Author's notes:

For all intents and purposes, god's of death from Britain are technically called 'Reapers' instead of 'Shinigami' (makes sense, different culture... different language, hence different name). This fic is a continuation of 'Enter the Reaper'.

Disclaimer: Yanagi-sen and I are only borrowing the characters from Yami no Matsuei and Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter books to torment for a while... Don't look for Harry to be appearing at any time in this fanfiction. We claim no ownership over any character that does not belong to us... Itami Korin and Ishida Nanjiro are mine... those I claim and abuse at will.

The Reaper's journey.
Chapter four.

It was the owl that she first noticed... when it came flying into the restaurant, bounced off the far wall and fell onto a table. There was something off about that bird, other than the fact that it didn't seem to be able to fly in a straight line if it's life depended on it. "What?" Kenny paused in his stomach stuffing to look at her. "What is it?"

Reaching into a pocket for a pair of magicked spectacles, Erika slipped them on to get a better look at the owl. "That bird..."

"what about it?" He murmured, resuming eating so as not to draw attention to themselves. They had perfected this routine.

"Animals tend to have have auras that range in cool colors... that one is golden."

"Golden? You think it's magical?"

"No, it just likes to change it's aura to weird colors to confuse people... Of Course I think that it's magical," the woman hissed at her brother.

"Well don't get all pissy with me... you're the one who knows about that crap."

"Fine... sorry... I'm still upset over the rodent, someone was interested in that thing today."

"Well crap... that could have gotten us enough money to hire another procurer."

A dark and shapely eyebrow rose when she spotted a long haired blonde enter the restaurant accompanied by a teen, "Those two aren't human..." she whispered, her tone sounding a little astonished.

"what do you mean not human? i mean... even those damn wizards are human, aren't they?" He whispered back, glad they were in a somewhat dim corner.

Whipping of the spectacles, she handed them over to her brother, "see for yourself..."

He slid the glasses on and his eyes followed the pair as they were led to a table. An air of death revolved around the two, almost as if they were dementors... The older one had a blurred outline that superimposed itself on his form, which shifted back and forth from the purest good to the most depraved evil. "shiiiiit... i see what you mean... damn, i wouldn't want to run into them in a dark alley."

"Then find a sunny alley to run into them... think of what some of the darker wizards would pay for something like them..."

"could we handle them though?"

"A well placed binding charm should do the trick for them..."

"this could be just the thing to get us back in business..."

"But first, I want to be able to have a better look at that owl..." A small tube is pulled from her pocket, and Erika throws what looks like might be a 'spitball' at the pygmy owl. Hitting it directly, the one time use port-key enchantment goes into effect and sends the bird to a cage back at the shop.

"Good shot."

"Thank you."

"Shall we go then?"

"Very well then..."

---

Large golden eyes stared out of the cage up at Erika and Kenneth when they entered the room. "A bit puny... isn't it?" 003 screeched at the man in utter indignation. "Great... just great... another one that's going to try to bite me."

The cage was roughly picked up, "You're right, it is puny."

"Do you think we're going to get much for it? I mean... what's it worth, except for maybe as a pet."

"Not even worth much to use in Owlpost..."

"It's a runt..." Screeching again, 003 tried biting the bars on the cage. "Nasty little thing. Might not even be decent as a pet." In disgust, Kenneth flops back in his chair again. "What about those two non-humans?"

"I'll send a post to on back to England to see if there is anyone there that might make it worthwhile to grab those two... why waste the time in catching them if there is no profit to be made?"

"Sounds like a good idea."

---

There was something missing... he could feel that something was just off, but he wasn't quite sure what it was. Slurping some noodles Watari tried to figure out what was missing. Draco was still a bit clumsy with his chopsticks, but improving. He was happily eating his meal with the single-mindedness that only teenage boys seemed to have. Watari had to admit, that the boy was 'healing' as Korin had stated... not that this was something that happened overnight, but he was gradually starting to open up to others now. When he'd arrived, the child was emotionally bleeding. He'd been deprived of basic support and love, then traumatized by what had happened. It was no wonder he'd been the way he'd been. To make matters worse, the boy had been brushed off to them, with no prior knowledge, no training... his body barely cold in the ground, just because no one in England wanted to deal with him? Nothing would make him allow Draco to be taken back to such an environment again...

The teen finished his meal, laying his chopsticks neatly on the table. He sipped his tea looking questioningly at the scientist. Picking up a napkin, Watari reached over and wiped at the corner of Draco's mouth, "There..."

The boy blushed, looking away. "oh."

"You know, you're cute when you blush," the older blonde chuckled.

"I am not."

