Fic update OMG!
May. 8th, 2005 12:44 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
croikMan, it's been a while. I've been trying to write so many different things that nothing got done! Hopefully this chapter will make up for the long absense~
Guilty Gear, its characters and settings are property of Sammy Studios, and are being used in this fanfiction without permission. This particular chapter is rated NC-17 for YAOI SEX.
Comments welcomed~
Thunder Falling
Chapter 10
With all the commotion her double infiltration had caused that day, it wasn’t until later that afternoon that I-no was finally able to shake all the officers off her tail. The mirror she had been charged to steal was still secured tightly to her back, though the loss of her sapphire put her on edge. But she trusted herself more than anyone, and if her future self thought she needed it more, she knew it was the truth.
As they had planned earlier, she met with Eddie and their “guest” in a long since shut down school in Paris’s northern quarter—Ky and his officers would doubtlessly put their best efforts into searching the south, Paris’ less virtuous district. She found them in an old classroom, Zato-1 seated on the teacher’s desk with Eddie resting on his shoulder, Zappa seated in a leaking bean bag chair. The latter looked different than she remembered; more innocent, maybe. He watched her with wide, puppy-like eyes as she entered.
“Um…Miss I-no?” Zappa cleared his throat, glancing between her and the corpse. “I appreciate you breaking me out and everything, but…I was all right in there. Mr. Kiske was trying to help me…”
“What’s the matter, lose your nerve?” I-no muttered, sauntering in. She untied the cloak from her body so she could remove the mirror, placing it into a cushioned satchel she had left in the room previously. It was better suited as a carrying case and allowed her to wear the mantle properly, warming her chilled skin.
“Well, you see, Miss…”
“He’s possessed,” Eddie spoke up, his red eyes blinking slowly. “As soon as we got out of there he became like this. The dog that helped you was a ghost.”
I-no frowned, regarding the boy with a frown. “A ghost?” she repeated. She leaned forward, staring Zappa straight in the face—he blushed and tried to look away from the bare skin the movement revealed. “How can you tell?”
Zato-1’s corpse lifted a hand, sliding back through his hair. “We know something about the dead,” Eddie replied scathingly.
“Hmph. Is that so?”
“I think…he’s right, Miss,” Zappa said sheepishly. “Officer Kiske tells me he’s seen all sorts of strange things happen to me while I’m unconscious.”
I-no considered him a moment longer, then stepped back, seating herself at one of the desks. “A boy possessed by ghosts,” she mused aloud. “And a mirror.” There was also the matter of her future self showing up; on her way through the city she had caught some of the officers talking, and one reported that the second Sacred Weapon had been stolen as well. There was some connection, she was sure of it. Though why she would be dragging an assassin and an empty-headed karate master around was beyond her.
“Your boss really didn’t tell you anything,” Eddie surmised.
“No,” she admitted. “But I don’t mind—I love surprises.” She smirked. “Hear that, Kid? You’re coming back with me to meet my master.”
“No.”
I-no frowned, glancing over at the boy. She lifted an eyebrow. “Huh. Welcome back.”
Zappa’s face had gone pale again, much as he had looked when she first saw him. His eyes rolled over white. “He’s not going anywhere,” a voiced that was just recognizable as his hissed. “Not with a filthy whore like you.”
Eddie glanced to her, amused and perhaps hoping for retaliation, but I-no only laughed—she had heard much worse. “Sorry, but you don’t have a choice. My master wants very badly to meet you, and he doesn’t deal well with disappointment.”
“Fuck your master, and fuck you,” Zappa hissed. “No one touches him.”
The boy shuddered, and as I-no watched a shadow formed over his left shoulder—looking, for an instant, like a dark-haired woman leaning against him. He was getting more interesting all the time. “A female ghost,” she chuckled. “I wouldn’t have thought.” She crossed her legs elegantly, flashing a bit of thigh. “Are you…jealous?”
Zappa hissed, which only made I-no laugh. “You don’t have to worry about me,” she assured. “I have no interest in a child. And my master is a man.”
“Men are honorless dogs,” Zappa spat, for a moment his eyes gleaming red. “Cock-driven lying thieving bastards, all of them. No one touches him.” The ghost’s green and decomposed hand curled like a breath of smoke against Zappa’s chin.
I-no’s patience broke a little. “Listen Honey, you’re coming back to China with me whether you like it or not. Got it?”
Zappa straightened, his eyes narrowing to half. He twisted his hand full around at the wrist, as if it were merely an idle habit. “You must do something for me.”
“Something?”
“There’s a man in Paris I want.”
I-no frowned sharply. “I don’t have time to be solving everyone’s petty grudges,” she muttered.
Eddie snorted off to her left. “You promised me Venom,” he reminded her. “For helping in your fool stunt to begin with.”
“And I want a man,” Zappa insisted. “Or I go nowhere.”
“All right!” I-no sighed in exasperation. She was beginning to wish her master had sent Raven along with her after all—this was turning out to be even more than she’d imagined, and that had been a lot. “Sure we’ve got Kiske and most of the global police after us now, but whatever makes you both happy. Christ.” She rolled her eyes. “So who’s this man you want dead?”
“Axl Low,” Zappa answered instantly, giving a shudder. “I want him.”
Eddie rose a little higher up on Zato-1’s shoulder, looking almost curious. “From the Tournament?” He looked to I-no. “He was the one who kept me from killing Venom.”
“So they’re together.” I-no relaxed into her seat, allowing a relieved grin to break across her features. “Well, then. That makes my job much easier.”
*****
Ky didn’t let his healers keep him still for very long. They finished repairing the bite wounds on his arm, and kept his neck from bruising from I-no’s guitar hit. But his head was still throbbing and his chest sore as he joined his men out in the field. They combed the city, turning out every known thieves den and questioning anyone with even the slightest criminal record. The citizens of Paris were more than happy to offer whatever information they had, which was admittedly very little, giving him only the barest idea of where I-no and her allies had fled. The thought that she might have been with Venom was making Ky furious, and soon even his officers were keeping their distance. Most of them had never seen their leader driven to such a state.
“Damnit!” Ky forced aside the man they’d been questioning—Paris’s most notable snitch when it came to digging up information. In this case he had nothing to offer. “They didn’t just disappear,” Ky seethed, leaving the building. “If she could teleport that easily she wouldn’t have had to break into both facilities in the first place.”
