Two months have passed in the Kingdom of Pulsar since the mysterious foreigner, Seishiro Sakurazuka was hired to deal with possible assassination attempts on members of the royal household…

 

            “…so you see, your Majesty, this will expand the aqueduct system in the east section of the city.”  The engineer now looked at the young King for approval.

Arslan glanced at Narsus, seeking his advisor’s opinion.  Narsus appeared to consider his response, then was entirely distracted by the announcement of the King’s new Master of Assassins.  Seishiro entered the throne-room silently and awaited Arslan’s attention.

“Narsus!” Daryoon hissed but the Imperial Artist was already staring fixedly at Seishiro, who smiled slyly back.

The engineer was quickly dismissed and Seishiro stepped forward and bowed to the King.

“Majesty, the last two assassins have been dealt with.  They appear to have been in the pay of Shindra.” He said, finishing with a smirk.

Arslan  nodded “Thank you” and made to rise from his throne.  Narsus and Daryoon both bowed and prepared to leave.

“Daryoon, I would like to speak with you for a moment.”

“As you wish, Majesty.” The warrior replied, fighting back his annoyance as he saw Narsus hurry to catch up with Seishiro who was already exiting the room.

 

            “Um, Seishiro…”

He paused, letting Narsus catch up with him.  Narsus came to a halt next to Seishiro, suddenly nervous under the gaze of that single eye.  The Master of Assassins smiled. “I was wondering…if, if you’d care to join me for lunch?”

“It would be an honour.”

Narsus blushed.

 

            Behind the closed doors of one of the private rooms of the palace Daryoon’s scowl deepened.

“Do you think that Seishiro is acclimatising to Pulsar then?” Arslan asked hopefully.

A grunt was the only answer.

“After all, he’s given up wearing those strange foreign robes and he’s well liked among the court.”

Silence.

“And I think he likes Narsus.” Arslan giggled looking up at his Champion only to find Daryoon audibly grinding his teeth.

“If that, that… so much as lays a hand…”  Daryoon was already so angry that he’d lost the ability to form coherent sentences.

Arslan put a calming hand on Daryoon’s arm “I’m sure Narsus doesn’t feel the same way towards him.  He loves you and no matter how good looking Seishiro is…”

“NARSUS IS MINE!”

Arslan wisely chose to keep silent, ruefully regarding the new dent in the table.

 

            Seishiro watched the fluttering of the long, slender fingers.  Beautiful.  He was now sat in one of the rooms of Narsus’ quarters in the palace.  After lunch had been finished and cleared away by the servants he had been left alone with the rather lovely and nervous lord.

“Would you like some more wine?” Narsus looked at him shyly.

Seishiro shook his head.

“Oh…”  Narsus refilled his own glass simply to have something to do.

“Do I make you nervous?”

“What?  Uh… no.”

“There’s no need to be afraid of me.”

“I suppose I have been a little afraid.  You’ve so different from anyone I’ve ever known…”

“How so?” Seishiro was amused.

“I don’t know.  Perhaps because you’re not Pulsian or perhaps because you’re so difficult for me to understand.”

Seishiro laughed and Narsus flushed in embarrassment, he hadn’t meant to say so much.

“Since you always find it so easy to read peoples’ hearts perhaps fate decided that you needed a challenge.”

“Fate?  I’m not sure I believe that everything is foreordained but, I’m sure I shall enjoy the challenge.”

Suddenly the doors of the chamber were flung open to reveal a very angry looking Daryoon.  Seishiro stood up “Ah, I believe I must attend to my duties now.”  Then without acknowledging Daryoon’s presence he took Narsus’ hand in his and kissed it lingeringly, before he simply turned and exited the room.

 

            As he made his way along the corridor Seishiro allowed a predator’s smile to grace his lips.  So it seemed that this game of seduction might be even more entertaining that he’d first anticipated.  For the Sakurazukamori even the slightest amusement meant something.  To seduce this pretty noble, to watch Narsus betray love and honour willingly, that was something to stir his dead soul.  Seishiro laughed.

