Wufei stepped out into the sunny morning, heaving a sigh of relief. He had survived his meeting with Treize, and he hadn't been expelled, nor had his parents been called. His step was lighter as he made his way back to the dorm, determined to make the best of things. Being ordered to go to the library was no big deal, because he went there as often as not anyway. And he was certain that as long as he gave Treize-sama nothing to find fault with, he'd be able to continue pretty much as before.
A slight frown crossed his face as he stepped within the dorm's shadow, his eyes drawn to the spot where last night's incident had occurred. He'd just have to avoid Duo Maxwell's wild suggestions in the future. As charming as he could be, that long-haired loon was obviously trouble waiting to happen.
His thoughts inevitably trailed back to the moments with Heero just prior to the paddling, and he raced into the building, his face reddened - and crashed right into a heavily-burdened student who was just about to take his first step up the staircase. The boy landed face-first on the stairs with a despairing cry in a tangle of luggage and slender limbs.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Wufei cried as he helped the boy back to his feet. Wide violet eyes rose to meet his, a smile of almost unbearable sweetness crossing the new student's lovely face as he brushed silky, roughly-cut black bangs from his eyes.
"...Sorry," Wufei mumbled again, his face heating in an even deeper blush as he mentally kicked himself for being so cursedly shy.
"I'm not hurt, I was just surprised," the boy answered, and the rich sound of his voice sent shivers down Wufei's spine. "It's Ok." An almost angelic voice...
"Here, let me help," Wufei said, grateful to have something to break the awkwardness of wanting to strike up a friendship and not knowing how. He stooped and picked up one of the heavy bags, wrestling it up the stairs as the violet-eyed boy led the way.
"Where are you headed?" Wufei grunted, heaving the bag up onto the last step.
"I'm supposed to room with a boy named Arislan," the boy answered. "My name's Chihaya, by the way."
"I'm Wufei."
"Nice to meet you, Wufei," Chihaya said with a smile. "I really appreciate your help."
"My pleasure," Wufei said, and his own face lit up with an answering smile. "I think Arislan's room is this way?"
"It's number 229," Chihaya answered, reading from a small slip of paper. "Wouldn't you know, it's on the other end of the hall?"
"Your room is right above mine, then," Wufei panted, lugging the bag one big heave at a time. "What on Earth did you pack in here?"
"Mostly books," Chihaya admitted. "I hope Arislan won't mind having a roommate."
"He seems like a nice guy," Wufei said. The truth was, Arislan looked like a fairy-tale prince and acted like a humble, ordinary person. Half the campus was in love with him, though he seemed blissfully unaware of the fact.
"Well, I'm sure we'll get along," Chihaya said, a brief frown of concern flitting across his face. He shrugged, fumbled with the key and led the way into the room.
"I wonder which side's his?" Chihaya wondered, and Wufei shrugged. The room was as bare and pristine as though it had never been slept in. An idea dawned on Wufei, and he peeled up the corners of the bedspreads.
"This one doesn't have sheets, so it must be yours," Wufei said.
"That's brilliant!" Chihaya gave him another of those unbelievably sweet smiles and Wufei basked in the compliment, smiling back shyly. Something about Chihaya made him feel light-hearted... he could almost forget his troubles in the warmth of Chihaya's smile. He found himself helping Chihaya unpack and alphabetize his books, forgetting all about his original plan to lie on his belly and rest all afternoon.
The books filled all of Chihaya's shelves, and there were still some left over to stack on the floor by his desk. He also had a few casual outfits aside from the standard-issue student uniforms, but all of his extra clothes, linens and toiletries fit easily into his half of the dresser with a full drawer to spare.
"Are all your books about angels?" Wufei wondered out loud.
"Uh... yeah!" Chihaya said, laughing nervously. "I'm uh... doing some personal research!"
"Ah."
"Listen, I really appreciate all your help," Chihaya said. "I'm glad we bumped into each other." Wufei laughed at the inadvertent pun, and after a moment's pause Chihaya joined him.
"Have you seen much of the campus?" Wufei asked. "I could show you around..."
"That'd be great!" Chihaya said enthusiastically.
"There's just enough time to walk around and still have lunch," Wufei said, leading the way back downstairs and toward the stables. "Do you have your class schedule yet?"
