WARNING!
This story contains the following: Shonen-Ai, Yaoi - Lime and Lemon, Violence, Language, Male/Female sex.
*....* denotes italics
/..../ denotes thoughts
DAY THREE PART TEN The next morning found Aya back in the tavern. Once more, the sun had not yet touched the horizon, so no light filtered into the room. Instead, smokeless torches that lined the walls provided light. "Is there a reason why you must bug me this morning as well?" Aya looked across the room and saw Cordelia standing there. One of her hands was on her hip, while the other held a broom. Her dark brown hair had been severely pulled back from her face, accenting her glinting green eyes. Aya smiled, spreading his hands. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that you'll have to put up with me again." Cordelia snorted and resumed sweeping. She wouldn't look at him as he sat down on a stool at the bar. Aya looked over at her, curious. She was stiff and unresponsive in his presence. There was something about him that scared her. He had seen her with other patrons, easy and carefree. Was it because he was a stranger, or was it something else? Her fear was sweet to him, and he longed to know the reason for it. /But why?/ he asked himself. /I don't like her. I'm not attracted to her. Only the fear. It calls me. I want to know. But I don't know why I am drawn to her./ The voice in his head was silent, and he knew that it would not respond to his quiet pleadings. He sighed softly. No way to know except to ask, right? "Are you afraid of me?" he asked bluntly. He toyed with a glass that had been left on the counter. Cordelia's hands clenched on the broom. "Excuse me?" she asked through gritted teeth. Aya looked over at her. She had turned her back on him. "You seem afraid of me. I want to know why." Cordelia turned, her eyes flashing. "It's none of your business!" She caught herself, drawing herself up stiffly. "And I'm not afraid of you." "Yes you are." Aya stood, taking a few steps closer to her. "You show everyone else a lively, good natured side, while you are always stiff and coldly quiet when you talk to me. I can almost smell your fear..." A sob escaped Cordelia, and Aya stopped in his tracks. He looked over her shoulder to see tears running down her face. "What do you want?" she asked in a whisper. "Why are you bothering me?" Aya started back a few paces. "I... I...!" He didn't expect her to cry. He had thought that she would meet his accusations with the same cold pride she met his other statements with. But not tears. He backed off a few paces, sitting back down. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "But... It eats at me. I don't know why you're scared of me, and it bothers me. I want to know..." "Why don't you use your magic to find out?" she asked bitterly, wiping at the tears on her cheeks. "I wouldn't want to hurt you." She looked at him in surprise. His eyes softened as he looked at her, trying hard to control her tears. "The spell comes to mind, but it would forcibly rip the memories from your mind. I don't want to hurt you." Cordelia laughed mockingly. "Don't want to hurt me? That's all mages do! They roam around, finding people to prey on. That's all your magic is good for. To hurt people!" Aya shook his head. "No. I don't want to hurt anyone." Angry tears spilled down her cheeks. "Then why did a mage kill them? Huh?" She took a few steps forward. She grabbed the front of his robe, shaking him violently. "Why, then, did a mage, dressed in robes as red as blood, kill them? Why?" she asked. She closed her eyes in pain, lowering her face to Aya's shoulder. He reached up and put his arms around her. Her body shook with her anguished sobs, and her hot tears wet his shoulder. He patted her back. /Right now, she reminds me of Aya./ He sighed, looking up at the ceiling. /How is Aya? Is she okay without me?/ He felt Cordelia clasp him closer. A small, sad smile touched his lips. /When Aya was hurt or sad, she came to me like this and cried into my shoulder. It brings back painful memories./ Cordelia suddenly stiffened in his arms. She pushed him away violently, enfolding her arms across her chest. Her eyes were wide with fear, like a feral animal in an unfamiliar surrounding. Picking up her broom, she raced out of the room without a word. Aya sighed, looking down at his empty hands. /Aya,/ he wondered. /Are you okay? I'm okay. Just... confused. I wish you were here to tell me what's going on. I don't understand anything here. I need you here by my side./ He turned and rested his arms on the bar. With a soft sob of his own, he buried his face in his hands. Hot tears leapt from his eyes. Aya was melting, to reveal the soft, sensitive Ran underneath. "Aya," he whispered. "I need you." ~~~~ PART ELEVEN Yoji woke late. Only Omi and he remained in the room. Omi slept on, unaware of anything that went on around her. Yoji dressed, and sat down in Aya's chair to decide what to do with the day. Immediately his mind went to the mysterious elf woman he had been thinking about for the past two days. In his mind, he replayed the time when he first saw her. Her and her golden cart, that was. He slipped his shades on. /I have to see the inside of that house!/ he thought. He bit his thumb, thinking of how to go about that. He left the inn, giving only a nod of recognition to Aya in the tavern. He was lost in his thoughts, wondering how to infiltrate the mansion. He walked around the Market in a daze. He would have continued this way for hours if the scent of flowers hadn't distracted. /Flowers,/ he thought. /I wonder if she likes them.../ He could almost see the light bulb above his own head. "Flowers!" He spent most of the money in his pouch on a few dozen flowers. He gritted his teeth as he felt his almost empty money pouch. /I better get this and much more back./ Yoji stood outside the mansion, idly wondering which entrance he should use. Figuring that people like himself wouldn't use the main entrance, he made his way around back. He knocked, shifting his weight from foot to foot as he waited for an answer. A young man dressed in formal clothes opened the door, peering out. "Yes?" he asked, his eyes roaming over Yoji. Yoji smiled, pointing to his flowers. "Flower delivery," he announced. The young man sighed, his face disappointed. He reached out for the flowers. "I'll take those, then." Yoji laughed, a bit nervous. He wasn't sure how well this quickly thought of plan would work. "Ahh, actually they have to be arranged in a proper fashion. I was told