Chapter Three: Unwelcome

There was no better description for Hexagon that the one Fai had told to Kurogane. It was the playground of socialites' children—children of any elite; CEO directors, film producers, record producers, bankers, fashion designers….never celebrities, though of course. God forbid if the child of a celebrity entered Hexagon.

Thankfully, Subaru and Kamui rode in the car that Fai did not. Yuui, however, was free to stare at Fai as much as he wished—although, Fai had a small feeling that Yuui wasn't staring at him, so much as the person beside him….the person stroking his hair and touching his throat and face.

Obviously, Ashura knew there was something wrong. Ashura always knew. If it hadn't been for the almost creepy sixth sense that the artist possessed, Fai knew that he wouldn't have told him of his past by his own volition. Ashura actually had had to coax him into doing so—the coaxing had taken all of half of last year.

Tomoyo was in this car, though her sister wasn't—which struck Fai as interesting as Amaterasu loved to bicker with Kamui nearly as much as she had kissing him. He'd always suspected that they still liked each other….they were both just too much a diva to admit it.

The young girl conversed briskly and quietly with Yuui—keeping him conveniently occupied, since Yuui wasn't so much as blatant a deceiver as Fai. Ashura, on the other hand, was whispering a conversation into Fai's ear the entire trip—the entire twenty-minute trip.

"What did Yuui want?" Ashura murmured. Fai could feel his lips moving against his hair. He shivered, turning to look straight into Ashura's bottomless eyes—not always a good thing, as sometimes they made him feel like he was about to drown.

Fai was quiet. He closed his eyes, and then opened them. "He…" He looked at his brother, smiling at Tomoyo, even though Yuui's eyes flickered to him, as if daring him to lie to Ashura. "He…" For the first time, Fai found himself smiling at Ashura—smiling that smile. "Nothing. Yuui just wanted to tell me off for choosing such a long piece for my solo. His accompaniment is five pages."

Ashura could only smile back. "Really? That does seem awfully long." Fai laughed lightly and didn't glance at Yuui for the rest of the ride.

Hexagon was just outside the inner circle of universities—closed in with the surrounding forest life. It was the club that all the students were expected to go to. Not that there was any reason for them to venture anywhere otherwise. To students like these, Hexagon was the only place for miles worth going. Except for perhaps the restaurants nearby—most of which charged fifty dollars for a bowl of soup. Or was it a cup of soup?

The club was built in the shape of…well…a hexagon. There was a pillar framing each of the six sides, and aforementioned polygon is exactly what one would've seen from a bird's-eye-view—which made it easier for those who arrived by helicopter to find its location.

Its atmosphere was terrifying if it was a student's first time being here—especially if said student was a freshman with no upperclassmen accompanying them. Ironically, a freshman was what Fai was when he first came to Hexagon. With Ashura. This was where they'd first kissed. A mistake that'd been. The pictures had spread like wildfire.

Amaterasu always had to step out first—it was one of the rules Kamui had installed when he'd become a Sacred; one in a series of many, since he was, after all, the writer amongst them, and orchestrating an entrance was like bringing in a character. And apparently, Fai recalled the journalist saying, you had to grasp the "readers"—the bystanders, in other words—attention by introducing the flashiest character first.

There was no denying that Amaterasu fitted the description well. She wasn't exactly "flashy", perhaps more subtle a word than that, but she did attract eyes. And best of all, Kamui had said (he'd went a little overboard with the flattery, but this was during that one week where they'd dated…sort of) she didn't even try—at all—and her haughtiness just made her that much more intriguing.

And so it was the cellist's long, bare, curved leg that the cameras first flashed at, and it was her Marc Jacobs heel-less that first touched down onto the lush orange carpet.

Fai watched her slender figure extricate itself from the black car, and stood stick straight—her back arched naturally—for the cameras. No, they weren't paparazzi. Hexagon had to guard where these pictures went since most of the students were still minors. These pictures were for specific high-society newspapers only.

One would think that Tomoyo would go next…perhaps balance out her sister? But, Kamui had held up a finger at this point, after the shock of Amaterasu—like water after a fire—they needed someone calming and reassuring.

Ashura, of course.

His lips touched Fai's briefly before he extracted himself from the car, the cameras pausing….because their photographers had to stare at him. Ashura was one of those few, rare, very lucky people who were gifted from the angels with the doe-eyes and the soft smile that made you want to give him everything in the world.

