What is this life?

What is this Life:

I dedicate this chapter to my Tohma, who inspired it.

Chapter 5

Shuichi's POV:

I just stand there, in my almost naked glory. I don't know what to do, if I should do anything. I have just been given, gift wrapped, to Ryuichi Sukama as a birthday present. Well, at least that means I am away from Tohma Seguchi as a master. But the question is, what kind of master is Sakuma-sama going to be. I know almost nothing of the man and no one will tell me anything about him, either. All I know is Masters Seguchi and Sakuma are best friends and that Sakuma-sama seems to like me. After all, when Sakuma-sama saw me shortly after my arrival at the mansion, he did wink at me and smile. That was a little comfort, especially after I had just upset Master Seguchi by not performing well. That, in itself, was an improvement over any treatment I have gotten from Master Seguchi. Seguchi-sama is mean, and never smiles at anyone, except his good friend Ryuichi Sakuma. Besides that, Seguchi-sama is cruel to me. Seguchi-sama uses slaves for sex, and if he isn't happy with the way one performs, well, my back has the markings to show what disapproval means.

I am getting cold, and shivers are running up his spine and I have goose bumps all over. I am staring, somewhat blankly, at an ecstatic Ryuichi Sakuma. With all the thunderous applause surrounding me, I can't make out what my new master is saying, but the look on his face is sheer pleasure. The new
Master's face looks like it is going to explode with the way he is laughing and smiling. His eyes are reflecting the thousands of refractions from the chandeliers' multitude of dangling crystals. Is he happy to see that I’m his birthday gift. What does he want me for? I am scared and confused. I need Hiro here to help. Why isn’t Hiro here? What is going to happen to me? Wait, Sakuma-sama is coming towards me.

He has his hand stretched out and is taking my wrist, pulling me off the cart and close to him. He's taking off his jacket and wrapping it around my shoulders. He's concerned about me. My master is actually concerned about me being cold. He is hugging me.He's telling me that we are going to have so much fun together. Fun? What kind of fun. Oh no, he isn't like Master Seguchi. Please, Kami, tell me he isn't going to abuse me that way. My head, it's getting floaty. My eyes are going black again. I think I am going to faint.

And Shuichi does faint, right into Ryuichi Sakuma's arms.

Ryuichi's POV

I am so happy. Tohma has just given me the best present I have ever gotten. He did know how much I wanted to have this pink haired lad. Maybe it was wrong for me to nag him so much, but that was the only way I could get what I wanted. Tohma knows me so well, but it’s good to know that I can still wrap him around my finger and get what I want. I am so happy. I stare at my treasured present, and he seems to be staring back at me. The poor little guy, he's shaking like a leaf. He's cold. I have to get him off that cart.

“Tohma, why didn't you put something warmer on this kid? Do you want him to catch cold? How can we have fun if he’s sick as soon as I get him?” I have to protect him. I don't want him to get sick. I take off my jacket to wrap it around his tiny shoulders. Tohma, is such a jerk sometimes. I reach up and take him by the wrist to help him down from the cart. “Come here to me Shuichi, let me put this jacket on you and warm you up." Oh no, he's shaking more and his eyes, they are going back into his head. No Shuichi, don't faint! It’s too late. He's passed out and pulling me down to the floor with him. "Tohma help me!"

Now to real time:

Shuichi is dead to the world, collapsed in Ryuichi's arms. The sudden weight of his unconscious body pulls Ryuichi to the floor. "Tohma, help me! He's fainted."

Tohma Seguchi motions for K who comes over with some other guards. "He's merely fainted, sirs. If I may remove him to a less crowded area, someplace a bit warmer, he should recover quickly." Tohma nods once, and helps Ryuichi Sakuma off the ground by the elbow, and the motion causes Ryuichi to drop Shuichi.

