Pick Up Sticks

Chapter 1 – It Wasn’t A Game

The phone rang off the hook all night; Tsume listened to it, pulling the pillow over his head to muffle the sound. The recorder box turned on again. “Tsume… look. I… Tsume please pick up. I’m sorry!” The voice on the other side was a teenaged boy’s. “Tsume… I’m so sorry… They’re after me. I shouldn’t have brought you into it… Can you ever forgive me?”

Tsume, the boy in question rolled over onto his side and squeezed his eyes closed. He was sprawled on his bed in his plain blue pajamas. The mess of his room was a disaster inside. Things had been thrown about and a computer monitor was on its side. The light of the moon filtered in dimly, making it look more like a battlefield with tombstones and debris from buildings then desktop accessories. “No… I won’t.” He muttered quietly.

***

The sound of a school bell rang as Tsume’s mother dropped him off outside the gate. “You’re late?” She asked curiously.

The light brown tousled-haired Tsume gave a yawn. “It’s the first bell.” He muttered and rubbed one of his light brown eyes. “It’s fine.” That said he fixed his uniform’s tie and pulled his school bag out. She gave him a wave but paused as the sound of sirens filled the area. In the rear view mirror she saw an ambulance and police cars coming. “What in the…” She immediately moved the car further down the street.

Tsume raised one brow and then shrugged as the emergency vehicles pulled into the school grounds beside him. He walked his way lazily towards the school’s front then paused. There were kids gathered around the front of it.

Making his way over, Tsume saw blood all over the ground. He felt his natural morbid curiosity coming and pushed his way to the front. His eyes went wide and he felt suddenly guilty. “Atsu…” He barely breathed out the name of his now ex-boyfriend. The body was stabbed along the torso several times, the hands and feet had been ran through with large carpenter nails as though the boy would have been nailed to a cross.

Not able to handle the surge of emotions, tears fell from his face. Tsume fell to his knees and then his hands, his bag falling beside him. “Atsu… you weren’t kidding…” He closed his eyes as his body shook.

***

One month ago:

The students moved from class to their respective hang outs for lunch. Tsume pulled on his coat as he headed for the roof to find a place less people were inclined to be on a rainy day. Reaching it he found he wasn’t as alone as he wanted to be. Standing in the rain like some nut case was a dark red haired pretty boy. He had the brightest, clearest blue eyes that Tsume had ever seen. He was wearing a different schools’ uniform. He had his hands out as though catching some holy light rather then a hard downpour.

“…Moron.” Tsume muttered as he pulled out a can of beer from his bag, his special little private vice. Though inwardly he knew a part of him was dead curious about who the transfer student was and why he was so in love with the bad weather.

Turning around when he heard the door close, the stranger gave Tsume a curious look and then walked over, but not under the over hang that Tsume was sheltering under. “Is that stuff any good?” He asked it so innocently, as though he’d never seen a Budweiser before! He pointed one graceful finger towards it and his eyes locked on it.

“Not really. It’s more a style and acquired taste then anything.” Tsume told him, downing half of it as he kicked one foot up behind him on the wall. He had no intentions of sharing. His light brown eyes regarded the stranger as suspicious.

“Oh… style huh? It seems everyone does what they do for style or notice.” The stranger gave a little chuckle. “I’m Emeric Atsumaru.” The next thing the boy did might as well had been a bullet through the head it was such a shocker. He put a hand over his heart and bowed slightly to him. It wasn’t a Japanese bow, it was European style. “I’m from Germany.”

“You got damn good Japanese for being from Germany.” Tsume said eyeballing the guy suspiciously. “I’m Noruika Tsume.” He tilted his head a little, “If you’re from Germany how come your name sounds Japanese? You also don’t look that German in the face. A little though.”

“I’m half and half.” Atsumaru admitted with a little smirk. “I’m new here as of last week.” He gave him a shrug. “You’re the first person I’ve bothered to introduce myself to personally. Mind if I share the rain with you?”

