Say You're Mine ~Neko~

Karyu had calmed down significantly since the night before. It was after dinner and he really wanted some company. He had been drinking and he was on his third glass of wine. Intetsu was announced and he rose to his feet, smoothing down his suit and looking up with a smile in his eyes.

"Intetsu..." He came over to the host and took his hand. "You look beautiful."

He couldn't help but say it. Most people like compliments and, well, he truly honestly meant this one. He couldn't tear his eyes away. He was once more entranced by him. Karyu frowned a little, noticing Intetsu's eyes were redder than they should have been. He reached up to his face and cupped his cheek.

"Have you been crying?"

Intetsu tried to smile when Karyu complimented him. How had he given himself away? He didn't have tears in his eyes...he did his make up perfectly...how did Karyu know?

"No more then expected when it happens." Losing a could be regular to Rose. He hated that man...he really did. Karyu was being awfully nice for being about ready to tell him he was Rose's regular. One of them anyway.

"Thank you for the lilies...they're beautiful."

He was curious but he didn't push it. It wasn't really his place to pry about Intetsu's problems. They'd only just met recently. However, he wanted to know.

"You're welcome." He smiled, glad he got those flowers to him. "I'm starting to grow very fond of lilies..."

It was a subtle statement but he hoped Intetsu picked it up. Karyu was talking about him. He was very fond of the host. He took his hand and brought him to the couch to sit.

"Would you like a glass of wine?" He asked, being the ever gracious host. It was a turn, yes, but Karyu liked courting. He liked being a gentleman and making his date blush with happiness. He poured Intetsu a glass and handed it to him, taking a seat beside him with his own glass.

"Can I ask why you were crying?" His eyes were honest and concerned. He was quite a different man from the night before. He was calm and much more relaxed around Intetsu. All his guards saw it.

Intetsu sipped the wine trying to not to let Karyu know he was crying over him. "Losing another almost regular to Rose. It happens so often I don't really know why I cried...I guess I thought it would be different this time." Intetsu looked down at the glass of wine. Kei knew who the host had been crying over. He looked sadly at the man and texted his boss to let him know, hoping to nudge him in the right direction.

He's talking about you. He found out where you've been the last week. Intetsu was sweet and honest. There were no games to him. A man like that shouldn't have been in a host club but Kei was glad he was...for Karyu's sake.

"Have you been enjoying work?" The neko lolita wanted to get off the topic of his tears, fearing he may start crying again.

Karyu was confused. Why would anyone chose that bastard Rose over Intetsu? Rose was malicious and Intetsu was--his phone vibrated. He looked down at it and understanding crossed his face. He looked back at Kei and got a nod. It was Karyu. Intetsu cried because he knew Karyu was with Rose. That didn't sit well with the yakuza. He set his phone down and looked at the poor, miserable host. They did have quite the night together last week. Karyu had never felt that amazing during sex. He didn't want Intetsu to cry because of him.

The yakuza reached over to him and cupped his cheek. The host looked so sad and it broke Karyu's heart to know he meant that much to the neko. He smiled a little, hoping it could be contagious.

"What if I told you that you have a regular...a very generous and powerful regular who really, really enjoys your company?" He ran his fingers back into Intetsu's hair, wanting to get closer to him. He didn't want to keep his hands off. He could just hold him and play with his hair and do whatever he could to make him smile, make him laugh. Kei smiled in the corner, hoping that this meant the Rose business was done for good.

Intetsu looked into Karyu's eyes...who had he found to be a regular of his? Who would want to if they could have Rose? "Who could you have found to be a regular of mine?" It was obvious that Intetsu didn't think he stood a chance when compared to the kitsune host. So long of thinking that and he couldn't stop himself. It wasn't healthy but it was the only logical thing in his mind anymore.

"You didn't have to find someone...I would've been fine going back and working the lounge."

Intetsu's innocence made him smile. "Me, silly..." He leaned in and kissed his forehead. "I want to be your regular."

He set down his glass of wine and took Intetsu's hand into his own. Their hands fit together and his arms just belonged around Intetsu. What happened in the bedroom was more proof that this was something special. Karyu was beginning to realize it. He was happier with Intetsu around. There wasn't fights, there wasn't rules or games that Karyu didn't understand. Just his host that he was growing more and more fond of.

"Roses are overrated...I like lilies...I like you..." He smiled and he looked down at Intetsu's hand. "So, can you read your own palm or is it just something you do to attract stubborn yakuza?"

Intetsu was stunned. Karyu...Karyu wanted to be his regular? W-why? He wasn't anything special...but he'd take what he could get of the man. He wasn't about to ask why. He'd just be happy. Smiling softly the host looked at his hand.

