Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ To Save Your Heart ❯ Chapter 1

JC: This is the long awaited Shu/Seiji story that Jen and I wrote.

Kathrine: Yeah right. I doubt people will read it.

JC: But we put a lemon in it.

Kathrine: That might work then.

JC: I just hope no one reports it, cause I will transform into JC THE BITCH QUEEN then.

Kathrine: I have yet to see it.

JC: Okay this is very long, only the first chapter. Jen and I worked very hard on this.

Kathrine: It's not one of our usual. Seeing as it's Jen and JC it won't be gory and will lie mainly in the pain of being in love and bad things happening that way.

JC: I just hope that Jen doesn't get mad at me like with CftH and you have to take over. (shudders)

Disclaimer: This story is in no way affiliated or in relation to the true owners, manufacturers, or creators of Yoroiden Samurai Troopers, save in the realm of pure self-enjoyment and fanfictional want.

Warnings: YAOI/Shounen Ai, angst, romance, possible character death, long chapter, cliffhanger ending.

To Save Your Heart

By JC and Jennifer

Chapter 1

/ Pain. Fear. Fire. Can't see, can't breathe, pressure in my lungs. I want it to stop, I don't want to fight, don't want to go on. Can't stop, can't give in, must fight. Oh Gods, Oh Gods…Help me, someone help me, please…I won't give in, I won't bear the yoroi, I won't…PAIN!!! Eyes burning, skin tight, dry, clammy, help me…help me… /

He felt the fear and distress from the person beside him before he actually heard the small whimpers and cries of pain. Dark eyes opened instantly to settle on the quivering form of his lover. The smaller man's hair was plastered to his face; his entire body was drenched in a cold sweat. His eyes were clenched shut and his mouth twisted in what appeared to be pain.

He'd seen this before. It had been a reoccurring expression his koibito's face for almost ten years. For so long it was a constant, months on end he had awaken to see him suffering, trapped in his night terrors. But during those months he'd learned how to deal with the nightmares, finding different methods to wake the older man without causing him shock or a start. The dark nights had lessened considerably, but there was no way they would be gone forever.

He sat up and leaned closer to the pale-haired man, his eyes alert for anything he needed to be prepared for. He reached out his hand, stroking his sweaty brow, remaining near, but not close enough to invoke the claustrophobia he knew would start upon awakening. " It's okay," he spoke in a clear voice. " I'm right here, it's okay. Just wake up, it's only a dream." He continued to do this, repeating his ministrations as he'd learned to.

Slowly, the cheek he stroked began to actually lean into his palm instead of flinch away. An ivory brow furrowed in confusion through the distress, not seeing the consistency between the gentle hand and the harsh illusion. He couldn't understand the difference and what it meant. Suddenly, eyes jerked open and he jumped, startled for a moment of disconcertion. Eyes looked about the room, taking in the familiarity and then fell on the man that had coaxed him from the dark terrors of his mind.

His breathing was slightly irregular, but not unusual. His lover gave a small reassuring smile before pulling him to his chest and holding him in a comforting embrace. " Everything's okay Blondie," he told him. " It's over now. Took less time to snap you outta it, too."

The slimmer man sighed and allowed himself to fully take in the fact that he was no longer in his nightmare reality and was actually back in his room, held in his lover's arms. " Shu…" he breathed in a drained tone, but still full of relief.

" Don't worry, just a dream," the ash/blue-haired man reassured him. " I'm right here with ya."

The blonde fully awakened, realizing that he was being comforted by his lover after another night of fear, one that was long in coming seeing as he'd been free of them for almost seven months now. He pulled out of the embrace, not being able to actually look Shu in the face, slid to the edge of the bed. " I'm going to take a shower," he stated as he stood up and gave a small shiver, the chill of the dark reaching him through his sweat-soaked nightclothes. He ignored the shudder and walked into the room adjacent to their own.

Shu sat on the bed and let out a deep sigh. He knew not to go after him. Taking a shower after a dream was the blonde's way of freeing himself from it completely. He would clean himself thoroughly as if it would help 'cleanse' him of the torrent emotions he was feeling. The bearer of Kongo didn't believe it to be a very sound way of dealing with it, but the blonde always seemed better afterwards and took comfort in the silence of his short solitude. He couldn't deny his lover that.

He's going to go to work today anyway, he realized. The dreams didn't come as often anymore, actually barely at all really. But ten years later didn't remove the effects each one possessed. Shu knew that Seiji always felt off balance when he was pulled from a nightmare, some of that feeling lasting through out the entire day. To counter it he would go to work early to practice within the serene confines of his families dojo and then remain two hours after his last class of the day so that he 'strengthen' himself.

" And today of all days," he frowned. He checked the clock on the nightstand beside the bed and realized it was only four-forty in the morning. Seiji usually awoke at quarter until five anyway and his classes didn't start until nine seeing as that was when his advanced class took place. So he'd go in around seven. That doesn't give me very much time. He got up, remembering to turn off the alarm on the clock so it wouldn't disturbed them, and followed the same route that his lover had taken.

*****

He sighed as the water continued to flow over him, falling down his skin as few drops clung to him. He hated feeling so off base, so weak. His mind was still shaken from the nightmare that he'd experienced and his body was extremely fatigued because of it. But he refused to acknowledge it; he refused to be seen as weak. That was why he tried to distance himself from Shu after a night such as this. He needed to collect himself, to rid himself of the feeling that had nearly driven him insane when he was a teenager: the dirty feeling like something was wrong with him, as if he was tainted in some way.

