fact the Marshal was naked underneath the two kimonos. However, rather than actually drive straight in, he lifted his hands to Tenpou’s thick hair and tipped the Marshal’s head back to decorate his throat with kisses.

Unable to protest at this since he was still holding the lantern which was in danger of falling, Tenpou waited until Kenren took a breath and took the opportunity to place the lantern safely on a shelf. Flicking a sideways glance at his lover, Tenpou stepped between Kenren’s splayed legs and parted the fabric of Kenren’s kimono gently and carefully as if Kenren was made of porcelain.

“You know,” said Tenpou thoughtfully. “We don’t seem to take it slow anymore.” He then moved fluidly down his lover’s body, getting down on his knees, his eyes level with the flushed nipples that were puckering in the air.

Kenren drew in a breath as Tenpou used his tongue trace a circle around one nipple then moved to the other to do the same. He then blew cool air across the wet skin making Kenren shiver in anticipation before running the tip of his tongue over the nipple and sucking on it gently. Kenren responded by scratching at the back of Tenpou’s neck of which he knew that the Marshal was particularly fond of and true to form Tenpou gave a purr of pleasure.

“I love these kimonos.” Tenpou murmured: he slid up his body for another kiss, warming the cool silk between them. Two erections, equally demanding, touched and Kenren twitched. “I can just slide up and there you are, ready for me.”

Kenren didn’t reply, simply dove in for another kiss, his hand seizing into Tenpou’s hair again. He loved Tenpou’s hair: it was thick, soft and smelled good; like fresh paper, sleep and a faint hint of cigarette smoke. His tongue parried with Tenpou’s and with the noises Tenpou was making, Kenren swore the man was trying to eat him or at least making an attempt to. He shifted against his lover and brought his cock into contact with Tenpou’s bare chest leaving a smear of fluid across that perfect skin.

Tenpou broke the kiss to wipe a finger across the trail of precome and licked it off his fingers as if he was back at the yakiniku table. Kenren almost salivated.

“Shit Tenpou …” he whispered and Tenpou smiled; he looked to come in for another kiss but Kenren stopped him by placing two fingers to his mouth. “I want you to suck me.”

“Always demanding, General.” Chuckled Tenpou, leaning forwards to kiss down Kenren’s abdomen and licking a trail down to the thick thatch of hair, “Not that I mind.” he kissed the top of Kenren’s cock and shifted his knees.

Kenren breathed in to say something in return, but Tenpou practically swallowing him whole prevented him. Withdrawing just a little, Tenpou then wound his tongue across the head of Kenren’s cock and palmed his balls with a firm hand. Kenren gripped the rice bag he was sitting on and tried to stop himself thrusting up into the lush wet cavern of Tenpou’s mouth, instead he settled with keeping his hands in Tenpou’s hair as the Marshal worked him. Tenpou was sucking him good now; cheeks hollowed and tongue flicking the sensitive underside. Kenren felt his balls tighten and raised his hips.

“God … Tenpou … I’m gonna …” Tenpou stopped his sucking. The pressure stopped and Kenren yelped. Tenpou sat back on his ankles and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth leaving a shine on the edge of his lip. “Whaddya stop for?” Kenren whined, reaching down to touch his throbbing cock and surprised to find it still slick with saliva and his own precome.

Tenpou gave a sultry smile and started to lick his own fingers.

“I want you and I forgot the lube.” He knelt back on the floor; legs splayed and pushed two fingers into himself with a moan.

Kenren watched dry-mouthed as Tenpou fucked himself on his fingers with his head thrown back. He hoped to every single god up in Tenkai that no one disturbed them right now. Seeing Tenpou thus had him exercising every single ounce of self-control not to just grab his dick, pump himself to orgasm and see trails of his own come on his lovers face as Tenpou masturbated. How Tenpou was abstaining from touching himself he did not know. Kenren squeezed his dick and felt his balls tighten again desperate for release.

“Enough!”

Tenpou lifted his head rose up. Like a cat he slid across to Kenren and straddled his lap. Putting one hand on Kenren’s shoulder, Tenpou used his other hand and guided Kenren into himself, sinking down onto Kenren’s cock with a drawn out moan of pleasure.

“You like?”

“It feels really very good.” Murmured Tenpou, rising himself up to sink back down, his kimono spreading out around them.

Kenren urged his lover to fall into a gentle rhythm. Tenpou’s body was always a welcome surprise when he topped, and it was rarely that Tenpou bottomed whilst physically on top. Kenren always imagined Tenpou to ride him when he wanted to read and fuck at the same time but the squeezing of Tenpou’s internal muscles around his cock and the puffs of air against his ear assured him that Tenpou had only one thing in mind. Eager to please, Kenren planted his feet firmly on the floor and delivered a thrust that had Tenpou crying out.

“Harder.” Came the urgent whisper. “Fuck me until I come.”

Kenren always aimed to please.

Goujun walked through the corridor returning from the bathroom. Human towns were strange and had never appealed to him. However, for some reason he had very much enjoyed the evening. The chance to see his men relaxed and talk about their issues with such truthfulness was strangely enlightening. He also felt the swell of pride in his two officers who had produced such a well-adjusted team. Too many times Goujun had seen platoons fall to pieces on the battlefield simply because they couldn’t get along off the field and carried their grudges on.