"I know my palm...I've read many times. I'm going to have a long life, one great love...I won't have any kids. My relationships will be rocky ones since my heart line goes up to my second finger...but it's handy to use when trying to attract stubborn yakuza. Even if I didn't know he as one at the time."

Karyu was smiling and leaning close to Intetsu while they looked at his hand. He traced the lines gently and laced their fingers together. It was just amazing to him how well their hands fit together. Here was something Rose would never let him do. He shook his head and laughed a little. Rose was the doll, better to be left on the shelf. Intetsu...well, he was something else. He was the toy you treasure and take everywhere. The security blanket you just couldn't be without.

He lifted Intetsu's chin and kissed him softly. This was more than client/host. He was pretty sure it was never just client/host. This was something real and Karyu had never had that before.

A few weeks went by and Karyu had Intetsu most nights. The neko had been making a load of money for the club, most generously given by Karyu. There was only rare nights when he wasn't with Intetsu and even then, he had given the blond a cell phone so he could always call him. Karyu was happy now. All his guards knew it and some even took to hanging out around the club off shift just to watch over Intetsu and make sure nothing happened to the reason their oyabun smiled.

Intetsu was happy. Rose was ticked off. Everything seemed really good. He was even starting to get to know a few of the bodyguards. At least they seemed to like him, not in the same way Karyu did but that was good. It was more of an older brother type way. He'd been the sole customer of Karyu for about three weeks now...until tonight. Someone had booked him as an escort. It wasn't one he'd had before but he was willing to be arm candy to a gala. The man was rough though...he took Intetsu to the bathroom and fucked him against the sink, no lube, no prep...nothing. It hurt...a lot. When he was done he didn't wait for Intetsu to recover before taking him back out into the party and out the door.

"W-where are we going?" A resounded smack cut through the air as the guy turned around and hit the host.

"We go where I say. I bought you for the night whore and you will do as I say." Uh oh...this wasn't good...and his cell phone was in his coat, which was still at the party. Shit. This was no where near good. By the time they stopped he was at the docks. Why were they at the docks? The question got him in more trouble then a mere red mark on his face. When his customer's anger cooled enough for him to stop Intetsu was in bad shape. Bloody, ripped dress, cuts, bruises forming, a badly twisted ankle from when he tried to get away, a swollen eye, busted lip, and a broken arm.

"See if anyone wants you now whore...pathetic, weak, ugly excuse of a host. You weren't worth the time..." Then the man walked away, leaving Intetsu on the salt-water soaked docks. He had to find a phone...he needed help.

Karyu had been busy that night with a deal, getting a shipment of jewelry from another criminal like himself. Everything seemed to run smoothly. He sat in his car and checked his phone. No message from Intetsu. He frowned and called the blond, leaving a message. Intetsu had been excited about being the arm candy at a gala. He knew Karyu could never take him to something like that and he liked dressing up. Karyu just wanted to see him all dolled up. And, he just wanted to see him. Something felt off in the pit of his stomach.

"Kei...who was shadowing Intetsu tonight? I want to know why we haven't received an update." He frowned and looked back down at his phone, as if willing Intetsu to call. Kei got on his phone and tracked down Yuki, who was shadowing Intetsu. Yuki said they were down by the docks and that the guy with Intetsu didn't seem like he was up to any good. Yuki was waiting for one of them to leave the building.

The car sped away and they were coming close to the address Yuki gave them. Karyu yelled for the car to stop. There was Intetsu, beaten and bloody, dress torn and cradling an arm. He was limping, too. Karyu was pissed. He jumped out of the car and ran over to the blond.

"Intetsu! Oh god..." He scooped the host into his arms and carried him back to his car. "Kei, the hospital. His arm is broken. And you tell Yuki to get his ass in my office. I want to know why this happened. Send Aki and Mitsuo to kill that fucker who did this."

Karyu was livid. He looked down at the mess in his arms and his breath caught in his throat. "Intetsu...'Tetsu, say something. Fuck...You're going to be alright. I promise. You're safe now." He held onto him and rocked him in his arms as the car sped to the hospital. How dare anyone touch him.

Intetsu had managed to get up and started limping in the direction of town. There was a car speeding towards him and it was all he could do to pray and hope that the person didn't run him over. All of a sudden Karyu was there. Karyu was there and holding him.

"D-don't cry...jus a scratch..." He tried to smile but it didn't work. The hospital took him from Karyu and sent him straight into the ICU. No one would let the yakuza know anything...not until Intetsu was stable. It took hours but eventually he was put up in a private room. Karyu made sure that he had a private room. His arm was in a cast, his ankle in a bandage wrap. Ice on his eye and a few stitches in places.

"He had quite a few injuries. Broken arm, badly sprained ankle, some deep gashes that needed stitches, eye swollen shut, a bit of internal bleeding...he's a host, yes?"

