The Lake

By: Captain Topaz Tribal

Rated R (For language... If you ask me. I think it's too high of a rating for this fic, but better safe than sorry, ne?)

A/N: This is an AU fic, and my first dive into Fushigi Yuugi fanfiction. .' This fic will mostly focus on Genrou and Houjun (Tasuki and Chichiri). So if you don't like the idea of them together, run away. Far, far away. Also, if you're expecting a lemon, you won't find it here. I can't write a lemon to save my life. . Sad, ne? And if ya'll hadn't noticed, I'll be using everyone's real names instead of their Seishi names. .--' I don't know why.... It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Anywho, enjoy.

Chapter 1

It was dusk. The stars were just beginning to show in the evening sky. The wind was strong, almost to the point of being too cold. The waves fueled by the wind crashed onto the shore of the lake, giving the impression that it was more like an ocean. The sounds of the small party could be heard from where the young man was sitting.

He smiled at the thought of his friends having a good time without him. He wanted to join them, he really did. However, he wasn't feeling up to feigning good spirits so he opted for the easier route: distancing himself and staring out into the lake.

It was a big lake. If a person stepped out onto the shoreline, he or she wouldn't be able to see to the other end. His friends and he always went to the lake at night, hoping to avoid any people. The lake was always more fun when there wasn't anyone else around.

A sudden, harsh gust of wind blew against the young man's face, causing his bright blue hair to fly around haphazardly. He closed his mahogany eyes and waited for the strong gust to pass. When it did, he opened his eyes and sighed. Something was wrong with him. He only wished he knew what. It felt like something was different in him.

A sweet voice caught his attention and interrupted his thoughts. His head turned to see Ryuen jog over to him, purple braid bouncing behind him. "Houjun-kun!"

Houjun put on a smile for his friend. "Hi."

"What are you doing way over here? The party's that way." Ryuen hooked his thumb in the direction behind him. A smile broke out on his flushed face. "You're missing all the fun. Gen-chan's getting plastered again."

At the mention of the fiery man's name, Houjun froze. His phased countenance only lasted a second. He was able to regain his bearings and answer the feminine man. "I was just admiring the lake, no da. It's really beautiful when the sun sets."

Ryuen grabbed Houjun's arm and pulled him up from his sandy seat. "Aw, come on. This is no time to be alone! It's a P-A-R-T-Y! Let's go." With strength that didn't seem possible for his delicate frame, Ryuen pulled the reluctant Houjun back to the party.

The bonfire was brilliant against the darkened, night sky. Everyone was enjoying their last free day before they had to go back to classes on Monday. Their week long break seemed too short. Food and drinks were spread around the small group with plenty to spare. Ryuen quickly sat Houjun back with the group and went to sit next to his "almost" boyfriend, Saihitei. Even though Saihitei was reluctant to Ryuen's obvious advances, the purple haired boy was still hopeful. This left Houjun to sit next to Dokun, who was roasting marshmallows in the over-fed fire while talking to Myojuan, and Kishuku, who was in the middle of another make-out session with his girlfriend Miaka. Kishuku and Miaka had been together so long that no one could ever remember them not being together. While it was usually a cute sight, it tended to get overdone.

This left Shun'u or Genrou, as he preferred. He was sitting exactly opposite of Houjun from across the bonfire. His reddened face almost matched his hair as he polished off a bottle of saké . He smiled as he grabbed for another bottle. Houjun sighed inwardly. He didn't really want to be there, but he couldn't just refuse the invitation. He knew his friends were only trying to have fun together. He didn't want to spoil that with his unhappy mood. So, he put on a smile and grabbed a can of soda from the cooler. If he was going to try and be happy, he would at least need some caffeine.

The night rolled on and the party began to disperse. The bonfire lost its warmth, the food had been packed away and the people went on their way back to their homes. The only ones who were left were Houjun, Kishuku, Miaka, and Genrou. Miaka waited patiently in the car, while Kishuku, with help from Houjun, tried his hardest to help keep Genrou from falling into the lake.

