Tokyo Babylon Fan Fiction / X/1999 Fan Fiction ❯ The Other Side of Destiny ❯ Chapter 1 ( One-Shot )

The Fantastically Random team of Xandra and MidorinoMizu presents The Other Side of Destiny.

Summary: Subaru professes a desire to understand the Sakurazukamori. Seishirou comes along and pretty much tests him to his full limits.

Disclaimer: Subaru and Seishirou are characters in Tokyo Babylon and X and belong entirely to Clamp.

Rating: NC-17 for m/m sex. Yes, please avert your eyes if it's illegal for you to be reading this story. Consider yourself warned.

~~~

"Why do you smoke?" he asked, as if the boy who raised the question was afraid Subaru would take it as unforgivable prying.

"Is it bothering you?"

Shirou Kamui shook his head almost violently. "No, I just wanted to know. Is it... because of the Sakurazukamori?"

The 13th clan head of the Sumeragi regarded his companion for a moment, trying to frame his answer as best he could. "If I don't do this, I will never be able to understand why he does the things he does," Subaru admitted gravely. He felt comfortable telling Kamui this. The young teenager had the right to hear his reasons, and he didn't think anyone else in the world could come near to understanding why he engaged in these self-destructive habits.

Kamui's wide amethyst eyes considered the admission solemnly, before replying, "All right. But Subaru... smoking is bad for your health."

Subaru took in the comment and his heart relented. He knew the lad worried about him. Stubbing the cigarette out, he commenced their tutoring session. The lesson progressed well and Subaru found himself almost enjoying it. All too soon, a smiling young student interrupted and dragged Kamui off to have lunch.

Subaru stared into empty space after his companion departed, letting his mind wander freely. He lit another cigarette and inhaled a quick breath. To be like Seishirou-san, he had determined long ago, was the only way to understand him. And he had to understand his opposite.

"You're going to burn yourself, Subaru-kun," came a deep and amused voice from behind him. Subaru started, dropping the remains of his cigarette onto the ground.

"S-Seishirou-san," he stumbled. Then he narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

The older man lifted black eyebrows over his shaded eyes. "Can't I come visit an old friend?" he asked as he pulled out one of his own cigarettes and offered it to the Sumeragi. "Why, I'm positively hurt."

"I don't think you could be hurt," Subaru said matter-of-factly. It was the truth. Seishirou was so cold, so emotionless, that Subaru didn't really believe that the Sakurazukamori would even know what emotional pain was. For a moment, he debated springing up and engaging his opposite in battle, but there was no Kekkai at this location and Subaru was curious as to why Seishirou was here today. He had been assiduously avoiding him previously.

Subaru reached out and took the offered cigarette. He was about to reach for his own lighter when Seishirou grasped his hand and brought it closer to his chest. A flick and a small flame prompted Subaru to automatically lean his head in, touching the paper and tobacco to the tiny fire. Then he stepped back, twisting his hand out of Seishirou's grip.

The Sakurazukamori smiled faintly. Both he and Subaru knew one undeniable fact. The Sumeragi was only as free as the Sakurazukamori allowed him to be.

Neither realized nor acknowledged that the opposite was also true.

Seishirou took a long drag on his cigarette before smiling genially at his opposite. "You're just too cute to resist, Subaru-kun," he said aloud. Besides, he reflected, the conversation that Subaru had just had with his Kamui intrigued him.

Did Subaru really think that he could ever be like Seishirou?

Subaru contemplated his options, not that they were many. He couldn't run away, Seishirou wouldn't allow that, at least not before he had accomplished whatever he meant to. Moreover, Subaru didn't want to run; he had spent too long chasing after the man. Subaru supposed he could fight, but that would result in not only Seishirou's amusement, but also in the destruction of CLAMP Campus, and Subaru couldn't help but think that neither of those outcomes were particularly desirable. Anyway he'd tried that tack at Nakano and it had got him nowhere.

Subaru was so lost in his reverie that he hadn't even realized that Seishirou had moved forward. At least, not until he felt the Sakurazukamori's fingers skimming across the soft skin of his face.

Subaru looked helplessly up at Seishirou. It was at times like these that he really wished he could see his opposing star's eyes.

"Would you join me for tea?" Seishirou asked. Not really waiting for Subaru's reply, he simply walked away from him.

Of all the things he expected, an invitation for tea was probably one of the last things on the list of things he would anticipate Seishirou asking of him. Psychic battles and shikigami clashes, yes, sitting down for a cup of tea, no. Subaru was so caught off guard that he simply stared after the man. Curiosity beset him, prompting him to start after Seishirou.

Subaru remained silent while he lengthened his strides to catch up with the Sakurazukamori. Seishirou had paused before the entrance to a small cafe, a small smile on his face. He led the way inside equally silent and sat down in a quiet corner, waving at Subaru to join him.

"Would you like a snack? Some cake? You don't appear to be getting enough to eat, Subaru-kun," Seishirou offered as if nothing were out of the ordinary while Subaru seated himself.

Subaru shook his head dumbly at the question but Seishirou ordered something for him anyway. Subaru was amazed that Seishirou had the capacity in him to be so solicitous. He wondered if aliens had suddenly descended and kidnapped the real Sakurazukamori and left this genial companion behind. But then, Seishirou slipped his dark glasses off and Subaru knew there was no mistaking the emotionless assassin who had broken his heart.

Subaru's green eyes hardened slightly. He simply stared at the Sakurazukamori, willing the mask that had protected him and his raw emotions from the world for nine years to fall in place. Finally he spoke. "What do you want, Seishirou-san?" he asked coldly. "If you've finally decided to collect on the bet, just do it. Stop playing with me."

Seishirou's blind eye was cold and blank, but his remaining golden-brown one glittered with amusement. "Now, Subaru-kun, why would I want to do that? You're just starting to become amusing."

Subaru wondered darkly if his life would always be controlled by the Sakurazukamori's level of amusement.

"As it happens, I want to show you something, Subaru-kun." He looked askance at his opposite's untouched tea and cake. "If you're quite finished?"

Subaru pushed away his plate and stood, staring down at the man who had always been such an integral part of his existence. "Then show it to me."

"Come then, if you dare," Seishirou said, his mocking smile challenging Subaru.

Subaru got up from the table to follow him. He wondered what strange game his opposing star was playing today. He appeared to be a rather thoughtful mood, very different from when Subaru had last seen him at Nakano Sun Plaza.

Outside Seishirou lit another cigarette. Holding it in his gloved hand, he turned to look at Subaru intently. "Did you mean what you said when you told your Kamui about trying to be me?"

So Seishirou had overheard his conversation with Kamui. "I... I just want to understand you," Subaru said faintly, embarrassed to have been caught admitting such a thing.

"Would you really want to understand me? To understand what it means to be the Sakurazukamori?" Seishirou leaned threateningly close to Subaru.

Subaru swallowed and steeled his features to remain calm and nonchalant. "Yes."

"Then, I can hardly deny you from getting what you really want," smiled Seishirou. Abruptly he walked off, leaving Subaru with the chance to leave or follow. He followed.

At first, it seemed to the Sumeragi that Seishirou was going nowhere in particular. He meandered, first wandering in one direction, and then in another. He walked seemingly aimlessly through Tokyo, like a salaryman with the afternoon off.

