Despite the warm sun and gentle breeze that begged for Takumi's attention, he walked with his head down. His heart was too heavy to enjoy the glories of such a summer day. As he stumbled wearily down the heated pavement all he could think of was Manami, the girl who had broken his heart, and broken off their engagement. At that moment in time he didn't think he'd ever get over it. I'll never love again, he thought sappily, every bit the drama queen. With every car that passed he thought of throwing himself in front of it, envisioning his family and friends standing around his coffin, and Manami wailing to be taken instead.

At that same moment, as Takumi walked towards the diner, Kaito Kimura sat in the same booth he sat in five days a week. In front of him was a drawing he'd been working on for a few face focused in concentration on his work. Finally it was just right, he thought, frowning at it. The only thing he felt when he looked at it was a dim sense of finality. It stirred no emotion in him, because long ago he had chosen to forgo emotion in exchange for safety. As if shaken from a dream, he looked at the big clock hanging over the counter,and found that it was already 4:30. Kaito shoved his various art materials into his red binder and began to rush out of the diner. He squeezed out the door just as Takumi Sato made his way in.

All Takumi caught sight of was a blur in a green wind breaker that almost knocked him over as he came in the door. As if I'm not clumsy enough on my own, thought Takumi gloomily as he regained his balance. Still deep in his depressed funk, he made his way to the exact same table where Kaito had sat. He ordered a cup of coffee and told the waitress to, "make it as black as my mood",causing the waitress to hold back laughter as she wrote the order. Takumi reached into his pocket, and pulled out something his sister had given him for his birthday last was a coin that was supposed to bring good luck to its owner. On one side was a dragon, and on the other a falcon. Takumi spoke aloud to the coin, not caring if people thought he was crazy in his funk."Okay coin",he said, "I need a decision and I'm in no place to make it on my own",he sighed, "heads and I stay in school and become a doctor, tails and I quit school, give up on life and mooch off my sister". He flicked the coin across the table top to make it spin ,and watched as it did its dizzy dance, closer and closer to the edge. Until it spun itself right off and rolled under the table.

"Damn", swore Takumi as he chased the coin under the table. He had to get under on his hands and knees and crawl to the furthest corner to find it. Before he could look and see the side it had landed on a piece of paper caught his eye. The sketch Kaito had been working on had slipped out of his binder unnoticed as he rushed to get home. Takumi picked it up to see what was on the other side, and his mouth dropped open. It was easily the most amazing image he'd ever seen. In the picture, an angel fell from heaven, naked, as the flames of hell writhed about his body pulling him down. In bright pastels of red and orange he fell. On the angels face was a look of ecstasy so pure that it was clear that whatever crime he had committed had been completely worth it. Takumi struggled to regain his breath which had been taken completely away by the amazing drawing. He knew right then that he had to know the artist. In his excitement, he grabbed his coin without looking at it, and banged his head on the table as he stumbled to his feet.

He ran to the counter where a waitress was checking her hair in the back of a spoon. "Please",he said, breathless from excitement, as he held out the piece of paper, "do you have any idea who this belongs to?"

"Not a clue",said the waitress shaking her head. Then, turning around, she called out to the older waitress who had brought Takumi his coffee, "Hey Megumi-san, do you know who that picture might belong to?",she said as she gestured to it. The other woman moved closer, squinting at it.

"Sure",she said, nodding at Takumi, "It must belong to that boy. He comes here and draws everyday around 11:30 and doesn't leave until about 4:00. He just sits there drawing for hours. Can't be much older than yourself. Really pretty too, always in a green windbreaker." Takumi remembered briefly the green blur that almost knocked him over. The waitress continued, "I'll give it to him if you like."

"No thanks",said Takumi shaking his head, "I'd rather give it to him myself." With that, he thanked the waitresses for their help and walked out with the picture clutched tightly. As he thought happily of meeting this amazing artist tomorrow, all thoughts of Manami were forgotten.

Takumi didn't sleep much that night, he couldn't stop thinking about the picture tucked away in his drawer. He spent most of the night listening to his roommate Ryouta Tanaka snore loudly in the next room as wistful thoughts of fallen angels and talented artists floated on the horizon of his mind.

When Takumi got to the diner hours earlier than he needed ,he couldn't keep his eyes open. After just 45 minutes of waiting he fell asleep right there in the booth. He awoke with a start when someone bumped into his table, just in time to see a boy in a green windbreaker leave. Takumi scrambled after him as fast as he could, almost knocking over a waitress in his wake. He got outside just in time to see the boy turn into an alley. Takumi ran after him, and in turning the corner almost knocked him over. He stopped short just in time and was left staring face to face with the artist himself.

The boy stood there looking at him looking only slightly annoyed, but more blank than anything, "Why are you following me?",he asked in a toneless voice, as if uninterested in the answer to his question. Poor Takumi could only stare with his mouth hanging open. The waitress had been wrong, the boy wasn't pretty, he was a thousand times more beautiful than anything he'd ever seen. Even his ex-finance, who was admired and drooled over by men and women where ever she went couldn't compare with the boy before him. His skin was smooth and white as porcelain. His nose cut a delicate line down his face. The boys eyes where uncommonly large and a warm brown, framed by impossibly long eyelashes. And his mouth, oh god that perfect mouth. A full, slightly pouty lower lip was enhanced by a curving upper lip that screamed to be kissed. His face was perfected by its heart shape and delicate chin. His hair was in a sweet shag in a mousey brown that was deliciously messy. Takumi also couldn't help noticing the way his t-shirt and jeans clung ever so agreeably to his slight body.

Finally Takumi managed to shake himself out of the spell he had been put in, and as if in a dream, he slowly withdrew the picture from his pocket and held it out. "Is this yours?",he asked thickly, struggling to break free of his stupor.

Kaito looked at the picture and vaguely recalled dropping it yesterday while rushing to get home. The strange boy just continued to stare at him. He was a fairly attractive boy who must have been about Kaito's age. In the middle of the pleasant, and very Japanese face, were two shockingly green eyes. These eyes had a strange effect on him. It seemed as though the boy could see straight into his soul and was examining everything good and bad he found there with loving eyes, rejoicing in every piece of his humanity. Meanwhile, Takumi regained most of his senses and said the first words that came into his head, "your an amazing artist." His words shook Kaito out of his reverie, and he began to back away from Takumi, afraid of the emotions that had overcome him, and of the strange stirring in his heart. A place he had kept mostly numb, for five long years.

"I have to go",he said as he snatched the picture. He turned and ran, his heart still pounding in strange way.

"Wait please",called Takumi, after knowing him, he couldn't let the boy go just like that, "at least give me your name",he pleaded, desperate for something he could not yet define.

"Kaito",yelled Kaito as he ran, unsure way he even did so.

"My name is Takumi Sato",Takumi called back as the name rang like a stricken gong inside his head. His mind still spinning, he stumbled home. A million thoughts chased each other around his brain. The first, was how incredibly attracted he had been to the boy. It wasn't his first experience with desire for the same sex, but the other had been long ago and nothing like this. This part of the experience didn't really bother him. The part that really got to him was the absolute certainty that he had to, somehow, see Kaito again.

When Kaito walked through the door Daichi was already home. He looked up from the papers he was going over as Kaito closed the door behind him. "You're late", he said in his deep velvety voice. He immediately noticed the strange, far off look on Kaito's face, "whats wrong?",he asked, full of suspicion. Kaito snapped himself out of the daze that the odd stranger had left him in.

"Nothings wrong",he lied, shaking his head, "I'm just thinking of what to make for dinner."

"Well," said Daichi, standing up and coming closer to Kaito, "I'm more worried about dessert." He whispered the words, grabbing Kaito's waist and breathing warmly into his ear.

"Let me make dinner first",said Kaito blandly, walking away.

"As you wish",said Daichi sarcastically, as he sat back down, picking up his papers. Kaito, naturally,I gnored the remark, and thought inwardly, no, as you wish Dai-chan. His own thought sent a shock through him. It had been almost bitter, almost resentful. Things Kaito hadn't felt in years by choice. Not to mention the unbidden return of the old endearment "Dai-Chan",which Daichi had forbid him to use long ago. Add them together and it was almost blasphemy. As he began to chop carrots, the boy with the strange eyes came back into his head. He could still see them, so perfectly green and examining, in a loving and sweet way. Not a trace of threat anywhere in them. He was so lost in thought that he almost didn't notice when the knife slipped and sliced his finger. He looked down in surprise at the fresh red blood oozing out of the cut. He barley felt the pain because he was so detached from his own body, it actually took him several seconds to react at all. He opened a drawer and took out a small first aid kit(this not being the first time he'd cut himself).The bandages were all too small, so he ended up wrapping his finger in gauze and medical tape. The job he did was ugly and lumpy, but, as in most things concerning himself, Kaito didn't care.

Takumi slept like a baby that night thanks to a little helper in pill form, courtesy of Ryouta. He was determined not to make the same mistake he almost did yesterday. He would not risk missing his chance again.

He got the diner bright and early just in case, though his feelings weren't any less confusing as they had been the day before, he still knew he had to see Kaito again. He waited for hours, doing his best to nurse a cup of coffee, not giving up hope. It was 1:00PM before he started to despair. He was beginning to curse himself an idiot when, finally, in walked Kaito, more attractive than he remembered.

He didn't know why he had come. Kaito should have known to stay away from the diner for a while, but he just kept seeing those eyes in his head, that face, hearing that voice. Buried deep inside him was the desire to see exactly what he saw, Takumi sitting there looking straight at him. Takumi began to stand when he saw Kaito, and for a moment they just stared at each other, overtaken by that same sense of awe and attraction. "I hoped that you would come",said Takumi, the only thing he could think to say. At his words Kaito lost his nerve and, like a frightened deer, he turned around and ran out the door. "Wait",yelled Takumi after him, as he scrambled to follow, knocking over a cart of dishes. He called out, "sorry",behind him, but didn't look back.

"Wait",he cried as he struggled to catch up with Kaito, who ran like a gazelle across the sidewalk. "Please",he panted as he ran, "I...just...want...to talk!" Without warning Kaito stopped short and Takumi almost ran into him. Kaito turned around to face him.

