His body was sluggish as something outside his mind pricked awareness. Light shone in through the backs of his eyelids, but only for a brief moment until a muted swish and ruffling sounded and the light dimmed. The irritation at having light in his eyes faded and he contentedly started slipping back into sleep. At least, until something draped over him. An arm shifted, but a soothing, shushing noise told him whatever covered him wasn't a threat and his face snuggled against the pillow.

"We'd better get going..." A voice whispered.

"I know...I just didn't want him to be cold..."

He heard the voices, but paid them little heed. Why was his head foggier than normal? Eh...he was too worn out and tired still to care much.

"So peaceful when he sleeps...looks so different."

Something touched his skin and his eyes fluttered at the unexpected contact, but he remained limp in response. It was rather delicate and slow...moving some of his bangs out of his eyes. His lips tilted the barest degrees in thanks before his features relaxed again.

"Come on...we REALLY have to be going... You can watch him later."

It was abruptly removed and the tingling feeling in his head was sorely missed. That felt good and he liked it. But the darkness loomed again and he ignored the rest of the words...barely heard muffled footsteps and quiet voices. Only when a door clicked as softly as possible somewhere did he register that those around him were gone.

Then he was out like a light again.

-----

It seemed forever until he regained any kind of wakefulness. He was content to lie on the ruffled, lumpy mattress that seemed to make him lean the way he was facing. Only when his eyes inched open a crack and stare at something almost touching his nose did he wonder where he was. Seeing something that close to his face brought a startled yelp and he pushed against it reflexively...and flopping hard on his back with another cry. Then he was staring at a tall, white ceiling - not of his room - in sleepy bemusement.

Where the hell WAS he??

Letting the ache in his back settle, his eyes took in a piece of furniture right over his head and found himself looking at a coffee table. Boy was he lucky he didn't land on THAT instead of carpet. Brown looked over even farther, seeing a simple entertainment system against the far wall...right in front of tightly closed curtains. He blinked at seeing a couple of towels pinned to the curtain rod. What was that for?

Eyes looked to the ceiling again as he checked on his back. It felt better and he slowly sat up, stretching and yawning as he looked around. One look at a different level brought it all back and he snapped to reality.

"Oh yea...I crashed at K's..." He mumbled, wrinkling his nose. "Gods I wish I would've packed my toothbrush."

There was another heady stretch when he stood. A hand scratched his head and realized it was wild. Brown went to a wrist upon feeling something touch it and found his hair tie. He removed it and put his hair in a loose ponytail for now as he headed for the narrow archway. His foot touched something not of carpet and brown looked down, blinking yet again. It was a blanket.

A small, sleepy smile appeared as he reached down and folded it as best as possible. One of them - he was betting on K - must've covered him up when he was asleep.

The blanket was draped in a recliner next to the archway as he headed for the kitchen. The house was eerily silent, so he was equally quiet - almost to the point of sneakiness - in his search for a glass. He leaned against the counter, taking a long gulp. His eyes spied the clock on the stove and they widened a little.

Holy hell...it was almost eleven thirty already! Had he been asleep that long??

He set the empty glass in the sink and rubbed his head in confusion. He never slept that late! Not NORMALLY anyway. Brown closed in thought as he tried to pick up everything and make sense of it all.

Hot temperatures, even with multiple doors open for air...

Applause and the exulted feeling of winning. A beaming smile met him in return in congratulations on his win...

Tightly packed dance space. Grinding bodies - male and female alike...

Chance and K...dancing together...

Images in his head popped up...

The burning slide of alcohol to take the edge off his emotions... Once, twice...then a little later...a third time...

Brown shot open and looked to his body. His samurai 'costume' still adorned his body and a hand slipped through a wide sleeve as he rummaged in a pocket for his wallet. Opening it found a crisp twenty and a five. He grinned and put it back. He won first place in the solitary costume contest last night.

