The Escape
Author: emmachase
Requested by: No One
Title: The Escape
Rating: R
Genre: Romance?
Pairing: InooBu
Summary: Kei's life turns upside down when his family is chased out by the royal family and he comes face to face with none other than prince Yabu!
Notes: I'm so nervous about this one... it's been such a long time since i've written anything! This one is, again, a little different than the ones I usually write, so I hope you like it. Sorry it's a big long!
In the small prison cell, a single beam of light always shone through the small barred window that was always just out of reach. It would be there that Kei would sit, feeling the sun against his skin, the only sign that he was really still alive. He had been in here for almost two weeks already… and he had lost his family somewhere along the way.
“Hey! Dinner!” A guard shouted, throwing a tray of what looked like dirt blended with hay. It joined the other tray from earlier in the day, both just as rancid as the trays that came the day before. They never removed the trays until the week was over.
“You should eat…” A voice came from behind him.
Looking between the bars behind him he smiled softly at the boy who was heading for the tray already.
“I’m okay… this morning filled me up… but you can have it if you want……” Kei pulled the tray over and slid it to his neighbor. He smiled as the young man smiled and gratefully took the tray. Even as his stomach growled he kept his face still smiling.
“I’m sorry you have to be here….” The boy said, spooning the gruel-like food into his mouth.
“It’s not your fault…..” Inoo said, turning his eyes back to the small shaft of light that struck his cell. His beautiful brown eyes stared at the blurry figures that passed, the servants that worked just beyond the palace walls. Closing his eyes, he felt his body weaken from starvation and he fell into a deep sleep. If this was the way he was going to die… it would be grateful if he never woke up…..
“Kei! Run!” A elderly man shouted as he barred the door of the home.
“What’s going on!?” He stood up, the book in his hands falling to the floor.
“Just run Kei RUN!” His mother shouted as she grabbed his little sister and made for the small hidden back door of the school they ran.
“Dad?”
“Kei, please, just get out of here!” He watched in horror as the wooden gates to his home began to groan as it seemed a team of elephants were about to ram through. His father just barely managed to secure a beam to bar the door.
Quickly, the books that he needed and the small figurine that he allowed as his only comfort found their way into the small satchel Kei slung over his shoulder. Just as he was about to make his way through the small exit, he noticed one of the school children on the ground.
“Takeru!” He ran to grab the child, his leg was scrapped up from the rocks on the pavilion floor. Quickly, he ran to the door with the boy in his arms and placed him just beyond the threshold. If he went through, the door would stay open and he knew they would find Takeru hobbling along the path….
“I want you to go as fast as you can, as far as you can and find the others okay? But above all else, do NOT make a sound. Okay?” Kei said urgently, and the child nodded. Quickly he pushed the secret door closed and sealed the pathway. Just as he reached the front door of his house, the gate burst open as squads and squads of armed soldiers ran in.
“H-help…” he whispered, but a swift blow to the back of his neck knocked him unconscious.
“Get up!” a blow to his gut shocked Kei awake again. One of the guards that frequented his cell was standing above him.
“Bring him.” The man said to two other guards standing in the shadows. Roughly they pulled Kei to his feet and dragged him along the hallway to the room he knew by heart now.
They pushed him against a wall and bound his wrists and legs to the posts on either side of him.
“Now tell me of the plan that your father hatched to overthrow the king…” The guard asked, just like he had every other day since he arrived here.
“I don't know… I don't know anything… please… just… let me die…” Kei pleaded. At first he had begged to be let go….. but now… he was tired….. and he didn't care anymore…
The reply was the same, a single lash against his back, just enough to rip the fabric of the small tunic that they forced upon his body, but not enough to cut…… yet.
“Tell me all you know….. it doesn't have to be this way….” The guard would say, pretending as if he really didn't enjoy his job.
“I don't… know…..” Another lash, and Kei’s already worn endurance faltered and a scream of pain came from his lips.
“Your father is one of the main members of that despicable resistance force…. And his dear son doesn't know anything? Ridiculous” Another lash.
This went on until the sun set in the world beyond the prison walls. At the end of the day Kei would fall to the floor, his feet bathed in his own blood. The welts on his back were treated with an ointment that burned beyond belief. Kei’s eyes watered as the guard sloppily threw the cream over his cuts. He had long figured out that they didn't provide this “mercy” because they cared for him, but only because they needed him alive to torture the next time they had the inclination.
They threw Kei back into his cell now, and he crawled painfully to the small spot in the back of the room. The light was gone now, no longer bright, but a dull soothing glow from the moon. Those same brown eyes weren’t bright anymore, they were tinged red with the blood that was on his hands, his blood.
Another day passed, another tray came and sat in the corner, except this afternoon, a guard came to his cell and grabbed him. This was strange as his torture sessions usually came on alternating days, but now… he found himself chained to a group of other prisoners in a single file line. They pushed them out of the prison doors; the bright sunlight nearly blinded him and Kei stumbled into the prisoner before him.
They were shoved into an ornate and beautiful building. They were then marched through carpeted hallways and into a grand room, wide and cool. Their feet felt so different upon the marble floors that lay on either side of the carpet that they were not allowed to walk on. When they reached halfway across the room, Kei’s eyes saw three figures sitting on magnificent thrones in the front of the room. They were made to kneel before them, and Kei’s eyes looked down now at the jade lined marble steps that led to the thrones. He knew that any sort of glance at the king without permission was certain cause for death.
“My lord, these are the prisoners that were captured with the raids through the city.” The guard reported.
There was silence that followed, and Kei heard somewhere in front of him the footsteps of the man draped in golden silk robes. He could feel the wind waft over him as he swept through the line. A forceful hand grabbed his chin and pulled him up. Kei did his best not to look directly at the king, his eyes finding instead, the King’s son. The boy caught his gaze and he smiled gently, his tinged red hair carefully brushed to the side.
“So young… what does your father do boy?” The king asked, his commanding tone shaking Kei to the core.
“My f-father, my family, we are simple… school teachers…” He trembled as he spoke.
“School teachers who would defy my reign…..” He heard from the king’s mouth and he had no response to give.
“They are to be executed immediately, take them away to the dungeons and let it be so.” The king dismissed the guards with a wave of his hands. Again the pushing came, shoves in the direction of the palace that seemed to grow less and less luxurious. They were confined to the small dungeon that was just beneath a small spiral staircase. Kei found his hands shaking still, cause for the first time since he had been here, he was afraid…. He hated himself at that moment. He knew that there was no fate worse than being a prisoner, to not be able to express your ideas, to not be able to discover new things…. And death would be the end he needed to free himself… but just as execution was around the corner, he wanted to live… he was scared… of the thing that would free him….
“You’ll all wait here until the executioner comes….” The guard said, leaving the chain of prisoners alone. They heard him walk away deeper into the dungeon and just like that, his footsteps disappeared.
The executioner came moments after, he was a sadistic looking man, with a single scar across his left eye. His teeth looked wicked and his gaze was enough to scare any man stiff. Carefully, he unlocked each of the prisoners, his arsenal of guards standing just behind him to ensure that there would be no funny business.
“I’ll make this easy on you…. If you can run….. then I suggest you run….. if I or my men catch you….. your fate is mine to decide….” He said, smiling as he tested his knife on his finger, drawing blood.
“RUN!” He shouted and the prisoner chain dispersed, the men who ran towards the staircase were instantly caught by the guards that stood there in wait. Kei didn't wait to see what happened to them. Instead he ran as hard and as fast as his legs would carry him until he found a small section of the dungeon that seemed fairly quiet and unused. He hid behind the barrels he found there and waited until everything calmed down. The other prisoners seemed to have disappeared, and Kei didn't know what had become of them. He stayed there for over an hour, until finally, he found it safe to come out. Quietly now, he made for the door of the dungeon, retracing his steps. He was almost to the end when he was grabbed by the collar by a guard.
“P-Please…” he begged but he knew it would be no use.
“ENOUGH” A voice rang through the dungeon, a different one…..
“M-My prince… wh-what brings you here?” The executioner asked, his tone suddenly warm and welcoming.
“I’ve seen your games, and how many prisoners have you lost because of things like this? It is because YOU play these games with the prisoners that we have so many rebels out on the streets! The hard work the guards put in is wasted on you!” The prince shouted as the man cowered.
“Prince Kouta… please…” He was trying to reason now.
“I should tell my father that the reason his resistance is never growing smaller is because of fools like you! And I wonder who will be your executioner……..”
