Hello readers, I'm updating another chapter so soon well because the plot came to me smoothly. Please expect the next chapter to be up in 2 weeks or 1 month time. I just want to let you all know that Misaki and Usami is safe.

Disclaimer: I do not own Junjou Romantica.

Acknowledgements: Thank you Patcher for betaing.

Enjoy and please review. =)

Chapter 16 - Payment

Usami slowly opened his eyes fully. He found himself face to face with the Death. A floating spirit that was wearing only a tattered cape that wrapped all around him. His face was so well-hidden behind the cape that one could only see darkness. He had a scythe that rested on his left forearm instead of being held in his hand. This was because his hands were full. He was carrying an unconscious Misaki.

"Misaki!" Usami tried to reach out for him but the Death jumped back a step to prevent him from doing so. "Death…" Usami whispered. Usami was afraid of almost nothing, being lord of the Wind Kingdom. He built it from scratch, from a kingdom that had only sand, into what it was now. A blooming city suitable for the living. He had been through all sorts of hardship but seeing the Death was something else entirely. The aura emitting from him makes any creature tremble in fear.

Usami composed himself and said calmly to the Death, "I summoned you for an exchange." He pointed to Misaki who was in the arms of the Death. "I want him back. I'm willing to pay anything for him."

I know…that's why you summoned me…

The reply seemed to come from the darkness instead of the Death himself. The voice was deep and echoic.

"What do you want?" Usami asked.

A laugh came from darkness. Is it worth it, sacrificing so much for a pitiful human? You even risked your life coming here.

Usami smirked with confidence, "You said it. I risk my life coming here. So I intend to get what I came for."

Such arrogant confidence can only come from a ruler like yourself. Very well, I'll give you this boy. But in exchange, I'll send him back to earth and you are never to see him again.

Usami was stunned. Never to see Misaki again? Memories of them together flooded back into him. How they first met and why Misaki was in this situation. Usami kept his head down, his bangs covering his face, and said, "I agree."

You…! Very well.

He handed Misaki to Usami who held him tightly to his chest. "Don't worry, you're safe." He whispered as his forehead met with Misaki's. A glow radiated from their point of contact, blinding him.

-line break-

"Look, I think he's coming around."

Who's there..? Where am I?"

He heard voices of people whispering and a steady beeping sound that mingled with the voices. He fluttered his eyelids and slowly lifted them. He let his eyes adjust to the lights and when his surroundings became clear, he found himself lying on a huge, white bed, surrounded by a nurse and a doctor on each side. The beeping sound came from the machine that was monitoring his heartbeat.

"Sir, can you hear me?" the doctor waved his hand in front of Misaki. Misaki felt weak, his throat was burning. He managed to nod and said hoarsely, "Wa…water…"

"Yes, right. Akira, get him some water." The doctor said to the nurse. "I'm sorry; I forgot that you were out cold for twenty-four hours. You need to rehydrate."

"Where am I…?" Misaki asked, scanning the room.

"You're at the village's hospital. Don't you remember what happen?" The doctor asked with concern as he wrote something on the paper which was fastened on the clipboard.

Then the nurse came back. She put the glass of water on the table and helped Misaki sit up. After which, she gave him the glass of water which Misaki drank greedily.

"Thanks." Misaki said. "I remember going to the castle to stay because my brother was going on an excursion…"

"Yes, the carriage you were taking got caught into an accident and here you are. But I see nothing wrong with you. But just to be sure, you'll have to stay here until you pass all the tests."

Misaki groaned upon hearing that he will have to stay but he never forgot his manners. "Yes, thank you doctor…?"

"Kusama Nowaki. But please call me doctor Nowaki." Nowaki smiled.

"Yes, thank you doctor Nowaki." Misaki grinned. I have a feeling I'll be good friends with him.

After which, Nowaki and Akira left leaving Misaki alone in the room.

Castle, huh… I guess I'm staying in the hospital instead. I never got to see the prince…

Misaki sighed and slowly dozed off.

-line break-

"Misaki!" Someone dashed into the room and yelled his name causing Misaki to jerk awake from his sleep. He turned and saw his brother, almost in tears. Before he could reply, his brother pounced onto him and hugged him.

