Chapter 2

By the time Ritsuka got to school Yuiko was all ready standing by the front gate waiting for him.

"Ritsuka, ohayo," called out Yuiko waving her hand up with a smile on her face. How could she be so damn perky this early in the morning every morning?

"Ohayo Yuiko," yarned Ritsuka. Man, he really he hoped he'd be able to sleep tonight—without the dreams.

"Oh, don't tell me you couldn't sleep again last night. That's not good, we have a test in first period," commented Yuiko.

It was somehow weird but also comforting that for past two years of junior high, Ritsuka and Yuiko had been placed in the same classes. Maybe it was because now most of the school administration knew about Ritsuka's history and some even suspected he had problems at home. But unknown to Ritsuka and Yuiko, the truth was their 6th grade elementary sensei had actually contacted the junior high and spoke with the necessary people explaining the situation of Ritsuka's condition telling them that it would be best if the two were placed in the same classes to give Ritsuka the emotional support he desperately needed. Normally the school would not have done such a thing, but the effort she put forth by not taking 'No' for the first answer and continuing to pursue this down every different avenue possible did get results. In the end, the administration finally decided that if sensei would go through so much trouble on a student's behalf then one—the student must really need the help, two—he must truly be a good kid with amazing potential, and three—he required guidance to be kept on the right track,…but only after actually reviewing his files, and finding that his need was genuine.

"Are you having nightmares? Is that why you can't sleep? I know when I have nightmares I can't go back to sleep, and I get really tired and cranky and momma tells me I shouldn't…," rambled Yuiko.

Nightmares. Please. A little smile trailed across his lips, and he shook his head. That's not what had been bothering Ritsuka, but now that she mentioned it, how was he going to sleep tonight? The premature cheerful face suddenly want blank, and Ritsuka stumbled in his tracks. Before it was all the things on his mind that stopped him from sleeping, but now it was the very act of sleeping, namely dreaming, that would be keeping him awake.

"…and that's when I got my first teddy bear." Yuiko turned to face Ritsuka, quickly observing that he had quit walking beside her. Seeing and knowing that utterly spaced out look on his face, she just let out a sigh and continued with her story, "I didn't think it would work, but it did. You should try it."

Having been lost in his own thoughts, Ritsuka had no idea what she was talking about. He shock himself out of his daze then looking at her and asked, "Try what?"

Yuiko, feeling a little hurt and annoyed with him for obviously not listening, put both hands on her hips and pinched her lips. After a second she decided to it really wasn't his fault he was having trouble keeping up given that he hadn't been getting much sleep these past two weeks and relaxed her pose dropping her hands to her side. "I was saying that sometimes it helps if you have someone with you when you're trying to fall asleep. I know that you're too old and a guy to be sleeping with a teddy bear, but maybe there might be someone who could lay with you as you drifted off. It works better if it's a real person anyway and not a stuff animal," she said with a slight blush and a smile.

Someone to sleep with him. It was a perfectly logical solution to his problem, but the thoughts he was having were defiantly not logical. The someone he was thinking about was a tall, lean sexy blond with beautiful blue eyes who smelled of paint thinner and cigarettes. An image quickly came to Ritsuka of his sentiuki laying in Ritsuka's own bed under his sheets covered from the waist down and not wearing a shirt. Ritsuka had seen Soubi with his shirt off on many occasions and never really thought anything of it at the time, but now he could recall the perfectly lean sculpted muscles of Soubi's chest and shoulders, the nice flat ridges of his hard abs that lay under his soft silky alabaster skin. Thinking about Soubi in this unusually manner had caused Ritsuka's face to become very hot and red and then the heat started to spread throughout his body.

"Ritsuka…Ritsuka…are you alright?" inquired a concerned looking Yuiko.

Ritsuka was brought back to reality by the sound of Yuiko's anxious voice. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why are you freaking out?" he said trying to act like everything was normal.

