Chapter Text
Japanese Language Notes:
Denka-sama- Your Highness
“Do you ever wish things were different?”
Ikoma’s head lay on Mumei’s lap, her hands playing with his hair. They were on top of the Koutetsujyo, and the starry night sky sprawled out above them. The air was starting to grow cooler. Autumn would be coming soon. A light breeze swept along the train, pulling at strands of Mumei’s black hair.
Ikoma tilted his head up towards her with hooded eyes. It felt so good to have her hands in his hair. The light caress of her fingers soothed him and made him forget his worries.
“Different how?” he whispered in a husky voice.
“Do you wish you’d never met me?” Mumei’s voice was sad, she didn’t meet his gaze.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He reached up to tug on a lock of hair, catching her attention. “You are my life.”
Her eyes glittered in the moonlight and a shy smile fluttered over her lips. As his hand coaxed along her jaw, she leaned down to kiss him.
Mumei…
Ikoma jolted awake, pulled back to the grim reality of his dark prison cell, hewn out of a rough cleft of rock. Water dripped from the walls and ceiling, collecting in small, mold-crusted puddles on the floor. A guard banged on the iron bars of his cell.
“Meal time,” the guard held up a thermos of blood.
Ikoma could smell it, fresh, warm, tantalizing. He was so hungry; the scent made his mouth water. But he swallowed back his saliva and turned resolutely away, placing his back to the guard and the thermos of blood taken from murdered humans. There’s no way he could ever drink it, no matter how hungry he was.
“Suit yourself.” The guard shrugged and walked back to his desk. Upon noticing the dark-haired visitor who stood silently by his post, the guard dropped the thermos, and stood stiffly at attention.
“G-General. How can I help you?”
“At ease,” Daito replied. He eyed the thermos as it rolled across the floor. “The prisoner still refuses to eat?”
“Y-Yes sir. I’ve been instructed to offer him a meal twice a day, but he always refuses. Hasn’t drank a drop since he arrived.”
Daito rolled his eyes. Ikoma needs to choose his battles more wisely, he thought to himself. But to the guard, he nodded. “Very good. You’ve done well.”
The guard visibly relaxed at his words and Daito waved a hand in dismissal. “I’d like a few moments alone with the prisoner, to improve his attitude.”
At his words, the guard tensed up again. “I’m sorry, General Daito. I was told no one was allowed into the cell.”
Daito’s eyes glowed yellow and the guard took an involuntary step back. “Under Minokichi’s direct orders, sir.”
“Of course, he’s to remain in his cell. I will speak to him from outside. Surely that doesn’t violate your orders?”
“Well, I suppose not,” the guard agreed nervously.
Daito clapped a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze, hard enough to be painful. “Excellent, thank you. You are dismissed.”
“Y-Yes sir,” the guard stammered, making a hasty exit.
Daito strolled over to the cell and peered inside. Ikoma sat with his back against the wall, a thick metal chain attached to an iron ring around his ankle. He was dirty and disheveled. Streaks of mud were smeared across his face and arms.
“You’re looking a little ragged,” Daito quipped from the doorway.
Ikoma lifted his head, frowning. His eyes were tired, but he met the godwalker’s gaze before looking away. “Daito,” he muttered. “What do you want?”
“I thought you should know, your mate has awakened.”
“Mumei?” Ikoma lifted his head. “Mumei’s awake?” He rose and made a rush at the door but was jerked back by the heavy chain. He struggled against it for a moment before looking back at Daito with a miserable expression. “How is she? Is she alright?” he pleaded.
“She is well,” Daito assured him. “She’s asking for you.”
“Mumei.” Ikoma slumped back against the wall and slid down till he was sitting on the floor. He tugged futilely at the chain for a moment, before leaning his head back to rest against the wall with a sigh. “At least she’s alright,” he murmured.
“You could see her yourself, if you could muster up a bit of self-control.”
At Daito’s words, Ikoma bared his teeth. “And placate that psychotic murdering tyrant you people all grovel to?”
Daito shrugged. “We are not able to resist his alpha call. You on the other hand, are another creature entirely.” He looked at his nails dispassionately.
“What are you talking about?” Ikoma shouted. He rushed at the door once more and howled in rage as the chain held him back. “Why did I ever let you bring us here?”
“I brought you here to stop Minokichi. You’re the only other alpha I’ve ever encountered. The only one who can set us free.”