His face is awfully pretty… his body is really slender too. I wonder if he’s a model or something. It’s not ever day I see someone like that. Tsume ran a hand through his bed head. “If you wanna.” He said without admitting he didn’t mind one bit. He liked eye candy after all.

***

Present time:

Tsume’s mother was sitting beside him in the principal’s office. He was looking at the edge of the old but quality wooden desk of the principal’s and his mind was wandering. He felt more then guilty. He felt like by not listening to Astu he’d killed him. His hands were fisted on his lap.

“You were Emeric-san’s only friend. I heard you were quite close to him. The police will probably want to talk to you, Noruika-san. I suggest you work along side them.” The principal told him sternly as the older fat man watched the boy with cold eyes past narrow half circle glasses. “They aren’t to pleased with what they have to work with you see… Emeric’s family information fell through. His parents are no where to be found and the address he was using for enrollment as well as their names are falsified.”

“…Oh?” Tsume couldn’t muster a real tone to the word that was meant as a question.

***

Three weeks ago:

“So am I ever gonna, like, get an invitation to your place?” Tsume asked as he and Atsu walked along the dark city street after hours. They were headed to the corner they parted ways at. It had been a week since they started hanging out. So far Tsume had really not regretted letting the weirdo hang out with him on that rainy day a week ago. He was eye candy and he was amiable, happy to go and do what Tsume wanted.

Atsu gave a nervous smile over to Tsume. “I… can’t.” He admitted. “I’m afraid for reasons I don’t really have a reliable place right now.” He pushed his soft falling bangs from his face as they walked. “See… my parents aren’t really here.” He glanced over to Tsume to see the casual punk gave him no real expressive response to that. “I faked where I am living. If I took you to where I stay you gotta keep it quite.”

“Oh…?” Tsume gave a devious grin. “I’m sorry did you just say where you are living is a secret?” He waved his hand dismissively. “I won’t tell. I just want to see where you’ve been. I took you to my place the other day but what can I say we can’t get a moment alone.” He chuckled with an undertone of meaning to the words.

“We need to be alone?” Atsu’s head tilted a little but a sudden expression of curiosity over came his confusion. “Sure.”

The home was a small abandoned church in the edge of the mountain forest. As they walked in, the outside held no signs of what was inside. It was furnished splendidly like a prince lived in the old building. The windows were boarded up outside but inside they were cleaned meticulously. Plush large antique European styled furniture was placed as though some expensive designer came in and did it.

“Holy shit… and you live here alone?” Tsume asked as he took his shoes off at the entry area before walking to where the pews would have been but there was a huge open common room. His eyes moved from golden accessory to the rich silk furniture and the expensive rugs. “Mind if I move in…?” he was only half kidding as he asked. He pulled his uniform jacket off and left it with his shoes.

Atsu also left his shoes at the entry area and then walked in and sat down on the sofa. “I would let you but I don’t stock a lot of food here.” He gave an apologetic look. “I also don’t have a television for you to vegetate on.” Snickering at that he added, “And you’d be even later for class. I’m three more miles away then you are.”

“…It’s do-able.” Tsume sat down next to him. “Well since we’re alone now…” he looked over to Atsu and put an arm around him as though he were a girl date at a movie theater. “There is something I wanted to talk to you about. “

Atsu watched him intently. He had a sweet little smile on his face as he did so. Despite being taller then Tsume by about two inches, and thinner by about four, he was by far the less dominate of the two’s personalities.

“Well you know when I met you I thought you were a freak.” Tsume admitted as he looked around, anywhere but at Atsu. “I… well changed my mind.” He gave a nod as though trying to nudge himself forward on the topic. His hand gripped Atsu’s shoulder a bit. He turned and smiled at him, He’s got that doe eyed look. He’s totally for this. he told himself before suddenly moving forwards and kissing Atsu. He moved himself so that both his hands were nearly pinning the pretty boy into it.

Atsu didn’t resist one bit. He let Tsume’s lips push into his and followed his mouth’s movements into a long sweet and passionate kiss. The very warmth and movement of Tsume’s tongue was elating. Atsu felt his hands grip onto Tsume’s body.

