A/N: ZareEraz here! Time for an update! Yay! I have to say, this was probably my favorite episode in the whole show. It was just so fantastic and awesome to see Kikuhiko grow along with experience a little kabuki acting. I hope this chapter captures that essence and that you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Act II: Sakura of the Stage

The Misuzu-za was crowded with people as the time the play would begin approached. Sukeroku was so excited and couldn't resist taking a peek out of the hall that led to the backstage. He was already dressed in the brown kimono of white haori that they'd picked out for his character, Yosohachi. He and Bon were playing the leads so he knew everything was going to be great. Now they just had to show that greatness to the people piling into the theater. Sukeroku tied the white cloth that would hold his hair down for his wig onto his head and then peeked out from behind the hall's curtain to find Matsuda standing there with his blue "Staff" coat and a considerably less amount of flyers than what he'd started with.

"How attendance?" The brunette asked.

"It's doing well!" Matsuda replied with a huge smile. "I handed out a lot of flyers!"

"That's great!" Sukeroku smiled widely, gazing out at all the people gathered under one roof. "I just can't wait! Sorry to ask you, Matsuda, but we were short on help."

"Oh, that's alright. The Seventh Generation is out today, anyway." The little man started batting at his charge, shooing him back behind the curtain. "Now, Mr. Popular, we can't let them see you." Both men walked under the curtain and were about to continue their discussion when then heard a whiney moan from behind them. They both turned and found a young zenza standing in the hall staring up at his unfortunate mess of hair. It looked as if the whole top of the young man's head had grown a bushy hair shrub that was the size of his cute, baby face. Sukeroku started giggling and Matsuda just smiled in sympathy.

"Bunta! What's that?!" The brunette chuckled, trying to hold back from laughing uncontrollably.

"Aniki-san, this is horrible!" The young man had tears in his eye, mortified about what had been done to his hair. "Why do I have such a big role? Everyone I meet just laughs at me!"

"What a big scrub-brush!" Sukeroku leaned down to huge the huge poof (and he had to lean down quite far because Bunta was so short compared to him) and snuggled his face into it. "You get laughs just by coming out! It's the best role you can get!"

"I see you have a lot of young people here." Matsuda commented. Sukeroku turned Bunta around and kept his hand on his poofy hair, squishing it.

"There aren't many futatsume, so we brought on people who were free and zenza and finally got it together." The brunette started pinching and pulling at Bunta's cheeks as he continued to speak, the younger man complaining while he did it. "We didn't have much money and the theater manager helped us a lot. The Kyogen performer and musicians are all friends of mine. The futatsume shortage is such a drag. Right, Bu-chan?" His serious voice turned cute as the zenza struggled to get out of his grip.

"Come on! Give me a break!" Bunta wailed, getting Sukeroku off of him. The zenza ran away and Sukeroku chuckled at him as he left. He and Matsuda heard a louder commotion outside and peeked out of the curtain to see that the lobby had grown more crowded. "It's a small place, but look how many people came out to see us kids! Isn't it great!?"

"Yes, it is." Matsuda smiled even wider.

"We'd better give them a good show!"

"Indeed."

"Well, I better check on the others and get my wig on!" Sukeroku chuckled again, thinking about that ridiculous top not he had to wear for his character.

"Good luck to you and Kiku-san." Matsuda nodded his head and slipped out into the lobby to help patrons. Sukeroku headed toward the dressing room and was surprised to find Daisuke and Sachihiro standing outside, mostly dressed in their costumes, the latter smoking a cigarette.

"Hey, what's wrong? You guys aren't going into the dressing room?" the brunette asked, looking at the closed curtain.

"There a woman in there," Sachihiro started, hooking a thumb at the curtain along iwht Daisuke. "Well…two when the first ones done with her business."

"Hm?" The brunette hummed, stepping closer. He could heart two voices inside, one light and one deeper.

"Are we done?" That was Bon. The woman's voice hummed a whine.

"Now, stop talking." She ordered. That must be Miyokichi. "Benten is disguised as an elegant young lady. It has to be perfect…" Sukeroku walked into the dressing room to find two other actors and a woman helper staring at the geisha and Bon. Miyokichi wasn't all dressed up in her formal attire, just in a fashionable Western skirt and blouse, her hair pulled back in clips so she could work without distraction. And Bon…well…Bon had his hair wrapped up in a cloth for his wig and had his red under-kimono on, but the top was draped around his waist, revealing the fake sakura tattoos on his arms and his chest. He wasn't bulky, but had a slim beauty to him that was alluring. And the makeup didn't help at all. Bon's face had been painted white along with most of his neck and his eyes were out lined in black with red wing tips and Miyokichi was working on paining his lips a sexy red. Her brush was gentle as she applied the color, careful not to smear anything and then drew her brush away with a huge smile. "Okay! Done!"

