What is this life?

What is this life?

Chapter 8

Suguru enters the foyer of the Seguchi mansion unannounced. He’s no stranger to this place. After all, Tohma Seguchi is his cousin. He’s been here many times. This time however, he's not here for a pleasure visit.

He observes the various staff members hurrying around, still cleaning up from the previous night's event. Suguru is lost in amazement of how quickly everyone moves when he’s tapped on the shoulder. Suguru jumps and turns around.

"So, you wanted to see me? What happened last night with Sakuma-san and Shuichi? Did it go well?"

Suguru turns to face a blond man. "Last night was fine. They went to Sakuma-san's suite, played for a while and then went into the bedroom. I did sneak back in and listened at the door. From the sounds, I would say that Sakuma-san got just what he really wanted for his birthday. Shuichi did quite well.” He pauses and debates how to word his next sentence. “There was a small problem. I don't think we should talk about it here in the hall, though. Can we go to your office to discuss this?" Suguru turns and walks into a room just left of the foyer.

When his companion comes in and closes the door, Suguru turns and kisses him. “Kami-sama! How I miss you!”

K pulls Suguru deeper into the kiss. He savors the stolen time he has with his lover.

Moments later, the kiss is broken. K peers into Suguru’s eyes. “I missed you too. I’m glad to see you. It’s too bad we can’t do more than share a kiss now.” He pauses briefly and returns to his more business-like self. “So tell me, what’s our problem? I thought you said everything was fine."

"Agh! K.” Suguru is panting.” Why is it all work and no play for you? Just once I wish you’d think about us more than your job.” Slightly miffed, Suguru continues. “Problem is this: although Sakuma-san got his little Shuichi and really enjoyed himself, it seems that Shuichi’s mind wasn’t there in the room. When Shuichi came, he yelled out Hiro's name."

"That couldn't have been good. What did Sakuma-san say or do?" A tinge of panic heard in K’s voice.

"He either didn't comprehend what was said, or was just too exhausted to care. This morning, however, was a different matter. Sakuma-san was yelling at him and questioning him about Hiro. He’s quite upset with Shuichi for calling out his friend's name. He said something about it almost ruined the birthday for him.” Taking a breath, he continues.” I heard his fist making contact with the bed. I don't know if he tried to hit Shuichi or not. Shuichi started crying and then things got quiet. Sakuma got all emo and almost apologized to Shuichi for getting angry. I swear that man must be bi-polar. His moods change quite quickly. One moment he’s angry, the next sympathetic. It's disgusting!"

"Don't digress. We both know that Sakuma-san bounces from emotion to emotion. That's nothing new.” K wrings his hands, anger is seething below the surface of his face. “What I want to know is what brings you here today. I told you not to risk anyone finding us together."

"Ah, yes, that. As I said, Sakuma got really emo after Shuichi started crying. Shuichi told him about the kidnapping and Hiro's departure yesterday. Sakuma-san is feeling sorry for the kid and wants him to be happy.”

Looking wryly and somewhat perturbed: "Yes, continue."

"He wants to get Hiro back from Turkey and keep him there with Shuichi. I don't understand it. How can he do something like that to Tohma? They’ve been friends for years If Tohma finds out that Sakuma-san is going behind his back to rescue Hiro, he’ll be furious. I don't relish the idea of Tohma’s anger exploding around us. K, what can we do?"

The blond overseer is stunned. It is a strange turn of events. "One thing is certain. We are NOT going to let Seguchi-san know what Sakuma-san’s planning. Did you hear how he plans to carry out this rescue?”

"I didn’t hear anything specific. He just said he was going out and that Shuichi had to stay behind. I waited until the limo pulled out and came straight to you.” Suguru continued. “K, spying on Shuichi is one thing, but not on Sakuma-san. I can't just poke my head in the room or be caught by the rest of the staff listening at doors. What concerns me is Tohma. If he catches wind of what’s going on, he’ll storm the place and kill someone. I don't like this, not in the least."

"We can't panic. Now, we have to find out what Sakuma-san is planning. It won't be easy. I’m sure he told Shuichi not to talk about it to anyone”. Running his hands through his hair, he finally has an idea. This calls for more covert operations. “Suguru, do you think you can get into Sakuma-san's bedchamber? I have something I want you to put there for me." K motions for Suguru to follow him.

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Suguru arrives back at the Sakuma mansion just before lunch. The limo is not in the drive. He’s been able to come and go without the Master of the house knowing. Suguru looks around, takes a bag from the front seat of his car and heads inside. He’s greeted by the butler. "Where'd you go in such a hurry this morning, Su? Sakuma-san wasn't out of here for five minutes and you raced out the door. What's going on?"

Suguru scans the face of his friend. The young man, about twenty-two years of age does strike a remarkable resemblance to his brother. It is amazing that Tatsuha looks just like Eiri, except for his dark hair and eyes. “Just ran out to get some fresh flowers for Sakuma-san. You know he likes to have fresh ones every couple of days. Anything happen that I need to know about?”

