Yoko's "Protection," Suichi's Suffering...

Suichi winced as the cold streamwater ran over his abused body, but he let Yoko wash out his injuries without complaint. The pain was welcoming; it reminded Suichi he was safe in Yoko’s arms again and that the fox would soothe his wounds without any further hesitation. He knew he was safe, but at the same time Suichi was still afraid.
His memory was still hazy; he remembered Yoko’s face and that he’d once been his master, but he remembered nothing more about him. Suichi was even more wary of Yoko than he’d been of Karasu. At least he’d known where he stood with the raven.

Yoko’s hand descended on Suichi’s back and the boy flinched again as soap ran over his abused flesh. Yoko’s hands were so gentle, so loving, that they relaxed Suichi despite the boy’s efforts to remain alert. The water felt good, and Suichi was a little disappointed when Yoko reached out to help him up. Suichi’s legs were weak after the weeks of crawling around, combined with the injuries he had sustained from Karasu’s punishment and little to eat. He cringed as the fox picked him up and carried him back to the cave, his eyes loving and gentle. Suichi could see the tortured soul behind the kindness, though, and wondered what was wrong.

Yoko sighed as Suichi tensed as they entered the cave. “Suichi, Kuronue won’t hurt you again, you know…”

“Forgive me, Master…but…he’s a t-traitor.” Suichi whispered.

“Suichi, the TCC arrested him and interrogated him just like they did you. He’s suffered for my stupidity as much as you have.” Yoko sounded desperate, but he settled Suichi on some furs and looked over at his best friend. “Let me see that wing, Kuronue…” Kuronue unfolded his wings, wincing a little, and Suichi’s eyes landed on a puffy gash that nearly ran the width of the wing that he hadn’t noticed the night before. “The infection’s going away, at least. I think you’ll survive.”

Suichi settled himself on his knees and huffed quietly. Yoko shot him an inquiring glance and the boy scowled. “He says that, but how do you know it’s true?”

“First of all, Suichi, you seem to have forgotten how much I love Yoko,” Kuronue said hoarsely. “And second, Yoko knows when someone’s lying, especially when it’s someone he knows well. Had I—had I had any malicious intent when I hurt you, there’s no way he would have forgiven me so easily. And lastly…” Kuronue undid the ties on his vest and let it fall from his shoulders, turning his back on Suichi. His back was a mass of scar tissue and long, half-healed stripes that had obviously resulted from a whip.

“It’s not as obvious now as it was when he first came to me,” Yoko said quietly, “but he’s been hurt just as you have, Suichi. And anyway, I trust Kuronue with my life. If he says he had no control over himself than I have no reason to doubt it.”

Suichi could tell this was one argument he was not going to win, so he sighed and kept his own doubts quiet. He was too afraid to keep arguing with Yoko anyway. “Whatever you say, Master,” he said quietly, closing his eyes in resignation.

He heard Yoko sigh, but then the fox’s hands were on him, carrying out their inspection. “I need to know what he’s done to you, Suichi, in order to effectively treat some of the…less obvious injuries,” the fox whispered, changing the subject. His lips pressed gently against Suichi’s neck for a second. “Besides,” he said, “you’ll feel better if you tell me what happened…” He stopped, his hands finding the rings. Suichi winced as Yoko began to smoulder in rage, but the fox only inspected the metal closely, looking for a way to get them off.

“He welded the ends together, Master,” Suichi said tiredly. “They won’t come off.”

“Damn him…” Yoko growled, his voice shaking. Kuronue moved, looking slightly alarmed, but the fox moved on with another growl. “Start from when he got you home, Suichi,” Yoko said shortly.

Reluctantly, Suichi obliged, Yoko’s anger too intimidating for him to disobey.