“I don’t understand a word you’re saying,” Ikoma growled at him.
Daito assessed him silently for a moment. Ikoma was breathing heavily, his fight with the chain, when he was already in a weakened state, exhausted him.
“How much do you remember about your last battle?”
Ikoma shrugged. “Not much. I remember seeing Mumei get hit and then this feeling of uncontrollable darkness and rage. I don’t—I don’t want to remember it, that level of darkness.”
“You displayed the powers of an alpha godwalker, powerful enough to rival Minokichi. You destroyed my kabane army in minutes, hundreds of soldiers slain like kindling.”
“No, no.” Ikoma shook his head, hands rising to clench his temples. “I wouldn’t—I couldn’t kill like that.”
“You did.” Daito’s voice was firm. “And you’ll need to use that power again if you want to have even the slightest hope of defeating Minokichi.”
“I don’t want to lose control like that!” Ikoma pounded his fist against the wall.
“Do you honestly think Minokichi will ever let you or your mate leave this place alive?” Daito couldn’t stop himself from raising his voice. “And what about all your little human pets? What will happen to them? It’s just a matter of time before Minokichi sends more generals to collect them like cattle. Why do you think I was there?”
“You could fight against him!” Ikoma shouted back.
“No, I can’t.” Daito looked away. “It is impossible for any of us in his pack. As the alpha, he can destroy our minds with barely a thought. That’s why I brought you here and hid your true potential from him. I brought you here to save us.”
“You should have told us what we were getting into!” Ikoma snarled.
“Would you have come?” Daito asked him bluntly.
At his words, Ikoma’s shoulders sagged. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’d like to think so.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Daito admitted. “But it seemed like a good idea at the time. If you became entangled in our mess, you’d be obligated to help.”
“How did you know I wouldn’t just side with Minokichi?”
Daito raised an eyebrow. “Even after a few moments of conversation I could tell that you were far too stubborn for that.”
Ikoma huffed and Daito held out the thermos of blood.
“You’ll need to drink and regain your strength.”
“I am not drinking that,” Ikoma spat out the words, eyeing the thermos with contempt.
“Not all our food is the result of murder.” Daito held out a placating hand. “There are some humans here, sycophants, that earnestly desire to serve us, in the hopes of becoming godwalkers themselves one day. It is from these donors that your meal is collected.”
“And you expect me to trust you?” Ikoma balled his hands into fists.
“No,” Daito agreed. “But it would behoove you to drink and regain your strength, so that you can return to Mumei’s side.”
Ikoma sighed and nodded. Daito rolled the thermos to him and Ikoma drank deeply. His eyes glowed brightly for a moment, and he wiped his lips with the back of his hand.
“Now what?” He asked Daito.
“Now you’ll need to put your acting skills to the test.” At Ikoma’s puzzled look, Daito continued. “Minokichi is strong and smart, but he’s also arrogant. If you tell him what he wishes to hear, I believe he is likely to release you and allow you some freedom of movement within the Cove. You could visit your mate, Mumei. He’ll probably have you watched, but it’s better than being trapped down here.”
Ikoma scoffed but his burning desire to see Mumei made the choice for him. “Fine, I’ll play along for now. I want to make sure Mumei is all right with my own eyes.” At Daito’s smile, Ikoma already regretted his next words before they even came out of his mouth. “Tell me what I need to do.”
Minokichi sat in his audience chamber leaning against a high-backed metal chair in the center of the room, reminiscent of a medieval throne. The chair was lined with thick red cushions with golden tassels sewn at the corners. A crowd of servants surrounded him, one carefully trimming his claws while another massaged his feet with scented oils. Another held a fresh goblet of blood in a chalice while two sultry dancers performed on the carpet before him. Minokichi yawned and gestured to the servant with the chalice, who hurried quickly to his side and offered him the cup. At that moment, a tiny bell jingled from the doorway.
“Enter,” Minokichi called.
A beautiful servant woman walked quietly to his side and whispered something into his ear. Minokichi inclined his head toward her.
“Yes, allow him in.”
At Minokichi’s words, the servant bowed and walked to the door, allowing Daito entrance.
Daito bowed low and Minokichi acknowledged him with a wave of his hand. “General, I assume you have something to report?”
“Yes, Denka-sama. I have spoken with the prisoner and convinced him to see the error of his ways.”
“The little rustic has decided to stop starving himself, then?” Minokichi raised a manicured brow.
