Tenshi no Uta (9/16)
Oct. 13th, 2014 05:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wendyjolyPairing : Guess who~
Rating : PG
Genre : SF
Lenght : Chaptered
Beta : Confetti shower to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
chibipinkpetals
Genre : Music, love and star ships
Disclaimer : I owe nothing but Arashi owns surely my soul
Summary : “An Angel has the power to pacify a crowd, to convey emotions people ignore. But…when an Angel sings for his master, this man can feel the fullness of body and mind…however, one Angel is made for a Master and only one. And the master can’t choose his Angel.” But when Ninomiya Kazunari, an Angel fated to belong to the ruler of the galaxy chooses the Commandant of the ship designated to guide him to his Master, what will happen to him?
Note: The concept of singing Angel belongs to O.S Card, I borrow it with all the respect due to his huge talent.
CHAPTER 9
The moment Nino had passed the threshold of the Orchid Palace, he knew his life was about to change. But he didn’t care. Things happened like they should and he couldn’t change anything. Why would he have wished changing anything, anyway?
Since his childhood, since the day he entered the Palace at three, he did nothing but sing. He sung his emotions and what he saw, stunning the few lucky men who had the chance to hear him.
They said he was the One, that he was the Angel meant to be ‘his’ and Nino ended thinking he wasn’t his own master. He was a receptacle; a little singing bird created to convey his emotions to the person who listened to him.
The day he sung for the last time for his old master, he had wished selfishly that Satoshi was here. He never forgot his brother and more than once he saw him in his dreams, holding his hand to wander in one of his surprising painting. Maybe would he be at the Court, maybe his master would allow them to sleep together…he wished it from the bottom of his heart.
But a step outside and he met the man he would love unconditionally for the rest of his life. Masaki told him his heart would beat for him and he was right.
In spite of the words he spoke to him, he never doubted, not a second, that he was the man of his destiny.
Usui-sensei found him on his planet for him, for the Commandant Sakurai.
~Ã~
They had been attacked and Masaki entered his bedroom to make him sit on the floor to take him into his embrace. The only question he asked was to know if the Commandant was fine.
“He’s perfectly fine, don’t worry.”
Nino smiled and patiently waited to see him again.
During the first days, in the cave, he could finally admire him all to his heart content. He learnt his gentleness, his smile, his strength with the crew and his wonderful character, everything was perfection in him.
Sakurai avoided his gaze, but Nino knew he felt the same way.
Each time their gazes met, his heart beat increased, his breath became short, just like his, he could hear it.
One night, when Masaki was finally out, he observed the Commandant who was asleep, slightly caressed the skin his cheek and exited the cave, waiting for him to follow. For the very first time, he was able to kiss the Commandant's lips and in his arm he found his real place, where he belonged. Within his embrace, under his plump mouth, his words of love becoming the most beautiful melody to his ears.
Then the pain, the warmth, this panic and the darkness.
Masaki told him it was because he committed a mistake but he didn’t believe him. And Sho told him he didn’t want to see him anymore.
His life stopped at that very moment.
He stayed in his room with Masaki, curled into himself, on the bed that was too big and he cried his sadness until the end of the travel.
Masaki led him outside of the ship and a man hugged him and caressed him like a child, saying he loved him and how he was precious, asserting that he was his master.
Nino heard Sho saying he wanted to leave as soon as possible and he let Masaki to drag him into his new house.
A woman asked him to lie down and bandaged his eyes after putting a burning potion on it. He heard Masaki asking her for a medicine to make him sleep because he didn’t rest since days. A few minutes later, he slept deeply and when he woke up, he found his sight back.
Blurry, but at last he wasn’t lost into the darkness.
“Are you awake my Angel?”
“I am.”
“You didn’t see me yesterday, I’m Okada Junichi, your master. I’m so…so happy to meet you, you can’t imagine how much I am.”
He was kneeled by his side and was caressing his face. His look was cheerful and his words full of sweetness.
“Masaki is here?”
“I allowed him to take a leave, I wanted to guide you by myself to your quarters. Are you able to walk?”
“I think so.”
“So come with me.”
He held his hand and opened the door of the infirmary. So many guards were posted outside and followed them without a word from Okada.
“Here, there are my apartments and you’ll live here.”
Okada pushed a huge wooden door at the end of his quarters and Nino entered a gigantic mosaicked bedroom. He walked to the fountain set in the middle of it, gazing at the bed covered by a blue bed canopy and when he raised his look a cloud of birds took off.
