Disclaimer: As always, Nuramago isn't mine. If it is, Rikuou and Rikuo will be able to separate their bodies and do lovey-dovey things together XD

Warning: AU, foul language, slight oOC-ness, hints of yaoincest

A/N: NEWS! Readers, I decided to make this into a series with some separate stories that connect indirectly to this fic. Some unexplained things inside this fic will be explained in those stories ^_^. If you're interested, I already posted a special story called 'Chocolate Kisses' that features Rikuou and Rikuo as a child. Their first meeting and Rikuou's last line in chapter 1 was explained in that story.

Okay, I guess that will be enough for news. Now, another chapter of this fic for you~ XD Hope you enjoy reading~~~.

Chapter 2: My Dance, Your Flower

This Sunday morning, Nura Gumi household was very busy since dawn.

"Has the catering arrived yet?" Kino, already looking worked up, asked the guys guarding the front gate.

"Sorry, Kino-neesan, they're not here yet," one of the guys said with uneasy look.

"Jeez… at a time like this…!" Kino looked totally pissed off.

"Kino-neesama! We really should ask for a help from the branch families~. The number of people coming will be too many. We don't have enough chairs and tables!" Sanba Asami, Kuromaru's little sister, a girl with straight shoulder length black hair and black eyes wearing glasses, said with desperate look.

"Aw~, but we already ordered from the rental to cover them all!" Kino said, looking slightly distressed.

"It's impossible! We need chairs for more than five hundreds! The rental can't cover them all!" Asami said again, bewildered.

"Kino-nee, for the last part of the first song dancing…," Tsurara pulled Kino's kimono sleeve and asked her about her part in the dance she and Kino would perform later as the last part of maturity ritual.

"Ah! I can't do everything at the same time! I'm not good at multitasking, you know!" Kino cried desperately as well now.

"It's very peaceful huh…," Kurotabou said while drinking his tea under the Sakura tree.

"It is…," Kubinasi nodded while smiling languidly beside him.

"You two cows over there!" Kino shouted at the guys while glaring at them demonically. "How dare you laze around when we're so busy like this…! If you're so idle, go pick up the catering now!" she roared like an angry lioness now.

"Ah, yes Mam! We're sorry~!" Both the blond and the black haired men then scrammed away from the yard with panicked expressions.

"Jeez~, those useless guys…!" Kino grumbled in total annoyance before she turned her attention to Tsurara and guided her inside the house to show her the right move for their dancing.

"It's so hectic…," Rikuo stated with a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek while he was painting the congratulatory letters on a big fabric of white banner to hang on the roof.

"Waka~, are you done yet with the banner?" Kurata asked from on top of the rooftop.

"A little bit more, Kurata! Why don't you put on the emblem-flags first while you're waiting?" Rikuo suggested loudly from below and Kurata agreed to do that while Rikuo was finishing the banner.

"Why are you helping everyone around since a blind morning time, Riku?" Rikuou strolled outside from the house while yawning slightly, still looking very sleepy.

"That's fine. I like helping people," Rikuo said while continuing his drawing seriously, not turning his face at Rikuou at all.

Well, actually, Rikuo vaguely remembered what happened last night, so… he didn't want to face Rikuou right now. He honestly couldn't believe that he had said those things to Rikuou… and in that kind of position as well…!

Kaaah! Remembering it again makes me blush! So embarrassing!—Rikuou thought austerely, trying very hard not to start blushing furiously like a boiled shrimp. Stupid sake! I swear I'll never drink again!

On the other hand, Rikuou seemed enjoying what he saw as he noticed the faint pink flush on the shorter, slightly tanner boy in front of him. Rikuo was indeed very cute when he was shy. Well, he looked even cuter when he was crying though. Rikuou really did love teasing his half brother around.

"Ah~, and we were just having a very good time sleeping together as well…," Rikuou said while grinning victoriously at the innuendo in his words as Rikuo made a mistake in his letter-drawing just in time with his statement.

"W-what the hell are you saying! We're just sleeping! Don't say something that can create a misunderstanding like that!" Rikuo threw the brush at Rikuou while yelling loudly, face completely red in embarrassment.

Rikuou chuckled heartily at that. "And I just dreamt something really funny too!" he said with a really pleased look.

"I bet it's a useless dream," Rikuo bit while spitting out his tongue at Rikuou before turning back to his banner.

Rikuou stared at Rikuo's back, silently watching how Rikuo's face scrunched up in concentration before he suddenly spoke again. "I dreamt about us when we were kids."

"We are still kids, even now," Rikuo huffed as he made a stroke to cover his earlier mistake after brushing the last vacant area in the outer line of a letter.

"Yeah… but it was ten years ago," Rikuou said while looking afar, "-and the promise we made that time."

Rikuo stopped his brushing and turned to look at Rikuou, frowning slightly, "What promise?" He didn't recall any promise that could make him mellow like his brother was.

Rikuou looked surprised then. "You don't remember?" His face turned slightly indignant, like what he had heard was something unacceptable.

"What I recall about you when we were younger… was that you loved teasing me too much!" Rikuo pointed his forefinger at Rikuou accusingly.

"Well, that I can't deny… you're the cutest when you're in desperation and distress, and I just love seeing your miserable expression," Rikuou said while putting his hand on his chin, remembering. "Ah, that was a good time…," he continued while sighing happily.

"You-sadist!" Rikuo said curtly at him in complete annoyance before concentrating back on his work. He wouldn't get anything done if his brother constantly bothered him like this.

