Chapter 2: The Problems with Dorm Life

"Damn it, I swear this is going to drive me crazy," Shunsui groaned, casting a baleful glance at Juushiro's half of the room as he flopped onto his futon. The spartan furnishings on his roommate's side were free of crumpled papers and discarded clothes, while Shunsui's half was accumulating a growing pile of clutter. Several dirty uniform tops lay in the corner, and the desk was covered in balled-up scraps of paper. Shunsui turned his glare onto the litter, which was all that remained of his attempts to produce the latest essay for Kichiro-sensei. "Why do we have to write an essay on the various ways to kill hollows, anyway?" he complained to the empty room. "It'd be way more useful to actually learn those ways."

Silence answered him, and he groaned again. The neat stack of paper on Juushiro's desk was a mocking reminder that his perfect roommate had already finished the assignment. He'll probably get full marks, too. Whereas Shunsui would be lucky to scrape by with a passing grade. Why does he have to be so perfect?

It didn't help that Juushiro was infuriatingly attractive, not to mention completely unaware of his own allure. The way he nibbled at his lower lip when working on a difficult problem was maddeningly sexy, as was the spark of annoyance that appeared in his liquid emerald eyes whenever Shunsui interrupted him. Sometimes Shunsui wondered what would happen if he grabbed a lock of that silvery hair and yanked Juushiro's mouth to his – it would probably be glorious for a millisecond, until Juushiro blasted him through a wall. He's way too good with those kido spells that he likes. Shunsui rolled his eyes. Of course, he's an uptight stick-in-the-mud who spends every minute of time practicing, so that's not a surprise. In the weeks since the term began, Shunsui hadn't seen Juushiro relax once. They shared their room in cool silence, working alone on the mounds of homework assigned by their various teachers. Or rather, Juushiro spent his time working; Shunsui didn't see the point in working that hard.

Maybe I should try, though. Shunsui heaved a sigh and sat up. Maybe, if I put a bit more effort into my classes, things would go more smoothly. But Kichiro-sensei's opinion of him was already as low as it could go; his other senseis' views hardly better. Shunsui grimaced. And my dear old parents would be delighted if I got kicked out of here – they probably expected it years ago. Truth be told, he had passed his earlier classes purely to spite them. And he was passing now – barely. It's not like I'll ever get a decent position in any of the five divisions, not with the stories Father tells everyone about me. So why bother trying? Each division was led by one of the five great houses, and protected the lands held by that clan. No clan leader would want a lazy, good-for-nothing player in his ranks; even Shunsui's high rank wouldn't get him a position without his family's backing.

Then again, do I really want a position in the Gotei Five? He couldn't imagine spending the rest of his life trapped by the military strictures, forced into the mold of a perfect shinigami officer and forbidden from taking part in anything that made life pleasurable. Yeah, no thanks. He'd last less than a month.

Juushiro, on the other hand, would be perfect for that role. I don't think he's broken a rule in his life. Shunsui grimaced and reached under his cot for a bottle of sake, hissing as the alcohol burned down his throat. Taking another swig, he set the bottle aside and reached for his quill. Maybe getting drunk would help him finish the damn essay.

"Drinking already?" Shunsui glanced up, startled, as the door slid open. Juushiro stood in the doorway, arms laden with books, as he gave Shunsui a disapproving look. "You know you're not supposed to have alcohol in here."

Shunsui grinned flippantly at his roommate. "Want some?" He held up the flask with an inviting look, and Juushiro rolled his eyes.

"No thank you." He dumped his books on his desk, pulling up a flat pillow to kneel on as he worked. "That swill will rot your brain."

Shunsui snickered. "What, afraid of losing your perfect test scores?" he teased. "Come on, one drink won't hurt." He waved the sake in front of Juushiro, smirking at the way his roommate glared at him. Yeah, he's totally hot like this. It's a pity he's so straight-laced. Shunsui had more than a suspicion that any proposition would earn him a punch; he wasn't about to try. I'll stick to the lovely ladies who actually enjoy my company. But he couldn't resist teasing his roommate.

Juushiro straightened and pushed Shunsui's hand away. Rearranging the papers on his desk, he replied coolly, "Kyoraku-san, I have homework to do. Please leave me alone."

Rather than obey his roommate's request, Shunsui leaned over Juushiro's shoulder and peered at the neat line of kanji decorating the page. "What are you working on?"

