A/N: I blame this entire chapter on Sakusha. You hear that Sakusha? This can be blamed entirely on the SMS marathon we had last night. Because of it, I was typing away like crazy and I managed to finish the entire chapter in one go. And what it contains is your fault Sakusha! Your fault! *faints dead away*
Literary Eagle: thank you but I have to assure you, this chapter is in no way sad. And it's all Sakusha's fault!
Shaynie: well, Taka-chan is having fun now.
Psystar1: You're sharp. Actually, the whole Dante thing started as for a purely innocuous reason; I thought Dante is really hot plus the fact that he looks somewhat similar to what I envisioned Kyo as. Except, he's not that evil looking. . . .hmm. . .in fact, I think the best comparison would be Sozo Sagara from Rurouni Kenshin, the captain of the Sekiho troops. Ah. . .
Ironically enough though, Dante has come to mean more than that to the story. It sort of has relation to what's going on but not in the way you think. After all, I don't want to spoil the surprise for you or anyone else right? *blinks innocently* Patience, grasshopper. All will be revealed. . .soon. . .I hope. . .
Bloody Valentine: You want GORE? You want PERVERSION? You want MORE???? Ask, and ye shall receive!!!! Mwahahahahahaha! But not in this chapter. *giggle* Soon though, no worries. Tari-Torture. . .hmm. . .I'll see what I can do about it. . .torture in what way? As in turning Tats into a drag queen? Hmm. . .the possibilities. . .love ya too. Hell, I love everyone who reviewed!
WARNING: this chapter is basically lime lime lime lime lemon lime lemon lime hell, it's very citrusy. Gomen, Shaynie. Blame it on Sakusha. In fact, blame Cong-san too. She wanted it as well. . .okay, I wanted it too. Happy?
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
Chapter 12
Too Soon
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
"Kyo?"
He opened his eyes and peered up into Takashi's face, his own nesting in the crook of the man's arm and smiled.
"Yeah?"
Takashi took that moment to thank God first, that he had Kyo. Beautiful, perfect Kyo who loved him more than he thought possible and whom he loved more than he thought he could love anyone. He would die if he had to lose him again.
"The Arit. . ." he trailed off as the memory of a pale face and twisted body resurfaced, but after a moment, he firmly pushed it aside. No use bringing it up now. At least, she had found the peace of true death. Nothing could touch her now. "When the pentagram cracked and it was about to attack you, why did it stop? It looked as though it was flung back but from what I sensed, it wasn't you who did it."
Kyo sat up, the covers falling to his lap and frowned down at him. With an impatient gesture, he pushed his hair out of his eyes. "I've been thinking about that too," he admitted. "Something definitely helped me there and I don't know who. It wasn't any of the others though. And whatever it was, it scared the Arit pretty badly."
Takashi thought about that while running his fingers lazily up and down Kyo's torso. "What would scare a demon?" he mused.
Eyes half-lidded, Kyo licked his lips and said, "Enma?" He was only half-joking.
"Kanoe Kacho told me once," Takashi started slowly, his fingers dancing slower, "that when Tsuzuki was possessed by Saagatanus, Enma intervened, helping him to break the maboroshi he was trapped in. . . could it have been Enma?"
Eyes practically closed now and a purr starting deep in his throat, Kyo leaned down until he was half-lying on top of Takashi. He took the advantage of his position to place feathery kisses on his husband's chest and was rewarded with Takashi's hitched breathing.
"We know why, or at least, one of the reasons why Enma-Daioh did that," Kyo murmured. "Tsuzuki's too powerful to be possessed. With the 12 Gods under his command, he could probably destroy Meifu if he wanted to."
"Don't you think that's a little overboard?" He squirmed restlessly underneath Kyo and grabbed the back of Kyo's neck. Pulling him down forcibly, Kyo let out a giggle as he kissed the boy soundly before letting him answer.
"No it's not," Kyo disagreed mildly and nipped him. "Remember that case around 2 months back? The one where that onryoh* tried to make Hisoka a head shorter? If I remembered correctly, Tsuzuki got pretty pissed. Pissed enough that he practically destroyed the whole graveyard."
"Oh yeah, I remember that. . .I guess you're right. I wouldn't want to get on his bad side."
Long minutes were spent in delightful wriggling under the sheets after that little exchange. If it's not obvious before, it should be stated here that in their relationship, Takashi was definitely the seme, the dominant one, and he enjoyed being on top. Kyo, naturally the uke (though he insists he does not look like a uke), likes to be at the bottom. But as they say, variety is the spice of life and Kyo enjoyed spicing up their relationship. At first, he refused to let Takashi roll over and be on top, pressing Takashi's hips into the bed with his own and giggling even more when Takashi let out a frustrated growl. The man clearly longed to take charge and get a little revenge of his own but Kyo wasn't about to have that.