And, it seemed Rikuou hadn't finished his teasing because Rikuo's shoulders felt heavy so suddenly as the taller paler longer-haired guy behind him put his arms there without warning, circling him tightly, surprising him.

"Gaaah! Let go! It's HOT, damn it!" Rikuo struggled to release himself from his half-brother's clutch.

"Oh, it is hot indeed~. Not a chance," Rikuou just chuckled and grinned at his deliberate innuendo again, even holding Rikuo's body closer to his own.

"I'm working, you know!" protested the sandy haired boy vehemently.

"That's fine just like that. Now, come back with me inside, Riku. I'll jog your memory of our promise," Rikuou whispered near Rikuo's right ear with his sexy voice before nipping at the tip playfully.

"GYAAA!" Rikuo's shrieked very manly, face blowing up again in several sheds of red because of the shock. "You—! Stop harassing meee!" he yelled deafeningly, very mad and embarrassed that everyone who was bustling around inside the yard preparing the event was looking at Rikuo with sympathy.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

"Jeez, that insolent brat…! Why does he have to always, always, alwa~ys embarrass me like that…?" Rikuo muttered fumingly, still with red blushing face as he went back inside the house to look for some additional tools in the storage, to hang the banner later.

Rikuo touched his right earlobe that was bitten by his half brother while walking. He could still feel the shiver he got from just hearing Rikuou's deep voice so close and feeling his breath on his skin. It gave him Goosebumps just remembering it. However, he was also slightly confused of why he didn't feel it creepy. It just bothered him, but not in unpleasant way. It might be just because he was used to it by now.

Yeah, Rikuou did that, teasing him to the breaking point, all the time, so Rikuo got used to it eventually.

When Rikuo passed up the usually empty room beside the storage, he saw Tsurara and Kino practicing the Maturity Dance there. He smiled at them even though they didn't see him. Tsurara had worked for months to do this job. She looked so worked up.

Rikuo was taking some ropes, new nails and more hammers into his hands when he heard the crash and a painful yelp from the next room. He quickly put down his tools and went to look. When he arrived, he saw Tsurara on the floor holding her ankle in painful expression while Kino was fussing over her.

"What happened?" Rikuo was concerned. Tsurara looked flushed and sweating probably from the exertion of the practice.

"She tripped on the last step and fell," Kino explained with worried look as well.

"A-are you okay, Tsurara?" Rikuo approached them and offered his hand to the long haired girl on the floor. "Can you stand up?" he asked.

"Y-yes, I'm sorry for being so clumsy," Tsurara said, blushing, while accepting the offered hand, looking a bit sheepish and grateful.

"It's okay. The last step is always tricky. I remembered I had to put some mattresses around so as not to hurt myself when I fell learning it," Rikuo grinned reassuringly, understanding it. He had learned the steps from his mom when he was twelve. Well, he was forced to learn though. She said it could be useful someday, so he did.

"Waka…," Tsurara smiled appreciatively at that while standing up slowly.

"Do your best, Tsurara," Rikuo smiled at her too, fondly.

"Yes!" Tsurara was sparkling with happiness, but then her expression turned drastically as she put her weight on her left foot. "Ow!" She would have fallen again if Kino hadn't supported her.

"Tsurara-chan?" Kino looked really worried now.

"What's—oh!" Suddenly Rikuo knew what happened. He kneeled on one leg and inspected Tsurara's left foot. "You twisted your ankle!" he saw the swell on Tsurara's ankle. It looked really hurt. "It doesn't look good. Let's bring her to her room and put some ice to that," he continued while looking at Tsurara whimpering in pain concernedly.

They helped Tsurara to her room and Kino went to fetch an icepack.

"You okay?" Rikuo asked worriedly. Tsurara's face was contorted in pain. It had to hurt like hell.

"I-I'm okay…," Tsurara said while forcing herself to smile. It was clearly she wasn't okay at all. She was sweating profoundly and her face was paler, worrying Rikuo even more.

"The ice's here. Oh, and I bring Zen-sama as well since he has come," Kino opened the door and entered with an icepack in one hand and a spiky haired dark silver blond guy in the name of Yakushi Zen's hand in the other.

"Jeez, and I was supposed to be a guest today," Zen said with bored annoyed look.

"Zen-nii!" Rikuo perked up seeing the older man.

Yakushi Zen was Rikuo and Rikuou's childhood friend. Well, he was friends with Rikuou first since Zen was the heir of Yakushi Gumi, one of Nura Gumi's alliance families. He often came to the main house with his dad when he was little and then would play with Rikuou when his father was doing business with Rihan. Rikuo met him at summer festival when he was seven.

Zen was very nice to Rikuo and always stood up for him when Rikuou was in the mood of bullying him. Well, sometimes, Zen also liked teasing Rikuo though, but not as bad as Rikuou.

Zen's family, Yakushi, was famous for their medical and pharmaceutical products, and Zen himself was studying at medical faculty at Nagoya University to become a doctor. Even though they were Yakuza, their business was surprisingly legit unlike the other Yakuza families. They weren't very strong in combat or expanding territory, but their financial back up was the best among other families. Under the name Nura Gumi, their power was solid. In exchange of Nura Gumi's protection, they supported them in health and finance.

"Yah, Rikuo! It's been awhile," Zen said with a grin.

"Yeah, how are you doing, Zen-nii?" Rikuo smiled back at him cheerily while making a space for him to sit beside him, and the older man complied.

"It's good. I never feel this healthy before," Zen laughed slightly at his own joke.