that I should arrange the flowers in all the rooms I can before they run out." The boy blinked in surprise, and then mulled it over. Flashing a coy smile at Yoji, he nodded. "Sure. Come on in." Yoji walked past the boy into the kitchen, sighing with relief that his silly plan had worked so far. The young man tugged on his shirtsleeve and led him down a narrow hall. "I suppose you should start in the dining room, and then move to the sitting rooms. You look like you only have enough flowers for a handful of rooms." Yoji laughed. "Yeah, well. These were sent by a, uh, anonymous person, and the orders he gave were kinda silly." The boy stood aside to let Yoji enter the dining room. The young man smiled at Yoji, laying his hand on the older man's arm for a moment. "You're silly," the boy whispered, winking before disappearing back down the dark, narrow hall. Frowning, Yoji laid the flowers down on the table, pulling the vase towards him. He hummed softly as he positioned flowers at the right angle. For once, he was glad of his talents as a florist. They were finally coming in handy. And to pull this job off, he'd have to look like a professional. A few moments later, the boy came back to find Yoji finished with his arrangement. He began to gush over it. "Oh, its gorgeous! You really know what you're doing!" Yoji smiled, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Years of talent are paying off, I guess." Yoji gathered up the remaining flowers in his arms. The boy pulled a rose free and trailed it along his own lips, his eyes looking seductively at Yoji. He reached out and touched the rose petals against Yoji mouth. "Mm, I'm sure you have talent for other things too." Coughing nervously, Yoji looked away. "The next room?" he questioned. The boy led him to the next sitting room. He reclined in a chair as Yoji started on the next arrangement. "Whom did you say these flowers were from?" he asked, still toying with his rose. "A secret admirer was all I was told. I'm new in town, so I don't know who it was." "Hmm." The young man stood up, coming close to Yoji. "I think you have a secret admirer," he whispered, his breath tickling against Yoji's ear. "Please," Yoji said, turning to the boy. "I'm, uh, trying to work here." The boy pouted and flounced back to his chair. "What's your name?" he finally asked after a long period of silence. "Uh, Yoji." "Mm, short, simple, and cute." Yoji frowned. It was hard to concentrate with the boy and his overly aggressive come ons. And besides, he didn't think he was *simple*. "And you?" Yoji asked absently. "Seth." "Well, Seth," Yoji said, turning. "If you'd show me to the next room." Seth waved the rose at Yoji. "Don't you need your flower back?" Yoji shrugged. He wasn't going to give this guy the time of day. "Not really. I have enough." Seth frowned. He slowly pulled a petal free of the rose. "Well, maybe I don't feel like taking you to the next room." Yoji clenched his fist, telling himself not become angry. If Seth made him mad, Yoji didn't know how he'd respond. Especially since this was such a tense situation in the first place. "I'll find someone else to take me then," Yoji said, his green eyes boring into Seth. Seth sighed and pulled himself to his feet. "Fine," he said, waving his hand. "I'll take you." He walked up to Yoji, standing on tiptoe. His brown eyes were wide, and he reminded Yoji a lot of Omi when the young boy was trying to get his own way. "But can't you just give me one kiss first?" Yoji shook his head. "Look, Seth. I'm just the florist. Go find someone else who likes your advances." Seth flushed and took a step back in reprimand. Mustering up his dignity, he turned on his heel. "The next room is this way," he said stiffly. He led Yoji into the sitting room, and then promptly left. Yoji began arranging the flowers in a beautiful ceramic vase. His eyes wandered for the first time around the room. He was awed at the wealth he saw, just scattered almost carelessly about. Gems lay on corner tables, refined and beautiful. Chairs and tables had borders made of the finest hammered gold. The fireplace alone looked to be solid gold. If it wasn't gold and jewels, it was highly prized, polished wood. Yoji licked his lips as he slowly set another rose into the arrangement. He'd have a lot to steal. He grinned. He'd be rich! "Who are you?" came a cold voice. Yoji felt the room chill over, and he turned slowly. The elf woman stood in the doorway, glaring at him with dark, unreadable eyes. Yoji gulped as his eyes traveled down her body of their own will. She wore another clinging dress, this time a rich purple. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head, strands pulled out to dangle around her face. Her face had a light trace of make-up, and Yoji could barely stop his heart from racing as he saw her this time. "I... I'm just the florist," he managed to say. Immediately, he cursed himself. /That was smooth, Kudou,/ he chastised himself. /If you keep that up, she'll see through your plan./ "And who sent me flowers?" "Ahh, a secret admirer. I don't know the person's name." The elf woman sauntered into the room, her dark, cold eyes never leaving Yoji. She lowered herself into a chair, graceful in a lazy way. "I have no secret admirers." Yoji laughed, trying to appear calm. He turned back to the arrangement and began working on it again. "You never know," he said, shrugging. "The person did not say his name, so I didn't ask. I didn't recognize him either." The elf woman sat in deep thought, her eyes focused on the rich carpet. She looked up. "What are you doing here? Why did you not just deliver the flowers and leave?" Yoji smiled, but did not look at her. "My instructions were to deliver the flowers and to arrange them in every room, until they ran out. We also arrange flowers, you see. We don't just deliver." A small smirk leapt to her lips. "You've never seen such wealth, have you, boy?" she asked. Yoji's eyebrow lifted above his eye. He didn't like being called *boy*. "Ahh, no. I've never seen such exquisite beauty." The woman's smile did not reach her eyes, but her lips broadened it. "You aren't thinking of taking anything, are you?" Yoji laughed. "Of course not. I'm a florist, not a thief." /About as easy as saying I'm not an assassin./ Seth entered the room again. "Oh!" he said in surprise as he spotted the elf woman. "Excuse me, ma'am," he said as he bowed. "I didn't know you were here." The elf woman raised herself up. "Even if you are just a florist," the woman said, "I