"You're not a young man, sensei," Kyo said with a serious tone. "Don't overexert yourself. Think about your health," he admonished.
"Why you little-" Takashi spluttered.
Kyo lifted his hips higher and before Takashi could move, pressed his hand firmly down on the sensei's arousal.
"You were saying?" he said innocently.
Takashi whimpered.
"Very good, ojiisan!" Kyo said encouragingly. "I'll do all the work today, don't you worry!"
Oh my, the sensei was turning rather white in the face. Kyo tsked sadly to himself. Takashi seemed to have difficulty breathing. It could be due to his utter indignation at being called an 'ojiisan', or it could be due to his hand which he had yet to move. Either way, Kyo felt that it was his duty to help the poor man. Kyo administered the kiss of life.
"So why don't you think it was Enma who helped you?" Takashi said lazily a little while later, finally giving up and letting the boy ravage his poor, used body.
"Because I'm just a lowly Shinigami with little firepower?" Kyo suggested.
"No you're not," Takashi yawned. "You control the elements, that puts you below Tsuzuki. So why can't it be Enma?"
Kyo paused and looked down, his blue eyes serious. "It's true that it happened too fast for me to get a clear id on the source. . .but remember what the Arit said afterwards?"
Takashi frowned as he tried to recollect. He wasn't sure if he had heard the demon correctly. At that time, he was too busy getting worried about Kyo. "I think he said something like. . . .I didn't know, forgive me, aljunnu. . ." he trailed off.
"Baal and Syaitan," Kyo finished. "They're all major figures in myths and religions. Either as fallen angels or demons. Usually the top-level ones."
"So he was saying sorry to his boss?"
Kyo blew a noisy sigh, huffing back his bangs. "I don't know," he declared and flopped dispiritedly on top of Takashi.
Who immediately took advantage of the distraction and with a neat movement, flipped Kyo on his back, rolling on top of him.
"This feels much better," Takashi said smugly.
"Oh woe is me," Kyo said dramatically, placing a mourning hand against his forehead. "Here I am, a young, fresh, innocent—"
Takashi snorted.
"-virgin—"
Takashi gagged.
"-helpless boy, trapped by an unscrupulous, lecherous—"
"Hey, I resent that."
"-oversexed—"
"True, true."
"-nymphomaniac who claims to be my husband! A supposedly caring, loving, gentle (!!!!) husband—"
"I am."
"-yet he repeatedly continues to take advantage of my pure, sparkling eyed innocence! Woe is me!"
"Oh shut up."
"How will I face the world?? How will I claim my rightful place among the pure saints of—mmph!"
"Do you," Takashi said breathlessly between kisses, "really don't want me to do this? Or this? Or this?"
Kyo considered that for a moment and gave his heartfelt answer. "Oh, to hell with my innocence. Ravage me, you manly Neanderthal you!"
"With pleasure."
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
Author's Note:
I would like to state here my innocence in the above. I claim absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for what transpires between Kyo and Takashi in the bedroom.
Or in the kitchen.
Or the bathroom.
Or at their front door.
Or on the balcony.
Or in the elevator.
Or under the table at the corner booth of the Haagen-Daz café in Shinjuku.
Or on the floor in front of the television.
Or under Takashi's desk in the office.
Or under Kyo's desk in the office.
Or in that little supply room off the hallway from Watari's lab which Takashi is very fond of.
Or the fact that ties, ribbons, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, ice cubes (yes, ice cubes), lubricants, Kyo's belt, Takashi's belt, or any other implements, devices and whatnots are abused in said activities.
I claim my legal rights. Thank you. Have a nice day.
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
Kanoe coughed nervously and shifted imperceptibly on his cushion. Service in the Hall of the Dead was above par as usual; the tea a blend he could never hope to obtain anywhere else in the living world, the plate of delicately moist cake waiting for him or the fact that it was all served with delicate china that could grace the tables of emperors with no shame at all.
He had a reason for his nervous cough though.
This was the second clandestine meeting Enma-sama had called. He was getting a serious phobia with prophecies.
"Something troubling you, Kanoe?" Enma asked him gently.
He flinched slightly. The voice always took some effort getting used to. At times he felt as if he could die for pure pleasure of the unearthly tones that vibrated beneath the surface of each uttered word. At times, he felt he could die for pure pain from the titanic force of a god that uttered those mundane words.
"It's nothing, really," he hastened to assure but an instant later, felt completely ridiculous for doing it. This was Enma-Daioh. Lord of Meifu. Of course he would know something was troubling him. "Well, actually. . ."
"The Prophecy still troubles you I see," Enma said gravely.