Not that Fai and Yuui's smiles weren't also brilliant—Ashura's was just more enchanting than dazzling….his smile was like a lullaby. He always eased into a smile—letting it melt across his face slowly. And with the draping dark hair….the cameras were blinding.

And then, it was Kamui's turn. Kamui was perceptive, and therefore, the most self-aware of any of them in terms of appearance. He knew that, unlike his twin, he gave off a dark aura—fitting, since aside from Yuui, he was one of the more bitingly sarcastic of the seven. It was a different kind of beauty—far from the stratosphere of Fai's own angelic mask—one that could be appreciated for how it haunted you.

The photographers' cheerful chatting ceased to exist when the journalist emerged. First they gaped, then, mesmerized, they lifted their cameras to their faces and steadily began clicking. Kamui, of course, never smiled for his pictures.

Ever.

Tomoyo was the positive to Kamui's negative. She simply radiated innocence and light. Two things Kamui didn't. They cancelled each other out so that the balance was once again equal. The cameras probably loved her the most.

Fai could see her walking sprightly down the orange carpet, through Hexagon's doorway—framed by two menacing bouncers. Even if just a sliver, the young, taut bodies could be seen thrusting to the music through the door gap.

Subaru was right before Fai and Yuui. The trumpeter was similar to Ashura, but sharing Kamui's features….and a bit of Ashura's demeanor gave for an even more haunting sense than his twin. Subaru usually did smile for the cameras, but tonight, his face was solemn.

No matter how great a story, Kamui had concluded to them, the way it ends is the reader's lasting impression of it. And the Fluorite twins were the finale to this story.

It didn't matter how any photographer, any camera, anyone reacted to the other Sacreds. Fai and Yuui would forever be their favorites. There was nothing in the world that could start the flashing faster than them. Their faces were made for covers of magazines—of newspapers.

They were standing for the cameras longer than the others. It was with an airy hand and an easy smile that they waved them off, and headed in—allowing for the next set of clubbers to have their shot. But the Akamizu Sacreds' arrival was always the highlight of the night.

Inside, the long dim hallway led to an abrupt circular dance floor—artfully random and uneven lights hanging just high enough above swaying heads. The entire scheme of light and coloring was orange—dark orange, neon orange, striped orange. One's eyes needed to grow accustomed to it.

Two hallways led away from the dance floor—the left led to a series of spherical rooms, lined with a cushioned bench all around the interior wall; the right would guide you to the men's lounge, the ladies' lounge, and the restrooms. Four bars were located at intervals around the dance floor—the bartenders had been bribed to serve the minors as they pleased. No one would know.

Fai had already caught sight of three of his fellow Sacreds: Amaterasu on the dance floor with about five boys—at the same time; Tomoyo giggling with a few other girls, heading towards the ladies' lounge; Kamui at the bar, talking in a low voice with a familiar-looking, rather beautiful, woman.

"I'll find Subaru," Yuui sighed, and began the meticulous task of weaving through the dancing mob.

Fai was about to follow when a hand wrapped around his wrist and pulled him to a part of the club that was actually possible to breathe in. Not that he was able to do anything more than inhale before Ashura's lips matched his. "Come with me to the lounge?" Ashura whispered.

Fai smiled incredulously. "Here of all places?" He laughed. "And what do you think people will do when they see us in there? It isn't a private room—not exactly."

Ashura kissed him again, his tongue seeping through Fai's teeth this time. "Do you honestly care?" His hand fell to Fai's waist, and Fai knew that no. No, he didn't really care at all.

He already felt numerous pairs of eyes follow him and Ashura as they made their way through the right hall. He could've even sworn that he heard camera phones going off. Kamui would have their heads for pulling a stunt like this—he was a stickler on do's and don'ts in publicity.

But then again, that was one of the main reasons he and Amaterasu had been ill suited for each other; as the latter didn't care if she had purple chicken pox, she would've still gone out anywhere she wished.

It was a heavy PG-13 by the time they reached the lounge. Fai slammed the door shut with his leg, and Ashura pulled him atop on the chaise. Fai's was on all fours, nearly straddling Ashura. Suit jackets hit the ground, and soft breathy sighs filled the room. Ashura's lips scaled down Fai's chest; a sliver of the white skin bared by the undone buttons of his shirt.

Fai's body was heating up more and more and he pleasantly couldn't think of anything—not even his name—except for Ashura. It didn't matter about Subaru, or Yuui, or Kurogane or anyone else. He had Ashura. Everything was perfect.

Until Ashura's hands began to slide below his waistband—touching the sensitive part just below his stomach, but above hips.

