First I want to say thank you to every one who reviewed! I know I have been horrible about updating, but I never expected to get so many reviews for the last chapter! Thank you so much! I will start writing the next chapter right away!

And as for this chapter... well... I hope your not disappointed. I wrote this one first, and then went back and re-wrote the previous ones, and some of the stuff didn't match up exactly, because I kept getting new ideas, so I got a bit lazy fixing this one up. Hopefully you can't tell? And for all the people on author alert who are just reading this chapter, I STRONGLY STRONGLY suggest you go back and read the story from the begining, or I almost guarantee you won't understand whats going on. That said, enjoy!

Chapter 4

I woke up sometime later. The bed in Tala's guest room was surprisingly comfortable, and I had fallen asleep almost as soon as my head had hit the pillow. According to the bright red number on the clock glaring at me through the darkness, it was only a little after 2:00am. For a second I just lay there, wondering why I woken up, but then I heard quiet laughter coming from the living room. Apparently Tala and Rei were still up talking. I frowned. Shouldn't they have gone to bed by now? I mean, Rei came from Japan with me, so he must be just as tired as me.

Slowly I got out of bed and moved towards the door. Opening it quietly, I crept down the hall toward the living room where they were still sitting, yawning as I did so. My common sense told me to go straight back to bed, but I ignored it. What was so important that they had to stay up this late for? Why couldn't it wait till morning? I was curious, and more than slightly worried they were hatching a plot to kill me.

But then… with the way that Tala guy had acted earlier, I don't think I had much cause to worry about killing.

When I got to the end of the hallway, I slid down the wall and leaned against it. It was slightly uncomfortable, but I could just see into the room, and I was pretty sure they couldn't see me. Not that they were looking. They were pretty wrapped up in each other.

Tala and Rei were sitting on a couch, a bit closer than was necessary, I thought. Tala was running his fingers through Rei's hair, his other arm around Rei's neck.

"So…" he said, speaking in a low voice, a smirk appearing on his face. "Mr Hiwatari is quite cute, isn't he?"

I jumped and shrunk back, my heart beating wildly.

Rei groaned. "Shit. You don't know the half of it."

"You look quite frustrated," said Tala, amusement in his voice.

"Yeah well, you try sitting next to the kid for 10 fucking hours." Rei leaned back into the couch and closed his eyes. "Nearly killed me."

"I could, help you out…" said Tala.

"Nah," Rei grinned. "I'm working on it."

"Is that why you offered my house for him to stay at?" Tala asked slyly.

Rei whacked Tala lightly round the head. "Hey, it's not like that, okay? He was stranded."

"But… it does have benefits, right?" asked Tala.

"Oh, shut up," said Rei darkly.

They were silent for a few minutes, and I sat there confused. What the hell were they talking about? What did Tala mean, benefits?

Finally Tala spoke again, softly this time, with no trace of his former teasing. "Rei, please tell me truthfully… how have you been doing?"

Rei sighed. "I told you already. I am doing fine. Much better than the past few years."

"Yes, because you have grown older. People are more attracted to you now."

Rei frowned. "Yes, but I have also got more experience than I had before. That counts as well, you know."

Tala spoke even quieter. "Oh Rei-Rei… you say that like it's a good thing…"

Rei scowled. "Well it is for me. I am making much more money than I used to, probably enough to rent an apartment here."

"So you plan to stay?"

"For a while, anyways."

"But Rei, apartments here aren't cheap! You know I don't mind lending you money! I have more than enough for myself, and you!"

Rei's voice was cold when he spoke. "I can make it on my own, Tala. I have been doing it for years. I don't need your help now."

"Oh Rei, but have you been living well for years is the question. I only want to help you!"

"I don't need you help!" there was a pause, then Rei spoke again, much softer. "I am sorry, Tal. I didn't mean to snap at you. I know you just want to help, but really, I am fine. Just let me stay here a few days while I look for someplace to live."

Tala sniffed, and I suspected he was holding off tears. "You know you can stay here as long as you want!"

Rei smiled gently. "Thank you." he whispered.

Tala moved even closer to Rei, and the hand at his neck started to stroke the skin there. Even from this far away I could see Rei shiver. Tala was looking up at him through his bangs. "You know… Mr Hiwatari is asleep… we could… you know," he said, his voice low, like it had been in the kitchen.

Rei shook his head. "Tala, I already told you, we can't. I can do that anymore."