"Well, your face started to get all red and your eyes had this funny look in them. I thought you were gonna pass out," she explained.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. Let's just get to class," countered Ritsuka as he shoved passed Yuiko, and walked in to the building.

"Hey Ritsuka wait up," she called out then chased after him.

The test first period wasn't that bad although he did had problems concentrating. It's just lack of sleep he told himself not wanting to think it could have been for other unnamed reasons. After Ritsuka turned in his test he figured that he should to at least get a nap in before next period. There were still a few people taking the test, and he knew that it would take them the rest of the hour to finish therefore, he might as well try to sleep. But even with how tired he was, he still could not rest because every time he would close his eyes his subconscious would slowly drag out visions of a very sexy half clothed man. By the time the bell rang for the next class he was more frustrated than he would if he haven't tried to sleep in the first place. With a grumble he pick up his book-bag and head out the door to his next class.

In the hall his phone went off telling him he had received a message. He pulled out his phone and of course it was from the man whom he couldn't get out his mind. Just as he flipped open his phone, Yuiko caught up with him and saw he had gotten a text. Ritsuka read the message to himself, but she also read it over his shoulder.

Ritsuka. Just got done. Going to bed. Doors unlock. Let yourself in. See you after school.

Having read every word of the text, Yuiko asked, "Was that from Soubi? Are your going to his place after school?"

Ritsuka was kinda upset that she had just invaded his privacy, but she was always doing stuff like that, pushing herself in as much of Ritsuka's life as she could. On the other hand he understood that it was because he would never tell her anything that she became this way, and if she hadn't than Ritsuka was sure that he would have lost her already. She was always pulling herself back to him, and it was touching that she cared so much for him; furthermore was why he tolerated it.

"Yeah, I'm going to Soubi's. He said that he wanted to show me some of the paintings he just finished for a big project. I have no clue why though," he said.

"Do you think I could come by too? I never get a chance to see Soubi's work. I know that he a great artist, but I have only seen one painting, two if you count your screensaver," she noted.

Ritsuka thought about it for a second, and after quick deliberation he decided that it would be a good for her to go with him. Although, he wanted to tell her "no" since she invited herself, but she was Soubi's friend too, and Soubi would be happy that she come over as well . Plus if he said "yes", he wouldn't have to hear her whine about it for the rest of the day, maybe even the week. Besides, she had gone with him over there many times before. What made today any different? "Sure, you can come if you want to. I'm just too tired to care anymore," Ritsuka replied.

The rest of the day was your typical school day filled with boring lessons and class work, but by the end of the day Ritsuka was feeling extra fatigued. Yuiko even noticed the change in him and was quietly concerned if she could do anything about it.

"Ritsuka, are you alright? You haven't said much all day. Do you have something on your mind?" Yuiko asked trying to coax some life out of him.

Ritsuka turned a silent face at her. Something on his mind. No. right now he was so exhausted nothing was on his mind because he couldn't think. "Sorry, I'm just really tired. If Soubi hadn't wanted me to see the painting, I would be going home to go to bed, but then again I don't even know if I would actually be able to fall asleep. This sucks," he responded.

"Its gonna be fine. I'm sure your gonna be able to sleep soon, but if you need anything just ask, okay," she reassured him.

Ritsuka didn't verbally respond. He simply nodded his head in understanding.

On The rest of the walk to Soubi's neither one said a thing. Ritsuka too tired to talk, and Yuiko felt too awkward with the way Ritsuka was to try to make conversation. Luckily now that they had changed schools Soubi's apartment was not that far away from the school, actually only a few blocks—easy walking distance. Although Ritsuka had griped when he had to climbed the stairs, his mood changed as soon as they got in the apartment. He and Yuiko was so surprised it took their breath away. The entire apartment was filled with paintings of all sizes that covered every wall in the tiny apartment. There must have been at least twenty-five to thirty unbelievably beautiful canvases displayed across the room. Wow, so this was why Soubi wanted Ritsuka to come over today so much. Ritsuka scanned the room for it occupant finding Soubi was asleep in his bed. It was starting to get hot this time of year—May, and as a result Soubi had gone to bed in only his boxers and over the sheets not have been expecting a female to be accompanying Ritsuka to his apartment. Ritsuka grabbed Yuiko arm and turned them both around facing the door before she noticed the half nakedly hot man on the bed.