"Why?",he asked, a little breathless from his flight.

"I honestly don't know",said Takumi shaking his head, "I really don't."

"What do you want from me?" Kaito asked, sounding resigned. He was growing frustrated with the situation. Takumi thought for a moment. It was a good question, what did he want from this boy? Out of the corner of his eye he spotted the park across the street, which gave him an idea.

"Take a walk with me",he said, pointing to the park. At least that would give him more time to think. Kaito only nodded and began to walk across the street towards the park. They walked through the pleasant surroundings side by side. It was a warm summer day, but not unpleasantly hot. As they walked the twisting concrete path that wound its way around trees and picnic benches, they were comfortably aware of each other. There was no awkwardness in their company, as though they'd always known one another .A feeling that, in some ways, was more disturbing than any other.

They had walked in silence a good ten minutes when the path ended at the foot of an old sycamore tree. As if reading one anothers thoughts they both sat down underneath it. Takumi's body tensed up in a pleasant way at being so close to Kaito. Say something, he thought urgently to himself, say anything. "Um, are you a professional artist",was all he could think of. Kaito turned to him and gave him a strange look, half way between longing and frustration. He shook his head and looked back out at the horizon. "Um",said Takumi, feeling horribly awkward, "Tell me something about yourself."

"There's nothing to tell",said Kaito without looking at him. Takumi could see that the boy wasn't going to help make this easier.

"Well",said Takumi, jumping in bravely, "I guess I'll start. Lets see, well I'm 19 and I’m trying to be a doctor. My father was an American, as I'm sure you can tell",he said blushing. "He left when my sister was 7 and my mother was still pregnant with me.",he was suddenly feeling quite candid, he felt as though he could tell this beautiful stranger anything. "My mother died when I was 11 and my sister took care of me. She always was more of a mother to me anyway, than the one who gave birth to me. Her name is Haruka and she's in France right now on an unofficial honeymoon/research trip. Maybe you've heard of her, she wrote The Moon Also Rises. It was on the best seller list." Kaito looked at him, but said nothing. "Uh, that's about it",he said, feeling embarrassed for his narrative, "Oh, and I won a scholarship from Kimura-Arai Electronics, you know, the annual one." His words faltered because Kaito's eyes went wide.

"D..did you say Kimura-Arai Electronics?",he managed to gasp out.

"Yeah, are you all right",he asked, concerned because Kaito was turning A little pale.

"I'm fine",said Kaito, waving away Takumi's concern. That's when Takumi noticed his bandaged finger.

"What happened to your finger?", he asked with a frown.

"Hmm?",said Kaito, looking at his own finger as though he'd never seen it before. "I cut it with a knife."

"Did you bandage it yourself?",asked Takumi still frowning. Kaito nodded. "Its a pretty awful job",he said, then realizing his comment could be taken as an insult, "oh, I didn't mean that",he apologized quickly, "I just meant..."

"I know," said Kaito and for a moment he smiled in spite of himself at Takumi's cute awkwardness. Takumi lost himself in that smile. It was the type of smile that made everything around it fade by comparison. Even the lovely summer day was no match. Then, just as quickly as it had come, it was gone. Still bathing in the glow of the beautiful smile of the beautiful boy before him, Takumi reached into his pocket and took out his small first aid kit that he always carried as a quick fix for his clumsiness.

"Can I fix it for you?",he asked, moving closer to Kaito. "I'm really good. I have a lot of practice." Kaito hesitated for a moment, but he couldn't resist the sudden and fierce desire to be close to Takumi. He timidly held out his finger. Takumi came even closer, until their two bodies were only separated by clothing and a few centimeters of empty space. He gently took Kaito's slender finger and began to unravel the sloppy medical tape. He couldn't believe how amazing it was just to touch Kaito’s skin. Both of them felt a strange energy, almost like electricity, passing between them. It gave Takumi goosebumps and sent a small shiver up Kaito's spine. As slowly as possible, so the moment would last, Takumi removed the bloody gauze, revealing a long cut down the side of kaito's finger, almost deep enough to require stitches. Neither of them dared to say a word and break the spell that had come over them. Takumi placed a fresh piece of gauze over the cut and neatly wound tape around it, he could hear what he thought was just his own heart pounding, but was really both their hearts, beating in tandem. After the bandage was on, Takumi let his hand linger, not wanting to drop the slender perfect finger and lose the beautiful breathlessness that had over taken stared into each others eyes and listened to the pounding of one anothers hearts for what felt like hours, but to the world outside their perfect dream was only seconds.

Finally, Kaito found himself and pulled his finger away, breaking the enchantment. He stood up finding himself dazed and in shock from all the sensations running through him. Takumi stood up too and opened his mouth to speak, but Kaito shook his head and said, "I have to go",as he began to walk away.

"Wait",called Takumi to the boy who was always running away from him, "when will I see you again?". Kaito stopped and stood with his back turned.

"Tomorrow, I'll come tomorrow", he said without turning around. And then he walked away, Takumi watched him go, the touch of the boy's skin still bight in his memory.

"Tomorrow",he said gently, under his breath, "I Wonder if I can wait that long?"

Kaito wandered for a while after he left Takumi, his mind still struggling to go back to functioning normally. His thoughts were muddled and they made him a little dizzy. He just kept feeling Takumi's touch on his skin. After hours of wandering through the city he found himself outside a market. The watch on his wrist read 4:45 and by some miracle, his feet had brought him to a good excuse for being late again. When Kaito got home, Daichi was waiting with a frown on his attractive face. Kaito pretended not to notice and carried the bag into the kitchen.

"Your late again Kai-Chan," he said, still frowning, "Two days in a row, that's not like you." He walked towards Kaito, his arms crossed. "Well?",he asked.

"I wanted to make you something special for dinner",was all Kaito said, in his detached way. Daichi came up to Kaito from behind and grabbed him around the waist in his usual manner.

"I don't want you to be late again",he whispered in his ear. It wasn't a request, and Daichi expected him to do it automatically, without thought. That was how they worked, Daichi and Kaito. Kaito nodded and let Daichi hold him as his hand crept down the front of Kaito's shirt towards the waist band of his pants. Something struck Kaito as odd about Daichi's embrace, though he couldn't figure out what it was. Daichi, meanwhile, leaned over and bit Kaito's neck, hard enough to make the boys eyes water. He didn't cry out because he was used to this type of rough play. "More after dinner", whispered Daichi, who knew that his gestures didn't arouse Kaito, and also didn't care. That's when he noticed Kaito's finger for the first time. Roughly, he grabbed the delicate hand to get a closer look."What’s this?",he asked, his suspicion back.

"I cut my finger", said Kaito shrugging.

"I know that",said Daichi rolling his eyes, "I saw the bandage last night, but its neater now. Who did this? "Daichi saw a strange look pass through Kaito's eyes when he asked this question, it was gone in a flash, but it had definitely been there.

"Last night I was in a rush, so I fixed it today.",said Kaito, turning away and back to the groceries. Daichi stared at his back for a moment and then walked away. He really wanted to believe the lie, so he let the whole thing go, and tried to forget the look in Kaito's eyes. The look had actually been Kaito realizing why Daichi's embrace was so strange. The sight of his finger had reminded him of the way Takumi's touch, and even just his presence, had drawn such a deep physical response from him. Even the erotic way that Daichi embaced him didn't make him feel a thing, it never did. The thought disturbed Kaito because it suggested that he could feel something, which he did not want to do. Even if he could feel something, shouldn't it be for Daichi?

That night was a nightmare for Takumi. He refused any help from Ryouta because it left him hung over, so he spent the night brooding over his confused thoughts. The problem of Kaito was driving him crazy. A problem that was without sense, without reason, and, most of all, without a solution. His feelings towards the boy he barely knew were confusing at best. He tried desperately to sort them out but failed. Lust was certainly one of them, and a strange unexplored Passion. There was so much more, things he couldn't even begin to wrap his head around. As the sun began to rise he finally fell into a fitful slumber, soaked in dreams full of searching shadows and whispered names.

The sun outside his window woke him up at 11:50,after he glanced at his clock and nearly had a panic attack, he threw on random pieces of clothing, and ran down the stairs as fast as he could. He needn't have hurried, because the diner was empty, except for the same two waitresses ,that seemed to be the only two who worked there. In the aggrieved state he was in the waitresses way of looking at him seemed to mock him and his troubles, so he went outside and leaned against the wall. He was there only moments (trying to pull his thoughts together) when Kaito walked up.

Kaito let his feet gravitate towards Takumi. If he stopped to think he wasn't sure what would happen. He had walked out of the apartment the same way, focused on not thinking about the stupid things he was bent on he did,he might just start to panic. When Kaito came near him, much of Takumi's frustration melted away, replaced by that sense of wonder at the way it felt to be near him. A sense not just that Kaito belonged to him, but that he belonged to Kaito.

Kaito felt the effect as well, though he had a harder time putting it into words than Takumi. He was struck hard by the way Takumi looked right now. He wasn't as delicately beautiful as Kaito, or as rawly sexy as Daichi, but he had the kind of good looks you could never get sick of. That nose that was straight, and slightly pointed at the end, the lovely ,full wide mouth, his slightly cleft chin. And of course, those impossibly green eyes. I could look at that face for the rest of my life, thought Kaito. His own notion made him blush.

"I shouldn't be here",he said suddenly, shaking his head, "I should go".Takumi wasn't going to let him run away this time. He reached out and gently, but firmly, took Kaito's arm.

"I'm not letting you run away this time Kaito".He paused to enjoy the taste of saying the name aloud, "We have to figure this thing out, I can't live like this anymore, I don't sleep, I can’t eat, I'll I do is think about you".Kaito stared at him with wide eyes, his own experiences mirrored by Takumi's words.

