A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen (are there any?), here it is: The Wedding!

Grafitti: You asked for a lemon? Well, here you are! I live to serve! ^^

NekoMoon-Chan: Ah, the next arc will definitely drive everyone crazy. It drove ME crazy trying to plot it out! Don't worry, I'll try my level best to work in other characters angst/torture/fluff!

Nabbie-chan: Mou, you made me blush again with your gracious praises! They're the balm for a wounded soul locked in a cage of its own making. . .^^

Shaynie: Hah! No worries as I already got a little moment for TxH worked out in my mind. Something waffy though. . . I don't have any experience in waffyness. . .any ideas?

Sakusha-san: If lemons are drugs we get high on, prepare to go on a mind-blowing trip as you read THIS chapter! Mwahahahaha!

Lil Yaoi Kitten: I'm glad you liked Taka's POV. I so rarely do it and I thought it 'd be nice to hear from the seme once in a while. Oh yeah, Hikki has long mastered the art of duct-tape-escaping. . .

I just want to say here that I want to kill this certain friend of mine. She borrowed my disk and when I got it back, I used it to download this chapter to upload in FF.net. But when I did, 90% of the text went missing!!! I tried EVERYTHING to fix it and in the end, I had to re-type the whole thing. . . . the pain. . .

Warning: LEMON. HAHA!

Disclaimer: blah blah blah

* * *

CHAPTER 10: Before It's Too Late

* * *

He had been priest at the town's church for over 20 years. He had seen death, despair, joy, laughter and, in his own opinion, a miracle or two. His hair was a sterling silver that was as much as a testament to the stories he had to tell, as were the lines etching his face. As a man of God, he was the one most people turn to in times of sadness, grief and even comfort. In his heart, in his memory, he holds the town's living scrapbook of memoirs and souvenirs. Of lives lived and deaths died. He counted himself privileged to be able to help people, whether through a kind word, gentle advice, or sometimes, simply by listening. Yes, all in all, he had seen and been through much.

Today though, was rather special.

Special because, for the first time in 20 years of service to God and church, he was about to perform a wedding ceremony that wasn't sanctioned by law, and the fact that both the bride AND groom were both males.

He felt, and rightly so, that if he were in a manga like the ones some of the children in his congregation liked to read, he'd be having. . .what was the word for it? Ah yes, he'd be having a massive sweatdrop adorning his head.

Still his duty was not to judge. His duty was to provide enlightenment, comfort and maybe wisdom. To tend the flock you might say. It might be odd for a priest to say this but he personally felt that each man has the right to make peace with the Creator in his won way. Priests are there to provide the illumination for the road leading to Him. And should a member of the flock stumble or fall, to help them.

And the two now standing in front of him, needed his help. They had come to him a couple of days back, one late evening at his home rather than at church. They had apologized nicely for interrupting his personal time but he hadn't minded. After all, he laughingly told them, being a priest is not a 9 to 5 job. The two still seemed a bit uncomfortable though, as they sat down gingerly on the couch. They barely even touched the tea he had made for tthem. The younger one, a Shiozaki Kyo, was wringing his hands worriedly until his older companion, Matsumada Takashi. Had covered it with his own. Shiozaki had appeared startled at the sudden contact but an instant later, a warm smile graced his face and he had squeezed the reassuring hand.

That was when he had an inkling of what was happening.

"Father," Takashi began. "We need your help."

He liked the looks of them both. This Takashi, his face was open and his look direct. Shiozaki meanwhile, had a kind face with eyes that looked too old for someone so young. There was also a hint of fear, and maybe sadness in both of their faces. His heart immediately went out to the both of them and before Takashi-san had begun explaining, he was resolved to help them as best as he could. He was surprised though, to discover that the kind of help they needed was relatively simple.

"First, we have to make clear that I and my friend here," Takashi-san threw the boy a loving glance, "are more than just. . . friends." Here, the older man had blushed slightly, looking a bit flustered. So had the boy. Takashi-san appeared unsure whether it was wise to continue so he helped them out.

