Author's Notes: Just a few little notes here and there. One, the Tsubaki mentioned in this (since they are teen-aged) is given her younger-self trait of having black hair. Also, since Jakotsu's now back from Japan- the POV at the beginning will now switch off between him and Bankotsu. This time, it's Jakotsu.

Anyways, sorry for the delay and enjoy!

It's ironic, really. After such a long plane ride, I just can't seem to sleep. Maybe it's because I'm afraid if I fall asleep, I'll wake up back in Japan and this whole reunion-thing will just be a dream.

Then again, my dreams would be verging on a lot more graphic matters if we were talking about me and Bankotsu sleeping together…

But, as I feel him shift against my side, his head resting against my chest; I know I'm not dreaming because this is just far too real to be a dream.

Absently stroking his back, I think back to all the things he's told me today. All the things I missed out in the past months. And all the troubles he's been dealing with on his own.

Part of me wanted to be mad at him for not telling me this sooner, but I knew why he did it. If I knew, I'd worry and he didn't want that. Once again, Bankotsu went out of his way to do something for me and I'm still not sure how to repay him.

My mind thinks back to the ring.

"When should I…give that to him?"

He'll certainly ask if I got him anything while in Japan. He's just a kid at heart, after all. But this gift, I think it might wait. I'm not sure where or when, but I want this ring to be a special gift for him- I want it, well as corny as it sounds, to be forever.

Our lives have been filled with so many separations and I just want him to know, before something bad happens, how I really feel about him underneath all my lewd comments and seductive attempts.

As weird as it may seem, he fell for me first. And now, I guess it's inevitable, that I'm falling in love with him all over again.

Chapter 12: The Stage is Set
Bankotsu shifted again in his sleep, nestling closer to the warm body beside him. His expression was one of absolute peace, as if he'd finally been able to sleep soundly again.

Glancing over at the nearby clock, Jakotsu shook his head.

"The alarm's about to go off…"

Sure enough, the digital number flipped and the loud buzzer blared into the room. Stretching his arm out, Bankotsu groped around until his hand found the right button and he promptly shut it off.

Groggily, he rubbed at his eyes; finally registering that he wasn't alone in the bed.

"Ja…kotsu?"

The older man laughed, "Sorry, this isn't one of your wet dreams. I'm one-hundred percent real and in the flesh. Feel free to touch."

Bankotsu picked up the pillow and stuffed it over Jakotsu's face.

"I don't have wet dreams!"

Peering around the corner of the pillow, Jakotsu smirked.

"Then why are you blushing so much?"

"Oh shut up! Don't pick on me when I'm half-asleep."

Sitting up beside him, Jakotsu sat the pillow back where it belonged.

"Half-asleep, eh?" He intoned, stopping when Bankotsu leveled a glare, "What?"

"No, I don't need you to "wake" me up- okay?"

Flopping back unto the pillows, the dark-haired man stifled another laugh.

"You're getting good at this."

Bankotsu swung his legs over the edge of the bed and rubbed at his eyes some more.

"Good at what?"

"Figuring out what naughty thing I'm about to say next."

Pulling his shirt off, Bankotsu tossed it at Jakotsu.

"Oooh, strip-show."

"Jakotsu…"

Standing up behind him, Jakotsu wrapped his arms around Bankotsu's waist and rested his chin atop Bankotsu's head.

"Come on. You know you're enjoying this. It's just like old times."

Leaning back into his touch, the braided-young man glanced up at him.

"Okay, okay. It is nice- isn't it?"

"So… does that mean I can join you in the shower?"

The sound of the front door opening caught their attention as Bankotsu pulled away and headed for the bathroom.

"No. Suikotsu's back."

Jakotsu crossed his arms and sulkily plopped back down on the bed.

"You planned that didn't you?"

A pair of jeans went flying across the room and Jakotsu caught them before they hit him in the face.

"Maybe I did…" Bankotsu remarked, laughter in his voice; before closing the bathroom door all the way.

"Heeeey…"

A knock sounded on the bedroom door, Suikotsu's voice calling in.

"You two awake in there?"

"Yah, we are. Someone's hogging the shower though," Jakotsu replied.

Slowly opening the door, and noting Jakotsu with Bankotsu's jeans, Suikotsu shook his head.

"I figured you'd just share one."

"Don't encourage him!" Bankotsu yelled from the bathroom, as the sound of the water running started up.

"All right, all right. I'll get lunch started, Jakotsu you want to come and help me pick out something?"

Shrugging and tossing the pair of jeans aside, the black-haired man stood back up.

"Well since I'll have to wait to shower, why not?"

"So, what'd you two do while I was gone?"

"Oh, so you want details, eh?"

"I can still hear you!" Bankotsu called out over the shower.

The two laughed and continued on the way to the kitchen.

The small café didn't have many patrons yet, the time making it just a little too late for breakfast and just a little too early for lunch. Sitting at one table, the two cousins watched as a familiar young boy took a seat nearby; lowering their voices as they continued their plotting.

"Okay, so we have our delivery boy. What now?" Gatenmaru questioned, keeping his eyes on their unaware assistant.

