A/N: Sorry for the delay. :)

Kurogane glared around the studio. Crew assistants and cameramen scurried off under his scrutiny lest his gaze burn holes in their backs.

Mokona laughed at his sullen expression. "I don't suppose you are here to model?"

Kurogane snorted. "No chance in hell."

"Well then, enjoy the show."

"Mmph," Kurogane grunted sourly.

Mokona cocked his head to the side, a wide, startling grin spreading across his features. "And please do try to remain seated during the shoot."

Before Kurogane could reply, a handsome raven-haired youth he recognized from Fai's folder approached them. "Mokona-san, you have a phone call."

Mokona nodded, smiling, and walked off. "We'll talk later, Kurogane-san."

"No, we won't!" Kurogane barked.

"So you are Kurogane-san?" Ashura questioned after Mokona had gone.

"Yeah."

The two men exchanged terse nods and sized each other up.

Kurogane had done his homework; he knew Ashura came from a wealthy family and figured he was just another spoiled brat with good connections. His perfect reputation was marred with the absence of parking tickets or incriminating offenses and a profitable future had been predicted for him. There were rumors circling the gossip community regarding his sexuality--he was bi, and had recently gone through a breakup with his ex-boyfriend. He had had several girlfriends before that, but it seemed he was moving on.

Kurogane hid a wry smirk at the information he had cataloged.

Google was a miracle-worker.

"Ashura-san! It's time!"

"Alright," the youth called, and smiled at Kurogane. "It was nice meeting you."

"Yeah."

Ashura strolled off onto the set. Fai waved happily at Kurogane, who jerked his head away and pretended not to see. He sank back into his seat and watched as the photo shoot began.

He had to admit, Fai was amazing.

His face was alive and expressive, his bright eyes earnest and his bubblegum lips parted just so. His features were endearingly attractive, and when he turned, Kurogane had to appreciate the view. And his legs. Wow. They were slender and shapely, made more so by the fact that he was wearing a skirt--wait.

A skirt?!

Fai twirled, giggling, and Ashura smirked at Kurogane, resting a hand on the blonde's thigh.

A low, dangerous growl rumbled deep in his chest and something feral ignited within his crimson orbs as Ashura brushed his fingers higher, hitching up Fai's skirt and caressing the curve of his ass. Kurogane's glare hardened as the young man pressed a knee between Fai's legs and grinned roguishly in his direction. Ashura's lips moved next to Fai's ear and Fai shook his head slightly, still beaming at the camera.

Kurogane rose in his chair, his muscles tense and his stance wary. There was no way in hell he was just going to stand by and watch Fai get molested.

He stepped forward.

And then…

Fai stiffened rigidly as Ashura kissed him on the mouth.

Kurogane froze up.

Oh. No way.

Kurogane's thoughts whirled to that time, that single mistake he had made two years ago…

Fuck.

He ran onto the set, in front of the cameras and the lights, and shoved Ashura out of the way, taking some satisfaction in hearing his body hit the ground. Bewildered voices erupted around the studio at Kurogane's sudden entrance.

"Hey--what do you think you're--"

"You're not supposed to be on the set!"

"Ashura-san--"

Ignoring them all, Kurogane gathered Fai up into his arms, hooked his elbow under his knees, and dashed away, already counting down the seconds that elapsed since the kiss broke. Kurogane was a fast sprinter; he made it all the way to the fire exit before Fai vanished in a puff of purple smoke. Without slowing down, Kurogane tightened his grip on the furry cat and barreled straight through the double doors.

As soon as his foot hit the pavement outside, the alarm sounded shrilly and Neko-Fai recoiled, his ears flattening against his head as his claws sunk into Kurogane's arm. He gritted his teeth as Neko-Fai tried to wriggle out of his grasp, his back paws scrabbling against the flat of his stomach.

"Ouch, dammit!" Kurogane barked. "Quit moving--"

Neko-Fai hissed stubbornly and nipped at his fingers. Kurogane's only response was to hold him tighter, practically crushing the feline to his chest.

The clothes had been dropped long ago, and Kurogane suddenly remembered what was supposed to happen next in their absence. He ran faster, frantic, knowing he'd never get to the dorms in time but trying all the same. Neko-Fai tensed, went lax in his grip, and then…

Poof.

