Disclaimer:

I do not own Weiß Kreuz or any of its characters. I just love them to no end and have a very twisted imagination. Please be aware that I am extremely poor so suing me will do you no good. Thanks.

Warning: Lemon Yaoi - Hints of Yuri / Hardcore Rape / Violence / Explicit Language / Angst / AU

Pairings: Ran x Yohji / Ken + Omi / Birman + Manx

FYI: Inner thoughts - [ Flashback ]

Author's Notes:

Well, guys. I hope that this latest installment of Circle of Time is to your liking. Once again, we dwell in the lives of our young bishies, seeing the world through their eyes. I tried to convey as much feeling and emotion as I could and I pray that I did a good job of it.

Thanks to all who have send comments my way. I really do love hearing from my readers, so please feel free to do so. Your feedback is of great importance to me.

Okay, that's it for now. Enjoy the fic!

Thanks,

Forsaken

Circle of Time

Still half asleep, Ran languidly stretched out his naked body and smiled as he rubbed up against Yohji's warm form. Wrapping his arms around his lover's waist, Ran pressed the blonde's back closer to his chest. He tucked his chin into the crook of Yohji's neck and sighed, allowing sleep to overtake him once more.

The sound of footsteps outside of Yohji's room, however, intruded into Ran's dazed state and had his eyes snapping open in an instant. What the ... His sleepy eyes widened when he realized that it was no longer dark out. "Holy shit!" he exclaimed, as he released Yohji and jumped off of the bed.

"What?" Yohji mumbled, as he rolled onto his belly and got up onto his elbows. The blonde blinked a few times, as he stared at Ran with groggy jade eyes.

Grabbing his jeans from where they had been carelessly thrown on the wooden floor the night before, Ran proceeded to put them on, his violet eyes glaring at the sleepy man before him. "It's fucking morning, Yohji! We overslept, dammit."

Wide awake now, Yohji pushed the covers off of him and began to mirror Ran's movements. He looked over at his alarm clock and cursed. "Fuck, my dad's probably home by now."

Ran paled, remembering the footsteps that had awoken him just moments ago. "That must have been him moving outside your room a minute ago." Ran pulled his t-shirt down over his head, his scarlet hair spiking up in different directions. "I am so fucked!"

Yohji shook his head. "I'm not worried about my dad. He's cool. It's your uncle I'm worried about." Yohji pulled his hair out from under the shirt he'd just put on and looked at Ran with eyes full of regret and worry. "Shit, I'm sorry, Ran. This is all my fault."

Seeing the concern in his boyfriend's eyes, Ran zipped his jeans up and walked over to the blonde, his anger over having overslept forgotten. He placed a gentle hand over Yohji's cheek, caressing the jaw line with his thumb. "Don't be sorry. I didn't regret a moment of last night."

Yohji pressed his face into Ran's hand. "Still, you're gonna get your ass chewed off when you get home."

Ran moved away and tucked his t-shirt into the waist band of his jeans. "Don't worry about me, Yohji. I'll deal with my uncle." He looked at the alarm clock on the night stand. "Besides, it's only six thirty on a Saturday morning. His lazy ass is probably still in bed not even realizing that I never came home. My aunt's no better than him and I know that Aya won't say anything." Ran turned and anxiously looked at Yohji. "But your dad's definitely up. What are we going to tell him?"

Yohji walked toward him and handed him his black sneakers. "Well, if he's not out like a light yet, I'll just have to introduce you to him."

Ran swallowed, his stomach suddenly full of those blasted butterflies again. "He isn't going to get upset over the fact that ... you know?"

Yohji shook his head. "Nah, I told him a long time ago that I was bi. He doesn't have a problem with it at all."

Ran rolled his eyes, as he sat down on the bed and began to put his sneakers on. "That doesn't mean he's going to be happy to see me coming out of your room first thing in the morning. He's going to know what we did and ..." Ran blushed. Dammit, he couldn't help it. "God, Yohji. It's going to be awkward."

Yohji chuckled as he went to the door. "You're so cute went you're bashful." He laughed out loud when a pillow hit the door right next to his face. "Awww, come on, Ran. It's not going to be so bad. Just let me handle my dad."