He could barely hear the sound of the door sliding open, so lost within his own world as he was. A soapy hand ran across his back, carefully, gently caressing him. His eyes flew open and he tensed almost visibly, but than a moment passed and the hand was recognized. He relaxed himself and allowed the hand to work, to rub the soap across his back and slide down his body before wrapping around to his abdomen.

" You've never been able to get back here very well," Shu told him. " So I decided to 'help' you."

" And I'm very grateful for your 'help'," Seiji smiled.

" You're welcome," Shu murmured and he used his light hold on the blonde to pull him backwards, less in the line of the water and closer to his own bare skin. The hand continued to rub, sliding languidly over his chiseled abs, as the other slowly wrapped itself around the taller man's chest.

" You're going to work today aren't you?" Shu asked him.

The blonde didn't say anything for a moment, not sure what his answer should be. He felt like he needed to go, to release his feelings in the dojo by practicing and teaching his students. He'd only agreed not to go that day by Shu's own insistence. The ash-haired man had even taken the day away from checking on the Tokyo chapter of his family's restaurant that had debuted only three months ago. The success Rei Faun's was widely known throughout Japan, seeing as there were now four open on the main island, Honshu, two on Hokkaido, and one each on the smaller islands, not to mention the negotiations going through to open a few of them in Amerika.

Most would think his lover would be swamped with work, but the restaurants were so well organized that they pretty much ran themselves now, thanks to the business advise of one Shu Rei Faun. The younger man had come a long way indeed from the days of their adolescence when he barely even believed his family would let him inherit the business, even though he was the oldest. He just didn't believe he had what it took to actually run a restaurant let alone open even more of them.

" Seiji?" Shu's hand continued to rub across the area just above his navel, rhythmically going in soothing circles.

" I told you I would spend the day with you," he finally answered. " I don't go back on my word."

The younger man smiled at the consideration his lover was showing for him. " It's okay," he told him. " I understand that you need this. Just take the first two classes and them come home. That way you and I can have a late lunch around one and then you'll be mine for the rest of the day. How's that sound?" His hand began to rub lower, sliding to the nether regions of his body. Shu smirked at the gasp the blonde released when he found what he'd been searching for.

" Gr-great…" he finally forced out. " Th-that sounds-s gr-great-t."

" Good," he said. " Now let me 'help' to loosen you up."

His hand stroke idly, taking time to feel the sleekness of his lover's staff in his grip. Seiji was fully leaning against him, allowing him to do as he wished. That's exactly what he wanted, to simply take control and remove the after thoughts from his lover's mind in the most pleasurable way he could think of. His hand continued to rub the gradually hardening cock, drawing out small moans from the back of his lover's throat.

" Uhnnn…Sh-Shu…" Seiji gasped out in a whisper.

" That's it," the ash-haired boy told him. " Just relax and let me do everything." He tightened his hold, stoking a little rougher and causing the other man's breath to catch in his throat. The shoulders he was holding were arching back against him and pale hips gave small thrusts into his palm. A pale-golden head leaned back against his broad shoulder and pink lush lips were slightly parted.

Shu loved to see his lover like this, so comfortable that he could actually let go and simply lose himself in their passion. He titled his head up and capturing the lower edge of a perfectly rounded ear. Another shaky gasp was his reward and he moved upward, licking the inside of the lobe where he knew his lover was especially sensitive. Seiji couldn't even think at that moment, his own moans of appreciation filling the air.

" Please…Shu…stop teasing…me," the blonde was having a hard time conjuring sentences and his lover continued to pleasure him. His found his hand leaving his side and reaching up to tangle in dark locks. His back arched again and he push back against the bearer of Kongo, feeling his lover's own rising erection. He turned his head to the side and sought out Shu's lips with his own, capturing them in a steamy kiss that left the other man feeling weak in the knees as well.

" Okay…no more teasing…" Shu nodded. His hand left the blonde, a soft groan the only vocal protest. " Turn around."

The bearer of Korin wondered what he was up to, but did as he was told. He rotated, his violet eyes instantly seeking out their stormy blue counterparts. Both sets were darkened by desire and need; neither man wanting to stop. Shu ran his hands across the blonde's chest as Seiji leaned in to taste his mouth once again, fingers locking together behind the ash-haired man's back. The kiss was lighter and yet just as passionate, more chaste and loving instead of pure lustful need. One hand unlocked itself and glided over the muscled, but not bulky, back to cup a firm, round cheek. He used his grip to pull his lover closer to him, skin to skin, need to electrifying need.

Shu gave a moan of agreement to the contact, pushing the blonde back as he moved forward until the taller man was flat against the wall of the stall. The hand on his ass moved, coming forward to take hold of his aching hardness, but he stopped it. The stormy-eyed man grabbed Seiji's arms, pushing them back against the wall. " No, no," Shu shook his head. " This is all about you, just let me do all the work, okay?"

" As long as you realize that this means you're all mine tonight," he smirked. " I can do whatever I want with you."

Shu felt his need deepen at the husky implications his lover left open. " I think I like the sound of that," he almost purred.

At that Seiji actually let out a small laugh. " You're such a kink," he stated, but then smiled. " But I wouldn't have you any other way."

