Chapter One

It's amazing how the human mind works. It allows one to think, reason, dream, and harbor emotions. It can literally store memories of everything one encounters in one's life, with many thanks to the five senses. Like a sponge it absorbs information and once squeezed, perceives as an individual sees fit. The brain is always working. Which can feel taxing at times and in Subaru Sumeragi's case, a burden.

He had just returned home from a job in Kyoto. Not a difficult one, but one that required a rigorous amount purging, which wore the Sumeragi out. Worse yet, it rained the entire day and not just in Kyoto, but all of Japan it seemed.

The walk from the train station was just long enough to really feel the bite of the cold precipitation. A painful reminder that winter had truly began. Sidewalks filled with puddles deep enough to reveal just how tired the onmyouji was.

Once home, he removed his boots off his sore feet and placed them neatly by the door. Then he shed the damp, slightly restricting jacket from his delicate frame and placed it in the coat closet. Slowly, he made his way into the kitchen and gently slapped down his cigarettes and apartment key with a clink. Then he proceeded to turn the burner on. The blue flames entranced him for a minute moment, he lowered the kettle on the eye.

And so was the lonely ritual of a young man worn down from work and his tortured past.

Slender, lithe fingers reached for the pack of cigarettes. He wiggled one out and held it between his lips. Patting down his jean pockets, much to his displeasure, he found he was without his lighter. He then returned to the stove and hovered his implement of stress relief over the now orange flames that licked the bottom of the kettle.

In his room, displayed with only a queen sized bed and a dresser, he sank slightly into his mattress and closed his eyes. Sleep, although plagued with dreams embroidered with blood and sakura pedals, however, was deliciously inviting as he had patiently waited for the water to finish boiling.

Outside his bedroom window, the weather refused the let up which eventually became a thunder-storm.

Suddenly, the floor creaked.

"Subaru-kun."

Lightening crashed. Emerald eyes flew open. A piercing whistle projected from the kitchen.

Smiling, by the edge of the bed, stood a tall man cloaked in black.

"Are you going to get that or shall I?" Mocked the man.

All Subaru could do was look forth in utter shock.

The dark clad man's grin grew and he shook his head. He left the room and to Subaru's ears, the offending sound ceased.

The man entered the room again. "You know. There are reports of people being burned alive because of careless actions such as leaving the stove on." He faked a worried expression. "We can't have that."

"S-seishirou-san?" The startled man choked. Hands that clenched into the bed sheets started to burn. His eyes darted to look upon the backs of them. A welted pentagram etched itself on pale flesh.

"Ah." Seishirou sounded pleased. "It's comforting to know I still have that effect on you." He took a step closer. An action that snapped Subaru out of it. Fear ebbed from his features and was quickly replaced with a scowl. He pushed back against his hands and heals making the sheets shriek against his clothes. He jumped out of bed and with little room for action he pressed himself against the wall. Seishirou's eyes followed him, amused.

"Honestly, Subaru-kun." Seishirou sighed. "Is that how you respond to your former crush? Hokuto-chan would scold you for such a reaction."

Upon hearing his dear, deceased sister's name from the man who had achieved her fate he brought his hands before his face and entwined his fingers into signs as he chanted his mantra. What sounded like mumbling to Seishirou quickly elevated.

"On i shanaya in taraya sowaka!" Silver energy surged from Subaru's fingers and burst toward the nearest threat, being Seishirou.

The Sakurazukamori smirked and lifted a black ofuda to his eyes to block the spell. The paper ripped from the force and filled the room with veiled smoke.

"Now now. Eight years and that's your level of attack? My, how disappointing." And with a snap of his fingers the room filled with darkness.

Subaru winced. Stuck in an illusion, he pulled out his ofuda and flung them in four corners of the room. Soon, the darkness melted from the walls and floor which left the room empty.

Much to the Sumeragi's dismay, the illusionist was no where to be found. He backed off the wall as his eyes danced about the room. Had that been just a vivid figment of his imagination?

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Having realized too late, a pair of strong hands grabbed his wrists from behind and yanked him against the larger man's body. Wrecked with panic, Subaru struggled in vain.

Seishirou chuckled and brought his mouth centimeters away from his prey's ear. "I must say, your body writhing against mine is quite fetching indeed." This caused Subaru to angrily blush. "Although," Seishirou began to crush Subaru's wrists within his grasp which elicited a scream from the younger man. "I didn't come here to taint you."

Subaru hissed in pain. His wrists on fire.

"No. For you, my Subaru-kun, I give you a gift." He lovingly nuzzled soft, ebony hair.