"I don't know what you want me to do",said Kaito in a meek voice. Takumi didn't know either, but he also knew that they couldn't stand here staring at each other. So for the first time since this whole thing started Takumi turned off his brain, and listened to only his heart. It told him to do the only thing that made any sense. He grabbed Kaito by both shoulders, and gently pulled the boy towards him. Then, without hesitation, he leaned down and kissed him. Kaito didn't fight the kiss, but let himself go to it. They both put every emotion they had caused one another behind the kiss, and the effect was explosive.

The world around them disappeared, leaving only their two beating hearts and throbbing bodies. The furious intensity passing between them burned brighter than ten thousand baby stars. As they kissed, warm tears began to fall from Kaito's eyes, something that hadn't happened in a long time. They weren't tears of pain or sorrow, but of a delirious sense of freedom and joy ,that was really just the melting of his long frozen heart. Something monumental also happened to Takumi as they kissed. He realized, without the shadow of a doubt, that he was absolutely in love with this strange boy. It seems odd to fall in love so quickly with someone you barley know. If love wasn't amazingly strange and extraordinary, we wouldn't crave and treasure it like we do. Thats what makes love the awe inspiring thing that give beauty and meaning to our existence.

When their lips parted neither one could speak, their voices lost to emotion. Takumi gently brushed the lingering tears out of Kaito’s eyes with his finger. Kaito reached up and ,lightly touched Takumi's hand, both of them trying to let their actions speak where words faltered. Unable to take any more of the emotions seeping into him, Kaito turned and walked away. Takumi let him go, still numbed by the realization he just had. As he watched the slender back move away from him, a new sensation began to work its way into his heart. I love him, he thought, the words making him grin. Part of what makes love great is that feeling of pure happiness it brings. The joy of just being in love. It was this awareness that took hold of him, and suddenly he just wanted to laugh, cry, and scream all at once.

Instead, Takumi ran. He ran all the way home,(two blocks)and all the way up the stairs(two fights)and into his bedroom, where he threw himself on his bed and tried to stop smiling. He knew right then that he had to tell someone. There was only one person that he could think to tell (Ryouta would make fun of him and his ego didn't need that right now). So he began a frantic search for the number to Haruka's hotel room. After almost tearing the room to shreds, he finally found it at the bottom of his nightstand drawer. With eager, and therefore trembling, hands he held the receiver as the line to her room rang. After five impossibly long rings, he heard her sweet melodic voice on the other end. "Hello?"

"Hey, its me",he said, as the calm that came after the storm began to take him.

"Takumi? I told you the last time we talked that I would call you tonight. I'm the one paying your half of the phone bill".Takumi found that all the words seemed to have been drained out of him, and was at a loss for several seconds."Hey Takumi are you all right? What’s wrong?", came Haruka concerned voice. Then the whole story poured out of him like he'd been tipped over. Even though it sounded strange to him as he told it, his feelings did not change. "Wow",was all Haruka could say when he had finished. She had heard her little brothers declarations of love many times before, but never had he sounded so passionate and full of conviction. Even from thousands of miles away she could tell that he was really in love, and it was her turn for silence.

"Haruka? Are you there? Stupid phone, I told Ryouta not to throw it at me, damn him! Now its..."

"I'm still here",she said shaking herself, "I'm just a little stunned and, very happy for you." Takumi had never heard his sister talk this way when he'd made other proclamations of love. "I always knew you weren't in love with that Manami girl".This statement really confused Takumi.

A shock went through Takumi’s mind. Manami? He had forgotten her completely. Did he ever really love her? No, he had never even known what real love was until he had kissed Kaito’s perfect lips.

"You are a passionate person Taku-Chan, but I always suspected that you were in love with the idea of love. This time I can sense the difference just by your voice and words." Takumi decided to brood over her comment later, because a new concern had hit him.

"The problem is that I don't know what I should do now. Should I just keep my vigilance the diner?"

"You said that you think this boy feels something for you right? This time let him come to you. If your feelings are reciprocated he will find you."

"How long should I wait?"

"You have to be patient Taku-chan. I know it doesn't come easy to you, but you have to try."

"I will, but it will be hard."

"Love is never easy Takumi“, said Haruka as she glanced behind her at the gently snoring for of her husband,“that is what makes it so worth while."

The weekend turned out to be hard for both of them. Kaito spent Saturday with his head still spinning from the kiss, not to mention trying to deal with all the emotions seeping back into his heart. It is like when your foot is asleep and goes numb, the sensation of it coming back to life is painful, but it has to be done. He didn't put his feelings in order until Sunday evening when Daichi was kissing him agressivly. Normally, he was so numb he didn't even notice Daichi’s embrace, but on that night something extraordinary happened. His thoughts turned to Takumi and he found himself mentally tracing his face, and body, and slowly recalling every moment they had spent together. Just thinking about him was enough to excite him to some degree, something that had not happened the entire time he had lived with Daichi. Enough so that he even kissed Daichi hard back, imagining him to be Takumi, and suprising them both. His thoughts weren't even of a physical nature,but it was enough. That's when Kaito realized for the first time that he was in love.

Takumi spent his weekend in agonized waiting. He was unaware that Daichi was always home on the weekend, and therefore Kaito couldn't get away, so he was sure that his sister’s advice had been wrong. He went to bed Sunday night depressed, with a headache and a sore throat.

He awoke Monday and knew as soon as he opened his eyes that he was sick. His throat was burning now and chills ran up and down his flesh. He lay in bed moaning as he grasped this knowledge, an alarm went off in his head as he remembered his shared kiss. What if he got Kaito sick? In a haze of fever he tried to dress himself as the situation grew in his mind. Trying to locate his socks he was imagining Kaito on his death bed, trying desperately to call out Takumi's name. He was just about to abandon socks altogether when there was a knock on the door. He angrily thrust the door open (thinking Ryouta had lost his keys again) moaned, and stumbled to the couch when he saw what was on the other side. "Great",he said aloud, "Now I'm hallucinating."

On the other side of the door was Kaito, dressed in his green wind breaker and smiling at Takumi. He followed him inside, puzzled by his actions. Not exactly the response he had expected, he would have understood if Takumi had been angry with him, but why was he calling him a hallucination? When Takumi didn't look up he came closer. "Whats wrong",he asked, becoming more distressed by Takumi's behavior by the moment.

"I'm sick and I'm hallucinating and your not real",said Takumi, sounding pouty, "why does my imagination have to be so cruel and tease me with the thing I want most?" Kaito reddened a little, but came closer and put a hand on Takumi's forehead. The soft, cool touch made Takumi look up in surprise.

"You’re sick",said Kaito, frowning, "your burning up." Takumi didn't answer because the situation was getting stranger and stranger. Can you feel a hallucination? Meanwhile, Kaito was gently pushing him down on the couch. "Lay right there",he said softly, "and I'll make you something warm to drink." Takumi did as he was told, too dizzy and confused to fight it, or even think about it. He lay on the couch trying to get a grip on the sense of unreality that enclosed him. He was unsure how long it had been, when Kaito returned with a steaming cup in his hands. He told Takumi to sit up for a moment, then he positioned himself on the couch so that Takumi's head was in his lap when he lay back down. Unsure quite how it had happened, Takumi found himself staring up at the lovely face. Kaito helped him to drink the tea, which instantly soothed his throat. Surprised by its effectiveness he asked what was in it. "Its a secret recipe of my own",said Kaito smiling sweetly at him "I use it when Daichi gets sick (the name went right over Takumi's head), it should help with your throat". Kaito placed his soft hand on Takumi’s warm forhead, and began to hum softly under his breath in a light, pure tone.

"I don't care if this is a dream",said Takumi suddenly, "I hope it lasts forever."

"I hope so too",said Kaito sadly, as he began to stroke Takumi's hair, "I really do." Takumi decided to forget the question of reality all together and gave himself over to his greatest wish come true. He fought against the ropes of sleep that threatened to tie him down, afraid that if he gave in the moment would be lost. Kaito sensed his struggle and said, "Sleep, its the only way you'll feel better, I promise that I'll be here if I can when you wake up. "Takumi didn't believe him, but let himself drift anyway. He was dancing on the edge of sleep when a thought lazily flitted into his mind.

"How did you find where I lived?",he asked finding the words hard to get past his heavy tongue.

Kaito leaned down and said close to his ear in a whisper: "Its easy when your father is Kento Kimura." By the time the words hit Takumi's ears he was already asleep.

He awoke several hours later from a pleasantly dreamless sleep. At first he couldn't remember anything at all, even how he'd gotten on the couch, but slowly it all came back to him. The memory of a silky cool touch and that captivating face looking down at him brought it all back. He felt someone stirring on the end of the couch and sat up smiling, only to end up moaning and laying back down when he found out that it was only Ryouta watching a baseball game. "It was only a dream", he said out loud, miserable. At his words Ryouta began to laugh. "What, you mean your little lover boy? No, he's very, very real." Takumi sat up straight so fast his head spun.

"What are you talking about?",he asked urgently. Ryouta leaned forward and picked up something off the coffee table, handing it to him. It was a thermos (Takumi's own) full of liquid, with a note attached to it. He read the note with shaking hands:

Takumi,

Drink the rest of this when you wake up for your throat. Iam sorry I had to leave before you awoke ,but I couldn't be late again. Iam sure you probably think by know that I'm a vampire and have to be in before dark. I promise to explain everything to you tomorrow,. Please be patient.

Love, Kaito.

Takumi's heart clenched in the most incredible way at the word love written in the neat hand. The word would have seemed like an ordinary goodbye to anyone else, but to him it meant so much more. Annoying laughter interceded on his happiness. He looked up and glared at Ryouta, "What’s so funny?"

" Be sure to drink your tea",he said through giggles. "That's a sweet boy you got there, you better hang on to him."

Takumi crossed his arms, "So what if I'm in love with a boy?",he said defiantly, "I don't care what you think." This only made Ryouta laugh harder.