I know I'm going to regret this, Ran told himself, as he walked up to stand behind Yohji. His heart was pounding in his chest and his hands had become sweaty and clammy. He was a nervous wreck! Calm down, Ran. Calm down. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in ... Fuck! I can't calm down! Ran suddenly had the ridiculous urge to use the bathroom.

Yohji opened the bedroom door slowly and took a quick survey of the hallway. "Looks like the close is clear," Yohji said, before he moved into the carpeted corridor. He looked over to his father's closed bedroom door just a door away to the right and motioned for Ran to follow him.

Ran moved as quietly as he was able to, despite the fact that his entire body was shaking like a leaf and his heart felt as if it were about to explode out of his chest. He could kick himself in the ass for being such a wuss, but he really couldn't help it. He was sneaking around in his boyfriend's house after a night of unimaginable sex, trying to avoid being caught in the process of leaving. Who wouldn't be pissing in their pants?

Nearing the stairs, Yohji turned to him. "Try to be really careful going down the steps," the blonde whispered. "This is an old house and the stairs creek 'really' bad at the worst possible times."

Oh, great! Just what I needed to hear. ""Yohji, I swear---- "

"S'okay," Yohji interrupted his death threat. "Just stay to the left of the stairs and go slow." At Ran's skeptical look, Yohji smiled, placing a hand over his chest. "Trust me, alright? I've done this enough times to know what I'm talking about."

Ran frowned but nodded, knowing that he had no choice but to take Yohji's word on the matter. Yohji started down on the steps first and Ran followed close behind, making sure he followed Yohji's instructions to the letter. So far so good, he thought, as the inevitable creeks were kept to a minimum. He looked behind him every once in a while, fearful that they would get caught. But as they neared the landing still undetected, Ran breathed a sigh of relief and thanked his lucky stars.

Grabbing their jackets from within the hall closet, Yohji walked back to Ran with a satisfied grin curving his chiseled lips. "Told you we'd make it."

Ran took his leather jacket from Yohji and put it on, his own lips trying to suppress a grin. "We're not out of the woods yet, Kudou." Overconfident ass, he thought fondly.

Yohji smirked and was about to say something when a voice shot through the air, stilling both their hearts.

"Yohji? Yohji is that you?" the baritone voice asked, growing nearer by the second.

"Holy shit!" Yohji exclaimed in a whisper, his eyes impossibly huge, and hurriedly opened the front door. "Uh, yeah it's me, Dad. I'm going out for a bit," Yohji replied quickly. "I'll be back later."

Ran flew past the blonde, nearly tripping over himself in his haste, and rushed down the front steps. Already on the sidewalk, he waited anxiously for Yohji to lock the door and walk over to him. His heart skipped a beat when he looked up at one of the second floor windows to his left and saw the blinds begin to move. Shit! Not really knowing what to do, Ran moved in place for a panicked moment before he managed to get his brain to command his body to walk away from the window's line of sight. God, did he see me?

"Shit, Ran. Wait up," Yohji said, as he caught up to Ran. "Why'd you run off like that?"

Ran stuffed his hands into his pockets, cursing the coming winter as the morning's cold breeze sent shivers up his spine. "I think your father saw me."

Yohji blinked and then shrugged, keeping his pace even to Ran's. "Maybe he thought you came to pick me up."

Ran gave Yohji a yeah-right look.

"Well, hell. He was going to find out eventually."

"That's not the point," Ran replied, his tone close to sounding angry. Dammit. I didn't want his father to see me. To think that----

Yohji placed a hand onto Ran's shoulder, interrupting his thoughts and effectively stopping him in his tracks. Green eyes bore into his own, and Ran wished he'd kept his mouth shut. Sometimes Yohji was too perceptive for his own good.

"What is the point?"

Ran looked away from Yohji's piercing gaze, and moved to continue walking. Yohji, however, had other plans and refused to let go of the subject at hand by grabbing onto Ran's arm, keeping him still.

"Come on, Ran. Tell me. Why are you so pissed off about my dad finding out about us?"

Knowing that the persistent blonde wouldn't let up, Ran took a deep breath and looked once again into Yohji's confused eyes, not once attempting to pull his arm away from the blonde's grasp. "I don't want your dad thinking ill of me, Yohji. I don't want him to think that I'm loose or ... I just have enough of that shit at home. My uncle's forever putting me down and insulting me and ... I don't need your father thinking just as badly of me." Ran sighed and shook his head, realizing how ridiculous he was sounding. "I'm not making any sense, am I?"

