Disclaimer: I do not own Replica and am making no profit from this work of fiction.

Warnings: Suggestive themes, light shounen-ai and blood.

Author's Notes: This isn't a popular manga, so I doubt this story will garner much attention, but I like the series and adore Manji and so I wrote this tiny little something for Manji and Karu and anybody else who likes this manga.


SENSORY

The toys are approaching – fast and with murderous intentions.

Manji knows he only as seconds to act. 'No, not behind there. That won't do either.' He searches with his eyes a place for him and Karu to hide. Usually, he would revel at the opportunity to test his powers against so many toys, but the fact there are roughly around thirty toys heading their way, he opts for the safe than sorry choice.

"There!" He exclaims and points to a small opening in the pile of rubble around them. Before Karu can protest or agree Manji grabs Karu's thin wrist and pulls him towards the opening. They make it inside just as two toys fly by, their strange eyes scouring the ground.

Inside the hole, Manji turns to Karu. The boy crouches near the opening of their hideaway; his back is straight and his face impassive. Nothing ever fazes Karu; Manji isn't surprised by that. He is however surprised there's a wound on Karu's stomach. From Manji's viewpoint, it doesn't look that grave, but Manji's fascinated by the way the dried blood has created unique patterns against Karu's pale skin.

Without hesitation, Manji reaches out to touch the wound. Karu snaps his attention to Manji. Other than a warning glowing in Karu's eyes for Manji to watch himself (be careful how close you get), he's otherwise unmoved. Nothing ever unnerves Karu, nothing, not even Manji's strong fingers against his stomach.

"Sorry. I just…" Manji stops; he's too engrossed in those patterns. He's never been the type of person to touch others casually; he respects personal space, but there was something about his partner that begged to be touched. Or maybe Manji was simply sick in his mind and had a blood fetish. It would indeed answer the reason he all too suddenly wanted to feel the blood on Karu.

Manji looks up into Karu's eyes, still unwavering. He's annoyed by this and Manji's competitive nature rears his head. He wonders how far he can push it before Karu exposes an expression other than dead-pan. He decides to test it and places his whole hand on Karu's stomach and presses down lightly.

No reaction.

He moves his hand in a massaging manner.

No reaction.

Manji smirks as the light bulb clicks on over his head. He moves his hand down without hesitation to cup Karu's groin. He squeezes lightly and for good measure watches Karu watch him lick his lips.

Karu sucks in a breath and abruptly stands, nearly knocking himself out in the narrow space. He turns his back, and Manji hears him release a shuddering breath. "The toys have moved off. Let's go before they come back." The matter-of-fact tone is there, but Manji can detect the slight hitch in Karu's voice.

Karu moves off without further discussion and Manji watches his retreating form. He then laughs through his grin. "Very interesting."


What do you think?