"You think I care?",he said grining, "I was your first kiss anyway, remember?" It was true, Ryouta had been the first, and only (up until Kaito),guy he had ever kissed. It was when they were about 14,and Takumi had just had his heart broken for the second time in two months. They were at Ryouta's house and Takumi was pouring his heart out to him in a particularly pathetic and adorable way. To shut up his lamentation, Ryouta did something he'd wanted to do for a while, he leaned over and kissed him. Takumi just let him, he had actually wondered what it might be like to kiss Ryouta for some time, and it definitely wasn't terrible. However, it was just a spur of the moment thing and they decided (very maturely) not to do it again in case it ruined their friendship. The whole experience only ended up bringing them closer as friends.

"Then why were you laughing?",Takumi asked.

"Because, you idiot, your’re in love.",said Ryouta.

"So?"

"Come on Takumi, we've known each other for how many years? And how many times have you been 'in love' (he made air quotes around the words). Even with Manami I knew you were in love with the idea, not the girl. Me and my Haru-Chan (Ryouta had always had a major crush on Takumi's sister, so much so that he sat on the couch for a week without moving when she got engaged) even had a talk about what we would do if you went through with the wedding. We were both relieved when she called it off. I'd always wondered when you'd really fall in love. Though this", he said laughing again, "wasn't quite what I expected."

Takumi was dumb struck by these words and anger filled him. "Why the hell didn't you tell me if you knew I wasn't in love with Manami. I almost made a huge mistake." Cold fear filled him at the thought, if he'd married Manami he would never have met Kaito. He'd only known him for a few days, but already he couldn't imagine a life without him. "I can understand Haruka not telling me, she's my sister, but your’re my best friend, that’s exactly the kind of thing your supposed to do."

"Jeez, calm down",said Ryouta, shaking his head, "no girl had ever said yes to you before, I didn't want to ruin your happiness." Takumi felt bad for his anger, Ryouta and his sister loved him and they just wanted him happy.

"I'm sorry",he said sincerely,"Its been stressful couple of days."

"Don't worry",said Ryouta, "Haruka filled me in. Just don't get too worked up and have a heart attack or something, because if you die I'm stealing your boyfriend. I don't know how you ended up with someone that gorgeous." I don't know either, thought Takumi happily. It must be some kind of miracle.

When Daichi got home from work that day he found something was staring out a window and smiling. Even worse, he was singing. Kaito had had a nice voice since he was young, and used to sing constantly as a way of escape. This habit had stopped once he had moved in with Dachi, and he no longer needed escape. And Daichi intended to keep it that way. He slammed the door behind him as hard as he could, making the walls shake, and startling Kaito. Kaito got up and walked towards him, still smiling ignored the door slam, Daichi could have his moods." Hello Daichi",he said cheerfully, not realizing his mistake, "What do you want for dinner I thought maybe we could order in." Daichi didn't say a word,I nstead he grabbed Kaito roughly by the arm and wrenched it behind his back, pushing it up so, as to hurt him. Kaito gasped in shock and pain, "Please Daichi, your hurting me!"

"Your up to something",said Daichi, his voice dangerously low, "I want to know what it is now!"

"Nothing! I'm not doing anything, I swear!",gasped Kaito, "Why would I do anything if everything I need is right here? I promise Daichi!" Daichi let his arm go from behind his back, but didn't loosen his steely grip. Kaito didn't bother to fight back, Daichi was a hundred times stronger, he worked out religiously, not to mention that he was naturally bigger than Kaito, most men their age were. "You shouldn't forget all I've done for you Kaito, I've given you everything you wanted, you should be damn grateful."

"I am",said Kaito, relieved that Daichi was calming down, "you're all I need."

"Good",said Daichi, finally releasing his arm, "but just in case you forget, here's a reminder." He swung back and punched Kaito in the face, sending him sprawling to the ground. It felt like a freight train had collided with his head, and for a moment all he could see were glowing points of light on a midnight shore. When he regained his senses Daichi was not in the room, and Kaito could hear the shower running. He sat on the floor trying to process what had just happened. Daichi had never hurt him before. Even in play he never so much as left a bruise. Tears brimmed in Kaito's eyes as he realized that everything had just changed.

Takumi spent four hours in a state somewhere between anxiety and joyous anticipation. Time seemed to move slower as he waited for Kaito, but even the waiting was nice. He was day dreaming what it might be like to come home to Kaito’s smiling face everyday when he got home from school, when there was a knock on the 's heart skipped a beat and he floated(so it seemed to him)to open it. However, when he saw Kaito on the other side his heart dropped.

"What the hell happened?",he asked, his heart pounding with concern, and also with anger at whoever had dared lay a hand on the boy he loved. Kaito's eye had turned a sick yellowish purple from Daichi's blow yesterday.

"Its good to see you too.",he said,smiling sadly. That smile just about broke Takumi's heart in two. On impulse he reached out and pulled Kaito close to him, Holding him as tightly as possible as if the embrace could protect him. They stood like that for a while, sinking into the sweet perfection that it was to hold one another, both feeling the most sublime sense of belonging. It was as though they had been searching for something all their lives and had just found it here, in each others arms. When they pulled away they were both smiling, but Takumi's smile vanished when he looked again at Kaito's swollen eye.

"Please tell me who did this",he said through gritted teeth, trying to control his anger, "I have to know."

"I will",said Kaito, overcome by his love for this man who wanted to protect him, "I promised I would, remember?" Takumi did, of course, he had reread the small note about fifty times. He had it memorized. Kaito slipped his fingers between Takumi's and led him to the couch, and they both sat down. He tried to begin, but found the words stuck in his throat. Takumi sensed his trouble and pulled him to his chest for comfort. Kaito wrapped his arms around Takumi's waist and leaned his head on his chest. Takumi marveled at the comfort they both felt in such an embrace after knowing each other only days. It just seemed so natural to hold Kaito, he made a silent prayer right then and there that he'd never have to let go. In this position, almost a physical expression of their love, Kaito told his story.

"My full name",he began, "is Kaito Kimura. Kento Kimura of Kimura-Arai electronics Co. is my father." Takumi made a small gasping sound and looked at Kaito wide eyed. "Yes,the same company that gave you your scholarship. That's how I found where you lived".Takumi didn't say anything, he just wanted to listen, to know everything possible about the boy he adored. Kaito continued, "I am my parents second child, and my brother Ichiro is the heir to the company and the prodigal son." There was slight bitterness in his voice when he said this. "My parents weren't expecting me to be born at all. They already had one son, one who showed great potential, and they had no problem calling me an accident right to my face. Although, at least when they insulted me they were paying me attention.

"The moment I was born I was handed off to a nanny. For the first four years of my life I thought the nanny was my mother, until they took her away, of course. Then I was just alone." Kaito paused as the old memories came back to him, things he'd tried very hard to forget." School started and things got worse. I was never anything but average and my parents expected perfection. An A was disappointing, an A- unforgivable. The only thing I was really good at was art, but my father called it a waste of time. I think I was about seven when they gave up on me and forgot I existed."

Kaito stopped to draw together the words for the next part of his story. Takumi said nothing still, only held him tight and let him find the courage. "Then one day",he continued, "Something happened that changed my life. I was eight when my father’s partner, who had been living in America, came back to Japan with his wife and twelve year old son. They moved in right across the street from us. That was when I met Daichi Arai. I was very lonely. My parents ignored my existence, and my big brother, who was the same age as Daichi, resented my existence. I'm still not sure why, but for some reason he always had nothing but spite for me. That's why Daichi made such a difference in my life, my brother and him where rivals, their fathers pushing them, and they were too different to get along. Daichi was the first person who ever wanted me. He didn't just let me tag along, he asked me to follow him. He became my world very quickly, and I loved him more than anything on earth.

"We had four sweet years together, the four happiest years of my life, before he was sent off to boarding school. The day he left I thought my heart would break. The old loneliness returned to my heart with a flaming fury that burned through me. It was a lot worse now that I'd had a taste of love. I was more miserable than ever". Kaito stopped and shivered at the memory of those horrible years. Takumi felt the chill pass through him and pulled him closer, burying his face in the top of Kaito's head. The gesture was enough to pull him through his weighted memories and continue.

"My parents refused to send me to public school, and insisted on a tutor for me instead. I was never even given the chance to break my loneliness. Those two years were the worst of my life, I only survived them with the help of art and music, my two escapes. Finally, one day Daichi came home. I was so excited that I could barely stop from throwing myself into his arms. My heart nearly broke when he only nodded a cold hello to me and went to talk to Ichiro. I refused to leave my room for a week after that. Just as I was honestly contemplating suicide, someone knocked on my bedroom door. It was my Dai-Chan! He instantly gathered me in his arms, and told me he was sorry for acting so cold. He explained that our fathers had become suspicious of our relationship and we had to be careful.

"I broke down and told him how miserable I'd been without him. I cried for an hour in his arms. When my tears stopped coming he said, 'Poor Kai-Chan, look how miserable you are. Your loneliness causes you pain doesn't it?' I nodded. 'I can protect you from that pain and emotion, from all emotion if that's what you desire. Is it?' I needed what he was offering too much then too see how much he'd changed. I just knew that he was the only one who could take away my pain. I told him that I'd do whatever he asked if he helped me. 'All I ask', he said, 'is that you give yourself over to me completely. Let me make all your decisions ,and I promise I'll make the pain go away'. I agreed that I would do whatever he told me to. Then he said he needed proof of our deal and I willingly gave him my body in exchange for freedom from my pain."

"Oh, Kaito",breathed Takumi, his loves sad story tearing him to pieces, "he took advantage of you! Exploited your misery." A lump caught in Takumi's throat, he couldn't bear the thought of this sad, beautiful boy being manipulated like that. Kaito sat up and put his arms around Takumi's neck.

"I was 14 by then and I knew what I was doing. It was my choice, I choose freedom from my emotions over the sanctity of my body. After that", he continued, to stop Takumi's next objection, "I let him rule me. He told me what to do, and I got to lose the grip of my self awareness, which led to the numbing of my emotions. I thought they were gone for good, but you, Takumi, have shown me that they were only frozen. About a year later Daichi got his own apartment and began to work for our fathers. He told me to move in with him, and I did. I told my parents that I was going away to boarding school. They either believed the lie, or just didn't care, because they let me go without a word. I haven't seen them since. I write them letters occasionally, when Daichi tells me to, but they don't respond. I finished high school, at Daichi's instruction, through an independent program last year. And that's really everything, until ",Kaito smiled at Takumi, "I met you."