“Oh no my prince please…”
“Well… I can be convinced… I am looking for a new laborer in my ward, I’ll take that boy, and since you’ll be so kind as to give him to me….. I may overlook this incident…..” Kei’s eyes widened as the prince pointed at him.
“C-certainly my prince…. “
“And since I am in a merciful mood… If anyone asks, you are permitted to say that all the prisoners were executed as per the king's orders. Is that clear?”
“Y-Yes my prince….”
Kei felt a hand wrap around his wrist and yank him out of the dungeon, the prince had pulled him across what must have been half the palace before they stopped.
“Are you okay? Sorry about that……” He panted as he rested his hands on his knees and hunched forward to catch his breath.
“Y-Yes my prince…” Kei said, kneeling now.
“Get up…. And none of that my prince stuff… I get enough of that every day…..”
Kei got up, his eyes still focused on the prince’s feet.
“You can look at me…. you know…. I don't bite….. my name is Kouta, Yabu Kouta……” He held out his hand.
“I-Inoo Kei.”
“Well Kei… come with me”
After another few minutes of running they finally reached a grand doorway, which parted to allow their entry.
“Please take care of him while I change Kaori” Kei felt so lost now, as a swarm of women dressed in ornate kimonos surrounded him. They pulled him into one of the side rooms of the small building. They stripped him of his clothes and he felt embarrassed as his naked body was visible but the women paid him no attention.
“He’s cute… no wonder the prince chose him to be his male concubine..”
“Yeah no wonder.”
“I wish I could have him…….”
Kei gulped
“C-Concubine?” He asked
“Yees! Don't you know boy that the king has forbidden the prince from having women concubines? The prince himself is still very young, and children and women are now a distraction, or so they say……” The other women giggled
“W-Wha?”
“So… in order to take care of certain urges the prince has… the king has given permission for… males to satisfy those needs…” The women giggled again as they strung garments of soft silk on Kei’s body and then escorted him back out to the main hall.
Yabu sat there, his outfit a bit more casual than the one he had been wearing just a few minuites ago.
“Kei!” An unexpected hug came and he didn't know what exactly he should do. Did he dare to put his hands on a prince?
“P-Prince Yabu…”
“Did I scare you back there?”
“N-No…” Kei lied.
“Oh…. Well I wouldn’t really have done it…. You know..”
“Y-Yes….. my prince…”
“What did I say about that…” Yabu frowned.
“I-I…I know about… why… you wanted me here..” Kei said softly
“What? You can speak up you know…. I don't mind….”
“I know…. Why you wanted me here….”
“Oh? And why is that?”
“T-They told me, that you…. Wanted a male… c-con-concubine….” Kei felt ashamed now, his eyes still unable to meet the other boy’s directly.
“Oh? I got found out did I….” Yabu’s hand caressed Kei’s cheek, gently brushing down its side until it reached his chin and a single finger pushed his face up. His eyes met the most beautiful brown eyes, and a boy with a soft complexion and a small grin stared back at him. Staring into those eyes Kei lost himself, his knees weakened and just as he thought Yabu was going to grab and ravage him, the boy’s face changed instantly and he was writhing with laughter.
“I’m kidding! I’m kidding…. Really!” He said
“I-I…”
“Kei, sit down….. “ Yabu pulled him over to the two beautiful silk pillowed chairs.
“Kei, it’s true… that my father told me to get a concubine… but… that’s not why I wanted you here….”
“I-I’m sorr-“
“Don’t apologize… it’s okay….. it’s just that life here is so boring… my friends are…. The other noble’s sons… and they’re all…. Snobs… so….. when I saw you…. And you were kind of my age…..I…. “
“Oh… I…. I understand…” Kei nodded, his situation still sinking in.
“B-But if you’d rather…. Go out of the palace…. I can arrange that too…” Yabu offered, his voice betraying the look of sorrow on his face.
“M-My family…”
“I.. I understand…” Yabu nodded, standing up, he walked to the door of the small room and opened the door, taking a deep breath of the dark night’s air.
“B-But… for tonight…. I can… keep you company…” Kei said softly, trying his best not to sound ungrateful, without Yabu he would certainly be dead meat……
That night, a feast lay before the two boys as they sat at an ornate oak table and a goblet of fragrant tea sat on the side.
“When I was little…. I loved eating all the new things that the chefs made, they’d travel and come back with dishes from all around the world, but now I think I’ve tried everything… and tonight… these are all my favorites.” Yabu said, spooning enormous amounts of food onto Kei’s plate.
“T-That’s too much…. Prince Yabu…” Kei half-bowed gratefully.
“Nonsense…. You look like you haven’t eaten in weeks! You’re so thin….” Yabu insisted, spooning three more dollops of a mashed potato-like dish onto his friend’s plate.
“T-Thank you….”
No matter how much food he stuffed into his face that night, Kei never could finish his plate, the moment any of the fine glass of the plate came into view, Yabu would throw something else to cover it up.
After listening to Yabu talk all through dinner, Kei had forgotten where he was, and when he could eat no more, he let out a small whine as his stomach was near bursting.
He looked up from his plate to see Yabu giggling and he blushed a bit.
“Sorry… you just look so… cute…”
Kei looked down at his plate again, his cheeks flushed a bit more.
“It’s already so late…. we should go for a walk and work of some of this food before we go to bed right?” Yabu said hopefully, and while Kei was more than exhausted, he agreed. The hopeful look in Yabu’s eyes were like those of a child, staring at him with hope that he could have just one more play date.
The grounds of the palace were strikingly beautiful, a small clearing in the courtyard housed a small natural spring that seemed to take it’s water from a nearby stream let the sounds of water soothe the boys as they made their way around the courtyard path. Kei told Yabu of his family, and what they did for a living.
“Wow…. And you taught so many kids… it must be rewarding…. To know that you’ve made someone’s life just that much better…”
“I-It’s nothing compared to… having to run an entire country…. Like you…” Kei caught his pride quickly.
“Kei…. You’re sucking up again..” Yabu said sarcastically.
“sorry….”
“Kei… you’re apologizing again..”
“Sor-w-wait…. What?”
Yabu laughed again and he shook his head as he continued walking along the stone laid path.
“Even if you’re gone tomorrow, I enjoyed spending time with you tonight..” Yabu said, his small sad smile on his face said more than he did, and Kei sat down beside him. Though he had gotten here under the strangest of circumstances, he had to admit, he had enjoyed his time talking with the prince, who…. Didn't really act like a prince…
“Though you are kind of a brat….” He finished his thought out loud and when he realized his mistake, he turned to see Yabu frowning at him, with eyes like a puppy’s.
“I-I mean…..”
“I know what you meant…… “
Yabu hugged him tightly again.
“I hope you find your family……”
The prince got up now, his beautiful robes swept the grass, rustling it as he walked.
“Yabu…… Maybe…. Another… day…. Would be okay…..” Kei said reluctantly and he chuckled a bit as the grass behind him rustled and the prince was at his side again.
“Really?!”
“Just… a few days…..” Inoo said again.
When they returned to Yabu’s part of the palace, Kei stood around awkwardly as Yabu changed into his night clothes and he waited for him to tell him where he would be spending the night.
Yabu’s maids showed him the room he’d take, a run down room that was dusty and a part of the roof seemed to have cracked. Still, according to the women, this was the only free room in this part of the palace.
“If…. You’d like you can spend the night in my room…..”
“I-In a separate bed!” Yabu added quickly.
And true to his word, Yabu had the maids set cushions on the corner of his room, high and fluffy enough to become a bed, they threw a silk sheet over the collection of pillows and gave him two of the softest pillows Kei had ever felt.
“Good night…. Prince Yabu…..” Inoo said quietly, laying down onto his “bed”
“Good night Kei….”
---
Morning came in the form of a bright auburn ray of light coming from the thin papered windows of the palace walls. The light filtered through the paper and filled the room with a drowsy haze and Kei stared at the ceiling like he had since the room was dark. Ornate carvings of patterns and the royal family’s crest had been staring back at him. Quietly he got up now, taking care not to make any more noise than he needed. He would escape, without the prince’s help. Already he owed his life to him, and now… he would impose no more. As soon as he reached the door, he heard the blankets rustling behind him and he turned, his silk robes fluttered behind him.
“Are you leaving? Kei?” Yabu asked, his voice more like a child than an adult.
“I.. was just…. going for a morning walk.”