Yohji smiled, relief evident in his face. "Nope, you're not." Yohji chuckled at Ran's exasperated expression. "God, you worry too much, Ran."

"I do not."

"Yeah, you do. You're sixteen going on forty-five," Yohji exaggerated. "Just lighten up, will you? My dad's a cool guy. There's no way he's going to judge you because you stayed the night with me. I mean, he's probably going to give me the whole sex lecture and he's definitely going to want to meet you, but that's about it."

The thought of meeting Yohji's father had Ran paling. He pulled himself away from Yohji and continued walking toward the curve, ignoring Yohji's protest as he did so. Meet his dad? God. He was wary of people as it was. How the hell was he supposed to stand before his boyfriend's father and allow himself to be scrutinized?

"Ran!" Yohji called out.

Closing his eyes, Ran stopped walking and waited for Yohji to catch up to him, his mind a mass of confused thoughts and lingering fears. What am I going to do? I'm not ready for this. Or was he?

"What is your problem?" the blonde asked with a frown, as he stepped in front of Ran.

Staring into Yohji's angry jade eyes, Ran asked himself the same question. What was his problem? He'd known the instant that he'd followed Yohji out of the kitchen last night that his life would change forever. Not only had he lost his virginity to the man now glaring at him, but he had also lost his heart completely to him. Yohji had shared so much with him last night, revealed a past that even he could've never imagined. Yet here he was acting like an idiot over something as silly as his pride and baseless fears. Ran eyes softened, as he gazed into his lover's eyes, eyes that were not only boring into him with annoyance but with worry as well. Christ, I can be so stupid sometimes.

"I'm sorry," he said suddenly, taking hold of Yohji's gloved hand. He swallowed, trying to gather his thoughts along with his nerve. "I'm just ……" Unable to continue meeting Yohji's gaze, Ran broke eye contact, deciding to stare at Yohji's collar instead and took a deep breath. "I'm afraid, Yohji."

Yohji's hand tightened over Ran's. "Of what?" the blonde asked gently.

"I'm afraid …… of my feelings for you …… of how much my life's going to change now that I have someone other than my sister to live for."

Ran held his breath, his eyes beginning to water from the emotions now whirling inside of him. God, I shouldn't have said that. It's too much, too soon. But he hadn't lied or exaggerated. He cared for Yohji that much, loved him that much. Yohji had become a part of him, an extension of his very soul. How his feelings for Yohji had become so intense, so overpowering in such a short amount of time, Ran didn't know nor did he care. It was a reality. Plain and simple. And he was tired of trying to convince himself otherwise. A finger lifted his chin up gently and Ran felt a rebellious tear trail down his cheek, as he was forced to meet Yohji's eyes once again. His heart clenched painfully in his chest at sight of the unshed tears within his lover's emerald orbs.

Yohji smiled, his eyes shining with emotion. "Dammit, Ran. You really know how to sucker punch somebody." Yohji shook his head and chuckled. "I've been feeling the same way about you for weeks now." The blonde's smile faltered and his lips began to tremble. "Knowing that you care about me just as much as I care for you is like a dream come true. I ..." Yohji paused, his Adam's apple moving up and down as he swallowed. "I love you so much, Ran. You'll never know how much."

His own face wet with tears, Ran reached up and placed a hand on either side of Yohji's face. "Yes, I do. Yes, I do," Ran whispered brokenly, as he went up on his toes slightly, and kissed the blonde softly, pouring all of his love into that one delicate melding of lips.

Their tongues met and tangled, dancing around each other in heated play, and a jolt of pleasure streaked through Ran's insides. He moved his body closer, until he was pressed against Yohji's lean form, and allowed the wave of passion now cascading over him to sweep him away. His hands found their way into Yohji's golden hair, and Ran relished in the feel of the silken strands touching his skin. He gasped into Yohji's mouth, as his lover's hands cupped his behind and squeezed, pushing him even further up against Yohji's hard body.

Yohji suddenly pulled away, leaving Ran blinking in confusion. Then he was being pulled by his hand and all Ran could do was follow, his brain having turned into mush. Yohji led them away from the street, and into an alleyway in between a convenience store and a small apartment building. Once far enough into the darkened corridor, Ran found himself hauled up against a brick wall with Yohji in between his legs, ravaging his mouth.

