Title: Penny for Your Thoughts

Author: Crescent Quetzalcoatl

Disclaimer: Am I tired of writing this? Apparently not. All SD Characters are not mine. Not now. Not ever. *sweatdrop*

Pairing: Yaoi (surely, you know that already)

Notes: Hope you guys read Chapter 9, lest you'll wonder why Youhei was here.

Chapter 10: Now or Never

Mito Youhei stood before them and went pale as a ghost. He was actually waiting for the fox-eyed boy, when the latter asked him to drop by the gym after their practice. He figured it had something to do with his redhead bestfriend (although he couldn't say that for sure anymore) and perhaps talk to him or something.

When Youhei felt that the time was good for him to go into the courts, he only prayed that he wouldn't run into Sakuragi. As much as he wanted to see his bestfriend (after so many times of avoiding each other after the 'rave incident') Youhei can't possibly talk to him straight, even if he has faced meaner gangster than the redhead.

But this is different. What he needs now was mental and emotional strength, not physical.

"Hanamichi…"

The redhead continued on staring at him.

"Youhei… Are you here to collect your money's worth, too?"

The shorter boy frowned, not at once knowing what the other was talking about. Youhei glanced at the silent raven-head behind Sakuragi and saw great remorse in those sapphire-tainted orbs.

Youhei turned back to Sakuragi and spoke, "Let's stop this, Hanamichi. Aren't you a bit grateful that you're no longer working for them? We didn't have any CHOICE! It's the only way out!"

"I didn't ask for your help," the redhead countered.

"And what would you do? Work your ass off 'til you paid them? For all you know, it'll be all your life!"

"Then so be it! Rather than have a debt under the kitsune's name!"

A swift punch connected to Sakuragi's jaw, a fierce one that sent him staggering a bit but the redhead quickly regained his balance. The redhead glared at Youhei who was not the least bit sorry for what he had done.

"What the—!"

"—Childishness isn't an excuse anymore, Hanamichi!" Youhei cried.

*Flashback*

"Is that what you're suggesting? Leaving him here?" Rukawa hissed.

"No. I'm suggesting a different approach." Vex said.

"Well, what is it?!"

"Blood money."

+++

"Wake-y, wake-y, my redhead beauty…!" sultry voice breathe at the back of his neck and Sakuragi shivered as the owner of the voice started to run his fingers down his spine. The redhead was sitting in the middle of the bed (the only furniture in the room), Sakuragi shuddered at the presence of another person, expecting the activity was about to start.

The room was dimly lit by a small lamp, not even enough to recognize the person touching him. But Sakuragi did recognize the voice at it belonged to…

"Ichiro, stop playing around and get him to wake up!" another voice grunted.

Sakuragi recognized that one too. It was the boss, but what is he doing in the room? He was not suppose to meddle with his client's affair unless something really important happened. The boss' right-hand man in black suit, Ichiro, was there too, and he's currently placing kisses on his neck.

"What the—!"

The redhead felt the loss of weight on his back as if someone had pulled Ichiro away from him.

"What the hell's the problem, Vex?!" Ichiro glared angrily at his associate and grabbed a fistful of collar furiously.

"You have no right," Vex said and pulled Ichiro's hand away, forcefully.

"Really?" Ichiro snorted. "You want to do it yourself then?"

Do it yourself? Do what? Do something to me? Sakuragi's thoughts ran wild, his eyes wide with panic but he wouldn't move from where he was, he couldn't turn around and watch the heated glares the room's new occupants were sharing. He couldn't speak for it might anger the boss and it certainly wasn't the thing he would want any other time.

Sakuragi heard Vex again. "We have company. I don't think they'll like it if you'll touch him."

Ichiro was about to open his mouth in retort but their boss halted the argument.

"Shut up or you'll both going to get it," the boss threatened. He wasn't in the mood for games and tonight he was livid. "Vex, get your friends in here."

"But—!"

"—No 'buts'. I know what those two were playing and they certainly have their game," he said, as puffed another smoke from his cigarette. "I'm sure they know our pretty redhead well, or else they wouldn't buy him out, they wouldn't propose blood money… Now, wouldn't they, Vex?" the boss asked in ultimate keenness.

Vex didn't answer but opened the room's door. "I'll get them."

"What's happening?" Sakuragi asked, had to ask even in a whisper. He had to know something, anything that might be happening to him. He didn't like to be left in the dark when everything was uncertain and unpredictable.

"Well, Sakuragi-kun… Seems like your freedom will finally be granted by your two angels," Ichiro once more move close to him and breathe into his ear, making him shiver in fear.

"Two… angels…?"

"Yes. Both blue-eyed in fact," Ichiro bit his earlobe. "I wonder if how they'll react when they see you here. Aaahhh… here they are. Turn around, Sakuragi-kun and meet your angels of mercy."

The redhead did as he told, slowly twisted his torso from the bed and saw the room's door closed. Two dark haired lads both with deep blue-eyes stood beside Vex, both of them mouthed his name in remorse: Hanamichi…

No… no…! NO! Not them, anyone but them!

"NO!!!" Sakuragi shouted. Shock reverberated in his system and was soon followed by fear. "Not them! Get them out… please!"

"No can do, Sakuragi. You know the rules. You'll have to perform in front of your angels or else the blood money will be rejected and you'll have to face another punishment," Ichiro's dark grey eyes twinkled mischievously, enjoying the power he has over the redhead. Even for the last night, he wanted to enjoy this and he will.

"Please…" Sakuragi could barely draw a whisper. He was shaking, his hands and feet were all clammy and cold, and he was paling all over. "Onegai… not in front of them… no… I'll stay here… no… please… anything… no…" he pleaded over and over again, until he was of no more breath.

