Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction / Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Long Denied ❯ Unwilling Confession ( Chapter 13 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Long Denied
Chapter 13: Unwilling Confession


Count D-


"Tet-chan, is the cake ready?" He looked towards the kitchen, a room just off the parlor but
separated by one of the large screens that gave the parlor privacy.

"Nearly, master." Tet-chan, who looked, to D, like a teenage boy no more than sixteen, stuck his
head out of the kitchen's doorway. "I've made sponge cake with strawberries and whipped cream
for topping." He looked back over his shoulder into the kitchen, no doubt looking at his creation.
"Not to bad, even if I do say so myself." Tet-chan had hair the color of rust and a wicked smile.
He was really quite a charming child, even though he did tend to eat humans. Tet-chan wasn't
evil, it was simply the nature of the Tou-Tetsu to eat humans.

The Tou-Tetsu was one of the many rare species of animal that D had been lucky enough to run
across. Capturing Tet-chan had nearly cost D a limb or two, Tet-chan had been eager to taste D's
flesh to sample what he thought would be the sweetest meat. D had no idea how he would taste
when eaten, though he suspected that it would be deadly, even to one such as Tet-chan.

"Where is Chris?" D asked.

"He's with Philip." Tet-chan answered. "Wanted to play with someone his own age, I guess. Silly
kid didn't think cooking was fun." He wasn't joking, either. Tet-chan honestly thought cooking
was the highest of art forms and could spend endless hours in the kitchen just experimenting
with new receipts and Chris' lack of enthusiasm was a source of great irritation to Tet-chan.
"Philip said he'd take him swimming and to look for seashells."

"Good." Philip was the young dolphin Chris had befriended the first day he'd been at the
petshop. Though Chris thought Philip was just a boy who lived at the petshop and never left the
room that was filled with an entire ocean. It was an entirely self-contained ocean and there was
no creature in that ocean that D had not put there. There were dangerous creatures in that ocean,
but Philip was more than capable of protecting Chris from any of the other creatures who might
like to eat him. Most of the ocean creatures were harmless enough, but there was a kraken that
lived in the great depths and more than a few sharks. The mermaids alone were quite fatal when
they were hungry. Still, Philip was stronger than he appeared and D was confident that no harm
would come to his young charge. In fact, of all the animals in D's care, Chris was the only
human.

Tet-chan vanished into the kitchen again, probably trying to put finishing touches on his cake,
and D let him go. After all, who better to do the cooking than Tet-chan who was a gourmet chef?

D was setting out the teacups for himself and Leon when the telephone rang and he looked up in
annoyance, a barely visible frown marring his exquisite lips. Still, business was business and he
had a duty to perform. So D set down the teapot he'd been holding and went to the antique
telephone he kept on a small table between the parlor and the front room of the petshop. It was
probably just another customer who hadn't obeyed the contract.

D picked up the telephone, his long fingers curling around the receiver. "Hello, we sell anything
you may desire. How may I help you?"

"Greetings, my son."

D felt his blood go cold at the voice. His hand tightened around the receive so much that his
sharp fingernails dug deeply into the palm of his hand. Blood seeped from the self-inflicted,
though unintended, wounds, but D hardly noticed the mild pain. He looked around to be sure
none of his beloved pets were around. The last thing he wanted was for them to see him in such a
state as this conversation would no doubt get him in. Thankfully, the only pet around was Q-
chan, D's darling horned, winged, rabbit. Q-chan, for once, wasn't fluttering around the room
curiously, but he sat on the high back of D's chair, staring at D with his small black eyes shining
intently at D.

"Papa," D turned his attention back to the person on the other end of the phone. "I...did not
expect to hear from you."

"Good," D could almost hear the pleased smile on his papa's face and how strange it seemed to
hear his own voice on speaking to him. "I am always happy to give you a pleasant surprise. I
certainly hope I did not interrupt anything important. I know how involved you have become
with certain pets. One, in particular, concerns me. You have gone so far as to allow this pet to
run wild."

D felt a cold shiver run down his spine and he closed his eyes momentarily, trying to control his
emotions. It had been so long since he had heard from his papa, but D could have waited another
century or two before hearing that voice again. "I care for all my pets, papa. They are all dear to
me."

"No. This one pet is...closer to you than your others. You allow it to manhandle you and to show
such disrespect as to raise its voice to you. You show it far to much leniency, for my taste. You
have even killed for it. You have deliberately ended a life and taken away its potential for
breeding to increase the species. How odd that my own child would favor one creature above all
others on this planet. Sad. How very sad. I thought you would have learned from my own pain."
There was pain in papa D's voice, but it was well disguised. "You will just end up losing it and
then...oh, the pain. It is not worthy of you, my son. A human. Weak...short sighted humans...they
are not worthy of our pain."

"Papa, I...I do not favor any creature above the others. I have learned what you taught me, very
well. I will make no mistakes." D hesitated to mention the name of the human who had caused
his papa so much pain. That human was still alive, as far as D knew, and D had even seen him
once. It was a human who had brought D's papa so far into madness. He hadn't been allowed a
close look at the man, Sofu had been thoroughly against the relationship and he'd used that
moment to take little D away from his papa. That hadn't been a pleasant moment in D's life. "I
promise you, I will not let any human hurt me."

Tet-chan crept out of the kitchen, the white apron gone and a concerned look on his face. He was
once again adorned with his ornate jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that he normally
took off when he did his cooking. Tet-chan was such a vain creature and couldn't bear to ruin
any of his beautiful jewelry in the kitchen.

