.hack//CRACK

[ria_chan]

Title: You Know You Have to Quit the Internet When... You've Never Met Your Boyfriend
Authoress: ria_chan
Fandom-Pairing: Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE - Kurogane/Fai
Disclaimer: CLAMP ownz TRC and .hack//WORLD is Bandai and BEE-TRAIN... (zomsqueee?!)
Claimer: I own Riotz. His girlfriend for that matter, too, but she never debuts. x3 Riotz is the type of guy you're friends with so he doesn't use his mad skillz against you. With his age, girlfirend, and all...I'm amazed the cops haven't found him yet...
Rating-Warnings: R - Themes, Heavy Language, Slash
Prompt: 100moods: #67, Nervous; 30sexyfics: #18, Simple Pleasures; ficalbum: #7, The Snake Pit.
A/N: {AU .hack//WORLD majorly involved} I bring the second chapter! This one turned out longer than expected so it took a bit more time. ^^; Thank you all for reading and reviewing the last chapter and for waiting so paitiently for this next installment; I'm so glad this storyline is enjoyed. I was really nervous introducing this sort of setting. x3 It doesn't feel like I wrote them cussing as much, but I can't remember this chapter very well. There's still a lot of cussing. You've been warned again.
Status: 2/? - 1



LOG-IN REQUESTED. PASSWORD ACCEPTED.

"Anee-Chan, Anee-Chan! What do you think about?"

The girl, a blossoming beauty at sixteen, laughed humorously in the air and patted her little brother's head. She had long raven locks with the most splendid gleaming sapphires for eyes. Her smile warmed the coldest of hearts and everyone agreed that when she found, 'Mr. Right,' she surely would live happily-ever-after. "The one I love most of all," she whispered.

The boy's scarlet rubies widened and his cheeks became as bright as his eyes. "You love someone, Kendappa-Anee-Chan?"

"Yes," she answered with a coy smile. "Would you like to know who, Kurogane?"

Her little brother nodded eagerly while tugging at her sleeves. "Tell me, tell me! I want to know who Anee-Chan loves!"

"Well," she began, tapping a finger against her chin as if she was deep in thought, "it's a secret." The girl winked with the most mischievous expression the energetic boy had seen his sister wear yet.

"Anee-Chan!" he pouted loudly. Again he tugged at her clothing. Kendappa couldn't help but laugh at her brother's outburst. He truly was mother and father's favorite - so spoiled rotten.

"Alright!" Kendappa gave in like she always did. One of these days, the boy might become a monster out considering how spoiled he was, she thought to herself in slight amusement. The female leaned her face down to Kurogane's level. Kurogane's eyes followed the direction his sister's finger was aimed at. His eyes fell upon a tan, somewhat somber-looking girl. She was sitting down near a table away from everybody else and her legs neatly crossed over the other. Her head was bowed so Kurogane couldn't get a good look at her face. "That's Sôma."

The boy smiled at his elder, happy to know the face of the one she loved most of all. "She looks so sad, Anee-Chan!"

"That's because both of her parents passed away recently. You remember last week? Well that was the last time she saw her parents. We were very sad when Grandma died, remember? What she feels is even worse," Kendappa replied weakly as if she, too, was sharing the pain. "When I see her, I want to make her special - like she still has a place int his world. I want to make her smile again and protect her so nothing like this ever happens again."

Kurogane's red eyes fixated on his sister's expression. His breath was completely taken; it felt like time had stopped. No words could begin to explain this sensation yet at the same time there were infinite words to describe it. Kendappa had never looked at him like that. Nobody had, when he thought about it. "...Is that what it's like to be in love?"

"I...suppose," she mused, quite obviously embarrassed. Her smile might have been messy and filled with many thoughts, but it was purely genuine. After regaining her composure, she patted Kurogane's head for the last time and look at him with stern eyes. "When you find there person you love the most - more than me, mom, dad, or Anee-Sama or Tomo-Chan - and I know you will find them someday, you'll think of them all the time. And when you think of them all the time, it'll just remind you of how much you want to be with them. Promise me you'll do whatever it takes to make that special person happy?"

The young boy clenched his fists with just as serious eyes. "I promise!" he announced loudly, "and I'll think about them all the time! I'll make that person happy!"

Kendappa never replied but Kurogane had the feeling she understood him. Kurogane remember that smiled smiled at him after that but nothing else much. That was the last memory Kurogane had of his favorite sister.

~O~

Kurogane's eyes jolted wide open and he snapped upright in his bed with a racing heart. These strange...childhood-memory dreams were starting to creep him out. Was he going to end up like Tidus and end up being sent to his future to fight alongside three hot chicks? Probably not. He didn't like girls anyways. It was in that instant he slapped himself. Since when did he not? True, he couldn't say he was truly ever attracted to a girl to the point where it hurt him to think about her...but that would mean that he was gay. Which he wasn't.

Fai was gay. Oh so very gay. He was as much the poster child for gay as Ganon was for evil.

Then, he slapped himself again. Thinking of Fai first thing in the morning after having a dream about talking with his older sister about love was clearly not a good combination. What was even worse, something warm was beginning to form in the pit of his stomach. It made him feel sick in a good sort of way.

And he slapped himself for the third time this morning. His forehead and cheeks were burning lightly form the contact so he decided to stop thinking altogether.

He rose from his bed and creaked the door open as quietly as possible. The Sun wasn't poking from behind the blinds so it must have been early. At any cost, there was nothing to do in his empty room except sleep. All his stuff had been moved downstairs to the unruly basement.

Target set. Approximate time until destination: one minute and thirty-six seconds.

He jumped down the stairs - quietly he reminded himself, so as to not awake his mother. It would probably be awhile until he himself awoke from his half-sleepy state, though. Kurogane stretched when he reached the bottom of the stairwell. Stretching to the right, his stomach knotted upon sight of the other male in his family portrait. If that man ever came home, he'd kill him. If that man called home, he'd kill him. If that man so much as thought about the family he left behind, he'd kill him. Damn it, all he wanted was his cute, little puppy er...vicious, rabies-infected, damned-killer dog back...

There was a new lock on the basement's door, Kurogane noticed. He had the distinct feeling his mother didn't want him to playing The World anymore after walking in on last night's incident. His face flustered up but he didn't slap himself. He picked the lock easily like the ninja he was and walked into the dark room. Heartbeats were thumping in his ears - racing so fast he felt almost a little bit paranoid. And maybe...it was also a little hope that maybe Fai was on right now. Fai owed him lunch but he could settle for breakfast.

He might have realized how cold the room was if he wasn't warm from thinking about Fai...

~O~

Not even Riotz - who seemed to live in The (freaking) World twenty-four-seven - was not on this early in the morning. Not in his time, at least. Damn Riotz. He was probably having sex or getting drunk or getting over a hangover from getting drunk and screwing his girlfriend all night long. Damn him.