Genrou's speech was worse than usual to decipher, due to his inebriated state. "G'ta fuck offa me! I kin 'alk out you fuckin' p'shin' me!" he slurred at Kishuku as he went to grab another bottle. Little did he know that it was only water.

Kishuku groaned in anger. "Stop being so stupid, fang boy!"

"Fuck off...." Genrou growled, pushing Kishuku away and nearly soaking himself in the lake if it weren't for Houjun's quick reflexes. Kishuku and Genrou never did get along well and when Genrou was drunk, Kishuku was usually better off staying far away. Why he was trying to help the red-haired man now was beyond Houjun's comprehension.

Houjun sighed. "I'll take him home, no da. Don't worry about it. You can leave with Miaka if you want, no da."

"Are you sure?" Kishuku asked. "I know he can be a handful when he's drunk...."

Genrou growled at the comment.

Houjun nodded. "I'm sure, no da. Don't worry about it. I can take care of him, na no da."

Kishuku nodded reluctantly. "Alright then. See you on Monday in class."

Houjun nodded in response as Kishuku left, driving him and Miaka back to their apartment. He looked down at Genrou who sat in the sand, staring out at the waves. It was dark now, but the moonlight was bright enough to allow them to see relatively well. Houjun smiled at his drunk friend. "I guess we should be getting back to the dorm, no da."

Genrou's angry mood seemed to deflate as he watched the movement of the water. "I don't wanna go yet...."

A sigh escaped Houjun's lips. It was nearing two in the morning and he was getting tired. Putting on a happy mask for his friends wasn't as easy as it sounded. He sat next to Genrou. "It's late."

"So?"

"I have stuff to do tomorrow, no da."

"How import'nt could it be?"

Houjun didn't know how to answer the question. Instead, he looked out at the lake and admired the scene he was admiring hours ago. Without the light he previously had, the lake looked even larger than before and more awe inspiring. Then, a gust of wind came in from the lake and reminded him that it was also too cold to stay out any longer. He turned to Genrou and pulled at his sleeve. "We're going now, no da."

Genrou didn't acknowledge him. He only continued to stare out into the lake. "It's beautiful, ain't it?"

Houjun sighed. "Yes, it is, no da. But we're going to catch colds if we stay out here any longer, na no da."

Genrou was quite for a moment, then sighed and stood up shakily. "Alright. We kin go now." He dusted the sand off his pants and headed for his car.

Houjun also stood and pulled out the keys to Genrou's car. It was customary for Genrou to give up his keys to one of his friends before he began a drinking binge. Houjun happened to be that friend tonight. He helped Genrou walk to the car without falling face first into the sand.

Once they got to the car, Genrou plopped himself into the passenger's seat and leaned back. "Oi, I'm startin' ta' get sleepy...."

Houjun slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. "Well, it is getting late, no da...." He shifted the car in gear and headed back to civilization.

The effects of the alcohol seemed to be wearing off and Genrou looked more tired than drunk. Houjun silently thanked whatever God there was for small favors. It was silent for a while. The only sound was the engine and the car radio softly playing an old rock song. So when Genrou spoke up, it startled Houjun a bit.

"Ya' seemed a bit outta it t'night. Somethin' botherin' ya'?"

Houjun thought up a quick excuse. "I'm just worried about a paper that's due in a few days, no da."

"Che, ya' worry too much 'bout classes. Ya' should enjoy life while ya' can!" he commented, a fang poking out from his smirk.

"I'll enjoy life once I finish college, no da." Houjun remarked.

"By then, it's too late. The best years are gone. Ya' need ta' loosen up, Houjun."

Houjun glanced at the fire-haired man. "And barely pass classes because of goofing off too much like you? I'll stick to studying, na no da."