think I'll still have Seth search you before you leave. We certainly don't want to encourage thieves." With a graceful turn, she swept out of the room. Yoji watched, his mouth open. She was... *stunning*. He had never met a woman like her. So cold and cruel, but still alluring. He swallowed hard, and then sighed in relief. His little infiltrating plan had worked. Now all he had to do was plan the real heist. Seth was staring at him in a disapproving way. Yoji looked at him and shrugged. "What?" he asked, picking up the flowers that remained. Seth turned and led Yoji to the next room. "You shouldn't stare so openly at women." "But she's gorgeous. I've never seen a woman that beautiful," Yoji commented. Seth pouted, leaning against the table that Yoji was working at. He ran a hand through his black bangs. His brown eyes looked Yoji over again. A small smile jumped at his lips. "At least I get to *search* you before you leave," he said, delight in his voice. Yoji looked nervously at the boy. "Uh, no. Don't worry, I won't take anything." Seth smiled wickedly. "Oh, but an order's an order. I can't disobey." Yoji resolved to think that problem out later, and to now concentrate on the rooms he visited. He needed to know their location and amount of wealth in them. That way, when he came to steal everything, he'd be able to go to the right rooms and steal everything that wasn't nailed down. /Although,/ he thought, /I could get some tools to take care of that problem./ He was about to leave the room when his eyes spotted a delicate little figurine. It was of a woman. He did not recognize the woman, but he knew that she had to be the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her naked body was crafted in gold, and she couldn't be more than twenty centimeters high. Her arms were behind her head, lifting up her thick hair. Her eyes were closed and her face was contorted into the happiest smile Yoji had ever seen. Her body was perfectly proportioned. He reached out and ran his finger along the side of it, imagining running his hand over the real thing. Seth popped his head back in to look for Yoji. "Are you coming?" he asked. He looked at the statuette that Yoji was entranced by. He frowned. "You can't have it," he said flatly. Yoji looked up, startled out of his daydream of the woman. "Huh?" He blinked, refocusing his eyes above his shades. "Oh, yeah. Of course. I was just thinking how a friend of mine would love that little statue for his collection." "A friend?" Seth looked slightly interested in this. "You mean you're not interested in her?" Yoji laughed, rubbing the back of his neck, clutching the stems of the flowers tightly in his other hand. He wanted to reach out and punch that boy so badly. Seth was truly getting on his nerves, especially the way he kept coming on to Yoji. "Of course not! Just thought a friend would like that." Seth looked around, and then stepped back and shut the door to the sitting room. He looked around, his eyes narrowed. "No one's here," he whispered. Yoji frowned, raising an eyebrow. Now what was he being all weird about? "What are you doing?" he asked. Seth smiled slightly. "I'll let you take her. I'll pretend I didn't see. But only if..." Yoji's eyes widened. "Only is...?" he repeated. Seth titled his head up, pursing his lips. "Only if you kiss me." Yoji looked at the small figurine. She wasn't worth that much, was she? As he looked at the playful woman, she seemed to radiate a longing for him. It was like she was lying there on his bed, calling to him seductively for him to come play with her. He gulped and looked back to the boy. Seth's eyes were closed as he awaited a kiss. If he ran out now, he'd never get the chance to come back. They'd be on the watch for him, especially Seth for revenge. Yoji sighed, running hand through his hair. He pushed his shades to the top of his head. It was only one kiss right? And then he'd be one step closer to supreme wealth. And if he captured Seth for his side now, he'd be able to sneak in undetected later. He had the feeling that if he swayed Seth to him, then the boy would be devoted to him forever. Yoji took a deep breath, putting a hand on Seth's shoulder. "You promise that she's mine if I kiss you?" "Promise," Seth whispered. "I won't tell a soul. And if my mistress notices that she's gone, I'll convict one of the other servants." Yoji frowned. "I don't want to, but I trust you." Closing his eyes so he wouldn't have to see whom he was kissing, he leaned down and pressed his lips to Seth's. Immediately, Seth's arms came up to circle Yoji's neck, trapping him. Seth's forceful tongue probed at Yoji's closed lips, forcing them open to make the kiss deeper. Yoji had tried for a chaste, quick kiss, but Seth would not let him. Yoji thought of the golden woman as he kissed Seth. He was sacrificing his dignity for the woman. He didn't want to kiss Seth. He didn't *like* kissing Seth, he told himself. He said it over and over to himself as his other arm slid around Seth's waist. Seth pulled back slightly, but Yoji leapt forward to capture the sweet lips for his own once again. Their lips muffled Seth’s cry of protest as Yoji's own tongue invaded his mouth brutally. They parted, breathing heavily. Yoji slowly opened his eyes to gaze into Seth's brown ones. With a start of realization, he jumped back, pushing the younger boy away. Seth blushed, putting his hands to his cheeks. "I... I didn't expect...," he stuttered. Yoji panted in horror as he recalled their kiss. He put a hand to his chest to slow his racing heart. /Are you out of your mind?!/ he screamed at himself. /You idiot! Kissing a *man*! And you liked it! You *liked* it!