A/N: Wow, it’s almost been another year. . . So sorry, really I am! There’s so little time when you’re independent! Then again, staying at home w/ parents is nice but I’ll take coming home to my own place any day, and you can decorate the walls with yaoi for all anyone cares! Thank you again to all of you that review! And even those of you that don’t, but enjoy my story anyway! () This chapter was helped out by my dark-eyed brat of an angel, Tommy-chan, whom has been a big muse for Ash. . Thank you so much for your beautiful contribution for the meeting, Tommy!

The last chapter got carried away towards the end and got really sappy! XD I know how much everyone must like angst if they read this story o.o I swear, they did it on their own! I was writing, and they started groping, and then, well, they ended up in bed. Rather, on the couch. So yeah. What does everyone think of the progress? Should I give up and move on to another story, or finish this one?

Chapter 11: Taimo (Ambition)

“What does he want?” The light voice behind the desk asked, an annoyed look on the man’s face. He adjusted his thin-framed reading glasses. “Tell him that I’m busy. Make an appointment.”

“But he’s got Yuto with him, and he’s hurt. He won’t tell us anything else, but he says it involves Takashi-sama.” The younger teen tried to explain. “He’s ready to ignore our protests anyways, and he keeps trying to get past us as it is.” As he finished, the redhead sighed, removing his glasses and standing.

“Alright, alright… send him in.” No sooner than he had spoken the door opened, the West Leader himself waltzing into the room, followed by two agitated looking henchmen. “Really Juno-kun, we must work on your manors…”

“I don’t have time for manors, Yuto needs help.” The black-haired senior shot back, crossing his arms. A sigh escaped the other’s lips, his hands going to rub the bridge of his nose.

“I don’t have time to lend a hand to small time Leaders who can’t keep track of their own Subordinates…”

“You’re one to talk. Where were you when I had—“

“Enough!” Ah, some emotion. The redhead quickly regained his composure and glared. “Ayumu, have the papers I’ve signed brought to the proper places. Ritsu, Tanira, back to the front to stand. I’ll take care of our guest.” He said smoothly, handing the small stack of papers to the younger teen that had first been speaking to him. All three nodded and bowed, leaving the room. “Have a seat.” He said bitterly, moving to a cabinet and opening it, retrieving two glasses and a bottle of tan colored liquid. “I already heard about Yuto, though I never thought you’d have the nerve to try and saddle me with this. It’s none of my business.”

“What Takashi’s doing is everyone’s business, you know that. That bastard’s broke every rule he’s come across from the day he entered Station!” Juno shouted as he took a seat in the plush leather couch in front of the small table in the middle of the room. “He’s after me now, and soon he’ll be after you.”

“I don’t fear Takashi.” Came the calm reply, only making Juno angrier. The host crossed the room with light and soundless steps, placing the glasses on the table. “Sorry I don’t have any ice.” He jumped back as the glass was smacked from the table, spilling on the carpet. “How dare you…” He said, his voice low, blue-lavender eyes narrowing. Juno glared, unrelenting.

“How long will you continue to pretend you don’t care, Nira? Until he’s snapping at –your- heals? He’s trying to take Station, damn it, and I’m not going to keep sitting here while he does it!”

“You were content until he came after Yuto. Am I to believe you’re doing this out of honest anger for the injustice done to your Subordinate?”

“You know me better than that.”

“That’s right… I do. This is about pride.” A sigh. “What a mess… I should kick your sorry ass out of here before you taint my name.”

“But you can’t.” Smugly.

“No… I can’t.” A pause, then, “What do you want me to do about it?”

“Yuto needs help.”

“Take him to a hospital.”

“I can’t. No, it’s not -my- pride, it’s -his- request. He doesn’t want his family to know. He needs somewhere to stay and people to look after him, and I’m too busy to—“

“Don’t make me laugh.”

“And I won’t do it.” The West Leader finished with a glare. The two Leaders stared each other down for a long moment, neither willing to give an inch. It was Juno who broke it, smirking as he sat back, crossing his arms across his chest and one leg over the other.

“How long?”

“Until he’s better.”

“And Seiya?”