D scolded himself for forgetting Tet-chan's excellent hearing. No doubt the young Tou-Tetsu
had overheard D's end of the conversation and was worried. Tet-chan walked up to D and tugged
on his robe. He tugged twice before he opened his mouth to speak, but D put a finger to his lips,
signaling Tet-chan to remain silent. It was bad enough that D's papa had heard that Tet-chan now
lived with D, it would be terrible if papa D decided that he wanted Tet-chan. Besides the fact that
papa D didn't always treat his pets well, D wasn't about to give up one of the treasures of his
collection. It was easier to get a dragon or a mermaid than to get a Tou-Tetsu. D would battle his
papa for Tet-chan, if he was forced to, but it was something he really would rather not do.

"What have you named him? This...human of yours. Leon, I think."

'How did he know Leon's name?!' D swallowed hard, but knew none of his pets had betrayed
him. Not one of them would go behind his back and tell secrets to D's papa. For one thing, D
would know if any of his pets lied to him. For another, most of them knew how dangerous papa
D was. D knew his papa must be watching him, somehow and was probably nearby. "I do know
a human named Leon. He often helps me deal with other humans. He amuses me, papa, nothing
else." It would be useless to lie, but perhaps hiding the truth would be more profitable.

"I see." Was papa D's cool reply. "Well, your human is approaching at this moment. May I
suggest that you pay close attention to his companion? You will find him most interesting." A
soft laugh. "Yes, very interesting." Then a click and silence when papa D hung up.

"D? Hey, D!"

D turned when a rough shaking got his attention and he found Leon frowning down at him with
that charmingly confused expression Leon so often wore. "Ah, kaiji-san (Mr. Detective). How
nice that you stopped by." He started to smile, relieved to find Leon safe, but the smile vanished
when he saw the...person standing just behind Leon. D dropped the telephone.

"D?" Leon gave him a push towards the sofa. "What the Hell's wrong with you? Go sit down,
you're even paler than normal and I thought that was impossible."

The person standing behind Leon was nothing that D had ever seen before. Strange...it was at
least partly human, but not entirely. It also had the blood of a monkey. 'Not possible!' D
suddenly felt very overwhelmed. No wonder his papa had suddenly taken an interest in him
again. 'It is...unique! Nothing else like this creature has ever existed. I have never even heard of
it...' And D's thoughts faded as a memory came back to him.

That paper D had found, written by his papa and telling of the amazing Zodiac animals he'd
discovered. Something powerful, amazing, and beautiful. A cat had been mentioned, but little
else. Staring at the new, fascinating creature, D couldn't help but connect the two. There was no
proof, but he knew this creature was one of the Junikyu his papa had written about. His papa had
also written that he wanted these Junikyu animals more than he wanted even a Tou-Tetsu.

'We are all in danger.' D thought, still staring at the seemingly auburn haired boy. 'He has
brought danger to my petshop, by his presence. My darling pets, if papa comes here...'

Leon was speaking again and looking more annoyed than ever. "D! Are you even listening?"
Both hands were on his hips and he leaned over slightly. "Geeze, you're so lost today!"

"Yes. Yes, of course, I am listening. I do apologize." He tried to smile to reassure Leon, but
Leon still scowled suspiciously.

"Who was on the phone?" He picked up the receiver from where D had dropped it and listened,
as if he expected someone to still be on the other end. Leon hung it up with a disgusted look. "I
didn't think you could look any paler than you usually do, but you're white as anything. You get
bad news? Someone die?"

"Not nearly that bad, I assure you." D felt as if he were finally starting to get control of himself,
but he couldn't help staring at the newcomer, who was starting to look uncomfortable under D's
gaze. "Please, introduce your friend, Leon. I am most curious. Normally you do not bring guests
to our tea."

"Huh?" Leon looked back at the auburn haired boy and seemed to have forgotten that he'd
brought anyone with him. "Oh, yeah. Sorry. D, this is Souma Ritsu, I'm walking her back to her
apartment. Miss Souma, this is Count D. His family owns the petshop. I just wanted to tell you
that I can't stop for tea. Ritsu got hurt today and I didn't want her to have to walk alone. Look,
I've gotta go, tell Chris I'll be back tonight, okay?"

"So thoughtful of you, Leon." Though D couldn't help but feel a little irritated that Leon was
passing up on tea to walk with this...whatever he was...home. Not only that but Leon seemed to
have failed to notice that this person was male. If Leon thought this person was female, he would
be more likely to try and court her; Leon was notoriously simpleminded when it came to mating.
He was ruled by his hormones and anything that walked by with breasts and swaying hips, Leon
seemed to jump at. "You are always so kind." He was rewarded by seeing Leon flush with
embarrassment and that did please D.

"Awwww...knock it off, D. Look, I don't want to leave you if you aren't feeling good. Are you
sure you're all right? What happened?" His scowled deepened and D followed Leon's gaze down
to his own still bleeding hand where D had pierced his palm with his long nails. "What the Hell
did you do?" Leon reached out to take D's hand, but D jerked away and held his hand close to his
chest, lest Leon get any of D's blood on him. That would be a very, very bad thing.

"Nothing, it is nothing. The phone call...surprised me, that is all. It was from family I had not
heard from in years."

"Must have been one Hell of a surprise." Leon's scowl didn't fade.

"You have no idea." D muttered before he decided to get himself out of Leon's disturbingly
intense eyes and stood up. "Since you are so reluctant," D couldn't help the bit of venom he put
into that word, "to leave your young companion alone, why do you not invite him to stay for tea
with us? Chris has been waiting for you all day and I hate to miss your company." Though Leon
didn't comment of D's use of ‘him' and acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, D knew that Leon
had heard. Leon was far to clever to miss such a thing.

"Oh, no!" Leon's guest protested, raising his hands in front of him as if to ward off D's invitation.
"No, I couldn't possibly impose!"

