Special Chapter: Before They Were The Emperor's Six Warriors (Ryōta Kise: the Con-Artist)

The time of war between the two bordering lands was in its early years. Five years in but the people who were ruled by Emperor Kohaku were still high in spirits. They knew that their Emperor would take care of them. Even though they were safe from enemy forces that didn't mean they were safe from their own. A sneaky con artist has been taking advantage of the peoples fear during these dyer times of war.

In a small common hotel in a small village a man of small wealth was just waking up to a night of forbidden mingling. He had picked up a young man with a pretty face the night before, not thinking of what those around him may think. This young man though was no ordinary person. Word had been going around of a con artist ripping people off. Taking their money after a date or spending the night together.

When the man came to, he noticed that the other side of the bed was empty and the large sum of money he had placed in the side table was gone. He felt like a fool for being played like he was. Gritting his teeth and clenching his fists he punched the pillow that the other person had used.

"That little whore bastard. The next time I see him, I'll kill him. Ryōta Kise."

Over in a nearby restaurant, Ryōta Kise was spending the money he took on a good meal. When he sat down to order many people had hungry eye's, not for their food but for the pretty face that came in the door.

"Looks like you're gaining some attention towards yourself there Ryōta. Who was your victim this time?" One of the waiters who worked at the restaurant and who knew Ryōta well came walking up to his old friend. A young blond who also had a pretty face, Reiji Ryusaki.

"Don't know who he was really, only that he was quite wealthy. Get me the usual if you don't mind." Ryōta placed the bag of money that he took on the table.

"Of course, Ryōta and maybe I'll give you something a little extra later." The Reiji gave Ryōta a little wink before heading back to the kitchen to get Ryōta's food and drink.

Ryōta would often be asked by Reiji why he does what he does, and his answer is really simple, it's because he finds it fun. That's all it was. It's not like he needs to do it for a living, he could easily get a job but scheming people and taking their money or anything valuable gave him a real thrill. A rush of excitement.

Reiji came back with Ryōta's usual order of food and drink. As Reiji sat the order down on the table he suddenly felt a hand on his backside.

"Ryōta♥. If you want that something extra you have to eat your order first. After that meet me around back," Reiji slowly leaned in towards Ryōta's ear. "I'll be waiting for you." He whispered and licked behind Ryōta's ear before walking off to the back of the restaurant.

With a smile Ryōta started eating his food. He didn't eat it all, but he did eat most of it before heading to the back to have a little something extra as a dessert from Reiji.

After about twenty minutes in the back with his friend Ryōta' made the decision that it was time to hit the road. As he started putting his clothes back on Reiji suddenly wrapped his arms around his waist from behind.

"You know, you don't have to keep doing this. I can be all that you need so you don't have to worry about getting caught be one of the people you're scheming. Please Ryōta, I worry about you."

Ryōta turned around to face Reiji with a smile. He gently kissed his lips and patted his head.

"You know I don't do this for sex or money. I do it because it's fun and exciting."

"That's even worse Ryōta!! If you just throw your body around like it's money you'll never know what love is. You'll never realize when someone truly loves you and wants you to be happy! So please Ryōta, let me be enough for you!"

Reiji's sudden outburst came to a surprise to him. He didn't know is this was some kind of confession or if he was just worry about him.

"Are you saying that you're in love with me then? Or do you just want me to stop having sex with others and only give myself to you? Which one is it?"

"I-I just... well, love is... it's just..." Reiji couldn't make the words come out. His heart and mind were saying one thing, but his mouth would form the words he wanted to say. He cares deeply for Ryōta so maybe the feelings he had was love.

Seeing how flustered Reiji was Ryōta decided to quit teasing the poor guy. He wrapped him up in a hug and gave him one last kiss on the forehead.

"Maybe one day I'll finally wake up and stop all my scheming, but for now this is what I do. I can't be tied down right now. Thank you for being here when I really needed someone to be, and remember, you're not just someone I come to when I need to get off. You're someone who looks for the good in me even when others only see a pretty face to screw. Thank you, Reiji."