“We’ll think of something. Until then, just keep Yuto out of sight. I’ll have his work brought here by one of my—“

“You’ll bring it. That’s my condition, Juno. You will bring his work here—you’ll visit him.” Another silence, and Juno’s smile vanished. He stood and left without a backwards glance. Nira sighed, taking a long slow drink from his own glass before setting it down slowly on the cherry-wood table. Ayumu came in after a while, frowning when he saw the spilt glass.

“Nira-sama?” He asked at his Leader’s rigid stance. Nira turned around, offering a hopeless smile.

“He’s gone?” A nod. “Alright… take me to Yuto.”

---------

The men that had taken him in from Juno had been careful with him, their faces either blank or pitying. It wasn’t what he expected, but then, he’d never been amongst the North Wing’s people. He wouldn’t cry anymore, he made that resolve, he wouldn’t give them what they all wanted. He knew what they thought of him, even if they didn’t show it in their faces. The teen wrapped the large T-shirt tight around his middle as he hid farther underneath the blankets covering his body. He faced the wall, curling up into a ball. Yuto tried so hard to not exist that his head hurt. The shirt that he wore belonged to Ran, Tanja had given it to him when he had let Juno take him away. Not like he could really blame him, because he wouldn’t have refused Juno –really- anyway, but the shirt smelled like his idol.

Now, Yuto was much to vain to commit suicide, so his only real option was to hope that he died from his wounds, which didn’t look like it was going to happen any time soon. The only other possibility was that Juno would have him killed, for whatever reason the bastard deemed necessary… he wouldn’t complain. His social life—all he had left—was over. No one would be there for him, to comfort or to console him—not that he’d let them if they tried. They would all look down at him, ridicule him, the vain and vengeful drama queen who thought a scratch on his face was grounds for the death sentence for the offender, be it human or insect. And, well, he probably deserved it… but he didn’t think so.

The door opened and Yuto froze, nails digging into the bandages on his arms. “Go away.” He had meant to sound firm, but all that he managed was a weak request. The door closed, and for a moment he thought that they had really left. He wasn’t sure weather to be happy about this or not, because while he didn’t want one more person looking at or touching him right now, or for a long while, he also found himself craving the company that he’d had at Ran’s apartment. Not even the company, just the warmth… That feeling that someone was right out there, ready to come and assist him, even when he didn’t ask. And they did it out of … pity, he reminded himself, steeling himself. The lamp being turned on behind him made him jump, sitting up and spinning around to face the redhead wearing the thin wire-frame glasses. He yelped, out of pain and shock, scooting back. “N-Nira Oshirasu-sama…” He stammered.

“It’s alright, don’t be so upset… I just wanted to see for myself what that monster had done to you.” The North Leader said in such a soft voice that Yuto couldn’t detect any of the usual under tones that the Leaders and lackeys held. “Come on, settle down and lay back or you’re going to hurt yourself.”

“What would you know…” Yuto asked, his hand still clenched in the shirt, over his heart. He turned his bruised face away, his strawberry blond hair falling into his eyes and hiding them from view in the shadows.

“More than you think I might. You’re not the first rape victim I’ve seen, and you’re not the worst. Now, lay down.” At last his voice became more authoritative at the end of his speaking. Yuto thought about disobeying, he really did, but in the end he just lay down on his side, facing the Leader. Nira sat down on the side of the bed, and Yuto winced when his hand moved up, but they opened in shock when they gently ran through his hair, being mindful of the bandages and cuts on his scalp. “They really did a number on you… Seiya and his friends. I’m sorry that it happened, Yuto. I liked watching you prance around the West halls like you were the queen, with you’re little fan-club at your heels… I just hate to see what Juno has allowed to happen. I despise him, with all my heart, and fear no repercussions from either me nor him, because even if he -did- order it, I would never hurt you. You don’t deserve this, this is –his- shame, not yours, and he’s not going to cover this one up. Please, stay here and rest until you’re better. I’ll have my men bring you things to take care of yourself if you don’t want us doing it, and there’s a bathroom across the hall from you… Yuto, are you crying?” The Leader asked, just as softly, and Yuto shook his head as he buried his face in his hands. “…Alright. Goodnight, Yuto. Call for Ayumu or I, and we will be here as soon as we can.” He stood, his slender fingers leaving the soft blond hair. Yuto didn’t answer, he didn’t need to, and Nira left as silently as he’d entered, leaving the lamp on.