"Yes my Lord," Kanoe said heavily. "I can barely sleep nowadays for sheer panic. You've told me to prepare but. . ." he lifted empty hands in a gesture of defeat. "I don't know what to prepare for. How do you prepare for the end of the world?"
Enma regarded him silently for a few seconds that lasted an eternity to him. In the interim, he took a small sip of his tea; he didn't want to be a rude guest.
"Would it seem foolish to you, Kanoe," Enma said suddenly and he nearly sprayed his tea in surprise. He hastily gulped the mouthful he had and sat straighter as Enma continued.
"Would it seem foolish, if I said that I was hoping it would never come to pass? That the signs I read would turn out to be false? Is it foolish that a god can hope?" Pure gold eyes stared unblinkingly into his own and with a start, Kanoe realized that there was grief mingled with sadness in those inhuman eyes.
"My Lord. . ." he said slowly and stopped. What could he say to comfort a god? Was he supposed to comfort a god? This was a god for god's sake! It should be the other way around, isn't it? In the end, he threw caution to the winds. "I believe that everyone has the right to hope. Even gods," he said with a small smile.
Enma smiled back and Kanoe basked in the warm glow of that gentle expression. The god then sat back, allowing Kanoe to take another fortifying sip of his tea, and a bite of his cake.
"While it is true that I had not specified to you exactly how to prepare for it. . . it was my hope that the signs indeed, would turn out to be false. Events that were supposed to happen have yet to, so once again, I feel hope in me. Perhaps, we would not need to gamble the world after all. . ." Enma trailed off.
Kanoe was getting confused. But since that was a common thing when one conversed with a god, he let his curiosity die down with a mental philosophical shrug. If Enma had wanted to enlighten him, he would.
"You wanted to ask me something though, Kanoe."
"Yes my Lord. Kyo and Takashi-san asked me to ask you this."
"Proceed then."
"A recent case of theirs concerning an Arit demon has them puzzled. When they were exorcising it, Kyo-san's kekkai cracked and the demon was going to attack him. However, he said an unknown energy came between them and scared the demon off. Something he and the others could not identify. They were wondering if it was you who had intervened as you did with Tsuzuki and Saagatanus."
He was not prepared for the shock that rippled across the ageless and immortal face. The pale skin paled even further and the pure gold eyes widened. Such was Enma's shock that the lights in the Hall faltered and for a brief second, he was afforded the scene of swirling stars against black void; the ceiling above had lightened momentarily.
"Something intervened?" Enma whispered. "Did he describe what it was to you?"
Kanoe was getting nervous. Whatever it was that had happened, it was obviously not Enma who had helped Kyo. And whoever did, was someone or something that Enma did not expect. "He said that what he saw was a brief flash of green light," Kanoe said uneasily.
Pale, slender fingers covered the face of the god. Enma spoke softly through the hand that he covered his face with. "Too soon," he whispered.
"Too soon for what my Lord?" Kanoe asked anxiously. "Are my staff in trouble? Should I wa-"
"You will tell them nothing!" Enma cut him off abruptly. So abruptly that Kanoe practically choked back his words.
"But, they'll want to know whether I asked you my Lord. What will I tell them?" Kanoe asked weakly.
"You will tell them nothing," Enma repeated again, softer this time but there was a hardness around his eyes that assured Kanoe he would do well to heed the warning. After a minute of strained silence, Enma lifted a hand in a gesture of dismissal and Kanoe took the cue gratefully.
As he hurried as politely as possible down the aisle of tatami-covered floor, he distinctively heard the whisper that followed him.
"Too soon."
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
2 years have passed by. . .
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
A lot of adjectives can be applied to Watari Yutaka, resident mad scientist of JuuOhCho. Most, if not all of them, are positive adjectives. Adjectives like happy, smiling, joyous, friendly, upbeat, cheerful, pleasant, accommodating, dedicated, persistent, tenacious, smart, talented, genius, crazy, insane, off his rockers, obsessed, bats in the belfry, a few bricks short of a full load, (did I say all of them were pleasant adjectives? My bad). You get the idea.
Watari Yutaka is a man well-liked by all and loved deeply by one (three guesses who). Though his researches into the specific topic of gender-changing had produced several interesting, mind-boggling, traumatic and downright scary experiences, he was nonetheless, liked by everyone. Except for maybe Terazuma. He still has nightmares, poor man.
Such glowing praises for a Shinigami. But I digress. I was talking about adjectives and Watari. Where was I? Oh yes, many things can be said about Watari but 'nervous' is an adjective that is hardly, if not ever, applied to said mad scientist. Why? Just look at the amount of genkiness he can gush. Can such a person ever be nervous?
Ah, ladies (are there any gentlemen?), today is a historical moment for today, said adjective can be applied to dear Watari.