Ran moaned, as Yohji's mouth moved to his neck, finding the sensitive spot there, and he buried his hand into Yohji's mane, encouraging his lover to continue in his assault. Ran's legs tightened around Yohji waist, and he moved his hips so that his constricted erection could rub against Yohji's.

"God, Ran," Yohji moaned into his ear, causing Ran to shiver. "I have to taste you."

Knowing what Yohji was asking, Ran nodded, too lost in the fire now coursing through him to even speak. With one last shift of his hips, Ran allowed his legs to slide down to the floor. A pair of trembling hands immediately began to tug away at his zipper and he shuddered with excitement. His member was set free from its confines just as Yohji lowered himself down onto his knees in front him. Only a breath away from his weeping erection, Yohji looked up at him and licked his lips, his green eyes glittering with lust and need, causing Ran's lower belly to clench in anticipation. Warmth suddenly engulfed him, and Ran cried out, his strangled shout echoing along the dimly lit area, as his world became centered around the mouth now pleasuring him.

His hips began to move back and forth into Yohji's mouth, as his mind went blank, leaving Ran to depend on instinct alone. Feels so good. More. Want more. Bringing a hand up to the back of Yohji's bobbing head, Ran urged Yohji to move faster; the pleasure was building, growing inside of him faster than he could take a breath, and Ran was greedily reaching for the pinnacle. God, almost there. Almost ...

The sound of a zipper being lowered caught Ran's attention and he looked down to where Yohji's free hand had disappeared to. Ran sucked in a breath and watched with darkening eyes as Yohji began to pump his own hardened shaft. Ran's need intensified as he watched the erotic scene playing out before him and his hips quickened their pace, thrusting into Yohji's receptive mouth desperately.

White light flashed before his eyes, as something inside of him seemed to explode. Ran once again cried out, throwing his head back and arching his back, as his orgasm ripped through him. Yohji's cry of completion intermingled with his own and Ran smiled in dazed satisfaction. Needles of exquisite pain danced along his skin, making him tremble, as Yohji rested his cheek against his inner thigh, mere inches away from his already softening member.

Breathing heavily, Ran reached out for his lover's hand and pulled Yohji up to his feet. Leaning against the wall for support, Ran held Yohji within his arms, breathing in the scent of their lovemaking. "I love you," he whispered. Always and forever.

"I love you, too," Yohji whispered, placing a soft kiss upon Ran's neck.

The arms around his waist tightened and Ran smiled, grateful for the gift he had only recently realized he'd been given. Ran closed his eyes, resting his head upon Yohji's shoulder, and willed his problems and fears away. He knew that it wouldn't last, that once they departed from their secluded hideaway life would once again resumed its miserable course. But for now, within the arms of the man he loved, Ran would pretend that all was well in the world. He would enjoy this small reprieve.

Omi sat quietly at the far end of the large dining room table, eating his well balanced breakfast, and he tried not to look in his father's direction. To his left sat his mother, Kanae Tsukiyono, completely into the conversation she was having on her cell phone. Being a very sought after fashion designer, his mother was hardly ever at home. On the miraculous chance that she was, the phone or her work always had her undivided attention. Omi would've sighed if he weren't afraid of attracting his father's attention. All he wanted to do was leave the room, leave the house for that matter, and spend the rest of the day with Ken. Joy once again peered through the misery clouding over him, as his thoughts shifted to his boyfriend.

Last night after their talk on their way to Ken's house, the brunette's demeanor had changed. Ken had been less apprehensive in showing his affections towards him, kissing Omi with more fervor and passion than before. It was as if Ken had finally gotten past his inhibitions and doubts. Omi could still remember the feel of Ken's lips over his own, soft yet demanding. Unfortunately, his body remembered just as clearly, and Omi could feel himself hardening. Shit, not now.

Willing his thoughts to remain chaste, Omi attempted to concentrate on his food instead of on his boyfriend. He took a mouthful of scrambled eggs and tried not to shift in his seat, but his semi-hard erection wasn't making it easy on him. Damn hormones, he mumbled to himself, as he proceeded to pick at his food. God, but I can't help it. He so wonderful and friggin gorgeous. And the way he kisses. No wonder I'm hard. And he was. Nothing semi about it. Shit, my parents are right here next to me and all I want to do is reach into my pants and jack off. I'm out of my fucking mind.

