-1Chapter 14

Yohji was grinning like a fool and he knew it. Things between him and Aya were perfect. Aya's sex drive was through the roof. Yohji didn't want to admit it, but he was actually sore from having fucked Aya so many times in one day. But he would never admit it to the swordsman. He didn't want Aya to feel like he would ever be denied sex when he wanted it.

"Could you two rabbits at least keep it down?" Ken interrupted his thoughts. He supposed they were pretty loud. Aya, for all his normal stoicism was very sensitive which made him pretty loud when Yohji played his body perfectly.

"No, we can't. Buy some earplugs," Yohji snickered, peeking over Ken's shoulder at the monstrosity that he was cooking.

"Hungry?" Ken asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"Nope, just want a coffee," Yohji made a B-line for the coffee maker.

The ringing of the phone nearly made him jump out of his skin.

"Hello?" Yohji waited. He could hear the other person breathing on the other end.

"Is the other pretty kitty home?" Mastermind. What the fuck? How had he gotten the number.

"None of your damned business," Yohji hung up the phone. He wasn't going to play that game. Mastermind was obviously pissed at Aya for not feeling like he owed him a thing.

Aya's presence in the room made Yohji jump. When had he gotten there. Yohji could tell by the dark look in his eyes that Aya knew what that call was about.

"We'll deal with his shit as it comes, baby, don't worry," Yohji went to take Aya in his arms, only to have the swordsman sidestep out of the way.

Without a word Aya headed toward the stairs. Yohji could guess that Aya was going to practice with his sword. Normally he'd be right behind him to watch. Seeing Aya with his sword was sexy as hell. But right now he couldn't help but worry. Mastermind was going to make his move any time now. It was only going to get worse.

Regardless, he didn't like how withdrawn Aya was when he wasn't pulling Yohji into a corner. He was becoming his old self way too quickly. Yohji was just glad he could read him so well now after having taken care of him. It wasn't that Aya was trying to put distance between them. Yohji wouldn't allow it even if he was. No, Aya was angry and needed to take out his frustrations.

Yohji poured himself a cup of coffee. The smell was so relaxing. He wished Aya liked coffee. It would be nice to be able to sit down and drink coffee together. Aya liked tea, but didn't like company while he was enjoying it.

"Shouldn't you go and talk to him?" Omi asked, watching Yohji like he had done something wrong.

"He doesn't want to talk right now, trust me," Yohji snorted. The phone rang again. Yohji really didn't want to answer it, but he didn't have much choice. If he didn't answer and it was that asshole he would show up to give his warped message.

"Its ten o'clock, do you know where your kitty is?" was followed by laughter. Yohji slammed the phone down into its cradle.

Yohji headed for the stairs. He had to make sure that Aya was okay. He was pretty sure that it was an asinine trick, but he had to be sure.

Out on the balcony Aya stood, practicing, the tension finally gone from his body, leaving nothing but the focus of a murderer. That was so fucking sexy!

Yohji slid outside, something Aya had gotten accustomed to. The first few times Yohji had crept up on him he'd ended up with a sword pointed at his throat. Aya nodded at him briefly before continuing his practice.

"Mastermind called again. I thought you might be in danger," Yohji admitted, leaning against the railing.

Aya didn't answer. Yohji was at least hoping for his annoyed 'm'fine' or something. But Aya just continued to dance with his sword.

"I know our last mission bothered you. Are you okay? I mean I know how much that mission hit home. Now that you've seen that the Chibi can take care of himself are you okay?" Yohji took his chances, coming up behind Aya and wrapping his arms around him. He rested his head against Aya's shoulder. There was nothing sexual about it. He just wanted to comfort Aya, even though the stubborn man wouldn't admit that he was upset.

"Yohji, It should be obvious even to you that I am busy. Let go of me," Aya snarled, turning in his arms and shoving him away. Okay, it had been a while since he had done that.

"If its not about the Chibi, then what are you so angry about? I know I didn't do anything wrong because I literally haven't done anything today other than have sex with you and drink coffee."

"It has nothing to do with you," Aya went back to his practice. Yohji was confused. What the hell? Was he going to have to pry it out of him?

"Shouldn't it be against your honour code to lie or something?" Yohji scratched at the back of his head.

"Shut up, you don't know what you're talking about. Go inside and drink your damned coffee!" Aya pointed the sword at him, warning him off.

Okay, so it was going to come down to this?

Yohji released his wires, wrapping them tight around Aya's sword and pulling. Aya budged, clinging to his sword. He wasn't going to give in easily.

"Tell me what's bothering you and I'll stop trying to steal your sword," Yohji yanked again. Aya was so completely pissed Yohji was half-surprised he couldn't see the steam coming out of his ears

"I don't owe him anything! He put me in that situation! He told Dante I would be there and how to take me down! The fact that he prevented Dante from…it doesn't matter because he was part of taking me! I owe him nothing! But what will he do now as revenge for me turning him away? Will he tell a target to shoot you, or me? Will he set up Ken or Omi to be victims where we can't save them?" Aya shouted.

"We have to deal with this as a team, Aya. You might be his target right now, but the safety of the team is just that! Every member of the team has his worth, and there's no way in hell that any of us will turn our backs on you! And if we work as a team we can stop that bastard in his tracks. This affects all of us, so we have to deal with it together!" Yohji yanked Aya into his arms. This time the swordsman didn't push him away. He didn't return the hug, either.

"You have it wrong, Yohji. You will be his target. He knows by now that the best way to get to me is through you. Will it take another bullet to the brain to keep you safe?" Now Aya was pulling away, but not forcefully.

"I will protect you," Aya assured.

"I don't need your protection, Aya. I'm a big boy, I can deal with Mastermind as well as you can. There`s four of us and only one of him. There`s no way he can take us all down."

"There`s four of them, too, Yohji,"

"yeah, but I don`t see them showing their faces, do you?"