To Des: I know I did Inu a tad bit OOC…But as this is AU, I'm allowed to take a few creative liberties. Thanks for reading though! =)

It was one of those moments were time stopped.

Inu Yasha stood frozen in the doorway, golden eyes wide with shock. He couldn't move; couldn't think; couldn't breathe. There was Bankotsu, pinned to the couch by the extremely fruity looking man from the pictures. It was bad enough that he was on top of Bankotsu, but to make matters worse, he had a hand down each of their pants and it looked like he was about to…

About to…

He couldn't stop gaping. His brain was pounding against his thick skull, screaming shrilly, trying to think of some other explanation for what was happening on that couch. This couldn't be happening…This could not be happening! Goddammit; it was NOT -- This means Bankotsu IS gay!!!

Bankotsu felt as if he was about to vomit. He wanted the ground to open and swallow him up. He wanted the couch to spontaneously burst into flames and roast him alive. He wanted the dorm to blow up with no survivors. Anything would be better than this. He could feel sweat trickling down his face; his heart was racing wildly. Dear God, let me die…

Suddenly, Jakotsu's fingers twitched, brushing against him. He bit his lip, willing his body to be cooperative and not decide this was exciting and arousing. "Jakotsu…" The name died on his lips, coming out as nothing more than a dead whisper. He wasn't going to…Was he? Not now; not with Inu Yasha in the doorway…He wouldn't dare…

Jakotsu's fingers twitched again. A sudden, overwhelming desire to laugh washed over Bankotsu. What an incredibly funny situation this was! There could have been no better way for Inu Yasha to discover he was in a relationship with a man. Well, with the exception of the freshman walking in and catching them in the middle of sex, at least. But there they were, he with the love of his life pinning him to the couch, on the verge of giving him a hand job, and the biggest homophobe on campus staring at the both of them. It was an almost laughable situation, one which, ten years from now, could be looked upon with hysterics rather than mortification.

Jakotsu couldn't tear his eyes away from the rigid figure in the door. "Beautiful…" The word came out a strangled whisper. His lips parted slightly, his lusty gaze never leaving the younger man's face. Those golden eyes, wide with fright…Beautiful. Fear was such a turn-on and it had been a long time since there had been fear. Bankotsu wasn't afraid any more. But Inu Yasha…sheer terror was written across his face. It didn't matter that there was underlying disgust, the fear was there plainly for all to see and it was positively thrilling.

Dark eyes flashed and fell shut for a moment, opening and continuing to stare at the boy in the doorway, lidded with desire, speaking volumes for their owner. Inu Yasha found himself still unable to move, even though he wanted desperately to shriek in terror and claw his eyes out. Jakotsu licked his lips as he continued to watch the blond. The puppy was so innocent…So naïve…So much like his lover had been when they met. Well, he liked a challenge. He could break him as well. All he needed was the chance…

Beneath him, Bankotsu seemed to regain his senses. He struggled violently, his voice hoarse as he screamed for the older man to stop, even though his protests were becoming more unwilling by the second. His voice caught in his throat and came out a strangled sob of "Jakotsu…stop…please…" followed by some whimpering and moaning.

Finally breaking his gaze with Inu Yasha, Jakotsu looked down for a moment to reassure the squirming man beneath him. It was then that he noticed the tears streaking down Bankotsu's face, the look of panic in his eyes, and he felt his heart wrench. What the hell am I doing? What's wrong with me? I wanted to make him feel better, not make him cry…

All but forgotten, Inu Yasha watched dumbly as the willowy man bent over the boy on the couch, gently brushing away his tears, apologizing profusely, begging forgiveness he didn't even deserve. Bankotsu seemed to be calming down, but he was blushing furiously, his face turned away as he stared silently into the back of the couch. Jakotsu was caressing his cheek, trying to get him to move, repeating over and over again how sorry he was.

Reality suddenly seemed to hit. Inu Yasha felt like he would be violently ill as he stumbled out of the room, trying to expel that horrid sight from his mind. It wasn't going to go away; the sight of his roommate there on the couch would be forever tattooed in his mind.

He ran down the hall, out the doors, into the hazy sunlight of the summer afternoon. There was nowhere he could go, nothing he could do, that would soften the awful truth. He was living with a disgusting, perverted man. Said man's…boyfriend -just thinking that made his skin crawl- was about to get off while staring…at…him. He felt the bile rising in his throat and forced himself not to throw up.

