Kagen no tsuki - Part 1: Strangers in the Night

[yoru-no-hikaru.livejournal.com]

Pairing: KinKi Kids (AU characters)
Rating: NC-17 (right from the start O_O )
Disclaimer: Don't own KinKi Kids, or anything JE-related
Warnings: bad language, sexual situations, prostitution, bit dark
Setting: AU
Multi-Chapter


Notes: Okay, just a few prologue words. First, the characters are not KinKi themselves, they live in Japanese Edo period. Next, I know that Hikaru isn't exactly the most original name for Koichi's character that I can come up with, but hey, at least everybody knows who I'm talking about and why try to force in something new when this works so well? Tsuyoshi as Go hasn't been mentioned so often, I believe. My first AU ever. I'm nervous.


Intro: Hikaru is an apprentice in a kabuki theatre, aiming to be a popular actor one day. In order to raise his popularity, he tries to please his audience in every way possible. One of his biggest fans is the local daimyo Kurakawa Hayato, who comes to the theatre to see him a lot. One night, then, it happens that Kurakawa is seeked out in the town by his son Go for an important matter. By coincidence Hikaru and Go meet on the street and from that moment on get weirdly involved with each other.


Dedication: Well, not exactly a dedication, but thanks to i_ate_a_panadol for helping me with the research work for this one. I really hope I didn't mess it up completely! Also thanks to vivi000 , who never grows tired of listening to my strange thoughts. (And sorry that this one got finished first! ^^")




A short historical dictionary (for those who care):




(Please note, the (*) signed words are used in the story!)




*Daimyo: A territorial lord who ruled most of the country from their land holdings. Daimyos were the political heads of their given lands. All samurai of that territory had to pledge to their according daimyo and give their land over to him. The lands were devided by the shogun.

Shogun: Something according to a king.

*Samurai: High class soldiers, wealthy and acknowledged people. According to legend, they were permitted to cut off a peasant's head to try the sharpness of their swords.

Ronin: A samurai, who refused to pledge to a daimyo.

*Katana: A samurai's sword, made to be used with two hands, fine art craft, very valuable.

Wakizashi: Samurai weapon, smaller than the katana, used for seppuku.

Seppuku: Ritual suicide.

Tanto: A small sword, more like a dagger.

*Kosode: A piece of every day garment, usually bound with an obi, sometimes combined with a hakama.

*Obi: Broad belt, that is wrapped around garments like kosode, or kimono.

Hakama: Traditional wide pants.

*Hanatsu: A form of paper money.

*Momme: Old Japanese silver coin.




I think that's it for now. So, on to the story.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hikaru sighed as he flopped down on a dusty mat. That night’s performance had been horrible. Uncivilised bastards in the audience and his throat still hurt like mad. The doctor had given him a thick syrup and tea, but he had been singing a lot and it showed. But then, he couldn’t skip the performance. He needed the money – and badly so.

“Hikaru-kun,” Saito from the main cast called out to him.

He merely gave a small grunt for notification. Saito came over to him, a stern look on his face.

“You shouldn’t let yourself slack like that, you know,” Saito told him.

“I can’t help it,” Hikaru glared at him. “I’m sick and I worked all day.”

“Well, there is more work at hand,” Saito informed him. “Kurakawa-sama has asked for you.”

Hikaru sighed. “Not tonight.”

“I’ll deliver the message,” Saito shrugged. “But there’s no knowing whether he’ll be back if you refuse him.”

Hikaru whined and Saito looked at him sympathetically. “Look, I know it’s tough. But if you get it done quickly, you can go home and get better. There’s no performance tomorrow.”

Hikaru took a deep breath. “Senpai?” he asked weakly.

“Yes?” his elder answered with a mild smile.

“Can I please have something to eat? I’m starving,” the younger boy complained.

“Okay,” Saito agreed. “Go, do your work. I’ll steal a little something for you.”

“Thank you so much,” Hikaru said, smiling weakly, as he got up.

Hikaru swiftly opened the backdoor to the kabuki theatre and outside he found, as expected, Kurakawa Hayato, one of the greater daimyos of their area.

“Kurakawa-sama,” Hikaru greeted him formally with a deep bow. “I beg your pardon for my miserably looks offending your eyes.”

“No such thing,” Kurakawa assured him, patting his shoulder lightly. “You look just fine.”