"That doesn't explain your eye",said Takumi, frowning. Kaito's smile vanished and he told Takumi what happened last night.

"Daichi knows I'm up to something, I never realized how dangerous he was until he hit me. I know now that he'll do anything to keep his hold on me, and if he finds out about you I don't know what he'll do. I can't risk putting you in danger. That's why",Kaito took a deep breath, "we can't see each other again." His words seared Takumi like a hot knife. A panic unlike anything he'd ever felt ran through him.

"I can't do that Kaito",he said, grabbing the boys hands, "I'm in love with you. I can't live without you now! There is no life without you!" Kaito only shook his head.

"Don't say anymore and make this harder. You will be fine I know you will. You'll move on and become a wonderful doctor and find someone worthy of your love. As for me, I'll wake up every morning and know that just for a moment someone as wonderful as you loved me, and that's more than I could ever hope for." Takumi's love for Kaito overwhelmed him at these brave words, so he threw his arms around him and kissed him with every drop of emotion in his heart.

When he let go he looked Kaito in the eyes, "lets run away",he said, more plea than suggestion,” We’ll get out of here, out of Japan, my sister will help us, she’ll..."

"I can't",said Kaito, cutting him off, "I won't leave Daichi, he's not a bad person, he's just sick. All his life his father has put pressure on him. He's not like Ichiro, he's too sensitive. He only controls me because I'm the only thing in his life that he can control. If I leave he'll be all alone, I'm the only one who understands him."

Takumi looked at him like he was crazy, "Wait, I thought you were afraid of him? He hurt you Kaito!"

"I know", said Kaito, "but it was just an act of desperation when he thought I might leave him. As long as I'm there he'll be fine, and most importantly, he'll leave you alone. I don't think he would hurt you physically, but his father is one of the richest and most powerful men in Japan. If he found out who you were he could destroy any chances you have of becoming a doctor. I won't let that happen.” He sighed, "I know he really needs me."

Takumi moved away from him and crossed his arms, "what about me", he said sulkily, "I need you."

Kaito moved towards him, "You'll be fine", he said softly, "you have your sister and your roommate Ryouta, and many others, I'm sure. Besides, even if I'm gone, you'll always have me. You'll have me forever Takumi." Takumi felt ashamed for pouting. Kaito was willing to sacrifice his life for another person. God, he was so incredible. Takumi didn't think it was possible for him to love him more than he did at that moment. He reached out and stroked the boys cheek lightly with his finger tips, the touch bringing a real smile to his face. That smile, the one that put to shame every star in heaven, was all Takumi needed. He knew he could never let Kaito go.

"Please",he said, his voiced hushed, "give me some time to think of something. Just a few days." Kaito could no more deny this request than deny oxygen to his lungs. He gladly took the opportunity to spend a few more precious days with the boy who had become his heart.

Kaito nodded, "Until the weekend, that's as long as I can give you. Daichi expects me to spend it with him, and I need a decision by then." Takumi nodded and looked down at his hands, his heart sinking, so little time to find a way to spend the rest of his life with someone. It felt impossible. Kaito hated the look on Takumi's face, the sadness in the downcast green eyes, that he himself had put there. He leaned across Takumi's body and lifted up his chin, "Please don't be sad",he said softly. This time however, the closeness of Kaito's body drew a different kind of response from Takumi. He felt that ever lingering, burning desire float to the surface. It was so intense that it made his whole face turn bright red. Kaito sensed this change of mood in Takumi, and was pleased to find his own body responding similarly. He leaned down to kiss him, but Takumi turned his head aside, despite the hunger that burned through him.

"I don't want you to do anything just because its what I want, then I'd be just like him.",said Takumi. Kaito was over taken by a fierce wave of love for Takumi that threatened to knock him over, because of his sweet words, and beautiful heart. He swooped down and kissed him urgently, burning with love and desire. When they had to come up for air Kaito said, "I never wanted anything more than I want this." Those words and the conviction and eagerness in Kaito's eyes was enough for Takumi. Their two bodies became one. It was not just that they were two bodies as one, but two hearts and two souls becoming one entity. It became more than just a physical act, because at last they both felt a faultless sense of completion. A hollow place, that neither one had been aware, that lived inside their hearts was sealed, and the loneliness that lurked inside them was, for the first time, completely banished.

They lay together for some time, not wanting it to end, and trying not to admit to themselves that it had to. All they wanted was one moment of perfect ignorant joy. The first peace they'd known since meeting some seven turbulent days earlier. But all fantasies must come to an end, and Kaito tenderly broke Takumi's grip on him. Takumi watched him lovingly through half open eyes. My Kaito, he thought happily, my lover. The word lover brought a grin to his face, tasting so sweet that he wanted to scream it until his voice broke. Kaito turned around in time to catch this happy smile, and responded to it with one of his own. "You could help me you know",he said, happily, "I really need to get home."

Takumi ignored the comment, and dragged himself from his warm happy haze to help search for their clothes. Still, he wasn't quite ready to let the cruel reality of their situation intrude on their happiness. Instead, they both slowly dressed, letting their shared moment of wonder and passion linger in the air, like the clean scent of freshly cut grass. When they were both fully clothed and could no longer deny the chill breath of reality breathing down their necks, Takumi walked Kaito outside, not wanting to miss a single moment that he could spend with his love. When they got to the sidewalk they both lingered in an embrace for as long as they could, until, finally Takumi broke his silence. "Please be careful Kaito, I can't convince you not to go back for your own sake, but if anything happens to you I will die. I'm begging you to be careful around that maniac, but if you have any sense at all you'll stay here with me. We can be together, you and I, safe and happy." Kaito didn't respond with words, he only smiled sadly, gave Takumi one last lingering kiss, and walked away, leaving Takumi to wonder fearfully what condition the boy would be in the next time he saw him. If there even was a next time.

Daichi watched with a twisted smile as the two boys held each other and kissed. He had only pretended to go to work that morning, and instead had follow Kaito to see just what his little toy was up to. As he had waited hours in the shadow of the apartment building, he had never expected to see this as his reward. He had known Kaito was doing something he wasn't supposed to, but this was not what he had expected. A lover? The devouring rage that filled his mind would have made most people stupid and eager, but Daichi felt a calm come over him as he began to imagine his sweet revenge. He was chasing corrupted shadows of vicious acts to visit upon his pretty plaything, when he realized that he knew Kaito's lover from somewhere. He had seen these shocking green eyes before, but it took him a moment to recall the place and time.

Then, like the heat of the summer sun, it hit him. He had seen him at the ceremony for the annual scholarships the company gave out last year. The boy had almost knocked over an entire banquet table when he stood up to receive his scholarship. Daichi had looked up at him (as did every one else in the room) and was taken by those eyes. He found the boys bumbling cute as well, and decided to have a little fun with him, and make him a short term toy, as he often did with boys who caught his eye. But when Daichi had gotten close enough to look him directly in the eyes, he was taken by the feeling that the boy could see right through him. Every wicked thought, and, even worse, every weakness, were expose in the emerald gaze. The feeling disturbed him so much that he only shook hands wordlessly and walked away. This memory, however, only sweetened his plans and awoke fun new thoughts for him to savor, like something fresh and sweet in his mouth. He called a cab and went to Kimura-Arai's headquarters to find all the information available on Takumi Sato. What he found there only made him happier than ever. According to the files Takumi had been engaged to Manami Kuroda. A woman that Daichi knew a great deal about.

Daichi found Ichiro Kimura's office door partly open, and he could hear busy typing coming from inside. Aww Ichiro, he thought, always so diligent. Inaudibly, he entered the office, careful not to be heard. He liked to see, and then choose when to be seen. Ichiro was always working, bent on earning his fathers approval since he was old enough to speak. How mindlessly he bowed to his fathers will, doing exactly as he was supposed to. His father told him to get A's in school and he did. His father told him that Daichi was his rival and he made it so. And his father told him to marry the outrageously pretty girl chasing him and his money, and he didn't hesitate. He was such a tool, and it was long since past the time when the tool should be in Daichi's hand.

Daichi cleared his throat and made his presence known. Ichiro looked up and frowned at him, and then looked back down at his computer screen. "What do you want?",he asked annoyed. Inwardly, Daichi laughed. What a fool, how easy this would be. "Ichiro, we've known each other for 12 years",he began, jumping right in, "and in that time our fathers have pushed us both to be rivals, when its clear how much stronger we could be together. I think the time has come for us to put aside our fathers wishes, and join together to become more powerful than they could ever hope to be." Ichiro leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

"You want us to work together huh? I suppose you had some sort of revelation? What do you really want Daichi? Stop playing around, and tell me."

Daichi gave his best seductive smile, and was rewarded when Ichiro shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Daichi knew what he really wanted. Ever since they were young Ichiro had desired him. He had finally figured it out when they were both in boarding school, and he realized that those looks Ichiro gave him had something more sinful beneath the trained rivalry. He had been carefully holding on to this knowledge to use at just the right moment, and this was the perfect time. He approached Ichiro's chair, running a finger slowly along his desk. "I think",he said softly, "We could be partners.",he drew out the word to emphasize its double meaning. Ichiro licked his lips nervously as his eyes ran the length of Daichi's body. Daichi came closer and leaned over him, so that their bodies were inches away, making Ichiro break into a sweat. "What do you say?",he asked, running his hand down Ichiro's chest.

"What.. what do you want from me?",he asked again, this time looking to make a bargain.

"Its simple",said Daichi, straddling Ichiro's lap, "I just need a few easy favors. The first is for you to call your finance and tell her to help me on a project I'm working on. She won't do it without your blessing, at least not until she owns half of your money." To help along Ichiro's decision, Daichi kissed him hard.

"I'll do it", Ichiro gasped,"Its a deal!"

"I thought you might say that",said Daichi smiling. He stood up and held his arms away from his body, "All yours",he said, grinning like a madman. How easily everything was falling into place.