"Oh, but it would have been so fun! Just like the old times!" Tala pouted, looking disappointed. Rei stayed silent, so Tala continued, running a finger up Rei's chest. "Remember, Rei-Rei? We always went so well together…"

Rei bit his lip. "We shouldn't."

"Just once more," said Tala, kissing Rei's cheek.

"No…" said Rei, turning his head.

Tala smirked and leaned forwards, whispering something in Rei's ear.

To my surprise, Rei laughed. "You fight dirty, Tal," he said, grinning. "You always have." With that he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to Tala's.

I gasped quietly. They… Rei was… Tala… they were kissing! Them! Two guys! Kissing! Why were they… they were together? Tala was gay?

… Well, ok, that isn't much of a surprise.

Rei was gay?

I was completely stunned. Horrified. Yet I found I could take my eyes off them. I continued to stare at them, even when Tala climbed onto Rei's lap. Even when Rei slipped his hands up Tala's shirt. Even when I saw their tongues sliding together.

I don't know how long I watched them for. I wanted to leave, really I did. But for some reason I was unable. A long ragged moan was what broke me from my daze, and I was finally able to stand on shaky legs and stumble back to my room. As I crawled back into bed, I felt to warm, too flushed, and I buried my face in the pillow, confused and trembling.

oxoxo

I don't think it really hit me till the next morning, when I woke up in a strange bed. I had spent the night in a stranger's house. Seriously, what was I thinking? They could have done anything to me, could still! They could hack me up into little pieces and cook me for breakfast! Okay, maybe that is exaggerating a little, but still. Never while I was sane would I willingly go into a stranger's house. That is just something I don't do. My Grandfather will have a fit when he hears.

And trust me, he will hear about it.

Slowly I crawled out of bed, wrinkling my nose at the clothes I had slept in. All my suitcases had been taken directly to my Grandfathers mansion, so I had simply slept in the clothes I had been wearing. I cringed. They were wrinkly, and they smelt! What had I been thinking?

I shook my head and walked towards the door. Well that settles it, I thought. I defiantly haven't been in my right mind lately.

I could hear the sound of voices at the end of the hall, so I walked towards them. I could smell bacon, and my stomach growled.

As I walked into the kitchen, Tala turned to look at me from where he was standing at the stove. "Good morning, Mr Hiwatari!" he chirped. "I made you blueberry pancakes, bacon, and eggs with coffee! Come get it while it's hot!"

I blinked, not moving.

Tala looked at me with those big blue eyes. "Oh come on," he wheedled, "I even made your coffee non-decaf! Got to wake up for the long day ahead, don't you?"

Rei laughed and pushed me into a chair. "I think your scaring him, Tal."

I looked at him. Rei seemed happier this morning, and I couldn't help but blush, knowing what the reason probably was. Quickly I turned to stare down at the plate of food Tala had set before me.

"Eat up!" he smiled.

He looked way to eager for my liking, and I stared down at the food suspiciously. "You poisoned it, didn't you?" I asked, and was about to push it away when Rei's hand stopped me.

"He didn't poison it, Luke. Now eat."

Sighing I picked up my fork and cut into the pancakes. As much as I hated to admit it, blueberry was my favourite. I steadily began to work my way through them, only looking up once to find Tala, or freak, as I shall soon begin to call him, staring intently at me. "What?" I asked, frowning.

"Do you like it? Is it good?"

"Yes," I muttered, resuming eating. "Very good. Thanks."

He beamed and bounced over to the stove, taking down more plates for himself and Rei. Soon we were all sitting around the small table in silence. I stared down at my plate, eating steadily, trying to ignore the tension I could feel slowly rising.

Rei must have been able to feel it too, for he cleared his throat suddenly. "So where are you going, Luke?" he asked.

I glanced up at him. "What?" I asked.

"I mean, where does you uncle live? I'll drive you there once you're finished eating," he said.

"Oh." I looked back down, and shifted uncomfortably, pushing my pancakes around on my plate as I thought. I was going to stay at our mansion here in New York, but now I wasn't sure I wanted Rei to take me there. It wouldn't really fit with the whole 'poor me my uncle is poor and is loosing his memory' theme I have going here, to drive up in front of a huge mansion. No, actually, this isn't my house! This is just where I spend my summers. Yeah… right. But really what choice do I have? No way am I calling Boris to come get me.

"Luke?"

I sighed. "Well, my… my uncle lives, across the city? Maybe half an hour from here? You can take me there." If that's the only option. And it really was. There was no way I was showing up for work at the office looking like this. No one there would ever take me seriously again. Boris would see to that, stupid bastard.

