A/N: Still trying to get back into the groove of writing. Been so out of touch.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters of X/1999.

Between Wisps of Smoke

Absolute darkness still lingered when he woke up. The silence within the confines of his old home surrounded him, where the sounds of cars skidding across asphalt are as alien as the street lights that help guide them. He blinked, adjusting his vision to the enveloping night. The right hem of his kimono slipped down his shoulder as he sat up on his futon, unable to go back to sleep. He breathed in the cool crisp air where wisps of it seeped through the thin gap of his room window. There was something else about the air, something that didn't belong until a week ago after he returned for his grandmother's funeral. And now it was missing. His heavy heart sank a little, remembering a few nights ago. On a night exactly like this. Sitting up, he could only allow the spaces of his mind fill up with memories of himself...

Readjusting his kimono - made from the purest of white silk - Subaru left his room and headed towards the family courtyard, guided by the faint scent that woke him up. Cold air filled his lungs as he wandered through the long corridor that led him out where the courtyard laid. But garden viewing was far from the back of his mind, the faint tobacco scent clouding the rest of his senses. In his hypnotic-like state, his feet padded lightly against the wooden flooring, careful not to wake the ones sleeping behind closed doors.

There the man sat, wrapped in a dark blue kimono, his back resting against the wooden frame of the widely opened sliding door. The frost upon the brushes in the courtyard made like tiny crystals shimmered under the moonlight, highlighting his reclining figure. Between his fingers a cigarette burned and thin trails of smoke curled towards the air. The stillness was broken, as the man brought the cigarette towards his lips and inhaled deeply, his broad chest expanding then sinking back as the smoke escaped with his breath. Subaru breathed in the scent and tasted it. It was the closest thing he has ever been to savoring the taste of tobacco for it had never crossed his young mind to indulge in such habit. And it wasn't until many decades later where he would draw on the ends of his own cigarettes, becoming a slave to his own habits. His days would go by, not thinking much about it burning between his lips. But during nights when the air gets cold with drizzles of snow, nostalgia like an unwelcome visitor would wrap itself around his neck tighter than his scarf, as he would suddenly remember watching a man reclining against the open door of his family courtyard, with a burning cigarette between his fingers and gazing into the night through half-lidded eyes.

Subaru buried his face in his hands and cried silently, not knowing that somewhere back in Tokyo, sitting by a window's ledge and staring out into the city lights, the same memories are being played back and forth. Unable to sleep as well, Seishirou had gotten out of bed, doing his own remembering. Between wisps of smoke, he remembered...

Sensing the presence of another, the older one turned his gaze away from the frozen scenery and let his dark eyes rise to meet those sheen of emeralds that even shadows could not hide away. His lips curled into a smile. Subaru smiled back as he moved and knelt next to the older one. While he stared out into the courtyard in silence, not knowing where to begin with all the thoughts racing through his mind, Seishirou leaned over and took his hand, bringing it to his face. He inhaled deeply, taking in the scents that lingered upon the skin of his young lover, a title he had secretly taken for himself even though he had barely touched him. He dared not to. No matter how great is his desire to, the thought of taking him scares him. Even though he knew and could sense - could even taste - the same amount of desire pouring from the younger one and almost engulfing him every night, still he dared not succumb to it. It would have been so much easier if it had been a whore right in front of him, But Subaru was no whore and Seishirou's hands had been smeared by plenty.

Setsuka... Is this how it feels like? Is this... love?

First a giggle, then a soft sigh echoed in his mind before fading away. That was his answer.

"Subaru..." His voice barely a whisper. He looked into those soft green eyes and before he could continue, Subaru said it first.

"You're leaving." It wasn't a question.

Seishirou nodded. There was no surprise. They could read each other and the last one week had been enough time to show them. It was a scary thing, especially for a man like Seishirou who was so used to being alone in his thoughts after decades surpassing his humanly years. That had been his way of life, that quiet stream of river where he just flowed along, undisturbed. All of a sudden, here was another who could understand him. And what's even scarier than that? The other wants to understand him. Every time those green eyes looked at him, they pried him open. His thoughts, once kept safe in the secret troves of his mind, now vulnerable and out in the open. No longer are they his alone. Now, Subaru owns them too. This, along with his strong animalistic urges, terrified him. And god knows what he might do if he stayed any longer.

I am after all, only a man, he mused.

"I have to return to my work," he told Subaru who was trying very hard not to look away. "Else I'm gonna get into trouble," he added with a chuckle.

Subaru lowered his eyes and withdrew from Seishirou's touch. Seishirou had mentioned very little about the nature of his work, explaining that because his clients were mostly influential men from high places, he was not in the liberty to divulge. Though honestly, he couldn't care less about those men. It's just Subaru he's really concerned about. Of course, this he kept to himself.