Kurogane was probably going to miss the contest in Talabithithiz Square but that was okay with him now. After convincing himself that he already had three back-ups of the big prize and much gaming yesterday, it was clear to him that he didn't need to win a stupid contest to secure his rank as best fighter in The World's American population. It wouldn't have been any challenge for him, anyways. Before he knew it, a body had collided with him from behind, arms snaking around his waist.

"Fuck! Tell me before you do something so fucking gay, ass-hole!" he roared. The ninja grabbed the intruding hand and pulled it forward. He choked was he assumed to be be Riotz's neck firmly and slammed the body forward. Instead, amused cerulean eyes were glittering in front of him brightly.

"Kuro-Bu! I never knew you'd be so forward! Hyuu, shouldn't we save things like that for the bedroom?" Let alone the fact he had practically body slammed Fai to the ground from behind, the idiot should have the daylights knocked out of him from Kurogane choking his neck so hard.

"Shit," Kurogane cursed. He released his grip instantly and the rest of Fai's body thudded to the ground. The blond laughed like it was just a joke played wrong as he picked himself up. Kurogane could feel his cheeks going red - he could feel it - but he made sure that his avatar was completely composed. "Hey," the ninja murmured as he reached out for the lean body, "in-instead of lunch, treat me...treat me to brea-"

Fai brushed his hand away easily, ignoring even the stuttering. "I'd love to talk about our Soul Caliburs with you Kuro-Pyo - trust me, I would - but there's a chat-room I need to be in right now."

A nerve by Kruogane's forehead pulsated. Fai was choosing a chat-room over him?! "I'll go with you," he growled, low and demanding.

"Really?!" The blond couldn't believe he just blurted that out loud. He covered his mouth instantly with a small blush. "I mean," he corrected, tangling a finger into his hair meekly, "I thought you said you didn't do chat-rooms...?"

"I don't." Kurogane took a deep breath. He'd need it for what he was about to say... "I needed to talk to you about something anyways, so it works out." I need to talk to you about last night.

Fai blinked for three complete minutes. His brain was working slow this morning. Once everything was processed and sent it for confirmation in the reception-desk in Fai's membrane, he smiled. "Great! I'll send you the invite right now!"

~O~

Death-Sama_is_Here_679 has entered the Chat-Room
NeverEndingSolitude: Ah! Kuro-Pon! *GLOMPS* I’m so glad to see you!
x_hikari_x: wtf? Who the Hell is this?
buymypuppy: It’s Fai-Sama’s frickin’ crush, dipstick!
x_hikari_x: OH…
x_hikari_x: Oh…
x_hikari_x: OMG! Like, HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!
pAnIc4cRaZe: Yo. Hoz it hngn’? U gtta b smthn’ 2 gt Fai-Chan’s attn.…
NeverEndingSolitude: All of you just shut up! *blush*
buymypuppy: Touch our Fai and we will personally stalk you down and cut your -CENSORED- off!
Administrator: The above post has been edited.
Karin_Chan-123_ABC: Heyos! What’s your TW passport? I’d like to meet!
buymypuppy: That’s right. We need to see if you’re worthy of Fai-Chan!
pAnIc4cRaZe: no1’s good enof 4 Fai…
x_hikari_x: *glomps Fai*
NeverEndingSolitude: *is suffocating under pressure*
Blu: Hey, I’m new! Let’s be friends!
buymypuppy: Shut up! We’re discussing Fai!
Blu: O.o
x_hikari_x: Total burn, Kachiro…
MahoSenseiNegima: Can we get back to the RPG-ing?
buymypuppy: NO!
buymypuppy: Fai’s hubby has entered the scene! We direct our attention to them!
x_hikari_x: Ya. I totally agree.
pAnIc4cRaZe: U al’r jst Fai-obsessed
x_hikari_x: Shut up, Kôtaro! So are you!
pAnIc4cRaZe: WTF do u tink I am?
NeverEndingSolitude: Okay guys, seriously!
buymypuppy: Just another rabid fan-boy
x_hikari_x: Nice, Kachiki. *high-five*
NeverEndingSolitude: God damn it, listen to me!
buymypuppy: *high-fives back*
buymypuppy: You know it.
x_hikari_x: *Thumbs up*
pAnIc4cRaZe: Dude, I’m nt Fai-obssd
buymypuppy: This is coming from the guy who showed us pictures of his room
x_hikari_x: And had posters of Fai EVERYWHERE
buymypuppy: And that huge collage of Fai-piccies
x_hikari_x: That made a piccy of Fai when looked from afar…
buymypuppy: *high-five*
x_hikari_x: You totally rock, Kachiro! *kiss*
pAnIc4cRaZe: Dude! Tht ws, lk, moi frndz rm…!
x_hikari_x: So why is there a, ‘…’ at the end of your post?
buymypuppy: Miwa-Chan has a point
NeverEndingSolitude: Does it even MATTER anymore?
NeverEndingSolitude: Can we just forget this and act cool or what?
x_hikari_x: Anything for you, Fai-Chan!
buymypuppy: Let’s meet in The World’s Delta Server tonight
buymypuppy: And bring along this ‘Kuro-Pon’
x_hikari_x: I’m totally there
pAnIc4cRaZe: I don’t have a Delta Server!
x_hikari_x: Tough luck, Taro-Baka
NeverEndingSolitude: I haven’t agreed to that!
buymypuppy: We’re totally going to crash their first date
NeverEnding Solitude: WHATEVER! Kuro-Bo, I’ll get us a private chat-room
buymypuppy: But we haven’t interrogated him yet!
x_hikari_x: He hasn’t even spoken…
NeverEndingSolitude: I wonder why! You guys are SCARING him!
buymypuppy: If he’s scared of us, how’s he gonna confront Ashura-Kun?
x_hikari_x: I side with Kachiki on this one, Fai-Chan…
NeverEndingSolitude: We haven’t even had a date!
Death-Sama_is_Here_679 has left the Chat-Room

This was exactly why he hated chat-rooms. In the blink of an eye he entered and in the whirl of a moment he left out of fear. People threatening to cut off his Level 9 Gravity-Infused Rapier just for meeting Fai were a force to be reckoned with, after all…

~O~

Kurogane received another invitation into a different chat-room. He remembered the room's title as Fai's personal web-space so he took no haste in accepting. The room looked different from last time. What was once a charming cafe was now a cool, sleek lounge. Crimson eyes glanced around to get a certain feel and he was distinctively reminded of Riotz ever-changing appearance.

Fai was seated on a chase with heavy-lidded eyes. “I’m sorry, Kuro-Ren… This is my entire fault. I just figured that-”

“Doesn’t matter,” Kurogane snapped, grabbing Fai’s hand with a furious blush as plopped down next to the thin figure. The blond gasped upon the touch, holding his breath with a flinch as if Kurogane’s hand would explode. Blushes plastered across both of the males’ faces.