"Did you hear what I said, Omi?"

At the sound of his father's voice, Omi's eyes widened and he nearly choked on the fork full of eggs in his mouth. "No, sir. I didn't," he replied when he was able to and gritted his teeth at his father's sigh of annoyance. Just say what you have to say already.

"I'm going to be having a late meeting tonight here in my office with a business associate and I don't wish to be disturbed under any circumstances during that time. Is that understood?"

Omi looked into his father's dark eyes, wishing that he had the balls to tell his father off. Meeting my ass. You just want to make sure you can fuck your 'associate' without having me walking in on you. Fucking bastard. His mother was more than likely going to be out, leaving his father with the perfect opportunity to fuck around right under her nose. Dammit, why doesn't he just get a hotel or something. Why bring this shit home? ""I understand, Father," he replied, his tone miraculously neutral.

"Good," his father said, wiping a white napkin over his mouth. "What of your community service? How is that coming along?"

"Everything is going well, Father." Omi knew that his father was asking for more information, but he just didn't feel like sharing. It was all bullshit anyway. His father didn't really care what he did as long as he was serving his time and repairing the damage his temper had wrought to the family name.

His father's eyes narrowed slightly, obviously aware of Omi's challenging attitude, and was about to say something when the ringing of a cell phone caught his attention. Omi watched with little surprise as his father answered the phone and promptly forgot about him. Omi turned his head slightly and looked at his mother as she continued to chat away on her phone. Fucking story of my life.

No longer able to continue with this farce of a family breakfast, Omi stood up and excused himself from the table. He walked out of the room, hearing no reply and expecting none, for he knew that no one had heard him. It doesn't matter, Omi, he told himself, fighting back the wave of sadness threatening to wash over him. You're used to them being a pair of inconsiderate asses, so forget about it. Brush it off, dammit. It's nothing new.

Taking a deep breath, Omi pushed back the hurt that constantly bit at him whenever he thought of his parents and their callous ways. He had something to look forward to now, after all. He had a job that he loved, friends that cared for him, and most importantly, he had Ken. Climbing the stairs two at a time, his steps quick and lively, Omi smiled for the first time that morning, as he suddenly realized that life really wasn't that much of a burden anymore. Not when you had someone to share it with you.

"Here."

Sitting at the small table he and Ran had picked out to have lunch at, Yohji snapped out of his thoughts and took the soda can Ran was offering him. "Thanks."

"What's wrong, Yohji?" Ran asked, as he sat down across from Yohji.

Looking into Ran's eyes, seeing the worry within their violet depths, Yohji knew it was time for him to take his own advise and open up to his boyfriend, to express his concerns and fears. Sitting in the middle of a food court wasn't the most private place to have such a conversation, but Yohji figured that he'd sound nuts no matter where the conversation took place.

"I'm not really sure," he answered, shifting his gaze to the soda can in his hand. He began to fiddle with the pull-off top and took a deep breath before he spoke, hoping that he wasn't going to come off sounding like a complete nutcase. "Have you ever felt like you were being watched?"

Ran's brow furrowed, as opened his can. "I guess I have. Why?"

"Well, that's what I've been feeling. Like someone's been watching me. I know that it's probably my imagination fucking around with me, but I just can't shake the feeling." Yohji shook his head. "It's bothering the shit out of me."

After taking a sip of his soda, Ran asked, "What's giving you the impression that someone's watching you."

Yohji looked up at Ran, searching through his memory. "Well ... when I'm walking to the shop, or walking home, I get this nagging feeling that someone's out there following my every move. A couple of times, I could've sworn that this black car was following me. Plus ..." Yohji paused, the recollection of that one time at the Koneko when he'd actually seen someone standing across the street once again had his stomach knotting in fear.

"Yohji?"

"There was this time at the Koneko when I saw a guy standing across the street staring into the place. He looked like he were looking right at me." Yohji shuddered at the memory, his grip over the soda can tightening enough to make a dent on it. "It scared me ... seeing him there just looking at me," Yohji continued, his heart pounding against his chest. "A couple of customers were walking in at the time and when they moved out of my line of sight, the man was gone. Like he'd never been there. It was all just so damn creepy."