"You're lovers?" he asked brightly.

Judging by the blinking going on, he had managed to surprise them.

"You're. . . " Shiozaki began slowly, "you're okay with this?"

He waved aside their concerns. "Though I'd be lying if I said I was happy about it, I do respect your decision. You're both old enough to know what you're getting into. So all I can offer you now is my help or counsel. Whichever you need," he reassured them.

Relief crossed their faces at his declaration of support and they visibly relaxed. He was pleased at that and urged them to take a sip of their tea first before it got cold. They obligingly did so and after setting down their cups, Takashi-san qualified further.

"We need your help in that we would like to get married. We're wondering whether you can perform the ceremony Father."

"You do realize that such a marriage is not sanctioned by law," he cautioned them.

Shiozaki shook his head. "We don't care about getting it legally sanctioned. As long as we're married in the eyes of God," he shrugged.

He nodded. "True. It's these modern times that made a marriage valid only after getting a license. Used to be that a vicar could marry anyone ha wants to. Now we need these little papers to sanctify what God already had."

"So you'd do it Father?" Takashi-san asked.

"I'd be happy to," he beamed. "When would you like the ceremony to be done?"

"The day after tomorrow."

It was his turn to blink rather rapidly.

"So soon?" he raised his brows. "What's the rush? I mean, if you were a . . . .uh, normal couple, I take it'd be about an unexpected addition to the family."

Silence blanketed the couple for a long minute. He wondered whether it was a moment of fancy that showed him the fear and sadness increased markedly in their faces. As he stared at them, a gnawing feeling touched him. There was a certain air that was missing from them. An air that was practically a requirement from a couple expecting to tie the knot. There was no hint of excitement, no giddiness, none of the usual feelings. Though some of them had shown fear, it was usually the normal fear of taking the big step. The fear that they were trying to conceal was different. They were. . . genuinely afraid of something.

Shiozaki broke the silence, his voice low and soft. "Do you believe in premonitions Father?"

He had been baffled by the rather cryptic statement but answered it anyway. "I neither believe nor disbelieve it. I do believe that sometimes, we're gifted with a sudden insight or clarity of vision by God. Some people choose to call it premonitions. Why?"

Takashi-san continued. "All we can say is Father. . . me and Kyo, we love each other very much. And I want to make him mine before. . ." He broke off and looked away.

He threw the boy a questioning look.

"Before," Shiozaki answered softly, "it's too late."

He shook himself slightly, putting a stop to the recollections. The visit had occurred two days ago and true enough, he was standing in front of the couple, prepared to join them in holy matrimony. Takashi-san and Shiozaki had told him that they didn't want to have abig wedding. Rather, the only people attending them were their two closest friends; a Teruhiko Hikaru and Tsukino Kenji. They had even forgo having the wedding held at the church, instead, opting for a wedding held at the town park in a secluded spot he wasn't aware of before. They stood today, underneath the full glory of an ancient sakura, the brilliant canopy of pink and white just as majestic as the stained glass windows of a church.

They happy couple,(and judging by their smiles, they were very happy) were both dressed in matching tuxedoes with Shiozaki in a deep blue waistcoat and tie and Takashi-san in deep russet. The girl Hikaru looked utterly fetching in a dress of soft, gauzy blue and Tsukino had a tux on also, the blue of his tie matching the girl's dress. The sun shone down through the canopy overhead and highlighted the clearing beneath with soft slants of pale gold light. S hint of a breeze blew, swirling the errant petals in a joyous dance of spring. No musician was needed to play the traditional wedding march. The sweet trilling of birds all around them were music already, a gift from above. The whole setting was perhaps, one of the most beautiful wedding he had the honour to preside over in years.

"We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of. . . "

And again he wondered, too late before what?

