Author's Notes: I know- bad me for the delay. Let's just say, November wasn't a good month for me.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this next chapter and make sure to check out some of my other Bankotsu/Jakotsu stories (I just posted a new one today)

Thanks again to those who take the time to review; it means a whole lot to me :)

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There are times in your life when your heart does the thinking while your brain screams, "Hey stupid, don't do that!"

This was one of those moments.

I knew people were watching. Hell, for all I knew- Souten was watching. But despite all that knowledge and despite all those fears, I followed my heart.

It had been so long since I'd seen him. So long since I'd felt his arms around me. If I ever once doubted I was gay, it was moments like this I reveled in it. Jakotsu was the only person that could make me feel like this- and so who was I to deny him a kiss?

I could feel his hand creeping around my neck and resting right below where my hair tied off into a braid. I knew without thinking I was already leaning towards him; my heart and body leading me down this path whether I liked it or not.

But in that moment when his lips met with mine, all those trivial worries seemed to vanish.

Had you asked me then about the situation at school or what I'd say to Hiten, I would have told you, "I don't care what they think. I know this feels right."

Then, reality came crashing down on me. We pulled apart and I could see out of corner of my eyes people staring. People shielding children's eyes. People doing anything possible to get away from 'those sick freaks.'

And despite how my heart sang with pride, I hung my head in shame.

They'd condemned me to my fate and there wasn't anything I could do about it.

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Chapter 10: Fate's Threads

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Jakotsu paused for a moment as Bankotsu pulled away. He could see the ashamed blush the younger boy was hiding as he slunk back against the wall. Looking about at the way people were reacting, Jakotsu hung his head as well.

"I'm sorry, it's just…"

"Don't be," Bankotsu sharply cut him off.

"Bankotsu…"

"We're both equally to blame. We're in this together, okay?"

He could hear the steel in Bankotsu's voice and Jakotsu knew then something was wrong.

"I'll try to be more careful. I just…"

"I know," He interrupted again, hesitantly reaching out to take Jakotsu's hand, "I'm not mad. It's just…well, I'll explain on the way home."

Dark eyes narrowed at that, his suspicions becoming clearer.

"What happened?" Jakotsu pressed, his eyes scanning about for any signs of someone watching them, "Is someone after you or something?"

"I haven't…I haven't told them," Bankotsu whispered; his hand pulling free from Jakotsu's grasp and clenching at his side.

"Oh gods… you mean, no one knows that we're…"

"Only a few. I…I tried… I'm sorry."

Jakotsu could see by the way Bankotsu's body tensed up that it was only a matter of seconds before he would be holding back his tears. Hoping it wouldn't upset him or worry him further, Jakotsu pulled him loosely against his chest; his hand absently rubbing his back.

"It's okay. I can see where it's not exactly the best conversation starter or way to get friends. If you want…I can…can find somewhere else to stay…"

"No!"

Bankotsu pulled back then, his eyes fierce with determination and any sign of tears long gone.

"Bankotsu…"

"Jakotsu, you're staying with me. I…I want you to stay with me…. Please."

"I don't want to cause trouble. If you're happy…"

"I can't be happy without you here, okay?"

Jakotsu could see it in his eyes. This whole situation had been tearing him up for the past months. Him being away in Japan, and now, the fear of losing everything when he returned and the secret was revealed. The strands of fate were beginning to unravel at a swift pace and Jakotsu knew there was little he could do to stop it.

"Should I…play it…straight?"

"I couldn't ask you to…"

"But if it would…"

"Jakotsu, we shouldn't have to change anything."

His expression softened at that, as he slumped up against the wall beside Bankotsu.

"No. We shouldn't, but people are assholes and I don't want you getting hurt over this. If it would be easier for me to just…"

"Jakotsu. You're seriously telling me that unless we're alone you'll be able to keep your hands off me?"

The taller young man could hear the laugh in his tone, and knew that whatever happened, Bankotsu had made his decision already.

"I suppose you're right. You're too much temptation for me to handle."

"We'll just… have to tone it down and…"

"And we have some explaining to do to your closer friends, right?"

Bankotsu sighed, "A lot of explaining."

The two stood like that for a few more moments, allowing the full situation to sink in. It seemed like; ever since that one moment had transpired between them something was always trying to drive them apart. Jakotsu bit his lip, almost wanting to speak up and suggest that it might be best to keep apart. Fate seemed to want it that way. But as he felt the shaky hand reaching over to grasp his own, Jakotsu knew that the thread wasn't broken.

"I think we're being tested…" He murmured.

"What do you mean?" Bankotsu questioned, his eyes blinking in confusion.

"Well- doesn't it seem like no matter what- everything seems to keep trying to drive us apart? Like some higher power is testing us, trying to see if…"

"Trying to see if we're strong enough to make it through," He finished.

Jakotsu smiled down at him, "Yah, something like that. So how do you think we're doing, hmm? We even pushing by with a C at the moment?"

Bankotsu shook his head and reached down to pick up Jakotsu's bag.

"I think I need to get home and rest some more before the game."

Colored lips formed a pout as Jakotsu tugged the bag away from him and slung it over his shoulder.

"Aww, you're no fun. You get to take a nap while I unpack. I'm the one who has jet-lag!"

