Chiyoku says: I can't believe it's been over a month since I last updated! I'm not going to try to make any excuse. The honest truth is that I just didn't feel like it. I've been getting more into "Harry Potter" stories. And I read a "Smallville" story for the first time a few days ago…I'd watched the teevee series for a while but I never thought of reading fickies about it…not bad really… My faves for the "Harry Potter" stories are where Harry is dark or a slytherin.

On another note, another reason for my absence in the writing world is that my uncle's visiting! He's the coolest! He's a doctor and travels around the world for conventions and stuff so I don't see him often…But now that he's here! It's awesome! I've been staying in his Hotel room with him and practically emptying the mini-bar every day! And at night he tries to sneak me into nightclubs with him…but it never works, he tries to dress me up to look older so they won't ask for ID…but I look so young… it's a bit sad really..heh…Ah well…I still have to go to school though…he takes me every day and picks me and my brothers up and takes us out for lunch and stuff. Although Seth and Tenoshi have other things to do mostly… Oh! My uncle doesn't know that Seth and I are lovers! So no one say anything! Okay? In fact…my mom doesn't know either…she might suspect something…you know how mothers are…somehow they always seem to know everything…but she hasn't said anything concrete and she hasn't complained either…so if she knows…I guess she's okay with it…Sarah could never find out thou…she doesn't mind this kind of relationships in manga or anime…but in real life it kinda irks her…

Enough rambling! Thank you everyone for your reviews and I hope you keep them coming! You all know how reviews always seem to inspire us into writing. I hope you're enjoying this story! And if you're not…what are you still doing here? You'd think that at this point, the regular readers should be the ones that actually enjoy the reading it.

Warning: a lusty Touma equals spilled secrets, Ryuichi displays unusual cunning, Tatsuha is a sucker for punishment.

Enjoy!

When the cold takes its toll

A fanfiction by Chiyoku Shibata

Chapter 14: Undeclared Smarts

I have you right where I want you, you sucker! Ryuichi smirked mentally as he giggled outwardly at the accidental double meaning of his sentence. Pulling the lollipop from Touma's mouth with a pop, Ryuichi rejoiced at the throaty moan that he caused on Touma. Time for the climax of my plan. I'm so evil! Ryuichi would have delivered the timely evil cackle if it wouldn't ruin his plans. But grinding onto Touma once more, he said, "Say, Toumakun, what really happened to Shuchan? I wanna know everything!"

Touma heard the question, somehow, it sounded oddly suspicious to him. But for the life of him, he couldn't form a coherent thought as Ryuichi kept his mind muddled by pleasure. So, naturally, he decided that blurting the truth was the best course of action, considering he couldn't think of anything else at the moment. But it didn't matter, what harm could the truth do, right? He'd say anything to get Ryuichi to do better things with his mouth than talk.

"Mmhh…apparently Eiri lashed out at Shindou…it was a matter of time, in my opinion…ah…with Eiri's cold and short tempered personality against Shindou's stupidity…ahaah…it was bound to happen…Shindou ran out…that's the last thing Eiri knew…nnhh…ah…but then I found out from Tatsuha that….nnnhhah…he ran into Shindousan outside Eiri's and took him to my bachelor apartment…in a moment of weakness he…ah…he raped Shindou…so naturally, I have to keep the boy hidden, Eiri can't find out or he'll neuter the boy…no idea where Shindou is…he ran out on Tatsuha this morning…ah…"

Touma finished his concession as he threw his head back and pulled Ryuichi closer. But the singer had better plans as he jumped from Touma's lap in shock. Staring with a stunned expression, straight into Touma's eyes, it was seconds after that Touma regained his composure and sat up in alarm. Cursing under his breath, he realized he'd fallen, once again, for Ryuichi's dirty tricks.

"Ryuichi…wait." He whispered as his hand shot up to grab the singer. But Ryuichi was faster as he took a step back, arms up in defense and he ran out of Touma's office, a dark look in his eyes that was not missed by the president.

Touma slapped his forehead in defeat. What have I done? I've released the monster within…this is gonna cost me. He sighed deeply as he got up and went to his secret stash of very strong alcohol. Serving himself a glass on the rocks, he left the bottle out and went to the window and observed the rain that had seemed to get stronger and darker by the second.

