Author's Note:

Hey! Look! It didn't take me two months to write the next chapter... heck, not even 1 month passed! I'm very happy.

But anyhow... finally Seiji does some explaining. Hopefully I haven't totally destroyed his character here!

Next chapter I'll either finally write up Shuu's race against Katsu OR I could do a small chapter of Shuu and Seiji being the doing driving practice and being the 'Odd Couple'. I haven't decided yet, so if you have an opinion either way, leave me a review! I'll decide on my own otherwise.

But for now, enjoy!


"Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. I think it might be good."

"I'm not so sure Lin… I mean… it seems sort of…"

"If you say girly I'm going to be mad!" Lin gave a short laugh, though. Shuu grinned back, feeling a bit better after spending his lunch break talking to the sous chef. Honestly, he'd been a bit lost. After that night where Seiji had driven… after that time when he'd heard the blond talking to himself in the other room, Shuu had started to sort of worry. Not at first, but it'd started to bug him more and more. Seiji was always so serious and in control… and while Shuu knew that the blond had a lighter side as well… heck, even when they'd gone after Arago he couldn't remember Seiji ever talking to himself. Going to meditate under a waterfall, yeah, that was Kourin's style, but this? Talking to himself in a darkened room before dawn? Not caring if someone could hear him? It was wrong, and Shuu didn't know how to make it right. It was hard enough for Shuu to even convince himself that he should make it right. After all… this was all putting a large strain on him as well! But in the end Shuu just couldn't ignore a friend if they were in need. Plus, he wasn't completely innocent in any of this. You didn't just walk away from your mistakes. His virtue, the one bound to his armor, wouldn't let him do something so unjust.

But, as he wasn't exactly the master at making nice with Seiji, he'd asked Lin for her advice. Of course, last time she'd been a bit harsh on Seiji, but Shuu had revealed a little bit more of the situation. Not enough to mention the armors or anything else like that. Shuu remembered New York, he remembered that an outsider's life could always be at risk when becoming involved with the armors. Even Jun and Nasutei, they were always at risk. So he'd kept that from Lin, but started to talk more about Seiji's problem, and about how Shuu was sort of caught up in it. Lin had been sympathetic to both of them, and she seemed happy to try and help however she could. Shuu had explained that in the three days since the night of their last big argument, things had become even tenser between the two. Seiji still came to give him lessons, as the race was quickly approaching. However, it was nothing more than the blond silently watching Shuu as he practiced his footwork on the car pedals, Seiji speaking only if he had to.

"Listen, you two need to find something that will help you to sit down and just talk… and what better way to do it than this? I know you can do it, and if he has the manners you say he does, then there's no way he'll refuse it. Is he meeting you for the driving instruction tonight?"

"I… I think so. Maybe."

"Call him… make sure."

Shuu groaned, and Lin flashed him a smile. It was exactly the sort of smile that had made him want to go out with her in the first place. Of course, now she'd begun to feel more like his sister, but the smile was still very pretty on her. He gave her a nod. "Ok, I'll go call him."

"Good." Lin got up, their break was almost over and it was clear she was going to give Shuu the privacy he needed to make the call. She gave him a nod and an encouraging smile, mouthing 'good luck' to him. She seemed genuine, that she really wanted things to go well tonight, and that helped make a bit of weight feel like it was removed from his shoulders. If he thought about it, he'd been feeling like he wanted to crumble a bit lately, too. It was so much up and down between the two of them. Shuu just wasn't made for this, rocks weren't supposed to bounce! But, he flipped open his cell phone, and dialed up Seiji. 'I hope I don't get him in trouble… getting a personal call at work. He might not even answer…' He was just about to give up when suddenly the blond picked up. His voice was hushed and very hurried.

"Hello… Shuu? Is something wrong?" It caught Shuu a bit off guard that Seiji would ask something like that right away, but Kongo assumed the other was just being polite. Understanding that the blond probably didn't have time to talk, he tried to make this quick.

"No, nothing wrong. Are you coming by tonight?"

"Yes, I can."

"Good… come straight over ok? There's something I wanna do…"

"… alright. I'll come directly after work." The two hung up and Shuu let out a breath. Ok… so the blond had agreed. Now… now all Shuu had to do… was make sure he got everything together on time.