Manami looked like a goddess in her white string bikini, and she knew it. She was well aware of her stunning face and perfect body. The exact ideal of Japanese beauty, complete with wide, dark eyes, a full mouth, and lots of impossibly long, shiny black hair. She had always known she was destined for greatness, and, to her, greatness meant wealth, and lots of it. When she was young, growing up middle class with a sales man for a father, she had dreamt of unknown relatives dying and leaving behind an inheritance. When she was about 14, she began to notice the way men looked at her. That's when she realized could marry someone rich, and live like a queen. It had only been a matter of finding the right man ,and now he had come along.

At that moment she was sunbathing at the exclusive country club that her status as the future Mrs. Ichiro Kimura allowed her to enjoy. A hapless, but attractive, pool boy tried to clean the pool and stare at her at the same time. She threw him a teasing glance every once in a while, half the fun was the tortured look on his face as he tried so hard not to jump her right then and there. He might provide her some extra entertainment later tonight if he was a good boy.

A few feet away, Daichi watched her game with amusement. He liked Manami, who was like himself in some ways, though she always put too much stock in luxury, when power was of real importance. He began to grow sick of her game after a few minutes, and walked towards her so that his shadow fell over her body, blocking her sun. She frowned and looked up, ready to tell off some impertinent waiter, but when she recognized the sharply handsome features, she sat up and gave a radiant smile. "Daichi! To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Daichi returned the smile with a luminous one of his own, "I assume that your finance called and informed you of my impending visit?"

"Of course",she nodded, "but I hadn't expected you so soon. No matter, lets go get a drink and you can tell me about it." She extended a finely manicured hand to him and he helped her out of her chair.

As she slipped into her sundress, Daichi pointed to the still staring, now frowning, pool boy. "What about your little friend over there? You might want to give him some future instruction as to your whereabouts." She laughed (a pleasing sound, like small bells) and nodded. Daichi waited as she walked over and whispered a few words to him, slipping a piece of paper into his hand. She came back to Daichi laughing again, and slipped her arm into his.

"I told him you were my husband",she said as they headed towards the bar, "I wanted to see if he had the guts to take my offer with you standing here." Daichi laughed at this bold move, if ever he had to marry a girl ,this is the one he'd want. One who understood the way it worked, a mutual agreement of freedom for both parties. Even with Manami, marriage was still not an option for Daichi, he was perfectly happy with the way things were now.

They both ordered cocktails and Daichi got down to business. "Manami, I've come to ask a favor of you concerning a certain associate of us both." Manami crossed her shapely legs and leaned in to listen. "I'm afraid I've run into some trouble with a toy of mine, one in the permanent collection, and I need to teach him a lesson. As it turns out, the lover of my toy is your former finance, Takumi Sato."

Manami raised a perfect eyebrow, "Is that so? What a coincidence!" She felt very put out by this news, she had only dumped Takumi two months ago, and he should be still pining over her. "I can't believe he's found another girl already.",she said in a whinning voice.

"Girl?",said Daichi, "Who said anything about a girl? My plaything is a boy. Pretty? Definitely, but he's absolutely male."

"A boy!",said Manami horrified, "he's forgotten me for a boy!"

"That's the thing my dear“, said Daichi grinning, "I doubt very much that any boy could get over you. Someone with your beauty is impossible to forget, even my Kai-Chan can't compare. That's why I want you to go back to Takumi ,tell him it was all a mistake and you want him back. Then, when Kai-Chan's little heart is breaking, dump the boy again, this time make him even more miserable, I want both their hearts aching before I turn the pain on their bodies." He smirked and looked at Manami who was getting a contact high off of his excitement.

"So I crush Takumi, and watch while he struggles in pain, This time he won't forget me so easily." She smiled, a grin so purely malicious that it distorted her features, making her repulsively ugly for the few moments it lived on her face. Then it was gone and her beauty restored as she smiled happily at Daichi. "I'll be happy to do it. You know I only agreed to marry the little worm because his sister is a rich author. But Ichiro came along and I discovered how much better I could do",she leaned close to him and whispered at her seductive best, "How about we seal the deal Dai-Chan." Daichi shuddered inwardly at the nickname, Kaito's old endearment for him, and shook his head.

"Another time perhaps, but not right now I've got to much to do. Though normally I do prefer my own gender, for you I'd make an exception." He stood up just as his cocktail arrived. He ignored the drink and bent down to kiss Manami on the cheek. "Stay angry, my dear, let it feed you and drive you, and you will always win." These words he whispered into her ear, and left her staring in admiration as he left. Manami was young and impressionable, and he knew that he had just gained a loyal follower.

Takumi proudly chopped onion into fine shreds, breathing in the intoxicating odor of the meal he was preparing. When he was young and Haruka had been taking care of him, Takumi had been the official cook of the house, because she was always working. He was quite proud of his skills in the kitchen and wanted to share them with Kaito. That was the thing about love. He wanted to share everything with Kaito, every recipe he knew, every fact he learned, and every good and bad thing that lay in his soul. Most of all he wanted to share every single day with him, every moment of time. All the experiences good and bad until the day he died. Takumi tried to think about this wish happily, but fate still hung over his head like a pendulum and still he had no idea of how to escape it.

There was a knock on the door and Takumi practically hurled himself towards it in excitement, nearly taking down the T.V. in the process. But when he opened it Manami stood on the other side. Takumi stared slack jawed at the last person on earth he would have expected to show up at his door. Manami was looking her most charming in skin tight blue jeans and a lacy blouse showing just the right amount of cleavage. When she saw Takumi she began to cry and threw her arms around him. "Oh Takumi",she wailed, "I made a horrible mistake!" She wrapped her arms tightly, so he had to gasp for air. "I was wrong to dump you, I was just scared. My parents didn't like you and they were going to disown me, I didn't know what else to do! Please forgive me!"

Takumi let her cling to him as his brain tried to catch up with what was happening. Her words and arms around him provoked no emotion, it was as though a stranger were clinging on to him. He was trying to break her strangle hold when he noticed a note tapped to the door. His heart sank immediately, because his first thought was that it was from Kaito. When he broke lose of Manami (who sat on the couch and continued to cry) he saw that it was typed. The contents of the note drained every last bit of happiness out of him, and left him crushed. It was a letter saying that his scholarship had been dropped. It gave no reason, but Takumi knew why: he had stolen the live in slave of the son of the owner of the company that gave it to him. This could only mean one thing. Daichi knew.

For a moment he thought he would be sick as this information sank in, but panic for the safety of his love made him move. Manami watched in alarm as Takumi pulled on his shoes, not even looking at her. He hadn't said two words since she'd arrived and thrown herself at him. Now he was leaving? "Takumi, darling",she said, whimpering, "did you hear me? I said I want you back." He looked at her and frowned, as though she were some obstacle in his way.

"I have to go",he said, "you can stay or leave, but its an emergency." He turned away from her and opened the door, his stomach in knots. When he opened it Kaito was standing on the other side, his fist raised to knock.

"Oh, hi, where are you off to?",said Kaito smiling, unaware of Takumi's panic. Takumi let out a relieved breath and pulled Kaito to him, holding him so tight he could barely breath.

"I was so worried",he said on the verge of tears, "I thought all kinds of horrible things had happened to you, you can't even imagine how I panicked." Despite his confusion, Kaito sensed Takumi's need to be close to him, and let himself be held.

Soon, however, Kaito had to come up for air and he asked, "what’s going on?" Takumi didn't want to let go, but showed him the note anyway. He watched as apprehension and fear lined Kaito's sweet features, making his eyes widen and his lips part in a silent gasp. "Oh god! Takumi, he knows. Daichi knows who you are. Someone must have followed me. How could I be so stupid?" Kaito's legs felt too weak to hold him and moved towards the couch, seeing Manami for the first time. "Who's this?", he asked in confusion.

Takumi had forgotten her completely when Kaito had been at the door, safe (for the moment).It was just like when they met, Kaito always made him forget Manami. "That's my ex-finance",he said tonelessly, gesturing in her direction. "She's here for something." He honestly could not remember what. Manami realized she had lost, Takumi was Kaito's and not even she could change that. This understanding made her see red. She stood up (all traces of tears gone) walked to Takumi and slapped him across the face in blind rage. He just stared at her in incomprehension, feeding her fire.

"How dare you ignore me! Men would die just for a taste of me, and I throw myself at you and you forget me? For what, that little slut?",she looked at Kaito as if he were the most rotten piece of garbage at the bottom of the can. Her face was so twisted with rage that he marveled how he could ever have found her attractive at all, let alone the most beautiful creature on earth as he once had. "I hope Daichi destroys you both! That's right",she said when the color drained from both their faces, "did you actually think I wanted you back Takumi? I only did it for Daichi, and I was going to stomp your pathetic heart later. I'm going to be Mrs. Ichiro Kimura, I can't believe I ever considered marrying you in the first place. You're going to get what’s coming to you, and I'm going to laugh when Daichi tells me your fate!" She pushed past Takumi and slammed the door behind her, leaving two very stunned boys in her wake.

Kaito's legs turned to rubber and he slid to the floor, the darkness seemed to be pressing in on him from all directions. Now they would both burn, and it was all his fault. Daichi would not just crush him, but Takumi, his precious, perfect Takumi. Tears of misery fell from his eyes in silence, his heart cracking with wrenching guilt and acrid fear. Takumi was instantly at his side with his arms around him, but at a loss for words. "I'm so sorry", whispered Kaito burying his head in Takumi's chest, "this is all my fault."

"No",said Takumi firmly, "Its not your fault in any way. Daichi is the one to blame, you must see that. He's out of his mind, and you have to get away from him."

Kaito shook his head and looked at him, "I can't leave him, I told you that, but you should go. Not far, just far enough to take away the threat of your presence. I know he won't hurt me as long as I do what he says."

Takumi knew that Kaito didn't really believe in his own safety anymore, he could hear it in his voice. "Then I'll stay too. I'm not leaving without you."

"Please",Kaito begged, "You have to, I don't know what he might do."