---------

“How is he, Nira-sama?” Ayumu asked his Leader when he returned to his office. A sigh answered him, and Nira sat on the couch, picking up the glass he’d made himself earlier and sipping at it, watered down or not. The sophomore frowned, walking around behind his sempai and setting his hands on his slender shoulders, rubbing them. “That bad…?” He asked, his voice full of worry.

“Not as bad as it could have been. He’s got a pretty bad concussion from the hit on the back of his head, and he’s bruised up, even burned, but he’ll live. Probably won’t even scar very much.” Nira said slowly as he twirled the melting ice cubes around in the glass.

“But for Yuto-kun, every scar is a life-ending tragedy.” He reminded, which got another sigh, and a quiet laugh, drawing a puzzled look from his Sub.

“It’s so stupid… This human habit of shoving two bodies together in search of something higher than what’s physically possible. They search and they search for their ‘soul mate’ to fill that horrible emptiness that we’re all born with, but in the end they just wind up destroying the soul they possess…Mindless violence taking the form of that very fruitless quest.” he said, closing his shade darkened amethyst eyes. He opened them when he felt the arms wind around his neck, Ayumu’s soft cheek hot against his own cool one.

“It’s enough… It’s enough for me, I mean.” He whispered. “I don’t need anything else, just let me stay beside you… as long as I can.” The kohai pleaded, his voice soft. Nira closed his eyes, smiling slightly, sadly. He placed his hands over his Sub’s arms and gripped firmly.

“Thank you, Ayumu… You should be getting to bed, we have work to do tomorrow.”

“Can I… sleep with you tonight?” he asked shyly, and Nira laughed.

“I thought it was enough.” He said as he stood, and seeing his Sub’s flustered face he laughed again. “I’m only teasing you, dummy. Yes, you can sleep in my bed tonight.”

---------

When Ran woke up, the first thing that he realized was that he was in his living room. He frowned, sitting up and letting the covers fall to his waist, looking beside him for Tanja and finding only cold air. He was about to call for him when he heard a soft curse in the kitchen. He stood, wrapping the blanket around his waist and walked into the kitchen. Tanja was lifting something off the stove, his bad wrist being supported by his good hand, though he still seemed to be having a little trouble. The senior came around from behind him, placing his hand over the injured one and lifting the pot, setting it safely on the coaster. Tanja jumped, turning around and blushing slightly.

“Y-you scared me… I didn’t hear you wake up. I woke up early and I couldn’t go back to sleep, so I looked for something to cook but I only found some ramen and miso, so I went down to the general store and got some spices and… It’s almost better.” He said, showing his sempai his wrist with a smile. The brunette smiled and took the wrist, kissing it, making Tanja blush deeper.

“This is ridiculous.” He said lightly, to which the Sub looked most offended.

“Well, I tried my best! I mean, you don’t have any good food here and I didn’t have much—“ He began to rant,

“No, no, no! Not the food. Us. To begin with, we’re in high school, both male, and we’re acting like newly weds. Also, there’s the subject of our positions at that very school.”

“Well, don’t all the Leaders sleep with their Subs?” Tanja asked shyly, rubbing his injured wrist as he averted his eyes. Ran smiled, pulling down some bowels, glasses, and utensils for them.

“Yeah, well, most of them. It’s not that, it’s more like… I thought, you know, having a Sub was going to be like having a secretary, you know? Like they would help you with all the things Leaders do, under the line or above, and they keep up their grades. I never thought it’d be like marriage. Now, -that- part’s not normal for Subs. I’ve never known a Sub to even stay overnight at his Leader’s, unless it’s for business.” Ran continued as he searched in vain for something to drink. Tanja reached into the grocery bag and pulled out two Ramune bottles. “Oh, thanks.” The senior said with a sigh. He really did need to get more to live on.