“If my presence can please you,” Hikaru said sweetly, “then I too can’t be more pleased.”

“Your presence is always pleasing,” Kurakawa assured him. “I was just wondering about the theatre’s storage. Your costumes seem a bit worn.”

“They do their job,” Hikaru fake-sighed.

He had to give Kurakawa a reason to come in, after all.

“Let me take a look at your storage,” Kurakawa requested.

“Very well,” Hikaru nodded and with a bow held the door open for the daimyo to step in. “I’m sorry. Our rooms are small and dusty. Nothing that you’re used to.”

“Not a problem,” the daimyo waved him off. “What is this room?” he asked, pointing to a specific door.

“This is where we keep masks and weapons,” Hikaru informed him readily.

“Maybe I should look in there first?”

“As you wish.”

As soon as the door was closed behind them, their play was over. Kurakawa turned to face Hikaru and looked at him with lust-filled eyes.

“I’ve been waiting for this throughout the play,” he said in a husky voice.

“Oh, your patience and restraint are admirable,” Hikaru assured him as he moved closer.

He readily discarded his yukata to the floor and shamelessly pressed against his advancer’s body.

“I was waiting for your call too,” he whispered into the other’s ear. “I cannot forget your hands on me while you take me. I’ve been yarning for more.”

The boy’s seductive crooning did its job. Kurakawa brought some distance between them to fumble with his own clothes enough to expose what was most important.

“Turn around,” he told the boy.

Hikaru obeyed readily, bracing himself against the wall. He took a deep breath, knowing that he’d be intruded any second. It was, mainly, a simple procedure. They went in, took care of their needs and left. With Kurakawa it was a bit more difficult, though. He was the kind you could not simply please with offering yourself. He wanted to be wanted back. So, Hikaru had to give the other the feeling that he was indeed waiting for it. On top of that, vocals were expected.

“Ah!”

Hikaru whimpered as the other shoved inside of him. It’s not like the man was brutal, but with no preparation it hurt a lot. Even so, he obediently kept still, offering what was expected.

“Ah, Kurakawa-sama,” he choked out.

It didn’t matter whether he sounded pained. The words made the deal. Hikaru mused it was because Kurakawa didn’t take much care of his wife either and didn’t know anything different. Not that it really mattered. He kept moaning a little, silently begging for “more, more, more!” and no five minutes later his job was done and he was left slumping against the wall.

Kurakawa heaved a few breaths behind him and adjusted his clothes. Hikaru did not turn to look at him, knowing his place was against the wall.

“Well,” Kurakawa finally stated, “I’ll go check the other rooms now too.”

“As you please, Kurakawa-sama,” Hikaru said in a silent voice. His throat hurt even more than before. “Feel free to call upon me again, any time you wish.”

“I won’t forget it,” Kurakawa assured him and left, closing the door behind him.

Hikaru sighed in relief. He pushed away from the wall and winced slightly at the pain. Then he cringed and fingered around his hole to vaguely clean himself of the other’s come. He went over to the small table with some helmets on them and found a hanatsu for two momme. He grinned weakly. That would buy his food for that week. Quickly grabbing the paper and stuffing it away, he threw his yukata back over his shoulders and made his way back to the main dressing room to get his stuff and finally go home.

“Ah, Hikaru is back,” Saito chirped. “There you go dear,” he said sympathetically, handing Hikaru a small wrapped up cloth.

As Hikaru glimpsed inside he saw some onigiri. He smiled thankfully.

“Thank you, senpai,” he said gratefully.

“Never mention it,” Saito waved him off. “Now go, get home. Get some rest.”

Hikaru nodded quickly, simply threw his plain kosode over his yukata and flew out the door. He walked fast, so he would be home soon. Once he reached the front of the theatre, he spotted a young man wandering about helplessly. He sighed. Either a drunk, or another thief on the run. Although the boy looked nothing like either of these two options. Actually, on second glimpse, Hikaru noticed that his clothes were fine silk with embroidery on it. He narrowed his eyes, confused. No katana. No samurai, then. Maybe someone who came looking for something? He was not a commoner, that much he could tell. But it was still a young boy and he seemed to be alone. Lost? But how?

“Hey!” Hikaru finally called out. “What do you think you’re doing there?”

The boy stopped, surprised.

“Go, bother people somewhere else, you’re scaring everyone,” Hikaru stated firmly.