Tatsuha glances at the parcel in the valet’s hand. “More pink roses? Why does he want pink all of a sudden?”

Suguru shrugs. “I think it has something to do with the new slave. Have you seen him? He has pink hair. Sakuma-san goes on tangents when he sees anything new he likes.” Changing the subject, “So, anything I should know about?”

“Naw, it’s been quiet. I went to check on the new slave, but the door is locked. Sakuma-san has the only key.” There’s a loud crash that sounds like glass breaking. “Oh crap, what’s the maid broken now? Look, I gotta check on that. Talk to you later.”

Relieved that Tatsuha is gone, Suguru heads upstairs and goes into the Master’s suite. He takes the wilting flowers from the vase on the end table and discards them. He takes the cellophane off the pink blossoms and places some of them in the vase. Suguru checks the hallway to be sure no one is there, and returns to the room, going to the bedchamber. He opens the door and slips in, closing the door behind him.

Surveying the room, Suguru spots the light switch. He puts the flowers on the floor. He takes out a small screwdriver and loosens the screws holding the plate in place. Fumbling through his pants pocket, Suguru finds the small listening device that K gave him. He slips it next to one of the switches and replaces the plate. His covert operation is complete, He takes the remaining new flowers and empties and refills the vases in the bedchamber. Suguru opens the door, peeks out to be sure no one has come in, and slips back out of the room.

Suguru heads for the door leading to the hall, grabbing the empty bag. Pulling the handle, he’s greeted face to face with Ryuichi Sakuma.

A surprised Ryuichi Sakuma jumps back. “Suguru! What are you doing here?”

Suguru holds up the bag with the floral paper inside. “You asked for fresh flowers, Sir. I was just changing out the old for the new.”

Ryuichi smiles and looks at the vase on the side table. “They are quite lovely, thank you. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to rest for a while.”

Suguru bows his head, and leaves the room.

Ryuichi looks over the room. He goes to this bedchamber and enters. Scanning the room, he doesn’t see anything out of place. There are just new flowers in the vases on the dressers. He thinks he is getting paranoid. He’s not used to doing things like this.” I just hope we can pull this off before Tohma gets wind of the plans.” Ryuichi yawns. It has been an emotional day already, and it was just lunchtime. Perhaps a nap is in order.

Just then, there’s a knock at the outer door to the suite. The door opens and Suguru wheels in the cart carrying Ryuichi’s lunch. There are two sets of covered dishes on the top. “Sir, I thought you would want to eat. You left this morning without your breakfast. I also brought something for your new slave. May I take it to him?”

“Thanks, Suguru, I’m a bit hungry. Don’t worry about Shuichi, that’s his name, by the way. I’ll give him the food. I’m going to get him from his room anyway.”

Suguru bows, turns and exits the room.

Thinking aloud, “I should let Shuichi know what I found out today. I’m so excited about this. I just hope I can pull it off.” Ryuichi waits a few moments, goes to the door and peers into the hall. Nobody’s there, so he goes out, runs down to Shuichi’s room and unlocks the door.

Shuichi is sitting on his bed, playing with the DS lite that he was given earlier. He looks up when the door is opened. Seeing Sakuma-sama there, he rises. “Master, you’re back. Do you have any news about Hiro? Can you get him back for me?”

Ryuichi shuts the door. “Quiet, Shuichi. I don’t want anyone to hear us. I’ll tell you about it, but not in here. Come to my room.” He turns and Shuichi follows him out and to the room next door.

Once inside, Ryuichi closes and locks the door. He walks over to the cart and motions to Shuichi to follow suit. “Take a plate and some silverware. We can go into the bedroom and talk there.” The pair takes their plates and proceeds to the other room.

“Shuichi, I have good news and bad. The bad news is: This is going to be extremely difficult to pull off without Tohma finding out. The good news is that I have an ally who wants to do this. This person will do almost anything to annoy Tohma. Getting Hiro back is going to do just that. I will have to buy Hiro from his new Master. That man doesn’t give up his playthings very easily. Besides, since Hiro is supposedly a troublesome slave, he paid a premium for Hiro. He likes challenges.”

Shuichi put his plate on a dresser and slumps his head and shoulders. “Master, are you willing to do that? I know it’s asking a lot of you. I don’t deserve your kindness, especially after last night.”

Ryuichi walks over to Shuichi, raising his chin so he can look him in the eyes. “Stop worrying about last night. I don’t care about that now. All that I want is to get your Hiro back. I know you won’t be happy here unless he’s returned. I can’t be happy if you are so miserable being here.” He tries to see if Shuichi understands what he’s saying. “I don’t have to do this. I want to do this. Tohma’s been taking young men and trading them for years. I never liked it, but never had the backbone to stand up to him. It’s not much but it’s something. I have things under control, maybe for the first time since this whole business got started.”

Shuichi looks at his Master. A tear falls from his eye.


Back at the Seguchi mansion, K is in his office, headset covering his ears. “So, who is your accomplice, Sakuma-san?”

TBC