“What about the items she stole?” one of the men suggested hesitantly. “Could she have used one of those?”
“No, they’re not meant to be used that way. They must still be in Paris!”
“Ky!” Bridget was pushing his way through the small crowd of officers, dressed back in his bounty hunting outfit, except with long sleeves and leggings to cover his skin in the chill air. He ran immediately up to Ky and grabbed his arm. “Is it true?” he asked briskly. “Zappa escaped from prison?”
Ky stared down at him. “Where did you hear that?” he demanded. “We haven’t released any of that information yet.”
Bridget gulped, made wary by Ky’s harsh tone, but he held his ground. “I’m a bounty hunter,” he replied. “I can get information, too, you know. Is it true?”
Ky sighed; he couldn’t stay upset with Bridget watching him like that. “Yes, it’s true. He escaped with a woman, and a former master of the Assassin’s Guild.”
Bridget’s shoulders sagged in disappointment. “But…Zappa was nice to me,” he said, trying to process what he was hearing. “Why would he do something like that?” He straightened. “Maybe he was kidnapped!”
“I’m sorry, Bridget, but I don’t think that was the case at all.” Ky touched the top of his head, managing a thin smile for him. “Don’t worry about Zappa too much; we’ll find him. Go on home.”
“What about you?” Bridget insisted stubbornly. “We were out looking for Venom all last night—you should be getting some rest, too.”
Ky shook his head. Behind him, his men exchanged sudden, almost hopeful glances. One of them stepped forward. “Sir, I think the young lady is right. There are plenty of men on this case. We’ll notify you as soon as any leads are uncovered.”
“That’s not acceptable,” Ky said immediately. “We are hunting some of the most dangerous criminals in the world. I have to be there when they’re uncovered.”
“None of us will act without you, sir,” spoke up another officer.
“That’s right, Sir Kiske. We’re just looking out for your well being.”
Ky started to protest again, but Bridget tugged his arm, drawing his attention back. “You should come back,” he said, and if Ky had been in a better mood he might have found the boy’s attempt at seriousness cute. “There’s…someone who wants to talk to you.”
Ky frowned, and when he glanced away he caught a glimpse of moving shadow atop the building he’d just exited. It left behind a feel of familiar magic. His eyes narrowed. “All right,” he murmured distractedly. “I’ll go home for the evening.”
His officers sighed with relief, which he did not find entirely encouraging. He turned his attention to Bridget. “I think you should go home, too, Bridget. Stay with your brother for tonight. I’ll look after myself, I promise.”
Bridget frowned and shifted, clearly not liking the idea, but at last he gave in. “All right,” he said quietly. “But you’ll really go home?”
“You can escort me yourself,” Ky offered. “We’ll take my carriage, and then I’ll have the driver drop you off.” He took a step back. “I need only a moment to instruct my men.”
Ky spoke with his captains, passing on his orders to continue the search and notify him at once if any new information was discovered. They assured him several times over that no action against the criminals would be carried out without him present, and that he would be kept well informed. Once Ky had their promises he finally relented to joining Bridget in the carriage for the long ride back to his home.
It was dark when they arrived, and the pair said their goodnights. Ky even thanked Bridget for thinking so hard on his well being, hiding the truth that he wasn’t pleased about the interruption. But as the carriage departed, carrying Bridget to his family for the night, he was suddenly glad for the opportunity he’d been given. He glanced to the darkened roof. “I know you’re there.”
Testament hopped to the ground, his leather giving a quiet billow. He straightened. “I’m surprised he convinced you,” he admitted. “I didn’t think you would leave.”
“I didn’t want to.” Ky started toward the house. “Come inside. I don’t want anyone to see or overhear us.”
Testament followed, though there was reluctance in his step that Ky didn’t blame him for. He had no plans for a pleasant exchange. As soon as they were inside—and Thunderseal placed in its container—he turned to face the Gear with a steely expression. “Where is he?”
Testament met his gaze evenly, as if he had been anticipating this. “I said before I can’t tell you.”
“Something is going on,” Ky said, wasting no time in raising his voice. “If Venom is working with that woman I-no, it means he’s probably also working for the man who created Gears!”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Testament tried to reason with him, maintaining his composure. “Bridget and I heard that the woman was working with Eddie. He and Venom just tried to kill each other—would they really be working together under one master?”
“I have no idea how the mind of a criminal works,” Ky snorted. “All I know is I-no used Eddie to break into my headquarters, and then another used Venom to break into the R&C building.”
Testament frowned. “’Another’ I-no?”
Ky sighed; exhaustion was making his anger difficult to hold onto. “There were two,” he explained. “In the same place at once, showing up a few minutes apart. They seemed to know each other.”
“Twins?” Testament suggested. “If there’s more than one, that makes more sense than if Eddie and Venom are working together again.”
Ky nodded, though when he realized how the subject had changed he scoffed. “That’s beside the point,” he told the Gear, glaring him down again. “Whatever’s going on, these criminals have already killed three men and injured several of my officers—my men, Testament, my comrades. And you know where they are.”
“The man has done nothing against me,” Testament replied. Strain was beginning to show in his face. “When I decided not to kill humans I didn’t mean only the ones I like.”
Ky stiffened, glaring at him now as if having been somehow insulted. “Are you saying,” he asked sternly, “that the head of an assassin’s guild should not be brought to justice?”
“I’m saying I don’t want you to kill him without listening to his story.”
Ky’s hands clenched. “I can’t promise that.”
“And why not?” This time it was Testament’s voice that pitched sharply. “I’m only asking that you give him the chance I gave you.”
That stopped Ky’s arguments for a moment as the words sunk into him. His face twitched as he tried to generate a response. “Why are you doing this?” he asked at last. “You don’t know him. It shouldn’t make any difference to you whether we capture him or not. If this is some attempt of yours to teach me a lesson, you’ve picked the wrong time for it.”
He met Testament’s gaze, and knew he was right; the Gear shifted anxiously and lowered his eyes. It was a victory, but not one Ky could be proud of. Whatever game Testament was playing, he was putting it above his soldiers and his order, above the safety of the city he had been charged to protect. It was unacceptable, but it was starting to make him realize that the other thought it important. And he was starting to feel vaguely ill.
