wow. unbelievable. I don't think I have ever got this many reviews at once! and few favorites too. but thanks so much! ChouRan, your continuous support means the world. and thanks for asking, I like my work, and even my colleagues most of the time.
and good to hear form you again Guest8, it's good to know an update makes someone glad and that more is wanted.
James Birdsong, I thought you had gone away since I haven't seen you around for so long. you are welcome :)
and Guest, it's superb to hear that from someone who just started fanfiction. good to know you like.
To all of you who cared to review, my deepest thanks. I really appreciate your effort.
and so, I brought you the new chapter. hope you like it :)

Chapter 14

That day, despite the fact that he had agreed to it, he felt awkward to go home with Fai. It felt like he was a little kid who wasn't trusted to be able to take care of himself all alone. But he pushed the feeling as far away as he could because he knew that wasn't why the blond did this.

They walked silently. He didn't know what to talk about and Fai was deep in thought. Besides, he was enough worried that he couldn't have focused in conversation anyway. He trained his ears to catch any alarming sound and glancing around to see any familiar or suspicious face. So he was cool with the blond's silence.

Without any incidents they reached his home. He was looking at Fai, who was looking along the road into a distance.

"Thanks" he muttered. Fai's lip curved up

"No problem"

he watched how the blond frowned and he too looked where the blond was looking but didn't see anything out of ordinary.

"You saw something?" he asked. Fai shook his head and looked at him

"No, it's nothing. But I better get home too" the blond flashed a smile "See you in the morning"

"You don't really have to" he tried. He still wasn't comfortable with Fai going this far. But the blond just waved it away

"I know. But it's not that big pain"

he sighed

"You are an idiot"

the blond giggled

"So you keep telling me."

with that Fai turned and walked back where they had come from. Lucky thing they only lived about a mile apart. Otherwise he wouldn't have gone with this.

He dug his keys out and went home. Once inside his mother came to meet him

"You could have invited your friend here. It's so good to see you with a new friends. And he seems like such a nice fellow"

he shrugged

"Fai had to go home"

his mother looked at him worriedly

"Is something the matter?"

he looked at her mother's soothing kind eyes and grinned

"No, don't worry. I just got a lot of homework"

his mother sighed in relief and smiled brighter

"Thank gods for that. Off you go then, food is ready soon"

he nodded and after placing his shoes in their place picked up his back and went to his room. He leaned on the closed door and closed his eyes. He wished he could have told his parents about the situation, but he knew it wouldn't do much. They would either overreact and move again, or not believe him. Or if they would, they would start taking him to and from school and restrict all he did. And he didn't want to risk it.

It made him understand Fai more. To know you should talk about something for your own good, but also knowing that in doing so you would loose something valuable no matter what.

With a sigh he pushed him off of the wall. For now he shouldn't think about it too much. What would happen will happen, and he should be well rested for it. He emptied his back and put his mind into his homework and only snapped out of it once his mother called him to eat. He stretched his back. He was nearly done. He could next relax a bit and train. Maybe he would get his father to train with him. It had been rare luxury lately. Father had been so angry with him getting into fights that had denied to teach him more. And then he had been injured and then father had been too busy with move and getting to know the knew gym/judo hall he worked. He hadn't even been allowed to visit it yet.

That night he went to bed sore and pleased. His father had indeed watched his training for a while and corrected some false moves he had. He felt like he could face everything life had to throw at his face now.

He had forgot that Fai was meant to come get him and had already left to school when Fai came around the corner. They nearly collided and he barely managed to jump out of the way. The blond braked and stopped a bit behind him. Fai gave him a bit wavering smile

"You scared me" the blond stuttered. He snorted

"You were the one going hundred miles per hour. Never heard of reasonable speed?"

the blond shrugged

"Figured if I wouldn't hurry, you would run off on your own. You have to show where I can safely leave my bike"

he sighed and turned around. What a bother first thing in the morning

"I thought this wasn't meant to cause more troubles?"

"Silly, it won't."

"If so, why do I have to go back?"

the blue eyes pierced him

"Because you didn't wait for me. Silly Kuro-rin"

he rolled his eyes but refused to comment. The blond seemed to be in odd humor again, when all he would get were nicknames and sillies.

That they there were no incidents either. Nor the next day. In fact, nothing happened in a week. He was already getting bored with waiting Fai in the morning and sending him off in the afternoon. He could see that despite what Fai had said, it took a toll on the blond. He wasn't as sparkling and up to beat. So he decided to stop it. They exited the school and he stopped at the end of the stairs.

"Fai, this is enough. Your friends probably didn't know what they were looking, and they exaggerated. I expect you not to come tomorrow."

Fai's eyes narrowed

"I will. Haven't you seen any movies? In them, it's always when the hero lowers his guard, something bad happens" there was a weary worry in the voice. It cut his heart. Why was Fai wasting so much energy on this?

"Stop it. I don't want you to strain yourself so" he said quiet but stern. The blue eyes shone so bright and so worried.

"Don't try to push me away."

he was agitated himself. He wasn't anymore even that worried about himself. He had been much more worried that they would do something to Fai. He was wary himself, because he felt eyes on him. For days he had felt them and expected them to attack, but nothing had happened. And he was growing more and more certain that they were going to hurt him way deeper than before. That they would target the blond.

"I'm not. I just say there is no need for you to keep this up"

Fai shook his head violently

"You can't be serious. Or you think I am that stupid? I know they are there. I can feel them. Don't you think I know it? You think I don't see how worried you are?" the blond's voice rose with every sentence and some passers-by gave them looks. He ignored them and tried to reason with the blond

"I'm not worried about them. I'm worried to see you burning yourself out. Don't focus so much on me"

the blue eyes narrowed dangerously

"You dare say that? How dare you say that?!" Fai's voice was already closer to shouting than talking and the blue eyes were moist and angry "I don't want you to get hurt." the blond whispered suddenly whispered and lowered his gaze. He felt a pang in his chest.

"And I hate to see you hurting. And to think you would get hurt because of me, I don't think I could take it" he said very quietly. The blond head snapped up and glared him and a tear rolled down the pale cheek.

"You think I would take it any better if you would get hurt? You think you are just one more friend to me?" he could only stare in shock when the blond lashed out to him "Can't you see how much you mean to me" the blue eyes were ablaze, their eyes locked. Fai's slender hand gripped the front of his jacket and pulled his suddenly closer "You think I wouldn't do all I can to help you?" Fai hissed and before he could register it and answer, Fai crushed their lips together. It wasn't a kiss you would expect from the cheery blond. It was desperate. But it was also strong. He stepped closer and his hand moved to Fai's neck, fingers sliding into the soft hair and he kissed Fai back just as fiercely.

As soon as it had started, Fai pushed him away and stared at him hard. He didn't let go of the blond hair.

"Don't think you will face this alone. I got your back"

what Fai said came with strength he didn't know the blond possessed. He was impressed. And now he knew it was too late for him to back down. He was completely tied to the blond. he couldn't dream of leaving Fai behind. And neither could he imagine Fai leaving his side. Not even for the protection of the other. They would stand side by side through whatever would come their way.

because you are so awesome, I wrote this today despite the fact that I was sent home from work an hour early for feeling sick. no worries, I'll go there tomorrow again, it's not that bad. but just in case there is something awry in the update, I hope you forgive it.
later! let me hear from you again ;)