-

He heard Seiji open the door, using the key he'd temporarily given him, and glanced up at the clock above him. 'Wow… perfect timing.' He could hear Seiji shut the door, no doubt slipping off his shoes and hanging up his coat before entering in further. Shuu quickly grabbed the last piece of what he'd been working on, and headed for his table. When he got there, he saw Seiji standing there, looking tired yet vaguely surprised by what was laid out on the table before him. Shuu put down the final dish, pulling off an oven mitt and grinning wide at the blond.

"Ta dah! Dinner is served." Seiji raised his eyebrow at Shuu, and without being able to see the other side, it was a little tricky to know just what sort of gesture that was. But then the blond seemed to smile, a slight twinkle of amusement in his blue-amethyst eye.

"Is this… why you wanted me to come straight here?"

"Yep yep! Have a seat, come on."

Seiji hesitated, looking at the food that was laid out before him. It was funny, but even though he knew Shuu worked at a restaurant, the blond hadn't really thought of Shuu as a cook until seeing the wonderful meal set out for him. Politely the blond took a moment to wash his hands off, before sitting down with Shuu at the table.

"Thank you for the meal," he offered quietly, and Shuu just grinned.

"Hey hey, forget about it. Just tell me what you think!" Shuu had actually spent a lot of time trying to remember just what sort of foods Seiji liked. Even if they'd been very infrequently living together for a bit now, they'd mostly been taking care of themselves when it came to meals. Shuu hadn't been paying attention to what Seiji had been eating at all. But one thing, just one thing, had popped out in his mind. Pumpkins. So he'd made sure those were on the menu. Watching as the blond ate (Shuu of course eating as well!), he was inwardly pleased to see that the blond really did seem to like the pumpkins a lot. 'Ok… so I still think Lin's idea was a bit girly, but well, this is nice. We're not yelling at each other.' If things kept going well tonight, Shuu was definitely going to have to do something to thank Lin.

They exchanged some polite conversation over dinner, and Shuu felt really proud when Seiji complimented him on the dinner and seemed to take an actual interest in the restaurant. It was as if somehow he'd just proven himself as a legitimate cook in the eyes of the blond. It was a little strange talking about his work with the blond, considering that for Shuu it was mostly just something he did while trying to forget the armors. Still, Seiji seemed to think it was great.

"You show a lot of talent for it Shuu… I think you should take it more seriously."

"Eh… maybe… I guess I could."

"I'm certain you could."

Shuu shrugged his shoulders for a minute, taking another bite of food and swallowing it down. "Still, there are some great chefs above me where I work, and I don't think any of them are going to retire soon. If I want to move up, I'd probably have to start at another restaurant."

Seiji nodded, and his eyes grew a bit thoughtful. "What about your uncle Chin? His restaurant?"

"What? Go all the way back to New York? No way…" Shuu locked eyes with Seiji for a minute, and had to remind himself that this night wasn't for fighting. He was supposed to get them to relax, get some good food in their bellies, and feel better. He looked down at the table again. "If I did that I'd be even farther away. I'd really never see any of you if I went there." He paused. New York. He was amazed Seiji would even try to talk about that city casually. New York… Little Tokyo in Los Angeles… they were places he wouldn't want to see ever again if he were Seiji. There was a slight gap of silence between the two of them for a moment, before Seiji rose from his seat slowly. He had a smile on his face, even if his eyes felt tired to Shuu.

"Here, let me clean up…"

"Ah, no man, I've got it…"

"Please… you cooked, allow me. I promise not to run away right after."

Shuu's mouth dropped open, and Seiji gave a tiny chuckle. "Fine! It's not like I was worried about that!" He shook his head at the blond, but let the other do as he wished to. 'Well, I guess since he's staying here he should do some of the housework, too!' It gave Shuu a small chance to rest and stretch his body. He'd had to rush to the market and home to get this dinner prepared in time, so it was nice to have a little moment to relax. He knew, with the way they were, that he should get in any relaxation while he could. So he listened quietly while Seiji washed the dishes, almost getting lulled to sleep by the sound of the dishes gently tapping against each other while the blond worked. He didn't even notice when the washing sounds stopped.