Yohji looked at Ran, noticing the frown on the redhead's beautiful face, and wondered whether Ran thought he was as crazy as he sounded. He probably thinks that I'm some paranoid loon or something. Great, Kudou. Nice impression you just gave the man. The last thing he wanted was for his lover to regret being with him, to think that he'd given up his virginity to a complete weirdo. Well, shit. You didn't do a good job in doing otherwise. Idiot.

"Yohji?"

"Yeah," he replied, holding his breath.

"Did you tell your father about this?"

Yohji blinked. My father? ""No. Why should I? It's just me being paranoid." He did 'not' want to take this crap to his father. No way. He'd caused enough problems as it was.

Ran shook his head, worry evident on his handsome features. "I don't think you're being paranoid. I get the same feeling sometimes when I'm with you, too. I thought it was just 'my' imagination. But if you're really worried about this, feeling like someone really is out there watching you, then maybe you should talk to your father. He's a cop, isn't he? He can help you sort this out."

What Ran was saying made sense, Yohji admitted reluctantly, as he broke away from Ran's concerned gaze and once again focused on the can in his hand. If Ran was getting the same vibes as he was about the whole mess, maybe he should talk to his dad. Shit, I don't want to hassle him any more than I have already. His father had been his savior, had provided him with a life that Yohji would've never had been privileged to have considering his background. He owed so much to Shiro Kudou. How much more grief was he going to give the man?

This is stupid. It's just our imaginations getting away from us. It's not ... Yohji frowned, the memory of the dark clad figure standing across from the Koneko watching him whisking through his mind yet again. Fuck, who the hell am I kidding? That was definitely not a figment of my imagination. He was real. And the car, he thought suddenly. The dark car he'd mentioned to Ran had also been real. He'd seen it pass him by on several occasions, always speeding up and driving away whenever Yohji tried to peer into it. Granted, he didn't live far away from the Koneko so it was probable that people around his neighborhood frequented the area around the shop. But for some reason, it all just didn't sit well with him. It happened too often for his own piece of mind.

"I don't know, Ran," he said, his eyes latching onto Ran's violet ones. "It all just seems so unreal. To bother my dad about this ... I just don't want to cause him any more trouble."

Ran's eyes softened, as he leaned a bit closer. "You're not. He's your dad. It's his job to be there for you no matter what. He loves you, Yohji. He'll listen to whatever you have to say. I know he will."

Yohji nodded, a smirk playing at his lips. "Yeah, he's quite a guy. And I know that he'll listen to me. It's just hard for me sometimes to open up to him. Weird, huh? The man's given me everything I could've asked for, and I'm afraid to talk to him."

"It's not weird. Sometimes it's just hard to talk to someone about things that are personal. To share your private thoughts. I feel that way all of the time."

"Even with me?"

Ran nodded. "Even with you. It's not that I don't trust you or anything," Ran quickly added. "It's just hard to open up to someone after being alone for so long. I've had my sister to talk to, but I could never talk to her about my fears or doubts. I still can't. I'm her big brother. I'm there to protect and comfort her, not the other way around." Ran's mouth curved slightly at one corner. "With you, it's different though. I want to talk to you about the things that are bothering me. But it's hard to get out of the habit of keeping such things to myself. Am I making any sense to you?"

"Yeah, you are," Yohji answered, feeling even closer to the usually close-mouthed redhead. "I feel the same way actually. Guess that's why I'm so edgy about talking to my dad. I'm always trying not to bother him with my shit. Getting into trouble has been my forte it seems and I just don't want him getting tired of me, you know? I don't want him to regret taking me in."

"Stop being stupid," Ran interjected, his tone holding a trace of anger. "From what you've told me, he's a man that knows his own mind. He took the responsibility of being your father for a reason. Yohji. He loves you. Nothing that you'll ever do is going to change that. Understand?"

Chuckling, Yohji stood up from his seat. "Okay, I understand. Don't kick my ass over it." He motioned with his head for Ran to get up. "Come on, let's go see my dad." Yohji looked down at his wrist watch. "We've got about an hour before we have to be at the shop for our shift, so let's get going."

Ran stood up and followed him out of the busy area. Yohji really wanted more than anything to take Ran's hand into his own, but he knew that he couldn't. Ran was still too skittish about public displays of affection. The stoic man would probably jerk his hand away if he even tried to hold it now. Resigned, Yohji stuck his hands into the pockets of his jacket, settling for the time being in having Ran beside him.