“This is birds of paradise. I bought them especially for you on the Kagurazaka Star. Do you like them?”
“I’d like to see Masaki.”
“I understand, you’re surely lost…but there’s nothing to fear, I will take good care of you. You will rest today and this evening, we’ll say goodbye to the crew of the Arashi.”
“Commandant Sakurai?”
“He will be here. You’re happy?”
“I will ask to Masaki to bathe me and prepare me. I have to be beautiful for him.”
Okada’s face blanked suddenly and his gentleness turned into anger.
Then he pulled himself together.
“Go, my Angel, walk around in your apartments, I will call Aiba. And tonight, you’ll sing for me.”
Nino smiled and nodded before walking to the fountain to touch the water absentmindedly. Masaki appeared a few minutes later and he sounded to be worried. Nino told him the General words and Aiba frowned.
“Did you talk about Commandant Sakurai?”
“I asked him if I could see him.”
“He will be here tonight, but you can’t talk to him. His mission was to escort you to the Court and it’s done. You have to forget what happened during the travel, do you get it?”
“I can’t forget.”
“I know my Angel, but you have to pretend with the General Okada. He’s your master and he loves you.”
“My master is the Commandant Sakurai.”
“If you say so to the General Okada, he will do harm to Sakurai, is it what you wish?”
“…”
“Stop being stubborn and listen to me. Okada is very powerful and if you reject him to be with the Commandant, he will condemn you to death. The both of you.”
“He will kill my master?”
“He will kill…your master. You have to protect him.”
Nino thought about it for a second and his look changed.
“I’ll do my best.”
“I know it’s hard my Angel…and I’m sorry.”
Aiba had never felt so ashamed in his life. What a shame for him to lie to Nino for him to stay by Okada’s side. He’d wish Nino could live with the man he chose but too many things were at stake…the peace of the galaxy at first.
He prepared him carefully, dressing him with an outfit Okada offered him rich for this so special occasion, trying to forget the fact he would sing for the first and last time for the man he loved.
~Ã~
When they entered Okada’s apartments, this latter was fighting with a woman. She rushed on Nino as soon as he appeared and Aiba stepped forward to protect him.
“You are here too, Monk. It doesn’t even surprise me. Junichi asked you to protect him?”
“Aoi, stop it already. I won’t tolerate your behaviour.”
“Let me see him.” She ordered to Masaki who stand firm.
Nino raised his blue gaze on her and she appalled.
“His eyes have the colour of the rain…lower your gaze, impudent boy! Don’t you dare looking at me or I’ll gouge your eyes out!”
She swallowed an awful groan when her husband, face purple with rage, nailed her at the wall. Aoi struggled to be released but Okada squeezed tighter.
“Threaten him once again, and the guards will find your corpse laid in one of the slum of this town. Do you get it? Nod if you do.”
She was furious but she finally nodded because she knew he was perfectly able to kill her here and now.
“Good. Clean your face and put a scarf on your neck, you have bruises on it. Come with me Nino, I’ll show you around.”
Nino took a glance at the woman kneeled on the floor who put her hands at her neck but the General held his hand gently and dragged him outside, Masaki behind them.
When they reached the great Hall, Nino immediately understood he will face the man he loved. He seemed to be tired and Nino worried.
But he just saw what the General Okada was able to do to his own wife without any hesitation to protect him…what would he do to his master?
So he hung his head and pretended he didn’t hear Okada as he talked about a marriage with the woman by his side, like he refrained his heart to flutter when he learnt he would come back once a month.
“Kazunari, stand up.”
He rose automatically.
“You can sing now.”
He closed his eyes and remembered this night in the glade, the most sad and beautiful moment of his life. He wanted to tell Sho how much he loved him and that he won’t be with anyone else but him until the end of his life. He sang the magical rain, telling him that since, he learnt that tears had the same taste which will always lead back to him.
Hearing the sound of the chair falling heavily on the floor, he stopped to watch him leave and sat pitifully.
“General, could we take our leave, please?” Asked Masaki “Nino is tired and singing is very exhausting.”
“You can go.”
That night, Nino slept by Masaki’s side after drinking the medicine given by the healer he saw at his arrival. That’s why he didn’t hear Okada when he sneaked into his bedroom to watch him sleep.
Days passed and step by step, Nino found a routine. There were no lessons here, but each day, the General Okada sent him gifts to keep him busy. Games, music instruments, acrobats and even a wild animal with a leash that frightened him a bit.
Twice a day, he was allowed to exit his bedroom to walk into the private garden adjoining Okada’s apartment. This latter was a very busy man but each day he visited him.