It was when he seemed to be the most innocent, Subaru reflected, that Seishirou was truly at his most dangerous.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, Seishirou started to move differently. It was a slight change; not noticeable by anyone, but it was there to Subaru's tensely heightened senses.

The Sakurazukamori was stalking prey.

Subaru said nothing, but reached into his pocket to check his ofuda supply. If Seishirou thought that Subaru was going to just let him murder someone, without doing anything about it, he was sadly mistaken. Yet try as he might, Subaru could not see just who was to be the target. All manner of people were walking about on the streets. He and Seishirou were just another two in the faceless crowd. Seishirou kept up a brisk pace and occasionally, Subaru had to jostle people to keep up with him. Then with a start, Subaru realized something. They had been going in circles.

Reaching out a hand to Seishirou's shoulder, Subaru said heatedly, "Are you playing with me again?"

Seishirou stopped abruptly, causing Subaru to propel himself into his back. He stood there like a brick, unmoving. Turning around, Seishirou said, "I'm not. But you're to be congratulated for being so observant." With a casual wave of his hand, Seishirou enveloped Subaru into his maboroshi.

It was somewhat gratifying to know; Subaru thought bitterly, that his memory and dreams were so accurate. It was strange to think of a grove of blooming sakura trees as being barren, but that's just exactly what it was-- barren, dark, and cold. An icy wind blew hard, howling between branches.

In the center was the largest and most beautiful tree, blooming the most vibrant pink. Under it was Seishirou.

He was smiling, in the same coldly amused way he had when he'd shattered Subaru's heart into a thousand pieces nine years before.

Subaru shoved those memories to the deepest part of his mind and concentrated instead on the present moment. "What are you doing, Sakurazukamori?" he asked coldly, trying to summon the authority he'd at last grown into.

Seishirou's grin only widened. "Showing you what you wanted. Remember?"

Subaru's confusion only lasted a moment, and then his eyes widened in horror. "No!"

Now he could see the Sakurazukamori's chosen prey, and--she was just a high school girl.

Seishirou slanted an amused gaze at his counterpart. "I'm just doing my job, Subaru-kun. Isn't this what you wanted to see?"

Subaru froze for a moment, his words coming back to haunt him. He shook his head, "No! You cannot expect me to standby while you kill a girl!" He started forward only to be stopped short.

Around him flared a five-pointed barrier, stronger than anything he had ever encountered before. Subaru hit the field experimentally, and it didn't even dent. He was imprisoned more effectively than any prison with bars.

"You shouldn't hit too hard, Subaru-kun. Anything you send against that will rebound itself on you." Seishirou shook his head at him.

Meanwhile, the girl was gazing about dazedly. "What's going on? Who are you people?" she asked in frightened tones.

Seishirou shrugged, and Subaru continued to futilely throw power at the barrier, dodging when it did rebound on him.

"Who we are won't matter to you for long," spoke Seishirou as he drew back his hand, gathering power between his fingertips.

Subaru froze in the midst of a spell. His eyes widened, and his face turned the color of rice paper. "No," he said again, this time in the faintest of whispers. He sank to his knees as he saw the sixteen-year-old collapse in a pool of blood at Seishirou's feet. "No," he moaned in distress.

Seishirou stood there looking at Subaru for a moment, before casually letting his magic sweep the broken body at his feet away in little pieces of sakura. "You're such a gentle person," he stated with a pleased smile on his face. He held the barrier imprisoning Subaru tightly in place. It would not do to release it now, not when he wasn't looking for a fight.

Subaru's tear-streaked eyes glared back at him accusingly. He lifted another hand to thump against the shield again, uncaring that it was a futile effort. "I still don't understand. Why?" Subaru threw that question at him even as his knees weakened and he slid down to the ground in a heap.

Seishirou knew Subaru wasn't truly asking him a question about today. It was a plaintive query encompassing every aspect of his relationship with his opposing star.

The Sakurazukamori knelt down next to his pale, stricken toy, and smiled with superficial gentleness. The fight seemed to have gone out of him, so he carefully removed his barrier. He stroked a bloodstained fingertip down Subaru's face and briefly admired the contrast of red against white. "That question, Subaru-kun, is why you can never be like me," said Seishirou, leaning in closer, his breath grazing the Sumeragi's still lips. "You'll never understand why."

"Seishirou-san," breathed Subaru shakily.

"Yes, Subaru-kun?" said Seishirou.

An inch closer, thought Subaru, and Seishirou's lips would touch his own, a circumstance he'd both hoped for and dreaded for nearly ten years.

Seishirou trailed his fingers down Subaru's white neck, leaving lines of brilliant red in their wake. He glanced up, briefly, staring into Subaru's green eyes. "You're so beautiful, Subaru-kun," he breathed before finally closing his mouth over Subaru's own.

Shock overwhelmed Subaru. His eyes widened and he jerked back, more from a reflex than from any real reluctance. But Seishirou had anticipated the move and had pressed his other hand around his neck to hold him in place.

Seishirou continued his pressure on Subaru's lips and eventually the younger man capitulated. Seishirou could feel the moment Subaru gave in, the way he always did. He was thoroughly enjoying the sight of Subaru with blood streaked over his cheek, though he knew the onmyouji would be horrified if he knew it.

Subaru's eyes fluttered closed. Giving in was something that felt so natural. His mouth opened in surrender.

Seishirou smiled, and Subaru could feel the movement of his mouth intimately. Subaru's brilliant eyes reopened and he pinned his opposing star with a glare. Tearing himself away from the kiss, he shoved the Sakurazukamori away and hissed. "I don't appreciate being either used or laughed at, Seishirou-san."

The Sakurazukamori laughed. It was a hollow sound, as if he hadn't really ever learned the purpose of laughter, and was simply copying a sound he had heard. "Subaru-kun, you didn't used to be so..."

"Bitter? Angry? Willing to smack you?" supplied the Sumeragi.

Seishirou raised his eyebrows. "Actually, I think the word I was looking for was recalcitrant."

"I'm not sixteen anymore," stated Subaru. "And I don't think you knew me as well as you thought, even then."

Seishirou smirked at the retort; Subaru was his prey, had been his prey for nearly twenty years. No one, not even Hokuto, had known Subaru as well as him. But he'd play along. "Well, your twin's personality was rather overwhelming."

Subaru's eyes darkened and he looked away. "I don't want to talk about Hokuto-chan."

Subaru's problem, Seishirou thought, was that what he didn't want often overshadowed what he desired.

"So what do you want to talk about then?" Seishirou taunted. "The fact that you are still hopelessly attracted to me? So do you want to level more recriminations on my head for what I do? You say I do not know you? That's fine. Why do you care whether I know you or not?"

Subaru trembled. He didn't like that Seishirou had the upper hand here. He was attracted to Seishirou but he knew his relationship with the other man would always be colored by certain events. "No, no I do not blame you," Subaru whispered. He had never done so. Subaru only blamed himself. He wondered why he wasn't ever enough for Seishirou.

Seishirou's amusement only heightened with Subaru's confusion. Subaru, despite the ways he'd changed, despite what he now thought himself to be, was essentially the same as he'd ever been-- a beautiful boy, pure in spirit, kind to everyone. It was only his innocence that was tarnished.

The tarnish made Subaru more interesting, really.

Subaru stared helplessly at the Sakurazukamori, who was obviously being vastly entertained by the mind games he was playing. That knowledge brought a surge of need within Subaru to surprise him.