“You’re lying…. “
“A walk…. I promise.”
“I wont stop you, but…don't go…please” The last word made Kei’s heart pause for a moment.
“Just…. a walk… I promise.” He said, and Kei opened the door and quickly shut it behind him.
The gardens of the palace beamed with light as the now red hued sky reflected off its ponds and kissed the bright colored petals of the flowers. Kei reached the front gate, the one he had been brought through and he knew that freedom was just a few steps away. Taking a deep breath, he walked forward and paused as a hand clasped around his wrist.
“You forgot this…” Yabu’s voice came, offering a soft cotton bag tied with a golden length of silk.
“What….. is this?”
“It’s food, I knew you were going to leave… so I had the cooks prepare something in the morning.” The young prince smiled, pushing the bag into Kei’s hands.
“Thank you…”
“Good luck….” Yabu said softly, but before he could do anything more, a runner came to the gates.
“My prince, the king requests your presence for court. It is in regards to the recent arrest of the resistance members from the school.”
Kei’s eyes flared and Yabu quickly dismissed the messenger.
“My family….” Kei uttered
“Come on” Yabu grabbed him and together they ran towards the center of the palace grounds.
Just as they arrived, the King nodded to his son and finished his speech.
“For the high crimes of treason against the royal family, you have been sentenced to death.” With an almighty slam, the doors to the side of the chamber burst open, and the guards grabbed the man and led him away. Just as the doors closed, Kei looked at the face of the prisoner, and his heart skipped a beat as he recognized it as the man who always sold hot meat buns outside the school to the kids.
“Yabu…” Kei’s eyes watered as he remembered the way the man would give him some buns in the afternoon, saying that some magical fairy had told him to feed the next leading scholar of the world. A title which Kei himself always felt embarrassed by, but could do nothing about.
“Are there any others?”
“No my lord, but using the information obtained from that prisoner, we will continue our search.” The guard reported and when the king dismissed the court Yabu and Kei were left alone in the grand hall and it was then that something caught Kei’s eyes. Picking up the small glint of silver on the ground he recognized it as the small ornate hairpin he had given his mother on her birthday. The dangling blue gem at the end was blood stained now, and he had no way of knowing if its owner had survived.
“Kei, Kei please! Just… calm down… calm down…”
“I hate you Yabu… I hate you and your family and I hate it here! How?! How do you expect me to stay here with you, when every time I look at you all I can think about is how your family destroyed mine!?”
“Kei… Kei…. Kei…. Please just listen.”
“DON'T call my name… you.. have no right to call my name… to you I’m a slave, a lowly commoner, right? What was I to you? A charity case? A play thing? A concubine right?”
It was then a swift blow to his back landed Kei on the ground, his body frozen with shock and riddled with pain.
“Yes, you are a concubine…. And I see that my son has a taste for the enemy.” The king’s voice came as Kei’s water-filled eyes refocused to see the guard that hit him and the king standing within arms reach of him.
“You’ve chosen that boy as your concubine Kouta? That’s fine, a fine choice. What better way to humiliate the resistance, than its leader’s son as a concubine for the next prince of the land….” The cackling rang in Kei’s head and his fists clenched weakly at the ground, his mind still reeling with pain.
“He’s not my concubine, he’s my friend!”
“NO!” The king shouted, and Yabu shrank back into himself.
“HE is the enemy, and HE is what threatens your way of life. HE is your concubine to be used until a suitable queen can be found.”
“I wont…” Yabu replied sternly
“You will…. I will send my advisor in three days time to collect him, and inspect him, and if he is not used by then, I will personally watch his execution, and then what would you think of your friend then? YOU will stay within the gates of your garden until I hear HIM scream your name in pain or in pleasure is up to you.”
The king left and Kei’s body passed in and out of consciousness. Soon he felt himself lifted and carried, but his mind was dark and he couldn't do anything about it.
---
Gently Yabu laid Kei down on his bed back at his part of the palace. He gently covered the boy with the blankets and bid the maids to bring cool water to bring him back to consciousness. His mind was still in shock about the exchange he had with his father and he feared for Kei’s life. He knew all about the “inspection” process that the advisors went through...
It was the same for all concubines in the palace, male or female. Being inspected by the advisors was a nice way to say raped, they would make the slaves kneel on the ground and push them forward as if presenting themselves to be taken advantage of. Whatever they asked of the person to be “inspected” was to be done and their cruelty knew no bounds. Many of the concubine slaves that passed through their hands were deemed “unfit” for the royal family and dismissed, but Yabu knew better. It was always that excuse for the most exquisite concubines that they used and had killed or sent back out to the world.
Gently Yabu dampened a square of cloth with water and let it soak for a moment as he cool liquid soothed his hands. Just imagining Kei bent forward in that… humiliating position, the boy’s eyes stared deep into his mind’s eye and Yabu shivered at their intensity. He couldn't let this happen….
Gingerly Yabu pressed the cloth along Kei’s face, the coldness of the water caused the boy to stir and awaken.
“W-What… w-Where… am I?” Inoo’s body ached and he could barely focus on the world around him. In a few moments his vision cleared and he looked around to see Yabu presiding over him and he was staring up at the same ornate ceiling that had haunted him just hours before.
In a flurry Kei threw up the blankets, angrily pushing the hand that held the cloth away.
“What do you want!?”
“K-Kei…”
“What do you want from me!?”
“I just… I wa-“
“Do you feel bad for what you did to me? Is that it? Do you want my forgiveness? Is that it?!” Kei’s voice rose steadily, his hysterical side beginning to resurface.
“N-No I just…. “
“Well forget it! I’ll never forgive you for what your family has done, and if you were looking for forgiveness you wont find it here so you may as well just use me like your father wants!” Kei ripped the robes on his body open, revealing a soft white shoulder and he looked away from Yabu, his eyes focusing on the hands that laid clasped in his lap. Tears flowed now as he thought of his family, the children at the school… the bun maker….
“Kei…you’re angry with me…. I know… you’re angry with my family… I know…but please just give me a chance… please….” Yabu placed his hands on the sobbing boy’s shoulders, he gently pulled the robe closed and wrapped the undone cord belt and tied it in a simple knot.
“I know my family has done…. Unspeakable things…. I know that… and I know that you’re one of the victims of those things…. And I know that you’re hurting because of it. All that anger inside of you…. It’s directed at me…. and you’re right, I do feel bad... for what my family has done to you. I do want your forgiveness, but I know I can never have it…. “ Yabu’s voice was soft the entire time, he spoke with a calm soothing air as he gently put his hand on Kei’s.
“I also know that… you’re the first person who has ever looked at me as more than a prince, and I know that I feel something for you…. Just talking to you for even a few minutes I felt something for you. Those eyes that talked to me on the day we met, I’d give anything to see them again, and if that means that I’ll bear the brunt of your anger then I’ll do it…. And I’ll do anything to make it up to you…” The prince’s voice was calm now as he stood up and walked to the front of the bed. Yabu looked at Kei who sat quietly still sobbing and knelt on the ground. His head bowed low as his hands touched the ground and he stayed there, his eyes closed.
“Please….Forgive my family for what we have done is despicable… Forgive me if you can….. and give me a chance…. To make it up to you.”
Kei’s sobs subsided and he turned away from the kneeling prince. His tears overwhelmed him and for the first time since this ordeal started he cried away his pain. That night, he left Yabu kneeling there and fell asleep troubled, his mind not wanting to think about anything, not the prince, not his family, and not what he was going to do.
In the morning, Kei awoke to find Yabu still kneeling before him on the ground, the prince was awake, his body wracked with muscle cramps. He was upright now, and his eyes looked like he had been staring at the bed for hours on end. Seeing him like that there was a certain sense of….. pity.
“Kouta…” Kei whispered, and the minute the prince heard his name, his blank stare disappeared and his exhaustion came in waves.
“Kei…. I’m… sorry…” Yabu bowed again, his hands presented before him on the ground.
“Stop…” Inoo whispered
“I’m sorry.. I’m sorry I’m sor- ngh!” Yabu’s voice gasped as an intense cramp hit his legs and he winced, grabbing it. Though he had felt his legs numb, he supposed it was good that he was feeling something…..