* *

"I think Hikki enjoyed herself too much today, trying to make us confess who's going to be the uke," Taka laughingly complained. He had his back turned against Kyo as he tugged his silk tie loose. Kyo watched the older man make efficient work of his undressing, the tie unknotted and neatly folded away. Hands, sure and strong, were unfastening his dress shirt and he definitely felt some tightening deep in his belly as the shirt strained against his back.

His own tie fell heedlessly to the floor as barefooted, he quickly stepped up behind the sensei. Taka's shirt was nearly off, hanging by a shoulder as he tugged it out of his slacks. Smooth, silky skin was bared to his eyes and the tightening grew even more painful. His sensei hadn't been the only one taking cold showers lately, he thought o himself in a moment of wry remembrance. It had taken him quite an amount of willpower to stop himself from tackling the sensei down to the kitchen floor sometimes. After all, there's only so much of temptation you can take before you snap, right?

He licked his lips nervously. That uncomfortable feeling had brown in proportion with his nervousness. This is, after all, their wedding night. And he is. . .was. . .well, just for Taka. . .that is to say. . .what the hell was he babbling about? He was an 18 year old virgin who thought he was straight for most of his life until a certain green-eyed, auburn haired doctor came along. Actually, Taka had proposed that they take some time to unwind after seeing everyone off earlier. Maybe have a cup of cocoa, some tea perhaps?

Frankly, all Kyo wanted was him.

Preferably with nothing hindering between them; say, clothes maybe?

He and Taka were roughly the same height, him being just a couple of inches shorter than the sensei and he relished the height advantage. Taka still hadn't realized he was behind him. He was still going on about how Hikki and Ken hadn't stop giggling together all afternoon. He wouldn't be surprised if they wake up the next morning to find Hikki standing over their bed with her camera again and-

Kyo lowered his head and fixed his lips at the spot between Taka's shoulder blades, just below his neck.

Taka's commentary shuddered to a stop.

Muscles bunched and tensed beneath his wandering lips as he grazed suddenly hot skin. Half-lidded, light blue eyes grew heavier as he tasted his way to the sensei's neck, even as his hands drew away the cumbersome shirt still covering Taka and he stopped just near the rapidly beating pulse. A part of him admired the slender, pale column of Taka's neck, a temptation that was hard to resist usually.

Taka tasted. . .delicious. He licked, nipped and sucked the vulnerable spot as his hands roamed all over Taka's back, sliding up front to caress the hard abdomen. As his wandering hands brushed across a nipple, Taka moaned low and twisted around suddenly, breaking off his hold. His arms were captured in a strong grip and pushed away from sensitive skin. Arms gripped firmly aside, he let the older man swoop in for a bruising kiss and this time, it was his turn to moan unintelligibly. He pressed himself against Taka, deepening the kiss. Intimately close, he felt the evidence of Taka's arousal brushing against his own and he moaned louder.

There was hardly any time left for him to think about getting nervous. Their kisses grew more desperate, more urgent as their hands snaked and tangled together; sometimes caressing, sometimes clenching, but always touching. Even as they kissed, Taka was busily divesting him of his own shirt and cool air dimpled his bare skin. He shivered slightly and in response, Taka rubbed his hands up and down his arms, warming him up. Kyo didn't care much for the thoughtfulness though. Impatient now, his fingers found the man's belt buckle and soon after, the leather piece slid to the floor, followed by the dark slacks and he was just about to relive him of his underwear when Taka himself broke off the wild kisses to gasp in his ear, a laughing note in his voice.

"Ne, it's not fair if I'm the only one disadvantaged here."

Taka mimicked his earlier actions and his own belt, slacks and underwear fell to the floor. He stepped out of their encumbering grasp, kicking the offending cloth aside. A noise of displeasure escaped his throay as he realized the sensei wasn't going to kiss him again. Instead, taka crouched down and his eyes widened in surprise and pleasure as he felt Taka taking his arousal in his mouth, enclosing it in moist warmth. His fingers twined themselves in Taka's autumn colored hair as he was stroked, sucked and licked in dizzying successions. He leant forward slightly, feeling definitely unbalanced and he felt the warmth and moistness increased. He closed his eyes as a tremulous gasp escaped him.

