Black and Red
Dedicated to Ming
Part Seven
By Tsuki

It started out innocent enough. The kiss between them was light and soft, hesitant in a way. But
one kiss lead to another, to another, and it went on, an endless chain of kisses that intensified
with each one. They stopped between each to stare at one another, then fell into the kiss as if it
were the only thing keeping them alive. Rukawa edged closer to Sakuragi and wrapped his arms
clumsily around the other's shoulders, trying to bring them closer together. Hanamichi giggled into
the kiss and placed his hands on Rukawa's face, kissing him lightly, teasing his lips with his own,
running his fingers through Kaede's thick mane of hair. Rukawa tried to press closer, but their
legs were in the way, and in frustration Rukawa growled and pushed Sakuragi over, straddling
him and kissing him fiercely.

Sakuragi was surprised by this display of roughness and momentarily did nothing, but eventually,
after Rukawa's soft lips began tracing a line down his chin, he relaxed and contented himself with
running his hands along his back, pulling his sweater up, pressing his fingers into the dips that the
muscles on Rukawa's back formed.

Rukawa was busy nibbling Sakuragi's neck and wasn't very willing to stop, but he did
momentarily. Only to take off his sweater, though. He then stared down at Sakuragi, a sudden
lust taking over him. This was the only other person in the world that knew all about him. He
paused and looked deep into the brown-silver eyes that could pierce his soul. Rukawa
remembered the mind probe, which had started all of this. He remembered feeling the warmth run
through him as Sakuragi learned about him. He wanted that feeling back.

Rukawa fixed his gaze on Sakuragi, and knew the other boy knew what he was thinking.
Hanamichi's mind stretched towards Rukawa's, like fingers, gently running over the top of his
brain before plunging in.

Kaede gasped as short visions of his life flashed before him, and he sank into Hanamichi's
embrace, head buried in the crock between Hanamichi's neck and shoulders.

Hanamichi placed one hand on Rukawa's bare shoulder, gently kneading the muscle's, the other
just above the hem of his pants, resting there.

It lasted for quite some time, and neither boy said anything. Rukawa was too busy floating around
in his mind before realizing that Sakuragi's mind probe bridged their minds. He could learn about
Sakuragi, just as he was learning about Kaede.

This thought gave him a hazy feeling, and he gladly dove into Hanamichi's mind, coming up
against a mental block almost immediately.

*Please* Rukawa thought, his hand running down Sakuragi's chest. *I want to know.*

With much reluctance, the wall crumbled, and Rukawa began to frolic in Hanamichi's mind,
surprised to find that most of him was as dark as Kaede himself. This didn't effect him much, and
he began doing the odd thing to do; try to spread color in his mind.

*Such potential.* Rukawa thought giddily, happy for one of the first times in his life.

*I think that's enough.* Sakuragi's voice was laughing as he withdrew, and Rukawa was forced
out of the dark mind he so wanted to bring color to.

"No." He felt cold and alone without the link between them. "I liked that."

Sakuragi smiled and traced a finger down Rukawa's lips, trailing it down his neck, past his
muscular chest, to his bellybutton, to his jeans, hooking a finger in one of the belt loops. "I know. I
could tell. But save something for later, ne?" He playfully touched his lips to his companions.
Rukawa's eyes fluttered closed and a small sigh escaped him. He wrapped arms around him, not
understanding why these events felt so right, and at the moment not caring.



The next morning, cruel sunlight filtered through the blinds, and Rukawa groaned. A shrill noise
blasted through the room, and an errant arm slapped him in the face as the hand groped around
on the tabletop, trying to get rid of the noise. Rukawa groaned again and rubbed the bruised
nose, turning to face a sea of red.

Sakuragi finally got the alarm clock to stop, but only after much fumbling and even more
swearing. He then resumed his hug hold on Rukawa, smiling and sighing, arms protectively and
comfortably around Rukawa's waist.

Kaede looked down at Sakuragi, whose face was pressed against Rukawa's hairless chest,
smiling. It was the sweetest thing he had ever seen, and it made his heart swell.

Some of the events of last night rolled through his mind, and he blushed and grinned like a fool.
The night had been filled with kisses and embraces, and it had been the greatest night of his life.

A thought struck him, a caused him to pause. He had never thought of himself as gay. Then
again, he had never really thought about his sexuality. If someone caught his eye, and held it long
enough, he went after them. It's just that not many people had caught his attention, and those
scarce few that had turned out to be girls.

He looked down at Sakuragi and smiled again, messing with his hair. *And besides* He thought *I
have what I want right here.* And it was true. Rukawa hadn't known Sakuragi that long, but these
last days had been the happiest in his remembered memories. And he wasn't willing to give up
that source of happiness.

Hanamichi seemed to read his mind, for he stirred and looked up at Rukawa, a smile identical to
his companion's—lover's—own.

"Hi." Sakuragi was bleary eyed and a little slow-witted, thanks to just waking up, but he managed
to stretch and groan. "Damn sun."

Rukawa laughed. "I thought that the idea that vampires couldn't go out during the day was a
myth!"

Sakuragi looked at him seriously. "Yea, it is. But that doesn't mean I *like* the sun."

"Why not?"

"Well, do *you* like the sun?"

"Not particularly, but it's useful."

"True. But..."

"That doesn't mean you have to like it, I know."

Sakuragi laughed slightly and got up, looking around for something to cover his bare body.
Rukawa lay there and merely watched, enjoying the view.

That's when a knock came at the door, and a loud, demanding voice yelled through the thick
door.

"Inbreed, I know you're in there, and I know who's with you! Open the door! NOW!"

TBC