“Ky….” Testament shook his head. “I went back to the house I left Venom at earlier today,” he confessed at last. “A small healer’s hut in the south. And I didn’t find him there.”
Ky remained still, staring. “He was gone.”
“Yes. I didn’t even find the healer.” He took a step closer. “Do you understand, Ky? I know this is important to you. No matter how good a healer, Venom shouldn’t be able to move right now with the injuries he sustained, let alone do anyone harm. I always planned to go back for him, to…hear his side, so when Bridget and I heard about what happened I checked for myself.”
Ky’s shoulders drooped; he didn’t know what he was supposed to think about that. “And you were wrong,” he said quietly. “The Venom I saw today could move just fine.”
“I’m not lying,” Testament immediately defended himself. “I was with him—he was badly injured.”
“No, I…” Ky sighed. “I believe you,” he admitted, growing too weary to continue their verbal bout. He turned, heading further into the house. “Two I-nos, two Venoms…? And Chipp Zanuff…” He rubbed at his eyes. “None of this makes any sense.”
Slow footsteps followed him into the kitchen, but Ky ignored the other for a while as he removed his gloves and began to prepare himself the tea he had neglected that morning. It wasn’t until then that he realized his hands were shaking a little, and he swore.
Testament watched him from the counter. “Ky.”
“Where are they coming from?” Ky muttered in half-hearted anger. “We’re the Global Police. We’re supposed to be able to deal with these things. Beasts and criminals and magicians.” He selected a brand of bitter oriental tea that usually helped to calm his nerves. “And now all manner of madmen are running free in my city. This is our time for freedom! Do they care nothing for all we’ve fought for? Men and women gave their lives to free everyone from Justice, even them! And yet now they…”
Ky paused, his eyes thinning as he drew down the tea cup he had instinctually reached for; a small Italian style cup decorated with green, hand-painted Corsican roses. He licked his lips.
“Ky?” Testament ventured closer now that he had grown quiet. He stared down at the object in his hand. “I thought you didn’t use your tea cups.”
“Not all of them, but these…” Ky reached into the cupboard to pull down the second cup and saucers that went with them. He brushed his fingers over the designs. “I wish you wouldn’t move around the city so much,” he murmured in an abrupt change of subject.
Testament’s expression softened. “No one will see me.”
“But if someone did…” Ky set the cup down as he turned to face Testament. His chest tightened a little. “There’s already so much going on, if anyone found out there was a Gear involved as well, there’d be chaos!”
“And you wouldn’t be able to protect me,” Testament filled in.
“Yes…” Ky shook his head. “You shouldn’t have come,” he said quietly, tearing the words from some deep, shameful part of him. He didn’t know if they were true or not, but they hurt to speak. “It’s insane, isn’t it? That either of us thought we….”
Testament was watching him very closely now, and the weight of his eyes was making Ky nervous. “Thought we what?” he prompted.
Ky licked his lips, stalling. “You’ve seen what it’s like,” he muttered, turning away to keep his water from boiling over. He poured two cups and added the tea bags. “Even when it’s not a holiday I don’t have a moment’s rest. These people are depending on me. I haven’t even had a regular lover in years, let alone—”
“Is that what we are now?” Testament interrupted him. “Lovers?”
“I…” Again Ky faltered, stirring his tea with greater agitation than was necessary. “No. Of course not—it was one night. Neither of us was in any kind of state of mind to–“
He broke off when he happened to glance back, catching the expression Testament was fixing him with. He gulped. “That is–“
“I’m not a fool, Ky,” Testament told him, his gaze even. “I was there–I know what happened.” He took another small step forward, so that the leather from his clothing swayed, and brushed against Ky’s knee when he stopped. “And we both know it wasn’t just about one night. I wouldn’t have come this far if it were.”
Ky’s shoulders drooped. “I know,” he admitted quietly. “But it doesn’t mean I know what to do about it.”
Testament watched him. He hadn’t appeared nervous before, but now he seemed to be getting there. “Do you want me to leave?” he asked simply.
“No...that’s not what I want.”
“All right, then.”
They were both still a moment, not meeting each other’s eyes, as awkward as teenagers. Abruptly Testament’s expression broke in a weary smile. “Maybe we’re both fools after all.”
Ky lifted his head, but before he could question Testament leaned down to meet his lips in a kiss. It was brief, and when Ky was released he sighed quietly. “Maybe,” he agreed.
They kissed again, and for a moment Ky felt a flicker of warmth he remembered from the beach so many months ago. From the morning when he awoke to find Testament’s face too close to his own. Whatever they had done in their time shared in Sardinia to understand and console each other, whether or not their sympathy had been genuine, there was no mistaking the thrill of simple attraction. As an officer Ky hated to admit that he could be swayed by something so base. But there were only so many nights he could spend alone.
When Testament slid closer Ky welcomed him fully this time, twisting his arms around the Gear’s steady shoulders. Testament must have been feeling the same as he was; though his affections were hesitant, Ky could sense the tension of excitement he was trying to hide. They kissed, Ky’s back pressed to the counter top, until a quiet clatter drew their attention. When warm liquid splashed over Testament’s fingers he pulled Ky back to spare his uniform from staining.
Ky twisted, still caught up in Testament’s arms, to see what had happened–one of the tea cups had spilled off its saucer and emptied its contents across his counter. He quickly checked the cup for blemishes and was relieved to find it perfectly fine. He sighed as he righted it and started to reach for a towel. “I’ve been trying to drink this tea all day,” he murmured in good humor.
Testament drew him away from his attempt to clean the mess. “It can wait a while longer.”
By then the coaxing wasn’t necessary, as Ky was already giving in. His better sense was warning him against it, and he wondered briefly if he should have been ashamed that defying it was so satisfying. He wasn’t the kind of man that came home from work to a companion. Even if he and Testament were only pretending to share a relationship, for now the distraction was welcomed.
Testament tugged him out of the kitchen, but they didn’t make it as far as the stairs. Ky stopped him by the sofa–if they were going to be spontaneous about this, they might as well have gone all out.
