What is this life?

What is this Life?

Chapter 15

Shuichi is the first to wake up. He’s wrapped in Ryuichi's arms, his left leg is sandwiched between his Master's bent knees. Shuichi turns his head, trying not to move his body and awaken the sleeping Ryuichi. Hiro is asleep with his head and body turned away from them. His slight snores are a welcome relief to Shuichi. His friend hasn't had any decent sleep since he got back from Turkey. Shuichi looks at the clock on the bedside table. It's 3:00p.m. They've been sleeping for almost two hours. Shuichi turns back towards Ryuichi and cuddles close to the warm body. He is quite relaxed and content to stay right where he is until everyone has had time to recover from the events of the morning.

Shuichi remembers the anger that Seguchi-sama raged towards his Master. He’s still amazed that there was no violence during that encounter. He’s been at the receiving end of Seguchi-sama's ire before and it’s a good thing that Seguchi-sama and his Master are still good friends. Shuichi would be really saddened if he’s the cause of his Master losing a life-long friend.

Speaking of life-long friends, Hiro is starting to stir. He turns on his back and stretches his arms over his head. He arches his body and twists it slightly to work out the kinks he received during his nap. He feels pretty good for a change, aside from the pain of his healing wounds. Those too are starting to feel less hurtful than they have been. The best part of this nap is no bad dreams. He can't remember the last time he was able to sleep and wake up normally, not jumping from imbedded remembrances of his time at the hands of the Turk.

Hiro turns onto his side, facing Shuichi. "You awake, Shu?"

Shuichi carefully moves from within the confines of Ryuichi's arms and legs, turning on his side. "Afternoon, Hiro. How'd you sleep?" is his whispered reply.

Hiro smiles and rolls over towards Shuichi. He looks at his friend and lover with eyes that are calm and peaceful. "I slept fairly well, actually.” A smile touches his lips. ”That's what you call a massage, huh?"

Shuichi giggles, causing Ryuichi to open his eyes. He yawns and stretches his arms to the side. "Good morning, you two."

"Morning, Master? It's mid-afternoon already.” Shuichi turns and whispers with regret. “I'm sorry we woke you"

"Afternoon? What time is it?" Ryuichi looks at the clock seeing that it is indeed mid-day. "WOW! I really was tired. I guess the morning was more eventful than I realized." He grabs the end of the blanket, tossing it off his body and over towards his two slaves. He stretches his body as he sits up. Looking around the bed, he spots his kimono on the floor and points to it. "Shuichi, can you grab that for me?"

Shuichi slides under the blanket so his head and arms poke out at the edge of the bed. He reaches down and picks up the kimono. As he sits up, the blanket is pulled off Hiro and himself. It ends up as a pile of plush cloth between the two naked slaves. "Here, Sakuma-sama." He holds it up, helping Ryuichi slip his arms into both sleeves.

Ryuichi wraps the open front halves around and ties the sash. He turns back towards the other two. "I think we wasted most of the day in here. We should get up.” Ryuichi's stomach gives a rumbling growl. “I'm hungry, anyone want lunch?"

Hiro and Shuichi nod and scramble from their current positions. They search and find their strewn clothes. Once found, they quickly dress and go to stand before their seated Master.

Shuichi notices that Ryuichi’s watching his slaves gather their belongings and get dressed. Hearing more stomach noises he asks, "Would you like me to go to the kitchen and get anything special, Master?"

Ryuichi doesn't realize he's been staring at the pair. He's been admiring the firm, young bodies. He shakes his head, more to get the vision from mind than as an answer to the question. "What? Oh no, just something light. Anything that cook has readily accessible is fine."

Shuichi starts to leave, when Ryuichi adds: "Be sure to get enough for all three of us. We still have a game to play." Shuichi bows his head and leaves the room.

Ryuichi looks at Hiro, still standing near the bed. "So, you seemed to enjoy yourself earlier. Like how Shuichi gives a massage?"

Hiro turns seven shades of red and stutters, "Um, I wouldn't exactly call it a massage. It's more like extended foreplay." Hiro realizes that he's being a little too informal with his Master, quickly adding: "Master." His blush turns into a bright crimson on his cheeks. He bows his head. "I'm sorry, I meant no disrespect." There's conflict in Hiro's eyes as he looks towards the floor. It's difficult for him to act like a slave. He's independent. At the same time, he's coming to terms with the fact that he's not supposed to speak as freely as he would to his friends.

Ryuichi recognizes that look in Hiro's eyes. "Hiro, let’s go into the other room.” He gets up and puts his arm around Hiro’s shoulder. As they’re walking, he continues talking. “You don't have to call me Master all the time. I know how difficult this is for you and Shuichi. You can talk to me like I'm talking to you now."

Hiro doesn't know how to respond. He's saved from commenting when Shuichi arrives back in the room. "Master, the cook says she’ll have the food ready in fifteen minutes. She’ll have either Tatsuha-san or Suguru-san bring it up here."

Ryuichi looks to Shuichi, his mood somber but not depressed. "Shuichi, you and Hiro sit down for a minute." He motions towards the sectional. After the young men sit together on the end of the couch, Ryuichi takes his seat a few feet away. He turns so he can talk to them. "I don't like this tension between us. I know it’s difficult for you being here as slaves. It's just something we have to deal with for the present.”