"Alright," Rei nodded. "We'll go after breakfast. Tal, can I borrow your car?"

"Nooo!" Tala whined. "I don't want Mr. Hiwatari to leave! He only just got here! It's not fair. You're always ruining my fun, Rei. Besides, Mr. Hiwatari wants to stay. He likes it here." He turned to me. "Right?"

Umm… I do?

Rei sighed, looking annoyed. "Tala, he can't stay here, you know that. It was a one time thing. Now stop being stupid."

Tala glared, punching Rei on the arm. "Don't call me stupid, bastard!" he spat. Then he turned around and stomped out of the room. After a few seconds I heard a door slam. Rei, looking unfazed, took a sip of his coffee.

I stared after Tala, my mouth hanging open. Then I slowly turned to look at Rei. "Umm… what?" I asked weakly. I really wanted to ask, Is Tala crazy? But I was pretty sure the answer was yes.

Rei shrugged. "Don't worry about it," he said. "He'll get over it. He's always like this after…" he paused. "After…"

I nodded. "After…"

"Umm…" Rei coughed, and with a jolt I suddenly realized what he was talking about. I could feel my face burn, and I quickly stuffed more pancake into my mouth, almost choking. Rei didn't notice. He was staring into his cup, face dark red, not looking at me. Quickly he stood up and walked to the sink, dumping his coffee down the drain. "Okay let's go," he said, in a cheerful voice. Too cheerful.

I looked down at my half eaten breakfast and shrugged, standing up to follow him out of the room. At the door, Rei grabbed a pair of keys off a hook and opened the door, stepping out onto the street, with me following. The car was still parked on the road from last night, and I raised my eye brows at it. I really didn't remember it to be such a horrible bright red colour. It actually suited Tala very well, though, now that I thought about it.

Speaking of the little freak.

When I got to the car, I opened up the door and got in, only to see Tala himself sitting in the backseat, looking perfectly normal. Well, if Tala had a normal mode, this would be it. Sitting in the driver's seat, Rei glanced back at him. "What are you doing here?" he asked, frowning slightly.

Tala grinned. "You didn't think I was going to miss out on a chance to see Mr Hiwatari's home, did you? Besides, then I will get to spend more time with him? You can't have all the fun, Rei."

I was going to point out that I didn't really live there, having only stayed there once before, but I didn't, not wanting to go back to the punching angry Tala mode. Believe it or not, I actually preferred the disgustingly annoyingly cheerful creepy mode.

Rei pulled out onto the street, and soon we were lost in the sea of traffic, with me trying to give directions, and failing because I didn't really know where the mansion was, and trying to ignore Tala who was chattering away in the backseat long enough to actually remember where we were supposed to be going.

It was difficult, to say the least.

By the time we finally got on the right street, it was hard to say who was more relived, me or Rei. I'd have to say me though, simply because Rei was used to Tala, and I wasn't. At the moment, we were driving down a street filled with huge expensive houses, with huge expensive lawns. Tala had his nose pressed to the window. "You don't really live in this neighbourhood, do you Mr Hiwatari?" he asked, wide eyed.

I shifted, uncomfortably. "Uhh…"

Tala pulled away from the window to stare at me. "You do?" he asked. Now even Rei was looking at me out of the corners of his eyes, clearly waiting for a response.

I looked away, and muttered instead, "stop here." Of course my house just has to be the biggest one on the block. On the whole stupid street. Hell, probably in this whole city.

Tala's eyes were once again glued to the window. "No way!" he yelped. "There's no way you live here! This is a joke, right?"

Oh how I wish. "Thanks for the ride," I mumbled, opening the door. Neither of them said anything. They just stared at me as I got out of the car. I sighed. "Well, bye."

That seemed to break Tala out of his daze. "Bye Mr Hiwatari!" he called, waving. "It was nice to meet you! And you can always come visit me!"

Rei wouldn't meet my eyes. "Bye," he muttered.

As soon as the door was closed the car pulled back out onto the road, and, knowing I would have to face Boris sometime, I turned, not watching as Rei and Tala drove away, and started to walk up the long driveway to the house.

After I was buzzed through the gates, and buzzed into the mansion, I was surprised to find the front hall to be completely deserted. I frowned, looking around. No Boris? No slimy disgusting Boris, who never misses a chance to humiliate me? How odd. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. But still. This was completely out of character for him, and I couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy. And suspicious.

I made my way over to the staircase and started to walk up them to my room, thinking I'd better get to the company as soon as possible. I had a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that something was wrong. I didn't like this at all.

End chapter 4