D stared at the sincere refusal, shock overpowering him momentarily. Not a single person in D's
entire long life had ever refused tea with him. Even D knew that he had a well-known reputation
and it burned his pride a bit that this person wasn't honored to have tea with him. "You...do not
enjoy my hospitality?" D raised an eyebrow, and he felt his smile slip somewhat. This person
hadn't been here two minutes and he was already insulting D's generosity? Unthinkable!
"Perhaps my humble tea is not as opulent as to what you are no doubt accustomed, but it is all I
have to offer." There were kings and presidents and empresses who would give their entire
fortunes for the privilege of taking tea with D, so how dare this person refuse?!

Q-chan cried out a shrill kreel of "Kyu!" and flew swiftly around D's head once before landing
on his shoulder and giving D a distinct look of disapproval as he fluttered his tiny bat-like wings.

'Yes, quite right.' D conceded silently as he gave Q-chan an affectionate pat. 'I shouldn't let my
pride get the better of me like this.'

Leon, oblivious to D's thoughts, winced at what D had said and muttered, "Here we go again."
And in an instant D understood why Leon sounded so pained.

Ritsu leapt t his feet and, at the top of his lungs, cried out, "NO, NO, NO! It's not that at all, I
swear it! You're to kind to invite someone so unworthy as myself, I've no right to drink your tea
or sit on you sofa." Tears began to flow down Ritsu's face and he reached up and seized his own
hair with his hands and started to pull at it with savage, painful looking tugs. "Please, I'm not
trying to insult you, someone like you can't be insulted by someone like me, it's just not right!
I..."

With his fists tightly balled and his body tensed, Leon turned on Ritsu and yelled, "Sit! Now!"

Ritsu quickly did as Leon ordered, not even bothering to go to the sofa, but sitting on the floor
with his hands at his mouth, as if he were afraid Leon would yell at him again. Still, the quiet
was nice and Tet-chan muttered something vile under his breath, though no one but D could
understand what he said.

"Tet-chan, hush. I will fetch the rest of tea, shall I? Chris will be along in a moment, he's playing
with a friend." Before Leon could say anything else, D hurried into the kitchen, followed closely
by Tet-chan.

When the door had closed behind them, Tet-chan moved up close to D. "Master," Tet-chan
respectfully didn't touch D, he'd learned, painfully, that it wasn't respectful to touch a Kami
without express permission. "Who was that person? I don't recognize what he was.."

"Neither do I." D confessed. "But I wish very much to find out. I will do everything in my power
to find out what that person is. Tet-chan, run along and fetch Chris, won't you?" He went to one
of the many cabinets and pulled out a roll of gauze and started to carefully wrap his hand. "Warn
the others to be careful, I cut myself." All the pets were warned when they made the petshop
their home that it was unwise to touch D's blood. The blood of a Kami could kill just as easily as
it could heal.

"Yes, master." Tet-chan started off towards the back rooms, but paused a moment. "Master?"

"Yes?" D didn't bother to look up from his hand.

"Who were you speaking to on the telephone? I don't remember ever seeing you so upset." That
was polite. Tet-chan had probably seen how frightened D had been, but he hadn't mentioned it.
"Was it someone I should eat for you? I will kill this person for you if they make you unhappy."

"No." D shuddered at the idea of Tet-chan meeting papa D. "No, it's just something I need to
take care of."

"I heard you mention that stupid human on the phone."

"As I said, it is not something you should worry about. Please, fetch Chris. I'm sure Leon would
like to see him before he must leave with his guest." It was a clear dismissal, but Tet-chan didn't
move, strangely. Normally, Tet-chan was the first one to obey D and he often obeyed without
question or hesitation.

This time, though, Tet-chan scowl darkly and he crossed his arms over his chest. His jewelry
jangled with his every movement. He sounded half irritated and half worried. "You aren't letting
that stupid human get away with it, are you?" He glanced through a small window in the
kitchen's door at where Leon sat with Ritsu. "It's just not right."

"Get away with what?" D asked, for he knew which stupid human Tet-chan was talking about.

"He's flaunting that creature before you and pretending it's nothin!" Tet-chan sounded outraged,
snarling as he spoke and showing off his sharp fangs. "Master, whatever that creature is, it is
very beautiful and it would not be difficult for that stupid human to become enamored by an
attractive face. Are you going to let your human escape your grasp?"

D smiled and nearly laughed at the unexpected question. 'And I'm arrogant enough to think I
know everything about my dear pets! Tet-chan is not the most sly of creatures, yet even he
manages to surprise me. Who would have thought that Tet-chan would be worried that Leon
would leave us or jealous on my behalf?' Instead of voicing his amusement, D gave Tet-chan a
half-lidded look and a mischievous smile. "Why, Tet-chan, if I didn't know better, I would think
you were concerned for our kaiji-san. Are you frightened that he will leave us?"
Tet-chan blustered, to cover his own pride, and retorted with a hot, "Of course not! You know I
want nothing more than to eat that stupid human! He makes a mess when he's here and he
disrupts everything. But..." Tet-chan's face colored slightly and he lowered his eyes. "I just don't
want him to hurt you." Tet-chan covered his heartfelt words by saying, in a louder tone,
"Besides, that stupid human would make Chris cry if he went off with some stranger and I won't
let Chris cry!"

D was taken aback, for the second time, by Tet-chan's sincere words. He knew Tet-chan was
sincere because no creature could lie to D successfully. It just wasn't possible. Tet-chan knew
this, but it wasn't that which had always made him tell the absolute truth to D. Tet-chan loved D,
as much if not more than every pet did. Tet-chan adored D to such a great extent that he chose to
live as D's servant rather than the freedom of his wild life he had enjoyed before he and D had
run into each other. Tet-chan was fiercely jealous and protective and this suddenly worry that
Leon would prefer this strange newcomer to D was completely unexpected.