" It's good to know you love me so much," the other grinned at him. "Now I do think we're in the middle of something." He brought the blonde into another long kiss. He grasped the swordsman's buttocks lifting him up slightly. Seiji took the message and wrapped his legs around his lover's waist, his aching hardness flat against the other's belly as he felt a similar staff nudging against his cheeks.

Shu finally pulled away from Korin's swollen lips and looked up to the ledge that was the length of the entire wall of the stall. They kept all of their needed shower essentials there: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving cream…a tube of lubricant. He caught sight of the tube on the shelf only hand's grab away, but the short nails that dug into his shoulders stopped him.

" Just do it," Seiji told him in a voice deep and husky with desire and lust. " I want it hard and fast, do it just like this."

Shu disagreed. " If you're going to work you'll be very sore," he warned. " I don't want to hurt you. Once we get going I'm not stopping until I make you scream my name out loud enough for the people Europe to hear ya."

The blonde gave a smirked rubbing his backside against the erection that was already twitching to enter him. " That just how I want it," he declared. He knew that Shu was hesitant to cause any form of harm to him so he positioned himself just right before thrusting his hips downward and engulfing the burning need into himself within seconds. A long victorious moan escaped his lips and Shu gasped in shock from the feel of the tight heat that sheathed him.

He felt like he had just died and gone to perfect nirvana. The tightness that surrounded him, feeding the fires that pooled in his lower regions, was almost too much to bear. He still couldn't believe that Seiji was always so tight, almost as if it was their first time together all over again. The thought of their first coupling added to his need. They both had been so nervous, a little sloppy, so much emotion between them; it had been perfect.

But now was one of the times that Seiji didn't want gentle or slow, he wanted the slight pain that heightened the pleasure and the fast pace that left his heart racing right before he reached his end. The blonde often liked a little pain, a little edge to his pleasure. It scared Shu at times, the blonde almost being masochistic in his desire.

" Shu…don't hold back," the violet-eyed man told him. " Please, I need this."

" Who am I to deny you?" he asked with a smile before pulling back an giving a forceful thrust into the body pressed against him. Seiji gasped a moan in pleasure, his head throwing backwards, his drenched hair falling away from his face. Both eyes met his and he continued his ministrations. Pale ivory arms grasped tighter at his shoulders as his thrusts came, deep and harsh, but always on mark with the man's point of ecstasy.

" Y-Yes…mo-ore…th-that's it," Seiji grunted out in pleasure. He could feel the slight edge of pain from his lover's harsh thrusts, but it only increased his satisfaction. The pain was a part of him; eating at him and making him feel weak. The pain given to him so reluctantly, so lovingly by Shu fought it back, replacing it so that he felt safe and cared for. He knew that Shu would never hurt him in a way to actually cause him discomfort, the only times he ever did so at all when Seiji asked it of him.

The staff filled him, driving him wild in lust and he begged his lover for more, urging him on. He was so close, his peak almost reached. He felt the flares every time Shu made contact with his prostate; he only needed to one final push. The wall of the shower stall rake smoothly across his back, wrinkling his skin and screeching as his rubbed against it. It felt so erotic, the cold being warmed by the heat radiating from his body and the steam rising from the water that still rained down on them and then cooling down again. The dual sensations of the chill of the wall and the heat practically oozing from every part of Shu's body (especially that certain spot) was enough to drive him crazy.

His lover was in the same situation only for different reasons. Feeling Seiji clinging to him as he pounded into him, clutching to him with needful groans and cries leaving his mouth was leaving him with the desire to see him lose control, to finally let go and reach his release. " I love you…so much," he whispered, so close to the blonde's ear and yet still so far away. It was all so surreal in a way.

That was final the stroke for Seiji, as he cried out a keen wail, " SHU!!!!!" He climaxed came then, shooting out and covering both of their chests and stomachs. Shu kissed him deep right then, milking the cry into his body as if it was the air he breathed. The blonde was squeezing with enough pressure to unman him and his eyes were wide as he felt his own peak being touched. He eyes rolled back for a moment, his mind shattered and his body lost in the waves that crashed into him. Seiji felt himself coming again at the feel of his lover's release hitting his prostate repeatedly and with such intensity, though not as powerfully as his first.

Their lips finally left one another and Shu's head fell onto the blonde's shoulder as he slowly lowered them both to the ground. Seiji's legs unwrapped from around the broader man's waist and shakily fell to the floor of the stall. His entire body was shaking and Shu's was breathing deeply on top of him. His hands still held their grip on the ash-haired man's shoulders, his lips giving small kisses to the places where his nails had bitten in too deeply.

" I love you, my heart," Seiji whispered to the other man. " Ai shiteru, so much."

Shu turned to look deep into violet eyes that proved the blonde's words. " Just don't go leaving me, eh?" he smiled. " I love ya so much I'd have to kill ya."

The swordsman let out deep giddy laugh. " I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, if ever at all," he promised. " I wouldn't want you to go to jail for murder or anything."

" That's good," the dark-haired man nodded. " Now the water's getting cold."

" Then we better get going," Seiji smiled. " I still need to get all of my gear together."

" Yeah, and while you're gone I prepare something special for lunch, just the two of us," he replied. " A cozy lunch at home, snuggled up together on the couch."

" That sounds wonderful," Seiji kissed him on the neck again.

" Good," the shorter one lifted himself up on his arms, staring down at his lover. " Oh, and Seiji?"

" Yes?" the blonde gave him a questioned gaze.