"Taka," he warned softly.

He was disappointed when Taka finally broke off his attention and returned his mouth to his own, kissing him with more urgency than before. As they kissed, he could taste himself and it drove him wild. His arms locked firmly around Taka's shoulders, he whimpered, trying to show just how much he loved it and could Taka please help him?

He found himself gently lowered on to the waiting bed and he wrapped his legs around Taka's, trapping the man. He wasn't even going to wonder how Taka managed to take off his own underwear unnoticed.

"Kyo? Look at me," Taka demanded hoarsely.

Why did he have to stop? He forced himself to concentrate and he fixed light, stormy blue eyes on him. He licked his lips and tried to breathe slower.

"What?" he sounded just as hoarse as the sensei and he felt the man's arousal getting harder in response. Before he could enjoy the sensation fully though, Taka spoke again.

"Are you sure about this?"

Huh? His stare turned frankly bewildered as he took in the sensei who, despite looking thoroughly sexy and completely aroused, was also looking guilty.

Taka explained. "This is your first time and. . .with another guy, of all people. . .it'll be different." Kyo snorted and rolled his eyes but Taka went on doggedly. "And. . . it's going to be quite. . .painful for you, because it's your first time. We can stop if you want," he finished, though he looked rather pained at his own selfless promise.

"Hey," Kyo smiled and caught Taka's face between his hands, making sure that he was looking into his eyes so Taka would know just how sincere he was. Sincere and extremely touched. "I'm not that ignorant you know. I know about it though I'll bet 'knowing' is quite different from 'experiencing'. But hey, it'll just hurt the first time around right?"

Taka looked even more guilty now. "Well, yes. . . but. . .uh, the one who gets to be. . .um, uke, tends to be quite sore the next day," he apologized.

"But fun though, right? For both?"

"You could say that," Taka grinned. "But a better phrase would be, 'damn, that was good'!"

Kyo laughed and drew him in for a light kiss. "Then you better make sure I have fun then."

Those eyes he loved so much turned a deeper shade of green as passion once again ignited in the forest depths and they kissed; slow, lingering and deep.

"Are you sure?" Taka asked again softly, in between breaths.

"Taka?"

"Yes?"

"Shut up."

He decided right there and then that he liked being the uke. What's not to like about having Taka lay butterfly kisses all over his chest, tasting a nipple or two, exploring his abdomen which muscles contracted when he paused to dip and inquisitive tongue in his navel and finally, finally, finally, his sensei paid the proper attention to his erection. . .

He lost his ability to speak. Unintelligent noises were the only things that could be said as he drew his knees up and twined his fingers in the sensei's hair. Something hot and urgent was burning deep within him and he desperately needed to let it out. He lifted his hips higher, trying to feel more, but then, Taka removed his mouth with a last lick and crawled back up to him. His eyes were a dazed blue as Taka covered his body with his and laid his lips on his neck. His eyes fluttered close as he surrendered himself totally to the sensation. He clutched broad shoulders slick with sweat and groaned when Taka nipped lightly at the tender flesh. He knew Taka was deliberately going slow, trying to prepare him  but if this went on any longer, he was going to lose control.

As it was, when a finger, cool and slick with lubricant was inserted gently into him, he stiffened with sudden fear. A basic instict in him cried out at the whole wrongness of the situation and his breathing grew laboured with panic instead of passion.

"It's okay," Taka whispered in his ear. "Relax. . .that's it. Relax. It's going to hurt more if you don't. see? Does that feel good?"

