..I just finished five pages of this in one day, I'm on a roll! But then again my Internet connection is crap so I have to distract myself and I can't even check my mail so..THANK YOU FOR THE FAVES, ALERTS AND REVIEWS. Or 'review' in this case. Thank you sir guest, I shall keep up the good work.

Hmm..normally it'll take me at least a week to actually finish five pages, but this only took me a day, you people are lucky. *laughs* So here's the installment for chapter 2, I hope you enjoy..

"Will you cut that out? You're annoying!" Fushimi snaps after a while. Yata breathes out heavily and tugs on his wrist causing Fushimi to stumble over. He wanted to taunt the shorter boy and mocking him but found out that he was only trying to bit his way out of the red cuffs. "What are you doing?"

Glaring up at Fushimi, Yata spat at him venomously. "What does it look like, stupid monkey? I'm trying to break whatever this thing is! Everything has a weakness right? I'm pretty sure this thing does too!" he shouts before starting to gnaw on the cuffs again causing Fushimi to sigh exasperatedly. Really, this boy can be so stupid sometimes.

"Don't do that, you look like a rat trying to sharpen its fangs. Whatever this thing is, it's unbreakable and only those two Strains can undo this," Fushimi explains with a tug of the cuffs. He realizes that the strings have gotten shorter and clicks his tongue in annoyance. He couldn't believe he was jumped by those two.

Pulling out his PDA, he decides to call the Vice-Captain regarding his find, and his current situation while Yata watches with curiosity. The elder male watches and listens with mild curiosity, never before had he ever heard such formal tone coming out of his once friend's mouth, normally Fushimi would just be quiet and click his tongue.

"We have to get back to Scepter 4," the taller of the two says, startling Yata a bit. Go back? To Scepter 4? With Fushimi Saruhiko? No chance!

Seething silently, Yata tries to pry his hand away from his former friend. "As if I'd go back to the Blues' place with you! I'm not going anywhere near that place or the very same person who killed Mikoto-san!"

Annoyance crosses over Fushimi's face and with his free hand, he grasps Yata's right wrist tightly causing the shorter male to wince in pain. That's when he notices the anger and the pain behind those blue eyes. "Listen here, Misaki. It's night time; we got jumped by a pair of Strains and who else deals with Strains if not Scepter 4? If you go back to Homra, what can they do? I'm pretty sure even they'd agree that you should follow me back to the Captain so he knows how to get rid of this,"

Yata tries to interrupt but was quickly cut off by Fushimi who leans his face closer to the other boy, causing Yata to blush slightly. "We can argue about this the whole night, but you're as tired as I am and the faster we can get this done, the faster we can go home, got that?"

The tone in his voice clearly shows that he actually is tired and Yata finally relents. With a groan and a nod, he silently follows his former friend quietly with his skateboard tucked under his free arm. The walk is silent and awkward; neither knows what to say or where to look except below or ahead.

"Hey Saru," Yata asks quietly, his eyes downcast and shaded from view. The aforementioned boy turns to look at his former friend and notices that he wants to ask something, yet he looks as if he couldn't find the right words for it. After a few short while, Yata looks up at him with a disgusted look.

"How the fucking hell are we going to change clothes and go to the toilet like this? I'm not going to see your junk and I sure as hell wouldn't want to wear the same shirt over and over again for fuck knows how long,"

Fushimi's eyes widen slightly and Yata could see a short disgusted look crosses his expression, but that disappeared as quickly as it came. Clicking his tongue, he checks his wrist and is somewhat startled to see the red string connecting them a little longer than before. This little information made him wonder in silence.

"Those Strains are smart, I'm pretty sure they limit this to certain things," Fushimi said in a rather bored tone before continuing as silently as he could. "I hope,"

But Yata still heard that and his face flushes red in both anger and embarrassment. "What do you mean 'you hope'? I thought you have all the information about that Strain and now you're saying that you're not even sure if this thing's got a limit to certain things? This is weird! This is seriously fucking weird! Oi Saru, say something!"

"Will you NOT scream and shout like that? You're annoying and you've probably woken the whole neighborhood!" Fushimi snaps back irritably. He's tired, he's sleepy and Yata's constant screaming and panicking isn't helping his irritation with the whole situation. Does he truly think he's the only one finding this whole ordeal unpleasant?

Yata seems to quiet down after those words and huffs, looking away from the taller boy. Truth be told, he knew he had pushed the line. Fushimi would never sound like that if he wasn't so tired. Even in their younger days, Fushimi always releases more emotions when he's irritated, tired or even angry.

"Scepter 4's just up ahead," Fushimi's voice suddenly cuts the air and breaking the tense silence. "We just have to report to the Captain and maybe he'll release us before daybreak. I really don't want to do paperwork now," he sighs while running his free hand down his face.

As they made their way across Scepter 4's courtyard, two pair of eyes is watching them from afar with gleeful smiles on their faces.

