Disclaimer: Here be your next chapter of heart of the sword.

Chapter 8: A Date to be Remembered

"What?" Kazahaya froze for about the millionth time. And for about the millionth time, he didn't know what to say. It was unfortunate for him that he did not know how to react to these women who evidently knew about the cursed sword, but fortunate that they could evidently help him out.

"Did you ever think that his curse would be to reveal feelings he's never shown before?"

"No..." Wait...RIKUO COULD NOT LIKE HIM! It just wasn't possible. Not fair either...nothing seemed to be going his way. All he really wanted was to get to the resort, take a bath, grab the sword, some food, rest, and then hit the road again back to the drugstore. It should have been simple enough.

"Well, if you don't give him what he wants..."

"What?" He didn't like the sound of their voices...

"Something very bad is going to happen..."

Startled he didn't say anything, they reminded him of someone...and it wasn't very pleasant...

Those goddamn receptionists. When they came to bring up the gift wine and gave him all that advice on what he should do to Kazahaya once he was properly drunk didn't work at all. For Kazahaya had passed out before he could do anything, and they assured him, Kazahaya would have stayed up for at least an hour after drinking.

But it didn't work...

But why did he care? It wasn't as if he liked Kazahaya. That would be absurd. He kept telling himself that, but the way he kept acting around him. The words constantly pouring out of his mouth. And it felt good to say them...but inside his mind, it was not as pleasurable.

It must have been that spirit woman. And her stupid floating sword. So this was what it was like to be cursed...being extremely aware of your surroundings and unable to do anything about it. No one deserved this. It was too painful...

But maybe he had felt some repression in the few months that he knew Kazahaya, but had always kept his feelings hidden. He never left out an excuse to touch them though, or see his face, and only his face in the morning.

He bought some Eki-Kyabe for Kazahaya in the hotel store, while trying to avoid those receptionists asking him annoying fangirl questions.

When he got back to where he left Kazahaya standing, he was gone. Cursing his luck, he looked all around, and saw through a restaurant window Kazahaya nursing a headache and looking shocked and talking to the annoying receptionists.

He glared at the window for a minute, then remembering that that wasn't going to help his situation, he walked inside.

After and annoying interrogation by the host, he finally managed to convince her that he was with the party of three. He nearly flew to them, supreme anger in his eyes at their daring of taking his precious Kazahaya away from him, especially when he was in such pain. But Rikuo would take care of that, he was the only one who could ease the poor boy's suffering and--

OH GOD WHAT WAS HE THINKING!

But he was still glaring at them all, because first their advice failed him, and now, they stole him...and...he needed to just stop thinking about Kazahaya. But first thing was first. They were leaving.

He stood behind Kazahaya glaring menacingly at the two receptionists. Kazahaya looked stunned to find Rikuo standing and looking so fierce right behind him. They had just taken him out to breakfast.

"Umm, Rikuo?" Kazahaya asked. Rikuo looked ready to kill. He wasn't saying anything, but just glaring down at the receptionists.

Finally he turned to Kazahaya and said, "We're leaving," And he literally dragged Kazahaya out of the restaurant.

Ayumu smiled at them and said, "My, my, isn'the the protective one?" To which Jill chuckled.

"Hey Rikuo! You can stop dragging me now," Kazahaya said. Rikuo was now dragging him up the stairs to their room. He was gripping Kazahaya's hand painfully tight and Kazahaya was scraping his knees on the carpet trying to keep up with Rikuo's strides.

"Ow! Rikuo that really hurts..." He said, and Rikuo stopped to look at him.

Oh shit, was he hurting Kazahaya? Right after he had just vowed to always ease his suffering whatever the suffering may be? He stopped and let go of Kazahaya's hand and continued up the stairs.

"Rikuo?"

Rikuo heard it, but didn't want to respond. This curse was really starting to grasp hold of him and he really didn't know how he was going to fix his condition.

"I had a dream last night," He said quietly to Kazahaya as they continued to ascend the stairs.

"What?" Kazahaya hurried to catch up with him on the stairs.

"The spirit of the sword told me that I would be fully curse really soon, so..."

"Wait, what? Spirit of the sword? There's a spirit! Wait, tell me more! Please!" Kazahaya persisted.