Fai cleared his throat before waving his hand to a door on the left. "This way," he instructed, leading Kurogane to another room. "The lovebirds are in the other one."

"Lovebirds?" Kurogane poked an eyebrow up as he rose from his seat.

"Syaoran-Kun! Sakura-Chan! You two come out!" the blond hollered as he banged on the door loudly. The door clicked open and two brunet teenagers stepped out. Kurogane didn't know what he expected by the names, 'Syaoran,' or, 'Sakura,' but they were definitely not two scrawny-looking boys who looked identical to one another. "Sakura and Syaoran," Fai announced proudly, placing either hand on one shoulder of the boys.

Kurogane couldn't help it. It was just that the first thing that came to mind was: "Incest...?!"

The vampire walked up to Kurogane and pinched his cheeks forcefully. "Now, now. Don't be going around jumping to conclusions like a grumpy puppy."

One of the boys stepped up. He placed a hand over his chest and look Kuogane straight in the eye. "I'm Sakura; known as, x_hikari_x in chat-room 1654-AZN R:2. She's one of my alter egos, you could say. I only use her for threading."

"Syaoran," the other informed, "buymypuppy in chat-room 1654-AZN R:2. 'Kachiro,' is my other name as Sakura's is, 'Miwako.'"

Kurogane blinked. He didn't know that relationship like that actually existed in but at least it was obvious which one was the bitch.

"Syaoran made this avatar for me as an alteration of one of his own as a gift," the she-man Sakura explained. "But I'm really a girl."

All of a sudden, Kurogane felt very uncomfortable. It was like the first time he wondered if Mario and Peach ever actually did it.

"...Well!" Fai announced, clasping his hands together with a bright, chiming voice, "This is Kurogane. We'll be in the other room, okay?" The boys nodded skeptically before closing the door. Fai's blue eyes glittered. "Well, shall we?"

Kurogane nodded. "Is it...safe for twins to stay in the same room when one thinks they're a girl and the other looks like he really wants to...do stuff to the other...?"

"Kuro-Byu!" Fai's laughter filled the air. "She's a girl. Really. I've met her before," he assured while patting the ninja on the back.

The room looked almost identical to the other room with an exception to a bar and the colors. Fai had sat on the edge of a couch. Kurogane sat beside him, close enough to touch him but far enough to where neither could start any serious conversation.

"Awkward," Fai joked.

Kurogane nodded. "Nn."

“Well since it's already awkward enough," Fai started, scooting next to Kurogane with a blush, "You know that I’m really a guy, Kuro-Ron, right?”

The question was light but Kurogane could hear the seriousness in Fai's tone. “Yeah. It’s not very hard to figure out, you know.” He held his breath momentarily, gulping as he felt fingertips lightly brush against his thigh. A cold drop of sweat slipped down his nape and he could feel himself getting excited in the dry, cold chill.

Fai blushed even deeper, squeezing Kurogane’s hand slightest hard. “We…barely know each other, Kuro-Wanko… Don’t you think we need a little more…time?”

Kurogane scoffed at the comment with an irritated yawn, completely ruining the moment. He hadn't gotten any sleep last night and the psycho was just thinking of this now? It wasn't like Kurogane had stayed up all night because he was contemplating how he was going to handle this very situation or anything. He had to get the mantra staff in Suikoden IX before he could start on that.

Fai glanced up at the silent ninja. "Hey, did you play Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life for the GameCube when it first came out?" Fai assumed the ninja's blushing was a pure, 'yes.' "You know, if you give Celia flowers everyday, you can marry her for your wife in less than a year." Kurogane nodded with a, 'nn,' which Fai took as an, 'I knew that already.' Fai chuckled a moment as he glanced up at the ceiling, which was transparent glass to showcase a night sky. "It kinda feels like that right now," the blond confessed, giving the rough hand a squeeze.

Kurogane glared at the mage through the side-slits of his eyes. "What the Hell're you impling, jack-ass?"

The vampire smiled warmly at Kurogane, his smile lop-sided and messy. Slender shoulders shrugged before a sigh. "It's comfortable being around you, you know? Celia is one of those comforting types. I can't say I went with her first because I heard Nami was harder to get and I wanted to get the most out of my game-playing time so I did that."

"She's annoying," Kurogane gruffly sneered. Women who acted like they didn't notice or care about you were annoying. Women who didn't appreciate your efforts were annoying. He sat up with a brief stretch and walked over to a bar. He inspected the alcoholic bottles a moment and wondered if he could get drunk off something that wasn't real.

Fai's laughter filled the room as he watched the ninja with genuine curiosity. "You can't get drunk," Fai explained, "I tried that already, mm?"

Scarlet eyes glanced over sharply. He took a bottle and poured two glasses of alcohol. He strolled over to where the blond was sitting and handed him a drink. "Morning Mist."

"Just like the ones Griffin sells in the bar in the evening of the DS Harvest Moon? My, Kuro-Chan, are you trying to seduce me with video games?" Fai chuckled lightly, sipping the cup. Kurogane blushed, shrugging the comment off. Cerulean eyes watched his every move, hungry, as if the earlier comment was supposed to mean something. "If we could get drunk off these drinks, would you mind getting drunk with me?"

"If you're as much of a fucking ass as you are now, no."

Fai's lips pursed together as their ends perked upwards. "That's a very daring thing to say given your circumstances, Kuro-Puu," the mage cooed, closing in on the other man. "You're technically in my area now. I could do anything and claim it to be consented, you know."

Kurogane's cheeks heated up as moist partings pressed against his cheek. "Are you lying when you say we can't get drunk or do you just act drunk all the time?" Fai snorted, the warm puff of air tickling the inside of Kurogane's ear. The taller man fidgeted under the touch a bit, subconsciously spreading his legs slightly as Fai traced circles in this inside of his thighs. Kurogane choked back a groan and Fai's grabbed his erection. His cheeks flushed up completely.

Fai stopped abruptly with a dissatisfied grin. "We can't do this. Any inappropriate behavior and my server will kick us both out," he sighed, slumping backwards.

A raven eyebrow poked up. "Why the Hell would you make a script like that?"

"I was curious." Pink lips thinned out. "And this is my sanctuary. I don't want anything I don't mean happening here...or anything I wouldn't want, for that matter."

Scarlet eyes averted, taking fancy in the floor. "...You're the one who started this. How can you say it doesn't mean anything?" He groaned loudly, both physically and mentally slapping his head. "I'm leaving. Thanks for the drink."

Fai tugged on Kurogane's wrist but the ninja swatted the hand away. "Kuro-" He left before Fai could finish. Pounding his fist against a wall, he groaned frustration. He didn't want to hear any lame excuses. Fai wouldn't have meant them anyways.