/ Yoji shook his head violently. It wasn't true! It wasn't! He did it for the golden woman that Seth now held out to him in trembling hands. He snatched it out of the boy's hands. "Thanks," he said, forcing a smile. He looked at the left over flowers he held in his hand. He held them out to Seth. "You can give these to the other servants. There's not enough for another arrangement." Seth took them. His wide eyes would not leave Yoji's face. They searched for something that Yoji was not revealing. He sighed softly. Yoji wouldn't even look at him. "I'll lead you to the door then," he said softly. They traveled in silence to the door. Yoji forced himself to be observant as they walked through the ornate and lavish halls. He mapped the bottom floor of the mansion out in his mind. They reached the kitchen all too soon. Yoji walked past Seth without a word. "Yoji," the boy said timidly. Yoji turned to face him, his eyes unreadable. Seth smiled slightly. "Will you come back?" he asked. Yoji frowned. What had he gotten himself into? He had lost his mind for a moment. He had vowed to himself that he'd never kiss a man, or even like one. They were just scum who hurt women. But now... He hated himself for admitting it, but he had *liked* the kiss. "I'm at the Blodwyn Inn," he murmured softly. He looked away as Seth's eyes widened in hope. He stuffed the figurine into his vest. "Thanks for the statue," he said gruffly, turning to walk away. He walked in silent contemplation back to the inn. He hated himself. He had broken several promises he had made to himself. And all for this little woman. He pulled it out to look at it. She wasn't much. Just a fraction of what he would get soon enough. It wasn't worth his loss of dignity. But the kiss had been justified. He had gained his first prize. So it was okay. He still hated himself. ~~~~ PART TWELVE Ken woke up, stretching lazily. He lay there on the hard floor, thinking as he watched the sunlight creep into the room. He put his hands behind his head for a cushion as he looked around the room. Aya, as usual, was gone from his chair. Yoji was sprawled on his stomach, his arms shoved underneath the pillow. Omi lay spread on her back, her arms and legs flung at odd angles. Ken smiled at her fondly as he noticed her drooling on her pillow. Pulling himself to his feet, he dressed slowly. His eyes wandered back to Omi frequently as his mind raced. He still remembered clearly what she had said the previous morning. *"Ken, I love you."* He wondered if that was true. He wandered out of the room and downstairs, out the door without noticing Aya at the bar. It was still early morning as he exited out to the street, the new sunlight just beginning to grace the cobbled streets. Ken walked north, past the Great Market and into the wealthier neighborhoods. No one was around except the random servant out on the main lawns, cutting away at the bushes so that their animal shapes could be retained. He saw many animal hedges as he walked down the nicely paved streets. Gardens and parks were evenly spaced between the houses, being both public and private. He thought deeply about his situation as he walked. Did Omi truly love him? What if that had just been a dream, the weird kind that one gets after eating something strange? Ken frowned deeply, his thoughts occupied on his predicament instead of on the beautiful lawns he passed. Omi had always been his brother. They were best friends, and each other's family. They had no one else to turn to. Aya was coldly distant, and Yoji was never serious. Ken felt uncomfortable talking the two, but he always found solace in Omi. Omi was his closest friend, and he was the only family he had now. Ken frowned to himself as he walked through the main gate that marked the north end of the city. /Maybe if I get out of town for a little while, I can clear my head,/ he thought. He drifted down the country road, noticing the sparkle of water that bordered the path he traveled. He wandered down to the banks of the lake, sitting on the edge. He gathered pebbles into his hand, tossing them one by one into the blue water. He thoughts were as turbulent as the water he stirred. Did *he* love Omi? Omi was a girl now, so if he did love her, it would be okay. He squirmed inside at the thought of loving Omi. It wasn't that he didn't *want* to love Omi; in fact, he loved Omi more than he cared to admit. But inside, Omi was a still a boy. And Ken didn't like that. He tossed a large rock into the water, watching as the water glittered in the new sunlight, thinking of his childhood. He had always been taught that same-sex relationships were wrong, and that he shouldn't get caught up in those kinds of situations. It wasn't right for a man to love another man romantically. The idea had always made him uncomfortable, and still did. If he loved Omi (which he still wasn't sure about), then it would be fine in this world. But if they ever returned to Tokyo, he'd have to break off their relationship, and they'd never be the same together. He didn't really want to take that risk unless he *truly* loved Omi. Which he wasn't sure about. In fact, he still didn't know if Omi really loved him! Ken sighed, running a hand through his short hair. /This is so hard,/ he thought. He closed his eyes, leaning back in the grass. /I hate emotions. Omi... why can't you sort this out for me?/ Ken laughed humorlessly. Whenever Ken had had problems at home, Omi had helped him sort it out. This time, he had to do it himself. The sun climbed higher as Ken lay there in deep thought. ~~~~ Omi struggled awake. It felt as if weights were holding her eyelids down. Forcing her eyes opened, she was greeted by bright sunlight. She sat up, running a hand through her short, straw blond hair. She smacked her mouth open, grimacing at the morning taste. Climbing out of bed, she grabbed her pack. The thing about this world was that there wasn't variety in the clothing. At least, not in the clothing that *they* wore. It was either the tunic from yesterday or her blue robe. She pulled out the robe, running the fine material through her fingers. Her robe, blue as the healthy summer sky, was made of finer material than any of their other garments. Their usual wear was some crudely sewn tunic or rough pants made of leather. Her robe was silk though. She stood up, slipping off her tunic. She pulled the robe on, shivering at the feel of the cool cloth on her skin. She laced it up on the inside, leaving the front seamless. She pulled out Yoji's mirror and angled the small glass so that she could see herself. She blushed and smiled. She did look nice. Blue was definitely her color. She wondered if Ken would like her in this robe. Did he think the color blue suited her? She sat back down on the bed, thinking of Ken. Maybe he'd want to spend the day with her. She kicked her feet back and forth like a child as she blushed at the thought. She wanted to spend the day with Ken. She wanted to spend a *lot* of days with Ken. She bolted to her feet, grabbing her pack. Ken was probably downstairs. If she caught him now, they could stay together today. She sped out of the room and skipped down the stairs, prancing across the tavern floor to where Aya sat. She smiled at him. "Morning, Aya," she said, sitting down. She looked around. "Where's Ken?" She added after an afterthought, "And Yoji?" Aya waved his