After one week, out of impatience, he asked him to sing.
“I’ll sing once a month.” Nino’s answer was firm and of course the General linked it to Sakurai’s visits at the Court. And his heart boiled with anger like never before.
“Why once a month?”
“…”
“You don’t want to answer?”
“I don’t know, Okada-san.”
“Call me Master.”
Nino bowed in silent and sat near Masaki.
Okada expected a lot of things but certainly not that. Nino was more enchanting than everything he could imagine.
But he wasn’t meant to be his, he was convinced. He was meant to be Sakurai’s.
This situation wasn’t usual to him, far from it. Everybody kneeled in front of him since decades and his name was feared and respected on every planet of every system. So why couldn’t he have him?
He was aware that his power wasn’t enough to obtain an Angel and if Nino wasn’t meant to be his…he didn’t care after all. He was here, with him and no one would ever be powerful enough to force him to give up on him.
Okada observed the Angel who searched for protection in Masaki’s arms and he swallowed his anger to think over it.
Nino was young, he would forget, was his first thought. With time and persistence, he will end to be his only master. And once Sakurai married, everything would be easier. Not to mention the fact that he was a soldier, he could lose his life during one of the numerous conflicts of the Galaxy, like the Mitta one where the core of the rebellion was since years.
A lethal incident happened so fast. He carried on until the end of the first month, when Sakurai came back at the Court to see his fiancé.
Nino asked him to dine with them in order to sing.
Okada had accepted for the sole pleasure to hear him again. But Sakurai pretexted some illness to refuse the invitation and Nino had been more disappointed than ever. Nonetheless, he sung, but after the last note, the entire audience left the place in silent, to hide the sadness the Angel conveyed to them.
And for the very first time, Okada flew off the handle with Nino.
The Angel woke up, feeling a presence by his side and jumped on his bed when Okada, visibly dead drunk, leaned on him.
He searched for Aiba, totally panicked.
“Are you looking for your Monk? He’s on a mission for me.”
“Okada-san…”
“Master! Call me Master!”
“What do you want from me?”
“I want what I wait for since an eternity. You’re my Angel, why are you the only one to ignore it?”
“You are drunk, Okada-san.”
“Of course, I am.”
He tossed the sheet on the floor and dangerously caressed the slim body of the Angel, sliding his hand under the thin fabric of his pyjama. Then he kissed him. But it had nothing to do with the happiness he felt with Sho. His lips were wet and with the stench of alcohol and Nino stood still, terrorized, ignoring why he trembled so much, why he was so scared.
“Don’t be afraid…don’t be afraid…”
“General!!”
For a second, Nino thought he screamed but it wasn’t his voice. It was Masaki’s.
Okada turned around, out of mind and ready to punish the intruder.
“How dare you?”
“If you touch Nino, he won’t ever sing.”
“What’s with this bullshit?”
“This is the truth. An Angel having sex loses his voice. Definitely. If you wished a lover, you didn’t have to wait for so long.”
“Who do you think you are? You’re not my equal.”
“I try to reason you before you go to the point of no return.”
Okada tilted his head then straightened clumsily, freeing Nino. He stumbled and walked by Aiba, glaring at him.
The following night, he exited the Palace with his close guard and secretly penetrated the popular district of Kanda.
In the middle of the block a building was set, well-known for being the biggest brothel of the Galaxy.
He climbed to the first floor, the only one with private luxurious suites and called the owner. Dame Kei was a tall and thin woman, her black face enlightened by a red glittering lipstick, just like the dress she wore, sign of her condition of prostitute.
“General, it’s been a long time.”
“It has, alas, too busy to visit your house, Dame Kei.”
“Rosa is free if you wish, we have a young woman from Shinagawa too who just arrived, a true wild cat, you’ll like her.”
“No. But…do you have someone from the Hoshi Moon?”
“The planet of the mine? Yes, certainly…”
She turned around and with a small gesture of her ringed hand, made appear the catalogue of the employees on the big white wall.
“This young girl, arrived the last month…”
“I’d wish a boy. Small, brown, with an innocent smile.”
She stared at him, disconcerted…Even if she already seen everything in her life, it didn’t mean that nothing startled her anymore.
“Him?”
On the wall, a young man in his 20’s was smiling to him.
“Yes. Call him, right now.”
She bowed at him and after a few minutes, the boy entered the bedroom.
“Sir.”
Okada stood up and approached him, looking at him appreciatively, already undressing.
“Undress. And call me Master.”
