Brother Therapy

Her nii-san waltzed back in the room, swinging a bottle of amber spirits carelessly in his hand, a few sparse phrases exchanged between him and his equally nonplussed companion. Anger lanced through her. She'd been dealing with a family crisis while he raided a liquor stash with his new buddy. They were his parents too. This was his life, his name, his reputation - damnitall, she was his sister! Not Tora!

Setsu started to stalk across the room, intent on ripping both of the miscreants a new one. She stopped, her eyes lighting up. No- the perfect revenge wouldn't be reaming him out, but treating him in kind. He'd left her with Quincey; with Quincey she would go.

Setsu spun on her heel, the loose lace of her top swishing around her hips. Where did His Little Lordship go? She caught him by the chocolate fountain- with Shingai.

Setsu bared her teeth in frustration. She felt like a caged lioness in the zoo, hemmed in on all sides by complete idiots who couldn't understand she just wanted to rip a new one in EVERYONE. She almost roared aloud, but settled on grabbing a flute of champagne from the nearest waiter and chugging the contents.

A firm grip clasped her elbow, pulling her drink down from her thirsty. "Damn it, if you don't let me just do what I want-"

"Setsu," his voice was gentle; his eyes full of question. She snarled at him. "Setsu…" He repeated, reaching out to stroke her hair. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what? Sorry for leaving me to deal with everything? Sorry for drinking when you know I don't like that? Sorry for dumping me with the other 'little blonde' to run off with your new best friend? Why don't you and Tora just go f* yourselves and I'll run off with Quinceton and become Her Ladyship!" She was yelling. She was making an awful scene, and she knew it, but the tears were threatening and the only thing she could think of to make it stop was anger.

Cain's arms scooped her up, sweeping her off her feet as easily as a child. She cried out in shock and embarrassment, then started to hit him. Her body was responding to his touch without her permission, sinking into him gratefully, warming and flushing at the feel of his hands on her thigh and shoulder. She hated it. She loved it. "Damn it, nii-san," she muttered, burying her face in his chest. "Can't you just let me be mad?"

She felt his head shake "no," gripping her more tightly as he walked out of the house without a word of departure. She whacked him once with her fist, thumping as hard as she could on his chest. His grip shifted slightly; she heard him open a car door. He sat down with her on his lap, filling the back seat of a taxi. The driver objected, calling over the seat for both passengers to buckle up, but a single glare from Cain silenced him to quiet mutters about them being liable, not him.

He cradled her against his chest all the way up to their penthouse room, only setting her down on the couch once they were safely inside. He knelt in front of her, his head on level with hers even though he was on his knees. She tried to pout but had to avert her eyes in order to keep up the pretense. Thirty minutes of lap time had worked it's magic on their way here and she could barely remember why she was angry.

That's right. Tora. She crossed her arms.

Nii-san sighed, stroking her leg. He laid his head down in her lap and closed his eyes before speaking. "I'm sorry."

She huffed. "You don't even know what you're sorry for."

Cain turned his head to look at her, his chin propped on her thigh. "Yes. For standing near someone other than you, for even a moment."

She frowned at him. It wasn't fair that he'd gotten it right on the very first try. How was she supposed to stay angry now? He reached up to play with the ends of her hair, his eyes wide and innocent. "Let me make it up to you?"

"Not fair." She made a disaster of a face at him. "Stop with the puppy dog eyes."

Cain cocked his head, nuzzling into her lap with pouted lips, gazing up at her. He blinked slowly before pushing the words out in a low whine. "Pleeeeeeaaaasse?"

Setsu's eyes rolled back and she plopped her head on the back of the couch. "I surrender," she muttered. "Do as you will, you naughty brother."

His smile was bright and immediate. He stood gracefully, striding into the bathroom to run hot water. She watched curiously, wondering just how he planned to make it up to her. "Nii-san?"

His head popped back out. He'd taken off his jacket and shirt and stood in the doorway bare-chested. She felt her face flush as she ran her gaze down the length of his long torso.

"Time for brother therapy," he said, his voice like velvet. She stood, craning her neck to look behind him. A mountain of bubbles was already forming in the tub. He smiled, then stepped back into the room, busily arranging things. She couldn't see around him from where she sat and stood, walking over to join him.

Cain stepped back, his face held carefully still but clearly beaming with pride. Small candles ringed one side of the tub; bottles of fancy body wash and bath oils lined up carefully on a small step-stool nearby. Black rose petals floated on the bubbles' surface.

"You drew me a bath," she said softly, a small smile on her face. "It's a start."

Cain shook his head, his smile breaking past his defenses. "I drew a bath for us."

She felt the blush's heat spread like wildfire over her body. He stepped forward to slide his hands slowly over her bare shoulders. A kiss on her forehead; a whispered plea in her ear. "Let me show you who I belong beside."

She shivered, both desperate for his touch and afraid of the consequences. His hands glided down her arms, gently pushing her top down, bending to pull at the front tie with his teeth. It fell in a dark puddle at her feet, crushed beneath her feet as she leaned forward to wrap him in a fierce hug.

"Don't leave me again," she said, the words muffled against his bare skin.

His answering hug was tight and made breathing difficult. Large hands deftly unhooked the clasp of her skirt. She let go of her tight grip on him to push her underwear down with it, standing on her own for only the briefest moment before he drew her up into his arms once more. Tenderly, his fingers pushed under the fringe of her blonde hair, finding the secret bobby pins and slipping the heavy wig off. Kyoko smiled up at him, freed from the weight and the pretense. Kuon bent forward and kissed her, his eyes glowing with warmth. Carefully, he leaned over the tub and sat her on the edge, letting her slowly slide herself in.