"Why do I get the feeling you won't be any good for driving practice tonight?" Shuu snapped to attention, staring at the blond who was standing in front of him with his arms crossed, a slight smirk on his face. Shuu sort of tried to sit up straight real fast, and Seiji's smirk grew just a little. "Don't worry about it Shuu, we can practice tomorrow. Thank you very much for the meal, it was…"

"Wait a minute!" Shuu cut him off as he finally got up out of his chair. Seiji looked a bit upset to be cut off like that, but didn't snap back or anything. Shuu walked over and reached out, putting a hand on Seiji's shoulder. The blond watched him, no doubt trying to discern just what it was Shuu was up to. "Hey… look… come on… let's just… talk for a bit, huh?"

"Talk? Shuu, are you feeling alright?" It was a simple tease, but there was also suspicion in Seiji's eye now. Shuu took a deep breath, scratching at his hair with his free hand.

"I know, I know, this isn't like me right? But I mean… come on Seiji. We've got… we've gotta work this out. Not because of any stupid bets, ok? Tonight… tonight let's forget about all the bets. Forget the stupid race, and forget that I want the armor back." Seiji didn't say anything, just remained in place, and Shuu took that as a sign to keep going. "Look… armor or no armor… I'd like to think we were friends… are still friends. Armor or no armor… we gotta work out whatever the heck is wrong with us. Right? Come on… we're buddies, right?"

It was a bit unnerving, putting himself out there like that. It wasn't that Shuu wasn't used to saying what he felt and what he thought people should do. He liked action, and he didn't back down from things. He was honest to a fault some would say, too simple in philosophy to ever be a good liar. But that was fine with him, his directness and bluntness were what helped to make him who he was. But… asking Seiji to do this with him was a bit different. It was asking to be put in a situation that he knew he wasn't very good at handling. Still… even if Seiji hadn't been able to be there for Shuu back when Katsu had antagonized him… Shuu wanted to be here for Seiji. The light could be fickle. Light could dim or be reflected or bent this way or that by the world… but stone? Stones weren't so easy to manipulate. He was steady… and maybe that's why he just hadn't gotten over everything. 'But maybe that's ok. Maybe I wasn't supposed to. Maybe the guys need me to be the same old guy.'

"You're right…" Seiji finally agreed, and Shuu wanted to punch his fist in the air at the small victory. This was really working! The blond looked away, his hair obscuring most of his face from Shuu. "This talk is probably overdue…"

"Way overdue if you ask me man… now come on. Let's go sit somewhere comfortable. And hey… no breaking my furniture if things go bad!" He was trying to keep this light. He did not want to argue tonight. Even he was starting to drag a bit from all the bruises they'd been giving each other. He was in no hurry to get some more. The two took seats in Shuu's sitting room, the tv left off. An awkward silence seemed to settle down on top of them, though. Seiji sat, serenely looking down at his hands in his lap. Shuu really observed the blond, and for the first time since their reunion, the thought occurred to him that Seiji looked… older. Not like an old man, but there was something to his face, his posture, that was showing a bit of age to it. Oh Seiji was still far away from being an old man, and he could still fight real well. Shuu knew that first hand. But staring at Seiji, Shuu really became aware of how much time had passed. They weren't teens now. They were adults. Adults who didn't know what to do now. Seiji didn't seem to know where to start with this, and Shuu didn't have the tact to be sure he wouldn't say something offensive. Still, Seiji didn't look like he was going to just open up and start confessing whatever was on his mind, so Shuu knew he'd have to plunge in. Throw the first punch, if you wanted to think of it that way.

"Would you come visit me… if I went to work for my uncle in New York?" Shuu decided to pick at the biggest problem he could think of first. If he was wrong then he was wrong, but the fact that Seiji had brought it up earlier had been a little weird. It had meant that it'd been on the blonde's mind, right? Well, Shuu never claimed to be perfect at reading people. The amount of time it took Seiji to construct an answer made Shuu feel he was definitely on the right track though. That one unhidden eye closed, and Shuu almost felt he was going to go crazy from the anticipation.

"You sure don't ask the easy things first, do you?" Seiji's voice was chiding, a little strained again, but you could tell he was working to keep the situation calm as well. A cynical laugh escaped him. "You couldn't have simply asked me about the driving again? Something like that?"