Juushiro heaved an exasperated sigh. "Shiba-sensei requested a report on the advantages and disadvantages of using willow bark to numb pain," he explained curtly, not looking up from his work. "It's due in three days, so I'd appreciate it if you allowed me to work."

"Three days?" Shunsui scoffed. "That's plenty of time. Come on, relax a little." He uncorked the bottle and took another deep drink of the sake. "When was the last time you had fun?" Before Juushiro could answer, he added, "And homework doesn't count as fun." Judging by Juushiro's faintly embarrassed expression, he had been about to say just that. Shunsui grinned. For a stick-in-the-mud, Ukitake can be pretty entertaining.

Juushiro waved his hand in front of his face as Shunsui's alcohol-laden breath wafted over him. "Kyoraku…" He trailed off and threw his hands up. "Don't you have to finish your essay for Kichiro-sensei?" he demanded, spinning to face Shunsui.

The flamboyant student grinned delightedly, pleased at finally getting a reaction from his uptight roommate. "Yeah, but it's not due until tomorrow afternoon," he replied cheerfully. "I'll finish it during lunch." So long as he put something relatively legible onto the page, Kichiro-sensei was unlikely to give him zero credit for the paper. I don't need full marks, just enough to keep passing the class.

Juushiro opened his mouth to reply with something sarcastic, then shrugged and closed it. "Well, that might work for you, but I prefer to get things done earlier," he told Shunsui calmly. Turning back to his desk, he scribbled another sentence onto the parchment, then began leafing through one of his textbooks.

"Teacher's pet," Shunsui muttered, snagging a pillow and flopping into a cross-legged position at his own desk. "You know, if you got laid more often, you'd realize that there are more important things in life than homework," he commented, taking another gulp of sake.

He had intended to surprise or embarrass his roommate, so he was surprised by the sudden surge of sadness in Juushiro's reiatsu. The white-haired student quickly damped it, muttering, "Yeah, I don't think so." A hint of resignation flavored his spirit energy as he pulled another book from his stack and flipped it open.

Shunsui frowned. "Hey," he began awkwardly. An apology for overstepping boundaries rested on the tip of his tongue, but his lips refused to form the words. "Um…" He trailed off, glancing uncomfortably at his roommate's back. What had caused him to react like that? Are you okay? Those words, too, refused to fall from his mouth.

Juushiro sighed. "Leave it, Kyoraku-san," he said crisply over his shoulder. Shunsui blinked in surprise, and Juushiro chuckled dryly. "Your reiatsu went from playful to surprised and apologetic," he explained wryly. "Seeing as this is the first time I've ever felt that from you, I appreciate it, but in this case you have nothing to apologize for." He put a light stress on the words 'in this case,' and Shunsui chuckled.

"Ouch!" He reached over and ruffled Juushiro's hair, earning himself a grimace from the slender student. "Well, in that case, I won't. You sure you don't want some sake?" He held up the half-empty flask, widening his eyes pleadingly at his roommate.

"If I take a drink, will you let me do my homework in peace?" Juushiro asked sardonically. Shunsui nodded and assumed his best puppy-dog look. Juushiro sighed. "Fine." He accepted the bottle from Shunsui, gingerly taking a small sip. Heat flooded his cheeks, making Shunsui snicker, as he spluttered, "That's horrible!" He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, coughing hoarsely. "How do you drink that?"

Shunsui reclaimed the bottle and drained half of the remaining contents. "Practice," he replied smugly. "See? Isn't it much more fun to lighten up once in a while?" He patted Juushiro on the back as coughing slowed, grinning happily at the flushed student.

"You promised to leave me alone now," Juushiro reminded him, though a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Shunsui groaned. "You're so cruel," he complained. Juushiro's smile spread, and Shunsui laughed happily. I like him much better when he's smiling. In the interest of keeping that smile around, Shunsui heaved an exaggerated sigh. "Fine, have it your way," he teased. "When you get bored with dusty old books, let me know."

He smirked as Juushiro muttered, "Never gonna happen." I wouldn't be so sure about that, Ukitake. I'll get you out of that shell sooner or later. He reluctantly turned back to his own desk, picking up his quill and staring morosely down at the blank piece of parchment. Unfortunately, it'll have to be later. If I don't finish this essay, I don't know what Kichiro-sensei will do, but it won't be pleasant.