"Ritsuka what are you doing?" she protested and tried to pull her arm away.

"Don't look. Soubi's almost naked sleeping in his bed," Ritsuka said in a rush.

"Oh…OH, okay. Then what do you want me to do?" Yuiko asked.

"Just stay right here. I'll wake him up and get him to put some clothes on. Just don't turn around no matter what. Got it?" he instructed

After a silent nod of her head indicating that she understood, Ritsuka turn back around and walked towards the bed. When he got to the bed he was reminded of exactly how cruel life had been to Soubi before Ritsuka knew him. Soubi was laying on his stomach with his head turned to the wall and from that position Ritsuka could see all the scars on Soubi's back which caused his heart to ache for his fighter. Ritsuka had gotten up the courage to ask Soubi one day where the scars came from, and the answer he got almost brought him to tears. Soubi had told him that most of the scars were done by his sensei when he was in training, but a good bit of them had been caused by Seimei. Maybe out of guilt of what his brother had done or maybe because he himself know how it felt to be hit by someone whom was suppose to love you, but every time Ritsuka saw the scars he just wanted to make them go away. Ritsuka lightly ran his palm over the marks on Soubi's back trying to soften them somehow.

Soubi felt Ritsuka's gentle touch but didn't stir just yet. He was surprise by this unlikely attention and wanted to enjoy it a little while longer. He felt Ritsuka's palm smoothly rubbing his back and then his fingers started gently tracing the scar lines in a comforting manner. Soubi felt a strange feeling in his heart he could quite identify with for no one had ever touch his scars with such affection as Ritsuka was doing now. Ritsuka traced connecting lines all the way up to Soubi's shoulders and his hand lingered there a moment before impulsively sweeping some hair away from Soubi's face.

Soubi didn't know what to make by this intimate show of adoration having to be the one who always has to start the physical stuff, but this was the second time today the Ritsuka had began showing emotion on his own. Something had to be bothering Ritsuka because this was just not like him—not that Soubi would complain about attention. Soubi simply wanted to know what was troubling his little sacrifice so he could make it better. He hated it when Ritsuka was hurting and wouldn't tell him what was the matter. Therefore, Soubi would comfort Ritsuka the only way he knew how by holding him and telling him that he loved him because someone in the boys had to love him, even if Ritsuka didn't love himself. Soubi decided that it was time to wake and try to console Ritsuka. Soubi grabbed Ritsuka's hand that was lingering around his nape and pulled Ritsuka in the bed to give him a hug.

"Soubi, what are you doing?" objected Ritsuka, but he didn't really sound upset about it.

"I'm just holding you, relax," instructed Soubi, and he pulled the young boy closer to his undressed body.

Ritsuka was way too drained to try to put up a fight, but he did say, "Yeah, well we're not alone. Yuiko is here also."

Upon hearing this, Soubi looked up but didn't let go of Ritsuka. Yuiko was still standing in the same spot Ritsuka had left her facing the door, but now she had gotten a slight blush from the interaction between Ritsuka and Soubi. She didn't know just how far the relationship went, but this seemed a little too intimate for them to simply be friends. Soubi always did try to hold back when other people that Ritsuka knew was around not sure of how they would feel about the situation and how they would treat Ritsuka after knowing what was going on.

All Soubi said was "oh, sorry." Then he let go of Ritsuka, got out of bed, and found clothes to put on. As he got dress he called out to Yuiko, "I wasn't expecting you. Otherwise I would have been decent, but I am glad that you came. I was going to have Ritsuka tell you about it anyway, but this works too," trying to make her feel more comfortable after witnessing their display of affection.