"I have Home Ec class this afternoon," Chihaya said, "and Calculus and Chemistry." He held out the schedule for Wufei to look at.
"We're in the same History, English Lit, and Chemistry," Wufei said. "Home Ec, too. I hear they replaced Akane Tendo as the Home Ec teacher."
"Yes, now it's Kagetsuya," Chihaya said. "I mean, Kagetsuya-sensei. I'm his... ward."
"Aah."
"He's a terrific cook," Chihaya said proudly.
"Wish I could say the same for Kaoru-san," Wufei said. "She runs the cafeteria."
"She's a bad cook?"
"More... an indifferent cook. I hear she wanted to take Kenshin-sensei's place as the fencing instructor, and that's why she doesn't care much about the food."
"Aah."
Kenshin sighed as he made his way deeper into the campus' wooded area. If Kaoru-dono wasn't complaining about his appointment as the fencing instructor, she was trying to rope him into doing her job in addition to his own. Well, this was one lunch he was determined not to cook. He'd just stay away from the cafeteria and out of sight until after the lunch hour was almost over, then grab some food for himself before the kitchen closed... and hopefully she wouldn't hit him too hard.
A slight rustling sound from a clump of bushes drew his attention, and he warily crept over to it. Violet eyes blinked in surprise at the sight of one of the students frantically humping against a tree, his face screwed up in concentration.
"Ahem..." Kenshin said warily, and the student turned around with a horrified gasp, his face quickly reddening to match his bright hair.
"I couldn't help it!" the boy said, quickly adjusting his clothing in an effort to disguise the prominent bulge in his trousers.
"What's your name?" Kenshin asked, staring at the boy. He was unquestionably beautiful, with a sweetly heart-shaped face framed by lustrously thick red hair, and wide emerald eyes glimmering with shame, fear, and the burning aftereffects of interrupted passion.
"Shuichi," the boy answered, lowering his eyes. "I guess you're going to punish me now."
"Oro?"
"You mean, you're not a teacher here?" Kurama asked, the slightest trace of hope creeping across those expressive green eyes.
"Uhh," Kenshin stammered, and this time it was his turn to blush as Kurama looked him over, from his own thick mop of red hair, to the pale scars on his cheek, the shy violet eyes, the slender, muscular form hidden beneath the drapery of his clothing. "Actually, I am a teacher here." Kurama's countenance fell, his disappointment and resignation obvious.
"Well, I guess it's better to go ahead and get it over with, then," Kurama said, dropping his trousers and bending over to present his bare backside.
"Orooooooo?!?" Kenshin cried, and his eyes bugged out in shock.
"You're not going to hit me?" Kurama asked after a long moment.
"No!"
"Oh!" the boy said, and pulled his clothing back in place, blushing again. "I just assumed, that since you caught me, ah, caught me..."
"Why were you doing that?" Kenshin asked curiously.
"Ah... I, uh," Kurama stammered, blushing furiously. "I... being celibate is killing me!" he finally blurted out. It was entirely too true. It was bad enough being a teenaged boy with teenaged hormones, worse being surrounded by the likes of Quatre and Trowa, who were blatantly enjoying each other... but the worst of all was that aside from being a teenaged boy he was also part youko, and knew all too well the fleshly pleasures he was missing out on. And it was pure torture seeing Hiei's hot little body every day and having to exercise such inhuman self-restraint.
"Ah," Kenshin said. So he really was doing what it looked like. "But wouldn't it be better to do that with a person than a tree?"
"But the one I love doesn't want me!" Kurama said, his eyes shimmering woefully.
"Then why not find someone to be casually intimate with? You could relieve each other's frustration, and it wouldn't require that you betray your loved one in your heart."
"Well, if you ever find someone who wants that kind of relationship, just let me know," Kurama groused.
"Actually..." Kenshin said hesitantly, and Kurama looked up in time to see a deep blush work its way up along his throat and over his face.
By the time lunchtime had rolled around, Duo was thoroughly bored and frustrated. None of his evil plans were... evil enough for Zechs and Sally. He had to come up with something really brilliant and devious!
"How you doing?" Heero asked, stepping into the doorway. "You want to go get some lunch?"
"Would you mind... could you help me with this first?" Duo asked, blushing as he offered his lover a small white tube. "Sally-sensei gave me some new ointment to try."