Leaning heavily against the wall, he cast golden eyes up to the cloud-free sky, trying desperately to catch his breath. Why me? Dear God, why me?

Bankotsu couldn't stop crying.

He'd curled up in a little ball on the couch, sniffling and hiccupping. Jakotsu hovered over him, apologizing over and over, trying to get him to say something. "Please, I'm sorry…I never, ever meant to do that…Please listen. Goddammit; I'm sorry!" Jakotsu was pacing; it sounded like he was trying to keep himself from crying, "I should have stopped, I know…But I couldn't help it! I'm so, so sorry, Bankotsu!"

"Why?" Bankotsu's braid quivered as he spoke, voice shaky and muffled by the sofa cushion, "Why? Is he…that attractive?"

"Bankotsu…" The couch shifted as Jakotsu sat on the edge of it. He rested a hand on the boy's shoulder, but drew it back when the boy flinched. Then he sniffled, his resolve breaking and tears trickling down his cheeks. "I don't know why!" He choked out, "I didn't want to…I just…did. I know it's no excuse and you have every right to hate me for it, but I never wanted to hurt you." He sniffled, staring at the other man's back, then down at his hands, "I just…I just…I don't know why…" His head bowed, defeated.

For a moment, there was a heavy, oppressive silence. Then Bankotsu turned slightly, looking up at his forlorn lover. "I don't hate you." He said quietly. "I could never hate you. I just hate the way you are sometimes." He gulped back the last of his tears, pushing himself up into a sitting position. "I don't want to share you. I don't want to think about you liking him…"

"I'm really sorry…" Jakotsu sniffled, still staring at his hands in his lap, "I don't know what came over me."

"It's…it's okay." Came the hesitant reply, "Just don't do it again." Bankotsu's hand closed over Jakotsu's, squeezing it softly. "Because I won't be so forgiving next time." He grinned up at the taller man.

Jakotsu looked down at him in wonder, dark eyes still shimmering with tears. Then he broke into a smile, taking his companion's face in his hands. "Shit, I love you." He ducked down to kiss the shorter man, "And don't you ever forget it." His lips moved up to Bankotsu's nose, then his forehead, before roaming back down to claim his mouth again. "Even if my eyes stray…My heart always leads back to you."

Bankotsu snuggled against his chest, reveling in the sweet words pouring from his boyfriend's lips. "I love you too." He whispered, sighing contentedly, burying his face in the other man's shirt. "Don't ever do anything like that again."

"I'll try."

"Try?"

"I can't promise." Jakotsu stroked his companion's braid, "Because I never want to break a promise to you. And sometimes…Sometimes I lose control. Sometimes I do things without thinking…like before…and I don't want to hurt you because I broke a promise."

"I understand." He didn't like it, but he did understand. There were things about Jakotsu that would always be…well, Jakotsu. "I understand." He repeated, wrapping his arms around the other man and burying his face in his neck, "I love you. Of course I understand." He kissed Jakotsu's pale, slender neck, then ran his tongue across his throat, causing the other man to shiver with pleasure. "I don't need to worry because I'm not letting you get away that easily."

"Maybe…" Jakotsu breathed, "Maybe we should go into the other room…And lock the door…" He smirked and Bankotsu laughed, "So we aren't interrupted again."

"Yes," Came the teasing reply, "Maybe we should."

The bus comes by every half hour on the quarter hour.

By five-ten, four young men were assembled together at the bus stop, all of them looking a bit happier than they had earlier in the day. Bankotsu seemed to have gotten over his shyness and was tightly clutching Jakotsu's hand in his. He blushed lightly, but held his head high, his claim on the other man evident, to which Jakotsu grinned. Kebakeba was bouncing excitedly, periodically losing one flip-flop or the other, and chatting up a storm as they waited for the bus. Tsuchi stood beside him, smiling gently, pleased that his companion was back to normal.

"I'm so excited! I haven't been to town since last spring!" Keba beamed, wriggling excitedly, "And I haven't had Chinese in just as long! We hardly get it at home. Aren't you excited, Tsu?" He grabbed his friend's hand, swinging it back and forth, grinning like the Cheshire cat.

"I'm happy that you're happy." Came Tsuchi's mild reply. He was relieved to see Keba smiling and exuberant once more; it was unnerving when the older boy got down in the dumps.

