Guarded

I have to apologize if some of the characters seems out of character but it's only because I want them to fit in with story and the settings, which is in our world. Hope you enjoy it and please kindly read and review! Any reviews are welcome!

CHAPTER 1

Seriously, does every morning have to be screwed by that bitch? He has just returned from a long stakeout and didn’t even have the time to freshen up before he was called to Yuuko’s office only to be told that he will be taking on a new assignment as a bodyguard for the heir of one of what use to be the most influential political family in Japan. For 6 months, which practically meant 6 months of inactivity? How busy can a bodyguard get? Sure, it was an important job since someone’s life is trusted in your hands, under your protection but still…

“Hnn…He’s obviously wealthy enough to afford his own bodyguards. What about the case I am on now? Can’t just leave it?” Kurogane grumbled, feeling great reluctance to accept this job because he didn’t need any reminders of his miserable childhood, seeing what it did to his parents. His father was a politician and due to his work, had neglected his family so much that in the end his mother had committed suicide because she couldn’t bear the loneliness anymore and neither could she stand living a façade 24/7. His father, instead of feeling remorse, was incensed about the rumors that swirled around the family regarding his spouse’s death. Unable to handle the tensions at home between him and his father, he had moved out after he graduated from high school and has not spoken to his father since. Not even at his deathbed. He did feel a twinge of guilt, the man was his father after all but what was past has no need to linger on.

“If you remembered, his last hired help tried to assassinate him. Headline news for a week. Look, you’re the best we have and the person I trust most. By the way, Touya mentioned for you to be aware of his secretary, he thought him to be a suspicious figure. Really, the man has to admit he has a problem!” Yuuko replied, feeling pangs of sympathy for Syaoran. The young man has been dating Touya’s sister, Sakura, for almost two years and has tried every other way to impress the unflappable man. His stint as an officer under Kurogane hadn’t helped much either.

“Well, that guy’s been caught right? I am sure you can get the Witness Protection Unit to help.” He ignored the remark about their Chief and his ex “lackey” and looked at Yuuko who is smiling wryly at him.

“It’s tentatively for 6 months or until the trial is over and what if the guy tries something funny? As for the case you’re on, I will get Souma to follow up on your lead.” Yuuko stated as she passed the files over to Kurogane “You start today….”

“Don’t have much of a choice, huh?” Kurogane glared and growled at her, grabbing the file roughly from her, he sighed inwardly and stalked off to the car park to get his jeep. He’s a detective and he’s supposed to be on the streets busting scandalous cases not a bodyguard watching some spoiled brat like a chicken hen, why can’t that woman get Watanuki instead? Well, that’s respect to you from Yuuko…ha! He slumped into the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut before flipping the file opened, thumbing through the contents glumly.

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Kurogane gave a low whistle as he approached the looming gray mansion before him, it reminded him slightly of his own childhood residence. He parked his jeep in front of the veranda and was promptly greeted by Syaoran, Fay D. Flowright’s secretary.

“Afternoon, Yuuko has informed me of your arrival. Mr. Flowright is expecting you.” The young man said respectfully, admiration shone in his eyes. Kurogane chuckled in silent agreement with Yuuko that their chief superintendent does have a serious sister complex problem. Syaoran was a perfectly respectable young man, sensible, responsible and most importantly a very righteous man. He couldn’t understand why Touya hates him so. Honestly he empathize with Syaoran, he knows that in Touya’s opinion, no man will ever be good enough for Sakura.

He followed Syaoran into the spacious hall looking up at the cherubic paintings on the high ceiling and found the Victorian décor and heavy furnishings too gaudy for his liking and clicked his tongue in distaste. He personally preferred something more contemporary and monochrome; it always makes everything less cluttered and easier to maneuver in. He was lead further down the hall before being ushered into a drawing room.

“I am surprised that you choose to be a secretary, I thought professions of this nature have no appeal for you. So, how’s life?” Kurogane enquired as he sat down on the plush velvet lounge settee.

“It’s not too bad, I will go back to archeology one day but for now I have to focus on Sakura’s and my future. I have learned many things from Fay during this past year and he has been a great teacher and superior. It’s just that he seems…distanced even if he tries to look cheerful” Syaoran answered, recalling Fay’s fear and hurt when the name of the betrayal, one of his most trusted aides, was mentioned.

