Hey, guys. Here's the story.

Part Fifteen : Shura-kun : Fai POV

The trip home was daunting. At least when I thought Kurogane was serious about "getting me back." I realized that he probably wasn't, since he figured we would never see Sakura again, and forgave me. I was glad about that because, though Kurogane does not take advantage of it, he could get me to do anything he wanted.

We both heaved simultaneous sighs as we reentered Kurogane's room and set our things down. We were only gone for a few days, but after that ordeal with my parents and the train, we were both relieved that our trip had come to an end and that we could relax for a little longer before Christmas break ended. I stayed out in the room while Kurogane went into the bathroom.

While we were gone, the mail had piled up. Over twenty letters! Most of it was junk, not even worth reading, and a couple were bills that Kurogane and I both pitched in to pay. We had been doing a pretty good job of preserving water by only turning on the water to rinse before and after soaping up. Now that we had seen each other naked, maybe we could take showers together too! Although, that would probably slow us down drastically. Kuro-puu's body would be too distracting. It would be far too tempting to break the promise I made to myself.

Along with the junk mail were two invitations to the same New Year's Eve party, the same one that happens every year. We only needed one, but I thought that maybe since two people share the dorm, that each would want his own invitation.

Last, but not least, came a package that I had not ordered, delivered by Trusty Tomoyashi, the mail girl who had been dropping of packages inside of down rooms for years. Not once had she stolen from someone else's room. That's why they called her Trusty.

The package was addressed to me, but there was no indication of who the sender was. I figured it was just a nice Christmas surprise from a friend, so I eagerly opened the box.

I was right about one thing. The box was full of Christmas cheer. There was a stocking full of chocolates, a different stocking full of money, and there must have been over twenty candy canes. At the very middle of the box was a Christmas teddy bear. There were even ornaments inside, but we didn't have a tree to put them on. Too much hassle, not enough room.

The shocking part came with the handmade Christmas card. This person had bought cardstock and created his or her own and it was beautiful. There was a garland border drawn with a wreath in the top left corner, a real ribbon in the bottom right, and in the middle was an amazing, snowy landscape with a decorated tree off to the side. It was an incredibly elaborate card and looked like it took days to complete. I opened the card to read the inside.

Dearest Fai,

I shall start with a Happy Christmas greeting and by saying that I sincerely hope you enjoyed your gifts. That is only a mere token of what I have in store for you, my dear. Darling, I have wronged you and I am sorry from the bottom of my heart, to the pit of my soul, more than I could ever convey through a letter. So allow me to show my feelings through my actions, not just this letter. The 27th of December at noon, meet me at the fountain in the middle of the park. You know, the place where you first aid yes to me? I have a surprise awaiting you, my lovely one. Despite the time I have stood you up, I know your heart is far purer than mine and that you will not do to me as I have done to you in the past. My past is not one I am proud of, but I am a reformed man. All I ask is that you give me one chance to show you how I was affected by your absence. My nights became lonely, my days became gloomy, and every day seemed like it dragged on forever. That was when I realized that allowing you to leave my arms was the biggest mistake of my life. Please come back to me, my love. Life is not work living without you.

Yours truly, your Shura-kun

I didn't know how to react. The letter shook in my hands as I took in the message. I felt flattered, being wanted like this, and I almost wanted to go meet up with Ashura, but I didn't want to leave Kurogane alone, especially without telling him where I was going. I knew I couldn't say anything about the letter to him. He would flip out and go beat up Ashura right that minute and I didn't want any drama. I would just quietly go meet up with him for a little bit, just to see what the surprise was and listen to what he has to say. It's not like I wanted to give him a second chance; I love Kurogane. We're soulmates, I believe. Even if we're not, I still love him, and since Ashura loves me, I should let him know that he would do better pursuing someone else, someone without a boyfriend. Yes, that would be the plan.

Just as I finished making mental notes for the next day, Kurogane came out of the bathroom and I dashed to hide the cardboard box the gifts came in under his bed, along with the letter.

"What?" he asked when we locked eyes.