Watari was nervous.
And rightly so, he felt. What he was about to broach was a most delicate topic in itself that advised for caution and genteel discrete. It required the most subtle of discourse that begs privacy and a silencing ward placed in all four directions. And accordingly, the person he was about to approach can be as discrete as a butterfly or as direct as a sledgehammer.
He prayed fervently that it was the former today. He wasn't sure if his nerves could take such abuse.
"Kyo-kun?"
Kyo smiled up at him. "Yes?"
There was only the two of them in the lounge room that day. While not the most private of places, Watari felt that it would suffice for now. Almost everyone was on Chijou on assignments and Tatsumi was in his office, doing the quarterly budget report (in other words; run while you still can).
Kyo and Takashi were spared from going down to earth as they had no cases in their district that week. The sensei had taken the time to do some medical research concerning their regeneration powers and was also brushing up with the latest medical journals. Kyo meanwhile, had decided to let his husband do his work in peace and was currently enjoying a gaijin book called "Goblet of Fire". Kyo and Takashi had excellent English, he recalled. In fact, their skill had come in handy once on a gaijin yuurei that got stuck here.
"Watari, you're doing the whole mental conversation thing. Sit down first." Kyo patted the spot on the battered sofa next to him and Watari joined him gladly. He tucked his lab coat protectively around his legs and wondered how to start.
"So. . .erm. . .am I disturbing you?" he asked brightly.
Kyo narrowed his blue eyes suspiciously but an instant later, smiled (he's damn too perceptive, Watari thought to himself) and said, "It's okay, I've read this book more than five times already. Is something troubling you?" Saying so, the boy put down the heavy book, not bothering to mark his place and turned to him, giving Watari his full attention and making him even more nervous than he already was.
"Not troubling exactly. . .more like. . .wondering. . ." he hedged.
"You're beating around the bush," Kyo informed him bluntly. "I won't say anything to anyone if you don't want me to," he offered. "Well, except for Taka I'm afraid. He gets grouchy when I keep secrets."
"Didn't really expect you to," Watari laughed. "But I hope you won't tell anyone else though, especially Tatsumi."
"Ah, one mystery cleared. It's about you and Tatsumi is it? Don't worry, my lips are sealed."
Watari was relieved to hear that. When Kyo gave his word, he knew that the boy would keep it. He was just that kind of person after all. So was Takashi but he felt a bit leery about going to Takashi about this. The sensei reminded him too much of Sei-chan at times. And this was about him and Sei-chan.
Kyo thoughtfully gave him some time to gather his thoughts, waiting patiently. After a while, he spoke up and asked Kyo a question that had him blinking.
"You and Takashi are very affectionate with each other aren't you?"
Kyo did the blinking then. "We are. But so is Tsuzuki and Hisoka and you and Tatsumi."
"Yes, but the two of you are more. . .public about it," Watari protested and blushed faintly. In fact, the couple was the only couple he knew that was the least embarrassed about public displays of affection. Not that he knew many gay couples but that's beside the point. He could recall quite clearly the time everyone had walked in the staff room (together and on time for once) after lunch one day and found Kyo and Takashi making out quite enthusiastically. They had broken off when they realized that they had an audience but neither was mortified about it. Takashi had even offered, with an evil smirk, to repeat their performance at only ¥15,000 per person.
Kyo had poked him then and said that their performance was worth at least ¥30,000. Tatsumi had to put his foot down firmly when Saya, Yuma and a blushing Wakaba took out their purses.
"True," Kyo smiled wryly. "I think it's because when we were alive, we had to keep our relationship a secret from everyone except two of our close friends. We were afraid the school board would not look too kindly at a sensei who married his own student. And that they're both gay," he added.
"'Soka?" he murmured. "Well, I figured since you're both very comfortable about it, you wouldn't mind. . .talking about. . .erm. . .talking about. . .mnrpghtjkl."
"Sex?" Kyo asked cheerfully when he could only mumble the word unintelligibly.
"Er, yeah, sex." Watari shifted uncomfortably and gave a worried look at the closed door.
"It's okay, Watari. I couldn't really talk about it myself when we first started. I was too embarrassed to. But then I figured, what the hell. Why? Are you and Tatsumi having problems in the bedroom?"
Yes, Kyo can be very direct when he chose to.
"No! No!" Watari protested, flustered. "We're not having problems in the bedroom," blushing, he quickly changed tack. "Do you and Takashi have. . .sex. . .often?" he asked faintly.
He couldn't believe he was really going through with this. With an 18 year old boy nonetheless. Well, 20 years old, if you count death years. But hey, who's counting?
"Yes, we do have sex often. Actually, we have a very hard time getting our hands off of each other," Kyo informed him with a conspiratory smile. "I think me and Taka are closet nymphomaniacs!"