Everyone in the room stopped talking for a moment, just to stare at the perfection before them. Bon looked truly refined now, his usual personality and grace accentuated by the makeup. Sukeroku was stunned, half stuck between thinking that Bon was an attractive "woman" and some sort of ethereal being out of a fairytale. He almost really did want to kiss his friend this time, so it's a good thing someone else said something first, to cover up the man's indecision.

"Kiku-san, you're beautiful!" Miyokichi clapped her hands together and blushed. And that gave Sukeroku the opportunity to cover up his desires with a joke. He started laughing. Loudly.

"A fox! It's a fox in human form!" He laughed even harder.

"You meanie!" Miyokichi hissed at him as she called him out and Kikuhiko gave the man his customary glare as he pulled his kimono over his shoulders, now that his makeup was done.

"What do you want, you frizzy tanuki?" Bon said coolly.

"That audience is gonna love this!" He said as he sat down next to the pair. I love it, he said only to himself. "I even invited your girl fans from Ginza!~"

"It was supposed to be a secret…" Bon sighed, looking beautiful even when he was depressed.

"Secret's out, man." Sukeroku shrugged. He looked at Bon closely again, his skin warming just being next to something so stunning, and his excitement came out as a giggle.

"What?" Bon snarled, probably thinking that the brunette was making fun of him.

"Today's performance is gonna be great." If it was possible, the futatsume's smile got even bigger. Hating that smug look on the man's face, Kikuhiko kicked him out of the dressing room, throwing the topknot wig out after the whining brunette and then went to politely ask, Miyokichi to help him into his women's kimono. She, of course, was delighted and helped the man tie his red obi over his black kimono and went to find his indoor sandals. While she was grabbing those, Kikuhiko stewed as he put on his elaborate wig, complete with kanzashi ornaments Shin-san didn't have to act like that. It's embarrassing! And now I feel even more self conscious than I was before! The man sighed, and smoothed out his fake hair, getting used to the weight of it on his head. But…did he like it? He seemed too…Kikuhiko shook his head lightly, forcing himself not to think strange things about his friend. He had a play for focus on, not frustrated emotions.

Once he was all dressed, Miyokichi took her leave and went to go sit out in the audience, still smiling like a love-struck school girl. Kikuhiko made his way to the entrance he and Shin-san would be taking to get to the stage when their cue came. The stage was set up with the main floor at the back of the theater with an offstage on the audience's left, but there was also a raised walkway that stretched from the back of the seats to the stage and that's where Yosohachi and Benten would walk along to the Hamamatsu-ya. He was going over some of his lines, clicking his fan open and closed just like he did before he performed rakugo, his whole body feeling heavy. His clothes weighed him down, his wig was cumbersome and the dread in his stomach as going to make him vomit. How can anybody act? This is more terrifying than rakugo! The raven listened to the opening chimes and clapping as the curtains were pulled back from the main stage and the third act of Benten Kozo began. They were only performing the third act because they had such a small troupe, so at least the play would end more quickly than normal. But hearing the opening lines, the calls of "thank you for coming" as the Hamamatsu-ya employees thanked their customers and Kikuhiko's heart up in his throat. I can't do this…no way!

"Hello!" the next customer called.

"Welcome! Welcome!" A chorus of greeting came from the stage.

"You still haven't dyed the five women's kimono I brought?"

"Terribly sorry! We haven't been able to finish them!"

"Well, that's quite a problem!"

As the opening lines continued, Kikuhiko's body stiffened in nervousness and he clicked his fan shut harshly, trying to breathe properly but he couldn't get enough air in his lungs. For a few moments, nothing but the lack of movement held his attention and then his focus swiveled instantly and was solely directed at one place on his body: his waist. There was a strong hand on Kikuhiko's waist, tenderly touching him. He was about to turn around and smack whoever it was who thought he was a woman, until he heard the voice that went along with the hand. It was Sukeroku.