“And what business is that of yours?” the other boy asked, inspecting his offender suspiciously.

“Well, I work here,” Hikaru explained, pointing at the theatre. “So if you scare away our customers, that’s bad for us.”

The boy inspected him some more, then scoffed. “You’re a kabuki actor and you dare talk to me like that? Do you know who I am?”

“If you want the respective tone, you should have a guard, or something. Or at least carry your family emblem,” Hikaru told him with a shrug. “I thought you were a lost stranger.”

“Well, I’m not,” the other boy told him. “I’m Kurakawa Go, and I’m looking for my father.”

Hikaru froze at that. “You are the Kurakawa son?”

“What do you care?” Go asked him sharply. Then he stopped. “Or do you know my father?”

Hikaru nodded. “Of course. He’s a regular customer. A very welcome one too.”

“So, have you seen him tonight?” Go asked hopefully.

“Yeah,” Hikaru nodded. “He was in… my play tonight.”

“So he did go,” Go mused. “But then, why didn’t he come home?”

“Does he usually go straight home after the play?” Hikaru asked, slightly amused.

The other boy simply shrugged. “It’s not like I know exactly. He returns home whenever. I thought he’d leave right after the play.”

Hikaru chuckled softly at that, shaking his head. “You have no idea, do you?”

Go blinked at him.

“How old are you?” Hikaru wanted to know.

“I’m 21 now,” Go told him.

“And never been to the big city?” Hikaru teased.

“I…” Go blushed. “I don’t really like this place. I rather go to Nara.”

“Ah,” Hikaru nodded. “A nice, quiet place.”

“Yes, I happen to like that,” Go retorted agitatedly.

“Well, you seem to be quite different from your father, then,” Hikaru winked at him.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Go asked suspiciously.

“Nothing,” Hikaru shrugged. “Just that your father enjoys being seen and being… attended to.”

“And you know this how?” Go asked bitingly.

“Because I’m one of the people attending to him,” Hikaru told him casually. “He’s a good customer too. Polite, not too rough and he pays well.”

“Watch your mouth,” Go warmed him, his eyes flickering dangerously, but his fumbling fingers betrayed his nervousness.

“Don’t get too worked up,” Hikaru tried to soothe him. “It’s not like he spends a lot of money on me. Most probably he’s spending much more on sake right now.”

“Quit saying such outrageous things! Go demanded.

Hikaru chuckled again. “What’s wrong with you? It’s not like he’s doing anything bad. He’s in the position, so why shouldn’t he enjoy himself? He’s a good man, I think, and what’s wrong with having fun? On second thought, if you ever want to try something new, feel free to seek me out as well. Introduction’s free,” he grinned, winking.

“Yeah, right,” Go mumbled, already making to run off again.

“Hey,” Hikaru called him back. “Try the `Green mask´. It’s right down that street. Most probably he’s there. The high class men tend to meet there for a drink. And to get on a non-suspicious smell.”

Go glared at him. “Next time I meet you, I’ll have a guard and then I’ll have that poisonous tongue of yours cut off.”

Hikaru stared for a moment, then grinned. “Well, I can’t keep you. But you know, I can do some good things with my tongue, so maybe you’ll decide to discipline me some other way? Your dad too might be displeased to find my tongue gone, you know. Good luck on your venture,” he finally said with a wave and turned to leave.

As he crossed the small square, he cast a back-glance at the other boy and saw how a thief was closing in on him, ready to hit. He sighed. Turning around he braced himself and fell into a light run. Just as the little coward closed in on the royal boy, Hikaru cut in from the side and ran him over.

“Oh, sorry sir,” he said in mock-surprise. “I didn’t quite see you there.” He blinked for a second. “Ano… Do I know you? Are you lost? Shall I call someone?”

The man’s look got panicked and he fled the scene.

Go blinked at Hikaru in confusion. The actor just looked at the boy’s little leather bag that was attached to his kosode with a fine cord.

“Coins,” he mused lightly. “A rare and valuable thing. You shouldn’t show them off, people might get ideas.”

Go blushed and grabbed his bag, quickly hiding it inside his garment. Hikaru laughed slightly and shook his head.

“Won’t do,” he decided. “Here,” he said grabbing the small item swiftly and pushing it into the last layer of the other’s obi. “That way, if they want to grab it, you’ll definitely notice.”

“Thanks,” Go nodded quickly, face still red.

