A/N: Alright. We're getting to the hard part here. I'm preparing to write the fight and rescue chapters. This could take me a while as I have to make sure it all makes sense to everyone who reads it. Oi...thank you so much for reading this far.

Chika didn't realize when the water had started to turn cold as it poured down over his body. He didn't know how long he remained in the shower just enjoying his rare chance at being alone. He seemed to have dozed off into a daydream, sitting curled up in the corner as the water cascaded down upon him. He only woke from the daze when his body started to shiver from the cold. He blinked his eyes open and hugged himself with one arm before reaching up and turning the knobs hoping for a little bit more warmth. Soon, his simple wish was granted as more hot water poured over him, warming his chilled and wrinkled skin. He knew it wouldn't last long but he continued to relish in the warmth, unable to convince his-self to stand up. The white-haired zombie let out a long sigh, his body relaxing further. If he could, he would stay in the warm water forever, and fall asleep without a worry. Chika knew however that this simple moment of heaven wouldn't last for much longer.

Chika sighed and pulled himself up and turned off the water. He stepped out and picked up the large towel on the side of the sink, wrapping it around himself to stave off the chilled air. He shivered slightly as he dried himself off. He held the towel tightly wrapped around his body as he slowly peered into the bedroom. No Shiba yet. He closed his eyes and sighed, relaxing a little bit. He hoped to find another Yukata or some other clothes before Shiba returned. He hated being so exposed, especially when Shiba was near. He made his way across the room to the wardrobe against the far wall and using one hand, twisted the lock to open it. The doors opened easily and Chika's heart sank. Nothing but hangers filled the wardrobe. He put one hand to his face and left the doors standing open. He moved back towards the bed and picked up the torn pieces of his old Yukata. The zombie examined the pieces. He had hoped it would be salvageable but at a closer inspection he found it wouldn't do any better than the towel he now wore.

Frustrated, Chika threw the pitiful bits of fabric to the floor and crawled further onto the bed. He pulled the blanket from it and wrapped it around his-self, the towel still around him as well. He sat, huddled there on the bed for what felt like forever. His face remained emotionless as he just stared at the door, waiting for it to open. Shiba had been gone a lot longer than Chika expected him to be. Now he was getting worried that he was out "preparing" for something. That frightened Chika. Not knowing what Shiba was doing, was a terrifying thought. Especially since he had left in a very sour mood. Chika had learned, over the last several days, that Shiba liked to take his anger and frustration out on him. At the thought, Chika pulled his knees up as close to his chest as he could, the blanket completely covering him, even a little over his head. He felt only a fraction safer but it did help a little. He waited, in apprehension for that damned door to open. He prayed that it had just taken Shiba a while to calm down. That little thought was proven true when Shiba returned with a plate of food that had once been Chika's favorite when he was truly "alive".

"Chika, please forgive my outburst." The shinigami said setting the plate down on a small tray then set it in front of him on the bed. Shiba smiled gently, even though his slight maliciousness still rested behind his eyes. "I brought your favorite. Go ahead and eat it. You've been looking far too thin lately." He slid the tray closer and sat down within arm's reach. He then poked a fork into the dish and held it up to Chika's lips. "Open please." He said and waited for Chika to obey him.

Chika watched him carefully, his eyes looking to the bit of food on the fork then back to Shiba's face. Shiba was waiting for him and the other was afraid to upset him. Slowly, Chika parted his lips, but only a little and watched Shiba's reaction. The shinigami opened his own mouth as if telling Chika to open wider. When he did so, Shiba pushed the fork into his mouth then removed it once Chika's lips closed around it.

"Good." Shiba smiled seeming pleased. He then repeated the process over and over again. At one point Chika had said he didn't want anymore, but a quick glare from Shiba changed his mind. He obediently ate each and every bite that Shiba gave to him, his eyes downcast, not wanting to watch the growing smirk on the other's face. Finally, the dish was empty and Shiba seemed satisfied as he picked it up again and set it down on the bedside table. "Very good, Chika." He said cupping the other's face.