“Would you like a drink? I will get the butler to attend to you while I go inform Fay.” Syaoran asked still standing beside the door. Before Kurogane could answer a young man walked in and Kurogane was staring into the face of the most beautiful being he has ever met, those cerulean eyes gazed guardedly at him and seems to be hiding a hundred secrets and his shoulder length blond hair glow silver in the afternoon light. He looked ethereal with those pale soft features and slender, lean form clothed in a simple white tee shirt paired with faded blue low slung jeans that hang precariously on his hips and a knee length cream colored cardigan wrapped loosely around him. Really, the photos in the records and media didn’t do Fay any justice. Really, why was he even thinking the man beautiful? Shaking himself out of his ridiculous reverie, he regained composure enough to stand up and extend his hand to Fay in a greeting which Fay promptly ignored. Kurogane bristled and shrug, not bother enough to take offence at the rude gesture.

Fay looked at those crimson eyes infront of him and quickly stop himself before he was caught flinching at the sight of those unusual colored orbs staring at him, it wasn’t that they look ugly or anything. Rather, it was the intensity of the gaze that made him uncomfortable. The man reminds him of Ashura, tall, dark, brooding and devastatingly good looking, but lacking of the coldness that Ashura always seem to be radiating. The thought of the man’s name still managed to send chills down his spine; he wished that he didn’t have to suffer those nightmares or the humiliation that he was put through. How foolish and naïve he was to believe that man would ever give him what he wanted, clearly imprudent ambition was not to be underestimated. How pathetic is he that even now he still am conjuring Ashura’s image, his touch and his empty promises, undying embers that would not be extinguished in his memories. His mind was so busy with the past he completely overlooked Kurogane’s offer of a greeting.

Syaoran looked at the exchange and hoped Kurogane didn’t have too bad of an impression of Fay and quietly offered to retrieve his luggage from his car.

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Satisfied that the house was safe and sure that most of the security cameras and bugs were in place and working and the surveillance televisions were connected, Kurogane settled back in his room to unpack and somehow felt like it was going to be the longest days of his life what with Fay seemingly to being a stuck up and all. Well, he could deal with that, surely someone who is incapable of a decent conversation wouldn’t be grinding on his peace of mind. Small talk definitely didn’t suit him when awkward moments would intrude when the conversation don’t seem to be headed anywhere. Ruffling his fingers through his hair, he got up and strode out of his room down the corridor looking for Fay.

He found him in the study sitting alone deep in thoughts with a glazed far away look, sadness etched onto his youthful face, Kurogane stood by the door watching and wondered why such a young man managed to look so morose and realized his assumption of Fay being the spoiled rich kid was kind of way off. Than again, anyone would feel morose with such a huge burden on one’s shoulder and having gone through those unneeded trauma.

If he hadn’t severed ties with his own father he might find himself in the same position, without anyone after his life maybe. His personal dreams would be thrown aside to live for “the bigger picture” as well as the living hood of those loyal employees that have been with them for the past decade. Even though Kurogane knew he had the makings of an astute business man and the cunningness of a politician, the life of constant strategies and forced diplomacy will eventually wear him out. Life as he knows now definitely rubbed him the right way, unpredictable and unshackled. A life lived only for one self, except for when Yuuko starts calling him at unearthly hours to attend to some homicidal case or to just go down to the local bar to have a few drinks that is. He can’t help but wonder if the woman sleeps at all.

“Where’s your room? I need to install the cameras.” Kurogane blurted out without the courtesy of even knocking on the door to inform the other of his presence. Fay startled and threw daggers and swords at him before working his facial muscles into a condescending smile. “I am afraid your privacy will be invaded for a period of time but I am very sure you understand that is for the sake of your safety.” Kurogane explained and felt the hairs on his neck stood upon seeing that smile.

“Sure, I will show you over Kuro-sama” another of his plastic smile thrown over his shoulders and Kurogane silently fumed at the dismembered pronunciation of his name.

“It’s Kurogane” he grinded out “and don’t smile like that it’s so disgustingly hypocritical.” A dark scowl immediately on his face when he realized this smile was the “Cheerful” face that Syaoran had mentioned.

“But why, Kuro-tan? I was only trying to be polite.” Fay coo back, slightly amused by the irritation shown by Kurogane. At least there is someone interesting enough to distract him, someone who wouldn’t be afraid of stepping across boundaries and someone who wouldn’t bother to treat him as if he’s a fragile piece of glass art, ready to crack to smithereens by a slight tap. Syaoran was nice but too aware of his position as his secretary to be his friend and those in the boardroom were only bastards who can’t wait for his fall from grace, always eager to pounce for his position as President of DF Corps.

“Oh, don’t look so damn pissed about nothing. It’s a fine day today isn’t it?” Fay asked the scowling detective who was still standing at the doorway waiting.