“Take care, Nara boy,” Hikaru said casually, patting his shoulder, before turning and finally leaving the scene.

Go blinked after the strange boy, but then turned around again to make his way down the road to find the bar Hikaru had suggested to him. Once he finally arrived there he stared at it wide-eyed. There were a lot of men in there. Many of them he knew. They looked quite pleased, probably drunk and he didn’t really know how to get through the crowd and hopefully find his father. Luckily, he found him sitting in good view from the door, right in between two of his closest friends. He rushed over to their table quickly.

“Father,” he called out hastily.

“Son,” Kurakawa blinked in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“Morioka-sensei sent me to get you,” Go explained quickly. “He said there is some important business at the house that requires your presence.”

His father nodded. “Very well. Thank you for delivering this message. We shall head home, then.”

“Yes, father,” Go nodded, quite relieved to be able to leave this place.

Once they were out on the street again, Go started to wonder, though. He bit his lip nervously.

“F-father,” he rasped out.

“Yes?” Kurakawa answered his call.

“Ano… how was the theatre?” Go asked in a small voice.

His father looked at him a bit confused. “Why are you asking? You never seemed interested.”

“Well, I just…” Go mumbled, then broke off.

“What is it now?” his father demanded. “Stop acting childish.”

“I’m sorry,” Go blurted out immediately. “It’s just that… one of the actors gave me directions.”

“One of the actors?”

“I met him outside the theatre,” Go explained. “He told me I’d probably find you here.”

Kurakawa inspected his son closely. Then his eyes widened. “Your leather bag,” he gasped out.

Go blinked, then chuckled and presented the small bag, pulling it out from his wrapped obi. His father laughed heartily.

“Ah, they are quite cunning people, these guys,” he said in an amused voice.

“He said he knows you,” Go said, trying to sound indifferent.

“Oh?” his father asked, raising a brow. “What – Hikaru-kun?”

“Don’t know his name,” Go shrugged. “I was just surprised you know such people.”

“Well, I enjoy the kabuki, so of course I know some of the actors.”

“Do you really just watch him play on stage?” Go asked pointedly. “Or do you play with him backstage?”

His father blinked for a second, then scoffed. “You should not talk to your father like that,” he told the boy. “And if so, what about it? He’s a sweet boy and it’s just a bit of fun. He gets some extra money too. So, it’s a win-win situation.”

“If you say so,” Go sighed. “I just don’t see the appeal in that.”

His father laughed again. “You might be surprised.” Then he shrugged. “Well, you keep saying you don’t want to come to Kyoto. You know, there are quite some things to enjoy here.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Go sighed.

“Maybe I should take you along next time?” he suggested. “It won’t hurt to try, you know.”

“Well, I guess it won’t,” Go mused.

“There you go,” his father said, patting his back. “Now, let’s get home.”

“Yes, sir.”

____________________________________________________________________________________

Hikaru sighed. He was finally home.

“Okaeri nasai,” his roommate greeted him.

“Tadaima,” he mumbled out. “Katsumi, do we have hot water?”

“I can organise some, if you want to take a bath,” Katsumi offered.

“Well, maybe later,” Hikaru decided. Then he opened his wrapped cloth. “Here,” he offered.

Katsumi’s eyes grew wide. “Oh my god, Hikaru. You’re saving my life. Thank you so much!”

Hikaru chuckled and smiled as he saw his friend dig into an onigiri.

“It’s good that I could get them,” he decided.

About an hour later both men were wrapped in their single layered futons. Hikaru turned to face his friend.

“Ne, Katsumi,” he said softly.

The other boy turned to look back at him, a knowing sad smile on his face. “Yes?”

“Can you… love me a bit?” Hikaru asked timidly.

“Of course,” his friend offered, opening his futon and his arms.

They snuggled closely together, embracing each other, exchanging soft caresses and light kisses.

“You are the person I love the most,” Hikaru told his friend.

Katsumi smiled back at him. “I know.”

A soft kiss.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Go turned around in his futon again. He groaned. He couldn’t sleep and somehow the picture of a shabby-clothed, but brightly smiling daring young man was stuck in his head and had him wonder.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Okay, first chapter done. Hope you guys liked. ^^ My first attempt at AU and at a different approach to a KinKi Kids fanfiction. Please, support me in my venture. m(__)m

Comments, thoughts, ideas, etc. welcome and wanted! ^^

Chapter 2