User blog:Akasha1908/Ikutachi X Barbatos: Episode 3 (Tales From the AGG Mansion)

             Barbatos sat quietly on a small wooden bench in the shade of a small copse of trees. Training had gone well into the afternoon, and with the heat beginning to take effect, Master thought it would be a good time to rest and recharge. He was hunched over, his elbows on his knees as he studied the blades of grass swaying gently in the breeze. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t realize he had company until she spoke.

“You’re a fool.”

             Barbatos looked up at Chiyome. Despite her statement, her eyes held sympathy.

             “It pains me to see you like this.”   She continued, kneeling in front of him. “Especially when I warned you this would happen.”

             Barbatos dropped his head again, unable to stand the pity he saw in her eyes. “Please, Chiyo-chan. Not now; not today. Have mercy and spare me your ‘I told you so” speech. I just want to be alone right now.”

             She cupped his cheek lifting his head and forcing him to look at her.

             “How can I leave you alone like this? You are my beloved friend.”   She brushed away the hair that had fallen into his eye. They were shadowed by dark circles; a sure sign he hadn’t slept in days. Chiyome pulled him towards her, placing a motherly kiss on his forehead. “I will not leave to suffer this alone.”

             “Chi-”   Barbatos voice caught, all the emotions he’d been trying to keep tucked away, bubbling to the surface.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I know.”   She replied softly. “You don’t have to say anything.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She embraced him tightly, giving him the comfort he so desperately needed, but couldn’t ask for. Few knew of his relationship with Ikutachi, and only one knew how much he loved him. That one person was Chiyome, and despite her warnings against it, he’d been foolish enough to fall in love with the fickle Anima.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “So much pain.”   He whispered.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             For several long minutes Chiyome held him in her arms. She didn’t speak, nor did she force him to. She just let him rest his weary head on her shoulder, telling him through her touch that she was there for him. Finally, Barbatos sat up. He sniffed, wiping his nose with the back of his hand.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Why didn’t I listen to you?”   He asked weakly.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “You already know the answer to that question.”   She replied. “It’s because you fell in love with him at first sight. I believe your exact words were…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I would chase him to the ends of the world if it meant I could spend one night with him. You’re right.”   Barbatos said miserably. “I am a fool.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“No one can fault you for loving him, Barbatos. Ikutachi is not only fierce and beautiful, but his aura radiates pure energy and life. It has a way of sucking you in until all you can see is him. What makes it even worse is that he doesn’t realize the effect he has on people.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I’ve never met anyone like him in all my existence, Chiyo. Somehow he manages to have all the passion of a courtesan, and all the innocence of a virgin. How could anyone resist such a man?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“That’s a very dangerous combination indeed.”   She replied in agreement.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Barbatos huffed in frustration. “I just don’t understand why he doesn’t want me. I wouldn’t say we were perfect for each other, but I made him happy."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Yes, but this is Ikutachi we’re talking about. To love one person, place or thing for any stretch of time is simply not in his nature. To be honest, I’m surprised he’s stayed here with Master Akasha for so long.”   Chiyome took Barabtos’ hands in hers, squeezing them gently. “He’s like the wind; wild and free. Always moving; never stopping. Try as you might to capture him, he is forever destined to slip through your fingers.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Then how do I stop loving him?”   Barbatos asked, sounding almost desperate. “How do I stand here watch as he takes lover after lover, and do absolutely nothing?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“If you really love him, you will never stop.”   Chiyome replied. “But eventually you will reach a point where you love him enough to truly let him go. As for his flaunting another lover, I wouldn’t worry too much about that. I don’t think Ikutachi would ever be so cruel.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Then apparently he is not the man you thought he was.”   Barbatos laughed bitterly. “He did so just this morning with that puffed up Divina, Yukimura. I couldn’t believe it! They were embracing in the middle of the courtyard for all to see!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “He must not have known you were there.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “He knew damn well I was there, Chiyo! How could he not? We’ve been out there every day for the past week!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I wasn’t there to see what happened, so I don’t know the answer. But what I do know is Ikutachi would never intentionally hurt you. You have to know that.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Barbatos was too angry to respond, so instead he remained silent.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">               Chiyome hesitated a moment before speaking again. “I am sorry, Barbatos. I wish there was something I could say or do that would take away your pain. Unfortunately, the terrible truth is that you’ll just have to endure. But, with time and patience, your heart will heal.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “It’s not fair.”   Barbatos replied angrily. “It’s not fair that I’m the only one who is suffering.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Chiyome sighed heavily. “It never is.”

