Notes: Yeah… Firstly, a thousand apologies for the verrrrry late update. I finally got off my lazy ass and wrote more. I wrote this whole chap last night around…err, 12 a.m.? ;; This chapter will be slightly Kaidou-centric 'coz we all want his problems to be solved quickly, right? Right.

Act 10: A Friend In Need (Kaidou's agony)

A sharp pain pierced through his veins as he received a blow from the bully, and he fell backwards onto the ground. His bare arm scraped painfully against hard rocks. Kaidou felt as if half of his weight was gone, and he felt frail and light-headed.

"What's tha matter? Can't fight right, can you? All that big talk–"

A hand gripped Kaidou's shoulder from behind, and he whirled around, expecting to see another enemy. He was stunned to see that it was a member of the Seigaku team, and furthermore, his rival. "Momoshiro. . .?"

The spiky-haired guy offered him a knowing grin. "Need a hand?"

Kaidou couldn't make himself answer.

Before he could register the situation, Momoshiro had landed a hard punch into the enemy's face, which sent the latter staggering backwards, and finally running off.

He turned to the Viper. "You alright?" Kind-hearted as he naturally is, he helped Kaidou up. "That's some nasty bruises you've got. We'd better get you home and nurse them."

Kaidou was silent for a minute. ". . . I thought you hated me," he finally muttered, looking at his visage as if searching for a clue.

Momoshiro didn't surprised in the least. "I do."

The Viper looked away, realizing he had nothing to say to that.

"But I can't leave a friend in trouble when he needs help, can I?"

Kaidou attempted to mask his utter surprise. He hadn't expected that.

All this while unbeknownst to him, there had actually been someone who saw him as a friend.

- - -

"Nii-chan, who's that?" asked Kaidou's younger brother, who had just emerged from the dining room and noticed Momoshiro's presence.

Wincing under the sharp tingling heat of the warm towel on his bruises, Kaidou gritted out, " Someone you wouldn't want to know."

As Momoshiro sent him a fairly annoyed glare, Kaidou said, "Err… a friend. Name's Momoshiro."

Momoshiro grinned amiably at the kid. "Hey, bud. Y'can call me Momo."

"Nice to meet you," the boy nodded. His attention averted to Kaidou's still fresh wounds. "What happened to your arm, Nii-chan? Did you fall down again?"

Kaidou hissed angrily, but did not say anything otherwise and concentrated on tending the wounds instead.

Momoshiro chuckled. "Naw, he just got attacked by a couple of stray dogs out on the street. Apparently, they couldn't resist 'coz his blood smelled like molasses."

"Stop being a clown, dammit!" came Kaidou's enraged voice.

Momoshiro raised his hands. "Okay, okay. Chill out a little, will ya? You're gonna scare even the sharks away with your temper."

The boy blinked, confused. "Well I'm going upstairs to finish my homework now."

"Kayz, see ya, kiddo!" Momoshiro sang out, enthusiastically.

"Laters." The boy took one last look at his brother. "Don't cry, Nii-chan."

"The hell I would!" yelled Kaidou. A stab of pain ran through his limbs. "Ow!"

Momoshiro tsked, watching him with pity. "What a sad sight you are."

"Just. Shut. Up."

"Fine." Momoshiro strode towards the window, and gazed out at the lawn. "I just can't figure out how Inui-senpai could even stand you."

Kaidou's heart immediately went cold. A moment passed as he remained speechless. Then, in a disturbing low tone, he said, "What about him?"

"Hmm?" Momoshiro turned to look at him. The latter's expression had changed into a darker intensity.

"You . . . knew." It didn't sound like a question like Kaidou intended it to be.

Momoshiro shrugged evenly. "Yeah. I think everyone did."

Kaidou shut his eyes, and inhaled several deep breaths. Okay… Prepare for the worst, Kaidou…he told himself. "When did you know?"

Momoshiro shifted, looking uncomfortable. "Just recently."

"Who told you?"

"It was gossiped around. I'm sure you've heard–"

"Who was the bastard who started it?" Kaidou cut him off.

"I don't know. I just . . ." Momoshiro glanced into the Viper's eyes, and saw anguish in them. ". . . knew."

Kaidou sighed profoundly, and buried his face in his hands, willing the frustration to abate.

It wouldn't.

"Ano . . . Mamushi?"

"Are you going to call me a filthy fag too?" Kaidou removed his hands from his face to look at Momoshiro from the sofa.

The other man seemed taken-aback by the ruthlessness of Kaidou's voice. The expression was replaced by one of sympathy. "No. No, I just wanted to say that . . . if there's anything bothering you, you can always tell me."

Kaidou snorted. "So you can laugh about it?"

"I wouldn't . . ."

"I don't know. A hell lot of things are bothering me right now. Schoolwork, for instance."

"That's not really the thing that's clouding up your mind, is it?" Momoshiro, inquired, doubtful. "It's about Inui-senpai."

"I don't want to hear that friggin' name."

"Kaidou, exactly what the heck is going on?"

"Fetch me more hot water, will you? The water's gone cold."

"Don't avoid the goddamn subject!" Momoshiro's tone was sharp and persistent.

Kaidou's eyes met his, and Momoshiro saw something he never used to see in the Viper's eyes: helplessness.

A long silence hung the air before Kaidou spoke up, "It's me. I'm the one who's all wrong."

Momoshiro blinked. "Huh?"

Kaidou wouldn't face him. "I'm weird, okay? I can't think right whenever that bastard's around. I get all hot and twitchy whenever he's near me. I have this . . . this unconventional melting feeling inside of me when he . . . kisses me. And my head'll start spinning . . ." He broke off, realizing that his voice was wavering. "I . . . don't know what to do anymore. I loathe him for making me feel like this!" Grasping his hair with both hands, Kaidou began to sob quietly.

He was surprised to feel Momoshiro's form embracing him, and a warm hand stroking his back in a soothing motion.

"I understand," Momoshiro said, gently.

Kaidou closed his eyes and let the silent tears run free. He could not remember when he had last said the words but he made sure they were heard this time.

". . . Thank you."

Notes: I know, I know. You all are gonna start pounding me for making this chapter bloody short but I. am. continuing. No complains there, right? ducks flying chairs