Under the Arch of You

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Branch

An Alternate Future arc in which Kou becomes Shirogane's Child while he waits for Ryuuko to recover. Eventual Shirogane/Kou.

Ink Burns

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

This is a work of fanfiction, produced according to the principles of transformative fair use as put forward in US copyright law, and abiding by the custom and practice of fan-produced work in Japan, where the source texts were created. No author is in any way affiliated with any of the creators of the source texts, nor with the companies who distribute their products, nor any other rights holder, and these stories were not authorized by either the creators or the producers. Ink Burns is a fan site and the material here is freely provided for the enjoyment of fellow fan-community members; there is no commercial infringement.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 US license at the Ink Burns fanfiction archive (http://www.branchandroot.net/archive/).

"Inversion" published on 2009-07-29 13:03:36.

"The Balance of Intention" published on 2009-07-31 12:15:01.

"Notice of Waking" published on 2009-08-17 12:43:04.

"Heat in the Shade" published on 2009-08-19 14:57:07.

Attributions can be made by author's name and a link to the archive.

This ebook edition was published on September 6, 2019 by the Ink Burns fanfiction archive.

Cover illustration is "Roses Lying on Gold Velvet" by Martin Johnson Heade, public domain (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Martin_Johnson_Heade_-_%27Roses_Lying_on_Gold_Velvet%27,_oil_on_canvas,_c._1883-1900,.jpg).

Cover design by Branch.

Inversion

To win the battle, Kou needs a king's power to back his. There's really only one king available... Picks up post-35. Drama, I-3, MANGA CONTINUITY, mild spoilers

Kou hauled himself up from the bed, wincing a little. "You're a real bastard, you know that?"

"A fine way to talk to someone who just finished healing the wounds your own idiocy bought you," Shirogane observed, pulling his gloves back on.

Kou's mouth tightened at the reminder. "You're serious about taking the fight into the shadow world, aren't you?"

"Of course I am. Shisui can't hold on much longer." After a moment, not looking at him, Shirogane added, "Neither can I. I've stayed here almost as long as I can."

"You'll be fine on the other side, though, won't you?" The thought that had been in the back of his mind all evening was nagging again.

"Another advantage of fighting there," Shirogane agreed, coolly. He gave Kou a sharp look. "A handicap for you, though. Do you have enough strength, even now, to do it?"

"Yeah, that's the question of the hour." Kou scrubbed a hand over his face. "I met Sawaki, when I went to get Kengo back."

Shirogane's eyes glinted under the edge of his hat.

"Yeah, I wanted to take the damn traitor apart too, but that isn't the point now." Kou paced once around his room, unable to hold still. "Look. If he could... could change. It means it's possible, right?" Kou stopped and laid a hand against the wall, staring at it. "Could I?"

"Are you honestly suggesting that you become my shin?" Shirogane asked, slowly, and his tone suggested that maybe there was an injury to Kou's head he hadn't taken care of.

"Only for this! Only until Ryuuko's back!" Kou spun around and glared at him. "I wouldn't even be thinking it if I was..." He deflated, reminded by his own words and finished quietly, "if I was strong enough." He leaned back against the wall with a sigh. "Thing is, I'm not. And Ryuuko isn't recovered enough for me to touch his power, yet. And Shisui-san is practically killing himself as it is. That leaves you."

"How thrilling for us both," Shirogane said dryly. He folded his arms, eyes sharp on Kou for a long moment. "I could change you, yes. But only one of the rei kings could reclaim you. Are you really willing to be my Child for however long it takes Ryuuko's spirit to recover?"

"I would kind of rather gnaw off my leg, actually," Kou said brightly, "but if I don't have more power for this fight than I have right now, Ryuuko might just be killed when we lose. And," he finished, tone turning steely, "I'm not letting that happen again."

Shirogane's mouth twisted. "You have a point." After another few minutes of brooding, while Kou tapped his foot and fidgeted and nearly started pulling his own hair with frustration, he finally sighed. "All right."

Kou swallowed, abruptly faced with the execution of his brilliant idea. "Okay," he said, low, and stepped away from the wall.

Shirogane looked at him for a long moment, eyes hooded, and nodded. He opened one hand and shadow swept around them both.

"I am the shadow of all things..."

Shirogane's words echoed in his skull, and Shirogane's power wrapped around him like deep water, leaving Kou gasping for breath, unsure which way was up. Change burned through him, though he couldn't have said what was changing. When it released him he was dizzy and panting.

