Summary: Shori and Murata are in a relationship, but they have come to realize there are many hurdles to overcome. Will the two be able to deal with the situations or will it be too much for the two to handle?

Disclaimer: We do not own any rights to Kyou Kara Maoh

oddsisters' note: This is a yaoi fanfiction. It is not related to the anime or manga. When the hot spring scene is mentioned, please refer to the Tender Longing drabble, chapters 2-5.

Pairing: Shori x Murata

First Hurdle: Promise

Saturday 02/25, 5:45 pm.

His ring tone rang, Shori loves Murata. Shori loves Murata. Reaching for his cell phone, he flipped it open. The light reflected against his face as he read the text from the sender. I'm sorry friend of my brother. I know that we have a date set for six thirty to meet at the Saitama Movie Theatre, but unfortunately I am unable to meet you. Bob has asked for my assistance and it looks like it will take a while. I'm sorry, I will make it up to you tomorrow. (; _ ;)Sighing, Murata flipped his phone close and crumpled the two tickets he had already bought. "There's no point in keeping tickets that cannot be used," muttered Murata angrily as he tossed them into the trash. He trudged home in the snow with slumped shoulders. "How dare he break his promise. He knew this was planned three days ago," grumbled Murata, "Who's more important? Me or Bob? The bastard brother of my friend."

The next morning, Murata awoke with fatigue. His body felt heavy and he could barely move from his bed. Groaning, he rolled over onto his side and reached for his phone to look at the time. The numbers read nine o' six. He rolled back onto his bed and stared up at his ceiling. Suddenly, his phone started ringing. It took all his strength to flip it open and answer. "Hello?" he groaned with a hoarse voice. The phone was silent on the other line for a moment. "Friend of my brother?" asked Shori uncertainly.

"Who else could it be, brother of my friend," replied Murata dryly.

"You sound horrible."

"Thanks a lot. Whose fault do you think it is?"

"…"

"If you have nothing to say, I'm going to hang up. I need to rest my body."

"W-wait! I feel guilty for breaking our promise. To make it up, I promise I'll be over to lovingly nurse you back to health."

"No need. I know you can't cook. Instead, bring over some of your mom's curry."

"As you wish."

After saying goodbye, Murata hung up and tossed the phone aside. Exhausted, Murata closed his eyes and fell asleep. Twelve hours later, he woke up to the sound of his stomach growling from hunger. "I'm so hungry. Where is that brother of my friend?" he asked himself, "Has it been two hours?" He glanced at the window and realized it was evening. "I didn't hear the doorbell," he muttered. Reaching for his phone again, he dialed Shori's number. He reached the voicemail the first time and decided to try again. The second call, it rang twice before Shori picked up. "Where are you? I'm hungry. Did I miss you?" he asked. Suddenly, Murata heard high pitch, computerized, voices in the background. "Onii-chan?" Murata repeated suspiciously, "Are you playing your gal games? How dare you break another promise! I'm breaking up with you! This is not worth the heart ache. I refuse to come second to Bob and your gal games." Without waiting for a reply, he hung up and tossed his phone across the room. "That bastard brother of my friend," he grumbled one last one last time before exhaustion took over his body again.

There was always an underlying attraction between the two, yet they had never acted upon their desires. It was during their hot spring trip, two months ago, when Shori had accidentally mistaken him for Yuri which started their secretive and passionate relationship. It escalated quickly, almost to the point where he assumed it was just a physical relationship, but Shori proved him wrong. After a few days, Shori confessed his feelings to him. He also felt the same and confessed his feelings too. He was happy that their feelings were mutual. There were times when they spent days ferociously making love in bed till evening. However, lately Murata felt their passion had become dull. Shori was constantly busy training to become the Earth Demon King while he was busy studying for college and accompanying Yuri to the demon world. How he had missed the days he was able to spend alone with Shori. A drop of tear rolled from the corner of his eyes. He felt a cool hand brush away the tear and opened his eyes slowly. What greeted him was a concerned Shori. "Give me back my house key," mustered Murata.

"I refuse," said Shori sternly, "And I also refuse to break up."

"It wasn't an option."

"I don't care. I refuse no matter how many times you push me away."

"I'm tired. Go away. I will not waste my time arguing with you."

"I brought curry."

"Leave it there. You go away."

"It's package deal. The curry comes with me. If I go, then so does the curry."

"Fine. You can stay, but sit over there."