~O~

Kurogane had logged off his computer completely shortly after the incident with Fai. He trudged up the stairs and made sure to lock the door behind him. There was already a sound knives cutting something in the kitchen so he climbed up the stairs only to jump down them loudly. His path was different than last time, walking towards the sound rather his asylum. There his mother was like ever other morning, cutting up fresh food to serve a nutritiously balanced meal to her son, the only offspring she had living in the house for quite some time.

The woman looked up when he creaked the door. "Kurogane," his mother said lightly, as if it might break her son if she said more. She placed down her fresh-cut fruit to the side. "We need to talk, sweetie."

Kurogane didn't want to talk. Most people wouldn't want to talk after their love interest denied sex because it might be something they'd regret. "What's for breakfast?" he asked to dismiss the question. The man craned his head around to look for the main course in case it wasn't convincing enough.

"Pancakes with fruit on the side. Listen Kurogane, I don't know what...things you're doing online, but I just want to know you're not doing anything that will hurt yourself."

Kurogane's stomach twisted. It wouldn't be a good idea to tell his mom he might not be doing that again for awhile due to the morning's activities. As far as he knew, this was her way of telling him he'd never be able to go near another computer in his lifetime. "I...can't tell you. This is my own mother-fucking-" He clenched his eyes, knowing he'd be scolded for that later, "-my own problem. I brought it upon myself and I'll fix it." God knew he'd fix it. First step would be getting rid of Fai.

"You look depressed," she noticed aloud. Kurogane grunted in annoyance. His mother's brows bent and she reached over, cradling his hands in her palms. "Did something happen? It involves someone special, right? Is a girl involved - did she break your heart?"

Kurogane smirked in an amused manner. "It doesn't involve a girl, mom. Just stop. I played Kannazuki no Miko's PC game and didn't cry when Himeko almost died. It's got nothing to do with a girl, okay?" That wasn't a lie. He didn't cry. His eyes may have been watering up against his will but he didn't belt out crying like Riotz did when they played the game together. The, 'together,' part might make him cry out of lameness now but back then it seemed like a good idea...

Emerald eyes softened. "If it's not something you can tell me, at least tell your friend... What's his name...? Ribbon? I don't like him much, but you two seem close. I'm sure-"

"Fuck no. I'd never tell that bastard about my personal life. I rather die," Kurogane hissed.

A bright smile formed instantly. "I knew it had something to do with my baby's personal life! What's wrong, sweetie? Tell Mommy, I won't get mad at you."

Scarlet eyes widened with a nervous, scary smirk-like expression. There was no way in Hell he had just said that. There was no way in Hell he had been that idiotic.

His mother clasped her hands together delightfully with gleaming eyes. "I get it! You've been so overburdened with work and school that you've found an online lover. How absolutely charming!"

A raven eyebrow twitched in horror at his mother's gushing outburst. "I'm leaving," he groaned, running our of the entrance of the house. Going without breakfast was better than sticking around and listening to this.

"Lovers like flowers!" his mother called, waving good-bye from the door's threshold.

Kurogane groaned. 'He's not my lover yet,' he thought to himself. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked at his feet with a shaken frown. 'Yet...?' He shook his head from side-to-side and even slapped his own cheek. There was no way he'd be so stupid to fall for an idiotic blond who had very unsubtly implied that he felt nothing for his avatar. 'Not my lover,' he assured, biting his lower lip with heated cheeks.

And for once, Kurogane could sympathize with Himeko. She annoyed the Hell out of him but right now he was acting just like her.

"Poor Kuro-Wan!" A nerve by his forehead pulsated. At least the bastard decided to warn him. Arms glomped his waist but it wasn't enough for Kurogane to attack the man. The lips attaching to his neck were.

"What the shit?!" he demanded, throwing the man behind him off as his cheeks changed from a hot red to an enraged pink.

Riotz laughed, scratching his head in amusement. "Are you lovesick? Did the big, bad vampire drink you life essence's innocence? I bet you already fucked him, didn't you? How was it? Did he scream in ecstasy as his orgasm came and you cradled his chin so and-"

"Shut the Hell up!" Kurogane screeched, punching the man in the jaw. Riotz laughed but clearly Kurogane was not happy with the situation. "A guy shouldn't have any idea about those things, anyway! What the Hell're you doing? You're not fooling around with guys on the side of your girl, right?"

"Of course not!" the man protested, his mint-green eyes gleamed seriously. He hand a pale hand through his jet-black hair with a pouting lip. "I love my girl more than anything in the world. I wouldn't do that," he explained, a pale shade of pink covering his cheeks.

Kurogane snorted with crossed arms. "Yeah. She's what, sixteen? And you're thirty-one. Pedophile."

Riotz grinned. He stood up and brushed his leather pants off. "You totally ruined my pants, dude."

"Your own fucking problem," Kurogane hissed. He couldn't care less.

The pale man smiled in amusement and ran to catch up with his companion. "Something happened. You can't hide it from me."

"I can't hide anything from you," Kurogane reminded. For better or worse. Having someone to rant to made things somewhat better, at least.

"Things aren't going good?" The man looked shocked. "He seemed really into you. What the fuck did you do? Did you tell him you didn't want someone with a pee-pee?"

"Shut the fuck up!" Kurogane roared, hitting the man. He stopped walking and leaned against the fence. "Okay," he said as he massaged his temples, "you have the latest game of Suikoden in your hands. The artwork is wonderful and only makes you more and more eager as you look at it." Riotz nodded. "You open the disc and it looks as good as the cover. You pop it into your PlayStation, feelin' really good right now. You play level one and everything is wonderful. In fact, the game is so game different than any of the others but because of that makes it so totally kissassawesome, you're doubting that any of it's real."

"Fucking sweet," Riotz gushed. "But my girl is Final Fantasy if your guy is Suikoden."

Kurogane glared at him. "Shut up. We're not going out and what would give you the idea any of this has to do with him?"

Riotz groaned as he rolled his eyes. "Get on with it."

"You play level one and everything is great. You have full stock, your item is nowhere near its breakage limit, and the boss only has a few hit points. You're going to make one of the final moves when the game freezes up. Do you restart or do you wait for it to resume?"

Riotz nodded thoughtfully. "Well, if it were me, I'd bang the game to see if the disc got stuck." Kurogane poked an eyebrow up like that would not apply in his situation. "And then," he continued, "if it still wasn't working, I'd pull out of my lightsaber replicas and beat the fuck out of the machine until it started to fry and my fire-alarm went off." The male was nodded his head with a wide smile. "And after it all, I'd grab a beer and destroy something else." All that he was missing was the convict uniform and then Kurogane would have valid proof criminals were allowed to roam about freely.

"Yeah. Not happening," he hissed, resuming his walk.