"Ah, don't use me as an example fer anything.... 'cept maybe a hott movie star." He laughed at himself while Houjun shook his head in amusement. It was true that Genrou was very handsome. The women flocked to him almost as much as they did for Saihitei and Ryuen. Houjun was always a bit jealous of that. It wasn't that he wanted women to flock to him. It was that he wanted Genrou's attention to focus on him. Houjun knew it was a selfish thought, so he tried to ignore it. Maybe then it would go away.

Remarkably, Genrou hardly went out on dates with his admirers. He spent most of his time hanging with his friends or getting drunk with his roommate Kouji. Genrou and Kouji had been friends since they could remember and were always getting into trouble together. Jealousy crept into Houjun's mind again at the thought of Kouji and Genrou having fun together.

Luckily, Genrou started talking again, saving Houjun from his thoughts. Unfortunately, he was strangely serious, especially for being as drunk as he was. "Yer lyin' ta' me. Yer not worried 'bout any stupid papers, are ya'?" His amber eyes were narrowed and staring at the side of Houjun's face.

Putting on his most innocent face, Houjun smiled and continued to stare at the road in front of him. "What are you talking about, no da?"

Genrou was mad, and Houjun knew from experience that a mad Genrou was a Genrou that you didn't want to be around, especially when his anger was focusing on you. "Don't play dumb wit me, Houjun. I kin tell when somethin's really botherin' ya', so just drop the dramatics."

Houjun kept quiet. If he said anything, Genrou would turn it into a game of Twenty Questions. Besides, he didn't quite know what was wrong with him. He had been feeling strange for a while now. How could he explain to Genrou that something was wrong when he didn't know what it was?

Not taking the silent treatment well, Genrou growled to himself and crossed his arms. "Stop bein' so fuckin' stubborn! Why d'ya always do this!?"

Houjun blinked in confusion, but didn't turn his eyes from the road. "I don't know what you're-"

"Yer doin' it again!!" Genrou shouted, nearly jumping out of his seat to knock some sense into his blue haired friend. "Stop pretendin' ta be fine when yer not! It fuckin' pisses me off!"

"....Maybe we should talk about this later. I-"

"No! We're gonna talk about it now!" Genrou yelled, his temper flaring.

Houjun took a deep breath to calm his nerves before he spoke again. "I don't want to discuss this while I'm driving. It can wait, unless you want me run your car into a telephone pole because you keep yelling at me." He ended his sentence with a quick glare directed at his interrogator, even though it wasn't needed. His tone was enough to keep Genrou quiet, at least for the rest of the car ride back to the dorms.

The two occupants of the car ceased speaking. Silence reigned, except for the soft beat of classic rock coming from the stereos. Genrou took to looking out of the side window, an annoyed look on his face. His orange bangs fell into his eyes as he scowled at the scenery that passed by, obviously sulking. Houjun, on the other hand, keep his mind focused on driving.

It wasn't long before they reached their destination: Weston Hall Dormitory. Houjun parked the car in the closest available space he could find and turned off the engine. He tossed Genrou's keys to him and got out of the car without a word. He was halfway to the entrance when Genrou shouted at him.

"Oi! Where the hell do you think yer goin'?!" Genrou stumbled up to him, trying to keep his balance.

Houjun sighed at the pitiful sight and answered the question. "To bed. It's a quarter to three and I'm tired." He walked to the door and opened it with his key, while Genrou followed him.

"Ya' said we could talk! I'm holdin' ya' to yer word!"

"....I don't want to." Houjun continued his way up to the second floor where his room was.

Genrou didn't stop his pursuit though. He continued to follow Houjun all the way to his room. "Stop bein' so fuckin' stubborn!"

Houjun fiddled with his keys until he found the one he wanted. "Stop yelling. It's 'Quiet Hours'." With his door finally open, he entered and threw his coat on his bed. Luckily, he didn't have a roommate. Otherwise, he knew Genrou's voice would've woken up anyone in the room.

"Fuck 'Quiet Hours'! I wanna know what the hell is wrong wit ya'!?"