"Seishirou," said Subaru softly. His opposite met his dark green eyes, shadowed by decade-old shadow and the pain that could only be wrought by immense human suffering. The Sakurazukamori didn't speak, but merely inclined his head politely to listen.

Subaru smiled faintly. "Why haven't you killed me?"

Seishirou frowned. This was a question that struck in the heart of his secret wish. Unwilling to answer, he returned question for question. "Are you so anxious for me to kill you then, Subaru-kun?"

Subaru stared at him unhappily. "You said you saw me as no better than an object. Surely I don't merit any different from that girl whom you just so casually killed?" Subaru answered. His guilt over being unable to help her ate at him.

Seishirou's knowing expression taunted Subaru. "Would it comfort you more if I told you that that girl was a killer? That she had embarked on a career of killing anyone who stood in her way? And that she did it so well that no one has ever suspected. What would you say then? Is she then different from you?"

Subaru started. She hadn't looked like a killer. But then, he remembered bitterly, neither had Seishirou-san.

He stared at the Sakurazukamori for a long moment before answering him. "No, Seishirou-san, it doesn't comfort me at all. No one deserves a death like that."

Seishirou gave a small laugh. "That's just how you ought to feel. Aren't you a Dragon of Heaven sworn to protect humanity after all?"

"I couldn't care less about the fate of humanity," Subaru said firmly. His statement rang with true conviction.

"Well, if not, then why do you bother to engage in this fight?" Seishirou stepped forward, dangerously close to Subaru once again. "You haven't answered my first question, Subaru. Are you so anxious to die?"

Subaru's gaze faltered, and he stared downwards. "No", he muttered. He wasn't anxious to die precisely; he was anxious for Seishirou to kill him. No other death would do. He didn't know if he would ever be able to admit that to his opposing star, though.

"Good, because I am not going to kill you today," Seishirou replied bluntly.

Subaru slumped, unsure whether it was from relief or disappointment. A complex mix of emotions warred eternally within him these days, now that the Foreordained Day was at hand and he was forced to be a player. To live or to die, the question went unanswered within him. Forcing his eyes to meet the gaze of his opposite, he asked instead, "Why do you continue to play with me?"

Seishirou's expression changed not one bit. Dryly he answered, "You are full of questions. Why should it matter to you? Are we not opposites? Light and dark, Yin and Yang, two sides of the same magic, two faces of a coin. Eternally forced to be together, but never possibly one. Unless..." There he trailed off.

Subaru frowned, confused. Did his counterpart know something he didn't? "Unless what?" he prodded. Was there a chance they didn't have to fight each other?

Seishirou didn't answer him. He was pressed up against Subaru and it was an easy matter for him to bend down again to capture Subaru's mouth once more in a possessive kiss. Sliding a hand down the front of Subaru's pants, he caressed the hardening evidence of Subaru's attraction. "Unless we do this," he said, his intent clear.

"What if I say no?"

"Are you?" Came the equally terse question.

"Yes... no..." Subaru stammered, unsure of the right answer.

Seishirou's voice showed his good humor. "You are very cute." He tipped Subaru's chin up and pressed a small sweet kiss on the corner of his mouth.

Subaru let his eyes slide shut with a very soft sigh. His head tipped back further as he allowed Seishirou control once again.

Seishirou smiled at his younger opposite, and slid one large hand around the nape of Subaru's neck as he leaned down to claim the Sumeragi's mouth once again.

Subaru didn't fight back, but sidled closer to the man that had been the one constant in his life for nearly twenty years. He let himself forget everything; the girl that he had just seen killed, all the pain Seishirou had caused, and simply allowed himself to be in the moment. It wasn't a luxury he often gave himself.

Seishirou let his hand slip from around Subaru's pale throat to rest around the younger man's slim waist. Never breaking away from the Sumeragi, he started walking Subaru backwards. Subaru didn't take any notice, until he felt the rough bark of the Sakura against his back.

"S-Seishirou-san!" he gasped, as the Sakurazukamori broke his lips away from Subaru's own, and began kissing a trail down Subaru's neck.

"Yes, Subaru-kun?" muttered the Sakurazukamori with some amusement.

Subaru opened his eyes and looked helplessly at the older man. He was willing to admit that he wanted Seishirou, but he wasn't quite so sure about having sex against a Tree that had been promised his blood for a very long time.

Seishirou smiled widely, and once again took on the persona of the friendly veterinarian. "Oh, Subaru-kun! What was I thinking? Hokuto-chan would kill me if she knew that I was about to deflower her little brother against a tree!" Unexpectedly, his voice darkened. "Shall we go somewhere more appropriate, Subaru?"

The Sumeragi swallowed, and then nodded, very slightly. He was going to allow himself what he wanted now, even if it meant keeping what he Wished on hold.

Seishirou said nothing in reply to Subaru's silent agreement, but only lowered the maboroshi, returning them to loud streets of Tokyo once again.

Seishirou inclined his head at the younger onmyouji. "Shall we?"

Without waiting for an answer, he headed down the street, once again leaving Subaru to follow in his wake.

Subaru paused. Did he really want to do this? A part of him was reluctant, but another part, a stronger part, found him moving, tugged forward by an irresistible force.

A few steps later, Seishirou came to a stop. Subaru looked up at the sign above the building and flushed bright red when he realized where they were.

As if sensing Subaru's sudden embarrassment, Seishirou slid an arm around Subaru and whispered in his ear. "You're so cute Subaru-kun, to be embarrassed about something so natural like this."

Subaru lowered his lashes, shivering lightly at the close contact. However, he didn't resist when Seishirou guided him inside the foyer of the hotel.

"Ah, Sakurazuka-san! We haven't seen you here for some time." The manager personally greeted Seishirou, which caused Subaru to question just how frequently the Sakurazukamori did this sort of thing. "As it happens, your favorite suite is vacant. Would you like that, or something different today?"

Subaru was rapidly turning the shade of a tomato, belying his nervousness and embarrassment, despite efforts to appear otherwise. He turned determinedly to stare at the floor, hoping no one would notice his blush.

Seishirou smiled at Subaru's obvious discomfort, and then turned back to the manager. "I think the usual room will do quite nicely, thank you."

Subaru felt an ever-increasing feeling of trepidation as Seishirou pocketed the key and led him towards the bank of elevators. He had a feeling that what Seishirou would consider "usual" would be far from his own notions of the word.

Once ensconced inside the room, Subaru turned and faced Seishirou. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do.

Seishirou smiled knowingly, as if fully aware of the fluttering of Subaru's heart. Slowly removing his coat, he walked to Subaru and pulled the smaller man into an embrace. He disregarded the small protesting cry and pressed a kiss on his mouth. Subaru's hands came up to clutch at the front of Seishirou's shirt as his lips opened under his assault.

"My, my, you're certainly eager for this," Seishirou commented insultingly when he finished the kiss.

Subaru gasped in humiliation. Why was Seishirou doing this to him? His pride surged up and he pushed hard against the other man. "How dare you!" he said, his green eyes flashing.

Seishirou's eyes widened in mock confusion. "I'm afraid I don't understand, Subaru-kun. I only spoke the truth."

It might have been the truth, Subaru thought bitterly, but only a half-truth. Just like everything else the Sakurazukamori had ever told him.

Seishirou smirked as he watched the play of emotions in Subaru's clear green eyes. He advanced slowly on the younger man, eventually stopping directly in front of him. He brushed the collar of Subaru's black shirt away from his skin, and pressed a few soft kisses to the area just above the Sumeragi's collarbone. This elicited a soft, involuntary gasp from Subaru.

