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Part 5: Scrub-a-Dub-Dub

The three Sohma men were gathered around the table, all eyes focused intently on the television. Yet two of the three pairs of eyes were not really watching, not really paying attention. Kyou scratched unconsciously at the rope that bound him and Yuki together, feeling sticky from the long day.

"I'm going to take a bath," he announced as he started to get up.

"How?" Shigure asked, not even trying to keep the smirk off his face.

Kyou froze as he looked at Yuki, who looked back at him with an equal look of confusion. He had not thought of how they were going to do this. The rope was long enough for the other to stand outside when they were going to the toilet, but it was not long enough to reach the bathtub. They were both going to have to be in the bathroom together.

"DAMMIT!" Kyou shrieked in frustration, as he started to trudge up the stairs, Yuki in tow. Shigure's laughter echoed downstairs.

"Look…I'll just face the door while you … go…ahead, alright?" Yuki tried to keep his voice from squeaking, as images of Kyou bathing started to run through his mind. He could see Kyou's ears go pink as he got the necessary things from his room to shower.

"Fine! But you turn around, and I'll beat you to death, rope or no rope," Kyou threatened, leading Yuki to the bathroom. Never had he felt so nervous about taking a bath before.

Yuki tried unsuccessfully to keep his heart from pounding as he followed Kyou into the bathroom and shut the door. It was so loud in his ears that he was almost convinced Kyou could hear it too. As Kyou got the water started and the steam started to billow around them, both stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do or say. Finally, Kyou took the initiative and told Yuki to turn around as he undressed.

Yuki gulped as he felt Kyou struggle to get his t-shirt off, when it suddenly dawned on him. Kyou would not be able to take his shirt fully off, because the rope connected their wrists. He was about to tell Kyou this when he heard Kyou curse loudly behind him. Apparently, he had realized this as well. That also meant that Kyou only had one hand free to take off his pants. Yuki grew more nervous as he heard Kyou struggle with his pants zipper, and finally heard the soft thump of clothes landing on the bathroom floor.

Kyou tugged on the rope lightly to signal to Yuki to move closer to the bathtub, and Kyou gingerly stepped into the steaming hot water, relieved that he was finally hidden in the water. He had felt nerve-rackingly aware of his nakedness when he was undressing, and the struggle to get his pants off had unnerved him further.

The idea of having Yuki right there while he was stark naked was strange and frightening. He felt himself relax in the water, and he glanced at the back of Yuki's head. Yuki was standing uncomfortably facing the door. Kyou could tell Yuki was just as tense as he was, shoulders bunched up, and the bound arm was extended out at an awkward angle. Kyou sighed and tugged on the rope slightly to get Yuki's attention.

"Hey…why don't you sit down on the floor…just lean against the bathtub, but still facing the door of course!" Kyou said quickly, surprising Yuki. He was aware that his shoulder was starting to ache, and sitting sounded so much more comfortable than standing there. He reluctantly made his way backwards, closer to the bathtub, using his hand to find the edge to grasp and ease himself down. He finally sat down on the cold stone floor and relaxed, letting out a sigh of newfound comfort.

Kyou heard Yuki's sigh and relaxed as well, letting the heat from the water wash over his tired muscles. He had been tense all day. Taking the bar of soap to scrub himself, he reflected over the day. So many things had happened that confused him, left him with strange new feelings for the mouse that he had no idea ever existed. They were alarming…but encouraging at the same time. He felt like he was finally progressing with Yuki.

Yuki heard the small splashing noises that Kyou made as he washed himself. He found the sounds strangely soothing, and closed his eyes, leaning his head against the cold hard bathtub. He was tired, worn out from the day's events, and yearned to take a bath as well, but he would have to wait his turn. As Kyou reached to get the shampoo bottle with his free arm, he clumsily knocked over the bottle of conditioner, sending it skidding across the bathroom floor. Yuki's eyes snapped open at the sound.

"Uh…think you can get that for me?" Kyou managed to say and saw Yuki get up slowly and reach for the conditioner. As Yuki made his way backwards again toward the tub, he didn't notice the trail of water left from the conditioner, and his feet suddenly gave out from beneath him. He felt himself falling backwards, and as he anticipated the cold hard floor of the bathroom, he instead heard a large splash as he hit hot water. He had fallen right into the bathtub, and squarely into Kyou's lap – for the second time today. The only difference was this time, Kyou was completely naked.


WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! muhaha. only i know. hee hee.