Except the images Chance gave didn't help and his other brain got a little too enthusiastic at some point during their dancing. He thought alcohol would take the edge off his nerves... He groaned and thumped his head against the cupboard behind him. "Oh gods...I hope I didn't make a complete baka out of myself!"

But it would accompany for why his mind was a little fuzzy...even with sleep. He knew he would remember a little more when it cleared, but right now, he was still foggy. He heaved a sigh and shook his head. No good to think about things like that. All he could do was hope he didn't crash the car if the drinks hadn't worn off...and most of all, did something involving one of the girls last night that totally screwed him over!

Oh well...nothing he could do about it now...

He moved to his bag, taking his hair out of its ponytail. He needed a shower. His mind wondered as he kneeled and snatched it into the air. He wondered if they'd mind. He could get a quick one before they came back from the hotel and pray they didn't think he was taking advantage of their hospitality. He could only hope they didn't think that...because he had to change at least...and that shower DID sound rather nice...

Mind made up, he hopped the stairs for the bathroom.

~*~*~

"We're back! You still asleep?"

"He won't be NOW Sam."

Sam grinned and kicked her shoes off. "I dunno...it's too quiet in here."

"Besides your yelling, you mean?" She retorted, grinning.

Sam's tongue stuck out before the girl went for the stairs. "Hey...come out come out where you are..."

She giggled and checked the living room. She tried to stay as quiet as possible, not wanting to deny him sleep...as they returned rather late - or early for one a.m.... - last night. She knew SHE was still tired...five hours did not cover what she normally got.

The tender smile that crept up in expectance to see his peaceful form dropped in surprise. The couch was empty and the blanket was in the recliner across from it. She blinked. "What -" Inaki's car was still here...so where was -

"AH!"

Green shot to the top of the ceiling, brow furrowing, before she rocketed it to the stairs.

"Sam...what's -" Her mouth dropped open and she nearly fell in haste to stop on the carpet at the sight before her.

"Sorry...I didn't mean to startle you Sam...but you guys yelled and I wanted to make sure you knew I was still here. I...I hope you two don't mind... I needed a shower. Don't worry - you don't have to worry about cooties or anything."

"Oh BELIEVE me...I'm not mad, angry, upset, OR worried about cooties. Quite the opposite actually... Thank you for your speed though..."

She should've decked the girl, or at least snapped something, for that comment. But her body wasn't working, and her mouth wouldn't close for the life of her.

Inaki was...oh god...standing in the bathroom doorway...his hair unbound and damp around his shoulders...and IN A TOWEL. HER towel!! Her body seemed to numb as green couldn't take away from the delicious sight in front of her. She suddenly realized if that towel dropped they'd be seeing more of him than he ever intended. 'No no....NONONO, oh MAN no!' But her mind's ordering wasn't doing any good to the wondering and images cropping up. Her heart couldn't have beat any faster if she tried to make it, and it seemed like breathing wasn't a necessity anymore...

That chest of his...and she thought the slit from the old-fashioned clothes was bad enough! Now she had a full view of a rather nicely toned chest, stomach, arms, legs that didn't hide in the towel... Some emotion - one she thought was buried deep - slugged her VERY low in the stomach. She cleared her throat rather nervously and looked to the carpet.

Sam couldn't be anymore pleased. Blue looked less shamefully than her friend, mind currently offering every bit of praise to God in both English AND Spanish.

Finally, Inaki's arms crossed as he pushed off the doorway with his shoulder and took a step back. "Ah...yea. Sorry about that."

Sam's grin widened as she continued to check him out. "That is NO problem whatsoever! But I would just like to say thank you. I have never been more awake in my entire life. Fuck coffee!"

A small flush rose, but brown rolled as he turned and shut the door behind him.

Sam finally snapped to attention and pouted. A quick turn found her friend right behind her and she took in the girl's face. "Oh man...if I had a statue of Christ in my room I would be hurrying in to bow in thanks right now!" Sam hissed, a dreamy sigh escaping.

She blinked, trying to get brain and mouth to work. "Oh God...I hope he doesn't think us a couple of perverts now." She quietly groaned, heading into her room.