Ritsuka didn't get out of the bed after Soubi, but his eyes followed Soubi trying to decide if they liked what they were looking at. From a neutral stand point, Soubi did indeed have a nice body—you didn't have to be in to him to see that. It was just fact, and he was more attractive than your average guy. But did he see more than what a neutral observation would find? Ritsuka was thinking about this when Soubi caught him staring, and Soubi smiled causing Ritsuka to blush and look away. Feeling uneasy for just being caught staring and wanting to change the mood, Ritsuka asked, "What's with all the painting? I've never seem so many at one time before."

Presently dressed Soubi replied, "I have some great news to share with you two. An art gallery has decided to do an expo featuring my work, and it's gonna be at the end of the week."

"Wow, that's sagoi. This is so exciting," remarked Yuiko who was now facing Soubi and bubbling over with enthusiasm.

"Yeah, I know, and I want both of you to come. The opening starts at 8'oclock and goes on till whenever, late probably. And depending how well things go opening night will determine how long they keep my work up," Soubi informed them.

"How many will be in the showing?" asked Ritsuka finally getting in the conversation.

"Twenty-eight, it's a small gallery, and that will be more than enough," said Soubi.

"I know it's been a couple of days since I came over, but that wasn't enough time to paint all of these, and they weren't here the last time I was here. Where were you keeping them?" posed Ritsuka.

"I told you I had Kio helping me. Some of these are pieces from when I was still an undergrad, and I had put them in Kio's spare room in his apartment with his stuff. He brought them over and helped me decide which ones I should send to the gallery and what I still need to paint. So, what do you think of them?" Soubi inquired.

"Their beautiful, you're so talented Soubi. I envy you," said Yuiko as she bounced around the room looking at all the different painting.

Soubi now turned to Ritsuka who was still lying in his bed and resisted the urge to join him. "I invite you over to look at my painting, and all you want to do is lay in my bed. Well at least I know how to get you there now," joked Soubi with a smile on his face.

Ritsuka, not liking what Soubi was insinuating, got out the bed and started looking at the paintings. They were all so amazing, and Ritsuka felt a little bit of pride for his sentiuki—his? It was something he never thought about before, but was Soubi his. Of course Soubi was his sentiuki, but was that it? Ritsuka was filled with an unexplainable urge to be possessive with Soubi like he wanted to lay a claim on him. What's wrong with me? he wondered until a painting took his attention. It was one of the smaller ones, but the beauty of it was grand. It was very colorful almost giving the illusion of a rainbow. It was a picture of two butterflies and it looked like they were kissing, if such a thing was possible, but the astonishing thing was that in this position their wings formed hearts. It was the most amazing painting of Soubi's that Ritsuka had seen.

"Do you like it?" Soubi asked softly in Ritsuka's ear being that he was right behind him now.

"It's the most beautiful thing I ever seen. When did you paint this?" Ritsuka asked wonderingly still admiring the scene.

"I finished this one a few weeks ago before I found out about the expo. I wasn't sure if I was going to put it in or not," he explained with a beaming grin. He was so happy that Ritsuka loved the painting. In this weird relationship they had, Soubi constantly sought Ritsuka's approval in everything he did, and getting it was the best feeling in the world to Soubi.

"Wow, this is crazy amazing. This one will defiantly sell," exclaimed Yuiko as she walked up behind them.

"Hum, maybe," Soubi said with a shrug trying not to come off as being full of himself.

"Maybe, nothing. It will. I bet it will be the first one," interjected Yuiko as she stepped closer to get a better look at it. Then she suddenly remembered something and looked at her watch. "Oh, I got to run! I'm helping mom make a special dinner tonight." At that she turned to the door grabbed her book sack not stopping to say bye before walking out leaving the guys standing there a little confused.