The arm he put out to catch himself was in black.

Kou shivered, wrapping both arms around himself. He should feel more different than he did.

"All right?" Shirogane asked quietly.

Kou nodded and took a slow breath and straightened. New strength sang through him like running wire; he knew Shirogane had been weakened by spending so long in the light, but you couldn't tell it by him. It felt... really good to have this again. "I'll be ready when we go."

"Good." Shirogane collected his cane and turned for the door; he rested a hand on Kou's shoulder as he passed. Kou had to bite back a shiver at the light tug of his power. The power of the one he was bound to.

He collapsed onto the couch as the door clicked shut and leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. "Ryuuko," he whispered. "Come back soon."

End

The Balance of Intention

After Homurabi is defeated, Kou and Shirogane have to reach some understanding of what they are to each other. Drama, I-3, MANGA CONTINUITY

The shadow world could be kind of boring, Kou had decided. At least now that there weren't any crazy kings around stirring it up. And he certainly didn't wish Homurabi back, but with only two people around to talk to, and neither of them Akira, he was definitely feeling out of sorts.

Fortunately there was a solution.

"I'm going to check in on Akira."

Shirogane looked up at that and frowned. "Wait, Kou." He turned away from the window and came to examine Kou more closely. "You've spent too long in the light already; it's wearing you down. Stay here until you're recovered."

Kou frowned back. "No. I need to make sure Akira is okay," he insisted.

It really shouldn't have been a surprise, because he knew he wasn't the only one getting frazzled, what with only two kings active. He still backed up in shock when Shirogane's eyes narrowed and his power slammed down on the white-walled room like lead falling.

"You will do as I say."

Kou's back hit the wall and he swallowed as Shirogane paced towards him. He hadn't felt the raw edge of Shirogane's temper and power since he'd been changed, and it was different now. It was inside him, now. Loyalty was the one thing he refused to back down on, though, and he wrenched his eyes away from the vice of Shirogane's and found his voice. "He's my king! I won't leave him just because I'm tired!"

Shirogane was right in front of him, now, and gloved fingers caught his chin, turning him back to face that scorching gaze. "I am your king, now."

"I..." Kou's teeth nearly met in his lip. It was true, but...

Shirogane sighed faintly, and closed his eyes for a breath, and the weight of his power gentled a bit. Kou shivered anyway as it folded around him, because the one thing it wasn't doing was releasing him. "Ryuuko is my counterpart. Akira is my friend. I care for him too, Kou. Can you believe that I will be sure nothing happens to him?"

"But..."

Shirogane wasn't letting him look away. "And you're mine now, so I care for you, also. You need to recover before you can spend much time in the light again." His hand tightened on Kou's chin. "Tell me you will obey me."

"I..." Kou closed his eyes. "I can't, please... I can't stop there, not for Ryuuko. I can't give just half of my loyalty."

Shirogane was silent for a moment. Finally he murmured, "Haven't you, though?"

Kou's eyes opened in shock and Shirogane was looking at him, cool and distant. The way he used to.

"You're shin, for now, Kou. You're my Child, and you agreed willingly to that. But you've only come half way, and stopped here." A gesture released Kou and took in the argument, Kou's frequent absence, the whole thing. "You are fed from my strength, but you give as little of yourself back as you can. Is that the loyalty you're so proud of?"

It felt like a punch in the gut, that kind of shock, that kind of breathlessness.

Shirogane stepped back, power contained again. "I'll leave you to consider that. Consider it here, though."

Kou almost didn't notice the last bit, as Shirogane left. He slid down the wall to the floor, staring straight ahead.

Lately he'd resented so much the limitations of being shin, of not being able to be near Akira constantly, that he'd forgotten the other side. The power that sustained him wasn't just his own. The reason he had lived through the final confrontation to have the chance to be resentful was that Shirogane had taken him in, made a contract with him.

A contract he wasn't honoring.

Shame bit at him. He wanted, needed, to return to Ryuuko, yes. But that wasn't going to happen for a while yet, and right now...

Right now, Shirogane was his king.

And, his conscience reminded him now it was getting its licks in, Shirogane hadn't flattened him just now, as he'd have damn well been within his rights to do when Kou defied him. The whole argument had started because Shirogane was...

...was taking care of him.

Kou banged his head against the wall a few times. "I'm an idiot," he sighed.