Shunsui managed to maintain his newfound work ethic for a little over one bell. In that time, he successfully completed half a page of his essay, scribbled two doodles of an exaggerated female figures in the margins, and spilled ink all over his fingers. Thankfully, none of it landed on his partially-complete essay, but it got everywhere else. Shunsui blistered the air with curses as the ink sank into his skin and spread across his battered desk.

"Language," Juushiro reprimanded reproachfully. Shunsui just growled at him. Juushiro hid a smile and tossed his roommate a worn black square of fabric. "Here, use that to clean up," he suggested. Mollified, Shunsui muttered a thank you and set to mopping up the spill.

Ten minutes later, the worst of the damage was gone from the desk, but his fingers were indelibly stained. Shunsui regarded them mournfully. "Now what am I supposed to do?" he complained. Scrubbing at the ink did nothing but chafe his skin raw; he had already wiped off all of the liquid that he could. "It looks like I have some sort of exotic plague." He made another halfhearted attempt to scour away a blotch on the back of his hand, wincing as the reddened skin protested.

Juushiro chuckled. "Or it looks like you spilled your inkwell," he suggested dryly. Shunsui pretended to glare at him, which did nothing to stifle the pale student's chuckles. "How did you manage that, anyway?" He took the cloth back from Shunsui and tossed it into a hamper of dirty clothes, ignoring the wet ink that stained his fingertips in the process.

Shunsui shrugged in response to Juushiro's question, making a face at the mess on his desk. He wasn't about to tell his roommate that he had been trying to sneak a peek at the girls playing in the courtyard outside, and had accidentally knocked over the inkwell when he stretched a little too far. "I'm not sure," he replied. Juushiro lifted a skeptical eyebrow, and Shunsui hastily held up his essay. "But look what I managed to finish!"

Juushiro took the paper from Shunsui and scanned it, lips twitching. "You misspelled 'hainawa,' and I don't think that Kichiro-sensei will accept 'run away until you find a shinigami patrol' as an acceptable way to deal with a hollow," he pointed out. Handing the paper back to Shunsui, he added, "But it's a good start."

Shunsui accepted the parchment and made a face. "Really? I think running is the best way to deal with hollows. Let more experienced fighters take care of them." He winked at Juushiro, who stared stonily back. "Safer that way; more time for fun things." Plus, it'll make Kichiro-sensei's head explode, and that's always fun to watch. There was a fine line between tweaking the tails of the instructors and actively courting punishment, and Shunsui was a master at walking it.

"You know that you'll be a shinigami once you graduate, right?" Juushiro reminded him sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "You can't just leave all the fighting to everyone else." He was too polite to allow disdain to enter his tone, but Shunsui could sense his disapproval.

He rolled his eyes. "I'll leave the fighting to people like you – actual shinigami," he replied. "I don't plan to enter the Gotei 5 after graduation." At Juushiro's startled look, he shrugged. "Don't look so shocked. Can you imagine me in a shinigami uniform?" He grimaced. Nothing but black, and wearing a sword everywhere, like I'm expecting to be jumped at any second. Days full of paperwork and endless patrols, bound by a hedge of rules every time I turn around. The Academy is bad enough. A cynical smile stretched across his face. Besides, Father will be far happier if I spend the rest of my life on the estate, far away from polite society. There are fewer chances to embarrass him there.

Judging by Juushiro's confused expression, he didn't know how to respond to that. Finally the pale student murmured, "If that's what you want," and turned back to his schoolwork.

Even if it's not what I want, it's what will happen, Shunsui told him silently. But there's no point in getting upset about it. Honestly, a life of leisure on the Kyoraku country estate would suit me perfectly. His family would pay for any number of luxuries so long as he didn't disgrace them or challenge Seiichi's eventual rule of the clan, and he had no plans on doing the latter. The former, well… that might happen, but I'm not planning anything too terrible at the moment. Most peccadilloes could be swept under the rug; only marriage to someone unsuitable, murder, or treason would seriously tarnish the family name. And since I have no intentions of doing any of those, dear old Dad can't complain too loudly.

