Disclaimer: I don't own the characters

Warning: Rated R for later chapters and this story will contain language, non-graphic sexual scenes, and slight shonen-ai (mxm pairing). If you don't like, don't read. Also contains some spoilers.

Author's Note: Takes place after the anime series ends. Please Review. Thanks.

Toya's Request

"Damn it, Toya, this isn't fair!" The wall in the small hospital room shook as Yuhi thrust his fist into it with great force. "What the hell does Aya think about all this?"

"Please, Yuhi, calm down." Toya's voice sounded tired and weak, as weak as Toya's emaciated form in the bed hooked up to all the IV's. "I thought we had an unspoken agreement. I thought… I thought this is what you would…"

"It is." Yuhi snapped a little too quickly. "But not like this. Our agreement was unspoken, but I always assumed it was for after you…" Yuhi was unable to finish.

"Died." Toya spoke calmly. "Yuhi, my time is almost over. The doctors have given me a few weeks at best. I'm suffering and I'm ready for it all to end. But it can't…not until I know that Aya…that Aya and Ceres…" He choked back tears as he said his daughter's name. Yuhi turned away uncomfortably, waiting for the other man to regain his composure.

"All right, I'll do it," Yuhi could no longer handle the soft sobs coming from the pathetic form, "But on one condition…"

Toya looked up his teary eyes hopeful, "Whatever you wish."

"I've always known I'd have to compete with your ghost, but I don't stand a chance while you're alive…I guess what I'm saying…is that…if I do this don't linger out of jealousy or something. Damn, that makes me sound like a sick bastard. I guess what I mean is that it might be harder for you than you think to see me with her."

"No, Yuhi," Toya answered, "it's okay. I promise that once the two of you are married I'll stay out of the way."

"That's not what I meant." Yuhi was feeling frustrated. "Of course Aya will stay with you until…"

"I die." Toya finished for him.

Yuhi sat down in the hard hospital chair and brushed back his sweat soaked blonde hair. "What did Aya say?"

"She refused…at first…but when she realized how important it was for me to see everything settled, she agreed. She does love you, you know."

Yuhi glared at him in response. Dying or not Yuhi was felt nothing but resentment when it came to Toya. Now the jerk was stealing this away too. He had always dreamed that he would someday marry Aya, but not like this. He had always hoped that he would slowly win her heart, and that through time she would grow from caring about him as a friend to showing him the fierce passion that Ceres had given him.

"Go to her." The voice from beside him demanded, drawing him from his thoughts. "She's at home. Tell her what we discussed."

Yuhi nodded silently and picked up his suitcase Toya's voice had sounded so urgent on the phone that Yuhi had gone straight to the hospital upon arriving. He now realized why Toya had refused to tell him what he wanted over the phone. Yuhi would have easily hung up on him. Yet, why was it so hard to tell him no in person. Toya's idea was preposterous.

Yuhi sighed and turned to the form on the bed. "You know I hate you for this."

Toya's only response was a weak smile.

Yuhi opened Aya's door without knocking, "Honey, I'm home," he called playfully.

"Yuhi," Aya squealed and ran to greet him with a big hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. "Ah, now I see why Toya insisted I go home. When he gets an idea in his head he can really be quite naughty." She chuckled nervously causing Yuhi to shift uncomfortably.

Aya quickly grabbed his suitcase. "Here, I'll take that."

Yuhi grabbed it back. "I've stayed here enough. I think I can find the guest room."

Aya smiled and lightly touched his hand over his suitcase handle. Yuhi looked into her eyes and saw pain beneath the surface. "I'm glad you're here," Aya whispered softly.

"Me too." They stood there in awkward silence. "How's Ceres?" Yuhi finally said after things got too awkward.

"Great!" Aya answered a little too brightly, "Want to see her?"

The two year old was sound asleep in the room that Aya had so painstakingly decorated with angels. The child stirred slightly when Aya turned on a small light next to her bed.

Yuhi brushed the strawberry blonde hair from her cheek. "She's beautiful," he said quietly, "Just like her mother." Although he knew that she had the eyes of her father.

"Oh, you," Aya punched him in the shoulder, "Always trying to put the moves on me, and with Toya in the hospital too. You should be ashamed."

Yuhi rubbed his shoulder. "Hey! Toya's the one who…" That's when he realized she had just been joking around, but at the mention of Toya's request her face became taut and stricken.

"What I mean to say, is how can I help it after being forced to make out with you all those times."

Aya's features relaxed slightly. "Forced is not the word I'd use for your groping habits."

Yuhi laughed at this and wrapped his arms around her as he put his face into her soft blonde hair. "I've missed you," he stated quietly into her ear.

"Me too," she answered returning the hug. "What did you tell him?" She pulled away and looked into Yuhi's eyes, but already knew the answer.

"I told him he was crazy for just assuming I'd want to be with a girl like you. I mean, all you ever did was cause me trouble and get me into the weirdest situations--make out with me one second, beat me up the next. What did you expect me to tell him?"

Aya laughed and looked at Yuhi waiting for a serious answer. "I wouldn't blame you, you know, if you had said no"

"And miss out on putting a whole new meaning to my life as the third wheel… I think not." Then he added seriously, "Did you want me to say no?"

Aya shook her head, "Yuhi, if I wasn't with Toya, you know I would have fallen in love with you…I mean, if Toya hadn't been…If I had just been a normal girl…"

"Yeah, yeah, I know, if Toya hadn't been your magic robe things might have worked between us. How could I hope to compete with your manna?" Yuhi had meant for it to sound less bitter than it had.

Aya looked at him sadly, "Yuhi, I can't ask you to do this. You have your whole life in front of you. You could find someone less complicated, someone who would love you as much as you love them…" Aya's eyes welled up with tears.

Yuhi roughly brushed them away with his thumb. "Are you really that stupid? If I wanted to move on, Aya, I would have by now, and if you're willing to be part of Toya's crazy scheme, so am I, but I promise you I'll make you love me like I love you, like you love…no, more than that, and I'll do my best for Ceres. I guess what I'm saying is I want to marry you, Aya. Maybe I didn't plan it this way…" Yuhi's voice shook with passion.

"Shh…" Aya put a finger to his lips and then leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. It was more a kiss of friendship, but it caused Yuhi's heart to flutter just the same. "I'll be the best wife to you that I can. Hopefully the type of wife who deserves someone as wonderful as you as her husband." Aya patted Yuhi's cheek. "Goodnight."

Yuhi pulled the discarded cover over Ceres' shoulders, kissed the child on the cheek, and retired to the guest room.

TBC

Thanks for reading.