~Ã~
“Nino…”
“Hm?”
“Do you want to play chess with me?”
“Not really, Masaki-san.”
“Masaki-san?! Why this honorific title with me?”
“Lady Aoi told me I have to be cautious when I have to talk to someone - that I was impolite.”
“She’s not totally wrong, but you don’t have to be cautious with me, I’m your friend. Let’s keep on like always, okay?”
The Angel nodded and returned to his daydreaming.
He's been living in the Palace for a month and three weeks, but he changed a lot. No more smiles or stars in his eyes, nothing seemed to interest him anymore; like at the Orchid Palace, he quickly understood that he had a special place among the dwellers of the Court.
When he had the chance to exit his bedroom and walk down the corridors, the conversations suddenly ceased. They stared at him with disdain thinly veiling the curiosity.
Of course, the Monk or the General by his side made things worse.
But Masaki changed too, thought Nino sadly.
Soon after their arrival, he began to wear the outfit of his order he never wore before. And the less he could say was that it inspired respect.
The Yamabushi were, by essence, a very secretive order and very few were the men wearing the black cape, decorated with oxblood eagles. This cape reminded, very inappropriately, their fidelity to the Emperor and there were rumors running among the Palace saying it was question of the ‘Real’ Emperor, the man died before the Succession War. Indeed, the orders never pledged allegiance to the new ruler and their relationship were based on a fragile diplomatic accord.
If Aiba didn’t felt the necessity to protect Nino, he never used this outfit, but the risk was too high and he didn’t have enough time to be subtle.
Being part of this order allowed him to be independent at the Court and he used it to show Okada that he wasn’t his superior.
The General was losing patience gradually. How much time did he have before being kicked out of the Palace?
Okada was changing. Really. Until now he has always been preserving the appearances, keeping a low profile behind the Emperor, playing the eminence grise but nowadays he didn’t even hide his ascendant on him.
Those who thought he would be appeased with the Angel’s arrival rapidly understood their mistake. His angry outbursts were more and more frequent and spectacular; behind his back, one murmurs that things didn’t work as they should.
“Nino, come closer.” Whispered the Monk.
The Angel rose and put his head on his friend’s lap, letting him caressing his hair.
“Will I see him again?”
“I don’t know, Nino, the last time he didn’t show himself, he stayed enclosed in his family’s apartment.”
“Do you think he thinks about me?”
“You’re hard to forget.”
“Well, well…” Said Okada, entering the bedroom with his characteristic soldier pace.
Behind him was a boy looking vaguely like Nino. The same little silhouette, the same hair, his half-closed eyelids hiding his look.
Okada kneeled by Nino’s side and squeezed his hands.
“I brought you a friend. Come here.”
The boy approached the little group.
“This is Ken Miyake and he comes from your planet. He's your age and from now he will take care of you. Are you happy?”
“Masaki takes care of me.”
“Yes, I know, but a Yamabushi can’t be your nanny forever. It’s high time for Aiba to resume his place amongst his order.”
Aiba’s face was closed and he had to use all the wisdom he possessed to accept what was about to happen.
“Are you…are you firing him?”
“Aiba isn’t an employee! I don’t fire him, I allow him to go back to his order, do you get it? And Ken will be by your side, you won’t be alone.”
Nino jumped on Aiba and held him tight in order to keep him; acting childishly.
“I’ll do everything you want, Okada-san…Master…I’ll sing for you, I’ll sleep with you, as you wished, I promise you.”
“Shh, my Angel…stay quiet.” Murmured Masaki cupping his face. The eyes of the Angel were wet by tears and were filled only with angst and terror.
“We’ll meet in the future, I swear. Soon.”
“I don’t want you to go!”
“We can’t help it now.” He murmured at his ear. “I want you to keep faith.”
“When does he have to go?” Said Nino, facing Okada.
Aiba stood up.
“Immediately, my Angel, Miyake-kun is already here to replace me, isn’t that it, General?”
“Yes.”
With this little laconic word he put an end to all those years of friendship and fraternal love they shared.
Aiba took Nino a last time into his embrace then, putting his hood on his head, and exited the room, his boots slamming on the mirror-like floor.
“You can learn to know each other. Ken you’ll come to my apartments at 11.”
“Yes, Master.”
Okada caressed their cheeks and went out at his turn.
Nino fell on the floor, crying a river. But he felt arms surrounding him warmly, a hand stroking his hair softly like his brother did. He was startled and gazed at Ken who smiled to him gently.
“He said you have to keep faith…believe him. Each problem has a solution.”