"You know, I've never seen such strange, weak yet at the same time, strong bond before," Ayame cackles mischievously while standing atop a tree branch. Yua next to her, sitting down and swinging her legs back and forth while watching the boys enter the building. "It's intriguing actually,"

Yua merely hums and smiles as Ayame sat down next to her. "Yes, highly intriguing. But if those two don't settle their differences then there's no way the spell can be broken. You know how my powers work, don't you Ayame?"

The aforementioned girl nods her head and grins slightly, her eyes fixated on Scepter 4's building ahead of them. "Of course. Once you bind someone, the only way to break that binding is by becoming friends and settle their differences. The friendlier they got, the longer the string until to one point it just disappears on its own, if it deems their bond is strong enough that is."

Yua nods her head and continues where she left out. "And likewise if they fight, the string will become shorter and the pull will get stronger, causing them to have no choice but to make up until the string is long again."

"Now I want to see how long those two idiots can kiss and make out," Ayame grins out cheekily as Yua stares at her with slight disgust on her face.

"Kiss and...ew,"

Ayame merely shrugs and after a while, the two disappears into the night streets. Meanwhile in the Blue King's office, things had gone from awkward to just plain embarrassing as Reisi merely chuckles at the two young boys standing in front of him.

Yata and Fushimi however, does not find their situation near funny at all. The former is silently gritting his teeth while the latter is trying his best not to glare at his superior, but given the fact the King likes his straightforwardness, he decides to just glare anyway and clicking his tongue to show his annoyance.

"Sir, please... This is no laughing matter and if you haven't noticed, we're both very tired at this point of time," Fushimi deadpans while Yata grumbles something incoherent under his breath. Reisi calms himself enough to assess the situation at hand without laughing again. As amusing as this is, Fushimi can be somewhat volatile when he's exhausted.

"Unfortunately from the sources we gathered and according to the victims, the only way for this to disappear is if you two make up. Most of the victims say that whenever they fight, the string shortens and it grows back longer when they're on friendlier terms. This will eventually strengthen their relationship and thus, breaks the spell," Reisi explains as simply as he could without removing any important points.

Two pair of eyes blink simultaneously after that short explanation. Reisi deduces that the two are letting the information sink in and leans back in his chair, waiting the moment where one or both of them explodes into a panic attack.

"You're saying..." Fushimi starts slowly as if grasping the whole situation slower than usual. "The only way for us to get rid of this, is by being friends again?"

Reisi stares at the two dumbfounded boys with interest. Oh how he loves teasing his subordinates like this. "In simpler terms, yes, precisely what you said. What made me curious is that most of the victims are couples; I've only heard a few cases where two girls or two boys are made stuck. But even so, the Strains lost interest in them and cancels the spell after a few hours,"

Yata snorts after hearing that and rolls his eyes. "I hope they grow bored of us soon, no way am I walking around tied to him like this. People might think weird stuff,"

"Misaki," Fushimi drawls his name playfully while leaning his face closer to the shorter boy and causing him to yelp and jump backwards slightly. "Are you thinking of some naughty things? How indecent, makes me wonder how you even know those stuff when you're still a virgin,"

I wonder how Fushimi-kun even knows that, Reisi thought curiously. As the two exchange insults with each other, Reisi decides to continue telling them what he knows before releasing them. Their verbal fight right now could probably awaken those in the dormitories.

Clearing his throat, the two finally stops squabbling and turn their attentions to Reisi who now leans forward and folds his hands on the table. "I'm also glad to inform you that the couples that the Strains helped to bind are mostly either married, engaged or even dating. Best of luck to the both of you until we can capture them, you may leave,"

Yata was about to say something to the Blue King when a persistent tug from Fushimi made him shut his mouth long enough for his friend to ask the question the both of them want answers to.

"Before we leave, will we be able to change clothes and go to the bathroom without having the other follow us? I don't think the Strains would be stupid enough to forget about such trivial things,"

Reisi merely smiles in that cocky way before nodding his head. "The victims said that you can change clothes no problem. The fabric will just past through the strings and cuff, but it depends on the length of your string. If it's long, then you can change on opposite sides of the room, but if like yours, you'll have to change next to each other,"

Yata opens his mouth to curse loudly when the King's raised hand stops him. "Fortunately that's not the case when you need to go to the bathroom. It seems the string knows when you need to wash and will disappear the moment you enter a bathroom. But once you're outside, it doesn't matter where one or both may be, the cuffs and string will reappear and drag you two back together,"

Fushimi groans and rubs his free hand over his face in a tired exasperated manner while Yata moans in despair. Apparently they thought they could escape just by going to the bathroom, but sadly even that option is out of the question.

"Take this as the opportunity to mend your friendship back together. To me, I think the Strains took a liking to the both of you, hence why they made you stick like this together," Reisi smiles out. Though the smile seems rather cold and arrogant to Yata, he didn't dare say anything.

The two boys bowed to the Blue King and made their leave. The moment the door closes; Reisi releases a long chuckle before calming down. The ache in his heart that was dulled now throbbing full force after seeing his former rival and former friend's vanguard in front of him. The Blue King could clearly see he still has his pride as a Homra member despite Homra being no more, and he respected that.