"Ah. . .hahaha! That's. . . good. . I think. What I wanted to know was. . . how do you keep it freshandinteresting?" he blurted out the last few before he lost his courage.
Kyo frowned, "Are you saying that sex with Tatsumi has gotten boring?"
"No!" Watari shook his head fiercely. "Not at all! I love it when Sei-chan touches me and I know he loves it when I do. . ." he was going sparkly-eyed and had to shake himself. "But, I think, we're getting stuck in a rut," he told Kyo miserably. "It's not that I don't like sleeping with him, I do! It's just that. . .it's getting to be a . . ."
"Routine?" Kyo supplied.
Watari sighed and slumped dejectedly lower. "Yeah, routine. I don't know if he notices. . .I'm not sure if he does."
Kyo smiled sympathetically. "Tatsumi does like order and routine doesn't he? But that should not be applied to everything. Surprises can be fun after all, or a break from the routine."
"So how do you keep it fresh and interesting?"
Kyo was silent for a moment, considering his answer. "The thing is about sex, it's the best thing in the world when you love your partner. And falling in love and staying in love is a blessing that not many people have. I'm one of the lucky ones. So are Tsuzuki and Hisoka, and you, Watari."
"I am," he smiled simply.
"But," Kyo continued, "just because you're lucky enough to found the person you love, that doesn't mean everything else will magically fall into place and you'll live happily ever after. Love needs work, Watari. Constant work and constant supervision."
"What do you mean?" Watari asked curiously.
"The thing is with love, because it's so beautiful and special, it's also very fragile and easy to lose. I'm not saying you'll love Tatsumi less or he loves you less just because your sex life is getting routine, but it's too easy for love to turn to apathy. When you're so used, so certain to the fact that you'll be waking up next to the same person day after day, you tend to get comfortable and the magic just. . .dies out."
"So how do I stop it from dying out?"
"You need to show him, and for him to show you, how special the love you share is. It could be a surprise lunch you pack for him, or a romantic getaway or just a simple phone call in the middle of the day to say I love you. And sex plays a large part in it."
"Trust humans to depend so much on carnal pleasures," Watari said jokingly.
Kyo smiled briefly at that. "We do, don't we? But for me, making love is exactly what we call it. Making love. When you found that special someone, you found that connection that goes beyond words and gestures. You know him and he knows you like no one else does. Making love is the physical affirmation of that connection. So don't let it get into a rut. Make it exciting again. I'm not saying you should go wildly exotic like S&M—"
"-god forbid. I think Sei-chan will have a heart attack if I use a whip."
"-but it could be something like. . .say, a quickie during lunch break," Kyo shrugged.
Watari thought about it. "Does. . .er. . .tying. . him. . or me up counts as. . S&M?" his face was burning right to the roots of his hair.
"Not really," Kyo grinned. "That's pretty mild. A lot of couples do it. We do."
"You do?" Watari squeaked.
"Yup! And love it! But," Kyo frowned darkly, "he's too fond of tying me up. I think I should turn the tables once in a while but does he let me? Nooooo. 'Me uke you seme' my ass. . .maybe I'll tie him up tonight. . ." Kyo mumbled to himself.
"You really love him don't you?" Watari said suddenly. "Really, really love him. And vice versa."
Kyo broke off his dark mumblings and stared at him intently before replying. There was no hint of a smile in his face or voice as he answered. "Yes," he said softly. "I love him so much that sometimes. . .it hurts. I never felt this way about anyone else before and I don't want to. I want him. I want him to be mine forever and be his forever."
Watari couldn't help the little inward shudder that coursed through him at those words. There was so much passion, so much force behind it that it scared him. And it made him happy. It made him scared because he didn't realize that such a love was possible but it also made him happy that it was. He didn't know if he loved Tatsumi that deeply, but he loved the man all the same. He made death bearable.
"Did you know I nearly got banished after I died?" Kyo said suddenly.
Watari was startled. "You were?"
"Uh-huh," Kyo nodded with a wry smile. "I. . .an explosion happened in our school and Takashi was trapped. I. . died saving him and afterwards, I refused to move on." He said all this with a crooked smile but Watari was horrified.
"You died saving him?" he whispered.
"Aa, and I would do it again if I have to. Anyway, a couple of Shinigamis came, trying to talk some sense into me but I refused to listen. Then this guy came, he was from another division but he moved on shortly after I was accepted as a Shinigami. He told me what would happen if I stayed but he gave me a choice. He said that I could be offered a position as a Shinigami to wait for Taka so I took it."
"And then he became a Shinigami himself." Watari gave a low whistle. "What are the odds of that happening?" he mused.
