A/N: ZareEraz here! I'm really stuck on this series right now and just have so many ideas I don't know what to do with myself! This fic will be a multi-chapter story, so stick with me. Enjoy!

Note the First: Rated M for what I'm tentively calling the final chapter (I don't know how long this fic is going to go quite yet).

Note the Second: The chapter titles refer to different kinds of flowers and their symbolism in Japanese culture. Botan, or peonies, represent good fortune, bravery and honor and is often used as a symbol of a devil-may-care attitude. Sakura, or cherry blossoms, are known for their short lifetime in the spring. They bloom for only a few weeks before falling, hence why Sakura represent the beauty and fleetingness of life. Ume, or plum blossoms, symbolize strength, as they bloom before the winter's snow melts. Flowering in a barren landscape, Ume remind people of endurance through harsh times.

Cut Out for that Sexy Stuff

Act I: Botan of the Streets

Kikuhiko supposed the whole mess with Sukeroku had come to a head around the time he and a small band of futatsume had decided to perform a kabuki play commonly known as Benten Kozo. Somehow (though he didn't know how exactly) Shin-san had convinced him to play the part of Benten, and somehow, he'd agreed to it, and that meant even more work piled onto his already full plate. Kikuhiko was working at a tearoom to pay for his apartment (Shin-san had no part in helping pay for lodging for the most part), performing rakugo in the theaters and at several dinner parties and then having to practice said rakugo late at night and now having to practice an extensive theatrical work on top of everything else. It was maddening just how busy he was.

But Shin-san apparently had lots and lots of time on his hands because he was constantly out of the apartment. The absence of the nuisance was a good thing, the quite nice to go his lines in, but it's when Shin-san came back from wandering around the streets that was the most annoying part. Each and every day he'd try to swindle money out of Kikuhiko for drinking (and sometimes it worked) but if that didn't work, he'd just use the money he'd made from performing to go drink and carouse until all hours of the night. And when he'd stumble back in at a very late hour, singing and generally being a loud drunk, he'd either interrupt the raven's practice or his sleep, and a irritable Kikuhiko was not something that anyone wanted to deal with.

But all of that behavior was something Kikuhiko had dealt with for years, and he knew how to handle Shin-san for the most part, the brunette giving him little trouble outside of the bounds that he'd set. And on the opposite end, Sukeroku knew how to tip toe around his roommate's generally grumpy disposition and if he was on eggshells with the man, he knew how to talk his way out of trouble. They had a life together, for better or worse, and they made it work.

But every once in a while, Sukeroku would cross the line with his abrasive actions and dig his own grave.

It was on one of those nights of practice, when Kikuhiko was still up even though it was very late and he was dressed for bed in his yukata, a green haori thrown over his shoulders, his play book in one hand, and his rakugo cloth in the other. He was reciting his lines as Benten and looking over the script to take note of his lines and actions in the scene where Benten is dressed as a lady and fooling the men of the Hamamatsu-ya into thinking "she" was purchasing clothing for her wedding.

"Here, Yosohachi. Which of these patterned fabrics do you prefer?" Kikuhiko said in his signature, higher pitched voice, holding up his cloth prop as he would do on stage. Having finished that line, he looked over the script for a moment, and then turned to the window to try a different nuance with the line when he heard something that displeased him greatly. Footsteps were making their way up the stairs, which was normal for Shin-san, but there were multiple sets which wasn't a good sign.

"You're such a man…" A light, female voice giggled, her laugh accompanied by another woman's laugh and then Sukeroku's shhhh as he tried to quiet them down. Kikuhiko was livid when he heard that the bastard had brought women home. His head snapped towards the door, his expression furious, a disgruntled growl in his throat, his eyes narrowed in a glare that could kill. He threw down the playbook harshly, the pages snapping shut as they hit the floor, then he stood up and stalked towards the door as the footsteps reached the apartment. When the door slid open, it revealed Sukeroku, still dressed in his old, ratty clothes, looking so proud of himself and two beautiful women who were draped all over him on either side, the man's own arms around their waists. They were done up, dressed in the latest western fashions and make-up the smiles on their faces charming. But Kikuhiko wasn't charmed at all. In fact, he was pissed, pissed about his roommate bringing home women, of course, but he was also pissed that Shin-san was with women in the first place. The thought surprised him…was he…was he jealous that Shin-san was with women…? Why would he be jealous of that? The other man was always with women! Maybe it was just because he was actually seeing the result this time, and it made him mad. With that odd thought in his head, Kikuhiko waited for the explanation as to why there were women at his apartment.