Reisi never denied that the bond between Mikoto and his men are thicker than blood, he just doesn't like to be reminded that the bond between him and his clansmen are near inexistent. Even at a year end party he was left alone with Fushimi, and even then he was abandoned by said boy after bumping into the vanguard and challenging him to a fight.

"Popularity comes with a price, Suoh," he mutters solemnly, the puzzles on his desk almost completed but he couldn't find the spirit to finish it. "When you die, you hurt everyone around you,"

After leaving the Blue King's office, Yata and Fushimi debate whether to return to the former house or the latter.

"My apartment is nearer; we don't have to walk so far! And I can't exactly bring a passenger in this kind of condition, you as well as I know that's impossible," Yata seethes as he shakes his cuffed hand around for emphasis. Fushimi clicks his tongue and gave the shorter boy a short but annoyed glance.

"It's not whether whose house is nearer but whose bed is bigger. Do you really want to squeeze in with a single bed? Or is that your objective all along? Huh Misaki..." Fushimi grins out in a somewhat perverted manner, causing Yata to blush and choke on his own breath. "How indecent,"

"Stop twisting facts! You're saying as if you own a bigger bed! What'd you do in your free time, bringing chicks into your place and bang them senseless?" the vanguard spat venomously. He was then quite surprised to see a look of loneliness and hurt marred on Fushimi's face. Yata couldn't understand why he even has that expression; it couldn't be far from the truth, could it?

Suppressing a sigh, Fushimi turns to look at the shorter boy. "You know I have no interest in girls, I find them annoying,"

"You find everything annoying, even me," Yata deadpans with a leer. Fushimi's eyes went wide before a small smile graces his lips and disappearing as quickly as it came. Yata never stops surprising him, that boy is truly a living flame. Uncontrollable, wild, bright in its own way.

"You're always annoying," Fushimi said with a sigh. "Whatever, let's just go back to my place. I'm pretty sure there's a couple of newbies around here who could give us a ride. With my hand like this, I don't think I'll be behind the wheels for a while,"

After scouting around the building for a short while, Fushimi manages to find Akiyama working overtime at the monitors. The other Blue was quite surprised to see the former vanguard of Homra in Scepter 4's premises but after some explanation, he agreed to escort the two back to Fushimi's apartment.

While in the van, Yata fishes out his PDA from his pocket before calling Kusanagi. He's worried the bartender might freak out if he doesn't call. All the while Fushimi watches from his left, an old memory resurfacing at the back of his mind, a memory he desperately wants to forget.

"Ah Kusanagi-san, no I'm fine. I just got in a bit of a pinch," as Yata explains about the whole Strain thing, Fushimi could hear the relieved sigh on the other side and even a chuckle or two from the bartender. Seriously, why is everyone finding their predicament funny? If they were the one in this situation, he's pretty sure none of them would be smiling.

After Yata's done with his conversation, the two boys stayed silent with Yata looking ahead and Fushimi looking out the front glass. This highly reminds them back during their school days where they would ride the bus together and listening to songs, one earphone piece each.

Not long after the ride, Fushimi felt something on his left shoulder. Turning around, he was highly surprised to see Yata sleeping there, that and the string have gotten almost as long as it was forged earlier. Fushimi couldn't help but smile at the nostalgic feeling, the feeling of having his friend to himself and only the two of them mattered.

Not wanting to waste his luck and time, Fushimi leans in slightly to the shorter boy and lays his head lightly on top of Yata's, dozing off slightly. Akiyama, who sees the little sweet moment through his rearview mirror, almost drove into a telephone pole. Never before had he seen his superior so gentle and so...caring. It's as if he's seeing a different version of Fushimi.

I shouldn't mention this to him, it'll be my head! He thought with a nervous chuckle before continuing to drive off towards their destination. Once arrived, he informs his superior who then gently shakes the vanguard awake before walking out and disappearing into the elevator. Akiyama could see that the strings have gotten quite long, yet the two are still standing so close to each other.

Oh yes... he thought ruefully. Must NEVER mention this to Fushimi-san. Though I'm pretty sure the Vice Captain would love to hear about this. And with that, Akiyama made his way back to the van merrily after having the knowledge that even Fushimi has a soft side in him.

Akiyama is such a cutie..but I don't know him that well so I just put him as the quirky, cute type. And can you feel the short fluff at the end? That came from Fushimi's song, I Beg Your Hate where they would lean in to each other while listening to the earphone..oh how touching.

My friend and I do that too, and we still do! *grins* Oh I have so much to say about this chapter, but unfortunately I'm pressed for time -got an interesting movie on tv and I don't want to miss it- so I shall lay off a few words. Reisi's just being Reisi but after Mikoto's death and from the tweets from GoRa a friend translated, apparently his condition's also becoming more unstable, and he won't be the same King like we know in the second season.

Aahh..sorry for the spoiler but I just want to give a heads up. No more spoilers! But I can't promise you that..sorry *smiles* So, leave me reviews, PLEASE! As much as I appreciate the faves and alert, I also want to know what you think. So please..?