“Who are you?”
“Your friend. From now, your best friend.”
Rating : PG
Genre : SF
Lenght : Chaptered
Beta : Confetti shower to
chibipinkpetals Genre : Music, love and star ships
Disclaimer : I owe nothing but Arashi owns surely my soul
Summary : “An Angel has the power to pacify a crowd, to convey emotions people ignore. But…when an Angel sings for his master, this man can feel the fullness of body and mind…however, one Angel is made for a Master and only one. And the master can’t choose his Angel.” But when Ninomiya Kazunari, an Angel fated to belong to the ruler of the galaxy chooses the Commandant of the ship designated to guide him to his Master, what will happen to him?
Note: The concept of singing Angel belongs to O.S Card, I borrow it with all the respect due to his huge talent.
CHAPTER 9
The moment Nino had passed the threshold of the Orchid Palace, he knew his life was about to change. But he didn’t care. Things happened like they should and he couldn’t change anything. Why would he have wished changing anything, anyway?
Since his childhood, since the day he entered the Palace at three, he did nothing but sing. He sung his emotions and what he saw, stunning the few lucky men who had the chance to hear him.
They said he was the One, that he was the Angel meant to be ‘his’ and Nino ended thinking he wasn’t his own master. He was a receptacle; a little singing bird created to convey his emotions to the person who listened to him.
The day he sung for the last time for his old master, he had wished selfishly that Satoshi was here. He never forgot his brother and more than once he saw him in his dreams, holding his hand to wander in one of his surprising painting. Maybe would he be at the Court, maybe his master would allow them to sleep together…he wished it from the bottom of his heart.
But a step outside and he met the man he would love unconditionally for the rest of his life. Masaki told him his heart would beat for him and he was right.
In spite of the words he spoke to him, he never doubted, not a second, that he was the man of his destiny.
Usui-sensei found him on his planet for him, for the Commandant Sakurai.
They had been attacked and Masaki entered his bedroom to make him sit on the floor to take him into his embrace. The only question he asked was to know if the Commandant was fine.
“He’s perfectly fine, don’t worry.”
Nino smiled and patiently waited to see him again.
During the first days, in the cave, he could finally admire him all to his heart content. He learnt his gentleness, his smile, his strength with the crew and his wonderful character, everything was perfection in him.
Sakurai avoided his gaze, but Nino knew he felt the same way.
Each time their gazes met, his heart beat increased, his breath became short, just like his, he could hear it.
One night, when Masaki was finally out, he observed the Commandant who was asleep, slightly caressed the skin his cheek and exited the cave, waiting for him to follow. For the very first time, he was able to kiss the Commandant's lips and in his arm he found his real place, where he belonged. Within his embrace, under his plump mouth, his words of love becoming the most beautiful melody to his ears.
Then the pain, the warmth, this panic and the darkness.
Masaki told him it was because he committed a mistake but he didn’t believe him. And Sho told him he didn’t want to see him anymore.
His life stopped at that very moment.
He stayed in his room with Masaki, curled into himself, on the bed that was too big and he cried his sadness until the end of the travel.
Masaki led him outside of the ship and a man hugged him and caressed him like a child, saying he loved him and how he was precious, asserting that he was his master.
Nino heard Sho saying he wanted to leave as soon as possible and he let Masaki to drag him into his new house.
A woman asked him to lie down and bandaged his eyes after putting a burning potion on it. He heard Masaki asking her for a medicine to make him sleep because he didn’t rest since days. A few minutes later, he slept deeply and when he woke up, he found his sight back.
Blurry, but at last he wasn’t lost into the darkness.
“Are you awake my Angel?”
“I am.”
“You didn’t see me yesterday, I’m Okada Junichi, your master. I’m so…so happy to meet you, you can’t imagine how much I am.”
He was kneeled by his side and was caressing his face. His look was cheerful and his words full of sweetness.
“Masaki is here?”
“I allowed him to take a leave, I wanted to guide you by myself to your quarters. Are you able to walk?”
“I think so.”
“So come with me.”
He held his hand and opened the door of the infirmary. So many guards were posted outside and followed them without a word from Okada.
“Here, there are my apartments and you’ll live here.”
Okada pushed a huge wooden door at the end of his quarters and Nino entered a gigantic mosaicked bedroom. He walked to the fountain set in the middle of it, gazing at the bed covered by a blue bed canopy and when he raised his look a cloud of birds took off.
“This is birds of paradise. I bought them especially for you on the Kagurazaka Star. Do you like them?”