Kurogane swore under his breath and ducked into a deserted alleyway. His eyes were admirably squeezed shut, his bare arms burning where they touched the sinful luxury of tender skin. The cold brick wall on his back pimpled goose bumps over his flesh while the glowing heat he held to his chest kept him impossibly warm.

"…Kuro-chu?"

Kurogane had always thought he had remarkable self-control in most circumstances. He generally had unyielding patience and privacy was something of great value that he respected. But that seemed to be an issue at the moment when his fingers were pressed beneath Chibi-Fai's ribcage, sensitive to every small breath the blonde took. It didn't help when Chibi-Fai grabbed his shoulders to hoist himself higher.

Shy exhales ghosted across his neck and Kurogane still refused to open his eyes. He was practically letting the youth dangle from his frame, afraid to touch the lithe body anymore than he already was.

"Kuro-chu," Chibi-Fai repeated. "What just…" He paused, a small shiver rippling through his spine. "I'm cold."

Kurogane eased open his eyes at the truthful comment and saw his reflection in Chibi-Fai's large, dynamic orbs. He stared at the rounded face and childish expression before him and shook his head to clear his thoughts.

"Get down," he grunted.

"Let me down," Chibi-Fai countered innocently, and steadied himself on bare feet when Kurogane loosened his arms. The taller man vigilantly looked the other way as he handed Chibi-Fai his jacket. It was accepted gratefully, and the petite form below him zipped the coat up. It was much too large for someone of his stature, the hem brushing just beneath his knees. He turned around experimentally and his flaxen tail swished behind him. Kurogane watched as the curious attachment to Chibi-Fai's body whooshed about animatedly in vivacious circles.

"This is so bizarre."

Chibi-Fai blinked up at him, stretching his arms out in a wordless plead to be carried.

"You can walk by yourself," Kurogane pointed out halfheartedly, but he picked him up anyway and glanced warily into the streets before falling into a brisk walk back to his dorm. Chibi-Fai's tail automatically curled up against his side, his ears flattening against his head to the point where they could be dismissed as part of his unruly hair. People gave them strange looks as they swiftly passed by, but the oddity was soon shrugged off.

"How do I get into these kinds of situations?" Kurogane grumbled aloud.

"Don't frown like that, Kuro-chu, it give you scary wrinkles."

"What? It does not."

"Kurogane-san!" came a distant cry, and Kurogane turned to see Mokona's faraway visage waving worriedly at him across the crowded road.

"It's Mokona-san. What do you want me to do?" he addressed Chibi-Fai, who was peering over his shoulder at the approaching figure with something akin to fright.

"Run."

"What? Are you crazy?"

"Run," Chibi-Fai begged, tugging at Kurogane's shirt. "Let's go back home right now. I can't let anyone else know about…" He twitched a cat ear meaningfully. "It's just too weird."

"Kurogane-san!"

Mokona's voice faded away distressfully as Kurogane kept moving until he reached a corner, where he made a sharp turn and took a quick shortcut across two crossroads to arrive at the back door of his dormitories. He reached for the doorknob.

"I think we're--"

Poof.

There wasn't much of a difference in weight, but Chibi-Fai's size had suddenly seemed to double and with only one hand supporting the youth in his awkward embrace, Kurogane stumbled forward, off balance. He managed to open the door before they both fell inside, Fai with a dainty squeal as he threw his lanky arms about Kurogane's neck and Kurogane with a sort of strangled oomph as he landed painfully on his side in order not to crush Fai.

Fai swiveled his head around quizzically, a smile tugging at his mouth.

"You're a fast runner, Kuro-pup."

"Ugh," Kurogane groaned, pushing the blonde away to sit up. His eyes narrowed purposefully. "Come on. You've got some explaining to do."

It shouldn't have been strange to see Fai wear something of his, but it was still unsettling, the way Fai clutched the fabric of his jacket, stroking it with coaxing fingers like it belonged on him.

"Okay," he sighed at last.

He got to his feet and started for the stairs to their room, the graceful movement of his legs hypnotic and alluring. He cast Kurogane a coy, perplexed glance.

"Aren't you coming?"

Kurogane stood up, averting his gaze. "Yeah."

He heaved an exhale that was more resigned than tired. "Yeah, I am…"

A/N: I hope to get the next chapter up around... oh, let's say before next month. x3