Ky reached out, beginning to undo the myriad of buckles that made up Testament’s outfit. When he had a good enough idea of what he was doing that he didn’t have to look, he tilted his head up for a kiss, which the other eagerly reciprocated. Ky pulled back with a quiet sigh. “In the morning,” he told Testament softly, “you’re going to take me to that healer’s house.”
Testament’s posture sagged a little, his hands stilling where they had lifted for Ky’s fastenings. “It means that much to you,” he murmured.
“It’s my city, and my duty. It means everything to me.” Ky met the Gear’s eyes seriously. “But if you want to talk to him before he’s put to death–to ‘hear his story’–I’ll allow it.”
Testament watched him silently for a moment, unmoving even when the leather around his waist loosened and slipped to the ground. Finally he nodded. “All right. I will.” He returned to freeing Ky of his thick belt.
“This isn’t about you,” Ky tried to assure him as he loosened the fabric around Testament’s chest and shoulders, letting it fall as well. “You can think me a hypocrite if you want. But whatever the circumstances Venom still works for the Guild, and therefore the Bureau. I can’t afford to lose him now.”
“Ky.” Testament touched his chin, tilting Ky’s face up. His red eyes gleamed seriously in the dark. “You were wrong about me,” he reminded the officer evenly.
Ky stared back at him, and with a sigh finally relented. “All right,” he begrudgingly murmured, shifting his weight uncomfortably. “I’ll...listen to his story myself. Then we’ll decide what should be done with him.”
“That’s all I wanted to hear.”
Testament kissed him firmly, making Ky’s toes curl. They tried to take their time; relieving each other of their clothing, exploring the patches of uncovered skin with curious hands and lips. They had only known each other like this once before, in a moment of youthful desperation, and that memory rose in Ky so vividly now that his heart pounded against his ears and make his lips tingle as he sought another kiss. Testament’s body was warm with old magic, and it attracted Ky in a way that only magic ever could. As if reaching into his instinct, urging him on.
Despite the tenuous beginnings, once the last articles of clothing were scattered across Ky’s small living room the pair gave in to several months of guilty imaginations. They paused only to fetch a decent enough bottle from the kitchen with which to ease the reunion. And then Testament was turning the officer about, urging him to kneel on the sofa with his chest facing its tall, cushioned back.
Ky’s breath hissed quietly as he braced himself, Testament slipping up behind him. “I don’t know if my furniture can take this,” he confessed. His concern was quickly forgotten when Testament’s chest, already warm and moist with sweat, pressed up against his back. It had been a long time since he had allowed another man to take him like this. The gentle brush of soft black hair against his shoulders, of smooth, strong hands feathering over his hips and between his legs, made his heart jump.
“You can buy new furniture,” Testament replied, plying him gently with oil-slick fingertips. Breathless with want he carefully positioned himself, and Ky arched his back, anticipating his next action.
He knew it was going to hurt, and it did—his hands clenched around the sofa back hard enough to make the wood creak in complaint as muscle stretched. But the pain only made it more real, filling him with relief that this was no mere dream of his. For that, he could bare to be sore afterwards.
Testament was a very different lover than Ky had been for him. Using the sofa back as leverage each movement of his body against Ky’s was smooth, even, and powerful. Ky wasn’t used to such controlled strength moving through him, and he was soon trembling, whispers of pleasure seeping from his parted lips. Testament mouth fumbled wetly against the side of his neck in crude, breathless kisses. Every firm thrust of the Gear’s hips seemed to scrape the entire length of their bodies together; Testament’s heaving chest to Ky’s arched shoulders, tightened abdomen to the small of his back, quivering thighs to the backs of his legs. Never idle in his lovemaking Ky pushed back against him every time, strongly, doing his best to match the unfamiliar but captivatingly steady pace.
Ky would tell himself later that, had he not been weary from his trials that day, he would have held out longer—if only to enjoy the press of toned muscle against his back a few moments more. His climax had built with such relative gradualness that by the time it swept over him, he had long awaited the deep, pulsing waves of mind-numbing sensation. His body tightened with a slight twinge of pain around Testament’s yet buried flesh. A moment later Testament’s arms wound around his chest as he, too, gave in to release. Their joined, hoarse voices echoed in the darkened room.
Ky licked his lips around long gulps of needed air. He would have slumped forward over the sofa if not for Testament’s arms around him—he always devoted himself so fully to his intercourse that it left him exhausted afterwards. When Testament pulled carefully out of him he turned, resting against his side so he could see the Gear’s face.
Testament was still breathing hard himself. His usually immaculate hair stuck slightly to his face and neck from his sweat, his pale skin flushed. The sight of him made Ky’s eyes widen a little in appreciation, and though he intended some remark he found himself craning his head for a kiss instead. Testament smiled against his mouth.
“You’re a very…vigorous lover, Ky Kiske,” the Gear murmured.
Ky chuckled. Fatigue and euphoria were making him light-headed, and he stayed a moment longer at Testament’s lips, pretending, for a while, that this was all that mattered. “I have to make each time count,” he replied. But as they both calmed their setting and situation returned to him. “Testament…” He sighed. “I’m sorry I hit you this morning.”
Testament was quiet a moment, and then he slid a hand up Ky’s back, curling gently against the back of his neck. “It’s all right. Just try to remember, Ky, you can’t be responsible for everything that goes wrong. I know it’s hard on you. But you can’t make everything right by yourself.”
“I can try. Someone has to.”
“You’re too hard on yourself.”
“Maybe.” Ky took a deep breath, finally urging Testament back so he could push carefully to his feet. “But I can’t help it. It’s just something I have to do.” Once upright he paused to stretch, interrupting their serious conversation a moment. He winced a little at the sting in his lower back. “It really has been a while.”
Testament stood as well, seemingly content to end the discussion for now. “You’re going to be exhausted tomorrow. Let’s go to bed.”
Ky nodded, allowing Testament to lead the way up to the second floor. Another night of passion and he still didn’t really understand where that left them. As they settled into bed together he decided it best not to worry about it now—there would be plenty to occupy them come morning.
*****
As Testament had promised, the next day he led Ky through the city to the white house on Rue Beaubourg. The sun had not even risen yet as Ky burst through the tall door and into the moderately furnished household. There were unwashed dishes in the sink. But the bed had not been slept in, and there was no trace of anyone inside. No tall, bag-wearing doctor, no long-haired assassin. Testament had been right—they were gone.