"Hell, I could care less if he DID. That just allows me to keep that mental image the rest of my LIFE now." Sam followed the girl in and flopped down on the bed as she went to her closet. An arm slung over her face. "Fate is so, SO cruel! His girlfriend is one lucky duck. What I wouldn't give to take a bite outa THAT."

"SAM!" She shrilled, trying not to flush. A few of the wonderings crossed her mind, and having them brought back up didn't help any! Hands went to her hips, finding a rather smug look on her friend's face and she glared. "Will you get out so I can change? Sheesh... where's your Ritalin when I need it??"

Sam's tongue stuck out again, but she left to change as well, giving her some quiet time.

In mere minutes, she was in comfortable house clothes and opened the door. Sam's was still closed, but the bathroom door was open and teeth bit her lip. There was something burning in her mind - but NOT Inaki's body! - that she wanted to ask. If the door was open, that meant he had to've been dressed... She stopped outside the doorway, only able to see to the closet and edge of the window. "Inaki? You descent?"

His head poked into view, a small look of embarrassment staring at her. "Yea...sorry about that. I didn't mean to step out and rile you two up...and I hope you really didn't mind me getting a shower... I wasn't trying to take advantage of you two or anything..."

Taking advantage of? The naughty thoughts returned again and that same emotion hit her below the beltline and she almost bent over from it. But she remembered he was waiting for her to say something and tried to get her brain to work. "It's fine..." Her eyes widened and hands rose to shake between them. "I - uh - I mean, it's okay - I mean - no problem - I mean, I mean it's-"

His smile cut off her ramblings. "I get it." He soothed, hands moving to the back of his head. He turned from the mirror and leaned against the sink as a tight braid started forming.

She watched dumbly as his hands worked. His fingers were nimble, even as his arms stretched to get the little bit around his shoulder blades. He braided it until there was nothing left and put the tie on it. She couldn't get additional images to stop cropping up in her head! The way his hands and fingers twisted...those lithe, long fingers -

She mentally, and HARSHLY, slapped herself.

She was reminded she actually wanted to approach him for a reason. "I didn't know you had a tattoo..."

Brown looked to her as his brush went in his bag. A friendly look was on his face. "You never asked."

She scowled, trying not to smile at the gleam in his eye. Finally...friendly banter. At least THIS was something she was comfortable with! "How was I supposed to know? You don't seem like the type to do anything wild like that."

Brows disappeared into unruly bangs as he straightened and set his bag on the sink. All clothes were exchanged to his normal, his other carefully folded as before. Inaki took a few steps to her and leaned down to her face. "I don't seem like the wild type to you?" He lowly asked, that grin turning his charming.

Green widened a little as a blush sprouted. She inched back a bit, swallowing. "I - uh..."

He smirked and straightened. "I'm just playing with you." Hands hovered over the bottom buttons of his button-up shirt. "You wanna see? I've got a wife beater under this."

Which, in no certain way, would hide her eyes from his body! She was only curious about it, having seen a glimpse of white on his right shoulder, and wondered. But since the offer was out there, at least she didn't have to ASK now. "S - sure..."

He turned and unbuttoned the few to slide the shirt to his elbows. The white undershirt curved enough in the center of his back to allow her to see a palm-sized swath of black and skin. Curious, she stepped closer. It was a circle of a yin-yang...two symbols in place of the dots. There was no black to offset the white, only normal flesh tone.

Her brow furrowed. "What do the symbols stand for?" A finger rose of its own violation and hesitantly hovered for a second before gingerly touching the white half.

That small touch sent a tingle from his skin to his spine. It radiated up his neck and reminded him of the few times he managed to coax her into a slow dance...and only by promising to keep his hands to himself and stand at a friendly distance. He blinked as that memory surfaced. But it was overridden by feeling the wisp of warm breath on his skin and his heart beat a little faster... "Chikyuu..." He mumbled, eyes sliding closed. "Earth."