hand about. "Out. They both left early." Omi sighed, disappointed. "Oh. I see." She rested her chin in her hand, her eyes becoming dark as she stared at the fire. "I was hoping that I could spend the day with Ken." Aya looked at Omi, his eyes narrowing to slits. "You are aware that we're going home soon." Omi flushed deeply. "I... I know that!" Aya looked at her, his expression slightly worried. "Then perhaps you shouldn't continue this..." Omi leapt forward and grabbed the mage's hand. "Oh, Aya! I can't help it! I... I lo...!" Aya waved his hand and Omi quieted. "That is your affair to work out." Omi bolted upright, so fast that her chair fell over. Hot tears brimmed to her eyes. "You're so cold!" she yelled. "You have no emotion at all!" Turning, she raced out of the tavern. Aya sighed, his hands gripping the cup he held. "But I wish you luck," he finished lamely. Cordelia swept by, refilling his glass from the pitcher she held. "What was that about?" she asked. Aya looked at the door where Omi had left. "Omi is in love with Ken. There are... strange events surrounding them though..." Cordelia smiled. "Just like you. How sweet, though. Young love," she sighed. Her green eyes met Aya's. They both looked away, flushing slightly. Cordelia cursed in her mind. She had made a promise to herself not to talk to him. She sighed. The damage was done. "Ken doesn't know, does he?" she asked, leaning on the mage's table. Aya shook his head. "No. He's naive enough not to see it." ~~~~ Omi raced out of the tavern and down the street. Tears blinded her eyes, and she ran without seeing. She bumped into many people, but never slowed. When Omi slowed, she found herself near the armory of the previous day. She walked down the street slowly, catching her breath. Without thinking it, she stopped outside the tailor's shop. The blue dress that had captured her attention as well as Ken's still hung in the window. She looked at it timidly. It was so pretty. Blue was her color after all. Maybe Ken would notice her more if she wore it. Making up her mind, Omi marched into the shop. pushing aside the curtains that made up for a door. She entered a small cramped room. One corner was free of everything except a stool and a mirror. The rest of the store was crowded with bundles and yards of fabric. Behind all this fabric sat a young girl behind a counter who looked up as Omi entered. Pushing her hair over her shoulder, she stood, flashing a sultry smile at Omi. "May I help you?" Omi shyly pointed to the blue dress. "I'm interested in that." "Let me get it down so you can try it on." She walked past Omi, her full hips swaying with her walk. Omi sighed. The girl had a nice figure, a figure that a guy like Ken would notice. The thought depressed Omi. /Where is Ken now?/ she thought. /He's probably out with a beautiful girl like her instead of me./ Omi mentally chastised herself as she tried on the dress. /You're a *boy* stupid. And here you are playing dress-up like a little girl. It’s as bad as the time they forced you into that flight attendant's uniform. No. That was worse because you were a boy at the time./ Omi looked at the blue dress as she put it on. She was a girl now, and it was okay to wear these kinds of things, right? Omi stepped out of the dressing room, tugging at the dress uncomfortably. It didn't seem to fit. "It's perfect!" the other girl exclaimed. She began pulling and poking at Omi. "Now the sleeves are a little too long, and so's the hem. The waist is too wide and you're drowning in the bust!" She laughed cheerfully as she pulled the waist tighter on Omi. Omi laughed nervously. "Thought you said it was perfect." The girl smiled. "It will be. Blue is such a pretty color on you! You'll look beautiful in this when I'm done." Omi changed again after the girl had made temporary adjustments to the dress. The girl took the dress and threaded her needle, preparing to start work immediately on the garment. "My name's Jamilla. It'll take me awhile to do the alterations, so you don't have to wait here." Omi smiled, sitting herself down on the floor. "I'll wait if you don't mind. I have nothing else to do." Jamilla prattled on as she sewed. Omi occasionally answered and sometimes asked questions about things she said. Jamilla laughed cheerfully. "You don't seem to know much about this town. You act as if you came from another world!" Omi laughed. "Well, you're not too far off the mark there!" Awhile later, Jamilla finished with the changes and held the dress back out to Omi. Omi changed quickly, and came back out. "Now, it's almost perfect!" Jamilla gestured to the stool. "If you'll stand on it, I'll finish with the hem." Omi did as told. Jamilla knelt on the floor and began sewing again. "Jamilla!" They both turned and watched as a young man strode into the shop, pushing the curtain out of the way. Several young men followed him. The first young man, a tall youth with sandy hair and brilliant blue eyes, sauntered over to Jamilla, smiling down at her. Jamilla laughed, waving him away. "Oh, Gavin! I'm working! Come back later!" Gavin smiled, kneeling down next to her, taking her hands in his. "I couldn't be apart from you any longer!" he declared. Jamilla pushed him away. "Stop that! I want to finish with this dress, and then I'm all yours." Omi looked around at the other young men nervously. One, a dark haired boy, had not taken his eyes off Omi since he had been her. His intense green eyes bored deep into her. She shifted uncomfortably and looked away. "My darling," the boy whispered, coming closer to Omi. He took her hand in his. Omi looked at him in surprise, a slight, fine blush coming to her cheeks. She could not pry her hand free of his. "My angel. My goddess!" Omi yanked her hand away, forcing a smile. "Please, sir." Gavin stood, pushing the boy away. "Ravi, what's wrong with you?" Ravi kept eyeing Omi. "I've fallen in love," he stated. Omi flushed deeply and looked away. Jamilla put a few more stitches into the hem and then stood up. "You're finished," she said. Omi looked at herself in the full-length mirror. Laughing in delight, she turned around. "It's gorgeous!" she cried. Ken would certainly notice her in this! Jamilla put her hands on Omi's shoulders. "The dress may be pretty, but you're the one that makes it drop dead gorgeous." Ravi popped up behind them. "I'll second that!" he cried, raising his hand. Jamilla pushed Omi towards the dressing room. "Change. I'll take care of him." Omi changed and Jamilla packaged up her dress carefully. Money