Seishirou's smirk widened until it was a hollow facsimile of a smile. "You're still so cute, Subaru-kun. And such a kind person, too."

There was another one of Seishirou's half-truth's, thought Subaru again. He would have to show Seishirou that he could be much more than what the Sakurazukamori thought he was.

"I'm no longer a kind person," he growled and pulled Seishirou down to kiss him aggressively back. The gesture momentarily distracted the dark onmyouji who was more than pleased with his sudden forcefulness. Subaru's hands slid up to tear at the buttons on Seishirou's shirt.

Seishirou's hands came up to stop him. "There's no need to be so impatient. We have time to fully enjoy ourselves," he said, smoothing gentle fingers across Subaru's brow. "Let's take this slowly... unless, you want it hard and fast?"

Subaru flushed as the words conjured up all sorts of intimate images in his mind. At heart, he was appallingly inexperienced, never having had anyone to practice with. The only thing he had to go on were raging hormones and a couple of vague memories of being caressed by Seishirou. Subaru shook his head, his green eyes pleading with Seishirou to understand his qualms and make allowances for him.

Somehow, Seishirou understood. For a moment, he toyed with hurting the Sumeragi more, but no, he wouldn't do that. Today was a test of sorts after all, and he would see his plan through before too long. Besides, a skittish Subaru doing his best to overcome his fears was entertainment enough. "So, long and slow..." he murmured into Subaru's ear.

Seishirou's voice was so full of wicked humor that goose bumps were raised all over Subaru's skin. He quivered when Seishirou began to leisurely unbutton the front of his shirt, pausing to kiss the revealed skin as each button fell away. The whole process seemed to take an eternity, leaving Subaru almost panting loudly before the last button fell away.

Slipping the last button from its hole, Seishirou stopped and stared. He had watched Subaru for nine years, and he had memorized every facet of his opposing star.

Still, sometimes he forgot how very beautiful Subaru was.

"What? Why are you stopping?" breathed Subaru shakily. And why, he asked to himself, are you looking at me like that?

Seishirou glanced up, and any emotion that Subaru might have thought was present in his eyes was quickly gone. He smiled mockingly. "But I thought you wanted to take it slow, Subaru-kun."

The Sumeragi snarled at him. "There's a difference between slow and what you're doing, Seishirou-san. I'm not sixteen anymore, and I know what you're trying to do to me."

Seishirou highly doubted that. In fact, he would wager that Subaru-kun would be shocked beyond belief if he knew what was planned for him.

Yet, this was far from the right time to reveal that. Seishirou's smile widened. "If you're displeased with the direction of this, perhaps you'd like to take control?"

Well, if Seishirou put it that way, perhaps he ought to be a little more on the attack. If he continued this way, Seishirou would have him drowning in his desire, while he himself remained in full control. Subaru shook his head. No, it was time for some payback of his own. "Hmm, if you're not man enough to do this, I shall take you up on your offer," Subaru replied rather provocatively.

At that Subaru pulled to a stop. Now that he had set himself the challenge, he faced a dilemma. How was he supposed to tease Seishirou? An idea came to him. Perhaps the best way to start was to get to some bare skin. A small frown of concentration creased his brow as he bent towards the task. He shrugged off his own shirt, before reaching towards Seishirou's attire. He was so focused that he failed to see the small grin spread on Seishirou's face.

This entire thing, Seishirou thought as he watched Subaru struggle with the dark silk tie knotted neatly around his neck, was proving to be vastly amusing. He wouldn't have thought that Subaru would have had the balls to even try to take control.

Not that it was going to last long, he reflected as Subaru tugged ineffectually at his neckwear.

"Do you need some assistance with that?" Seishirou asked, suppressing the laughter that was threatening to bubble up.

He probably did, Subaru thought, but he certainly wasn't going to ask. He could see the mirth dancing in Seishirou's one good eye.

Finally, Subaru succeeded in loosening the tie enough to start unbuttoning the buttons on Seishirou's white silk shirt. He struggled with it, ignoring his partner's snickers as he concentrated fully on trying to undress Seishirou.

It was too much for the Sakurazukamori. He burst out laughing. Between chuckles, he managed to choke out a question.

"S-Subaru-kun..." He paused to catch his breath before continuing. "Are you planning on leaving my necktie on for the duration?"

The disgruntled look on Subaru's face was enough to send Seishirou into another bout of low laughter. Subaru rather prided himself on his tie tying abilities. It had been something of a necessity in the past, with Hokuto's particular penchant for dressing him up with them. "No," he murmured. He was rather tempted to leave it on, if nothing else, it might prove a convenient handle if he felt the need to strangle the dark onmyouji. But no, it was now a matter of his pride to get Seishirou's clothes off him and that included his tie. Sighing he returned to the tedious task of unknotting it.

Subaru was completely unaware of how seductive he looked with his eyes half-lidded in intense concentration. Seishirou sobered, and as the tie came off, he couldn't resist bending his head to reward Subaru for his efforts with a hard kiss. "Mmmmm, quite delicious," Seishirou remarked, noting the tremble of Subaru's hands that had crept to his shoulders.

Seishirou, Subaru thought to himself, tasted like an intoxicating mix of cigarettes, tea, and dark chocolate. It was something that he would recall in his dreams for the rest of his life.

He savored the feel of Seishirou's mouth on his own before shakily, reluctantly, pushing the older man away. "Not yet."

Seishirou cocked his head and smiled mockingly at the younger man. "Oh, are we moving too fast now, Subaru-kun?"

Subaru smiled back, and the smile was neither the angelic one that Seishirou had known during the year of the Bet, nor the sad near-smile that the Sumeragi had a habit of affecting presently.

It was something darker and more twisted, and it intrigued Seishirou.

There were possibilities in that smile.

"Since you're leaving me in control, I think I should like to see just how good I can make that statement," Subaru said, sliding the tie off Seishirou's collar. With a firm hand, he pushed the other man down to the bed. Seishirou let him, putting a firm hold on his natural predator instinct, as he allowed his curiosity for how the Sumeragi was planning to play this out to surface.

Subaru climbed on the bed as well, roughly grabbed his hands and began using the tie to bind him up. Just for once, he wanted to be the one orchestrating their relationship. He was astonished at how good the surge of power that filled him from the act felt. Was this what Seishirou experienced each time he held Subaru at a disadvantage? Perhaps he could begin to understand why the Sakurazukamori wished to play with him.

Seishirou merely smirked back, entirely calm, despite being at an obvious disadvantage. Let his Subaru-kun play, and think himself with the upper hand. The younger man would soon come to his own realization of his place in their relationship.

Subaru gave the tie one last yank, satisfied that it was tight enough for his purposes.

Now if he could only figure out what those purposes were.

He stared down at the Sakurazukamori, who still gazed at him with that calm, infuriating look. His white shirt was completely undone, even missing a few buttons, and Subaru could see a wide slash of golden skin arrowing down the center of Seishirou's chest, inviting his attention lower.

It was funny. For nine years, Subaru had fantasized about this very situation, about having the Sakurazukamori at his mercy. He'd played out in his mind a number of different scenarios.

And now he couldn't think of a single one.