“Well, I don’t see you that ecstatic about the weather earlier on in the drawing room.” He growl again marveling at the speed of how the man slip into his mask and wondered what was he trying to hide and what impression was he trying to give. He certainly didn’t like being treated like a bellboy to be shooed away with some petty amount of tip.

Fay did not reply but silently led the way to his bedroom located in the east wing of the mansion, walking along the long marbled corridors with the occasional art piece hanging by the imposing walls that never seem to end, warm afternoon sunlight illuminating the place from the French styled windows. Kurogane looked at the man in front of him and once again caught himself gazing at that head of blond, watching it turned from silver to golden blond every time they passed by an adjoining pillar to the window. He watched as Fay stopped in front of another heavy oak door and felt a little dumbfounded when the door opened without so much as a push from Fay.

“Hey, this house isn’t as antique as it looks. I had some modern fixtures installed for my convenience, the wonder of technology…automatic sensor doors.” Fay explained with a little smirk when he saw the expression on Kurogane’s face.

“Might as well renovate the house, looks too passé, don’t you think?” Kurogane retort.

“I kept everything the same for the sake of my parents. It’s my only memory left of them.” He said quietly, a wistful smile on his face.

“Hn.” Kurogane didn’t feel he could comment much on this morsel of personal information, it wasn’t appropriate when he hardly know the guy.

Sensing the awkward silent that loomed between them, Fay simply told Kurogane to look for him in the study again once he was done for he has to leave in an hour time to the office for a board meeting before giving him another of his plastic smiles.

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The drive to DF Tower took just slightly more than half an hour, already Kurogane was fidgeting underneath his stiffly starched business suit and those slightly pointed dress shoes which he was made to wear just so to look presentable, having to keep up appearances simply wasn’t his forte, he much preferred his black leather jacket and tee shirt ensemble anytime of the day, thank you. And why does all body guards have to be in spiffy suits would never be understood. If the look was to achieve intimidation, he was very sure that his hulk of a figure and constant murderous glare would be quite enough, not to mention his weird colored eyes

He glanced at Fay who was looking out of the window at the scenery passing by with that distanced gaze again, decked out in a dramatic ankle long white Gucci cashmere coat with matching silk shirt and linen pants held up with a tan leather belt and a pair of mustard tanned leather loafers to boot. Kurogane felt if he didn’t know better, he would think that Fay was some celebrity model from New York. Frankly those clothes couldn’t make him look anymore feminine than he already is. Frankly, why is he scrutinizing what the man wore? Beautiful man and fashionable clothes should never be distracting.

He turn to Syaoran who was busy typing out and rearranging Fay’s schedule for the rest of the week on his laptop and ask for a soft copy to be e-mailed to his palmtop every time it’s updated since he has to be aware of Fay’s activities and movements, as well as the people he would be meeting and a list of those that work for DF Corps. He hoped Fay doesn’t attend too many social events; he wasn’t too comfortable with the formalities that are called for by those so called socialites. Apparently, childhood experiences while accompanying his parents to those parties were classified in his memories as ‘frigging boring’.

Most of the directors, general managers and major shareholders were already waiting for Fay, annoyance visible at having made to wait once again for him. Fay looked at the old prudes and screamed inwardly, he couldn’t help but be late because he dreaded these bi-annual meetings. Their preferred way of running the company was conservative and not aggressive enough for the competitive market today. A sky high profit report does not make DF Corps. There should be innovation and expansion involve, for consumers nowadays simply have no loyalty that last longer then the next promotion available, beauty industries are mighty fickle. Sticking to the same products and expecting to tide over this era was simply not going to happen. Fay smiled to himself, a restructure should be taking place soon.

He had very well surprised himself when he recapped the meeting. Those old prudes were totally not prepared for their young president to be so assertive and firm, Fay had announced that a whole new group of Marketing and R&D team be brought in to revitalize their company’s image and products, since it was pointless to be paying huge sums of money to a team of people who hasn’t came up with anything refreshing for the past 5 years. All Directors were also to take a pay cut from their obscenely high salary, which Fay thought they really did not deserved. When he was faced with oppositions, Fay promptly reminded them that he owns 65 of the company shares, therefore his opinion weighs the most, if they are so unhappy with his decision regarding his own company, he would gladly buy over their shares to unburden them. That had ended all discussions.

Kurogane was a little impress but what could you expect from someone who was born to inherit the family business, he like Fay’s style of handling those old geezers. He sensed the change in Fay once he stepped into his office, the dazed distance look had completely disappeared only to be replaced by cold aloofness and a similarly cold smile. It seems Fay is a very complex character and not as weak as he might appear to be. Sadly, Fay’s staff hadn’t seemed to catch on that yet. He had taken to himself to explore his workplace and heard them made cruel and unprofessional remarks that could only be stemmed from jealousy. Fay was young and to be under a young man without the necessary experience would definitely not go down well with those who had been in the company for more than a decade.