"I'm back!" Sukeroku called, clearly intoxicated and smiling happily at his friend, gigging with the girls. To show his disapproval, Kikuhiko slid the door shut again with a snap. "Hey! Don't scare me like that! Open up!" The brunette shouted, stunned that Kikuhiko would be so rude as to do something like that! Especially when he brought him company!

"What? We don't get to stay the night?" One of the women whined, playing to the sympathies of both men. It worked on one of them, but the other had no sympathy for such callous behavior.

"Come on!" The other woman joined in. Kikuhiko closed his eyes and sighed, wedging the bamboo post used to lock the door in between the screens, determined to stop this kind of thing before it could happen again.

"If you're bringing girl back, please go somewhere else." He instructed through the door, his voice hard. "I'm practicing for the play you're putting on!"

"She's got a friend who wants to meet you!" Sukeroku called back, clearly displeased with his roommate's conduct. "C'mon, open up! We'll have a little private party!" The brunette tried to pull the door open from his side, but Kikuhiko had blocked it and he was unable to get inside. Kikuhiko thought about the offer for just a moment before pulling the post out and sliding the door open again. He placed on arm up on the doorframe, leaning over a little and looking quite sexy to Sukeroku and the girls, all of whom were excited that he'd apparently agreed to the proposition. "You in?"

"It seems I'll need to make a sign." The raven said smoothly, smiling like a cat that'd just eaten a canary. "500 yen for one night's stay. And a special for women: triple the normal rate." And then he shut the door for a second time, leaving Sukeroku to deal with his lady friends all on his own.

"What the?! That's wasn't the deal!" The brunette girl grabbed onto the man's shoulder and shook him a little, her cheerful disposition disappearing as her commission fell apart.

"And what about our fee?" The raven girl added, glaring at him. Sukeroku didn't answer right away, stunned that Bon had shut the door on him after acting so cool. It was unlike him to be so smooth and suave…when did he become sexy like that?

And cruel to boot. Bon had just ruined the mood for everyone and so Sukeroku sent the girls out after having paid their fee for doing nothing. He barged back into the apartment alone and threw himself on the floor, using his cushion as a pillow as he glared and pouted at his roommate, who'd gone back to practicing in his absence. Sukeroku was mad, but he was also trying to figure out when Bon had become so attractive. It was weird that he was thinking of his friend like that, but he was like a tease in his own way – acting all sexy and then going back to his usually, bitchy self. After a few minutes of listening to the brunette grumble and complain from his side of the room, Kikuhiko set aside his playbook and addressed the dumbass.

"I don't get along with women like that." He stated firmly, making sure his point hit home. He didn't want Shin-san bringing girls back to the apartment. It was indecent and he didn't have time for it. "Don't bring them here again." Shin-san could do what he wanted when he wanted, but not in the apartment. It was bad enough that he was frolicking in leisure like he was.

"Tightwad." Sukeroku hissed under his breath.

"What?" Kikuhiko snapped at him, having heard the inkling of an insult.

"Nothing!" The brunette replied condescendingly.

"You said something about me. I heard you." The raven wasn't backing down.

"I called you a tightwad!" Sukeroku admitted flippantly. "I am soooo sorry." His tone pissed of the other man, making his foul mood fouler.

"Really, you are a hopeless case." Kikuhiko started to give one of his customary lectures. "You call it artistic reference, but going on like this is going to kill you. Give it a rest already!"

"I'm fine!" Sukeroku replied, knowing that Bon was referring to the drinking as well as women. He brought his hand up to his head, propping his upper body under him as he lounged. "One of my regular customers is a big wheel with tons of influence, so I'm good. He called a huge crowd and I sold show tickets like crazy."

"For a futatsume-only show?" Kikuhiko asked, still wary of that idea. Shin-san had wanted him to do a show together, just the two of them, but could two apprentices really draw in enough people to make it worthwhile? Could Shin-san do that all by himself?

