A/N: If ya'll couldn't see the sexual tension between these two in the series, ya'll were blind. teehee. Some very light and fluffy lime at the end. Nothing scandalous. Enjoy!

PS. THANK YOU to my reviewer. I was thinking of giving up on this project if no one was gonna read it. Glad *someone* is enjoying it!

Yahiko glared at the boy, (well, man really) standing before him. His chest was heaving and his knuckles were white as he gripped the sakabatou. Seven Years, he thought. Had it really been only seven years? He had met Yutaro on the docks, shifting excitedly from side to side as he watched the passengers disembarked. He had been worried he wouldn't recognize him, but the second he saw the light hair and sable eyes, he knew him. A tiny thrill had raced up his arms and into his chest when he spotted him, and he found himself running forward. Yutaro had given a shout and a wave and ran too. When they reached each other, Yutaro had slowed and awkwardly put his hand out, but Yahiko had bowled him right over, wrapping his arms around his long lost friend, propriety be damned.

Yahiko narrowed his eyes and adjusted his grip on his sakabatou letting his gaze roam over his friend's broad shoulders and long arms, his delicate fingers wrapped around his western saber. How much had changed since that first embrace. Yutaro had laughed nervously but had enthusiastically returned the gesture and Yahiko thought absently that he smelled of cypress and the sea. When they broke apart, they both had been grinning but found that neither had anything to say. Wondering at his sudden nervousness, he finally blurted out, 'Welcome back!' before grabbing Yutaro's bag and heading back to the dojo. Yutaro had followed, casually draping his arm across his friend's shoulders. Having found their voices, Yutaro had filled their journey back with stories of Europe. Yahiko had listened attentively, feeling jealous of all the things his friend had done and seen, but grateful that he was home now.

It was at dinner when he noticed the change. Yutaro had sat next him, right next to him. There had been less than an inch between their thighs as they knelt on the tatami and Yahiko's breath had caught in his throat. He shuddered and felt a strange kind of crackling electricity in the air between them. Shaking his head and wondering what had gotten into him, he forced himself to relax. As the meal went on, however, that relaxation deepened, and he found his leg pressed up against Yutaro as they lightly leaned into each other. His chest had been tight and his mouth dry, but he couldn't seem to draw away from the touch, or stop himself from tilting his head towards Yutaro as he listened to his low voice recounting his adventures.

As they had cleaned up dinner and washed the dishes, the distance had cleared Yahiko's head. He wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but he was fairly certain that going to bed right now, with their futons laid out side by side, might not be a good idea. Yahiko and Yutaro had been friends for a long time, but there had always been that undercurrent of rivalry and friendly animosity. It seemed as though those seven years had tempered that animosity, and only left a deep bond between them that Yahiko didn't understand. And when Yahiko didn't understand, he turned to the one thing he knew best: fighting. Thinking to re-kindle their rivalry and get things back to normal, he suggested a friendly sparring session before bed. Unfortunately, Yahiko hadn't expected Yutaro to respond by stripping off his silk shirt. He had claimed he didn't want to ruin it, as their duels tended to get quite physical. Yahiko had blinked, stunned by the muscles rippling across his back and stomach. As Yutaro had turned back to him, Yahiko shook himself from his stupor, mumbling 'whatever' under his breath. Yutaro had smirked, catching the faintest blush on Yahiko's cheeks.

Determined to see his plan through, Yahiko had been quite vicious in their match. With the security of the reverse-blade, he hadn't held back and Yutaro had struggled to keep up at first. After two or three passes, however, he had gotten the measure of his friend and knew how hard he could push without threatening him with the live steel he carried in his hands. Soon, sparks flew as with each pass they pushed themselves harder and harder in their violent dance across the dojo floor. Glaring at each other now, their bodies glistened with sweat and their breathing was ragged. But while Yutaro had a mischievous glint in his eye, Yahiko was deadly serious, committed to besting his friend.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Yahiko?" Yutaro asked with a smirk.