"I'm nervous," he admitted, as they walked along the sidewalk.

"I know. But it'll be alright," Ran answered, before leaning in close to Yohji's side.

Yohji almost stumbled, as he felt Ran's warm hand slip into his pocket. Their fingers entwined and he turned his head to stare at Ran, his eyes wide from shock. Ran merely looked at him and gave him a shy smile. Yohji barely noticed the faint rosy tint on Ran's face just before the redhead turned his attention back onto the path in front them.

The fingers around his own tightened, and Yohji merely hung on as they walked toward his house, allowing his boyfriend to lead him, for his mind had completely stopped processing any coherent thought.

The rumble of a motorcycle just outside his window had Omi rushing over to it. He smiled when he saw his boyfriend just off of the driveway. "Hey!" he shouted in greeting.

Ken took off his helmet, his dark hair spiking up in all directions, and smiled up at him. "Hey! Hurry up and get down here!"

Omi nodded excitedly. "I'll be right down!"

Practically flying away from the window, he ran over to his closet and grabbed his jacket and his backpack in one swift motion. Closing the door to his bedroom, Omi ran along the long hallway and rushed down the stairs. Once he was sure that his parents were nowhere to be seen, he entered the foyer and flew through the front door.

Omi ran over to where Ken was waiting for him and hopped onto the back of the brunette's bike. Ken handed him a dark blue helmet and Omi fought back the urge to kiss him right then and there.

"Ready?"

Tightening his hold around Ken's waist, Omi said, "Ready."

Ken revved up the bike and pulled away from the driveway. Omi leaned close to Ken's back, loving the feel of having the one he loved against him, as his body swayed in perfect unison with the motion of the motorcycle. In silence they rode along the congested streets, making their way to the shop. Omi didn't mind the silence, however. Not with Ken. With him, the silence was always a comfortable one, almost soothing.

"Do you want to grab something to eat?" asked Ken over the rumble of the bike's motor.

Omi nodded. "Yeah, but it's got to be quick though or we'll be late."

"No problem, Mos Burger is on our way. We'll go there for a quick bite and be out of there in no time."

Omi snorted. "Are you crazy? They're always packed there. We'll have to wait for an eternity before they get to make our order."

"Don't worry, I know a guy that works there. He'll push aside a few customers for us."

"Okay, but if people start getting violent, I'm going to kick your ass and throw you at them."

Ken chuckled. "It'll be worth it. Man! I can't wait to get my hands on one of their rice burgers."

Omi made a face. "I'll go for their chili dogs, thank you very much."

"God, I'm hungry!" Ken exclaimed and picked up more speed. "Food! I need food!"

Omi laughed, holding onto Ken's waist tightly, as they whisked through traffic. He really loved Ken. So much so, that it hurt to just look at the lanky brunette sometimes. Ken was so different from Omi and those he usually associated with. Ken was refreshing, so full of life and spontaneity that Omi enjoyed every moment they shared together. He never realized how dreary his life had been before Ken came into to it, shining a light over it that he never known had been missing.

He felt wonderfully alive; the misery in his life paled in comparison to the joy he felt whenever he was with his spirited boyfriend. Omi closed his eyes and smiled. I love him and he loves me. Nothing else matters. Nothing.

"Dad? Dad are you home?"

"Yeah, son. Hold on a sec," Shiro called out, as he finished pouring himself a glass of water.

Glass in hand, he walked out of the kitchen and was surprised to see that Yohji wasn't alone. His dark eyes fell upon the obviously nervous redhead standing next to his son, the same boy he'd seen practically flying down the street this morning from the upstairs window. Interesting.

"Dad, I'd like you to meet Ran," Yohji said, motioning to the other boy, "my boyfriend."

Shiro's eyes widened in surprise. Boyfriend? Yohji's has a boyfriend? He should've known that there was something special about this boy from the start. Yohji had never before brought any of his friends to the house, let alone had them spending the night. Yohji obviously cared for this boy. It was simply amazing. He really never thought to see the day when Yohji allowed someone other than him to get so close. Holy shit.

"It's nice to meet you," he finally said, offering his hand to the straight faced redhead.

"Likewise."

"Dad, I have to talk to you."

Sensing the tension coming from the two boys, Shiro motioned them to sit down on the sofa. "Sure, sit down."