"Ok," Heero said, putting his books down and sitting on the edge of Duo's bed. Duo obligingly turned over after having given him a grateful smile. Heero gently rubbed some ointment between his hands, warming it a little before touching the reddened flesh.
"You look... worse," Heero said as he cautiously began smoothing on the ointment with the most delicate touch he could manage.
"I am worse," Duo said through gritted teeth. "Sally-sensei spanked me for being drunk last night."
"But couldn't she see that you'd already been punished for it?"
"She knew. Zechs was even there," Duo answered, his spine stiffening as he described the way the two adults had ganged up on him.
"That's not fair."
"I know! That's what I say!' Duo exclaimed, twisting around so he could see Heero's face. "I want revenge, koi."
"Hn. Turn back over," Heero said, his brow furrowed in concentration. Getting revenge was definitely called for in this situation - Duo always cheerfully accepted punishment for his transgressions, and considered it fair trade for all the fun he had. But to be punished twice for the same thing... But what could they do to two teachers? And how to do it without catching the blame? "Are you even going to be able to walk?"
"Not only that, I'm going to class this afternoon," Duo said firmly. "It is boring as hell being in here all alone!"
"But how will you sit?"
"I'll manage something," Duo said, the determined set of his chin warning Heero not to argue.
Lunch that day was a miserable affair, in general. Duo squirmed in constant agony, and begrudgingly reconsidered his decision to attend afternoon classes. Wufei introduced Chihaya to the group, and while nearly everyone was charmed by the shy boy, Quatre stared at him intently, a look that fell just short of a hostile glare. The intense scrutiny made Chihaya feel paranoid enough that he wasn't able to choke down even a bite of the food - and it proved to be his good fortune. Everyone who sampled Kaoru-sensei's "tuna surprise" lived to regret it, as the foul taste made it impossible for even Duo to eat it. Other than Chihaya, Quatre was the only one to escape unscathed, because trying to bore holes into Chihaya's lowered head with his eyes had kept him too busy to eat.
Duo staggered out of the cafeteria, clutching his growling belly and quietly moaning over his aching backside... and Kenshin-sensei breezed past him, followed by Kurama. Duo's eyes widened at the sight of the lusciously sensual boy looking supremely contented and a little rumpled, and as they passed by him he could swear he detected the scent of sex, warm earth and bruised rose petals.
"Well, shit," Duo muttered to himself. Kurama was entirely too smug for that to be a coincidence. Damn if Kenshin hadn't gotten into his pants first! So much for Duo's hopes that the red-haired fox would get desperate enough to consider him...
His mood truly foul, Duo hobbled back to the dorm and flopped onto his bed face first, plotting evil revenge as the afternoon sun poured into the window and landed on his backside with just a bit too much warmth to be comfortable.
Kagetsuya glowered at the group of teenagers. Earthians. Mingling among them like this was so beneath him... but Chihaya had been so moody for weeks now, and he was desperate to find something to distract him. Mere words were no longer enough to reassure the little black angel, and Kagetsuya was beside himself with worry. Chihaya wouldn't even eat much of anything, or talk to him any more... not since that day in Paris, when the boy had changed everything in one simple sentence.
"It's you I want to be with... in my last moments," Chihaya had said. Kagetsuya had gruffly pulled him into an embrace, and just as gruffly ended it as the close contact brought yearning needs to the uncomfortable forefront. Chihaya was his partner! They were supposed to investigate the Earthians, report to the ArchAngel, go back home and go their separate ways. It should be so simple, and yet... at some point Chihaya had stopped being a nuisance and a bother, and had become his whole world.
He heaved a deep sigh. Nothing he said could convince Chihaya that there was nothing wrong with him, that being the only black angel didn't make him evil or sick. And slowly but surely, Chihaya was working changes in him. He had never before cared how the Earthians felt, or what they thought about judgment... he had never been so unsure of himself.
Suddenly, Kagetsuya's spine stiffened. The students were paired up in order to prepare their souffle projects... and the boy working with Chihaya - what was his name? Oh, Jinnai, that was it - was being entirely too familiar with the black angel. Chihaya was oblivious, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to separate the eggs without getting his fingers in them, and Jinnai was standing just a little too close and leering.