It was a simple statement to his testament of his love for nature. A gentle smile appeared as her nail ran over the lower symbol. This was part of the language he mentioned in his letters that he was trying to learn. She didn't know which half meant what, but the design was complex and interesting to look at. For some reason...these symbols reminded her of the man in front of her.

Green suddenly snapped open at her thoughts, heart picking up pace. What was she doing?! A small gasp sounded when her breath caught. She could feel another blush heat her face...which didn't help because, for some reason, her body seemed pretty warm already...

That whisper of noise brought his attention back. It clawed through the fog of her touch and his eyes fluttered open. Slowly, his head inched to the right, meeting hers with half-open eyes. "K?"

Breathing through her nose seemed like she wasn't bringing enough air in and her mouth opened to drag in gulps of air. Why was her hand shaking? No...why was her BODY shaking?? She didn't UNDERSTAND this. That look he gave...it looked so...so SEXY...

Her body realized just how close she was standing - mere inches away in fact - and her hand slapped her chest in haste to snatch it off his skin. She got too caught up in his tattoo...she wasn't paying attention... Oh, who was she kidding?? She got caught up in the fact that Inaki was standing with one of his shirts half off and she could still see those back muscles through white fabric!

GOD but he had nice arms! Not too built, but the muscle tone was there... Same for his shoulders and the incline of his back...turning just enough to give him a definition of a waist...

Her earlier assessment about the speed of her heart was wrong as it thundered even faster than seeing Inaki in a towel. She tried to swallow and found her throat dry. The adrenaline rushed with each beat...getting a slight roaring in her ears. And that same emotion low in her stomach was back with a vengeance. It weakened her knees and made standing rather hard all of a sudden...

An image flew to her mind - amazingly chaste - of her knees giving out and Inaki twirling around to catch her...shirt still around his elbows. Those nimble fingers would latch onto her arms tightly, worry in his eyes if she was okay. She would look at him with that flush on her face, eyes innocently wide...and he would be compelled to pull her to his chest, arms going around her as if hesitant to touch her -

Her eyes squeezed shut as she mentally berated herself. Foolish! That would NEVER happen! Even if it was romantic and she hadn't been held since before she turned eighteen...

"K...what is it?" Inaki slowly turned, heart still thundering in his chest. There was a little bit of confusion at the scrunched up look around her eyes, as though she were waiting for someone to hit her.

Green fluttered open, hearing wonder and concern in his tone. She looked at him again, finding him facing her...and had to fight to keep her eyes from roaming his body.

The bubble popped when a shrill ring floated up the steps from the kitchen. Both startled, her more than Inaki, and she jumped back a step. The hand at her chest flattened as she tried to get a different type of adrenaline to settle down, along with the jump of her heart.

It was picked up on the second ring and she wondered when Sam went downstairs, as neither had phones in their rooms. "Yo Inaki! Phone's for you!"

Both blinked in confusion and looked to the doorway. Green met brown, but he merely shrugged and went for his bag. She used those precious seconds to escape and made a beeline for her room, trying not to slam the door with shaking hands. She had to get away...if only to collect her thoughts and banish them to the recesses of her mind.

Brown stared in helpless confusion as the door clicked shut. He didn't understand why she ran. Okay maybe he DID. If the look on her face was any indication to what she felt, then she had to've been feeling exactly as HE did...

"Inaki?"

He startled again and exited the bathroom. It would do him no good to dwell on THOSE thoughts. With every step he took to the ground floor, he used that as a step in his mind to push the situation away and lock it up again.

"Yea sorry." He answered, smiling as if nothing intense happened minutes ago.

"She said to say she was your sister."

Black furrowed as a hand reached out and took the phone. "Moshi moshi." He answered, dialect slipping. "Nee-chan?"

"Ototo - you'd better get back here!"

Brown blinked at Jayden's tone. It sounded a little panicked, but also irritated. "Naze? Doushita?"

