Chasing a Shadow

Chapter 8 - Drowning

By Cienna

Author's Note - I'm already more than half done with the next chapter so hopefully it will be out relatively soon. Thanks to everyone for reviewing!

"Touya!" The other boy's eyes were burning and he stood uncomfortably close. Hikaru drew a deep breath. He had wanted more than anything to confront Touya, but now that those eyes were boring into him he was beginning to have second thoughts. He calmed his breathing with a controlled effort. "Do you think we could talk after the session is over?" His question was ignored.

"Why are you here?" Touya's calm words contrasted sharply with the the intensity of his eyes.

"I'm tutoring people, just like you. We have to sign up for two sessions a month, you know that."

"No! Why are you at the same session as me, Shindou? You could have signed up for any weekend." Touya's voice was becoming harsh and Hikaru flinched. "I don't want you here! I don't need this distraction!"

Hikaru tried not get upset, but Touya's words hurt. "Well, I'm sorry I'm such a distraction! If you weren't avoiding me I wouldn't have had to sign up for some stupid tutoring session just so I could talk to you!"

"So you did sign up for this day just because I signed up!" Touya's voice was triumphant.

"Of course I did, Touya! What's wrong with you anyway? I've been trying to talk with you for weeks. Ever since that day at the park. Why won't you listen to me?" Hikaru found himself inexplicably close to tears. Why couldn't they ever have a normal conversation?

"So, talk. I'm listening." Touya looked at him expectantly.

This was the moment. The chance he had been waiting for. He had to apologize to Touya. He had to work things out. They couldn't go through this anymore. Unfortunately, he couldn't seem to make any words leave his mouth either. They seemed to be caught in a place behind his tongue, forever unspoken. There was silence for a moment and then Touya began to look irritated.

"Well?"

Hikaru stared at the other boy and wondered if he was losing his last chance because he couldn't seem to speak. He watched Touya's expectant look change to one of disappointment and knew he had to do something, anything, before it was too late.

With an abrupt move he shoved Touya against the nearest bathroom stall and kissed him. It was slightly awkward at first, because Touya seemed to be in shock and wasn't really responding. Hikaru wondered absently if he had made a mistake. Then he lost the ability to think at all as Touya gasped and thrust his tongue into Hikaru's mouth.

It seemed like he couldn't get close enough to his rival, so he pressed hard against him and was rewarded with Touya's hands tangling in his hair. He felt like he was drowning, like he couldn't breathe. The sensation was much stronger than the memory of the time when Touya had been sick, and he wondered how he could have forgotten so many details. The sweetness of Touya's mouth against his own, the fingers tangled in his hair, and the soft noises he was making all seemed to etch themselves into his mind. He heard himself make a small disapproving sound as Touya broke their kiss and looked at him. Even his eyes were the same, burning like they had been when he had had the fever.

"Are you sure this is what you want, Shindou?" Touya's voice was rough, slightly breathless, and Hikaru thought he detected a note of uncertainty.

"I'm positive." He had the satisfaction of watching the uncertainty melt away before Touya kissed him again. This time the other boy was kissing him desperately, not holding back at all. Hikaru started to become aware of a need building in him, that could only be satisfied by getting closer to Touya. He managed to undo Touya's tie while the other boy was preoccupied with kissing his neck. He tossed it to the floor absently. Touya's tongue traced circles against his skin and he had to give up on unbuttoning Touya's shirt. It required more concentration than he was capable of at the moment. Somehow, Touya's hand moved lower and he gasped and pressed hard against him.

He could feel himself spiraling out of control as the world seemed to be rapidly melting away in a blur of sensations. Hikaru had a hard time understanding why they hadn't done this a long time ago. Even that thought trailed away as he felt Touya's lips against his chest.

They both jumped suddenly as a loud banging resounded through the small bathroom. They heard a loud voice from the outside. "Why is this door locked?"

"Crap! I think it's one of the people I'm tutoring." Hikaru glanced at his watch. "It's been a long time…"

"We have to go back." Touya spoke matter of factly, but Hikaru could feel him trembling.

"Just a minute!" Hikaru shouted to whoever it was that was still banging against the door. Then he leaned his head against Touya's shoulder. "I don't want to go back," he whispered.

"Neither do I, but it doesn't look like we have a choice. And standing like this probably isn't helping matters." Hikaru was still pressed against him, unable to give up the feeling of intoxication that came from touching Touya.

"Come on, Shindou. We have to make ourselves presentable."

Reluctantly, Hikaru pulled away from Touya's warmth and scooped the other boy's tie off the floor, handing it to him.

"Thanks." Touya began attempting to retie the tie but couldn't seem to manage it with his unsteady hands.

"Let me help." Hikaru approached him and began trying to figure out the tie. "We're really lucky those people didn't just barge in." He paused, "Did you know what was going to happen when you came in here? Is that why you locked the door?"

Touya shook his head. "I just assumed we would get into another argument. I'm sorry, Shindou. I should have listened to you before this. I was just so mad after you ran away in the park. I thought maybe you sensed I was attracted to you and ran away because you were disgusted."

Hikaru laughed. "It sounds like we were both worried about the same thing. But we don't have to worry anymore." Hikaru stopped working on the tie and instead pressed his lips firmly against Touya's. The tie was momentarily forgotten in the moments that followed. More banging and they both jumped again.

"Shindou-sensei, are you in there?"