This was all too weird, so Rikuo knew he was cursed? He actually knew about it? But if he was still conscious, why did he persistently act really strange around him? But maybe that was just a random spurt of Rikuo unable to think clearly. So from time to time he did have his head, but fully cursed? Kazahaya didn't know if he could handle that kind of Rikuo...

"So, I'd appreciate it if you found a way to take away the curse," Rikuo went on, completely ignoring Kazahaya's question. And then he said no more.

By nighttime, Rikuo had another weird spurt. He kept asking Kazahaya to kiss him and hold his hand out and public, and he kept giving him the weirdest smiles. Like he was really happy to be out with him that evening. Kazahaya remembered Ayumu's words of giving Rikuo what he wants to help lift the curse, and this caused him to agree to go out on a date.

All right, I'm only going out with him for the sake of relieving the curse from Rikuo. I want the old Rikuo back! Kazahaya told himself in his mind as they walked down the stairs to go to a small restaurant that people their age went to and met up on the far side of the resort. They passed through a great garden, much bigger than the courtyard filled with big trees and small rows of flowers growing around them.

They walked along a stone pathway, Rikuo making varied attempts to hold his hand. Kazahaya had put on the best clothes he had packed for the evening just for Rikuo's approval, but there was no way he was going to walk into a public restaurant and be openly gay about himself. No way would he go that far.

It was bad enough that he was nervous as it was since he had never ever gone on a date before in his life. He really hadn't pictured his first date being with Rikuo, the person he least liked, all just to save his co-worker's sanity. No, wasn't a date supposed to be with two people who actually liked each other?

He sighed, if he didn't find out the way to make the curse go away fast he was in for a load of hell, and he knew that. But hopefully Rikuo would be reasonable on their date.

As they continued to walk on the long garden path—many people took different garden routes here to explore the garden—Rikuo asked him if Kazahaya was enjoying himself yet.

"Oh!" Kazahaya started, taken by surprise. He was so lost in thought about what he was going to do on his first date, what he was going to say, etc, that he didn't even notice that Rikuo was holding his hand. It came as an even bigger shock to find that Rikuo was staring at him with the most loving look...it was so sweet and Rikuo looked so earnest about it, that Kazahaya blushed slightly.

"Well?" Rikuo asked, still with that loving expression.

Kazahaya looked down, blushing, "Umm, yeah," He said.

"I'm glad!"

Kazahaya was still looking at his feet when they reached the place and remembered that Rikuo was still hanging onto his hand.

"Umm, Rikuo?"

"Yes?" Rikuo said, opening the door.

"Can you let go of my hand?"

Rikuo frowned slightly, but then said, "Okay," He said and he let go. Kazahaya sighed with relief, no one had to think they were dating...

"Kaza-chan! Let's go in!" Came Rikuo's happy voice.

Kazahaya thought he sounded upset when he let go of his hand, but now he was considerably more cheerful. As cheerful as say, the time he had offered Kazahaya a bottle of wine.

Kazahaya didn't like Rikuo cursed. It made him bi-polar.

They entered a more modern setting for the traditional Japanese home that they were staying in. Teens were dancing to some modern music, there was a bar over in the corner, and a restaurant. Some people were even smoking here. Some couples were making out on the couches by the dance floor. What it looked like was a legal house-party.

The host sat them together at a table and said that a waiter would be with them presently. Kazahaya took in more of his surroundings. He noticed all of the people dancing together were all...

"What!" Kazahaya said astounded, "What the hell have you dragged me into?" He hissed.

"What?" Rikuo looked confused.

"You know! Over there!" Kazahaya said pointing to the dance floor and watching the couples making out.

"Oh," Rikuo said looking around, "I found out it's male homosexuals night, I wanted to take you out now so you'd be more comfortable."

But Kazahaya was far from comfortable. Exceedingly far from comfortable. Male homosexuals night? Who in hell came up with that!

"Umm, great!" Kazahaya said putting on a happy face, "So, where did you find that out?"

Rikuo looked up at the ceiling clearly trying to remember, "Umm, when I was getting us juice this afternoon, one of the receptionists told me, I think..."