Shunsui rose and stretched his arms above his head, wincing as his spine popped. Damn, I've been sitting still too long. "I'm going out for a drink," he informed Juushiro. "Want to come?" The mention of alcohol reminded him that he still had a few sips of sake left. He uncorked the flask and drained it, ignoring the tangible disapproval in Juushiro's reiatsu.

"No thanks," the slender student replied without looking up from his paper. "I've still got a lot to do." Unspoken, but not unfelt, was the reminder that Shunsui had just as much work to complete, yet was already heading to the bars.

Shunsui snorted. "Your loss." He began to unselfconsciously strip his dirty uniform, dropping it in a heap next to his cot. I'll clean that up later. Clad only in his fundoshi, he rummaged through his clothing trunk for a clean pair of hakama and a kimono, wrinkling his nose at the sparse contents. "Hey, Ukitake, have you seen my red kimono?" he asked, finally finding a pair of hakama at the bottom of the trunk. I need to tell the maids to do my laundry.

Juushiro glanced over his shoulder and blushed. Hastily turning his head back to his desk, he gestured towards the coat rack near the door. "I think I saw it over there."

"Thanks." Shunsui spotted a flash of crimson fabric underneath his cloak and grinned triumphantly. "Perfect." He yanked on the hakama and slid his arms through the kimono, leaving it hanging open to display his muscular chest. A dark silver obi secured it to his waist, and a pair of expensive blue hair pins completed the ensemble. Turning to Juushiro, he grinned, and asked, "How do I look?"

His roommate sighed with exasperation. "Like you're trawling for girls," he told Shunsui dryly.

"I'll take it," Shunsui responded gaily. "So long as they aren't scared away by my dashing good looks and evident charm, I'm happy."

"There's no fear of that," Juushiro muttered under his breath.

Shunsui paused for a second, then burst out laughing. "So you do have a sense of humor!" he crowed, laughing harder as Juushiro's cheeks turned pink. And damn, I need to make you blush more often, that's hot. "Come on, are you absolutely, positively sure that you don't want to come?" He winked suggestively at his roommate. "We could find you a hot chick to pick up, help you loosen up a bit. Or would you prefer a cute guy? Either is possible."

Juushiro's face resembled a tomato as he choked out, "Just go, Kyoraku."

Shunsui frowned when he noticed that the odd thread of sadness was back in Juushiro's reiatsu. It was so faint underneath the embarrassment that he would have thought that he was imagining it, except for the trace of sorrow in the pale student's eyes as well. Did he recently lose a lover? That might explain it. His roommate had made no mention of a paramour, but few people would voluntarily discuss a nasty breakup with someone they didn't know too well. And, if I'm honest, I've given him no reason to tell me something that personal. Shunsui shrugged. "You know, a quick fling can be really good for you, help you get over stuff," he suggested. "It doesn't have to be anything serious."

To his surprise, a threat of wry amusement entered Juushiro's reiatsu. The color in his cheeks started to die down as he muttered, "I really don't think that would help." He gave Shunsui a sardonic smile. "Thanks for the offer, but I really should finish this essay." He toyed with his quill pen, not quite meeting Shunsui's eyes, before flipping to a new page in his book.

"Life is way more fun if you remove that stick from your ass," Shunsui teased. Juushiro's flush returned full force at the crudity, and Shunsui chuckled. He could have said any number of other things, but suspected that those would be overstepping a boundary. This is the first time we've said more than a few sentences to each other; I'd like to keep it civil. So, rather than follow up on the obvious invitation for innuendo, he simply bid Juushiro farewell and slipped out the door.

A bell later, he had forgotten all about Juushiro's odd reaction to his offer. "Sweetheart, more sake?" he called across the crowded bar, flashing a grin at the waitress in the tight kimono. She nodded back and started weaving her way through the crowd, hoisting the jug of clear alcohol above her head. Shunsui grinned appreciatively. The kimono displayed her long legs with every step she took, parting nearly to mid-thigh. She had tied it loose enough to leave a vee in front, which highlighted her ample cleavage. Judging by her saucy grin, she reveled in the attention that the getup drew. Perfect.

"I think she likes you!" Ryuu yelled over the din, smacking Shunsui in the shoulder. "Go get her!" The playful, chubby student slurred as he spoke, already four drinks deep into the jug of sake on the table.

