Title: 'Temporary Escort'

Author: FireDemon

E-mail: Ken_Dai_

Rating: PG13

Category: Original Manga. Action/Adventure-ish, Romance, Fluff.

Warnings: Shounen-ai.

Summary: After the death of his mother sharp-tongued 'pretty-boy', Keiichi Takahashi, finds himself under the temporary escort of local 'playboy', Hikaru Tomikawa, until they reach the Tamashi orphanage - Keiichi's new home.

Disclaimer: I own it. Seriously, the plot and the characters are mine, thankfully they don't live in my head - it's kinda crowded in there - but they did come from there!!! Sorry I get a kick out of saying I own them. The idea for the dream scene was sorta stolen from Luck in the Shadows, it was an accident - I didn't realise until I'd written it.

Chapter One: Chained To You

Keiichi glared at the doorway with rapidly increasing dislike, almost daring Karumi's resident playboy, Hikaru Tomikawa to walk in.

His fierce jade green eyes stared out from under hair the colour of rich dark chocolate. Streaks of sun-kissed honey-gold wound their way through the unevenly cut dark brown bangs; Keiichi was often recognised because of the blond streaks in his otherwise coffee-coloured hair.

His fingers tightened their grip pulling his knees even closer to his chest as he let out a low annoyed growl. Barely a week had passed since the untimely death of his mother, and being the nosy busybodies they were, the townspeople of Karumi, Keiichi's hometown, had decided he needed to be escorted to the Tamashi orphanage. And naturally local hero - and play-boy - Hikaru Tomikawa was the lucky bastard they had chosen as his 'temporary escort'.

Keiichi glared even harder as the door creaked open and Hikaru stepped in. Keiichi loathed Hikaru - it did not matter that he had never met the boy - it was entirely possible to loathe on principle, and for Keiichi, loathing on principle came extraordinarily easily.

The midday sun haloed the boy in the doorway, causing his golden-blond curls gleam like some sort of precious metal. Keiichi mentally sneered; Hikaru was late, and arrogant, and he most definitely was not half as pretty as he seemed to think he was, given that he was still standing in the doorway waiting for a complement of some sort.

Keiichi uncurled himself from the chair and stomped towards the 'hero' irritably, "Are you coming in?"

The taller blond gazed down at him, looking slightly abashed as his deep sapphire blue eyes met Keiichi's own, "You're Keiichi?" He asked.

"Oh yes that's intelligent," Keiichi snorted, "Of course I'm Keiichi. Why else would I be in this dump. You're late by the way."

The blond blinked; then a charming smile spread over his lips, "I'm sorry, if I'd known you were this pretty I wouldn't have kept you waiting."

Keiichi looked up, and up, and up, banishing the blush before it even appeared, "Oh yes, but if I'd been ugly you'd have avoided me like the plague, am I correct?" Keiichi snorted, "Let's get this trip over with playboy. The less time I spend with you the better."

"Hey!" The blond objected, "That's not very nice. Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. How about we start over?"

Keiichi raised an eyebrow, giving the much taller boy his iciest glare, "No."

"I-No?!?" The boy stammered.

"I told you. I don't like you. Leave me alone and we'll get on just fine."

"But - Keiichi!"

"Well? Can we leave?"

The blond stared at him in mildly hurt confusion, "If you don't like me then why did you ask me to escort you?"

"I didn't. The village busybodies did. I haven't had any say in anything yet, despite the fact that I'm easily old enough to take care of myself."

Hikaru examined the petit brunet, "How old are you?"

Keiichi glared at him, dark green eyes icy, "What part of leave me alone don't you understand?"

"I was just-"

"I don't care. I don't want to get to know you. I don't want you to get to know me. I just want this 'journey' over and done with."

Hikaru turned away, silent for a moment, and when he turned back his warm grin was gone, covered by a mask of icy indifference, "Fine. Let's go."

Keiichi nodded, more determined then ever to hate the attractive blond play- boy when he realised he missed seeing Hikaru's contagious grin.

Hikaru held the door open and the still-fuming Keiichi walked silently through the doorway out of the hut.

"You're really going?" Kaori asked, her bottom lip trembling, "For how long?"

Hikaru shrugged, throwing his bag into the back of the wagon and turning back to the pale-lavender haired girl, "I'm not sure. A year maybe?"

Kaoru stepped forward, his silvery-violet eyes anxious, "A year Hikaru?"

"Probably," Hikaru smiled at the twins, "Whatever is the matter you two?"

"We'll miss you," Kaori whispered softly, her violet-grey eyes filling with tears.

Hikaru sighed affectionately, "C'mere, both of you."

Quickly he leaned forward and kissed both twins firmly on their upturned lips. "Now scat brats, before Ida-kun realises your missing and takes it out on your beautiful backsides."

Kaori giggled and turned to leave, while Kaoru remained a moment longer, his windswept silvery blond hair dancing around his face.