"Mr. Jinnai," Kagetsuya said, his voice dangerously soft. Jinnai frowned up at him. "I think Mr. Yuy could use your assistance. Mr. Chang, why don't you pair up with Chihaya?"
Wufei nodded, confused, and totally missed Heero's furious glare as he and Jinnai switched places. He nodded to Chihaya, who smiled at him in relief. It was a lot easier to concetrate with Wufei, who refrained from breathing into his ear.
Heero, meanwhile, glared poisonously at Jinnai, who actually had the nerve to do his patented annoying giggle.
"Omae o korosu," Heero muttered to the chuckling lunatic, unaware that Kagetsuya was within earshot. The white angel merely stifled a smirk and moved on.
Kagetsuya took Chihaya off-campus for dinner that night, hoping that a gourmet meal would entice the dark angel to eat. Chihaya thanked him sincerely - and pushed the food around on his plate.
"Chihaya," Kagetsuya said, but when the violet eyes rose to meet his, he lost his nerve, and ended up saying none of the things he wanted to. Instead he mumbled something about wanting Chihaya to eat, and the young angel forced himself to eat a few mouthfuls to be polite. Kagetsuya heaved a deep sigh as Chihaya left to get to the dorm before curfew. He stared moodily into the ruby depths of his wine glass, wondering how he'd ever find the nerve to say anything about how he felt.
Meanwhile, Wufei and his friends were searching among their plates for the few edible pieces of food in the stir-fry they had been served. Most of the meat was either bloodily raw or charred and tough, and Wufei privately wondered to himself what had happened to Kaoru-san's cooking. True, the food had never been terribly good, but at least it had been edible.
"Absolutely not," the Chinese boy said, fishing through the mess on his plate and pulling out a bit of carrot that looked safe enough. "Blowing up the toilets in the infirmary is out of the question."
"But-"
"But nothing, Duo. You're not going to do anything that could cause permanent damage or get you expelled," Wufei said. Heero merely scowled. He had been looking forward to blowing up the toilets, but Wufei had a point.
"And no NAIR in Zechs' shampoo bottle, either," Wufei added before Duo could interrupt again. Duo glared at him, and Wufei met his eyes steadily until at last the long-haired boy looked away, slumping dejectedly in his chair.
"Fine," Duo said. "No NAIR." He was distracted just then by the sight of Kenshin and Kurama entering the cafeteria - late again - and the conversation rapidly degenerated into a discussion of where those two had gone together and whether Kenshin's recent preoccupation had any correlation with the sudden change in food quality.
"But why would Kenshin and Kurama need a private talk?" Wufei asked. "Kurama's not even in any of his classes." His friends' jaws dropped, and Wufei sighed. That seemed to be happening a lot lately, and he was getting tired of it. It wasn't an unreasonable question, as far as he could tell...
He gave up on getting anything else out of his dinner, and decided to go back to his room and go to sleep. It had been a long day.
It was still an hour before daybreak when Kurama slunk out of the boys' dorm and headed for the woods, unaware of the sharp ruby eyes watching him. He smiled slightly as he made it across the small clearing and into the safety of the trees, and paused a moment to savor the chill, clean air. His whole body thrummed eagerly for release, and his smile broadened as he started toward the meeting-place, carefully making no sound and leaving no tracks.
Kenshin was waiting for him there, silent and tense until Kurama drew close enough to be recognized in the predawn gloom. Wordlessly, the older man drew him in and kissed him, and Kurama closed his eyes and melted into Kenshin's strong arms, softly groaning against Kenshin's lips as urgent hands pulled his clothing away. Kenshin's mouth slanted across his hungrily, and Kurama responded with his own towering need, slowly lowering himself onto the blankets Kenshin had brought as the older man guided him. In the darkness, Kenshin's lovely face was mostly a pale blur, but Kurama traced over the scars on his cheek with delicate kisses, sighing as Kenshin's hands roamed freely over his smooth skin.