The bearer of Kongo leaned down, brushing his lips across kiss-swollen flesh. " Happy Birthday," he murmured. The blonde smiled in appreciation and pulled Shu's head down to seal their mouths in another hot kiss.

*****

" You know I could have driven myself," the blonde pointed out as the car pulled into the driveway of his family's dojo.

" But now I have to pick you up," Shu pointed out with a grin. " It will be great!"

" If you say so," the blonde smiled. " I'll be waiting here to get picked up around twelve-twenty. Be here around then."

"Okay Babe," the ash-haired man agreed. Both leaned in at the same time to give each other a kiss goodbye, but a clearing of the throat caught the attention. They turned around and Seiji immediately straightened himself to appear more professional.

" Ohayoo gozaimasu Ojii-sama," he greeted his grandfather, giving him a slight bow with his head.

" I was told you would not be in today," the elderly man pointed out.

" I wasn't supposed to, but I decided to at least come in for the Advanced and Beginner courses," the blonde explained. " And I thought it would be best if I had a secession in the private room before that time."

" I see," he spoke, nodding to him slightly before turning away and heading back towards the compound. None of them denied the fact that he had purposefully ignored Shu.

The younger of the two frowned, sighing at the way the Date head of household treated his presence. " He still doesn't like me," he stated. " I swear I give up. No matter what I do, he's still gonna hate me."

" That's because he doesn't truly know you inside and out and you're too worried about him doing something drastic again to even try to let him know," the blonde replied. " I swear I should just lock you in a room with him and see what happens. You'll have to come to a truce or something eventually."

" We did," Shu said. " I show up, he ignores me, I say nothing, no blood is shed."

The blonde gave him a kiss on the cheek. " And I love you for it," he smiled. " But I have to go. Don't forget, twelve-twenty." He exited the vehicle, and pulled his bag from the back seat as he went. Shu watched him moved, his ass swaying slightly as he leaned into the back of the car to get his no-datchi. The blonde never realized how perfectly his formal khakis and slacks formed to his rear. He finally backed away and Shu didn't know which was better, the nice rounded cheeks, or the smiling pale violet eyes.

" Twelve-twenty, I'll be waiting," Seiji told him as he turned away, heading up the walk to the main building of the dojo.

" I definitely won't forget," Shu spoke to himself. Instantly, he pulled his cell-phone from his pocket, dialing a number he knew by heart. "Hey Shin? Do you think we could move up the surprise up to one? / Why? / Well, Seiji had a change of plans and I'm bringing him home around one so it will be perfect. / Good. Just call Nasutei and Ryou while I go get the stuff. Ryou will make sure Touma remembers. / Yeah, I'll do it! How could I not? / Yeah, you better call her too. She'll definitely want to know about this. / Okay. Be at the house by eleven. Ja!"

He hung up the phone and pulled out of his parking spot. He had a few errands to run and only a few hours to run them in. Everything had to be perfect. Seiji wasn't one to actually celebrate his birthday, his grandfather teaching him that such things were unimportant for a warrior of Bushido. When Shu had tried to take him out for his eighteenth birthday the elderly Date hadn't been very 'supportive'.

Please, that guys hated me from day one, he thought. Grandfather Date had never approved of his and Seiji's relationship. It wasn't even the fact that his only male heir was gay and therefore unable to provide future heirs. NO. It just had to be the fact that Seiji was involved with the 'loudmouthed, irrational, incompetent, foolhardy, and laughable excuse for a bearer of the Kongo no Yoroi.' It was the old man's opinion that if his grandson decided to walk the line that his family had not set, then AT LEAST he could chose someone worthy of him. He had even suggested that Seiji had taken Touma or Ryo, or even Shin, as his lover instead of Shu.

There had been a time around Seiji's birthday (actually it was that very day) that Date-san had let out all of his frustration about Seiji and his 'misguided choices'. The rant had come about with Seiji actually telling his beloved grandfather off and then running from his home in the middle of a week-long thunderstorm. The blonde had gone missing for almost twenty hours before showing up on Shu's doorstep, drenched to the bone and ready to collapse. He'd used all of his money and ingenuity to get from Sendai to Yokohama, most of which he did on foot, and spent the next two weeks at his home with the flu and nearly getting sent to the hospital for pneumonia. Strangely enough, Seiji had never become ill before and since then save during his sickly young childhood.

Shu shook his head at remembering everything. He actually threatened to disown himself, he recalled. Gods, he actually would have left his family and everything he'd ever known…for me. But that had not come to pass. Instead, a very angry Mama Faun had taken it upon herself to avenge the distressed and weakened blonde that she had taken in as one of her own family. No one knew what had occurred between the two most stubborn, headstrong members between the two families and if someone did, they weren't saying. The end result had been Seiji's mother and sister coming to get him and take him home, an invitation to Shu to visit him at their home anytime he felt the need.

Shu had gratefully accepted the gracious offer, but had never fully taken up on it. Grandfather Date still didn't like him but was subtler about it at times, and at others just flat out ignoring him instead. He knew it was difficult for the elderly man to put up with him being around so he settled for only coming over for short periods of time, never joining them for ceremonial dinners and whatnot. Seiji actually spent most holidays with him, his younger sister Satsuki actually coming with quite a few times.

The only time their 'peace' had been disrupted was when the blonde had been their first year of college when he and Seiji had finally decided to request for a dorm room together. It was obvious that the head of the Date family was less than pleased by their choice and was about to voice it. It was only when Seiji's mother had mentioned how happy Mama Faun must have been that the elderly man had held his tongue.