"If you are afraid for me then who knows what he might do to you. Its obvious you know he's dangerous and I wont leave you in his hands."

Kaito could see that his mind was made, and Takumi wasn't leaving unless he did. "If we both leave he has the power to track us, all over the world if he has to, don't forget who his father is."

"My sister will help us, we'll keep moving if we have too.",he raised Kaito's chin ,"I promise we'll come back when Daichi's had time to cool off, I know you don't want to abandon him, but maybe this is the best thing for him. Show him that he doesn't need to have someone to control to live. This way we can be together, I know its my wish, isn't it yours too."

Kaito smiled in spite of himself, "nothing would make me happier."

"Then lets do it! Right now, we can get the next plane to Paris and have my sister meet us at the airport. By 6:00 tonight we could be kissing under the Eiffel Tower, what do you say?"

The vision in Kaito's head seemed perfect. Sure, they'd be on the run from a possible sociopath, but they would be together. Takumi and him holding each other without dread or fate hanging over them. He could be truly happy for the first time in his life. Maybe Takumi was right about Daichi, maybe this was what he needed after all. "All right",he said smiling, "Lets run away together." Takumi let out a happy yelp, and tackled Kaito to the floor, kissing every inch of his face. He never thought this would actually happen, that he would be running away to Paris with the boy he loved. It was so freaking romantic he wanted to scream! Despite the grim circumstances of their flight, Takumi could only think of twinkling stars over a little bistro as they kissed. He would learn to say I love you in French!

"Now, we have to go now! I'll pack a few things, and you can wear my clothes for now,they will be a little big, but we can get new stuff when we land." With frantic, happy energy he got up and ran to his bedroom to pack. He was just deciding on how many pairs of socks to bring(is 10 to many when your on the run?)when he heard Kaito gasp from the next room. His heart nearly stopped as he ran into the living room, expecting the worst from the boy who looked at him with dismay.

"My notebook is at Daichi's apartment",he said dismally, "I have to get it."

Takumi had been relieved he was all right, but now he feared that Kaito had gone insane. "You can't go back, what if he's waiting for you? We have to leave."

"He won't be there",said Kaito with conviction, "one of the biggest meetings of the year is today at Kimura-Arai. He wouldn't miss it for anything, it would give my brother the upper hand in their rivalry. Please, that notebook means so much to me, it’s the only thing that kept me from dying completely during the past 5 years, I can't leave it behind."

Takumi sighed, he didn't want to risk it ,but Kaito sounded pretty sure that he wouldn't be there. Besides, Takumi couldn't really say no to anything Kaito asked, especially when it meant so much to him. "Fine",he said, unhappy about the decision, "but just grab it really quickly. Get in and get out, and then we're off to Paris, okay?"

Takumi let Ryouta's car idle in the alleyway across the street from Daichi's apartment building. Ryouta had his new "girlfriend" pick him up in her car so they could go out. He didn't like his new possible bed mate to see his car (which was a beaten up '89 Toyota) ,and usually told them that his Jaguar was in the shop. Takumi had left a short explanatory note that told him where to pick up his car, and that he would call him from Paris. He gripped the steering wheel tensely as Kaito unbuckled his seat belt. He didn't like this at all, but what choice did he have? He couldn't bring himself to deny his love’s wish. Kaito noticed how tense Takumi was and said, "ten minutes at the most I promise."

"After ten minutes",said Takumi, "I'm coming in after you." Kaito nodded and kissed him gently on the forehead before slipping out the passenger door, and leaving Takumi to watch him go.

The apartment seemed oddly alien to Kaito. He had left there only a few hours before, but it seemed strange and unreal. He had never felt a sense of home in this place, but at least he'd been comfortable. Right now the stark plain furniture seemed to be hiding demons crouched in shadow, the long narrow hallway that he had walked down at least a dozen times a day for the past 5 years had the feeling of a never ending pathway. Some hellish punishment for the damned in which they walked the darkened hall for all eternity, the end always in sight, but never reached. The spare room where Daichi kept his weights, and other exercise equipment, was where he had hidden his red binder. Kaito had discovered there ,soon after moving in, an old, unused vent that came off easily, it was the perfect size and shape, and so utterly innocent looking. The door to the room was open slightly and Kaito eased it open noiselessly as he could, unsure why he was being so cautious when he knew the house was empty. He didn't bother with the lights, he had left them all untouched, and went to the closet. He pushed aside the box of old weights that he always made sure was in front of the vent, just in case, and began to pry the metal cover lose with his finger nails. It came off easily enough, after so many years of use, and Kaito reached his hand in to pull out the binder, secret life support of his once comatose heart. He pulled back his hand as though bitten, and a chill passed through him. The binder was gone.

"Looking for something Kai-Chan?",came a voice like velvet, and full of sarcasm. Kaito didn't move for a moment, afraid that if he looked this nightmare might take form, and substance. He couldn't ignore it forever, so he stood up and moved into the room. Sure enough, Daichi stood before him, a red binder clutched in his hands. "Little Kai-Chan",said Daichi, "you've lost something haven't you?" He opened the binder and flipped through the pages, not stopping until one really caught his eye. "Oh Kaito, art? Such an unfortunate hobby, and completely against the rules. But then, you're not much for following the rules these days, are you?" Kaito kept his mouth shut, uncertain what to do, waiting to see what Daichi did next. Daichi kept the doorway blocked with his body as he pulled out the image that had caught his eye most. He smiled at it, his grin so full of hatred that it twisted his entire face, making him look more dangerous than ever before. He held up the picture in front of Kaito's face, making Kaito wince. It was the picture of the fallen angel, the one that had intertwined his fate with Takuimi's, bringing them together, though he couldn't remember why he had been compelled to draw such an image, the thought of it destroyed hurt him.

Daichi could see the pain in his face, and knew he had picked the right one. "Please",whispered Kaito, barley able to speak, "please don't do it Daichi. I know you care about me, you were the only one who ever did. Don't you remember? Please stop this Daichi, I promise I'll be good, just stop." These words fell on deaf ears, as Daichi took a lighter from his pocket, and held the flame to the paper. There was such glee in his eyes as the already burning angel went twice up in flames, his smile was twisted and sick, but it was a real smile, he was enjoying himself. Taking pleasure in Kaito's pain. That was when the truth hit Kaito for the first time. The quiet, soft spoken, sensitive Daichi, the one that had begged a lonely eight year old to go with him wherever he went, was dead. Dai-chan, the first person who had ever loved him, had died when Daichi was away at boarding school. Something had happened that was enough to kill that poor boy, Kaito had never noticed before, because he had been to busy trying to deal with his own pain. Daichi now set the flame to Kaito's notebook, laughing as it flared to life, and dropping it to the carpet to watch it burn. Kaito barley noticed the loss of the notebook, because he was in to much pain over the loss of someone he loved, a boy that he now knew was gone forever.

"I hope you liked watching your pathetic drawings burn, believe me, it won’t be the last thing to go up in flames." Kaito snapped back to the present, he could mourn his lost boy later, right now he had to make sure there was a later. Daichi came closer to him, the flames that were now eating the carpet behind him, silhouetting him in red. "You shouldn't have betrayed me Kaito, you and your little lover boy will pay for your mistake." Fear ran up and down Kaito's spine at Daichi's words.

"Please Daichi",he begged, "I don't care what you do to me, just leave him alone. None of this is his fault, it was all me, he doesn't even know who you are, just let him go."

Daichi laughed hollowly. "Please Kaito, do you think I'm stupid? Manami told me all about her little encounter with the two of you, I was surprised that your little lover boy declined her offer, but it doesn't matter. His fate, and yours are already sealed. From the impression I got from Manami about you two, I suspect that he will be along shortly, you've been gone too long for someone just grabbing a notebook. Your knight in shining armor will come to rescue you, and then the real fun will begin." Daichi was so close now that Kaito could feel his warm breath on his face. "First I'm going to torture your boy right in front of you, until he begs for death, and then, if your good, I might let you kill him out of mercy when he's screaming in agony. Then I'll take my knife and tear apart your pretty face, so no one but me will ever be able to look at you again. From then on I'll make sure that I cause as much misery as I can, everyday for the rest of you wretched life. You'll beg for death Kai-Chan, but it won't come." Daichi grabbed kaito's face in one hand, squeezing it almost hard enough to break his jaw, Kaito's eyes watered with pain. "You will pay, my little toy, and so will your precious lover." Kaito half gasped half screamed, as Daichi rammed his knee as hard as he could into Kaito's ribcage. He dropped to his knees, as the pain blinded him temporarily, and he had to bite his lip to keep from screaming. He was still trying to regain his head when Daichi grabbed him by his arm and began to drag him out of the room.

Kaito could only let himself be dragged across the hall, and into the master bedroom. Daichi threw him roughly on the bed and left without another word, locking the door behind him. Kaito knew that there had never been an outside lock on the door before, and realized that this was no spur of the moment thing. Daichi had been planning this. Kaito got up despite the pain in his side, and his suspicion that one or two ribs had been broken. He had to help Takumi somehow. He couldn't just scream to him through the door, because he knew that that would only make Takumi panic in his rush to help him. He went to the door to make sure the newly added lock was as strong as he suspected. A brand new dead bolt, an impossible inch thick of rounded steel. Kaito could only see one way to get out. He backed up to get a running start, and slammed himself into the door with all his strength. The blow sent a lighting sharp wave of pain to his ribs, making him cry out, and sending his head spinning. The door didn't even have a dent. He couldn't give up, not if it killed him, so he tried again, this time even harder. The door barley shook, but the blow sent Kaito to his knees, the pain so sharp that he had to choke back the wave of nausea that threatened him. Hot tears of frustration reached his eyes, but he stilled tried again, one last vain attempt. The sturdy door still only wobbled, and the pain was so bad that Kaito collapsed to the floor as the world spun around him. Blackness pressed in on all sides of him, whispering that he should just give in, it was all he could do to keep from taking that advice. When the darkness finally receded, all Kaito could do was lay on the floor and stare at the full length mirror that Daichi had installed near the bed. He let tears stream down his face as he stared at the wretched, weak creature looking at him from the reflective glass. A creature so pathetic that he couldn't even save the person he loved most.

