The White Tower
This story is rated PG-13 for sexual situations
Chapter 20 - Secrets
Days turned into weeks, and weeks became months, and soon three months had passed. Jaal spent her days in front of the mirror, searching for her daughter, and her nights tossing restlessly. She barely ate and was now gaunt and pale. Bya was worried sick about her, but until Jae was found, nothing could be done for his mate. He tried to tear her away from the mirror, but she refused to budge. So he took to flying the skies, hoping that he would see the Black Dragon and follow him to where Jae was being kept prisoner.
For her part, Jae asked Rye to let her parents know that she was safe, but he was afraid that they would attack him trying to free the girl. He was not afraid for himself; rather he feared a cave-in harming the girl. Other than that one request, Jae was happy. She loved flying high on the back of the Dragon and talking with him for hours. But he made no advances toward her, and she bleakly realized that he wanted a Dragon and she was only a half Dragon who could not transform.
For Rye's part, his emotions were in turmoil. He was very attracted to the girl, but she could not transform! Could he actually mate with her in human form? He had never even considered the possibility before now. And if she could not transform -- how much more about her was different? His life span was counted in centuries not years and if she did not have the same, she would die long before he did. Besides, mating for life was not the way of the Dragons. But how nice would it be to spend the rest of his life at her side -- he pushed those thoughts away -- without a transformation, there was nothing he could do. He would not mate with her.
But Rye was not unsympathetic to the girl's parents and on their latest trip, flying high over the Castle, he dropped a large rock with a note from Jae tied to it. His aim was excellent and it crashed into the south garden. The guards brought Kurama to the rock -- more a small boulder than a rock -- and he read the note. Immediately he went through the portal to see Jaal.
Mother and Father,
I wanted you to know that I am safe and happy. Rye has treated me very well. Please don't worry about me. I have stopped aging -- so that worry is gone.
Your loving daughter, Jae
Jaal hugged the note to her breast and burst into tears. It was such a short note, but at least she now knew that her daughter was alive. Bya wrapped his arms around his mate and held her tightly. Kurama bid his goodbyes and Bya thanked the Fox profusely for delivering the note to them.
In Suzaku, Raine had settled in as Vara's fourth male, and become good friends with Souten and Suzuki. They became the brothers and friends that Raine never had growing up and he often accompanied them on their journeys to find herbs and medicines. The three were soon inseparable and linked to each other by a friendship just as strong as the binding that Vara had placed on them.
Kyo was spending more time in the palace, but Tekken never complained. Something had changed between the Dragon and the Bobcat; perhaps they each saw a different side of the other. Tekken had seen a vulnerable Dragon and Kyo had witnessed the proud Bobcat willing to do anything for his son. Perhaps not friends, they at least now respected each other and did not go out of their way to torment each other.
Vara was completely content; her Bobcat was happy and her Dragon actually loved her, and proved it every time they made love! No longer was his lovemaking just a sudden pounce -- now he was considerate, caring about her feelings and needs rather than just his own.
But the other side of the Suzaku throne was far from happy. Boushin had not been able to get Kamella pregnant. Every few days Suzuki or Mitsukake sensed the girl and found her still childless. And Boushin would be forced to spend yet another night in her bed. He was miserable!
Finally, Kaiba was brought from Otherworld to check out both Boushin and Kamella. After tests, he found that both were able to bear children -- they just need to keep trying.
"I can't believe it!!" Boushin exclaimed, pacing the floor in front of Toya, who was lounging on their bed.
Toya was actually enjoying watching the young Emperor walking back and forth. His robe was fastened very loosely, and Toya was getting wonderful glimpses of his body every time Boushin did an about-face. His long hair floated around him as if it was alive and it almost seemed that sparks were shooting from his eyes with his anger. Toya had never seen his lover look more beautiful! He smiled in appreciation of the show and Boushin saw the smile. He stopped and put his hands on his hips, his brow knitted in anger.
"What are you smiling about? You didn't have to perform into a small cup! I had to … I had to … do it into a cup!!!! Kaiba made me do it in a cup!!!"
Toya couldn't help himself and broke into gales of laughter just imagining it. Boushin stamped his foot in frustration which finished loosening the robe completely and now the young Emperor stood there trying to look angry even though he was nearly naked. Toya laughed even harder. Boushin pulled together his robe and tied it very tightly.
"It's not funny." He pouted.
Toya finally stopped laughing and wiped tears from his eyes. "Come, my love, sit with me." He beckoned to the young man.
Boushin sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, still angry and more than a little embarrassed.
Toya sat up and began to caress his lover's shoulders, pulling the top of the robe open so that he could kiss bare skin. "My beautiful Emperor," Toya purred, "Shall I make it better?"
Boushin gave up -- how could he stay mad at his beloved Ice Demon? "Yes, please," he whispered.
A few doors down the hall, Kamella breathed a sigh of relief. She had been terrified that Kaiba would find evidence of the potion she had been taking every time Boushin stayed with her. Krulle, who had studied herbs and potion for many years, had created a potion that would prevent a pregnancy. But the Mage did not find any traces of the mixture and she was safe. As long as she didn't get pregnant, perhaps she would have a chance of making Boushin fall in love with her. At the very least, he would be forced to have sex with her.
But Toya had the Emperor's heart. Perhaps there was a way to win him away from the Ice Demon. Kamella mentioned her hope to Krulle and the woman nodded. "There might be a way." But when pressed, Krulle refused to say more, only promised that she would tell Kamella when the time was right.
When Kurama returned from the White Tower, he explained what had happened and the contents of the note.
"I don't understand. Why are they hiding?" InuYasha asked his brow knitting.
"I think Rye is afraid that we will try to take Jae away from him." Aara expostulated.
"And we should! He kidnapped her, after all!"
"Not really. She went with him of her own free will." Kurama replied.
"Only to save the Unicorns! I don't consider that 'free will'." InuYasha exclaimed. "And we don't know if she was forced to write that she was happy. I can't imagine her being happy as a prisoner in some dark hole."
"Dark hole?" Aara asked.
"Well, they've got to be somewhere deep inside the ground if Jaal or Bya can't find them. Jaal has been searching everywhere for three months now. And Bya has been flying all over. I saw him the other day fly right over the forest in the north."
"InuYasha! You are a genius!" Aara suddenly exclaimed. "I know where they are!"