Yep, Zen's body was quite weak. He was born that way. Since he was little, it was so easy for him to catch cold or fever. People said it was a problem in his immune system, but Rikuou, the sadist, thought it was only because of Zen's lack of training.

"So… where's the patient?" Zen then looked around and his gaze landed on the girl on the futon in front of him. "Oh, it's you, Tsurara," he said in uninterested look.

Rikuo could see Tsurara's vein popped up on her temple. "My, Master Zen… it's been quite peaceful lately without you here," she said while smiling sweetly. Too sweet actually, it looked almost scary.

"What did you say, short girl?" Zen narrowed his eyes at her challengingly and Rikuo could clearly see the sparks of antagonistic electricity between their eyes.

Sweat dropped from Rikuo's cheek. Indeed, Tsurara and Zen never got along. Rikuo had no idea why though.

A few minutes later, Zen ignored the hostile aura from Tsurara and began to inspect her injury after hearing Kino and Rikuo's explanation professionally. The look of concentration was on his face when he checked the swollen ankle and asked some procedural questions to Tsurara. "Twisted ankle indeed," he said while taking the compress and put it down on Tsurara's ankle. "Hold it," he said, after that he picked some ointment from his inner kimono sleeves and removed the pack before putting up the ointment and massaging the swell carefully.

Then, Zen bandaged the wound and put the icepack back on top of it. "It will be alright. Just stay sitting for a night and tomorrow it will be as good as new," he said.

"Eh…? But I have to dance today for Maturity Ceremony ritual," Tsurara said, protesting.

Zen sighed long in irritation. "It's impossible for you to dance with this," he pointed at Tsurara's ankle. "It will hurt like bitch if you move it before the swollen goes down. Find another dancer," he said.

"But—!" She wanted to protest some more but was cut off mercilessly.

"No buts. It's your own damn fault that you got hurt during practice before the big ceremony. You should have more responsibility to your own body, not just used it as flauntingly as you pleased. Now it all came back to you with interest. Deal with it. Sit tight and don't move until tomorrow," he said sternly and sarcastically that Tsurara pouted at him angrily because she couldn't reply his mocking.

Rikuo sighed long in sympathy. "It's okay, Tsurara. Your health comes first," he said while smiling.

"But…," Kino began suddenly, earning attention from Rikuo and Zen, "the Maturity Dance is a special dance… aside Tsurara and I, no one has ever learned it in this family," she said with troubled look.

"Eeeh!" Rikuo, Tsurara and Zen were surprised hearing that.

"But without the Maturity Dance, the ritual isn't complete!" Zen protested.

"What should we do? It's impossible to look for another dancer in this short notice!" Rikuo began panicking as well.

"Aah! It's because I was so clumsy! Forgive me, Sandaimeee!" Tsurara began to cry while covering her face before she looked up again, seeming realizing something. "Kino-nee, must the dancer of Maturity Dance be a girl?" she asked then out of blue.

"Eh, no… we can always dress the dancer as girl even though the dancer is a boy…," Kino answered slightly thinking before she also seemed realizing something. "Ah!" She punched her own palm in understanding.

"What?" Rikuo and Zen asked in unison, not catching up.

Both Kino and Tsurara looked at each other before their gaze turned to Rikuo expectantly.

There was a pregnant silence for approximately ten seconds before. "Eh…? Eh? EEEH!" Rikuo realized what it was about. He couldn't help dropping his jaw while pointing at his own face.

Zen just tilted his head aside, still looking puzzled with all of this.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

"Urgh… I hate formal gathering…!" Rikuou was trying his best not to lash out. He was irritated. He couldn't spot his half brother anywhere in this stupid BIG DAY—everyone said, and he was forced to sit tight on his spot wearing very uncomfortable stiff attire. It was nightmare.

If only Rikuo was here as well, it would at least cool his hot head down a little.

Rikuou sighed as the other heads of the families alliances offered their congratulatory to him. Those old weasels were all hypocrites. Even though they were alliances, they only used Nura Gumi for their own benefit.

Well, it wasn't like Rikuou didn't use their names as well, but the head family of the alliances was his family. The number of alliances which were truly loyal and devoted to him could be counted by fingers. The others were either just not wanting to get exterminated or trying to push him down from inside his own forces. It was impossible to completely trust them.

…Except might be Gyuuki, Sanba, Yakushi, Daruma, and Hihi.

And then… there's him as well….

Rikuo glanced at the spot beside him. His Grandfather, Nurarihyon. The founder and the Shodaime (4) of Nura Gumi. Even though he looked small and frail now, in his golden age, he was very strong and charismatic. Many people fell in love with his looks, his power, and his strong imposing personality. He led his family brutally but never did unnecessary things that cost innocent's lives. People talked about him with fear and admire. He was truly an awesome man that conquered Japanese Yakuza world.

Moreover, he was full with experiences that his combat techniques couldn't be beaten yet by Rikuou even now. His dad, Rihan, said he had a lot of help from a lot of people's insight to beat the old man down, but he really wasn't a guy that could be judged by his looks.

Nurarihyon liked to joke and even now, he had a playful side that was very charming. Truthfully, Rikuou didn't really resemble his grandpa at all, except his look when Nurarihyon was younger or when he was fighting. Rikuo was the one more similar to Nurarihyon in everyday personality wise.

…

We are really brothers aren't we?

Rikuou sighed long again. He had hoped that Rihan was kidding when he said Rikuo and he were related by blood because… look at them! They weren't similar at all! However, looking at it right now, aside their dissimilarities, he had never found evidence that they weren't brothers no matter how hard he tried. DNA test said it all. Moreover, it seemed like… if Rikuou inherited the looks and the qualities, Rikuo inherited the charm and intelligence of Nurarihyon.