"Leon will not hurt me." D said, confidently. It was one of the very few things that D could say
with absolute confidence. Leon might be subject to mood swings and flares of a fiery temper, but
he would never do anything that would hurt D. Not maliciously, at any rate. "Thank you for your
concern, but I will handle Leon." He knew that Tet-chan's second statement had been true, also.
Tet-chan's loyalty and love for Chris was second only to his love for D. Tet-chan was the perfect
guardian for the frail little human and D had been very happy that he'd given Chris to Tet-chan.
Still, D sighed. "If Leon wishes to be with that person more than he wishes to be here, that is his
choice. I do not approve of slavery, Tet-chan, and I never keep any creature here against their
will. That includes Leon." Then he assumed his usual serene appearance to reassure Tet-chan.
"But, there is no reason to think Leon has any sort of desires for this Ritsu person. Leon is
nothing if not honest and if he says he is merely walking Ritsu home, then that is what he is
doing."

Tet-chan nodded solemnly before he turned to leave and, when the door closed behind Tet-chan,
D found himself thinking that perhaps it was best if Leon did take an interest in Ritsu. D knew he
would never be able to have Leon, not in the way he wished to. Even if Leon had a change of
heart and decided that he wished to be with D, it wasn't possible. 'I'm just being cruel, to Leon
and to myself.' D told himself as he finished the bandage on his hand. 'Can there be anything
more selfish than to hold a person so tightly when you know you will bring them nothing but
pain? Surely, that can't be love. If I really loved him, I wouldn't hurt him and I know that if I
keep him so close, it will happen. I will break his heart...in the end.'

D felt all his resolve to let Leon go when he walked back into the parlor and saw Leon sitting
with Ritsu on the sofa. D watched them, half hidden behind one of the large screens that
separated his parlor from the rest of the petshop, and his eyes fixed on the blond detective he'd
grown so close to over the past year. It was becoming hard for D to imagine life without his
brash friend. 'Papa and Sofu would agree that I am to much involved with Leon. They would be
correct, but I can not seem to help myself. Stupid, foolish...I will have to distance myself from
him. It is for the best, his as well as mine. If he becomes attached to me, he will only end up
crying.'

D shook his heads and turned his eyes to the guest, Ritsu. It was far more important that he get
Ritsu away from the petshop, least his papa come to investigate. The thought that papa D was so
close that he had been able to see Leon and Ritsu approaching the petshop and he worried for the
safety of his beloved pets. Several of D's pets had once belonged to his papa and many of them
had suffered for it. Tet-chan, in particular.

If the Kami had one fault, it was their acquisitiveness. All of them, Sofu, papa, and D, loved to
collect. Everything from worms to dragons were collected like humans collected stamps and the
rarest animals were the most prized. D had managed to collect mermaids, unicorns, teddy bears,
butterflies, and Qi-Lins. But, of all these animals, D would quickly admit, that Tet-chan was the
pinnacle was his collection. The Tou-Tetsu was so rare that D wasn't even sure how many of
them existed on Earth. He sometimes wondered if his Tet-chan was the last and he grieved if that
were the truth. That meant that Tet-chan would be the last of his kind and he would,
unfortunately, die without breeding. What a loss that would be.

Of course, now, as D peered around the corner of the screen at the human like creature who sat
with Leon a second desire overcame D. He still feared that his papa would come and disrupt the
petshop, but now D also felt the stirring of greed. A new animal, something he'd never even
heard of or seen, and D wanted it. If Ritsu was one of the mysterious Zodiac animals papa D had
discovered, that meant that these creatures were so rare they'd even surprised papa D. Perhaps
even Sofu hadn't heard of them. D's heart quickened at the thought of having such a rare animal
in his collection. Maybe he would decide to keep Ritsu.

First thing was first; he had to work on figuring out what Ritsu was. 'I will try to taste his blood.
That should help, though if I am right, and Ritsu is one of these mysterious zodiac animals my
papa discovered, I am not certain what I will do. Papa sounded very eager on the telephone.'
Putting a smile on his face, D entered the parlor with Tet-chan's cake in hand. 'I will ask him and
I will taste his blood. When I know what he is, I will know what to do.'

D balanced the cake tray on one hand and pulled a small vial from the folds of his robes. It was
small, only about an inch tall and crystal clear except for a few drops of green liquid. He'd never
had to use this particular chemical before, but he had absolute faith that it would work. After all,
it was Sofu who had given it to him. With a steady hand, D unstopped the vial and poured a
single drop of the liquid into an incense burner that hung from the ceiling. He waited a moment
until the sizzling of the burning liquid stopped and the soft smell began to slowly filter into the
air. Only then did he go back into the parlor with a smile on his face and he waited until the
effects of the chemical took affect on his guests.

How satisfied Leon would be if he knew all his suspicions about D being involved in drugs were
correct. Well...sort of.

Chris-

"He's here." The person who said that wasn't a normal little boy. Chris knew this because Philip
had the funniest eyes, completely black. He also never came out of the ocean where Chris had
first met him. "Your brother's with the Count, now. He's brought a guest."

~How can you tell?~ Chris asked. He sat on a large rock with just his feet dangling in the water
while Philip floated near him. As always, Philip wore his black skin suit and his hair was slicked
back. Chris had always been curious about how Philip and the rest of people who lived in the
petshop always seemed to know what was going on

"I just do." Philip answered carelessly. "Tet-chan will be here soon to get you, so you should get
back to shore."

~Do you think he'd coming swimming with us sometime?~ Chris asked, getting ready to lower
himself into the water with Philip.

Philip laughed happily. "I don't think he's the type for swimming. He wouldn't like the Count to
see him all dripping wet." They swam the short distance to shore together and found Tet-chan
waiting for him with a towel and a change of clean clothes. Indeed, Tet-chan didn't look like he
wanted to get at all close to the water.

~Tet-chan, is big brother here?~ Chris asked as soon as he got out of the water.