Guilty Gear, its characters and settings are property of Sammy Studios, and are being used in this fanfiction without permission. This particular chapter is rated NC-17 for YAOI SEX.
Comments welcomed~
Thunder Falling
Chapter 10
With all the commotion her double infiltration had caused that day, it wasn’t until later that afternoon that I-no was finally able to shake all the officers off her tail. The mirror she had been charged to steal was still secured tightly to her back, though the loss of her sapphire put her on edge. But she trusted herself more than anyone, and if her future self thought she needed it more, she knew it was the truth.
As they had planned earlier, she met with Eddie and their “guest” in a long since shut down school in Paris’s northern quarter—Ky and his officers would doubtlessly put their best efforts into searching the south, Paris’ less virtuous district. She found them in an old classroom, Zato-1 seated on the teacher’s desk with Eddie resting on his shoulder, Zappa seated in a leaking bean bag chair. The latter looked different than she remembered; more innocent, maybe. He watched her with wide, puppy-like eyes as she entered.
“Um…Miss I-no?” Zappa cleared his throat, glancing between her and the corpse. “I appreciate you breaking me out and everything, but…I was all right in there. Mr. Kiske was trying to help me…”
“What’s the matter, lose your nerve?” I-no muttered, sauntering in. She untied the cloak from her body so she could remove the mirror, placing it into a cushioned satchel she had left in the room previously. It was better suited as a carrying case and allowed her to wear the mantle properly, warming her chilled skin.
“Well, you see, Miss…”
“He’s possessed,” Eddie spoke up, his red eyes blinking slowly. “As soon as we got out of there he became like this. The dog that helped you was a ghost.”
I-no frowned, regarding the boy with a frown. “A ghost?” she repeated. She leaned forward, staring Zappa straight in the face—he blushed and tried to look away from the bare skin the movement revealed. “How can you tell?”
Zato-1’s corpse lifted a hand, sliding back through his hair. “We know something about the dead,” Eddie replied scathingly.
“Hmph. Is that so?”
“I think…he’s right, Miss,” Zappa said sheepishly. “Officer Kiske tells me he’s seen all sorts of strange things happen to me while I’m unconscious.”
I-no considered him a moment longer, then stepped back, seating herself at one of the desks. “A boy possessed by ghosts,” she mused aloud. “And a mirror.” There was also the matter of her future self showing up; on her way through the city she had caught some of the officers talking, and one reported that the second Sacred Weapon had been stolen as well. There was some connection, she was sure of it. Though why she would be dragging an assassin and an empty-headed karate master around was beyond her.
“Your boss really didn’t tell you anything,” Eddie surmised.
“No,” she admitted. “But I don’t mind—I love surprises.” She smirked. “Hear that, Kid? You’re coming back with me to meet my master.”
“No.”
I-no frowned, glancing over at the boy. She lifted an eyebrow. “Huh. Welcome back.”
Zappa’s face had gone pale again, much as he had looked when she first saw him. His eyes rolled over white. “He’s not going anywhere,” a voiced that was just recognizable as his hissed. “Not with a filthy whore like you.”
Eddie glanced to her, amused and perhaps hoping for retaliation, but I-no only laughed—she had heard much worse. “Sorry, but you don’t have a choice. My master wants very badly to meet you, and he doesn’t deal well with disappointment.”
“Fuck your master, and fuck you,” Zappa hissed. “No one touches him.”
The boy shuddered, and as I-no watched a shadow formed over his left shoulder—looking, for an instant, like a dark-haired woman leaning against him. He was getting more interesting all the time. “A female ghost,” she chuckled. “I wouldn’t have thought.” She crossed her legs elegantly, flashing a bit of thigh. “Are you…jealous?”
Zappa hissed, which only made I-no laugh. “You don’t have to worry about me,” she assured. “I have no interest in a child. And my master is a man.”
“Men are honorless dogs,” Zappa spat, for a moment his eyes gleaming red. “Cock-driven lying thieving bastards, all of them. No one touches him.” The ghost’s green and decomposed hand curled like a breath of smoke against Zappa’s chin.
I-no’s patience broke a little. “Listen Honey, you’re coming back to China with me whether you like it or not. Got it?”
Zappa straightened, his eyes narrowing to half. He twisted his hand full around at the wrist, as if it were merely an idle habit. “You must do something for me.”
“Something?”
“There’s a man in Paris I want.”
I-no frowned sharply. “I don’t have time to be solving everyone’s petty grudges,” she muttered.
Eddie snorted off to her left. “You promised me Venom,” he reminded her. “For helping in your fool stunt to begin with.”
“And I want a man,” Zappa insisted. “Or I go nowhere.”
“All right!” I-no sighed in exasperation. She was beginning to wish her master had sent Raven along with her after all—this was turning out to be even more than she’d imagined, and that had been a lot. “Sure we’ve got Kiske and most of the global police after us now, but whatever makes you both happy. Christ.” She rolled her eyes. “So who’s this man you want dead?”
“Axl Low,” Zappa answered instantly, giving a shudder. “I want him.”
Eddie rose a little higher up on Zato-1’s shoulder, looking almost curious. “From the Tournament?” He looked to I-no. “He was the one who kept me from killing Venom.”
“So they’re together.” I-no relaxed into her seat, allowing a relieved grin to break across her features. “Well, then. That makes my job much easier.”
*****
Ky didn’t let his healers keep him still for very long. They finished repairing the bite wounds on his arm, and kept his neck from bruising from I-no’s guitar hit. But his head was still throbbing and his chest sore as he joined his men out in the field. They combed the city, turning out every known thieves den and questioning anyone with even the slightest criminal record. The citizens of Paris were more than happy to offer whatever information they had, which was admittedly very little, giving him only the barest idea of where I-no and her allies had fled. The thought that she might have been with Venom was making Ky furious, and soon even his officers were keeping their distance. Most of them had never seen their leader driven to such a state.
“Damnit!” Ky forced aside the man they’d been questioning—Paris’s most notable snitch when it came to digging up information. In this case he had nothing to offer. “They didn’t just disappear,” Ky seethed, leaving the building. “If she could teleport that easily she wouldn’t have had to break into both facilities in the first place.”