"Subaru-kun," purred Seishirou. The Sumeragi met his gaze with startled and confused green eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Subaru stared a moment, and then let his eyes close and allowed his head to fall on the Sakurazukamori's shoulder. He could smell Seishirou. He could smell the blood and the sakura and the musk of his cologne. And he admitted aloud what he had never allowed himself to admit even to himself.

"I don't know what I'm doing."

"Then," murmured Seishirou, freeing his hands and letting them fall to Subaru's narrow shoulders, "let me show you."

Subaru found himself too surprised to resist when Seishirou swiftly rolled him over onto his back. A disappointed but oddly relieved sound escaped from the back of his throat, prompting a wide grin to spread across Seishirou's face. Subaru was disappointed that his restraints had proven so pathetic after all, but oddly relieved because he had no clue about what he was to do next. So he didn't resist when Seishirou lifted him up gently to divest him of his shirt.

"There now, isn't this much better?" Seishirou asked.

Subaru didn't bother to answer, wordlessly pulling at Seishirou's shirt, wanting to get a chance to feel all of that tantalizing skin. Seishirou raised an eyebrow at his eagerness, but decided to oblige him by shrugging it off easily. Then taking Subaru's hands, he brought them to his chest, saying, "Go ahead-- touch if you want."

Subaru bypassed the expanse of golden skin across his partner's chest, and slid his fingers down Seishirou's left arm to his wrist.

Seishirou had long, slender, elegant hands that should have belonged to an artist rather than an assassin. The skin was unexpectedly soft, the skin of a man who had spent many of his years wearing gloves.

Subaru knew this, because his skin was just as soft, and for the same reason.

He turned Seishirou's hand over, and examined the palm. It was slightly paler than the back of the hand, and had none of the calluses one would expect of someone in his profession. But, then, Seishirou had never, and would never be typical in anything.

Subaru let his fingertips trail over the creases and lines that had always decorated the Sakurazukamori's hand. When they were younger, before she had accepted that she would not always be able to do the same things he could, Hokuto had avidly studied the magical arts. When they were ten, she had discovered palm reading, and had made Subaru study it as well. It had been a brief obsession with her, and her quick mind had speedily moved on to other pursuits, but Subaru could still recall the basics.

Seishirou had a very short life line.

"Subaru-kun," murmured Seishirou with some amusement, startling Subaru out of his reverie. "Is my hand really so interesting?"

Any reply the Sumeragi might have made was forestalled by the rasp of a zipper as it was lowered.

Seishirou was removing the dark jeans that Subaru was still wearing.

"S-S-S-Seishirou-san!"

The dark onmyouji raised black eyebrows. "Don't tell me you thought this could be accomplished with pants on?" He smiled at Subaru's brilliant red blush before removing Subaru's black boots and tossing them over the side of the bed. The jeans soon followed. "I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed, however."

"Disappointed?" gasped the Sumeragi. In truth, he was amazed he could speak at all. It seemed that Seishirou had determined that the time for play was through, and was quickly moving them ahead.

"These," stated the Sakurazukamori, as he trailed a finger down the dark cotton cloth of Subaru's underwear, "are very nice. But they just don't compare to your dinosaur pajamas."

That teasing tone propelled Subaru back to his youth, when Seishirou so often teased him, tantalized him until he was almost overwhelmed with his own frustration, although in his innocence, he never quite understood what it meant before. Now he did. "Oh you liked them? I burned all my clothes after what happened," he said viciously.

Seishirou shrugged. "Too bad, but it doesn't matter. What matters is what's under them, right?" Seishirou turned his head to wink cheekily at Subaru. His hand brushed against the fabric, right above where Subaru was so sensitive. He smiled when the younger man literally twitched.

"Seishirou-san," gritted Subaru through his teeth.

"Yes, Subaru-kun?" Seishirou blinked innocently, his amber-brown eye the very picture of innocent inquiry.

It reminded Subaru that pictures were sometimes not only false, but blatant lies.

"You--" Subaru paused as he looked down. Seishirou was still wearing the pants of his black suit, now rumpled beyond repair, and he still had his shoes on.

The Sumeragi smiled sweetly up at the Sakurazukamori, and copied Seishirou's innocent look with success. "You're still wearing your pants, too, Seishirou-san. Am I the only one who has to be naked?"

"I took off yours."

"So you did." Bravado was one thing, easy to summon, not so easy to sustain. Subaru didn't know how he felt about undressing his opposing star completely.

But he did have enough pride that he wasn't going crumble before Seishirou's mocking smile.

He fumbled the tortoise-shell button open, and lowered the zipper slowly. Its descent was nearly silent, nothing like the rasp of metal against metal that had filled the room when Seishirou had unzipped his jeans.

Subaru pushed the silk and cotton fabric down over Seishirou's hips, and then moved his concentration to the glossy black wing-tips, tossing those over the side of the bed where they joined the tangled knot of fabric and leather that had already piled there.

The pants quickly followed suit.

"Well, this is much more comfortable, isn't it Subaru-kun?" asked Seishirou with his smiling dark voice as he leaned in to kiss the Sumeragi.

Subaru simply closed his eyes and met Seishirou's lips with his own.

The kiss was surprisingly sweet and gentle, but it didn't stay that way for long. Seishirou pressed down harder at him, his tongue invading into Subaru's mouth, forcing a response. Subaru gave in, totally helpless under the onslaught of his opposite, caught in knowledge that he was still attracted to him, no matter what terrible things Seishirou did to him.

Subaru's head was beginning to grow dizzy with the sexual spell Seishirou was weaving around him. He shook himself; he had to get himself under control. But all thoughts of control flew from his mind when he felt Seishirou's hand around his waist, teasingly slipping beneath the cloth, tantalizing him before pulling out again. "Shall we take that off now?"

Not waiting for a reply, Seishirou quickly slipped Subaru's last barrier of clothing off, leaving him effectively naked. Still kissing him fervently, Seishirou quickly removed his own clothes, before pushing Subaru firmly down against the bed.

It seemed to Subaru that the kiss lasted too long and not long enough. One moment, he was drowning in a pool of sensation; the next; he opened his eyes to see Seishirou once again smiling down at him.

Seishirou's single golden-brown eye coasted over every inch of Subaru's pale skin, missing no details, from the beautifully expressive emerald eyes to the too slender limbs, and back again. A blush suffused Subaru's cheeks, and his eyes darkened in a scowl. His lips parted, as if to answer some unspoken challenge.

Seishirou brushed his thumb across the Sumeragi's mouth, forestalling any words that might have been spoken. Subaru's lips were nearly as pale as the rest of him, the barest pink, hardly darker than the sakura that perpetually bloomed on his own tree, and as soft. His prey was beautiful, he mused; he had always been beautiful.

And, he thought a bit ruefully as he felt the Sumeragi's teeth sink softly into the flesh of his thumb; he'd often been perfectly capable of surprising him. "Cute, Subaru-kun." Seishirou's smile widened as he examined the distinct marks the onmyouji had left in his skin. "Are you sure that this is what you want?"

Subaru blinked at the man leaning over him. Seishirou stared back, calm, and seemingly unfazed by all that had occurred. Only a hard pressure against the Sumeragi's thigh belied the façade.

The Sakurazukamori was offering him an escape. He could get up now, get dressed, leave, and forget about this room. He could go back to CLAMP Campus and rebuild the illusions he'd clung to for the past nine years.

Or he could take what he'd always pretended that he didn't want.

A ghost of a smile lightened Subaru's face. "Yes, Seishirou. This is what I want."