Riotz ran to catch up again and patted Kurogane on the back. "Dude, what you need to do is go home, sign on, and look at some porn! Er...wholesome entertainment!" Kurogane sighed. "You have work at seven tonight, right?"

"Unfortunately."

"I'll cover for you. But I get any tips I make that night," the taller male proposed.

"Whatever."

"Alright man, I gotta see my girl."

"Didn't you just see her?" Kurogane asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

"What can I say?" Riotz laughed. "I'm my girl's love-slave!"

"At least you're not a queer."

"Don't talk bad about yourself." Riotz slapped him in the back a couple of times before crossing the street. He waved over to the companion he'd just left with a huge grin. "And don't forget about the porn!"

One of these Kurogane was going to ensure Riotz would be a dead man. He just didn't want to be arrested over someone who should technically be arrested like any other runaway convict.

~O~

'Wholesome entertainment,' Kurogane kept reminded himself. 'Wholesome entertainment.' It was just rather difficult keeping a straight face as he told his mother that he was going to chat with that online-lover of his when he was just going to leech porn. When she smiled with a light remark, it made his stomach twist. He just couldn't do something so tainted when she had this fantasy of her perfect son. Damn himself for being such a sucker.

The man honestly had no idea what he was going to do. He was in one of those moods - the ones you feel like doing something but nothing calls out; the type that whenever you think of doing something you might like, it just doesn't appeal. He had been signed on for a good thirty minutes staring at a blank screen. Somewhere between the forty-five minute and one-hour mark, he realized that what he was doing was rather stupid.

He was groaning, lightly banging his fist against his head as he pulled up his inbox.

~O~

Fai had been nervous in the sense that he knew he had screwed up, knew how he screwed up, but couldn't do anything about it. 'No use crying over spilled milk,' as the saying goes. Unfortunately, he still couldn't shake off the feelings running through his veins.

As he bit his bottom lip in distress, he looped a message through all his regular chat-rooms and forums. Magazines that had advice on relationships for the most part never worked. Why read something like that when there were no comics or multimedia incorporated, anyways? People with real-life experience were the way to go and the first person to reply with sensible advice within the next twelve hours was going to get a kick-ass layout personally made by him.

A kissing sound rang through the air and his heart jumped. That was the sound he configured anytime his Kuro-Wanko sent him a message. With a half, hopeful smile on his face, he opened his inbox and clicked on the new message:

From: Kuro-Pon (Death-Sama_is_Here_972@MSN.com)
Subject: Dammit

You still owe me a fucking lunch

He smiled fondly at the message, he couldn't help it. What he expected was some chewing out - that seemed to fit Kurogane's ego just so. Swearing off was different than the silent treatment he was used to serving but not all people were like that, he supposed... Just the one he managed to fall for.

~O~

Kurogane had considered applying a sound for whenever Fai sent him a new message. He had never configured sound for anyone else before and decided against it because of that. He received messages frequently but most of it he didn't even open. It was annoying him now whenever his inbox rang and he checked it only to find out it wasn't Fai. The major problem was that he couldn't think of a noise that he could associate with Fai instantly... A chime...? Glass breaking? The sound of a car-crash? Maniacal laughter? Maybe a kissing sound...? That last one made him feel like barfing.

A kissing sound rang through the air and he clicked on the message, knowing for a fact that message was sent by Fai and could only have been Fai.

From: Damn Wizard (NeverEndingSolitude@SanglantBraiser.com)
Subject: See You Then

Sounds good! I'll send you another e-mail in a minute with the time and place. I can't wait to see you there, it'll be our little date~!

Love.Fai

Kurogane stared blankly at the screen. Nobody wrote Kurogane letters. As a child, he used to send letters out to family members who replied back, but as he grew older the letters stopped coming. When he turned eighteen he was lucky if he received something other than spam. (His gaming magazines didn't count since they were l33t reading material made of awesome.) So seeing an e-mail signed with, 'love,' felt a little awkward after all this time. For a moment he was hoping that Fai was Celia and he was the main player and not the other way around.

~O~

Kurogane saved as he leaned against a post. Fai had told him to meet at the Stellvitzia Café in Vianova Plaza at eleven-thirty. He was right on time. Still, he saved even after that just to make sure of the time. He didn't want to be late. This was going to be his date with Fai. He didn't want to show up late and it wasn't like he was stressing over this much (though he made sure to visit a vendor and buy a new cloak since his last one had rips in it.) He had slept for two hours last night which was good because he didn't think he'd get any with this being his first date in his life and all...

"KU-RO-PI-YO-N!"

Kurogane averted his attention to that voice and almost instantly groaned inwardly. On each one of that person's arms was a teenager with brown hair. One was a girl with bright emerald eyes and a cheerful expression and the other was a boy with steadfast eyes but a warm smile. Fai immediately launched himself at the ninja, dropping the children behind. Kurogane felt the warm body squeeze against him and all too soon that warmth was gone. The said blond had ran over to the kids again. "This is Sakura-Chan," he demonstrated by patting the girl's shoulder, "-and this would be Syaoran-Kun. Sakura-Chan used to be a big fan of mine and Syaoran-Kun knows her from the real world."

The ninja nodded, unknown feelings presenting themself within the ninja. Something felt like it was constricting inside of his chest... Fai said nothing about bringing extra baggage so he should be thanked that he was at least he was acknowledging their existence.

"Hello, Kurogane-Sama!" the girl exclaimed, running up to the man and grabbing his hands. "I'm Sakura-Chan; we met yesterday in Fai-San's personal server space. I didn't know you were the Kurogane! Like, I thought maybe you were just just some poseur but now that I think about it, it's perfect since Fai's really well known, too. My personal username is xxkiss_kiss_kissxx but the one I told you was x_hikari_x. Maybe you remember me from the chat-room...? It doesn't matter. I'm really different than that, though, just so you know! I just don't want to be associated with, 'them,' so I use a non-standard avatar for default. Anyhow, I'm a big fan of yours, too! I've only heard about you from threads; it's like a dream meeting you!"

Kurogane didn't even understand that, she was talking so fast. And he had met two boys - twins, it seemed - in Fai's personal space... Oh yeah. The incest twins... Come to think of it, he remembered the boy's avatar.

Fai chuckled, and patted her on the back. "Calm down or he won't understand you, Sakura-Chan!" His shining blue eyes cast Kurogane a look. "You need to use small words with him," he explained, showing about an inch between his thumb and index fingers.

"Fuck up!" Kurogane unsheathed his sword and began chasing after Fai.

"Don't use such foul language, Kuro-Pi - Sakura-Chan and Syaoran-Kun are only sixteen in the real world!"

"I told you to stop fucking calling me that!"

Syaoran smiled weakly and patted his female companion's shoulder. "I think we should start getting the table and leave Fai and Kurogane-San to their frolicking."