Hikaru snorted. "She's paid to flirt with the customers; she's not a whore," he told Ryuu loudly. The sandy-haired teen's face was flushed, but his words remained clear. Shunsui thought that he'd only had three drinks so far, but his counting was a bit fuzzy after four shots of sake plus a beer. His head spun pleasantly as he gazed around the crowded tavern, which was packed with Academy students and lower-ranked shinigami. Several members of the Shiba clan sang a bawdy drinking song while pawing at the giggling girls perched on their laps – hired company, Shunsui suspected. A knot of off-duty shinigami who wore the emblem of the Shihoin clan's division argued loudly about something that Shunsui couldn't make out, while a group of sixth year students debated the proper application of the law in assault cases in slurred tones. The scents of alcohol, perfume, and unwashed bodies hung heavily in the air.

The waitress sauntered over and gave them all a wide smile. "What can I do for you boys?" she asked, leaning over their low table. Shunsui's eyes immediately landed in her cleavage, and he smirked. She had tied her kimono just tight enough to conceal the most appealing parts of her breasts, but the sight still made his mouth water. Hikaru snickered at Shunsui's expression, while Ryuu seemed torn between staring at the girl's chest and looking anywhere but there. A dull blush stained his cheeks, though Shunsui suspected that part of the color was due to the alcohol.

When none of them replied immediately, the waitress laughed. "You can't that drunk yet," she teased, propping her hand on her hip and posing. "It's not a hard question."

Shunsui tore his eyes away from her chest and grinned. "Well, we'd like some more sake, but I'd also love your name," he replied boldly. Had he been more sober, he might have been embarrassed by his inability to keep his eyes away from her chest, but the sake had wiped away any inhibitions he might have held.

She giggled. "I can give you the former, but what will you give me for the latter?" she challenged flirtatiously. Shunsui cocked his head to the side, pondering her question, as she leaned over them to refill their jug of sake. Her breasts brushed his arm as she pulled back, and his grin widened.

"How about a kiss?" he suggested, leaning back against the wall and giving her a mischievous look. "I promise you won't regret it." Ryuu burst out laughing at that, while Hikaru shook his head in amusement.

To his relief, she didn't throw the remaining sake in his face. Instead, she tapped her fingers against her berry-red lips, and purred, "I don't think that's an equitable trade, my lord. How about you give me your name, instead?"

Shunsui chuckled. "Fair enough." He rose and swept a graceful bow, as though greeting a lady of the highest noble stature. As he finished the bow, he captured her hand and pressed his lips to the back of it. She giggled, and he declared, "My name is Shunsui Kyoraku, my lady. And you are?" He smirked, and added, "Besides stunningly beautiful, which should be obvious to any observer." Since she didn't immediately reclaim her hand, he caressed her palm with his thumb, looking at her expectantly.

The waitress laughed, finally pulling her hand back. "My, Kyoraku-san, how chivalrous! Please, call me Aimi." She didn't give a family name, but that didn't surprise Shunsui. Many of the souls in the Soul Society lacked one; only those born to noble families were guaranteed to have one. Some of the poorer residents adopted last names to signify clan affiliation or to solidify bonds among their chosen families, but it wasn't a requirement.

Shunsui bowed again, shallower this time. "Aimi. It suits you." The name meant 'love beauty.' He offered her a hand. "Now may I have that kiss?" he asked impishly.

Aimi lifted an eyebrow, studying his face with limpid amber eyes. "Isn't that a bit forward of you, my lord?" she teased. "After all, you hardly know me."

Shunsui nodded. "True, true. So how about you sit down and tell me about yourself?" he suggested cheerfully. He wasn't surprised by her refusal; he'd met very few girls who took him up on his first offer. Aimi hadn't rejected him outright, so the game was still on. A drink or two, and I bet she'll be willing to do much more than kiss. Shunsui wrinkled his brow. And I think I've still got a few pretty trinkets back in the dorms that would look lovely on her, if she's interested. He didn't bribe girls to sleep with him – he prided himself on the fact that he didn't need to – but he liked to reward them afterwards.

Aimi giggled again, toying with her jug of sake. "I'm still working, my lord," she replied, fluttering her eyelashes at him. "But I'd be happy to stop by often… to make sure you don't need anything more, of course."

"Of course," Shunsui replied smoothly. As she turned to go, he laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "When do you get off work?" He'd gladly wait a bell or two to enjoy her company. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I can persuade her to come back to my room with me.