Chika still didn't look up at him. He even flinched a little at the casual touch. His shoulders tensed and he pulled the blanket tighter around himself. He huddled there, not looking at the Shinigami who had once been his best friend. That was all gone and in the past now. Shiba's cold, slender fingers pushed his hair away from his face then took his chin in the fore finger and thumb, lifting it up.

"Chika." Shiba said in a low voice but didn't get a response. "Look at me, Chika." He moved closer waiting for the obedient response.

Chika slowly dragged his eyes up to meet the other's face. His eyes widened slightly at the proximity and he instinctively tried to pull back. "Ah, that's no good." Shiba said keeping a grip on Chika's chin and pulled him closer until their lips met. Chika recoiled slightly but was held firm. Instead he could only close his eyes and not have to look at Shiba's face. The kiss lasted several seconds before Shiba broke away. He then moved a little closer and his other arm moved around Chika's thin frame, pulling him closer to him. Chika couldn't do much to prevent it as he'd wrapped his arms inside the blanket as well.

"Mmf." Chika tried to protest as Shiba pressed his lips to his once again. He shook his head until their lips parted and he tried leaning away. "Shiba…don't…" He said much more passively than in the past. He managed to free one hand and used it to press against Shiba's chest as leverage.

Shiba frowned then moved to kiss down Chika's neck. He continued to hold his body close with the other arm, his hand wrapping around Chika's wrist to hold him there. He smirked when Chika tried again to push him away and bit down on the soft skin. Chika let out a small gasp of pain, which only seemed to fuel Shiba more. The shinigami continued to kiss up and down the white-haired boy's throat, nipping and sucking at certain places. Shiba removed his hand from Chika's wrist and slowly, but with good force, started to pull the blanket away from him. Chika panicked a little and gripped more tightly to the blanket. It was his only safety barrier against Shiba's wandering hands.

"Please…Shiba stop…" Chika said, a small hiccup in his voice almost as if he'd been sobbing just prior to Shiba's return. He knew the shinigami liked to hear his name, and even though he now hated it, Chika said it when he could, hoping that Shiba would be pleased enough to stop what he was doing. This time however it didn't work and Shiba continued to caress his throat with kisses and love bites. His hand tugged more on the blanket managing to pull it a little away from Chika's shoulder. Shiba's lips then trailed down the crook of his prey's neck and bit lightly along his shoulder, as he pulled more still on the blanket. "D-don't ha-" Chika gasped again. His body had learned to respond on its own, further shaming Chika and it fueled his horror. "N-no…please…"

Sotetsu paced the room back and forth, one arm folded over his chest and the other resting on it, his hand at his chin in thought. "So basically you are saying that we have to get to the other side of the complex to find Chika?" He stopped his movement and looked at Shito for confirmation.

Shito nodded and sighed, a piece of paper now lay in tattered pieces in his lap. "I'm afraid so. By the room number we were given, it looks like he's on the special floor. We'll have to somehow get an access to it." Shito paused and frowned. "Our chances of being seen and caught are very high." He stood, letting the pieces flutter to the ground, not caring about the mess. He leaned his hands on the table and let his head hand between his shoulders.

Bekko remained in the chair he'd taken both forefingers pressed together in front of his nose. "It doesn't matter." He said looking at the two with him. "It's a risk that we'll have to take." Sotetsu and Shito both nodded their agreement.

"Then let's stop wasting time and get out there." Sotetsu said hitting his palm with his fist.

Shito nodded and let out a long sigh again. "Touhou is going to hate this the most." He said. He didn't really care but he couldn't help but wonder what sorts of punishments he'd be given if they were caught. "But Akatsuki- Chika…he doesn't deserve this place." He met Bekko's eyes, his own showing a slight bit of fierce anger.

Shito then stood upright and moved towards his wardrobe pulling out a more simple shirt which would allow him much more movement. He changed from the traditional cheongsam he had been asked to wear. He knew he was going to need all the help he could get. A fight was guaranteed. One he would be entering without his revolver. He wasn't a fighter, he never really learned how but he didn't care. Some things in life were worth fighting for.

And for the first time since his mother died, Shito had a reason to really fight.