"You're not coming back, are you Hikaru?"

"What?"

"You don't like being a hero - Don't think I haven't noticed. I notice everything about you."

"Yes," Hikaru sighed, looking down at the more intelligent of the two twins, "You're right of course. I'm not coming back."

"So you never loved us?" Kaoru's voice was soft, almost heartbreakingly so.

Hikaru's lips pressed into a thin line as he stared at the lovely young boy in front of him, "Kaoru... Just... go. Don't make me say something you don't want to hear."

Kaoru didn't move, "Tell me."

"I never told you I loved you, I never lied to you Kaoru."

"And you never loved me." Kaoru finished softly, "I think I always knew."

Hikaru reached out to touch the pale cheek, but Kaoru jerked away, as if he'd been burnt. Hikaru pulled his hand back.

Kaoru turned as he heard Keiichi approaching the cart watching the dark haired boy through veiled eyes.

"He's pretty."

Hikaru shrugged, "Pretty enough I suppose."

Kaoru felt a smile tug at his features, amusement warring with disbelief, "He turned you down?"

Hikaru shrugged, "...Yes."

Kaoru gave the boy another appraising look, "Then he's smarter then he looks. To have noticed that all you ever bring is pain to those who love you."

"I..." Hikaru began.

Kaoru smiled, leaning forward to brush a kiss against Hikaru's cheek bone, "Until you learn to love yourself, that's all you'll ever bring."

"Kaoru...?" Hikaru asked.

"Goodbye Hikaru." A hint of a smile, and then the silver haired boy was gone.

Keiichi studied his companion out of the corner of his eye. The blond was still sitting next to him; his incredible blue eyes fixed on the horizon as he steered the cart. Keiichi had to admit that he was good-looking, if you were into that kind of thing, which Keiichi most certainly was not.

This was the 'man' who was going to deliver him into some stupid orphanage, the hero of Karumi. He fit the part effortlessly. His hair was the colour of spun gold, and fell in loose ringlets around his face, his skin was a pale golden-caramel colour, and his eyes were like sapphires, he had a strong nose, perfect features. He was tall, almost 6 feet, with broad shoulders and lean muscles. Everything about him screamed hero... born for a purpose.

Keiichi turned away in disgust, making a sound of irritated annoyance, "How much longer before we get there?"

Hikaru's blue eyes flickered to him, the layer of frosty aloofness lay between them like a glacier, "Perhaps a week, more if we run into trouble, it would be less, but we have the wagon."

"Oh." Keiichi replied, hurt lancing through him unexpectedly. It wasn't as if he'd liked having the blond play-boy hitting on him, so why did he miss the seductive smile so much?

Hikaru's eyes flickered to the boy next to him; his gaze softening as he realised the boy - Keiichi - was asleep. His face looked younger still in sleep, the hard lines, and frosty aloofness melted away, leaving him looking strangely vulnerable.

He was so tiny, yet so much older then he looked. He gave the impression of being even smaller then his 5'3 when he was curled up against the side of the cart, and his dark lashes seemed oddly conspicuous against his ivory skin.

Hikaru felt a smile tug at his lips. "Beautiful," He breathed softly. When the little spit-fire was asleep one could almost forget how prickly he was when awake. Hikaru almost wanted to touch the sleeping beauty but turned away before he could.

Keiichi had already turned him down, so it didn't matter that the lithe brunet was entirely his type physically. If the sharp-tongued child didn't want him - if he couldn't see past his bitterness over being Hikaru's ward - then it wasn't worth having a relationship.

Besides, even if he did take the boy's virginity, it just wouldn't be as enjoyable. In terms of gratifying bed-sport, a well-broken partner like Kaoru would provide far more pleasure.

It wasn't as if he loved the boy - or even liked him. It was just curiosity. Despite the scowl and its accompanying glare the boy was pleasing to look at, but that didn't mean he wanted a relationship. Not one bit.

Keiichi was still asleep when Hikaru decided to stop for the night, and the blond-haired playboy couldn't bring himself to wake his companion. It wasn't a gesture of genuine affection for the boy - or so Hikaru assured himself - it was simply that he didn't want to put up with the whining.

He lit the fire leisurely, they could sleep in the wagon so there was no need to unpack anything, he could take his time. He was about to actually start cooking when he heard a noise coming from the wagon.

He strode to the wagon curiously, perhaps the spitfire was finally waking up. Keiichi gave another whimper as he reached the side of the wagon, his face wet from the tears he was shedding.

"Mama... 'Kito, p'ease..." His voice trailed off and Hikaru was about to leave when his hand flung out, "Don't leave me 'kito..." He was crying again Hikaru noticed, "I love you."

Another harsh whimper, this one wracking his body, Hikaru quickly leant forward to grasp the boys slender shoulders, "Keiichi-kun. We're here, are you hungry?"