My Guardian Angel, he smiled. His mother had been the one that he and Seiji had told first about their relationship. The hearty woman just gave the blonde a bone-crushing hug and told that she was proud that they had finally gained enough courage to actually tell her. But then she had forced them to tell his father…the man had been enraged. The strangest part was that he told Shu that he had corrupted Seiji instead of the other way around!

The two had sputtered like flopping fish, unable to actually form words. Papa Faun had merely gone on to say that he had warned Shu about taking advantage of the blonde. Seiji tried to placate him, but the man would hear no of it. He had grabbed Shu by the shoulders as if he would shake himself…and started laughing his head off. The man had hugged his son and congratulated on finding the perfect person to balance him, the yin to his yang. Shu had been shocked and hadn't snapped out of it for almost twenty minutes.

Thinking back on what he could actually claim to be one of his most traumatizing moments in his life, he laughed. His father was always that way. Doing exactly what he knew you thought to be the worst-case scenario before spinning a complete one-eighty on you. I still have to get back at him for that, he reminded himself. Just have to come up with a prank big enough to do the job. But not today anyway, I have more important things to do. He turned the corner towards the jewelry store, hoping that his 'secret' would be ready.

*****

The advanced class had been very pleased that their sensei would actually be joining them, unlike the news they had been given two weeks ago. They weren't sure why he was there, but it was a welcome surprise indeed. The class had been as obedient and ready to learn as usual. Only his most deserved and well-trained students ever made it to the Advanced Course. You couldn't buy your way in. You had to be invited in by an instructor, given a referral, or prove yourself worthy of the class by the time the first day began. No one was in the Advanced Class unless the wanted to be.

The Beginner's course wasn't as easy. There were still a few rowdy students that were only there because they had paid to be. Many also were children that were at the appropriate age to learn. There were no aged classes, only level of skill. The Date Dojo believed that you were beginners together than you would learn together, no matter what the age or gender, the same with those of any other course. While it was proven though that they would take less lack of attention and disobedience from an adolescence or adult than they would a child of seven (at least during the first month of the class). Those children were sent to learn such things while the adults should already have some knowledge and know how in that area.

But by the time he was finished, he was quite tired. Not in a physically fatigued way, but as in his mind was drained. His hour and a half of solo exercise had been rigorous and he'd only taken time to clean himself up before heading his next class. It left him ready to teach and yet also kept him from allowing his mind to slow down and rest. He muscles sang with a pleasant soreness though, one that told him that he had worked well that day.

" Date Sensei-sama?"

He turned stopped from his walking to the door and turned to face on of his Advanced Course students. He was an auburn-haired boy that showed much devotion and enjoyment in his class, but was also quite shy and soft-spoken at times depending on the situation, not much like one would believe. When in the practice ring and in tournaments he was fierce and yet humble, always apologizing if he believed that he hit his opponent too hard after he'd won. Some competitors at times thought him to be mocking them, but he just wasn't the type to be violent. His reasons for joining their dojo clients was because he wished to feel as if he had done something positive and to become apart of something he felt was worth it (among other things). Seiji looked at him as being one of is best students. He would know, he'd known the young man for over twelve years.

" Hai, Jun?" he smiled. " What is it?"

" I believe that I will need to attend the extra course tomorrow," he told him. " I feel that my technique and reaction time for today's lesson was lacking."

" Jun," the blonde laughed. " You are by far one of my best students. There is not much more that I can teach you in the art of kendo. You technique was fine."

" Gomen, but I do not believe so," he disagreed.

" All right," the blonde nodded. " But only if you believe that you need it." Indeed the boy was very devoted and attentive. There had only been one problem that he'd ever seen in his class.

" Saoonara Date Sensei-sama, Jun!" And there she is.

" Saoonara Akarui-san," Jun bowed to her politely, a look hidden in his eyes, one that Seiji knew very well.

" Wait Akarui!" Seiji called out to her. The raven-haired, hazel-eyed girl turned instantly, bowing to her teacher.

" What is it that you need of me Sensei?" she asked dutifully.

" Nothing too drastic," he touched her shoulder, signaling for her to straighten. " I only request help for one task."

She nodded, " Anything."

Seiji smiled, he knew that would be her answer. She seemed to have this strange idol-worship of him. She'd even admitted of how she'd been watching his kendo matches and keeping his news clippings since she was young, around eight. Strangely, she was the younger direct cousin of Kazamatsuri Shingo on his mother's side. It wasn't a crush, just complete adoration. And her age was only three years under that of Jun and he'd been smitten with her since he'd seen her in his beginner's class.

" I merely wanted to ask you to assist Jun here," he motioned to the dark-haired boy. Said young man almost started at the statement, but managed to keep his calm exterior, something that he'd perfected after watching Seiji. " He is under the impression that his version of the new technique we studied today is not up to par. I merely ask that you help him so that he may receive the viewpoint of another student instead his proud teacher."

" Nani?" her eyes were completely wide. " You followed the style down perfectly Jun! You actions were fluent and you flowed like the flame in a campfire! Sure I'll help him! If only to get some of that overactive humility out of his system!" At these words the young man did blush, his ears slightly turning pink beneath his chin length hair.

" Like a flame?" Seiji thought of the analogy. " I wouldn't be surprised at that."

" Sensei, I wouldn't wish to impose on Akarui-san," he shook his head. " I will simply come to the extra class tomorrow."

