A/N: I'm back! I am so sorry for the long wait but this past school year was horrendously crazy. I barely had time to breath, let alone write! But now I'm graduated and should hopefully have a little more time to write. I promise it won't be another coughninecough months before the next chapter. So please don't kill me and I hope you enjoy!

Warnings: shounen-ai, OCxKen, eventual Takeken, NCS in later chapters (but nothing graphic)

Continuing Existence
By Caramel Ariana
Chapter 4: New Horizons

Ken clung to the wall as he sipped his soda. Satomi had run off somewhere leaving Ken with instructions to "mingle". The problem was that Ken was no good at mingling. He didn't like to initiate conversations and would rather go the whole evening against the wall than to try to meet people. He took another sip of his soda. He felt very awkward right now.

A tap on his shoulder made him jump. He turned toward the sound of laughter. "Nervous much?" joked Eric.

Ken smiled. "You just surprised me."

"What are you doing all the way over here, so far from the dance floor?" asked Eric.

Ken mentally flinched as he realized where this conversation was headed. "I don't dance." He watched as Eric frowned and noticed the slightly glazed look of his eyes. He guessed the drink in Eric's hand was far less innocent than his own.

"What you need," said Eric, gesturing for emphasis, "is a drink."

Ken held up his cup. "I have one."

Eric made a face and grabbed Ken's wrist. Ken found himself being dragged toward the kitchen. They pulled up to the table that was full of different types of drinks. Ken squirmed as Eric gave him a once over and then nodded to himself. "You seem like a Tequila person."

Ken's mind went into panic as he thought about how to escape the current situation, but Eric was already filling two shot glasses. "Here," he said, handing Ken a glass. "Since I'm such a great guy, I'm even gonna take a shot with you." He raised his shot glass and tapped it against Ken's. "Kampai!"

After evaluating the situation, Ken realized the least embarrassing thing to do was to take the shot. He put the shot glass to his mouth and leaned his head back and poured the liquid down his throat. The drink burned all the way down and he tried to keep from coughing. Somebody shoved a lemon slice in his hand and he placed it in his mouth gratefully.

Eric slapped him on the back and grinned. "Nice! That should loosen you up a bit."

Before Ken could respond, Satomi popped up beside him. "Having fun?" he asked.

Eric answered for him. "He just took his first shot of Tequila!"

"And I missed it?" exclaimed Satomi. He turned back to Ken. "Is this your first time drinking?"

With a slight blush Ken nodded.

Satomi smirked. "I don't believe you. I don't think you took a shot at all. You should try one."

Ken gaped. He held up his empty shot glass. "I just did!" He could already feel the alcohol affect him. He looked to Eric for some support but he just grinned.

Satomi poured another shot into Ken's empty glass and grabbed a lemon. He shoved both in his hands. "I won't believe it until I see it."

Not wanting to risk his tenuous friendship with the others, he took the second shot. This time he was prepared for the burning in his throat and quickly placed the lemon slice in his mouth. He glanced at Satomi who had a huge grin on his face.

"Go Ichijouji!" exclaimed Eric.

It wasn't long before Ken felt his face heat up. He started fanning himself with his hand, but stopped when Satomi gave him a questioning look. "It's hot," he explained. He noticed his mouth wasn't working as well as usual.

Satomi laughed. "This really is your first time!"

Eric grinned and poured three more shot glasses, passing them out. "Let's celebrate the loss of Ken's alcohol virginity!"

Satomi lifted his glass. "I'll drink to that!"

Ken looked down at the glass in his hand. He wasn't an idiot. He knew how quickly the alcohol was affecting him and one more shot and he'd be gone. He thought about his father's words before he left. The man had basically encouraged his son to drink. Thinking that if it was okay with his father it couldn't be that bad, he took the third shot.

Satomi looked at him approvingly. "I always knew you could loosen up," he said.

"Now you're ready to dance!" exclaimed Eric.

Ken laughed.

Suddenly Rinoka popped in out of nowhere. "Did I hear someone say they wanted to dance?"

Eric pushed Ken forward. "Have fun kids," he said with a grin.

Ken stumbled and Rinoka steadied him. "Come on Ken," she said as she dragged him to the crowd of moving bodies.

Ken felt his face heat up, though he wasn't sure if it was due to the alcohol or his embarrassment. He had never danced before and was pretty sure he wasn't that good. Even with the alcohol he didn't think his body would cooperate, but he didn't have much of a choice. They were already in the crowd of dancers and it would be rude to leave Rinoka. So he took a deep breath and hoped everything would work out.

It turned out that he didn't have much to worry about. The place was so crowded that he couldn't do much but rock to the beat of the music. He looked around and copied what other guys were doing and let Rinoka lead, which she was all too happy to do.

They must have been dancing for around twenty minutes when Satomi found them. He had two cups in his hands, which he handed to Ken and Rinoka.

"What is this?" Ken asked as he took the cup.

"Who cares?" grinned Rinoka. She took a large drink of the liquid.

Ken followed her example and choked as the drink burned down his throat. Whatever it was, it was strong. He started coughing and Satomi started rubbing his back, a look of concern on his face.

"Are you okay?" he asked seriously.

Rinoka chuckled. "He just hasn't learned to take his alcohol." She drained her cup. "I'm going to go find Eric." She winked at the two boys and made her way through the crowd.