“What about the items she stole?” one of the men suggested hesitantly. “Could she have used one of those?”
“No, they’re not meant to be used that way. They must still be in Paris!”
“Ky!” Bridget was pushing his way through the small crowd of officers, dressed back in his bounty hunting outfit, except with long sleeves and leggings to cover his skin in the chill air. He ran immediately up to Ky and grabbed his arm. “Is it true?” he asked briskly. “Zappa escaped from prison?”
Ky stared down at him. “Where did you hear that?” he demanded. “We haven’t released any of that information yet.”
Bridget gulped, made wary by Ky’s harsh tone, but he held his ground. “I’m a bounty hunter,” he replied. “I can get information, too, you know. Is it true?”
Ky sighed; he couldn’t stay upset with Bridget watching him like that. “Yes, it’s true. He escaped with a woman, and a former master of the Assassin’s Guild.”
Bridget’s shoulders sagged in disappointment. “But…Zappa was nice to me,” he said, trying to process what he was hearing. “Why would he do something like that?” He straightened. “Maybe he was kidnapped!”
“I’m sorry, Bridget, but I don’t think that was the case at all.” Ky touched the top of his head, managing a thin smile for him. “Don’t worry about Zappa too much; we’ll find him. Go on home.”
“What about you?” Bridget insisted stubbornly. “We were out looking for Venom all last night—you should be getting some rest, too.”
Ky shook his head. Behind him, his men exchanged sudden, almost hopeful glances. One of them stepped forward. “Sir, I think the young lady is right. There are plenty of men on this case. We’ll notify you as soon as any leads are uncovered.”
“That’s not acceptable,” Ky said immediately. “We are hunting some of the most dangerous criminals in the world. I have to be there when they’re uncovered.”
“None of us will act without you, sir,” spoke up another officer.
“That’s right, Sir Kiske. We’re just looking out for your well being.”
Ky started to protest again, but Bridget tugged his arm, drawing his attention back. “You should come back,” he said, and if Ky had been in a better mood he might have found the boy’s attempt at seriousness cute. “There’s…someone who wants to talk to you.”
Ky frowned, and when he glanced away he caught a glimpse of moving shadow atop the building he’d just exited. It left behind a feel of familiar magic. His eyes narrowed. “All right,” he murmured distractedly. “I’ll go home for the evening.”
His officers sighed with relief, which he did not find entirely encouraging. He turned his attention to Bridget. “I think you should go home, too, Bridget. Stay with your brother for tonight. I’ll look after myself, I promise.”
Bridget frowned and shifted, clearly not liking the idea, but at last he gave in. “All right,” he said quietly. “But you’ll really go home?”
“You can escort me yourself,” Ky offered. “We’ll take my carriage, and then I’ll have the driver drop you off.” He took a step back. “I need only a moment to instruct my men.”
Ky spoke with his captains, passing on his orders to continue the search and notify him at once if any new information was discovered. They assured him several times over that no action against the criminals would be carried out without him present, and that he would be kept well informed. Once Ky had their promises he finally relented to joining Bridget in the carriage for the long ride back to his home.
It was dark when they arrived, and the pair said their goodnights. Ky even thanked Bridget for thinking so hard on his well being, hiding the truth that he wasn’t pleased about the interruption. But as the carriage departed, carrying Bridget to his family for the night, he was suddenly glad for the opportunity he’d been given. He glanced to the darkened roof. “I know you’re there.”
Testament hopped to the ground, his leather giving a quiet billow. He straightened. “I’m surprised he convinced you,” he admitted. “I didn’t think you would leave.”
“I didn’t want to.” Ky started toward the house. “Come inside. I don’t want anyone to see or overhear us.”
Testament followed, though there was reluctance in his step that Ky didn’t blame him for. He had no plans for a pleasant exchange. As soon as they were inside—and Thunderseal placed in its container—he turned to face the Gear with a steely expression. “Where is he?”
Testament met his gaze evenly, as if he had been anticipating this. “I said before I can’t tell you.”
“Something is going on,” Ky said, wasting no time in raising his voice. “If Venom is working with that woman I-no, it means he’s probably also working for the man who created Gears!”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Testament tried to reason with him, maintaining his composure. “Bridget and I heard that the woman was working with Eddie. He and Venom just tried to kill each other—would they really be working together under one master?”
“I have no idea how the mind of a criminal works,” Ky snorted. “All I know is I-no used Eddie to break into my headquarters, and then another used Venom to break into the R&C building.”
Testament frowned. “’Another’ I-no?”
Ky sighed; exhaustion was making his anger difficult to hold onto. “There were two,” he explained. “In the same place at once, showing up a few minutes apart. They seemed to know each other.”
“Twins?” Testament suggested. “If there’s more than one, that makes more sense than if Eddie and Venom are working together again.”
Ky nodded, though when he realized how the subject had changed he scoffed. “That’s beside the point,” he told the Gear, glaring him down again. “Whatever’s going on, these criminals have already killed three men and injured several of my officers—my men, Testament, my comrades. And you know where they are.”
“The man has done nothing against me,” Testament replied. Strain was beginning to show in his face. “When I decided not to kill humans I didn’t mean only the ones I like.”
Ky stiffened, glaring at him now as if having been somehow insulted. “Are you saying,” he asked sternly, “that the head of an assassin’s guild should not be brought to justice?”
“I’m saying I don’t want you to kill him without listening to his story.”
Ky’s hands clenched. “I can’t promise that.”
“And why not?” This time it was Testament’s voice that pitched sharply. “I’m only asking that you give him the chance I gave you.”
That stopped Ky’s arguments for a moment as the words sunk into him. His face twitched as he tried to generate a response. “Why are you doing this?” he asked at last. “You don’t know him. It shouldn’t make any difference to you whether we capture him or not. If this is some attempt of yours to teach me a lesson, you’ve picked the wrong time for it.”
He met Testament’s gaze, and knew he was right; the Gear shifted anxiously and lowered his eyes. It was a victory, but not one Ky could be proud of. Whatever game Testament was playing, he was putting it above his soldiers and his order, above the safety of the city he had been charged to protect. It was unacceptable, but it was starting to make him realize that the other thought it important. And he was starting to feel vaguely ill.
