And so part two is up...I'm debating if these are too short, but the others will hopefully be longer. So this chapter is still prolly G...some light slash, but it's comin' out

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The first two days were the worst.

The first day was almost unbearable. Yoh hadn't trained rigorously like this in years. Now, after weeks of slacking off and staring at the stars, he was forced to push his body to extreme limits. 50 km a day wasn't a slight distance, and adding the weights and lack of food over the time he ran was torture. By the time his first run was completed, he wanted to hack off his legs; the pain was that extreme. But it was over....the agonizing, blistering torment was over.

But then the cooking, the cleaning and the house-hold labor came. At least he didn't have to wear the weights for that, a thought that caused him to knock on wood by banging his head against the door frame in exhaustion. The work itself wasn't difficult, but combined with his current pain and debility, it became yet another kind of suffering.

Collapse. Groan. Sleep. That was easily the best part of his day.

But then the second day, his alarm went off. His body arched already and he dreaded the thought of assaulting his form in the same way he had twenty- four hours ago. But far more, he feared Anna if he didn't.

And so his day began. It duplicated the prior with stunning precision, and with his body already throbbing and numb, he just prayed he would drop and shrivel away. His brain was in a haze as he mindless ran, a distance monitor the only thing that would tell him when his task had been completed.

The beep that signaled he had finished today's run sounded like a call from the heavens. All he wanted to do was sleep, maybe eat, but if that meant cooking and cleaning, sleep was far more appealing. With a pain-filled sigh, he removed the weights and trudged the short distance back to the inn.

--

When he arrived, he was amazed to find the inn spotless, and a dinner already laid out on the low table. It was simple; a bowl of rice, a bowl of misu soup and what looked like oddly rolled sushi. But to him, it look like the best meal he had ever eaten.

"After you've eaten, go lie down." Nanshou stood at the doorway to the kitchen, an apron wrapped around his frail form and a dish rag in his hands.

Yoh sat down carefully, spellbound that his work was over for the day. "Why would you do this? You pay for most the rent, you shouldn't have to clean." He began picking at the rice with tired hands. Ugh, little white flakes never tasted so good.

"Your little work-out yesterday was almost too painful to watch. Besides, you burned the meat last time." He tossed the towel back to the counter. A fan appears in his hand, drawn from his sleeve, as he began to billow away the clouded heat that hung in the kitchen. He waited until Yoh had finished before gathering the plates. "Now go to sleep." His voice was gentle, but demanding.

Even if Yoh wanted to argue, he didn't have the strength. It took a few moments to find his legs, but they somehow moved under him, dragging his slumped frame to his room. He groaned with relief to find his cot already arranged in the middle of the floor, his small stereo hidden to ensure he fell directly asleep.

After a well aimed crash, he did just that.

--

He awoke shivering, but he found himself unable to look and see why right away. After building some strength, he lifted his shoulders and head to see that his window was open. It was night already, and the summer breeze was unusually cold. He glanced around, finding that his blanket remained untouched in the corner.

He went to sit up, but the numbing ache that shot down his back caused him to lie down again. Trembling, he wrapped his arms around himself, teeth chattering slightly. He figured he would either have to get up, or lay awake all night freezing. It was a powerful dilemma.

Yoh almost didn't notice the soft fabric covering his body. With a jolt, he glanced at the white cloth placed over his shoulders, then up at the figure that hovered above him. "Amidamaru?" His voice was such a quiet whisper it was almost inaudible.

The ghost smiled slightly and nodded. "How are you feeling Yoh-dono?" He whispered softly, adjusting his arm around Yoh's shoulders. "I would get you the blanket were I able to lift it..."

"It's fine..." Yoh yawned, nestling back into the soft pulsing warmth of his guardian. "I prefer this..." He shifted his weight, a hiss of pain escaping his lips.

Amidamaru felt a pull of pain in his chest. He hated how Yoh had to suffer for Anna's goals. He knew that the training was required, but he hated how it was affecting his young master. He wished there was a way he could help.

Without really thinking, he slid his hand down Yoh's shoulder, his fingers caressing the soft skin, easing the pain from his weary muscles. The moan that slid from Yoh's lips sent sparking skipping up the ghost's spine, and made him want to continue all the more. Pulling away slightly, his fingers danced slowly down Yoh's back, pulling more contented sighs from the shaman. "Is this better...?"

"Extremely..." Was the only word that Yoh whispered...or at least that's what Amidamaru thought he heard. He felt a warm feeling flood his being, the feeling that only came when he was close to his young companion. He felt purpose being able to serve him, felt needed whenever Yoh smiled at him, spoke to him. It was the most fantastic feeling in the world.

There were times when the shaman sparked feelings in him that he couldn't place under being his spirit or his friend. It was somewhat like how he felt when he worked for his shogun, the deep need to please and serve, but this was stronger. It was something else, something much different.

Amidamaru stopped when he saw Yoh had fallen asleep, his childlike face calm, his body limp from wear. He wanted to stay, but felt he should give Yoh his privacy. Slowly lifting himself he headed for the door. "...Maru...?" He glanced back around at the quiet whimper.

Yoh's head was lifted slightly, one eye half open. "Please stay..." His voice pleaded again. It was so open, lacking the playful adolescent attitude Amidamaru was so used to. "Stay with me tonight."

Who could refuse a request like that?

Amidamaru smiled again, he always did when Yoh asked anything of him. "Oh course Yoh-dono." He returned to lay down again. Sliding one hand under Yoh's pillow, he supported his head as his other arm glided over Yoh's side, his hand pressing against his chest. "Like this?" His breath caught in his throat as Yoh pressed firmly against him, only managing a nod.

The samurai embraced his shaman tightly, eyes sliding shut. Although he couldn't sleep, he still liked to relax. He supposed this was a different kind of meditating. Taking deep breaths, he found himself distracted by Yoh's enticing scent. It smelled of nature...with the hint of some kind of spice. It was incredibly alluring.

The thought struck him like a lightning bolt, causing his eyes to jerk open. Of course, all the feelings he had been feeling could not be placed in any attachment he currently had with Yoh. His feelings weren't only conjured out of friendship and loyalty...

They was born from attraction. He felt his aura throb whenever Yoh shifted in his sleep, crushing pleasantly close to him. The sleep sighs and mumbles that slipped from Yoh's lips made his form pulse with warmth and what he would assume was a ghostly form of pleasure. Amidamaru sighed gently and buried his face against Yoh's hair.

This was going to be interesting.

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Look, slash D There is much more to come, but this hopefully did them justice.