"The kind of people I work with live complicated lives and I basically act as their middleman, doing the things they rather not do which leaves me in the middle of their mess that I have to clean up." he had said. Well, he wasn't lying. Granted he had left out details about the things he did and that is a lot of explaining he would rather not do.

"Not that I'm complaining," he had added, "Plus, I get paid a lot. Probably got enough now to own a land in Okinawa. So, how about we just screw all this and elope?"

Subaru's ears had burned at what Seishirou had suggested so casually with that innocent look; raised eyebrows above hopeful eyes. Right before he cracked into bouts of laughter. Subaru followed suit and hugged his tummy aching under his stifled laughter. They both knew it was never gonna happen. Still, Subaru had thought, it's nice to dream.

"I'll take the first shinkansen out to Tokyo," Seishirou said with discernible hesitance in his voice, as if saying it was as unbearable as the act of leaving which he imagined would be a hard thing to do. It had been such a peaceful week. No thoughts of work, the blood, the dark magic and its energy, no…

A powerful wave of energy suddenly seized his brain and a high-pitched sound rang in his ears, as if a huge tuning-fork had been struck next to his face while trapped in a tightly enclosed space.

Damn! Seishirou cursed silently, his brain throbbing at the rude surprise. He had been expecting and bracing himself for it the last couple of days, but right now it was practically a dramatic forced entry. He tapped between his furrowed brows with his knuckle and tried to reach the other end with his telepathic voice.

Fuuma...? Are you finally waking up?

"You alright?" Subaru sensed Seishirou's pressure escalating and remembering finding him sitting out in the wee hours, he wondered if he even had a wink at all.

"Just tired," Seishirou lied. What is sleep to him these days? Only mortals need sleep. And apparently very distressed immortals too, he thought as he recalled Fuuma's comatose state, fighting unknown inner demons. This was why he took the liberty to visit the Sumeragis for there was little point in him hovering around waiting for Fuuma to wake up. Come to think of it, he thought, it's been a whole month. Fuuma should be up already.

"Wish I didn't have to go," Seishirou admitted. "I'm starting to dislike the idea of leaving you here alone, with no one to take care of you."

"What are you talking about," Subaru chuckled. "My family's here."

"Just be careful," Seishirou pushed. "Be smart and know who to trust."

"You can trust my nee-san," Subaru told him.

Yes, but not that scheming husband of hers, Seishirou wanted to say. He finally understood everything now. Subaru had been meant to be the new head of the Sumeragi household. Kakyou found out and hired him to have the late Lady Sumeragi killed before she could announce her decision. And now every member of the family is going to vote for Hokuto to be the new head, believing that that would be what she would have wanted.

And that, Seishirou continued musing cynically, would be the start of the downfall of the Sumergai name. And soon, the onmyouji would be an extinct race thanks to be a bunch of greedy amateurs.

Onmyoujis. Dying. Something has to be done.

But what?

It's not his to resolve. The New World has no need for the Onmyouji anymore and Seishirou has seen it coming for the longest time, after he first noticed the dwindling number of believers. First by hundreds then by thousands, leaving all that's left widely scattered across the world and Seishirou would miss those days when he could have a chat with a fellow practitioner of the magical arts. Onmyouji, shaman, or wizard, it doesn't matter. We're all the same. He looked at Subaru. One of the last living Onmyouji who has no idea how powerful he can be.

I want him.

Seishirou wrapped his hand around the back of Subaru's neck and squeezed before burying him whole in his embrace. Both their hearts pounded against each other rhythmically, like the steady beat of taiko drums in their ears, drowning out all other sounds. Seishirou breathed into the younger one's hair as his body started to become aware of the latter's soft boyish curves and thin frame encased within the folds of a white kimono. His hands started to move on their own, exploring without his consent. The kimono was loosening and his hands grazed skin that is warm and smooth. Soon, he became aware of Subaru's hands touching him back, hesitant at first, seemingly debating on what to do until finally fingers intertwine between locks of his hair. A pair of thighs, soft and white as silk, soon spread themselves across his lower torso, allowing him to feel something strike him in the middle. He finds himself stiffened trying to seek an opening as he breathed hard against the chest of the other, the white kimono flared and close to revealing the rest of the body that was in the mercy of his own. Bursting with desire, he pushed his lips upon the other. He chewed, and sucked and ravaged with his tongue. He traveled to an exposed neck and kissed and bit, unable to catch his own breath. Subaru's smaller body shivered and was pressed hard against his and somehow Subaru's hand had found its way under his kimono and wrapped itself around his erected shaft, driving him into an animalistic frenzy.

Entirely forgetting his own volition, he grabbed Subaru's wrists and slammed him back against the other way, locking his arms above him, rendering him unmovable. His eyes shone with predatory hunger, piercing Subaru whose own state has somewhat been compromised by his own voracity.