"No idea. But I'm thankful all the same. We get to live a somewhat normal life as a married couple and that's all I ask."
They let silence settle between them for a while as Watari thought about what he said. It didn't take long for Watari to ask the next question though, in fact, Kyo was anticipating it.
"Do you have any. . .ideas. . about how to make sex. . more interesting?" Watari was blushing again but not as fiercely. He was probably getting used to it.
A wicked grin crossed Kyo's face, one that made Watari wonder what kind of insanity he had gotten himself into. The boy jumped up and cocked his head to the side. "Come with me," he said and strode out of the lounge room.
Watari quickly jogged to catch up and fell in place beside him. "You're not going to. . .show me. . .things are you?" Watari asked apprehensively.
Kyo rolled his eyes and poked him. "What do you think I am? A pervert? It's not that, it's just a small. . .demonstration of the little things you can do. You can move on from there. I'm sure you'd have no trouble."
Still, Watari couldn't help the little butterflies that were in his stomach. Kyo had a look in his eyes that made him want to hide under Tatsumi's desk.
Not surprisingly, Kyo made his way to the lab where Takashi was and walked in softly without knocking. Watari stayed in the doorway. Takashi was still reading, several journals piled up next to his elbow. He was sitting on one of the lab stools and as Kyo approached him, he turned around in surprised pleasure.
"Kyo," he smiled. "What are y—"
His words of greeting were unceremoniously cut off as Kyo took a firm grip of the sensei's tie and hauled him off the stool. Bewildered, Takashi let Kyo propel him to the nearest wall and the boy pushed him up against it. Before Takashi could collect himself, Kyo grabbed his hair, not hard enough to hurt but he was definitely grabbing, and kissed the life out of the sensei, pinning him against the wall.
Kyo was kissing Takashi in a way that made Watari blush as the conversation earlier had not. Before he could run away though, Kyo had released the man with an abrupt push. Smiling, he said cheerfully to the dazed sensei. "See you for lunch!"
With that, he walked out of the lab and hauled the stunned Watari off back to the lounge. They both plopped down on the sofa and Kyo grinned at him. "See? That's just a small example. Surprise the man, throw him off-guard, do something unexpected and you'll be pleased by the result."
Watari was still trying to get his mind (and other parts of his body) back in the proper place. "You really think it'll work?"
In reply, Kyo just raised his eyebrow and looked at his watch. "Three, two one," he announced and at 'one', the door flew open.
Takashi was standing before them with a dark look on his face. His hair had been seriously mussed by Kyo earlier and it fell in abandon into his eyes. The sensei had not bothered to wear his glasses and his eyes glinted evilly as he held out his tie in his hand.
"Kyo," he said pleasantly even as he stalked over to the sofa and hauled the boy up by his shirtfront. "We have something to talk about. Will you excuse us, Watari?" He didn't bother waiting for a reply and dragged Kyo out of the room. Kyo, for his part, looked like the cat that swallowed the canary.
"See you in a few Watari!" he called out gleefully even as Takashi twirled the tie around and whistled a nameless tune.
As the door closed behind them, Watari could hear Takashi say, "Just for that, you're getting gagged again and this time, I won't be so quick about it."
"Ooh, please do."
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
Tatsumi scowled blackly at the paper before him.
And scowled some more.
Still, the figures refused to change.
Someone, namely Tsuzuki and Terazuma, are going to be in deep trouble when they get back, Tatsmui growled to himself. The whole graveyard fiasco with Tsuzuki and the shopping mall incident with Terazuma had done things with the budget that nearly made his eyes cross in rage. He swore that it was costing the Shokan more to keep the two rather than just firing them both. Tsuzuki was lucky enough to get the measly bit he did every month, with Terazuma not doing any better. Still, he sighed, even though it's a small difference, at least there is a difference.
A knock at the door startled him out of his gloomy reverie.
"Yes?" he called out automatically.
The door cracked open and Kyo stuck his head in. "Tatsumi-san," he greeted the secretary.
"What can I do for you, Kyo-kun?" for the boy, he could at least keep the weariness in his tone down. He and Takashi were one of the few Shinigamis that actually stayed within budget and barely had any damage reports. He loved them desperately for that.
"Watari asked if you could stop by the lab for a bit," Kyo said apologetically. "He said he's not feeling so good."
Worry instantly cleared his mind of any thoughts on debts and budgets. Thinking only about the blonde, he cleared his desk hurriedly and strode to the door, Kyo stepping back to let him through.
"Is he alright?" Though he was as calm as ever, Kyo could see the hint of worry in his eyes and tried to make him feel better.
"I think it's just a headache," he said reassuringly. "It doesn't look serious. I have to go now though, Takashi's waiting for me."