"Brother!" Misaki cried as he hugged him back, filled with surprise. He asked, "Why are you here? I thought you were going to the expedition!"

Misaki felt his brother jerk a little as he released him and looked right into his eyes. "You really don't remember?"

"Remember what?"

"Takahiro." A voice came from outside the room. A strict and firm voice called Takahiro's name, and it sounded almost like a warning.

"Sumi-senpai! What are you doing here?" Misaki asked.

"I was at the expedition with your brother. I heard that you got into an accident so I came back with your brother." He explained calmly, almost like it was memorised beforehand.

"But as you can see, I'm fine." Misaki smiled. "Sorry to make the both of you cancel your trip." He apologized.

"Don't be." Takahiro assured. "And since we're back, we'll take care of you so don't worry about anything." Sumi nodded in agreement when Takahiro turned to look at him.

"Thanks, brother." Misaki smiled. There is something strange about them…maybe I'm just thinking too much…

-line break-

"Thank you, Doctor Nowaki, for taking care of me these few days. Please accept these." Misaki said as he handed Nowaki a bouquet of sunflowers. (I love sunflowers =p)

"You're welcome. Besides, it's my job. Thank you for the lovely flowers." Nowaki smiled as he patted Misaki's head.

Ehh… there is something wrong about this hand… What am I thinking?

Misaki shook his head to brush away the strange thoughts.

"Remember to finish the vitamins pills and have plenty of rest." Nowaki reminded him for the 100th time.

"Yes, doctor." Misaki grinned cheekily. "Even if I want to forget, I can't. Not with you reminding me so many times."

"Misaki, are you ready to go?" Takahiro called out, in his hand was Misaki's stuff in a brown bag. Sumi was by his side, folding his arms across his chest.

"Coming!" Misaki yelled back. "Goodbye, Doctor Nowaki!" Misaki waved as he ran towards his brother.

Nowaki smiled as he saw Misaki left with his brother. He really doesn't remember anything… but is it the right thing to do, my lord? He thought, sighed and went back to work.

Misaki together with Takahiro and Sumi went back to their cottage. It was a one hour walk from the hospital. On their way back, they chatted almost about everything. But it was Sumi who did the asking and Misaki who did the answering while Takahiro flushed at Misaki's answers. Sumi wanted to know more about Takahiro's childhood and since he refused to tell him, he asked Misaki, who was more than happy to answer them.

"Why the sudden interest in my brother?" Misaki asked out of the blue. Takahiro began fidgeting nervously. Sumi changed the topic which caught Misaki's attention. "Is that the cottage you lived in?" Sumi asked as he pointed towards a cottage nearby.

"Yes!" Misaki jumped excitedly like a kid going to the beach. "Finally, it's so good to be home!" he abandoned his brother and Sumi and dashed for the cottage.

He pushed opened the door and took a deep breath. "Finally home." He turned towards his brother and Sumi who followed behind him. "Sumi-senpai, thanks for seeing us home. Do you want to come in for tea?" Misaki asked.

"Uh… about that, Misaki, Sumi is…is…" Takahiro stammered while Misaki looked at his brother curiously.

"From now on, I'm staying here." Sumi cut in.

"What?" Misaki exclaimed in shock. "Why?"

"The eastern side of the kingdom was flooded while you were in the hospital and my house was washed away. Your brother kindly took me in but has no idea how to tell you." Sumi answered calmly with a smirk. Misaki failed to notice that Takahiro blushing like mad.

"You're more than welcome to stay. But there are only two rooms…"

"I'll stay inside your brother's room." Sumi cut him off.

"Alright then. I'll go make tea."

When Misaki was in the kitchen making tea, Takahiro showed Sumi into his room. While waiting for the water to boil, Misaki stared at the deep red sofa in the living room. There's something about it…

Misaki kept thinking but had no idea what he was forgetting. After he finished brewing the tea, he went to his brother's room to call them. The door was not closed so he gently pushed the door and saw Sumi wrapped his arms around his brother's slender waist and his lips on his and he saw his tongue slip into his brother's mouth. Misaki was stunned. He stood at the door not moving, his eyes wide open.

He's kissing my brother! Just like… just like…

"Usagi…san…"

Anyone glad to see Sumi and Takahiro back? They're going to play a big part if you want to see Misaki and Usami together. :P