“Stop! Just stop! I’m sorry I’m sorry…. I was… I was just so… lost…. And angry and I.. I know that it isn’t your fault.” Inoo rushed out of the bed and knelt at the prince’s side. Though Yabu wouldn’t hear of it, Kei grabbed his arm and put it around his shoulders, hoisting the young boy off the ground, and he nearly fell as Yabu’s numb legs collapsed when the blood rushed back into them. He helped Kouta to the bedside and sat him down. He knelt so as to massage the prince’s legs, bringing feeling back into them quicker.
“Stop Kei please… you don't have to…”
“I want to…. after all you’ve done to me… don't you think the least you could do is let me do what I want?” Kei said half jokingly, trying to lighten the already very uncomfortable mood.
Yabu blushed as the feeling in his legs returned and he felt Inoo’s soft and silky hands massage him. Within moments all the feeling had returned and he looked at Kei who stood now, staring at the sunlight through a crack in the window. From his place on the bed, Yabu could see those beautiful brown eyes that always looked upon the world with just curiosity, and he cringed as his dream came to him and he remembered…
“Kei… we have to get you out of here…. Before three days….. “
“The guards have orders to keep you here….my lord.” One of the maids had come in to set the new bowl of water for the morning.
“What.. happens in three days?” Kei asked, his memory a bit fuzzy about this part.
“Just…. you need to leave….. before three days.” Yabu repeated.
“What happens?”
“Just…. trust me…. please…. We need to get you out of here..” Yabu said sternly, his pleading eyes made Inoo shiver and he nodded along.
“We need to get…. Us…. Out of here?” Kei said… and Yabu looked at him his eyes wide with disbelief.
“You….. want me to come with you?”
“I.. trust you…. And I know… that you didn't do any of the things I blamed you for….. and if you were willing to spend a whole night on your knees….” Kei said, twiddling the tassel at the end of one of the cushions.
“Did I win you over with that one?” Yabu asked playfully
“N-No! I’m just saying…” Kei quickly retorted
“Oh c’mon… it was so uncomfortable! And I had to pee…..” Yabu said the last part a bit softer and Kei giggled before quickly straightening himself.
“Ahem… back to the topic…. “
“Alright….” Yabu reluctantly agreed.
Yabu thought for a moment as he washed his face and Kei did the same. They stood there in silence, pondering how they were to leave the garden without being found.
“Maybe.. we could… knock the guard out…”
“But there are hundreds other like him…. just outside the garden and before the palace gates.” Kei pointed out.
“What if we… told them I was sick and….”
“This isn’t prison, and they’d just call the imperial doctor to come see you, that’s another set of eyes we cant afford…” Kei pointed out again.
“What if-“ Yabu started again.
“What if… we start a fire in the far side of the garden, they would call all available men to help put it out and that would free up the gates….”
“That’s genius!”
Preparations were made slowly over the first day, and more urgently on the second.
“We’ve got to leave before noon tomorrow Kei….”
“K-Kouta….” Inoo sat at the foot of the bed, his white silken robe laid loosely off his delicate frame.
“What’s wrong?” Yabu asked worriedly, he had noticed that in the two days they spent together, the other boy had grown a bit apprehensive.
“I can’t ask you to come with me….I-I mean this is your life…. You’re the prince of the kingdom!”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Yabu asked calmly, his hand gripped tightly for the response.
“N-No! I-I just… I don't want you to give everything up for me…”
“Kei…. If you don’t want to be with me…”
“No! I just-“
“Kei… just tell me! If you don't want me to go with you, if you don't want to be with me.. I wi-“
At that moment Kei stood up, his robe falling off his shoulders leaving him in a thin green and white tunic, he grabbed the prince’s shoulder and turned him around. Swiftly he planted his lips upon the other’s and for that moment, Yabu was silenced. The prince’s eyes widened in surprise, these last two days he was content that Kei had allowed him to hug him…. and hold him at night…. But they had never…. Kissed.
“I… want to be with you… I want to… I just… don't want you to be unhappy….”
“Unhappy..?”
“We… can stay here… and I’ll keep… being your slave….”
At that moment, the horrible images of Kei… and one of the advisors flashed into Yabu’s mind and he shivered
“No! We-We have to go”
“Kouta.. it’s okay… I can stay a servant…. I can… deal with the looks…”
“Kei… “
“I can do it…. I can be strong… for you.. and we can stay here..”
“Kei! We have to go!”
“Why?”
“We just have…. To go.”
Yabu turned to leave but he found his way blocked.
“Move… please..”
“Tell me… why we have to go… you’ve been hiding something from me.. and I want to know.”
“I… I cant…. Cant you just trust me?”
“it’s because I trust you…. That you should trust me, I can handle whatever it is…”
“In three days time… tomorrow at noon that is… my father is going to send the harem advisors to see you… “
“So?”
“Kei… they’re going…. To do things to you….” Yabu’s face turned sour as he imagined it.
“What? What do you mean?”
“Kei… they’re going… to… do things to you… they’ll kill you….” Yabu gulped.
Inoo sat down at the foot of the bed again. He didn't know what to do now…
“Kei… I’m so… happy that you’re thinking of me… I really am… I’m so happy. Don't you think I’d be just as happy with you on the outside?” Yabu grabbed the fallen robe and gently draped it over Kei’s shoulders.
“) just… didn't want you to … have to leave it all behind…”
“It’s okay…. Besides… this gets boring after a while..” Yabu chuckled lightly.
“Are you sure..? You want to come with me? I could go by myself.. and you-“
“Yes.” Yabu interrupted, wrapping his arms around Kei’s waist.
The third day came and together the two boys stockpiled their bags near the gate of the prince’s garden.
“Remember, when the fire starts, yell that the fire in the garden has spread to the pavilion and say that I’m trapped behind the flames. “ Yabu repeated, and Kei nodded. Gingerly Yabu lit a candle and placed it into a somewhat thick lampshade, it would buy them some time to run.
“HELP! HELP! Fire! The prince is trapped in the collapsed pavilion!” Kei shouted out loud as he ran behind Yabu. When the first guard came into view, he pushed Kouta in between one of the buildings and urged the soldiers along, pointing them in the direction of the garden.
“Fire! Help!” Kei continued as they charged for the gate, picking up their bags as they ran. The guards at the gate were gone now, and the two boys quickly snaked their way out, heading for the small forest just at the edge of the palace grounds. By now the smoke of the fire was clearly visible and the two boys didn't bother to see if they were being followed.
When high noon came, the two boys stopped, reaching the edge of the forest they looked out at the buzzing town and let out a sigh of relief.
“We did it….” They laughed as they collapsed onto the dirt road. When they had rested from their run, the two boys stood now at the edge of their new life and smiled at each other. Kei held out his hand and grinned.
“Well Prince Yabu…. Are you ready to start your life as a commoner?”
“You bet.”
Their hands joined and together they took their first steps into their new world and they never looked back.
--- Two years later ---
“Kei! I’m home!”
“Hey! I said take off your boots before you get into the house!
“Sorry sorry…”
“How are they looking today..?” Kei asked, his white silken tunic from the palace was replaced now with simple blue cotton tunics, they were a bit dirty, but he didn't mind. He put his hands on his husband’s shoulders and gave him a massage like he did every night.
“They look good and if things keep going this way we’ll have a big harvest this year too. Ah a little higher please Kei…” Yabu winced, he undid the straps that kept the sleeves of his own brown tunic from getting dirty in the fields.
“Remember when you couldn't even swing a hoe…..” Inoo chuckled
“Remember when you couldn’t cook?” Yabu retorted, and the couple stared into each others eyes for a moment before bursting out into laughter.
“Well, like it or not, I cooked tonight….” Kei kissed his husband on the cheek and turned to go into the kitchen. He returned with two covered plates
“Like you always do….” Yabu grinned
“Well… today I went into the town market and got us some chicken….
“Oooo” Yabu rubbed his hands together eagerly
As they sat down to dine, the two boys looked at each other with love in their eyes and they smiled as they knew just what the other was thinking. Even though they had thought of it everyday for the last two years, their journey together always brought a smile to their faces, and for the rest of their lives together, every dinner begun with a smile that grew broader with the years…..
“I love you Kei…”
“I love you Kouta……”
The two kissed and with much pride in their new and warm home… they dug into the most delicious meal they’d had yet.
---
Slowly but surely…. I’m writing…. I’m writing! I swear sometimes it’s the only thing keeping me sane…. And strangely enough this story came to me in a dream….. so I had to… improvise some of it…. (cause really who remembers a dream 100%?) but I hope you liked it!
As always, comments are greatly appreciated but please don't feel obligated! I would like to know what you think!