“I’d like to see Masaki.”
“I understand, you’re surely lost…but there’s nothing to fear, I will take good care of you. You will rest today and this evening, we’ll say goodbye to the crew of the Arashi.”
“Commandant Sakurai?”
“He will be here. You’re happy?”
“I will ask to Masaki to bathe me and prepare me. I have to be beautiful for him.”
Okada’s face blanked suddenly and his gentleness turned into anger.
Then he pulled himself together.
“Go, my Angel, walk around in your apartments, I will call Aiba. And tonight, you’ll sing for me.”
Nino smiled and nodded before walking to the fountain to touch the water absentmindedly. Masaki appeared a few minutes later and he sounded to be worried. Nino told him the General words and Aiba frowned.
“Did you talk about Commandant Sakurai?”
“I asked him if I could see him.”
“He will be here tonight, but you can’t talk to him. His mission was to escort you to the Court and it’s done. You have to forget what happened during the travel, do you get it?”
“I can’t forget.”
“I know my Angel, but you have to pretend with the General Okada. He’s your master and he loves you.”
“My master is the Commandant Sakurai.”
“If you say so to the General Okada, he will do harm to Sakurai, is it what you wish?”
“…”
“Stop being stubborn and listen to me. Okada is very powerful and if you reject him to be with the Commandant, he will condemn you to death. The both of you.”
“He will kill my master?”
“He will kill…your master. You have to protect him.”
Nino thought about it for a second and his look changed.
“I’ll do my best.”
“I know it’s hard my Angel…and I’m sorry.”
Aiba had never felt so ashamed in his life. What a shame for him to lie to Nino for him to stay by Okada’s side. He’d wish Nino could live with the man he chose but too many things were at stake…the peace of the galaxy at first.
He prepared him carefully, dressing him with an outfit Okada offered him rich for this so special occasion, trying to forget the fact he would sing for the first and last time for the man he loved.
When they entered Okada’s apartments, this latter was fighting with a woman. She rushed on Nino as soon as he appeared and Aiba stepped forward to protect him.
“You are here too, Monk. It doesn’t even surprise me. Junichi asked you to protect him?”
“Aoi, stop it already. I won’t tolerate your behaviour.”
“Let me see him.” She ordered to Masaki who stand firm.
Nino raised his blue gaze on her and she appalled.
“His eyes have the colour of the rain…lower your gaze, impudent boy! Don’t you dare looking at me or I’ll gouge your eyes out!”
She swallowed an awful groan when her husband, face purple with rage, nailed her at the wall. Aoi struggled to be released but Okada squeezed tighter.
“Threaten him once again, and the guards will find your corpse laid in one of the slum of this town. Do you get it? Nod if you do.”
She was furious but she finally nodded because she knew he was perfectly able to kill her here and now.
“Good. Clean your face and put a scarf on your neck, you have bruises on it. Come with me Nino, I’ll show you around.”
Nino took a glance at the woman kneeled on the floor who put her hands at her neck but the General held his hand gently and dragged him outside, Masaki behind them.
When they reached the great Hall, Nino immediately understood he will face the man he loved. He seemed to be tired and Nino worried.
But he just saw what the General Okada was able to do to his own wife without any hesitation to protect him…what would he do to his master?
So he hung his head and pretended he didn’t hear Okada as he talked about a marriage with the woman by his side, like he refrained his heart to flutter when he learnt he would come back once a month.
“Kazunari, stand up.”
He rose automatically.
“You can sing now.”
He closed his eyes and remembered this night in the glade, the most sad and beautiful moment of his life. He wanted to tell Sho how much he loved him and that he won’t be with anyone else but him until the end of his life. He sang the magical rain, telling him that since, he learnt that tears had the same taste which will always lead back to him.
Hearing the sound of the chair falling heavily on the floor, he stopped to watch him leave and sat pitifully.
“General, could we take our leave, please?” Asked Masaki “Nino is tired and singing is very exhausting.”
“You can go.”
That night, Nino slept by Masaki’s side after drinking the medicine given by the healer he saw at his arrival. That’s why he didn’t hear Okada when he sneaked into his bedroom to watch him sleep.
Days passed and step by step, Nino found a routine. There were no lessons here, but each day, the General Okada sent him gifts to keep him busy. Games, music instruments, acrobats and even a wild animal with a leash that frightened him a bit.
Twice a day, he was allowed to exit his bedroom to walk into the private garden adjoining Okada’s apartment. This latter was a very busy man but each day he visited him.