Kurogane was distracted by the utterance of, '-San,' added to his name. True, Fai had taken it a step further calling him these damned names but Fai was Fai and there was nothing he could do about that. Other people were bound to the corrected honorifics he deemed proper for himself. "Who said you could call me, '-San,' you little shit?" Syaoran gulped as the man stomped over to where he was with a pissed-off expression. "You think you can call me that just because you've met me? And what the fuck do you mean, 'frolicking?'"

Before the boy could run away screaming, 'Mommy!' or shield himself by throwing Sakura between them or even wet his pants, Fai had jumped from behind and pulled Kurogane away.

"Kuro-Chan, Kuro-Chan, Kuro-Chan... What am I going to do with you? That's such a bad puppy!"

Kurogane's eyes widened. "Enough with the fucking names, enough with fucking things like that!"

Fai smacked a hand over Kurogane's mouth with a smile. "What did I say about the swearing...?"

Scarlet eyes rolled over. Seriously. He wasn't a kid like Ness. He was a full-grown man and if he had a baseball-bat in his hands right now, it might be used to dispose of a few lives rather than saving the world.

"Umm, before we have lunch, I need to go to the restroom," Sakura announced, pointing to the wash-rooms.

Syaoran nodded as he asked the hostess for their party's seating. "I'll go with you!" Fai exclaimed, hugging the girl and practically leaning over her the whole way. Kurogane would have said something or gave her the dirtiest glare he could muster but neither of the two were looking his way.

"Umm...Kurogane-'Sama'...?"

Kurogane glared at the weak-voice. He smirked in satisfaction just because he liked the feeling of superiority. The ninja followed the timid boy to a rectangle table with booth-like seats for two placed on either side. There was a lamp-post just outside the small fence that separated it from the busy forum-streets on the right and a fountain to the left. It was sunny outside with a cool breeze so Kurogane didn't have to complain about sitting on the patio. To say the least, it was acceptable for date-conditions. Kurogane sat down at one end of the square as Syaoran seated across from him with a nod. It was unspoken which person would be sitting next to who.

The two males sat in silence, not touching, talking, or even looking at each other.

"...You. What's your username?"

Syaoran's amber eyes glanced up and he flustered up considerably. "Oh, mine? We-Well...it's kind of a long story-"

"Just tell me," Kurogane seethed.

"LittlePuppySama2point0," he answered obidiently, nodding meekly with a blush.

Kurogane's eyebrow twitched. "Little-Puppy-Sama-Two-Point-Oh." He even stressed each syllable in case his ears truly were playing tricks on him. Syaoran nodded again like maybe he didn't know it was against the law to have a username like that. "What kind of name is that?! Are you gay or what? Did someone force you into that name or are you just like Lucius?"

"Lucius from the Fire Emblem on the GameBoy Advanced, Kurogane-San?" He paused, realizing he had addressed Kurogane with, '-San,' again. He held his arms up in case Kurogane decided he wanted to hit him with bunched up brows. "Lucius wasn't gay, Kurogane-Sama!" he pleaded.

Kurogane gave him a look that told him he believed that as much as he believed there was nothing between Ninian and Eliwood. Florina and Lyn not being considered a canon pairing was more believable than Lucius not being gay. A threesome with Lyn, Florina, and Hector because Lyn and Florina were obviously canon and Hector had a thing for Lyn even though she was into other girls was more believable than Lucius not being gay. Nils being a pimp was more believable than Lucius not being gay! Come to think of it, Fai had more in common with Lucius than just the flowing, golden locks... "Gay."

"If you don't mind me asking, aren't you and Fai-San gay-?"

"I'm the one asking questions. Just tell me what the Hell gave you an idea to choose a name like that."

"Well... Sakura and I have been friends for a very long time. My parents are in the military and when they transfered to Italy when I was only in junior high, I was really concerned. Italy was strange and I didn't know anybody - I was scared just to go out to the parks! ...Sakura-Chan was the first person to be nice to me and...and I guess I fell in love with her." Kurogane blinked dully. Syaoran blushed and scratched his head. "If not for her, I would have never started The World. In order to play The World you need an e-mail address and I didn't have one. I remember it just like yesterday..."

~O~

This was the first time he had seen his best friend's apartment. She hadn't shown him her room yet, but such thoughts were the farthest thing from Syaoran's innocent mind. He was content sitting on the couch, watching movies, sipping hot chocolate, and talking with her. "Sakura-Chan, what's your favorite animal...?"

The girl's smile brightened up immediately, warming the boy's heart as well as his cheeks. "Dogs, of course! They're so fuzzy and playful - I just love them all! In fact, when I grow up I'm going to be a veterinarian!"

Syaoran nodded with a kind smile at the girl's enthusiasm. "What kind of dogs?"

"All dogs. I want to help all the doggies of the world!" She rose from her seat and spread her arms wide like she might be hugging someone. "I will save all the puppies and doggies and help them all!"

~O~

"-I honestly didn't know what to do. I wanted to choose something that would remind her of something that she likes," Syaoran confessed. He smiled sheepishly.

Kurogane, on the other hand, felt like gagging his insides out. That was the most stupid thing he'd ever heard.

"Oh but that's not it, Kurogane-Sama!" the boy interjected as if the best part of the story hadn't been told yet. "We knew Fai in the real world before we found him in The World."

Now that was something Kurogane was interested in. "He lives in Italy, too?"

"Oh, no. He lives in Ukraine."

"How'd he get win the Delta Server sweepstakes, then? That was an American promotion." Fai didn't look Ukrainian, either. He looked more Scandinavian...like a Finland. In whatever case, as long as Fai looked like Fai it didn't really matter to him.

Syaoran shrugged and slumped backwards in his seat. "Your guess is as good as mine. I know that person close to him lives in Maine but I don't know anything else. He leaked it when I asked him what I should do about my username. I couldn't think of anything and I was stressing out. I'm not a dog-expert and I didn't know that he was completely wasted until after I created my account. He said: 'Somthin' lik lil' pup'-Sama version 2.0 would fit you fine!' so I went with that."

It was funny because before Kurogane could rant on about how this story completely blew the other away in the fucking stupid category, Fai and Sakura returned. What was even more disturbing was that the first words out of Sakura's mouth were: "I just love your username, Syaoran-Kun!" as she smiled brightly. Kurogane had the distinct feeling he should be tuning them out about now. It was better to move on while ahead before they began talking about how puppies were made. He mentally slapped himself for thinking that.

"So, what did you do today in your real life, Kuro-Sama?" Fai asked interested, awaking the ninja from his zombie-like state. Said ninja had been zoning the kids' conversation out the whole time and now he was a little confused as to what was going on. He would have felt bad for it if he didn't have any better things to do than to whatever the Hell it was they were talking about. He had things that were worth thinking about...like if he was going to choose Zelos or Kratos next time he played Tales of Symphonia...or how Fai's ass moved when he walked.