~Emmie
Requested by: No One
Title: The Escape
Rating: R
Genre: Romance?
Pairing: InooBu
Summary: Kei's life turns upside down when his family is chased out by the royal family and he comes face to face with none other than prince Yabu!
Notes: I'm so nervous about this one... it's been such a long time since i've written anything! This one is, again, a little different than the ones I usually write, so I hope you like it. Sorry it's a big long!
In the small prison cell, a single beam of light always shone through the small barred window that was always just out of reach. It would be there that Kei would sit, feeling the sun against his skin, the only sign that he was really still alive. He had been in here for almost two weeks already… and he had lost his family somewhere along the way.
“Hey! Dinner!” A guard shouted, throwing a tray of what looked like dirt blended with hay. It joined the other tray from earlier in the day, both just as rancid as the trays that came the day before. They never removed the trays until the week was over.
“You should eat…” A voice came from behind him.
Looking between the bars behind him he smiled softly at the boy who was heading for the tray already.
“I’m okay… this morning filled me up… but you can have it if you want……” Kei pulled the tray over and slid it to his neighbor. He smiled as the young man smiled and gratefully took the tray. Even as his stomach growled he kept his face still smiling.
“I’m sorry you have to be here….” The boy said, spooning the gruel-like food into his mouth.
“It’s not your fault…..” Inoo said, turning his eyes back to the small shaft of light that struck his cell. His beautiful brown eyes stared at the blurry figures that passed, the servants that worked just beyond the palace walls. Closing his eyes, he felt his body weaken from starvation and he fell into a deep sleep. If this was the way he was going to die… it would be grateful if he never woke up…..
“Kei! Run!” A elderly man shouted as he barred the door of the home.
“What’s going on!?” He stood up, the book in his hands falling to the floor.
“Just run Kei RUN!” His mother shouted as she grabbed his little sister and made for the small hidden back door of the school they ran.
“Dad?”
“Kei, please, just get out of here!” He watched in horror as the wooden gates to his home began to groan as it seemed a team of elephants were about to ram through. His father just barely managed to secure a beam to bar the door.
Quickly, the books that he needed and the small figurine that he allowed as his only comfort found their way into the small satchel Kei slung over his shoulder. Just as he was about to make his way through the small exit, he noticed one of the school children on the ground.
“Takeru!” He ran to grab the child, his leg was scrapped up from the rocks on the pavilion floor. Quickly, he ran to the door with the boy in his arms and placed him just beyond the threshold. If he went through, the door would stay open and he knew they would find Takeru hobbling along the path….
“I want you to go as fast as you can, as far as you can and find the others okay? But above all else, do NOT make a sound. Okay?” Kei said urgently, and the child nodded. Quickly he pushed the secret door closed and sealed the pathway. Just as he reached the front door of his house, the gate burst open as squads and squads of armed soldiers ran in.
“H-help…” he whispered, but a swift blow to the back of his neck knocked him unconscious.
“Get up!” a blow to his gut shocked Kei awake again. One of the guards that frequented his cell was standing above him.
“Bring him.” The man said to two other guards standing in the shadows. Roughly they pulled Kei to his feet and dragged him along the hallway to the room he knew by heart now.
They pushed him against a wall and bound his wrists and legs to the posts on either side of him.
“Now tell me of the plan that your father hatched to overthrow the king…” The guard asked, just like he had every other day since he arrived here.
“I don't know… I don't know anything… please… just… let me die…” Kei pleaded. At first he had begged to be let go….. but now… he was tired….. and he didn't care anymore…
The reply was the same, a single lash against his back, just enough to rip the fabric of the small tunic that they forced upon his body, but not enough to cut…… yet.
“Tell me all you know….. it doesn't have to be this way….” The guard would say, pretending as if he really didn't enjoy his job.
“I don't… know…..” Another lash, and Kei’s already worn endurance faltered and a scream of pain came from his lips.
“Your father is one of the main members of that despicable resistance force…. And his dear son doesn't know anything? Ridiculous” Another lash.
This went on until the sun set in the world beyond the prison walls. At the end of the day Kei would fall to the floor, his feet bathed in his own blood. The welts on his back were treated with an ointment that burned beyond belief. Kei’s eyes watered as the guard sloppily threw the cream over his cuts. He had long figured out that they didn't provide this “mercy” because they cared for him, but only because they needed him alive to torture the next time they had the inclination.
They threw Kei back into his cell now, and he crawled painfully to the small spot in the back of the room. The light was gone now, no longer bright, but a dull soothing glow from the moon. Those same brown eyes weren’t bright anymore, they were tinged red with the blood that was on his hands, his blood.
Another day passed, another tray came and sat in the corner, except this afternoon, a guard came to his cell and grabbed him. This was strange as his torture sessions usually came on alternating days, but now… he found himself chained to a group of other prisoners in a single file line. They pushed them out of the prison doors; the bright sunlight nearly blinded him and Kei stumbled into the prisoner before him.
They were shoved into an ornate and beautiful building. They were then marched through carpeted hallways and into a grand room, wide and cool. Their feet felt so different upon the marble floors that lay on either side of the carpet that they were not allowed to walk on. When they reached halfway across the room, Kei’s eyes saw three figures sitting on magnificent thrones in the front of the room. They were made to kneel before them, and Kei’s eyes looked down now at the jade lined marble steps that led to the thrones. He knew that any sort of glance at the king without permission was certain cause for death.
“My lord, these are the prisoners that were captured with the raids through the city.” The guard reported.
There was silence that followed, and Kei heard somewhere in front of him the footsteps of the man draped in golden silk robes. He could feel the wind waft over him as he swept through the line. A forceful hand grabbed his chin and pulled him up. Kei did his best not to look directly at the king, his eyes finding instead, the King’s son. The boy caught his gaze and he smiled gently, his tinged red hair carefully brushed to the side.
“So young… what does your father do boy?” The king asked, his commanding tone shaking Kei to the core.
“My f-father, my family, we are simple… school teachers…” He trembled as he spoke.
“School teachers who would defy my reign…..” He heard from the king’s mouth and he had no response to give.
“They are to be executed immediately, take them away to the dungeons and let it be so.” The king dismissed the guards with a wave of his hands. Again the pushing came, shoves in the direction of the palace that seemed to grow less and less luxurious. They were confined to the small dungeon that was just beneath a small spiral staircase. Kei found his hands shaking still, cause for the first time since he had been here, he was afraid…. He hated himself at that moment. He knew that there was no fate worse than being a prisoner, to not be able to express your ideas, to not be able to discover new things…. And death would be the end he needed to free himself… but just as execution was around the corner, he wanted to live… he was scared… of the thing that would free him….
“You’ll all wait here until the executioner comes….” The guard said, leaving the chain of prisoners alone. They heard him walk away deeper into the dungeon and just like that, his footsteps disappeared.
The executioner came moments after, he was a sadistic looking man, with a single scar across his left eye. His teeth looked wicked and his gaze was enough to scare any man stiff. Carefully, he unlocked each of the prisoners, his arsenal of guards standing just behind him to ensure that there would be no funny business.
“I’ll make this easy on you…. If you can run….. then I suggest you run….. if I or my men catch you….. your fate is mine to decide….” He said, smiling as he tested his knife on his finger, drawing blood.
“RUN!” He shouted and the prisoner chain dispersed, the men who ran towards the staircase were instantly caught by the guards that stood there in wait. Kei didn't wait to see what happened to them. Instead he ran as hard and as fast as his legs would carry him until he found a small section of the dungeon that seemed fairly quiet and unused. He hid behind the barrels he found there and waited until everything calmed down. The other prisoners seemed to have disappeared, and Kei didn't know what had become of them. He stayed there for over an hour, until finally, he found it safe to come out. Quietly now, he made for the door of the dungeon, retracing his steps. He was almost to the end when he was grabbed by the collar by a guard.
“P-Please…” he begged but he knew it would be no use.
“ENOUGH” A voice rang through the dungeon, a different one…..
“M-My prince… wh-what brings you here?” The executioner asked, his tone suddenly warm and welcoming.
“I’ve seen your games, and how many prisoners have you lost because of things like this? It is because YOU play these games with the prisoners that we have so many rebels out on the streets! The hard work the guards put in is wasted on you!” The prince shouted as the man cowered.
“Prince Kouta… please…” He was trying to reason now.
“I should tell my father that the reason his resistance is never growing smaller is because of fools like you! And I wonder who will be your executioner……..”