" Nonsense," Akarui grabbed his took his hand in her own. " I will be glad to help you. Maybe I will get to know how you learn that one technique you used at the last tournament. You almost seemed to use the bokken like a staff for that one move instead of a sword. It really through your opponent off."

" R-Really?" the boy seemed quite put off by the girl's compliments and rightfully so.

" Seiji!" All three turned to see the figure standing in the hallway towards the door.

" Shu!" Jun smiled at the sight of his old friend.

" Twelve-twenty you say?" the ash-haired man stepped forward. " I've been waiting for fifteen minutes!"

" Gomen," the blonde smiled at him, before turning to his two pupils. " All is well now. You should get together sometime before class on Tuesday. You may use one of the practice rooms at four tomorrow afternoon if you like."

" Arigato, Date Sensei-sama," Akarui smiled before pulling Jun away by his hand, leading him out the door.

" Ja Jun!" Shu waved to him. The boy gave a brief wave to him back, his eyes looking completely terrified. The bearer of Kongo turned back to his lover. " You shouldn't have done that to him. You would have died being such close proximity to a girl when you were younger. Hell, you still have problems talking to them now!"

Seiji huffed. " Are we going to leave or shall you continue to mock my teaching?" he asked.

" You mean match-making, you're as bad as Shun and Nasutei," he replied.

The swordsman grabbed him by the arm and motioned for him to follow him out of the building. The other man complied leaving the dojo behind him. The walked directly to the parking space where they left the car every time they came to the dojo. Seiji was silent as he waked around to the passenger side and got in the car. Shu hoped he hadn't accidentally offended him.

They got into the car and sat their, both saying nothing. Finally Shu turned to Seiji and was about to apologize when the blonde grabbed his shirt collar and forced a fierce, electrifying kiss upon him. His breath was stolen and he sure as hell didn't mind. He reciprocated the passion in the lip-lock before pulling back and sighing dreamily. " That's why I've stayed with you this long," he whispered.

" Why?" Seiji inquired.

" Because you kiss so damn well that I forget any reason I had to leave you," Shu stated as if it was completely obvious. Seiji smacked him on the arm, hard.

" Itai!" the ash-haired man yelped. " I hate it when you do that! Especially on my bare arm!"

" Serves you right," the other snickered before gasping in discomfort. The pain had come upon him suddenly. It felt like a fire in his veins and he couldn't breathe. It was almost as if his heart was frantically forcing itself to beat, to regenerate the lack of air or something.

" Blondie?" Shu's eyes were concerned. " Are you okay, gorgeous?"

As just as suddenly the pain was gone, but the burn remained. It wasn't as evident as before, just a displeasing itch. " I'm fine," he answered. " I think it's just the heartburn again."

" You've been having 'heartburn' for almost a week now," the young man pointed out. " Maybe you should have your Mom do an x-ray or something to see what's wrong. It could be serious."

" No, I'm all right," the blonde shook his head. He didn't want to tell him that he'd already been to his mother's office the week before he'd actually told him about the heartburn. She'd done a x-ray and assured him that nothing was wrong. She just gave him an anti-inflamitant much like that someone would get over the counter, only with quicker reaction time and more potency. But it was still said that nothing was wrong.

" I still say you should go," Shu insisted. "But since it's your birthday we won't get into it. We'll wait for tomorrow to argue about it."

"Thank you," the blonde smiled. The Rei Faun heir grinned back before pulling out of the driveway and driving down the street.

*****

" This will be great!" someone exclaimed.

" Shut up, they'll be here any minute!" another hissed in a low tone. " If you're any louder he'll know something's up!"

" He'll be so surprised," another smiled.

" Yeah, after he has a heart attack," another frowned.

" Don't worry," one assured. "We won't scare him that bad."

" I hope not…"

*****

They pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. Shu smiled brightly at the blonde before getting out of the car quickly. Seiji gave a confused look and waited, wanting to see what his lover was up to. The ash-haired man climbed speed walked around the car and opened the door to the passenger side. " If I may Monsieur," he bowed dramatically, extending his hand.

" Of course," Seiji smiled in return, placing his hand in the others and holding it lightly. Shu 'helped' him from the car and walked behind him. Suddenly, there was a blindfold over pale eyes and the swordsman was startled. " Shu? What's going on?" he asked.

" Shhh," gentle fingers touched his lips. " Just go with it. Don't worry. I have a surprise."

" But what if I fall over?" the blonde inquired. "I hate being left in the dark, especially about surprises."

" Don't worry, you'll love it," Shu reassured him. " And besides, you know I'd never let you fall. I'm always right here to catch you."

Seiji smiled, eyes bright even behind the cloth. " You're such a hopeless romantic."

" Only because my love for you has driven me to it," he spoke in as sweet a voice as he could.

" And you have bad lines too," the blonde commented. " But they're still so cute."

" Thanks…I think…" Shu blinked for a moment before taking the blonde's other hand in his grasp. " Now just follow my lead and I'll tell whatever there is you need to watch out for."

" All right," his lover consented. " I trust you wholeheartedly."

" Great!" Seiji could tell the dark-haired man was beaming even though he couldn't see him. He was very curious about what his lover had done for him because he had specifically told him no surprises on his birthday. He had spent so many years no even celebrating the day that he felt awkward whenever someone made a big deal of it. Satsuki used to give him a cupcake with a candle on it for his birthday, but that was it. And she was forced to stop when he turned fifteen and his grandfather found it. He claimed his younger sister was corrupting his teachings.