“I can be quite persuasive, Your Excellency.”
“Indeed.” Minokichi gave an arrogant laugh and smiled to display enlarged canines. “And you are willing to vouch for him, I suppose.”
Daito placed a hand over his heart. “With my life, my lord.”
“Hmm.” Minokichi mulled it over for a moment. “Very well.” He waved his hand and two godwalker guards appeared at his side, kneeling. “Bring the green-haired savage to me. It’s not every day I get to enjoy the pleasure of breaking in a wild beast.” He rubbed his hands together, a vindictive smirk twisting up the corner of his mouth.
A short time later, the little bell rang out. Minokichi called out, “You may enter.”
Two guards hustled in Ikoma, still filthy and wearing the grimy clothes from his time in the prison. His eyes burned with fury and for a moment Daito began to worry. But then the Kabaneri looked down, clenching his hands into fists at his side. Ikoma gave a quick glance to Daito, who tilted his head slightly. Stifling a shudder, Ikoma fell to his knees before Minokichi, still looking down.
“Well, well, well. He can be trained after all.”
Minokichi’s laughter burned into Ikoma’s ears. He felt the rage building within himself and took a deep breath, fingernails biting into his palms so hard that they drew blood. But he maintained his self-control.
“Do you have something you wish to tell me, little savage?” Minokichi reached down and gripped Ikoma’s jaw, forcing him to meet his gaze.
“I apologize for disrespecting your hospitality,” Ikoma ground out. The words felt like knives, slicing through him on their way out of his throat. “I’m not used to taking blood from humans by force, and the sight of it was…disturbing.” He could barely get the last word out. Ikoma felt bile rise in his mouth. He wanted to scream, wanted to punch this arrogant bastard right in his smug face, but that would just get him thrown back into a cell again indefinitely. And Mumei was awake. Mumei was asking for him. He had to get to her, even if it took every last ounce of willpower to kneel before this lunatic and lie. Ikoma trembled and for a moment his veins pulsed with Kabaneri yellow.
Daito cringed and inhaled a sharp breath, but Minokichi chuckled.
“That was difficult for you, wasn’t it?” He patted Ikoma on the head as if he were a child. “Still, Daito has made some impressive progress. I assume you’ve heard that your mate has awakened.” Ikoma tensed under his hand, which seemed to amuse Minokichi further.
“Such primitive, instinctual reflexes. The wild ones are always such fun to tease.” Minokichi’s eyes glowed red and Ikoma felt the intense throbbing pressure enter his mind. Daito had explained a little more to him about alpha powers, so he was expecting it. Ikoma felt that he could resist, but remembering Daito’s coaching, he bent down to the floor with a whimper.
Minokichi’s grin glittered with malice. “You are free to explore the Cove. Take in the pleasures a more civilized society has to offer. I expect you will soon come to appreciate the delights of our refined way of life. But you are forbidden under any circumstances from leaving the embrace of the Cove, under pain of death. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Denka-sama.” Ikoma muttered between clenched teeth.
“Very good.” Minokichi clapped his hands. “Daito, get him cleaned up and escort him wherever he wishes to go. I’m going to put his instruction directly under your care. His actions will be considered your actions.”
“Very good, my lord.” Daito bowed and guided Ikoma out of the room.
After the two men left, Minokichi took a long sip of his chalice, savoring the taste. It was delicious. Fresh O positive was always his favorite. He tapped his finger in thought for a moment, before signaling to a guard standing silently in the corner.
“Have them followed,” Minokichi ordered, narrowing his eyes. “One of them is hiding something, and I want to know what.”
Ikoma practically sprinted to the infirmary. Daito smirked at his enthusiasm and wondered if all monogamous couples behaved that way. It was amusing to watch someone who wore their emotions so clearly.
Bursting through the infirmary doors, Ikoma strode through the hall, coming up to a stop just outside Mumei’s room. His breath hitched in his throat. He could see her sitting up in the hospital bed, chatting with Nurse Evolette.
For a moment, Ikoma was consumed with watching her. He watched her chest rise and fall, watched her hands gesture animatedly at some story she was telling Evolette. The nurse held a hand up to her mouth, laughing, though whether it was from Mumei’s story or her overt enthusiasm was unclear. Ikoma blinked back tears.
She’s all right.
His sigh of relief caught Mumei’s attention, and she turned her head toward the doorway, a hopeful expression painting her face.