Suichi finished, closing his eyes in shame. Yoko was trembling in rage, Kuronue’s hands at the fox’s shoulders, trying to soothe away the pain. He watched warily as Yoko calmed himself, confused at the fox’s reaction. “Seriously injured…” the fox muttered, looking pained. “…could’ve killed you…this is my fault…”

“Stop it, Yoko,” Kuronue said sharply. “Getting angry at yourself won’t heal Suichi’s wounds any faster. Calm yourself and pay attention!”

Suichi yelped as Yoko pulled the boy into his arms, burying his face in Suichi’s hair. “I won’t let him hurt you anymore, Suichi, I promise,” Yoko whispered. “He won’t ever touch you again if my life depends on it…”

So I’m safe from Karasu…but that means nothing if I’m in danger from this master… Suichi closed his eyes. I suppose only time will tell what kind of master Yoko will be… Despite himself, Yoko’s arms were warm and comforting and Suichi began to relax. Suddenly the fox pulled away. Suichi bit back his whimper of protest and merely averted his eyes.

“From what it sounds like, you were seriously injured and then never given time to heal,” Yoko said, his voice calm again. “I need to see the damage that’s been done with my own eyes, although the possibility that I’ll be able to heal any of your internal injuries is slim to none. I would still like to know what we’re dealing with.” His eyes were gentle as they met Suichi’s, but his next order still instilled fear in the redhead. “I need you to get on your elbows and knees, Suichi.”

Suichi obeyed, ignoring the shame that was burning his cheeks. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on other things than the hands running gently over his raised ass. Even so, he whimpered when a finger slid up him, his muscles tensing automatically, bracing him against further pain. But the fox only took a second before the hand was removed. Suichi relaxed in relief.

“I’m surprised he didn’t break your spine, Suichi…” Yoko’s trembling voice reached Suichi’s ears a moment later. “Get up off the floor.” Suichi sat back, eyes still lowered, awaiting his next command. He heard Yoko fussing around for a moment before the fox gently began treating his outer wounds with alcohol and bandages. “You’ve sustained a few minor infections but you should be ok, Suichi,” Yoko said quietly. Suichi didn’t miss the tremble in his voice. “But these piercings, on the other hand…” Yoko growled softly, his fur rising. “Clearly Karasu was not concerned with whether or not you were healthy. He hasn’t let these heal properly; the holes are all enlarged and puffy. I don’t know what I can do at this point to reverse the damage, but I’ll try…”

Suichi yelped as alcohol stung his sore nipples and then the head of his cock. “Th-thank you, Master…” he whispered. “I don’t deserve such kindness…”

“Basic health care and hygiene isn’t something you earn, Suichi,” Yoko said angrily. “It’s something everyone requires and deserves. It’s a right, not a privilege.”

Suichi knew Yoko was right, but he still recoiled from the anger in the fox’s voice. “F-forgive me, Master…”

“Don’t do that, Suichi.”

“D-do what, Master?”

“That. Don’t—don’t call me master.” Yoko’ voice was choked again.

The order collided sharply with Suichi’s lesson on respect; suddenly he could feel the weight of the clamp crushing his balls again, the pain storming through his imagination so vividly the redhead almost felt it. “N-No!” he cried, curling up in a ball. “M-master…I c-can’t…”

“Al-alright, Suichi…call me Master, then…please…calm down…it’s okay…” Yoko stroked him gently, bringing the boy back to the present. “I’m s-sorry…”

Suichi uncurled himself and let Yoko continue bandaging him. He was too afraid and confused to even register what the fox was trying to say. I can’t disrespect him, even if he tells me to, because when I do that bad things happen in return. But at the same time that means I’m disobeying his orders, which means— Vividly, the pain of the binder clamps covering his thighs, ass, chest, and crotch flooded Suichi’s mind and he screamed, once more curling around himself in protection. Disrespect means pain, but he ordered me to and failing to follow an order means more pain…what am I supposed to do? Either way—either way… I can’t win…I have to do something bad in order to do something good and therefore I have to get hurt to avoid more…pain… Yoko’s anxious cries falling on deaf ears, Suichi drifted into sleep, too tired and sore to wrap his mind around this dilemma any further.