Kazahaya could have collapsed out of exasperation. The receptionists...of COURSE IT WAS THEM! Evil...evil...women...that would be something that Kakei-san might put them up to, but complete strangers? The night was defintely going to be something to remember.

As the waiter came out and asked them for their orders, Kazahaya wondered if he was a good date partner. Sure, he was trying to put up a brave front by accepting the night, but all the same, he was kind of boring if you came to it. He didn't really have many interests other than festivals and money, and the only thing he really disliked right now was Rikuo.

Kazahaya supposed that he should be nice to Rikuo since his curse was to like him so much, and this curse wasn't his fault. He desperately hoped that the receptionists were wrong in thinking that Rikuo was cursed to show feelings and affections he wouldn't normally, but all the same. Rikuo was treating him so...so well, and like he was really expecting to have a good time with Kazahaya.

It was just unfair, it was just so unfair.

When the waiter came back twenty minutes later with their food, Kazahaya was happy, it gave him an excuse not to talk to Rikuo with his mouth full. Rikuo had been talking to him about something random that Kazahaya wasn't really paying attention to, being too nervous, and too deep in thought, but he was really trying to be a good date otherwise. He even let Rikuo get away with leaving his knee next to Kazahaya's throughout their meal.

When the main course was over, much to Kazahaya's dismay, Rikuo asked if he wanted to share desert. Kazahaya agreed, still hearing the repeated words in his brain about giving Rikuo what he wants.

I just want the curse to be gone...I just want the old Rikuo back! Kazahaya told himself over and over again. He and Rikuo were sitting in close proximity while eating. Rikuo was again talking to him about something that was probably very interesting, but he wasn't really concentrating on anything else.

They sat on one of the couches later around the club/restaurant/bar and Rikuo became suddenly concerned for Kazahaya's sanity.

"Kaza, are you okay?" He asked.

"Huh!" Kazahaya asked surprised, "Wh-what do you mean?" Dammit. Rikuo had caught on...damn, now if he still had an ounce of Rikuo left in him, he would never hear the end of being on his first and only date in his entire life.

"Well I mean, you haven't really said much this entire time. Is something bothering you?

"Err, no, please continue." Kazahaya said.

"Right well if you--"

But he was cut off by their same male waiter delivering some drinks and a bucket with a champagne bottle to them.

He said, "Compliments of two of our waitresses." He said placing the drinks before them and turning to leave.

"Compliments?" Rikuo looked confusedly at them before they both turned and looked at the two receptionists smiling and waving in their direction.

Would they never stop? Kazahaya wondered. No way was he drinking any more of that stuff, he had no idea what he did to Rikuo that night, but he woke up with his clothes on, so that had to be a good sign.

"Well that was nice of them," Rikuo said giving Kazahaya a flute.

Where was that coming from? Hadn't Rikuo looked like he was ready to kill them both just that morning? Maybe he couldn't remember? But it was only that morning...so maybe...but maybe it was because of this curse, he really couldn't remember anything once he'd be hit fully...

Great, just great, Rikuo was probably never coming back.

Unless he found a way to get rid of it soon...but he doubted that...

But give him what he wants? He had been giving Rikuo what he--

But he really never knew what Rikuo was thinking...maybe he should ask...but NO! He couldn't be blunt about it! He had to be careful about what he said to Rikuo, unless...

"Kazahaya!" Rikuo said, and Kazahaya started.

He had no idea that Rikuo had been trying to grab his attention while he was thinking these thoughts...

"Rikuo! What do you want from me!" Kazahaya said, and instantly regretted it. It all just popped out of his mouth right after Rikuo had finally brought him back to his senses.

"Huh?" Rikuo said, "Want from you? What are you talking about?"

"Umm, I mean," He knew there was no getting out of it. If he said it was nothing, then Rikuo would probably ask him about it all night. "Well, I mean like, our...err, relationship,"

Rikuo blinked, but then recovered and gave him that soft loving smile he had worn earlier. He said, "All I want is for you to like me,"

TBC.

Heh heh, I AM evil, aren't I? Right when Kaza-chan finally finds out how to lift the curse, I end it! Mwahahahaha! Hoped you likes it. Grr, this is about 8 pages on my word processor, but it'll be all short when I upload it! Gr. (don't mind my rambles.)