Rikuou hated to admit it, but Rikuo always had that charm that made people wanted to be with him or at least be around him and to protect him (Rikuou included). Not because of his name or his looks (well, a little bit by his looks. His bro was a total cutie after all), but just because it was him, Rikuo. That was an inborn talent that couldn't be copied. It actually made sense for him and everyone when Nurarihyon pointed Rikuo as the head, not just because he was the oldest, before Rikuo vehemently refused the position and gave it to Rikuou instead.

If Rikuou didn't know better, he would say Rikuo just wanted to pull the strings under Rikuou's shadow and controlled everything behind the curtain so as not to endanger his own life on the line. But, Rikuou knew Rikuo best, inside and out, among everyone else. He wasn't capable of pulling something as devious as that. The boy genuinely wanted to lead a normal civilian life that nothing to do with yakuza world. He was a kind of guy who was okay with endangering himself to protect what was important to him. He was very clever, but not sly. He used his assets well for good reasons and deeds. He was really a nice guy type of person.

Rikuo was a natural type of leader who would be loved dearly by his subordinates. If he wasn't around when Rikuou was pointed to be the head, even Rikuou doubted he could do his job so well because he was young and hot headed. Rikuo probably didn't realize it, but he had helped Rikuou a lot to achieve his position now. They were both stubborn, but Rikuo was more logical than Rikuou. He always had that good influence on him.

That was why, Rikuou really wanted to have Rikuo as a right hand man. He trusted Rikuo with his life, and he could break down anytime in front of Rikuo when it was too much, and his brother wouldn't even judge him. Rikuou wanted to protect Rikuo always. He wanted to love and be loved by him and didn't want to let him out of his sight.

Yeah, Rikuou was kinda obsessed to Rikuo, but it was for a good cause…

…

Okay, jeez… part of it for a good cause. Rikuou didn't want to see the boy get hurt again because rivals family thought Rikuo was the head. Rikuo had helped him innumerable times, now it was Rikuou's turn to help him.

While he was training in his thought, the ceremony was reaching its peak. It was the time for Rikuou to spew out loud what he wanted to say to the other families and then warned them that he wasn't about to get soft just because he was still a teenager. He wouldn't tolerate insubordination and treason (unless it was for a good cause, but he doubted there was any) and he warned them to control their members not to bother the innocence, courtesy from Rikuo's idea that was beaten into Rikuou's head after he accepted the position. No drugs dealing for whatever reason and no unnecessary killing aside there was no other way. And so on and on until one of them said Rikuou should made a rules book for them.

Rikuou smirked evilly at the brilliant suggestion and agreed. Then there would be a monthly visit to report their activities, and every time reporting, there would be a test for them if they remembered the rules. Everyone went pale at that.

Nurarihyon laughed hard at the joke his grandson made, even though he wasn't really joking.

At least, after the speech was over, the Maturity Ritual (1) began. He was given a liquid of Sakura flower essence that was poured in special cup and he had to drink it from Nurarihyon's hand. He would cut part of his hair and then some other complicated procedure before the last event, watching the Maturity Dance and dancing with the dancer.

Maturity Dance was a dance performed by two female dancers and a male subject simultaneously in three parts and songs. The first dancer was a girl, preferably still in teenage age, a represented childhood. The girl would dance until the first song ended, and then began the second dance with the boy who was the subject of the Maturity Dance as the represented changing and maturing until the second song ended. And then, in the last part, third song, he would change partner to a second dancer, an adult woman, represented to adulthood.

Rikuou had learned the dance together with Tsurara and Kino. It wasn't that hard. The last part of the second song was tricky though, but he could do it well. Tsurara was still a bit clumsy in performing it, but he could cover for her if she made any mistake. Everything was good.

Well, Rikuou thought everything was good… until he saw who was performing the dance in the first song.

"Oh?"

"Hey…,"

"It's…!"

Everyone was speechless as a girl with long dark brown hair tied into two pigtails high on her head completed with the beautiful sparkling glistening hair ornaments entered the room. She looked really beautiful, small, feminine and vulnerable with her thin formal white almost transparent dancing dress topping the soft skin colored tight long shirt, but strangely, her aura was so ethereal. As if she weren't even human. Moreover, when she began to dance, every eye and gaze was captured by and focused only on her heavenly movement and expression.

"Whoah~!"

"So… so beautiful…!"

"Who is that dancer…?"

"She isn't Tsurara is she?"

"Do we have a super pretty girl like that, HERE?"

The whispers of admiration and wonder filled the yard where the ceremony was taking place, while the girl was dancing so smoothly and elegantly. Even Rikuou's eyes couldn't move away from the girl.

"Amazing right?" Zen suddenly was standing beside Rikuou. "You know who that is?" the red eyed silver blonde grinned knowingly.

Rikuou couldn't give a damn about what Zen knew. He was too busy staring that he didn't really care who she was. But then…

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Rikuou knew that feeling. The heart that beat faster, the flapping wings of butterfly inside his belly, the flip-flop emotion in his chest, even the blush that was suddenly threatening to spread on his face…. He was familiar with those feelings.

It was the same feelings Rikuou felt… when he saw and was near Rikuo.

Suddenly Rikuou was smacked hard in the head by realization. Rikuo wasn't here earlier… and now this girl showed up!

Impossible… the girl-dancer is…!

Rikuou widened his eyes as the girl's dark chocolate radiant eyes met his surprised cherry colored ones. It was a recognition flickering on her eyes, and the girl blushed slightly after that while removing her gaze and moving her body some more in tune with the music.