<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center">_______________________________________

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ikutachi stared up at the ceiling of his bedroom. Though his body was thoroughly exhausted, his mind refused to quiet for the evening. He rolled over onto his side, staring at the man lying next to him. Yukimura was fast asleep, his chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm. Ikutachi flirted with the idea of resting his head there, and letting the beat of Yukimura’s heart lull him to sleep. He hesitated, wondering if the Divina would mind such frivolous contact.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             The concept of “cuddling” was still relatively new to Ikutachi. Sure he’d fallen asleep in another’s arms; their limbs haphazardly intertwined after hours of love-making. But it wasn’t until he’d met Barbatos that he’d ever truly “cuddled” with another person. The Phantom had thought him absolutely ridiculous for having an aversion to it, but Ikutachi couldn’t really see the point of clinging to another if it wasn’t before, during or after intercourse. In spite of his reservations, he’d conceded to Barbatos’ constant requests, and, to his surprise, he’d enjoyed it. Of course he didn’t tell Barbatos that... Looking at Yukimura now, Ikutachi couldn’t help but wonder if it would be as pleasant with him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ikutachi scooted over to where Yukimura lay. The Divina was on his back, one hand tucked behind his head. As quietly and carefully as he could, Ikutachi tried to settle into a comfortable position at Yukimura’s side. After about 5 minutes or so, he gave up. It just wasn’t the same as it was with Barbatos. Ikutachi started to move back to his side of the bed, feeling silly for attempting such a thing. On top of that, the uneasiness he couldn’t seem to shake was now worse than before.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Come back.”   Yukimura whispered. His voice was full of sleep, so it had a soft, scratchy edge to it.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “No, I think I’ll just stay over here. I can’t seem to get comfortable beside you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I’ll help you this time.”   Yukimura replied, rolling onto his side and reaching out to him. “Come.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “No thank you.”   Ikutachi said firmly. “I’d probably end up keeping you awake with my constant squirming anyway. Just go back to sleep. I apologize for waking you up.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Yukimura sat up from the bed. “What’s your deal, Iku-chan? You practically jump me when I get here, then the moment you’re finished, you don’t want to touch me.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “On the contrary.”   Ikutachi countered. “I just tried to cuddle with you, but like I said, I couldn’t get comfortable.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Yukimura sighed, running a hand down his face. “God, I’m an idiot.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “What’s that supposed to mean?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Nothing, I just thought that you inviting me here meant…”   He paused, sighing again. “You know what, never mind.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “You can’t just stop mid-sentence like that. Tell me what you thought this meant.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Yukimura stared at him for several seconds, his lips parted as if he were on the verge of speaking. Instead, he grabbed Ikutachi, pinning him beneath his body. He crushed his lips to his, making it impossible for Ikutachi to breathe.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Stop!”   Ikutachi shouted the moment he was able to break the kiss.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “No.”   Yukimura answered roughly. “I will have my fill of you before this night ends. Perhaps then I will be able to purge you from my thoughts.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened to Ikutachi. In fact, situations like this happened so often, that he’d learned to suppress emotions like fear or panic, and focus instead on escape. Years of experience had taught him that the easiest way out of a situation like this was to simply go along with it. It was all about patience and waiting for the opportune moment…

