A/N: Sakusha, Literary Eagle, Rinoa Redcloak, ah, arigato for your kind words! You guys are right, I might not have high reviews but I do have you guys! After all, all of you have been with me since the start and I really appreciate that. I guess my depression got the best of me for a minute there! I blame it on PMS! Uh-huh. . . ^__^;;;

I'm not sure I can thank you guys enough for sticking with my story and I hope I can repay you guys by making sure this story rocks! After all, I did dedicate it to all of you.

Sakusha: I keep the format of my stories by typing in MS Word and saving it as a web page to upload on FF.net. Just go to the File menu and pick 'save as web page'. That way you'll keep all the italics and bolds. For paragraphs, just make sure you skip a line between one paragraph and the next. Please don't make Kacho strip! I promise I'll be good! *whimpers*

Literary Eagle: *hugs back* Thank you! And hey, I personally think you're one of the few Yami ficcers that rocks! ^^

Rinoa Redcloak: You're right of course; quality over quantity anytime! And *blushes* aw, you're making my miniscule ego swell! Thanks! ^^ I blame my non-existent social life as to why I can write so fast *giggle*. I don't know if this will be my best work yet but it will definitely be quite ambitious. So ambitious until I'm not sure if I understand what I'm doing. . .ah, look, I'm going swirly-eyed. . . .

Warning: Lemon. Finally. Hyuk.

Disclaimer: I make no money out of this. Delusions, yes. Money? No.

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CHAPTER 7: Cold Showers

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Time passed as time was wont to do.

Ooh, he used the word 'wont'. . .

Where was he?

Oh yeah, time passed, yadda yadda yadda. The good thing about it was that, slowly, Kyo and him managed to put the past behind them. Oh, it wasn't all a bed of roses. They had their share of rough times. Just because they finally got the courage to face their demons, it didn't mean that their demons are forever banished. It just made it less scarier. To know that they have each other to turn to and they both have their friends to turn to.

The nightmares, Kyo's and his, grew less. Takashi didn't think they'll ever be free of them completely. But at least, when they awaken, they have each other still. And that's all that they want. If Death couldn't keep them apart, he failed to see why some bastard should.

Takashi sighed as he let the cold water run over him, wetting his hair and trailing rivulets over his unruly body. He'd been true to his word; they hadn't made love in. . .god, it's been nearly 3 months now. 6 if you count the time Kyo was unconscious. But every cloud has a silver lining, or so they say. While they haven't made love, Kyo was slowly able to accept affectionate touches and hugs from him without being made to relive his memories again. So the bright side is that he could at least still cuddle with him.

Did he mention that this was his fourth cold shower in five days?

"Taka," Kyo called out. "Hurry up! We're going to be late for dinner with Hisoka and Tsuzuki!"

He could hear Kyo moving around in the bathroom and see his blurred outline through the frosted glass of the shower cubicle. He was already dressed it seems and was puttering around, picking up laundry and straightening the bathroom counter. Lunch or dinner dates with Hisoka and Tsuzuki was getting to be a regular occurrence nowadays. Tsuzuki had confided that it was nice going out with another married couple, especially a couple with the same. . .ah, 'special' circumstances they're in. Namely, gay and dead.

And as Kyo would point out, "I'm only gay for you, love."

These double dates are something that they both enjoy thoroughly. On top of being close colleagues, they were good friends. People who they could relate to. Lately, they were also joined by Tatsumi and Watari. Needless to say, the first time it happened, Kyo and Tsuzuki nearly got strangled by their own shadows for teasing the Kagetsukai and the blond relentlessly all night long. They made a cute couple; Tatsumi and Watari. Watari with his neverending fountain of genkiness and always-in-control Tatsumi made a great pair. Watari brought life and laughter to his life while Tatsumi brought a little saneness into his. It is also needless to say that lately, Watari seems to have lost some interest in his gender-changing potion.

Hisoka was very relieved.

Kyo was rather disappointed. He, and Takashi agreed, thought it'd be an interesting. . .experiment to their love life.

Which, as he had pointed out earlier, is non-existent.

But it's all for the best.

Right, repeat that 1000 times and his body might actually listen to him for once.

It's funny isn't it; that what is forbidden is all the more tempting and delicious for being forbidden in the first place? It was never anything big. Kyo could be eating an ice-cream cone or just tilt his head at a certain angle and suddenly, Takashi would find himself all kinds of uncomfortable.

He wondered if Kyo noticed. . .

Takashi sighed mournfully and twisted the knob to deliver a higher blast of cold water. Damn body. He stood under the freezing cold spray for another minute before he finally turned the hot water knob. Letting the warm water drive the last of the chills away, he shut his eyes and just tilted his face directly into the spray. Like Kyo, he enjoyed showers more than baths though he wouldn't mind soaking away his problems once in a while.

Too bad I'm not into Soaplands, Takashi sighed again and thumped his head gently against the wall a few times.

"You'll give yourself a headache if you continue that," a cheerful voice piped up behind him.

 He yelped in startled surprise and spun around.

And came face to face with Kyo.

Who was as naked as the day he was born.