"Good," breathed the dark onmyouji as he bent to claim the Sumeragi's lips for another kiss.

Subaru found himself drowning in Seishirou's kiss. It was sweeter than anything he'd imagined, even if all it was illusionary. The Sakurazukamori excelled in illusions, he reminded himself. However, now that his decision was made, he didn't intend to back out. The moment the thought was complete, he gave himself up to the experience.

Seishirou's hands curved around Subaru's neck, playing at the sensitive skin there lightly. He smiled when Subaru shivered in reaction. The Sumeragi was still controlled by his emotions and Seishirou was a little surprised by how attractive that made him. For one who felt nothing, sometimes Seishirou just wanted to vicariously experience it, and watching the Sumeragi's face go through a gamut of emotions intrigued him. He wondered just what new expressions he would see today.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you enjoy this," Seishirou murmured in a voice laden with innuendo when Subaru turned eyes filled with trepidation up towards his. The Sakurazukamori proceeded to make good his word, kissing him gently across the face, down to the slender curve of his neck.

Seishirou's tongue proceeded to lick down further, pausing at Subaru's sharp collarbone before moving lower to swirl around his pale peach nipples. Subaru let out a strangled gasp and clutched at Seishirou's dark hair.

He wasn't sure whether he was trying to push the Sakurazukamori away, or pull him closer.

Subaru felt Seishirou's chuckle more than he heard it. It was a hot, wet vibration around his sensitive skin, and his already whip-taut muscles tightened further at the sensation.

Seishirou raised his head, and his eye gleamed with amusement. "Relax, Subaru-kun. I'm not going to hurt you."

At least not yet, he admitted to himself.

Subaru seemed to almost sense the unspoken part of the promise, and his emerald eyes widened to nearly the size of tea saucers. He gulped. "S-S-Sei--"

"Shh," murmured Seishirou as he brushed fingertips over Subaru's parted lips. "Calm down. This is something to be enjoyed."

Subaru had enough presence of mind to think to himself that this was easier said than done. He'd never done this before, so how was he supposed to act? However before he could stew over his insecurities further, he felt Seishirou's mouth kissing his skin further and further down, until it suddenly closed over his half erect shaft.

Seishirou smiled at the guttural cry that was forced from Subaru's lips. His hands held Subaru's hips firmly in place as he proceeded to tease him. He was having far too much fun inducting the Sumeragi into the delights of sex. Giving him one more lick and a kiss, he slid forward to stare into that flushed face once again.

Subaru's mind had taken a short vacation when Seishirou began to caress and suck at him. It took a while before the hazy thought surfaced that Seishirou had stopped. With a visible effort, he peeled open his eyes to meet that amber gaze.

"Did you enjoy that?" Seishirou asked with a knowing smirk that made Subaru want to hit him, if he weren't almost in physical pain from sheer frustration.

Subaru snapped his eyes closed again and let his head hit the headboard. "I'm glad one of us is finding this amusing," he muttered between gasps of air.

Seishirou raised his eyebrows. "I certainly hope I'm not boring you, Subaru-kun." He ran the edge of one fingernail up, and then down Subaru's shaft. He smiled when he saw the Sumeragi squeeze his eyes shut and grip the sheets. "I'd really hate to be boring you."

The ever-building frustration, combined with Seishirou's incessant teasing, was nearly enough to make the Sumeragi snap.

"Seishirou-san," he said with deceptive calm as he fixed his eyes on the white tiled ceiling of the hotel room.

"Yes, Subaru-kun?" The Sakurazukamori moved forward until he was the only thing in Subaru's line of sight. He propped his elbows on either side of his partner's head, and shifted his hips just slightly. Just enough so that he could watch Subaru's emerald eyes flare.

"Seishirou-san," choked out Subaru again. "If you don't do something, then I will be forced to do something drastic."

Seishirou's perpetual smile widened. He was tempted to just continue teasing the Sumeragi until he was a shaken pile of frustrated goo; it had vast potential for amusement. But he thought that this time he would go along with Subaru's demands.

Perhaps another time they could explore what the other onmyouji considered to be drastic.

The older man shifted his weight onto his right elbow, reaching across the bed and pulling open the nightstand drawer, and pulling out a small bottle.

Subaru decided he didn't want to know why a bottle of massage oil was so conveniently placed there.

As soon as Seishirou opened the bottle, the scent of vanilla suffused the room. The Sakurazukamori poured a quantity onto his hand. "This might hurt a bit."

Subaru found out exactly what he meant when Seishirou's finger entered him. He couldn't squirm away though, the Sakurazukamori kept too tight a grip on his pelvis, holding him in place as his finger worked within him. Subaru's head fell back, trying not to think about the incredibly intimate touch.

Seishirou's low laugh brought his head to snap back up to stare at him. Subaru was seized by the temptation to tell him to stop. Perhaps this was not the best idea after all. Why would anyone want to subject themselves to this? Then Seishirou touched something deep within him and his hips arched.

"Now you understand, Subaru-kun," Seishirou's voice was filled with wicked humor. He thrust a few more times, before removing his finger. Subaru wasn't left feeling empty for long... Seishirou was soon working a second one in, using the oil to ease his way.

Oh God, Subaru couldn't help but think to himself. This was too much. His hands twisted the sheets in a tight grip, unable to stop himself from making soft moans at every inward movement. His eyes closed, not wishing to see that triumphant gleam in Seishirou's eye anymore.

Seishirou carefully eased out the second finger, and then leaned over Subaru. "Subaru-kun," he murmured with barely concealed amusement. He waited until the onmyouji's brilliant eyes blinked open. "Look at me. I want you to watch."

Subaru stared; mute, at the man looming over him. He didn't understand what Seishirou wanted, but he wasn't able to refuse his request either.

The Sakurazukamori had such amazing power over him; Subaru didn't like to admit that he couldn't refuse the Sakurazukamori's wishes. He wondered why it was--how much of it was personality, and how much fate? He wondered if he had even a fraction of that same power over Seishirou

Subaru kept his verdant eyes locked on the other man's, not watching as Seishirou poured more scented oil into his hand, and not watching as he smoothed it down his shaft. Instead, he let himself fall into the Sakurazukamori's eyes. One was the same opaque white of a deadly winter blizzard, impenetrable. The other was the color of sunlit amber, and promised both passion and pain.

Subaru barely noticed when Seishirou rolled onto his side, easily carrying Subaru with him. He scarcely felt it when the older man shifted his leg up above Seishirou's waist.

"Watch, Subaru," whispered Seishirou as he locked oil-slick hands on the younger man's hips. "Watch us."

With one smooth and swift stroke, he entered Subaru's body.

Subaru was unable to prevent himself from crying aloud. The pain was intense and his muscles clenched down on something that had no place within him. Seishirou held onto him in a firm grip and his initial instinct to pull away was stymied. A hand came up from his hip to soothe away from hair from his brow. It was surprisingly comforting. Subaru couldn't stop his arms from curling around Seishirou, clinging to him as if he were a ship cast adrift and he was his anchor.

Seishirou thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of Subaru tightening around him. He held onto the squirming Sumeragi, all the while gazing into those emotion filled eyes. Seishirou didn't want to hurt him excessively, at least not yet, so he remained motionless while he allowed the younger man to adjust. His hand continued to make soothing touches against Subaru's pale skin, massaging around his shoulders in calming circles, to ease the tension away.