"I'm one popular guy!" Yeah, I know, you letch, Kikuhiko sighed to himself. That odd thought popped back into the raven's head, the one where he was jealous of the girls who were hanging onto the brunette just a little while ago. It was scaring him, but he kept his cool and continued on with the conversation like he wasn't entertaining lecherous thoughts himself. "My man's really getting out there in Yoshiwara. Hey," Sukeroku poked Kikuhiko with his rakugo fan, putting on a pouty face again. "You promised to go with me some time! To Yoshiwara! You can't go anywhere in rakugo without visiting the red-light districts." It was true, Shin-san had forced him into a promise to save up money and go to Yoshiwara for fun and girls, but the thought just wasn't appealing anymore. Even though, spending time with leisure time Shin-san that didn't involving lecturing or yelling would be fun.

"I hear the Americans are making a big stink about it too." Sukeroku continued on. "If you don't hurry, those kinds of places might be gone soon."

"Don't come crying to me when your antics get you in trouble." That statement had more venom in it than Kikuhiko had intended, still stuck on his odd thought and distaste for prostitution. Sukeroku's eyes narrowed as he gave the raven a look and the other man responded in kind.

"Are you jealous because I get more girls than you?" The brunette asked, curious as to why Bon was acting so defensive and moody all of a sudden. That comment hit a nerve that Kikuhiko didn't want touched, especially since he couldn't figure out just when he started liking the brunette…like, liking-liking him and why he was even liking him in the first place! The raven leapt up on his knees and grabbed Sukeroku's collar, slamming him against the wall with a surprising amount of strength. Startled, Sukeroku giggled in his drunken state. "Or is it quality over quantity for you?" No, it's more like I'm less interested in women now that I'm interested in you. And with that indecent thought, Kikuhiko immediately let the man do and moved as far away from him as possible before he did something foolish. Sukeroku interpreted his actions as an affirmative to his comment.

"How are things with Miyokichi-san?"As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Sukeroku felt just how much they hurt to say. He was jealous that the woman got to spend so much pleasurable time with his Bon, even if they didn't sleep together. She saw him at his best, so it must be nice.

"Well, she is a fine woman." Kikuhiko admitted. And in defense of his sudden jealously, Sukeroku said something insensitive.

"Give me a taste of that sometime!~" He chuckled.

"Stop that! Is that all you ever think about when it comes to women?" And in response to that, Shin-san started singing, of all things.

"I'm a man.~ Once I leave the house, I'm being loved.~ But I return home without falling in love!~" That flippant attitude was annoying, so annoying that he needed to shut the brunette up fast before he smacked him or something…and there was only one sure-fire was to do it.

"Sukeroku." Kikuhiko said, his voice like a knife. Sukeroku shut up for a full two seconds, sliding down the wall a little in shock, a look of astonishment on his face. And thank goodness his knees were up over his crotch; otherwise Bon might've seen his sudden boner at being called his preferred name. What a turn on! Even coming from a guy! No, it was a turn on because Bon was the one who'd said it.

"Why'd you call me that all of a su-" The brunette started, but he was interrupted.

"Do Osome's part for me." Kikuhiko requested, referring to the rakugo "Shinagawa Shinju." "You did it for the first time recently. Do the part where she picks Kinzo for her suicide pact, and tries to flatter him into going through with it. Do that part." The raven was going to prove a point on just how Shin-san treated women, and how it only hurt himself and those around him.

"You wanna hear it?" Sukeroku smiled deviously. "You like my rakugo that much?" Bon just blinked once, his eyes opening narrower than when they'd last been open.

"Just do it." He ordered.

"If I must." Sukeroku sighed dramatically, surprised at how much he liked bossy Bon when he wasn't doing his normal nagging. The man sat up in performance position, his closed legs holding his boner down so Bon couldn't see it and pushed his yukata sleeves up his arm to the proper length they should be when doing rakugo. He began telling to story from the point where Osome writes a letter to Kinzo and then cons and flatters him into the suicide pact with refinement and cunning finesse, but Sukeroku's Osome wasn't delicate or cunning at all, but instead was abrasive and loud. It was highly unattractive. Kikuhiko reached out and pinched the man's cheek, pulling on it hard, causing him to stop and complain even louder than when he was doing rakugo.