“Oh no my prince please…”
“Well… I can be convinced… I am looking for a new laborer in my ward, I’ll take that boy, and since you’ll be so kind as to give him to me….. I may overlook this incident…..” Kei’s eyes widened as the prince pointed at him.
“C-certainly my prince…. “
“And since I am in a merciful mood… If anyone asks, you are permitted to say that all the prisoners were executed as per the king's orders. Is that clear?”
“Y-Yes my prince….”
Kei felt a hand wrap around his wrist and yank him out of the dungeon, the prince had pulled him across what must have been half the palace before they stopped.
“Are you okay? Sorry about that……” He panted as he rested his hands on his knees and hunched forward to catch his breath.
“Y-Yes my prince…” Kei said, kneeling now.
“Get up…. And none of that my prince stuff… I get enough of that every day…..”
Kei got up, his eyes still focused on the prince’s feet.
“You can look at me…. you know…. I don't bite….. my name is Kouta, Yabu Kouta……” He held out his hand.
“I-Inoo Kei.”
“Well Kei… come with me”
After another few minutes of running they finally reached a grand doorway, which parted to allow their entry.
“Please take care of him while I change Kaori” Kei felt so lost now, as a swarm of women dressed in ornate kimonos surrounded him. They pulled him into one of the side rooms of the small building. They stripped him of his clothes and he felt embarrassed as his naked body was visible but the women paid him no attention.
“He’s cute… no wonder the prince chose him to be his male concubine..”
“Yeah no wonder.”
“I wish I could have him…….”
Kei gulped
“C-Concubine?” He asked
“Yees! Don't you know boy that the king has forbidden the prince from having women concubines? The prince himself is still very young, and children and women are now a distraction, or so they say……” The other women giggled
“W-Wha?”
“So… in order to take care of certain urges the prince has… the king has given permission for… males to satisfy those needs…” The women giggled again as they strung garments of soft silk on Kei’s body and then escorted him back out to the main hall.
Yabu sat there, his outfit a bit more casual than the one he had been wearing just a few minuites ago.
“Kei!” An unexpected hug came and he didn't know what exactly he should do. Did he dare to put his hands on a prince?
“P-Prince Yabu…”
“Did I scare you back there?”
“N-No…” Kei lied.
“Oh…. Well I wouldn’t really have done it…. You know..”
“Y-Yes….. my prince…”
“What did I say about that…” Yabu frowned.
“I-I…I know about… why… you wanted me here..” Kei said softly
“What? You can speak up you know…. I don't mind….”
“I know…. Why you wanted me here….”
“Oh? And why is that?”
“T-They told me, that you…. Wanted a male… c-con-concubine….” Kei felt ashamed now, his eyes still unable to meet the other boy’s directly.
“Oh? I got found out did I….” Yabu’s hand caressed Kei’s cheek, gently brushing down its side until it reached his chin and a single finger pushed his face up. His eyes met the most beautiful brown eyes, and a boy with a soft complexion and a small grin stared back at him. Staring into those eyes Kei lost himself, his knees weakened and just as he thought Yabu was going to grab and ravage him, the boy’s face changed instantly and he was writhing with laughter.
“I’m kidding! I’m kidding…. Really!” He said
“I-I…”
“Kei, sit down….. “ Yabu pulled him over to the two beautiful silk pillowed chairs.
“Kei, it’s true… that my father told me to get a concubine… but… that’s not why I wanted you here….”
“I-I’m sorr-“
“Don’t apologize… it’s okay….. it’s just that life here is so boring… my friends are…. The other noble’s sons… and they’re all…. Snobs… so….. when I saw you…. And you were kind of my age…..I…. “
“Oh… I…. I understand…” Kei nodded, his situation still sinking in.
“B-But if you’d rather…. Go out of the palace…. I can arrange that too…” Yabu offered, his voice betraying the look of sorrow on his face.
“M-My family…”
“I.. I understand…” Yabu nodded, standing up, he walked to the door of the small room and opened the door, taking a deep breath of the dark night’s air.
“B-But… for tonight…. I can… keep you company…” Kei said softly, trying his best not to sound ungrateful, without Yabu he would certainly be dead meat……
That night, a feast lay before the two boys as they sat at an ornate oak table and a goblet of fragrant tea sat on the side.
“When I was little…. I loved eating all the new things that the chefs made, they’d travel and come back with dishes from all around the world, but now I think I’ve tried everything… and tonight… these are all my favorites.” Yabu said, spooning enormous amounts of food onto Kei’s plate.
“T-That’s too much…. Prince Yabu…” Kei half-bowed gratefully.
“Nonsense…. You look like you haven’t eaten in weeks! You’re so thin….” Yabu insisted, spooning three more dollops of a mashed potato-like dish onto his friend’s plate.
“T-Thank you….”
No matter how much food he stuffed into his face that night, Kei never could finish his plate, the moment any of the fine glass of the plate came into view, Yabu would throw something else to cover it up.
After listening to Yabu talk all through dinner, Kei had forgotten where he was, and when he could eat no more, he let out a small whine as his stomach was near bursting.
He looked up from his plate to see Yabu giggling and he blushed a bit.
“Sorry… you just look so… cute…”
Kei looked down at his plate again, his cheeks flushed a bit more.
“It’s already so late…. we should go for a walk and work of some of this food before we go to bed right?” Yabu said hopefully, and while Kei was more than exhausted, he agreed. The hopeful look in Yabu’s eyes were like those of a child, staring at him with hope that he could have just one more play date.
The grounds of the palace were strikingly beautiful, a small clearing in the courtyard housed a small natural spring that seemed to take it’s water from a nearby stream let the sounds of water soothe the boys as they made their way around the courtyard path. Kei told Yabu of his family, and what they did for a living.
“Wow…. And you taught so many kids… it must be rewarding…. To know that you’ve made someone’s life just that much better…”
“I-It’s nothing compared to… having to run an entire country…. Like you…” Kei caught his pride quickly.
“Kei…. You’re sucking up again..” Yabu said sarcastically.
“sorry….”
“Kei… you’re apologizing again..”
“Sor-w-wait…. What?”
Yabu laughed again and he shook his head as he continued walking along the stone laid path.
“Even if you’re gone tomorrow, I enjoyed spending time with you tonight..” Yabu said, his small sad smile on his face said more than he did, and Kei sat down beside him. Though he had gotten here under the strangest of circumstances, he had to admit, he had enjoyed his time talking with the prince, who…. Didn't really act like a prince…
“Though you are kind of a brat….” He finished his thought out loud and when he realized his mistake, he turned to see Yabu frowning at him, with eyes like a puppy’s.
“I-I mean…..”
“I know what you meant…… “
Yabu hugged him tightly again.
“I hope you find your family……”
The prince got up now, his beautiful robes swept the grass, rustling it as he walked.
“Yabu…… Maybe…. Another… day…. Would be okay…..” Kei said reluctantly and he chuckled a bit as the grass behind him rustled and the prince was at his side again.
“Really?!”
“Just… a few days…..” Inoo said again.
When they returned to Yabu’s part of the palace, Kei stood around awkwardly as Yabu changed into his night clothes and he waited for him to tell him where he would be spending the night.
Yabu’s maids showed him the room he’d take, a run down room that was dusty and a part of the roof seemed to have cracked. Still, according to the women, this was the only free room in this part of the palace.
“If…. You’d like you can spend the night in my room…..”
“I-In a separate bed!” Yabu added quickly.
And true to his word, Yabu had the maids set cushions on the corner of his room, high and fluffy enough to become a bed, they threw a silk sheet over the collection of pillows and gave him two of the softest pillows Kei had ever felt.
“Good night…. Prince Yabu…..” Inoo said quietly, laying down onto his “bed”
“Good night Kei….”
---
Morning came in the form of a bright auburn ray of light coming from the thin papered windows of the palace walls. The light filtered through the paper and filled the room with a drowsy haze and Kei stared at the ceiling like he had since the room was dark. Ornate carvings of patterns and the royal family’s crest had been staring back at him. Quietly he got up now, taking care not to make any more noise than he needed. He would escape, without the prince’s help. Already he owed his life to him, and now… he would impose no more. As soon as he reached the door, he heard the blankets rustling behind him and he turned, his silk robes fluttered behind him.
“Are you leaving? Kei?” Yabu asked, his voice more like a child than an adult.
“I.. was just…. going for a morning walk.”