Ryuichi ran out of the N.G. building at top speed, into the rain that he barely felt in his rage. Tatsuha! I'm gonna kill you, you hot bastard! After you, I'll kill that iceberg of your brother! Pound some sense into him! Don't worry Shuchan! I'll exact your revenge!

Some time later, a bang and a slam were heard as Ryuichi blew the door away with Kumagoro's miracle beam of destruction. The hinges flew everywhere and pieces of wood got stuck in weird places as Ryuichi stood in the midst of the destruction, hands on his hips, a dark look reflected in his eyes and a Punisher tee-shirt flying of his shoulders like a cape. But the wetness from the rain dripped off his hair and clothes, damaging the carpet and ruining the evil effect that the singer had tried to pull off.

Looking around the apartment he spotted Tatsuha sitting on the couch clutching his stomach with one hand, and can of beer on the other that looked forgotten as it dripped to the puddle on the floor. A look of pain and misery was etched on the boys face and it seemed that he hadn't even notice Ryuichi burst in.

For his part, Ryuichi stared at the boy as he let his posture drop and his anger melted into pity. A few moments later, Tatsuha made a retching motion and jumped to his feet, stumbling to the bathroom. Ryuichi gasped a bit and ran to aid the boy. He noticed that Tatsuha didn't even acknowledge his presence. It was a bit unnerving.

Dropping to his knees, Tatsuha grasped the toilet's edges weakly as he threw up. He'd already lost count how many times this had happened and his throat was hurting. Something seemed to be holding him up and he was slightly grateful for whatever it was that was assisting him. Although, in his opinion, he didn't deserve the help.

But make no mistake, because Tatsuha wasn't throwing up on purpose. Who in their right mind would even consider it? Especially with the pain that came with it after several times of having done it.

After his body seemed to have finished the task, Tatsuha stared mindlessly inside the toilet, at the remnants of what had been in his stomach. It was mostly a yellow, sort of brown, kind of liquid, but there was also something red mixed in there. His stomach hurt immensely and his head seemed like it was barely in place. His arms and feet felt awkward, as if he hadn't used them in a while, and they didn't have much strength in them.

"Shit, Tatsuha! You threw up blood!" exclaimed Ryuichi in astonishment. Tatsuha turned his head around a bit and recognized his God through the haze he saw.

"Sakumasan, I'm sorry…so sorry…" he said weakly.

"It doesn't matter right now! Let's get you cleaned up first! Maybe we should take you to the hospital…"

"No! No hospital! I can't be seen! You should leave me be, too, Sakumasan. I'm not worthy of your presence." He exclaimed hoarsely.

"Worthy? Don't be stupid! No hospital but let me help you! I'll help you no matter what!" responded Ryuichi as he helped the boy to his feet.

"I did a terrible, terrible thing, Sakumasan. I deserve to suffer and die for it…" he said pitifully.

Ryuichi sighed deeply as he opened the water valve for Tatsuha to clean himself.

"That holds no reigns right now over whether or not I decide to help you. We'll talk about it when you're feeling better, physically." Explained Ryuichi with a demanding voice, and Tatsuha couldn't do anything else but listen to his God's words.

An hour and much effort later, Ryuichi was staring at Tatsuha as the boy started surrendering to the tempting call of Ryuichi's singing voice over the speaker that seemed to lull him to sleep.

When he had arrived at Touma's apartment, the older man had really been intent on making the boy pay for what he had done to Shuchan. But it seems he's already punished himself enough…He threw up so much that he hurt his throat and his stomach…if it's any indication by the blood he threw up and the stomach acids. What's worst is that some fault of his actions must inadvertently fall on me… for having forced Shuchan into sex…because it wasn't Shuchan that Tatsuha wants…

At this he sighed deeply as he extended a hand to ghost over Tatsuha, not quiet daring to touch the boy in fear he'll awake. He listened to himself singing a rare slow ballad over the speakers and he sighed deeply again as his head dropped down towards the floor, hands falling at his sides but his eyes never leaving the tortured sleeping features of the young boy. Tatsuha was having a nightmare. Tatsuha was suffering.

…it's me…

Chiyoku says: This is it for now! I've been trying to make some plans for future chapters thou…so I won't be completely out of the loop when I write…

I hope you liked this chapter and that it wasn't confusing. But it shouldn't be terribly complicated, right? Or am I over-estimating you?

Read and Review Please! Please? Anyone? ...sniff… review!