As Tsume felt Atsu accept his kiss he inwardly snickered and wondered how far he could push this. This is hot… we’re all alone in a place that no one knows how to find us at… a perfect spot. He told himself as he felt Tsume’s hands wrap around to hold to his back.

Suddenly Tsume’s tongue felt something odd, a sharp tooth?

***

The scenery was flashing by the car, reflected in the window it gave Tsume something to watch. His eyes felt heavy, his heart felt dead. He had been given some time off of class so that the investigation on the murder wouldn’t be hampered. Tsume was the only real suspect they had to work with as it was. If he wasn’t in classes it was deemed easier to get a hold of him.

“Honey… I know what you’re thinking.” His mother had no clue but she sure thought she did. “You’re not going to go to jail.” She assured him.

I should… I heard his message… I should have picked up. Shit how was I supposed to know. Anger began to rise in Tsume as his mother continued.

“I’m sorry your friend… is gone now.” She tried a nice way to say ‘brutally murdered’. She pulled them up to the driveway. “If you want to talk-.” She was cut off as Tsume stormed from the car as soon as it was at a stop. He slammed the door behind him and moved down the street, he wasn’t going home. “Tsume!?” She called after him as she got out of the car.

“You don’t know what he was to me!” Tsume snapped over his shoulder. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and headed away. Now what should I do… Atsu… I’m sorry. I promised you…

***

Two weeks ago:

Atsu leaned into the motion of their bodies moving together. He was lovingly being pushed into Tsume, the more controlling one had his hands on Atsu’s hips to guide him. Blood rushed through Atsu’s body; his skin was slick with sweat from the loving making. He could feel the build up of his climax and his muscles twitched in retaliation to Tsume’s leadership and pace. He kept it however, being scolded before for rushing things.

Tsume could feel the telltale signs within him. He gave a little smile as he, himself, was rather hyped up just feeling Atsu’s pleasure. His hands moved from Atsu’s hips and over his bare chest, brushing over his nipples. He had to stay sitting up, legs under him, to give Atsu the proper position.

Giving out whimpers and meek cries of pure ecstasy, the pretty one of the two of them gripped the covers, pulling the sheets, as his body couldn’t handle it anymore. Hot gasps and forceful thrusts shuddered lust through his body he couldn’t even fathom at the moment. His eyelids closed and Tsume knew he had to take over for his lover to gain the most of it. He moved himself, tightening himself to massage Atsu now that he was peaking.

Moments later the two were holding to one another, both matted with perspiration. Atsu didn’t want to move his body so Tsume held him. “Tsu-chan…” Atsu breathed, as his heartbeat was audible from where Tsume was. One gentle hand came up slowly to take a hold of Tsume’s that was on his chest. “Tsu-chan I don’t know how much longer we can do this…” He admitted sadly.

Tsume’s heart jumped a little with dread. Is he going to dump ME first? He wondered immediately. In all his relationships he’d been the one doing the dumping. Usually he was bored of his partners. They were fun at first but their looks, their rhythm; it was robotic after a point. Giving a fake chuckle he asked, “What do you mean by that, cutie?” He looked over and bent his head to kiss Atsu on the nose. However the look in Atsu’s eyes wasn’t of boredom or of guilt. It was of fear.

“Tsu-chan,” Atsu turned to hold to his lover, “You’ve noticed by now right? I’m not as human as I look… and part of my own family is chasing me. They want to kill me, Tsu-chan.” He closed his eyes and shivered at the thought.

Tsume was so happy that Atsu wasn’t facing him because he didn’t look impressed. Dramatic little thing. He’s got pointy canines, big deal. It’s not like he’s drank my blood and we’ve been screwing for a week now. He dismissed the whole thing as a drama ‘hook’ to keep him interested. “Oh? Are they vampires too?” He asked with a snicker.

“Yes.” Atsu nodded. “If they see me with you beyond basic school boy activities they may think I’ve told you something.” He bit his lower lip. “They might hurt you.”

Tsume petted Atsu’s hair, Roll with it, he told himself as he kissed the crown of his head. “I won’t let them hurt you. These guys ever show up, you call me.”