That was the first time in a long time that Ryōta called him by his first name. A lot of the time he wouldn't say his name at all in fear that the people Ryōta schemed would go after Reiji. If they didn't know his name, then they couldn't go after him.

"I'll see you later Reiji. Take care of yourself and try not to worry so much about me. I can take care of myself just fine. I've been doing so for a long time now." Ryōta waved to Reiji before leaving through the back of the restaurant. He was making his way down the main street of town when his wrist was suddenly grabbed.

"There you are you damn whore bastard! Where's the money you stole from me!?" The man who Ryōta had slept with the night before had suddenly found him. This had never happened before. All the other times he was far enough gone that he wouldn't get caught. This is what Reiji had worn Ryōta about.

"Hey there mister. Did something happen to your money. That's a shame. I have no idea what happened to your money. I had to get up early to meet a friend."

"Don't play dumb with me!! Everyone knows that you're a con artist and that you steal from those you pick up!" The stranger's grip around Ryōta's wrist was getting tighter and tighter the angrier he was getting.

"If you knew all that then you're then dumb one for getting all up in the mood. You should really learn how to hold your alcohol if you don't want to be taken advantage of."

"Damn you..." Ryōta's late night date raised up his hand like he was about to hit Ryōta when his arm was suddenly grabbed. He looked back to see this scrawny kid trying to hold him back.

"Reiji!?!?" Ryōta was shocked to see Reiji holding back one of his johns from the night before.

"Please sir, whatever it is he took from you I'll be sure you get it all back in full. Just please, don't hurt Ryōta!"

"How could you possible pay back what this whore owes me?! Are you working with him?"

"No! I just don't want anyone to get hurt. Ryōta please give this man back the money you took from him and I'll pay him back what you've already used. That sounds far doesn't it?" Reiji looked to Ryōta and then the stranger.

"As long as get all my money back I don't care how I get it, unless."

The stranger had suddenly let go of Ryōta's wrist and turned his attention to Reiji.

"Unless what?"

"You are pretty cute for a scrawny looking kid. Are you any better than your friend is in bed?"

Ryōta saw the overwhelming fear consume Reiji's eyes. He was the only one Reiji did those kind of things with. Anger was suddenly swelling up inside of Ryōta, he wasn't going to let that man touch Reiji.

"Let him go!! You can have your money back, just leave the kid alone!!" Ryōta shouted in anger.

All the ruckus was staring to attract a crowd. More and more people who knew Ryōta and the people who he stole from all suddenly wanted to get in on the action. If this person was so precious to Ryōta, what a perfect way to destroy him.

"You seem to care deeply about this kid Ryōta. What is he to you?"

"He's a friend, let him go and take your money." Ryōta threw the remaining money that was in the bag at the stranger.

"Keep it. I have an even better prize."

"But you said---"

"That's what you stupid brats came up with. But after seeing your reaction to when I touch this boy it only proves that the two of you have a relationship together. Tell me, what is it that the two of you do together? Do you touch him here?" The strangers hands started moving along Reiji's chest up to his nipples. Pinching them hard Reiji let out a little cry.

"I said don't touch him!!" Ryōta screamed.

"Or maybe you touch him here?" His hand then started going down to the lower level of Reiji's body. With each touch from the stranger Reiji's face was getting red and his body couldn't help but react to him. "Look at that Ryōta. Look how excited your friend is when I touch him. Maybe I'm the one who's better then you when it comes to pleasing him."

"I said... don't touch him!!!" Ryōta suddenly lunged him and tackled him to the ground. Reiji was finally out of the stranger's grips. Ryōta started punching the stranger in the face repeatedly. Even when he lost consciousness he continued to pummel on the guy.

