End of the Affair- Part 5: Mixed Emotions
~*~*~*~*~*~

Rei made as if to swing his hand forward, but it caught and he whirled to see what had snagged him. Kai had grabbed his wrist and was hanging onto it for dear life. "Rei-chan," the bluenette choked out with an unpredecented by the boy. Rei dropped his stance, standing loosely, facing Kai. Their eyes burned into each other's, and, almost as if it were the most natural thing in the world, they slipped into each other's arms, locking lips in a passionate kiss. Rei melted into Kai's arms, relaxing into the oh-so familiar position happily. Kai ran his tongue over Rei's lips, begging for the owner to part them and allow him entrance. Nimble fingers had wound their way around Rei's neck and were now buried in his hairline, rubbing gently, then harder, until Rei tipped his head back and groaned in ectasy. Kai followed his lover's descent, supporting the black-haired boy with his other arm. Rei slung his arms around Kai's neck, suddenly fighting Kai for dominance. Tongues dueled heatedly in Rei's mouth, until Rei resigned and turned to sucking on Kai's tongue, foreshadowing events to come. Kai shuddered in pleasure, then broke the kiss. Rei nestled his head on the other boy's shoulder. "Mmm," he murmured when he regained his breath.

He could hear the heavy thud of Kai's heart. "Kai-chan," he murmured, muffled by the other boy's chest as he turned to bury his face in the blunette's chest. "I had no idea...."

The kiss had spoken volumes of their feelings for each other and Rei was more than pleasantly surprised to find that his affections were returned. Kai gently stroked the top of Rei's head, allowing Rei to remain in his arms. Out here, there was no one to care. "You couldn't tell? All that time- you didn't know...?"

Rei shook his head, snuggling deeper, hiding tears of happiness. He shivered suddenly and remembered where they were. "Cold?" Kai asked, releasing Rei from his embrace.

Rei nodded. "We should go in anyways. We'll catch a cold out here."

With that, they headed towards the cottage, Rei resting his head on Kai's shoulder; Kai with his arm wrapped around Rei's waist.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mariah sat alone in the darkness, staring at the window, watching the December snowfall with impassive eyes. She was remembering the previous Christmas, the last one she'd shared with Rei. They'd been so happy then- but had they really been? Did he even see her the same way as she saw him? She tapped her fingers on the arm of the chair.

Rei had been happy with her. Rei was happy with her. Rei had always been happy with her-how could he not be? Had she not been the perfect lover to him? She grinned- yes, Rei was happy with her and sooner or later, he'd discover that being with Kai was not what he wanted. And then, he'd come crawling back to her.

Was she dillusional? Surely. Rei had never really loved her as more than a sister. Her face fell. Rei was gone, gone like the leaves on the autumn wind that ushered in the cold, lonely winter. And what a cold, cruel winter it was going to be.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Nighttime stars dotted the sky, illuminating the freshly fallne snow that lay thinly on the ground. Dully, the fire roared in the background, but the predominant sound in Rei's head was the quickened beat of Kai's heart as he pressed his ear just above it.

The two boys were lying in front of the fireplace downstairs, after having dragged down most of the bedding from upstairs. Rei was curled up against Kai as they recovered from their most recent activites. Rei purred as Kai stroked his hair soothingly, nuzzling the other's exposed chest. Kai smiled softly, more than content with the out come of everything. Rei rolled over, tangling himself in the sweaty sheets that would porbably need to be washed several times over because of the mess they'd made. Rei looked inquisitvely up at Kai, who was propped up on his elbow, looking sedatedly down at the neko-jin. "Care for an encore?" Rei asked, slightly breathless.

Kai grinned. "Are you up to it?"

Rei nodded, resuming purring as his lover crawled over to him, flopping down on the bed next to him. "Such a pretty boy," Kai murmured, cupping Rei's face, then bringing his mouth down over Rei's.