"You guys look happy too." The bouncy senior's chocolate gaze swung around to rest upon the other couple, "You did it before, didn't you?"

"Keba!" Tsuchi's eyes widened and he blushed deeply, mortified at his friend's forwardness.

"What?" What's the big deal? We did too." Keba grinned, to which his dark-haired companion's blush deepened. His eyes sparkled, "Don't be so shy, honey. Everybody already knows anyway."

Bankotsu was also blushing up a storm, his face as red as a tomato. Jakotsu, on the other hand, looked mildly amused by the whole situation; the two younger men flustered and embarrassed, the older two unruffled by the topic of discussion. "As long as we're discussing it…" Jakotsu smirked as Bankotsu began tugging at his hand and telling him to shut up, "We fooled around, but no sex." He grinned broadly, tossing an arm around his companion and planting a kiss on the top of his head, "That's for later."

Bankotsu looked ready to burst into flames. Tsuchi looked just as flustered. The two older men laughed gleefully, teasing their respective boyfriends until the bus arrived.

Keba instantly bounded on to the bus, briefly flashing his SAC card on the way by the driver. Tsuchi followed him, glaring at the few passengers who dared to give the flamboyant senior disgusted or dirty looks. The brunette seemed to be blissfully unaware of this as he made his way to the back of the bus, but the expressions on these people's faces weren't lost on Bankotsu as he trailed behind the dysfunctional couple. How can these people…Then he seemed to realize they were glaring at him as well and his anger flared.

Jakotsu seemed to notice as he tensed and he patted him on the back reassuringly. "Don't worry, kiddo." He whispered, "I won't let the big, bad homophobes get you."

Bankotsu snorted at this, settling himself into one of the back seats near Tsuchi, who had Keba clinging to his arm. The sophomore was still glaring at the other students on the bus; his expression seemed to be daring them to say something. "You're so protective of him." The braided boy commented softy.

A light smile graced Tsuchi's lips as he glanced up from the cuddly senior. "Yes, well, he's protective of me as well, in his own little way." His voice was quite, but there was a fondness in his eyes as he spoke of the brown-haired man.

Bankotsu smiled in return, nodding his agreement. For as long as he had known the couple, it had been evident that they cared deeply for one another. Keba might have been one for joking and flirting, but he loved Tsuchi ceaselessly. And he was all that Tsuchi had. Without each other, they were nothing and had nothing.

"Hey, how about you pay attention to me?" Jakotsu's hand tickled across the back of his friend's neck, causing Bankotsu to squirm and giggle. He settled back into the taller man's embrace, resting his head on Jakotsu's shoulder and looking around the bus.

There was the usual multitude of students; punks, preps, skaters, kids dressed nicely, kids in sports uniforms and then…"See those two over there?" Bankotsu pointed at a couple a few rows up. The guy was leaned casually back in the seat, his arm snaking around the girl's shoulders. She frowned lightly, swatting his hand away, her long, dark ponytail bouncing.

"What about them?" Jakotsu yawned lightly, pulling the shorter man closer and burying his face in his hair.

"They're friends with Inu Yasha. He introduced me to them at the picnic, but I don't remember their names. The guy was just about to ask me if I knew any hot chicks when Inu Yasha started freaking out about Keba kissing Tsuchi."

Jakotsu's inky gaze came to rest on the two freshmen. The girl was whispering loudly to the guy about how much of a pervert he was and he was grinning sheepishly. "He's not bad looking, you know." He commented offhandedly.

"Don't start with me." Bankotsu growled, "I'm not in the mood."

"Don't get all bent out of shape…He could never be as hot as you. Nobody could ever be as hot as you." He buried his nose in Bankotsu's hair, "So just chill."

The younger man blushed copiously. "We're in public, you know." He mumbled, dropping his gaze to the floor.

"It's okay. Don't worry. You're like a shy little girl, kiddo." Jakotsu teased, tugging on Bankotsu's braid, kissing him softly on the cheek, "It doesn't matter what any of those close-minded idiots think. It just matters that I love you."

"Awww!" Keba squealed, effectively ruining their "moment." He was draped across Tsuchi, his cheeks pink and his brown eyes sparkly. "You guys are soooo cute together!" He purred, "I'm way jealous. Why can't you be like that, Tsu?"