 

A month later…

 

            Daryoon scowled, it seemed he was doing that a lot lately, “You shouldn’t be spending so much time with that man.”

Narsus ignored him.

“It’s not right.”

“What’s ‘not right’ pray tell?” Narsus was looking up now, eyes cold.

“You spending most of your time with him!”

“I don’t see why you’re objecting to the company I keep.”

“Because… because…”  Daryoon ground his teeth.

“That’s hardly a reason.” An arch look.

“People are beginning to talk.”

“Let them talk.  It’s not as if I’ve done anything wrong.”

“Haven’t you?”  Daryoon’s voice was low, accusing.

Narsus only stared at Daryoon.

“What about all that time you spend ‘alone’ with him, in the gardens, in your chambers?  The nights spent ‘playing chess’?!”

“That’s all we do.  We’re friends, that’s all.”  Narsus’ voice was soft now, almost pleading.

“That’s all.” Daryoon echoed.

“Yes.  Nothing else has happened between us, I swear.  I love you Daryoon.”

Daryoon slammed his hand against the back of the chair that Narsus was sitting on, right next to Narsus’ head, “How can you say that?!  I’ve seen the way you look at him!” he snarled.

Narsus flinched, his green eyes filling with tears.  Daryoon was going to hit him, probably breaking his nose at least.  He shut his eyes waiting for the blow.

Daryoon gasped, his brain catching up with his instinct, Narsus had actually said ‘I love you’.  He’d never said it before, almost as if he’d been too frightened to actually say the words.

“Narsus.  Open your eyes… please.  I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

Reluctantly Narsus opened his eyes, eyes that were filled with pain and fear.

 

A week later…

 

            Things hadn’t improved since Daryoon had lost his temper a week ago.  Narsus barely spoke to him and only then when he absolutely had to.  Every time Daryoon had tried to speak to him privately Narsus simply looked tired and sad.

 

            Daryoon didn’t look up as the doors of his chambers opened, he remained with his head in his hands.

“Daryoon?”

“Majesty!”  the warrior would have gotten to his feet but the King gestured for him to remain seated.

“I’ve come to talk to you about Narsus.  I don’t know what happened last week but something is very wrong.”

“It’s my fault.”  Daryoon sighed.

“Daryoon, what happened?”

“We argued… or rather, I accused him of being unfaithful.”

“Why?!”

“I was jealous of Seishiro.  They spent so much time together.  I shouldn’t have…  Narsus was so frightened…  Oh, Gods, I shouldn’t have…”  Daryoon trailed off into incoherency.

“Shouldn’t have what Daryoon?  What did you do to him?  Why should Narsus be afraid of you?”

“Believe me, I’d never hurt him…  Oh, Gods…”

Arslan caught hold of Daryoon’s shoulder “Daryoon, what did you do?  Did you… did you hit him?” the King asked urgently.

“No, but the Gods help me, I almost did.”

 

Three weeks later…

 

            Narsus sat by the window, staring, unseeing out over the gardens.  It was from this window that he’d first seen Seishiro and everything had begun to go wrong.

At first he’d merely found the man handsome and charming, an intellectual companion to spend an evening with, then Narsus had realised that he was, perhaps, a little attracted to Seishiro.  That was when the problems had really started.  Yes, Seishiro was charming and intelligent and handsome but Narsus didn’t love him, didn’t feel the same way about him as he did about Daryoon.  He hadn’t discussed the matter with Daryoon, not wanting to upset or worry him, perhaps he should have.  Still everything had been fine until Daryoon’s outburst.  Now, he couldn’t face Daryoon, he kept remembering the anger, the promise of violence that terrified him.  Narsus shivered at the memory.  Surely Daryoon wouldn’t have hurt him, would he?

           

            There was a knock.  “Enter” Narsus called out.  It was Daryoon, again.