She gave him a flirtatious smile. "Give me a bell, my lord, and I'll gladly join you," she purred. "Maybe you'll even get that kiss, if you ask nicely enough."

Shunsui grinned. "I'm looking forward to it, milady," he promised, taking her hand in his and giving it another kiss. She returned his grin as she sauntered away, hips swinging. He watched her go, mouth dry with anticipation. Damn, I really hope she's willing to do more than just flirt.

"Kami, Kyoraku, nice job!" Ryuu exclaimed, patting him on the back.

Shunsui smirked as he resumed his seat, pouring more sake into his dish. "The deal's not sealed yet, Hibiki," he reminded the other student. Taking a sip of the sake, he paused to savor its unique burn, then winked at Ryuu. "But I think I've got a pretty good shot."

Hikaru chuckled ruefully. "I don't think I've ever gone out drinking with you and not seen you pick up a girl or two," he commented wryly.

Shunsui widened his eyes in an attempt to look innocent. The pretense was spoiled when he nearly spilled his sake into his lap, but he gave it his best shot. "That's not true," he protested, laying his hand against his heart. "Why, I can think of at least three times when I didn't leave the tavern with a girl."

Hikaru rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. When?"

Before Shunsui could respond, Ryuu interjected, "It doesn't count if you found a pretty boy instead, you know." He tried to nudge Shunsui with his shoulder, missed, and ended up sprawled across the table. Picking himself back up, he added, "Not that there's anything wrong with finding a hot guy to bend for you, if that's your pref… pref… preference." He stumbled over the last word, grinning foolishly as he finally managed to get it out.

"Hibiki, I think you've had enough to drink for now," Hikaru pointed out, gently taking Ryuu's dish of sake away from him. Ryuu pouted, but didn't protest when Hikaru gave him a glass of water instead. Shunsui chuckled and patted him on the back, murmuring commiseratingly to him when Hikaru turned away.

Aimi returned several times over the next bell, flirting openly with Shunsui and teasing Ryuu for his inability to hold his liquor, before finally joining them at the table. Shunsui passed her a dish of sake and tentatively laid a hand on her leg; she laughed and leaned into him. He grinned. "So, Aimi, what's your favorite color?" he asked playfully.

"Red," she answered decidedly, running her fingers over his arm. "Just like this."

"Oh, really?" Shunsui bantered back. "I think you'd look gorgeous in scarlet." He tugged off his kimono and draped it around her shoulders, pretending to ponder the result. "Yep, gorgeous," he nodded. Then he winked at her. "Then again, you'd look lovely in anything."

Hikaru rolled his eyes. "I'm going to take Hibiki back before he passes out on the table," he announced dryly. "Do try to avoid getting into too much trouble, alright, Kyoraku?" As Shunsui nodded absently, Hikaru slung Ryuu's arm over his shoulders and hauled him upright. The black-haired student swayed dizzily on his feet as Hikaru led him through the thinning crowds, giving Shunsui a good-luck sign over his shoulder.

Shunsui watched them leave, then turned back to Aimi. "Now, where were we?"

As Shunsui had hoped, they eventually ended up at the dorms. Everything was going smoothly, until a certain trick with his tongue made Aimi practically scream in pleasure. Juushiro bolted upright in his cot, one hand groping for a sword while the other flared with kido fire. "What the hell is going on?" he yelped. Aimi froze.

"Oops." Shunsui grinned unrepentantly up at his roommate, who was glaring at them with death in his sleepy emerald eyes. "Sorry, Ukitake," he apologized cheerfully, pulling a sheet over himself and Aimi. "Didn't mean to wake you." Though admittedly, he hadn't been putting much effort into being quiet either.

"Kyoraku, you are hopeless," Juushiro informed him frostily. He rose from his futon and snagged a simple yukata from on top of his clothes chest. Shunsui pouted as Juushiro wrapped the robe around himself – he had been admiring the view. Juushiro's expression got even colder. "I will be at the library," he bit out, stalking towards the door. "I expect you to be done in a bell." With that, he slid the door open with more force than necessary and vanished into the hallway.

Shunsui smirked. "Sorry about that," he told Aimi, rolling so that she straddled him. She giggled, and he purred, "Now, shall we continue?"

Author's Note: Lovely readers, what is your preferred update schedule? How often and when during a week do you prefer to receive updates?