“If… if you really want things to be that way, I can stop bothering you by coming over like this all the time… It’s just, I don’t really have anywhere else to go and Lucy always tells me I need to make friends, but I guess I’m just shy. And anyway, all of my friends are scared of my dad’s reputation, and their parents won’t let me come over…” The sandy blond said slowly, his eyes threatening to water as he portioned out the ramen on the plates. Ran placed a heavy hand on his shoulder, kissing his cheek.

“Did you hear me complaining?” He asked, sliding his arms around Tanja’s waist and hugging him back against his chest. “Look, Tanja, I don’t mind you coming over, and I don’t mind that we’re together. I don’t even mind fighting for you. Hell, it makes life more interesting. I got tired of being alone anyway. I’ve always had more enemies than friends because of my quick temper and quicker fists, that’s why the teachers all let me skimp my grades as long as I was good at sports. It kept a lot of trouble from happening. I came home from school, I fixed up a cup of noodles, went to work, and took a shower and went to bed when I got home. Never even talked to anyone but the coaches and my boss. So don’t think that I don’t want you here. If I didn’t want you, Tanja, Juno or Seiya would have you right now.” When he said the last part, his kohai shuddered, turning to press his face into Ran’s chest.

“I’m still… glad you did it. In the end. I never hated you… I couldn’t! I was confused, is all. I always admired you. I joined Track because of you.” He said with a blush. Ran shook his head, mussing the underclassman’s hair.

“Let’s eat.” He said, smiling. Tanja nodded, though something in the back of his mind nagged at him. Why didn’t you ask him? It said. But the sophomore ignored it, preferring to think more on the meeting before bringing it up to his future Leader. No need to bother him with trivial things, that wouldn’t be a very good Subordinate now would it?

---------Earlier that Day---------

The morning was colder than it should have been this day, and the cabby shivered in his cab, cursing his rotten streak in business lately. No one seemed to have any money, or they actually liked those over-crowded trains where your shoulders touched. He had to eat, too, and just one more rotten day would put him behind on his bills.

“Are you working?” The voice was cold; it quickly snapped the driver from his worry.

“Of course!” Feeling the door open and the car shift as weight was added to the side, the wrinkly-faced man straightened himself and glanced back in the mirror. It was a boy, or at least he figured it was a boy but the indifferent features that looked back at him were far more delicate to make it an easy guess. Dark stands of hair had been brushed to the sides of his face, the warm chocolate colors seem to lighten and darken as light filtered and swept between them; it had been layered and textured so it appeared much shorter than it was. The eyes stood out particularly, rounded and a deep but icy blue that swirled around a black center, an ice storm that raged during all seasons with an intensity to kill. As the youth muttered the address of his destination the supple lips danced around each word, barely moving at all.

“Yes sir.” The driver nodded slightly as his voice trailed off, he gave a passing glance to sides as he pulled out into the well-driven streets of the city.

Ash merely stared out of the window, watching as Seiya's building grew smaller and smaller. He had snuck out of the confines of his Leader and any other term that applied power over another, which Seiya had problem with stressing and showing just how much power he had. Trapped in that suffocating place, he felt cornered. Ashura had to do –some- things on his own. It was better that no one knew he was going to see this Tanja Lain person. Seiya seemed to have placed this one on a mantle like a prize. Was that really so surprising? The youth didn't really think so, knowing Seiya. It was one of the rare things that had been able to slip through the hands of the capable yakuza boy. It did make him smirk though, taking a moment to recline against the black seats. Ash hadn't know Seiya to lose at anything before, and to know that some junior like himself had outwitted the usually unnaturally crafty senior was a comforting thought.

“So why the cold expression?” The driver glancing back to look upon the attractive boy in his backseat, “Did your girlfriend kick you out?”

Ashura didn't respond to any of the idle comments that the old man was throwing out to him. All that occupied his mind was thoughts of his upcoming meeting with the elusive Tanja. It was all about seeing this figure, to get an idea of what was causing all of these problems and had been the catalyst for his leader's grab for power. He sighed slightly, tracing his fingers against the window while the towers of the city passed in blurs beside him while they drove ever closer to Ran's apartment.