“Get out.”  Narsus said flatly.

“Narsus, please…”

“Out.”

“I can explain.”

“What part of get the hell out don’t you understand!?”

“Please.”

“Out!”  Narsus shrieked.

“I’m not going anywhere till you listen to me!”

Narsus moved to physically throw Daryoon out but the warrior caught hold of him by the arms and suddenly he was terrified again.  Daryoon saw the sudden fear in Narsus’ eyes and quickly let go.

“Narsus…”  Daryoon began.

“I think Lord Narsus asked you to leave General.”  Came the cold, unmistakable voice behind him.

Daryoon glared at Seishiro, then glancing back at Narsus felt his heart sink.  Narsus stood looking at the floor, his arms wrapped around himself.

“I’m sorry.”  Daryoon said quietly and left the room.

 

            Narsus wept.  He didn’t know if he could trust Daryoon anymore, or if he could even trust himself.  Seishiro’s arms surrounded him, holding him close, soothing his fears.  Warm lips clamed his and Narsus gave up listening to his own judgement.

Seishiro tugged Narsus’ clothing loose, surprised at his own impatiens.  He really ought to take his time, after all, the game was about to come to a close, his victory was assured.  Hands rough and urgent, Seishiro pushed Narsus down onto the bed, forcing Narsus onto his back, parting his thighs before any protest could be voiced.  The tears continued to fall.

“Do you want me to stop?”  Seishiro asked, wanting his prey to protest so that he could make this conquest complete.

Narsus opened his eyes and stared directly into Seishiro’s single seeing eye.   “No.” he said, barely above a breath.

Narsus arched, gasping as he felt Seishiro roughly enter him.  He sobbed, oh, Gods it hurt, burned as he was torn open.  It had never been like this with Daryoon, Daryoon had always been careful, gently preparing him with tender hands.  The pain was intense, overriding his senses, choking his desperate cries in his throat.  Pain that he’d asked for, had invited.  With the pain also came an insidious pleasure.  Pleasure tainted by blood and pain and submission.  On some level Narsus was aware that it still hurt but somehow it didn’t matter so much any more.  The movement of Seishiro’s body against his, the panting breaths in his ear, the feel of Seishiro filling him were part of both the pleasure and the pain.  The tears began to flow again as Narsus felt his body responding to the violence with which he was being taken.  He clutched at the bed sheets desperately.  He couldn’t resist the sensation that overwhelmed him and finally, tears flowing freely, he came with a silent scream.

Seishiro withdrew and collapsed, exhausted on the bed.  Turning his head towards Narsus, he smiled at the tears that clearly marked Narsus’ face.  As Seishiro closed his eyes he almost fancied he could smell the blood that stained the sheets.

Moments passed.

Narsus stirred and Seishiro turned to look at him, time to deliver the final blow.  “It’s almost a shame…” he said.

Narsus looked back at him silently.

“… that I don’t love you.”  Seishiro finished.

Surprisingly, Narsus smiled.  “I don’t love you either.” He said before settling himself more comfortably in Seishiro’s arms.

Seishiro stared, surely he couldn’t have been outwitted…

“After all, who could possibly love Sakurazukamori.”  Narsus murmured before sleep claimed him.

For a moment Seishiro tensed, then he relaxed letting sleep steal upon him, perhaps the game wasn’t over just yet…

 

Oooh, my first piece of yaoi and my longest Arslan Senki fic to date. 

Somewhere along the way it got rather dark and twisted though.  Daryoon wasn’t meant to be so stupid about the situation, Seishiro perhaps wasn’t meant to be the anime Valmont (from Choderlos De Laclos’ Dangerous Liaisons.) and Narsus most certainly wasn’t meant to go in for masochism! 

I’ll blame it on a pic I downloaded today of Fumma in his role as the Kamui of the Dragons of Earth… evil’s never looked so good.

 

Narsus (27/3/01)