Angelkitsune-Naomi: Thank you for the complement I really appreciate it. The next chapter will really be detailed though I'm not saying why.

Sutzina Zion: Yeah his brother is (insert chosen bad word) I wrote him like that on prupose, I'm just glad that is how he is coming across.

cocoke5: I almost felt bad having Makoto deliver the news but someone had to. I figured if I was going to make Eiri a slave I had to compensate him some way, I doubt Shu minded at all.

Recommended Reading: Unbeating Heartache by Kolie is a wonderful story (though not yet complete). Kolie does a wonderful job of bring the characters to life in this vampire based fic.

Disclaimer: Gravitation does not belong to me

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Shuichi smiled happily as he stretched wriggling his fingers over his head. He rolled on to his side letting the morning sun kiss his pale skin. Memories of the prior evening had him blushing in pleasure as he glanced around looking for the source of his enjoyment.

Gazing out the window he caught the sight of Yuki's golden skin in the midst of the garden. Shuichi slid out of bed, looking for his discarded robe which had made its way to the floor during the night. He was aware of the slight soreness about his body, but the giddy aftermath of such a wonderful experience overshadowed it.

Smiling he bounced off to the washroom to immerse himself in warm water and daydreams. Today was going to be a great day.

Out in the garden Eiri stained his muscles as he walked through his daily morning exercise. He let his body move through the familiar patterns while his mind analyzed the previous night's events. Some how that brat of a prince had managed to get through his defenses. Eiri had spent several hours once the glow and effects of the evening's activities had worn off to check and verify that his tokens were all working. Yet some how, some way the little brat had still managed to affect him.

Oh he had enjoyed himself, more so than he could ever remember, but he was not fooling himself by thinking it was anything other than the magic that had surged through his body. He was not going to find himself at the mercy of that again. He had already learned that lesson, quit painfully in the past.

He growled as his muscles protested to the series of exercises he was currently working on, his mental conflict pushing him beyond what he would normally do. He had hoped to use seduction to get rid of the thrice damned collar, but if he was not able to defend himself from the prince's magical onslaught it may be useless. He would have to find some way to either counter the brat's magic or secure another means of escape.

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Shuichi still wore his smile as he dug through his chest looking for one of his favorite outfits. The deep purple fabric complemented his light tone and violet eyes, and the rich embroidery work adorned with tiny sparkling beads matched his happy demeanor. He sighed contently as he slid his feet into the matching slippers, turning to see if Yuki was still in the garden.

"My don't we look happy." Shuichi turned to face Hiro, flashing him an even large smile, his eyes dancing with delight. "Alright I give up, what happen to you?"

"Something wonderful," Shuichi said grabbing his friend's hands and spinning them in a quick circle.

Hiro frowned at him, "Shuichi does this have something to do with yesterdays purchase."

"Muhum." Hiro could tell his friend was barley able to contain himself. He was all but walking on air.

"You keep going the way you are and you will make the fling carpets jealous."

"But Hiro," he whined looking into the taller man's eyes mustering up the most serious look he could manage, "It was wonderful, amazing, magnificent, stupendous…"

"Yeah, yeah I get the idea Shu," Hiro smiled at him. "I'm glad you're happy, however, Makoto told me you have a song to write."

Shuichi's face fell. In his fog delirious happiness he had forgotten about the song. The song, that if not written and perfected to his father's satisfaction would lose him the very person that had him so happy.

"Hiro," came the anguished cry. Hiro cringed expecting a tearful outburst. "What am I going to do?"

"Well you can start by grabbing one of your instrument. Courtiers won't be here for another two hours, so I have some time to help you." Hiro watched as Shuichi grabbed his harp. "Do you want to head down to the fountain?"

"No Kichino would probably be there. I want to stay as far away from him as possible." A shudder ran down Shuichi's spine as he thought of his brother. More than likely Kichino would try to interfere, and that usually meant pain for Shuichi.

Hiro studied his friend troubled face for several minutes. "Well I am going to say that staying here we probably won't get much done between you daydreaming and watching a certain someone. Do you think Makoto would let us use his gardens?"

Shuichi had gone from sticking his tongue out over the 'daydream' comment to chewing on his lower lip at the prospect of using his oldest brother's garden. He had not been to Makoto's garden since he had accidentally stumbled on Makoto with one of his harem girls. "I wouldn't mind but I don't want to intrude, you know like last time."

Hiro laughed as Shuichi blushed. He remembered just how utterly embarrassed his friend had been the day he had shown up at Hiro's room. Shuichi's family had done him no favor by keeping him so sheltered, he was far too naive. "I can check if you like, but I'm sure it won't be a problem, I already talked to your brother this morning."

Shuichi bound up to Hiro hugging him with his free arm, his other caring his harp. "Oh would you please."