And yet even though I don't want it, Shu always finds a way to make the day so perfect and exciting, he thought happily. It's like he's trying to make up for all the years I missed every time. Gods, what great wonder did I achieve to deserve him?

" Okay," Shu talked to him the whole way around the side of the house. He was glad he'd decided to take the longer route home so that the blonde wouldn't be able to see the front of the house. He had a special gift just waiting for him right there, but still not as special as the one that he had waiting for him right before he got in the house.

" Are we there yet?" Seiji asked.

" No not yet," he told him. " Just a few more steps." He pulled him along gently, moving him this way and that so that he wouldn't walk through the grass and would be in direct line of what he wanted him to see.

" Okay," he turned the older man slightly and then untied the blindfold. " Open your eyes."

Seiji slowly let his eyes open, allowing to adjust to the light. When he finally realized what he was staring at, he could feel the pale violet orbs begin to water. Stationed in the center of their front lawn was a large concrete male angel statue staring down upon them as if looking gracefully from heaven with a young fawn sitting beside it. In it's hand it held a great-sized plaque made of cheery oak wood in the shape of an elegantly styled heart. Surrounding the statue were a variety of plants, all of which he loved dearly. There were yellow roses, violets, daisies, little ferns, and even gardenias. But what got to him most was the inscription burned on the oak plaque in a deep dark color so it could easily be seen and read:

An angel fell from heavens

To create something on Earth

Where all things were beautiful

And of this he did give birth

To a heart made of gold

And eyes that shined like the sun

Hands the healed all hurt and pain

And a soul that gave only love

This being I do know well

For I have searched for it all my years

And found right beside me now

For you are he, the one I hold most dear

Seiji didn't know what to say, his mind was so high and gone, his heart filled such love and tenderness that he didn't know what to do with. He didn't even realize that the tears were falling from his eyes, or that his hand had covered his mouth to stifle his small choking sounds. It was so wonderful, so beautifully sincere and thought out, so…so…

" It's okay," Shu touched his face and wiped his tears from his ivory cheeks. " You don't have to say anything. These tell it all."

" Oh Gods…" Seiji spun and jumped into the arms of his lover, kissing him fiercely and wrapping his arms around the broader man's neck. " Shu…Shu…Shu…" he continued to whisper his lover's name over and over constantly. It was all his mind would let him say. His throat was almost constricted and he didn't believe any words could come within a million miles of justifying how he felt. His eyes turned back to the statue and the beautiful flowers and he realized now that the angel did indeed look like himself only with longer hair and wearing a long robe.

" That's not all," Shu finally said. " There's more." The blonde pulled away from him for a moment and gave him a confused look and astonished look.

" Th-there's more?" he repeated. Shu nodded. " B-but Shu…you already… Gods, I've never gotten you something like this for your birthday."

" But didn't you take a whole week off of work at the dojo last year just so that you and I could go to the hot-springs for my birthday and visit my family in China?" Shu asked.

" Yes, but…"

" And then two years before that you to bought us round trip tickets Amerika to show me the three black bears in Louisiana that you 'adopted' for me the year before that," he reminded him. " And you even let us stay and extra two days so I could visit my uncle in New York even though you felt uncomfortable being there."

" But Shu, I've never done anything for you like this," he motioned to the beautiful statue and bed of flowers around it. " I've never written poetry just for you, or had a statue built, and the only time I ever buy you flowers is on our anniversary. I don't deserve this."

" That's what I love about you the most," Shu whispered. " You're not the type to get overly emotional, you weren't raised that way. And yet you do little things to show how much you care. Like how you always write me an 'I love you' note if I'm asleep when you leave for work or to do something and how you stood by me when your grandfather wanted me gone. And how you make sure I have a fresh cup of tea and some herbal remedy on the nightstand whenever I need it if I'm sick. Or even when you agreed to take in that lost sick kitten that I wanted, though you knew it wouldn't live long and it would hurt if you got attached to it."

" But those things were so little," he said. " I'd did them because I knew they would make you happy or make you feel better."

" And I do this because I love you and I want to show every way I can that I do and make sure the worlds knows it," the younger man stated proudly. " All you have to do to show you love me in return is accept it and give me a hot kiss as appreciation."

Seiji chuckled at the way the mood had so easily lightened. "Well I already did that…"

"Good, so now we're on to the next part," the ash-haired man seemed more than a little pleased, but Seiji could tell that he was nervous about something.

Seiji noticed that his felt odd once again, the itch was getting stronger, turning itself into a small flame of irritation. He needed to get his medicine so that it would go away. " Love, let's go in the house, I think that I could thank you a lot more properly inside," he reasoned.

" No," Shu shook his head. " I have to tell you this now or else I'll never be able to."

" What is it?" the blonde was concerned, but the heartburn was getting worse. Spreading to his lungs again. He almost felt short of breath.

" Ummm…" Shu was quiet for a moment, before taking the blonde's hand and leading him closer to the door, right to the front step. He felt stronger knowing that he could easily back out, even though he had no intention of doing so.

" Seiji…" he started. " Today I had three gifts, each one for a different reason, but all because of how much I love you. I've been planning this day for a long time and I was so afraid for so long that I almost decided to trash it. But right now, I using all the strength I'm known for to not bolt right now. We've been together for so long, almost twelve years. We've been living together since the beginning of college eight years ago. But I don't think that's enough for me anymore."