"Ow, ow! Let me go! That hurts! Ow!"

"See? You're never around decent women, so you sound stupid." The raven let go of the man and he fell to the floor, his balance off.

"What's the big deal? It' cute, isn't it?" Sukeroku sat up, rubbing his tender cheek. Kikuhiko shook his head.

"It's not good. It's not beautiful. Your rakugo could reach even greater heights!" The raven looked so dejected in that moment that Sukeroku had a desire to comfort him, even if it was his own shortcomings that had caused it. Unconsciously, his hand came up and gently touched Bon's cheek, his fingers barely brushing his skin. The action startled Bon, his head snapping up to find himself staring into the molten eyes of his friend and wondering why his heart was beating so fast and why his skin was starting to heat up. It was that look of gentleness in the man's eyes that had him frozen in place. Sukeroku was acting…romantic, which was definitely not his usual manner.

"So you're saying I need to be more beautiful?" Sukeroku asked softly. You already are. "I need to me more gentle? …Like this?" His hand moved a little close, the palm cupping Kikuhiko's jaw and the raven felt himself blush at the contact. Why am I acting like this!? It's Shin-san for heaven's sake! But Sukeroku was still staring at him with that look, that look that resembled the way a man undresses a woman with his eyes, only…it wasn't as if imaginary clothes were being taken off – it was as if he was unveiling a bit of the raven's soul just by gazing at him.

"If I had to do it that way, I'd end up hating rakugo." Sukeroku took his hand away and stood up, going over to the closet and taking out his futon and pillow, leaving the raven stunned as he continued to sit in the same spot. "It's a tough business, but that's what rakugo is. You won't last unless you're a little stupid." Kikuhiko bowed his head, his emotions all tangled up in his chest. He couldn't even begin to address what Shin-san had done to him, or the fact that it looked like he was going to kiss him (and the raven had wanted it, which was terrifying) but he could counter with the bitterness that he'd held for the man's success, as a cover up for his confused heart.

"God can be so unfair. You fool around endlessly but get all the work. It's not fair that you have everything." Sukeroku turned away for the closet with his bedding and looked his friend, seeing the turmoil in his face when their eyes met again. Something was terribly wrong.

"What's wrong? You seem pissier than usual today." But he himself wasn't in his right mind either. He'd held Bon's face so gently; like a lover would…he'd wanted to kiss those lips, the ones that spouted complaints more often than compliments. It was damn strange, but he still wanted to. Even now, especially now, when Bon looked so lost. But that would scare the man, he knew it would. It scared him. So he didn't the next best thing and placed a comforting hand on the man's shoulder. "Well, you always take care of me, so if you need to lose it, you can take it out on me."

Sukeroku had offered, but he hadn't expected what Bon was going to do to him. It involved throwing the hot charcoals from their little heating pit at the brunette, Kikuhiko flicking them out into the air with the iron chopsticks expertly, looking like a solemn demon while he did it.

"Hey, not charcoal! Not charcoal!" Sukeroku shouted, using his sitting cushion as a shield to knock the hot coals away from him. "H-hey! Wait! That's hot!" He yelped as one of the hot charcoals hit his hand and then his knee but Bon was relentless until he felt that Sukeroku had been punished enough.

"Now pick them up, before they set something on fire." Kikuhiko tossed the tongs at the man and Shin-san snatched them out of the air.

"Why do I have to? You're the one who threw them!"

"Because you have to be gentle with them, or they'll start to crumble." Kikuhiko smiled, his expression resembling that of a cunning demon as Sukeroku gazed at it.

"You weren't gentle with them!"

"But I was. I even threw them lightly as well." The raven stood up and walked over to the closet, gathering his own bedding and lying down on the floor once it was made up. "Good night." He said as he pulled the blankets up, but Sukeroku wasn't listening very well, already having started picking up the charcoal and placing it back in the pit. Kikuhiko fell asleep to the grumblings and insults of the brunette, satisfied with every curse that fell out of his mouth.