The question was, what was he going to do about it?

"Um."

Shirogane looked up to see Kou standing in the door, and raised a brow. "Yes?" He didn't sound in all that much better of a temper, yet.

Kou fidgeted as he came in. "I... Look, it's..." He stopped and sighed. When he spoke again his voice was low but sure and serious.

"Only until Ryuuko returns. Only that. But until then." He bowed down to the floor before Shirogane. "You are my king." Softer he added, "Please, forgive me."

He waited there, wincing a little internally. He was probably in for something after the scene earlier. Ryuuko had let him get away with a lot, but Ryuuko was kind. Shirogane was brilliant but it was a fierce brilliance, harsh and unforgiving and—

A warm hand rested on his bent head, fingers threading through his hair. Kou's breath caught as the touch resonated with the power running through him, something he'd only ever felt with Ryuuko.

"Yes, I suppose I do."

Kou looked up to find Shirogane smiling down at him, crooked, eyes lightened with amusement.

"You're mine, after all," Shirogane told him, softly.

Kou swallowed, almost shaking with the warmth of belonging that he hadn't let himself feel before. Maybe because he wanted it so much. "Yes, my king," he managed.

Shirogane's smile turned real, if a touch wicked. "And the next time you defy me like that, I'll make very sure you regret it."

Kou flushed and looked down. "Yes, Shirogane-san." That was, after all, how it should be.

"Go rest, Kou," Shirogane ordered gently. "You can see Akira again when you won't collapse in front of him."

The warmth of Shirogane's touch stayed with Kou as he left.

End

Notice of Waking

Lulu notices that Kou is starting to settle in as a shin, and teases him about his new bond to Shirogane. Drama, I-2, MANGA CONTINUITY

Kou didn't realize he was humming until Lulu leaned over the back of the couch, positively smirking. "You're looking more like yourself lately, Chibi. Did something good happen?"

Kou gave her an aggrieved look to remind her that he hated to be called that. "I always look like myself."

"No you don't." She perched on the back of the couch, examining him like a specimen. "Ever since you got here, you've been moping. And hiding yourself away and not talking to me at all." She pouted at him and he rolled his eyes.

"Go play with the kokuchi, then."

"That's not the point." She rapped him over the head and he yelped and ducked. "The point is, you're finally acting like you think you belong here." She leaned over him and he leaned back. "Come on," she coaxed, "tell senpai what happened."

"Nothing happened," he muttered. "I just... got comfortable."

She pursed her lips judiciously. "Hm. Well I know it wasn't me. I guess that leaves Shirogane-sama." She eyed him up and down, smirk creeping back.

Even though he knew it was the worst idea in the world, Kou couldn't help flushing just a little.

Lulu squealed. "He did! He did do something!"

"No, he didn't," Kou insisted, because who knew what Lulu was thinking. "He just... we just had a talk, okay?"

She sobered. "A talk, hm? Did he finally lose his patience with you?"

Kou winced.

"I'm not surprised." She fixed him with a chiding look. "You've been the most pathetic excuse for a Child I've ever heard of. Even if this is only temporary—"

"I know, I know!" Kou cut her off, waving his hands to stem the lecture. "I got that, okay?"

"You haven't seemed at all guilty, though," she mused. "So that wasn't all that happened."

Lulu, he decided, was way too perceptive for anyone's good.

She laughed, probably at his expression. "All right, I won't ask what else. But it's good to see you've accepted him as you should." She ruffled his hair, ignoring his indignant attempt to bat her hand away. "Besides," she added with a wicked smile, "you've always been one for the formalities. Bet it feels good to serve a king properly again."

"Oh knock it off," Kou grumbled, face hot again.

Shirogane's presence tugged at him and they both looked up to find him standing in the door. Looking amused, Kou noted dourly.

"You're not very kind to your juniors, Lulu," he observed, strolling over to join them.

"It keeps everyone young," she said serenely.

"Perhaps we should look harder for more shin, so you'll have more people to spread your efforts among?" Shirogane rested a hand on Kou's shoulder, a glint of teasing in his eyes.

"I'd be all for that," Kou agreed, fervently. Anything to get her attention off him. He leaned into Shirogane's hand a little, just basking for a moment in the warmth of his presence, his power, the feeling of belonging. He didn't know how he'd held out against this so long. In fact, he couldn't quite remember why he had; Shirogane would give him back to Ryuuko when it was time.