The dark lashes fluttered open to reveal the unshuttered jade eyes, bewildered distress all too evident, "'Kito?" He rasped.

Hikaru turned away, trying to ignore the slight cloud of arousal the boys rumpled hair and flushed cheeks had produced. "I'm about to start cooking. You really should get up. Are you hungry?"

In seconds the boys' walls snapped back into place, "I'm not hung-" His words were punctuated by a loud growl from his stomach. "I shouldn't eat right now," He amended.

Hikaru stared at the boy, raising one perfectly shaped golden eyebrow, "And why not, kid?"

"I'm in mourning, if those flutterbirds from the village hadn't been so nosy my mourning period would be over, but they were so I still have another two days before I consume anything other than water."

Hikaru shook his head, "Your funeral."

A spark of admiration for the kid still curled in his belly however, he had conviction, and he looked damned cute whilst starving himself.

With an inner growl of annoyance Hikaru turned back to the fire and began cooking his own dinner.

Keiichi sighed turning to gaze out at the forest, the delicious smells wafting from the campfire making his mouth water.

Fiercely he tried to focus on other things, he couldn't show any weakness. It had been bad enough that Hikaru had seen him crying in his sleep.

Jade green eyes fixed on the forest sombrely as he remembered his dream. He could almost see Yukito's slender figure perched on one of the tree's, beckoning him forwards, his crooked grin set in a fine-boned face. Pale golden hair gleaming in the moonlight.

Burying his face in his hands he groaned, "I'm going mad."

'And I mistook Hikaru for Yukito...'

Hikaru looked up for a moment, eyes fixing on his darker haired companion before he sighed and turned away. It wasn't as if the boy needed comforting. He'd made that clear enough.

Hikaru pulled the blanket he'd appropriated tighter around him as he struggled to sleep. Keiichi seemed to have fallen into sleep effortlessly, his back was facing Hikaru, and he was curled on his side like a baby, or a frightened young child.

His eyelashes fluttered somewhere between opened and closed as his mind continued to race. This was useless.

Finally sleep claimed him.

A twig cracked outside the wagon, Hikaru sat up in surprise, his blankets sliding away as he slithered out of the wagon to investigate the source of the noise.

His father raised an eyebrow as he stepped out, clad only in his breeches.

"Hikaru..."

"Father!" His voice cracked childishly.

"I see your taste in bed-warmers is as deviant as it ever was," The words were painfully cold.

Hikaru spun around to see Keiichi, clad only in a blanket draped around his waist.

"Keiichi!" He yelped.

The boy slunk towards him like a... whore.

"Karu-chan?" The boy questioned curiously, tilting his head cutely.

"Karu-chan?" His father repeated disdainfully, "Disgusting. I don't want to look at you."

"Father!"

He struggled against the constricting hold around his arms, Keiichi was holding him firmly, his jade eyes completely unshuttered, filled with a tainted bitter love.

His eyes sprung open as he gasped for air, desperately pulling his arms free from the blankets they'd been caught in.

"Just a dream," He whispered to himself, "It was just a dream."

Keiichi tugged at one of his longer bangs - the silence was beginning to unnerve him - and he hated being ignored. He could feel the tingle behind his eyes that meant he was about to start crying.

"Don't you dare!" He whispered fiercely, biting his fist to stop the tears, unbidden memories seemed to overwhelm him, Yukito's ready smile, his feather-light kisses, his mischievous chameleon eyes. His mother's laugh, her gentle hands cupping his cheeks, the smell of her clothes - like baking bread and whatever herbs she'd been crushing in the kitchen. His father's voice, a soft purring rumble, a distant memory from his childhood.

The tears slipped out, despite his efforts, glistening like crystal, dampening his lashes and sliding down his face.

He brushed them away fiercely, praying Hikaru would not look his way, would not witness his loss of control. "Okay, I'm fine now," He muttered under his breath, banishing both tears and memory.

"Did you say something?" The response came naturally to Hikaru's lips, and he didn't realise until he'd said it that the younger boy did not wish to talk to him.

"No, nothing." The lie was halfway between a gasp and a sob, and Hikaru turned to look at the boy in shock.

His eyes were slightly red from crying and his face looked strained.

"You're... crying," The words seemed wrong, but Hikaru couldn't take them back, "What's the matter?"

"Why do you care?" The reply was bitter.

"I... I'm supposed to be taking care of you."

The words hung in the air, and Hikaru turned back to the front, realising that the boy would not talk to him.

He almost squeaked in surprise when he heard the soft whisper,

"Have you ever been in love, Hikaru-kun?"

Authors Notes: Aw, All done for the first chapter. So, what do you guys think? It's all fluffy and shounen-ai-ish. Next chapter they'll start getting along a little better, so more action. *Gigglz* Anyway, please, please, please review and I'll post the next chapter, if not I won't bother finishing it, I'd hate to waste your time so tell me whether it's worth reading or not.

Thankies! Review Please!!!