"You look pretty tense." The deep voice was right in his ear, the man's breath brushing against his ear and neck as he leaned in over the raven's right shoulder sending shivers down his spine. Shin-san was a touchy person – he'd touch your shoulder in comfort or camaraderie or your head to mess up your hair or kick you if you were in his space or jump on you if he was excited…but he'd never touched Kikuhiko on the waist before. It was just too…intimate. Now the raven couldn't move or breathe for entirely different reasons, but he couldn't tell Shin-san that!

"Of course, I am." You're touching my waist! Why are you touching my waist?! He had to lie; he couldn't tell his best friend that his hand was making him nervous so he said the next pressing issue on his mind. "I've never acted before. And look at the size of the audience…" Sukeroku listened to his friend's concern, watching him squeeze onto his rakugo fan tightly with both hands. He didn't quite know why he did it, but he'd meant to place his comforting hand on Bon's shoulder, but it ended up on his waist, and the brunette decided he liked it there better. He liked being this close to Bon as well, the scent of makeup and the man's natural musk that seeped though the costume. But before he could linger any more, Bon turned to look at him in the dim light.

"Shin-san…" He whispered nervously, sending a shiver down Sukeroku's spine as how cute he sounded. But then the raven was moving, covering his face with his kimono sleeve and trying to walk around the other man. "I'm leaving."

I have to get out of here before he notices just how much he affects me now, Kikuhiko said to himself, but now he really felt like he was going to throw up, all her nervousness and confusion at his own behavior making it worse.

"H-Hey!" Shin-san ducked around him as he tried to leave, getting in between Bon and the stairs down to the backstage. He was still smiling, his eyes soft and understanding. Even in that ridiculous topknot he was still dashing. What man calls another man dashing? I must be losing my mind! "It's going to be fine!" He was smiling bigger now, trying to calm down the troubled man. "You practiced the hell out of this, right? Unlike me…" But you'll still do perfect any way.

"The clothing is heavy, it's hard to breathe and I'm going to throw up on stage." Kikuhiko listed all the reasons why he shouldn't stay one after another, still hiding his face behind his sleeve. His voice was embarrassingly high, sounding more and more like a woman's by the second. This time, two hands came up and touched his shoulders, solid and comforting since they were Shin-san's.

"You'll be fine!" Sukeroku nodded as Kikuhiko's gray eyes locked onto his. "Listen, you're perfect today. You're the lead role here. When you get out there, sweep your eyes across the room." He brought his right hand up and pointed his index finger, rolling it around once to mimic what he wanted Bon to do. "You'll have 'em in the palm of your hand." Like you've already got me.

"It's just an amateur rakugo player production." He continued, trying to make the raven feel less stressed. "There's nothing to be scared of" He brought his hand back down on the man's shoulder. "Come on, Bro. Steel yourself. Give 'em a good look at that fox-face of yours!" Sukeroku pointed towards the audience on the other side of the curtain as his pep talk wound down. Bon turned to look at him, looking surprised when their faces ended up just inches apart. If he leaned in just a little bit…they could finish that kiss he'd wanted…Not right now! Sukeroku scolded himself. He had one more thing to say to Bon. "The audience is going to hang on your every move." His customary smirk came out just as the last lines of the opening scene finished. That was their cue to enter onto the stage.

Almost unconsciously, Kikuhiko stepped into place, holding up his now-open fan gracefully, looking the perfect picture of a lady as the spotlight flipped on and swung around to light up the curtain. Sukeroku drew it aside expertly, revealing his poised comrade to the crowd. Kikuhiko had to squeeze his eyes shut against the blinding light, turning away a little until his eyes adjusted. The audience his appearance as Shin-san took his place behind him, calls of "Yurakutei!" sounding out as well. Kikuhiko turned to look back at Shin-san, his eye glaring.

"I do not look like a fox!" He whisper-hissed. Shin-san shrugged and smiled.

"You always have to have the last word." He muttered to himself when Kikuhiko turned back around.

"Here they are!" Another audience member called.

"Yurakutei!"

Kikuhiko and Sukeroku started walking down the pathway, the spot light following them and lighting up the audience members within its reach as well. So many faces were turned towards them and the raven was glad that his fan hid most of his terrified expression.

"The stars!" A man called from audience.

"Sukeroku-chan!" A woman called next. Of course the girls call him, Kikuhiko mentally rolled his eyes, the irritation of Shin-san's nightly habits turning him back into an icy prince. Shin-san, of course, was waving happily at the audience behind him, but the raven kept his refined, lady-like demeanor to hold himself together.

"Kiku-san!" Three girls called. There's those girls from my job. But he didn't have time to acknowledge anyone because he'd reached the main stage's floor. Instantly, Kikuhiko transformed into Benten, who in turn was transformed into a lady.