"I need you to take a message to Shisui today." Shirogane smiled. "You can keep an eye out while you're there."

Which was as good as permission to look in on Akira for a visit. Kou smiled up at him, grateful. "Sure, Shirogane-san."

"Tell me how they're doing." Shirogane brushed Kou's hair back lightly while he colored a little, and turned to go.

Lulu leaned down to whisper in Kou's ear, "Chibi-puppy is so cute with his master."

Shirogane looked over his shoulder and shook his head as Kou did his damnedest to catch the laughing Lulu and strangle her, but left them to it.

End

Heat in the Shade

Kou wrestles with his standing attraction to Ryuuko and his new attraction to Shirogane. Fortunately, Shirogane provides him with a resolution. Drama with Porn, I-4, MANGA CONTINUITY

Kou leaned his chin on this folded arms and watched shadows curl below him. This balcony was a good place for thinking and he felt a need to think today.

He was getting much more comfortable, here in shadow, since he'd let himself accept that Shirogane was his king. It was a relief to feel Shirogane's power in him; it was familiar and comforting. And that was starting to worry him.

Should it feel this good when it wasn't Ryuuko?

He really didn't want to think that Lulu had a point when she called him "puppy", that he was that... that undiscriminating, ready to any hand that patted him. And, after all, Shirogane was Ryuuko's counterpart; about as close as someone could be to Ryuuko without being the same person.

Was he just making excuses, to think that?

And to make it all even more fun, the inarguable fact remained that Shirogane was the one he was contracted to now, and his own honor demanded he serve that contract faithfully.

He just... didn't want to lose what had always been between he and Ryuuko. And every time his thoughts got that far he called himself an idiot, because he knew good and well Ryuuko would understand what he'd done, would accept him again wholeheartedly, because that was the kind of person Ryuuko was. That closeness wouldn't just go away.

Unless he let it.

He dug his chin into his arms, almost squirming against the discomfort of that sneaking thought, because Ryuuko and Shirogane weren't alike, for all their similarities, and he... he liked that. Ryuuko's vast strength had always, always been gentled for him. Shirogane's sometimes wasn't. And those were usually the days when he had to lock himself in his room and have a really long shower, because he just couldn't stop responding to that edge.

He sighed as he watched the shadows curl around each other, over the edge of the balcony. Should he really be letting this happen?

Shirogane stood in the doorway and watched Kou with a tiny smile. He was sprawled out on the floor of a balcony, dangling his head over the edge to watch the shift of shadows. Lulu was right; it was good to see Kou relaxing and finding his place here.

Of course, that wasn't all she'd had to say.

"Finding anything interesting?" he asked, strolling to Kou's side.

Kou looked up and started to push himself to his feet. "Shirogane."

He rested his fingers on Kou's shoulder, shaking his head. "It's all right. There's no work to be done right now."

Kou settled again with a tiny, shy smile that made Shirogane think of Lulu's dropped hints again and nodded toward the drifting shadows. "Nothing special. I just like watching."

"I'm glad you're happier here, now," Shirogane murmured, settling beside him.

Kou's eyes dropped. "I'm sorry I was such an idiot, at first."

He looked so penitent Shirogane couldn't help reaching out again to stroke back his hair, to reassure him with the closeness of touch. "I knew it wouldn't be an easy transition for you." Kou leaned into his touch, so simply and easily he had to add, "I never really hoped you would settle so completely with me."

"You're my king," Kou said softly, eyes direct and clear. "You were right to remind me. It... it's something that means a lot to me."

"Even though I'm not Ryuuko?" Shirogane asked gently, hand cupping Kou's cheek to assure him it wasn't harshly meant.

Now Kou flushed, eyes sliding away though he didn't draw back at all. "You're more like him than I thought you were."

There it was again, the flash of want and something else, something like fear, tangling in Kou's expression for just a moment. "Is that a bad thing?" he probed.

"No!" Kou looked up, eyes wide and earnest again. "No, not at all. It's just... I hadn't expected it. Hadn't expected to..." His words stumbled to a stop and his cheek was hot against Shirogane's palm.

"Most people don't notice our similarities at all," Shirogane mused, giving Kou time to collect himself. "I suppose it makes sense. We are supposed to be opposites, after all; that difference is the only way we can balance each other."