Ashura stepped out of the dark cab that had brought him near where Ran's apartment was supposed to be. He threw the driver his money, not giving any notice to the harsh look that followed him out of the car and into the open streets. The warm supple winds had been growing ever thinner, just like the aging hand of a mother upon one's cheek. Ash didn't move from his spot, standing across the road while his eyes looked on to stare at the wide entrance that would lead him to the golden boy that seemed to be causing so many problems for not only Seiya, but also for Station as well.

The cab drove off quickly, leaving Ash alone upon the surprisingly empty sidewalk. It was early morning after all, but weren’t housewives and single school-goers usually up at least? The fear of his own failings started to surface in his mind. The constant wondering of what made Lain so special had been the whole reason he had gone off on his own. Being Seiya's sub had also put him at risk, many people were not happy with what was going on but far too afraid to deal with him directly; so going through Ashura would make things much easier. He shook his head for a moment, sweeping one of his rebellious bangs back into place. He was pretty much unknown to people and he was not some little thing that could not easily defend himself like Tanja.

The chilly wind swept up the few fallen leaves, rolling them in the air in front of his eyes before making a grand sweep over to the door. It was at the moment that a blonde boy slipped outside. He got caught up in the breeze and noticeably shivered form the effect, hugging his thin jacket tighter around his self. Ash just watched him for a moment before crossing the street and deciding to follow him. It wasn't the easiest thing to introduce yourself to someone under their circumstances. He didn't really see what was so special about Tanja, yea he was pretty and all but nothing else seem to stand out about, him which only seem to darken Ash's mood.

Tanja had merely needed to pick up a few things from the corner grocery. His body still felt warmed by the lingering touches of Ran. A smile had been painted upon his features; it was hard to believe that from all of this darkness that something so good could have bloomed. He felt his happiness quickly fade however, thinking about Yuto who had been away taken by Juno last night. He looked over his shoulder, noticing a tall boy from behind him; though most people seemed tall to his small stature. Tanja sighed as he pushed open the doors to the store, giving a slight bowing nod to the elderly woman who had been running the shop even before Ran had moved into his place here.

Ashura didn't follow him into the store, he needed a moment to collect his thoughts and try to create some idea of what he was going to say. The cool brick wall gave support to his conflict form, the rough edges digging slightly into his back but his mind was on other issues than a little pain. It wasn't impossible for him just to say, ” I'm Seiya's sub, what makes you so important?” But that made it sound like he was jealous, that he actually wanted to be Seiya's toy; which was hardly the case. Ash had been the victim of circumstance. It was frustrating, it was incredibly frustrating to have to deal with all of this crap. At least his own safety was ensured behind the walls of ice around his soul. Time had drifted as he thought, and now the door was swinging open.

“Thank you.” Tanja called back the woman as he left but he stopped in his steps when he felt a chill run down his back.

The small boy turned his attention to his side and found the source of the chill, a pair of raging blue eyes that had locked on to his form. Tanja had never seen this boy before but it was impossible to deny that a familiarity was present and strong between them. Ashura didn't say anything as he looked at Tanja, he was still looking for what made this boy stand out so well to Seiya and Ran or even how most of Station seemed to be throws into going chaos because of him. He wasn't good at reading people though, a lack of close human experience had caused that defect; so maybe it was something that couldn't be seen by his blue eyes.

“Hello?” Tanja offered the first try of communication, “Do I know you from somewhere?” The question was for both; Tanja was seeking through the many faces he had seen throughout his life to find a match.

“No.” Ash's short reply, “I just know of you.” The voice was not cruel or harsh, merely distant, “I came to see who you were.”

“Know of me? Do you go to Station then?” Tanja slowly took a step closer, curious and incited now as to why this boy wanted to see him. He had ruled out him being some type of thug from Seiya, mostly on the shallow belief that he was far too beautiful to be some type of yakuza thug.

“Yeah…” Ashura felt his voice shake some; he wasn't comfortable with Tanja's curious reaction. He would have thought the small submissive would have run off, he wasn't known for being brave but he was suppose to be rather stubborn.