After some long moments, Subaru felt himself relax. The pain grew bearable, as Seishirou's careful preparations had some effect. It was so strange; he never imagined he would be so intimately joined with Seishirou. He shifted his hips a little experimentally, wondering if it was going to continue to hurt like this all the time.

Seishirou's eyes widened almost imperceptibly, and he drew in a sharp breath as he felt Subaru shift around him. He slipped one hand from where it was resting on the Sumeragi's white shoulder and let it fall to the younger man's outer thigh, where he absently traced patterns across the skin there. He smiled when felt goose bumps rise on Subaru's skin. "Ready for more, Subaru-kun?"

"More?" The whisper was a question, but Seishirou decided to treat it as a request.

"More," repeated the Sakurazukamori. His eyes took on a proprietary and predatory gleam and he slipped one arm behind Subaru, anchoring the Sumeragi's slim hips to his own. Seishirou pulled slowly out of Subaru, chuckling as he felt the younger onmyouji instinctively tighten his muscles as if to keep him inside. Then he quickly slammed back in, with enough force that he was sure the Sumeragi would have bruises the next day.

Subaru let out a broken moan and let his eyes squeeze shut. It still hurt, but the pain was blending with the swelling pleasure, until he could barely distinguish the two, and didn't want to try.

Seishirou abruptly stopped. After a moment, Subaru's eyes, blurred with passion and confusion, opened and he stared at his partner.

"I told you to watch," Seishirou purred. "So do it."

With the light onmyouji's eyes fixed on the silver mirrored wall behind them, Seishirou began a rhythm that was at turns fast and furious, and slow and gentle. Subaru was powerless to do anything other then hang on and watch. This was nothing really new. He'd always been powerless when it came to Seishirou.

Seishirou watched his opposite carefully. Subaru's eyes were beginning to haze over with the beginnings of pleasure. That prompted Seishirou to quickly adjust his pace, slowing down measurably, just enough to keep the slow burn of pleasure fanned within the Sumeragi, but not enough to bring him to climax.

Subaru laid there, defenseless beneath Seishirou's skilled manipulation. His eyes were entirely focused on their reflection. He watched Seishirou's hips thrusting at him so forcefully and noted how his muscles gleamed with sweat and exertion. The sight mesmerized Subaru. He had never felt so overwhelmed before in his life. It was easily the most erotic thing he had ever experienced. A soft moaning sound filled his ears and it was a while before he realized it was coming from his throat.

Seishirou smiled to hear the sound. "I see you're enjoying this. Didn't I promise you pleasure?" he whispered, pausing for a moment to lick and nibble at a tender earlobe. Seishirou then shifted Subaru's leg up higher across his hip giving him more leverage to continue pistoning into him. "Are you ready for this to get even better?"

Subaru's only response was the strangled moan of one who knew he was in for more torment, and wasn't sure whether he wanted it to stop or continue. He finally shifted his transfixed eyes from the silver mirror behind Seishirou so that he could look into his opposing star's eyes.

Seishirou's single gleaming gold eye reminded him of a cat regarding a mouse. It was a look of immense satisfaction at finding something he could play with before going in for the kill.

Subaru half-expected the Sakurazukamori to pull away from him and find new and different ways of driving him insane. But Seishirou didn't do that. He continued to slide smoothly in and out of Subaru's body, never changing from the steady rhythm he had started.

The rhythm was neither too fast nor too slow, neither too rough nor too gentle. It was delicious.

It was going to drive him insane.

Seishirou was purposely just barely brushing against the spot in Subaru that had been the source of ever escalating levels of pleasure for him only moments before. The pleasure didn't stop, it didn't start to fade, but it wasn't burning so quickly through Subaru's body any longer. Instead, the barest hint of stimulus he was getting was making his blood burn like thick, hot lava; scorchingly hot, and excruciatingly slow.

Subaru let out a long moan of frustration and watched his own fingers bury themselves deeply into the skin and flesh of Seishirou's arms.

Seishirou chuckled when he felt Subaru's long delicate fingers seize him in a bruising grip. "Impatient, Subaru-kun?" he whispered teasingly into the Sumeragi's ear. "Don't be. This is a game you play slowly."

Subaru wasn't sure how much more of this slow teasing he could take. He pushed himself against Seishirou, trying to take more of him, harder and faster. "I can't be patient, not with you doing that," he gasped urgently.

Seishirou however, was intent on playing his game out. He grabbed hold of Subaru's hands that were clinging so tightly and rolled over on top of him, using his weight to push him deep into the bed. His hips shifted and Subaru found his legs splayed wide around Seishirou, giving him very little room to maneuver. His hips continued pumping against the younger onmyouji, feeling the little tremors spreading through his muscles.

Seishirou traced his hand across Subaru's abdomen, playing lightly at the flesh against it. The tip of his fingers trailed down, delicately pressing at the base of Subaru's shaft, but deliberately not touching anything else.

Subaru felt like his nerve endings were about to short circuit. Every little touch of Seishirou's amplified his pleasure beyond measure. He never thought he could be brought to a point where he would be willing to scream from the sheer need for release.

Seishirou laughed and lipped at his ear once again. His hand slid even further down to play against the silken skin of the Sumeragi's inner thigh. "What do you want, Subaru-kun?" he asked provocatively.

"Want?" repeated Subaru in his desire-fogged mind. There were many answers to that question, too many to address in a lifetime. Subaru knew what he wanted, and he didn't doubt that Seishirou also knew, down to the most miniscule of details. The real question was; what did Seishirou want? Subaru wanted the answer to that question. He had wanted it so much that he had followed his opposite away from CLAMP Campus, followed him into this bed in this anonymous hotel room. He wasn't going to lose this chance through Seishirou's games.

Subaru opened unfocused green eyes and watched a single drop of perspiration travel the length of his opposite's forehead and cheekbone, finally landing on the twisted sheets next to Subaru's own head.

Finally the Sumeragi shifted his gaze to meet Seishirou's. He smiled. "That depends, Seishirou. What do you want?" His smile widened imperceptibly as he saw surprise flash through the Sakurazukamori's eye, followed by amused approval.

He'd play Seishirou's games, as he always had, but his opposite would have to learn that he didn't make all the rules anymore.

Seishirou made a sound somewhere between a chuckle and a groan, and leaned in close. "I want," he whispered against Subaru's lips, "you. All of you."

Subaru arched his neck, leaning further into the almost-kiss, and admitted for the first time a truth that he had known for nearly a decade. One that Seishirou had known for even longer. "I am yours."

The gleam in Seishirou's eye was triumphant. "Just so you know," he said. "You're mine to do with as I want." His hips begin to thrust against Subaru once again, rewarding him for the correct answer.

Seishirou was being so infuriatingly calm, Subaru thought. How was he supposed to think with any coherency while Seishirou was making those tantalizing movements against him? The knowledge he was merely amusing his opposing star filled him with indignation. Subaru debated acting just as unruffled, and that worked... for all of thirty seconds. That measured thrusting soon had him whimpering once again.

"Doesn't this feel good, Subaru-kun?"

The question was rhetorical. The little moans of answering delight escaping the onmyouji's mouth were reply enough.

Subaru's last coherent thought was that he wasn't going to attempt to analyze Seishirou anymore. He didn't think he was up to the effort. He strained closer to Seishirou, and Seishirou, with a dark chuckle, strained away.

"Now, now, Subaru-kun, you wouldn't want this to finish too quickly, would you? Savor the experience."