It is HIM!—Rikuou had to cover his mouth and nose so as not to have a sudden nosebleed.

Rikuo… his Rikuo was dressed as a girl and danced for him…! That was a surprise attack to his sanity! Did Rikuo want him to pass out on his own Maturity Ceremony!

"What's wrong, Rikuou?" Zen asked while looking at Rikuou in amused look. It must have been because of the hard blush staining Rikuou's face and neck.

"I… I'm about to have a nosebleed," Rikuou said while covering his nose harder, now with both hands.

"What? Are you okay? It's almost your turn to dance, you know…." Zen looked like almost laughing at Rikuou's weird, ridiculous expression.

"Shut up! I'm just trying to calm myself down!" Rikuou said, totally embarrassed. His heart was still thundering in his ribcage. He had to calm down or he would make a fool of himself.

Fine then, if Rikuo wanted to do this, Rikuou would play along. Knowing his brother, he probably didn't realize what he was doing to Rikuou, but still… where the hell was Tsurara and why did Rikuo take her place as his partner?

Is it possible… that Rikuo actually… to him…?

"I've always loved you…."

Rikuou was blushing remembering last night event. Indeed Rikuo had said that… like a confession, but… Rikuou just thought it was his love as brother… as family, and nothing more. Was it possible that Rikuou was the one who couldn't read Rikuo's feeling at all? Was it possible that… Rikuo… really did love him as much as he loved Rikuo?

Was that the reason why Rikuo didn't want to stay beside him? He was afraid… of crossing that line. If it was one-sided… there was nothing to be afraid of because the other wouldn't let it happen. However… if it was mutual…

The risk is too great to let us stay too close.

Rikuou closed his eyes and was slowly inhaling deeply before exhaling it again in the same pace. He repeated the breathing maneuver until his heart rate was normal again before he opened his eyes again.

If this is your way in telling me… that we can pretend to be stranger just right now… when we're dancing…, I'll just take what I can… Riku….

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

He knows, doesn't he?—Rikuo couldn't help thinking in panicky when he saw Rikuou's eyes widen as those cherry irises met his chocolate ones. Aaah! So embarrassing—! He will never let me live it down!

Rikuo cried inwardly while maintaining his dancer's expression. Truthfully, he really didn't want to do this, but he didn't have any choice! There was no other dancer, and forcing Tsurara to perform was too cruel!

Rikuo remembered how he struggled to run away, but Zen had caught him and Kino readily took off Rikuo's clothes so as not to let him out of the room while she was preparing the dancer's costumes. They were a bunch of sadists! He didn't want to remember what he had gone through to fit the small costumes. It was a total abomination.

Of course, Tsurara and Rikuo had almost the same height. For the record, he was an inch taller, so the length of the costume wasn't a problem. It was the body built that was torturing! He had to use corset for God's sake! It was too embarrassing he wanted to die!

Rikuo knew he was blushing while dancing, but he tried not to look at other people's faces, let alone Rikuou's. His dancing lesson all this time was really paid off since everyone seemed amazed by his dance, but it was still embarrassing for dancing wearing girl's costume like this!

Aaah, please don't stare so much!—Rikuo wanted to shout, but he didn't. He couldn't. He didn't want them all to know it was him who was dancing. He just continued dancing until the first song ended. Ugh…!—now was the hard part. He had to look his partner, the subject, in the eye and took his hand to dance with him.

Rikuo looked up once again to gaze straightly into Rikuou's eyes, trying very-very hard not to blush as he saw the confident smirk on his half brother's face. He slowly approached Rikuou with small agile steps and offered his hand at Rikuou. He was sweating profoundly, and his hand was slightly trembling because of the nervousness, but he sighed in slight relief when Rikuou took his hand with his warmer one.

Rikuou moved slowly with him, tuning his steps with Rikuo and leveled his breaths with his as well. They moved together like water and its rippling, fire and wind, supporting each other. It was in harmony.

Rikuou is good…—Rikuo assessed unconsciously. The basic movements of his half brother were perfect. It was probably because he studied Naginata (2), but still… Indeed, Rikuou was awesome.

For a moment, Rikuo forgot about his embarrassment and smiled warmly at Rikuou who looked back at his eyes in gentle expression.

For that moment, both brothers really enjoyed moving together, worshipping each other to bring out the most spectacular dancing they had ever performed.

"Oooh!"

Everyone, despite being Yakuza, was astonished by the beautiful dancing between the two. Every heart was seized by Rikuo and Rikuou in that instant. The dancing worked like hypnotism. They imprisoned their guests' consciousness as long as those people didn't release their gaze from them. And both were confident that no one could release their eyes from their beauty.

After that, the most difficult last steps were completed without flaws and Rikuou put his hand on Rikuo's slender waist, bringing him close to his warm body with so much passion that for a moment, Rikuo forgot that he was dancing with his half brother. In every touch and movement his brother performed with him… until the very last… he didn't feel Rikuou as his brother.

When he had to release Rikuou's hand from him… Rikuo felt that unwilling pull inside his heart.

Don't want to let him go…!—was the childish thought of a child who resisted becoming an adult.

It was just a moment, a fragment of second, but it was enough to give him a shock and he was sure Rikuou was shocked too because Rikuo hadn't released his hand when Rikuou's other hand had already been in Kino's hand.

Rikuo was a bit bewildered by his own unconscious action. However, it seemed no one of the guests realized it as he was slowly releasing his hand from Rikuou.