“I don't think I have ever meet you though, so how do you know about me?” Tanja had taken another step before he was suddenly pushed aside by the taller boy.

Ash had enough of his meeting for now; this was proving more difficult than he had planned. He didn't need anymore prying into his own personal life, the tables had turned to favor Tanja and his answers would not come easy or cheap. Ashura could hear the boy calling from behind him but it did not move him enough to stop and go back; time had been spent enough for now. He quickly hailed a new cab, giving a cold command and was quickly sped off to his place under the roof of Seiya. He didn't think of anything at all as he laid his head back, looking up at the ceiling of old car which had begun to age in the worst ways possible. The smell of stale smoke filled his nose but his mind was not there in the cab, it was back by the small grocery and still watching Tanja Lain.

Tanja sighed deeply, even his quick legs could not catch up to a moving car,” I wonder who that was?” He thought aloud but he would get no answer today. That boy had a something familiar about him, maybe they had met or maybe it was merely his subtle scent that carried a familiar person on him. Tanja could always ask Ran, his Leader knew many more people so it was a possibility but one that he doubted it in the back of his mind.

---------

The strawberry blond watched as Ran cleaned the plates, sucking on the pocky stick he held absently. They had school tomorrow, and he would just ask about the mystery boy then. There was no reason to bring up something that could lead to more angst and drama now, not when things were moving along so peacefully. Ran caught him starring and moved towards him with a slightly worried look on his face.

Oh no, did I look to obvious that something’s bothering me? Tanja wondered, slipping the pocky from his lips. “Um, what?” he asked, pasting on a smile. Ran snatched the pocky from his future Sub, sticking it in his own mouth before walking back to the sink. Tanja flushed indignantly, “That’s gross Ran-chan! That was in my mouth, all covered in spit and everything!” He protested, but the tall brunette laughed.

“So? What do you think kissing is like?” He shot back, the pocky hanging from his lips like a cigarette. The sophomore couldn’t think of a reply, his mouth working about as quick as his brain. He shrugged, snatching another stick as he sat back. He still thought it was gross, and his pout said that easily enough. He sighed, biting off the end of the stick.

“I’ll have to go home tonight. I don’t have my uniform and I’ll need to take a bath anyway.”

“Who said you can’t bathe here?” Ran asked.

“You only have a shower, I want a real bath. And besides… I don’t trust you. You’ll jump me or something and I’m sore enough…”

“There goes that overactive imagination again, using me to indulge your little fantasies.” The senior snickered at the angry blush. “And I know the reason. Daddy’s coming home tonight, right?” He added in a darker tone, scrubbing a plate. Tanja looked down, crossing his arms on the table. “Knew it. Wouldn’t want daddy to know you’re still with me, right? He’d flip again. I don’t get it, damn it… I mean, wouldn’t most parents overlook that their kid’s a Sub for a year or two? I mean, most Subs make it to be Leader, so..”

“He thinks that I’ll just magically become a Leader without being involved. Apparently that’s what he did.” Tanja said, swirling his tongue around the pocky. “It’s no use, I just don’t have it in me. He knows that I think, and that’s why he’s so mad at me all the time.”

“Someone should tell him first grade psychology is not to beat down the ones you want to be strong. It makes’em meek, or snaps them into becoming some kind of psycho killers.” Ran said acidly. He smirked, turning to look at Tanja. “So, which are you?” he asked. Tanja rolled his eyes, smiling a little.

“I don’t know, haven’t figured that out yet.” He said lightly.

“Well, if you snap, do it on Juno or Seiya…not me.” His lover said as he looked back to the sink.

“I’ll be sure to hold myself in check until then.” The blond laid his head down.

“Or your dad.”

“Ran-chan!” His head shot up.

“Well, at least it’d show him you’re not meek.”

“Let’s not talk about him anymore!” Tanja said, becoming increasingly frustrated.

“Fine, fine. Jeez, you’re a hopeless case.”

“I know…” Tanja said, laying his head down again. Ran dried his hands on a towel and walked over, sitting down behind him and resting his head in his lover’s shoulder. They were quiet for a while before Ran broke the silence to change the subject by asking what their schedule was for the day.