"Yes, alright then. Thank you, Kyo-kun."
"My pleasure," Kyo gave him a brief bow and turned down the opposite corner. As it was, Tatsumi missed the smirk that crossed the boy's face.
The secretary was in for a pleasant surprise.
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
"Yutaka?" Tatsumi called out in the empty lab.
"In here, Sei-chan," came the faint reply. Watari was obviously in the little room beside the lab that he set aside for rest. He hurried to the room, pushing the door open impatiently and stopped in stark surprise.
The room within was dim, lit only by the glow of a few candles placed strategically around. The bed, for once, was made up properly, the sheets straightened and the covers pulled down invitingly. Watari himself was sitting in a faded wingchair placed near the window that gave a splendid view of the sakura grove outside.
If the room's new décor had him surprised, Watari had him stunned.
He was sitting casually in the wingchair, one leg flung carelessly over the chair's arm. He had taken off his habitual white lab coat and was wearing only his sleeveless black turtleneck and faded jeans. With his golden hair lying in glorious abandon over a shoulder and amber eyes sparkling, unhindered by glasses, he made Tatsumi's knees weak and his stomach ache.
"Yutaka," he said stupidly. "I thought you weren't feeling well?"
"Oh I am," Watari nodded seriously. "I feel a bit funny actually."
Again, concern overrode anything else and Tatsumi came to stand before Watari, peering down anxiously.
"Are you having a fever?"
In answer, Watari reached up and with long, slender fingers, pulled off his glasses and dropped them on the carpeted floor beside his chair. Tatsumi blinked, not sure what to make of it. While it was true that he really needed the glasses for reading only, he was a getting a bit nonplussed by what's happening.
"Yutaka?" he said again, uncertainly.
He was mildly surprised to find himself grabbed by the lapels of his coat, dragged down until he was face to face with Watari and the blond then gave him a kiss which, if his brain did not stop functioning earlier, it certainly did now.
There was a certain new quality in the kiss. A certain. . .wildness that somehow drove him crazy and made him kiss back with just as much fervour as Watari. He tangled his fingers in soft, long and luxurious blond hair and pressed the man deeper into the kiss. He was on his knees now and was probably getting his slacks wrinkled but he didn't care. All he knew was that there was something different in their kiss today and he didn't want to lose it.
Even as they kissed, their hands were busy; Watari had feverishly worked his tie off and was pushing his coat away. Tatsumi shook his arms out of the sleeves impatiently and slid his hands beneath the soft turtleneck and Watari cursed as he lost time taking it off. The instant he was free of the encumbering material, he attacked Tatsumi with renewed vigour.
"God, do you have to wear so many pieces?" Watari muttered as he now tried to get rid of Tatsumi's vest. The secretary was having an easier time. He now had Watari's jeans unzipped and was stroking him in a way that made his fingers forget what they were doing.
He took in a shuddering breath, torn between wanting to strip the man entirely or give himself up the entirely enjoyable sensations coursing through him. Tatsumi made the decision for him. With quick, practiced movements, he had his vest, shirt and belt off in five seconds flat. Before he could take off his slacks though, Watari shook his head and pulled Tatsumi to his feet.
"Let me," he said with a grin. In direct contrast to their earlier eagerness, Watari took his time as he unzipped the slacks slowly, all the while nipping Tatsumi's throat gently.
"You are such a tease," Tatsumi said through clenched teeth.
"I know," Watari smirked and licked delicately.
"That's it," Tatsumi gasped. "I am not going to play nice any more." With that, he grabbed the blond and spun him around, pushing him down to the bed and straddling his legs, trapping Watari beneath him.
"Getting a little bit heavy-handed aren't we?" Watari smirked again.
"You damn right I am." He bent down and gave an evil smile of his own. Almost reverently, he kissed Watari's arousal with the layer of cotton between them and Watari shivered as warm air ghosted over him.
"No fair," he squirmed. "You're torturing me."
"Of course I am," Tatsumi replied mildly. "You did it to me."
He continued to tease Watari, kissing, touching and caressing gently but always with a layer of cloth in between. They still had their pants on and he delighted in this new form of torture for Watari. But he wasn't sure how long he himself could hold on though. The little gasps Watari was making drove him crazy.
When he stopped his teasing to kiss Watari on the mouth, tongue sliding in and out in a promise of things to come, Watari bucked beneath him, grinding their hips together and Tatsumi lost control.
Almost savagely, he got rid of Watari's jeans and nearly cried in frustration when he had to stand up and get rid of his own slacks. He lost no time in doing so and before Watari could recover, he had lain himself on top of Watari, rubbing their bodies close together.
"Stop playing already," Watari gasped in his ear and pressed the lube in his hand.