Takumi's heart twisted itself into anxious knots as he walked towards the looming apartment building. Kaito should have been back by now. The ten minutes had been torment, he had counted every second with a turning stomach. When the ten minute mark hit, Takumi had nearly lost his mind to panic as he struggled to undo his seat belt and got out of the car. He held tightly on to whatever calm he could find, repeating the words "he's fine" over and over like mantra. The repeated words soon lost their meaning, as he came to the front of the building. It was a nice building, in a prominent area, so why the hell was the door to the building open? He tried to tell himself that Kaito had just forgotten to shut it, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was expected. The open door seemed like a warped invitation to a birthday party in hell. Worry set even deeper into his mind, but so did a strange calm. His love for Kaito kept him from panicking, as if he already new that he was his beloved boy’s only chance.

When he reached the first floor apartment (Kaito had given him the number) he slowly turned the door knob, hoping to enter unnoticed, just in case. The door opened silently, as smoke and the smell of burning carpet met him, and he had to fight down a cough. Daichi had left to notebook to burn on the carpet, and the flames had begun to feed like hungry maggots on the rest of the apartment. Daichi was to busy with his twisted fun to notice or care, the smoke didn't even register in his mind. Takumi tried to be stealthy as he moved, but the apartment was unfamiliar, and the smoke served Daichi's purposes much better than his own. He didn't even see Daichi until the long deadly knife was at his throat, and the handsome man’s face grinning cruelly was close to his. "Well hello",said Daichi, "its about time you should show up, there's no party without you." Anger ignited in Takumi at the sight of the man who had caused his love so much pain, and now was trying to cause him more. For all he knew Kaito could already be hurt. Takumi had never been a very angry or violent person, he was more of a romantic, but he wanted so badly to put his hands around this man’s throat, and squeeze until he could no longer hurt his Kaito.

"Where is he?",snarled Takumi, letting his hatred show, "He better be all right!"

Daichi laughed his humorless laugh. "Stupid boy! I'm the one with the knife pressed to your throat! Now is not the time for stupid questions, now is the time to pay your due for trying to steal what is rightfully mine. Don't worry, you'll see Kaito soon enough, but I want to draw a little blood first, it'll be more of a shock to him that way." He advanced on Takumi, making him back up, only to discover a wall behind him, and no where to go. Daichi raised the knife and Takumi knew that there was no way out. He had failed so easily. He had failed his precious Kaito, and now they would both die. Takumi closed his eyes to prepare for the pain. He heard a thump, and then another, bigger thump. When no cold sharp steel pierced his flesh he opened his eyes. Kaito was standing before him, Daichi laying at his feet, his head bleeding, in Kaito's hand was a weight, wet with fresh blood. Kaito stared at Takumi for a moment, and then dropped to his knees, clutching his side. Takumi was holding him before he even touched his knees to the ground. Kaito trembled in his arms, trying to catch his breath.

"Oh, thank god",Takumi whispered, as he kissed Kaito's forehead. Nothing more was said, there was too much to say right then, too many words and not enough time. Flames were now quickly consuming the the spare bedroom, and smoke made it hard to breath. Takumi helped Kaito to his feet, and began to half support, half carry him to towards the front door. Kaito gently pushed away from him, and went to Daichi's still, but breathing form.

"We can't just leave him",said Kaito. The body on the floor might contain a vicious stranger, but it once held a person Kaito loved. Besides, Daichi was still human, and he couldn't leave him there to risk consumption by flame. Takumi didn't bother to argue, instead he grabbed Daichi's feet and began to drag him towards the door. The front door was shut(Daichi's handiwork)and dead bolted with a lock that needed a key to open from the inside. Takumi shuddered at the sight of the locked door, it was obvious Daichi was taking no chances of their escape. He wasted a few minutes trying to break the door down with his foot, but it was pointless.

"Get me something heavy to break it down with",said Takumi to Kaito, still facing the door. Kaito didn't answer. He turned around to discover that not only that Kaito was gone, but so was Daichi. There was no way Kaito could drag Daichi's large frame by himself. Besides, where would he have wanted to take him? The smoke was thick as fog now, making Takumi unable to see more than a few feet ahead of him. Before panic could even set in, Takumi heard the sickening crash of breaking glass, then shouting, and finally a muffled scream. Takumi hurled himself blindly in the direction of the sickening noises, crashing into furniture, and keeping low so that he could breath. He was almost in the heart of the flames when he saw a slender, still hand laying at the thresh hold of the master bedroom. Takumi shoved the door aside(which seemed to have been taken off its hinges)and knelt beside a still, slender form. He could see right away that Kaito's face, and chest were covered in blood. Cold waves of fear made him shake as he picked Kaito up in his arms. The boy didn't move. He was too panicked to stop and see if Kaito was breathing, and the flames were getting close. Through the smoke, Takumi could see another still form, bigger this time, and also not moving, but he ignored it. All he could think of was getting Kaito the hell out of this nightmare. Trying so hard not to let the vicious whisper in the back of his mind that Kaito was dead ,to become a scream.

Takumi struggled to his feet with Kaito, if it had been most anyone else it would have been nearly impossible, but Kaito was light, and Takumi was so scared and determined that he didn't even notice the weight. A crash at the front door gave him a panic when he was half way down the hallway, but it was only firemen coming to help them. Takumi pushed past them, only stopping briefly to tell the staring men that there was another person in the master bedroom. One man tried to take Kaito from him, but Takumi refused to let anyone touch him. He didn't trust anyone with his boy’s life except himself. Finally he reached fresh air, and could breath again, but he didn't stop to enjoy it. He placed Kaito gently on the lawn and knelt next to him. Tears began to run to his face unchecked when he got a better look at Kaito. The boy’s face had a long, deep gash down one cheek, and his face was covered in his own blood. The sight was to much for Takumi, he was certain Kaito was dead, and he could feel his heart already breaking. "Don't leave me",he whispered, leaning down to Kaito's ear, "I can't go on without you. Your my whole world Kaito Kimura, if you die...if you die..." He couldn't finish the words, and pulled Kaito to his chest, tears running down his face. He closed his eyes, and prayed to no one god in particular, but maybe to Kaito himself, that he would live. He didn't open them until he felt a gentle hand brush away his tears.

Kaito looked up at him when Takumi opened his eyes. A faint smile traced his lips, weak but real, and Takumi's eyes filled with the sight of it. Words were not necessary, when Kaito put his arms around Takumi's neck, and Takumi(who was now crying even harder, this time in relief)held him as tightly as possible, they both knew without knowing that they would never let go.

Takumi watched as Kaito changed into his own shorts and t-shirt, they were too big, but were better than the bloody clothes Kaito had still been wearing. Both were exhausted from the day. After Kaito had his face stitched up(his only wound)the police wanted to talk to them. Kaito told them everything. Not just about what had happened in the apartment building, but about everything that had ever happened between him and Daichi. There was plenty of evidence to back up his story, and after hours of questioning, the police finally let them go. Dachi was already dead when the firemen got to him.

After a quick explanation to Ryouta, and a panicky call from his sister, Takumi and Kaito had stumbled wearily into Takumi's room. Neither of them had said much to each other, they hadn't had many chances. But loving, reassuring looks passed between them whenever they caught sight of each other, both filling their eyes with the sight of the other alive and safe. Now, finally, they were alone. After Kaito dressed, he came to the bed were Takumi was sitting and fell into his arms. Takumi clutched him, and they both got as close to each other as humanly possible, trying to break free of flesh altogether and become a part of each other. Takumi still had no idea what had happened between Daichi and Kaito(the police had questioned them separately),but he didn't ask, he would wait until Kaito was ready. He didn't have to wait long

Still clinging to Takumi's chest desperately, Kaito told him everything. "I found a small knife that Daichi used to open mail in the nightstand drawer, and used it to take off the hinges. I went across the hall and grabbed a weight, the knife was too small to do anything. That's when I heard your voice, Takumi. I saw Daichi's back facing me and I swung." Kaito's voice trembled, "I was so relieved when I saw he wasn't dead, even though I knew what he would have done to us if he had the chance. Every time I looked at him I still saw Daichi, my Daichi. You dragged him to the door and started trying to open it. I only watched you for a second, but when I turned back around he was gone. I knew he was in the apartment somewhere, so I went after him." Kaito looked at Takumi, "All I could think of was protecting you. Nothing but that seemed to matter. I heard a noise coming from the bedroom, and without thinking, I just went right in. As soon as I did he grabbed me from behind. But this time I fought back. I shut off my brain and thought of nothing, but protecting you. We struggled for a few minutes, and crashed into the mirror. We both grabbed pieces of the shattered glass." Kaito pushed away from Takumi gently, "I didn't even hesitate, I just knew that I had to protect you no matter what." Kaito's eyes filled with tears, "I lunged and he lunged, he got my face… and I... I got his throat." Kaito's voice cracked as the tears finally broke free, he'd been putting the ache in his heart aside all day, and now he couldn't hold back any longer. "I loved him Takumi!",he said through tears, "I really did love him, he was my only real family, the only person who ever cared. How could I kill someone I loved?"

Takumi took the now sobbing boy in his arms and held him tightly for a moment, then he took Kaito's face in his hands, running a finger just barely over the bandage that covered the gash on his face that had required stitches. Takumi knew already that the wound would leave a scar, and that every time Kaito looked in the mirror he would see Daichi. Daichi would always be there, but so would Takumi. "I need you to understand this Kaito. It wasn't your fault, you did nothing wrong. You saved my life and your own, from a lunatic. The Daichi you once knew was already dead, he's been dead for a long time. Your’re my hero Kaito, you saved me." Kaito smiled his dazzling smile at Takumi through his tears.

"I love you Takumi",he said, never meaning anything in his whole life like he meant those words.

"I know",said Takumi smiling back at him. Takumi pulled Kaito to him and they kissed, saying more with their lips than it was possible for their words to say. Kaito, for the first time in his life, was truly happy, and truly free, held tightly in his lovers arms.