The expert fingers deftly brushed over the insides of his thighs, spreading his legs apart with apt force. Those same fingers caressed his underdeveloped length—too young…..the sigh came out. It was an accident, right? But no. It couldn't be. No. He was….he didn't want to be like this.

Fai's breath choked against his throat and he instinctively cringed away from the senior.

Ashura stared for a minute before bowing his head and sighing, "I'm sorry. I know. I just thought…..Fai, don't."

But Fai had already grabbed his jacket and ran through the door.


He barreled through the bathroom doors, collapsing into one of the marble stalls and onto his knees. Fai sat there, his eyes shut tightly. He knew that he could at least look into the toilet—that was a safe zone—but he didn't even want to risk it. He couldn't believe what he'd just done. Again.

He'd shoved Ashura away. They were so close to doing it. But that memory….those memories….why were they still here? Fai had forgotten about it—or was trying to. He wanted every part of it gone from him. Even the parts that would forever be carved into his body. He didn't want this.

Unsteadily, Fai staggered to his feet and wobbled out of the stall, one hand on the wall. He kept his eyes lowered as he leaned forward into the sink, his hands gripping the counter. He looked up into the mirror, his face twisted with agony. Why? Why did this have had to happen to him?

Nearly beside himself with rage, he screamed. Just screamed. Fai screamed and punched the wall, not even caring that the sound of his knuckles cracking could be heard echoing in the bathroom as much as his voice.

But Fai had forgotten about the faucet—the immaculately spotless faucet, silver and shiny and very reflective. As good as a second mirror. Fai's eyes widened as he caught his face in the shimmer of the tap.

"Shh….look, you can see yourself, can't you? I don't think you look displeased. You look happy. Your brother needs you. Can't you do this for him? For me, even? Maybe?" The finger was probing deeper into him. He whimpered, his fingernails scratching uselessly at the dry tiles. "You don't have much of a choice."

"I don't want to," he shouted. "Stop it!" His breathing was coming out faster—shorter. It hurt. It hurt in a way he'd never known before. What was this? This was unnatural—strange. Why….? Why him? His reflection in the shower tap…..

The hands were touching along his waistline, flipping him over roughly. His stomach slapped against the tiny square pieces of stone. He didn't want to cry. He couldn't. But he had to keep silent. Yuui couldn't find out. It'd make him worse. This was for Yuui….his twin….his brother…..Yuui couldn't—

He heard the sound of a zipper being unzipped, he felt those hands touch him again—securing him. But why—

Fai's shriek grated at even his own ears.

"OY! Fluorite! You alive?"

Fai's eyes snapped open, and his body relaxed. Dark crimson eyes were staring down at him—glaring down at him. Rough, unfamiliar hands were gripping his shoulders, shaking him back to life.

"Kuro…gane?"

"So is that how I get you to call me by my real name? When you're on the verge of freaking insanity? What the hell's your problem?" Kurogane backed away, brushing himself off, and pulling Fai up by his thin wrist. "Put on your clothes."

No.

No. No way. No. No. No, no, no, no, no.

But yes. Fai looked down and his pants were pulled down to reveal his boxers, and his shirt and jacket were both completely off. "How drunk are you?" Kurogane asked disgustedly. "I would've asked how it was, but I don't see the other guy here. Did he take off on you?"

Fai could only gape, mouth open. "There…" he finally managed in a hoarse, stricken voice, "There was no other guy, Kuro…chan. Nothing happened….I just….I didn't do…it or anything….I just…."

Kurogane shrugged. "Whatever." He took another swig from an intriguingly large bottle of beer.

It was Fai's turn to stare. "What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing in the bathroom or what am I doing in this club?"

"Both."

The martial artist shrugged again. "I heard someone screaming. Thought someone was getting raped till I saw it was coming from the guys' bathrooms. The girls' is so fucking close I couldn't have guessed, though. And that annoying little girl that made me carry her clothes earlier? Yeah, she invited me here."

"Tomoyo?" Fai blinked.

"Yeah, her." Kurogane jerked his chin. "So you gonna get dressed or what? I don't wanna be caught in here like this with you."

Fai smiled. "That's the first I've heard that. Most men would put needles in their eyes five times over to be in the position you're in." He spread his arms open invitingly. "Why not try me?"

Kurogane's eyes appraised him. Fai expected they would. But he hadn't expected that when they did, he'd feel intense heat rush through his body—aiming for a spot down south. It was a heat close to a fever. Only….it felt sort of….good.