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Shuichi was ready to pull pink tuffs of hair out. He was frustrated and knew Hiro was too. Hiro however had left, he was the court bard and court was now in session. Shuichi looked at the piece of parchment in front of him, there were a few scribbled lyrics on it, but nothing profound like he needed. He shifted to get blood flowing in his legs, listening to his harp as it fell against one of the planters in the garden. A dull twang came from it making it sound as frustrated as he was.

Shuichi turned his face into the early afternoon sun, wishing it would give him the words he needed to complete his song. Words that would save Yuki from the wrath of his brother. He was so caught up in his mussing that he failed to realize that the sound of his harp had drawn said brother's attention.

Kichino had just entered his own garden when he heard the harp protest to being moved. His father had forbidden him from entering Shuichi's room or garden till the week was out, thanks to that damn interfering Makoto, but his father had never said he could not enter Makoto's garden.

With a manically gleeful smile he walked through the gate separating His and Makoto's two gardens. He sneered at all the brilliantly colored flowers in the eldest garden, so different from his own grassy garden. Flowers held no practical use, neither did the intricate design of patterns the planters made. His own open garden gave him plenty of space for sword work and what ever torture he inflicted on those he wished to torment.

Shuichi was so deep in thought that he did not realize at first that he was being assaulted. The hand that had reached around and grabbed his throat was cutting the air off to his lungs. His hands went up to try and pull the hand away but it just tightened around his windpipe. Black dots were beginning to dance in front of his eyes as he managed a small gurgled gasp.

"Did you really think you could get away from me Shuichi?" Kichino's voice was a vicious as his grip on Shuichi's throat. "That worthless slave of yours is going to suffer, but nothing like what I'm going to do to you." A whimper escaped through Shuichi's lips as the world started to go foggy.

He was only faintly aware of a crashing sound that managed to makes its way through his oxygen deprived thoughts, then the grasp on him was freed as he gulped deep breaths of refreshing air.

"I told you never to touch him again." Shuichi knew that voice, but his mind wasn't quit working properly yet. The comment was followed by a different crashing sound, like porcelain breaking, followed by a moan.

"Are you ok?" Was he? He wasn't sure, his vision was still foggy, his brother's magic still had not faded. A pair of strong arms picked him up with ease and he realized his face was resting against golden skin. Yuki!

He was laid down amidst the soft plush pillows of his bed, still trying to force air threw the constricted passage to his lungs. He felt fingers running over his throat, taking the pain and restriction away. Blinking he brought two angry gold eyes into focus.

"Are you ok?" Eiri repeated. He had felt the attack on the prince, and it disturbed him. Was it the command that older prince had given him and the collar responding? Some how he didn't think so, it was something else. He had felt his chest tightening the intensity growing as he made his way to Shuichi. Had this mind mage been able to work some magic to tie Eiri to him?

Shuichi coughed as the last of the constricting magic faded allowing precious air access to his lungs. Realization of the danger he had been in hit him and out of instinct he did the one thing that he knew would bring him comfort. He crawled into his Yuki's lap.

Eiri growled as the little body made its self comfortable. Hadn't he already decided that he wasn't going to put himself in this position? Two arms came up to encircle his neck as the prince rested his head on Eiri's chest. Eiri allowed his own arms to wrap around the petite frame.

It did not take long at all for Shuichi to calm down. He regretted when Yuki released him laying him back down on the bed and standing to leave.

"Where are you going?" His voice was tinged with fear. He felt safe when Yuki was near and the thought of him leaving bothered him.

"I was going to get your instrument unless you would like me to leave it." Eiri didn't wait for a response and strolled back to Makoto's garden. He grabbed the harp and parchment looking down at the words scowling.

Shuichi stayed where Yuki had left him, waiting for the older man's return. A frown creased his brow as Yuki walked in reading the lyrics he had started on.

"You write these," Eiri asked holding up the parchment. Shuichi nodded an affirmative. "They suck." Eiri tossed the parchment onto the bed and went to place the harp with the other musical instruments.

"What?" Shuichi cried indignantly.

"I said it sucks, little kids could write better." Eiri sat on the edge of the bed waiting for the prince to start crying. It didn't take long. He got up and walked out to the garden to continue his exercises please that he had been able to upset Shuichi.

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Shuichi sat clutching the lyrics, tears now dried on his cheeks. Yuki was probably right, his lyrics sucked. Though the golden god didn't need to be so mean in stating so. He was not sure what he was going to do, but he knew he had to keep Yuki away from Kichino.

"Shuichi!" Makoto came flying into the room, making Shuichi jerk with fright, sending a number of silk pillows falling to the floor. Makoto jumped onto the bed with his brother. "Do you have that song written yet?"

Shuichi shook his head no, noting the look of panic on his brother's face. "What's wrong Mak?"