***

Present time:

Tsume kicked a wooden fence he passed so hard that it broke and splintered. How stupid!! He thought hatefully. He felt tears falling down his face hot as they ran along his cheeks and to his lips. I should have believed him. However there was no going back now. Atsu was dead, his body had been nearly mutilated but, What was with the odd nails? Maybe the MO of the killer? To crucify, of sorts, their victims… unless he wasn’t lying? He inwardly felt his stomach drop to his feet.

He found himself standing outside of the old church. With Atsu gone he figured he’d take the place as his own and wallow in his mistake. Opening it up he looked at the empty finely furnished main room. He almost expected to see Atsu laying there half naked and waiting for him. Oh yes, they’d done their fair share of role-play and spontaneous mutual easing of carnal needs. “When did I… actually fall in love with you, Atsu-chan?” He asked the ghost of his memories.

He closed the door behind him and threw himself onto the sofa to cry. His heart felt like it was crushed the moment he’d seen the body. His emotions now finally caught up to that crash and burn. “I should have believed you… I can’t believe I didn’t…” He hadn’t even taken off his shoes, he was distraught and coming to this place hadn’t helped do anything but drive home that Atsu was in fact gone.

What did I hope? It was his body. His face was obvious, his outfit… Atsu-chan, I let you die. “I should have picked up. I was just so pissed. I was just… I mean… You’d never left me like that…”

***

The day before:

Tsume lead Atsu up the stairs to his room. “My folks are gone for the day so let’s have some fun at my place for once. I bought us some toys too.” He smirked back to his lover.

Atsu blushed and put a hand over his mouth. “Toys?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. He was quick to learn, though. As soon as the door was closed behind him Tsume pulled out of his closet a pair of cushioned cuffs and a collar, it was just the start it seemed. There were also ankle cuffs and the bed had been prepared for this by a rope looping both ends to be tied to the loose cuff.

Tsume turned to Atsu. “You know I like having my way with you.” He snickered but the fun was put on pause as he noticed Atsu looking out the window. “What’s up?”

“We shouldn’t have come here.” Atsu told him with a swallow. He turned to leave. “I-I have to go.” He headed for the door.

“Not this ‘they’re after me’ shit again.” Tsume sighed and grabbed Atsu, linking a cuff around one wrist. “That game’s old let’s do a new one.” He told him callously and pulled the boy back from the door.

“N-no. I really do need to go… I…” Atsu started but Tsume grabbed his other arm and pinned him against the door. “You,” his light blue eyes widened with fear and disbelief, “never believed me.” He gave a cry and yanked his hand from Tsume, the cuff didn’t give on his wrist but Tsume lost the grip on the other end. Pushing with both his hands he launched Tsume off of him and ran out the door.

“Oh you are KIDDING me!” Tsume shouted after him. “I went through all the damn trouble of getting this set up for today!” He ran after Atsu but stopped when he saw the kid had run out the door and was long gone. “ATSU-CHAN!!” He cried out after him as he hit the front yard then realized what he had just said within public earshot. He turned around, furious and his temper getting the better of him.

Storming back into his room he tried to think about what Atsu had gone off about. How he had to go, how he was being chased. He’s going to far with this stupid game! He looked at his phone that was sitting on the desk. Anger took over and he threw it to the ground. He’d never been stood up like this, humiliated and worse, caught between fear of worry and loathing of drama queens.

The next thing Tsume knew he was standing in a mess of his room, his breath was ragged and he felt drained. There was little more he could do other then throw the shit off his bed and perform the last motions of teen drama. He cried.

***

Present time:

On his knees, head buried in his arms, tears still coming from his eyes, Tsume was resting his upper half on the sofa. He could still smell Atsu, the strange light spice of lavender and god knew what that made him irresistible to be close to. He saw the sun was going down through the boarded up window and decided to close his eyes, right there, and rest himself. He didn’t care if his mother didn’t know where he was or if his father freaked out he’d not come home. He couldn’t find it within him to worry about what the cops thought. He’d just lost the one person his heart had fallen for and his pride had betrayed.

(End of Chapter)