"Even cuter when you deny it." Taking a drink of tea, Watari watched Draco's reaction with an amused expression. The teen spluttered, taking a gulp of tea to cover his embarrassment. He was obviously unused to gentle teasing and didn't know how to handle it. The shinigami thought that it would be too much to continue... mostly because the boy would probably die again from embarrassment.

"Are you finished?" The teen's face was bright red.

"I believe so..." Watari commented, still chuckling.

"Let's go then... we need to track down that thing." Draco was obviously trying to deflect anymore teasing.

Nodding, the shinigami got up from his seat, "Though, try to stop blushing, it might be difficult to search if too many people attempt to approach you..."

"I'm not blushing!" He said quickly.

"Really?"

"Yes..." He got up and put on his coat.

Pulling on his coat as well, Watari snickered, this was almost as good as when he used to tease his nephews, "Really really?"

"Yes."

Reaching the door, the scientist opened it for Draco, "nope, you're still blushing..."

"It's warm in here... that's all." He ducked out into the rainy street. Following the teen into the rain, Watari held his jacket over Draco to better keep the rain off of him. "You'll get all wet!"

"Then walk closer so I won't get as wet..."

Draco slipped as close as he could and still let them walk. "Is that okay?"

"Hei."

The teen wrapped an arm around the older blonde's waist. "So shall we go get Puss?"

"Hei, though next time we should get Puss a little outfit to wear in the rain..."

"You're kidding right? He would NEVER do that."

"And probably end up trying to kill us?"

"Exactly. He's a cat... at least he looks like one. A cat's dignity would never tolerate that."

"Okay... I'll never mention the concept of putting a little rain coat on your shiki again..."

"Thank you."

Walking through the rain together, Watari can't help but muse on how nice it feels to have Draco's arm around his waist like that. The young Reaper seemed to be quite comfortable there, tucked against him. He pointed out some of the oddities of a wizarding community as they walked back to the hotel. Stopping to look in a few windows, the two of them drew several appreciative glances from other witches and wizards who were also braving the elements. For once, Draco didn't seem to be noticing the looks. Or he didn't care. In any case, he didn't try to push Watari away.

---

Returning to the room, Watari stripped off his soaked jacket and shirt and shivered slightly in the cool air.

"I told you you'd get wet..."

"I'll just take a quick hot shower while we wait for the rain to lighten up a bit." he winked back.

"Okay." He hung up his dripping cloak, noticing that his shirt too had become damp.

Draco looked around the room a bit, trying to figure out what he should do with the cloak until he decided on snagging a hanger from the closet. In the small bathroom he could hear the water turn on, and the rustle of clothes through the partially closed door as the shinigami finished undressing in there. His mind conveniently supplied an image of Watari naked. Teenage hormones reacted predictably. "oh... not now..." The fact that he had accidentally walked in on Watari while showering a week ago wasn't helping matters any... if possible, it allowed his mind to come up with what he believed to be a pretty accurate image of what the older blonde should look like... He yanked off his damp shirt, it was getting too warm in here anyway. Draco started to pace trying to think of the most unsexy things his could. Snape naked... Crabbe and Goyle naked... Pansy in the thong. He shuddered... that was just a nightmare. Of its own volitation, the memory of the one kiss that Watari had given him rose in his mind.

Draco found himself at the bathroom door without really remembering how he'd gotten there. The steam surrounded him... like a warm embrace. He took a step inside... At the edge of the sink, he noticed Watari's glasses sitting there... the lenses fogging up. He could see the shape of the man behind the shower curtain. Watari's arms lifted and he ran his hands through the long blond hair. Draco's eyes dropped, he shouldn't be looking. He shouldn't be there. It wasn't the first time that he wished that he wasn't a teenager... or at least that his partner didn't look the way that he looked. He could hear the soft sighs the scientist made, enjoying the warmth. His pants were getting too tight. He should leave... he really should. It frustrated him... watching the way in which Watari gently but thoroughly worked the shampoo through his hair, massaging his scalp in the process. He must have made some kind of noise because Watari paused. Draco froze.

The older blonde wrung most of the water out of his hair and gave a half turn, so that he could look over his shoulder, "hei?"

Don't move... don't breath... don't let him see me...

"moshi moshi..."

Draco started to slowly back out, but he misjudged where the door frame was. His heel caught on the edge and his arms pinwheeled before he was able to grab the counter to keep from falling. "Ouch!" The shower curtain slid open as Watari reached out to grab his towel and Draco caught a flash that told him that his mental pictures of the older blonde were almost accurate.

"Draco?" The shinigami asked sounding very concerned.

"Um... nothing... sorry." He dashed out of the room, face flaming.

Pulling the towel tighter around his waist, the scientist hesitantly followed the teen out into the room... "Draco, did you need something?"

Draco was digging through his clothes, searching for a dry shirt that was clean. He shivered. "no... nothing, sorry to bother you."