The finger was still inside him. It started to slide in and out even as Taka continued to whisper reassuringly, the pumping a slow rhythm that overrode and dissipated the fear he had felt. He turned wondering eyes at his sensei, the fire in him burned anew as his hips moved to meet his finger with every thrust. The second finger that slid in came as a welcome shock, complete with the double assault on his senses when Taka lowered his head to suck at a sensitive nipple. He wanted to tell Taka that everything felt good and that he was loving it but again, his power of speech failed him. He didn't know which was better; the fingers pumping into him or the tongue and lips still intent to wreaking havoc on his poor body.

When the third finger was inserted, he cried out, his back arching off the bed.

He had barely risen up from the fresh tide of raw emotions when he found himself on his side, Taka spooning him gently from behind. His lips were brushing lightly over an earlobe, warm breath ghosting over his ear and he shivered with delight. His fingers which had inflicted sweet torment on him before was pulled out of him completely in the next instant. He felt an odd sort of loss and grounded back against the man in silent protest. In answer, he felt the unmistakably hot and slightly wet, throbbing hardness which was Taka's erection pressed lightly against the entrance his sensei had so carefully prepared. Taka was leaning over him and he turned his head sideways to meet him. Lips met lips in a chaste kiss and the sensei drew back.

"If it hurts too much, tell me," Taka said gently. "Promise me. Tell me and I'll stop immediately."

He nodded, smiling. Taka's hand then cradled his abdomen protectively, stroking and caressing and he willed himself to relax, to give in. Taka's erection which had pressed tantalizingly soft against him was inserted slowly, so very slowly in to him. His face half buried against the pillow, he clenched his eyes shut at the totally unfamiliar. Totally alien feeling of something being buried deep within him. Relax, relax, relax was the mantra he chanted to himself silently over and over again as he was penetrated deeper and deeper.

Taka hadn't lied. It hurts.

Despite himself, he cried out and his fingers twisted themselves in the bed sheets. He buried his face deeper into the yielding softness of the pillow as his low cry pierced the air.

"Kyo?" Do you want me to stop?" Taka sounded anxious as he cupped his cheek with his free hand. "Kyo?"

He turned his face away from his shelter of white cotton to give his lover a small smile. "No, don't. besides, it'll only hurt awhile." He freed his fingers from their prison of sheets to clasp the older man's hand and he brought it up to his lips for a kiss. "Please?" he added. "I want you." His admission, low and soft lent a suspiciously bright glimmer to dark, forest-green eyes.

"It won't last longer, trust me," Taka promised, his voice hoarse with emotions. He placed a hand against his lover's hips to steady them both and slowly, so very gently, started to thrust into him.

The pain had lessened to a certain degree to become something more bearable and again, he repeated his silent litany to relax. The chanting in his mind stopped though, when a thoroughly delightful tongue plunged into his ear in an erotic imitation. This was something that definitely felt good. Despite the still present ache in him, he felt the burning and tight sensation kindling into life again, deep in his belly and spreading fast to his groin. Taka seemed to know just what to do at any given moment, his actions carefully orchestrated to heighten his pleasure and Taka didn't disappoint him. The hand still resting on his hips traveled down to grasp his arousal.

"T-taka!" he cried out as the pain became totally eclipsed by the wave of pure pleasure that hit him, leaving him gasping for breath. Taka moved his hand in a sure, counterpoint rhythm to his still thrusting member and Kyo gave himself up to his emotions completely. He thrust back against his lover, meeting his plunges with a pounding that grew steadily frantic as the smoldering fire in him burst in to bright flames that reduced his world to nothing more than a hazy dimness to his vision, the feel of a warm hand stroking him surely and the fiery blazing pumping of his Taka plunging deep within him, to withdraw halfway out, only to plunge in again.

The pain was still there but this time, it was a different kind of pain. It was a pain that filled every fiber of his body with wild ecstasy, leaving him moaning and gasping in mindless throes of pleasure. The bright flames were now a roaring fire that consumed and engulfed him in a blinding inferno that stripped him of every tie to the outside world except the heat that was his body and Taka's.