"How dare you touch me," Seishirou growled. His one hand gripped Subaru's wrists in place while his other caressed and groped greedily. Grabbing his thighs, he shifted further inward, allowing Subaru's hind to rest on top of his crotch while his legs were spread out between him and locked in place. Completely exposed and engorged for the world to see, Subaru's face burned with a wild mix of shame and pleasure that only made Seishirou want more.

"How dare you touch me," Seishirou said again, this time less dangerously. His hold on Subaru's wrists had softened as he bent forward to kiss those wanting lips. Hot breath invaded his mouth and an eager tongue prod deeper, seeking his own. Seishirou surrendered under Subaru's sweetness and now both his hands were caressing and exploring every known curve and smoothness. Still, he was afraid to explore that one part which he most desired.

"Show me," Seishirou said. Subaru looked at him questioningly. "Show me how you play with yourself."

Subaru's ears burned and his face grew redder at what Seishirou was asking him to do. He looked away hurriedly, his eyes suddenly looking for an escape. Of course, he had done it plenty of times. But they were done in the privacy of his room, away from strange eyes. Asking him to masturbate in front of another is just so…

His erected member tingled and he realized that he was turned on by it. The thought of being watched excited him and soon his fingers were engaged with his penis. He rubbed his tip. he was wet. He grabbed his entire shaft and started to move up and down. His eyes met Seishirou's before the latter could say 'look at me' and while breathing heavily through slightly parted lips, he sped up.

Oh fuck… Seishirou thought, gripping Subaru's thighs while he watched. He looks like a fucking girl!

Unable to control his own hard-on, his kimono flew open at the bottom and he soon found himself rubbing Subaru's butt crack against the shaft of his penis. As things got bolder, the wetness on his own tip started spreading across Subaru's only opening, fully aware that he was only inches away to finally invading Subaru.

Subaru's face changed as he mouthed the words 'I'm coming' and Seishirou decided to take over. He slapped Subaru's hand away and took him whole in his mouth. The sudden warm wetness of Seishirou's saliva brought a heightened sense of arousal, and Subaru was unable to hold his seed within him anymore. He moaned softly as the last of him was released. Seishirou swallowed and continued to suck gently as he felt the tension ease away. Before going completely limp, Subaru started to push himself away from Seishirou, making space in order to bend down. Seishirou was still extremely hard and Subaru wanted to help him feel as good as he had been allowed to feel. But before he could start, Seishirou stopped him.

"It's time for me to go," Seishirou said regretfully. Subaru looked at him, pained and confused.

"But," he started to plea. He wanted to taste Seishirou so bad.

Seishirou hugged Subaru, the latter's sweet taste still lingered on his tongue. "I promise we'll see each other again."

Subaru sobbed as he wrapped his arms around Seishirou, unwilling to let go, unwilling to deserve to feel this good. Feeling his blood escaping from his middle, Seishirou quickly dressed Subaru back in his white kimono, before his continuous exposure drives him wild a second time.

"I want to be able to protect you," Seishirou said.

And in order to do so, I need your DNA, he finished to himself, realizing his own fallacy. He could have just gotten a few strands of his hair. Or even kissing would have been enough. He laughed silently at himself.

After all, only a man.

It was almost daybreak and it wouldn't be long before the first servants get up to prepare breakfast. Stroking Subaru's face, Seishirou cradled him in his arms and carried him to his room after using a bit of his magic to make him sleep.

"See you back in Tokyo, Subaru-kun," Seishirou whispered into his ear. Subaru murmured in his sleep as if in response and the older man got up and left the room. As his overlong stay was totally unexpected, he didn't carry many things and just changed back into his normal attire. Stepping outside and passing the first servant he saw, he gave a small bow and gestured that he wasn't going to stay for breakfast and headed for the main entrance. As he had expected, someone had been waiting for him and he knew who it was before he sighted pale amber hair and a hostile aura. He dug into his pockets and took out his last remaining cigarette.

"You can't smoke here. This is sacred ground," Kakyou Kuzuki's voice ambushed him. Seishirou gave him the 'oh really?' look and lighted his cigarette anyway. Sacred my ass, he thought. You're the one who had disgraced this place magically no pun intended. He took a long drag before flashing Kakyou his wide smile. "Good morning, Kakyou-san."

"Don't good morning me," Kakyou growled. "You're a disgusting pervert and I don't know what Subaru-kun saw in you."

"Oh, neither do I," Seishirou replied mockingly. "I wouldn't know what I see in me!"

"Stop tormenting him and leave him alone!"

"And why should I listen to you?"

"I'm his family."

"Oh, I didn't know families kill families," Seishirou remarked with a laugh.

Kakyou balled his fists. "I only did it for the good of this family."

Seishirou rolled his eyes before stepping onto the genkan and into his boots. "Yeah right," he snorted softly and made his way towards the main gate before Kakyou could say anymore. Just as he stepped outside, a sharp pain exploded in his head, sending bursts of white light before his eyes and blinding him for a few seconds.

"Okay, okay," he moaned. "I'm coming home."