Kenshin pushed the boy back onto the pile of blankets and just looked at him for a moment, smiling at the alluring sight of Kurama ready and waiting for him. With deliberate slowness, Kenshin bent to trace his lips and tongue down Kurama's neck and across his collarbone, his hands capturing Kurama's and holding them above his head. Kurama squirmed restlessly, thrusting up against empty air as Kenshin deliberately avoided touching his aching shaft. After several long minutes, Kurama whimpered, and Kenshin smiled against his warm, sweet skin as he finally drew one of the boy's nipples into his mouth, nipping and suckling it gently before moving on to treat the other the same way. Kurama bit his lip in an effort to stifle the noises Kenshin's clever mouth wrung out of him... but he gasped helplessly as that hot mouth worked its way down to his throbbing manhood and engulfed it in one swift movement.
Kenshin had to stop all too soon, lest he spoil all the fun. Kurama stifled another low groan as the samurai rose up, giving the tip of his manhood one last fond lick before fumbling for the little tube of lubricant. He had just found it when Kurama reversed their positions with a swift twist of his lithe body.
"Let me," Kurama purred, and taking the tube he slowly slicked both his manhood and Kenshin's with the slippery stuff, his hand wrapping around both shafts as Kenshin thrashed beneath him. When the older man seemed to be caught up in the electrifying sensations, Kurama reached around Kenshin to push one slippery finger between the man's tightly clenched buttocks.
"Shuichi," Kenshin sighed, and when he didn't voice any protest, Kurama added a second finger, still stroking Kenshin's shaft while his probing fingers sought and found the spot deep inside him that made him gasp and writhe in pleasure. Kenshin strained up against him as Kurama slowly worked a third finger in, driving his fingers with gentle force before replacing them with his own burning shaft.
"Shuichi!" the man groaned, and Kurama froze, buried to the hilt. He waited until Kenshin started to relax before he began moving carefully, one slow, languid thrust after another, the slick fingers of one hand wrapping around Kenshin's shaft and stroking in rhythm. Kenshin's fingers dug into his shoulders urgently, the samurai breathlessly asking for more and stifling a delighted cry as Kurama gave it, the two pale, slender bodies moving against each other faster and harder until Kenshin convulsed in pleasure, wailing loudly and nearly lifting Kurama off the ground. Kurama drove into the still-thrashing body twice more before his own release tore through him, and he slumped bonelessly on top of Kenshin, huffing a little from his exertions, his long red hair spilling down to mingle with Kenshin's.
"Arigato," Kurama whispered.
"Better hurry," Kenshin said, kissing the tip of the boy's nose lightly. "I think I was a little loud that time."
"A little?" Kurama smirked, quickly getting up and scrambling into his clothing. The last thing he wanted was to get caught!
"Sorry." Kenshin blushed.
"I'm not. Meet me again at lunch time?"
"Absolutely, de gozaru."
From his perch on a nearby tree, Hiei watched everything the two redheaded, hot-blooded men did, his eyes widening in incredulous wonder. He hadn't known such things were possible! Here he'd been dreaming of telling Kurama that he lo-liked him, and maybe getting to hug the half-youko tightly... and Kurama had been wanting this thing, this sweaty, heated exchange. Hiei had been totally, breathlessly enthralled at their unwitting performance, his widened eyes taking in every detail and committing it to memory as his own body throbbed with awakening desire...
But he had to admit to himself, it was never going to happen between himself and Kurama, much as he might have liked otherwise. Aside from the fact that Kurama obviously liked that Kenshin fellow enough to share this intimate human moment with him, there was the fact that Kurama had been the aggressor. Hiei couldn't, he just couldn't possibly allow anyone, even Kurama, to hook his knees up by his ears and do that to him, even if Kenshin had seemed to enjoy it an awful lot. But he'd be certain to skip out on Kaoru-san's lunch, at any rate, and see what they did next time.
On the other side of the campus, Fujisawa-sensei sat straight up, his eyes wide with horror as Kenshin's wail echoed through the still pre-dawn air.
"Oh, shit," he said, leaping to his feet, "someone else is out of alcohol!!!"
Wufei finished the last of his calculations and prepared to measure out the proper amounts of chemicals for his experiment. His lab partner, Allielle, was absolutely useless at this sort of thing, because she was too busy ogling Kodachi Kuno from afar. The Kuno girl had already finished her measurements with a bored yawn. Apparently she already knew something about Chemistry.