They were thrusting faster and faster now, both reaching a crescendo when,

"Taka!"

That pure, animalistic cry tore from his throat as he finally reached his climax and scalding hot white liquid spurted out, drenching his lover's hand and the sheets. Behind him, his sensei gave a low groan and not a second later, his own cry pierced the air, his "Kyo!" just as raw and pure. He was still deep inside of him when he came and the feel of the hot stickiness shooting in him was the last, final step to complete the dance.

For more than a few minutes, all they could do was lie there, both breathing heavily. Taka drew him closer, his back resting comfortably against the sensei's chest, lips resting lightly on his neck and Taka's arms cradling him protectively. Taka was still inside him and he relished the feel of it. This was the last tie needed to bind them together. If their marriage vows had been a spiritual binding, then their lovemaking had chained them both emotionally and physically.

As their breathing slowed to a languorous rhythm, the pearlescent gloom of the room riddled with the cold light of the moon through the opened blinds, he allowed Taka to pull himself out of him with minimal fuss but was happy to have Taka turn him into an embrace. Their foreheads rested together in total contentment, Taka drew the blankets over them and they snuggled deeper into the warmth of the blankets and of each other.

"Taka?" he was surprised that his voice could still function. His whole body felt wonderfully sore and used and he doubted that he could move even if Godzilla came trampling through town.

"Yeah?" If anything, the sensei sounded just as used as he was and delightfully content to be so. Before he answered Taka though, he ran light, teasing fingers over a smooth, broad chest and was rewarded with a slight hitch to Taka's breathing before his playful fingers was captured in a firm grip.

"Bad Kyo," Taka reprimanded him with gentle, laughing admonition. "You were saying?"

Kyo giggled. "All I want to say is, damn, that was good!"

Taka blinked in surprise for several moments before understanding dawned in his eyes. Laughter shook his frame as he hugged Kyo close.

"Oh, Kyo," he chuckled. "I love you."

"You'd better," he declared mischievously.

"Hey."

"I love you too."

"Good."

They were content to stay in that perfect silence, the blankets a warm cocoon shielding them from the world outside. Stars pierced the night sky that was revealed by the floor-to-ceiling windows covering the entire wall to the right of the bed, and their usual cold, distant light seemed a little warmer, a little more personal tonight. The only sound to disturb the tranquility of the night was their breathing and the occasional stolen kiss. But perfect moments don't last forever. That's precisely why they are so cherished; for its evanescent gift.

"Kyo?" Taka whispered.

"Yeah?"

"You'll never leave me right?"

"Never," came the spoken promise.

A drifting cloud obscured the burning suns of the night sky, leaving them in passing shadow.

"We'll be together forever?"

"Always."

~to be continued~

A/N: Minna, how did you like the lemon? I thought it was my best yet so far ^^ And the longest too. . .whew! Nearly 10 pages! But, I have to give credit to my friend who helped me work out the flow of the scene. Since I have to keep her identity anonymous, let's just call her Lemon-aid. . . hahaha!

I was worried about getting this chapter absolutely right. This is after all, their first time together and I wanted it to be as real as possible. As Lemon-aid pointed out, in real life, the first time is a painful experience, especially for homosexuals. I know, this is just fanfiction but I wanted as much realism as possible. I wanted my characters to come to life as humanly possible and I thought I did an okay job. . . waddaya think?

Oh yeah, I got some questions to ask:

1)Can anyone suggest me a song with a message that roughly says something like; I'm/your/she/he is smiling to the world but inside I'm/he/she/you're dying inside? Kinda like how Tsuzuki feels on a normal day. . .before Soka-chan came along that is, nyah ahahaha!

2)Can anyone tell me also, the 4 gods (suzaku etc) represent which cardinal direction? I forgot.

As always, your kind reviews are the food and drink of my soul. ^ ^