exchanged hands, and Jamilla waved Omi off. A few of the younger boys that had accompanied Gavin had wandered off, including Ravi. Omi left, happily trotting down the street. Perhaps she should ask Ken out tonight, so that she could share her dress with him only. She blushed, grasping the package to her chest, giggling. She could never do something that bold! "You're even more beautiful than before!" Omi turned and confronted a smiling Ravi. Omi immediately started on her way again. "Please leave me alone," she said, a bit coldly. Ravi grabbed her hand, trying to drag her to a stop. "No! Please, darling Omi! Just listen to me!" "Stop!" Omi tried tugging her hand free. Ravi advanced on her. She lowered her head, her bangs covering her eyes. "Just let me go..." ~~~~ Ken's lake was only a short walk from the northern gate of Talaith, so it took no time for him to walk back to town. He wandered down the streets, a little past noon. He had grabbed lunch a while ago at a vendor, but he was still hungry. He wondered if the inn would have anything to eat. He wandered aimlessly through the streets. He couldn't remember where exactly their inn was, except that it was in the southern part of town. He skirted the Great Market, feeling no need to be around so many people. He turned a corner and found himself near the armory from the previous day. He walked past, glancing over at the tailor's shop. He noticed that the blue dress was gone, and sighed to himself. /Omi would have looked really good in it,/ he thought. Turning another corner put him on a more familiar street. Ken looked up the road, wondering if this was the way back to the inn. To his surprise, he saw Omi. He cupped his hands around his mouth and was about to call to her when he noticed the boy next to her. The boy was as tall as Ken, but thinner. He held Omi's hand tightly and moved closer to her. She turned away from him, and it looked like she was saying something softly to him. A heated rush flashed through Ken. He clenched his fists. *What* in the world was Omi doing? She offered no resistance as the boy placed his hand on her hip. He began to walk swiftly towards them, rhythmically clenching and unclenching his hands. His vision became red tinged, and his breath quickened. He wanted to know who the other boy was, and just why he was *touching* Omi. /Who the hell is he?/ Ken thought angrily as he advanced on the couple. /And why is he touching her like that, and *getting away with it*?!/ Ken reached the two, and grabbed the boy's shoulder. He pulled Ravi away from Omi, pushing the girl behind him. He faced Ravi, holding up his clenching fist. "What's going on here?" he asked, eyes narrowing. Ravi steadied himself, glaring at Ken. He looked around the angry boy at Omi. "Who's this?" he asked. "None of your business!" Ken shouted, taking a step closer. Omi grabbed Ken's shoulder, trying to pull him back before he did any harm. "Stop this, Ken!" she cried. "It's not what you think!" Inwardly, she wondered, /Is he jealous?/ She looked at his angry, flushed face. /Does he care that much about me to become jealous?/ At her thoughts, her heart soared. Without thinking, she pressed herself to his back. "It's not what you think," she repeated softly. Omi's quiet words seemed to drain Ken of some of his anger. He glanced back at her, his face flushing this time from embarrassment. He glared at Ravi again, shaking his fist. "You'd better stay away from her," he warned. Seeing Ravi again made his anger flare. "And don't you *touch* her again!" he cried. Whirling, he caught Omi's wrist and dragged her away. This time, he didn't have to think to find the inn. His feet unconsciously pulled them back to where he wanted to be. Ignoring the confused looks from Aya and Yoji at the bar, Ken pulled Omi upstairs. He threw her into the room, loudly shutting the door. Omi's package was thrown across the room, forgotten. She lowered herself to the bed to relieve her shaking legs. /What's gotten into Ken?/ she wondered. He turned to look at her, a determined look on his face. She drew back, her arms crossing over her chest in a gesture of protection. /What's he going to do to me?/ "Who was he?" Ken demanded. His breath still came fast, and he couldn't shake the red screen from his eyes. He got this way when he was too involved in a mission. Anger clouded his mind, and he kept seeing Omi and Ravi together in his mind. "I... He... I met him at the shop..." "And you let him touch you like that?" Ken roared. He stomped forward and took Omi's shoulders in his hands. He shook her roughly. "What the hell were you thinking? You let him touch you! Are you forgetting who you are? Did you forget that you're a *boy*?" Ken let go, turning his back on Omi. Bitterly over his shoulder, he threw, "Unless you *like* having boys come on to you." Omi flushed, lowering her head. How could Ken talk to her like this? Weren't they friends? She bit her lip. They had been friends. "I'm sorry," she whispered. She couldn't help it, but tears came to her eyes. One wrong word, and Ken would hate her. She shook her head miserably. She couldn't take that. Anything but *that*. "I was confused... surprised. I didn't know what was happening..." The sound in her voice made Ken turn to regard her. He saw how his words had stung, and he longed to take them back. He knelt before her, taking her hands. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her and ruin their friendship. "I'm sorry, Omi," he said softly. He reached up and put his hand on the side of her face. As he saw the pain filled eyes, his heart broke. He had never wanted to hurt Omi, not this beautiful angelic creature. She shouldn't have to endure pain, least of all from him. "I didn't mean to say that. I didn't mean to... to hurt you." Omi extended her arms and put them around Ken's neck. She buried her face in his shoulder, holding him close. "I was scared," Ken continued, his voice slightly muffled by her body. "I thought he was doing to do something awful to you. I can't have my Omittchi getting hurt." "Oh, Ken!" she sobbed. She knew him inside and out. They knew each other as if they had grown up together. She knew how he felt about certain relationships, but she couldn't keep it in anymore. "Ken, please don't hate me," she whispered. He maneuvered himself so that he sat next to her on the bed, her head resting on his shoulder. "Hate you? I couldn't never hate you, and you know it!" Omi grabbed a handful of his shirt, as if hoping that her grasp would keep him near always. "I don't want guys to hit on me," she said softly. She closed her eyes tightly. "I don't like guys. I just... *love* one..." Ken froze. "Omi," he responded, not knowing what else to say. "Wh... Who? For how long?" he couldn’t help but ask. Omi threw her arms around his neck. Her hot, wet tears trickled on his neck. "I've loved you for a long time." The blood in Ken's veins turned to ice. Omi really did love him? He didn't move as Omi sobbed into his shoulder. How could he respond? She knew how he felt about it. And he couldn't forget the fact that Omi was really a boy. A young boy, not ever out of high school. /Young, but cute,/ commented the voice in his head. Ken shook his head slowly. /No,/ he thought back. /This can't be happening. I don't think Omi is cute as a boy. She may be cute as a girl... But I can't love her! I *can't*! It's wrong!