"Now, Yosohachi, where might we find the Hamamatsu-ya?" The raven asked in his high, female voice, turning towards his retainer.

"Just ahead is the textile shop which bears that name!" Yosohachi (who was really fellow theif Rikimaru) declared loudly, pointing towards the stage.

"Now you must not mention that I'm shopping for my wedding." Benten ordered, demurring moving his fan off his face.

"Why should I not tell them such a thing?" Yosohachi asked, smiling just like Shin-san, as if amused by the game Benten was playing.

"I'm simply so embarrassed…" Kikuhiko hid his face behind his fan, slipping into his role easily now that it had been thrust upon him. He took a moment to look at the audience through the slats of his face, peeking at the audience. They were all watching him, their eyes glued to his face, his body.

"Then I shan't breathe a word." Shin-san flowed into his responses perfectly. "Now, my lady. Let us proceed." The audience clapped as they finished their walk towards the main stage and Kikuhiko kept watching the audience. Everyone really is watching…Shin-san was right. They're watching me.

Benten and Yosohachi were welcomed into the Hamamatsu-ya by the manager and the three assistants, the manager bragging about his wares before leading the pair inside. Tea was called for and Kikuhiko moved with Sukeroku. The audience's heads all turned to follow the movement once again. Kikuhiko sat down on the tatami mats of the stage, Shin-san sitting near him as they prepared for the next part of the play. Kikuhiko was gazing out into the audience again, noting that with his every move, they moved their attention to follow him. What is going on? Every time I move, the audience's attention…moves with me. The scene continued on without the raven stumbling upon his own answer. The only one that made sense was what Shin-san had told him: that he had the audience in the palm of his hand…but he'd never held their attention like he was now. He was a sub-par rakugo performer, lacking even his how style. People tolerated him and clapped politely when he finished each performance, but this clapping was more enthusiastic, the looks the audience gave him were more focused. This was nothing like it was at the rakugo theater.

Slipping into Benten's persona was simpler than Kikuhiko thought it would be and they were sailing smoothly through every scene of the act. He chose fabric as Benten, was accused of thievery as Benten was, was defended by Yosohatchi before beaten unjustly by the attendants as Benten and found to be innocent as Benten had been. In truth, Benten had slipped a piece of fabric into the cloth he'd been looking at and let one of the shop assistants see him take it out and stash it in his kimono, after being found innocent (because the cloth belonged to a different textile house) Yosohachi demanded 100 ryo in apology for unjustly accusing his "lady" of stealing and having suffered a blow to the head. In truth, the whole scene was a set up for the Hamamatsu-ya, cleverly devised to steal form them. And they had almost gotten away with their illicit gains until the man named Tamashima Itto (who is actually fellow thief Nippon Daemon in disguise) points out the cherry blossom tattoos on Kozo's arms, revealing him to be a man.

Sukeroku watched all of this play out, seeing just how well Bon was doing. He was made for this role – he was the perfect Benten and he was the perfect Benten pretending to be a lady. The climatic part of the act was coming up, the revealing of Benten to everyone, and Bon was sitting on the stage, a cloth over where the lady's head wound was supposed to be. The man Tamashima Itto was calling him out for being a man, and Sukeroku was waiting for Bon to shine. He had the most popular monologue in kabuki, and the brunette just knew he was going to nail it.

"You call yourself a woman and you certainly are attractive," Tamashima started the revealing scene. "But I know you are a man by the cherry blossom tattoos on your arms!"

"Oh.." Bon's high voice peeked out from behind his hand.

"You are a man, aren't you?!" Tamashima asked again.

"Oh, well…"

"If you insist you're a woman, then let us examine your breasts!"

"Well…" Sukeroku peeked at his friend from the corner of his eye, watching as Benten tried to cover his face more, trying to keep the ruse going.

"Are you a man, then?" Tamashima questioned again.

"Well…" Benten stalled, say "well" over and over again while Tamashima questioned each one with his own "well?"

"Well…Well…Well…"

"Well? Well? Wel?" The chorus went.

"Well? What is your response?!" Tamashima's strong voice echoed throughout the theater, handing in the air as he put his foot down, the stalling at an end. Bon peeked out from behind his hand, dropping the woman act completely.

"Bro, I can't keep this up." Benten admitted smoothly, Bon's luxurious voice magnificent to hear. The audience oooooed at the masterfulness of the flawless transition, clearly impressed. "I'm gonna let the cat out of the bag." Bon got on his hands and knees as an "invisible" stage hand dressed in all black came around and started untying his obi for him.