Subaru's eyelashes parted, revealing to slits of brilliant color. If he savored this as long as Seishirou evidently was planning on, he would melt into a pile of sexually frustrated goo.

He gasped as Seishirou just barely glanced against a particularly sensitive spot. And it wouldn't even take a long time.

Subaru smiled slightly. He had said that he was going to start making some rules, hadn't he? Now was as good a time as any.

He wrapped one his legs more tightly around Seishirou and twisted abruptly, flipping their positions. It was something he would never have been able to manage if he hadn't been able to catch the Sakurazukamori off-guard. He only paused for a moment to admire the surprised amusement in his partner's eye, before leaning down to whisper against his lips.

"I think I'll set the pace for a bit now, Seishirou-san."

Seishirou smirked up at him, the surprise fading from his gaze, leaving only sparkling amusement. "I didn't know you had it in you, Subaru-kun." He found Subaru's sudden forcefulness to be rather intriguing, and also enlightening.

"You'd be surprised by what I am capable of," Subaru replied challengingly. That said, he began to move. It was a little awkward at first as he wasn't versed in how to do it properly, but he soon fell into a rhythm and it grew easier. He arched his back to take Seishirou in more deeply. It was rather satisfying to hear the Sakurazukamori's breathing grow more ragged and he rode up and down on him.

Seishirou had placed a hand on Subaru's hips, helping to steady him. "You're quite a natural," he commented academically.

The Sumeragi merely grunted in acknowledgement of the compliment. He was too intently focused on reaching his own pleasure. A gasp flew from his lips when he felt Seishirou's hand clasped about his erection, pumping it in time to the rocking motion.

Subaru dug his fingernails into Seishirou's shoulders and gasped, but he didn't stop. If anything, his movements became more desperate, more frenzied. After what had seemed like an eternity of waiting, he was close.

He was close, until he heard Seishirou's voice in his ear.

"Are you really going to let it end so quickly, Subaru-kun? I have to admit, I'm disappointed."

Subaru opened eyes that had been closed in concentration and stared bewilderedly into Seishirou's. He was sure of only one thing. Seishirou was trying to control the game again. And Subaru wasn't quite ready to give up the lead just yet.

He leaned down and bit Seishirou's nipple. It was almost a love bite, almost gentle, but with enough force in it to send a jolt of pain through the Sakurazukamori's system along with the molten flow of pleasure. "You're presuming to know what my intentions are again, Seishirou-san. I think you'll find that to be a mistake," he breathed his answer into his sweat slicked skin.

The hard dangerous look that filled Seishirou's eye made Subaru hesitate, but his tone as calm, albeit strained. "I'll do my best not to underestimate you. But then, you always manage to surprise me... that might be why you're still interesting, Subaru-kun," Seishirou said dryly.

Suddenly the grip on Subaru's hip grew painfully tight. He found himself being held in place by Seishirou's immense strength, unable to continue his delicious rocking motion. There was an instinctual moment when he tensed, the fear generated from the obvious show of power from the Sakurazukamori overwhelming. Then Seishirou thrust up hard into him, sending all his nerves aquiver once again.

"Pain for pain, pleasure for pleasure," Seishirou said. With a quick flip, Subaru found himself back on his back, Seishirou pinning his flailing arms firmly to the side. Growling, Seishirou bent down and bit him firmly on the skin of his neck. Once more a mark was left on him; this one, less permanent but just as filled with impact.

Subaru moaned, and in a brief moment of lucidity, wondered if he had always liked pain nearly as much as pleasure, or if it was a change Seishirou had wrought in him.

He would probably never know, and it didn't matter anymore.

"Sei--"

"This game is over," murmured the Sakurazukamori. Subaru's eyes widened, and he almost panicked. It seemed the harshest cruelty that could be visited upon him at this point would be for Seishirou to leave him like this, and he didn't doubt that Seishirou was capable of such a thing.

All thoughts flew from his head as Seishirou drove into him with renewed force and speed. His head fell back on the pillow and his eyes squeezed shut.

Unlike the previous parts of the evening, Seishirou didn't pause to admire his toy. He was too concentrated on himself.

Subaru was just relieved that Seishirou wasn't stopping. Once again, gazing up into the face of the Sakurazukamori, Subaru could well believe that this was the man he had fallen for. There was such an intensity to whatever Seishirou did that had always attracted him. And this act-- this thoroughly intimate act-- revealed something to Subaru, something that he thought Seishirou never intended to reveal to him-- true desire.

Subaru reflected that he was helpless beneath Seishirou's desire as he strove above him to reach his own pleasure and along the way, tug Subaru along in the eddy of his headlong rush. He could see that Seishirou no longer held anything back, controlled by the primal urge to possess.

Subaru willingly gave him whatever he wanted.

It was this thought that Subaru held onto when the furious thrusting grew rougher and harder until he lost himself in a blaze of ecstasy.

Seishirou was barely affected when Subaru's body bucked up with an enormous heave as he reached his orgasm. He simply kept on with the hard pounding into that pliant body, engrossed in reaching his own release. One part of his mind, however, watched intently the expression on Subaru's face as he came for the first time, and filed it away with a notation to re-examine at his leisure.

Subaru stared up into Seishirou's eyes as the older onmyouji rocked harder into him, stared until he saw Seishirou's single amber eye go blank and blind. The Sakurazukamori's hands clenched almost desperately at the white sheets bunched under Subaru's body, and he stiffened for a moment.

Then he relaxed, and it was over. Seishirou collapsed next to Subaru on the bed, leaving one arm clenched around the younger man, as if he was afraid Subaru would slip away from him.

Even Seishirou had vulnerable moments, it seemed.

Subaru's eyes drifted shut, almost involuntarily, and he fell asleep, finally exhausted.

Seishirou stayed awake for a long time after that, staring at his opposing star. Subaru was exquisite, particularly in sleep. The harsh planes that had been wrought by his experiences were smoothed away, and the Sumeragi looked nearly as innocent as he had been at sixteen.

Unfortunately, pure innocence was never meant to last. Seishirou slid his arms away from Subaru and stood up. Subaru didn't stir.

By the time Subaru awoke, the sun was rising in the east, and Seishirou was completely gone, except for a narrow pair of dark glasses left on the night table. Subaru slipped them into the pocket of his ivory trench coat before he left.

He was still carrying them several months later when he met Seishirou at Rainbow Bridge.

Notes:

*dies* We (Xandra and Mizu) spent oh 8 months, yes read that right, EIGHT months writing this lemon. It was meant as a birthday present so Seishirou would have a chance to get laid but well, our intentions were well meaning but slow. Still it is done and we hope you enjoyed it. Reviews are always good.

And oh yes, in case you got distracted by all the sex, this fic started out as sort of Seishirou trying to see if Subaru had the guts to be ruthless enough to take what he wanted and become the Sakurazukamori. To fit in with the canon, Subaru seemed to have succeeded in giving Seishirou the idea that he could do a good job (read the dominance struggle during the sex.) Unfortunately it means that the whole Rainbow Bridge fiasco will happen. *sobs* However, we think that Seishirou really loved Subaru in his way. At any rate, these two are supposed to be as canon as we can make it.

For the purposes of this fic, just a note to say that we don't think Seishirou frequents hotels with his lovers, just that he is distinctive and people will remember him when they're allowed to. Hence the Hotel concierge remembers him.