"Yes, yes." Tet-chan impatiently handed Chris the towel before addressing Philip. "Thanks for
keeping an eye on him. Come on, Chris, your stupid brother brought someone to the petshop and
I don't like it."

~Why not?~

Tet-chan frowned and looked away. "Nothing you should worry about. You want some cake?."

~Sure!.~ Chris grabbed Tet-chan's hand and began pulling his friend towards the door that
would lead into the main part of the petshop.. ~Bye, Philip! I'll come back tomorrow!~ Chris
spent most of his days with his friends in the petshop, especially now that it was summer and
there was no school to interrupt his play. There was Pon-chan, the cute little girl who always
took his side, and Philip who was one of the kindest people Chris had ever met. Philip was his
first friend, but he could only see Philip in the one room of the petshop that had a whole ocean in
it.

Chris wasn't sure exactly how there could be an ocean in a petshop, but then again, he wasn't
exactly sure how the petshop had so many rooms in it. There was a jungle room, lots of
bedrooms, a desert room, and a room filled with snow. All he knew was that it was possible and
it was real. Being sent to live with his big brother and the Count was the best thing that had ever
happened to Chris. He loved living in the Petshop with all his friends, after all, everyone could
understand him here.

Tet-chan, Pon-chan, and Philip were Chris' best friends, but he knew almost everyone in the
petshop. Tet-chan was the one who always went with him if he went anywhere outside the
petshop with the one exception of school. Even then, Tet-chan normally walked with Chris to the
gates of the school and was waiting outside the gates after school let out for the day. Truth be
told, Tet-chan was probably the friend Chris was closest to. Tet-chan wasn't sweet like Pon-chan
or gentle like Philip, but Tet-chan was strong and brave and he never let anything hurt Chris.
Chris also knew others, like Ten-chan, a strange laughing boy with one long red braid who said
he was new to the petshop and eager to please the Count. Chris also knew, and was fond of, Hon
Ron. He called her Hon Ron for simplicities sake, but she was far more complicated than that
one name.

The little girl with solid red eyes lived in a huge room of the petshop and, when he'd first met
her, Hon Ron had told Chris how lonely she was. She said that he was the first friend she'd ever
had and that she wished he would stay with him. No one ever visited the large room Hon Ron
lived in except the Count. She was also three people in one body.

Hon Ron was Junrei, a little girl who wished for a friend more than anything.

Hon Ron was Kanan, a volatile, angry girl who fought for what she wanted.

Hon Ron was Shukuo, wise and gentle.

Today, though, he didn't stop at Hon Ron's room as he hurried though the halls of the petshop
with Tet-chan. He was in far to much of a hurry to see his big brother and he charged into the
parlor with Tet-chan and threw himself at Leon.


Ritsu-


There was something about Count D that affected Ritsu, but he wasn't certain what it was. The
moment Count D had walked into the room with a large cake balanced easily on one hand,
everything had seemed to change. When he and detective Orcot had first entered the quaint little
petshop it had seemed very ordinary, if a tad creepy. He liked it, though. Despite the strange
calls of animals and dark shadows that lurked in all the corners, Ritsu felt strangely relaxed in
the petshop.

"You sure you're gonna be all right?" Detective Orcot asked, looking at Ritsu the moment Count
D had left the room.

Ritsu hadn't missed the looks that went between the blonde detective and the petshop owner, it
would have been hard to miss such a thing.

"What? Oh," Ritsu followed detective Orcot's glance down to his own wrist. "Yes, it'll be fine."
It was the truth, Ritsu's wrist just throbbed a bit and ti was well bandaged. He couldn't worry
anyone just for a tiny bit of pain. His bruised face was aching almost as much as his wrist, but
Ritsu was determined not to let the good detective know about it. He was already being to kind
in his offer to walk Ritsu back to his hotel and now his boyfriend was offering Ritsu tea and
cake. He couldn't impose any more and, besides, Hatori would be angry if he found out that
Ritsu had gone to a normal doctor. Akito would be furious.

"Hey, Chris!" Mr. Orcot looked away from Ritsu when the doors that supposedly led to the inner
rooms of the petshop flew opened and a little blonde child that looked remarkably like Mr. Orcot
ran in and threw himself into Mr. Orcot's arms. "How's it going? You behaving yourself for D?"
The little boy smiled up at Mr. Orcot and opened his mouth, but he didn't speak. That didn't
seem to bother Mr. Orcot who hugged Chris and let the boy get comfortable on his lap before
Count D reentered the room and a strange smell began to filter into the room.

"I get the feeling you want to say something, Leon." Count D said after he'd sat and began to
pour out tea. His eyes fell on Leon and he waited silently for an answer.

"How did you know?" Leon scowled at Count D and asked, suspiciously, "Did Jill call you?"

"Of course not. I am simply worried about you. Your eyes appear stressed and you seem tense."

"Do I? Yeah, well, I did have something to tell you. I'm going on vacation, so I won't be around
for a while."

The room seemed to freeze for a moment. "Really?" Count D asked. "And where might you be
going?"

"Just to visit a penpal of mine in Japan. It'll be for a couple of weeks, but I wondered if you'd
mind me leaving Chris for so long. I'd hate to take him away from his home, especially when
he's just starting to settle in."

"That will be no problem, I assure you. Your brother is a delight to have around."

In Mr. Orcot's lap, Chris tugged on his brother's shirt to get his attention. He yawned, but looked
at Mr. Orcot questioningly. His face looked a little hurt and he opened his mouth, though he
didn't speak.

"No, it's not that." Mr. Orcot said, as if his brother had said something. "I DO want you around,
honest. I don't think you'd have any fun, though. It's going to be long, dull hours on a plane and
then days of hanging around with me and my friend. Trust me, you don't want to come. Don't
worry, I'll call every night and I'll bring a souvenir home for you." He, too, yawned suddenly.
"Is it just me or is getting warm in here, D?"