Karyu was frightened. He was angry and he didn't like being kept in the dark. Finally, the doctors let him back to see him and he made sure Intetsu had a private room. He didn't want anyone bothering him. The doctor said what happened and Karyu just couldn't believe it. How could someone hurt Intetsu so badly?

"Yes. He's a host..." He said impatiently. He wanted to get away from the doctor and in to see Intetsu. He had Kei go get some lilies for his room and there was the nod that the job he asked for was complete. That asshole who hurt Intetsu now was lying in his bed, dead, of what appeared to be a drug overdose. It was a clear suicide, it seems. But not to the yakuza.

"I'm asking because he's had sex recently...and you said he was working when it happened. I was making sure it wasn't something to be too concerned about. The bleeding has stopped but there was traces of semen in the blood. He'll be out for a while and we've got him on an iv drip. You said to bill you the hospital bills?" The doctor didn't seem to hold much regard for hosts. In his opinion they were just dolled up whores.

"You may see him but only two in the room at a time."

"Just because he's a host doesn't mean it was consensual. Can't you see he was beaten? He was raped, too, apparently. Have a little bit of a heart. What if I said he wasn't a host? Would he become human, then?" Karyu was pissed and Kei had to step in, calming both Karyu and the doctor.

"That bastard..." Karyu's hands balled into fists and Kei was right there to try and calm him down. He took the doctor away to explain things and Karyu turned to the door. He walked in, already hating the sight of his poor Intetsu on a hospital bed. He came up beside him and took his good hand.

"Intetsu...are you awake?" He reached over to brush the hair out of his face. He was beaten really bad and Karyu just wanted to hold him and make him smile. "'Tetsu...can you hear me?"

Intetsu wasn't sure where he was but it was bright...and he could hear Karyu. "Mm...my hero...so...sad...don cry...'m alright." His one good eye was glazed. He laughed a little despite being so drugged up.

"I di-n't efen get...get to dance...I was so oh loo-in foward to dancing..." His words were slurring but he was trying to smile at Karyu...trying to put a smile on his face. The doctor came back in with a nurse and a rape test kit. Kei had talked some sense into the man.

"This is going to hurt a bit Intetsu...the doctor is going to take a sample of the semen in you to see if we can get a match. It's a standard procedure, okeh? Karyu's here. Okeh? Just relax." The nurse was nice to Intetsu at least.

Karyu smiled as Intetsu mumbled. He was so drugged up. Karyu kissed his forehead and kept running his fingers through his hair. "We'll dance, sweetheart. Just get some rest. Once you're well, I'll get you a beautiful dress and I'll hire a band to play and we'll dance until your feet hurt. Alright?"

He turned when he heard someone come in, his grip tightening on Intetsu's hand. He was feeling very protective and he didn't want anyone hurting the host. His feelings for Intetsu were deep and strong. He was falling in love with him, even if he didn't admit it. The nurse wanted to get a sample and Karyu frowned.

"Make it quick. And don't hurt him." He tried to get Intetsu's attention again. He really hated seeing him so hurt.

The nurse looked apologetic. "I'm sorry sir...it's going to hurt. The area is sore from the activity and to put something up there again to get the sample is painful. It won't take long. Intetsu? What were going to do tonight?" The doctor was waiting for them to distract the patient.

"Dancssing...I wuhs going...dancing..." The nurse smiled at him and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Dancing. Okeh...and what is your favorite dance?" The doctor was getting ready to do the test. Intetsu's eyes were still glazed over and his grip was loosening a little. Kei was watching from by the door. The poor host...Karyu wasn't going to let this go easily.

"Waltzz...spinnin aroun an aroun...aahh!" His voice became a high pitched whine when the doctor inserted what he needed to. He wanted to go dancing...

"You want to waltz, Intetsu?" The host looked back to her and nodded slightly.

"I wanted...to dance wih Ka-yu...but he can' take me out...can't ta-e me in publi-ic..." The doctor finished his test and nodded to the nurse, going to put a name to the bodily fluid. The nurse smiled at him and patted his shoulder.

"Well you'll be back on your feet and dancing in no time. I'm going to go now and leave in your friends' capable hands alright? If you need anything press the button by your right hand." The woman smiled and bowed slightly before leaving the room.

Karyu was angry the whole time. He didn't like the idea of anyone touching Intetsu and the poor host was in so much pain. The doctor and the nurse finally left and Karyu looked over to Kei.

"I don't want him going back to the host club..." He was still holding onto Intetsu's hand but the host was barely conscious. Karyu didn't want anyone touching the blond but himself. Kei took a few steps further, trying to understand what his leader wanted.