Rikuo then stepped back while Rikuou continued his dance now with Kino as his new… adult partner. Though, unlike his dancing with Rikuo earlier, Rikuou didn't look at his current partner. He kept his gaze trained at Rikuo and kept locking eyes with him until he and Kino finished the dance.

Everyone applauded merrily when the dance was over.

Without saying anything then, Rikuou was walking to Rikuo's direction, and without warning, the official Sandaime now put his hands, one on the dancer's shoulder and the other on the back of his knees before suddenly picking him up bridal style.

"Eh…?" Rikuo widened his eyes in total surprise as he was suddenly kidnapped away while everyone in the room cheered loudly.

"Wooo! Go for it, Oyabuuun!"

"Just eat the treaaaat!"

"Aaah, so envioooous!"

"Sandaime is sooo LUCKY to have that girl for the fiiirst!"

Well, everyone was happy that finally their Sandaime was mature enough to do it, only Zen and Kino who knew who the dancer really was that looked slightly pale at that.

"Oh no…! I didn't think Sandaime would pick Waka!" Kino said with really shocked anxious look.

"After him!" Zen instructed Kino and both of them ran to the direction where Rikuou had brought Rikuo away.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

"Uh… um…," Rikuo knew he (translate: his purity) was probably in a grave danger, but he couldn't help asking anyway. "Why are we in a closet?"

Yes, the Sandaime just brought him to his room and tossed Rikuo on the closet where the futon was being kept before Rikuou himself went inside and closed the sliding door.

They were silent for a moment before Rikuou spoke again, "Riku…," and called Rikuo's nick name with low voice.

He did notice!—Rikuo really cried inwardly now. He had to get ready to be teased for the rest of his life after this.

"Riku… do you realize what the Maturity Ceremony is?" Rikuou then looked at Rikuo's eyes somberly. His crimson ones were glowing in the dim-lit closet. His tone and voice were inquiring, but there was something heavy there, in the deep stare, that implied that Rikuou just wanted to make sure. Because it seemed Rikuou thought his brother didn't know what he was doing and what he was getting himself into.

"Of course I know. It's a ceremony to mark the changing from a child to an adult," Rikuo said, confused of why Rikuou would ask him something as basic as that.

"Are you aware of the ceremony procedure?" Rikuou asked again, now kneeling in front of Rikuo who was sitting on his butt. His back was on the far end of the closet wall and he had to look up to level his eyes with Rikuou's.

"Not all, but after the dance it should be over, right? Why are you bringing me here anyway?" Rikuo asked again uneasily after answering. Well, he probably had to thank you Rikuou's first to let him get away without blowing his identity in front of the whole yakuza families, but he didn't really have to hide him in the closet, did he? Unless Rikuou himself planned to do something that would be inappropriate to do in front of everyone else.

Rikuou stared at Rikuo with odd expression. "You… really are… incredibly stupid," he remarked, sweat dropping from his cheek.

"Aah? Who are you calling stu—I'm smarter than you!" Rikuou protested hard, pouting, really annoyed at him. His half brother really did tick him off so much.

"Did you even realize what you're doing? You became a dancer in Maturity Dance! Don't you know what the subject usually does after the dancing is over?" Rikuou asked again with ridiculous expression.

"Huh? What are you talking about? Of course I don't know! I'm not an esper!" Rikuo argued strongly. His brother was being unreasonable.

"Are you an idiot? It's MATURITY CEREMONY, Riku! Do the math!" Rikuou ordered with flushing face, looking rather worked up while staring at Rikuo's eyes heatedly and meaningfully.

Rikuo was really confused. He then tried to guess what message contained inside his half brother ludicrous lines and stares so hard that after putting two and two together, a realization suddenly dawned on him.

Subject equals boy. Mature equals come of age. So then… boy pluses come of age equals…

"EEEEEEH!" Rikuo held his cheeks while blushing furiously at the conclusion.

"Took you long enough… and you call yourself smart," Rikuou closed his eyes and sighed long in annoyance.

"Eh… eh…! But… the original dancer was supposed to be Tsurara…! Would you and she…?" Rikuo didn't know what was more embarrassing, that he just realized what it was about to be in part of Maturity Ceremony or that he had officially disturbed what Rikuou wanted to do with Tsurara after this.

"No, moron! I don't have any interest in her like that!" Rikuou negated it while sitting back. "Originally, I was about to pick Kino for this task. Besides, she's an adult, she's a pro and we don't have feelings for each other, so it won't be complicated to break it off after that. If I picked Tsurara, there was no way she would let go of me after that kind of connection. I don't want to have any complicated relationship in the family. It's enough if I have you to think about all the time," he continued while stroking his hair back and sighed again, looking up slightly showing his pale strong neck to Rikuo's wandering eyes.

W-with Kino-san…! Well, she's a real babe indeed…—Rikuo couldn't help thinking while flushing even more. And when he saw his brother's tousled sexy appearance, he couldn't help staring in amazement before he realized what he was doing. Gaaah! What am I thinking at a time like this!—he berated himself inwardly after that and shook his head to clear his guttered mind.

"T-then why did you pick me if you've already decided to go for her?" Rikuo asked then, not understanding Rikuou's decision in the slightest. Better to change the subject quick!

"Stupid… there's no way I'll pick anyone else… when you're right there in front of me…," Rikuou said with sure tone and determined eyes that bore directly into Rikuo's surprised ones.

"Ah…!" Rikuo couldn't help flushing even more sheds of red at the grand confession like that.