Kou stopped absolutely still for a breath, staring up at him as if he'd said something very important. "Yes," he said at last, husky. "Yes, of course it is." He relaxed all at once, turning his head a little into Shirogane's hand, trusting.

Shirogane's brows rose. What had Kou heard in his words? "Everything all right?" he asked.

"Yeah. Yeah, it is." Kou smiled, rueful, looking older and younger at the same time. "I was just worrying over something I didn't need to."

"It's always good to realize that," Shirogane murmured, dryly. He let Kou go, fingers stroking gently down the line of his jaw to soften it as he drew back.

This time the flash of heat in Kou's eyes was unmixed and the way he lifted his chin with the slide of Shirogane's fingers, lips parting, was unmistakable. It drew Shirogane's focus back like a chain and his fingers stopped, just under Kou's chin. "Kou."

Kou just looked up at him, waiting, holding perfectly still under Shirogane's touch.

Shirogane took a breath for control. He knew perfectly well how submission from his shin affected him, and Kou already had him catching himself back more often than he hoped Kou realized. "I know you were with Ryuuko that way," he said, finally. "I don't want to press you."

He could feel the slight shiver that ran through Kou, under his fingers, see the quick breath Kou took through parted lips.

He could hear the way his own voice turned low and silky when he added, "Unless that's what you want."

Kou's throat moved as he swallowed and his voice was husky. "Yes."

"Well, then." Shirogane slid his hand down to grip the back of Kou's neck and hold him as he leaned down to take possession of Kou's mouth.

Kou was a little dizzy with the double hit of relief and arousal—relief that it was all right, of course it was all right, because Ryuuko and Shirogane balanced, and wanting both of them this much just meant he was... well rounded. Or something.

Arousal was getting the upper hand, though, because being held for Shirogane to kiss sent a tight curl of heat through his stomach. It was getting hard to breathe as Shirogane's power unfolded, blanketed the space all around them, pressed down on him until he was moaning softly with the the force of it—his king's presence, unbridled and blazing.

Finally Shirogane let him go and stood, smiling down at him. "Kou."

A thrill ran through Kou at the bright wildness in Shirogane's eyes and he swallowed, slowly pushing himself up to kneel on the cool tiles at Shirogane's feet. It put a hot shiver through him to be there. "Shirogane-san," he said, husky, reaching up, fingers not quite brushing the buckles across Shirogane's hips. "Please. Let me...?"

The brightness in Shirogane's eyes turned hotter. "Yes," he said, low.

Kou wet his lips, fingers fumbling just a little as he undid Shirogane's robes because he couldn't look away from Shirogane's slow smile. Shirogane's fingers slid through Kou's hair as he finally closed his eyes and swallowed, unable to bear the weight of Shirogane's gaze and the weight of his power at the same time. "Please," he whispered, palms finally stroking over the skin of Shirogane's hips. Shirogane's low laugh sent a hot shiver right down his spine.

"Yes," his king murmured, fingers tightening, guiding Kou forward.

Kou licked his lips again and parted them, moaning as the sleek weight of Shirogane's cock slid between them, over his tongue. The moan turned lower, husky, as Shirogane's muscles flexed slowly under his hands and he rocked back and thrust into Kou's mouth again, one hand holding Kou still while he did.

This was what Shirogane did, what he was, that Kou wanted so much. Shirogane's hands weren't rough on him, but there was no apology in that touch for the overflowing strength that pinned Kou to his knees or the slow force of Shirogane fucking Kou's mouth. No caution or restraint. Just the absolute power and casual confidence that had always driven Kou wild. And now it was his king's power, and it was okay, it was right, for Kou to submit to it. To want this, too. To drop a hand down between his own spread legs and whimper a little as he bucked into the pressure of his palm. Shirogane thrust in a little harder and thought spun away into heat and want and raw pleasure running through him. Even when the shudders eased, the firmness of Shirogane's hand caging his head, the steady, unrelenting slide of Shirogane's cock in and out of his mouth, the purring undertone of Shirogane's moan as he came, sent another shock of heat through him.

He was still dazed when Shirogane pulled away from him, grip gentling. "Mmm." Shirogane smiled down at him, lazy, fingers stroking through his hair. "My Kou."

The words settled over him, warm and sure, and Kou looked up at Shirogane with a tiny smile and answered, "My king."

Shirogane laughed and leaned down and kissed him, slow and easy and possessive. "Yes."

Kou closed his eyes again. That was really everything he needed.

End