"Ryōta! Ryōta! Ryōta, please stop, you're going to kill him! I'm fine I promise!" Reiji called out countless times to the enraged Ryōta. But by now, even Reiji's voice wasn't coming through to him. Just as Ryōta was about to throw another punch his hand was suddenly held back. When he looked up he was surprised to see that it was Reiji who stopped him, it was someone he didn't even know.

"That's enough boy, if you continue this you'll be arrested for murder. Look after you friend for now." Ryōta was finally able to calm down long enough to go over to Reiji, who wrapped his arms around Ryōta repeating that he was alright. "You," the stranger suddenly pointed to a random person in the crowd. "take this fool someplace to get looked at. This should be enough to cover the cost." The stranger threw a bad of money at the random person and then walked over to Ryōta and Reiji.

"Both of you, follow me."

Ryōta and Reiji both stood up and started following the stranger who saved them. As they came to the edge of town and made their way to the palace both Ryōta and Reiji started to wonder where it was they were going.

"Um... excuse me sir, but where are we going?" Reiji asked.

"The palace. Emperor Koaku has been having me keep a close eye on you, Ryōta Kise."

"Is that so. Then who the hell are you?"

"My name is Shūzō Nijimura. I work closely with the Emperor in training his soldiers. His Majesty is in the process of establishing a group of young warriors with different skills to become his elite forces. The Emperor finds your skills to be quite resourceful for some reason. If you agree to join this group you'll be the fourth member so far. Emperor Kohaku would like to have six. Your friend Reiji will also be able to stay at the palace with you. Most likely now that the people know how to hurt you, there's a bigger chance that they will go after him. What is your decision, Ryōta Kise?" Shūzō asked as they stopped right outside the palace gates.

Ryōta glared at Shūzō Nijimura. He didn't even know this guy and he expected him to just go with what he was saying.

"Ryōta," Ryōta looked over to Reiji who was wearing a smile on his face. "this gives you the chance to use your skills in a more positive manner. You don't have to worry about people coming after you anymore, and if the Emperor has been looking at you that has to tell you something."

Ryōta looked back over to Shūzō and with a heavy sigh he gave Shūzō his answer. "Fine, I'll join the Emperor's Elite group just as long Reiji remains safe."

"Of course, it's like I said, your friend is allowed to stay in the palace with you. Come, I'll show you where the two of you will be staying." Ryōta and Reiji followed Shūzō to a pretty good size room that was big enough for two people to live in. "Get yourselves comfortable, and Reiji please do take care of Ryōta's hands. Don't want them getting infected. I'll come get you to meet the Emperor and the other members a little later." Shūzō closed the sliding door to Ryōta's and Reiji's room and made his way to inform the Emperor about Ryōta's arrival.

Reiji quickly went to tending to Ryōta's hands like Shūzō asked him to. As he was doing so Reiji noticed that there was a said look on Ryōta's face.

"What's wrong Ryōta?"

"I'm sorry Reiji. I'm sorry for all the trouble I got you in. It's because of me and what I've been going that you almost..."

"Hey, hey, that's not your fault. I should've been more careful. All that matters is that you didn't get hurt or arrested Ryōta. Shūzō could've arrested you for prostitution, theft and attempted murder, but he didn't. Everything's going to be alright."

Ryōta couldn't help but feel like an idiot. Reiji really was good to him, even after all the trouble he's caused him. Once Reiji finished tending to Ryōta's hands Ryōta suddenly wrapped Reiji up in a hug. Tightly holding him and only letting up when he caressed Reiji's cheek, and passionately and deeply kissed him. When the two finally parted both were red faced and out of breath.

"Ryōta?"

"You were right earlier Reiji. I don't need to sleep around with all those different people to have excitement. The fact that I got so angry when that bastard started touching you made me realize that I want to be the only one to touch you like that. I want to hold you, kiss you and touch you. You're all I need Reiji. I'm sorry for not realizing it sooner. I love you Reiji"

"I love you too Ryōta."