Murata pointed to the farthest corner near the door. He struggled to sit up and eat the curry. It was useless in his weak state and after a while. Shori came over to help him. Shori took the spoon away from him and wiped his face with a clean cloth. "I will feed you," said Shori gently. Scooping up a spoonful, Shori gently fed him. After he finished feeding him, he disappeared with the dirty plate. He returned with a wet cloth and wiped Murata down. Shori quietly said, "I know I have my flaws. I'm clumsy, I'm insensitive, I'm dense, I care about my gal games-"

"And you have a brother complex," interrupted Murata.

"Yes, I have a brother complex," relented Shori, "but, despite all that, my feelings for you are real. I realized after you told me you were breaking up with me, I felt empty. You are the only one for me."

"Does that mean you will put me first before Yuri? Bob? And your gal games?"

"S-somewhat…"

"Somewhat?" Murata raised his brow in displeasure.

"Okay, okay. Definitely, you come first and always," Shori quickly amended.

Smiling, Murata leaned up and kissed Shori on the corner of his mouth. He drew back, but Shori caught him, pulling him back for another kiss. Shori's tongue invaded his mouth, moving with slick movements across his tongue. Moaning, he pulled back hesitantly. "You'll get sick," whispered Murata. Shori growled and kissed him again. "I don't care," he said huskily. Murata felt Shori's strong arms push him down onto the bed. It dipped slightly as Shori climbed on top of him. He lifted himself up on his elbows, watching as Shori straddled his hips. He watched in awe as the older man slipped his shirt off with ease. "Will you be okay?" asked Shori quickly, "I will stop if you're not up to it." Murata shook his head vigorously. "No, I want it. It's been a while," he replied just as quickly. He sat up and wrapped his arms around Shori's neck, drawing himself up for another kiss, but he only got pushed down again. In a swift moment, cool air hit his lower bare skin. He gasped in surprise. Suddenly, his shirt was ripped open. In the distance, he could hear the buttons plop onto the floor. "That's another shirt you ruined," muttered Murata breathlessly.

"I'll buy you a new one," uttered Shori as his fingers explored Murata's body.

Murata nodded and twisted in pleasure when he felt Shori's fingers brushed across his nipple. He bit his lower lips, biting back a moan when Shori's hot mouth fell over one of them and sucked hard. Fingers traveled down the side of his body as the mouth released his nipple. Murata moaned in discontent. "It'll feel better," whispered Shori with a velvet tone.

"Please hurry," pleaded Murata.

"Lube?"

"Same place it's always been."

He saw Shori nod and in a quick movement, he reached up and opened the drawer next to the bed. Murata heard him rummage through the drawer before he returned his attention back him. He heard the lube click open and then the sound of the liquid being squeezed. Gasping, he felt Shori's cold, slick fingers enter the crevice of his buttocks. He writhed in anticipation. "Hurry," Murata moaned. Shori smirked and started making small movements with his two fingers. Murata gripped onto the bed sheets, twisting it as he felt both pain and pleasure. Suddenly, he felt a jolt of pleasure flash through his body. "Ah! Nnn…there! Rub that spot again!" he pleaded. Shori's finger brushed against his g-spot once more, causing him to twist in pleasure again. "E-enough. Please…just give it to me," he said in between moans. Without any warning, Shori pulled his fingers out and replaced it with his erect member. Pain over took pleasure and Murata hissed in pain. "Ah…ahh…w-wait," he said, panting, "Slowly. It's…been a while." He couldn't see Shori, but he felt some movement from above him. Shori entered into him slowly until he was fully inside him. Murata sighed in content, adjusting himself. After the pain subsided, he nodded his head for Shori to continue. Hips moving, Shori started thrusting, first slowly and then fastening his pace. With every mewl that escaped Murata's lips, Shori went faster and harder. Giddy with pleasure, Murata clung to Shori, legs tightening around the other's hips, and fingers digging in the other man's skin. His body tingle with climax. "I can't…I'm coming," muttered Murata.

"Me too," whispered Shori, "T-together. Let's come together."

Unable to reply, Murata merely nodded his head. Shori gave one final thrust before they both climaxed. Shori fell on top of him with a sigh. "That…was…good," muttered Shori. Murata nodded his head again, but slowly. A wave of exhaustion seeped through his body. Closing his eyes, he heard a plop and then an emptiness. Shori had pulled out of him and rolled onto the bed beside him. Murata opened his eyes slowly and turned his head to look at him. Shori kissed him on his forehead tenderly. "I forgot to tell you, but…I rented a movie. It's to make up for the time I broke our promise to go to the movie," Shori said.

Murata smiled at him and snuggled closer to him, "Maybe later. I'm tired…don't get mad if you end up getting sick."

"I could never get mad at you. Get better quickly."