“Beep!” the intercom in Kurogane’s room rang out knocking him our of his thouhts before Syaoran’s voice came from the other end informing him it was time for dinner.

Kurogane looked at the feast spread on the ridiculously long dining table and asked if they are having a party.

“No, Kuro-rin. I just happened to be in a very good mood and have invited Tomoyo-chan over. She’s a very good friend of mine.” Fay replied with fondness at the mentioned of Tomoyo’s name, she had been a good friend and was always there whenever Fay needed a shoulder to cry on. She was there when he first told his parents of his sexual orientation, when his parents had met with the tragic accident and when Ashura…well, no need to ruin a nice evening. He just wants to relax himself tonight. “She should be here any minute now. She absolutely loves my cooking. Oh! I think Sakura is coming too isn’t she, Syaoran?”

Syaoran nodded, cheeks silently tainted pink bemoaning the fact of another evening without privacy again.

“It’s Kurogane not Kuro-rin!” Annoyance crept up again before he registered what Fay said “you prepared all these?”

“Yes…I cook. Thank you” Fay replied amuse by Kurogane’s expression again, the man seems to think he’s an imbecile or something. “I try to make dinner every night unless I have something to attend to, so don’t get used to it.”

Kurogane looked furtively at the food laid out and couldn’t help noticing that most of them were desserts and only less then 3 savory dishes. His stomach did a little twist and flops and he felt like he won’t be enjoying dinner that much.

As the evening progressed, Kurogane found his headache getting worse. Girls, Fay and wine definitely were not a good mix. They were talking loudly about nonsensical topics and laughing like crazed hyenas, their inhibitions loosen by alcohol. It wasn’t long before the ten bottles of wine that Tomoyo brought was depleted. Syaoran's efforts in preventing Sakura from getting drunk was clearly a vain attempt, she has downed three bottles already in one hour. He could only look at Kurogane and shrug, defeated.

“I am sorry, I have to sent Sakura back so…” Syaoran look sheepishly at Kurogane while a very drunk Sakura hang from his arms, giggling and singing in her high pitch voice a very off key rendition of ‘I will Survive’. Kurogane couldn’t help but cringe at the sound.

“It’s alright, go ahead. I’ll take care of these two.” He turned around and looked at Tomoyo and Fay sprawled across the dining table, empty bottles of wine tumbling between them. Shaking his head, he carried Tomoyo and started down the corridor and out to the limo that was waiting for her, once he had seen that she was settled and off , he went back to get Fay.

Kurogane looked on as Fay’s head lolled about in the crook of his arm, struggling to lift heavy eyelids and mumbled something which Kurogane could hardly make out, earning a hard prod by Kurogane at his shoulder.

“What are you trying to say?” Fay tried again and Kurogane caught the words “puke…now”

He shook his head and lifted Fay by throwing Fay’s arm around his shoulder and supporting his weight with his other arm wrapped around Fay’s waist and staggered towards the bathroom.

“Hey, hold it in and don’t ever puke on me.” Kurogane growled and wonder where was the butler when you need one?

He got to the bathroom just in time as Fay slide off him clumsily to heave the contents of his dinner down the toilet bowl before he slumped down unconscious on the toilet floor.

“Shit” was all Kurogane could say at the sight before him.

He found himself staring at Fay again, he looked at the half naked body on the bed and couldn’t help but be mesmerized by that milky skin that seems to glow translucent in the moonlight. What is it that made Fay so…attractive? He couldn’t help but feel the pull of this enigmatic man’s charisma, throughout the day he was distracted every time Fay came into view. He felt even more intrigue when he heard Fay called out Ashura’s name when he was wiping his body, trying to clean off the cold clammy sweat before tucking him to bed. He wondered just what the man was hiding, what was the story behind Ashura and Fay? How could someone sound so wistful and so full of longing while calling out the name of the person who tried to murder you? Kurogane tucked the heavy blankets over Fay and lingered for a while longer before he left, leaving Fay to his dreams.

Fay woke up the next morning with a major hang-over, he wailed over the intercom for Doumaki, his butler to bring him some coffee and aspirins. Not noticing the mug of warm milk by his nightstand, he almost toppled it when his hand brushed past it, well at least that silly butler had some initiative today. He was about to press the speak button on his intercom when Doumaki came barging in with a tray full of pancakes that filled the room with the delicious scent of vanilla and maple-syrup. Fay’s nose twitched at the wonderful aroma and his stomach rumbled, still he noticed, no aspirins was on Doumaki’s hands.

