Title: As the Darkness Falls part 4 Pairing : RuHana Rating: PG-13 Author: Harsha This is an AU fic

Akira grinned when he realized it was Hanamichi who had woken him up. He wrapped his arms around the redheaded man's waist and pulled him onto the bed. Hanamichi yelled in surprise as he tumbled onto the bed. The next thing he knew, he was being glomped by Sendoh. " Oh Hana-kun, I've missed you so much. How have you been?" " I'll be really happy once you get off me. I can't breathe'' gasped a winded Hanamichi. Sendoh pouted adorably and replied, " Why would I get off you? I like it up here. I have a perfect view of your delectable body." Hanamichi growled in anger," You good for nothing pervert! How dare you ogle at my body! Get off me at once or I'll throw you off ." Sendoh smiled sweetly at Hanamichi before saying," Nope, I'm not getting off you."

Just then, the two men on the bed heard a voice from the living room. " What the hell is going on in there? Gardener what's taking you so long to change your clothes?" Hanamichi groaned in despair. That stupid prince was in his living room and Akira wouldn't get off him. God what next! Suddenly, he heard Prince Rukawa's voice again; " Gardener, if you don't open the door this second, I'm going to break down the door!" Sendoh stared down at Hanamichi with a comically puzzled look on his face. " Gardener? What gardener is he talking about?" Hanamichi sighed and replied," I'm the new gardener of this palace, now will you get off me?" Sendoh refused to budge so Hanamichi tried to buck him off. He managed to shove Sendoh off but the spiky haired lad pulled at the sheet Hanamichi was wearing causing it to come undone and sending Hanmichi on the ground, naked and Sendoh on top of him.

Rukawa chose that exact moment to barge in through the door. He was met with the sight of a spiky haired man wearing black leather lying on top of a naked redheaded man aka ' The Gardener'. His eyes widened in shock at the intimacy of the scene. " What are you two doing?" he asked in a casual manner that totally belied his thoughts at the time. Hanamichi quickly shoved Sendoh off him and stood up," It's not what you think your highness. He is Akira Sendoh, my blood brother. We were having a bit off an argument and it led to a small scuffle. That's how we landed up in this position.'' Sendoh murmured to Hanamichi," Put on some clothes. Your sheet has fallen off." Hanamichi looked horrified and quickly wrapped the sheet around himself. Kaede looked slightly flushed and in a harsh tone said," Hurry up and change. I'll wait outside for you." He quickly walked out of the room and closed the door. Hanamichi turned to Sendoh and glared at him; " Sendoh! You idiot, look what you did. I've never been so embarrassed in my life." Sendoh smiled slyly at Hanamichi and replied, " I really enjoyed the view. It was merely bad luck that the prince chose that moment to barge through the door." Hanamichi sighed in exasperation," Man you are completely incorrigable." " That's why you love me" replied Sendoh with an angelic smile.

" Will you get out of my room so I can change?" said Hanamichi. Sendoh nodded and stepped out of the room. As he entered Hanamichi's living room, he noticed the prince staring suspiciously at him. He smiled at the prince but all he got in return was an icy glare. Kaede stared at the spiky haired man standing in front of him. He was definitely good looking with his jet black hair and deep blue eyes that seemed to have a mischievous glint in them. The spiky haired man was also tall, in fact taller than himself and he had a good physique. However, something about this man unnerved him. It was as if the man was concealing something. Kaede got the same feeling when he looked at the gardener. They were definitely hiding something and he was going to find out what it was.

Hanamichi stepped out of his room fully dressed. He was wearing black tights and a loose dark blue tunic over it. A sash was tied around the waist of the tunic and a sword holder was on one side of the sash. The outfit showed of Hanamichi's lean waist and long, muscular legs. Over the pants and tunic, he wore a long dark blue cloak that swayed seductively as he moved. Kaede almost gasped when he saw how gorgeous Hanamichi looked. He felt the heat rise up his cheeks as he recalled how the redhead had looked naked, lean with rippling muscles, long legs, slim waist and light golden skin. He looked in one word, scrumptious. Kaede turned to the spiky-haired man and glared at him. Who was this man to the gardener, and what had he been doing lying on top of him in that improper manner.

Hanamichi asked the prince," What did you come here for?" Kaede replied," Who are you? You say that you're a gardener but I don't believe you." Hanamichi sighed in exasperation," How many times do you want me tell you that I am your gardener!" " Very well then, come with me to the palace. I will verify with Lady Ayako if you're really a gardener." Hanamichi nodded and turned to Sendoh, " I'll see you later, ok." Sendoh smiled and nodded. Hanamichi followed Kaede back to the palace.

Hanamichi followed the prince back to the castle. He made sure the prince was a few feet ahead of him, because he knew that he if he got too near the prince, he would strangle him. Kaede turned his head and sneaked a glance at the redhead behind him. The gardener had a fierce scowl on his face. It was rather amusing and Kaede would have laughed except that he did not laugh. As they reached the castle, he turned to the redhead and said," Lady Ayako's room is over there. Follow me." Hanamichi followed the prince to the lady's room. Ayako looked up from her novel as she heard the door open. She saw the prince and a redheaded man enter the room. She immediately stood up and bowed to the prince. Kaede nodded curtly before asking," Is this man a gardener in the castle?" Ayako turned to the redheaded man and smiled. " Your highness, this is the new gardener. We juts hired him last week. He is only supposed to start his duties tomorrow. Is there some problem?" Hanamichi turned to Kaede with a smirk on his face," There, are you satisfied now?" Kaede hmmphed and replied," Whatever, you may go now." Hanamichi bowed down to Lady Ayako before turning and leaving the room.