Disclaimer: If I owned Hana-Kimi and its characters like Hisaya Nakajo does, I'd be sooo happy. (Craig from South Park, tourettes episode? Anyone get that? Anyone at all? Damn.)

Woooo! Gin-Ryuko, my ego's not being over-inflated, so don't worry. If anything I'm kinda modest cause not many of my friends are as into this kinda thing as me. Also, XxMailxXJeevasxXMihaelxXKeehlx, thank you very much too! You guys make me so happy I wanna...I don't even know! (Showers both with virtual cookies!)

Ch. 15: Beautiful Mornings, Strange Afternoons

Umeda awoke slowly. The sunlight streaming in through the room gave everything an almost heavenly glow. Against his shoulder, he felt a cool, marble-like surface. He shifted, curling into the marble. Ryoichi was woken up as Umeda shivered. He instinctively held him closer, although that really did no good.

"So," he murmured, "do you forgive me?"

"I was never angry." Umeda whispered honestly, straining his neck to kiss Ryoichi. The vampire smiled and traced the curve of his bare collarbone. He pulled back to stretch lazily and rolled onto his back. Umeda gazed at his lover's gorgeous profile, not wanting to spoil the moment. Nonetheless, something was bugging him. The doctor opened his mouth tentatively.

"Ryoichi?"

"Hm?"

"Do you know anything about…werewolves?"

Ryoichi's expression didn't change as he asked, "Why do you ask?"

"I just… I heard there's one in town, and I was wondering…"

"Is Ichijo-kun scaring you?"

He winced. "—Is he that much better looking than me?"

Now, the black-haired man turned. "Hokuto, are you questioning my loyalty to you?" the wording of the question made Umeda feel guilty.

"Well, I just was led to believe—"

Ryoichi turned to whisper in the doctor's ear. "Relax, Hokuto. Who could be better looking than you?" he blew a quick breath into his ear, making Umeda flinch. "Besides, you can't be matched in you…other talents." He kissed his way down Umeda's neck. The megane turned the nonchalant reply and suggestive compliment over in his head.

"So then… you wouldn't kiss anyone else—" Ryoichi's hand covered his mouth.

"Quit talking." He whispered against his neck. Umeda nodded obediently and kissed Ryoichi's palm. His eyes closed as he passed into a different state and Ryoichi bit his neck gently now, and stroking his back with his free hand. Umeda prayed this morning would last forever.

KUKKUKUKUKUUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKU

"DOCTOR!" the shrill voice of Candice met Umeda's ears. He groaned and laid his head on his desk, covering it with his arms. His wild-eyed friend barged in, practically knocking the door off its hinges. "DOCTOR! You are so mean!" she announced.

"What the hell did I do to you?" he demanded.

"Not me! Akiha!"

Umeda snapped his head up. "What about that idiot?"

Candice glared coldly. "That much I don't know. But what I do know is that I was talking to him recently and he seemed depressed. The only one who could make someone as happy as him upset is you."

"Like I give a crap about that stupid, girly-haired son of a bi—"

"Umeda!" she cried. "Why are you so mean to him? You didn't see the pain in his eyes when I was talking to him! And hey, all he ever does is worship you."

"Like I need a goddamn fangirl."

Candice sat on his desk, turning to look at him. "Ok." Her voice was considerably softer. "What did you say? What did he say?" the girl could be pretty damn smart when she wanted to be. He frowned, sincerely remorseful for upsetting the photographer. What had he done to the fragile idiot? "And," she pressed further, "how long ago did you sleep with him?" Umeda's eyes grew wide. She lost control and burst into a fit of laughter.

"Why you—!" he knocked her off the desk.

"OW! Ha ha ha, Doctor!" she was still giggling.

"In all seriousness, Candice, he said some unforgivable things about Ryoichi."

"Ryoichi is a dickhead." He bonked her head. "OW! Stop that!"

"And besides," Umeda continued, "if that idiot's so sensitive and fragile, why's he set himself up for it?"

Candice grinned. "Good question. And to help answer, I brought guest star Akiha Hara who has been waiting for my introduction."

"Very funny." The doctor said sarcastically.

"Actually, Umeda-senpai, it's not a joke." Akiha's voice made him jump. He turned to face the younger man. Akiha smiled tightly, but made no attempt to lurch forward like he usually did.

"Hello, senpai." He said awkwardly.

"Hi, Akiha." Umeda responded dumbly.

"Should I leave you two alone, or officiate so a fight doesn't break out?" Candice chirped.

"We'll take it from here, Candice-chan. Thanks so much." The blond answered. They passed supporting smiles as she walked out (and hid behind the door, peeking in through the crack).

"Why are you here?" Umeda grumbled.

"I can't live like this, Umeda-senpai, I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" he begged.

The doctor raised an eyebrow. "Wait. You help me when I'm running a high fever, and tell me that you love me. Then, I slap you and you come apologizing to me?" he asked incredulously.

"Um…yes…?" the photographer answered uncertainly.

"I guess we both made mistakes, Akiha. We both stepped out of line. You aren't quite as terrible or as stupid as I originally thought. And…I'm willing to forgive you so we can be friends. Is that Ok?"

Akiha stared blankly. Finally, he lunged Umeda. "Oh, Umeda-senpai! You've made me so happy! I want to be friends too!" Umeda surprised himself by not pulling back. Akiha was so…warm. The pleasant feeling of warmth from another human's body was something he hadn't felt in a long time. Akiha had a sweet, soothing smell and his radiant personality seemed to be wearing off on his senpai. "Um…can I ask you a favor? The taller man asked, loosening his grip and hoping the doctor hadn't been smothered.

"Ok. I guess."

"Well, if we're friends now, can I call you Hokuto? Or Hokuto-senpai?"

"Yeah. Personally, I never understood the formalities. We graduated years ago."

"Ok. Yay!"

This is too weird, Umeda thought, how did Akiha Hara become my friend? This is all so wrong!

"Senp—Hokuto?" Akiha's soft, sweet voice jarred his thoughts. He looked up, mildly surprised to see Akiha was still hugging him… holding him close.

"Uh…" he felt flustered by this, "Oh, what?" he asked, feeling stupid.

"I—I don't regret what I said that made you so angry. Even if it makes you hate me, I'd rather end it all here if you do get mad. What I mean is, what was just my motto has become the truth. 100 percent. I love you, Hokuto Umeda." Without another word, he leaned down to kiss Umeda gently. In response, the doctor gasped in shock. He reached slowly, tensing to hit the photographer as hard as he could. Akiha watched this all, his deep brown eyes open. He glanced at his heart's desire, then at the fist at shoulder level. Go ahead. End all this pain and confusion now if it makes you happy, senpai. Just let me know so I can learn to move on. Umeda loosened his fist slowly. He reached down to lace his fingers with Akiha's. His left arm he draped around the taller man's shoulder.

Closing his eyes, he kissed Akiha back softly. What the hell am I doing?

Both men fell into this surprisingly naturally, like it wasn't a first time thing. Behind the crack in the door, Candice almost cried out loud. She clamped her hand over her mouth and forced herself to turn away. Deciding to see herself out, she smiled slowly.

"Thank you, Akiha." She whispered.

Wuh-Oh. Hoku-kun's getting suspicious. The scene break was yet another shout out to my foxychan friend! (hearts) Yay! 16 reviews to date! You guys are awesome! Please review if you haven't been, 20th reviewer gets a prize i'm yet to conceive!