“Morning, Fay-san. Hope your head didn’t hurt too much, you had a mighty lot to drink last night…totally plastered, I might add. Anyway, Kuro-sama said that milk and a full breakfast might be a better cure for your hang-over than coffee and aspirins. He brought the milk up this morning and tried to get you down for breakfast, guess you were still deeply asleep. You should get up now Sir, otherwise, you’ll be late again…Syaoran is….”

Fay sigh and clambered out of bed clamping his index and thumb to both sides of his temples, groaning as he felt his head throb.

“You know these won’t cure my headache….” Fay grumbled cutting off Doumaki’s blabbering “I need my aspirins. Now, please.” Fay threw a pleading glance at him and hope that he didn’t have to go down in his state to the kitchen to get his own aspirins, he didn’t think he would make it down that stupid flight of stairs when his legs feels like lead. Doumaki took a look at his master, shut his month and went immediately to get Fay’s aspirins.

Fay threw a glance at the tray of food on the side table and silently thanked the bodyguard (cum nanny?) and reached out to the plate of pancakes and proceeded to savor the fluffy, sweet goodness that he loved so much. The man was right, the warmth of the milk and the way the food filled his empty growling stomach did made him feel immensely better. Better nicely sober than perky cranky.

Kurogane, the name rolled off his tongue, he like the name and the man like his name itself was dark and sharp. Always looking at everyone as if he knows their deepest secrets, Fay admittedly felt quite uncomfortable to look him in the eye but he did notice the man stealing glances at him when he thought he wasn’t paying attention. Maybe if he wasn’t so hang up about Ashura, he might be tempted to link the attraction but with the trial and the issues that are still unsolved, Fay didn’t think he could handle the distraction right now.

Ashura…

The dream he had during the night came back to him again and he remembered the chilling, abstract dreamscape. Ashura was laying on his bed with himself laying atop his chest, running his fingers down Ashura’s broad chest blissful and sated after a night of passionate sex and suddenly the background changed and Fay was plunge into blackness before finding himself scrambling down the hallway, clutching at the open wound below his ribcage stumbling every now and then, pushing and crushing onto the odd piece of furniture in a bid to stabilize himself. The pain was mind-numbing. Oddly enough the blood that was supposed to be gushing out of his wound seems to be flowing back into it. Where did the blood come from, if not him? His clothes wasn’t stained…why wasn’t he bleeding normally? He snapped his head round and saw Ashura at the other end of the corridor, eyes filled with madness and laughing like a maniac, dripping with blood from his long black hair down to his face and body. The sword Ashura was holding glowed and stained with a black substance.

Before Fay could comprehend what was happening, he was plunged once again into darkness and upon opening his eyes, found himself in a field full of blossoming Bellflowers and Paradise Lilies. He looked down at his wound but found nothing, not even a scratch. Less than a few feet away, he spotted a tall figure swathe in an imposing dark cloak with his back facing him, the man had spiky black hair and was looking out of a window floating in midair and his aura was warm and comforting. The unidentified figure turn his face slightly to look at Fay, an angry expression on his face mouthing the words Fay couldn’t seem to hear but Fay knows the face, that pair of crimson eyes boring into him, sending a burning pain searing through the spot which was supposed to be his wound and Ashura’s figure appeared on the opposite side of the window crushing through it with that heinous glowing sword, piercing the man infront of him through his heart. Fay watched with horror as the cloaked man fall, blood seeping into the ground turning green grass black, yet the only words that came out was the name of the attacker, called out with deep sorrow and longing.

Fay didn’t have the mind to interpret what the dream meant. Twisted love equates to twisted laws of subconscious emotions that was pointless in deciphering anyway. He finished his breakfast and step into the bathroom to cleanse himself and prepare for the long day ahead, deciding that those damn aspirins that takes forever to arrive would not be necessary for now.

Kurogane eyed the man as he walked out the front door, dressed in white again, today it was a knitted sleeveless pullover layered over a crisply starched long sleeve shirt with well tailored flat - front slacks. Kurogane has to admit that the guy has style.

“Morning, Kuro – pon, thanks for the breakfast.” Fay greeted him a little too cheerfully, the light lilt and fake enthusiasm of his voice irked Kurogane and irked him furthermore when his name was still uncorrected.

“Hn” Kurogane grunted not bothering to acknowledge the man’s greeting as he open the door of the limo and slide into the back seat grumpily. Fay followed, slinking into the seat beside him carrying a bemused smile on his face at Kurogane’s reaction.