After one week, out of impatience, he asked him to sing.
“I’ll sing once a month.” Nino’s answer was firm and of course the General linked it to Sakurai’s visits at the Court. And his heart boiled with anger like never before.
“Why once a month?”
“…”
“You don’t want to answer?”
“I don’t know, Okada-san.”
“Call me Master.”
Nino bowed in silent and sat near Masaki.
Okada expected a lot of things but certainly not that. Nino was more enchanting than everything he could imagine.
But he wasn’t meant to be his, he was convinced. He was meant to be Sakurai’s.
This situation wasn’t usual to him, far from it. Everybody kneeled in front of him since decades and his name was feared and respected on every planet of every system. So why couldn’t he have him?
He was aware that his power wasn’t enough to obtain an Angel and if Nino wasn’t meant to be his…he didn’t care after all. He was here, with him and no one would ever be powerful enough to force him to give up on him.
Okada observed the Angel who searched for protection in Masaki’s arms and he swallowed his anger to think over it.
Nino was young, he would forget, was his first thought. With time and persistence, he will end to be his only master. And once Sakurai married, everything would be easier. Not to mention the fact that he was a soldier, he could lose his life during one of the numerous conflicts of the Galaxy, like the Mitta one where the core of the rebellion was since years.
A lethal incident happened so fast. He carried on until the end of the first month, when Sakurai came back at the Court to see his fiancé.
Nino asked him to dine with them in order to sing.
Okada had accepted for the sole pleasure to hear him again. But Sakurai pretexted some illness to refuse the invitation and Nino had been more disappointed than ever. Nonetheless, he sung, but after the last note, the entire audience left the place in silent, to hide the sadness the Angel conveyed to them.
And for the very first time, Okada flew off the handle with Nino.
The Angel woke up, feeling a presence by his side and jumped on his bed when Okada, visibly dead drunk, leaned on him.
He searched for Aiba, totally panicked.
“Are you looking for your Monk? He’s on a mission for me.”
“Okada-san…”
“Master! Call me Master!”
“What do you want from me?”
“I want what I wait for since an eternity. You’re my Angel, why are you the only one to ignore it?”
“You are drunk, Okada-san.”
“Of course, I am.”
He tossed the sheet on the floor and dangerously caressed the slim body of the Angel, sliding his hand under the thin fabric of his pyjama. Then he kissed him. But it had nothing to do with the happiness he felt with Sho. His lips were wet and with the stench of alcohol and Nino stood still, terrorized, ignoring why he trembled so much, why he was so scared.
“Don’t be afraid…don’t be afraid…”
“General!!”
For a second, Nino thought he screamed but it wasn’t his voice. It was Masaki’s.
Okada turned around, out of mind and ready to punish the intruder.
“How dare you?”
“If you touch Nino, he won’t ever sing.”
“What’s with this bullshit?”
“This is the truth. An Angel having sex loses his voice. Definitely. If you wished a lover, you didn’t have to wait for so long.”
“Who do you think you are? You’re not my equal.”
“I try to reason you before you go to the point of no return.”
Okada tilted his head then straightened clumsily, freeing Nino. He stumbled and walked by Aiba, glaring at him.
The following night, he exited the Palace with his close guard and secretly penetrated the popular district of Kanda.
In the middle of the block a building was set, well-known for being the biggest brothel of the Galaxy.
He climbed to the first floor, the only one with private luxurious suites and called the owner. Dame Kei was a tall and thin woman, her black face enlightened by a red glittering lipstick, just like the dress she wore, sign of her condition of prostitute.
“General, it’s been a long time.”
“It has, alas, too busy to visit your house, Dame Kei.”
“Rosa is free if you wish, we have a young woman from Shinagawa too who just arrived, a true wild cat, you’ll like her.”
“No. But…do you have someone from the Hoshi Moon?”
“The planet of the mine? Yes, certainly…”
She turned around and with a small gesture of her ringed hand, made appear the catalogue of the employees on the big white wall.
“This young girl, arrived the last month…”
“I’d wish a boy. Small, brown, with an innocent smile.”
She stared at him, disconcerted…Even if she already seen everything in her life, it didn’t mean that nothing startled her anymore.
“Him?”
On the wall, a young man in his 20’s was smiling to him.
“Yes. Call him, right now.”
She bowed at him and after a few minutes, the boy entered the bedroom.
“Sir.”
Okada stood up and approached him, looking at him appreciatively, already undressing.
“Undress. And call me Master.”
“Nino…”
“Hm?”
“Do you want to play chess with me?”