"I am sure you are simply tired." Count D replied, taking a sip of his tea. "I will admit, your
vacation comes as something of a surprise, Leon. I was not even aware that you had a pen pal in
Japan."

Mr. Orcot slouched down at bit in his seat, cuddling his brother to him. "Never thought to
mention him."

"Him?" Count D asked.

Mr. Orcot closed his eyes. "Yeah...this guy..." He indicated Ritsu by jerking his head in Ritsu's
direction. "He's my friend's cousin...I think." He yawned yet again. "Jeeze, I'm so beat. Didn't
think I was this tired."

The scent was starting to relax Ritsu but, at the same time, he seemed incredibly alert. The
shadowy petshop became very clear and it felt as thought he could see and heart everything.
Every sound was as clear as crystal and the deep colors of the petshop were almost blindingly
vibrant. His eyes began to wander the room as he became more relaxed and comfortable and he
saw the small furry animal sitting near Count D's chair. He'd seen it when he and Mr. Orcot had
first entered the petshop, but hadn't really noticed it. It was strange, not like any animal Ritsu
had ever seen before, and it was looking right at him. There was a terrible malice in it's eyes, as
if it would kill him without hesitation.

Yet Ritsu wasn't upset or even as disturbed as he thought he should be. Instead, he felt sort
of...vague.

At one point Ritsu glanced at Mr. Orcot and found the detective almost entirely asleep. Little
Chris was sound asleep, snoring softly on his brother's chest. Mr. Orcot's eyelids were half
closed and his head was lolled to the side, resting on his fist. A rustle made Ritsu look at Count
D. The rustling was made by Count D's outfit and Ritsu watched numbly while the Count stood
and calmly walked over to the sleepy detective.

"Time to sleep, kaiji-san. You will feel much better in a few minutes." Count D whispered gently
and he raised one hand and put it on the side of Mr. Orcot's face. His voice sounded far away,
but Ritsu heard it very clearly. It was a good voice and Ritsu liked it. So soft...soothing... "Rest
your eyes, Leon."

Mr. Orcot muttered something, but he did as Count D had suggested and slid down a little
further into his seat as his eyes closed all the way. "D...?"

"Hush." Count D smiled and seemed very satisfied. "Just a short rest, Leon. You will wake up
soon." Count D ran his fingers lightly though Leon's hair and looked almost entranced by the
blond locks for a moment. Count D tore himself away from Mr. Orcot and looked to the little
boy, Chris. When he was sure that both of them were asleep, Count D returned to his high
backed chair and looked at Ritsu. "Are you feeling tired, also?"

"A bit. I feel...odd." Ritsu answered. He was tired, but he didn't feel as if he'd fall asleep. His
whole body did feel heavy. "What's that smell?"

"Nothing to worry about. Come, sit with me." He motioned with one long nailed finger for Ritsu
to come closer and Ritsu obeyed.

The world fell away as Ritsu came closer to Count D. Every step he took, the room around them
faded and soon Ritsu could see nothing but Count D's beautiful face. Such a perfect face...why,
Ritsu was sure he knew someone who was as beautiful as the Count...someone with very long
silver hair and eyes that were green yellow. The name escaped him, though. Strange, as Ritsu
was sure that silver haired person had been someone special.

He fell to his knees before Count D and was happy. There was another person Ritsu had knelt
before, another person who had made Ritsu pleased to humble himself before, but that person
seemed very far away. Ritsu couldn't remember anything about them, except that this person had
taken away a great source of pain and fear. He remembered small hands with long, fragile
fingers. Dark eyes and...and...and Count D smiled and Ritsu forgot everything. There was
nothing. Nothing besides two mismatched eyes and such a soft voice.

"Tell me, what is your name, child?"

Ritsu loved the voice. "Souma Ritsu." He answered readily.

Count D touched the side of Ritsu's face and Ritsu leaned into the touch. It felt so good to be
allowed a touch by the Count. "Where do you come from, Ritsu?"

"Japan. I live at the Souma hot springs, outside Tokyo."

"What are you?"

Ritsu fell silent. There was something important about that question. Something he really had to
remember. A hard voice told him not to tell the secret. It was dangerous and he'd hurt people if
he told the secret.

"What are you?" Count D persisted.

Ritsu couldn't take his eyes off Count D's. Such beautiful eyes. "Not supposed to tell." Ritsu
said, weakly. He hated the answer, felt sure that Count D would be displeased with him and that
was the last thing he'd wanted. He wanted to make Count D happy. "It's against the rules."

"What rules?"

"The rules. He'll be so angry if I tell." Fear started to take hold of Ritsu, squeezing his chest. "I
don't want him to be angry with me."

"Who will be angry?"

"I...I can't tell you. I'll get in trouble."

The gentle hands touched Ritsu's face again and he felt the growing panic subside into pleasure
at the touch. "I won't let anyone hurt you. I can protect you. Tell me...who makes rules for you?"

Protect? Ritsu knew there was only one person who could protect him. There was only one
person in the whole world who was strong enough and brave enough to protect him, but Ritsu
couldn't remember the name. It wasn't Count D, as wonderful and beautiful as he was, Count D
couldn't protect him. Count D wasn't...wasn't who?

"Who? Who protects you?"

Had Ritsu said that all out loud? He didn't think so.

"I'll get in trouble. I don't want them to be mad at me."

"Why would they be mad?"

"If I hurt them. If I make a mistake. They'll send me away and then I'll be alone. I don't want to
be alone."

"Are you not alone now?"

"No. My family," But Ritsu thought maybe he shouldn't speak. He wasn't supposed to talk about
family to outsiders. "My family takes care of me. I don't want them angry with me."

