Byrnstar - Thanks for reviewing! Yeah...it is kind of saddening that Batou doesn't want to share, but you have to understand that he's really a very private person. "That place" is important to him, as it's one of the few places where he can really relax. Also, it isn't sleep, per say. It's more like Batou goes into a deep meditation; this chapter goes over that a little.

Zurizip - Gosh -- punch line? :laughs: It took me a while to figure out what you are talking about... I think of "punch lines" such as that more as the "Ah-ha" moment...which doesn't make much sense, but then you're right; there is a lack of a better "word."

qirien - Ah, thanks! :grin:

The-Anibee - There more in the works, kid! Stay tuned :evil laugh:

priss - I'm actually writing one on a paper medium right now, but it probably won't get posted for a while; I've discovered several fatal flaws, and have to re-write the damn thing from the ground up.

Kitomi - This is funny, eh? :bemused: Not quite the effect I wanted, but whatever floats your boat. :grin: Also, about Togusa's eyes... THEY REALLY ARE GOLD! Re-watch TRIAL (Sexiest. Togusa episode. EVER.) and LOOK at his eyes! I re-watched it three million times because I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but his eyes really are gold colored!

Skylo - You're kind of missing the point. Yeah, I could have written it in past tense, but then it wouldn't have delivered the kind of punch I was going for. :shrug: Well, this one's written in the past tense. :grin:


An aching sweetness on his tongue, from moving lips and roaming hands; Togusa's squirming hips are locked between his thighs, his leather belt undone, and the natural man is making harsh animal noises that speak to an tiny, ancient part of Batou's mind.

Batou's fingers dig into the skin under Togusa's shirt, and he reads his body -- core temperature skyrocketing, heart racing, blood pressure increasing dangerously fast, respiration shallow and rapid, and all the while Batou is amazed that Togusa has barely any control over the functions his body is performing.

Sex. Such a short simple word. Short and simple for something that can be so drawn out and complicated.


The first thing Batou heard when he came out the place that held rest and dreams, but was not sleep, was Togusa's even breathing.

Oh. Right.

Togusa had fallen asleep. Fallen asleep and curled up in a ball, and left enough room for Batou to sit down beside him and...sleep? Doze? Meditate?

He didn't know what.

"You.I dream about you."

Batou leaned over his friend, and was startled to see his wolf-gold eyes snap open.

Togusa was silent for a moment before he said, "I dream about you, too."