Shaking his head at the expected pouty guilt-trip, Bankotsu looked up at the monitors to figure out which baggage claim to head towards.

"It's G," Jakotsu spoke up, pointing towards the small letters on the screen.

"All right, then let's get your stuff and get out of here."

Following Bankotsu as they began to walk towards baggage claim G, Jakotsu's mind went back to what he'd been thinking over in the airplane.

"Do I really…make you happy, Bankotsu?" The thought echoed in his head once again, and his smile faded, "Sometimes I feel like, your life would be so much easier if I wasn't around…"

Bankotsu turned, his mouth open as if to say something, but he cut himself off as he noted the somber expression Jakotsu wore.

"It's the same thing. It's always this way. Every time he tries to show me any kind of affection, I push him away. It's like a reflex, just because someone got it into my mind that loving him is wrong. And things aren't gonna get any easier. I still have to tell Hiten, and who knows what will happen after that. But the truth of the matter is… well, I do want Jakotsu here, I want to be with him…but I can't…I can't seem to express that…"

His thoughts paused as he remembered something his Mother had told him as a child.

"Actions speak louder than words, Bankotsu. If you're not able to say how you feel, then show it, okay?"

Closing his eyes and pushing down the bitter memories that came with thoughts of his Mother, he knew that in this case, she was right.

"Sorry Momma, I'm using your advice because I want to show Jakotsu that I care. I know you'd hate me for that, but…I still love you, even if you don't love me."

"Bankotsu, you okay?" Jakotsu had snapped out of his thoughts long enough to notice that Bankotsu had stopped walking.

And once he saw the expression on his face, he had a sinking feeling that something had triggered thoughts of his Mother.

"Bankotsu?"

Looking up, eyes holding back the emotions that had overcome him, Bankotsu took a deep breath and cracked a weak smile.

"Sorry, I guess I kinda zoned out there…"

"Were you thinking about…." He let the question hang, not wanting to bring it up if it wasn't the case.

"Thinking about…um, well I was just thinking that…you can unpack later if you want, I wouldn't mind if…" He paused, looking back over his shoulder. Dark blue eyes scanned the hallway, not certain why he felt like someone was watching him all of a sudden.

Jakotsu followed Bankotsu's gaze, perplexed by his abrupt stop, and gently rested a hand on his shoulder.

"What is it?"

Eyes narrowing and still seeing no one that he recognized or that seemed to be staring, Bankotsu sighed.

"It's nothing."

"No…what were you saying? You wouldn't mind if…?"

A light blush crept onto Bankotsu's face as he hurriedly began to walk forward.

"If…if you…"

Taking a deep breath, his thoughts raced.

"Calm down, Bankotsu. No one's here. Souten went back to where her family was. You're just being paranoid. And damnit- you've been missing Jakotsu for months. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be with him now. Stop being such a spazz about everything…"

Jakotsu's eyebrows raised, interest piqued, as he waited for Bankotsu to finish his sentence.

"I wouldn't mind if you stayed with me while I slept a little, okay?" He rushed out, his pace quickening as he tensed up.

Pausing a moment to take what Bankotsu had said in, Jakotsu opened his mouth, then closed it; his lips curling into a warm smile.

"Okay, I think… I'd like that too," He managed to reply. The warmth of his smile permeating into his emotion as a light skip made its way into his long strides.

"So his friends don't know…but he…he seems to want me here more than I expected he would. And for him to ask for me to stay with him while he takes a nap-- well, that's a big step for him. Before now, I'd always have to be the one making the moves…and usually getting yelled out for being too forward. It might be hard for me to hold back, but… if I try and take things at his pace- maybe we can get this whole relationship thing worked out."

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As the two figures disappeared into the crowd headed towards baggage claim, Garamaru smirked devilishly to himself as he sipped his coffee.

But as he went to take another sip, a rough hand clamping down on his shoulder caused him to sputter.

"What in the hell…"

"Garamaru, this isn't teatime. Now he's walked off. What the hell do you think you're doing?"

The shorter of the two winced as the hot coffee seared into skin from where it spilt.

"Shit, Gatenmaru. Chill. The problem's already been solved."

Gatenmaru raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"It has?"

"The question is, do you think you can get ahold of that photograph you were talking about earlier?"

Interested in where this plan was headed, Gatenmaru sat down.

"So, you know for certain? I don't want to waste my time digging through that brat's wallet for nothing."

Sipping the coffee and looking off in the direction Bankotsu had left in, Garamaru smirked.

"Had I had a camera at the time his little friend got off the plane, I would have the photograph of Bankotsu in a lip lock with another guy already."

Eyes widening, Gatenmaru stared, "Oh? You mean- in public?"

"You bet. Then they got all lovey-dovey and kept holding hands and shit. It was quite the show. It's sad you missed it."

"You'd better be telling me the truth, Garamaru."

"Now why would I lie to my devious older cousin like that?"

"Because I know you too well. Now let's get out of here. We have a picture to get ahold of for your little nightmare, right?"

Garamaru drained the last of the coffee and crushed the styrofoam cup in his hand.

"As I said earlier, nothing like shattering some dreams to put me in a good mood."

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Preview for Chapter 11:

There is a red string of fate that ties two lovers together. But sometimes, hateful souls seek to cut that which the fates have so carefully tied.