The two opposite sensations caused him to whimper in agony as Seishirou abused him like he did when he was sixteen. Memories of his broken self flooded back to him.

"The gift..." He pulled away and smiled almost pleasantly. "Of death."

Subaru's eyes widened and voice caught. His body tensed and then went limp in the assassin's clutches.

"Oh? Is that it? You're not going to defend yourself?" Seishirou chuckled. "You really are adorable."

"Go ahead." Subaru said weakly. "Finish me." His voice trembled a bit more. 'At least then you'll finally acknowledge me.'

Seishirou loosened his grip ever so slightly, in turn, caused his prey to start. With speed only someone of his calibre could manage he spun Subaru around and clasped one hand on both his wrists. He held them over the smaller man's head while his other hand tightly gripped his chin.

He flinched. Subaru's eyes desperately searched his counterpart's. One honey the other milky white. He felt awkward under his gaze. His eyes averted to the floor as if it had intrigued him.

As he saw his toy falter he tilted his head back to bring his attention to him once again.

"Subaru-kun. You and I have an important role to play in the final days to come." He released him and had nearly made the Dragon of Heaven drop. "This game of ours must remain until then."

Subaru, head of the Sumeragi clan, grit his teeth. With fire in his eyes he pulled out his last ofuda and, with great nimbleness, slapped the charm onto the Sakurazukamori's chest. "Akuryou taisan!" Light beamed from his chest and then exploded which caused Seishirou to reel backwards. "Don't underestimate me!" In that instant, Subaru caught what looked to be the last remnants of surprise on Seishirou's face, but had slowly twisted into a smile.

"How interesting." He recovered and dusted himself off. "Though, I was being nice before. I always try to consider Subaru-kun's feelings. At this rate your home will be in ruins."

Subaru gave him a look of disdain.

"Beautiful." He sighed and feigned defeat. He slid his hands into his trench coat's pockets. "But Subaru-kun. As polite as you were...You have yet to offer me tea."

He noticeably flinched.

'After so long why now? And after threatening my life yet again...He decides now to be friendly.'

Subaru, being that he was not only physically, but emotionally drained decided that he had little choice in the matter. If not for his apartment in immediate risk or any of his neighbors' lives at stake, he would press on. He lowered his defenses slightly, though, did not dare take his eyes off the man.

"Seishirou-san...What do you really want?"

"Tomorrow let's go on a date."

"..."

"Your silence says everything." Seishirou strode over to the bed and plopped down. The bed creaked, but was otherwise stable. He patted a place next to him. "Don't be shy. This isn't the first time we've been on a bed together."

Subaru blushed from head to toe. Then he thought back to the time when Hokuto and Seishirou snuck into his bed. Then there was the time when Seishirou had consoled Subaru after lying to the woman about her dead daughter.

He hesitated, but with great caution made his way to the bed and had gingerly sat down.

"There. Now, we should make a wager."

"...Another one?"

"Why not? We have a whole year at our disposal." His eyes softened as he continued. "If you and I fall in love with each other within this year..."

Subaru's emerald pools widened at this and his heart throbbed.

"I will release your dear elder sister's soul from the confines of my sakura."

"Hokuto-chan?! She's trapped-"

"Yes, where she shall always be unless you win. However, if I win...Let's just say I will revisit the idea of your demise from when you were a child."

At this Subaru visibly shuddered. Seishirou reached out and cupped his Subaru's face. He grazed his thumbs against his cheeks. Subaru froze as he got closer. Then, with all of his will power intact, he pulled away.

Seishirou laughed darkly and got up. He walked toward the door, but turned around to see a bewildered Subaru.

"Well?"

Subaru, reluctant to say anything, just stared at his fists.

"I could always kill you now if you prefer."

"...I'll do it. I realize what's at stake here."

"That's right, which means, my dear Subaru-kun, be prepared to leave your comfort zone. Tomorrow 6:00 P.M. at Ueno Park. You remember that place don't y-"

"Yes!" Subaru, beyond hurt and tormented had had enough of this conversation and wanted it to be over with.

Seishirou, with his predator smile, bowed. "I'm looking forward to it, as always." Then he disappeared.

Subaru remained still for what seemed like hours. Then, because of pure exhaustion, he fell back onto his pillow and submitted to sleep.

*I'm ALIVE! It's been so long! I'm sorry for those of you who have been waiting and I don't blame any of you for giving up. Unfortunately, as we all can relate, life happens. BUT! I'm hoping to rekindle your interest in this story. So, until next time! :3*