/ /What's wrong about love?/ Ken gently pushed Omi away. He stood, his back to the girl. "Omi," he said softly, not looking at her. "I'm sorry. I need to... think about this." Omi wiped at her tears. "Ken, I'm so sorry! I can't... I can't help it!" Ken whirled, anger blooming on his cheeks. "You loved me when you were a boy? Don't you know how *wrong* that is?" Omi held out her hands to him. "It's not wrong! If you love me too, it's not wrong! Love isn't wrong!" Ken reached for the door. "Gay people are wrong. They're not moral." He stepped out into the hall. "I'm sorry, Omi," he said coldly. "But I can't return your feelings. You know it's wrong. I advise that you get over it." He shut the door, not wanting to hear Omi's wail of despair. The girl sank down onto the bed, her arms wrapping around her, seeking warmth from them that she couldn't find. In her ears, she heard her heart break and her world end. ~~~~ PART THIRTEEN "Yoji." The man called lowered his mug and looked sideways. The inn was dark and it was hard to tell who it was. To his eyes, a young boy stood next to him shyly. "What?" he asked. He hated himself at the moment and was trying his hardest to choke down the ale and become drunk. He had thought of his mistake all day, and now he wanted blessed, if not drunken, relief from it. The young boy stepped closer, reaching out to touch Yoji with his hand. "Yoji," he repeated. Yoji turned, exasperated. He was about to snap at the boy when his eyes focused and he saw who it was. Seth. The firelight reflected off his black hair and in his dark eyes. He looked timidly at the older man. Both Yoji and Seth flushed as their eyes met. Aya, Ken, and Omi looked at Yoji in surprise. It was one of the rare times that they actually saw the playboy blush. Yoji stood up, pushing Seth away. He forced a smile as he looked as his companions. "Excuse us," he said, walking away to a darker table. "Sit," he ordered gruffly. Seth sat quickly, his wide eyes on Yoji. Yoji sat down and took another long pull from his mug. The ale was awful, and it was hard to get drunk here. Even though the taste of the brew turned him off, he had already drunk four glasses of it. "What are you doing here?" Seth blushed, fiddling with his hands. "I... You gave me the name of the inn where you were staying. I thought that it meant... that you wanted me to come visit you..." Yoji slammed his mug on the table, startling the younger boy. Seth began to play with the fringe on his shirt. Instead of the regal clothes he had worn before, he now wore a plain, faded tunic and pants. He looked terribly ordinary. "Look! Today was a mistake. A *mistake*! Do you get it? It wasn't supposed to happen, and therefore it didn't. I don't like men. I don't *kiss* men. And I'm not going to again. I did it for the girl, that's all." Seth bit his lip, flushing in embarrassment. "I just thought that..." "Well, you thought wrong." Seth shook his head. Yoji wouldn't look at him again. The older man drank periodically from his mug, and when he finished it, he ordered another one. Seth watched in silence as Yoji started on his fifth glass. "I felt something," he whispered. Yoji looked up, his eyes widening in shock. "I felt something when you kissed me. You felt it too, didn't you? You knew it was good. You knew it felt... right." Yoji shook his head, lowering his eyes. "No. Damnit, you have it all wrong!" Seth leaned forward. He had hit a nerve. He was right, and Yoji knew it! "No! You felt it! I know you did. If you hadn't felt it, then you wouldn't have kissed me again like you did!" His voice lowered. "I tried to pull away, and you kissed me again..." Yoji shook his head. "No, I didn't." "Did too." Yoji brought his mug down with great force on the table. His hard green eyes held Seth’s wide brown ones. "Listen to me. This isn't happening. I'm from another world. *World*! Do you understand that? Even if I did like you, which I don't, I couldn't do anything! I'm leaving soon. In a matter of days, I'm going home. I'm not staying here. I'm not from your world!" Seth reached out, taking Yoji's hand in his. He brought it to his lips, gently kissing his fingertips. "Then we don't have much time together," he murmured, his voice soft. Yoji watched as the boy kissed his hand. He felt hot flashes of desire wash through him as he watched the boy. Slowly, Seth took one of Yoji's fingers in his mouth, swirling his tongue around the tip in a suggestful, erotic way. Yoji gulped, his eyes wide. The boy's seemingly innocent ministrations were making his blood race. He looked at Seth’s serene face, and he wanted to reach out and kiss the boy again. With a shaking hand, he reached out and pushed Seth away. The boy looked up, fearful that he had done something wrong. Yoji looked away, grabbing his mug again. "We can't talk here. It's too open for the things we have to discuss. Where do you live?" he asked softly. Seth barely dared to hope. "In the mansion. In the upper rooms, in the back." His face flushing bright red, Yoji said, "Meet me outside tonight at midnight." He waved his hand at the door. "Now go." Seth stood up, his face equally as red. He stumbled over his chair, almost knocking the table over. He paused for a moment, and before Yoji could protest, leaned down and quickly pecked Yoji on the cheek. Turning, he raced out of the tavern. Yoji collapsed, his head in his hands. /What am I doing?/ he asked himself miserably. /I'm leading this poor kid on. I don't like men. I *don't* like them! Why am I doing this?