“Ky….” Testament shook his head. “I went back to the house I left Venom at earlier today,” he confessed at last. “A small healer’s hut in the south. And I didn’t find him there.”
Ky remained still, staring. “He was gone.”
“Yes. I didn’t even find the healer.” He took a step closer. “Do you understand, Ky? I know this is important to you. No matter how good a healer, Venom shouldn’t be able to move right now with the injuries he sustained, let alone do anyone harm. I always planned to go back for him, to…hear his side, so when Bridget and I heard about what happened I checked for myself.”
Ky’s shoulders drooped; he didn’t know what he was supposed to think about that. “And you were wrong,” he said quietly. “The Venom I saw today could move just fine.”
“I’m not lying,” Testament immediately defended himself. “I was with him—he was badly injured.”
“No, I…” Ky sighed. “I believe you,” he admitted, growing too weary to continue their verbal bout. He turned, heading further into the house. “Two I-nos, two Venoms…? And Chipp Zanuff…” He rubbed at his eyes. “None of this makes any sense.”
Slow footsteps followed him into the kitchen, but Ky ignored the other for a while as he removed his gloves and began to prepare himself the tea he had neglected that morning. It wasn’t until then that he realized his hands were shaking a little, and he swore.
Testament watched him from the counter. “Ky.”
“Where are they coming from?” Ky muttered in half-hearted anger. “We’re the Global Police. We’re supposed to be able to deal with these things. Beasts and criminals and magicians.” He selected a brand of bitter oriental tea that usually helped to calm his nerves. “And now all manner of madmen are running free in my city. This is our time for freedom! Do they care nothing for all we’ve fought for? Men and women gave their lives to free everyone from Justice, even them! And yet now they…”
Ky paused, his eyes thinning as he drew down the tea cup he had instinctually reached for; a small Italian style cup decorated with green, hand-painted Corsican roses. He licked his lips.
“Ky?” Testament ventured closer now that he had grown quiet. He stared down at the object in his hand. “I thought you didn’t use your tea cups.”
“Not all of them, but these…” Ky reached into the cupboard to pull down the second cup and saucers that went with them. He brushed his fingers over the designs. “I wish you wouldn’t move around the city so much,” he murmured in an abrupt change of subject.
Testament’s expression softened. “No one will see me.”
“But if someone did…” Ky set the cup down as he turned to face Testament. His chest tightened a little. “There’s already so much going on, if anyone found out there was a Gear involved as well, there’d be chaos!”
“And you wouldn’t be able to protect me,” Testament filled in.
“Yes…” Ky shook his head. “You shouldn’t have come,” he said quietly, tearing the words from some deep, shameful part of him. He didn’t know if they were true or not, but they hurt to speak. “It’s insane, isn’t it? That either of us thought we….”
Testament was watching him very closely now, and the weight of his eyes was making Ky nervous. “Thought we what?” he prompted.
Ky licked his lips, stalling. “You’ve seen what it’s like,” he muttered, turning away to keep his water from boiling over. He poured two cups and added the tea bags. “Even when it’s not a holiday I don’t have a moment’s rest. These people are depending on me. I haven’t even had a regular lover in years, let alone—”
“Is that what we are now?” Testament interrupted him. “Lovers?”
“I…” Again Ky faltered, stirring his tea with greater agitation than was necessary. “No. Of course not—it was one night. Neither of us was in any kind of state of mind to–“
He broke off when he happened to glance back, catching the expression Testament was fixing him with. He gulped. “That is–“
“I’m not a fool, Ky,” Testament told him, his gaze even. “I was there–I know what happened.” He took another small step forward, so that the leather from his clothing swayed, and brushed against Ky’s knee when he stopped. “And we both know it wasn’t just about one night. I wouldn’t have come this far if it were.”
Ky’s shoulders drooped. “I know,” he admitted quietly. “But it doesn’t mean I know what to do about it.”
Testament watched him. He hadn’t appeared nervous before, but now he seemed to be getting there. “Do you want me to leave?” he asked simply.
“No...that’s not what I want.”
“All right, then.”
They were both still a moment, not meeting each other’s eyes, as awkward as teenagers. Abruptly Testament’s expression broke in a weary smile. “Maybe we’re both fools after all.”
Ky lifted his head, but before he could question Testament leaned down to meet his lips in a kiss. It was brief, and when Ky was released he sighed quietly. “Maybe,” he agreed.
They kissed again, and for a moment Ky felt a flicker of warmth he remembered from the beach so many months ago. From the morning when he awoke to find Testament’s face too close to his own. Whatever they had done in their time shared in Sardinia to understand and console each other, whether or not their sympathy had been genuine, there was no mistaking the thrill of simple attraction. As an officer Ky hated to admit that he could be swayed by something so base. But there were only so many nights he could spend alone.
When Testament slid closer Ky welcomed him fully this time, twisting his arms around the Gear’s steady shoulders. Testament must have been feeling the same as he was; though his affections were hesitant, Ky could sense the tension of excitement he was trying to hide. They kissed, Ky’s back pressed to the counter top, until a quiet clatter drew their attention. When warm liquid splashed over Testament’s fingers he pulled Ky back to spare his uniform from staining.
Ky twisted, still caught up in Testament’s arms, to see what had happened–one of the tea cups had spilled off its saucer and emptied its contents across his counter. He quickly checked the cup for blemishes and was relieved to find it perfectly fine. He sighed as he righted it and started to reach for a towel. “I’ve been trying to drink this tea all day,” he murmured in good humor.
Testament drew him away from his attempt to clean the mess. “It can wait a while longer.”
By then the coaxing wasn’t necessary, as Ky was already giving in. His better sense was warning him against it, and he wondered briefly if he should have been ashamed that defying it was so satisfying. He wasn’t the kind of man that came home from work to a companion. Even if he and Testament were only pretending to share a relationship, for now the distraction was welcomed.
Testament tugged him out of the kitchen, but they didn’t make it as far as the stairs. Ky stopped him by the sofa–if they were going to be spontaneous about this, they might as well have gone all out.
Ky reached out, beginning to undo the myriad of buckles that made up Testament’s outfit. When he had a good enough idea of what he was doing that he didn’t have to look, he tilted his head up for a kiss, which the other eagerly reciprocated. Ky pulled back with a quiet sigh. “In the morning,” he told Testament softly, “you’re going to take me to that healer’s house.”