"The club is his home, Karyu..." He frowned a little, already guessing where this was going. The host really had gotten to Karyu. He never got this protective. Mostly because he never had anyone to be protective over but Intetsu had really changed him.

"I don't want him going back there where this could happen to him and then he'll just be expected to get up and be someone else's rag doll the next day. I won't have it. Kei..." He looked very frustrated and he was wishing so much that he could take Intetsu into his arms.

"It is a life he is used to. One that was chosen for him...What will you have me do then, my lord?" But Kei already knew the answer to that question.

"Find out what's keeping him there. If he has a debt, settle it. I want him free of that place. Get whatever belongings he has and bring them to the estate."

"The estate? Karyu...no one goes there...are you sure about this?" He was worried this was all playing into a silly whim. Was Intetsu just a fling? They didn't need a disgruntled host somehow spreading the location of Karyu's estate to his enemies.

"Yes. I am sure. You know me, Kei. I wouldn't bring someone home if they didn't mean the world..." He looked back at Intetsu, wishing his eyes would focus and look up at him.

"Consider it done." Kei bowed and left the room. He would be seeing to this personally.

Kei soon found out that nothing was keeping Intetsu there but Intetsu himself. He had no where else to go. His mother had died and the club was the only ones to take him in. The man was one of the few free ones. Within a week Intetsu was up and moving about his room. He was still on the iv drip and still had his cast on but the stitches were out and he could see out of both eyes again. It was still black but the swelling was normal now. Karyu wasn't there yet and Intetsu was just happy to get out of bed that he started to dance a little. It wasn't much and not his normal graceful dancing but it was dancing. He had wanted to dance...the only thing he didn't get to do.

"No one ever takes me dancing..."

Karyu did have work to do but he was smiling when he walked into the hospital. Intetsu was recovering and would be able to leave soon. Karyu was going to take him home with him. He couldn't wait. He walked into the host's room, still smiling and holding a fresh bouquet of lilies.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, setting the flowers on his bed and giving the blond a kiss. He was ready to keep him all to himself. Kei had everything taken care of and was currently talking to the doctors about Intetsu getting released.

"Still feel like dancing, I see." He smiled and held onto him, waltzing with him a little bit. He wanted to take Intetsu dancing but he had an image and a reputation to take care of. He'd hid his sexuality for so long and he was worried what would happen if word got out. He could lose his job and the dignity he had as the oyabun. He could arrange a small party, though. Maybe he should do that.

Intetsu turned around and smiled, laughing when Karyu started dancing with him. "You're a lovely dancer. Too bad we can't go dancing...I'd love that." The host had stopped and picked up the lilies. So sweet and beautiful.

"You're going to spoil me Karyu. Then what will I do when I get back to the club?" The blond sat on the bed and rested his still sore body. He wanted his favorite to take him out but knew that would be impossible. Karyu was a very important man with a very important reputation to uphold. If it got out that he preferred men...much less hosts, then it could ruin everything.

"Where's Kei? He's always with you..."

"You look adorable in scrubs, Tetsu." He smiled, letting him go so he could walk back to the bed. He hoped the blond wasn't feeling too weak.

"You aren't going back to the club." He smiled at the blond, walking over to him and taking his hands. He was about to explain when Kei seemed to walk in on cue.

"The nurse will come and take out his IV. The doctor is preparing the discharge papers. He's good to go, so long as he gets his rest." Kei beamed and then left the room so Karyu could talk to him.

"What if I said you're no longer a host?" He asked, so glad he was going to be able to take Intetsu home. It would be nice to share his bed with someone. Especially this someone he loved.

Intetsu's breathing hitched. "W-what? I-I-I'm fired!? But...but I didn't mean...I have to go talk to them. I don't have anywhere to go! What am I going to do?" There were tears building in his eyes. He didn't know what Karyu meant and not being a host...it terrified him. If he wasn't a host he couldn't stay at the club. If he couldn't stay at the club then he'd be homeless.

"I didn't mean to get put in the hospital...I'll work on it. I'll get better! I promise. You have to help me get my job back. Please Karyu...please...I have no where to go."

"Intetsu, calm down!" He came up to him and cupped his cheeks, forcing the ex-host to look at him. "I meant, what if you had the choice? What if you had some place to be...?"

He leaned in and kissed him softly. "What if you had someone who'll take care of you? Someone who loves you."

He meant himself, of course. He wanted so badly to have Intetsu live with him. He'd never been this attached to anyone before and he didn't want to lose him. He didn't want what happened to Intetsu to ever happen again. No one deserved to be treated like that and Karyu wanted to prevent it at all costs. He knew asking the blond to move in was potentially a bad idea, but he wanted the happiness he felt when Intetsu was around. Call him selfish, but he was a spoiled kid. He wanted Intetsu all to himself.