"K-kyo. ." he said weakly, while shooting out a steadying hand at the frosted glass wall at his right. "You startled me."

Kyo nodded gravely. "Yes, I can see that."

"W-what are y-you d-d-doing here?" Damn stammer.

"I was wondering what's taking you so long," Kyo raised an eyebrow meaningfully. "We do have a date after this you know."

Takashi nodded, eyes wide and trying to look at anywhere else but Kyo, anywhere else but his body which is as beautiful as he remembered it; strong, clean lines from years of kendo. . .the flat, hard plane of his stomach. . .the. . .Takashi gulped and fumbled behind him for the cold water knob.

"Then, w-why are you in here. . naked?"

Kyo shrugged and leaned closer till he was practically nose to nose, so close but barely touching. "Since we will probably be late, I thought I'd take a shower also."

"But you already did. . "

"So I'm taking another one," Kyo replied mildly. Saying so, the utterly, deliciously naked boy reached out and gently pried his suddenly numb fingers away from the blue-colored knob. Instead, he turned the red-colored knob so that the water fell in a gentle, warm waterfall that beat a hypnotizing staccato in the enclosed space.

"Kyo, you're not making this easy for me," he croaked out. "I promised you that we won't do anything till you're ready for it and I fully intend. . .in. . tend. ." he lost my voice when Kyo started to run his fingers lazily up and down his torso.

"You were saying?" Kyo murmured in his ear as he gasped and fell back against the wall, the shower knobs digging uncomfortably into him. Hell, he could be standing on a bed of nails and he wouldn't feel a thing except for those fingers.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Takashi grasped Kyo's wrists firmly in his hands and pushed them away. Kyo tilted his head to the side questioningly.

"Are you sure. Kyo?" he asked softly. "I don't want to force you. And I don't want you hurt," he said quietly.

"But I am hurt," Kyo stated calmly.

"Wha-?"

"I'm hurt because I want you so badly for so long now but that damn ghost kept on getting in the way."

"And today?"

"Today," Kyo whispered as he disengaged his hands from the grip and placed them against the wall on both sides of his face, trapping the still man in between, "Today, I'm exorcising my ghosts."

But Takashi wasn't about to give in just like that just because he was lusting like crazy for him. If they did this now, and it ended up being the wrong time, they would both get hurt. Especially Kyo. And he was not willing to risk that.

"Are you sure?" he asked again, softly, but insistently.

Kyo sighed and stared back, his gaze burning with an intensity he hadn't seen in a long while. His eyes were a clear, bottomless depth of the lightest blue possible, drawing him in until he drowned in them, lost with no way out.

"I'm sure," he said simply. And he drew in for a kiss.

They were both of course, wet from the shower and as he kissed Kyo back, he tasted the water on his lips and suddenly, he was dying of thirst. They started slowly at first, both not wanting to scare each other off until they reached the point where they fully realized that this was happening and it wasn't a dream.

The kisses gained a feverish urgency then, Kyo's fingers tangled in his hair while his hands roamed all over the boy's lithe body, desperately committing to memory all those places and spots which he feared time had neglected. Slowly, Takashi felt himself being pulled forward until it was Kyo that was leaning against a slick, wet wall. Takashi broke off the kiss to stare into his eyes, an unspoken question in his own. For an answer, Kyo closed the distance between them, nibbling gently on Takashi's lower lip and his hips grinding against the older man in silent invitation.

He took the cue and moving slowly, he pulled away from Kyo's mouth and started to trail soft kisses on his skin. Skin that he hadn't tasted for so long and he felt right there and then like a starving man given bread. He took careful note of the little shudders and gasps of delight as he proved that months of abstinence hadn't eroded his memory. Sucking on a nipple, he was careful to remember to not neglect the other as his fingers worked busily. Kyo gasped again and he raked his nails gently over the older man's back as he tugged lightly.

Satisfied, he sank down lower, on his knees in a pool of warm water and showered kisses all over the boy's stomach. When he dipped an inquisitive tongue in Kyo's navel, he cried out, his muscles contracting sharply. From his reaction, Takashi knew that he won't be able to hold out for much too long so before he could recover, he dipped his head and after a butterfly-light kiss, took his arousal in his mouth.

"Taka," he groaned.

It was a groan of pure pleasure and the man allowed himself a little smile as he worked his way slowly, building up the urgency. Kyo's hands left his hair to shoot out at his sides, propping him up against the walls as Takashi felt him growing hotter in his mouth. When he sucked a little harder, Kyo whimpered, trying valiantly to stay upright.

This was his moment, for him only. Takashi wanted him to feel pleasure and only pleasure even as he ignored his own.

His prediction proved right as barely a moment later, Kyo stiffened and with a wordless cry, came in his mouth. Waves after waves of shudders broke through the boy as he took in every little bit of him, wanting to make him a part of himself again.

A little later, as he helped Kyo clean up under the shower, he hung on to him as Takashi soaped his back gently, trailing circles in the suds.

"What about yourself?" Kyo whispered.

"We'll have plenty of time for me later," he whispered back. "Now, it's all for you."

Kyo sighed and laid his head against his shoulder as he supported his weight easily. They were silent as he bathed the boy, him quietly enjoying the attention while Takashi quietly enjoyed paying attention.