The sigh on the other line didn't tell him anything. Finding the phone was a cordless, he headed for the stairs and sat on the first half. "You will NOT believe what happened this morning!" Jayden started, voice frustrated. "Cameron came over around nine - when everyone was finishing up breakfast even! - and started raising hell!"

His eyes closed and he sighed. A hand went to his face and covered his eyes as he leaned on it with help from a knee. "She's ALWAYS raising hell...why is THAT any different? Is that what you called me for?"

"I don't mean just any hell. She was PISSED...I mean fire-breathing, smoke-from-the-ears pissed! She said that she - as she put it - 'found out about your little date'. I knew about your party last night, but you didn't tell the rest of the family you were going with a friend did you?"

Teeth clenched as that familiar irritation boiled. Everything and everyone in his surroundings was forgotten as the same situation rose again. "They knew I was going to that party with K. They know she's a friend. So does SHE." Fingers slitted as brown slanted a fierce glare to the carpet. "Or so I've keep TELLING her." He growled. "She knows there's nothing to worry about there...but you said she stopped by..." Another sigh appeared. "Oh gods... Did she say anything ELSE?"

Jayden didn't miss the weary tinge to his voice. It made her feel a little bad at the brewing storm that erupted hours ago. Jayden had a feeling that edge of the storm she saw was the tip of the iceberg. "She said she found out from obaasan when she called. Said something about calling for a movie? And obaasan said you just left. Cam didn't sound happy..."

Irritation raised another notch. "She never DOES - she never IS. Chikushou! Why can't she UNDERSTAND?" His mouth pressed into a thin line as he tried to breathe. "Okay...I'll come back now. She's going to return later, isn't she?"

Jayden blinked and stared at the phone for a second. "...How did you know?"

"Cameron o wakarimasu. Once she gets in a foul mood, there's no way to get out of it until I try to talk to her." Or more like FIGHT with her... "Who's all at home?"

"Me and oya. The others are at the store right now. Okaasan and I will go over in a little bit to bring everyone lunch." Jayden's brow furrowed as worry over Inaki and Cam flared. She was always worried whenever her ototo had to 'talk' to his so-called girlfriend. "Are you sure you should come back NOW?"

He stood and started pacing the area around the stairs. "I don't have a choice, do I? I have a feeling if I DON'T, that onna will try to track me down in Miami to bitch me out." A hand racked through his hair, gripping in welcomed pain. "There's nothing I can do to hide or stop this. It always comes to bite me in the ass in the end, so I might as well get it over with."

There was a tense pause of silence on both ends. "Gomen nasai ototo. I'm sure the fun you had last night is ruined...isn't it?"

The step he was going to take abruptly stopped and his head bowed. "Iie nee-chan. Anata no kashitsu wa arimasen... It's mine."

"Ototo..."

"I'll be back within the hour. If Cam returns, tell her I'm coming and to wait for me in the dojo. I don't wanna get into it at the house with people in it." He cut off, anger rising further.

"...H - hai. Ryoukai..."

The phone shut off with a beep.

Never in his life did he want to hit something so badly! A hand clutched the phone with want to break it...then he remembered where he was. His jaw clenched in attempt to tamp down his anger. He did NOT want to let go in front of the girls. Not Sam and DEFINITELY not K!

The house was quiet though, like everything was listening. He assumed his voice got a little loud at times, so it was a possibility the two hadn't been able to turn a deaf ear. After a deep breath, he whirled and strode back to the kitchen. He hung the phone up and snatched his bag off the table.

Sam's head stuck out from the fridge door that hid most of her body. Those blue eyes were serious, face void of expression. "Leaving I take it?"

Being so close had to've given the girl an ear to his entire conversation, but he didn't hold it against her. He gave a sharp nod, setting the bag on a shoulder. The hand holding the straps held them in a death grip.

"Well...you should come down again sometime. You'd be welcome whenever we have free time."

The invite gained a small, grateful smile and he gave a softer nod. "Accepted, and we'll have to plan around that sometime... But now I should get going..."

Sam gave a tiny nod and stood. "Congratulations on your win. I hear you placed first."