"I could have… but… I don't think that's the big problem. Ya know? I mean… I think Katsu and those guys are a bunch of jerks but… no way would I lose against them. I know ya gotta like me more."

Seiji chuckled. "Of course I do." The laugh was soft and subdued, but Shuu could feel the sincerity in the words. But he could still hear the strain that Seiji was feeling.

"But… I know, it'd be tough right? Going back to New York. I'd get it… if ya didn't want to go back there. Back to where you were tortured like that."

"That's not it," Seiji began, and Shuu tilted his head to the side.

"No?"

"No. Not exactly." Seiji's eyes remained closed, and Shuu wondered why he was keeping himself in the dark like that. Something about the way the blond was breathing tipped Shuu of that he was struggling with something. Struggling to put to words whatever was on his mind. Shuu balled his hands into fists in his lap, wishing he could say something to make it easier on the guy. "Do you remember our last fight?"

"Uh… well yeah."

"You were… talking about being reckless… or me always being in control."

"Yeah… I remember."

Seiji's lips formed a hard tight line. He opened his eyes, only one could be seen but Shuu felt the intensity behind the gaze. "New York… I lost my ability to control anything when I went to New York."

"What? No… hey you can't just…"

"Please… listen…" Seiji's gaze didn't waver, and Shuu stopped his protests for now. He gave the blond a nod, letting him continue. Letting him get this off his chest. Now he was starting to wonder… did he talk about any of this after New York? He hadn't talked to Shuu about it… but he had to have gone to Touma at least, right? Now Shuu wasn't so sure. "When we were fighting Arago… I know we all had our moments when we doubted the armor. When we questioned if it was evil, if it had a purpose, if it would turn us into dark warriors like the Masho. I had come to terms with the armor… I'd… learned that it was my heart that would decide how the power of the armor would be. I had stopped fearing that it would change me."

The two could understand each other perfectly in this. There were only five people in the world who could speak of such things and need no real explanations.

"But then I failed, Shuu. That was when I learned that the control I thought I had over things was all an illusion. I lost control of my senses and let the armor be used by Shikaisen. I let the amor murder people Shuu. A power I was supposed to guard and guide… the most important duty I have ever been given… and I failed. I didn't kill any enemies… I was killing regular… normal… people!" Shuu could hear the vehemence in those words, even if Seiji was still fighting to keep his voice steady. But Shuu shook his head.

"No… you didn't kill anyone… it was that demon sorcerer! He was the one doing it! He was cont-…" Shuu trailed off, not finishing his word. 'Controlling… ah man.' Shuu was starting to see what Seiji meant. "You can't be like that Seiji… that really wasn't your fault."

Seiji shook his head. "I have told myself that… but I simply cannot overlook this. It's still my responsibility. I was still the one, out of everyone, who should have been able to make certain Kourin never committed such sins. They used me… and they gained power to kill. Power to injure all of you even! It made me question everything Shuu… it really did. If I couldn't control the armor… then… what could I really control? It all started to seem too… tiring." The blond finally dropped his gaze, and Shuu didn't know what to say. But it seemed that now that Seiji was talking… finally talking about this, Shuu didn't need to say a lot.

"It made me think of my grandfather a lot… and think of my virtue. Rei… grace." Seiji's gaze seemed sort of empty, as if he was staring at something miles away. "My grandfather worked so hard to 'tame' me when I was younger… to keep in check my temper and my wilder side. I don't know… I almost feel like everything is simply a game of control. Control myself, control the armor. It's why in a way I envy you. No one thinks twice if you just… get angry. If you just… let loose. But I cannot. It's expected of me that I don't."

Shuu frowned a bit, leaning towards Seiji. "Hey… it's ok ya know… if ya let loose sometimes. No one is in control all the time, you've gotta balance it all out, ya know? But no one can be in control all the time… ya know that."

Seiji nodded, and he let his gaze shift back up to Shuu. "Yes, I do. But I'm… I'm afraid of it Shuu. There are times when I feel I need to let go… really push myself and just give something my all. Take myself to the limits and break free. But… it doesn't feel safe. What if I pick the wrong time?"