"Why would they be angry?"

"If I tell the secret."

"What secret?"

"The curse."

"What curse?"

Ritsu opened his mouth and then closed it again. He couldn't tell. That would be bad. Telling
was bad and talking was bad. People would be hurt and Akito would be very, very angry. The
terrible fear began to loom up within Ritsu again, the horror of what would happen if anyone
ever found out about the curse. He'd seen what had happened to Yuki when he'd been
discovered. He'd seen Hatori's devastation at losing Kana.

Count D pressed, "Tell me, what curse?"

"No curse." Ritsu lied and he felt a terrible pain, deep inside his mind when he lied at those
beautiful eyes. "No curse." The pain struck again, though only for a moment. He started to cry
and the beautiful eyes blurred before him. "No curse, there is no curse!" Everything went black
and the next thing Ritsu was aware of, Mr. Orcot was shaking him awake.

"Come on, Miss Souma. It's getting late, we gotta get going." Mr. Orcot pulled Ritsu to his feet
and he stood shakily. Mr. Orcot grinned. He acted as if nothing had happened but Ritsu knew
something was wrong. He felt foggy, like he'd just woken from a deep, disturbing dream. Mr.
Orcot shook his head. "Damn, D, see what that incense did? I always told you it smelled to
strong in here. It's a wonder more people don't pass out in here." But he smiled at Count D when
he said it. He leaned over and Ritsu noticed that the little boy, Chris, was still sound asleep on
the sofa. He was such a cute child and Ritsu was reminded of a younger Momiji. "See ya, D. I'll
stop by later, okay?"

Count D simply nodded and, as Ritsu left with Mr. Orcot, his eyes met Ritsu's. Ritsu shivered
and turned away, eager to get away from those eyes, but he wasn't sure why.


Count D-


Count D was more than a little impressed by Souma Ritsu and he watched the person go with
more than a little disappointment. Ritsu hid a strong mind and personality behind the facade of a
weak human. No animal had ever been able to resist the drug D had put into the incense burner,
yet Ritsu had kept his secrets, though it had clearly pained him. The drug was intended to cause
pain to encourage the person under its influence to tell the truth, but D hated putting any animal
in pain. He'd stopped the effect on Ritsu when the pain had begun and it became clear that Ritsu
wouldn't tell his secrets.

‘Stronger than he looks. I do believe I've found papa's Zodiac animals. He must be the monkey,
I'm sure I tasted monkey in his blood. I think I would like to go to Japan and find out more about
this family.'

As D sat there thinking, Tet-chan quietly made his way to where Chris still slept on the sofa.
Leon had laid Chris down just after he'd woken up, hoping that he wouldn't wake his little
brother. D knew the drug had worn off of Chris at exactly the same time as it had Leon and
Ritsu, but Chris was simply tired and he would likely sleep till the morning. Tet-chan lifted up
Chris and held him protectively.

"I wish you wouldn't use that stuff, Master." Tet-chan grumbled, looking sleepy eyed. "Takes
forever to clear up." He trudged off without another word, no doubt taking Chris to his bedroom,
but before he left the parlor, D spoke.

"Tet-chan, how would you like to take a trip to Japan?"


Later-


Back at the Gillian hotel Ritsu's mind was finally starting to clear. It had all seemed like a bit of
dream and Ritsu put it down to his injuries. Hatori had told him once that head injuries could do
all sorts of unpleasant things to one's mind.

So Ritsu sat on the hotel bed and tried to think clearly. He really couldn't remember much after
Count D had served tea and that worried him. He sort of remembered the Count asking him
about his family, but he couldn't remember what he'd said. What if he'd told the count something
terrible?

"Hatori-san?"

"Hello, Ritsu. How's your trip?"

"Well..." And Ritsu proceeded to tell Hatori about his day. The attack, his visit to the police
station, and then to the petshop.

"I see. Are you sure you have no injuries but your wrist and your head?"

"Nothing worth mentioning."

"Ritsu." Hatori's voice was warning and Ritsu knew the tone. Hatori thought Ritsu wasn't telling
him something.

"I'm telling the truth, honestly. I've got a few scratches and little bruises, but nothing that really
hurts."

"All right. I want you home, immediately. Don't waste any time. I'll have a reservation at the
airport when you arrive in the morning. For tonight, set your alarm clock to wake you every one
hour. I want you to walk down to the lobby and spend fifteen minutes just walking around. Then
go back to bed. You'll be tired in the morning, but it's all for the best. I'll give you a proper exam
as soon as you arrive home. Are you sure you aren't in any real danger?"

"I'll be fine until I get home. Thank you, Hatori." Ritsu was, by now, clutching at the phone
receiver with both hands. He could hear the disapproval in Hatori's voice and he knew that
Ayame was very close to Hatori. He hoped that Ayame wouldn't be angry with him when he
returned home. "Oh, could you tell me where Ayame is, please?"

"Yes, he's right here. Hold on." The line went quiet for what seemed like a long time and Ritsu
guessed that Hatori must be speaking to Ayame. Then,

"HELLO!" Ayame's ever-cheerful voice nearly shouted through the telephone. "Ritsu-chan?
How are you, my boy? It's been so long." His voice turned abruptly harsh. "Tori said you were
attacked?! Are you sure you're all right? You aren't dying are you?" He actually sounded as if
he might cry. "I'll rush to save you if you need me. How dare those hoodlums put their filthy
hands on you, ohhhh...when Akito hears of this..."

"Ayame, I'm glad to hear your voice. I'll not hurt, really. You're to kind for your concern." Ritsu
smiled and felt sorry that Ayame wouldn't be able to see his smile. "Ummm...Y-you aren't angry
with me, are you?"

"Angry?" Ayame sounded honestly puzzled. "Whatever for?"