Damn it! This guy is so sly…! How can he say those embarrassing lines without breaking a sweat! Unbelievable! This guy is really IMPOSSIBLE!—Rikuo couldn't help panicking even more as Rikuou suddenly reached his hand and stroked his cheek gently.

Worse, Rikuo could feel the gentleness and love from his brother emanating and oozing freely from his every gesture, his touch and even his voice! It was too moving. All of this…! It was almost like he was in Shoujo manga (3) or something!

Rikuo couldn't stand this anymore. Rikuou was really giving his all to pull him into his clutch. He was on the tip if a cliff. He was about to fall in the mud of forbidden love for real!

NO! Get a grip, Nura Rikuo! He is your brother! BROTHER BY BLOOD! There is no way it can work out! You can't!

Rikuo shut his eyes and gulped hard. There was a sudden hard lump in his throat, he had difficulty in breathing and couldn't calm his erratic heartbeat. His body was also shivering in excitement. Yes, Rikuo knew it was excitement since he didn't feel sick or anything. Moreover, his adrenalin and endorphin were coursing in lightening speed inside his body. Stupid teenager hormone! He knew in the head that it couldn't happen. It was taboo, but what about his heart? Could he really ignore or fool it?

Even though Rikuo knew surely that it was wrong in the head… his heart couldn't agree. It was too much…! He realized fully how he felt about Rikuou when he danced with him earlier. When he thought he wasn't Rikuou's brother… when he forgot who he was and worshiped Rikuou as his partner… he really did love him.

Rikuo was in love with Rikuou... He had been since a long time ago.

What should I do…?

Rikuo then, forgetting his logic for a moment, surged forward and hugged his half brother tightly.

"Ri… Riku…?" Rikuou looked really surprised. It seemed he honestly didn't think that Rikuo, of all people, would start it.

"You're really sly…! I really hate you, you know! After all what I've done to stay away…! How can I keep running away from you… if you're being so sweet like that…?" Rikuo asked while sinking his face more into Rikuou's chest, tightening his hold on his half brother's body. Rikuo was sure his face was burning, feverishly flaming. It felt really hot so suddenly.

"Hey… you're kidding, right?" Rikuou's voice was slightly trembling and his hands that were on Rikuo's back were also shivering.

"Don't say anything stupid! How hard do you think it is for me… to finally give in to this complicated feelings? You've been messing with my head so bad… for so long…, some screws inside my head are probably loosened now, dumbass! Take responsibility! Or I swear I'll never forgive you for making me feel this way!" Rikuo said while gritting his teeth in embarrassment. He couldn't believe himself for saying this, but… he was actually relieved.

Rikuo had resisted the growing feeling for so long that now it was bottled up so fully in his chest that his heart was about to burst. He clenched Rikuou's formal attire hard, not wanting to release him and he was afraid to look Rikuou in his eyes, so he closed his firmly.

Rikuou's body was so warm and his hold on Rikuo's feelings and heart were solid. When he held Rikuo for the first time, this time, without the walls of 'brothers' between them, he whispered his loving words without restraint.

"I love you… Riku…."

And then… Rikuou kissed his lips with so much passion that Rikuo couldn't do anything but to pull Rikuou's soft, long silver hair which was always impossibly dfying gravity to bring their body even more closely if it was possible, kissing him back as hard, in the same fervor. He felt Rikuou's feelings so clearly transferred using his slightly dry but soft lips.

Hot…, burning…, as if it set Rikuo's body and soul on ablaze as well….

Rikuo couldn't deny it now, because the flower was already there.

Rikuou's flower…, blooming beautifully inside his heart.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Rikuo, having already changed to casual clothes and losing his wig, was walking back to the main hall of the family house a little bit dazedly. He still wasn't sure what happened earlier inside the closet in his room, but he believed he had a lot to think about after this.

On the way, he met Zen and Kino who were searching for him and Rikuou apparently, very frantically.

"Waka!" Kino looked relieved when she saw him, but then turning pale as she seemed realizing that Rikuo's clothes wasn't the dancer's costume anymore, but one of Sandiame's kinagashis (5).

"Rikuo!" Zen also spotted him and approached him quickly.

Rikuo looked up from his train of thought to Zen and Kino who looked at him with apprehensive slightly pale look.

"A-are you okay, Waka…?" Kino asked carefully.

"Huh…? Um, yeah… sorta…," Rikuo said slowly, not looking at Zen or Kino, but at the wall beside them

"Did… did he…?" Zen couldn't help asking with sweating really nervous face.

"Eh, what? No! Of- of course not! We…," Rikuo gulped slightly while raising both of his hands up, implying no harm done. "W-we're… we're brothers, so there was no way… would something like that… happen…." The tears suddenly welled up on his eyes. "Huh?" He didn't realize when those tears were rolling down his cheeks.

"Rikuo!" Zen looked mortified, as well as Kino who covered her mouth in surprise.

"Eh…! What is this…? Hahaha, I guess the ceremony is really overwhelming to some people, huh?" Rikuo laughed slightly while trying to drying it.

"Hey… are you really okay?" Zen looked totally worried now while holding the shorter boy's shoulders strongly. "You can tell me if he did something against your will…!" he looked slightly repulsive at the thought that Sandaime would go that far only to bully his brother.

"Zen-nii…," Rikuo was touched. Zen really was worried about him, and he was about to get angry for him too, so he shook his head with a gentle smile. "He did nothing wrong. Nothing happened, really."

"You sure?" Zen looked skeptical.

"I'm sure," Rikuo nodded surely with a determined smile as well.