Then next day, Kikuhiko was walking to practice in the rain, the weather matching his troubled mood. The rain dripped and splattered on his umbrella as he tucked his bundle of practice clothes under his right arm. He had to pinch the bundle in his armpit and use that arm to support his stiff walk with his cane, so the whole ordeal was a pain. On top of that, the rain was making his leg ache, the old injury acting up in the miserable weather. Every step was an ordeal in and of itself. He generally didn't try to go out in the rain alone all of these factors made life that much harder. But he wasn't without company for long.

"Kiku-san!" A shout came from behind him, the clacking of geta slapping harshly in the downpour. The man turned at the sound of his name. Miyokichi was running towards him, on arm over her elaborate hair and the other holding up her the bottom of her blue, casual kimono so she could run without tripping. "Fancy meeting you here! What'g going on?" The beautiful woman ducked under his umbrella, dropping the skirt of her kimono.

"I have business nearby. I'm also borrowing some things from Saruwaka-cho." He explained, holding the umbrella over them both.

"Oh, so that's why you weren't at the theater today." Miyokichi replied, her red painted lips smiling. She seemed so happy to see him, but Kikuhiko's heart just wasn't into the conversation as she continued talking. "I had some tree time so I thought I'd stop by. Aren't I so lucky? Goodness, the rain came down so suddenly, after I had my hair done and everything." The geisha brought one of her hands up to smooth down her hairdo, the ofuku style if Kikuhiko wasn't mistaken. And that's when it happened, Miyokichi started acting innocently sexy and appealing, bringing her hands back down near the opening of her kimono, drawing attention to the open fabric. Had she not been wearing an undergarment, Kikuhiko would've been able to see most of her breasts.

"I'm getting called to Fukagawa tonight, isn't that amazing?" She continued, her voice dropping into an arousing tone. Had he been in any other state of mind, Kikuhiko might've been drawn in by her coy behavior like most men probably were, but he was still troubled by the events of the night before, mostly concerned about the fact that he'd wanted Shin-san to kiss him. "Hey, my house is close by. Walk me home." The demand interrupted the man's swirling thoughts and he instantly tried to decline the invitation.

"I can't." His eyes slid away from Miyokichi's face as her big brown eyes locked onto his. "I have practice for tomorrow."

"Practice?" She asked.

"I'm going to be in a play."

"A play? You?" Miyokichi's face lit up again in excitement. "How wonderful! Tell me all about it!" She placed both of her hands on his one that was holding the umbrella, a physical indication that he was trapped with her. He didn't answer, silently trying to deny her. He just wasn't in the mood to deal with her games and intrigues like he normally would be, but the woman wasn't letting him back out of anything. "You can't get out of this one." And then she pulled on his hand, persuading him to follow her all the way to her room at the geisha house.

Once inside, she offered to take his coat and hang it up, and then fetched a dry towel for him to wipe off his wet shoulders and neck that had gotten soaked when she'd accidently bumped the umbrella on the way to her home. Kikuhiko took a seat next to her open window and dried off as best he could; leaving the towel draped over his shoulders as Miyokichi came and knelt next to him. She leaned in with a coy smile and pressed her lips against his. Kikuhiko let her kiss him, and admitted to himself that the only reason he knew how to kiss in the first place was because of her. Women weren't exactly eager to spend time in his company, not like they were with Sukeroku and he'd never been in a serious enough relationship to think about physical intimacy, even if it just involved kissing. But as they kissed, the normal warmth he'd feel at her touch was absent. It's not like he had wanted to sleep with the woman, but her attentions to him usually excited him a little, just not enough to finish the deed. But today, nothing she did with her lips, or her gentle hand on his chest, gave him any pleasure at all. It was just two mouths pressing together, no spark, no lust, but it was still nice, so he kissed her back.

"You're getting a lot better." Miyokichi smiled as she pulled away. At least she was happy with the kiss. "Oh, lipstick mark." She giggled a little, using her kimono sleeve to wipe away the red stain on his lips. Once her weight was off his body, his leg started to throb and he brought his knee up to rub some of the pain away. Miyokichi's gaze was drawn down to his leg, her eyes holding a question.

"My leg hurts because of the rain." He explained, knowing exactly what she was thinking. "Please massage it for me." He requested.

"You always do carry that cane around." She replied, bringing her hand up to rub his knee gently. "Is is really bad?"