“You’re lying…. “
“A walk…. I promise.”
“I wont stop you, but…don't go…please” The last word made Kei’s heart pause for a moment.
“Just…. a walk… I promise.” He said, and Kei opened the door and quickly shut it behind him.
The gardens of the palace beamed with light as the now red hued sky reflected off its ponds and kissed the bright colored petals of the flowers. Kei reached the front gate, the one he had been brought through and he knew that freedom was just a few steps away. Taking a deep breath, he walked forward and paused as a hand clasped around his wrist.
“You forgot this…” Yabu’s voice came, offering a soft cotton bag tied with a golden length of silk.
“What….. is this?”
“It’s food, I knew you were going to leave… so I had the cooks prepare something in the morning.” The young prince smiled, pushing the bag into Kei’s hands.
“Thank you…”
“Good luck….” Yabu said softly, but before he could do anything more, a runner came to the gates.
“My prince, the king requests your presence for court. It is in regards to the recent arrest of the resistance members from the school.”
Kei’s eyes flared and Yabu quickly dismissed the messenger.
“My family….” Kei uttered
“Come on” Yabu grabbed him and together they ran towards the center of the palace grounds.
Just as they arrived, the King nodded to his son and finished his speech.
“For the high crimes of treason against the royal family, you have been sentenced to death.” With an almighty slam, the doors to the side of the chamber burst open, and the guards grabbed the man and led him away. Just as the doors closed, Kei looked at the face of the prisoner, and his heart skipped a beat as he recognized it as the man who always sold hot meat buns outside the school to the kids.
“Yabu…” Kei’s eyes watered as he remembered the way the man would give him some buns in the afternoon, saying that some magical fairy had told him to feed the next leading scholar of the world. A title which Kei himself always felt embarrassed by, but could do nothing about.
“Are there any others?”
“No my lord, but using the information obtained from that prisoner, we will continue our search.” The guard reported and when the king dismissed the court Yabu and Kei were left alone in the grand hall and it was then that something caught Kei’s eyes. Picking up the small glint of silver on the ground he recognized it as the small ornate hairpin he had given his mother on her birthday. The dangling blue gem at the end was blood stained now, and he had no way of knowing if its owner had survived.
“Kei, Kei please! Just… calm down… calm down…”
“I hate you Yabu… I hate you and your family and I hate it here! How?! How do you expect me to stay here with you, when every time I look at you all I can think about is how your family destroyed mine!?”
“Kei… Kei…. Kei…. Please just listen.”
“DON'T call my name… you.. have no right to call my name… to you I’m a slave, a lowly commoner, right? What was I to you? A charity case? A play thing? A concubine right?”
It was then a swift blow to his back landed Kei on the ground, his body frozen with shock and riddled with pain.
“Yes, you are a concubine…. And I see that my son has a taste for the enemy.” The king’s voice came as Kei’s water-filled eyes refocused to see the guard that hit him and the king standing within arms reach of him.
“You’ve chosen that boy as your concubine Kouta? That’s fine, a fine choice. What better way to humiliate the resistance, than its leader’s son as a concubine for the next prince of the land….” The cackling rang in Kei’s head and his fists clenched weakly at the ground, his mind still reeling with pain.
“He’s not my concubine, he’s my friend!”
“NO!” The king shouted, and Yabu shrank back into himself.
“HE is the enemy, and HE is what threatens your way of life. HE is your concubine to be used until a suitable queen can be found.”
“I wont…” Yabu replied sternly
“You will…. I will send my advisor in three days time to collect him, and inspect him, and if he is not used by then, I will personally watch his execution, and then what would you think of your friend then? YOU will stay within the gates of your garden until I hear HIM scream your name in pain or in pleasure is up to you.”
The king left and Kei’s body passed in and out of consciousness. Soon he felt himself lifted and carried, but his mind was dark and he couldn't do anything about it.
---
Gently Yabu laid Kei down on his bed back at his part of the palace. He gently covered the boy with the blankets and bid the maids to bring cool water to bring him back to consciousness. His mind was still in shock about the exchange he had with his father and he feared for Kei’s life. He knew all about the “inspection” process that the advisors went through...
It was the same for all concubines in the palace, male or female. Being inspected by the advisors was a nice way to say raped, they would make the slaves kneel on the ground and push them forward as if presenting themselves to be taken advantage of. Whatever they asked of the person to be “inspected” was to be done and their cruelty knew no bounds. Many of the concubine slaves that passed through their hands were deemed “unfit” for the royal family and dismissed, but Yabu knew better. It was always that excuse for the most exquisite concubines that they used and had killed or sent back out to the world.
Gently Yabu dampened a square of cloth with water and let it soak for a moment as he cool liquid soothed his hands. Just imagining Kei bent forward in that… humiliating position, the boy’s eyes stared deep into his mind’s eye and Yabu shivered at their intensity. He couldn't let this happen….
Gingerly Yabu pressed the cloth along Kei’s face, the coldness of the water caused the boy to stir and awaken.
“W-What… w-Where… am I?” Inoo’s body ached and he could barely focus on the world around him. In a few moments his vision cleared and he looked around to see Yabu presiding over him and he was staring up at the same ornate ceiling that had haunted him just hours before.
In a flurry Kei threw up the blankets, angrily pushing the hand that held the cloth away.
“What do you want!?”
“K-Kei…”
“What do you want from me!?”
“I just… I wa-“
“Do you feel bad for what you did to me? Is that it? Do you want my forgiveness? Is that it?!” Kei’s voice rose steadily, his hysterical side beginning to resurface.
“N-No I just…. “
“Well forget it! I’ll never forgive you for what your family has done, and if you were looking for forgiveness you wont find it here so you may as well just use me like your father wants!” Kei ripped the robes on his body open, revealing a soft white shoulder and he looked away from Yabu, his eyes focusing on the hands that laid clasped in his lap. Tears flowed now as he thought of his family, the children at the school… the bun maker….
“Kei…you’re angry with me…. I know… you’re angry with my family… I know…but please just give me a chance… please….” Yabu placed his hands on the sobbing boy’s shoulders, he gently pulled the robe closed and wrapped the undone cord belt and tied it in a simple knot.
“I know my family has done…. Unspeakable things…. I know that… and I know that you’re one of the victims of those things…. And I know that you’re hurting because of it. All that anger inside of you…. It’s directed at me…. and you’re right, I do feel bad... for what my family has done to you. I do want your forgiveness, but I know I can never have it…. “ Yabu’s voice was soft the entire time, he spoke with a calm soothing air as he gently put his hand on Kei’s.
“I also know that… you’re the first person who has ever looked at me as more than a prince, and I know that I feel something for you…. Just talking to you for even a few minutes I felt something for you. Those eyes that talked to me on the day we met, I’d give anything to see them again, and if that means that I’ll bear the brunt of your anger then I’ll do it…. And I’ll do anything to make it up to you…” The prince’s voice was calm now as he stood up and walked to the front of the bed. Yabu looked at Kei who sat quietly still sobbing and knelt on the ground. His head bowed low as his hands touched the ground and he stayed there, his eyes closed.
“Please….Forgive my family for what we have done is despicable… Forgive me if you can….. and give me a chance…. To make it up to you.”
Kei’s sobs subsided and he turned away from the kneeling prince. His tears overwhelmed him and for the first time since this ordeal started he cried away his pain. That night, he left Yabu kneeling there and fell asleep troubled, his mind not wanting to think about anything, not the prince, not his family, and not what he was going to do.
In the morning, Kei awoke to find Yabu still kneeling before him on the ground, the prince was awake, his body wracked with muscle cramps. He was upright now, and his eyes looked like he had been staring at the bed for hours on end. Seeing him like that there was a certain sense of….. pity.
“Kouta…” Kei whispered, and the minute the prince heard his name, his blank stare disappeared and his exhaustion came in waves.
“Kei…. I’m… sorry…” Yabu bowed again, his hands presented before him on the ground.
“Stop…” Inoo whispered
“I’m sorry.. I’m sorry I’m sor- ngh!” Yabu’s voice gasped as an intense cramp hit his legs and he winced, grabbing it. Though he had felt his legs numb, he supposed it was good that he was feeling something…..