Standing in the doorway, Watari brushed a few strands of damp hair out of his eyes, "are you sure?"

He clenched his eyes shut. "yes..." He remembered what happened last time. He couldn't risk something like that happening again. It didn't matter what he wanted... really, it didn't.

"No, you sound like you wanted something..."

"it... doesn't matter..."

"No, it does matter... what's on your mind?"

Behind him, Draco could hear the bathroom door close and rustling of sheets as the blonde settled on the bed. What could he say? I think you're beautiful and I'd like to sleep with you. Only not the sleep we've been having together. Draco balled the shirt he'd found in his hands. The older blonde sighed audibly. Maybe he could make it to the bathroom without the older blond noticing his rather... strained pants.

"How am I supposed to help you with your problems, if you don't trust me to help you?"

His brain had apparently turned off. Dropping the shirt, Draco flung himself at Watari. He caught a glimpse of surprised amber eyes before he gently grabbed the blonde's face. He kissed him quickly on the lips. Watari gasped faintly at the kiss... Draco pulled back, a bit of fear in his silver eyes. "i'm so sorry..." He turned and fled into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind him.

Once in the bathroom, the teen could see the glasses still sitting perched on the edge of the sink. He slid down to sit on the floor, leaning back against the door. How could he have been so stupid? Now he was sure that Watari was going to hate him... what if he had him sent back to England? He couldn't go back there. He just couldn't. He berated himself mentally. Draco wrapped his bared arms around his knees and hid his face.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. He sniffed. When had he started crying? "yes?"

"Draco... come on out..."

He didn't want to... but he couldn't refuse the request. He grabbed a tissue, quickly wiping away the errant tears before opening the door. He stared at his toes. Long fingers carefully tilted Draco's face up and a tender kiss was planted on his lips... The teen leaned into the kiss. His hands rested against the shinigami's bare chest for support. Ending the kiss, hazel eyes gazed into silver. Draco was shivering... but he wasn't sure if it was from cold anymore.

"Draco?" Watari whispered as he tucked a few errant locks behind the wizard's ear.

"please don't hate me..."

"baka... i don't hate you..."

"i couldn't help it... thinking of you... in here... i just..."

Now it was Watari's turn to blush... "err... thank you... i think..."

It had been a mistake... he knew it. Why would a beautiful man like Watari be interested in a kid like him? "i'm sorry... i'll just get a shirt..."

Resting his arms on Draco's shoulders, the shinigami sighed, "what are you apologizing for?"

"I'm not... what you would want..."

"then i should apologize for not being what you deserve..." he whispered into the teen's ear.

"i don't deserve anything..."

"except the best."

"but... that's you."

Going down on one knee, the scientist looked directly into silver eyes with a sad smile, "all shinigami are broken... it's our nature."

"then i must fit right in..."

"If you say so..."

It was so tempting... that lovely face tilted up towards his own. Those lips... that were so soft. The way the corners of his mouth gently curled up in that sweet smile. Closing his eyes and taking his afterlife in his hands, Draco leaned in to kiss the other blond again. It took a moment, but the shinigami returned the kiss... with the cutest whimper. Their bare chests rubbed against each other as Draco sank to kneel as well. The Reaper moaned softly. Strong arms encircled the teenager tentatively at first, then they seemed to gain confidence when he didn't pull away.

Draco finally broke the kiss when he had to breathe. He tilted his head and kissed the side of the shinigami's neck. When the older blonde inhaled sharply, the reaper felt a burst of excitement knowing that he was the one that caused that reaction from such a little touch... He started to kiss down that smooth bared chest. He could feel the muscles twitch under the skin. Such soft skin... he ran his tongue along the flesh, tasting the shinigami.

"Ahhh..."

Going lower, Draco located the blonde's nipples. They were hard, excited. He pinched one while flicking the other with his tongue. Whimpering, the shinigami arched his back... Draco switched sides, lavishing the other nipple with the same attention.

"don't... stop..."

"we should move to the bed..." Draco murmured, gently nipping the flesh over the blonde's collarbone.

"we should?"

"mmmhmmm..." The Reaper had worked his way back up to nuzzle behind the shinigami's ear. "more comfortable and less drafty..."

"wakatta..." The older blonde ran a hand through the teen's hair as he started trying to get them both at least to their feet to move to the bed. It was hard to get there without letting go or separating, but eventually they managed it. Draco slid a hand up just under the edge of Watari's towel. Blushing brightly, the shinigami made a small whimper.

"Can I?"

---

AN:

Kiki chan78: Last bits of this chapter have been removed for, ahem, sex. While it was quite a nice scene to read, the moral majority (or minority as it usually turns out being) has decreed that such improper acts may not be posted on this site.

So, to clarify any doubts... yes, they had sex. Thank you.