"You damn coward. Keep it up a little longer." Sukeroku/Rikimaru replied. The brunette was smiling for two reasons: reason one was because Rikimaru was supposed to be amused at the turn of events but the second reason was all Sukeroku himself – he was excited to see Bon shine in the next moments.

"You idiot." Bon/Benten huffed (and the brunette could hear Bon actually calling him an idiot in that line). "They know I'm a man so there's no point in keeping up the act." Benten turned to address Tamashima.

"You were right, Mr. Samurai. I'm a man." A smug look crept onto the raven's face, perfectly complimenting his confident tone. "So I say to you all…" Bon's hand grabbed his obi delicately before tossing it into the air dramatically, leaping to his feet, the man's kimono falling open to reveal his flat chest. "I'm terribly sorry!" Bon had the most glorious shit-eating grin on his face, his red painted lips accenting it magnificently. The audience burst into shouts and applause, excitement written all over their faces. Sukeroku's smile grew wider just by seeing such a reaction.

"Kiku!"

"Yurakutei!"

Kikuhiko was nearly naked on stage, his kimono fully open, and only his susoyoke (note: a thin half-slip-like piece of underwear). He was of course, wearing a fundoshi loincloth underneath the susoyoke, but the audience didn't know that. They're looking at me…the eyes of the audience…staring right into my soul…Kikuhiko sat down in a very masculine manner, depicting Benten's change from the refined lady into the cunning thief, placing his right leg flat on the floor, knee bent so that his foot covered his crotch and his left leg up, knee bent so he could rest his elbow on it. Kikuhiko pulled his best sexy face and continued acting.

"Hey, clerk, how's about a smoke?" Benten held out his hand and the clerk obligingly handed him a kiseru pipe. Kikuhiko however, was the one who took the smoke to calm his nerves and excitement.

"You're a total fraud, then." Kobei accused. "What brought you to this dreadful state?"

"Who cares?!" The three attendants chorused. Kikuhiko blew the smoke he'd inhaled past his hips and tapped the kiseru against its wooden tobacco box smartly, dislodging some of the spent substance.

"If you want to know…" He declared loudly, dragging out his words perfectly.

"Amazing!" Someone in the audience called, sparking a feeling of warmth in Kikuhiko's chest.

"I'll tell you!" He finished, smirking right at the audience. They were clapping again, and shouting, smiles on their faces.

"That's the moment!"

"Yurakutei!"

And so began Benten's iconic monologue, one of the most recognizable and popular ones in kabuki theater. Kikuhiko delivered the lines perfectly, Benten revealing his identify for all on the stage. The rest of the play flew by in a rush - Itto/Daemon disguised as a samurai offered to cut off the thieves heads for their plot, but Kobei declines, thinking that the act would be bad for the shop's reputation, so he overlooks the whole matter, giving Benten a little money to treat his head wound. Through the course of the scene, Rikimaru also takes of his disguise and give his white haori to Benten so he doesn't have to wear the women's kimono anymore, leaving on the red under-kimono as outerwear. The kimono is then wrapped up around Rikimaru's sword and Benten covers his woman's hair with a wrap, so not to look suspicious walking down the road. Both Rikimaru and Benten both depart, Kikuhiko and Sukeroku exiting by the same walkway as they entered. The raven held the bundle of disguises over his shoulder, keeping a more serious face than Shin-san, who was smiling and waving at the audience as they exited, spotlight following them the whole way down. The audience clapped the whole time, watching with huge smiles on their faces and Kikuhiko watched them as well, his chest light until he passed behind the curtain and was engulfed by the darkness of the backstage.

Finally out of view, he realized that he was panting, the stress and nerves ebbing away completely, excitement roaring through his body. He'd done it! And he didn't throw up!

"Bon!" Suddenly, Sukeroku was jumping on him from behind, eagerly hugging his back. The sudden contact was startling once again, but this was more of Shin-san's normal touchy-touchy behavior, so he didn't feel so awkward about it like he had with the hand on his waist. "That went great! Did you hear that applause?!"

"Yes, I heard." Kikuhiko slipped back into his cool personality, enjoying the warmth at his back not that it was something he could handle.