"What?" I tried to act like he was seeing things.

"Nothing, you just look a little stressed."

He approached me and stood behind me. He began to rub my shoulders. Almost instantly, I threw my head back and moaned. He was touching all the right spots in all the right ways, reaching deep within me. I went over to the bed and laid down so he could continue. My moans were from then on muffled by my pillow.

I know that entire last paragraph sounded pretty dirty, but Kuro-sweetie was just giving me a much-needed massage, and a very good one, too.

"Ohh, Kuro-sweetie! I realllly appreciate this massage!"

"Call me that one more time and I'll slap the stress right back into you."

I didn't say much more for the rest of the massage. I was thinking.

Even though Kurogane threatened to hit me just about every day, he never actually did, and I provoked him. Ashura, on the other hand, had hit me when I told him I was doing something and he didn't approve, like when I said I was going to the concert with Kurogane.

Did Ashura deserve to see me again after all of that? It's not like I was interested in him anymore…. Why was I thinking about going anyway? No idea….

What would Kurogane say if he knew I was secretly planning to meet with Ashura? He would be hurt, certainly, but how would he find out? Can I keep a secret like this from him? Should I? So many questions…. Even with Kuro's massage, I still felt tense. He sure was helping me though….

"Better?" he asked me after a heavenly hour, or what felt like one.

"Mhmm…." was my response.

"Okay." Kurogane got off the bed to work on a project. Not really sure which one, because my head didn't leave that pillow for the rest of the night. I drifted in and out of sleep. When Kurogane or something outside made a noise, I woke up momentarily, then fell back to sleep soon after. I only moved when Kurogane finally climbed into bed. He pulled my back against his chest and held me close with one of his strong, protective arms, one of our usual sleeping positions.

As I fell asleep for the last time that night, I concluded that the curiosity of what Ashura's surprise was would drive me insane for days. Kuro wouldn't have to know. I would just "go out for some air" and he would never suspect a thing. I felt a little bad about partially deceiving him, but I didn't want to be rude… did I?

~ . ~

Kurogane had woken up before me and had managed to not disturb me. After rubbing my tired eyes, I saw his bare back on the other side of the room and his butt covered with his fencing pants. He was putting on his gear. He turned around when he heard the covers move.

"Oh, you're finally awake. I was going to leave a note, but since you're awake, I'm going to go practice with Ginryuu."

"Okay..." I said groggily, stretching. "What time is it anyway?"

"Almost noon."

I nearly had a heart attack. I never sleep this late! How did I, and why today? I leapt out of bed and dashed for my dresser.

"Woah, what the hell is your hurry?"

I almost had another when I realized how discreet I wasn't being.

"I just remembered that I have to meet with my professor."

That was the first time I had lied to Kurogane. The lie rolled off my tongue and into his ears before I even had time to think. By the time I realized what I had done, he had already said okay to me leaving.

"Sure is odd for a teacher to want to meet during the break though..."

"Yeah, well you know my professor. Odd, odd timings."

That part was true. But I couldn't believe I had just used that to exacerbate the lie.

"Right. I'll be over by the arena if you need me." Kurogane finished putting on his last piece of armor, grabbed Ginryuu, and was on his way.

As guilty as I felt, I still rushed to dress so I could be on time, or at least not too late, but what I had just told Kurogane was beginning to get to me. Kurogane hates liars. He would never forgive me if he found out I was hiding something and it would be ten times worse when he found out what I was hiding.

I had lied many times before, but this was new. I had never lied to the man I adored, and on such an explosive subject. Kurogane's hatred for Ashura was no secret, though he did tend to keep the specifics about why to himself, but I knew that they had to do with the way Ashura used to treat me and how he kept us apart.

I contemplated telling the truth, but it seemed too late for that. Plus, I was already heading out the door. Too bad I was five minutes late... I didn't know how long Ashura would wait for me to show up but the last thing I wanted was for my lie to Kurogane to have been for nothing.

Sorry... ended up using what I had for the next chapter to make this one a little longer. But don't worry. There will be more out soon. Bye for now!