The boy in question blushed delicately, dark eyes closing for a moment as he pushed his friend off him, grumbling slightly. He suddenly looked very old and very tired. It wasn't odd to see Tsuchi with dark circles under his eyes, but for some reason, he momentarily looked as if he transcended time itself. "This isn't the place, Keba." He muttered under his breath.

Keba let out a dramatic sigh. "With you, it's never the place." He pouted, slumping back into his seat.

"People are already giving you funny looks. Please don't make a big thing out of this." Tsuchi retorted, turning to stare out the window.

The other two boys watched curiously. Seeing Tsuchi moody wasn't unusual in itself, but the source of his aggravation was. He might get flustered and embarrassed or depressed because of Keba, but they had never seen him annoyed with him. He was usually extremely patient when it came to Keba. Bankotsu wondered if it had something to do with the fact that the wedding had been that summer and it had affected them both. He felt sorry for Keba, not able to be with his first love, but he felt more sorry for Tsuchi, who had to deal with the emotional problems resulting from Keba's predicament. It really wasn't fair to either of them.

The four were silent for the rest of the bus ride. Tsuchi continued to stare out the window, aimlessly watching the world go by, while Kebakeba sulked. Jakotsu kept tugging on Bankotsu's braid, but the young man was absorbed in his thoughts and didn't pay much attention.

Dinner was fun, but Bankotsu was still distracted. No matter where his mind wandered, it always focused back on one thought: How the hell do I explain that to Inu Yasha??

"Bankotsu?"

Said man jumped at the sound of Jakotsu's questioning voice. The two had been sitting in the grass behind the wall for an hour or so, watching as it got dark and students passed by. Jakotsu was absorbed in his people watching and had failed to notice his companion's distractedness. Bankotsu was sitting beside him, twitchy and nervous, pondering over what he was going to say the next time he encountered his disgruntled roommate.

"What?" The younger man twitched visibly, turning his sapphire gaze to his friend's face.

"Are you okay? You're staring off into space." The older man's slender fingers teased through Bankotsu's bangs and he smiled down at him.

"I…" Bankotsu looked away, staring at some spot on the dorm wall, fiddling with a blade of grass, "Jakotsu, what am I supposed to tell Inu Yasha? How can I even look at him now? What the hell am I supposed to do?"

A frown crossed the other man's face and he lowered his inky gaze, staring down at his feet. "I'm so sorry." He said softly, "I never wanted anything like this to happen. I've made your life hell, haven't I?"

"It's not your fault." The smaller man looked back up, blue eyes meeting Jakotsu's dark ones. "I choose this for myself, after all. I didn't have to live like this…I could have pushed you away. But I didn't want to." He paused, smiling faintly, "And now I've got a little situation. What am I supposed to say to him?"

"Why do you have to say anything? You don't owe him any explanations. If he asks, it's really none of his business. What you and I do together is nobody's business but ours."

"It's not really that easy, you know." Bankotsu frowned lightly, "What if he presses the issue? He seems pretty dense, but I don't think he'll let it go so easily. I mean, you were about to…" He trailed off, leaving the end of the sentence unspoken.

Jakotsu smirked. "I was about to what?" The words spilled over his lips, low, melodic and sing-song as he lowered his eyelids, gazing at his then-blushing companion.

His cheeks flaming, Bankotsu mumbled something incomprehensible, clutching a fistful of the somewhat long grass and crumpling it between his fingers. Then he looked back up, steeling his gaze, his mouth forming a firm line on his tanned face. "You shouldn't be cracking jokes about this. It's not funny. I'm the one who has to live with him for the next four months, remember?"

"I'd live with him if I could. He's hot!"

This earned the older man a death glare. "Why do you insist on telling me other guys are hot?" Bankotsu asked in a huff, folding his arms and continuing to glower. "Aren't I supposed to be the one you love? Why do you say shit like that?" His brow furrowed, "Sometimes, you don't act like you love me and I put a lot on the line to be with you. When are you going to cut the crap?" Not bothering to wait for an answer, he rose to his feet, leaving Jakotsu sitting in the grass, and stalked away.

Jakotsu sat there for a moment, blinking. Then it seemed to dawn on him…Bankotsu was mad.

Very mad.

Blah…This chapter took me forever to write…Nearly ten days =.= And I don't even really like anything about it {rolls over and sleeps} I'm losing my touch, me.

Oh, and a SAC (Student Activity Card) card is a little piece of paper we have to buy. It allows us to ride the bus free and get into on-campus activities either free or for cheap prices.