Testament’s posture sagged a little, his hands stilling where they had lifted for Ky’s fastenings. “It means that much to you,” he murmured.
“It’s my city, and my duty. It means everything to me.” Ky met the Gear’s eyes seriously. “But if you want to talk to him before he’s put to death–to ‘hear his story’–I’ll allow it.”
Testament watched him silently for a moment, unmoving even when the leather around his waist loosened and slipped to the ground. Finally he nodded. “All right. I will.” He returned to freeing Ky of his thick belt.
“This isn’t about you,” Ky tried to assure him as he loosened the fabric around Testament’s chest and shoulders, letting it fall as well. “You can think me a hypocrite if you want. But whatever the circumstances Venom still works for the Guild, and therefore the Bureau. I can’t afford to lose him now.”
“Ky.” Testament touched his chin, tilting Ky’s face up. His red eyes gleamed seriously in the dark. “You were wrong about me,” he reminded the officer evenly.
Ky stared back at him, and with a sigh finally relented. “All right,” he begrudgingly murmured, shifting his weight uncomfortably. “I’ll...listen to his story myself. Then we’ll decide what should be done with him.”
“That’s all I wanted to hear.”
Testament kissed him firmly, making Ky’s toes curl. They tried to take their time; relieving each other of their clothing, exploring the patches of uncovered skin with curious hands and lips. They had only known each other like this once before, in a moment of youthful desperation, and that memory rose in Ky so vividly now that his heart pounded against his ears and make his lips tingle as he sought another kiss. Testament’s body was warm with old magic, and it attracted Ky in a way that only magic ever could. As if reaching into his instinct, urging him on.
Despite the tenuous beginnings, once the last articles of clothing were scattered across Ky’s small living room the pair gave in to several months of guilty imaginations. They paused only to fetch a decent enough bottle from the kitchen with which to ease the reunion. And then Testament was turning the officer about, urging him to kneel on the sofa with his chest facing its tall, cushioned back.
Ky’s breath hissed quietly as he braced himself, Testament slipping up behind him. “I don’t know if my furniture can take this,” he confessed. His concern was quickly forgotten when Testament’s chest, already warm and moist with sweat, pressed up against his back. It had been a long time since he had allowed another man to take him like this. The gentle brush of soft black hair against his shoulders, of smooth, strong hands feathering over his hips and between his legs, made his heart jump.
“You can buy new furniture,” Testament replied, plying him gently with oil-slick fingertips. Breathless with want he carefully positioned himself, and Ky arched his back, anticipating his next action.
He knew it was going to hurt, and it did—his hands clenched around the sofa back hard enough to make the wood creak in complaint as muscle stretched. But the pain only made it more real, filling him with relief that this was no mere dream of his. For that, he could bare to be sore afterwards.
Testament was a very different lover than Ky had been for him. Using the sofa back as leverage each movement of his body against Ky’s was smooth, even, and powerful. Ky wasn’t used to such controlled strength moving through him, and he was soon trembling, whispers of pleasure seeping from his parted lips. Testament mouth fumbled wetly against the side of his neck in crude, breathless kisses. Every firm thrust of the Gear’s hips seemed to scrape the entire length of their bodies together; Testament’s heaving chest to Ky’s arched shoulders, tightened abdomen to the small of his back, quivering thighs to the backs of his legs. Never idle in his lovemaking Ky pushed back against him every time, strongly, doing his best to match the unfamiliar but captivatingly steady pace.
Ky would tell himself later that, had he not been weary from his trials that day, he would have held out longer—if only to enjoy the press of toned muscle against his back a few moments more. His climax had built with such relative gradualness that by the time it swept over him, he had long awaited the deep, pulsing waves of mind-numbing sensation. His body tightened with a slight twinge of pain around Testament’s yet buried flesh. A moment later Testament’s arms wound around his chest as he, too, gave in to release. Their joined, hoarse voices echoed in the darkened room.
Ky licked his lips around long gulps of needed air. He would have slumped forward over the sofa if not for Testament’s arms around him—he always devoted himself so fully to his intercourse that it left him exhausted afterwards. When Testament pulled carefully out of him he turned, resting against his side so he could see the Gear’s face.
Testament was still breathing hard himself. His usually immaculate hair stuck slightly to his face and neck from his sweat, his pale skin flushed. The sight of him made Ky’s eyes widen a little in appreciation, and though he intended some remark he found himself craning his head for a kiss instead. Testament smiled against his mouth.
“You’re a very…vigorous lover, Ky Kiske,” the Gear murmured.
Ky chuckled. Fatigue and euphoria were making him light-headed, and he stayed a moment longer at Testament’s lips, pretending, for a while, that this was all that mattered. “I have to make each time count,” he replied. But as they both calmed their setting and situation returned to him. “Testament…” He sighed. “I’m sorry I hit you this morning.”
Testament was quiet a moment, and then he slid a hand up Ky’s back, curling gently against the back of his neck. “It’s all right. Just try to remember, Ky, you can’t be responsible for everything that goes wrong. I know it’s hard on you. But you can’t make everything right by yourself.”
“I can try. Someone has to.”
“You’re too hard on yourself.”
“Maybe.” Ky took a deep breath, finally urging Testament back so he could push carefully to his feet. “But I can’t help it. It’s just something I have to do.” Once upright he paused to stretch, interrupting their serious conversation a moment. He winced a little at the sting in his lower back. “It really has been a while.”
Testament stood as well, seemingly content to end the discussion for now. “You’re going to be exhausted tomorrow. Let’s go to bed.”
Ky nodded, allowing Testament to lead the way up to the second floor. Another night of passion and he still didn’t really understand where that left them. As they settled into bed together he decided it best not to worry about it now—there would be plenty to occupy them come morning.
*****
As Testament had promised, the next day he led Ky through the city to the white house on Rue Beaubourg. The sun had not even risen yet as Ky burst through the tall door and into the moderately furnished household. There were unwashed dishes in the sink. But the bed had not been slept in, and there was no trace of anyone inside. No tall, bag-wearing doctor, no long-haired assassin. Testament had been right—they were gone.