Fai breathed shakily, as Kurogane raised an eyebrow, raising the bottle to his lips again. "Don't really want to," he said casually, leaning against the corner. "And I'm pretty sure you don't either."

Fai's pants were yanked up so quickly that it was almost as though an invisible force had done it. He stood up, shivering like a drowned rat, clutching his shirt and jacket in either hand. He was too shocked to do anything else other than just stand there. "What….are you talking about?"

Kurogane frowned. "What do you think I'm talking 'bout?"

"How do you know?" Every fiber of Fai's voice was filled with pure terror.

Kurogane's face and tone both just grew bemused. "Know what? Is there something I should know about? What the fuck's wrong with you? Are….hey, are you 'bout to hurl? There's a toilet if you want to do that, you know. Loads of them. Just walk that way."

Fai shook his head slowly, transfixed. He staggered again, and felt his legs give way. "Oy!" Kurogane flashed forward, just in time to catch him by the elbow—but Fai's built slipped through and in an effort to stop him from falling, they both tumbled to the ground.

Just as Ashura opened the door.

Kurogane pushed himself off of Fai while simultaneously managing to lift the slighter man to his feet—although there were no promises that Fai would remain that way considering how his eyes were vague and he swayed a bit.

Ashura's face was paler than ever. "What did you do to him?" His dark eyes took in Kurogane's beer bottle, the flush on Fai's cheeks, and Fai's half-dressed state.

Kurogane sighed, holding up his empty hand. "Look, it's not—"

Ashura's fist had sunk into Kurogane's face before any other words could come out of his mouth. "Fuck?" Kurogane gripped the wall on the other side of the bathroom. His eyes were incredulously surveying Ashura.

Ashura was smiling softly, his eyes lit with dark fire. That was how and when Fai knew if his lover was truly furious. When he smiled. When he smiled and when his eyes were enough to frighten grown men away from a fight.

Kurogane didn't even look fazed. He straightened, and Fai knew that he would win. He was a martial artist—it was what he did—and Ashura….Ashura wasn't exactly fragile, but he wasn't as burly as Kurogane either.

"Do you dare?" Fai whispered. Both men's heads immediately snapped to him, and Ashura was suddenly at his side, his arms circling around Fai's frame.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Ashura said in a voice so soft it was barely audible. Fai couldn't find it in his loathsome self to lift his own arms. So he just stood there like the useless shell he was and let Ashura embrace him.

Kurogane vanished before Fai could meet eyes with him.


Tomoyo was worried. Yuui was beside himself. Subaru's jaw was tight. Amaterasu's eyes were narrowed. Kamui was livid.

Ashura had gently eased Fai's remaining clothes back on and led him quietly by the hand to where the other four were gathered in one of the many cubicles in the left hall. He locked the door and sat Fai down, prepared to answer questions.

"What happened?"

"Where were you?"

"What did you do to yourself? Who did this?"

"I don't even want to know. But why, Fai?"

"Please tell me no one saw, whatever it was?"

Ashura's face was unsmiling and he looked at them imperiously. "Fai just had a mishap. That was all. It was nothing." But he exchanged a tiny look with Yuui, and the twin's eyes grew double their size.

Amaterasu crossed her arms. "I saw a boy come out of there. A rather big one, too. He looked like a freshman from Akamizu—you can't not remember someone with that face. Did he have anything to do with it?"

"That's Kurogane," Tomoyo said quietly. "What about him? I invited him here. He's a martial artist—karate, I think."

Yuui's tone was adamant as he traded another glance with Ashura and a significant one with Kamui. "He's unwelcome."

Fai stared ahead emptily.


A/N: IIIIIIIIIIIT's my birthday!!! YAAAAAY!!!!!!!! Lol. Aaaand you probably could care less as you are either puking from the OOC-ness of Ashura (which hopefully isn't too bad...?) or cheering because Kurogane had an awww-sort of-moment with Fai or you're just shocked for one or more of many reasons. But I'm fourteen now, so ......yeah. Anyhoo, I'm not sure if it should be this chapter, but the scene with the "arrival" at the beginning of this chapter came to me by none other than Fergie's Glamorous. Actually, Akamizu's entire conception stemmed from Glamorous--as it's also GG's theme song. So......now.....REVIEWS!!!! Please? I'd like to know what you thought of the flasbacks--the flashbacks, because that's what they are in case i didn't make it clear enough, that I shall not elaborate on because i feareth spoiling it for any of my dearest readereths. :D