"It's an old injury, so it doesn't hurt much anymore…Well, I suppose the care is more of a good luck charm than anything…" Kikuhiko replied, but his mind was occupied with Miyokichi's hand. Normally, be touched in such a place close to other intimate spots would arouse a man, make him want to desire something more…but now…he didn't feel any of that. He still held affection for Miyokichi, of course, but he had felt that over time, the original excitement of connecting with a woman had faded. He was…desiring something else now.

"I see." She murmured. They sat in silence for a few moments, just listening to the rain and Kikuhiko watched his companion. It was nice, being like this with her, calming, like a haven away from his busy, hectic life as a rakugo performer. He carefully leaned to his left, resting his head on her shoulder. Miyokichi's hand came up behind him and stroked his hair, pressing her cheek against his face. But it wasn't like the touch that Shin-san have given him the night before – it was lacking something that his had.

"You seem down. Is something wrong?" You have no idea, he thought. But instead of revealing his true turmoil concerning one rambunctious and idiotic roommate, he went with the other misgiving he had about his life.

"Rakugo…I might not be cut out for it." He whispered, revealing in one moment the biggest doubt in his life.

"Why not? I love your rakugo." Miyokichi replied. "You're very handsome, and you cut a lovely picture when you speak." But does he think that? The raven's mind wandered back to his reoccurring issue with Sukeroku. He'd always thought Shin-san glowed on the stage, and not just because of the lights. He had this energy and magic that just drew people in. Even as apprentices Kikuhiko would ask Shin-san to recite rakugo whenever he couldn't sleep, just wanting to hear the other man's voice and his magic, his charm. But did Shin-san ever think of him like that? Just like Miyokichi, did he think that Kikuhiko at least made his stories come alive just a little bit? He'd never get an answer unless Shin-san brought it up, because he certainly wasn't asking.

"Those things don't matter for rakugo. What you need is charm." He sighed. "And I'm fatally lacking in that."

"What? You have lots of charm!" The brunette countered. "I could watch you forever!"

"You're just flattering me again." Shin-san has the charm and the charisma for rakugo. "A woman wouldn't understand."

"You meanie!" Miyokichi slipped her hand into her kimono sleeves and held them up to her pouty face, teasing him. She scooted over, leaning against the wall and bumping shoulders with the raven. "Hey, what part are you doing tomorrow?"

"Benten Kozo."

"No way! You?" She was sounding excited again.

"I said it was too much for me but a certain idiot wouldn't listen."

"You're going to wear a women's kimono?" He nodded. "You'll look so beautiful! I can't wait! Maybe I'll take tomorrow off!" Miyokichi gushed.

"I'm so not excited." Kikuhiko sighed again. His stomach rolling around just thinking about all the pressure he was under.

"Do you have a makeup artist?"

"It's a low-rent performance, all young people and apprentices like we are." The raven explained. "Renting costumes and sets took all we have."

"I'll do your makeup!" The woman exclaimed, blushing cutely. She giggled and stood up, walking over to her dresser and pulling out some of her brushes. "There's not much difference between and actor and a geisha. I have all the tools of the trade! Face paint and lipstick – you can have it all!" And now she was sounding just like Shin-san.

But before she could get any further, their visit was interrupted by another geisha that came to get Miyokichi for her appointment, Ei-san Miyokichi called her. They ended up leaving to have a conversation without him when Ei-san learned that he was the Seventh Generation's apprentice and the raven regretted telling the woman anything. She was going to make dressing up like a woman even more embarrassing now that makeup was coming into play. The two women returned shortly and Kikuhiko left soon after that, heading towards the theater for his final practice. Even with the delay, he arrived earlier than anyone else and the last night before the play passed faster than he wanted it to.

By the end of the evening, both Kikuhiko and Sukeroku were so exhausted that both of them fell to the floor of their apartment in an undignified manner, falling asleep using the seating cushions as pillows, their legs entangled on the floor. It would be a source of great embarrassment in the morning that they'd fallen asleep like that, but then the rush of the morning would shove their mortification out the door in their rush to get to the theater.

And that's where things would get even more complicated than they already were.

A/N: And that's all for now folks! Update will be coming soon so keep and eye out and let me know what you think! :3