Makoto twisted a lock of his pink highlighted brunette hair as he chewed on his lower lip. "Shu, those ambassadors are going to be here tomorrow. Father says you have to be ready or Kinchino…"

"Tomorrow?"

"Shuichi you have to have that song ready. That voice of yours is the only thing that will save your Yuki." Shuichi nodded again, panic starting to set in. "I wish I could help but I have no musical talent." Makoto wiped a tear off his brother's face. "Don't worry Shu, you're the best music mage in five kingdoms, that voice of yours can work wonders. Just let it flow."

Shuichi smiled at his brother hoping he could do that.

Nether prince noticed Eiri as he stood leaning against the outside wall. Music Mage? Eiri furrowed his brow searching his memory. He did recall that his brother in-law said something about a mage he knew that used music. It also explained why his tokens were not working, Shuichi wasn't a mind mage. How than did you block a music mage?

Eiri looked up to the sky as if expecting the answer to come from above. He watched a lone falcon circle above the palace dropping slowly. It's flight path brought it spiraling closer and closer to the palace. An odd thing for a wild falcon to do, then again, this was not a terrain falcons would usually frequent, there was not enough prey. Eiri watched as it came lower, noting the black thongs that hung from its leg. A smile crossed his lips as he walked to the center of the garden holding out his arm, hoping the leather bands were thick enough to support the falcon's talons. Crest, his brother's falcon, landed skillfully on his wrist cooing happily and completing its task.

Absently Eiri scratched under the peregrine's breast feathers. His brother was close, closer than he had expected if Crest were here. He singled for Crest to move to one of the trellises as he made his way back into the prince's room. If his brother in-law was going to try and get him out via diplomacy than he needed to be warned about Shuichi's ability.

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Shuichi sat on the grass in his garden looking up at the night stars. He watched as the bird in front of him bobbed its head up and down. Giggling he tossed another scrap to the bird. The bird was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

A sudden noise startled the bird and it took to the air with a haunting call. Shuichi watched as it soared over the walls to freedom. A freedom neither he or Yuki would ever have.

Shuichi's eyes went big as he darted back into his room, almost knocking Yuki over in the processes. He grabbed his parchment and quickly began scrawling. Within moments he was smiling at what he wrote before he dashed out the door to find Hiro.

He burst threw the door that lead to Hiro's room all but jumping up and down. "Hiro, Hiro I have it I have the lyrics."

Hiro calmly looked up from his lute and held out his hand. He read through the lyrics truly amazed. The song was inspiring. "Do you have an idea for the melody?"

Shuichi grabbed another one of Hiro's lutes and sat down beside him. Recalling the cry of the bird he tried to imitate the melody of its call. It did not take them long to complete the song, leaving them both smiling as Shuichi skipped back to his room. He pushed his door open when a hand clamped around his wrist.

Pain split through Shuichi's body making him feel like he was being ripped in half. Squinting up he saw the look of sadistic joy on his brother's face. He also saw that Kichino had two of 'his' guards with him. A silent scream tore at his throat as he silently cried out for Yuki.

Yuki appeared as if responding to the silent call. He grabbed the prince's other wrist glaring at Kichino. To Shuichi's surprise the pain ebbed away. Not wanting Yuki to get into a fight and possibly get hurt, he did the only thing he could think of.

"Kichino let me go." The older prince dropped his brother's wrist a look of fear on his face. There was no longer enough pain to suppress Shuichi's gift and he had full control of his voice. The younger prince stood up as tall as he could and commanded his brother to leave him be. Then with a flounce, he marched into his room leaving a stunned and pissed Kichino swearing in the hallway.

"How did you do that?" Eiri looked down at the pink haired prince.

"Do what?" Big purple eyes blinked innocently up at him.

"With your voice, how did you do that?"

Shuichi shrugged, "I don't know I just do." He watched as Yuki shook his head. "I finished my song."

Eiri continued to stare at Shuichi as he bobbed up and down in place. Trying to understand this individual was giving him a headache. Moments ago he was being tortured by his crazed brother and now he was all but elated to inform Eiri his stupid song was done.

"Yuki are you mad at me?" The prince began chewing on his lower lip nervously trying to decide if the latest rescue had pushed the beautiful blond over the edge.

Eiri looked down at him cupping his check as he wiped a tear away from the rich violet eye. "No I'm not mad at you." He took one small hand in his own and pulled the prince to the bed, taking a moment to look out the window at the night sky.

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The falcon circled the sky just outside of the city. Seeing the black clad hand raised in the air he dove pulling up before hitting it to land softly. Its beak rubbed the other hand looking for its treat for a job well done. it hungrily chomped down its treat as the owner pulled the parchment from its leather thing.

Dark eyes scanned the message before handing it to his companion.

"A music mage, this should be interesting."

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Comments and reviews would be greatly appreciated. My cohort at work is away for two weeks so she isn't around to help me correct mistakes. If you see any (and I know there are some) please let me know.