K has two of his men pick up the small man, Ryuichi's jacket lying on the floor beneath their feet. They carry him out into the main hallway. "Someone get him a blanket, his body is like ice" barks K. Someone scurrying away is heard, and K taps Shuichi's left cheek with his hand. "Come on kid, wake up, you’re
ruinning the Boss's big night." K suddenly spies a blanket being handed to him over his left shoulder. He takes it and covers the young man. "Shuichi, WAKE UP!” Another couple of slightly harder taps to his face, and Shuichi starts to open his eyes.

"Wha....what happened? Where am I? Is Sakuma-sama mad at me? OH NO, Is Sakuma-sama alright?“ Shuichi’s concerned, for his own sake and that of his new Master.

K looks down at Shuichi's slightly flushing face. The blanket now covers his body which is starting to warm up. "It's okay kid. You were lucky, Sakuma-san saw you were really cold and wanted to help you. I have never seen a Master be so concerned about a slave. Whatever he sees in you, it's not what most Masters see in their slaves. He was trying to help you off that cart, and as soon as he put his jacket around you, you passed out cold."

At just that moment, the door to the grand hall reopens and Tohma Seguchi and Ryuichi Sakama come out. Tohma Seguchi’s expression is sheer anger and disgust. Ryuichi Sakuma's is more fear and concern. "K, how's my little playmate?" was the first question heard. Ryuichi Sakuma called Shuichi a "playmate".

"He's much better now, Sir. I believe the excitement and the cool air in the room were a little too much for him. I don't think he ate anything earlier, either. That could have contributed to the fainting. He will be up in a moment." K turned his attention to Seguch-san, who is looking like he is going to explode. That expression is quite familiar to K. "I'm sorry Sir, we had no way of knowing this would happen. I assure you he was perfectly fine before we put him in the box."

Seguchi just glares at K. "Someone will pay for this, K. I have never been embarrassed like this before."

"No Tohma. It's not anyone's fault. Don't get angry. See, Shuichi is awake now. Maybe I should just take him home with me. Everything will be fine, really," Ryuichi smiles at his friend, a smile that he knows would warm that ice in Tohma's chest. Tohma's face seems to relax. With a bitter tone he concedes. "Well, as long as you are not upset, my friend. I don’t want you to miss the rest of your party. Don’t forget the fireworks that I have planned for later.”

“It’s okay, I don’t mind, really. I would really like to get Shuichi home with me. I truly appreciate everything you did for me tonight” Ryuichi turns and gives his best smile.

Glaring, a bit less menacing at his overseer, "K, get Shuichi and his things and have them put in Sakuma-san's car." K nodded and the guards helped Shuichi to his feet, wrap the blanket around him and head out. Turning his head, "Ryuichi, I guess this means the party is over for you."

"Oh Tohma, it's the best party I have ever had, and I can't thank you enough for everything; especially for my present! He’s the most magnificent present you have ever given me. I’m going to have so much fun with him." Ryuichi is beaming, sheer joy emanating off his body. Tohma knows there is nothing that could ruin this night for his friend. He has his party, and the ‘most spectacular’ present he has ever gotten. Tohma sighs. "Ryu, my friend, as long as you are happy, I’m happy. Now, I suggest you take your 'present' home and have that fun you have been talking about."

Ryuichi jumps up, hugs his dear friend. "Tohma, I will never forget this night. Thank you so much. And, will you do me a last favor, please? I never got any of my birthday cake, would you have some wrapped so I can take it home with me?"

That’s Tohma's Ryuichi, thinking about his cake and his present. That's all that really matters to him this night. "Of course, Ryu. How about I send you the bottom layer, the one that says 'Happy Birthday, Ryuichi'? It's your favorite flavor, strawberry. Ryuichi just smiles wider, if that is possible. "I love you, Tohma. You are the best friend in the world. I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you have done. And don't worry, I’ll take special care of my gift." With that, Ryuichi Sakuma turns, and heads for the front door. He turns with this parting remark. "I plan on having lots of fun tonight with my present. He's so cute.” The butler opens the door, and Ryuichi exits to his waiting limo.

TBC