SUMMARY: Well, this is pretty much what I think might happen after the end of the Saint Beast anime. Ends with the final fight between the Saint Beasts and Yuda and Ruka. Since I love them all too much, there won't be character deaths.

You might notice Rei is sort of the main character. He's so cute ;3

I thought of this story while listening to the song You'll Never Know, by Kingdom Come. It's just as cute as Rei…;)

There are a lot of pairings in this story, but I'll be mainly focusing on the friendship between Rei and Shin, and the love between Rei and Ruka.

In case you didn't notice yet, I love Rei… So he'll probably will get lots of trouble in this story *evil laugh*

RATED: M, for what might happen in some chapters.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters

Please R & R

This chapter is kind of fluff… ;3 Not just Rei/Ruka, but also Shin/Yuda. Not much action in this chapter, it's mostly talking.

It was pretty hard to fly in these caves, but it was a lot faster than walking. Still, it was a relieve when Ruka finally got out, and could gain some height. The fresh air above the forest seemed to do Rei good. At least, his breathing got a little stronger. With a soft sigh, Ruka looked at his beautiful angel, lying in his arms so quietly. Unbelievable he had almost killed Rei. Unbelievable that he had hurt him so much in the first place. He had seen the hurt, uncertain look in Rei's golden eyes, when the frail angel had woken up. Like he was scared of Ruka hating him. While Rei himself had every right to hate Ruka.

Still, despite how guilty he felt when looking at his pale face, it felt so amazing to hold the purple haired angel in his arms again. Rei's slender body felt so soft and warm, his skin as smooth as silk. Unbelievable that one so beautiful and sweet could still love someone like him, after all he and Yuda had done. "Rei…" he whispered, only for the joy of saying his name. Rei didn't respond, not that Ruka had expected him to. Though he didn't know what happened before Rei and the rest had found him and Yuda, he saw the now useless bandages around Rei's left arm. And he felt Rei's body being a bit too warm. The fever plus the recent shock were probably enough to knock him out for a while.

Through the air, especially with Ruka's strength, it only took about half an hour to get to the cave's entrance. Holding his unconscious friend as close to his body as possible, Ruka dived in. When he got down, he turned and went into the other exit so fast, the magic seal barely had the chance to affect him. No matter how short the trip was, Rei´s body trembled slightly. "Don´t worry, we´ll be out of here in seconds," he whispered in Rei's ear. It could be just his imagination, but the purple haired angel seemed to relax a bit at his voice.

When they got home, Ruka noticed the two half angels who he had been staying with the Saint Beasts since after Ruka and Yuda had been gone, weren't home. Maybe better this way, he would certainly have some explaining to do for barging in with Rei unconscious in his arms. In silence, he found Rei's room and laid the beautiful angel on his bed. Rei looked slightly awkward, making Ruka wonder if his friend would be more comfortable without his clothes and underneath the blanket. But wouldn't he be embarrassed at Ruka undressing him? Well, he wasn't exactly awake right now, but still.

"Will you let me undress you?" he asked softly. Rei didn't respond. His clothes were dirty, Ruka noticed. Full of mud and some dirt from the caves. "I won't look at anything," he promised, with a soft smile. If Rei could hear this, he would have such a cute blush on his cheeks right now.

Carefully, Ruka undressed his frail angel. His soft skin was paler than usual, and he had obviously lost weight since the last time Ruka had been given the chance to see him from this close. His body was still beautiful, though a bit feminine. Ruka couldn't help from stopping in his tracks for a moment, giving himself the chance to watch his beloved. After a few seconds, he fully undressed him, and laid him underneath the blanked. Rei looked a lot more comfortable like this. But also a bit cold.

For a moment, Ruka considered searching for some nightwear, but decided he had a better idea. Careful not to accidentally disturb him, Ruka took off his shoes and laid down next to Rei. Even unconscious, his frail friend still snuggled against his chest, with a content little sigh. Ruka smiled again, tenderly embracing Rei. Unbelievable how breathtakingly gorgeous his friend was right now. He just wanted to hold him like this forever. Rei's body so close to his, he could feel the other's slow heartbeat. Rei's face so close that Ruka could have kissed him without even having to lift up his head. But he wouldn't do that. That wouldn't be right, while Rei couldn't even move away.

"Love… you," Rei sighed. "Hmm… Ruka." Deep asleep again, Rei stopped talking. Leaving it too Ruka to feel so happy it almost hurt.

"I wonder how they are." Gai immediately ran up the stairs and went to Rei's room when they got home. Goh, Shin and Yuda followed at a slower pace, but also hurried. They almost bumped into Gai when the blonde angel suddenly stood still in the doorway. "Aww, cute," Gai giggled.

In the bed, Rei and Ruka were both sleeping, Rei on his back with his face in Ruka's direction, and Ruka all curled around him, holding him tight. Shin noticed that Rei looked far more happy than he had seen him in months. Well, he felt a lot happier himself too, he realized, gently grabbing hold of Yuda's hand. The red haired angel squeezed his hand softly and smiled at him. His eyes were still darkened by guilt, but he also seemed exhausted.

"You might better get some sleep too," Shin remarked. Yuda nodded silently. "Can… can I stay with you?" 'Please let me stay' he begged in his mind.

"I'd really like you to," Yuda admitted. "I don't really feel like being alone right now."

For some reason, that made him feel glad. Yuda needed him. Gently, he pulled Yuda with him to his own room, which was next door. The red haired angel followed without any hesitance. When they reached the bed, Shin felt a bit awkward and uncertain about what to do, but Yuda embraced him tenderly. Before Shin could even turn around, Yuda let himself dropping down on the bed, dragging Shin with him. They landed softly in the bed sheets, and Shin sighed softly.