The night of fun now seemed like the ending of a bitter romance. The sour emotion stung in the chest at what awaited him at home and he wondered if it would've happened if he came at all...then quickly discarded the thought. He went to a party upon invite with a FRIEND. Why was Cam getting so bent out of shape on that aspect?? Couldn't she see whom he was DATING here?!

He nodded again and turned for the door.

He was given a start at finding K leaning against the wall to the bottom half of the stairs.

A thick swallow bobbed his throat as he stared, face the only thing turned to her. Hands were hidden by her back, and those thick bangs shaded some of her eyes. The only way he was able to see the shunted emotions on her pensive face was the lower position. She seemed a little sad, but he could understand...given the situation in the bathroom. Whatever happened between them, she might've taken the wrong way...and then reminded he had a girlfriend.

Again.

That fist tightened even more, but for different reasons. He felt like a schmuck, just like last time this same thing arose, and wanted to apologize.

"You're heading out I hear..."

Yup...the two must've heard every word.

He nodded, having her eyes. "I need to take care of this before it gets out of hand."

Her jaw clenched a little. She was fighting guilt at the moment, also the notion that Inaki was leaving...even with that bit they experienced. He was nice to have around for the company. "Sorry if I got you into trouble." She nearly whispered, feeling her face tighten. "I didn't think...your girlfriend would -"

A hand rose, cutting her off. "Cam's a...delicate case. She's not the most self-assured person in the world. It's safe to say she gets jealous of me being around anyone female. It's not you, so don't feel sorry for inviting me." His mouth curved a little in a genuine smile. "I had fun last night and I wouldn't take it back for the world."

Her heart fluttered at his kindness and the guilt eased. Her face relaxed at seeing the conviction on his. Her lips tipped in response and she only nodded. Green watched as he went for his sandals and opened the door. She wanted to wish him a safe trip and that she hoped for the best, but the words stuck on her tongue. She only got a small wave in when he looked at her a final time before the door shut.

"That...was unexpected..." Sam came around the wall, hurrying into the empty living room and peeking out the curtains. She watched, wishing her friend wasn't so nosy...before blue widened a little and peeked her curiosity.

"What? What is it?"

Sam's hand frantically waved her over and she took the bait. The shorter girl kneeled enough to let her peek over that blonde head. Green widened at what she found.

Inaki was still outside his car...resting his forehead on the top over the door. He seemed frozen like that until he pulled the door back and she felt like jumping when his bag was harshly thrown inside. She moved to see better when he was slightly obscured, kneeling with her friend...and wished she hadn't. Her heart tore a tad at seeing his head resting over the steering wheel, looking worn out.

Then she did jump as his right hand arched out in a fist, savagely hitting the passenger seat in a single blow.

His other slapped the steering wheel and a shiver stole up her spine. This was the first time she'd ever seen Inaki angry, or anything other than slightly irritated. The bit at the food place last night didn't counter as irritated...barely classified as annoyance. This was pure, full-blown anger she was seeing. And it scared her a little.

Then the car started and sped off as fast as possible. She watched until it was out of sight and then backed away from the window. Inaki left and the whole scene faded, leaving the house boring again and a little anti-climactic...

"Man...I wouldn't want to be that Cameron chick for anything in the world when Inaki gets back." Sam muttered.

**I am a BEGINNER Japanese learner...so if these are not 100% correct...please let me know if you care to do so. I only have a web page to learn from, a dictionary, and a few months experience to work with.**

Translations: Moshi moshi-Hello (Used for answering a telephone) Naze-Why Doushita-What's wrong Cameron o wakaru-I know Cameron

Gomen nasai-Sorry (More polite way of saying it) Anata no kashitsu wa arimasen-It's not your fault/error

The basic explanation of a Yin-Yang are as follows: Black-Yin, feminine, shady, secret, dark, mysterious, cold / White-Yang, masculine, clear, bright, the sun, heat The tattoo done in only white shows Inaki's representation of the Yin-Yang.