The water was warm; she closed her eyes and sank into the bubbles. She felt the water stir around her as he stepped in behind her. His skin slid velvet-soft against hers as Kuon settled into place. His long legs surrounded her, touching every inch of the outside of her legs. Strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her back to rest on his warm chest. The feeling of his body surrounding her was intoxicating, the heat of the water and his careful touches making her almost dizzy.

He scooped up water in his hand, letting it run through his fingers to soak her short hair. She moaned when he began to massage her scalp, working lavender-scented shampoo through her tresses. He paused at the sound; she could feel him holding himself tense behind her.

"Don't stop," she said, leaning back into him. She sighed blissfully as one of his hands slowly resumed its work, gently massaging in swirling circles over her scalp. The other drifted lower, spreading orange blossom-scented body soap over her shoulders and chest with a large, soft sponge. Kyoko shuddered in delight, sinking lower in the water, the bubbles tickling her sensitive skin as they shifted.

"Lean forward," Kuon whispered, pressing gently on her arm. She almost purred as he poured warm water over her hair and back, his hands moving the soft sponge in soothing swirls over her bare skin. Floral scents, gentle splashing sounds, warm candlelight and her lover's sweet caresses - it was like a dream.

No, better. It was like this and this alone was real and every bit of stress from the day was the dream. She rested back into him again, letting him wash away every bit of her tension. He held the sponge aloft, letting warm water drip over her chest, clearing away the bubbles bit by bit. Slowly, surely, a new tension replaced her stress. He set aside the sponge to smooth away the remaining soap and bubbles with his hands; their silky touch fire-hot on her bare skin. She could feel the heat of his body behind her, an intense awareness of his closeness and his own growing need for her.

His movements slowed, deepened. She rolled her neck to the side, craving the feeling of his lips. He took her unspoken invitation, bending to sear her skin with his kisses even as his hands dove lower, beneath the bubbles. His strokes made her gasp and quiver, pressing into him and against the sides of the tub.

Water splashed over them, waves licking higher up on their bare skin as they moved against one another. Their touches grew more feverish. He had lost the excuse of washing her; now pure need guided his exploration of her body. The floor of the bathroom was soaked from the splashes created by their hungry movements, but both were long past caring. Bubbles clung, popping, gliding between them. Her soft moans filled the room, mingling with his gasps. His skin was slick beneath her touch; beaded sweat and water mingling on her tongue when she kissed his neck. He was consuming her. The heat inside unfurled like the rising sun, warming her more quickly than the first touch of bath water. Their voices grew sharper, harsher, as they let go of everything except the feeling of their union.

The lovers lay spent against one another, bodies flushed and sweaty beneath the greatly lessened bubble mountain. Kuon scooped a handful and let it dribble out between his fingers, dripping to coat her chest with bubbles once more. She smiled sleepily at the blissful feeling of being filled and utterly spoiled. Part of her wished she'd joined Kuon in his bubble baths back in their long-ago hotel room— the other part knew they were a different version of them now because of everything that had happened since. It was a journey she'd never trade.

She sat up, turning to twine her arms around his neck and pull him in for a long, deep, lazy kiss. Kuon grinned against her mouth as she pulled back, a happy sigh escaping his lips. He stood, a Cheshire Cat smile on his face while he watched her expression shift to one of wonder and pride. "All yours," he said mischievously.

She giggled, burying herself in the bubbles. Kuon grabbed towels his towel and dried off; carefully placing hers on the warmer.

"I'll make a snack," he said playfully, smiling at her as she tried to mimic the bubble-men he'd crafted his first jaunt as Cain.

"You? Cook?" Kyoko stood upright, bubbles and water flowing off her to Kuon's obvious delight. "Please, no!" They laughed together as she grabbed her towel and made a great show of trying to beat him to the kitchen, pulling out pots and utensils in a rush with just the soft towel wrapped around her.

"Kyoko," Kuon murmured in her ear, pinning her against the cabinet. "If you want me to eat something other than you…" She jumped, trying to turn and whack him for his naughty words. He kept her from turning, but his eyes met hers and she swallowed as the delicious heat started to fill her again just from the sinful look in his eyes. "You really should go get dressed first." He bent his head, kissing off droplets of water from her wet hair as confirmation of his threat. She ducked beneath his arm to scurry off to their room, squeaking as he made a show of tugging at the corner of her towel when she tried to escape.

Safely inside their room, Kyoko plopped on their bed, rolling around in agonizing ecstasy. Every day. How was she supposed to last if every day was going to be like this? Surely her heart would burst. She sighed happily, staring at the ceiling with a silly grin on her face, enjoying the feeling of her body and mind being completely relaxed.

Pans clanked in the kitchen, reminding her of the threat of Kuon Cooking. She got dressed quickly and went to replace him before he got farther than pulling out supplies for a fruit salad, shooing him off to change as well.

Cutting grapefruit and oranges with care, Kyoko's mind drifted back to the night. She no longer felt full to the brim with anxiety; Kuu and Julie knew and would do all they could to protect his identity. She worried at her lip as she added grapes and strawberries to the pile. She and Kuon needed a plan for the BHI tomorrow. Seiji Shingai would be almost certain to recognize Tsuruga Ren in Cain Heel if he had recognized a no-name talento like herself that easily.

A/N: Guilty, guilty, guilty! I admit I wanted to write Cain and Tora having some ridiculous swimming contest at Quincey's just for the excuse to describe those two in banana hammocks. But kaname nailed it- Cain would never actually leave Setsu! So instead, we move on from the delights of CainXTora to BROTHER BUBBLE TUBBIES awwwww

Hope you enjoyed! Persie loves you! Thanks for the awesome R&Rs! Maybe Tora will show up with Quincey for the premiere- I have a feeling B.J. is just his style ;-)