Ritsu moved himself back until he was sitting on the bed with his feet up and his back against
the pillow. This made him look down at his knees, covered by the feminine looking kimono. He
felt hot tears spring to his eyes as he was painfully reminded of why he'd been attacked in the
first place.

-Damn! This freak's not even a girl!-

"I wasn't strong enough, Ayame." Ritsu whispered into the phone as the memories of what had
happened just a few hours ago came rushing back to him. He'd only wanted to go out for a walk.

-What the Hell? This fag's just beggin' for trouble isn't he?-

"I tried to be. I tried to fight, just like you would. But...I'm just to weak." Ritsu's feet were still
sore from when he'd tried to run. They'd chased him down, one of them grabbed him by the hair
and pulled him to the ground by it. He could still feel their dirty hands all over him. They ripped
his kimono, his beautiful kimono that Ayame had given him. Ayame had hand made the entire
outfit and Ritsu hadn't even been strong enough to take care of such a precious thing. They'd
ripped it and laughed when he'd cried. Ritsu had hit one, with his only free hand, but it was a
pitiful blow, one that Kyou or Yuki or Hatsuharu would have snorted at. It didn't do any good. "I
didn't want to cry, but I couldn't stop."

"Oh...Ritsu." Ayame's voice was pained, and Ritsu felt a fresh blast of guilt. Now he'd gone and
made Ayame feel badly when that was the last thing he'd wanted to do. "Ritsu-chan, you mustn't
feel like that." Ayame's voice had lost all the good-natured humor it usually held and he sounded
strangely serious. "Please, do as Hatori says and come home right away. We need to have a long
talk, you and I. I'm not angry at you, I'm very proud that you tried to fight. Not everyone's a
fighter, you know."

"You are."

"You aren't me. You're Ritsu."

Ritsu pulled his knees up to his chest and hugged them tightly to him. "I don't want to be Ritsu."

A pause on the other end. "I know. It's such a shame, though. I'm very fond of Ritsu." Ayame
took a deep breath. "Come home safe. The flight from California shouldn't take to long and I'll
pick you up at the airport. All right?"

It was times like this that Ritsu found himself unbearably jealous of Yuki. He would haved loved
to have Ayame as his big brother. Most of the time, Ayame acted like a big brother, anyway.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I met a friend of yours here."

"A friend? Who?"

"Leon Orcot. He says he knows you."

Ayame squealed with delight. "Oh, that's wonderful! How is he? What's he like? Tell me
everything!" From the strained tone of his voice, Ritsu could tell that, though Ayame was happy
to hear about his penpal, he was glad for the change of subject.

"Well, I've only just met him a couple of hours ago. But, he said he'd like to come visit you as
soon as possible."

Ritsu could imagine Ayame's overjoyed expression as he cried out, "That's fantastic! Tell him to
get on the plane with you in the morning, I'll arrange everything!" He went on for nearly an hour
about how happy he was to be having his friend visit and having Ritsu home before Ritsu finally
said goodbye and hung up.

After hanging up the phone, Ritsu went to the windows and pulled the shades down and began
undressing. He took off the ornate kimono Ayame had made for him and all the little accessories
that made him feel more like a girl. He washed off the slight bit of make-up and took off his
earrings until, after a short while, he stood naked before the tall mirror that hung on the wall of
his hotel room and Ritsu looked at himself, closely.

'I'm definitely a boy. I KNOW I'm a boy.' Sure he was a bit thin and his hair was very long, but
looking at himself like this, there was no mistaking the truth that Ritsu was a boy. 'So...why do I
still feel wrong?' Ritsu didn't like the way he looked when he looked at himself. He looked
completely wrong. He felt completely wrong. Therefore... 'I must be wrong. I'm not normal, even
for a Souma.' Ritsu had tried, for a long time, to be a normal boy. He'd asked Kazuma for
fighting lessons, but it hadn't worked out. He just wasn't a fighter. Ritsu had gone to the same all
boy's school Ayame had gone to, but where Ayame was popular and ruled the school, Ritsu was
called names and had no friends. Nothing ever seemed to work for him. He always ended up
alone and crying.

Then, as if my magic, Ritsu had been sent to Rin's house to play when he was seven years old.
He was told that she had few friends and the family hoped that the two of them would grow
close. That didn't happen, but something wonderful did happen. Rin had left him alone so she
could go see Hatsuharu and, alone in Rin's room, Ritsu had discovered her closet full of clothes.
He'd undressed and put on one of her dresses and looked in the mirror. Ritsu felt...normal. He
stepped closer to the mirror and looked at himself more closely. It felt good.

The moment of happiness had ended when Ritsu's mother and Rin's mother had walked into find
him like that. For a moment, he hadn't understood what made his mother burst into tears and he
ran to her smiling and trying to reassure her that everything was all right, now. He had found out
what had been wrong all this time and he knew how to fix it. He wanted to be a girl.

Now, looking at himself in the hotel mirror, Ritsu knew why his mother hadn't been able to look
at him for the rest of the day. Even something that made him feel normal was wrong.

'It's no use.' Ritsu sighed as he turned off the light switch. 'No matter what I do, I'm going to hurt
someone.' He climbed into bed, still naked. It would feel wrong to wear men's pajamas to bed.
Wearing women's nightdress would be wrong. So, if he couldn't be right and he couldn't be
happy, Ritsu would be nothing. That was a good solution, wasn't it? At night, he could get away
with not choosing what to wear. It didn't matter.

Tomorrow would be a better day. He'd be off home.


Elsewhere-


"So...I've finally found them. The Zodiac." Papa D smiled. "Now, I just have to find my cat."



To be continued...



Dear readers, hope you enjoyed this chapter. I hadn't planned on adding Papa D, but he just
slipped in when I wasn't looking. I'll bet Evil Little god of Writing had something to do with
this.