"I'll enjoy myself when I've beaten your sorry ass." Yahiko shot back.

Yutaro tsk'd his tongue. "Such a temper. You always did take things too seriously."

He was right, Yahiko admitted to himself. This was supposed to be a friendly match, not an actual duel. Wondering what had gotten him so angry, he forced himself to smile back. "Side-effect of spending time with Kenshin, I suppose."

Yutaro laughed. "Fair point." He rolled his shoulders and settled into a defense stance. "Well since you are so hell-bent on finding a winner, shall we finish this dance?"

"Yes, please." Yahiko responded with a wicked smile, lunging forward.

Yutaro easily blocked him and Yahiko cursed. Spinning around, he nearly caught Yutaro in his side, but he was too fast. Shifting his weight, Yutaro charged and Yahiko just managed to bring his blade up in time to block a swipe to his head. "Hey!" he yelled. Aiming live steal at a torso or limb was one thing, aiming it at your friends head was entirely another.

Yutaro danced back and winked. "Just keeping you motivated."

Yahiko hissed and launched himself at Yutaro. They moved across the dojo in a flurry of motion, their swords glinting blurs as each increased his speed to match the other. The clang of steel on steel rang through the grounds in a rapid staccato. Yutaro was gradually pushing Yahiko to the far side of the dojo, quite literally backing him into a corner. Realizing this too late, Yahiko drew up his sword for an overhead block, only to find Yutaro's shoulder slamming into his chest and pressing him into the wall. Their arms were raised above their heads, Yutaro's saber having lodged the sharp edge of the sakabatou into the heavy wooden beam behind him. They were nose to nose, and Yutaro had used his free hand to pin Yahiko's wrists to the wall.

Yahiko stared at his friend's sable eyes, his chest heaving against the bare skin of his opponent. Yutaro took a step closer, bringing his body flush to Yahiko's. A million thoughts raced through Yahiko's mind. Time seemed to still and the whole world seem to shrink the few inches between their faces. Yutaro said nothing, just stared back at Yahiko with his intense gaze. He seemed to be waiting for something, daring Yahiko to make the next move. Yahiko's eyes dropped to his friends mouth for a split second before snapping back up. Yahiko realized then what he wanted, what he had wanted from the instant he spotted his friend on the docks. Taking a deep breath, he closed the distance between their mouths, firmly pressing his lips to Yutaro's.

Yutaro reacted instantly, dropping his sword with a clatter and wrapping his arm around Yahiko's waist. Yahiko moaned as their bodies pressed together. He brought his pinned wrists down around Yutaro's neck, as the other slid his fingers down his arm and tangled them into his spiky dark hair. Yahiko's heart jumped into his throat, as he felt Yutaro's tongue gently press against his bottom lip. Opening his mouth, he welcomed Yutaro into him, hungrily sucking on his tongue and lips, clutching at his bare shoulders. After some long minutes of exploring every inch of Yahiko's mouth, Yutaro drew back, breathing heavily, and pressed his forehead against Yahiko's. He let out a shaky laugh.

"I've been wanting to do that all day," he said with his eyes closed.

Yahiko threaded his fingers through Yutaro's pale hair and smiled at the shudder he felt in his friends body. "Then why didn't you?"

Yutaro opened his eyes. "I guess I was afraid."

Yahiko smirked, "Coward." Before Yutaro could protest he caught his mouth in another passionate kiss, arching his back to press his body closer. Yutaro moaned and pressed him back into the wall before pulling back again.

"I am not a coward," he growled.

Yahiko's grinned and pushed him off of him. "Oh yeah?" he said, "Prove it." Yutaro gave him a bewildered look until Yahiko winked and raced out of the dojo, calling over his shoulder "Last one to the bath house is a coward AND the match loser!"

Yutaro laughed and raced after his opponent, his friend, and now it seemed his lover, refusing to be bested by any of the three.