Shuu scratched at his head. He thought he really got it now. The strain Seiji was feeling, the reason that he was driving in street races. 'He's exhausted from constantly trying to keep control… but he's so worried something like New York will happen again. He needs control but he wants to lose it too… just for a bit at least.' Yeah, he was getting it. "So that's what's behind the racing. You stay in control all the time... except when you go out with them. It's your planned 'go wild time' huh?" Seiji nodded and Shuu leaned back again, a bit overwhelmed for a moment. It'd take his mind a little while to get through all of this, to figure it out. But Seiji was giving him the time.

"So Seiji… were you happy, then? Giving up the armor? Really?"

"In a way… yes. I was relieved. I thought at the time… I would finally relax. I didn't have to control it anymore… so it… wasn't my responsibility anymore."

"But you miss it now?"

"Not the armor… no. But other parts of the past, yes." Shuu let out a long sigh, staring up at his ceiling. He found it odd how what they'd been feeling all these years was similar but different. They both missed the old days, but while Shuu was craving having that responsibility back, Seiji didn't seem to. Shuu almost welcomed the pressure, and the blond had lost a bit of his confidence over it. 'He hid it well… he sure fought hard when we went to Africa.'

"So, that's why you let Katsu push you around like that? Because you don't want to be in control? Sorry man… but I gotta say… that's pretty stupid. If you're gonna give up control, you should be smart about it."

Seiji looked rather cross with him. "Is this where you're going to tell me to just let you make the decisions from now on?"

"No… I don't wanna have to think for anyone but myself. That's enough for me. But I mean hey, I'd be better than Katsu, right? So go ahead, let me be the boss for a bit."

"Shuu… I don't want to give up control completely you know…"

"Yeah yeah… I know. You wanna be able to lose control… but on your terms, right? Haha… man, you're just a big contradiction."

"Gee… thanks."

Shuu laughed a little, and moved so he could sit next to Seiji. He nudged him with his elbow. "Hey… but listen man. You don't have to hide stuff from me, ya know? I was there when you lost control of Kourin… I know what happened… and guess what man? I'm still on your side, right? So… cut me some slack… ok? You're making this a big problem… that's what happens when you over think stuff!" He tapped his own head, as if to say that his way of just reacting to things was better. Seiji gave a slightly amused sigh, but Shuu could see that he was feeling relieved.

"I suppose you're right. Who would have known it was possible? Getting counseling from you."

"Hey!" Shuu playfully punched Seiji on the arm, but there wasn't anything harsh behind it. He laughed a little too.

"Shuu?"

"Yeah?"

"I truly am sorry. That I didn't say anything with Katsu."

"Ok ok… you've apologized before… seriously, I don't want to think about that anymore, ok? Let's just forget that shit, and move on. I seriously wanna kick his ass in the race, and you better help me do it!"

Seiji smirked. "That might be out of my control, you know…"

"I'm gonna blame you if I lose ya know."

"Hey now…"

"Yep, if I lose it's all your fault Seiji."

"No, it'll be because you're clumsy with your feet."

"Hey!" The two actually seemed to playfully bicker for a bit, as if they'd reverted back to their younger selves. It was friendly but chastising, and there was even a little bit of rough housing that was done as well. But it felt good, and Shuu was happy he finally knew what'd been bothering Seiji all this time.

"Seriously though Seiji… you don't have to be worried. We helped ya before, and I don't turn my back on my friends. So… if you ever slip up… I'll be there to kick your ass back into line. Instant control."

The blond looked amused by the statement, as if he wasn't really thrilled to have Shuu 'watching over him' like this. "I really never should have said any of this to you."

"Too late man."

"Yes… too late."

Shuu looked at the clock. It was getting late. Getting very dark.

"So, as a reward for me playing psychiatrist tonight… and cooking you the best dinner ever… can I please finally drive the car tonight?"

Seiji looked at him critically, appraising him, when finally his composure set and returned again. He wasn't looking as strained or tired as he'd been earlier, but he also looked like he was done being a little bit goofy. He looked like he had some of his confidence back again, he felt more grounded. His eye didn't seem so dim. He looked like… well, Seiji. This was what he was supposed to look like. Calm and collected… but with all that talent bundled up underneath, always wanting out. The blond nodded his head.

"Alright. You can drive."