Knowing there wasn't a chance in hell he was getting out of this, Houjun let Genrou in and shut the door. He sat down on his bed and looked up at Genrou's flushed face. He wasn't sure if he was red because he was still drunk or if he was just angry, but it didn't matter. Either way, he was getting yelled at. With a sigh, he spoke up. "Fine. I'll talk."

Genrou sat with a huff on the empty bed across from Houjun. "'Bout damn time.... I thought I was suppose ta' be the stubborn one...." Genrou was quiet for a moment. It seemed that once he had what he wanted, which was Houjun to sit and talk to him, he didn't know what to do with it. Finally, he managed to get his words out. "Now, tell me what the fuck's been wrong wit ya'. Yer drivin' me crazy wit yer gloomy attitude lately."

Houjun stared at the boring, gray carpet, hoping for inspiration on how to answer the question. Instead, he was met with a mental block. "....I.... I don't know...."

"What d'ya' mean-"

"I don't know! I just don't know why I'm acting like this." Houjun blurted out. "I can't explain it to you if I don't even know what's wrong!" He bowed his head and stared at his hands as they clasped in his lap.

Genrou stared at his friend. He felt his heart clench. He wanted to help. So why couldn't he? It wasn't fair.

"I'm sorry, no da.... I'll be fine." He looked up at Genrou with a watery smile. "Don't worry about me. I'm sure everything will be ok, na no da."

Genrou stared at Houjun. He couldn't take his eyes off of him. He felt so helpless… powerless to do anything to help someone he cared about. Without knowing what he was doing, he crossed over to Houjun and engulfed him a tight hug.

Houjun gave out a small gasp of shock. He wasn't expecting such a show of affection from Genrou. He always was the tough guy and didn't let anything get to him. This was a side of his friend that wasn't seen by many people. After his initial shock, he relaxed and just let himself be held.

Genrou's breath brushed against Houjun's neck as he spoke. "....Ya' don't have ta' pretend ta' be happy around me. I know ya' better than that." His hands clenched the fabric of Houjun's shirt as he let his thoughts pour out of his mouth. "Ya' can depend on me, if ya' need ta'.... I'll be here fer ya'...."

Houjun let his head rest on Genrou's shoulder. A tear that he had been holding in found its way out. "....Arigatou.... That's nice to know...."

They stayed that way for a few minutes before Genrou pulled away with a nervous grin. "I guess I should leave then and sleep off that saké from the party." He walked to the door and opened it. "If ya' need ta' talk, just call me, ok?" When Houjun nodded, Genrou smiled. "Good. See ya' tomorrow." He closed the door quietly and left for his own room.

Houjun sighed and stretched out on his bed. For some reason, he felt better. He smiled at the thought of Genrou being so sympathetic and open with him. He felt calmer and happier than he had in a long time. Just the thought of Genrou made Houjun smile. He could picture his friend in his mind. His red-orange hair arranged in a wild mess, his amber eyes glinting with mischief, and his fang toothed grin smiling at Houjun made the young blue haired man happy to be his friend. Houjun remembered how Genrou smiled at him after he comforted him. His mind focused on Genrou's lips and he wondered just what they would taste like if he kissed him....

Houjun's eyes flew open in shock at his thoughts. He quickly sat up and shook his head. What was he thinking? There was no way he could like Genrou in that way. They were just friends! It wasn't like that! Houjun quickly thought up as many excuses for himself as he could, but it wasn't working. The thought was already planted firmly in his brain. Was this what was wrong with him? Was the reason he was acting so strange because he had repressed feelings about his friend? About Genrou?

His mind in a flurry of thoughts, Houjun rested back down on his bed. His eyebrows were knitted together in worry. He didn't expect this, but he couldn't change it. Now there was only one question that mattered.

What was he going to do?

To Be Continued...

A/N: Hmm.... I think Houjun is a little OOC.... Of course this is an AU, so I have a bit of leeway there. . Anyway, Review and tell me what ya'll thought? Onegai, minna-san!!!