The boss talked to the two raven-heads as Vex was trying to pacify them with double-meaning words and as discreetly as possible. It's the least he can do for the redhead's friends. He looked over and saw Sakuragi weep silently, curling up like helpless toddler and Ichiro towering over him, fiendish smile upon his lips. Vex knew that when the deal is settled, Ichiro will take the redhead as the last rite of freedom and Youhei and Rukawa will have to watch. It will be painful for the blue-eyed boys, more so for the redhead.

He looked back to Youhei and Rukawa who were arguing with the boss, and the aged-man smugly looked at them and spoke a sum of money. A real large sum of money.

"Fine," was the only word that escaped Rukawa's lips. He'll do anything to get his redhead out of this filthy business. The riches in the world wouldn't compare to his Hanamichi, he'll rather give all the fortune he has than swim in money and wallow in sorrow.

"Then let's seal the deal." The boss nodded to his right-hand man.

Ichiro smirked and pulled the weeping redhead's face in a bruising kiss.

*End of Flashback*

Sakuragi stared defiantly at Youhei. It hurts him a lot that his bestfriend had witnessed the most shameful moment of his life and it took not only him but with his most hateful rival to release him from the chains of the trade of flesh, rendering him indebted with his own life.

Rukawa stood back, waiting for something to happen. Knowing Sakuragi (well, the old Sakuragi as he always remembered), the redhead would thrown in a punch or two at his bestfriend and then shout obscenities on his way. He stared at them, willing the moment to pass, just pass away and get everything back to normal. Then he heard Youhei spoke again.

"I may not understand the pain you had. I may not know how much humiliation it caused to your part," Youhei took a heavy breath in. "But believe me, Hanamichi, I have felt it too and I want you to share it with me… I may not be the salve of your soul but I'm your best friend, I'm willing to take your burden… Maybe what we did—what happened hadn't make you feel any better. Yet it's the only way we can help you change back."

"No, Youhei… you couldn't change me back," brown eyes darkened into a grieving black but Sakuragi's face was impassive. "I have only changed into something I was afraid of… ever since the day my brother died. And you can't help me—" the redhead's eyes flickered over the silent fox in the corner, "—even with all the money in the world. I'm sorry for all of this… I only wish… that you won't interfere with my life anymore."

The redhead took his bag from the bench and walked out of the gym… hoping he'll be walking out of their lives too.

-tsuzuku-

Crescent scratches head. Then said,

"Woi, minna! Anou… this chaps seems, well, sad… I guess all the stress from school have been pestering me lately and affected my writing skills (do I have any of that?) a lot. I don't know, even my other fics are getting affected but I hope it'll get better after this week.

I really wanted to write something for Hana-kun's birthday. But guessing from my work in school… uh… I think it'll be a little impossible. I'm trying to find time.

This chap only tells us what happened during that 'rave night' Youhei and Rukawa found Hana. Heck, it's getting angst-y again. Let me see… I promised two more chaps and an epilogue for the final parts, ne? well, let's see what we can do about it.

Always, I really appreciate everyone who read my fic. More so to those who reviewed. *bows to everyone* Domo arigatou!!!

Akane - ^__^ owee…! Thank you so much! I hope this fic isn't too dragging. Always, thank you!!

Chris – hiya! Anou… the fic's getting its drama back, hope it goes well. Thank you!

Dee - *sheepish grin* sorry for the cliffhanger! . I'm having a writer's block at the time and I thought it's the most sensible thing to do that time. Thank you!

Hikaru Itsuko – gomen nasai for the cliff! O_o just what I told Dee-san, I'm having a block then. Hope you'll like this chap. Thank you!

Seraph-Kirin - *blushes* anou… Thank you very much!!!! Enjoy! Er… *thinks* how can anyone enjoy a drama?

Tina Caps - *sheepish grin* I thought no one would see the discreet insult in chap 9. Ehehehe… I really don't like the shinetai, even if I am a big fan of Rukawa himself, I don't see the decency in wearing skimpy outfits and holler his name every chance they get and not notice they're disturbing everything. ^__^V hope to hear from you too! Thank you so much!!!

Phoe2k – Thank you! I'm really sorry for the grammatical errors. Enjoy!

Blue-eyed fox – Sa wakas! Thank you very much! I think Ru can't break their necks because those thugs are really bad news and dipping into their business might mean more than *shivers* death. He can only make Hana feel safe together with Youhei. ^^; owee… Thank you pa rin!!!

Dragon dreams – oh, this chaps answered your question, I hope! ^__^ Thank you! Anou… do you write HP fics? Er… your name seems familiar. Ehehe… ^^V

Mitchy Rukawa - *scratches head* I was kinna lost there… fear of gay people? But still, thank you so much!!! ^__^

IcyMagno – no, you're not slow… I'm sorry it's my fault really. I deliberately delayed the narration of what really happened until this chap. Still, thank you so much for reading! ^__^

Ice krystahl – Thank you so much!!! Don't worry I'm not mad or anything if you haven't reviewed earlier. I'm just glad that the readers like my fic. ^__^ oh and feel free to review anytime. The shower part was, I think the most depressing part for me… I don't know I just don't want them fighting I guess. Thanks!

KISS rocks – Thank you so much!!!

M-i – anou… don't worry, but I'm glad you still remember this fic. Thank you so much!!! oh I hope your comps okay now. ^_^

Annachan - *sheepish smile* I was a bit…um… somber the last time. *hugs Annachan* thank you so much, you love my fic!