Ken had recovered enough to take a more careful sip. He grimaced at the taste.

"Too strong?" asked Satomi.

"Just a little," answered Ken. He had a little trouble getting the words out. While the dancing had burned off some of the alcohol, he could still feel the tequila from earlier.

Satomi smiled and grabbed his arm. "Come on, we can put some more juice in it."

Ken let himself be led from the dance floor and back into the kitchen. He sat down on a stool at the counter and watched as Satomi added some more juice to Ken's cup while mixing another one for himself. He handed the drink back to Ken. "There, that should taste a little better."

He took a tentative sip and nodded. He could still taste the alcohol, but it was bearable. "Thanks."

Satomi grinned. "No problem."

"What is this anyway?" asked Ken as he sipped his drink.

"Oh, a little of this, a little of that," he winked. "Doesn't really have a name."

"Ok." He watched as Satomi drained his cup. Satomi's face was getting a little out of focus.

Satomi slammed his cup down and looked at Ken, his eyes widening in surprise. "You're still nursing that thing. Down it Ken, and let's get back to the dance floor."

Ken shrugged and did as he was told. As soon as his cup touched the counter he was pulled back to the dance floor. Satomi led him to the center of the crowd. After finding a spot with enough room for two people, Satomi turned Ken around. With Ken's back to him, Satomi wrapped his arms around him and began to sway along to the song.

"W-what are you doing?" asked Ken, surprised by Satomi's actions.

"Dancing."

"But we're both guys!"

"Does that bother you?" Satomi's mouth was next to his neck, and Ken could feel every breath.

"N-no," Ken stuttered, slightly embarrassed. He glanced around to see if anyone was watching, but everyone was too focused on their own enjoyment.

After a while, Ken relaxed and let Satomi guide them through each song. Satomi chuckled. "That's better. You should really relax more often. You're always so on guard."

"I don't mean to," said Ken lazily. The alcohol combined with the constant rocking was making Ken sleepy.

The songs began to slow down and Satomi turned Ken so they were facing each other. He wrapped his arms around his waist, leaving Ken no option but to place his arms around Satomi's neck.

Satomi watched him. "You know, you have the most beautiful eyes."

Ken blushed. "Are you hitting on me?" The alcohol was making him bolder than usual.

Satomi chuckled. "So what if I am?"

Ken shook his head. "You're drunk."

"So are you."

"And that means you get to take advantage of me?" asked Ken playfully.

"Yes," said Satomi, chuckling. He leaned his forehead against Ken's. "But only if you let me," he whispered.

He inched closer and Ken shut his eyes as lips descended on his own.

Ken woke up with a start when he felt the bed move. He was lying face down in a bed that wasn't his. He turned his head and saw Satomi shifting in his sleep. The previous night came rushing back.

He had been dancing with Satomi when the other boy kissed him. Soon after Satomi had taken him back to his place. They had kissed some more until Ken started feeling sick. After a glass of water, the two had snuggled in Satomi's bed.

Ken stifled a groan. He had enough problems in his life without adding new complications. Then he remembered the dreams he'd been having. The dream Takeru was right, he had to get over Daisuke. Maybe Satomi would help. And none of his other friends would ever have to know. He felt bad about the possibility of using the other boy in that manner. He studied Satomi as he shifted again. Ken noted that he was pretty cute when he was sleeping. And really, he was a nice guy. And he seemed to like Ken. But he didn't want to jump to any conclusions.

Ken jumped as Satomi yawned and stretched. He blinked his eyes open and smiled at Ken. "Morning," he said.

Ken smiled back. "Good morning."

"Feeling any better?"

Ken nodded. "I am, thanks." It was then that he noticed the brightness of the room. "What time is it?" he asked in sudden panic.

Satomi turned to his alarm clock. "About eleven."

"Oh no," moaned Ken. He struggled off the bed. "My parents are going to be so mad."

Satomi watched as Ken collected his things. "Are they super strict?"

"My dad won't be to upset, but my mom's going to be livid!" Satomi chuckled. "I'm serious!" said Ken, defensive.

Satomi shook his head. "Sorry, it's just, I've never actually heard anyone use the word 'livid'."

Ken blushed. "Sorry." He glanced around the room to make sure he had everything. "I better get going."

The other boy nodded and walked Ken to the door. "Hey, how would you like to hang out some time? I mean, just you and mean?"

Ken smiled nervously. "Um, sure. I'd like that. But I can't make any promises until I find out how angry my mother is."

Satomi laughed. "All right, I'll call you then." He grabbed Ken's wrist as he turned to go. With a smile he pulled him closer. He used his other hand to cup Ken's face and leaned in to give him a kiss. He laughed at Ken's blush as he pulled away. "You really are to cute." Ken's blush deepened. Satomi let go. "All right, you should go. Don't want you getting in anymore trouble."

Ken smiled. "I'll see you later." He turned to go.

"I'll call you!" Satomi shouted after him. And no matter how worried he was about his parents, he couldn't seem to stop smiling.

A/N: Ooh, what has Ken gotten himself into? Heaps and heaps of trouble if I have anything to say about it. (giggles) Please, please review. And the next chapter will be out a heck of a lot sooner this time!