A knock at the door caught Wufei's attention just as he was adding a crucial ingredient, and he looked up in time to see Treize Kushrenada walk in to have a chat with Zechs-sensei. The little measuring spoon fell from nerveless fingers, and Wufei looked down in horror in time to realize what he'd done.
"Look out!" he cried, and ducked to avoid the worst of the explosion. Oh, Zechs-sensei was going to be so angry with him... He straightened back up and cut the flame on his Bunsen Burner as his horrified dark eyes rose to meet Treize-sama's. If Zechs paddled him in front of Treize and the whole class...
Treize merely raised an eyebrow, and Zechs snapped at him to clean up the mess he had made. A titter of laughter echoed through the classroom, and Wufei's cheeks burned with shame as he quickly went about mopping up his lab area. Treize left wordlessly, and it was only then that Wufei realized he was not going to get a paddling. He finished cleaning up in much better spirits.
That evening, Wufei reported to the Library five minutes early to find Treize already waiting for him.
"I want to introduce you to Une-sensei," Treize said in muted tones, leading Wufei over to the sour-faced librarian. "She'll be reporting to me on those evenings that I'm not able to be here, so I expect you to be punctual as you are this evening."
"I understand," Wufei said. "I'm pleased to meet you, Une-sensei, ma'am."
"Just be sure you're on time, young man," the woman sniffed. "And we'll get along just fine."
"Yes, ma'am," Wufei said meekly, biting his tongue. Why was she being so mean, when he hadn't done anything wrong? Unless she could somehow tell what he had done in the shower...
"The room you're to study in is up these stairs," Treize said, and led the way to a small study room, using a key which Une-sensei had provided. "Tonight, you are to study your Chemistry. I expect that today's incident won't be repeated."
"Yes, Treize-sama," Wufei answered, his mouth dry as he seated himself at the small table and opened his Chemistry book.
"You are to remain here until 9 pm," Treize reminded him. "Return the key to Une-sensei when you're finished."
"Yes, Treize-sama," Wufei said, and waited tensely until he heard the man's footsteps echoing back down the stairs. He then heaved a deep sigh and settled down to study.
Some time later, Wufei stopped to uncrick his neck. His gaze fixed on the window by the table, and he happened to notice his friend Chihaya walking out on the grounds, looking up at the evening sky. A smile spread over Wufei's face. It was so nice having a friend!
He was just wondering whether Chihaya would notice him waving from the window when he saw Duo Maxwell running away from the area right behind the oblivious dark-haired boy. Wufei's eyes widened in horror. Whatever revenge Duo had settled on, he had obviously enacted it. Chihaya had to get out of there! He waved frantically, and dared to tap lightly on the glass to try and get Chihaya's attention. A quick check of the clock revealed that there were still ten minutes to go of his study time. Wufei anxiously glanced from the window to the books in a welter of indecision, and tried waving again. Why wouldn't Chihaya look at him? Frantic, he checked the clock again. Five minutes to go... maybe Une-sensei wouldn't notice. He quickly gathered up his books and locked the little room, turned in the key breathlessly and dashed down the stairs. Une noted her watch and smiled.
"Chihaya! Run!" Wufei called, dropping his books and scooping them back up again frantically. "Run!"
Chihaya turned to smile at him as he finally noticed Wufei scrambling towards him. The Chinese boy had just caught up to him, panting too hard to speak, when an enraged Zechs-sensei descended on them, grabbed them both by their shirt collars, and dragged them toward the building that housed Treize-sama's office.
"We didn't do anything!" Wufei gasped as Zechs pushed them up to the door.
"You two stay right here," Zechs growled, and the frightened students turned to face him, gaping in horrified astonishment as they realized that the man was clad only in a hastily-wrapped towel, his bright pink hair dragging into his eyes in dripping wet strands.
"Pink...?" Chihaya said, puzzled, and Zechs grew even more irate.
"Don't you dare move from this spot, either of you!" the angry man snarled, and stalked back to his room to get some clothes and call Treize.
"...Are we in trouble for something?" Chihaya asked, his violet eyes round with shock as he watched Zechs leave.
"I think so," Wufei sighed, and sank down onto the front step to wait. Chihaya hesitated a moment before joining him. It didn't occur to either of them to leave.
End Part A
Yoiko -- Please send feedback to the author at: mightyyoiko@hotmail.com
(:./knm/wilmington10)