/ He sighed. He thought of how Seth’s gentle kisses on his hands had made him dizzier than any girl had. /I'm losing my mind./ /Of course you are,/ said the dry voice in his head that had been vacant for a while. /That's why you're in this world./ ~~~~ PART FOURTEEN Leaves crunched underneath Yoji's feet and he cursed. Being drunk totally ruined his stealth abilities. He leaned his back against a tree. His vision was swimming. It was hard to see where exactly he was going. He knew that he was on the elf woman's estate though. It was just a matter of time before he either found Seth or was caught by a guard patrolling the grounds. The thought of the elf woman cleared his mind for a moment. Now there was a beauty that he should be lusting after. Not Seth. He shouldn't be confusing himself about who he really liked. He should be climbing into the elf woman's bed tonight. To make her submissive to him, and then he could easily steal all her wealth. But his thoughts were banished as he looked around the tree and saw Seth waiting for him. Sighing, he pushed away from his tree and stumbled towards the young man. Seth noticed him right away and ran to catch him as he fell. "Yoji!" he whispered frantically, trying to hold the older man up. Yoji staggered to his feet. He put his hands against the side of the house, with Seth trapped between his body and the cement. "I'm all right," he breathed. He watched and hated himself even more as he watched Seth flinch from the smell of ale. "Maybe you shouldn't have come here. You should go home and get some sleemphhhpptt!" His words were cut off as Yoji leaned down and kissed the boy hard on the mouth. He couldn't wait anymore. The boy was too sweet, and he couldn't resist anymore. /Who do you really like, then?/ asked the voice in his head. /I thought you were a playboy of women.../ /Screw women!/ Yoji shot back. /Screw thinking. I'm tired of thinking. All I ever do is get caught up in my thoughts and it just makes me more confused than ever. From now on, I'm just going to act on my feelings!/ Yoji grabbed Seth’s wrists and pinned them up on the side of the house. He continued to kiss the young man, his kisses hard and frantic. Seth struggled for a moment before giving into Yoji's demand. Yoji felt the desire overwhelm him. In all his life, nothing had ever felt so right. He wanted Seth more than any other girl in his life. He couldn't stop kissing Seth. He dropped one hand and trailed it down the younger boy's chest. He *needed* this boy more than anything else at the moment. His mouth dropped from Seth’s and began kissing his face and neck. He left hot kisses on the boy's skin, gently sucking at his flesh. He smiled as he felt Seth’s gasp as he sucked on the pulse he felt beating fast between his lips. "Yo... Yoji...," Seth panted. His breath came fast. He wanted Yoji to free his hands so he could put them around Yoji and bring him closer. He wanted this man. Nothing had ever felt so right. "Ahh!" he cried as Yoji's leg pushed between his own, his knee hitting Seth in just the right spot. Yoji nibbled on Seth’s ear. One hand stroked down to the front of Seth’s pants. "What is it?" he whispered huskily. Seth freed his hands and took Yoji's face in them. "May... Maybe we should go inside..." He blushed deeply. Yoji smiled. "I guess we could. We don't want to get caught." Seth shook his head violently. He smiled, leaning forward to kiss Yoji. "It'll be nicer inside." Yoji intertwined his fingers with Seth’s. "Lead on," he whispered. Seth pulled him inside. They turned up a dark staircase that led on forever up into the depths of the house. Yoji didn't care where they were, and he didn't care who knew what he was doing. It was wrong. He hated himself for it. But right now, all he felt was love and affection for the boy that led him through the darkness. They reached Seth’s small, sparse room. Yoji closed the door and locked it. The only furnishings in the room were the bed, a dresser and a nightstand. Everything looked worn and thin. But Yoji didn't care. He'd been in worse. He grabbed Seth and pushed him down on the bed. He covered Seth’s mouth with his own before the young man could cry out in surprise. His tongue slipped into the small mouth and brutally probed around. Before he knew it, they had both lost their clothes, lying naked with each other on the bed. Seth did not resist as Yoji pulled him up into his arms, sitting the younger boy on his lap. Yoji held onto Seth’s mouth with his own, stroking his length to pleasure the boy as he entered him quickly. Seth groaned loudly, pulling his mouth away from Yoji's. His fingers dug deep into Yoji's arm and back, leaving deep scratches on his flesh. His whole body was tense as Yoji waited for him to get used to the feeling. Yoji laid him back down on the bed, and they began to move together. Yoji kept his hand between Seth’s legs, pleasuring him there to counteract the pain that he felt. Quickly, though, the pain faded and he pushed at Yoji insistently, wanting more of the union they shared. Yoji closed his eyes, reveling in the feeling that washed through him. It felt so good. Seth felt better than any girl. He tried for a slow pace, but he knew that Seth’s beautiful body was pushing him towards a quick climax. He bit his lip, trying hard to hold on. Seth bit his hand to stifle his loud moans as he climaxed. He came all over Yoji's hand. But Yoji didn't mind. With Seth watching, he lifted his hand and licked at the warm seed that lay there. He smiled down at the boy below him and kissed him, letting him taste his own sex. Yoji pulled away. He couldn't help it, and he quickened his pace. He needed to come. Watching Seth’s beautiful face as he panted in pleasure sent Yoji over the edge. He roughly kissed Seth to keep his own groans of pleasure in. They lay in each other's arms, still joined together. Yoji gently kissed Seth’s neck as the boy lay limp in his arms. Seth was still too stunned to fully respond. Yoji had known since the moment he had entered the boy that he was a virgin. The experience was too much for him, and he was shocked. He pulled himself free of the young man, and cradled him in his arms. Seth finally responded, pulling Yoji close to him, entwining their legs. "I love you, Yoji," he whispered. Yoji ran his hands up and down Seth’s back. "I love you too," he said without thinking. Seth reached up and ran his hands through Yoji's hair. "What are you thinking?" Yoji yawned. Sleep hovered just behind his eyes, and he knew that once he closed them, he would be out. He stroked Seth’s hair, holding the hot body next to his. "I'm not," he murmured back, a moment before falling asleep.