He looks at Shuichi and then Hiro. Directing his comment more towards Hiro than Shuichi, he continues. “When we're alone, you don't have to keep calling me Master. I really don't like it, anyway." He gives them a reassuring grin.

"What should we call you then?" Shuichi's a bit confused.

"Well, when we're like this, just talk to me like you would each other. When anyone else is around, the more formal will be required. OK?”

Hiro and Shuichi nod as Ryuichi continues. “I’m sure you heard what was said earlier when Seguchi-san was here. He can’t see this as anything more than what he thinks it is. He isn’t stupid, but he can be fooled.” He looks at the two young men. “He has to see two slaves that are content in their situation. If you’re happier, I have no reason to be unhappy. Pretenses are everything.”

It’s not the best situation, but it could be worse. Hiro knows Ryuichi is right, but it’s so hard to accept. The Fates are just not looking on them favorably. He shrugs his shoulders. “As happy as we can be, I guess.”

Shuichi gets a worried look on his face. It’s obvious that his friend isn’t getting used to being here. The kidnapping and enslavement, being sold to the sadistic Turk and subsequent ‘rescue’ are a lot to take in. Hiro can’t or won’t face the reality of it all. It’s time that Shuichi be the stronger of the two. He places a hand on Hiro’s shoulder and using a calm reassuring voice says, “You have to try and make the best of it. It may not be good, but it isn’t all bad. I’m not crazy about being here either, but I’m accepting that it’s something I can’t control. You have to realize that too.”

The saddened look on Hiro’s face is disturbing. Ryuichi knows he has to do something, or it’s going to be intolerable around here for everyone. Games and such aren’t going to keep the young men satisfied. He ponders the situation. What would they be doing if they weren’t here now? Shuichi said they were taken right after high school graduation. Did they have anything planned? “Um, guys, tell me something. If you weren’t in this situation, what would you be doing now?”

Shuichi looks at Ryuichi and back to Hiro. “We want to make music and getting into the recording industry. We even have a band, call ourselves Bad Luck.”

Ryuichi’s eyes get wide as saucers. “You were in a band? What do you do, play drums or something?” He makes drummer motions with his hands.”You know that I’m a singer. That’s my joy and my job.”

“I sang and Hiro played guitar. We’re pretty good, but it doesn’t look like we’ll ever get to do that again.” Shuichi almost starts to cry knowing they have a dream that will never come true.

“What if I get you guys some stuff so you can play here?” Ryuichi thinks it’s worth a try. ”The mansion has a large studio that I use to rehearse and practice in. You two can use that.”

Ryuichi’s getting excited, he starts rattling off a list of things that has to be done. “I need to get some people in to convert one of the rooms in the studio so you can record your own music. I always wanted to be a producer.” (He gets a little sidetracked, but continues.) “I have to get Hiro a guitar. You’ll need all kinds of supplies to write your songs, then there’s the new equipment.” The list goes on and on.

Hiro looks up with the first glint of something positive on his face. “Master, you’d do that for us?”

Ryuichi smiles as widely as he has in a long time. “Sure, it’ll be fun. If you’re any good, maybe I’ll let you record something. You know, I have the connections. Maybe we can put out a CD or something.” He stops long enough to realize what he’s suggesting. “We have to keep this from Seguchi-san though. He would never approve.”

The trio starts to talk about what it will take to get this done. There’s a knock at the door. Shuichi gets up and opens it. It’s Suguru and he brought their lunch.

Suguru wheels in the cloth-covered cart with three covered plates on it. There’s a small assortment of bottled beverages beside the plates. He’s gotten accustomed to Ryuichi dining in his room now that the slaves eat with him. To make dining more convenient, he’s altered the cart into a makeshift dinner table. The cart has three padded folding chairs on the bottom shelf. After he locks the wheels so the cart can’t move, Suguru removes and sets up the chairs along the three sides that don’t have a handle. Once this is done, he flips up the bottom shelf toward the handle side, allowing enough leg room for everyone to sit comfortably.

Ryuichi walks over and sits in the chair that Suguru has pulled out for him. He sits on the end, giving himself the most leg room. He points to the sides of the table and Shuichi and Hiro take their places. Once everyone is seated, Suguru bows slightly and takes his leave, closing the door again. Not a word is spoken during the entire set up procedure.

Ryuichi looks at the two young men. He hopes that their conversation was not overheard. Ryuichi is leery of his valet. He knows that it’s Suguru who planted the listening device in the bedroom before, and he isn’t quite sure he completely trusts him. K removed the electronic bug and promises to never spy on him again but, Suguru has ears and can report back to K. He’s been put on probation. If he doesn’t prove he can be trusted, he’ll be discharged- Tohma’s cousin or not!

As the seated company starts to eat, Ryuichi continues the interrupted discussion. “As I was saying, this has to be kept quiet. Seguchi-san will never approve of me allowing slaves to record music. As far as he is concerned, you’re here for one thing - to give me pleasure.”

Hiro and Shuichi stop eating and look at each other. Small satisfied looks appear on their faces. Both seem to be thinking the same thing. If they can make their music, they can accept being here. And to be honest, sex isn’t such a bad thing. Hiro looks at Ryuichi and gives a slight smile. “I can live with that.”

TBC