Taking the advice to heart, Tatsumi unscrewed the cap with shaking fingers and rubbed a liberal amount on his own arousal and fingers. He had a feeling that he would not have the control to take it slow and easy today. Neither did Watari it seems. He was thrusting his hips against Tatsumi's in a way that made him fumble and drop the tube on the floor.
"Ready?"
At his nod, Tatsumi inserted a finger in gently and after Watari got used to it, inserted another and another. He stretched the opening as best as he could but when the muscles clamped down on his fingers, he knew he was losing control fast.
Taking out his fingers, he poised himself just above Watari and gave him one long, lingering kiss. Watari moaned, and he thrust himself in.
It felt as though little shocks were running throughout his whole body, awakening nerve endings he never knew existed and setting fire to it. They settled into a familiar rhythm, one that had him pumping in faster and faster as his body begged for release. Watari himself lost control first, warm liquid suddenly coating his thighs and stomach and the blond gave a strangled yelp.
Feeling that warmth dripping stickily over him, Tatsumi cried out, shuddering in his own release.
As he reached the end, he gave one last final thrust and fell heavily on top of Watari. They lay there like that quietly for a few moments until Tatsumi finally felt he had enough energy to move. He rolled over to his side and Watari followed him like an eager puppy. Holding him close, he kissed Watari's sweat-soaked temples and yawned lazily in quiet contentment.
"That, was amazing," he murmured sleepily.
"I couldn't agree with you more," Watari said and snuggled closer. "I have to thank Kyo later."
Sleep was about to claim him but the mention of Kyo's name brought him wide awake. "What does this has to do with Kyo?" he asked suspiciously.
"Oops," Watari giggled. "I was planning on telling you later actually."
"Telling me what?"
"Kyo told me. . .never mind, later at home, okay?"
"What is it?" he insisted.
Watari rolled his eyes. "We don't have time. Lunch hour is going to end soon and I know you're dying to get back to your budget report," he teased.
"Actually," Tatsumi admitted sheepishly, "if we keep on doing this, that damn report can wait until next year for all I care."
"Ah, is Tatsumi-san actually loosening up a little here?"
"Shut up and go to sleep. If I don't get any rest, I'll be falling over my report later."
"You can always fall over me."
"Yutaka!"
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
Enma-Daioh, Lord of Meifu, sat in his Hall and sighed heavily.
The Hall was empty of its usual attendants, dismissed by himself earlier and he sat alone in the warm glow of the saffron light that gave the Hall of the Dead a decidedly homey feel. Enma sat on his raised dais. . .and worried.
He had asked Kanoe, two years ago, whether a god can hope and now, he thought back on the old man's answer.
I believe that everyone has the right to hope. Even gods.
Did he have hope?
He thought he did. When the days that passed brought no change in the signs he had first read, he thought perhaps, that maybe, it would not happen. Foolish to think so, he knew, but as Kanoe had said, even a god can hope.
But hope was a fragile thing. Easily broken and easily forgotten, even for one such as he. The news Kanoe had given him that time had shocked him to the core of his being and he knew without a doubt that the signs hadn't lied. He had just chosen to be blind to it.
But am I wrong to hope? Hope gives light to the darkness and makes it bearable. The alternative is to have no hope and let darkness overwhelm us all.
And I cannot accept that.
Too much had been placed at stake. Too much for the sake of a world that slowly loses it belief in the very thing that created it in the first place. How many still believe in what can't be seen compared to those who don't?
Without even a gesture, the Hall around him rippled and faded, to be replaced by an entirely different scene. Wind, carrying the scent of brine whipped his long hair into a tangled banner. There was grass beneath his feet now as he stood slowly. Vegetation in its first stages of birth poked shy heads through the swaying blades that danced to every whim of the wind and as he made to move forward, the wind died down and the tall grass bowed in homage, clearing a path for him.
He acknowledged them with a blessing and made his way slowly. Soon enough, he came to a simple house, made of straw and wood. How long he stood there, staring at the silent dwelling, he didn't care. When the sun finally set in a quiet blaze, he turned and once again, his surroundings faded to be replaced once again by his Hall. Enma sat back on his dais and regarded his folded hands in his lap silently.
Too soon.
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
~to be continued~
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
A/N: I CAN'T BELIEVE I ACTUALLY DID A TATS X TARI LEMON! DEAR GOD! SAKUSHA & CONG-SAN: WHAT HAVE YOU PEOPLE DONE TO ME???????
Ah well. I liked it anyway.
(Angelic-Kelly is banging Devilish-Kelly's head with a fruit squeezer) *Bad Kelly! Bad Kelly! Very Very Bad!*
Where was I? Oh yeah, I was dropping hints again. Evil me. And I refuse to say where it is. Find out for yourself! Hohohoho! Review!