Hi! I'm back once again! This time around, I used the word Mark. It has a tad bit of smut in it, but it's much more tame than chapter five, I promise. Just some kissing and mentions of sex and nudity, as well as a few references to scars. Nothing too bad. Now, read and enjoy! :)

It was their first time, and Kiku was as nervous as he could get.

He had never been naked in front of Yao- at least, not since he was much younger. But he had grown, his body had changed... he had scars that Yao had no idea about. Two large ones, one on each of his hips, like bullet wounds. Several small ones on his upper arms and thighs. Many long, dark ones on his abdomen. A few patches of darker skin- radiation burn. He was ashamed of each mark; they were all reminders of a painful, sinful past. Some were as fresh as a month old- a fact he was even more ashamed of.

As much as he loved Yao, and as much as he wanted to give himself to him for the first time, making love like they should have years ago, he almost didn't go through with it.

They were kissing quite heavily when panic began to set in. He attempted to mask it by thinking of happier things; the dinner he had previously, the anime he had recorded and would be able to watch later, the image of Pochi and Tama cuddling on the couch together... until Yao began to slip his hands slowly up Kiku's shirt.

"Stop!" he yelled, pushing Yao away. His hands trembled and guilt automatically took over. "I-I'm sorry... I wasn't ready for that." Cheeks turned red, Kiku hid his face as best as he could, running away from Yao's deep concern.

"Kiku, what's wrong?" Yao asked. "Are my hands cold? Did I startle you?" He reached out for Kiku, but Kiku jerked away violently, still shaking. "Kiku, are you alright? You're really starting to worry me..."

Suddenly, Kiku got up to his feet. "I can't do this!" he shouted, making a sprint to the bathroom. Yao followed him quickly, utterly confused and very worried.

He found Kiku sitting in the shower with the water off, curled up with his knees to his chest, holding back tears. Yao climbed in and sat next to him, giving the other some space. "Kiku, please tell me what's wrong."

"I..." he started, "I... was just startled. I-I need some time to cool off."

"Kiku," Yao deadpanned, "I can tell when you're lying to me. Please, I beg you, tell the truth."

After a few minutes' pause, Kiku spoke up. "Fine. I... I don't want you to see me. My body."

Yao was incredibly baffled. "Why not?"

"My scars!" he finally blurted. "I have so many... they're hideous... you'd hate them; I do... so much..." His hands began to shake again and small tears fell out of the corners of his eyes. Yao frowned and took the other man in his arms gently, petting his hair.

"I doubt that, love. I really do. Listen to me- I have scars as well, and they're not pretty. I regret them, but I don't hate them. They are a part of me. Your scars are a part of you as well. I won't love you any less if you show me, I promise." He gave Kiku several reassuring kisses on the forehead, hoping that he had gotten his point across.

"A-are you sure?" Kiku asked, putting a hand on his stomach where many of his scars were. He cringed lightly, silently hoping that Yao would say no and they would wait for another time.

"I'm positive," Yao replied, laying another kiss on Kiku's forehead. "Now, let's go to the bedroom," a kiss on the nose, "and I'll prove it to you," a kiss on the lips, "alright?"

With much hesitance, Kiku agreed, and they were soon sitting on the bed, Yao already undressed, his hands holding the bottom of Kiku's shirt, waiting for confirmation.

"G-go ahead," Kiku said, closing his eyes as tightly as he could. Slowly but surely, he felt his shirt being removed, then his pants, and finally his underwear. There was a moment of silence, maybe several, until he heard Yao whisper his name. "Y-y-yes?"

"You're perfect," he murmured. "There is nothing wrong with you. I love each and every one of your scars, just as I love you." Moving his head down, he placed a kiss on each scar, from the ones on his arms, to the ones on his abdomen and hips, all the way down to the ones on his thighs. Kiku let out a few small moans, several more tears falling at the compliments. He couldn't remember the last time he felt better about his body. Yao loved him, despite the scars. He truly, deeply loved him.

"T-thank you, Yao... I love you too..." he said, before he was cut off by a long, sweet kiss, one that he gladly returned as he was pushed onto the mattress by Yao's eager hand.

As Kiku could recall, their first time was absolutely wonderful.

No notes for this one either, except for maybe a bit of headcanon. Kiku is very scarred; the bullet wound-looking scars are representations of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The ones on his abdomen are from attempts at seppuku, or ritual Japanese suicide. On his arms and thighs, he has little scratches, most likely done by a razor.

I hope you enjoyed another chapter of fluff, haha. Reviews are very nice. :D Goodbye!