But this was good. Fai had an idea of how much a gamer he was, but the other two didn't. Moreover, Fai didn't know just how many skills he had up his sleeve. As long as he stayed to the subject and didn't let anything like this hobby of his slip out, he could keep his dignity.

"I was on my way to work when a Pikachu attacked me." Shit. Just a sentence in and he had screwed up. Open mouth, insert foot! Damn Riotz for giving him a lift and saying it was okay to play the latest Nintendo hand-held as he drove. Damn him! Now that he had just announced he was one of those pathetic people who played and bought the virus that is Pokémon yet try not to admit it, he had no other choice but to continue: "My Houndoom saved me, though. It has all my favorite things: fire, darkness, and cool."

There was a moment of silence. It was thick and heavy and loomed over the table considerably. Syaoran was the first to speak:

"Flippin' sweet, man! I totally get you!" he exclaimed, pounding his fists on the table.

Sakura's emerald eyes gleamed like little stars. "Houndooms are so cute! I prefer Arcainine, but I have a Doberman Pincher of my own at home that looks just like one! I even gave it this cute little headgear when I cosplay with him!" She began waving her hands in motions to express the dog-cosplay outfit. "I dressed as _ from the Elite Four once and had him beside me. It was so cute!"

Kurogane nodded, feeling, for the first time, accepted in this obsession of his. He felt that maybe he really wasn't the only one out there with an abnormally large collection of video-games. He leaned over on his elbows and nodded. "I have chow named, 'Noishe.'"

Sakura smiled and laughed. "Like Noishe from Tales of Symphonia? I love that game!"

"Noishe wasn't quite completely a dog, Sakura..." Syaoran commented. The girl began to protest that statement and brought up all the reasons that statement wasn't too. The ninja knew this was his time to be tuning out again.

Kurogane glanced over to Fai just to check on him, he had been quiet for the first time since Kurogane met him making things a little awkward. The vampire smiled back and leaned over, his head resting on Kurogane's shoulders. He didn't know if it was right or wrong. The ninja had only been in a few relationships - none of which lasted very long. He took a chance and wrapped his arms over his...date's shoulders. He could be wrong, but something told him that the hand running over his thigh under the table was worth it.

~O~

"That was nice," Fai commented. They had long last finished lunch. From there Sakura and Syaoran had a chat-room to go to. Fai had already canceled all his meetings since this was his, 'date,' with Kurogane. They wandered about the plaza aimlessly. Kurogane had bought a few things for Fai - not anything meaningful, but nothing overly sappy, either. They were small things: chocolate, a stuffed animal Fai liked in the window, and crap like that.

"I don't care but...this was supposed to be a date, moron," Kurogane grumbled with a blush, finding Fai's hand and holding it firm.

Fai laughed airily as he leaned his head against Kurogane's shoulder. "A date is just a day, Kuro-Chichi. Tomorrow I have a date, too."

The ninja squeezed Fai's hand. "That's not what I meant."

The vampire sighed heavily like this was now becoming complicated business. "Well, I guess I owe Kuro-Sama a date, then."

"Three days from now. Let's go to the Omega-Alpha area and just mess around. There are supposed to be really high-leveled monsters there."

Fai grinned. That sounded just like Kurogane - a situation that would impress Fai with his skills in a locked area only the best could get into. "Sounds good," he whispered. He leaned over on his tip-toes to place a gentle, if not chaste, kiss on Kurogane's cheek. It was simple and sweet and Fai might have lingered there a little too long.

Kurogane felt his cheeks go hot under the light moisture, making him suddenly very uncomfortable. He should be the one kissing Fai, not the other way around. He was supposed to be the man in this relationship, right? With one hand he pushed Fai away. "Don't...do that."

"Aww! But I wanna kiss Kuro-Tan and he's too shy to-"

The ninja knew what was coming up. 'But I wanna kiss Kuro-Tan and he's too shy to kiss me himself!' That's why he grabbed Fai's hood and pulled it towards his mouth. He was going to kiss Fai so that the vampire never doubted him again. He was going to made sure this kiss was the best damned thing that had ever happened to Fai. This kiss would last until Fai started whimpering that it was too much for his body to handle.

The blond had began whimpering as Kurogane had foreseen, not because it was too much but because it wasn't enough. Even Kurogane could agree with that. Fai opened his mouth completely, allowing Kurogane's tongue to delve inside and explore his mouth, and grabbed Kurogane as he leaned their bodies against a wall. The ninja's hands were roaming all around Fai but the vampire couldn't care less. His fingers were in raven strands of hair - pulling and twisting and tangling and it felt so good! The taller male pulled off for breath, occupying his mate by licking down his jawline as he breathed the man's scent in. Fai was rubbing up against Kurogane and the ninja was beginning to think that anything feeling so good should be criminal.

After the kiss had resumed and broke off again, Kurogane and Fai were pressed against each other and their foreheads were resting comfortably on each other's. Kurogane's chapped lips were brushing over Fai's skin and the wizard's mouth was just parted so. Kurogane would have liked to look at the other man's eyes but his thick bangs were shielding those beautiful sapphires.

To the ninja's dismay, the vampire had shoved him off. Fai bit his bottom lip. His body was still close to Kurogane's, but it felt like it was too far away. "Hey, I was just...I mean," he stammered, twirling a finger through his fine hair nervously, "The World has been more fun than reality lately. My life is actually really boring so...I was just going to go to my place here and watch a movie. Better movies play here than the real world, too!"

Scarlet eyes blinked darkly at the blond, his cheeks bright like cherries. "...So you want me to go to your house?"

Fai, with much hesitation, nodded with a little smile. "Company is always nice," he cooed. They were already close but the air had become much hotter. Fai began whispering so low even Kurogane couldn't hear. The only part the ninja could make out was: "There's a bed there." Even that was a long-shot guess, but with Fai's fingers dancing on - just barely brushing over - his crotch, he was more than convinced.

"Let's go," the ninja agreed.

~O~

Fai had acted embarrassed enough asking Kurogane to come over to his house, but once they were in the elevator of the complex, it was like the blond had become an invincible warrior of sex. His legs were wrapped around Kurogane's hips tightly and was practically groping Kurogane's ass. Needless to say, the couple had a hard time working their way to Fai's apartment. The ninja was carrying him, kissing his neck and looking in the pale man's direction when he pointed to his apartment's door.

"Key..." the smaller man choked out in a constricted voice. He slipped Kurogane the key though the ninja has some difficulties focusing on turning the key while there was a beautiful, horny man who also happened to be the best kisser he'd ever met right in front of him. By the time the door clicked open, they were leaning on it so much, they slipped through entirely. Fai groaned as they tumbled onto the floor, Kurogane's was weight pushing on him; he could feel Kurogane and the man wasn't even inside of him yet. He was beginning to become impatient as his vision blurred out and his head began to feel light. "Door... close it... Kuro, Kuro-Wa-"

"Nn." The ninja had only lifted off to slam the door shut before sprawling himself stop of the mage. There wasn't enough room, their knees bent and kept shoving against the closed door whenever either moved. The floor was hard and cold which only made the soft, warm body each man was grasping onto feel even better. "So damn... Fuck."