“Stop! Just stop! I’m sorry I’m sorry…. I was… I was just so… lost…. And angry and I.. I know that it isn’t your fault.” Inoo rushed out of the bed and knelt at the prince’s side. Though Yabu wouldn’t hear of it, Kei grabbed his arm and put it around his shoulders, hoisting the young boy off the ground, and he nearly fell as Yabu’s numb legs collapsed when the blood rushed back into them. He helped Kouta to the bedside and sat him down. He knelt so as to massage the prince’s legs, bringing feeling back into them quicker.
“Stop Kei please… you don't have to…”
“I want to…. after all you’ve done to me… don't you think the least you could do is let me do what I want?” Kei said half jokingly, trying to lighten the already very uncomfortable mood.
Yabu blushed as the feeling in his legs returned and he felt Inoo’s soft and silky hands massage him. Within moments all the feeling had returned and he looked at Kei who stood now, staring at the sunlight through a crack in the window. From his place on the bed, Yabu could see those beautiful brown eyes that always looked upon the world with just curiosity, and he cringed as his dream came to him and he remembered…
“Kei… we have to get you out of here…. Before three days….. “
“The guards have orders to keep you here….my lord.” One of the maids had come in to set the new bowl of water for the morning.
“What.. happens in three days?” Kei asked, his memory a bit fuzzy about this part.
“Just…. you need to leave….. before three days.” Yabu repeated.
“What happens?”
“Just…. trust me…. please…. We need to get you out of here..” Yabu said sternly, his pleading eyes made Inoo shiver and he nodded along.
“We need to get…. Us…. Out of here?” Kei said… and Yabu looked at him his eyes wide with disbelief.
“You….. want me to come with you?”
“I.. trust you…. And I know… that you didn't do any of the things I blamed you for….. and if you were willing to spend a whole night on your knees….” Kei said, twiddling the tassel at the end of one of the cushions.
“Did I win you over with that one?” Yabu asked playfully
“N-No! I’m just saying…” Kei quickly retorted
“Oh c’mon… it was so uncomfortable! And I had to pee…..” Yabu said the last part a bit softer and Kei giggled before quickly straightening himself.
“Ahem… back to the topic…. “
“Alright….” Yabu reluctantly agreed.
Yabu thought for a moment as he washed his face and Kei did the same. They stood there in silence, pondering how they were to leave the garden without being found.
“Maybe.. we could… knock the guard out…”
“But there are hundreds other like him…. just outside the garden and before the palace gates.” Kei pointed out.
“What if we… told them I was sick and….”
“This isn’t prison, and they’d just call the imperial doctor to come see you, that’s another set of eyes we cant afford…” Kei pointed out again.
“What if-“ Yabu started again.
“What if… we start a fire in the far side of the garden, they would call all available men to help put it out and that would free up the gates….”
“That’s genius!”
Preparations were made slowly over the first day, and more urgently on the second.
“We’ve got to leave before noon tomorrow Kei….”
“K-Kouta….” Inoo sat at the foot of the bed, his white silken robe laid loosely off his delicate frame.
“What’s wrong?” Yabu asked worriedly, he had noticed that in the two days they spent together, the other boy had grown a bit apprehensive.
“I can’t ask you to come with me….I-I mean this is your life…. You’re the prince of the kingdom!”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Yabu asked calmly, his hand gripped tightly for the response.
“N-No! I-I just… I don't want you to give everything up for me…”
“Kei…. If you don’t want to be with me…”
“No! I just-“
“Kei… just tell me! If you don't want me to go with you, if you don't want to be with me.. I wi-“
At that moment Kei stood up, his robe falling off his shoulders leaving him in a thin green and white tunic, he grabbed the prince’s shoulder and turned him around. Swiftly he planted his lips upon the other’s and for that moment, Yabu was silenced. The prince’s eyes widened in surprise, these last two days he was content that Kei had allowed him to hug him…. and hold him at night…. But they had never…. Kissed.
“I… want to be with you… I want to… I just… don't want you to be unhappy….”
“Unhappy..?”
“We… can stay here… and I’ll keep… being your slave….”
At that moment, the horrible images of Kei… and one of the advisors flashed into Yabu’s mind and he shivered
“No! We-We have to go”
“Kouta.. it’s okay… I can stay a servant…. I can… deal with the looks…”
“Kei… “
“I can do it…. I can be strong… for you.. and we can stay here..”
“Kei! We have to go!”
“Why?”
“We just have…. To go.”
Yabu turned to leave but he found his way blocked.
“Move… please..”
“Tell me… why we have to go… you’ve been hiding something from me.. and I want to know.”
“I… I cant…. Cant you just trust me?”
“it’s because I trust you…. That you should trust me, I can handle whatever it is…”
“In three days time… tomorrow at noon that is… my father is going to send the harem advisors to see you… “
“So?”
“Kei… they’re going…. To do things to you….” Yabu’s face turned sour as he imagined it.
“What? What do you mean?”
“Kei… they’re going… to… do things to you… they’ll kill you….” Yabu gulped.
Inoo sat down at the foot of the bed again. He didn't know what to do now…
“Kei… I’m so… happy that you’re thinking of me… I really am… I’m so happy. Don't you think I’d be just as happy with you on the outside?” Yabu grabbed the fallen robe and gently draped it over Kei’s shoulders.
“) just… didn't want you to … have to leave it all behind…”
“It’s okay…. Besides… this gets boring after a while..” Yabu chuckled lightly.
“Are you sure..? You want to come with me? I could go by myself.. and you-“
“Yes.” Yabu interrupted, wrapping his arms around Kei’s waist.
The third day came and together the two boys stockpiled their bags near the gate of the prince’s garden.
“Remember, when the fire starts, yell that the fire in the garden has spread to the pavilion and say that I’m trapped behind the flames. “ Yabu repeated, and Kei nodded. Gingerly Yabu lit a candle and placed it into a somewhat thick lampshade, it would buy them some time to run.
“HELP! HELP! Fire! The prince is trapped in the collapsed pavilion!” Kei shouted out loud as he ran behind Yabu. When the first guard came into view, he pushed Kouta in between one of the buildings and urged the soldiers along, pointing them in the direction of the garden.
“Fire! Help!” Kei continued as they charged for the gate, picking up their bags as they ran. The guards at the gate were gone now, and the two boys quickly snaked their way out, heading for the small forest just at the edge of the palace grounds. By now the smoke of the fire was clearly visible and the two boys didn't bother to see if they were being followed.
When high noon came, the two boys stopped, reaching the edge of the forest they looked out at the buzzing town and let out a sigh of relief.
“We did it….” They laughed as they collapsed onto the dirt road. When they had rested from their run, the two boys stood now at the edge of their new life and smiled at each other. Kei held out his hand and grinned.
“Well Prince Yabu…. Are you ready to start your life as a commoner?”
“You bet.”
Their hands joined and together they took their first steps into their new world and they never looked back.
--- Two years later ---
“Kei! I’m home!”
“Hey! I said take off your boots before you get into the house!
“Sorry sorry…”
“How are they looking today..?” Kei asked, his white silken tunic from the palace was replaced now with simple blue cotton tunics, they were a bit dirty, but he didn't mind. He put his hands on his husband’s shoulders and gave him a massage like he did every night.
“They look good and if things keep going this way we’ll have a big harvest this year too. Ah a little higher please Kei…” Yabu winced, he undid the straps that kept the sleeves of his own brown tunic from getting dirty in the fields.
“Remember when you couldn't even swing a hoe…..” Inoo chuckled
“Remember when you couldn’t cook?” Yabu retorted, and the couple stared into each others eyes for a moment before bursting out into laughter.
“Well, like it or not, I cooked tonight….” Kei kissed his husband on the cheek and turned to go into the kitchen. He returned with two covered plates
“Like you always do….” Yabu grinned
“Well… today I went into the town market and got us some chicken….
“Oooo” Yabu rubbed his hands together eagerly
As they sat down to dine, the two boys looked at each other with love in their eyes and they smiled as they knew just what the other was thinking. Even though they had thought of it everyday for the last two years, their journey together always brought a smile to their faces, and for the rest of their lives together, every dinner begun with a smile that grew broader with the years…..
“I love you Kei…”
“I love you Kouta……”
The two kissed and with much pride in their new and warm home… they dug into the most delicious meal they’d had yet.
---
Slowly but surely…. I’m writing…. I’m writing! I swear sometimes it’s the only thing keeping me sane…. And strangely enough this story came to me in a dream….. so I had to… improvise some of it…. (cause really who remembers a dream 100%?) but I hope you liked it!
As always, comments are greatly appreciated but please don't feel obligated! I would like to know what you think!
~Emmie