They were both well aware that their peace was momentary, and perfectly willing to let themselves be carried away with it. It something tragic happened tomorrow, they would have today to look back on. Things were closing in on them, and Ran felt it more than Tanja did. Things were progressing much more quickly than he had anticipated, and Seiya’s interference was something that had to be dealt with finally. As much as he hadn’t cared at first, and as much as he still didn’t—about the future of Station High—this whole ordeal had become much too personal than he would have liked. It was time for him to do a little rule breaking of his own, and he knew it was going to lead him down the one path that he had never wanted to venture—the path his father had taken long ago once. The path of a real Leader, a non-Yakuza born deviant who took a stand. What had he done it for then, Ran caught himself wondering. His father who fought to the top and bragged about it later, only to take the fall for something so minor. He held Tanja tighter and focused on what the boy was saying.

He had a reason: to protect. If he “saved” the school’s lose morals in the process of removing the threat to this comfortable life with Tanja, then so be it. He was not, and never wanted to be a hero of villains. All that mattered to him was to protect this.

---------

Ash ignored the looks he got as he passed the guards standing by the door. He’d been able to slip out without notice, but there was no need in trying to slip back in this late and hope that no one had noticed his absence. No, Seiya was too strict for that. He slipped off his long coat as he walked into his room, shutting the door and hanging it up. Running his fingers through his windswept hair he headed for the bathroom. Tomorrow would be the beginning of his nightmare, but also the beginning of his revenge. He turned on the hot water and waited for it to get warm before slipping his hair behind his ears and washing his face. It burned, but it felt good. Like an awakening, burning away any doubts or weakness that he had. He turned it off, grabbing a face towel and patting it dry. He looked in the mirror, into his own haunted blue eyes, and saw behind him the face of his torment.

“Hello, Seiya-sama.” He said airily. The water had made his face slightly red, but it felt cool suddenly.

“Been venturing out on your own lately? What’s the matter, getting stir-crazy?” His Leader’s cool voice asked, eyes narrow. He was easy to read, really. Not as easy as most, but his emotion showed clearly on his face whenever something really upset him.

“What’s the matter, Seiya-sama? Even a dog can walk its self.”

“Not without the guidance of its master.”

“My master was asleep, and there was something that I had to do…” he led off as his hair was grabbed, right at the neck so that his head was tilted upwards. He was tall already, so his cheek touched Seiya’s as his Leader hissed,

“Don’t play games with me, Ashura! If you fuck something up when we’re so close… I’ll kill you.” He promised. After all, a Takashi didn’t make idol threats. Ash gave a sigh, a slight hiss of pain across his full lips.

“I wanted to see… the one you couldn’t have. To see… your failure.” He said passively.

“Did you see him?”

“Yes. We saw one another, but we didn’t get aquatinted. There’ll be time for that tomorrow, am I right, Seiya-sama?” He said quietly, moving his body back against his Leader’s solid one.

“Nn. Right… but you could of ruined things!” Seiya reminded, giving a hard pull on his Sub’s hair, enticing another hiss of pain.

“I didn’t. I want this… as much as you do.” He whispered, turning his head despite the pain to press his cold lips to his Leader’s burning ones. Seiya returned the kiss, letting go of Ash’s hair to grab his hips, spinning him around to shove him against the bathroom counter. The edge of it dug into Ash’s lower back, but he ignored the pain as he entwined his tongue with the dark blonde’s. In some ways, the junior felt that he was more powerful than his Leader in this. Seiya gave in so easily that it was almost boring, and all he had to do was make a suggestion. In other ways, he felt the dirtiest and lowest this way.

Was he becoming like his mother, who couldn’t deny what she wanted most, even if it hurt everyone around her? Not able to resist, he found himself inviting Seiya’s brutal and dominating attentions even when he knew they were not necessary for his goal. But then, they kept up appearances, didn’t they? He knew more about his Leader than Seiya himself did, and that was enough for now. He knew how to play him, even if he was getting played at the same time. It was all for his goal, he told himself. And they were so close already…