Tenpou had proven himself as one of the most if not the most effective commanders Goujun had ever met or worked with. The man was quick, resourceful and intelligent. Even General Kenren was a superlative officer and his more annoying habits were tempered by the fact that he evened out Tenpou’s faults and at-times dangerous battlefield suicide bids. In those two he had an effective team.

Goujun was also quite taken with the simplicity of the bar and restaurant that Tenpou had chosen. It was laid out around a courtyard and customers were encouraged to sit in the courtyard and enjoy the small garden that had the obligatory stream running through it as several of the platoon were doing. His palace in Tenkai had a far better version but somehow this seemed more … well earthy. More real. Philosophy aside it also made it very confusing when trying to find his way back to the bar as the four sides looked the same.

Goujun didn’t really want to try every door as several of his platoon had disappeared with the waitresses and he did not want to have to deal with that kind of thing tonight. He wanted to return to the restaurant section, maybe convince the hostess to let him try some of his meat raw – the hunter instinct couldn’t quite leave this place without getting some raw meat to gnaw on – before he went back. He cautiously moved through the corridor and opened the door that looked the most familiar…

… and opened the door on his Marshal riding the General like an animal in heat. Tenpou’s head was thrown back, a line of sweat shining on his forehead and his hips snapping forward furiously. His glasses were on the floor and his hair pushed back so Goujun could see the chakra and deceptively young face now contorted into ecstasy. His arms were wrapped around the neck of the General who was gripping his shoulders and thrusting up into the Marshal as if trying to break him, something which Tenpou seemed to enjoy.

Goujun watched open-mouthed as their movements became faster and the moans louder. He couldn’t move from the spot; not sure whether to leave or remain captivated by the sight. Kenren was muttering curses and finally with a shout arched his back and bucked Tenpou upward. Goujun watched in amazement and as his eyes met the eyes of Kenren. As those dark eyes widened in shock and recognition; Tenpou cried out in his arms, arched and a stream of white liquid spattered across Kenren’s chest and neck.

“Oh … oh that was … simply fantastic, Kenren.” Came the purr and then Tenpou sat back. “Kenren, what’s wrong?”

“Tenpou … we are in such shit.”

Lazily Tenpou let himself be pulled upright and he looked around to see Goujun framed in the doorway, standing absolutely still. Meeting Goujun’s scarlet gaze, he gave a slow smile.

“Ah apologies … please excuse us, Goujun sir. We are a little indisposed at present.” He said sweetly.

Goujun nodded once.

“I will speak with you later, Marshal.” He said gruffly, turned smartly on his heel and strode down the corridor, his footsteps getting faster and faster.

Tenpou winced as Kenren withdrew from him with scant gentleness. Kenren – despite being caught several times over by several different ranks, genders and partners – was seriously worried now. Whilst rumours had been all very well and good this had just proved to his superior officer that every single rumour was true. He banged his head against something convenient, which was Tenpou’s shoulder.

“Kenren, as much as I appreciate the bruising, suicide is not an option right now.” Reluctant to get off his lover, Tenpou finally admitted defeat and dismounted. Feeling pleasantly sticky and sore, he adjusted his kimono so it hung nicely and hid the evidence of their discovered tryst. Kenren was still sat in a state of shock. “Goujun won’t say anything.”

“The Dragon would have me barbecued if it wasn’t against the laws of Heaven.” He groaned. “This was such a bad idea.”

Tenpou pouted and came back to his lover, leaning down to lick the streaks of drying come off his chest and neck; a sly pink tongue lapped at a nipple.

“I thought it was a lovely idea … listen to me, Goujun will NOT say anything. We have a past, he understands.” With one final lick, Tenpou shucked the black kimono closed and pulled Kenren to his feet gesturing to the door. Kenren remained still and Tenpou realised what he had said.

“A past?” Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Kenren, the party will miss us.”

“… you’ve done the Dragon?”

“Well not exactly … but we must be getting back I have to sneak you in and there’s so much to do and I guess I forgot to tell you you’re paying and –“

“The Dragon did you?”

“… If I say yes does this change anything?”

“… No but I will never look at Goujun in the same way again.”

“Well then … yes, yes I did and yes he did.”

Kenren was stunned. He knew he should be annoyed with Tenpou. He should be mightily pissed that his lover had had someone before him … oh wait, wouldn’t that go several hundred times over with him? Although Kenren had never done a superior officer … oh wait he had. Well, he should be annoyed that Tenpou had gone one further and done another species … although the jury was still out on that one night at Xi Wangmu’s where he had woken up naked and Lei Shen the Thunder God had been clicking his beak happily … okay yeah he couldn’t really say anything.

Re-adjusting his kimono, Kenren stood and swept Tenpou into an embrace. He kissed his lover with a possessive intensity that he rarely showed. Tenpou didn’t fight him, merely surrendered to his embrace, letting Kenren plunder his mouth with an insistent tongue. He nipped at Tenpou’s bottom lip and released him.

“As long as I come first.” He said softly and Tenpou nodded, licking his puffy lips. He slid open the door and led his lover back down the corridor.

“You usually do.” He smiled. “Let’s head back, those who haven’t bedded the waitresses must be wondering where we are.”

He reached for the sliding door and as he did so, Kenren realised exactly what Tenpou had said before.

”Wait a minute! I’m paying?!”

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A/N
Thank you for reviews and ratings! I get such a kick out of them ... and I blush madly.

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