Sitting closely beside Ran with his legs wide apart and his hands hanging loosely in between his thighs, Yohji looked at Shiro and seemed to hesitate. Concern immediately washed over Shiro, knowing full well that Yohji usually jumped into a conversation. Something was up.

"What is it?" he asked, as he settled into the small plush chair across from the boys, suddenly needing to know why Yohji had come to talk to him. He hoped to God that the kid hadn't gotten into more trouble. "Is it something serious?"

Yohji looked over to Ran a brief moment, before turning his green gaze back to Shiro. "I think someone's been following me, Dad."

Shiro felt as if he'd just been punched in the gut. Shit! Fucking shit! ""Why? Did you see someone?" he asked urgently, his eyes intense and demanding an answer.

Yohji nodded. "Um, sort of. A couple of times I've seen a dark car following me around and just the other day at the shop, I saw someone watching me from across the street."

"Sonofabitch!" Shiro cursed, jumping out of the chair. "Dammit all to hell!"

"Dad?"

Realizing that he was probably scaring the two boys, Shiro pushed down the wave of panic nearly consuming him and forced himself to face his son. God, how is he going to take it when I tell him?

Shiro had feared this moment. Afraid beyond comprehension that his son would flee the instant he was told that his father had been released from prison. How the hell was he supposed to explain to his son that the man who had abused him for most of his young life, who had whored him around to countless people, who had left him to die was once again free?

"Dad, you're scaring me." Yohji stood up, his intelligent eyes boring into him. "What aren't you telling me? What's going on?"

Running a hand threw his dark mane, Shiro walked up to Yohji and placed his hands on his son's shoulders. "Promise me something."

Yohji frowned. "Dad ----"

Shiro shook his head. "Promise me that no matter what you won't run."

Yohji swallowed, fear flooding the depths of his green eyes. "What the hell are you talking about? What do you ----"

"Promise me!" Shiro demanded, suddenly afraid that Yohji wouldn't give his word. He had learned throughout the years with Yohji that his son always kept his promises. Not once had the blonde ever broken his word to him, showing Shiro how highly Yohji regarded honesty and respect. Give me your word, son. Please. Give me your word.

"Yohji," he heard Ran say and Shiro watched in fascination as Yohji looked down to where Ran was sitting and sighed in resignation.

"Alright," Yohji finally said. "I promise I won't run. Now tell me what the hell has you scared shitless."

Shiro took a deep breath, wishing that Yohji could've been spared from the reality playing out around him. "It's about Ikari, Yohji." Yohji's eyes widened in stark fear at the mention of the hated name and Shiro held on to his son's tense body. "He's out, Yohji. Your father was released from prison over a month ago."

"No," Yohji whispered, shaking his head frantically in denial. "No, he can't be. He fucking can't be! No! No!"

Yohji tried to pull away from Shiro's grasp, his face pale and frightened, but Shiro refused to let his son go. Despite Yohji's attempts to free himself, Shiro managed to pull his son into his arms, holding Yohji's trembling body against him. Yohji clutched at his shoulders and buried his head into Shiro's chest, something he hadn't done since he was a boy. Tears fell from Shiro's eyes, as Yohji began to sob uncontrollably.

A hand fell upon his own where it rested on Yohji's back, and Shiro looked up to see Ran's tear stained face. Fear and fury could be clearly seen within the violet eyes locked onto his own and Shiro knew then and there that he was no longer the only one who loved his son. He also knew that even if Yohji hadn't given him his word his son wouldn't have fled. He wouldn't have left Ran behind.

Embracing his son and gripping the hand of the man who now held Yohji's heart, Shiro swore to protect his son against the evil now stalking him. He would defend Yohji no matter what. Shiro's watery eyes hardened, as the promise he'd made to his son long ago came to mind once again. So be it, Shiro thought resolutely. Just like Yohji, he too always kept his word. Always.

TBC . . .

Special notes:

Mos Burger - You'll find several of these popular Japanese shops all over Japan. Most people will agree that their burgers top the similar dishes offered at McDonald's. The wait is a little longer than McD's, since each item is made fresh.

Ken and his motorcycle - Okay, the legal driving age in Japan for cars and motorcycles is 18. I have obviously chosen to ignore that legal fact. Ken's a rebel anyway. ^_^

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