~*~*~*~*~*

Emily stood at the airport, suitcase in hand. He was right. She needed a break. She needed to go home, to visit familiar, friendly faces. She needed to get away from the place where she had lingered, hoping that Kai would come back to her. And now, here she was. She moved amongst the mobs of people, some of who stopped and pointed at her, recognizing the American girl.

She was home, safely home. Back here, back in America, where she belonged. Her heart suddenly didn't feel quite so heavily and she increased her pace, nearly breaking into a run across the floor. That was when she saw him. He had changed, this was true. He was sitting outside on the patio, despite the cold weather, coffee in hand, magazine in the other. She changed her direction, moving towards the double doors that led out onto the patio. She picked up her pace as he lifted his gaze and saw her, smiling and gesturing for her to join him. She burst through the double doors, to be faced with his blue gaze. He was still smiling. "Emily," he said, cheer noted in his voice.

He indicated the seat at the table across from him. Slowly, she slid into it, wishing she had chosen something warmer than a skirt. She shivered. "Cold?" he asked. "We can go inside."

She shook her head. She was enjoying the peace and quiet. She had been rather annoyed with the buzz of the airport. He shrugged. "Whatever."

He beckoned to a man by the doors. "Get the lady a coffee," he said commandingly when the man walked outside.

Emily shifted in her seat. He turned back to her, eyes focused on her. "How've you been?"

"Okay, I guess," she muttered, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

He nodded. "That's good. I'm glad you came."

She smiled, suddenly finding it easy to talk to him. "Me too."

He smiled back, watching her. The man returned with her coffee, then left them alone again. Emily watched as an idle wind played with the last of the autumn leaves, brushing through his red hair."Emily," he started, turning his eyes away. "I'm sorry about the way I treated you when-"

"Forget it. It's the past right? Let's move on."

"Yeah," he said, suddenly looking up at her. He studied her for a moment, then looked skywards. "I've changed a lot since then."

"We all have," she murmured, unnerved when he looked back at her suddenly, his eyes shining oddly.

She shifted nervously. She was apprehensive- but what for what reason? She'd come her to meet an old friend. What was there to be nervous about that. "Emily."

He was still looking at her. "Yes?"

He looked away and she was grateful. "Emily, I've got a confession to make..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Li pounded on Mariah's door, waiting for her to open up. "MARIAH!" he bellowed, growing impatient.

Finally, he tried the knob, only to find it was open. He felt so stupid when the door had been unlocked all along. Still, he had other things to worry about and he moved into the foyer. Everything was dark- it looked as though no one was hime. "Mariah!" he called, waiting for her to answer.

She never did. He was left to wander the house by himself. Angrily, he flicked on a light, only to here some one hiss. "Mariah," he grumbled, kicking off his shoes and moving swiftly into the living room.

He turned on the lights, only to unveil the horrific sight before him. Mariah was on the floor in front of the dead fireplace, tearing up photos. She was crying bitterly, surrounded by tiny pieces of paper. A blood-stained knife rested near the foot of the arm-chair and Mariah was bleeding. Li could only guess what had happened. "Mariah," he said softly, finding his voice.

She buried her face in her hands, shaking her head violently. He moved to her side, touching his hand to her shoulder softly. The hysterical girl collapsed into his arms, sobbing pathetically. Her hand curled around the fabric of his shirt, tugging on it urgently. "How could he? How could he do this to me? How? How?"

She broke off, sobbing loudly. Hesitantly, Li wrapped an arm around her, patting her on the back as soothingly as he could. "Shh, shh. It will be okay, Mariah. It'll be okay..."

He lifted his eyes from her to the clock on the wall, staring absently at the wall. She cried out loudly and his attention went back to her and he soothed as best as he could.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Rei purred drowsily in Kai's arms, exhausted. The bluenette was already asleep, snroing softly in Rei's ear. And as the fire died away, Rei drifted into a contented sleep.