“Not really, Masaki-san.”
“Masaki-san?! Why this honorific title with me?”
“Lady Aoi told me I have to be cautious when I have to talk to someone - that I was impolite.”
“She’s not totally wrong, but you don’t have to be cautious with me, I’m your friend. Let’s keep on like always, okay?”
The Angel nodded and returned to his daydreaming.
He's been living in the Palace for a month and three weeks, but he changed a lot. No more smiles or stars in his eyes, nothing seemed to interest him anymore; like at the Orchid Palace, he quickly understood that he had a special place among the dwellers of the Court.
When he had the chance to exit his bedroom and walk down the corridors, the conversations suddenly ceased. They stared at him with disdain thinly veiling the curiosity.
Of course, the Monk or the General by his side made things worse.
But Masaki changed too, thought Nino sadly.
Soon after their arrival, he began to wear the outfit of his order he never wore before. And the less he could say was that it inspired respect.
The Yamabushi were, by essence, a very secretive order and very few were the men wearing the black cape, decorated with oxblood eagles. This cape reminded, very inappropriately, their fidelity to the Emperor and there were rumors running among the Palace saying it was question of the ‘Real’ Emperor, the man died before the Succession War. Indeed, the orders never pledged allegiance to the new ruler and their relationship were based on a fragile diplomatic accord.
If Aiba didn’t felt the necessity to protect Nino, he never used this outfit, but the risk was too high and he didn’t have enough time to be subtle.
Being part of this order allowed him to be independent at the Court and he used it to show Okada that he wasn’t his superior.
The General was losing patience gradually. How much time did he have before being kicked out of the Palace?
Okada was changing. Really. Until now he has always been preserving the appearances, keeping a low profile behind the Emperor, playing the eminence grise but nowadays he didn’t even hide his ascendant on him.
Those who thought he would be appeased with the Angel’s arrival rapidly understood their mistake. His angry outbursts were more and more frequent and spectacular; behind his back, one murmurs that things didn’t work as they should.
“Nino, come closer.” Whispered the Monk.
The Angel rose and put his head on his friend’s lap, letting him caressing his hair.
“Will I see him again?”
“I don’t know, Nino, the last time he didn’t show himself, he stayed enclosed in his family’s apartment.”
“Do you think he thinks about me?”
“You’re hard to forget.”
“Well, well…” Said Okada, entering the bedroom with his characteristic soldier pace.
Behind him was a boy looking vaguely like Nino. The same little silhouette, the same hair, his half-closed eyelids hiding his look.
Okada kneeled by Nino’s side and squeezed his hands.
“I brought you a friend. Come here.”
The boy approached the little group.
“This is Ken Miyake and he comes from your planet. He's your age and from now he will take care of you. Are you happy?”
“Masaki takes care of me.”
“Yes, I know, but a Yamabushi can’t be your nanny forever. It’s high time for Aiba to resume his place amongst his order.”
Aiba’s face was closed and he had to use all the wisdom he possessed to accept what was about to happen.
“Are you…are you firing him?”
“Aiba isn’t an employee! I don’t fire him, I allow him to go back to his order, do you get it? And Ken will be by your side, you won’t be alone.”
Nino jumped on Aiba and held him tight in order to keep him; acting childishly.
“I’ll do everything you want, Okada-san…Master…I’ll sing for you, I’ll sleep with you, as you wished, I promise you.”
“Shh, my Angel…stay quiet.” Murmured Masaki cupping his face. The eyes of the Angel were wet by tears and were filled only with angst and terror.
“We’ll meet in the future, I swear. Soon.”
“I don’t want you to go!”
“We can’t help it now.” He murmured at his ear. “I want you to keep faith.”
“When does he have to go?” Said Nino, facing Okada.
Aiba stood up.
“Immediately, my Angel, Miyake-kun is already here to replace me, isn’t that it, General?”
“Yes.”
With this little laconic word he put an end to all those years of friendship and fraternal love they shared.
Aiba took Nino a last time into his embrace then, putting his hood on his head, and exited the room, his boots slamming on the mirror-like floor.
“You can learn to know each other. Ken you’ll come to my apartments at 11.”
“Yes, Master.”
Okada caressed their cheeks and went out at his turn.
Nino fell on the floor, crying a river. But he felt arms surrounding him warmly, a hand stroking his hair softly like his brother did. He was startled and gazed at Ken who smiled to him gently.
“He said you have to keep faith…believe him. Each problem has a solution.”
“Who are you?”
“Your friend. From now, your best friend.”