“Ikoma!” Her voice was threaded with delight, and it pulled Ikoma out of his self-loathing inertia enough to move from the doorway.
He rushed to her bedside, taking her gently into his arms as if she would break. His arms trembled as he held her. “Mumei, gods, I’m so sorry.” He rasped, voice thick with emotion.
Mumei pouted at him. “I thought you’d be here when I woke up.”
His arms slipped down her sides to clench the bedsheets tightly in his fists. He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Hozumi. I wanted to be here. Please believe me,” he whispered.
Mumei saw the tears in his eyes and pulled him into her arms without a word. She held him against her and stroked a hand through his hair. He took a shuddering breath, and she could feel the air when he exhaled tickling her neck.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Daito was still in the doorway and Evolette standing up and walking toward him. Mumei’s cheeks flushed. She wasn’t used to having an audience. “I’m ok. It’s all right. It wasn’t your fault.” She ran a hand up and down his back, soothing him.
“Mumei—”
She pressed a firm hand against his lips, silencing him. He tried to start again and her eyes blazed. She moved her hands to clap against his cheeks and squeezed. “Not. Your. Fault.”
Ikoma studied her with his eyes for a long moment. The intensity of his gaze stole Mumei’s breath away. She could feel her heart aching within her at the pain in his face. She hated it when he blamed himself like this. “You always try to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders,” she chided.
“Sometimes it does feel that way,” he agreed quietly.
“I won’t let you do it alone.” Mumei’s voice was resolute and Ikoma reached up to cup her face in his hands, drawing her closer toward him. He swept calloused thumbs along her cheekbones.
“You promised me you would never leave me.”
There were still tears in his eyes and his anguished expression nearly broke her heart.
“I won’t, Ikoma.” Audience be damned, she closed the distance between them, pouring all of her heart into a promise that was sealed between them, into a kiss so powerful it ripped through her body like an electric current. It burned in her stomach, heat pooling between her legs and she wanted him closer.
Ikoma seemed to read her thoughts, gently sweeping his arms around her, and cradling his lover against his chest. He kissed her like a prayer, like she was an angel sent to save his soul, tears running down his face. He never wanted to let her go again. To know such love and to almost lose it was unbearable. He never wanted to feel that pain ever again.
Mumei was overwhelmed by the rush of emotions pouring from him. They swept her up in an ocean of agony and ecstasy. She felt the waves crashing over her and her body ached to pull him deeper, hold him closer, to take him inside herself and stroke the fire that was melting her from the inside out.
In the midst of their kiss, Mumei suddenly felt the urge to sniffle. Curse that man and the intensity of his emotions! Now, I’m going to start crying.
As the young couple grew more and more absorbed in their passionate reunion, Evolette coughed lightly, turning toward Daito. The godwalker general was watching the pair with interest. Evolette rolled her eyes. It was clearly time to give these two some privacy. The nurse gently tugged on Daito’s shirt sleeve and at his startled expression, jerked her head toward the door, silently mouthing the word “Out.”
They slipped into the hallway and Evolette pressed a hand over her glowing heart cage. “How romantic,” she sighed. “They’re so cute.”
“Indeed.” Daito’s eyes were fixed on her with an unfamiliar intensity and Evolette felt a blush crawling up her neck.
“W-We should probably give them some time,” she stammered. Why is he looking at me like that? General Daito couldn’t possibly… Not with someone as low-ranking as me…
There was something different about him, though. Instead of the detached look of indifference he normally wore like a mask, there was a passion, an energy smoldering in his eyes. He was so very focused on her and Evolette felt pinned to the spot by his stare. He took a step toward her, and she took an involuntary step back, bumping into the counter of the nurse’s station.
“Evolette,” his voice was a velvet whisper, “would you ever—”
“Evolette, Dr. Ito needs you to refill the saline packs in exam room five,” another nurse called from down the hall.
“R-Right,” she shouted back, but her eyes never left Daito’s face.
The godwalker general stepped back, blinking. He held a hand up to his face in disbelief, shaking his head. “Please excuse me,” he muttered, turning on his heel and striding quickly out of the building.
Evolette’s heart hammered in her chest. She stared at the infirmary door, willing him to reappear, but after a few moments it was clear that Daito did not intend to return. She patted her flushed cheeks and straightened her shoulders, turning to get the saline packs that Dr. Ito required. But Daito’s expression still burned in her mind.
What just happened?