"If you say so…," Zen sighed slowly. "I do have business with Rikuou though. Where is he?" he asked then curiously.

"At the back yard… on the Sakura tree," Rikuo answered truthfully. Well, Rikuou was indeed there now anyway.

"Okay. The party is still going. You can eat or drink something first. Kino will be with you," Zen said while smiling and ruffling Rikuo's hair fondly.

"Thank you, Zen-nii. Don't fight with Rikuou so much, okay?" Rikuo grinned and waved as Zen walked away to the back yard direction.

"Waka…," Kino called Rikuo, still looking a bit worried because she seemed not buying his bullshit about 'nothing happened' earlier.

"What is it, Kino-san?" Rikuo maintained his cheery smile at her.

"Are you really… okay?" she asked the same thing as Zen, but her voice was so deep and grave that Rikuo had difficulty saying the same thing he said to Zen earlier.

"Of course," but Rikuo wasn't exactly lying about this, so he could totally say it coolly. After all it wasn't really Rikuou's fault.

This time… Rikuo let his guard down too much that his feelings took control of his action against his better judgment. It was his responsibility too. So he was okay with this. "I'm just totally happy that Rikuou finally becomes the official Sandaime… and grows up," he grinned convincingly then.

Kino looked surprised at the bright smile on Rikuo's face for a moment before she smiled softly back as well. "Well, it's time for Sandaime to grow up indeed," she giggled now. "Let's go grab something to eat, Waka," She then took Rikuo's hand on her and pulled him to the main party room.

"Yay, finally! I'm starving!" Rikuo laughed hard as he followed her in spirit.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Rikuou was enjoying his stashed sake on the Sakura tree branch again when someone was nearing him. He sighed, realizing who it was from the sound of the intruder's steps.

"Don't sneak up on me, Zen," Rikuou said, not even turning to face him.

"Ck… Do you have eyes on your back or something?" Zen's voice sounded indignant.

"Who knows? Maybe I do?" Now he smirked and turned his face to look down at Zen. "What do you want, Zen-nii*?" he asked with a mocking tone.

"You're always sitting there when you're bothered by something…," Zen said, his face unreadable.

"Really now?" Rikuou raised his eyebrows at Zen.

There was heavy silence between the two of them before Zen huffed.

"Rikuo… he cried you know," Now Zen said with somber look and slightly angry tone and voice.

"Of course he did. Isn't he the cutest when he cries?" Rikuou's smirk widened at that.

"Hey, I'm serious. Tell me you didn't do what I think you did to him," Zen's face was serious now, staring deeply at Rikuou's vibrant crimson eyes, as if he were searching something in those rubies.

Rikuou lost his smirk and sighed. "I didn't do it," Rikuou said, slightly troubled as he stroked his bang back. "I couldn't…. As much as I wanted to…, the thought that he would loathe me after that terrified me so much that I wanted to throw up," he continued, slightly embarrassed. "How un-cool…." He sulked now, really annoyed.

Zen visibly sighed in relief at that. Rikuou was an idiot sometimes, but he didn't lie about something like this. He never did.

Rikuou glared at him. "You happy now?" he asked sarcastically.

"Hey, I'm the one who's supporting you all this time. I just don't want you to force yourself on him," Zen said with a confident grin now.

"Liar, you have your eyes on him too," Rikuou was still sulking. He didn't buy Zen's word one bit.

"Well, you've got to admit that he's a high quality," Zen laughed.

"Don't talk like he were a merchandise, Zen," Rikuou said, still pouting.

"Of course not. He's our precious brother after all," Zen smiled small at that. "We've loved him more than a brother, but I can totally see that he's got eyes only for you," he continued while closing his eyes. "Only a matter of time until he becomes yours completely, right? Try to be more patient."

You can say that because you weren't there earlier…. Riku was ready to give himself despite not remembering his promise, but I was the one who put a stop sign. It seems… even though I really love him, I don't have a heart to break our bond that way….

No… it's because I love him too much…, I still don't have enough resolution to posses him entirely. I guess… I'm the one who isn't ready yet.

Rikuou was so deep in thought that he didn't realize that Zen had already climbed the big tree and sat at the branch in front of Rikuou's.

"Don't worry. He's totally okay, I think," Zen said suddenly, surprising Rikuou.

"Yeah, he's tough. Tougher than me sometimes… so I'm not going to give up on him, ever," Rikuou said, so determinedly.

"So am I," Zen replied with the mirrored expression.

Two pairs of crimsons met and they smirked confidently and challengingly at each other.

That's right… I still have time… to make Rikuo mine…!

End of Chapter 2

Tbc…

Notes:

1)Maturity Dance and Maturity Ritual: It's just my creation for the sake of the plot. Do not take it seriously ^_^

2)Naginata: One of martial arts in Japan that learn how to fight with sword but mix it with dancing steps. It's often called a dancing sword technique.

3)Shoujo manga: A manga (comic) dedicated to female readers.

4)Shodaime: The first generation.

5)Kinagashi: informal/casual yukata for male.

About * mark in the last scene: Rikuou isn't supposed to call Zen with –nii attached behind his name, he did it just to mess and mock Zen because Zen is older than him, implying that he's old.

A/N: Whoa~! I didn't think the story will progress this fast~. And I haven't put the antagonist yet…. Well, Riku and Rikuou's feelings are indeed very complicated XD. I hope you enjoy it though…. What do you think? Ah… I can't wait to put Yura and Ryuji in this fic too. It will be very interesting later~ XDDD

Oh yeah, don't forget to drop review, everyone! Because that's my fuel to keep writing! Okay? XP