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             That moment came about 7 minutes in when Yukimura gave him a clear knee shot to the groin. Yukimura cried out in pain, his focus momentarily broken. Ikutachi shoved with all his strength, throwing the Divina clear off of the bed.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ikutachi didn’t waste a moment, racing out of the room like it was on fire. There was no sound of pursuit, but he refused to slow. He sprinted clear to the other side of the mansion and straight to Barbatos’ door. Truth be told, he hadn’t planned on ending up there, but the moment he was out of Yukimura’s grasp, fear, sharp and unforgiving, struck him hard. He needed to be somewhere safe, and there was no safer place he could think of.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ikutachi didn’t bother knocking. Knowing it would be open, he burst into the room, slamming and locking the door behind him. To his surprise, he was met with silence; Barbatos nowhere in sight.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Where are you?”   He whispered to the empty room.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ikutachi looked down at his clothes. Yukimura had torn off his shirt and ripped open his pants. Removing the tattered clothing, Ikutachi dug out one of Barbatos’ shirts from the dresser, and pulled it over his head. The demon’s scent still clung to the fabric. Lifting the collar to his nose, he inhaled deeply, letting the intoxicating fragrance invade his senses.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             He wandered over to the bed, falling onto the wine colored sheets. They too smelled like Barbatos, and Ikutachi couldn’t stop himself from burying his face into them. He missed this place. Missed the safety and security he felt within its walls. It was warm and inviting and it felt like home. All the unease he’d been feeling of late faded away. He was at peace again; his spirit calm once more. He slipped into the covers, snuggling into the satin covered pillows.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He was on the edge of sleep when he heard the door open. Pushing away the haze of exhaustion threatening to claim him, Ikutachi lifted himself up off the bed. Standing in the doorway was Barbatos, an unreadable expression in his eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ikutachi’s heart began to race, his skin flushing with heat. How could he have forgotten how incredibly beautiful this demon was? In that moment all the pieces came together. He knew why he’d been so uneasy, why he felt so lost and empty, and why his thoughts were always filled with the man before him. He was in love. The realization slammed into him with such force, he was struck speechless.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“What are you doing here?”   Barbatos asked, his voice tight and strained.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ikutachi opened his mouth to answer, but he was so overwhelmed with the reality of his feelings, he couldn’t formulate a response. There were so many things he needed to say, but he wasn’t sure where or how to begin. Hell, he didn’t even know if he should be happy or terrified by this newfound revelation.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ikutachi licked his lips, swallowing nervously. “I…   I…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Barbatos hissed in irritation. “Do you think you can just come here whenever you want?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “No, I just…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Why are you even here?!”   Barbatos continued angrily. “In my bed and dressed in my clothes?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “It’s not what you…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Is this some kind of sick joke?! Was flaunting your new lover in my face not enough?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I didn’t mean to…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “You know what?”   Barbatos said, holding up his hand. “Just get out.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ikutachi shook his head, tears burning in the back of his eyes. He needed to say something! He needed to explain everything to Barbatos clearly. But all his thoughts and emotions were in complete disarray. He’d never felt so many things at once, and certainly not so many foreign emotions. He didn’t know what to do, but he had to think of something before he lost Barbatos forever.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ikutachi scrambled off the bed, rushing towards him. If he couldn’t tell Barbatos what he was feeling, then he would just have to show him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “What’s going on?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Rhongomiant stepped into the room, a bottle of wine in his hand. Ikutachi froze, looking from Rhongomiant to Barbatos and back again.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Is everything okay, Barbatos? I can come back later if you want.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “No, its fine, Rhongo. Ikutachi was just leaving.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             It felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to his chest. He couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Did you hear me?”   Barbatos asked coldly. “I said you need to leave.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Breathe…   Inhale… Exhale…   

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">             <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Relax Barbatos.”   Rhongomiant said. “Are you okay, Iku-san?”   He asked the question with genuine concern in his voice, and Ikutachi knew he needed to say something back.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Breathe…   Inhale… Exhale…   

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">             <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Iku-san?”   Rhongomiant repeated.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I’m fine.”   Ikutachi replied, his voice cracking with the strain of trying to sound normal. “I must have wandered into the wrong room. Let me grab my things and I’ll get out of your way.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             He snatched his clothes off the ground and headed towards the door. He gave them both a wide berth, and kept his eyes focused on the floor. He would have made it, if Rhongomiant hadn’t grabbed his arm to stop him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “What happened to your wrists?”   He asked in alarm.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ikutachi looked down at the purple bruises on his pale skin. Yukimura must have left them during their short altercation.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “N-nothing.” He replied, tugging the sleeves down over the marks.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “They don’t look like nothing.”   Rhongomiant replied. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Ikutachi glanced over at Barbatos. The demon was examining Ikutachi carefully, his expression a mixture of anger and concern.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Yes, of course. Everything is fine.”   Ikutachi said trying to sound reassuring. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ll be going now.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             He bowed to them both, them calmly walked out the door. He made it to the end of the hall before the tears started. Crying wasn’t something he did very often, and it startled him at first. But as the reality of what he’d just witnessed sunk in, he realized he couldn’t stop. Finding the nearest dark corner, he pressed his back to the wall, and sunk to the floor. Pulling his knees to his chest, he put his head down and let the tears fall.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">