Fai laughed, just barely. It sounded more of a strained moan than anything else. He was sweating already. It felt like they had done so much touching and kissing and holding and whispering but they hadn't even pulled off either of their coats. The blond tugged off all Kurogane's easy garments as the ninja bucked his hips into Fai's. Fai was groaning loudly, he could feel each passing moment constricting within his chest. The air was too hot to inhale. He couldn't possibly be breathing...

The ninja had slipped one of his hands under all of Fai's clothing. It was running up his chest, pinching the nipples playfully. Fai threw his head back with a scream. The ninja wasn't touching him, wasn't fucking him, wasn't doing anything that should arouse him like this...

"I...I have something...for the first...the first...time..." Kurogane couldn't understand the scrambled words correctly, but he was more interested in feeling Fai's skin than hearing what the blond had to say in protest. "Let me get it-"

"Doesn't matter," Kurogane hissed, nipping at Fai's earlobe. The blond, arched over in Kurogane's embrace, was dangling in his lover's arms helplessly. A line of consecutive kisses trailed over Fai's jawline. "It doesn't...ungh...matter...if you - aa~ - mean it... Mean it...that's all..."

Fai groaned under the hot words. He was ready, hot and horny, wanting Kurogane to fuck him right now, but he felt like the first time should be magical. He wanted to make this magical - for Kurogane, at any cost. Kurogane was looking at him now. Looking to make sure Fai meant it; that he wanted this, need it as much as he did. "Mean it," he choked, "I mean it..." He smiled weakly as Kurogane began unbuckling his pants. It already felt magical enough for him.

~O~

They had just screwed so loudly, Fai was afraid their moaning was echoing through the Vrtzitz Mountains, and on the floor, no less. His hair was a mess. He and Kurogane were still slicked in sweat and their breathing was just barely getting under control. That had to be the best screw of his lifetime and with a novice at that. Fai could tell by the ninja's actions that he wasn't very familiar with this, but that made him feel a little bit more special. The wizard smiled in a content manner and cuddled up against Kurogane's chest. 'His,' ninja was leaned against the very door that had caused them much difficulty earlier. As much as the vampire would have bet against it, Kurogane was quite affectionate after his body was content.

"You like?" Fai joked. The ninja may not have responded directly, but he kissed the pale neck beneath him like it might be last time he could kiss it. The magician writhed under the feel and patted his lover's naked thigh. A sea of clothes surrounded them though Kurogane had pulled his cape over them both. "Mm. This was nice."

"Nice...?" Kurogane echoed.

Fai grinned. "Okay. Maybe a little better than nice."

Kurogane smirked and kissed the male's neck again. His fingertips were stroking the tops of Fai's thighs gently. "Damn right."

The blond male sighed as he ran his head through Kurogane's hair. "You're so pretty..."

The ninja grunted at that, nuzzling the soft mess of hair againt his cheek. "Pretty?" He was beginning to see that he was confronting a lot of, 'first times,' without actually being the first time these situations had happened. He just never cared much to deal with them - 'pretty,' being the most recent. "That sounds so fucking-"

"If you say, 'gay,' I can promise this'll be the last time I let you screw me on my floor." Actually, he couldn't promise that in any situation, but Kurogane was induced on a cuddle-high and thus could not protest. He could tell he on the battle by the ninja's pouting so he took the time to grin at his accomplishment.

For the next few minutes, Kurogane was shifting behind him, running his hands over Fai's skin any way he could. It was only afterwards that he forgot to mention one, tiny, little thing that might make the ninja's day... "Oh, yeah. I just remembered," Fai murmured lazily, nuzzling his cheek against Kurogane's neck. It was best to bring up situations like these indirectly. "We can't go on that date in three days."

The ninja stopped cuddling immediately. His eyes jolted open but the rest of his moment tensed up like a rock. "...Why the fuck not? You said you owed me a-"

"Mmm," Fai sighed. He tapped a finger over the ninja's mouth and held it there. "Because you and I have a tournament to win in three days."

"The competition in Talabithithiz Square?" Scarlet eyes blinked dumbly as Fai's messy mop of golden hair nodded up and down. "That already ended. It was last night and I didn't stick around for it."

"That was only registration. The date is still tentative but set for the next seventy-eight hours," the vampire explained with a chime, "You should be recieving a confirmation e-mail in about twelve hours. Hope you don't mind that I forged your e-mail?" Kurogane didn't move. He didn't even blink. Fai laughed uneasily. The look Kurogane had said that he completely and utterly didn't get that - and what little that he did, he didn't believe. "I had to bribe the admin a little, but it wasn't anything indecent, baby!"

Kurogane did move then because there was something more at stake than just the lust of fighting...even if he didn't realize that yet. "What? 'Bribed?'" He grabbed Fai's slender shoulders and began shaking the other male. Damn vampire was just going to come out now and admit that he'd been having unhealthy relations while knowing Kurogane?! "Bribed how? With what? For how long?"

"It... It was just a favor!" the mage choked out with wide eyes. "She wanted one of my pies. We actually know each other in the real world and likes my cooking..."

"Oh." The ninja nodded with relief now. He relaxed and eventually the mage he was cradling in his arms leaned up against him again. "That's...good."

"Mmm," Fai conceded with a nod. He inhaled his newfound-lover's scent and sighed. "It's going to be a fun date."

Kurogane didn't say anything. He shoved Fai off and straddled the smaller male's hips again. The blond whimpered, probably wondering if he should be protesting, enjoying, or wondering what had gotten into Kurogane. The ninja couldn't help it. Fai had some really sexy moments. Kurogane would make him into a great gamer yet. He leaned over the vampire's lithe body predatorily, with a dark smirk, sucking on the soft spot behind Fai's ear. "You might want to save," he suggested huskily.

LOG-OUT ACCEPTED. NEXT LOG-IN REQUESTED.

Afterthoughts: This chapter is too rag-tag for my tastes. I apologize for the OOC lines/scenes but I hope the lemony references will make up for it. I'll get a lemon in here sometime later. Next chapter will be better since it'll be a turning point in Fai's background... Anywho, there are lines in here that make me want to pull my hair out, lines that make me laugh, and lines that make me fan-girl. I hope You've felt maybe a portion of the thoughts that run through my head and the emotions I gush over while reading this. *^^* As always, comments, constructive criticism, and all that love is much appriciated. Your comments make my day!

~B.T.A. Ria-Chan explodes like fireworks! (ka-boom!)