"Do you… trust me for real?" Yuda asked quietly, his face pressed against Shin's slim back. His voice was trembling slightly.

"Of course I do," Shin replied calm. "You saved Rei's life. And would I have intentionally brought you to my room if I didn't trust you? You could do anything to me you want." He realized to late how suggestive that had sounded, and blushed. This was probably a lot easier for Rei and Ruka, since Rei wasn't even awake. Still, he could imagine how much his friend was going to be blushing once he would wake up in Ruka's arms.

He felt Yuda smiling, even though he couldn't see his face. "Anything? Like… what, exactly?"

"Err, well… you know." Shin sighed and turned to his other side, facing Yuda. "Never mind, that didn't really come out how I meant it." He smiled softly. "You're tired. Go to sleep."

Yuda smiled back at him before closing his eyes. "Don't leave while I'm asleep," he whispered.

"I won't," Shin promised, wrapping his arms around his angel. He wished he had the courage to say what Rei had told Ruka. 'I love you' he thought, but didn't dare to say it out loud. Though he knew for ninety percent sure that Yuda felt the same way, there was that other ten percent that scared him. If he would say it, and Yuda would be embarrassed, their deep friendship would never be the same. As the red haired angel slowly fell asleep in his arms, Shin vowed to him and himself that once, soon, he would tell.

It was already dark outside when Rei finally opened his eyes. His head was still hurting a bit, and he felt strangely warm. Not feverish warm anymore, just… warm. With a soft sigh, still trying to recall the events from the pat day, he closed his eyes again and rolled over to his left side. And felt no pain from his arm. Surprised, he opened his eyes again, and gasped. Ruka's beautiful face was just mere inches away from his own, the arms of the other angel wrapped around him in a close, protective hug. In a flash, all that happened came back to him, and he was wide awake in an instant. "Ruka…" So that why he felt so warm.

His angel looked so tired, his face pale from worry. Would it be wrong to wake him up now? But… Rei had waited so long to get him back, and in the caves he had barely been able to speak to him. "Ruka!" Softly, he shook at Ruka's shoulder. "Hey, Ruka! Wake up!"

"What?" Ruka mumbled, pulling him closer as if he were a teddy bear. "Five more minutes…" Rei couldn't help but to smile at Ruka's innocent behavior. But suddenly, Ruka seemed to realize where he was, and he practically jumped on Rei, his eyes full of worry. "Is something wrong?"

"Eh… no," Rei stuttered, blushing terribly. The way Ruka laid almost on top of him was a bit… awkward. It did feel good, though. Safe, somehow. "I just wanted… just wanted to talk.. Since I missed you so much. I'm sorry I woke you up, but I just couldn't wait until morning." Ruka looked at him, still a bit of worry in his crimson eyes. Finally, he smiled a bit and laid back down, pulling Rei against his chest.

"I thought you were in pain or something," he whispered. "Sorry for jumping onto you like that."

Rei had actually enjoyed it quite a bit, after the initial startle. But he felt too shy to tell Ruka that. "Don't worry about that," he sighed, snuggling even closer to his friend. How long had he been longing for this? This irreplaceable feeling of safeness and love. Ruka's warmth, the touch of his skin, his smell. It wasn't until now that Rei realized that he himself was only wearing underwear. Ruka only wore thin pants. "Did… did you undress me?" he asked quietly, feeling his face getting even more red.

Ruka smiled unsure. "Well, yeah. You didn't look too comfortable, lying here with your clothes on. So…" He seemed to embarrassed to finish his sentence. "I'm sorry, if it bothers you."

"It doesn't!" Rei said quickly. "I was just wondering, that's all."

Ruka tenderly caressed Rei's slender back. "How has someone with such a passion for cooking like you, become so thin?"

"I… haven't been that hungry, that's all," Rei answered vaguely.

"You were depressed," Ruka understood, his voice tainted with guilt. "I'm sorry, it's my fault."

"Stop apologizing," Rei said softly and with a faint smile. "I know there's a lot to talk about, but I'm not angry with you for anything."

"Not even for how I… I almost…" Ruka looked at a spot beside Rei's face. "I almost killed you."

"Ruka…" Softly, his face more red than ever, Rei gave him a soft, quick kiss on his cheek. "Like I told you in the cave, I love you. You regret it, and I know you'll never do such a thing to me ever again. So I forgive you." He laid his hand on Ruka's cheek, forcing the other angel too look directly at him. "Now all you have to do, is to forgive yourself."

Ruka looked at him, exhausted but also a bit happier than moments before. "Maybe I will. Someday." He blinked slowly. "What time is it?"

"I don't know. Somewhere in the middle of the night, probably." Rei smiled when Ruka's eyes slid shut, and the silver haired angel had to shake his head to stay awake. "Shall we go for a walk tomorrow? We can talk all you want then."

"Okay," Ruka mumbled, smiling sleepily.

Rei softly caressed his friend's hair, until Ruka's eyes slid shut and he fell asleep. Warm and comfortable in his angel's arms, it didn't take long before Rei followed. That night, he didn't have any nightmares, and hopefully, he wouldn't have them ever again.

Seems like the end of the story… but it isn't! (you're not rid of me yet ;D) Not wondering where Kira and Maya have gone? And what has happened with the demons that were helping Yuda and Ruka?

Next chapter will be uploaded in a few days (as always)