"You don't see customers that happy very often." Shin-san continued, still listening to the applause they were getting until it faded away. "You were amazing!" He gushed, squeezing the raven tighter. Kikuhiko couldn't help but smile when he heard the happiness in his friend's voice. And to hear such praise! He was never praised like this when he performed! Without thinking, he brought the hand that wasn't holding the katana sword up and placed it on the arm wrapping around his chest, holding it firmly.

"Isn't this great! You're glad we did it, right?" Sukeroku continued talking like everything was normal, but in truth, it was not. Bon was touching his arm in an affectionate manner and Bon was not a touchy person. Mostly, he tolerated the brunette's bats and hugs from what Sukeroku could tell and hardly ever showed affection. The most touchy the raven every got was trying to choke the hell out of Sukeroku when he was furious, or pinch his cheek when he was annoyed. This was special, this was…intimate. For Bon anyway. Sukeroku would've loved just to let Bon touch his arm for a little while longer, but he wanted to see the other man's response to his question, he couldn't see his face from where he was. So the brunette pulled away from the hug, and the hand and looked at Bon's face when he turned. He never got a verbal answer, but the smile on his face was enough.

"Congratulations! It was a huge success." The theater manager walked up the stairs with Matsuda, interrupting the previous conversation, drawing both men's attention.

"Thanks for everything." Sukeroku bowed in thanks as the bespectacled man approached the pair. "We're so grateful for all of your help."

"Thank you very much." Bon bowed as well, thanking the manager.

"It was nothing!" The manager waved them off. "And wow, you do great with that racy sort of stuff!" He complimented Bon's performance and Sukeroku couldn't help but be proud that he'd convinced Bon to do it. The raven didn't know how to reply, so he just blushed, still smiling. "I know! Hang on just a minute." The manager turned and rushed back down the stairs and Matsuda took the moment of absence to join his charges.

"Excellent work, both of you!" Matsuda congratulated.

"Matsuda-san!" Sukeroku smiled, placing his hands on the man's shoulders and patting them. "Thanks for everything, really."

"Not at all. It was a pleasure to watch." He replied, smiling and bowing. "I should be thanking you. And that's when the manger returned, holding a camera.

"I'm going to take your picture!" He said happily. "Side by side, okay?"

"Sounds great!" Sukeroku piped up. He'd love to have a picture of this moment, his and Bon's great success! It was perfect!

"I need to get changed." Except Bon was not excited about it!

"No, you stay just as you are." The manger and Matsuda switched places as he spoke.

"No!" Bon refused, turning away so no one could see his face.

"What?!" Sukeroku was shocked at his behavior. The picture would be fun!

"I don't want to preserve this." The raven mumbled, his back to everyone.

"But the manger is requesting it!" The brunette argued, about to get incredibly touchy if Bon didn't cooperate. "Come on, take off the scarf and do it right!" He grabbed the scarf and tried to pull it off but Bon started struggling against him. One hand plastered to the brunette's cheek, pushing the other mans' head away from him and Sukeroku caught the second one that was aiming for his chest by the wrist and they both pulled and pushed against one another. Even though Sukeroku was stronger, Bon put up quite the fight.

"No! Stop!" The raven ordered, completely embarrassed. The manager smiled at their antic and bought the camera up to eye level. This would make a good shot too.

"I'm taking it!" He announced. "Ready?" Both men were caught unprepared as the camera flashed, surprised expressions on their faces.

Eventually, when the pictures would develop, the black and white snapshots would reveal a cherished moment. The first was one of complete unpreparedness, as both Sukeroku and Kikuhiko looked quite stupid as they fought. In the next shot, Sukeroku had successfully pushed the scarf off of the raven's head, having caught him by the neck with a stupid smile on his face. Kikuhiko was glaring and arguing with him and Matsuda could be seen in the right corner trying to mediate between the two. The next picture revealed the end of the argument (even though Kikuhiko was still mad about being corralled into the whole affair) and had his back turned to his friend, proceeding to take off the white haori with as much dignity as possible. Sukeroku was looking at the other man with soft eyes, and apologetic smile on his lips. And the final picture was the best: Sukeroku was back in his full costume, a paper umbrella over his shoulder as he stood by Kikuhiko. The raven couldn't get fully back into his woman disguise, so he'd just thrown the black kimono over his right shoulder, pulling the red under-kimono away from his legs to showcase the fake tattoos on his thighs and let his left sleeve dangle around his waist, baring the left side of his upper body and the rest of the tattoos to the camera. Sukeroku was smiling happily, and even if Kikuhiko wasn't, the picture displayed the happiness in his eyes anyway.

A/N: And that's all folks! Let me know what you think!:3