Later, as they both toweled dry, Kyo snapped his head up suddenly and fixed Takashi with a wide eyed stare.

"Oh crap! Hisoka and Tsuzuki!"

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They were just walking out of the door when the phone rang.

Mumbling something about pure luck, Hisoka dutifully turned back and picked up the phone, cradling it between chin and shoulder as he attempted to put on his jacket.

"Moshi moshi, Tsuzuki desu.."

"Ah! Hisoka!" a rather nervous voice piped up from the mouthpiece.

"Kyo?" Hisoka frowned as he finally managed to get his arms in the sleeves with some thoughtful help from Tsuzuki. "Is everything okay?" Tsuzuki hovered beside him, concern radiating from him as he tried to listen in. They were actually on their way out to have dinner with Kyo and Takashi at a favourite restaurant down in Chijou. Kyo calling up at the last minute doesn't bode well for their dinner plans.

"No worries! Everything's fine! Really!"

Hisoka kind of doubt it. Kyo sounded as though he was high on something if the little giggles that punctuated his words were any indication.

"Um," Kyo went on, "I don't think me and Taka can make it tonight guys. I'm so sorry we're canceling at the last minute but we're. . . .er. . . .caught up in something," he finished vaguely.

"Caught up in what?" Hisoka demanded. He wasn't angry about them canceling out but he was worried in case they were in trouble or something. The last few months had seen definite improvement in Kyo and Takashi and he was afraid that it somehow managed to blow up in their faces.

"Er. .Taka. . has. . to. . .uh, fix the washing machine! Yeah! That's it! We're running out of clothes. .and um . . we need to. . .fix it!" Kyo said brightly.

He gaped at the utter absurdity of Kyo's reasoning and for a moment, he wasn't sure if if should laugh or cry. Before he could say anything though, Kyo quickly spoke up again.

"Uh, Hisoka? Could you hold on a while?" without waiting for an answer, he heard Kyo muffling his phone, with a hand probably. He didn't cover up his mouthpiece properly though as Hisoka could clearly hear his next words.

"Taka! I'm trying to talk here!" Kyo hissed.

He heard a faint voice laughing in the background. "So talk. And I'll just continue where we left off, ne?"

"C'mon," he actually heard Kyo whine, "give me a minute! You're killing me!"

"Actually, I'm currently trying to kiss and suck on your neck, not kill you. So please continue."

Hisoka was sure he was blushing. A quick glance in a mirror showed that yes, he was blushing. In fact, Tsuzuki has also noticed that he was blushing. He quirked an eyebrow but he was too busy blushing to answer.

He could not believe he was actually on the phone listening to his friends make out.

Which is good. That they're making out, not him listening to them making out because if they're making out, that means they're getting better and that's good! But it's not good that he was listening to them because he couldn't stop blushing and he had gotten so red that the color's clashing with his eyes spectacularly and Takashi apparently has moved on to another part of the anatomy because Kyo's making these little noises in the back of his throat, kinda like he does when Tsuzuki's touching him in all the right places and-okay, he better stop.

Hisoka cleared his throat, "Kyo?" he managed to squeak out.

"Huh?" Kyo's voice sounded heavy and very distracted but he quickly collected himself. "Uh, Hisoka! Haha! Sorry! Erm. . .Taka had to . . .er. . .look for the screwdriver. . ."

He could practically see the large sweatdrop oozing out of his phone.

"That's okay! We'll have dinner together some other time!" Hisoka assured him while steam was pouring out of his ears. "We'll see you tomorrow!"

"Yeah, okay," Kyo mumbled and then, "Taka. . .that feels nice. ." he breathed.

He nearly broke the phone in his haste to cut off the line.

"'Soka-chan?" Tsuzuki asked, a worried note in his voice. "What's wrong? Is everything all right?"

"Oh, everything's fine," he stammered while visions of 'that-feels-nice' floated merrily through his head. "Uh, they can't make it, something came up and they can't make it!"

"O~kay," Tsuzuki drawled, looking at him strangely. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. . .I think," Hisoka said, distracted as he noticed that Tsuzuki's shirt was unbuttoned at the top, showing a slice of creamy pale skin. He swallowed nervously, his throat suddenly dry.

Tsuzuki kept on giving him these funny looks as he tried desperately to control himself. But he wasn't his husband for nothing. After a second or two, understanding dawned in his amethyst eyes and with a low chuckle, he stepped close to the still blushing boy until Hisoka was breathing in the light scent of his cologne.

Taking his chin in his hand, Tsuzuki leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against his suddenly swollen lips. "Still want to go out to dinner?" he murmured.

That sounded like too much work all of a sudden and as Hisoka grabbed his shoulders for a more involved kiss, he murmured back, "We can always order take out."

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~to be continued~

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A/N: oh my. . .Soka-chan. . . . . .*speechless*

Kelly: Kyo, your 'fixing the washing machine' reason sucked. Totally.

Kyo: Hey, I can't exactly say "I'm sorry we can't go Hisoka coz me and Taka are going to have sex like rabid bunnies," can I?