"Hiten's gonna get a nice little note…"

"Oh?"

"It's like this- when he's not looking, we get Bankotsu's wallet and snag that picture out of it. Then we drop it along with some well placed notes and comments around Hiten and the two will be fighting in no time."

"I like the sound of this, dear cousin."

"I thought you would," Garamaru commented, motioning to a passing waiter that he needed a refill on his coffee.

"In a few hours, it will all begin…"

"And one Bankotsu Asazuki won't be Mr. Popular anymore."

"So the game's not until this afternoon?" Jakotsu asked in between bites of spaghetti.

"Yah, I just have to get there early to warm up. You and Suikotsu can come and wait in the stands if you want."

"I bet you look hot in your uniform."

"Jakotsu…"

"I know, I know. Be careful how I act around the guys until you get things smoothed over. Gotcha."

Stuffing the last bit of pasta into his mouth, Bankotsu stood up, "Okay, let's get going."

The group quickly cleared the table, gathered their things and headed for the door. Bankotsu was just about to step out when Jakotsu grabbed his arm.

"Just a second."

"What is it?"

"Well since I can't do it there," Jakotsu tipped the bill to Bankotsu's hat up and leaned down, "Good luck," He murmured kissing him, the hat toppling off as he pulled Bankotsu closer.

Pulling away and giving a "see I told you he was forward" look to Suikotsu, the young man reached down and retrieved his hat.

Looking back up at his boyfriend, he gave a weak smile.

"I'm gonna need luck for this Hiten situation…"

"Ah yes, that."

"Are we done with the mush-fest or are you two gonna need some more alone time?" Suikotsu piped up.

Bankotsu leveled his roommate with a glare, "Is it just me or did Jakotsu somehow bring out your evil side?"

The brown-haired man laughed, "We both just like teasing you, that's all."

"Oh great," He replied, rolling his eyes.

Jakotsu reached out and ruffled his hair, "It's like one big happy family."

"The gay guy, his boyfriend and the schizophrenic suffering from multiple personality disorder. Sounds like a best seller to me."

The three paused a moment as Suikotsu's remark sank in, then they all burst into laughter; the door closing behind them as they headed out.

Gatenmaru waited patiently in the locker room, watching as Bankotsu came in and left his belongings in his locker. As the braided-young man walked back out, the dark-haired teen glanced about.

"Good, no one else is here this early. Then let's get this started…"

Reaching into his pocket, he fished out the master key Garamaru had stolen from the coach's office and headed for the locker.

He twisted the key in the lock and grinned maliciously as it came open.

"Bingo."

The pre-game practice had already started when Kaguya showed up, Tsubaki walking beside her.

"They really should set up an enclosed, air-conditioned box for us who deserve it."

The black-haired girl next to her nodded, "It's tough being a rich girl in a public school like this."

Sitting nearby, Garamaru kept a close eye on the two girls as they headed towards the refreshment stand.

"As long as they don't get any of their dirty food near us, we can at least enjoy their fans."

"Yah, at least until Menoumaru gets here and unlocks the announcer's box."

"Psst, Garamaru," The low whisper caught his ears, and he looked back behind the bleachers to see his cousin.

"Got it?"

"Yah, get down here. We'll trade it off while I get the other note set up."

"Gotcha."

"And Garamaru."

"Hmm?"

The older teen frowned, "How are you drinking coffee in this heat?"

Looking down at his cup, he shrugged, "I put ice in it."

Wrinkling his nose at the idea of putting ice in with that kind of beverage, Gatenmaru sighed, "Just get down here already."

The two quickly traded off their items and hurried back to put their plan into motion. As Garamaru headed back up into the bleachers, he spotted the boy they'd chosen to be their unknowing agent.

"Uh- hey! You!"

Akitoki looked up, then glanced around- pointing to himself, "You mean me?"

"Yah- you're on the team right?"

Climbing up the bleacher stairs, he nodded.

"Well, I'm kinda a benchwarmer."

"Look, can you give this to Kaguya? It needs to get to Hiten but I know he's kinda busy with practice right now."

The sandy-haired boy nodded, "Sure can. I'll go give it to her right now."

"Thanks. Some random person gave it to me and I'm not sure where Kaguya's at."

"Oh, she's probably up at the refreshment stand. She usually stays there until the announcer's box is open. She hates the heat."

Garamaru smirked, "Good. The kid does keep tabs on the goings on of the team well enough for him to be of use."

"Ah I see. Well thanks anyways, kid."

"No problem."

As Akitoki headed off to deliverer the note, Garamaru looked out on the field where the team was warming up. Giving a casual thumbs-up to Gatenmaru, he heard footsteps beside him.

"Is this seat taken?"

Glancing up, he had to repress his grin.

"No, go right ahead."

The two men sat down and Garamaru cast Gatenmaru a knowing look.

"His roommate and boyfriend, eh? Welcome to front row seats to the downfall of one Bankotsu Asazuki. I hope you enjoy the show."

Preview for Chapter 13:

Nothing ever goes as plans. Things spin out of control and the worst possible outcomes come into play.