Hikaru groaned. It was the woman from his tutoring group. "Yes, I'm here. I'll be out in just a minute," he answered.

"Oh, are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine, just give me five more minutes." He pressed his face into Touya's neck, but Touya gently pushed him away.

"Come on. We have to get going."

Hikaru looked down at himself. "I don't know if I can go out there like this."

Touya laughed. "I don't think you fixing my tie is going to help the situation for either of us. Splash your face with some cold water and stay over there." He gestured to the sink.

Hikaru sighed, but followed his instructions. Five minutes later they were both semi-presentable.

"I have to go to a private tutoring session right after this, Shindou. But I want to talk to you. Wait for me after this session is over."

Hikaru nodded and they both headed to their respective classes. He had to do a lot of explaining to his class. Two of the people seemed worried, and one was extremely annoyed that his bathroom break had gone on for so long. He ended up telling them that he had felt sick, but was now completely recovered.

"Your face still looks flushed, Sensei," one of the men pointed out. "Are you sure you don't have a fever?"

"It's just that it's a little warm in here."

"Not that warm. Are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine. Now let's take a look at the move Ishigawa-san just made." He succeeded in directing their attention back to the goban. Now if only it would stay there. He glanced across the room to see how Touya was faring. The other pro looked as calm and collected as always, but there was still a hint of a blush on his pale cheeks. It made Hikaru happy to know that he had been the cause. Touya caught him looking in his direction and smiled in a way that made Hikaru's breath catch. He looked at his watch. Only half an hour to go.

The minutes dragged by. His students seemed to be asking the same questions over and over. He was too happy to be annoyed with them, though. When he thought about being with Touya in the bathroom he felt lightheaded. Finally, the session came to an end. His students thanked him, although Hikaru could tell one of them was still irritated. The woman advised him to get a lot of sleep that night, and drink plenty of fluids. Hikaru gave up trying to convince her that he wasn't sick and promised that he would.

His students filed out, and he impatiently waited for Touya to finish talking to an older man. Touya couldn't seem to get away from the man and Hikaru grew frustrated. It had been a long time since the session had ended and hadn't Touya said he had to be somewhere after this? They weren't going to have any time to talk. He sat down on a chair and began sending the guy irritated looks, hoping that he would get the message. Then he heard Touya raise his voice.

"I'm sorry, but as I told you, I'm not taking anymore students for private tutoring. My schedule is full and I have to go meet one of my students now. I'm already running late."

Hikaru sensed the unspoken "because of you" and could tell that the man did as well, because he now looked angry.

"If you were anywhere near as smart as your father you would know who you're talking to, young man. It's obvious that you're never going to have the maturity to be the player that he is."

Touya looked unimpressed with the man's words, but Hikaru had had it. He jumped up from his chair and walked over to them.

"If he's never going to be the player his father is, why do you want him to tutor you so much?"

"Shindou, stay out of this."

The man turned his irritated gaze on Hikaru. "And who exactly are you?"

"Shindou Hikaru. Now you need to leave Touya alone because he has somewhere he has to be. And he already told you no."

"Really. Shindou Hikaru. And you wouldn't be interested in taking on a student would you?"

Hikaru looked at him in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding. I thought you wanted Touya."

"I know your record as well, young man. It's quite impressive."

Hikaru couldn't disguise his laughter. "I have better things to do with my time."

"I'm willing to pay you quite well."

Hikaru shook his head. No amount of money would be worth spending his free time with this man.

As if he could sense his thoughts, the man spoke again. "And I don't need this tutor for me. It's for my son. He's been quite ill for some time and his dream has always been to play Go with a pro."

Hikaru groaned inwardly. This man was definitely laying it on thick.

"I don't know…"

"Shindou, let's go." Touya was tugging at his arm firmly.

"My son may not have much longer to live." The man's voice wavered and he looked down at the floor.

Dammit! Hikaru couldn't take this anymore. Just as he was about to agree to be the tutor, Touya's voice interrupted the silence.

"I'll do it once. Just once. And if it goes well we'll see about doing it more. But I have to warn you again, my schedule is very busy."

The man's face brightened instantly. "You won't regret this." He handed Touya his business card. "I'll give you a call at the Go Institute and we'll set up the details."

"Fine. We have to go now." Still clutching Hikaru's arm he dragged him firmly away.

"Why'd you do that? I would have volunteered. You already have tons of people to tutor and that guy seems like an ass."

"It's okay, Shindou. One more student won't kill me. And I think I might know that man from somewhere. He seems very familiar."

"He also seems very manipulative."

"I think I can handle it. And it's only for one lesson. I don't have to do it again if it doesn't go well."

"As long as you still have time for me." Hikaru smiled at the other boy and felt himself melt as Touya met his eyes.

"I don't think that will be a problem."

Hikaru couldn't resist pulling Touya against him, but Touya pushed him away gently.

"We are in a public place, Shindou. Not that I don't wish we weren't. And now I really have to get to that tutoring session."

"Okay. But why don't you come to my house tomorrow and we'll play a few games?"

"Hmm…games? Sounds good to me." He looked at Hikaru like he was trying to resist something and then seemed to give in, pulling him close for a moment and brushing his lips against Hikaru's cheek. Then he turned away. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Okay." Hikaru watched Touya leave and smiled, touching the place on his cheek where Touya's lips had brushed.

tbc