Seiji's mind went blank. His mind was conjuring hundreds of different scenarios for what the love of his life could actually be getting at. Unfortunately, it wasn't a very nice one that kept coming back to him. " Shu…" he gasped. " You're not leaving me…"

" NO!" the other man shook his head. " So far from it that it might as well be in a different universe altogether."

" Then what?" he asked. He needed this over with. His head was beginning to throb and could almost feel his hands shaking from where Shu held them. He thought it was just from anticipation, but something told him that wasn't all.

Shu released his hand and dug into his pants pocket, his slowly pulled out a small white box, looking so minuscule in his large, powerful palm. He flicked the top with his thumb as he lowered himself to one knew. Seiji thought he was going to faint, from what he was not sure. Inside the box what a silver band perfectly sized with a semi-large green gem in its center, strangely in the center of the jewel was what appeared to be a lightning bolt.

" The gem's not real," he admitted. " A recreation of a stone said to have been given by the King of Greek Gods, Zeus, to one of the women that he'd fallen in love with, but they had no children. It is said that he merely came to her often in the night as a fawn that was her companion for many years until her death. His first and only gift to her that was found at the sight of where a thunder bolt landed, so it's named the Thunder-stone."

" It's wonderful," Seiji gasped, his heart feeling tighter.

" Will you marry me, Date Seiji?" Shu asked of him. " I know we can't really get married, but we can have a union and vows ceremony and then we can go away for two weeks for our honeymoon. It would be wonderful, just us, and nothing else in the world mattering but us."

" I-I…" Seiji couldn't speak.

The bearer of Kongo took it a different way. " Blondie, if you're unsure than I can wait," he assured him. " We've been together so long, I can wait a little more."

" Y-yes…Yes I'll marry you," Seiji forced out. He couldn't ruin this moment, not when everything was so perfect and falling into the right place. But it hurt so much, his body was on fire and his lungs wouldn't work and his heart just couldn't seem to cooperate.

" Seiji you don't have to answer just to make me happy," Shu frowned. " I love you too much for that."

Seiji shook his head unsteadily. He could feel the sweat gathering on his brow. " N-no… That's not i-it. It-It's some-something el-else…"

" Seiji?" Shu was beginning to realize that the blonde wasn't just acting out of shock of uncertainty. His skin was turning pale and his eyes were becoming dilated. He seemed to be sweating and his hand shook in his own. " Baby, what's wrong? Tell me. Are you okay? Seiji?"

The blonde didn't answer. Instead he swayed drunkenly on his feet before his knees gave out and he fell, right into Shu's arms. The younger man's eyes were filled with fear and concern. Seiji could only manage a small, pain-filled laugh. " Y-you…ca-caught me," he whispered before his eyes rolled in the back of his head and consciousness was lost to him.

" Seiji?" Shu called to the blonde, shaking his shoulders. The other didn't answer and he was beginning to panic. " SEIJI!!! C'mon Blondie, don't do this to me!"

The door to the house opened and Shin and Touma rushed out. " What happened?" the archer demanded.

" I don't know, call an ambulance! Something's wrong with him!" his eyes filled with tears and his voice with frustration. " Call a damn ambulance!"

Shin rushed in the house immediately and more people filled the doorway. Ryou and Nasutei hurried out of the house at the sight of Seiji lying inert in Shu arms, save his body's constant shaking. " Oh Gods.." she gasped.

" Ryou…" Touma called out to his lover. The raven-haired boy immediately took the other into his arms to calm him. Touma was Seiji best and closest friend next to Shu, the blonde having helped him the most through his family troubles and personal issues (Ryou). It was hard to see the unfailing Seiji lying there so helpless and weak when you knew nothing of why and how to fix it.

" Seiji, please get up," Shu told his lover, stroking the swordsman's hair in a soothing way and checking his pulse every few moments.

" The ambulance is on its way," Shin returned outside. He turned a looked into the house. The surprise birthday party was in shambles now that the guest of honor was like this. It hadn't been many people. Just simply Seiji's friends and completely obsessive younger sister. Jun had supposed to come, but it seemed that something had prevented him from doing so.

" What Ambulance?" someone hurried down the stairs from using the bathroom on the second floor. " What's with the yelling, what happened?"

" Satsuki…" Shin didn't know what to tell her.

The dark-haired girl pushed past the man and stared in terrifying shock at the scene before her. " Nii-chan!!!"

She was at the blonde's side in an instant. Her hand touched her older brother's face and then took hold of his shaking hand. " What happened? Why's he like this? Is he going to be okay? Oh Gods, Nii-chan please be okay!"

Nasutei came forward and pulled the girl back by the shoulders. " It's okay," she told her. " The ambulance is on its way. He's going to be fine."

" Fine?!" the girl screeched. " That's not your brother lying there!" Then she broke into tears. The redhead held the girl to her chest, trying to soften her cries so as to not embarrass her when she was of her right mind.

Shu was ignoring them all. He mind was on the blonde in his arms. " Don't do this to me Seiji," he told him. " You said you were fine. You said that you were okay. I caught you…I caught you…"

JC: I hope you liked it. We worked hard. Our first posted Shu/Seiji. We like how it turned out so just leave us a review and tell us what you think. And please don't report the lemon. And I know you want more updates so we're working on it, but we just posted the first chapter of our Lord of the Rings fic and we're fighting the Block of Writers demon. Hopefully we'll have something soon so you won't have to wait so long.